Date in Mekelo and the Black Stone's Secret
After finishing the additional merit settlement in the great city of Mekelo, the rest of the party dispersed naturally, all satisfied. Lee Guho stayed until the end, watching Yuki stare gloomily at her merit point coupon.
"Yuki, you okay?"
At his words, Yuki let out a sigh.
"Eh, same old me."
Seeing her disappointment, Lee Guho tried to comfort her.
"320 merit points is enough for one skill... Don't be too down. A little more, and you could buy a 1000-point skill."
Yuki smiled at his encouragement.
"Guho's always so kind."
From Yuki's perspective, Lee Guho was always a lifesaver. Namgung Seojun was intimidating, Jo Jaehun kept his distance, Gisohee and Kim Hoon openly disliked her, and Min Giyoung wasn't close yet. Lee Guho was the only one she could open up to.
As her expression softened, Lee Guho seized the moment.
"If you're feeling down, wanna head into the city with me?"
"Pardon?"
When Yuki blinked in surprise, he mustered his courage.
"That's a date invitation."
Yuki laughed and nodded.
The two left the restaurant and asked the innkeeper about the local area.
"Here's the Mekelo pamphlet."
The innkeeper explained, pointing to the map on the pamphlet he handed to Lee Guho and Yuki.
"Mekelo's a massive city. The commercial district is only a third the size of the agricultural one, but it's still enormous."
He pointed north.
"North from the inn district, you'll find the grand plaza where adventurers gather, the flower garden, and the amusement park. The flower garden's the pride of Mekelo—a huge area of meticulously tended flowers. Perfect spot for lovers on a date."
"The eastern district is commercial. Every kind of goods trades there, especially wheat and rice shipped across the entire Tower. Lots of stuff you won't see on lower floors—worth a look."
"West is the entertainment district. Restaurants and bars rivaling those on Earth, plus all sorts of exotic fun spots. You can enjoy pleasures that'd make your old life jealous."
Finished with the map rundown, the innkeeper pointed to a carriage waiting out front.
"For longer trips, take a carriage. Too far to walk. Pick ones with temple-certified marks on the driver's chest—no rip-offs that way."
The innkeeper wrapped up, but Yuki beamed at the pamphlet.
"Guho! This place is amazing. Flower garden, amusement park, zoo, museum, theater, musicals, even dessert cafes!"
"Yeah, looks like it."
As a super-sized city, it recreated most of Earth's cultural pastimes.
"Let's go! I wanna see the amusement park and flower garden!"
Lee Guho followed the excited Yuki out of the inn.
"Wow!"
Yuki and Lee Guho loved the flower garden. The beautifully arranged, well-kept flowers resembled those in famous Earth amusement parks.
"Eek!"
The amusement park was impressive too. A magitech roller coaster whizzed by, and though pricey, they paid and rode it.
"Whoa!"
The zoo surprised them. Animals unique to the Tower world, plus weak combat monsters displayed like zoo exhibits—more to see than expected.
"Hmm..."
The Tower world museum showcased all sorts of exotic items unseen on Earth.
After a fun day, they headed to the shopping district as evening fell. Yuki wanted drinks but not from the entertainment district, so they came here.
"This is incredible too."
Yuki marveled at the shopping district. Endless shops lined the streets—Tower-climbing gear aplenty, but also women's clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and more.
"Guho, let's browse the shops first."
"Sure."
Lee Guho trailed Yuki through the stores.
"Hohoho, it suits you perfectly!"
"This one's made for a customer like you—earrings!"
"Hard to find someone a red scarf suits so well. No one, actually!"
Yuki savored the rare shopping spree, feeling the happiness of her Earth days.
But something spoiled her mood.
"Customer, need a slave? Cheap ones here. Take a peek."
In a corner cage, humans were on display. Women slaves barely covered in key spots, muscular men flexing—merchandise.
Yuki's face hardened. Seeing the slaves hit her with this cruel, wretched reality—the Tower world's harshness.
Right, this is the Tower world.
She'd forgotten amid the good times, but it wasn't Earth.
For dinner, they sat at a street food stall without scantily clad waitresses.
"Two Special A sets and two beers, please."
Lee Guho was shocked—Yuki never drank. But she just smiled.
As food and beer arrived, they ate and chatted. With alcohol loosening her tongue, Yuki got candid.
"The party's... so tough."
She confessed how hard living with the others was.
"Seojun's cold, Gisohee and Kim Hoon hate me outright."
Jo Jaehun never said much, but it wasn't comfortable.
"You're the only one in the party who gets me, Guho."
Lee Guho comforted her.
"Th-they're good people. It'll get better with time. I'll help."
His words defended the others, though. To Yuki, even Lee Guho sided with them. She felt she couldn't endure much longer.
Meanwhile, Namgung Seojun and Gisohee were in bed, sating desires pent up from climbing to the 6th floor. They'd been at it since afternoon.
Only as night fell did they stop.
"Hah... hah..."
Gisohee had fainted multiple times—passed out, woken, fainted again. Now she lay utterly satisfied in Seojun's arms.
"So... good."
He stroked her hair. Desires eased, they talked in bed.
"How was climbing to the 6th?"
Gisohee grinned, of course.
"Great, naturally. Meeting a lover and leader like you is the luck of my life."
Seojun felt good too.
"Same here—lucky to have our party."
They basked in mutual happiness. The talk continued.
"Kim Hoon and Min Gihun really click. Kim Hoon's the surprise—perfectly adapted to the Tower."
"Jo Jaehun gets the Tower world but doesn't act like a native."
"Guho's always with Yuki... wonder what he's thinking."
Gisohee shared party gossip and thoughts. Seojun voiced future worries.
"From the 6th floor, protection ends. Lots of raiders attacking adventurers."
"Gonna have to kill."
"Yeah, gotta prepare. Party lives at risk, plus mental hurdle of murder."
The long chat turned to tomorrow.
"What tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? You promised in the city, I'd call the shots."
As agreed on the 5th floor, Gisohee led here.
"Right? So, shall I do what you want now?"
Seojun leered playfully, fondling her ample breasts and mound.
"Ahh!"
Her sensitive body reacted instantly... and they heated up again.
Next morning, Seojun woke to Gisohee completely spent. She'd improved, but his Super Sense targeted her weak spots relentlessly—twenty orgasms later, she passed out.
"Success."
Satisfied, he left her sleeping and exited alone. Having snagged the black stone in item distribution, he visited the nearby temple.
"Want to appraise an item?"
He pulled out the black stone. The appraising priest examined it.
"Confirming this costs 1000 merit points. Proceed?"
Namgung Seojun said yes, and the points deducted.
Appraised unknown black stone.
"There, appraised. Check it."
The black stone's true nature was adamantium. An ultra-hard ore stronger than iron, more valuable than gold. In the Tower world where weapons mattered, it forged top gear. Master smiths with the "master craftsman" title even made Unique-grade or higher weapons from it.
Namgung Seojun admired the adamantium at first, but soon worried. Great treasure, but how to use it?
Luckily, the appraising priest spoke up.
"Nice find. This size? Sell for at least 150 gold."
A fortune, but Super Sense dismissed selling.
"Want a weapon made? I can introduce a smith—skilled, devout. Pricey, but no regrets."
Super Sense screamed yes.
"Please do."
Next up: meeting the smith.