Reorganization in the Great City Kamel

A guard at the west gate of the great city Kamel yawned while standing watch at the gate. Then, a young soldier who seemed to be his junior asked a question.

"Senior, not many people come through the west gate, do they?"

"You? You're a resident, right?"

"Yes, I'm from Orgu, a small village on the 16th floor."

Realizing his junior wasn't a local, the senior guard began explaining various things.

"Kamel's south gate is right there when you come ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up from the 14th floor—adventurers usually go through the north or east gates. This west gate leads to a maze on the 16th floor that's way too convoluted, so hardly anyone uses ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it."

His junior nodded in understanding. That explained why no one had passed through during the six hours they were on duty.

But moments later, the junior shouted.

"Senior! Someone's approaching from the front!"

"What?"

The senior guard watched in amazement as the group drew near—a guide covered head to toe in green blood, leading an adventurer party.

"No way? Are they grinding levels on the 15th floor? That's insane."

The 10th floor section was dark, mazelike, and narrow—terrible for combat. Even weak monsters could be deadly with ambushes, and most fights there started with one. Adventurers rarely battled there to level up.

But there was one party that could grind safely even in such a place, thanks to a god-tier trait. It was none other than Namgung Seojun's party, approaching the west gate right now.

After two days of adventure, as they entered Kamel City, Namgung Seojun said to Gisohee,

"Sohee, please handle the battle settlement this time. Jaehun, help her out."

"Yes."

Leaving the calculations to them, Seojun headed straight back to the inn. After arriving in his room, showering, and lying on the bed, he opened his status window to check his new skill.

"Mapping, huh?"

It was the epic skill he'd gained upon reaching level 25. Having acted as the party's guide since the tutorial—and influenced by his god-tier Super Sense—he'd acquired Mapping.

"Nice. Perfect."

All the info from the areas they'd explored this time was preserved. Like a game's minimap, a map now formed in Namgung Seojun's mind for him to view.

"Lots of advantages, but first off, no more need to check directions."

With Mapping, they no longer needed someone for direction-checking. Lying on the bed, Namgung Seojun reviewed other gains from the expedition: his teammates' new level 20 skills.

"Guho hit the jackpot with his level 20 skill."

Lee Guho had gotten Multi-Casting, maximizing his attack power. He'd shone in battle with magic attacks, so this was perfect for him.

Multi-Casting didn't double all spell usage—it depended on intellect and traits. Still, Guho's magic efficiency rose by over 1.5 times.

"Sohee got a decent one too, but seeing her deflate because Guho pulled a unique skill... she's still young."

Gisohee had actually scored big too—not a single-shot attack, but a self-buff. Her sub-DPS damage had been weak, but this would change that.

Buffs are definitely strong.

Unlike one-shots, buffs boosted attack power for a duration. Recently, Yuki's buffs had spiked Guho's output—proof buffs were great.

"Jaehun got a good one too."

A skill perfect for the guard. It enabled wide-range defense temporarily, a huge boon for party hunts. But it consumed mana, so he'd need to address his shortage.

"Kim Hoon... maybe production class?"

Kim Hoon had performed well as a guard, but the Tower apparently valued his everyday slave management and trade leadership more. A unique skill was top-tier, of course—better trade profits meant more income. But it screamed "merchant" over combatant.

"Honestly, Yuki got the best luck."

During the 15th-floor grind, she'd only buffed Guho. Yet at level 15, luck smiled with a skill generation.

Even a level 5 skill is lucky, but healing? Insane.

Skills generated every 10 levels guaranteed, but level 5 ones were luck-based. And a rare heal? Incredible fortune.

The level-up grind had boosted the party's abilities. More level 20s would bring even better skills...

As Namgung Seojun pondered, the door opened.

"Oh? Sohee, all done?"

When he asked Gisohee, she slipped into his arms.

"Yeah, all settled."

From his embrace, Gisohee said,

"Touching virgins now?"

It was about Isu-yeon. Gisohee had learned Seojun had taken her virginity.

"Ah... yeah, it happened."

Seojun honestly explained how Isu-yeon had come to him and the situation.

"Wow, impressive. 'Respect and love. I'll give you not just my first time, but everything'... Chills."

Gisohee felt a shiver at her rival's resolve. A powerful new competitor—in the same party.

Noticing Gisohee's darkened expression, Seojun patted her and pleaded,

"Like I said when we first met, please make sure no issues arise."

"Hah. Fine."

Her face didn't brighten. So Seojun decided to loosen her up.

Swish... rustle...

As he stripped and caressed her, he persuaded,

"A new woman doesn't mean I can't do things for you, Sohee."

"That's true, but... haah! Ah!"

Enjoying the stimulation on sensitive spots, she continued,

"Haah... I'm the top priority, right? Ah."

"You're first, Sohee."

"Haak... Ah! Heek... Yeah, that's fine. Ha... I love you, Seojun. Ah!"

Thus, they confirmed their love with sex.

That night, at an outdoor table near the inn's pub, Gisohee and Isu-yeon sat facing each other. Gisohee was expressionless; Isu-yeon tense.

"..."

After downing her beer for a while, Gisohee spoke first.

"Adapted yet? Must've been rough at first."

Namgung Seojun's size was too much for a virgin. She asked to evoke that painful memory.

"Ah... it's okay now."

Still tough, but Isu-yeon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said it was fine. Attending him at night was grueling. Their first night was hell; the next, she could barely walk. It continued, and she hadn't fully adjusted.

"When your gait was off at first, I wondered... Hah."

Learning later it'd been from sex with Seojun, Gisohee couldn't forget the odd feeling.

"..."

Isu-yeon shut her mouth again. Silence fell.

Gisohee, having sorted her emotions, laid it out.

"I'm top priority."

Short, but loaded: she was Seojun's first, and she acknowledged Isu-yeon second.

Isu-yeon got it instantly.

"Yes. Of course. You're first, Sohee."

"For anything with Seojun, get my permission. If timing's off, tell me after."

"Yes, understood."

Gisohee stood. Isu-yeon followed her back to the inn.

The next morning, Namgung Seojun called the official party members to the lobby.

"Over a month in this city. Can't stay longer, right?"

The others agreed, but...

"No adventurer or slave with Direction Check. Nothing we can do."

Lee Guho's words prompted Jo Jaehun to say hopefully,

"But Leader, please don't buy Direction Check. 5000 merit points is too wasteful."

Gisohee agreed.

"Seojun could scrape together 5000, but no more sacrifices. It's burdensome."

"Hyungnim, if—if! You buy it, take our merit points too. We share the burden. You've yielded enough."

Seojun felt proud at their words. He'd made quiet concessions climbing up, and they knew.

"Hahaha. Thanks, everyone. Luckily, another way appeared."

He explained his level 25 skill to the party—not full details, but enough: no more need for Direction Check.

"Whoa, Leader's amazing."

"As expected of Hyungnim! Just need to depart now."

"Congratulations."

All congratulated him; he declared departure.

"Leaving tomorrow. Prepare today."

They nodded.

Afternoon, as Namgung Seojun came to the inn lobby, Jo Jaehun was prepping with the slaves.

"Food? Too much jerky—dry goods and fruit too!"

"Water's fine like that!"

"This tent! Hole in it! Repair or replace!"

"Checked blankets? No shortages—double-check."

"Oil? Lantern oil? No one packed? Get it together!!"

Jo Jaehun inspected with the slaves. Seojun approached.

"Jaehun."

"Yes, Leader?"

With Luda gone, they were short one porter.

"Luda ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't carry much, but don't we need another porter?"

Jo Jaehun eyed the gear, then replied,

"Yes, one more would be good."

Namgung Seojun headed alone to the slave market. At the largest temple-certified shop, he requested,

"Need a porter."

"Shall I show you some?"

Seojun shook his head. He'd scouted during their long stay.

"Want Yuchiro Shikatani from before."

Yuchiro Shikatani: 1st-class slave, 6 years left, 11 gold. Low stamina plus butchering and herb-gathering skills—porter essentials. Wrongly enslaved, good nature. Not the best, but most trustworthy.

"Understood."

The clerk fetched Yuchiro; they talked briefly.

"Obvious, but do your job right, and you'll be treated well."

Handing over the pre-written Goddess Contract, Yuchiro replied gratefully,

"I'll serve my master faithfully for the remaining time."

Thus, a new slave porter joined.

Next day, Namgung Seojun's party gathered at the north gate.

Guide: me. Attackers: Guho and Gisohee. Guards: Jaehun and Dmitri. Healer: Yuki. Free-roll dealer: Li Zhangwei. Tail: Isu-yeon. Porters: Kim Hoon and Yuchiro.

Solid lineup.

"All ready? Departing now."

"Yes!"

The party cheered loudly, exited Kamel's north gate, and after over a month, resumed climbing the Tower.