Morning Devotion and the Ogre Raid Call
The Ogre Raid Party's campsite was still in the early morning hush, but Isu-yeon woke first. Inside her tent, Namgung Seojun was still deep in sleep. Moving with utmost care, Isu-yeon aimed to prepare everything without waking her master.
She dampened a cloth with water from the canteen and wiped down her face and body simply. In the 10th floor section, where minimizing gear was essential, this was how they managed basic hygiene. After cleaning herself, Isu-yeon prepared Seojun's wash-up. Unlike her own quick rinse, she polished his helmet spotless and filled it with water.
Next, she gathered fresh clothes for him to change into and began packing their gear.
"Ah... hm..."
Seojun stirred and sat up. Isu-yeon immediately approached her master and spoke.
"Master, did you sleep well last night?"
He nodded, and she brought the prepared wash tools and the helmet filled with water.
"Please wash up."
As Namgung Seojun began washing, Isu-yeon attended him at his side. "Soap," he said, and she handed it over instantly. "Towel," he requested next, and she provided that too without delay.
It wasn't just the washing. Once he finished, Seojun changed clothes, and Isu-yeon assisted even with that.
At first, Namgung Seojun had found Isu-yeon's service awkward. But in the Tower World, slaves serving their masters this way was commonplace, and she performed it with such sincere devotion.
Yet the tent held more than just the two of them. Gisohee, who had spent the night with Seojun, finally stirred awake.
Ha... impressive.
Gisohee watched the pair in admiration. No matter how she thought about it, she could never act like Isu-yeon.
Since Isu-yeon's arrival, Gisohee had stopped sharing a room with Namgung Seojun. The reason? Isu-yeon served him like a perfect maid. Whenever Seojun bedded Gisohee or the other women, Isu-yeon waited outside the door—until everything was done.
The first morning Gisohee saw her waiting, she assumed Isu-yeon had just arrived for the day. But even when leaving at dawn the next time, there she was. Isu-yeon was always standing vigil.
When asked, Isu-yeon replied it was her heartfelt duty to serve her master. That was when Gisohee realized this woman was anything but ordinary.
Namgung Seojun had been puzzled at first too, but with her trait of blind obedience, he thought, So that's how it manifests.
With Isu-yeon's help, Seojun finished tidying up. Once Gisohee was ready too, the porters arrived shortly after to dismantle the tents. The three shared a simple breakfast of jerky and dried fruit.
"Gisohee, you know today's schedule, right?"
"Yes. We head out in the morning, travel about four hours for lunch, then another three to reach Niznino, the last city on the 19th floor?"
As the guide, Namgung Seojun had planned every detail and knew the route by heart. Gisohee, always at his side, had naturally taken on the sub-party leader role and was receiving proper training.
"Good. The path itself has no special threats, but stay cautious anyway."
"Got it."
This day marked the end of the long, grueling 10th floor section—and arrival at Niznino, the final city of the 19th.
Seven hours after departure, the stairs to the 20th floor came into view, with Niznino beside them.
"Niznino, the last city of the 19th floor. Everyone, let's head in quick."
"Yes!"
The announcement of reaching the city brought bright smiles and loud replies from all.
Thus, Namgung Seojun's party arrived at the final city of the dark maze section—the 10th floor stretch.
Upon entering Niznino, they went straight to the temple for settlement.
"Nine gold and 80 merit points each."
Under Jo Jaehun's lead, they sold all loot and divvied it up swiftly per person.
Someone approached Seojun's party cautiously.
"You just entered Niznino, right? I'm Kim Yongtae, a temple-certified broker."
Seojun's Super Sense picked up that the man wouldn't offer huge gains but no losses either, so he replied.
"Namgung Seojun."
Kim Yongtae flashed a salesman's smile.
Namgung Seojun told Jo Jaehun to secure rooms at an inn with the group, then followed the broker to a nearby small eatery.
"Two basic drinks here!"
He ordered familiarly, then unleashed a torrent of info on Seojun.
"I'm a temple-certified broker. I handle honest matchmaking for a fair commission."
On Earth, it'd scream scammer, but this was the Tower World—gods' domain. No one dared scam in their name, so it was trustworthy.
"Lots of brokers on the 19th floor. And why you need ones like me..."
"The raid, right?"
Namgung Seojun cut in, and Kim Yongtae clapped.
"You already know! Yes, the raid."
Kim Yongtae explained the 19th floor's "final trial"—the massive monster raid before job acquisition.
"A giant monster guards the stairs to the 20th. Kill it to pass."
"This one's a Black Giant Ogre—huge, with insane power."
"Solo party clears are impossible. Even at max low-floor level 30, no chance. Too many deaths, so big guilds block it now. Temple approves."
"Can't repeat if you've joined once, so only raid newbies. Near-impossible."
"That's where brokers like me come in!"
He downed his drink and continued.
"Two ways up to the 20th now."
"Common way: Wait for raid-leading guilds to kill it, then pay toll."
"Toll's steep—10 gold per head. Cheap as a slave, but smart for safety."
But not Seojun's choice. Seeing no reaction, Kim went on.
"Second: Join a big guild's Ogre raid, risk your life to slay it."
"Win, get achievements and generous guild rewards."
"But you might die. One solid ogre hit means instant death."
Risky, but the raid path was Seojun's pick.
When Namgung Seojun declared entry, Kim Yongtae double-checked thrice.
"You really want in? For real? Absolutely sure?? You could die???"
Seojun confirmed, so Kim offered carefully.
"I'll take minimal fee for toll at 9 gold."
Seojun stuck to raid, so Kim led him to the lead guild.
Paroemun Guild—run by a Chinese guildmaster, boasting over 500 members.
"Paroemun leads this raid."
At the entrance, Kim gave final guidance, pointing ahead.
"My job ends here. Go in, talk raid entry yourself."
"Commission?"
Kim shook his head at Seojun's question.
"I sell tolls for fees. Brave adventurers joining raids get free info. But!"
He handed a card.
"Change your mind for toll? Call me. Special for you, Namgung Seojun—9 gold."
Then Kim headed back to the temple.
Seojun entered Paroemun Guild.
"Welcome. What brings you?"
A pretty guild staffer greeted at the counter. Seojun stated his purpose.
"Here for raid entry."
"Sure, fill basics here? Or just what you want."
The form asked name, level, status, stats, top trait, skills.
Seojun wrote only name and inviter.
"Here."
The staffer nearly sent it back for incompleteness... but
Oh!!
Status: inviter. She rushed it upstairs.
"Welcome! I'm Wang Bang!"
Learning Namgung Seojun was an inviter, Paroemun exec Wang Bang invited him personally.
Wang first briefed raid prep.
"Paroemun's prepped this raid for half a year. Recruited over 30 fighters, leveled to 30, bought skills, trained 'em. Lured solid adventurers too."
He stressed their investment. Clear once, 20th floor open two weeks—huge profits.
"Heard you're an inviter. That's value enough."
Namgung Seojun revealed more cards.
"My party's got another inviter mage, a healer, and a unique-skill spear warrior."
Wang Bang's face lit up.
"Amazing! Your party's stacked!"
"Haven't confirmed if all four join yet. More party members might too."
"Either way, great! Hear our offer first."
Wang offered: For four entrants, 30 gold to Seojun and Lee Guho, 20 to Yuki and Li Zhangwei. Other party free passage to 20th.
But Lee Guho and Yuki rear support—safe. Seojun and Li Zhangwei assault team—high death risk. He disclosed that.
"Thanks for the offer. I'll consult the party and return."
"Sure. Hope for the best decision."
Thus, Namgung Seojun left Paroemun Guild with just the proposal.