Lavish Gifts for the Loyal
Namgung Seojun exchanged greetings with every party member. Then, in this gathered assembly, he moved on to a brief introduction of the new recruits.
"Those who just joined, like Pinara, might not know this, but Yuki—our former party member—is rejoining us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuki stood up alongside her owner, Lee Guho, and bowed in greeting.
"As Yuki's owner, I'd like to bring her back into the party," Lee Guho said politely, requesting permission from everyone. With unanimous agreement, Yuki's reinstatement was settled.
Halep Aziz, whom Namgung Seojun had purchased on the 20th floor, also exchanged greetings. Everyone welcomed the addition of a skilled shield warrior who could handle ranged attacks as well.
"That wraps up the new party member inductions. Now, shall I unwrap these gifts?"
Namgung Seojun was grateful to his patient party members. He'd prepared presents for them, and with a pleased expression, he opened the large bag he'd brought.
He pulled out one of the assorted items inside and handed it first to Gisohee.
"Gisohee, this is for you."
Gisohee accepted the golden earrings from Seojun.
◈ Increases wearer's Agility by +3
◈ Reduces noise generated while moving
It was an ultra-rare unique item, nearly impossible to buy with mere gold. Boosting Agility by 3 was great, but the sound-dampening effect made it perfect for ambushes and survival.
"Wow! Thank you so much."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Gisohee pressed her lips to Seojun's. The two shared a brief kiss.
Afterward, Seojun reached into the bag again and handed something to Jo Jaehun.
"I prepared this bracelet for you, Jaehun."
Jo Jaehun received the bracelet from Namgung Seojun and checked its details, his eyes widening in shock.
"This... it's unique grade?!?"
◈ Increases wearer's Strength by +1 and Intelligence by +2
A unique-grade bracelet perfectly suited to Jo Jaehun, boosting the exact stats he needed: Strength and Intelligence. It wasn't the priciest unique item, but at around 300 gold, it was a lavish gift that left him deeply moved.
"How could I not give at least this much to our party's main guard? You've been incredible so far—thank you."
Jo Jaehun had excelled as the main guard and unwavering supporter. Seojun had scoured for a fitting item and chosen this bracelet.
"Thank you so much."
"Try it on."
Jo Jaehun expressed his gratitude and slipped the unique bracelet onto his wrist.
Next, Dmitri planted herself in front of him.
"Mine! Gimme!"
She demanded boldly, and Seojun chuckled as he pulled out her gift.
"Here."
It was a small necklace.
◈ Automatically deploys a powerful shield upon impact to protect the user
◈ Recharges shield magic after 24 hours
A perfect item for a frontline warrior like her. Dmitri beamed uncontrollably as she examined the necklace, then planted a kiss on Seojun's cheek.
"Seojun! Thank you so much!!"
She thanked him repeatedly, donned the necklace to check the fit, and made no effort to hide her joy.
"Seojun! What about me? Did you forget me?"
Pinara, who hadn't been in the party long but always fought bravely, had a gift prepared too. Seojun pulled a round shield from the bag.
"Here."
"Thanks!"
Pinara had asked hopefully, but upon inspecting Seojun's gift, she gasped again.
"Whoa!! Unique grade?"
◈ Infuse with mana to expand defense range via mana barrier
A unique shield that grew in size through a mana barrier. Mana-intensive, but with sufficient reserves, it offered top-tier defense and fetched up to 500 gold at auction—a high-end unique item.
"Kyaa!!"
Ecstatic at receiving such a fine piece, she squealed in delight.
"Li Zhangwei, I've got something for you too."
At Namgung Seojun's words, Li Zhangwei approached with an awkward smile. Seojun handed him a black leather belt from the bag.
"Oh..."
Li Zhangwei could only marvel. Another unique item.
◈ Increases wearer's Strength by +2 and Agility by +1
A renowned item for combatants, periodically produced by a famous workshop. At 199 gold, it was a bargain for unique grade, but every warrior coveted it. Its unique leather blend allowed unrestricted movement, ideal for Li Zhangwei's dual-wield spear style.
Li Zhangwei tried on the belt, tested its comfort with some movements and arm swings, then bowed 90 degrees to Namgung Seojun.
"Thank you so much, Leader!"
After his bow, Li Zhangwei grabbed his spear and headed outside. In the wide open space before the inn, he began rigorously testing the belt's performance with spear swings.
"Kim Hoon!"
"Yes! I've been waiting."
Next was Kim Hoon's turn. Namgung Seojun handed him a bag.
◈ Lightweight and space-expansion magic
◈ Holds 3x its size in items with negligible weight
◈ Bound item: Effects activate only for first wearer
The bound nature lowered its price slightly, but it was still unique grade. Kim Hoon's face lit up with gratitude, while Seojun just smiled.
"Keep up the good work."
"Yes! I will!"
Kim Hoon shouted enthusiastically.
The slaves watched enviously as Namgung Seojun gifted unique items to the official party members. What he handed out so casually were luxuries most adventurers in this stretch couldn't dream of affording.
Even the cheapest—the Chechen Workshop's Potent and Agile Belt (U)—retailed at 199 gold, pricier than two or three average slaves. Ordinary adventurers couldn't yet equip such gear.
Namgung Seojun noticed the slaves' envious gazes. Good equipment meant survival, and more of it meant higher odds.
Thankfully, his generosity continued.
"I've got gifts for you all too."
He gave rare-grade backpack bags enchanted with weight reduction to the porters: Chigusa Sakai, Garyunmi, Choe Sohee, and Song Kang.
The combat slaves—Yasiro Yakamura, Lee Doyun, Idohun, Iban Sergeyei, and Yui Koizumi—received rare-grade strength-boosting rings.
But these came with a caveat.
"These are loans. You're still slaves, after all. But!"
The slaves hung on that word, awaiting what followed.
"If you earn your freedom while in our party, they're yours outright."
His words steeled their resolve to break free from slavery during their time here.
"And... done!"
Namgung Seojun closed the bag. By then, most party members weren't even listening—they were too busy trying on or testing their new gear.
Even Lee Guho and Yuki had quietly retreated to their room. Only Isu-yeon, the sole one without a public gift, remained quietly in her seat.
When Seojun entered his room with his luggage, Isu-yeon naturally followed.
"Master, you've worked so hard these past days."
She took his bag and organized it as usual. When he undressed, she hung his clothes neatly.
"Master, what about dinner? Shall I fetch it?"
"Ah, wait a sec!"
Namgung Seojun approached the bag Isu-yeon had set down, as if remembering something. He pulled out a small box.
"I didn't want to give your gift in front of everyone, so here it is. Felt left out, huh? Go on, open it."
As he handed it over, Isu-yeon's cheeks flushed. It felt like he'd seen right through her petty resentment.
"Come on, unwrap it."
Isu-yeon carefully accepted the box and peeled back the wrapping. Inside was lingerie made of a sheer mesh fabric.
"Lingerie... oh!"
But it wasn't ordinary. It was unique grade.
◈ Lightens the body upon wear
◈ Increases Agility by +3 and Charm by +1
Isu-yeon's eyes glazed over at the sight. A staggering +4 to stats from lingerie. She didn't know the exact price, but it was undoubtedly exorbitant. It touched her deeply, proof of Seojun's thoughtfulness.
As she gazed at it in awe, Seojun added, "It was tough finding a unique item that suited you."
"Thank you, Master!"
Isu-yeon bowed deeply, her face alight with emotion.
"Ahem... considering what you do for me daily, it's the least I could do."
Seojun sounded a bit embarrassed, but Isu-yeon cherished feeling his affection.
"Let's go down for dinner together."
"Yes!"
Following Seojun out, Isu-yeon's eyes shone with warmth.
The next day, at Ruin's north gate, the Namgung Seojun Party finished preparations.
"Everyone good?"
"Yes!"
"Then, let's climb again!"
With that, the Namgung Seojun Party departed the 24th-floor city of Ruin and resumed their ascent of the tower.