Chapter 32
Chapter 32
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Glitchy Shitty Game
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Im Ji-hye: Joo-hyuk, I've packed four lunchboxes. One resisted, so it's low quality—better eat it before the end of the day.]
Checking Im Ji-hye's whisper, I flashed a satisfied smile. My loyal hunting dog had brought back a bountiful catch today, as usual.
'Handing it off to Ji-hye was the right call. She gets shit done, no question.'
Arriving at the rendezvous point, I found three men and one woman fast asleep beneath a tree root.
As instructed, Im Ji-hye had used her wind spirit to put them under, then buried their bodies—heads excluded—underground with an earth spirit to avoid detection.
Apart from one guy sweating bullets in pain, the rest showed no wounds or signs of struggle. Her spirits had executed the mission flawlessly.
I decided to start with the "low-quality" lunchbox Im Ji-hye had mentioned.
Without hesitation, I plunged my longsword into the sweat-drenched man's head. With a squelch like splitting a watermelon, system messages popped up.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Day 7 daily quota achieved. Quest Reward: 50% point acquisition buff maintained until midnight. Summoner 'Cheol-min' eliminated. 480pt acquired. It was obvious, but ever since becoming the Sex Emperor, I hadn't stolen a single stat.
Stat theft only triggered against stronger foes—a high-risk, high-reward mechanic.
Now, none of the 1st-floor scrubs met the criteria.
'Should've delayed the class change a bit.'
A twinge of regret for untaken stats lingered, but it was water under the bridge.
That said, classing up wasn't all bad.
My current stats:
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 56(54+2) 💨 Agility: 59(57+2) ✨ Magic Power: 2(1+1) 💪 Stamina: 2(1+1) 🍀 Luck: 66(65+1) 🛡️ Endurance: 11(10+1) Remaining Stats: 75 Achievements: Pioneer +5 Points: 69,125pt Before classing up on Day 3, I was Level 16 with 45 unspent stats.
Then, bam—Sex Emperor unlocked massive changes. Probably the Pioneer achievement's full reward upgrade.
Level-up stat gains jumped from 3 to 5 points... all auto-invested into Vitality, weirdly applying to my existing unspent points too.
Just like that, my 45 idle stats ballooned to 75. Free 30 points, baby.
'What a glitchy shitty game. But glitches like this? Always welcome.'
If it hurt me, I'd bitch endlessly. But profit? Shut up and take it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I marked the buried human lunchboxes on the Day 5-unlocked map, then headed back to the hideout where Im Ji-hye waited.
She rushed over like a tail-wagging puppy the second she saw me.
"Joo-hyuk! How'd it go?"
"Fine."
I patted her head. She blushed, smiling blissfully at the touch.
"I boiled water ahead. Just pour and go."
"Feels like you're more excited to see the cup ramen than me."
"No way!"
I handed her the mild and spicy cup ramen packs. She ripped them open like a pro, added seasoning, and poured the boiling water.
While waiting for the noodles to cook, I asked,
"Spirit handling getting easier?"
"Yeah. At first, 'feeling' them felt like grasping at clouds, but hanging out by the spirit spring like you said? They started wriggling right toward me. Played a bit, and now it's smoother."
'Luck's the key for spirit classes, huh.'
My trash stats meant I couldn't even glimpse a spirit during her contract or summoning.
At least I could see their effects.
"Oh, but mid-tier ones are tricky to control. Low-tiers only do basics but obey well. Mid-tiers? Kinda do their own thing. Only got fire mid-tier so far, though..."
"You're killing it already. Plenty of time before 1st floor ends—aim to contract mid-tier for all elements before 2nd floor."
"Got it. But if I nail all mid-tiers before then, can I get one thing I want?"
"Like what?"
"Umm... too embarrassing to say here."
Her flushed face made me chuckle inwardly.
Dunno if it was the Sex Emperor's Charm stat, but she initiated skinship more often now.
Watching this innocent virgin slowly drown in pleasure, picking up tricks to please me? Way more fun than expected.
"Ah! Ramen!"
Her eyes sparkled as she handed me the spicy one. She slurped her share with wooden chopsticks, blowing furiously.
"Haa... ramen after work hits different."
I gazed at her fondly, digging in.
Then—
"Joo-hyuk..."
A worried voice from behind. Didn't need to turn—Ariel, the angel.
"What?"
"How long are you gonna keep this up?"
Her voice trembled.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I played dumb.
"Don't act innocent! Summoners vanishing on 1st floor spiked lately! I know—you're hunting them daily!"
"Oh, that? Thought it was something serious."
My apathy made her zip forward, locking eyes.
"This isn't serious!?"
Tears welled in her eyes. But it wasn't just pity for the dead.
Her pure gaze brimmed with sorrow and frustration at my "wrong path."
If I were a normal summoner, her concern might've reformed me. Not anymore.
'Worry? Bullshit. Just code for wanting to control me.'
Stuck together so long, she'd grown some pointless attachment.
Unlike demon Fellios, kind, thoughtful Ariel toward humans? Knew this'd blow up eventually.
But thinking pity changes tower rules? Big mistake.
"Why? You're strong! No need to kill the weak—you could quest your way up! The ones I gave you...!"
"Ariel."
I cut her off.
"You think modern softies who've never fought can survive this tower?"
"Huh? What...?"
"Simple: Can someone who's never killed even a bug last here?"
"......"
"Tower's goal? Kidnap humans, make 'em climb?"
"Can't say yet."
"Right. Pointless anyway. That's why focus matters. I stuck to it."
"Focus...?"
I wolfed down my ramen and continued.
"You: 100 moderns or 1 elite—which more valuable?"
"What...?"
"Simple: Me soloing 100 orcs beats 100 scrubs killing 100 goblins. I'm trimming waste, investing in efficiency—me. Best for the tower, no?"
"Sophistry! Your 'efficiency' is pure selfishness! System gives everyone equal shot—you're crushing it!"
"Potential? Fine, Ariel. Let's check if it works."
I shoved the Day 6-updated 1st-floor survivor stats at her.
[Day 7] [Remaining: 23 Days] Current Survivors: 788 Total Deaths: 212 "Seven days' results. Minus my kills, most died to infighting or dumb monster wipes. No 'potential'—just survival of the fittest."
"Ugh..."
Ariel clammed up, no rebuttal.
I smirked inwardly, recalling my 4-day haul.
Not just human hunts. Daytime: monster grinding, new hunting achievements daily.
Three of 'em.
🏆 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED 🏆 『Orc Slayer』
>Orcs worship strength. Felling their top warrior earns their reverence. They see you as 'chieftain' and follow. Occasional duel challenges. 『Wolf Pack Leader』
>Animal monsters cower before you. Higher chance to read their moves. 『Wyvern Tamer』
>Wyverns were untamable beasts. Now? Handy air mounts for you. Can bond with them. Pioneer upgraded all my first 1st-floor hunting achievements too.
Perfect results.
'Killing monsters easy; finding 'em? On me. Worth the time.'
Spare time: Tackled Ariel's angel quests with Im Ji-hye.
I took most EXP, but party bonus skyrocketed it—Ji-hye leveled nearly as fast.
Ridiculous pace to outsiders, but we were too strong for complaints.
"But..."
"Angel, Joo-hyuk's hustling harder than anyone on 1st floor. Can't say it's 'right,' but this place is lawless anyway."
Im Ji-hye, reaping my benefits, defended me. I smiled.
"See her, Ariel? Total scrub at first—couldn't kill a monster. Now? Efficient investment turned her into a proper spirit summoner. That's my focus."
Ji-hye nodded agreement.
"He's right. Without him, I'd be dead—no corpse left."
"Well, Ariel? Still think 100 scrubs beat one Ji-hye?"
"......"
No answer.
"Don't need buy-in now, Ariel."
"......"
"Just remember: Your ideal 'justice' saved none. My efficiency saved and powered Ji-hye. Who's right? Check at the top."
I patted her shoulder, dropping a melon candy in her palm.
"Bribe for your fretting. Thanks for not interfering."
"......"
She glanced between me and the candy, bit her lip, and vanished.
I snorted at her back. That naive angel'd toss and turn tonight—beliefs vs. harsh reality.
Moments later, eyes met with Ji-hye. We burst out laughing in sync.
"Whoa... really works."
"Told you—practice once, use forever."