The Glacial Vow

Anyone who touches little Suhyun is in for a world of hurt. Baek Seol-geomhwa.

She was once the Young Mistress of the Northern Ice Palace, cast out after being caught in political schemes, but thanks to my "funding"—no, the power of my affection—I made her the Clan Leader.

Just how much did I spend back then...? Well, I suppose it was less than I’ve spent on other games. The martial arts games I used to play were...

Kuaaaaaang!

As she brought her sword down, the surroundings froze in an instant.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The Ice Palace, is it? A young lady I haven't seen before."

"Since this is the last face you'll ever see, you should take a good look."

With those words, her blade pierced the old man's abdomen.

I’ve seen plenty of respect for the elderly, but this was my first time seeing an "elderly attack." I winced slightly, but the old man's form scattered like smoke.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Impressive. Is it the Hwakyung realm? No, it’s Hyunkyung."

"You're about to die, yet you're curious about such things?"

Water droplets began to form on the snowy white blade. The droplets scattered in all directions, froze, and transformed into sharp ice thorns that surged toward the old man.

"Ask King Yama when you're dead. Ask him who sent me here."

"Telling me even that... perhaps hell isn't such a bad place after all."

As I watched their fight, mesmerized, a message appeared.

"Excuse me? What is?"

I scanned my surroundings, and just as the Guardian of All Things said, I could feel a presence. They were closing in from all sides, surrounding me. What did they call this in martial arts novels again?

...Ah, right. Cheonrajimang (The Net of Heaven and Earth).

But this... I’ve seen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it a lot in martial arts novels, but I’ve never seen it actually succeed. Does that mean it’s nothing to worry about?

I tilted my head, but just in case, I decided to call for help.

"Commander of the Twelve Stars."

A blue gate manifested in the air. Twelve aircraft carriers emerged from within. At that moment, a message popped up.

Plum blossoms ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠erupted from the twelve carriers. They were enough to cover the ships, and soon, a massive new carrier appeared. The twelve carriers merged into one.

"What on earth is that..."

There was someone staring blankly up at the sky at that sight.

"To be distracted in the middle of a fight... did you think I was a joke?"

"Gah...!"

This time, truly pierced in the abdomen, he stumbled back, bleeding. Suddenly, masked men popped out of the air, blocking the way to protect him. At the same time, the aircraft carrier began to move.

[Victory to the allies, defeat to the enemies.]

With that resounding voice, fighter jets shot out from the carrier, targeting the monsters in every direction. Unable to withstand the hail of bullets, they fell one by one.

"Hmm..."

With two Transcendents stepping in, is it over now? But somehow... something is bothering me. What is this?

As I tilted my head, Baek Seol-geomhwa approached me.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to repay even a fraction of the grace you showed me, my husband."

With those words, she smiled brightly and swung her sword. Ice began to gather in one place, forming the shape of a dragon.

"The Northern Ice Palace will always be with you, my husband."

"Kuaaaaaaaang!!!"

Snow-white particles began to gather inside the mouth of the revealed Ice Dragon, and soon, it unleashed a breath that turned the entire area into a glacier.

"Yes."

My jaw dropped at the newly acquired ability. This... wouldn't this be a jackpot if I summoned an ice-attribute Transcendent?

I guess the Saintess won't get any benefits.

"...I'm sure an ability ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that suits you will appear too, Saintess."

But even if you trust me... it's random... ahaha...

"Thanks for the help."

"It was my pleasure."

With those words, she was enveloped in a snowy white light.

"I'll always be waiting for you at the Northern Ice Palace."

* * *

South Korea Awakened Association.

Director Lee Naeun checked the Hall of Fame with a trembling heart.

"Hall of Fame."

"Yes...!"

She clenched her fists and cheered. There wasn't much left now. At this rate, in 10 days, he would reach the 52nd floor... and save South Korea from the brink of collapse.

"Just a little... please, just a little more, Lee Suhyun!"

Just then, a knock at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Director, a guest is here."

"I don't think I have any appointments today?"

"Lee Suhyun has arrived."

"P-please bring him in immediately! No! I'll go out myself!!!!"

She jumped up from her seat, but Lee Suhyun had already entered the office.

"I'm here."

"Lee Suhyun!!!!"

She rushed over and grabbed his hands, making him flustered.

"Thank you...! Truly, thank you...!!!"

"N-no... I didn't really do much..."

Didn't do much... Lee Suhyun was far too humble. Even while he was giving hope to all of South Korea.

"If you ever need the Association's help, please tell me anything! We deposited all the remaining balance, but is that not enough!?"

"Yes, yes...? You deposited the remaining 198 billion won, right?"

"That's money we were obviously going to pay! The contract stated we'd pay the 2 billion won deposit within 3 days, and the remaining 198 billion upon clearing the 30th floor! And now that you've cleared the 40th floor, we obviously have to pay more! Please tell me anything you need!!!"

"The money is fine. I already have plenty. Rather, I want something else."

"Please, just say the word!!"

He hesitated for a moment, and Director Lee Naeun tilted her head, not knowing what he was going to ask for. Then, realizing something, she grabbed his hands.

"E-emigration is absolutely not allowed!!!!"

"No, I'm not emigrating."

"Then..."

"Please get me Magic Crystals. High quality, and as many as possible."

"Magic Crystals...? Understood..."

Magic Crystals, known as the new resource. Because they were versatile, high-grade ones were worth whatever the seller asked for, but Director Lee Naeun tilted her head, wondering what he intended to use them for.

"May I ask what you're using them for?"

"I'm sorry, it's a secret."

"Yes..."

It was a shame, but the power dynamic between the client and the provider was clear. Director Lee Naeun nodded.

"For now, I will transfer a portion of the Magic Crystals the Association holds. And I will contact you as soon as more are collected."

"Yes, thank you."

* * *

"Phew, going out is hard for a homebody."

The reason a homebody like me would go out and scrape together Magic Crystals. It was because I realized a new use for them.

"Achievement Enhancement."

"Enhance Transcendent."

"Yes."

"Just how many of these do I need?" I had discovered Transcendent enhancement by chance. But I had no idea how many more Magic Crystals I needed. I had already received the ones the Association held, and they said they would contact me as more were collected.

Just how many...

At that moment, it occurred to me. The fact that I had the right to a consultation.

"Use Consultation Right."

"......"

Are they deliberately avoiding me? I could only think of the worst, but if they were going to play it like this, I had my own ways.

If I keep breaking the Tower, they'll show up eventually.

"When I enter the Tower tomorrow, destroy everything."