VIP Access to the Frontlines
Furry...? If it really doesn't work out, I can just give 'em a lift on the bus or something.
Setting that aside, no matter how faithfully this game recreates real-world monsters, the devs who made it couldn't possibly know their true strength. So for A-rank and higher beasts that aren't your run-of-the-mill famous ones—with limited info out there—having me around means Tier and Daphne can shine just fine. I nodded to myself; it made sense. Just think back to that ogre fight—even I, a cadet with easier access to monsters and knowledge than your average dev, was shocked when it exceeded expectations...
Tier and Daphne flinched at how casually I talked about leaping to top-tier adventurer status, something they'd dreamed of as natives of this world. But my confidence, born from raw power and experience, left them biting their lips before nodding along.
"Yeah, we'll give it our all till Boss gets back."
"M-me too!"
"Huh? Plang too?"
By now, we were so used to Baldy's out-of-left-field bombshells that I just chuckled it off. With that, we kicked off the day in our usual cheerful vibe, same as always.
+++
"Alright, I'm heading up first. Boss."
"See you... at home..."
Tier waved briskly, while Daphne bid farewell in that wifely, worried tone. Her whispered honey tickled my chest. But before the sweet, poignant feeling could settle, her tail was thwacking the floor, kicking up dust and pebbles. Guess after weeks cooped up buying furniture and decorating the mansion, Plang was thrilled to adventure outside with her big sisters—manners be damned.
Sigh... Looks like it's time for some intensive etiquette training today... Flashing a predatory grin at Plang despite my beaming face, I made a mental note. Meanwhile, Tier's crew slowly morphed into light and vanished into the tower.
The vibrant flower garden of their presence turned instantly into a dingy, sweat-stinking sleaze-fest the moment they were gone. They'd been holding their breath, pretending otherwise, while watching her go. Amid adventurers slapping backs or hurrying off, a few pervs who'd been reminiscing over Tier's crew's looks and bodies—rubbing their crotches—now glared with jealousy and inexplicable malice.
What the hell did they have to strut on...? An elephant doesn't sweat an ant's tantrum. Shaking my head at the pathetic display with a snort, I gripped the quest scroll I'd prepped and the artifact from the guild master to climb the tower solo like my crew.
"Quest scroll and artifact here."
Casual handover, nothing fancy. The gatekeeper, mid-routine drone, went wide-eyed and gulped.
"M-Master's direct adventurer...?"
"Yep."
"Y-You don't need the regular gate... From now on, come straight to me for the special one, please."
Tower climbing—usually a chaotic market scrum from entry—suddenly flipped on its head from the first step.
No wonder... Even at best, the scrubs here are Tier's level or worse... Right when I was griping about lacking top-adventurer perks, this honey pot had me nodding and grinning. Differentiated treatment is always right.
"Got it. I'm still new to the direct contract, so I'm a bit clueless..."
"Ah! Then take this guide—made for Master's directs and key guild adventurers."
The keeper handed it over humbly. Skimming it: dedicated gate location, perks listed, even city shops for cheap gear. Fantasy VVIP catalog.
These bastards... Not bad. Nothing for me, but a growth buff list for Tier's still-lacking crew had me stroking my chin. The keeper glanced behind me, then hurried on—probably urging speed to avoid pissing off an anonymous direct. Bitches always gripe unless you're named.
"So, which floor, adventurer? I'll send you right there."
"Mm... 36th, please."
"...Pardon?"
Adventurers eavesdropping with perked ears froze in stunned silence, probing just how badass a "direct" could be.
"3, 36th floor. The frontlines, yeah?"
"Yes. You heard right—hop to it. Time's pressing..."
No rush at all, but you gotta look the part when it fits. A sharp glance cut their shock short: do your damn job. The rattled keeper nodded frantically, hand on the mana orb for gate activation.
"Yessir! Straight to 36."
Dutiful keeper on steroids, square silent to avoid blowback. Flashing them a smirk, I bathed in all eyes and teleported as light.
+++
Whoooosh!
Stabilizing vision revealed a fantastical vista of massive stone pillars thick with vines and trees clinging to their surfaces. Skyscraper-tall, piercing the heavens—I gawked at the majestic nature straight out of my smartphone screen, now real.
Think of each pillar as an aircraft carrier...? Scale and spots screamed different monsters per pillar. Adventurer survival rules clicked in my head, but solo like me? Only doable with my skills. Swarms of flying beasts and newbies shredded by the environment? Tongue click. Fresh blood pools glowing bright proved it.
"Around there?"
Sensing life, rough auras and battle flow prickled my skin—head turned. But... weren't they rivals? Empire bigwigs notice the wyvern egg grabber first. Saving 'em wouldn't make me lag, but human greed's a twisted bitch. Weighing hassle, logic, justification—I turned opposite the fight.
Stealing's a heavy crime. Perfect... They'd never pilfer me, and I dodge house raids. Their presences faded as I walked; pillars welcomed the quiet.
"Nangkangi."
Slither.
My low murmur summoned it shadow-like atop my head. Scanning, it relaxed—no threats. Nerdy relief drew my sigh.
Ji-su's slap turned the kid tsundere... Sigh... After Park Ji-su's smack on first sight—and no show even in murim world—I'd worried. But it perked at Daphne, so room to improve?
Shaking off the bouncy taps on my scalp, I yanked spider silk, rigging traps as I went.
"Nang!"
"Sigh..."
It devours half my 100 setups, wrinkling my brow—but starved for my mana lately, eyes on me. Unreliable spawn of mine or not, I surged power, spun a mana ball into silk skein, and tossed it over.
"Nang! Nang!"
"Yeah, gorge up and give Dad a ride later."
Grow big, become my ride—wishing as Nangkangi loosened up. Silvery threads spiderwebbed out from me.
Screeeeech!
"Hm?"
A piercing screech like high-frequency noise—massive harpy plummeting vertically from the sky. Woman's torso, avian limbs: prime furry bait. My crotch twitched involuntarily.