Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Magic Tower (1)
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First class.
And not just any first class, but the privacy seats reserved for hunters only, where I was escorted.
“Whew.”
I sat down and let out a breath.
It had been a while since I last went shopping...
No, honestly, this was my first time properly shopping like this, so I ended up splurging a bit more than planned.
I naturally used up the full 10 billion won free credit provided by the Association.
And on top of that, I spent about another 10 billion...
‘Others would think I’m insane.’
Burning 20 billion on just potions and food.
The merchants swarmed me, and since I was spending coolly, it just snowballed like that.
‘Well, still.’
No regrets.
The payment card was linked to the guild account to begin with.
And Kim Jin-ah said to swipe as much as I wanted on dungeon supplies without limits.
10 billion is like a single bucket of water in a river compared to what the guild makes.
Especially considering future value.
But.
“Hey, kid, you’re the first guy I’ve ever seen in my life hoarding that much food.”
The old man didn’t seem to think so, muttering in a gruff voice.
“Tsk tsk, no wonder your subordinates who serve you seemed worried... How do you expect to run an organization if you waste money like that from the get-go?”
Oh dear.
The elder was nagging again.
Was he worried about his disciple’s overspending?
‘It’ll all get eaten. The bag keeps everything fresh anyway.’
“You’re saying you’ll eat all that?”
‘Of course. Think about my training volume and dungeon runs. Honestly, just based on calories burned, I need to eat a hundred times more than a normal person to maintain my body.’
Of course.
I don’t actually eat that much.
But it’s true I eat more than most.
‘Plus, it’s guild money... It’s all earned by me and my Demir through our work, so who’s gonna complain if I spend it? Money’s meant to be spent.’
Someone once said it.
Money runs away if you chase it, but comes to you if you stay still.
Set a goal, work toward it diligently, and the money follows.
For my dungeon preparations, I had the mindset to use every penny I had, even borrow more if needed.
“Hmm.”
The old man crossed his arms, looking displeased.
But what can you do?
It’s already bought, and the past is the past.
Whiiir, rumble...
But.
The old man’s complaints, which had seemed so strong, faded away soon enough.
Because the plane was taking off.
“Ooooh.”
Gone was any gruffness, replaced by an excited, lively voice as he hummed.
“This heavy lump of metal is flying again!”
He was so amazed.
The old man’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.
Now, for a while.
He’d be lost staring out the window at the clouds and horizon.
Time to catch some shut-eye?
* * *
England.
Arriving at Oxford, the world-renowned top-tier prestigious school, you’re overwhelmed by its sheer size.
Formed from dozens of colleges in the past, the entire city could be called a campus.
Bustling.
The city teems with tourists, students, and hunters.
Like in Korea.
England is one of the world’s top three hunter powerhouse nations.
And among its highlights, Oxford stands out.
Why?
“Crazy.”
Right in the city center sky.
An enormous magic tower floated in the air, soaring high.
“Wow, first time seeing it in person.”
I was amazed.
Stunned.
It was astonishing that a single building could overwhelm people like this.
And that this massive structure defied physics, hovering in midair.
“Whoa.”
Even the old man stuck out his tongue.
“What kind of things exist in this world. Your world is a nonstop parade of wonders.”
“Funny thing is, I live here and I’m still amazed.”
Could the completed Peach Blossom Paradise pull off that kind of presence?
It probably could.
The dwarf race, who bow to no one in crafting.
Among them, Demir—who rose to the absolute pinnacle in creation—was grinding his teeth in ambitious preparation.
Anyway.
As the world’s top organization, this level was expected, right?
I could see why Kim Jin-ah insisted I visit the magic tower.
It had more presence than I’d imagined.
“Hey, Hoon?”
That’s when a familiar voice called from afar.
“That mask... you’re Hoon, right?!”
Olena’s voice.
I waved, and she came running over with a big smile.
We’d chatted via chat window on the way here.
Agreed to meet up.
“Waaah, so this is the sleepy-eyed mask? It’s definitely cute.”
“Thanks for saying that. Someone called it lecherous.”
“Eek, no idea who, but that person’s got a nasty streak.”
She grinned back.
The old man next to me scowled, but.
I quickly changed the subject.
“Here. The invitation from the magic tower I mentioned last time. This lets us go up there?”
The magic tower’s interior is kept secret from civilians.
Everything’s classified.
All the public knows is that it’s crawling with magic hunters dispatched from various countries.
“Ahaha, actually, Hoon, you could get in without that.”
“Really?”
I looked at her in surprise.
“Yeah, if a professor or higher invites you. And a few days ago, I officially got my professor position~”
Olena shrugged proudly.
“Wow, professor already?”
Back during the ordeal’s early days, our first meeting.
She’d said she was a water-attribute student.
Must be the treatment for a ranker here at the tower.
“Impressive. Top of your class on entry, and now a professor.”
“Haha, as impressive as Hoon?”
She said that, but seemed pleased, humming a tune as she led the way.
“Follow me. I got busier after becoming a professor, but I have to give a tower tour to my ordeal comrade. Whew, even as a student I had mountains of work, but professor life is even tougher?”
I followed Olena through the city.
Chatting with her excited voice.
How long did we walk?
We arrived at the base, right below the magic tower’s center.
“This is the magic circle for entering the magic tower.”
Olena gave an eye-nod to a staff-looking person.
“Welcome to the Magic Tower.”
They recognized her right away and bowed.
After a few words exchanged.
“Hoon.”
She approached me and handed something over.
A golden badge.
“Wear this. It’s proof you’re a magic tower guest.”
“Oh, so that’s how it works.”
Taking the badge, I thought.
This must be what Kim Jin-ah wanted info on.
Entering the magic tower was simple.
Stand on the magic circle as guided by staff, light rises from the floor.
Whoosh! Vision flickers.
Wait a moment, and the magic tower’s 1st floor 「Plaza」 appears.
Like stepping into a sci-fi UFO?
‘Not bad.’
Good for benchmarking.
Later, for our Separate Heaven and Earth.
Managing portals to Peach Blossom Paradise like this would handle entrant control well.
“Alright, this is the plaza. Bigger than you thought, right?”
“Yeah, it’s almost...”
About ten times the area seen from the city?
“Like my backpack inside.”
A space far larger than it appears.
Filled with countless staff and magic hunters.
And the circular stairs encircling the outer edges.
“What do you think? First time seeing inside the magic tower?”
“Cool. Makes me want to repay you by showing you Peach Blossom Paradise someday.”
“Ah! Peach Blossom Paradise... That place Kapu and Maxie raved about?”
“Yes.”
Peach Blossom Paradise is cool, but this place too.
Each space has its own charm.
Looking around the plaza, I soon gazed upward.
A ceiling so high, no end in sight.
“By the way, the magic tower has 100 floors.”
“100 floors?”
“Yeah, each with different uses... But even I don’t know what the 100th is. As a professor, I’m only allowed up to the 70th.”
“Hmm, strict.”
“Well, the Tower Master set it that way. I’m sure there’s a reason.”
“I see.”
Tower Master—the magic tower’s owner.
Who’s gonna argue with the owner?
“Floors 1 through 10 are student dorms and guest lodgings. Show your gold badge at the central counter, and you’ll get one. You’re here to enjoy the tower, so you’ll stay a few days, right?”
“Mmm, probably.”
For now.
No plans to return to Korea until I find the Ancient Magic Fragment.
“Then better grab a room first. The Tower Master’s tied up with academy business, so it’ll take time... Huh?”
Bzzz!
That’s when Olena’s pocket smartphone vibrated.
“Oh right! My head! Experiment!”
“Yes?”
“Aigoo, I forgot I had a schedule. Joint project with other-attribute professors...! Argh, big trouble.”
Hmm.
She really is busy.
We just met, and already another appointment.
“Go get your room and look around! Hoon, you should have access up to the 40th floor too!”
Olena stomped her feet, looking apologetic.
“Ah, yeah. Don’t worry about me. Go on.”
“I’ll contact you later!”
Zoom!
She dashed off like an arrow.
They say university professors live murderously busy lives.
It checked out.
* * *
“VIP room confirmed. Head to the 5th floor, room 5510.”
As Olena said.
Show the gold badge and request a room, the counter staff handed over a key.
Power of the badge?
Even with my Black Fox Mask covering my face, no ID check.
Must get a lot of private VIP guests.
Swoosh!
Riding an elevator-like magic circle nearby, I reached the 5th floor and touched the key to 5510.
Click!
The opening door revealed a luxurious suite.
“Whoa.”
Five-star hotel suites had nothing on this.
Around 100 pyeong of space, a spacious living room.
An ornate bathroom evoking a bathhouse, and a cozy bedroom.
“Nice.”
Nodding, I opened the chat window and typed.
[Skeleton King: Magic Tower floors 1-10, used as lodgings.]
[Skeleton King: Magic circles per floor, convenient for movement.]
[Skeleton King: Rooms have set grades.]
[Skeleton King: Extremely luxurious. About 100 pyeong?]
[Kim Jin-ah: Nice! Love it!]
[Kim Jin-ah: Keep noting everything you see!]
Relaying all magic tower info to Kim Jin-ah.
She’d discuss with Demir on-site.
The design framework was set, but modifiable during construction?
Dwarf-level superhuman tech indeed.
“Hm?”
Then, something caught my eye.
A pamphlet on the central table...
Flip!
Opening it, a guide for first-time guests to the magic tower.
‘Kim Jin-ah will love this.’
I’d summarize and send later, then headed out.
Now, until the Tower Master arrives.
Time for a proper magic tower tour?