Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Tower GPT
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Tower GPT
Already? You made it so quick?
I got some fresh ingredients from the tower today, so I didn't need to hunt for more.
I'll give you three. Take one whenever you're tired, sleep it off, and you'll feel great.
Yeah, hand 'em over.
Vitality Tonic x3
Trade completed.
After handing over the items.
What do you think? Pretty solid effects, right?
I posted in the chat, curious about the doc's reaction, but he went radio silent for a while.
"Huh? Did he already take one?"
Did he chug it right away to test? I waited a bit, and soon enough, a message came through dripping with flustered panic.
Hey. What the hell is this?
Pardon? What do you mean?
No, shit. Uh, sorry for the language. I was just shocked.
Anyway. You're telling me you made this?
Have you been getting scammed your whole life...? I made it myself, I swear.
I've seen trucks full of bullshit trying to scam people, that's why.
Oh, yeah, there are a lot of those types. Anyway, it's a handmade vitality tonic I whipped up myself—about 98% pure, not quite 100%.
In truth, all I did was activate my skill and watch from the sidelines.
Since I used energy drinks as an ingredient, calling it 100% pure handmade felt a bit off.
"Sincerity is what matters most in stuff like this anyway."
Still, factoring in my heartfelt gratitude and effort, 98% handmade sounded fair.
Anyway, did he like the vitality tonic I made?
No... even so, this doesn't make sense...?
An alchemist who can craft an A- grade potion with these insane effects on their own...?
"Fresh ingredients from today" means you climbed the tower today...?
Come to think of it, you're only on floor 2, right...?
...No way. That -11 second record. That was you?
The doc kept rambling to himself in chat, piecing it together until he realized I was the one who set today's record.
I responded with the unvarnished truth—no lies.
Oh, that? I was surprised too, but our homunculus (cuteness overload) fought like a beast.
Monster spawn time hadn't even come up yet, but she sniffed out one hiding underground and went whap! with her tail. Suddenly it triggered some hidden clear condition and boom, cleared.
Oh, and that monster? Totally different from the one scheduled to spawn.
What the...? And what the hell is "tail whap!"?
You don't know tail whap!? Tail whap is when she whaps with her tail. (Nod)
No, seriously, come on.
(Sad frog emote)
"Oh, missed the mark?"
I thought my ultimate joke would lighten the mood, but judging by his response, the vibe wasn't right for it.
"Talking to people is hard..."
Lulu would've cracked up holding her belly...
To shake off the gloom, I lay beside the sleeping Lulu and gently stroked her fur.
Soon, the doc's messages continued.
So? What was the scheduled monster?
Brave Goblin Captain of Ten.
The hidden one?
Sneaky Goblin Captain of Hundred.
Hah, damn. That's a next-floor monster. Why the hell was it there?
If even you don't know, how would I?
I know. Just venting frustration.
...Okay, I believe everything you've said so far. You're the record holder, you're on floor 2, all of it. I'll trust whatever you say from now on.
Eh? Just like that?
Even I think I'm pretty suspicious. For him to believe me so suddenly was shocking.
So I asked why the abrupt change.
Sudden from your side, not mine. TL;DR:
1. That ridiculous tonic proves your alchemy skills. 2. Nothing else explains the -11 sec record. 3. Even if it was all lies, I lose nothing.
Plus, bottom line: befriending you has zero downsides for me.
You seem like you'll keep bringing fresh tower info. If I help you out, you'll be grateful and share more intel with gifts, right? Win-win for me.
Well... you're not wrong, but... these reasons are kinda materialistic...?
That's how relationships work. You think I'm some saint?
Take this first.
'Tower Knowledge PhD' has requested a 1:1 trade.
100,000,000 won
?? What's with the money all of a sudden?
Payment for the tonic. 30 million per vial, 10 million tip.
It was a gift... doesn't it feel weird taking money for it...?
You don't seem loaded. You're being cautious—no auctions or commissions, right?
(Startled frog emote)
Your reaction says it all.
You're still low-floor, no real income yet. Take the cash and use it to grow.
In return, when I need stuff, sell to me for cash.
Of course, your identity stays secret until you reveal it.
Deal? Pretty solid partnership, no?
A bit sudden, sure.
But honestly, his proposal wasn't bad.
I get stable tower info and cash through him.
He gets fresh tower intel and alchemy goodies from me.
Pure win-win. Textbook symbiosis.
Trade completed.
After some thought, I accepted. Trade approved—100 million won secured.
Looking forward to working with you.
Yep. Ask me anything you don't know.
And that day.
I finally got my hands on the high-performance Tower GPT I'd always wanted.
Not long after wrapping up the deal with the doc.
Is it the tonic? Getting sleepy. Gonna nap.
The doc logged off for a quick snooze as the potion kicked in.
I sat there, dazed, staring at my account with its new 100 million won balance, pondering purchases.
Then—
Grrrooowl~!
"Daddy-nyang... Lulu hungry-nyang..."
Lulu's tummy clock woke her up with a hunger pang.
I scrapped my entire shopping list.
Raced to the nearby butcher, grabbed every cut in sight, rushed home, and fed her.
Nom nom nyam...!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
"Burp-nyang... So full-nyang... Daddy-bought meat is the best-nyang..."
Was it the goblin meat from earlier?
The second she saw the beef, Lulu turned predator, devouring until her belly bulged.
"This Hanwoo beef was amazing-nyang!"
"Right? Daddy tried it first time too—Hanwoo's legit."
"Wanna eat it every day-nyang!"
"...Every day... Hanwoo?"
How much did I just drop on meat...?
Including extras for later, around 3 million won.
All Hanwoo every time...?
"I'll... try my best, sweetie..."
"Nyanya-nyang! Hanwoo best-nyang!"
Shoving aside visions of burning through 100 million like pocket change,
I petted Lulu as she purred on my lap.
Wondering if the gallery bait had cooled off yet, I logged in.
"Hmm. Not even close to dying down."
Do these guys just eat and gallery all day?
What's their daily routine to keep this up for half a day straight?
With the bait still scorching, I gave up browsing.
As I went to log off—
"What's this one?"
A title caught my eye. I clicked.
Title: If Suttong2's Reading the Gallery, Listen Up!
Patriot Warrior☑
If you're a proud Climber of the Republic of Korea, reveal yourself now and dedicate yourself to the nation!
Can't you hear the lamentations of 40 million Korean citizens?!
I'll give you 3 days to register with the Climber Management Bureau!
"...?"
What the heck? This post?
Too earnest for mere bait. With the verified 'Patriot Warrior' tag, it felt genuine—he really wanted me to come forward.
"...How're the replies?"
Are people actually riled up, hunting me down?
I scrolled to the comments, bracing myself.
"What is this mess?"
Is it 'cause the post sucks?
The replies are just as unhinged.