Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Doesn't Know 'Giyeok' Even After Putting Down the Sickle
Due to the doctor's surprise visit, I hurriedly hid the bento, but there was no way to perfectly conceal the aroma of a dish that had earned an S-rank judgment.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron. Respond. "...So, what I'm saying is..."
I ended up buckling under the doctor's pressure and spilling every detail about how I'd been roped into making the bento.
I inwardly cursed my own weakness for turning into such a pushover in front of the doctor.
After roughly explaining yesterday's events.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hmm... You handled it pretty well overall. Especially keeping your face hidden from that Steel Jung uncle—er, the grandfather's secretary. That guy's got a skill that lets him read the minds of even high-floor climbers, so facing him head-on would've been a headache. "...Why's a guy like that working as a secretary?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ They pay him a ton. Way more than you're imagining right now. "Hmm... I get it."
Well, he's the secretary to the number one chairman in the business world, so of course he'd be raking in the cash.
Maybe it's better to handle minor tasks by his side and collect a paycheck than risk your life climbing the tower.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ But that spoiled brat scheme you almost pulled, and knocking out the building manager? Those could be real problems. <히잉… 죄송해요… 망나니 작전은 타불라가 계산을 실수해서 그래요….>
"No, Doctor! Why are you killing our Tabula's vibe like that!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ I'm talking to you here! A child's mistakes are always the parents' fault—that's common sense! "That's...! ......I admit it."
Damn, is it because the doctor's the smartest and most normal person around me?
She cornered me purely with facts, leaving me speechless.
As I sat there like a mute who had eaten honey, the doctor's one-sided lecture continued.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You ditched the spoiled brat plan midway, but word's probably already spread among climbers that you're the building's owner. "...Is that a problem?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Of course it is. It might be fine for now, but once they figure out who you are, if you're worth messing with, and the cost-benefit works out, they'll come snatch the building right away. "No, what's so special about that building that everyone wants it...?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Because I designed it, and I built it. "?"
Hmm... Our doctor.
I knew she was smart, beautiful, and incredibly capable, which came with a bit of self-love.
But I never expected her to puff up like this, casually hyping herself up.
Turns out the doctor craves recognition and praise from others more than I thought.
'...Ah! Could that be why she posts all those info threads on the gallery...?'
The thank-you emojis in comments and the like counts on posts.
If she gets a thrill from others' gratitude, it makes sense why she stays up all night just gallery-surfing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron. That look on your face—you're thinking something super rude right now, aren't you? "Huh? Me? No way~!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Whatever. Just listen to me first.] "Ah, yes."
But my wild imaginings didn't last long.
Seeing the doctor's contemptuous expression, I thought, 'Ah, guess not?' and quietly listened as she spoke.
Soon, I realized the building I'd been given was far more valuable than I'd imagined.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron, do you know how to recover mana after using up a full day's worth? "Huh? Can you even use up all your mana?"
Weird?
I'd never once depleted my mana completely.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [It's just an example. Assume you've used it all and answer.] "Hmm... If that happened, I'd just whip up a mana potion and chug it. Or fight with fighting energy instead of mana?"
<타불라가 마나 회복 포션을 만들어 드릴까요?>
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sorry, my example was off. Shouldn't have used your standards...] Fuuuh...!!!
The doctor let out a deep sigh, clearly feeling some profound frustration.
Then she slowly continued her explanation.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Okay, think about it the other way around. How does an average climber recover after using up a full day's mana? "Well, chug a mana recovery potion or rest up fully, right?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Right. Those are the usual two options, but here's where the problem starts. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ As you know, current potions are expensive with crap efficiency, so unless you're loaded, you can't get decent ones. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ That leaves resting for natural recovery, but Yi Ron, what percentage of total mana do you think you recover from a full day's rest? "Uh... At least half, right?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The answer's about 20% on average. Meaning it takes around four full days of rest to get back in tower-climbing shape. "Huh?"
No way—a full day's rest only recovers 20%?
By simple math, that means climbers have to forcibly rest 4-5 days after every climb day. How do they even make a living?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Of course, there are ways to speed up natural recovery. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Wear gear that boosts mana recovery while resting, or live in recovery facilities processed from high-grade monster magic stones. "Hmm... Sounds pricey just hearing about it."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Exactly. Only for those with money or big guild climbers. Most can't even try it. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ That's why I built that building. "...No way?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yup, that's the one. Staying inside skyrockets your mana recovery—so much that half a day of rest gets you ready for the tower again... But that's not the point right now. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron. Remember when I first finished that building? Hyenas came swarming to steal it, and I had a hell of a time. Looks like it's your turn now. "Ah."
#####
After learning the true value of the building from the doctor.
I deeply reflected on my past foolish actions and, before the spark on my foot could ignite, told the doctor I needed to fix this.
"Doctor. Help."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ I hid it as best I could, but you still caused trouble? Take responsibility like a dad of three. "Please... Help..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hmm... I really want to help you, Yi Ron, but... I'm so hungry I might not have the strength...?
...Damn, no wonder the buildup felt longer than usual for the doctor.
She was gunning for my bento all along.
Part of me wanted to spite her and handle it alone, but...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Let's see—building-related inquiries from the Climber Management Bureau, the four major guilds, mid-tier guild alliances, and various corporations. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ If you don't respond quick, they might tear you apart without a trace.
The moment I saw the inbox she showed me.
I had no choice but to offer the bento.
"I'll give you one bento, so stop teasing and help me..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ If you put it that way, I guess I have no choice. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Sis will block them as much as she can, so bulk up your weight class in the meantime?
But then.
A thought crossed my mind.
"...Doctor. You didn't give me the building hoping for a situation like this, did you?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron. Do I look like the type to stage this farce because I can't pay for the elixir you gave me? "Well...... No."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Right. If you hadn't declared ownership there, they would've wasted at least a year just figuring out who you are. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ I figured with your potential, you'd be untouchable by then. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ And you still blame me for this?
Fair enough. The timing doesn't line up for the doctor to backstab me now.
Even when I was at my weakest and most pitiful, she let me do whatever I wanted.
Trying to leash me now wouldn't make sense.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yi Ron. This sis is so hurt. Getting suspected like this by the neighbor kid I spoiled rotten... "Doctor. Eat the bento before it gets cold. Food's always best hot."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...Fine, seeing your sincerity, I'll let it slide this time. But if you doubt me again, I'll really get mad next time?] "...Yes, ma'am."
With that, I handed over a bento to the annoyed doctor, and the closet glutton devoured it in seconds.
Soon, confirming the bento's effects, the doctor exclaimed in surprise.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Kim Harin has fully consumed 'Special Bento Packed with Love-!' All stats slightly increase. Status ailment resistance slightly increases. Yi Ron buff 'Rapid Growth' applied for 24 hours. Rapid Growth Skill or trait proficiency rises at a rapid pace. Upon reaching max proficiency, entering 'Epiphany' state upgrades the skill or trait. (Limit: 1 at a time, max B-rank)
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Oh my god... What kind of effect is this? "Good stuff?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ It's amazing. The same trait or skill can feel totally different based on proficiency. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ For example... Think of proficiency 1 as handling with one finger what needs two hands.
Come to think of it, when my fighting energy proficiency was low, it even backfired on me once.
Recalling that, rapid proficiency gain seemed like a massive buff.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Plus, max proficiency upgrades the rank... Was gonna take it easy, but guess not. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Gonna raise proficiency on my new skill, then upgrade one of my B-rank skills. "You got a new skill?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Huh? Forgot? You could get a skill from that elixir you gave me. "The elixir I gave you?"
Come to think of it...
Amplified Stat Boost Elixir (Mana) [S+] A potion made by a master alchemist using rare materials and top-tier tools. [Amplify Effect 1]: Greatly boosts stats (Mana, Mana Affinity) upon consumption. [Amplify Effect 2]: 50% chance to acquire one of 'Basilisk's skills. [Amplify Penalty 1]: Inflicts status ailment (Petrification) upon consumption. [Amplify Penalty 2]: Inflicts status ailment (Paralytic Poison) upon consumption. [Amplify Penalty 3]: Inflicts status ailment (Mana Backflow) upon consumption. [Amplify Penalty 4]: All penalties amplify if consumed with other potions.
...Yeah, it said 50% chance for a Basilisk skill.
"Guess it worked."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Lucky, huh? But the real luck? Wanna guess? "What?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ I got the Basilisk's 'Floor Lord (A+)' skill. Perfect for getting stronger in my territory. "Uh... Doctor, I don't know much, but isn't petrification the best Basilisk skill?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Depends on the tower. For Tower of Struggle or Tower of Insects, where you clear monster waves or conditions, firepower mages dominate, so petrification wins. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Tower of Conquest or Tower of the Dead involve occupying floors or defending, so attrition mages who build positions and stack spells are common. Like warriors where sword mains differ from shield mains in style?
Given how the doctor bought up the whole area as her territory, she's definitely not a firepower mage.
"So which tower are you on, Doctor?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Didn't I tell you? I'm on Tower of Conquest. Karin, Rachel, and Lin too. "Got it."
So I'm Tower of Struggle.
Karin, Rachel, and Lin are Tower of Conquest.
Park Hyun-soo and Bug Hater are Tower of Insects.
If we need new talent, maybe recruit from Tower of the Dead?