Dragon Scales Deal and Mystic Inferno Clear

I'd found it—the key to the negotiation! A heat resistance potion filled with glowing orange liquid. With this, taking down those Hell Salamanders should be a breeze, right? I was about to tuck the potion precious-like into my pocket when I snapped out of it and placed it on the table instead. Oh yeah, there was still something I needed to ask.

"So, this potion has dragon scales in it, right?"

"...Weren't you here because you'd heard the rumors about the scales? I can't give away too many details."

Unfortunately, I hadn't heard jack about any scale rumors. I just wanted to know where he'd gotten them and what he was using them for. The scales in the photo from that black market post definitely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠looked like the ones that appeared when I used my dragon form.

"So dragon scales really exist, huh."

"I figured ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠any Awakened would know the story. It's the rumor circulating among the Tower's internal NPCs about a dragon."

"...?"

"This is recent loot from the Tower, so it's legit. Quality check's already done—nothing more to say."

Something felt off, like the conversation was skirting around the edges. Those scales were definitely ones I'd shed, but he got them from the Tower?

Hold up...

But thinking about it... was that even a problem? At first, knowing someone was picking up bits that fell off my body and selling them creeped me out. Half the reason I'd come here was that. But unless they were stalking me, breaking into my house to hunt for scales, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠picking up a few that dropped near the Tower and selling them wasn't a crime.

In fact, if I sold them...

Maybe I could sell my shed scales and buy magistones with the cash?

I'd been worried about grinding the easier parts of the Black Tower to boost my growth, but if shedding scales could make me money, that changed everything. Collect the scales dropped after fights, sell them for magistones. Use those to keep growing until I reach the top of the Tower.

Yeah. This is what EX-rank is all about...!

If that worked, I might end up owning one of those supercars the real rich drive around for tens of billions or even a private jet. Suddenly picturing that rosy future, a grin crept across my face.

"I'd like to talk about supplying scales."

I pulled a vinyl-wrapped scale from my pocket. I'd brought it to compare if he showed his, but now it had a different purpose. Since he had a heat resistance potion made with scales, he must have connections to someone who could craft them. And with rumors already spreading that they were selling, I could offload my useless shed ones through him.

I was lost in happy fantasies when the black market dealer shattered the mood with a low voice.

"Kid, where'd you get this?"

"...Does the source matter? I can supply five of these a day."

A brief silence. His face didn't scream trouble—probably just doing mental math. After a moment's thought, he let out a small sigh.

"...That's too big a deal for me. Contact me later."

With that, he stood to leave. Wait, isn't selling a lot what you want? Watching him go, I tossed out the first merchant line that popped into my head—the kind they use to hook customers.

"If you wait too long, I might sell to someone else."

Me, saying something like that? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'd always figured I'd live a life totally unrelated to sales. You learn something new every day.

He paused for a second, then muttered he'd be in touch soon and bolted from the building.

The wait felt eternal, but finally, Seol-ah returned from the Hunter Association.

"That heat resistance potion? It really works, they said. But they asked if we could give them a sample."

"Ah, so it's legit."

Time to head back to the Black Tower for a real test. So, grab this and head out...

"...Got something to say?"

No clue why, but Seol-ah had sidled right up to me and was staring. Kinda awkward.

"About that potion. They wanted a sample."

"A sample?"

Oh, I'd tuned out that part since I didn't care. But yeah, she'd mentioned it. I only needed the potion myself, so whatever.

"I told them no way. Good job, right?"

"Y-yeah... Good job, Seol-ah."

"Then you owe me a reward~?"

Hold up. What reward? Lately, Seol-ah had been acting weird, demanding praise or rewards for doing well. And her lines sounded familiar every time.

"In that case, your reward is Yoon Seol-ah's ultimate Ball-Squish Express 16-Hit Combo-!!"

"Gaaah-!!"

Her merciless kneading left me dazed. Anyway, with the broker's potion confirmed safe, it was time for the next step. Dodging her attacks, I bolted straight to the Black Tower, potion in hand.

"This time'll be different."

I downed the potion without hesitation. The liquid sliding down my throat was warmer than expected. With fire, fight fire? As the cozy heat spread through my body, I cautiously stepped onto the sun-baked ground.

The sunlight felt barely warm compared to the inner glow. Way better than I'd hoped.

"My scales are more useful than I thought."

Hell Salamander fire pillars would be nice too, but if it blocked those, it'd be straight-up cheating. To hunt a pack, I partial-transformed my wings and arms into dragon form. No need for full poly or mana waste since I wasn't breathing.

After flying a bit, the familiar shapes appeared: five Hell Salamanders with flames erupting from their backs. They hadn't spotted me yet.

This might be the perfect chance for a one-shot clear.

Like last time, I traced a magic circle in the air. Skill effect meant no need to memorize—the pattern completed itself. But Basic Elemental Magic: Water Bomb didn't fire.

With all five clustered, perfect timing. Partial form saved mana for the circle. Mana drained: 80%, 70%, 60%...!

The Water Bomb, guzzling 37% of my max mana, ballooned huge. Salamanders noticed the shadow and spat fire pillars, but useless against the massive droplet.

It engulfed them in seconds. Minor flood, but Tower interior—no NPCs nearby, so no biggie.

Huh? New face on the rankings. English name too—like foreign hunters were listed.

WeaponMaster's familiar. MAGA... yeah, I know who that is.

Nickname for "Make America Great Again." Seen it in news articles. America's S-rank hunter who exploded onto the scene like a supernova. Super Soldier project rumors, but details classified.

Just hope he doesn't notice me.

I've already snatched 1st, though...

"Anyway, now clears give all-stats bonuses?"

White Tower really was just tutorial—Black Tower rewards were richer. All-stats, magistones...

"But what's this?"

Like usual Tower drops, a flame appeared above my hand. I flinched and dropped it once, but the Flame of Circulation didn't go out.

Crystal shard connected to it—I grabbed that and read the description.

Uh... what? Incomprehensible description. Pocketed it and left the Tower.

Back home, I dove onto the bed and opened the messaging app.

Apparently, it's for clearing the vines clogging the waterway on Black Tower Floor 10. Gotta grow it first by bringing it into the Tower from now on.

Mine says Circulation instead of Life 'cause of Mystic mode?

Meaning I might've snagged an even better hidden piece than normal. My heart pounded. Couldn't wait for tomorrow's Black Tower run.

I plopped the Flame of Circulation in the middle of the table. Stared at the flickering for ages, totally zoned out.

In a U.S. research lab, a muscular dude was grinding in the gym, curling 1000lb (453.592kg) dumbbells one-handed. Wearing skin-tight shorts tattooed with "Make America Great Again" on the back, he looked like he could fight all day in a superhero flick.

On his 100th rep, a researcher entered.

"Working out as usual. Heard the news?"

"...You mean getting bumped from Black Tower Floor 1 ranking?"

"You know already. That's why I'm here."

The guy didn't seem fazed by losing rank. Not the point.

America's super soldier, MAGA, backed by national resources, held the strongest S-rank title. Someone snatching his Floor 1 spot meant "YonggariChicken" was no ordinary hunter.

"Someone to watch closely from now on."