Topping the Tutorial Tower Rankings lol

"This has gotta be fire."

The moment I got home, I hammered the keyboard in excitement and cockily posted my proof shot. No sketchy elements this time, so I just fired up the VPN and uploaded the pic raw. No edits whatsoever–this time, those trolls were done for.

"It should've been their turn to get roasted…."

They were treating me like pure aggro bait again, perfect troll fuel. I couldn't help but sigh.

Uh…. It was a clean shot, no traces of editing anywhere.

Whatever, that wasn't the point. Mystic mode was mystic mode whether they bought it or not – the fact that I cleared it didn't change.

More importantly, the pile of magistones from the White Tower's 1st floor reward. Sizes varied, not top quality, but magistones meant cash.

I pulled up my banking app, and the pitifully low balance stared back at me.

My balance was screaming in pain. Sorry, balance buddy. I'll fill you up soon…!

Gurgle-.

My stomach rumbled, filling the room.

…Before healing my aching balance, I had to fix my pain first. If the owner hurts, the balance dies too!

I whipped open the delivery app and hit my usual spot: Wang Donkatsu & Jeyuk. My go-to jeyuk rice bowl joint. Just looking at it made my mouth water.

As I scrolled the menu, I spotted Yoon Seol-ah rolling around on the floor.

"Ordering jeyuk–you want some?"

My balance hurt a bit, but I covered my little sis too. Even with this body, still peak big bro vibes.

Seol-ah's eyes went weirdly round, like something amused her, then she continued.

"…Your balance okay?"

"…."

That one line scraped my pride raw. Obvious story, really. Steady job, regular paycheck Yoon Seol-ah vs. me, Lee Ha-neul, convenience store gig fired, 50k won balance.

No need to say who had more cash.

But who am I? Suddenly a girl, sure, but still older bro to Yoon Seol-ah! Plus, an EX-rank dragon awakener! Can't let one thing shake me – hurts the bro pride.

"It's… fiiiine…."

Two bowls of jeyuk rice landed side by side on the table. Pop the lid, and spicy-sweet aroma explodes. Glossy gochujang-coated pork dripping grease – perfection right there.

Couldn't wait. Spoon up.

Let's eat-

But across from me, Seol-ah wasn't eating – just staring hard. Eyes wide, locked on me…. Food on my face?

"…Why aren't you eating?"

"Just?"

For a sec, I wondered why skip this deliciousness, but hunger won – ignored it. Scooped perfect rice-to-meat ratio like a pro.

Here goes….

"…Eh?"

Seasoning hits my tongue tip – senses explode. Spicy. No, not just spicy. Tongue like it's scorched, filling my mouth, burning down my throat. Eyes bulge, tears welling.

Swallow through gritted teeth, but mouth still numb. Not paralyzing, right…?

"Water…! Water!"

"Y-Yeah…! Water! Here!"

I flailed; Seol-ah startled, rushed a glass over. Gulped it down, finally caught my breath. Tongue still numb-ish.

How's jeyuk this spicy?!

"Bro, you okay? Choked?"

"Pah…!"

Seol-ah patted my back, asking nonstop, but I wasn't okay. Can't eat jeyuk rice? Too spicy? Me, with my 3x-daily jeyuk history? Unacceptable.

But staring at the bowl, it sat innocent. Spicy. Way too spicy. Even the usual green onion and cabbage tasted bitter and meh.

Can't eat this anymore? The thought hit sad. Mood soured, but no emotional shift. I'm a guy. EX dragon.

"Ugh…."

"Eat this."

Shocked slump – how long? Seol-ah, back from somewhere, shoved food at me. Bulgogi burger in view.

One bite, sweet flavors dance. Fluffy bun texture, salty patty, mayo and bulgogi sauce sweetness. If asked what delicious is, I'd point here no hesitation.

"You'll be fine, bro. Get used to it again, you'll eat it."

"…."

Suddenly Seol-ah stroking my hair from behind, but no words came. Re-eating jeyuk…? Sweat at the thought.

…Last bastion of manhood crumbling.

Depressed again.

Meal was depressing, but time to settle up. First, magistone shards. Exactly as many goblin kills from floor 1 – 40 glittering on the table in sunlight.

No worries on dumping these.

Hunter Association handles sales. Real dilemma's this.

I drew the sword the village chief gave.

Shing-.

No frills guard, straight blade well-kept despite age, sturdy leather hilt though faded.

"Hmm…."

Surprisingly ordinary. From unknown mystic NPC, outside tower system.

"Item info."

"Huh?"

That's it? Gallery boasts usually list weapon stats. Swung it one-handed every which way – one thing clear.

"Hehe."

Click.

Ridiculously light. Flipped it to hit the light switch from bed – perfect reach. With my nerfed size, I'd have to stand otherwise. Spot-on tool.

"Dunno if good as weapon…."

Cheap materials ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠make it light? Hollow saves weight. Chief'd rage, but hard to sell unknowns. Internet markets skip 'em – scammer rule #1.

Sheathed it aside. Think later. Got plenty to sell already.

Hunter Association HQ 1st floor corner, magistone shop. Waited my turn clutching the bulging sack. Drop it, bright future floods away.

"Customer 12."

Rushed up, plopped sack. Staff emotionlessly pulled shards, scanned each.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

All 40 through, staff flatly read total.

"7,046,870 won total. Sent to account on your hunter ID."

"Thanks."

One step closer to instant riches – heart pounding – but played it cool, exited.

Outside, checked app. Balance transformed.

Eyes closed, deep breath in, slow out. Opened – still 7.1 million. Head clear. Sky blue, cool breeze caressing skin.

The world is beautiful.

This meant burgers galore, Steam wishlist buys no discount stress. Pay Seol-ah back for clothes.

Pay full, no excuse for her weird orders?

Debts like that breed tail-petting marathons later. Money wipes gloom.

But no settling at 7 mil. Just start of my grand billion-kick plan.

White Tower, tutorial king, famous for fat rewards over difficulty. Normal gives 1-2 mil magistones – mystic? Honey pot supreme.

Eyes sharpest yet, bolted to White Tower.

Dopamine riches ignored heavy breaths. Arrived.

"Hah…. Hah…. Enter!"

Colorful lights again, but eyes different. From shock to predator eyeing prey.

Bam-!

Cool hero land, scanned surroundings quick.

"…Huh? No conditions this time."

Dark forest, open field small tent, dying campfire. Aha, no extras means no conditions? No chief-sword bonus, but fine. Mystic base rewards sweet!

"Kerruk-!!"

That nasty cry from floor 1 endless. Turned instinctively – darker green goblins than before.

"Those the hobgoblins?"

Fresh elite vibes per Hunter Gallery – cocky strut visible. Thug pack style sparked easy win idea.

Heads…. Exactly 20.

"Polymorph!"

Dragon form instant, deep breath, skill.

"Roar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Kerrrruk!!"

"Kieeeek-!!!"

Rice bends when ripe – these frogs taught a lesson. Ranking shortcut pride swell.

Hologram popped – huge magistone chunk materialized midair. Floor 1 showered shards; more/better monsters here lumped into one premium chunk.

…But anything else?

Fleeting greed, but smacked it down. D-rank! D-rank! Purple hue like giant sweet potato in hand.

Association closed, so clutched magistone home like it'd vanish. Cleaned up, comfy clothes, sat at table to admire sacredly.

Fluorescent light alone made it shimmer. Chunk this big? No other rewards needed.

Sudden riches – mouth watered unwittingly. No, stomach growled. Specifically, for magistone.

Faint sweet scent teased nose. Not mere fruit. Primal, like delicacies piled on palm.

No way. For real?

Reason rebelled. D-rank this size min 10 mil, up to tens depending. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Eat it? Crazy limit exists.

Ventilate before scent-addled munch….

Crunch-.

"Mmm~."

Mmm my ass. Know how much food budget just jumped?! 10 mil. Months of part-time grind.

Melting smooth in mouth.

"Whoa-. Screwed but tastes insane."

Looked magistone, felt apple – crisp, juicy. Mild sweet fades clean, soda-fresh finish.

Insane.

What happens when hatchling grows?

System answered with hologram – new skill.

Whoa. Insane.