The One-Man Legion
Applaud me! Worship me! Praise me!
An unprecedented activation of the Babel Gallery. An unprecedented mass influx of gallery users!
There's a saying in this world: the human wave tactic. Didn't someone once say that a great army has no need for strategy? Numbers alone are a massive threat! Quantity over quality — against overwhelming manpower, skill counts for nothing.
So that's how you were planning to steer the vote, huh? Since everyone only gets one vote, you were going to herd the masses and drag things toward option 2 by brute force?
Nope!
Sorry, but your dreams end here. Be crushed by an even bigger wave! This — this is the One-Man Legion!
Right. Of course it'll be hard for everyone to accept the results at first. But hey, what can you do when the votes come out like this! Hee.
Anyway, option 3 was chosen with overwhelming firepower. Honestly, the moment China and Japan picked option 2, I was determined to make sure option 2 died on the vine.
Like, why are you two on the same team? You want to die? The three nations of East Asia are supposed to bicker and claw at each other — that's the natural order. Why are you suddenly playing besties all of a sudden?
What, are you looking down on me because you're Tower developed nations and we're Tower developing nations? Keep that up and I won't stand for it?
The three of us will remain in a relationship of mutual hatred until the very end. Man's promise.
Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying!
Why am I getting hated on after giving away everything I could give?
This is a post written by Haesol. The comment section is filling up with people who acknowledge me and support me...
So I don't even have to smack anyone down myself anymore — public opinion forms on its own, everyone defends me, and my haters get pummeled for me! This is amazing!
And more friendly words toward the Basement.
Together, we're all rising up for me. Is a new rule of the gallery being born? The mood right now is pure infinite Basement positivity!
This feeling — what is it? It almost makes me want to shed a tear.
Being loved this openly and unashamedly is really hitting home. Am I kind of awesome right now? Yeah. Right now, I think I could say it loud and proud.
"Good, good. Everyone seems satisfied for the most part. And the unsatisfied ones are getting banned as we speak. So now then..."
The Lord still has thirty-four interns remaining. Yes — was I planning to finish this in the office? Nope, not a chance.
Twelve interns are still waiting to be sent to the Library. And a whopping twenty-two friends need to go to the kitchen.
"Miss Librarian! Miss Librarian, I'm here!"
"Ah... Manager..."
Our well-endowed, bountiful Miss Librarian, still flailing amid mountains of books. Her dark circles have gotten even more even more more pronounced in the meantime!
Sorting and sorting and sorting all these books seems to have worn her down a little.
"Miss Librarian, are you holding up? Hm?"
"I'm... fine, Manager. This is my duty, after all."
"That may be true — but you don't have to do it alone anymore!"
"...Pardon?"
"Everybody, come on out!"
The twelve interns from the break room poured into the Library. Miss Librarian's hand flew to her mouth, tears loaded and ready to fire.
"How's that? Didn't I tell you to wait?"
"Manager...!"
"I'll keep reinforcing your staff, so take it easy on the job."
"Truly... you are... an angel, Manager."
"An angel?"
"Yes... the angel of the Basement, sent down to us by the Tower."
Miss Librarian squeezed my hand tight and nodded her head. Whoa, okay — you're being way too kind, it's a little embarrassing...
And an angel! I've never once heard that said about me in my life. Mom always called me a mountain goblin in human skin, and Hyeji calls me a beast every time I do anything...
Angel of the Basement. Honestly? That rings pretty nicely.
"Heh heh..."
Ding!
The Library's Task Execution Capability has improved.
The Library's influence expands even further.
You can now execute the 'Academic Support Event'.
"The Academic Support Event...? What's this?"
"Ah, Manager! With the Library's labor force expanded... it seems we can now attempt something like this."
Miss Librarian slipped her hand naturally into her cleavage and pulled out a slightly warm piece of paper.
"Wha—!? Wait, where on earth are you pulling things out from?!"
"Ah... my pockets were full... so this is, shall we say, a temporary pocket... heh heh heh."
"Do NOT use your cleavage as a pocket! The paper is warm!"
And she just laughed it off. Anyway, I spread out the fresh, still-warm Academic Support Event guide...
Greetings, climbers of Babel Tower.
As the task execution capability of the Underground Library has improved, an Academic Support Event will be held to aid the growth of our climbers.
This event applies equally across the entire Tower, and during the event you may experience the following effects:
[1. Class Re-Education]
During the event, class changes are freely available, and the advancement requirements for certain special classes are relaxed.
In addition, one free class change will be provided.
[2. Combat Manual Distribution]
During the event, skill effects can be permanently enhanced, and certain special skills can be unlocked.
In addition, one free skill enhancement will be provided.
Please visit the Job Training Center in Landing City to experience these freely.
We look forward to your participation.
"Whoa!? What is this!"
"For now, only these two courses can be taken. But as the Library's manpower grows, I believe more classes will be opened in the future."
"More classes?"
"Yesss... there's still the Integrated Research Project, and the Ruin Expedition Plan, and also—"
"Ahh! Stop! No spoilers!"
"F-forgive me! You were meant to enjoy unlocking them one by one..."
I don't know what they are, but apparently there are tons of features still locked away? I'm always cooped up in the Basement, so I didn't even know Landing City had a Job Training Center. Maybe I should pay it a visit this time?
"By the way, can this be implemented immediately?"
"Yes. You can switch the event on and off as you please, Manager. Everything is yours to decide. Everything that comes out of the Library belongs to you — because that is how I shall make it."
"Heh heh heh."
Hold on a second, though. I just implemented the Growth Encouragement Policy. Is it okay to fire off big hits back to back like this? What if the climbers all collapse from acute dopamine overdose?
No, seriously though! If I keep slamming events and policies into a Tower that's been dry and flavorless for ages, the climbers' brains might actually short-circuit!
I'm... I'm scared right now. The Basement's power is far more terrifying than I thought. The moment this facility, so long hidden in the shadow of the Constellations, came into the light, the Tower began transforming completely. And all by my choice?
One click of my finger and every hunter on the planet dies of joy? Uhihit! And I'm supposed to resist that?
"We're doing it right now, aren't we!?"
"Understood, Manager! I will prepare the Academic Support Event immediately!"
Can't hold back anymore! Fine — I'll feed the climbers a lethal dose of dopamine. Let them drown in sheer, pure happiness and die smiling! And then praise me infinitely! Praise the Basement Manager, everyone! Clap, now! Applause!
The first day of the newly introduced Growth Encouragement Policy. Just like the day the 4th floor kitchen was restored to working order, the exact same notification was delivered simultaneously to everyone in the Tower.
The 'Growth Encouragement' policy is being implemented by the Basement Manager.
Experience acquisition rate increased by 1.5x.
Monster replenishment speed greatly increased.
Enjoy your climb.
Cheers erupted across Landing City! Endless praise from the climbers, poured out toward the Basement Manager!
"Wait, what is this? My level just keeps going up!"
"Me too! I leveled up again! This is insane! Experience is being copy-pasted, I swear!"
"Am I allowed to get this strong after one lap of the 20th floor? Is this legit?"
"Let's hurry to the next floor already! Let's catch up to the frontrunners too!"
The dazzling effects of the Growth Encouragement Policy! Truly, a golden age of tower climbing had begun.
Even the people who normally avoided climbing for safety reasons dug their dust-covered equipment out of storage and threw themselves into the Tower. Climb now, and you can grow without a single wall in your way. Monster respawn rates had even gone up, so you could rake in a fortune through mob-farming!
"I'm quitting my job! It's so filthy I can't stomach it! I'm going back to climbing the Tower!"
Even competition to squeeze out every last drop of benefit while the policy lasted had turned red-hot. The Great Climbing Era, where everyone quit their jobs and threw themselves into the Tower.
"There was all this grumbling about rigged votes, but turns out option 3 was the best, exactly as the Manager willed it."
"Monsters keep spawning, so securing resources is easy — and the XP is pouring in!"
"This is all thanks to the Basement's grace, isn't it. Long live the Manager!"
"Manse! Long live the Baseemnt Manager!"
"Alright, alright! Praise is all well and good, but next wave's coming! Hunting time!"
With monster respawn speeds drastically increased even in the simplified labyrinths, climbers began stockpiling currency for Landing City like madmen. The mindset: if you don't earn now, you never will.
Public sentiment toward the Basement had already punched through its upward graph and shot off into space. And then — a second notification rang out across the entire Tower.
The 'Academic Support Event' is beginning, courtesy of the Basement Manager.
The 'Job Training Center' is opening in Landing City.
'Class Re-Education' is now available.
'Combat Manual Distribution' is now available.
Enjoy your climb.
"What is this one?"
"The Manager didn't post anything about it in the Gallery, though?"
"Now's not the time to be shocked! Get to Landing City, right now!"
The second alarm, rung without warning. People flooded into Landing City — and every last one of them lost their minds over the one-time free class re-education and combat manual distribution.
"I— I can finally throw away this trashy Non-Combatant class?!"
"Wasn't your class supposed to follow you forever once it was set?"
"This was another benefit only those Seeker bastards got to enjoy, wasn't it!"
"Word is the Constellations had been hogging every one of these perks for themselves."
"And isn't that exactly what the Basement Manager just set free?"
"Seeker bastards, every last one. Long live the Manager!!"
The effects once reserved for the Seekers alone had been unsealed for everyone. You still trust the Constellations after this? They're handing out this much for free — you're still going to chase the Constellations' backsides? So the moment seemed to ask.
"There's still one more shot left."
"Huh? What is?"
"Doesn't matter. There just is. Hyeji, let's go grab that one this time."
"You know it! Let's head over before the line forms!"
"U-um! Excuse me, wait! Let's go together!"
"Keep up, Haesol! How many times are you going to the bathroom in one day?!"
"Kang Haesol. Fall behind one more time and we're leaving you."
"Ugh...! W-wait, just a second! Don't abandon me! I'm just, j-just nervous! Let's go togetherrr!"
And right now, up in Landing City, was a Manager who had just finished distributing her interns. The Basement Manager, Ji Cheonwoo. A Non-Combatant with a Grimoire slotted into her equipment, Lee Hyeji. And the swordsman with irritable bowel syndrome, Kang Haesol.
These were the futures of South Korea.