I'll Climb It Alone
A heavy silence hung in the Hunter Association president's office.
Sip—
"Why did you say something like that?"
Kim Cheol-su set down his coffee and spoke up.
"Climbing the tower solo... There have been a few people like that. Like Japan's Nakamura Shunsuke, China's Tao Kuang, Saudi Arabia's Mahmoud—and you know Joo Tae-su as well."
"Do you know what happened to all of them?"
"They're all dead, right? Probably."
Screeech—I leaned back on the sofa and replied.
"Exactly. At first, they got government support and climbed a few floors, but none of them are alive today."
"The infamous 40th floor of the New York Magic Tower, the 40th of the Chinese Magic Tower, and up to the 30th here in Korea. People have cleared them now, but back then, they were called hunters' graves."
"Solo tower climbers all hit a wall eventually. Nobody's without weaknesses."
He was right. Even I, relying on Flame Fury, had a clear one. I had to depend on an AoE with huge risks.
Still, I was confident.
"Give me just one month."
"Pardon? Didn't I just explain all that?"
Kim Cheol-su raised his glasses and asked.
"Honestly, I haven't fully grasped my own ability yet, but there's no rule saying I can only transfer once."
"So you mean you can keep transferring?"
"Yeah, probably. It's not like I used some one-time effect item. Skill Transfer itself is likely my core ability."
The real reason I boldly declared I'd climb solo was the EX-rank. No hunter today had two S-rank skills. But if I could mix an EX-rank with an S-rank? Or climb with two EX-ranks?
I might transcend the limits of going solo...
"Hmm... So you could transfer another S-rank."
"That's the idea. Of course, I'd have to figure out where to get one."
I'd already decided. Before blacking out when the minotaur died, I'd seen that faint shimmering light—the same signal as when I transferred Joo Tae-su's skill. Meaning I could do it again.
"Imagine me with two or three S-rank skills. At that point, wouldn't solo be easier? Doesn't the difficulty scale with party size?"
"Not quite."
Kim Cheol-su shook his head.
"Yes, difficulty rises with party size, but the synergy benefits outweigh it—for up to five people."
"But nobody wants to climb with me."
"..."
Kim Cheol-su fell into thought.
"Honestly..."
He broke the silence.
"Yes?"
"It might be worth a shot. If you challenge with two S-ranks."
"So you're giving permission?"
"Permission... Haha. How could I stop a hunter like you? Just that a reckless challenge isn't worth it."
"Anyway, I'll give it a solo try."
"If that's what you think, Deok-su, the Association will support you fully."
"Appreciate it. Guess we're done here."
I shot up from my seat. I'd arrived at noon; now the sun had set. All that tension had worn me out.
"See you."
"Yes."
"Hunter Kang Deok-su."
Kim Cheol-su called me back.
"But you'll need to acquire that S-rank skill."
"Of course."
I wouldn't just charge in blind...
The view outside the window was still swarming with reporters.
"By the way, is there only one exit from the Association?"
"Pardon? Ah..."
Kim Cheol-su glanced out, then stood.
"There's a back door. I'll assign some security personnel."
"Thanks."
*Why didn't you mention that on the way in?*
I made it back home.
"Hungry..."
I ordered dinner via delivery app and flopped onto the bed.
"Whew..."
Did I do the right thing? Honestly, I hadn't planned to solo the 51st floor. Hell, I hadn't even planned to climb the tower at all.
But at the Association, the mood was set for a climb, and when they balked at teaming with me, I got pissed and blurted I'd do it alone.
The president gave me chances to back out in front of the others, but I doubled down.
A man's word is his bond. Can't lose face.
Once the words were out, I quickly crunched the numbers. No way I'd throw my life away over pride.
My conclusion? It's doable.
Solo meant solo rewards and levels. Why pass that up?
Only one issue left: sourcing an S-rank skill. I'd already planned for that.
I scrolled through my contacts.
Choi Seung-rok. After the meeting, he'd given me his number, saying to ask if I had questions—clearly intrigued.
Why contact Choi Seung-rok? Simple. Not to Abyss of Hell him in private and turn him into a corpse—that'd be a lie.
I needed him to handle 50th-floor trash mobs. Sure, his S-rank Absolute Annihilation Slash tempted me, but I wasn't degenerate enough to kill for it yet.
Ding-dong!
'Delivery!'
Even an S-rank hunter gets excited for food delivery, huh?
Screeech—Opening the door...
"Bro?"
My brother was there.
"You crazy bastard!"
I had one brother: Kang Myeong-su. After our parents divorced young, he was my only rock.
Bad timing, though.
"Ah, not chicken... Didn't see your bike, bro?"
"Ha!"
He laughed in disbelief.
"You don't watch TV? What? 51st floor? You really lost it."
I grinned awkwardly.
"Ah... Word spread that fast?"
"Spread? It's everywhere, you idiot."
He stormed in and flicked on the TV.
"Haha..."
The news showed me.
'What the hell... They edited my entrance like I was declaring war.'
"What? 'I'll do it'?"
Bro stared at me like I was insane again.
"Bro, let me explain. Sit down."
"Ha... Deok-su, I can't tell if the world's pranking me. You have no idea how shocked I was today."
"That's why I'm explaining now."
He plopped at the living room table.
"Spill."
I told him everything—from start to the EX-rank.
No need to lie to family.
"So... your skill splits heaven and earth, turns it into a hell where you can't even breathe?"
"Yup~ Jackpot."
Thwack! He flicked my forehead.
"Ow! Why?!"
"You drunk-dream S-rank or what? An unawakened guy talking EX-rank?"
"I told you! Awakened a year ago, kept it hidden!"
"You expect me to buy that?"
"It's true! Proved it at the Association! Why else would I be on TV?"
He gaped.
"Fair point..."
I rubbed my forehead.
"Anyway, I'm the only one who knows you're EX-rank, so keep it quiet."
"Fine. But why solo the 51st? Didn't you hear three S-ranks died?"
"Bro... I said, three S-ranks or ten—my skill one-shots them all. Don't worry. You're A-rank; you know the gap."
He gaped again, speechless.
"..."
"Still worried about you, Deok-su."
"No need. EX skill, plus maybe one or two more S or EX if possible."
"Can I trust you?"
"Trust me. You know how cautious I am."
He smirked.
"Yeah. Still remember you begging to sleep together 'cause you were scared."
"Bro... That was elementary school."
"Heh, you're still a kid to me. So I can trust you?"
"Yes. After 51, I'll team up."
If I prove it, they won't refuse me.
"Alright. Need anything, say so."
"Thanks, bro."
Ding-dong!
"Chicken! Eat before you go?"
"Yeah. Perfect timing—starving."
I'd work hard. For bro's peace of mind, at least.
The next day, S-rank hunters gathered at the Association again.
"Of course, Hunter Kang Deok-su said he'd climb the tower, but... honestly, expectations are low."
Kim Cheol-su said in the meeting room.
"Kekeke. Surprised you're expecting anything."
Seo Ji-hoon sneered.
"Just a lunatic. Three S-ranks failed—how's he gonna do it? Even Han Tae-seong couldn't."
Choi Maria rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"Han Tae-seong... Still no contact?"
Choi Seung-rok asked Kim Cheol-su.
"No... He's ignoring all Korean Hunter Association outreach."
"Good enough."
Choi Seung-rok crossed his arms.
"Yes... Yesterday, I proposed a five-person party, but he refused."
"Obviously! Team with that psycho?!"
"Yes. So if Kang Deok-su fails, a five-person party challenges the 51st the next day. Agreed?"
"Fine by me."
"As long as no crazy guy's with us."
"Sounds good."
Choi Seung-rok, Choi Maria, Jo Eun-ha answered in turn.
"Seo Ji-hoon?"
"Who's the fifth?"
"Well..."
Kim Cheol-su hesitated.
"Gil Su-bin."
"What?!"
Choi Maria jumped up, and
"Kekeke."
Seo Ji-hoon snickered.
"I said no crazy guy, so you call the crazy bitch?!"
Choi Maria yelled.