"Gil Su-bin?"
"Gil Su-bin?" Choi Seung-rok wore an inscrutable expression as well.
Gil Su-bin. Two years ago, she had been one of the five-member party that broke through the 30th floor of the Korean Magic Tower. The assault team's challenge on the 30th floor—composed of Korea's absolute elite—had sent shockwaves around the world. And that was because only Gil Su-bin had returned alive out of the five.
There had been rumors of team-killing, but public opinion toward her wasn't all that bad. The 30th floor's notoriety was that infamous, and regardless, the raid had succeeded. But then public sentiment flipped on a dime with one comment from her.
"Yeah, I killed them. It was unavoidable if we wanted to clear it."
Gil Su-bin's words in an interview with one of the broadcasters had caused a massive uproar. Admitting to team-killing. Back then in Korea, team-killing was practically an unspoken taboo. People didn't buy her "it was unavoidable" line. A woman who entered the tower with a five-man party, killed her four teammates, and came back alone. The public branded her a murderer, a slaughterer, nitpicking her past behavior and personality.
As public opinion soured, the media piled on without mercy. In the end, even her fellow hunters refused to climb the tower with her anymore, and Gil Su-bin had practically fled to America.
"Do we really need to call Gil Su-bin? Everyone still remembers that incident from two years ago."
Seo Ji-hoon clearly wasn't thrilled about climbing the tower with her.
"That's already two years ago."
Kim Cheol-su countered Seo Ji-hoon's words.
"Don't you know what she's accomplished at the New York Magic Tower?"
The twisted prism structure once called the One World Trade Center now held the record for the highest floor cleared worldwide.
"Hmph. Anyone here could pull that off."
Of course, the prevailing opinion was that it was easier than the Korean Magic Tower.
"I'm in favor."
Choi Seung-rok said curtly, arms crossed.
"Seung-rok oppa!"
Choi Maria yelped in protest.
"Anyone who's cleared the 30th floor knows why Gil Su-bin team-killed."
"Th-that's..."
"And you lot weren't awakened back when she was active, so you wouldn't know, but her skills? I vouch for them."
Choi Seung-rok continued matter-of-factly.
"Exactly. Considering the circumstances, Gil Su-bin will undoubtedly be a huge help for the 51st floor. She's already expressed her willingness to join."
"She's got some nerve. If you're gonna do that, why not just bring back that psycho too?"
"Wasn't it you, Choi Maria, who said she didn't want to climb with Kang Deok-su?"
Choi Seung-rok glanced at Choi Maria.
"F-fine! Then just leave me out and let that psycho and that crazy bitch team up for the Magic Tower!"
"No reasoning with her."
Choi Seung-rok shook his head.
"I get it, Choi Maria-ssi. You might not be comfortable raiding with Gil Su-bin. So how about meeting her at least once? She's arriving in Korea next week."
"Hmph, do what you want."
"And anyway, since Kang Deok-su-ssi is attempting the 51st floor, you don't need to feel burdened yet."
"How's that scrawny kid supposed to break through the 51st?"
"Well..."
Kim Cheol-su faltered as Choi Maria snapped at him. He couldn't figure out why she got so worked up whenever Kang Deok-su's name came up.
"So, is that it for today?"
Choi Seung-rok changed the subject to help Kim Cheol-su out.
"Yes. Then we'll set up a meeting with Gil Su-bin next week. Thank you all for coming today."
Drag.
Choi Seung-rok stood up the moment Kim Cheol-su finished, as if he had another appointment.
I headed out to meet Choi Seung-rok.
"Skill window."
By taking down the 10th floor boss goblin this morning, I'd figured out the true nature of my skill transfer ability. First off, it only worked on boss monsters and players—no regular mobs. Second, it upgraded skills by one rank. Flame Fury, which was S-rank, became the EX-rank Abyss of Hell. And the B-rank Frenzied Lord's Roar turned into the A-rank Declaration of the Frenzied Lord's Dominion.
Not every skill got bumped to EX-rank.
Kind of a bummer.
Honestly, if everything went straight to EX, it'd be straight-up theft. Still, human greed knows no bounds—I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
The A-rank skill I picked up today was a useless ally buff for 51st-floor purposes. Guess I'd slap it on Choi Seung-rok while he handled the trash mobs.
Ding!
"Welcome~"
A gothic cafe bathed in striking crimson light. Being a weekday, it was pretty empty.
Choi Seung-rok sat in the corner.
"Hello."
I greeted him awkwardly.
"Good to meet you."
Arms crossed, he stared at me just like in the meeting room.
Figures it'd be awkward with a famous hunter like him.
"Thanks for meeting me today. That sword suits you well."
Time for some ice-breaking.
"Thanks. What's your goal?"
Choi Seung-rok cut straight to it, no small talk.
"Uh, well."
Can I really ask an S-rank to handle trash for me? Yeah, probably.
"I can transfer skills."
"I know."
"And the skill I have now is Joo Tae-su's Flame Fury."
"So you want me to die?"
"N-no!"
"Kidding."
He cracked a grim joke with a scary face.
Then laugh while you do it, man.
"Ahem... So, I transferred a skill from the 10th-floor boss goblin today, and it's an ally buff. Anyway, for the 51st floor, we'll need effect skills, so..."
"You want me to help take down the 50th-floor minotaur?"
"Haha... how'd you know? Not for free, of course. Compensation's..."
"I'll help."
"Pardon?"
"For free."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Was this guy always this cool? On TV, he seemed like a stuck-up old-school type.
"You free tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Great, raid tomorrow then?"
"Sure."
Straight shooter.
"But seriously, for free?"
"One condition."
"Condition?"
What? Not a slave contract or anything... right?
"Give it your all on the 51st."
Choi Seung-rok said flatly.
"Obviously..."
"What's your level?"
"My level?"
This much is fine, right?
"22."
It went up 1 from the boss goblin.
"Weak."
"Weak?"
"S-rank average is late 30s to early 40s."
"Oh... really?"
No wonder... he wouldn't pass out from skills.
"What's yours, Choi Seung-rok-ssi?"
"48."
High.
"Honestly, I'm puzzled how you cleared the 50th at level 22."
It was level 1. Boss-only, though.
"My skills have strong single-target power."
"Hm... You'll need to focus on levels more for the 51st."
"Of course. Still some time left, so I'll work on it."
"Got gear?"
"Gear? Yeah, the Association's providing S-rank stuff."
"Gear for tomorrow."
For tomorrow? Just need to nuke the bullhead anyway.
"Don't have tomorrow's yet..."
Choi Seung-rok frowned.
"Sloppy. I'll prep it."
"Ah... haha, thanks. But now I feel bad—gotta do something for you..."
Got nothing to offer.
"Nothing you can do for me."
You know it.
"If you succeed on 51, that's enough. If you fail, I challenge the next day."
Oh, that's why.
"Got it? I'll try hard then..."
Explains the extra care. He thinks I can do it, so he's investing. Association president must've talked.
"Tomorrow, 7 AM at the tower."
Choi Seung-rok shot up.
"Yes! Sounds good."
Next day, I left 30 minutes early to avoid being late, but Choi Seung-rok was already there.
Does this guy not sleep?
And what's all that junk on his back?
"You're here."
"Yeah. What's with the stuff behind you?"
"..."
"I said I'd bring gear yesterday."
Oh right. He continued with his usual blank face.
Probably thinks I'm pathetic.
"Right. Nice."
"No weapon?"
"Nah. Figured I'd grab a sword or something later."
Choi Seung-rok frowned again, displeased.
Weapons burn up anyway when I skill.
"Let's go."
"Sure."
I slipped into the gate after him.
Whumm.
You have entered the 50th floor of the Magic Tower.
Time Limit: None
Apparently, floors you'd already cleared once had no time limit.
A chilling draft blew through the cavern. The gear kept me warm, though.
Insulation effect too, huh.
"Let's move."
Clang! Choi Seung-rok drew his sword.
"Wait! Buff up first!"
"Got it."
Declaration of the Frenzied Lord's Dominion.
I chanted the skill name inwardly. Then—
"Keruk! Keruk! Kyahaha!"
"What the—"
I startled myself with the goblin chant that burst out.
"Goblins."
"Haha..."
Shhhrk. Pink energy flowed from my body, enveloping Choi Seung-rok.
"Hmmm..."
He let out a groan, feeling the rush.
"This ain't B-rank."
"Huh?"
"Goblin skill, right? The energy feels A-rank."
"Really?"
He can sense that? Too perceptive—makes buffing awkward.
"What even is this transfer..."
"No idea!"
"Hm?"
Choi Seung-rok looked up, puzzled.
"Let's just smash 'em quick. No time to waste."
"Yeah..."
He nodded. Right before stepping into the rippling portal, he turned to me.
"You coming?"
"Oh. Didn't mention it. I'll just do the boss. Can't handle trash, but bosses are fine. Don't open the boss room—come get me. I'll wait."
"Usually it's the opposite. Soloing just the boss is... possible?"
"No idea! There's a way."
Sigh... so many questions.
He eyed me like a lunatic and entered. Forty minutes later, back he came.
"Hey."
"Done already?"
"No."
"Buff wore off."
"What?"
Damn. Don't wanna goblin-screech again...
"Buff essential?"
"Yes."
Hooked on A-rank buffs, apparently—he'd retreated the second it dropped.
"Keruk keruk!"
I turned goblin once more.
"Heh."
Choi Seung-rok smirked and headed back in.
Guy knows how to smile.
Thirty minutes later, he returned.
"All clear. Huff... huff..."
Panting hard.
"Tough one?"
"Huff. Clearing 50th with two people is insane to begin with."
"Yeah?"
Sorry, Joo Tae-su. You were a monster.
"My turn now."
"You sure solo?"
He eyed me skeptically.
"Yeah, fine."
I headed the same way as when I found Joo Tae-su. Soon, the boss room appeared. I tried rushing in, but—
What?
The door was heavy, wouldn't budge easily.
"Hey! Minotaur! Open the damn door!"
"Grrr?"
Just confused growling from inside.
Ugh, seriously.
Drag-drag.
I wrenched it open with effort and entered.
"Grrr! A human! Kinda familiar fa—"
Abyss of Hell.
I cast without delay.
Kwaaang!
That majestic sound never got old. Flames turned the world to hell, as always.
"Kuhk!"
Nosebleed, but manageable this time. Gear definitely helped.
And there—a faint glow ahead.
"Heh."
Skill farming time.