The Bloodthirsty Balloon
“To use the skill, it requires a massive amount of coins...” Park Dong-bae’s voice was dejected. Just how much could it possibly cost? I asked calmly.
“How many do you need?”
“A-a staggering 50 coins... Where on earth am I supposed to find that kind of money this early on...”
I let out a dry laugh internally. 50 coins. I didn’t know about others, but for me, it wasn’t a big problem. ‘I thought it would be around 300 coins.’
“First, tell me more about the skill. You called it a tower—what kind of format is it? Is it a one-time installation, or can it be moved?”
At my question, Park Dong-bae’s gaze drifted into the air. “Wait... the description says... it’s fixed within a designated territory. It seems like once you plant it, that’s it.”
“Fixed type, huh...” I clicked my tongue. It was exactly as the Spoiler had mentioned before. I knew it, but it was still a shame. It meant I’d have to leave it behind when moving to another location.
In that instant, a blue notification window appeared before my eyes.
[TIP: As Park Dong-bae grows, the tower can be converted into a mobile type.]
“...What?”
An answer that felt like it was waiting for me. I let out an exclamation without realizing it. If it could be converted to a mobile type, the whole situation changed. ‘Later, when his level goes up, I could even make a dedicated escort tower for Yu-ah!’
That wasn’t all. I didn’t know how much he would grow, but he might even be able to lead a turret legion. ‘Okay, I’m keeping this guy around for the time being.’
As I imagined Yu-ah looking at the turrets and being happy, the corners of my mouth curled up on their own.
‘Huh...!!! What is this!?’
‘What do you mean, what is it? It’s a top-tier bodyguard your brother prepared for you.’
‘Really!? So this will protect me!? Brother, you’re the best!!!’
‘It’s nothing. As long as I have you, I can do anything...’
“Um, Si-woo?”
A voice suddenly cut in. Looking down, I saw Park Dong-bae staring at me with a meaningful expression. “C-cough...” I cleared my throat and composed my expression. Then, I hurriedly turned my head toward Lee Seol-ah.
“Lee Seol-ah. How about you? You reached level 3, did anything change?”
At my question, she tilted her head. “Hmm... I’m not sure yet. I don’t think I’ve gained any new skills. But my Explorer trait seems to have been slightly enhanced... The surroundings look clearer than before, and I can feel the direction of the monsters more definitely?”
“So you upgraded your navigation. Not bad.” I nodded and looked back at Park Dong-bae. “Mister. You must have earned some coins while catching monsters earlier, how many do you have now?”
At my question, Park Dong-bae looked into the air in a flurry. He then answered in a crawling voice. “That... in total, I have exactly 37. To build the tower, I still need 13 more...”
I silently pulled up the system window in the air. I looked at the number of remaining coins on one side. ‘But, how do I give them?’
Come to think of it, I had only ever taken them, never given them. I muttered quietly, “Transfer coins.”
[Who would you like to transfer to?]
The notification window popped up immediately. It seemed I had guessed correctly on the first try. Red arrows appeared in the air, pointing at the people around me. ‘So that’s how it works.’
It was quite intuitive. I nodded and touched Park Dong-bae’s arrow.
[How much would you like to transfer?]
“30.”
Along with my mutter, a mechanical sound rang out.
[Transferred 30 copper coins to Park Dong-bae.]
[Transfer complete.]
Park Dong-bae stared at the air with wide eyes. He had checked his coins. He looked at me with trembling eyes.
“S-Si-woo! Why are you giving this to me...! And this much...!”
“Didn’t I say earlier? There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Think of this as mutual aid. In exchange, you must ensure you protect the place where our Yu-ah stays.”
“Ah...! Yes! I understand! Thank you!! I will do my best!!”
Park Dong-bae bowed his head repeatedly. At that moment, Lee Seol-ah, who had been watching from the side, slyly held out her hand. “Um, Si-woo. What about me?”
“What about you.”
“No, you’re handing out 30 coins to the mister like it’s nothing! Why aren’t you giving me any? I worked hard on the briefing earlier too!”
It was a truly confident and shameless attitude. I let out a dry laugh and answered firmly. “You don’t have anywhere to spend coins anyway. It’s not like you’re helpful.”
“What?! No, what do you mean nowhere to spend them! And I am totally helpful?! I might have a need to spend money right away too...!”
“Tell me when you can pull your weight. Then I’ll consider it.”
“No, seriously... I work so hard...” Lee Seol-ah pouted her lips and grumbled. I lightly ignored her and turned my head.
“Alright, we need to build the tower, so let’s hurry in...” It was when Park Dong-bae was about to take a step. Lee Seol-ah’s complexion hardened, and she shouted urgently. “Si-woo! They’re coming from over there again! There are quite a lot this time!”
It seemed her trait had detected the enemies. I gripped my short sword tighter and pondered. ‘I originally wanted to check the tower first, but...’
If the experience points were coming on their own feet, then so be it. I curled the corners of my mouth at the two of them. “You all rested well, right? Plan change.”
“Yes? W-what plan?”
“We don’t have time anyway, so since we’re already out, let’s both hit level 4 before we go in.”
“Whaaaat!?”
Screams of astonishment erupted from Lee Seol-ah and Park Dong-bae. But I had already kicked off the ground and lunged forward.
“R-right! Mister, right!!!”
“Kuaaaa! Die! Dieeee!”
Lee Seol-ah was briefing until her throat went hoarse. Park Dong-bae was swinging his wrench with his eyes half-crazed. Desperate screams and the sound of impact continuously crossed in the darkness.
About an hour later.
“Huff, huff... *cough*!”
“I’m dying... I really feel like I’m going to die...”
The alley had turned completely blood-soaked. Dozens of monster carcasses were strewn across the floor. And.
[Party member Park Dong-bae has leveled up! (Lv.3 ➔ Lv.4)]
[Party member Lee Seol-ah has leveled up! (Lv.3 ➔ Lv.4)]
We finally achieved our goal. The two people were sprawled out on the floor. I clicked my tongue and smacked my lips. ‘My level is still the same.’
I didn’t have high expectations, but it was still a shame. ‘How much experience is left in the bar? I can’t even see it.’
It wasn’t a problem that would be solved immediately just by being greedy. The harvest tonight was enough. Both of them had hit level 4, and I was worried about Yu-ah, who was left alone.
“Let’s stop here for today. Good work.”
At my words, Lee Seol-ah, who had been sprawled out, jumped up and cheered. “I survived!” Park Dong-bae was also smiling while trembling with his clenched fists. The relief of having survived. And the conviction that they had become stronger. The will that they could do it if they tried had taken root in the two of them.
I pointed to the stairs leading to the waiting room with my chin. “Let’s go back.”
As we crossed the boundary of the blue magic circle, the smell of blood and the chill were washed away immediately. The air between the boundaries was different. We let out ragged breaths at the same time.
“Brother!”
Yu-ah popped out from inside the waiting room and tried to hug me. ‘Uh... my body is too dirty.’
I gently held her back with my hand and opened my mouth. “If you touch me, you have to wash up, okay?”
She hesitated. I let out a soft laugh and continued. “Did anything happen? Are you okay?”
“Yes! I stayed quiet just like you said. You didn’t have any trouble, right? Your clothes are covered in blood...”
Yu-ah asked worriedly, looking at the bloodstains on me. I couldn’t help but smile. How could she be this cute?
“Of course. I’m so strong, what could happen? They weren’t even worth a single punch.”
“Hehe... still, you never know. Don’t get hurt, seriously.”
After sharing a light conversation, I turned my head toward the two of them. Both were still gasping for air. It seemed the aftermath of the battle hadn’t faded yet.
“Now then... shall we begin?”
Park Dong-bae swallowed dryly and nodded. “...You mean the tower, right?”
“Yes, we worked hard to level up, so we should see the results.”
“Phew... I understand. Where should I build it?”
I looked in the direction we had entered. “The entrance to the waiting room would be best. If it’s normal, they’ll have no choice but to come through here. A place with the most open view.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Park Dong-bae walked toward the entrance with a determined face. A strange tension hung in the lobby. Lee Seol-ah swallowed hard as she watched him. 50 coins. An amount that could keep normal survivors going for days.
Park Dong-bae stretched out both hands and took a deep breath. “Tower!”
A somewhat weak shout. At the same time, a dazzling light bloomed before our eyes.
— *Wooooong!*
The floor of the waiting room vibrated minutely. Soon, dust rose, and a structure rose up.
“Oh... it’s quite big?”
I marveled internally. What kind of appearance would it have? A tank? Or a turret we’re familiar with? I couldn’t help but have expectations. Amidst everyone’s focused gaze, the dust slowly cleared.
But.
“...”
“...?”
The moment we faced the tower, everyone’s jaws dropped, including mine.
“...What is that?”
Lee Seol-ah muttered in a low voice. What stood blocking the entrance to the waiting room wasn’t a magnificent turret. The bottom was made of clumpy, crude stones. It formed the lower body, setting a sturdy foundation. The problem was above that.
A giant balloon, completely unfitting for a stone tower, was floating there. Colorful, tacky colors. A thin material that was tightly inflated. In the very center, there was even a smiley face drawn roughly with a marker.
“...What is that?”
I looked at Park Dong-bae, dumbfounded. “Mister. This isn’t... the tower, is it? Please tell me it’s not, right now.”
“N-no, it’s not! I, I didn’t do it on purpose...!”
He turned pale and waved his hands in a flurry. “I swear the basic tower was a sturdy-looking stone tower! But my trait kept recommending this shape...!”
He pointed to the air, appealing his innocence. I narrowed my eyes. It was because a new Spoiler had appeared there.
[Spoiler/Target: Balloon Tower / Status: Standby / Trait: Bloodthirsty Balloon (C-Grade)]
[When installed, it automatically attacks enemies, not allies.]
‘Bloodthirsty... balloon?’ The name was quite brutal. However, the appearance was anything but. It was just a cheap, common balloon. ‘...Can this protect Yu-ah?’
A sigh escaped me. Park Dong-bae glanced at me. Just as I was holding my forehead and looking at the balloon.
— *Kieeeeeek!*
A sharp metallic sound came from outside. A familiar scream. It was a Blood Goblin. Our heads turned reflexively.
— *Kieeeek! Kieeeek!*
“Hiiik...”
Yu-ah curled up and hid behind me. I looked at the monster with a calm expression. ‘It won’t be able to get in anyway.’
It seemed to have followed the scent of blood. The monster smiled as if it were in a good mood. It glared at us while raising its club. And the moment it took one more step.
— *Gi-gi-gi-gik!*
The balloon tower reacted. The surface began to churn. The smiley face that had been laughing distorted. Soon, the mouth area ripped open as if it were tearing. There was only darkness inside. And then, red light began to condense.
— *Kwaaaang!!!*
A bone spike the size of an adult’s forearm was fired like a cannonball. Tremendous speed. I couldn’t even see the trajectory properly.
— *Thwack!!!*
“...!”
I quickly covered Yu-ah’s eyes. The goblin’s upper body exploded just like that. Debris poured onto the floor. The bone spike was embedded in the wall on the other side. The concrete around it was cracked wide open.
“...”
A heavy silence settled in the waiting room. Lee Seol-ah was frozen with her mouth wide open. Even Park Dong-bae was looking down at the tower with a blank expression.
“C-cough...” I cleared my throat quietly. “Yu-ah, turn around for a second.”
Yu-ah turned her body at my words. After taking my hand off her eyes, I nodded toward Park Dong-bae.
“...Mister.”
“Y-yes!”
“It’s definitely worth the 50 coins. I acknowledge it.”
“Th-thank you.”
Once I confirmed the tower’s power, I finally felt relieved. So what if it looked a bit strange? As long as it was strong, that was enough.
The things to do after that were set. It was late. We hurriedly started to prepare. “Let’s wash up first. Our bodies are in a state...”
“Yes!! Thank you!!!”
Before I could even finish, Lee Seol-ah darted out. When I turned my gaze with a dry laugh, she had already entered the shower room.
“...Is she always this fast?”
Next was Park Dong-bae, and then it was my turn. As I turned on the warm water to wash off, lethargy washed over my entire body. After finishing my shower, I laid out a sleeping bag next to Yu-ah and lay down. My younger sister naturally snuggled into my arms. I wrapped my arms around Yu-ah and quietly pulled up the status window in the air.
‘...12.’
Still stuck at the same level. But since we had the tower, I would be able to move around even more busily tomorrow. Improving Park Dong-bae and Lee Seol-ah’s specs was important, but the one who had to be the strongest was ultimately me.
“Phew...” I stroked Yu-ah’s hair. I have to protect my sister. No matter the situation, before my own life.
‘Any useful information?’
To clear my complex head, I pulled up the community window in the air. The survivors’ bulletin board was still noisy.
‘They’re getting crazier by the day.’
There was less normal content than before. I scrolled past the useless posts indifferently. Just in case there was any information I needed. Once, twice, three times.
‘Ha... what kind of crap is this...’
— *Thump*
And suddenly. My finger stopped in front of one text.
The moment I saw it, my eyes narrowed. Anonymous 12, how could I forget this number? Choi Kang-min. The bastard was looking for an Explorer.