The Wandering Gangster
“Where did this sudden ‘dark turn’ come from?”
At my question, Seo Ian fiddled with her phone for a moment before showing me the screen.
It was as if she were saying that seeing it for myself would be faster than her explaining it.
And that was an accurate judgment.
Recently, through big data, I had figured out that what Awakened needed most inside the Tower were recovery potions and hammers.
So, I would pack my inventory full of them and Intrude.
It was a way to trigger the ‘Encouragement Effect’ and raise my contribution points relatively easily.
However, when the floor owner was doing a repeat clear, it was impossible to make someone who came in expecting to clear it think, ‘Hey, I think we can actually clear this!’
So, what could I do to boost my contribution points further?
In those cases, I aimed for the ‘Auxiliary Damage Effect.’
By helping them catch the boss from the sidelines, I noticeably reduced the clear time. This increased my contribution points through the auxiliary damage effect, and since the time taken to clear the floor was shortened, the overall amount of rewards increased—meaning the floor owner also ended up with more loot.
The good thing about this was that the floor owner could finish the Tower clear without ever knowing I had participated as a hidden party member.
‘…But have I been using that too often?’
Items—or rather, the Encouragement Effect—worked best during a first-time clear, not a repeat run. This was something high-floor rankers did often.
That meant satisfying the conditions was difficult to begin with.
If finding an Awakened in South Korea was like finding a pebble in a sandbox, finding a ranker among them was like finding a needle in that same sandbox.
Because I had been aiming for that ‘Auxiliary Damage Effect’ a bit too much, it had overlapped, and at some point, my reputation had started to change strangely.
No, by the time I realized it, it had already changed for ten minutes.
There was a reason for that.
Someone had come up with a wise answer. Collective intelligence, indeed! However, while the flow was correct, it wasn't the right answer.
What was the answer, exactly?
Well, the Encouragement Effect would have a greater impact anyway, and…
“Party play doesn't count toward records, right?”
If I accidentally hit the boss, the one who would be in big trouble was me.
Rankings only apply to the first-time clear. But it’s impossible in a party. For example, if you clear a 3rd-floor first-time clear in a party, that person can never have their name on the 3rd-floor ranking.
Unless they go higher and clear the 4th floor solo, that is.
Imagine you cleared it, and the time was more than enough to make the rankings, but your name didn't appear. What would be the first thing you’d suspect?
You’d probably think it was a system error first. But if that repeats a few times?
Wait—is the Wandering Merchant Rabbit actually a party member—?
It’s obvious that the thought would eventually lead there. I didn't want that, so I moved much more carefully in the Tower of the Climbing Challenger. But that led to this ridiculous public opinion….
They had formed an opinion that the Rabbit had changed. The titles they called me—dark turn, corruption, wandering thug, Black Rabbit—were all different, but they were certainly a bit far from the image of the Rabbit I had initially conceived.
Should I just push through, pretending I’ve changed, and keep pulling the auxiliary damage effect? Or should I act a bit more gently for a while and keep the Wandering Merchant image?
It’s already too late, so let whatever happens, happen!
When you start thinking too deeply about solving a problem, it means you don't know the answer. In the end, the only choice is to just guess.
“Have you never seen a post like this before?”
“I’ve been busy lately, so I haven't been able to check.”
I hadn't had the time to worry about my public opinion. Even if it’s once a month, a special floor could appear at any time. The sooner I finish my preparations, the more at ease my mind will be. And perhaps this situation where my perception has changed is actually better.
I might as well lean into the ‘dark turn Rabbit’ line and stop selling things altogether. It’s time to stop selling and start saving. For next month—no, for this month.
“But then, does our Team Leader get stronger when you sell items?”
“What?”
“The Team Leader, I mean.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Wow. I’ve met a lot of people, but I’ve never met someone so unpredictable. Is this a change of topic, or a stream of consciousness? I never expected such a sudden shift.
“You said the Team Leader’s Awakening was a Rabbit, right?”
It wasn't that Seo Ian was unpredictable; it seemed I had made her misunderstand. Wouldn't it be okay to reveal it to my own team member? Of course…
“Ian. You’re good at keeping secrets, right?”
This had to come first. At the same time as the question, I activated Hawk’s Eye.
Currently, she is slightly angry at you for asking something so obvious!
She’s angry about something like that…?
As expected, Seo Ian is indeed an unpredictable person.
“Am I good at keeping secrets? And if I’m not?”
One eyebrow arched slightly. Unfortunately, I knew that this was nothing more than simple spite. In that case, I had to fight fire with fire. I smiled slightly and shrugged my shoulders.
“If you’re not, then you just can’t tell anyone, that’s all.”
“I’m good at it. If I drown in water, I’ll sink head-first.”
She answered immediately, as if she couldn't stand not knowing. Ah, wait, was that it? Was it her reaction speed? The kind of person who could get hit by a dump truck and act like they just lightly bumped shoulders on the street?
My thoughts wandered for a moment. Anyway.
“Then, from now on, you must never tell anyone else what I’m about to say. Understand?”
Rackcho had advised me. That I had to lay the groundwork like this so it would be properly inputted into Seo Ian’s brain. Following that, I told her the truth—only the fact that I could Intrude into other people’s towers. Without mentioning anything about hidden party members, sharing contribution points, or anything like that.
“Ah. So that’s why you didn't use skills with cooldowns even in hidden dungeons, to avoid looking like an Awakened? Wow, you’re thorough, aren't you? I almost got completely fooled!”
I only used the attack skills because they were the only ones that could be fired rapidly. I was clearly just standing still a moment ago. Why is she suddenly hitting a person who’s just standing there with facts?
In the midst of that, Seo Ian’s bright face, which seemed to have zero malice, made me feel like someone was pouring disinfectant onto a wound.
“…Well. Something like that.”
She’s so happy about it, so let’s just leave it at that.
“Anyway, how is it?”
I pointed at the contract again and looked at Seo Ian.
“But why is the duration blank?”
“The duration is per case.”
“Per case?”
“If I mess up, you can cut me off, and the opposite could happen too.”
People who seek stability prefer long contract periods. However, those with outstanding abilities prefer short ones. Because the salary unit changes upon contract renewal, a shorter term is more advantageous. But is this condition only advantageous to the contractee? Not necessarily. Because during that short period, the contractee must prove their value to the maximum. For the sake of renewal, and for better conditions.
And it also means they have to desperately PR themselves so they don't get cut.
“Then the Team Leader has to do well, right? If you don't want to lose me? Hehe.”
“It means you have to do well in the meantime. And I’m confident I’ll do well.”
She always tries to get the upper hand like this, doesn't she? It was a little annoying.
“Anyway, if you don't have any other questions…”
I pointed to the blank signature line of the contract I had pushed forward.
“I have more questions.”
“Ask away.”
“You said it’s a team, right? Who else is on the team?”
“For now, just you.”
“Huh?”
A suspicious look turned toward me. I was a bit intimidated. I didn't want to lose the fish I had already caught over such a ‘trivial’ problem.
“When you’re trying to build a team, you have to catch the ace first. To keep them from being snatched by others. And by putting that ace forward as the face of the team, you can attract other team members more easily.”
At the exact word ‘ace,’ Seo Ian’s gaze softened. This friend… she’s secretly of the Rackcho variety. The type who is weak to praise. I was now certain that ‘fluffing her up’ was the lubricant that made communication work well.
“Rab—no, Team Leader. But what’s our team name?”
“Hmm… I haven't thought about it.”
A Special Strategy Team is a Special Strategy Team, so what’s with the name?
“You can't do that! We need a name!”
Whoa. She’s serious about this? She’s much more serious than me, the Team Leader.
“Then you name it.”
“Why me?”
“Doesn't the ace usually get a say in team names?”
As soon as the ‘ace’ input was entered, an immediate output came out.
“Then how about Universe Guild? Or Team Universe?”
Perhaps the detailed explanation of the input was lacking, because a very trash-like output came out. I re-inputted the missing parts.
“I want a name that’s a bit more sophisticated, easy to pronounce, and feels strong.”
With this, I learned a new fact: for Seo Ian, I have to input things one at a time.
Sophisticated. Easy to pronounce. Strong feeling.
Since three conditions were entered, Seo Ian, who only accepted the ‘strong feeling’ part, said:
“Hmm… then ‘Tower-Psychopath’?”
She uttered a rough team name. Well… it includes the word ‘Tower,’ which could be said to be the team’s identity, and since it’s four syllables, it’s easy to remember, but…
Still, I didn't like it.
“Is there no other name?”
“Team ‘One-Shot-To-The-Lord’s-Side’?”
‘Tower-Psychopath’ was tacky enough, but an even tackier name popped out. While I was thinking that, our eyes met. Seeing Seo Ian’s triumphant expression, as if she were very satisfied with her own idea, made me feel dizzy.
“Uh… as expected of our ace! Your thinking is really fresh!”
For now, for the sake of our ace team member, I threw out a cushion by spouting nonsense without even wetting my lips.
“So, what are we going with?”
I had intended to throw a cushion so she wouldn't get hurt and then stab her with facts, but Seo Ian cut the cushion I threw in two with the sword of ‘impatience.’ It was my fault for forgetting that Seo Ian was impatient.
“Wouldn't it be more meaningful to collect more team members… and then decide after gathering opinions?”
Of course, Seo Ian, none of the candidates you mentioned will be adopted. Even if they were, I would abuse my authority as Team Leader to block them, just like the Green Onion Chex election fraud.
……I will, for sure!!
“Ah, but Team Leader!”
Where did the ‘-nim’ go? I looked at Seo Ian, who seemed to be suffering from a disease where she would die if she spoke too long. Her face overlapped with the face Rackcho makes when selling items, especially when expecting a purchase, so I was momentarily tense.
“How about bringing Park Siwoo as a team member too? Isn't it okay to have a dedicated enchanter on the team?”
A name I also knew came out of her mouth.