The Gallery Goes Wild Again
Choi Kang-hyuk sat in a quiet spot and opened the Tower Gallery.
He had to report what he'd learned so far.
But if he posted publicly like last time, it could cause a massive stir, so he planned to report it more discreetly.
If you have business, come here.
One of the few people who could talk directly to the association president.
Choi Kang-hyuk immediately left a comment.
Choi Kang-hyuk kept it concise.
There might be other climbers watching the call bell, so he restricted the info as much as possible.
ParkJungchanPresident has requested a trade.
Choi Kang-hyuk entered the trade window right away.
The trade window was useful for bartering items, but also perfect for private talks like this.
Plus, once the trade ended, the chat vanished automatically. What could be better for secrecy?
Park Jung-chan prodded Choi Kang-hyuk immediately.
Choi Kang-hyuk didn't make a fuss. Years of climbing had drilled in the habit of relaying only objective, precise info.
So if he called it extreme, it was extreme.
Park Jung-chan knew that well, which was why he'd initiated the trade right away.
Choi Kang-hyuk didn't beat around the bush.
Huge? It could shift the entire paradigm of tower climbing.
Choi Kang-hyuk's hand twitched.
Killing was the most effective way to seal lips.
But not this time.
The reason was simple.
Reina.
An NPC who could make potions.
NPCs rarely lied, especially regular ones unrelated to quests.
If an NPC lied, it meant they were a key character or essential for quest progression.
Hans wasn't important—Choi Kang-hyuk's long climbing history confirmed that.
But Reina was different.
She felt like she had...
...a sense of self.
Word of a potion-making NPC would draw climbers like flies.
Not just locals—foreigners or illegal climbers too.
The tower would turn into chaos.
No climbing, just infighting, leading straight to a tower break.
Choi Kang-hyuk bit his lip.
Park Jung-chan's declaration carried weight.
ParkJungchanPresident has canceled the trade.
Choi Kang-hyuk closed the gallery.
"...The world'll shake again."
If potions that healed wounds instantly flooded in...
No—even the possibility would slash tower raid difficulty.
"Um, excuse me. This is a gift."
Right on cue, Reina approached Choi Kang-hyuk.
Potions in a wooden crate.
Rough count: about 100.
"Ha, I can only make this many a day."
A face screaming lie.
But Choi Kang-hyuk played along.
You don't kill the golden goose, right?
"Thanks."
Choi Kang-hyuk took the potions with a genuine smile.
"Ahaha... Well, I'll be going then..."
Seeing his smile, Reina bolted.
...
Choi Kang-hyuk is trash.
No—trash is too kind. He's king trash, trash king.
The gallery wasn't wrong at all.
No bandit was this bandit-y.
That "thanks" was all smoke.
Smoke to squeeze more potions out of me.
"Uwaaaagh!"
I pummeled the innocent blanket.
After wrecking the bed, I trembled and spat that demon's name.
"Choi Kang-hyuk...! You bastard...! Eek... Now I gotta keep giving potions!"
I'd planned to slip other stuff to outsiders, but now I'd have to hand potions to every climber.
The gallery would explode again.
I wanted to see the gallery—not get goddess-worshipped there.
Already uncomfortable with it dominating the feed.
"Eek..."
I shredded the innocent blanket again.
Wrecked the bed once more.
"Uwaaaagh!"
Blanket flapping, bed shaking.
"...Good enough."
Deal with later stuff later.
Choi Kang-hyuk.
Skipped gallery too long—major loss.
"Time for backlog posts."
Hundreds of pages daily in the gallery.
Just thinking of browsing them calmed me a bit.
"Tower Gallery access."
I muttered, and a translucent window popped up.
Evening service time. Please take seats, everyone.
"Ah..."
I couldn't help sighing at the gallery.
Choi Kang-hyuk.
That guy spread rumors again.
I quickly found his post.
Got confirmation from the potion-giving NPC. They'll give to new climbers too. Got another one today. Checked—cures fractures instantly. Apply if interested.
"Haa... No..."
When did I say unlimited vending machine potions?!
I'd vaguely said "might give," but he wrote it like I'd hand them out freely.
"Eek...!"
I hit "new post" on the gallery.
NPCs cannot create posts.
NPCs cannot create posts.
NPCs cannot create posts.
Mash as I might, the gallery blocked me.
"Eeeik!"
NPC.
I was an NPC.
The gallery reminded me I couldn't post.
"Let me post on the gallery too!"
I yelled at empty air.
Leave it like this, and I'd go from Galju to goddess.
My face and name sold out there, getting praise? No more normal gallery time.
Normal life later? Impossible.
"Gotta manipulate opinion somehow...!"
Who am I?
The guy who never lost a flame war.
If anyone could sway this gallery's vibe, it was me...!
So please, posting rights...!
NPCs cannot create posts.
"Ah."
Hopes shatter as always.
My wish crumbled vainly.
My limp fingers drooped.
The Cute Girl Getting All the Love! Reina the Cute Girl Getting All the Love! The system is thrilled you're playing your role so well!
"...Huh? Then gimme something at least."
I yelled at the sudden system window.
Lately, these pop up more. And respond too.
Looks like you want a reward, huhuhu...
"Who you mocking?"
Who'm I slaving unpaid for?
Special! Extra! Cute! Gift for Reina, who's acing the cuteness reception!!
"O... For real? What ya got?"
All irreverent thoughts retracted.
I knelt reverently, gazing at the system window.
Drumroll! The gift for the Cute Girl Getting All the Love! Reina is...!
"The gift is...?"
Heart pounding, I stared at the window.
From now on, Cute Girl Getting All the Love! Reina can hit recommend and non-recommend!! Wooow!!
"...Huh?"
I can hit likes now?