Isn't Gallery Lord Praise Getting Old?

...

I spent the whole evening on the Tower Gallery, downvoting every post about me.

Squish.

Downvote +1.

A strange thrill surged every time the number ticked up.

The gallery that never reacted no matter how much I poked was finally responding to my finger.

"Heh heh heh... Take your downvotes."

I kept downvoting.

Midnight hit.

"Ah."

Wasn't this starting at midnight?

I'd fallen asleep before midnight yesterday, so I hadn't noticed.

I gaped vacantly.

"Eek...!"

This damn system!

I was finally having some fun after ages!!

Watching the gallery users tremble and react to my downvotes was hilarious!

"Sigh."

What could I do?

Nothing.

Go throw potions at Choi Kang-hyuk this late at night vs. just sleep.

Fuck that.

So I had no choice but to close my eyes obediently and sleep.

"...But later, I might even get posting rights on the gallery."

They gave me upvote/downvote ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠privileges, so unlocking others wouldn't be weird.

Thinking that way...

Getting potions squeezed out by Choi Kang-hyuk didn't seem so bad?

Forcing positivity, my mood wasn't terrible.

If you can't avoid it, enjoy it.

"Yeah. Making potions doesn't even take effort anyway."

Just give what needs giving and enjoy what I can.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Sleep came quickly.

Warm sunlight.

Rays slipped through thin curtains, tickling my eyes.

I snapped awake and reached for the morning Tower Gallery.

"Ah. Task..."

My morning routine wrecked for the second day—lost its thrill.

Feeling like "hurry up, hand out potions, go home and gallery."

Plenty left in inventory, so dump 'em quick and relax.

I changed and prepped to head out.

"Huh."

Climber entered?

Choi Kang-hyuk was here till yesterday, so not him.

Another climber then?

Makes sense, gallery said 10 selected—could enter anytime, but this soon?

"...For the potions?"

Are potions that powerful...

Scary!

Whatever, I just hand 'em out.

I shrugged and finished prepping.

"Ah shit, you scared me. Why the fuss first thing in the morning."

The system window popped up outta nowhere, startling me.

Can't it appear nicely?

"This bastard... thinks the potions are his."

Know how much I clicked yesterday to make those?

How hard was it, acting like he's charitably handing them out!

Infuriating.

Already pissed about donating more to Choi Kang-hyuk.

Tasks like this are always welcome. Handing out potions ain't hard.

"Maybe... posting rights?"

"Ahem. Be right back."

I bowed deeply to the system window and bolted outside.

Skipped brushing hair or girly stuff— not the time.

Hand potions to new climbers, greet 'em, rush back for reward.

Heh heh heh.

Gallery flipped over mere downvotes—what if I get posting rights?

I'd own the Tower Gallery.

Wait up, climbers.

I'm coming.

...

Choi Mi-na eyed the tower ahead.

"Weird-looking tower."

Like a modern villa forcibly stretched.

Many towers worldwide, but this shape was new.

"Tower shape doesn't matter."

Choi Mi-na chuckled and turned.

The nine climbers following her.

Association President Park Jung-chan said he'd picked tight-lipped, helpful, low-greed folks.

Had to—for a potion-dropping tower.

Needed people who got the agreements.

Hence this lineup.

Lower combat power, but low drama—solid support.

"Alright, attention. Briefing before tower entry."

Choi Mi-na drew eyes.

"First, we're entering per S-rank climber Choi Kang-hyuk's support request."

Crucial procedure.

Can't just barge in after someone else—dangerous.

Quest difficulty shifts, quests glitch, or boss aggro swaps, killing new entrants instantly.

Hence the rule: Entry only on formal Tower Gallery support requests from insiders.

Break it, get suspended or jailed.

Emphasize again.

"This tower's single-layer, expected monster waves."

Passed Choi Kang-hyuk's intel.

Basic, but unknowable without entry.

"Details in association analyst's Tower Gallery post."

Pre-briefed, so known.

Now the real deal.

Choi Mi-na cleared her throat.

"Most important: Potions drop here. All potion matters classified till clear—no Tower Gallery posts."

Mood shifted at "potion."

Solemn, heavy.

Laced with desire.

Climber must-have, human temptation.

"Potions you get are yours. But donate one to Climber Association per 10+ obtained. Another per extra 10."

Smiles bloomed.

Ownership affirmed.

Donate 1/10+.

Ridiculous terms.

What tower drops 10 potions?

Practically optional. Plus firm ownership—best deal.

Climbers thought so, but Choi Mi-na knew: Choi Kang-hyuk already got 10+.

No need to say.

She reached for the tower.

"Follow me in = agreement."

Briefing done.

Now their choice.

Choi Mi-na touched the tower.

Yes.

Agreed mentally, entered.

Chirp chirp.

Cool breeze, fresh air—success.

Pop.

Pop pop.

Climbers entered.

All 10.

No potion-fleeing.

"Calling Choi Kang-hyuk. Wait."

He knew the tower best.

Call, get info.

Choi Mi-na opened Tower Gallery.

Choi Kang-hyuk replied instantly.

"Wait a bit."

Called him—now wait obediently.

Ordering wait, scanning area—climber behind yelled.

"Uh... that's the Gallery Lord?"

"For real. Gallery Lord."

Gallery Lord?

Choi Mi-na recalled: The potion-giving NPC.

No strings attached.

"Ohoho. New faces, nice to meet you."

Cute girl ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠appeared before climbers—adorable at a glance.

"Pleased to meet. Small gift."

NPC Reina.

Cute girl handed gifts one by one.

"Uh..."

"Th-thanks..."

Unexpected—awkward reactions.

"Got your gifts? I'm off then."

All 10 got theirs—Reina left without looking back.

Veteran climbers, but first time—stunned.

"This... potion, right?"

"Seems like..."

All clutched potions, speechless.

10 potions.

Hard-to-get potions x10.

"...We gotta donate one to the association, right?"

One climber grinned sheepishly.

Already 10 for donation.