Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Really in Big Trouble
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As soon as I returned to the waiting room, a message came from the government side.
- Frog) We're taking the utmost care of your family. Psychological counseling and financial support are standard, and since they refused to relocate, we've assigned them bodyguards.
- Frog) If there's anything you need at any time, just let us know. We'll provide maximum support for your family, and you can receive separate support for the tower.
- TOPKING) As I said, no need. Of course, I'm truly grateful for the care for my family.
- Frog) Understood.... We hope you climb without any issues.
I knew that accepting outside help would only increase the difficulty, so I refused the sponsorship.
Especially since the constellations knew this too and only sponsored the bare essentials.
"But why are they being so overly attentive?"
Even for family support, was it always this extensive?
Assigning bodyguards? Could they even afford that?
They wouldn't have sent just any randoms, obviously.
Now that signs of me tackling the 10th floor were showing, the treatment had definitely changed.
Was hitting D-rank the decisive factor?
The bodyguards were particularly meaningful—ever since the world turned to shit, monsters popped out whenever they felt like it to kill people, and villains pulled off massacres.
The best option was heading to the central area protected by ranking reward items, but housing prices there were insane.
No matter that my parents were doctors and lawyers—they couldn't even show their business cards there.
Only families of chaebols, politicians, or high-ranking hunters could manage it.
"But relocate to where?"
Still, we weren't short on money, so they were staying in a reasonably safe place.
Was there anywhere else to move?
Unless it was that central area I just mentioned.
Maybe that's why they refused.
I was satisfied seeing the Management Bureau's good attitude.
Honestly, I had been a bit worried about my family, but this was a relief.
I turned my head to check the routine rewards.
I wondered what "granting dignity" meant, but looking around the waiting room made it clear.
The place, which had looked like an average home at best before, was now starting to fill with elegant, ornate decorations one by one.
Was this what granting dignity meant?
A little higher up, and chandeliers might hang from the ceiling?
Sitting on the plush sofa, staring at my massive clone made my heart heavy again.
It was definitely helpful for tower clears.
Its size, not pushed back even by a large monster like the lizardman, was a huge advantage.
On the 5th floor, it felt like having a giant shield.
A good shield that fought on its own, at that.
"No, it's right to keep using it like this, but..."
I couldn't shake the feeling that screwing up could repeat the previous disaster.
...I'd have to inspect photos more thoroughly before posting.
Composing myself, I checked the Constellation Gallery.
Hoping for some guidance on the path ahead.
This could suddenly turn into massive hate.
But why does Yoojin look down? Right after 5th floor clear, she seems kinda depressed...
Plus a spoonful of magic. For real.
But what was that one death in the middle?
The Constellation Gallery was worrying needlessly.
I was just in a bad mood from the Climber Gallery's slander.
Anyway, I planned to keep running until reaching that unknown 10th floor.
...Though the constellations had already mentioned it, so I knew almost everything.
Ahem.
Better not say it carelessly.
The tower seemed extremely wary of revealing unknown info.
Especially Hell difficulty 10th floor.
And there were constellations dying for trying to spoon-feed info.
"Why so down? Eat something tasty and cheer up."
So pure.
Since it came up, time to cook something.
My cooking skills had started piercing the heavens after breaking through D-rank.
Even before, it was chef-kissing human top chef level, but now it was next-level insane.
My personally stir-fried veggie stir-fry!
Eggplant, carrot, tomato, onion, and various veggies cozied up in one bowl.
Honestly, no seasonings at all...
Crunch-
Each ingredient was alive and delicious.
And barely any oil, just veggies stir-fried, yet why the crunch?
At D-rank, did it transcend physical limits into miracles?
Plus, homegrown (magic) crops helped.
Whatever, tastes good, that's what matters.
Crunch- crunch-
I'm hungry.
Considering what the constellations had done so far, cooking for them was the least I could do.
I'd make plenty.
Until you all are full and happy.
...Except Not Picky Eater.
With my belly full, I prepared to enter the 6th floor.
This time, the goal was kinda interesting.
"Should be doable."
Thinking that, I pressed the next floor button.
The Climber Gallery was peaceful.
After TOPKING's self-promotion to D-rank, everyone—trolls and jobless alike—flocked to hit D-rank too.
Seo Yoojin was slightly worried here.
What if they all failed and came blaming her?
Inevitable.
How could talentless scrubs who couldn't even eat elixirs handle normal promotion, 100x harder?
Short as a week, long as months—they'd realize it wasn't doable.
Thus, Seo Yoojin had planted an ultra-express time bomb.
The current Climber Gallery was peaceful.
The bomb would explode someday, but that meant not now.
No trolls, no aggro.
Good enough?
Dude it's Hard diff;; Pace is unreal, you'll die.
6th not hard, no rush.
Of course, if you made good money.
For real, that bulk stomping to gate, stand 10sec and shop owners rush with tribute ㅋㅋㅋ
Yeah, tower's last hate chance ㄷㄷㄷ
O, Seongchan hyung long time.
Time to challenge 50th and graduate tower?
Such a peaceful Climber Gallery.
I slowly opened my eyes, and the surroundings turned into a bustling street.
Beggars huddled on uneven stone paths, hands outstretched; street stalls mixed grilled meat smells with merchants' shouts.
Workers bustled with sweat-soaked tools; shop owners smiled at customers by doors.
A guard in one corner stifled a yawn, idly tapping his spear shaft.
Turning my gaze, red roofs and stone walls layered out, smoke and bells shaking the morning air.
A bit dizzy.
First time in ages facing so many people.
Even if just tower NPCs.
They were living, breathing beings with egos, not mere game NPCs.
Facing life after desolation made my heart race pleasantly.
Even suppressed till now, stepping into a space feeling like outside the tower changed everything.
So I resolved stronger.
Must reach 10th floor no matter what.
"Now, where to?"
6th floor: make money in the city.
Become mercenary for quests, kill for bounties, hunt monsters for parts, or get a job.
Just earn money.
Reach target amount to pass.
So the amount mattered.
I glanced at the alert and was shocked.
10,000 gold.
Looked like a huge sum.
Didn't know how huge yet.
But I frowned.
Remaining time depletes?
Harsh penalty.
Sure, my speedrun left plenty, but still worrying.
So I checked Constellation Gallery.
It was flipped upside down.
10k gold scale: average peasant family breathes and saves 1 gold/year.
One thing sure: gathering 10k gold in grace period near impossible.
The few constellations all rose in uproar after that.
No wonder 5th was too easy.
Laying low for momentum.
I seriously checked Constellation Gallery, reviewed situations, and felt it.
Uh...
This time, really fucked?