Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Even Saving the World Means I Still Have to Go to Work
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The more people who want something, the higher the price.
This is a truth of life.
As inevitable as gravity.
The golden law of attraction.
Even running my own butcher shop, the toughest part was the rent.
"But why do I have to worry about rent even after being dragged into this tower?"
The First Major Layer I'd boldly climbed to!
Its difficulty was on a whole different level from the Zeroth Major Layer.
How far did I run?
My footwork changed before I even started climbing properly.
"You have to pay to climb the tower?"
"No. The entry fee is only for the 15th floor."
Why charge for the 15th floor?
No, that's not the point.
If the other floors are free, why are you blocking my way?
"The entry fee is for entering Todruen city."
"What if I don't have money?"
"Then work for it. There are plenty of jobs."
Ah.
Farewell, cozy Zeroth Major Layer.
'It really respected outside climbers there.'
So, I worked.
By someone else's will.
"Hey, Baek. Carry some bricks."
"Yes, sir."
After working like a dog for hours, this was my daily wage.
Just enough for one night's stay.
"Is this work-life balance?"
"Work-life balance? Well, rent is a bit cheaper."
"No deposit, though."
"Yeah, looks that way."
Then why bring it up, you real estate jerk?
"Ugh, the baby juice is heavy."
The massive city in the First Major Layer surrounding the tower.
Todruen.
I threw myself onto the bed in my lodging, my head throbbing.
'Is the labor intensity for real?'
Without my stats, I'd be dead.
First Major Layer.
I was finally getting a glimpse of its infamous reality.
Exhausted, I instinctively opened the Tower Climbing Gallery.
Answers poured in the moment I posted my question.
Looks like I've become a likable anon too.
And thanks to that, I understood.
Why this layer is so famous.
'The tower's safe zone.'
Major Layer.
The place most faithful to its name.
In short.
Boiling it down to the essentials:
"Lots of people want to live in Todruen, few ways to make money, so prices are isekai New York?"
Makes sense.
It's the biggest hub in the First Major Layer.
A place where outsiders struggle to survive!
Might as well climb. Damn it.
'Ssuni's hut is already missed.'
Free lodging is this precious.
Master's grace is truly heavenly.
Wilbur... I get it now...
"Agh."
I kept scrolling to soothe my sorrow.
But what's this.
These guys treating me like a toy again.
'Rather like it.'
Dopamine when sad?
Can't resist.
Praise me more.
Not quite.
I sealed it inside me and locked it with [Deficiency].
'Only Bizarru who knows my [Deficiency] could even imagine that method.'
Nah, even Bizarru might not.
Still a good idea though.
Using [Noble Body, Baseborn Role] like that.
Pfft.
This is it.
Same as when I was Gallery Master. This is why I gal.
"Huh?"
Blood Water Cleave?
Oh, the modded Rain Cleave.
Told them I used it for Busok's finisher.
I opened my skill window to check.
--
■ Owned Skills:
--
[Calamity of Frost] aside.
As I said before, can't use it now.
Have to leave it unidentified.
'But wasn't Blanc Shurt Black Rain Sword?'
Why Blood Rain Sword?
I tilted my head.
'Form is like meat cutting or orthopedic form.'
Shapes it.
Baek Jeong-uk style hack mod skill.
Anyway.
From the tail end, it's obvious,
I'm not hiding expert knowledge or anything.
'I was in hyper-focus trance too.'
Skill gained mid tug-of-war with Busok.
Odd if I didn't remember.
Anyway.
Maybe charge Bizarru tuition?
While teaching the skill.
Thought about it but gave up quick.
Not just conscience,
Impossible for a heartless beast like me.
Reason I can't make money from gal.
"Ha... [Deficiency] you again?"
[Noble Body, Baseborn Role] held me back in Zeroth,
Here [Popular Post Addiction] stirs shit.
Without [Popular Post Addiction],
Gal would be paywalled with donation links by now.
But.
'Lifeline is post supply, can't monetize gal.'
Once paid, it's a real service.
Issues mean responsibility.
No more slacking like now.
What?
Auction house or transcendence money?
Tower currency.
Plus limited to lower gear now.
Not even covering tower grinding income yet.
Hence the dilemma.
'...Rip off Lumi?'
Tsk.
I reopened a recent post.
Straightforward comment.
Conveyed unspoken emotions better.
See.
This vibe where I'd get pocket change just saying "hehe love for teacher, show it in cash?"!
And the vibe where I absolutely can't say that!
"Tch."
Just one word.
'Gimme money' and capital issues solved.
But.
That's exactly why I held back.
"No. Money from First Major Layer means nothing."
Said it aloud consciously.
To firm my resolve.
Meant I'd decided long ago.
Not refusing support.
Planned to get some, not necessarily cash.
Why.
What.
I grind hard to upper layers, win-win.
Help each other out.
But.
'Take money from Second Major Layer and up.'
Support fine, but not here.
Can still part-time here.
Second and above: expenses up, income down.
'No common currency between major layers.'
Value similar wherever!
So upper layers better.
Already highest prices here.
'Just endure this major layer. If not, change mind later.'
Let Lumi relax a few days too.
I'm Korean, die by loyalty, live by sentiment.
Don't wanna bring up money now.
Just part-time more.
As said, Zeroth now full safe zone.
Prices might drop more.
'Perfect. Mental win complete.'
Resolved, back to gal.
Dopamine...
Need more dopamine...
Wait.
What the fuck?
No.
Fuck no.
"Gyaah!"
No good.
I shot up, eyes bloodshot.
'Push tower ASAP, even a day sooner.'
This damn First Major Layer.
Gotta graduate quick.
'Drop items for transcend/sell might cover day labor.'
First layer too many outsiders.
Normal drops low value maybe.
Still, day wage at least.
"No time to hesitate!"
Whatever, gotta do it!
I dashed through midnight Todruen.
My first UR gear.
Senior's gift.
[Frost-Chasing Hunter].
Time to check its performance.