Preparations for the Second Joint Trial
The Climbers' Association started as a small gathering of a few climbers, but at some point, its scale exploded with an influx of capital, evolving into a group that could openly collaborate with governments worldwide—a true representative body for all climbers.
"Should we change our name to something like the Association?"
"Sure, why not."
And that's how the Climbers' Association was born. Was it luck? They grew by receiving donations from private organizations and subsidies from governments, buying and selling magic stones, enhancement stones, and byproducts from tower plants and creatures, all while taking a fair commission.
"I've been watching from the start. This place is gonna blow up. It's the real deal."
They even secured the membership of climbers from the Origin Tower on Survival difficulty—the highest floor survivors at the moment—like Raphael. But as they watched this success, various suit-wearing sharks began licking at their precious association with their slimy, thick tongues...
"Tsk..."
"Hahaha, what a generous gift—"
"Haha! Refusing such a precious gift would be rude."
Despite boldly championing climbers' rights and representing humanity's most vital figures, their origins were humbly modest. Perhaps that's why they just chuckled along, grinning like toads eyeing plump virgins, even as the suits leered at them. They often found themselves dragged to irregular international summits like kids holding mom's hand.
"It's for the best. We need governments' cooperation for international support and climber coordination. Not bad for the Association."
"We supply tower resources from climbers at fair prices, get all info and astronomical subsidies, then just push Association resolutions at informal summits. Not hard."
"That makes... sense!"
The advice from their trusted, capable executive—who solely represented climbers' futures, rights, and interests (ex-CIA operative)—played a big role. The more they heard, the better it sounded. And the final words hit home.
"I want the Climbers' Association to be the top. Cooperating equally with nations secures our firm position on tower issues. Other climber groups? Nations or private guilds have them, but none dare call themselves the Association."
Convinced by such logic, they underwent crash training for Joint Trial command and responses to every scenario governments could imagine. Hence their dark circles hanging to their chins.
"Damn... can't just quit and call it a day."
Of course, no complaints. The Association existed to protect climbers' rights and safety, shielding from external pressures. They weren't a group throwing tantrums against governments. The established social systems, safety nets, leadership, and intel capabilities of governments were beyond what a three-year-old association could match. Foreign pressure irked, but their info and calls for domestic climber cooperation aligned with founding ideals.
"Survivalist... no info on him, as expected."
Doom Tower was far harder than the others, with no external aid possible. Humanity's three-year failure stemmed solely from it. But someone solo-cleared Floor 2. Countless grew curious; some nations and agencies hunted him... but luckily, he hid well.
"How's he climbing without support? Unregistered means no leads."
"Rumor he's some rich tycoon."
"Then he'd brag like Westminster family."
"Like I know rich folks' minds."
Screeech—the two entered the conference room mid-chat. In two hours, classify registered climbers by difficulty and tower, assign temporary command, organize unregistered by nation, region, even guild.
'Gotta prepare gifts for that Survivalist.'
Like Floor 1 Joint Trial, Survival climbers would bear heavy responsibility here. And Doom Tower's was solo...
'Hope we meet this time. Hand over gifts with a smile—anyone becomes a friend.'
Raphael, Origin Tower Survival climber. One face lingered in his mind.
The second Floor Joint Trial loomed close.
"But why no reward?"
First Doom Tower climber, right? Should give an Imprint as standard.
Reward%■$#...processing ■in#*! progress
E.rror.
"Tower glitches too?"
He'd heard of firsts causing bugs, but a reward-denying one was new. Why glitch? His buggy existence explained Joint Trial or entry messages, but Floor 2? Nothing special—monsters to dolls? Would've glitched Floor 1. Anyway, beyond his control. Time fixes it. Bigger issue now.
Previously, the Mysterious Merchant only peddled trash—unverified skill stones and slot-wasting skill books. But since the Floor 1 Clear, his inventory has significantly diversified.
"Status Window."
This shitty status needed an overhaul. Joint Trials dodge cheats. Accessed Hub System instantly. Click-click, Mysterious Merchant appeared—items varied, shiny somehow. Felt worlds apart from his Slow Landing. Bought to avoid splatting mid-air, never used.
Unlike his excitement, other climbers shunned it.
Community posts recalled: trash prices meant few users—nation/corp-backed or guild prospects only. Not him.
"Rich as fuck."
Others couldn't repeat; he did it like eating ice cream.
"Meh... so-so."
Neither great nor awful—like a struggling restaurant. But why so pricey? Extra star ups grade, but mid-grade stone? Lower ones took six-seven lowest-grade!
'Doesn't recognize low-grade stones?'
Ballsy pricing fits sole tower merchant. Others might cry, but he bought.
"Not this."
For gold-rich flexers like him, irrelevant. Check prices? Poor people shit. Scrolled bottom—highest-grade listings.
Finally, fantasy skills. Shorter cooldowns, better performance. Issue: price, slots. Others couldn't dream—1 highest-grade base. All have 1 skill slot, 3 physique. Ways to expand rumored, but none now. No combo synergies.
'Leave skills variable... enhancement stones it is?'
Four-star enhancements too—leagues above his junk.
"Oh."
Then, a dazzling golden seal.
◈ Adds ★ to selected Skill Book or enhancement stone.
Highest-grade for one. Enchant/upgrade item. Extra star huge, despite cost. He had overflowing highest-grade.
"Can't go wrong."
Then, instant eye-catcher.
◈ Creates clone identical to caster's physique/abilities, transfers mind to it.
◈ Deactivate or clone death: mind returns to body.
◈ Issue simple commands to clone.
◈ Transfer body damage to clone.
"Cheat skill?"
Reading: body defenseless during mind transfer. Heavy penalty. So what? Threats harmless via cheat. Then, Floor 1 Joint Trial recalled. Safe zone severed from world—once out, no return. This fixed that.
But...
"30 highest-grade? Not worth that. No conscience?"
Merchant picked ears under hood. Curses bubbled. Joint Trial hours away—no farm time!
"Magic stones... short?"
Unimaginable. His 24? Trillions outside. Auctions priced so. Even heirs couldn't buy some.
"Fuck yes."
Nothing else expressed it.