Go Bang had returned.
And he felt even more reliable than before.
Back when he was Idiot Go Bang, his style was nothing but brute force—snap, tear, smash.
But the new Go Bang—New SSR Go Bang—fought with far more refined technique.
He was still barehanded, but instead of relying solely on sheer size and strength, he demonstrated structured, disciplined close-quarters combat.
He drew the attention of every Minotaur to himself, grabbing them, spinning them around, hooking their legs to trip them, evading with quick footwork—and when the opening appeared, seizing their necks and snapping them around.
"G-Go Bang's f-fighting even looks… c-cool now."
I'll admit it.
The brainless Idiot Go Bang was gone.
In his place stood the clever SSR Go Bang.
"Smarter, and even stronger too."
Well…
Smarter, maybe not by much…
Either way, the catalog description was wrong.
Ordinary(?) Barbarian Warrior?
How is that ordinary?
Even with the question mark.
From time to time, he still showed flashes of his old self.
Swoooooosh!
SSR Go Bang charged.
Papapapak! Papapapapap!
The moment they made contact, the groups of Stage-4 Minotaurs were sent flying like mannequins.
"I guess we can just stand here and do nothing."
"That's right."
It might take a bit of time, but since this was a repeat mission, there was no need to go for an S++ clear anyway.
"Hm. If I'd known it'd be like this, I would've brought popcorn. Still, giving Go Bang the enhancement rune was the right call. Who knew he'd change this much?"
"This is busted. Totally busted! Complete balance collapse! I enhanced my runes too—so why is that guy twice as strong?! It ain't fair!"
Kosak grumbled.
It almost sounded like jealousy.
At that, Gyeondallae spoke up.
"Kosak-nim, your envy is excessive. How can you bare such a vulgar inner self before Young Master Bong?"
"…I was just sayin', that's all."
"Nevertheless, Kosak-nim is also a useful tool of Young Master Bong. It might do you good to take pride in yourself as a servant."
"Hehe, is that so?"
Kosak was swayed back and forth by just a few words from Gyeondallae.
At this point, Go Bang and Kosak's intelligence levels seemed about the same.
'Still… I'm smarter than them, right?'
…Right?
'I have to be.'
I absolutely have to be.
※ ※ ※
In the end, the 34th-floor repeat mission was completed from start to finish by Go Bang alone.
Once they exited the Tower, Go Bang returned to his smaller, 190-centimeter form.
They had more than witnessed the power of the new SSR Go Bang.
So then—what about the 35th-floor Minotaur King?
"Like I said earlier, this is completely broken. Go Bang charges ahead alone, the princess shakes the bell, and the game's over."
In other words, accumulating thirty-five Platinum Badges was practically guaranteed.
Then what should they choose as the reward?
The random summon cooldown reset was getting closer and closer.
If they summoned one more, the catalog would have four entries.
'It has to be Trait Enhancement…'
Weapons, items, skills, random tickets—
What use is any of that?
Only Trait Enhancement matters.
Please, let it be Trait Enhancement.
So—
"Um, Princess Gyeondallae?"
"You called, Young Master Bong?"
"I wanted to ask something… That luck charm you gave me before. You said it was just minor luck—how strong is it, exactly?"
After a moment of thought, Gyeondallae replied,
"Let me explain using Earthly examples. When friends draw lots to decide who pays for lunch, you alone are exempt; when a crowded shopping mall suddenly has a parking spot open; when you successfully reserve tickets for a popular trot singer's concert and become a filial child…"
That's insanely good.
That's not minor luck—that's a jackpot.
"If I use the luck charm and get an S++ clear on the 35th floor, could I receive the reward I want?"
"Ah… on that matter, I cannot give you a definite answer. Whether the reward you desire falls within the bounds of minor luck, even this maiden cannot say."
Judging from her phrasing—
It might be difficult to get the reward he wanted.
Well, of course.
Trait Enhancement was practically the best reward a summoner could receive.
The only thing comparable would be a guaranteed LSSR-rank random summon ticket.
"Then is there anything stronger than a luck charm? Something that guarantees a real jackpot?"
"This maiden's abilities are limited; the luck charm is my limit. However—"
However?
That meant there was something.
"Receiving karma might make it possible…"
"…Pardon?"
That karma—like the one Yoo Cheol-min received?
"Depending on the karma, the retribution you are meant to receive will come more quickly, and all at once. If it is good karma, you will immediately receive the accumulated reward of great fortune."
Karma, huh.
Bad karma brings misfortune.
Good karma brings a windfall.
Let's think carefully.
Should I really accept karma?
'Have I lived a good life?'
It's… bland.
Nothing particularly praiseworthy.
Helping an old man push his cart uphill while collecting cardboard?
Bad deeds?
No, I'm not that kind of person—
Wait.
'No…'
If anything, I might be closer to the bad side.
I've turned a blind eye to injustice more times than I can count.
It'd be better not to receive karma.
What if, instead of rewards, it made even an S++ clear impossible?
"...Being too greedy would look ugly, wouldn't it? Let's leave it to heaven's will. I'll be satisfied with the luck charm."
"Understood. I shall write it with utmost care."
Even as he said that, please, Trait Enhancement.
But what are Kosak and Go Bang doing?
Go Bang was watching TV.
It looked like a comedy show—he was grinning as if he understood the jokes.
'His intelligence really has improved.'
Then what about Kosak?
He was standing by the officetel balcony window, looking outside.
Is there something interesting to see?
His back looked a little eerie, somehow.
"Kosak?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing? You've been so quiet."
"I was just looking at the scenery outside."
"Is it because you're unhappy that Go Bang became SSR?"
He waved his hands as if the idea were absurd.
"Absolutely not. Go Bang becoming SSR means Summoner Bong is much safer now. He's a reliable fellow."
That's a relief.
So it's not jealousy.
But then—
"Um, e-excuse me, Summoner Bong."
"Yes?"
"May I ask you a favor?"
"Of course."
"Please dismiss my summon now and summon me again around midnight."
Huh?
"Why?"
"There's a football match in a faraway country tonight. I really want to watch it."
"Oh, I see… but did you always like football?"
"I do. I really want to watch this one live."
"Well, sure, I'll do that for you."
"Thank you!"
The cooldown for designated summoning was only three hours.
He could summon him at least twice a day.
Granting such a request was no trouble at all.
'While I'm at it, I should visit the Player Shop.'
The mana stones he'd gotten as rewards had piled up too much.
Time to cash them in.
※ ※ ※
Using a car provided by the officetel's security office, Juhyeok arrived at the Player Shop.
He went straight to the mana stone sales booth and weighed them.
Rounding off the decimals, it came to 54 kilograms—worth about 27 million won.
He sold them all.
The money would be deposited later, so for now, he went shopping.
There wasn't anything particularly new.
As he browsed, thinking maybe he'd buy some gloves—
Suddenly,
"Player Bong,"
He turned around at the sound of someone calling him.
"Oh! Team Leader Jeon."
Jeon Gwang-il glanced around, then cautiously said,
"If you have time, perhaps we could have a cup of tea somewhere quiet—"
"Sure."
Juhyeok went with Jeon Gwang-il to his office.
Just the two of them, quietly.
"Congratulations on clearing the 66th floor. Player Nam Gaeun was incredible."
"It was thanks to the holy sword Player Bong provided. Without it, she could never have done it."
Compliments were exchanged,
The conversation flowing naturally.
It was definitely easier to talk with someone familiar.
"I've prepared what you asked for."
"Oh! I needed this anyway."
Nam Gaeun's autographs.
Far more than he'd requested.
"That's a lot."
"She said you asked, so she wrote that many."
Much appreciated.
I should thank her properly later.
"Have you made a decision regarding the penthouse title transfer?"
The moment had come.
"I'm sorry, but taking it for free feels like too much of a burden."
"You don't need to worry about that. We will never ask for anything in return because of it."
"It's fine. It's not like I can't make money. I can just buy one later when I earn more."
"Hm…"
Jeon Gwang-il looked troubled.
"If you ever change your mind, please contact us. We'll keep the penthouse vacant."
"Alright."
"However, there is one more matter."
"What is it?"
"In a few days, Player Gerald Watson from the United States will be visiting Korea."
"…Huh?"
Gerald Watson.
There was no way he wouldn't know that name.
The world's top-level American player.
His known trait: Magic Swordsman.
"Why?"
"The purpose is to rent the holy sword."
So the overseas inquiries had finally begun.
"What are the terms? How much are they offering?"
"A rental fee of ten million per use."
Ten million.
Surely not ten million won.
"D-dollars?"
"Yes, dollars. Ten million dollars."
My god.
That's 13 billion won.
"They say it's for experiential purposes, and Gerald himself will be using it."
This is insane.
As expected of America.
A wealthy nation that prints dollars.
Renting the holy sword like it's an electric scooter—
And that's per use.
Just one Tower entry.
"I know you're not fond of it. Only that much money, right? Once the American negotiation team arrives, I'll try to drag things out. We don't have to accept a mere ten million dollars."
Hold on.
Why wouldn't we accept it?!
You take it while they're offering!
If we push the price too hard, they might just say, Fine, then we won't rent it, and the negotiation could fall apart.
Besides, if it's just for experience, they're not in a hurry.
And most importantly—
Is the holy sword really the only sacred-attribute item?
Every country must be desperately searching for one right now.
What if they secure another?
Then they might not even pay ten million dollars.
Take it while you can.
Anyway, they said the holy sword's effect weakens from the 68th floor onward.
It's only usable up to the 67th floor.
The price needs to be reasonable for experiential rentals like this.
"Um, ten million dollars sounds reasonable. Let's take it and rent it out."
"…Pardon? We could get more."
Juhyeok spoke firmly.
"I don't want to lose everything by getting greedy. I've decided—accept ten million dollars."
"I… understand. Ah! And there's one more thing we secured at the national level."
"What is it?"
"The removal of dumping regulations on mana-stone steel products exported by the Republic of Korea."
As he said that, Jeon Gwang-il watched Juhyeok's reaction.
"We sincerely apologize for leveraging your personal holy sword for national interests, but—"
But Juhyeok replied,
"Oh! That's great."
He meant it.
They were handling the rental on his behalf and even bringing in customers—this was nothing.
After exchanging a few more words—
"The Agency plans to proceed slowly with the 67th-floor clear, correct?"
"Yes. We plan to start planning only after at least four months have passed. Please maintain your pace as well, Player Bong, and climb safely."
They seemed much more relaxed now.
Before, they'd been urging him to reach the 60s as quickly as possible.
With Player Nam Gaeun's current trajectory, even the 67th floor was achievable.
"I'll be heading out now."
"Please be sure to contact us if you change your mind."
Juhyeok left the Awakening Management Agency in the same car he'd arrived in.
'Phew…'
Thirteen billion won.
I can just think of my annual salary as pocket change now.
If I'd known this would happen, maybe I could've just bought the penthouse with cash.
'…Or maybe not?'
Even with thirteen billion, I still couldn't afford it.
Unless I rented it out twice.
Juhyeok returned home.
He thought about ordering chicken, but ended up cooking ramen instead.
Gotta share the hardship with the summoned ones.
And then, at midnight—
"Designated summon: John Kosak."
[John Kosak has been designated and summoned.]
"Salute!"
"Watch your soccer to your heart's content. I won't see you off when it's time to go back—I sleep like the dead once I'm out."
"Yes, sir!"
Tch. What's so fun about watching people kick a ball around?
Time to sleep properly.
Kosak watched the soccer match.
After staring at the TV for a bit, he heard Juhyeok's steady breathing from the bedroom and stood up.
Then—
Flick!—he vanished.
※ ※ ※
Near Juhyeok's officetel,
In the basement of a building in a Seoul entertainment district.
The sign read .
It looked long since closed.
The doors were tightly locked, outdated mail lay scattered on the floor, and even the lights were off.
But there were people inside.
Eight of them.
Relying on dim lighting, they were whispering to each other.
In Chinese, not Korean.
"Let's do a final check on the selected targets."
One of the eight placed photographs on the table, one by one.
"…Name: Kim Misuk. Female. Records show she signed with an elite team three months ago. Likely reached at least the early 30s."
"Next."
"Name: Jang Dongsu. Gender is—"
"Next."
More photos were laid out.
After about fifteen of them—
"Name: Bong Juhyeok. Male. Elite team contract just over two months ago. Estimated to be in the late 20s floors."
A photo of Bong Juhyeok was placed on the table as well.
"No issues with any of them."
Naturally.
They were elite-team players whose talent had already been proven in Korea.
The leader neatly lined up the photos, including Juhyeok's, and spoke.
"They're all suitable targets. Take anyone you want. But—minimum three, maximum five, all at once. This is a one-shot operation. The more we take, the better."
If elite-team players went missing, the Management Agency would be thrown into chaos.
This was nothing like voluntary naturalization.
Still, there was no other way.
To prevent the collapse of the Tower near Shanghai.
They would abduct these players and, once per day without fail,
strap body cams on them and force them to climb the Chinese Tower.
Until the 59th floor was cleared.
"If everyone has mapped their routes, adjust the operation window to within one hour—"
And then, at that very moment—
"Wow. Our Summoner Bong even looks handsome in photos. Best-looking guy here."
Dongbe Special Forces Brigade officer Deng Guanlin of the PLA frowned sharply.
"Who told you to speak Korean? When it's just us, use Chinese—gah!"
Deng Guanlin jolted in shock.
There were eight people in this room, including himself.
But now—
'Nine?'
At some point, someone was standing right beside him.
A very ordinary-looking man.
Who the hell is this guy?
When did he appear?
Even elite special forces hadn't noticed a thing.
"Y-you… who are you?"
"What? Speak Korean."
"…Who are you?"
Kosak bared his teeth in a bright grin.
"Not telling."
The expression was downright demonic.
"…K-kill that bastard!!!"
At Deng Guanlin's shout, the Chinese special forces soldiers leapt to their feet.
Flaaash!
A blinding light suddenly illuminated the dark space—
Slash!
Slice!
Thud, thud.
A severed head rolled onto the table.