Juhyeok's ambitious journey—determined to receive a boon and succeed in strengthening his traits no matter what.
The grim resolve of three summoned beings, determined to secure one more open slot and not lose their jobs.
It all began from the 36th floor.
A large humanoid monster: the ogre.
Smaller in build compared to a minotaur, but the ogre's strength lay in its speed.
Stage 1 on the 36th floor was only moderately fast,
but from Stage 2 onward, that huge body moved as quickly as an orc.
Stage 3?
Almost rabbit-fast.
On top of that, it was intelligent and cunning—if things seemed unfavorable, it would immediately flee.
Stage 4 used some kind of movement skill, leaping high overhead again and again to harass players.
Techniques that restrain movement were crucial.
Players had crowd-control skills suited to their own traits, but using them at exactly the right moment was difficult—that's why talent mattered so much.
Juhyeok, however, had no such control skills.
All he had were his summoned beings.
Sseu-seu-al Gobang—far larger, stronger, and faster than the ogres.
Crack! Crunch! Swoosh!
"Kuuooooh!"
Sseu-seu-al shamaness Gyeondallae bound the ogres across a wide area with debuffs.
"Vile creatures, be still!"
And then there was the assassin John Kosak, eyes bloodshot as he went berserk.
"Gyaaah!"
In truth, Kosak wasn't the only one in a hurry.
Who knew which summoned being would come out next?
One wrong move, and it could mean dismissal.
No more enjoying company dinners generously paid for by the boss after a hard day's work.
Of course they were desperate.
Juhyeok kept his promise.
He stood blankly in the rear.
Yet his thoughts were tangled.
He had boldly shouted, Advance!, but—
What if no boon appears all the way to the 50th floor?
If luck turned sour, it would be total disaster.
No. It has to appear.
Aside from boons, there was one other way to strengthen traits.
A Trait Enhancement Rune.
But the probability was extremely, extremely low.
It only appeared as a reward item from floors 40 or 50 and above—and these days, it wasn't even available on the market.
Should I beg the Administration Office? Ask them to get me one?
But that had a downside too.
It would put him in even greater debt than receiving a penthouse.
This is troublesome.
Let's reach the 40th floor first, check the boon, and decide then.
And so, on the 36th floor—
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 36th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
On the 37th floor—
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 37th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
And even the 38th and 39th floors—
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 38th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 39th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
It was an insane pace.
Once a day, without fail—always in the morning—the nationwide announcement rang out.
Citizens watching their morning dramas—
—had to see that caption every single day.
Perhaps it had become routine, because it wasn't even surprising anymore.
└ Nam Gaeun vs. the 39-consecutive S++ clear record holder└ I'm picking Nam Gaeun.└ Same here.└ Well, maybe if you're a civilian—but if you're a player, you don't pick Nam Gaeun.└ Right, you absolutely choose the S++ record holder.└ Who can even compare to 39 consecutive S++ clears?└ But isn't he overdoing it lately? Four straight days of nonstop clears.
Thirty-nine consecutive S++ clears.
And all in four consecutive days.
The surge of national pride showed no sign of diminishing.
Meanwhile—
The greatest domestic supplier of that national pride quietly slipped out of his hideout.
※ ※ ※
Every time he used it, Juhyeok was reminded just how incredible the effect of the Perception Interference Device was.
It didn't merely prevent facial recognition—it even dispersed suspicion itself.
Even if someone passed right by him, they would perceive him as a familiar, harmless person.
Recently, security around Juhyeok's officetel had been significantly reinforced.
The number of internal guards had increased, and there were more people monitoring the entire building from outside.
But before the Perception Interference Device, it was all useless.
Even when Juhyeok opened the officetel door and stepped out at 4 a.m., when few people were around, they only thought some stray dog was passing by.
After walking some distance away, he spotted early-morning taxis.
He shyly raised his hand and stopped one.
"Um, driver… could we go to the Gongju Traditional Market in South Chungcheong?"
"Huh? Where did you say?"
"Gongju City Traditional Market. Is that possible?"
"That's pretty far…"
"Ah, um… five hundred thousand won? Cash…"
"Please fasten your seatbelt."
The taxi shot forward like an arrow.
It took an hour and a half to reach Gongju Traditional Market.
It was still early morning.
Yet quite a few people were already there.
He checked his watch—just before 6 a.m.
Juhyeok entered the market's public restroom and summoned Kosak.
"Reporting! Kosak has arrived, sir."
"You ready?"
"I've steeled my resolve, sir."
"Good. Let's go."
The reason they came to the market…
Obviously, to shop.
"Should we buy fruit first?"
"There's a lot more we need. It's going to be really heavy."
"Oh, I'll carry everything. Please just handle the payment, Summoner."
They bought an enormous amount.
After finishing their shopping, they moved again.
They caught another taxi.
"Gyeryongsan National Park, please."
"Yes, yes. Going hiking? Hop in."
"We've got a lot of luggage—could you open the trunk…"
Juhyeok and Kosak rode together.
They didn't exchange a single word on the way.
Arrival at Gyeryongsan National Park.
They went to a secluded area and summoned Gobang and Gyeondallae as well.
"We have been waiting, Young Master."
"I'll carry the luggage. Give it to me."
Gyeondallae took the lead.
"Though this is another world, the mountain terrain is similar. That place should still be the same. Please follow me."
They went straight up the hiking trail, then Gyeondallae turned off to the side.
A rugged ravine appeared.
They kept walking.
"This is the place."
"Where should we put the items?"
"Hmm, somewhere around here… ah!"
As if recalling something, Juhyeok looked at Gobang.
"Could you move this rock aside?"
"Understood, Young Master."
A rock that looked enormously heavy at a glance was lifted effortlessly in Gobang's hands.
Beneath it appeared a flat stone slab.
"It must be cleaned thoroughly. Scoop up some stream water and scrub it hard with the brush you brought."
"Yes, sir!"
Without a single complaint, they did exactly as told.
Gobang and Kosak diligently cleaned the rock, darkened by moss.
And Gyeondallae?
She had her own task.
With a sheet of hanji paper held between her lips, she sharpened her blade with solemn focus—shk, shk.
Hmm.
A woman in white mourning clothes sharpening a knife.
It was a little eerie.
Once the slab was spotless, the food was laid out on top.
A pig's head in the center, fruit and various ritual foods on either side.
"We shall begin."
Scuttle!
Juhyeok, Gobang, and Kosak all dropped to their knees before the ritual table.
At the same time, Gyeondallae placed the speaker they had brought and pressed play.
Jjaeng, jjaengjaejaejaeng, jjaengjaengjjae jjaengjaejaeng.
Dung! Dungdeokung, deodeong dungdeokung!
A shamanic rite began, set to a fast jajinmori rhythm.
Holding bells and a blade, Gyeondallae shook her body vigorously.
"Ah-heo, ah-heoi, ah-hi—I humbly report to the spirits of heaven and earth.Please look kindly upon Young Master Bong,and grant him nothing but great fortune in the days to come."
No one laughed.
It was solemn, serious, and grave.
"We pray, we pray—for trait enhancement."
When Juhyeok led the chant, everyone joined in unison.
"We pray, we pray—for trait enhancement."
It was a full-fledged ritual.
A prayer ritual for the boon he would receive after accumulating forty Platinum Badges.
Would this really work?
Isn't believing in superstition kind of lame?
So what if it is?
What matters is making an effort—trying something.
And holding a ritual isn't all that unusual.
People do it when starting companies, making films for the first time, or running for political office.
It's all for peace of mind.
Let's draw it this time.
He didn't want to disappoint his summoned beings.
If things went wrong, he might end up begging the Administration Office.
A ritual was better than that.
The rite reached its climax.
Gyeondallae's dance grew ever more intense.
Whish!
A bluish blade was thrown high into the air.
Kosak quickly caught it and passed it to Gobang.
Still kneeling, Gobang firmly grasped the spine of the blade with both hands and raised it upright.
At some point, Gyeondallae had removed her socks.
Barefoot, she stepped onto the blade's edge.
Lightly, lightly.
Gyeondallae performed knife-treading.
It felt good.
It would probably work.
※ ※ ※
Juhyeok returned alone to his Seoul officetel by taxi, as expected.
He tapped his keycard and went inside.
Having completed the day trip, Juhyeok began meditating with a solemn heart.
He had dismissed the summoned beings immediately after finishing the ritual, so he could summon them again shortly.
In truth, clearing the 40th floor with an S++ rating wasn't a problem.
Success was practically guaranteed.
But what if he still failed to achieve trait enhancement this time?
Honestly, he had no intention of casting out even one of them.
Even if he rolled a legendary reward.
He'd rather give up on S++ clears altogether.
This was all just for Kosak and the other summoned beings, who were constantly anxious about losing their jobs.
Alright. Time's up.
Summon all—designated.
"Are you ready?"
They all nodded, their expressions resolute.
"Let's go in."
[Entering the 40th floor of the Black Tower (Republic of Korea).]
Before he knew it, they had reached the 40th floor.
Mission received.
[40th Floor Mission: Defeat 80 ogres of any type and 1 Twin-Headed Ogre.]
[Time Limit: 13 hours.]
[Completion Conditions: All ogre types 0/80, Twin-Headed Ogre 0/1]
Was killing monsters the problem?
No—the problem was checking the boon after killing them.
He didn't care about ogres at all.
All he wanted was to finish quickly and check the boon.
Woooo—
An overwhelming aura erupted from Gobang and Kosak.
Perhaps sensing danger, the ogres hesitated, slowly backing away instead of charging.
But could they really escape?
The ogres were torn apart, and the Twin-Headed Ogre was—
"Gk—!"
—killed the moment it appeared.
And thus—
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 40th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Clear Reward: A Platinum Badge has been awarded.]
Spot!
The group returned to the officetel.
"I'm excited, sir."
"Shh! That'll jinx it. Watch what you say."
"Yes, sir."
After taking a deep breath, Juhyeok checked his inventory.
[You have accumulated 40 Platinum Badges. A boon is being granted.]
Let's go! He'd waited long enough.
If it didn't appear this time, he'd suspend tower climbing for a while.
Would trait enhancement finally—
[Boon: Roulette Spin Ticket (1-use) has been added to your inventory.]
"…Huh? What is this?"
Juhyeok stared in disbelief.
"Wh-what is it? Did it appear?"
"Is it trait enhancement?"
"Summoner, I am curious. Please tell us."
Juhyeok didn't answer.
He simply stared blankly at the image floating before his eyes.
[If you tear the ticket (1-use), the roulette will spin.If you do not tear it within 1 hour, the opportunity will be lost.]
It was a round roulette wheel.
A single needle at the top.
Colorful wedge-shaped sections of varying sizes filled the wheel.
It was similar to the random box he'd received before—but the mechanism was different.
The labels on the sections read:
Magic crystals, medicinal herbs, items, potions, skills, various tickets…
What about trait enhancement?
It was there.
But it was the narrowest section of all.
Now it's come to this? A spin-the-wheel?
Could he even land the needle on that sliver?
"…Is this a bust, sir?"
At Kosak's question—
"We have to spin the roulette."
"Huh? R-roulette? That spinning thing?"
"That's right. There is a trait enhancement slot, but… it's pretty narrow."
"How narrow?"
"About this much."
"Oh no!"
Don't get agitated.
Even now, the summoned beings were staring at his face like baby owls.
"Wait a moment. I'm going to shower."
Juhyeok took a change of clothes and went into the bathroom.
As an act of repentance for cursing earlier, he started by brushing his teeth.
He washed his ears thoroughly too.
After drying himself completely, changing his underwear and clothes, and stepping out—
"…."
Everyone's eyes focused on him.
They were all waiting.
And the pressure of having to spin the roulette weighed heavily on him.
Wow. This is seriously nerve-racking.
"…A-anyone want to tear the ticket for me?"
The gathered gazes immediately withdrew.
The summoned beings suddenly started acting distracted.
They all looked off into the distance,
doing everything they could to avoid meeting Juhyeok's eyes.
"…Tch."
Cowards.
So no one wants to take responsibility, huh?
This would've been a perfect time for "whatever happens, happens."
But either way, it had to be done.
They'd even gone as far as holding a ritual.
Juhyeok took the Roulette Spin Ticket (1-use) out of his inventory.
His hands trembled.
He took several deep breaths, then—
"If it doesn't land, no blaming me, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Understood, sir."
"As if I would ever do such a thing."
Riiip!
He tore the ticket without mercy.
Chararararararak!
The roulette started spinning.
Spinning, spinning, spinning again.
That trait enhancement slot—tiny as a grain of mouse droppings.
Chararararararak!
It spins. And spins.
Not just the roulette—his eyes were spinning too.
His head was spinning.
The roulette spun endlessly.
When is it going to stop?
It's spinning for a really long time.
Like, insanely long.
And then—
Chararara… chararak… charak.
The speed began to drop.
Sssssr…
The wheel started turning slowly from right to left.
"Come on—come on! We even did a ritual!"
Sssssr…
Painfully slow.
Almost stopped.
Just a little more. Just a little.
Juhyeok's body twisted.
He leaned in the direction the wheel was turning.
Left. Left.
The summoned beings watching in agony twisted along with him.
Left. Left.
Ooooh! It's getting closer. Just a bit more.
Did the prayer ritual actually work?
The needle and the trait enhancement slot were drawing closer.
It looked like it would land.
No—almost there.
The wheel nearly stopped.
Now the needle was right on the trait enhancement slot.
"St-stop!"
If it stopped right now, it was over—
But it was still creeping leftward.
At this rate, it would pass it.
"You damn roulette—!"
Juhyeok twisted his body the other way.
The summoned beings twisted with him in the opposite direction.
"Don't go any further!!!"
If it passed, it'd land on some nameless herb slot.
A boon, just to get herbs and be done?
Turn back!
Go right! Right!
Twitch! Juhyeok curled the toes of his right foot with all his strength.
At that moment—
—Click!
Huh?
What was that sound?
A click?
At the same time, the roulette stopped completely.
The needle's position was—
"Uh… uh… uh…"
Trait enhancement.
"Click!"
[An awakened trait is being enhanced.]
"Click!!"
Juhyeok threw both hands into the air.
"Click!!!"
The summoned beings all cheered together.
They jumped up and down.
"It's a click, sir!"
"A click indeed!"
"It's a click!"
And thus, the status window read—
[Trait]: Summoning (Simultaneous Summons: 4)