It had been a grand journey.
Starting with the conquest of the 36th floor, climbing the upper floors day after day, he had finally achieved the great feat of trait enhancement on the 40th floor.
Smiles never left the summoned beings' faces.
Kosak looked as though a huge weight had finally been lifted from his heart.
"In my life, I, Kosak, have only wet my pants twice. Once was when Summoner Bong walked in the sky, and the second time was—"
"Click?"
"That's right! A click! I soaked 'em completely."
"Hahaha. You didn't really pee yourself, did you? That's just a metaphor, right?"
"…."
"W-wait. Seriously?"
"…Hehehe."
Then Gobang chimed in.
"I, SSS-Rank Gobang, saw it clearly with my own two eyes. The assassin's pants were wet."
At the same time, Gyeondallae exploded with a thunderous scolding.
"You rascals!!! …Haaah. Sir Kosak, Sir Gobang—do you ever think before you speak? How could you talk about something so filthy! In any case, it is clear that Young Master's earnest wish moved the heavens."
The ritual must have been the decisive move.
They had put more sincerity into the ritual than into the conquest itself.
Just how reverent Gyeondallae had looked while riding the blade—
"I am ashamed. It was nothing more than a shallow skill. Had we been accompanied by proper musicians rather than a speaker, there would have been no need to spin the roulette at all."
Gobang, too, seemed eager to boast of his contribution.
"I supported the blade well. That's why the Young Lady could keep her balance atop it."
As if Kosak would be left out.
"If you wish earnestly enough, the entire universe helps you. That's the truth. Night and day, I prayed desperately—please, please let Summoner Bong achieve trait enhancement."
It was satisfying.
When everyone joined forces with one heart and one will, even the impossible became possible.
Everyone's wish had created a miracle.
"It was really thrilling. When Summoner Bong raised both arms and shouted 'Click!', all the strength just drained from my lower half—"
"Sir Kosak, please!!!"
"Hehehe."
At that life-or-death moment, when the roulette needle was about to slip into the next slot—
Click!—and the wheel moved 0.5 centimeters to the right.
'Whew, I almost lost it myself.'
So this was why gambling addiction was dangerous.
Anyway, the result was good.
Very good.
So… the 41st floor tomorrow?
Nope!
He was going to rest properly for a while.
The most recent randomly summoned being had been Gyeondallae.
That was on the 30th floor, right?
After that, they'd sprinted straight to the 40th floor.
They'd rested here and there, but more than twenty days had flown by.
Which meant there were less than ten days until the next random summoning.
Exactly nine days.
He planned to eat, sleep, and laze around until then.
"On that note, beef tonight?"
"Gulp—ah, n-no. We should conserve. I'm not hungry even if I don't eat. Hehehe."
"Hahaha. Then how about chicken for the first time in a while?"
"Chickeennnn!!!"
Suddenly—
Ding-dong!
The doorbell to Juhyeok's officetel rang.
"Shh!"
Who could it be?
He checked the intercom screen.
'Hmm…'
It was Jeon Gwang-il.
Then the summoned beings—
'Should I dismiss them?'
This was when having a big house would've been nice.
You could just shove them into any room and lock the door.
Quick-witted Kosak stepped forward.
"Just dismiss us, sir!"
"Should I?"
"Yes, sir!"
"It seems it is time for us to return."
"Summoner, watch yourself."
So—
"Dismiss all summons."
Pop, pop, pop!
After confirming they were gone, Juhyeok turned on the TV, raised the volume, and opened the front door to greet Jeon Gwang-il.
"Welcome."
"Hahaha. Congratulations on your 40th-floor S++ clear."
"Oh, you flatter me."
"There's an uproar right now. The successful conquest of the 66th floor has completely been overshadowed."
Sigh.
It would be troublesome if he became too famous.
He didn't know how long he could keep his identity hidden.
"The reason I came today is because I have something to give you—"
"The penthouse? I told you I wouldn't accept it for free."
"That's not it."
Jeon Gwang-il placed a 007-style briefcase on the table with a thump and opened it.
"This."
"…Huh? A t-toy?"
"It's the real thing."
What came out of the case was a handgun made of silvery metal.
"No, why are you giving me a gun?"
"For self-defense. If someone suspicious approaches, shoot them. Without hesitation!"
"…Shoot them? Just fire right away?"
"We'll take full responsibility. You won't be arrested, prosecuted, or put on trial."
"…."
In other words, he was being granted immunity.
"There was an attempted kidnapping of a player not long ago. Thankfully, heaven intervened and it amounted to nothing—but there's no guarantee it won't happen again."
"Oh! I see. But I don't even have a gun license."
"That's fine. We've handled it legally."
Juhyeok lifted the handgun from the case.
He'd served in the military, but this was his first time holding a pistol.
"That can go into your inventory too."
"Oh! Then—"
"Yes. It's made from Tower metal."
Tower metal.
Perhaps because of that, it felt incredibly light.
'Should I see if it really goes in?'
He attached the magazine.
Click!
And then into the inventory—
"…Huh? It won't go in."
"Hm. You need to remove the magazine for it to be stored."
What was that supposed to mean?
"Gunpowder isn't a Tower item."
If that's the case, why even make it out of Tower metal?
A player can carry an ordinary handgun and ammunition in their pockets and still have them counted as personal belongings, allowing them to be brought into the Tower.
"We figured a Tower-metal barrel would have better effectiveness, so we made it that way."
"Is it better?"
"To some extent."
That's why heavy weapons can't be brought into the Tower.
What's the point of making the body out of Tower metal?
You can't attach shells or rockets anyway.
"I'll keep it for now."
"Oh, and one more thing—security will likely be reinforced further. It may become inconvenient for you to move around."
What?
No, that won't do.
"The contract clearly stated loose security, didn't it?"
"But given the current situation—"
"I want an exception, no matter what. I'll be moving soon anyway. Somewhere without interference."
"Please, wait. Reconsider. For players, it's not the Tower that's dangerous—it's outside the Tower."
That was true, but…
I'll have to show him.
The time had come.
He'd kept it hidden so far, but he'd reveal it clearly now.
Just how safe he really was.
"There aren't many people safer than me in this world."
"…What?"
"I'll show you."
Juhyeok murmured quietly.
"Activate energy barrier."
Then—
Bzzzzing!
Starting from his bracelet and spreading across his entire body,
a milky, translucent protective barrier enveloped him from head to toe.
"Gasp!"
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il recoiled in shock.
How many times had he been startled because of Player Bong now?
"…I-is that an item? One without a Tower-exclusive modifier?"
"Yes. I got it as a clear reward. It generates a barrier that works even outside the Tower. It's very sturdy—probably strong enough to block bullets."
Jeon Gwang-il nodded unconsciously.
That holy sword, and now this barrier item too… S++ clear rewards really are on a different level.
Tower items usable in the real world.
Most were materials obtained as clear rewards.
Magic crystals, metals, herbs, leather, monster bones—materials that could be applied in reality.
But since they were clear rewards, the quantities were small. Herbs were mostly used for research, while metals, leather, and bones were sold for crafting player equipment.
However, it wasn't only materials that dropped.
Occasionally, finished items appeared.
Accessories that cleared the mind, swords that cut through steel like tofu, defensive items that protected their wearer like this barrier.
Items like these couldn't be priced.
In a world where paintings by famous artists or antique masterpieces sold for four or five hundred million dollars—
That barrier item alone would be worth at least a billion dollars.
A billion dollars?
The moment its existence became known, Arab tycoons and American billionaires would come rushing in with suitcases full of cash.
"T-that item—keep it hidden at all costs. Never sell it."
"Come on. Why would I sell it? It's my lifeline."
"A wise decision."
Now that he'd shown it—
"Please keep the security loose. No—don't assign bodyguards at all."
"…Hmm. I'll make the suggestion."
Jeon Gwang-il left.
Three hours later—
After summoning the summoned beings again,
"All right, let's rest properly. No clears for a while. If you need anything, just say so. For now, should we order some chicken?"
"Sounds good."
"Agreed."
"Click!"
And so they ate well and played well.
Occasionally going out, too.
For a full week.
※ ※ ※
American player Gerald Watson entered Incheon Airport together with Director Antonio.
Countless bodyguards surrounded them from front, back, left, and right.
The airport wasn't crowded.
Normally, reporters would be swarming for someone as famous as Gerald Watson.
But in truth, even the media didn't know.
His arrival schedule had been kept completely secret.
"Hurry up, Antonio."
"We're going to use it today anyway. Let's take it easy."
"If you knew how long I've waited for the day I could get revenge on that damn Dark Specter, you wouldn't say that."
"Revenge? You cleared it in the end!"
"Look at Korea's Player Nam Gaeun. Ten-hour clear! What about my pride?!"
Director Antonio snorted.
Gerald had a point.
How hard had the 66th floor been?
The time limit was looming, the Specter's dark aura weakened attacks even when wrapped in light attributes, and killing a single one took over two hours.
They reinforced their gear afterward, shaving down the time bit by bit, and finally cleared it right at the deadline.
But they'd had to clear that brutal floor twice.
Once in the West, once in the East.
And now there was a holy sword?
Just one light-attribute item and a single sword, and the Specter was cleared in ten hours?
"What are you doing? Run!"
"For heaven's sake."
The world's best player.
But because he was still young, he had an impulsive side like that.
Waiting at the airport exit were escort vehicles and a bulletproof car for Gerald.
The same model used by the U.S. president.
It had been airlifted in advance by a U.S. Air Force transport plane.
After arriving at the Administration Office by car, Gerald and Antonio were greeted by Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il.
"Welcome. Mr. Watson, Director Antonio. I'm Jeon Gwang-il."
"Nice to meet you. Just call me Gerald—and please show me the holy sword right away."
"Haha. You're quite eager."
"Yes. Please."
Jeon Gwang-il led them to his office.
"Where's the sword?"
Tsk.
With how impatient he was, there was no room for small talk.
"The rental fee hasn't been deposited yet."
Director Antonio stepped in.
"We planned to do it here. Where should we send it?"
"Here—"
"…Hmm. The account name is the Administration Office, not the owner."
"Yes. We're acting as an intermediary."
Antonio looked disappointed.
He tapped his smartphone a few times.
"The transfer is complete."
Jeon Gwang-il checked his own phone.
"Yes, confirmed."
He then opened a large safe built into the office wall.
"It's here. Please check the information first."
Gerald hurriedly took the sword.
"Oh!"
The sword's information appeared in his mind.
Increased damage to undead, unwavering mind, sacred flame, critical hits, and—
Radiance.
The downsides were that the sword was old,
and extremely large and heavy.
Inside the Tower, it would probably feel different.
"Can I enter now?"
"You must strictly follow what's written in the contract. If it's lost, or—"
"Don't worry. That'll never happen."
He put the holy sword into his inventory—
Spot!
Gerald vanished in an instant.
He had likely moved to the American West Tower or East Tower.
Regardless of a player's physical location, Tower entry followed nationality.
※ ※ ※
[Entering the 66th floor of the Black Tower (America No. 2).]
[Your physical abilities have been enhanced to match your level.]
[Traits and combat skills are available.]
Before drawing the holy sword, he equipped his light-attribute gear.
Fwoooosh!
A brilliant light enveloped Gerald's body.
So dazzling it could blind the naked eye.
Then he drew the holy sword.
Hummmm!
A gentle radiance layered over it.
So this is Radiance?
Fascinating.
A faint radiance was swallowing up the brilliant light of the light attribute.
It was clearly different.
Time to prepare for the clear.
The spellsword Gerald cast his buffs.
"Strength. Haste. Barrier."
[66th Floor Mission: Defeat 10 Dark Specters.]
[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]
In the distance, gray, semi-transparent creatures flew about freely.
They were enormous.
Almost like pterosaurs.
As large as they were, the range of their dark aura was equally vast.
Physical attacks didn't work on them at all.
Only light-attribute attacks could deal even a small amount of damage.
After finally succeeding in clearing the 66th floor the first time, he'd sworn he would never do repeat clears.
Yet here he was, breaking that vow himself.
Let's check quickly.
See if he could really land a decisive blow on these things.
First—pulling.
The spellsword Gerald raised his hand and cast a skill.
"Magic Bolt!"
Tzpit!
One specter was struck by the magic bolt.
Charrat!
It stopped midair and turned toward Gerald.
Chararararat!
The specter charged at him, wrapped in dark aura.
Among all the undead monsters he'd faced so far, this one was the largest.
Even without the dark aura, its sheer size was overwhelming.
And it was a flying monster to boot.
"Sharpness."
After enchanting his sword with magic to sharpen it,
he slashed down at the creature's left wing with a blade skill.
Shrrrk!
The tip of the specter's ethereal wing was severed.
Chwararararak!
Losing its balance, the specter flailed wildly in the air, shrieking as it thrashed.
Charging in at a moment like this would be dangerous.
He evaded for a while,
as the specter repeatedly landed and took off, persistently chasing Gerald.
Still, he kept his distance.
Sneaking in spells here and there.
Now.
This time, the opposite side.
Slash!
The right wing was cut nearly in half.
With its mobility taken away,
Gerald began his full assault.
He cut its tail, severed its legs, pierced its torso—
and finally, its head—
Chop!
The specter, which had been writhing moments before, went completely still.
Whoosh! It burst into flames.
"…This is ridiculous."
Is this really the 66th floor?
To kill it this quickly—
Had only about twenty minutes passed?
With the sword in hand, the dark aura might as well not exist.
It was even fun.
One rental won't be enough.
He'd have to postpone his departure.
He'd spend another ten million dollars and rent it one more time, no matter what.
It wasn't even for clearing uncharted upper floors.
Twenty million dollars just to experience the holy sword.
To Gerald, it didn't feel like a waste at all.