Spot!
About ten minutes after entering the White Tower's 17th floor, Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il returned to the Awakening Management Agency's Tower Materials Warehouse.
Exit from the point of entry.
It worked similarly to the Black Tower.
Jeon Gwang-il was still dazed.
"Th-the place I just went in and came out of… what exactly was it? Was it really a Tower?"
"Yes. As I said before, not the Black Tower— the White Tower."
"But how on earth…"
"Didn't you see the people? They should all have been there."
"I—I did see them, but…"
He'd been ignored for not being a permanent resident.
"You exited using a skill too, right?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
In a way, the White Tower was specialized for players.
For summoned beings, it was like a waiting room—they couldn't come and go freely.
But players, with the skill registered, could enter and exit at will.
Then what about ordinary people?
Neither summoned beings nor players—how would they become residents of the White Tower?
Well, I can find out later by giving out a one-day trial pass.
For now, Juhyeok gave him a rough explanation of what the White Tower was.
While clearing the Black Tower, he earned an achievement, and they allocated him a Tower floor.
It was like a safety belt of sorts, and other people could enter as well.
Just that much.
Rather than a long explanation, it seemed better to learn by coming and going over time.
In any case, Juhyeok had another reason for meeting Jeon Gwang-il.
"By the way, how's the market price for high-grade magic stones these days?"
"About 150 dollars per 100 grams. Roughly 210,000 won."
The price had risen quite a bit.
100 g for 210,000 won, 1 kg for 2.1 million, 1 ton for 2.1 billion, 100 tons for 210 billion.
Wasn't regular magic stone 50,000 won per 100 g?
About four times the price.
If the high-grade magic stone materials industry really took off, it might rise even more.
Residency passes are expensive too. Like an apartment in Gangnam.
To refine 1 kg of top-grade magic stone, you needed 1 ton of high-grade.
That meant a single residency pass cost 2.1 billion won.
Including Mari's refining labor costs, it would be far more than that.
Come to think of it, even the one-day trial pass was very expensive.
Monthly passes were no joke either—at that point, permanent residency was actually cheaper.
And on top of the pass, decorating the 17th floor will consume a huge amount of high-grade magic stones.
With the 76th-floor vein nearly exhausted, how could he secure high-grade stones quickly?
"Is there any way I could personally purchase high-grade magic stones?"
"… Uh."
Jeon Gwang-il hesitated.
"High-grade magic stones are all bought up by the state and supplied to the private sector. Purchase, sale, distribution, supply—every step is recorded."
Of course.
That was how the law worked.
"So you have to report to the government how they're used…"
Right.
You couldn't just circulate the most critical industrial resource freely.
But he also couldn't say he needed them to decorate the White Tower.
"… Is there no other route?"
"Recently, there's been talk of Chinese player peddlers trying to sell high-grade magic stones overseas."
"Really?"
"Yes. They're said to meet brokers near the borders of Russia, India, Vietnam, or North Korea and sell below market price."
"Ah!"
He'd heard the reason too.
It was resistance against the player-oppression policies currently happening in China.
So instead of selling to the Chinese government, they sold elsewhere.
Tsk.
Poor Chinese players.
Not only oppressed, but now selling the high-grade stones they risked their lives for at bargain prices.
I should ask our People's Armed Forces Minister comrade to look into it.
He should buy them at fair value.
Help the Chinese players and secure stones for operating the White Tower.
For that, he'd need capital.
Time to empty his accounts.
"Oh, by the way—how's your stock of leather materials?"
"I was just about to mention it. Our inventory is currently low. We may need your help."
He'd expected that.
"I actually brought a new kind of leather."
"… New leather?"
Juhyeok took out a sample strip of Apophis hide from his inventory.
"What do you think? Looks usable?"
Jeon Gwang-il was startled.
It resembled basilisk leather, but not quite.
Looking closer—it was like snake skin.
A snake… snake… snake?
"… Don't tell me—82nd floor?"
"Yes. Apophis hide. Just a sample."
"Ahhh…"
They'd skinned Apophis too?
That massive thing?
"We have a whole hide as well. It's in Mr. Rajiks's subspace backpack."
"..."
"I'm thinking of supplying it."
Apophis, known as an unbeatable colossal calamity.
Yet to Player Bong, it was just a leather shuttle.
Jeon Gwang-il examined the hide carefully.
Beautiful, certainly—but…
"It's extremely thick. Very heavy for its size."
"Right?"
That was why Rajiks couldn't skin it and giant-form Gobang had done it.
Rajiks alone handled basilisk and wyvern just fine.
"The patterns are also very large."
"It is a giant calamity."
"Its toughness would be impossible to cut with ordinary leatherworking knives. You'd need mechanical cutters made from Tower metals."
"Fine processing may be difficult. It would be best to have an expert appraise it."
An expert?
"I'll ask CEO Jeong Dong-hun."
"Ah! CEO of Rajiks Trading?"
"Yes. In fact, he called just yesterday about the leather supply."
"I see."
So leather really was scarce.
He should've paid closer attention to the business he'd started himself.
Still, it wasn't like Juhyeok had been idle.
So much had happened in the past couple of months.
"Would it be okay if I visited personally?"
"Of course! He'll be delighted."
He needed to meet him at least once.
Even if meeting strangers made him uncomfortable.
"Just let me know when you plan to visit. I'll set up an appointment."
"Not today. I'll drop by directly when I have time."
"Understood. I'll inform CEO Jeong in advance."
With his business done—
"I'll be heading out."
"Ah! Already?"
Shaking Jeon Gwang-il's hand, Juhyeok said,
"And for the White Tower 17th floor—think of it as a resort for the day and look around freely. If you want, I can set you up with a one-month rental pass."
"… A rental pass?"
"I can't give you a residency pass, but I can get you a rental."
A rental pass.
Exactly as it sounded—permission to enter for one month.
Jeon Gwang-il nodded.
That sounded good.
Much better than a one-day trial.
It even felt like a rise in status.
Is there a long-term lease?
Normally, ownership comes after leasing.
Back home, Juhyeok had a clear plan.
Secure high-grade magic stones for residency passes and decorating the White Tower's 17th floor.
The stones earned from clear rewards had limits.
The veins were exhausted.
He'd have to get them from outside.
With Chinese player peddlers selling stones, he needed funds ready.
For now, he'd focus on leather supply.
Apophis hide, basilisk, wyvern.
But no matter how he thought about it, Behemoth hide was no good.
Just pitch-black leather—what was pretty about that?
So Behemoth was out.
After supplying enough leather, he planned to resume climbing higher floors.
The 80s were the giant-calamity zone.
If he climbed, he might see it—
a colossal beast with leather rivaling the Rainbow Basilisk.
At the same time, he needed to scout whether high-grade magic stone veins existed in the 80s.
First, he summoned all the summoned beings resting in the White Tower back to the penthouse.
Then—
"Designated summon: Mackenzie Dronak."
Spot!
Bang bang!
Sharararat!
Fireworks exploded in the sky, multicolored confetti scattering.
Mackenzie appeared with both arms raised triumphantly.
"I, Mackenzie Dronak, 9-circle mage, make my entrance!"
What a noisy summon.
Was he always like this?
"Did you enjoy your bragging?"
"Thanks to you, Summoner, I was deeply satisfied. Heh heh—those fools were driven mad with envy."
He certainly looked pleased.
His entire body was sparkling and glittering.
Reading the mood perfectly, veteran Kosak grinned.
"Feel refreshed?"
"Extremely."
"Hope you're not afraid of consequences. Didn't you say you'd kill anyone who met you?"
"I did. But now I understand your feelings completely. How could anyone hold back from bragging!"
The Mad Demon still shook his head, clearly displeased.
"Tsk, tsk… his behavior is just…"
In truth, even the Mad Demon felt a twinge of regret.
He'd accepted residency too quickly and missed his chance to brag.
"Mr. Mackenzie?"
"Yes, Summoner?"
"I'll give you a residency pass."
"Oooo!"
Flaaash!
Two spotlights again.
Dizzying, but he'd get used to it.
That was just his nature.
Juhyeok placed the last remaining residency necklace around Mackenzie's neck.
Shk, shshshk, shk.
— White Tower Resident: Mackenzie Dronak —
Clap clap clap clap!
Applause celebrating the addition of a full family member.
Next—
"Mr. Rajiks, step forward."
"Hoe?"
At Juhyeok's command, Rajiks stepped up.
The badge award ceremony continued.
"Despite being a non-combat class, you shattered the skull of that snake bastard Apophis you encountered on the 82nd floor with a pickaxe, thereby magnificently overcoming your trauma. For this achievement, you are awarded two Platinum Badges."
"Hoeeee."
Clap clap clap clap!
Rajiks grinned widely, mouth stretched open.
But this wasn't over yet.
"As the quartermaster of Bong Juhyeok's division, you gathered a large quantity of rune fragments and ticket fragments, excellently supplying our lacking logistics. For this, you are additionally awarded three Platinum Badges."
"Hoeeng?"
Why not?
He deserves it.
Mr. Rajiks, hurry up and take those badges and break into LSSR.
"Hooe."
That's right!
He puffed out his chest.
Seems he judged himself worthy too.
Clap clap clap clap!
With that, Rajiks's cumulative badge count reached 23.
Just two more, and he'd break into LSSR.
But then—
"Hmm."
Mackenzie stared intensely at the badge ceremony.
Greed he couldn't hide gleamed in his eyes.
"E-excuse me, Summoner."
"Yes?"
"H-how does one receive a Platinum Badge…"
"Ah… badges?"
"I was hoping I might receive one as well."
He clearly wanted one badly.
What to do?
Just give him one?
The Mad Demon answered instead.
"You need to render merit for the Summoner. Asking for one for free—have you no shame?"
"Render merit?"
The Mad Demon thrust out his chest right in front of Mackenzie.
"Look upon this chest. Six of them. That means I rendered merit at least six times."
"Ah!"
"You couldn't do it."
"Why couldn't I?"
The Mad Demon snorted in contempt.
"A mage obsessed only with fireworks, spotlights, and decorative magic—what could you possibly do? I've already been acknowledged by the Summoner. Even that frivolous assassin has."
Fwoosh!
Mackenzie burst into flames.
"Y-you bastard!"
"How does it feel to be on the receiving end of bragging? Putting yourself in another's shoes—this is when that phrase applies."
Trembling.
Mackenzie's entire body turned red and black.
A visual effect expressing rage.
From somewhere, a tiny cloud drifted in.
Koo-kung! Kung-kung!
Thunder roared, and small bolts of lightning flashed.
"Hmph! So, you earn badges by rendering merit… well, that's not difficult. From now on, I—9-circle Archmage Mackenzie Dronak—will monopolize every badge the Summoner has!"
KWA-BOOM! Ta-daan! Tta-ra-jan-jan!
Majestic background music thundered alongside his declaration.
Impressive resolve.
Looks like the 80s floors won't be a concern anymore.
"Alright. Today's first climb is a repeat clear of 82nd-floor Apophis. Everyone ready?"
Curiosity stirred.
An attention seeker, sure—but still a 9-circle archmage.
Just how powerful was his full magic?
…
[Entering Black Tower (NO.1) – 82nd Floor.]
Repeat Apophis clear.
Mission accepted.
Walking through the pitch-dark underground labyrinth corridor—
Ssasa-sasa-sasa.
Apophis appeared.
"Hoeeng!"
Rajiks, having overcome his trauma, glared at Apophis with a look of ridicule.
He pulled out a gleaming, razor-sharp golden flaying knife.
The labyrinth's colossal calamity reduced to a leather shuttle for their cosmic farmhand.
Well done, Rajiks.
"Alright, then—"
"Wait a moment, Summoner."
Another spotlight.
In the dark labyrinth, Mackenzie alone shone as he spoke confidently to Juhyeok.
"Leave that one to me. I'll handle it alone."
"… Are you sure you can?"
Mackenzie answered with a broad smile.
"Hahaha. The magic I showed you earlier was nothing more than flashy surface tricks. But I once ruled a Mage Tower—an archmage who pioneered the 9th circle. That mere snake is nothing more than a snack."
Oh!
Confidence overflowing!
Alright.
Let's trust him.
If he does well, he'll get a Platinum Badge.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Much obliged."
Mackenzie Dronak advanced forward.
The spotlight continued to follow him.
A quiet incantation flowed from his lips.
"Fire is the pure element that composes nature, the light that illuminates darkness, the sacred heat that burns away filth. As one who has comprehended fire, I command."
Mackenzie raised his hand.
"Let the world's hottest flames gather into mass and fall like rain. Fire Rain!"
That was when—
Uuuuuuuuh—
A searing heat formed high above the underground cavern.
A red cloud.
A fire cloud condensed with terrifying heat.
Drip. Drip-drip-drip.
Fist-sized fireballs began to fall.
Then—
Drdrdrdrdrdrdrdr!
Like a downpour.
Like a tropical squall.
An overwhelming number of fireballs poured down upon Apophis.
Fire Rain.
The heat surged violently.
"Barrier!"
Mackenzie blocked the heat rushing toward Juhyeok.
"Kyaaaaaaah!"
Apophis writhed.
It tried to burrow underground, but the raining fire pooled on the ground, turning into boiling lava.
There was nowhere to escape.
"This is the flame spell of a 9-circle mage. An inextinguishable rain of fire. The colossal calamity Apophis will burn to black without even being able to regenerate."
… What?
Wait—what did he just say?
It can't regenerate?
Then—
Clink!
A shocked Rajiks dropped the golden flaying knife from his hand.
The other summoned beings shook their heads.
Sighs escaped from all around.
"Haa…"
"Ehh…"
"Heh heh."
Only Mackenzie laughed heartily.
"Muhahahahaha! Did you see? This is the magic of Mackenzie Dronak, master of flames! You're all so stunned you can't speak. Now, as I said, the Platinum Badge is—hm? Uh… why?"
Mackenzie wasn't clueless.
The atmosphere was off.
Seeing the Summoner's expression, he sensed something was wrong.
He turned to the Mad Demon.
"D-did I mess up?"
"You did. And badly."
"What?"
"Do you think we gathered eleven people because we couldn't kill that thing?"
"Then why?"
"For the leather. Skin it whole and it sells for a fortune. The Summoner needs money right now. And you burned it all to ashes."
"Ah…."
That was when—
"HUEEEEEEEEK!"
Rajiks's furious roar erupted.
At last, Mackenzie had to face the wrath of the cosmic farmhand.
"Hueek! Hueek!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Hueeeek!"
Mackenzie finally showed weakness.
And once blood was in the water, the hyenas wouldn't stay quiet.
"You burned it all—what were you thinking?"
"We're careful not to nick the leather with our knives."
"Can't you tell why we're repeatedly clearing the 82nd floor?"
"So much for a 9-circle archmage—utterly useless."
"Giving him a residency pass was a mistake."
"Ha! And he wanted a badge?"
"At your age, your situational awareness is truly pathetic."
"An old geezer still playing with fire."
"He'll be wetting the bed at night—better get him diapers."
"Punishment is required. Shouldn't we copy a prison cell or detention room into the White Tower?"
"Woof woof woof woof!"
Criticism poured down relentlessly.
"Do you even have any magic besides fire?"
"I do, but the power is…"
"Probably only knows appearance-enhancing magic."
"Sigh… elder, just stay home. Don't come outside."
"Make him farm in the White Tower!"
"You think farming is easy? He'll burn the crops too!"
Mackenzie was completely overwhelmed.
The spotlight that once shone upon him had long since gone dark.