The popularity of the Escape from Obesity Bracelet showed no signs of cooling down.
The moment the server opened, traffic exploded.
Sold out the instant it went on sale.
There were still many people who couldn't quite believe in the bracelet's effects.
Some even claimed it was nothing more than a placebo effect.
So what?
The results were clearly showing in reality.
Of course, if someone deliberately tried to gain weight—stuffing themselves with high-calorie food, going straight to sleep after eating, or lying around without moving a finger—then they would gain weight.
But once they returned to their normal routine, the weight came right back off.
With people going this wild over it, the workshop on the 17th floor was running nonstop.
"Shouldn't we take a break? It's the weekend."
"Orders are backed up. Weekend overtime. Get outta here."
"Come on! If it's too much, just stop selling."
"Gotta make money while we can."
"For such small change?"
"That's only 'cause it's early. First goal is one million subscribers! Then we'll be pulling in fifty million a month."
Has this guy lost his mind?
"…You're saying you'll make one million bracelets?"
"There's no reason we can't. If it won't work, we make it work."
Then he turned to the other summoned beings.
"Comrades! Can you do it?"
"We'll forge them until our bodies shatter. O light!!!"
"A warrior always gets it done."
"Hooeeek!"
"Good. The march of hardship begins. Long live Juhyeok!"
Others aside, even Kendall was like this.
"We'll soon pass ten thousand units. We just have to do that a hundred times—what's the problem?"
Seriously.
It's not like they're gluing eyeballs onto dolls.
Everyone's eyes had gone wild.
Money was terrifying.
Were they planning to grow old and die making bracelets on the 17th floor of the White Tower?
Were they summoned just to make some stupid bracelets?
When you think about it, this was all Mackenzie Dronak's fault.
He'd said it was a good idea and even handed out badges.
'Why did I ever agree to this…'
Juhyeok shot Mackenzie a sharp glare.
Startled by the ominous look, Mackenzie flinched, averted his eyes, and bowed his head.
"Mackenzie."
"Uh, y-yes?"
"Do our high-grade personnel really have to keep sitting around filling magic stone powder by hand?"
"W-well, that is…"
"Is there a way to mass-produce this with magic?"
Something where you just press a button and—clack clack clack—finished products pour out on a conveyor belt.
"…Are you talking about a factory-style production system?"
"Yes. Exactly."
"Haa…"
Mackenzie hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"If we were to bring in a… well, a magical engineer, it might be possible."
A magical engineer?
If it's magic-related, our company's original base was the Magitech Empire.
"They handle a magical field different from enchantment or alchemy. It's a discipline that blends magical power with technology to create mechanical artifacts. One of their defining traits is automated production facilities."
Oh.
Automated production facilities.
Just hearing it sounds great.
"Is there a magical engineer in the World of Souls?"
"W-well… I did speak with one once, a very long time ago."
"And?"
"I haven't seen them recently…"
They asked the other summoned beings.
The answers were similar: some had never spoken to one, others had met one long ago like Mackenzie but didn't know where they were now.
Ding.
Mari chimed in.
Mari: If you're talking about a magical engineer, there was exactly one in the World of Souls. But after rumors spread that they lost their summoner and went mad, their soul collapsed…
They disappeared.
No one knew where they were.
It was unfortunate.
Not because he might fail to summon them, but because the image of someone losing their summoner and falling into despair formed vividly in his mind.
'I need to live a long life.'
Unlike summoned beings, once he died, that was the end.
So it wasn't even certain whether there was a magical engineer in the World of Souls.
Then what?
Better not get his hopes up.
If he expected too much and ended up summoning someone from a different profession, it'd just be disappointing.
Besides, once they had enough people, manual labor would still work.
Until then, they'd just have to slow down.
Selling three thousand at once was already plenty.
Let's cap it at one thousand.
With that in mind—
"Everyone!"
The summoned beings turned their heads toward Juhyeok.
"Let's go to work."
…
"We're already working."
"Not this. Tower conquest—an upper floor that hasn't been cleared yet."
Time to climb the tower.
Forget bracelet production.
Mackenzie, who'd been deflated and reading the room, suddenly sprang to his feet.
"S-summoner, the 84th floor?"
"Yes. Sounds more fun than making bracelets, right?"
"I shall burn this body to ashes!"
Koo-gung! Koo-gugugugung! Tada!
Somehow, dramatic background music.
Fwoosh!
Visual effects of flames engulfing Mackenzie's body.
"Pfft!"
It's genuinely funny.
You can't hate him.
Once it was announced they'd tackle the 84th floor, the summoned beings stopped working and gathered quickly.
"Wait here. I'll summon you outside."
Juhyeok stepped out, and moments later, the summoned beings waiting inside vanished one by one.
Spot! Spot! Spot! Spot…
The White Tower's 17th floor fell silent.
Then—
Spot!
Someone appeared.
'…No one here?'
It was Jung Dong-hoon.
These days, whenever he had free time, he came here.
Being here put him at ease.
Chatting with people was fun too.
'Looks like they went to the tower.'
The workshop was empty as well.
Well, since he was already here, might as well do some work.
Jung Dong-hoon grabbed a bracelet and began chanting a spell.
Engraving activation.
…
"Ingridi Acto."
Hwaaa… pshh!
A pungent cloud of smoke.
Failure.
Since he wasn't fully skilled yet, his enchantment success rate was around 50%.
He set the failed ones aside.
His teacher had told him not to fear failure and to keep going.
That was the only way to improve.
Just then—
Spot!
"CEO Jung?"
"Oh! Chief Cheon, you're here?"
Chief Jeon Gwang-il had arrived too.
Must be free since it was the weekend.
"The others…?"
"I don't know. When I got here, there was no one."
"Oh, really? Then… shall we work together?"
Jeon Gwang-il picked up a large sack from the corner of the workshop with one hand and sat beside Jung Dong-hoon.
The sack was full of unenchanted Escape from Obesity Bracelets.
'That must be heavy…'
But Jeon Gwang-il was a player.
And this was a place where player abilities manifested.
Apparently, he'd awakened with help from a certain Bong player.
Still, no envy.
Jung Dong-hoon was a mage.
"Ingridi Acto."
Hwaat!
This time, success.
This run would start with Tower No. 1.
People kept complaining that they always cleared Tower No. 2 first.
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1), Floor 84.]
The setting was a freezing tundra with a raging blizzard.
"Brr, it's cold!"
No sooner had he spoken than—
"O light!!!"
"Fire Heater!"
Bardin and Mackenzie cast their spells simultaneously.
Warmth spread instantly.
So, what would it be this time?
It was the giant-monster zone, so something huge should appear.
"Behemoths are mammals if you think about it. Apophis is a reptilian snake."
"Right."
"Giant spiders are insects, so…"
"What kind of spider is an insect? Go read Namu Wiki properly."
"…Well, fine. Mammals, reptiles, insects—maybe amphibians next?"
"Amphibians would be frogs or salamanders."
"Probably a giant frog. Ribbit!"
"Tch! In this cold? A frog?"
But then—
"Huh?"
Rajiks tilted his head.
He sniffed the air.
"Hhoeng!"
As if he'd found something, he jumped onto the blood wolf's back.
"Hooeeek!"
Pulling out a golden pickaxe, he pointed in one direction.
"Woof woof!"
Tadadadadak!
The blood wolf charged forward.
What's with them now?
Looks like they caught a real scent.
"Mr. Rajiks!"
"Hhoe!"
"Where are you going? Come back!"
At that moment—
Ssssshhhhh.
The surroundings darkened, as if clouds had covered the sky.
Ding!
A mission appeared.
[Floor 84 Mission: Defeat 1 Giant Beast, Frozen Colossus Condor.]
[Time Limit: 15 hours.]
[Completion Condition: Giant Beast Frozen Colossus Condor 0/1.]
Frozen Colossus Condor.
An avian—a massive bird.
Right.
It was about time.
Up until now, they'd only faced land-based giant monsters.
It made sense for one to appear eventually.
Juhyeok and the summoned beings looked up.
It was truly enormous—
so large that it darkened the surroundings.
With colossal wings spread wide, the Frozen Colossus Condor glided through the sky.
Ssasaahh!
Its speed was very slow.
Like a floating airship, it drifted lazily with its wings outstretched.
Big and slow.
This might be easier than expected.
But what was that?
Gnat-like things flying around the condor—so many that the condor's body was hard to see.
"Those are?"
"Birds made of ice… hawks, perhaps?"
Ice hawks.
Like the queen spider, the giant condor seemed to have minions.
Meanwhile, Rajiks was charging across the snowy plains with the blood wolf, straight beneath the condor.
Would he be okay?
Even at that height, if he was noticed—
Just then!
Chrrrraat!
Some of the ice hawks circling the condor plunged sharply toward the ground.
Swaaaaak!
Like they'd locked onto prey.
And that prey was Rajiks.
"Mr. Rajiks!!!"
"Hooeeek!"
The falling ice hawks—
Kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak!
They were like bombs.
Countless ice hawks descended in a bombardment, crashing down upon Rajiks.
"Damn it!"
Spapapapat!
Juhyeok reflexively activated Shadow Step.
At the same time, the summoned beings following him moved as one.
Kwak kwak kwak kwak!
The ice hawks were like multi-launch missiles.
Terrifyingly fast.
Kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak!
"H-hhooeeeeeee—!"
The blood wolf and Rajiks fled with their tails between their legs.
Kwak kwak kwak kwak!
Ice hawks kept crashing down right behind them.
Juhyeok ran like mad as well.
Rajiks and the blood wolf were barely, miraculously dodging—but it was dangerous.
If they got hit by an ice hawk—
Then!
Tak!
The blood wolf tripped over a rock mid-run and went tumbling forward.
Rajiks rolled across the snow and sprawled out flat.
At the same moment—
Swaaaaack!
An ice hawk flew straight toward Rajiks's head.
"Gah! Damn it…"
He couldn't dodge that.
"No!!!"
Swaaaaack!
Pabababak! Pabak!
"Shi-baaaal!!!"
Pu-eok!
"Yelp—yipe!"
A fountain of blood burst forth.
Red flesh scattered through the air.
It was the blood wolf.
At the critical moment, it had thrown itself forward, shielding Rajiks.
"Hooeeeeeeek!!!"
[Catalog-affiliated summoned beast Blood Wolf has died.]
[Due to death, designated summoning of Blood Wolf will be unavailable for 100 days.]
Aaaah!
The blood wolf was dead.
There hadn't even been time to react.
"Hooe… hooe… hoooe…"
Rajiks wailed in grief.
"You damn bird bastard."
His heart ached, but there was nothing to be done.
At least Rajiks had to survive.
Spot!
Juhyeok dashed forward and scooped Rajiks up in his arms.
Even then, ice hawks kept falling endlessly.
Swoosh!
A giant, enlarged Protective Barrier enveloped Juhyeok and Rajiks.
"Great Barrier!"
Mackenzie's massive shield protected all the summoned beings.
Puberberberbok!
Ice hawks slammed directly into the barrier.
In that instant—
Wooooooong!
A violent storm of energy erupted.
Swung!
The Mad Demon drew up his true energy.
Dozens of crescent-shaped energy blades formed above his hands.
Tspipipip! Tspipipipit!
They shot toward the Giant Beast Frozen Colossus Condor at the speed of light.
But—
Chrarararack!
Papak! Pakpakpak! Papapapapak!
The ice hawks intercepted the crescent energy blades.
Like chaff released by aircraft to disrupt missiles.
Puk! Puppeopuk!
Some of the energy blades slipped through and struck the giant body,
yet the Colossus Condor never stopped flying.
'Damn… that thing…'
Enduring the Mad Demon's energy meant it was at least on par with Lerssal—or stronger.
More importantly, something was strange.
Until now, flying monsters descended to the ground when aggroed.
They attacked players with beaks or claws near the surface.
But that thing didn't come down, no matter how many hits it took.
Only ranged attacks?
Then melee fighters like Gobang, Kosak, and Bardin could only watch helplessly.
Countless ice hawks still rained down on Juhyeok and the others.
Swaak! Swaaack!
Puberbok! Puberberbok!
"You bastard!"
Fwoooosh!
Mackenzie's entire body ignited in flames.
Swung, swung, swung, swish.
Hundreds of fire spears floated into the air behind him, blazing.
"Pierce and burn everything. Fire Spear!"
Pa-shoot! Pa-shoot! Pa-shoot! Pa-shushushushut!
The fire spears fired in volleys toward the Colossus Condor.
But—
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
Ice hawks smashed into the flaming spears as if defending their master.
The same pattern as with the crescent energy blades.
Crescent energy and fire spears filled the sky.
Yet the Colossus Condor continued gliding calmly, utterly unfazed.
Gulp.
Juhyeok swallowed dryly.
'It's a flying battleship… how the hell do we kill that?'
Just then—
Dung, dudung, dudung, dungdungdung, dududung!
Drumbeats echoed across the battlefield.
Senses sharpened, strength and courage surged.
KenDallae's ritual buff spread through the summoned beings.
Pararararak!
Talismans flew into the air.
Ice hawks struck by them vanished instantly.
And—
Jiiiiiiing!
Be Company Senior Officer assumed a firing stance, aiming at the Colossus Condor.
The talismans opened a path.
Pajujujuk!
Lurch!
Kwaaang!
A massive guided projectile of condensed magical power struck the Condor's body dead-on.
"Skreee!"
Flap!
The beast beat its wings and climbed higher.
'Hm?'
It worked.
The condor, which hadn't even flinched at fire spears or energy blades, had taken damage from SS-rank Be Officer's heavy round.
Second shot.
Pajujujuk!
Lurch!
Kwaaang!
"Skreeek!"
The shockwave from the mana stone shook the sky itself.
With a shriek, the beast wobbled midair.
Third heavy round.
Pajujujuk!
Lurch!
Kwaaang!
Definite damage.
The Colossus Condor flapped frantically, soaring higher and higher.
But that was all.
Even after taking three heavy rounds, it didn't fall.
"Be Officer, any spare heavy rounds?"
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber, all expended."
"I see."
The maximum number of heavy rounds Be Officer's magic rifle could fire was three.
Then…
"Mad Demon."
"Yes?"
"Can you kill that thing?"
"If we hit it all day, maybe… eventually…"
"Understood."
In other words, no.
Figures.
Unless it came down, there was nothing they could do.
Another retreat.
A true man's strategy must be overwhelming.
A strategy that barely chips away at HP under time pressure was basically failure.
"Ugh, let's pull out."
Why was the weather so damn awful too?
"Damn…"
Rajiks was saved, but—
'Our poor blood wolf…'
When it came back after 100 days, he'd buy it tons of dog treats.
[Use Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket?]
Screech!
[Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket used. Exiting the tower.]
See you next time, you damn bird bastard!
I'll turn you into a fried chicken combo for sure!
Spot!
Another unfortunate reset.
For some reason, they kept using reset tickets in the 80s.
What could they do?
If it couldn't be done, it couldn't be done.
Still, he could see a path forward.
Next time, they might be able to crush it with an S+++ clear.
But first—
"Designated summon: Blood Wolf!"
Silence.
It didn't work.
The blood wolf was already dead,
clearly marked in the catalog.
[Catalog]: Blood Wolf (Summoning unavailable for 100 days)
Aaaah!
Our poor blood wolf—
it sacrificed itself to save Rajiks and died.
His chest felt like it was tearing apart.
There hadn't even been time to use a resurrection rune.
The ice hawks' direct hit had completely obliterated its body.
"Let's hold a moment of silence for the blood wolf."
"Hooe… sniff…"
Rajiks bowed his head, tears streaming like chicken droppings.
A cosmic bald farmer whose desire for items was far too strong—
he'd always dash off the moment he caught a scent.
Still, Juhyeok hugged him tightly.
"Next time, never go off alone. You want to see me go insane?"
"Hooe…"
"Let's endure the 100 days. Then we'll see the blood wolf again."
"Hooe…"
"Yeah. My heart hurts too."
Next—
"Be Officer."
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber!"
"If you break through your rank, can you take down the condor?"
"In one shot."
Confident.
Promote her.
Be Officer currently had a total of seven platinum badges.
Juhyeok pressed a breakthrough rune and eighteen badges into her hands.
"You'll need to be away for about two weeks."
"Yes! Understood!"
"Break through and come back."
"Victory!"
The potential she'd shown on the 84th floor.
Despite being SS-rank, she'd inflicted meaningful damage on the Frozen Colossus Condor.
If she returned as LSS-rank?
They'd have a real way to deal with it.
"Fighting!"
"I will succeed in my promotion!"
Good.
I'll wait.
"Summoning release."
Spot!
"Let's go rest too."
Mass release.
Spot! Spot! Spot! Spot!
Back to the White Tower, 17th floor.
But—
"Huh?"
"Mm?"
"What?"
"Whoa!"
"Uh…"
"Ah!"
Standing blankly on the 17th floor was Veronica.
And right beside her, a faint ghostly dog wagging its tail like a pinwheel.
[Woof! Woof, woof!]
"Hooeeek?!"
What the—
Why are they here…?
'Oh, right!'
They couldn't return to the World of Souls, could they?
The White Tower's 17th floor was the waiting room.
So summoning release happened here.
Rank breakthroughs happened here.
Even death meant waiting here for 100 days.
This was awkward.
They'd even said goodbye and held a moment of silence.
At this rate, death and survival were practically the same.
They might even be able to use a resurrection rune.
Truly, absurdly broken.
The White Tower's 17th floor, that is.