WSGCT Chapter 36

Gobang had returned.

Even more reliable than before.

When he was R-grade Gobang, his style was just mindlessly breaking, tearing, and smashing.

In contrast, the new Gobang, that is, the new SSR Gobang’s combat techniques had become very sophisticated.

Still fighting barehanded, but not just relying on weight class – he displayed structured martial arts.

Drawing all the Minotaurs’ attention to himself while grabbing, turning, tripping them, even dodging with quick mobility, and when the chance came, grabbing and twisting their necks.

“G-Gobang’s f-fighting has… b-become cool too.”

Had to admit it.

The crude R-grade Gobang was gone.

A clever SSR Gobang had taken his place.

“Both smarter and stronger now.”

Well,

About the smarts…

Anyway, the catalog description was wrong.

Ordinary(?) Barbarian Warrior?

How was this ordinary?

Even with that question mark.

He still showed glimpses of the old Gobang sometimes.

Crack!

SSR Gobang’s charge.

Bam bam bam! Bambambam!

The stage 4 Minotaur horde flying away like mannequins at his touch.

“Looks like we can just stay put.”

“Indeed.”

Though it would take time, this was a repeat mission so no need for S++ clear.

“Hmm, if I’d known it would be like this, should have brought popcorn. Anyway, glad I gave Mr. Gobang the enhancement rune. Who knew he’d change this much.”

“This is cheating, cheating! Complete balance breaker. I enhanced too but… why is he doubled? Not fair.”

Kozak lamented.

Seemed almost jealous.

Then Gyeon Dallae said,

“Sir Kozak, your jealousy is too severe. How can you show such vulgar inner thoughts before Young Master?”

“…Just saying.”

“However, since Sir Kozak is also a useful tool for Young Master Bong, you may take pride as a servant.”

“Hehe, really?”

Kozak swaying this way and that at Gyeon Dallae’s few words.

Now it seemed Gobang and Kozak’s intelligence had become about equal.

Still, I must be smarter than them, right? Hmm, I should be. …I have to be.

It absolutely had to be so.

※ ※ ※

In the end, Gobang finished the floor 34 repeat mission entirely by himself.

Upon exiting the tower, he returned to being the slender 190cm warrior.

They’d fully witnessed new SSR Gobang’s power.

Then for the floor 35 Minotaur King clear?

“Like I said earlier, it’s broken. Gobang charges forward alone, Princess rings her bells, game over.”

Meaning they could consider 35 Platinum badges already achieved.

Then what special bonus would be good?

The random summon cooldown was getting closer to reset.

With one more summon, the catalog list would be four.

Need trait enhancement to appear…

Weapons, items, skills, miscellaneous tickets.

What use were those?

Only trait enhancement.

Please, trait enhancement.

So,

“Um, Princess Gyeon Dallae?”

“Did you call, Young Master Bong?”

“I wanted to ask about… that luck talisman you wrote before. You said it was for minor luck, but how minor?”

Gyeon Dallae thought for a moment before speaking.

“Well, let me give examples using this world’s customs. Like being exempted when friends draw lots for lunch payment, suddenly finding parking in a packed mall lot, or becoming a filial child by successfully booking concert tickets for a popular trot singer…”

That’s really good though?

This level wasn’t minor luck but a jackpot, wasn’t it?

“If I wear the luck talisman and get a Platinum badge for S++ clear on floor 35, could I get the special bonus I want?”

“Ah, about that, I cannot give a definitive answer. This girl is unsure whether your desired bonus would fall under minor luck.”

Judging by Gyeon Dallae’s way of speaking,

It meant getting the desired bonus might be difficult.

Fair enough!

Trait enhancement was practically the highest special bonus a summoner could get.

The only comparable thing would be an LSSR grade guaranteed random summon ticket.

“Then is there anything better than the luck talisman? Something that guarantees a definite jackpot luck?”

“This girl’s meager abilities are limited to luck talismans. However,”

However?

Suggesting there was something.

“If you receive karma (業)…”

“What?”

The karma that Yoo Cheol-min received?

“Depending on the karma, the karmic retribution that must be received comes faster, and all at once. If it’s good karma, you would immediately receive the accumulated great fortune.”

Karma.

Bad karma brings misfortune.

Good karma brings jackpots.

Let’s think about it.

Whether receiving karma would be okay.

Have I lived virtuously?

Pretty bland.

Nothing particularly noteworthy.

At best, helping push an old man’s handcart loaded with waste paper up a hill?

Bad deeds?

Nah, not that type of perso- wait!

No.

Might actually be closer to evil.

Had turned a blind eye to injustice more than once or twice.

Better not receive karma.

Might lose even the chance for special bonuses and S++ clears.

“…Being too greedy would look ugly too, right? Let’s leave it to heaven’s will. I’ll be satisfied with the luck talisman.”

“Understood. I shall write it with utmost sincerity.”

Though he said that, please let it be trait enhancement.

But what were Kozak and Gobang doing?

Gobang was watching TV.

Seemed to understand what was happening in what looked like a comedy show, snickering.

He definitely got smarter.

Then what about Kozak?

Looking outside through the officetel veranda window.

Something interesting to see?

His back view was somewhat creepy.

“Mr. Kozak?”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing? You’re so quiet.”

“Just looking at the scenery outside.”

“Perhaps unhappy about Mr. Gobang becoming SSR?”

Waving his hands as if that was nonsense.

“Absolutely not. Master Bong is much safer now that Gobang is SSR. He’s reliable.”

That’s good.

Not jealousy then.

But,

“Um, M-Master Bong.”

“Yes?”

“May I make a request?”

“Of course?”

“Please dismiss my summon now and summon me again around midnight.”

Huh?

“Why?”

“There’s a soccer match from a far country tonight. Really want to watch it.”

“Ah… but did you like soccer?”

“I do. Want to watch this match live.”

“Well, alright then.”

Designated summon cooldown was only 3 hours.

Could call at least twice a day.

Not hard to grant such a request.

Might as well visit the Player Shop while at it.

Too much magic stone had accumulated from rewards.

Should clear it out.

※ ※ ※

Juhyeok arrived at the Player Shop using a car provided by the officetel security office.

Going straight to the magic stone sales booth, weighing it came to:

Rounding decimals, 54kg, worth about 27 million won.

Handed it all over.

Would be deposited later, time to shop.

No special new items.

While looking around thinking about buying gloves.

Suddenly.

“Player Bong,”

Turning at the voice calling him,

“Ah! Deputy Chief Jeon!”

Jeon Kwang-il looked around carefully then cautiously,

“If you have time, would you like to have tea somewhere quiet…”

“Sure.”

Juhyeok went with Jeon Kwang-il to his office.

Just the two of them quietly.

“Congratulations on the floor 66 clear. Player Nam Ga-eun is amazing, isn’t she?”

“It’s thanks to the Holy Sword you provided. Would have been impossible without it.”

Exchanging praise,

Conversation flowing naturally.

Definitely easier talking with someone familiar.

“Here’s what you requested, prepared.”

“Oh! I needed these.”

Nam Ga-eun’s autographs.

Far more than he’d asked for.

“There’s a lot.”

“When I said Juhyeok requested them, she wrote this many.”

That’s kind.

Should thank her separately later.

“Have you decided about the penthouse registry transfer?”

Here it comes.

“Sorry, but getting it free feels too burdensome.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. We’ll never ask for anything in return.”

“It’s fine, it’s not like I can’t earn money. I can buy when I earn more later,”

“Hmm…”

Jeon Kwang-il looked troubled.

“Contact us anytime if you change your mind. We’ll keep the penthouse vacant.”

“Okay.”

“But there’s one more matter.”

“What is it?”

“Well, in a few days, Player Gerald Watson from America will visit Korea.”

“…Oh, yes?”

Gerald Watson.

How could he not know that name.

America’s highest level player.

Known trait: Magic Swordsman.

“Why?”

“To borrow the Holy Sword.”

Finally foreign inquiries came.

“What are the terms? How much did they offer?”

“Ten million per rental.”

Ten million, 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 experience purposes, Gerald will use it himself.”

Insane.

That’s America for you.

Dollar-printing rich country.

Renting the Holy Sword wasn’t like renting an electric scooter,

And that’s per single use.

Just for one tower entry and exit.

“I know you’re not pleased. Just that amount? When the American negotiation team arrives, we’ll drag it out. Won’t accept mere ten million dollars.”

W-wait.

What do you mean not accept!

Should grab it when they’re offering.

If they push too hard, they might say forget it, not worth that much, and negotiations could break down.

Also since it’s for experience, they’re probably not in a rush.

And most importantly.

Were holy attribute items really limited to just this Holy Sword?

Every country must be searching desperately even now.

If they secure another one?

Might not even get ten million dollars.

Take it while you can.

The Holy Sword’s effect becomes minimal after floor 68 anyway.

Only usable until floor 67.

The price needs to be reasonable for experience-purpose rentals like this.

“Um, ten million dollars seems appropriate. Let’s accept and lend it.”

“…What? We can get more.”

Speaking firmly.

“Being greedy might lose everything. I’ve decided. Accept the ten million dollars.”

“W-well alright. Oh! And we got one more thing at the national level.”

“What?”

“Removal of anti-dumping regulations on Korea’s magic stone steel exports.”

Jeon Kwang-il watched Juhyeok’s reaction.

“I’m very sorry for using your personal Holy Sword for national interests but…”

But Juhyeok,

“Oh! That’s great!”

He meant it.

They’re handling the Holy Sword rental and bringing customers – that much was fine.

After chatting a bit more,

“The Administration will take its time with floor 67 clear, right?”

“Yes, we’re thinking of making plans after at least 4 months. Please maintain your pace and climb safely too, Player Bong.”

Seemed they’d found some breathing room.

Before they’d urged him to reach the 60s as soon as possible.

With Player Nam Ga-eun’s momentum, floor 67 clear seemed possible too.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Please contact us if you change your mind.”

Juhyeok left the Awakened Management Office in the same car he arrived in.

Whew…

13 billion won.

Could treat the annual salary as pocket money.

If he’d known this, could have bought the penthouse.

…Or not?

Couldn’t buy it even with 13 billion.

Maybe if he rents it twice.

Juhyeok returned home.

Thought about ordering chicken but just cooked ramyeon instead.

Should share the pain with the summoned beings.

Then at midnight.

“Designated summon John Kozak,”

[John Kozak has been designated summoned.]

“Cha!”

“Watch your soccer to your heart’s content. Can’t see you off when it’s time to return – once I sleep, I sleep deeply.”

“Yes sir!”

Tsk, what’s so fun about watching ball kicking.

Let’s get some good sleep.

Kozak watching the soccer match.

After watching the TV screen for a while, once regular breathing sounds could be heard from Juhyeok’s room, he rose from his seat.

And,

Vanished with a flick!

※ ※ ※

Near Juhyeok’s officetel,

Underground in some building in Seoul’s entertainment district.

The sign read <Imperial Traditional Massage>.

Seemed already closed down.

Door firmly locked, outdated mail on the ground, even lights off.

But people were inside.

Eight in total.

Having a secret discussion under dim lighting.

In Chinese, not Korean.

“Let’s confirm the selected targets one last time.”

One of the eight placed photos one by one on the table.

“…Name Kim Misuk, female, contracted with Elite Team three months ago. Appears to have reached at least floor 30s.”

“Next?”

“Name Jang Dongsu, gender…”

“Next.”

Photos kept being placed.

After about fifteen,

“Name Bong Juhyeok, male, Elite Team contract just over two months. Estimated to be in late 20s floors minimum.”

Bong Juhyeok’s photo was placed on the table.

“All seem fine.”

Had to be.

They were Korean Elite Team players with proven talent.

The leader laid out the photos of Bong Juhyeok and other players while speaking.

“They’re all suitable targets so bring whoever. But! Work on 3 to 5 simultaneously. It’s an operation we can only do once. Should take as many as possible.”

The Administration would be turned upside down if Elite members went missing.

This was completely different from voluntary naturalization.

But there was no other way.

To prevent the collapse of the tower near Shanghai.

Kidnap these people and force them into Chinese tower climbing once per day,

With body cams attached.

Until floor 59 was cleared.

“If you’ve all tracked their movements, adjust operation time to within one hour…”

But right then!

“Wow, even our Master Bong’s photos look cool. Best looking one here.”

Deng Guanglin of the People’s Liberation Army Northeast Special Forces Brigade frowned angrily.

“Who said to speak Korean? Among ourselves we should use Chin- ack!”

Deng Guanglin was startled.

There were 8 people in this room including himself.

But now…

9 people?

Someone was suddenly standing beside them.

A very ordinary-looking man.

Who was this?

When did he appear?

Even the elite Special Forces soldiers hadn’t noticed.

“Who, who are you?”

“What? Speak Korean.”

“…Who are you?”

Kozak showed his white teeth in a bright smile.

“Won’t tell you.”

That expression was utterly demonic.

“…Th-this bastard, kill him!!!”

At Deng Guanglin’s cry, the Chinese Special Forces soldiers jumped up.

Flash!

Sudden bright light illuminated the dark space,

Swish!

Slice!

Roll roll.

A head rolled onto the table.