WSGCT Chapter 6

At the Awakened Management Office in Hannam-dong, Seoul, yesterday had brought yet another tower-wide notice of an S++ grade conquest on the 10th floor. Not every tower conquest triggered a tower-wide notice. There was only one case when a tower-wide notice message was heard: when a new floor was conquered. At least, that’s how it had been until now.

But they had just learned of another case: the S++ grade conquest message. It was probably a world first, and it happened in South Korea. They had to find this person. They were clearly a Player affiliated with South Korea’s tower, but there was no way to know who. All they could do was wait for a phone call.

Director Park Kyung-soo asked Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il, “Team Leader Jeon, how did it go? I heard there was another inquiry call yesterday.”

“Yes, we sent staff to confirm, and it was indeed a Player. A 27-year-old woman residing in Daegu.”

“Perhaps…?”

“It doesn’t seem to be the S++ record holder this time either.”

“Hmm, I wonder if they’ll ever show up.”

The number of Players was always maintained at a certain level. If Players died inside the tower or had their qualifications revoked for giving up on conquests altogether, opportunities would pass to others. That’s why they received 1-2 inquiry calls a week from people wanting to register as Players.

The method of determining whether someone was a Player or not was to watch them enter the tower. They would suddenly disappear, so it was easy to tell. There was one more item added here: assessing the Player’s talent. How? After getting consent, they would ask the Player to record a video of themselves conquering the tower. This was possible because smartphones or cameras could be taken into the tower.

Video recording had high utility. Players belonging to the Elite team were obligated to record. This way, they could develop better strategies through analysis.

“Still, this Player is quite good. She said she got a B grade on the 8th floor mission. Looking at the conquest video, it definitely seemed worthy of a B grade.”

“Oh! That’s good.”

“Yes, and she has a strong will to join the Elite team. She’s definitely qualified for the reserve force.”

“Then that’s settled. Have her sign the contract.”

Talent was important, but the will to join the Elite team was already enough for acceptance. The most important virtue was the will to keep climbing the tower. The government could fill in what was lacking.

Players could take items into the tower. Large objects were impossible, but items the size of personal belongings were possible. Wearable clothing, items useful for combat, various potions, even things like handguns. The benefits received by the Elite climbing team were enormous. Not to mention the salary, they even received protocol treatment on par with members of the National Assembly. They received every special privilege the country could offer. Even if they committed serious crimes like murder, they were exempt from punishment.

The government was specially managing about 150 Elite team members. Within the Elite, there were first-string and reserve forces. They were the core personnel for climbing new floors. It couldn’t be helped. They had to divide the ranks like this to avoid the tragedy of tower collapse.

But the ‘General’ team was different. Since they had no active will to climb the tower, they received little support. It was a drop in the bucket compared to the Elite. Still, because they contributed to national development by bringing magic stones, they received a monthly support of 2 million won, proxy sales of tower reward items, and legal support.

If the Player with the S++ grade conquest record inquired about registration, Director Park Kyung-soo was willing to give them anything they wanted.

Just then, Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il checked a message on his smartphone and said to Director Park, “Director.”

“Yes?”

“Another Player registration inquiry call has come in.”

“Again? Where from?”

“Seoul.”

“Is that so?”

Seoul, a nearby place.

“I’ll go myself.”

“Alright, Team Leader Jeon. Please do your best. If it’s that person…”

“I’ll definitely bring them to the Elite team.”

“Offer the highest benefits the Awakened Management Office can provide.”

“Understood.”

***

Bong Juhyeok’s complexion wasn’t very good.

“Haah,” he sighed. Though he had made a brave decision, regret and worry still lingered. What could he do? That was the nature of a low-tier common man.

…Guests will be coming, so I should clean up first. Though it was a humble studio apartment, he should at least make it clean. He busily swept, wiped, sprayed air freshener, did the dishes, and emptied the trash can, but he still felt uneasy. The thought of someone unfamiliar visiting his home…

…Should I summon Kozak? No. He couldn’t use high-grade personnel for something like this. They might find out.

Just at that moment! Knock knock knock, Someone was knocking on the front door.

Wow, they’re here. With a tense heart, “Who is it?”

“We’re from the Awakened Management Office. May we come in?”

Juhyeok opened the door to greet the guests. “Ah, welcome. You can sit here.”

There were two of them: a middle-aged man and a young woman. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met in mutual assessment.

“Hello. I’m Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il from the Management Office.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Manager Lee Min-ah. I’m a Player too.”

“…Ah! I see. I’m B-Bong Juhyeok.”

The three sat facing each other around a small table.

“First, let me ask you. Mr. Bong Juhyeok, have you truly awakened?”

“…Ah, yes, yes. I’ve entered the tower. I’ve even conquered it.”

“Ah! Then how many floors?”

“Ten floors. Up to the beginner adaptation section. Here are the magic stones I’ve collected so far.”

Juhyeok took out a total of 5.5kg of magic stones.

Ten floors, huh. Team Leader Jeon’s eyes sparkled. The S++ grade conquest record had been up to the 10th floor. Could it be this person? He was unsure. After going through the process of checking the weight with a portable electronic scale he had brought,

“Mr. Bong Player, may I ask you one thing?”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard the tower-wide notices that have been frequent lately?”

“Ah! The S++ grade conquests? I’ve heard about them… I-I’m curious who it could be. They must be an amazing Player.”

Jeon Kwang-il tilted his head and continued, “First, let me explain about the contract terms. Our government manages Players in two parts. The first part is the Elite climbing team, and the second is the General climbing team.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

“If you join the Elite climbing team, the basic annual salary is…”

A boring explanation followed. The key points were how the Elite climbing team was structured, what kinds of benefits they would receive, how much the risk of conquest had decreased due to government support, and so on.

But why was he explaining the Elite privileges that Juhyeok didn’t even need to hear? Was he suspecting that Juhyeok was the owner of the S++ grade conquest record?

The way he’s looking at me…

Not a chance.

Elite climbing team? No way!

“However, the Elite climbing team requires proof. We need to record a conquest video with the body cam we brought…”

This wouldn’t do. He needed to make his intentions clear.

“Uh, e-excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Can I s-say what I think?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

Juhyeok took a deep breath and said, “I’m satisfied with the General team. I don’t want to join the Elite team.”

“Huh? Really? What’s the reason…”

“Honestly, I have no talent.”

This was the truth.

“And it’s s-scary, you know? I plan to stop at a moderate floor and just collect rewards.”

This was also the truth.

Team Leader Jeon looked dumbfounded. So blatantly? The most basic condition for the Elite team was the will to climb. Without that, joining the Elite was impossible.

“Don’t judge too quickly…”

“No! I’ve already made my decision.”

Team Leader Jeon looked visibly disappointed at Juhyeok’s firm tone.

“…Alright, I’ll respect your decision.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Can you enter the tower today?”

“I can.”

“Then please enter the tower here. It’s a necessary process for confirming your awakening.”

“Okay.”

Only then did Juhyeok’s tense expression relax. The final procedure remained. Once he entered and exited the tower, he could sell magic stones and earn money.

“I-I’ll conquer a floor while I’m in there. It’ll take about two hours, so if it’s inconvenient to wait…”

“It’s fine. That’s our job. We’ll wait.”

“Well, then.”

After putting on his shoes and dressing properly, Juhyeok activated the tower entry skill.

Swoosh!

Watching Juhyeok disappear, Team Leader Jeon spoke in a bitter tone, “He’s definitely awakened.”

To Manager Lee Min-ah who had come with him, “What do you think?”

“I’m not sure about his talent, but he seems too timid. His speech is very submissive too.”

“You think so too?”

“I wonder how many floors he’ll manage. He might give up at this 11th floor.”

“Huh? Why?”

Manager Lee Min-ah spoke with a confident expression, “I know because I’ve been there. The 11th floor tests the Player’s fear.”

“You mean the Long-tailed Cave Centipedes?”

“Actually, they’re not as difficult as they look. But they’re really creepy. The numbers are horrifying, and the mission is to kill 100 of them… Can he do it?”

“Hmm.”

She had a point.

“If you’re right, this will end quickly.”

“He’ll run to the safe zone and give up the mission. I’m certain of it.”

This one was a bust too.

“I should call the Director.”

To tell him that no matter how you look at it, Bong Juhyeok wasn’t the Player with the S++ grade conquest record. So he shouldn’t get his hopes up.

***

[Entering the 11th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]

Juhyeok summoned Kozak.

[John Kozak has been summoned by designation.]

“At your service! Thank you for calling me!”

Kozak was always cheerful and eager.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll lead the way.”

As they left the safe zone,

[11th Floor Mission: Defeat 100 Long-tailed Cave Centipedes.]

[Time Limit: Within 3 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Long-tailed Cave Centipedes 0/100]

[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]

“…Ugh.”

For an awakening proof conquest,

“Why centipedes of all things?”

A whole 100 of them.

Well, it’s not like he would be fighting directly anyway.

“I’ll handle this quickly. 100 cave centipedes should be a 5-minute clear.”

That won’t do.

“No, let’s go very slowly this time.”

“What?”

“Drag out the time as much as possible. Over an hour. So that an S++ conquest record isn’t set.”

Why did he bother saying he would conquer a floor after entering? He only needed to show that he entered the tower. It was to hide. To show that he wasn’t the S++ grade conquest record holder. To prove his conquest with 1.1kg of magic stones. Then he would completely escape suspicion of being the S++ record holder.

“Ah! I understand your intention.”

“And today, I’ll release your summon inside the tower. There are eyes watching outside.”

“That’s fine.”

A perfect plan. Confirm his awakening, and also erase suspicion that he was the S++ grade conquest record holder.

Swoosh!

The deranged assassin John Kozak dashed forward. Then, Long-tailed Cave Centipedes about 3m long began crawling out of the ground. Though they had no poison, their large bodies and countless wriggling legs made them extremely creepy. And there were so many of them. Even from a distance, Juhyeok’s hair stood on end.

“Ugh…”

Wriggle wriggle. The ground seemed to be alive and moving.

But John Kozak didn’t seem scared at all. He hopped around, slowly killing them one by one.

…Is this too fast? So,

“Mr. Kozak, kill them more slowly.”

“Yes, sir!”

The hunting speed became much slower.

He’s doing well.

Kozak, who obeyed unconditionally, doing exactly as he was told. How reliable he was.

But just then!

Swish! Slither!

“Gah! S-shit!”

A group of Long-tailed Cave Centipedes emerged right at Juhyeok’s feet.

From this side too, Swish!

And from that side, Swish!

He was completely surrounded.

Like king cobras, they raised their upper bodies and stared at Juhyeok with their bright yellow eyes.

“Uh-uh-uh…”

These ones had somehow approached this far, beyond John Kozak’s attack range. Moving underground, they hadn’t even been noticed.

D-did I drag it out too long?

His body froze solid.

What should he do?

This was a first.

Until now, he had only watched from behind.

He needed to use a skill, but his mind went blank.

In that moment!

“Summoner Bong! I’m coming!!!”

Papapat!

John Kozak, his eyes blood-red, came running like a madman.

The daggers in both his hands were swung at a speed invisible to the eye.

John Kozak went berserk like a madman when Juhyeok was in danger.

Tspit! Tspitpit!

Slash, slashslash, slashslashslash!

The centipedes’ heads were severed one after another.

Juhyeok came to his senses.

“W-wait!”

The kill count was rapidly increasing.

“S-slow down! You’re too fast.”

“I can’t! I must kill them quickly. There are too many!”

“It’s an order. Slow down the tempo as much as possible.”

“I refuse! Summoner Bong’s life takes priority!”

“Oh no…”

Ahhh!

Damn that summoned being principle 3.

Slash, slashslash, slashslashslash…

“N-no! If you work that hard again…”

.

.

.

[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 11th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]

[S++ conquest reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge.]

“Damn it!”

It was ruined.

Another tower-wide notice had rung out.

John Kozak scratched his head with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry.”

“…Summon release.”

Swoosh!

[You can now challenge the 12th floor.]

[Exiting the Korean Black Tower.]

Swoosh!

Juhyeok returned to his studio apartment.

It hadn’t even been 10 minutes since he entered the tower.

Manager Lee Min-ah stared blankly at Juhyeok with wide, surprised eyes. She was a Player too.

“M-Mr. Bong Player, c-could it be…?”

Of course, she must have heard the tower-wide notice.

“Hmm, there seems to be some misunderstanding…”

Deny it at all costs.

“Anyway, it wasn’t me.”

“…”

“Really! It’s a coincidence.”

“…”

“By chance, someone else must have conquered the 11th floor at the same time. Wow! Who could have done it? What an amazing Player!”

“…”

Please believe me?