WSGCT Chapter 7

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il was equally surprised. At first, he didn’t understand why Manager Lee Min-ah was so shocked. He thought Bong Juhyeok had reappeared in less than 10 minutes because he had given up on the mission.

However, messages soon began flooding his smartphone:

+++

“Team Leader, another tower-wide notice has appeared.”

“It’s an S++ grade conquest record for the 11th floor in a row.”

“The Director has called an emergency strategy meeting.”

“Please finish your field work and return as quickly as possible.”

+++

He had already called Director Park Kyung-soo to tell him that this player Bong Juhyeok wasn’t the S++ record holder, and that he’d just finish a general contract and leave quickly. But what was this?

It was this man. The timid Bong Juhyeok, who could barely make eye contact with him and Manager Lee Min-ah, was the S++ record holder.

Unless he was a fool, how could he not know this?

Though he was claiming it was a coincidence,

Coincidence my ass.

The conquest floor and timing matched perfectly.

However, Player Bong Juhyeok was still denying it,

“N-no, it’s a coincidence. …Ah, s-sorry, your speech pattern is contagious. A-anyway, it’s definitely not me.”

Though he was stuttering, he was brazenly denying it.

“Are you really sure it’s not you?”

“Yes! I mean, no.”

But Jeon Kwang-il was certain. Bong Juhyeok was the S++ grade record holder. Though he was trying hard to hide it, it was evident in his expression, speech, and gestures.

“I see.”

“…Hahaha, t-that’s what I’m saying.”

“Well then, since we’ve confirmed your awakening, I’ll prepare the contract. Manager Lee?”

The quick-witted Manager Lee Min-ah took out a contract from an envelope. A contract prepared in advance. Only for the S++ record holder.

“T-this isn’t a general contract. It looks like an Elite team contract?”

“No, it’s on a completely different level from that. If I had to put it in words, you could call it an Ultra Elite contract.”

“…”

“Currently, in South Korea, only Player Yoo Cheol-min receives these benefits.”

Player Yoo Cheol-min. A name Juhyeok knew too. Korea’s top player who had conquered the 65th floor and was currently challenging the 66th.

“Please take a look. It includes all the benefits the country can offer. An annual salary of 12 billion won, real estate, VVIP protocol and security, even immunity privileges.”

“No, why are you giving this to me?”

“Because you’ve proven your supreme talent. Please make a decision. For the sake of South Korea,”

It was all ruined. Because of that damn John Kozak, because of that ridiculous summoned being principle 3.

Haah, shit, this has gotten way out of hand.

Juhyeok was disheartened. Seeing his expression, Manager Lee Min-ah said,

“Juhyeok, you deserve treatment befitting your talent. Join the Elite team.”

She flashed a sweet smile at him.

Thump!

Juhyeok’s heart sank, A woman… smiling at me?

He hadn’t expected this. Juhyeok had almost no immunity when it came to women. He needed to stay sharp. One wrong move and he’d be dragged along.

So, with a serious expression, he said,

“…If it’s not a general contract, I won’t be a Player.”

“What?”

“But why…?”

Juhyeok mustered his courage.

“I don’t like being in the spotlight. When I’m in the spotlight, I get stressed, and when I’m stressed, I don’t want to do anything,”

“…Hmm,”

“…”

Surprisingly, this was the truth. It had always been this way.

“So far, tower climbing has been fun. I’m doing it sincerely, but it’s only the 11th floor, right? The future is still uncertain, and I’m not confident yet.”

Jeon Kwang-il finally understood Bong Juhyeok’s personality. It was like how a male customer might never return to a clothing store if the staff were too attentive, or how a regular at a restaurant might stop coming if the staff started chatting too much with them, recognizing them as regulars.

For some people, excessive attention could have the opposite effect. Like an extreme ‘I’ in MBTI personality types. For now, it was best to back off.

“…I understand. Then let’s proceed with the general contract.”

“Oh! Thank you.”

Juhyeok quickly signed the new contract after checking it. This was handling it well.

One might wonder why he insisted on a general contract. Wouldn’t it be better to stamp the Elite contract and enjoy the benefits while climbing the tower?

An Elite contract came with obligations matching the benefits received. Even if you wanted to quit while climbing to higher floors, you couldn’t. It was a team created for conquering unconquered upper floors.

Also, joining the Elite team meant having to record and show your conquest videos to people. John Kozak’s existence would inevitably be exposed. But he didn’t want to reveal that. Kozak was different from ordinary summons. He was a distinct personality. He should ask him first.

***

In Hannam-dong, Seoul, Director Park Kyung-soo could only blink in response to Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il’s unexpected report. The Bong Juhyeok player he had met today after receiving a phone call was suspected to be the S++ grade conquest record holder? No, it was almost certain?

He asked again several times. But the answer was the same.

“Team Leader Jeon, this is completely different from your interim report. Didn’t you say on the phone that he was a timid player with no will to climb?”

“That’s correct.”

“Huh? …But you’re saying he’s S++ grade?”

“That’s also correct. He has no will to climb and a timid personality, but he possesses S++ grade conquest talent.”

He couldn’t make sense of it at all.

“Explain in detail.”

“Well…”

Jeon Kwang-il explained what had just happened. Director Park Kyung-soo asked with a dumbfounded expression,

“…Is there a possibility it’s a coincidence?”

Manager Lee Min-ah answered the question,

“The timing matched too perfectly. It’s absolutely not a coincidence.”

She was a Player. She must have seen and heard it directly at the time. It meant that the conquest success message and the time of exiting the tower matched.

If so, he was clearly the S++ grade conquest record holder, but why did he insist on staying in the general team? Was he going to waste that incredible talent?

“Did you explain the Elite team benefits in detail?”

“Yes, I told him several times. I appealed actively.”

“…And he still wouldn’t budge?”

What could be his intention?

“Maybe he’s trying to raise his price on purpose…”

“I don’t think so. It might just be his personality.”

“So he really is that timid?”

“Yes, probably,”

“Haah, this is driving me crazy.”

What should they do? If he had no will to climb, it would be right to give up on him no matter how talented he was. But for S++ grade talent?

“So what about the contract?”

“For now, a general contract is the best option. If we approach too hastily, it might backfire.”

“Are you thinking of just leaving him like this?”

“Not at all. How could we just watch such incredible talent? We must definitely bring him into the Elite team.”

Director Park Kyung-soo nodded.

“That’s good… but don’t approach too persistently. If he’s really that timid, he might give up his Player qualification altogether.”

“Yes, I plan to first understand what kind of person Bong Juhyeok is. If there’s a weakness, we’ll need to exploit it.”

“Good, but keep it absolutely secret. Only you, Team Leader Jeon, and Manager Lee Min-ah should know about this.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Me too.”

The Elite contract had fallen through, but they couldn’t just sit and watch. They knew who he was now anyway. Plus, they had succeeded in getting a general contract. The important thing was security. Flies might start swarming. Talented Players were sought-after talent in any country.

“By the way, do you think he’ll set another S++ record on the 12th floor?”

“I’m not sure. It’s possible, but we should also consider the possibility that he might deliberately underperform. Like intentionally dragging out the time, or making the conquest difficult,”

“To avoid joining the Elite team?”

“Or he might keep conquering with S++ grade. He did say tower climbing was fun, at least.”

It was actually ambiguous. On one hand, they wanted to confirm if his talent was really S++ grade, but on the other hand, they hoped Bong Juhyeok’s existence wouldn’t become known if he stopped here.

But the next day.

[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 12th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]

Again?

To confirm, Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il called Juhyeok.

“P-Player Bong Juhyeok, did you just conquer the 12th floor?”

…Yes, that was me. But the 13th floor might be difficult.

***

The next day,

[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 13th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]

What? Difficult?

[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 14th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]

Three days in a row.

It was real.

At this point, what did it matter if he was timid? He was clearly producing results.

Director Park Kyung-soo had no choice but to make a decision. They had to bring him into the Elite team no matter what.

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il thought the same.

“Should we assign someone to him?”

“No. Special treatment is more dangerous. There are too many eyes watching. For now, let’s treat him like a general contract holder.”

“I think so too.”

They needed to approach carefully. First, build a relationship of trust. Even with an extremely timid personality, things could change if they became close.

“Find a way to strengthen our relationship with him.”

“The best way is to meet often and frequently.”

“Then Team Leader Jeon, you handle it.”

“Understood.”

***

Three days ago, the day after conquering the 11th floor.

Juhyeok had summoned Kozak. Pretending to be angry,

“I told you to take it slow, didn’t I?”

“…Yes. You did.”

“Then what’s this? Everything’s been exposed now.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“If you do this one more time, you’re done for. I’ll release the summon immediately.”

“Yes…”

Of course, he felt sorry too. Kozak had done it all for his sake.

“Mr. Kozak.”

“Yes?”

“What would you do if I revealed your existence to people?”

“That’s up to you, Summoner Bong. If you want to reveal it, I’ll accept it.”

“Be honest with me. Do you like it? Or dislike it?”

“…Hmm, I dislike it. It would be troublesome.”

“I see.”

Well, Kozak was from another world, wasn’t he? If his existence became known, all sorts of people would swarm around. Where did you come from? What’s your name? Why are you doing this?

He shouldn’t reveal it. They should just keep going like this.

Then, to the 12th floor.

[12th Floor Mission: Defeat 20 Ice Shard Spear Weasels.]

[Time Limit: Within 3 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Ice Shard Spear Weasels 0/20]

[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]

“Really take it easy! Let’s do this normally.”

If they conquered from the 12th floor normally, wouldn’t the Management Office give up?

“At your command!”

Kozak’s words were clear and crisp. This time, it seemed like he could be trusted. Unlike the 11th floor where they were surrounded by an enormous number of cave snakes, the Ice Shard Spear Weasels were sparsely visible.

They had to go deeper inside to find them. But the 12th floor environment was problematic. Severe cold. Even though he had worn padding and a scarf after knowing the information in advance, the biting wind cut through the gaps in his clothes.

It would be fine if he just stayed quietly at the tower entrance, but… He had to move together with Kozak. If he was left alone outside of Kozak’s sight, who knew what might happen.

But the further inside they went, the more terrible the cold became. He had prepared hot packs in advance, but they were useless. Shiver, shiver.

His lips turned blue. Just as he was thinking about trying to move his body,

“You could freeze to death at this rate. I’ll finish this as quickly as possible and escort you to a warm room.”

Kozak charged at the groups of Ice Shard Spear Weasels gathered here and there.

“Stay here. I’ll finish this soon.”

“No, I’m fine, so take it slow…”

Of course, John Kozak didn’t listen.

“A-absolute obedience…”

In the end,

[Notice: You have achieved S++ grade in conquering the 12th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]

[Reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge for achieving an S++ grade record.]

Shit.

Fine.

Let’s see who wins.

“Whew, it’s warm now. Then I’ll go out and watch TV…”

“Summon release.”

Swoosh!

Watch TV where?

There’s nothing left for those who don’t obey.

After that, Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il called. He asked if Juhyeok had just conquered the 12th floor. Everything was exposed, so was there any reason to hide? He said yes.

For the 13th floor corridor-type environment with a mission to break through traps,

“This is really unavoidable. The mission is to pass through the corridor. It’s full of traps. Blades might spring out from the walls or floor and injure you. I’ll quickly destroy the trap mechanisms.”

“…”

In the 14th floor cave,

“It’s Giant Eye Bats. Their main technique is a sonic attack which is an area-of-effect skill. If it’s cast, you’ll be hit too, Summoner Bong. I’ll take care of them before that happens.”

“…”

John Kozak never yielded to threats of summon release. Summoned being principle 3.

How tenacious, how stubborn.

Juhyeok finally gave up. Absolute obedience my ass! He just wouldn’t listen at all.

Fine. Do as you please. He was curious to see how far this would go. He didn’t want to give up either. His body was already conditioned to this.

With 2.75 million won from selling magic stones as rewards up to the 10th floor, and 2 million won in general Player support funds already in his bank account, and even 5kg of magic stones received as rewards from the 11th to 14th floors in his inventory,

This alone is worth 2.5 million won.

Ah! He had already earned the equivalent of over 7 million won. He couldn’t even imagine how much money he would earn in the future.

He had quit his convenience store and meat restaurant part-time jobs. It was better to focus on one thing.

In this situation, stop tower climbing? Come on, even though he was timid, he wasn’t that extreme.