The popularity of the Escape from Obesity Bracelet showed no signs of cooling down.

The moment sales opened, traffic exploded.

Sold out the instant it went on sale.

There were still many people who couldn't quite believe the bracelet worked.

Some even claimed it was nothing more than a placebo.

So what?

The results were right there in reality.

Of course, if someone deliberately tried to gain weight—stuffing themselves with high-calorie food, going straight to sleep after eating, or lazing around without lifting 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 crazy over it, the workshop on White Tower Floor 17 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 that bad, stop selling them."

"Gotta make money while we can."

"For this little?"

"That's only because 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'll make it work."

Then he turned to the other summoned entities.

"Comrades! Can you do it?"

"We shall forge them until our bodies shatter. O light!!!"

"A warrior always gets it done."

"WAAH!"

"Good. The march of hardship begins. Long live Juhyeok!"

Others aside, even Gyeon Dallae was like this.

"We shall soon surpass ten thousand units. We need only do that a hundred times—what is the problem?"

Seriously.

It's not as if they were gluing eyeballs onto dolls.

Everyone's eyes had gone wild.

Money was terrifying.

Were they planning to grow old and die making bracelets on White Tower Floor 17?

Had they been summoned just to make some stupid bracelets?

When you thought about it, this was all Mackenzie Dronak's fault.

He had 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 filling them by hand with Magic Stone powder?"

"W-well, that is..."

"Is there a way to mass-produce this with magic?"

Something where you pressed a button and—CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!—finished products poured out along 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 was magic-related, their company's original home ground had been the Magitech Empire.

"They work in a magical field different from enchantment or alchemy. It is a discipline that combines magical power and technology to create mechanical artifacts. One of its defining traits is automated production facilities."

Oh.

Automated production facilities.

Just hearing it sounded wonderful.

"Is there a magical engineer in the world of souls?"

"W-well... I did ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) speak to one once, a very long time ago."

"And?"

"I haven't seen them recently..."

He asked the other summoned entities.

The answers were similar. Some had never spoken to one, while others, like Mackenzie, had met one long ago but had no idea where they were now.

Ding!

<Mari>: If you're talking about a magical engineer, there was exactly one in the world of souls. But after rumors spread that they had lost their summoner and gone mad, their soul collapsed...

They had disappeared.

No one knew where.

It was unfortunate.

Not because he might fail to summon them, but because the image of someone losing their summoner and falling into despair rose vividly in his mind.

'I need to live a long life.'

Unlike summoned entities, once he died, that was the end.

So it was not even certain that 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 would only be disappointing.

Besides, once they had enough people, manual labor would still work.

Until then, they would just have to slow down.

Selling three thousand at once was already more than enough.

Let's cap it at one thousand.

With that in mind—

"Everyone!"

The summoned entities turned 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 had been deflated and carefully 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!"

DUNNNN! DUDUDUDUDUN! TA-DA!

Somehow, dramatic background music.

FWOOSH!

Flames engulfed Mackenzie's body.

"Pfft!"

It was genuinely funny.

You couldn't hate him.

Once it was announced that they were going after the 84th floor, the summoned entities immediately stopped working and gathered.

"Wait here. I'll summon you outside."

Juhyeok stepped out, and moments later the summoned entities waiting inside vanished one by one.

SPOT! SPOT! SPOT! SPOT...

White Tower Floor 17 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 too.

Well, since he was already here, he might as well work a little.

Jung Dong-hoon picked up a bracelet and began chanting a spell.

Engraving activation.

...

"Ingridi Acto."

FWAAAAASH... TSHHT!

A pungent cloud of smoke rose.

Failure.

Since he was not fully skilled yet, his enchantment success rate was only around fifty percent.

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! Commissioner Jeon, you're here?"

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil had arrived too.

He must have been 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?"

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil picked up a large sack from the corner of the workshop with one hand and sat down beside Jung Dong-hoon.

The sack was full of unenchanted Escape from Obesity Bracelets.

'That must be heavy...'

But Commissioner Jeon Gwangil was a Player.

And this was a place where a Player's abilities manifested.

Apparently, he had awakened with help from a certain Player named Bong.

Still, there was no envy.

Jung Dong-hoon was a mage.

"Ingridi Acto."

HWAAAT!

This time, it succeeded.

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 swept by a raging blizzard.

"Brr, it's cold!"

No sooner had he spoken than—

"O light!!!"

"Fire Heater!"

Bardin and Mackenzie cast their spells at the same time.

Warmth spread instantly.

So, what would it be this time?

Since it was the giant monster zone, something huge should appear.

"Behemoths are mammals when you think about it. Apophis is a reptile."

"Right."

"Giant spiders are insects, so..."

"What kind of spider is an insect? Go read Namu Wiki properly."

"...Fine, then. 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?"

Rajix tilted his head.

He sniffed the air.

"WAAH!"

As if he had caught something, he leaped onto Blood Wolf's back.

"WAAH!"

He pulled out a golden pickaxe and pointed in one direction.

"Woof! Woof!"

PATPATPATPAT!

Blood Wolf charged forward.

What was with them now?

It looked like they had caught a real scent.

"Rajix!"

"WAAH!"

"Where are you going? Come back!"

At that moment—

SHHHHHHHH.

The surroundings darkened, as if clouds had covered the sky.

Ding!

[84th Floor Mission: Defeat 1 giant monster Frozen Colossus Condor.]

[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]

[Completion Condition: giant monster Frozen Colossus Condor 0/1]

Frozen Colossus Condor.

An avian giant monster—a massive bird.

Right.

It was about time.

Up until now, they had only faced land-based giant monsters.

It made sense for one to appear eventually.

Juhyeok and the summoned entities looked up.

It was truly enormous—

so large that it darkened the surroundings.

With its colossal wings spread wide, the Frozen Colossus Condor glided through the sky.

WHOOOOOSH...

It was moving very slowly.

Like a floating airship, it drifted lazily with its wings spread.

Big and slow.

This might be easier than expected.

But what was that?

Gnat-like things flew around the condor in such numbers that they almost hid its body.

"Those are...?"

"Birds made of ice... hawks, perhaps?"

Ice hawks.

Like the Spider Queen, the giant condor seemed to have minions as well.

Meanwhile, Rajix was racing across the snowy plain on Blood Wolf's back, straight beneath the condor.

Would he be all right?

Even at that height, if he was noticed—

Just then!

SCREEEECH!

Some of the ice hawks circling the condor plunged sharply toward the ground.

SHWAAAAK!

Like they had locked onto prey.

And that prey was Rajix.

"Rajix!!!"

"WAAH!"

The descending ice hawks—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

They were like bombs.

Countless ice hawks rained down on Rajix.

"Damn it!"

POP-POP-POP-POP!

Juhyeok reflexively activated Shadow Step.

At the same time, the summoned entities moving behind him sprang into action.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ice hawks were like a multi-launch missile barrage.

Terrifyingly fast.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"WAAAHHHHHH—!"

Blood Wolf and Rajix fled with their tails between their legs.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Ice hawks kept slamming down right behind them.

Juhyeok ran like mad too.

Rajix and Blood Wolf were somehow managing to dodge by a hair, but it was dangerous.

If they were hit by an ice hawk—

Then!

CLUNK!

Mid-run, Blood Wolf tripped over a rock and tumbled forward.

Rajix rolled across the snow and sprawled out flat.

At the same moment—

SHWAAAAK!

An ice hawk flew straight toward Rajix's head.

"Gah! Damn it..."

He couldn't dodge that.

"No!!!"

SHWAAAAK!

CRACK! CRACK!

"SHIT—!!!"

SPLAT!

[Yelp! Yipe!]

A fountain of blood burst forth.

Red flesh scattered through the air.

It was Blood Wolf.

At the critical moment, it had thrown itself forward and shielded Rajix.

"WAAAHHHHH!!!"

[Catalog-affiliated summoned entity Blood Wolf has died.]

[Due to death, Designated Summon of Blood Wolf will be unavailable for 100 days.]

Aaaah!

Blood Wolf was dead.

There had not even been time to react.

"Wah... wah... waaah..."

Rajix wailed in grief.

"You damned bird bastard."

His heart ached, but there was nothing to be done.

At least Rajix had to survive.

SPOT!

Juhyeok dashed forward and scooped Rajix up in his arms.

Even then, ice hawks continued to pour down without end.

SWOOSH!

A huge Fortified Barrier enveloped Juhyeok and Rajix.

"Great Barrier!"

Mackenzie's massive shield protected all the summoned entities.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

Ice hawks crashed directly into the barrier.

In that instant—

ZIIING!

A violent storm of energy erupted.

WHOOM!

The Mad Demon drew up his qi.

Dozens of crescent-shaped energy blades formed above his hands.

SHWIP! SHWIP! SHWIP!

They shot toward the giant monster Frozen Colossus Condor at the speed of light.

But—

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!

PAK! PAK! PAK! PAPAPAPAK!

The ice hawks intercepted the crescent energy blades. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Like chaff released by aircraft to disrupt missiles.

THUD! THUD!

Some of the energy blades slipped through and struck the giant body,

yet the Frozen Colossus Condor did not stop flying.

'Damn... that thing...'

For it to withstand the Mad Demon's energy, it was at least on par with that monster from before—or stronger.

More importantly, something was strange.

Until now, flying monsters had descended to the ground when they were aggroed.

They attacked Players with beaks or claws near the surface.

But that thing did not come down, no matter how many times it was hit.

Only ranged attacks?

Then melee fighters like Meatshield, Cossack, and Bardin could do nothing but watch.

Countless ice hawks still rained down on Juhyeok and the others.

SHWAAAAK! SHWAAAAK!

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

"You bastard!"

FWOOSH!

Mackenzie's entire body burst into flame.

WHOOM! WHOOM! WHOOM! WHOOSH.

Hundreds of blazing fire spears floated into the air behind him.

"Pierce and burn everything. Fire Spear!"

SHOOOT! SHOOOT! SHOOOT! SHOOOT-SHOOOT-SHOOOT!

The fire spears streaked toward the Frozen Colossus Condor in volleys.

But—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Ice hawks slammed into the blazing 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 Frozen Colossus Condor continued gliding calmly, utterly unfazed.

Gulp.

Juhyeok swallowed dryly.

'It's a flying battleship... how the hell are we supposed to kill that?'

Just then—

DUM, DUDUM, DUDUM, DUM-DUM-DUM, DUDUDUM!

Drumbeats echoed across the battlefield.

Their senses sharpened, and strength and courage surged.

Gyeon Dallae's ritual buff spread through the summoned entities.

SHASHASHASHASH!

Talismans flew into the air.

Ice hawks struck by them vanished instantly.

And—

ZIIIIIIING!

Veronica Caliber took a firing stance and aimed at the Frozen Colossus Condor.

The talismans opened a path.

ZIIIP!

CLACK!

BOOOOM!

A massive guided projectile of condensed magical power struck the condor's body head-on.

"SCREEEECH!"

FLAP!

The beast beat its wings and climbed higher.

'Hm?'

It worked.

The condor, which had not even flinched at fire spears or energy blades, had taken damage from Veronica Caliber's heavy round.

Second shot.

ZIIIP!

CLACK!

BOOOOM!

"SCREEEECH!"

The shockwave from the shot shook the sky itself.

With a shriek, the beast wobbled in midair.

Third heavy round.

ZIIIP!

CLACK!

BOOOOM!

Definite damage.

The Frozen Colossus Condor flapped frantically and soared higher and higher.

But that was all.

Even after taking three heavy rounds, it did not fall.

"Veronica Caliber, any spare heavy rounds?"

"No. All expended."

"I see."

The maximum number of heavy rounds Veronica Caliber's magic rifle could fire was three.

Then...

"Mad Demon."

"Yes?"

"Can you kill that thing?"

"If we hit it all day, perhaps... eventually..."

"Understood."

In other words, no.

Figures.

Unless it came down, there was nothing they could do.

Another retreat.

A true man's strategy had to be overwhelming.

A strategy that barely chipped away at HP under a time limit was basically failure.

"Ugh, let's pull out."

Why was the weather so damn awful too?

"Damn..."

Rajix was saved, but—

'Our poor Blood Wolf...'

When it came back after one hundred days, he would buy it mountains of dog treats.

[Do you wish to use a Tower Clearing Mission Reset Ticket?]

SCREEEECH!

[You have used a Tower Clearing Mission Reset Ticket. Exiting the tower.]

See you next time, you damned 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 up in the eighties.

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 did not work.

Blood Wolf was already dead,

clearly marked in the Catalog.

[Catalog]: Blood Wolf (Designated Summon unavailable for 100 days)

Aaaah!

Poor Blood Wolf—

it had sacrificed itself to save Rajix and died.

It felt like his chest was tearing apart.

There had not even been time to use a Summoned Entity Resurrection Rune.

The ice hawks' direct hit had completely blown its body apart.

"Let's hold a moment of silence for Blood Wolf."

"Wah... sniff..."

Rajix bowed his head, tears streaming down.

A cosmic bald farmer with far too much greed for items—

he always dashed off the moment he caught a scent.

Still, Juhyeok hugged him tightly.

"Next time, don't ever go off alone. You want to make me lose my mind?"

"Wah..."

"Let's endure the hundred days. Then we'll see Blood Wolf again."

"Wah..."

"Yeah. My heart hurts too."

Next—

"Veronica Caliber."

"Yes!"

"If you break through your rank, can you take down the condor?"

"In one shot."

Confident.

Promote her.

Veronica Caliber currently had a total of seven Platinum Badges.

Juhyeok placed a Summoned Entity Rank Breakthrough Rune and eighteen Platinum Badges into her hands.

"You'll be away for about two weeks."

"Yes! Understood!"

"Break through and come back."

"Victory!"

The potential she had shown on the 84th floor.

Despite being SS-rank, she had inflicted meaningful damage on the Frozen Colossus Condor.

If she came back as LSS-rank?

Then they would have a real way to deal with it.

"Fighting!"

"I will succeed in my promotion!"

Good.

I'll wait.

"Dismiss Summon."

SPOT!

"Let's go rest too."

Mass dismissal.

SPOT! SPOT! SPOT! SPOT!

Back to White Tower Floor 17.

But—

"Huh?"

"Mm?"

"What?"

"Whoa!"

"Uh..."

"Ah!"

Standing blankly on White Tower Floor 17 was Veronica Caliber.

And right beside her was a faint spectral dog wagging its tail like a pinwheel.

[Woof! Woof, woof!]

"WAAH?!"

What the—

Why were they here...?

'Oh, right!'

They could not return to the world of souls, could they?

White Tower Floor 17 was the waiting room.

So Dismiss Summon happened here.

Rank breakthroughs happened here.

Even death meant waiting here for one hundred days.

This was awkward.

They had 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 Summoned Entity Resurrection Rune.

Truly, absurdly broken.

White Tower Floor 17, that is.