It had originally been like that.

Rank-ups for summoned entities, rank breakthroughs, and even the place where dead summoned entities had to wait out their 100 days with Designated Summon unavailable—

all of that had originally taken place in the world of souls.

But now, everything had changed completely.

White Tower Floor 17 handled all of it.

First, Blood Wolf's case.

[Woof! Woof! Woof!]

"...Wah...?"

It had no physical body.

You couldn't touch it.

Its body was faint and spirit-like.

That was why even its barking sounded like telepathy.

Was there any way to restore it to normal?

Juhyeok pulled a rune from his inventory.

It was his first time using this item.

How were you supposed to use it?

'Runes are usually eaten, right?'

But could this one even be eaten?

He casually tossed it over.

[Woof! Grrr... sniff, sniff.]

Blood Wolf approached and swallowed the Summoned Entity Resurrection Rune in one gulp.

Even in spirit form, it somehow managed to eat the rune.

[You have used a Summoned Entity Resurrection Rune on Catalog-affiliated summoned entity Blood Wolf.]

The result?

FWAAAAASH!

Clusters of light, like when a summoned entity was first called forth, appeared from all directions and rushed toward Blood Wolf.

POP-POP-POP-POP!

The light gathered in one place, and the blurry spirit body gradually became clear.

[The 100-day restriction on Blood Wolf has been lifted. Designated Summon is now possible.]

"Oh!"

It had come back to life.

"Woof! Woof woof!"

Now it was no longer speaking through telepathy. It was barking normally.

"Wah!"

The two rolled around together in a huge commotion.

It was a heartwarming sight.

Don't ever die again.

'Why is my nose stinging all of a sudden...?'

Then—

Ding!

A notification chimed.

Don't tell me—

[Achievement: You have revived a Catalog-affiliated summoned entity that died in combat for the first time.]

"Yes!"

If it was a first, there should be a reward.

[Achievement reward will be granted.]

"Bring it on!"

[You may now enter the Tower up to 4 times per day.]

"...Take that reward and shove it."

Damn it.

Wasn't that a little too cruel?

'How is that any different from forcing an office worker into overtime every single day?'

They should have given some kind of White Tower-related reward instead.

Four Tower entries per day, my ass.

Anyway, one thing was settled.

Next—

Veronica Caliber's rank breakthrough.

Anyone with experience already knew how it worked.

Gyeon Dallae had gone through it already.

"How do you usually do a breakthrough?"

"In the world of souls, you attach the Platinum Badges bestowed by Young Master and swallow the Summoned Entity Rank Breakthrough Rune."

"Ah."

"The moment you consume it, you enter a suspended state where you can neither move nor speak, so..."

So?

"You need a quiet place. Somewhere you will not be disturbed."

A quiet place, huh.

Juhyeok made a suggestion to Veronica Caliber.

"How about the top of the 61st floor?"

"I like it. I'll break through and rise straight up like a skyscraper."

"Sounds good."

"I'll blow that condor bastard to pieces. Victory!"

"Victory!"

And so, Veronica Caliber began her rank breakthrough at the top of the landmark building on the 61st floor of the White Tower.

Closed-door training began.

The estimated breakthrough time was two weeks.

And by the time Veronica Caliber returned, the Random Summoning cooldown would have ended too.

"So what do we do now?"

"...Hmm. We rest."

"We make bracelets."

Ugh.

"Those damn bracelets, bracelets... Are we really going to spend our whole lives making bracelets?"

When Juhyeok snapped irritably,

"It's all for Summoner Bong's success. Where else would you find a summoned entity as loyal as me?"

True enough, but still—

"To be honest, even that Mad Demon geezer would slack off and drink by himself if Summoner Bong weren't around. Total wage thief."

What?

He drank by himself?

Without inviting anyone?

That was kind of hurtful.

But the Mad Demon, who had been listening in silence, opened his mouth.

"Summoner."

"Yes?"

"How many Summoned Entity Resurrection Runes do you have?"

"Two or three. Why?"

"Then that means you can kill someone two or three times."

"Who are you planning to kill—"

"There is such a fellow. A mongrel who constantly provokes this old man's killing intent."

It was obvious who he meant.

"I'm very curious. What happens if a summoned entity dies on White Tower Floor 17?"

At that, Cossack exploded.

"Mad Demon, have you lost your mind? Summoned Entity Resurrection Runes should be conserved! You can't just waste them like that. Are you going senile? If you're that curious, try it on yourself."

ZIIING!

The Mad Demon manifested crescent-shaped qi.

"Let's test it right now. If I cut your head off, will it stay attached or roll away?"

"Eek?!"

SPOT!

Cossack bolted.

POP-POP-POP-POP!

The Mad Demon chased after him.

'At this rate, someone really might die one day.'

Because Summoned Entity Resurrection Runes existed.

United States Department of Homeland Security.

Secretary MacMillan was speaking privately with Director Antonio in his office.

Their expressions were grim.

Because of what they were discussing.

"So you're saying that thing is dropping on the lower floors of the Chinese Tower. Below the 71st floor."

"Yes. That's why members of black-market guilds are starting to move into China as well."

"Hah! Even the black-market guilds? Those idiots still haven't learned."

"It's a Liberation Rune Necklace. Any Player would covet it."

Something unusual was happening in China.

Liberation Rune Necklaces were appearing on the lower floors of Chinese Towers.

Originally, they only dropped from the 71st floor and above.

Only elite Players backed by the state could obtain them.

But the lower floors?

There were even rumors that a Player in the 30-floor range had obtained one as a reward.

Most ordinary Players were low-level, below level 60.

But there were a lot of them.

No one even knew the exact number.

Many Players operated without registering.

If this was true—

"We won't even know who got how many."

"That's a problem."

"Yes. It will become a major social issue. It could even be used as a tool for crime. Imagine someone wearing one and robbing a bank."

And robbing a bank was the mild scenario.

"Does the Chinese government know?"

"They must. Whether they've prepared countermeasures is another matter."

And of all places, China.

It was already well known that tensions existed between the Chinese government and ordinary Players.

For now, ordinary Players were helpless under state power.

But if they secured Liberation Rune Necklaces?

That meant gaining the physical power to resist public authority.

If things went wrong, it could turn into a catastrophe.

Worse, the black-market guilds had already caught the scent.

There was a real possibility it could spread worldwide.

"We can't just sit back."

"Right. This isn't just China's problem anymore."

As they spoke, MacMillan noticed something odd on Antonio's wrist.

A bracelet?

Not a watch.

What kind of man wore accessories?

"Antonio, what's that bracelet?"

"Oh, this? A friend gave it to me."

"I'm starting to question your sexual orientation. Want to come out while you're at it? I wouldn't mind."

"Seriously? Wearing a bracelet makes me gay?"

"This is America! The land of macho men! Anyway, who gave it to you?"

"Commissioner Jeon Gwangil. He sent it by air delivery."

"...What?"

Wait.

A bracelet, sent as a gift by the head of the Korean Awakening Administration?

Don't tell me—

"...Is that the Escape from Obesity Bracelet?"

"Bingo! You know about it too, Secretary?"

"How could I not? So? Does it work?"

"It's incredible. I lost weight, and my blood pressure and blood sugar dropped."

"R-really?"

"Why would I lie? I think I know who made this."

MacMillan nodded unconsciously.

Of course.

Who else but Mr. Bong?

But the quantity was far too large for it to be a simple Tower reward item.

Maybe the manufacturing method itself had been obtained as a reward.

"Sell it to me. I'll pay double."

"I can't."

"Then get another one."

"I have to ask for one again once the validity period expires anyway."

"Come on, can't you sell it to me?"

"You called me gay earlier. Why don't you contact them yourself, Secretary?"

"Grr... fine."

Secretary MacMillan himself had an imposing build.

Naturally so.

He was American.

The adult obesity rate in the United States was around 40%.

That meant four out of every ten adults were obese.

As a result, the American obesity-treatment market was the largest in the world.

Naturally, news of Korea's Rajix Trading Company and its Escape from Obesity Bracelet had reached the United States.

L: Wow! Really? It actually works?

L: Check YouTube. That's all anyone is talking about.

L: ...I still can't believe it.

L: It's real. I tried it myself.

L: How?

L: I live in Korea. I got lucky and bought one.

L: Any news about U.S. sales?

L: Production can't keep up... I'll probably have to fly to Korea and buy one.

L: No, the place that needs it most is the U.S. Just go to a supermarket right now.

L: Koreans don't even need it. In America, that level barely even counts as obesity.

It wasn't just the United States.

The whole world had started paying attention to Korea—

or more precisely, to Rajix Trading Company.

Overseas buyers visited Korea.

They began sounding out the possibility of exporting the Escape from Obesity Bracelet.

But Rajix Trading Company had never even considered exports.

It ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) couldn't keep up with domestic demand as it was.

Juhyeok went home for the first time in a while.

Partly to show his face.

Partly because there were things he needed to tell his parents.

"Everyone's here."

"We've always been here. You're the only one who's been gone."

"Is that so?"

True enough.

"Anyway, our money-making son is finally home, so we should treat him properly."

"Bring out the full spread."

"Yes, yes."

How long had it been since the whole family had sat around one table like this?

Of course, a grown son coming home too often could be a problem too.

After they finished eating, they sat in the living room and watched TV.

Just then, a news segment about the Escape from Obesity Bracelet came on.

"That bracelet is obviously a scam. Tsk. I can't believe people still fall for things like that."

His father, Bong Su-cheol, clicked his tongue.

Min-hyuk snorted.

"Dad, you really don't know anything. It was proven real ages ago. There are tons of reviews saying it works."

"Reviews can be faked."

"What about the sales numbers?"

"Those can be manipulated too. It's being sold online."

"...Is that so?"

"Anything I can't get is fake."

"Ahh."

Tsk.

Juhyeok clicked his tongue too.

"If you want one, just say so. Don't call everything fake."

"Then can you get me one? No matter how impressive you are, a bracelet like that... probably impossible, right?"

Was he being underestimated?

At that moment—

Ding!

A notification sounded on Juhyeok's smartphone.

"What is it, hyung? Loan spam?"

"No, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is asking me to get him a bracelet. These requests are awkward."

"...What kind of nonsense is that?"

"It's real. I'll show you."

Juhyeok showed Min-hyuk the message from Secretary MacMillan.

Secretary MacMillan (USA):

Mister Bong! I would be extremely grateful if you could secure just one bracelet for me. Please. My physician has been warning me lately because of my increasing weight.

Min-hyuk read the message.

His face went blank.

"A U.S. cabinet secretary texting in Korean... and you expect me to believe this?"

"Yeah, I know."

Honestly, if he were in their position, he wouldn't believe it either.

"Fine. I'll give each of you one. I actually prepared them ahead of time."

Swish.

He pulled bracelets from his inventory.

"Here. Take them."

"What is this?"

"The Escape from Obesity Bracelet. Put one on each."

"What...?"

The family examined the bracelets from every angle.

At first, they thought they were fakes, but the longer they looked, the clearer it became that they weren't.

The craftsmanship was exquisite.

And they were identical to the ones they had seen on TV and social media.

Which meant—

"I-is this real?"

"Yes. I swear on the honor of the Bong family."

"Oh!"

"My goodness... something this precious?"

His mother, Chong Geum-ja, stroked the bracelet with wide eyes and asked,

"But where did you get these? I heard you need incredible luck to buy one, no matter how much money you have."

"Do you know which company makes them?"

"Rajix Trading Company."

"That Rajix Trading Company is my company."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"Th-that's impossible..."

Juhyeok grinned smugly, stretching his lips wide.

"Do you know where Rajix Trading Company's headquarters are?"

"...Ah."

"Really?"

The family already knew that the 61-story building on Gangnam-daero belonged to Juhyeok.

"And actually, I'm the world's top Player."

The living room fell silent at Juhyeok's shocking declaration.

"I'm serious. You don't believe your son?"

...

No one could answer.

"You know, I drink with Commissioner Jeon Gwangil, I'm close friends with North Korea's Minister of the People's Armed Forces, I exchange greetings with Chairman Kim Injung, and—right, you saw that message from the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, didn't you? That really is him. I even received a thank-you letter from the U.S. President."

The reason his family couldn't respond was simple.

It all sounded plausible.

Their son claiming to be the world's top Player...

Judging by his expression, he wasn't joking.

It had happened before.

When he first awakened and said he had signed an elite contract, they thought he was talking nonsense—until it turned out to be true.

When he later said he owned the holy sword, they scoffed again—only to learn that was true too.

So now, this claim that he was the world's top Player.

Could this be true too...?

Their eyes wavered.

He understood.

It had to be a lot to take in.

But what could he do?

They were going to be even more shocked from here on out.

"By the way, during the Pyongyang terror incident—did you see the live broadcast where someone who looked like a hamster showed up, went swish, and solved everything?"

Of course they had.

The footage was still circulating everywhere.

"All right. Brace yourselves."

What?

"Designated Summon: Rajix."

SPOT!

"Wah?"

Rajix appeared in Juhyeok's family home.

"Oh my goodness!"

"Aaaah!"

"I-it's a hamster! A giant hamster!"

Time for introductions.

"Mom, Dad, this is Rajix. Rajix, this is my family."

"Wah!"

What was this adorable creature?

The family couldn't close their mouths.

"Designated Summon: Cossack."

SPOT!

"Salute! Summoner Bong's right-hand man, the greatest errand-runner of this age, foreman of the White Tower Floor 17 workshop, and the sharp-eyed detector of wage thieves—Cossack reporting in!"

And who was this now?

"Mom, Dad, this is Go Sageuk, Minister of the People's Armed Forces."

Quick on the uptake, Cossack rolled his eyes and immediately grasped the situation.

"I am Go Sageuk, Minister of the People's Armed Forces of the Republic, armed with Juche revolutionary spirit. I dedicate this body to the infinite glory of the great Bong bloodline! Comrade Juhyeok's father and mother—long live! Long live! Long live!"

There he went again, overdoing it.

He might as well summon everyone.

"Greetings. I am Gyeon Dallae, who serves Young Master."

"A warrior is the shield that protects the summoner. It is an honor."

"Heh heh, this old man is called the Mad Demon. The summoner's blade."

"O light!!! Bless the Bong family!"

"I'm Mackenzie. A mage."

The number of people in the room suddenly multiplied.

The living room was packed.

It felt like a marketplace.

A so-called minister shouting "long live" at the top of his lungs,

a white-haired old man with a terrifying gaze,

a fairy-like maiden in winged robes bowing as if she might rise into the air at any moment,

a giant whose body kept swelling larger,

a man glowing with light,

an old Westerner setting off tiny fireworks above his own head under invisible spotlights,

a red-furred dog,

a pale vampire,

a seductive succubus...

It was dizzying.

Utter chaos.

The family stood frozen, trembling.

What... were these people?

They were terrifying.

Meanwhile, Rajix—

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE—

rolled around the house.

"Wah!"

SWISH SWISH. SCRUB SCRUB.

He cleaned enthusiastically.

So thoroughly that not a speck of dust remained.