Seoul, Hannam-dong—Tower Player Awakening Administration.

Yesterday again, without exception: a system-wide notice.

A Floor 10 Clear Rank S++.

Clearing a tower doesn’t automatically trigger a system-wide notice.

There’s only one time the system-wide notice chimes.

When a new floor is cleared.

That’s how it had been until now.

But they learned, for the first time, that there was one more case.

A Clear Rank S++ notice.

Probably the first in the world.

And it happened in the Republic of Korea.

They had to find them.

They were definitely a Tower Player affiliated with the Republic of Korea, but there was no way to know who.

All they could do was wait for a call to come in.

Commissioner Park Kyungsoo asked Team Leader Jeon Gwangil from the elite management team,

“Team Leader Jeon, how’d it go? I heard we got one inquiry call yesterday, too.”

“Yes. We sent staff to verify, and she really is a Player. A twenty-seven-year-old woman living in Daegu.”

“Could it be...?”

“This time as well, it doesn’t seem like she’s the S++ record-holder.”

“Hmm. I don’t know if they’ll ever show themselves.”

The number of Players always stays at a certain level.

If someone dies in the tower, or gives up climbing altogether and gets their qualification revoked, the chance passes to someone else.

So every week, one or two inquiry calls come in from people saying they want to register as Players.

The way to tell whether someone is actually a Player is simple: watch them enter the tower from right beside them.

They suddenly go POP! and disappear, so you can tell right away.

And there’s one more item added here.

Judging a Player’s talent.

How?

After getting their consent, you have them record themselves clearing a floor and show the video.

It’s possible because you can bring a smartphone or camera into the tower.

Recording is extremely useful.

For Players in the ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM, recording is mandatory no matter what.

Because that’s how analysis turns into better clears.

“Still, this Player seems decent. She said she got a B-grade clear on an 8th-floor mission. After watching the clear video, it definitely looked like a solid B-grade.”

“Oh! Good.”

“Yes. And on top of that, she’s strongly determined to join the elite team. She’s more than qualified for the reserve roster.”

“Then that’s enough. Sign her.”

Talent mattered, sure, but if someone wanted to join the elite team badly enough, they were already basically accepted. The most important virtue was the will to keep climbing.

Anything they lacked, the state could fill.

Players can take items into the tower.

Big items are impossible, but things around the size of what you can carry are possible.

The clothes you’re wearing, items useful for combat, all kinds of potions—hell, even things like pistols.

And the benefits the ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM receives are enormous.

Not just salary—protocol on the level of a National Assembly member.

Every special privilege the state can give, they get it.

They’re even granted immunity if they commit major crimes like murder.

The government specially manages about one hundred and fifty elite-team members.

And even within the elite, there’s a first squad and a reserve roster.

They’re the core manpower that climbs new floors.

It can’t be helped.

You have to divide the ranks like that.

To avoid the tragedy of Tower Collapse.

But the “regular” team is different.

They have no real intention of climbing aggressively, so there isn’t much support.

Compared to the elite, it’s nothing.

Still, because they bring back Magic Stones and contribute to national development, the state provides a monthly stipend of 2 million won, an agency service to sell tower reward items, and even legal support.

If the Player with the Clear Rank S++ record called in to register?

Commissioner Park Kyungsoo was willing to pour out anything they wanted without hesitation.

That was when it happened.

BZZZT, BZZZT.

Team Leader Jeon Gwangil checked a message on his smartphone, then spoke to Commissioner Park Kyungsoo.

“Commissioner.”

“Hm?”

“We just got another inquiry call for Player registration.”

“Again? What region?”

“Seoul.”

“Yeah?”

Seoul.

Close by.

“I’ll go in person.”

“Right, Team Leader Jeon. Put in some work for me. If it’s really them...”

“I’ll bring them into the elite team no matter what.”

“Offer the best benefits the Administration can grant.”

“Yes, sir.”

※ ※ ※

Bong Juhyeok didn’t look very good.

“Haa...”

He’d made the decision bravely, but the regret and worry were still there.

What could he do?

That was the weak-man small-citizen trait.

“...Guests are coming, so I should clean first.”

It was a shabby one-room rental, but he should still keep it clean.

He swept and wiped, sprayed air freshener, did the dishes, emptied the trash—he moved around busily, but—

“I feel uneasy.”

The fact that a complete stranger was going to visit his home for the first time.

“...Should I call Cossack, at least?”

No.

He couldn’t use high-level manpower for something like this.

He might get found out.

Right then—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Someone knocked on the front door.

“They’re here.”

With a tense heart,

“Who is it?”

“We’re from the Tower Player Awakening Administration. May we come in?”

Juhyeok opened the door and greeted them.

“Uh, welcome. H-here, you can sit here.”

A middle-aged man, and a young woman.

Two of them.

In an instant, probing looks passed between them.

“Hello. I’m Team Leader Jeon Gwangil from the Administration.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Section Chief Lee Mina. I’m also a Player.”

“...Ah! I see. I’m B-Bong Juhyeok.”

The three of them sat facing each other with a low table between them.

“First, I’ll ask. Mr. Bong Juhyeok, have you Awakened?”

“...Ah, yes, yes. I entered the tower. I cleared some floors, too.”

“Oh! Then up to what floor?”

“Floor 10. Up through the beginner adjustment section. Here are the Magic Stones I’ve collected so far.”

Juhyeok set down a total of 5.5 kg of Magic Stones.

“Floor 10...”

Team Leader Jeon’s eyes gleamed.

The Clear Rank S++ record had been up through Floor 10.

Was it this man?

He couldn’t tell.

They went through the process of checking the weight with a portable electronic scale they’d brought.

Then—

“Player Bong, may I ask one thing?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been hearing the system-wide notices that have been happening often lately?”

“Ah! The Clear Rank S++ notices? I’ve heard them, but... I-I’m curious who it is. I think they’re definitely an incredible Player.”

Jeon tilted his head, then continued.

“First, I’ll explain the contract terms. Our government manages Players by dividing them into two parts. The first part is the elite climbing team, and the second is the regular climbing team.”

“Uh, yes, yes.”

“If you join the ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM, your base annual salary is...”

A boring explanation continued.

The key points were how the elite team was structured, what kinds of benefits you’d receive, how much the state’s support lowered the risk of clearing, and so on.

But why was he working so hard to explain elite privileges he didn’t even need to hear?

Was he suspecting Juhyeok was the Clear Rank S++ record-holder?

“The way he’s looking at me, too...”

No chance.

The ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM, my ass.

“However, the elite climbing team requires proof. With the body cam we brought, you’ll record a clear video—”

This wouldn’t do.

He had to make his intent clear.

“Um, j-just a moment.”

“Yes?”

“Can I s-say what I think?”

“Say whatever you’d like.”

Juhyeok took a deep breath.

“I’ll be satisfied with the regular team. I don’t want to join the elite team.”

“Hm? Really? Why—”

“Honestly, I don’t have any talent.”

That was the truth.

“And it’s s-scary. I’m planning to stop at an appropriate floor and just bring back rewards.”

That was also the truth.

Jeon’s expression went blank.

This openly?

The most basic condition for the elite team was the will to climb.

If you don’t have that, you can’t be elite.

“Don’t decide so quickly—”

“No! I already decided.”

At Juhyeok’s firm tone, disappointment showed plainly on Team Leader Jeon’s face.

“...All right. 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 to confirm your Awakening.”

“Yes.”

Only then did the stiffness in Juhyeok’s face ease.

Just the final procedure remained.

If he went in and came back out, he could sell the Magic Stones and make money.

“S-since I’m going in anyway, I’ll clear a floor and come back out. It’ll take close to two hours, so if it’s uncomfortable to wait—”

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

“Well, then.”

After putting on his shoes and properly getting dressed,

Juhyeok cast the Enter Tower skill. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

POP!

Watching Juhyeok vanish, Team Leader Jeon spoke in a bitter voice.

“So he really is Awakened.”

To Section Chief Lee Mina, who’d come with him,

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know about talent, but he looks extremely timid. Even his speech is completely cowed.”

“Right?”

“I don’t know how far he’ll go. He might give up on Floor 11 this time.”

“Hm? Why?”

Lee Mina answered with a confident expression.

“I’ve done it myself, and Floor 11 is a floor that tests a Player’s fear.”

“You mean the Long-Tailed Burrow Centipedes?”

“Actually, compared to how they look, they aren’t that difficult. But they’re truly disgusting. There are an awful number of them, and the mission is to kill a hundred of them. ...Do you think he can do it?”

“Hmm.”

She had a point.

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

“He’ll run to the safe zone and abandon the mission. I’m sure of it.”

This one was a miss, too.

“I should call the Commissioner.”

No matter how you looked at him, Bong Juhyeok wasn’t the Player with the Clear Rank S++ record.

So don’t get your hopes up.

※ ※ ※

[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea), Floor 11.]

Juhyeok summoned Cossack.

[John Cossack has been Designated Summoned.]

“YES! Thank you for calling me!”

Cossack was always bright and eager.

“Let’s go.”

“I will lead the way.”

They left the safe zone.

[Floor 11 Mission: Defeat 100 Long-Tailed Burrow Centipedes.]

[Time Limit: Within 3 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Long-Tailed Burrow Centipede 0/100]

[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]

“...Ugh.”

It was just an Awakening-confirmation clear, and—

“Of all things, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) centipedes?”

A hundred of them.

Well, it wasn’t like he’d be fighting them himself.

“I will handle it quickly. One hundred Burrow Centipedes is a five-minute job.”

That won’t do.

“No. This time, we go very slowly.”

“...Yes?”

“Drag it out as much as possible. For more than an hour. So we don’t set another Clear Rank S++ record.”

Why would he bother going in and clearing after he’d already said he’d enter?

Entering alone would be enough.

He was doing it to hide.

To show he wasn’t the Clear Rank S++ record-holder.

He’d prove a clear, show 1.1 kg of Magic Stones—

And then he’d completely escape suspicion that he was the one.

“Ah! I understand your intention.”

“And today, I’ll Dismiss Summon you inside the tower. There are eyes watching outside.”

“It is fine.”

A perfect plan.

Confirm the Awakening, and also erase the suspicion that he owned the Clear Rank S++ record.

POP!

The insane assassin John Cossack burst forward.

And then, from underground, Long-Tailed Burrow Centipedes began to slither out—each around three meters long.

They weren’t venomous, but with those huge bodies and countless squirming legs, they were revolting.

And there were so many of them.

Even from far away, his hair stood on end.

“Ughhh...”

WRIGGLE WRIGGLE.

It looked like the surface of the ground was alive.

But John Cossack didn’t seem scared at all.

He hopped around, slowly, one at a time.

“...Is that still too fast?”

So—

“Cossack, catch them even slower.”

“YES!”

The hunting speed slowed even more.

“He’s doing well.”

If you told him to do something, he did it. Absolute obedience.

How reliable could he be?

But right then—

SHHK! SKRRRK!

“Hng—F-FUCK!”

A group of Long-Tailed Burrow Centipedes surged up from right beneath Juhyeok’s feet.

From this side too—SHHK!

From that side too—SHHK!

He was completely surrounded.

Like king cobras, they lifted their upper bodies straight up and fixed their gaze on him.

Their yellow eyes met Juhyeok’s eyes.

“U-uhhh...”

They’d slipped outside John Cossack’s attack range and somehow already reached him.

They moved through the ground, so he hadn’t even noticed.

“D-did I drag it out too long?”

His body froze stiff.

What do I do?

This was the first time.

Until now, he’d only watched from behind.

He needed to use a skill, but his head was completely blank.

In the next instant—

“SUMMONER BONG! I’VE GOT THIS!!!”

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!

With eyes blazing red, John Cossack charged in like a madman.

He swung the daggers in both hands so fast they weren’t even visible.

The moment Juhyeok was in danger, John Cossack went berserk like a man who’d lost his mind.

SHRK! SHRK!

SHNK—SHNNK—SHNNNK!

The Burrow Centipedes’ heads were chopped clean off.

Juhyeok snapped back to his senses.

“W-wait!”

The kill count was skyrocketing.

“S-slow down! You’re too fast!”

“I CAN’T! I must kill quickly. There are too many!”

“It’s an order. Slow the tempo as much as you can.”

“I WILL DISOBEY! Summoner Bong’s life is the top priority!”

“T-this...”

Aaaaah!

That damn Summoned Principles, Article Three.

SHNNK—SHNNK—SHNNNK...

“N-no! If you work that hard, then again—”

.

.

.

[Notice: You have achieved Clear Rank S++ on Floor 11 of Black Tower (Korea).]

[S++ Clear Reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge.]

“God damn it!”

He was screwed.

Another system-wide notice had chimed.

John Cossack scratched his head with a sorry expression.

“Sorry.”

“...Dismiss Summon.”

SSSSSH!

[You can challenge Floor 12.]

[Exiting Black Tower (Republic of Korea).]

POP!

Juhyeok returned to his one-room rental.

Less than ten minutes had passed since he’d entered the tower.

Section Chief Lee Mina stared at Juhyeok blankly, eyes wide.

She was a Player, too.

“P-Player Bong, d-don’t tell me...”

Of course she’d heard the system-wide notice.

“Hm. I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding...”

He had to deny it no matter what.

“Anyway, it wasn’t me.”

“...”

“Seriously! It’s a coincidence.”

“...”

“Coincidentally, Floor 11 must’ve gotten cleared at the exact same time. Wow! Who cleared it? What an amazing Player!”

“...”

Believe me, okay?

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