Fourteen consecutive floors cleared at S++.
The rank itself was impressive, but what was even more astonishing was the fact that he'd kept going for fourteen straight days without a single day of rest.
Normally, continuous daily clears are extremely difficult due to mental fatigue and injuries sustained in the Tower.
That becomes especially true once you pass the 10th floor.
And injuries, too.
What happens when a player gets hurt in the Tower?
Those injuries apply in reality.
That's why Tower-exclusive healing potions exist.
They don't have to be consumed inside the Tower.
You can drink them outside as well.
The term "Tower-exclusive" means they only heal injuries sustained in the Tower.
Internal injuries, external wounds, poisoning… every kind of status ailment suffered during a mission is completely cured.
On the other hand, injuries or illnesses acquired outside the Tower receive no effect whatsoever.
If that weren't the case, their value would be astronomical.
Juhyeok himself had five healing potions obtained as mission rewards.
But he hadn't even taken them out of his inventory.
There'd been no need to.
First, I need to liquidate the magic stones…
He had already sold the 5.5 kg he earned up through the 10th floor.
After clearing up to the 15th floor…
Selling magic stones was simple.
Make a phone call, and a designated staff member comes to collect them.
No, before that, I should stop by the Administration once.
He'd charged in all this time without even basic equipment.
At least he should wear some simple combat gear.
The Awakening Administration had a specialized shop for players.
It might be nice to set aside some time for shopping.
Anyway, first—clear the 15th floor.
Juhyeok designated and summoned John Kosak.
Annoying as he was for never listening, he still gave him a five-star rating.
[John Kosak has been designated and summoned.]
"Roger!"
"You've been well?"
"To receive a perfect five-star rating despite committing the grave crime of disobedience and insubordination—I hardly know where to put myself."
"I understand. You didn't really have a choice."
"Yes. I'm nothing but sorry. Someone like me deserves to die twice over."
At least he knew he was at fault.
"From the 15th floor onward, I won't tell you to take it slow. Clear it however you want."
"Y-yes? I-is that really okay?"
"Don't worry about it. Nothing would change anyway."
"I'll do my best."
Since it was already exposed, there was no point trying to hide it.
There was another reason for this, too.
If he cleared the 15th floor with an S++ rating, he'd reach fifteen Platinum Badges.
And chances were high that another special privilege would be granted.
Five badges gave a trait enhancement privilege.
Ten badges gave a skill copy privilege.
What about fifteen?
Greed stirred.
The more privileges he stacked, the safer he'd be…
"B-by the way, S-Summoner Bong. I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"From the 16th floor onward, things get a bit tricky."
"Does it get much harder?"
"The clear itself is easy. But achieving an S++ clear might be difficult… S+ should be possible, though."
Meaning S++ would be hard, but S+ was doable.
"Do you get a Platinum Badge for S+?"
"No. Badges are only awarded for the highest record. If it's not S++, there's no chance."
"I see."
That was fine.
He planned to clear up to the 15th floor and then rest for a few days anyway.
He needed a break.
Kosak had handled everything so far, to the point that he'd forgotten just how dangerous the Tower really was.
He couldn't let his guard down.
Losing his beginner's mindset would be fatal.
Thorough safety-first principles.
If you live boldly and recklessly, you die young.
Calmly and leisurely—
With perfectly prepared clears.
The 16th floor is tricky?
He might not get a Platinum Badge?
That won't do.
He needed Platinum Badges up to at least the 20th floor.
When it comes to safety, there's no such thing as too much greed.
Juhyeok had a plan.
Make maximum use of his privileges.
First.
The privilege he received after collecting his first five badges.
Trait Enhancement: simultaneous summoning of two beings.
This was the core of his plan.
The cooldown still had about two weeks left, so he'd wait until then.
Second.
The privilege received at ten badges.
The Shadow Step skill copied from Kosak.
He needed to repeatedly use the skill and raise its proficiency.
Third.
The privilege he'd soon receive for fifteen badges after clearing the 15th floor.
Well, he hoped it would be something good.
Lastly.
Stop by the player shop and prepare some basic combat equipment.
He was basically fighting barehanded.
After that, he could start the 16th floor.
Safety. And then safety again.
Live within your means.
That was how a loser survived.
First, the 15th floor.
[Entering the 15th floor of the Black Tower of South Korea.]
Floors 15 through 20 were goblin extermination zones.
The point where humanoid green-skinned monsters first appeared.
The 15th floor featured goblin laborers, so their combat power wasn't significant.
The real danger started from the 16th floor.
The 16th floor: goblin scouts firing poisonous needles.
The 17th floor: goblin warriors wielding shields and swords.
The 18th floor: goblin assassins moving in stealth.
The 19th floor: goblin shamans harassing players with bizarre sorcery.
And the 20th floor: defeat all previously encountered goblin types along with their leader, the hobgoblin.
In this section, countless players either die or suffer severe injuries.
Only those with real talent can pass through this zone and advance to the 20s.
Even with plenty of information, clearing it is a hassle.
Goblins possess intelligence.
And they're extremely cunning.
Anyway, let's get started.
With a noticeably tense expression, Kosak whispered to Juhyeok,
"Stick close and follow me slowly. Don't stray too far away."
The environment on the 15th floor was a dark forest.
As they moved deeper inside, the mission appeared.
[15th Floor Mission: Defeat 20 Goblin Laborers.]
The mission had begun.
At the same time, the targets came into view.
Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!
Goblin laborers were hacking away at trees with small hand axes.
Five of them.
John Kosak whispered quietly,
"We have to take them out in one go. If we mess up, they'll run. If even one escapes, it'll bring the others."
"Then I'll also—"
Juhyeok pulled out the kitchen knife he'd brought tucked at his waist.
"Huh? Put that scary thing away. You'll cut your hand."
Quickly sheathing the knife again,
"…R-right? Better not use it, yeah?"
"Yes! But just in case something happens, be ready to cast Shadow Step."
Srrrk!
Kosak's body grew faint.
He began blending into the surroundings.
So that's stealth.
Would be nice to learn that too.
Carefully—
Kosak approached a goblin absorbed in chopping wood, dagger in hand—
Slash!
Without hesitation, he cut its throat.
The goblin laborer didn't even get to scream.
Blood poured from its neck.
Then he took out two more at once—
Slash! Slash!
Only then did the remaining goblins realize something was wrong.
"Grrng?"
"Kkehk?"
They dropped their axes and scattered in different directions—but it was already too late.
One trying to flee was stabbed in the chest, its heart ruptured.
"Grahk!"
The last goblin, desperately fleeing on its short legs—
Tspeee!
A dagger tore through the air—
"Kik!"
Thud!
It lodged itself in the back of the goblin's head.
"…Wow."
All five were gone in an instant.
"Moving on."
"Huh, goblins don't tie ribbon knots on their heads?"
"I choose my time and place. And ribbons are only for humans."
"Okay! Fighting!"
"Hehehe, thanks for the support. I'll work even harder."
The clear was easy.
Goblin laborers—the weakest of the goblin race.
It would've been different if they were combat classes.
Still, it took longer than before.
About ten minutes to kill twenty.
But still—
[You have successfully completed the 15th floor mission.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Reward: Magic Stones 1.5 kg]
[Reward: Tower-Exclusive Healing Potion (5)]
"Oh! Five more healing potions."
That made ten total in his inventory.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 15th floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Clear Reward: You have been awarded a Platinum Badge.]
[You may now challenge the 16th floor.]
[Exiting the Black Tower of South Korea.]
He did it.
Fifteen consecutive S++ clears.
Fifteen Platinum Badges.
"Good work."
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything."
"Just staying safely by my side is impressive in itself."
"Hahaha."
Embarrassed.
"Let's eat pizza today. Eat, watch TV, and get some good rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Time to check the rewards.
First, the magic stones.
His Tower-exclusive inventory now held 6.5 kg of magic stones obtained from floors 11 through 15.
If sold through the Awakening Administration, that'd be 3.25 million won.
Man… no wonder I can't stop climbing.
In just half a month, he'd earned more than two months' worth of pay from juggling two part-time jobs.
No wonder awakening was called a blessing.
And if he made it safely to the 20th floor?
Just the daily magic stone reward would be 2 kg.
Sell it through the Administration—1 million won a day.
No commission. No taxes.
A daily wage of one million.
A 30-million-won-a-month life.
In short—pure gold.
Safe Tower climbing.
Reliable, steady rewards.
Let the elite teams with real talent handle preventing Tower collapse.
Still, Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il called several times a day.
Saying he wouldn't force him—just put his name on the elite team roster and enjoy the benefits.
So annoying.
Not a chance.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
He'd be led around by the nose for sure.
Of course, as a citizen of South Korea, he didn't lack the desire to help reduce the risk of Tower collapse by clearing uncleared floors.
But he was only on the 15th floor.
Still a long way to go.
Better to leave it to the well-supported elite team pushing past the 66th floor.
Now—
Time to check the reward he'd been waiting for the most.
The special privilege granted every five Platinum Badges.
What would it be?
[You are granted a privilege for accumulating 15 Platinum Badges.]
[Privilege: Item — Energy Barrier Kit has been delivered to your Tower-exclusive inventory.]
Energy barrier?
What was this?
When he took it out of his inventory—
It was a plain metal bracelet, completely unadorned.
It fit perfectly around his wrist.
Effect: Protects the user with a barrier that absorbs damage.Limit: Once a certain amount of damage is absorbed, the barrier disappears. It can be reused after 5 hours.Feature: The barrier's effectiveness scales with the user's level.
Unbelievable!
How could it be this good?
Exactly what he needed most.
It was practically full-body armor.
And that wasn't all.
An item without any modifiers.
Tower items followed a rule.
If an item has the modifier "Tower-exclusive" in front of it, it can only be used for matters related to the Tower.
If it has no modifier, it can be used in reality as well.
For example, Tower-exclusive healing potions only work on injuries sustained inside the Tower.
On the other hand, magic stones have no such modifier, so they can be used in the real world.
Then this too…?
Juhyeok cautiously murmured,
"Energy barrier."
In that instant—
Ziiiiing!
A transparent layer of energy wrapped around his entire body.
"…Hahaha."
It worked.
He had received an unimaginably valuable treasure as a privilege.
If he sold this on the market, how much would it fetch?
One billion? Two billion? Three billion?
Should I sell it right now and quit Tower climbing altogether?
No.
He could use it for as long as it was useful, and sell it later when things became too much.
Maybe I should rest for a bit.
For the time being, he put his climb on hold.
During that period, he could just repeatedly clear the 15th floor.
Juhyeok genuinely took a proper rest.
Until the cooldown for random summoning came back.
All while repeatedly clearing the 15th floor.
And so, half a month passed.
As a result, for those two weeks, no S++ clear announcements rang out.
※ ※ ※
Awakening Administration, Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Commissioner Park Gyeongsu, wearing a grave expression, was speaking with Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il.
"It's already been two weeks, hasn't it?"
"…Yes."
It had been half a month since the last S++ clear announcement, which had been on the 15th floor.
"What do you think the reason is? Why isn't he clearing the 16th floor? …Could it be that he's already cleared it but failed to get an S++ rating?"
The Tower's difficulty wasn't consistent.
Sometimes, brutally difficult sections appeared out of nowhere.
The 66th floor that South Korea was currently challenging was one such case.
Even after two months, they hadn't found a breakthrough.
The 16th floor could be a similar wall.
The gap between the goblin laborers on the 15th floor and the goblin scouts on the 16th floor was immense.
"That's not it. I casually asked Player Bong a few days ago, and he said he hasn't even entered the 16th floor yet. He said he wasn't prepared…"
"Prepared for what?"
"I couldn't get the details. He just said he was repeatedly clearing the 15th floor."
"Haha, repeatedly clearing the 15th floor… He's not planning to park himself there forever, is he?"
"…Hard to say."
It was entirely possible.
You could live just fine playing around on the 15th floor alone.
The worry kept growing.
With an ordinary player, there'd be no dilemma.
You'd just assume they gave up climbing and cancel the contract.
But Bong Juhyeok was different.
Wasn't he the one with fifteen consecutive S++ clears?
To sit comfortably on the 15th floor with talent like that…
"Ah, how disappointing. The heavens can be so cruel—giving such talent to a timid player…"
That was when—
Bzzzt.
Jeon Gwang-il's smartphone vibrated.
"…Hm?"
"What is it?"
"I got a message. From Player Bong Juhyeok."
"And the content?"
"He says he's coming to the Awakening Administration. He wants to use the player shop."
Suddenly?
The player shop.
"…Player shop? Ah! W-wait, could it be?"
A thought flashed through his mind.
"Team Leader Jeon—has Player Bong ever used the shop before?"
"It doesn't seem so. Even when he came in for awakening confirmation, he was basically unarmed."
"Haah… then that 'preparation' was actually about getting gear for clearing floors."
"That's right. Equipment is expensive, so he was probably farming money by repeatedly clearing the 15th floor."
Commissioner Park Gyeongsu's face flushed hot.
"How could I be so stupid!"
He was ashamed.
He'd nearly criticized Bong Juhyeok without realizing any of this.
Why aren't there any announcements? Did he give up climbing? Such a waste of talent. He's too timid.
He'd done nothing but complain, without once thinking about the circumstances under which the player was climbing the Tower.
"When Player Bong arrives, support him with whatever item he wants, at a dirt-cheap price. No—give it to him for free if you have to."
"Yes! Understood."
Mistakes can be corrected.
As long as it's not too late.