Chapter 17 - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Joo-hyuk watched the news until the end with a heavy heart.

He knew she had been fired from the company, but to think she was suffering like this, even staging a one-person protest.

"Good grief!"

Anger surged within him.

And a sense of guilt simultaneously.

What was the point of having two sons?

They were unfilial sons she couldn't even lean on when such an incident occurred.

By the way, how did she manage to find a lawyer?

If it was the Park & Kim Law Firm, a few pennies wouldn't even remotely cover it.

Cossack also seemed to have caught on to how the situation was unfolding.

He said in a chilling voice.

"Summoner Bong, sir."

"Yes?"

"I shall pay a visit to the Jinsaemmool company, sir."

"......."

Honestly, he was swayed for a moment.

But.

"Please don't. Looking at Mom's interview, it seems she hired a decent lawyer."

"Yes, sir......."

He should send money for the lawyer's fees later.

The Mana Stones he had accumulated so far alone weighed 21kg.

In terms of money, it was about 10 million won.

If it fell short, even if it meant selling the Energy Shield Kit.......

Bzzzt!

Coincidentally, his smartphone rang.

It was a call from his father.

He must have seen Mom's interview.

- Joo-hyuk. Did you perchance watch the news?

"Yes, I watched it."

- Right, I called your mom too. She told us not to worry. She hired a top-tier lawyer, and it's even free. Saying something about supporting the socially disadvantaged.......

Free?

He had heard that sometimes renowned law firms did free volunteer work as part of their social contributions.

It seemed heaven was helping them after all.

"That turned out well. I was planning to send money for the lawyer's fees anyway."

- Hahaha, where would you get the money? Anyway, don't worry about your mom and just focus on doing your job well.

"I'm not worried. I know Mom's personality, but more importantly, how are you doing, Father?"

- I'm doing fine, of course. I also received a call from Ilseong Hospital today.

"Huh? Why from there?"

- It seems the orthopedics department at Ilseong Hospital is implementing a hip joint surgery rehabilitation treatment project, and I was selected. They said the treatment costs for hospitalization and rehabilitation are free of charge. So I decided to get hospitalized there.

What was this?

- Both of us for free, hohoho, heaven has helped us. Your mom and I are a match made in heaven, without a doubt.

Ilseong Hospital was a hospital affiliated with a large conglomerate.

There was no better place than that in South Korea.

And he hadn't even had his surgery at that hospital.

How did they obtain his patient information?

'...This is strange.'

It wasn't a matter he could just brush off.

'Should I look into it?'

Calls kept coming in sequence right after ending the call with his father.

It was his younger brother, Min-hyuk.

- Hyung! Did you see Mom's interview?

"Yeah, I saw it."

- Wow! I didn't even know, I've been an unfilial son.

"Same here."

- So about that, the money you gave me previously to buy a laptop, I'm going to send it to Mom; lawsuits cost a lot of money, you know.

"What about you? Are you fine without a laptop?"

- Hehe, it's fine. I received a scholarship this time. A very handsome one, enough to pay my tuition and buy a laptop. These blessings are showering down on me because I've lived as a good person.

Look at this guy?

"...Where is the scholarship from?"

- They said it's a national scholarship. From the Awakening Management Agency, they apparently hand out a lot of scholarships there originally.

At this point, he knew what the situation was.

Even though he was timid, Joo-hyuk wasn't a fool.

'Heaven wasn't helping us.'

He would find out if he verified it.

* * *

Park & Kim Law Firm took charge of his mom's unfair contract termination lawsuit.

His father said he was receiving free rehabilitation treatment at Ilseong Hospital.

His younger brother, Bong Min-hyuk, said he was receiving a national scholarship at his university.

These were all events that unfolded over yesterday and today.

Could this possibly be a coincidence?

It was plainly obvious where the intervention came from.

'Awakening Management Agency.'

Park & Kim Law Firm monopolized legal counsel for players, Ilseong Group was the corporation that purchased the most Mana Stones in South Korea, and crucially, the scholarship awarded by the Awakening Management Agency.

In truth, he was a little angry.

To pull a stunt like this without even getting his consent?

He felt like confronting the Director of the Management Agency directly, however.......

'He's too high-ranking.'

Instead, he contacted Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il, whose face he saw often.

He was the most comfortable to deal with among the Management Agency personnel.

"Um, this is Bong Joo-hyuk. If you have time, I'd like to meet you somewhere quiet."

- Yes, anytime. Have you eaten by any chance?

"Umm, not yet."

- Then I will come pick you up. Let us have a meal together.

"...Okay."

How long had it been since he had a meal with someone else?

He hadn't recently.

'I haven't in the past either.'

Eating alone was the best.

He could eat whatever he wanted as he pleased.

He didn't have to wait until others finished eating either.

The restaurant he went to with Jeon Kwang-il was a quiet traditional Korean restaurant with private rooms.

Joo-hyuk cautiously brought up the subject before the meal arrived.

"Why did you do it?"

"What are you referring to?"

"My mom's lawsuit, my father's rehabilitation, and Min-hyuk's scholarship."

"......."

Jeon Kwang-il remained silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Because it was absolutely necessary."

As expected.

"When there are troubles at home, worries inevitably arise. When worries arise, it affects tower climbing, you perform inadequately, and climbing becomes increasingly strenuous......."

His talking style was somewhat familiar.

"Isn't that the kind of care applied to players on the Elite team? I have a standard contract though?"

In that instant!

Tap, a contract was placed on the dining table.

"Then sign an Elite team contract right now."

This guy, he came fully prepared.

"...I still lack confidence in myself, and my talent isn't that exceptionally good either."

"Do you truly believe so?"

"......."

He was speechless.

The record holder for 24 consecutive S++ clears lacking talent?

That was just deception.

"I earnestly plead with you. Did you not recently experience the incident with that bastard, Choi Ho-seok? Please join the Elite team and receive proper treatment. You, Player Bong, are qualified for it."

Sigh.

What should he do?

"If you sign the Elite contract, you will immediately receive close protection analogous to a VVIP. At the very least, incidents like before will not occur."

Close protection.

"I dislike that. Having someone stuck closely to me every single day, and I also won't film clear videos."

One of the biggest reasons Joo-hyuk hadn't signed the Elite contract.

The existence of Cossack and Gobang, and video filming.

"The protection issue is negotiable. As for the video filming part, it does not matter if you do as you wish."

"How do you plan on negotiating it?"

"You can simply live alone in a space with immaculate security. A place where external activities are guaranteed, and you just receive protection when you engage in external activities."

This was tempting?

"Bodyguards will also be assigned to your family members."

Ahhh!

His wavering heart.

Actually, he had been wavering for a while now.

His initially firm resolve of absolutely never joining the Elite team.

However, it couldn't be helped.

Changing his mind back and forth like a reed in the wind.

Wasn't that exactly the hallmark of a neurotic coward.

"...So, a house will be provided if I sign the contract too, right?"

"What square footage do you desire?"

"Not for me, for my family. I plan on moving out and living separately, so I'd like to provide them the house instead."

"We will provide one unit for your family and one for you, Player Bong."

Wow, conditions he couldn't refuse.

Far from wavering, it was crumbling down completely.

"An officetel is sufficient for me."

"It is possible."

"F-For my family, a house with at least 4 rooms and 2 bathrooms?"

"Yes! Let us do so."

It was nice that he was answering so refreshingly straightforward but.

Is he doing this after getting approval beforehand?

Isn't this something beyond a Team Leader's authority?

"Do not worry. I came after being granted full authority by the Director."

"......."

"The signature field for the contract is right here."

Joo-hyuk found himself grabbing the fountain pen Jeon Kwang-il handed over as if possessed.

Then he suddenly snapped back to his senses.

"W-Wait."

"Yes? Suddenly..."

He was almost there.

Jeon Kwang-il with an expression of regret.

"Please give me just a little more time."

"Ah, how much?"

"...I will decide tomorrow."

"Let's do that. I will wait."

Oh, right! Since they met anyway.

"I have some accumulated Mana Stones."

"Yes, please give them to me, I will collect and take them with me."

They had a meal.

He also handed over the Mana Stones.

Now he had to reveal his awakened status he had been hiding from his family.

Also about the Elite contract.

Rather than his father's intent, his mom's permission was the key.

And he had to converse with Cossack as well.

Furthermore, he had to find out what the privilege was once he had 25 Platinum Badges after clearing the 25th floor.

First, the 25th floor clear.

Then meeting with his family.

What mattered most above all was his own conviction.

Returning home, Joo-hyuk agonized overnight.

As expected, his inherent nature was like a reed, so he easily couldn't reach a conclusion.

* * *

The next day.

Joo-hyuk woke up late having tossed and turned.

Today was the day he decided to clear the 25th floor.

Since it was Saturday, he would finish it in the morning.

He might have to visit his family's home in the afternoon.

Before that, he designatedly summoned John Cossack.

"Loyalty! The Special Super Rare Assassin has arrived, sir."

He must have ranked up.

His appearance had also changed significantly.

His physique had grown, and his eyes had become sharper.

His manner of speaking remained exactly the same though.

"Welcome. Mr. Special Super Rare Cossack."

"Hehehe, are you not summoning R(Rare) Gobang, sir?"

Suddenly Gobang's last name became R.

R for Rare.

Was it R Gobang for short?

"About that, I had something to discuss with you separately before clearing the 25th floor."

"Oh my, of course, you must, sir. Could you possibly hold a conversation with that ignorant R Gobang, sir?"

"I met with someone called a Management Agency Team Leader yesterday......."

Joo-hyuk recounted entirely the conversation he had with Jeon Kwang-il to Cossack.

"What do you think? Should I join the Elite team? Or remain as standard."

Cossack nodded his head and answered.

"I am in favor, sir."

"In favor?"

"You, Summoner Bong, sir, are a National Power Level player, sir. You must receive proper treatment, sir."

What National Power Level.

When he couldn't accomplish anything without Cossack and Gobang.

"Will I be able to? If I join the Elite team, I'll have to clear the 60th floors, no, I don't even know up to what floor I'll have to climb."

"It is absolutely possible, sir. Provided that you live safely for a long time, sir."

"...And what about my abilities?"

"Your safety is precisely your ability, sir."

What are you talking about?

Why did my safety come into play here?

"In the place where I was, there are plenty of Legend Special Super Rare ranked summoned entities, sir. As long as you remain unscathed, Summoner Bong, sir, you will be able to summon every single one of those bastards someday, sir."

"Ah......."

"All of them will absolutely obey you, Summoner Bong, sir. They will do exactly as they are commanded, sir. So long as it doesn't conflict with Clause 3."

He understood what he meant.

What if a party composed of them was formed?

"Is that all, sir? There are even a few demigod-level monsters that are Unranked, transcending the status of humanity, sir."

"...I can't summon Unranked, right."

"That is true for now, sir. But you will be able to later once your summoning ability increases, sir."

Demigods transcending the status of humanity.

'I don't even dare to imagine.'

This was exactly the reason why he had to be safe.

"You will command a powerful troop of summoned entities, sir. You will be capable of ruling them with a single gesture, sir. 60th floor? 70th floor? No, 100th floor? Easy peasy, sir."

He was right.

It was a matter of time.

"Please live safely for a long, long time and diligently perform your random summons without fail, sir. That is your ultimate move and lethal weapon, Summoner Bong, sir."

Considering the cooldown time, 12 times a year, but if he obtained Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket items, he could do it even more frequently.

Of course, it would all be for naught if he had terrible luck.

'How long is left until the next random summon?'

Upon checking, it was about 19 days.

If he could also achieve Trait Enhancement during that period, it would be the icing on the cake.

John Cossack continued speaking.

"Instead, demand one thing firmly, sir."

"What?"

"That the decision to climb un-cleared upper floors will purely follow your will, Summoner Bong, sir, and that there must be no external interference, this is crucial, sir."

"The decision to clear the upper floors is made by me?"

"It must absolutely be stipulated, sir. Otherwise, all sorts of trash bastards will throw a fit, kicking up a fuss about why you aren't climbing the un-cleared upper floors, sir. Then, in an unprepared state... Hmm."

As if he recalled a painful memory, he frowned and then.

"...You must never be dragged along, sir. Anyway, receiving national support is good as long as that condition is guaranteed, sir."

Cossack's reaction was positive.

"Let's try clearing the 25th floor first. Let's find out what the privilege is. We can get the Platinum Badge, right?"

He snorted! and laughed, then.

"What is the matter with you, sir! I am an SSR, sir. SSR, Special Super Rare, SSR."

Cossack's advice was exceedingly helpful.

A sufficient answer.

'Asking him was a good call.'

Joo-hyuk designatedly summoned Barbarian Warrior Gobang.

[Barbarian Meat Shield has been designated summoned.]

"Welcome."

"I obey summoner absolutely."

Then Cossack chimed in.

"Hey! You Gobang bastard, aren't you going to greet me?"

"A warrior does not greet just anyone."

"You punk! I'm an SSR! SSR!"

"......."

"The R literally has two S's attached in front of it! S! S! R!"

It was strange.

The Barbarian Warrior flinched and was avoiding Cossack's eyes.

"Just an R."

"Assassin is, b-bad."

"Shut up! This is the difference in levels between you and me, you R bastard!"

Since the rank difference widened to two stages, was there nothing that could be done even if he was a Barbarian Warrior?

'I feel bad for him.'

If a Summoned Entity Rank Ascension Rune appears again next time, I'll have to give it to Mr. Gobang.

Who knows?

Maybe he'll get smarter.

"Then please take care of things today as well. I'll just take it easy, and... umm, if I catch about 2?"

"Oh my! That is fine, more than fine, sir, do whatever you wish, Summoner Bong, sir. I, the SSR, will protect you, sir."

"Then what if I catch about 10?"

"Summoned Entity Principle Clause 3......."

"Okay! 3."

"Just this once, sir."

Cossack was brimming with confidence after gaining his promotion.

[Entering the 25th floor of the South Korea Black Tower.]

The end of the Orc segment.

It's similar to the 20th floor, which was the end of the Goblin segment.

'The mission is.......'

[25th Floor Mission : Eliminate 100 Orcs regardless of type and 1 Orc Warchief.]

[Completion Time Limit : Within 10 hours.]

[Completion Condition : All types of orcs 0/100, Orc Warchief 0/1]

Orcs swarmed out.

Forest Orcs, Desert Orcs, Cave Orcs, Volcanic Orcs.

Three out of those were his quota.

Well, should he only catch three?

If he has energy to spare, he could slyly catch one or two more.