Chapter 20 - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The consecutive S++ clear resided as a massive issue even on the 'Black Tower Climbing Gallery', the largest site domestically.

The site where players frequently visited to hang out, and naturally, an abundance of ordinary people too.

Setting aside the Orc segment, Trolls will be difficult.

I've tried it, and it's no joke.

Hahaha, how do you handle that terrifying regeneration ability? I've given up climbing the 30th floors entirely.

You just have to chop their necks off.

Is that so easy?

I think the comment above is correct. A server-wide notice popped up for the 25th floor 3 days ago, but it hasn't popped up yet.

Guess they failed. Honestly, Trolls are difficult.

I'm disappointed. So they've settled down on the 26th floor.

Such nonsense about being disappointed. Doing the 25th floor alone is incredibly well done. Is there anyone else who's done even the 1st floor?

There was no particular reason the server-wide notice hadn't rung for 3 days.

Because the protagonist of the clears was busy moving houses.

But who would know that?

In that instant!

The message board comment section suddenly became bustling.

Huh?

Gasp!

Oh!

Wow.

Eh?

Keu......,

Really?

Crazy. Absolutely crazy.

Oh my god! It's real, it's real.

Comments were running down in a row.

They were primarily from IDs that had undergone player verification.

What is it? What's going on.

It just popped up. The 26th floor S++ clear.

So Trolls are basically just grunts too. Who said they settled down beforehand? Reflect on yourself.

Who is it really? I want to at least see their face.

If their face becomes known, they'll probably be more popular than Yoo Chul-min?

The emergence of a new hero.

The consecutive S++ ranking clear of the 26th floor of the South Korea Black Tower.

The reverberation was gradually intensifying.

People were enthusiastic with national pride, and the media and broadcasting stations moved fleet-footed.

Players whose faces were already known appeared on TV talk shows to unravel their stories, and rambled about how outstanding the S++ clear was using their own clearing experiences as analogies.

Large conglomerates also moved agilely.

Ilseong Group was the first to open fire.

27% for a 27th floor S++ clear, 28% for a 28th floor S++ clear.

This meant they would conduct this for fifteen days.

It even impacted the stock market.

The stock value of South Korea had skyrocketed substantially.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index soared, unmindful of how high the sky was.

* * *

Ding-dong!

The doorbell of his newly moved-in house rang.

Click!

As he opened the door.

"Player Bong Joo-hyuk, sir, your food delivery has arrived. 10 whole fried chickens, is that correct, sir?"

"Ah-ah, s-sorry for troubling you."

Less spicy food for Cossack.

He boldly ate tteokbokki saying he couldn't remain a wimp with spicy food anymore since he was promoted to SSR, but he practically failed miserably and returned from the threshold of death.

"By the way, your food quantity is tremendously large, sir."

"Umm, I get incredibly hungry after finishing a clear once......"

"Hahaha, you could even become a Mukbang (eating broadcast) Nutuber, sir. Here you go."

"...Thank you."

The customized service for residents of the player officetel.

Deliveries are only possible up to the security office on the 1st floor.

It was the officetel management staff who brought it to each house.

Furthermore, they ran all the trivial errands.

Dropping off and picking up clothes from the dry cleaners, dispatching a cleaner if cleaning was required.

Being in an officetel where players clustered to reside overflowed with benefits.

Every facility was present inside the officetel.

A restaurant capable of resolving three meals a day, a coffee shop, gym, coin karaoke, dry cleaners, and even a swimming pool.

'I should have moved in sooner.'

This kind of luxury was a first in his entire 25 years of life.

'Getting caught doing S++ clears upon my awakening assessment was a godsend.'

He initially thought he was in immense trouble.

Since he had intended solely for a standard contract, hence aiming to just quietly clear and emerge, yet that got exposed?

How deeply he had regretted it.

He should have rather engaged in repeatable missions instead of clearing new floors, then it wouldn't have been caught.

Also, why did Cossack go around acting up like that?

The damned Summoned Entity 3 Principles Clause 3.

However, that incident served as a catalyst, and he signed up for the Elite team.

Under typical circumstances, signing a contract in this manner was utterly impossible.

Recording bodycam footage was absolutely mandatory.

Because Elite contracts were determined based on clear footage.

He would be the only person who signed an Elite contract without recording footage.

'I thought Elite players were incredibly dangerous and would perish inside the tower soon, but.'

It was exceedingly wondrous right now.

Could one's heart change this drastically?

Well, what does it matter?

A neurotic coward is typically like that.

He finished the 26th floor S++ clear a short while ago.

The mission was sweeping away 20 Swamp Trolls.

The 26th floor was also rumored to be a remarkably arduous mission.

Because of the Swamp Troll's regenerative capability?

No.

The environment labeled a swamp drove people insane.

Of course, since he possessed the Shadow Step skill, they bypassed it relatively effortlessly.

Joo-hyuk also hunted one.

Under the protection of Barbarian Gobang's meat shield and the SSR Cossack, he crushed a Swamp Troll's skull.

Perhaps because of the power of Hunwon Thunderclap, the Swamp Troll additionally failed to regenerate.

"You worked hard, so let's have some chicken......."

Cossack and Gobang, who were kneeling demurely in the living room and thoroughly engrossed in the TV.

"...Hee."

"......."

A music chart program.

Footage of lively girl group young ladies dancing and singing,

"Excuse me, hello?"

They pretermitted him.

And rightfully so.

Joo-hyuk's old studio apartment solely had a dilapidated 27-inch TV.

The TV in the newly moved officetel was 85 inches.

Neither the picture quality nor the size bore any resemblance.

He comprehended since it was practically akin to experiencing a new world.

"...You're not having chicken?"

Ahhh!

They were no different from 3-year-olds utterly absorbed in child animations.

Joo-hyuk also placed the chicken conspicuously in the corner and watched TV alongside them.

'They sure are pretty.'

Lively teenagers and youth in their 20s wearing stylish clothes and showcasing exciting dances and songs; would a measly bit of chicken catch their eye?

However, the girl group exited, and it was the boy group's turn.

Then, as if a lie, the two's interest cooled down.

"Oh! Is it fried, sir?"

"I eat again."

Does the chicken catch your eye now?

"Mr. Cossack?"

"Nom?"

"By any chance, do you have a girlfriend? No, did you have one?"

"Couldn't date..., no, I didn't date, sir."

What a joke.

"A-At any rate, romance is a no-go, sir. ...Wh, when one engages in romance, the sharply honed tension dissipates, sir. It is the destiny of an assassin, sir."

"Yes, yes."

Sharply honed tension?

He had no idea who he was referring to.

"But why do you not have a girlfriend, Summoner Bong, sir?"

Is this a counterattack?

He'd retort it.

"...Because it's the destiny of an Elite player. I fear my indomitable willpower would weaken if I engaged in romance."

"Oho! As expected, you are similar to me, sir. Individuals accomplishing great exploits perpetually lack the time for romance, sir."

"R-Right? I would have gotten a girlfriend if I hadn't awakened as a player."

"Hehehehehe!"

"Hahahaha!"

Originally, a neurotic coward invariably triumphs through self-rationalization.

Mental victory, that is.

"By the way, I apologize, sir."

"For what?"

"For not being able to buy you even a single roll of toilet paper for your housewarming, sir."

"What toilet paper......."

"Oh, right! Shall we directly proceed to 27th floor operations tomorrow as well, sir?"

"Let's just keep going straight until the 29th floor while we're at it since we touched the 26th floor."

"Yes, sir!"

The 30th floor is suspended.

Because the cooldown time for random summoning is progressively approaching.

13 days left from now.

If he finishes up to the 29th floor, ten days will remain.

The 30th floor's 80 Trolls and Twin-Head Troll will be cleared alongside an additional summoned individual.

Then what about during those ten days?

He decided to solely practice his skills and gather Mana Stones while repeating comfortable and easy floors.

* * *

Joo-hyuk's mother, Hong Geum-ja, shook hands with Lawyer Lee Chang-seok and conveyed her gratitude.

"You've worked hard, Lawyer Lee. Thanks to you, we won."

"Hahaha! I should have secured a larger compensation amount for damages, but merely 1 billion won......."

"No. This money is ample. I'm going to donate it anyway."

"Will you be okay with that?"

"I intended to donate it from the very beginning."

"Then I will not accept a retainer fee either."

There was no need to even go to trial.

The public opinion atmosphere was unfavorable as well.

Crucially, as it was declared that water purifiers in government offices nationwide would be replaced with another company's, Jinsaemmool Co., Ltd. raised both hands and feet and surrendered.

"Right! Shall I inquire about suitable organizations to donate to?"

"Please do. Preferably centering around orphanages, and the donor name should be under my son's."

"Your son's name is......."

"Joo-hyuk, Bong Joo-hyuk."

"Yes! I will process it immediately."

She had received compensation and elicited an apology from the abusive customer and the headquarters;

It was indubitably a matter to rejoice over, but Hong Geum-ja's expression wasn't quite pleasant.

How could she not be worried when her son Joo-hyuk was active as a player.

She simply wished desperately.

That he remained safe without any incidents.

Father Bong Soo-chul was hospitalized in the VIP suite of Ilseong Hospital.

It was a luxurious hospital room.

A reception room, premium sofas, a guardian's bed, a spacious bathroom.

Perhaps because of this, the second son, Bong Min-hyuk, routinely came straight to the hospital the moment school ended.

"Son?"

"Yep!"

"Is this your house? Should I stamp an attendance card for you?"

"Sigh! It's too comfortable. Besides, the guardian meals are free too. The food is also incredibly delicious."

"We'll be moving out shortly anyway."

"I'll only stay here until then."

Damn bastard.

Coming to the hospital like this just to be comfortable himself rather than for nursing duty?

Does he not even have friends?

He comprehended.

Whose son was he.

He received a call from his eldest son a short while ago.

He was relieved since he seemed unharmed.

Actually, it was a mystery regardless of how much he pondered over it.

Whatever compelled him to decide to be active as a player?

He wouldn't have even considered it if it had been Min-hyuk, that bastard.

"Father. You can stop worrying about Hyung now. I looked into it. The mortality rate for Elite players is considerably lower than for standard players."

"Is that so?"

"Because specialized support teams accompany them. They also provide essential items for clears."

Still, worrying was inevitably inescapable.

"Turn on the TV. Let's see if your mom's article comes up."

"The news channel?"

"Yeah."

Breaking news flowing out at that opportune moment.

"Amazing, simply amazing. How is it 26 consecutively?"

"Even at school, the kids only talk about that every day, you know."

"Oh, right! What floor did Joo-hyuk state he was currently clearing?"

"When I last called him yesterday, he said he was around the 20th floor range. I don't know the exact floor number."

"Hmm."

Bong Soo-chul tilted his head for a moment.

"By any chance, the record holder for S++ clears isn't your hyung, right?"

"Oh my, Father, you're doing this again. Just eat your meal. You should at least propose something plausible."

"Then is Joo-hyuk finalizing an Elite contract a plausible story?"

"Huh? You're right. That's true too. ...Still, could it really be Hyung? He's one of the most famous players globally."

"Right? I was merely floating the idea as well."

Even if the two were practically clueless regarding the Black Tower,

they possessed enough awareness of just how monumental an S++ rank was.

The conditions measuring a player's talent.

Valor and fighting spirit, an unyielding tenacity, an unbroken heart......,

He apologetically confessed, but they were traits that didn't apply to his son, Joo-hyuk, even slightly.

What macho man.

Despite being a quintessential neurotic coward.

* * *

Black Tower 27th Floor.

The mission was to catch 20 Ice Trolls within 4 hours.

The environment was the issue here just like the Swamp Troll mission.

He had to catch Ice Trolls on rugged peaks carpeted with perennial snow.

He had performed a mission in a similar environment before.

The chilling cold piercing even through his padded jacket had terrified him.

The frigid cold was precisely what the players struggled with the most initially when clearing the Ice Trolls.

It became relatively effortless as items were crafted later.

Ding-dong!

As he opened the door to the ringing doorbell.

"Player Bong, sir. I have brought what you requested."

It was Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il.

He came to deliver the item Joo-hyuk requested to rent.

"I truly do not know how to adequately express my gratitude for your constant attentiveness."

"Not at all. Supporting Elite players like yourself so they can clear the tower is our duty."

"I'll use it well and return it."

"Then I wish you good luck on the 27th floor as well."

What Jeon Kwang-il brought was a full-body leather armor crafted from Volcanic Orc leather, comprising shoes and a hat as well.

Nothing was superior to this to ward off the frigid cold.

Volcanic Orc leather was occasionally given as a reward while clearing the 24th floor.

'But why am I not getting any reward items?'

Mana Stones practically every day, Tower-Exclusive Healing Potions on rare occasions,

the Energy Shield was also attained as a privilege.

Let's proceed.

Summoning Gobang and Cossack.

[Entering the 27th floor of the South Korea Black Tower.]

Hweeee.......

The biting, chilling wind raging vehemently the moment they entered.

He could feel the cold even though it was a safe zone.

However, he wasn't cold.

He was rather on the verge of feeling hot due to the gentle warmth radiating from the Volcanic Orc leather.

"Are you not cold, Mr. Gobang?"

"A warrior does not feel cold."

"How about you, Mr. Cossack?"

"Umm, I am an SSR, sir, SSR! Ch-ch-ch-ch, c-cold is repelled, ch-ch-ch-ch, ...by m-mana, sir."

He seems remarkably cold witnessing his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

"...Should I take this off for you?"

"Gasp! N-No, sir. Ch-ch-ch-ch, if I move, ch-ch-ch-ch, it'll g-get better, sir."

He should clear it hastily.

After receiving the mission,

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

Gobang scaling the snowy mountain as if it were a casual stroll.

Gobang would honestly be a genuine SSR if he merely had good brains.

Cossack went completely berserk.

The Assassin Cossack rampaging wildly in apparent attempt to overcome the cold.

'Brr, it's warm.'

It felt like being tucked in a warm ondol (Korean floor heating system) room, snug under a blanket.

He felt like he might even fall asleep.

Certainly, premium items proved their worth.

'Should I gradually start moving?'

He should at least catch approximately one.

That was then.

[Ice Trolls Eliminated 20/20]

[You have succeeded in the 27th Floor Mission.]

[Your Level has increased.]

[Reward : 2.7kg of Mana Stones]

[Reward : Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Commander's Holy Sword]

"Huh?"

Already?

Wait, he hadn't even warmed up prior.

[Notice : You have achieved the clear rank S++ for the 27th floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

[S++ Clear Reward : A Platinum Badge is awarded.]

Cossack with crimson cheeks, snot relentlessly dripping down his nose.

"Hehehe."

Sniffle!

The snot dangling protrusively was swiftly sucked back right inside his nostrils.

"......."

It appeared he desired to finish rapidly given the cold weather.

Exhibiting how immensely frigid it was.

'Aside from that.......'

Finally, an item manifested.

A colossal weapon item at that.

[Reward : Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Commander's Holy Sword]

It was a black sword, yet,

'It's a two-handed sword.'

It was unwieldy merely to hold in one hand.

'I'd practically just be thrusting and slashing ignorantly.'

He would concurrently have to witness blood right in front of his eyes.

"Hmm."

There was deliberately no necessity for it since he possessed a sturdy mace.

He'd dispose of it later.