Chapter 35 - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Whether to receive it for free.

Or draw a line by paying a fair price.

Choices entail what is called an opportunity cost.

It's content learned during middle school social studies class.

If the opportunity cost exceeds the choice, it is not a correct decision.

However, calculating this opportunity cost is difficult.

Let's say he receives it for free.

If the Awakening Management Agency later entreats him earnestly for something?

It might be difficult to refuse.

Because he has received something.

Conversely, if he pays the full price?

It's tantamount to spending money he didn't need to spend.

There are so many places to spend the money for buying the penthouse, like buying land near Gyeonggi-do or investing in stocks, and thinking about spending hard cash makes him feel it's a waste.

He might spend the whole day purely agonizing over it.

He should move in the direction that puts his mind at ease.

Joo-hyuk slammed his fist on the table and spoke.

"I've decided. I'm not taking it for free."

"Then?"

"Let's buy it. If I receive it for free, I'll get a stomachache. That mere apartment, I just have to buy it. Bought with my own money! Right? That way, my mind will be at ease too."

Clap clap clap.

Cossack applauding in admiration.

"As expected, you're decisive, sir. This is my first time seeing someone so resolute, sir."

Gyeon Dal-rae nodding her head.

"A wise judgment. Firmly drawing a line between each other seems it will be helpful for the future as well."

The two people adding strength to Joo-hyuk's bold decision.

Now! Let's find out the price.

Well, with 3 billion, no, soon 1 billion more coming in making it 4 billion won in the bank account, a mere apartment like this is nothing.

He typed the search term into a real estate information site and clicked the mouse, but.

'What is this?'

Did I see the numbers wrong?

He moved a little closer for a detailed look.

Counting the zeros, one, two, three, four...,

"Hmm."

"What is the matter, sir? Your complexion does not look good, sir."

"Ah, no, it's nothing major."

Nothing major my foot.

3.3 square meters, meaning the price per pyeong is,

'...200 million?'

The size is 100 pyeong.

Therefore, the current market price is 20 billion won.

The hand holding the mouse trembled violently.

'C-Crazy!'

Isn't this incorrect information?

Even if it's an apartment with a Han River view.

However, it was certain.

Rather, it is a cheap price.

A news article below mentioned that an internet top-tier instructor recently purchased a similar house for 23 billion won.

40 billion won falls laughably short?

Apartment prices also vary wildly, huh.

As Joo-hyuk agonized, Cossack tilted his head and asked.

"How much is it, sir? Can it be bought for about 2 billion, sir?"

"Lord Cossack, how can you be so ignorant of the ways of the world? 2 billion won is an immense sum that the office workers of this world could not amass even if they saved purely for 100 years. To think a mere single house is 2 billion."

"I-Is that so, sir? Uhh, 1 billion, sir?"

"It is still expensive, but a house of this caliber would likely fetch that amount."

Joo-hyuk didn't say a single word.

Merely closing the laptop.

"Thinking about it, I wonder if we necessarily need a large apartment."

"Pardon? A short while ago, Young Master mentioned the officetel was cramped and you were moving to a large house..."

Gyeon Dal-rae and Cossack unable to comprehend the reason behind Joo-hyuk's decision performing a sudden 180-degree turn.

"Phew, that house is too spacious, so it's difficult to clean. How many rooms are there? Exactly how much dust would there be in such a large house? At this rate, half a day will pass just wiping the living room once. There's also the issue of heating and cooling costs."

At that, the quick-witted Cossack swiftly agreed.

"Oh my, foolish me couldn't think of that, sir. By all means, sir. Who would clean that spacious house, sir?"

"You also mentioned there was a garden? Where there's grass, bugs flock, they can enter the house, and it's bad for hygiene."

"Oh my! Listening to your words, it would have been a massive disaster if we had bought it, sir. How remarkably brilliant your foresight to look ahead is, this Cossack is in admiration and further admiration, sir. Hehehe."

"Hahaha, what foresight."

Gyeon Dal-rae chimed in as well.

"Holding the house temperature would likely be impossible with ordinary air conditioning and heating. Furthermore, electric bills cannot be ignored, and for the sake of the environment, one must not live in a large house."

"Right, speaking of the environment, isn't that immediately me, Bong Joo-hyuk."

"Having to clear the tower while also being mindful of the environment, this humble girl is merely filled with concern for Young Master Bong's devoted toil."

He is pleased.

As expected, these are summoned entities who understand his heart well.

Is that the only large house?

Well, instead of the 20 billion won one, I just need to buy a different one worth 4 billion won.

I should make a phone call once the 66th-floor clear ends.

That I won't accept it for free.

However, he couldn't help the penthouse continuously lingering in his mind.

Won't 20 billion won just plummet from the sky?

* * *

The next day.

The physical training room of the Awakening Management Agency in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

Nam Ga-eun, having pumped her muscles through her pre-clear routine of morning gym workouts, was sitting on the floor meditating calmly.

She chewed over the attack patterns and characteristics of the 66th-floor undead monster, Specter, in her mind.

Even if the holy sword is an essential item that neutralizes the undead's Dark Aura, she cannot rely solely on that.

How to create a 1-on-1 situation.

Which skills would be best utilized under what circumstances.

If it attacks like this, I do that; if it attacks like that, I do this.

Finally opening her eyes.

She stood up from her seat and exited the physical training room.

Upon entering a separate room prepared for tower entry, Director Park Kyung-soo and Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il were waiting for her.

"Player Nam Ga-eun. Are preparations complete?"

"Yes."

"Then I wish you good luck."

Entering the 66th floor.

A death struggle with the undead magical beast, Specter, commenced.

And 10 hours later.

The South Korea (South Korean) Tower Clear Progress status window changed like this.

[Location]: Black Tower in Gangwon-do, South Korea (South Korea)

[Completed]: 66th Floor

[In Progress]: 67th Floor

[Time Limit]: 179 Days 23 Hours 59 Minutes 59 Seconds

It was an outstanding achievement accomplished by Player Nam Ga-eun and the holy sword.

* * *

It was a festival.

Player Nam Ga-eun and the holy sword pulled it off.

The media and broadcasting stations poured out articles in special features.

From 1st to 10th on the most-viewed news list were all roughly identical contents.

The edited 66th-floor clear footage also aired on TV all day long.

The reaction of the citizens was also enthusiastic.

To think they reversed it so dramatically when they thought they were doomed when Yoo Chul-min defected.

Korean corporations simultaneously churned out advertisements as if they had been waiting.

They had likely produced them in advance, judging by how they released them simultaneously the moment the news of success broke.

Commemorating the 66th-floor clear, a 66% discount sale exclusively for select items.

An additional 6.6% discount if your birthday is June 6th.

Buy-one-get-one-free for 1 minute at 6:06 PM on internet shopping malls for select items.

Large corporations only worked in the morning and let all employees leave work early in the afternoon.

Consequently, bars and restaurants were also packed with people.

There were no vacant rooms in motels that night.

They were fully booked.

Wait, they cleared the 66th floor, so why are there no rooms in motels?

Won't it become difficult to book an appointment at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic in a month or two?

In truth, while climbing an un-cleared upper floor of the tower is indeed an incredible accomplishment, it isn't something the entire nation should make such a tremendous fuss over.

But why did they?

The reason was precisely their neighboring country.

Because they were the first to turn tower climbing into a Korea-Japan rivalry.

Of course, not a single line of article regarding the successful clear of the 66th floor of the Korean Black Tower appeared in the Japanese media.

Joo-hyuk also relished the situation with a significantly eased heart.

He relieved the burden on his mind.

Honestly, wasn't he also a person living in this land?

If there's a risk of the tower collapsing, he should do something at least.

However, they bought 6 months of time.

Even proceeding sluggishly, he would likely ascend sufficiently into the 60th floors by that time.

Regardless, he felt restless just watching TV.

Have I rested too much?

He could slowly enter the 35th floor but,

The problem is Gobang.

How can he enter without the party's tanker?

By the way, is our Gobang-ssi still a long way off?

Did something go wrong by any chance?

He should check his status window.

But?

"Oh!"

Next to the Barbarian Meat Shield entry in the catalog, the words 'Summoning Unavailable' had vanished.

So that means he can summon him?

That's great.

He must try it right away.

Calling Gobang-ssi first, and the others later.

"Designated Summoning, Barbarian Meat Shield."

[Barbarian Meat Shield has been designated and summoned.]

He was nervous.

Did the critical enhancement truly succeed?

Fwaaaat!

Pop!

Gobang revealing himself.

"Welcome. Gobang..., Huh!"

Is that Gobang?

It's not, though?

"E-Excuse me, who are you?"

"I am Gobang, the meat shield dedicating my loyalty to Summoner Bong."

"..."

Joo-hyuk merely dropped his jaw.

What nonsense!

Where on earth does this person look like Gobang?

It was an impeccably neat young man.

Of course, his upper body was bare.

However, his height, build, and head size were that of an entirely different person.

'His face..., hmm, does it look a bit similar?'

It seemed some error occurred.

"I thought I would never be able to return. I am always grateful that you called me."

He felt like he was facing an incredibly absurd situation.

* * *

Joo-hyuk forgot his words for a while and merely blankly stared at the man claiming himself to be Gobang.

Because his face, previously full of a beard, had become incredibly smooth, it wasn't certain, but observing closely, he seemed to resemble Gobang somewhat.

'At the very least, the eyes are Gobang's.'

Joo-hyuk discreetly stood next to Gobang and gauged his height.

He seemed to be about 190cm. His build had also shrunk drastically.

The most certain method to recognize him was naturally the catalog information.

Is there anything else as certain as that?

- Name: Unknown

- Grade: SSR (Special Super Rare)

- Type: Barbarian Warrior (Human)

- Manifestation Duration: 7 Hours

- Satisfaction Evaluation: None.

- Resummon Cooldown Time: 3 Hours (Applied after unsummoning)

"..."

It matches.

It is undoubtedly Gobang-ssi.

Even his grade is a whopping SSR, so his critical enhancement truly succeeded.

Instead, the modifier 'Dull' was removed and the modifier 'Ordinary' was attached.

"You really are Gobang-ssi, right?"

"No matter what anyone says, I am Gobang."

It felt like the vocabulary he uses had expanded as well.

His tone of voice doesn't seem to have changed significantly, though.

"Um, the recitation of the 3 Principles of Summoned Entities, is it possible?"

"I can say it. Principle 1: A summoned entity protects the summoner's life as the utmost priority. Principle 2: A summoned entity is the summoner's, umm, the summoner's..., uh, the summoner's...,"

"That's enough."

The fact that he still can't memorize it is identical, but it's remarkably better than before.

'You traded your massive build and received intelligence, huh.'

That seemed to be the case.

'But isn't this a loss?'

In exchange for a very slight increase in intelligence, his physical body became drastically diminutive.

This is the result of a 2-stage grade ascension?

Are they evening it out with his head getting slightly smarter?

Then I'm terribly disappointed.

He certainly felt unfamiliar.

Anyway, since he has become a new person, introductions first.

He summoned Gyeon Dal-rae, and summoned Cossack too.

Fwaaaaash! Pop! Pop!

"Thank you for calli..., huh?"

"Loyalty! The SSR Cossack is waitin..., eek?"

With an unfamiliar person standing in the room, the two people were startled.

Cossack, with a panicked expression, scurried over to Joo-hyuk.

"S-Summoner Bong, did you decide to reveal our existence to another person, sir?"

"No."

"T-Then who exactly is that man, sir? He watched us being summoned, sir."

"He's Gobang-ssi."

"...Pardon?"

"This person right here is Gobang-ssi."

Silence flowed.

Gyeon Dal-rae, Cossack, Joo-hyuk, and even Gobang didn't open their mouths.

Soon after.

"Ay, you're good at joking, sir. Where does he look like him?"

"It's true. Gobang-ssi has ascended to SSR."

"...Uhh, uhh."

Still showing signs of disbelief.

He understands.

Because he himself is the same.

"A-Are you truly Gobang?"

"That's right. Assassin."

"When you died, who killed you?"

"It was the super magical beast, Hydra."

"The monster you killed most recently is?"

"Phase 4 Minotaur."

Instantly, he answers well too.

Joo-hyuk also cautiously asked while gauging Gobang's reaction.

"Excuse me, Gobang-ssi?"

"A warrior always trusts and listens to the summoner's words."

"You know why your name is Gobang, right?"

"I know."

"Should we take this opportunity to change your name? I fear the name Gobang might be a little uncomfortable for you."

"Gobang is the name the summoner bestowed upon me. I like it."

"I'll bestow a new one for you."

"It's fine. I am Gobang. The meat shield who blocks Summoner Bong's front like an iron wall is exactly me."

"..."

Certainly, the vocabulary he employs has expanded significantly.

Silence again.

This won't do.

To break the awkward atmosphere, let's just climb the tower.

"Let's climb the tower for the first time in a while."

"T-That sounds good, sir."

"...This humble girl also thinks so."

However, looking at Gobang's current state, he isn't very reliable.

Will we never see that powerful strength from before again?

He planned to climb the 35th floor when Gobang returned as an SSR, but.

It seems impossible right now.

An S++ grade clear, that is.

Therefore, safely executing the 34th-floor repeat mission.

[You are entering the 34th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

"Shall we go?"

Whoosh! Gobang taking the lead.

"I will take the lead. The rest of you, come with Summoner Bong."

Why is he doing that, making me anxious?

With such a small body.

When he's only 190cm tall.

"...It might be better for Cossack-ssi to step forward first instead; Gobang-ssi, fall back to the rear."

"Summoner, do not worry. Please trust the SSR Gobang."

"Hmm."

Fine, let's trust him once.

There must be some method he possesses to assure so confidently.

Upon accepting the mission, the Phase 4 Minotaur appeared.

Compared to Gobang, it was nearly three times larger.

'The Minotaur could lift Gobang with one hand and smash him onto the ground.'

His worries formed a mountain.

Joo-hyuk directed Cossack with a whisper.

'If anything happens, prepare to intervene immediately.'

'Understood, sir.'

At that moment!

"Rooooaaaaar!"

The small Gobang roared.

Startling him.

Even though his body size is small, his booming voice remains exactly the same.

That was when.

Simultaneously, a transformation occurred in Gobang's body.

Crack, cra-cra-cra-crack!

Along with bizarre sounds, bulging muscles sprouting from everywhere on his body.

Cra-cra-crack! Crack!

His build enlarged as well.

Like the Gobang of the past.

"Wow!"

"My word!"

"Oh my?"

He keeps growing.

4m? 5m?

Nearly approaching the Minotaur.

Every time he took a step forward, whoosh, whoosh.

Sideways, and upwards.

Grow big, Gobang Gobang.

If you just paint his body green, he'd be exactly that.

Only now finally,

"It's Gobang-ssi."

"It's Gobang, sir."

"It is Gobang."