Commissioner Jeon Gwangil returned to the Tower Materials Warehouse of the Korean Awakening Administration about ten minutes after entering White Tower Floor 17.

He had exited from the same point where he had entered.

It worked much like the Black Tower.

Jeon Gwangil still looked dazed.

“Th-the place I just went into and came back out of... what exactly was that? Was it really a Tower?”

“Yes. Like I told you before, not the Black Tower—the White Tower.”

“But how on earth...”

“Didn’t you see the people? They should all have been there.”

“I-I saw them, but...”

He had been ignored because he wasn’t a resident.

“You used a skill to exit too, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

In a way, the White Tower was specialized for Players.

For summoned entities, it was more like a waiting room—they couldn’t come and go freely.

But Players, as long as they had the skill registered, could enter and leave whenever they wanted.

Then what about ordinary people?

Neither summoned entities nor Players—how would they become residents of the White Tower?

Well, I can test that later with a one-day trial pass.

For now, Juhyeok gave him a rough explanation of what the White Tower was.

While clearing the Black Tower, he had earned an achievement and been allotted a Tower floor.

It was a kind of safety measure, and other people could enter it too.

Just that much.

Rather than explaining everything at length, it seemed better to let him learn by going in and out over time.

In any case, Juhyeok had another reason for meeting Jeon Gwangil.

“By the way, what’s the market price of high-grade Magic Stones these days?”

“About 150 dollars per 100 grams. Roughly 210,000 won.”

The price had gone up quite a bit.

210,000 won per 100 grams, 2.1 million per kilogram, 2.1 billion per ton, 210 billion per 100 tons.

Weren’t normal Magic Stones 50,000 won per 100 grams?

About four times the price.

If the high-grade Magic Stone industry really took off, it might rise even more.

Residency Rights were expensive too. Like an apartment in Gangnam.

To refine 1 kilogram of top-grade Magic Stones, you needed 1 ton of high-grade Magic Stones.

That meant granting Residency Rights just once cost 2.1 billion won.

And once Mari’s refining labor was added on top, it would cost far more than that.

Come to think of it, even a one-day trial pass was absurdly expensive.

A one-month rental wasn’t cheap either—at that point, permanent residency was actually the cheaper option.

And that was before even counting the cost of furnishing White Tower Floor 17, which would consume a massive amount of high-grade Magic Stones.

With the ore vein on the 76th Floor nearly exhausted, how was he supposed to secure high-grade Magic Stones quickly?

“Is there any way I could personally buy high-grade Magic Stones?”

“... Ah.”

Jeon Gwangil hesitated.

“All high-grade Magic Stones are bought up by the state first and then supplied to the private sector. Purchase, sale, distribution, supply—every step is recorded.”

Of course.

That was how the law worked.

“So you have to report to the government how they’re used...”

Right.

The single most important industrial resource couldn’t just circulate freely.

But he couldn’t exactly say he needed them to furnish the White Tower either.

“... Is there no other route?”

“Recently, there’s been talk that Chinese Player peddlers have been trying to sell high-grade Magic Stones overseas.”

“Really?”

“Yes. They’re said to meet brokers near the borders of Russia, India, Vietnam, or North Korea and sell them below market price.”

“Ah!”

He had heard the reason too.

It was resistance to the Player-oppression policies currently taking place in China.

So instead of selling to the Chinese government, they sold them elsewhere.

Tsk.

Poor Chinese Players.

Not only were they being oppressed, they were also having to sell the high-grade Magic Stones they had risked their lives for at bargain prices.

I should ask the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces to look into it.

He should buy them at fair value.

Help the Chinese Players and secure Magic Stones for operating the White Tower.

For that, he’d need capital.

Time to drain his accounts.

“Oh, by the way—how’s your stock of leather materials?”

“I was just about to mention that. Our inventory is currently running low. We may need your help.”

He had expected that.

“I actually brought a new kind of leather.”

“... New leather?”

Juhyeok took a sample strip of Apophis hide out of his inventory.

“What do you think? Does it look usable?”

Jeon Gwangil flinched.

It looked similar to basilisk leather, but not exactly.

Looking closer, it was more like snakeskin.

A snake... snake... a snake?

“... Don’t tell me—the 82nd Floor?”

“Yes. Apophis hide. Just a sample.”

“Ahhh...”

They had skinned Apophis too?

That gigantic thing?

“We have the full hide too. It’s in Mr. Rajix’s subspace backpack.”

“...”

“I’m thinking of supplying it.”

Apophis, known as an unbeatable colossal calamity.

Yet to Player Bong, it was nothing more than a leather shuttle.

Jeon Gwangil examined the hide carefully.

Beautiful, certainly, but...

“It’s extremely thick. Very heavy for its size.”

“Right?”

That was why giant-form Meatshield had skinned it instead of Rajix.

Rajix alone was enough for basilisk and wyvern.

“The patterns are also very large.”

“It is a giant calamity.”

“And it’s so tough that ordinary leatherworking knives would never cut it. You’d need mechanical cutters made from Tower metal.”

“Detailed processing may be difficult. It would be best to have an expert appraise it.”

An expert?

“I’ll ask CEO Jeong Donghun.”

“Ah! The CEO of Rajix Trading?”

“Yes. In fact, he called just yesterday about leather supply.”

“I see.”

So leather really was in short supply.

He should have paid more attention to the business he himself had started.

Still, it wasn’t as if Juhyeok had been idle.

Too much had happened over the past few months.

“Would it be all right if I visited in person?”

“Of course! He’ll be delighted.”

He needed to meet him at least once.

Even if meeting strangers made him uncomfortable.

“Just let me know when you plan to visit. I’ll arrange an appointment.”

“Not today. I’ll stop by myself when I have time.”

“Understood. I’ll inform CEO Jeong in advance.”

With his business finished—

“I’ll be heading out.”

“Ah! Already?”

As he shook Jeon Gwangil’s hand, Juhyeok said,

“And as for White Tower Floor 17—just think of it as a resort for the day and have a look around freely. If you want, I can set you up with a one-month rental pass.”

“... A rental pass?”

“I can’t give you Residency Rights, but I can set you up with a rental.”

A rental pass.

Exactly what it sounded like—permission to enter for one month.

Jeon Gwangil nodded.

That sounded good.

Much better than a one-day trial pass.

It even felt like his status had gone up.

Is there a long-term lease too?

Normally, ownership came after leasing.

Back home, Juhyeok had a clear plan.

Secure high-grade Magic Stones for Residency Rights and for furnishing White Tower Floor 17.

The Magic Stones from clear rewards had limits.

The ore veins were running dry.

He would have to bring them in from outside.

With Chinese Player peddlers already selling Magic Stones, he needed cash ready.

For now, he would focus on leather supply.

Apophis hide, basilisk hide, wyvern hide.

But no matter how he thought about it, Behemoth hide was no good.

It was just pitch-black leather—what was pretty about that?

So Behemoth was out.

After supplying enough leather, he planned to resume climbing to higher floors.

The floors in the 80s were the giant monster zone.

If he kept climbing, he might find one—

a colossal beast with hide that could rival the Rainbow Basilisk.

At the same time, he needed to scout whether there were any high-grade Magic Stone veins in the 80s.

First, he summoned all the summoned entities who had been resting in the White Tower back to the penthouse.

Then—

“Designated Summon: Mackenzie Dronak.”

SPOT!

POP-POP-POP-POP!

SHASHASHASHASH.

Fireworks exploded in the air, and multicolored confetti scattered everywhere.

Mackenzie appeared with both arms raised high.

“I, Mackenzie Dronak, a 9-circle Archmage, make my grand entrance!”

What a noisy summon.

Had he always been like this?

“Did you enjoy your bragging?”

“Thanks to you, Summoner, I was deeply satisfied. Heh heh. Those fools were driven mad with envy.”

He certainly looked pleased.

His whole body glittered and sparkled.

Reading the mood perfectly, veteran Cossack grinned.

“Feel better?”

“Extremely.”

“Hope you’re not afraid of the consequences. Didn’t you say you’d kill anyone who saw you?”

“I did. But now I understand your feelings completely. How could anyone restrain themselves from bragging!”

The Mad Demon still clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.

“Tsk, tsk... his conduct is just...”

In truth, even the Mad Demon felt a little regret.

He had accepted Residency Rights too quickly and lost his chance to brag.

“Mr. Mackenzie?”

“Yes, Summoner?”

“I’ll grant you Residency Rights.”

“Oooooh!”

FLASH!

Two spotlights shone again.

Dizzying, but he would get used to it.

That was simply his nature.

Juhyeok hung the last remaining Residency Rights necklace around Mackenzie’s neck.

SSSK, SSSK.

— White Tower Resident: Mackenzie Dronak —

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Applause celebrating the addition of a full-fledged family member.

Next—

“Mr. Rajix, step forward.”

“WAAH?”

At Juhyeok’s call, Rajix stepped forward.

The badge ceremony continued.

“Despite being a non-combat class, you crushed the skull of that snake bastard Apophis on the 82nd Floor with a pickaxe, magnificently overcoming your trauma. For that achievement, you are hereby awarded two Platinum Badges.”

“WAAAH...”

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Rajix grinned so widely his mouth stretched open.

But it still wasn’t over.

“And as the quartermaster of Bong Juhyeok’s division, you gathered a large quantity of rune fragments and ticket fragments, excellently covering our lacking logistics. For that, you are additionally awarded three Platinum Badges.”

“WAAAH?”

Why not?

He deserves it.

Mr. Rajix, take those badges and break through to LSSR already.

“WAAH.”

That’s right!

He puffed out his chest.

It seemed he had judged himself worthy too.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

With that, Rajix’s total badge count reached 23.

Just two more, and he would break through to LSSR.

But then—

“Hmm.”

Mackenzie stared fixedly at the badge ceremony.

Greed he couldn’t hide gleamed in his eyes.

“E-excuse me, Summoner.”

“Yes?”

“H-how does one receive a Platinum Badge...”

“Ah... badges?”

“I was hoping I might receive one as well.”

He obviously wanted one badly.

What should he do?

Just give him one?

The Mad Demon answered in Juhyeok’s place.

“You must render merit to the Summoner. Asking for one for free—have you no shame?”

“Render merit?”

The Mad Demon thrust out his chest right in front of Mackenzie.

“Look at this chest. Six of them. That means I have rendered merit at least six times.”

“Ah!”

“You couldn’t do it.”

“Why couldn’t I?”

The Mad Demon snorted contemptuously.

“A mage obsessed only with fireworks, spotlights, and decorative magic—what could you possibly do? I have already been acknowledged by the Summoner. Even that frivolous assassin has.”

FWOOSH! 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Mackenzie burst into flames.

“Y-you bastard!”

“How does it feel to be on the receiving end of bragging? This is when the phrase about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes applies.”

Tremble.

Mackenzie’s entire body turned red and black.

A visual effect expressing rage.

A small cloud drifted in from nowhere.

KUUUUUUUNG! KUUUNG!

Thunder rolled, and little bolts of lightning flashed.

“Hmph! So badges are earned by rendering merit... fine, then. That won’t be difficult. From now on, I—9-circle Archmage Mackenzie Dronak—will monopolize every Platinum Badge the Summoner awards!”

KWA-BOOOOM! Ta-daa! Ta-ra-ra-ran!

Majestic background music thundered alongside his /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ declaration.

Impressive resolve.

Looks like the floors in the 80s wouldn’t be a problem after all.

“All right. Today’s first climb is a repeat clear of Apophis on the 82nd Floor. Everyone ready?”

Curiosity stirred.

An attention seeker, yes—but still a 9-circle Archmage.

Just how powerful was his full magic?

...

[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1) 82nd Floor.]

A repeat clear of Apophis.

Mission accepted.

As they walked through the pitch-black corridor of the underground labyrinth—

SSSSSSS.

Apophis appeared.

“WAAH!”

Rajix, now past his trauma, glared at Apophis with open contempt.

He drew a gleaming, razor-sharp golden flaying knife.

The giant monster of the labyrinth had been reduced to a leather shuttle for the cosmic farmhand.

Well done, Rajix.

“All right, then—”

“Wait a moment, Summoner.”

Another spotlight.

Alone in the dark labyrinth, Mackenzie shone as he addressed Juhyeok with confidence.

“Leave that one to me. I’ll handle it alone.”

“... Are you sure you can?”

Mackenzie answered with a wide smile.

“Hahaha. The magic I showed you earlier was no more than flashy surface tricks. But I once ruled a Mage Tower—an Archmage who pioneered the 9th circle. That mere snake is nothing more than a snack.”

Oh.

Confidence overflowing.

All right.

Let’s trust him.

If he did well, he’d get a Platinum Badge.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Much obliged.”

Mackenzie Dronak stepped forward.

The spotlight followed him the whole way.

A quiet incantation flowed from his lips.

“Fire is the pure element that composes nature, the light that illuminates darkness, the sacred heat that burns away filth. As one who has comprehended fire, I command.”

Mackenzie raised a hand.

“Let the hottest flames in the world gather into mass and fall like rain. Fire Rain!”

At that moment—

WHOOOOOOM—

Searing heat formed high above the underground cavern.

A red cloud.

A fire cloud condensed out of terrifying heat.

DRIP. DRIP-DRIP-DRIP.

Fist-sized fireballs began to fall.

Then—

PATTER-PATTER-PATTER-PATTER!

Like a downpour.

Like a tropical squall.

An overwhelming number of fireballs rained down on Apophis.

Fire Rain.

The heat surged violently.

“Barrier!”

Mackenzie blocked the heat rushing toward Juhyeok.

SCREEEECH!

Apophis writhed.

It tried to burrow underground, but the falling fire pooled across the floor and turned into boiling lava.

There was nowhere to escape.

“This is the flame spell of a 9-circle mage. An inextinguishable rain of fire. The colossal calamity Apophis will burn black without even getting the chance to regenerate.”

... What?

Wait—what did he just say?

It won’t be able to regenerate?

Then—

CLINK!

A stunned Rajix dropped the golden flaying knife from his hand.

The other summoned entities all shook their heads.

Sighs rose from every side.

“Haa...”

“Ehh...”

“Heh heh.”

Only Mackenzie laughed in delight.

“Muhahahahaha! Did you see that? This is the magic of Mackenzie Dronak, master of flames! You’re all so stunned you can’t speak. Now then, just like I said, that Platinum Badge is—hm? Uh... why?”

Mackenzie wasn’t completely clueless.

The atmosphere was wrong.

Seeing the Summoner’s expression, he sensed that something had gone badly off.

He turned to the Mad Demon.

“D-did I mess up?”

“You did. And badly.”

“What?”

“Do you think we gathered eleven people here because we couldn’t kill that thing?”

“Then why?”

“For the leather. If we skin it whole, it sells for a fortune. The Summoner needs money right now. And you burned it all to ashes.”

“Ah....”

At that moment—

“WAAAAAAAAH!”

Rajix’s furious roar exploded out.

At last, Mackenzie had to face the wrath of the cosmic farmhand.

“WAAH! WAAH!”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“WAAAAH!”

Mackenzie finally showed weakness.

And once blood was in the water, the hyenas naturally piled on.

“You burned it all up—what were you thinking?”

“We’re careful not to nick the leather with our knives.”

“Can’t you tell why we keep repeatedly clearing the 82nd Floor?”

“So much for a 9-circle Archmage—completely useless.”

“Giving him Residency Rights was a mistake.”

“Ha! And he wanted a badge?”

“At your age, your situational awareness is pathetic.”

“An old geezer still playing with fire.”

“He’ll start wetting the bed at night—someone get him diapers.”

“He needs punishment. Shouldn’t we copy a prison cell or detention room into the White Tower?”

“WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!”

The criticism poured down without mercy.

“Do you even know any magic besides fire?”

“I do, but the power is...”

“He probably only knows flashy appearance magic.”

“Sigh... Elder, just stay home. Don’t come outside.”

“Make him farm in the White Tower!”

“You think farming is easy? He’ll burn the crops too!”

Mackenzie was completely overwhelmed.

The spotlight that had once followed him had long since gone dark.