Finally, my first item.

Not Magic Stones or a healing potion.

Not something I got as a perk, and not something I bought from the Player Shop.

I mean an equipment item I received as a floor-mission completion reward.

Equipment-item rewards are rare.

Even the Player Shop only gets them once in a blue moon.

Of course, the moment they show up, they get sold.

“You’re lucky.”

A sword used by a paladin—a holy knight.

But just looking at it, it seemed unbelievably old.

No scabbard, chips missing from the blade here and there, the pattern that looked like it had been engraved along the flat of the sword was almost completely worn away, and the grip looks ragged.

Instead, it was huge and heavy.

What is a holy knight preaching the gospel supposed to do with a massive greatsword like this?

Evangelize with a sword?

Do you believe?

No.

Then die.

Wait, I belie—

Too late, lost lamb!

SLICE!

Ghk!

Like that.

But when I looked at the description—

<Tower-Only Holy Sword of the Paladin Commander of the Roland Holy Kingdom.>

Effect: Increased attack power in combat against undead, sacred-flame fire, steadfast mind, increased critical-hit chance.

Limitations: Effects do not apply against enemies other than undead. Durability is insufficient, so repairs are required after use.

Feature: A faint radiance settles over the user’s sword and body.

‘So it actually had a use.’

Still, the limitations were obvious.

Low durability, and against anything that wasn’t undead, it was basically just a normal sword.

Wait!

Wasn’t the 60th floor supposed to be an undead section?

I feel like I’ve heard that.

It might sell for a high price.

Still, just in case, I asked the barbarian, Meatshield, if he wanted it.

“A warrior is fists.”

“...”

This guy chants “warrior” every chance he gets.

I asked Cossack too.

“Aww! Our Summoner Bong, I’m moved again today by your warm heart like the sea.”

“Then would you like this sword?”

“Hehe. I don’t need a dumb sword like that. Throw it in the recycling bin.”

“...”

“The things I use, this is wyvern-leather armor, and a dwarf-made dagger. Top of the line, I’m telling you.”

“Sure, sure.”

They’re both so damn overqualified that a worn-out sword like this must be beneath them.

I had no choice but to do what I’d planned from the start—sell it.

To sell the sword...

‘I have to go to the Player Shop.’

I’d have to call first, call a car, go there and meet people, haggle over what price they’d buy it for...

‘Tch, so many procedures. ...Let’s sell it slowly.’

Anyway, before climbing Floor 30, I planned to run repeat missions to build skill proficiency and collect Magic Stones.

I could just sell everything at once then.

‘It’s so old, I wonder if it’ll even sell.’

Either way, before I get rid of it—

I should at least swing it once.

I lifted the sword and stood in front of a large mirror.

“Hm.”

Is this okay?

It doesn’t feel like I’m holding the sword—more like I’m an ornament hanging off the sword.

“Heh, you look cool, Summoner Bong.”

It obviously doesn’t suit me. Cool, my ass.

‘This guy was definitely a sycophant in his past life. The kind who could ruin a whole country without breaking a sweat.’

Anyway, a greatsword that looks stupidly huge.

It looks heavy and clumsy.

I wasn’t sure I could even swing it.

“Ghn!”

I grabbed the grip with both hands and tried to swing.

Flop, flop.

Outside the Tower, I’m just a normal person—my muscles aren’t even enough to properly lift this.

My upper body got dragged around by the sword’s weight,

Flop, flop, flop—

“Oh! You’re doing great! You’re totally a holy knight!”

“...What am I buying?”

“I said holy knight.”

“I’m not buying.”

“Huh?”

The conversation was weird, but—

“And does this look like I’m doing well? I can’t even overcome the sword’s weight, I’m just flopping around,”

Flattery has limits.

“That’s still good by outside-the-Tower standards. Outside the Tower, physical ability and skills based on level are restricted, that’s why.”

I already knew that.

“Tch, will the restriction ever get lifted?”

“There are cases where it gets lifted.”

Huh?

What do you mean?

“It can be lifted? So you mean you can use a Player’s abilities even outside the Tower?”

“That’s right. Outside the Tower, it’s impossible.”

“You just said it can be lifted.”

“Well...”

Cossack paused, then continued.

“If the outside world becomes the Tower, the restriction is lifted. That’s an omen of destruction.”

“Ah...”

He was right.

The real world—Earth itself—becoming the Tower?

That meant the boundary between the world and the Tower disappearing.

Then level application and skill use would be possible.

“So if we can’t clear the Tower, that’s what happens?”

“Yep!”

It wasn’t some shocking revelation.

Even if the whole Earth doesn’t transform into the Tower—

If the Tower collapses because the uncleared upper floors can’t be cleared, and a gigantic sinkhole visible even from space opens up?

A new Tower doesn’t restart from the first floor.

It starts from the uncleared upper floors of the collapsed Tower.

And if it still can’t be cleared to the end, the Tower regenerates, collapses, regenerates, collapses again.

If the whole Earth turns into shredded wasteland full of holes—

Whether the world becomes the Tower or not, we’re doomed either way.

That’s why we have to clear the Tower.

‘This is making me uneasy.’

What’s the point of me living all “safety first,” clinging to self-preservation alone?

We might all die anyway.

No matter how much of a weak man I am, I can’t help feeling a sense of crisis.

*****

Seoul, Gwanghwamun, Japanese Embassy in the Republic of Korea.

In the basement of a building across the street, there was a quiet classical bar.

No sign—so much so you wouldn’t even know it was a bar.

Only two customers, and even the bartender had stepped away.

One of the customers was Councilor Tomoda, who worked at the embassy.

The other was a Korean Player on paper...

...but in truth, a scout broker.

“If we add a few more conditions, he says he’ll review it positively.”

Not a firm answer—just a response that he’d approach it positively.

But even that was something, wasn’t it?

Up until now, even making contact had been impossible.

What mattered was that an answer came back.

“Conditions?”

“Here. Read this.”

Councilor Tomoda read the note the Korean Player broker handed him.

“Hm. Tell him those are conditions we can provide sufficiently.”

“Yes, I’ll tell him.”

“Then when can we get a definite answer?”

“Hard to say. He did say he has no intention of dragging it out, though.”

“Ha! So he’s going to compare our conditions with China’s and decide?”

“Come on, would he really go to China? He has to get his affairs in order first, so it takes time.”

Since he was a broker hired by Japan, he had to talk like that.

But China wasn’t a pushover either.

They were just as desperate.

“Anyway, you understand, right? Until a decision is made, both you and I keep this absolutely secret.”

“Hmph! Do you think I’m an idiot?”

If the Korean government found out in advance, all the effort they’d poured in so far would become meaningless.

“Still, I don’t want to get stabbed in the back. Make sure I’m not disappointed.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll end up going to Japan.”

Councilor Tomoda nodded.

He had a good feeling.

He would come.

“That aside... the 27-floor consecutive record popped up, right?”

“Yes. The media is still in an uproar.”

“And the identity still hasn’t been revealed?”

“Well, they’re keeping it quiet, but it’s only a matter of time. ...Why? Are you interested?”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not.”

In fact, he was extremely interested.

If it were up to him, he wanted to bring that one to Japan too.

“However, it isn’t urgent yet.”

“Why?”

“Because we need someone proven.”

Not because they needed S++ clears.

What they urgently needed right now was a Player who could clear Floor 57 of Japan’s Black Tower.

Player Yoo Cheolmin, the one who cleared Floor 65.

If he came, there would be no worries up to Floor 65 of Japan’s Black Tower.

“If Player Yoo Cheolmin naturalizes to our side, a typhoon will hit soon.”

The Korean Player broker agreed.

“Yes. Both Korea and Japan—everyone will faint in shock. Just imagining it makes me shiver. This is such a huge case that I’m risking my life on it too.”

“Put your mind at ease. We’ll guarantee your identity. Or you could use this chance to come over to Japan yourself.”

“Hahaha! Should I?”

The face of the Republic of Korea—Player Yoo Cheolmin—naturalizing to Japan.

“Typhoon” wasn’t enough to describe it.

The world would be turned upside down.

If things went wrong, a Korea–Japan war might even break out.

‘War...’

Councilor Tomoda smirked.

A war was a price Japan could pay.

If Japan’s Black Tower collapsed, a second Great Kanto Earthquake might occur.

In truth, Yoo Cheolmin was only a stopgap.

They talked big, but they believed clearing Floor 66’s specters would likely be impossible for him.

That was his limit.

They planned to use him up to Floor 65 and discard him.

The Player they truly wanted was someone else.

He said it wasn’t urgent, but...

...the S++ clear record-holder.

Had there ever been such a Player worldwide?

And now that person was setting the unprecedented record of 27 consecutive floors.

‘Korea really is lucky. How did a Player like that appear?’

Those Joseon bastards, full of slave mentality.

*****

How do you find out each country’s Black Tower clear progress?

Simple.

A Player just asks the system.

“Republic of Korea Black Tower progress Status Window.”

Ding!

[Location] : Republic of Korea, Gangwon Province, Black Tower

[Completed] : Floor 65

[In Progress] : Floor 66

[Time Limit] : 92 days 13 hours 34 minutes 52 seconds

That’s what comes up.

At first, I didn’t even know what a time limit was.

Or what would happen if you missed it.

I only realized after Mumbai collapsed.

Since I was part of the Elite Climbing Team, I’d grown interested in Tower clear progress too, but right now, what was in front of me mattered more.

I was only on Floor 27.

Still a long, long way to go.

I wasn’t going to rush upward.

Even a sturdy stone bridge gets tapped a hundred times.

Wrap myself head to toe in accumulated Platinum Badge perks,

Not get a single hair on my body hurt, grab everything I can grab,

Safe—safe—safe as I climb.

‘That’s the original intention.’

No adventures.

Know your place.

Leave Floor 66 to Elite Players with levels higher than mine.

There was still half the collapse time limit left, and the country would have its plans.

‘They’ll clear it soon.’

Because the Republic of Korea has an unprecedented Player named Yoo Cheolmin.

What I needed to do right now was clear Floor 28 and Floor 29.

“Welcome.”

“SSR Cossack greets Summoner Bong. ATTENTION!”

“Meatshield is here too.”

Now he’s calling himself Meatshield.

Wasn’t that a nickname Cossack came up with just to mess with him?

And yet he’s acting like it’s his real name.

‘Pitiful. So pitiful.’

A barbarian warrior who got tricked by people because he was dumb and ended up dead.

‘No matter what, I need to find a Summoned-Entity Rank-Up Rune and feed it to him.’

[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower, Floor 28.]

Jungle terrain.

Not a normal forest, but a jungle where gigantic trees grew so densely packed together.

Not a ray of light got in—it was very dark.

[Floor 28 Mission: Kill 20 jungle trolls.]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 4 hours.]

“Whew, jungle trolls. If I were SR, it would’ve been a bit difficult. No, even if I were SSR, if I were alone, an S++ clear would’ve definitely been hard.”

I could see why.

Why jungle trolls are difficult.

They live in the trees.

Their bodies are smaller than other trolls, so they can live up there.

To catch them, you have to climb the trees. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Because they never come down.

“Then is it easy right now?”

“It is.”

“Even an S++ clear?”

“It’s nothing.”

“How?”

“Why else do you think we have Meatshield? That guy’s more useful than you’d think.”

Cossack said, tapping the barbarian Meatshield on the shoulder.

“Meatshield, let’s start.”

“Okay. I do everything.”

Looks like they had some kind of rapport.

Meatshield bent down and planted both hands on the ground.

Like a sprinter at the starting blocks—

And then, at the same time—

“UUUAAAAAAHHHH!!!”

Meatshield charged toward a massive tree.

KWAHHH! KUDUNG!

What is that sound?

Did a bomb go off?

That enormous tree shook violently, like a smartphone on vibrate.

Wood snapped—KRRRK! KRCHIK!

I heard the trunk cracking,

And—

SHHHHH!

Leaves poured down.

“...”

What?

Mom, he’s scary.

Jungle trolls live in trees.

Do you think the trees they live in are some ordinary size?

They’re enormous.

More than twice as big as the biggest trees on Earth.

And that shook from a shoulder charge?

Is he human? Or a tank?

‘He could make a living demolishing buildings outside the Tower.’

How is Meatshield only Rare?

Even if he’s dumb, with that strength, shouldn’t he get SSR?

“Summoned entity Meatshield! Weak, so weak. Is that all? At this rate, can we even have a company dinner?”

“I reflect. Meatshield hits harder.”

Again.

DADADADAK!

BBAAAAK!

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWAK! KWADEUK!

The tree jolted as if its roots might rip out.

And at the same time—

THUDUDUK! THUDUK!

Jungle trolls fell to the ground like chestnut burrs.

“Good work. Summoned entity Meatshield, now we can have a company dinner.”

“Eat tasty.”

Now it was SSR Cossack’s time.

He ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) swept through the falling trolls.

The blade aura clinging to his dagger lit up the dark jungle.

SLICE, SLICESLICESLICE! SLICESLICE!

The trolls couldn’t even regenerate.

Because the moment they fell, he cut off their heads first.

“Alright! Next tree!”

“...Y-Yeah. We should.”

They looked sloppy at a glance—

But these two were real powerhouses.

The method was the same.

Cossack pointed out a specific tree, and Meatshield went and smashed into it.

“Go! Meatshield, company dinner!”

“UUUAAAAHHH! Company dinner!”

KWA-KWA-KWAK! KWADEUK!

THUDUDUK! THUDUK!

And once the jungle trolls fell like chestnut burrs, Cossack harvested them.

It looked extremely simple, but it was a method that was never simple.

“I kinda want to try once too—”

“Awwww! Sure, of course, Summoner Bong. Do whatever you want.”

The reason Cossack agreed so quickly—

The jungle trolls fell from a high place, so they’d already taken enough damage from the first impact.

All I had to do was walk up to the dizzy, wobbling ones and hit them roughly.

“It’s done. Hehehe.”

“Yes, it’s done. Hahaha.”

[Notice: You have achieved a Floor 28 clear rank of S++ in Black Tower (Korea).]

[S++ Clear Reward: You are awarded a Platinum Badge.]

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────