Meatshield was back.

And he felt even more dependable.

Back when he was just Meatshield, his style was nothing but stupid brute force—snapping, tearing, smashing.

But the new Meatshield—new SSR Meatshield—his combat skill had become noticeably seasoned.

He was still bare-handed, but he wasn’t just fighting with size anymore. He was showing structured hand-to-hand technique.

He pulled every minotaur’s attention onto himself, then grabbed, spun, swept legs to topple, and even used quick mobility to evade—then the moment an opening appeared, he’d seize a neck and twist.

“Meatshield f-fighting is... k-kinda... c-cool now.”

I can’t deny it.

The stupid Meatshield was gone.

A smart SSR Meatshield had taken his place.

“His head got better, and he got even stronger.”

Well...

His head, not really—

Either way, the Catalog description was wrong.

Ordinary(?) Barbarian Warrior?

How is that ordinary?

Even if you slap a question mark on it.

And sometimes, he still showed flashes of the old Meatshield.

WHIIIP—

SSR Meatshield’s charge.

BAP BAP BAP! BAPBAPBAPBAP!

The moment they made contact, the Stage-4 minotaur pack flew away like mannequins.

“I guess we can just stand here,” I said.

“That’s right.”

It would take time, but it was a repeat mission, so we didn’t need an S++ clear anyway.

“Hm. If I’d known it’d be like this, I should’ve brought popcorn. Still—good thing we gave Meatshield the enhancement rune. Who knew he’d change this much?”

“This is cheating, cheating! Total balance collapse. I enhanced too... so why is he double? It ain’t fair!”

Cossack wailed.

He sounded almost jealous.

Gyeon Dallae snapped at him.

“Sir Cossack, your jealousy is excessive. How can you expose such filthy feelings in front of Master Bong?”

“...I just meant it like that.”

“However, Sir Cossack is also a useful tool of Master Bong’s, so it may be good for you to take pride in yourself as a servant.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

Cossack got whipped around by a few sentences.

At this point, Meatshield’s intelligence and Cossack’s intelligence felt about the same.

‘Still... I’m smarter than them, right? Hm. I should be. ...I have to be.’

I had to be.

*****

In the end, the repeat Floor 34 mission—from start to finish—was cleared by Meatshield alone.

The moment we exited the Tower, Meatshield returned to his 190-centimeter, shrunken warrior form again.

I’d seen enough of new SSR Meatshield’s power.

So what about Floor 35—the Minotaur King?

“Like I said, it’s a balance collapse. Meatshield goes out front alone, and Princess shakes the bells, and the game’s over.”

In other words, we could treat thirty-five Platinum Badges as basically guaranteed.

Then what perk should I aim for?

The Random Summon cooldown reset was getting closer and closer.

If I pulled one more, the Catalog list would be four.

‘It has to be Trait enhancement...’

Weapons, items, skills, random tickets—

What good was any of that?

Only Trait enhancement.

Please, Trait enhancement.

So—

“Um, Princess Gyeon Dallae?”

“Did you call for me, Master Bong?”

“I wanted to ask something... that luck talisman you wrote for me before. You said it was just small luck—how small are we talking?”

Gyeon Dallae thought for a moment, then answered.

“Mm. I shall compare it to Earth’s ways. When friends draw lots to decide who pays for lunch, you alone are exempt. Or, when a shopping mall parking lot is completely full, a parking space suddenly opens. Or, you succeed in reserving concert tickets for a hugely popular trot singer and become a devoted child to your parents.”

That’s insanely good.

That wasn’t “small luck.” That was a jackpot.

“Then if I stick on the luck talisman and get an S++ clear on Floor 35—if I earn the Platinum Badge—can I get the perk I want?”

“Ah... regarding that, I cannot give you a firm answer. Whether the ‘perk you want’ falls within the realm of small luck... even this girl cannot know.”

From the way she spoke,

It might be hard to get the perk I wanted.

Well, yeah.

Trait enhancement was basically the best perk a summoner could have.

The only thing that could compare was a guaranteed LSSR Random Summon Ticket.

“Then... is there anything stronger than a luck talisman? Something that guarantees a real jackpot kind of luck?”

“This girl’s ability is weak, so the luck talisman is my limit. However...”

However?

So there was something.

“It may be possible... if you receive karma...”

“Huh?”

Karma—like the karma Yoo Cheolmin received?

“Depending on the karma, the repayment you must receive... it will come faster, and it will come all at once. If it is good karma, then the great fortune that has accumulated and accumulated—the retribution of great luck—will be gained immediately.”

Karma...

Bad karma meant misfortune.

Good karma meant a jackpot.

Let’s think.

Was it even okay for me to receive karma?

‘Did I live a good life?’

It was bland.

I didn’t have anything I could brag about.

The best I could come up with was... pushing an old man’s handcart up a hill when he was hauling recycling?

And bad deeds?

No, I’m not even the type—

Wait.

‘No.’

I might actually be closer to bad.

Because it wasn’t like I’d “endured” injustice once or twice—I’d done it plenty of times.

Better not receive karma.

If I do, I might lose the perk, lose everything—might even make an S++ clear impossible.

“...It’d be ugly to be too greedy, right? Let’s leave it to heaven. I’ll be satisfied with a luck talisman.”

“Understood. I shall write it for you with care.”

Even if I say that—Trait enhancement, please.

But what were Cossack and Meatshield doing?

Meatshield was watching TV.

It looked like a comedy show, and he was grinning like he actually understood it.

‘So his head did get better.’

Then what about Cossack?

He was standing at the officetel balcony window, looking outside.

Was there something interesting out there?

His back looked... kind of creepy.

“Cossack?”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing? You’ve been so quiet.”

“I was looking at the scenery outside.”

“Is it because you don’t like that Meatshield became SSR?”

He waved his hands like it was nonsense.

“Absolutely not. Meatshield becoming SSR means Summoner Bong is much safer. He’s dependable.”

Thank god.

So it wasn’t jealousy.

But then—

“Um, Summoner Bong.”

“Yes?”

“May I ask one favor?”

“Of course.”

“Please Dismiss Summon me now, and then Designated Summon me again around midnight.”

Huh?

“Why?”

“There’s a soccer match tonight in a far-off country. I want to watch it real bad.”

“Oh. ...Wait, you like soccer?”

“I do. I want to watch this one live.”

“Sure. I’ll do it for you.”

“Thank you!”

Designated Summon’s cooldown was only three hours.

I could call him at least twice a day.

Granting a small request like that wasn’t hard.

‘While I’m at it, I should go to the Player Shop.’

The Magic Stones I’d gotten as rewards were piling up way too much.

Time to dump them.

*****

Using the car provided by the officetel security office, Juhyeok arrived at the Player Shop.

He went straight to the Magic Stone sales booth and weighed them.

Rounded at the decimal point, it was 54 kilograms—about 27 million won.

I handed it all over.

It would be deposited later, so I might as well shop.

There weren’t any special new releases.

Still, I was looking around, thinking I might buy gloves when—

Suddenly.

“Player Bong.”

I turned at the voice calling me.

“Oh! Team Leader Jeon.”

Jeon Gwangil checked the surroundings, then carefully—

“If you have time... could we have some tea somewhere quiet...”

“Sure.”

Juhyeok went with him to his office.

Quietly. Just the two of us.

“Congratulations on clearing Floor 66. Player Nam Gaeun was impressive too.”

“It was thanks to the holy sword you provided, Player Bong. Without the holy sword, she could never have done it.”

Compliments exchanged,

Conversation flowing like water.

Talking was definitely easier with someone familiar.

“I prepared what you requested.”

“Oh! I needed that.”

Nam Gaeun’s autographs.

Way more than I’d asked for.

“That’s a lot.”

“When I said it was at your request, Juhyeok, she wrote this many.”

I appreciated it.

I should thank her properly later.

“Have you decided about transferring the penthouse deed?”

So it came.

“I’m sorry, but... free is too much pressure.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. We will never demand something else as the price for it.”

“It’s fine. It’s not like I can’t make money. If I earn more later, I can just buy a place then.”

“Mm...”

Jeon Gwangil looked awkward.

“If you change your mind at any time, please contact me. We will keep the penthouse vacant.”

“Okay.”

“And there is one more matter.”

“What is it?”

“In a few days, Player Gerald Watson from the United States is scheduled to visit the Republic of Korea.”

“...Huh?”

Gerald Watson.

There was no way I wouldn’t know that name.

A top-level American Player, among the best in the world.

His known Trait was magic swordsman.

“Why?”

“The purpose is to rent the holy sword.”

So foreign inquiries had finally come in.

“What are the terms? How much are they offering?”

“The rental fee is ten million per run.”

Ten million, ten million.

No way it was ten million won.

“D-dollars?”

“Yes. Dollars. Ten million dollars.”

My god.

That was 13 billion won.

“They claim the purpose is just the experience, but Gerald will be the one using it personally.”

Insane.

America really was America.

A rich country that printed dollars.

Renting a holy sword wasn’t renting an electric scooter—

And it was ten million dollars for one rental.

For a single Tower entry and exit.

“I know you’re unhappy. Just that much money. When the American negotiating team arrives, I’ll drag things out. If it’s only ten million dollars, we won’t rent it.”

W-wait.

What do you mean we won’t take it?!

When someone offers, you take it.

If we push the price up blindly, they could just go, “Fine, then don’t rent it,” and the negotiation could collapse.

And if it’s truly just for experience, they aren’t even in a hurry.

And most importantly—

Was the holy-attribute item really only this one holy sword?

Every country would be searching with their eyes on fire right now.

If someone secured another one?

We might not even be able to get ten million dollars anymore.

Take it while we can.

They said the holy sword’s effect would be weak starting from Floor 68 anyway.

It could only be used through Floor 67.

The price had to be reasonable for “experience” rentals to happen at all.

“Ten million dollars sounds reasonable. Let’s take it and rent it.”

“...Pardon? We can take more.”

I put strength into my voice.

“I’m worried that if we get greedy, we’ll lose everything. I’ve decided. Take ten million dollars.”

“I-I understand, for now. Ah! And there’s something else we secured at the national level.”

“What is it?”

“The withdrawal of anti-dumping regulations on Korean Magic Stone steel products.”

Jeon Gwangil watched my face.

“We are deeply sorry to pursue national benefit using Player Bong’s personal holy sword, but...”

But Juhyeok—

“Oh! That’s great.”

I meant it.

They were handling the rental for me and bringing me customers. That much was nothing.

After a few more exchanges—

“The Administration will clear Floor 67 slowly, yes?”

“Yes. I plan to make a plan after at least four months pass. Please maintain your pace as well, Player Bong, and climb safely.”

He seemed to have found some breathing room.

Before, he’d been begging me to hurry up into the sixties as fast as possible.

With Player Nam Gaeun’s trend, Floor 67 was possible now.

“I’ll get going, then.”

“If you change your mind, please contact me.”

Juhyeok took ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the same car back out and left the Tower Player Awakening Administration.

‘Whew...’

13 billion won.

I could treat annual salary like pocket change now.

If I’d known it’d be like this, maybe I could’ve just bought the penthouse—

‘...No, I couldn’t.’

Even with 13 billion won, I still couldn’t afford it.

Unless I rented it twice.

Juhyeok went home.

He almost ordered chicken, but just boiled instant noodles instead.

If I’m going to suffer, I should suffer with my summoned entities.

And then, at midnight—

“John Cossack, Designated Summon.”

[John Cossack has been Designated Summoned.]

“ATTENTION!”

“Watch all the soccer you want. Even if it’s time to go back, I can’t see you off, okay? Once I fall asleep, I sleep deep.”

“Yes!”

Tch. What was fun about watching people kick a ball around?

I should sleep as much as I can.

Cossack watched the soccer match.

He stared at the TV for a moment—then, when he heard Juhyeok’s steady breathing from the room, he stood up.

And—

POOF!

He vanished.

*****

Near Juhyeok’s officetel,

In the basement of a building somewhere in Seoul’s nightlife district.

A sign read: <Imperial Traditional Massage>.

It looked like it had already shut down.

The door was locked tight, old mail lay scattered on the ground, and even the lights were out.

But there were people inside.

Eight in total.

They used weak lighting and spoke in hushed voices.

In Chinese, not Korean.

“Let’s confirm the selected targets one last time.”

One of the eight placed photos on the table, one by one.

“...Name: Kim Misook. Female. It says she signed an Elite Climbing Team contract three months ago. Looks like she reached at least the thirties.”

“Next.”

“Name: Jang Dongsu. Gender is...”

“Next.”

More photos were laid down.

When it reached around fifteen—

“Name: Bong Juhyeok. Male. He signed an Elite Climbing Team contract a little over two months ago. Estimate is at least the late twenties.”

A photo of Bong Juhyeok was placed on the table too.

“No issues. Good.”

Of course.

They were Republic of Korea Elite Climbing Team Players—talent already verified.

The leader lined up the Players’ photos, including Bong Juhyeok’s, and spoke.

“They’re all suitable targets, so it doesn’t matter who we bring. But—minimum three, maximum five. We work simultaneously. It’s an operation we can only run once. Bring as many as possible.”

If Elite Climbing Team Players went missing, the Administration would explode.

This was nothing like voluntary naturalization.

But there was no other way.

Not if they wanted to prevent a Tower collapse near Shanghai.

They would kidnap them and, once per day without exception,

equip them with bodycams and throw them into China’s Tower climb.

Until Floor 59 was cleared.

“If each of you has their routes locked down, adjust the operation time to within one hour—”

And then, right at that moment—

“Wow. Summoner Bong looks great in photos too. He’s the best-looking one here.”

Captain Deng Guanlin of the People’s Liberation Army’s Northeast Special Forces Brigade frowned and snapped in anger.

“Who told you to speak Korean? When we’re among ourselves, we use Chinese—hng!”

Captain Deng Guanlin startled violently.

There were eight people in this room, including him.

But now—

‘Nine?’

At some point, someone was standing right beside them.

A very ordinary-looking man.

Who the hell was this?

When did he show up?

Even elite special forces soldiers hadn’t noticed.

“Y-you... who are you?”

“What? Speak Korean.”

“...Who are you?”

Cossack bared his teeth in a bright grin.

“Not telling you.”

He looked like a demon.

“...K-kill this bastard!!!”

At Deng Guanlin’s shout, the Chinese special forces soldiers sprang up.

HRAAAH!

A sudden, dazzling light lit up the dark space—

TSK!

SLASH!

ROLL... ROLL...

A head rolled onto the table.

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