Floor 61 S++ clear.

The moment the Global Notice popped, the news exploded.

It was chaos all the way until the next morning.

<At last, a Floor 61 S++ clear—But This Is No Time to Raise a Toast.>

<How Far, Exactly? It’s Time for a Brake.>

<The Tower Collapse time limit is 6 months. The S++ clearer must not forget that.>

<Dazzling talent may instead harm the community.>

<We don’t know who they are, but we ask the S++ clearer to adjust their clearing speed.>

The content was all the same.

Stop clearing the Tower.

Floor 67 must never happen.

He understood why the media and the public were worried.

A Player’s Tower climbing couldn’t be controlled.

Going up like a madman wasn’t a good thing.

You had to climb on schedule.

Juhyeok also planned to stop at Floor 64.

Today, he didn’t summon his summoned entities.

He’d asked for their understanding in advance.

The moment he said he planned to attend the showcase, they all blew up.

Outside was dangerous, be careful, be careful again, and if anything happened, summon them immediately.

Juhyeok wanted to take them with him too.

But he had to ride in the assigned car and move with security, so he couldn’t bring them along.

Unless he summoned them inside the venue.

‘What could possibly happen?’

There would be police, the National Intelligence Service, and Tower Player Awakening Administration staff spread all over the venue.

And on top of that, he had Energy Barrier, and the Blink Ring.

The safest person in the world was him.

‘Should I get ready to go out?’

DING!

A message arrived.

Looks like the car had arrived to pick him up.

Clean clothes, clean shoes, wallet packed... he was excited.

Did he ever imagine he’d get invited to a fashion event?

*****

HG Hotel.

The showcase site for HG Fashion’s new brand.

People filled the venue wall to wall.

Famous celebrities from home and abroad, singers and actors, politicians, businesspeople, fashion-industry figures, and reporters.

But plainclothes police and National Intelligence Service agents were mixed in among the crowd.

On the surface, it was an HG Fashion-hosted event, but with many elite Players attending, the National Intelligence Service and the Administration had no choice but to stay on edge.

Player Nam Gaeun was also scheduled to attend for a surprise event.

Jeon Gwangil was slowly walking around the perimeter of the venue.

He saw Player Bong Juhyeok entering.

But he didn’t acknowledge him.

He was watching discreetly, stealing glances.

To verify security was being handled properly.

No one here would know, but in truth, the highest VVIP in this place was Bong Juhyeok.

Even more than Crown Prince Abdul bin Sala of the United Arab Emirates, sitting over there.

‘But why does that guy keep coming to Korea? Makes me nervous.’

Anyway, security looked solid.

With Crown Prince Abdul bin Sala attending, there were plenty of guards he’d brought personally as well.

The event was being held on the hotel’s top floor.

A space no one could easily access.

As Jeon Gwangil looked around, someone approached and spoke to him.

“Deputy Commissioner.”

“Oh, Deputy Director, you came in person.”

It was No Younggeun, the National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director.

“Don’t worry too much. We handled the security inspection thoroughly.”

“Haha, worry? Honestly, I’m just tired. All I want is for this to end so I can go home and sleep.”

“Same here. Civil servants are all the same. Anyway...”

The deputy director asked while subtly reading Jeon Gwangil’s expression.

“Is the rumor true?”

“What rumor?”

“That the products being introduced this time are made from Tower monster basilisk leather.”

It was something everyone would find out soon anyway.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Is the supply sufficient? Enough to release to the private market?”

“It’s sufficient. That’s why we’re supplying it.”

“Don’t tell me, this time too...”

Jeon Gwangil shook his head left and right.

Two meanings at once.

Don’t bother trying to find out—and I won’t tell you either.

So he smoothly changed the subject.

“Nothing happening outside, right? Incidents, accidents.”

“Ah! A forest fire broke out on Gwanak Mountain. Firefighting helicopters have deployed, so it’ll be put out quickly.”

A forest fire.

Come to think of it, it was that season, wasn’t it?

‘The firefighters must have it rough too.’

He hoped it got extinguished safely.

*****

Juhyeok couldn’t get his head on straight at the showcase—his first time ever experiencing something like this.

Coming was the right call.

Celebrities to his left, celebrities to his right.

Singers, actors, entertainers—people he’d only ever seen on TV were everywhere.

It honestly felt like he’d walked into a broadcast station.

‘Should I ask to take a photo together?’

If he bragged to Minhyeok, his brother would lose his mind, bouncing off the walls.

And if he showed the summoned entities pictures and told them he met people he’d only ever seen on TV, they’d widen their eyes and freak out too.

But the first hurdle was even talking to them.

And even if he got past that, what if they refused to take a photo?

‘Don’t.’

Well, even just seeing them in person was something.

‘Oh! A Korean Wave star!’

A girl group with explosive popularity in Southeast Asia—every member was here.

‘I can’t let this go.’

Of course, as a fan.

‘Hmm.’

He hesitated.

If he walked up and said, I’m an elite Player, would they treat him like a lunatic?

No—if you’re an elite Player, you’re not lacking compared to celebrities.

Man or woman, elite Players were top-tier marriage material.

They made great money, and they also had high death rates.

While he was hesitating like that, the event started.

For now, be quiet.

There would be a chance later.

CEO Goyeonha stepped onto the stage in a crisp suit.

Holding a microphone—

“Hello. I’m Goyeonha.”

She went straight to the point.

“A lot of you are probably wondering what the brand name Wildflower & Basili means. Shall I start by explaining that?”

Goyeonha worked a remote.

A video rose on the screen behind the stage.

It looked like footage taken from a bodycam worn by a Player.

In the video, a giant crocodile—no, a basilisk—moved, baring massive teeth.

“Yes, it’s a basilisk. Our brand’s Basili is named after this creature.”

People tilted their heads.

A Tower monster as a trademark?

What connection did that have?

“I’ll show you. A real basilisk.”

In that instant—

The screen showing the video slid down all at once.

At the same time, multiple spotlights illuminated the stage, and with grand music, the overwhelming presence of an enormous, full basilisk hide revealed itself.

People surged toward the stage.

CLICKCLICKCLICK! CLICKCLICK!

The camera reporters kept snapping photos nonstop.

“T-That’s real?”

“A full hide? Does that drop as a reward too?”

“Did they just stitch together every reward hide they’ve ever gotten?”

“Yeah. It’s gotta be a replica.”

“No. If it was a replica, you’d know immediately.”

“It’s real. You think CEO Goyeonha would hold an event like this just to show a fake?”

Up close, it felt like a real basilisk had burst out of the Tower.

“We have signed an exclusive leather supply contract with the Tower Player Awakening Administration. Going forward, basilisk leather will be supplied continuously.”

At those words, the expressions of other fashion-company people hardened in an instant.

Continuous supply?

What kind of nonsense was that?

“Our HG Fashion produced prototypes based on this leather. We plan to sell them as products.”

Eyes that had been fixed on the full hide snapped back to Goyeonha.

If it was a product... don’t tell me, bags, wallets, shoes—things like that?

Murmur, murmur.

The venue grew loud.

“Please enjoy.”

Then models began walking out from behind the stage, one by one.

Ten of them.

“These are Wildflower & Basili’s light-quality products.”

Each model held a single bag.

Holding it in their right hand, then their left, or stretching it forward with both hands so people could see.

“Those are made from basilisk leather?”

“...Hmm. How much are they?”

“If it’s real, who cares how much?”

“I want it.”

“But if it’s light quality...”

“That means there are higher grades.”

People’s interest exploded.

“Next, we introduce Wildflower & Basili’s luxury-quality products.”

Heads swiveled.

This time, six models.

No one cared who the models were.

Their eyes clung only to the bags in their hands.

“Different. It’s definitely different.”

“That deserves to be called luxury.”

“Yeah. You can’t even compare it to the light line.”

“You can tell the difference? I can’t.”

“You can tell by the pattern. It looks like the basilisk’s belly leather.”

“Crocodile leather can’t even compete.”

Since it was a showcase, plenty of industry people had come.

And famous celebrities with names that carried weight.

People who could see a product once and understand its value at a glance.

Products far higher quality than the light line.

There was no doubt this was the brand’s main pillar.

“Lastly...”

Again?

Luxury wasn’t the end?

“We will show you Wildflower & Basili’s high-end luxury line. You will experience what the finest leather is.”

TAP, TAP.

A single model walked out with practiced steps.

And the mysterious bag in her hands.

No words were necessary.

A bag made from the base leather, with vivid accents of varied leather in select parts.

“Ah!”

“Oh.”

“Mm.”

“Oh!”

“That kind of leather...”

“R-Rainbow... basilisk boss?”

Everyone lost themselves.

The vibrant shimmer of rainbow leather mixed into the existing basilisk leather, here and there.

And while they were still dazed, one more model stepped onto the red carpet holding a high-end luxury bag.

Her walk was awkward, but people recognized who she was instantly.

Because instead of ordinary clothing, she wore leather armor that clung to her body.

“That’s Nam Gaeun!”

“Our top Player is modeling too?”

“But what is that outfit?”

“It’s full-body armor. Even the shoes are leather.”

The elite Players in attendance were even more excited than the civilians.

“They made it well. She looks like a straight-up game character.”

“So it’s the era where Tower gear is fashion, too.”

“But you can’t wear that in real combat. The sides are totally open.”

“Still, it’s pretty.”

“You could wear it as body armor.”

Inside the venue, desire began to seep upward.

Bag or armor, they had to buy it.

They didn’t care what it cost.

Everyone gathered here had the money.

Crown Prince Abdul bin Sala—who’d entered Korea on the side and attended the event—also burst out in admiration at the bags the models carried.

Especially when the high-end luxury line with rainbow leather and Player Nam Gaeun’s leather armor were introduced—he was so shocked he even yelped.

‘I should buy several.’

With three wives, he needed to buy one for each of them.

He’d come to meet Meatshield, and instead, something like that luxury—

Wait.

‘Hm, a full basilisk hide.’

That was an item.

Someone must have brought it out of the Tower.

It wouldn’t be some ordinary reward.

At minimum, it would require an S++ clear—

‘Don’t tell me?’

Bin Sala sprang up from his seat and looked around.

Was Meatshield here too?

*****

The event was going smoothly.

People’s interest was explosive.

And since the showcase was being livestreamed worldwide on YouTube, the number of concurrent viewers skyrocketed.

They made products using Tower monster basilisk leather?

How could anyone resist watching?

The event climbed to its peak.

For the surprise event, Player Nam Gaeun even participated as a model.

Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil was sure the event was a success.

Even he wanted a bag.

With how often he’d been working late lately, his wife had been giving him looks—how happy would she be if he bought her one light-grade bag?

But on a civil servant’s paltry salary, even buying one would be tough, and even though CEO Goyeonha offered to gift him one, the law got in the way.

‘A pie in the sky.’

Jeon Gwangil shook his head and approached the glass windows.

‘...Hm.’

Something had been bothering him for a while.

It was the helicopter noise.

With a forest fire on Gwanak Mountain, firefighting helicopters deploying was natural, but the sound was too close.

Close enough that it felt like it had landed on the hotel rooftop.

Well, while putting out fires, a helicopter could malfunction and make an emergency landing, but—

A firefighting helicopter visible far away.

It looked like it was scooping water from the Han River and heading toward Gwanak Mountain—

It would be evening soon.

He wished he could get off work before rush hour traffic jammed everything.

But right then—

Something caught Jeon Gwangil’s eye.

A flock flying in formation...

‘Birds?’

No.

That wasn’t it.

It wasn’t bird movement.

The speed was too fast.

And they were getting closer.

‘D-Drones?’

That was it.

Dozens of drones were charging straight at the top-floor windows.

“Crazy!”

Were those normal drones?

As if.

It was a fashion showcase, but the attendees were high-profile.

Elite Players—plus even Player Nam Gaeun, and Crown Prince Abdul bin Sala.

‘Terror attack?’

Jeon Gwangil froze stiff.

Right before the drones slammed into the windows—

That was when it happened.

POP—someone suddenly appeared right beside him.

“HUH—!”

Player Bong?

“Hold on tight.”

“...Y-Yes!”

POP—

In an instant, Jeon Gwangil and Juhyeok moved to a spot far away from the windows.

It was Blink.

At the same time, the drones smashed into the hotel’s thick glass.

BOOM! BOOMBOOMBOOM! BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM!

KRRRSHHHHH!

Massive windows burst apart like explosions.

“AAAAAH!”

“AAAAH!”

“HUH—!”

“W-What is that?!”

“Everyone—g-get down!”

Thankfully, not many people were hurt.

Because everyone had crowded toward the stage to look at the bags.

But the venue devolved into chaos, people unable to decide what to do.

‘Whew.’

Juhyeok let out a breath of relief.

He wasn’t that interested in bags, so he’d turned his eyes to look at the outside view—and spotted the drones charging in.

Drones.

There were an insane number of them.

Were they normal drones?

Not a chance.

Whatever they were, it was definitely dangerous.

And Jeon Gwangil had been pressed right up against the big glass windows.

In that split second, countless thoughts flashed through his head.

What do I do?

I think I can save him—

I’m scared, but Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil is one of my few acquaintances.

Leave him?

If you can save him, you save him.

So he activated Energy Barrier and used Blink.

Thanks to that, Jeon Gwangil was safe.

But Nam Gaeun wasn’t.

Someone who looked like a hotel staffer hugged Nam Gaeun from behind, pressing a gleaming knife against her carotid artery.

In the other hand, they held a loaded crossbow.

“Ahhh...”

“N-Nam Gaeun, Player!”

Because she’d prioritized design, the leather armor ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) didn’t protect the neck area.

“Don’t move! Everyone, lower your guns!”

At the threat, the guards who’d been about to leap onto the stage froze in place.

“If you don’t lower them, I’ll cut this bitch’s throat. You think I can’t?”

National Intelligence Service agents and guards slowly lowered their guns to the floor.

The venue had metal detectors, so no one could bring in weapons like that.

Which meant—

‘A Player.’

Yeah.

The bastard holding Nam Gaeun hostage was a Player.

They must have pulled a Tower metal weapon out of their inventory.

‘They’re deploying Players for a terror attack?’

Either way, no one could move.

Korea’s top Player, Nam Gaeun, was being held hostage.

In that moment—

SHHHK! SHHHK!

Ropes dropped down through the shattered windows.

Terrorists slid down the ropes and rapidly entered the venue.

TAT-TAT! TAT-TAT-TAT!

CHK-CHK-CHK!

Automatic rifles were leveled.

“If anyone moves, we shoot on the spot.”

Xiao Jun—wearing a mask—looked at the hostage Nam Gaeun and curled his lips into a grin.

‘Too easy.’

A truly perfect operation, with the best possible results.

*****

Juhyeok let out a long, deflated sigh.

He’d been happily sneaking glances at celebrities, and then this happened?

At least he saved Jeon Gwangil.

‘Outside really was dangerous.’

He shouldn’t have gone out.

What could he do? It was his own fault.

“John Cossack, Designated Summon.”

FWOOOSH!

A mass of light rose.

And—

“ATTENTIOOON.... HUH? HMM.”

“As you can see, it’s this kind of situation.”

“We gotta summon Meatshield too. We need a tank to block bullets.”

The moment he was summoned, Cossack understood.

What he needed to do.

And beside them, Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil stood with his mouth hanging open, watching everything.

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