Day 2 after the Floor 2 clear.
-----
Rei Tae Hyun woke up at 11:47 AM to the violent buzzing of his phone vibrating off the nightstand.
The screen lit up like a slot machine on a winning streak. He blinked at it through sleep-crusted eyes.
[16 New Interview Requests]
[8 Meeting Invites – Urgent / Top Priority / We Want You]
[1 New DM: From Verified Actor: "Hey, wanna star in a drama based on the Tower?"]
[1 Offer: Sandal Company – Sponsorship Proposal]
He sat up.
"…A sandal company?"
Outside his door, he could already hear the news helicopters circling like vultures waiting for a fresh headline.
He shuffled into the kitchen in mismatched slippers—this time intentionally—and dropped into the seat across from his sister. Tae Ri was halfway through a bowl of cereal and chewing like it had personally offended her.
She looked up from her phone and burst into a choking fit.
"THEY'RE CALLING IT 'REI-CYCLED FASHION!'" she shrieked, slapping the table and nearly flipping her bowl.
Rei squinted. "What?"
She held up her phone, showing him a mock ad from a trendy streetwear brand. A photo of Rei in mismatched sandals was plastered with the slogan:
Rei-Cycled Fashion: Walk Like a Legend. Limp Like a Hero.
"I'm blocking them," Rei muttered.
"No, wait! Think of the memes!" Tae Ri giggled.
He sighed and took her phone. "I defeat a demigod tree and the internet thinks I'm a fashion statement."
-----
About thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Rei opened it, expecting reporters or another fan pretending to be a mailman. Instead, it was a slim woman wearing a hoodie, a cap, and a very fake mustache.
"Delivery for Rei Tae Hyun!" she declared.
He stared.
"…Is that a disguise?"
She whipped off the cap and flashed a dazzling smile.
"Oh my god it's you!" she squealed. "I'm such a fan! You were so cool during the interview!"
Tae Ri appeared behind him, curious.
"Wait. Isn't she that idol? Uh, something Minhee?"
"Ex-idol," the girl said cheerfully. "I'm more of a lifestyle influencer now. I also play the Tower!"
She pulled out her phone. "Can we take a selfie? Oh! Also, I brought ramen—can you sign the packet?"
"And queue with me when Floor 3 opens," she added, eyes sparkling.
Rei blinked. "This is harassment disguised as flattery."
Tae Ri leaned over and whispered, "Careful. She's got 2 million followers… and abs."
Rei closed the door slowly.
From outside came a muffled, "Was that a no?"
-----
That afternoon, while Rei was pretending not to exist on the couch, their mom walked into the room with a folded invitation letter in hand.
"Someone wants me on a morning show," she said casually.
Rei sat up. "Wait, what?"
"They want me to talk about you. Apparently I'm now the 'Mother of Korea's New Hope.'" She made air quotes.
Tae Ri lit up. "You should do it! Go full K-drama mom. Cry a little. Mention Dad. Maybe bring a photo."
"Can I slap the host for drama?" their mom asked dryly.
Rei facepalmed. "Can I go back to the Tower now?"
"No," both of them replied.
-----
By evening, another viral clip had surfaced.
Panelist 3—the "Egg Guy" from Tower Talk Tonight—was now streaming a spinoff series titled:
Tower Omelettes: Cracking the Truth with Professor Yolk
The man was seated in front of at least twenty fried eggs, each one with something drawn on it.
One had Rei's face.
Another had a spiral drawn in ketchup.
Rei stared in dead silence as Panelist 3 dramatically pointed to an egg, saying,
"As you can see, this yolk mirrors the current state of our metaphysical relationship with the Tower—fragile. Burnt. Possibly cursed."
Tae Ri rolled on the floor laughing.
"Turn that off," Rei muttered.
"I'm emotionally invested now!" she wheezed.
-----
That night, an elegant black gift box arrived at their door. It shimmered faintly, traced with soft golden runes.
Inside was a lavishly arranged fruit basket, a folded silk cape with no name tag, and a small card.
"Still thinking of you. –Y"
Tae Ri gawked. "Is this from Celestial Blossom?!"
Rei stared at the card. His expression didn't change.
"Yeah. That's her signature," he muttered.
He pulled the silk cape from the box — expensive, glossy, enchanted — and turned toward the balcony with a deadpan look.
"Don't you dare," Tae Ri warned, eyes wide.
Rei slid the glass door open, stepped out into the night air, and lifted the cape over the railing.
"I'm giving it to the wind."
"You throw that and I swear I'll climb down this building myself—!"
Knock. Knock.
The sound cut through the air like a blade.
Not hurried. Not tentative.
Just firm.
Rei froze, cape still dangling in his hand, caught between defiance and disinterest.
Slowly, he turned back toward the door.
"…That didn't sound like a delivery."
Tae Ri peeked toward the hallway. "Sounded like a tax officer."
Rei gave the cape one last annoyed glance, then tossed it onto the couch instead.
The cape flopped like a defeated peacock.
He stepped toward the door.
Another knock.
Sharper this time
Rei opened the door slowly.
Outside stood a woman in a tailored black suit, clean lines, sharp shoulders, clipboard tucked against her arm. Her dark eyes were cool, observant, like she was already writing a report in her head.
"Rei Tae Hyun," she said.
Rei raised an eyebrow. "Depends. You with the press?"
The woman smiled faintly. "Agent Joo Min Ah. Korean Player Association. May I come in?"
Tae Ri peek around the corner with a mouthful of yogurt. "Oppa, tell me if she tries to brainwash you into becoming a national weapon."
Rei sighed. "Go eat your yogurt."
He stepped aside and let the woman in
They sat across from each other in the apartment's small living room. Rei, comfortably slouched on the couch. Min Ah, spine straight in the armchair, leg crossed, clipboard resting lightly on her knee.
"I'll be brief," she began. "You're the first to clear Floor 2. You've triggered global progression. Like it or not, you're now a public figure.
Rei said nothing at first. Instead, he blinked once.
[World Decipher – Activated]
[Name]: Joo Min Ah
[Age]: 26
[Gender]: Female
[Level]: 10
[Class]: Magician
[Unique Ability]: Veritas Eye
[Title]: The Silent Mirror
[Skill]: Emotional Sync (Passive)
-----
[Veritas Eye]
Can detect lies within a 10-meter radius.
-----
Rei's eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn't weak – clearly experienced, sharp, and disciplined.
He leaned forward. "So. what does the Association want?"
She folded her hands over her knee. "The Korean Player Association wants to formally extend an offer of affiliation."
Rei said nothing, watching her with unreadable eyes.
She continued, precise and businesslike. "The Association is prepared to offer financial backing, logistical support, and direct access to national-grade resources. Tactical analysts, equipment, even raid coordination if necessary."
A pause.
"And a position as our official representative—our face. The public already sees you as a symbol. We'd like to give that symbol structure. Guidance."
Rei tilted his head. "So I become… what? Your sponsored climber?"
"You'd be one of Korea's national players," she replied calmly. "A representative of our strength. The eyes of the world are watching. This is an opportunity—to do more than survive. To lead."
He exhaled, gaze flat. "Lead? Or perform?"
Min Ah didn't flinch. "This world is changing faster than it ever has. People need stability. Inspiration. If you join, you won't be alone. The Association will stand behind you."
"Behind me," Rei echoed softly. "Or over me?"
Another pause.
Then he leaned back slightly, arms resting loosely across his knees.
"Let me be blunt," he said. "I don't climb for anyone but my family. I don't need your banner. Or your money. Or your press conferences."
Min Ah's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing.
Rei went on, voice quiet but solid.
"I'm not here for fame. Not for glory. Not even for this country."
"I climb so my mom and sister don't have to wake up every day wondering if the Tower's about to collapse."
"As long as the Tower stands, we don't get peace."
"I climb so they can finally rest easy. That's it."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
Min Ah's fingers stilled on her clipboard.
"...You mean that," she murmured.
Rei said nothing.
She studied him for a moment longer. Not like an agent studying a subject. But like a person seeing something rare and painfully honest.
Finally, she stood.
"I'll mark your response as a rejection. No further pressure," She said.
At the door, she turned once more.
"Now that the world's watching you, not everyone will cheer and clap, Some will want to tear you down."
Rei's voice was quiet but firm.
"Let them try."
Min Ah gave a final nod. "I hope you get the peace you're fighting for."
She turned to leave.
Rei didn't speak again. Just watched the door close behind her.
The room was quiet.
Then Tae Ri peeked in again
"...Did she brainwash you?"
Rei didn't look away from the door.
"No," he murmured. "But she did listen."
-----
Later that night, the city was quiet—for once.
Tae Ri had passed out on the floor with her face in a half-finished bag of chips.
Mom was asleep in her room, the door barely cracked open.
Rei stepped out onto the balcony in a hoodie and mismatched sandals—again.
The Tower loomed in the distance, still sealed… for now.
He pulled the hood tighter and made his way down the stairwell, avoiding the elevator and side cameras.
He wanted to check the Tower before Floor 3 opened. Just scout. See what changed.
But just as he turned the corner outside the apartment—
Whirr.
A drone hovered up from behind a parked van, camera blinking red.
> [LIVE: #ReiSpotted at 12:11AM – 13K viewers and rising]
Rei stared at the camera.
Then sighed.
"…I miss being ignored."