Awakened Player Management Agency, Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Yesterday again, without exception, a global announcement rang out for a 10th-floor S++ clear.
Clearing the Tower does not normally trigger a global announcement.
There has only ever been one case where a global announcement is broadcast.
When a new floor is cleared for the first time.
Up until now, that had been the rule.
But it turned out there was another case.
An S++ clear announcement.
Most likely a world first.
And it happened in the Republic of Korea.
They had to find them.
It was definitely a Tower player affiliated with Korea, but there was no way to identify them.
All they could do was wait for a phone call.
Director Park Gyeong-su asked Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il of the Elite Management Team.
"Team Leader Jeon, how did it go? I heard we got another inquiry call yesterday."
"Yes. We sent staff to check, and she was indeed a player. A 27-year-old woman living in Daegu."
"Could it be…?"
"This time as well, she doesn't seem to be the one with the S++ record."
"Hm. I wonder if that person will ever show up."
The number of players always stays at a certain level.
When someone dies inside the Tower or gives up climbing entirely and loses their qualification, the opportunity passes on to others.
That's why they receive one or two calls per week from people wanting to register as players.
The way to determine whether someone is truly a player is simple: watch them enter the Tower.
They suddenly vanish—whoosh!—so it's immediately obvious.
There's one more item added at that stage.
Evaluating the player's talent.
How do they do it?
After obtaining consent, they have the player record themselves clearing the Tower and submit the footage.
It's possible because smartphones or cameras can be brought into the Tower.
Video recording is extremely useful.
For players belonging to elite teams, recording is mandatory.
Only then can analysis be done to refine and improve strategies.
"Still, this player is fairly solid. She said she got a B-rank clearing an 8th-floor mission. After watching the footage, it definitely looked worthy of a B-rank."
"Oh! That's good."
"Yes. And she has a strong desire to join an elite team. She's more than qualified as a reserve."
"Then that's enough. Proceed with the contract."
Talent mattered, but the will to join an elite team alone was already a pass.
The most important quality was the determination to keep climbing the Tower.
Anything lacking could be supplemented by the state.
Players can bring items into the Tower.
Large objects are impossible, but items the size of personal belongings are allowed.
Clothing they're wearing, combat-useful items, various potions—even firearms like pistols.
Beyond that, the benefits elite climbing teams receive are enormous.
Not to mention a salary—protocol on par with National Assembly members.
They receive every conceivable privilege the state can offer.
They're even granted immunity for serious crimes like murder.
The government specially manages around 150 elite team members.
Even among elites, there are first-string units and reserve units.
They are the core personnel advancing to new floors.
There's no helping it.
The hierarchy has to exist.
To avoid the tragedy of a Tower collapse.
But the 'General' teams are different.
Because they lack the will for active Tower climbing, they receive little support.
Compared to elites, it's peanuts.
Even so, since they contribute to national development by bringing in magic crystals, they receive a monthly stipend of 2 million won, proxy sales of Tower reward items, and legal support.
If the player behind the S++ clear record were to inquire about registration?
Director Park Gyeong-su was prepared to give them anything they wanted, without hesitation.
Just then—
Bzzz, bzzz.
Team Leader Jeon checked a message on his smartphone and spoke.
"Director."
"Yes?"
"We've received another call asking about player registration."
"Again? Location?"
"Seoul."
"Is that so?"
Seoul—
Close by.
"I'll go myself."
"Very well, Team Leader Jeon. Please take care of it. If that person really is the one…"
"I'll make sure to bring them into the elite team."
"Offer them the very best benefits the Awakened Management Agency can provide."
"Understood."
※ ※ ※
Bong Ju-hyeok didn't look very well.
"Haa…"
He had made a brave decision, but regret and anxiety still lingered.
What could he do?
That was just the nature of a small-time civilian loser.
"…Since guests are coming, I should clean first."
Even if it was a shabby studio apartment, it should at least be clean.
He swept and wiped diligently, sprayed air freshener, did the dishes, emptied the trash, bustling around—
Still,
"I feel uneasy."
The thought of strangers visiting this place for the first time.
"…Should I summon Kosak or something?"
No.
He couldn't waste high-grade manpower on something like this.
And it might expose him.
At that very moment!
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone knocking on the front door.
"They're here."
With a tense heart—
"Who is it?"
"This is the Awakened Management Agency. May we come in?"
Ju-hyeok opened the door to greet the visitors.
"Ah—w-welcome. Y-you can sit here."
A middle-aged man, and a young woman.
Two people.
In a fleeting moment, probing glances were exchanged.
"Hello. I'm Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il from the Management Agency."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Manager Lee Min-a. I'm a player as well."
"…Ah! I see. I-I'm Bong Ju-hyeok."
The three sat facing each other with a low table between them.
"I'll ask first. Mr. Bong Ju-hyeok—are you indeed awakened?"
"…Ah, yes. Yes. I entered the Tower. I've done some clears too."
"Oh! Then how far have you gone?"
"Up to the 10th floor. Just through the beginner adjustment section. And here are the magic crystals I've collected so far."
Ju-hyeok laid out a total of 5.5 kg of magic crystals.
'Up to the 10th floor…'
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il's eyes glinted.
The S++ clear record had gone up to the 10th floor.
Could this be him?
He wasn't sure.
They went through the process of checking the weight using a portable electronic scale.
"Mr. Bong, may I ask you one thing?"
"Yes."
"Have you heard the global announcements that have been appearing frequently lately?"
"Oh! The S++ clear ones? I've heard them too, but… I-I'm curious who it is. I think they must be an incredible player."
Jeon Gwang-il tilted his head slightly, then continued.
"First, I'll explain the contract terms. Our government manages players in two categories. The first is elite climbing teams, and the second is general climbing teams."
"Uh-huh, yes."
"If you belong to an elite climbing team, your base annual salary—"
A tedious explanation followed.
The gist was how elite climbing teams were structured, what kinds of benefits they received, how much national support reduced the risks of clearing floors, and so on.
But why go on and on about elite perks he didn't even need to hear?
Did they suspect he was the S++ record holder?
'The way he's looking at me, too…'
No chance.
Elite climbing team? No way.
"However, elite climbing teams require proof. Using the body cam we brought, we'd record your clear—"
This won't do.
He needed to make his stance clear.
"Um, j-just a moment."
"Yes?"
"C-can I share my thoughts?"
"Of course. Please go ahead."
Ju-hyeok took a deep breath.
"I'd be satisfied with the general team. I don't want to join an elite team."
"Huh? Really? May I ask why—"
"Honestly, I don't have talent."
That was the truth.
"And it's s-scary. I plan to stop at a reasonable floor and just collect rewards."
That was also the truth.
Jeon Gwang-il looked taken aback.
So bluntly?
The most basic requirement for an elite team was the will to keep climbing.
Without that, elite status was impossible.
"Perhaps you shouldn't decide so quickly—"
"No! I've already made up my mind."
At Ju-hyeok's firm tone, disappointment was clearly visible on Team Leader Jeon's face.
"…Very well. We respect your decision."
"Th-thank you."
"Would you be able to enter the Tower today?"
"Yes, I can."
"Then please enter the Tower here. It's a necessary step to confirm your awakening."
"Yes."
Only then did the tension leave Ju-hyeok's face.
Just the final procedure remained.
Once he entered and exited the Tower, he could sell the magic crystals and earn money.
"S-since I'm going in anyway, I'll do a clear while I'm at it. It might take close to two hours, so if waiting is inconvenient—"
"That's fine. This is our job. We'll wait."
"Well, then."
After putting on his shoes and straightening his clothes,
Ju-hyeok activated the Tower entry skill.
Spot!
Watching Ju-hyeok disappear, Team Leader Jeon spoke with a bitter tone.
"So he really is awakened."
Turning to Manager Lee Min-a, who had come with him, he asked,
"What do you think?"
"I can't tell about his talent, but he seems extremely timid. Even the way he talks is overly timid."
"That's what I thought too."
"I wonder how far he'll go. He might give up on the 11th floor."
"Hm? Why?"
Manager Lee Min-a spoke with confidence.
"I've done it myself. The 11th floor tests a player's fear."
"You mean the Long-Tailed Burrowing Centipedes?"
"They're not actually that difficult compared to their appearance. But they're really disgusting. The numbers are horrifying too—you have to kill a hundred of them. …Do you think he can do it?"
"Hm."
She had a point.
"If you're right, this will end quickly."
"He'll run back to the safe zone and abandon the mission. I'm sure of it."
Another bust.
"I should call the Director."
No matter how he looked at it, Bong Ju-hyeok wasn't the S++ clear record holder.
So there was no need to get their hopes up.
※ ※ ※
[Entering the Black Tower of the Republic of Korea, 11th Floor.]
He summoned Kosak.
[John Kosak has been designatedly summoned.]
"Chung! Thank ye for callin' me!"
As always, Kosak was energetic and cheerful.
"Let's go."
"I'll take the lead."
They left the safe zone.
[11th Floor Mission: Defeat 100 Long-Tailed Burrowing Centipedes.]
[Time Limit: Within 3 hours.]
[Completion Condition: Long-Tailed Burrowing Centipedes 0/100]
[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]
"…Ugh."
It was supposed to be an awakening verification clear, but—
"Of all things, centipedes?"
A hundred of them.
Well, it wasn't like he'd be fighting them himself anyway.
"I'll take care of 'em quick. A hundred burrowin' centipedes is a five-minute job."
That wouldn't do.
"No. This time, go very slowly."
"…Pardon?"
"Drag it out as much as possible. Over an hour. So that an S++ clear record doesn't get set."
Why do you think he insisted on clearing it after entering?
He only needed to show that he entered the Tower.
It was to hide it.
To show that he wasn't the S++ clear record holder.
He'd present the proof of clearing as 1.1 kg of magic crystals.
That would completely remove suspicion that he was the S++ record holder.
"Ah! I get yer intention now."
"And today, I'll unsummon you inside the Tower. There are eyes watching outside."
"Don't matter to me."
A perfect plan.
Confirm his awakening, and erase suspicion that he was the owner of the S++ clear record.
Spot!
The insane assassin John Kosak charged forward.
In response, Long-Tailed Burrowing Centipedes—about three meters long—began wriggling up from the ground.
They weren't poisonous, but with their large bodies and countless squirming legs, they were utterly grotesque.
And there were so many of them.
Even from far away, his hair stood on end.
"Ughhh…"
Wriggle, wriggle.
It felt like the ground itself was alive and moving.
But John Kosak didn't seem scared at all.
Hopping lightly, he went slowly—one centipede at a time.
'…Is this too fast?'
So—
"Kosak, kill them more slowly."
"Yes, sir!"
The hunting speed dropped noticeably.
'He's doing well.'
Kosak followed orders exactly—absolute obedience.
How reliable he was.
But then, at that very moment!
Swoosh! Slither!
"Gah! F-fuck!"
A group of long-tailed burrowing centipedes surged up from right beneath Ju-hyeok's feet.
From this side too—swoosh!
From that side as well—swoosh.
He was completely surrounded.
Like king cobras, they raised their upper bodies straight up and fixed their gaze on Ju-hyeok.
Their pale yellow eyes met his.
"Uh… uhhhh…"
They had slipped past John Kosak's attack range and somehow reached him.
Since they traveled underground, he hadn't even noticed.
'D-did I drag it out too long…?'
His body froze solid.
What should he do?
This was the first time something like this had happened.
Up until now, he'd only watched from the back.
He needed to use a skill, but his mind went completely blank.
In that instant—
"Mr. Bong Summoner! I've got this!!!"
Papapat!
John Kosak, eyes blazing red, charged over like a madman.
The daggers in both hands swung so fast they couldn't even be seen.
The moment Ju-hyeok was in danger, John Kosak went berserk like a lunatic.
Tsphit! Tsphipit!
Slash, slash, slaslash!
The burrowing centipedes' heads were chopped clean off, one after another.
Ju-hyeok snapped back to his senses.
"W-wait!"
The kill count was skyrocketing.
"S-slow down! You're too fast!"
"Can't do that! Gotta kill 'em quick. There's too many!"
"This is an order. Slow the tempo as much as possible!"
"I refuse! Mr. Bong Summoner's life is top priority!"
"T-this…!"
Aaaargh!
Damn it—Summoned Entity Principle, Article 3.
Slash, slaslash, slaslaslash…!
"N-no! If you work that hard, then again—"
.
.
.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rank on the 11th Floor of the Black Tower (Korea).]
[S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
"God damn it!"
He was screwed.
Another global announcement rang out.
John Kosak scratched his head with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, sir."
"…Unsummon."
Shhh—
[You may challenge the 12th Floor.]
[Exiting the Black Tower of the Republic of Korea.]
Spot!
Ju-hyeok returned to his studio apartment.
It hadn't even been ten minutes since he entered the Tower.
Manager Lee Min-a stared at Ju-hyeok in stunned silence, her eyes wide.
She was a player too.
"B-Bong Player… d-don't tell me…?"
Of course she would've heard the global announcement.
"Hm, I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding…"
Total denial.
"Anyway, it wasn't me."
"..."
"Really! It's a coincidence."
"..."
"It must've just happened that someone else cleared the 11th floor at the same time. Wow! Who did it? What an incredible player!"
"..."
Please believe me?