With a heavy heart, Juhyeok watched the news all the way to the end.
He knew his mother had been fired, but he hadn't known she was suffering so much that she'd resorted to a one-person protest.
"Unbelievable…"
Anger welled up inside him.
At the same time, guilt followed.
What was the point of having two sons?
When something like this happened, they were useless, unfilial sons she couldn't even rely on.
That aside—how did she get a lawyer?
Park & Kim Law Firm wasn't somewhere you could hire with a few coins.
It seemed Kosak had also grasped what was going on.
In a cold voice, he said,
"Summoner Bong."
"What is it?"
"I'll go pay a visit to Jinsammul Company."
"…"
Honestly, he wavered for a moment.
But—
"Don't do that. From Mom's interview, it looks like she hired a solid lawyer."
"Yes, sir…"
I'll send money for the legal fees later.
I've got 21 kg of magic stones saved up so far.
In cash, that's about ten million won.
If that's not enough, I can sell the energy barrier kit, too—
Bzzzt!
Right then, his smartphone rang.
It was his father.
He must have seen the interview.
Juhyeok, did you see the news?
"Yes, I did."
Yeah, I called your mom too. She told me not to worry. Said she hired a really solid lawyer—free, even. Something about supporting the socially disadvantaged…
Free?
He'd heard that famous law firms sometimes did pro bono work as part of social contribution projects.
Maybe the heavens really were helping them.
"That's good to hear. I was just about to send money for the lawyer."
Hahaha, as if you've got money lying around. Anyway, don't worry about your mom—just focus on what you're doing.
"I'm not worried. I know Mom's personality. More importantly, how are you doing, Dad?"
I'm fine. I actually got a call from Ilseong Hospital today…
"Huh? Why them?"
Ilseong Hospital's Orthopedics Department is running a hip surgery rehabilitation project, and I got selected. They said the hospitalization and rehab costs would be free. So I decided to be admitted.
What?
Both of us getting things for free, hahahaha. The heavens really smiled on us. I guess your mom and I really are a match made in heaven.
Ilseong Hospital was part of a major conglomerate.
There wasn't a better hospital in Korea.
He'd never even had surgery there before—
So how did they have his patient information?
'…This is strange.'
This wasn't something he could just brush off.
'Should I look into it?'
The moment he ended the call with his father, another call came in.
It was his younger brother, Minhyuk.
Hyung! Did you see Mom's interview?
"Yeah, I did."
Wow… I didn't even know. I was such an unfilial son.
"Same here."
So, about that money you gave me before to buy a laptop—I was going to send it to Mom. Lawsuits cost a lot, right?
"You sure? You don't need a laptop?"
Hehe, I'm fine. I got a scholarship this time. A really big one—enough to pay tuition and buy a laptop. I guess good things happen when you live right.
Oh?
"…What scholarship is it?"
A national scholarship. From the Awakening Administration. They give out a lot of those.
At this point, it was obvious what was going on.
Juhyeok might be cautious by nature, but he wasn't stupid.
'It wasn't the heavens helping us.'
He'd know for sure once he checked.
※ ※ ※
Park & Kim Law Firm was handling his mother's unfair contract termination lawsuit.
His father was getting free rehabilitation treatment at Ilseong Hospital.
His younger brother, Bong Minhyuk, had received a national scholarship at his university.
All of it had happened just yesterday or today.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
It was obvious where the intervention had come from.
'The Awakening Administration.'
Park & Kim handled legal counsel for players.
The Ilseong Group was the largest purchaser of magic stones in Korea.
And, decisively, the scholarships were issued by the Awakening Administration.
To be honest, Juhyeok was a little angry.
Doing all this without even asking for consent?
Part of him wanted to confront the head of the Administration directly, but—
'That's way too high up.'
Instead, he contacted Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il, someone he saw often.
Among the Administration staff, he was the easiest to deal with.
"Uh, this is Bong Juhyeok. If you have time, I'd like to meet somewhere quiet."
Of course. Have you eaten yet?
"Um, not yet."
Then I'll come pick you up. Let's have a meal together.
"…Alright."
How long had it been since he'd eaten with someone else?
Recently? None.
'Come to think of it, never really.'
Eating alone was the best.
You could eat whatever you wanted,
and you didn't have to wait for others to finish.
The restaurant Jeon Gwang-il took him to was a quiet Korean set-meal place with private rooms.
Before the food arrived, Juhyeok cautiously brought up the matter.
"Why did you do it?"
"What do you mean?"
"My mom's lawsuit. My dad's rehab. Minhyuk's scholarship."
"…."
Jeon Gwang-il fell silent for a moment, then spoke.
"Because it was necessary."
As expected.
"When there's trouble at home, it's impossible not to worry. Worry affects Tower clears, your condition suffers, and then climbing becomes harder and harder…"
That way of speaking felt strangely familiar.
"Isn't that kind of care supposed to apply only to Elite Team players? I'm on a standard contract."
In that instant—
Thud.
A contract was placed on the table.
"Then sign an Elite Team contract right now."
This man had come fully prepared.
"…I'm not confident yet. And my talent isn't that great."
"Do you truly believe that?"
"…."
He had nothing to say.
A player who had achieved consecutive S++ clears up to the 24th floor claiming he lacked talent?
That was nothing but hypocrisy.
"I earnestly ask you. Haven't you already experienced the Choi Hoseok incident? Please join the Elite Team and receive the treatment you deserve. Player Bong, you are qualified."
Haa…
What should he do?
"If you sign the Elite contract, you'll immediately receive close protection equivalent to VVIP status. At the very least, something like what happened before will never occur again."
Close protection, huh.
"I don't want that. Having someone glued to me every single day—and I won't do clear recordings either."
One of the biggest reasons Juhyeok had avoided the Elite contract.
The existence of Kosak and Gobang, and video recording.
"Security arrangements can be adjusted. As for recordings, you may do as you please."
"How do you plan to adjust it?"
"You'd live alone in a highly secure location. A place where your personal activities are guaranteed. You'll only receive protection when you go out."
That sounded tempting.
"Your family members will also be assigned bodyguards."
Ahhh!
His resolve wavered.
In truth, it had already been wavering for a while.
That firm determination—I'll never join the Elite Team—was crumbling.
But what could he do?
Back and forth, swaying like reeds—such was life.
Wasn't that the very trait of a loser?
"…If I sign the contract, does housing come with it too?"
"How large would you like it?"
"Not for me—for my family. I plan to live independently, so I'd like to give them a house instead."
"We'll provide one residence each—for your family and for you."
Wow. Conditions impossible to refuse.
Not just wavering—he collapsed completely.
"An officetel is enough for me."
"That's possible."
"And for my family… at least four bedrooms and two bathrooms?"
"Yes. Let's do that."
His brisk answers were nice to hear, but—
Did he even have approval for this?
Could a team leader decide all this?
"Don't worry. I came with full authority from the Commissioner."
"…"
"The signature line is here."
As if possessed, Juhyeok reached for the fountain pen Jeon Gwang-il offered—
Then suddenly snapped back to his senses.
"Wait. Hold on."
"Yes? All of a sudden…?"
Jeon Gwang-il looked regretful—they were so close.
"Give me a little more time."
"Ah, how long?"
"…I'll decide tomorrow."
"Very well. I'll wait."
Oh—since we're already here.
"I've been saving up magic stones."
"Yes, please hand them over. I'll collect them."
They ate,
handed over the magic stones,
and now Juhyeok had to tell his family the truth he'd been hiding—his Awakening.
And also about the Elite contract.
More than his father's opinion, his mother's approval would be the key.
He also needed to talk things over with Kosak.
And once he cleared the 25th floor and accumulated 25 Platinum Badges, he needed to find out what perk that unlocked.
First, the 25th-floor clear.
Then meet his family.
Above all else, what mattered most was certainty in himself.
After returning home, Juhyeok agonized all night.
True to his reed-like nature, he couldn't reach a conclusion easily.
※ ※ ※
The next day.
Juhyeok woke up late after a restless night.
Today was the day he planned to clear the 25th floor.
Since it was Saturday, he'd finish it in the morning.
He might have to go home in the afternoon.
Before that, he designated and summoned John Kosak.
"Choong! The Special Super Rare assassin has arrived."
Looks like he ranked up.
His appearance had changed a lot.
His build was larger, his gaze sharper.
Only his way of speaking remained the same.
"Welcome, Special Super Rare Mr. Kosak."
"Hehehe, aren't you summoning Al(R) Gobang too?"
Gobang had somehow gained the surname Al.
The R from Rare.
So… Al-Gobang?
"Well, before clearing the 25th floor, I wanted to discuss something separately."
"Ahh, of course. How could you talk sense with that thickheaded Al-Gobang?"
"Yesterday, I met a team leader from the Awakening Administration…"
Juhyeok relayed everything he'd discussed with Jeon Gwang-il to Kosak.
"What do you think? Should I join the Elite Team? Or stay a standard player?"
Kosak nodded as he answered.
"I'm in favor."
"In favor?"
"Summoner Bong is a player on the level of national power. You deserve proper treatment."
National power, my ass—
Without Kosak and Gobang, I can't do anything.
"Do you think I can handle it? If I join the Elite Team, I might have to tackle 60th-floor-level raids—or climb even higher."
"It's absolutely possible. As long as Summoner Bong lives safely and for a long time."
"…My ability doesn't matter?"
"The summoner's safety is the ability."
What kind of logic is that?
Why is my safety the point here?
"Where I came from, there were tons of Legendary Special Super Rare summoned beings. As long as Summoner Bong remains unharmed, one day you'll be able to summon all of them."
"Ah…"
"All of them will absolutely obey Summoner Bong. They'll do whatever you command—as long as it doesn't violate Clause 3."
He understood what that meant.
If a party composed of those beings were formed—
"That's not all. Beyond standard ranks, there are even demigod-class monsters that transcend human limits."
"…But rankless beings can't be summoned."
"For now, yes. But once your summoning ability grows, it'll be possible."
Demigods that transcend humanity.
'That's beyond imagination.'
That was exactly why he had to stay safe.
"You'll come to command a powerful army of summoned beings. With a single gesture, you'll be able to direct them. The 60th floor? The 70th? Even the 100th? Piece of cake."
He was right.
It was only a matter of time.
"Live safely and for a long, long time, and just keep doing your random summons on cooldown. That's Summoner Bong's ultimate move—your finishing blow."
Considering the cooldown, that meant twelve times a year.If cooldown-reset ticket items dropped, it could be even more.
Of course, if his gacha luck was bad, it'd all amount to nothing.
'How long until the next random summon?'
Checking it, about nineteen days remained.
If he could also strengthen his trait during that period, it'd be perfect.
John Kosak continued speaking.
"But there's one thing I absolutely must demand."
"What is it?"
"That decisions on climbing uncleared floors must rest solely with Summoner Bong. There must be no outside interference. This is important."
"So I get to decide whether to challenge higher floors?"
"It has to be explicitly stated. Otherwise, all kinds of trash will start making a fuss about why you're not climbing uncleared upper floors. Then, before you're ready—ugh."
As if recalling a painful memory, he frowned.
"…You must never be dragged along against your will. Anyway, as long as that condition is guaranteed, receiving state support is a good thing."
Kosak was clearly positive about it.
"Let's clear the 25th floor first. At least find out what the perk is. We'll get a Platinum Badge, right?"
He grinned.
"What's with you? I'm SSR. SSR—Special Super Rare."
Kosak's advice was extremely helpful.
More than enough of an answer.
'Good thing I asked.'
Juhyeok designated and summoned the barbarian warrior Gobang.
[Barbarian Warrior Meat Shield has been designated and summoned.]
"Welcome."
"I absolutely obey the summoner."
Then Kosak snapped,
"Hey! Gobang, you little—aren't you going to greet me?"
"A warrior does not greet just anyone."
"Hey! I'm SSR! SSR!"
"…"
"There are two S's before the R! S! S! R!"
Strange.
The barbarian warrior was flinching and avoiding Kosak's gaze.
"Just a mere R."
"Assassin, I… I angry."
"Shut it! This is the difference between you and me, you R-brat!"
With a two-rank gap, even a barbarian warrior couldn't help it?
'Poor guy.'
Next time a summoned-being rank-up rune dropped, he'd give it to Gobang.
Who knew?
Maybe he'd get smarter.
"Then I'll be counting on you today as well. I'll take it easy and… hmm, maybe kill two?"
"Oh my, Summoner Bong, do whatever you like. This SSR will protect you."
"Then even ten would be fine?"
"Summoned Being Principle Clause 3—"
"Okay! Three."
"Just this once."
After his promotion, Kosak had grown noticeably more confident.
[Entering the Black Tower of the Republic of Korea, 25th Floor.]
The final floor of the orc section.
Similar to how the 20th floor marked the end of the goblin section.
'The mission is…'
[25th Floor Mission: Defeat 100 orcs of any type and 1 Orc Chieftain.]
[Time Limit: 10 hours.]
[Completion Conditions: All Orc Types 0/100, Orc Chieftain 0/1]
Orcs poured out.
Forest orcs, desert orcs, cave orcs, volcanic orcs.
Three of them would be his share.
Well… should he just kill three?
If he had some leeway, he could casually sneak in one or two more.