<Tower Climbing Strategy for the Han Namja 5>
It’s been 10 days since I started climbing the tower.
Yesterday, clearing the 9th floor was easy.
To be precise, it was easy for Cosack, not for me.
The 9th-floor mission required eliminating 10 jungle man-eating corpse flowers.
These giant flowers sprawled their petals across the forest floor in the dense jungle, snapping at the feet of anyone who passed by.
“What’s this? Just a nuisance.”
They lacked teeth, their petals closed weakly, and though their oozing digestive fluid stung on contact, it was barely more than a tingle.
John Cosack simply stomped them flat.
He crushed the corpse flowers into unrecognizable pulp.
“Maybe I should try stepping on them too…”
“Ah, stay back. They reek and will ruin your shoes.”
Aren’t these things pampered like greenhouse plants?
Then again, without proper combat skills, charging in would’ve been reckless.
Regardless, the 9th floor was cleared.
An S++ rating was practically automatic.
A platinum badge as a bonus.
Reassuring, really.
Even the fact that he’s a deranged assassin who slaughtered three people didn’t matter.
‘Honestly, he did it to protect me.’
Today’s mission: the 10th floor.
Starting with summoning Cosack.
His satisfaction rating? An automatic 5/5.
But then—
[John Cosack’s satisfaction rating has been set to 5 points.]
[Due to consecutive top scores, John Cosack’s manifestation time has increased by 1 hour.]
‘…Huh?’
I hadn’t expected that.
‘Giving him full marks paid off.’
Cosack grinned.
“Thank you. I can now assist you for an additional hour.”
“As always, I’m in your care.”
“Just trust me!”
Juhyuk and Cosack entered the 10th floor.
[Entering the 10th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]
[Your physical abilities have been enhanced to match your level.]
[Traits and combat skills are now available.]
By the 10th floor, the shift was palpable.
I could finally feel it:
‘I’ve grown stronger.’
The tower’s physical recalibration.
Vitality surged through me, muscles taut with newfound power.
Even a faint thrum of magic pulsed in my lower abdomen—useless for now, with no skills to channel it.
The status window listed [Combat Skills], blank for summoners like me. Others unlocked abilities from Level 1, but summoners?
We’re not hopeless. Skills come with levels or rewards—skill runes, maybe.
The 10th-floor mission:
[Mission: Defeat 1 Giant Horned Mantis.]
[Time Limit: 2 hours.]
[Completion: 0/1 Giant Horned Mantis]
[Failure: Death or surrender.]
“I’ll help this time.”
“Absolutely not. If you get a scratch, I’ll lose my head.”
“But I can’t just watch! I’ve got healing potions.”
“Save those. Just cheer from the back.”
No more being a greenhouse flower. I had to contribute.
“No—this time, I’m joining you!”
Suddenly—
Rustle. Rustle.
A Giant Horned Mantis tore through the foliage.
“…Uh.”
It was colossal.
Just its eyes—glistening, compound—sent shivers down my spine.
A gaping maw, sickle-like forelegs, a triangular head crowned by a horn.
This was the 10th-floor boss? How did anyone else survive?
“…If I bungle this, I’ll just annoy Cosack, won’t I?”
“It’s no trouble.”
“No. Cheering’s better than bumbling.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Go get ’em, Cosack!”
“Yessir!”
Whoosh!
Cosack lunged with blinding speed.
Stab! Stab!
The mantis’s eyes shattered.
Slash! Slash!
Forelegs severed.
Thud!
A blue blade split its abdomen, spilling viscera.
Over in seconds.
[10th Floor Mission Complete.]
[Level Up.]
[Reward: 1kg Magic Stone.]
[Notice: S++ Rating Achieved for Korean Black Tower Floor 1.]
[S++ Reward: Platinum Badge.]
[Floor 11 Unlocked.]
[Exiting Korean Black Tower.] Pop!
Back in my studio.
‘…Already done?’
Was this graduating from rookie status?
Rewards:
1kg Magic Stone (total: 5.5kg).
Platinum Badges—10 now.
[Special Perk: Copy one skill from your summoned ally.]
[Options: Blade Explosion, Shock Break, Vicious Ambush, Poison Dagger, Shadow Step, Disturbance, Stealth, Invisibility, Polymorph…]
“…Wow.”
Cosack’s skills? All mine for the taking.
“Summoner Juhyuk!”
“Yes?”
“Pick Shadow Step. No questions.”
“Why?”
“Perfect for escapes. If things go south, vanish like a ghost.”
“…Escapes?”
What do you take me for?!
Do I look like the type to run away and live alone?
"...Shadow Step acquired."
[Skill: Shadow Step acquired.]
[Shadow Step has been registered in the status window.]
Speed is crucial in battle.
Isn’t speed everything in a fight?
Of course, it’s also useful for running away.
Either way, the skill’s usage method clicked in my mind.
Skill: Shadow Step
Description: Leaves a shadow behind while escaping rapidly. Effectiveness improves with skill level.
Usage: Activate by speaking the skill’s name aloud or focusing your will to move.
‘Not bad.’
[Combat Skill: Shadow Step]
Now I had another skill to use inside the tower.
‘What if it works in real life too…?’
Might as well try.
“Shadow Step.”
I activated the skill, but…
“…”
Nothing happened.
“Doesn’t work.”
I’d lowkey hoped it would.
“What a mess.”
Summoning skills worked outside.
So why not combat skills?
If summoning’s allowed, this should be too!
“Zero consistency. Absolutely none!”
“No idea what you’re on about, but you’re spitting facts.”
Such a waste—this skill’s perfect for escaping.
If it worked outdoors, the applications would’ve been endless.
At least it’s usable in the tower. Slowly getting safer here.
Progress.
※ ※ ※
Day 11 of tower climbing.
My part-time job’s day off.
Took special leave.
Had something urgent to do.
A sudden thought:
Should I quit the part-time gig?
‘…Let’s stick with it a bit longer.’
Tower climbing wasn’t hard.
Just summon John Cossack—instant win.
No issues up to mid-10th floor.
For the upper 10th floors, I’d need one more person.
Once the random summon cooldown resets.
Anyway, today’s mission was clear:
Selling magic stones.
But it required a special process.
For Juhyuk, this was the toughest moment.
Magic stones—rocks imbued with human-safe energy.
Used across industries, still under research.
Sellable anywhere.
But the moment you try:
Your player identity gets exposed.
Instant bullseye for danger.
A warrior in the tower, a regular Joe in reality.
Easy target for kidnapping—forced into being a magic stone mule.
Players die often in the tower… and just as often in real life.
Not Juhyuk, though.
He could summon John Cossack as a loyal bodyguard anywhere.
Still, complacency kills.
What if danger strikes after Cossack’s summon expires?
What if the cooldown blocks an emergency resummon?
Only one safe choice:
Government contract.
Corporations and player guilds used to handle this, but they’re relics now.
Rumors say black markets and secret orgs exist—no proof.
National government contracts? Safest bet.
Request protection directly.
They’ll even sell your mission rewards for you.
Sure, there’s stigma:
“Government ties mean losing freedom!”
“They’ll exploit you!”
But that’s dictatorship talk.
Normal governments—especially Korea’s—give players broad freedom.
Players aren’t threats in reality. Weak outside, essential for the tower’s stability.
The state should protect them.
‘Sweet, sweet government embrace.’
State-managed players fall into two categories:
Elites—specialized teams tackling unclimbed upper floors.
Generals (aka leftovers)—burned-out players grinding lower floors.
Avoid Elites—too much responsibility. Juhyuk wanted the leftovers. Over 90% of contracted players did. Park on a comfy floor, repeat easy missions. Perfect for Bong Juhyuk—poster boy of mediocrity.
But there’s a catch.
The notice from clearing up to Floor 10:
[Notice: S++ grade achieved on △△ Floor of Black Tower (Korea).]
Only recently learned what this meant. After clearing Floor 10 yesterday, I checked the “Tower Climbing Gallery” forum:
└ Wait, that rumor’s REAL?
└ Yup. Management’s covering it up, but the notice was legit.
└ Ten consecutive S++ clears? Ultimate national flex?
└ Obviously. Japan’s record? A lousy A-grade—no global alert.
└ Worldwide, A++ is the highest. Still no global notice.
└ Only S+ and above trigger global alerts?
└ Seems so. But S++? Mega national pride.
└ Clearly someone awakened… but WHO?
A global alert all players saw. Internet forums were boiling. The government definitely knew.
‘If they find out I’m the S++ guy…’
Forced into the Elite team.
What’s wrong with that? Fame? Fortune?
‘Hell no!’ One bold move could wreck my chill life.
Reminder: My S++ grades? All John Cossack’s work. Even he might struggle past Floor 30. What if future summons flop?
‘Stay a leftover.’
Leftovers matter! Their magic stones fuel industries, protect ecosystems, enrich the world.
Just one call: “I’ve awakened. Want to sell stones.”
But courage… ugh.
Is this right? No takebacks.
Could I keep hiding? But then I can’t sell future rewards.
‘5.5kg = ₩2.75 million.’
Pick up phone. Put down. Dial. Erase. Repeat.
Mind racing.
Ugh—king of indecision! Petty gene curse! Thanks, Dad!
Wait—blame Mom’s side?
After 50 mental loops:
‘Hide it! From Floor 11, tell Cossack to slack off.’
“Phew…” Finally dialed 1111.
Beep—click!
“Hello? How can I assist?”
“Th-this is Bong Juhyuk. I’ve… uh… awakened.”
Done.
“Congratulations! May we visit your residence?”
“Y-yes. But I live alone. Address is…”
“Understood! En route!”
Bong Juhyuk—ordinary citizen. At 25, this was his bravest act… even topping his first tower entry.
