<The Tower Strategy of an Ordinary Man 6>
Seoul, Hannam-dong, Awakener Management Bureau.
Yesterday, yet another full announcement echoed regarding the S++ grade conquest of the 10th floor.
Conquering a tower floor doesn’t always trigger a full announcement.
There’s only one scenario that does: when a new floor is conquered.
That’s how it’s always been—until now.
Recently, I learned of another case: an S++ grade conquest message.
It might very well be the world’s first.
And it happened here in South Korea.
We need to find them.
The tower player is undoubtedly South Korean, but there’s no way to pinpoint who.
All we can do is wait for the phone to ring.
Director Park Kyung-soo turned to Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il of the Elite Management Team:
“Team Leader Jeon, any updates? I heard another inquiry call came in yesterday.”
“Yes. After verification, she’s confirmed as a player—a 27-year-old woman residing in Daegu.”
“Could she be…?”
“Unlikely. She doesn’t seem to be the S++ record holder either.”
“Hmm. I wonder if they’ll ever show themselves.”
The number of players remains strictly regulated.
When a player dies in the tower or abandons their climb, their slot passes to another.
That’s why we get 1-2 registration inquiries weekly.
To confirm a player’s authenticity, we observe them entering the tower.
They vanish in an instant—easy to verify.
There’s an added step now: talent assessment.
How? With consent, players film their tower conquests for review.
Smartphones and cameras can be taken inside, making this possible.
Video recordings are invaluable.
Elite Team members are required to document every attempt.
This allows strategic analysis for improvement.
“Still, this applicant shows promise. She claims a B-grade clearance on the 8th floor. The footage confirms it’s a solid B.”
“Excellent!”
“She’s also highly motivated to join the Elite Team. Fully qualified for the reserves.”
“Good. Proceed with the contract.”
Talent matters, but the will to join the Elite Team alone can qualify someone.
The crucial trait is relentless determination to climb.
The state will fill in any gaps.
Players may bring personal-sized items into the tower:
Clothing, combat gear, potions—even handguns. Larger items are prohibited.
The Elite Team enjoys extraordinary privileges:
Salaries, diplomatic treatment matching National Assembly members, every state benefit imaginable.
They’re exempt from prosecution even for crimes like murder.
The government manages roughly 150 Elite Team members, divided into first-team and reserve units.
They’re the frontline climbers for new floors. This hierarchy is necessary—without it, the tower’s collapse would be inevitable.
The “regular” team is different. Lacking climbing ambition, they receive minimal support.
Compared to the Elite, they’re a drop in the ocean. Still, their contributions of magic stones earn them monthly 2-million-won stipends, item sales assistance, and legal aid.
If an S++ record holder ever registers? Director Park vowed to grant every demand without hesitation.
Buzz. Buzz.
Team Leader Jeon checked his phone. “Director.”
“Yes?”
“Another registration inquiry. From Seoul.”
“Seoul? I’ll handle this personally.”
“Do your best. If they’re legitimate—”
“I’ll secure them for the Elite Team.”
“Offer the Bureau’s full benefits package.”
“Understood.”
※ ※ ※
Bong Joo-hyuk’s face was pale. “Haah…”
His “brave” decision now filled him with regret. Typical of an ordinary guy.
Guests are coming. Clean first.
He scrubbed his modest rented room feverishly—sweeping, mopping, air freshener, dishes, trash. But anxiety lingered.
Should I call Kosak? No—too risky. High-profile help might draw attention.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Who’s there?”
“Awakener Management Bureau. May we enter?”
Joo-hyuk opened the door to a middle-aged man and a young woman. Their eyes locked in mutual scrutiny.
“Hello. I’m Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il from the Bureau.”
"Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Mina, the manager. I’m also a player."
"Ah! I see. I’m, uh, Bong Juhyuk."
The three of them sat around the dining table, facing one another.
"First, let me ask: Bong Juhyuk, are you awakened?"
"Ah, yes. I’ve entered the tower and even attempted to clear it."
"Ah! How far did you get?"
"Up to the 10th floor—the beginner adaptation zone. Here are the magic stones I’ve collected so far."
Juhyuk produced a total of 5.5kg of magic stones.
‘The 10th floor.’
Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il’s eyes gleamed.
The S++ rank clearing record had been set at the 10th floor.
Could it be him?
He wasn’t entirely sure.
After verifying the weight with a portable electronic scale:
"Bong Player, may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Have you heard the recent global announcements?"
"Ah! The S++ rank clearing? I’ve heard rumors... I’m curious who it could be. Must be an amazing player."
Jeon Gwang-il tilted his head and continued.
"First, let me explain the contract terms. The government categorizes players into two teams: the Elite Climbing Team and the General Climbing Team."
"Oh, right."
"Joining the Elite Team guarantees a base annual salary of..."
A tedious explanation followed—team structure, benefits, reduced risks due to national support, and so on.
Why’s he pushing these elite perks? Does he think I’m the S++ record holder?
The way he’s staring... No chance.
Elite Team? As if!
"However, the Elite Team requires proof. We’d need to film your tower run with this body cam..."
This won’t do. Time to be direct.
"Uh, hold on a second."
"Yes?"
"Can I share my thoughts?"
"Of course."
Juhyuk took a steadying breath.
"I’ll stick with the General Team. I don’t want to join the Elite Team."
"Huh? Why?"
"Honestly, I lack talent." Truth.
"And... it’s terrifying. I’d rather stop at a safe floor and collect rewards." Also truth.
Jeon Gwang-il blinked, startled.
So blunt?
The core requirement for the Elite Team was climbing ambition. Without it, eligibility vanished.
"Don’t rush your decision—"
"No. My mind’s made up."
Jeon Gwang-il’s disappointment was palpable.
"...Very well. We’ll respect your choice."
"Th-thank you."
"Can you enter the tower today?"
"I can."
"Then please do so here. It’s required for awakening verification."
"Understood."
Juhyuk’s tense expression softened. Only one step remained: enter and exit the tower to sell his magic stones.
"Wh-while I’m there, I’ll clear the floor. It’ll take two hours. If waiting’s inconvenient—"
"We’ll wait. It’s our job."
"Alright."
After lacing his shoes and adjusting his clothes, Juhyuk activated his tower entry skill.
Poof!
As Juhyuk vanished, Jeon Gwang-il muttered bitterly,
"He’s awakened, at least."
To Manager Lee Mina:
"Your thoughts?"
"Can’t gauge his talent, but he’s timid. His speech reeks of hesitation."
"Agreed."
"Not sure how far he’ll go. Might quit on the 11th floor."
"Why?"
Lee Mina smirked.
"The 11th floor tests fear. Those long-tailed tunnel centipedes."
"Not tough, but grotesque. You need to kill 100. Think he’ll manage?"
"Hmm."
"Exactly. He’ll flee to the safe zone and forfeit. Guaranteed."
Another dead end.
"I’ll inform the director. Bong Juhyuk isn’t the S++ player. Lower expectations."
※ ※ ※
[Entering Floor 11 of Korea’s Black Tower.]
Summoning Kosak.
[John Kosak has been summoned.]
"Choom! Thanks for callin’ me!"
Ever-energetic, Kosak grinned.
"Let’s move."
"I’ll lead!"
Exiting the safe zone:
[Floor 11 Mission: Eliminate 100 long-tailed tunnel centipedes.]
[Time Limit: 3 hours.]
[Progress: 0/100]
[Failure: Death or surrender.]
"...Ugh."
An awakening verification run—
Why centipedes?
A hundred of them.
Well, it's not like I'll be fighting directly anyway.
"I'll handle this quickly. About 100 tunnel centipedes? I can clear them in 5 minutes."
That won’t work.
"No, this time we’re going extremely slow."
"Huh?"
"Stall as long as possible—over an hour. We can’t risk setting an S++ clear record."
Why did I insist on clearing the floor anyway?
I could’ve just proven I entered the tower.
It’s to hide the truth—to show I’m not the S++ rank record holder.
By verifying the clear with 1.1kg of demon stone.
That way, all suspicions about me holding the S++ record vanish.
"Aha! Now I see your plan."
"I’ll unsummon Mr. Kosak inside the tower today. Too many watchers outside."
"Understood."
A flawless plan.
Confirm my awakening while erasing doubts about my S++ clearance.
Poof!
The deranged assassin John Kosak lunged forward like a wild beast.
Three-meter-long tunnel centipedes with whip-like tails began oozing from the ground.
Non-venomous but grotesque—their bulbous bodies and countless writhing legs made my skin crawl.
And their numbers...
Even from afar, the sight made my hairs stand on end.
"Ugh..."
The earth itself seemed to writhe as they squirmed.
Yet Kosak showed no fear.
He bounced around casually, eliminating them one by one.
...Too efficient?
So I ordered:
"Mr. Kosak, slow down further."
"Yessir!"
The pace dropped dramatically.
He’s following orders perfectly.
Kosak’s blind obedience was reassuring.
Then—
Whoosh! Hiss!
"Shit! Damn it all!"
Centipedes erupted beneath Joo-hyuk’s feet.
Whoosh from the left!
Whoosh from the right!
Completely surrounded.
They arched like spitting cobras, sulfur-yellow eyes fixed on Joo-hyuk.
"Uh-oh... uh-oh..."
The creatures had breached Kosak’s perimeter through underground movement.
Did I overdo the stalling?
I froze.
First time on the frontline—always hid behind others before.
My mind blanked when skills were needed.
Suddenly—
"Summoner Bong! I’ve got this!!"
Swish!
Kosak descended like a storm, eyes crimson and daggers blurring.
Slash! Slash-slash!
Centipede heads rolled as he frenziedly protected Joo-hyuk.
"W-wait! The kill counter’s spiking!"
"S-slow down!"
"Can’t! Too many targets!"
"That’s an order—minimum speed!"
"Prioritizing your safety, Summoner!"
"Damn summoned servant Rule #3!"
Chop-chop-chop—
"Stop! You’ll trigger—"
[System Alert: S++ Rank Achieved on Black Tower (Korea) Floor 11.]
[S++ Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
"Goddamn it!"
The global alert blared again.
Kosak scratched his neck awkwardly.
"My apologies."
"...Unsummon."
Whoosh!
[Floor 12 Unlocked.]
[Exited South Korea’s Black Tower.]
Poof!
Joo-hyuk reappeared in his studio—less than 10 minutes after entering.
Manager Lee Min-ah gaped at him, wide-eyed.
"B-Bong Player... You didn’t just—?"
She’d obviously heard the announcement.
"Must be a misunderstanding..." Deny, deny, deny.
"Wasn’t me." Silence.
"Pure coincidence!" More silence.
"Another player must’ve cleared Floor 11 simultaneously!" Deafening silence.
"...Trust me?"
