<The Tower Strategy of a Henamja: Chapter 13>
The next afternoon.
Juhyuk visited the Awakened Management Bureau's player shop again.
He had agonized all night.
Should I really commit to this?
Since I’m already involved, I might as well test my capabilities.
In truth, he felt he understood why he could do this.
Monsters were terrifying.
Not just their appearance, but because carelessness could cost your life.
Yet repeated encounters had dulled much of that fear.
Moreover, each level gained boosted his combat skills, brought special rewards, and provided reliable allies.
Juhyuk’s timidity originated from struggles with human connections.
The fear from people and monsters differed fundamentally.
Monsters required no emotional consideration.
What did it matter how a monster viewed him?
No need to tread carefully around their moods.
Would you befriend a monster?
No need to ponder their likes or dislikes to bond.
This wasn’t like agonizing over text messages—rewriting phrases, debating emojis, or fretting about punctuation.
No anxiety over being left on read or ghosted.
Monsters were simple.
Even if fearsome, they existed only to be smashed upon encounter.
Was tower climbing socializing?
Of course not!
That’s why he could shed his timidity here.
He could do this.
The Black Tower’s alpha male.
An energy shield alone wouldn’t suffice for proper success.
As floors rose, monster attack power would escalate further. Relying solely on defense could lead to disaster.
‘Where was the shield vendor…? Ah! There.’
Pairing one with his energy shield would create perfect synergy.
‘Why so crowded today?’
During his first visit, the shop had been empty.
Now players browsed items everywhere.
‘Buy quickly and go home.’
En route to the armor shop,
Juhyuk recalled Cosack’s advice from yesterday:
You’ll grow to enjoy combat
Your confidence will increase
Danger will rise proportionally
Every word rang true.
Yet it felt contradictory.
Fear persisted, but so did the urge to fight.
Who could have predicted this change?
His father would be horrified, his brother gaping.
‘I’ve matured so much.’
That timid Henamja.
His lifelong philosophy of cautious living?
Too late to revert now.
Juhyuk’s mind replayed his brief clash with the Goblin Assassin.
‘I want to try again.’
He understood Cosack’s concern.
The knight had mentioned a former summoner who died—likely witnessed firsthand.
Guilt over failing to protect them.
A vow to protect this summoner at all costs.
Hence the overreactions to perceived risks.
‘I want to accommodate him, but…’
He was done with timidity.
This was his chance to change.
‘Why can’t I be confident?’
From now on, he’d transform.
Spread his wings—from Henamja to Sangnamja.
Yes!
Yesterday’s Juhyuk was gone.
Only today’s remained.
He strode boldly to the armor shop entrance.
“Welcome! What are you seeking today, player?”
“...Uh?”
The clerk.
Naturally female.
“Um, th-that is…”
“Hohoho! Just point if you don’t know the name.”
“Sh-shield…”
“Oh! A shield shopper? Shall I recommend one?”
“...Y-yes.”
Damn—couldn’t meet her eyes.
So much for alpha status.
“How about this large square shield? Orichalcum-Sectonium alloy. Self-repairing, no maintenance!”
“...Pr-price?”
“100 million. Material costs only, you know.”
“T-too heavy… expensive… Unless there’s nothing else…”
Maddening. Why couldn’t he speak straight?
“Aha! This round buckler then. Adamant-Sectonium alloy. Compact, light, self-repairing!”
Perfect!
30cm diameter.
A forearm-mounted disc.
Ideal match for his mace.
“...Cost?”
“40 million.”
“Instal…”
“Available! Deductible from magic stone earnings.”
“...Sold.”
“Excellent!”
The palm scanner beeped.
Finally—purchased.
Mace in right hand, buckler on left.
‘Installments will take time…’
But manageable.
Conversing with clerks proved harder than fighting goblins.
He hurried toward the exit.
Home—his sanctuary.
But then—
“Hello there.”
A man intercepted him.
Who?
“Player, yes? Me too!”
Obviously. Only players or staff came here.
“Choi Hoseok. Pleasure!”
The man extended a hand. Juhyuk reluctantly shook it.
“...Bong Juhyuk.”
“Juhyuk! I shop daily but you’re new. Wanted to connect!”
“Second visit.”
“Floor progress? I’m in the 30s.”
High-level.
“...10s.”
“Newcomer! Ask me anything—I’ll help!”
Friendly demeanor. Gentle features.
Born extrovert—hence the ease with strangers.
“N-nothing yet.”
“Really? Anytime! I’m here often.”
“Right.”
“See you!”
Hoseok vanished with a wave.
Social infiltration mastery—astonishing.
‘Bet he has a girlfriend.’
Envious.
※ ※ ※
After dinner errands—he’d rest from climbing today.
Usual solo spots: fast food or soup kitchens.
At his local stew shop:
Pork bone broth devoured with chives, shrimp paste, chili, perilla.
Returning at dusk, he washed up.
“Status.”
[Name]: Bong Juhyuk
[Affiliation]: Black Tower (South Korea)
[Level]: 19LV
[Attribute]: Summoning (Simultaneous Summons: 2)
[Catalog]: John Cosack / Savage Flesh Shield
[Attribute Skills]: Designated Summon / Random Summon / Summon Release
[General Skills]: Tower Entry (Once per day) / Tower-exclusive Inventory
[Combat Skill Skill]: Shadow Step
A warm satisfaction washed over me.
When did I climb this high?
Level 19—now eligible to challenge the 19th floor.
Alright, time to begin the persuasion process.
Juhyuk retrieved a mace and round hand shield from his tower-exclusive inventory, gripping one in each hand.
He assigned 5-star ratings to John Cosack and Gobang in the catalog.
"John Cosack, designated summon."
[John Cosack has been designated and summoned.]
"Whoa! Thanks for the stars... uhh..."
Juhyuk stood resolute with his weapons, eyes blazing with determination.
John Cosack anticipated Juhyuk's intent before he spoke.
Collapsing to the floor with a thud:
"Hueuuk... So it's finally..."
The summoner's presence radiated unwavering resolve—a declaration of his commitment to conquer the tower.
"D-do we really need to do this?"
"I'll exercise maximum caution."
"The previous summoner said those exact words."
"Don't worry. Being from Hanam, I know when to retreat."
Cosack wiped streaming tears with his knuckles.
"Promise me. No reckless charges."
How heartbreaking.
Juhyuk stored his weapons and clasped Cosack's hands firmly.
"...I promise."
"If things get dire, sacrifice me and Gobang to escape."
"Hmm, understood."
"Better to sacrifice Gobang's brat than me."
"That depends on circumstances."
"Shall we begin now?"
"No. Tomorrow."
"Then I'll just watch TV... Huh?"
At that instant!
John Cosack suddenly cocked his head.
His expression hardened moments later.
"Summoner Juhyuk."
"Yes?"
"Do you harbor any grudges?"
"Grudges? Of course not. I've never wronged anyone."
"Someone's outside. Their murderous aura is overwhelming."
Murderous aura?
Who—
Crrreeak—
The front door handle twisted violently.
"...Hide."
"Yessir!"
Whoosh—
Cosack vanished.
Zzzt!
A translucent energy shield encased Juhyuk.
CLANG!
The door burst open.
"Well well... Hehehe."
"...What? How did you find my—"
"Tailing you was tedious."
Juhyuk's fists clenched.
※ ※ ※
Choi Hoseok, Level 33, cared less about tower climbing than his side hustle:
Self-styled item broker.
Acquiring valuable gear—not through conquest, but theft.
He hunted prey in player shops—timid pushovers reminiscent of schoolyard victims.
Today's jackpot:
A bracelet-wearing weakling who'd faint at knife-point.
The target's wristgear practically glowed with rarity.
Hoseok shook hands warmly while verifying the item.
Tower-exclusive tag or not—it meant profit.
The fool claimed to be conquering the 10th floor—a mere Level 10. Even Level 50s were powerless outside.
Hoseok tailed Bong Juhyuk by motorcycle, tracing him from taxi to restaurant to shabby apartment.
Not Elite Team territory—those state-protected elites lived better.
Click.
Master key in lock.
Silenced pistol drawn.
"Kehehe..."
The mark still wore the bracelet. Inventory full of loot, no doubt.
Torture first. Kill after. Dump the corpse in the tower—where player bodies conveniently stored themselves.
"Not a peep! Bullet through the skull if you twitch."
Juhyuk's eyes bulged.
"Bracelet off. Inventory open. Prefer a knife? I'll fillet you like fish."
Madness! Why provoke—
"Choose: torture or compliance?"
Juhyuk trembled violently. The energy shield's true protection? Hoseok's impending doom.
"Hoseok-"
"Shut it! Inventory. Now."
"...You can still walk away alive. I swear."
"Bullshit! Kneecap first?"
Fait accompli. Hoseok's fate: beheaded, ribbon-adorned. But corpse disposal...
Swish—
Something pale flashed.
'...Huh?'
The gun vanished from Hoseok's grip.
THWACK!
Skull-cracking impact.
"Cough! The hell—another—?"
Crash.
Hoseok faceplanted, unconscious.
Juhyuk gaped. Alive?
Cosack materialized.
"Brilliant! You subdued him non-lethally!"
"...Sir?"
"Hah! 5 stars? You deserve 500!"
"Heh... R-really?" Cosack discreetly pocketed his beheading dagger and decorative ribbon—original plan foiled by Juhyuk's no-blood policy.
"I'll dispose of this—"
"Leave him. Police matter."
"But—"
"Easiest solution."
Cosack eyed the unconscious Hoseok resentfully. This vermin deserved decapitation and ribboned display. Such waste... Bloodstains could've been managed. Should've sliced first.
