<Tower Strategy for a Real Man 16>
Juhyeok isn’t oblivious to what Kosak is worried about. His awakened trait is summoning. Instead of fighting directly, summoned beings handle most of the player’s combat power—that’s the core of the summoner’s fighting style. There’s no need to engage unnecessarily, especially for Juhyeok. He’s no ordinary summoner—he’s an irregular. By summoning high-tier beings or boosting simultaneous summons through runes and perks, he can climb the tower with ease.
‘Still, I need to clear Floor 21.’
From the 21st to 25th floors, orcs appear. This section was notorious for rampant deaths during the tower’s early days. Chaos reigned as unexplained disappearances surged. Nowadays, with better gear and accessible strategy guides, few players die here.
‘But I should still be cautious, right?’
Even with newfound confidence, recklessness wasn’t an option.
‘Who do I think I am?’
That person from a parallel universe who shared his traits and skills—Kosak’s former summoner. Had he failed due to incompetence? No, he’d surely been stronger, layered with perks. Yet he died, his world destroyed. Juhyeok understood Kosak’s anxiety, the heavy sighs. But he was human too, newly addicted to the thrill of survival. And he’d learned a skill—he had to test it.
‘I’ll convince him. Absolute obedience is the baseline anyway.’
Summon Gobang.
[Barbarian Warrior Gobang has been summoned.]
Summon Kosak.
[John Kosak has been summoned.]
“...Sigh! H-Here I am.”
Why the slumped shoulders?
“Did something upset you?”
“...”
Was it yesterday’s attack skill? Kosak broke the silence:
“...That skill could poison you. Even on Floor 20, I was uneasy. We only survived because they were goblins.”
Ah. The skill was the issue. Kosak feared Juhyeok’s eagerness to test it would lead to danger.
“I held back against goblins, but orcs are different. Forgive my impertinence. I’ll invoke Clause 3 of the Summoned Principles.”
“...Huh?”
Clause 3? The one allowing summoned beings to disobey to protect their summoner’s life?
“Uh...”
“This is the only way.”
Stay calm. Clause 3’s scope was broad—if enforced strictly, he might never wield his mace. The S++ strategy itself hinged on this clause: clearing floors before danger escalated while stacking platinum badges to empower the summoner. Kosak clearly believed Juhyeok had crossed a line, aiming to eliminate all risk.
“...Planning to tie me up? With a butterfly knot?”
“How? Gobang will simply restrain you safely. I’ll handle the strategy.”
Juhyeok glanced at Gobang.
“...”
The warrior averted his eyes. They’d colluded.
“Give me one chance. I’ll tread carefully.”
“I can’t trust you.”
Sharp. Truth-sensing eyes? No choice—total sincerity was needed. Mind control, Juhyeok repeated inwardly. From now on: caution, no reckless charges, safety first.
“I swear on everything! I won’t take the lead again.”
“...Truly?”
“I’ll just eliminate one. Carefully. That’s manageable, right?”
Kosak hesitated.
“Trust me once! Safety first! Ultra-cautious mode!”
Finally:
“Very well. But I’ll guard you closely. At the first sign of danger, I intervene.”
“Deal!”
“Agreed!”
Phew. Kosak’s firm tone signaled relief. The persuasion worked—Kosak’s level and gear offered some security. Juhyeok relaxed.
“Shall we go?”
To Floor 21.
[Entering Floor 21 of the Korean Black Tower.]
Orcs roamed here—forest-dwelling green-skins. Stronger than goblins but dim-witted.
“Orcs are fools. Smarter than Gobang, though.”
“I smarter than orc.”
“Sure, sure. Quiet.”
Muscle-bound brutes. One grab from them meant torn limbs—no time for healing potions. Good thing he’d promised just one kill.
“Use Shadow Steps wisely, Summoner. Perfect for misleading orcs—they’ll exhaust themselves chasing shadows.”
“Relax. I’ll stick to one. Trust me.”
“Understood.”
After gearing up in the safe zone:
“Wait. Let’s practice ten times first.”
The quest wouldn’t trigger until they accepted the mission.
“Practice a hundred times if needed.”
Juhyeok gripped his shield and adamantite mace. Skill: Chaos Thunder Mace—1st Form: Falling Thunder Pursuit.
Whoosh! Mana surged into the mace. A vertical strike, deceptively simple in form but devastating in speed and force.
Crack! Zap!
‘Is this right?’
Six more swings.
“Hmm.”
Unsatisfied, Juhyeok paused. Kosak remarked:
“How can you practice without a target?”
“Right? Maybe I need real combat...”
“Too risky. Master the skill first.”
“Then what?”
“There’s a way.”
Kosak turned to Gobang.
“Gobang.”
“Speak, assassin.”
“Kneel briefly.”
“Warriors kneel to none.”
“Not to me—to the Summoner.”
“I kneel.”
Thud! Eye-level now, Juhyeok sensed where this was headed.
“...Uh.”
Surely not—
“Here’s your practice dummy! Strike Gobang freely.”
“...”
Have they lost it?
“You want me to hit him?”
“Perfect, no? He’ll remain unscathed. Ideal for practice.”
“...”
“I’m too frail... hehe.”
Gobang added: “Strike me. I feel no pain.”
“Hear that? Ten hits, then we begin.”
“...”
Madness. Both conspiring. Juhyeok’s choice? Obvious.
“Let’s get the mission.”
“But ten strikes—”
“Shh! Keep pushing, and I’ll charge solo.”
“Understood! Silence!”
Outside the safe zone:
[Floor 21 Mission: Eliminate 30 Forest Orcs.]
[Time Limit: 4 hours.]
“Ready?”
“I’ll lead!”
“I follow.”
Juhyeok stayed behind.
"I said I'd only catch one, so I should keep my promise."
Screech! Grunt! Groan!
Forest orcs poured out of the woods, shrieking strange cries.
I remembered a YouTube video I’d seen—a summoner-type player clearing a stage by summoning a golem.
Was that player level 30 back then?
As I reminisced, the forest orcs were already being wiped out.
At this rate, I might not even get to kill one.
I needed to choose fast.
Now!
A single forest orc lagged behind, isolated from the pack.
This one’s perfect…
Juhyeok locked eyes with Kosak.
Can I take that one?
A nod.
Kosak dipped his head in approval.
“Okay!”
Whoosh!
He closed the gap instantly with Shadow Step.
“Guek?”
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Afterimages disoriented the orc before Juhyeok seized it from behind.
Crunch!
His mace smashed into its skull.
Crack!
Thud!
“Kiiii…”
The orc crumpled, skull shattered and body crackling with electricity.
“Oh!”
Easy.
Too easy.
One more?
No.
A prickling gaze burned the back of his neck.
If Rule #3 activated, he’d be screwed.
[21st Floor Mission Complete]
[Level Up]
[Reward: 2.1kg Magic Stone]
[Notice: S++ Rank Achieved on Black Tower (Korea) Floor 21]
[S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge Awarded]
The next day, he caught one desert orc in the wasteland.
[Notice: S++ Rank Achieved on Black Tower (Korea) Floor 22]
On Floor 23, he bagged one cave orc in a trap-riddled darkness.
[Notice: S++ Rank Achieved on Black Tower (Korea) Floor 23]
On Floor 24, he barely took down a volcanic orc amid searing lava.
[Notice: S++ Rank Achieved on Black Tower (Korea) Floor 24]
Tch.
Only one kill per floor? Maddening.
But he had to build trust first.
Now, the awaited Floor 25.
After a day’s rest.
Time to hand over that rune?
He hadn’t been able to gift items with Gobang and Kosak always together.
The next day, Juhyeok summoned Kosak alone.
“Chung! I’m here.”
“Welcome.”
“Didn’t you say you were resting today?”
“I was, but… hey! Found this on my way. Take it.”
“Huh? Edible?”
“No. Just check it.”
Juhyeok tossed the Summoner Rank-Up Rune carelessly.
Kosak’s pupils trembled as he caught it.
“Uh…”
He inspected it, even nibbled the edge—
Flash!
“W-what?! A rank-up?!”
“Like it?”
“Y-you’re… giving this… to me?”
“Yes.”
“…Incredible. A rank-up… I’m honored.”
Is it that big a deal?
“So happy! I’ll protect you better, Summoner-nim!”
At least he’s pleased.
“Starting the upgrade now?”
“Can’t. Too risky without preparation. I’ll do it back home.”
So it’s not instant.
“See you tomorrow after upgrading?”
“Yes!”
He’ll manage.
“Stay awhile, since you’re here.”
“Then… TV?”
Kosak snatched the remote and powered it on.
Bored, Juhyeok joined him.
Clickclickclick!
Channels cycled wildly.
“Pick one already!”
“Hmm… looking for a rerun…”
“Just use replay.”
“Costs extra…”
“What’s the point of saving? Just— wait!”
Juhyeok stabbed a finger at the screen.
“What’s wrong?”
“Scroll forward.”
“Okay.”
“More… stop!”
A news broadcast.
A woman in a red headband spoke to a reporter.
A face he knew too well.
…Mom?
Hong Geum-ja—his mother.
But why are you coming out of there?
※ ※ ※
Hong Geum-ja was holding a solo protest in front of the headquarters of Jinsaemmul Water Purifier Company. She held a sign reading "Oppose unfair contract termination," "Improve treatment for water purifier technicians," and "Stop corporate abuse of power." To her family, she lied about job hunting, yet returned daily to the company’s gates. She’d reached her limit—her contract had been unjustly terminated. During a routine filter replacement visit, a customer demanded she take out the trash and sort recycling before leaving. What nonsense! Unlike her husband or son, Hong Geum-ja faced conflicts directly. She retorted that she was there for maintenance, not chores. Still, the company ordered her to apologize. For what? She’d done nothing wrong. Termination followed, prompting her protest.
Ten days passed without media coverage—likely blocked by the company. Executives strode past her with mocking glances, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to yield.
Then—snap—a crisp-suited man appeared. "Ms. Hong Geum-ja?" He offered a business card.
"Who are you?"
"Lee Chang-seok from Park & Kim Law Firm."
Park & Kim? South Korea’s top firm, known for corporate giants and government contracts. Why approach her?
"Planning to sue me? Go ahead," she challenged.
"Ha! The opposite. Let’s sue them. We’ll represent you—pro bono."
"...What?"
"Part of our social responsibility program. Standard practice."
Skeptical but desperate, she agreed after he suggested recording a verbal contract.
"Trust me—we’ll win."
"Fine. Handle it."
Lee snapped his fingers. Cameras and reporters surged forward.
"Tell your full story," he urged. "They’ll edit later."
Hong Geum-ja nodded, bracing herself.
