<A Han Namja's Guide to Conquering the Tower 17>
Juhyuk watched the news until the end with a heavy heart.
He knew his mother had been fired from her company, but he hadn’t realized she’d been suffering to the point of staging a solo protest.
“Damn it!”
Anger surged through him, followed by guilt.
What was the point of having two sons? When trouble struck, they were just ungrateful failures who couldn’t even support their parents.
And how had she even gotten a lawyer? Park & Kim wasn’t a firm you could hire with pocket change.
Kossack seemed to sense the situation. In a measured tone, he said:
“Summoner Bong.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll pay a visit to Jin Springwater Company for you.”
“...”
Juhyuk wavered briefly before replying:
“Don’t. Mom’s interview mentioned she’s hired a solid lawyer—for free.”
“Understood...”
He’d need to send her the legal fees later.
The magic stones he’d collected totaled 21kg—about ₩10 million. If that wasn’t enough, he’d sell his energy shield kit...
Bzzt!
His phone rang. His father.
He’d likely seen the interview too.
—Juhyuk. Saw the news?
“Yeah.”
—Called your mom. Don’t worry—she got some big-shot lawyer pro bono. Social welfare something...
Free? Prestigious firms did occasional charity work, but this felt miraculous.
“Good. I was about to send money for—”
—Hah! Since when do you have cash? Just focus on your work.
“I’m fine. How’s your health?”
—Ilseong Hospital called today. Free hip surgery rehab program. Admitted myself.
Ilseong? A top-tier corporate hospital. But how’d they get his records without prior treatment?
—Free treatments for us both! Your mom and I must be fate-bound.
Something was off. Before Juhyuk could dwell, another call came—his brother Minhyuk.
—Hyung! Saw Mom’s interview! We’re terrible sons!
“Tell me about it.”
—Sending back the laptop money you gave me. She’ll need it for the lawsuit.
“You’re giving up your laptop?”
—Got a fat scholarship! Covers tuition and a new one. Being virtuous pays!
“...From where?”
—Awakening Management Bureau’s national fund. They toss these out like candy.
The pattern was clear now.
Juhyuk might be anxious, but he wasn’t stupid.
This wasn’t divine intervention.
※ ※ ※
Park & Kim handled Mom’s wrongful termination case.
Dad received free rehab at Ilseong Hospital.
Minhyuk’s “national scholarship” came from the Bureau.
All recent developments. Too convenient.
The connections were obvious:
Park & Kim advised tower climbers. Ilseong Group dominated Korea’s magic stone market. The Bureau funded the scholarship.
Annoyance prickled him. They’d meddled without consent.
Confronting the Bureau Director was impossible—too high-ranking. Instead, he contacted Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il, the most approachable official.
“Bong Juhyuk here. Need to talk somewhere quiet.”
—Had dinner?
“No.”
—I’ll drive you. Let’s eat.
When had he last dined with someone? Never, really. Solo meals were better—no compromises, no waiting.
Jeon took him to a discreet hanjeongsik restaurant. Before appetizers arrived, Juhyuk cut to the chase:
“Why interfere?”
“Pardon?”
“Mom’s lawyer. Dad’s treatment. Minhyuk’s scholarship.”
A pause. Then:
“Necessary measures.”
Of course.
“Family stress affects tower performance. Poor condition hinders climbing. It’d only worsen.”
The rhetoric felt familiar—like someone mimicking Juhyuk’s own pragmatic logic.
※ ※ ※
“Isn’t that care only for elite team players? I’m on a regular contract.”
In an instant!
Thud—the contract lands on the dining table.
“Then sign an elite team contract right now.”
This guy came fully prepared.
“...I’m not confident. My talent isn’t exactly top-tier either.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“...”
No comeback.
A player who’s achieved S++ rankings up to the 24th floor lacks talent?
That’s pure self-deception.
“I’m pleading with you. After the Choi Ho-seok incident, shouldn’t you join the elite team and receive proper treatment? You deserve this, Player Bong.”
Sigh.
What do I do?
“Sign the elite contract, and you’ll receive VVIP-tier close protection immediately. At least nothing like last time will happen again.”
Constant surveillance.
“I hate that. Having someone glued to me daily? And I won’t do strategy video shoots either.”
Juhyuk’s primary reason for rejecting elite contracts:
Kosak and Gobang’s video production demands.
“The security arrangements can be negotiated. You can opt out of filming too.”
“How?”
“Live alone in a high-security residence. Protection only during public outings—private activities guaranteed.”
Tempting.
“Your family will also receive security detail.”
Agh!
His resolve trembled.
Truthfully, it had been shaking since earlier.
That ironclad vow to never join the elite team?
But this changed everything.
Wavering left and right—a reed in life’s winds.
Classic Hanamja behavior.
“...Signing this gets me housing too, right?”
“What size?”
“Not for me—my family. I’ll live separately, but they need a proper home.”
“We’ll provide separate residences for your family and you.”
Irresistible terms.
His resistance crumbled completely.
“An officetel’s enough for me.”
“Done.”
“F-four bedrooms and two baths for my family?”
“Absolutely.”
Their brisk answers felt reassuring...
But could a mere team leader authorize this?
“No concerns. The Director granted full authority.”
“...”
“Sign here.”
Juhyuk mechanically reached for Jeon Gwang-il’s pen—then jerked back to awareness.
“W-wait.”
“Hm? Is something—”
So close. Jeon Gwang-il’s face fell.
“Give me one more day.”
“How long exactly?”
“...Tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Oh—right.
“I’ve stockpiled magic stones.”
“Hand them over. I’ll process them.”
After the meal and stone transfer, Juhyuk faced his next tasks: confessing his awakening to his family, discussing the elite contract (mother’s approval trumping father’s), coordinating with Kosak, and investigating the 25th-floor platinum badge reward.
First: clear Floor 25.
Then family negotiations.
Most crucially—convincing himself.
Juhyuk lay awake all night, his reed-like indecision stretching till dawn.
The next day.
Juhyeok woke up late after a restless sleep.
Today was the day to conquer the 25th floor.
Since it was Saturday, he planned to finish it in the morning.
He might have to go home in the afternoon.
Before that, he summoned John Cossack.
"Boom! A Special Super Rare Assassin has arrived."
It seemed his rank had increased.
His appearance had changed significantly too.
His physique had grown larger, and his eyes had become sharper.
But his speech patterns remained unchanged.
"Welcome, Special Super Rare Cossack."
"Heh heh heh, not summoning R Gobang today?"
Gobang’s title had abruptly become "R."
R for Rare.
Short for "R Gobang," perhaps?
"Actually, there’s something I need to discuss before tackling the 25th floor."
"Oh, naturally! How could you converse with that ignorant R Gobang?"
"Yesterday, I met someone claiming to be a team leader from the management office..."
Juhyeok relayed his entire conversation with Jeon Gwang-il to Cossack.
"What do you think? Should I join the elite team or stay as a regular?"
Cossack nodded.
"I approve."
"Approve?"
"Summoner Bong is a nationally significant player. You deserve appropriate recognition."
"Nationally significant? Without you and Gobang, I’m useless."
"Can I handle it? If I join the elites, I might have to climb to the 60th floor—or who knows how high."
"Absolutely. Provided Summoner Bong survives safely long-term."
"...My skills don’t matter?"
"Your safety is your greatest asset."
What’s he talking about? Why does my safety matter here?
"My former world teemed with Legendary SSR-grade summons. Keep yourself unharmed, and you’ll eventually command them all."
"Ah..."
"They’ll obey you unconditionally. Anything you order—as long as it doesn’t breach Clause 3."
I see.
What if we form a party with them?
"That’s not all. There are demi-gods beyond human tiers too."
"...I can’t summon beyond my grade."
"Not yet. But you will, once your summoning ability improves."
Demi-gods transcending humanity.
I can’t even fathom that.
This is why I must stay safe.
"You’ll command an army of powerful summons. A flick of your wrist will direct them. The 60th floor? 100th? Child’s play."
Right. It’s just a matter of time.
"Survive long, perform random summons diligently. That’s Summoner Bong’s ultimate strategy."
Factoring in cooldowns, twelve summons yearly—more with reset tickets.
Of course, terrible luck would render this pointless.
How long until my next random summon?
Nineteen days.
Perfecting traits during that period would be ideal.
Cossack continued:
"But I demand one condition."
"What?"
"Decisions to climb unconquered floors must be yours alone—no external interference."
"I’d control upper-floor strategies?"
"State this explicitly. Otherwise, trash will pester you about ‘why aren’t you climbing?’ Then you’d be forced unprepared... ugh."
He grimaced, recalling something painful.
"...Never let them drag you in. Guarantee that clause, and national support becomes advantageous."
Cossack approved.
"Let’s clear Floor 25 first. See what rewards await. A platinum badge, perhaps?"
He chuckled.
"Why this confusion? I’m SSR! Special Super Rare, SSR!"
Cossack’s advice proved invaluable.
Asking him was wise.
Juhyeok summoned the barbarian warrior Gobang.
[Barbarian Warrior Gobang has been summoned.]
"Welcome."
"I pledge absolute obedience to the Summoner."
Cossack interjected:
"Hey! Gobang, where’s your greeting?"
"Warriors don’t greet indiscriminately."
"Listen! I’m SSR! S! S! R!"
"..."
"Two S’s before the R! Show respect!"
Oddly, Gobang fidgeted, avoiding eye contact.
"Pathetic R-tier."
"Assassin... bad."
"Silence! This hierarchy gap is why you’re a mere R!"
A two-tier difference rendered even a barbarian warrior powerless.
Poor guy.
Next rank-up rune goes to Gobang. Maybe it’ll sharpen his mind.
"I’ll take it easy today... maybe handle two orcs?"
"Do as you wish, Summoner. This SSR will protect you."
"How about ten?"
"Clause 3 of Summoned Being Principles—"
"Fine! Three."
"Just this once."
Newly promoted Cossack brimmed with confidence.
[Entering Floor 25 of Korea’s Black Tower.]
The orc sector’s finale—mirroring Floor 20’s goblin conclusion.
The mission...
[Floor 25 Mission: Eliminate 100 orcs (any type) and 1 Orc Chieftain.]
[Time Limit: 10 hours]
[Progress: 0/100 orcs, 0/1 chieftain]
Orcs swarmed forth—forest, desert, cave, volcanic.
Three were his quota.
Maybe stick to three? If possible, sneak in an extra.
