<The Han Man’s Tower Conquest Guide 24>
It was so absurd it felt unreal.
No one could have predicted this.
A national star player—backed fully by the government, conqueror of the 65th floor, amasser of wealth and fame—naturalizing overnight? To Japan, no less?
South Korea plunged into chaos.
Yoo Cheol-min’s statements at the Japanese Prime Minister’s press conference were particularly infuriating in their shamelessness:
My primary reason for moving is Korea’s complacent Awakening Management Bureau.
With the 66th floor deadline imminent, they refused proper support. Bureau executives prioritized political games over managing elite teams.
Korea’s future was bleak. Japan became my only escape. They say survival favors the shrewd—they’re right.
I regret nothing. Curse me all you want. May Korea prosper.
It felt deliberately inflammatory.
Who would agree with such nonsense?
Everyone knew how lavishly Yoo had lived under Korea’s patronage.
Media reactions were scalding:
<Yoo Cheol-min’s Treachery: Nation Brands Him Traitorous Coward>
<Yoo Flees After Failing 66th Floor Undead Conquest>
<Hypocrite! Cries About Lack of Support While Hoarding Enhancement Runes?>
<Ungrateful Beast! “Escape Requires Brains”? More Like Spineless Flight!>
The Awakening Bureau, National Intelligence Service, and police faced equal fury:
<Bureau’s Incompetence Exposed:: How Did They Miss His Escape?>
<Outplayed by Japan’s Intel—National Humiliation! Any Recovery Plans?>
<Bureau Chief, NIS Director, Police Commissioner Summoned for National Audit>
└ Spineless worm! Human? Blames failure and flees?
└ Why Japan? Infuriating!
└ Overreacting much? If he’d gone to China, nobody’d care.
└ China? Same crap! We’d just curse China instead—stop stirring shit!
└ Shut your mouth unless you want to die!
└ Worse than losing a Korea-Japan soccer match.
└ He took every item the Bureau ever gave him.
└ Our pride’s at stake! Assassinate him or declare war on Japan!
└ At this rate, we’ll lose our S++ rank conquerors too.
└ If others follow, I’m emigrating.
TVs blared nothing else.
What’s done can’t be undone.
Joo-hyuk steadied himself.
“Turns out there’s a bigger ‘Han man’ than me.”
“Pfft! If you’re a Han man, every Korean male is! That guy’s just a pathetic loser.”
True enough.
At least I’m better than him.
Kossak cautiously interjected:
“...They’ll pressure you about floor progression.”
Joo-hyuk nodded.
“If we cave, they’ll push harder. Stick to our pace—slow and safe.”
Correct.
Rushing breeds mistakes.
“Why not skip the meeting? Hide like that traitor—”
“No.”
“Why?”
“We’ve built rapport.”
“I’ll toss them a holy sword. They need light-attribute gear anyway.”
Might profit too.
“Aaah! Classic Summoner Bong! Bestowing grace upon useless bureaucrats!”
Hmph! As if this defines me.
Outwardly a tough Han man, inwardly warm-hearted.
“But this sword’s light-attribute.”
“Huh?”
“Divine-attribute.”
Same difference.
It radiates holy light—light’s light, right?
“Good?”
“Better!”
Good enough.
“This can clear up to floor 67. In skilled hands.”
“Why not higher?”
“It’s worn. See the faded engravings? Weak radiance. A true holy sword’s glow melts undead like a searchlight.”
A faulty lightsaber, essentially.
Someday I’ll reach the 60s.
“Any divine-type summons there?”
“Dozens. Saints/popes are LSSR. Holy knights, priests—Rare to SSR. All carry relics. Summon one, you’re set.”
Expected.
If summoning fails?
Just camp floors until success.
Time to visit the Bureau.
※ ※ ※
Awakening Management Bureau, Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Chaos reigned outside.
Every Korean media outlet swarmed the entrance. Police barricades barely held back reporters lunging like hyenas at every vehicle.
Inside Joo-hyuk’s tinted-window car, reporters shouted:
“What’s the Bureau’s response?”
“Is Director Park Kyung-soo being replaced?”
“Comment!”
The underground parking elevator offered respite.
Inside, staff moved like ghosts. Could today’s emergency meeting even proceed?
In a quiet office, Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il bowed.
“Apologies for summoning you amid this.”
“I understand. The news—it must be devastating.”
“...Thank you.”
Familiarity eased the tension.
“Summoner Bong, I asked you here because...” Jeon gulped. “How soon can you reach the 60th floor?”
Anticipated.
Current floor: 29.
31 days to 60, 37 to 66. 80 days remain—seems ample, but...
Joo-hyuk deepened his voice.
“Eighty days? Unlikely. Tough floors require 10-day prep cycles.”
“...I see.”
At the same time, driving the point home.
"It should be in the contract terms. The decision to climb higher floors rests solely with me."
"I'm sorry. I'm ashamed. It hasn't been long since we signed the contract, yet here I am saying this... But I'm just grasping at straws..."
Ah, that sorrowful expression.
My resolve wavers.
Don't worry. I want to say I'll somehow reach the 66th floor, but... what's impossible remains impossible.
While daily climbs are feasible around the 20th floors, what about the 30s? The 40s? The 50s?
Who knows—maybe we'll summon an LSSR-grade saintess or pope through random summons.
"I heard there's another elite team player in the 60s besides Yoo Cheol-min."
"That's Player Nam Ga-eun. She's been stranded on the 62nd floor for over 100 days."
"...That's quite a long stay."
"We've been seeking light-attribute items to support her. But that bastard Yoo Cheol-min stole all our secured items. If only we had those..."
What an absolute piece of shit.
Time to interject.
"Speaking of items, I'm considering listing one in the player shop."
"Huh? Oh, uh—is it... a light-attribute item?"
"It's not light-attribute."
"...Ah. I see."
Jeon Gwang-il's shoulders slumped slightly.
What's this rookie thinking, trying to sell non-light items during a crisis? My head's pounding to death.
"You can visit the player shop staff to list—"
The door burst open.
A woman stormed into the conference room.
"Team Leader!"
"Ah! Player Nam Ga-eun!"
"Here you are. I heard about the U.S. offering a light-attribute rental? Wanted details."
"W-well, nothing's confirmed yet. My apologies."
"Why apologize? We know you've been running ragged without sleep!"
Nam Ga-eun clenched her fists at Jeon Gwang-il.
"Let's stay strong. If we falter here, that bastard Yoo Cheol-min will gloat. Strength! Call me Plan A from now on—I'll spearhead this."
She then eyed Joo Hyuk.
"Who's this?"
Jeon Gwang-il froze.
How to explain?
Must hide his identity as an S++ grade strategist.
"...He's here to sell an item. Likely a tower reward."
"Oh! Grats on the loot! The player shop's that way—wait, you don't know? Follow me! I'll guide you!"
Snap!
She seized Joo Hyuk's hand.
"W-wait! Let go—"
"Relax! Follow me. Stay strong, Player! Strength!"
Dangerous.
Is this Nam Ga-eun?
Unbelievable.
How can someone radiate such energy?
Breezing through personal space like it's nothing.
Wait—
To fetch the item's true price, we need proof of efficacy.
And she's perfect for testing.
"Could you... release my hand?"
"Oh! Sorry for overstepping."
"...No matter. I'll lend you an item. Test it."
Nam Ga-eun tilted her head.
"Test an item? Shouldn't I know what—"
Swish!
Joo Hyuk yanked the holy sword from his inventory, words tumbling out:
"Old-looking but divine-attribute. Name: Tower-Exclusive Holy Sword of Roland Holy Kingdom's Paladin Commander. Boosts attack against undead, purifying flames, mental fortitude, crit rate—"
She blinked at his machine-gun delivery.
"Wait—repeat the name?"
"Tower-Exclusive Holy Sword of Roland Holy Kingdom's Paladin Commander."
"...A holy sword? With divine attribute?"
"Yep!"
Nam Ga-eun gaped.
Light-attributes were common, but divine?
And "paladin"—holy knight terminology?
Jeon Gwang-il mirrored her shock.
This was the item he's selling?
If genuine...
"Users gain a faint glow that neutralizes dark auras. Might work up to Floor 67... if you're skilled enough."
"Neutralize dark auras? Preposterous!"
She moistened her lips.
"May I inspect its info?"
"By all means."
As she took the sword, Jeon Gwang-il leaned forward.
"Verified? R-really a holy sword?"
She nodded.
"Confirmed. Effects match the description."
"Uh... So..."
She turned to Joo Hyuk.
"You'll lend this?"
"Test it and review. Haven't cleared Floor 62?"
"...No."
"Try now."
Proof requires demonstration.
I can't enter Floor 62 myself.
Kosak claimed it surpasses light-attributes—should handle Floor 62 easily.
A glowing review means better resale value.
"I'll clear it now."
※ ※ ※
[Entering Floor 62 of Korea's Black Tower]
[Physical abilities enhanced to level parity]
[Traits and combat skills unlocked]
Mission details:
[Floor 62 Mission: Eliminate 20 Dark Zombies]
[Time Limit: 15 hours]
[Completion: 0/20]
[Failure: Death or surrender]
Undead.
Abominations that shouldn't exist.
The zombies lurched forward—tattered flesh, jagged nails, gnashing teeth.
Would it work?
The sword's description held true.
A pale glow enveloped her and the blade.
But could this faint light repel the oppressive dark aura?
Even brilliant light-attribute items had failed.
'Only one way to know.'
Gripping the weathered hilt, she steadied her mind.
'You've got this, Ga-eun!'
Oddly, the dim glow lessened the aura's weight.
'Mental fortitude effect?'
She stepped forward.
"Grrrlk!"
The zombie snarled.
Spot!
Her swordsman's gap-closing skill placed her before the creature.
The holy sword descended in a silver arc.
Schkkt!
The blade cleaved dark aura like paper.
Claws splintered.
Skull split.
Whoomph!
Flames consumed the collapsing corpse.
Death itself incinerated.
[Dark Zombies Eliminated: 1/20]
"..."
A single strike.
'Did I... just...?'
Unthinkable.
After months struggling to kill one zombie...
'It's real.'
The disheveled man's loaned sword—
She'd doubted even after verifying its stats.
This wasn't mere merchandise.
Could such a tower-salvaging relic even have a price?
