<The Real Man's Tower Conquest Strategy: Chapter 29>
Juhyeok speaks with Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il over the phone.
"Belated congratulations on clearing the 63rd floor."
Hahaha, thank you. It's all thanks to you, Player Bong.
"Not at all. Player Nam Ga-eun's skills made it possible. She's clearly more talented than Yoo Cheol-min, don't you think?"
She's always been that way. We were blinded and poured all our enhancement runes into that bastard instead, depriving her of opportunities. Though she still can't hold a candle to you, Player Bong.
"Since we're talking about Yoo Cheol-min—did he live in our officetel too?"
No. He resided in the penthouse of Seoul's Cheongdam-dong △△ Apartments. The top floor.
Juhyeok had glimpsed the building before—a 30-story structure with one unit per floor, home to top celebrities, third-generation chaebol heirs, and IT industry CEOs.
"Cheongdam-dong △△ Apartments penthouse? Wow! He lived well. Hard to believe he abandoned that luxury to naturalize in Japan."
Just thinking about him makes my blood boil.
"He must've left everything behind when he fled in a hurry."
Correct. He only took valuables. The place remains untouched due to the chaos. If you're interested in the apartment...
"Ha! Don't even joke. I'm content with my officetel."
After exchanging more pleasantries, Juhyeok ended the call.
"Did you catch the location?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Retrieve a few of his personal items. Choose things that won't be noticed missing."
"What about something like a remote control? Probably covered in fingerprints."
"That'll work."
"Deploying now."
Swish.
The assassin Kosak vanished using stealth cloaking.
Is the door locked? Can he pick it? If not, he'll just cut through the metal.
After dispatching Kosak, Juhyeok prepared to leave.
A security guard approached when he reached the lobby.
"Player Bong Juhyeok, heading out?"
"Yes. Visiting my family home."
"I'll prepare your vehicle."
"Thanks as always."
"Hahaha, it's our duty."
Juhyeok's new family residence—an apartment acquired through his Elite Team contract. While nowhere near Yoo Cheol-min's penthouse, it dwarfed his previous living conditions.
He entered using a pre-obtained passcode.
"Wow! Nice place. Smells new."
His mother Hong Geum-ja welcomed him.
"Come in. Have you eaten?"
"No. I came specifically for a home-cooked meal."
"Sit then. I'll fix something quick."
His father Bong Su-cheol, temporarily discharged from the hospital for this visit, joined them.
"How's your health, Dad?"
"Just getting fatter. Bones are mostly healed—should discharge soon."
"Heh, and whose doing is that? All thanks to our wonderful son."
Suddenly—
His parents' expressions darkened.
"...Is something wrong?"
"Wrong? How could we feel good living comfortably while our son risks his life?"
"Hey, I'm perfectly fine! I’m cautious during climbs."
True enough.
Kosak scowled and Gyundallae wept whenever he tried hunting monsters. Yesterday, he couldn't even graze a troll's hair.
"Don't you know, Dad? I retreat at the first sign of danger."
"Takes after me, that's why."
"Though I inherited some of Mom's genes too."
"Bragging now?"
"Yes."
BANG!
The door burst open as a loud voice shouted:
"Brother's here? Where? Brotheeeeer!"
"Stop bouncing like a puppy."
"Oh! Eating? Anyway, you're Elite Team now! Have you met Nam Ga-eun?"
"I have."
Even hugged her, you brat.
"Get me one autograph! A photo would be greedy, but..."
"Autograph?"
"Can't you? Not close enough? With your status, have you even spoken to her?"
This little—
"Paper. Now."
"Here."
Juhyeok swiftly signed the sheet.
"...What's this?"
"My autograph."
"Don't waste paper!"
"Keep it. I might surpass Nam Ga-eun's fame."
"Brother... you serious?"
"Dead serious."
Fool. Can't recognize greatness.
"Should I give Dad one too?"
"Use it as toilet paper."
His mother shook her head.
My own family dismisses my signature?!
"...Fine. How many Nam Ga-eun autographs do you want?"
"Me! One!"
"Son, make it 10—no, 20!"
Sigh.
None understood—their son had conquered 30 floors with S++ ratings. But secrecy bound him.
At least they're living well now. Poverty's gone. I'll show them true luxury someday.
※ ※ ※
Returning to his officetel, Juhyeok found Kosak watching TV.
"Chu~ung! You're back?"
"Done already?"
"Mission complete."
"How'd you enter?"
"Door was open. Police inside."
"Not spotted?"
"Who am I? The SSS-rank!"
SSS-rank Kosak indeed.
Accepting Yoo Cheol-min's belongings, Juhyeok said:
"Need to dismiss you early today. Other matters."
"Roger!"
After releasing Kosak, Juhyeok checked his status window:
[Catalog] John Kosak / Barbarian Meat Shield / Gyundallae
He five-starred all three.
"Summon Gyundallae."
[Gyundallae has been summoned.]
"You honor me with such high ratings, Prince. How shall I repay this grace?"
She floated over, bowing ethereally.
Tomorrow's mission: Conquer Floor 31 by defeating a Minotaur—a towering bull-headed humanoid wielding a massive axe.
Time to use Shadow Step again before I forget.
Persuasion target: Gyundallae.
A summoned being, but still a girl. Manageable.
"Ahem, Princess Gyundallae."
"Command me, Prince."
"As a man, I may not govern nations, but I can't cower before monsters."
"Never! You're destined for greatness!"
"Yet I can't defeat one monster?"
"..."
Young princess—still naive.
"I have skills, gear, and levels. How can I fail against a single beast?"
"T-that's not—"
"Call me coward if you disagree."
"My heart shatters to hear this!"
Phase two: Temptation.
"...Remember the ice cream?"
"Huh?"
"There's a shop with 30 flavors. Strawberry, chocolate, cherry, cheese, mint... too many to name."
"Thirty?!"
"Ever had macarons? Chewy, sweet Western treats. Or cake with velvety cream?"
Gyundallae gulped, eyes sparkling—a heavenly girl with earthly cravings.
I was blankly staring at Juhyuk's lips.
As expected, dessert captivates girls better than hot soup.
"I'll only hunt five. As a gentleman, I'll preserve my dignity while you enjoy the desserts I promised, Princess."
Gyundallae's lips quivered hesitantly.
Then:
"Th-then just one..."
"Let's settle on three! Clean and simple!"
"...I worry for your safety, my lord."
"Kossack and Gobang are here. Your drum and bells too."
"..."
Was she relenting?
"Understood. This maiden shall obey your will."
"A promise."
"I always keep promises."
She yielded.
"I always keep promises too. I brought what I mentioned earlier - Yoo Cheolmin's personal effects."
Gyundallae's eyes instantly frosted over.
"You mean that Japanese wretch?"
"Correct."
Juhyuk handed her a plastic bag of daily items.
"Please wait briefly. This will conclude shortly."
"Take your time. No rush."
Suddenly Gyundallae produced a silver dagger from her sleeve and sliced her finger.
"Gah!"
Didn't that hurt?
Crimson blood streamed down her hand.
"Princess! You said there'd be no harm!"
How painful must that be?
Fumbling for bandages, I tried to dress the wound.
"It matters not. I feel no pain."
With her other hand, she grabbed the remote from the bag.
Swish-swish-swish!
Blood-etched symbols materialized on the plastic surface.
She filled every inch meticulously.
Moments later:
The patterns glowed crimson.
"Completed."
"...Simpler than expected. Except the blood part."
"Can shedding karma compare to shedding flesh? We merely entrust it to heaven's judgment."
"Ah!"
"Light sins bring minor misfortunes. Heavy sins invite calamity."
"Fight on, Yoo Cheolmin!"
May your crimes not weigh too heavily.
Now to conquer Floor 31.
We'll proceed cautiously.
Tank, DPS, buffer - our trio can safely clear through Floor 40.
No need to use the cooldown reset ticket yet.
We're ascending slowly regardless.
No hurry.
If urgent, I'd have used it already.
Post-Floor 41?
When cooldown refreshes, summon another.
If the new summon disappoints, use the ticket for another try.
Perfect strategy.
Hmph! Flawless planning.
A trait enhancement during this period would be ideal.
Trait-enhancing runes exist too - but where to find them?
※ ※ ※
Major Japanese broadcasting network.
Yoo Cheolmin guest-starred in a special program.
Ratings soared endlessly for Japan's naturalized top player.
They mobilized Korean-speaking hosts and interpreters.
"Mr. Ryu, thank you for this interview."
"Not at all."
After formal greetings:
"You're attempting Floor 57 today?"
"Correct."
"But the deadline's still distant?"
Ha! "True. No rush, but..."
He smirked camera-wards.
"I wanted to encourage citizens disheartened by recent events."
Real-time translation followed.
"Magnificent! As compatriots, we're proud!"
"Rest assured. Japan remains safe while I stand guard."
"My heart swells! When will you attempt it?"
"Why delay? Let's conquer it now."
"Oh!"
The Kawaguchi Cabinet's orchestrated spectacle.
Mutual benefit - his craving for recognition, their ratings ploy.
Planned as 10-hour live broadcast:
Tower entry to exit, bodycam footage included.
Singers performed during his climb.
His past Korean Black Tower Floor 57 clear played intermittently - originally 8 hours at level 57.
Now level 66? Should take 5 hours.
Bodycam footage would air nationally post-clear.
The Cabinet's failing ratings would revive.
Perfect scheme.
"Then I depart."
The studio erupted in cheers.
Yoo Cheolmin's smug smile.
Yes. This is it.
Long absent adulation.
Recently, Koreans flooded his SNS with vitriol -
But he remembered Korean cheers too.
Elite Team days. Fastest climber. Hero treatment.
Unimaginable salary. Han River-view penthouse. Luxury car. Immunity privileges.
Drunk hit-and-run covered up. Hostess assault charges dismissed.
Petty crimes erased from records.
Golden era.
Wouldn't have naturalized if Floor 66 seemed possible.
Japan offered identical perks - non-arrest clauses, immunity.
Shall I enter?
Then -
Hm?
His hands tingled strangely.
Mild headache.
Poor condition?
Rest properly afterward.
Floor 57?
Child's play.
Only question - speedrun time.
Already cleared at level 57.
Memorized patterns through endless replays.
Now level 66.
Tower adjusts stats by level, not floor.
Impossible to fail nine floors below!
Pop!
Live broadcast showed his disappearance.
Host immediately urged:
"Citizens! Support Mr. Ryu!"
Singers chanted "Ganbare Ryu-san!"
His highlight reels played.
One hour later -
Whoosh!
Light clustered on set.
Already?
Pop! Reappearance -
But Yoo Cheolmin looked defeated.
Host rushed over:
"Mr. Ryu! The result?"
He chugged a health potion.
"Tougher than expected."
"...Fuck!"
"Huh?"
He stormed off.
"Mr. Ryu! Where are you going?!"
No response.
Broadcast cut to animation.
Hours later -
Breaking news nationwide:
<Player Yoo Cheolmin Fails Japanese Black Tower Floor 57>
