<The Southern Man’s Tower Strategy 36>
Gobang is back.
He’s become even more dependable.
Back when he was Old Gobang, his style involved nothing but mindless crushing, tearing, and smashing.
The new Gobang—or rather, the New Susul Gobang—had honed his combat skills to perfection.
Though still fighting bare-handed, he no longer relied solely on brute strength, instead demonstrating proper martial techniques.
He drew all the minotaurs’ attention, seizing them, twisting their limbs, sweeping their feet, and even dodging with swift movements before snapping their necks at the right moment.
“G-Gobang’s f-fighting… looks c-cool now.”
I had to admit.
The brainless Old Gobang was gone.
In his place stood the cunning Susul Gobang.
“He’s gotten smarter and stronger.”
Well, “smarter” might be pushing it…
Anyway, the catalog description was clearly wrong.
A “normal(?) barbarian warrior”? Seriously?
How was that normal?
The question mark didn’t excuse this nonsense.
Occasionally, flashes of his old self still emerged.
Screeeech!
Susul Gobang’s charge.
Wham-wham-wham! Wham-wham-wham-wham!
Level 4 minotaurs flew like mannequins upon contact.
“Looks like we can just relax, eh?”
“Indeed.”
It’d take time, but since this was a repeat mission, an S++ clear wasn’t necessary.
“Hmph. Should’ve brought popcorn. Still, giving him that enhancement rune paid off. Who knew he’d evolve this much?”
“This is cheating! Absolute balance breaker! I enhanced my runes too… Why’s he twice as strong? Unfair!”
Cossack grumbled, jealousy dripping from his voice.
Gyundallae intervened.
“Master Cossack, your envy is unbecoming. Must you expose such petty sentiments before our Young Master?”
“…Just stating facts.”
“Yet remember—you too are a valuable tool for Young Master Bong. Take pride in your role as his servant.”
“Heh, really?”
Cossack swayed easily under Gyundallae’s words.
Now Gobang and Cossack seemed equally… intellectually gifted.
‘Still smarter than them, right? Hmm. Must be… Have to be.’
This fact was non-negotiable.
※ ※ ※
Gobang single-handedly cleared the 34th-floor repeat mission from start to finish.
Exiting the tower, he shrank back to his 190cm stocky form.
We’d witnessed New Susul Gobang’s full power.
So—how to tackle the 35th-floor Minotaur King?
“As I said earlier, it’s broken. Send Gobang forward, have the Princess ring her bell—game over.”
This meant we’d effectively secured 35 platinum badges.
What bonus should we choose?
The random summon cooldown was nearly reset.
One more summon would expand our catalog to four entries.
‘I need trait enhancement…’
Weapons, items, skills, junk tickets—
What use were those?
Only trait enhancement mattered.
Please be trait enhancement.
“Princess Gyundallae?”
“You called, Young Master Bong?”
“About that luck charm you mentioned. ‘Minor luck’—how minor is it?”
Gyundallae paused before answering.
“Allow me to use Earthly analogies. Being exempt when friends draw lots for lunch payments. Finding parking in a packed mall. Securing tickets to a top trot singer’s concert as a filial child.”
That sounded incredible!
This wasn’t “minor”—it was a jackpot!
“If I use the charm during an S++ clear on Floor 35, can I guarantee my desired bonus?”
“Alas, I cannot promise. Whether your wish qualifies as ‘minor luck’ remains unclear.”
Her tone suggested low odds.
Fair enough—trait enhancement was the summoner’s ultimate prize, rivaled only by LSSR-grade summon tickets.
“Any better options than the charm? Something guaranteeing a major jackpot?”
“My powers limit me to minor blessings. However…”
However?
“…Accepting karma might work.”
“What?” Like Yoo Cheol-min’s karma?
“Karma accelerates retribution. Good karma delivers accumulated great fortune instantly.”
Karma. Bad karma meant ruin. Good karma meant windfalls.
‘Have I lived virtuously?’ My life felt bland—no standout deeds beyond helping an old man push a cart uphill. Evil acts? Hardly… Wait.
‘No.’
I’d ignored injustices repeatedly—perhaps leaning toward evil. Better avoid karma. Otherwise, S++ might become impossible.
“…Greed looks pathetic. Let fate decide. I’ll take the charm.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare it diligently.”
Still—please let it be trait enhancement.
Meanwhile, Gobang watched TV, chuckling at a comedy show.
‘Definitely smarter.’
Cossack stood at the officetel window, gazing outside—his silhouette oddly eerie.
“Cossack?”
“Yes?”
“You’ve been quiet. What’s up?”
“Admiring the view.”
“Not resentful about Gobang’s upgrade?”
He waved dismissively.
“Never! Susul Gobang protects Young Master better. Reliable guy.”
Good—no jealousy there.
“Um, Young Master?”
“Yes?”
“A favor… Could you unsummon me now and resummon me at midnight?”
“Why?”
“There’s a soccer match overseas. Must watch live.”
“You like soccer?”
“Yes. Need to see this game.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks!”
Designated summons had a 3-hour cooldown—easy to accommodate.
‘Might as well visit the player shop.’
My overflowing magic stones needed cashing out.
※ ※ ※
Juhyuk arrived at the player shop using the car provided by the officetel security office.
He went straight to the magic ore sales booth and weighed it.
After rounding off, it weighed 54kg, totaling about 27 million won.
He handed it all over.
Since the deposit would come later, he decided to do some shopping.
There weren’t any particularly new items.
Still, he was looking around, considering whether to buy some gloves.
Suddenly.
“Player Bong Juhyuk,”
He turned around at the sound of someone calling him.
“Ah! Team Leader Jeon.”
Jeon Gwang-il looked around cautiously and said,
“If you have time, would you like to have tea somewhere quiet…?”
“Sure.”
Juhyuk went with Jeon Gwang-il to his office.
Just the two of them, quietly.
“Congratulations on conquering the 66th floor. Player Nam Ga-eun was impressive, wasn’t she?”
“It’s all thanks to the holy sword you provided. We couldn’t have done it otherwise.”
Exchanging compliments,
The conversation flowed smoothly.
Talking with someone familiar was undeniably easier.
“Here’s what you requested.”
“Oh! I was just thinking about asking for this.”
Nam Ga-eun’s autographs.
The quantity far exceeded his request.
“There’s so many.”
“When I said it was for you, she wrote this much.”
Thanks.
I’ll thank her properly later.
“Have you decided about the penthouse transfer?”
Here it comes.
“I’m sorry, but accepting it for free feels too burdensome.”
“You don’t need to worry. We would never demand anything in return.”
“It’s fine—it’s not like I can’t earn money. I’ll buy it later when I have the funds.”
“Hmm…”
Jeon Gwang-il looked conflicted.
“Please contact me if you change your mind. The penthouse will remain vacant.”
“Okay.”
“But there’s one more matter.”
“What is it?”
“Player Gerald Watson from the U.S. is scheduled to visit Korea in a few days.”
“…Oh?”
Gerald Watson.
How could anyone not know that name?
America’s top-tier player.
A known magic swordsman.
“Why?”
“He wants to borrow the holy sword.”
Finally, a foreign inquiry.
“What are the terms? What’s their offer?”
“Ten million per use.”
Ten million. Ten million.
Surely not ten million won.
“D-Dollars?”
“Yes. Ten million dollars.”
No way!
That’s 13 billion won!
“They claim it’s for ‘experience purposes,’ but Gerald intends to use it himself.”
Insane. Classic America.
A wealthy nation printing dollars like paper.
Borrowing a holy sword isn’t like renting an electric scooter—and for just one use!
A single tower run!
“I know it’s unsatisfactory. Just ten million? We’ll drag out negotiations when their delegation arrives. We won’t settle for mere pocket change.”
Wait. Hold on.
“Not settle”?
If they’re offering, snatch it immediately!
Push too hard and they might walk away.
Besides, they’re not desperate—it’s just an “experience.”
Most importantly—
Is the holy sword truly the only divine attribute item?
Every nation is scouring for alternatives.
If another surfaces, we might not even get ten million.
Take it while we can.
The holy sword’s effectiveness diminishes after the 68th floor anyway.
It’s only usable up to the 67th.
The price must stay reasonable for such short-term rentals.
“Actually, ten million dollars seems fair. Let’s accept.”
“…Huh? We could demand more.”
Firmly:
“Greed risks losing everything. I’ve decided—take the ten million.”
“Understood. Ah! There’s another national-level benefit we secured.”
“What?”
“The withdrawal of anti-dumping tariffs on Korean magic ore steel exports.”
Jeon Gwang-il watched Juhyuk’s reaction.
“I apologize for leveraging your personal asset for state interests…”
But Juhyuk grinned.
“That’s fantastic!”
He meant it.
They handled the rentals and even brought clients. A minor trade-off.
After more small talk:
“The Awakened Management Office will take it slow with the 67th floor, right?”
“Yes. We’ll wait at least four months before planning. Please maintain your pace and climb safely.”
They’d gained breathing room.
Previously, they’d rushed him to reach the 60s.
With Player Nam Ga-eun’s momentum, the 67th seemed achievable.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“Contact me anytime if you reconsider.”
Juhyuk departed in the same car.
‘Phew…’
13 billion won.
His annual salary was now pocket change.
Had he known, he might’ve bought the penthouse outright.
‘…Wait, could I?’
Even 13 billion might not suffice.
Unless he rented the sword twice…
Juhyuk returned home.
Considered ordering chicken but boiled ramen instead.
Share the humble meal with his summoned companions.
At midnight:
“Designated Summon: John Cosack.”
[John Cosack has been summoned.]
Thud!
“Watch soccer all you want. Don’t expect a farewell—I sleep like the dead once I’m out.”
“Yes, sir!”
Tsk. What’s so fun about ball-kicking?
Better sleep deeply.
Cosack stared at the soccer match.
Once Juhyuk’s steady snores echoed, he rose.
Poof!
He vanished.
※ ※ ※
Near Juhyuk’s officetel,
In a basement beneath Seoul’s nightlife district.
A sign read .
Long out of business—door bolted, floor littered with outdated mail, lights dead.
Yet eight figures huddled inside.
Whispering in Chinese under dim lights.
“Final confirmation of targets.”
One member laid photos on the table.
“…Kim Mi-sook. Female. Elite team contract three months ago. Estimated 30th floor.”
“Next.”
“Jang Dong-soo. Male…”
“Next.”
Fifteen photos later:
“Bong Juhyuk. Male. Elite contract two months. Estimated late 20s.”
His photo joined the spread.
“No issues.”
Naturally—vetted Korean elites.
The leader arranged the photos.
“All viable targets. Prioritize capturing three to five simultaneously. This operation’s one-shot—maximize numbers.”
Missing elites would trigger chaos.
This wasn’t defection—it was abduction.
But necessary to prevent Shanghai’s tower collapse.
Kidnap them.
Force daily climbs of China’s tower with bodycams.
Until the 59th floor fell.
“Once their routines are mapped, execute within one hour—”
“Wow, our Summoner Bong’s photogenic! Handsomest here.”
Deng Guanlin—senior officer of the PLA’s Northeast Special Forces—scowled.
“Who permitted Korean? We speak Chinese here—urk!”
He froze.
The room had eight people.
Now… nine?
A plain-faced man stood beside him.
When had he appeared?
Elite soldiers hadn’t noticed.
“Who are you?!”
“Hmm? Speak Korean.”
“…Identify yourself!”
Cosack grinned, teeth gleaming.
“No.”
Demonic.
“Kill this bastard!!!”
Soldiers lunged.
Flash!
Light erupted.
Splat! Slash! Thud!
A head rolled onto the table.
