<Tower of Hanamja Strategy #38>
So far, I've received six special rewards. Let me list them one by one:
First, trait enhancement.
Second, the skill copy "Shadow Footsteps."
Third, the item "Energy Shield Kit."
Fourth, a random box containing the "Soul-Shattering Fist Technique" and a rune for upgrading summoned beings.
Fifth, an encore reward allowing re-selection of trait enhancement.
Sixth, the item "Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket."
Additionally, I received another rune for upgrading summoned beings as a tower conquest reward.
So, what about this time?
What kind of reward will it be?
The moment I open my inventory and confirm the accumulation of 35 platinum badges, I can check the reward.
"Should I fetch purified water from the purifier? We must perform a ritual offering."
"I'll go get it."
Gyundallae shook her head vigorously.
"The water from that purifier is not true purified water. It's merely tap water. Using such water for offerings may invite impurity."
It was indeed tap water.
"Since entirely unexpected results may occur, clear your mind and focus on checking the reward."
Juhyuk studied Gyundallae's face with a微妙 expression.
"Why do you stare so? Is there something on my face?"
"Ah, no. Of course not."
Impurity, huh...
When I performed a random summon using tap water from that purifier, who got summoned?
Was it because of impurity?
I must never mention that.
It might hurt her feelings.
"Alright! Let's check it now."
"Summoner Bong, you've got this!"
"May you achieve your desired outcome."
"I, Gobang, believe in the summoner's luck."
Thirty-five shimmering platinum badges glowed in the inventory.
Instantly!
[Special reward granted for accumulating 35 Platinum Badges.]
"Will it be trait enhancement?"
"Aaaaah! It has to be! No doubt!"
"Let's gooo!"
[Reward: Item "Golden Aegis of the Warm Dawn" added to tower-exclusive inventory.]
"...Huh?"
[Reward: Item "Golden Mace of the Cold Dusk" added to tower-exclusive inventory.]
"What?"
Two items appeared at once.
"They're items!"
"...Hm? Ah, items?"
"Are these items?"
"Are they items?"
<tower-exclusive
Lastly, the melee damage dealers.
They are treated as lowly.
There are too many of them.
As you climb higher in the tower, they’re rarely picked for the team.
Cossack himself has experienced this.
What if, for that reason, a newly summoned individual turns out to be a ranged damage dealer or a magic user capable of area-of-effect skills?
Gulp.
Cossack swallowed dryly.
In contrast, Gobang and Gyundallae remained unbothered.
“A servant deemed unnecessary should step aside voluntarily. A capable servant must take their place.”
“Correct. That is how one serves the summoner.”
“...”
Selfish bastards.
They’re secure in their positions, aren’t they?
Yet their words hold undeniable truth.
“...I’ll decide when the time comes.”
Even if Lord Bong pities me and keeps me in the party, it’s still problematic.
To ensure smooth tower progression, I should remove myself.
That’s the proper attitude for a summoned being.
But how could I?
“H-hey, what if a trait enhancement appears on the 40th floor? If we rush to clear it before the random summoning...”
Suddenly—
“Cossack-nim!!!”
“...Y-yes?”
Gyundallae’s voice floated like an abstract painting.
“The decision to climb uncharted floors rests solely with the summoner. How dare a lowly servant interfere with his authority?!”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant...”
He tried to explain, but—
“Would you feel at ease forcing Lord Bong to strain himself for your sake? My heart already aches seeing him obtain weapons through special rewards...”
“...”
Cossack could only bow his head deeply.
“Sigh, very well. I’ll... step down gracefully. It was... fun while it lasted...”
That’s when it happened.
“Who said Cossack-nim should leave?!”
Juhyeok marched forward, eyes blazing.
“Was it you, Gobang-ssi?”
“N-no! I stayed quiet!”
“Princess Gyundallae?”
“...Nay, ’tis a misunderstanding. I merely posited a hypothetical.”
Juhyeok was furious.
Since when did they get to decide who stays?
The timid become terrifying when angered.
He declared with finality:
“Listen well. If I quit tower climbing, so be it—but I won’t remove anyone. We climb as this team. Until the very end, especially...”
Their eyes met.
Cossack flinched, tears welling up.
Juhyeok nodded reassuringly.
Ah—
Can you feel it?
This scorching camaraderie.
...Let’s skip the ‘love’ part.
Things might get weird.
Anyway, blazing comradery!
I accidentally overheard their conversation.
Fifteen days remain until the next random summoning.
If we fail to achieve trait enhancement by then, three spots will open.
What if a top-tier damage dealer gets summoned?
They’ve already assumed someone must go.
I get why.
Compared to replaceable Cossack—
Gobang and Gyundallae are irreplaceable pillars.
But no.
Cossack leaving? Not happening.
Who carried us this far?
Cossack paved the path.
We climbed on his back.
Thanks to him, I could act human in this tower.
“What if we summon a fully-geared shield knight? Will Gobang-ssi step down?”
“...”
“If a saintess appears, will Princess Gyundallae be replaced?”
“...”
Silence swallowed them all.
A summoner’s authority transcends royalty or warriors.
‘Cool, wasn’t it?’
Definitely.
Cossack’s grateful, trusting eyes said it all.
Ah,
Why am I so eloquent?
Regardless, Juhyeok now desperately needs trait enhancement.
I’ll succeed.
No matter what.
“Cossack-ssi.”
“Yes!”
“Want trait enhancement? Should we sprint to the 50th floor?”
Cossack wept messy tears.
“I appreciate your care, Lord Bong, but I’m fine. I’d never forgive myself if you overexert—”
“Let’s just do it!”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Then this.”
Juhyeok raised his pinky in promise.
“I won’t fight until trait enhancement unlocks. Not one monster. My weapon stays sheathed.”
Cossack’s eyes bulged.
Gyundallae beamed.
Gobang nodded.
“Any objections to rushing until enhancement?”
Gyundallae answered instantly:
“How could we refuse our summoner’s will? I’ll ring my bell until it shatters.”
“Fear not. I, Gobang, will protect him. Even S++ dungeons shall fall.”
Then—
“Cossack-ssi. Do you agree?”
Overwhelmed, Cossack shot his hand up.
“Y-YESS!! YESSS!! YEEESSS!!!”
“Then we march! Start at Floor 36!”
Thus began Cossack’s ascent—of Cossack, for Cossack, by Cossack—into the tower’s unknown heights.
※ ※ ※
Park Kyung-soo, director of the Awakening Management Bureau, and Park Il-jun, head of the National Intelligence Service, convened urgently.
The two had bonded during recent state audits.
They discussed the ‘Royal Traditional Massage Massacre’ investigation.
This wasn’t mere murder—
It was an attempted kidnapping of South Korea’s elite team.
“The dead were likely soldiers. Exceptionally trained.”
“These sons of bitches... Any evidence pointing to their backers?”
“Sigh. None. Dead men tell no tales.”
Yet suspicion fell on China.
It had to be China.
Rumors—subtle but persistent—swirled for years.
China poaching talented players from weaker nations.
But Korea? A weakling?
The insult burned.
“The Holy Sword’s true owner was also targeted.”
“Grh.”
Director Park’s face flushed crimson.
They’d nearly invited national disaster.
“They couldn’t have known.”
Bong Juhyeok was publicly known only as the Holy Sword’s owner.
His S++ dungeon records? Known to just three.
Even the NIS director was clueless.
“I shouldn’t say this, but... I’m almost grateful to the killers.”
“Regardless, we’ll investigate thoroughly. Their entry routes. Remnants. Identities.”
“One more thing—enhance his security detail.”
“Understood. We’ve mobilized domestic and overseas assets.”
If China’s involvement is proven, retaliation will follow.
“Speaking of—Gerald Watson arrives from the US next week.”
“We received the diplomatic notice.”
“Our role?”
“None. They’re handling everything—transport, security.”
“As expected.”
America’s top player wouldn’t need babysitters.
