The Tutorial Is Too Easy, but the Rewards Are Amazing (3)

Are you going to move to the Pilgrim's Tower?

Those were the words written in the notification window, which gleamed brilliantly.

There was also the Challenger's Tower, so why had it specifically singled out the hardest one?

'Does that mean I'd be missing out if I don't kill it?'

One of my Mythic-grade traits, 'Overlord.'

It let me use defeated boss monsters as summons.

So if I was going to do it, I should obviously kill a strong one.

The Pilgrim's Tower wasn't somewhere you went just because you might as well.

-Gulp.

'A fifty-percent survival rate….'

I remembered a broadcast I'd seen a long time ago.

The boss of the first tier of the Pilgrim's Tower.

It had been an Awakener's interview, saying that half the people who challenged it had met their deaths.

At a glance, it might sound like something worth trying.

But it absolutely wasn't.

Having reached Floor 9 already put me in the top two percent, yet even Awakeners like that had a fifty-percent chance of dying.

And I was supposed to challenge that place?

'I'm not going.'

I immediately shook my head.

I didn't even hesitate for a moment.

'Normal would be one thing, but Hard is a bit much.'

And there was a reason for that. Why was I steamrolling everything?

Climbing the Egen Tower with Hard-mode stats.

Wasn't it all thanks to that overwhelming difference in specs?

In other words, my specs were exactly the same as those of an Awakener from the Pilgrim's Tower.

That meant there was no way to cheese Hard mode.

'Of course I could try to push through with my traits… No, it's too dangerous.'

There was one more thing.

The Awakeners who had died on the first tier of the Hard Tower.

Did they really choose that place with ordinary or Rare-grade traits?

They couldn't have, unless they were idiots who didn't value their lives.

They must have all possessed at least Unique-grade traits.

And yet even those people died in droves.

No matter how good your traits were, a moment's carelessness could cost you your life.

Even the survivors swore off it, saying things like, 'Don't choose the Pilgrim's Tower,' and, 'I think I'd die if I challenged the first tier again.'

I had grown up seeing and hearing things like that from a young age.

There was no way I would deliberately challenge that place.

'More importantly, it's only the first tier anyway.'

There was one last thing.

Wasn't I planning to keep climbing the Tower?

Easy up to Floor 50, then Normal from there onward.

Naturally, the bosses would grow stronger as I climbed higher.

Even the boss of the first tier of the Pilgrim's Tower, which looked like an insurmountable mountain right now, would become a nobody someday.

Would it really be wise to take risks just to get that as a summon?

A boss that would be instantly killed by a Normal Tower boss by the third tier?

In my opinion, it was foolish.

'Serin would absolutely love this first-tier boss, though.'

I did want to do it for my little sister.

Still, there was no need to force myself to go.

I wasn't chickening out over this, absolutely not.

'Then…'

"Shall we go?"

After clearing away the notification window.

I headed toward the portal once more.

Whoosh—!

As I stepped into the rippling mass of light, my entire field of vision filled with white light…

-Ding.

[You have entered the boss floor.]

Defeat the guardian and proceed higher.

[Objective]

Defeat Guardian Abigail

[Rewards]

- Common Weapon Selection Ticket

- Stat Points +3

'Just as I'd heard.'

I had arrived at the boss floor.

The dungeon-like interior greeted me.

As was the case on every floor, everything was sealed off, and I could only proceed by taking a portal.

I was trapped alone with a boss-class monster.

But I wasn't particularly nervous.

"Abigail~ Where are you~?"

I called out loudly.

Peacefully, without the slightest caution.

There was a reason for that.

'It doesn't attack first.'

What was the survival rate for Awakeners who challenged this boss?

A full 100 percent.

It was especially harmless, even among the Wimp's Tower's bosses.

Its speed was incredibly fast, though, so once it started running away, catching it was a pain.

Still, it was about a million times better than the Pilgrim's Tower boss that sprayed hydrochloric acid everywhere.

"Come out quickly, and I won't hurt you…."

"Yip?"

"Oh, there you are."

Anyway, as I waited, I heard a cry.

I turned my gaze and locked eyes with a fox monster.

It was Abigail, the boss monster of the Wimp's Tower's first tier.

-Ding.

[The trait Dragon Eyes activates.]

"Hmm."

'Level 25, and its weakness is….'

I was thinking that, since I had the chance, I might as well take my time experimenting thoroughly with my traits against it…

"Yiiiiiiiiip!!!!?"

"…Huh?"

But those thoughts vanished completely the moment I heard its sharp cry.

I shifted my gaze to see what was happening.

Abigail was using a pattern I didn't know.

-Boing.

"Yiiiiip!!!!!"

"A backflip!?"

It started with three consecutive somersaults,

"Yip… Whiiiiine…."

and then it huddled into a corner of the boss room.

It even crouched down while covering its ears with its forepaws.

It looked terribly pitiful as it trembled.

-Ding.

[The trait 'Overlord' activates.]

[Checking the difference in rank between you and the guardian….]

[An overwhelming difference in rank!]

[Guardian Abigail submits!]

"……"

'What is this?'

Why did something new keep coming out every time I dug into my Mythic-grade traits?

I hadn't even swung my sword once.

The monster was crawling before me all on its own.

'Though I suppose that was the natural reaction.'

It was only to be expected.

There was a difference of nearly 150 levels between me and that fox.

I was about seven times higher level than it.

Since someone whose specs far exceeded the Egen Tower's had shown up, it was understandable for a mere first-tier boss to lose its mind.

I sighed involuntarily.

'I'm supposed to kill that?'

It could at least run around instead.

Was I really supposed to swing my sword at a fox that had frozen up and was trembling?

This really wasn't easy.

"Hey, Abigail."

"Yip…."

"Can't you do something like surrender?"

I decided to at least ask.

I'd never heard of anyone passing through without killing Abigail, but this entire situation was unprecedented in the first place.

Maybe it was worth a shot.

"Whine, whine?"

Had it understood what I said?

Abigail flopped onto its back.

It spread its legs, exposed its belly, and whimpered.

It was unmistakably a surrendering pose.

Even then, I wasn't expecting much,

-Ding.

[Guardian Abigail has sworn allegiance after witnessing your absolute charisma!]

[The trait 'Overlord' activates.]

[Guardian Abigail has taken root in your soul.]

[You have acquired Guardian Abigail as a summon.]

[You may bestow a new name upon your summon. Would you like to do so?]

"…Oh."

Somehow, everything had worked out on its own.

A portal had even opened in the distance, apparently confirming that I'd cleared it.

Mythic-grade traits really were broken. Completely broken.

'Speaking of which, a name….'

I squatted down and vigorously rubbed the fox's belly.

Even while whining, it didn't resist my hand, so it really seemed to have submitted to me.

Looking down at it,

I gave it a name without hesitation.

"How about Pinky?"

"……"

"Pinky."

"Whine… Whiiine…."

"Huh?"

What was with that reaction, as if it disliked the name?

Could it understand human speech?

"If you like it, yip. If you don't, whine."

"Whiiine!!!"

"Whiny mouse?"

"Whiiiiine!!!"

"…From now on, whining means yes. Pinky."

"Yip!!!"

"Oh-ho."

Well, look at you. Could it understand me?

Or maybe it was simply because it was my summon.

I didn't know what was going on, but it would be useful when I made it perform tricks in front of Serin.

"Then…"

* * *

Naming it took another five minutes after that.

"Dohwa. It means peach blossom. What do you think?"

"……!!! Yip!! Yip, whine!!"

I kept tossing out names at random when the pink fox suddenly sprang to its feet.

It even started wagging its tail like a dog.

Its fur went flying.

'Well, at least it likes it. It's nice to see.'

"Dohwa. That's what I'll call you."

"Yip~"

While Dohwa rubbed its cheek against the back of my hand,

I reached out with my other hand and caressed the notification window.

And then, flash—!!

A golden aura enveloped us.

-Ding.

[A new name has been bestowed upon the summon. Dohwa's loyalty has increased dramatically.]

[The trait 'Dragon Knight' activates!]

Summon 'Dohwa' has been registered as a squire.

From now on, your level will have a minor effect on Dohwa.

[Dohwa]

Level: 45 (+20)

Title: None

An affectionate monster beast.

It has now become Ryu Hwi-min's squire.

Its demonic power increases slightly according to Ryu Hwi-min's level.

(Can evolve with the trait 'Fusion')

(Required: 1 summon)

"…What is this now?"

A huge number of notifications popped up.

There were so many that it was hard to take them all in at a glance.

Looking through them carefully, I found nothing bad.

'I get a squire just for having the Dragon Knight trait?'

First, there was the enhancement from my Dragon Knight trait.

Dohwa's level had risen by a whopping 20.

Of course, that still wasn't enough to make it useful in combat,

'But it can even evolve.'

The summon acquired through the Overlord trait.

It seemed I could consume it to evolve this cute fox.

I didn't have the money to get deeply into it, but was it something like awakening or limit-breaking in the gacha games that had been popular lately?

Whatever the case, it was a good thing.

'Then…'

"Dohwa, stay inside for now. I'll show you to my little sister later."

For now, I decided to send Dohwa back.

It was cute, but it shed everywhere.

The moment I acquired the summon, I somehow knew how to use the trait, so I didn't have any trouble.

"Dismiss summon."

"Yip!!"

When I spoke while reaching out my hand, Dohwa's body melted into thin air.

Now it would pop out whenever I signaled it.

My eventful passage through the first tier ended with me acquiring a summon named Dohwa.

'I still need to collect the rewards separately, though.'

"Then, shall we go?"

Step.

I stepped through the portal that had appeared.

And so, I entered the safe zone connecting Floor 10 to the boss floor,

-Ding.

['Pilgrim's Tower' has been moved to.]

[Boss Floor Clear Rewards]

- Stat Points +20

- Lowest-grade Recovery Potion x11

- Common Weapon Selection Ticket

- Title: 'One Who Has Set Out on the Pilgrim's Road'

[Ryu Hwi-min]

Level: 201 (+20)

Title: One Who Has Set Out on the Pilgrim's Road (All stats +20)

Strength: 76+20 (+6)

Agility: 87+20 (+7)

Vitality: 61+20 (+6)

Mana: 24+20 (+1)

Luck: 12+20

"What a sweet haul."

I shamelessly gobbled up all the rewards from the Pilgrim's Tower.

Just selling those potions would bring in how much?

And I even got a title that increased every stat.

I could understand why moths kept flying into the flames and shouting, 'Let's go to the coffin!!' despite the atrocious difficulty.

'Though I'll be cheesing the Stigmata too.'

There would probably be a whole truckload of people who'd come at me with bamboo spears if they saw me…

But what could I do?

I didn't know whether this was a dream or reality either.

'To be honest, it still doesn't feel real. Maybe I need to carry some cement bags at a construction site before it sinks in.'

"Sigh… I still have to do what needs doing, though."

I reached out and rummaged through my Inventory.

Rip—!!

The sound of tearing open the Weapon Selection Ticket rang out,

-Ding.

[Use the trait 'Fusion' to consume 'Elite Soldier's Longsword (Common)' and 9 pieces of equipment to craft Rare equipment?]

[Crafting complete.]

[Royal Sword (Rare)]

A longsword of exceptional quality.

It automatically gathers mana from its surroundings.

It can scatter the gathered mana and launch sword energy,

but it takes at least 10 minutes to recharge.

(Can craft Unique equipment with the trait 'Fusion')

(Required: Royal Sword and 9 Rare pieces of equipment)

"Whoa!"

Before I knew it, I was holding a high-quality sword.

It was the kind of sword royal knights might carry in a fantasy game, one that clearly proclaimed, 'I'm expensive.'

I suddenly felt the urge to show it off—to 'humblebrag,' as people called it.

'Should I post it on the public channel?'

This dropped from a mob—is it any good?

I was already grinning nonstop at the thought of posting it, but

[Pilgrim Public Channel #Asia]

Title: Please save me… [9]

Title: How the fuck are we supposed to clear this [0]

Title: I'm going, seniors. Please deliver my will [1]

"…Ah."

Come to think of it, I hadn't switched Towers yet.

The urge to show off vanished completely.

Even if they had chosen this place of their own accord, most of them had either died or were about to.

I wasn't evil enough to stir up trouble here.

'Let's see.'

I decided to click the top post.

It was one of the few posts in Korean, and it had nine comments, too.

I wondered what it was about.

Click.

With a light touch, the post appeared before my eyes.

[Pilgrim Public Channel]

Author: Hyeonseo

Title: Please save me…

I shouldn't have come to a place like this.

I can't hold out any longer.

I can't see any hope.

Hwang Hee-chan: The chairman is looking for a way.

Hwang Hee-chan: Let's hang on a little longer.

Hyeonseo: No one can come here.

Hyeonseo: I'm sorry, sir.

Hyeonseo: You're probably busy, and yet you're dealing with someone who's about to die.

Hwang Hee-chan: I'm fine, so don't worry about me.

Hwang Hee-chan: Just stay alive.

Hwang Hee-chan: I will definitely rescue you.

Hwang Hee-chan: I swear it on the life of Hwang Hee-chan.

"…Hwang Hee-chan?"

'The number-one Awakener in Korea right now?'

I had just witnessed Korea's strongest Awakener stake his life on something.

The safe zone on Floor 39 of the Pilgrim's Tower.

Korea's highest climbing record, and…

'I could get there in no time.'

I could reach it with just thirty clicks.

A place easier to climb than the hill behind my neighborhood.

To the Awakener trapped there.