Conquering the Fifth Tier Begins

Then, I'll head out and be back. You can take care of the house by yourself, right?

I said as I put on my shoes by the front door.

A spirited voice rang out behind me.

"Yeah! I can play by myself just fine, so good luck climbing the Tower with Dohwa!"

"If you get bored, go take a walk around the apartment park. It's nice there, and there aren't any outsiders, either."

"You're the one who needs to take care of yourself, Oppa. If you get hurt, you have to shower with me every time from now on. Promise!"

"Good grief, I suppose I'd better not get hurt."

My little sister was such a good kid.

She even made adorable threats like that to keep me from getting hurt.

"I'll be back by dinner."

I turned around with a smile.

Then I left the house.

I didn't head straight to Egen Tower… not exactly.

"Ugh, what a bother."

'Why is she calling me again?'

Yuna had called me again.

She said she'd give me some advice and other pointers since I was going to conquer the fifth tier.

I would have preferred to decline,

'But there is a bit of a gap between me and Ryu Hwi-min.'

To the outside world, I was an Awakener on Egen Tower's fourth tier, with no notable Traits.

That meant I was a completely different person from Iron Gangmin.

But what if I ignored Yuna's summons?

She was a member of Cheonghwa Guild, no less, and even had a Unique-grade trait.

That would be a little awkward.

It meant she was that confident in her abilities.

That didn't quite fit the character I was building for 'Ryu Hwi-min.'

'If she calls, I go. Of course.'

So I went along with her request without complaint.

I wanted to avoid anything that might make her suspicious.

And more than anything, I was a little curious.

'Has she adapted well to her new job?'

I'd pulled strings with Hyunseo to get her in.

Her duties had changed from community-monitoring agent to Awakener scout.

It had been a week since I'd granted Yuna the wish she'd wanted so badly.

But what about Yuna?

She was an Egen Tower veteran, after all.

That put her at quite a disadvantage trying to work as a headhunter at Cheonghwa.

So if she was being ignored,

I'd have to do something about it.

That was part of why I'd gone.

It was why I obediently headed to the café.

-Creeeak.

"Ah, Mr. Hwi-min!"

"Senior Yuna, long time no see."

Yuna greeted me the moment I entered the café.

I quickly ordered a drink and sat down.

Naturally, it was the cheapest Americano.

Meanwhile, Yuna across from me?

'Expensive coffee and even a slice of cake? Good grief, she must've spent 20,000 won.'

She was contributing handsomely to the café's sales.

Maybe something bad had happened, and she was going all out on a sugar recharge.

It was enough to make me a little worried.

"This is sudden, but is something wrong?"

"Pardon?"

"Last time, you said you were tired and drank an incredibly sweet beverage. But this time…."

"Oh, no, it's nothing like that. I've just had a lot of good things happen lately, so my appetite's returned."

"Good things?"

"Look at this."

But then, with a flourish—

Yuna lifted the employee ID hanging around her neck.

'Cha Yuna, Cheonghwa Guild Headhunter' was written on it.

"Oh, your position changed? Congratulations!"

"Heheh, Cheonghwa finally recognized me. They realized I'm not someone who deserves to rot away looking at filthy bathroom photos."

"That's good to hear, but are you sure it's all right? The Beginner's Tower is a bit, ahem…."

"It's fine. I can prove myself through my results."

As she said that, Yuna flashed me a bright smile.

Hmm, she positively radiated an elite air.

Unlike how she'd cowered at the Gate, was she competent in noncombat situations?

"I'm sure you can do it, Senior."

I offered her a few words of encouragement.

Yuna accepted them without fuss.

"Thank you. Anyway, you said you're going to the fifth tier, right? There are a few unusual points there…."

After that, she explained all sorts of information about conquering the fifth tier of Egen Tower.

For all that she was a Unique-grade Awakener, she occasionally mixed in information I hadn't seen in online guides.

Of course, none of it was much help to me.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Hmm…."

Once she'd finished explaining everything,

I fell into thought for a moment in front of Yuna.

Anything else I wanted to ask?

Well, there was something.

But could I really bring it up?

'Screw it, I'll just put my embarrassment aside!'

"This is a separate matter, but I actually have a younger sister…."

After hesitating, I decided to tell her anyway.

I briefly explained my family situation.

My parents had died the year I became an adult. My younger sister had been sick for years before that and eventually became a vegetable. I had earned her hospital bills through manual labor.

Yuna let out a small sigh.

"Oh my…. You really went through a lot."

"She's better now, so it's fine. But she only woke up recently, so while her body is an adult's, she's still a child mentally."

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't know some things women naturally need to know…. Is it all right for me to teach her those things?"

I tacked on the question almost casually.

I had phrased it indirectly, but my meaning was clear.

'Menstruation.'

That was something I probably shouldn't get involved in.

Learning from her older brother how to put on a sanitary pad.

Just the phrasing felt violent.

Fortunately, things had been fine so far.

Maybe because she had only recently recovered from her illness, there hadn't been any bloodshed yet.

But it wouldn't be strange for it to happen at any time.

Eventually, I'd have to teach her those things too.

It was one of my small worries.

"I've studied it myself, but I'm worried my sister will be embarrassed later."

"Uh, well. It definitely is better for a woman to teach her things like that…."

Anyway, that brought the consultation to an end.

Yuna let the end of her sentence trail off.

She seemed to be thinking it over.

And the answer she finally gave was?

"I suppose it can't be helped. I'll make time to go teach her."

"…Pardon?"

What was with this woman? Was she a pushover?

Being this kind was practically an illness.

"I wasn't planning to ask you to go that far…."

"Do you have any female acquaintances besides me?"

"…Not particularly."

"I thought so. I could tell you were troubled even as you brought it up."

Yuna, on the other hand, smiled gently.

I could feel the gentle care of someone older.

"Actually, a lot of good things have happened ever since I met you, Mr. Hwi-min. Maybe your luck rubbed off on me."

"Wouldn't that be because you've been working hard, Senior?"

"No need for modesty! I hear I'm your noona, so trust your noona with this sort of thing!"

"……"

Between her and my old mentor, I really was unusually blessed when it came to the people around me.

Ah, my faith in humanity was being restored.

"I won't forget this kindness."

"A newbie who hasn't even cleared the fifth tier talks big. Anyway, I'll contact you when I have time, so tell me your address later."

"You're coming in person?"

"You said she only woke up recently. At least her surroundings should be comfortable, right?"

"Then I'll leave it to you."

I bowed my head politely.

The thought of 'Why'd you call me over for something so bothersome?' had long since melted away like snow under the sun.

Yuna tried to wave it off as if it were nothing, but

-She paused.

"…Come to think of it, Mr. Hwi-min."

"Yes?"

"There's something I'd like to ask you too."

Yuna suddenly put on a serious expression.

"Ask me anything."

I immediately straightened my posture.

I didn't know what it was, but I wanted to help.

"What's the matter…."

"Your superior is hiding something, and it's something you absolutely need. But it's also beyond what someone of your station should have. If you were in this situation, Mr. Hwi-min, what would you do?"

"……"

But, hmm.

This had to be about her guild.

Maybe they were giving her a hard time because she came from Egen Tower.

"I'd stay quiet, but you're different from me, Senior, aren't you? You even have a Unique-grade trait, so just charge straight in and confront them!"

I clenched my fist and cheered her on.

I wanted a good person to succeed.

Of course, I hadn't simply pushed her forward without a backup plan.

'I'll have to write something when I get back from the Tower.'

Manipulating Yuna Coin's price would be easy with Iron Gangmin's help.

I could guarantee her position, after all.

So keep going, Yunabbi.

You are so great.

"…I suppose I should give it a try. Thank you, Mr. Hwi-min. You've helped me make up my mind."

Yuna laughed in relief.

She looked so cute and pretty that I found myself wanting to cheer her on.

'Not that she needs it.'

She'd probably find it on her own even without my help.

She was a Unique-grade Awakener with an information-related Trait, after all. What couldn't she find if she set her mind to it?

"I don't know what your superior is hiding so carefully, but I hope you find it."

Slurp.

I drained the rest of my coffee.

"…I hope I find it too, yes."

I chalked up the fact that Yuna's ears had turned particularly red as she lowered her head to a blood-sugar spike.

* * *

After finishing my meeting with Yuna,

I headed straight for the Tower.

-Ding.

[You have entered Floor 40 of the Beginner's Tower.]

I arrived at the large safe zone just before Egen Tower's final tier—the fifth.

I quietly looked around.

Dense trees, similar to yet slightly different from those in the latter half of the third tier, caught my eye.

'I hear the elves here are supposed to be vicious.'

The fifth tier of Egen Tower was known as the so-called 'Kkanf tier.'

It was a tier where NPCs with horrendous personalities appeared.

They were so toxic that there were even guides with titles like 'The Secret to Staying Cancer-Free' and 'How to Completely Dominate a Battle of Wits.'

Some people called it the tier where 'Even the Sword Nut looks like a fairy by comparison.'

It did have one advantage, at least.

The elves' average looks were heavenly, so it was easy on the eyes, but

'I hear even hardcore pretty-face fanatics swear at them here.'

…Why else would it be called the Kkanf tier instead of the Elf tier?

Because their overwhelming nastiness made their looks irrelevant.

Before the term Kkanf was coined, apparently it was called 'the tier with bastards who deserve to be dismembered.'

Any other Awakener would surely have been trembling at the thought of its reputation already, but….

Naturally, I was calm.

'Overwhelming nastiness? I have overwhelming power on my side.'

Their average level might surpass that of players,

but it was still just Egen Tower.

If they got cocky, I could just thump each of them on the head.

Of course, one little thump wouldn't be enough.

History had proven that two nuclear knuckle-flicks made them raise the white flag, while three had them sobbing and begging for forgiveness.

I prepared to climb without a worry in the world.

'The Genesis Sword is… probably overkill.'

Thinking the Genesis Sword was a bit excessive, I took a Legendary-grade sword instead.

It was the World Tree's Sword, which could launch elemental attacks.

Not to mention all sorts of equipment except for a hat,

-Ding.

[Black Wing 黑翼 (Legendary)]

A cloak imbued with the power of a great ancient being.

Greatly increases jumping power when equipped.

Allows the wearer to glide in midair and accelerate by consuming mana.

'Thanks, you moron.'

I finished equipping Renya's Legendary-grade cloak as well.

"Dohwa, come out."

"Kyaeung!!"

With Dohwa summoned, my preparations were complete.

With my three divine weapons—gear, traits, and summons—clearing Egen Tower should be a piece of cake.

I walked forward confidently.

"Let's enhance things after we enter. We don't know who might show up."

"Kyaeung~."

And then, fwoosh—!!

The harmless white light of the Egen Tower portal, as always, enveloped us….

-Ding.

[You have entered Floor 41 of the Beginner's Tower.]

A duel with a great knight.

After defeating it, you awaken to find yourself in

a dense primeval forest.

But then you realize.

There are absurdly powerful beings lurking nearby.

Challenging them would certainly not be a wise choice….

"Keng!"

Boing.

Dohwa jumped down from my arms.

Then she looked around energetically.

It wasn't just my imagination that she seemed to be saying, 'Bring it on, bring it on!' was it?

Was Dohwa surprisingly belligerent?

"Dohwa, no need to Kyaeung it up."

"…Kyaeung?"

"Floor 41 is a story segment."

Unfortunately, there was nothing for Dohwa to do.

Rustle-rustle—!!

The ones running toward us were, technically speaking, allies.

'Just in case, should I use this too?'

On top of that, I used the Legendary-grade polymorph item, 'Shapeshifter.'

I'd heard they were a toxic race, but surely they would be a little nicer to one of their own kind.

I kept my appearance the same and only changed my ears to make them pointed.

"Dohwa, this should be all right, shouldn't it?"

"Kyaeung~."

"All right, then let's get ready."

I slung a Legendary-grade wooden sword over my shoulder.

Then I cast my gaze toward the bushes.

All right, are you going to be nasty even to an elf of your own kind?

If you are, you'll each get a proper flick on the forehead.

I waited with those thoughts in mind, and then….

-Whoosh!!

"Who goes there… huh?"

"Sherry, what's wrong? An intruder… huh?"

The elven NPCs soon appeared before me.

Their mouths

fell wide open.

""……Huh?""