I’m the Only One Who Gets Super-Rare Drops (1)

Artifact.

An item that appears extremely rarely in the Tower.

It had entered my Inventory.

What did I do the moment I realized that?

'Luka first!'

"L-L-Let's go home now~."

There was a frightened kid behind me, after all.

No matter how much dopamine was coursing through me, I couldn't check my Inventory while leaving Luka there.

Even though I knew she was an NPC who would revive perfectly fine after I climbed to the next floor, even if she died….

When I thought of Serin, yeah.

I couldn't just leave her there.

"U-Um… what's going on…."

"There's something I urgently need to check, okay? Let's go~."

"Hweh!?"

I hurried over and hoisted Luka onto my back.

She was so thin that she was light enough for me not to feel her weight.

Swallowing my pity,

I immediately started walking.

"Dohwa, you come along too."

"Yip!"

Dohwa followed at my side with little steps.

The hallway that had been stained with blood was clean by then.

Thanks to that, we headed for the end of the hallway without dirtying our feet,

-Ding.

[You have entered the safe zone.]

[The system's 'Return' function has been activated….]

When I took the portal, Luka, who had been riding on my back until just moments ago, disappeared without a trace.

She must have been sent straight to Floor 12.

Since time in the Tower didn't flow without an Awakener, there shouldn't be any danger, either.

Only then did I release all the dopamine I'd been holding back.

-Tremble, tremble.

"…Dohwa."

"Yip?"

"I hit the jackpot!!!!!!"

Wow, an artifact.

I had gotten an artifact!

"There are fewer than 100 of these in the entire world!! I got one!!!"

I'd wondered if it was time to start farming after seeing the Golden Rule trait,

but I never imagined one would drop before Floor 20.

My dopamine was really going wild.

"Whine, whine! Whine!"

"That's right, that's right~ Oh, since it's been a while, want a snack?"

"Yip!!"

"Here you go~."

Joy like this was meant to be shared.

I took a snack out of my Inventory and set it down.

It was chicken breast I'd bought in a buy-one-get-one-free deal at a convenience store, with only a few days left before its expiration date.

-Ding.

[Dohwa's loyalty has increased slightly.]

"Yip~."

Dohwa excitedly began eating.

From the way she wagged her tail, it seemed to suit her taste.

That's right, eat plenty.

'While I open my artifact.'

"Inventory!"

Leaving Dohwa behind, I plopped down on the bed.

Then I thrust my hand into empty air.

Before long, something caught in my hand.

It was a ring.

'I wonder what effect it has.'

Artifacts were on a completely different level from equipment obtained as clear rewards in the Tower.

Like the 'Necklace of Plastic Surgery,' which permanently transformed the wearer's appearance into that of a stunningly handsome person over the course of a year when worn.

Or the 'Intuition Bracelet,' which let you notice most threats in advance.

Or the 'Blessing Earrings,' which constantly emitted a mana barrier that caused most projectile attacks, like bullets, to miss.

The three artifacts whose effects were widely known already had that much variety.

That was why my hand was trembling so violently.

'What if it's an item useful even to ordinary people, like the Plastic Surgery Necklace…?'

Just how valuable could this item be?

I focused my gaze on it with rising anticipation.

Then, ding.

A notification appeared saying that the Dragon Eyes trait had activated.

At the same time, the appraisal result appeared.

[Dragon Ring (Artifact)]

A ring engraved with a dragon.

An obsessive affection lingers within it,

and strengthens the wearer's traits.

(Only one applies if multiple traits are possessed. Can be switched)

"……What?"

'Strengthen traits?'

I was speechless for a moment.

An artifact that strengthened traits.

I'd never heard of such a thing.

'But they're already all Mythic-grade…?'

All thirteen of my traits were Mythic-grade.

Weren't they already broken enough?

And now it would strengthen them even further?

…Could that even be possible?

'Let's put it on first.'

I moved my hand absentmindedly.

Slide—

The ring moved toward the ring finger of my left hand without me realizing it.

The fit was a strangely perfect match.

At the same time, I suddenly realized how to use the artifact.

'Infuse it with mana, then stretch out my hand like this….'

-Ding.

['Dragon Ring' equipped.]

Trait 'Dragon Eyes' enhanced.

[Dragon Eyes+ (Mythic)]

(New!) Detects the trajectory of attacks.

(Enhanced by the 'Dragon Ring')

"Oh."

It only added a new function.

It didn't strengthen anything that had already existed.

Well, even this alone was broken, though.

'Should I check the others too?'

After that, I continued experimenting.

What would be added to my other traits?

Since it seemed only one trait could be enhanced, I planned to check them all for now.

Then, about twelve minutes passed.

-Ding!

[You have acquired the Floor 11 climbing rewards.]

- Stat Points +20

- Lowest-grade Recovery Potion x1

- Armor Summon Ticket x1

[The trait 'Golden Rule+' activates.]

You have acquired the following additional rewards.

- Stat Points +1

- Lowest-grade Recovery Potion x1

[Golden Rule+ (Mythic)]

(New!) When obtaining clear rewards, you have a low chance of obtaining additional rewards.

"……Amazing."

A clear reward from the Pilgrim's Tower.

And I had just gotten one extra Stat Point from it.

I got one more recovery potion, too.

Of course, it said the chance was low,

so I was probably just lucky….

But hey, I'll take it.

"Dohwa."

"Whine…?"

"I think I'm going to get even stronger from here."

Basically, my specs had been the same as those of someone from the Pilgrim's Tower.

For example, if I climbed to Floor 30, my stats would be identical to Hwang Hee-chan's.

But now?

Even if we climbed the same floor, I would be a little stronger.

Even if some superhuman appeared and climbed all 100 floors, they couldn't beat me in pure specs.

I had gained the possibility of becoming the world's strongest.

The Pilgrim's Tower's world record was only Floor 50 to begin with, though, anyway.

"This isn't nearly as broken, but there are plenty of other amazing things too, you know?"

"Whine?"

"Want to see them?"

"Yip!!"

"Okay, I'll show you."

After picking Dohwa up,

I headed back toward the Wimp's Tower.

Flash—!!

Pure white light enveloped us,

[You have entered Floor 12 of the Beginner's Tower.]

Having escaped the prison, you realize.

This is an underground prison teeming with orcs.

You still have a long way to go before escaping.

[Objective]

Reach the next portal

[Rewards]

- Stat Points +3

"…Kwooorrk?"

An orc came into view the moment we entered Floor 12.

It blinked with a stupid look on its face.

Its brain had clearly stalled for a moment at the sight of the escapees standing there so boldly.

"Eek!!?"

At the same time, a shrill sound rang out from behind us.

It was obviously Luka.

Just when Luka thought she was safe, another orc appeared.

She seemed to be cowering.

"Dohwa? You know what to do, right?"

"Yip!!"

"That's right. Keep Luka safe."

"Yip!!!"

Hop.

Dohwa jumped out of my arms and headed behind me.

Finally free to use both hands, I immediately stretched one out in front of me.

[The trait 'Inventory+' activates!]

(New!) You can immediately grab items inside your Inventory.

-Snatch.

'Ah, this cool sensation. It's been 15 minutes.'

A sword that fit snugly in my hand.

Until recently, I had to rummage through my Inventory one item at a time, but I no longer needed to.

To others, it must have looked as though I'd suddenly summoned a sword.

"Kkuiik!?"

That was why the orc was so flustered, but

it had no time to regain its senses.

'Switch trait enhancement: Myriad Severance Sword!'

"I'll deal with it quickly and be right back!!"

Thud-thud—!!

I immediately kicked off the ground and charged.

My sword was already raised to exactly the right height to take its head.

"Kkuiik!!!?"

Was it because it was afraid of me?

The orc instinctively swung its club.

It was a slow, clumsy movement, befitting a Beginner's Tower monster.

Naturally, there was no chance of it hitting me.

-Ding.

[The trait 'Myriad Severance Sword+' activates!]

(New!) The sword's attack range increases.

'I'll slice you into a cute star shape.'

Swish, swish.

I swung my sword through empty air.

The tip of the sword didn't even graze its skin,

so anyone watching would surely have cursed, 'Why are you slashing at some random spot?'

But…

I could clearly feel the strike land.

-Slice.

"Grrrk…?"

The orc looked bewildered.

A five-pointed star was carved into its green skin.

It was proof that the sword energy released by my blade had cut the orc.

But how could the orc know that?

It didn't even realize it had died.

Its world tilted along with its head until it hit the ground. And on it went.

-Thud.

"…Hoh."

'Clean hands, clean sword. This is nice.'

The blade wasn't even damaged.

I'd heard that you had to sharpen a weapon's edge after using it for a long time, but I wouldn't have to do that anymore.

'Thanks, Ring! Let's stay together for a long time!!'

-Peck.

I planted a kiss on the ring.

It was both a victory ceremony and a genuine expression of affection.

As if it were a wedding ring…

"……Hmm?"

'Wait, why did I put it on here?'

Then a thought suddenly occurred to me.

Even though I'd put it on without thinking, why had it specifically gone on the ring finger of my left hand?

People might think I was married.

When in reality, I'd been single my whole life.

-Slide.

['Dragon Ring' unequipped….]

['Dragon Ring' equipped.]

'It would be better to eliminate any room for misunderstanding.'

I moved the ring to the index finger of my right hand.

Unlike before, it didn't fit perfectly, but it was wearable.

Only then did I turn around.

"Dohwa, how was that? Pretty awesome, right?"

"Yip!!!"

Dohwa wagged her tail enthusiastically.

"Luka too… Hmm, that was probably a little too soon for Luka to see."

"……."

By contrast, NPC Luka looked a little frightened.

After looking at her for a moment, I adjusted my grip on the sword.

"Kkuiik… Kkuiiiik!!?"

"If another two or so come along~? If it's scary to watch, hug Dohwa and turn around~."

"Kkuiiiiik!!!!"

Boom, boom—!!

Another orc charged in.

Was it trying to avenge its companion?

I had no idea.

I didn't particularly need to know, either.

'Let's go artifact farming!!!'

"Bring every last relative you've got!!!"

Those orcs looked like nothing but money chests to me.

* * *

Two days passed.

-Ding.

[You have acquired the Floor 18 climbing rewards.]

- Stat Points +20

- Lowest-grade Recovery Potion x1

- Armor Summon Ticket x1

[The trait 'Golden Rule+' activates.]

You have acquired the following additional rewards.

- Stat Points +1

[Ryu Hwi-min]

Level: 369 (+168)

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

Strength: 110+20 (+34)

Agility: 125+20 (+38)

Vitality: 100+20 (+39)

Mana: 66+20 (+42)

Luck: 27+20 (+15)

"Phew."

I had nearly doubled my strength yet again.

That alone was amazing, but

"Then… shall we open it?"

'The artifact I just got!'

My Mythic-grade traits…

had gone and let me cheese things yet again.