A Floor 61 S++-rank clear.
The moment the nationwide announcement went up, news articles exploded.
The uproar lasted until the next morning.
The contents were all similar.
Stop climbing the Tower.
Floor 67 is absolutely unacceptable.
Juhyeok understood why the media and the public were worried.
An uncontrollable player climbing the Tower.
Charging upward like a madman isn't necessarily a good thing.
You have to climb according to a schedule.
Juhyeok also planned to stop at Floor 64.
Today, he didn't summon any of the contracted beings.
He had asked for their understanding in advance.
When he said he planned to attend a showcase event, they'd all gone into an uproar.
That going outside was dangerous, to be careful—again and again—and to summon them immediately if anything happened.
Juhyeok wanted to go with them too.
But since he had to ride in a designated car and move with bodyguards, he couldn't bring them along.
Unless he summoned them inside the venue, that was.
What could possibly happen?
The venue would be crawling with police, NIS agents, and Management Agency staff.
On top of that, he had an energy shield and a Blink ring.
The safest person in the world right now was himself.
Shall I get ready to go out?
Ding!
A message arrived.
It seemed the car had arrived to pick him up.
Neat clothes, clean shoes, wallet packed…
He was excited.
Would he ever have imagined being invited to a fashion event?
HG Hotel.
The showcase for HG Fashion's new brand.
The venue was packed with people.
Famous domestic and international celebrities—singers, actors, politicians, business leaders, fashion industry figures—and reporters.
But plainclothes police officers and NIS agents were mixed in among the crowd.
On the surface, it was an event hosted by HG Fashion, but since many elite players were attending, the NIS and the Management Agency couldn't help but stay on edge.
Player Nam Gaeun was also scheduled to attend for a surprise event.
Jeon Gwang-il was slowly walking around the perimeter of the venue.
He spotted Player Bong Juhyeok entering the hall.
But he didn't acknowledge him.
Instead, he kept an unobtrusive eye on him.
To make sure security was being properly maintained.
No one knew it, but in reality, the top VVIP here was Bong Juhyeok.
Even more so than Crown Prince bin Salah of the United Arab Emirates sitting over there.
But why does that guy keep coming to Korea? It makes me uneasy.
In any case, security seemed solid.
An event attended by Crown Prince bin Salah—and he'd brought quite a few personal bodyguards of his own.
The venue was on the hotel's top floor.
A place no one could easily access.
As Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il was surveying the surroundings, someone approached him and spoke.
"Deputy Commissioner."
"Oh, Director, you came in person."
It was NIS First Deputy Director Noh Young-geun.
"Please don't worry too much. We conducted thorough security inspections."
"Haha, worry? To be honest, I'm just tired. I want to wrap this up and go home to sleep as soon as possible."
"Same here. All civil servants are alike. By the way…"
Noh Young-geun glanced at Jeon Gwang-il's expression before asking,
"Is the rumor true?"
"What rumor?"
"That the products being introduced this time are made from basilisk hide—Tower monster basilisk hide."
It would be known soon enough anyway.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Is the supply sufficient? Enough to release to the private market?"
"It is. That's why we're supplying it."
"Don't tell me this time too—"
Jeon Gwang-il shook his head from side to side.
It meant two things: don't bother trying to find out, and I won't tell you either.
Then, smoothly changing the subject,
"Nothing happening outside? No incidents or accidents?"
"Ah! There was a forest fire on Gwanak Mountain. Firefighting helicopters have been dispatched, so it should be put out quickly."
A forest fire.
Come to think of it, it was wildfire season.
The firefighters must be having a hard time.
Hopefully, it would be extinguished safely.
Juhyeok couldn't quite get his bearings at this showcase—his first ever.
He was glad he'd come.
Celebrities to his left, celebrities to his right.
Singers, actors, entertainers—people he'd only ever seen on TV were everywhere.
It really felt like being inside a broadcasting station.
Should I ask for a photo together?
If he bragged to his younger brother Minhyeok, the kid would bounce around in excitement.
If he showed photos to the summoned beings, saying he'd met people he'd only seen on TV, their eyes would go wide in shock too.
But the first hurdle—starting a conversation—was hard enough.
And even if he cleared that hurdle, what if they refused to take a photo?
Let's not.
Just seeing them in person was already something.
Oh! A Hallyu star!
A girl group with explosive popularity in Southeast Asia—every member was here.
This is hard to resist.
Of course, as a fan.
Hmm…
He hesitated.
If he walked up and said, "I'm an elite player," would they think he was crazy?
But elite players weren't inferior to celebrities at all.
Man or woman, elite players were top-tier marriage candidates.
They earned tons of money—and had high mortality rates.
As he wavered like that, the event began.
Let's stay quiet for now.
There would be opportunities later.
CEO Goyeon Ha appeared on stage in a sharp suit.
Holding the microphone,
"Hello. I'm Goyeon Ha."
She went straight to the point.
"Many of you are probably curious about what the brand name Wildflower & Basilisk means. Shall I start by explaining that?"
Goyeon Ha pressed a remote.
A video appeared on the large screen behind the stage.
It looked like footage recorded from players' body cams.
In the video, a gigantic crocodile—no, a basilisk—was moving while baring its massive fangs.
"Yes, it's a basilisk. Basil in our brand name comes from this creature."
People tilted their heads in confusion.
Using a Tower monster as a trademark?
What connection did that have?
"Let me show you. A real basilisk."
In that instant—
The screen that had been playing the video slid down all at once.
At the same time, multiple spotlights illuminated the stage, and to the accompaniment of grand music, the overwhelming presence of a massive, full basilisk hide was revealed.
People surged toward the stage.
Click! Click-click! Click!
Camera reporters fired off photos nonstop.
"Th-that's real?"
"A full hide? Does that even drop as a reward?"
"Didn't they just stitch together all the basilisk hides collected so far?"
"Yeah. It has to be a replica."
"No. If it were fake, you'd know immediately."
"It's real. Would CEO Goyeon Ha hold an event like this just to show a fake?"
Up close, it felt as if a real basilisk had leapt straight out of the Tower.
"We've signed an exclusive hide supply contract with the Korean Awakened Management Agency. From now on, basilisk hides will be supplied steadily."
At those words, the faces of representatives from other fashion companies stiffened all at once.
A steady supply?
What kind of nonsense was that?
"Our HG Fashion has produced prototypes using this hide. We plan to sell them as products."
The eyes of the crowd, which had been fixed on the massive hide, now turned to Goyeon Ha.
Products… surely not bags, wallets, shoes—those kinds of things?
Murmur, murmur.
The venue grew noisy.
"Please, take a look."
From behind the stage, models began walking out one by one.
Ten in total.
"These are Wildflower & Basilisk light-quality products."
Each model held a bag.
They switched hands, held them out with both hands—making sure everyone could see clearly.
"That's made from basilisk hide?"
"…Hmm, how much do you think it costs?"
"If it's real, does the price even matter?"
"I want one."
"But if this is light quality…"
"That means there are higher tiers."
Interest exploded.
"Next, we introduce Wildflower & Basilisk luxury-quality products."
Heads snapped around.
This time, six models.
No one cared who the models were.
All eyes were fixed on the bags they carried.
"It's different. Definitely different."
"It deserves to be called luxury."
"Yeah. You can't compare it to the light tier."
"You can tell the difference?"
"Look at the pattern. That's probably the basilisk's belly hide."
"Crocodile leather doesn't even compare."
Since it was a showcase, many industry professionals were present.
As well as top-tier celebrities.
People who could recognize the value of an item at a glance.
Products of far higher quality than the light tier.
There was no doubt—this was the brand's core line.
"Lastly…"
There's more?
Luxury wasn't the end?
"We'll show you Wildflower & Basilisk's high-end masterpiece. You'll experience what the finest leather truly is."
Tap, tap.
A single model walked out with practiced steps.
And in her hands, a mysterious bag.
No words were needed.
A bag made of base leather, accented here and there with vividly colored hides.
"Ah!"
"Oh!"
"Mmm."
"Oh!"
"That leather…"
"R-rainbow… basilisk boss?"
Everyone was utterly captivated.
The vibrant, living radiance of rainbow leather interwoven with traditional basilisk hide.
And as everyone stood transfixed, another model stepped onto the red carpet holding a high-end bag.
Her walk was awkward—but people instantly recognized who she was.
Because instead of ordinary clothes, she wore a form-fitting leather armor.
"It's Nam Gaeun!"
"Our top player is modeling too?"
"But what is that outfit?"
"That's full-body armor. Even the boots are leather."
The elite players in attendance were even more excited than the general public.
"They did a great job. She looks like a game character."
"So Tower gear has entered the fashion era."
"But you wouldn't wear that in real combat. The sides are completely open."
"Still, it's pretty."
"You could use it as bulletproof armor."
Desire began to simmer throughout the venue.
Bag or armor—it didn't matter.
They had to buy it.
The price didn't matter either.
Everyone gathered here had the means.
Crown Prince bin Salah, who had happened to enter Korea and attend the event, also couldn't hide his admiration for the bags the models carried.
When the high-end masterpiece with rainbow leather and Player Nam Gaeun's leather armor were unveiled, he was so shocked he let out an audible gasp.
I should buy a few.
He had three wives—he'd buy one for each.
He'd come to meet Gobang, but instead encountered such luxury—wait.
Hmm, a full basilisk hide…
That too was an item.
Someone must have obtained it in the Tower.
It wouldn't be a normal reward.
At minimum, it would require an S++ rank clear…
Don't tell me…?
Bin Salah sprang up from his seat and looked around.
Had Gobang come here too?
The event was proceeding smoothly.
Interest was explosive.
And the showcase was being livestreamed worldwide on YouTube.
The number of concurrent viewers was skyrocketing.
Products made from Tower monster basilisk hide?
How could anyone resist that?
As the event reached its peak, Player Nam Gaeun even participated as a model for a surprise segment.
Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il was convinced of the event's success.
Even he found himself wanting one of the bags.
With all the recent overtime, his wife had been giving him looks—how happy would she be if he bought her a light-tier bag?
But on a civil servant's meager salary, even one was a burden. And even though CEO Goyeon Ha had offered to gift him one, the law got in the way.
A pie in the sky.
Jeon Gwang-il shook his head and walked toward the glass windows.
"…Hmm."
There was something that had been bothering him for a while.
The sound of helicopters.
With a wildfire on Gwanak Mountain, firefighting helicopters being deployed was natural—but the sound was too close.
It felt as if one had landed on the hotel rooftop directly above.
Well, while extinguishing fires, helicopters could malfunction and make emergency landings, but—
A firefighting helicopter visible in the distance.
It looked like it was scooping up water from the Han River and heading toward Gwanak Mountain.
It would soon be evening rush hour.
Hope they can get off work before traffic hits.
And then, at that moment—
Something caught Jeon Gwang-il's eye.
A group flying together…
Birds?
No.
That wasn't it.
It wasn't the movement of birds.
And they were far too fast.
They were getting closer.
D-drones?
That was exactly what they were.
Dozens of drones were charging straight toward the glass windows of the hotel's top floor.
"Insane!"
Could those possibly be ordinary drones?
No chance.
It was a fashion showcase, yes—but look at the attendees.
Elite players, and even Nam Gaeun, not to mention Crown Prince bin Salah.
Terrorism?
Jeon Gwang-il stiffened.
Just as the drones were about to slam into the glass—
That was when it happened.
Spot! Someone suddenly appeared right beside him.
"Gah!"
Player Bong?!
"Hold on tight."
"…Y-yes!"
Spot!
In an instant, Juhyeok and Jeon Gwang-il were teleported far away from the glass windows.
It was the Blink skill.
At the same time, the drones smashed into the hotel's thick glass façade.
Bang! Ka-ka-bang! Bang bang bang bang!
Krrrraaaash!
The massive windows shattered as if exploding.
"Eeeek!"
"Aaah!"
"Gah!"
"Wh-what is this?!"
"Everyone—g-get down!"
Thankfully, there weren't many injuries.
Most people had crowded toward the stage to look at the bags.
Still, chaos reigned as people panicked, unsure what to do.
Phew.
Juhyeok let out a breath of relief.
He hadn't been particularly interested in the bags and had turned his gaze outside to look at the view—only to spot the drones charging in.
Drones.
There were an overwhelming number of them.
Were they just ordinary drones?
Not a chance.
Whatever they were, they were clearly dangerous.
And Jeon Gwang-il had been standing right up against the massive glass windows.
In that split second, countless thoughts flashed through Juhyeok's mind.
What should he do?
He thought he could save him—
Scary as it was, Deputy Commissioner Jeon was one of his few acquaintances.
Just leave him to die?
If he could save him, he had to try.
So he activated his energy barrier and cast Blink.
Thanks to that, Jeon Gwang-il was safe.
But Nam Gaeun wasn't.
Someone who looked like a hotel employee had grabbed Nam Gaeun from behind, pressing a cold blue blade against her carotid artery.
In his other hand was a loaded crossbow.
"Aaaah…"
"N-Nam Gaeun, Player Nam Gaeun!"
Because the armor focused on design, the neck area wasn't protected.
"Don't move! Everyone, put your guns down!"
At the assailant's threat, the guards who had been about to rush the stage froze in place.
"If you don't put your guns down, I'll slit this bitch's throat. Think I can't do it?"
The NIS agents and guards slowly lowered their guns to the floor.
The venue had metal detectors—no weapons were allowed inside.
Which meant—
A player.
That's right.
The man holding Nam Gaeun hostage was a player.
He must have pulled a Tower-made weapon out of his inventory.
They're deploying players for a terrorist attack?
Either way, no one could move.
Korea's top player, Nam Gaeun, was being held hostage.
At that moment—
Zrrrrk! Zrrrrk!
Ropes dropped down through the shattered windows.
Sliding down them, more assailants swiftly entered the venue.
Tap! Tadatadat!
Chk! Chk! Chk!
Automatic rifles were raised.
"If anyone moves, we shoot."
Xiao Jun, wearing a mask, looked at the captured Nam Gaeun and grinned.
Too easy.
A flawless operation—and the best possible outcome.
Juhyeok let out a long sigh.
He'd just been enjoying sneaking glances at celebrities, and now this?
At least he'd saved Jeon Gwang-il.
I knew it. Going outside is dangerous.
He never should've left home.
But what could he do? It was his own decision.
"Designated summon: John Kosak."
Fwaaaash!
A mass of light surged upward.
Then—
"Loyaaalty—huh? Mm."
"As you can see, this is the situation."
"We should summon Gobang too. We need a tank to block bullets."
The moment he was summoned, Kosak understood.
What he needed to do.
And beside them, Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il stood frozen, mouth agape, watching everything unfold.