After finishing his business at the Awakening Management Administration, Juhyeok hurried straight home.
He was impatient.
Joy doubled when it was shared.
After quickly performing designated summons for his summoned beings—
"Take a look at this freshly repaired, still-warm rune before you go."
Juhyeok held out the Trait Enhancement Rune in front of him like a royal seal.
"H-huh! T-trait enhancement? Is this a dream or real life?"
Kosak hurried over in tiny steps, bowing his waist deeply.
"Truly a magnificent choice. If you'd followed my advice back then and smeared the scroll on the Holy Sword, what would we have done?"
"I just had a feeling. Thought I should try it on this broken rune."
Rubbing his palms together in agreement—
"Hehehe, as expected of Summoner Bong. So wise."
"Hahaha, wise my ass. I was just lucky."
"Oh come on, isn't luck a kind of skill too? Hehehehe!"
The other summoned beings joined in as well.
"Good. Very good! This greatly benefits the warrior as well."
"Heaven has been moved by Young Master's sincerity. I feel as though a dance is naturally spilling forth."
"Certain victory! Infinite glory upon the path you walk, Commander!"
"Hoeeeeee!"
Everyone celebrated together.
"While it's still hot, please eat it quickly. I'll bring you a glass of water so you don't choke while eating."
Kosak had recently entered full loyal-retainer mode—clearly, the badge's effect was enormous.
Anyway, it was best to consume it quickly.
A repaired item made by crudely sticking fragments together.
If he wasn't careful, the repaired parts might fall off again.
Juhyeok swiftly put the rune into his mouth.
The Trait Enhancement Rune melted smoothly the instant it touched his tongue and slid down his throat.
[Your Awakening Trait is being enhanced.]
The status window?
It was fantastic. Six simultaneous summons—he felt full even without eating.
The summoned beings applauded in celebration. Juhyeok raised his hand in response.
"Let's proceed with the event."
"Are we going straight into a random summon?"
"No. That's the second part. The first part is a merit commendation."
With a warm smile, Juhyeok looked at Rajiks.
"Mr. Rajiks, step forward."
"Hoeng!"
Roll—clack!
After taking out a platinum badge—
"For discovering fragments of the Trait Enhancement Rune and making a tremendous contribution to future tower climbs, you are hereby awarded this badge. Your prize is one box of pesticide-free, organic Jeju carrots."
"Hoeeeee…"
Juhyeok attached the badge to Rajiks's subspace backpack.
Three badges in total, all shining brilliantly.
Puff!
Rajiks puffed out his chest and waddled around the living room once on his short legs.
No one could deny it.
Thanks to Rajiks, the summoner had become stronger—and safer.
"Rajiks the worker! Your form is insane!"
"Congratulations. You are the world's greatest hired hand. You have every right to be arrogant."
"Quartermaster! I respect you. And I envy you."
"Impressive. Worker."
"Three badges, sir. Isn't it heavy? I'll carry one for you."
"Huack!"
Rajiks's face overflowed with happiness.
"The second part is a random summon. We'll finally be getting one more person."
A first meeting with a new person.
Man or woman didn't matter.
He just hoped—please—that they'd be a normal person.
"And the third part is shopping. We'll keep going all the way through the fourth part, the after-party. Be prepared."
"Huh? Feels like we might run out of time."
"We'll take about a three-hour break in the middle, then meet up again for the after-party."
"I'm curious about the after-party menu."
"Well, we have a perception-jamming unit… how about a top-tier buffet?"
"Eek! Gobang might get kicked out."
"…Is that so?"
Come to think of it, he did eat a lot.
That beef restaurant they went to last time would be better.
This time, he should tell them to prepare 500 servings.
"When the new colleague arrives, treat them well, everyone. No hazing."
"Hehehe, as a senior, I'll carefully teach them everything step by step."
"The warrior shall protect them in every way."
"I'm confident when it comes to training new recruits."
"No matter how bad the draw, could it be worse than the Mad Demon?"
"Hoe."
What kind of class would be good?
"Let's each say what kind of teammate we want. For reference, I'm fine with anyone. Rank, gender, age, job—none of it matters."
Kosak spoke first.
"I'd like a saintess or a priest. A dignified noble who doesn't yell and lets things slide even if I slurp noodles."
Glare!
Gyeondallae shot Kosak a sharp look, then—
"…A paladin would also be acceptable. A wise holy knight who can give Young Master sincere advice instead of flattery."
Veronica added,
"If a capable medic transfers in, I'll train them well as their senior."
Gobang and Rajiks joined in too.
"A summoner-exclusive healer would put a warrior's heart at ease."
"Hoeee, me too."
Everyone wanted a holy-attribute companion.
Juhyeok didn't think it was particularly necessary.
Things were already running very smoothly as they were.
Still, he should respect his companions' wishes.
It would help Gobang, who struggled alone while tanking, and could synergize with Gyeondallae the shamaness.
'Please send us one holy-attribute companion. And please, let them have their head screwed on straight.'
Then—
"Random summon!"
[Random summon initiated.]
"Dugudugudugudugudugudu—"
To the rhythm of Kosak's mouth-drumming, Fwaaaaash! the summoning began.
This was already the seventh random summon.
Meaning it had been six months since he became a player.
They should be a decent person, right?
Out of all those countless souls, there had to be at least one normal one.
A cluster of light gathered in one spot.
Then it began to take human form.
"Oh!"
"So tense."
"It is radiant and bright light. I have a good feeling."
"Hooee…"
Light filled the penthouse living room.
It didn't fade easily.
Finally—Papapat!
The new summoned being revealed themselves at last.
Clearly visible.
The class was easy to guess.
"…A knight?"
"That's right. They're wearing armor."
"Ahhh, behold—radiance."
"Is it a holy knight?"
"What are you buying?"
"It's a holy knight."
It really did seem to be a holy knight.
He was clad in gleaming plate armor.
The armor's surface was densely studded with chilling spikes.
The weapon in his hand was a metal flail wrapped in a silvery membrane.
It was unmistakably radiance.
A weapon and armor that emitted light on their own—
in other words, a Radiant Holy Knight.
After a moment, the light faded.
The holy knight bowed his head to Juhyeok.
"I am Lucius Bardin, servant of the Lord Nigel and His glorious sword. I greet you, Summoner."
"Haha, welcome."
Ah—
Just from the way he spoke, Juhyeok could tell.
A solemn voice, dignified demeanor.
At last, a normal summoned being had arrived.
And a holy knight class, at that.
'Then…'
He discreetly checked the status window category.
Name: Lucius Bardin
Rank: SR (Super Rare)
Type: Holy Knight (Human)
Manifestation Time Limit: 6 hours
Satisfaction Rating: None
Resummon Cooldown: 3 hours (applies after dismissal)
'Heretic inquisitor?'
What the hell is this?
A sense of unease suddenly crept in.
'Somehow…'
They say bad premonitions are never wrong.
After finishing his greeting with Juhyeok, Lucius Bardin stiffened his face and shouted loudly.
"So the filthy heathens are all gathered here."
Oh no.
Juhyeok and all the summoned beings froze like statues.
"Cunning unbelievers! You are the very culprits who have led the summoner down the path of heresy!"
More and more—
"Summoner! Worry not. I shall guide you onto the righteous path. Repent and embrace the bosom of the Lord."
This was bad.
He'd summoned a fanatic.
Clank, clank.
Lucius Bardin, clad in spiked armor, raised his flail and shouted.
"I must make an example."
His eyes turned toward Gyeondallae.
"It has been a long time since I have seen such an evil witch. You are the ringleader who has ensnared the summoner! Repent through death!"
At that very moment!
Flaaash!
A blindingly bright radiance erupted.
At the same time—Swoooosh!
Bardin swung the flail down toward Gyeondallae's head.
"Mr. Gobang!"
Grab!
Gobang, who had been prepared, seized the flail's handle.
"Hah! And what are you? A barbarian? I see—so you're all in league together. You filthy spawn of demons!"
Ugh. I can't listen to this anymore.
Juhyeok raised his hand to stop him.
"Enough!"
"Hoh? Summoner, why do you stop me?"
Bardin was highly agitated.
"You are being deceived. Please return to the Lord Nigel and reclaim the light—"
"Mr. Bardin, don't open your mouth."
Juhyeok said sharply.
Then—
"Mm! Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"
"Don't make a sound, and don't move either."
"…"
Still, he listened well enough.
"Phew…"
A sigh escaped him.
Yeah, this is the fate of a weakling. Things had been going too well lately.
'Is the Princess okay?'
Fortunately, Gyeondallae seemed unharmed, not even shaken.
Bardin, unable to do anything under Juhyeok's command.
In front of him stood Gobang with clenched fists; Kosak aimed a dagger; Veronica pointed her magic gun; and even Rajiks glared sharply while holding his golden pickaxe.
Juhyeok quickly checked the background description.
Lucius Bardin is a heretic inquisitor of the Holy Kingdom of Nigel. He devoted his life to judging and condemning heathens. His methods of condemnation were execution—killing and killing again with a holy flail. Unbelievers, heretics, apostates, or witches—all were subjects of Bardin's "repentance."
He had no brakes. He refused orders to moderate his actions. Repentance or death—his holy flail was never free of blood. Feeling uneasy, the Pope of the Holy Kingdom of Nigel excommunicated Bardin. The Holy Knights captured him, falsely accused him of being a witch's child, and burned him at the stake.
'…Wow.'
Scenes flashed through Juhyeok's mind.
Repent!
I, I will…
Don't lie!
S-spare me…
Crunch!
Do you believe in the Lord?
I do. I believe.
You are an unbeliever.
N-no, what did you think I said—
Crunch!
A mad fanatic.
Possibly even more insane than the Mad Demon.
He was the new companion he'd wanted so badly.
But sending him back felt like a waste.
Could he be rehabilitated?
"Mr. Lucius Bardin?"
"…"
"From now on, hostile actions toward your companions are prohibited. If you do this even once more, I will immediately send you back."
Still no response.
"You may answer."
Then, a desperate plea burst out all at once.
"S-summoner! It's not too late even now. Let us walk the path of repentance together. We must offer hymns and prayers. Please repeat after me. O Lord in heaven, today yet another lamb has lost its way and wanders the dark wilderness—"
"Shh!"
"Mmph! Mmgh!"
This won't work. There's no answer here at all.
He could already see what would happen if this man activated Clause 3 of the Three Rules of Summoned Beings.
Even with six simultaneous summons, he didn't want this guy in the party.
Better to wait another month and summon someone else.
"Return to where you came from. Immediate dismissal—"
At that moment—
"Summoner Bong,"
Kosak approached and whispered,
"Don't dismiss him yet."
"Why?"
"He might be useful."
"A fanatic?"
Useful how?
"As Summoner Bong's right-hand man—the genius of scheming—I'll handle it. Leave it to me."
"Hm."
Well then—
"Go ahead."
"Yes, sir!"
Curiosity got the better of him, too.
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower, 64th Floor.]
As soon as they entered, Kosak and Gobang were whispering together over there.
Why did they come to the tower?
Juhyeok still didn't know.
What were they planning to do by bringing a fanatic into the tower?
Convince him while hunting together?
What if, while fighting ghouls, he suddenly yelled "Die, heathen!" and smashed someone's head from behind with his flail?
That was entirely possible.
A mad holy knight, thoroughly steeped in warped beliefs, blind faith enough to discard even a knight's pride.
Kosak spoke with a sly grin.
"Gobang, let's begin."
Suuuuuch!
Gobang's gigantification skill.
Growing larger and larger, until he reached the cave ceiling.
With his massive hands, he lifted the heretic inquisitor Bardin straight up.
Bardin couldn't even resist.
The difference in size was overwhelming.
If Gobang was an adult man, Bardin was the size of a Shih Tzu or a Maltese.
"Eek! What are you doing? Put me down! Filthy barbarian, no different from a spawn of demons!"
Gobang ignored him.
Grabbing Bardin's ankles firmly with his right hand—
"The warrior is ready."
Then Kosak said to Juhyeok,
"Summoner Bong, try ordering that inquisitor to manifest radiance."
Radiance?
Why here…?
'Is he trying some kind of experiment?'
To see whether the mad inquisitor's radiance was effective against the undead?
"Mr. Bardin."
"Summoner! Punish these heathens for me! Uphold the laws of Lord Nigel!"
"…Alright, just manifest your radiance."
Fanatic or not, he was still a summoned being—
and summoned beings had no choice but to absolutely obey their summoner's commands.
Especially when it concerned tower conquest.
"Light!!!"
Flaaaaaash!
A holy knight and heretic inquisitor, Lucius Bardin, manifested dazzling radiance across his entire body.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Gobang swung Bardin's body around as he charged forward.
What? Swinging him? He's swinging him? Don't tell me—
Flinch—
The ghoul horde recoiled in fear, retreating backward.
"Kyaaak!"
"Kek!"
"Kiiik?"
Gobang smashed the ghoul swarm with Bardin clutched in his hand.
Whoooom! Thud!
Pashashash…
That lunatic Kosak!
He'd had a bad feeling about this.
And now Juhyeok finally understood what Kosak had meant by Bardin being "useful."
'He's a human weapon.'
An idea he'd never even imagined.
He'd forgotten just how insane Kosak was.
Gobang was no different.
Without changing expression, he continued to whirl Bardin around.
"Y-you bastard! What are you doing? You demons—!"
Whenever Bardin's radiance weakened—
"Summoner Bong?"
"…Got it."
Juhyeok would issue the command again.
"Mr. Bardin, manifest radiance."
"Light!!!"
Flaaaaash!
Whoom! Wham! Wham!
Thud! Thack-thack!
Ghouls struck by the radiance shattered into dust. One hit was enough.
Even a graze turned them to powder.
"Our Gobang's got himself a weapon now. No holy sword can even compare."
Kosak said it with a broad grin, utterly casual.
Juhyeok stared at him, dumbfounded.
Was it just Juhyeok?
Gyeondallae shook her head in disbelief.
Veronica stood there with her magic gun in hand, mouth hanging wide open.
"Hueh…"
Rajiks, seemingly shocked, dropped the golden pickaxe from his hands.
And then—radiance weakened again.
"…Mr. Bardin, manifest radiance."
"Light!!!"
Flaaaaash! Whooooom! Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Ahhh!
Poor Lucius Bardin.
He wasn't some voice-activated LED bulb.
"Bardin, radiance."
"Light!!!"
Flaash! Thud-thud!
"Radiance."
"Light!!!"
Thud-thud-thud!
…Somehow, it was kind of fun.
Thanks to the sturdy armor, he didn't even seem to be taking much damage.
"Light!!!"
Flaaaaash!
Lucius Bardin himself had become a holy sword.
A human holy sword, wrapped head to toe in radiance, sweeping through ghoul hordes.
Clap clap clap clap!
Kosak applauded, full of admiration.
"Incredible. That's a weapon with terrifying power. We could head straight to the 70th floor with this."
"…"
Yeah. A weapon.
'I didn't summon a companion. I pulled a weapon.'
Bardin's madness had been fake.
Kosak's madness, on the other hand, was very real.
Fake madness versus real madness.
SR-grade madness versus SSR-grade madness.
The difference was painfully clear.