The Awakened Management Agency has two primary duties.
First, nurturing elite players to climb the yet-uncleared upper floors of the Tower.
Second, supplying magic stones—an entirely new industrial resource—to the private sector.
Everyone agrees that it is one of the most important national institutions in South Korea.
For that reason, the Awakened Management Agency is thoroughly protected from any political pressure, and its requests are always given top priority.
Park Gyeong-su had served as Commissioner of the Agency for over five years—a long reign.
He had no ambition to climb to an even higher post.
He was already planning to hand over his position to the deputy commissioner and enjoy a comfortable retirement.
Which meant he felt no hesitation at all in exercising his authority.
"Right now, the lowest-level player in the Agency is Level 39. Still not enough. But that person is far more important than trash like you. They're climbing every single day to support high-level players in order to prevent the collapse of the Black Tower."
Commissioner Park's voice boomed through the room.
"And what exactly can you do? An old man who snoops around elite players just because of petty greed. Strip you of your chaebol chairman title—what's left?"
Chairman Jeong Seong-tae had no choice but to panic.
He had met countless public officials over the years, but this was a first.
In truth, he had always been a man with many enemies.
Growing Ilsung into one of Korea's top conglomerates had inevitably created them.
But were enemies ever permanent?
No matter how bitter the rivalry, people would eventually sit down together, smile, talk, make concessions where needed, secure what they wanted, lower their guard—and sometimes even become friends.
Naturally, he had maintained a close relationship with Commissioner Park as well, especially over magic stone supply matters.
They were closer to friends than enemies.
But this situation?
Being cursed at and verbally abused to his face?
Only then did realization strike Jeong Seong-tae like lightning.
He finally understood the position he was in.
A chaebol chairman?
One phone call was all it would take.
To the National Intelligence Service—the agency most closely tied to the Awakened Management Agency.
Their archives must be packed with information on the Ilsung Group.
Even leaking just one of those files would be enough to destroy him.
No—merely letting it slip to the media would be disastrous.
What would happen if it became public that a chaebol chairman had approached an elite player for personal gain?
"Now, now… there seems to have been some kind of misunderstanding—"
"Shut up. Start by telling me where you got these documents."
"Uh…"
Park continued with a sneer.
"Want me to spell it out for you? The original intel was compiled in the United States. Even there, they weren't confident in its accuracy. So they dumped it on Japan to see what would happen."
He had already traced how the documents ended up in Jeong Dong-hun's hands.
"And Japan? Same story. They couldn't act directly either. But then they found a useful tool—someone with ties to Japanese politics and the chairman of a major Korean conglomerate."
Chairman Jeong couldn't even respond.
"But you were no different. You knew poking around elite players was dangerous, so you dumped the task on your nephew instead."
That was right.
They knew everything.
"You probably figured that even if you got caught, nothing would happen. Just like always. Have a meal with people in power at some fancy restaurant, slip them a bribe or two, and it'd all blow over."
Bang!
Park slammed the table.
"But you stupid bastard! At your age, is that really the judgment you come up with?"
Then, in a low, dangerous voice—
"Should I handle this the old-fashioned way? Honestly, that's the cleanest and easiest solution. Makes a good example too."
What was the old-fashioned way?
Simple.
Killing him.
This wasn't a bluff.
Park was someone who had the power to make it happen.
What wouldn't the Awakened Management Agency do to protect elite players?
Jeong Seong-tae genuinely felt like he was about to die.
He had no choice but to submit.
"…I admit everything."
"And admitting it ends things?"
"Please… spare me. W-what should I do?"
"Good. Listen carefully. I'll give you a way to live. Just do exactly as I say."
"I-I'm listening."
Commissioner Park began to speak.
Jeong Seong-tae did nothing but nod.
What choice did he have?
If he wanted to keep his life, he had to obey.
While Veronica slept,
Juhyeok practiced his breathing exercises—no, the Heaven-and-Earth One-Origin Art.
"Phew… pheww… phew… pheww…"
Kosak, sprawled on the sofa watching TV, glanced over.
"Got rhinitis?"
Rhinitis, my ass.
"Phew… pheww…"
"Pollen allergy?"
"Phew… pheww…"
"You're breathing too hard. Kinda worried."
Seriously—he just wouldn't stop yapping.
It was killing his concentration.
"It's called Heaven-and-Earth One-Origin Art. A martial cultivation technique."
"That a thing? Sounds like something a cult would teach."
"The Mad Demon sir taught me."
"…Huh? W-when?"
Might as well tell them.
About becoming drinking buddies with the Mad Demon, and about the marrow cleansing and martial art transmission.
Gyeondallae clasped her hands and bowed deeply, practically glowing.
"My congratulations. Though the Mad Demon's temperament is… peculiar, his martial arts are genuine. If you persevere, you will surely achieve great results."
Gobang added,
"The warrior is pleased that the summoner grows stronger. Please convey my thanks to the Mad Demon."
Kosak wore a strange expression.
"I'm jealous."
"Of what? Want to learn martial arts too?"
"Nope. If I were LSSR, I'd have taught you way more."
"You taught me Shadow Step."
"There's way better stuff. Lockpicking, pickpocketing, mugging, blackmail—"
Hey. Stop trying to turn me into a criminal.
"By the way, did you give the Mad Demon a badge? A merit is a merit."
"Eh, would he even like that?"
"He'd go crazy for it. Receiving something from a summoner is the highest honor for a summoned being."
Maybe that's why…
Just in case, next time they drank together, he'd casually bring it up.
Something about a platinum badge—if he wanted one, he'd give it to him.
Still…
When was Veronica going to wake up?
Whether it was a Tower run or a promotion celebration party, they had to do one of the two.
"Oh! Speaking of badges—are we issuing one for Staff Sergeant Veronica?"
"Of course. She got promoted. It's mandatory."
In an instant—Veronica snapped her upper body upright.
"Staff Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Preparing for medal award ceremony!"
"…"
Looks like the word medal woke her up completely.
Since she was up anyway, might as well ask what I'd been curious about.
"Staff Sergeant Veronica. You were asleep earlier so I couldn't ask—did anything change when you got promoted to SSR?"
"Victory! I will report."
She first pointed at the goggles on her face.
"I have gained weak-point detection. Using a guidance function, I can accurately strike a monster's weakest part."
Veronica continued explaining the upgrades to her reinforced suit—enhanced defense, improved physical performance, camouflage functionality, even temperature regulation.
The original features had all been strengthened.
As for the boots—
Explosive speed, tactical jumps, and automatic sweat discharge for optimal foot health.
Finally, the magi-gun.
"The types of ammunition have been diversified. Large-caliber rounds are limited to three shots. However, the greatest feature of all is—"
She paused for a moment.
"Commander, I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"Please summon the Holy Sword Bardin."
That was easy enough.
"Mr. Gobang?"
Fwoooosh! Gobang's gigantification.
At the same time, the Holy Sword Lucius Bardin was summoned.
"Light!!!"
The holy radiance of the sacred sword manifested.
Click!
Veronica aimed the barrel of her magi-gun at Bardin.
What? Was she about to fire?
"I will initiate attribute absorption."
Attribute absorption?
At that moment—
Zzzzzzzzt!
Bardin's radiance was sucked straight into the magi-gun.
"Gah! T-to steal my true light—this witch…!"
"Shh!"
"Mmph!"
So that was it.
"Gasp! It's a vacuum cleaner!"
"Oh! Now I understand what attribute absorption means."
"As expected of SSR—absorb it, then spit it back out?"
"Huh?"
Applause broke out naturally.
Veronica's face brimmed with pride.
"With this, holy-attribute ammunition is now available."
Meaning the bullets could be imbued with a holy attribute.
"What about the duration?"
"It is temporary. It fades with time. However, each time the radiance is recharged, it can be used again."
"Ah!"
Reliable Staff Sergeant Veronica had returned, upgraded and stronger.
At this point, did that mean they now had two holy-attribute weapons?
At this rate, we'll hit Floor 70 in no time.
The only shame was that the highest floor currently available was Floor 66.
Floor 67 wouldn't open for at least four months.
Unless, as the Mad Demon had predicted, the Tower's clear schedule accelerated.
But he hoped that wouldn't happen.
The world might end overnight if it did.
Well, it wasn't like there was nothing to do.
Repeat clears to farm leather and ore, gather fragments, relax a bit.
"Now that Staff Sergeant Veronica's awake, let's start with the promotion celebration party."
That was when—
Bzzzt. A call came in on his smartphone.
It was Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
No idea what it was about, but he had to answer.
"Hello?"
—This is Jeon Gwang-il. Everything well on your end?
"Yes, nothing unusual as always. What prompted the call?"
—I wanted to discuss something with you. Would you be able to make some time? I can send a car right now.
Right now? He was just about to hold the badge ceremony and celebration party.
"Um… is it urgent?"
—Not urgent, but it's something that would be best decided sooner rather than later…
Hmm. That's awkward.
Right now wasn't ideal.
If he went to the Agency, the summoning durations would all expire.
Then he'd have to wait another three hours.
The schedule would be a mess.
Should he say next time?
But it sounded important.
Wait.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
Someone who had personally witnessed his abilities.
He knew Gobang. He knew Kosak.
So then—
"Just a moment."
—Yes. Take your time.
Then he turned to the summoned ones.
"Would it be okay if I invite an outsider? Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il."
"You are the head of this household, Young Master. Please do as you see fit."
"Oh come on, it's entirely Summoner Bong's decision. Besides, we've met the Deputy Director before, so it's fine."
Right. Everyone already knew him.
No reason to hide anything now.
He picked up the phone again.
"Deputy Director, would it be alright if you came to my place? I can't leave right now."
—Ah! I'll head over immediately.
This was a good chance to introduce everyone.
And there were things he wanted to ask with everyone present.
Jeon Gwang-il arrived at the underground parking lot of the Cheongdam-dong apartment complex.
After parking his car, he pressed the intercom at the penthouse-exclusive elevator.
"This is Jeon Gwang-il. I'm at the elevator."
—Yes, I'll open it now.
With a soft slide, the elevator doors opened.
As soon as he stepped inside, the doors closed and it ascended automatically.
The reason he'd come to see Bong Juhyeok today concerned company establishment.
Chairman Jeong Seong-tae had waved the white flag.
He'd agreed to spit out all shares of Ilsung Apparel and separate it from the group.
Jeong Seong-tae's shares would have to be transferred to Bong Juhyeok.
Of course, the final decision rested with Bong.
If he refused, they'd have to find another solution.
Honestly, Jeon was worried.
Bong Juhyeok's name was already circulating in many places.
The United States, Japan—even the private sector.
The true owner of a holy sword.
And yet, a player who could still clear Floor 65 with an S++ rank even after returning that holy sword.
The only person who skinned basilisk and wyvern hides, and supplied enormous quantities of Tower ore.
It was only a matter of time before the full extent of Player Bong Juhyeok's abilities became widely known.
Any country actively clearing the Tower would covet him.
They would use any means necessary to bring Player Bong Juhyeok into their own nation.
From the Korean Awakened Management Agency's perspective, there was no choice but to feel anxious.
They had to protect him—no matter what.
That was the only thought in Jeon Gwang-il's mind when—
Ding! The elevator stopped.
Before approaching the front door—
Phew.
He took a deep breath, checked whether his breath smelled, tidied his hair, straightened his clothes, and pulled the door handle.
"I'm here. I came in a hurry, so I didn't bring anything—huh?"
Freeze!
Jeon Gwang-il stiffened right there in the entryway.
Bong Juhyeok wasn't alone in the apartment.
Loud, lively voices echoed from inside.
"Lighting is important during ceremonies. Gobang, raise the Bardin holy sword higher."
"Understood."
"Light!!!"
"Huh?! Staff Sergeant! If you absorb the attribute, it'll go out!"
"Ah—s-sorry, it was reflex."
"Light!!!"
"Okay, lighting's good. Summoner Bong, you can proceed now."
"Staff Sergeant, step forward."
"Victory!"
Where was this?
Who were these people?
He recognized two of them for sure.
That white man and the giant—he'd seen them at the HG Hotel.
But the giant was holding an armored man in his hand.
The man's entire body was glowing like a lightbulb, and he was crying out in a voice that somehow felt painfully desperate.
"Light!!!"
And who was that young girl holding a bell?
He'd never heard that Bong Juhyeok had a younger sister.
There was also another woman.
An adult woman standing at attention in skintight leggings.
A Pilates instructor?
Then why was there a gun strapped to her back?
It looked like a toy gun.
"Summoner Bong, what are you doing? Don't let your hands shake—hurry up and pin the badge."
"…Staff Sergeant's reinforced suit is too thin."
"No problem pinning it on the princess's chest, but is it a size issue here?"
"Y-you little—!"
"Staff Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Commander, it's fine if you grab firmly."
"Aah!"
"This is your chance. You've been given permission, so grab tightly."
"…W-what chance?"
"Summoner!!! What do you mean giving badges to heretics?! Why am I not getting one?!"
"Why is the lighting talking again?"
"Shh! Light, no speaking outside of illumination!"
"Mmph!"
And then, decisively—
"Hooeeeng!!!"
Rumble, rumble!
A strange furry ball rolled around the house.
"Huh?"
What was that? That cute little creature?
Then Jeon Gwang-il's eyes met Bong Juhyeok's.
With an awkward expression, he asked,
"C-can I… come in?"
"Oh! Come on in. Alright everyone, Deputy Director's here—let's give him a round of applause!!!"
Jeon Gwang-il suddenly felt dizzy.
He had no idea why he was being applauded.
This doesn't seem like a dream…
But—
Was it really okay to go in?