Tower of Trials – Floor 1 (1)
After finishing her meal, Yoo Jia returned to the office. Her heart had been pounding nonstop since earlier.
Despite it being their first meeting, it had clearly been an enjoyable meal. Baek Jincheol was cheerful, and Hwang Myeonghui was warm.
But then—
-Jinwoo, that kid is that famous gamer, right?
-Really… It feels like just yesterday I was worried sick because he wouldn't study and only played mobile games. Who knew it would pay off like this?
-Jinwoo played that game for almost 10 years, didn't he?
Baek Jincheol's words became the starting point.
-Oh, Dad. He only played that game for a year. Do you think my brother is the type to stick to just one game?
-Tsk, tsk. You still don't know your brother. I know him. When Jinwoo gets hooked on something, he digs into only that. Was it middle school? I once saw him asleep with a game running at dawn. I kept an eye on it, wondering how long he'd keep playing—and he was still playing it in his senior year of high school.
-Really?
-Yes, now that I think about it. Wasn't that game—Battle of Summoners—the one that became the basis of reality today?
Baek Jincheol turned to Hwang Myeonghui as he spoke, and when she confirmed it—
-That's right. I'm not completely certain since my memory is hazy, but… I'm sure it was that game.
Baek Jincheol had effectively delivered a verdict: That his son might be a 10-year veteran.
-Dad! Is that true? If it is, that's absolutely incredible!
Is that really so, Father?
At that moment, a single word inevitably surfaced in the minds of Baek Ajin and Yoo Jia: One Heaven, Five Emperors — God Ji-nu!
The legendary existence praised unanimously by top-ranked players worldwide.
'Right… why didn't I think of that?'
Snapping back to reality, Yoo Jia clasped her hands on the desk and buried her head.
'Even for a gamer, it didn't make sense otherwise.'
Breaking records so effortlessly with only one year of experience?
There were many gamers in the world with two or three years of experience. They were undoubtedly exceptional players, but none displayed the overwhelming presence of Baek Jinwoo.
'And besides…'
There was one decisive clue she should have noticed sooner.
Ji-nu. Jinwoo.
"Haha…"
The similarity of the names was almost absurd.
'He started playing in middle school, right?'
If so, such a nickname made perfect sense.
'It's 100% certain.'
She briefly considered telling Park Changseok, but decided against it. After all, she had not heard a direct confirmation, and it was only her personal suspicion.
More importantly—
'He doesn't like revealing himself.'
Yoobaek was a company that existed solely for Baek Jinwoo. She had no desire to go against his wishes.
So she also informed his family: Father, Mother. Let's keep this information just among ourselves. If it spreads, your son may feel pressured. Ajin as well.
-Yes, unnie. I can keep a secret!
-If Jinwoo hasn't said anything first, he must have his reasons. Understood.
No parents would gossip if it could harm their child. Baek Jincheol and Hwang Myeonghui nodded without hesitation.
'For now, I'll be the only one who knows.'
Yoo Jia also chose to remain silent with Kim Byungjin and Hwang Taeseop.
She wouldn't even ask Baek Jinwoo directly.
When she thought of him, a wild cat came to mind. If approached too aggressively—
He might distance himself instead.
Slowly. And carefully.
Lifting her head from the desk, Yoo Jia began searching for information and articles about God Ji-nu.
[World Rank #1, Rachel: "I learned a lot from Korea's God Ji-nu." Expresses longing.]
Starting with Rachel's article:
[Japan's Yoshida Hikaru: "Korea must find God Ji-nu quickly. It is essential not only for Korea but for humanity, which must overcome the Tower of Trials. If he cannot be found, there is no future for mankind."]
Even Yoshida's famous statement about humanity's future appeared. In addition:
Notable figures such as America's Xenos, Russia's Moscowman, and Taiwan's Baekcheon had each mentioned God Ji-nu at least once.
In Moscowman's case, he had even said:
-Korea is the country we must be most wary of, because it possesses God Ji-nu.
And that incredible God Ji-nu was Baek Jinwoo?
'This is…'
Jackpot.
Yoo Jia's eyes sparkled. Before she knew it, Yoobaek had become the company that possessed God Ji-nu!
Something began to stir within her chest—a desire to grow Yoobaek with all her heart.
It was the inherited ambition of her grandfather, Yoo Byeongcheon.
* * *
"It's about time to move on."
Baek Jinwoo made his decision: He would graduate from the Lower Tier Daily Dungeons.
Thanks to HunGyo's efforts, the exclusive summons for the daily dungeons had leveled up considerably. Their stats had improved, and they had gained several exclusive skills.
At this point, the Intermediate Tier was far more efficient than the lower one.
[Baek Jinwoo: I'm planning to try the intermediate tier next week. Please prepare for recording.]
He sent a direct message to Yoo Jia. The reply arrived in less than five seconds.
[Yoo Jia: Yes, Mr. Jinwoo! I've been waiting!]
"She doesn't even ask if it's possible anymore."
Baek Jinwoo chuckled. Well, it meant she trusted him.
[Yoo Jia: I've already prepared all the promotions. Just gear up comfortably and clear it like last time!]
She even sent related materials.
*Bundle Package!
-Lower + Intermediate Video = 200 million won → 150 million won
-Lower + Intermediate Text Info = 20 million won → 15 million won
Conditions:
Confidentiality required.
Video info (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat): 100 million won
Text info (Thu, Sun): 10 million won
Sold only to players registered with the Korean headquarters.
Additional discount for existing customers.
Today Only Special!
-Lower + Intermediate Video = 200 million won → 130 million won
-Lower + Intermediate Text Info = 20 million won → 13 million won
Baek Jinwoo didn't know why she had devised such plans. He paid no attention to marketing. Spending time thinking about that was less profitable than running dungeons.
[Baek Jinwoo: Looks good. Good!]
His trust in Yoo Jia was already at 100%.
He had heard from Ajin—she personally visited his family, brought gifts, had meals with them, and even arranged additional care.
Honestly, he was surprised. She could have simply assigned staff or bodyguards, yet she handled everything herself.
Even more appealing was that these actions were not pre-negotiated benefits but personal goodwill.
And that wasn't all.
Baek Jinwoo personally checked Yoobaek's revenue—an astronomical amount that made one gasp.
Need money?
He was told to simply request dividends, which would be distributed immediately according to his share.
How reliable.
"And even…"
Baek Jinwoo had only asked for 1 million won as living expenses and requested the rest be reinvested.
But Yoo Jia responded:
"If it's for living expenses… please use this."
She handed him a luxurious bank card marked VIP.
"This is the company card. You may freely use it for meals and living expenses within an annual limit of 1 billion won."
Wait—who spends 1 billion won a year on food?
Ah…maybe conglomerates do.
Either way, Baek Jinwoo welcomed it.
"And for investments such as summons or runes, you can bill the company up to 10 billion won annually."
That much?
"It's not a loss for the company. You are essentially the company's asset, Mr. Jinwoo. If it's insufficient, please submit a request first. After internal review, we can provide additional support."
Yes! This was management!
It was clearly different from dealing with the government. So he decided to trust and leave everything to her. With Yoo Jia, he felt he didn't need to worry.
'What's even more impressive…'
Expenses like the company card and family support were essentially shared by Yoo Jia as a shareholder.
"Then I should provide even better information."
The saying "Give rice cake to those you dislike" was wrong. Baek Jinwoo was the type to give more to those who treated him well.
"This partnership really seems promising."
A future with Yoobaek.
"I should properly crush the intermediate tier as well."
* * *
The following week.
The Intermediate Daily Dungeon resembled the lower tier but with subtle differences.
Baek Jinwoo focused on explaining these details while recording.
And of course—
On his first attempt, he set new Korean records across the board. The world buzzed, and Baek Jinwoo gained unprecedented popularity.
[God of Records, Baek Jinwoo! When will he enter the ranks? Countdown begins!]
[Yoobaek begins selling intermediate-tier information! Even non-ranked players line up for the limited-time discount!]
[Will he challenge the highest tier, later called the forbidden domain?]
Regardless of the media frenzy, Baek Jinwoo simply set the routine on repeat and went dungeon "dates" with the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer.
'When on earth will I learn it?'
That Explosive Dragon Formation (Link) skill—she was tired of waiting.
'…It's not working. Why isn't this working?'
Feeling uneasy, the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer sought out HunGyo and soon heard shocking news.
—My lord.
"Hmm?"
—Please come here for a moment.
HunGyo led him deep into an open field and whispered:
—It seems the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer is being crafty.
"What?"
What did that mean?
—I don't understand. Her mana capacity and control have already surpassed the required level. Yet the skill has not manifested—this means she is intentionally holding back.
"Why would she do that?"
—This is only my speculation… but recently, haven't you been entering dungeons with only her?
"That's true."
—I believe she is enjoying that. All summons instinctively feed on their player's attention. She likely thinks there won't be another chance to go to dungeons alone with you. If she grows too quickly, that time together will decrease.
"…What?"
Baek Jinwoo was speechless.
Was that really true? What should he do?
A mixture of affection and confusion filled him.
"So it wasn't about chicken and beer after all."
—How about changing the training method? Stop taking her to dungeons and tell her you'll resume once she learns the Link skill.
"Will that really work?"
—She may learn the Link skill as early as tonight.
Really?
Well, HunGyo had never been wrong before.
"It hurts my heart, but…"
Shall we try it?
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