Tower of Trials, Floor 1 (2)
Wow.
"So it was real?"
-Hehe.
Baek Jinwoo couldn't hide his astonishment as he looked at the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer smiling while gripping her staff with both hands. HunGyo's words had been exactly right. The moment he said that starting today the regular dungeon runs would be switched to Lamba, the Sheriff, and three Lava Drakes, he clearly sensed her panic.
He had told her as well: they would enter dungeons alone together after she learned "Link".
After diligently running dungeons and returning in the evening—what a surprise.
[Summon: Explosive Dragon Sorcerer]
[Race: Human]
[Grade: EX (Isolated)]
Isolated due to balance-breaking elements discovered under specific conditions.
[Level: 42]
[Stats]
Strength: 20
Intelligence: 85
Vitality: 20
Agility: 20
HP: 22,000
MP: 500
Critical Chance: 55%
Critical Damage: 185%
[Skills]
Explosive Dragon Wave: Emits dragon-shaped flames forward.
Explosive Dragon Technique "Link": Allows accumulation of Explosive Dragon Wave.
She had truly mastered it.
'HunGyo's insight really is exceptional.'
The first emotion Baek Jinwoo felt was joy. No matter how it happened, the moment the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer learned "Link", her value skyrocketed.
For reference, even during Battle of Summoners, no player had ever taught the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer the Explosive Dragon Technique—except for God Ji-nu.
As for her desire? Baek Jinwoo had no particular objections. Some might ask whether he should scold her for being cunning, or whether it was acceptable to let it slide.
'Why bother?'
This is where good players and bad players are distinguished—whether they face their summons' desires directly or not. A summon's desire is like a quest. Completing that quest benefits the player as well. If you think of it as an extension of the game, most gamers would play exactly like Baek Jinwoo. It only feels immersive because it has become reality.
'I just need to make good use of it.'
After all, her wish was simply to stay by his side. Wasn't that touching?
"Explosive Dragon, well done. You worked really hard."
Baek Jinwoo smiled and ruffled her hair.
- Thank you, Jinwoo
.
"Good."
Rustle, rustle.
Baek Jinwoo pulled something out from his pocket—a gleaming VIP corporate card.
"Since you succeeded, as promised, today we're having a chicken and beer party for everyone! HunGyo."
- Yes, my lord!
"Give the kids a break until tomorrow evening."
- Pardon…? You mean training?
Ah, right. HunGyo's desire was training itself. But this was manageable with some finesse—after all, Baek Jinwoo was a seasoned player.
"Remember? You said rest is also a form of training. From now on, whenever anyone learns a new skill, we'll celebrate with rest and a team bonding party. Didn't you say unity is important?"
- Oh! If that's the intention, then excellent. Unity among summons is an essential part of training.
"Exactly."
As expected, your head is filled only with thoughts of training.
Chuckling, Baek Jinwoo made a call.
- Yes, please deliver 50 chickens and 10,000cc of draft beer. Yes! Fifty chickens!
The neighborhood chicken shop—this was for the humanoid summons.
- Hello, is this Brothers Butcher Shop? Please send all the fresh meat that came in today, as well as all remaining stock. Yes, everything you have. No, I'm not joking.
Even the local butcher shop.
Today was a feast for the non-humanoid summons as well.
'With a 1-billion-won corporate card, I should at least spend this much.'
Even if they held a festival every time a skill was learned, would they ever spend a billion won on food alone? Honestly, he wasn't sure.
"And Explosive Dragon."
- Yes, Jinwoo-nim.
"Since you learned a new skill, for the next week you and I will go to dungeons alone together."
- R-Really?
Her face lit up.
"You've learned Link, so next is Transformation."
Explosive Dragon Technique – Transformation.
A technique that allows the dragon-shaped flames to be freely manipulated. From this stage onward, various applications become possible—creating flame shields, striking walls, or generating firestorms.
Of course, it wouldn't be learned as quickly as before.
'It requires extreme mastery of mana control.'
Still, Baek Jinwoo nodded with a smile.
'At least the minimum preparations are complete.'
Preparations for what?
Preparations to challenge Floor 1 of the Tower of Trials!
* * *
The next day.
Baek Jinwoo began preparing in earnest for climbing the Tower of Trials.
'The Tower of Trials.'
The final content of Battle of Summoners, which Baek Jinwoo had already cleared up to the 100th floor. With its immense difficulty, it was the only place where players could obtain random rewards generated by AI.
The Tower of Trials required all three parties a player could form—meaning he could bring 15 summons.
'Originally, I should obtain another EX-grade summon before going…'
But that was unrealistic. The probability was far too low. Investing all of Yoobaek's profits into expensive summoning scrolls was risky. If he failed to obtain an EX-grade summon, it would mean losing an enormous amount of money.
'Even if I do it, not now.'
He knew Yoo Jia had been working incredibly hard—purchasing land and constructing a building, even taking out loans to secure funds. He couldn't ask for hundreds of billions just to open summoning scrolls.
So for now, he decided to climb the Tower using summons dedicated to weekday dungeons.
'Just up to the 10th floor.'
While the 10th floor might seem manageable to Baek Jinwoo, many domestic rankers had lost their lives attempting the Tower of Trials. It was far from easy.
"Phew."
Since he decided to rest from dungeons today, Baek Jinwoo bought four iced Americanos at a café and headed to Yoobaek's office.
Beep, beep!
Using the employee ID card he had previously received, the door slid open.
"Oh?"
"Mr. Baek Jinwoo?"
Kim Byungjin and Hwang Taeseop, who had been working, stood up. Yoo Jia was seated at the head of the table.
"Oh! Mr. Jinwoo! What brings you here? You should have contacted us first!"
Yoo Jia stood up as if welcoming a superior officer.
Was it just his imagination? Lately, she seemed even more respectful than before.
"Haha, I came to rest a bit and also had something to discuss. Please enjoy these coffees while we talk."
"Thank you."
"Much appreciated."
The employees accepted the drinks one by one, and Yoo Jia guided Baek Jinwoo to the meeting room.
"Mr. Jinwoo, you said you had something to discuss. Do you need anything?"
"Not really. I do need some summoning scrolls, but… just kidding. Actually, I'm planning to challenge the Tower of Trials soon."
"…The Tower of Trials?"
Yoo Jia's eyes trembled slightly. Located inside Jamsil Tower within the Player Zone, the Tower was infamous: The graveyard of players!
A hellish difficulty!
Rankers who had survived all said the same thing—it was hell.
Yet Baek Jinwoo showed no sign of fear.
'That confidence and composure… He really is God Ji-nu.'
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Yes. I originally planned to challenge it around this time."
"I see…"
"Oh, and this time I won't be wearing equipment."
"You won't be selling the information?"
"That's right."
Since Lamba, HunGyo, and the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer were essential for this run, he preferred not to reveal their existence yet. More importantly, communication was crucial inside the Tower, and equipment prevented summons from speaking.
"Alright, please proceed as you see fit."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Not at all."
Yoo Jia smiled.
"However, may I ask a favor in return?"
"A favor?"
Baek Jinwoo tilted his head.
"Just a request—you don't have to accept."
"Sure, let's hear it."
"In two months, the national team selection tournament will be held."
"…Ah."
He knew. Every year in late June, ten players were selected to represent the country in the world league held at the end of the year. World-class rankers such as Rachel and Moscowman would participate.
"Individuals can't participate, right?"
"With a recommendation from a assemblyman, it's possible. Actually, Assemblyman Park Changseok, who supports our company…"
Yoo Jia explained the situation, including Park Changseok's impulsive bet with another politician.
"Hmm."
Baek Jinwoo stroked his chin. The selection tournament itself didn't seem difficult. The real issue was facing world rankers. Still, with eight months to prepare, it felt manageable—especially if the Explosive Dragon Sorcerer could learn Devour by then.
"If you're selected for the national team, you'll receive tremendous support. The current government spares no expense for proven players."
"Really?"
He did need money—especially to obtain another EX-grade summon.
"In that case… how much support are we talking about?"
"It varies each year, but you could secure several high-grade summoning scrolls. Perhaps even a top-grade summoning scroll…"
"Oh."
A Top-Grade Summoning Scroll:
C Grade: 94%
B Grade: 5%
A Grade: 1%
An incredibly rare item, practically priceless and obtainable only at the national level.
'I can't pass this up.'
After a moment of thought, Baek Jinwoo nodded.
"Okay. In two months, let's proceed."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Under the table, Yoo Jia clenched her fist in excitement.
Uncle Park Changseok, you won't forget this favor.
'Not just any player—this is God Ji-nu!'
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