Chapter 13: The Witch of Midwinter and the 48th Floor

– Blue Dragon Clan eradicated. First victory in the Player Association Korea Branch’s war on crime.

– Blue Dragon Clan leader Kang Cheongryong missing; investigation ongoing.

– Second-generation chaebol player Seo Yumin climbs to 40th floor, becoming the eighth Korean to do so. Seo Yumin player appears full of confidence.

Watching the news early this morning, I heard that the Blue Dragon Clan had been completely dismantled.

I never imagined Taejin was part of the Blue Dragon Clan.

I never thought the call to Do Hyun would trigger such a huge ripple.

It’s already been a week since I awakened my powers.

Looking back, so many things have happened.

I received the world’s first SSS rank, and the adorable earth rabbit Somi was born.

I’ve already climbed to the seventh floor of the tower, and money is overflowing.

The part-time job I got beaten up at was nothing compared to this. Now, I have plenty of free time.

I even have the Tower Freedom Pass, but I mostly spend my time inside the tower.

Gathering materials for Somi’s inventions, and taking Bbyak for walks — it’s a win-win.

Unlike the cold outside, the tower’s interior feels like a warm spring day.

If I lie still, I can feel myself drifting off to sleep. It feels good.

Today, I’m resting on the seventh floor, where I climbed this morning.

There’s nothing dangerous here.

It’s actually safer than outside.

No cars, no weird people to encounter.

Only obedient slimes.

That’s when it happened.

Something bounced right in front of me.

A slime, just like any other.

But its color was special.

It gleamed with a dazzling golden hue.

[Legendary Golden Slime] The legendary golden slime said to appear once every 100 years. It’s the Phoenix’s favorite nutrition source, allowing one to absorb an incredible amount of nutrients when consumed.

This is a special tonic for our Bbyak!

A legendary golden slime.

I absolutely have to catch it.

“Bbyak!”

Calling out loudly, Bbyak came flying from somewhere.

I pointed at the golden slime with my finger.

Then—

Snap.

As if understanding without words, it flew at incredible speed.

The distance rapidly closed.

In an instant, Bbyak lowered its altitude sharply and opened its beak.

But suddenly, the golden slime changed direction!

Swiftly—

It rolled, then turned 90 degrees.

Then, it leapt into the air and somersaulted in the opposite direction.

No wonder it appears once every 100 years.

This is what a legendary slime should be like.

Catching a legendary slime too easily wouldn’t be fun.

“Somi, get ready.”

Bbyak let out a sharp call.

This calls for a coordinated attack.

Somi boldly stepped forward, wielding the wooden mallet she made yesterday.

But—

Pong—

Bbyak—

The golden slime simply bounced off its head and jumped away.

The golden slime was too powerful an opponent for the battle-capable Somi.

There was no choice.

I had to step in myself.

The slime’s escape route was right here.

I spread my arms wide and lowered my stance.

Judging by the slime’s previous movement patterns, this time it was heading right!

I anticipated it and threw my body.

But—

Shoo!

Much faster than expected.

I could barely catch it with my eyes.

Before I could react, it had already rolled far away.

Bbyak chased after it.

Speed-wise, Bbyak was overwhelmingly faster.

A trail of crimson flames followed the golden line.

But with the sudden direction change, we were helpless.

The slime’s movements were just absurd.

It seemed to completely ignore the laws of physics.

Then we had no choice but to try another method.

Among the inventions Somi made these past few days, there was a very suitable one ready.

Sending a signal to Bbyak, it changed direction to lure the slime.

Sticky substances were spread on the floor.

It was the Special Adhesive Somi had made.

An item made by mixing slime body fluid with adhesive.

It has strong stickiness but is harmless to living beings.

I’d been wondering where to use it — now I knew.

The slime approached right in front of us.

Somi and I blocked the path from both sides.

Apparently, we left a deliberate opening.

Unaware of this, the slime quickly changed direction and charged.

Then—

Jjiggeok—

The golden slime was completely stuck to the adhesive.

No matter how much it struggled, it was useless.

That moment.

Unarmed and cornered, the slime had no chance.

Bbyak quickly swooped in and pecked at its weak spot.

[Golden Slime defeated.]

The slime collapsed instantly.

Serves you right for acting tough.

Just one hit—that’s all it took.

Bbyak!!

Bbyak let out a victorious roar.

It was the first time in its Phoenix life to face such a strong enemy, so it almost gave its all.

It was too dull otherwise.

But just now, it felt like—

Fighting a formidable enemy.

And that enemy was a legendary slime.

Victory meal time.

Bbyak shivered and took a bite.

Its eyes gleamed.

It roared its battle cry once more.

Is it really that delicious?

No wonder the Phoenixes love it so much.

Bbyak eats everything well, but to love it this much—

Though it was a bit tough, it was worth it.

Then, suddenly—

Golden flames began burning throughout Bbyak’s entire body.

The atmosphere changed completely.

It deepened dramatically.

[Phoenix’s rank has increased.]

Huh? Our Bbyak grew?

I’ve seen this once before.

Haran, Seo Rin’s partner, leveled up after eating pork belly.

Bigger body, sharper fangs.

You could tell at a glance it had completely changed.

So what about our Bbyak?

Did it get bigger and more magnificent?

Think of the Phoenix in fantasy films.

When it spreads its giant wings, fiery flames blaze like molten rock.

How would our Bbyak transform?

Snap!

Already a loud voice.

I gripped my pounding heart, waiting for the bright light to disappear.

Our Bbyak slowly revealed itself.

Its red feathers became clearer.

Its yellow beak shone like gold.

But—

“So, that’s it?”

Its size remained the same.

It changed a little.

Not completely unchanged.

Its feathers sparkled, eyes shone brightly.

Its beak glittered like a gem, and the golden flames seemed about to burst into full blaze.

I gently stroked it.

“Really amazing, Bbyak.”

Snap!

Bbyak happily fluttered its wings.

It really was incredible.

If it weren’t for Bbyak, none of this would have been possible.

I kept stroking it with more affection.

Then Somi came over beside me.

Bbyak—

“You want praise too?”

Jealous, huh.

Alright, come here, Somi.

I petted her head as well.

“You’re amazing too. Thanks to you, we caught the golden slime.”

Snap.

Bbyak agreed.

Without Somi’s slime adhesive, the fight would’ve been much harder.

Somi blushed shyly at our praise, twisting her body in embarrassment.

She asked for praise but was shy about it.

That kind of cuteness should be banned.

Bbyak—

“You’re already enough.”

Somi promised to try even harder.

Our Somi.

So admirable. So admirable.

Soon, Somi looked around seeking more praise.

Then—

Bbyak!

She discovered something.

It rolled out from my arms and hopped somewhere.

What she found was one of Bbyak’s feathers.

When Bbyak’s rank evolved, its old feathers fell out.

Somi gathered all the feathers on the ground.

She picked nearby flowers.

Weaving the sticky flowers together, decorating them intermittently with the feathers, she made a beautiful bracelet.

[Flower Bracelet Infused with Phoenix’s Power] A sacred bracelet imbued with the power of the divine beast Phoenix. It grants vitality to the wearer by itself. The more ambient heat it absorbs, the stronger its effect.

Typical of a genius inventor.

Making an item in an instant?

You can’t judge a person—or a rabbit—by appearances alone.

***

Korea’s number one ranked player, Choi Seolha.

Her ability is Ice Magic.

When she swings her large staff, the area freezes solid.

She suppresses her enemies with cold snow magic.

It’s no wonder she’s called the Witch of Midwinter.

Currently, she is climbing the tower’s 48th floor.

There’s no player in the world who has climbed higher than her.

With her cold personality and sharp judgment,

she has everything needed to be a top-tier ranker.

But it’s already been a month, and she hasn’t been able to climb beyond the 48th floor.

Why?

There are several reasons, but the biggest cause is the change in environment.

The tower’s environment changes every 10 floors.

From the 40th floor, a gigantic underground tunnel unfolds.

What’s the problem with that?

The scorching heat rising from below holds Seolha’s ankles tight.

“Ice Edge!”

At her shout, dozens of icicles formed at the tip of her staff.

But—

Drip drip.

Water droplets started falling.

They were melting.

The icicles’ strength greatly affects the damage dealt.

Because of this, it became harder to damage the already tough monster hide.

Moreover, even the player herself grew increasingly exhausted.

Exposed to the humid heat for over 10 hours, even the Witch of Midwinter would inevitably tire.

Pa pa pak—

Sharp icicles flew and struck Kang Cheol.

But already many icicles had melted, so there was barely a scratch.

In the end, she had to keep her distance and stall for time.

Her clothes were soaked through with earth and sweat, but Seolha didn’t stop.

Every time her mana recovered, she used her skills.

Still, the enemies didn’t fall easily.

“Phew, retreat from the tower.”

Once again, her attempt to climb the 48th floor ended in failure.

Outside was a player-exclusive climbing space prepared by the Association.

Seolha was also a player belonging to the Association.

As a top-ranked player, she received treatment befitting her status.

The safe space the Association provided was part of that.

Seo Rin, standing nearby, brought water and a towel and cautiously asked,

“How did it go today…?”

“I failed.”

Hearing Seolha’s answer, Seo Rin’s expression fell.

She hadn’t expected it to be so tough for her.

“Have the items lent from overseas arrived?”

Seolha asked in a sharp tone.

They were lending as many tower-environmental items as possible to lower the surrounding temperature.

But such items aren’t easy to come by.

Though the Association’s continuous support requests were made, the only response was a few pathetic items.

“Yeah, but the reactions are still the same.”

“Worthless bastards.”

Seolha gritted her teeth.

That’s why she didn’t like the World Association.

They cleverly avoid anything that isn’t in their own interest.

If this had been foreseen, she would’ve joined a corporation like in Japan or the U.S.

But what could she do?

There’s no place in Korea that develops players at a corporate level like Japan or the U.S.

Just then—

Seo Rin’s phone received a message.

“Sorry.”

Startled, Seo Rin quickly apologized and checked the message.

She tried to be as careful as possible, not wanting to upset Seolha.

– Ms. Seo Rin, I have a question about some items. Do you have a moment?

The message was from Yoo Min.

Items, huh?

What could be so urgent as to contact her like this?

Seo Rin just shook her head, clueless.