Several days had passed since the Seoul Gate Collapse Incident.
Despite the unchanged daily routine, quite a lot had changed.
First, the items left at the Gyeongmaejang had been sold.
Twenty-five bottles of hair loss spray and one ton of carrots.
The sprays sold out at around 7 billion won, down from the initial price.
Still, about 180 billion won had been deposited into the bank account.
Because of that, the branch manager had visited several times.
Experiencing firsthand the kind of treatment one sees in movies when visiting a major corporation’s chairman was quite overwhelming.
Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
After all, they gave a lot of pleasant words and gifts—how could one dislike that?
Of course, I didn’t want to meet them again.
Once was enough for such an experience.
Next, the biggest change was the house.
I finally escaped the small one-room.
Honestly, it wasn’t bad living alone, so I hadn’t planned to move, but the Association had made a heartfelt request.
To be exact, it was Dohyun’s plea.
To prepare for any possible incidents, they urged me to move into a player-only apartment with thorough security.
Thanks to that, the new house was considerably bigger.
And.
“Seolha, thank you so much.”
A new neighbor had arrived.
It was Seolha.
Coincidentally, she also lived in this apartment.
She said she preferred this place, which was directly managed by the Association, rather than a spacious, fancy house.
It just so happened that the apartment next to Seolha’s was vacant, so without hesitation, she decided to move in.
Finally, I had a home.
I told my family too, and I was determined to stay in Suwon no matter what.
Well, with the Pyeongya Entry ticket, it didn’t really matter.
“No need to say anything. Neighbors should help each other live.”
Even on busy days, the angelic Seolha helped with the move and replied with a smile.
These days, Seolha was living a truly hectic schedule.
Heroic interviews and countless advertising requests poured in for the hero who had stopped the Gate collapse.
Moreover, due to being the world’s first to climb to the 50th floor, overseas mass media lined up for interviews.
“Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You’ve helped me so much.”
While exchanging such talk, quite some time had already passed.
Glancing at the time, Seolha spoke with a hint of regret.
“I have another appointment, so I’ll be going now.”
“Thank you so much for today.”
After parting with Seolha, I was left alone in the new house.
The cute triplets were finally unsealed.
They roamed all over the house.
Well, well.
You guys like the new house too, right?
Just don’t get hurt and keep growing strong like now.
***
With Seolha’s climb to the 50th floor, the player world’s flow had completely changed.
Being able to use abilities outside the tower meant a lot.
Globally, there were about 500 registered S-rank players.
They were each climbing the latter half of the 40th floor.
However, no matter how great an ability was, everyone had their limits.
Players like James, who had hexagonal ability values, were eventually stopped by monsters with strong advantages, and those with special talents sometimes faced monsters that countered their skills.
Nonetheless, the worldwide movement toward climbing the 50th floor did not stop.
Super Soldiers were emerging.
Their mere existence created a strategic factor equivalent to nuclear weapons.
Seolha was no exception.
If she was dropped by plane in the middle of enemy territory, an entire city would fall within an hour.
That was why securing S-rank players was more important than any other country.
Not just to hold nuclear weapons, but for many other reasons.
Meanwhile, voices of concern arose.
Some even claimed that all players should not climb the 50th floor.
Imagine players’ abilities being used in terrorism.
Even the military would be powerless.
Because of this, the establishment of global Association branches accelerated.
They managed and supported all players.
This way, S-rank players climbing the 50th floor could be constantly monitored.
This received overwhelming support worldwide.
There were some objections about invasion of privacy, but the atmosphere leaned toward accepting a few sacrifices over uncontrollable risks.
Of course, this was practically impossible.
Which country would let its players join the Association?
They would hide their players as much as possible, preparing for any possible threat.
Between governments and the Association, unknown currents flowed.
Amidst that tense atmosphere, a rising new company appeared.
That was WM Company.
“Yes, I’ve received the call.”
Pildu sat in the company office, answering the phone.
Having studied abroad in the U.S., his English was fluent.
– This is the U.S. Association. We are contacting you regarding item rentals.
Since the staff was still small, Pildu personally handled customer service.
“Yes, I’ve been in direct contact with Team Leader James.”
– Regarding the price, 3,000 tons of magic stones for climbing to the 50th floor is too much.
“Hmm, that’s already been agreed upon with the team leader.”
The first country to contract the rental of flower bracelets was naturally the U.S.
They promised a whopping 3,000 tons of magic stones as a condition for James, who was currently climbing the 47th floor, to reach the 50th.
However, this was almost entirely James’s unilateral decision.
The U.S. branch was in chaos.
3,000 tons—what kind of dog’s name is that?
No one dared guess how many magic stone warehouses they would have to empty.
The situation was definitely different from the dangerous past of New York.
Still, Pildu did not yield.
Why?
Because he himself was not in a hurry.
“If the price doesn’t satisfy you, just cancel the contract and pay the penalty.
Then the flower bracelets will go to the next reserved country—China.”
Silence followed through the receiver.
Of course, the next reserved country was China.
China currently had two players in the 46th floor range.
Moreover, they had plenty of money.
They could easily provide magic stones.
There was no way to give them the upper hand.
– Understood. But it will take time to secure 3,000 tons of magic stones immediately.
In the end, the U.S. branch gave up half-heartedly on raising the price.
They were borrowing a single item by handing over 3,000 tons of magic stones.
That money could buy dozens of legendary items.
Still, there was no other way.
It was a matter of national pride for the strongest country.
Even if they lost first place, the U.S. had to stay ahead of other countries.
What if China was the first to supply a 50th-floor player?
Thinking about economic retaliation, military retaliation, and so on gave Pildu a headache.
It was far better to lend the item to a friendly Korean company.
The effectiveness was already proven.
There was no choice.
This was several times better than the worst option.
“Then I will come directly to check when the magic stones are ready.”
Pildu hurried to set the next schedule.
There were already three flower bracelets.
However, there was no plan to release the quantity yet.
Strike while the iron is hot.
The water had not risen enough yet.
Everyone in the world already knew the flower bracelets’ effectiveness.
James, who saved New York from the Gate collapse, had given a direct interview.
Still, publicity was lacking.
There was a better way than Seolha’s interview or James’s promotion.
Show it directly.
Wear the bracelet and distribute 50th-floor players.
And the showcase would be the U.S.
Many countries still doubted the flower bracelets’ effect.
China was no different.
They hadn’t even contacted once.
Then what had Pildu just said?
It was a blatant lie that perfectly struck the U.S. branch’s psychology.
Just saying the word “China” made them jump.
He was a true master of business negotiation.
Of course, once the U.S. promised item rental, the business flow changed completely.
If James climbed to the 50th floor himself?
Calls would flood in from countries worldwide wanting to rent the items first.
Especially European countries watching the U.S. closely.
Three flower bracelets might not even be enough.
They had to prepare themselves.
Germany, France, England, Italy.
Just these countries alone exceeded ten.
What about Asia?
They would do whatever it took to book first and claim dominance over Asia.
It could even be worse than Europe.
Even though they lived nearby, relations weren’t good.
Of course, the more the better.
Supply was only three.
Demand?
Worldwide.
In fact, the U.S. only rented the items for 3,000 tons.
Should they have asked for more money?
***
Dark, dark, dark—
Today, too, the peaceful 15th floor hidden mine.
The Dudermoles were trembling as they worked underground.
Since Dusik became their captain, magic stone production had skyrocketed.
The biggest reason was Somi’s invention.
A super-powerful mining drill did the work of ten ordinary Dudermoles.
There were five such drills.
In other words, production nearly doubled just from the drills.
But the biggest contribution came from another factor.
It was the goggles.
Because Dudermoles naturally had poor eyesight, their efficiency was literally a light year behind.
Though their excellent digging skills and keen hearing concealed it, if only they had good eyesight, they would have mined much more magic stones.
Then one day, suddenly, a manager with good eyesight appeared!
Dusik, wearing the all-purpose goggles Somi gave him.
The clever Dusik wore a yellow helmet and issued precise orders from the highest point.
Thanks to that, the Dudermoles’ efficiency skyrocketed exponentially.
As a result, nearly 200 tons of magic stones piled up every day.
That wasn’t all.
All sorts of rare gems, too.
It was truly a treasure trove.
“Duda duda!”
Dusik’s war cry signaled the end of today’s work.
As important as working was resting.
Eight-hour workdays.
The Dudermoles strictly maintained their work-life balance.
At that moment.
Something was caught in the food of a Dudermole finishing up work.
It was round and wobbly—something that looked very familiar.
The Dudermole quickly informed Dusik.
Dusik hurried over, adjusted his goggles, and carefully examined the object caught in the food.
A smooth white background.
A hard surface with brown markings.
It was a demon beast’s egg.
At that moment.
Dusik carefully tried to take out the egg, when—
Crack.
Suddenly, it started cracking.
Crack.
Something burst out!
***
[The Dudermoles of the 15th floor hidden mine, Dusik, requests the player’s assistance.]
While spending another ordinary day, a help message appeared for Dusik.
What on earth was happening?
With worry, I entered the mine at once.
From afar, a Dudermole wearing goggles was running toward me.
It was Dusik.
But there was an unfamiliar creature with him.
Brown fur, round ears.
A wagging tail.
Bow!
It was a puppy!