Everyone around the world was curious.
- What exactly is the Golden Magic Tower?
What comes out if you go inside?
- What’s so good about climbing it?
- I heard you can’t go in right now, so why is that? Will we be able to enter later?
- Interest
With a calm heart, questions were posted on the Korean Hunter Community, but the curiosity was shared by hunters affiliated with Korea as well.
- We don’t know either.
- Someone I know went in. They said it’s to feel the mana.
- I heard that too. There are dozens of doors, and people just picked one randomly and came out the other side.
- I missed it right in front of me. Just as I was about to enter, they said the quota was full and stopped me.
After about a day, someone started sharing a detailed eyewitness account.
- I just saw Yoo Seolha coming out of the Golden Magic Tower.
- Me too. When association staff tried to catch her, she ignored them and went somewhere.
- Looks like she was withdrawing money at the bank. I even saw the bank president escorting her.
- The association staff got criticized again.
Hey, hey. Someone else came out too. The association staff are taking them away?
- Huh? Hey, looks like people are entering the Golden Magic Tower?
- Really?
- What if there’s no proof?
- They really are going in. I just entered and came out. I opened any door and ended up outside.
- Heading to the association right now.
- Starting the car engine.
Suddenly, photos of speeding cars and people starting engines flooded the community.
Posts with rapidly increasing likes.
While Korean hunters were having a lighthearted laugh, hunters affiliated with overseas associations expressed complaints.
- Why is it only Korea that can enter?
- That’s so unfair.
- If it’s going to exist, it should be the same everywhere.
- Feels like a show. If it was something good, it wouldn’t be this quiet.
- Agreed. Sounds like a joke.
- It doesn’t make sense for it to appear only in Korea from the start.
Then someone posted a video.
- Wow, no way. You can learn magic inside.
The video showed flames rising as the person spread their hands.
But the fire didn’t stay at a fixed size; it grew and shrank, changing shape.
- What is this? Is this fake fire magic?
- Just a video edit. Lazy effort.
- Maybe just some hunter with a fire skill?
- If that’s a real skill, it doesn’t make sense. Skills consume a fixed amount of mana, so you can’t just change like that.
- Wait, so does that mean it’s real?
Soon after, the verification post was deleted.
- What?
- What happened?
- Where did the post go?
- Who deleted it?
- Why did it disappear?
- I didn’t see it. What was it about?
- Wow, so it really is a magic tower where you can become a mage?
- Like a job change or something?
- Learning magic would be awesome, right?
- Looks like someone tried to fake it but deleted it when it got popular.
- Ah, ran away scared?
- So funny.
As the rapidly rising posts drew mixed reactions, Lee Changgeon was receiving reports on the situation in the association president’s office.
“The hunter climbing the tower fastest right now is Yoo Seolha. She’s currently on the 15th floor, and among those climbing, she’s being called the Tower Master.”
“How do we know that?”
“There’s a community inside the tower. The climbers talk to each other, and next to the chat, they can check their climbing floor.”
“What is the purpose of the tower?”
“That part hasn’t been uncovered yet. But from what’s been shared, it seems to be for training mages.”
“So do we know why Yoo Seolha withdrew money?”
“They say if you offer money, the number of floors you can climb increases, and the number of hunters allowed to enter also increases.”
Lee Changgeon drummed his fingers on the desk, clicking his tongue.
A mage appeared in Korea?
And the one called the Tower Master is Yoo Seolha?
From this situation alone, Korea seemed to have the upper hand.
“The unclear purpose is worrying.”
The undisclosed purpose of the Golden Magic Tower could cause great harm to Korea.
And dangerous people could gain powerful abilities from the tower.
This was not something to simply observe with optimism.
At that moment, the voice of the Hidden Piece Discoverer was heard.
[President, do you have a moment?]
[Yes, but is the Golden Magic Tower your work as well?]
[Is there anything potentially problematic?]
[There’s nothing inherently problematic with the Golden Magic Tower itself. However, there are those who are targeting it.]
[Dangerous people?]
[Yes. They’re quite dangerous. To stop them, we need the mage of the tower. I will try to minimize damage to Korea as much as possible.]
There were already many external threats targeting Korea. One more wouldn’t make much difference.
Above all.
If not for the Hidden Piece Discoverer,
Korea would already have no future.
[Understood. Then what should those climbing the Golden Magic Tower do?]
[Just treat it like a guild.]
Having resolved his curiosity, Lee Changgeon asked.
[What’s today’s matter?]
[Is there anything unusual regarding the Labyrinth?]
[Actually, there is something to tell you. An S-rank hunter from Italy died, and the 21st floor of the Labyrinth has fallen into the hands of criminals.]
Lee Changgeon briefly explained the contents of the meeting.
[We had a meeting about which country should challenge the 21st floor first, and we decided it should be Korea.]
[The 21st floor is one of the largest dungeon production sites. Did other countries just hand it over easily?]
[It’s suspicious. Especially since China sided with us. That made me uneasy, so I was planning to talk to you and give up.]
[Let’s just go for it. I’ll handle it.]
[Are you sure? No need to overdo it.]
[Let’s show Korea’s might this time. I’ll make them regret it.]
In a pavilion bathed in bright moonlight,
Joo Wonseong, president of the Chinese Hunter Association, looked at the moon hanging in the sky, hands behind his back.
“What happened to the 21st floor?”
A voice came from the shadows behind. Joo Wonseong opened his mouth without changing posture.
“I gave the chance to Korea as you wanted.”
“Good work.”
“But is it okay to handle this so foolishly? If we openly support Korea, they’ll obviously be suspicious.”
“They can suspect all they want. The point was just to give them a chance.”
“If we only give them a chance, will they actually try?”
“That’s right.”
The apostle’s voice from the shadow was full of confidence.
But Joo Wonseong was not convinced by that confidence.
“If they give up, what happens to our deal?”
“Don’t worry. Even if they don’t challenge it, I’ll keep my promise.”
“I hope you won’t go back on your word.”
“Sigh…”
At Joo Wonseong’s words, the apostle emerged from the shadow.
A man wearing a blue hood.
His mouth twisted wickedly as it slightly revealed.
“Wonseong.”
Along with him came a dark murderous aura.
“You’ve done well so far, but why do you keep crossing the line? Because you’re pampered? Do you think I’m an easy mark now?”
All of it.
A killing intent tightening around Joo Wonseong’s neck.
His face turned so dark that he shivered and gasped.
“Ku, ku-huk… Guh.”
“The one who’s going to rule this world. You’re really bothered by a little bit of Korea edging ahead now?”
“The great… China… how… Korea…”
“Sigh. This crazy bastard.”
The apostle shook his head and relaxed his aura. Joo Wonseong took a deep breath, still gasping.
“If you want to rule this world, you should learn restraint. Hide your emotions from your face.”
The apostle slapped Joo Wonseong’s cheek and turned away.
“Wait quietly. The world will be handed to you in your mouth, no effort needed.”
“Hah… hah… kweeek!”
“Then next time, let’s meet with a bit more courtesy.”
The apostle vanished in an instant.
Watching this, Joo Wonseong ground his teeth, eyes bloodshot red.
Breathing through his nose, he rose to his feet.
Thud!
Thud!
With furious footsteps, he quickly left the pavilion and descended deep underground.
Passing those guarding the entrance.
Reaching a place no one could enter easily, a massive door appeared.
Joo Wonseong spread his arms and opened the door.
Creak!
Inside was filled with thick darkness.
“Ughk!”
With a dying groan, a strong scent of blood wafted out. Moments later, someone slowly walked out.
A man gradually revealed from the shadows.
His whole body was a dry frame covered with muscles and splattered with blood.
His handsome face with slightly upturned eyes licked the blood on his face with his tongue.
“Have you come?”
Thud!
Then he threw the head of a man he was holding onto the floor.
Joo Wonseong checked the dead man’s face.
‘Geum Mujin.’
One of the S-rank hunters in China.
Though he wasn’t in the top ten strongest, he was close.
This strong hunter was killed by this man’s hand.
A small smile rose at the corner of Joo Wonseong’s mouth.
‘So he was the last disciple of the Blood Fiend. That talent is undeniable.’
To take over the 11th floor, a talented one was handed down by the Blood Fiend, one of the Twelve Constellations.
The talent the Blood Fiend recognized was murder.
The disciple of the Blood Fiend before him, the Small Blood Demon, though not having cleared the Labyrinth, possessed exceptional talent in killing and fighting, enough to kill a B-rank hunter.
He was given elixirs and S-rank skillbooks.
As a result, he became strong enough to easily kill an S-rank hunter.
With this level of power, taking the 11th floor of the Labyrinth would be a simple task.
Everything.
Joo Wonseong’s eyes flashed as he tasted the blood in his mouth.
There was only one place to release this rage.
Korea.
“As soon as the challenge ticket is created, take the 11th floor.”
“Yes.”
Since even the apostle had permitted it, no one could object.
‘It’s a shame the Dokkaebi is on the 13th floor.’
It was unfortunate not to kill the Dokkaebi directly.
At least if the 11th floor was reclaimed, this anger might subside.
Using the Dimensional Tavern Pass right away was tempting, but there were things to deal with first.
It felt like a loss if left undone.
[Constructing fence.]
[Constructing training center.]
[Constructing ore mine.]
[Constructing gold mine.]
[Constructing warehouse.]
Using the Shard of Divinity that the orc had brought after dealing with the low-ranking apostle, necessary buildings were erected.
Then Park Chanseong used the money he negotiated with the association to upgrade the newly built buildings.
Meanwhile, the goblin returned from his mission.
[Master. I’m back!]
A green wave surged into the Dragon Lair.
The goblin returned to his tribe, defeated the chieftain, and came back as the new chieftain.
At least several hundred goblins.
“Good work.”
[Now I can become stronger too?!]
“Of course.”
The goblin’s stats were raised, and his skills’ ranks were increased, promoting him to B-rank.
The orcs relied purely on brute strength, so Ropenheim’s advice worked on them.
But since the goblins were learning Poison Art, Ropenheim’s advice was less meaningful.
It was a pity they couldn’t awaken to the second stage at A-rank, but since money could fix that, they just poured money into it.
[The goblin consumes Attribute Pills.]
[Awakening Quest completed.]
[All conditions fulfilled. The goblin awakens to A-rank.]
[Goblin (A)]
- New chieftain leading the goblin tribe.
- Overall stats: A
- Potential: A
- Items: Poison Pouch (A), Special Poison Needle (A)
- Skills: Poison Manufacturing (A), Hundred Poisons Technique (B), Poison Spraying (A), Poison Resistance (A), Tracking (A), Stealth (A)
【P- power surging! Pig bastard! Come here!】
“Don’t look for the orcs. Take the tribe members, secure the territory, and build a home first.”
[Yes!]
The goblin showed an innocent face in front of me but commanded with authority before his tribe members.
Everything.
Everything.
Watching this, I returned to the Dragon Lair.
Despite spending a huge amount of money, plenty still remained.
[Yoo Seolha offers a sacrifice at the Golden Magic Tower.]
[Baek Juwon offers a sacrifice at the Golden Magic Tower.]
Thud!
Thud!
Bags filled with money rained down from the air.
After clearing the Red Dungeon, those climbing the tower offered money to level up.
Thanks to this, the tower’s level surpassed 3 in just one day.
[The tower’s level has increased.]
[The tower’s level has reached 4.]
[Research topics unlocked.]
[You may research the desired topic.]
Research?
Checking the topics that appeared before my eyes.
[Apostle Tracking Magic]
[Dragon Godkiller Instant Kill Magic]
[Breath Magic]
[High Circle Magic]
[Increase Dungeon Count]
So this is where we can get ways to hunt apostles.
“Lightning Attribute Dragon Godkiller Magic.”
If I hadn’t gotten information from the traitor in the Red Dungeon, I would have researched Apostle Tracking Magic first.
The other topics weren’t urgent right now.
[Researching Lightning Attribute Dragon Godkiller Magic.]
[Materials are needed for magic research.]
[Lowest-grade Lightning Flower, Lightning Essence, Shard of Divinity, Thunder Heart…]
I registered the materials I had.
[Notifying the Golden Magic Tower of missing materials.]
[Mages will supply the missing materials and begin research.]
Convenient.
“I really like this.”
Now that all the urgent matters were dealt with,
Shall I head to the Dimensional Tavern?