Chapter 94 – How A Veteran Grows (1)

[Mirror that breaks down boundaries (Growth Type)
Acquisition Difficulty: Overrank
Description: When used as a special item of unknown origin, it will connect to any location on the 10th floor of the Tower of Trials (Cooldown: 90 days. Duration: 30 minutes). Layers that can be connected as the player grows also increase, and so do the duration of stay. (Can take one more person).]
As you play the Tower of Trials, you can discover a few deceptive items and abilities.

One of them was the unique ability of Fusion that could be obtained in the National Museum of Korea.

This time, the ‘Mirror that breaks down boundaries,’ was another such thing.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

Jin-hyuk’s heart beat rapidly. Although it was a play that broke common sense, he had managed to obtain both this and the loyalty of a boss monster.

‘I didn’t expect to be given this.’

Non-standard compensation that excited even the veterans.

He had told Elise that he needed a big break because he couldn’t control his excitement.

‘First, I need to get some necessary things.’

Once he used it, he would need to wait 90 days to use it again. The mirror needed to be used under the right conditions.

Jin-hyuk had begun to work rapidly as he figured out what to do.

‘First…’

Woong!

Jin-hyuk took out his phone and called someone.

Tok!

The person on the other side answered it before it even rang once.

“Ah! President! Please tell me why you contacted me? I was wondering if you had forgotten about us.”

It was Kim Hee-wong, the temporary head of the Black Crow Guild.

Kim Hee-wong, who had his life changed thanks to Jin-hyuk, was managing the guild and had decent skills at it.

Jin-hyuk smiled.

“I have been a bit busy.”

He was so busy that he forgot.

“Haha. Of course, I understand it is hard to find a channel that doesn’t show our president’s face these days.”

“Uh?”

“Why are you asking me like that? Korea, no, the president is getting attention from all over the world.”

Actually, he had gotten quite popular. People were actually recognizing him in public nowadays.

“Enough with the greetings. How is the guild? Were you doing fine despite me being away?”

“It is so good that maybe that should be our problem? There are a lot of players joining after seeing you.”

“Players joining for me? Are there still people like that?”

“Yes. We have been taking in a few, but it is impossible to manage the hundreds of people coming in each day.”

Hundreds each day?

What new mess was this?

He never had the greed to raise a guild, but this might lead to Kim Hee-wong dying from overwork.

‘As a condition of joining, I’ll have to include the condition of wearing a full body bikini and a bald head.’

But everyone could apply regardless of gender.

Of course, the final decision was left to the guild. It was better to take only sane people into the guild.

Above all, he had to respect the veterans who had experience.

“I will take care of that.”

“I would like to ask you for a favor.”

“Ah. Did anyone contact me? From the side of the Fathers of Fighting.”

“Ah! I had been looking for the representative to come up… that… they said there was a contract signed with an exclusive dungeon in exchange for getting the information for a cure?’

“Actually, I was the one who initiated it. We have some leeway now, so make an appointment with Kim Gitae on their side.”

“It is possible, but when do you want it done?”

“Get it to me as soon as possible. And while you do it, make a reservation for a famous concert and Michelin restaurant. It doesn’t matter if it is domestic or overseas.”

“Uh? Why do we….?”

“Should I tell you the reason?”

“N-no. I will do my best to get you the best seats.”

As the call ended, Jin-hyuk smiled.

‘You don’t understand.’

Neither Kim Hee-wong nor anyone else would understand.

After a time, people needed to grow up, and it didn’t make sense to not go to the best restaurants or concerts.

Especially considering he needed to be in his best condition for the 6th floor.

The 6th floor of the Tower of Trials, also known as the Forest of Elves.

Should this be some sort of pause?

Besides, if he spent all 90 days just planning and eating, the road to the next floor would inevitably open up.

The players will focus on improving their skills and abilities during this period.

It was a method of getting the attendance stamp indicating that they had been to the 6th floor.

But…

‘If I leave the 6th floor only for the sake of resting, now that is foolish.’

It would be the same as an employee who worked hard, hoping for their superiors to notice but only ending up overworked.

The same applied to the Tower of Trials.

Each floor had a purpose and a skill necessary to get through it. It meant that no floor existed without reason.

And Jin-hyuk…

More than anyone else, he planned to spend the 90 days on the 6th floor perfectly.

But…

In a way that a veteran would.

‘Concerts and Michelin star restaurants are the paving stones for it.’

Jin-hyuk made a plan step by step.

But…

‘You idiots. I will come to see you again.’

He was already looking forward to it.

He was sure everyone would be surprised to see what he was doing. And also how many good things would come out of it.

It was an hour after Kim Hee-wong was contacted.

The meeting with Kim Gitae was confirmed, and they had decided to meet in a coffee shop near Yeongdeungpo.

Jin-hyuk arrived a little earlier than the appointed time and was sipping slowly on his frappuccino, which was topped with whipped cream.

‘As expected, there is nothing like sugar to relieve fatigue.’

Unfortunately, the mint chocolate was sold out, so he had ordered this, but it was fine.

And at that moment.

Step.

Unlike the steps of normal humans, these were steps filled with magic.

He didn’t even have to check to know that it was Kim Gitae, a ranker from the Fathers of Fighting.

“Long time no see, player Kang Jin-hyuk.”

Kim Gitae bowed his head briefly. He must have had a lot of things piled up inside, but he still spoke politely, so Jin-hyuk greeted him back with a smile.

“This is the first time we are meeting after the testing.”

Of course, to be precise, it was at that moment.

Unlike that time when he was simply a player with an undecided rank, he was now an S-rank. In addition to that, there was so much coverage about him on TV.

So it made sense that he was acting low-key.

‘This is why we need to have power.’

Jin-hyuk once again reminded himself what it meant to have power and ability in this world.

Jin-hyuk leaned back on his chair and opened his mouth.

“I am sorry for the delay in the talk with Mandragora. I didn’t have the time to talk about it as I was busy climbing up the tower.”

“… well, I can assume.”

Kim Gitae made an expression that clearly showed he didn’t like this.

Because the opponent was a top ranker, he was acting nice. If it were anyone else, he would have pulled out his sword.

But Jin-hyuk didn’t care about this.

“In that sense, I would like to change the contract terms. From what I’ve heard, there are a few A-grade dungeons that your guild has control over. Maybe some on the 3rd floor?”

Ten exclusive dungeons on the 1st floor. At the time, it had been attractive, but since he was already level 30, they were no longer of use.

He couldn’t waste time playing tag with goblins. He had grown so much that there was no need for it.

“So instead of the dungeons which were given. You are asking for one of the A-grade dungeons on the 3rd floor… is what you mean?”

“You heard me right.”

“You said you will tell me about the method to make the antidote, and now you want to raise the terms?”

“Yes.”

Jin-hyuk didn’t like repeating things over. He couldn’t understand why the man kept asking.

Kim Gitae’s face was turning red…

Should he recommend a glass of water?

“… player Kang Jin-hyuk. What do you see us as?”

Um…

A tree that was providing things generously?

But he couldn’t say that here.

In that case, he should come up with an excuse.

“This decision has been made inevitably due to inflation, raw materials, prices, labor costs.”

“What….! We aren’t some charitable organization to satisfy those weird requests!”

Kim Gitae jumped up.

“You are leaving?”

“If you are going to say such a thing, I’d rather leave and not waste my words.”

“Hmm. The 3rd-floor labyrinth [Gray Temple]. From what I know, you have it, but the attack on it continues to fail?”

“…!”

Kim Gitae, who had been about to turn around, stopped because of the appearance of that unexpected name.

“How did you know about that?”

“I picked it up from here and there. I have a wide network.”

The list of dungeons that the Fathers of Fighting managed was something that Kim Hee-wong had given him. The moment he saw the name Gray Temple, Jin-hyuk was confident.

With their power, they wouldn’t dare to attack it, and he was proven right.

‘He is responding.’

They wanted to get the treasures hidden in the temple, but their troops could not clear through it, and now the guild was becoming frustrated.

However, since Jin-hyuk had brought up the labyrinth in a timely manner, even Kim Gitae couldn’t make a move.

Now that the other side had shown interest, he could go in hard.

He’d make sure to catch them somehow and make things happen the way he wanted them to.

“I am not saying I will swipe the reward alone. After all, Gray Temple is a 20-person raid mission so attacking it alone is impossible.”

“…”

The most important thing was to reassure Kim Gitae by mentioning the labyrinth’s conditions.

“Besides, the loss will be huge on the guild’s side, so wouldn’t it be better to move with me, who has proven his ability, rather than losing more players?”

“That… is right.”

The second most important thing was to give him the proper justification.

It wasn’t because they were weak or making unfavorable decisions. This was a plausible cause for saving the guild’s players.

The third thing was to express some feelings of regret.

Just saying sorry never worked. One had to show sincerity.

This was the key point of the third condition.

“You can buy the Mandragora in the basic shop on the first floor. You need to drink the jasmine tea given by the shopkeeper 11 times in a row to see the secret items hidden in the closet. It doesn’t taste bad or anything. Just try to be patient.”

“… huh!?”

Kim Gitae was incredulous as he didn’t expect Jin-hyuk to give up the item’s location first.

He then took some time to think.

‘If he is doing this, he cannot be trying to cheat me.’

Kim Gitae nodded his head as if he had made up his mind.

“I understand. After talking with the guild leaders, I will tell you the raid schedule for the labyrinth.”

And with a pleasant smile, he reached out his hand to Jin-hyuk for a handshake.

‘Kang Jin-hyuk. We cannot be too lax with this man. And it is good we are on good terms.’

As long as they both had the same goal, they could move forward. Still, this felt like the moment where a solid foundation was laid for their friendship.

But…

Kim Gitae would never realize.

The secret that was hidden in the Gray Temple.

“Haha. I wish us all the best.”

Jin-hyuk took Kim Gitae’s proffered hand.

‘Make the most of the shops on the first floor, which I don’t need anymore.’

If he drank 11 cups of the bitter jasmine tea, he would end up in the bathroom all night.

‘Me and the members of your guild that will enter the labyrinth. I will make use of everything.’

Well.

Each of them had their own thoughts.

And their existing contract was renewed.