Chapter 219
CHAPTER 219
A class reunion.
It was about that time.
Once you graduate and settle into society, memories from your school days start to surface.
So when someone suggests getting together, quite a few people usually show up.
Of course, there are always more people who don’t attend than those who do.
And if you do attend, is there really anything special?
Not really.
What can a bunch of barely-mature young adults at the start of their careers even do?
They just drink and mess around.
Sometimes sparks fly between men and women, sometimes fights break out with lots of shouting and swearing.
Usually, the person who takes the lead in organizing the reunion is someone who’s tasted early success.
They brag nonstop, say things like “Call me if you’re ever in trouble,” and loudly declare they’re paying for all the drinks today—just to satisfy their craving for recognition.
Still, it’s a fun little event.
Not a bad experience to have at least once.
But Juhyeok’s case was different.
First of all, there wasn’t a single classmate he was curious about.
Brag about success?
With his personality, he couldn’t even imagine doing that.
He didn’t particularly want to go.
He hadn’t even planned to reply to the text asking if he’d attend—
“If we didn’t have a class reunion, successful life would be like red-bean bread without filling!”
Kosak was thrilled.
Why was he acting like this?
The actual person involved was doing nothing.
Well, he might as well hear him out.
He was curious what kind of scenario Kosak had cooked up.
“There is one most important thing in the scenario.”
What is it?
“Whether man or woman, the greatest proof of success is the partner at your side.”
And?
“No matter how poor or unemployed you are, if your boyfriend or girlfriend is celebrity-tier, that’s an automatic win.”
Win?
Is a class reunion some kind of duel arena?
“So we will begin the selection.”
Selection?
“Candidate Fairy Princess Gyeon Dallae, Major Veronica, Diamat the Succubus, and Young Mistress Baek Dan-a—first-round pass.”
“Dr. El is a golem, so eliminated. Alchemist Marie is a shut-in with social anxiety, so eliminated.”
Ding!
<Marie> : Hey! Kosak, you #%o#$&#& jerk!!!
“Please don’t curse. Then can you go outside and walk around arm-in-arm with Summoner Bong?”
<Marie> : …&%$!
Tragic.
Poor Marie.
And the first-round pass candidates—
Gyeon Dallae sitting calmly.
Major Veronica, confident as always.
Diamat swaying her demon tail seductively.
And Baek Dan-a, wearing an innocent expression, not really understanding what was going on.
“We will now begin the final selection. To ensure fairness, the ultimate winner will be decided by pick-me-up, anonymous voting—”
Right then!
Spot!
CEO Jeong Dong-hun appeared in the White Tower with a panicked expression.
“P-Player Bong.”
“Oh! CEO Jeong, long time no see. You must be busy.”
“I was in Pyongyang until just now—”
“Ah! I see.”
“Um, d-did you happen to receive a text message?”
“A text?”
But then—
Spot!
Director Jeon Gwang-il appeared as well.
“Player Bong! I have something to say—ah! CEO Jeong is here too.”
“Yes, my apologies. I failed to keep my subordinates in check.”
“Let’s talk about that later.”
What was going on?
Why had they both rushed to the White Tower?
CEO Jeong explained that he’d received a call from his secretary, Jin-sook.
She’d run into former classmates who used to be delinquents at her meeting spot, and due to an unintentional slip, it had become known that Juhyeok was a player.
And that one of them was planning to lure Juhyeok out and cause trouble.
Jeong Dong-hun had immediately relayed this information to Director Jeon.
“The instigator is a guy named Jang Wan-seop.”
Jang Wan-seop?
Thinking back, Juhyeok remembered him.
A very ordinary delinquent.
The kind who’d toss him a thousand-won bill and order him to go buy cigarettes at the convenience store.
But Juhyeok hadn’t obeyed.
Not because he was offended or righteous—
He just didn’t have the money.
He couldn’t even properly pay for school lunches back then.
He had no choice but to endure things physically.
Now?
He felt nothing special.
No desire for revenge.
“I looked into who Jang Wan-seop is. He awakened recently. He even sent body-cam footage of his clears to the Agency’s elite team.”
Does he have talent?
“His skill execution and mana capacity are significantly lacking for his level, so he was rejected.”
Tsk.
Failed the elite screening.
“The reason he called Ms. Oh Jin-sook was to ask for an elite contract through connections.”
Is an elite contract some kind of joke?
You think it happens just because you ask?
“Anyway, there’s only one reason Jang Wan-seop’s group sent out the reunion text. They’re trying to summon Player Bong and harass him.”
At that, the blood-summoned beings erupted in rage.
“Those trash bastards dare! Director Jeon, give us their address!”
“Leave it to this mage. I’ll burn them all to ashes and even film it.”
“Why bother? One small shell would do the trick.”
“Killing is mercy. Flaying them alive is simpler. We can make them live a hellish life.”
“Shall we send the Blood Wolf to bite that part?”
“Woof woof!”
“Master, I’m a succubus. Corrupting one human is nothing.”
“Hooaaah!”
Ding!
<Marie> : #$@#&@! Kill them all!!!
Things were escalating fast.
But why was Kosak, the one responsible for the reunion scenario, silent?
Juhyeok turned to look.
Kosak’s face was flushed red, trembling violently.
Was he furious?
That would be bad.
At this rate, he might even pull out a ribbon—
Suddenly!
“Absolutely perfect!!! This is amazing!!!”
Huh?
That wasn’t rage—it was cheering.
He was overjoyed.
“The scenario is finally complete!”
“…Complete?”
Kosak beamed at Juhyeok.
“Yes! Isn’t the essential element of a class reunion scenario a villain for moral correction? A pathetic villain who isn’t even threatening!”
This was driving him crazy.
“The villain is both the beginning and the end of a reunion scenario. A smooth transition from flexing to righteous punishment—ahh! It’s beautiful!”
There were, of course, objections.
“He’s someone who plotted to lure the summoner. Can his safety be guaranteed?”
“Huh? What do you mean? Summoner Bong’s safety?”
“Then whose safety would it be?”
Kosak looked utterly baffled.
“Is Summoner Bong someone who goes around getting beaten up?”
“…Well?”
“He’s Earth’s strongest. Even if a player activates a Rune of Liberation necklace and charges him, it wouldn’t matter. If he gets hit, the attacker’s fist would shatter.”
Juhyeok nodded.
That was true.
It only felt different because he was surrounded by blood-summoned beings.
Out in the real world, he was stronger than anyone.
The Blood Jade Energy taught by Gwangma, Shadow Step, items that worked even in reality, and the homunculus Marie had made—
“There’s another concern. If Summoner Bong gets angry and slaps the villain even once, that guy’s neck will snap. That’s a murder record.”
Hey, that’s a terrifying thing to say.
“Of course, Director Jeon will stop it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stop it no matter what.”
“Excellent.”
Kosak smiled in satisfaction.
“Then let’s continue where we left off. The temporary girlfriend selection tournament to support Summoner Bong outside.”
Temporary girlfriend tournament?
They really thought of everything.
“First place will receive the honor of being Summoner Bong’s girlfriend for one day. Selection will be done via anonymous vote.”
Kosak handed out voting slips.
Even Director Jeon and CEO Jeong participated.
He even went to Marie’s room to give her a ballot, collected it, and gave a vote to the Blood Wolf too.
Suddenly, Baek Dan-a raised her hand.
“Um… shouldn’t I get two votes?”
“Why?”
“The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal is also inside my body—”
“Rejected. Don’t do something so transparent.”
“Okaaay…”
Soon—
The voting ended.
Time for the results.
“I will announce the winner. The winner is… the strongest in technique, the succubus Diamat!”
An upset.
“Yahoo!!!”
Diamat jumped with joy.
“M-me… eliminated?”
Major Veronica was stunned by her unexpected defeat.
“…That can’t be.”
“A shock.”
“I think I get it.”
“Well, Major Veronica is a bit intimidating.”
But then—
“Wait!”
“…What is it, Fairy Princess Dallae?”
Gyeon Dallae spoke with indignation.
“I cannot accept these results. There may have been fraudulent voting.”
“Your grounds?”
“Even if I didn’t expect first place, it makes no sense that that sly succubus won.”
“Haa…”
Kosak shook his head.
“Princess Fairy Dallae.”
“Speak.”
“The vote was fair.”
“…Major Veronica being eliminated is fair?”
“Yes! Because of the special nature of a class reunion.”
“Special nature?”
“Who should shine the brightest at a class reunion?”
“That would be the Young Master.”
Kosak continued, deadly serious.
“Which is why it’s Diamat. With tireless charm and technique, she provokes jealousy and inferiority in classmates while making Summoner Bong shine. The optimal blood-summoned being—that is the succubus.”
Is that so?
But Gyeon Dallae still looked unconvinced.
“If that’s the case, should I tell you who came in last?”
Flinch!
Gyeon Dallae’s complexion changed.
“I will tell you.”
“W-wait! Don’t say it!”
“Last place is the overly serious shrine maiden and fairy princess, Gyeon Dal—”
“Aaaaah—!”
She looked as though she’d lost everything.
But—
“Just kidding.”
“You wretch!!!”
“Only the winner was tallied.”
Even if Diamat won first place, Juhyeok had no intention of going with her alone.
If he was going to go anyway, then everyone would go together.
No exceptions.
Do-woo and Rajiks, the Blood Wolf, El, Marie—everyone.
Their appearances were a slight problem, but there was a solution for that too.
After all, they now had a blood-summoned being skilled in polymorph magic.
Namely, the defector Hero—Green Dragon Crackers.
With his polymorph magic, they wouldn’t even need Princess Gyeon Dallae’s perception-disrupting talisman.
Going this far just to attend a class reunion—what was the point, really?
Still, honestly, it sounded kind of fun.
He was even looking forward to it a little.
Yeah.
Sometimes you need these unexpected events to put some energy back into life.
Kosak’s greatest strength—and his greatest weakness—
Was immersion.
If he were a film director, he’d be a master of method acting.
If a politician, a master manipulator.
If a businessman, the embodiment of greed who chased nothing but profit.
And now was no different.
As the director of the class reunion scenario, he was completely absorbed.
At this point, he was even pulling Jeon Gwang-il and Jeong Dong-hun into it.
“Director Jeon and CEO Jeong’s roles are more important than anyone else’s.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I will live up to your expectations.”
Watching from the side, it was honestly terrifying.
Just how big was he planning to make this?
The reunion was tomorrow.
He said he was even setting up the venue.
Are they going to roll out a red carpet when we enter the reunion?
Just imagining it gave him chills.
“Ugh.”
He could always just declare that he wasn’t going.
But how disappointed would Kosak be?
He was working so hard—it was hard to stop him now.
This wouldn’t do.
He needed a breather.
He had to pull Kosak out of this immersion.
At this rate, there’d be no end to it.
Maybe entering the tower again would be a good idea.
Wouldn’t that dampen Kosak’s burning passion, even just a little?
“…Mr. Kosak?”
“Yes, sir!”
“It’s been a while since we entered the tower. How about climbing a bit to clear our heads?”
“Huh? Right now? I’m busy to the point of not having time to breathe. No time for the tower.”
Kosak answered with a straight face.
He’d expected this.
“The tower isn’t the issue right now. What’s at stake is whether we get a refreshing soda or a lukewarm one. Do you know how disappointed people would be with lukewarm soda?”
Who’s people?
As if on cue, Major Veronica and Gyeon Dallae jumped in.
“What do you think you’re doing? The Young Master ordered a tower climb.”
“How dare you defy your commander’s orders?”
The other blood-summoned beings piled on immediately.
“How utterly trivial. Do you not know the true duty given to us blood-summoned beings? There are limits to stupidity.”
“N-no, that’s not what I—”
“Silence! When the Summoner wishes to climb the tower, even preparing immediately wouldn’t be enough.”
“You’re really trying to dance on his head, aren’t you?”
“I was wondering why you’d been quiet lately.”
“This is what happens when you indulge him.”
“Hooaah!”
That wasn’t the only reason for climbing, either.
Truthfully, Juhyeok had been curious.
They had safely cleared the giant-monster zone and dragon zone of the Black Tower’s 80s.
So what awaited them from the 91st floor onward?
What comes next?
This was as good a time as any to find out.
Of course, not on their own Earth—but on Earth No. 675.
He wasn’t planning to clear it immediately.
First, he’d identify the mission, then use a Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket.
“Shall we take a quick look?”
“As you wish. We shall guard you safely.”
“Let’s all go together.”
Juhyeok boarded the dimensional elevator with the blood-summoned beings.
He reached out to press the 1st-floor button—
“Huh?”
Something felt different.
There are more buttons?
Before, there had only been two.
Floor 1 and Floor 17.
But today, more buttons had appeared.
Floor 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Four more, in total.
All of a sudden?
Was it because he’d successfully cleared the 90th floor?
Suddenly—
Daring!
[The elevator’s grade has increased. As a result of the grade increase, four additional floors have been unlocked.]
“Floors have been opened.”
“They have.”
“Do you plan to enter immediately?”
“Well…”
Those floors—2, 3, 4, and 5—were probably connected to other worlds as well.
Parallel worlds with a high chance of having already fallen.
Like the world of Max Kruger, the former owner of Floor 1.
“Let’s decide after the reunion.”
For now, he put it on hold.
Juhyeok arrived on Floor 1.
After covering himself with a concealment veil and confirming safety on Earth No. 675, he summoned the blood-summoned beings.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
“Yes, sir!”
He gripped the Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket.
Spot!
[Entering the German Black Tower, Floor 91.]
Floor 91.
What was the environment like?
Nothing.
Just a stark, white room.
What were they supposed to do here?
Suddenly—
Daring!
[World Announcement: A player has reached Black Tower Floor 91 for the first time.]
“…Huh?”
A world announcement just for entering Floor 91?
It felt familiar.
Floor 71 had been like this too.
Back then, a world announcement event had triggered.
All players who entered Floor 71 received gifts.
A four-item gift set.
If something similar happened this time—
[World Announcement: From this moment, the player beginning a great journey… play… pla… pl—]
“…Another error?”
This damn tower glitched nonstop.
[Conditions have not been met.]
[The second world announcement has been canceled.]
“…Huh?”
Tell me.
What was the deleted announcement?
Then—
Daring!
[World Announcement: All players who reach Black Tower Floor 91 will receive one Rune of Trait Enhancement each as a celebratory gift.]
Did he hear that right?
Out of nowhere—
A Rune of Trait Enhancement?
Wow.
He genuinely hadn’t expected that.
Jackpot.
But one per person.
That meant no duplicate rewards.
Well, here it would overlap—
What about our Earth?
Earth No. 1001.
Would they get one there too?
Probably.
They were different worlds, after all.
Anyway, what was the mission in this room with nothing but white walls?
Ding!
[Floor 91 Mission: The Great Journey Toward Completion — First Stage.]
A journey toward completion.
That suggested the end wasn’t far.
But what exactly was this “Great Journey”?
[Details can be viewed after accepting the mission.]
What’s the time limit?
[The time limit for the Great Journey mission has been removed.]
Time limit removed.
Then—
[The mission grading method for the Great Journey has changed.]
[Upon successful completion of the Great Journey mission, the result will always be graded EX.]
“Ah…”
Guaranteed EX if successful.
But that didn’t exactly make him happy.
The removed time limit, too—it all implied extreme difficulty.
[Save functionality has been added during the Great Journey mission.]
[To activate the save function, a Mission Save Ticket item is required.]
A save function, too.
He knew tower climbing was similar to a game—
But just how hard was this supposed to be?
More messages followed.
[While performing the Great Journey mission, the player will not be affected by the flow of time outside the Black Tower.]
[Time and space are completely separated.]
[When the player exits Floor 91, the flow of time will resume.]
A complete separation of time and space.
Previously, time flowed the same inside the tower and outside.
But from Floor 91 onward, that was no longer the case.
While the player was inside Floor 91, time outside would stop.
That means clearing a single floor could take a very long time.
He didn’t know how long—but still.
The Great Journey, huh.
Treating it like a normal tower clear would be a mistake.
Thorough preparation was essential.
[Would you like to accept the first stage of the Great Journey Toward Completion mission?]
No. Next time.
There was no need to use the Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket.
The grading system had changed anyway.
So he simply exited.
Spot!
Still—had Kosak cooled down at all?
With such a grave task like the Great Journey ahead,
A mere class reunion should be nothing—
“Hurry up and dismiss the summons! There’s a lot to prepare! We need to book the salon too!”
…Not cooled down at all.