episode_0018

The Six Guilds.

They are the collective term representing the six guilds that lead the Republic of Korea.

Ranked 1st: 【Mana】

Ranked 2nd: 【Bronze Shield】

Ranked 3rd: 【Underbrush】

Ranked 4th: 【Mechanic】

Ranked 5th: 【Cartographer】

Ranked 6th: 【OP】

Our Underbrush guild ranks third among the six guilds, placing us in a higher position.

However, the sixth-ranked guild has settled in the Golden Tower, concealing its true nature from outsiders like me.

The former sixth-ranked guild managed finances, but we pushed them out, so there are speculations about their connections, though…

No, such information is not the issue right now. Absolutely not.

“Why am I being dragged into such a formal meeting? Can someone explain this to me!!!”

Rrrrrumble~!

We were riding in a limousine for the first time in our lives, still sweaty from just finishing a round moments ago.

What on earth is going on?

“Calm down. Lady Seongyeon wouldn’t act without reason. There must be a purpose behind all this.”

“Do you know the reason for this?”

“Vaguely. But Jin might not. Perhaps they see potential even in a deviant like you.”

“Don’t dress up nonsense as plausible explanations!”

It seems this fake male servant has decided to label me a deviant.

Damn titles.

The bra incident was entirely my fault, and not being able to refute it is the most embarrassing point.

“Calm down. Would I take you there without any reason?”

“I know, but this is so sudden, man. You’re not explaining anything, how am I supposed to calm down?”

“Oh, trust me. You didn’t regret what I introduced you to last time, did you?”

“Gah! What am I supposed to be if you put it that way!? It was awkward, but still-!”

“Oh. Since Seres is here, don’t go into details. Anyway, it was really great, right~? Mmm~?”

Seongyeon seemed pleased.

Damn it.

Getting all cocky because I introduced him to a nice girl.

“Great. Really great. Just awesome, nothing else comes to mind.”

“Is that so?”

But I wasn’t feeling too thrilled about it.

Considering his own words as the best encounter, he poured out his entire luck on me.

Who would have thought a childhood friend could turn into Cupid… My weaknesses will haunt me for life.

“Alright then. Trust only me this time too.”

Saying that, he tapped his chest.

For once, he looked very serious in his suit. Seres, on the other hand, still in servant attire with leather armor, felt too burdensome.

“Is it really okay to go like this? Shouldn’t we dress more formally for the conference?”

“Everyone usually goes in casual attire, so don’t worry.”

“Really? Will you get mad if we’re underdressed and embarrassed?”

“It’s fine.”

“…Trust Lady Seongyeon’s words. If you follow her advice, you’ll reap rewards.”

“Do you know Lady Seongyeon gets overly enthusiastic about things sometimes?”

“It’s human nature to have reasons. Even if you don’t understand, since you’ve received Lady Seongyeon’s favor, it’s best to follow quietly.”

“Good grief.”

Looks like I’m on my own.

But maybe I am being a bit pushy, as Seres and Seongyeon mentioned.

If the attire was an issue from the start, Seres would have thrown a fit.

When we arrive, everything will be clear; no need to be overly nervous… right?

“Why drag me into such a situation? Is this some ploy to introduce me to friends? I find that incredibly awkward.”

My initial goal is to save up in the tower for a comfortable retirement.

Skill upgrades serve as stepping stones, but… could they be pushing me forward?

A feeling of climbing higher, perhaps?

“Don’t be nervous. They are all good people. They might even welcome you from that side.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“Is it for real? They might not be interested in a deviant like me due to their focus on skills.”

“Seres~!”

Next to him, making an anxious sound, he threw a tackle. Seongyeon scolded Jeonggang for doing so.

They seem so close, why aren’t they dating?

“Hmm. That’s why you shouldn’t be too nervous, just relax and breathe.”

“If you need something to drink, let me know when you’re thirsty.”

“Do you happen to have burdock tea?”

“Yes, we do. But wow, your taste is quite unique for your age.”

Reaching into the small fridge in the limousine, he handed over a 500ml bottle of burdock tea.

What? Why is this here?

I used to order it from outside every time because the Top Branch convenience store doesn’t have it…

“I keep restocking it because Seongyeon likes it.”

“Really? Wow, your taste is really peculiar too.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you~!?”

Even though they were friends, they seemed to have some strange overlapping interests.

Admiring such a connection, Seongyeon lowered the window as suggested to cool his head and looked outside.

Unlike the bright vehicles, this place was desolate.

‘Unlike Hwangdong, this area seems ominous.’

The limousine, which had been driving through downtown Seoul, had suddenly arrived at a place with nothing but an open field.

It was like barren land as if a nuclear explosion had occurred. Apart from the massive golden tower erected in the center, there was almost no infrastructure.

‘I bet there are soldiers controlling this place.’

Gray fences labeled “[Restricted Area]” spread widely around the tower. The road leading to the tower was under military control. Although security seemed lax for anyone crawling into such a place, many of them were quite menacing with guns in hand.

‘This is the Tower of Gold. Are the government and guild jointly controlling the interior as rumored?’

Strange. Originally, these were unlikely allies.

Once inside the tower, guilds become lawless groups free from government control. Even the government’s influence within the tower is subject to each guild’s power play.

If someone were to provoke them, they could slaughter those who wield guns and missiles on the spot, overthrowing the nation.

“The government is frustrated because of these unleashed thugs. Why are they joining forces?”

“People are social creatures. Even those with hunter skills rarely physically oppose the law. Like you, most men have rolled in the military until exhausted.”

“I left in the middle.”

“Before that, I mean.”

-That’s the law.

Especially in a world where those stronger than oneself openly rule as rankers, there would be no one willing to stand out. This isn’t a game; here, life is at stake.

“…Wait a minute.”

Isn’t this getting even stranger?

The government is even mobilizing reserves to increase the number of hunters. And now they’re cooperating entirely.

Something is wrong.

“You noticed?”

“Events are unfolding to the point where the government and hunters’ interests align… Is that what’s happening now?”

“Yes. As you can see, the situation is dire. Each guild is struggling to manage the tower, and in the worst-case scenario, they anticipate a collapse in public safety. Right now, they are willing to join hands with even the disobedient ones to overcome the situation.”

“What, a collapse in public safety? Could the tower be reversing!?”

“Not yet, but depending on the circumstances, it could happen.”

“This is insane…”

North Korea went crazy over that. Every country regulated not to touch the tower, considering it sacred, but monsters surged back and led to their destruction.

The tower, a disaster full of gifts.

If brought down, it would share advanced technology with humanity, but without the corresponding skills, it becomes a national-level disaster, a ticking time bomb. Initially, disasters struck each country before the aftermath of the appearance of the tower. The fact that something godlike exists within the tower is particularly sinister.

“Hey. You not gonna explain in detail?”

“For now, I’ll explain once everyone’s gathered. It’ll help you understand quickly without needing to repeat it.”

“Damn it, another secret! Again and again!”

Just as I was about to retort, the limousine came to a stop.

Soldiers approached from beyond the window.

Sensing something amiss, I looked out, only to see them more tense than myself.

“Halt. Halt. This is a restricted area.”

“Regular vehicles are not allowed access. What’s your business here?”

“Oh, excuse me. I’m Song Seongyeon, the guild leader of 【Chomok】. I’ve come to attend today’s guild meeting.”

At Seongyeon’s greeting, their tension seemed to melt away like dough being kneaded, and smiles spread across their faces.

“Seongyeon-nim! We were just waiting for you!”

“You don’t need to show your ID. Orders came from higher-ups just now. Please, come in right away.”

“Thank you.”

They communicated through the walkie-talkie on their chest and opened the heavily guarded entrance.

The road leading to the tower was now open.

“Aren’t they going to check us when we enter?”

“What check?”

“It’s my first time here today, and they let me in without even checking my ID.”

“Everyone knows there’s no need for that.”

“What if someone dangerous sneaks in? Like a criminal high on drugs entering the tower, wouldn’t that happen sometimes?”

“There are many cases like that. Even if such people sneak in, what happens in the tower stays inside. So, honestly, the checks are meaningless for those who can’t be stopped from entering.”

Guy entering the tower = Hunter

Guy blocking = Regular soldier

In other words, it was a meaningless barrier from the start.

“Damn it. Why build walls and conduct inspections if that’s the case?”

“That? At best, it’s just a partition. It’s set up not to prevent entry but to ‘prevent the flow of information from inside to outside,’ so the nuance is different.”

Seems like controlling information is more important than blocking the entrance.

What could possibly be happening inside the Golden Tower that requires such measures…

“Wouldn’t it be better to close your eyes soon?”

“Why?”

“When transitioning here, it’s extremely dazzling.”

“……”

Looking beside me, Seres had already closed her eyes.

How dazzling could it be… As soon as I muttered those words, a fucking bright golden light enveloped my vision.

Flash!

“Aaaaaaahhh!!!”

“If you listen to Seongyeon-nim, you’ll get lucky even in your sleep. Do you understand?”

“Could you shut up for a moment! Stop trying to scratch at every opportunity without timing!”

“…Truly a stupid man.”

Oh, damn it! It feels like a fucking shitty place!

The desolate exterior landscape is no better! I don’t like anything about this place from the start!

“Ugh, is this some kind of noise marketing?”

Thanks to that, I became even more curious about what kind of hellhole this place was, so as my sight returned, I focused on the aura in my eyes to clearly observe what kind of hellhole this place was.