episode_0019

The golden egg enveloped us.

The limousine raced through the white landscape, traversing a world of nothingness, causing the world to stretch tightly like a rubber band before bouncing back.

The extended scenery was a mundane yet beautiful city. It neatly shattered my expectations.

“Is this inside the Golden Tower?”

The wheels didn’t stop. Even after the [transition], they seemed to have known from the beginning that there would be roads inside the tower and continued on.

“It’s like a completely different world compared to over there.”

I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

-The world was surrounded by oceans, with a massive island forming a nation.

-Countless roads stretching into the sky were entwined like Shinto torii gates and rice straw ropes.

-Despite running at such heights, the roads hanging in the air did not sway at all.

-The end of the sky road we’re traveling on, a hub leading to the tower and the city center.

-High-rise buildings lined up around the tower.

-A city formed around the tower. Most large buildings clustered there, with the height of the buildings decreasing as they spread outward.

-Thus, the entire island seemed like a mountain turned into a city.

…This is gold.

Isn’t it more than just a city-state?

I’ve heard the White Tower is impressive, but this place truly feels otherworldly.

“I can’t see the end. When I looked closely at the Bronze Tower, I could see the end, but here, even looking from afar, it doesn’t come into view.”

Elaborate decorations attached to the outskirts symbolized the authority of the tower.

As we passed through the roads hanging in the air and entered the city, people enjoying the sea like in Hawaii and hunters wearing splendid armor stood facing each other.

There was a distinct difference.

Not just in one sense, but in several senses.

“Welcome to the Golden Tower. We sincerely welcome you to the gathering place where the greatest minds of humanity convene.”

I barely managed to calm my nerves as we rode in the taro cart.

*

We arrived at the top floor of a skyscraper erected closest to the Golden Tower, seemingly competing with the tower itself.

The building was so tall that it subtly made me dizzy. The discomfort heightened as my sharp nerves clashed due to the altitude.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Master Seongyeon.”

“Are they all inside?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, am I too late?”

“No. You’re just 1 minute before the appointed time.”

Ignoring such a day, the bald man in a black suit guarding the entrance to the top floor chuckled.

He glanced at me beyond his sunglasses. An evaluating gaze.

“Is that the person you’ve been making a fuss about, Master Seongyeon?”

“Yes. The savior I brought. Perhaps the Master Key who will resolve this matter.”

“Everyone is expecting you. Not just me, but all the guild leaders.”

…?

What is he talking about?

“Hey! Song Seongyeon!”

“Sorry. Just showing off a bit~!”

Hehe, he chuckled cutely.

What nonsense has this guy been spreading around!

“What the hell, you brat! Where did I show off? What corner did I have to boast about that!”

“He said he’ll explain when we go inside! Come on, let’s go in. Everyone is waiting!”

“Don’t cause a ruckus here. Who are you to me? Why are you acting like this to me?” I grumbled, but eventually, I quieted down and followed them into the conference room.

That moment.

“───!!”

Thunk!

My body felt heavy.

Afraid it might slump forward if I relaxed my strength, I forcibly held myself up with Aura, strengthening my body.

What’s going on?

Curious, I raised my head, only to feel numerous eyes piercing through my fragile heart.

“Damn! Is this a trap!?”

Various thoughts crossed my mind.

Is this a large-scale guild assembly, or perhaps an enemy attack?

Thinking it might be an assault from an opposing guild targeting Seongyeon, I intensified my Aura more aggressively…

Thud thud!

“What are you all doing? I told you he’s my friend.”

With the sound of Seongyeon’s clapping, the pressure was relieved.

I felt light.

But the pressure?

“Sorry. I stood up without thinking because the second rank was talking nonsense.”

“Haha, you’re not a complete coward if you endured it! Lucky us!”

“You guys are so extra. Stop with that boyish greeting. Can’t handle that vibe as an older lady.”

“That’s true. Even though he’s the talent brought in by the third rank, what will happen if he feels bad?”

“Even you… got surprised, right…?”

A conference table distorted like the letter ‘ㄷ’.

The figures seated there each spoke in turn.

I know them.

Since they are hunters, there’s no way I wouldn’t.

“I shouldn’t have come here for real….”

Let’s say I’m a low-level production worker at a company.

I’m just a cog that can be replaced at any time.

Being in the same room as conglomerate leaders managing subsidiary companies is akin to that.

“……….”

“Oh man. Just managed to calm down Changgi’s tantrum, and now it’s ruined because of you guys. How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

“Sorry. I didn’t expect it to go that far.”

“It’s usually surprising! I was surprised at first too!”

“For someone who said that, the adult seemed calm from the beginning…?”

They chatter. The idols of hunters and celebrities are gossiping about me.

I wanted to speak up as usual, but not knowing what to say, I hesitated, and they stood up first as if reflecting on their mistakes.

“Let’s break the ice and start with self-introductions. First, I am Imyeong-eun, the Grand Witch of Bronze. My name is Ian. I’m Korean just like you. It’s too awkward to call me by my full name, so feel free to call me Ian.”

Platinum hair dyed to perfection on a fair beauty.

Overall looking sophisticated, the star tattoo under her cheek was playful.

Her attire, revealing shoulders like a witch… it might sound crude to put it this way, but it felt like [a surprise cosplay prepared secretly for a boyfriend].

‘I know. She’s the sub-guild master of the top guild, Mana, ranked 1st.’

She’s a famous person.

Her own ranking is 6th, in the top tier.

Were we around the same age?

So she must have remembered clearly….

“Hunter grade SS. Current ranking 1st. Currently serving as the guild master of Mana.”

After tearing apart the information I knew, she suddenly revealed different information.

…1st place?

“Wait. You were… as far as I know, you should’ve been ranked 6th?”

“Oh. You knew my old ranking? Wow, that’s really flattering.”

“Surely there wouldn’t be a hunter in this country who doesn’t know your face.”

“Really? But among Koreans, there’s this thing, right? If you’re not 1st, they tend not to remember. 6th is quite an ambiguous number, so many people don’t know.”

Chuckling, she continued.

“So, just to clarify, I am currently ranked 1st. Remember not to forget even an unwanted 1st place.”

“……….”

She said ‘currently.’

A sense of foreboding crept in.

Mocking my tension, another person stood up and began their self-introduction.

“Hahaha! I am Natalia Ambrosio Fernandez of Hogeom! Call me Natalia!”

-She was female.

-Unlike our cute herbivorous calf, this one is carnivorous.

With long brown hair fluttering like a lion’s mane, distinctive feline eyes. As our eyes met, her overall appearance caught my attention.

The impressive brown-skinned female warrior perked up her tiger ears. Her mouth was smiling fiercely, resembling a hungry tigress searching for prey. The jeans she wore not only hung low on her hips but also left her black strap panties visible due to the unzipped fly.

It seems like she’s not wearing a bra even under the crop top she has on, is she into exhibitionism?

“Right! I was the vice-guild master of 【Bronze Shield】 guild! My ranking went up too! Remember, I’m second in the ‘current’ Hunter rankings!”

“Second?”

I know her.

Natalia.

A world-famous criminal who freely conquers the towers of various countries.

As far as I know, her ranking was probably 7th.

“Wait….”

Feeling a tense atmosphere, I glanced to my side.

Seongyeon, who hadn’t taken his seat yet, smiled like a fox.

“You too, perhaps?”

“Well then, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Song Seongyeon. Alias: 【Adult】. I am the guild master leading 【Chomok】, and I am the top ranker at 3rd place in the ‘current’ Hunter rankings.”

Third place.

One of the tops in this country.

Wait, what the hell?

“The rankers present here are a total of 8 people. From 1st to 8th place, including Suya excluding you.”

“???”

Suya was 12th.

But within the top 8? Just like that?

“My apologies for misleading you. This is Seres, currently holding the 7th position.”

“What the…?”

My heart raced.

Trying to understand the situation, I organized the information I just heard.

【Agreement Witch】 6th → 1st

【Ho-Gum】 7th → 2nd

【Adult】 9th → 3rd

【Housekeeper】 12th → 7th

So… it turned out like this?

And collectively, all the rankings rose at once?

It can’t be.

“Now that we have your attention, please take a seat.”

“And now, what?”

“Well, about the secret we’ve been keeping. The reason we brought you here. Everything.”

Seated between Seongyeon and Seres, all eyes were on me.

『『『『………….』』』』

All the strong ones from 1st to 8th place watched me.

In the world of hunters, their stars subtly shone on insignificant me.

‘Damn. I miss my cow. I want to cry while burying my face in its udders and chewing on them.’

Standing in the air that felt like it could suffocate me was the 【Agreement Witch】.

She was the representative, the leader, the strongest.

“Let me apologize again. Even though Seongyeon is a friend, I’m sorry for putting you in such a burdensome situation.”

Yet, she was humane.

Apologizing for my sake, she smiled kindly, and I could finally breathe.

“Realized, haven’t you? We are the authorities representing the Golden Tower. This gathering is also a place for coordination. Normally, we share information on security, counseling, expeditions, or tower-related matters… ultimately working together under the goal of [rescuing our precious ones].”

Rescue? Together?

…And even pooling our strength?

Unexpected.

Words that should not come from the mouths of hunters who should compete with each other, especially the representatives of each guild.

“Together? Who?”

“…Who do you think?”

My words became the starting point.

All the rankers who were seated rose again.

They entrusted themselves to the burning passion, revealing everything without reservation.

“I, the former guild master of 【Mana】, for my precious mother.”

-The 1st-ranked 【Agreement Witch】.

“Similarly, for my mentor, the former guild master of 【Bronze Shield】.”

-The 2nd-ranked international criminal, 【Ho-Gum】.

“For my loved ones suffering because of the tower, and the friend beyond the sea who joined me in 【Chomok】.”

-Seongyeon, who held the 3rd position.

“For the future of the 【Mechanic】 guild and my precious child who supported me through difficult times.”

-The 4th-ranked Ginger, the redhead who had yet to introduce herself.

“For the wonderful friends who enjoyed being with me in 【Cartographer】, and to reclaim the life taken by the tower~♪”

-The 5th-ranked girl with an impressive smile carrying a large backpack.

“For the owner of 【OP】, and for the benefactor who took me in….”

-The 6th-ranked beauty in a sleek black suit.

Excluding the remaining 7th and 8th ranks, everyone pledged.

Confident, rough, and absolutely not refusing in front of me, who knew nothing.

『『『『We will conquer the rotten tower and rescue our precious ones.』』』』

A tightly bound oath.

Passion boiling within.

Engulfed by their genuine sincerity, the tension that had been restraining me vanished like smoke.

I found myself listening intently to their story.