episode_0026

I headed back to the dimly lit city, towards the street where the auction was taking place.

This is the territory of Madame, ranked 6th.

Even though it was still daytime, this place was slightly dark, and the scantily clad women all glanced at me with curiosity.

“You must enjoy all the attention.”

“Ah, it’s awkward to stare so intently. Unfortunately, this body belongs to someone else.”

“I feel bad.”

I exchanged the usual banter with Seres.

But, indeed, it’s the Tower of Gold.

Not as high-ranking as the Rankers, but the average beauty level of the hunters mingling with the prostitutes here is impressive.

“I wonder how the people here would react. Maybe they could give some rank experience?”

…Hmm.

These people are colleagues. They didn’t come here by choice.

“I’m already giving a bad impression to Seres, so there’s nothing good about causing trouble here.”

Deciding it wasn’t necessary to make a fuss about having a girlfriend, I followed quietly behind.

“Excuse me.”

“Surprisingly small, isn’t it?”

“This is Madame’s territory. Her guild home covers this entire street. It would be best to refrain from causing any violence here.”

Seems like you’ll get beaten up and thrown out.

Feeling the power she holds, I resolved to show respect and headed down the stairs towards the underground 1st floor.

Madame was sitting at the entrance counter.

It looked more like a cheap entertainment bar than a residence.

“…Seres?”

She looked over.

Her first impression, a “beautiful woman in a black mourning dress.”

The eyes visible beyond the black hat and mourning veil were dark and gloomy. Her long black hair and tired black eyes looked so sad. If a man who liked this atmosphere saw her, he would unconsciously want to comfort her.

Standing up, she was a beauty even with heels. Her skin was fair and smooth.

“Hello, Madame.”

“Seres… and the person behind you… is that him from yesterday?”

“Hello, Madame.”

Madame from 【Putanesca】.

The tone of that name was difficult, so I just called her Madame.

She nodded as if there was no problem with being called that.

“Hello… welcome to my Willow Tree….”

Willow Tree.

Is that the name of the shop?

As I was wondering, she brought up something as if it were a familiar matter. As if it were a familiar thing.

“You’ve come here to prepare to climb the tower, right?”

“Yes. I came to say hello while I’m at it. Yesterday, you left before I could greet you because you didn’t want to complicate things.”

“You looked confused…”

-If you come uninvited, you’ll be kicked out.

But she relaxed when I didn’t get angry and showed composure.

“It seems like you’ve sorted out your thoughts quickly.”

I nodded.

“I didn’t expect you to decide so quickly…”

“I’m quick to get annoyed, so I’m also quick to calm down. I didn’t feel like getting angry when you were so humble.”

“Here, you make the men happy, but in the end, you pay the price of joy.”

She nodded.

“Many people have hidden themselves in the tower for our sake, so I also had a lot of concerns about this place…”

“I know what you mean. But don’t feel pressured because I’m the one who made the decision. I plan to conquer the 10th floor and come back down.”

“You have great confidence.”

The round eyes behind the veil looked surprised when they glanced at me.

“There are about two reliable people pushing you forward. One of them will be removed immediately if they return safely.”

“Seongyeoni is quite impatient…”

“Yes. Everyone seems to be saying the same thing.”

“I see. She must have a tendency to keep a lot to herself, trusting only her own information, which is why she has been quiet lately, but it seems like she’s caught another bug…”

“Hmm.”

Although it was different from the image I had of Seongyeon, considering what she had done this time, I understood what she was trying to say.

“…I’d like to chat, but for now, the Tower takes precedence. If you come back safely, drop by. I’ll treat you like a hero.”

“A hero, huh? That’s an awkward title.”

“To me, you’re a hero. Please conquer the Tower and open the next level, I sincerely hope for it.”

With that, she took out a skill card.

…A card?

Why would there be a card there?

“Don’t be surprised. It’s a skill card I received from a guild member.”

“Where do you intend to use it?”

“Just hold onto it for a moment.”

“Yes? Yes…”

I received four agreement cards.

No matter how crappy they may be, in an era where even someone like me without skills is struggling, they are very valuable items.

“I provide a buff for a certain period of time in exchange for collateral. If you return the strength I shared before the buff time ends, I will return the collateral as well.”

So… if I just return the buff on time, I can get back the item I put up as collateral?

“This is an unbelievable skill. It’s too favorable for me.”

“However, the collateral is significant. If you fail to return before the buff ends, the collateral you received will be permanently lost.”

Wait… then why did she give me the skill card?

“[Pledge Trade of the Oak Tree] Activate.”

“Whoa!”

Madam’s hand glowed briefly, and the four crappy cards she handed me disappeared.

In an instant, energy overflowed from my body.

Strength, vitality, even clarity of mind.

“Whoa… what is this!?”

“The collateral is four agreement cards. The duration is four days. However, the collateral is not good, so the buff is weak.”

“…This is weak?”

“If you only focus on the current open level, it will be very helpful. Please return it after it ends.”

I struggled to contain the overflowing energy back into my body.

It felt like becoming a superhuman for a moment?

Maybe even capable of flying in the sky?

‘This is a skill of a high-ranked player… even though it’s an amazing skill, if I die, I can’t return the buff, right?’

I looked at her again.

Now I understood why she wore formal attire like everyday clothes.

After receiving collateral and giving a buff, if that person dies in the Tower, she will notice it faster than anyone else.

‘She’s someone deeper in the game than I am.’

The reason why Bridgette Nune always asked me to be her companion, even though I always looked depressed.

‘I really can’t afford to die.’

Another woman I like has been added to the list.

*

“Oh, our cute little one is here.”

“You keep changing the way you address me.”

“The first time I called you a young man, but that doesn’t sound right… should I keep trying different titles until I find the right one for you?”

“You’re really overthinking the titles.”

After the buff, I visited the Mechanic Guild home to get new equipment.

With Seres leading the way, I had a free pass to the guild leader.

She pulled out a stylish long jacket coat as if she had been waiting for me.

“Here you go. I had a feeling you would come, so the old lady prepared this all night long!”

“It looks expensive, is it okay?”

“If you clear the 10th floor and come back, I’ll give it to you as a gift. Until then, it’s on loan.”

“What if I die?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. As a hunter, you shouldn’t think about what happens after you die, right? Let’s just go for it for now!”

“…Alright.”

I put on the coat.

It fit snugly and felt sturdy. Since it was a long coat, the fabric was wide enough that even if I were attacked from behind, everything except my head would be protected.

“Awesome, right? I took down a monster on the 90th floor of the Tower of Baekun. It’s waterproof and the durability is top-notch. Not to mention the arrows and fire attacks. Oh, Ian provided the materials! The creator is a lady!”

“This isn’t my style, though.”

“We have better gear for you, so don’t worry. It’s just a sturdy outfit with no special effects anyway.”

I don’t really need special effects like that.

I decide to ditch the gear I was wearing and opt for a coat for my upper and lower body. It feels lighter and more durable.

“Aren’t you going to take that off?”

“This is lighter.”

I take off the leather armor I was wearing and put on the coat.

It’s definitely lighter.

“Hey, what’s this? It’s really cheap. Even though you’re from the Tower of Hwangdong, you should wear better gear.”

“I can handle this level of difficulty even with this.”

“Is it really your skill level that allows you to wear this?”

“Come on, don’t be too hard on me. It’s a burden for those who are about to climb the Tower.”

As I stretch my body in the coat I’m wearing, Nuna and Seres look amazed at the armor I’ve taken off.

I’ve been wearing it for a few years since entering the Tower, so it’s a bit shabby.

But is it really that surprising?

“Wait, what’s this? It’s heavy… What did you put inside?”

“It’s a kind of restraint at this point.”

“Hey, junior. Tell me honestly. Did you climb the Tower wearing this? Are you kidding me about the lady?”

“I’m serious.”

“I thought about it yesterday too, but you’re really crazy.”

I don’t understand what they’re saying. My gear performs better than it looks.

It’s something I have an attachment to because it has saved my life several times.

“Hey, servant. Give our junior a beating?”

“Yes. Quite a beating.”

“What, you’re praising him that much?”

“It was just a normal exchange of blows, regardless of personality or skill.”

“Skills?”

“No, it wasn’t sincere, but it was just a friendly match.”

“Insane. Seongyeon said she found a talent from somewhere…”

Today, there are a lot of people who are supportive.

They seem to be eager to send me to the Tower, almost making me think they’re serious.

Let’s stay calm.

It’s good to be proud at times, but when it comes to the Tower, humility is the key to a long life.

“What weapon do you use? Auntie will lend you anything you want.”

“I use my bare hands.”

“…Bare hands? Why?”

“If I bring a weapon, it’s easier to kill.”

“Wow, this guy is really a talent, huh?”

I didn’t understand what Nuna was saying.

I just admired the lightness of the new gear and headed to the square, ready to climb the Tower.