Chapter 14
Association Chairman Choi Hyeok was suffering from a headache because of the latest EX+ result.
First the Tutorial.
Then Floor 1.
The unbelievable results had focused the entire world's attention on South Korea.
"What about America?"
"Yes. The American side is currently requesting information about the monstrous rookie."
"As expected."
Choi Hyeok sighed.
America currently possessed more top rankers than any other country.
Whenever they saw someone with potential, they promised enormous compensation, including permanent residency, and recruited them aggressively.
The gap had widened little by little.
Now America was so far ahead that no other country could seriously threaten their position.
"It isn't just America. China, Japan, Russia, and many others are doing the same."
Since America had established such overwhelming dominance, other countries were desperately trying to reduce the gap.
Naturally, they would try to bring Seong-un to their own country.
It was fortunate the Association had activated Lock.
Otherwise, the competition would've expanded from guilds to entire nations.
"Reject them."
With Lock active, even America couldn't do much.
In fact, they might even welcome it.
For a fixed period of time, nobody except the Association Chairman could view the climber's information.
That meant America didn't need to worry about another country stealing him first.
The confidence of those who already have everything.
Tutorial EX.
Floor 1 EX+.
He had repeatedly produced results beyond ordinary human understanding.
His potential had practically been verified.
America was currently the country exploring the greatest amount of unknown territory.
Naturally, their climbers also claimed many hidden opportunities first.
That meant they could promise treatment worthy of Seong-un's results.
If that's the case... going to America might not actually be bad.
Choi Hyeok's goal wasn't to make South Korea stronger.
His goal was to reach the top of the Tower and prevent destruction.
"Yes. I'll handle it immediately. Also, this is a request from Climber Yoo Seong-un."
An employee carefully placed the note received from Team Leader Jang Byeong-jun on the table.
Eight items were written on it.
"Prepare them immediately and send them."
"Yes!"
[Apparently an NPC named Hudin died?]
-We're supposed to get the headband from him, right? Then how the hell are we supposed to get the headband now? ㅡㅡ
└Lies are flooding in just because EX+ showed up. You assholes.
└I watched the broadcast myself. He definitely wore the headband.
└Yeah, but we need to get that headband from the NPC, and now nobody gives it.
└Maybe it's just an ordinary item?
Seong-un quickly skimmed through the Community and chuckled.
Once EX-rank appears, the route never appears again.
It didn't matter whether it was the first occurrence or a later one.
According to the memoir, once someone achieved EX on a floor, that floor changed so nobody else could obtain EX again.
They'll naturally figure that out with time.
More people would look at Seong-un with awe.
But just as many would begin trying to keep him in check.
That only gave him more reason to climb higher.
He would rise until they couldn't even feel jealousy toward him anymore.
"More importantly, are you going to keep following me from behind like that?"
He had asked Jang Byeong-jun to gather materials while he went out.
Instead, Jang Byeong-jun handed the note to another employee and followed Seong-un personally.
"Yes. I'm here to protect you in case anyone attempts to approach you."
Clearing Floor 1 with EX+ didn't suddenly make Seong-un overwhelmingly powerful.
Strictly speaking, he was still only a beginner.
That made security essential.
"Just don't get in my way."
"Of course. Please go about your business and don't worry about me."
How could he not worry about him when the man was staring that intently?
Seong-un shook his head and entered an alley.
Three men who had been crouching there smoking cigarettes immediately noticed him.
Their eyes lit up like predators spotting prey.
"Hey. Come here for a sec... Gugh!"
One man tried to approach Seong-un.
Before he could get close, Jang Byeong-jun, who had been watching from some distance away, suddenly appeared and grabbed the man's throat.
"Do you want to die?"
At his terrifying voice, the other two men froze like stone.
Their legs shook uncontrollably from fear.
"Since you're not answering, I'll take that as a yes."
Crack.
Jang Byeong-jun grabbed the man's right arm and broke it without hesitation.
"Uuuugh!"
The man's eyes turned bloodshot.
Tears streamed down his face.
Since his throat was being squeezed, he couldn't even answer properly.
He struggled desperately to escape Jang Byeong-jun's hand.
It didn't budge.
"I'll ask one last time. Do you want to die?"
Jang Byeong-jun turned his gaze toward the other two men.
"Hiiik!"
Apparently loyalty didn't exist among them.
They turned and fled as fast as they could.
Seong-un looked at them with contempt before turning toward Jang Byeong-jun.
"You can let him go now."
"Yes."
Jang Byeong-jun's fierce eyes instantly softened.
He released his grip.
The man, who had been seconds away from passing out, gasped violently and sobbed.
"Cough! Cough! P-Please spare me..."
He was so terrified he could barely speak.
I could've handled that without him.
Seong-un had only just started climbing, so there was a significant gap in raw stats.
But his experience could easily compensate for it.
Still, it was convenient to let Jang Byeong-jun handle these things instead of wasting energy.
Seong-un continued walking.
After staring at the man for a moment longer, Jang Byeong-jun followed.
At the same time.
Han Geon-woo stood in a corner, glancing around while waiting for someone.
"Haah, seriously... Why the hell did he call me to a place like this?"
Seong-un had summoned him to the Street of Alchemy.
The people responsible for raising South Korea into an alchemy powerhouse were treated exceptionally well while practicing their craft.
So what kind of place was this?
This was where alchemists who had fallen behind because of failures and side effects during the refinement process gathered.
"Fuck..."
At that moment, Han Geon-woo noticed a staggering man approaching and moved aside.
"Bleeergh!"
The man braced one hand against the wall where Han Geon-woo had just been standing and vomited everything in his stomach.
Han Geon-woo frowned at the disgusting scene.
"This place is insane."
Fortunately, the unpleasant waiting ended there.
"Been waiting long?"
