I'm the Only Wizard Climbing the Tower - Chapter 108

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B.

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 108: 108

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The next morning.

I ate breakfast.

It wasn't a very satisfying meal.

"Slurp..."

"..."

"Sluuuurp..."

"Jiho, if you've got something to say, say it. Stop glaring at me like that..."

When I gave my sister an unhappy look, she spoke as though she had a guilty conscience.

I noisily sucked up some noodles and shouted.

"Sluuuurp! Why does this great Extreme Lunatic Hell Wizard Hunter have to make do with ramen for breakfast?! Where's my soybean paste soup, sis?!"

That's right.

Today's breakfast was ramen.

My soul food, King Korea soup, was nowhere to be found!

A Korean's breakfast should naturally come with soybean paste soup...!

Not kimchi stew, beef radish soup, seaweed soup, or bean sprout soup...

Just ramen...?

For a noble and great Extreme Lunatic Hell Wizard Hunter like me to make do with ramen for breakfast!

What a miserable state of affairs!

My sister offered an excuse.

"No, it's just that I've been so busy lately, I haven't even had time to cook..."

Rustle.

My sister spread all sorts of documents across the dining table as she spoke.

I glanced down at them.

'Certificate of bank balance under a shareholder's name, articles of incorporation, shareholder register, corporate establishment registration application, complete certificate of land and building registration, building register...'

What was all this?

When I looked up at my sister in confusion, she let out a deep sigh.

"I've had so much to do lately. I need to handle the paperwork to create that Extreme Lunatic Hell Group you talked about, find trustworthy lawyers, and look at buildings you'll be satisfied with..."

"Slurp..."

"And lately, I've been sending out those prototype packages. I also have to find people overseas who'll try your Hair Loss Treatment..."

"..."

"At least the hiring problem has mostly been solved. We have to consider your personal safety, and there are so many matters related to national security, so we couldn't hire just anyone... But the National Intelligence Service said they'd help us. Thanks to them, I think we'll be able to hire plenty of trustworthy people soon."

"..."

"Honestly, even having two bodies wouldn't be enough these days. I'm so busy. That's why I couldn't make breakfast today. I'm sorry. Just make do with ramen today. I'll definitely make soybean paste soup tomorrow."

Hmm.

It seemed my sister had been very busy lately.

I'd given her more than a few things to do.

She hadn't even had time to cook at home!

That made me feel a little guilty.

I'd complained because breakfast was lacking, but it turned out everything was because of the work I'd caused...

I nodded and spoke.

"Our Extreme Lunatic Hell Group's vice president has been working very hard. Should I give you a bonus, sis? I'll give you around 100 billion won. Buy whatever you want! Oh, right. Want a few more Reverse-Aging Potions? I still have plenty left."

My sister was working this hard, yet all I could give her was...

Money in the tens or hundreds of billions of won, a huge mansion, imported cars, Reverse-Aging Potions, and the title of vice president of the Extreme Lunatic Hell Group.

I'm sorry for being such a useless little brother!!!

My sister snickered.

"What money? Forget it. Don't feel so bad. Honestly, I'm doing it because I'm having fun too."

"You're having fun?"

"Yeah. It's fun. It feels like I'm right beside you, watching you save our country and help it grow. It makes me a little proud, too."

"Oh."

My sister didn't seem particularly unhappy about having so much work.

I'd felt guilty, but it was a relief that she said she was fine.

Scrape.

My sister rose from her seat.

"So leave all the miscellaneous work to me and focus only on what you need to do, Jiho. Okay?"

"Wakatta."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I understand."

My sister snickered and left.

Dressed in a suit, she gathered up the documents, seemingly heading out for work again.

My sister really did have a lot to do.

I'd have to work harder too.

And so, I made do with ramen for the first time in a while.

Still, ramen for breakfast was a little disappointing.

Should I look into hiring a housekeeper soon?

* * *

After finishing my meal, I focused on gathering information.

The first thing I checked was the news.

[U.S. President Torumph to Make Unofficial Visit to Korea This Afternoon... Blue House Dinner Planned.]

[Online Reviews of Miracle Hair Loss Product Cause a Stir. Medical Community Says, "They're Only Reviews. Don't Put Too Much Faith in Them."]

[Korea Electric Power Corporation Halts Bond Issuance Entirely. Returns to Monthly Profit.]

[Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Falls Below 2,300 Won... Imported Prices Begin Falling in Earnest.]

[Hunter Kim Taeseok's Seventh Week Stranded on Floor 41. Government Says, "Rescue Plans Still Under Discussion."]

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Denies Reports of Deploying Its Hunters Overseas, Calls Them "Groundless."]

...

All sorts of noisy news filled the internet today as well.

Most of it was good news.

My soulmate, Torumph, was coming to Korea to see me.

And testimonials from people who'd experienced the effects of the Hair Loss Treatment seemed to be appearing on Hunter Gallery one by one.

On top of that, thanks to my Magic Stone Reactor working hard, the electricity supply had stabilized completely.

The exchange rate had finally dropped below 2,300 won too, allowing the people of King Korea to enjoy cheaper prices.

And then there was this.

[Hunter Kim Taeseok's Seventh Week Stranded on Floor 41. Government Says, "Rescue Plans Still Under Discussion."]

"Sir, just wait two more days. This Extreme Lunatic Hell Wizard Hunter will come save you."

It seemed old man Kim Taeseok, Hunter Gallery's guide-post king, was still alive.

[Chinese Foreign Ministry Denies Reports of Deploying Its Hunters Overseas, Calls Them "Groundless."]

"Looks like those Chinese bastards caused trouble somewhere again."

Those Chinese bastards were being a nuisance all over the world today too.

This time, was it India? Southeast Asia?

Either way, they were trash who went around kidnapping other countries' Hunters.

After gathering enough information from the news, I was done.

An intellectual like me keeps up with current affairs, making sure not to miss domestic or foreign news!

I needed to know how the world was doing these days.

I couldn't just look at online communities all day!

After that brief period of cultural enrichment, it was time to settle my Points.

Han Seonga came to our house.

[Please designate the amount of Points to transfer to the 'Republic of Korea.']

"All of them."

[Transferring 685,000 Points to the 'Republic of Korea.']

"Hunter Baek Jiho, we have confirmed 685,000 Points. We will deposit 6.85 billion won into the designated account. The Republic of Korea will remember your dedication."

Bow.

Han Seonga bent deeply at the waist in a ninety-degree bow.

"Can't lose."

Bow.

I gave her an identical ninety-degree bow.

Han Seonga's eyes widened.

"J-Jiho?! Why all of a sudden...?!"

My ninety-degree bow made Han Seonga look flustered, a rare expression for her.

Even when American and Japanese agents had invaded, she'd always kept a cool expression.

Yet a single ninety-degree bow from me had rattled her this much.

What a precious sight!

I straightened up and spoke.

"I heard from my sister this morning that the National Intelligence Service has been helping us out in a lot of ways. I'm grateful. Please take good care of my sister. I'm asking you."

"N-No, Hunter Baek Jiho. The company you established is essential to the Republic of Korea's security and economy... I only did what was natural..."

"Still, I'm genuinely grateful."

"Really... I'm grateful enough for the thought."

I discreetly examined Han Seonga's expression.

Her usual expression was so cold that it wasn't obvious, but there was deep gratitude and emotion on her face.

At that moment, I realized something.

One small kindness from someone important.

That alone could deeply move the people below them!

'No wonder politicians always go around eating fish cakes and hotteok at traditional markets.'

It was a political technique I'd come to understand after becoming an important person myself.

Anyway.

After clearing her throat, Han Seonga spoke quietly.

"Jiho. I have some news to tell you."

"Yes. What is it?"

"President Trump is scheduled to arrive this afternoon. And President Trump..."

"He's coming to see me, right?"

"That's correct. So, would you be able to visit the Blue House today? A private dinner is being planned."

The Blue House was asking to see me at Torumph's request.

I readily nodded.

"Sure. But it'll be difficult in the afternoon because I have to enter the Tower. I'll come around dinner. I can't take even one day off from climbing the Tower."

"Of course. Then we won't set an exact time and will notify them that it will be sometime in the evening. Once Hunter Baek Jiho returns, if you let us know your exact schedule, we'll arrange it then."

"Okay."

I made plans to visit the Blue House around dinner that evening.

I'd go there, treat Torumph's hair loss, and have a lively chat with him.

* * *

Around lunchtime, I began preparing for today's climb.

In other words, I browsed the Raid Team board for a while.

I was looking for information.

'There'll be a High Black Mage on Floor 39. I should gather information about it.'

I needed to know what kind of magic it used and how strong it was.

That way, I could efficiently squeeze every spell it had out of it!

Anyway, I logged onto the Raid Team board.

[Waaah... This Hunter loser wants a girlfriend...]

[Today's meal is~~~!]

[Guys, is it really weird if your toilet is in the middle of your room?]

[What's with those Japanese bastards lately? They're poking around everywhere like their feet are on fire.]

[When are they selling that Hair Loss Treatment or whatever... Sell it already...]

[Holding my breath until that bastard Baek Jiho reaches Floor 41]

...

As always, the Raid Team board made my head spin.

I clicked my tongue.

"Our country's High Floor Hunters, honestly. Instead of diligently climbing the Tower, they're sitting around on online communities writing shitposts...!"

They should use online communities diligently, like me!

Unlike me, who had the wholesome purpose of seeking information, they sat there endlessly and wasted time...

What pathetic fools!

Anyway.

I quickly searched for and read a post.

[(Information) How to Clear Tower Floor 39]

[Author: Kim Taeseok (40)]

Hello, everyone.

I finally cleared Floor 39 yesterday.

Recently, Choi Yejin cleared Floor 37, and Yu Seunghee cleared Floor 35. Congratulations to both of you.

I'll leave my guide here, so use it for reference later.

I can't carry you right now because I have my own party members, but I should at least write a guide...

Anyway, let's begin.

When you first start, you'll see a massive, magnificent building on fire.

That's the Imperial Palace, and the objective of Floor 39 is to destroy the altar inside and leave through the Escape Portal.

First, look around.

The ground is pitch-black and sticky. Hundreds or thousands of Ghouls roam around. It reeks of sulfur, and the smoke limits your visibility...

It's going to be a fucking awful situation.

Move quickly and get over the Imperial Palace's front gate.

The palace will be burning.

Watch out for the fire and head to the biggest building you see.

Take out any Ghouls you see on the way as quickly and quietly as possible. Be careful, because if you make a loud noise, hundreds or thousands of Ghouls will swarm you.

Kill or avoid Ghouls, then keep going until you reach the deepest part of the Imperial Palace.

If you keep advancing, you'll reach the audience chamber at the very back of the palace.

There's an altar and an Escape Portal behind the throne inside the audience chamber, and a High Black Mage will be around the throne.

Kill the High Black Mage or lure it away.

Then break the altar and take the Escape Portal. That's how you clear Floor 39.

But this High Black Mage is incredibly strong.

It fires Magic Bullets like a machine gun.

It spams Curse magic too.

It lets out some kind of black mist and casts a wide-area contamination spell.

And when it casts the contamination spell, the Ghouls seem to get stronger.

When the black mist touches them, they suddenly become much more powerful.

It won't be easy to deal with.

Honestly, I barely cleared it after around ten attempts.

My arm or leg almost got cut off, but luckily I had a potion left, so I barely managed to reattach it.

Magic Bullets hurt...

You guys should be careful too. Bring plenty of potions.

It's much stronger than ordinary Black Mages or War Black Mages, so never let your guard down.

For reference, there isn't much loot.

The entire Imperial Palace is on fire to begin with, so there isn't much left...

If you're lucky, you might sometimes find a Grade 2 artifact or a potion, but that happens maybe once a month.

Why are the High Floors always a sea of fire?

This sucks.

Anyway, good work, everyone!

I'll upload my crude map as an attachment, so use it as a reference.

If any of you clear Floor 39 after us, add whatever information you can and write your own guide.

We need to raise the next generation.

Later.

└Choi Yejin (38): Sir, don't you have any tips for Floor 38? Why are there so many War Black Mages in that academy? I almost died.

└└Kim Taeseok (40): Run around until your feet sweat.

└└Choi Yejin (38): Sir, there are two Hard-rank Hunters on your team, including you, right? What if I reach Floor 40, then we form a party? If we combine Yu Seunghee, me, the two of you, and Park Mincheol, that's five people, so we might be able to clear Floor 41.

└└Kim Taeseok (40): I hope so. But I don't know if it'll work out. I keep seeing people considering emigrating overseas these days... I don't know.

└Yu Seunghee (36): Sir. What do you think about emigrating to Europe? I've been considering it lately. Would you be interested in coming with me?

└└Kim Taeseok (40): Don't go. Korea is more comfortable to live in. What would you even do in Europe? Get a noble title and play at being a noble? Do you think they'll really treat you well there?

└Oh Sanghyeon (22): Wow, the High Floor Hunter bros are amazing... A High Black Mage. So monsters worth 30,000 Points appear up there. Holy shit.

└Kim Minjun (24): Making a pilgrimage.

└Song Seongmin (21): Seeing that fucking traitor Yu Seunghee's comment pisses me off. So this was around when that bastard emigrated.

└Go Donghyeon (22): That motherfucking Yu Seunghee. Choi Yejin and Kim Taeseok raised and carried that bastard so much, and now the fucker emigrates.

└Park Gyu (22):

└Jo Jihun (21): Making a pilgrimage.

...

I read through the post.

Since it had been written in the past, the mood of that time remained clearly intact.

This was when Kim Taeseok, Korea's number one Hunter, had just cleared Floor 39.

I looked at the post and muttered quietly.

"I always get help from old man Kim Taeseok. I've never even met him in person, but I feel close to him."

When I was a complete newbie Hunter struggling on the Lower Floors, he'd helped me with the Hunter Gallery guide posts.

After graduating from Hunter Gallery and coming to HunterNet and the Raid Team board, I was getting most of my High Floors information from his guide posts.

He was someone who helped me in many ways.

I looked through his post history.

[Kim Taeseok (41) Post History]

[Looks like our country is short on Points. I should push myself and clear some floors. Going to farm Points.]

[Those Americans are persistent. I said I'm not going to America.]

[I need to tell Choi Yejin to stop drinking Reverse-Aging Potions. Choi Yejin's liver got healthier, so they keep trying to drink.]

[Fuck You, you're our hope... Hurry up and come to Floor 41... There are barely any Hard-rank Hunters left in our country.]

[Our Points situation is precarious... I should work harder this month.]

[My leg almost got blown off... Luckily, I had a potion left, so I survived. Hell yeah.]

Seeing Kim Taeseok's post history, I could feel how dedicated he was.

Just wait a little longer, old man Kim Taeseok.

I'll clear Floors 39 and 40, break into Floor 41, and save you soon!