AECS 36

Chapter 36

Tower of Trials – 10th Floor

The power of the Light-Speed Rune was incredible.

According to the trainer, it was strong enough to allow an earlier attempt at the 10th floor of the Tower of Trials.

‘Honestly, if the trainer grows properly… even the 20th floor wouldn’t be impossible.’

However, Baek Jin-woo didn’t have the resources to fully upgrade the trainer’s runes yet.

‘For now, 10 floors will have to be enough.’

Even as it was, it wasn’t bad at all.

No, the growth speed was absurdly fast.

‘If I get greedy now, that would be shameless.’

About two weeks passed.

During that time, Yu Ji-ah kept her promise.

She really came out to the training ground every morning.

She worked hard for exactly one hour, then went to the office.

“Isn’t it tiring every day?”

“No, not at all.”

Jin-woo had asked once, and Yu Ji-ah even said she wished she had started earlier.

“That trainer of yours…”

“Yes?”

“It’s unbelievable. I’ve trained with the best trainers in the country, but I’ve never seen a summon explain things so clearly and neatly, just through gestures.”

Even without speaking, it taught so clearly.

“After just an hour here, my whole body feels refreshed, and my muscles feel like they’re tightening instantly.”

“Haha, really?”

It made sense.

After all, the trainer was specialized for training.

Baek Jin-woo was seeing the effects too.

Anyway.

“Today, I want to challenge the 10th floor.”

“The 10th floor… the Tower of Trials? Already…?”

“Yes.”

Everything was already prepared.

Technically, he could have climbed since Lamba set up the Light-Speed Rune, but he wanted to be fully ready.

“This should end quickly again. About 10 minutes?”

“R-Really?”

Ten minutes? That sounded impossible.

Two years ago, even the world’s top-ranked Rachel took over 30 minutes to defeat the boss.

‘Well.’

Who was in front of her?

It was none other than JinuGod, whom even Rachel greatly respected.

‘I keep forgetting.’

“Have you ever seen me lie?”

“Of course. I can believe that. Oh, then!”

Yu Ji-ah’s eyes lit up.

“Can we wear equipment this time?”

“Equipment? I’m not selling Tower of Trials info…”

“Yes, I know.”

Yu Ji-ah nodded and pointed at Lamba, the trainer, and the Sky Wyvern in turn.

“You’re keeping information about those summons secret for now, right?”

Jin-woo flinched.

‘How did she know?’

Then again…

“Don’t look at me like that. Of course I could guess. All three are summons I’ve never seen before. Searching won’t help. And all the Friday Dungeon records include those summons.”

Yu Ji-ah was clever.

She had guessed why Baek Jin-woo had used so many low-grade summoning scrolls at first: it was because of these summons.

“Hm.”

Baek Jin-woo cleared his throat.

“I’m not keeping info secret to sell it. I want to use it later, when Baek Jin-woo grows really strong and can confidently reveal everything as promotion material.”

“Promotion material, huh.”

True. Any record could be useful.

Even not for promotion, it was good to see oneself objectively through video information.

“As for info leaks, we’ll secure it with a contract. If you’re uncomfortable, we don’t have to do it.”

“Phew, really?”

Baek Jin-woo looked at her carefully.

Yu Ji-ah.

Could she be trusted?

Could he get closer to her?

Judging by everything so far…

‘Yes.’

She treated her family well, gave her best to him, and most importantly, was always a huge help.

‘Even just looking at the Light-Speed Rune.’

Could she have gotten it just by wanting it?

A rune limited worldwide?

Even if she bought it, it would have cost much more than usual.

But Yu Ji-ah?

With Daesung’s backing and her experience in such trades, she made it possible.

“……”

Baek Jin-woo thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Good. Come over here for a moment.”

“Eh?”

He beckoned her with a hand.

“I’ll reveal one of my secrets.”

“A secret?”

Yu Ji-ah’s eyes widened.

‘Could it be…’

Her heart started pounding.

Was he going to reveal that he was JinuGod?

But unfortunately, the secret wasn’t that.

“Trainer, come here for a moment.”

• ……!

The trainer walked over silently during training.

“You may speak in front of Yu Ji-ah from now on.”

“Eh?”

Yu Ji-ah looked confused.

The summon could speak?

Yu Ji-ah, who always loved players and summons, had never seen a speaking summon before.

“Jin-woo, what do you mean by that…”

• Yes, Master.

The trainer bowed and spoke simply.

• It was a bit frustrating to train silently every morning, but now I don’t have to.

“……?”

Yu Ji-ah’s pupils widened at the sudden words.

“H-Huh?”

She was so surprised that she almost fell backward.

This wasn’t just speaking—it was fluent!

• Jin-woo! Jin-woo! Does that mean I can talk too?

Lamba flew over excitedly.

“Yes, Lamba, you can speak too. You’ve been itching to talk, right?”

• Rich lady! Don’t come empty-handed next time, bring some cream buns! Always coming empty-handed was too much!

“…!”

Yu Ji-ah almost fainted at Lamba’s nonsense.

And then…

• Nice to meet you, Yu Ji-ah. I’m always grateful for your help with Master Jin-woo.

Even the Sky Wyvern spoke.

Yu Ji-ah stared at them with her mouth wide open.

It felt like a well-trained pet suddenly started talking.

“Actually.”

Seeing her reaction, Baek Jin-woo smiled.

“This is why I don’t want to release info. My kids can talk.”

Ah… now it made sense.

‘…No way!’

How could this happen?

After a while, Yu Ji-ah recovered and asked a lot, but Baek Jin-woo stayed silent.

Samsung-dong Player Zone

Four figures gathered in front of Jamsil Tower.

Baek Jin-woo and members of YuBaek.

“Be sure to clear it safely!”

“They say the 10th-floor bosses have the highest player death rate. Be careful, both of you!”

Kim Byung-jin and Hwang Tae-seop cheered.

Recording devices were already on.

Everyone, including Yu Ji-ah, was tense.

Of course.

Three years ago, most domestic rankers had died here.

The Ghoul King, “One-Eye” (S-Class).

On a global scale…

Even now, players were being shredded by it somewhere in the world.

But.

“I’ll be back soon, so why don’t you have a rare team lunch today?”

Baek Jin-woo stretched calmly.

“For lunch, how about galbitang?”

“Not just galbitang—you could even take them to a top-tier Hanwoo omakase. Just make sure you come back alive.”

Yu Ji-ah said worriedly.

Of course.

The moment Baek Jin-woo died, YuBaek was finished.

“Don’t worry.”

At that moment, Baek Jin-woo’s gaze turned icy cold.

Even if his face was calm, in the Tower of Trials, he always gave his all.

Even with experience clearing the 100th floor,

He had to stay alert and focused on every floor.

But still.

“There’s no way I’ll die on the 10th floor.”

Absolutely not.

[Entering Tower of Trials.]

[You can challenge the 10th floor.]

[Do you want to challenge?]

[Y/N]

“Yes.”

He had already moved close to “One-Eye” (S-Class) from the 9th floor.

Meaning the battle would start immediately upon entry!

Woosh!

His vision changed, and the concise mission appeared.

[This is the 10th floor of the Tower of Trials.]

[Defeat the 10th-floor boss, “One-Eye” (S-Class).]

• GRAAAAAHHHH!

The roar of the massive ghoul filled his vision, shaking the ground.

“Hooah.”

Thanks to the shield, there was no impact, but the sound alone was terrifying.

Over 10 meters tall.

Saliva dripping from its mouth.

Long arms and sharp claws.

‘Focus, stay sharp.’

“Lamba!”

• Yes!

Whirr-whirrr!

Lamba with the Light-Speed Rune swung its staff toward the trainer.

The Sky Wyvern started gathering magic.

All other summons rushed forward.

Their job was to hold the line until the trainer’s stacks built up.

• GRAAAHHHH!

The ghoul raised its arms and swept downward.

KRAK-KRAK-KRAK!

The largest Titanium Golem was crushed in one blow.

Low-health summons were forcibly recalled.

This was terrifying damage.

‘It’s okay.’

It didn’t matter if the meat shields were hit.

Only two had to survive: Lamba and the trainer.

The enraged ghoul continued to fight the summons.

• Kkirurururu!

The Wind Falcon flew overhead, giving a movement speed buff to the trainer.

• Master, I’ll move soon!

The trainer leapt forward, gaining speed.

KRAK-KRAK-KRAK!

Meanwhile, the ghoul’s attack split the Spotted Komodo in half.

Blood poured out, intestines spilled, but it didn’t die.

Summons don’t die—they just return if HP is low.

• Haaah!

The trainer climbed the ghoul’s arm at incredible speed and stabbed its sword in.

Thunk!

Compared to the massive ghoul, it was just a scratch.

• Huh.

KRAK-KRAK-KRAK!

The ghoul started using both arms, ignoring the trainer and sweeping other summons.

An S-Class summon’s power was insane.

Other rankers’ victories seemed miraculous.

‘But whatever.’

Baek Jin-woo watched calmly.

No matter how strong, if the trainer couldn’t hit precisely, it didn’t matter.

Swish, swish!

The trainer moved quickly, avoiding attacks and targeting the ghoul’s eye.

The single central eye.

Pew-pew-pew!

The speed increased until it was almost invisible.

Even a toothpick, if stabbed 100 times per second, could be deadly.

• GRAAAHHHH?

Feeling the pain, One-Eye raised its hands to cover its eye.

• Hmph, covering your eye won’t help. Can’t hit me with it open, think you’ll do better closed?
• Wow! Trainer! Amazing!

It was over.

Stacks had reached their limit.

The trainer’s eyes probably saw the ghoul frozen in place.

Just stab anywhere like crazy.

‘Yeah.’

This was an EX-Class summon.

The power of the once-bugged Lamba.

• Done yet? Want me to keep swinging? Yap-yap-yap!
• GRAHH! GRAHH! GRAAAAAHH!

Eventually, One-Eye couldn’t last 10 minutes and kneeled.

Then…

Sky Wyvern Technique.

Combination.

Link.

Kug-gag-gag-gag!

From the Sky Wyvern’s staff, red dragons shot out.

• GRAAAAAHH!

One-Eye let out its final roar and burned.

Baek Jin-woo felt nostalgic.

‘Back then…’

It had been a massive boss he died to countless times in Battle of Summoners.

Now it was defeated so easily.

This was the difference information made.

[10th-floor boss “One-Eye” (S-Class) defeated.]

[Congratulations!]

[You have conquered the 10th floor of the Tower of Trials!]

It was also the power of an EX-Class summon and a graduation rune.