Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 77



Only Krnovel

Episode 77: The Raccoon of the Twilight Desert (3)

Pass the pass-

However, the part where the mace’s head made contact turned into sand dust and scattered into the air.

The corners of the leader’s mouth, with only the lower part of his face remaining, formed a crescent moon.

“What a divine blow… … . I feel it, you have potential. A very great potential! Why not serve me now? The highest happiness blossoms in faith.”

“This is fucking crazy.”

The saintess raised her mace again and struck the leader’s body.

Pass-

However, the leader’s body turned into a grain of sand and just swayed in place like a mirage.

“It has a rather finicky personality, but it’s a bit difficult to tame… … .”

Suddenly, the leader flinches.

“This… … seems like some very distinguished guests have visited.”

Was it only then that I saw those who were standing in front of Lee Ji-soo?

The smile on the leader’s lips slowly disappeared.

‘Did you say pioneers?’

Being stuck in the desert doesn’t mean you lack information.

No, he was more sensitive to information than anyone else, dreaming of paradise.

‘After the disbandment of the advance party, a newly established attack force… … was formed. It was a new clan where each and every member was a big shot.’

Honestly, after the advance party disbanded.

I was wondering if some crazy guys would show up to conquer the tower.

There seem to be a lot of crazy people in the world.

“If you have come here with an interest in the Stairway to Heaven, we will gladly receive you. Are you interested in the doctrine of the Stairway to Heaven?”

“No way. But what you did is interfering with the strategy.”

“Hahahahaha! Are you trying to say that people with your level of skill find my tricks burdensome?”

Despite his hearty laugh, Lee Moon-joo was inwardly embarrassed.

He didn’t know that the top rankers and named raiders would come looking for him just because he had blocked the path a little.

“Rather, it’s that your sponsor is uncomfortable with your actions. That’s all.”

“……sponsor?”

Lee Moon-joo, who had been rolling his eyes, opened them wide.

“The shopkeeper of the fantasy world? I can’t understand it any more… … .”

The fantasy shop owner was famous for suddenly opening shops in strange places.

It must have been so bad that he was even given the nickname of Golden Goblin by the raiders.

That’s why Lee Moon-joo couldn’t understand it even more.

“I don’t think this incident will have any negative impact on his business?”

“I guess so, he’s such a free spirited person. But that’s what he wants.”

Lee Moon-joo felt a cold sweat run down his spine at Lee Ji-soo’s answer.

“… … You must know what it means to attack me. I have made a pact with the rulers of other layers!”

Just like he ate the 36th floor using the Stairway to Heaven clan.

In most layers, there are clans that each exert strong influence.

And he made a pact with the heads of those clans.

When a clan dominating a floor is attacked.

This is called the ‘Ruler’s Agreement’, which actively supports that clan.

“If this fact becomes known, will other rulers remain silent?”

“Ruler… … That’s a nice thing to hear.”

Lee Ji-soo snickers.

“But in the end, aren’t there only stragglers who are afraid of dying and stay on the lower floors? If you’re confident, tell them to come up to the upper floors.”

“… … .”

Lee Moon-joo could not refute it.

At least for those who wanted to see the top of the tower, it was true that they were cowards and losers.

It’s unpleasant. It’s a great blow to the pride of the leader of a religious sect.

but.

‘… … The priority now is to overcome this crisis.’

If there had been one or two of them, I would have considered fighting them.

But fighting here now is crazy.

‘Fighting with Lee Ji-soo is crazy.’

How many clans have tried to attack her and been destroyed so far?

How many assassins have had their necks cut off?

Even Lee Ji-soo is not the only one in this place.

‘Guardians of nature, saints, massacres… … .’

It would be a foolish choice to stand up to them, each and every one of them a giant.

‘I’d rather run away… … .’

At the moment when Lee Moon-joo was about to open his mouth, considering running away as a last resort.

Lee Ji-soo says with a smile.

“You can run away. Instead, the 36th floor will be completely destroyed in an instant. Every single believer on the Stairway to Heaven will die, and even the natives who were deceived by your doctrine will die.”

“If we kill the natives, we will incur their resentment… … .”

“That’s when it’s a normal floor. And the size of this floor is small, right?”

Bam-

‘If I run away, are you going to destroy my entire home? … .’

It’s a fatal hit for him.

Besides, if it’s that girl Lee Ji-soo, she’s more than capable of doing more than that.

‘But if you say that… … does that mean you have no intention of killing me directly?’

Lee Moon-joo opened his mouth with a forced smile.

“I think you want something from me… … . Right?”

“Repair everything you’ve ruined. After that, you can live however you want, whether you want to be a king or a cult leader. Oh, but I’d rather live quietly like a mouse, like before.”

“… … .”

Looking at Lee Moon-joo, who was trembling with humiliation.

Lee Ji-soo smiled brightly.

“If it doesn’t help, don’t bother me. Oh, right.”

She turns her head and speaks to the man who is standing there frozen in place.

“Tell Alves that I hope the balance scales don’t cross the line. If they do, I’ll stop the attack for a moment and destroy all the balance scales spread across all floors.”

With those words, Lee Ji-soo waved at the group.

“let’s go.”

“Do you not have to kill me?”

Lee Ji-soo nods her head to the saint’s question.

“Not now? But on days when warnings don’t work, we’ll have to take action.”

Just as the pioneers were about to leave the palace.

Lee Moon-joo gives them a loud scolding on the back.

“… … Is it so wrong to dream of paradise?! Is it so wrong to want happiness!”

“Live happily. But don’t cross the line we’ve drawn.”

“Fuck, fuck!”

* * *

3 days later.

[The sand hole blocking entry to the 36th floor has disappeared.]

[What is the intention of the desert raccoon?]

[It seems there was intervention from pioneers.]

I was amazed watching the videos uploaded on YouTube.

‘It looks like it’s really been solved.’

The giant sand hole, once a dream, was gone.

The footage showed the raiders walking through the desert, sweating profusely.

‘I feel this once again, but the influence of pioneers is quite significant.’

The ruler of the 36th floor, cult leader Lee Moon-joo.

Commonly known as the desert raccoon.

It was a well-known fact that he brainwashed the natives and secretly ruled the 36th floor.

But then he immediately turned his back on me.

‘Is this what a good influence is?’

Regardless of how Lee Ji-soo pressured the cult leader.

Anyway, isn’t the result this positive and beautiful?

‘Anyway, I’m glad it ended as a short incident.’

With this, the conquerors who had been meaning to conquer the top will be able to begin conquering it again.

In addition, materials will be distributed normally again.

‘I need to make sure to pack two bags of frozen food. That’s that, but I need to get ready first.’

I turned off my cell phone and went out of the room.

Empty-

The kitchen, which would normally be busy working, is unusually quiet today.

No, not just the kitchen.

It may be because all the items in every space, including the kitchen, rooms, and bathroom, were emptied.

Today, the space feels particularly spacious.

‘I left things like the bed and drawers there just so I don’t arouse suspicion, but I think this is okay, right?’

Today is moving day.

After looking at real estate for quite some time, I found a good place.

I’m going there today.

‘Just in case, let’s take a look again one last time.’

I checked again to see if any of the missing amanas were rolling around on the floor or if any of the iris leaves were stuck somewhere in the kitchen.

‘It’s neat.’

Yesterday, thanks to the slaves, led by the clone, cleaning all day, there wasn’t a speck of dust in the space.

That was the last time I checked my grounds.

Dingdong-

A bell rings outside.

“who are you?”

“This is a moving company.”

“yes!”

I quickly went out and opened the door.

“hello.”

“Yes, hello! Shall we get started right away? Oh, but you don’t have much luggage.”

“Yes, I guess I don’t have much luggage since I live alone.”

The moving company employee laughs heartily.

“At this rate, it should be over in an hour. There are quite a few refrigerators, aren’t there?”

“I ate a lot, haha!”

Fortunately, I cleaned it well beforehand.

The staff didn’t seem to be particularly suspicious.

“Anyway, let’s get started right away. By the way, this will take some time. I’ll contact you once the packing is finished.”

“Yes. I’ve already packed the important stuff separately, so once you’re done packing, please move into the house you’re moving into right away. There are no tenants, so you can move right in.”

All the potted plants of Amana and Iris that I had already grown were loaded onto the truck.

And the clone, the swan, the tin can, and Balina are left in my car.

“Let’s do that.”

“Okay, thank you for your hard work!”

‘It was a place I had grown fond of, but it’s a bit disappointing.’

Since it is a space that has been around for a long time, it would be a lie to say that I don’t have any regrets.

‘But we’re going to a better place.’

I slowly turned my back, taking in the sight of the one-room apartment.

* * *

A few hours later.

Unlike regular moves which usually take all day.

My move was completed in just a few hours.

‘This is… … my new space.’

I smiled as I looked at the single-family house with the spacious yard.

‘Not bad.’

In fact, it wasn’t so bad, I was quite satisfied.

The wide fence surrounding the house seemed to guarantee my privacy.

Although it was a bit old, the wooden single-family house seemed to have its own charm.

‘Yeah, it has to be this big to do anything.’

I walked slowly into the house.

“Tch!”

“Pheh heh!”

You can see the clone and the swan busily running a vacuum cleaner and mopping the floor.

‘I’m excited. Well, I guess that’s what it can be like.’

It must feel good to finally come to a bigger place after living in that cramped, cramped space.

I walked through the central living room and headed toward the kitchen.

‘Ugh, this is the kitchen.’

In a space the size of a conventional one-room apartment, refrigerators that used to take up almost all the space can fit in and still have room!

If this isn’t a kitchen, then what is?

I also like the sink in the shape of the letter ‘ㄷ’.

‘Put the roasting machine over there, and let Balina roast the beans over there… … and let her slice the bread over there… … Okay, that’s it for the kitchen. Let’s go up to the second floor… … .’

Dingdong-

“Delivery!”

‘Oh, you’re here?’

It looks like the items I ordered for moving day arrived just in time.

“Hello, boss! This is a bit bulky. Where should I put it?”

“Could you please park me next to the stairs? Oh, that would be perfect. Thank you.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work!”

I nodded as I looked at the 1-ton water tank the porter had left behind.

‘There was no place to put this in my previous house, but here it’s spacious enough to put it.’

There was only one reason I ordered a water tank.

‘Fill this with water, then drop a drop of Eldragora… … .’

Pongdang-

I quickly scooped up some water with a ladle and tasted it.

‘Ugh, this is it!’

This makes it very easy to mass-produce turret aids.

‘Considering the amount of Eldrago left, I guess it will last at least a year?’

There’s also an underground floor.

The plan was to remodel the place a bit and grow golden amanitas and irises there.

‘It would be nice to grow it in the yard, but other people might notice.’

There is a possibility that a thief might break into your house.

I wasn’t worried at all.

‘Because I definitely trained Baekgu and Balina.’

I guarantee that the thief will be beaten before he even gets over the fence.

I went back into the house and called my clone.

“How are you, Clone?”

“It’s just crazy! The place I’ve been living in until now is so big that it feels like a pigsty!”

“Right? At this rate, even if I leave for a while, you’ll be able to take care of it yourself, right?”

A question mark appears on the clone’s face.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just emphasizing this again in case something like this happens.”

“I’ve done it and seen it so far, so it’s easy.”

Well, the clone will do well.

‘Honestly, I think he drives better than me now.’

“But Master, honestly, at this point, isn’t there no reason to go into the tower anymore? Even if you attacked it directly, it wouldn’t have been meaningful?”

right.

Even though I succeeded in conquering the ‘Dimensional Corridor’ that had not yet opened.

My name is not engraved on the strategy stone.

“So we created pioneers, but there are still some things we haven’t tried yet.”

“An experiment you’ve never tried?”

“Even if it’s impossible for me to attack directly, I thought I could at least create an environment.”

Go to the ‘country layer’ that has not been conquered yet.

I’ve thought about whether it might be possible to change the environment into one where easy strategies can be developed in advance.

Of course, I haven’t been able to confirm this yet because I’ve never fallen into a country layer that hasn’t been conquered yet.

“Oh! That could be possible?”

“Well, even if that’s the case, we don’t know what will happen. The feasibility is also ambiguous. That’s why we created pioneers. It’s more certain than ambiguous.”

“I hope so.”

I nodded at the clone’s words.

“Well, that’s that, a café is a café. Don’t forget to manage it well.”

“… … .”

“Still, get enough rest today. Oh, are you already resting?”

I chuckled as I looked at the can swimming in the tub filled with sesame oil.

“Let’s not think about anything today and just enjoy ourselves.”

okay.

Today is a happy day.

For now, all you have to do is enjoy this moment to the fullest.

* * *

Two days later.

“Umm… … .”

‘Even if I try not to care about this, it still bothers me.’

I frowned, looking at my phone.

“Sir, what’s going on?”

I smiled awkwardly at Seon-ah’s question.

“Oh, I decided to go out and hang out with some friends today.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It’s fun. It’s fun, but… … those guys wanted to meet at our cafe.”

Yes, that’s right.

The problem is that my friends come to the cafe.

‘Of course I understand that the guys are trying to sell me a cup of coffee… … .’

But I can’t figure out what those guys will think when they see the Inseong Cafe.

‘How many guys can truly congratulate me on my success? No, rather than congratulating me, I just hope that there are no cracks in our relationship.’

At that moment, I let out a small sigh.

Seon-ah taps my arm.

“Sir, I think you need to take a look over there for a second.”

“hmm?”

I looked at the window that Seon-ah was pointing at with her finger.

“Hey, hey! Kim In-seong! Hey hey! Look this way!”

“Ugh, I’m dying. Hey hey! Stop making coffee and come look at us!”

Aren’t those guys waving their hands like crazy from outside the window, in the style of a mountaineering club you might see while climbing a mountain?