Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 78



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Episode 78 Tourist Attraction, The Tower of the End

“… … .”

I blankly stared at my friends and then walked over to the window.

“You guys… … don’t come in and what are you doing there?”

“Yanma! How can I get in with all these people lining up like that? You’re so self-conscious!”

I scratched my head at Dong-Hyeon’s protest, his face already bright red.

“Then why didn’t you just call?”

“……oh?”

“There was a way? Why didn’t I think of it?”

“That’s right! That kid, is he a genius?”

Dong-Hyeon and the other two guys look at each other and talk.

‘Idiots… … .’

I looked at the three idiots and smiled.

“Okay, just come in, you punks.”

The guys entered the cafe cautiously, keeping an eye on the waiting customers.

“Hey, Inseong! Speak frankly! What the hell is going on?”

At Dong-hyeon’s question, Han-seong and Jae-jun, sitting next to him, also nodded.

As I never properly explained to my friends how my cafe had changed since the cataclysm.

It was not surprising that the guys were surprised.

“I don’t think it was like this when I came last time.”

I nodded my head while looking at Dong-Hyeon, who was still dazed.

“That’s how it was. But as the menus got a good response, more and more people started coming. And that’s how it ended up like this.”

“Hey, wouldn’t that be a lot of money?”

“And what’s that? Gourmet Guide to Stars? Oh my… … .”

While my friends couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Dong-hyun looked at me and gave me a thumbs up.

“Hey kid… … you did it. Congratulations.”

“thanks.”

“If I ever retire, please hire me as a janitor.”

It wasn’t just Donghyun.

“You really worked hard. You’re finally seeing the light.”

“So. Raise your glass!”

The other guys also toasted my success with glasses of water.

“Thanks, guys.”

“Thank you. You rolled and rolled all the way here, so what do you have to be thankful for from us?”

Dong-Hyeon smiles and pats my back.

“Oh, but congratulations, my stomach still hurts.”

“Because you earn a lot?”

“That’s true, but I’m really jealous of how free you seem. Aren’t we company dogs, tied to the company every day and living our lives centered around the company?! Oh, I’m getting pissed off thinking about going to work again.”

I smiled inwardly at Dong-Hyeon’s words.

‘Still, thank you.’

To be honest, I was really worried.

I wonder if my success is affecting my relationships with my friends.

But I felt relieved when I saw those guys congratulating me on my success, even though they said they were jealous.

I was having a light conversation with my friends.

We introduced the guys to Insung Cafe’s signature menu items.

“Boss, please explain the menu.”

“That’s a turret ade, this is Inseong coffee, the scent of the sea, mixed herbal tea. There’s a cup of shaved ice, Geoshin tteokbokki, the devil’s waffle, bungeoppang, and a special sandwich. Now, try them.”

“Ugh, the scent is killing me.”

Guys who stuff drinks and food straight into their mouths.

“What is this…?”

“woah…….”

“You’re back.”

The guys let out a groan-like final word.

Instead of talking to anyone, everyone fought and started eating the food in front of them.

After a while.

“There’s a reason why a store that’s a huge hit is successful, right?”

“I admit it. Honestly, if it was in front of the company, I would come here every day.”

Dong-hyun, who pats his stomach with satisfaction, unlike Jae-jun.

For some reason, Hanseong’s expression didn’t look very good.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

When Dong-Hyeon looked at Han-Seong like that, he asked.

Hanseong shook his head.

“No, I just felt like I had some kind of awakening.”

“Enlightenment?”

“I guess I need to be at least this good to be able to start my own business. I guess I need to reconsider becoming self-employed.”

Jaejun adds a word to Hanseong’s words.

“I’ll explain it to you. Inseong is half of what they sell at cafes… … No! Even if it was half of half, people would still line up to eat it.”

“Half and half… … . That doesn’t seem easy either.”

“Or, you could ask Inseong to tell you the secret.”

Dong-hyeon’s eyes change at Jae-jun’s subtle remark.

“Hey, that’s because character is just like capital, so how can you explain that?”

“… … Is that so?”

“If you’re going to ask for a favor, you should pay a fair price and ask if you can open a second branch of Insung Cafe.”

Hanseong, who was next to Donghyun, shook his head at Donghyun’s words.

“No. I think I should reconsider self-employment. It might be better to just go to work.”

“Yeah. I think it’s better for people like us to just get our paychecks on time.”

“Anyway, let’s get up now that we’ve eaten. We need to move quickly to be able to digest our meal.”

Dong-Hyeon stands up and hands me his card.

“What is it?”

“What? If you eat it, you have to pay.”

“Okay. What kind of money is that? Put it away.”

I pushed the guy’s outstretched hand away.

Dong-Hyeon smiles faintly.

“This is so sweet!”

“But what are we doing today?”

It’s obvious where four men would go together.

It was true that there were limits to where I could go, such as PC rooms, billiard halls, bowling alleys, or board game cafes.

“I don’t want to use up my golden vacation days and go to a PC room again, but I have something in mind.”

“Oh, Dong-hyun! What were you thinking?”

“Let’s all go on a tour of the Tower of Doom!”

“… … ?”

Not only me, but also Jaejun and Hanseong just blankly looked at Donghyun.

“What a sudden surprise.”

“No, listen to me. I’ve only been watching videos on YouTube, so I wanted to go and see it for myself at least once. Don’t you think that’s okay?”

“I don’t mind, but if I want to go and see it, don’t I need to make a reservation in advance?”

Dong-hyeon makes a meaningful expression at Jae-jun’s question.

“I made a reservation in advance.”

“okay?”

“Yeah! When else would we go to a place like that? Sometimes, we just go and take a look around.”

I agreed with Dong-Hyeon’s words.

“I agree. It seems better to do that sometimes than doing the same thing all the time.”

“me too.”

“Okay, so everyone agrees? Then let’s go right away. There’s not much time left until our reservation time.”

* * *

We took the subway.

We arrived at the ‘Tower of the End’ station, formerly called Gyeongbokgung Station.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

“It really is a tourist attraction. Look at all the foreigners.”

There are certainly a lot of people.

‘They all came to see the tower.’

I raised my head.

The Tower of Doom is clearly visible, standing tall enough to pierce the sky.

‘That’s the Tower of Doom.’

Unlike what I saw in the video, it was so huge and magnificent that it even felt overwhelming.

I wonder if I’m the only one who feels that way.

“Wonderful!”

“Amazing!”

Exclamations and the clicks of cell phone cameras could be heard from foreigners everywhere.

“It’s a bit steep. Does that have a top too?”

“I guess so? They say it’s about 500 stories high, as observed from space. But you never know. What you see isn’t everything.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that. But Dong-hyun! Where should I go?”

“I have to go and buy a ticket first. Let’s go quickly. We’re going to be late! If we’re late, there’s no refund! Thinking about how hard it was to make the reservation… … .”

We walked towards the tower.

Soon we would come across a huge checkpoint.

“Oh, this must be the top checkpoint. I heard that it’s part of the tourist course to go around the checkpoint. Do you want to try that too?”

“I told you I’m going to be late! Come in quickly!”

We went straight into the checkpoint.

With so many people coming and going.

Dong-Hyeon, who had been away for a while, returns and speaks.

“We’ve changed our tickets, so we can go through that gate.”

“Hey, but why is the security check so strict? It seems worse than at the airport.”

Jaejun, who already looks half-tired, sticks out his tongue.

Well, it couldn’t be helped, because they checked for identity as well as prohibited items.

“There’s nothing we can do. Before, those criminal bastards conspired and tried to break through the checkpoint.”

“But why did those little convicts try to get into the tower?”

“Well, it’s possible to have a new start? We won’t have to worry about being chased by the investigation bureau. Anyway, let’s go in quickly.”

We entered gate number 7, which Dong-Hyeon had mentioned.

Let’s walk the long road for a while.

“oh!”

We arrived at a large room with a bright open view.

Inside the room, people who appeared to be tourists were already looking at the tower with the telescopes they had brought.

Soldiers who appeared to be part of the World Peace and Security Forces were standing guard.

“Hey, it definitely looks better now that I’m here. It’s so cool.”

Dong-Hyeon, who bought a telescope from a merchant outside the checkpoint, shows off the telescope.

“Oh, cool! That must be the door to the tower. Is it a real iron door?”

I stood next to Dong-Hyeon, who was admiring me, and stared at the tower.

‘That’s amazing.’

The tower, which is a place closer to me than any other place, now feels so far away.

This feeling is unfamiliar and yet fascinating.

At that time.

“Hey, Inseong! Look over there! It’s people!”

Dong-Hyeon points to the front of the tower.

“Oh, really? I guess they’re trying to get into the tower.”

People standing in an orderly manner.

Perhaps they are people who have passed the test of the Tower Management Department and are trying to enter the Tower.

‘What would it feel like to stand there?’

What kind of thoughts do people who have come this far without any external attachment have?

But is there still a shred of lingering desire for the outside world?

Or is there really no more regret?

‘Either way, it’s true that you’ve made a big decision.’

As I was looking at the people standing in front of the tower.

A loud voice rings out from that direction.

“This position means that you will be completely cut off from the world! And this position is also the position where the last chance remains! Once you start, there is no turning back! So, will you still enter the tower?!”

“yes!”

It seems like no one is hesitating.

Then the voice of the soldier who appeared to be the guide rang out again.

“We don’t know where this tower came from or what it looks like! But we do know what kind of place it is! The tower is a place where there are countless dangers and possibilities, an unknown world! We, the World Peace and Security Forces, will bid you farewell at the end and cheer on your new beginning!”

The soldier’s words ended.

The people standing in front of the tower begin to move slowly forward.

“Oh, it’s moving! It’s moving!”

“… … Are you really going in?”

We all held our breath and watched the footsteps of the would-be attackers.

Soon they stood in front of the tower door.

Gggg …

The huge iron gate slowly opens to welcome them.

Inside, light streamed out, shining brightly as if ready to swallow up the attackers at any moment.

“position!”

Were you afraid to go in right away?

Unlike the momentum from before, some people are showing signs of hesitation.

Some people walk into the light.

“Ooooh! Crazy! It went in! It really went in!”

Starting with Dong-Hyeon’s cheer, everyone, even those who were hesitating, started to greet him.

bang-

The door closed quickly as if it had never opened before.

‘and…….’

I gulped as I looked at the firmly closed door.

‘Those people… … I guess we can assume they won’t be able to come back now.’

But do they know?

The new continent that was discovered while dreaming of a new beginning, but the truth is that if you don’t conquer that new continent, everything will be destroyed.

‘Well, maybe ignorance is bliss.’

Their presence on the tower is nothing more than a tiny possibility.

How many of them will adapt and survive in the tower, and how many will truly want to conquer it?

‘Is there one?’

Most people will become frustrated or die while trying to conquer the area.

And those who are frustrated will eventually compromise with themselves.

Like most raiders, I would choose to become part of the tower.

‘Well, we don’t know the future.’

Those who hate their current fate and choose a different fate.

No matter what the ending of their fate may be, I just support their choices.

* * *

After finishing my tour of the tower, I went back home after having a drink with my friends, feeling sentimental.

“Phew… … .”

‘I feel really strange.’

A place that someone enters after much thought and deliberation.

Because I can come and go from such a place at any time.

‘Why on earth did I get this ability?’

To be honest, it’s a question I always have.

Today, this question arises more clearly.

‘The End of Play… … That was the starting point.’

I still remember clearly what happened that day, starting with the game.

‘The End of Play… … It’s probably something more than just an administrator. That’s for sure.’

However, it is also true that the world of what exists above the administrator is a realm I cannot know.

‘If I get connected with the administrators, will I also be able to learn about the endgame?’

Then I wonder why I gained these abilities.

I might also be able to solve the question of why I can freely go up and down the tower.

‘But it doesn’t make sense to become close with the manager… … I don’t know. I guess I should rest for now.’

Most of the work at the cafe has been handed over to my clone.

I plan to focus on the top tomorrow too.

‘First, I’ll go to the 35th floor tomorrow and airlift Rotella, and then I’ll contact Lee Ji-soo to check if everything went well… ‘

So I fell asleep, unable to overcome the slowly approaching water.

* * *

Same time.

Several people are sitting in a large, conference-like space.

Some people just yawned and stretched out, as if they were bored with the situation.

Still others were just staring blankly into space.

At that time.

“It looks like everyone has gathered, so let’s get started.”

A being whose whole body seemed to be burning with flames spoke to the crowd.

A voice echoes from the old tree next to us.

“It’s a start, and it’s a sleep, and in the first place, why are you doing something like this?”

“……what?”

“We are all managing ourselves well anyway, so is there really a need to gather like this?”

The blazing flame turns purple.

“Yggdrasil, this is a part of the strict procedure. We are given the task of reporting on the major events and situations that occur in the tower. Do you understand?”

“I don’t understand. Especially not what’s inside your head. Why are you trying so hard? Nothing will change no matter how hard you try. We can never escape from that bastard’s clutches anyway. You know that, don’t you?”

“… … Even so, if we continue to handle the tasks given to us, there will come a day when we can each return to our own world.”

As someone who had been listening to the voices flowing through the flames suddenly stood up, the huge branches swayed violently.

The manager of the 28th floor was Yggdrasil.

“You really believe that? You’re stupid. That’s just a lie he’s trying to manipulate us into. Do you really think he’ll send us back to our original world? No way? I guarantee you that after this fierce battle, we’ll be assigned to a new tower. And as an administrator, we’ll be forced to work for him forever.”

“… … Is this something you experienced yourself?”

“No, that’s not true. But it’s highly likely… … .”

“So in the end, it’s just nonsense from your trashy imagination.”

A being, the Brother of Flame, points to the chair.

“Sit down. I don’t want to waste any more time talking nonsense. You should work hard too. If you do that, you might be promoted to internal manager.”

“Internal manager? What’s so good about that boring position? If you’re going to be an internal manager, you’d be better off as a top manager. Besides, it’s just a different name, but in the end, it’s the same thing where you do whatever the hell you want.”

“Your opinion is not important. What is important is that your selfish behavior is harming other managers. This is your final warning. Sit down.”

A mocking laughter is heard from the old tree.

“Why should I do that?”

“Otherwise, you will be destroyed by my hand.”

As the spark of conflict blooms between the two beings.

The surrounding beings who were watching this scene cheered.

“Okay! If you’re going to fight, fight coolly!”

“Let’s fight seriously until one side is destroyed!”

I wonder if he wanted to see the destruction of both sides.

At that moment, the audience was applauding and encouraging their argument.

“Okay, everyone, let’s stop here. We didn’t come here to fight, did we?”

Barbatos, who had a gentle smile on his face, mediates them.

But despite his intervention.

“The primordial tree? Even if you call it the progenitor, it is still just a tree.”

“Stop whining and come at me instead.”

“Do you think I can’t do it?”

At that moment, the venue was suddenly covered with huge tree trunks and pure white flames.

container-

Barbatos lifted the sword he was holding slightly and struck the floor with a loud bang.

At that moment, something like a black curtain swept across the space for a moment and then disappeared.

The undying flames that covered the space, and even the stems that were filled with vitality.

“Yggdrasil, Ignite, there are many waiting, so let’s stop here. It’ll be over soon anyway, right?”

“Tsk… … .”

Fortunately, his mediation worked, and the two managers reluctantly sat down.

“We’re all in similar situations anyway, so what’s the point of fighting among ourselves? Isn’t that right?”

“Hey, Abyss Lord. Are you okay?”

“Are you okay?”

“You’ve been a manager for a long time? I wonder if it’s still okay.”

Barbatos smiles brightly at Yggdrasil’s question.

“If our personalities match, there are many things to enjoy about this life. By the way, Magritta, can you please proceed slowly?”

The woman who had been fidgeting at Barbatos’ question suddenly got up from her seat.

“Oh, yes! Is there anyone who is feeling unwell these days?”

“… … .”

No one answered.

Magritta’s expression turns sad.

“I guess there aren’t any… … .”

How could that be possible?

All beings here were once among the ranks of the ‘absolute’.

There can’t be anything wrong with your health, right?

“Then, is there anyone who has problems in the floor they manage?”

“Is it really okay that the natives of the floor managed by Yggdrasil went to another floor?”

Magritta nods in response to one of the administrator’s questions.

“There were no procedural problems, so it should be fine. Besides, the person involved said it was fine, right, Yggdrasil?”

“It’s already in the past. If there’s no problem with management, I don’t really care.”

“That’s what they say.”

“And I heard there was a problem on the 36th floor, I don’t know if that’s okay.”

One manager casually threw out a topic.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the manager who was wrapped in bandages.

“Mag, are you okay?”

“The raiders… … always doing… … nonsense… … It’s okay… … . If we leave them alone… … they’ll sort it out… … .”

“Right. They’re not interested in strategy anyway. From what I’ve seen, this tower is a mess.”

Yggdrasil continued speaking mockingly.

“The guys in the other towers share information and work together to climb the tower, but I’ve never seen such uncooperative and selfish guys before. I wonder how such a race can exist. I guarantee you, if we leave the humans alone, they’ll perish on their own.”

“Haha, since you’re not even planning a strategy in the first place, isn’t this the expected procedure?”

Other managers also laughed at the raiders’ behavior.

“This Tower of Doom is doomed anyway. The tower will disappear along with the humans. Let’s just think about it after the tower disappears.”

“After that? Won’t you be free until the top tower appears? Or will you be assigned to another tower right away?”

The managers chuckled among themselves and said it was no big deal.

Magritta shouts at them.

“It’s still too early to give up! Even though they’re at the bottom of the rankings, I think they have enough potential… … .”

“Yeah, yeah. First place? Maybe. But what does that have to do with us? It’s not like we’re going to disappear, right?”

“That’s true, but… … .”

right.

Moreover, regardless of whether the top is conquered or not, nothing comes back to the administrators.

So, it is only natural that the reaction is lukewarm.

“And what do you expect from people who are trying to exploit the natives and seize power and vested interests?”

Yes, that’s right.

Humans ate gluttony.

A pitiful and foolish race that lacks cooperation and consideration.

That was what all the managers here were thinking.

“Floor dealers? You can tell just by looking at them. They’re busy procuring materials for each floor and making money, and they don’t care about anything else.”

“By the way, what happened to the 9th floor?”

“It’s a mess. Clans and all, they’re fighting each other to the death over who gets to take over the kingdom. It’s fun to watch.”

At that moment, the topic naturally changed to swearing at the raiders.

bang!

Suddenly, a manager slams the table hard.

“That’s fine! There’s a serious problem with this tower right now!”

“problem?”

“Some raider raided my floor… … No, he didn’t get raided… … Anyway, he raided it!”

A manager giving a passionate speech to his managers.

He was none other than the manager of the 53rd floor, the dimensional corridor.

“You were attacked? The 53rd floor hasn’t been opened yet?”

“Isn’t it the other manager who’s messing around?”

“No! The ‘Power of the Tower’ was at work when I spoke to him! I’m sure of it! He was a raider!”

One manager asks in response to his passionate speech:

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure of it! I saw it! And I was so angry that I looked up who it was, and it was this guy!”

The Dimensional Corridor Manager snapped his fingers.

ridge-

Something like a giant screen appeared in front of them.

Inside, a masked man was standing under a sign that said [Convenience Store 24, Tower of the End, Branch 1], welcoming people.