Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 99



Only Krnovel

Episode 99: Go to the Cliff, Lion Cub

“Of course it should be like that.”

She returned to the back of the queue as usual.

After a while.

Finally, she and other pioneers lined up in front of me.

“Everyone looks in good shape.”

Sylvia nodded as if it was natural for me to greet her.

“It’s all thanks to me. If it weren’t for me, there would already be a few guys rolling around on the floor. Right?”

“It’s a bit uncomfortable to stretch out, but it’s true.”

“what?!”

While Sylvia was giving Alter a double-cross.

I continued the conversation with Lee Ji-soo.

“I was wondering how this attack went. What do you think?”

“To conclude, I cleared it.”

She looked at me closely and then smiled mischievously.

“I thought you’d be a little surprised, but you don’t seem that surprised.”

“Haha, I’m surprised enough by this. I’m asking just in case, but you’re not the service floor, are you?”

Service floor.

This is a term used to refer to a floor where the quest difficulty is lower than expected and it is easy to clear.

Since clearing the 10th floor, I’ve had less and less occasion to use the word service floor.

“That wasn’t it. Didn’t you say before that it was a place teeming with monsters?”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m even more curious. Honestly, I didn’t know I would be able to clear the 52nd floor so quickly.”

“That’s right. To be honest, I didn’t expect to succeed this quickly.”

As Lee Ji-soo finished speaking.

“… … You cleared the 52nd floor? Is that true?”

“If it’s true, that’s amazing. I wonder if it’s reckless or brave… … .”

The mutterings of the attackers sitting behind can be heard.

But I didn’t care and continued the conversation.

“Was there some trick?”

“I did use a bit of a trick.”

She smiled and waved the paper between her fingers.

“That’s… … .”

“It’s a special stamp. What did you do with it?”

‘Did it help clear the game because it was easier to distribute with special stamps?’

Because the video of clearing the 52nd floor hasn’t been uploaded to YouTube yet.

I couldn’t help but feel doubtful, just like everyone else.

“If we talk about it, it might take a while. Can you give me a public accounting first?”

“Of course.”

I got a bronze badge from her.

Bronze-pattern of the afterimage of Hongyeon

Achievement List

[Slay 100 or more Voidlings: 3 points]

[Slay 500 or more Voidlings: 5 points]

[Deal with the Void’s Coming: 5 points]

[First time crossing the Void Zone: 10 points]

.

.

.

[Required points: 1,560/1,500]

[Score exceeded, promotion to the next level possible.]

‘woah…….’

I glanced down at my list of achievements and clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘What an achievement!’

I can roughly guess what kind of path she has walked.

“Congratulations. You are eligible for the next level. I’ll upgrade you right away.”

[Would you like to upgrade the Bronze Patch of the Hongyeon Remnant to a Silver Patch?]

When I nodded.

Pass-

The patches that were of the same color gradually change to silver.

“Okay, here you go.”

I handed her a silver card and ten special stamps.

“Yeah, thanks. But, what is this?”

Looking at her looking at the special stamp with a puzzled look.

I smiled brightly.

“This is a service we are offering to celebrate our fantasy shop being the first to achieve the Silver Plate.”

“……service?”

Lee Ji-soo looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.

No, it wasn’t just her.

“The store owner… … is offering this service?”

“That stingy guy?”

Most of the attackers, including the pioneers, looked at me with blank eyes.

‘Ahem, is this such a surprise?’

“If you don’t like it, should we pretend it never happened?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that I don’t like it, I’m just a little surprised. So you’re saying you’re going to give me 10 special stamps for free? To me?”

“Yes. It’s a service to celebrate the achievement of the Silver Pass.”

Let me emphasize again that it’s free.

Lee Ji-soo finally smiled.

“Thank you. I will use it well.”

“Okay, come out so I can give the next person an accounting!”

“Let me do it too!”

“Me too, me too!”

As the pioneers competed to shake up the waves.

I settled their achievements one by one.

“This is… … You worked hard, but you still don’t have enough points to upgrade to Silver Pass. Next person! Oh, that’s too bad. You don’t have enough points.”

Except for Lee Ji-soo, no one succeeded in securing the silver plate.

Sylvia looked up at me with her mouth wide open.

“I… I’m not qualified?”

“It’s not that I’m not qualified, it’s just that I’m a little lacking.”

“Ugh… … .”

Let’s have Sylvia die.

“Hahahaha! You’re saying things like you’re the Silver-Pad owner or something, but you’re doing great, you bitch!”

The female ghost next to me is making a lot of noise.

“I thought it would definitely work out… … What are the criteria for getting public points?”

Just as I was about to answer.

The dark ghost answers Sylvia’s questions.

“Are you walking around with ears on? The shop owner explained it to me before, tsk tsk.”

“I forgot.”

“Ugly. The points are awarded differentially based on activity, and the points are awarded differently based on the utilization of the abilities one possesses.”

“Was it like that?”

Sylvia, who had been pretending not to listen, suddenly looks at him and asks.

“But, you know. I thought about it, but isn’t it disadvantageous for someone who has already cleared a lot of the floor? If you think about it, we were issued a wood-pattern starting from the 51st floor. So, someone who received a wood-pattern starting from the 1st floor can get a higher-level tile more quickly?”

“Whew. I think you need to listen to what other people say more. You can’t be so indifferent… … .”

The evil spirit sighs and continues speaking.

“First of all, to receive a Wood-Pad, you must first reach at least the 28th floor. On top of that, it seems like they also check if you’ve joined a clan with a solid identity, so in any case, the issuance conditions are strict in many ways.”

“So, those who conquered up to the 28th floor have the advantage?”

“I think the shop owner said that the criteria for points you can get are different for each floor… … Did you forget that too?”

The devil’s words are right.

The number of achievement points you can obtain on each floor is different.

The lower the floor, the lower the points you can obtain, but as the floor gets higher, the points you obtain also increase significantly.

“Really? When I hear it like that, the conditions are actually a bit tricky.”

“Please be interested in other people.”

“It’s not that I don’t care, but Grandpa has a good memory. How can I remember all that?”

“Huh, Grandpa?!”

“When you’re in your late 50s, you’re a grandfather, aren’t you, sir?”

“This, this is it! Okay! Let’s die today, you and I!”

The man and woman grabbed each other by the collar and disappeared somewhere.

I thought to myself.

‘The standards are strict… … Well, it can’t be helped that they are strict.’

Even if we try to encourage the players to attack with the VIP system.

If the standard is too low, then we should issue wood-pads to even the most ignorant people.

Then the rarity of the wood-pattern will decrease.

Rather, the essence may fade away.

‘Yes. No matter what, you should have at least the minimum qualifications.’

Minimum qualifications become the standard, and the standard becomes the driving force that moves people.

Therefore, there must be a minimum qualification.

‘by the way…….’

I turned my head and looked at Lee Ji-soo.

“Now that the commotion has died down, can you tell us a little more? How did you conquer the 52nd floor?”

“Oh, that?”

Lee Ji-soo opens her mouth with a smile.

Let’s talk about the structure, environment, and method of conquering the 52nd floor.

“Ugh! So that means you succeeded in conquering the area by using special stamps!”

“That’s amazing. I didn’t know they used special stamps like that.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but I think it’s good to have at least one special stamp, right?!”

The attackers who were listening nearby couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

‘I never thought they’d use special stamps like that.’

Well, what do you think?

If you’ve successfully conquered the area, then that’s okay.

I smiled brightly.

“I’m glad that the special stamps helped you in your strategy.”

“It will still be used a lot in the future. No, I’m satisfied with just that I won’t have to worry about distribution anymore.”

* * *

That evening.

“Hahahahaha! Bring me more alcohol!”

“Damn, someone stop that bitch from drinking!”

Several hours have passed since the party to celebrate the successful conquest of the 52nd floor was held.

The pioneers were busy throwing drinking parties.

‘It looks good.’

Even though the words were rough, the atmosphere was one where everyone was having fun.

‘More than that… … .’

I put down the beer can and glanced at Lee Ji-soo next to me.

Soon, the pioneers will begin their conquest of the 53rd floor.

And I know information about the 53rd floor, the Dimensional Corridor.

‘If we provide the pioneers with information about the dimensional corridors, their conquest will become much easier. The difference between having information and not having it is stark.’

Honestly, I thought about it a lot.

I wonder if it’s okay to tell you information about the 53rd floor.

And I came to my own conclusion.

“It’s the 53rd floor now.”

“That’s right. It’s a bit disappointing. If I had spent less time subduing Behemoth, I would have climbed higher.”

I smiled faintly at her answer.

“Isn’t life something that doesn’t go as planned?”

“That’s right. But I think it’s thanks to that that I’ve come this far. It won’t be easy to get to the top either.”

“But we still have to go up.”

“That’s right. That’s right… … .”

Lee Ji-soo tries to say something but holds back.

She always has been like that.

Whenever I asked him why he climbed the tower, he would always just smile and not give a clear answer.

“… … .”

In the midst of the strange silence between us, I could hear the pioneers’ hearty laughter.

‘Should we start talking about it?’

“It’s the 53rd floor. You don’t have to believe in fairies, but you don’t have to be too suspicious either. Sometimes it’s good to follow the clichés that others have created.”

“… … ?”

Lee Ji-soo looks at me with a bewildered expression.

“What do you mean? Are you drunk?”

“Haha, that’s not true. Anyway, that’s all I have to say.”

Instead of giving you the perfect answer, it gives you hints to help you conquer the game.

That was my decision.

‘I would like to tell you the answer, but… … .’

I rely on the answers they came up with.

I was concerned that the spirit of the pioneers was weakening.

‘If you rely only on the answer, you will hesitate to risk your life and jump into a dangerous situation.’

How many cases have we seen so far?

[I, I can’t do it! How can I conquer it when I don’t know the strategy! Are you telling me to die?! I can’t do it!]

Those who climb the floors relying on the answers and lose the correct answer called ‘strategy’ and give up on the strategy.

The path and correct answers that have already been set can easily make people weak and hesitate to take on new challenges.

‘And above all, I can’t always give hints.’

I glanced at Lee Ji-soo.

“… … .”

What are you thinking so deeply about?

The wave of worry that was flowing across her face was visible.

“… …Can I ask you one thing?”

“Just ask.”

“You’re not really the manager, are you?”

I smiled quietly.

* * *

The next day, in the afternoon.

I found a restaurant located in Jongro.

‘Is it because the end of the year is approaching?’

Even though it was still early evening, the restaurant was crowded with people.

“Welcome! Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes. I think I made a reservation with Kim Dong-hyun. Could you please confirm?”

“Just a moment. Oh, I’ll show you to room number 4!”

While following the employee to the room.

The smell of beef wafted into my nostrils.

Knock knock-

“Oh, you’re here!”

Let’s open the door and enter the room.

Donghyun raised his hand.

Besides that, Hanseong, Jaejun, and Minjae sat down and greeted me.

“Hey! You bought a building?! Congratulations!”

“There came a day when I lived my life and had a friend who was a building owner, and I became successful!”

“If I retire, will you hire me as an employee?”

“I’ll look at the counter. No. Should I wash the dishes first?”

I smiled faintly at the endless stream of jokes from my friends.

“Thanks, guys.”

“What are you thankful for? It’s just that your efforts were rewarded, what did we do?”

Dong-Hyeon filled my glass and raised it high.

“Raise your glass! For the water giver, the creator, and the building owner, Kim In-seong!”

“For!”

I spent a few dozen minutes having drinks and chatting with the guys.

Dong-Hyeon looks at me with a slightly serious expression.

“But Inseong, now that you’re a building owner, don’t you have some more freedom?”

“A little bit? But it’s not like I’m completely relaxed. I have to pay the tenants after negotiations are over, and I have to work hard to earn money considering the cost of remodeling and the cafe’s closure during the remodeling period.”

“okay?”

The guy suddenly puts his hand on my shoulder and takes the weight.

“Inseong, I think this way. Now that you’ve settled down, living your life won’t be so bad. What do you think?”

“… … My life?”

“Yeah, Tasha! Hey, it’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but Insung Cafe was founded by your parents, not you.”

That’s not entirely wrong.

“That’s true. But whatever the process, Insung Cafe is now a part of my life.”

“Right! I’m not trying to criticize you for running a cafe. I support you! It’s just… … .”

Dong-Hyeon quickly emptied his glass and asked with a serious expression.

“That’s what I’m curious about. Before taking over the café, wasn’t there a dream that Kim In-seong wanted to do, that he had to give up because of the situation?”

“Oh, Kim Dong-hyun! He’s sharp!”

“That kid is drunk, he’s drunk.”

When Hanseong and Jaejun playfully tease Donghyun.

Dong-Hyeon waves his hand.

“Hey! If not now, then when else would we have this conversation?”

‘If I hadn’t inherited the cafe… … .’

Honestly, I never thought about it.

Because I just had to live the harsh reality day by day.

Even imagining such a thing was too much for me.

“Perhaps he graduated from college without any problems and entered the job market like other kids?”

“… … That’s all?”

“Ah, the dream was so trivial that I wanted to die… … .”

Let’s make it clear to our friends that we are disappointed.

I burst out laughing in disbelief.

“Hey! Does your dream have to be so grand?”

“The bigger the better! Dream big, don’t you know?”

“That’s true. It was a dream… … .”

I thought about it for a moment and then opened my mouth.

“If I get the chance, I would like to go to college again.”

“……university?”

Jaejun sighed as he wiped the oil that had splattered on his glasses.

“Yanma, there are so many people who can’t get a job even after graduating from college. What kind of college is that? It’s all meaningless.”

“Hey, that’s not it. When I was in school, there were a lot of middle-aged men and women who entered college because they were still obsessed with their studies.”

Dong-Hyeon, who was busy turning the meat, put down the tongs.

“I think it’s good. He must have said that because he still has some regrets. Now that he’s settled in, he should do everything he can to make sure he doesn’t have any regrets.”

“But this year’s college entrance exam is already over, right?”

I nodded to Hanseong’s question.

“I haven’t decided yet that I’ll go, I’m just thinking about it. Honestly, it feels a bit weird to be studying for the CSAT again now, right?”

“Well, I guess I can’t go to a local university because of the store, and if I want to go, I’ll have to go to Seoul, but the competition is fierce, right?”

While my friends were giving various opinions.

Dong-Hyeon starts crying quietly.

“Inseong, isn’t there something like that? I think there was a way for students who dropped out to re-enroll. If that’s possible, you don’t have to take the CSAT, you can just go back to the school you were attending, right?”

“Oh, really?! Inseong! Come and find out!”

* * *

The next morning.

I sat in front of the computer and looked at the university’s homepage.

[Hello. This is Hangang University.]

“… … .”

Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I’ve seen the university’s homepage.

I smiled bitterly without realizing it.

‘In the past, you could apply for classes on the intranet and things like that.’

Now, that was a story from a few years ago.

I looked around the site here and there.

and.

[Inquiries regarding readmission of students who have dropped out.]

Finally found the agenda.

I downloaded the document and slowly looked through its contents.

‘Maybe… … it could be possible.’

It didn’t seem impossible, although there were some conditions that had to be met.

‘But is this right?’

I had a desire to finish the path of study that I had not been able to complete.

But there are too many things on my shoulders right now.

‘… … There’s still time, so let’s think about it some more.’

After much thought, I closed the website.

‘The urgent matter is this side.’

I moved to the room that was being used as a storage room.

I started putting the items into the subspace pockets.

“Master, are you going to the tower again?”

“You get what you work for. You should earn as much as you can while you can.”

“… … Haven’t you earned enough now? You have a house, a building, and a car, right?”

I lifted my finger and shook it from side to side.

“You still have a long way to go.”

“Huh?”

“Think about it carefully. Once you’ve finished negotiating with the tenants, you have to pay them, right? And you also have to consider the cost of remodeling the entire building. And if you take into account the fact that the café will be closed during the remodeling period, you have to work hard to earn money.”

“Now that I hear it, that’s true… … . There are a lot of places that need money.”

The clone nods as if he understands.

“Anyway, I’ll be back soon, so take care of yourself. You guys too!”

Besides my clone, I also say hello to the tin can, the swan, and Balina.

I stepped through the shining door.

* * *

Ss …

The interior of a familiar convenience store is visible.

‘Why do I feel like I spend more time in the tower than at home these days?’

Of course, if it weren’t for my clone and everyone else, I wouldn’t be as relaxed as I am now.

After putting down the luggage I brought, I leisurely walked to the window.

‘At first, I was just afraid of the new floor. It feels new now.’

I’m really used to it now though.

It still thrills me to go inside the tower and guess what floor it is on.

‘Let’s see. What floor is it today…?’

I stopped walking as I was walking to the window.