Chapter 144

Similar to various other sporting federations, a significant number of combatants had expressed their discontent regarding the concentration of power over national squad selections.

Particularly the top-tier national rankers.

In all honesty, they had been harboring a silent dread that they might be locked out of representing their country for the rest of their careers.

Naturally, they held immense respect for Baek Jinwoo.

Yet, entirely separate from that admiration, they couldn’t rid themselves of a lingering anxiety—the grim realization that their personal ambitions were slipping further into the distance.

And then, it happened.

[SKY, the premier guild of South Korea, is now accepting applications for its second-generation roster. Diverging from the first generation, this intake will utilize a strict evaluation process, selecting candidates based not only on raw capability but also on their character and capacity for collaboration. We welcome submissions from driven individuals eager to advance alongside the country’s greatest elites.]

The notice was live!

Furthermore, they weren’t just taking a select few!

They were opening up one hundred slots, offering a massive window of opportunity!

‘YESSSSS!’

‘Our time has finally come!’

‘There’s no debate! I am putting my name in, no matter what!’

The rankers erupted with excitement.

Even individuals legally bound to other prominent guilds disregarded the risks and turned in their paperwork.

Contractual complications? The moment an applicant secured a spot in SKY, the advantages would easily outweigh any financial damages incurred from breaking ties.

They focused on the grand scheme of things.

Even if setbacks occurred, they were fully prepared to endure them!

Forms were filled out, and portfolios detailing career achievements were sent in alongside them.

The path to transforming into a player representing South Korea… rather, a player dominating the global stage, was finally open.

That single organization possessed seven national squad members, and its commander, Baek Jinwoo, held the undisputed rank of World Number 1.

The financial foundation backing them was monumental.

An alliance with Daesung Group, a pillar deeply woven into the very fabric of South Korean history!

Moreover, recent rumors suggested that Yubaek’s personal wealth was on par with the treasury of an entire country.

‘Heavens, an opportunity to operate right next to Baek Jinwoo!’

‘Securing a place there is basically hitting the ultimate jackpot.’

‘I heard the perks are unbelievable—high-end accommodations provided for your entire family… and the performance incentives eclipse the base pay!’

‘Word is you don’t even need to be a top ranker! It’s worth trying out just to see if you possess hidden potential!’

Submissions streamed in endlessly.

Not a single soul was willing to let this monumental occasion pass them by.

The reputation of SKY Guild had long transcended domestic borders to echo across the globe, and earning a spot among their upcoming generation represented something far greater than mere physical advancement.

On that opening day alone.

The primary servers collapsed under the traffic.

“They’re cascading in non-stop! The numbers keep rising!”

“UGHHH.”

“When are we supposed to actually filter through all of these?!”

Understandably, the central headquarters of Yubaek was plunged into an absolute crisis mode.

Pure pandemonium.

Colossal towers of documentation required individual examination.

Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack!

The frantic tempo of printing machines churning out files and communication lines ringing out never ceased.

“Team Leader! This department has hit full capacity as well! We require additional personnel!”

“The intake is outpacing our review speed. At this rate, leaving the office tonight is out of the qu—”

“Leaving? Have you completely lost your mind? Who gave anyone permission to head home?!”

“Keep digitizing the files, categorize them, and transfer them to the evaluation division! Quit wasting valuable seconds!”

This workforce was assembled from South Korea’s most capable elite.

Even in the middle of this madness, they executed their managers’ directives with mechanical velocity and flawless accuracy.

When the caffeine supplies ran low, fresh pots were delivered without charge. Top-tier luxury meal boxes were provided in abundance.

And then.

A voice rang out above the noise.

“The director conveys her deep appreciation for everyone’s incredible effort! She intends to compensate you all handsomely, so please give it one final push. If we conclude this operation within seven days, she will grant a bonus of 100 million won to every single person for overtime!”

“……!”

100 million?

An extra 100 million won just for staying late?

“No… that can’t be!”

“Is that a definitive promise?!”

“Assign me to the night shift! Where do I log my hours? I am completely locked in right now!”

“Woof! Woof woof woof!”

“Haha! This is the absolute first time I’ve felt genuine joy staring at a mountain of administrative work!”

The exhausted environment re-ignited in a flash.

The fatigue instantly vanished from their features, and their operational speed surged like vanguard soldiers injected with performance stimulants.

Gleeful remarks and jests echoed across the floor, and the focus in their gaze completely transformed when they looked back at the files.

Truly.

It is said that if a problem in this world cannot be settled with capital, one must consider whether the amount offered was simply insufficient.

Yu Jia steered them forward using a riding crop crafted from pure gold.

I must be losing my grip on reality. These bundles of papers are starting to look like bricks of solid bullion!

The moment this wraps up, I am taking my accumulated leave and taking my family on a proper luxury vacation abroad. First-class flights, five-star accommodations!

Has there ever been a more satisfying overtime period in human history?

Employee morale: absolute peak!

They felt immense honor knowing that Yu Jia was the leader guiding their steps.

True leadership wasn’t overly intricate.

Providing exceptional compensation was the finest form of leadership imaginable.

Deliver stellar results, and the financial rewards would match that excellence!

An administration of pure gold, plain and simple!

The central headquarters of Yubaek thrummed with its characteristic vitality.

The following morning.

Baek Jinwoo partook in a casual morning meal with Yu Jia and passed her a Groteling (A-rank).

“Oh, what exactly is this?”

Yu Jia’s eyes shone with curiosity as she inquired.

“It’s a fresh Rare summon. See if you can utilize it effectively.”

“Wow, a culinary specialist summon?”

“Precisely. I predicted this would serve as an excellent opportunity to elevate the standards of the corporate dining hall as well.”

“Oh, without a doubt!”

The current corporate dining facility was situated on the 33rd floor of the central headquarters tower.

The 35th floor served as the director’s personal office.

The 34th floor was occupied by Baek Ajin’s corporate sales division.

“While we are focusing on this, how about recruiting a few more highly skilled executive chefs to ensure our guild personnel receive optimal dietary nourishment across all three daily meals?”

“An excellent proposal. I will initiate that process immediately. Oh, hold on!”

Yu Jia struck her palms together.

“It seems Olivia is making another journey to Korea?”

“…Once more?”

“Yes, it appears to be a pressing matter. The moment she initiated contact yesterday, she boarded a flight immediately. She ought to be arriving momentarily.”

“For what purpose?”

“She mentioned she couldn’t risk leaving details via text or digital recording due to confidentiality protocols. She insists on arriving in person to communicate with you face-to-face.”

“Tch. I wonder what kind of scheme she is cooking up this time.”

During her previous visit, she had successfully departed with an S-rank Thunderlord.

She had displayed every conceivable gesture of camaraderie, but in retrospect, that acquisition had been her target from the very beginning.

Granted, he had secured Aso from that transaction, but she had managed to extract far greater value in return.

Yu Jia had just concluded her breakfast and was taking a sip of water when—

“Hm?”

She aimed a finger toward the glass pane.

Directly toward the primary gates.

“My dear. It seems Olivia isn’t one for patience either.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She is already standing outside.”

Past the window, a miniature, speck-sized airport vehicle had come to a halt right before the main office entrance.

“She must genuinely be in a massive hurry. Tracking the schedule, she practically dashed straight onto the flight.”

“…She is undoubtedly pursuing an agenda.”

Baek Jinwoo permitted a trace of fatigue to surface on his face.

Nevertheless, he was the sole individual present capable of managing Olivia.

“I will head downstairs to receive her. Continue with your assignments.”

Scrrrk!

Baek Jinwoo glided his seat back and rose to his feet.

Yu Jia offered a gentle nod accompanied by a soft grin.

“Understood, connect with me afterward!”

By what method does Baek Jinwoo travel from the 33rd floor down to the front gates?

Quite basic.

Slide the window open and leap outward without a safety canopy.

An ordinary observer might deem him entirely reckless, but for Baek Jinwoo, who routinely navigated top-tier Day Dungeons every single Friday, this was a regular occurrence.

Fwooosh!

Welcoming the biting breeze against his skin, Baek Jinwoo launched himself into the open air without a single moment of doubt.

SHWAAAAA!

The very instant he entered freefall, the Skypierce Wyvern was materialized.

— SHRIEEEEK!

A deafening screech shattered the atmosphere, echoing sharply between the towering skyscrapers.

The flying beast matched pace with Baek Jinwoo within a fraction of a second.

It scooped him onto its skeletal ridge with accustomed, effortless precision, the pair creating a surprisingly synchronized display.

SHWAAAAAAA!

The velocity intensified, the concrete below rushing toward them in a flash.

Just as the ground became clearly visible—

Whooom!

The wyvern unfurled its massive wings, gripping the air current with one immense stroke.

Its downward momentum plummeted instantly.

With absolute composure, Baek Jinwoo balanced his footing and propelled himself from the creature’s spine.

FWISH!

Executing a flawless mid-air rotation, he touched down cleanly right before the central doors.

Olivia, who had just dismissed her transport and was preparing to step inside, bore witness to the entire performance.

This… madman.

Did he seriously—

Did he just utilize a wyvern to descend from the upper reaches of that tower?

Granted, any individual lacking a dread of high altitudes could potentially ride a wyvern, but the degree of mastery he had just exhibited was practically theatrical.

Nothing short of a pure extreme sport.

And that beast, effortlessly dismissed back into its realm after fulfilling its objective? Incredibly sophisticated.

Baek Jinwoo composed his posture following his arrival and gazed down toward Olivia.

“Right, turn around and go home.”

“Hey, you—!”

Olivia came dangerously close to an absolute fit.

The old stress reactions came flooding back instantly.

Baek Jinwoo flashed a knowing grin.

“Just a jest. So what is of such critical importance that you traveled all this distance?”

“Mm, look.”

Olivia’s demeanor shifted to total gravity.

“Rachel.”

“Hm?”

“Rachel Unni has failed to return. A full month has transpired now.”

Baek Jinwoo’s expression turned rigid to mirror her own serious tone.

Floor 51 of the Tower of Trials was generally considered uncomplicated.

The Continent of Magic.

An explorer began by investigating an obsidian archive and decimated testing facilities, and provided you adhered strictly to the historical logs, you would remain safe.

The intermediate commander, an entity designated as the Archivist of Darkness (A-rank), presented a minor challenge, but it was far from an insurmountable obstacle.

“That particular zone shouldn’t possess the capability to halt Rachel.”

“Precisely. That is exactly what Unni stated as well.”

Observing Baek Jinwoo taking the matter seriously only served to intensify Olivia’s distress.

“You are aware that the guardian of Floor 60 is a high-ranking fiend named Asmodeus, correct?”

“Naturally.”

He stood as the solitary warrior to have conquered all 100 levels of the Tower of Trials. How could such a detail escape him?

“She mentioned she had committed the tactical approach for every single level up to that point to absolute memory.”

“That sounds like her.”

Rachel along with the remaining members of the Five Emperors had all advanced past Floor 80 of the Tower of Trials during that era.

Excluding the elder Baekcheon.

Around that period, Baekcheon had personally transmitted a communication to him requesting guidance, so he possessed definitive confirmation.

Masters of that tier would understand Floor 60 like the lines on their own palms.

“Then WHY hasn’t she emerged?! If she successfully cleared Floor 51, she ought to have departed the instance to prepare for Floor 52!”

“Hmm.”

What could have possibly taken place?

Surely she hadn’t suffered a defeat at the hands of the Archivist of Darkness (A-rank) while backed by three S-rank summons?

Or had the inner structure of the Tower somehow shifted from the layout they once knew?

“So the rationale behind you approaching me rather than seeking out the rest of the Five Emperors is…”

Let me guess.

“You desire for me to investigate Floor 51? Because the other Emperors have refrained from taking any action?”

“…I implore you. This stands as an official solicitation from the second-in-command of Red Rose.”

“A formal request?”

“Correct. Ascend and evaluate how demanding it truly is. See if it remains identical to the historical data. Check if the scale of difficulty has escalated to a degree where Unni genuinely cannot find an exit… just investigate. I beg of you. Just this once.”

Well, look at this.

What a situation.

The Tower of Trials was a casual stroll only for Baek Jinwoo. For the vast majority of combatants, it represented a lethal labyrinth you stepped into fully resigned to your demise.

And yet she possessed the audacity to request that he simply stroll in there, just like that?

“You are the solitary person capable of this. You know full well the other Five Emperors hold minimal interest in conquering the upper levels of the Tower. Unni was the only individual who genuinely cared.”

“Baek Jinwoo…!”

“Hah.”

Baek Jinwoo let loose a heavy breath.

He had intended to force his path through the 50th level in the near future regardless.

Floor 51?

As long as Stormy accumulated sufficient attributes along the journey to Floor 50, level 51 would pose no threat whatsoever.

The Archivist of Darkness? Don’t make me laugh.

A single-strike obliteration.

Even so.

If conditions were severe enough that Rachel was trapped inside, that did warrant a minor degree of wariness.

It implied that an unforeseen variable was at play.

But looking at the alternative.

I am genuinely intrigued.

What exactly kept Rachel from returning?

Had she actually met her end within those walls?

A slight irritation was beginning to form in his mind.

He had aimed to preserve an advantageous alliance with Rachel moving into the future…

“Please… I am begging you from the bottom of my heart.”

Simply observing the moisture gathering in her eyes was sufficient proof.

It was glaringly obvious how deeply Olivia treasured Rachel.

He could perceive that devotion, raw and completely unfeigned.

The terror and helplessness masked within Olivia’s frantic plea.

She had consistently carried herself with such power, completely radiating self-assurance. That was precisely why witnessing her reduced to this state carried a far heavier weight.

“……”

Baek Jinwoo observed her silently for a brief moment.

“Hah. If this is treated as a formal commission, what is the compensation?”

Apologies, but absolutely nothing in this reality is granted without cost.

You issue an assignment, you render the appropriate compensation. That is the fundamental order of things.

“I will provide whatever item or concession you demand!”

“Is that a guarantee?”

As a matter of fact, there was a specific resource he required.

Something he had been postponing because the acquisition process was incredibly monotonous and consumed too much time.

The Rare-grade runes designated for LG and Dhampir.

From Floor 51 onward, the Tower of Trials shifted into intermediate-tier classification.

Which meant the scaling of difficulty spiked exponentially.

He possessed more than enough logical grounds to demand powerful runes under the premise of reinforcing his combat units.

“Yes. Whatever the expenditure turns out to be, simply declare it.”

“We have an agreement.”

Baek Jinwoo permitted a subtle grin to touch his lips.

This scenario was transforming into absolute gain.

He had intended to scale the monument regardless, and now he was securing premium compensation for doing a task he had already scheduled.