Chapter 33

The following day.

Early in the morning, Baek Jinwoo initiated his routine Day Dungeon grinding and proceeded to the training field to perform his warm-up exercises.

Drill Sarge and the remainder of his forces were already present, actively engaged in their exercises.

It was time to examine the accumulated rewards.

Below is a detailed log of the items gathered from the second floor up to the ninth.

[Floor 2 — Essence of Light x 10]

[Floor 3 — Universal Abrasive x 10]

[Floor 4 — Supreme-grade Rune (Lightspeed) x 1]

[Floor 5 — Mid-rank Skill Book Selection Ticket x 5]

[Floor 6 — Supreme-grade Rune Selection Ticket (Bound)]

[Floor 7 — Supreme-grade Summoning Scroll x 3]

[Floor 8 — Supreme-grade Rune Selection Ticket (Bound)]

[Floor 9 — Universal Abrasive x 10]

“Whew.”

The final tally? Exceptionally rewarding.

Setting aside the single underwhelming reward positioned in the center—the ten pieces of Essence of Light—the remaining prizes were excellent.

What exactly was Essence of Light?

It fell under the Rare tier of crafting components.

It would likely serve as a requirement for a high-tier schematic down the line.

The issue was its current lack of utility.

It was highly improbable that a schematic utilizing Essence of Light would appear anytime in the near future, and realistically, items of this nature were best placed on the trading boards for an exorbitant amount of money.

An incredibly high price tag!

Due to its Rare classification, there were zero existing listings, meaning desperate collectors would willingly pay astronomical fees to acquire it.

And then there was the true masterpiece—

The bounty from the fourth floor.

A top-tier Lightspeed rune!

Lightspeed represented the direct advancement of the Swiftness Rune currently utilized by Ramba, and under optimal circumstances, it possessed the capability to elevate offensive speed to unprecedented heights.

[Rune]

[Rank: Low-rank]

[Set Effect: Swift]

— 4 equipped: Attack Speed +30%. 6 equipped: Attack Speed +50%.

That described the properties of the standard Swiftness Rune. However, this new acquisition was entirely different.

[Rank: Supreme-grade (Rare)]

— Restricted to 100 copies across the globe.

[Set Effect: Lightspeed]

— 6 equipped: Attack Speed +300%.

— If the summon utilizes a staff, an extra +200% Attack Speed is applied.

The set bonus provided by the Lightspeed rune was utterly absurd.

Merely completing the set configuration granted a baseline 300% surge to striking speed, and for someone like Ramba, the total acceleration could reach an astounding 500%.

This bonus applied because her weapon of choice was a staff.

Furthermore, it possessed a Rare classification!

Rare runes were unique components obtained exclusively by scaling the Tower of Trials.

While a Rune Dwarf possessed the technical ability to forge them, that was a matter for a future date.

Runes of the Rare tier consistently generated exceptional baseline attributes, and during the refinement process, their upgrades reached maximum potential automatically.

To put it another way, they were pre-destined to serve as endgame equipment!

Baek Jinwoo scanned the specific attributes.

[Level: 1]

[Stat Increase]

INT +12%, INT +30, AGI +12%, AGI +30

Incredible.

As anticipated, it was a specialized enhancement piece engineered for magical casting speed.

These attributes were perfectly customized for Ramba’s capabilities!

The INT increase enhanced the potency of her specialized Wind Pressure ability, while the AGI component accelerated her striking frequency even further!

It could not be better.

It was worth noting that the attributes on Rare runes remained completely unchangeable.

Regardless of the timing or method used to claim a Lightspeed rune, these exact parameters would be present.

Now, if he managed to elevate this piece to its absolute ceiling—level 10?

Ramba’s definitive, ultimate rune would finally be realized.

A piece of gear that truly represented the concept of reaching the absolute peak!

Given how events had aligned, his priority should be maximizing Ramba’s equipment setup first.

Without a moment of hesitation, Baek Jinwoo activated the supreme-grade rune selection tickets (Bound) obtained from the sixth and eighth levels sequentially.

[Activating Supreme-grade Rune Selection Ticket (Bound)!]

[Player ‘Baek Jinwoo’ has successfully claimed a Supreme-grade Rune (Lightspeed)!]

From the vast array of available configurations presented before him, the moment his focus shifted toward ‘Lightspeed,’ the option centered and locked into place. He finalized the choice by pressing confirmation.

Additionally.

The attributes on every single piece were completely identical.

However, he was still short by three individual pieces.

This meant he would need to task his sister with searching the international trading boards, subsequently buying them up using the financial backing of Yubaek.

Only by completing that step could the full set bonus be properly triggered.

As a point of reference, any single entity could carry a maximum allotment of six runes simultaneously.

The Universal Abrasives would remain in storage for the time being.

The combined twenty units of Universal Abrasives gathered from the third and ninth levels would become necessary later on, specifically once the runes were successfully elevated to Max status (the absolute cap of level 10).

These modifying materials were designed to push the attributes of a fully refined piece beyond their normal limits, and the Universal Abrasives in particular guaranteed the maximum possible enhancement regardless of the specific trait selected.

Reserving these polishing elements strictly for definitive endgame gear was an unspoken standard among top players.

Because these items were also locked behind the progression rewards of the Tower of Trials, providers could essentially demand any sum they desired.

The seventh floor had provided three top-tier summoning scrolls.

Those items were currently trading at astronomical, seller-regulated rates on the open market as well, weren’t they?

Yet, he had no intention of using or marketplace-listing them.

They were critical components required to manufacture the Guaranteed Summoning Scroll (B-rank) that he planned to assemble at a later date.

Those would be set aside as well.

That left one final reward to address!

The package of five mid-rank skill book selection tickets collected from the fifth floor.

Admittedly, these could also be viewed as somewhat underwhelming prizes.

Because he commanded Drill Sarge, standard ability manuals held no personal value for him.

However.

Every item possessed an ideal application.

If anything, this outcome was actually quite beneficial.

First, a plan needed to be established.

Having categorized the items intended for liquidation and those marked for acquisition, Baek Jinwoo rose to his feet.

“Drill Sarge.”

— Standing ready, my master!

“Maintain the training regimen. I need to depart briefly to meet with my sister.”

— Your will shall be done!

The moment had arrived to visit her.

The spoils gathered from the intermediate-tier Day Dungeons had accumulated into quite a large stash, and he also needed to arrange for the sale of the recently acquired Essences of Light.

The Player Zone.

Directly outside the physical marketplace stalls where Baek Ajin routinely managed her daily commercial operations.

“Oh?”

Baek Jinwoo stopped, visibly taken aback.

Occupying the exact location where his sister normally conducted her transactions was an entirely different woman wearing a face covering.

“Yu Jia? What brings you out here?”

It was Yu Jia, representing the interests of Yubaek.

She and Baek Ajin appeared to have developed an exceptionally close rapport, sharing stories and amusement together.

“Ah, Jinwoo?”

“Brother!”

Both individuals noticed Baek Jinwoo’s arrival and offered enthusiastic greetings.

“What exactly is happening here?”

He inquired about the nature of their meeting, and they provided a brief, clear explanation.

“Ajin has made the decision to establish an official partnership with Yubaek as well.”

“That’s right. The volume of goods you keep supplying is growing too large, and I recognized a need to master proper commercial operations within an actual storefront setting. I’m talking about promotional strategies, client relations… all that professional criteria. I want to learn the ropes from legitimate experts.”

As she spoke, Baek Ajin gestured with her hand, calling forth her companion forces.

“Furthermore, I need to dedicate time to taking Woolel out into the fields for combat experience. Up until this point, I’ve spent all my energy locked down by trading tasks, but with Yubaek managing the workload, I’ll enjoy far more personal freedom.”

“……Woolel?”

“Mhm! The Shadow Wolf and the Shadow Elf! That’s the collective name I came up with for them.”

Ah, that cleared up the confusion.

Well, it was an acceptable development.

Highly beneficial, in fact.

Even with an agency supervising his affairs, navigating individual business transactions with his own sibling had occasionally introduced a degree of awkwardness for Baek Jinwoo.

The primary detail of concern, however—

“The agreed-upon 20% allocation remains untouched, correct?”

“That was actually a point I intended to clear up with you, Jinwoo. Seeing as it modifies our standing transactional arrangement.”

“The specific logistics matter little to me. Arrange the details however you find most efficient, provided that Ajin’s 20% cut remains completely non-negotiable.”

“That is perfectly fine. Furthermore, for your information, our organization intends to elevate Ajin to an executive managerial role and allocate a capable team of employees to assist her operations.”

Yu Jia operated exactly as expected.

Orderly, precise, and practical.

“That works perfectly.”

He offered a nod of approval.

Yu Jia let out a subtle sigh of relief. She had harbored a lingering anxiety regarding how Baek Jinwoo might react if he disapproved of the restructuring.

“Very well, Ajin.”

Baek Jinwoo pushed forward a prepared inventory sheet detailing his requests alongside the bulk of the merchandise he had transported.

“What exactly am I looking at?”

“A breakdown of the inventory ready for liquidation, followed by the specific acquisitions I require.”

“Oh, we have purchasing orders this time?”

“Correct.”

The list detailed ten high-tier summoning scrolls alongside ten World Tree Leaves—the necessary components required to construct a Guaranteed Summoning Scroll (B-rank).

Additionally, it requested three top-tier Lightspeed runes.

Baek Ajin scanned down the document and nearly recoiled in shock.

“Top-tier Lightspeed runes……? What sort of items are these? Are you saying these are genuine Rare runes?”

“Exactly.”

“……The cost for these must be astronomical. I’ve only ever encountered descriptions of them in passing. Rumor has it that only the absolute highest-ranking players on Earth utilize Rare runes.”

“The financial cost represents no obstacle whatsoever. You’ve just finalized an alliance with Yubaek, haven’t you?”

Baek Jinwoo directed his gaze toward Yu Jia, whose expression immediately became focused and intense.

“So you’ve finally encountered runes that meet your specific requirements!”

“Yes. Regardless of the market valuation…… I would deeply appreciate your assistance in tracking them down.”

Runes of the Rare tier existed in strictly limited quantities.

That scarcity rendered them exceptionally challenging to locate and immensely costly to secure.

Despite this, Yu Jia felt an overwhelming sense of excitement.

I finally have a tangible opportunity to prove my worth to JinuGod?

“Jinwoo!”

“Yes?”

“Leave the entire matter to me. I give you my word that I will locate them within a thirty-day window!”

She tightened her hand into a firm fist, her eyes radiating absolute determination.

And in the event that standard channels failed to yield results?

She was fully prepared to leverage the vast influence of the Daesung Group to force an outcome!

“I appreciate your help.”

There was an intrinsic quality to her assurance that provided a greater sense of security than any other promise.

“Furthermore, one more thing.”

Baek Jinwoo extended his hand, presentation a specific item to each of them.

“What are these?”

The purpose was straightforward.

“Intermediate-grade skill book selection tickets. Call forth your primary companion forces and have them internalize this capability immediately.”

The optimal strategy for ensuring the personal security of his immediate circle, which he had pondered previously, was contained right here within this intermediate-tier ability.

“Which specific ability are you referring to?”

“Desperate Call.”

“Desperate Call……?”

“Mhm.”

The operational mechanics of the ability were defined as follows:

— Desperate Call: Restricting usage to a single activation per day, this capability forces the instantaneous relocation of a designated player directly to the caster’s current coordinates.

Throughout the competitive history of Battle of Summoners, this particular option had been dismissed as utterly worthless, frequently categorized as the absolute worst possible draw from the pool.

Within the framework of reality, however, its utility was transformed.

Utilizing this mechanic, he gained the ability to instantly intervene whenever the individuals he prioritized found themselves facing an existential threat.

“Commit it to memory, and activate it to summon me the moment you encounter a crisis.”

He intended to allocate one for his mother and another for his father as well.

Out of the total package of five mid-rank skill book selection tickets he had secured, four would be allocated toward this security network.

The solitary remaining ticket would be preserved in his inventory for future use.

“Complete the learning process immediately and designate me as your corresponding target player.”

“Wow, an ability with this type of functionality actually existed in the system……?”

Baek Ajin had already transferred the manual to her Shadow Wolf and was examining the functional overview with immense curiosity.

Jinwoo.

Yu Jia watched Baek Jinwoo in silence, a profound warmth swelling within her.

To be explicitly brought into the protective perimeter reserved for his immediate family—was that not the profound reality of what this gesture signified?

All the countless hours she had invested, the singular dedication she had channeled entirely into facilitating Baek Jinwoo’s advancement—in this very instant, every single effort felt completely validated.

Yes!

This exact outcome was what rendered all her labor genuinely meaningful!

[Player ‘Baek Ajin’ designates Player ‘Baek Jinwoo’ as the primary target for the active skill ‘Desperate Call.’]

[Do you choose to accept this designation?]

[Player ‘Yu Jia’ designates Player ‘Baek Jinwoo’ as the primary target for the active skill ‘Desperate Call.’]

Without a moment of hesitation, both individuals selected the affirmative confirmation.

At this point, only a single objective remained.

The acquisition of absolute strength.

If he managed to scale his capabilities to such a pinnacle that no living participant on the globe could match his power?

At that point, anyone could confidently venture out into the world and proclaim, “I belong to Baek Jinwoo’s inner circle!”—and absolutely no person alive would possess the audacity to challenge that claim.

Excellent.

It was time to proceed!

To begin with, the upcoming opportunity to challenge the tenth floor of the Tower of Trials was scheduled exactly one month from today.

Earlier that morning, he had consulted Drill Sarge regarding the timeline required to completely overwhelm One-Eye.

— A single month! Exactly thirty days of preparation will guarantee success, my master!

Drill Sarge had provided that assessment with absolute certainty.

Acknowledging the entity’s profound tactical perception, the estimate was bound to be accurate.

The scheduling aligned flawlessly.

Consulting his schedule, the national selection tournaments that Yu Jia had brought to his attention were slated to occur right around that identical timeframe.

He established his immediate objective: conquering the tenth floor prior to that specific date arriving.

“Alright, I’ll be taking my leave now. I need to pay a visit to the enhancement facilities.”

After bidding farewell to both women, Baek Jinwoo directed his steps toward the specialized refinement chambers.

His current course of action:

The systematic upgrading of his runes.

He intended to force all three of his Lightspeed runes to their absolute maximum upgrade thresholds, after which he would apply the structural modifying abrasives.