Chapter 4

Chapter 4: I Alone Am an EX-Class Summoner

His perception was plunged into complete darkness for a fleeting second.

When clarity returned—

Hmm.

He found himself positioned within a rather grim, unsettling cavern.

A pungent, metallic odor of decay and damp earth assaulted his senses.

[To participate in dungeon battles, you are required to establish a squad with your summons.]

[Maximum number of summons per squad: five!]

[Player ‘Baek Jinwoo’ currently commands only two summons.]

[Do you wish to allocate ‘Wind Fairy’ (EX-Rank) and ‘Fur Gorilla’ (F-Rank) to Squad 1?]

Yes!

The moment he confirmed the selection, Ramba and the Fur Gorilla materialized right in front of him.

— Ugh, this reeks! I can smell wild beasts nearby!

— Grwooooh……!

The pair instantly assumed defensive positions, and concurrently—

[A famished Gray Wolf is lurking in the vicinity.]

[Subdue the creature and navigate your way out of the cavern.]

Grrrr.

The low, rumbling growl of a beast vibrated through the narrow passages of the cave.

At that exact moment—

VWEEEEN!

A brilliant, shimmering light radiated from beneath Jinwoo’s feet, enveloping his form like a protective blanket.

[A ‘barrier’ has been activated for the player.]

[This ‘barrier’ will remain functional until the player’s summons are unsummoned.]

[The ‘barrier’ completely negates all incoming damage.]

Ah.

The mechanics of the Battle of Summoners.

It was a standard feature created to ensure the safety of the master while the familiars engaged in combat.

However, given that this was no longer a simulation……

[Please proceed with extreme caution.]

[Should you sustain an assault from an enemy summon while unprotected by a ‘barrier,’ mortality is guaranteed.]

As expected.

Jinwoo let out a dry, mirthless chuckle.

No matter how closely the environment mimicked a video game, the stakes were entirely real now.

This was actual life.

To put it plainly, he could no longer carelessly throw himself into perilous zones just to experiment and learn from mistakes like he used to.

A single misstep meant his life was forfeit.

Scaling the structures ahead was bound to be significantly more grueling as well.

Even so, it didn’t matter.

He could handle it.

He had run through these scenarios thousands, if not tens of thousands of times, and every single tactic was perfectly cataloged within his memory.

The menacing noises echoing from the depths of the cave were rapidly drawing nearer.

“Ramba.”

— Present!

“Begin twirling your weapon.”

— Understood! Watch me go, hyah!

Fwoosh, fwoosh!

Ramba commenced a leisurely rotation of her diminutive staff.

[Passive Ability]

• Wind Pressure: Every rotation of the staff enhances a chosen ally summon’s striking velocity by 3%.

Ramba’s Wind Pressure served as a specialized velocity enhancer.

The longer she maintained the motion, the swifter the Fur Gorilla’s strikes would execute.

— Grwoh?

The beast tilted its head in confusion.

Right. It must be unfamiliar with receiving enhancements.

— GRWOOOOOH!

The beast’s gaze ignited with intensity as it registered the surge of vitality coursing through its frame.

Directly ahead of them—

Grrrr.

A massive canine, saliva pooling at the edges of its jaws, was slowly advancing in their direction.

Wow.

That creature.

To begin with, its physical proportions were immense.

Furthermore, it possessed terrifyingly sharp teeth and eyes that gleamed an ominous crimson.

The thick, rigid coat of fur covering its body stood completely on end……

It was genuine.

Yes, that was an actual, living predator.

What would happen if his familiars collapsed in defeat?

Those razor-sharp teeth would tear him to pieces without hesitation. There was zero doubt about that.

“Ha.”

An involuntary breath escaped his lips.

Without his realizing it, his lower limbs had begun to shudder slightly.

His pulse thudded violently against his ribs, and a wave of heat rushed to his head as if his life force was reaching a boiling point.

The beast surely wouldn’t falter, right?

Within the virtual boundaries of the game, victory was guaranteed, but……

This predator was completely real!

— Grrr, ARF! ARF!

In that fraction of a second, the beast pounced.

“GORILLA!”

Jinwoo barked out the command automatically.

— Grwoh!

The Fur Gorilla lunged forward to meet the charging predator head-on.

— Go get him, big guy! Don’t back down!

From the rear, Ramba continued to rotate her staff aggressively.

For context, Ramba possessed absolutely no personal offensive capabilities.

The moment the beast fell, Ramba would instantly perish as well.

CRUNCH!

The predator’s jaws clamped down violently on the gorilla’s shoulder.

SPLURT!

Crimson fluids splattered onto the stone floor.

— EEK! Big guy! Are you alright?! Don’t give up!

Yet the gorilla refused to be overwhelmed so easily.

— GRWOOOOOH!

Restraining the predator’s throat with one powerful limb, its remaining fist began to rain heavy blows upon the creature’s midsection repeatedly.

— Gakh, garrkk!

— Grwoh, GRWOOOH!

A brutal, unbridled clash between the two entities unfolded before him.

As the gorilla delivered a heavy strike, the predator retaliated by dragging its rear talons across the gorilla’s abdomen.

There was only a single variable left to rely upon.

“RAMBA!”

— I hear you! I’m moving it as quickly as humanly possible!

The critical factor was accelerating the frequency of the gorilla’s strikes.

That was the uniquely powerful nature of Ramba’s skill.

Admittedly, at its current stage, it appeared somewhat lackluster.

However, once she underwent proper advancement, it would transform into an incredibly straightforward yet utterly devastating enhancement.

— GRWOOOOOOOOH!

A brief period elapsed as the violent exchange persisted.

The frequency of the gorilla’s punches had escalated to an astonishing degree.

The predator’s growls began to falter, its vitality visibly ebbing away.

After a few additional minutes of continuous combat—

— Grwoh, GRWOOOH!

The Fur Gorilla battered the canine into a broken, motionless heap, THUD THUD THUD THUD, before throwing its head back in a triumphant declaration of success.

[Dungeon successfully conquered!]

[‘Fur Gorilla’ (F-Rank) has advanced to level 2.]

[‘Fur Gorilla’ (F-Rank) Might has increased by 1.]

[‘Wind Fairy’ (EX-Rank) has advanced to level 2.]

[‘Wind Fairy’ (EX-Rank) Acumen has increased by 1.]

[Distributing acquired items.]

[Basic-tier ‘Might’ Essence x 2.]

“Haah.”

The intense anxiety gripping his body finally dissolved.

Simultaneously, a realization dawned on him.

Provided I secure a victory, this process is relatively straightforward.

A loss meant the absolute end of his existence, but achieving a win simply required him to remain behind the front lines and observe.

Whether maintaining that pattern would prove as uncomplicated as it seemed remained to be seen.

[The pocket dimension is collapsing.]

Fwish!

His surroundings spun rapidly, and he found himself standing once more in the open glade.

His compensation: a pair of basic-tier essences.

First priorities first.

Should he investigate the precise mechanics?

The method for entering these pocket dimensions.

The exact positions of the spire, the amalgamation facility, and all other essential hubs.

He would commence his journey there.

The younger sibling of Baek Jinwoo, a twenty-two-year-old named Baek Ajin, operated as a gatherer of essences.

She primarily frequented basic-tier pocket dimensions, sustaining herself by marketing the acquired items to up-and-coming combatants.

She had previously been a dedicated university student, but chose to transition into a active combatant after her sibling’s sudden mishap placed their household economy into a severe crisis.

“I appreciate your assistance today, leaders!”

It was dusk, and the horizon was washed in deep shades of amber and violet.

Exiting the Jamsil Tower located in Seoul, Ajin had managed to secure a substantial profit once more.

Typically, when only basic-tier items materialized, her daily yield amounted to roughly 100,000 won. Today, however, an intermediate-tier essence had manifested.

The market value for an intermediate-tier essence at the Central Hub was fixed at 100,000 won per unit.

Consequently, she had accumulated 200,000 won over the course of a single day.

“Heheh.”

She whistled a cheerful melody as she walked toward the transit station.

Although her earnings permitted a private ride, she was a person deeply committed to extreme economy.

Lease payments, household maintenance, her sibling’s medical expenses, and various other obligations.

The tally of financial burdens she needed to manage was seemingly infinite.

Fortune smiled on me today.

In truth, she was a combatant favored with an uncommon C-Rank familiar.

Its designation: Shadow Elf (C-Rank)!

Such an entity would absolutely never manifest from a standard basic-tier summoning item.

Even when utilizing the scarce ‘intermediate-tier summoning item,’ the probability of acquiring a C-Rank hovered at a mere 1%.

[E-Rank: 94%]

[D-Rank: 5%]

[C-Rank: 1%]

Those were the exact manifestation probabilities associated with an intermediate-tier summoning item.

Initially, she had been forced to allocate every single resource she gathered toward developing it, but by this point, its capabilities had matured significantly.

Engaging in unassisted, solo resource gathering had finally become a viable reality.

In any case.

Did my brother manage to return home from the medical facility without issue?

La la~

Cheerfully, she punched in his contact digits.

Ring, ring—

The signal repeated, and then—

— Speaking.

“Oh, Brother! Did you arrive home safely? I intended to assist you with the transition, but my duties ran late. I’m just checking in now!”

— Right, your timing is actually perfect.

“Hm?”

— Our father informed me. You work as an essence trader?

“Huh?”

Ajin’s expression contorted into a grimace of irritation.

An essence trader? What sort of demeaning classification was that?!

“That phrasing is incredibly unflattering! Could you at least refer to it as essence brokerage?”

— Brokerage, distribution, it makes no difference! Setting that aside, is the amalgamation facility situated over there? Within the Jamsil Tower in Seoul?

“Uh……”

Indeed, it was.

There were precisely two dedicated Player Zones established across the entirety of South Korea.

The Jamsil Tower in Seoul and the Haeundae Tower situated in Busan.

The rural regions possessed none whatsoever.

An individual was required to travel to one of those two specific hubs for any activities concerning familiars.

“That is accurate, but what is the reason for asking? Brother, haven’t you skipped the introductory trial entirely up to this point?”

— ‘Skipped’? I have already concluded it.

“WHAT?!”

Ajin let out a piercing cry.

Pedestrians standing near the transit station startled and directed annoyed glances her way, but she was far too preoccupied to notice.

“Brother! I forwarded you an electronic message! I explicitly stated that the area is incredibly hazardous! I instructed you to thoroughly absorb the protective orientation before attempting entry!”

It was labeled an introductory trial, certainly.

Nevertheless, the volume of individuals who had met their demise within those boundaries due to inadequate preparation was terrifying.

In the present day, with data readily accessible, candidates readied themselves meticulously prior to crossed thresholds. Yet three years ago, it had been a scene of absolute devastation.

The entire nation had been plunged into a state of profound mourning.

“Did you at least assemble a full complement of five familiars before attempting it? Please tell me you didn’t venture inside relying solely on the initial pair.”

Five entities per squad.

This implied that the standard strategy required establishing a well-balanced squad prior to confronting the wild canine.

Lacking an adequate supply of basic-tier summoning items?

One simply had to remain patient for three additional days.

The daily participation allowance granted one unit every twenty-four hours.

— I entered relying on only two.

“ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE?!”

Ajin felt a surge of sheer panic rattle her composure.

— I am currently breathing, am I not? Relieve your anxieties. I executed the task flawlessly and exited.

“……”

— Now, if I intend to properly nurture their capabilities, I require access to essences and the amalgamation facility, correct? Would you mind directing me?

“Brother, pause for a moment.”

She took a deliberate breath to stabilize her erratic respiration.

This man.

He regained consciousness only yesterday and he is already behaving in this manner?

What was driving him to move with such urgency?

“What classification did you receive?”

— Pardon?

“You claimed to have cleared the trial. You must have manifested your familiars. What classification? F? E? D?”

— ……

On this occasion, Jinwoo showed signs of hesitation.

Ought he to reveal the absolute truth?

The internal debate lasted only a fraction of a second.

No.

Since he had already resolved to keep the matter concealed, he needed to maintain the secrecy thoroughly.

Regardless of familial bonds.

— An E and an F.

“Oh! An E? You managed to pull an E-Rank? That carries only a 5% probability!”

— Is that so? I suppose fortune smiled on me. Regardless, you are still at that location, correct?

“Yes, I remain here, but……”

— In that case, simply remain there. Give me a moment to arrive, and you can give me a tour.

“No, Brother, don’t you believe you are overextending yourself far too quickly—”

“Hello? Brother? Brother?”

This individual.

Had he always possessed such an utter disregard for caution?

Three years in the past.

The precise date the global landscape transformed permanently.

Spires of Tribulation manifested across every sector of the earth.

South Korea received 2. Japan claimed 4. The United States claimed 13. China claimed 57.

No definitive explanation had been confirmed regarding why individual nations were allocated varying quantities, though one dominant theory persisted.

The demographic premise.

Approximately one spire per 25 million citizens, rounding downward.

This explained why microscopic states such as Vatican City, Monaco, and Macau contained zero Spires of Tribulation.

Regarding South Korea’s allocation, the Jamsil Tower and Haeundae Tower had been reconfigured into Spires of Tribulation.

[Prominent real estate mogul, reduced to insolvency in an instant!]

[Spire of Tribulation: The property crisis that continues to plague the market.]

Every resident occupying those structures had been forcibly relocated, a messy scenario by all accounts. Yet there was no recourse available to anyone.

It was an act of God.

Regardless.

Player Zones naturally coalesced around the perimeters of the Spires of Tribulation.

Scheduled weekly dungeons, collective raids, the main spire, essence gathering zones, the amalgamation facility, the refinement lab, and additional features.

Every single procedure had to be managed within those borders.

Consequently, the valuation of surrounding properties had done nothing but escalate.

The sectors were already notoriously costly, but their values had soared well beyond standard metrics.

VROOM!

A transport vehicle pulled up to the Jamsil terminal.

Jinwoo walked off the steps, clad in an athletic suit with his head covering pulled low.

Positioned directly ahead of him was Ajin, her limbs crossed defiantly and an irritated expression dominating her features.

“Hey there. It is pleasant to see you, sister.”

Only yesterday, her face had been completely unadorned and drenched in tears.

Now, she was meticulously styled with professional cosmetics.

“Honestly, Brother. What is the purpose of driving yourself to this extreme? This task could easily have been deferred until tomorrow.”

“Time is of the essence for me.”

Jinwoo had historically harbored an absolute fixation on the Battle of Summoners.

And now, he had remained entirely stagnant for three full years, with his entire progress wiped back to the baseline.

He was required to develop his power once more, with maximum speed.

There was not a single twenty-four-hour period to throw away.

Even at this very moment, his physical form was practically vibrating with the urge to take action.

“Assist me with this, and I shall provide you with a modest stipend down the road.”

“My current revenue vastly eclipses yours, Brother.”

Over the course of this single day.

She had brought in 200,000 won.

“My dear sibling. One can never predict the trajectory of existence. Who can say? Perhaps I shall ascend to become the premier combatant globally.”

“Pfft. Dream on.”

Ajin let out a dismissive snort.

“Every single individual harbors that exact delusion. I fell into that mindset, as did our father, and practically every male neighbor on our block entertained the identical fantasy. Are you aware of where the vast majority of them concluded their journeys?”

“Where did they end up?”

“They confronted the harsh truth and abandoned the path of a combatant entirely, or they wound up in a position identical to mine, scraping together a living through resource gathering. The premier combatant globally? Only individuals who are genuinely touched by fate can achieve such a feat. The acquisition lottery is an absolute statistical nightmare from start to finish.”

Ah.

Is that the consensus.

Jinwoo permitted himself a subtle smirk.

My little sister is standing here attempting to instruct a master of the craft.

“I mean, everyone speaks grandly regarding figures like Rachel and Xenos.”

Rachel representing the United Kingdom. Xenos representing the United States.

Both entities were core members of the Five Emperors who had previously operated under his leadership.

“You are likely oblivious to this, Brother, but any individual who has spent even a brief tenure within this sector understands. Those two are absolute, unparalleled prodigies.”

“Oh, is that truly the case?”

Jinwoo’s grin widened.

However, there is a piece of information you lack, sister.

To begin with, I am entirely insulated from that statistical nightmare.

He held an EX-Rank entity in his possession, after all.

Furthermore.

Rachel? Xenos?

They qualify as prodigies?

In that scenario, my dear sister.

I must represent the entity operating at an altitude far above running prodigies.

Those two specific individuals would instantly drop to the ground and feign death on my command if I offered them even a solitary shard of guidance.

“Yes, yes. Simply proceed with the orientation already.”

Let us observe firsthand.

What the actual layout of the Player Zone looks like in reality.