Chapter 5

Chapter 5

In the universe of Battle of Summoners, items used for conjuring entities are categorized into five distinct tiers.

These are low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, supreme-grade, and the pinnacle tier: ultimate.

The probability distribution for a low-grade item breaks down as follows:

[F-rank: 94%]

[E-rank: 5%]

[D-rank: 1%]

As previously established, those are the baseline metrics. If one steps up to a mid-grade item, the metrics adjust accordingly:

[E-rank: 94%]

[D-rank: 5%]

[C-rank: 1%]

The progression follows a predictable escalation.

Naturally, the next tier follows the exact same logical trajectory.

[D-rank: 94%]

[C-rank: 5%]

[B-rank: 1%]

Such are the parameters governing a high-grade item.

The methodology is entirely consistent. Each advancement in the quality of the item shifts the potential outcomes upward by exactly one full grade.

Following this mathematical progression, what would the distributions look like for an ultimate item, which sits directly above the supreme-grade tier?

[B-rank: 94%]

[A-rank: 5%]

[S-rank: 1%]

It scales precisely as anticipated.

This very breakdown illustrates the brutal reality of attempting to acquire a top-tier S-rank entity. Even when utilizing the absolute highest tier of regular item available, a user is locked into a minuscule 1% probability per attempt.

To put this into perspective, over a decade of continuous effort, Baek Jinwoo had managed to acquire a grand total of only ten such ultimate items. Their appearance rate within the treacherous depths of dungeons was practically nonexistent.

He needed to maintain his composure.

Acting out of desperation would yield no benefits.

A calculated, incremental approach to progression was the definitive method for maximizing growth without wasting potential assets.

After all, he possessed Ramba.

Baek Jinwoo harbored absolute certainty on this matter. If he focused his resources on maximizing Ramba’s capabilities, scaling the uppermost centennial floors of the dangerous Tower would be a certainty, allowing him to reclaim his rightful position at the apex of global competitors in record time.

The precise duration required was irrelevant.

The sheer baseline capabilities of Ramba bypassed standard limitations. There was a direct correlation between this entity’s existence and the system’s emergency balancing interventions.

“Hey, Brother.”

Strolling along the Jamsil Lake Bridge overlooking the expanse of Seokchon Lake, Baek Ajin shifted her attention toward her sibling.

Time had progressed significantly during their excursion, and the horizon was shifting into twilight.

“What kind of entity did you manage to manifest?”

“Just a single one. A Wind Fairy.”

“A Wind Fairy? Let me see what it looks like.”

“There is no real point.”

“Come on, I’m just curious! We are family, aren’t we? It’s weird if I can’t even look at what my own brother summoned. Watch this.”

A resonant hum filled the air as Baek Ajin executed a swift motion with her hand.

A brilliant burst of illumination materialized, revealing a Shadow Elf.

“Behold my primary combat partner. It is a certified C-rank. Lower tiers like D-ranks are incredibly commonplace, but once you cross into the C-rank threshold, you are effectively entering elite status.”

“I see.”

Baek Jinwoo offered a passive response, entirely unmoved by the display.

A Shadow Elf was nothing more than basic fodder in his eyes—an entity he had never bothered to deploy in serious dungeon incursions. Its primary utility in his past experiences was serving as raw material to be consumed for experience points within the synthesis facility.

However, a specific query came to mind.

“Can that Shadow Elf converse properly? Hello there, Elf.”

Given that Ramba had demonstrated flawless linguistic capabilities from the moment of her manifestation, he wondered if this entity possessed similar traits. He gestured toward the creature, but it remained completely unresponsive and silent.

How dismissive.

Arriving in the historic Land of the Morning Calm without even offering a basic greeting seemed lacking in manners.

“Brother, what exactly are you attempting to do?”

Baek Ajin knit her brows, staring at Baek Jinwoo with an expression reserved for someone displaying signs of mental instability.

“Is something wrong?”

“Since when are entities capable of verbal communication?”

“What?”

Baek Jinwoo paused in surprise.

“Are you saying they never speak?”

“What kind of bizarre concept is that? Point out a single entity across the globe that can engage in actual conversation.”

“……!”

This was unexpected.

It meant Ramba was the anomaly.

Reflecting on his prior encounter, the Fur Gorilla had only managed primitive vocalizations.

That aligned with historical parameters. Even throughout his extensive history within Battle of Summoners, no entity had ever displayed the capacity for articulate speech.

This raised a critical question. Why was Ramba capable of it? Was it an inherent trait of her unprecedented classification?

“Setting aside your odd behavior, just show me your summon already.”

“I will display it at a later time.”

“Why are you being so difficult?”

“No specific reason. Just keep leading the way.”

Turning on his heel, Baek Jinwoo picked up his pace and walked ahead.

“He never changes, always doing things his own way,” Baek Ajin muttered to herself. She quickly dismissed her Shadow Elf back into its sub-dimension and hurried to close the distance between them.

“Wait up!”

The landscape of Jamsil Station upon their arrival bore no resemblance to the historical layouts Baek Jinwoo recalled.

“This is remarkable. Look at the scale of this development.”

Brilliant architectural structures towered over a massive, bustling sea of individuals.

“Quite spectacular, isn’t it?” Baek Ajin replied with a smirk. “The massive conglomerate that had to relinquish ownership of Jamsil Tower to serve as the designated Tower of Trials chose to completely level Jamsil World on the spot.”

“Destroyed Jamsil World?”

That particular amusement park had been one of the premier entertainment landmarks in the nation, situated directly atop the transit hub. It was the definitive icon of the district, and it had simply been eradicated.

“It makes sense. Who would willingly spend their leisure time on amusement park rides while that ominous Tower of Trials is looming directly overhead?”

“One could argue it adds an entirely new level of adrenaline.”

“Brother, there is a vast distinction between a controlled thrill and putting your actual survival on the line.”

The business logic was sound. From a corporate standpoint, capturing the financial capital generated by the influx of active players was exponentially more lucrative than operating standard amusement rides.

That was where the true economy resided.

“Furthermore, maintaining the park became impractical. The space was completely repurposed to house the synthesis facility and various regional dungeons.”

“Understood.”

Baek Jinwoo nodded in comprehension as they crossed the threshold into the expansive Player Zone, situated directly opposite the ominous structure of the Tower of Trials.

“Acquire your lower-tier runes right here!”

“Offering basic summoning items for purchase!”

“Providing premium compensation for any entities rated C-rank or above!”

The environment was a chaotic symphony of vendor announcements. A massive, unstructured trading environment had established itself across the pavilion.

This was the localized marketplace. It functioned identically to the commerce systems present in Battle of Summoners, providing an environment where participants could conduct commerce directly with one another. Since the environment lacked an official centralized digital currency, transactions had traditionally relied on standard real-world finances.

The memory crystallized in his mind.

During the initial rollout phase of the phenomenon, the powerful Baekcheon organization had utilized its massive financial reserves to aggressively purchase every available rune and summoning item from this exact venue. Once the user base dwindled over time, the vendors vanished entirely.

“This sector essentially consolidates all essential resources. Do you see that informational literature over there?” Baek Ajin indicated a collection of documents positioned near the central reception counter. “The structural layouts and operational profiles of the facilities are detailed inside, so you can review them at your convenience. By the way, Brother…”

Baek Jinwoo, who had been scanning his surroundings with the wide-eyed awe of an outsider entering a massive metropolis for the first time, offered a distracted acknowledgment.

“Since you are just starting out, the governing Player HQ operates an instructional academy right over there. Perhaps you should consider enrolling starting tomorrow?”

“I will decline. Thank you anyway.”

His initial information-gathering phase was complete. He had successfully identified his primary operational base. Moving forward, his strategy simply involved dedicating all his time to this location to systematically increase his capabilities.

“I appreciate the guidance. You should return home ahead of me.”

“Are you planning to remain here alone?”

“I intend to conduct a more thorough independent assessment.”

“Well…”

A sense of unease had been lingering within her regarding his demeanor. He seemed completely consumed by an internal intensity. Baek Ajin harbored genuine concern for her sibling, particularly given how recently he had recovered from his prolonged medical state.

However, recognizing the sheer determination burning within him, she chose not to discourage his drive.

“Understood. Do not push your physical limits too far. If you require assistance, contact me immediately.”

“I will.”

With a casual gesture of farewell, Baek Jinwoo stepped forward and dissolved into the dense sea of people.

Seeking out an isolated, unmonitored alcove, he prepared for his next move.

— Jinwooooo!

“Quiet!”

The instant Ramba materialized, Baek Jinwoo immediately covered her mouth to stifle any vocalizations. Securing her small form within his palms, he placed his digit firmly over her lips, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

“From this point forward, if we are in an environment where other humans are present, you must remain absolutely silent upon your manifestation.”

— Mmph?

“Signal your agreement by nodding.”

She complied instantly, tilting her head downward in rapid succession. Though the underlying rationale eluded her, her nature as an obedient entity compelled her to follow her controller’s directives without exception.

According to his sister, talking entities were non-existent in the current landscape. If that held true, allowing Ramba to engage in audible conversation would draw an immense amount of unwanted public scrutiny. Baek Jinwoo had a strong preference for anonymity. For the immediate future, verbal interactions with Ramba would be strictly confined to the interior of isolated dungeons.

First things first, he needed to initiate his dungeon farming campaign. However, entering this environment for the first time left him with a slight sense of vulnerability. His attribute-enhancing runes were completely unoptimized, and his forces consisted of a mere two entities.

He required foundational financial capital. Checking his administrative interface, he reviewed his current economic status:

[Account Details]

[Account holder: Baek Jinwoo]

[Premium savings account]

[Available balance: 12,500 won]

“What an absolute disaster.”

The situation was dire. Regardless of the circumstances that led to this point, this meager sum represented his entire global net worth. Securing traditional institutional financing was an impossibility given his lack of formal employment, steady revenue streams, or valuable assets to leverage as security. Resorting to unregulated secondary lenders would result in predatory interest rates that would completely cripple his progress, and pursuing standard manual labor would consume the precious time he needed for rapid growth.

Should he appeal to his parents for financial backing?

Absolutely not. He needed to maintain his personal integrity. His parents were currently pushing their physical limits across three separate employment positions just to maintain basic household stability. Extracting financial resources from them under these conditions would be entirely unconscionable. The financial toll of that devastating vehicular incident had already drained their resources for three consecutive years through mounting medical bills. He refused to impose any further hardships upon them.

It was entirely manageable. Building from absolute zero was a familiar challenge.

This phase mirrored the foundational stages of Battle of Summoners.

He recalled one of the primary monikers he had earned during his gaming career: The legendary Free-to-Play Ranker. He had achieved success through this exact methodology—eschewing external assistance and financial shortcuts to secure the absolute top position on the leaderboards, earning the legendary title of Ilcheon, signifying One Sky.

If he could dominate a virtual simulation through sheer dedication, he could replicate that success within this new reality.

The immediate tactical plan required entering the lowest-tier dungeon available, utilizing the resulting clearance rewards to continuously generate additional entities, and allocating all primary developmental resources toward accelerating Ramba’s progression.

It was time to begin.

Just as Baek Jinwoo fortified his resolve and stood up, an audible alert chimed from his mobile device.

[An amount of 500,000 won has been successfully credited to your account.]

Simultaneously, a text notification arrived.

[My son. Ajin informed me of your status. She mentioned you were actively trying to establish yourself the moment you regained consciousness. Knowing your personality, you would never explicitly request financial aid… Please utilize this small amount for your immediate needs.]

“……Mother.”

A sudden wave of emotion hit him. Ultimately, his family had provided a lifeline at his moment of greatest need.

As a profound warmth filled his chest, transforming into an unyielding determination, Baek Jinwoo formed a silent, solemn resolution.

He would ensure his family achieved complete financial security and comfort, regardless of the obstacles in his path.

The evening darkness grew more pronounced, yet Baek Jinwoo made no indications of returning home. Throughout his history with Battle of Summoners, pulling consecutive all-nighters was standard practice. Minimizing sleep was a necessity; his peers had possessed a three-year head start, and outworking them was the only viable mechanism to close the competitive deficit.

He needed to eliminate complacency. Success required the proper psychological framework. To operate at an elite level, one had to embody that standard consistently.

Allocating his entire newly acquired capital, Baek Jinwoo purchased three basic summoning items and six lower-tier Swiftness Runes.

Establishing a standard five-member squad was the immediate priority. His original intent involved utilizing the synthesis facility to sacrifice the Fur Gorilla to bolster Ramba’s power. However, having witnessed the gorilla’s surprisingly robust combat performance in their initial engagement, he determined it was prudent to retain the creature’s services for a slightly extended period.

— Gwuuuuh……?

As if intuitively sensing its master’s strategic calculations, the massive primate materialized before him with a remarkably anxious expression.

He needed to maintain emotional detachment. Utilizing entities as developmental fuel was an entirely standard protocol within the mechanics of Battle of Summoners. According to the foundational lore of the system, this process did not result in permanent termination; the entities simply transitioned back to an alternative state, awaiting deployment by a different controller in the future.

“Ramba.”

— ……

She maintained her absolute silence outside the dungeon environment, executing his restrictions flawlessly.

“Incorporate all six of these Swiftness Runes into your configuration.”

The specific attributes distributed across the six components varied individually.

[Rune]

[Rank: low-rank]

[Set effect: Swift]

• 4 equipped: attack speed +30%. 6 equipped: attack speed +50%.

[Level: 1]

[Stat boost]

STR+1, INT+1, HP+100, Crit Rate+4%

Certain variations presented those modifications, while others manifested alternative adjustments:

VIT+1, AGI+1, MP+100, Crit Damage+6%

An entity possessed the structural capacity to integrate up to six individual runes simultaneously, functioning identically to equipment items found within conventional role-playing systems. The maximum enhancement level for these components was capped at ten, with each successful upgrade reinforcing the four embedded core attributes.

There was no reason to overanalyze the specific attribute distributions at this juncture. To correctly optimize Ramba’s performance, his developmental focus needed to center strictly on two core parameters: INT and AGI.

The INT attribute directly amplified the potency of her active abilities, whereas AGI accelerated her physical engagement velocity.

[Wind Fairy (EX-rank) equips low-grade Swiftness Rune.]

……

A soft sound echoed as Ramba completed the integration of all six components. Her operational velocity should now display a noticeable baseline improvement. This would suffice for their initial operations; further down the line, he would demonstrate what an absolute maximization of velocity looked like in practice.

The final phase required expanding his forces.

With a definitive motion, Baek Jinwoo opened all three basic summoning items simultaneously.