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* * *
The skill that humans awakened as hunters obtain when they successfully conquer the 50th floor, Synthesis.
A function that creates one new item by synthesizing two or more items that can only be obtained in towers. This was similar to a type of probability-based item gacha often seen in PC, mobile, and console games.
Given that the Veritas System borrowed from games and internet communities in the first place, whatever was presumed to be the creator of the towers seemed to see through humanity’s primal instincts.
Kyung Samin also obtained the synthesis skill after conquering the 50th floor and went on to scour message boards to analyze the skill.
‘It seems random but when you put in certain artifacts, it almost definitely spits out something… What the hell, shit. I ground up these two and something I’ve never seen came out? Isn’t the bastard who made the tower completely crazy?’
The synthesis skill that randomly poured out mysterious skills and artifacts not sold in hunter shops was enough to capture the interest of high-ranking rankers.
Consumables and magic stones, magic stones and artifacts, artifacts and artifacts…
The combination methods were endless. Hunters aiming for a windfall forgot about tower conquest and began sitting in their rooms all day staring at system windows, absorbed in synthesis.
As rumors about the synthesis skill spread, silver spoon hunters who came with bags of money became frantic about unlocking the 50th floor, and the Veritas hunter system, where government regulations didn’t reach well, became corrupted into a gambling den for some hunters.
Samin also rode the trend and researched the synthesis skill, and after long effort was able to obtain a rare artifact called ‘Coincidence of the Constellation Nebula.’
[Coincidence of the Constellation Nebula (A)]
[There are many nebulae made of countless stars, but the probability of such nebulae being created is extremely rare. However, just as countless nebulae have been made, such coincidence has come to stay with you. A consumable artifact that grants small wishes.]
Reading the cloud-chasing description attached to the meteorite fragment that appeared with brilliantly shining phantoms, Samin frowned.
“What the… They could have just written that it grants wishes, but they had to write it all pretentiously.”
After grumbling briefly, he quietly held the meteorite fragment in his hand and fell deep in thought. He had drawn something amazing, but when told to make a wish, only one thing immediately came to mind.
‘The 55th floor is really fucking difficult… If we just had Magnetic in our guild, we’d clear it really quickly.’
Coincidentally, the time when Samin obtained ‘Coincidence of the Constellation Nebula’ was around when Yeoun Guild failed at solo conquest of the 55th floor. His interest as guild master was focused solely on tower conquest.
Naturally, Samin decided to wish for Hunter Magnetic, whom he usually admired, to join his guild. Not just any hunter, but Magnetic who was the unshakable #1 ranker. The value of using an artifact that grants wishes was more than sufficient – it was overflowing.
“Make Magnetic join our guild!”
As Samin ambitiously shouted his wish, the meteorite fragment in his hand seemed to shine, then displayed an ominously colored notification window.
[This is a wish beyond the possible range for this artifact. Please check and use again.]
“…Then how about making me meet Magnetic?”
[This is a wish beyond the possible range for this artifact. Please check and use again.]
Having his second wish rejected too, Samin trembled with anger.
‘Shit. What a piece of trash… What the hell works then? They said small wishes, but do they really only grant truly small ones?’
He became stubborn. With the mindset of let’s see who wins, he used the artifact again and shouted.
“Then at least tell me his phone number! You bastard!”
[The target using the phone number is unclear. Please mention the target accurately and try again.]
Though it was a wish blurted out in anger, this time it wasn’t a notification saying it was impossible. At the notification window text full of possibilities, Samin’s eyes sparkled as he shouted.
“Republic of Korea… The mobile phone number currently being used by Lee Doun, whose Veritas System nickname is Magnetic, currently #1 on the leaderboard, somewhere in the Republic of Korea on Earth!”
It would be troublesome if ‘Magnatic’ or ‘Magunetik’ were designated as targets by just a hair’s difference from Magnetic. At Samin’s very specific supplementary explanation full of worry, the meteorite fragment in his hand began to heat up as if responding.
‘Did it work…?’
Before Samin’s eyes, soaked in anticipation, the brilliantly shining artifact poured out an iridescent notification window announcing acceptance.
[This artifact accepts requests within the allowable range.]
[The artifact will be consumed to output your request.]
[Request: Mobile phone number currently being used by Lee Doun, Veritas System nickname ‘Magnetic’]
[Collecting information…]
[Collection complete.]
[010-…]
* * *
Samin, who had been immersed in past recollections, looked into space with a wistful expression and muttered.
“The satisfaction back then was really something…”
“So you’re saying you drew something that grants wishes with that synthesis skill or whatever, and asked for my phone number?”
“Yes! I said I wanted hyung to join our guild but it was rejected, and asking to meet you was rejected too. What kind of A-rank artifact is that?”
“…”
Not even seeing Doun’s sulky expression, Samin shrugged. Just giving out one phone number and calling itself an A-rank artifact. Even if you wished to win the lottery, it was an item that would at most let you win small amounts below 3rd place.
Unlike Samin’s merciless evaluation, Doun frowned with a serious expression.
“Can’t I sue the bastard who made the tower somehow?”
An unknown existence that makes items that leak others’ personal information without care. He began to desperately wonder what kind of existence it was and what it looked like.
If towers hadn’t been created in the first place, human Lee Doun would have been living a reasonably happy life. When Doun fell silent, Samin glanced around and answered.
“Hmm. I heard in America, the landowner where a tower appeared said they’d sue for illegally occupying private property. But can you sue when you don’t even know who the target is? Even if you sued aliens, I don’t think that bastard would come to court and admit to the charges.”
“That… would probably be the case.”
Doun nodded with a gloomy face.
It had already been three years since awakened individuals called hunters appeared. Many full-time hunters who made tower conquest their profession and livelihood had increased. However, since the death rate was originally high and the risk burden was great, life insurance enrollment wasn’t easy, and even if you could enroll in some insurance, the reality was that hefty premium surcharges were attached.
The enactment of special laws related to hunters kept being postponed in the National Assembly, and in ordinary people’s eyes, the hunter tribe often appeared to be potential criminals or social misfits.
‘It’s not dungeons, and tower conquest doesn’t kill you if you don’t do it, so aren’t they voluntarily entering dangerous places? The government and various scholars warned about the dangers of towers early on.’
‘That’s right. Moreover, when something might go wrong, people watch videos of it and evaluate whether these people are cool or not. I’m saying that the hunter class is a group where life-disregarding ideology is rampant.’
‘After magic stones harvested from towers began attracting attention as new fuel to replace coal and nuclear power in Europe and America, our government also began actively purchasing them. Then what happened? Hunters risking their lives to harvest magic stones are countless.’
‘How many young people are still losing their lives trying to make big money with magic stones? The government must prepare countermeasures quickly.’
Hunter-related debates occurred frequently, and it was an issue carefully covered in the news. The strange existence called hunters, who had appeared only three years ago, were still shrouded in countless veils. It was the moment when Doun’s thoughts were about to branch out and flow in a strange direction.
“Hyung. Have all your questions about me been resolved now?”
“…More or less.”
Doun nodded while staring at Samin pensively. To think that after obtaining a good artifact, the wish he made was related to himself. It was unbelievable and felt strange. Because he felt like he had truly become a special existence to Samin.
“Then please resolve my curiosity too.”
“What is it?”
“You promised to show me around your house.”
What was so special about a house tour? Doun nodded and got up from the sofa. The large presence that slyly followed felt strangely reliable. He began awkwardly introducing his house.
“But there’s really nothing much. First, these two are empty rooms. I set them aside as guest rooms but no guests have ever come, so they’re just…”
Flustered by unnecessarily adding the pathetic detail that no one had ever come to his house, Doun trailed off. Looking around the room that lived up to being called empty with only basic lighting and built-in closets, Samin asked.
“Hyung, haven’t you lived in this house for long?”
“No. It’s been almost a year.”
Hearing the answer, Samin’s mind worked quickly.
Magnetic went into hiding about a year ago. Doun started living in this house a little less than a year ago, but saying no guests had ever come…
‘That means I’m the first guest to come to Doun hyung’s house! Crazy. Really!’
He felt electrified from head to toe instantly. His heart beat ridiculously fast. Hiding his joy, Samin let out a deep sigh and muttered. Because a useful scheme for this situation had occurred to him.
“Hmm. The house is too big for hyung to live alone. There are many empty rooms too.”
Puzzled by the sudden empty room talk, Doun recalled one plausible hypothesis based on the accumulated ‘Kyung Samin bullshit patterns.’
‘Is this guy trying to say something like let’s live together?’
When he looked with narrowed eyes, sure enough, Samin grinned and began.
“How about getting a roommate while we’re at it? A handsome #2 ranker hunter. I’m also a fun little rascal who owns wealth so you don’t have to worry about rent being late.”
Samin, who supported his grinning face with both palms nicely, recited an embarrassing self-introduction. Doun glanced up at his cheeky face.
Yesterday he was really grateful and moved to tears, but now why did he look like a playboy obsessed with schemes?
“Don’t do it. Really.”
“Don’t do what?”
“Don’t act like that when you’re a grown man.”
“What kind of acting? Huh? Charm appeal? Wealth display? Thorough preparedness to introduce yourself anytime, anywhere?”
While Samin clung to Doun and chattered, he slyly closed the door to the empty room with nothing in it. The empty, hollow space seemed to show Doun’s past year, making his heart ache for no reason.
“Roommates like this aren’t common. Consider it seriously, hyung. Okay?”
“No, just… stop clinging to me, geez… A guy with so much money, why would you want to live as a roommate in someone else’s house? It’s not necessary. Here’s the bathroom, and over there is the kitchen where we ate together earlier…”
Though Doun was disgusted, he steadfastly continued introducing the house. Samin looked at the round back of his head that couldn’t push him away despite showing clear signs of annoyance and thought.
‘I need to stick close and make our hyung happy…’
Samin’s fingers touching his lips, where the soft sensation was still vivid, were tender.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
