Chapter 6
Still, as the head of the family, kneeling in front of my younger sister is something my pride as a man cannot accept.
“Oppa, you look dissatisfied.”
“Me? There’s no way.”
The manly version of me is dead, leaving only the submissive one behind.
When I confessed that I had secretly been entering the Tower, my sister sighed and held both my hands tightly.
“You’re going to keep going, even if I tell you not to, right?”
“Right?”
“What did you say?”
“Ah, no. If my sister says not to, I won’t go.”
Even if it’s just empty words, I have to agree.
I’ve learned yet another aspect of women’s language today.
“Fine, I won’t stop you. After all, Nika will protect you, right?”
【I protect!】
Does she trust Nika more than she trusts me…?
Then, she warned me to always run away if I encountered a dangerous situation.
“One last thing. Never, absolutely never get hurt. Got it? If you do, I’ll kill you.”
“Sister, you’re scarier than any monster.”
“Answer me.”
“Got it. Don’t worry.”
I patted her head, only to realize her hair was greasy.
My hand felt gross, so I decided I should wash her hair.
That’s my duty as her older brother, after all.
As I pushed her wheelchair toward the bathroom, she protested that she could do it herself, but her complaints fell on deaf ears.
It had been a while since I last washed her hair, and though she grumbled, she couldn’t hide her happiness.
Like a true sister, she couldn’t control her expressions.
***
The next morning.
After finishing breakfast, I told her I was going to the Tower and headed to my room.
“Phew, are you ready, Nika?”
【Yes!】
Nika replied brightly, and I hugged her once before entering the Tower.
“Enter!”
【Entering the Tower.】
No matter how many times I saw it, the massive door always felt unfamiliar. Opening it, I walked inside, and a message appeared.
【Do you wish to enter the 4th floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 4th floor.】
───────────────
【4th Floor Mission: Hunt 30 Elf Rabbits!】
【Time Limit: Within 6 hours.】
【Restriction: Ranged weapons not allowed.】
───────────────
I’d heard that the restrictions change randomly with each entry, and it seems to be true.
Like the 3rd floor, the 4th floor was an expansive forest. I entrusted Nika with hunting the Elf Rabbits.
The only difference was that the power level had doubled compared to the 3rd floor.
“Nika, I’m counting on you.”
【Leave it to me!】
【Leave it to me!】
Both Nikas responded, with Nika #1 charging ahead and Nika #2 staying close to guard me.
However, a problem arose.
【Restriction: Ranged weapons not allowed.】
With that, Nika #1, who had charged forward, was summoned back near me.
She looked around in confusion before spotting me and tilting her head.
【Why am I here?】
“Uh… you were summoned back, Nika.”
【Really?】
Is this how the restriction activates?
With no other choice, I set out into the forest with both Nikas to hunt the Elf Rabbits.
At that moment…
【They’re coming.】
【They’re coming.】
With those words, Elf Rabbits appeared from thin air.
They had long, pointy ears like elves, but the problem was that they had four ears in total.
In addition to their rabbit ears, they had elf ears!
“W-what is that? It’s horrifying!”
As if understanding me, the Elf Rabbits’ expressions turned hostile, and they started glaring at me.
When one of them prepared to throw its spear at me, I flinched in fear. But at that moment, Nika #1 and Nika #2 shot forward and began hunting.
───────────────
【3/30 Defeated.】
───────────────
───────────────
【6/30 Defeated.】
───────────────
───────────────
【12/30 Defeated.】
───────────────
In an instant, they began slicing through the surrounding Elf Rabbits, creating a grotesque scene.
This was a harsh reminder from the Tower: this is reality, and you could end up like this too.
───────────────
【29/30 Defeated.】
【30/30 Defeated.】
【Mission Complete!】
Rewards will be distributed.
【New record achieved on the 4th floor!】
You have been registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Do you wish to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Decline.”
【Exiting the Tower.】
I was transported back to my room as I exited the Tower.
Nika #1 and Nika #2 began acting cute as they approached me.
“Good work, you two.”
【Yes! I love you!】
【Yes! I love you!】
As soon as they said this, Nika #2 vanished like smoke, merging back into Nika #1.
The rewards for the 4th floor included a Growth Stone and a Magic Stone, but that wasn’t all.
A red gem glowing in my hand caught my attention.
【Life Stone】
This allows one to escape “death” once within a Gate.
A rare gem considered an extra life in this age of Towers and Gates.
The problem is that it’s “non-tradeable,” so I can’t sell it.
Still, it means I now have an extra life for use in a Gate.
With this, wouldn’t it be safe to start exploring Gates?
I’ll keep climbing the Tower one floor a day, while spending the remaining time exploring Gates.
If I lose the Life Stone, I’ll stop right there.
“Am I a genius or what!?”
【Master is a genius!】
See? Even Nika agrees that I’m a genius!
“Then, shall we try going to a Gate together?”
【Sounds great!】
Gates are ranked from D to S, and currently, I can only access D-rank Gates.
If I want to enter higher ranks, I’d either have to break the law or visit the Hunter Association for a reassessment, but it’s too soon for that.
I’d rather keep my abilities hidden until I’ve become stronger.
For my sister’s safety. No, for my family’s safety.
***
To enter a Gate as a laborer, you can apply through Labor Heaven, but as a Hunter, you must use GateNet.
This is a government-authorized website that requires proof of a Hunter license for registration.
Surprisingly, my rank is D.
Apparently, having four E-rank skills qualified me for a D-rank.
Should I be happy about this? I don’t know.
Two of my skills are still locked, after all.
Well, isn’t higher better anyway?
Honestly, I’d prefer to enter a Gate alone, but that’s not allowed.
Only A-rank or higher Hunters can enter Gates alone, so I have no choice but to join a party.
Now the question is: Should I register as a dealer or a supporter?
Looking at Nika, who tilted her head curiously, I couldn’t help but smile.
She’s so cute—it’s almost unfair!
Of course, if she reverted to her original form, she’d be terrifying.
After much deliberation, I reached a conclusion.
“From today, I’m a supporter.”
Killing enemies while taking care of allies—that’s what a supporter does.
“Let’s see. This one looks good.”
I applied as a supporter for a D-rank Gate, and I got a response immediately.
“Hello, is this Mr. Han Ji-an who applied? Your position is supporter, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Your ability is to increase the team’s attack and defense, right?”
“Yes!”
Nika handles the attacking, so that’s my attack boost.
Nika protects me, so that’s my defense boost. Isn’t it perfect?
Satisfied, the caller told me what time to meet, and I headed to the Gate location.
“Be back soon.”
“Bring me melon-flavored ice cream on your way back.”
“Got it.”
The Gate was about a 30-minute walk away.
Thinking I’d indulge a bit, I decided to take the bus.
When I tapped my transit card at the bus stop, a beep followed by a dreaded message greeted me: “Insufficient balance!”
I had no choice but to get off the bus.
“If you start overspending just because you’re earning money, you’ll end up broke.”
I mumbled an excuse to Nika, who said nothing, and continued walking toward the Gate on my sturdy legs.
When I arrived, I noticed several people who looked like typical Hunters.
Unlike the high-level Hunters I’d seen before, these ones carried only basic equipment or weapons.
The problem was, I didn’t even have that much.
Holding my phone in one hand, I looked around for my team.
In the distance, I saw a man waving enthusiastically.
He looked like the team leader and seemed pretty robust—maybe he’d lifted weights in his younger days.
“Hahaha! To have such a valuable supporter join our humble party! Thank you so much!”
“Haha, I look forward to working with you.”
Supporters are rare, even in RPG games.
It seems that reality is no different.
After greeting the five other members, we entered the Gate.
It was a cave-type Gate with an eerie atmosphere.
“We’ll proceed to the midpoint. Any objections?”
Lower-ranked parties don’t aim to clear Gates; they enter for hunting purposes.
They collect and sell monster materials to make a profit.
Still, I couldn’t shake the chill running down my spine. Was it just my imagination?
My instincts are usually pretty good, but surely nothing bad will happen… right?
—
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