After finishing his business at the Tower Player Awakening Administration, Juhyeok hurried straight ho.
He was in a rush.
Joy doubles when you share it.
After quickly doing a Designated Summon on the summoned entities—
“Co take a look at this fresh-off-the-repair-line rune.”
Juhyeok held out the Trait enhancent rune like it was so kind of royal insignia.
“G-Gasp! T-Trait enhancent? Is this a dream, or real life, sir?”
Cossack approached in quick little steps, bowing at the waist.
“Truly a magnificent choice, sir. What would we have done if you’d listened to back then and rubbed the scroll on the holy sword?”
“I just had a feeling. Like—yeah, I should use this on the broken rune.”
Rubbing his palms together as he eagerly agreed—
“Hehehe, as expected of Summoner Bong. You’re brilliant, sir.”
“Hahaha, brilliant my ass. I just got lucky.”
“Ah, but isn’t luck also a skill? Hehehehe!”
The other summoned entities, too—
“Good. Good! A warrior is very good.”
“Master’s sincerity has moved the heavens. I feel as though a dance is spilling from of its own accord.”
“Certain victory! Infinite glory upon the road you walk, Commander!”
“SQUEEEAK!!”
Everyone was happy together.
“While it’s still fresh, please eat it quickly, sir. I’ll fetch you a glass of water so you don’t choke.”
Cossack had been going full loyal-retainer mode lately. The badge effect really was huge.
Anyway, it was better to consu it fast.
A repaired item held together by mismatched fragnts.
If he wasn’t careful, the repaired parts might fall off.
Juhyeok quickly put the rune into his mouth.
The instant it touched his tongue, it lted smoothly and slid down his throat—Trait enhancent rune.
[Your Awakening Trait is being enhanced.]
What about the Status Window?
It was fantastic. Six simultaneous summons—he felt full even without eating.
The summoned entities clapped in celebration. He raised a hand in reply.
“Let’s proceed with the event.”
“Going straight into Random Summon?”
“No. That’s the second part. The first part is a rit comndation.”
Juhyeok smiled warmly and spoke while looking at Rajix.
“Rajix, step forward.”
“SQUEAK!”
RROOOLL. STOP!
After pulling out a Platinum Badge—
“By discovering fragnts of the Trait enhancent rune and rendering great service to our future Tower climbing, you are hereby awarded this badge. Your supplentary prize is one box of pesticide-free organic carrots from Jeju.”
“SQUEEEAK...”
Juhyeok pinned the badge onto Rajix’s Subspace Backpack.
Three badges, shining brightly.
Rajix puffed his chest out and waddled around the living room once on his short legs.
Nobody could deny it.
Because of Rajix, the Summoner was stronger—and safer.
“Worker Rajix! Your swagger is insane, sir!”
“Congratulations. You are the greatest servant in the world. You have every right to be arrogant.”
“Supply Officer! I respect you. And envy you.”
“Impressive. Worker.”
“Three badges, sir. Isn’t it heavy? I can carry one for you.”
“HUH-EK!”
Rajix’s face was overflowing with happiness.
“The second part is Random Summon. Finally, one more person is coming.”
A first eting with soone new.
Man or woman, it didn’t matter.
He just wanted them to be a normal person.
“And the third part is shopping. We’re going to run straight through to the fourth part—an after-party. Brace yourselves.”
“Eh? Feels like we’re gonna run out of ti, sir.”
“We’ll take a three-hour break in the middle, then et again and go to the after-party.”
“I’m curious about the after-party nu, sir.”
“Hmm. We have perception-interference talismans, so... how about a top-tier buffet?”
“Eek! atshield might get kicked out, sir.”
“...Is that so?”
Well, does he eat that much?
The beef place they went to before would be better.
This ti, he should tell them to prepare five hundred servings.
“When the new teammate arrives, be nice to them, everyone. No hazing.”
“Hehehe, as a senior, I’ll teach the new teammate everything from one to ten, step by step.”
“The warrior will care for the new teammate in every way.”
“I am confident in new recruit training.”
“No matter how bad the draw is, can it possibly be worse than Mad Demon?”
“SQUEAK.”
What class would be good?
“Everyone, say what type of teammate you want. For the record, I’m fine with anyone. Rank, gender, age, job—doesn’t matter.”
Cossack spoke first.
“I’d like a saintess or a priest, sir. A refined noble who doesn’t scream and blow up, and who’ll let it slide even if I slurp noodles.”
GLARE!
Princess Gyeon Dallae glared at Cossack once, then—
“...A holy knight would also be acceptable. A wise holy knight who can give Master sincere counsel, rather than a cunning flatterer.”
Veronica, too—
“If a capable dic transfers in, I will train them well as the senior.”
atshield and Rajix as well.
“If there is a Summoner-exclusive healer, the warrior’s heart will be at ease.”
“SQUEEEAK... too.”
Everyone wanted a holy-attribute teammate.
Juhyeok didn’t particularly think it was necessary.
Even now, everything was running very smoothly.
But he should follow what his teammates wanted.
It could heal atshield, who suffered alone while tanking, and it could also synergize with Gyeon Dallae the shamaness.
Please send just one holy-attribute teammate. If their head is screwed on straight, that would be amazing.
And then—
“Random Summon!”
[Beginning Random Summon.]
“BA-DUM BA-DUM BA-DUM BA-DUM BA-DUM...”
With Cossack’s mouth percussion, FWAAASH! the summon began.
Already the seventh Random Summon.
aning it had been six months since he beca a Player.
They’d be a decent person, right?
Among that countless number of souls, there couldn’t be zero normal ones.
The swirl of light gathered in one spot.
Then it began to take the shape of a person.
“Oh!”
“I’m nervous, sir.”
“It is radiant, brilliant light. I have a good feeling.”
“SQUEEEAK...”
Light filled the penthouse living room.
It didn’t fade easily.
At last—PA-PA-PA-SPOT!
A new summoned entity finally revealed themself.
He could see clearly.
He could even guess the class.
“...A knight?”
“Correct. Wearing armor.”
“Ahh, behold—the Radiance.”
“Holy, knight, sir?”
“Buy what?”
“Holy. Knight.”
It really did seem like a holy knight.
They were ard in gleaming plate armor.
Dense, unsettling spikes studded across the surface.
The weapon in their hand was a tal flail wrapped in ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) a silvery film.
It was definitely Radiance.
A weapon and armor that emitted light on their own—Radiance’s holy knight.
A mont later, the light vanished.
And the holy knight bowed their head to Juhyeok.
“I, Lucius Bardin, servant of Lord Nigel and His glorious sword, greet you, Summoner.”
“Haha. Welco.”
Ah.
Just from the way he spoke, Juhyeok could tell.
A solemn voice. A dignified attitude.
Finally—a normal summoned entity.
And a holy knight class, at that.
Then...
He discreetly checked the Status Window category.
Na: Lucius Bardin
Rank: SR (Super Rare)
Type: holy knight (human)
Manifestation Ti Limit: 6 hours
Satisfaction Rating: none
Resummon Cooldown: 3 hours (applies after Dismiss Summon)
Inquisitor?
What is that?
Unease seeped into him.
Sohow...
They said a bad feeling was never wrong.
After finishing greetings with Juhyeok, Lucius Bardin shouted with a stiff, stern face.
“So all the filthy heathens are gathered here.”
Oh hell.
Juhyeok and the summoned entities all froze like ice.
“You cunning unbelievers! You are the root cause that leads the Summoner down the path of heresy.”
More and more—
“Summoner! Do not worry. I shall convert you to the righteous path. Repent, and embrace the bosom of Lord Nigel.”
This was bad.
He’d pulled a fanatic.
CLINK. CLINK.
Lucius Bardin, in spiked armor, raised his flail and roared.
“I must set an example.”
His eyes turned to Gyeon Dallae.
“It has been long indeed since I have seen an evil witch such as you. You are the chief culprit who bewitched the Summoner! Repent through death!”
At that very mont!
FWAAASH! Radiance so bright it stung the eyes.
At the sa ti—SWISH!
Bardin swung the flail down at Gyeon Dallae’s head.
“atshield!”
GRAB!
atshield, already prepared, caught the flail’s handle.
“Ha! And what are you? A barbarian? I see. You are all in league together. You filthy spawn of demons!”
Ugh. He couldn’t listen to this anymore.
Juhyeok raised a hand to stop him.
“Enough!”
“Hoh... Summoner, why do you stop ?”
Bardin was trembling with excitent.
“You are being deceived. Please, return to Lord Nigel and reclaim the light—”
“Mr. Bardin, don’t open your mouth.”
Juhyeok snapped, firm and cold.
Then—
“MMMPH! MM, MMPH! MMPH! MMPH!”
“Don’t even make a sound. And don’t move, either.”
“...”
He listens, at least.
“Phew...”
A sigh ca out on its own.
Yeah. This was the weak man’s fate. Things had been going weirdly well lately—so of course.
Is Princess okay?
Gyeon Dallae looked fine. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she’d taken the blow.
Bardin stood there, unable to do anything under Juhyeok’s command.
In front of him, atshield had his fists clenched, Cossack had his dagger up, Veronica aid her magic gun, and even Rajix held his golden pickaxe, glaring sharply at Bardin.
While he had the chance, Juhyeok quickly checked the background description.
Lucius Bardin is an inquisitor of the Nigel Holy Kingdom. He devoted his entire life to judging and condemning heathens. His thod of condemnation was execution—killing, and killing, and killing again with a holy flail. Unbelievers, heretics, apostates, witches—everyone was a target for Bardin’s “repentance.”
He had no brakes. He refused any instruction to “keep it reasonable.” It was repentance or death. The holy flail never had ti to dry. Feeling uneasy, the Pope of the Nigel Holy Kingdom excommunicated Bardin, and the holy knight order captured him, frad him as a witch’s child, and burned him at the stake.
...Wow.
Images flickered through Juhyeok’s mind.
Repent!
I-I will.
Don’t lie!
P-please...
CRACK!
Do you believe in the Lord?
I believe. I do.
You are an unbeliever.
N-no, what do you think I just—
CRACK!
A crazy fanatic.
He might be even crazier than Mad Demon.
He’d wanted a new teammate so badly.
But it felt wrong to send him back.
Could he be rehabilitated?
“Mr. Lucius Bardin?”
“...”
“From now on, hostile actions toward your teammates are forbidden. If you do this even once, I will send you back imdiately.”
Bardin still didn’t speak.
“You can answer.”
And then, a desperate plea burst out of him.
“S-Summoner! It is not too late. Let us walk the path of repentance together. We must offer hymns and prayers. Repeat after . O Lord in Heaven, today again a lamb has lost its way and wanders the dark wilderness—”
“Shh!”
“MMMPH! MMPH!”
No. This was hopeless.
If this guy ever invoked Summoned Principles, Article Three, Juhyeok could already see the future.
Even with six simultaneous summons, he didn’t want this lunatic in the party.
He’d rather wait another month and pull soone else.
“Go back to where you were. Right now, Dismiss Summon—”
In that mont—
“Summoner Bong,”
Cossack ca close and whispered.
“Don’t dismiss him yet, sir.”
“Why?”
“I think he’ll have a use, sir.”
“A fanatic?”
What could he possibly be used for?
“As Summoner Bong’s right hand, and a genius of scheming, I will handle it. Leave it to , sir.”
“Hmm.”
Well, then—
“Try it.”
“Yes, sir!”
He was curious what Cossack planned, anyway—
*****
[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 64.]
The mont they entered, Cossack and atshield were whispering to each other over there.
Why did they co into the Tower?
Juhyeok still didn’t know.
What were they going to do with a fanatic inside the Tower?
Try to persuade him while hunting?
What if, mid-ghoul fight, Bardin shouted, “Die, heathen!” and swung a flail into the back of their heads?
How would they stop that?
It was absolutely possible.
A mad holy knight, packed tight with warped convictions—blind faith so intense he’d throw away even a knight’s pride.
Cossack smiled, sour and sharp.
“atshield. Let’s begin.”
SHOOOOOOOOM!
atshield’s Enlargent.
Bigger, and bigger, until he rose all the way to the cave ceiling.
With a monstrous hand, atshield lifted the inquisitor Bardin straight into the air.
Bardin couldn’t even resist.
The difference in size was absurd.
If atshield was an adult human, Bardin was the size of a small lapdog.
“Eek! What are you doing? Put down! You filthy barbarian—you are no different than the spawn of demons!”
atshield ignored him.
He gripped Bardin’s ankles tightly in his right hand.
“The warrior is ready.”
Then Cossack spoke to Juhyeok.
“Summoner Bong, order that inquisitor to manifest Radiance, sir.”
Radiance?
Why here—
Are they testing sothing?
Maybe seeing whether the Radiance of a crazy inquisitor would also work on undead—
“Mr. Bardin.”
“Summoner! Command these heathens to be punished for ! Establish the law of Lord Nigel!”
“...Okay. Manifest Radiance.”
Fanatic or not, he was still a summoned entity—he couldn’t disobey the Summoner’s command.
Especially if it was related to Tower clearing.
“LIGHT!!!”
FWAAASH!
Holy knight and inquisitor, Lucius Bardin, manifested dazzling Radiance across his entire body.
THUD THUD THUD THUD!
atshield advanced while swinging Bardin’s body around in wide arcs.
What? Swinging him? Swinging him? Don’t tell —
The ghoul pack flinched, trembling, backing away.
“KYAaaak!”
“KEH-KEK!”
“KIIIK?”
atshield smashed into them with Bardin in his hand.
BWOOOOONG! THUD!
CRUMBLE...
That insane bastard, Cossack!
He’d expected it, but still.
Juhyeok finally realized what Cossack ant by Bardin having “a use.”
A human weapon.
A thought so absurd it never even occurred to him.
He’d forgotten.
Just how insane Cossack was.
atshield too.
With no change in expression, he swung Bardin around again and again.
“Y-you! What are you doing? You demons—!”
Then, when Bardin’s Radiance weakened—
“Summoner Bong?”
“...I get it.”
Juhyeok ordered Bardin again.
“Mr. Bardin. Manifest Radiance.”
“LIGHT!!!”
FWAAASH!
BWOOONG! BWUNG! BWUNG!
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Ghouls struck by Radiance scattered into dust. One hit and they were done.
Even a graze turned them into powder.
“atshield has a weapon now, sir. A holy sword doesn’t even compare, sir.”
Cossack said it with a bright grin, utterly casual.
Juhyeok stared at him with a blank, stunned face.
Was it just Juhyeok?
Gyeon Dallae shook her head side to side.
Veronica held her magic gun and just stood there with her mouth hanging open.
“SQUEAK...”
Rajix, shocked, dropped the golden pickaxe from his hand.
And Radiance weakened again.
“...Mr. Bardin. Radiance.”
“LIGHT!!!”
FWAAASH! BWOOOOOOONG! THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!
Ahhh!
Poor Lucius Bardin.
He wasn’t so voice-activated LED bulb.
“Bardin. Radiance.”
“LIGHT!!!”
FWAAASH! THUD-THUD!
“Radiance.”
“LIGHT!!!”
THUD-THUD-THUD!
...Sohow, it was kind of fun.
And thanks to the sturdy armor, it didn’t look like he was getting hurt much.
“LIGHT!!!”
FWAAASH!
Lucius Bardin himself was a holy sword.
A human holy sword, cloaked in Radiance, sweeping through ghoul packs.
Clap clap clap clap!
Cossack clapped, marveling.
“Amazing, sir. A weapon with trendous power, sir. We could go straight to Floor 70.”
“...”
Yeah. A weapon.
I didn’t pull a summoned entity. I pulled a weapon.
Bardin’s madness was fake.
Cossack’s madness was real.
Fake madness and real madness.
SR madness and SSR madness.
The difference was painfully clear.
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