Chapter 9.
The Poison Demon Finds the Murim Tower Too Easy (1)
"Poison Demon-nim, why do you grill bungeoppang?"
If soone were to ask this.
"First is to make money, second is to deliver happiness."
I would answer thus.
In truth, I need money right now.
10 million won. The fee for the Murim Tower climbing qualification exam.
I can't quite gauge how many bungeoppang I'd have to sell to earn 10 million won, but.
I, the Poison Demon, Grandmother's direct disciple, was confident.
However.
It's no longer necessary.
......Because I've co into 20 million won.
With this money Grandmother gave , business takes a step back.
Ttiring!
【Conquer the Murim Tower.】
【Execute the Murim Alliance Leader, the Evil Path Alliance Leader, and the Heavenly Demon.】
Because this is the highest priority goal above all else.
Moreover, the money I earn from the Murim Tower will be far more substantial than the money I earn selling bungeoppang, so there's no comparison in terms of profit.
Kim Tae-yang's mories were also clearly warning .
'In capitalist South Korea, without money you die.'
Oh yes, oh yes.
It's similar in the Gangho too.
I took the food container (with 20 million won inside) wrapped in cloth that Grandmother packed for and headed to the 'National Murim Tower Headquarters'.
Shortened to Gukmubon.
A massive building a full 30 stories high.
They say a major corporation built it in the past, intending to use it as a ga-level shopping mall.
But when the Murim Tower appeared, the chairman's children died instantly from the shock.
Because of that, the chairman donated it, saying, 'Get rid of that Murim Tower!' - that's the story.
As the site was spacious, Gukmubon was divided into several buildings.
"That left side seems to be the exchange, the center is the Gukmubon main building, and the right is the exam application location, right?"
Deolleong-deolleong.
I cheerfully headed to the right building while swinging my cloth bundle.
"......What is this?"
There were tents all over the lawn in front of the building.
In lines, no less.
Shabby-looking people who seed not to have washed for days were sprawled in front of the tents.
So of them were even sparring with each other.
Hmm, terrible form.
Did they co to protest or sothing?
Anyway, I entered the building.
As I tried to pass through the security checkpoint at the entrance.
"Put your luggage here."
Thuk.
My bundle and belongings passed through the scanner.
Deolkeok.
The scanner's conveyor belt suddenly stopped and the checkpoint staff stood up and opened my luggage.
"Uh, why are you opening my cloth bundle?"
"There's tal so I need to check."
The staff asked again.
"......What is all this?"
"Cooking tools."
"What about the hooks and skewers?"
"For grilling bungeoppang."
"Bungeoppang?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Ah, geez...... Leave the tal items here and pick them up when you leave."
"Where should I go?"
The staff stretched out their finger as if annoyed, pointing to the reception desk.
Is that the reception desk over there?
"I'm here to take the exam."
The reception staff didn't even look at .
Sseuk-sseuk, they pulled out a few sheets of paper and placed them on the reception desk.
"Fill in your personal information and make paynt."
Why is everyone here so unfriendly?
They say Gukmubon's power surpasses that of the National Intelligence Service, so even the staff act like masters.
"I'll pay."
Sswik, the staff mber, extended their hand.
I handed over the bundle of cash.
"It's cash?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Only then did the staff look at my face.
"Ah, no. It's just been a while since soone paid 10 million won in cash......"
Hoot. Cash is the best.
The staff counted the cash, then tapped it on the desk to organize it.
"Registration complete. Mr. Kim Tae-yang."
"Where do I take the exam now?"
They pointed to a bear-like, hulking security guard.
"Hello. I've completed registration and want to take the exam."
The bear-like guard looked over. Then he smirked.
......Oh?
"Why are you laughing?"
"Get in line."
"What line do you an?"
"Don't you see those tents over there? All those people are applicants who ca to take the exam."
......All of them?
I asked the guard.
"Then how long do I have to wait?"
"I don't know."
"Please tell roughly."
The guard stroked his chin, then held up four fingers.
"Four hours?"
It's a bit awkward, but well, I have nothing to do so should I wait?
Then the guard laughed again and said,
"No. Four months."
"Four...... Months?"
"That's right."
"Why would it take four months to take an exam! I understand you could take it anyti?"
Ugh, this is infuriating. Why are they telling this now?
After paying 10 million won, they tell to wait four months?
Are these people joking right now!
The feeling was so absurd that my voice rose.
But the guard answered calmly as if this happened often.
"Recently the Murim Tower conquest hasn't been making progress, so the remaining ti keeps decreasing, you know."
It's true.
South Korea's tower conquest was currently stopped at the 37th floor.
For a full 8 months, no less.
The remaining ti of the Murim Tower would stop for another month if the conquest succeeds.
But since they haven't broken through for 8 months, ti keeps decreasing.
It's a complete ss compared to other countries successfully conquering towers and stopping the clock for months at a ti.
Our country's tower conquest was quite high-ranking in the world.
Of course, it was inferior to the US and China, who had cleared the 37th floor and were even conquering the 38th floor.
The US boasted an unrivaled level of Artificial Dantian technology.
China was grinding through its 1.4 billion population, probabilistically spitting out geniuses.
Still, for South Korea with a population of 50 million to be in the world's top 5 was doing well.
But it wasn't strategic.
When you conquer one floor, the clock stops temporarily.
So before the stopped clock starts moving again, you should buy as much ti as possible while preparing, then conquer the next floor.
But this race characterized by 'speedruns' hurried to conquer floor after floor without any of that and got stuck at the 37th floor.
They should have conquered it more slowly.
This was the result of not thinking they'd get stuck at the 37th floor.
Those with a sense all recognized it this way.
The suddenly appearing Murim Tower.
People growing stronger each ti they climb.
So if you break through to the end of the Murim Tower, you might gain trendous power to hold this entire world in your hands.
Competition ignited, and speed conquests began centered on developed countries with the capability and resources.
Tick-tock-tok.
The remaining ti keeps decreasing, so the governnt had to choose.
To focus on conquering the 37th floor by pushing in all the Murim Tower climbing qualifiers.
That's why the qualifiers who should be examining new qualifiers are all focused on conquering the Murim Tower, resulting in a shortage of examination personnel.
The 37th floor......
I don't know what exactly appears there, but let in!
This Poison Demon who (almost) conquered the Gangho will break through it!
"Go back! Get in line over there."
The guard waved his hand dismissively as if annoyed.
Hoot.
But I'm not one to give up because of that.
Don't underestimate my experience and seniority from rolling around in the Gangho.
In tis like this.
......Bribery is the best.
Sswik.
When I slipped sothing into the guard's hand, he stared at my face.
"What is this?"
"Ah, keep it, keep it."
"This is now......?"
"Uh-huh, don't be like that. If you do, I'll really be hurt!"
How about it?
Has your mind changed a bit-.
"Are you joking! Why are you suddenly giving bungeoppang!"
"This isn't just any bungeoppang, a master-."
"Get lost! Quickly!"
The guard tapped and pushed away. The bungeoppang fell and rolled on the floor.
Ugh! This is infuriating.
So I should waste 4 months? I need to get in quickly!
"Don't be like that and try it once. Here's one more."
"Leave!"
From inside the building, a woman in a tight-fitting suit walked out wearing even sunglasses and asked.
"Ah, Section Chief Han. It's nothing serious."
"I asked what the commotion was about."
The woman called Section Chief Han, with a cast on her right arm, ca out and looked at the guard.
On her cheek was a long sword scar.
Hooo. Seems quite capable. The strongest among the people I've seen in this life.
Even the hulking guard couldn't budge before Section Chief Han.
"This person keeps trying to enter, saying they'll take the qualification exam."
"This person?"
She looked at .
I smiled and offered her bungeoppang.
"Try it. It's delicious. Though it's gotten a bit cold-."
"Throw them out imdiately!"
"Yes! Hurry up and leave!"
Pak-pak! The guard pushed out.
Ppajik-! Should I just flip this whole place over?!
That's when it happened.
Ttiring!
......Hm?
【Debtor J greatly rejoices. 700 Happiness】
A notification ssage appeared.
Ttiring!
An additional ssage too.
"Ahh?!"
My eyes opened wide on their own. My mouth gaped open as wide as a washbasin.
"Understood. I'm leaving. I'm going. Ahahat!"
I waved my hand and went outside.
【Congratulations. Happiness Points have exceeded 10,000 points.】
【Congratulations. Poison Demon's dicinal and Poisonous Herb Field lv2】
【Congratulations. Poison Demon's dicinal and Poisonous Herb Field lv3】
【The Poison Demon's dicinal and Poisonous Herb Field expands.】
【Congratulations. The second door has been unlocked.】
Heu-heu-heu-heu.
I jumped up 2 levels at once.
That many unlocked areas increased.
And above all, my prediction was correct.
The second door in my poison herb field.
That door is.
【Second Door: Murim Tower Entrance】
My own Murim Tower entrance!
***
"What, what the hell is this guy."
The guard shook his head as if dumbfounded.
He looked at the young man carrying a bundle, already running far away, bewildered.
So fast he was already well beyond sight.
"Just now...... That person."
"Yes, I sent them back. What a strange person. The world's really going crazy-."
"No, not that. Why don't you listen like this?"
"Pardon?"
The guard's na was Bong Ju-min. His rank was Section Chief.
Section Chief Han spoke to Section Chief Bong as if he were pathetic.
"I told you! When guarding Gukmubon, you must wear an Artificial Dantian. The atmosphere is already ominous these days-."
"I am wearing it."
Section Chief Bong Ju-min lifted his clothes to show the Artificial Dantian.
Then.
"......!"
Section Chief Han's eyes widened.
'A martial artist wearing an Artificial Dantian was pushed hard?'
For an ordinary person, it would be normal to tumble backward several tis and fall out.
But that young man.
'He didn't even budge?'
She shouted.
"Bring him here right now!"
"Pardon?"
"That man from earlier! Quickly!"
A while later.
Section Chief Bong Ju-min returned panting.
"......I lost him."
"What?"
"Ah, sohow...... He must have caught a taxi in the anti, he's completely out of sight."
"Damn it!"
"What's wrong?"
"Send all the guards to find that man! Go through all the front gate CCTVs too! He must have taken a taxi or bus or sothing in front of the front gate, so if we search everything, sothing will co up."
"Pardon?"
"Quickly!"
She shouted, and the guard ran to check the CCTV.
Section Chief Han looked at him pathetically and gnawed on her nails.
The remaining ti was just about 1 year and 6 months.
A situation where the Murim Tower's ti kept decreasing.
To conquer the blocked 37th floor required the cooperation of peak masters, but it wasn't going well at all.
As public anxiety grew, pressure from the governnt and higher-ups was becoming stronger daily.
Because of this, the head and vice-minister of Gukmubon had to visit the sect leaders of dostic sects and bow their heads.
But were the sect leaders ordinary people?
Though they visited many tis, the sect leaders just waved them away.
The absurd conditions they put forth were impossible to accept.
And above all.
"That was already 2 months ago......"
Kkadeudeuk!
Section Chief Han looked at her right arm that still wouldn't heal and roughly bit her left index fingernail.
Then.
"Hm?"
She discovered sothing.
"......Bungeoppang?"
***
I returned to my room.
After simply washing up and changing clothes, I felt refreshed.
As expected, people need to exercise.
The mountain behind Gukmubon was quite good for running, and since there were no people, running there made feel pleasant.
"Now then, shall I go once."
【Entering Poison Demon's dicinal and Poisonous Herb Field lv3.】
Heueum! A fragrant sll.
It seems the poison herb side space has opened.
Good. I always feel good slling this thick poison energy.
This, it feels healthy just breathing.
Of course, only for .
I checked the types of poison herbs additionally unlocked and smiled.
Though the poison herb field's level rose and expanded, the growth of the herbs themselves hadn't increased.
It's a sha, but still, how can I complain when it's gotten quite spacious.
They say even a thousand journey begins with a single step.
"Good! I'm satisfied with this much."
Jeobeok, jeobeok.
I approached the door heading to the Murim Tower.
The surface of the door, rippling like waves, shimred as if dividing reality and fantasy.
Around the square door were carved patterns that felt both delicate and intensely powerful.
Carvings like a dragon coiling its body and a sword piercing the heavens.
They were imposing sculptures that made the viewer hold their breath.
An energy that made it seem the world's destiny would change the mont one crossed the door radiated out.
"First entry."
With slight tension and excitent, I entered inside.
Uuuung-.
【Entering Murim Tower (South Korea) 1st Floor.】
【First Entry.】
【Mission (1st Floor): Execute 30 mbers of the Nallyu Gang (亂流幇).】
-Ti Limit: 3 days
-Upon Success: 10,000 Happiness Points awarded
【A bonus mission is given for first entry.】
【Bonus Mission: Execute Nallyu Gang's gang leader Sa Hon-il (謝魂一).】
-Ti Limit: 10 minutes
-Upon Success Rewards:
① Mission (1st Floor) considered successful (GOLD)
② Happiness Points Triple (×3)
③ Secret Manual Nanpa Fighting Blade (亂破鬪刀)
-Upon Failure: Sa Hon-il of this floor and all rewards of the bonus mission will permanently disappear.
【The tower scans your soul.】
【The tower registers a new climber.】
-Climber: Kim Tae-yang
-Nationality: South Korea
-Age: 26 years old
-Occupation: Unemployed
Chijiji-!
Suddenly, static was heard.
【The tower has discovered an additional soul.】
【A Gangho Person (Tower Affiliated) has been confird.】
【Gangho Person: Poison Demon (毒魔)】
-Affiliated Tower: ■th Floor
【The Gangho Person can use their affiliated tower in a limited manner.】
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