Climbing the Tower with Multidimensional Avatars - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 92. Public Settling of Accounts (7)

Among Gung-gi’s byproducts, leather was undoubtedly the most valuable.
Sinew came next, but my butchering skills made even skinning the hide a challenge.
Diana, the farmer’s daughter, was accustomed to raising livestock, but she’d never attempted butchering or dismantling, so that said everything.
Yet what emerged from Gung-gi’s body now was something I could confidently declare possessed value exceeding even the leather.
“An inner core? So this really does exist.”
I discovered an inner core radiating intense magical power from within Gung-gi’s body.
Of course, it wasn’t particularly large.
How substantial could the inner core of a monster dwelling in the lower floors, specifically the 20th Floor District, possibly be?
At most, it was only slightly larger than a baby’s fingernail.
Yet its value would be twice that of selling Gung-gi’s entire body whole.
“I really struck gold here.”
This was probably more valuable than sunflowers.
Of course, compared to the total quantity I’d collected, sunflowers would be far more expensive, but still—I’d need at least ten of these cores to match their value.
I retrieved a specialized elixir storage case through my Reincarnation Clone and carefully preserved the small inner core.
“An inner core—is that the thing from martial arts novels? Should we consume it?”
I shook my head at Lee Su-young’s question.
“The inner qi cultivation method I’ve learned doesn’t align with it, so I won’t consume it. If my technique is wood, this is fire.”
“If your martial art doesn’t match, then Diana and I can’t consume it either, can we?”
“No, actually. The Azure Wood Technique is so thoroughly grounded in fundamentals among basic methods that you can freely transition to other inner qi cultivation systems. However, consuming this would interfere when learning the next stage of martial arts after the Azure Wood Technique.”
In truth, I could refine it into an elixir and consume it.
But removing the fire attribute from an inner core containing such potency would drastically diminish its value.
Rather than refining this into an elixir to consume, I’d simply consume elixirs obtainable through my Reincarnation Clone’s body instead.
Alternatively, once my cultivation reached a higher realm where distinguishing qi attributes became meaningless, consuming it would be acceptable.
Though by then, such a fingernail-sized elixir would barely register when consumed.
Moreover, an inner core’s value wasn’t limited to martial cultivation alone.
It could certainly be utilized for magical purposes as well.
I simply hadn’t learned magic yet, so I wasn’t entirely certain.
I consulted the Monster Codex and salvaged everything possible from Gung-gi’s corpse.
There was much to gather—bones usable as medicinal materials, claws processable into weapons, blood and liver valuable as magical catalysts, hearts, and more.
“Ugh… the texture feels revolting.”
I suppressed my gag reflex while collecting the byproducts.
Lee Su-young and Diana kept their distance from me as I butchered, careful to avoid blood splatter.
Drenched in blood from head to toe, I used my last remaining cleansing spell for the day.
“Alright, let’s head back. The sun’s already setting.”
“Is there one last commission to complete?”
“No, it’s more exhausting than I expected. Let’s just return. It’s one of the standing commissions anyway, so skipping it won’t be a problem.”
We completed sixteen of the seventeen requests I’d selected and headed back.
“Don’t accept any more digging requests.”
Lee Su-young warned me firmly.
“Ha, understood.”
It was a shame—shoveling dirt had been the most efficient work.
By the time we returned to the City, it was well past 6 PM, so instead of heading to the Guild, we dispersed directly to the Inn.
Back at the Inn, I hastily shoved dinner into my mouth and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.

* * *

I woke early, as was my habit.
“Ah… not that early, actually.”
I’d fallen asleep just after 7 PM last night and woken just after 6 AM—roughly eleven hours of sleep.
Given all the labor and exhaustion from yesterday, it wasn’t surprising.
I did some light stretching and practiced breathing cultivation.
With my inner energy fully concentrated in my dantian, I drew my sword and manifested sword energy.
“When I couldn’t grasp the sensation, I couldn’t produce it no matter what, but now that I’ve got the feel for it, it comes so easily.”
Unlike my worries before sleep that I might forget the sensation, it manifested effortlessly.
In fact, it had been harder to grasp the sensation when the energy first clung to the blade with that bluish tint.
That made sense, naturally.
Maintaining balance while clinging to a wall is always difficult.
Now that I’d crossed that threshold and ascended one level of mastery, it felt comfortable instead.
However, since I wasn’t yet accustomed to the First-Class realm, my inner energy consumption was staggering.
I’d only used it for roughly ten seconds, yet half my energy was gone.
“For now, my maximum usage time is around twenty seconds. Not bad.”
It was sufficient time for actual combat.
I only needed to use sword energy when cutting through something.
As I grew accustomed to this realm, efficiency would improve, and my usable time would extend.
“The real problem is my combat suit.”
When I’d stuffed Gung-gi into my inventory, its flames had burned my arm, charring the left sleeve of my suit.
The entire left sleeve had been reduced to a short sleeve.
“Sigh… I just bought this when break started, and it’s already ruined.”
The cheap suit had held up well against Gung-gi’s sharp teeth and bite force thanks to my infused inner energy, but the flames had consumed it entirely.
Well, it was unreasonable to expect much from a combat suit affordable on a child’s allowance.
“I’d better buy arm guards to cover my left arm.”
I’d considered purchasing with points, but since I had plenty of credits, I decided to buy from the Blacksmith or armor shop instead.
Since I had Gung-gi’s hide, I could also commission a custom creation using it.
From what I’d seen on the Community, if you had enough credits, they’d use magic to craft it right on the spot.
As I practiced lightly with sword energy, the appointed time arrived.
At 9 AM, I met up with Lee Su-young and Diana, then headed to the Old Witch Woman’s inventory.
The Old Witch Woman chuckled upon seeing me.
“Looks like you’ve been through quite the ordeal. So, have you finally decided to abandon martial arts and learn magic instead?”
It seemed the Old Witch Woman had deliberately sent me there knowing Gung-gi would be present.
Had she guided me toward magic after observing that Gung-gi’s weakness was cold magic?
“There was no need for that—I was already planning to study magic professionally.”
The Old Witch Woman chuckled at my response.
“Is that so?”
“But why do you wish for me to learn magic?”
“It’s not that I particularly wish for it. It’s simply the heart of a farmer sowing seeds. Or perhaps the generosity of a senior who has walked the path before you.”
Her words reminded me of the Quest the Old Witch Woman had given me.
The one where she gave me that mechanical-looking orb and told me to solve its secret before reaching the 80th Floor.
Perhaps the Old Witch Woman hoped I would unravel the orb’s secret?
But even so, she held no high expectations, knowing how difficult it would be.
A farmer never plants just a single seed in one hole.
They always place several seeds together in each spot.
It occurred to me that others might have received this Quest as well.
“Bring out the sunflowers.”
At the Old Witch Woman’s words, Lee Su-young and Diana each retrieved a sunflower from their inventory.
“That’s all you brought back? There were quite a few there. Well, not my concern.”
The Old Witch Woman extended her hand, and the two of them paid with Merit Points and Shop Points to expand their inventory.
“You two, listen. You get coffee, and you get strawberry cake.”
At the Old Witch Woman’s command, the two obediently purchased coffee and cake.
The Old Witch Woman took a bite of the cake and extended her hand again, also expanding the range of their mini map.
“I’m doing this because you succeeded at something particularly difficult. Don’t go bragging about this elsewhere, or you’ll regret it. Especially you—understood?”
The Old Witch Woman struck the back of my head with something like an invisible hand.
“Ow! Yes! I understand! Sister!”
How did she know I had easily expanded my inventory and mini map by running errands for coffee and cake?
“I have no interest in gardening. Take these useless things.”
The Old Witch Woman returned the sunflowers to us.
It seemed she hadn’t requested them out of any particular desire.
“Thank you! Sister!”
“Now that you’ve seen everything, get out.”
At the Old Witch Woman’s dismissal, I bowed respectfully and withdrew with Lee Su-young and Diana.

* * *

After completing the mandatory quests, we headed straight for the Hunter Association.
Since I’d accomplished many quests all at once, I requested a private counseling room, and the Guild Staff Member guided us there.
“Let’s start with the delivery requests.”
I handed over three confirmation certificates.
“Confirmed. Two delivery jobs and one supply transfer. That’s 5, 10, and 80 contribution points respectively, with 20, 90, and 100 credits—a total of 95 contribution points and 210 credits (21,000 won).”
Delivery requests were simple, which meant the compensation was modest.
“And these are record observation and recovery requests.”
“Both are Magic Tower requests. Total of 200 contribution points and 2,000 credits (200,000 won).”
In essence, these were also just errands.
“Next are the hunting requests.”
“Confirmation certificates for subjugating frogs and fish monsters at the Lake. A total of 253 creatures—253 contribution points and 25,300 credits (2.53 million won).”
“Frog hearts and fish bladders.”
As I pulled out the items, the staff member looked astonished.
It made sense—climbers who ventured below the City Wall and gathered materials were rare.
“You’re about 3 short of the total hunted. Combined, that’s 1,210 contribution points and 72,600 credits (7.26 million won).”
I then produced the head feathers and gall bladder of an Owlbear.
“I subjugated an Owlbear. There was also a request to bring back the gall bladder, so I brought it.”
At the evidence, the staff member exclaimed in surprise.
“Owlbear subjugation is 1,500 contribution points with a reward of 30,000 credits (3 million won). The gall bladder is 300 contribution points and 100,000 credits (10 million won).”
I pulled out a sack containing grass and fruit.
“Maleaf grass. One moment—I’ll fetch a scale.”
The weight measured on the scale was 1.5 kilograms.
“Confirmed. Maleaf grass is 150 contribution points and 30,000 credits. The fruit is 50 contribution points and 1,000 credits (100,000 won).”
“I also subjugated a Gung-gi. These are the quest items—the Gung-gi’s eyeballs and 1 liter of blood.”
As I pulled out the byproducts, the staff member examined the hide closely, as if unable to believe it.
“Remarkable. Was this truly a Gung-gi? No, this winged tiger hide is genuine.”
“Ah, I’m not selling the hide.”
“Is that so? What a shame. The subjugation is 5,000 contribution points with a reward of 200,000 credits (20 million won). The blood and eyeballs are 500 contribution points and 300,000 credits (30 million won). You could receive more if you sold the hide….”
I shook my head, and the staff member reluctantly returned the hide to me.
“I discovered Sunrise Flowers.”
I placed only two blooms on the counter.
For now, what mattered was increasing the number of completed quests, not selling everything at once.
I could use the rest as emergency funds later, so I decided to save them.
“Such precious items… you were fortunate.”
“Well, I suppose I was. And….”
Through my inventory, I continued pulling out water from the Tower’s floors and blue soil.
His expression, calm at first when I retrieved one or two items, shifted to shock as I kept pulling out more and more, filling the entire counseling room.
“W-wait a moment! What, what is all of this?!”
I smiled and replied.
“What else? Quest items.”
Two thousand liters of Lake water and 10.5 tons of blue earth.
Since I worked hard to gather it all, you lot can figure out how to move it yourselves.
The pale-faced Guild Staff Member had no choice but to call over his colleagues to verify the weight and volume before hauling the heavy sacks of earth.
Watching them labor, Lee Su-young wore a delighted expression—as if sharing her own hardship with others had lightened the burden.
So this is why they say sorrow and pain become half when shared.
After the staff members had toiled for quite some time, utterly exhausted, they presented the final tally sheet.
“Total merit points: 314,258. Compensation: 3,086,110 Credits (approximately 308.61 million won).”
Even divided among them, each person received over 100,000 merit points and more than 10 million Credits (100 million won).
That was merely the price from selling just two Sunrise Flowers.
Upon seeing the tally, both Lee Su-young and Diana fell speechless.
“A day of grueling work is worth it, wouldn’t you say?”
At my question, the two of them nodded silently in agreement.
“Oh, and I’m returning the water buckets—please add that to the compensation.”
As if I’d let them shortchange me.
At my words, the Guild Staff Member, looking thoroughly fed up, added it to the tally sheet.

(Continued in the next chapter)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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