I Conquered the Tower with the EX-Class Character That I Raised - Chapter 2

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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 2
“Is this a dream?”
It wasn’t.
“A bug, then?”
…That wasn’t it either.
“…An NPC?”
[Where did Hunter Han Seol-ah go!!!]
[W-we’re still trying to assess the situation…]
[It’s over! South Korea is finished!]
The Press Conference Hall erupted in anguished cries over Han Seol-ah’s disappearance.
[…Um, hello?]
Han Seol-ah was speaking to me from within the game.
She vanished from the press conference, only to materialize inside the game?
The timing was far too coincidental.
‘A person… possessed into the game?’
It defied all logic.
My mind felt like it was shutting down.
[Ah. I apologize for the late introduction. I am Han Seol-ah, an S-rank Hunter of South Korea. Though I’m lacking, I’m known by the epithet ‘Guardian’.]
“…?”
[At the press conference… ah, if I say press conference you won’t understand… hmm~ how do I explain? Well, on stage… at a venue? Or…?]
“…It really is Han Seol-ah?”
That’s when the chills ran down my spine.
Han Seol-ah was notorious for her extremely introverted nature and poor social skills—conversations only happening in formal settings like press conferences.
Her peculiar speech habit was that her thoughts would spill from her lips without her realizing it.
And only now did her voice lose that composed, polished press conference tone—reverting to her true voice, the ‘trembling voice’ that was distinctly hers.
Fans called it her ‘meek voice’…
It was Han Seol-ah’s signature quirk.
And that murmur just now was unmistakably that ‘meek voice’.
[So then, suddenly this message appeared right in front of me saying ‘Will you seize the opportunity to become an EX-rank Hunter?’ And it wasn’t a normal System Message—it was in gold, all shimmering and glowing… looking so divine that I answered ‘yes’. And then it flashed! My eyes blinked and I closed them, then opened them and…]
“….”
The longer she spoke, the faster and more scattered her words became—exactly like Han Seol-ah.
And what was the content of her explanation?
“…She was suddenly summoned during the press conference, apparently.”
[Hunter Han Seol-ah! Please return!]
[It’s the end! Accept your doom!]
The same chaos unfolding in reality right now.
“…”
I felt my sanity slipping away.
My rational mind dismissed it as ‘impossible’…
Yet I could feel it.
…the fact that Han Seol-ah from reality had been summoned into my game.
“Come to think of it… that Quest from earlier.”
I opened the Quest window.
[Emergency Epic Quest]
[Save South Korea from the brink of destruction]
[Quest Objective]
[Awaken S-Rank Hunter Han Seol-ah to EX-Rank]
[Rewards]
[Awakening]
[Possession Ticket]
New regions, fresh content, publicity rights, and whatnot…
There was no need to complicate my thoughts.
Lost Honor never lied.
It was exactly as stated.
The Quest objective’s ‘S-Rank Hunter Han Seol-ah’ was the real Han Seol-ah.
“Heh.”
How could Han Seol-ah from reality have entered my game?
“How would I know?”
…I don’t know!
Yet it truly happened.
Dwelling on it further would only give me a headache.
‘Let it go.’
…Once I organized the situation, my mind cleared.
Focus only on the Quest.
I have one task.
Achieve the Quest objective.
In other words, elevate Han Seol-ah to EX-Rank.
“All right….”
With things as they are, my eyes drift back to the rewards.
‘Awakening, huh.’
This awakening…
not my character, but ‘me.’
So it wouldn’t be ‘the character Nebula’ awakening, but ‘the human Ha Sung-woon,’ would it?
For me—someone incapable of awakening—to achieve it would be impossible without a miracle.
‘But something miraculous enough to call a miracle just happened.’
If one miracle can occur, why not a second?
…But.
‘It won’t happen.’
I cut off my expectations with practiced ease.
I’ve lived as someone incapable of awakening for ten years.
How many times had I hoped and been disappointed?
Vain expectations corrode the human spirit.
‘I witnessed a miracle before my eyes, and my resolve weakened.’
I reclaimed my composure.
[…So, you can truly elevate me to EX-Rank?]
“Yes.”
After Han Seol-ah’s lengthy, erudite explanation of the situation, we finally reached the crux of the matter.
Elevating an S-Rank Hunter to EX-Rank…
“Hmm.”
Hunter ranks exist from F-Rank to S-Rank.
The ‘EX-Rank’ that the Quest proposed as its objective is ‘beyond classification’—a tier that exists for only two people on this entire planet.
I would need to elevate her beyond S-Rank, humanity’s theoretical ceiling, into ‘unclassified’ EX-Rank—a walking natural disaster….
In the first place, when an assigned rank changes—what’s called ‘promotion’—it only occurs when one attains what’s called ‘enlightenment’ and evolves their awakened ability to the next stage.
But this enlightenment is such an abstract concept that cases are extraordinarily rare.
Still, a promotion is a promotion.
Would it suffice to inject this ‘enlightenment’ into Han Seol-ah?
‘Rejected.’
…Unfortunately, it’s impossible.
The possibility is zero. Absolute zero.
Because Han Seol-ah’s awakened ability, ‘Frost Crystalline,’ is already a system-recognized EX-Rank ability.
“EX-Rank is the ceiling, so there’s nowhere higher to ascend.”
Then why does Han Seol-ah remain merely S-Rank?
Because there’s another criterion besides awakened ability rank that determines a Hunter’s grade.
Mana capacity rank.
A Hunter’s rank is determined by the average of these two grades.
In Han Seol-ah’s case, despite possessing Frost Crystalline, an EX-Rank awakened ability…
her mana capacity is merely A-Rank.
That’s why she’s S-Rank.
[…I’m a Hunter incapable of promotion, aren’t I?]
“That’s true.”
A fair point.
[Because mana capacity can’t be increased.]
There is ‘absolutely’ no method to increase mana capacity through acquired means.
So Han Seol-ah had been S-Rank from the moment she first awakened…
and she carried the limitation of never breaking through the S-Rank ceiling.
A Hunter incapable of promotion.
That was one of Han Seol-ah’s epithets.
Then.
Was there truly no way to clear this Quest?
“There has to be.”
The answer is yes.
What? There’s no way to increase mana after birth?
That’s how it works in the real world.
“But it’s possible here.”
This is inside a game, after all.
Now that Han Seol-ah has entered the world of Lost Honor.
It’s possible.
In fact, there are so many methods that it’s almost embarrassing.
“Consider meeting me your good fortune… Han Seol-ah.”
More precisely, since I’ve poured ten years into this game—this is my world—it’s definitely possible.
I opened the warehouse.
Warehouse 98, where I’d stockpiled legendary-grade elixirs, swung open.
“It should be somewhere in here.”
Scroll, scroll—
Legendary-grade elixirs filled the space, stacked high.
There were so many varieties that my mouse wheel kept scrolling down.
‘Elixirs that boost mana are especially rare among these… there are barely any.’
After rummaging through the warehouse for quite some time.
“Found it.”
[Concentrated Elixir of Primordial Mana—Blessed by the Primordial Blue God, Long Forgotten—Ancient High Elf Vision]
An ultra-rare elixir whose name was nearly impossible to memorize.
Upon consumption, it increased mana by a full 100 points.
“From now on, I’ll have her consume this.”
Han Seol-ah’s Frost Manifestation was already EX-rank.
If I could raise her mana—currently only A-rank—to EX-rank, Han Seol-ah would become EX-rank overall.
In reality, there was no way to increase mana, so she’d been deemed ineligible for promotion.
But in this game world where methods to raise mana actually existed, the solution became crystal clear.
“The question is just how much mana I need to raise to achieve EX-rank status…”
But there’s no problem.
More precisely, there’s no problem because it’s me.
[Concentrated Elixir of Primordial Mana—(…)]
[Quantity Held: 99,999 (MAX)]
I’m a deranged veteran player, after all.
“I’ll just keep feeding it to her until she reaches EX-rank.”
* * *
[Time Until Quest Clear: D-4]
[Upon Quest Failure: Annihilation]
The countdown to annihilation tightened its noose steadily.
[Where on earth has Hunter Han Seol-ah gone?!?!]
[It’s over! It’s finished! We’re done for!]
Listening to the cries of despair bleeding through the television screen.
People who had lost Han Seol-ah, their pillar of support, were descending into madness in real time.
“Hmm.”
I admit it.
Hearing those screams, my own heart was beginning to race.
But never.
I never fell into despair like they did.
[Nom nom.]
…Because Han Seol-ah was currently consuming elixirs infinitely within my monitor.
Flash. Flash.
After each consumption, an endless stream of blue light announced her growing mana reserves.
With every flash, Han Seol-ah grew stronger.
Simply watching it filled me with a strange sense of peace.
“Are you watching, people of South Korea… Han Seol-ah’s only weakness—her mana pool—is being healed right now.”
After drinking the first hundred bottles, Han Seol-ah had complained of stomach pain and fullness.
But then, at some point, she began treating the elixirs like ice cream.
[Nom.]
After that, the elixirs kept flowing down without stopping.
However, unlike the blissful expression one shows when eating delicious food.
Her pallid, ashen face spoke volumes about the agony she was enduring.
‘…Right, it wouldn’t be that easy.’
When my character drank potions, I never noticed anything—just a single click and they were consumed.
But for someone like Han Seol-ah, who existed as a recognized entity within the game, it seemed she actually had to drink the beverages.
‘Anyone would lose their mind chugging 100 cans of 500ml drinks in one sitting.’
Yet Han Seol-ah persevered.
Grow stronger and return to South Korea. Then slay the Frost Dragon and protect everyone.
This singular will seemed to be driving her forward.
…Or so I thought.
Her insides were freezing and her face was deathly pale, yet her cheeks bulged grotesquely full from the elixirs she was forcing down.
[…Hehe. Delicious.]
Watching her slobbering mouth and eyes narrowed with satisfaction, I felt a slight confusion wash over me.
‘She’s forcing herself to eat out of duty… right? She’s not actually enjoying this, is she?’
Either way, she looked exactly like a hamster.
But even Han Seol-ah’s ice cream ordeal was nearing its end.
Her consumption speed was visibly slowing down.
“Emergency! Emergency!”
At this point, I had no choice.
“It’s the final resort.”
I moved my character toward Han Seol-ah.
[?]
Han Seol-ah lifted her head, her mouth stuffed full of ice cream.
‘She really does look like a hamster.’
Watching her like that.
Click.
I activated the sparring mode.
Boom!
With a grand sound, a flag flew through the air and planted itself between Han Seol-ah and me.
[Sparring has begun]
A red blinking notification appeared between Han Seol-ah and me.
[Huh? W-what? What is this?]
Han Seol-ah panicked.
She hastily tried to draw an X with her hands, but.
“Stand up straight, Han Seol-ah.”
[3]
The countdown began.
“Post-meal exercise.”
Fullness had to be burned away through exertion.
And as a bonus, I’d get to see her true abilities.
[…You’re joking, right?]
[Sparring start!]
[Skill: Aura of Despair activated]
[Kyaaaaa?!]
Until Han Seol-ah’s stomach was completely empty.
I savored the endless sparring with her.
“What, you can’t react to that? Then you deserve to get hit.”
Wham! Before she could even raise her ice shield, the spell struck her directly and she tumbled across the ground.
“You fell for that? Then you deserve to lose.”
[Kyaaaack?!]
Her area spell was cancelled mid-cast, trapping her in her own ice as she struggled helplessly.
Eventually, watching her sprawled on the ground, trembling as she raised her hands in surrender, I became certain.
Conclusion.
…Han Seol-ah is incredibly weak!
* * *
After repeating the cycle of sparring, consuming elixirs, and sparring again.
[The ‘Primordial Blue God, Forgotten Since Time Immemorial’ awakens from a long slumber and gazes beyond the world line]
[The epithet of the ‘Primordial Blue God, Forgotten Since Time Immemorial’ is readjusted to ‘Primordial Blue God’]
[Han Seol-ah receives the blessing of the ‘Primordial Blue God’ and her mana circuit reopens]
[Han Seol-ah awakens as EX-grade]
Whoosh!
As pure white light flashed brilliantly, a Quest window appeared.
[Quest Objective]
[Awaken S-Rank Hunter Han Seol-ah to EX-Rank]
(Achieved)
The word “Achieved” was inscribed beside the Quest Objective, and a strikethrough slashed cleanly across it.
“Finally….”
[It’s over…!]
Han Seol-ah threw her hands up in celebration, cheering triumphantly.
I joined in the cheering as well.
My nerves had been fraying with each passing moment.
‘If we’re late, South Korea will collapse, won’t it!’
The people on the television blaring loudly from the neighboring apartment were chanting a requiem as though the world itself were ending—I thought I’d lose my mind.
[An Unprecedented Feat!]
[You have restored the true name of an ancient god forgotten beyond a distant worldline]
[Your renown reverberates across the entire universe]
“But we did it, didn’t we?”
Awakening to EX-Rank—a feat deemed impossible in reality.
With me on the case, it’s nothing.
[Urgent Epic Quest Complete!]
[Will you complete the Quest and receive your reward?]
[Rewards]
[Awakening]
[Possession Ticket]
[1. Yes] [2. No]
Whoosh—
Han Seol-ah, enveloped in white light, slowly drifted upward into the void.
I watched her ascend with eyes brimming with emotion.
[Thank you….]
I.
Pressed [2. No].
[Thud.]
Han Seol-ah, who had been floating upward, dropped hard to the ground.
“What are you doing, trying to complete the Quest on your own?”
I picked up Han Seol-ah, sprawled across the floor, and opened a portal.
“We’re not done yet.”
There’s still a Hidden Quest remaining in this objective.
Others might not notice.
But as a veteran, only I could perceive the thread of opportunity in this gap.
And because I’m like this.
I know for certain.
If I don’t resolve this Hidden Quest.
That South Korea could not escape its fate of destruction.
And if I completed the Hidden Quest.
South Korea would remain safe going forward.

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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
—————