I Inherited the Basement of the Tower - Chapter 20

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

Inherited the Basement 1 of the Tower – Episode 20

Choi Hyeon-min, a nineteen-year-old delivery driver.
A problem had begun to weigh on him.

Ding!
-Delivery Tribe Order!

“Damn it. This place again?”

Someone in an underground building near the Black Land kept ordering jjajangmyeon delivered to them.
And at standard delivery rates, no less!
Declining the order did no good.

Ding! Ding!

Delivery orders kept flooding into his account.
Probably because he’d registered on the driver app exclusively for Awakened individuals.
And Awakened ones who did delivery work were rare.
Non-Awakened drivers could never deliver to the Black Land anyway.

‘No. Even if I’m Awakened, the Black Land is too much for me.’

The Black Land was a place that even most S-rank or hunters from the 20th to 30th floors struggled with.
Of course, his rank wasn’t low.
He was B-rank, after all.
He was hardly the type meant for delivery work.
However, he was a minor, and his only sister, who essentially served as his guardian, opposed him registering as a hunter.
Apparently, minors faced legal difficulties registering as hunters.
What a mess.

‘I dropped out of school anyway, so what does being a minor even matter?’

He wanted to argue back to his sister.
But his sister was an A-rank hunter and even the master of a guild.
He could never win against her.

Ding! Ding!
-Delivery Tribe order incoming!

The order notifications kept coming in the meantime.

“Ugh! Seriously! I want to quit this delivery job and everything else!”

Let’s go!
Hyeon-min roughly shoved the helmet onto his head.
In the special requests section of the order details he’d been ignoring all along, it was written like this.

-Our house is no longer the Black Land. You can safely send an unawakened delivery rider.

“Heh, what nonsense. That’s ridiculous.”

He shook his head side to side.
He’d never heard of the dark energy disappearing since the Black Tower appeared.
If something like that were possible, it would’ve been on the news or in articles long ago.

‘Complete bullshit.’

I should go tell them not to deceive people like that.
He shoved an earbud into one ear and played the podcast he enjoyed listening to while riding.

-Yes. Hello. Today we’ll be learning about the trending Hunter and the mysterious Hunter, ‘Kang Ha-jin’.

Vroom-!

As the green light turned on, his motorcycle moved forward at a steady pace.
He maintained a safe distance from the car ahead.
I, Choi Hyeon-min, was the possessor of tremendous wisdom, having scored an impressive 98 points on the motorcycle license written test after grueling studying.
Of course, I didn’t break a single traffic law.
My sister said I was stupid for some reason though.
In any case, even while heading to the Chinese restaurant, the podcast praising ‘Kang Ha-jin’ continued playing in my ears.

“…So he never gave up even when everyone ignored him, and overcame his limitations? But there’s not a single official interview? And at the same time, he was secretly selling premium meat for domestic Hunters?”

He’s on a completely different level from Ahn Jae-jun, who’s constantly embroiled in controversy and scandal.
He’s climbing far faster than Ahn Jae-jun ever did in his early days, his combat prowess is formidable, and his character is genuinely good.
My chest swelled with admiration.

“Damn. That’s seriously cool.”

That’s basically a hero story.
Climbing the Tower alone without even a guild backing him.
Personally, that’s what I respected most.
Guilds, you know?
All they do is squeeze you dry—there’s nothing left for yourself.
The guild master title is just a facade; you’re basically a sucker either way.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue thinking of my kind-hearted sister.
That was also why I wanted to become a hunter.

‘I want to succeed so my sister doesn’t have to suffer anymore.’

But I was still being treated like a child, which was infuriating.
Here I am, a promising prospect who should be climbing the Tower right now, stuck doing deliveries instead.

‘Someday I will. Just like Kang Ha-jin!’

Well, for now I just need to finish this delivery to the Black Land quickly.

‘Whoever’s in that basement room—I’m going to make damn sure you never order jjajangmyeon delivery again!’

If words won’t work, I’ll use force!

Vroom—!

Frustrated, I pushed the bike just barely over the speed limit.
My chest felt a little lighter.

…And that’s how I arrived at the delivery location with the food.

“Oh, oh? I can actually breathe here?”

Even though the Tower was plainly visible just as the customer had said, the Black Land’s influence was nowhere to be found.
If anything, the air was far clearer than what you’d breathe in the city.

‘Wow.’

However, at nineteen years old—or eighteen by Korean reckoning—Choi Hyeon-min’s admiration was short-lived.

Shing—!

“State your affiliation and name, and your purpose here. Also, what you’re holding in your hand. Hesitate or lie, and I’ll cut you down.”
“Aaahhh!”

A jet-black blade had appeared from nowhere, pressed against my throat.
And at the end of it… what is this, some kind of wuxia cosplay?
And beside him.

Whoooosh!

A Western old man spewing black flames from his hands stood with stern composure.

“Or perhaps you might even regret not being cut down then. The choice is yours.”

This time it was a medieval butler’s uniform. Despite the jarring discord of East and West standing side by side, the two of them worked together surprisingly well.
It was a disrespectful thought that would get me killed if they knew about it.

“Gaaahhhhh! P-please, spare me!”

Sister, I think I’m done for. Sorry for giving you such a headache.

* * *

“…Master. That thing you call jjajangmyeon. Will it actually arrive? Should I prepare a meal instead right now—”
“Ahem. The Master surely has his reasons. A plan far beyond what your simple mind could comprehend.”
“Right. Old Man. You won’t be tasting my cooking ever again.”
“…Hmm. That’s rather disagreeable. Your cooking is quite delicious, after all. I suppose I have no choice. Being clever and magnanimous, I shall apologize first.”
“Get lost.”

Their banter echoed warmly between them.
I smiled contentedly.
It was no different from any other day.
But what pleased me most was that it rang out here on the surface, not in the Underground Temple.

‘Though technically, a basement room isn’t quite the surface, is it?’

In any case.
It felt refreshing to see the residents who had been bound to the temple finally stepping outside.
It was like watching a beloved manga character tear through the page and materialize into reality.
I opened my mouth while glancing at my smartphone screen.

“Don’t worry, you two. The delivery’s already on its way. Besides, it’s been ages since I’ve had jjajangmyeon myself.”

As I thought about it, my mouth watered.
While drowning in debt, I couldn’t afford such luxuries, and after paying it all off, I had no one to share a meal with.

‘No matter how delicious sunlight-grilled meat is, moving day calls for jjajangmyeon.’

That was when it happened.

A ripple—

In an instant, I felt the touch of mana against my skin.
I turned toward its source.
Barkalor was moving only his hands, doing something.
Noticing my gaze.
He answered without prompting.

“It’s a detection spell that can be activated for 24 hours by utilizing the principles of curses. Normally, such a thing would be impossible. But for me, of course it’s possible. Unlike certain others, I am of relic-grade quality.”

He was subtly taking a jab at Yahwi, which I also chose to ignore as I asked back.

“Detection?”
“Yes, Master. Wherever my footsteps and that fool Yahwi’s lead, this Underground Building is now no different from an expanded temple. It is prudent to prepare for any potential enemy intrusion.”

An enemy attack.
The ones that come to mind are Park Seong-cheol, whom I’ve encountered before and know the location of, or perhaps.
Taesan, who stands behind him.
Given that we’ve just suffered significant casualties in the special dungeon layer, it doesn’t seem likely they’d strike at this moment.
I haven’t told anyone about the existence of this Underground Temple either.
Still, there was no harm in being prepared.

“Well done.”
“Thank you, Master.”

Barkalor straightened his shoulders with satisfaction.
Then Yahwi chimed in from beside him.

“Tch, tch. Relying on such peculiar power. What happens when that mana runs out? There’s no need for that—my hearing and ki-sensing alone would be-.”

He stopped mid-criticism.

“….”

Barkalor felt it too.
Light reflected off his glasses, gleaming sharply.
He adjusted them with a click.

“…Master. Do not leave this house under any circumstances.”

Whoosh!

He immediately unfurled magical circles in both hands.

“What?”
“An enemy attack, my lord.”

Shing—

Yahwi was no different.
He drew his sword.
Soon after, both of them took combat stances.

“Wait. Hold on—”

Splat—
—!

There was no time to stop them.
The two of them charged at what they perceived as an intruder with such speed it seemed like teleportation, acting purely on their own logic.
Well, one of them actually was teleporting.

“…I’m telling you, it’s just a delivery.”

I read the message displayed on my smartphone.

Ding!
[Your delivery from Baedalui Bujokan has been completed.]
[Enjoy your meal!]

—Kyaaaaaaah! Help me! W-who! Why are you doing this to me?!

I sighed as I heard the screams coming from outside.

“…Sigh. I’ve made a mess of things.”

Should I ask the Association President for a criminal pardon right now?
I hastily shoved my feet into my shoes and rushed outside.
Desperately praying they hadn’t killed anyone.

* * *

Slurp—. Slurrrp.

“Mmm!”
“Hah… The world really has developed so brilliantly.”

In the basement room.
Two men devoured the black bean noodles as if possessed by hunger itself.

“Is it good?”

Flinch.
Both of them stopped simultaneously, gauging their master’s reaction.

“Phew. Well, he’s still alive, so that’s what matters. Eat up.”
“Th-thank you, my lord. Please have some as well.”

Yahwi kept stealing glances from behind his bowl, his mouth working steadily through the black bean noodles the entire time.
I’d nearly had a corpse to dispose of.

“Still, I’m grateful he’s a fan of yours. It’s fortunate that despite his inexperience, the boy has discerning taste.”

Barkalor attempted to lighten the mood.
He was right.
The delivery driver was my fan.

-D-delivery. And I’m a fan. Could I get your autograph…?

I recalled how his eyes had sparkled when looking at me, even as he trembled before Yahwi and Barkalor.

“I also bound him with a curse—should he disclose anything about this basement room, the Black Land, or our existence, he’ll meet his end.”

Barkalor was about to puff out his chest triumphantly while eating his fried dumplings.

“The old man too. Just eat your food.”
“Ah, yes. My apologies. *clears throat*”

I’d spoken harshly as a matter of discipline.
But I was genuinely relieved.

‘Saved some money.’

I wouldn’t need to buy security items for the underground building from the Wol-yeong-seok Shop after all.
From now on, I could trust the two of them and take extended trips without worry.

‘If I ever recruit a Legendary-tier resident, I could probably reveal this place openly and no one could breach it anyway.’

The basement room’s safety was partly thanks to the two of them.
But Jeong-hwa’s purification also played its part.

【The purification tree of the Black Land breathes.】
【Darkness naturally manifests.】
【When Nix’s blessing activates, additional stats increase by 100%.】
【Nix’s aura spreads across the Black Land.】
【Where the purification tree exists, the Temple allows residents to conduct their activities.】

With this level of power, I felt confident I could stop even an assassination unit dispatched by the Taesan Guild, let alone common thieves.

“Anyway. I can’t treat tomorrow’s guest the same way I did today. I’m going to make sure neither of them ever sees the surface again.”

At my threat, both of them wore puzzled expressions.

“Who is coming tomorrow, sir?”
“Ah. Barkalor’s old man. A patient.”
“Oh. As expected of you, Master. It’s only been a short time since I taught you about the purification method, and you’ve already mastered it. Your talent truly knows no bounds, sir.”

I smiled at Barkalor’s flattery while simultaneously pressing the message send button.

-Regarding the tree care you requested earlier, I’d like to ask for your help tomorrow. Do you have time? Oh, I wonder if the Association President shares this hobby as well. I’ve heard you two are practically like father and son, so I thought I’d mention it.
-It’s a tree that releases very clean air.
-It should help alleviate symptoms.
-I’ve also specially arranged for a physician to attend.

The message was directed at the person who had once said they wanted to see the tree when it was fully grown.
The reply arrived quickly.

-Yes. I learned garden management from the Association President. He enjoys it as well. I don’t foresee any issues.
-But is it possible that the tree…
-Has already fully grown?

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