Chapter 6

“Search every butcher shop in Majang-dong immediately! Anyone who bought a lot of meat by type, or went around multiple butcher shops in a short time—no, just anyone who entered a butcher shop there! Search them all!”

While Lee Woo-jae and Kim Namjoong were enjoying pork belly with soju, followed by fried chicken and beer for round two, the Association and Majang-dong were in complete chaos.

They’d finally caught a trace that had eluded them until now.

‘We were lucky. If someone hadn’t cleared the Tower at that exact time, we might not have known anything for a week—or even two.’

The only way to learn about the Tower was through the testimony of someone who had cleared it.

They’d first learned about Midas because someone who cleared the Tower posted about it online. This time was no different.

The only difference was that the moment Midas’s existence became known, they’d started investigating the personal details of everyone who had entered the Tower.

And when one awakened person came to register as a hunter after clearing the Tower, they got his testimony faster than anyone.

The first to notice him was the United States.

Though the U.S. and Korea were allies, when it came to talent—especially someone of national-level importance—the U.S. showed its greed.

Fortunately, the individual was almost certainly Korean, and the information that he had bought meat in Majang-dong had reached the Korean Association first.

“Majang-dong must be kept top secret. Don’t tell any country—or even your families. If this leaks even a little, we’re all finished. Got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

“But, Chairman, none of the butchers in Majang-dong have identified anyone who could be Midas…”

“Ughhh…”

Chairman Kang Seok-gu clutched his head.

They had gained the Majang-dong lead first, but there was no progress.

This might even be a decoy.

Someone with that kind of ability wouldn’t want to expose himself so easily.

‘He’s extremely calculating.’

They had no way to identify him.

Since he could pass through the Tower at will, he wouldn’t go missing, and he didn’t cash out to avoid leaving a trail.

Even if he did, it would have been only once or twice with small amounts—those kinds of trades were everywhere.

‘He’s not in a rush.’

He had no reason to go to the Association. He had plenty of options.

He could work for the government, join a guild for personal gain, or even enter a private organization to achieve any of his goals.

In short, if anyone wanted his help, they’d have to come to him first.

Otherwise, in a situation where the Tower, the Association, the President’s Office, guilds, and online communities were all in a frenzy, there was no reason he wouldn’t have already shown up.

‘Just how high is he trying to drive his own value?’

If he negotiated first, he’d set his own price.

But by showing only his power while hiding his identity, he kept everyone desperate—and his value kept skyrocketing.

The problem wasn’t just finding him; even if they did, could they afford him?

Could Korea’s Association match the conditions offered by the U.S. or China?

Probably not. Same goes for the guilds.

Still, they had to find him and bring him to the negotiating table.

Kang Seok-gu, who had become Chairman at the young age of 47, had confidence in persuading him—if only he could get him to the table.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Just find him first! Think later!”

The Association would be working late again tonight.

“Ah, this is the life!”

“Good, right?”

“Seriously, so good. I wish this was my real body.”

“I don’t know how long it’ll take, but I’ll do everything I can. Don’t worry.”

“Didn’t notice at first, but you’re actually a really good person. You’ve earned my loyalty.”

“Wait, loyalty over pork belly and chicken? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“I mean it. Ask me anything. I’ll do it.”

“Haha, thanks. But… isn’t your life in danger? Shouldn’t you be rushing me?”

“Well, I’ve got a few months left. And you’re a kind person who bought me meat. I believe you’ll save me.”

“Of course I will.”

Somehow, they’d grown close.

Why did people call this guy a psychopath again?

Maybe he was just simple.

“So, if there’s anyone you want to kill, just say the word. That’s my specialty.”

“Ah… haha, no thanks. No one I want to kill.”

“Eh, you’ll want to someday.”

…Oh. So that’s why.

“More than that, boss, you’ve got a real calculating vibe.”

“Me? How so?”

“The meat incident—wasn’t that all planned? Pretending to take revenge over a scratch while secretly leaking false info, making the Association and guilds desperate.”

“Hm.”

“And going out to eat right after? Instead of taking action, just chilling while they scramble? Especially since we’re not even near Majang-dong.”

“Mhm.”

What the heck? This guy’s totally misunderstanding.

But it was flattering, so I let him continue.

Sounded like a compliment, after all.

“A normal person would assume you’re climbing the Tower right now. You earned insane points. Just ramen was 7,500. Add beef and alcohol? You probably made billions.”

“Wait—should you be saying that here?”

No matter how loud this chicken joint was, you never knew who might be listening.

Had he forgotten about the confidentiality contract because of the alcohol?

“Oh, it’s fine. Why do you think no one recognized me? I used a perception-blocking spell. People hear us talking about something completely different.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Considering he’d spent 29 years in the Tower and was pretty famous, it made sense.

If no one recognized him, his spell must be top-tier.

He chuckled and continued.

“Anyway, since you’re not cashing out, people assume you’re reinvesting everything.”

“And?”

Where’s he going with this? I just didn’t want to get exposed.

“Most people have weapons but don’t use them well. But you? You know how to use what you’ve got.”

“Hm.”

“You had no plans to climb the Tower, but you’re making the Association think you are. And I’ll be clearing it for you, making that a reality. No one would guess someone that powerful is just eating chicken right now.”

Basically, the Association and guilds think I’m an irregular hunter strong enough to break the Tower’s rules.

Lee Woo-jae grinned.

And I grinned back.

‘I didn’t mean to go that far…’

I leaked the Majang-dong info just to stay hidden, and I didn’t feel like going to the Association or climbing the Tower, so I decided to eat.

Woo-jae said the elixir only had to be taken within a month, so there was time.

Still, it wasn’t entirely unintentional.

I, Kim Namjoong, am a safety-first kind of guy. Cautious to a fault.

I dropped the Majang-dong lead to throw off the investigation, and I didn’t rush to the Association because I didn’t feel the need.

Is that really such a big deal?

“C’mon, stop flattering me. You don’t have to butter me up—I’ll still buy you tasty stuff.”

“I’m serious. Being overly cautious might seem like a flaw, but in the Tower, it’s a strength.”

“How so?”

“You control your own variables while increasing others’. Like rejecting my proposal at first, then signing after I gave everything away.”

Wasn’t that just him being a pushover? I held back the words.

Still, his life was on the line.

As I stayed silent in mild confusion, he continued.

“You might not get it now, but when you start climbing the Tower, your personality will be a huge asset. Just trust me.”

“Well, thanks.”

I knew nothing about the Tower. Woo-jae was a high-ranker—he must know something.

I’d never thought of my personality as a strength, but getting praised felt… kinda nice.

“In that case, want to try climbing the Tower?”

“…Huh?”

Where did that come from? I had zero interest in the Tower.

I looked at him in confusion, and he smiled.

“The Association thinks you’re actively climbing. Wouldn’t it shock them if you suddenly ranked up fast?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

“Plus, I need to prove my worth too.”

True. At least for now, I didn’t need Woo-jae.

I wasn’t in any danger of getting exposed yet.

With only a month to live, he probably wanted to show off what he could do.

‘Huh… maybe I should try it?’

The Tower was intriguing.

Just clearing it gave you awakened powers and strength.

That meant I’d have my own power—not relying on others.

Which meant I’d have a better chance of surviving if things went south.

But still…

“Let’s hold off for now.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get the elixir soon.”

Woo-jae flinched at my words.

He didn’t even try to hide it.

I smirked and continued.

“Climbing the Tower is fine and all, but I kind of want to make a statement.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to go crawling to the Chairman. You ever see someone of higher status make the first move?”

“Ahh… so you’re gonna toss him a hint?”

“Yup. The Chairman already sent someone to message me through the Tower, but if I call first, it’s lame.”

My phone had the Association Chairman’s personal number.

But I wasn’t planning to use it.

He would come to me.

“Let’s see… this should do.”

“Wait—what did you just… huh?”

<Leaking the Chairman’s phone number.>

–010–xxxx–xxxx This is it, for real.

Someone from the Association gave it to me.

It wasn’t a fake—it was the Chairman’s private phone number.

By tomorrow or the day after, once someone clears the Tower again, word would get out.

The number would spread like wildfire across the internet.

“Isn’t this a crime?! Why do all this?”

“Just posting a number isn’t a crime. And if I say I’m willing to sign a contract, the Chairman will be overjoyed.”

“Still… why all the hassle?”

“There’s a reason.”

I smiled and began to explain.

And when I finished, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Pffft! Hahaha! You’re a genius!”

“Which is why your role is super important. Can you slip this note into the Chairman’s pocket?”

“It’s the Association, so it’ll be tough… but I’ll do it. It’s for our boss, after all.”

Today’s persona: Phantom Thief.

A thief… out to steal the Chairman’s heart.