Chapter 13
When a face appeared on the intercom screen, both Kim Haseon and Lee Jiseok were struck speechless.
On the screen was a man with a fierce look and a gravelly voice — but his tone was surprisingly polite.
“I’m Choi Deokgyu, Guildmaster of Seoul. I sincerely apologize for visiting at such a late hour.”
His massive build radiated intimidation, even through the screen.
Lee Jiseok unconsciously straightened his back.
“S-Seoul’s Lord himself… what brings you to our house?”
“Ah, nothing serious. I came for a personal reason.”
The Guildmaster of Seoul, for personal reasons?
Lee Jiseok looked doubtful — until he noticed something in Choi Deokgyu’s hand.
“It’s a stamina potion that can be used even outside the Tower. Just a small gift.”
A stamina potion — something obtainable only from the Tower, and in such short supply that even money couldn’t buy it.
From somewhere down the hall came the sound of a child’s voice.
“Captain Choi Deokgyu?”
Thud-thud-thud—
Wearing her pajamas, Chaeri came running, hugging her green dinosaur plushie to her side.
Her yellow pajamas with duck prints looked adorably cute.
“Heh.”
Choi Deokgyu couldn’t help but grin broadly.
But then—
“Captain, that was rude.”
“M-My apologies.”
The Guildmaster of Seoul, scolded by a four-year-old, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Chaeri, as if to make sure the adults heard, spoke clearly.
“There’s a cute little baby growing in Mother’s belly.”
“Is that so?”
“She needs absolute rest. You mustn’t disturb the baby.”
Choi Deokgyu bowed his head again in apology.
He could have come in the morning — what was he even thinking?
‘I must’ve lost my mind.’
In any case, now that he was here, Kim Haseon and Lee Jiseok couldn’t very well leave the Guildmaster standing at their door.
“Oh, not at all. It’s fine. Please, come in.”
“Would you like some fruit?”
“No, I’m fine. I just need to ask Chaeri something.”
When the giant stepped into the room, the space suddenly felt cramped.
He lowered his voice as much as he could.
“Chaeri, there’s something I want to ask.”
“About Teacher Kim Myungja?”
“Oh, yes, yes — do you know where she is?”
Chaeri giggled.
For someone who could easily find anyone he wanted, it was funny to see him come personally at night to ask her.
He was sharp about everything — except when it came to Kim Myungja, where he turned into a fool.
Chaeri decided not to say, ‘You could just have your subordinates find her.’
Instead, she simply handed him her phone.
“Here.”
“What’s this?”
[♡ Kim Myungja ♡]
“Her phone number.”
“……”
“Are you farsighted?”
“Ah.”
Choi Deokgyu froze. His hands — even his eyebrows and beard — trembled at the mention of Kim Myungja’s number.
Chaeri sighed as if exasperated and held out her hand.
“Hm?”
“Give me your phone.”
He obediently handed it over.
Chaeri quickly dialed her own number from his phone, then sent him Kim Myungja’s contact.
“Transfer complete.”
[Name] ♡Kim Myungja♡
[Mobile] 010-xxxx-xxxx
“Love must be won.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Good luck, Choi Deokgyu.”
He rose from his seat — and nearly hit his head on the ceiling.
“Now, please go.”
Everything felt confusing.
She was cute, yes, but this little girl’s attitude was oddly disorienting — even sending him away!
For a man used to being flattered everywhere he went, it was refreshingly new.
“You really want me to leave that badly?”
He was tempted to say, ‘I’m kind of a big deal, you know?’ — but held it in.
“Lee Chaeri is a child.”
She turned on her kid’s phone to show the time.
It was already 9 p.m.
“Haha!”
Watching Chaeri rub her sleepy eyes made him burst into laughter.
Then she suddenly beckoned him closer.
“What is it?”
“Hurry. Secret mission.”
When he leaned closer, she cupped her hands and whispered:
“Send me proof by noon tomorrow.”
“Proof?”
“Teacher Kim Myungja is at Sunshine Orphanage.”
“You want me to take a picture and send it to you?”
“Lee Chaeri wants to see Teacher Kim Myungja’s face.”
“Then…!”
“You must send it — for Lee Chaeri!”
“Alright, I promise.”
He nodded.
Chaeri felt proud of herself.
He would’ve bulldozed his way there eventually anyway… but still.
‘The hardest part is always the start.’
Maybe this was her little way of helping him take that first step.
‘Maybe I really am a cunning female lead type.’
At the door, Choi Deokgyu bowed politely to her adoptive parents.
“I’ve caused you trouble. Thank you for your time. Chaeri is truly a wonderful child.”
Lee Jiseok laughed awkwardly.
“You think so?”
“Yes. If she ever Awakens, please contact me. We’ll see what kind of support we can offer.”
“A-Awakens? We never even thought about that…”
“No need to overthink it. These days, most kids awaken by age ten.”
Indeed, in this era, most children manifested abilities by that age.
Of course, not all climbed the Tower — just as not everyone who studies goes to Seoul National University.
Only a tiny fraction of elite Awakened challenge the Tower.
Still trembling, Lee Jiseok accepted the Guildmaster’s business card.
A business card from the Lord of Seoul — was this even real?
‘What a day…’
“Oh my, leaving already?”
Kim Haseon came to the door.
“My husband runs a dermatology clinic. Please stop by sometime!”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to visit.”
She was already beaming, imagining framing the signature of the Seoul Guildmaster.
Seeing that smile, Chaeri relaxed too.
‘Everything worked out.’
Half-asleep, she bowed politely.
“Goodbye!”
Back in her room, Chaeri rubbed her sleepy eyes and carefully pulled out a card.
From it, Dabis appeared — his expression softening at the sight of her tired face.
“Chaeri, you look exhausted.”
He gently caught her as she swayed like a paper doll and laid her on the bed.
He tucked her under a thick blanket and handed her favorite plushie, Greenie the dinosaur.
“We need to enter the Tower…”
He was about to tell her no — but changed his mind.
“Shall we, then?”
Actually, this might work out perfectly. She’d fall asleep within thirty seconds.
Clearing the stage while she slept — not a bad idea.
“Do I have permission?”
“Mhm. Yes.”
Dabis lifted her carefully, wrapping the blanket snugly around her like a little caterpillar.
Chaeri giggled.
‘This is kind of fun.’
“Shall we go into the Tower?”
“Yesh.”
And so, they entered.
“Chaeri, this is a safe zone.”
“Mhm.”
Dabis sat down beside her and began to pat her chest gently.
“Lullaby, lullaby.”
“Lee Chaeri’s not sleepy…”
But after such a long, eventful day, both her body and mind were utterly worn out.
“And she’s already asleep.”
“Nuh-uh, Lee Chaeri’s not…”
Yet Dabis’s lullaby attack was powerful.
Before long, her breathing became slow and even — sound asleep.
He rose quietly.
“Sleep well. I’ll handle the L-rank clear.”
His eyes hardened — the look he wore in battle, not while watching over Chaeri.
“The 4th floor has a special mechanic.”
It was a stage that connected directly to the 5th — a route Dabis had discovered in a previous incarnation.
Back then, he’d managed to clear both floors at L-rank.
He had time to spare.
[Objective: Defeat the Black Foxes.]
[Clear after defeating 10.]
The trick was to slay them in a precise order.
And since Chaeri was asleep, the Kidsafe filter was off.
Violent scenes, flying limbs, splattering blood — all displayed without restriction.
[You have cleared Tower (Seoul) Floor 4.]
[Clear Rank: L (Legend)]
A perfect sequence — and an L-rank clear.
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Consecutive Tower Challenge.]
