The Next Morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, an involuntary groan escaped my lips. The exhaustion from nearly dying in the trial had settled deep into my body.
Attempting the trial again in this state would be reckless. So, to recuperate, I decided to take on a new task instead.
I opened a book about potions that I had taken from the bookshelf on the ninth floor.
“Because It’s Difficult, It’s a Potion.”
…The title was a bit odd, but the book contained a list of basic potions and their recipes. It also provided manufacturing processes based on the facilities available in the magic tower, which was convenient.
The potion I decided to test out was the following:
[Lesser Red Elixir]
- Effect: 50 regeneration. Effect increases with repeated use.
- Ingredients: Black Mountain (1), Hosong (1), Hally (2).
Black Mountain, Hosong, and Hally were all byproducts of plant-type monsters and could be easily obtained in Korea.
While monster hides and bones were often used for crafting equipment, plant-based remnants had little demand, making them relatively cheap. In particular, Black Mountain cost around 200 won per unit.
Being able to create a potion with such inexpensive ingredients was, to exaggerate a little, like turning random stones into gold.
“Alright. Let’s get started.”
First, I headed to the first-floor storage to look for ingredients.
Unfortunately, the potion ingredients were either in short supply or had rotted over time, so I would need to restock locally.
Still, after some persistent searching, I managed to gather enough to make a few bottles.
Carrying the ingredients, I returned to the book.
“Looks like I’ll need a cauldron for this.”
The various tubes scattered across the table seemed to be for crafting more advanced potions.
I walked over to the large cauldron tucked away in a corner on the first floor.
The surface of the cauldron was engraved with multiple magic circles—almost like control buttons on an electronic device.
After familiarizing myself with the instructions, I got to work.
First, I placed my hand on the magic circle labeled Water Rune and channeled mana into it.
The magic circle activated, and water gushed into the cauldron.
“…Ohhh!”
This was fascinating. I wasn’t fetching water from a well or using a faucet—it was filling up purely through magic.
I had always imagined mages to be quiet and old-fashioned, but with things like the magic circle elevator, their world was surprisingly high-tech.
Once the cauldron was filled with enough water, I activated the magic circle at the bottom to ignite a fire.
As the water began to bubble, I followed the book’s instructions, adding ingredients and stirring with a large ladle.
Potion crafting often required magical assistance. Black Mountain had to be ground into powder using an alchemical spell before being sprinkled in, while Hally needed to be coated with mana as it floated to the surface like deep-fried food.
After an hour of work around the cauldron, the liquid thickened into a deep red color.
“It’s done!”
Tilting the cauldron, I carefully poured the finished potion into empty bottles.
Honestly, bottling was more tedious than making the potion itself.
I then used Sage’s Eye to check the final product’s details.
[Lesser Red Elixir]
- Type: Potion
- Effects:
- [40 regeneration]
- [Effect increases with repeated use]
Somewhere in the process, I must have made a mistake—compared to the book’s description, the regeneration effect had decreased by 10 points, leaving me with 40 instead of 50.
It seemed potion-making required more precision than I had anticipated.
Still, for a first attempt, I was satisfied.
Now that I had successfully crafted a potion, there was nothing holding me back. I picked up my phone and made a call.
I had already thought of the perfect person for potion distribution.
“Hey, it’s me. Got some time tonight?”
Hearing the question on the other end, I grinned.
“Nothing too serious—just wondering if you’d be interested in a little business venture.”
* * *
That night.
I was waiting for my guest near Sanggye Station.
‘There he is.’
Click, clack.
With composed footsteps, a familiar face approached me.
He wore a well-fitted casual suit and stylish horn-rimmed glasses, giving off the vibe of a young, trendy English gentleman.
“It’s been a while, Yushin-hyung.”
His name was Jung Seo-jin. Two years younger than me at twenty-one, he had been my junior in middle school.
Despite his age, everything about him—his appearance, demeanor, and speech—exuded the air of a seasoned businessman.
“Yeah, it’s been a while, Seo-jin.”
“So, you’re starting a business?”
…We hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and he was already getting straight to the point. His blunt and no-nonsense nature hadn’t changed.
“That’s right. I need your help.”
“What kind of business?”
“Let’s talk inside.”
I gestured toward a dimly lit alleyway.
Seojin adjusted his glasses with an unreadable expression.
“I can’t help but be concerned that our meeting place is near a restricted zone. May I ask if the location is related to the business?”
“It is. In fact, it’s not near the restricted zone—it’s inside it.”
“……”
His expression stiffened, followed by a quiet sigh.
“I assume this isn’t exactly a legal business?”
His skepticism was understandable.
The restricted zone was a dangerous area where monsters roamed.
Because it was off-limits, various criminal organizations used it as a hideout for drug production, illegal weapons manufacturing, and other shady dealings.
I needed to clear up his doubts.
“Let me be clear—it’s nothing like what you’re thinking.”
“Then explain your business proposal here and now.”
“Even if I explain, you won’t fully grasp it. You need to see it yourself—”
“Yushin-hyung.”
Click.
Seo-jin pressed a button on his briefcase and let it fall to the ground.
Clack.
The case split open, revealing stacks of cash.
“This should be enough for startup capital.”
“……?”
“I’ll be taking my leave now.”
…This brat. What did he think I was?
Well, to be fair, his reaction was understandable.
How many people had tried to take advantage of his background, deceiving him under the guise of business, only to demand money in the end?
To Seo-jin, this was just another case of that same old scam.
And by offering this money upfront, he was essentially paying off any debt he felt he owed me—ensuring that I wouldn’t trouble him again.
If I accepted it, he would never show up in front of me again.
I stared at the briefcase for a moment before speaking.
“I don’t need it.”
“…What?”
“I’m not looking for money—I need you.”
Seo-jin’s expression subtly shifted.
“I can see why you’d misunderstand since I called you out of the blue. But here, let me give you a little preview—”
I raised my right hand.
Seo-jin watched, confused—until a blue light radiated from my palm, forming a glowing magic circle.
His eyes widened in shock.
“What… What is this? Your innate ability is supposed to be—”
“It’s not an innate ability.”
Whoosh!
A mana arrow shot out from the magic circle and crashed into a nearby stone wall with a loud bang!
“It’s magic.”
“…….”
Jung Seo-jin adjusted his glasses with trembling hands.
“Magic, huh? Do you think I would believe such an unscientific claim?”
He ran a hand through his hair with a self-deprecating expression.
“……That kind of talk is outdated now.”
“Heh, you get it. We live in an era where monsters appear and hunters thrive.”
Jung Seo-jin was a player himself. There was no way he could deny the scene unfolding before his eyes.
Having finally made up his mind, he grabbed his briefcase and spoke.
“I apologize. Where do we need to go?”
I led Jung Seo-jin past the restricted zone and all the way to the tower.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done something this reckless.”
Jung Seo-jin muttered as he looked around the forest shrouded in darkness, as if reminiscing.
“Back in middle school, we used to get into trouble all the time.”
“Those were good times.”
“How was it in the States?”
“It was alright, I guess. Honestly, I just studied like crazy.”
I nodded and stopped in front of the door.
“Give me your hand for a sec.”
“My hand?”
“Ah, I forgot to explain. You need a mark to enter the tower.”
For an outsider to enter, they had to bear the symbol of the Sun Tower on their body.
According to Eia, this mark not only granted access but was also linked to a powerful restriction spell.
The current restriction trigger was ‘leaking information about the tower.’
If broken in any way, the tower’s tracking magic would activate immediately, causing mana reflux in the offender.
“It’s a type of security magic.”
“Hmm, that sounds a bit scary.”
“I’m not forcing you. If you don’t want to, that’s fine too.”
Jung Seo-jin willingly extended his hand.
“You could’ve just stamped it without explaining, but I’ll trust you this time.”
I guess he felt a little guilty about doubting me earlier.
I gathered mana at my fingertip and pressed it against the back of his hand. A blue mark appeared, like a seal.
“Alright. Let’s go in.”
I went first, pressing my palm against the door. In an instant, I was sucked inside.
I stepped aside just in time for Jung Seo-jin to tumble out of the doorway, completely losing his balance.
“Haha! You okay? I was like that my first time too.”
“……Yes. I’m fine.”
Brushing off his clothes, Jung Seo-jin stood up and looked around with wide eyes.
“This is incredible. I had no idea there was a space like this inside the tower……”
“Master, is this a guest?”
A cluster of light gathered in midair, forming into Eia.
Jung Seo-jin flinched and took a step back.
“Wh-who?”
“I am Eia, the tower’s administrator.”
She bowed politely.
“…….”
Why is he standing there, completely dazed?
“Ah, um. I’m Jung Seo-jin.”
The two shook hands briefly.
“Eia, do we have anything to serve our guest?”
“There are a few packs of coffee mix left from what the master bought at the convenience store.”
“Tch, well, I guess that’ll do. Please bring some.”
Eia nodded and vanished. I snapped my fingers in front of Jung Seo-jin’s face.
“Hey!”
“Huh?!”
“Why are you spacing out? That’s not like you.”
“Ah, my apologies.”
We settled onto the sofas in the center of the lobby. Jung Seo-jin couldn’t take his eyes off the golden walls and the various magical instruments.
“I heard this place was considered an eyesore in Seoul, but I never imagined it would be this beautiful.”
“Heh, right?”
“If I hadn’t come today, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.”
……For the rest of his life? Why is he suddenly being so dramatic?
At that moment, Eia returned and placed paper cups filled with coffee in front of us.
“Sorry for the humble hospitality. Might not be up to your high-class tastes.”
Slurp. Jung Seo-jin took a sip and gave a faint smile.
“It’s sweet. I like it.”
Say that to my face, will you?
“Shall we get down to business now?”
“Yes, let’s begin.”
I started by explaining the basics of the tower. Jung Seo-jin listened intently, nodding along.
“So, the first floor is dedicated to potion brewing. I’ve already made one in advance.”
I placed a glass bottle filled with a potion on the table.
“Does this really heal wounds?”
“Go ahead and test it.”
“……Alright, excuse me for a moment.”
Jung Seo-jin rolled up his pant leg, revealing a scrape from his earlier fall.
When he poured a bit of the potion on it, the wound vanished without a trace.
His shocked expression was priceless.
“Aside from healing potions, we can also make potions that restore mana, cure poison, or counteract status effects like freezing.”
“……Impressive.”
Jung Seo-jin inspected the potion from different angles before setting it back down. Then, he adjusted his glasses and spoke with a serious expression.
“But are you sure this is okay?”
