When the Towers appeared worldwide and were referred to as “Dungeons,” with those who challenged them being called Awakened or Hunters, who would have been the most troubled by this development?
Politicians earnestly discussing global peace?
Or administrators?
While there are many possibilities, it’s hard not to mention the “economists”.
The emergence of “Tower Coins”.
The godlike beings managing the system offered appropriate rewards to those challenging the Towers.
These included mana stones obtained from clearing the Towers, various by-products from each floor (Dungeon), and the clear rewards given to Awakened who ascended each level of the Tower.
Tower Coins.
This virtual currency provided by the Tower’s internal system created an entirely new economic system, both within the Dungeon and in the real world.
From the moment Tower Coins began facilitating transactions through system interfaces between Awakened on opposite sides of the globe, they effectively became a new global currency.
If, in the late 2010s and early 2020s, electronic currencies like Bitcoin became a new investment avenue for non-Awakened people, Tower Coins became a currency market designed by, for, and centered around Awakened.
One of the conveniences of the system, likely due to its operation by the divine entities supporting the Hunters, was that it tailored market rates and descriptions specifically to the users interacting with the interface.
Just like the status window that popped up in front of me now.
[Current Tower Coin Balance: 10 Billion.]
“…”
I earned 10 billion.
While sitting at home, browsing reactions on online forums with my computer and tablet, I suddenly had 10 billion.
“If only this were in dollars.”
“It’s in Korean won.”
“Exactly.”
10 billion won.
This was the system’s reward for Elaine fully clearing a Tower.
The challenge difficulty was A.
Some might complain about receiving only 10 billion for clearing an A-grade Tower, but this amount was more of a “bonus.”
“Elaine, you haven’t listed the mana stones or other loot in the auction house yet, right? Oh, do you even know how to do that?”
“I do know how, but I wouldn’t do so without your permission. Everything I’ve obtained through hunting belongs to you, Master. All items are in our inventory.”
The real money came from the items dropped by the monsters.
The total gold and rewards obtained from defeating the monsters and bosses on each floor amounted to 10 billion.
‘Hunters say they earn at least 100 million just by clearing a single floor, so we’ve essentially monopolized it.’
10 billion.
The bonus I earned for clearing the Tower near the fountain outside my apartment complex.
If I sell the magic stones and byproducts at their true value, I could earn at least ten times more.
Approximately 110 billion.
If it weren’t for Elaine, I wouldn’t have been able to climb to the top floor of the fully-cleared A-Rank Tower, defeat the Tower’s “master”, and destroy it to earn this much money.
And all that in just over an hour and ten minutes.
That’s why people evaluate Elaine’s combat power as at least A-Rank.
“Master.”
“Yeah?”
“The Guinness Committee has offered a reward. What would you like to do?”
“Huh?”
Elaine showed me something on her sub-phone, which I’d given her.
“The Guinness Committee announced they’re awarding approximately 1 billion won and a plaque for the ‘Hunter who cleared a Dungeon the fastest’.”
“How predictable.”
Though they say “Guinness Committee”, a government is surely behind it.
“They want to find you and make you sign a contract, whether it’s with the state or a corporation.”
“Me?”
“Of course. After all, they see you as…”
“You can call me a summoned creature if you’d like.”
A summoned creature.
The “creature” in the term might imply a beast, but is that okay?
“In certain situations, I might indeed be like a beast. You may call me whatever you find convenient. After all, humans fall within the realm of animals, don’t they?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
If that’s how it is, I can’t argue.
“Alright. For now, no one knows you’re a summoned creature. While you were clearing the Dungeon, I did some digging online. There’s no one else like us. We’re unique.”
Not just nationally.
Globally.
Though it’s the Guinness Committee talking now, who knows?
Perhaps some shadowy organization straight out of a movie is already searching for us.
“Elaine.”
“Yes, Master?”
“If I suddenly withdraw this 10 billion into my ‘real-world bank account,’ the National Intelligence Service would be onto me immediately, wouldn’t they?”
The money earned through Tower Coins can be transferred into a real-world bank account.
Though it incurs a small fee, since the Bank of Korea also manages assets related to Tower Coins, it’s possible to exchange them into real-world currency.
“Yes. Compared to your life before awakening…”
“I barely managed to scrape together 100 million won after all that hard work. If 10 billion suddenly appeared, it’d definitely raise suspicions.”
From the age of 20, I worked myself to the bone with part-time jobs, eventually earning a little over 100 million won.
But now, my account shows 10 billion won?
And from Tower Coin conversion, no less?
“Elaine.”
“Yes, Master?”
“To convert it, I’d first have to register as an Awakened. That doesn’t sound like a great idea, does it?”
“It’s your choice, Master. However, if you wish to keep the summoning aspect a secret, you’ll need to be thorough about it.”
Elaine mimed zipping her lips as she tapped on her smartphone.
“The knowledge I received from the ‘System’ upon my summoning is based on your foundational understanding, Master.”
“Hmm…”
“There may be differences between what is portrayed in movies or games and reality, but at the very least, there’s a chance information can be discovered in ways we haven’t considered.”
“True.”
They might have already uncovered something—through none other than my ‘search history’.
“Master, by any chance…?”
“It’s fine. I thought of that before searching, so I used multiple layers of VPNs.”
The evasive techniques I learned while dodging online arguments and lawsuits, plus the programs I installed to play foreign games that were blocked in Korea, turned out to be unexpectedly useful.
Of course, these measures aren’t foolproof.
If a government—or even the whole world—decides to track you down, it’s only a matter of time before you’re discovered.
“Elaine, do you know how people using illicit funds usually get caught by the tax authorities?”
“When they suddenly purchase assets far beyond what their current resources suggest?”
“Exactly.”
Someone earning 2 million won a month suddenly buying an apartment in Seoul, a luxury sports car outright, or splurging on designer goods and flaunting it on social media.
In other words, you can’t suddenly change your spending habits.
You have to increase them slowly, discreetly, and just enough to avoid triggering digital records.
If you must use the funds, it’s better to spend them directly within the Tower Coin ecosystem.
At least Tower Coins, while slightly pricier, guarantee anonymity.
“So, Elaine.”
“Yes?”
I grabbed Elaine’s smartphone and pointed to the items in her shopping cart already linked to an online mall account.
“Before you go buying electronics like refrigerators and washing machines worth millions all of a sudden, how about holding back for now?”
“But, Master.”
Elaine gestured between herself, me, and the space inside the studio apartment.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to live in a more comfortable environment? If not here, then at least somewhere better.”
“…”
“May I ask you one serious question?”
Elaine reached out toward my work bag.
“Do you plan to continue your current job?”
“…”
Should I hide my identity and keep my regular job while operating as an unregistered Awakened?
Should I quit my job, register as a Hunter, and keep Elaine’s existence a secret?
…Or should I reveal everything and leave myself at the mercy of the world I don’t fully understand?
“Elaine.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Can you protect me no matter what happens?”
“Of course. I am the Perfect Maid, after all.”
“In that case, let me ask you one thing.”
I searched the internet and opened a window with information about a specific location.
“One of the S-Rank Dungeons: [Mungyeong Saejae Tower].”
Mungyeong Saejae—a place I’d either visited or heard about in passing.
If you’re a fan of historical dramas, it’s one of those spots that makes you think, “Oh, that place!” It’s part of a historic heritage district.
In the middle of this provincial park, a tower stands tall, protected by the stone fortress walls of Mungyeong Saejae.
If Elaine could clear this Tower solo…
If someone with that level of strength considers me their Master, Elaine’s suggestion might just be the path I choose.
“An S-Rank Dungeon, huh.”
Elaine nodded briefly.
“Yes, it’s possible.”
Elaine spoke confidently.
“If you wish to confirm whether my power meets the modern S-Rank standard, it would be best to act immediately.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes. Even though a million Awakened have appeared worldwide, the Awakened Management Committee will swiftly encourage registrations and work to stabilize the situation.”
Tap Tap.
Elaine tapped herself lightly on the chest.
“They’ll be looking for the solitary A-Rank Awakened who cleared the Tower—the [Maid].”
“…That makes sense.”
At that moment, a news headline caught my eye.
[Breaking News] Awakened Management Committee Urges Immediate Hunter Registration.
They’re looking.
For us.
“Let’s think this through. It’s already late at night, so we’re not heading out now anyway….”
Beep beep beep.
A sudden phone call interrupted.
“Huh?”
Why would they be calling at this hour?
I gestured for Elaine to stay quiet, cleared my throat, and answered the call.
“Hello? Ye-eun?”
[…Jin-hyun, did you check?]
“Check? Check what?”
A junior team member from work.
Occasionally, they’d text asking about food or plans, but they rarely ever called like this.
[The lottery ticket you bought—our deputy team leader won! Second prize!]
“…Seriously?”
[Yes! But…!]
Ye-eun’s voice suddenly became sharp with anger.
[They called me to grab a meal tomorrow and said since it was your ticket, they should share the winnings with you. But now they’re refusing, saying why should they share their lottery winnings when they’re the one who won?!]
“……Ye-eun.”
Decision made.
“I’ll treat you to a meal later. By the way, I’m taking Monday off.”
Maybe longer.
“I’ll call you separately soon, so just handle it for now, okay?”
[M-Manager?!]
Click.
“…Elaine.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Let’s go. To the Tower.”