Chapter 31
2nd Floor Promotion Quest (2)
3.
The next morning.
As I had announced last night, I arrived punctually at the West Seoul Abyss Gate.
The long-awaited promotion quest.
It was a quest praised for being fresh and fun, so naturally, it drew a lot of attention. Unfortunately, my attention was completely overshadowed by an even bigger scoop.
What was that scoop?
“Breaking News: Raid Quest announced in the 3rd Floor Korean Territory!”
“Maximum 25 participants. Restricted to 3rd Floor players only. Players from 4th Floor and above cannot participate.”
“Difficulty confirmed as A-rank. Extremely rare for an A-rank difficulty to appear on a 3rd Floor raid.”
“Raid scheduled in the border region with China and Japan. Governments of each country initiating behind-the-scenes negotiations.”
“According to the international agreement passed three years ago, raids appearing in border regions can be participated in with the consent of the involved countries.”
“Minister of the Supernatural Management Department, Hwang Beom-seok: ‘I feel a tremendous responsibility. I will prepare the raid through close negotiations with each country, guild, and player.’”
The raid announcement had been posted suddenly in the early hours.
A raid.
An event that randomly appears on the 3rd Floor or above every three months, featuring monsters said to be incredibly strong.
Monsters so tough that at least 20 players need to join forces to defeat them.
And of course, it happened on the same day I intended to tackle my promotion quest.
“Talk about bad timing…”
Bitter, really.
Even a huge scoop like this overshadows everything else. It just shows my influence isn’t strong enough yet to outshine a mega event.
Speaking of raids…
From what I read online, usually only the top players of the relevant floor are allowed to participate. Could I still join if I got to the 3rd Floor?
Judging by the timing, it seemed like the administrators orchestrated this specifically targeting me.
“Player Yuseongwoo.”
“Oh, Chief Choi.”
As I crossed the gate platform, lost in my thoughts, a familiar face suddenly appeared.
It was Chief Choi from the Supernatural Management Department.
There was a faint scent of cologne, and his suit was neat, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. Clearly, he had been summoned urgently and hadn’t slept properly.
He must have rushed straight to me in that state.
It was 11 a.m. now. The notice went up at 2 a.m. yesterday, so no wonder he looked tired.
“Early morning, working hard, I see.”
“…Thank you.”
“Here, this is a stamina potion. I received it as a reward for helping out Mr. Seo Han-seong’s party last time. I don’t really need it myself.”
A stamina potion given by the alchemist, Kim Jin-su, from the legendary Mr. Seo Han-seong’s party.
It didn’t even look like 100 ml, but apparently, it was worth a million won.
“Thank you.”
“You’re serving the nation, so I at least have to look out for you.”
For reference, Seo Han-seong had taken over the presidency of our fan cafe from Tae-oh. He’d promised to be a lifelong fan in return for having his life saved. I’d likely meet him again soon.
“Phew…”
Chief Choi downed the stamina potion and exhaled deeply, then spoke politely.
“The reason I’m intruding this early is to discuss the 3rd Floor raid.”
“I was waiting for you, actually. I’m a bit interested too.”
I had expected him to come, but not this quickly. Hopefully, he brought good news.
As I smiled, Chief Choi’s voice grew slightly quieter.
“The minister wants to seek your understanding regarding the raid.”
“Hmm?”
“Let me explain the current situation first.”
He began cautiously explaining.
Here’s what he said:
Raids carry high risks if they fail but offer massive rewards. Therefore, guilds—players’ collective organizations—get priority participation.
Based on past precedent, it’s likely to be one Chinese guild, one Japanese guild, and three Korean guilds.
Major guilds are secretly lobbying governments and parliaments.
It was obvious that wherever players amassed wealth, their guilds gained power as well.
Players guarantee national safety from the Abyss and monopolize valuable resources like mana stones. A collective of such players naturally wields influence.
Though Chief Choi phrased it diplomatically, that was the gist of his message.
“So, I probably can’t join the raid?”
“…That’s correct.”
“Pity, but I didn’t expect you to come all this way just to tell me…”
“…We thought you’d be disappointed. The minister had planned to come personally, if not for a sudden parliamentary assembly.”
Ah, so that’s it. This was their way of showing, “We’re looking out for you,” even if the major guilds get everything.
I might feel a bit miffed at the big guilds taking all the spoils, but I still appreciated the Supernatural Management Department. They were being considerate.
“Does that mean I can’t even observe?”
“Not entirely. In case of emergencies, we’ll assemble a temporary emergency response team—think of it as a 2nd team. They’ll be deployed if issues arise during the raid.”
Ah, so the big guilds grab the rewards while the department handles cleanup. Their authority is significant, but they aren’t omnipotent. The major guilds have tremendous influence. Money naturally attracts power, so it’s not surprising.
“Thanks for looking out. I’m fine.”
“Apologies. I know you had high expectations…”
“Ah, if an accident happens during the raid, can you intervene then?”
“If you want, we can assign you a participation slot.”
“Can you do that?”
“Understood.”
This is enough for now. No need to jump into the guilds’ power struggle from the start.
“Once again, apologies.”
“Chief Choi, there’s no need to apologize… Still, thanks for coming in person. I’d buy you coffee, but I have a broadcast scheduled.”
“Sorry to have taken your time. I’ll contact you as soon as it’s confirmed. Have a safe broadcast today.”
Bowing, he left. I watched his back and smiled slightly.
“A raid, huh…”
From past conversations with the administrator Yushin, I had a rough idea. Something big is coming on the 3rd Floor. That raid was likely the one Yushin warned me about.
If that’s true…
‘This could be extremely dangerous.’
The administrators might be itching to kill me outright. Well, I’ll see when the raid starts. Players blinded by greed will act as scouts for me anyway, so I can relax. If necessary, I can clean up later reports.
So for now:
“Broadcast start.”
[Broadcast started.]
[Title set: 2nd Floor Promotion Quest Completion. Mission Welcome. Event Today.]
Time to do my job. My fifth live stream. Going all out.
4.
[Entering the Abyss.]
[<2nd Floor – Unpleasant Swamp (Seoul, West Starting Point)>]
Viewers started joining quickly as soon as the broadcast began.
Slower than usual, probably because major guilds were holding press conferences about the 3rd Floor raid.
I planned to target a niche market by streaming this morning, and now this happened.
Damnit, administrators. Always irritating. I should punch them next time I see them.
“Glad to see you all. Thanks for coming.”
Meha: Why are you thanking us?
Lol, still not used to this.
Just act normal.
Megat: Why are you doing back-Abyss and immediately doing the 2nd Floor promotion quest…
Don’t do back-Abyss! If you hunt, at least stream it. What if you suddenly die?
“Even though a huge scoop dropped, you still came to watch my broadcast? Loyalists, indeed.”
The whole of Korea was buzzing over the 3rd Floor raid, yet they came to my stream. Admirable.
Lol, loyalists?
Came to see what kind of chaos today
Not seeing us as loyalists
Megat JOAT
Typical Me-pyeong cluelessness
Three days before mock exams, making regret-free choices
Megat promotion quest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3rd Floor raid
Raid hasn’t even started and people are already fussing
My viewers tend to be feisty by nature. The chat was dominated by mischievous viewers. But I preferred it this way.
[<MeteorWishing7thDay> donated 10,000 won!]
If you get promoted today, you’ll become a 3rd Floor player, right? Aren’t you interested in the raid? If you want to join the participating guild, I think they’d accept you immediately…
“Thanks for the 10,000 won donation. Boss. I prefer doing things solo. Maybe I’ll get a chance too? The 3rd Floor raid doesn’t sound easy.”
Lol, money = boss
Of course, money = boss or elder
But it’s A-rank difficulty, right?
Only 3rd Floor players can participate. A-rank will be really tough.
Major guilds support their 3rd Floor players with powerful items. Couldn’t that help?
Heard China and Japan are also sending their top prospects.
But if we fail the Abyss, what happens?
One of the country’s Abyss gates explodes, monsters spill out. Happened in the Middle East before; many died.
If there’s a chance the gate explodes… maybe the Supernatural Management Department should act more strongly. But that’s not my concern.
Chances are, the baton will eventually reach me. Yushin was beaten and sent back, so the administrators will be sharpening their knives.
“Forget the 3rd Floor raid for now. Today, my promotion quest is more important. Focus, everyone. Any off-topic chatter, you’re banned.”
I needed to focus their attention. The viewers grudgingly agreed.
Freedom of the press?
But the promotion quest looks exciting lol
I wonder what fairy tale he’ll get?
Didn’t he say there’s a lottery today?
Came for the lottery, been surviving a week drinking only water, help pls
Water is solid; at least it’s something. My water is cut, can’t eat anything…
Who can’t get water but still has electricity lol I’m stealing power at a cafe
It felt like the ultimate beggar competition. Today’s event seemed fair.
“Apparently, there are twelve dungeons that can appear in the Dimensional Theater. I’ll randomly select the play we’ll enter from viewers who guess correctly and award prizes. Voting starts now.”
Lol, double RNG
Megat seems to have experience with gacha games, huh
Companies starting with N will cry and clap
Can’t you tell us what the prize is?
“Revealing from the start would be boring. I promise it’ll be satisfying. Collectible value too.”
Today’s prize isn’t a mana stone or capsule. Repeatedly giving such items would spoil viewers. Autographed items will suffice—they’ll increase in value over time.
Oh, I visited the promotion quest area yesterday for preparation. Inseop uploaded a membership-only video of the unique item I obtained last time, <Ariadne’s Thread>, which I could use to draw attention.
I grabbed the filming drone and immediately used the item.
[Moving to <Dimensional Theater Entrance> stored in Slot 4!]
Swoosh—!
Threads like spiderwebs wrapped around me, and I blinked once. My view shifted instantly.
[Entered <2nd Floor – Dimensional Theater Entrance (Korea)>]
As the scenery changed, the chat flooded with hooks.
???
Wasn’t this the starting point just now?
What the…?
Wow
This is the Dimensional Theater entrance. Takes two hours to walk from the West starting point?
Somebody explain
Lol, many didn’t watch the membership video
He used that item, right?
Won’t explain
Why do you guys know before we do?
That item really changes convenience; innovates movement
Some viewers knew what I used, either as members or through community info. No need for me to explain—if curious, they can search online or subscribe.
“Before starting the promotion quest, please like, subscribe, and enable notifications.”
Once said,
“Let’s go.”
I flung open the doors of the Dimensional Theater.
[Promotion Quest conditions satisfied.]
[Starting promotion quest <Cruel Fairy Tale>.]
[Selecting the play for the theater. Please wait.]
After about five seconds, the selection completed. The viewers reacted…
BISAAAAANG! Ultra BISAAAAANG!
Did we really get this?
Isn’t this the bugged play? The one with invincible mobs?
Wow…
Lucky Matryoshka holder? This shouldn’t happen
Bad luck continues lol
Thinking about it, Megat always gets targeted
Impossible to clear alone sry
Uh, this is…
As usual, the chat erupted in excitement.
Hmm, really?
