Chapter 3: The yer Who Can’t Level Up (3)


    Someone requested me by name?


    Gi-Gyu was surprised because requesting a specific guide cost extra.


    Tae-Shik replied, Thats right, so dont bete tomorrow. Ill have all the equipment ready.


    Alright.


    On his way home, Gi-Gyu was lost in thought. Usually, a client requested a specific guide because of rmendations from their acquaintances. Someone had rmended Gi-Gyu; he was curious to know who it was.


    Well, Im sure Ill find out tomorrow. Gi-Gyu decided not to think too much about it and headed home.


    ***


    The next day, Gi-Gyu arrived at the association office on time. He announced, Im here.


    Alright. Take a seat, Tae-Shik replied. He was alone in his office, and when Gi-Gyu sat down, he began, The client wants to do a five-day course with you starting today. His goal is toplete all the tutorial floors as quickly as possible.


    Gi-Gyus eyes widened as he asked in surprise, Who would spend that much money?


    The full five-day course included staying in the Tower the entire time to climb the tutorial floors as quickly as possible. The client had to pay for the guides food, potions, and equipment rental on top of the night shift premium and overtime. All in all, this was the most expensive course the association offered.


    Gi-Gyu couldnt believe he was requested by name for something like this. The pay from this job could finance his living expenses for an entire month, that was if he couldplete it sessfully.


    Beats me. But from what I gather, hes neither filthy rich nor a prized member of some guild. I guess you can ask him in person soon, Tae-Shik replied as he handed Gi-Gyu a cup of instant coffee.


    Why are you giving me coffee all of a sudden? Gi-Gyu asked suspiciously. After spending years under Tae-Shiks wing, Gi-Gyu learned a thing or two about his personality and habits. Whenever Tae-Shik had something important to discuss, he would make Gi-Gyu a cup of instant coffee. Consequently, he looked down at the paper cup and frowned.


    Would you be interested in working for the association? Tae-Shik asked.


    For the association?


    Thats right.


    With a serious expression, Tae-Shik exined, You know you cant work as a guide forever. Were losing customers to the guilds even as we speak. And the upper management is also thinking about cutting the guide departments funding. Ive heard the US offers a more lucrative business, but that isnt the case in Korea. Since this department isnt making any money, theyre nning to get rid of it.


    Just like that? Gi-Gyu asked in surprise. The fact that Tae-Shik was telling him about this meant it wasnt just an unfounded rumor. Gi-Gyu had been expecting this, but the abruptness of it all wasnt within his expectations.


    Yes, so why dont you try working for the association? You wont be able to work as a yer, but I can offer you a desk job or even make you my secretary, Tae-Shik offered.


    Why would I wanna work as your secretary, Hyung?[1] Gi-Gyu answered as he burst intoughter. But despite his yful tone, his heart began to pound with frustration.


    Give it some serious thought, Gi-Gyu. Once this department is gone, I n on climbing the corporatedder myself.


    Alright. Ill think about it, Gi-Gyu gave him a casual answer before leaving the office. When he was outside, Gi-Gyu murmured, Working for the association


    ***


    Are you yer Kim Sun-Pil? Gi-Gyu smiled and greeted the man who approached him at the designated meeting ce.


    Oh, yes, I am! Sun-Pil answered.


    Gi-Gyu had been waiting for his clients. After the first man arrived, three more people followed. The man asked, Youre Kim Gi-Gyu, right? Suk-Woo told me so much about you.


    Oh! Gi-Gyu eximed in surprise. He had been wondering who rmended him, and it turned out to be Yoo Suk-Woo.


    Thanks, Suk-Woo.


    Yoo Suk-Woo was a customer about the same age as Gi-Gyu. Suk-Woo was a kind man, and they had gotten along very well. They even became friends; unlike Gi-Gyu, Suk-Woo was a yer who could level up. He was Suk-Woos guide back then; afterpleting the job, he met Suk-Woo a few times in Seoul. Sadly, the current Suk-Woo wasnt someone Gi-Gyu could ever meet in the Tower. Gi-Gyu heard that Suk-Woo became a ranker and now led his own guild.


    So how do you know Suk-Woo? Gi-Gyu asked Sun-Pil.


    Hes my cousin.


    Oh! Nice to meet you. Gi-Gyu smiled and offered his hand for a handshake. Afterward, the rest of the clients introduced themselves. The group was led by Sun-Pil and had three men and one woman. The other two men were named Jae-Won and Sung-Woo, while the female yer was called Ha-Neul.


    After the introductions, Gi-Gyu gave a brief exnation about the Tower. Im sure you already know what Im about to say, but Ill go over it nheless.


    When the group nodded, Gi-Gyu continued, 23 years ago, the Tower and the Gates came out of nowhere. Soon after, people began awakening as yers, and the world was thrown into a turmoil. The Tower posed no threat to humans, but the Gates did. The Gate, also called a dungeon, has to be closed within a certain amount of time. Else, it explodes and releases all of its monsters into the world.


    Everyone nodded since this story was actually a well-known fact now. Satisfied, Gi-Gyu continued, Thats why the yers were given the duty and the responsibility to protect this world along with their powers. Well, then again, not every yer values their responsibility


    Haha! Sun-Pilughed as if he found Gi-Gyus words funny. Most people from the association liked to emphasize the importance of a yers duty and responsibility, but Gi-Gyu seemed different.


    But please remember that with great poweres great responsibility. Now, shall we continue this conversation as we get going? Gi-Gyu asked the yers.


    Yes!


    With that, Gi-Gyu and Sun-Pils group entered the Tower. Gi-Gyu exined, This is the Towers first floor and also where the tutorial floors begin.


    Sun-Pil and the rest studied their surroundings as Gi-Gyu continued, The tutorial floors include the first five floors. When a yer enters the fifth floor, he must pass a test to be a true yer. This is why the first five floors are called the tutorial floors.


    Okay, the group answered.


    As he exined, a bitter expression appeared on Gi-Gyus face. He had actually never tried to test himself on the fateful fifth floor. Most yers who took this test were at least Level 4 or higher, but even they found it difficult. So, it was practically a death sentence for a yer like him who was stuck at Level 1. There was a moment years ago in which Gi-Gyu decided to risk it all and try the fifth-floor test. However, when he finally stood in front of the entrance, the memories of his mother and sister held him back. After all, he knew taking the test would result in him dying a horrible death.


    Once you pass the fifth-floor test, youll cross andmark and be a genuine yer. However, even after this, youll face more tests on the tenth floor and every ten floors after that, Gi-Gyu exined to the group.


    Is the reward for passing the test different for every yer? one yer asked.


    Yes. The reward will be different for every yer. There have been incidents where even the tests were different for various yers on the higher floo


    Oh, Ive heard about that too! one of the customers interrupted Gi-Gyu.


    Hush. The guide is talking, another customer scolded the interrupter, making Gi-Gyu smile. Because the yers in this group seemed determined to learn, and they were referred to him by an acquaintance, Gi-Gyu enjoyed teaching them immensely.


    The rewards usually include stats or skills, Gi-Gyu added.


    We understand.


    Then, lets go hunting, Sun-Pils group tensed at Gi-Gyu''s announcement.


    ***


    Today, well stay on the first floor to hunt the goblins. Ill teach you the process of hunting, the cleanup, and the necessary first aid procedure in case of an emergency, Gi-Gyu said to the group.


    Alright.


    Now, do you see those two goblins over there? Gi-Gyu asked as he pointed at the goblins roaming the nearby area. He then continued, Its rare to find a goblin alone since they move in groups.


    Oh.


    You dont have to fear the goblins too much. They are just things you kill so that you can get morefortable with the idea of killing something alive, Gi-Gyu told the group and threw a rock at the goblins.


    Kirrk.


    Kirrk? Two goblins turned toward the yers and sprinted toward them.


    Guide, help! one of the yers screamed.


    Just do your best. It may take a long time, but killing a goblin is easy for even a first-timer, Gi-Gyu said to the group encouragingly and took a step back. One of the characteristics of a good guide was that he only joined the fray in an emergency.


    Try blocking the goblins wooden spear first. Youll get used to it in no time, Gi-Gyu urged the yers. While they looked around in confusion, one of the goblins suddenly closed the distance between them. Its wooden spear plunged toward a yer, who swung his sword in fear.


    Uwaah! the yer screamed.


    Kirrrk!


    That casual strike sent the goblins spear flying, bringing a smile of relief to the yers faces. The yer who blocked the goblin eximed, Its so weak!


    No words of encouragement couldve motivated the yers as much as that sight did. Fearless, they ran after the goblins with a roar. Uwaahh!!!


    Considering it was their first battle, the four yers did well, but they were covered in wounds. They huffed with exhaustion, Haa Haa


    The metal tips of a goblins wooden spears are usually rusted, so the wounds need to be treated quickly. If they arent, theyll cause progressive poisoning. He approached the yers who were panting on the ground with a ss jar filled with a red-liquid potion.


    Ugh groaned a yer when Gi-Gyu poured the potion onto his wound.


    It tickles, doesnt it? Gi-Gyu asked.


    Yes.


    Interesting fact: How much it tickles will depend on the size of the wound, Gi-Gyu said as he watched the potion work its magic. Gi-Gyu then walked around to pour the potion onto the other yers wounds as well.


    After finishing a battle, its always a good idea to treat your wounds immediately, Gi-Gyu advised them collectively.


    Okay!


    The yers touched their bodies in surprise since all their wounds had disappeared. Gi-Gyu continued, But a potion isnt a cure-all. A serious injury like a severed arm or nerve damage cant be treated with it. And you all know that potions dont work on normal people, right?


    Yes. I heard potions are like energy drinks to them, one yer answered.


    Thats right. Now, does anyone know how injuries that cant be treated with potions are healed? Gi-Gyu asked.


    Jae-Won, who said he wanted to be a tanker, answered, Youll need a high-ranking healer or an elixir.


    Elixir, Gi-Gyu murmured.


    An elixir was a rare magical item. Unlike potions, elixirs also worked on normal people or non-yers. It was supposed to be a panacea that also brought youth to the user. There was a time when this was Gi-Gyus goal in life.


    Mother.


    Gi-Gyu shook his head to dispel his worries as he stood up. Since the yers were resting after their first battle, it was time for their guide to stand guard.


    ***


    Later on, the yers hunted a few more goblins. Sun-Pils group was a talented bunch. They quickly learned the hunting pattern, and considering this was their first time in the Tower, they performed brilliantly.


    Shall we call it a day? Gi-Gyu asked.


    Yes.


    Then please get ready to set up the camp, Gi-Gyu announced to the group.


    Should we put up the tents here, Guide?


    They arrived at a safe zone, near the second floors entrance. Gi-Gyu answered, Yes. Please set up the tents while I prepare our dinner.


    Thank you.


    Can I help you cook? Ha-Neul offered, but Gi-Gyu refused, No, thank you.


    Ha-Neul, looking embarrassed, returned to her group. Gi-Gyu ignored the minor disturbance and began cooking.


    Wow! Guide, it smells so good!


    I know! Are you a chef, Guide? After setting up the tents, the yers walked up to Gi-Gyu and eximed. The aroma wafting from the boiling pot indeed smelled delicious. Gi-Gyu offered, Please have some.


    Thank you.


    Soon, the entire group was wolfing down the food. Gi-Gyu also served himself a small portion. Suddenly, Yoon Jae-Won asked Gi-Gyu, By the way, Guide, I heard you cant level up. Is it true?


    Hey! Yoon Jae-Won! the other yers rebuked.


    Oh, Im sorry. I can be an idiot sometimes, Jae-Won apologized. When the atmosphere darkened, Gi-Gyu put on a nonchnt face and replied, Its okay. Its the truth.


    Im sorry, Jae-Won apologized again.


    No worries. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.


    Your situation is truly interesting. A yer who cant level up, Sun-Pil said to Gi-Gyu with pity.


    Gi-Gyuughed quietly and murmured, I agree.


    1. A term used to address an older brother or an older male by a younger brother or a younger man.