"Someone requested me by name?"
Gi-Gyu was surprised because requesting a specific guide cost extra.
Tae-Shik replied, "That's right, so don't be late tomorrow. I'll 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 recommendations from their acquaintances. Someone had recommended Gi-Gyu; he was curious to know who it was.
"Well, I'm sure I'll 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, "I'm 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 to complete all the tutorial floors as quickly as possible."
Gi-Gyu's 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 guide's 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 couldn't 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 could complete it successfully.
"Beats me. But from what I gather, he's 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-Shik's 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?"
"That's right."
With a serious expression, Tae-Shik explained, "You know you can't work as a guide forever. We're losing customers to the guilds even as we speak. And the upper management is also thinking about cutting the guide department's funding. I've heard the US offers a more lucrative business, but that isn't the case in Korea. Since this department isn't making any money, they're planning 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 wasn't just an unfounded rumor. Gi-Gyu had been expecting this, but the abruptness of it all wasn't within his expectations.
"Yes, so why don't you try working for the association? You won't be able to work as a player, 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 into laughter. But despite his playful tone, his heart began to pound with frustration.
"Give it some serious thought, Gi-Gyu. Once this department is gone, I plan on climbing the corporate ladder myself."
"Alright. I'll 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 Player Kim Sun-Pil?" Gi-Gyu smiled and greeted the man who approached him at the designated meeting place.
"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, "You're Kim Gi-Gyu, right? Suk-Woo told me so much about you."
"Oh!" Gi-Gyu exclaimed in surprise. He had been wondering who recommended 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 player who could level up. He was Suk-Woo's guide back then; after completing the job, he met Suk-Woo a few times in Seoul. Sadly, the current Suk-Woo wasn't 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.
"He's 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 player was called Ha-Neul.
After the introductions, Gi-Gyu gave a brief explanation about the Tower. "I'm sure you already know what I'm about to say, but I'll go over it nonetheless."
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 players, 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, "That's why the players were given the duty and the responsibility to protect this world along with their powers. Well, then again, not every player values their responsibility…"
"Haha!" Sun-Pil laughed as if he found Gi-Gyu's words funny. Most people from the association liked to emphasize the importance of a player's duty and responsibility, but Gi-Gyu seemed different.
"But please remember that with great power comes great responsibility. Now, shall we continue this conversation as we get going?" Gi-Gyu asked the players.
"Yes!"
With that, Gi-Gyu and Sun-Pil's group entered the Tower. Gi-Gyu explained, "This is the Tower's 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 player enters the fifth floor, he must pass a test to become a true player. This is why the first five floors are called the tutorial floors."
"Okay," the group answered.
As he explained, a bitter expression appeared on Gi-Gyu's face. He had actually never tried to test himself on the fateful fifth floor. Most players 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 player 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, you'll cross a landmark and become a genuine player. However, even after this, you'll face more tests on the tenth floor and every ten floors after that," Gi-Gyu explained to the group.
"Is the reward for passing the test different for every player?" one player asked.
"Yes. The reward will be different for every player. There have been incidents where even the tests were different for various players on the higher floo—"
"Oh, I've 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 players 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, let's go hunting," Sun-Pil's group tensed at Gi-Gyu's announcement.
***
"Today, we'll stay on the first floor to hunt the goblins. I'll 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, "It's rare to find a goblin alone since they move in groups."
"Oh…."
"You don't have to fear the goblins too much. They are just things you kill so that you can get more comfortable 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 players and sprinted toward them.
"Guide, help!" one of the players 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 goblin's wooden spear first. You'll get used to it in no time," Gi-Gyu urged the players. While they looked around in confusion, one of the goblins suddenly closed the distance between them. Its wooden spear plunged toward a player, who swung his sword in fear.
"Uwaah!" the player screamed.
"Kirrrk!"
That casual strike sent the goblin's spear flying, bringing a smile of relief to the player's faces. The player who blocked the goblin exclaimed, "It's so weak!"
No words of encouragement could've motivated the players as much as that sight did. Fearless, they ran after the goblins with a roar. "Uwaahh!!!"
Considering it was their first battle, the four players 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 aren't, they'll cause progressive poisoning." He approached the players who were panting on the ground with a glass jar filled with a red-liquid potion.
"Ugh…" groaned a player when Gi-Gyu poured the potion onto his wound.
"It tickles, doesn't 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 players' wounds as well.
"After finishing a battle, it's always a good idea to treat your wounds immediately," Gi-Gyu advised them collectively.
"Okay!"
The players touched their bodies in surprise since all their wounds had disappeared. Gi-Gyu continued, "But a potion isn't a cure-all. A serious injury like a severed arm or nerve damage can't be treated with it. And you all know that potions don't work on normal people, right?"
"Yes. I heard potions are like energy drinks to them," one player answered.
"That's right. Now, does anyone know how injuries that can't be treated with potions are healed?" Gi-Gyu asked.
Jae-Won, who said he wanted to become a tanker, answered, "You'll 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-players. It was supposed to be a panacea that also brought youth to the user. There was a time when this was Gi-Gyu's goal in life.
'Mother.'
Gi-Gyu shook his head to dispel his worries as he stood up. Since the players were resting after their first battle, it was time for their guide to stand guard.
***
Later on, the players hunted a few more goblins. Sun-Pil's 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 floor's 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 players walked up to Gi-Gyu and exclaimed. 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 can't level up. Is it true?"
"Hey! Yoon Jae-Won!" the other players rebuked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I can be an idiot sometimes," Jae-Won apologized. When the atmosphere darkened, Gi-Gyu put on a nonchalant face and replied, "It's okay. It's the truth."
"I'm sorry," Jae-Won apologized again.
"No worries. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask."
"Your situation is truly interesting. A player who can't level up…," Sun-Pil said to Gi-Gyu with pity.
Gi-Gyu laughed 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. ☜