Chapter 1

It has been about 10 years since the World Tower and the Fields appeared globally.

No hunter has yet obtained an S-grade creation characteristic.

Except for me.

***

Just an ordinary C-grade hunter, Yun Gaho. That was me.

One day, a hidden piece that rolled in changed my life.

[Your blessing (C) → Eternal Immortality (S)]

[Attribute Granting (C) → Enchantment (S)

– Special power will be imbued in your items.

– The power of the blessing will be enhanced by the teachings of a master, permanently imbuing special power in your items.]

And it all started with one quest.

***

01. A Hidden Piece Out of the Blue (1)

Strange phenomena began to occur after the sudden appearance of tower-shaped mirages in the capitals of all countries around the world.

The most noticeable was the emergence of Awakeners, hunters who wield special powers. Countless Awakeners, dreaming of instant wealth, plunged into the unknown world like moths to a flame.

I, too, entered the hunter industry with the single desire to succeed.

'I thought it was an opportunity to turn my life around.'

But reality was not easy.

"Finding a spoon in the tower? I'd be lucky just to make ends meet."

I sighed and handed a bunch of clovers to the pink-haired girl.

"Thank you, Player!"

It was the same reaction as always.

Charlotte, the NPC on the 33rd floor.

This girl, who was searching for a four-leaf clover to grant a wish for her sick mother, was quite famous for giving quests while sobbing at the entrance of the floor.

However, despite her fame, few hunters accepted Charlotte's requests.

A tedious quest to find a five-leaf clover, not a three-leaf or four-leaf, in the vast clover field, and with no substantial reward, hunters often ignored and passed by Charlotte.

Before the 33rd floor was cleared, some hunters accepted the quest, thinking Charlotte might be a clue to the main quest.

But after the 'Bell of Destiny' announcing the floor's clearance rang, Charlotte's clover basket rarely filled up.

"It's not that difficult, really."

I accepted Charlotte's quest purely on a whim.

Another reason might be that it's hard to shake off a child clinging to my sleeve. Although it was a bit bothersome, it didn't take long with the use of skills.

"I wish for your mother's recovery, Charlotte."

Having accepted the quest every time I visited the 33rd floor, I had become more adept at finding five-leaf clovers, much faster than before.

'I bet I've filled at least 30% of that basket.'

Today, I even found a six-leaf clover for her. Now, as I receive the potion she shyly offers...

"Player, could I ask one more favor?"

'...A favor? This is a different pattern from usual.'

Charlotte fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a letter.

"I found it in my mother's drawer. She has an acquaintance living beyond the Rom Plain whom she hasn't seen in a long time. Could you deliver this letter to them?"

– Clear Condition: Deliver the letter

– Time Limit: None

– Reward: ???

– Penalty: ???]

"A hidden quest?"

Is this a dream or reality? I was taken aback by the sudden stroke of luck.

Hidden quests, which can only be obtained by meeting specific conditions, are known for their substantial rewards.

'According to rumors, they are comparable to main quests...'

Hidden quests are so rare that it's hard to find reviews on hunter-specific sites like Towers.com. Who would have thought that Charlotte, whom everyone ignored, would be an NPC giving a hidden quest!

"Sure enough, one should live a good life and see what happens!"

Charlotte, you little ball of luck! A tune of happiness naturally flowed from my lips at this opportunity to turn my life around.

"Of course. Charlotte, just trust me!"

"You need to deliver the letter to Carlos, the blacksmith in Rom Village. Please, Player."

'Can't we do something about this "Player" title?'

For some reason, NPCs called hunters "Players."

When called this, it reminds me that even the most human-like NPCs are just devices arranged by the World Tower system. It also makes the dangerous scenes feel less serious, which I personally find unsettling.

'Well, there's no point in grumbling about what the World Tower has decided.'

I scratched the back of my head and took the letter.

***

"Will the blacksmith give me high-grade equipment as a reward?"

No one in the world, except for Rowena Watson in the U.S. and Ishikawa Hayato in Japan, can craft high-grade equipment above B-grade.

Even they are limited to A-grade. Apart from the rare items they occasionally put up for auction, B-grade and above equipment can only be obtained through drops, making them extremely valuable.

"If an A-grade item comes out, it would be a life-changing deal."

'I might as well get equipment I can use. I'm already at C-grade, so it's a bit embarrassing. No, it might be more profitable to sell it...'

"Hunter Yun Gaho?"

My happy musings were interrupted by the party leader's call.

With my stats, I couldn't cross the Rom Plain, where B to E-grade monsters appear, so I joined a party farming nearby.

"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about something else."

"I accepted your party request because you're from 'Wilderness.' Thanks to Hunter Yun Gaho, we had a smooth trip."

"Being part of a large guild really makes a difference. You're really a C-grade, right?"

"Don't flatter me. I'm not that great. Oh, by the way, Hunter Kim Wonil..."

When the guild topic came up, I quickly changed the subject.

Being part of a large guild, what's the big deal? I barely made it in thanks to a rare skill.

'I have a somewhat unique skill, but I'm still C-grade.'

I've had enough time to understand my position over the past few years.

A mediocre C-grade. That's my place in the guild.

Excluding E and F-grade Awakeners, who are banned from entering the World Tower, my stats are easier to count from the bottom.

Especially in a top-tier guild in our country, it's even more obvious.

Come to think of it, my contract period is almost up.

'Can I renew the contract...?'

I sighed secretly, away from the party members.

"We're going to replenish our items here and head back to the plain. What about you, Hunter Yun Gaho?"

"I have a quest to complete, so I'll have to leave now. Thank you for letting me join the party."

The party leader, Kim Wonil, extended his Hunter Watch to exchange contact information. I placed my Hunter Watch next to his, and a message appeared.

"We plan to continue farming on the 33rd floor for a while. If you need a party again, let us know."

"Ranged dealers are always welcome! See you next time!"

It was a rare welcome in a guild with many high-level hunters. I felt a bit more confident.

Now, this is important.

After parting ways with the group, I immediately headed to the blacksmith near the square. At the counter, a middle-aged woman in a matching work outfit was dozing off.

"Hello."

"Uh... Oh? Welcome. Are you looking for something?"

"I'm here to see Carlos. Is he here?"

"Carlos? We don't have anyone by that name in our blacksmith."

Rom Village has only one blacksmith. Could this be a long-term quest? Cold sweat trickled down my back.

"I was told he's the blacksmith in Rom Village."

After hearing my words, the woman thought for a moment and then snapped her fingers.

"I'm not sure if he's a blacksmith, but there is a quirky person living in the south of the square. You can sometimes hear hammering sounds. Could it be him?"

Phew, what a relief. I wiped my chest, reassured by her words. High-grade quests can sometimes turn into long-term quests, but it seems luck is on my side.

Thanks to her kind gesture of drawing a map, I arrived at Carlos's house without getting lost.

The small house at the end of the southern alley, though modest, showcased the owner's aesthetic sense. The fence, garden, and even the mailbox were carefully chosen.

"Hmm, he's quirky, but he has a good eye for aesthetics."

Knock knock!

"Is anyone there?"

Maybe he didn't hear me. This time, I knocked louder with my fist.

"Mr. Carlos, I have a letter to deliver!"

Is he not home? I decided to wait a bit longer and sat down on the ground.

Just then, the door opened silently, and a towering man, out of place with the quaint house, appeared.