MTLNOVEL Chapter 17
Substance is important.
Even in RPG games.
Especially in mobile games.
……You might say, “Isn’t it just 10 minutes of tapping a day?”
Right. If it’s a “mobile game.”
But.
For me, gaming is murder.
No, not murder—it’s real life…….
“Lumi? Let’s move the tables a bit closer.”
“Woof!”
I’m still focusing on substance today.
For example, innovating the structure of the Shop of All Things (cocktail bar) to slightly increase table turnover, like now.
“Tynia, did you memorize it all? Don’t mess up the calculations. How much is a Goblin’s Broken Club?”
“Uh, Goblin’s, Goblin’s Broken Club… 50 gold?”
“Wrong. 50 gold is for a Goblin’s Intact Club. The broken one is 30 gold.”
I’m also putting effort into training part-timers for extended night operations.
Of course, I’m a very conscientious shop owner.
I’ll make sure to give them proper breaks.
As long as they memorize the 500-page catalog, that is.
Turning my gaze, I watch Ha-Rong hammering away.
He’s crafting equipment worthy of a 3rd-rank hero.
Lumi is fully equipped, while the others are prioritizing attack or magic attack stats.
Of course, crafting isn’t the only thing to do.
“Ha-Rong? Let’s give it a try today.”
“…….”
“Ha-Rong?”
“…….”
He’s really focused.
It’s a bit rude, but I need to break his concentration here.
“Ha-Rong, how many pounds does this gauntlet weigh?”
“……Stop using yards and pounds!”
Boom!
The effect was spectacular!
Ha-Rong, stopping his hammer mid-swing, glares at me with fiery eyes.
Maybe it’s the soul of a modern engineer in him, but he’s extremely sensitive to the imperial system.
Hmm.
Fair enough.
“Haha, don’t get too mad. Let’s make something today.”
Anyway, as I start today’s dopamine party.
This damn trash game has packed every garbage system into it, calling it “gameplay.”
The most representative of these is “equipment refinement.”
Borrowing a system that belongs in MMORPGs for a mobile game? Is the producer sane?
Of course, failure doesn’t mean complete destruction or disappearance.
It just locks the equipment from further refinement attempts, which is somewhat fortunate.
Well-refined 3rd-rank equipment can outperform 4th-rank gear, so it’s worth the effort.
“Ugh, another weapon? A bow?”
“Yes. Let’s try just one.”
As the shop owner, I have an abundance of refinement stones.
But crafting equipment requires a surprising amount of miscellaneous materials, plus Ha-Rong’s labor and time.
One a day.
“Shall we start?”
“Yep.”
“Huuuuh!”
Ha-Rong takes a deep breath, eyes wide, and slams his hammer onto the iron bow on the anvil.
Success rate: 80%.
Clang!
Refinement effects, sparkling lights.
The bow is enveloped in dazzling light.
“Success!”
“Let’s keep going!”
I pull Tynia, who’s dizzy from excessive reading, onto my lap.
With the blessing of “Jjuuuuuk.”
Success rate: 60%.
Clang!
Ha-Rong’s hammer flashes, but the iron bow remains unchanged.
……Trash game. What’s with the rigged probabilities?
[+1 Iron Bow (Cannot be refined further)]
“……Arc mentioned pounds earlier, so it must’ve cursed us.”
“Really? Tsk.”
I lift Tynia back onto the counter.
Maybe it’s the demon’s curse.
Next time, I’ll try putting Yo-Hena on my lap.
Anyway, Ari already has a +3 iron bow…….
Tsk.
My dopamine has ended too disappointingly today.
I’ve been enduring the trial of “Gacha Resistance LV.99” to reach the ceiling.
Dopamine, I need more dopamine…….
* * *
The next day.
“Today, I plan to clear the 6th floor. Up to the 3rd zone, there haven’t been any special issues. Our equipment is mostly ready too.”
“Woof!”
“Ugh, uuugh……”
“Grrrr……”
“…….”
I unleashed all the energy I’ve been saving.
All morning, I force-fed Potions of Growth to our main DPS, Ari and Tynia.
They’re still complaining about feeling sick, but levels don’t lie. Everyone’s leveling up steadily.
Our party’s current specs: 3rd rank, Level 40.
The average level on the 6th floor is 37.
Assuming we can push through zones 20 levels above our party level, we still have enough leeway to clear, even if Lumi goes on a rampage.
This is the shop owner’s way of conquering the Tower.
Normalizing Tower difficulty.
Solo tapping.
Tynia’s addition has definitely made things easier.
“Tynia, use ‘Pathetic’!”
“Pa~thetic♡”
Monsters are starting to appear with more organized systems.
Not just color-swapped versions of the same type, but structured like a hero party with tank-DPS-healer roles.
One of the main reasons clear times are dragging is the “Goblin Shaman,” which buffs and heals its allies.
But?
“Kweeek!”
“Kerek?”
“Kwee-kwee!”
An ability that’s annoying even when used by enemies.
Tynia’s Enhancement Skill: “Pa~thetic♡.”
……That’s really the skill name.
Its effect is similar to the original, temporarily turning the rearmost enemy into a “traitor.”
Thus, chaos breaks out among the goblins.
Lumi swings freely, Ari slices through.
Later on, enemies with “mental immunity” will appear, limiting its usefulness, but for now, it’s great against these low-level mobs.
Even if Tynia eventually gets benched from the main team, her retirement is secure.
Even if she’s not used for Tower climbing, she’ll make a great slave—I mean, part-timer.
“Good job, everyone. Anyone hurt? Let’s keep moving forward.”
“Let’s quickly clear up to Zone 10 and then mess around, shall we?”
Safety is good! Good! Good!
“Mess around?”
Ah.
You don’t know what that means.
It’s a saying.
“If we finish work quickly, we can leave early and rest.”
“Ohhh…!”
Tynia’s eyes sparkled.
But that doesn’t apply to you. You need to study.
…I didn’t say that out loud.
Motivation is important, after all.
* * *
From the 6th floor onwards, the gimmicks were quite numerous.
Was there always this many traps? I wondered.
“I smell something weak up ahead!”
“Ari, shoot an arrow.”
Squeak.
Crash!
Watching the pit collapse in response to Ari’s arrow, I broke out in a cold sweat.
I knew there were traps.
But I couldn’t know exactly where or how they were set up.
No matter how much in-game knowledge I have, there are limits.
How can I compare the graphics on a tiny smartphone to a landscape more real than reality?
If I had sent Lumi ahead as usual?
Lumi might have fallen in, whining, “Master, get me out, woof woof!”
That could have happened.
Thanks to that.
“Woof!”
“What, dog? Not moving your hand?”
“Woof!”
Lumi, who has become even more obedient under my strict training.
She reached out her front paw, no, hand, to pat Tynia’s head, as if I had done it.
Tynia growled like a grumpy cat.
“Woof!”
“Meow!”
Overwhelming size and strength pinned Tynia down for a pat.
…She’s become good, right?
Not grooming before eating, right?
Suddenly, I looked back at Yo-Hena and Ari.
They were shaking their heads with similar expressions.
Well.
That’s how they become friends.
[Tower of Wishes 6th Floor – Ruined Village Zone 4 Clear!]
After passing through the pit hell.
“Hmm. This is a curse. I can dispel it.”
A suspicious purple mist-filled area was successfully passed with Yo-Hena’s divine power.
A slightly reduced health was manageable with healing.
“Cough, cough, hack.”
“Pfft.”
But, my lungs hurt…
Ari? Why are you laughing?
[Tower of Wishes 6th Floor – Ruined Village Zone 7 Clear!]
“Huh? Arc! There’s something strange here!”
Even the original stepping stone puzzle gimmick.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
Drrr──
“Wow…! Arc, amazing! How did you figure it out at once?”
My miraculous footwork instantly cleared the ‘step on the floor in order mini-game,’ making Yo-Hena’s eyes widen.
Well.
This is basic implant knowledge in my brain.
Never underestimate a possessor!
“I’m a bit smart. Haha.”
Feeling a tingling sense of guilt on my back, I indulged in a bit of self-praise.
“……”
“Woof! Master is the best, woof!”
“Master, you’re a fool.”
Only Lumi responded warmly.
Lumi, you must live long and healthy.
[Tower of Wishes 6th Floor – Ruined Village Zone 8 Clear!]
* * *
“Arc?”
Before entering Zone 9.
I hesitated for a moment.
Not that anyone was curious──
From the 5th floor onwards, each floor of the tower had its own story.
Of course, when I was a ‘player,’ I hardly paid attention.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
[Tower of Wishes 6th Floor – Ruined Village Zone 9]
[★☆☆ : Hold off waves for 10 minutes.]
[★★☆ : Win without anyone falling.]
[★★★ : Protect the village without damage.]
“Ahhh! My son, my son…!”
“Madlen, run! They’ll be here soon!”
“Please, goddess…!”
Chaos.
Up to Zone 8, the village was already in ruins, showing only the aftermath.
The main task was to navigate the remaining traps and defeat monsters.
But.
As I had guessed from my game experience──
Zone 9.
What unfolded before my eyes was.
The village just before it turned into ruins.
In the distance, a horde of goblins was approaching.
“Heroes! The heroes have come!”
“They will protect us…!”
“Ah, goddess. Thank you, thank you…!”
NPCs…
No.
The villagers’ words echoed in my ears.
Suddenly.
A sense of pressure made me dizzy.
“Arc!”
Yo-Hena’s voice calling me brought me back to my senses.
Right.
I’ve already prepared.
So.
“Yo-Hena, buff us. There might be monsters trying to bypass us to attack the village, so Tynia, save your strength and watch that side. Lumi, don’t go too deep, block them near the entrance. Ari, provide support fire.”
Breathing a bit heavily from the rapid instructions.
But I had to say this last thing.
“Safely, neatly, perfectly.”
That’s why I trained them hard.
The heroes nodded, clenched their fists.
Ready to perform their tasks as instructed.
* * *
[!– Slider main container –]