Total Fruit [2]

Park Ho-Bong couldn't believe his ears. 

After months of relentless effort, he had finally found a new employee. 

Even though the boy standing before him looked quite young and had a rather skeletal frame, none of that mattered. 

"Does this silence mean no? What a shame… I thought you were looking for employees," the boy sighed, standing up from his chair as if ready to leave. 

Before he could take a step, Ho-Bong quickly stopped him. 

"N-no, no! Anything but that! I accept—wholeheartedly! But…" 

He eagerly shook the boy's hand before hesitating. 

"Perfect. Then, may I access your tower?" 

"…" 

"What?" 

"Well… I don't own a tower yet… since my company is on the verge of collapse, and you're my only employee so far…" Ho-Bong admitted, scratching the back of his head, clearly embarrassed. 

"Please forgive me for the misunderstanding…" 

___

'What?' 

'You've got to be kidding me. Is this some kind of joke? How does he still not have a tower?' 

At that moment, it hit me. 

'Yeah..right… There was never any mention of Ho-Bong owning a tower at the start of the novel. He wasn't even introduced yet—' 

Pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration, I could only let out a long sigh while Ho-Bong watched me with a puzzled look. 

"Ahem… To be exact,"

Ho-Bong continued hesitantly,

"I am in the process of signing for a tower. It's just… taking some time." 

I narrowed my eyes. "How long?" 

"Uh… a few days?" 

I let out another deep sigh. 

Well, If he was already negotiating for 'that' tower, I just needed to be patient. 

But i don't have time

I have exactly 2 days left until the practical exam, so..

I only have this choice left..

"Mr. Ho-Bong?"

I said with a deep voice

"Ah-h hem yes?"

"Which tower exactly are you going to sign?"

___

Meanwhile. 

Inside a private training hall, the air was thick with the scent of sweat and burning mana. 

Ha-Joon's fists clenched as he struck the training dummy in front of him, sending it crashing into the reinforced. His entire body was drenched in sweat, his muscles tensed with frustration. 

'Damn it…' 

He gritted his teeth, his mind replaying the humiliating defeat he had suffered at the hands of Sae-Jin during the last practical exam. 

The battle had been one-sided. He, Ha-Joon—the pride of his family, the future elite of the academy—had been utterly overwhelmed. 

'How? How?! I lived like a prince under the tutelage of hundreds of rankers and worked until I was sick, but I still was humiliated by that guy ?!' 

Ha-Joon then bit his lips as hard as he could until blood flowed out, and veins appeared along his face.

But what angered him too… was Sugil. 

That bastard. 

During the fight, Sugil had landed a hit on Sae-Jin by using him.

'A weakling like him dared to use me as a toy…?' 

His rage burned hotter, and as he was about to launch another strike, the doors to the training hall creaked open. 

A large, towering man entered. His physique was like a war beast—massive shoulders, thick arms that looked as if they could crush stone, and a stubborn expression carved onto his rugged face. 

It was Baek Do-Hyun, one of Ha-Joon's most loyal subordinates. 

"Master Ha-Joon" Do-Hyun greeted, lowering his head slightly.

Ha-Joon turned to him, his crimson eyes gleaming with fury. 

"You see the weakling this morning.." he ordered, his voice sharp like a blade. 

At first Do-Hyun's eyebrows furrowed, not knowing what Ha-Joon was talking about Then his eyes widened, realizing who it was

"Oh... him.."

A cold smirk stretched across Ha-Joon's lips. 

"I'm sure he must be happy to have put a hit on that commoner Sae-jin. So tomorrow, during lessons, teach him a lesson." 

Do-Hyun cracked his knuckles, his grin revealing a row of sharp teeth. 

"As you command, master." 

___

Elsewhere, in the academy..

Inside a room surrounded by several shelves, hundreds of books were stacked there. in its center was a desk, and a man sat on a leather chair. in his early thirties, his black and violet jacket swaying with each step. His deep green eyes, sharp and calculating, glowed behind his glasses as he adjusted them slightly. 

Then, the door creaks open. 

Someone entered. 

The man's lips curled into an amused smile. 

"Oh… but look who we have here." 

[Quest: Reach Level 5 during the entrance exam

Rewards: New card abilities of 1 or 2 stars, gain points in STR and END.

Failure to complete the quest within the time limit will result in penalties for the next 10 days. Quest difficulty: RANK F.]