AECS 05

Chapter 05

Player Zone

In Battle of Summoners, there are five types of summoning scrolls:

Low, Medium, High, Very High, and Ultimate.

[F-rank: 94%]
[E-rank: 5%]
[D-rank: 1%]

As mentioned before, these are the probabilities for a low-grade summoning scroll…

[E-rank: 94%]
[D-rank: 5%]
[C-rank: 1%]

These are the probabilities for a medium-grade summoning scroll.

Then?

[D-rank: 94%]
[C-rank: 5%]
[B-rank: 1%]

This is for high-grade scrolls.

As you can see, there’s a pattern. Each time the scroll’s grade increases, the probability distribution shifts up one tier.

So, for the “Ultimate Summoning Scroll,” which is one grade above “Very High,” the probabilities are:

[B-rank: 94%]
[A-rank: 5%]
[S-rank: 1%]

Naturally.

This explains just how difficult it is to summon an S-rank creature. There’s only a 1% chance per Ultimate Scroll.

For reference, Baek Jin-woo had only managed to get ten of these scrolls in ten years. They appear extremely rarely in dungeons too.

“Take it slow.”

There’s no point in rushing. If he prepares carefully, he can grow everything without missing anything.

“After all, I have Lamba.”

Baek Jin-woo was certain.

As long as he properly raises Lamba, he could reclaim the top 100 floors—and even the world’s top spot—without difficulty.

Time? It didn’t matter.

Lamba was that broken. The AI had to patch the balance for a reason.

“Oppa, but…”

On Seokchon Lake, walking across Jamsil Lake Bridge, Baek Ah-jin glanced up at her older brother.

It was already dusk.

“What summon did you get?”

“Got a Wind Fairy.”

“Wind Fairy? Can I see it?”

“Why bother?”

“I’m just curious. We’re family—can’t I see your summon?”

Vwoooom!

Baek Ah-jin’s hands trembled, and a Shadow Elf appeared in a burst of light.

“This is my main summon. C-rank, mind you. There are tons of D-ranks, but C-ranks are considered noble.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Baek Jin-woo nodded as if unmoved.

Shadow Elf? He had never taken it into a dungeon. It was usually fodder for experience in the fusion chamber.

But one question arose.

“Does this Shadow Elf speak Korean? Huh… Elf?”

Lamba had been a native speaker from the start.

He waved at the Shadow Elf, but the creature’s reaction was indifferent.

Tch, rude.

In the land of courtesy, it should at least greet him first.

“Oppa, what are you doing?”

Baek Ah-jin frowned and stared at him. The look on her face was like someone looking at a crazy person.

“Huh?”

“Your summon is… talking.”

“Uh?”

Baek Jin-woo blinked.

“Weren’t summons supposed to be mute?”

“…!”

So it was only Lamba that was special? He recalled the Fur Gorilla had only ever made noises like Gwoarrr!

I see.

Even in Battle of Summoners, talking summons didn’t exist.

Huh.

Then why does Lamba talk now? Because it’s high-rank?

“Anyway, stop messing around and show me yours quickly.”

“Mine later.”

“Ah, why!”

“Just… lead the way first.”

Turning his back, Baek Jin-woo strode ahead quickly.

“Ha, so self-willed.”

Grumbling, Baek Ah-jin recalled her Shadow Elf and followed him.

“Ah, I’m coming toooo!”

Finally, they arrived at Jamsil Station, which looked completely different from what Baek Jin-woo remembered.

“Wow… what is all this?”

Amid the crowded streets, dazzling buildings had been constructed.

“Impressive, right?”

Baek Ah-jin smiled.

“The company that had to give Jamsil Tower to the Trial Tower tore down Jamsil World immediately.”

“…Jamsil World?”

Jamsil World had been one of the top amusement parks in Korea, located at Jamsil Station. It was a landmark, now gone?

“Who’d want to ride attractions in front of that creepy Trial Tower?”

“More thrilling, isn’t it?”

“Oppa. Thrill is different from risking your life.”

He understood. At a corporate level, attracting players was more profitable than running an amusement park.

“Plus, they couldn’t even operate Jamsil World. The site now houses fusion chambers and dungeons.”

“Ah.”

Nodding, Baek Jin-woo entered the “Player Zone” across from the Trial Tower.

“Selling low-grade runes!”
“Selling low-grade summoning scrolls!”
“Buying C-rank or higher summons for a high price!”

Lively and bustling. It was a market.

‘This must be the exchange.’

Even in Battle of Summoners, there was a player trading space. Players could freely trade items.

Without in-game currency back then, Baek Cheon hoarded scrolls and runes here. Later, the game collapsed, and trading ceased.

“You can find everything here. See that pamphlet?”

Baek Ah-jin pointed to papers at the info desk.

“It explains all building locations. Check it if you’re curious. By the way, Oppa…”

“Yeah?”

Baek Jin-woo, looking around like a country boy in Seoul, replied casually.

“You’re a beginner. There’s an academy run by the player HQ. Why not enroll starting tomorrow?”

“No, it’s fine, sis.”

He already understood everything. He’d found where he could settle and grow.

“Thanks for the guide. Go home first.”

“Huh? You’re staying here?”

“I want to look around on my own.”

“…Okay.”

Ah-jin sensed something odd. Her brother seemed entranced. He had only recently awakened.

Still, if he wanted to pursue something passionately, she wouldn’t stop him.

“Alright, just don’t overdo it. Ask for help if needed.”

“Got it~”

Waving, Baek Jin-woo disappeared into the crowd.

In a quiet place.

• Jin-woo!

“Shh!”

Baek Jin-woo immediately covered Lamba’s mouth.

Wrapping her whole body with his hands, he pressed her thumb on her mouth. Lamba’s eyes widened.

“Don’t speak when there are people around.”

• Uh?

“Then nod if you understand.”

Lamba nodded. She didn’t know why, but as a summon, she obeyed.

‘No talking summons exist, right?’

If Lamba spoke, it would draw attention. Baek Jin-woo wanted to avoid that.

From now on, he would only converse with her in dungeons.

‘First things first.’

He had to return to dungeons. It felt overwhelming at first. He had few runes and only two summons.

Initial capital was required…

[Account Details]
[Account Holder: Baek Jin-woo]
[Preferred Account]
[Available Balance: 12,500 KRW]

“Life, huh…”

This was utter poverty. Even after the accident, this was all he had.

Loans? No job, no income, no collateral.

Private moneylenders? The interest would be ridiculous.

Part-time work? Waste of time.

Parents? No. He couldn’t. They were working three jobs to keep the family afloat.

And that damn truck had been draining medical expenses for three years!

No more burdens.

‘It’s fine.’

He could do this from scratch.

This was the beginning of Battle of Summoners.

One of Baek Jin-woo’s nicknames? “The No-Spend Ranker.”

From the start, he held the top spot without help or spending money, earning the title of Ilcheon (一天).

‘Nothing in reality is impossible.’

First, start with the lowest dungeon. Gain rewards to summon creatures and focus on raising Lamba.

Let’s go!

Determined, Baek Jin-woo stood up.

Ding!

A smartphone alert arrived.

[500,000 KRW has been deposited.]

“Huh?”

Simultaneously, a message came:

[Son, Ah-jin told me you were trying hard as soon as you woke up. You probably can’t ask for allowance, so use this.]

“…Mom.”

Tears welled up.

She had finally blessed him with a sweet, life-saving gift.

Baek Jin-woo vowed silently:

‘I’ll make my family live well.’

In the dim evening, Baek Jin-woo didn’t go home.

He had never stayed up before while playing Battle of Summoners.

‘Reduce sleep as much as possible.’

Others had a three-year head start. He had to catch up.

‘No whining.’

Mindset first. To be the best, he had to act like the best.

He spent all his money on three low-grade summoning scrolls and six low-grade Swiftness Runes.

‘Need a team first.’

Each team required five summons.

He had planned to use the Fur Gorilla as fodder for Lamba in the fusion chamber.

But it had fought well this time, so he could use it more.

• Uwaaar…?

The summoned Gorilla looked pitiful.

‘Don’t get attached.’

Using summons as materials was common in Battle of Summoners.

They didn’t die—they just waited to be summoned by another player.

“Lamba.”

• …

Outside the dungeon, she was quiet. She obeyed commands well.

“Equip all Swiftness Runes.”

Each of the six runes had different stats:

[Rune]
[Grade: Low]
[Set Effect: Swiftness]

• 4 equipped: +30% attack speed, 6 equipped: +50% attack speed
  [Level: 1]
  [Stat Increase]
  Strength +1, Intelligence +1, HP +100, Critical Rate +4%

Some had different effects:

[Rune]
[Grade: Low]
[Set Effect: Swiftness]

• 4 equipped: +30% attack speed, 6 equipped: +50% attack speed
  [Level: 1]
  [Stat Increase]
  HP +1, Agility +1, MP +100, Critical Damage +6%

Summons could equip six runes, which function like RPG items.

Level 10 is max, and each level increases four preset stats.

‘For now, don’t worry about stats.’

For Lamba, only two stats mattered: Intelligence and Agility.

Intelligence boosts skill effects; Agility increases attack speed.

[Wind Fairy (EX-rank) equips Low Swiftness Rune]

…

[Wind Fairy (EX-rank) equips Low Swiftness Rune]

Sssst, sssst!

Lamba equipped all six runes. Her attack speed should be much better now.

‘This will do for now.’

Later, he’d show the ultimate in speed.

‘Next.’

Summons.

Zziik!

Baek Jin-woo tore open three low-grade summoning scrolls at once.