Currently, the most controversial miraculous healing item, [Holy Water of the Majestic Angel].
Its effects include curing most diseases, healing acquired mental disorders, and rapidly recovering from serious injuries.
Additionally, when used, it activates the [Angel's Protection (Medium)] buff for three days, and during that period, it even allows for one resurrection—an absurdly powerful feature.
But its price—a whopping 10,000 Tower Coins.
Although the value of Tower Coins has been steadily increasing, based on initial rates, it's worth approximately 50 million won in Korean currency.
This might be quite burdensome for ordinary Climbers.
However, the government saw it differently.
From a national perspective, the price was ridiculously cheap.
As long as Climbers continue ascending the tower, monopolizing information is impossible.
So the government had only one option.
Direct state management of the holy water.
The government moved quickly.
By the fourth day after [My Home Tower] appeared on Earth, the government was already purchasing all holy water coming from the tower with cash.
However, people who bought holy water on the third day became an issue.
To address this, a powerful law was enacted to prevent Climbers from keeping holy water for purposes other than healing.
The [National Holy Water Monopoly Act] passed almost unanimously, and the government immediately took action.
Large Climber guilds, including [Glory] Guild and [Geom Heuk] Guild, were legally granted authority to store large quantities of holy water and use it for treatment purposes. In exchange, they promised to cooperate with the government to establish strict monitoring systems to prevent illegal distribution of holy water within their organizations.
The government had already secured records of Climbers entering [My Home Tower].
Even on the day when 37 Climbers entered that tower, several government-affiliated Climbers were already mixed in.
The [Cleaner] class auntie was actually one of the government-affiliated Climbers.
Government Climbers were monitoring everyone who purchased holy water on the 12th floor, and some were already placed on a watchlist.
The names and addresses of those who bought holy water on the 12th floor and left the tower were all documented.
And that afternoon.
Unfamiliar visitors arrived at the homes of the very first Climbers who had purchased holy water.
---
Climber Go Han-bang always believed himself to be a genius.
"You fools, this is definitely going to skyrocket! Just take out loans, buy a bunch, and hold onto them!"
The problem was that he had tried similar get-rich-quick schemes before and failed every time.
His credit score was rock bottom, and he could only borrow about 500 million won by leveraging his status as a Climber.
Moreover, after losing money on exchange fees when converting to Tower Coins, he could only afford to buy nine bottles of holy water.
"It's fine. I can make up for these losses quickly! When the Tower Coin value rises and the holy water price increases... I'll sell them for multiple times the price-!"
Ding-dong-
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be? I'm not expecting any packages..."
Go Han-bang tilted his head and checked the intercom.
"Mr. Go Han-bang. You purchased holy water, correct? We're here from the government to collect it."
People in black uniforms were standing in front of his house.
"What? Why are you collecting it?"
"As of this morning, the law has changed. It's illegal for individuals to possess holy water except for treatment purposes."
Cold sweat ran down Go Han-bang's spine.
Nine bottles of holy water purchased with a 500 million won loan.
He couldn't let them be taken away so easily!
Just as he was considering ways to escape with the holy water—
"However, if you cooperate voluntarily, we'll purchase all of it at 60 million won per bottle, about 20% higher than the original price."
"...20% more expensive?"
After hearing this better-than-expected offer, he hesitated briefly.
Currently, the government was buying Tower Coins and holy water in Seoul at a 15% premium over the original price.
At a 20% premium, it would be slightly profitable and certainly not a loss.
Of course, compared to the three or four times profit Go Han-bang had dreamed of, it was disappointing and frustrating...
"Of course, if you don't cooperate, you'll be considered a criminal who violated the law. From this point, the holy water becomes subject to confiscation, and criminal charges are possible. So please consider carefully."
"......"
This was the best option in the current situation.
Go Han-bang bit his lip anxiously before finally opening the door with a resigned expression.
He had no choice but to sell all nine bottles of holy water to the government personnel.
---
Afterward, the government continued to visit numerous Climbers using the same method to recover holy water.
Some nodded and handed it over willingly,
While others gritted their teeth and tried to hide it.
One Climber even clutched the holy water to his chest and shouted:
"This is mine! I'm going to use it later! I haven't broken any laws!"
The government official then pulled out a contract.
"In that case, please sign this contract stating you won't use it for purposes other than treatment. If illegal distribution is confirmed later, all responsibility falls on you."
"I need to sign a contract just for one bottle of holy water?"
Some even tried to smuggle holy water abroad.
They showed meticulous planning by wrapping the bottles in [Electric Rabbit's Hide] that simultaneously disrupts electromagnetic waves and mana, and double-sealing them in boxes that block [Appraisal] skills.
However, they were caught at the enhanced airport security gates.
"Double-wrapped quite thoroughly. The holy water almost made it overseas."
"This is a misunderstanding! I never hid any holy water! I truly know nothing about this!"
"That's hard to believe when we have records of you purchasing holy water from a government agent. Even without that, it would have been difficult to pass inspection."
The worst offender received a ban from entering [My Home Tower] and was fined.
This way, the government strictly controlled holy water to ensure it never leaked outside official distribution channels.
Currently, when Climbers purchase holy water in the tower, they can only sell it at government-designated counters before passing through the barricade.
While it was still possible to hold onto Tower Coins without selling them, holy water had become an item that must be sold to the government.
Other items purchased inside the tower—monster materials, magic stones, diluted tears, tower agricultural products—also required government inspection and legal processes before they could be taken out.
Climbers couldn't really protest against the government because the government was actually being somewhat accommodating to them.
Guild-affiliated Climbers especially received benefits like being able to store various items from [My Home Tower], including holy water, at their guilds. Since the government wasn't openly hostile to Climbers, the situation was somewhat ambiguous.
Of course, guilds were still being cautious until the government purchased holy water first.
Eventually, Climbers reached one conclusion:
"Even if we buy holy water now, the government will just collect it all anyway. Plus, they pay in cash instead of Tower Coins..."
"Right, it's better to just hold onto Tower Coins, which will continue to increase in value."
While Tower Coin values continued to rise, the government's offering price remained at 15% above the initial rate, meaning the profit margin from selling holy water was gradually shrinking.
The government would eventually collect large amounts of Tower Coins to purchase holy water, then sell it domestically at several times the price, and internationally at an even higher price.
But Climbers were in a situation where they had to sell holy water at the government's demanded price.
As a result, Climbers...
Stopped buying [Holy Water of the Majestic Angel] altogether.
---
The next day, inside My Home Tower's 9th floor.
"I'm bored. It would be more fun if just one more Climber came up like yesterday."
Rukki, who manages and cares for the mutant rabbits in the "Twisted Nether Rabbit Garden," was peacefully rolling around on the grass as usual.
This place was essentially like her bedroom.
For reference, the 2nd floor "Bomb Rabbit's Garden" feels more like a living room.
That's why she designed the 9th floor trial very simply:
"Trial: Stay within the circle for 3 minutes"
A trial where you literally just need to stand still.
When Climbers enter the 9th floor, they're teleported to a random location where a small circular barrier appears.
Inside the circle, they can sit, talk, or move freely, but if they step outside even one foot, the countdown resets to zero and they have to start over.
Dancing, attacking—anything is fine as long as they stay within the circle.
But the real reason this trial is difficult is something else entirely.
It's because of the mutant rabbits spread throughout the 9th floor.
Imagine a creature with a rabbit's head, a mackerel's body, and rabbit feet instead of fins flying toward you.
Wouldn't you panic and run away?
There are spider-like rabbits, bear-like rabbits, and even rabbits with three heads called "Tototorabbits."
These horrifying appearances cause cognitive dissonance in Climbers, and their brains might freeze with fear.
And if they flee in terror?
The mutant rabbits, who love playing "tag," will all rush in and attack the "it" indiscriminately until they completely stop moving.
A total disaster!
In other words, this floor tests the Climber's courage.
But there's one scenario that's almost impossible to clear, no matter how brave you are.
That's when your initial teleport location is right in front of "Rukki."
In this situation, the trial transforms from "withstanding attacks from mutant rabbits" to "enduring Rukki's provocations for 3 minutes."
For reference, [Seeker] Park Do-yoon fell into exactly this case.
Because he happened to be teleported right in front of Rukki, he couldn't endure her provocations and stepped outside the circle, only to be attacked by numerous mutant rabbits and die!
Incidentally, when Tricia received this trial proposal, she thought about it briefly before approving it with the feeling of "don't be too harsh, just provoke them moderately."
Of course, what happened previously on the 2nd floor doesn't apply here, which is why she immediately rushed over to stop Rukki!
Anyway, as Rukki was enjoying her leisurely break on the 9th floor today, she received a system-wide message:
"Tower Administrator Tricia is calling all floor managers to the 99th floor conference room."
"If you cannot attend due to unavoidable circumstances, please leave a message through the system."
"Oh, I didn't have anything to do anyway, so I should attend."
Rukki checked the message and immediately warped to the 99th floor conference room.
And shortly after—
A Climber entered the 9th floor through a warp point.
"9th Floor -Twisted Nether Rabbit Garden-"
"Trial: Stay within the circle for 3 minutes"
"...Is that rabbit humanoid not here today?"
[Seeker] Park Do-yoon had entered the 9th floor at the perfect timing.
Thanks to Rukki's absence, he was able to easily clear the trial by observing the mutant rabbits from within the circle for three minutes.