# My Home Tower 99th Floor - Conference Room
"...Phew."
Tricia opened the Tower Administrator menu with a pounding heart.
"Tower Coins: 42,979,451"
"Wow..."
Over 42 million Tower Coins.
Looking at the incredible number that made her doubt her own eyes, Tricia couldn't hide her bright smile.
A few days ago, the day after concluding diplomatic talks with the government.
Starting with Seo Ryu-in, who brought a massive amount of Tower Coins from the government, numerous government-affiliated Climbers visited My Home Tower.
They had scooped up Holy Water worth approximately 250 billion won.
In truth, with the new government's budget, they could have invested over 1 trillion won in Holy Water.
But due to Tower Coin exchange issues and this being the first diplomatic engagement with the Tower, they were proceeding cautiously, purchasing several thousand bottles of Holy Water in accordance with customs regulations.
The total amount of Tower Coins Tricia received from the government was... about 40.5 million!
"Diplomacy really operates on a different scale! The monetary units are no joke!"
An overwhelming amount compared to the Tower Coins she had collected until now!
Lilithis had told her to keep 10 million Tower Coins in reserve for any unforeseen situations, so the remaining 30 million were free to use!
"Let's go, System! Are the saved Tower Coins sufficient? I say they are!!!"
▶ Administrator Rank Increase
"Current Administrator Rank: D-Rank Administrator"
"Next Administrator Rank: C-Rank Administrator"
"Cost required for Administrator Rank increase: 3,000,000 Tower Coins"
Without hesitation, Tricia pressed the upgrade button.
"3,000,000 Tower Coins have been deducted."
"Administrator Rank has increased to [C-Rank Administrator]."
"I did it!"
Letting out a joyful cheer, Tricia immediately checked the newly updated benefits list.
"[C-Rank Administrator] Benefits List"
- Expanded Tower information access
- 70% reduction in Tower Coins required for Tower maintenance
- 15% reduction in Tower Coins required for Tower structure modification and monster/object creation
- 5% increase in Tower Coin revenue
- Various custom options unlocked
"Great, let's check the custom options!"
As soon as she opened the custom options menu, numerous customization features unfolded.
"Wow, there are so many...?"
With her heart pounding in anticipation, Tricia scrolled through the screen until her gaze stopped on one particular feature.
"[Electronic Device Unlock] - Permits the use of electronic devices inside the Tower. Smartphones, computers, and all electronic devices will function normally."
"Unlock Cost: 5,000,000 Tower Coins"
"What? Five million Tower Coins?"
A price far more expensive than the cost of upgrading to C-Rank!
"Hmm... it's expensive, but... I can't give up after coming this far!"
But for the current Tricia, this amount was something she could easily afford!
Above all, the merit of allowing both residents living here and future visiting Climbers to use electronic devices.
The value this advantage brings is absolutely not something to pass up!
After a moment's consideration, Tricia pressed the [Electronic Device Unlock] button.
"5,000,000 Tower Coins have been deducted."
"Custom [Electronic Device Unlock] has been applied. All electronic devices can now be freely used inside the Tower."
"Yesssss!!!!!!!!!"
In that moment, Tricia was smiling with a face happier than anyone else's.
Soon after, Tricia excitedly checked the rest of the custom options list.
And not long after, she discovered a second feature!
"[Internet Connection] - Allows the use of Earth's internet inside the Tower. Provides gigabit internet service and Wi-Fi with maximum speeds of 1Gbps (1000Mbps)."
"Unlock Cost: 7,500,000 Tower Coins"
This time, a frightening price of 7.5 million Tower Coins!
"If we're going to use computers and phones, this is essential too!!!"
But Tricia's finger touched the screen without hesitation, and the system message appeared once again.
"7,500,000 Tower Coins have been deducted."
"Custom [Internet Connection] has been applied. Internet can now be freely used inside the Tower."
"For devices requiring wired connections, Tower-exclusive remote LAN cables can be purchased for 10 Tower Coins each."
"For Wi-Fi, 2 networks are provided per floor. One can be used freely, while the other can have a password applied."
"Finally...!"
Tricia jumped up from her seat and raised both arms high.
As if she had gained the whole world, her face was filled with joy!
The remaining Tower Coins were about 27.47 million.
But Tricia didn't feel the slightest regret.
If she could let her precious colleagues and friends who live here experience Earth's internet?
This level of investment was beyond sufficient—it was absolutely worthwhile!
Now that smartphones and internet could be freely used inside the Tower, everyone's daily life in this Tower would become much more convenient and enjoyable.
"Now I just have to wait until Crow brings back the electronic devices... Should I check if there are other features?"
Having finally achieved her goal, Tricia checked the benefits of the next administrator rank with a more relaxed expression.
▶ Administrator Rank Increase
"Current Administrator Rank: C-Rank Administrator"
"Next Administrator Rank: B-Rank Administrator"
"Cost required for Administrator Rank increase: 15,000,000 Tower Coins"
"Whoa, the upgrade cost increased fivefold...?"
The cost to advance to the next rank was five times more expensive, but with Tricia's current coin holdings, an additional upgrade was still easily possible.
And the new benefits of becoming a [B-Rank Administrator] were even more exciting!
"[B-Rank Administrator] Benefits"
- Further expanded Tower information access
- 95% reduction in Tower Coins required for Tower maintenance
- 40% reduction in Tower Coins required for Tower structure modification and monster/object creation
- 15% increase in Tower Coin revenue
- 30% reduction in Tower Coins required for NPC creation
- [Dispatch Boss] registration available
Among the various items, the last one caught Tricia's attention!
"Dispatch Boss? What's that? It's nothing weird, right?"
"[Dispatch Boss] is a feature that allows residents of the Tower to travel to other Towers by registering their information in the system's archive."
"What? You can go to other Towers?"
The idea of being able to visit other Towers was somewhat appealing, but Tricia realized there wasn't really a compelling reason to go to another Tower.
"By consuming Tower Coins, you can summon [Dispatch Bosses] registered in the archive to this Tower, and they will return to their original location after the time limit expires."
"That's interesting, but do I really need to register...?"
"Additionally, if dispatch authorization is provided to Climbers in the form of an item, it's possible to go on dispatch outside the Tower as well."
"...Wait, outside the Tower?"
Tricia's eyes widened.
Beyond simply operating the Tower, this was a new dimension of functionality allowing beings in the Tower to be summoned outside through Climbers.
And if done right?
They could even go outside the Tower!!!! For outings!!!
"I absolutely have to do this!!!!!!!!!!!"
Tricia pressed the upgrade button at a speed faster than light.
"15,000,000 Tower Coins have been deducted."
"Administrator Rank has increased to [B-Rank Administrator]!"
With dazzling sound effects, her rank was newly displayed, and the remaining Tower Coins were drastically reduced to about 12.47 million.
But Tricia didn't care about that at all!
"[Dispatch Boss] registration!!!!!"
"To register as a [Dispatch Boss], personal information must be uploaded to the system archive, and this registered information will be disclosed to everyone using the [Dispatch Boss] feature."
"Personal information? Wait, that's not right."
Suddenly hearing that her personal information would be exposed, Tricia hesitated.
"Just asking, but is there any preview of how the information will be disclosed?"
"Basic personal information can be previewed, but detailed information cannot be confirmed without going through the upload process."
"Really? That's a relief. Then show me the basic personal information first."
Then, a small window appeared before Tricia.
"[Dispatch Boss (Preview)] - Majestic Angel Eriel Tricia"
◆ Race: Angel
◆ Height: 145.3cm
◆ Weight: 38.1kg
◆ Age: Immeasurable
◆ Gender: Genderless
...
"Heh, so it's like this?"
As Tricia was examining the personal information list one by one, she casually scrolled down and—
◆ Characteristic: In a previous life, lived as a human (male/25 years old) on Earth before having an accident and transferring to Eriel—
"??????"
In that instant, Tricia's hand closed the system window with lightning speed.
Then she quickly looked around.
Confirming that no one had witnessed it, she sighed in relief while clutching her chest.
"Wow, that scared me...!"
...That's right.
She was actually... a man in her previous life!
And what's even more shocking is that she had never once! Told anyone about this fact for decades!
But Tricia had her own reasons for not revealing it.
If it became known that someone who was a man in a previous life was dressing as a woman, acting like a woman, and doing things close to female corruption despite having a genderless body—
That would be... mortifyingly embarrassing!!!
Knowing this herself, she began making excuses while twisting her body in embarrassment!
"Yes, I'm mentally a woman! Not a man! Even though I'm genderless, my mind is completely female!!"
"Error: Analysis indicates you are not completely female mentally either—"
"Shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!! What would a system know!!!!!!!"
Having her top secret discovered by the system, Tricia raged much more violently than usual!
And right at that moment.
"...Lady Tricia?"
"Ze-Zergos!?"
At the worst moment, with the worst timing.
Zergos, who had warped into the conference room, witnessed Tricia in the middle of her tantrum.
"...Are you alright? Did something happen?"
"Huh? Umm, it's nothing! Really!!!"
Gone was her usual confident demeanor, replaced by awkward smiles and flustered movements!
Zergos observed her carefully, then suddenly commanded the air.
"System, can you confirm what just happened?"
"Notice: Eriel Tricia is denying the fact that she was a man in her previous life—"
"Wawawawawawa!!!!!!!! Stop!!!!!! Stooooop!!!!!!!"
Tricia frantically waved her hands trying to erase the system message, but the system window activated by Zergos could only be dismissed by his will.
The two words 'a man' were clearly visible before Zergos's eyes.
He silently read the content for a while, then...
"...Lady Tricia."
"...Y-yes?"
# My Home Tower 66th Floor - Court
In the courtroom where all Guardians had gathered, Zergos stood on the witness stand.
"I hereby commence the trial of the defendant Tricia!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"No, wait! Calm down, Zergos!!!"
"The defendant will remain silent! The trial has already begun!"
Looking unusually displeased, Zergos initiated a trial with the title [Tricia Gender Determination]...!