The sky was blue, and the breeze was cool.
A peaceful morning in My Home Tower where Bomb Rabbits were exploding. (?)
Han Un-song, a truck driver on the road, quietly smiled today.
One hundred bottles of holy water purchased with government budget.
He was transporting them under the pretext of donating them all to disaster relief facilities.
However—his destination was completely different.
The black market.
"If I pull this off, I can live comfortably for the rest of my life... There's no reason not to...!"
Who would have imagined that a truck driver would try to sell holy water on the black market?
To secure this job, he secretly fed laxatives to other truck drivers, and even prevented some from coming to work altogether.
Finally, the moment had arrived when all his sweat and effort would bear fruit.
He immediately began dialing the black market, and the moment the ringtone sounded from the phone.
Something appeared before his eyes.
"Warning: Attempt to misuse holy water detected. Please cease your current actions immediately."
"...Huh?"
The Tower's System window.
When that window—said to appear only to Climbers—popped up before his eyes, he was momentarily terrified and hurriedly tried to hang up.
But the call had already connected.
"Oh~ Finally called! Is that the holy water you've diverted? People on our side are going crazy asking us to sell it. We'll pay you generously, so hurry up!"
"No, that's not it... There's some kind of warning window in front of me right now! Something seems wrong!"
"Hey, are you seeing things? There's no way something like that exists. I mean, if it was really dangerous, you'd be dead already. Right?"
"......"
"And think about it. If it were really the Tower Administrator, would they just give a warning and leave it at that? We're talking billions per bottle. Billions!! Are you going to miss this incredible opportunity with your eyes wide open?"
Han Un-song hesitated at those words.
Under the government's strict control, only two bottles of holy water had leaked to the black market.
Moreover, those were from the very early supply, 'unrestricted use' holy water that hadn't been enchanted.
As a result, the price of holy water on the black market had skyrocketed.
The price was at least 5 billion won per bottle, and there were even threats demanding over 10 billion from those desperate for treatment.
And now, there were a hundred bottles of holy water in this truck.
How much money could he make if he sold all of this supply?
"...Alright, I'll sell it."
With greed overcoming his fear of the unknown, he finally accepted the deal.
"You have violated the intended use of holy water. You will receive 'Divine Punishment' and a Brand will be created."
"The duration of the Brand will be extended according to the number of holy water bottles misused. (Duration: 100 days)"
*Sizzle!*
"AAAAARGH!! What is this?!"
The moment he violated the purpose of the holy water, a Brand resembling Tricia's halo was engraved on the nape of his neck.
"Gah! It's hot! It's burning!"
As the searing pain burned his flesh, he let go of the steering wheel and frantically rubbed his neck with both hands while screaming.
He desperately tried to erase the Brand engraved on his neck, but it was of no use.
It was evidence of his sin, a Brand placed by a spellcaster who borrowed the power of the <Majestic Angel>.
And then... the true effect of the "Divine Punishment" began.
*Pop!*
Suddenly, one of the truck's tires burst.
"A tire? Why now of all times!"
With one hand clutching his neck, he hurriedly pulled the truck over to the right shoulder. Just as he opened the door to get out—
*Flutter!*
*Splat!*
Of all things, bird droppings from a passing bird landed precisely in both his eyes!
"AAAAGH!!! MY EYES!!!!"
He couldn't see, the smell was terrible, and his neck was still burning.
Eventually, he staggered as he was getting out, missed his step on the truck stairs, and tumbled onto the road—
*HONK!!!*
A vehicle speeding toward him struck him head-on.
---
...And after that, the news briefly reported what happened.
"Breaking news. Mr. Han ○○, who worked as a truck driver, is currently hospitalized with serious injuries requiring six weeks of treatment, and is under joint investigation by the government and police after being caught attempting to illegally distribute holy water."
With injuries close to full-body fractures, he was confessing his crimes while lying in a hospital bed.
He confessed everything—his attempt to divert the holy water, what he knew about the black market, and even feeding laxatives to his company colleagues.
However, the Brand still remained on his neck.
The pain was like having a hot ring tied around his neck.
When he tried to go to the bathroom, he would inevitably fall at least once.
When he tried to eat, he would often bite his cheek or tongue.
Even when he just lay still, flies and mosquitoes would buzz in pairs around his ears, constantly tormenting him.
Misfortunes, just short of being fatal, persisted tenaciously and endlessly.
A System window still floated before his eyes.
"Time remaining until Brand removal: 98 days 17 hours 23 minutes 45 seconds..."
"To remove the Brand, you must properly atone for the crime you committed."
What on earth was the proper way?
Han Un-song confessed all the sins he could think of to the police in an attempt to find that method, but the Brand showed no signs of disappearing.
The next day, the government safely distributed the 100 bottles of holy water recovered from the truck to local disaster relief centers and welfare institutions.
Each bottle of holy water was properly stored for its intended purpose at each facility.
And at some point, the Brand that had been burning hot on the nape of his neck quietly disappeared.
"...It's not hot anymore?"
He touched the nape of his neck with trembling hands.
As if by miracle, there was no trace left.
It was no longer hot or painful, and his misfortunes subsided.
"Ha... hahaha!! Finally, at last I'm free...!"
Attempting to illegally distribute holy water purchased with national budget was a clear serious crime that no excuse could justify.
But he held the spot where the hot Brand had been with both hands, shedding tears of relief like a sinner who had been given a chance for atonement.
Though his life was already destined for prison, he was genuinely happy about being freed from the painful Brand.
And on the hospital TV, today's news was playing.
"We continue with our report. Last evening, multiple individuals were involved in unexplained accidents at what is believed to be a black market location, and they have been transported to hospitals. All victims had ring-shaped Brands engraved on their necks..."
Someone's neck shown on the screen.
That ominous mark that he had been bearing until just minutes ago was now burning the flesh of others.
"Divine Punishment."
The spell placed on the holy water was not a simple punishment.
Its power was still erasing the filth of the world, one by one.
---
Meanwhile, at My Home Tower's 1st floor—the "Lobby."
Climbers visiting here today are planning to enjoy another pleasant day.
They were following their routines, either challenging trial floors or spending leisurely time on rest floors while "contributing" Tower Coins.
But!
Once again, a major content update has been added to My Home Tower today!
A System message was simultaneously broadcast to all Climbers in the Tower!
"■ Notice: As of this moment, the use of electronic devices and internet functionality has been unlocked within the Tower."
"Additionally, ultra-high-speed free Wi-Fi is provided. Please use SSID: [MYHOMETOWER-GUEST]."
"???"
At that moment, most Climbers blinked in disbelief, wondering if they had misread.
But soon, someone took out a smartphone brought from outside the Tower to check directly, and they could see the smartphone working without any issues!
"...Hey, it really works!"
"Smartphones work inside the Tower!? Why?"
"The Wi-Fi signal is super strong too! What's with this speed? It's incredibly fast!"
"This is awesome! Now we can take as many photos as we want!!!"
From that moment on, the My Home Tower lobby literally became pandemonium!
Like soldiers receiving electronic devices for the first time in the military, all Climbers were shouting with excitement and emotion!
Some connected to the internet to make video calls, others took selfies with the Tower's Maids, and some even shed tears seeing their "Squishy Ball Archive" games running normally.
And then, someone appeared with a *poof* before these Climbers.
That someone was... the attention-loving angel Tricia!
"Hello everyone, I am this Tower's Administrator, 'Eriel Tricia.' Are you satisfied with the electronic device unlock?"
When the beautiful angel suddenly appeared in midair, the lobby erupted with cheers!
Climbers, one after another, took out their smartphones and pressed the shutter button, turning the lobby into an idol fan meeting in an instant!
At the same time, real-time photos of Tricia taken by Climbers began spreading all over the internet!
As a result, in just minutes after the unlock announcement, real photos of Tricia had spread worldwide!
AI illustration sites and fan art communities had already begun uploading fan art inspired by Tricia.
Some printed Tricia's photo on their home printers, stuck it on their walls, and prayed with folded hands saying, "Ah! I behold the countenance of the goddess who bestowed holy water upon us!"
Others were planning YouTube videos analyzing the symbolism in Tricia's appearance from religious and mythological contexts, seeking advice from history experts!
Tricia, whose mere appearance consistently turns the world upside down!
It's no exaggeration to say that the ultimate attention-seeker has descended!
But! All this commotion and enthusiasm was actually just part of Tricia's elaborate and meticulous(!) plan!
That incredible plan was—!!
'When I get a computer and phone from Crow later, I'll brag to my colleagues that my photos are already all over the internet~!'
...For such a trivial reason.
Tricia had stirred up the entire world.
This was no different from a childish kid wanting to brag, "Mom! I was on TV!"...
