Chapter 100 - Chapter 100

Chapter 100

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The Chinese Supreme Standing Committee decided to conquer the 70th floor.

Since things had turned out like this, they would climb it as quickly as possible, even if it was just one day sooner.

Currently China's top player, level 59 Bailong, was immediately summoned to conquer the Black Tower.

Bailong, who could enter the 59th floor.

He had to jump up to the 71st floor to conquer the 70th floor, so he had to skip 12 floors.

"Bailong."

"Yes."

The head of the Chinese Player Special Public Security Bureau handed Bailong three Tower Jumping Tickets and spoke.

"Remember. It's 12 floors in Tower No. 3. The maximum number of floors that can be climbed per ticket is 5, so you only need to skip 12."

"...Understood."

Putting the tickets in his inventory,

Bailong entered the Chinese Black Tower.

[Entering the 59th floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

'Hmm.'

It was the 59th floor.

A section he hadn't been able to conquer even after undergoing Trait Enhancement twice.

The mission was to wipe out Lightning Wyverns that emitted lightning from their bodies.

The compatibility was bad.

Bailong's trait was [High Speed].

It was a Wyvern that protected its body by emitting lightning, so even a slight touch would stiffen his body entirely.

If only it shot breath attacks, he could have just dodged them.

There was no way to avoid touching the Lightning Wyvern, which had its entire body wrapped in an electromagnetic field.

How much criticism had he received for not conquering the 59th floor?

When he had conquered the 1st to 58th floors at high speed.

And he had done it in a whopping three towers.

When the conquest of the 59th floor became sluggish, pressure came from the Chinese government.

It changed from a carrot approach to a whipping approach.

The medals and rewards he had received so far were revoked.

The house he lived in, the car he drove, his real estate, and bank accounts were frozen.

He even heard threats that if he couldn't conquer the 59th floor, he would be exhibited in the Bodies Exhibition (Plastination).

"Sons of bitches."

Players in China were no different from slaves.

When they were doing well, they were hailed as heroes of the people, but the moment they slipped up, unbearable pressure and criticism poured down.

It's not strange for China to kidnap players from other countries and deploy them for tower conquest.

When this is how they treat their own players.

He wanted to escape China and even permanently naturalize elsewhere in his mind, but he was a player far too frail in reality.

Let's just climb for now.

He had to get out of the dreadful 59th floor first.

Tearing a ticket, Riiip!

[You have used a Tower Jumping Ticket.]

[Please state the number of floors you wish to jump.]

"5 floors."

A loudly ringing conquest message.

Now the 64th floor.

Another one.

Riiip!

He jumped another 5 floors.

The 69th floor.

Finally, 2 floors.

Ziiiiing, the message rang out.

[Entering the 71st floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

Bailong finally ascended to the 71st floor.

[Global Announcement: The restriction on High-Grade Mana Stones will be lifted in the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

Right at that moment!

[Global Announcement: Duke Kavalan (Copy) has been eradicated on the 70th floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

A global announcement declaring the conquest of the 70th floor.

Will the benefits be applied?

[Global Announcement: Benefits for the conquest of the 70th floor of the Black Tower will be granted.]

[Global Announcement: The restriction on High-Grade Mana Stones will be lifted in the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

[Global Announcement: The restrictions on various potions and elixirs will be lifted in the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

[Global Announcement: The restrictions on weapon and equipment items will be lifted in the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

'It worked.'

[Global Announcement: The conquest benefits will be applied to all floors of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3). In addition, the reward probability will increase very slightly.]

The probability was very slightly.

In Korea, it was a significant increase.

Anyway, Bailong didn't particularly welcome the benefits of the Chinese Black Tower.

What benefits did it hold for him?

Nothing would change.

Instead, he would probably be thrown into tower conquests every single day without rest for the High-Grade mana stone rewards.

But then?

[Global Announcement: A player has reached the 71st floor of the Black Tower for the first time.]

'...Huh?'

What is this? Another global announcement?

[Global Announcement: A set of 4 congratulatory gifts will be provided to the inventory of the first player to reach the 71st floor of the Black Tower.]

'...Gifts?'

And a 4-item set at that.

[Global Announcement: The Ring of Form Alteration is provided to the inventory. You can freely change your face and body shape.]

[Global Announcement: The Potion of Disease Cure is provided to the inventory. It permanently cures all diseases.]

[Global Announcement: The Elixir of Rejuvenation is provided to the inventory. Upon consumption, you become up to 10 years younger.]

[Global Announcement: The Rune Necklace of Liberation is provided to the inventory. It can be used a total of 3 times.]

Bailong merely let his jaw drop.

A completely unexpected global announcement.

[Global Announcement: The identical 4 gifts will be provided once to the first player of each nationality's tower who climbs to the 71st floor hereafter.]

'...They just give these all just for stepping on the 71st floor first?'

Furthermore,

[Global Announcement: The 4 items above can also be obtained as mission completion rewards when conquering the 71st floor or higher.]

As conquest rewards too?

Although there was a condition attached that it was for the 71st floor or higher.

[Global Announcement: Season 2 of the Black Tower Conquest has begun concurrently with the climb to the 71st floor.]

[Global Announcement: From now on, upon successful completion of a mission on the 71st floor or higher, the 6-month time limit for tower collapse will be added to the existing time limit and stack.]

[Global Announcement: The more unconquered upper floors you climb, the longer the tower collapse time limit becomes, reducing the risk of collapse.]

[Global Announcement: Expedient conquest using Tower Jumping Tickets will not be applicable from the 71st floor or higher.]

[Global Announcement: We cheer for the players' Black Tower climbing.]

The world was turned upside down once again.

***

Jeon Kwang-il was meeting CEO Ko Yeon-ha of HG Fashion at a Korean traditional restaurant in the suburbs of Seoul.

Ko Yeon-ha's expression wasn't very good.

It was because of information she had acquired recently.

The fact that after Ilseong Apparel was separated as an affiliate and changed its company name to 'Rajix Corporation', it was operating a leather processing factory.

Why a leather processing factory all of a sudden?

She sent out people to investigate.

The subject of the leather processing was Wyverns.

Where was the Wyvern leather supplied from?

Naturally, it would be the Awakening Management Agency.

"Deputy Director, I truly feel disappointed. Handing over Wyvern leather to Ilseong Appa... no, Rajix Corporation, wasn't it promised that Wyvern leather would be supplied to our HG Fashion?"

Smirk, Jeon Kwang-il laughed.

"Did we ever sign a Wyvern leather supply contract?"

"Not that, but... since we have the exclusive supply for Basilisk leather, I thought it was an already discussed situation."

"Absolutely not."

"Hah."

CEO Ko Yeon-ha sighed briefly and then said.

"Yes. Supplying leather is under the jurisdiction of the Awakening Management Agency, so I don't have the right to say anything. Instead, please supply Wyvern leather to our HG Fashion as well."

"Hmm, since the topic has come up..."

Jeon Kwang-il looked straight at Ko Yeon-ha and said.

"Basilisk leather will no longer be supplied to HG Fashion from now on."

"...What?"

All of a sudden?

Ko Yeon-ha was flustered.

Did she hear wrong?

"I-Isn't it already a c-contracted situation? Notifying us so abruptly like this, no, rather than that, what did we do wrong to deserve this?"

You've done plenty wrong.

"Because HG Fashion doesn't seem to have the capacity to handle Basilisk leather."

"What are you..."

"Are you asking because you don't know? Can you even find a Basilisk leather product in department stores, online, or in agencies or pop-up shops? They're not selling at all, are they?"

It was true.

It was an item that couldn't even be seen despite Korea being the producing country.

"T-That's because the supply can't keep up with the demand."

"Don't lie. I know everything about how you intentionally limit production to increase scarcity and use that to play tricks behind the scenes."

"...."

Basilisk leather products had already ceased to be for general consumers.

The prices were raised through extremely limited production, turning them into items strictly for a specific class.

You couldn't find a single Basilisk leather product even in Korea right now.

Not even the cheapest Light Quality products.

They opened a website to take reservations, but it was impossible for ordinary people to even get their names on the waiting list.

Meanwhile, the bags were being sold secretly as items for lobbying, as bait when signing export and import business contracts, and as limited editions for the wealthy class.

Why were they doing this?

Because they wouldn't make much money selling leather products anyway.

If they sold one product, 95% of the net profit was distributed to Player Bong.

On the other hand, HG Fashion only got a mere 5% net profit.

No matter how hard they worked to sell products, they could only take 5%, so they must have been using the bags as bait to focus on other profitable businesses.

"I-It's a misunderstanding. We haven't had the proper facilities, so our production capacity..."

"Even though we provided you with crafting tools made from tower metal?"

"Uh-um, ah, t-that is."

Jeon Kwang-il said as he got up from his seat.

"I'll take my leave now. Let's wait and see. How many Basilisk and Wyvern leather products Rajix Corporation will produce."

Ko Yeon-ha's mind grew faint.

She had met him to request a supply of Wyvern leather, but now even the Basilisk leather supply was on the verge of being cut off.

"W-Wait a moment. If you leave like this..."

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"Please, just give me one chance to make up for it."

Jeon Kwang-il opened his mouth with a chilling look in his eyes.

"I will give you exactly one month. I will watch to see how many Basilisk leather products are released into the Korean market by then."

"Ah..."

Jeon Kwang-il didn't even look back as he came out of the restaurant and got into his car.

Let's wait and see.

If things don't go as warned, there will be no leather supply.

They need to sell a lot to increase the profit returning to Player Bong.

He said he wanted to buy a building.

He will need more money.

How expensive is Korean real estate?

Buildings worth hundreds of billions of won, or over a trillion won, no, there's even land worth 10 trillion won.

'Since I came out anyway, should I drop by Rajix Corporation?'

To see if there are any problems with production.

But right then!

[Global Announcement: Duke Kavalan (Copy) has been eradicated on the 70th floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

"...Huh?"

What is this again?

China?

When they were only struggling to conquer the 60s floors...

'Don't tell me they used Tower Jumping Tickets?'

Meaning they jumped 12 floors.

'How are they going to clean up the aftermath?'

And the announcements continued.

"Ah..."

Jeon Kwang-il had no choice but to stop his car.

'Items are one thing, but...'

The last global announcement he heard.

The start of the new Black Tower Conquest Season 2.

[Global Announcement: From now on, upon successful completion of a mission on the 71st floor or higher, the 6-month time limit for tower collapse will be added to the existing time limit and stack.]

The collapse time limit stacks.

What does this mean?

If you conquer an unconquered upper floor from the 71st floor upwards while there are 3 months left on the collapse time limit, it means the collapse time limit will increase to 9 months.

Conquer another one and it becomes 15 months, another one and it becomes 21 months, it seems 6 months are added every time you conquer.

Extraordinary item gifts and Tower Conquest Season 2.

What on earth is happening?

***

The 71st floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).

Bailong hadn't exited yet.

He hadn't even accepted a mission.

Tower Conquest Season 2, whatever, that was nothing to Bailong.

The 4 types of gifts resting in his inventory.

The Ring of Form Alteration, the Potion of Disease Cure, the Elixir of Rejuvenation, the Rune Necklace of Liberation.

The commonality of the above items.

None of them had the 'tower exclusive' modifier.

They could be used in reality, even by ordinary people.

Three out of the four gifts he received were fully explained.

They were intuitive just by looking at the names.

But what about the Rune Necklace of Liberation?

A necklace with a rune engraved with characters hanging on a chain.

An item whose purpose was unknown just from the name.

Information?

Effect: Manifests the player's abilities outside the tower for 1 hour.

Limit: Can be used a total of 3 times. When the uses are exhausted, the rune is destroyed.

"...Crazy!"

Bailong checked the item information multiple times.

It hadn't changed.

Liberation.

Liberating the restricted player abilities outside.

'H-How do I use this?'

First of all, they were items he shouldn't be able to possess.

If the global announcement hadn't been made, no one would have known.

But they must have all heard and known.

If he exits the tower, they will unconditionally be taken away.

Anyone's eyes would turn upside down.

Disease cure, an elixir of rejuvenation.

There's no way they wouldn't covet them.

Not only the potion and elixir but also the Ring of Form Alteration and the Rune Necklace of Liberation.

A prolonged deliberation.

He asked himself.

Did he have any loyalty to his country?

'There's no way I would.'

Bailong finally made a decision.

'They're all mine.'

The gifts from the other towers too.

***

As soon as the new Chinese President Wang Yuan heard the global announcement, he hurriedly ran to the place where Bailong had entered the tower.

With armed public security officers and direct bodyguards.

An elixir of rejuvenation.

He could become up to 10 years younger if he took it?

And the other items too.

Furthermore, there was no 'tower exclusive' modifier in the item names.

Meaning ordinary people could use them too.

'It's a good thing I went up to the 71st floor.'

It was a brilliant move.

Who knew such items would be given?

Moreover, China has 3 towers.

The items given as gifts for being the first to reach the 71st floor of each tower, they would get 3 of each type.

He had to take them all for himself.

The Elixir of Rejuvenation, the Potion of Disease Cure, the Ring of Form Alteration.

He didn't know what the Rune Necklace of Liberation was, but he could find out by confiscating it and checking.

Additionally, Tower Conquest Season 2.

From the 71st floor, the tower collapse time limit also stacks.

From now on, they must unconditionally climb upwards.

Since it said the Elixir of Rejuvenation and the Potion of Disease Cure would also appear as conquest rewards.

All 3 of China's towers to the 71st floor.

Whatever it takes.

Since Tower Jumping Tickets are valid up to the 71st floor.

'Anyway, why isn't Bailong coming out?'

An anxious President Wang Yuan.

Anyway, when Bailong exits the tower, he is bound to come out again at the place he entered.

He just needs to catch that bastard before he can have any other thoughts and make him spit out the items.

Right then!

S-pa-pat!

Bailong appeared with a halo of light.

President Wang Yuan greeted him with a joyful expression.

"Oh! Player Bailong, you worked hard. I heard the global announcement loud and clear."

"Yes, I have completed the mission and returned."

"Then show them to me quickly."

"...What?"

"The 4 congratulatory gifts."

I knew it.

Smirk, Bailong laughed.

"Why should I show them to you, Mr. President?"

"...What?"

"I'm the one who received them."

"You b-bastard, how dare..."

Tss-pit! Bailong's trait was High Speed.

That power manifested in reality.

Bailong, who appeared behind Wang Yuan in a flash.

Grab.

"Heok!"

Holding Wang Yuan's neck with both hands.

Drrrrt, he twisted it a full turn just like that.

Thud, the new President Wang Yuan died on the spot.

At the same time, the faces of the armed public security officers and bodyguards turned paper-white.

"Heok!"

"B-Bailong?"

"What?"

The supreme leader of China died right before their eyes.

By a player, at that.

"C-catch him!"

"Subdue him!"

But their fate was no different.

Tss-pit! Tss-pit! Tss-pit! Tss-pit...

At a speed the eyes couldn't even follow.

Crunch, crunch, crrrrunch.

Bailong snapped the necks of the armed public security officers and bodyguards.

The power of a player whose tower abilities had manifested in reality; how could ordinary people even dare to face him?

Bailong smiled a fishy smile.

The Rune Necklace of Liberation.

It was much better than he expected.

But he had to hurry.

The duration was 1 hour.

He'd quickly escape this place and leave China.

Since he also has the Ring of Form Alteration, running away wouldn't be difficult.

What about his family?

He had nothing to care about.

They were leeches who had only sucked his blood until now anyway.

Whether they lived or died.

Thus, the great revolution of players began here, at the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).

Along with a new beginning, Season 2.

***

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

Cossack was still sulking and sitting on the sofa.

Joo-hyuk was chatting pleasantly with the summoned entities while pretending not to see him.

"When I think about it now, it truly feels like a dream. Just a few months ago, I was a poor guy with nothing, but thanks to all of you..."

Gyeon Dal-rae quickly answered.

"Where in the world are things given for free? This is all the price for the virtuous deeds you have accumulated, Young Master."

"Is that so? Hahaha!"

"It is only natural. Hohoho!"

Cossack still had no reaction.

"The warrior thinks the summoner is qualified. I want you to live even more happily."

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber, I will always be by the commander's side."

"My Lord, the joy of my Lord is the joy of this servant."

"Hoeeee."

An amicable atmosphere.

Even so, Cossack didn't budge an inch. In that case?

"Still, the person I'm most thankful to is Mr. Cossack."

Twitch!

Cossack's ears moved slightly.

"He was the first person I met, and he protected me from the loan sharks as soon as we met."

Flinch.

Cossack's butt shifted.

"I learned Shadow Step, and actually, the person who first came up with the idea for the tower climbing profit generation project was Mr. Cossack too."

"This young girl also acknowledges this."

"If it weren't for the assassin, it would have been hard to buy a house like this."

Sneak, sneak.

Sitting down, sliding his butt, and approaching closer to Joo-hyuk.

"Honestly, wasn't it mostly Mr. Cossack who rescued the kidnapped players in China?"

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber, that is correct. I merely assisted."

Sneak, sneak.

"Would I have come this far if it weren't for Mr. Cossack? I miss it. Mr. Cossack's cheerful appearance."

Sneak, sneak.

"Though I won't be able to hear it anymore."

It was then.

S-pa-pat! Cossack using Shadow Step to stick right next to Joo-hyuk in a single breath.

"Aiyoo, Summoner Bong!"

"Hm? When did you get here."

Smiling brightly with a radiant expression.

"What did I even do? Hehehehe."

"...."

"It's all thanks to you, Summoner Bong."

In a way, he is a very simple summoned entity.

"Are you done sulking now?"

"Eng? When did I sulk? I am Cossack. After all, isn't there a saying that a summoner and a summoned entity come to resemble each other?"

Was there such a saying?

"A macho summoner and a macho summoned entity, it's a timeless truth."

"Hahaha, that's true. Now, for our new beginning, we should go on another trip..."

Right at that moment!

[Global Announcement: Duke Kavalan (Copy) has been eradicated on the 70th floor of the Chinese Black Tower (NO.3).]

"What the?"

A global announcement out of nowhere?

And it's China.

China, who couldn't even conquer the 60s floors and was slithering around.

But the global announcement wasn't over yet.

[Global Announcement: A set of 4 congratulatory gifts will be provided to the inventory of the first player to reach the 71st floor of the Black Tower.]

Followed by what the gifts were.

[Global Announcement: Season 2 of the Black Tower Conquest has begun concurrently with the climb to the 71st floor.]

Even an announcement heralding a new season.

"Hmm."

Saying it's a new beginning.

I kept hearing that things would be distinctly different from the 71st floor. It really has changed a lot.

"Did you guys perhaps know?"

To Joo-hyuk's question, Gyeon Dal-rae answered.

"Young Master, the restriction on Season 2 was j-just lifted. But those items given as gifts are nothing but bewildering. They are items that shouldn't appear yet..."

The other summoned entities also had expressions saying, 'No, those items are appearing now?'.

Most of them were not items for conquering the tower.

They were all items affecting outside the tower, that is, reality.

Furthermore, they could also be obtained as mission completion rewards when conquering the 71st floor or higher.

'I guess I have to step on the 71st floor.'

Before that, I should call Sir Gwangma and discuss it.