Chapter 114 - Chapter 114

Chapter 114

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Prison of Infinity.

Also known as the Abyss.

It's an incredibly vast place, but if something happens, rumors spread surprisingly fast.

It is because of their method of communication.

The resonance between soul and soul.

In other words, telepathy.

[Did you hear the rumor? They say the crazy elf bitch went outside.]

[Don't tell me, the foul-mouthed Alliamari?]

[Yeah, her, the one who spits out curses anywhere and everywhere.]

[We have a situation. Isn't she going to hurl curses at the Summoner as soon as she goes out?]

[No matter how crazy she is, she wouldn't do that.]

[No, is the Summoner this time some kind of scrap collector? Why does he only call out those kinds of kids?]

[I finally understand now. The reason I couldn't go out.]

[What is it?]

[It's because I lived too normally.]

[Same here. Is there anyone as normal as me here?]

[Haa, normal people can't go out, and bastards who are lacking somewhere effortlessly go out.]

[Hahaha, you crazy bastards, where are you playing normal people? You're all scrap.]

[Shut up! You wicked bitch!]

[Hmm, yes, but if the Summoner this time really is a scrap collector, there's nothing to worry about. Someday you guys will be called too.]

[...Is that so? Then I have hope too, I am confident I can become a bigger lunatic than Gwangma.]

[Originally, the crazy bitch in this sector was me, Alliamari was beneath my feet.]

[Actually, I was better at cursing than the elf bitch too.]

[Suddenly a crazy bitch, crazy bastard competition?]

[I wish a real competition would open. Just to see if I can go outside even like that.]

[Me too.]

[Me too.]

The LSSR grade Alchemist Alliamari.

Her background description he looked at yesterday.

- The life of the elf Alchemist Alliamari was very unfortunate. When she was young, she was offered as a sacrifice to the ancient Black Dragon Cassiurus by her own kind, and lived as a slave in Cassiurus's lair for her entire life.

- The Black Dragon taught her alchemy. And alchemy became an escape that let her forget her loneliness. She thought she would live alone like that for her whole life, but a change occurred. The ancient dragon Cassiurus returned to the embrace of mana earlier than her.

- Now free, Alliamari, however, did not leave the lair. Because a thousand years of loneliness had already become a part of Alliamari's life, she was alone even when she died.

Severe anthropophobia, and the reason she became a shut-in alchemist.

She didn't converse with anyone other than Joo-hyuk, the Summoner.

Not even the written conversations shared on paper.

She ignored the words of Gyeon Dal-rae and Veronica, who were fellow women, and Rajix's cuteness didn't work either.

Cossack, who loitered in front of her, was thoroughly ignored, and Gwangma was no exception.

At this rate, it's troublesome.

He has to find a method.

To cure her anthropophobia?

Not a chance!

He has no such intention.

She lived like that for her entire life,

Thus it had become a kind of identity,

Could it be easily fixed?

However, he plans to make at least communication possible.

Not the uncomfortable method of writing words on paper.

This is 21st-century Korea.

There are plenty of methods to converse without facing each other.

So Joo-hyuk contacted Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

Meeting in the underground parking lot.

"Items are selling well, right?"

"Yes, there is hardly any room to step in the Player Shop. You probably won't need a loan when buying the building."

"That's a relief. If there happens to be a shortage..."

"No. We are overflowing with inventory. Oh right! And here..."

Jeon Kwang-il handing over a file folder and a paper bag containing 3 Apple Pads to Joo-hyuk.

"I processed all of them as players who permanently naturalized to Korea. They are perfect identities, so do not worry."

"Thank you."

"Oh my, don't mention it."

Joo-hyuk decided to grant South Korean nationality to the summoned entities.

On paper, that is.

He roughly made up names.

As long as the resident registration numbers come out properly, it's fine.

Originally, it was something he wasn't very keen on doing.

What need is there to purposely register summoned entities on the national computer network?

But now a need had arisen.

Even if it's just because of Alliamari.

"Then I will contact you again if anything happens."

"Yes."

After parting ways with Jeon Kwang-il.

Joo-hyuk took the documents and went back up to the penthouse.

And summoned the summoned entities.

"Come on, gather around."

Joo-hyuk took out the Apple Pads.

6 pads he bought previously, 3 pads he additionally bought by asking Jeon Kwang-il this time, 9 in total.

13-inch large screens with cellular connection.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il even handled the telecom company subscriptions collectively.

"Sign up for K-Talk. I will distribute your resident registration numbers."

Following Joo-hyuk's explanation, they signed up, set their nicknames, and after finishing adding friends.

Joo-hyuk went to the small room and summoned Alliamari.

She appeared huddled with her head stuck in the corner of the room this time too.

Joo-hyuk did the membership sign-up for her on her behalf.

After writing down the usage method on a piece of paper to inform her.

He collectively invited everyone to a group chat room.

Tti-ring tti-ring, the message notification sound ringing.

Everyone entered the chat room with their individually set nicknames.

[Insider Cosa] : I'm here, sir.

Cossack, claiming to be an insider.

Princess Gyeon Dal-rae,

[PwincessShrine Maiden] : Young Master, this girl greets you.

Where did she learn something like that?

The MZ generation these days doesn't do things like that.

Then again, is Gyeon Dal-rae a girl of these days?

[Universal Top Servant] : Ho-e!

Rajix's nickname showing his identity exactly as is.

[Vero Vero Master Sergeant Be] : Certain victory!

Master Sergeant Be as well.

[Gwangma] : I don't know if doing it like this is correct.

[Liege's Holy Sword] : My Lord!

Master Sergeant Be, Sir Gwangma, and even Bardin entered.

What about Alchemist Alliamari?

He definitely pressed invite.

[Real Man] : Ms. Mari?

Then.

[Mari] : Yes.

She came.

Now, shall we earnestly begin communicating?

Cossack kicked off the start first.

[Insider Cosa] : Ms. Mari, nice to meet you, sir. You must have been lonely all this time, sir. Don't worry from now on, sir. I will wholeheartedly...

Right at that moment!

[Mari] : Shut up! You @#%!

[Insider Cosa] : Pardon, sir?

[Mari] : 'Sir. Sir.' You type your keyboard tone in that kind of way too? There's a limit to an attention-seeking concept, you &%@ bastard!

The suddenly silent chat room.

Joo-hyuk also doubted his eyes.

Sudden rapid acceleration?

[PwincessShrine Maiden] : Your words are too harsh. Mr. Cossack may be lacking in some aspects, but...

[Mari] : Spouting nonsense like Pwincess. Are you a &#%? Still wet behind the ears, want me to #&%$ you?

[PwincessShrine Maiden] : Ahhh.

This is gradually...

[Vero Vero Master Sergeant Be] : Ms. Mari. Please refrain from cursing. As an educated person.

[Mari] : Go %#@ yourself. The big-titted bitch dares $*@$ me? Should I just &@% you.

[Vero Vero Master Sergeant Be] : Wow! I'm going to live a long life.

He couldn't even imagine it.

[Gwangma] : Turns out she was a lunatic. Wait! A crazy elf, come to think of it, I remember hearing about it.

[Mari] : Yeah, you $%#. Dentures, should I $@& you?

[Gwangma] : Hohoho, amusing.

In reality, she has anthropophobia and can't even meet people's eyes, but,

[Liege's Holy Sword] : Ms. Mari needs repentance.

[Mari] : Repentance? You &@$ bastard, I'll totally @%# your %&# right in your mouth hole.

[Liege's Holy Sword] : Light!!!

In the chat room, she's a vicious keyboard warrior.

[Universal Top Servant] : Ho-e?

[Mari] : Don't act cute! You're not cute at all! I mean it.

[Universal Top Servant] : Ho-e-e-e,

[Mari] : Ah shit! I said don't!

He seemed slightly shaken, but it didn't work on Rajix either.

[Real Man] : Excuse me, Ms. Mari.

[Mari] : Please speak. Summoner-nim™¡™¡™¡.

Except Joo-hyuk.

But what's with the hearts?

Eventually, Gwangma stood in front of the door of the room Alliamari was in.

Pounding on the doorì¾…ì¾….

"Open the door. Let us speak face-to-face. Let's see if you can continue spitting out foul language."

However, the firmly locked door did not open.

Gerald's house, like a true American, was a large mansion in the suburbs of Washington DC.

Dozens of armed bodyguards resided in his mansion, guarding him from close range.

The majesty of America's top player.

But that was merely outward appearance.

In truth, it was no different from surveillance disguised as protection.

For that reason, Gerald spent most of his free time in a bunker installed in the basement of his house.

An underground bunker built so he could seek refuge in the event of a nuclear war breaking out.

It's nothing special either.

Because large Washington mansions were all equipped with at least this level of bunker.

And there is no CCTV here.

Locking the door from the inside,

Gerald took out the Rune Necklace of Liberation from his inventory and put it around his neck.

He pressed the necklace's rune hard! To liberate his player power.

This was the second time.

At that moment!

Vuuuung!

The aura of mana fluctuating inside his body.

"...Ahhh!"

Mana surged.

All the skills he had learned popped into his mind.

"Fireball."

Whoosh!

A clump of fire hovering above Gerald's hand.

Close-combat skills were the same.

Taking out his sword from his inventory and coating it with mana.

Jjiiiiing!

Sword energy coating it vividly.

Slash!

The thick chunk of rebar he brought in for experiments was sliced off in an instant.

'Unbelievable.'

He thinks he knows why the government is trying to regulate this item.

It is a dangerous item.

If all players possessed items like this, the world would perish right away.

By the hands of players.

Gerald also absolutely has no intention of using it outside.

Merely quietly in a place no one knows.

Just satisfying his desires in a timid manner.

The 1-hour duration quickly passed.

It's a shame, but it can't be helped.

Now the remaining number of uses is 1 time.

[Rune Necklace of Liberation.]

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

Limit : Can be used a total of 1 time. When the number of uses is depleted, the rune is destroyed.

'Isn't there a way to get one more somehow?'

Even just hiding secretly like this and playing around with it is satisfying.

'Since I played as much as I want.'

Gerald came out of the bunker again.

He should slowly prepare for the clear.

Climbing from the 68th floor of the West Tower, entering the 71st floor, and receiving the 4-piece gift set.

But why did they tell him to only fulfill the basic missions on the 72nd and 73rd floors of the East Tower?

What was that place like?

He heard the information, but he couldn't help feeling dissatisfied.

The 71st floor was very easy.

The additional selective mission and high-difficulty selective mission too.

Of course, the final super high-difficulty mission was difficult.

Dealing with the fleeing Necromancer Kate, that is.

Despite repeated clears, she was rarely caught.

As soon as she appeared she fired magic, and when he launched a finishing move, she fled with Blink or it was blocked by a protective shield.

Why isn't it working?

How did the Korean player catch Kate?

And with an S+++ grade clear at that.

His pride was hurt.

It's not that he's greedy for an S+++ grade clear.

Gerald also knows his place.

He doesn't have the slightest intention of competing with that player.

He merely wanted to normally clear the additional, high-difficulty, and super high-difficulty selective missions given on each floor.

But they're saying he can't even do that?

No matter what, this isn't right. He was America's top player.

And before the Korean S+++ grade clear player appeared, he was the world's best.

'What's there that I can't do.'

What should he do?

He has agonized over it since a long time ago.

The clear of the 72nd floor of the East Tower, that is.

And finally, Gerald decided.

'I should go up to the 72nd floor and see.'

He couldn't hold it back anymore.

He will only complete the additional selective mission and high-difficulty mission.

Excluding the super high-difficulty,

'I'll probably get an earful from Director Antonio later, but...'

So what?

If he clears it, the collapse deadline extends, so it's rather a good thing.

He just has to commit the act and apologize later.

'When should I go?'

Today.

He hasn't entered the tower yet.

Just in case, Gerald left a message for Director Antonio on his smartphone.

- I will go clear the 72nd floor of the East Tower and come back. Before clearing the West Tower.

Spot!

The disappearing Gerald.

And he failed to return.

Even after a whole day passed.

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

Yesterday was amazing.

The anthropophobic Alchemist Alliamari.

A typical keyboard warrior.

According to Gwangma's words, she was originally famous in the other world too.

The foul-mouthed elf.

Cursing openly and brazenly, they said.

So he said he didn't even dream that this elf was that elf.

To think the crazy elf actually had anthropophobia.

How could he not have known?

That was because of the method of communication in the other world.

From the conversation he had with Gwangma yesterday.

'Souls do not speak with their mouths.'

'Then by what method?'

'Within a certain area, souls resonate and convey their intentions in a telepathy format. It is a method quite similar to this chat window.'

It is understandable.

The elf Alliamari who lived alone for the long time of a thousand years.

Meeting people is naturally scary.

Anthropophobia.

Her cursing was closer to self-defense.

Or purposefully making them hate her, because that way no one would speak to her.

'I should probably converse with her just the two of us from now on if possible.'

At that moment. Jjiiiing!

The incoming phone call.

Checking it, it was Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

They just met yesterday.

"Hello."

- Ah, Player Bong, are you busy by any chance...

"No, I'm fine. What's the matter?"

- I just got off the phone with Director Antonio. However...

Director Antonio and Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il were normally acquainted.

He didn't know what they talked about on the phone, but there was a brief silence.

- It seems an abnormality has occurred regarding Player Gerald's personal safety.

"Pardon?"

Joo-hyuk was startled in surprise.

And for good reason.

'If it's Player Gerald...'

Isn't he our hyung-nim.

America's top player.

The first customer of the Holy Sword rental.

The benefactor who let him buy the penthouse by renting the Holy Sword twice a day.

"H-how? While climbing the tower by any chance?"

- That is correct. According to Director Antonio, Gerald said through a smartphone message that he was going to clear the 72nd floor of the East Tower and entered the tower...

"You mean he hasn't returned."

- Yes.

The 72nd floor.

He probably suffered a mishap while challenging the super high-difficulty 8th circle Necromancer Noma.

No, he earnestly requested him to only do up to the basic mission through Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

It's said America is on high alert due to that.

Currently a house-of-mourning atmosphere.

Is there a method?

There is none.

If a player doesn't come out, that's the end of it.

Things must be so desperate that he even contacted Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

- Player Bong, please always be careful too. If you let your guard down, a big disaster will happen. I implore you.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il must have been anxious, so he called him as well.

'Huu,'

Joo-hyuk also felt complicated.

Even though they've never seen each other face-to-face, aren't they fellow players.

And he's a thankful person who helped with the Holy Sword rental too.

It's lamentable.

Is there no way to save him?

'If I had known in advance...'

Well, he still would have been helpless.

The tower is this terrifying.

If you're doing well and then an accident erupts once, there's no way to reverse it.

He also has to be tense.

Because danger can strike at any time, anywhere.

Imagine if one of the summoned entities suffered a mishap.

He wouldn't see them for 100 days.

His heart aches even not seeing Gobang for 2 weeks.

'Still, I have the Rune of Resurrection.'

The Starter Pack he received as a privilege.

He could likely save them once.

Since he thought of it, Joo-hyuk took out the Starter Pack items from his inventory.

The Rune of Summoned Entity Resurrection, Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket, Tower Clear Mission Reset Ticket.

After receiving them all, he hadn't used them once.

The Tower Clear Mission Reset Ticket might have a use, perhaps.

What is the most fascinating item among these?

It's the Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket.

[Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket]

Effect : Intrudes into a tower floor a different player is currently clearing. Must match the entry level. Can be used from the 71st floor onwards.

To think he can enter a floor where another player is.

Honestly, does that make sense?

Because players' clears are unconditionally solo play.

'How is this used?'

Do I just tear it?

It was at that moment.

[Will you use the Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket?]

[Displays the list of Black Towers currently available for intrusion.]

[Ordered from lowest to highest player level.]

"Ah!"

Jureureureuk!

The items popping up.

They continued endlessly.

[Russia Black Tower 8th floor, level of the player currently clearing 8LV]

[UK Black Tower 9th floor, level of the player currently clearing 9LV]

[Vietnam Black Tower 10th floor, level of the player currently clearing 10LV]

[South Korea Black Tower 10th floor, level of the player currently clearing 10LV]

.

.

.

And lastly,

[Select the Black Tower floor you wish to intrude into and tear the ticket to immediately mobilize.]

'It was something like this?'

It's driving him crazy.

It conveniently outlines locations you want to intrude into.

And the level of the player on that floor.

Actually, when a player enters a tower, even if it's the exact same floor, the phases differ.

In other words, even if two players of the same level enter the same floor of a tower of the same nationality, they end up in different locations respectively.

But if it targets them like this?

You can go exactly to the place you want to enter.

Doesn't that mean you can enter like that and interfere with a specific player's tower clear or even kill them?

'I shouldn't use this.'

And in the future too.

Why enter a tower that someone else is clearing?

But wait?

"Huh?"

An entry displayed at the very bottom of the list caught Joo-hyuk's eye.

[America Black Tower (NO.1) 72nd floor, level of the player currently clearing 72LV]

"...What the?"

America Tower 72nd floor?

Even the East Tower.

The floor Gerald entered,

'Was there another 72-level player besides Gerald?'

No.

As far as Joo-hyuk knows, there isn't.

America Black Tower 71st floor was also cleared by Gerald.

'...Could this possibly be?'

If it is Gerald, the clear deadline has passed, so why does it still say he is currently clearing it?

'Is he perhaps alive?'

Or maybe a level 72 player other than Gerald could have entered.

He couldn't stay still.

He had to check.

'I'll enter the tower and summon the summoned entities.'

Joo-hyuk specified the tower and tore the Intrusion Ticket.

Riiip!

[Intruding into the 72nd floor of the America Black Tower (NO.1).]