Chapter 115 - Chapter 115

Chapter 115

===================

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

===================

The 72nd floor Necromancer Noma's workshop.

On the altar drawn with a pentagram and an incantation circle.

Player Gerald was squirming.

He could not move, nor could he speak.

Even though the clear time limit had passed, he could not exit the tower.

Isn't it an automatic exit when the time limit passes?

However, even though a day had passed, he remained bound to the altar just like that.

'...Why did it turn out like this?'

The 72nd floor clear.

It was easy as expected.

Just like the 71st floor mission.

Basic mission completed.

He defeated things like Chimeras without difficulty.

However, the subsequent additional selective clear.

A situation ended up occurring there.

Suddenly, Tti-ring!

A system message popped up.

[The mission has changed.]

It changed?

What?

[From the additional selective mission onwards, it is a conditional clear.]

Conditional clear.

[If you do not wish to, you may exit the tower here.]

[Upon clear success, 10 times the High-Grade Mana Stones and an additional clear reward will be given with a 100% probability.]

He had heard about it.

The information Director Antonio heard from the South Korea Awakening Management Agency.

If a mission called a conditional clear pops up, forfeit unconditionally and exit the tower.

He had to choose.

Does he only do the basic mission and leave, or does he proceed with the additional selective mission even if it's a conditional clear.

The answer was already there.

Did he come to only do the basic mission?

He entered with the intention to carry out the additional missions from the beginning, at least up to the high-difficulty.

Even if he gave up on the super high-difficulty.

And what about the rewards?

How could he suppress that?

So he proceeded.

However.

[The conditional clear has been established.]

[Necromancer Kate and Necromancer Noma are joining the additional mission.]

'What?'

[The high-difficulty and super high-difficulty selective missions will also proceed automatically.]

[Midway forfeiture is impossible.]

To think midway forfeiture is impossible.

The Chimeras that appeared simultaneously.

On top of that, a woman and an old man appeared wearing name tags on their heads.

"It's you? I was going to go catch you with my master anyway, but you showed up on your own two feet?"

So it was going to proceed like this?

The consequence of missing Necromancer Kate on the 71st floor appears on the 72nd floor?

He fought desperately.

He poured out all his skills.

However, it was inadequate.

He's in this state now, and,

Midway forfeiture is impossible.

That meaning is that if he fails the clear, he is trapped in the tower.

"How do you feel?"

Necromancer Kate whispered in Gerald's ear.

"You're curious, aren't you? I'll let you know what will happen to you."

With a seemingly sneering expression, she said,

"First, I will extract your soul. Your soul will be used to enhance our cutie Hydra, and your body... I will specially make it into a Chimera for you."

Extract my soul?

Make me into a Chimera?

"Well, the pure souls of young children have the best effect, but... we failed because of you. You have to pay the price. It's a dirty soul, but I'll use it well."

A fake topic daring to do what to a real human?

Things made for the tower's missions.

To compare it to a game, NPC-like bastards to think they could.

"To be honest, I liked you."

You're being funny.

Just kill me!

"You saw it in my village, didn't you? That day you killed the mercenary boys without hesitation."

What about it?

"Even when the village youths and elders died, even when the mother protecting the children died, even when the older children were killed, you didn't even blink an eye, did you?"

So what do you want me to do?

It's a mission.

A mission the tower gave.

"Actually, the way of a normal adventurer is to save the people first. But you didn't, you probably would have killed the villagers too if it was necessary, right?"

...What?

"I like villains. A despicable, cruel, and selfish one. Shall I say similar people are drawn to each other."

What is this?

How dare an NPC-like existence bring up human ethics?

'If it was the real world, I would have saved the people first.'

How could comparing actual living humans with the tower's content targets...

'Hmm.'

A question suddenly springing up.

Are they really manufactured humans?

Are existences that converse, mock, confess (?), and argue right and wrong like this really fakes?

Gerald recalled the events that happened in the 71st floor village.

The smell of blood he caught as soon as he opened the door, the screams of the people.

The villagers were dying at the hands of mercenaries, and children were being kidnapped.

The mercenary bastard trying to kill a woman with his sword raised high, the child who died trying to protect his mother.

Looking back, it was a gruesome sight.

What did he do at the time?

He had merely watched.

Because the important thing was the mission.

'...Damn it!'

No matter how fake they were, he shouldn't have done that.

He should have saved the people first.

Rushing guilt.

Gerald's mind was crumbling.

"Kate, pull it out now. It seems to be ready."

"Yes, Master."

Kate placed a round object in Gerald's mouth.

It was an orb of soul extraction.

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

Joo-hyuk appeared on the 72nd floor.

He immediately called out the summoned entities.

As soon as they came out, Gyeon Dal-rae spoke.

"Young Master, is this not the 72nd floor? Is it another treasure trove by any chance."

"We already robbed it once, there's no way there'll be items."

However,

"Ho-e, there are."

"Huh? There are?"

That's right. Of course there are.

Joo-hyuk explained the reason they came here in detail to the summoned entities.

"You really pop up in the East and flash in the West, sir. Following France, it's America this time, sir. You're Summoner Bong who plays worldwide, sir. Hehehe."

Well, it just happened that way.

"Welcome to the America Black Tower Seventy Second Floor, sir."

"..."

What the?

Why is he so good at English?

"Let's go check first. If it is Gerald, if he is, whether he is alive, and if he is alive, we have to bring him out."

"Yep!"

"This old man shall open the path."

One spot remains.

Then he'll call the Blood Wolf too.

"Ho-e-e!"

"Woof woof!"

Rajix welcoming it.

The Blood Wolf wagging its tail.

These guys seem to have become soulmates too, just like Gobang and Bardin.

Gwangma advanced forward without hesitation.

He was so fast it was even hard to keep up.

'The mission doesn't pop up.'

Naturally.

Because this is a place another player is clearing.

Because he merely intruded.

Eventually, the large cavern of the dungeon came into view.

Necromancer Noma's workshop.

But then?

"Oh my? Who are you guys?"

It was Kate.

She realized what the situation was.

She wasn't caught on the 71st floor.

"Master Sergeant Be."

"Aim complete."

Jjiiiiing!

Pa-ju-ju-juk!

Jiggle!

"Wh-what?"

Powwww!

By Master Sergeant Be, in 3 towers, with 3 jiggles, Kate dying 3 times.

"Sir Gwangma."

Spot!

Gwangma already grabbing Necromancer Noma's head.

Crack!

The Super Demonic Beast Hydra too.

Pa-ju-ju-juk! Kwaaak! Slaaaash!

Hit by a flail, sniped by a magic gun, Cossack's knife-wielding, to Gwangma's finishing move.

But right at that moment!

Something caught Joo-hyuk's eyes.

A person who looked like a player was laid out on the Necromancer's altar.

As he approached closer.

"...Gerald."

It was him.

And a pale face.

He seemed as if he was a dead person.

Was he too late?

As he placed his ear on the chest area, a faintly beating heart.

"Phew,"

That's a relief.

Even if he was a little bit late.

Joo-hyuk shook Gerald.

"Hello? Mr. Gerald? Is it Watson?"

Then, Gerald opened his eyes stealthily.

'...What?'

But he could not speak.

A stiffly frozen tongue.

A still unwhole mind.

"Oh right, you wouldn't know Korean."

Gerald was bewildered even in his dazed state.

Who is this Asian who suddenly appeared?

'An illusion?'

Anyway, his senses returned for a moment, but it was hard to hold on.

Thud!

Gerald lost consciousness again.

"Uh-uh? Why did he faint again?"

Cossack ran over quickly.

"I will wake him up, sir."

Slap slap!

Slapping Gerald's cheeks,

"Hey, Gerald, wake up! Wake up! Open your eyes! What's the matter?"

"..."

This gentleman is really good at English since earlier.

Anyway, since he isn't waking up.

'What should I do?'

And.

"Ho-eng!"

"Woof!"

Rajix appearing riding the Blood Wolf.

Looking at his expression, he must have robbed the treasure trove again.

As expected of the Universal Great Thief.

In any case, he thinks he should exit the tower.

But nothing happened.

Kate died, Noma died, and the Hydra died too.

Isn't it an exit if the clear is a success?

'Umm,'

He has a guess.

It's a floor whose clear time limit had already passed anyway.

With Gerald rushing in fearlessly and ending up in this state, how could a clear success judgment come out?

'It became a closed floor.'

Then how does he get out?

[Will you exit the intruded floor?]

"Oh!"

As expected of the system.

There are procedures for everything.

Joo-hyuk lifted Gerald in his arms.

"Exit!"

Spot!

Cheongdam-dong penthouse.

Gerald was laid down gently on the bed.

He hadn't regained consciousness yet, but,

By this time his complexion should return and he should at least show signs of waking up, but he seemed to be getting worse.

An increasingly pale complexion as time went by.

He might die at this rate.

'Do I have to take him to a hospital at least?'

No.

If it were a general illness, he would have gone to the hospital immediately, but this is magical damage.

There would be nothing a doctor could do.

'I should call in an expert.'

He sent one back first.

"Blood Wolf unsummon."

Spot!

The Blood Wolf returning,

He entered the room Gerald was laid in and,

"Alliamari designated summon."

Spot! Mari coming out.

Despite it being her third summon, Alchemist Mari was still squatting with her head stuck to the corner wall.

"Ms. Mari?"

Flinch!

It seemed difficult for her to even hear people's voices.

She can't speak, and she can't listen either.

It's a severe case. A severe case.

A conversation started with the tablet.

Tap tap tap, tapping the keyboard.

[Mari] : Thank you for calling me. And for the 5-star rating. I don't know if I'm qualified to receive it.

Of course I have to give 5 stars.

Even if she's a foul-mouthed keyboard warrior.

[Real Man] : Oh my, don't mention it. Our Ms. Mari is always full marks. Oh right! I have a favor to ask.

[Mari] : Please speak.

[Real Man] : There's a player who was attacked by a Necromancer, and he still hasn't regained his senses.

[Mari] : That man on the bed?

[Real Man] : Yes.

Mari moved from her seated position by pushing her buttocks on the floor.

As if she didn't want to show her face even to the Summoner.

In that very back posture, Mari sat on the bed and turned her head to observe Gerald closely.

Her anthropophobia doesn't seem to apply to an unconscious person.

[Mari] : It's right that it's necromancy. He suffered soul extraction. Open the inside of his mouth.

Indeed, a single red orb was inside Gerald's mouth.

[Real Man] : What do I do with this?

[Mari] : Take it out and break it.

Joo-hyuk did as instructed.

Crunch! The breaking orb.

[Mari] : It hasn't been long since it was extracted, so the soul should find its proper place.

[Real Man] : Then does he wake up right away?

[Mari] : His life force was severely damaged too, and his mind was contaminated, if I feed him an Elixir of Purification and a Potion of Revitalization, I think he will wake up soon.

Oh!

As expected, diagnosing it properly just with a glance.

The prescription came out too.

[Mari] : I just need to purify the mental contamination and fill up his life force. I can make the medicine. The necessary medicinal herbs are....

Mari densely wrote down the names of the medicinal herbs on a paper.

Would he have the medicinal herbs?

"Mr. Rajix."

As he called his name.

Roll roll roll, the Universal Top Servant rolling into the room.

"Ho-eng?"

Joo-hyuk showed Rajix the list of medicinal herbs Mari wrote down.

"Can you procure these?"

"Ho-e, I have them now."

"Oh!"

It seems he steadily nurtured medicinal herbs in his spare time too.

Actually, they are the least profitable items among the tower materials, so he didn't even pay mind to them.

Rajix placed the medicinal herbs next to Mari.

As Mari received the herbs.

[Mari] : He's a competent worker.

[Real Man] : He is the Universal Top Servant.

She definitely has a good eye since she's around the LSSR grade.

[Mari] : I'll bring out the alchemy shelf. It won't take long.

Sreureuk!

A table appeared in front of Mari.

Because she's a production class, she seems to carry a subspace item too.

[Real Man] : Let's take some time next time and have a deep conversation about alchemy together.

[Mari] : Yes™ª

The elixir was made quickly.

Now he just has to feed it to him and it's over.

After doing so.

'Should I slowly try calling Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il?'

Joo-hyuk called Jeon Kwang-il using his smartphone.

Jeon Kwang-il ran like crazy in the underground parking lot of Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

He was half out of his mind.

He was out of breath.

Not because he ran.

He trembled so much that it was like that.

Who is in Player Bong's house?

Gerald?

No, what kind of dog-eating-grass nonsense is this?

If it weren't Player Bong, he would have shouted like that.

However, who was the one who said it.

How could he not believe it?

If it's true, by what means?

He did hear the explanation.

A ticket that intrudes into towers, going into the 72nd floor of the America Tower with that, blah blah.

Detailed conversation later.

First, verify it with his own eyes.

Jeon Kwang-il rang the doorbell in front of the penthouse's exclusive elevator.

"I-I'm in front of the elevator right now."

The door opening on its own.

Swhoosh! The elevator went up rapidly.

Ding!

Arriving at the penthouse, as soon as the doors opened, he entered through the front door.

"Player Bong-nim."

"That room over there. He is still asleep, but he should wake up soon."

"Ah, yes yes."

Hurrying and swinging the room door open to look.

"...Gasp!"

It was really Gerald.

Could he not know?

They conversed a lot while lending him the Holy Sword.

Suddenly!

"Ugh."

Gerald regained consciousness groaning.

And while raising his upper body, he made eye contact with Jeon Kwang-il.

"Gerald?"

"...Deputy Director?"

The two simply stared at each other blankly.

"Why is the Deputy Director here?"

"W-well."

"This is inside the tower... Gasp?"

He doesn't know if he can explain it.

America Washington DC.

The living room of Gerald's house.

People were gathered full inside.

But a gloomy atmosphere.

There wasn't a single person who opened their mouth.

Director Antonio with a despairing expression.

If only this was all a dream,

Gerald entered the tower leaving a message that he was going to clear the 72nd floor.

However, he still hadn't come out.

Even though well over a day had passed.

America had lost its top player.

The hero who successfully cleared two towers for his homeland.

"Pull yourself together, it's an irreversible matter, so we must prepare for the future."

MacMillan with a heavy expression too,

"It was force majeure for us. How can we stop a player from entering the tower?"

"No. It's truly negligent management. I was careless."

Players who enter the tower and smoothly deal with terrifying monsters.

It is a big miscalculation to think they are strong people just by looking at their outward appearance.

If you get to know them, they are endlessly weak existences.

That's why sticking to their side and managing their self-esteem and mentality is very important.

Director Antonio considers that he failed to do that.

"I will bear all responsibility. I will step down from my position."

"Tsk, if you step down, I also..."

At that moment! Jjiiiiing!

A phone call came to Antonio's smartphone.

However, now is not the time to be taking phone calls.

If he leaves it, it'll probably disconnect soon.

But jjiiiing! Jjiiiing! Jjiiiing...

It kept ringing.

It disconnected midway and called again.

Jjiiiing! Jjiiiing!

'...Who on earth is it?'

Checking the screen, it was Jeon Kwang-il from the South Korea Awakening Management Agency.

Looks like he's trying to call to offer condolences...

'Even though he knows what the situation is like right now.'

However,

Jjiiiing! Jjiiiing! Jjiiiing! Jjiiiing!

"...What the fuck!!!"

Anger surged up.

Is he crazy?

Why does he keep calling?

Antonio answered the phone.

"What is it? The reason you called?"

He snappy with a voice full of annoyance.

"Do you not know what has happened right now? Why would someone who knows better! Who? Gerald? He's in Korea? What kind of big deal is... Mmm, ah! W-wait a minute!"

Did I mishear?

"...Wh-who is in Korea?"

Everyone's gazes focused on Antonio answering the phone.

"Gerald?"

To think it's Gerald.

"Our player Gerald Watson? That Gerald, America's top player, is in Korea? Are you certain?"

What kind of out-of-the-blue nonsense is this?

They checked with the CCTV.

Gerald entering the tower.

And that he couldn't come out even after a day passed.

"Antonio, what are you talking about?"

As MacMillan asked, Antonio raised his hand as if asking him to wait.

"I-if this is a joke or a prank, I'll kill you... Proof? Yes, r-right now, please send it to me."

Right at that moment!

Tti-ring!

A ringing message notification sound.

It was a photo.

A man looking very healthy.

Gerald.

It was certain.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il was also next to him.

Is it really Gerald?

"...My goodness!"

What is this?

Why is he in Korea?

But does that matter right now.

Director Antonio threw his hand up.

"...Oh my god! He was alive! I said he was alive!"

"Really? Show me too."

"Wait a moment. ...Deputy Director Jeon? Can I speak with Gerald? Yes, please pass the phone to him."

"Put it on speaker mode!"

And a moment later.

A tremendous roar of cheers resounded, loud enough to blow off the roof of Gerald's large mansion.