Chapter 116 - Chapter 116

Chapter 116

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Secretary MacMillan and Director Antonio, who departed from America on a private jet, arrived at the Pyeongtaek US Military Base.

Gerald, who narrowly escaped death, was there.

He was secretly transported from Seoul to Pyeongtaek yesterday.

The fact that Gerald almost died is top secret.

No one must know.

Inside the base.

Entering a heavily guarded building,

Antonio and MacMillan finally met Gerald.

"Gerald!"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Gerald with an sheepish expression,

"I'm sorry. I am deeply reflecting on it. Something like this will never happen again."

Director Antonio suddenly hugged Gerald and said.

"As long as you're alive, it's fine. Just don't do it from next time on."

"I've come to my senses now. I will climb fitting my level."

"Right, speak in detail. What happened inside the tower?"

"If you ask what happened..."

Gerald unraveled the story.

MacMillan and Antonio listening while nodding their heads.

Actually, they heard the rough details from Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

But to hear it directly from the person involved, and to fact-check as well.

"Gerald."

"Yes."

"The person who said they saved you, is it this man?"

Director Antonio showed a photo on the tablet.

"Ah! That's right. It's this person. Haa, really, how should I thank him,"

The man in the photo is Bong Joo-hyuk.

They thought as much.

Who other than this person could pull off such a tremendous feat?

The excited Gerald poured out words incoherently.

"If this person hadn't saved me, I would have died. I'm telling you my soul was almost extracted? Do you know how horrifying of an experience it is?"

"I was really tearfully thankful. I wanted to convey my intentions with sincerity, but you don't know how frustrating it was because communication didn't work."

"I should learn Korean right away from now on and properly say thank you again. I should do a material reward too, right? Even if I have to empty out my entire fortune..."

Gerald's voice grew louder and louder.

MacMillan and Antonio understood him acting like that.

Because he's his lifesaver.

"Calm down. The reward will be processed at the American government level."

"I will personally make sure to do one too."

"We'll talk about that later."

Suddenly, as if Gerald remembered something.

"Ah! Since we're here, I will clear the West Tower from the 68th floor onwards with the Holy Sword rental."

"Why?"

"Because the rental fee goes to that person. Even if it's pocket change."

Antonio with a look of wonder.

"...Did you know this man is the actual owner of the Holy Sword?"

Gerald smirked, laughed, and said.

"Do you think I'm a fool? He's not only the actual owner of the Holy Sword but also the S+++ grade clearer. Is there anyone else besides that person who can use an item to enter the America Tower and rescue me?"

I suppose so,

"Got it. We'll do that, you just rest up for now."

Closing the door and coming out of the room, MacMillan spoke to Antonio.

"A Tower Intrusion Ticket..., he must have received it as a reward for the S+++ grade clear, right?"

"Of course. Could an item like that drop as an ordinary reward?"

A truly extraordinary item.

Though all tower items are like that, of course.

"The name is suspicious, but to our America, it was an item of salvation."

"It depends on how the item is used. The item is not salvation, but Bong Joo-hyuk, that person is the salvation."

That's right.

Depending on how it's used, an item could become poison, or it could become medicine.

The Multinational Tower Access Ticket, the Tower Intrusion Ticket, both are the same.

Forcefully clearing a specific country's tower to induce a tower collapse, or killing a player of another country.

However, Bong Joo-hyuk did not do that.

With the Multinational Tower Access Ticket, he helped countries whose collapse time limit was imminent.

With the Tower Intrusion Ticket, he rescued a player standing at the crossroads of life and death.

"To be honest, at first I thought he was a threat. Either way, isn't he an individual outside the bounds of control? And one possessing immense abilities at that."

That is so.

Nations are not pleased with individuals holding strong power.

"However, I should change my thoughts now. America owes him a great debt."

"As I said earlier, he is already a savior to us."

"His character is excellent too."

As soon as he confirmed someone was on the 72nd floor of the America Black Tower, he intruded.

Using that precious item freely.

Could an ordinary person do that?

Thinking of one's own profit first is the priority.

"Besides, we aren't the only ones who received his grace."

It wasn't just America.

The United Arab Emirates too, and France too.

"We shouldn't just stay still. A sufficient reward must be made at the government level. Phew, how much should we set the reward amount as."

MacMillan shook his head side to side and said.

"What money! Is Player Bong Joo-hyuk a poor person?"

"Right. That's why it's even harder."

Antonio with an expression as if he remembered something,

"Oh right! When I was on the phone with Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il earlier, I asked in advance what Player Bong Joo-hyuk needs the most."

MacMillan asking with sparkling eyes.

"Is that so? What did he say?"

"A Rune of Trait Enhancement. He said he probably won't need anything other than that."

Then with a bewildered look.

"A Rune of Trait Enhancement, a difficult task."

"Haa, correct. It's not an item that can be easily obtained either."

"In the market?"

"Well. I wonder if there is any volume left."

America also does not possess one currently.

If they had one, they would have fed it to Gerald a long time ago.

What is the market Secretary MacMillan speaks of?

It means exactly what the words say, a place where trades are made.

An intangible place where various items for players are traded secretly through a very covert channel.

In other words, the black market.

A place that has existed since players first started climbing towers.

There is also an organization that operates the black market.

However, because it's kept strictly secret, no one knows who the operating body is, or how large the organization is.

The American Intelligence Agency also tried to track the black market, but failed repeatedly.

Eliminating it is also impossible.

Since, in fact, the black market's main customers are various nations' governments rather than individuals.

The Runes of Trait Enhancement that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates swept up, the Tower Jumping Ticket secured by China, the Level-Up Rune purchased by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Where did all those come from?

"Try contacting the black market. If he needs it, we should get it for him."

"Yes, this is a matter of pride. If we receive help and pretend not to know, it's a disgrace to America."

"He has the right to receive what he wants."

Also, the most important objective.

"We can also make Player Bong and America's relationship even closer using this opportunity."

He is a person they must become close with.

The Rune of Trait Enhancement is merely a very small investment for camaraderie with Bong Joo-hyuk.

"The problem is the price..."

"The price when we purchased it during the last contact was 5 billion dollars."

"Hmm."

However, because it has become even more rare now.

"It will likely have risen at least double."

"Then 10 billion dollars?"

"Perhaps even more than that."

"I guess we'll have to get White House approval first."

Actually, ordinary, normal nations find it difficult to readily spend a large sum of money securing Runes of Trait Enhancement.

To enhance player abilities, there's nothing like this, but because they have no choice but to hesitate at the overly expensive price.

However, America is different.

Isn't it a nation that prints dollars?

"If there's enough volume, buy two. Because we will give one to Gerald."

"What if we can only get one?"

"Naturally we should hand it over to Bong Joo-hyuk."

From now on, tower climbing will become increasingly difficult.

One cannot even predict what will happen.

Just looking at Kavalan's curse right now is proof enough.

Didn't they witness with their own eyes how Japan suffered?

They must have insurance.

That is, the solid insurance called Bong Joo-hyuk.

Cheongdam-dong penthouse.

Joo-hyuk felt very good.

To the extent his shoulders surged up enough to ascend to heaven.

Saving someone in danger and receiving sincere gratitude.

You don't know the feeling if you haven't done it.

How proud he was.

"So that bastard Gerald, he didn't wipe his mouth clean by any chance, did he, sir? Without giving anything in return, sir?"

"What do you mean 'that bastard'! He is our Holy Sword rental customer. Of course I heard the words 'thank you'."

Cossack's somewhat complaint-mixed expression,

"What did he say, sir?"

"Umm... Thank you?"

Actually he said a lot more than that, but because his English was lacking he couldn't understand.

"Then what did Summoner Bong say, sir?"

"...You're welcome?"

Cossack lamented while slapping the floor with his palms, tang-tang.

"Oh my, he wiped his mouth. You got hit in the back of the head, sir. This is why you shouldn't just save indiscriminately, sir. You should have negotiated first saying 'how much will you give me before that?'. Actually."

Tsk tsk, that snobbish nature.

"We're saving a person, huh? Should we hope for a price in return? Huh? The meaning fades away then!"

Cossack still seemed aggrieved.

"Isn't America a rich country, sir? They should have tossed at least around 1 billion dollars, chuk."

Wow, this gentleman has a big liver.

"Is 1 billion dollars a dog's name? It's 1.3 trillion won, the price of one high-rise building in Gangnam."

"Umm, that is true, sir. Still, at least around 500 million dollars..."

"They will contact me separately later."

Honestly, he doesn't harbor zero expectations.

He saved America's top player,

Saying 'We will give you a reward' while sticking about 300 million dollars in his bank account, how great would it be?

Anyway, Joo-hyuk and the summoned entities spending their leisurely time.

Each watching TV, or web surfing on a tablet, or taking a nap,

He summoned Mari as well.

Excluding Sir Gwangma.

Because if he put the two of them together, they might fight.

Rajix, carrying a tray filled with drinks and snacks, toddled over.

He knocked on the door of the room where Mari was holed up with his short arms, tok-tok, and left the tray in front of the door before returning.

A moment later,

Peek, the door opening, and a white hand dragging the tray in, sseueuk, the door closing with a thud.

"...Wow! It's amazing, sir. A corner hikikomori, tremendous anthropophobia, sir."

"Still, it seems she opened her heart to Rajix."

"Rajix isn't a servant human, sir. He's a hamster, sir."

Is that why?

"But does Summoner Bong have no friends, sir?"

"...."

What?

Do you want to fight?

"Going out occasionally, meeting friends, and doing things like hobby activities is good for your mental health, sir."

"...."

Does he think I don't do it because I don't know that.

"You should go to things like alumni reunions too, sir."

I have to get contacted to go.

"An alumni reunion, how great is it, sir?"

"...What's so great about it?"

Cossack, seemingly excited.

"One day, receiving contact that an alumni reunion is being held, Summoner Bong stealthily reveals his appearance at the gathering of alumni dressed like a beggar, sir. Then the alumni will think like this, sir."

How?

"Tsk tsk, Bong Joo-hyuk, is life hard for him these days? He looks like an unemployed bum? He came to ruin the reunion. How dare he come to a sacred reunion dressed in such shabby clothes? Is he going to try and sell us jade mats?"

Hmm.

"But just as the reunion finishes and everyone is heading home, Summoner Bong takes a car key out of his pocket and presses it, kok! sir. Then over there, a Bentley flashes its headlights and lets out a magnificent starting sound... Kyaah!"

A story I've seen a lot somewhere,

"Everyone, with surprised gazes, 'Whoa! Whose car is that?', staring blankly with their mouths open, and Summoner Bong getting in the Bentley with a thud! sir."

This is... I can imagine it?

"The gazes that looked down on Summoner Bong instantly turn into gazes of envy. 'That car, was it Joo-hyuk's? He succeeded!' Hearing those words, you say one sentence, sir."

Saying what.

"The 61-story building over there, actually it's mine. Come visit sometime."

"...."

Is this gentleman currently reading web novels?

"I'm reading chaebol stories, sir."

"Yes yes, read them diligently."

"Yep!"

Well, he doesn't have to go to alumni reunions.

How many friends does he have here?

Regardless of race, regardless of gender, regardless of age.

Rather, Alchemist Mari in the corner is more of a worry.

She needs to get close with the summoned entities quickly.

He should take this opportunity to converse with her.

Inviting her to a personal chat room,

[Real Man] : Knock knock, what are you doing?

[Mari] : I'm playing on the tablet.

She's not getting into comment battles on weird sites or posting malicious comments, right?

[Real Man] : Excuse me, when conversing with other people, I wish you would at least not use curses.

[Mari] : I'll try.

She's so normal normally.

[Real Man] : What kind of academic discipline is alchemy? Is it making elixirs, spiritual medicines, or potions?

[Mari] : That's right. As long as I have the materials, anything is possible. The most used ones are medicinal herbs.

Medicinal herbs.

Tower materials whose true nature has not yet been revealed.

Research is progressing, but still, no meaningful results were coming out.

However, with Mari being summoned, the day when medicinal herbs are properly used will come soon.

[Real Man] : What kind of medicines can you make?

[Mari] : Well, healing potions or elixirs for mana, muscle strength, agility, wisdom, or spiritual medicines that permanently increase stats.

[Real Man] : What about mass production?

[Mari] : As much as you want. As long as the materials are enough.

Not bad, right?

Potions also drop from tower rewards.

But the quantity is ludicrously insufficient and the price is expensive.

However, if it's mass production?

Being able to purchase to their heart's content at a cheap price, players will become even safer.

[Real Man] : By any chance, can you produce other things too? For example, runes...

[Mari] : Runes?

[Real Man] : Rune of Trait Enhancement.

[Mari] : Hmm, that is impossible. Unless it's Nectar or Elixir.

Nectar and Elixir?

[Mari] : Nectar is good. If you drink it, Summoner-nim will live a long, long time. Healthy without aging.

[Real Man] : Like an Elixir of Rejuvenation?

[Mari] : That is the lowest-grade Nectar. Only granting 10 years.

The Elixir of Rejuvenation was the lowest-grade Nectar.

[Real Man] : And Elixir?

[Mari] : It varies by type. Elixir of Enhancement, Elixir of Resurrection, Elixir of Healing.

Oh!

This is enticing.

[Real Man] : What is needed to make an Elixir?

[Mari] : The main materials needed when producing the top-grade ones are a Dragon Heart, Phoenix Feather, Fruit of the World Tree, Top-grade Mana Stones..., and the Philosopher's Stone.

...What the?

Where are those things?

[Mari] : I possess the Philosopher's Stone. We just need to find the rest of the materials.

Those rest of the materials are the problem.

[Real Man] : Do you know where to get them by any chance? Is it possible in the tower too?

[Mari] : Of course. They are all things that come out of the tower.

[Real Man] : On which floor?

[Mari] : At least the 80th floor or above.

[Real Man] : Ah, yes yes.

For now, pie in the sky.

Are they saying something like dragons appear past the 80th floor?

'Hmm.'

As expected, nothing is easy.

Even after summoning an LSSR grade Alchemist.

What do I do?

Do I have to climb again?

Anyway, not now.

After Gobang returns.

[Real Man] : I will search hard for the materials and bring them to you. Ms. Mari doesn't need to enter the tower, so work comfortably in your room.

An Alchemist is a non-combat personnel.

Besides, since she likes being alone.

[Mari] : I can be helpful in combat too.

[Real Man] : Of course. Making elixirs alone will be a big help.

[Mari] : It's not elixirs, um, there's something I made... I will give it to you now.

'What is she going to give me?'

At that moment!

The room door opening with a creak.

Then a round object the size of a basketball rolled out, de-gu-reu-reu.

'Huh?'

Joo-hyuk went closer, picked up the object, and examined it.

It was a silver metal ball.

A perfect sphere without a single joint.

[Mari] : It's a Homunculus. A masterpiece that only high-ranking alchemists can transmute, if there is a sufficient number, they can face a dragon too.

Homunculus,

A little person in Latin.

[Mari] : I can make more for you. As long as there are enough various tower metals like Adamant and Orichalcum, rare medicinal herbs, and Mana Stones.

However, it doesn't match at all.

'This is a Homunculus?'

It's not even shaped like a human.

Just a ball.

Made of metal, it's quite heavy too.

What do I do with this?

Do I play ball with monsters?

[Mari] : Excuse me, sorry, but please make a cut on your finger and get some blood on the sphere.

[Real Man] : How much?

[Mari] : Just a little.

Ugh, I don't want to make a wound.

Still, let's do as she tells me.

Joo-hyuk went to the sink, pricked the tip of his finger with a kitchen knife, and drew blood.

After doing that, as he touched the metal ball.

Jjiiing.

The vibrating ball.

At the same time, it shone radiantly.

Like the sun.

And,

"Ah!"

He felt something.

Joo-hyuk and the metal sphere.

Those two were connecting right now.

He stood blankly for a long while.

At the same time, he realized.

How he should use this.

Joo-hyuk let go of the hand holding the metal sphere.

Dropping to the floor with a thud!

Chwa-ra-ra-rak!

The shattering pieces.

The pieces kept collapsing while bouncing on the floor.

Small pieces into smaller pieces.

Smaller pieces into even smaller pieces.

Finally, the metal sphere turned into very small silver granules and piled up on the living room floor.

Small silver granules.

However, he could tell.

These are not simple pieces.

Each and every one is actually an individual Homunculus.

Joo-hyuk manifested his will.

Telling them to come to him.

Cheu-cheu-chut!

The silver granules moving.

Like living snakes, they clumped together, wrapped around Joo-hyuk's clothes, and crawled up.

Cheu-cheu-cheu-cheu-chut!

What do they look like?

They're so small he has to look closely to see them.

Each piece is about 5mm in size.

They do look human.

Just with a head, torso, arms, and legs.

There are no eyes, nose, or mouth.

'Is this why it's a Homunculus, a little person?'

To give an analogy, a pictogram.

A restroom sign or traffic sign, an emergency exit sign, or a symbol indicating a person used to express a sports category... that is.

About tens of thousands of those Homunculus granules shaped like that.

'It's like nanobots.'

Controlled according to his will.

It's not an ordinary alchemical object.

It's something the LSSR-grade Alchemist Mari made.

He can even use them in reality.

'I'll have to practice.'

Until he becomes proficient.