Chapter 117 - Chapter 117

Chapter 117

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Homunculus.

A high-end masterpiece that only high-ranking alchemists can transmute.

They look like small humans, but each one does not possess intelligence or life force.

They are merely a kind of tool.

Things that can be moved with the user's will and power.

Orders are given with will.

And to perform actions according to those instructions, mana or internal energy is required.

That's right.

Homunculi that consume energy.

Simple movements alone do not consume much.

However, if they perform even slightly complex actions, quite a bit of energy goes into it.

The consumption of energy.

Is it a disadvantage?

No, it is an advantage.

And a tremendous advantage at that.

The core of the Homunculus lies right here.

Each entity receives his energy to move.

Naturally, they can also cast skills.

For now, Joo-hyuk stuffed all the Homunculi into his inventory.

How convenient it is to carry them around too.

Keeping them in there like this and only taking out the number you can move.

Since he's still merely a beginner, just 100 as a taste test.

Because their size is the size of an ant, even saying 100 doesn't even make up a handful.

Then shall we begin?

The Homunculi lined up in rows and columns.

'Forward march!'

Then the little Homunculi moved their feet, chak chak chak chak!

'Right face.'

Chak chak chak chak!

'To the left.'

Chak chak chak chak!

'Halt!'

Chak!

Starting from simple commands like this.

'Can you bring me the smartphone?'

Chak chak chak chak!

Homunculi bringing the smartphone on their heads like doing log exercises.

Knowing what Joo-hyuk wants and the errand of bringing it.

Now for the highlight.

Joo-hyuk manifested his will.

It was minute, but,

Sseueuk, along with the feeling of internal energy draining,

Uung, the 100 Homunculi glowing red.

Blood Jade Astral Aura.

The skill unleashed by 100 Homunculi with a body height of 5mm.

For the experiment, Cossack picked up a paving block.

What is the power, indeed?

The Blood Jade Astral Aura Homunculi ran, do-do-do-do, and charged at the block.

Pa-sak! Pa-sa-sa-sak! Geu-geuk, geu-geu-geuk,

The paving block getting pulverized into pieces in a breath.

Clap clap clap clap!

The summoned entities who saw that sight cheered while sending applause.

"Oooooh! It's cool, sir."

"My Lord! It is excellent."

"It is a tremendous invention. Indeed, it seems there is no shortage even if she is called an LSSR Alchemist."

"Ho-e!"

Gwangma also admired it sincerely.

"She is a foul-mouthed crazy elf, but even this old man cannot help but admire. How could such an object."

It's not just the Blood Jade Astral Aura.

What about movement speed?

Checked with Shadow Step.

Spot! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat...

The penthouse living room flashed.

Even though they were short, they could jump up to the height of a person's head.

100 Homunculi unleashing Shadow Step all at once was truly a spectacle.

They could even unleash it simultaneously together with the Blood Jade Astral Aura.

'It's not bad, is it?'

The internal energy consumption isn't big either.

Then again, it's only 100 of them.

If he overexerts himself, up to how many could he move?

The earnest experiment later.

Lastly.

'Hunwon Thunderclap Staff, Falling Thunder Flash.'

Pa-chik! Pa-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chik!

100 tiny sparks covering the empty air of the living room implicitly all at once.

"Euhik!"

"Ho-e-e-ek?"

"It is beautiful."

"Light!!!"

"Hohoho."

It was fantastic.

It was like watching a miniature firework display.

As expected of the LSSR Alchemist.

So what if she has anthropophobia? Huh? I suppose she can say harsh words with the keyboard a bit.

Now he just has to test it in the tower.

Whether it has uses when hunting monsters.

'Orcs should be about right.'

For several days, he immersed himself only in repeated clears.

Raising the proficiency of the Homunculi.

Inside the tower, and in reality.

Time passed.

Thus, the number of Homunculi Joo-hyuk could control at his will was about 3000.

Even if saying that, it's not much, but,

Only now finally...

'I should be able to play a part too.'

Safely.

By just clicking his hands.

South Korea Awakening Management Agency.

Jeon Kwang-il and Park Kyung-soo in the middle of a conversation.

"Did Gerald depart the country?"

"Yes, he cleared the 71st floor of the America West Tower yesterday and left for America."

"A truly amazing player, to think he would jump right into clearing when he almost died."

There is a reason Gerald is America's top player.

His mental recovery was very fast.

If you get to know it, this too is a tremendous talent.

"Were there no other words?"

"He asked me to pass his regards to Player Bong. Saying he will come again soon and repay the favor."

"And?"

"He said he was happy to make up for the mistake he made on the 71st floor."

"What mistake?"

"I wouldn't know."

Director Park Kyung-soo smirked.

"Anyway, leaving Gerald aside, shouldn't there be a reward for Player Bong at the American government level or something?"

"I gave them a hint. About what Player Bong wants."

"What did you say?"

"A Rune of Trait Enhancement, of course."

"Good job. That is the best compared to a few pennies. Did you tell Player Bong?"

"Not yet, I should tell him when it's definitely decided. Since they might not be able to obtain it."

It's a difficult item to get ahold of.

If he told him in advance and it misfired, how big would the disappointment be?

"By the way, about your trip to the Blue House...?"

"Ah! That?"

Park Kyung-soo who attended an emergency Cabinet meeting today.

The meeting agenda was the rapidly changing situation in North Korea.

"What is there for me to say? I just listened to explanations on how the situation is turning out."

"How is the situation?"

Director Park Kyung-soo explained the contents discussed in the meeting to Jeon Kwang-il.

"...Haa, it really is a dumbfounding occurrence."

"Same for me, it's something we haven't experienced until now."

How many players does South Korea have?

Players whose status window nationality is set to South Korea, that is.

They knew it was roughly between 7,000 and 10,000 people.

However, that was a thing of the past.

The numbers were exploding.

They don't even know exactly how many people there are.

The cause of becoming like that?

South Korea is the nation that cleared the genuine Kavalan.

The benefit of that is that the probability of item rewards increased drastically.

It is the highest in the entire world.

On top of that, the demand for High-Grade Mana Stones is on a trend of gradually increasing.

Even a week ago, the price of a High-Grade Mana Stone was twice that of a normal Mana Stone, but now it has skyrocketed to quadruple.

Because of that reason, the South Korea status window nationality is the wannabe of players worldwide.

The amount of mined High-Grade Mana Stones is superior, and equipment items, new elixirs, potions, etc., were dropping continuously as rewards not infrequently.

Even though prices dropped due to the Player Shop, equipment items are still expensive.

Because a single throwing dagger starts at 100 million won.

However, in the South Korea Black Tower, they can be obtained for free.

Because of that, naturalization requests were flooding into the South Korean government and embassies.

However, the South Korean government was also not accepting naturalizations.

What is the alternative then?

Is there not a method to enter the South Korea Black Tower?

There is.

Is South Korea the only Korea?

North Korea is Korea too.

North Korea.

It's a different country, but a nation that shares the same tower.

If South Korea doesn't work out, then to North Korea.

Naturalization requests flooded into nations where North Korean embassies were located.

What is the type of naturalization?

Short-term temporary naturalization.

Naturally, a price followed.

On the condition of being granted temporary naturalization for a month, money had to be paid to the North Korean government.

Even still, they lined up.

Because they could aim to hit the jackpot with High-Grade Mana Stone mining and acquiring equipment items.

Also, since it's merely changing the status window nationality, there's no need to actually go to North Korea.

Because they just have to comfortably climb from the country they originally lived in.

"The North Korean government is raking in money through the naturalization business. The North Korean government's corners of the mouth are hooked to their ears."

How great would it be if that money went to the North Korean citizens?

However, there won't ever be a possibility of that happening.

"How much did they say the number of players increased?"

"Well, they say it's so many that grasping the number is impossible."

"...It's crazy."

He couldn't help but be taken aback.

Has there been a case like this since players began awakening?

"India, China, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South America... Anyway, it's the case for all nations worldwide where there is a North Korean embassy. Because it is spreading like a trend."

Then what about other countries?

Even if it's temporary naturalization, their own country's players are leaking to North Korea, would they stay still?

Funnily enough, they were not applying any particular regulations.

There are even countries that encourage it.

Why?

Because it helps the economy.

Even if players temporarily naturalize to North Korea, they still have to sell the High-Grade Mana Stones, by-products, and items to their home countries where they originally lived.

There's nothing difference.

Rather, a situation where High-Grade Mana Stones, which can only be obtained by clearing the 70th floor, are being released, is there any country that would refuse?

Also, the people requesting temporary naturalization are primarily ordinary players.

They are not elites cultivated with the state's effort.

The government only needs to care about state-fostered players.

Since defending against a tower collapse is perfectly possible with just a few well-raised players.

"Haa, fuck, curses can't help but come out. A bear does the trick and a completely different bastard is making the money."

Jeon Kwang-il also smiled bitterly at Park Kyung-soo's curse.

How can they stop it?

The tower is one, but there are two governments.

Honestly his insides are bursting with anger, but since it has no direct correlation with tower collapse, he has to endure it.

Unless they're going to go to war.

"Let's drop the headache-inducing stories, and about the gift UAE's Crown Prince Bin-Sala entrusted to us."

"Ah! That?"

"Is it still in the storage?"

"Yes, it is being kept safely."

The recipient is Gobang.

That is, Player Bong Joo-hyuk.

"When are you going to deliver it?"

"I arranged to meet him tomorrow."

"Is that so? Anyway, continue to work hard."

It has been 20 years since the Black Towers were generated.

Accordingly, it's also been 20 years since players started awakening.

For the first few years early in the tower's generation, players were free.

Government agencies or policies managing them in reality weren't even prepared.

Mana Stones, tower by-products, or items that players brought back were also traded naturally.

Because supply was absurdly low compared to demand, the early tower reward items sold at considerably expensive prices.

Because it was a situation like this, what kind of events occurred?

Players ended up becoming the targets of crimes.

Because they couldn't use proper power in reality,

They were kidnapped, had all the items in their inventory extorted through torture, or were murdered.

Countless crimes targeting players and tower by-products emerged.

Existing gang organizations, drug trafficking organizations, immoral corporations, and terrorist groups also joined in the crimes.

To fight against that, players also united.

They allied with one another to form guilds or clans, hired bodyguards, and climbed the tower after securing safe places.

Later, they also experienced the nightmare of tower collapses, and as Mana Stone research became active and governments started managing players at the national level, the situation improved.

As the state intervened, criminal organizations targeting players were almost entirely annihilated.

Civilian guilds and clans also disappeared into history.

However, there was still an organization that remained strong.

The Mana Stone and item distribution guild created by players gathering together in the past.

In the early days of tower climbing, it was made to guarantee the rights and interests of players worldwide and for smooth transactions.

All players traded with that distribution guild.

Because it was safe and anonymity was guaranteed.

That distribution guild remained strong even in 2024, 20 years later.

That is none other than the Black Market Guild.

The world's largest tower by-product and item trading distribution organization.

Usually, they brokered or directly sold items through the deep web or dark web.

However, contrary to the purpose of its establishment, it had now become corrupted.

While fighting against criminal organizations was its original purpose, the Black Market Guild itself is currently a criminal group.

Various countries in the world had already known of their existence for a long time.

However, they couldn't touch them.

It was so vast that there were guild members in every country.

To the point where there were even guild members among a nation's top players.

Mopping them up was impossible.

Even if they caught one person and investigated, the tail ended there.

Catching the tail and finding them would be the same.

In a situation where various governments were secretly trading through this place.

"Guild Master, the United States contacted us saying they want to buy Runes of Trait Enhancement."

"If it is America, is it Antonio?"

"Looking at the assigned identification number, it is correct that it is Antonio."

The man called the Guild Master smirked and said.

"They're planning to feed it to Gerald."

"It seems so. He said he wants to buy 2 if we have the volume."

"2, huh."

Rune of Trait Enhancement.

An item that poured out in quite a large volume early in the tower's generation, but is a representative item whose reward probability plummeted to the lowest level at some point.

"What is the number we possess?"

"We only have 3 in inventory."

"The offer price is?"

"He said he wants to buy 2 at 5 billion dollars per piece."

"Tell him it's out of the question, 10 billion dollars per piece... Hmm."

After stopping his words for a moment.

"If they buy 2, cut it by 5% and set it at 19 billion dollars."

"Yes."

He'll shake off the Runes of Trait Enhancement with this opportunity.

Now the world has changed.

Keeping pace with that, a new business concept is necessary.

"How is the temporary naturalization operation of the guild members going?"

"It is completed. They currently entered the tower and are clearing."

The new business is none other than securing items without the tower-exclusive modifier.

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

They are gifts for entering the 71st floor, but they also drop as rewards if you clear the tower from the 71st floor or above.

Purchase requests through the black market were surging.

Whatever price is called is the price.

Now that the inventory of Runes of Trait Enhancement has hit rock bottom, these are the items that will become the primary sale goods of the future black market.

Where do you have to go to get these items?

Nations where the 70th floor clear is completed.

So, Black Towers capable of letting you enter the 71st floor.

South Korea, China, France, and America.

Among these, the place with the highest reward probability is?

Naturally, it is South Korea.

Not just South Korea, but North Korea.

If you temporarily naturalize to North Korea, your status window nationality becomes South Korea.

The entirety of the Black Market Guild members temporarily naturalized to North Korea.

Thus, the current nationality of the Black Market Guild Master and Vice Guild Master was also South Korea.

There's nothing to worry about when receiving rewards.

Almost all Black Market Guild members are early awakened players.

Because they are the most elite members, having lived a player's life for close to 20 years.

The South Korea Black Tower was practically the supply source of items for the Black Market Guild.

Joo-hyuk lay down long on the sofa.

He trained too hard these past few days.

So he doesn't want to do anything.

And he doesn't have to do anything.

Munch, munch!

Cossack, who was chewing popcorn.

Eating it all by himself.

'Should I try some too?'

Then, sending a few Homunculi to the popcorn bag.

"Euing? They're thieves, sir!"

Carrying them one by one, heave-ho, and delivering them.

It was exactly like the sight of ants carrying food.

There's no need to even use his hands.

Because if he just stays still and opens his mouth, they drop them in one by one.

Tuk tuk tuk tuk.

Munch, munch.

"It's savory."

"...Are you the Ant King, sir?"

"Please call me Homun King."

Changing the TV channel is easy too.

When the Homuns climb onto the remote control and do a running jump once.

Tok!

The changing screen.

Gyeon Dal-rae looked at this sight worryingly.

"...Young Master."

"Why?"

"I am worried that at this rate it will become a habit and you will become lazy. You must move your body directly."

It can't be helped.

He has already become lazy.

But if he were to make an excuse.

"Moving our Homuns is all training too. Do you know how hard this is?"

"I tell you this because it does not look difficult."

"It's harder than you think."

"Well."

Haa, our princess's nagging.

Even though there's someone who sleeps all day.

While she doesn't say anything to Master Sergeant Be.

Just in time, the news flowed out from the TV.

The biggest issue these days.

The surge phenomenon of temporary naturalizations to North Korea.

Detour temporary naturalization for the sake of clearing the South Korea Black Tower, which had its reward probability increased.

People's brains are really good indeed.

How did they think of such an idea?

Well, they aren't parasites either.

North Korea happily engaging in the naturalization business is detestable, but,

"Has there ever been a case like that in the other world?"

"Not in my memory, sir. Before that, the world perished, sir."

"Usually, they could not overcome Kavalan's curse."

Would it be fine?

He couldn't help but be worried.

What are Sir Gwangma's thoughts?

Let's summon him and ask.

"The system will not just stand still. If it were lower floors perhaps, but now that it has entered the 71st floor."

That is true.

From the 71st floor, Tower Jumping Tickets were blocked too.

"Will sanctions come in?"

"I do not remember well, but wouldn't there likely be sanctions?"

"Like what?"

"For example..."

It was then.

[World Notice : A player overcrowding phenomenon has occurred in a specific nation.]

"Huh?"

An out-of-the-blue World Notice.

An overcrowding phenomenon, it says.

[World Notice : To resolve the concentration of player population, a new(æ–°) Black Tower will be constructed.]

What is this?

Is this the announcement of a new city's construction?

[World Notice : The South Korea Black Tower has been divided.]

[World Notice : The Democratic People's Republic of Korea nationality Black Tower has been newly established.]

At that moment!

Ku-gu-gu-gu...

A vibration that transmitted all the way to the Seoul penthouse.

[World Notice : The starting unclear climbing floor number for the newly established Democratic People's Republic of Korea nationality Black Tower has been set to the lowest clear floor number of Earth's Black Towers, the 55th floor.]

[World Notice : We cheer for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea players' upper floor climb of the Black Tower.]

[World Notice : For the next 1 year, players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea nationality cannot change their status window nationality.]

"Wow!"

It's absurd.

Now even the tower ended up divided into North and South.

Anyway, the world turned upside down once again.