Chapter 119 - Chapter 119

Chapter 119

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Prague, Czech Republic.

The Black Market Guild executives gathered in one place for an emergency meeting.

Anyway, the deed has occurred.

It cannot be reversed.

"We must unconditionally clear the unclear upper floors. Only then can we reduce our losses."

"We have enough equipment and weapons, and enough elixirs or potions too, so the 71st floor will be reached in no time."

It was the best method they could do right now.

"There is nothing to be reluctant about the undead section either. Didn't that supposedly difficult Death Knight get nerfed too?"

Guild Master Dmitri also agreed.

They just have to climb up.

The newly generated North Korea tower.

Although the reward probability might fall behind the South Korea Black Tower, if they just climb up to the 71st floor they can receive the 4-item gift set.

"If only we had left even a single Tower Jumping Ticket, we wouldn't be agonizing like this."

"That is what I regret the most as well."

Actually, they had a lot.

However, after the Chinese government bought a ticket, when they spectacularly succeeded in climbing the 71st floor, the other nations who witnessed it fell over each other to buy them.

Even though they called for a quite expensive price.

If they knew this would happen, they should have left about one ticket.

Even so, they can do it.

The executives currently gathered here are all players in their late 50s in level.

They also unsparingly released the items the black market possessed to the guild members.

From the top of their heads to the tips of their toes, they fully equipped them with tower reward items.

Is that all?

Holy Water, elixirs, potions...

They bought them up as soon as they appeared utilizing the guild's organizational power.

The test clear that started because of that.

The goal is to climb 3 floors in a day,

First, a level 55 player clears the 55th floor, followed by a level 56 player, next a level 57 player.

The result was a success.

It was even very stable.

It was definitely worth investing money.

At this rate, the undead section will be reached in no time.

Are you asking if it's okay to just climb as they please without receiving the North Korean government's permission?

What is the problem?

Those bastards don't have any authority or power over clearing the tower anyway.

If it goes like this, is there a reason to change nationalities 1 year later?

When the North Korea Black Tower is practically bound to become the possession of the Black Market Guild.

No matter how much he thinks about it, there is nothing that will go wrong.

Dmitri was certain of that.

Washington DC, America.

Secretary MacMillan carefully placed the Rune of Trait Enhancement into a High-Grade iron box filled with cushioning material.

1 of the 2 Runes of Trait Enhancement purchased from the black market.

"To think just this one chunk of stone is 9.5 billion dollars."

"You can't get it even if you have money. Consider yourself fortunate that you even obtained it."

"I know that too. Anyway, good job."

Director Antonio shrugging his shoulders.

"Do you know what the most expensive item is after this Rune of Trait Enhancement?"

"What is it?"

"The Tower Jumping Ticket. Its price is skyrocketing."

"It's that expensive?"

"Because it lets you skip troublesome sections. Though it's useless above the 71st floor."

Tower Jumping Ticket.

A representative re-evaluated item.

Its utility is actually outstanding.

If a player somehow climbs to the 66th floor, it's over.

If you use the ticket, it's an elevator up to the 71st floor.

"Surprisingly, many possess this. There will soon be a slew of nations coming up to the 71st floor."

"...Does North Korea possess them by any chance?"

"There's no way they do. Even if they did, they would have sold them a long time ago. It's a government that's busy liquidating items into cash as soon as they drop."

"Tsk! At any rate, they are crazy folks."

"If they had just used that money on improving the treatment of players..."

MacMillan also agreed.

The temporary naturalization business, it was a truly ridiculous idea.

Suddenly, as if he remembered something.

"Oh right! Regarding that, there's information I heard from the CIA Director..."

"What is it?"

"He said the black market organization was deeply involved in this naturalized player incident."

"Hmm? The Black Market Guild? That's the place we bought the rune from."

"Yes, they temporarily naturalized to North Korea to start a new business..."

Secretary MacMillan beginning his explanation.

While listening to the story, Antonio burst out laughing as if it was absurd,

"Hahaha, they ruined it before they even started the business."

"How many were there? The people who requested the Elixir of Rejuvenation and Potion of Disease Cure."

The Rune of Trait Enhancement whose reward probability dropped significantly.

The plan was to make new items the primary trading goods of the black market instead.

Elixir of Rejuvenation, Potion of Disease Cure, the demand was tremendous.

Please just bring them!

We will buy them all no matter how much they are.

"It's an uproar in America too. How much the wealthy elderly are salivating."

"Even President Lloyd was coveting the Elixir of Rejuvenation right away; that gentleman is old, you see."

However, the business was a grand failure.

They can't even change nationalities for 1 year.

"Well, they probably aren't just sitting idle either."

Black Market Guild.

The main constituent members are players.

Those with skills and much experience.

Naturally, they will seek countermeasures.

"I know. They probably are climbing; they are already climbing."

"Already?"

"According to the information that came in today, the North Korea tower clear progress popped up as 57th floor clear complete."

"Hmm, 3 floors a day, they probably aren't the North Korean government's state-fostered players."

"Right. The black market players are in the middle of climbing."

North Korea cannot control the climbs of its own country's tower at all.

They have no choice but to just sit idle and watch.

If it turns out like this, what will happen?

The Black Market Guild could become a pillar of North Korean power.

But one question here.

"Does the North Korean government know too? That the Black Market Guild organization intervened in this temporary naturalization."

"They probably do know? Would those guys not have ears?"

"It suddenly gets exciting. How the North Korean government will respond."

MacMillan also smiled bitterly while nodding his head.

A truly dynamic East Asia.

Incidents and accidents never cease.

With China, Japan, and even North Korea.

"Anyway, when do you plan to go to South Korea?"

"I must go as quickly as possible. I've already set up the talk."

This Rune of Trait Enhancement is Player Bong Joo-hyuk's share.

It's a gift specially prepared to foster camaraderie with him.

America's benefactor who saved Gerald.

Thanks to him, both the East Tower and the West Tower were climbed up to the 72nd floor.

Also, the information to be careful because the 73rd floor Chimera Hound basic mission will be quite difficult unlike before.

Player Bong Joo-hyuk was a pioneer who informed them in advance of the information on the floors he cleared.

From now on, all information regarding the unclear upper floors will come from him.

How thankful is that?

This measly 9.5 billion dollar rune?

Compared to what he's done, and what he will do in the future, it's a bargain.

Joo-hyuk was in a car heading to the Awakening Management Agency.

An appointment scheduled in advance, in the car with Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il on the way,

"Excuse me... did anything happen?"

"Are you speaking of the North Korea Black Tower?"

An incident erupted, so it felt a bit weird not to ask.

"Yes. Is there anything else besides that?"

Jeon Kwang-il spoke while letting out a sigh for a moment.

"Hoo, it's a situation where information is still too lacking. Since North Korea is such a closed society to begin with."

I thought as much.

Would there be any sharp moves just because it's the government?

Joo-hyuk was the same.

Well, until yesterday he even considered snatching the tower on a whim.

But thinking about the aftermath that would occur due to that, it doesn't seem right.

However, thinking of the North Korea tower having problems and collapsing, or the persecuted North Korean players, his mind wavers again.

"The NIS is acting to grasp the situation in coordination with the American intelligence agency, but it seems it will take some time."

"...I see."

"If it's America, they'll be able to find out quickly. I will contact you right away if there are any changes."

You don't really have to contact me.

If I keep finding out things, my burden will only increase.

Did I ask for nothing?

"Ah! Speaking of America, it seems Secretary MacMillan will enter South Korea as an unofficial special envoy soon."

"...Is he coming to meet me by any chance?"

"Yes, that is correct."

He's a high-ranking person.

Is he not an American Secretary.

He really doesn't need to come personally.

Meeting him feels burdensome.

Well, if he comes carrying something hefty in both hands, I might just close my eyes and meet him.

"I heard he is bringing a handwritten thank you letter from America's President Lloyd for the hard work of rescuing Player Gerald."

"..."

A handwritten thank you letter?

Eyy, this isn't right.

What do you mean a letter? A letter!

He's trying to call it even with that?

In a country that prints dollars, couldn't they just refreshingly shoot about 300 million dollars or so?

What do you mean a letter.

Just a phone call is enough too.

Then a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"By any chance, did you receive contact or something from Mr. Cossack or Princess Gyeon Dal-rae?"

"Uh, ah, no I haven't?"

They did contact him.

Jeon Kwang-il's expression looking flustered.

"Did they ask you to inform them of the North Korean Presidential Palace's location?"

"T-That,"

"Or things like the schedule of the National People's Congress."

"...."

Jeon Kwang-il could not answer.

Because contact actually had come.

He also handed them his business card during the badge award ceremony before, so they know his phone number too.

However, they said it must be kept an absolute secret from Player Bong, so he didn't bring it up first.

"She told you not to tell me."

"Hmm."

"Whether you tell her or not is up to you, Deputy Director, but you know what happened in China and Japan, right?"

"...Yes yes."

"They are good people, but sometimes there are times I can't stop them either."

Jeon Kwang-il feeling a sting of guilt.

Player Bong is right.

Why would those people bother to know something like that?

A bloodbath might actually blow into the North Korean Presidential Palace.

But the terrifying Mr. Cossack asked him to absolutely let him know, mumbling about some three principles, item 3...

Just in time, the car arrived in front of a certain large warehouse.

Good thing.

Let's change the subject at this point...

"Player Bong-nim."

"Yes?"

"We've arrived. You may get out."

"Here is..."

It's not the material warehouse we usually go to?

"It's the reserve warehouse. We call it Warehouse No. 2. It was made in preparation for when the existing warehouse gets full. It's wider because there are no walls dividing sections."

I see.

But why to Warehouse No. 2?

"I mentioned it before, but we were keeping the gift entrusted by UAE's Crown Prince Bin-Sala in Warehouse No. 2."

Ah! I heard about that before.

But what could it be?

This thing called a gift.

Jeon Kwang-il approached the massive iron door of the locked Warehouse No. 2.

When he authenticated his fingerprint and eyeball on the security device.

Deu-reu-reu-reuk, the door opening sideways.

Simultaneously, the sight inside the warehouse entered Joo-hyuk's eyes.

'Eh?'

What is this?

Isn't it a parking lot?

It seemed they were using the empty warehouse as a parking lot.

Anyway, the parked cars are all nice.

Are these cars elite players ride around in?

"These are all gifts."

"..."

Did I mishear?

The parked cars, no, supercars.

In a word, expensive cars that are hard to buy even if you have money.

"...All this is a gift?"

"Yes."

Wow damn!

Let's stay calm.

I have to manage my facial expression.

If I act too obviously happy, I'll look like a lightweight.

A total of 7 cars.

McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, and on top of that, a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley too.

Come to think of it, I recall mentioning a Bentley when joking with Cossack about alumni reunions before.

"The license plate registration has been completed. All the insurance has been put in place too. The car keys are all inside. You can ride them right away."

"...I see."

Wow, to be this thankful.

Now following Holy Sword owner, building owner, and major shareholder, a supercar owner.

"And this too."

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il pressed the button for the Bentley's trunk.

It opened with a slide, and an aluminum briefcase was visible inside the trunk.

It's an extraordinary briefcase.

A feeling like wads of cash would come out if opened.

However, the items inside the bag were not cash.

'Watches?'

Wristwatches inlaid with brilliant jewels.

Just roughly counting, it was well over 10.

"I looked into it, and they are not just watches. They're all limited editions, so I know just one of these is over 1 billion won. This is 2 billion, the one here is 3 billion..."

Ahhhh.

Crown Prince Bin-Sala-nim.

Generous real man older brother.

I merely cleared one tower for him.

And merely tossed him 2 tower reward items.

To give a gift like this.

Money is not the issue.

I'm thankful for the thoughtfulness.

'The United Arab Emirates is much better than America. Very fiery!'

From now on, I will revere the United Arab Emirates as my big brother.

"Please pass this on to Crown Prince Bin-Sala on my behalf. Tell him if he has any difficulties with tower clearing in the future, I will solve them immediately."

"I understand."

Since I received a gift, how can I just stay still?

"It will probably be difficult to take all the cars at once, so just use this place as a parking lot altogether, and whenever you have time, slowly..."

"Wait a moment."

There's no need for that.

I'll take them all at once.

"Rajix designated summon."

Spot! Flashing and appearing,

"Ho-e-e-e."

"O-oh, welcome. Rajix-nim."

"Ho-e!"

Rajix greeting Jeon Kwang-il while waving his hand.

"Mr. Rajix, we have those items we robbed... no, received before, right?"

The treasures of the 72nd floor Necromancer dungeon of the America Tower we intruded into to save Gerald.

"Take them all out over here."

"Ho-eng!"

Seu-seu-seut!

Items piled up in another corner.

"This time around, distribute these to our elite players too, one each for free. It's a gift of my heart."

"Uh, y-you don't have to do that..."

"And Mr. Rajix!"

"Ho-e?"

"You have the mango juice, right? Take that out too."

Seuseut!

A yellow liquid contained in a large water cooler bottle was placed on the warehouse floor.

Jeon Kwang-il tilted his head.

'Is it really mango juice?'

But why exactly in a thing like that...

"It's an Elixir of Mentality Enhancement."

"E-elixir?"

"Have our elite players each chug a paper cup of it before entering the tower. The effects should be pretty good. I've tasted it."

While saying that, Joo-hyuk stealthily whispered to Jeon Kwang-il, who was standing blankly.

"This one, it doesn't have the tower-exclusive modifier. You too, Deputy Director, have a glass whenever you are thirsty."

"Heok!"

Jeon Kwang-il whose heart sank with a thud every time he met Player Bong.

He felt like he should eat a Cheongsimhwan pill before meeting him.

An elixir that is not tower-exclusive.

It's a precious thing.

It's even hard to catch sight of.

But this much?

But would there be any left for him to drink?

Mentality accounts for more than half a player's ability.

He has to feed it to the elite players, of course.

Joo-hyuk felt good.

He came without any expectations.

Now he puts the cars in.

"Mr. Rajix, please put the cars in. Except for that one Bentley over there."

I should drive the Bentley myself.

Seu-seu-seut, seu-seu-seut, seu-seu-seu-seut,

The supercars entering the subspace one after another.

Even at that sight, Jeon Kwang-il did not say a word.

When the cute Rajix touches the supercars, the cars disappear.

There's nothing surprising at all.

Putting cars like those into a backpack, what's so surprising?

Prague, Czech Republic.

Black Market Guild Headquarters,

The guild members and Dmitri advanced rapidly toward the 70th floor.

The next day, and the day after that too.

The undead section they finally encountered.

Dmitri had confidence.

He will break through rapidly.

First, starting from the 61st floor.

The Dark Mummy, said to be the weakest among the undead.

So a section where even ordinary players could clear without Holy Water.

Dmitri also didn't drink Holy Water.

Since he has a close-combat trait, he equipped his sword and shield and charged toward the Dark Mummy, but.

"...Crazy!"

The dense Dark Aura.

Even though he merely approached closely, his head spun.

He hurriedly chugged Holy Water.

'I heard it was easy though...'

Wasn't the Dark Aura weakened?

No way, the weakened level is like this?

And this is just the 61st floor?

Still, he did catch it.

After a bloody battle where he drank 3 bottles of Holy Water.

He was suddenly worried about the 62nd floor Dark Zombie.

Dark Zombies, which are incomparably stronger and faster than Dark Mummies.

The next day, Dmitri entered the 62nd floor.

'Umm.'

As soon as he came up, he realized.

'It will be difficult.'

Even though he drank Holy Water in advance and wrapped his entire body in the power of radiance, it was like that.

Fully doped with 10 bottles of Holy Water and elixirs, he barely succeeded in clearing while using potions.

However, Dmitri's confidence ended up being miserably shattered.

It seems the 63rd floor will be difficult even if he died and woke up again.

The North Korea Black Tower undead section.

It was completely different from other towers.

This is not the time to be arguing the reasons.

If they can't clear the North Korea tower either, they might have to suck their thumbs for 1 year.

Establishing countermeasures is urgent.

It's impossible with the guild's power alone.

'It can't be helped.'

What is needed right now is coordination with the North Korean government.

Putting North Korea at the forefront, either borrow the Holy Sword at the national level, or request a clear.

Whether it's North Korea or South Korea, it's the same Korea.

Since it's the same ethnicity.

'I should first get in contact with North Korean government personnel.'

Dmitri didn't know well just at this time.

That he was underestimating the North Korean government too much.

And that was a very big mistake.