Chapter 124 - Chapter 124

Chapter 124

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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China.

The new Chairman Wang Yuan died at the hands of their own nation's player Bailong before even fulfilling 2 months of his term.

The power vacuum must be filled quickly.

A new leader was elected at the urgently convened National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese President Liu Zhao.

His age this year is 78.

He was very senile, but he had that much experience as well.

Therefore, the national operation basis was also focused on stability.

President Liu Zhao receiving a report from the Director of the Chinese Special Public Security Ministry.

"...An accident occurred in North Korea?"

"Yes, I heard Chairman Kim collapsed and fell into a botanical human state."

"The credibility? Where did the information leak out from?"

"It is Chairman Kim's closest aide. Naturally, he is also people on our side."

"Hmm."

Even North Korea?

Is there a curse placed on East Asia?

China also had 2 leaders die in less than a year.

Lin Chaoming and Wang Yuan.

Still, there was no major chaos.

Because China's political system isn't so fragile that the country would fall just because one leader died.

However, in North Korea's case, it is slightly different.

In Chairman Kim In-joong's case, a succession structure has not yet been established.

Make one wrong move, and North Korea's political landscape could plunge into grand chaos.

"How shall we respond."

"Well..."

From China's perspective, North Korea is a chicken rib.

If it were the past, maybe, but now its utility value has fallen greatly.

A new Black Tower of North Korean nationality was established.

If North Korea was equipped with know-how on tower climbing like South Korea, then maybe, but they are in a situation worse than China.

What if they set up a pro-Chinese regime in North Korea?

The towers China has to handle will increase by one more.

That is, the Black Tower in Pyongyang, North Korea, which is cleared up to the 62nd floor.

Because it's practically a satellite regime, they would have to take responsibility.

"Leave North Korea alone. They'll figure it out."

"There is a possibility that South Korea might intervene, though."

"...."

Actually, that is the most headache-inducing problem.

South Korea is different from China.

A nation that can handle however many towers there are.

If by any chance,

South Korea begins unification discussions with North Korea in exchange for clearing the Black Tower?

"As if they would intervene. Unification isn't a problem that will be solved in a day or two."

That's true.

North and South Korea are heterogeneous in every aspect of politics, society, and economy.

It's just that they can communicate with each other.

They might rather be closer to Japan, where the Korean Wave boom is blowing fiercely these days.

Even if they do it, it would take an awfully long time.

Then they can just respond when that time comes.

Right now, it's China's stability.

Along with the task of preventing the 3 towers from collapsing.

That is the most urgent issue.

Chinese President Liu Zhao had no time to spare to pay attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Joo-hyuk was still in Namyangju.

He should go home after climbing the 74th floor here.

'The 74th floor, huh,'

The 71st, 72nd, and 73rd floors were floors related to Gobang.

Then will the 74th floor also be a similar theme as the previous 3 floors?

A linked mission assigned involving a backstory with one of the summoned entities, and thus a process leading to a grade breakthrough.

If so, the target will probably be an SSR summoned entity.

One among Cossack, Gyeon Dal-rae, Veronica, Rajix, and Bardin.

'If I receive a Rune of Grade Breakthrough this time again, it will cost a lot of Platinum Badges...'

His accumulated Platinum Badges so far are 91.

The remaining physical badges after attaching them to the summoned entities are 31.

It might even drop below 10.

However, he doesn't worry.

The summoned entities' S+++ grade clears will be unchanged.

Also, there is the North Korea tower too.

Well, would there be nowhere to obtain badges?

The summoned entities had also strengthened their resolve.

Actually, 2 weeks ago when the corner Alchemist Aliya Mari was summoned, they were inwardly relieved.

LSSR, the random summon scheduled to be an LSSR summoned entity.

What if a combat class like a mage comes out?

Their positions would be threatened.

But it was a non-combat class.

One who just holes up in the corner of a room and manufactures potions.

Therefore, one who doesn't have to enter the tower.

How fortunate is that.

Moreover, because America gave a Rune of Trait Enhancement as a gift, the number of Simultaneous Summoning increased to 8 people.

Can we feel at ease now?

Not at all!

Carelessness is forbidden.

In 2 weeks, it's another random summon.

Then the catalog list increases to 10 people.

And from there, in a month, it will become 11 people.

Unless something special happens, the number of summoned entities is bound to increase unconditionally.

However, trait enhancement has a limit.

Because the number of Simultaneous Summoning is limited, one wrong move, and they get cut.

Just like the old Gwangma did, they might have to be called out alone in the middle of the night and just drink alcohol heavily.

They must work hard and imprint their necessity on the Summoner.

After making such resolutions individually, Joo-hyuk and the summoned entities climbed the tower.

[Entering the 74th floor of the South Korea Black Tower.]

Spot!

The environment is in a forest.

And a small trail.

'It's ordinary.'

Do we just follow the path?

This time too, Gobang naturally took the lead.

A very small clearing was visible up ahead.

The path cut off there.

'A dead end? When is the mission...'

At that moment, the mission list popped up smoothly.

"...Mmm?"

"Did the mission pop up, sir?"

"Yes."

It did pop up, but.

"What is the content of the mission, sir,"

"Catching foxes."

"If it's foxes..., do you mean the Princess, sir?"

"...You bastard!!!"

Not a metaphorical expression, but real foxes.

First, speaking of the basic mission,

[74th Floor Basic Mission : Eliminate 30 cute Three-Tailed Foxes.]

Three-Tailed Foxes.

Foxes with 3 tails attached.

It's not just the basic mission.

The addition optional mission, high difficulty optional, and ultra-high difficulty optional are all catching foxes too.

3, 5, 7, 9.

Three-Tailed Fox, Five-Tailed Fox, Seven-Tailed Fox, and Nine-Tailed Fox.

'I'm trying out catching every tailed fox.'

Let's just keep walking for now.

As the party reached the small clearing.

Seu-seu-seut!

The suddenly changing environment,

"Eh?"

Before they knew it, the surroundings of Joo-hyuk and the summoned entities turned into a flower garden.

Gwangma wearing an expression as if he figured it out,

"It is a formation."

Gyeon Dal-rae also nodded her head.

"That is correct."

A formation.

He doesn't know well what it is, but is it related to optical illusions?

Anyway,

'Where are they saying the foxes are.'

At that moment!

Pop!

Simultaneously peaking out and revealing themselves from within the flower garden, numerous foxes... foxes?

'They're people.'

Children at that.

'This is troublesome.'

But looking closely, there's a fox vibe to them.

They have the forms of humans, but their outer appearances are slightly different.

White triangular ears attached to both sides of their heads.

3 tails attached to their buttocks.

"It is transformation arts. When a fox trains to attain enlightenment, or if it consumes human livers, its tails increase one by one; starting from 3 tails, they become able to unfold transformation arts."

As expected of Princess Gyeon Dal-rae.

There is nothing she doesn't know.

At any rate.

"Haa."

Even so, this is not right.

I have to kill them?

How?

Young fox children are running and playing in the flower garden.

Kyareu-reuk, the way they run around laughing is heavenly children.

"Hmm."

"Shall we kill them, sir?"

"Just give the order, sir."

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, target aiming completed."

"Hu-e-e-ek!"

Of course, the summoned entities didn't have the slightest hesitation, but.

'Are they not feeling anything? Even if they're foxes, they're such innocent-looking kids.'

Right at that moment!

Sa-bak sa-bak, Gyeon Dal-rae stepping forward.

"Their true forms will be completely different. They are enchanting you, Young Master. The energy foxes use in transformation arts is an energy that differs in trajectory from mana, aura, or internal energy. Perhaps Sir Gwangma also will not be able to see through their true forms."

Gwangma also agreed.

"The Shrine Maiden's words are correct. They look like young children to this old man's eyes as well."

"This girl will unfold an art and show you how to see through their true forms."

"Is there a need to go out of the way for that? We just have to strike them all dead."

Gyeon Dal-rae responded with a chuckle, pik.

"Do you perhaps think this girl would worry about you, Sir Gwangma? I have no intention of doing so."

"Mmm?"

"It is solely an intent to not disturb Young Master's mood."

"...."

The meaning of Gyeon Dal-rae's words.

It means she's not unfolding the art for you, Gwangma, so shut up and stay still,

"You will know once we see through them. Whether they increased their tails through training, or if they increased their tails with human livers."

Gyeon Dal-rae lifted the bronze mirror hanging on her neck with an elegant movement.

And then,

"I command the wicked things, withdraw your enchantments, and reveal your true faces! Swiftly exactly as ordered by the law (急急如律令)!"

At that moment!

Hwa-a-a-ak!

Light surging brilliantly from the bronze mirror.

At the same time, the true forms of the fox children were revealed.

"Kya-a-a-ak!"

"Keu-ak!"

"Ki-ek!"

"Keu-keuk!"

Wow!

It startled me.

"As you can see, they are yokai. They are bastards that became Three-Tailed Foxes by consuming human livers. They are monstrous creatures that are sufficiently over 100 years old."

Stiffly raised fur, terrifying red eyes, sticky saliva dripping down from their mouths, sharp teeth, and even flashing claws.

They aren't even good to look at.

They are completely different from the appearance of foxes one commonly thinks of.

Compared to those things, the Blood Wolf is at the level of a cute pet dog,

"Keong-keong!"

The Blood Wolf lowered its posture while tensing up completely.

"Ho-e,"

Rajix riding on its back also took out a golden pickaxe.

"They are indeed monsters."

"They look like they're good at sucking out human livers, sir."

"They are trivial, insignificant creatures."

"How dare they transform into the appearance of young children and seduce people?"

"I will put 10 magic bullets into each of their heads."

Everyone was furious.

Joo-hyuk also relieved the burden on his heart.

"Let's deal with them. Quickly."

And as soon as the words fell,

Pa-juk! Pa-juk! Pa-juk!

Veronica's magic gun spewed fire.

Peok peok peok peok!

The heads of the Three-Tailed Foxes bursting like firecrackers.

Bardin was already held in Gobang's hands.

At the same time he was swung heroically.

"Light!!!"

Ssue-ae-aek!

Peok!

Flail attack.

Gwangma stood still with his hands behind his back.

Is there a need for him to step forward.

Why use a cow-butchering knife to catch a chicken?

He just needs to move when catching the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Meanwhile, Rajix going around here and there riding the Blood Wolf.

"Ho-e!"

Kwak kwak kwak kwak!

He gathered medicinal herbs in the flower garden.

Our reliable Rajix.

There was a reason he held a golden pickaxe.

He seemed to be preparing to dig up medicinal herbs.

Since a situation where medicinal herbs are needed arose precisely because of the corner Alchemist Mari, he seems to be going around digging them up enthusiastically like that.

Since they knew their true forms, there was nothing to be reluctant about.

Because they are yokai foxes that increased their tails by eating human livers, and lived sufficiently for a hundred years.

[Cute Three-Tailed Foxes eliminated 30/30]

[Successfully completed the 74th floor basic mission.]

[Level has gone up.]

[Reward : Mana Stone 1.4kg / High-Grade Mana Stone 6kg]

However, it might be difficult for other players.

Because they could be enchanted by the peculiar illusion arts.

[Do you wish to continue the addition optional mission?]

[If refused, you will exit the tower with a mission success judgment.]

Continue.

[74th Floor Addition Optional Mission : Eliminate 10 lively Five-Tailed Foxes.]

Seu-seut!

The environment changed again.

This time, the courtyard of an antique grand mansion.

And 10 girl foxes with 5 tails revealed their appearances there.

A total of 10.

Wearing highly exposing clothes like humans.

"Welcome."

"Handsome oppa!"

"We were waiting."

"Let's play quickly."

Cossack shrugged his shoulders and said.

"Even if they're foxes, they do have eyes for people, sir. Are they not looking at me and calling me handsome, sir."

"...."

Let's not indulge him.

A question here.

What if the player is a woman?

"Naturally, the gender would change."

That would be the case.

Anyway, seeing 10 of them together like that...

"They look like girl group girls, sir."

"You're right."

"How about a 10-member girl group called Sexy Fox Girls, sir? Good enough to debut, sir?"

What do you mean debut.

Are you trying to set up an agency or something?

Their true forms will be completely different as well.

This time too, Gyeon Dal-rae lifted the bronze mirror.

"Oh my? Unni, don't do that."

"Are you going to make me angry?"

"Put that away right now."

"Crazy bitch, with small breasts too!"

Twitch,

Gyeon Dal-rae's expression changed slightly, but,

Hwa-a-a-ak!

Light sprinkled, and their true forms were revealed.

"Kya-o-o-o!"

"Keu-reu-reuk!"

"Keu-keu-keu..."

This time too, they were fox monsters with filthy shapes.

Twice as large in build as the Three-Tailed Foxes.

"Do not hesitate. They are foxes that attached tails to themselves by eating human livers."

Joo-hyuk didn't waver.

His will was as hard as a rock.

"Mr. Gobang."

At Joo-hyuk's direction.

"Ku-o-o-o-o-o!"

Gobang's roar resounded.

Kya-ak! the Five-Tailed Foxes lunging while letting out animal sounds.

Ga-ga-ga-gak! Ga-ga-gak!

They clung to Gobang's body, clawing and biting, but would there be a single scratch?

Catching 10 was quick work.

The battle ended blankly.

[Completed the addition optional mission.]

[Reward : Multinational Tower Access Ticket.]

"A-ssa!"

A Multinational Tower Access Ticket after a long time.

This one alone is practically the same as 2 badges.

[Do you wish to continue the high difficulty optional mission?]

"Naturally!"

Seu-seut!

The environment changed again.

This time, the interior of the mansion.

It seemed to be a banquet hall.

Music was playing.

In the center, a splendid banquet table was set.

And 5 women dancing.

[74th Floor High Difficulty Optional Mission : Eliminate 5 mature Seven-Tailed Foxes.]

However?

'Hmm.'

'Mmm.'

'Keum.'

A heart swaying like a reed.

Seven-Tailed Foxes walking over lightly.

He doesn't know where to turn his eyes.

Are they wearing clothes, or are they not wearing them.

'With that much, it's correct that they're not wearing them.'

Overwhelming visuals.

Gulp,

The sound of swallowing dry saliva.

Joo-hyuk also stared only at a distant mountain.

Even though there is no mountain inside the banquet hall.

Stealing glances occasionally.

However, Cossack stared openly.

"It's a good thing we climbed the 74th floor, sir."

"...."

"They are even more tremendous than Sergeant Bae, sir."

"...."

At Cossack's words, Veronica, seemingly vexed, stuck her chest out completely, but it fell short.

At that time!

"Silence!!! Everyone snap out of it."

Gyeon Dal-rae's stern reprimand.

"Can you not distinguish reason? Those are merely yokai. You do not even seem ashamed to show such a sight to Young Master."

Right.

Princess Gyeon Dal-rae's words are a hundred times right.

"It seems you will only snap out of it once this girl reveals the true forms of those fox wenches."

As she stepped forward lifting the bronze mirror again.

"Excuse me, Princess."

"Speak."

"Can you not use the bronze mirror a little bit later, sir?"

That's a good idea?

Joo-hyuk almost nodded his head inadvertently too, but.

"...Why?"

"Uh-umm, if you use the mirror recklessly, it feels like it might break."

"How do you mean the mirror will break?"

"Well, like cracking or something."

Right.

Using it recklessly, it could overload and crack.

"Mr. Cossack,"

"Yep."

"If you do not wish to die, please shut up."

"Yep!"

Gyeon Dal-rae's tingling gaze.

If one underestimates her just because she's a supporter shrine maiden, they will be in big trouble.

She possesses the ability to kill anyone with certainty if she just sets her mind to it.

Unleashing a death curse.

Of course, she wouldn't be safe herself either.

At any rate, if one permits a death curse unleashed by Gyeon Dal-rae, they die unconditionally.

Probably even Gwangma wouldn't be safe.

"How can you be so vulgar, I am at the point of being ashamed to see Young Master."

Joo-hyuk feigned ignorance.

If he takes a side here, he gets entangled together.

"...Uh-umm, why are you doing this only to me, sir?"

No way, are you dragging me in too?

"Sir Gwangma is also staring intently like that."

Phew.

Gwangma, who had been staring blankly at the foxes, was startled when his name came up.

"Mmm? What did I do? This seat merely heightened my eye strength to see through the foxes' arts."

"Sure you were."

"...Heoheoheo, very well, the timing is perfect. My hands were itching anyway, so perhaps I should try hunting the assassin instead of the foxes at this opportunity."

At that time!

Hwa-a-a-a-at!

The light that surged from the bronze mirror.

The mature Seven-Tailed Foxes disappeared.

5 bipedal yokai foxes.

Hunched backs, fingernails sticking out like knives, long tongues, bright yellow eyeballs, and they seemed fully 2 meters tall.

Especially those mouths.

Torn up to under their ears, enough to chew up a human head with ease.

"...Let's strike."

Mood ruined.

The battle that began immediately.

"Gobang, Provocation!"

"Ku-o-o-o-o-o!"

The Seven-Tailed Foxes immediately clinging to Gobang.

Ji-i-ing!

The Aura Control forming on the Seven-Tailed Foxes' nails.

Seo-geok! Seo-geo-geo-geok!

Gobang's physical body was hacked to pieces.

Jjeo-eok, the pitch-black armor splitting.

Though it recovered quickly, of course.

That's how formidable they were.

Since they had about 7 tails, they were definitely not to be taken lightly.

Even so, step by step.

One by one.

Cut by Cossack's daggers, burst by Veronica's magic gun.

This time too, Gwangma did not step forward.

He merely stuck right next to Joo-hyuk.

[Completed the high difficulty optional mission.]

[Reward : Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket.]

Today is the day.

Already 2 tickets.

Now the final remaining ultra-high difficulty mission.

[74th Floor Ultra-High Difficulty Optional Mission : Eliminate the Millennium Fox Nine-Tailed Fox Bound and Tied to a Knot]

A bound Nine-Tailed Fox.

I don't know why it's tied up.

"It is slowly time for this old man to move."

Of course.

It's a Nine-Tailed Fox.

"Proceed!"

Seu-seut!

The changing environment,

This time, a dark basement.

And in the center of the basement, a Nine-Tailed Fox bound by a golden rope densely hung with talismans.

"...Uh-uh."

An appearance completely different from until now.

She is not a child.

Nor is she a young girl.

Nor is she a mature woman.

A white-haired old woman full of wrinkles.

And,

"...Master?"

The voice coming out of Gyeon Dal-rae's mouth.

Mercilessly trembling eyes.

What?

Master she says?

A Nine-Tailed Fox is Gyeon Dal-rae's master?

Now he knew.

The theme of the 74th floor was precisely Gyeon Dal-rae.