Chapter 127 - Chapter 127

Chapter 127

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The day before the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation.

Commissioner Park Kyung-soo went in and out of the Blue House due to an urgent summons from the President.

Park Kyung-soo with quite an exhausted face.

Jeon Kwang-il read the room and asked.

"Commissioner, did you have a good trip?"

"Hoo, I almost died from being tired trying to manage my facial expressions."

"Why did you manage your facial expressions?"

"A request came in through the hot line from the North Korean side."

"...Yes?"

"Chairman Kim In-joong personally called our President."

No way, this?

"What was the content?"

"Saying that since they do not have the capability to clear the tower, he asked him to speak to South Korea's S+++ grade clearer."

"Uh-umm..."

"Requesting him to change the tower's nationality to South Korea and take it."

"...."

What had to come has come.

Well, I knew it would turn out like this, but.

"What was the Blue House's reaction?"

"Naturally, they were dumbfounded. They didn't even know what it meant."

"There is no way they would understand."

Does it make sense?

Telling us to take the North Korean nationality Black Tower,

It's not like the tower is a Lego tower made of blocks.

How do you take that?

Probably when they first heard such words, they doubted if he was crazy.

Even without that, rumors of Chairman Kim In-joong being bedridden with an illness are going around these days.

Since Jeon Kwang-il and Park Kyung-soo had already heard and knew about it beforehand, they were unfazed.

"What did you say, Commissioner?"

"I can't just say I know. I said I didn't know."

"And then?"

"They told me to ask Player Bong. I said I understood that."

"Any other words?"

"Would there be anything to say? While even the Blue House is running about in confusion."

Actually, there is nothing to ask either.

Because it's a matter that has already been decided.

"So I was going to call him in a bit."

An expression as if he has already attained nirvana.

"I just have to convey that our S+++ grade clearer, the top player, readily accepted, right?"

Even so, they still won't know the reason.

How do you take the tower?

Of course, when the event happens, only then will they realize, Ah! So this is how it works!

And the next day.

The declaration of the tower's forceful occupation rang out as a world notice.

Tower forceful occupation.

Forced possession, or occupation,

And a declaration, or declaration of war.

Effect : Use the megaphone to 'declare' the tower's 'forceful occupation' in the format of a [World Notice]. 10 days after the declaration, the tower of a specific nation is forcefully occupied and incorporated into the user's nationality. Mid-way cancellation is possible. There is no limit on the number of uses.

Limitation : It can only be declared against nations with a tower clear progress below average. Furthermore, a 'right of defense' is granted to the targeted nation of the forceful occupation.

Take over the Black Tower of another nation.

Does it end with that?

Not at all.

Like a player's temporary naturalization, only the tower's nationality changes.

Therefore, even if the nationality changes, the physical Black Tower remains exactly as is in its original nation's territory.

What if that tower isn't cleared?

The tower will end up collapsing in the original nation's territory.

Is that all?

To the nationality players, it's the same as the tower disappearing, so the Mana Stone rewards also disappear.

The declaration of a tower's forceful occupation is practically an invasion.

That is correct.

It is an item for war.

If used blindly without prior agreement, that is.

Well, an excuse could probably be made.

By contriving a plausible justification.

'Your nation doesn't have the capability to clear the tower, right?'

'We will take it over and clear it for you instead.'

'We are sacrificing ourselves for a nation at risk of a tower collapse.'

Isn't this a story heard a lot somewhere?

The logic when an imperialist nation forcibly occupies a colony.

So preparatory groundwork was needed.

"I finished the groundwork, sir. I think you can use it now, sir."

"There won't be any problems, right?"

"I have already discussed everything in advance, sir. A notification has also gone to the South Korean government, sir."

Good.

Let's bring the tower over.

Joo-hyuk took out the Tower Forceful Occupation Declaration Megaphone from his inventory.

As he flipped the switch.

[Please designate the tower of the nation to forcefully occupy.]

"Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower."

[The Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower climbing progress is 62nd floor completed, a below-average nation. Declaration is possible.]

These days, even the 62nd floor is below average.

Then again, most decent nations are almost all in the mid-to-late 60s floors.

Europe and even African nations were also climbing like crazy.

To climb to the 71st floor.

Because they have to go up and receive the 4-type gift set and High-Grade Mana Stones too.

It is possible because it became easier overall.

On top of that, the tower reward equipment from Player Shops, and the Holy Water imbued with divine power also drop quite well.

[Will you declare the forceful occupation?]

"I declare."

At that moment!

[World Notice : A player affiliated with the South Korea Black Tower declares forceful occupation of the tower against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.]

He finally went and did it.

The world notice popping up consecutively.

[World Notice : In 10 days, the nationality of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower will change to South Korea.]

A grace period of 10 days.

[World Notice : A right of defense is granted to players with Democratic People's Republic of Korea nationality.]

Right of defense granted.

[World Notice : To defend against the forceful occupation, climb the unclear upper floors of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower by 5 floors or more within 10 days.]

5 floors in 10 days.

Meaning defense is possible if they climb one floor every two days.

[World Notice : Cheering for the tower climbing of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower players.]

What do you mean cheering for them.

And one floor every two days?

It should be seen as impossible.

It's not like there are players in their level 60s in North Korea, and even if there were, North Korea's Black Tower is at the difficulty before the Kavalan clear.

While it's difficult even with Holy Water and the Holy Sword.

Defense is not even a remote possibility.

Maybe if it were a nation other than North Korea.

World notices are over.

[Tower forceful occupation declaration has ended.]

However, the system messages did not end.

[When acquiring the tower after 10 days, determining the treatment of players affiliated with the targeted Black Tower of forceful occupation.]

'Eh?'

What does this mean?

Player treatment.

[The types of deciding the treatment are Status Window Nationality Succession, or Nationality Expungement.]

"Ah!"

The inhabitants of an occupied tower.

In other words, deciding the treatment of colonial players.

Succession is accepting them, and expungement is removing them.

Of course, this is limited to the status window.

'What happens if expunged?'

Since it's the same as the nationality in the player's status window disappearing...

'They won't be able to enter the tower.'

Of course, it would be fine if they acquire a new nationality.

What if they can't even do that?

If a player cannot enter the tower for 3 months, their qualification is canceled.

'On the other hand, if tower nationality is succeeded...'

The colonial players would become able to enter the tower with South Korean nationality.

It becomes exactly the same as before.

While living in North Korea, climbing is done through the South Korea Black Tower.

What should I do?

Succession? Expungement?

A problem to ponder over.

Actually, the true purpose of using the Tower Forceful Occupation Declaration Megaphone is not just extorting the tower.

The first step of a long-term unification plan.

He has to weigh whether succession will be beneficial for unification, or if expungement will be beneficial for unification.

There is still a long way to go.

However, there is time to spare.

Let's think about it sufficiently for ten days.

"Actually, I am also pondering whether to attach a ribbon on Chairman Kim's head or not, sir."

"...Is that so?"

"He listens to words better than expected, sir. It is admirable, sir."

Listening next to them, Gwangma also,

"Then it would be good to try using him. If done well, it will pass over smoothly without anyone dying."

"No, sir. There are some who must be disposed of, sir."

"Who?"

"They are the hardliners of the North Korean military, sir. Their buttocks will be lifting up and down with this world notice, sir."

"Then what are you doing? You have to go and crush them."

"I will clean them all up shortly, sir."

Cossack's bleak eyes.

Gwangma chuckling with a pik,

"Do not even think about attaching things like ribbons."

"...Yep?"

"Is there a need to advertise it? It could become a burden to our Summoner."

"Y-yep!"

Phew.

Just how many people will die?

It can't be helped.

Because he has already started the job.

North Korea's hardliners are a sufficient threat target to Joo-hyuk.

It sufficiently meets the activation condition for Clause 3 of the 3 Principles of Summoned Entities.

Joo-hyuk also dislikes hardliners gaining power in North Korea.

Is he the only one in danger?

What about his family?

He just hopes casualties to human lives are minimized.

The suddenly resounding world notice.

It was an earth-shattering matter.

The whole world was astonished.

To think they would forcefully occupy a tower.

No, was this even a possible matter in the first place?

Just because the towers have nationalities attached to them.

Perhaps an even more dumbfounding situation than the Curse of the Average.

The aftermath was colossal.

Reactions burst out first from South Korea, the party involved.

- Wow! Is it the era of Tower Imperialism?

- Hand over your tower if you don't have the capability, you bastards!

- I don't usually get surprised, but this one is really real.

- Is there a need to be surprised? Even players' nationalities change, so there's no rule saying a tower's nationality can't change.

- At this point, shouldn't North Korea also be happy? We're letting them live.

- Well, that's true, but they are guys who make a living solely on their pride.

- They won't stay still. A few missiles are going to fly over for this.

- I'm already at Soongsil University station. The deepest station in Seoul.

- Then what happens to the North Korean players? Do they get kicked out?

- Who knows. Because a thing like this has never happened until now.

- I know a temporarily naturalized player whose nationality is tied to North Korea, and they are inwardly expecting something.

- What do you mean expecting something.

- Saying that if the tower is handed over this time, they might become players affiliated with South Korea.

- Fuck, that's not right! For whose benefit!

United States Department of Homeland Security.

Secretary MacMillan and Director Antonio having a conversation.

"We tried contacting the South Korean Awakening Management Agency, and it seems certain that the declarer is Player Bong."

MacMillan nodding his head.

Who else is there besides him?

"Could it be an item?"

"Probably. Just looking at the Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket right now."

Even so.

That you can change a tower's nationality?

And through extortion at that.

"Will North Korea stay still? Shouldn't we send an aircraft carrier or something?"

"Well, you probably don't need to worry about that."

"Yes?"

"North Korean Chairman Kim In-joong secretly requested it first."

"Ah!"

Meaning it's a matter agreed upon between them in advance.

Then again, who is Player Bong.

He wouldn't have used it without thought.

"And it's not like defending is difficult either."

"In North Korea's case, it's different."

"Right, out of the 146 towers worldwide, only North Korea."

Because it's a tower from before Kavalan.

"This might also be an item that shifts our way of thinking."

"Yes?"

"If a nation reaches a floor that is difficult to clear any further, wouldn't there be nations that intentionally request to take their tower?"

"Ah!"

That's true.

We don't know how the difficulties of the towers will change in the future.

So what if they determine that further clearing is impossible?

"Well, it will differ depending on what happens to the players affiliated with the forcefully occupied tower, though."

Actually, this is the most important part.

What will happen to them?

"We will probably find out once the tower forceful occupation ends."

"Right, the result has become important, not the beginning."

MacMillan was curious too.

Just how the tower forceful occupation will conclude.

North Korea's situation also changed rapidly.

Chairman Kim In-joong, who was rumored to be bedridden, revealed his appearance at official events.

Showing off his robust health, he inspected various industrial facilities, and met and praised the players climbing the Republic's Black Tower.

Around that time, the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation erupted as a world notice.

Pyongyang was flipped upside down.

A South Korean player brat dares to extort the Republic's tower?

They have lost their freaking minds.

This is a matter of pride.

How is this any different from a declaration of war?

They say clearing 5 floors will defend it, but how is that easy?

As everyone knows, the Republic's Black Tower is a tower from before Kavalan.

Denunciation rallies were held all over Pyongyang.

Kill the South Korean player.

Let us show them the taste of Juche nukes.

Turn Seoul into a sea of fire.

We will not even hesitate for war.

If Comrade Chairman decides, we will do it.

North Korea's military was especially unusual.

Looking ready to enter war preparations right away.

In response, Chairman Kim In-joong convened an emergency All-People's Representative Conference.

North Korean military leaders and Workers' Party executives flocking into Pyongyang one after another.

And two days before the All-People's Representative Conference, super-massive incidents erupted in succession in North Korea.

The declaration of the tower's forceful occupation or whatever was nothing.

To the point that practically discussions of war disappeared completely.

Minister of the People's Armed Forces died in a traffic accident on his way to work.

Director of the General Political Bureau died of a heart attack in his office.

Director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau found dead by the Taedong River.

Marshal of the Korean People's Army died by hanging in his residence.

Director of the State Security Department fell to his death from a top-tier apartment in Pyongyang.

Commander of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army died of a cerebral infarction in the restroom of a missile base...

.

.

.

The key figures of the military hardliners died one after another.

And within just a day or two.

It was a baffling matter.

What in the world is this?

There was no evidence of assassination or sniping.

Most were accidents or suicides.

Of course, everyone knew it was not natural.

However, there was no way to do anything about it.

North Korea's high-ranking officials began to keep silent.

Because everyone who died were powerful figures who brought up war with South Korea on their lips.

North Korea's atmosphere became unsettled.

So they wondered if the All-People's Representative Conference would be postponed, but it was forced through by Chairman Kim In-joong's will.

Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang,

Chairman Kim In-joong and all key executives of the party, government, and military of North Korea's supreme leadership attended.

Many seats were sparsely empty.

They also knew the reason why,

But there was one unfamiliar figure seated next to Chairman Kim In-joong.

Looking at the two, they seemed very close.

Chairman Kim In-joong rose from his seat.

And then.

"Before the Representative Conference, I intend to appoint a new revolutionary worker to the vacant position of the Minister of the People's Armed Forces."

A new Minister of the People's Armed Forces?

The previous one just died yesterday.

The Minister of the People's Armed Forces is equivalent to the Minister of Defense.

A very important position.

But a previously unseen figure?

"Comrades, please welcome Comrade Go Sa-geuk with applause."

Clap clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause,

It is a figure Chairman Kim personally brought.

Even if there are suspicious parts, they first have to clap and see.

The new Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Go Sa-geuk, went up to the podium.

"Comrades, nice to meet you. I am Go Sa-geuk."

After greeting them.

"First, I express my loyalty and gratitude to the great Comrade Chairman who appointed me as the Minister of the People's Armed Forces."

Clap clap clap clap!

"I, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Go Sa-geuk, will make every effort heart and soul to spread the Juche Revolutionary Spirit, or Joo-hyuk Spirit for short, to all nations in the world."

Clap clap clap clap!

"In addition, I will conclude my thoughts by leading cheers of hurrah."

Go Sa-geuk, no Cossack, raised both his hands high in the All-People's Representative Conference venue and shouted.

"Hurrah for Comrade Chairman!"

"Hurrah!!!"

"Hurrah for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea!"

"Hurrah!!!"

"Hurrah for the Juche Revolutionary Spirit!"

"Hurrah!!!"

"Hurrah for the Joohyeok Spirit!"

"Hurrah!!!"

Cossack's face colored with madness.

"Hurrah for Joo-hyuk!"

"Hurrah!!!"

"Hurrah for Joo-hyuk!"

"Hurrah!!!"

"Hurrah for Joo-hyuk!"

"Hurrah!!!"

Joo-hyuk's name echoed full in the conference hall, but no one suspected anything.

Juche (Ju) Revolutionary (Hyeok) Spirit.

Joo-hyuk.

A simple abbreviation.

The conference ended blankly.

Not a single word about responding to the tower extortion was discussed.

Because everyone who could speak up had all died.

Chairman Kim In-joong also only spoke about other pending issues.

Like that, North Korea did nothing.

Until the tower was forcefully occupied.