Chapter 128 - Chapter 128

Chapter 128

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The declaration of the North Korea tower's forceful occupation by a player affiliated with South Korea.

Countries around the world were carefully observing this situation.

That a mere individual player declares the forced possession of a national Black Tower?

Let's set aside whether such a thing is truly possible.

The event has already occurred,

The time for debating whether it's possible or not had passed.

The part people are putting their attention on is after the declaration.

Just what will be North Korea's method of response?

Rebellion? Or compliance?

Furthermore, will the nationality of the North Korea Black Tower truly change after 10 days?

If it comes to pass, what will be the fate of the players affiliated with the North Korea tower?

That's right.

The important thing is the result.

In what way will the declaration conclude.

Players affiliated with the North Korea tower were inwardly anticipating it.

Both the original nationality players, and the players of other nations who temporarily naturalized and were helplessly tied down.

It would be good if their nationality became South Korea.

Since it becomes possible to climb the sweet honey jackpot tower with the highest item reward probability.

The nation that received the biggest shock in the midst of that.

It was precisely China.

China and North Korea.

Even though it is said their relationship has become estranged recently, are they not strictly military allies.

However, the situation was changing too suddenly.

Chairman Kim In-joong's ambiguous attitude.

Especially, his actions after miraculously recovering from a botanical human state were too suspicious.

Chinese President Liu Zhao receiving a report from the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.

"You are saying they are not responding at all?"

"Yes, the North Korea tower's progress remains exactly the same. They are not even thinking of climbing for defense."

"Hmph! It's an intention to hand it over."

It has been over a week since the declaration.

It's the juncture where the tower will soon be handed over.

Yet they're doing nothing?

It is uncharacteristic of the North Korean government.

No matter how much they lack the capability to clear the tower, this isn't right.

The subject who declared it was a South Korean player.

Then shouldn't they at least try criticizing or threatening?

When they even possess nuclear missiles.

'The rumors might be true.'

That is, the fact that Chairman Kim In-joong requested it directly to the South Korean government.

That is not all.

The deaths of key figures of the hardliners against the South after the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation.

The All-People's Representative Conference that was forced through nonetheless.

Moreover, political bureaucrats and military figures classified as pro-Chinese were also losing their power or being purged.

Just what in the world is happening,

It's suspicious beyond measure.

They might be trying to sever ties with China and hold hands with South Korea.

In the end, the answer is Chairman Kim In-joong.

Just what thoughts is he harboring?

And one more thing,

"This person here, is a person who has emerged as the second-in-command of North Korean power next to Kim In-joong."

"The new Minister of the People's Armed Forces?"

"Yes, his name is Go Sa-geuk. He also appears to be deeply involved in the purge operations of the hardliners and pro-Chinese figures this time."

There were also photos.

The tablet screen, Go Sa-geuk leading the cheers of hurrah at the All-People's Representative Conference.

"He's young."

His appearance was also ordinary.

Typical East Asian lineage.

"Did you find out his identity?"

"We could not uncover it. His age, educational background, hometown, everything is a mystery. It looks as if he dropped out of thin air."

Liu Zhao carefully examined other photos of Chairman Kim In-joong and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Go Sa-geuk.

They looked incredibly intimate.

Wherever they went, the two stuck firmly together.

From morning to evening.

As if they were lovers or something.

Unless one is a fool, there is no way not to know,

That this person, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Go Sa-geuk, is at the center of the changes occurring in North Korea right now,

"Go Sa-geuk's identity will be the core."

"That is correct. We are inquiring in all directions."

"Until when will it be possible?"

"Th, that is, because the given information is only his name and face..."

President Liu Zhao asking as if he recalled something.

"...The possibility of him being a player? I mean a bastard who can exhibit abilities in reality."

"Are you speaking of a player who used the Rune Necklace of Liberation and the Ring of Shape Transformation?"

"Yes. The situation where the hardliners were eliminated without a mouse or bird knowing is suspicious."

Thereupon, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau touched the tablet screen and enlarged Go Sa-geuk's fingers greatly to show him.

"If you look here when he is cheering hurrah, he is not wearing rings on his fingers. I looked at his neck area as well, and for now, it seems he does not have a necklace either."

Then the possibility of him not being a liberated player is very high.

"Dispatch people to investigate Go Sa-geuk directly."

"Understood."

North Korea's tower being handed over cannot be helped.

It's not a situation where China can provide help in defending the tower either.

However, the actual nation being handed over to South Korea?

For example, through a method called unification.

That must be stopped.

The substantive unification of North and South Korea is a matter that absolutely cannot be condoned.

Thus, China's elite special intelligence agents were urgently dispatched to North Korea.

Japan.

Prime Minister Kawaguchi met a sudden death due to the generation of the Tokyo Black Tower in Japan, and Acting Prime Minister Usuda was also vainly murdered by the coup forces.

The country plunged into chaos, but still, a general election must be held.

Changes also occurred in the Japanese political world.

Overtaking the Liberal Party, the Democratic Reform Party narrowly secured the status of the largest party.

A change in government.

Therefore, the current Japanese Prime Minister is Maeda Kenji of the Democratic Reform Party.

If there's a singularity, he is from a player background.

He was an early awakened player in his early 40s.

However, as a politician, it is a very young age.

The very first thing he did after taking office as Prime Minister was declare the clearing of the 58th floor of the Tokyo Tower in Japan.

He didn't jump in personally.

Even though he's a player himself, he didn't have enough talent to climb the upper floors.

Instead, he intensively invested in the players who showed the most promise among the existing state-fostered players.

In that process, South Korea's role was very significant.

Equipping themselves all over their bodies with tower reward weapons and equipment purchased from the Player Shop, and in a fully-doped state with elixirs and potions, they hunted down the Frost Wyvern on the 58th floor.

Maeda Kenji had no choice but to acknowledge it.

The fact that South Korea's help is essential for Japan to survive.

That was the same for the future as well.

Regarding the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation that occurred this time, Prime Minister Maeda also had a flexible stance.

"It is true they requested it first, right?"

"It is certain. Seeing that there are absolutely no defensive movements for North Korea's tower."

Maeda nodding his head.

"It is a sound method. Since handing it over when it cannot be cleared is a wise judgment."

"They seem to be trying to go one step further than that, though."

"What is it?"

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister answered cautiously.

"The atmosphere is unusual. Military hardliners have died one after another, and pro-Chinese figures have also been purged."

And,

"They seized power in a single breath by putting forward a new Minister of the People's Armed Forces; it appears Chairman Kim is attempting to organize a new board."

Organizing a new board.

If so...,

"No way, unification?"

"That is too hasty a speculation, but it is certain they are attempting to improve relations with the South Korean government at least. Even considering there was communication between the Blue House and Chairman Kim In-joong regarding the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation this time..."

"Hmm."

Improvement of relations between North and South Korea, huh.

If it were the past, they would have blocked it somehow.

However, now is a situation where they have to be mindful of South Korea.

Japan also has to climb to the 71st floor.

Because they have to prepare for the upcoming New Industrial Revolution by receiving High-Grade Mana Stones as a reward.

To do so, they unconditionally have to break through the undead section.

Holy Water alone is insufficient.

Borrowing a Holy Sword from the South Korean Awakening Management Agency is essential.

"It seems we should decide the cabinet government's stance in advance."

Stance, you say.

"If North and South Korean relations improve, we should congratulate them. What else is needed other than that?"

However, the Secretary had an expression full of worry.

"The backlash from the old geezers will be severe."

"Hmph! What can the likes of them do."

Japanese right-wing forces?

Their era has set.

Meanwhile, Japan had become too senile.

Politics, economy, and culture as well.

The younger generations must step forward to the front.

Not just blabbering about the future, the future with words, but for the true future.

"Improving relations with South Korea is urgent for us too. If we keep paying attention to the old geezers, we might miss the opportunity."

Japan must also organize a new board.

There will be no senile right-wing forces at its center.

Fortunately, the younger generations of both countries have a decent relationship.

South Korea's younger generation wants to travel to Japan, and Japan's younger generation is enthusiastic about the Korean Wave.

Maeda also had no burden in improving relations with South Korea.

With the collapse of the Japan Black Tower and the annihilation of the Self-Defense Forces coup forces, the influence of the right-wing forces is in a fractured situation.

Now is the opportunity.

Japan must advance more proactively.

Settling past history?

What's difficult about that.

He intends to grant whatever the South Korean government demands.

It can be seen just by looking at the declaration of the tower's forceful occupation this time.

South Korea's S+++ grade clear record holder, due to him, South Korea will become the leading nation of East Asia, no, the world.

However, Prime Minister Maeda was underestimating the right-wingers within Japan too much.

Just how persistent and tenacious they are.

Cossack, who began his activities in earnest.

So, waking up early every morning and sending Cossack to work became the start of Joo-hyuk's daily routine.

He was worried because Cossack had too many tasks to do these days.

Dispatch duties to North Korea, Black Tower clearing duties, moonlighting, overtime, night shifts...

Should he have some restorative medicine prepared for him to eat?

Even though his North Korea duty is just sticking right next to Chairman Kim and monitoring whether he's doing anything foolish.

Once he sends Cossack off to work in North Korea like that?

Well, there isn't really anything to do.

He just plays around.

Calling the summoned entities, eating meals, watching movies, enjoying drives,

Climbing the upper floors was postponed.

After the North Korea Black Tower's nationality completely changes.

After that, climbing the 75th and 76th floors respectively, receiving the Rune of Grade Breakthrough, sending Princess Gyeon Dal-rae off, and trying a random summon too.

As he got plenty of rest like that, that day finally arrived.

It was today.

The day the tower's nationality changes, that is.

"It is a day worth commemorating, sir. An achievement might pop up too, sir."

Right.

It's not a player's nationality, but a tower's nationality changing, so an achievement should naturally pop up.

"In that sense, how about coming to Pyongyang today, sir?"

"To North Korea?"

"Yep! I will escort you with a Pyongyang full course, sir. I will go in advance and set everything up cleanly, sir."

"Umm."

He doesn't know if that's okay.

Isn't it illegal entry into North Korea.

What if he gets caught by the NIS and investigated on charges of espionage?

"...I wouldn't get caught, right?"

"Please come after attaching a perception-hindering talisman, sir."

Should I try going?

Seems like a good idea.

Since it's a special place others can't easily visit.

So Joo-hyuk suddenly decided to visit North Korea.

After every summoned entity, including Sir Gwangma and even Rajix, attached perception-hindering talismans.

Entering the 1st floor of the South Korea Black Tower, abandoning the mission, and exiting to the North Korea Black Tower.

Pyongyang is visible over there in the distance.

He finally came all the way to North Korea.

'I feel peculiar.'

Now he just has to meet up with Cossack.

However, a situation where he hasn't arrived yet even past the appointed time.

"Hmm, this bastard has become arrogant after putting on an official's hat. He dares make the Summoner and this seat wait?"

Gwangma's voice mixed with dissatisfaction.

"It's probably because the exit location is random. He'll probably come if we wait a little."

"Heo-heo, as expected, the Summoner is generous. But he should have sensed our energy by now,"

At that moment!

Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat...

A sound heard from afar over there.

And a man who appeared panting heavily wearing a Mao suit.

An unfamiliar face, but he knew as soon as he saw him.

Cossack who changed his face with polymorph.

"Chung! Summoner Bong, welcome, sir. Comrades, please come quickly too."

Gyeon Dal-rae chuckling with a pik,

"It is difficult to meet you because you are a precious person. The number 2 in North Korea's hierarchy, no, looking at it, you're the number 1 in hierarchy,"

"Ayu, Princess, sir too, as soon as I noticed you had arrived, I ran with all my might, sir."

Veronica also.

"May I shoot the Minister of the People's Armed Forces dead? Either way, is he not the ringleader of our South Korea's main enemy."

"Sergeant Bae, why are you like this? Just how hard I am trying for the Juche revolution..."

Cheol-keok!

Sergeant Bae loading her magic gun.

"He is a double agent, as expected. He seems to be brainwashed."

"This warrior also thinks so. Is the spy reporting number 111."

"Hu-ek!"

Cossack chuckling with a pik,

"At this opportunity, how about Sergeant Bae also coming to North Korea as a revolutionary warrior, sir? It would be good to show the reactionaries a taste of the fire stick of the Juche revolution, sir."

Veronica was tempted.

She was getting slightly jealous anyway, thinking Cossack was having fun by himself.

"Are there positions?"

"Ayu, there certainly are, sir. How about the Director of the General Political Bureau, sir?"

"Is it a good position?"

"If you come, the two of us can fry and stir-fry North Korea, sir."

"Will it work with this face? I don't have a face-changing skill, though."

"Please ask Summoner Bong to lend you the Ring of Shape Transformation, sir."

Thereupon, Veronica looking at Joo-hyuk with bright eyes,

"...Let's talk about it later."

"Certain victory!"

Heading out of the vicinity of the Pyongyang Black Tower, several vehicles and drivers waiting for the party.

"These comrades are my loyal subordinates, sir. You do not need to worry, sir."

The drivers raised their hands high in a standing posture and shouted.

"Welcome. Hurrah for the Juche Revolutionary Spirit!"

"Hurrah for Joo-hyuk!"

"Hurrah!"

"..."

Just what is this nonsense again?

Joo-hyuk, they say.

Why is my name coming from there?

"Uh-umm, it's an abbreviation for Juche (Ju) Revolutionary (Hyeok) Spirit, sir."

North Korea shortens all sorts of things too.

Anyway, the party divided into the cars and entered downtown Pyongyang.

The desolate panoramic view of Pyongyang.

The roads were wide, but there were hardly any passing cars.

Even a cart pulled by an ox passed by.

In a world where they're talking about the 4th and 5th industrial revolutions happening with High-Grade Mana Stones, an oxcart.

On the other hand, the buildings are surprisingly plausible.

Is it because it's Pyongyang?

Red cloth banners were hung on every building.

All propaganda slogans.

However?

"..."

And even on the building of Okryu-gwan, their final destination.

It's driving me crazy.

Who did this?

There's only one person.

Comrade Minister of the People's Armed Forces Cossack, who feigned ignorance while stealthily avoiding his glare.

The summoned entities seemed to have caught on too.

Everyone wearing pleased smiles.

"My Lord's name is resounding across the world. You did well. Assassin."

"You are admirable. It's unexpected. Joo-hyuk Spirit, it caught my fancy."

"This girl also marveled. I thought you were only blinded by government posts."

"Cossack, make a position for me too. Director of the General Political Bureau, let me try that."

"As expected, the assassin's head is good."

"Ho-e-e, it's cool. Joo-hyuk-nim Spirit."

Cossack, whose corners of his mouth caught on his ears at the repeated praises.

"Ayu, to say it anew, this Cossack only thinks of Summoner Bong awake or asleep, sir."

"..."

This is a big trouble.

At this point, illegal entry into North Korea doesn't seem to be the problem.

The summoned entities are being dyed red.

Looking ready to stand up holding a sickle and hammer.

He's on the verge of becoming the ringleader of the commies.

Anyway, Joo-hyuk, the Minister of the People's Armed Forces, and his party who entered Okryu-gwan.

"It is only us in Okryu-gwan, sir. Starting the full course, sir."

At the appearance of the undisputed number 2 in power of North Korea, the employees of Okryu-gwan tensely carried the food.

It was set up generously.

Authentic Pyongyang naengmyeon, Pyongyang onban, Kaesong mandu, meat hot pot, and even Taedonggang beer.

'...Hmm,'

Looks delicious.

Let's eat first and think later.

At that time.

Tti-ring!

[World Notice : The 10-day defense period given to players affiliated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower has ended.]

Finally!

[World Notice : Players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have failed to defend against the forceful occupation.]

[World Notice : The nationality of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower has been changed to South Korea.]

[World Notice : The tower acquisition process has begun.]

From now on, system messages heard only to Joo-hyuk.

[Informing you of the current status of players affiliated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower.]

[The number of original nationality players is 1,925, and the number of temporarily affiliated players is 18,714.]

The number of native players and temporarily naturalized players differed by nearly 10 times.

No wonder it became overpopulated.

Anyway, what does it mean to mention them separately without bundling the players all at once?

[Please decide whether to succeed or expunge the status window nationality for the original nationality players.]

It means they can be processed separately.

The ultimate purpose of the tower's forceful occupation is unification anyway.

So.

"Succeed the status window nationality of original nationality players."

[World Notice : The nationalities of existing players affiliated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower are uniformly changed to South Korea.]

It was declared as a world notice.

What's next?

[Please decide whether to succeed or expunge the status window nationality for the temporarily affiliated players.]

"Expunge nationality for temporarily naturalized players."

[World Notice : The nationalities of temporarily naturalized players affiliated with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Black Tower have been expunged.]

The joys and sorrows of the players crossed.

What about the achievement?

[Achievement : Changing the nationality of another nation's Black Tower for the first time.]

Naturally, it should pop up.