Chapter 177 - Chapter 177

Chapter 177

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Spell Power Binding Block, aka Magic Power Sealing Scroll.

To count the elements necessary for mass production on one's fingers.

First.

A location to produce the magic scrolls, and printing machines.

Cossack took charge of it.

After simply doing groundwork on the flatland around the Pyongyang Black Tower, he gathered revolutionary workers and installed temporary buildings; since it was something he had already been progressing with from before, it was done quickly.

After that, he requisitioned old printing presses from government offices all over Pyongyang.

Veteran laborers who would do the printing work as well.

Experienced skilled workers who had made various instigation-propaganda flyers and propaganda leaflets.

Second.

The process of producing the original mold plates to insert into the printing machines.

Mackenzie stepped forward.

Through imprinting magic, he engraved the Spell Power Binding Block magic pattern and formula onto the metal plates.

Just the required original plates were over 100.

One for each printing machine, and even including ones to swap in when they get damaged.

It's defective if an error of even a single inch occurs.

So mental concentration was essential.

Third.

The work of retrofitting existing mechanical printing presses into magical engineering scroll printing presses.

Magical Engineer El stepped forward.

Her body is a golem prosthetic body. Consequently, infinite working time and efficiency were already guaranteed.

She personally manufactured various types of magic power circuit boards, including magic power circuits, , , etc., and installed them in each printing press.

Fourth.

Special scroll paper and magic ink.

Corner Alchemist Mari personally made a visit to the Pyongyang Black Tower.

Hanging a large cauldron and lighting a fire, mixing purified water, herbs, and Mana Stones in a certain ratio, and then manufacturing the chemicals.

And dipping printing paper into it for a certain time, taking it out, and drying it completes the scroll paper.

She also produced magic ink.

Obtaining dyes separately, adding Mana Stones and herbs, and fixing magic power into the ink itself.

Tower metal goes into here.

About 10g of Orichalcon powder per 1L of ink?

An extremely miniscule amount, so it's a quantity that doesn't cause a large burden.

North Korean printing laborers were also deployed in large numbers.

Because it was a part that inherently required a lot of simple labor power.

They worked very diligently.

Doing things recklessly even if not ordered to.

Because they are primarily hardworking?

Not a chance!

The hourly wage is 10,000 won.

Meaning it's equal to South Korea's minimum wage.

Of course they should work like crazy.

In mere 3 days, they entered trial production.

Cha-cha-chak! Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-chak!

Magic scrolls coming out printed on the printing press rollers.

Next, moving to the cutter.

A magic power circuit was equipped here as well.

magic power circuit.

A device that immediately finds it if there is a defect.

If they pass through all processes like that, the laborers package them in bundles and it's done.

Joo-hyuk's role is experimenting with the made scrolls and making the final decision, since he's the boss.

The experimental subject this time was also Commissioner Jeon Kwang-il.

Handing him the Rune Necklace of Liberation with 1 usage count remaining and making him manifest the option effect.

Eu-deu-deu-deuk!

Jeon Kwang-il whose body became gigantic with Superhuman Strength.

However, what if it's the scroll?

Jji-jik!

Although it's scroll magic where the power significantly drops even if it's the same type of magic because it doesn't contain the will of the magician's word spirits.

"...It was applied. Master power is bound."

Success.

The mass-produced version also showed an excellent effect just like the one before.

"We can announce it now."

"I will prepare a press conference."

* * *

The situation of mega-chaos currently occurring in China.

The use of force by players utilizing the Rune Necklace of Liberation.

The types were various.

Using the necklace as a method to resist the government.

So the targets of attack were Public Security officers, or Communist Party cadres, or high-ranking government officials.

Next was personal revenge.

Players who had to stay quiet because they couldn't receive legal protection despite suffering unfair grievances carried out private revenge using the necklace.

The last was greed.

Liberating their strength to rob banks, or raid High-Grade Mana Stone storage warehouses, or perpetrate crimes like murder or rape.

Accidents exploded several times a day.

Eventually, martial law was even declared through an agreement of the Chinese Central Emergency Committee.

Actually, no matter how much they used the Rune Necklace of Liberation, there is a limit if one's level is low.

If you get shot, you die.

Not by small firearms like handguns, but by large-caliber automatic firearms or sniper rifles.

In that manner players died, Public Security officers died, soldiers died, and innocent ordinary people also suffered damage.

The world was keeping a close eye on China.

Just how will this situation conclude?

It didn't seem like it would end in a short period of time.

An emergency staff meeting was held in the White House in the US too.

"The rumor was true."

"Yes, that's correct. You could say it was proven through this incident."

The rumor that the reward probability for the Rune Necklace of Liberation is very high even on lower floors below the 71st floor of Chinese towers.

However, since the truth couldn't be confirmed, they had only been watching.

"Just how many rune necklaces have been released in China?"

"No one knows that. Just the number of ordinary players with Chinese nationality approaches 200,000. Under the circumstances where we don't even know how many people climb the tower a day."

200,000.

It would probably be around that.

The number of players is proportional to the population.

Presumably, a maximum of 200,000 tower climbs are happening a day in China alone.

And since it comes out on lower floors too, the climbing reward probability jumps significantly across all floors, so even if we assume it's just 0.01%.......

"It means 20 rune necklaces could come out every single day."

"Even if only half that, 10, come out, it will be terrible. Just after one month passes, the amount released will be......."

"Good God!"

Rune Necklaces of Liberation held in the hands of players who cannot be controlled.

Where else would there be a more dangerous item than that?

The Rune Necklace of Liberation is not such a super-rare item.

Since they are occasionally coming out in US towers right now too.

However, it's the 71st floor and above.

It was specified like that when the world notice system message popped up for the first time too.

The 71st floor and above are floors mainly state-nurtured players can climb.

Ordinary players parking long-term in the 60s floors at best.

Because no matter how much they were weakened, clearing Death Knights and Liches with only holy water without a holy sword is an extremely difficult task.

But it has changed now.

I don't know what the cause is, but a necklace coming out below the 71st floor limited to Chinese towers.

Is it a simple error? Or could it be the system's intention?

US President Lloyd fell into deep thought.

And then.

"What about preparing countermeasures?"

"We must include ordinary players as subjects of state surveillance......."

"That absolutely will not do. Have you forgotten what caused the Chinese crisis to occur?"

The side effects are greater.

Isn't the current situation also a result caused by the conflict between players and the government in China?

It's a frustrating state of affairs one way or another.

To think an incident would explode outside the tower when we were feeling relieved because the danger of tower collapse had decreased.

If things go wrong, the perception towards players might change.

From a positive image of preventing tower collapses and supplying mana stones, to a negative image possessing dangerous abilities.

This must be prevented.

Also on the level of player protection.

"Conduct thorough inspection and search on all aircraft or ships coming from China from now on."

"Protests might come from China."

"I don't care. Since I have even entry bans in mind if necessary."

President Lloyd continued speaking in a firm tone.

"Make it so the necklace cannot come out of China. Because the misfortune must end in China. Also, a bill to expansively permit firearm possession for our citizens to protect themselves......."

Right at that moment!

Ttok-ttok, beol-keok!

Secretary McMillan who opened the White House conference room door and entered.

"Hey, Mac! You're late. What do you intend doing coming after the meeting is completely over?"

"Because there was a reason to be."

"What happened? Seeing as you're brazen despite being late, ...is there something?"

"I was conversing with Korean Awakening Management Agency Commissioner Jeon Kwang-il."

"Eung? Conversing about what?"

"First, let's watch 너튜브 You-Tube together. Since a press conference is scheduled for today."

"Uh......."

The wall TV in the White House conference room turned on.

A live broadcast press conference was being conducted on the Korean Awakening Management Agency channel.

Commissioner Jeon Kwang-il stood on the podium.

* * *

Jeon Kwang-il preparing for the press conference.

Originally, it was a press conference limited to domestic.

However, quite a lot of foreign press reporters were seen too.

It makes sense!

The official announcements of the Korean Awakening Management Agency are always subjects of global interest.

Because of its status as the strongest nation in tower climbing.

Also, were any of the events that had occurred so far ordinary?

Sweepingly, they were all things capable of shaking the world.

The Holy Sword rental announcement, Basilisk and wyvern leather civil supply, Kavalan clear, carrying out mass sales of tower reward items.......

Just what could it be this time?

What kind of announcement are they trying to surprise the world with again?

"Heom-heom!"

Clearing his throat first.

Slowly opening lips.

"Hello. I am Korean Awakening Management Agency Commissioner Jeon Kwang-il."

Starting with a greeting.

"First, I express my respect to the players who have not stopped their climbing efforts even now to prevent the collapse of the Black Towers."

"However, despite a mountain of matters that must be resolved, such as overlapping collapse time limits through tower clears, civilizational development achieved through High-Grade Mana Stone rewards, and the nightmare of the giant monster sections in the 80s floors, a despairing incident has unfortunately exploded once again."

Cha-cha-cha-chak! Chak-chak!

Flashing flashes.

The reporters know.

What the despairing incident Jeon Kwang-il mentioned is.

The Rune Necklace of Liberation crisis that happened in China.

Perhaps this press conference is related to that?

"Yes, that is correct. It is the story of the Rune Necklace of Liberation. An item that does not provide any help whatsoever in preventing tower collapses, and is therefore an item we can do without."

Tower collapse is something that can be prevented by climbing the tower.

Why do we need a necklace that manifests strength in reality?

"Therefore, the governments of each country have thoroughly managed and controlled that necklace so far."

Korea, the US, and European countries too.

"However, it is unknown whether it is an error or intended, but as Rune Necklaces of Liberation come out on lower floors in China, they are being used indiscriminately."

Cha-cha-cha-chak! Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-chak!

The sound of flashes exploding became louder.

"Due to the deviant actions of a small number of villain players, ordinary people and the majority of good-natured players are suffering damage."

"Now, not only China but its neighboring countries, no, the whole world has reached a point where we must be vigilant against the Rune Necklace of Liberation."

Jeon Kwang-il paused speaking for a moment and swallowed his saliva.

Now is the point to enter the main topic.

"In response, the Awakening Management Agency has developed an item that can suppress the indiscriminate use of the Rune Necklace of Liberation."

Ung-seong-ung-seong.

The press conference hall starting to get noisy.

Jeon Kwang-il said as he held up a single piece of paper.

"It is exactly this. Spell Power Binding Block, aka Magic Power Sealing Scroll, it looks like paper but specifying a target and tearing it generates an effect. The range of use is a 50m radius, in all directions."

"The target exposed to the scroll magic will become unable to use magic power in reality. It is sealed for at least 1 hour, and up to 2 hours at longest."

People were shocked.

To think that is real?

"The purpose of this scroll item is to safely subdue liberated villain players."

"Also, it will serve the role as a deterrent to proactively prevent unfortunate crises from occurring."

Commissioner Jeon Kwang-il looking straight at the camera screen.

"Our Awakening Management Agency desires peace."

"Therefore, we also sincerely plead to the players who have acquired the Rune Necklace of Liberation."

"Please do not let good-natured people suffer due to a wrong judgment."

And then he bowed his head and gave a sincere greeting.

Announcement finished.

"With this, I will conclude the press conference and take questions."

At that, reporters crazily raised their hands.

When Jeon Kwang-il pointed to one person.

"Is the quantity sufficient? Even setting the effect aside, if the usable amount is insufficient......."

"We have already completed a mass production system. As an item made of paper, we will print out as many as needed."

"Where can we buy it?"

"We plan to supply from government agencies first. It is being supplied to Korean police stations and police boxes even now. Civil supply will be later......."

"What about the price?"

"We are contemplating an appropriate level, but wouldn't it be around the 100,000 won mark per sheet."

Another reporter raised their hand.

"I question whether sealing a player's magic power is a right thing to do. Could it not be used as a means of suppression?"

I knew this kind of question would come out.

"What do you mean by suppression. From the very beginning, players could not use strength in reality. Their strength was manifested only inside the tower."

"Therefore, players were subjects of protection and respect. Because people who are no different from ordinary people in reality risk their lives to climb the towers for us."

"However, after the Rune Necklace of Liberation, players might change into subjects of surveillance and beings of fear."

"It should not be like this. They are individuals who lead the development of industries by preventing tower collapses and mining High-Grade Mana Stones. They rightfully deserve to be respected."

Jeon Kwang-il speaking firmly.

"But a seed of conflict that did not exist before has been thrown."

"Let us assume that a player in the Republic of Korea manifested their strength with a Rune Necklace of Liberation and committed a disgraceful act. Then what should we do?"

A nuance of lamentation was glaringly apparent on his expression.

"Yes, we must subdue them. Guns or missiles, helicopters and tanks, the military must be mobilized. And atrocities will occur. Like China."

"However, with this scroll, we can handle the problem comparatively safely."

The reason for the scroll's existence.

When you think about it, protection, not oppression.

"Do not be mesmerized by the item's name. It is not a Necklace of Liberation, but a Necklace of Alienation. It is an item that divides ordinary people and players."

How is it any different from seeds sown by the devil?

"The more this necklace spreads, the more communal conflict will gradually deepen, and ultimately climbing the tower will become harder."

That is true.

Jeon Kwang-il's words are correct.

An item that has no relation whatsoever to climbing the tower.

Rather, only causing discord like China.

Right at that moment!

Even though they weren't pointed to, one person jumped up and shouted in a loud voice; it was a correspondent reporter from China.

"When do you plan to supply to China? The damage currently is extreme. Do you not have any intentions of supplying it even one day sooner?"

"Well... I think it will take some time though."

The Chinese reporter, who felt something strange from Jeon Kwang-il's lukewarm attitude.

"What do you mean right now? It sounds like an intention not to sell to China?"

Jeon Kwang-il hardened his complexion stiffly and answered.

"That is correct. Right now, I have no thought of selling the Magic Power Sealing Scrolls to China."

"For what reason is that? Is it a declaration that you will antagonize China?"

"Because of the concern that if we supply Magic Power Sealing Scrolls to China, the Chinese government might use them for the purpose of suppressing good-natured players."

That is true.

China is different from other countries.

They have suppressed players since before the Rune Necklaces of Liberation.

We can see it just by looking at the past incident of kidnapping players from other countries immediately.

Due to those reasons, there is a possibility they will suppress players even stronger with the Magic Power Sealing Scrolls.

"Such nonsense......."

"Actually, isn't China getting to this state right now also a result of the conflict between the government and the players when you think about it?"

The Chinese reporter silent at Jeon Kwang-il's question.

"The Chinese government must converse with their own country's players first."

"Thus, they must apologize first for the unjust suppression so far and draw out an amicable agreement."

"If relations are normalized through effort... no, if they just promise they will do that, we will supply the Scrolls of Magic Power Sealing immediately even now."

The Chinese reporter asked in a sarcastic tone.

"They just have to apologize?"

"No, they must show practical action."

"What kind of......?"

"First and foremost, release all the imprisoned Chinese Player Association members and cadres. And if they desire overseas exile, permit that as well."

"D, do you see that as being possible?"

"If it is not possible, there is no supply either. Our Awakening Management Agency is on the players' side from beginning to end. Regardless of nationality."

"......."

The press conference was finished.

With this, the existence of the Magic Power Sealing Scroll became widely known.

Once again, the names of the Republic of Korea and the Awakening Management Agency spread out across the entire world.

* * *

White House conference room.

President Lloyd, who had watched the press conference to the end on the TV screen, asked Secretary McMillan.

"It must be true, right?"

"How could it be a lie."

"Player Bong this time as well?"

"Of course."

Who else would it be other than him?

"We must purchase them immediately and distribute them to the police, and also make it so civilians can buy them. Instead of uselessly expanding civilian firearm possession."

"Hmm."

"In daily life, it is just a simple piece of paper. However, the effect is certain against liberated villain players."

Right.

An item whose use is specified.

Having no influence whatsoever normally.

So it's a very safe item too.

"What are you doing now? You have to contact the Awakening Management Agency immediately and secure a quantity."

"The discussions are already finished. Please just execute the budget."

"Is that so? Then that's a relief."

Even amidst that, the Magic Power Sealing Scroll printing presses in the Pyongyang Black Tower factory ran without stopping.