Chapter 178 - Chapter 178

Chapter 178

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The Korean Awakening Management Agency's press conference struck the entire world once again.

Spell Power Binding Block, aka Magic Power Sealing Scroll.

It was just paper.

It couldn't even go into a player's inventory.

Because the paper used for manufacturing was an Earth item.

Honestly, it's doubtful whether it even has an effect.

Will tearing that really change anything?

Looking at the SNS videos regarding the Chinese crisis that occasionally come up, liberated players possessed almost superhuman-class combat power.

To subdue such super-powered villains with a single piece of paper.

However, the country that ordered the scroll supply first was the US.

And the 1st batch was 3 million sheets, worth 220 million dollars at that.

Would the US really buy useless scraps of paper for 220 million dollars?

Are they fools?

The magic power sealing effect will definitely be clear.

The Korean Awakening Management Agency wouldn't commit a worldwide scam, would they?

Let's just order it first and see.

If this was weaponry like firearms, importing it might have been difficult, but it's simple flyers.

They just have to be brought loaded on an airplane by the bundles.

Carry one sheet in your pocket and just tear it if an unexpected situation arises.

It doesn't matter even if a situation where this must be used doesn't occur.

That's actually rather better.

Orders flooded in from countries all over the world.

However, supplies also have an order.

1st priority is supplying to Republic of Korea government offices first, and after that, sequentially according to the order in which they were ordered.

Stories about the Magic Power Sealing Scroll were also divided in internet communities.

We just have to tear that? It's really simple.

Will it work inside the tower too?

Won't it? Since it binds magic power. But there wouldn't be any crazy bastard who uses it inside, right?

Isn't that insufficient? If a liberated villain player makes up their mind and rushes in, before you even use it.......

Still, it's better than a gun, right. Multiple people can also use it all at once.

I wish they sold it to civilians quickly. So I can carry one sheet around.

The most important function of this scroll.

That it is possible to subdue them comparatively safely without blowing things out of proportion like the Chinese crisis.

Also, it can serve the role of a deterrent.

Thus, the message thrown to the players.

- The Rune Necklace of Liberation is not omnipotent.

- Magic power can be sealed at any time.

- Even by ordinary people.

- Therefore, do not harbor thoughts of trying to do something with military force.

Of course, there were also gazes mixed with concern.

The reason that crisis occurred in China is because the government suppressed the players without any particular reason.

You should blame the Chinese government. Why seal away poor players?

That's why they aren't exporting to China.

What about players in other countries? The Rune Necklace of Liberation is also an item that came from the tower, yet they're making it so we can't use it at all.

So why use the necklace? Aha! You have one, don't you?

Suspicious, what are you intending to do with that.

I don't know what you're intending to do, but don't do it.

The scrolls were made for bastards like that.

I'm a player too, but if you want to use strength, do it inside the tower. Not in reality.

China is a special case.

Are players the only ones oppressed there?

It's a dictatorship.

Whether ordinary person or player, a country that suppresses without discrimination.

If you look at their past record, the answer comes out.

They absolutely never permitted the citizens' rightful criticism, and the resistance, protests, and collective actions resulting from it.

Trampled them with guns, swords, and tanks, caught and imprisoned them.

Would it be any different just because they are players?

Would China apologize? Bastards who even kidnapped players and forcibly naturalized them.

Even if they apologize, they'll probably only pretend to do it.

The captured resisting players have probably already been executed too.

Anyway, we must ensure not even a single scroll crosses over into China absolutely.

People knew.

That the Chinese government would absolutely never apologize.

*

From the Chinese government's perspective as well, they did not want to continue this conflict for long.

They were making their own efforts to somehow suture it.

However, once the incident exploded, it became uncontrollable.

Exploding here, exploding there too.

Even the Chinese state-nurtured players had a restive atmosphere.

The core personnel of the uncleared upper floors climbs, that is.

In any case, they are also fellow players.

Dangerous elements to whom the Rune Necklace of Liberation applies.

Furthermore, their levels are high too.

If fully equipped with items, you truly wouldn't even be able to leave a scratch unless it's a missile or a rocket.

Outwardly they were pretending to appease them, but the Chinese government was in the midst of reinforcing surveillance even on state-nurtured players.

But then, the Magic Power Sealing Scroll became known in that process.

This time as well, an externally manufactured item distributed by Korea as expected.

It is currently the most desperately needed item in China.

Perhaps it is the sole means to safely subdue liberated players.

So their ears perked up as soon as it was announced, but.

A precondition?

Apologize to our own country's players, and grant political asylum to those who desire it?

How dare they! Who is looking at whom?

"This is interference in internal affairs. We must protest officially."

A Central Emergency Committee meeting where Chinese Communist Party cadres and government officials gathered.

"What protest! We must go with a declaration of war."

"That is correct. Let's make them snap back to their senses."

"Things that have nothing else but climbing the tower at best."

"We must impose economic sanctions first. Make all Korean companies within China close their doors without exception."

"We can't just leave North Korea alone either. They are all in cahoots. Ungratefully, not even knowing the grace of us looking after them all this time."

"Declare a state of emergency for the entire People's Liberation Army, and let's move aircraft carriers and submarines to the West Sea."

Of course, there were opposing opinions as well.

"Even if granting political asylum is one thing, shouldn't there be a need to converse with the ordinary players?"

"Right. If we keep going like this, we might reach a point where it is impossible to bring things under control."

"We must concede first. Let's release the Player Association top brass and converse."

However, a situation where the hardliners were much more numerous,

"Are you in your right mind? All the players causing accidents right now are criminals. What conversation with criminals!"

"The Player Association? With state overthrow forces?"

"Even so, they are just a handful. We must catch them all and execute them."

"We must make them recognize that our government is not a pushover."

"Honestly, players, what have those punks actually done?"

Actually, the perception towards players in the Chinese political sphere was not on the very good side.

The Chinese leaders' distrust of their own country's players was long-standing.

Even towards the players nurtured by the state.

There was a background to warrant it too.

Early days of tower climbing.

The 3 towers that soared in China.

Just how much money had they spent nurturing players to prevent tower collapses?

However, as days passed, the results were a huge disappointment.

They struggled, unable to cross the wall of the 59th floor.

How bad was it that they even tried to climb the tower by kidnapping players from other countries?

Ultimately, they had to borrow Russia's strength to clear the tower.

In that process, they had to concede tremendous rights and interests.

Breaking through the undead section and ascending to the 71st floor was the same.

An expedient clear using a Tower Jumping Ticket.

They barely managed to send them up like that, yet a punk named Bailong murdered State President Wang Yuan not even knowing grace.

One way or another, the Chinese government's sense of trust towards their own country's players plummeted to the bottom.

Protection my foot, things with no abilities.

On the other hand, Korea?

The world's strongest tower climbing nation in name and reality.

They possess numerous top-class players.

Even excluding the world's supreme player right now, tens of elite players such as Nam Ga-eun and Lee Min-ah are climbing in the 70s floors.

It is a humiliating matter.

They could only be enraged.

Every time a world announcement was heard, jealousy boiled up.

But what?

Stop the suppression of the Chinese Player Association members?

Release the imprisoned people?

An absurd statement.

It doesn't even have the value of that.

"First, let's review sanctions measures against Korea. From now on, Korea is China's hostile nation."

"Are you saying you will even wage war?"

"If necessary!"

"We must be careful. North Korea has aligned with South Korea. Now Korea is a nuclear-armed state too."

"North Korea is one thing, but what about the US? The US won't stay still."

"Then do you want to just let it pass like this?"

The Chinese power holders, busy fighting as soon as they meet.

"This is all because there is no leader to guide China. Let us hurry starting with electing a President."

"Does that make sense in this current situation?"

"Because decision-making isn't happening at all."

"If you want to be the President, say you want to be."

It was safe to say they practically had no will to resolve the crisis.

*

Japan, Tokyo Prime Minister's Official Residence.

A meeting presided over by the Minhyeok Party's Prime Minister Maeda, who originated as a player.

Although a regime change happened, the Minhyeok Party's support base is extremely frail.

The years the Japan Liberal Party regime took control of Japan while backed by the right-wing is 70 years.

Yet would the world change overnight just because the regime changed?

The bureaucrats too, the media too, the corporations too.

The core power of Japan is still the Liberal Party.

However, Prime Minister Maeda was not a person lacking ability either.

Backed by the support of the players, he was steadily taking control of the Japanese political world little by little.

The resistance was formidable too.

There was no way the deep-rooted right-wing forces would be that easy to deal with.

Approval ratings were stagnant too.

And amidst that, the Chinese crisis exploded.

Together with the Korean Awakening Management Agency's announcement.

"We must bring in the Magic Power Sealing Scrolls as well."

"Right. Even if it's Japan, there is no guarantee that such an incident will not occur, right?"

"Since Japanese-Korean relations have improved too."

"Scrolls to hand out to frontline police officers are urgently needed."

"However, you must think carefully. The approval rating will drop. Saying we are begging Korea again, asking what we are going to give them this time."

"Is the approval rating the problem right now? You can say such things even after looking at China?"

"What if an accident happens then? We will have to take the responsibility."

Arguing back and forth even within the same Minhyeok Party.

However, Prime Minister Maeda had already made up his mind.

"Let's introduce it."

"Yes, we'll try to put in an order through the embassy."

Even if they ordered, it would take quite a while.

At least over a month.

Because other countries moved swiftly but Japan's decision was delayed due to weighing this and that.

Still, at least they did it even if late.

'Anyway, I guess I won't need this necklace anymore.'

Actually, player-turned-Prime Minister Maeda was also wearing a Rune Necklace of Liberation under his clothes without anyone knowing.

Since Japan had also climbed to the 71st floor and received the 4-piece gift set.

The other items were beautifully enshrined inside the national archives.

He secretly siphoned off only the necklace.

Why?

The history of suffering of Japanese Prime Ministers up to now.

Prime Minister Kawaguchi died in a newly generated tower accident, and Acting Prime Minister Usuda died by a coup d'état faction.

For that reason, Maeda had no choice but to be wearing the Rune Necklace of Liberation even if it meant being unreasonable.

However, coincidentally the Magic Power Sealing Scroll had come out.

'I siphoned it off for nothing.'

When it would be neutralized with a single scroll anyway.

*

Around the Pyongyang Black Tower.

People still don't know well that this place is where they produce the Magic Power Sealing Scrolls.

North Korea, one of the most closed-off countries in the world.

Therefore, security at least is top-level.

It was still a desolate factory site with nothing but temporary buildings.

However, the magical engineering scroll printing presses spun without a moment's rest.

Chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa.......

The produced magic scrolls were loaded onto trucks for the 1st delivery to the Awakening Management Agency.

From there, 2nd distribution according to the ordered quantities.

Sales through Rajix Trading Corp will be later.

When distributing to civilians.

They were sold via flights to Korea as well as the US.

Because that was the country that ordered first.

Orders rushed in from other countries as well.

North Korean laborers worked frantically too.

Thoroughly drying the printing paper processed with chemicals, equipping the dried paper to the printing presses, tying up the printed scrolls according to the number of sheets and stacking them, and loading them when a truck arrives.

Was that all?

A little further away, groundwork was progressing as well.

The mass production factory for the Escape Obesity Bracelet.

And Magical Engineer El is currently manufacturing automated machines.

Cossack with moved eyes.

To think of this quantity pouring out of this temporary building factory that wasn't even properly equipped.

He confirmed the possibility.

In the future, the enchanted Escape Obesity Bracelets could also be produced in a similar way to this.

"Industrial worker comrades! You are working very hard, huh, I will report to the superiors so that you comrades can take home hefty bonuses!"

The North Korean laborers were touched.

My word!

They'll give bonuses too?

They had never experienced such things.

Even if the work was difficult, they would accept it as such.

It's not even difficult work.

And on top of that, giving meals and snacks too.

Their daily wages are also paid immediately in dollars or won.

These days, the Korean won is more popular than the dollar.

So everyone received their daily wages in Korean money.

Even in the Jangmadang (markets) they only accept Korean won.

Things like the Republic's currency were no different from pieces of toilet paper.

A situation where there are no regulations from the authorities either.

Ah-ah-ah.

This sweet honey taste of capitalism.

Can't unification happen quickly?

I want to properly spend the money I've earned.

In that regard.

"Comrade People's Armed Forces Minister! I have something to tell you."

Using the lunchtime, the North Korean laborers' work squad leader came out as a representative and said to Go Sa-geuk.

"What is it? Speak!"

"Having only worked on lies and propaganda leaflets every day, I am proud of myself performing a revolutionary task for world peace like this."

"So?"

"Please permit overtime. I will work hard until this one body crumbles."

People's Armed Forces Minister Go Sa-geuk was beyond satisfied.

To volunteer for overtime.

Aren't they truly excellent farmhands?

Such farmhands should receive good treatment.

"Comrades' tearful loyalty, I am deeply moved. Good, I shall permit overtime starting today! I will provide overtime pay too, so work hard!"

"...You're saying you will even give overtime pay?"

"What, did you think I'd exploit you for free? Overtime pay is 1.5 times the daytime wage as a baseline."

"Th, thank you!"

At the news of overtime permission, North Korean laborers swarming around Cossack.

All of them with expressions filled with joy.

"There is one more thing you must keep in mind."

"Please give teachings to the ignorant people, Comrade People's Armed Forces Minister."

"You know Rajix Trading Corp, right?"

How could they not know.

"In the future, there is a plan for this factory to be operated continuously by the North Korean branch of Rajix Trading Corp. Then, you comrades will become full-time employees of Rajix Trading Corp. How is it?"

The hearts of the North Korean laborers became magnificent.

They have eyes and ears too.

Rajix Trading Corp.

A company so extremely popular even in South Korea that it's hard to get a job there.

Even compared to large conglomerates, annual salaries, welfare, employee treatment, there isn't a single thing it falls behind in.

To be full-time employees of such a company?

If we don't cheer 'Manse' here, where do we cheer 'Manse'?

"Long live Comrade People's Armed Forces Minister Go Sa-geuk!"

However, Cossack furrowed his brow heavily and said.

"Don't say things that could cause a vast disaster! Anyone seeing this would think I'm the leader of the Republic!"

Then?

"Comrades, what we need is an independent revolutionary spirit! Shouldn't we achieve the revolutionary task firmly united with the Joo-hyuk spirit?"

The North Korean laborers nodding their heads as if they finally understood.

"That is correct. We will accomplish the given task over 1,000% with an independent revolutionary spirit."

"Good!"

Cossack whose rims of his eyes turned red as if he was moved.

Chak!

Bringing his feet together to make a position of attention.

And raised his arms briskly with a disciplined posture.

"Long live Joo-hyuk! Long live Rajix!"

Cossack's leading chant.

"Long live Joo-hyuk! Long live Rajix!"

"Long live Joo-hyuk! Long live Rajix!"

"Long live Joo-hyuk! Long live Rajix!"

.

.

.

The North Korean laborers yelling Manse while repeatedly raising both hands briskly.

Madness flowed in Cossack's eyes.

He cheered Manse with larger movements than anyone else.

And madness is infectious.

The North Korean laborers cheered Manse vigorously to the point their arms would fall off, loudly to the point their throats would burst.

"Heo-heo."

Gwangma clicking his tongue at that sight.

"In all my life, it's my first time seeing a bastard like that assassin. He is truly a fascinating bastard."

"That is indeed true madness."

"Even a pseudo-cult leader wouldn't be to that extent."

"He could make a living doing a pseudo-cult leader right away, no?"

"This girl also sometimes suspects whether Cossack-nim might not have multiple personalities."

"Still, the warrior acknowledges him. Since he is being helpful to the Summoner."

"That is right. What should be acknowledged must be acknowledged."

9-circle Magician Mackenzie had no choice but to acknowledge it too.

'You have to do to that extent to be the number 2.'

A scary punk.

A punk whose inner thoughts couldn't even be dared to be measured.

Originally that is the fate of a number 2.

If you are greedy, you get trampled by the number 1.

By inducing 'Long live Rajix', the will to firmly establish his position as the number 2 without being greedy for the number 1's position.

'Huu, right, excellent. However!'

Mackenzie did not give up.

Should I be frustrated at just this level?

It will come someday.

The opportunity to step on Cossack and stand tall as the number 2, that is.

*

White Tower 17th floor.

Time flowed quickly.

Smooth scroll production.

The Pyongyang Black Tower factory was noisy and bustling, but the White Tower is quiet.

Because the summoned entities are all dispatched to the factory and currently working.

Joo-hyuk, left alone, placed a chair and sat down.

Reclining his upper body leisurely, he was only staring at the summit of that landmark building.

A week has already passed since Rajix went into closed-door training.

Master Sergeant Be also came after a week.

He had mentioned that since he broke through in the White Tower possessing a physical body, the time seemed to be cut by half.

If so, today.

Light will soar from the top of that landmark.

When will he come?

If early, he should come within the morning.