Chapter 19 - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

===================

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

===================

Bong Min-hyuk was a sophomore majoring in Electronic Engineering at Hankook University.

His nickname was 'DTemplar'.

A nickname taken from a computer game unit that cloaks itself.

A student with zero presence who quietly came to school and quietly disappeared.

He never attended events like department MTs (Membership Training) or sports festivals, and he had never been to a drinking party either.

He solely studied in the library.

He would graduate quickly, get a job, and revive his family's fortunes.

And repay the debt he owed his hyung.

Even such a Min-hyuk knew very well about players.

He was confident he would agonize over it at least once if he awakened.

Not confident that he would do it, but confident that he would agonize over it.

And he himself knew that he wouldn't do it in the end.

But what? His hyung awakened?

He was even currently active as a player.

That alone was enough to make one faint from shock, yet what? An Elite contract?

Wait, his own flesh and blood who was currently getting his back smacked by their mom?

Smack, smack, smack, smack!

"Ack, ack, ack, ack!"

"You damn rascal! You make such an important decision on your own without even consulting your family?"

"You would have opposed it anyway!"

"Did you even ask? Did you!"

"Ugh! Stop hitting me. I swear! I might activate my shield."

"What? Shield? Has he gone crazy?"

As expected of his hyung.

His hyung knew very well that exaggerating his screams meant getting hit less.

"Ack! Aaack! Aaaaaack!"

Perhaps exhausted from hitting him, Mom Hong Geum-ja panted heavily.

Min-hyuk seized that opportunity and asked Joo-hyuk.

"Hyung, c-calmly explain. You've awakened, and what's more, you're active as a player?"

"Yeah."

"And the nation even requested an Elite contract?"

"Yep."

"Wow, no way, this makes no sense."

"It does."

Father Bong Soo-chul was terrified as well.

Wasn't this the son who surpassed even his own timidity?

"You... are you really, my, my son?"

Joo-hyuk sulked from getting his back smacked.

His father was just watching without even stopping her.

So he decided to act a little crooked.

"Well, maybe I was swapped at the hospital?"

Bong Soo-chul scrutinized Joo-hyuk's face from various angles.

He was an exact replica.

They resembled each other so much that he had always heard people say 'you can't steal genes'.

"Then something has went wrong with your mind."

"Sigh, it does seem that way, right? Is it genetic."

"I did not raise you this bravely. Dad is disappointed in you."

"That's exactly it. ...Because of Mom's genes?"

Glare!

Joo-hyuk's mom glaring at him.

However, perhaps feeling sorry for hitting him, she let out a sigh, phew, and then.

"Joo-hyuk."

"Yes, Mom."

"By any chance, my lawsuit, Dad's rehabilitation treatment, Min-hyuk's scholarship... are these all related to your Elite contract?"

"...That's right. Honestly, I didn't know either. I had no idea those people would go this far."

Though he didn't request the Management Agency to do it, it was because of him regardless.

"Are you saying... the people from the Management Agency needed to get in our good graces to sign an Elite contract with you?"

"Umm, probably."

"Is that so?"

Would she scold him?

He might get hit again.

"I'm sorry. For startling you."

Hong Geum-ja didn't answer.

Instead, she pondered deeply over something before.

"How is it for you, Joo-hyuk?"

"What is?"

"Being a player. Is it worth doing?"

His mom's question.

He seriously pondered over it once again.

"It's been fine up until now."

"That... do you have the confidence not to get hurt too?"

Let's see.

Cossack, who excessively protects him.

Barbarian Warrior Gobang, who charges into the battlefield without sparing his own body.

And he could call forth another summoned entity once the cooldown returned.

Therefore.

"I'm confident. The confidence that I won't get hurt or die."

"...Is that so?"

Was he sincere or not.

Hong Geum-ja gazed into her son's eyes for a long time.

He was sincere.

She knew just by looking into the eyes of the son she had raised for so long.

Actually, when she first heard he was active as a player, her primary feeling was astonishment rather than anger.

Him?

Her eldest son, who would jump in fright even at a Chihuahua's bark, was climbing the tower?

Moreover, he was being recognized by other people.

Subtle emotions.

She felt angry, pity, and proud.

So.

"Then go ahead and try it. Sign the Elite contract too. It would be better to do it while receiving the nation's support, if possible."

His father and Min-hyuk opposed his mom's declaration in unison.

"Darling, have you gone crazy?"

"Mom! He can't. Do you not know how dangerous being a player is?"

"Yeah, Min-hyuk is right. So what if I don't get rehabilitation? I'll call the hospital right now. Let's pretend it never happened."

"I'll return the scholarship too. I'm taking a leave of absence next semester anyway."

His father and brother opposed it, but since his mom had decided, the game was already over.

"Everyone, be quiet. Never in my life have I seen our Joo-hyuk decide on something this proactively; it's the very first time. Even if you can't cheer him on."

Oh! The atmosphere was good.

"Joo-hyuk's Mom, think about it again. I'm telling you, it's dangerous!"

"Does everyone who becomes a player die? That's an old story. Everyone's eating and living well nowadays."

"N-No, that is true, but."

"And isn't the outside world dangerous? You almost smelled incense fumes after slipping on an icy road while acting so overly cautious of your body like that."

"Umm......."

"Min-hyuk, have you forgotten fainting while bleeding profusely after getting hit by a bicycle when you were 10? What if it had been a car that hit you, would you have survived?"

"That's t-too harsh."

"Joo-hyuk is an adult. He has to take responsibility for his own life."

And then.

"Joo-hyuk."

"Yes!"

"I might seem like a wicked mother pushing her child into a dangerous place, but I am proud of you. Just how exceptional must your talent be for the government to go to such lengths."

"Hahaha, I am... rather exceptional, yeah."

"But beware if you get hurt! And terminate the contract immediately if you think things aren't working out."

"Understood, sir. Safety first absolutely, sir."

"What's with that way of speaking?"

He received his family's permission.

Then he should call.

Joo-hyuk dialed Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il's number on his smartphone.

"Team Leader."

- Have you decided?

"Yes, let's sign."

- I will dispatch a car immediately.

To think it's finally an Elite contract.

His heart pounded.

* * *

Joo-hyuk signed the Elite contract in the Management Agency office.

His hands trembled, shaking.

Could he have ever imagined he would sign this contract?

"The annual salary is 2 billion won."

"I apologize. 2 billion is the initial annual salary players who receive an Elite offer get. You could receive considerably more, but......."

"...Instead, I'll have to reveal that I'm the record holder for S++ clears, right?"

"Procedurally, yes."

It was a national organization operated by taxes.

They could only inflate the annual salary if there was a basis for it.

"Umm, please keep it a secret that I'm the record holder for S++ clears. Let's definitely do that!"

"That is what we desire as well. By the way, are you perhaps displeased because the benefits are similar to other Elite players."

"Oh my, not at all!"

He was extremely grateful even for 2 billion won.

The income from Mana Stones was separate anyway.

What if his identity was exposed and his personal details became public?

His face would be plastered all over TV, the media, and social networks; his family would be flustered, and going outside would be difficult.......

Just imagining it was horrific.

That was why he hadn't told his family that he was the record holder for S++ clears either.

He would hide it for as long as possible if he could.

That wasn't the only reason he decided to accept just the base annual salary.

He attached numerous conditions when signing the contract.

The items Cossack had mentioned.

He must absolutely make the decisions regarding climbing un-cleared upper floors solely himself.

There absolutely must not be any external interference.

Publishing clear videos was also disallowed.

He did inform them in advance that his trait was Summoning.

However, he would not reveal the existence of his summoned beasts.

Furthermore, he would accept protection but maximize the guarantee of his private life.

No one could enter his house without permission.

CCTVs for security purposes would only be placed outside his house.

"Oh, right! The debt you incurred to purchase the alloy hand shield has been resolved."

"...Again?"

"Again?"

"A-Ah, it's nothing."

It was peculiar.

Whenever he took out a loan, it naturally vanished without him needing to repay it.

Both Smile Cash and the Player Shop.

Was this a divine revelation telling him he could borrow money recklessly?

"Please request whenever you need any other equipment. Rentals are possible as well."

Robust support.

Meticulous care.

Thus, Joo-hyuk was reborn as an Elite player.

Moving houses was also rapidly decided.

It wouldn't matter if it was delayed, but the Management Agency wanted him to move immediately.

Separate residences for his personal use and his family.

Since quite a few Elite players made requests this way, it passed without issue.

However, the personal officetel was a free lease.

The apartment for his family was transferred to Joo-hyuk's name as compensation for joining the Elite team.

The Management Agency handled all the subsequent procedures on his behalf.

"It is an 18-pyeong, two-room officetel. Home appliances and furniture are included as options, so you may move in right away."

"......."

Was this perhaps a palace?

This is insane, crazy.

It was entirely too clean and comfortable.

Had he ever even seen a house like this?

"...There aren't any hidden cameras or anything, right?"

"Not at all. There absolutely are none. It would cause an uproar if there were. Because the Director would have to write his resignation letter if discovered. You may call a company to inspect it too."

He felt sorry because it seemed like he was doubting him.

"Also, because this officetel is a residence provided by the Management Agency, many players live here. Almost the majority of them."

"Are they all players affiliated with the Elite team by any chance?"

"There are standard contractors as well. Those individuals bought houses and moved in. Because safety is guaranteed."

"...I see."

Gathering them in one place would be convenient for protection.

"The residents are all people with verified identities. There are many decent individuals, so I'd also recommend getting along with them."

Get along with them?

Ay, how burdensome.

The move began.

He thought there wouldn't be many items to take with him, but it wasn't like that at all when he actually got to doing it.

Therefore, moving and organizing took quite a bit of time.

* * *

Yoo Chul-min was South Korea's number 1 player in terms of level and also ranked 2nd globally.

Because he had cleared the notoriously difficult 65th floor and was currently challenging the 66th floor.

His trait was All Weapon Warrior.

He could wield a staggering 40 trait skills spanning across Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Earth attributes through Trait Enhancement Runes.

It didn't matter what weapon he used.

AoE skills, signature moves, ultimate skills; he possessed several of them.

Each and every one was potent.

Thus, Yoo Chul-min had achieved both wealth and fame simultaneously in South Korea.

To the extent that there wasn't a single citizen who didn't know his name, even if they didn't know the President's name.

However, he had been feeling displeased lately.

Because of someone setting a record of 25 consecutive S++ clears.

'Who the hell is it?'

It was the only topic on broadcasts and social media.

While he himself was trying to clear the 66th floor as if his life depended on it.

'Fuck, over a mere 25th floor.'

Is this even comparable in the first place?

What are they gonna do if he stops clearing the 66th floor?

The countdown to the collapse of South Korea's tower would begin.

Currently, it might not cause relatively massive damage since the tower was erected in a rural country village in Gangwon-do rather than a metropolis, but what if the next tower to appear is erected near a metropolis?

There isn't a single player in South Korea capable of replacing him at present.

There is 1 more player in the early 60th floors, but that bitch is only at stage 2 Trait Enhancement.

Yoo Chul-min approached the apartment window holding a wine glass.

The unhindered view and the leisurely flowing Han River.

The 100-pyeong apartment penthouse was the house he lived in.

Although the government provided it, now that he thought about it, it didn't quite satisfy him.

Even though he received the highest annual salary too.

'Only this much?'

China alone was currently persistently contacting him through brokers.

An annual salary of 1 billion RMB, which was 180 billion won.

Provision of a massive mansion and caretakers, a bulletproof car, and a private jet; treatment befitting a national leader.

What about Japan?

An annual salary of 20 billion JPY, the highest-grade villa, the deployment of 10 maid caretakers to grant his every wish... He was promised the utmost treatment and pleasure.

He could go to either one of them.

Yet they should be grateful he remained in South Korea.

As it always had been, all attention should continue to be focused on him.

Broadcasts and the media should have praised his dedication to his motherland and race every single day.

Not the 25th floor S++ clear record.

'Should I just completely naturalize?'

As if clearing the 66th floor wasn't overwhelming enough already.

It was an exceedingly arduous segment.

He would have to rest for 3 days due to mental trauma after attempting it once.

The 60th floors marked the commencement of the undead segment.

Bastards named Specters appeared on the 66th floor.

A ghost-like form that made one shudder just to look at; physical attacks were ignored, and solely attribute attacks were effective against it.

It's a massive miscalculation to assume they're the undead frequenting common fictional works.

Only those who have experienced how horrifying Demonic Energy is truly know.

'How did the American player bastard catch these things?'

Even when he headed out carrying accessories and elixirs capable of enduring the 'Dark Aura', along with Light-attribute tower reward weapon items, he failed every time.

He was just fortunate he didn't die.

Because he could declare his abandonment of the mission in time.

'Honestly, it feels like it's impossible.......'

This part played a massive role in why he was contemplating naturalization.

He wanted to give up.

It felt like he had encountered an insurmountable wall.

At this rate, the 66th floor was impossible.

He wanted to declare his abandonment and park himself in the 60th floors, but would people sit still?

People's true nature was to be favorable when things went well, but bite like a pack of dogs if there was a single misstep.

It might be different if he could get one more Trait Enhancement Rune.

However, Trait Enhancement Runes were incredibly difficult to obtain due to their abysmal reward probabilities.

He too was only able to achieve stage 4 enhancement by entirely monopolizing Trait Enhancement Runes since the initial days of his Elite contract.

'What if I naturalize?'

China or Japan.

In China's case, challenging the 59th floor.

In Japan's case, challenging the 57th floor.

He could likely clear those playing around.

He could just climb once every 6 months under the condition of exclusively preventing the tower's collapse.

"Hmm."

It was becoming increasingly tempting.

Should he not just think about it, but actually act upon it?

'Clearing the 66th floor seems hopeless anyway.......'

If he couldn't clear it, he'd be cursed at; if he naturalized, he'd be cursed at.......

Wait.

At the very least, he would be welcomed in the naturalized country.

Wouldn't things be different from now if he went to Japan or China, took it easy while playing around, and received robust support?

'It would be best to push ahead with it.'

Pitting China and Japan against each other, slowly and leisurely raising his own value.

The naturalization of South Korea's premier player.

The world will be turned completely upside down.

"Hehehehe, it'll certainly be entertaining."

People will realize it too late.

The preciousness, the uniqueness, the irreplaceability of Player Yoo Chul-min.

Regret and obsess, and simultaneously wither away.