Chapter 24 - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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It was so absurd that it didn't even feel real.

Because no one had dared to anticipate that something like this would happen.

A national-class player who had received the full backing of the government, achieved the feat of clearing the 65th floor, and simultaneously grasped both wealth and fame in one hand, naturalized overnight. And to Japan, of all places?

South Korea descended into chaos.

In particular, Yoo Chul-min's remarks at the press conference at the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence were so pathetic that they were jaw-dropping.

"The biggest reason I came to Japan is the Awakening Management Agency of South Korea, which has sunk into complacency and bureaucratic inertia."

"With the 66th floor deadline right around the corner, they had no intention of providing proper support, and the Agency executives were preoccupied with political maneuvering while neglecting the Elite Team operations."

"South Korea's future was bleak. My only remaining choice was Japan. It seems the saying 'those with intelligence escape first' was right."

"I have no regrets about my naturalization. I will accept any and all criticism. Curse me. Then I wish South Korea all the best."

It seemed like he was trying to provoke conflict by talking like that.

But who would agree with such nonsense?

Everyone knew how much Yoo Chul-min had lived in comfort under the care of the South Korean government.

The media's response was cutting.

"Yoo Chul-min's vile betrayal, and his pathetic excuses; citizens also condemn him fiercely as a traitor and coward"

"Yoo Chul-min, who had repeatedly expressed difficulty clearing the 66th floor's undead, tucks his tail and runs"

"Utterly shameless. He says support wasn't adequate? Why leave out the fact that he monopolized the Trait Enhancement Runes in the past?"

"A beast with black hair, ungrateful. Did he really escape because of his superior intelligence? Seems more like he ran away because he's an idiot"

The Awakening Management Agency, the NIS, and the police were also targets of criticism.

"Yoo Chul-min's escape, did they really not notice? Agency's poor management laid bare for all to see"

"NIS and police completely outmaneuvered by the Japanese intelligence bureau's secret operation; they should know the shame. What's the plan?"

"Awakening Management Agency Director, NIS Director, and Police Commissioner all scheduled to be summoned to parliamentary inspection hearings"

Comments all over the internet:

Cowardly bastard, is that even a human? He screws up the 66th floor clear so he runs off using that kind of excuse?

I'm so furious. Of all places, Japan?

Why is everyone overreacting? If he'd gone to China, you wouldn't be this riled up, right?

China? It's the same thing. If he went to China, we'd be cursing China, you bastard! Who's stirring things up here!

Hey! Stay quiet unless you want to die.

Ugh, this is more devastating than losing a Korea-Japan football match.

I heard that bastard also took all the items the Agency had given him with him in his inventory.

This is a matter of national pride. We have to do something. Either assassinate that Yoo guy, or declare war on Japan.

Is this going to lead to someone snatching our S++ clear record holder too?

Entirely possible. If that person goes somewhere else too, I'm thinking about emigrating.

The TV was nothing but that story.

What had happened had happened, and it couldn't be undone, so.

Joo-hyuk calmed his agitation.

"Turns out there was someone more of a let-down than me."

"Oh my! If Summoner Bong is a let-down, then all the men in South Korea are let-downs, sir. That guy is just a pathetic, good-for-nothing fool, nothing more, sir."

That seemed right.

At least he was confident he was a better man than that guy.

That aside, Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il's request for a private meeting was definitely about this.

Cossack spoke up cautiously.

"...Well, if you go into the Agency, it's obvious what that person will say, sir."

Joo-hyuk had already guessed it too.

"Don't give in too easily, sir. It'll encourage bad habits, sir. We need to keep going at our own pace. Slowly and safely."

That was right.

Pushing too hard and climbing up too fast could cause problems.

"Not going and ignoring it is also an option, sir. We could hide somewhere for a few days like that guy did..."

"No, that won't do."

"Beg pardon, sir?"

There was still the bond they'd built up, after all.

"I'll go and drop off the Holy Sword. It seems like they need Light-attribute items."

He could sell it and pocket some cash at the same time.

"Oh, as expected of Summoner Bong, sir! I'm moved, sir. To bestow such ocean-like grace upon these useless public servants..."

Ha! Such a small thing.

Who did they think I was?

Someone who appears to be a pushover on the outside, but is actually a warm-hearted man of substance.

"But this Holy Sword, it's Light-attribute, sir."

"Hm?"

"It's Holy Attribute, sir."

Isn't that the same thing?

He had said it was characterized by being imbued with radiance.

Radiance, the character for "radiance" is the character for "light."

Regardless.

"Is it good?"

"Yes sir! It's even better, sir."

Then it's fine.

"This Holy Sword can get you to the 67th floor, sir. That is, if the one wielding it has the talent, sir."

Why was there a limit of only that far?

"Because it's worn out, sir. Look at the patterns on the blade. They've all faded, sir."

"That's true."

"So the power of radiance is weak, sir. A real Holy Sword has radiance as bright as a searchlight, sir. The undead just melt away, sir."

Meaning it was a malfunctioning lightsaber.

Anyway, he wasn't sure when, but there would be a day when he too ascended to the 60th floor range.

"Are there Holy Attribute summoned entities in that other world as well?"

"Abundantly, sir."

"Rank?"

"Saintess and Pope are LSSR rank, but Holy Knights, Priests, Monks, High Priests, and so on go from Rare all the way up to SSR, sir. They'll definitely have at least one sacred relic on them, and if just one of them is drawn, it's all over, sir."

Just as he'd thought.

If there were tanks and assassins, why wouldn't there be healers?

If the draw ended up bad?

What's the problem?

He could park and wait at a suitable floor until one appeared.

Now slowly start preparing to head to the Agency.

* * *

Hannam-dong Awakening Management Agency, Seoul.

The area out front was chaotic beyond words.

It seemed as though every single media outlet in Korea had gathered there.

The police were blocking access, but every time someone entered or exited through the Agency's main gate, the reporters surged forward like a pack of rabid wolves.

That's precisely why Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il said he couldn't come out.

As the car Joo-hyuk was riding in entered the Agency premises, a swarm of reporters rushed over.

"What measures is the Agency taking?"

"Is it true there are rumors of Director Park Kyung-soo being dismissed?"

"Just one word, please."

How would I know?

He was thankful the car had dark tinted windows.

He moved from the underground parking lot via elevator.

The atmosphere inside the Agency was unsettled.

The faces of every employee he passed were grim beyond imagination.

Would the emergency assembly meeting even proceed properly today?

Joo-hyuk met with Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il in a quiet office.

"I apologize. For making you come when you're busy."

"No, I completely understand. I saw the news too. You must be heartbroken."

"...Thank you for your concern."

As expected, having met often enough to know each other's faces, the words flowed smoothly.

"The reason I called for you, Player Bong, is none other than..."

Jeon Kwang-il seemed to find the words difficult, and swallowed hard before continuing.

"H-how long do you think it would take for you to, well, ascend into the 60th floor range?"

He knew this question was coming.

Currently on the 29th floor.

Assuming he climbed to unpacked upper floors every single day, 31 days; to the 66th floor, 37 days.

With roughly 80 days remaining until the 66th floor deadline, the simple math might make it seem manageable, but.

He needed to speak firmly.

So he composed himself and deliberately deepened his voice.

"It won't be possible within 80 days. When I encounter a difficult stretch, I spend a minimum of 10 days doing repeatable clears to prepare before ascending."

"...I see."

At the same time, driving the point home.

"It should be in the contract terms as well. That ascending to upper floors is entirely at my own discretion."

"I'm sorry. I have no excuse. It's only been a short time since we signed the contract, and I'm already saying this, but I'm also just desperately clinging to straws..."

Ah, that sorrowful expression.

His resolve was wavering.

He wanted to say, 'Don't worry. I'll make it to the 66th floor somehow,' but... what can't be done just can't be done.

Right now it might be the 20th floor range where daily climbs were possible, but what about the 30th? The 40th? The 50th?

Unless he managed to draw a Saintess or Pope of LSSR rank through the random summon.

"I heard there's one other player in the 60th floor range in the Elite Team besides Yoo Chul-min."

"That's Player Nam Ga-eun. But she's been on the 62nd floor for over 100 days now."

"...That's been a long time."

"We're also reaching out trying to secure Light-attribute items to support Player Nam. But that wretch Yoo Chul-min ran off with all the items we'd secured. If only we'd had those..."

What a thoroughly vile bastard.

This was a good moment to bring it up.

"Since items came up, I was thinking of putting an item up for sale at the Player Shop."

"Yes? Oh, c-could it be a Light-attribute item, by any chance?"

"It's not Light-attribute."

"...Ah, I see."

Jeon Kwang-il was slightly crestfallen.

No matter that it was Player Bong, what's the point of selling an item now, if it's not even Light-attribute, when his head was aching enough to kill him.

"For item sales, please head to the Player Shop staff..."

Right at that moment.

Bang!

A woman walked in through the meeting room door.

"Team Leader!"

"Oh! Player Nam Ga-eun."

"Ah, you were here. Did America say they'd lend us Light-attribute items? I was curious about that."

"Hmm, we haven't received a definitive answer yet, sorry."

"Why are you apologizing, Team Leader? Everyone knows you haven't been sleeping and have been running around everywhere."

Player Nam Ga-eun clenched her fist and called out to Jeon Kwang-il.

"Let's keep our spirits up. If we get demoralized here, how thrilled would that bastard Yoo Chul-min be? Strength! Oh, and from now on, please call me Plan A. I'll take the lead."

Then she looked at Joo-hyuk.

"By the way, who is this?"

Jeon Kwang-il's expression stiffened.

How should he dodge this?

The fact that he was the S++ clear record holder absolutely had to be kept secret.

So.

"...He's here to sell an item. He seems to have received it as a tower reward."

"Oh! Congrats on the loot! You can go to the Player Shop for that; ah, you probably don't know where it is. Here! Follow me. I'll show you the way."

Snap!

Nam Ga-eun grabbed Joo-hyuk's hand.

What!?

"H-hang on, this hand..."

"It's fine. Come along. You too, keep your chin up. Fighting!"

This was dangerous.

So this was Nam Ga-eun.

He found it fascinating beyond words.

How could a person be so outgoing?

Initiating physical contact so casually.

Wait.

To get a fair price for the item, he'd need to confirm whether it worked.

And there was no one else for that besides Nam Ga-eun.

"P-please let go of my hand for a moment."

"Oh my, I'm sorry. I just went ahead without thinking."

"...It's fine. But would you mind borrowing an item from me? Give it a try."

Nam Ga-eun tilted her head at Joo-hyuk's words.

"Hm? You want me to try an item? I'd need to know what item it is first..."

Swoosh!

Joo-hyuk pulled the Holy Sword from his inventory and spoke quickly.

Speaking fast meant no stumbling.

"It looks very worn, but the attribute is Holy. The name is the Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Commander's Holy Sword. Increased attack power against undead, Sacred Flame, Stalwart Spirit, and the critical hit rate is also..."

Caught off guard by the rapid-fire speech, she paused for a moment.

"W-wait, please say the sword's name again."

"Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Commander's Holy Sword."

"...Holy Sword, attribute is Holy?"

"Yes sir!"

Nam Ga-eun doubted her own ears.

She'd heard plenty about Light-attribute, but Holy Attribute?

And a Paladin, at that?

Wasn't that a term referring to a Holy Knight?

Jeon Kwang-il was no different.

Was that what he was offering to sell?

If that was truly a Holy Sword...

"The user is said to be imbued with a gentle radiance, which should be able to counteract Dark Aura. It should be more than sufficient up to around the 67th floor maybe... haha, if one has the talent, that is."

Counteract Dark Aura, what an absurd thing to say!

Nam Ga-eun barely parted her lips.

"May I check the item information?"

"By all means."

Nam Ga-eun received the sword from Joo-hyuk.

Whereupon Jeon Kwang-il, with an agitated expression.

"Did you check? Is, is it really a Holy Sword?"

She nodded.

"That's right. It says Holy Sword. The effects and properties are exactly as he described."

"Oh my..."

And then, looking at Joo-hyuk.

"D-did you say you'd lend it?"

"Yes. Try it and tell me how it goes. You haven't been able to clear the 62nd floor yet, right?"

"...I couldn't."

"Try it now."

An item needed to be tested to know if it worked.

He couldn't enter the 62nd floor himself.

Cossack had said it was even better than Light-attribute and could handle up to the 67th floor, so the 62nd floor should be no problem.

He'd hopefully get a good review after.

So he could sell it at a good price.

"I'll go and be back."

* * *

Whoosh!

Nam Ga-eun entered the tower.

[Entering the 62nd floor of South Korea's Black Tower.]

[Physical abilities have been enhanced to match your level.]

[Trait and combat skills are available for use.]

The mission as well.

[62nd Floor Mission: Defeat 20 Dark Zombies.]

[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Dark Zombies 0/20]

[Failure Condition: Death or Mission Abandonment]

The undead.

Something that should not be alive.

A Dark Zombie appeared.

Unarmed, but a tattered corpse rapidly approaching with long nails gleaming and sharp teeth baring.

Would it really work?

The item description had been accurate.

She could tell by the gentle white radiance that clung to her body and the sword.

But whether this faint light could overcome Dark Aura was uncertain.

Even the dazzlingly brilliant radiance of Light-attribute items had been helpless against it.

'The only way to find out is to try.'

Nam Ga-eun focused her mind and gripped the handle of the worn Holy Sword tightly.

'You can do this, Ga-eun! Just try.'

But strangely.

With the radiance upon her, the Dark Aura felt much less frightening.

'Could it be, Stalwart Spirit? Is that it?'

She took a step forward.

"Grrrr."

A Dark Zombie letting out a bestial growl as it kept watch.

Nam Ga-eun moved.

Whoosh!

Using her Swordsman trait's distance-deletion skill to arrive directly in front of the zombie.

She then drove the Holy Sword down from above with full force.

Slash!

The moment of the strike, she could feel it.

Critical, a critical hit landed perfectly.

The Holy Sword cleaved through the Dark Aura.

The raised claws were lopped off too.

And beyond that, right through the solid skull.

Whoosh!

Flames ignited on the collapsed corpse.

Even its death was extinguished.

[Dark Zombie Defeated 1/20]

"......"

The kill count rose.

She'd killed it in a single strike.

'Did I really do that?'

She couldn't believe it.

All the effort it had taken to kill even one zombie until now.

'This sword... it really was real.'

The sword that somewhat unassuming man had given her to try.

Honestly, even after checking the item information, she'd been only half convinced.

This was not something to sell.

No, could it even have a price put on it in the first place?

If it was an item that could prevent the collapse of the tower.