Chapter 25 - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Nearly an hour had passed since Player Nam Ga-eun entered the 62nd floor.

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il was awaiting the outcome with a fretful heart.

Player Bong Joo-hyuk mentioned he was briefly heading over to the Player Shop to sell his Mana Stones.

A person who grew increasingly fascinating the more one interacted with him.

The initial reason he requested to meet him was to plead for him to ascend to the 60th floors even a single day sooner.

Naturally, that would be unreasonable.

How could he ascend from the 29th floor to the 66th floor in a mere three months?

He was even prepared for the 1st tower collapse.

Owing to its geographical characteristic of being situated in a rural Gangwon-do mountain village, the collapse's devastation would be comparatively lesser than other nations.

Though it was uncertain where the 2nd tower would generate, Player Bong Joo-hyuk might have entered the 60th floors by that point.

And yet he casually brought over something termed a holy sword?

He even exhibited annoyance, questioning what kind of item it was.

Of course, that partly ensued because his mind and body were thoroughly exhausted.

'What if he had brought it merely a bit sooner.......'

Yoo Chul-min might not have naturalized.

Wait, no.

What a disastrous thought.

Had that occurred, the holy sword would never have reached Player Nam Ga-eun.

The Management Agency would unconditionally have handed the holy sword over to Yoo Chul-min.

Because he was South Korea's official representative player.

Furthermore, would that bastard have decided upon Japan naturalization overnight?

He bolted because he extensively weighed his options and saw an angle.

He unquestionably was the type of bastard who would have packed even the holy sword to naturalize to Japan.

Currently, Director Park Kyung-soo was at the National Assembly because of Yoo Chul-min.

Since it coincidentally transpired during the parliamentary inspection period within the National Assembly's regular session, he was summoned instantaneously.

He was likely enduring concentrated barrages from the lawmakers.

He yearned to inform Director Park Kyung-soo regarding this truth immediately, yet nothing had been verified presently.

'A Holy attribute, he said.'

Up until now, everyone presumed the Dark Aura's sole natural enemy was the Light attribute.

Yet a Holy attribute existed as well?

He had never heard of it, nor laid eyes on it.

America likely hadn't secured Holy attribute items either.

The undead segment of the Black Tower.

Starting from the 61st floor, it exclusively consisted of undead monsters.

Based on what had been uncovered, Mummies on the 61st floor, Zombies on the 62nd, Skeletons on the 63rd, Ghouls on the 64th, Dullahans on the 65th, Specters on the 66th, Phantom Reapers on the 67th.......

Precisely right up to here.

America was presently attempting to clear the 67th floor Phantom Reapers.

Yet this would remain highly effective even up to the 67th floor?

If true, just how much time could they potentially gain.

Suddenly!

Knock, knock.

The sound of cautiously knocking upon Jeon Kwang-il's office door.

"Come in."

Creak.

Joo-hyuk squeezed his head through the door crack first.

"Ah! You've arrived. Did you successfully hand off the Mana Stones?"

"...Yes, but it appears Player Nam Ga-eun isn't finished yet?"

"Haha, barely a little over an hour has passed. The clear time limit itself is 15 hours."

"That takes a while."

Jeon Kwang-il chuckled bitterly inwardly.

Who was he comparing her to?

Player Bong Joo-hyuk's average clearing duration was roughly 20 minutes, and there were numerous instances where it concluded phenomenally faster than that.

Hence he might genuinely assert it was taking a while since it exceeded an hour, but.

It was exactly at that moment.

Hwaaaaaat!

A cluster of light manifested in the center of the office.

This was precisely a player's return phenomenon.

Since she couldn't possibly have cleared it already... was it a mission abandonment?

Was even the holy sword inadequate?

Poof!

Player Nam Ga-eun revealed her figure.

Displaying a profoundly exhausted expression.

"P-Player Nam Ga-eun, sir, h-how did it proc......"

"Hold on, let me consume this Healing Potion first."

She chugged the Tower-Exclusive Healing Potion out of her inventory.

Did she perhaps sustain injuries while clearing the tower?

If so, as anticipated.

"Phew."

Nam Ga-eun inhaled a deep breath.

Then she turned her head to gaze at Joo-hyuk, subsequently approached him rapidly, and.

Clasp!

She embraced him.

"Ughk?"

What was this?

"......."

Joo-hyuk froze stiff right on the spot.

His mind went completely blank.

"Thank you truly. I would have failed again if not for this holy sword. It was genuinely supreme!"

Startled immensely by her remark, Jeon Kwang-il hastily asked.

"Then i-is it possible?"

"Yes! I succeeded in clearing the 62nd floor."

"O-Oh my god! H, how......."

"Yes! What matters is an unyielding heart! I will enter the 63rd floor first thing tomorrow."

Tears cascaded readily down Jeon Kwang-il's face.

How intensely he had suffered emotionally all this while.

"However, wouldn't tomorrow be overly soon? You must be mentally exhausted significantly."

"Thanks to the holy sword's radiance, I'm perfectly fine. To the extent that the Dark Aura isn't terribly threatening."

"Ah! It was to that extent?"

"I'm confident. I sense clearing the 66th floor is also feasible as long as I'm with the holy sword. Honestly, even the undead are just ordinary monsters absent the Dark Aura, aren't they."

Her statement was entirely correct, albeit.

"Right! I filmed an overall clear video, please review it."

"Understood. ...Might it be permissible to publicize this?"

"Please do. As extensively as you desire."

Amidst this, Joo-hyuk remained persistently fidgety.

"...Um, excuse me, if you intend to continue conversing, could you perhaps unwrap your arms before speaking?"

"Oh my? I'm sorry. I was simply overwhelmingly overjoyed."

Nam Ga-eun finally released her embrace on Joo-hyuk.

Concurrently, she carefully handed the holy sword over to Joo-hyuk.

"I utilized it exceptionally well. However, the blade sustained significant damage in multiple locations."

"Hmm."

It certainly appeared so.

It was an innately dilapidated sword to begin with.

"...It's fine. Umm, since they stated repairs are possible, I'll have to commission it."

Jeon Kwang-il interjected swiftly.

"There are an abundance of skilled artisans within the Player Shop's workshop. I shall petition them."

"The repair expenses?"

"Naturally, we must bear that."

"Just purchase it outright since we're on the subject. You'll necessitate it in order to persistently clear henceforth anyway."

"Ah, t-that is......."

He was selling this?

How could they possibly purchase it using money?

They dared not even assign a value to it.

He had to answer astutely.

Assuming it truly was exclusively effective up to the 67th floor precisely as he claimed, South Korea wasn't the solitary clearing target.

The undead segments worldwide constituted the target.

A hidden card capable of forestalling the tower's collapse.

Jeon Kwang-il deliberated.

What proposition should he tender?

An answer surfaced shortly.

"In my opinion, it would be preferable for you to continuously retain ownership of this sword instead of selling it."

"...You aren't purchasing it?"

Why so abruptly?

He intended to purchase a building or something after selling this.

"Instead, we shall rent it. At 10 billion won per session."

"Nom?"

To say 10 billion won per session.

"Excluding South Korea, there are hundreds of towers worldwide. A few reside in the 60th floors, yet the vast majority haven't ascended that high. We are renting it to ascending nations. Naturally, we receive rental fees."

Rental fees, he said.

Rather appealing?

This was practically identical to a cornucopia.

If he received rental fees, an income akin to a building owner's became laughable.

Rather than God reigning above a building owner, should he be designated a holy sword owner?

However, since he couldn't execute it personally.

"Please do not worry. The Management Agency will handle the rental procedures on your behalf."

"Oh! I'd be incredibly grateful if you'd do that. Then......."

Was South Korea acquiring it for free?

Could he even extract money from our country's Management Agency?

'No.'

He ought to collect what he was rightfully due.

That would ensure their mutual relationship remained comfortable.

Though demanding excessively wouldn't be ideal either.

"...I'll rent it out to the Management Agency for 1 billion won. Since I lent it out gratis this time, 1 billion won commencing from the 63rd floor."

"Yes? Ah, no, you truly needn't do that."

"I can simply extract plenty from other nations. Just advertise it prolifically for me. Globally."

"T-Thank you. Thank you genuinely."

Joo-hyuk felt immensely gratified as well.

Though, where should he expend it upon accumulating this vast sum of money?

He was already terrified.

"Right! Exclusively one singular location is ineligible for rental."

"Undoubtedly! I was precisely intending to request that regardless."

Where could the ineligible rental location possibly be?

Japan, unconditionally.

"Hmph! That bastard Yoo Chul-min will practically faint upon discovering this reality, correct?"

Nam Ga-eun remarked, utterly failing to conceal her exhilarated expression.

Subsequently, Jeon Kwang-il's gaze sharpened intensely.

"We shall slay him before that."

"Wow! Team Leader, your charisma is off the charts!"

How could he survive living while enduring such curses?

He would likely be terrified traversing the streets at night.

Regardless of it being Japan.

What use is it that he's a player?

He's an ordinary person outside.

Unless another Holy attribute item akin to this emerges henceforth, Japan will similarly undergo an agonizingly nerve-wracking experience within the 60th floors.

Anyway, Player Nam Ga-eun persistently sneaking glances at him from earlier was burdensome.

"Um......."

"Oops! Look at the time. I have a pressing matter, so I'll be taking my leave."

His energy would be entirely sapped if he lingered continuously.

However, having a pressing matter wasn't a falsehood.

Genuinely!

* * *

Yeouido National Assembly Building.

The exact day Yoo Chul-min's Japan naturalization incident erupted coincided horribly with the National Assembly's parliamentary inspection period.

Every solitary public official bearing responsibility for this affair was summoned.

Awakening Management Agency Director Park Kyung-soo, National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) Director Park Il-jun, National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Chul-min.

A barrage of questions from lawmakers ensued.

"Are Player Yoo Chul-min's remarks factual? About not receiving proper support, and Management Agency executives solely possessing interest in playing politics."

Unbelievable nonsense.

That bastard practically sucked out every single speck of preferential treatment dry.

"It is not factual. We bestowed upon him the highest annual salary amongst the Elite team players thus far, Trait Enhancement Runes, and furthermore furnished him with a multitude of Light attribute items expending exorbitant sums."

"Yet he utters such statements? Didn't he decide upon naturalization? The outcome reveals it all."

"Yoo Chul-min merely fled as he felt terrified of clearing the 66th floor. If I possess any fault, it is my poor judgment in discerning character. Had I known he was such a bastard, I would have from the very beginning......."

"Anyway, you admit you committed a fault. South Korea is on the verge of ruin due to that fault."

Park Kyung-soo gritted his teeth and responded.

"Plan B has been established as well."

"Are you referring to the female player who has exclusively been purportedly clearing the 62nd floor for 100 days?"

"......."

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) couldn't evade it either.

"Just how on earth were you conducting the security detail? Were you merely spectating blankly when Japanese intelligence agents abducted Yoo Chul-min?"

National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) Director Park Il-jun tightly bit his lip.

"I have no room for excuses. I keenly realize my responsibility."

"Is that all? You must devise countermeasures."

"We will absolutely retrieve him irrespective of the methods utilized. Foremost, we plan on initiating contact with Player Yoo Chul-min to request the cancellation of his naturalization."

"What if he declines?"

"......."

National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) Director Park Il-jun sustained silence for a moment.

Then, adopting a solemn expression.

"We must ensure he pays the price."

"...How? Are you implying you would resort to assassinating him?"

"If necessary."

"Ha! Look here. National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) Director! Where do you think you are to spew such reckless remarks."

National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Chul-min joined in as well.

"The police are concurrently conducting an investigation. In return, we shall thoroughly investigate anyone implicated in this incident, ensuring they undergo legal judgment."

"Why didn't you perform adequately from the inception? Do you believe spewing such words now will alleviate your responsibility?"

"I am entirely prepared to strip off my uniform."

It practically bordered on public humiliation.

What could they do?

Their faults were undeniably patently obvious.

Not solely National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Chul-min, but Awakening Management Agency Director Park Kyung-soo and National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) Director Park Il-jun were contemplating stepping down.

However.

'Director, sir.'

Park Kyung-soo's secretary, who was positioned behind the National Assembly witness stand, silently approached and whispered.

'What is it?'

'A message arrived from Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il.'

Why abruptly?

It wasn't as if he was oblivious to what he was currently engaged in.

'I am occupied, hence I shall verify it later.'

'I firmly believe you must verify it immediately.'

'...Huh?'

Exactly what on earth could it be.

Park Kyung-soo received the smartphone from his secretary.

Shortly following.

"Gasp!"

His eyes widening profoundly.

"Wh-What?"

It was a lengthy message.

The context was contained in explicit detail.

Yet could visual confirmation through exclusively text suffice?

Even amidst the lawmakers glaring fiercely with their eyes wide open, Park Kyung-soo immediately tapped his smartphone.

"Hello, Team Leader Jeon, ...are the contents of the message factual?"

The lawmakers exhibited sheer outrage at this demeanor.

"What are you doing precisely right now? A phone call amidst testifying?"

"In the sacred National Assembly! Do we appear laughable to you?"

"No wonder affiliated players naturalize seeing things like that!"

Park Kyung-soo completely feigned ignorance.

"Have you verified the clear video? Is that so? Oh! It's sufficient? How long is the estimated timeframe? Ho ho, superb. Excellent!"

He deliberately elevated his voice while conversing over the phone as if intending for them to overhear.

"And item repairs are possible? They are? That's a relief. So you mentioned the 63rd floor is scheduled immediately tomorrow? Do not be stingy regarding support, and exert every ounce of your effort into assisting her maintain optimal condition. Also, Bong... No, I shall personally arrange a meeting with that individual."

Park Kyung-soo ended the call, radiating an air of utter leisure.

"What is it? To receive such a momentous call that you engage in a phone conversation amidst a parliamentary inspection?"

"Was it an dismissal notification call from the President?"

"Do you assume everything concludes if you merely flee?"

Park Kyung-soo stated whilst donning a smile.

"I am not fleeing. I shall accept the responsibility as well."

"How?"

"I shall clear the 66th floor. We require no one resembling Yoo Chul-min."

The atmosphere turning increasingly volatile.

"Are you mocking the National Assembly?"

"Are you insane? Do you believe glossing over it with words concludes everything?"

"It seems you ought to be the one naturalizing, not Yoo Chul-min, Director."

Although the lawmakers vocalized sarcastic remarks, Park Kyung-soo merely smiled and said,

"Player Nam Ga-eun, who is affiliated with the Management Agency's Elite team, succeeded in clearing the 62nd floor of South Korea's Black Tower two hours ago."

So abruptly?

Management Agency Director Park Kyung-soo steadily persisted.

"She anticipates clearing the 63rd floor tomorrow."

He's irredeemably lost his mind.

The lawmakers shook their heads in dismay and clicked their tongues.

"And within one month!"

Disregarding these lawmakers' reactions entirely.

"I will succeed in clearing the 66th floor. I shall stake my neck upon it. I do not mean the position of Director. I mean my actual neck."

He declared refreshingly.

Management Agency Director Park Kyung-soo's bombshell remark plummeted upon the National Assembly Building.

Murmur, murmur.

The parliamentary correspondents stationed within the National Assembly also whispered amongst themselves questioning why the Director was uttering such nonsense.

Suddenly!

Bzzzt, bzzzt, bzzzt, bzzzt.......

The reporters' smartphones instantly rang in unison.

"...What?"

"H-Has it been officially confirmed?"

"Cleared the 62nd floor? And in merely an hour and 20 minutes to boot?"

"Verification?"

"A clear video? Please forward that to me precisely now."

It was the prelude to an immense plot twist.

The parliamentary inspection gathering, whose primary objective was assigning blame for the naturalization crisis, utterly transformed into a venue for declaring the clear of the 66th floor.

* * *

That evening.

Breaking news erupted across every singular media outlet in South Korea.

The situation flipped instantly.

Meanwhile, regarding Bong Joo-hyuk's current condition amidst this situation?

Upon setting a diminutive dining table harboring a bowl of Purified water (purified water), or rather pristine water from the water purifier, he summoned Cossack and Barbarian Gobang forthwith.

"I pray, I pray, please be an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare)! Exclusively an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare)! Unfailingly a Legend Special Super Rare!"

He was currently offering prayers whilst gazing at the moon past the veranda window.

"LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare)!"

"Unconditionally an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare)!"

"Eh, E-l, Esu, Esu... Al!"

"You punk! Pronounce it properly!"

Because the random summon cooldown was approaching tomorrow.