Chapter 37 - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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A Mark of Tracking has no physical form.

It can be considered a clumped piece of mana, as tiny as a sesame seed, designed so it won't dissipate.

Of course, there is a risk of being discovered.

By a knight or mage stronger than oneself.

However, could the humans of Earth possibly notice it?

When he first encountered those bastards, he merely stamped a mark on them.

Thinking he might be needlessly getting suspicious.

However, the following day.

Cossack sensed the mark.

3 pieces of mana hovering around the officetel.

It is certain.

Those bastards were surveilling this officetel.

This place, which appears ordinary but where many players reside.

This is the space where Summoner Bong resides.

Yet they dare to play tricks?

Painful memories of the past resurfaced.

Memories of failing to protect his summoner.

For players, the space outside the tower is a far more dangerous space than the space inside.

He absolutely eliminates even the slightest bud of threat.

Among other summoned entities, there was even a terrifying human who had completely wiped out an entire nation just to protect their summoner.

Because that is better than the world ending.

He is perfectly willing to do the same if the situation and opportunity arise.

Therefore, he asked to be resummoned under the pretext of watching soccer.

That is correct.

He lied.

An act he absolutely must not and cannot perform.

However, Clause 3 of the 3 Principles of Summoned Entities had already been triggered.

Thus, justification was granted for the lie.

What does this signify?

That the marked bastards are connected to Summoner Bong.

He quietly slipped out of the officetel using his stealth skill while Summoner Bong was asleep.

Since he had stamped a mark on them, finding them was not difficult.

Therefore, the place John Cossack arrived at was a closed massage parlor not far from the officetel.

The door was locked, but isn't picking locks a basic virtue of an assassin?

As quietly as possible,

clunk,

upon entering the place where the marks were with his stealth skill.

There were a total of 8 people.

They were having a conversation, but what they were saying was incomprehensible.

He would have understood if it were Korean since he shares language with Summoner Bong, but.

What does the language matter?

The crucial fact is that Summoner Bong's photo was also among the numerous photos scattered on the table.

'I should get to work.'

Sssrrk, he revealed his presence.

And then said a single word.

The bastards noticed him.

First, one bastard after infusing sword ki into his dagger.

Ch-fit!

Seo-geok!

"Gasp!"

"E-eek!"

"Grab his arm!"

"Shoot him with the gun!"

"You bastard...,"

Puk! Pupu! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk...,

Do trash like this need assassination skills?

One shot, one kill.

He pierced their chests with his twin daggers and shredded their hearts.

The room that had fallen silent in an instant.

The corpses totaled 7 in all.

The single surviving bastard.

Deng Guanlin genuinely felt as though he was dreaming.

Where is this place? Who is that author?

Is he a Korean intelligence agent, a UDT or HID identical special forces soldier?

Impossible. He is neither of those.

The superhuman combat prowess that bastard displayed.

Is that human?

'...A ghost.'

However, he had felt this similar sensation somewhere before.

A memory that flashed through his mind.

A Black Tower clear video.

'Player.'

If that author is a player, does it imply the abilities inside the tower can be manifested in reality as well?

At that moment!

That terrifying ghost turned his head in this direction.

Deng Guanlin awkwardly backed away.

His legs trembled, failing to move properly.

The number of people he had personally killed exceeded what ten fingers and ten toes could count.

Furthermore, he had gone through countless training sessions and actual combat experiences.

What does it matter if a few people die in front of him?

However, right at this moment, it was incredibly terrifying.

Due to the surging terror, his mind went completely blank.

"You, only one left?"

Drip, drip.

Blood flowing down the ghost's blade.

"Say you did wrong. You know Korean, right?"

Deng Guanlin had no choice but to answer.

It felt like he absolutely must do so.

"I did wro...,"

Puk!

Ggdeuk!

The dagger thrust through his lower jaw pierced his head and emerged from the crown.

Cossack double-checked to ensure there were no bastards still breathing.

1 bastard whose head was cut off, 6 bastards whose hearts were crushed, 1 head pierced.

'Then for the finishing touch...,'

Unconsciously extracting ribbons from his chest coat, Cossack.

However,

"Gasp! A-almost tied 'em up. Huff, huff...,"

Bear it, endure it.

He must do so.

His signature mark.

His hands violently shook from wanting to tie the ribbons, but he must suppress his true nature.

Could it truly be called superhuman patience?

A fellow fellow assassin familiar with him would be shocked.

You're not leaving a mark?

Are you Cossack?

Because he had decided to hide it from the beginning.

Had he mentioned it beforehand, Summoner Bong's personality would have undeniably stopped him from doing it.

Conversely, it is something he unconditionally must do.

He might get reprimanded like before.

Of course, he wouldn't cast him out, but...,

'Phew.'

Honestly, that's also something that might not be true.

It was an insecure outlook for the future.

He might be cast out.

Gobang, who had been an R, ascended to SSR and firmly established his position as a tanker.

In contrast, his own solid standing was seemingly at risk of being shaken.

The day of the randomized summon is soon approaching.

Fortunately, if a Trait Enhancement occurs, one more position will be created, but what if it doesn't?

The role an assassin like Cossack can play in the tower is extremely limited.

If someone absolutely must be ousted, that person is exactly him.

"T-That wouldn't be good, that definitely shouldn't happen."

He had to remain by his side for a long, long time.

Now it's time to go.

However, he couldn't return to the officetel again yet.

How could he enter that sacred place completely covered in the smell of blood?

'Is he still asleep?'

He hoped Summoner Bong slept deeply.

Because deep sleep is closely related to health.

What about himself?

He should just enjoy the sights outside until he's unsummoned and return.

* * *

Joo-hyuk woke up after a good sleep.

Going out to the living room, he saw the TV was turned off, and Cossack was nowhere to be found.

He didn't know if he enjoyed the soccer match.

First, preparations to go out.

He planned to visit his family home.

And go tackle the 35th-floor in the afternoon.

Calling a car, he arrived at his family home.

The bodyguard waited downstairs.

"Your son is here, sir."

At that, his father, Bong Soo-chul, frowned.

"Your way of speaking is still weird lately?"

"Pardon? Is that so, sir?"

"Did something good happen?"

"This son, there are always only good things occurring. Thus, I'm here to share the good stuff with you, sir."

His mother, Hong Geum-ja, cracked a smile and spoke.

"You haven't eaten, right?"

"Yup!"

"Okay, at least if you eat, you won't talk."

Eating all the food his mother prepared.

"Mom, you don't need pocket money?"

"Uh, it's fine. I'll get a job soon."

"Where?"

"I think I'll go work at a restaurant."

Ahh.

Korea's top player.

A person with 4 billion won in assets still hasn't been able to serve his parents comfortably.

"I'll deposit a few pennies into your bank account. Take your time finding a job...,"

"I don't need it. How can I spend the money my son earned by risking his life? Save it. Who knows what will happen later."

Listening from the side, his father, Bong Soo-chul, curled his fingers into a circle and continuously poked his own chest.

Without making a sound, just mouthing the words.

Send it to me, to me.

'....'

Goodness, the power of genetics.

"Ah! That's right. Here are Player Nam Ga-eun's autographs and..., take one of these each. Keep them in your inner pocket or wallet at all times."

"Huh? ...A talisman?"

"Yup! This one is a health talisman, this one's a fortune talisman. I prepared exactly 3 of each for Father, Mother, and Min-hyuk."

"You believed in this stuff?"

"I completely believed it a while ago. The effects are tremendous. A highly skilled shaman wrote them."

It's not a lie.

She is truly a highly skilled shaman.

Because he experienced it himself.

"Umm, alright. Yours is here too, right?"

"Of course."

Moving forward, they will be healthy, right.

And fortune will dwell in the household,

even if they are extremely minor fortunes.

* * *

Returning from his family home, Joo-hyuk gathered the summoned entities.

Since R Gobang was newly reborn as SSR Gobang, they must tackle the 35th floor unconditionally.

"Since there are three of you who are SSR, there shouldn't be any problem reaching the 40th floor with S++, right? Is it lacking?"

"You underestimate us. Ascending even to the 50th floor is too trivial."

Oh!

Certainly, Gobang becoming an SSR is an incredible occurrence.

"However, past the 51st floor, achieving S++ will be...,"

He knows.

Giant flying monsters.

Griffons and Wyverns utilizing abilities precisely like feather attacks or breath.

Especially considering they are strong enough to prey on Minotaurs and Ogres, the fact that they are flying monsters is also tricky, and one must also be cautious of their magical attacks additionally to physical damage.

He planned to pull one more summoned entity in the 40th floors anyway.

The key is whether a Trait Enhancement appears or not.

Thus, he attached a talisman inside his underwear.

If more of them meant better effects, he would have plastered them everywhere, but since whether there's 1 or 100 the result is identical.

"Let's go. Catch the Cow Head King."

"Yup!"

[You are entering the 35th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

The mission was,

[35th Floor Mission: Regardless of type, eliminate 80 Minotaurs and 1 Minotaur King.]

[Time Limit limit: Within 13 Hours.]

[Completion Condition: All types of Minotaurs 0/80, Minotaur King 0/1]

Good grief.

That's a lot.

White ones, black ones, spotted ones, small ones, big ones.

Taking a quick glance next to him, Cossack had a stern expression and was staring purely straight ahead.

His resolve seemed extraordinary.

Without uttering adjusting flattery, he drew his twin daggers and infused them fully with sword ki before muttering to himself,

"I can't be cast away. I absolutely won't be cast away. I will remain until the end. Until the end."

What is he talking about?

Who is abandoning whom.

Did he suddenly lose his mind?

It's not like he bet on Sports Toto while watching soccer.

Jingle, jingle, jingle!

The 35th-floor clear mission commenced with the sound of Gyeon Dal-rae's bells.

Right at that moment!

Spi-pi-pi-pit!

Cossack shooting out precisely like a bullet.

Leaping in an instant, slitting the throat of a Phase 3 Minotaur, he was already pouncing on another target before anyone knew it.

'...Umm.'

What is up with Cossack-ssi again?

Why not just hunt safely?

It would be fine to just stick behind Gobang and purely pick up the scraps.

Did he play for too long and his body is itching?

'Regardless, what should I do?'

Let's just catch Phase 1 or 2 Minotaurs.

Chi-ji-jig!

Activating the energy shield, taking out his hand shield and mace.

The worried glances of the summoned entities stealing peeks at him were slightly on his mind, but.

"Who am I? A talent bug who succeeded in executing Shadow Step in midair!"

Let's catch a few before I'm stopped.

Ta-at!

Swaaa-at! Swaaa-at!

But then?

"Krooaaaaaar!"

The Minotaur King appeared on the battlefield wielding a giant axe.

Already?

"Come on, these folks! I just started."

As soon as the King appeared, SSR Gobang,

Swaaa-aack!

Body slam at a terrifying speed.

Puk!

"Moo-ooo...,"

It was reduced to a bloody pulp and sent sprawling.

Flinging its axe aside, it soared far, far away, shuuu.

'...'

SSR Gobang was indeed a balance-breaker.

At least in the 30th floors.

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ clear grade on the 35th floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

[S++ Clear Reward: A Platinum Badge is bestowed.]

Now all that remains is checking the privilege.

Please!

* * *

A yellow police line was strung up around a building in a Seoul nightlife district.

A mass murder had occurred at the closed massage parlor .

In the morning, a postman delivering mail had smelled a bizarre fishy stench through a gap in the open door.

Thinking it might be the smell of blood, he reported it to the police.

Violent crimes detectives stared at the crime scene with dumbfounded expressions.

Another mass murder.

Exactly how much time has passed since that last incident?

"Could it be connected to the Smile Cash incident? That was a mass murder too, right?"

"Well, there's only one corpse with its neck cleanly severed. Most of them have their hearts crushed, one has its head pierced, and most importantly, there are no ribbons."

However, cleanly severing a person's neck like this was a similar point.

"Did you secure the CCTV footage?"

"There are none installed inside the shop. The CCTV of the convenience store across the street purely captured footage of these victims entering and exiting."

"Phew, it's going to be a tough road."

Another unprecedented mass murder occurring.

The media will swarm like a pack of dogs.

And the police will be swept up in criticism.

"Captain."

"What?"

"Please take a look at this."

"Huh?"

One of the detectives pulled out an item from a victim's corpse.

"It's a handgun. It looks like a Tokarev."

"What?"

A Tokarev, huh.

The most widely copied handgun.

Therefore, it was exceedingly common.

"There's one here too. Here too..., these guys all had one each?"

The handguns weren't the only suspicious things.

Military knives, syringes filled with transparent liquid, capture ropes and duct tape, binding handcuffs...

Is that all?

Photos scattered on the floor.

They were magnified faces of specific individuals, and there seemed to be about ten photos.

Who exactly are these people?

"The murder suspect is one thing, but somehow the victims are even more suspicious."

The chief detective also nodded his head in agreement.

"What about IDs?"

"They were all carrying them."

"Run a check quickly."

A short while later,

the detective who had been communicating with headquarters said,

"Captain, this is extremely strange."

"What is?"

"All the IDs are fake. The real names exist in the database, but none of the faces match."

"...I knew it."

Who exactly are these bastards?

By the look of them, they aren't Koreans.

Illegal immigrant laborers?

Not a chance!

There is no way laborers would carry handguns around.

Organized crime members then?

That also holds no possibility.

He has a grasp of all the gangsters in this neighborhood.

Whether domestic or foreign.

The violent crimes chief detective had his suspicions.

The syringes discovered among the bastards' belongings.

There is a high probability it's drugs or anesthetics.

'They attempted to kidnap someone.'

Who?

These photos must be the main subjects.

He has to check.

"Contact higher-ups and request them to get in touch with the National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))). Tell them to send an agent over right away."

Time passed,

and an National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) agent arrived at the crime scene.

"My word, thank you for your hard work. You've had a difficult time. What about the victims?"

"Please step this way."

"Understood."

The smell of blood wafting as soon as they entered the room.

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) agent meticulously observed the corpses while covering his nose with a handkerchief, but then.

"...Huh?"

His gaze, which had been observing a corpse, shifted to the photos dropped on the floor.

Approaching blankly to pick up one photo, then another, then another...,

"Fuck!"

A curse abruptly popping out.

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) agent's eyes also grew sharp.

His complexion hardened stiffly immediately.

"Captain."

"Yes."

"You haven't notified the media about this incident, right?"

"They probably don't know yet."

"Then we will take over this case. It seems to fall under National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) jurisdiction."

And that day.

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) and the Awakening Management Agency were thrown into utter chaos.