Chapter 40 - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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It was a grand journey.

Starting from the 36th floor clear, climbing the upper floors day after day, they finally achieved the great feat of Trait Enhancement on the 40th floor.

Smiles did not leave the lips of the summoned entities.

Cossack seemed to have definitively laid down the burden in his heart.

"In this Cossack's life, there have only been exactly two times I've wet my pants, sir. Once when Summoner Bong was walking on the sky, and the second time...,"

"Click?"

"That's right, sir! Click, sir! I pissed a puddle, sir."

"Hahaha. Don't tell me you actually peed? It must be a figurative expression."

"..."

"R-really?"

"...Hehehe."

At that, Gobang.

"I, SSR Gobang, saw it clearly with my two eyes. The assassin's pants were wet."

Simultaneously, Gyeon Dal-rae's thunderous roar erupted.

"You bastards!!! ...Sigh, Lord Cossack and Lord Gobang, do you speak without even thinking? In whose presence are you uttering such filthy! Anyway, Young Master's desperate wish has evidently moved the heavens."

The Gut was likely a masterstroke.

He poured more devotion into the Gut than the clear.

How reverent Gyeon Dal-rae looked jumping on the blades at that time.

"I am ashamed. It is merely a shallow trick. If proper musicians had joined instead of a speaker, there would have been no need to even spin the wheel."

Gobang, as if to boast of his own achievement,

"I supported the sword well. So the Princess balanced well on the sword."

Could Cossack possibly be left out?

"If you desperately wish for it, the entire universe helps you, sir. This is the truth, sir. Whether asleep or awake, I desperately prayed, 'Please let Summoner Bong achieve Trait Enhancement', sir."

It's heartwarming.

If they join forces with one mind and one purpose like this, they make the impossible possible.

Everyone's wishes created a miracle.

"It was truly thrilling, sir. When Summoner Bong raised both arms high and shouted 'Click!', the strength in my lower half just gave out and...,"

"Lord Cossack, please!!!"

"Hehehe."

In the absolutely critical situation where the roulette needle had passed to the next section,

the spinning wheel moving 0.5cm to the right with a 'Click!'.

'Wow, I almost pissed myself too.'

Perhaps this is why gambling addiction is dangerous.

Anyway, the result is good.

Very good.

Then the 41st floor starting tomorrow?

I'm not doing it!

Taking a good rest for the time being.

The protagonist of the previous randomized summon was Gyeon Dal-rae.

That was the 30th floor, right?

After that, he dashed straight to the 40th floor.

Since he rested in between, cleared, and rested again, significantly more than 20 days have passed.

Therefore, less than ten days remain until the next randomized summon.

Exactly 9 days.

Until then, he will play and eat.

"With that meaning, Beef, is it a go?"

"Heu-reup, w-we must save, sir. I'm not hungry even if I don't eat, sir. Hehehe."

"Hahaha, then is chicken after a long time a go?"

"A gooo!!!"

The moment!

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang at Joo-hyuk's officetel home.

"Shh!"

Who is it?

Checking the intercom screen.

'Umm...,'

It was Jeon Kwang-il.

Then the summoned entities...,

'Should I unsummon them?'

How great it would be if this were a large house at times like this.

He could just enter any room and lock the door.

The quick-witted Cossack stepped forward.

"Just unsummon us, please, sir!"

"Shall we?"

"Yup!"

"It is time to return."

"Summoner, take care of your body."

So,

"Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summon / Unsummon everyone."

Pat-pat-pat!

Confirming their departure, Joo-hyuk turned on the TV, turned up the volume, and opened the front door to welcome Jeon Kwang-il.

"Welcome."

"Hahaha, congratulations on the 40th-floor S++ clear."

"Oh, you're making me blush,"

"It's chaotic right now. The success of the 66th-floor clear has been completely buried."

Hah.

It's troublesome if I keep getting famous.

Although I don't know how long I can hide my identity.

"The reason I came to visit today is because I have an item to deliver...,"

"The penthouse? I already told you I won't accept it for free."

"It's not that,"

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il placed the 007 briefcase he brought onto the table with a clack! and opened it.

"It is this."

"...Pardon? I-Is it a toy?"

"It is a real object."

What emerged from the briefcase was a handgun made of silver metal.

"No, why a handgun to me?"

"It is for self-defense. If a suspicious bastard approaches, shoot him. Without mercy!"

"...Shoot? Are you telling me to just shoot blindly?"

"We take all responsibility. You will not be arrested by the police, indicted, or face trial."

"..."

Meaning they will grant him immunity.

"There was an attempted player kidnapping a while ago. Fortunately, heaven helped and it became as if it never happened, but there's no guarantee such a thing won't happen again."

"Ah! I see. But I don't even have a gun permit."

"It is fine. We handled it legally."

Joo-hyuk lifted the handgun from the briefcase.

He had been to the military, but it was his first time with a handgun.

"That can go into the inventory as well."

"Ah! Then?"

"Yes, because it is made of tower metal."

Tower metal, huh.

Perhaps that's why it's extremely lightweight.

'Shall I try putting it in to see if it really goes in?'

Attaching the magazine,

Click! (Cheol-keok!)

And into the inventory..., huh?

"...It's not going in?"

"Umm, y-you must remove the magazine for it to go in."

What kind of nonsense is this?

"Gunpowder is not an object from the tower."

"..."

If that's the case, why make it out of tower metal?

Players can bring a normal handgun and bullets into the tower anyway if they carry them in their pockets, as it's judged as personal belongings.

"We thought the effects would be better if the gun barrel was tower metal, so it was made that way."

"Is it better?"

"To some extent."

This is why large firearms cannot be taken into the tower.

What's the point of making the main body out of tower metal?

When equipping artillery shells or rockets is impossible.

"I will hold onto it for now."

"Ah! And security will likely be further tightened. You might experience some inconvenience in your movements."

What?

That's not right.

"I believe the contract clearly stated loose security?"

"However, given the circumstances,"

"Please make me a complete exception unconditionally. I will be moving soon as well. To a place without interference."

"W-Wait a moment. Please reconsider. For players, the inside of the tower is not dangerous; the outside of the tower is far more dangerous."

It's true, but...,

'I'll have to show him.'

The time has come.

He had been hiding it all this while, but he'll clearly reveal it utilizing this opportunity.

Exactly how safe a person he is.

"There aren't many people in the world safer than me."

"Pardon? What do you..."

"I will show you."

Joo-hyuk quietly chanted.

"Activate Energy Shield."

Then,

Ji-i-ing!

Starting from Joo-hyuk's bracelet and spreading across his whole body,

A milky, translucent protective shield overlaid entirely on his body.

"Gasp!"

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il gasped in astonishment.

Exactly how many times does he have to be surprised because of Player Bong?

"...I-Is it an item? Without the Tower-Exclusive modifier?"

"Yes, I received it as a clear reward. It creates a defensive shield applicable even on the outside. It's extremely sturdy, so it will probably even block bullets."

Jeon Kwang-il unconsciously nodded his head.

'The holy sword too, and that protective shield item as well, the celestial reward items given for S++ clears are certainly different.'

Items from inside the tower usable in reality as well.

Mostly, materials are received as clear rewards.

Including mana stones, metals, herbs, leather, monster bones, etc., they can be applied in reality as well.

However, since they are clear rewards, the quantities aren't large, so herbs are mostly sold for research purposes, while metals, leather, and bones are sold for crafting player items.

But it's not just materials that appear.

Occasionally, finished product items appear as well.

Ornaments that clear the mind, swords that slice through steel as if slicing radishes, or defensive items that protect the target like that one.

Such items are priceless.

In a world where paintings by famous artists or antiques are traded for 400 or 500 million dollars.

That protective shield item would be worth at least a billion dollars or more.

Scratch a billion dollars!

The moment its existence is known, Arab tycoons or American billionaires would come visiting packed with money.

"T-That item, absolutely hide it. Do not sell it either."

"Phew, why would I sell this? It's my lifeline."

"You reasoned well."

Now that he showed him.

"Please continue with the loose security. No, just don't attach bodyguards at all."

"Umm, I will try suggesting it."

Jeon Kwang-il returned.

And then 3 hours later.

Calling the summoned entities again,

"Now, now, let's take a good rest. For the time being, there are no clears. Tell me if you need anything, shall I order some chicken first?"

"It is a go,"

"It is a go."

"Click!"

They ate well and played well like that.

Occasionally going out as well.

For a week, that is.

* * *

American Player Gerald Watson entered the country via Incheon Airport along with Director Antonio.

An uncountable number of bodyguards surrounded them from the front, back, and both sides.

There weren't many people at the airport.

For a celebrity of Gerald Watson's level, one would expect reporters to be setting up camp.

In fact, the media is unaware.

Of when he is entering the country.

Because it was kept thoroughly secret.

"Hurry, hurry up, Antonio."

"We're going to try it out today anyway, let's go slowly."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you knew how long I've waited for the day I'll take revenge on that dreadful Dark Specter."

"Revenge? You eventually cleared it!"

"Look at South Korea's Player Nam Ga-eun. It was a 10-hour cut. What about my pride!"

Director Antonio chuckled.

Gerald's words holding a point as well.

How difficult was the 66th-floor clear?

The clear time limit approaching, attacks barely working even when swathed in Light attributes due to the Specter's Dark Aura, it took over 2 hours just to catch one.

Afterward, by further reinforcing items, they painstakingly shortened the time over and over, ultimately succeeding in the clear by fully utilizing the time limit, though.

They had to do that difficult floor twice.

The western and the eastern, that is.

But a holy sword, he says.

With one Light attribute item and a sword, it purportedly took 10 hours to catch the Specters.

"What are you doing? Run!"

"Good grief."

The world's top player.

However, due to his young age, he possesses such an impulsive side.

The security vehicles and the bulletproof vehicle Gerald would ride in were already waiting in front of the airport departure gate.

That car the US President purportedly rides in.

It was airlifted via a US Air Force transport plane before their arrival.

Riding the car, Gerald and Antonio arrived at the Management Agency.

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il came out and,

"Welcome. Mr. Watson, Director Antonio, I am Jeon Kwang-il."

"Nice to meet you. Just call me Gerald, and please show me the holy sword quickly."

"Hahaha, were you in such a rush?"

"H, hurry up."

Jeon Kwang-il guided them to his office.

"Where is the sword?"

Tsk,

Being so impatient, I can't even say anything else.

"The rental fee hasn't been deposited yet."

At that, Director Antonio stepped forward and spoke.

"I intended to do it when we arrived. Where should I send it to?"

"To here...,"

"Hmm, the account name is set to the Management Agency. Not the owner."

"Yes, because we are acting as agents."

Antonio wearing a disappointed expression.

Lifting his smartphone and tapping it a few times before,

"The deposit is complete."

Jeon Kwang-il also tapped his smartphone.

"Yes, confirmed."

Then opening the large safe installed on the wall of the office and,

"Here it is. Please verify the information first."

Gerald hurriedly received the sword.

"Oh!"

Information about the sword appeared in his mind.

Damage to undead increased, steadfast spirit, holy fire, critical hit, along with that..., radiance.

If there is a flaw, it is that the sword is old.

Also, it is exceedingly large and heavy.

The feeling will probably be different inside the tower, but.

"Can I enter now?"

"You must absolutely abide by the conditions written in the contract. If you lose it, or perhaps...,"

"Do not worry. Because something like that will absolutely never happen."

Placing the holy sword into his inventory,

Pop!

Gerald vanished in an instant.

He has likely moved to America's western tower or eastern tower.

Because regardless of the player's location, the tower entered depends on nationality.

* * *

[You are entering the 66th floor of the America (NO.2) Black Tower.]

[Physical abilities are enhanced according to your level.]

[Trait and combat skills can be used.]

Before taking out the holy sword, Light attribute equipment first.

Fwaaaaak!

A brilliant light lingering on Gerald's body.

Enough to blind the naked eye.

He also took out the holy sword.

Vwooom!

A gentle light overlaid.

'Is this radiance?'

It's fascinating.

The faint radiance was devouring the brilliant light of the Light attribute.

It's certainly different.

Clear preparations.

Magic Swordsman Gerald chanted spells.

"Strength. Haste. Barrier."

[66th Floor Mission: Eliminate 10 Dark Specters.]

[Time Limit: Within 15 Hours.]

Far away, gray translucent birds flying about effortlessly.

Their size is immense as well.

They look exactly like pterosaurs.

As large as they are, the scope of their Dark Aura is also expansive.

Physical attacks didn't work at all.

Only Light attribute attacks could arguably inflict a slight amount of damage.

After first succeeding in the 66th-floor clear, he had sworn he would absolutely never do something like a repeat clear.

Yet to think he himself would break that vow.

Let's check quickly.

Whether he can truly land a solid blow against these bastards.

Pulling first.

Magic Swordsman Gerald raised his hand and cast a skill.

"Magic Bolt!"

Ch-fit!

One Specter struck precisely by the Magic Bolt.

Ch-rat!

Halting its flight, it shifted direction toward Gerald.

Cha-ra-ra-rat!

The Specter charging with its Dark Aura.

It was the largest among the undead monsters faced so far.

Large enough to be overwhelmed purely by its size, even without the Dark Aura.

Furthermore, a flying monster.

"Sharpness."

After sharpening the sword with magic enchant.

Using a blade skill, he slashed downwards at the bastard's left wing section.

Seo-geo-geok!

The tip of the Specter's ethereal wing was severed.

Chwa-ra-ra-rak!

Losing its balance, the Specter fluttered about and convulsed, flying erratically here and there.

Dangerous to rush in at a time like this.

Evading momentarily before,

the Specter persistently pursued Gerald while sitting on the ground, flying up, and so forth.

He ran away regardless.

Slyly firing off magic spells too.

'Now.'

This time the opposite side.

Seo-geok!

The right wing severed by half.

After depriving its mobility.

Gerald attacked in earnest.

Cutting its tail off, cutting its legs off, piercing its torso too, and lastly, the bastard's head,

Ssuk-duk (Thwack)!

The thrashing Specter ceased moving in an instant.

Fwa-reureuk! Even bursting into flames.

'...This is absurd.'

Is this really the 66th floor?

To dispose of it this quickly.

Has roughly 20 minutes passed?

Since he's holding the sword, it's tantamount to not having a Dark Aura.

It's even fun.

'1 rental won't satisfy me.'

Looks like I'll have to postpone my departure.

Spend an additional ten million dollars and unconditionally rent it one more time.

It's not even an un-cleared upper floor climb.

20 million dollars for the purpose of experiencing the holy sword.

However, against Gerald, it was by no means a waste of money.