Chapter 58 - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

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

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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

The next day.

Joo-hyuk prepared for the 60th-floor clear of the South Korean Black Tower along with his summoned entities.

The final clear before Rajix's promotion.

Fortunately, Gobang appeared in perfect condition.

The previous day's wounds were completely gone.

It would be good to put some boots on him at least, but there probably wouldn't be any that fit.

Joo-hyuk's current level is 61.

In other words, he can also enter the 61st floor.

However, the 61st floor is on hold.

He enters the 60th floor for now.

Whether the 60th floor S++ grade clear is applied even at level 61.

It's fifty-fifty.

Because he's level 61, the 60th floor could be considered a repetitive clear.

'Then I wouldn't receive it.'

However, for Joo-hyuk, the South Korean Black Tower 60th floor is still uncleared.

Since it's a tower of a different nationality, wouldn't it be applied separately?

'Then I would receive it.'

[You are entering the 60th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

The exact same environment and exact same mission.

And the exact same clear method.

The only difference is the nationality.

"Let's go."

The Wyvern Lord appeared along with Venom Wyverns.

Splash, splash.

Gobang striding through the poison puddles.

Ah, his heart felt heavy.

He boasts loudly, saying a warrior does not feel pain, but there's no way he wouldn't feel the pain.

He must be enduring it.

He won't clear the 60th floor anymore.

This is the end.

Wyvern Lord leather?

It's annoying to peel that.

It's not the environment to do so with poison puddles everywhere.

Besides, the Wyvern Lord leather isn't even special.

Only its body is large, and its color is a yellowish poop color.

It's not beautiful like the Rainbow Basilisk either.

Normal wyvern leather is excellent enough, so that's sufficient.

Time passed,

As Veronica's second large magic bullet hit alongside Cossack's slashing,

"Kyeeeeek!"

The Wyvern Lord collapsed and laid its body in a poison puddle.

Clear successful.

Will the badge...

'Be acknowledged?'

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ clear grade on the 60th floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

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

"Oh!"

What a relief.

The clear was acknowledged.

With this, the Platinum Badges are 61.

Even with the 60th floor clear, he has one left over.

The next privilege is on the 64th floor.

Spot!

Joo-hyuk and the party returned to the penthouse.

As soon as they arrived, Veronica fell fast asleep, Gyeon Dal-rae sat gracefully on the sofa, Gobang and Cossack snooped around the refrigerator, and Rajix started cleaning right away.

Now is the time to let Rajix go.

He should meet him after the promotion.

Gobang leaped two or more stages through Blessing Enhancement.

From R to SSR.

'Was the unsummonable status for 4 days?'

Rajix possessed a soul as pure as Gobang's.

It's highly likely Rajix will also trigger Blessing Enhancement.

"Mr. Rajix?"

"Ho-e."

"Take this."

"...Ho, ho-eng?"

The Summoned Entity Grade Ascension Rune placed in Rajix's hands.

"Go and come back. I will wait without entering the tower until you return."

"...Hu-e-eng, don't clean either. I'll do it when I get back. No electronic servant."

Rajix with tears welling in his eyes.

Joo-hyuk held Rajix's incredibly short hands tightly and said.

"I absolutely won't buy an electronic servant. I'll hold my breath and wait."

"Ho-e? Please breathe."

He is truly looking forward to it.

What appearance will he return with?

His backpack capacity will definitely increase, right?

* * *

South Korea was a crucible of chaos.

Yesterday, the global announcement message for the S++ grade clear in the UAE appeared, but it still hadn't appeared in South Korea.

It had to appear today, it had to be proven that he didn't naturalize....

What if they never hear it again at this rate?

The anxiety intensified even more.

However, an interview with UAE Crown Prince Bin-Sala was unexpectedly released as breaking morning news.

The broadcasting media was CNM, an American news channel.

Bin-Sala's face was flushed with excitement.

Naturally so.

Having dramatically revived from a state of being stripped of his Crown Prince position and driven to exile abroad.

His popularity in the UAE reached its peak.

The interview content wasn't anything special.

Mainly his thoughts on the UAE Black Tower being cleared, and the joy of escaping the tower collapse.

And then.

- I will visit South Korea again as soon as possible.

Bin-Sala, overwhelmed with emotion, said with a trembling voice.

'Why South Korea again...?'

- To express my gratitude.

'To whom, the South Korean government? Are you saying the South Korean government approved the temporary naturalization of a specific player?'

- That is not the case. The person who should receive the gratitude of the UAE citizens is someone else.

'Crown Prince, please explain in more detail.'

- I cannot reveal the details, but this is all thanks to Mr. Gobang... Ahem, let's end the interview here.

'W-wait a minute? Who did you just say? Gobang? Who is Gobang...'

Bin-Sala sprang up from his seat and left the camera's view.

'There are still many questions left. Crown Prince, Crown Prince?'

That was all of the interview.

However, the response was fiery.

When the interview video was introduced on South Korean tower climbing community message boards.

- He took our player and shamelessly wants to visit South Korea?

- This is teabagging.

- Right. He's coming to mock us.

- This makes me mad. Block Bin-Sala from entering.

- If they actually grant him entry permission, I won't just sit still.

- Right. I'm going to throw a whole carton of eggs at the airport.

The end of the interview was also a hot topic.

The name that slipped out of his mouth inadvertently out of excitement.

- But who is Gobang? The top player's name? Surname Go, first name Bang.

- Gobang, I haven't heard of it.

- It does seem to be the top player's name.

- Isn't it Arabic? Or maybe he used a pseudonym while naturalizing.

- Probably, because if his real name is known, his identity will be revealed.

- Did he create a new name as an abbreviation?

- An abbreviation, it can't be Gogi Bangpae (Meat Shield), so maybe Gogyeolhan Bangpae (Noble Shield)?

- Gogeup Bangseok (High-class Cushion).

- High-difficulty Equation.

- Jibang Bangeohoe (High-fat Yellowtail Sashimi).

- Goyangi Banggwi (Cat Fart).

- Godeungeo Bangmunpanmae (Mackerel Door-to-door Sales).

Guesswork regarding who Gobang was continued until,

- Anyway, does this mean we won't hear global announcements anymore?

- Probably, if it was going to ring, it should have rung yesterday.

- No, he could just be taking a day off.

- I'm anxious. It's clear he abandoned South Korea and left.

- Still, at least he didn't go to Japan or China.

- Dammit, be happy! Since it was enjoyable while it lasted.

Around the time the message board was being dyed in a gloomy atmosphere, suddenly!

- Huh?

- Gasp!

- Hmm?

- Oh!

- Keu!

Short, one-syllable comments scrolling up rapidly.

- Huh? I feel like I've experienced this situation somewhere before.

- A familiar pattern.

- Right. It was like this before too. Could this perhaps be....

- Is it up?

- Is it up?

Replies poured out.

- It's up!

- Oh yeah! Global announcement!

- South Korean Black Tower 60th Floor S++ Clear.

- I told you so. Said he was just taking a day off.

- Hey hey, call the tavern owner, tell her to resume business.

- Already rolled up the shutters.

- Bring out a grand bowl of national pride at once!

The atmosphere of the message board changed drastically.

- But who on earth is the player who S++ cleared the UAE?

- Seriously. He basically popped out of nowhere. Quiet from the 1st to the 59th floor.

- I really don't know. How did he do it?

- Well, Gobang would know.

Breaking news also erupted in the media.

Thus, South Korea became peaceful again.

* * *

Joo-hyuk also saw the breaking news.

He was surprised.

Because a completely unexpected name came out.

"...Gobang?"

Why is that name there?

But he soon understood.

Why Bin-Sala mentioned Gobang.

It's obvious. Who else could it be?

'Mr. Cossack, just what are you....'

He went to negotiate, no, extort Bin-Sala, and apparently scammed him by using the name Gobang as his own.

'Amazing. Truly amazing.'

Well, it's a Cossack he can't bring himself to hate anyway.

Anyway, he plans to take a break from tower climbing for a while.

Until our worker and quartermaster returns.

Will Rajix also be capable of a two-stage Blessing Enhancement like Gobang?

He said there's a probability if the soul is pure.

He felt anxious even after sending him off with Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summoning / Return Summon / Unsummon.

Time passed and he checked the status window.

[Catalog]: Rajix (Unsummonable)

Yes!

Like Gobang, the unsummonable status popped up.

Then that means Blessing Enhancement is underway.

Now he just has to wait.

For Rajix to appear having ascended two grades.

The moment. Ding! The smartphone message notification sounded.

- I have arrived. The vehicle number is...

A message from Team Leader Lee Min-ah.

Joo-hyuk is scheduled to visit the Management Agency today.

So she came to pick him up.

'The car number changed again.'

Probably due to security issues.

Joo-hyuk stepped out of the apartment.

Then, a car with heavy window tinting came into view.

He opened the door and got in,

"Hello, Player Bong Joo-hyuk. Congratulations on clearing the 60th floor."

"...Ah, yes, yes."

With that greeting ending it, they didn't speak a single word the entire way.

Until they passed through the main gate of the Awakening Management Agency and arrived at the tower material storage.

Even though there are two women in the party.

He has no problems with Gyeon Dal-rae and Veronica, but.

Honestly, he doesn't have anything to say either.

It will gradually get better. Someday.

The car arrived at the Awakening Management Agency.

Two people waiting at the tower material storage.

It was Director Park Kyung-soo and Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

Come to think of it, this is the first time he's seeing Director Park Kyung-soo.

Isn't he a high-ranking official who even has private meetings with the President?

"...Ah, hello."

"Oh! Welcome. Nice to meet you for the first time. I am Park Kyung-soo."

Exchanging greetings, hearing words of gratitude, and promises to take good care of each other in the future.

Saying they're always sorry for not being able to treat him well because he has to hide his identity.

Asking him to endure it just a little longer.

Well, it's what he wanted himself.

While conversing, Park Kyung-soo asked subtly.

"Player Bong, I have something to ask,"

"Ah! Anytime. And Director, you can speak comfortably to me."

"Hahaha, I can't do that. Should one judge a person by their age?"

"Hmm."

He'd rather be judged by his age.

With a position like that, it's fine even if he acts like a boomer.

"I apologize if this is presumptuous, but the UAE Black Tower, wasn't it really you who did it, Player Bong?"

He knew this question would come.

When the phone call came at that time, he was distracted by the Ghost Leg privilege and roughly glossed over it.

"Honestly, there isn't a person capable of that among UAE players. No, even looking across the entire world, no one comes to mind other than you, Player Bong."

Director Park Kyung-soo seemed convinced that he had cleared it,

"If it's difficult to answer...."

"Yes, it's a bit difficult. It's hard to discuss."

An ambiguous answer.

He didn't say yes or no.

Shouldn't they understand with this much?

"Ah! I apologize. I overstepped."

"Not at all. If the opportunity arises later... Hmm, I'll reveal it in detail then."

Park Kyung-soo waved his hands dismissively and said.

"Oh my, it's fine. I will absolutely not ask in the future."

There's a reason he can't speak openly.

If he says he cleared it, he also has to explain the Multinational Tower Access Ticket.

But he only has one ticket left now.

And it's already reserved.

Furthermore, there is a limit to the privileges he'll receive in the future.

At best, once more at the 64th floor.

Since he has to clear the 69th floor slowly.

He doesn't know when he'll receive this ticket again, it might never appear forever.

It would be different if a few more appeared.

So he roughly glossed over it.

'Still, he isn't asking who Gobang is.'

He wouldn't answer even if asked, but.

"Ah, right! I have a favor to ask of the Management Agency."

"Please tell us anything. We will fulfill it unconditionally if it's something we can handle."

At Director Park Kyung-soo's signal, Lee Min-ah took out a notebook, ready to write it down.

"Could I buy some land around the metropolitan area? A quiet mountainous region would be nice."

"Not a bustling area, but a mountainous region?"

"Yes, a place with as little human traffic as possible, where I can place a few shipping containers."

"We will look into it."

He's been too cooped up at home with the summoned entities.

Sometimes, he also needs a villa where he can enjoy nature outdoors.

And one more thing.

"I'd like to gift some money to my parents, about 10 billion won, after taking care of taxes."

"It's possible. If we entrust it to a law firm, they will handle everything."

He should fulfill his filial duty too.

His business is all done.

As he was about to slowly take his leave, the scenery inside the storage caught Joo-hyuk's eyes.

"Hmm, a lot of Basilisk leather is gone?"

"HG Fashion took it. They plan to unveil prototype products soon, so a showcase date has been set."

"Is that so?"

Pleasant news to his ears.

Now he'll be able to peel leather in earnest along with ores.

Because Rajix's subspace backpack will definitely become larger upon promotion.

Now he'll go home and take a good rest.

If he gets bored later, he'll call the people and hang out.

* * *

HG Fashion.

The showcase date was exactly tomorrow.

CEO Go Yeon-ha, along with the design team and leather technician team, had completed prototypes utilizing Basilisk leather through overnight work.

First is bags.

Starting with this, they plan to aim for product diversification like wallets and shoes.

First, the mid-to-low price line is set between 5 million and 10 million won.

They only used materials with inferior quality or simple and blurry patterns among the Basilisk leather.

Still, it's far superior to crocodile leather.

A durable bag that can be used indefinitely without getting tired of it once bought, as it also possesses self-repairing abilities.

The second is the high-quality luxury line.

Starting from 40 million won for the smallest one.

Made entirely of high-quality leather.

If it's somewhat large, it exceeds 100 million won.

Finally, the high-end masterpiece line.

Starting from a base of 300 million won.

They paid the most attention to the design as well.

Because Rainbow leather serves a point role here and there.

Are the bag prices too expensive?

Some worried they might not sell at this rate.

Not a chance.

The most expensive high-end masterpiece line will sell the best.

It will sell out quickly due to lack of supply.

The loud outcries of the big spenders who couldn't buy one will pour in.

"Let's proceed with the showcase like this."

"Should we sell simultaneously?"

"Only take reservations. Limited quantities."

"How many... the production facilities aren't completed, so it'll be tight to meet the volume."

"Only as much as we can make; no need to overdo it. Even if you order bags from other brands, it takes over a year. We have to make them slowly while paying attention to quality control."

The important thing is scarcity.

It must become a luxury item that cannot be bought even if one opens their wallet.

There are no mass production plans either.

They couldn't even if they wanted to.

Since they have to be made purely by hand using tools made of tower metal.

The showcase will proceed with 10 mid-to-low price bags, 6 luxury bags, and 2 high-end bags.

Invitations were sent to famous celebrities.

They also plan to broadcast it live on Nutube simultaneously.

Go Yeon-ha was already anticipating it.

What the reactions of the people seeing these bags would be.

It was as obvious as seeing a fire.

She herself wanted one if she wasn't the CEO.

"Ah, right! Make two more high-end bags and send them to the Management Agency. One for men, one for women."

"Yes, I will send them right after the showcase."

She had to look good to the person supplying leather to the Management Agency.

Since she didn't know if it was a man or a woman, she decided to make both.