Chapter 61 - Chapter 61

Chapter 61

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Joo-hyuk visited his family home.

He had called in advance to say he was coming today.

Click.

He opened the door and entered, but,

'Hmm.'

His father, mother, and younger brother were sitting quietly in the living room.

However, it was chilly.

A heavy atmosphere sank throughout the entire house.

First, staying calm,

"...I'm here."

"Come here and sit down."

"Yes."

His mother's low, hushed voice.

He didn't know what it was about.... Should he run away?

Anyway, as he took a seat,

Thump, a bankbook was thrown onto the living room floor.

'So it's because of this.'

An amount was written at the very bottom.

A whopping 10 billion won, depositor Bong Joo-hyuk.

"What is this money?"

"P, pocket money. The gift tax has been fully taken care of, so you can relax..."

"We know that you earn a lot of money as an elite player. We are always proud of you."

That's right.

He earns a lot of money.

He can earn about 10 billion just by mining ores for a few days.

"But you want us to live in luxury and comfort using the money our child risked his life to earn? Are you planning to make your parents out to be shameless people with no sense of decency?"

"I, I didn't exactly risk my life to earn it."

He doesn't even move.

He wants to hunt monsters, but they don't let him.

He has people who take care of everything for him and a cute worker.

"Spend the money you earned on yourself, you've suffered a lot. We don't need it. Take it back. We already feel sorry enough just receiving the big house."

"I, it's not really a big house either."

The penthouse he lives in is three times bigger than this house.

Do they know how many rooms there are?

There's no other way. Let's just reveal it.

"Um, Mom, do you happen to know about the Holy Sword?"

"...Huh?"

His father and brother too,

"I know it, there's a saying that above a building owner is a Holy Sword owner."

"They say it costs 10 billion just to borrow it."

Exactly 10 million dollars.

Over 13 billion won.

"The owner of the Holy Sword is me. I picked it up in the tower. I got a rare drop."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone has an expression asking what kind of nonsense out of nowhere this is.

"Hyung, if you keep lying it becomes a habit. Even if fraud doesn't hold up between parents and children, morally speaking...."

"Here, look!"

Joo-hyuk launched his smartphone banking app and showed his account.

"You see this here? Holy Sword rental fee 26.8 billion, deposited by the Management Agency."

Min-hyuk's eyes widened as he stared at the phone screen.

His father also brought his face close.

"Huh? It's real. W, wait a minute, the number of zeroes is, eek?"

"Let me see too, where, where? One, two, three, four.... Gasp! Y, you rascal! You were rich."

Chuckling,

"Did you just realize that now? I can eat and live well just by renting out the Holy Sword without even climbing the tower."

"Oh my, dear son, to this humble place,"

"I, Bong Min-hyuk! Will pledge my utmost loyalty to you, Hyung-nim."

"..."

His mother also seemed quite surprised.

After alternating her gaze between the smartphone account and Joo-hyuk's face for a long time.

"Ugh, you pushover brat! Does giving the money you worked hard to earn to others make you feel good?"

"Yeah!"

So what if he's a pushover?

Inferior men are all like that.

It's much better than a psychopath.

What fun is there in earning money to spend alone?

If his beloved family uses the money he worked hard to earn well, that's also a joyful thing.

* * *

Somewhere in Seoul.

Deputy Director Xiaojun reviewed the operation plan.

At first, Xiaojun, who came to South Korea as if driven out, was completely at a loss about what to do.

Bring South Korea's S++ grade clear record holder?

How?

Even if he knew who it was, it would be difficult.

The Chinese government also knows it's impossible.

Then what does it mean that they still sent him?

'They're telling me to at least try something.'

He has to show them.

His loyalty to China.

South Korea, whose arrogance has reached its peak.

Seeing them swagger acting as an advanced tower climbing nation still makes his anger surge.

'How dare they, for a small country.'

China couldn't even clear the 59th floor and practically begged Russia.

Moreover, there was absolutely no possibility of clearing the 60th floor in sight.

Yet South Korea was guaranteed to clear even the 67th floor.

No, they'd probably be fine even up to the 70th floor.

The gap will continue to widen.

While China is trembling with anxiety over tower collapse, South Korea will proudly raise its head high as an advanced tower climbing nation and boast.

Xiaojun couldn't bear to see that sight.

Retribution is necessary.

Like the player terrorist incident that occurred in the UAE.

And then an opportunity presented itself.

A few days later, he received information that a fashion company's showcase would be held at the HG Hotel.

Rumor had it that elite players were scheduled to attend.

Could he stay still?

He'll kill them all.

He'll make South Korea taste the despair of tower collapse too.

If China's tower collapses, South Korea's should duly collapse as well.

Is he underestimating the National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) and the South Korean government too much?

Well, are they gods?

Even the CIA, supposedly the world's top intelligence agency, makes mistakes.

Just typing keywords like 'CIA intelligence agency humiliation, failure, mistake' into an internet search engine right now will bring up a stream of related stories.

Getting caught wiretapping, getting exposed while trying to assassinate an enemy government figure, and there was even an incident where their own intelligence agents' roster was leaked, leading to arrests and massive deportations.

The Russian intelligence agency?

It's been a long time since they became the laughingstock of the world.

When these things happen, some people usually say this.

It's too sloppy.

How can a nation's top intelligence agency fail to prepare for something like this? Even a novel would flop with this kind of plausibility.

That's nonsense.

Where is there anything perfect in the world?

Actual reality is disastrously messy.

It's worse than movies or novels.

No matter how thorough the security, loopholes are bound to occur.

Because it's work done by humans.

Even now, they are completely unaware that his team has entered South Korea.

From Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the Special Intelligence Department team members infiltrated South Korea.

"This is a war. You must absolutely not hesitate."

"Yes!"

In truth, no matter how meticulously a plan is formulated, in most cases, things don't go accordingly, because variables in unexpected situations can never be predicted.

The important thing is bold execution.

Doing without hesitation what others think 'surely they wouldn't go this far'.

That is precisely the key to success.

It will naturally play out that way this time as well.

* * *

Joo-hyuk finally made a decision.

Climbing the uncleared upper 61st floor.

After visiting his family home, he had continuously conducted fragment searches through repetitive tower missions.

While he was at it, he also peeled Basilisk leather, peeled Wyvern leather, and mined ores.

He mainly circled the 50s floors, and also the 40s floors for Basilisk leather, but there were no notable gains.

The items that appeared were basically trash level, and there weren't even rune or ticket fragments.

"It's because the floors are low, sir. We have to go to the 61st floor or higher, sir."

Cossack's opinion.

"And even if we find items on the lower floors, they won't be very useful, sir. It's a bit sorry to the deceased, but would items carried by low-level players be usable, sir?"

That's a valid point.

Climbing uncleared upper floors is essential.

However, he plans to stop at the 66th floor.

He shouldn't clear indiscriminately.

What if some talented, crazy player nonchalantly clears the 67th, 68th, 69th floors... indiscriminately in a matter of days?

The world would be ruined.

The nation cannot know when, where, and what floor a player clears.

Nor can they block entry.

Then, when the limit of tower climbing is reached, the nation has to bear the brunt of the consequences entirely.

From the 67th floor onwards, they have to match the collapse time limit.

In step with the government's plans.

Joo-hyuk went down to the underground parking lot.

Because he had something to receive.

A car that always changes, and this time, Team Leader Lee Min-ah.

"A little while ago, a Norwegian player cleared the 66th floor and departed the country."

"Ah, is that so?"

"Saying to pass on their gratitude to the actual owner instead...."

"Yes, yes, that's a relief."

What gratitude.

Just depositing the rental fee promptly is enough.

"Here...."

Swoosh!

The Holy Sword drawn out from Team Leader Lee Min-ah's inventory.

Checking the item information as he receives it.

"I will return it.... before the next reservation."

"Player Bong."

"Yes?"

"For the 61st-floor clear as well, don't get even a hair hurt and stay safe! Fighting!"

What's this?

Making him embarrassed.

Lee Min-ah seemed to still have something left to say.

"Oh right! Are you coming to the showcase event tomorrow?"

"...It's not decided yet."

"Okay, call me anytime. The bodyguards will go to pick you up. Other elite players are moving like that too."

Since it's an event co-hosted by HG Fashion and the Awakening Management Agency, other elite players are reportedly coming as well.

Should he go, or not.

Honestly, he is curious.

How such events are conducted.

In his 25 years of life, he's never even been to a common concert.

A person should participate in social life and things like that sometimes.

It's not often one gets to see the faces of famous people in person.

Joo-hyuk went back up to the penthouse.

The summoned entities waiting for him.

"Ta-da!"

He took out the Holy Sword from his inventory and showed them.

"Is that the Holy Sword, sir? For some reason, it looks older than before, sir. At this rate, the patterns will all be erased, sir."

Tsk.

Killing the mood right after he takes it out.

"Why? Do you want to see it?"

"Ho-eng!"

As he gently placed the Holy Sword on the floor.

Swish!

Rajix took out a large magnifying glass from his subspace backpack,

'He had a magnifying glass in there too?'

Rajix meticulously examined the patterns engraved on the Holy Sword with the magnifying glass.

"Ho-e-e..."

Then, swish, taking out something else from the backpack.

'A book?'

It was a thick book about half the size of his body.

'It's an amazing backpack.'

Cleaning tools come out, pickaxes come out, tongs, a magnifying glass, and even a book.

Flip-flip-flip, flip, flip-flip-flip.

He rapidly turned the pages,

"Hu-eng? Hu-e-e-e..."

Rajix lost in thought.

He made sounds to himself, closed his eyes gently, and rolled around this way and that.

"Ho-eng! I can fix this."

What?

"...You can fix it?"

"I need materials. If I find them, I fix it. Ho-e-e."

"Uh, what kind of materials?"

"Hu-eng, have to look for them."

"If there are no materials, you can't fix it?"

"Ho-e, yes."

"Can the materials be found in the tower?"

"Yes."

Meaning it's not guaranteed.

He might be able to fix it, or he might not.

Isn't just the possibility of it alone something?

'If the Holy Sword's effects become better.... I should charge a more expensive rental fee, right?'

He needs to search diligently.

Starting from the 61st floor.

"Let's enter."

* * *

[You are entering the 61st floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

The beginning of the Undead section.

Joo-hyuk carried the Holy Sword.

Since that's the safest.

'Come to think of it, even though I'm the owner of the Holy Sword, this is my first time using it inside the tower.'

Woooo...

A subtle white radiance imbued his entire body.

Confidence welled up.

A feeling as if the radiance was protecting him.

[61st Floor Mission: Eliminate 20 Dark Mummies.]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Dark Mummy 0/20]

[Condition of Failure: Death or Mission Abandonment]

The mission popped up.

Dark Mummies.

The weakest undead.

Therefore, their dark aura is also very faint.

"Keu-uh..."

"Kaaak!"

"Keu-reu-reu-reu�

They shamble over slowly.

Corpses draped in rags so rotten they look like they'd slip off at any moment.

Skinny bodies that look like they'd shatter with a punch if not for the dark aura.

However, taking them lightly will result in a big disaster.

Just touching the dark aura will corrupt a player's mind.

Actually, what he was more curious about than the Holy Sword's effects.

How the Shaman Gyeon Dal-rae would neutralize this dark aura.

"It is said that dark auras are forms of energy formed from the grudges, hatred, and malice that humans harbored during their lifetimes."

Gyeon Dal-rae stepping forward gracefully.

"If suppressing and subjugating the dark aura with the power of strong holy energy is the efficacy of the Holy Sword, this girl's method takes a different path."

She lowered a portable speaker from her embrace.

"Young Master, do you know what the very first ritual this girl inherited from my master was?"

How would he know.

And she probably wasn't asking expecting an answer anyway.

"It is the Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Ssitgimgut)))) (Death Exorcism)."

Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Ssitgimgut))))?

"A ritual for the deceased, also called Ogugut. It is a shamanic song that appeases and comforts pitiful souls wandering the nine heavens, unable to untangle the resentments formed in this world, and prays for their rebirth in paradise."

Gyeon Dal-rae, gently holding her skirt with both hands, lifted her foot in traditional socks and took a step forward.

Presently, the sound of a drum was heard,

Dum, dudung, dududung, dung, dudung, dududung.

It was a very slow rhythm.

To that rhythm, Gyeon Dal-rae glided between the Dark Mummies with delicate, flowing dance movements.

Her figure was pure, solemn, and sublime to the point that one wouldn't dare approach.

Lightly ringing her bells tight-ting, a sorrowful melody flowed from her lips.

"The turbid and painful Saha world, life is already exhausted and only the soul remains, but there is nowhere to go. Let us untangle the bitter resentment and cross the Sanzu River to the Seocheon Flower Garden. Let us go quickly, quickly."

The Dark Mummies cowered considerably, as if influenced by Gyeon Dal-rae's song and dance.

Ah!

It was beautiful.

It was holy.

The Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Ssitgimgut)))) of the Heavenly Empire's supreme Shaman, warmly comforting the deceased.

Joo-hyuk was at a loss for words.

All the summoned entities were the same.

The dance movements of the Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Death Exorcism (Ssitgimgut)))).

And the song that pierced the heart.

The energy of the dark aura emitting from the mummies' bodies was noticeably weakening.

The moment!

Swooooosh!

Gobang, having enlarged his body through Gigantification,

Stepped forward.

Thwack!

As he swung his fist.

Crackle!

The Dark Mummy scattering into dust.

Cossack and Veronica, finally snapping out of it, followed Gobang and leaped into the battlefield.

Joo-hyuk also moved.

This time, no one stopped him.

Crackle! Crackle-crackle! Crackle!

Skills weren't even needed.

As long as he swung, the Dark Mummies shattered and vanished.

Is the Holy Sword necessary at this rate?

It seemed it wouldn't matter at all even if it wasn't repaired.

Still, since he won't be the one using the Holy Sword,

'It would be better to have it repaired, right?'

And so, the 1st clear,

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ clear grade on the 61st floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

[Dark Mummy Eliminations 20/20]

[You have succeeded in the 61st-floor mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward: 6.1kg of Mana Stones]

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

[You can challenge the 62nd floor.]

[You are exiting the South Korean Black Tower.]

It ended much faster than expected.

Following it, the 2nd clear.

They left just one Dark Mummy alive.

From now on, it's Rajix's time.

Under Gobang's escort.

"Ho-eng!"

Roll, roll, whack-whack-whack-whack!

"Hu-e?"

Roll, roll, whack-whack-whack-whack!

"Ho-e-e-e!"

The search results.

He attached one rune fragment.

And two ticket fragments too.

It was beyond expectations.

The yields are definitely decent the higher they go.

'Hmm.'

But he thinks he knows what one of the tickets is.

'It's a Multinational Tower Access Ticket.'

It will be good once it's completed as well.