Chapter 62 - Chapter 62

Chapter 62

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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61st floor S++ grade clear.

News erupted as soon as the global announcement appeared.

It was an uproar until the next morning.

The contents were similar.

He needs to stop clearing the tower.

The 67th floor is absolutely forbidden.

He knows well why the media and the citizens are worried.

A player climbing the tower out of control.

It's not good to just climb the tower indiscriminately like crazy.

He should climb according to schedule.

Joo-hyuk also plans to stop at the 64th floor.

He didn't summon the summoned entities today.

He had asked for their understanding yesterday in advance.

When he said he planned to attend the showcase event, they all made a fuss.

Outside the house is dangerous, be careful and careful again, and to summon them immediately if anything happened.

Joo-hyuk also wanted to go with them.

However, since he had to move taking a designated car along with bodyguards, he couldn't take them.

Entering the event venue and summoning them might be a different story.

'Would anything happen?'

The event venue would be heavily guarded by police, National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))), and Management Agency personnel.

Furthermore, he has the Energy Shield and the Blink Ring.

The safest person in the world is himself.

'Shall I get ready to go out?'

Ding!

A message arrived.

It seems the car to pick him up had arrived.

Neat clothes, clean shoes, wallet packed.... He's expectant.

Would he have ever imagined being invited to a fashion event?

* * *

HG Hotel.

The showcase venue for HG Fashion's new brand.

People filled the event venue.

Renowned domestic and foreign celebrities, singers, actors, politicians, businessmen, fashion industry figures, and reporters.

However, plainclothes police and National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) agents were also mixed in among the people.

On the surface, it was an event hosted by HG Fashion, but since many elite players were attending, the National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) and Management Agency couldn't help but be on edge.

Because Player Nam Ga-eun was also scheduled to attend for a surprise event.

Jeon Kwang-il was walking slowly around the event venue.

He saw Player Bong Joo-hyuk walking into the venue over there.

However, he didn't acknowledge him.

Inconspicuously observing him with side glances.

To ensure his protection was proceeding properly.

No one would know, but in reality, the highest VVIP in this place was Bong Joo-hyuk.

Even more so than UAE Crown Prince Bin-Sala sitting over there.

'But why does that guy keep coming to South Korea? Makes me anxious.'

Anyway, security seemed to have no issues.

Since it was an event attended by Crown Prince Bin-Sala, he had also brought quite a few personal bodyguards.

The event took place on the hotel's top floor.

A space no one could easily approach.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il, who had been looking around, was approached by someone who spoke to him.

"Deputy Director."

"Ah, Deputy Chief, you came personally."

It was National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) 1st Deputy Chief Noh Young-geun.

"Do not worry too much. Security checks have been thoroughly conducted."

"Haha, worried you say. Honestly, I'm just a bit tired. I just want the event to end quickly so I can go home and sleep."

"I am the same. Civil servants are all alike. Anyway..."

Deputy Chief Noh Young-geun asking while subtly gauging Jeon Kwang-il's reaction.

"Is the rumor correct?"

"What rumor?"

"I heard the product to be introduced this time is made of the tower monster Basilisk's leather."

It's a fact that will be known soon anyway.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Is the supply sufficient? Enough to release to civilians?"

"It is sufficient. That's why we're supplying it."

"This time again, surely..."

Jeon Kwang-il shook his head from side to side.

No need to try and find out, and I won't tell you either. It had two meanings.

So he subtly changed the subject,

"Nothing unusual outside? Incidents or accidents, for instance."

"Ah! A forest fire broke out on Gwanaksan. Firefighting helicopters have been dispatched, so it'll be suppressed soon."

A forest fire.

Come to think of it, is it forest fire season?

'The firefighters must be going through a lot of trouble.'

He hoped they would extinguish it safely.

* * *

Joo-hyuk couldn't keep his wits about him at the showcase venue, an experience he was having for the first time in his life.

He felt glad he came.

Looking to the side, a celebrity; looking behind, a celebrity.

Singers, actors, entertainers, people he had only seen on TV were everywhere.

He felt like he had truly come to a broadcasting station.

'Should I ask to take pictures with them?'

If he bragged to his brother Min-hyuk, he'd jump up and down and make a fuss.

And if he showed the pictures to the summoned entities, telling them he met the people they only saw on TV in person, they'd widen their eyes in shock, wouldn't they?

However, the first hurdle, approaching them and talking, was difficult.

Even if he passed the first hurdle, what if he got rejected when asking to take a picture.

'Let's just not do it.'

Well, it's good enough just being able to see them in person.

'Oh! A Hallyu star!'

A girl group enjoying sensational popularity in Southeast Asia, all the members were here without exception.

'This might be too much to hold back?'

Of course, as a fan.

'Ugh,'

It's a dilemma.

If he approached them and spoke, saying "I'm an elite player," would they treat him like a madman?

No, if someone is an elite player, there's nothing to lack compared to a celebrity.

Whether a man or a woman, elite players are the top candidates for spouses.

They earn a lot of money and the mortality rate is high.

While he was hesitating like that, the event began.

Let's stay quiet for now.

There will be a chance later.

CEO Go Yeon-ha appeared on stage wearing a neat suit.

Holding a microphone,

"Hello. I am Go Yeon-ha."

Entering right into the main topic.

"There will be many of you curious about what the brand name Wildflower & Basili means. Shall I let you know that first?"

Go Yeon-ha operated a remote control.

Then, a video popped up on the screen behind the stage.

It seemed to have been shot with a bodycam worn by players.

In the video, a massive crocodile, no, a basilisk was moving, baring its gigantic teeth.

"Yes, a Basilisk. Our brand's Basili is named after this guy."

People tilted their heads.

Naming a trademark after a tower monster?

What connection could there be.

"I will show you. A real Basilisk."

The moment!

The screen where the video was playing rolled down all at once.

At the same time, multiple spotlights illuminated the stage, and the majesty of a massive full Basilisk hide revealed itself along with magnificent music.

Rumble, people swarmed closer to the stage.

Click! Click-click!

Camera reporters continuously snapped pictures as well.

"R, really?"

"A full hide? Do those come out as rewards as well?"

"Didn't she just gather all the rewarded leathers she's received so far and stitch them together?"

"Right. It must be a replica."

"No. If it were a replica, they'd realize immediately."

"It must be genuine. Would CEO Go Yeon-ha host such an event just to show a fake?"

Looking closely, it felt as if a real basilisk had leapt out of the tower.

"We have signed an exclusive leather supply contract with the South Korean Awakening Management Agency. Basilisk leather will be steadily supplied from now on."

At those words, the complexions of figures from other fashion companies stiffened in an instant.

Steady supply?

What kind of nonsense?

"Our HG Fashion has produced prototypes based on this leather. They are scheduled to be sold as products."

The gazes of the people who had only been admiring the full hide turned to Go Yeon-ha.

If she said products... does she mean bags, wallets, shoes, and such?

Murmur murmur.

The event venue grew noisy.

"Please enjoy."

Then, models walked forward one by one from behind the stage.

A total of 10 people.

"These are Wildflower & Basili's Light Quality products."

A bag was held in each of the models' hands.

To let the people see them well, they held the bags in their right hands, their left hands, or held them out with both hands.

"That's made of Basilisk leather?"

"...Hmm, how much is it?"

"If it's real, what does the price matter?"

"I want it."

"But if it's Light Quality...."

"That means there are higher grades too."

The people's interest was explosive.

"We introduce the second line, the Wildflower & Basili Luxury Quality products."

Whoosh! People turning their heads,

This time, 6 models.

They had no interest in who the models were.

Their eyes were only drawn to the bags they were carrying.

"It's different, definitely different."

"It's indeed worthy of being called luxury."

"Right. It contrasts with Light."

"Can you tell the difference? I'm not really sure."

"You can tell by looking at the patterns. It looks like the Basilisk's belly section."

"Crocodile leather won't even be a match."

Since it's such an event, many industry professionals also came.

Along with renowned, famous celebrities.

People who could grasp the value of items at a single glance.

Products of a much higher quality than Light.

There was no room for doubt that this was the brand's mainstay.

"Lastly...�

Again?

Luxury wasn't the end?

"We will show you Wildflower & Basili's High-End Masterpieces. You will be able to experience what the finest leather is."

Clack-clack.

Just one model walking out with an expert gait.

In addition, the mystical bag she was carrying.

Words were unnecessary.

A bag accented prominently with varied leathers here and there on a base leather.

"Ah!"

"Uh-uh."

"Mm."

"Oh!"

"That kind of leather..."

"R, Rainbow, Basilisk Boss?"

Everyone became lost in admiration.

The lively radiance of the Rainbow leather mixed intermittently into the existing Basilisk leather.

While they were mesmerized like that, another model holding a High-End masterpiece bag simultaneously walked out onto the red carpet.

Her walking was clumsy, but people recognized who she was right away.

Because she appeared wearing a tight-fitting leather armor rather than ordinary clothes.

"It's Nam Ga-eun!"

"Did our top player participate as a model too?"

"But what's with those clothes?"

"That's full body armor. The shoes are leather too."

The attendee elite players were even more enthusiastic than civilians.

"It's well-made. She completely looks like a game character."

"The era of tower equipment fashion has come."

"But, she probably shouldn't wear that in actual combat. The sides are completely open like that."

"Still, it's pretty."

"It could be worn as a bulletproof vest."

People's desire stealthily blossomed within the event venue.

Whether it was a bag or armor, they absolutely had to buy it.

It didn't matter how much it cost.

Because everyone gathered here was a person with the financial capability to afford it.

UAE Crown Prince Bin-Sala, who had entered South Korea and attended the showcase, also let out exclamations of admiration at the bags the models carried around.

Especially when the High-End masterpiece with Rainbow leather and Player Nam Ga-eun's leather armor were introduced, he was so surprised he let out a gasp!

'I must purchase a few.'

Since he has three wives, he should properly buy one for each of them.

He came to meet Gobang, but to think there was such a masterpiece unexpectedly... Wait!

'Hmm, a Basilisk full hide.'

That is also an item.

Someone must have received it from the tower.

It surely wouldn't be an ordinary reward given away.

It has to be at least an S++ grade....

'Surely not?'

Bin-Sala springing up from his chair and looking around.

Could Gobang have also come here?

* * *

The event was proceeding smoothly.

People's interest was explosive.

Furthermore, a showcase being broadcast live across the world via Nutube.

The number of concurrent viewers also increased rapidly.

Making products using the tower monster Basilisk leather?

How can anyone resist that?

The event reaching its climax.

Even Player Nam Ga-eun participated as a model in a surprise event.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il was confident of the event's success.

To the extent that even he desired the bag.

He'd been walking on eggshells around his wife due to frequent overtime working recently, so how happy would she be if he bought her a Light-grade bag?

However, with his meager civil servant salary, it'd be burdensome to buy even one, and although CEO Go Yeon-ha offered to give him one as a gift, it would violate the law.

'A pie in the sky.'

Jeon Kwang-il shook his head and approached the glass window side.

'...Hmm.'

There was something bothering him for a little while now.

It was due to the sound of a helicopter.

Since a forest fire had broken out on Gwanaksan, it was natural for firefighting helicopters to be dispatched, but the sound was too close.

To the extent that he wondered if it had landed right above the event venue, on the hotel rooftop.

Well, it could malfunction while putting out a fire and make an emergency landing, but,

A firefighting helicopter seen far away.

It seemed to have scooped water from the Han River and was mobilizing to Gwanaksan,

It will soon be evening time.

He hopes to get off work before traffic gets congested.

However, right then!

Something entering Jeon Kwang-il's vision.

A figure flying in a swarm...

'Are they birds.'

It didn't seem so.

That's not the movement of birds.

Their speed is also incredibly fast.

They're coming closer and closer.

'D, drones?'

That was it.

Dozens of drones were charging towards the glass windows of the hotel's top floor.

"Crazy!"

Could those truly be ordinary drones?

Could there be any reason for that?

It's a fashion showcase event, but the attendees' roster is splendid.

Elite players, even Nam Ga-eun and Crown Prince Bin-Sala.

'Terrorism?'

Jeon Kwang-il froze stiff.

Right before the drones struck the glass windows.

It was then.

Spot! Someone suddenly appearing next to him.

"Heok!"

Player Bong?

"Hold on tight."

"...Y-yes!"

Spot!

Joo-hyuk and Jeon Kwang-il's bodies instantly teleported to a location far away from the glass window.

It was the Blink skill.

Simultaneously, the drones crashed into the hotel's thick glass windows.

Boom! Kwakwakwang! Kwang-kwang-kwang-kwang!

Jjae-jae-jaeng!

The large glass windows bursting explosively.

"Kkyaaaak!"

"Kkyaak!"

"Heo-eok!"

"Wh-what the?"

"Everyone get d, down!"

Fortunately, there were not many injured people.

Because everyone was clustered towards the stage admiring the bags.

However, people panicking without knowing what to do.

'Phew.'

Joo-hyuk felt relieved.

Having little interest in the bags, he had turned his gaze to look at the scenery outside, only to discover the charging drones.

Drones.

Their numbers were massive.

Were they just ordinary drones?

Not a chance.

He didn't know what they were, but there was no mistaking that they were dangerous.

Yet Jeon Kwang-il had been standing right against the large glass windows.

A myriad of thoughts passed by in that fleet moment.

What should he do?

He felt he could save him,

He was afraid, but Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il is one of his few acquaintances.

Should he just leave him be?

He should try if he can save him.

So he turned on the Energy Shield and cast Blink.

Thanks to that, Jeon Kwang-il was safe.

But Nam Ga-eun was not so fortunate.

Someone who looked like a hotel employee had wrapped their arms around Nam Ga-eun from behind and was holding a cold blade against her carotid artery.

In his other hand, he held a loaded crossbow.

"Aahhh...."

"P, Player Nam Ga-eun!"

A leather armor whose neck area was completely unprotected due to prioritizing design.

"Freeze! Everyone, put your guns down!"

At the assailant's threat, the bodyguards who were about to jump onto the stage stopped abruptly.

"I will slit this b*tch's throat if you don't put your guns down. Do you think I can't do it?"

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))) agents and bodyguards slowly put their guns down on the floor.

Since a security checkpoint was installed at the event venue, bringing weapons inside shouldn't have been possible.

That means?

'Player.'

Right.

That bastard holding Nam Ga-eun hostage is a player.

He must have pulled a weapon made of tower metal from his inventory.

'Using a player for terrorism?'

Anyway, no one could make a move.

With South Korea's top player, Nam Ga-eun, held hostage.

The moment!

Swish! Swish!

Ropes descended beyond the broken glass windows.

Assailants rapidly entering the event venue by repelling down those ropes.

Tat-tat! Ta-da-da-dak!

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Automatic rifles were aimed.

"If anyone moves, we will shoot immediately."

The masked Xiaojun looked at the hostage Nam Ga-eun and smirked.

'Too easy.'

It was a truly perfect operation, and the best result.

* * *

Joo-hyuk exhaled a deep sigh, Phew-.

He was having fun sneaking peeks at celebrities, but what kind of disaster was this?

At least he saved Jeon Kwang-il, but.

'Outside the house really is dangerous.'

He shouldn't have gone out.

What could he do? It was his own fault.

"Designated Summoning John Cossack."

Hwaaaat!

A cluster of light drifted up.

And then,

"Certain Victor... Huh? Hmm."

"As you can see, it's this kind of situation."

"We need to call Gobang, sir. We need a tank to block bullets, sir."

Cossack realized it the moment he was summoned.

What he had to do.

And next to him, Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il was watching everything with his mouth hanging open.