Chapter 66 - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Spot!

Joo-hyuk and Gwangma exited the tower.

Even though he experienced it directly with his own eyes, it was to the point he couldn't believe it.

'So this is why people say legend, legend.'

Indeed, just SSR is terrifying enough,

Would the LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) grade have been given for nothing?

'It's a 5-star rating angle.'

How can he give only a 1-star rating after seeing this?

It would be a shameless act.

Having even completed the tower clear and come out, it was now time to go.

Gwangma looked at Joo-hyuk and spoke.

"Summoner."

"Yes."

"Do not overexert yourself. You do not have to climb up. There is no one who would say anything even if you hide in the back. Rather, you would receive applause."

"..."

Though they are words of concern.

Just hiding in the back is a bit....

"I will await the day I can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Summoner. Even if not, call me whenever you feel like having a drink."

Spot!

Just like that, Gwangma disappeared.

When they first met, Gwangma was filled with madness.

Although he reflected on it the second time, the madness remained.

'The third time....'

The atmosphere was definitely good.

Of course, even if his thoughts haven't changed.

However, he doesn't have the thought of working together yet.

Above all, a situation where there's no spot.

Moreover, Random Summons will also become available in a few days.

'Come to think of it, what do I do with Random Summons?'

A tanker, melee dealer, ranged dealer, supporter, and an all-around worker.

It's already a well-composed team.

Should I pull one out, or not.

'If one spot opens up, let's try drawing.'

The most important condition is an open spot.

Summoned entities are not ordinary summoned beasts like spirits or golems that cannot communicate.

It is meeting person to person.

He also experienced this before when drawing Rajix.

Returning him, saying there's no spot right now, sorry, I'll call you again later.

Rajix's sad eyes from that time still remained in his memory.

The principle for Random Summons.

Draw them when one more spot opens up due to trait enhancement.

What if something happens later?

Wouldn't it be better to draw them in advance?

Well.

The listener might feel offended, but there is a spare.

The reliable reserve summoned entity, Gwangma.

Since he thought of it, Joo-hyuk brought up the status window catalog.

After selecting Gwangma's name.

[Gwangma's satisfaction evaluation has been rated as 5 stars.]

He fully deserves a 5-star rating.

He even got an item reward for him.

'Right! I should check the item.'

Taking out the piping hot ring that just came into the inventory,

'Check Info.'

First off, it's tower-exclusive.

An item usable only in the tower.

This is also a ring.

2 rings.

'One on the left hand, one on the right, I can wear them as a pair.'

Then the item description?

Effect: Using the tower's network, upon exiting, you can come out near the tower of a specific country.

Limit: You must designate the tower to exit to before exiting the tower. If not designated, you will exit to the place you initially entered from.

Characteristic: Upon exiting, you will appear within a 10km radius centered on the tower, in an unpopulated area.

"..."

What is this?

Did I read it wrong?

Tower network?

Even rubbing his eyes and looking again, the description remained the same.

The statement that upon exiting the tower, you can come out near the tower of a specific country means....

'It was a teleportation ring?'

For instance, entering from South Korea, and when coming out, coming out near a tower in the US.

'Like wormhole travel?'

The item name itself was wrong.

This isn't a Ring of Exit, but a Ring of Teleportation.

Moreover, for Joo-hyuk who can use the tower twice a day, the utility is tremendous.

It's not even a single-use ticket. A permanent use item.

With this, there's no place on Earth he cannot go.

He can enter the tower and go to Japan, go to Italy, go to the UK, go to Australia, and go to China... Wait.

'China.'

Actually, even if Cossack found out the location where the players were kidnapped, he thought rescue would be difficult.

Because of the physical distance. It's far, much too far.

But with this ring?

Going to China would happen in the blink of an eye.

'It's funny.'

Of all things, the Ring of Exit dropped on the floor Gwangma cleared.

Things are fitting together perfectly.

'Is it telling me to conquer the world?'

Nah!

Let's not even think about it.

He just has to put this ring to good use for other purposes.

* * *

The next morning.

Joo-hyuk summoned the summoned entities one by one.

Today is the day scheduled for the 62nd floor of the South Korean Black Tower.

However, as soon as Cossack was summoned, he explained in excruciating detail what had happened last night to the summoned entities.

Naturally, an uproar ensued.

"Kidnapping, you say!!! Ahh, this girl shall faint once again. To think they committed an act worse than beasts.�

"The warrior is also furious. It is something a human should not do."

"Humans' enemy is humans, IN-JEOG-IN, sir."

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I concur with Mr. Cossack's words. Thus, my magic gun is also specialized in executing humans rather than monsters."

"Ho-e-ek!!!"

Getting angry has become their daily routine lately.

Even the cute Rajix.

"What on earth are the politicians of this world doing?"

Gyeon Dal-rae with a face flushed red.

"We must rescue them immediately. Thus, we must expose China's atrocities to the whole world."

"Please calm yourself, Princess. Do not act frivolously for nothing."

"What did you say? Frivolously?"

"You must know your place, sir. For someone unqualified to...."

"This, this guy!!!"

"It must be permitted by Summoner Bong, sir. The decision-making authority lies with Summoner Bong, sir."

"...Oh my?"

Gyeon Dal-rae's expression changing completely.

Bowing as if flying toward Joo-hyuk.

"I am ashamed. Please scold the rash and thoughtless actions of this girl who does not even know her place."

In fact, Joo-hyuk had been pondering since earlier.

Staring blankly at the Ring of Exit worn on his finger,

'What should I do?'

The main agents of tower clearing are players.

The problem is that nationalities are assigned to each tower.

Therefore, the scope expands into a matter concerning the survival of the nation.

To prevent collapse, each nation must mobilize all its resources and clear the tower unconditionally.

Fostering players at the national level is a representative method.

No matter how much money it costs, they buy items, potions, skill runes, and trait enhancement runes to invest in players.

If that doesn't work out, they temporarily naturalize players from other countries to have them clear the tower.

However, in China's case, they crossed the line.

Forced naturalization through player kidnapping.

A selfish act of sacrificing others to survive oneself.

A shameless act incomparable to Yoo Chul-min's midnight run naturalization that was achieved through Japan's backroom dealings in the past.

How do they plan to handle that bad Karma (Karma) by acting like that.

On the other hand, the thought crossed his mind if he was being too meddlesome.

Who am I? A mere player.

It's just that I received a better awakening trait than others.

Am I the world police or something?

Moreover, I endure when I see injustice. This is my value system and coping strategy.

But what if there's no risk burden even if he fails?

Wouldn't it be okay to be meddlesome just once.

Joo-hyuk pondered seriously and opened his mouth.

"Then, as safely as possible, let's rescue as many as we can."

"Yeah!"

As if waiting for it, Cossack connected his laptop and displayed a map screen on the TV.

"Summoner Bong's right arm, the creative strategist, genius of tactics, and the master of personnel rescue, Cossack, shall commence the briefing, sir."

A briefing again?

"The kidnapped players are confined in a location called Zhongnanhai in Beijing, the capital of China, sir. Here is Seoul where we live, and here is Beijing, sir."

Rajix raising his hand high.

"Ho-eng?"

"Please speak. Worker Rajix."

"It's too far."

"Worker Rajix, an accurate observation, sir."

"Ho-e,"

"It is important to allocate the 7 hours of summon time appropriately, sir. The success or failure of this operation hinges upon it, sir."

There's no particular need to worry about that.

"The most common method to go to China is by plane, sir."

Click.

The image of an airplane popping up on the screen.

Then Gyeon Dal-rae raised her hand and asked.

"How are we going to board an airplane? We do not have passports, and we must pass through facial or identity verification procedures."

"After sneaking in using Stealth, we can utilize Perception-Hindering Talismans inside the cabin, sir."

"Oh! Such a method exists?"

"Truly befitting the Operations Staff."

"Ho-e-e,"

Cossack smiling with the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.

"All plans are contained within this head, sir. No matter what unexpected situation arises, we will break through with improvisation, sir."

Clap clap clap clap!

Applause erupted.

"Then I will explain the details, sir. After moving to Incheon Airport by taxi...."

Joo-hyuk also raised his hand high.

"Aigoo, Summoner Bong does not need to raise his hand, please speak, sir."

"Let's stop here and just enter the tower. Weren't we supposed to clear the 62nd floor today."

"Pardon? Ah, the briefing is not fully finished yet, sir."

"Forget it, just pack up for the clear."

"...Y, yeah!"

What airplane.

Such a hassle.

When there's something much faster.

* * *

[You are entering the 62nd floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

If the 61st floor was the tutorial of the undead section, this place was the starting point of the full-fledged clear.

Mummies were knock-off undead.

It felt as if they were created just to explain the power of the dark aura.

Thus, they were easily bypassed with just light-attribute items.

However, from the 62nd floor, it's different.

Dark Zombies are sturdy, strong, and agile Dark Zombies.

'I should choose the tower to exit to first, right?'

As he conjured the thought in his mind.

[You are using the Tower-Exclusive Ring of Exit.]

[Please designate the nationality of the tower you wish to exit to.]

'China'

[There are 3 Chinese Black Towers. Please select a number.]

He had looked it up in advance.

The one closest to Beijing is Tower 1.

So.

'Number 1'

[It has been designated. The next exit will be within a 10km radius of China's Tower 1.]

Entering from South Korea, exiting to China,

How do they return to South Korea from China?

They just have to enter the tower one more time and come out.

Before long, the 62nd floor clear began. The moment they left the safe zone,

[62nd Floor Mission: Defeat 15 Dark Zombies.]

Zombies emerged from here and there.

A dark aura denser than the mummies.

And rapid speed.

"Keu-reuk?"

"Keuk?"

"Ke-ek!"

Pulling wasn't even necessary.

Humanoid undead charging with eyes full of hostility as soon as they saw the party.

Gyeon Dal-rae's SSitgimgut (Cleansing Shamanic Ritual) began.

The drumbeats and bells in Gutgeori rhythm, and a sorrowful melody.

The thinning dark aura of the zombies, and simultaneously, their slowing movements.

Pa-juk! Pa-juk! Pa-juk!

Veronica in a standing fire stance began dealing damage.

Small-caliber bullets struck the dark aura.

Then pierced through the aura and burrowed into the main bodies.

"Ke-ek!"

Gobang let out a roar and charged into the swarm of zombies.

Cossack chasing closely behind him.

It's definitely harder than the mummies.

It will only get harder the further they go.

Will Gyeon Dal-rae's SSitgimgut work in the latter half of the 60th floors?

Although he's not entirely worried since they also have the Holy Sword.

'Rajix is.... Eh?'

Roll-roll-roll-roll.

What's this?

It's a first-time clear, what is he hoping to find.

"Mr. Rajix!"

"Ho-e-eng!"

What if he gets caught by a zombie while doing that?

Spot! Spot! Spot!

Joo-hyuk chased Rajix using Shadow Step.

Roll-roll,

Rajix rolled swiftly.

He smelled it as soon as he entered.

That smell that came from the Holy Sword.

It was none other than holy energy.

Is it here?

Digging the ground excitedly with the golden pickaxe,

"Ho-eng!"

Finally, an object emerged.

A very tiny piece of wood.

Although it looks like trash on the outside,

"Ho-e-e-e."

There's no mistake.

A part of a holy relic that still retains holy energy.

Its original appearance was likely something like a statue.

A holy attribute item fragment.

Now, if they collect a few more, repairing the Holy Sword is possible.

The Summoner will be pleased.

Rajix felt a bit relieved.

Soon, the Summoner might call forth a new person.

His own position might be threatened.

He must continuously prove his worth without resting.

Thus, he will snatch the position of Summoner's Right Arm from the assassin.

This is Rajix's grand ambition.

Imagining himself confidently giving a briefing in front of the Summoner made him feel very good.

'Ho-e.'

Carefully placing the holy relic fragment into his backpack.

Joo-hyuk, who had chased after him belatedly, asked Rajix.

"What did you find?"

"Ho-eng, yeees."

"Something good?"

"Correct. Ho-e-e."

The moment!

[You have succeeded in the 62nd-floor mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward: 6.2kg of Mana Stones]

'It's already over.'

[Notice: You have achieved the S++ clear grade for the 62nd floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

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

"Now now, good work. And don't be too surprised when we go outside."

The summoned entities tilted their heads, as if asking what he meant.

[You may challenge the 63rd floor.]

[You are exiting the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

Spot!

Joo-hyuk and the party exited the tower.

* * *

There are 3 towers in China.

One near Shanghai, another east of Xi'an city, and the final one in the mountainous region west of Beijing.

Among these, the Shanghai tower is the most dangerous.

Because it's close to a metropolis, half of Shanghai falls within its collapse radius.

Xi'an city itself is an ancient ruin.

If it collapses, the physical damage would be substantial.

The Black Tower west of Beijing has it relatively better.

It surged up right in the middle of rugged mountains, and the distance from Beijing is about 40km away.

Therefore, considering that a sinkhole normally has a 10km diameter, Beijing is out of the collapse radius.

Spot!

Joo-hyuk's party revealed themselves at the foot of a mountain where the Beijing Black Tower was clearly visible.

"Huh?"

"Heek!"

"U-um."

"Ah!"

"Ho-eng?"

The summoned entities startled in surprise.

"Uwaaaaa..., this isn't the penthouse, sir! We've come to a mountain, sir. What is going on, sir!"

"Ho-e-eng!"

"Y-Young Master! Where on earth is this..?"

"The warrior is also bewildered."

Joo-hyuk opened his mouth with a slight chuckle.

"This is China."

"...Pardon?"

"If you go about 40km east from here, it's Beijing."

"Aigoo, our Summoner Bong, you joke well too, sir. Your sense of comedy is truly outstanding, sir. Hehehehe."

"I'm serious, though?"

"...Pardon?"

He gave them a detailed explanation of the Ring of Exit's effect.

"Oh!"

"As expected,"

"Incredible."

"Ho-e!"

"Commander! Congratulations on securing combat mobility."

Cossack also seemed incredibly excited,

"Is it Beijing to the east from here, sir?"

"I don't know well which direction is North, South, East, or West, but...."

"I know that, sir."

He then stared piercingly in one direction.

"Please permit me to take a brief trip to Beijing, sir."

"You want to rescue them right now?"

"No, sir! A preliminary reconnaissance is necessary, sir. I will only just check, sir."

"It'll still require a lot of time."

"I will clock out from Beijing, sir."

"Then... sure. Have a safe trip."

Spot!

Cossack disappearing as soon as the words ended.

With his footsteps, about an hour to Beijing should be enough.

'What should I do now?'

Let's just casually enter the 40th floors and peel some Basilisk hides.

Since it's sufficient even without Cossack.

When exiting, set it to the penthouse.