Chapter 67 - Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Spot! Pa-pa-pa-pat!

Cossack running swiftly towards Beijing.

Preliminary reconnaissance is extremely important.

Especially in rescue operations like this.

Summoner Bong had commanded him.

To rescue as many as possible, safely.

Then it must be so.

He will achieve it unconditionally.

No matter what happens.

A large road visible before his eyes.

Along with a metropolis of high-rise buildings in the distance.

It was Beijing, the capital of China.

From here, slowly.

He attached a Perception-Hindering Talisman and reduced his speed.

There is plenty of time.

Since he already told him he'd clock out here.

The words Xiaojun spilled before he went crazy.

He said the players were confined in a building in Zhongnanhai, behind the Forbidden City.

He found out not only the address but also the appearance of the building and how to enter.

The first place to go is the tallest building in Beijing.

High-rise buildings are perfect for grasping the general location.

As it happened, a structure similar to Namsan Tower was in the city center.

Perhaps because it was a tourist attraction, the tower was bustling with people.

Cossack hid among the people and went up to the top.

The panoramic view of the city came into sight.

The Forbidden City and the buildings behind it are visible.

'It's that way.'

Location confirmed.

Every route was saved in his head.

Now, direct reconnaissance.

Exiting the tower, he walked leisurely.

Passing a wide plaza, rounding the pond next to the Forbidden City, he arrived at the target location before he knew it.

This area is a restricted zone for civilians.

From here on, he used Stealth.

Moving quickly breaks Stealth.

Carefully, with patience.

He secretly infiltrated the building Xiaojun mentioned.

The building's structure was complex.

Guards were stationed everywhere, and every tightly shut door had fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, and facial authentication too.

'A door, huh.'

He lightly touched it with his hand.

Sword qi would be enough to slice through it.

Chinese steel doors are all like that, anyway.

Of course, there's no need to cut it now.

He can wait and follow someone when they come in.

'It was here.'

A prison.

Or a place like a psychiatric ward.

There were individual rooms on both sides of the pure white hallway, and people looking like players were locked inside.

Most were of Southeast Asian descent, all wearing the same color clothes.

The number was about 8.

'The escape route...'

His mind spun rapidly.

Where it would be fastest to move, the location and number of guards he needed to deal with, the locations of the emergency stairs, etc.

Cossack came outside again.

The surrounding buildings and connecting roads, the locations of the posts where the guards were.

'Done.'

He memorized everything.

But there was a lot of time left.

'Should I look around a little more?'

This place is the core stronghold of Chinese power.

Therefore, a location civilians cannot hastily approach.

Right then!

Vroom!

Black vehicles moving somewhere in a line.

'Is it someone high-ranking?'

If it's someone high-ranking here?

Spot!

Cossack chased behind the cars.

The place the vehicles stopped was in front of a certain building.

Many people were lined up, awaiting the cars.

And a person stepping out of the limousine in the center.

'Oh!'

Cossack exclaimed in admiration.

He saw him on TV.

China's supreme leader.

The core of Chinese power.

Could he just look and leave?

Naturally, he has to plant a tracking mark.

A tiny lump of qi was shot toward the supreme leader.

'Mark planted.'

An unexpected harvest.

He needed to cast a Karma (Karma) anyway.

The preliminary reconnaissance was extremely smooth.

* * *

The next day.

Joo-hyuk asked the summoned Cossack.

"Did the reconnaissance end well yesterday?"

"It is perfect, sir. We just have to execute the operation tonight, sir."

"Alone?"

"I need Sergeant Be, sir."

"Sergeant Be... Ah! Ms. Veronica."

Then Veronica, who had been dozing alongside them, suddenly opened her eyes wide.

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Operation preparations complete, sir."

An assassin and a sniper, it's the optimal combination, but.

"What about Mr. Rajix or Mr. Gobang, and Princess Gyeon Dal-rae?"

"Aigoo, our worker Rajix can just clean at home, sir. Gobang and Lady Gyeon Dal-rae too."

"Ho-eng?"

"Still, gather and discuss it. Even a blank sheet of paper..."

"Is better lifted together, sir. Hehehe."

Thus, the summoned entities gathered in a corner of the living room.

"Sergeant Be, how low can you reduce the output of your magic gun, sir? So that if a person is hit, they just faint, sir."

"Paralysis bullets are also possible."

"Will they die if they are hit, sir?"

"They don't die easily. Well, if they're unlucky, they might die.... Wanna get hit?"

"Shoot Gobang, sir."

"I want to shoot you though? Present your butt."

"Are you serious, sir? Shall I lower my pants, sir?"

"Do it!"

"Ho-ek?"

Heartwarming conversation went back and forth.

As expected, summoning them often gave the feeling they had grown much closer.

"Worker Rajix, sir."

"Ho-eng?"

"Sufficiently supply ammo to Sergeant Be, sir."

"Ho-e-e."

"Princess Gyeon Dal-rae, please provide Perception-Hindering Talismans, sir."

"How many?"

"8, but I would like the effect to last for about 1 hour, sir. Is that possible, sir?"

"It is not a difficult task."

"And I witnessed someone there...."

He's ecstatic. So excited.

The meeting was longer than expected.

Well, the more thorough the plan, the better.

Like that, all preparations were completed.

After the summoned entities returned.

Joo-hyuk summoned Cossack and Veronica around midnight.

Entering the 1st floor of the Black Tower, setting up the exit, and defeating the maggots.

Spot!

The location the 3 figures appeared was South Korea's Tower 1, West of Beijing.

"Good luck, then."

"Certain Victory! I will dedicate all glory to the commander, sir."

"...Choo-oong! Summoner Bong's right arm, the master of guerrilla warfare, the ace of hostage rescue, this Cossack shall complete the mission and return, sir."

What is this, a loyalty competition.

How embarrassing.

Spot!

Cossack and Veronica disappearing rapidly.

Joo-hyuk waited a moment.

Until they were far away from him.

Because if they are close, they enter the tower together.

Has about an hour passed.

'This should be enough, right?'

Joo-hyuk entered the 1st floor of the Black Tower alone again.

After giving up the mission, he came out to the penthouse.

'It's really convenient.'

There's no risk burden eitherTrim.

He had no thoughts of the operation failing.

Who's going to mess with them?

He only feels pity for the ordinary people dealing with them.

He just hopes they don't cause a massive incident.

* * *

Deep in the night.

Zhongnanhai Special Intelligence Department building.

It was past 2 AM.

However, Vietnamese player Nguyen couldn't fall asleep.

He still regrets it.

Why did he act alone that time?

Going out alone to eat bun cha for a midnight snack when he felt slightly hungry was a mistake.

After being dragged away by assailants, injected with drugs, and losing consciousness, he woke up here.

It was a kidnapping.

The player kidnappings he only heard rumors of.

There were many people in similar situations to him as well.

He was tortured as soon as he arrived.

There were threats of killing his family if he disobeyed.

Ultimately, Nguyen resigned himself.

He gave up his original nationality and stamped his seal on a document stating he would naturalize to China.

It was a truly marvelous thing.

As soon as he stamped his seal on the naturalization document, his Black Tower affiliation changed.

To China.

Thus began the Chinese Black Tower clears.

Nguyen cooperated as much as possible.

He even cleared unclimbed upper floors.

If he didn't do so, he would be murdered.

A total of 3 towers.

Teams were assigned for each tower, and if the unclimbed floors weren't cleared within the time limit, horrifying torture awaited.

Over 10 people had died that way.

They also made threats of murdering his family.

They showed him photos of his family in Vietnam once a week.

He received them today as well.

His wife riding a scooter to work, his young daughter going to school, and his parents.

His family must all believe he is dead.

How wonderful it would be if he could only deliver the message that he's still alive.

How could he sleep in this situation?

He doesn't know if he can meet them before he dies.

His beloved family.

The moment!

Tap! Thwack! Thump, thump.

Strange sounds coming from the hallway.

'What's going on?'

The sounds continued to drift over.

Nguyen sprang up.

"Could it be..."

Something was happening.

Nguyen pressed his ear closely to the door.

There were sounds of doors opening, and the voices of people who seemed startled.

A moment later, Clack!

Nguyen's door also opened.

"Wh-who are you?"

Someone standing in front of the door.

It was certainly a person.

But he couldn't recognize the face.

"Shh!"

The unidentified man brought a finger to his lips, then pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Nguyen.

"Th-this is?"

Red writing on yellow paper.

A talisman.

An item frequently seen in Vietnam as well.

Swoosh!

The man lifted his top.

A talisman stuck to his chest.

"...Are you telling me to stick it on? Like this?"

He had no other choice.

There was nothing he could do but follow along.

Nguyen stuck the talisman on and went outside.

And he was greatly surprised.

"Gasp!"

People standing awkwardly in a line in the hallway.

Kidnapped players just like him.

It was peculiar.

He couldn't distinguish who was who.

Is it because he's nervous?

Nguyen looked around.

Guards and public security personnel belonging to the Chinese government were collapsed here and there in the hallway.

The only people standing fine here were that unidentified man and the kidnapped players.

It was then.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!

A roar as if an explosive had detonated shook the inside of the building.

"U-gasp!"

"Uwaa!"

"Wh-where?"

The players were terrified.

However, the man made a gesture indifferently without surprise, as if he knew an explosion would occur beforehand.

'Follow him?'

I should go.

If they could get out of here, Nguyen and the rescued players followed the man.

A closed door at the end of the hallway.

The man pulled out two daggers.

Bzzzt!

Swords shining like lightsabers.

Screech! Screeeeech!

A steel door cut into a square.

'Cr-crazy!'

A real lightsaber?

Or a laser.

There's no time to nitpick over this and that.

The kidnapped players passed through the cut door.

There was no one blocking them.

No, there were, but they were all collapsed on the floor.

The kidnapped players running blindly after the man.

Chinese public security and guards popped out from here and there.

However.

Pa-syut! Pa-syut! Pa-syut!

They collapsed perfectly in a row by bullets flying in from somewhere.

Only then did the surrounding environment come into view.

An antique palace, and high-rise buildings visible far away.

Nguyen was deeply moved.

How long has it been since he came outside like this.

Would he truly be able to return home?

* * *

The Magic Empire's unerring sniper Ranger Veronica.

Her abilities stem from the equipment she wears.

An enhanced suit completely fitting her body without a single flutter, and the magic eye and assault combat walkers that enable auto-aiming.

Veronica looked down from a street tree next to the road at the rescue targets running out of the building.

Friend-or-foe identification complete.

Escort mission initiated.

It was necessary to draw attention once more.

Another large-caliber bullet fired towards the upper floors of a dark building in the distance.

Pa-juju-juk! Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!

Then she jumped down from the street tree and followed the kidnapped players as if escorting them from behind.

The assassin from the front, she herself from the back.

Since they had attached Perception-Hindering Talismans, there wouldn't be many guys rushing at them, but...

Even so, because one never knows, she put any conspicuous armed forces to sleep with paralysis bullets one after another.

Pa-syut! Pa-syut! Pa-syut!

The final destination was the US Embassy.

The assassin said the mission ends if they just go there.

'He's a fascinating man.'

Normally he's an ass-kisser, frivolous to no end.

But you have to acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged.

Since this entirely planned operation came from his head.

Veronica continued to run in the rear guard.

The US Embassy came into view.

The operation was a massive success.

* * *

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!

Chinese President Lin Chaoming woke up from his sleep after hearing the first explosion.

And a second explosion that echoed a moment later.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!

'What in the world?'

A phone call came in at the perfect moment. It was a call from the secretary.

"Got it. I'll see you in the office."

President Lin Chaoming hurriedly left his bedroom and arrived at his office.

"What is all of this?"

"It seems to be a terror attack."

A terror attack, you say?

"Th, and."

"Speak!"

"Our naturalized players e, escaped."

"What?"

If the naturalized players escaped....

"The Special Intelligence Department?"

"Th, that is correct."

"Heo-heo,"

He didn't even feel angry. Just a sense of absurdity.

An explosion occurred in the heart of Chinese power, and kidnapped players escaped?

Can this happen?

"Did you catch them?"

"..."

"It's driving me crazy."

President Lin Chaoming plumped down into his chair and gently closed his eyes.

At any rate, the incident happened.

The important thing is post-incident management.

He must process it hurriedly.

"Issue an emergency alert over the entire Beijing area, deploy every single one, whether public security or military, and find the bastards who escaped."

One more thing.

"And those players who escaped, revoke their Chinese nationalities right now. Records and evidence completely wiped! Leave no trace."

"Yes!"

A leader must always assume the worst-case scenario.

If this incident becomes publicly known, China's prestige plummets to the ground.

"...Clean up the Special Intelligence Department too."

A purge.

Meaning to kill them.

"The entire organization, sir?"

"Yes, whether executives, working-level staff, or field agents, recall even the bastards dispatched overseas, quickly!"

"Understood.�

The secretary went outside to carry out his instructions.

President Lin Chaoming left alone in the office.

He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

"Phew."

It would be good if they caught the escaped bastards, but it didn't matter even if they got away.

Cutting off the tail.

Feigning ignorance.

As always, the Chinese government would deny any facts regarding player kidnappings.

Also, the kidnapped bastards are players from developing nations with weak national power anyway.

They'd probably bark.

But that's all.

What can they even do.

President Lin Chaoming approached the map hung on the office wall.

China, with massive territory and a population at the highest levels globally.

But why are they always lacking in talented players?

Why are they struggling so much without even crossing the threshold of the 60th floor?

The neighboring country, South Korea, is exactly the opposite.

It is a place overflowing with talent.

Because the S++ clear grade record holder is proving that.

"Damn it!"

Thickly rising cigarette smoke.

Lin Chaoming shook his head left and right vigorously.

Despite purging his opponents and climbing to the seat of supreme power. Despite striving so hard for the glory of the Chinese nation.

'South Korea.'

If he could, he would like to annex South Korea.

Even if it meant starting a war, he wanted to integrate them into a single nation.

If not for the US?

A war would have broken out already.

'Inducing a full-scale war using North Korea....'

Right then!

Chills! The back of his head felt numb.

There's the sound of approaching footsteps too.

Is someone here?

This is his office.

He tried to turn his head, but...

'Damn it!'

He couldn't move his body.

The feeling of his entire body stuck in a spiderweb.

He couldn't even budge his lips.

"The words of our Princess..."

Korean?

"Normally, the standard of Karma differs slightly between an emperor or state leaders and ordinary civilians, right?"

Cossack affectionately placed both hands on Lin Chaoming's shoulders.

"For a state leader's bad Karma, sloth, laziness, and indulgence are the biggest sins, she said."

Continuing to speak regardless of whether he understood his words or not.

"I'm talking about a powerful figure who throws away politics, drinks lavishly, indulges in pleasure, and neglects the state. Because then the citizens suffer."

Lin Chaoming felt like he would go crazy from frustration.

"But dictators are different, she said. Especially those who have many supporters and govern strictly according to their own policy standards."

"Because there are people who benefit from it, he can receive a Good Karma judgment. Isn't it really funny?"

He couldn't even understand what he was saying despite it clearly being Korean.

"Even if he kills and purges many people, if the country develops and becomes wealthy, it's considered a justifiable act of governance."

"Tsk, I can never agree with that, but interpreting the princess, I'll have to believe it."

Flinch.

A suspicious energy rushed in through his shoulders.

The man's words continued amidst that.

"No, does that make sense? Why are the standards different? It's not like a special privilege, and that's why I hate politicians."

Who in the world is this guy?

Could it be that bastard who appeared at the HG Hotel in South Korea?

Who disposed of China's Special Intelligence Department agents?

If so, he wanted to initiate a conversation.

To ask him to come to China, promising he'd grant everything he wanted.

However, his tongue was so stiffly paralyzed he could barely breathe.

Suddenly his head hurt as if it would shatter.

Simultaneously, his eyes slowly closing.

"If the Karma doesn't work, I can only find another method."

"You are a bastard who threatened the life of my Summoner, and have the potential to continue threatening him in the future."

Lin Chaoming tried hard to stay conscious.

"Realize it is fortune that you did not face Gwangma, and die quietly."

His knees trembled as if he would soon collapse.

"Cause of death is a brain hemorrhage. You know it, right? Blood vessels bursting in the brain, they won't even be able to lay a finger on it. Because it's not just one place that will burst."

"But you won't die immediately. You'll suffer in bed for about ten days. After that, you'll be comfortable."

Thud!

In the end, Lin Chaoming collapsed to the floor.

"I have no idea if you've decided on a successor. Honestly, I hope you haven't. Because then China will become noisy."

Cossack smiled fishily.