Chapter 69 - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Barbarian Warrior Gobang.

Honestly, when the assassin first received a medal, he was secretly envious.

Unbefitting a warrior, he was even jealous.

It couldn't be helped.

Because it was certain he had established a merit.

But to pin a badge on him as well.

How grateful is this?

He repays it with trust.

Skeletons enhanced with a dark aura.

They are troublesome entities.

They have hard bones and even hold weapons.

If one lets their guard down even slightly, a blade thrusts in and damages the flesh.

Even flesh harder than steel gets pierced.

That is the terrifying aspect of the dark aura.

A section where evasion-type tanking is necessary; one shouldn't charge in recklessly.

However, there was no such thing as evasion for Gobang.

"Kuooohohh!!!"

A shout of provocation.

Come! I will take you all on.

So as not to bring shame to the badge.

* * *

Veronica also rolled through the battlefield without rest.

Shooting and withdrawing in prone sniping mode, rapid-firing in assault mode, swinging the butt of her rifle to secure distance if they got close..., various tactical actions unfolded.

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

The more medals, the better.

That is the evidence of being acknowledged by the commander as a soldier.

Only then will she become the top priority for promotion.

Veronica's lingering attachment from her lifetime isn't just sleeping deeply.

She established a merit right before her death, but died without even receiving a promotion.

A two-rank special promotion was a sure thing.

But in the end, she died as a sergeant.

Without even getting a glimpse of the master sergeant insignia.

However, if it's badges?

Perhaps she could fulfill that unachieved wish?

* * *

Gyeon Dal-rae also concentrated on the SSitgimgut while sweating profusely.

Actually, compared to the powerful might of holy energy, her ritual falls slightly short.

Because it focuses on soothing the dead rather than subduing them.

Therefore, she could only weaken the dark aura, which is an energy of impurity, but couldn't inflict direct strikes.

At this rate, what if a Saintess or Priest class is summoned in the next Random Summoning?

She might have to be kicked out, let alone get badges.

At this point, she can understand how Cossack and Rajix felt back then.

They must constantly prove their existence.

Even to repay the symbol of trust bestowed by Young Master, the Platinum Badge.

The dance movements of the shaman Gyeon Dal-rae became even more fierce.

* * *

Kwak-kwak-kwak-kwak!

Rajix digging the ground ferociously with his eyes turned bloodshot.

If it's a place with a suspicious smell, he unconditionally digs first and asks questions later.

Look even now.

The warrior, magic gunner, shaman, assassin... they are frantically hunting skeletons.

Why is he so fast?

At this rate, if the clear ends, the exploration will also immediately terminate.

He probably isn't doing it on purpose, but...

Either way, he's practically an enemy obstructing him.

"Ho-e!"

Acquired one more holy relic fragment.

And a ticket fragment as well.

The next badge is mine.

The higher the floors go, the more advantageous it will be for him.

Since he'll be able to excavate more item fragments.

* * *

Cossack was slightly flustered.

No, why are these guys acting like this?

Since when did they work so hard.

They are carrying out the mission desperately as if they have no tomorrow.

Yet, are their hands and feet not matching? Absolutely not.

Gobang drew aggro, Veronica dealt wide-area damage with rapid small-caliber fire, and Gyeon Dal-rae's dance movements flailed even more loosely.

The hunting was phenomenally efficient.

Rather, it flowed more organically than before.

And what about Rajix.

He can tell just by looking at his expression.

He seems to have found something again.

The most threatening competitor here.

'Haa, worker Rajix, can't I make a living too, sir?'

This won't do.

I have to de-bone harder.

At this rate, I won't even get to smell a badge.

* * *

Joo-hyuk, left alone.

He just stood vacantly holding the Holy Sword.

Why did I bring the Holy Sword?

What am I supposed to do with this.

Is it for decoration?

It is cool, though.

Since the light of brilliance is enveloping his entire body.

'Hmm...'

The party's momentum had changed.

Before he could even do anything, the skeletons were already shattering crunch-crunch and turning into ingredients for beef bone broth.

Why is everyone acting like this?

Did you want the badges that much?

"Excuse me...."

"I'm busy, sir! Please do not speak to me, sir."

"Mr. Gobang?"

"Kuooohohh!!!"

"S, Sergeant Be!"

"Skeletons approaching from the front, cranium pierced, damage accumulation sufficient, request disposal."

"...Princess?"

"Heo-eoi, hwoi, the flower garden of the Western Heaven lies yonder."

What is Rajix doing?

"Ho-e-e-ek!"

Roll-roll, kwak-kwak-kwak-kwak!

'...'

Ahh,

I thought I escaped being a loner by awakening as a player, but,

'It was an illusion.'

If this isn't bullying, what is?

You want the badges that much?

Want to pin them all over your chests?

That won't happen.

I will never release them easily.

I'll make you beg and plead for just one....

[You have succeeded in the 63rd-floor mission.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Reward: 6.3kg of Mana Stones]

[Notice: You have achieved the S++ clear grade for the 63rd floor of the Black Tower (South Korea).]

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

'It's over.'

[You may challenge the 64th floor.]

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

Let's just do repetitive clears.

To peel some hides at least.

* * *

Awakening Management Agency.

Director Park Kyung-soo and Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il sitting face to face having a conversation.

"...Honestly, if it wasn't you, I absolutely wouldn't have believed it."

"It's the same for me. Hearing it just in words, how could anyone believe it?"

"What about control? The hardest part for players with summon traits is controlling their summoned beasts... hmm, should I call them summoned persons? Anyway, wasn't there any unreasonableness in controlling them?"

"Yes, at least for now."

Jeon Kwang-il recalled that moment back then.

The Caucasian who appeared when Bong Joo-hyuk shouted summon.

When told the situation was like this as seen, he disappeared in an instant saying they should call Gobang too.

The giant named Gobang was the same.

He crushed the terrorists while protecting Bong Joo-hyuk with his massive body.

"They moved in perfect order at a single word from Player Bong. Is there even a need to call it control? They handled everything on their own."

"Goodness! Summoning people? And people who speak Korean at that?"

It leaves him dumbfounded. Human summoning.

Let's say it's possible.

Since they conjure spirits, golems, and beasts, they should be able to summon a person too.

However, it wasn't done inside the tower.

It took place in reality, of all places.

In other words, Bong Joo-hyuk is a player who can manifest abilities from inside the tower in reality as well.

If this fact becomes known?

"There would be an uproar.�

It's not a simple problem.

He could instantly be classified as a dangerous person.

"They aren't villains or have criminal tendencies, right?"

"Not at all. Of course, I'm the only one who witnessed it, but what do you think is the reason Player Bong Joo-hyuk revealed his abilities? It was to save Player Nam Ga-eun and the people."

"...While your words are correct."

If his disposition was bad, or if he possessed a selfish personality looking out only for himself, he would have run away alone.

And he had the ability to do so.

"But will other people think like that?"

Humanity, which has a common enemy called the Black Tower.

It would be normal to show a disposition of uniting, considering each other, and showing solidarity, but that is merely an ideal.

Competition between nations has become even more severe.

They did not hesitate to commit petty and unethical acts.

Just looking at China's player kidnappings shows it.

"Phew, the secrets keep increasing. I can't catch the drift of how to handle this, it feels like my head will burst."

Looking at the troubled Park Kyung-soo, Jeon Kwang-il cautiously proposed.

"How about this?"

"What?"

"Player Bong's summoned beasts, no, summoned persons, they're people anyway, aren't they?"

"Right."

"Then, we treat them as people."

"Huh?"

"Make them citizens of the Republic of Korea."

Staring vacantly wondering what he meant, Park Kyung-soo suddenly fixed his posture.

"Citizens of the Republic of Korea?"

"Don't we just have to hide the fact that they are summoned persons? Even if their identities are revealed later on, they'll just be known as players with South Korean nationality."

"Ah..."

"Player naturalization falls under the Awakening Management Agency's jurisdiction. We can fabricate new identities perfectly."

Right.

Making an identity isn't difficult.

It's not like they haven't done naturalization work before; they've done it quite a lot.

Players are national assets in themselves.

Elite players clear unclimbed towers.

General players supply Mana Stones and tower materials.

If a player from another country requests naturalization, they accept it unconditionally as long as they aren't criminals.

They've even naturalized quite a few recently.

North Korean defector players crossing over from the North, asylum-seeking players from politically unstable countries, immigrant players who came because they liked South Korea.

A new start as a Korean.

The past gets wiped completely clean.

It's the exact same for Player Bong's summoned persons.

What's the problem?

They're people.

"That's not... no, it's an ex, extremely good idea."

"I will meet Player Bong and suggest it."

"Yeah, yeah, don't be too direct, but approach it carefully."

The moment! Knock, knock.

Team Leader Lee Min-ah entering the office along with the knocking sound.

"Team Leader Lee, welcome. What brings you?"

"The 63rd floor of the South Korean Black Tower was just cleared with an S++ grade."

"Aha, I see."

"When I contacted him separately, he said he'll clear the 64th floor tomorrow and return the Holy Sword."

"Got it."

They had a conversation about it before.

That he'll only clear up to the 64th floor and take a short break.

"He could even go up to the 66th floor."

"Wouldn't the citizens feel anxious then? Since nobody knows when the 67th floor will be cleared."

It is correct to pace it to the time limit.

They should use the 6-month clear time limit fully.

"Where did you say the next country that reserved the Holy Sword was?"

"It's Russia."

"Hmm, I can't trust those brown bear bastards."

"Please do not worry, they won't be able to pull any nonsense."

It's a Holy Sword that has already become a global public asset.

If it vanishes or gets damaged beyond repair, it's obvious the whole world would rise up.

Unless a crazy terrorist appears and says 'let's die together,' that is.

That's why they were only renting the Holy Sword to the top players of each country through meticulous verification at the national level.

"After Russia?"

"It is Saudi Arabia."

"I don't need to worry about Saudi Arabia. Perhaps they might rent it twice...."

"Hahaha, I'm expecting that too. Player Bong will probably like it."

They can do it three times. As long as they deposit the rental fee.

Anyway, since it's two people.

2 copies of the naturalization documents should be enough, right?

Surely there wouldn't be more.

* * *

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

Smiles had fully bloomed.

Originally, it would be normal for the difficulty to go up as the floors get higher, but instead, it became easier.

"Hehehehe, did you see, sir? I am truly Summoner Bong's right arm, sir."

"It cannot be helped. This girl is Young Master's left arm."

"The warrior is the Summoner's reliable right leg."

"Eh? Then what about Sergeant Be, sir?"

"Me? I'm the commander's hot chest."

"...That's a bit."

"What about worker Rajix, sir?"

"Ho-e, I'm the Summoner's nose."

"Flaring nostrils, sir?"

"I smell things for him, ho-e-e-e."

Then he rolled over in front of Joo-hyuk.

Clatter!

He poured something out.

Rune and ticket fragments.

This many?

He must have really dug the ground hard,

"Ho-eng!"

Shall we piece them together?

Slide, slide.

The same pieces fit together, and the wrong ones have no reaction, and the moment!

Hwa-at! It shined.

[All fragments have been assembled together.]

[You have acquired the item 'Multinational Tower Use Ticket'.]

"Oh!"

A completed item fragment finally came out.

He established merit again. Do I give him a badge, or not?

"Ho-e, I will work harder."

Roll-roll-roll.

Rajix rolling over there before he could even ponder.

Seemingly judging he couldn't receive a badge with just this much.

Well, if he pieces together one more, I should give him a badge.

Rajix will probably monopolize the badges though?

Tomorrow is the 64th floor clear, and after finishing, I should return the Holy Sword.

Since they said the Holy Sword reservations are piled up.

Also, an event scheduled at the 64th floor.

A privilege.

Originally it's the 65th floor, but it was pulled forward by one floor due to the Multinational Tower Use Ticket.

'Let's see what comes out.'

And the Random Summoning.

He still hasn't decided whether to draw or not.

It might be good to discuss it with the summoned entities.

Anyway, what should I do after finishing the 64th floor? There's a lot of time left over.

'I think I can slowly start my outside activities in earnest.'

Of course, not alone, but with the summoned entities.

Currently in a situation without bodyguards either.

The perceptive Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il withdrew all security.

He can roam freely.

No need for Perception-Hindering Talismans either.

Gobang evolved, so his height in normal state is less than 2 meters.

Cossack has a technique to change his facial structure at will.

If Gyeon Dal-rae goes out, she's an ordinary high school girl.

Veronica would be about the level of a foreign tourist.

Though Rajix weighs on his mind...

'Should we go shopping at a department store?'

Buy a few sets of clothes.

But he had something he was curious about.

"Princess."

"Please speak."

"If you get unsummoned while wearing clothes from reality, do you appear wearing those clothes the next time you show up?"

"That is correct. It is a system where the last appearance is automatically saved. And when you come out, the changes are automatically applied."

Meaning they don't disappear.

One more thing.

"You said you go to the world of souls when unsummoned, right?"

"That is correct."

"What kind of place is it? And what do you summoned entities look like there?"

"I shall tell you only within the scope permitted to this girl."

Gyeon Dal-rae began explaining step by step.

"It is a place so vast you cannot even imagine. We exist there only in a state of a soul, an ethereal body."

Ethereal body, a ghost.

Since they are people who have already died.

"Everything turns into concepts. The items I possess, the clothes I am wearing, it might be convenient for you to think of it as computer game data."

Game data.

Well, clearing towers is also akin to a game.

That's why awakened individuals are called players.

"Can you meet each other there? I mean between you summoned entities."

"Who knows. It is so vast... of course, if we wish to find each other, we could. But would there be any need to do so?"

Since they'd meet anyway when summoned.

Anyway, summarizing it goes like this.

When summoned entities are unsummoned, their state right before that is saved and they return to the world of ethereal bodies.

When summoned again, the ethereal body materializes and manifests in a form no different from an actual human.

He knew everything he needed to know.

Then let's enjoy it now.

The abundant world of Earth.

"Let's set a date and go out."

"A, are we eating beef, sir?"

"No. Shopping. To a department store..., let's buy a few suits of clothes."

"The warrior hates shopping. But if the summoner says let's go, I go."

"Aigoo, I love it, sir. I'll get decked out in a sharp suit, sir."

Just in case.

"Let's attach one Perception-Hindering Talisman each before we go. Mr. Rajix won't be a problem either, right?"

"Since Rajix is a servant, he will probably look like a severely obese child, naturally."

"Ho-eng?"

Since the Holy Sword rental fees will come pouring in consecutively soon, I shouldn't skimp and just splurge.

Splurging money, I really wanted to try that once.

Come to think of it, it would be good to have a means of transportation too.

With this number of people, taking taxis is awkward.

'Should I buy a car?'

I have a driver's license.

Got it near the end of my military service.

'A van would be appropriate. Something like a 15-seater.'

A spacious one, since I don't know how many more people might be added in the future.