Chapter 77 - Chapter 77

Chapter 77

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The Awakening Management Agency mainly does two things.

Cultivating Elite Players for climbing upper uncleared tower floors, and supplying the new industrial resource, Mana Stones, to the private sector.

It is a generally acknowledged fact that they are the most important national institution in South Korea.

For that reason, the Awakening Management Agency is thoroughly protected from any political external pressure, and requests from the Management Agency are always handled as top priority.

Park Kyung-soo is a figure who has held long-term power as the Director of the Awakening Management Agency for over 5 years.

He had no greed to climb to a higher position.

He was currently planning to hand over his post to the Deputy Director soon and enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Therefore, he had absolutely no hesitation in exercising his power.

"Currently, the lowest level player in the Management Agency is level 39. It is still lacking. But they are far more important people than the likes of you. Because they are climbing diligently today as well to prevent the collapse of the Black Tower and to support high-level players from behind."

Director Park Kyung-soo's resounding voice.

"But what can you do? A mere old man blinded by money digging into the background of an Elite Player. What remains if you strip away your title as Chairman of a conglomerate?"

Chairman Jung Sung-tae could not help but be flustered.

He had met countless public officials so far, but this was a first.

Actually, he was a man with many enemies.

He had created countless enemies in the process of growing Ilseong into a leading conglomerate in Korea.

But is there such a thing as an eternal enemy?

Even with enemies, they would laugh and talk with each other, yielding what they must, taking what they can, breaking down boundaries, and becoming friends...

Naturally, he had maintained a close relationship with Director Park Kyung-soo regarding the supply of Mana Stones.

He was closer to a friend than an enemy.

But what about the current situation?

Swearing and shouting verbal abuse right to his face?

Only then did Chairman Jung Sung-tae snap to his senses.

He realized what kind of situation he was in.

Chairman of a conglomerate?

All it takes is one phone call.

To the National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS))), which has the closest relationship with the Management Agency.

The National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (National Intelligence Service (NIS)))'s cabinets would be crammed full of data on the Ilseong Group.

Just releasing one of them would be the end.

No, even if they just casually leaked it to the media, it was obvious what would happen.

What would truly happen if it became known that the Chairman of a conglomerate approached an Elite Player to pursue personal gain?

"Excuse me, I think there has been some misunderstanding,"

"Shut up, and tell me first where you obtained this document."

"Umm..."

Park Kyung-soo continued speaking with an expression full of ridicule.

"Shall I tell you instead? The initial drafting of the information was done in the US. However, even the US couldn't be certain of the veracity of this information. So they passed it onto Japan. To see what they would do."

He had come having already figured out how this document reached Jung Dong-hoon.

"And then Japan? Same thing. They found it awkward to act directly themselves. But it turns out there was a useful tool at hand? A guy who is the Chairman of a leading Korean conglomerate and is friendly with Japanese political circles."

Chairman Jung Sung-tae couldn't even retort.

"But you were no different either. Not knowing what would happen if you carelessly approached an Elite Player, you passed it onto your nephew again."

Right. He knew everything.

"Even if you got caught, you probably thought there would be no problem at all. Because you just needed to act as you always have. Eating once with power figures in high-end restaurants like this, and greasing them up with a few bribes would have resolved it."

Bang! Slapping the table, Park Kyung-soo shouted.

"But you stupid son of a bitch! Even so, this is a no-no. At your age, are you that incapable of judgement?"

And with a low voice,

"Shall I handle you the classic way? Actually, that is the easiest and cleanest way. It'd serve as an example too."

What is the classic way?

Simple.

He's saying he'll kill him.

It's not an empty threat.

He's a person with enough power to do so.

Is there anything the Awakening Management Agency wouldn't do for the safety of Elite Players?

He felt like he would really die.

Chairman Jung Sung-tae had no choice but to yield.

"...I will admit everything."

"Does admitting it make it end?"

"Please spare me. Wh, what should I do?"

"Good. Listen well, I'll open a path for you to live. Do as I say."

"I, I will listen carefully."

Director Park Kyung-soo began to speak.

Jung Sung-tae merely nodded his head.

What could he do?

If he wants to keep his life, he has to do as instructed.

* * *

While Veronica was sleeping,

Joo-hyuk practiced his breathing exercises, no, the Heaven and Earth One Origin Art.

"Hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo, hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo...."

Cossack, who was watching this while lying obliquely on the sofa watching TV, said.

"Do you have rhinitis, sir?"

What rhinitis,

"Hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo,"

"Pollen allergy?"

"Hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo...."

"You are breathing too heavily, sir. I'm worried, sir."

Geez! Babbling constantly next to me.

Making it hard to concentrate.

"It's called Heaven and Earth One Origin Art, a martial arts breathing technique."

"There's something like that too, sir? Didn't you learn it from a pseudo-religious cult, sir?"

"Elder Gwangma taught me."

"...Eh? Wh, when?"

Taking this opportunity, he just let them know.

The story of becoming drinking buddies with Gwangma, and the Bone Marrow Cleansing and martial arts transmission.

Gyeon Dal-rae bowed deeply as if flying away with a joyful expression and said.

"I congratulate you. Although his disposition is peculiarly twisted, the martial arts Gwangma possesses are genuine. If you devote yourself, there shall be achievements."

Gobang too,

"This warrior is pleased that the Summoner has grown stronger. Please pass my thanks to Gwangma."

Cossack had a strange expression.

"I'm envious, sir."

"Of what, do you want to learn martial arts?"

"No, sir. If I were an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare), I would have taught Summoner Bong a lot, sir."

"You taught me Shadow Step."

"There are many better things, sir. Lock picking, pickpocketing, mugging, intimidation..."

This guy, who is he trying to turn into a criminal.

"By the way, did you pin a badge on Gwangma, sir? Merit is merit, after all, sir."

"Hey, would that person like something like that?"

"He'll go crazy for it, sir. Receiving something from the Summoner is an absolute honor for a summoned entity, sir."

To think he'd go that far, but just in case, I should casually float the idea next time we have a drink.

Saying there's this thing called a Platinum Badge, and I'll pin one on him if he wants.

Anyway, when is Veronica going to wake up?

Whether it's tower climbing or a promotion celebration party, we need to do one of the two.

"Oh right! Speaking of badges, doesn't Master Sergeant Be have an angle for a badge here, sir?"

"Right. Since she got promoted too, it's unconditional."

The moment! Veronica shooting her upper body up.

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Preparing for the medal award ceremony."

"..."

She seemed to have snapped awake at the mention of receiving a medal.

Since she's up, I might as well ask her what I'm curious about.

"Master Sergeant Be. I couldn't ask earlier because you were sleeping, but are there any changes from being promoted to SSR?"

"Certain Victory! I shall report."

First pointing at the goggles she wore on her face.

"It has become possible to capture weaknesses. I can accurately strike the monster's weakest point using a homing function."

Veronica also explained the reinforced suit upgrade: defense enhancement, physical ability improvement, camouflage function, and even temperature control.

She said the original functions were further strengthened.

The boots too,

Explosive speed, tactical leaps, and automatic sweat discharge for pleasant foot health.

Finally, the magic gun.

"The types of ammunition have been subdivided. Up to 3 Large-Caliber Bullets are available. But if we are talking about the most significant function above all else...."

She paused her speech briefly, and then.

"Commander, I have a request."

"Speak."

"Please summon the Bardin Holy Sword."

That's not difficult.

"Mr. Gobang?"

Sss-u-u-uk! Gobang's enlargement.

Together with the summoning of the Lucius Bardin Holy Sword.

"Light!!!"

The Holy Sword's brilliance manifesting.

Clack!

Veronica pointed the muzzle of her magic gun at the Holy Sword Bardin.

What is it? Is she going to shoot it?

"Executing Attribute Absorption."

Attribute Absorption?

Right at that moment!

Jijijijik!

Bardin's radiant brilliance being sucked into the magic gun.

"Heok! To, to plunder my true light, you witch...."

"Shh!"

"Mmph!"

So this is what it was.

"Huk! It's a vacuum cleaner, sir."

"Oh! I understand what attribute absorption means."

"As expected of an SSR, does it absorb it and spit it out."

"Ho-e?"

Clapping came to him naturally.

Veronica's expression, overflowing with pride.

"With this, firing holy rounds has become possible."

Meaning that a holy attribute can be imbued into the bullets.

"What is the duration?"

"Temporary. It disappears after a certain amount of time. However, I can reuse it every time I recharge the brilliance."

"Aha!"

The dependable Master Sergeant Be returned with an equipment upgrade.

Does this mean we have 2 weapons with holy attributes now?

'We'd really climb straight up to the 70th floor at this rate?'

It's just a shame that the floor we can clear right now is the 66th floor.

For the 67th floor, at least 4 months must pass.

Unless the tower clear time limits speed up as Gwangma predicted.

But he should pray that doesn't happen.

Since the world might succumb overnight.

Well, as if there wouldn't be anything to do.

Doing repetitive clears to secure leather and ores, gathering ticket fragments, and hanging out.

"Since Master Sergeant Be is up, let's start with the promotion celebration party."

It was then.

Zziiing, a phone call on his smartphone.

It was Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

He didn't know what it was about, but he should receive it.

"Hello."

- This is Jeon Kwang-il. Nothing's wrong, right?

"Yes, always uneventful. What brings you to call."

- I have something to discuss so I contacted you. Could you perhaps spare some time? I will send a car right now.

Right now? Just when I was about to have the badge award ceremony and promotion celebration party.

"Um, is it urgent?"

- Uh, it is not urgent, but it is a matter that needs to be decided quickly if possible....

'Hmm, this is troublesome.'

Right now is a bit...

If I go to the Management Agency and return, the summoning duration will also be over.

Then I have to wait another 3 hours.

It messes up my schedule.

Should I say I'll go next time?

But it seems to be quite an important matter.

'Wait!'

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il, is it.

A person who has personally witnessed his abilities directly with his own eyes.

He knows Gobang, and he knows Cossack.

Then?

"Please hold on a moment."

- Yes. Take your time.

And then to the summoned entities.

"Could I invite an outsider? He's called Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il,"

"Young Master is the head of the household. Please act as you wish."

"Aigoo, whoever it is, it's a matter for Summoner Bong to decide, sir. And since we've already met the Deputy Director before, it doesn't matter, sir."

Right. We all know each other.

There's no reason to hide it now either.

Picking up his phone again.

"Deputy Director, couldn't you come to my house? I am in a position where I can't leave my seat."

- Ah! I will go right away.

Let's just introduce everyone to each other this time.

There are things to ask while everyone is gathered here too.

* * *

Jeon Kwang-il arrived at the underground parking lot of the apartment building in Cheongdam-dong.

After parking his car, he rang the doorbell in front of the penthouse's exclusive elevator.

"This is Jeon Kwang-il. I am in front of the elevator now."

- Yes, I will open it for you right now.

Then, sliding, the elevator door opened.

As soon as he got in, the door closed and it went up on its own.

The reason he came to see Bong Joo-hyuk today was regarding establishing a company.

Chairman Jung Sung-tae had waved the white flag.

He decided to spit out all the shares of Ilseong Apparel and separate it from his group affiliates.

The shares held by Jung Sung-tae must be handed over to Bong Joo-hyuk.

Of course, the final decision had to be made by Bong Joo-hyuk.

If he says no, they'd have to find another way.

Honestly, he was worried.

Currently, his name was circulating in various places.

In the US, Japan, and even in the private sector.

Speculated to be the actual owner of the Holy Sword.

A player capable of clearing the 65th floor with an S++ grade even while having returned the Holy Sword.

The only person who supplies Basilisk or Wyvern leathers, and even a massive amount of tower ores.

It was only a matter of time before Player Bong Joo-hyuk's abilities became known like this.

Any nation clearing the tower would covet him.

They would mobilize any means possible to bring Player Bong Joo-hyuk to their country.

The Korean Management Agency couldn't help but feel anxious.

They had to protect him at all costs.

With only that thought filling Jeon Kwang-il's mind,

Ding! The elevator stopped. Before approaching the front door.

'Phew,'

Taking a deep breath, checking to see if he had bad breath, tidying his hair, and adjusting his clothes, he pulled the front door handle.

"I'm here. Because I came in a hurry, I came empty-han... Huh?"

Flinch!

Jeon Kwang-il froze completely in place at the entrance.

Bong Joo-hyuk was not the only one inside the house.

There was a boisterous sound of people conversing.

"When having an event, lighting is important, sir. Gobang, hold the Bardin Holy Sword higher, sir."

"Understood."

"Light!!!"

"Whoops! Master Sergeant Be! It turns off if you absorb the attribute!"

"Ah, s, sorry, it was out of habit."

"Light!!!"

"Okay, lighting is good, Summoner Bong, please proceed now, sir."

"Master Sergeant Be, forward."

"Certain Victory!"

Where is this? Who are those people.

He definitely recognizes two of them.

The Caucasian man and the giant. Because he saw them at the HG Hotel.

But an armor-clad man is dangling from the giant's hand.

His entire body was glowing like a light bulb. And with a desperately piercing voice as if digging into his chest.

"Light!!!"

Also, who is that young girl holding a bell?

He had never heard that he had a younger sister.

There was one more woman.

An adult female wearing tight-fitting leggings standing at attention.

Is she a Pilates instructor?

But why does she have a gun on her back?

It looked like a toy gun too.

"Summoner Bong, what are you doing, sir? Don't tremble your hand and hurry up and pin the badge on her, sir."

"...Master Sergeant Be's reinforced suit is too thin."

"No, you pinned it well on the Princess's chest, is it an issue of size as expected, sir?"

"Th, this, you insolent fool!!!"

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Commander, it does not matter even if you squeeze tightly."

"Uwa!"

"It's an opportunity, sir. Since you got permission, hold it tight, sir."

"...W, what opportunity?"

"Summoner!!! A badge for the heathens?!!! Why are you not pinning one on me!"

"The light bulb is talking again?"

"Shh! Other than 'Light!!!', talking is prohibited."

"Mmph!"

Decisively,

"Hoo-e-e-e-eng!!!"

Roll-roll-roll!

A bizarre ball of fur rolling all over the house.

"Ho-e?"

What is it? That cute creature?

Then, meeting eyes with Bong Joo-hyuk, Jeon Kwang-il.

With an awkward expression,

"M, may I come in."

"Oh! Welcome in. Now, now, since the Deputy Director has arrived, everyone applaud!!!"

Jeon Kwang-il suddenly feels dizzy.

He doesn't even know why he's receiving applause.

'It doesn't seem like a dream.'

Is it really okay to go in?