Chapter 78 - Chapter 78

Chapter 78

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Speaking of Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il, he had a reputation for being the most textbook bureaucrat in the Awakening Management Agency.

The results he achieved were also immense.

Implementing the Elite Player cultivation project, discovering talented players like Yoo Chul-min and Nam Ga-eun, establishing the Mana Stone and Tower Materials Research Institute, and establishing self-production facilities for weapons and equipment by recruiting artisans from all over the country...

Moreover, he was a competent, reasonable boss who possessed the dignity of a leader.

Because of that, he was highly popular among the employees as well.

Truly the model of a successful civil servant, but here?

"This person is called Mr. Cossack, the ability user of our team."

"I, I am Jeon Kwang-il."

"Hello. Summoner Bong's right arm, the dependable confidant, master of negotiation, creative strategist, genius in tactics, master of guerrilla warfare, expert in hostage rescue, that is me, Cossack. Uhehehe."

"...Ah ah, yes, yes."

A completely different vibe from when they met at the HG Hotel.

Back then, it was to the point of giving him goosebumps, but here he looked like a puppy wagging its tail furiously.

He took out a business card and handed it over. Next was the giant.

"He's our team's tanker and pillar."

"I am the barbarian warrior meat shield who exists solely for the summoner. Call me Gobang."

"Ah, so that's what it... I am Jeon Kwang-il."

The moment the meaning behind 'Gobang' was finally revealed.

Would people know?

The fact that 'Gobang' meant 'Meat Shield' (Gogi Bangpae).

That the terrifying giant who blocked bullets and crushed terrorists with one hand meant that.

He also handed over a business card.

"This is Princess Gyeon Dal-rae, our team's supporter."

"Hello. You work hard for the nation's affairs, I ask that you continue to support Young Master Bong both materially and emotionally going forward."

Seeing the dignity practically flowing off her, she truly seemed like a princess, not just metaphorically.

So, politely taking out and giving his business card,

"Thank you, this girl does not yet have a business card, so I shall give you this instead."

"Th, thank you."

Jeon Kwang-il received a piece of yellow paper from Gyeon Dal-rae.

It looked like a talisman.

"Deputy Director, this is a truly good thing. It's a Good Luck Talisman, its effect is certain so please carry it in your embrace."

A Good Luck Talisman?

He didn't originally believe in superstitions, but since Player Bong himself said the effect was certain.

He folded it neatly and put it in his wallet.

"This is Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber. The protagonist of this celebration feast. She just got promoted."

"I, it's nice to meet you."

"Have you completed your military service?"

"Umm, I was discharged from the Marine Corps."

"Your final rank?"

"Discharged as a Sergeant..."

"Aha! You suffered, let's do well going forward."

"...Yes, yes."

A bewildered Jeon Kwang-il.

Putting aside the sudden informal speech.

With the curves flawlessly revealed in a tight-fitting full-body tights suit, he didn't know where to look.

"Lastly, our team's ace, the all-around housekeeper, Mr. Rajix from the beast-man tribe."

Roll-roll-roll, chack!

"Ho-e, your business card."

A cute creature standing confidently extending a short, tiny hand.

Jeon Kwang-il hurriedly handed over his business card.

Snatch! With his fist-sized hand.

"..."

Ahh!

Where on earth could such a creature be from?

Clear eyes, a round body, and it even talks.

It was hard to distinguish whether it was a human or a hamster.

He thinks he understands what vibe the beast-man tribe has.

"The tower ores, Basilisk, and Wyvern leather, Mr. Rajix brings them all."

"Ah!"

"Ho-eng!"

'I am this kind of person!' Blowing snorts out of his nose with both hands on his hips and his head held high.

Cute and capable.

He was simply perfect.

No wonder he was an ace.

"Now, now, the introductions are all finished."

Finished?

"Player Bong, excuse me but, the person held by Mr. Gobang over there is..."

"Ah! He's called Lucius Bardin, currently serving the role of a Holy Sword."

Wait, what does this mean?

"...A H, Holy Sword?"

At that moment!

"As expected, you are a heathen as well. Why does the summoner have not a single faithful servant by his side? Even you, one day I shall smash your head with this flail and bring your repentance into the bosom of the Lord God......"

"Lucius Bardin unsummon."

Spot!

"Don't mind him. He's a good person but he's slightly crazy from being tainted by a pseudo-religion."

"I, is that so?"

He felt self-conscious.

They won't get mad at him for using someone as a tool, right?

No matter how crazy a fanatic is, this is an abnormal labor exploitation.

It could escalate into a human rights issue, after all.

Joo-hyuk quickly changed the subject.

"Ahem, let's finish up what we were doing. Master Sergeant Be, step forward."

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber."

Now, the time has come again.

He shouldn't fail this time.

Joo-hyuk concentrating his mind.

The Deputy Director is watching from the side too.

So what if the reinforced suit is slightly thin.

Pinching slightly with his fingernails.

"Geez! Squeeze! it tightly, sir. When running around smashing monster's skulls you say 'real man, real man', sir."

"Aw, my hand slipped."

Gyeon Dal-rae and Gobang started criticizing Cossack as if waiting.

"Where did you learn such ill manners? How dare a mere servant raise his voice at Young Master? Must you be hit with a minor curse to snap to your senses?"

"Assassin, moderate yourself. Before a flick flies over."

"...S, sorry, sir."

As expected of Gyeon Dal-rae and Gobang.

People should have a sense of seriousness.

Instead of just constantly acting frivolous every single day.

Super concentration again. Grabbing only the fabric.

Squish, he felt his fingers sink slightly into something but he didn't care, pinching and inserting it,

"Done!!!"

"Oh! You did well, sir. Your finger control is an art, sir."

"Th, thank you. Certain Victory! Veronica Caliber, I shall dedicate my entire body for the Commander's infinite glory."

Jeon Kwang-il, who was observing the scene, had an expression completely lost in translation.

'Is that really that good?'

A simple metal badge. It wasn't even peculiar.

It was tiny in an aesthetic rectangular silver shape.

But Veronica receiving the badge was tearing up with emotion,

And everyone else witnessing it also had envious gazes.

'Come to think of it, everyone has one on.'

That cutie named Rajix had a whopping 3 pinned on the backpack behind his back.

As Jeon Kwang-il carefully observed the badges.

"Ho-eng!"

Rajix sneered at him with an attitude signifying 'You don't have this, do you?'.

Jeon Kwang-il's feelings were slightly hurt for a moment.

'No, what's the big deal about that.'

Now isn't the time for this.

The badge award ceremony seemed to have ended, so he should state his business for coming here.

"Player Bong Joo-hyuk."

"Yes?"

"I have something to tell you...."

"Ah! I completely forgot. What is the occasion?"

Jeon Kwang-il began his explanation.

Starting with the mysterious document containing suspicions about the real owner of the Holy Sword, how it slipped through and how it was resolved,

It also included the story of how Director Park Kyung-soo personally visited Ilseong Group's Chairman Jung Sung-tae and what kind of conversation they had.

In addition to that, their dissatisfaction with HG Fashion, who was playing tricks with the leather products, so how about directly acquiring a company for the Wyvern leather this time.

There's an appropriate company.

It's Ilseong Apparel and it's going to be separated from its affiliate group soon, and having decided to receive the nearly 90% stake for free, all he had to do was make up his mind.

Management?

There's no need for him to step up personally.

The CEO named Jung Dong-hoon will take over and handle it. And so on.

However, frowning and expressing his reluctance, Joo-hyuk.

"...This is flustering."

"I am sorry. We hid your identity as best we could, but suddenly a mysterious document emerged."

"No, not that."

"Then?"

"The shares. How can I receive them for free?"

"Ah!"

"Just as we've always done, just supplying the leather...."

Then the summoned entities chimed in inserting a word each.

"Young Master, please receive them. You have more than enough right. Merely reign over it."

"Agreed, sir. Worker Rajix's face becomes what, sir? Working so hard to skin it, only for the profits to be taken by someone else completely unrelated, from now on, Summoner Bong, you must take it all, sir."

"Ho-eng!"

Jeon Kwang-il also earnestly persuaded him.

"These people are right. You should own a company."

"Extorting another person's company is a bit..."

"It is not extortion. It's saving it. As it stands, CEO Jung Dong-hoon will be unjustly kicked out. Think of it as saving a person's life and acquire the company."

A company...

Joo-hyuk couldn't readily make a decision.

He felt it was making too big of a fuss, and he was slightly afraid.

But as is the nature of a beta male, if blowing air in from the side, he inflates like a balloon.

"...Shall I give it a try?"

"Go for it, sir!"

"You must, Young Master."

"Summoner, that would be good."

"Ho-ek!"

Then, no big deal.

"Let's try!"

"Yes! The beginning of the Bong Corporation, sir."

"This is a joyous occasion. Our Top Servant needs to work hard peeling hides."

"Ho-e-e!"

But suddenly!

Gyeon Dal-rae's face hardening, she spoke in a stern tone.

"However, there is something we cannot overlook."

"What..."

"I am talking about the wicked deeds of the wily Japanese. Young Master, please leave it to this girl, taking this opportunity I shall scold them severely."

What will she do, send a death curse (Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) again? Or bad karma (Up)?

"I will go and return, sir. Just who is this Cossack? Cause the Japanese Prime Minister's brain blood vessels to burst without a mouse or bird noticing, just like the Chinese Supreme Leader.... Eoma?"

Hmm? Did I hear wrong?

"What did you say? What did you do to the Chinese Supreme Leader?"

"...Hm? I didn't say anything."

"You did though?"

"Uh, th, that, since we were there to rescue the kidnapped players anyway..."

I knew it would turn out like this.

He probably triggered that damn Clause 3.

"No, causing another accident? There's absolutely nothing to criticize Gwangma about. Totally a Little Gwangma, a Little Gwangma."

"...S, sorry, sir."

"Young Master, Sir Cossack did nothing wrong. It was all ordered by this girl. Please kill me."

"The Deputy Director is right beside us! He likely heard everything. Do you guys want to see me get carted away?"

Jeon Kwang-il's mouth was hanging wide open.

Said they rescued the kidnapped players?

Moreover, the cerebral infarction of Chinese President Lin Chaoming who died a few days ago was an intentional act.

Looking anxious, Joo-hyuk cautiously asked.

"Will I be carted away?"

"Yes?... Wh, why?"

"Earlier, the story about the Chinese President...."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I did not hear anything."

"Ah, i, is that so?"

"Anyway, congratulations on establishing your company."

Jeon Kwang-il's quick-witted handling of the situation.

Cossack, seeming satisfied, nodded and said.

"Truly an impartial and fair official, sir. Do you think he got the Deputy Director position by rolling a die, sir? Highly commendable."

"The warrior likes quick-witted people. It was worth rescuing him."

Gyeon Dal-rae also chimed in.

"Although we assist Young Master Bong inside, assisting from the outside like this is also an important matter. Under consideration of reward and punishment according to merit, bestow a badge upon the Deputy Director as well."

A badge?

"No, who am I to receive one, to someone higher than me."

Jeon Kwang-il quickly said.

"No. If you give it, I will accept it gratefully."

"...Really?"

"I am sincere. I really want to receive one."

"..."

Pinning one on isn't difficult but....

So began the badge award ceremony.

Gyeon Dal-rae announced Jeon Kwang-il's merits.

"Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il, your achievements in contributing to smooth tower clearing and world peace by sincerely supporting Young Master Bong are great, therefore we award you this badge."

The badge pinned on his chest.

Jeon Kwang-il bowed his head, appreciating the sparkling badge.

'This is bizarre.'

It feels like receiving a Presidential commendation.

Anyway, regardless of the reason, he felt somewhat good.

* * *

The next day.

Joo-hyuk called out the summoned entities again.

Since we played around plenty yesterday, today we should climb the tower.

Clearing the 66th floor.

The target is the large undead flying monster, the Specter.

When the undead monster Specter on the 66th floor of the Black Tower was first revealed to the world through the bodycam footage of America's top player, Gerald Watson, people despaired.

Because it was a completely different type of undead monster from any that had appeared so far.

The characteristic of the Specter is its size.

It was immensely huge.

Even a flying undead.

Physical attacks didn't work on it, and to match its size, it spewed a wide-ranging dark aura.

Still, they managed to catch it somehow.

Gerald Watson, with 3 days left until the collapse deadline, barely cleared it filling up the 15-hour time limit almost entirely.

But that was a task made possible because it was Gerald.

A world top player armed with holy attribute items and possessing the magic swordsman trait.

How are we supposed to catch that?

America also barely forced it.

It was safe to say tower collapse was inevitable.

But suddenly, the Holy Sword appeared.

This was practically a miracle.

The difficulty of the Specter, previously considered impossible to conquer, plummeted vertically.

But ironically, for Joo-hyuk, the real owner of the Holy Sword, it's an item he can do without.

He has Bardin, which is even more effective.

[You are entering the 66th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

A Specter?

If they just considered the S++ clear, it would actually be easier than the 65th floor.

Leaving aside the physicals, the pattern is simple.

Receiving the mission.

[66th Floor Mission: Defeat 10 Dark Specters.]

[Time limit for completion: Within 15 hours.]

"Let's hurry up, catch them, and head out. We need to do the 2nd stage clear too."

No matter how huge the Specters are, would they be able to endure in front of two SSR summoned entities wielding holy attribute weapons?

Adding Gyeon Dal-rae's buffs on top of that.

"Light!"

"Attribute Absorption."

From high up in the far sky, a Specter descended, accompanied by an intensely thick dark aura.

Holy attribute bullets fired continuously from Veronica's magic gun.

Thwack! Thwack-thwack-thwack!

The body of the Specter struck squarely by the holy rounds burst into flames.

By the time it reached the ground, it was already in a near-death state.

The finishing blow was delivered by Gobang swinging the Holy Sword Bardin,

"Light!!!"

Smash! Whhhooooooosh!

"Ouch."

Caught one already? Did that take about 30 seconds?

"What do I do, sir?"

"Well, cheer?"

"Fighting, sir!!!"

At least do this.

[Notice: You have achieved the S++ grade clear for the 66th floor of the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

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

[You may challenge the 67th floor.]

[Exiting from the South Korea (South Korean) Black Tower.]

Spot!

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

S++ grade clear record on the 66th floor too.

Now there are no more upper floor climbs for the time being.

Let's do repetitive clears and skin some leather instead.

There's still more than 2 years left before entering the 70th floor range.

Until then, he'll slowly increase the number of summoned entities, enhance traits, and prepare.

Well, what's a big deal gonna happen?