Chapter 80 - Chapter 80

Chapter 80

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Players of any nation must come to South Korea to rent the Holy Sword.

And it must be used in a controlled location.

Usually, the player renting it, escorts protecting them, and one or two high-ranking public officials capable of bearing responsibility accompany them.

America also came with just Gerald, Director Antonio, and escorts.

Norway and Russia did the same.

However, Saudi Arabia's case was different.

Saudi royals, government ministers, national players, and all sorts of riffraff swarmed into South Korea in droves.

The Awakening Management Agency, the location for the Holy Sword rental, was about to burst at the seams.

Because of this, the Saudi side requested a change of location.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il consented, and Saudi Arabia rented out an entire hotel in Seoul.

Having a hotel event felt somewhat sketchy again, but.

Can they refuse a customer's request?

A large banquet hall at the Hilltown Hotel in Seoul.

A grand event hosted by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Korea was being held.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il also came to the Hilltown Hotel.

And along with him, the Holy Sword shuttle, Team Leader Lee Min-ah.

"A whole festival has broken out. A festival."

"It seems they don't even have failure on their minds."

"It's Nasser. Even without the Holy Sword, he almost cleared the 66th floor. Because he caught up to 8 of them."

A mission requiring catching 10 Specters.

8 of them meant practically succeeding.

"Ah, I'm hungry."

"Wait just a little bit. Let's eat once Nasser enters the tower."

"Okay."

This level is a state-grade event.

They should have just quietly borrowed the Holy Sword, used it, and left.

"Nothing will happen this time, right? Like the HG Hotel terror incident."

"Why? Do you want something to happen?"

"Hoho, no way. The sight of terrorists being mercilessly slaughtered was broadcasted live, what gutsy bastards would show up?"

That is true.

Anyway, the pre-event was wrapped up.

Time to enter the tower.

The Saudi Arabian Minister of the Black Tower Management Department and top player Nasser approached Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il along with an interpreter.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Hahaha, not at all. Then will you proceed with the clear now?"

"Yes, we'll proceed immediately from here."

"...From here?"

Nasser smirked and answered.

"Is there a designated place to enter the tower? You just enter from anywhere and come out."

Incredible confidence.

Though he's a player with the qualifications to back it up.

"Understood. Team Leader Lee Min-ah?"

At Jeon Kwang-il's signal, Team Leader Lee Min-ah pulled the Holy Sword out of her inventory.

And Player Nasser Al Abud taking the Holy Sword from her.

"Please use it well."

"Hahaha, there's nothing to worry about. Because I'll return it perfectly intact. I may not reach South Korea's S++ clear record holder, but.... I am also a quite capable player."

I am sure.

Nasser held the Holy Sword up high.

Click-click-click! Click-click-click-click!

The Saudi reporters as well as reporters from various nations scrambled to press their cameras.

And, spot!

Entered the tower.

"He finally entered."

"About how many hours do you expect, Deputy Director?"

"Well, wouldn't it take at least 4 hours?"

"Then I'll just go eat and come back. Would you like to eat together?"

"Let's go. Let's try some Halal food while we're at it to see what it tastes like."

The Hilltown Hotel soon turned into a scene of socializing.

Saudi government officials, politicians, business figures, ambassadors from various countries, and many people from the cultural and academic fields received invitations to the event.

Because it was a place where many big shots gathered, there were also plenty of reporters.

The American news specialty channel CNM was also conducting interviews wandering about after getting permission from the hosts.

A lot of time passed.

It seems it's about time for him to come out.

If he succeeded, the Saudi players would likely know first.

The server-wide notice isn't just heard for S++ grade clears.

During tower collapse countdowns too.

Even when upper uncleared floors are successfully completed, a server-wide notice rings.

[Notice: The 66th floor of the Black Tower (Saudi Arabia) has been cleared.]

Like this.

The Saudi government-affiliated players who followed Nasser to South Korea raised their heads and let out exclamations.

"Ah!"

"Oh God!"

"Oh!"

"It's a success!"

The banquet hall of the Hilltown Hotel growing noisy and clamorous.

A moment later, spot!

Player Nasser reappearing holding the Holy Sword.

His face was drenched in sweat.

Thunderous applause.

People flocked over and congratulated Nasser.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il also approached Nasser with a joyful expression.

"Congratulations."

"Hahaha, it took longer than I thought. I am sorry to have kept you waiting."

As Nasser held the Holy Sword up with both hands and offered it forward, Jeon Kwang-il carefully received it.

The Holy Sword was handed over to Team Leader Lee Min-ah.

To store it in her inventory to return to the Management Agency.

It had to be repaired since it was used once.

As Lee Min-ah carefully tried to put the Holy Sword into her inventory....

It was then.

Crrack! A sound of something splitting.

"...Huh!"

A small crack formed right in the middle of the blade of the Holy Sword.

"Wh, what is?"

Cr-click! Snap!

The Holy Sword snapped clean off.

Clunk!

The segment of the sword falling to the floor.

"...."

"...."

"...."

"...."

.

.

Silence flowed quietly.

Click-click-click-click!

Camera flashes constantly going off.

Everyone froze. The Holy Sword broke?

Every single person inside the banquet hall was engulfed in shock.

Player Nasser, Saudi government officials, reporters, no one opened their mouths.

And Team Leader Lee Min-ah's single word breaking the silence.

"...Oh my? Fuck!!!"

Her extremely sticky swear word rode the airwaves of the news specialty channel CNM and spread across the world.

In America, they were also watching the live broadcast.

Secretary Macmillan of the Department of Homeland Security also spat out with a voice as sticky as Lee Min-ah's.

"Motherfucker! Holy shit!"

Director Antonio also put both hands on his head,

"Oh my God!"

The entire world fell into shock.

If the Holy Sword ends up like that, how are they supposed to break through the undead section?

This whole board is completely screwed, isn't it?

* * *

An emergency was declared.

The worst-case scenario had occurred.

Jeon Kwang-il rushed to the Player Shop workshop.

Meeting Korea's best master blacksmith and asking him,

"Well, I can reattach it, but...."

"I, is that so?"

"However, there is a high possibility the effect will disappear. It just had to break exactly at the part where the pattern is engraved."

"Ah."

"You know this too. Even if we copy the pattern engraved on the tower reward item exactly as it is, it doesn't become like the original."

We're ruined.

Completely and utterly ruined.

What do we do about this?

A Holy Sword that snapped clean in two.

How meticulously had they managed it?

No matter how low the durability is, breaking so suddenly like this?

The responsibility probably lies with Nasser.

That bastard is an Axe Master trait user who uses an axe as his main weapon.

It's unmistakable.

He must have swung the Holy Sword around recklessly like an axe.

Chopping it into the ground, chopping it into rocks, that's what he must have done.

"Nasser, this son of a bitch!"

Curses couldn't help but come out.

* * *

Everyone has a beginner period.

How many youths are there who haven't even touched a steering wheel despite having a license.

Joo-hyuk was one of them.

Since it's a situation you have to experience at least once anyway to take off the beginner sticker.

So he boldly grabbed the steering wheel.

At first, he only looked straight ahead and ran.

He really might have gone all the way to Busan.

But as driving time increased, fortunately he gradually got used to it.

Checking the side mirrors and rear-view mirrors, trying to bump up the speed, turning on the turn signals, stopping by a rest stop halfway to put gas in,

Only then did the navigation screen become visible.

The camper van, which had only been going straight, exited the IC and turned in the direction it was supposed to go.

He already sent all the summoned entities back while driving.

Because it was distracting his focus on driving, and he felt embarrassed about his clumsy driving skills too.

And so, taking 5 hours to arrive at the destination.

Screech! Finally parked.

'My mind is completely frazzled.'

The sun was already setting.

Soon it would be evening.

Still, he arrived fine.

The land he purchased, no, the Management Agency purchased for him.

It seemed ground leveling work was also completed; it was to an extent where you could even farm on it.

And the temporarily installed container-type housing.

Electricity, water, and even sewage installation were complete.

'I could live here.'

Although it's a vacation home after all.

'Do phones work?'

He checked his smartphone.

Two antenna bars were still alive.

Phones work, the road is paved, and.

A land like this would be quite expensive no matter how much it's in the outskirts.

His body felt stiff.

Since he came to an area with clean air, starting with breathing exercises.

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

The energy moving inside his body.

The energy that started roughly the size of a sesame seed basically grew to the size of a bean now.

The Blood Jade Astral Aura gathering at his fingertips also gradually became clearer in its red color.

'At this rate, won't I become stronger than Cossack or Gobang?'

Pfft, a hollow laugh came out.

Not a chance.

How could he beat them?

Zziiing!

A phone call came in.

The name flashing on the smartphone screen.

'It's the Deputy Director.'

Come to think of it, he thought he said Saudi Arabia was coming to rent the Holy Sword today.

It seemed money came in again.

'Another 13 billion will be deposited, huh.'

When will he spend all this money? He has to figure something out.

An efficient way to spend money.

Should he invest in the stock market at least?

"Hello."

- Umm, Player Bong, I need to visit you briefly regarding something I must tell you.

"Ah, really? It isn't difficult but I'm not at home right now."

- By any chance, where are you?

"Namyangju. The land I bought last time."

- I will go right away.

Did something happen?

His voice didn't sound good.

He should call the summoned entities.

"Oho! We arrived, sir? Faster than expected, sir."

"I step on it up to 80km/h now, though."

"Incredible, sir! As expected of Summoner Bong, sir. You could go to an F1 competition, sir. Hehehehe."

"Hahaha, well, maybe not to that extent."

The remaining goal is the highway maximum speed limit.

He has to try driving up to 100km/h.

Only then wouldn't he enter the ranks of a real man.

"Mr. Rajix, let's take out the luggage."

"Ho-e, yes."

Items poured out from the subspace backpack.

A large dining table, chairs, charcoal, a barbecue grill, dry firewood, a camping fire pit, various meats and vegetables, beverages, beer and soju....

A tent and such aren't needed.

When would he set all that up?

Since he has a camper van and a container house.

First, the campfire was lit.

The dining table was placed next to it.

Red-hot glowing charcoal was laid out on the barbecue grill.

The atmosphere was killer.

"As expected, it is much more elegant coming outside rather than staying inside the house."

Gyeon Dal-rae also seemed to be in a good mood.

"I will sing a song, sir. An outdoor drinking party with singing and dancing is a Korean tradition, isn't it, sir."

Since when is he a bard?

"...I doubt there's a single person who wants to hear Mr. Cossack's singing."

"Didn't you know, sir? A perfect pitch playing with tone and rhythm, the King of Mask Singer who completely flips the stage over, a naturally gifted singer-songwriter, that is me, Cossack, sir."

"I would rather listen to Master Sergeant Veronica's singing."

Then Veronica waking up abruptly.

"Certain Victory! Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Loading one military song! Rebound is left and right rebound, military song is the final.."

Putting her hands on her hips, she swayed her body back and forth, but other things were swaying together as well.

'Hmm.'

'Ahem.'

'Umm.'

And so they ate, drank, and played for a long while.

Actually, outdoor camping was also one of Joo-hyuk's bucket list items.

He was overflowing with money, and had plenty of time too.

Doing everything he's always wanted to do.

The next order of business is an overseas trip.

There's no need to take a plane either.

Using the Tower Exit Ring to go to the country he wants to go to, play there quietly, and return, that's it.

Smuggling yourself into a country is a crime but... well, so what?

He's committed worse acts than that.

If he gets caught, he'd just escape into the tower.

At that time!

A car pulling in from far away.

"Gasp! Who is it, sir? A thief, sir?"

"It should be the Deputy Director."

"Aha."

It was indeed Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

He got out of the car holding a long bag.

"Deputy Director, welcome!"

Cossack welcoming him raising his hand. Acting all friendly after only seeing him a few times?

"You suffered coming all this way. I grilled some meat, let's eat together."

"Th, that..."

"Are you really sick somewhere?"

His expression truly wasn't good.

Jeon Kwang-il with his head hung low.

Opening the bag with trembling hands.

"I, I am sorry. I ended up breaking the Holy Sword."

What was he saying? He broke it.

"Umm..."

It was true.

The Holy Sword snapped in two inside the bag.

"Hul, it got cut in half, sir. Just like my stocks, sir."

"...You bought stocks?"

"The previous summoner bought them, sir. Invested his entire fortune and went bankrupt, sir. Without alcohol he couldn't even sleep, sir."

"Oh dear!"

"KeKao stocks, was it? Ah! That one was cut into three pieces."

"..."

He should absolutely not buy stocks. As expected, real estate is the best.

Putting that aside, what to do about this? His dependable source of money is about to disappear.

Jeon Kwang-il explained the reason why it broke.

He suspected Saudi player Nasser used it roughly.

"It doesn't seem to be a fatigue fracture. If it were, it would be shattered to pieces, but for it to snap exactly in half like this means...."

"It's likely because it was not his own, he used it recklessly. One must handle a weapon precious like a lover."

"Ho-oh, suddenly I want to become Master Sergeant Be's weapon, sir."

"Is that so? Should I swing you around like Bardin?"

Cossack hurriedly changed the subject because it seemed like she really would.

"Anyway, it's poor management, sir. We must bring down punishment upon the Deputy Director, sir."

"I agree. Reward and Punishment must be clear. Please punish him strictly."

"To damage the supplies bestowed by the Commander, this is grounds for court-martial. Prepare yourself, Deputy Director."

Jeon Kwang-il closed his eyes tightly.

Honestly, he had nothing to say. He surely wouldn't kill him, right?

"Deputy Director, please return the badge, sir."

"It's a pity but it cannot be helped. Please collect the badge."

"Return the medal."

Joo-hyuk exploded in anger while defending Jeon Kwang-il.

"Again, again, again, overreacting. It broke because it was time for it to break. What fault did the Deputy Director commit."

The summoned entities attempting a swift change in attitude.

"Come to think of it, returning the badge, sir, is a bit too harsh, sir. Let us substitute it with cutting off one finger, sir."

"Shall I cast bad karma?"

"A flick to the forehead is sufficient."

"Making him run a hundred laps carrying a full pack...."

Clicking his tongue, Joo-hyuk said.

"Are you people that honorable yourselves? What, cut off a finger? Mr. Cossack!"

"...Yes, sir?"

"You also committed a wrong against me, right?"

"I don't really know, sir?"

"China."

"Th, that should already be finished as per the principle of double jeopardy...."

Double jeopardy my ass.

"Shall I take your badge back too?"

"Uwa!

"Commander, I did not even know Cossack was performing such acts. Cossack bears all the responsibility."

"Master Sergeant Be, you traitor!"

By the way, what is Rajix doing? When he turned his head looking.

"Ho-e..."

Rajix intensely inspecting the cut surface of the Holy Sword with a magnifying glass he took out from somewhere.

And with the thick book that looked like an encyclopedia he took out before spread open as well.

'Huh?'

Right. Rajix was there, wasn't he?

Because the effect of the Human Holy Sword was so good all this time, he had completely forgotten about the part concerning the repair of the actual Holy Sword.

"Mr. Rajix."

"Ho-eng?"

"Can you repair it?"

"Ho-e, yes."

"Really?"

"Ho-e! Rajix repairs the Holy Sword. I'll get a badge."

"Aigoo, our Mr. Rajix is the best, the absolute best! If you repair it, I'll give you 2 badges."

"Hoo-e-e-e?"

The summoned entities also couldn't stay still.

"The miraculous weapon repair technician, the human glue stick that firmly attaches anything, I, Cossack, will help Worker Rajix, sir."

"This girl shall also perform a ritual praying for the Holy Sword's repair by his side."

"If strength is needed, leave it to the warrior."

"I will make sure to tightly hug you, Quartermaster."

"I'll be hugged together too, sir."

Hearing that repair was possible, Jeon Kwang-il also bowed his back and said.

"If anything is needed, just say the word. I will support you with everything."

"Ho-e-e,"

Thus, Rajix's Holy Sword repair operation began.