Chapter 82 - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The well-repaired Holy Sword was sent to the Management Agency.

Soon, the rental business would begin.

Since its performance had more than doubled compared to before, customers would flock to it, and money would steadily roll in.

He decided to return to his penthouse in Cheongdam-dong tomorrow.

He hadn't been able to properly play because he was busy repairing the Holy Sword.

Now, then, the badge awarding ceremony.

The team's hope and cheat key.

"Worker Rajix, step forward."

"Hoeng!"

Roll, roll, roll, rolling over,

Snap! Raising his head high,

Swoosh! Rajix thrust his chest out.

"Wow! How arrogant."

"What does it matter if he is arrogant? The best servant is allowed to be like that."

"The warrior also acknowledges it."

"Supply Officer, your charm is bursting."

"Hueng!"

Was it confidence or arrogance?

Of course, he was allowed to have both.

"You have performed your role as a housekeeper well and repaired the broken Holy Sword with amazing skill, contributing to maintaining a continuous source of money, so I am awarding you a badge. For your information, I am awarding you two badges."

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

A thunderous applause.

Joo-hyuk took out the Platinum Badges from his inventory and attached them to Rajix's backpack.

Poke!

"Hoeeh..."

Four were attached.

"I will attach one more."

With this, the total number of badges was five.

Poke!

But then?

Flash!

The five badges suddenly shone brilliantly.

"...Uh."

Something happened.

'Could it be?'

Was it because he attached five badges? It was probably that.

For Joo-hyuk as well, five Platinum Badges were the condition for a special privilege.

He received a benefit for every five badges.

Did that formula also apply to summoned entities?

[The accumulated badges awarded to the summoned entity Rajix are five.]

[The summoned entity Rajix has received the trust and recognition of the summoner.]

[Rajix's badges have been reset.]

Flash!

Pop!

Rajix's five badges disappeared in the blink of an eye.

'Why did they disappear? What a waste.'

However, the summoned entities' expressions were calm.

It was as if they knew this would happen.

[Upgrading one of the summoned entity's skills to the LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) rank.]

[The summoned entity chooses the skill to upgrade.]

'Heck!'

Did he hear that right?

So that meant one skill would be upgraded to the LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) rank?

Such a thing existed.

It was practically a special privilege.

No, but why did these people...

"You should have told me earlier!"

"Yes?"

"That there is such an effect when awarding five badges."

"T-that, there is a reason for that."

Reason or whatever, it was a skill upgrade.

And to the LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) rank at that.

An tremendous benefit that would change the flow of the clear, and they hadn't mentioned it?

"Mr. Cossack, step forward quickly."

"...Yeeap."

Cossack got up awkwardly and stood in front of Joo-hyuk.

"We will skip the ceremony and I will just attach the badges."

Cossack only had one badge.

Ah, it brought tears to his eyes.

It was a shabby level for an original member.

Until now, he had only considered awarding badges to the summoned entities as a level of motivation.

'If I had known this, I would have distributed all the badges evenly.'

Joo-hyuk took out a bunch of badges from his inventory and attached them one by one to Cossack's chest.

1, 2, 3, and he attached 4 to make it 5, but...

"..."

What was this?

"Hmm."

There was no change.

"...It is not shining?"

"That is because you attached them without meaning."

"Eh?"

What did he mean, without meaning?

"Summoner Bong must think I am worthy enough of receiving the badges, and I must feel confident that I deserve them for the effect of the badges to take place."

"Ah!"

So that was it?

"That is why we did not say anything from the beginning. If you knew in advance, the standard for awarding badges would become inconsistent. The standard must be clear. Both for Summoner Bong, and for us."

He understood.

The situations must align.

When the desire to give and the desire to receive unite, the meaning of five badges is generated.

"It is difficult. I was always grateful, which is why I wanted to attach as many as I could."

Gyeon Dal-rae gave a low bow.

"This little girl is touched by Young Master's heart that is as vast as the river and the sea. However, except for the best servant, the rest of the servants have accomplished insignificant achievements, so they simply cannot receive the grace."

Veronica as well,

"That is correct. Commander, receiving a medal for fake achievements is not an honor but a disgrace. I will work even harder in the future. Pilseung!"

Gobang as well,

"The warrior also makes an effort. Therefore, I will proudly receive the badge."

It couldn't be helped.

They were all human, too.

With clear, individual standards.

'It is like a raising simulation game.'

He should raise them well somehow.

He should praise them even if they just move a finger.

'Oh my, did Mr. Cossack put oil on his lips? How can he speak so well?'

'Princess Gyeon Dal-rae, your existence alone seems to give me strength.'

'Sergeant Be... It is just nice looking at you.'

'Mr. Gobang, who is always like a reliable older brother.'

If he kept doing this, wouldn't the standard for awarding Platinum Badges be significantly lowered?

Anyway,

What skill did Rajix upgrade?

"Hoee, Search."

"Oh!"

"I will find more, hoee."

Oh my, how commendable.

Rune fragments and ticket fragments would pour out continuously.

Anyway, he would need a lot of badges in the future.

Was there anywhere to supply new ones?

However, the day to climb a new uncleared tower was far away.

He also only had a few Multinational Tower Access Tickets.

'There is no content, no content.'

Tower clearing, it was all good, but he was dissatisfied with the one-pattern repetition.

'Shouldn't it change a little?'

This must be how a max-level veteran feels.

***

The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia was very close.

A mutual defense treaty was also signed, there was a military alliance, and exchanges between politicians of the two countries were active.

The American light attribute item support played a part in allowing Player Nasser Al Abud to climb the 60s floors.

Therefore, it was not very difficult to obtain Nasser's 66th floor bodycam footage.

Of course, secretly through unofficial methods.

Secretary of Homeland Security MacMillan and Director Antonio watched the bodycam video first.

The first-person perspective bodycam video.

A hand holding the Holy Sword could be seen. At the same time, the Holy Sword was swung like an axe...

Crash! Bam! Pow pow pow! Bam bam!

The blade of the Holy Sword cleaved the Specter's torso and still had enough power left to dig into the ground.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Scattering dust and stone fragments.

Clang, the blade of the Holy Sword trembled vigorously.

"He is crazy."

"He was a bastard who went around calling himself a brave Arab warrior. Actually, it was obvious even without looking."

"An ignorant bastard, he is just renting the Holy Sword, and he has no consideration for the people waiting in line next. This is why I hate machos."

"What should we do? I do not think we should leave him be."

MacMillan thought for a moment, then said,

"Release it on YourTube."

"On the official US government channel?"

"Have you lost your mind? Why ask something so obvious."

"Hahaha, I just asked. I will say a hacker group that loves freedom and peace hacked the Saudi government internet network and uploaded it."

Thus, the bodycam video was suddenly released on a YourTube channel.

With the title .

Naturally, people burned with rage.

(Comments below)

- I knew this would happen.

- Applying a skill meant for an axe to a sword?

- Fuck, what a butcher.

- Only pretending to be a real man because of his looks, what a loser.

- Is there any way to coolly destroy him?

- The 67th floor clear will probably fail, Saudi Tower, just collapse!

- Six months left. How can we wait?

- Hey, without the Holy Sword, we are in the same situation.

- That's right. Timing-wise, the Saudi Black Tower will probably be the last to collapse.

- Damn it!

Saudi Arabia did not just sit still either.

Majed, a Saudi royal and the Minister of Tower Climbing Management, made a special appearance on national TV news.

"We did nothing wrong. It was a Holy Sword that lacked durability from the beginning. Fatigue has accumulated over time. Player Nasser is not the perpetrator but a victim of an unfair situation."

"Saudi Arabia paid a huge rental fee to Korea. The return is also already completed. After accepting ten million dollars, now you want us to take responsibility because it is broken?"

"Rather, I would like to ask Korea. Do you even have the intention to repair the Holy Sword? If you lack the technology and ability, ask for help. We, Saudi Arabia, are also willing to help with all our sincerity."

He argued shamelessly.

There seemed to be no intention to apologize, let alone compensate.

From Saudi Arabia's perspective, they had to do that.

If they apologized, it would be equivalent to admitting their fault.

Minister Majed's interview was like pouring oil on a burning house.

The whole world criticized Saudi Arabia.

However, there was an unexpected country that came forward to support Saudi Arabia.

It was Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Kawaguchi appeared on TV and announced a statement.

"We, Japan, support Saudi Arabia's position. The two countries have signed a mutual Tower Collapse Defense Treaty. Through smooth temporary naturalization and tower material support, Japan and Saudi Arabia will move forward towards the future."

Then he directed his words to Korea.

"The Holy Sword is a global public good. Therefore, I formally request this. If you cannot repair the Holy Sword, hand it over. Japan will fix it. We have enough technological capabilities to restore the Holy Sword."

The two stuck together tightly.

Saudi Arabia and Japan, that is.

***

The Korean Awakening Management Agency also watched Saudi Minister Majed's interview.

Prime Minister Kawaguchi's statement as well.

However, they did not get angry.

Even Director Park Kyung-soo was wearing a warm smile.

"How cute."

"...Them?"

"You shouldn't just look at their appearances, right? Their actions are cute."

Jeon Kwang-il also agreed.

They would repair the Holy Sword?

It was words not even worth replying to.

It felt too trivial.

So it was even cute.

Well, did those bastards really know Player Bong's capabilities?

"When should we reveal the repaired Holy Sword?"

"There is no rush. Take it slow. To drink a refreshing cider, you first have to swallow dry sweet potatoes."

"There will be many people suffocating."

"What can we do? If you just drink pure cider, your throat will only sting."

Director Park Kyung-soo had actually experienced that in the past.

Because of the Korean top player midnight flight naturalization incident, he suffered even going to a hearing, but revived through a one-shot reversal.

How could he forget that thrill?

"It is a pity that Saudi Arabia's next tower clear deadline is still six months away."

"I am rather more disappointed that Japan is still in the 50s."

"I wish their clear deadlines would significantly decrease. Ah! Excluding us."

"Words contain seeds. It will be a big deal if you go around saying such things."

"I just thought about it, just a thought, that should not happen."

Words contain seeds.

The old saying was not wrong.

***

French Player Guillaume Loiret made a decision.

To carry out what he had been considering.

France, his homeland.

However, he was resentful.

The French government bore a large responsibility for why he was pushed to this point.

They had always just forced him.

It was practically intentional gaslighting.

Asking him to prevent the collapse of the French Black Tower and save France.

'Then who will save me?'

His wife, who had always comforted him, also died of cancer.

She was not saved either.

'No, was she saved?'

Yes.

The answer was already decided anyway.

His wife was indeed saved.

For him as well, death was soon salvation.

'Let us go together.'

It was not enough to die alone.

He would take his beloved homeland of France with him.

Flash!

[Entering the 65th floor of the French Black Tower.]

[Physical abilities have been enhanced according to your level.]

[Traits and combat skills can be used.]

The 65th floor.

He might just die here.

Then would the French Black Tower collapse?

Of course not.

Right away, they would temporarily naturalize a player capable of clearing the 65th floor from the United States, Norway, or Korea and clear the tower.

Even if he disappeared, the probability of the French Black Tower collapsing was very slim.

He could not let it stay like this.

France must collapse.

So that no one could lay a hand on it.

Until the tower collapsed, and collapsed again, ultimately tearing the French territory into tatters.

Guillaume took out the item he had kept hidden tightly in his inventory.

The item he received as a tower reward while clearing the 62nd floor.

Effect: Jumps the tower floors up to a maximum of 5 floors. Level also increases accordingly. Skipped floors are recognized as successful clears.

If he went up 5 floors from the 65th floor, it would be the 70th floor.

Would anyone dare clear the 70th floor?

Thus, the fate of France was sealed.

Guillaume tore the Tower Jumping Ticket without hesitation.

Riiiiip!

[You have used the Tower Jumping Ticket.]

[Please state the number of floors you wish to jump.]

"Five, I will skip 5 floors."

[Starting the Tower Jump.]

Flash!

[Announcement: The 65th floor of the Black Tower (France) has been cleared.]

[Announcement: The 66th floor of the Black Tower (France) has been cleared.]

[Announcement: The 67th floor of the Black Tower (France) has been cleared.]

[Announcement: The 68th floor of the Black Tower (France) has been cleared.]

[Announcement: The 69th floor of the Black Tower (France) has been cleared.]

Finally,

[Entering the 70th floor of the French Black Tower.]

Hence, Guillaume Loiret became the first in the world to reach the 70th floor.

The background was a dark forest.

And a path stretching straight ahead.

'Now let us go die.'

To the boss monster of the 70th floor, which was speculated to be the end of the undead section.

[70th Floor Mission: Defeat the high-level demonic being, Duke Kavalan (Copy).]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 20 hours.]

[Completion Condition: High-level demonic being Duke Kavalan (Copy) 0/1]

'Demonic being?'

And what did 'copy' mean?

Actually, there was no need to know.

He came to die, what did it matter who killed him?

Guillaume kept following the path.

Then, a huge mansion appeared before his eyes. The door leading inside the mansion was closed, and

Creak,

Guillaume opened the door.

A long red carpet stretched out.

At the point where the carpet ended, a high platform and a chair were placed.

And on the chair...

"Welcome."

"W-what?"

The monster... spoke?

And in French, at that.

"You came up using a shortcut. You skipped exactly 5 floors."

It was then. Swoooosh.

"Heuk!"

Guillaume's body moved on its own.

Floating in the air, he was dragged in front of the chair.

Grab!

The demonic being Duke Kavalan grabbed Guillaume's neck.

However, Guillaume did not resist.

He merely stared at the demonic being Kavalan with empty eyes.

"Did you come to die?"

"..."

"You have lived a hard life so far. I will grant your wish. After first observing the world through you."

And,

Ding!

A message rang out.

[World Announcement: Humanity encounters a sentient demonic monster for the first time.]

[World Announcement: The high-level demonic being Duke Kavalan (Copy) is observing the world.]

"Too sluggish."

What was sluggish, perhaps the tower climb?

"I will assist."

[World Announcement: The high-level demonic being Duke Kavalan (Copy) has placed the 'Curse of the Average' on the Black Towers of the world.]

A World Announcement.

It was delivered to everyone living and breathing on Earth.

To players through system messages, and to ordinary people translated into their respective languages, like telepathy.

[World Announcement: The average floor of Earth's Black Towers is fixed at the 70th floor. Rapid tower climbing is necessary to achieve the average.]

[World Announcement: 10 countries are selected for the 1st phase. The selection method is random.]

The messages continued.

[World Announcement: The clear time limit for the Black Tower of South Africa is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The clear time limit for the Black Tower of Mexico is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The clear time limit for the Black Tower of Saudi Arabia is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The clear time limit for the Black Tower of America (USA) is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The clear time limit for the Black Tower of Japan is gradually decreasing.]

The announcement of 10 countries.

And finally,

[World Announcement: The Curse of the Average will only be lifted when tower climbing worldwide reaches an average of the 70th floor, or when the high-level demonic being Duke Kavalan (Original) is cleared.]

Following that, Duke Kavalan spoke to Guillaume.

"Now I will do as you wished."

Crack!

Guillaume's neck was broken.

"I will send your corpse outside. This is my favor to you."

Flash!

Guillaume, who had become a corpse just like that, disappeared outside the tower.