Chapter 84 - Chapter 84

Chapter 84

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Japan was caught with their pants down.

The Holy Sword repair press conference was a story from a distant world to them.

They were still far from the 61st floor, let alone talking about the Holy Sword.

The 58th floor, only the 58th floor.

A floor that most developed countries could clear without much difficulty.

But for Japan to not have a player capable of clearing it?

It was Japan's disgrace.

The Kawaguchi cabinet government had not just been wasting time, however.

They were investing an enormous budget to nurture players on a national level.

Results would come soon.

They just needed to overcome the current crisis.

It couldn't be helped.

They had no choice but to request temporary naturalization from the United States one more time.

Since there was a precedent, they had no doubt it would be accepted.

However,

"...Uh, what do you mean? Th-the United States rejected the temporary naturalization?"

"Y-yes, they did."

"Are they playing tricks to raise the price?"

"It did not seem like it."

Prime Minister Kawaguchi doubted his own ears.

Why the United States?

It wasn't like they were asking them to do it for free.

Rather, they had offered better conditions than before.

"The reason?"

"Secretary MacMillan suggested that we improve relations with Korea first."

"...What?"

"He said that since they have to rent the Holy Sword up to the 70th floor, the United States must consider its relationship with the Korean government as its top priority."

Improve relations with Korea?

"Chiksho (Damn it)!!!"

Calling it improving relations was just a nice way of saying to bow their heads and go in.

Meaning to lie flat on their faces.

It meant to accept whatever conditions Korea demanded.

"Uwaaaaah!!! These damn demonic beasts!!!"

Absolutely not.

He would rather the tower collapse.

Even the United States, whom he had trusted, abandoned him.

Since things had come to this, he would go all out.

"From today on, deploy all players belonging to the Japanese cabinet to climb the upper floors unconditionally."

"F-forcefully? If they refuse or say they will quit..."

Prime Minister Kawaguchi's eyes were red and bloodshot.

"Detain them, threaten them, or frame them. Tell them they cannot leave until the 58th floor is successfully cleared, and that even if they die, their souls must shatter into pieces inside the tower!"

It was the beginning of the so-called Tower Soul-Shattering Operation.

***

Saudi Arabia's situation was not good either.

The 67th floor of the Black Tower.

The only known information was that an undead grim reaper monster called the Phantom Reaper appeared.

Korea, the United States, Norway... quite a few countries were preparing to clear it, but no bodycam video had been released yet.

However, players who had faced the Phantom Reaper knew.

How terrifying of an undead monster it was.

Zombies as well, ghouls as well, and Specters too, all had a dark aura surrounding their bodies.

Therefore, the undead unconditionally try to stick to the players first.

Because the dark aura acts as a defense shield and simultaneously a close-combat offensive role.

But the Phantom Reaper had a different pattern.

It swung a huge scythe to shoot lumps of dark aura at the player.

A ranged-type undead, the Phantom Reaper.

Once hit, it was a ranged dark aura that inflicted physical decline such as lethargy, and mental damage such as inducing panic.

One hit and it was over.

The only way to block it was with radiance.

For that reason, even American Player Gerald had said that clearing the 67th floor was impossible without the Holy Sword.

Saudi Arabia's top player, Nasser Al Abud, also only realized this after going up to the 67th floor.

He couldn't catch a single one.

All he did was get hit by a lump of dark aura, retreat to the safe zone, give up on the clear, and come back out.

But the Holy Sword was perfectly repaired?

Nasser hurriedly checked the video.

"M-crazy!"

It was fantastic. Almost at the level of a rebirth.

If he protected his entire body with that brilliant radiance, a lump of dark aura would be no different from a water bomb.

Nasser rushed to Minister Majed.

They had to rent the Holy Sword unconditionally.

"Minister, we must make a reservation quickly. If I enhance my trait one more time and hold the Holy Sword, I am confident even for the 70th floor."

"I am currently negotiating with the Korean Management Agency to attempt a reservation."

"Then around when..."

"There is a condition that Korea is demanding, and I am debating whether to accept it or not."

A condition, huh.

"Is it money?"

"If it were money, it would rather be easy."

"What on earth are they demanding?"

"An official apology from the Saudi government, and a Rune of Trait Enhancement."

"...What?"

Nasser with a dumbfounded expression.

"No, what did we do wrong to deserve this?"

"Regardless, it is true that you handled the Holy Sword roughly. Even knowing that its durability was weak."

"..."

Honestly, it was true that he used excessive force.

Intoxicated by power, he didn't care about durability or anything like that.

Slamming it into the ground, slamming it into rocks...

"Hmm, the Rune of Trait Enhancement is a no go. Well, if they want my apology, I am willing to do it. Just bowing my head once isn't difficult."

Minister Majed, staring at Nasser, opened his mouth.

"The Korean government did not demand your apology."

"I suppose it makes sense. They probably couldn't determine the location of responsibility..."

"Instead, they demanded legal punishment."

Legal punishment?

"Wh-what kind of nonsense is that?"

Nasser was shocked. Was that even possible in the first place?

"That is why I am considering it."

"...Considering it, you say."

Nasser's eyes changed.

"Is that something to consider? How are you going to clear the 67th floor without me?"

Minister Majed answered in a calm tone.

"There is an alternative. Next-in-line Player Akram."

"Ha! Akram is only level 62... N-no way?"

He suddenly came to his senses.

Akram. Nasser's backup player.

Even at level 62, there was no problem.

As long as he had the Holy Sword, the 67th floor would be a breeze.

"...So? Are you going to accept Korea's demand?"

"I just said it. I am considering it."

"Considering? Minister Majed, have you lost your mind? Daring to use me, this Nasser? As a negotiation target, you consider it?"

Majed frowned heavily.

"You are the one who has lost your mind."

"Me?"

"Are you blind? You are only a player inside the tower, what can you do outside?"

"Uh..."

"Why? Trying to rebel? Go ahead, try."

The atmosphere suddenly changed.

Nasser felt a chill run down his spine at that moment.

Right.

Why had he forgotten that?

That outside the tower, a player was nothing.

"Th-that is not what I meant."

"Just go home for now, you don't need to climb the tower today, so get a good rest."

"...Ah, understood."

Minister Majed stared at Nasser's back for a moment, then picked up the phone and directed someone.

"Put Nasser on the surveillance list starting today, and arrest him immediately if he tries any nonsense."

***

There was a country that was more enthusiastic about the rebirth of the Holy Sword than anyone else.

It was none other than the United States.

Especially the American citizens.

The brilliantly radiant Holy Sword was the lightsaber from the sci-fi movies they loved.

A player holding a lightsaber saves America.

How could they hold back their excitement?

Secretary MacMillan, Director Antonio, and Player Gerald also shared the joy.

As soon as the press conference ended, the three of them hugged each other and shouted 'Yes! Yes!'

"When is our turn?"

"We booked it first. Both the East Tower and the West Tower at once, anyway, escaping the 10 selected countries comes first."

"Well done. It is a tower we have to clear anyway, so there shouldn't be any problems if we do it a little earlier."

Already, the countries in the 50s had hurriedly begun preparing for the clear.

Probably by tomorrow, there would be countries escaping the 10 selected countries list.

"Oh! Did you notify Japan?"

"Yes, I told them directly. That they had to mind the Korean government's perception. They probably understood. There will likely be some action from the cabinet government soon."

Secretary MacMillan was hoping that Japan would apologize to Korea and improve their relationship.

For that to happen, Japan's apology had to come first.

If the relationship between the two countries smoothed out, they were also willing to support Japan through temporary naturalization.

"Kawaguchi won't stubbornly hold his ground until the end, right?"

"He will apologize. If not, their tower will collapse."

"Well. I personally think Japan will absolutely not yield."

"Haha, unless they are crazy..."

"Think about the past Pacific War. They are the ones who only reluctantly surrendered after getting hit by two nukes."

"...Hmm."

Would they really do that? What was so important about that trivial pride?

"If they come out with an attitude of not caring about the tower collapsing, we don't know what Japan might do."

Secretary MacMillan pondered for a moment,

"Well, if that is Japan's choice, it can't be helped... but they won't be that foolish."

"That's right. Because it is practically suicidal."

They did not know.

That Japan could very well do it.

***

Joo-hyuk was continuing his stay at his family's home.

The sudden World Announcement.

His family was very anxious.

His mother aside, his father and Min-hyuk, who had loser bloodlines, were visibly nervous.

Saying that something terrible might happen at this rate.

What could he do?

As the only real man in the house, he had to take care of his family.

So he stayed with them for about two days.

They went out to eat together, shopped, signed a contract for his father's car, and took Min-hyuk to the Apple Store to get him a round of applause.

Bodyguards attached themselves to them every time.

He had told them that guarding him was unnecessary, but

It turned out the bodyguards were not for him, but for his family.

The Management Agency did their job well.

Then there would be nothing to worry about.

Joo-hyuk returned to the penthouse.

Because he had been spending time with his family, he hadn't seen the faces of his summoned entities for two days.

If he summoned them at his family's house, his family would be startled, and then he would have to explain everything again.

It was extremely bothersome.

Anyway, the boss of the 70th floor had been revealed.

The sentient monster demonic being Duke Kavalan.

He remembered what Gwangma had said in the past.

A prophecy that towers would collapse here and there.

The situation where the prophecy might come true had arrived.

Cossack had also mentioned it once.

Saying that something starts to change in the late 60s floors.

But he had said he couldn't remember.

Gwangma had also said he was placed under a seal.

He should summon them and let them know.

That the identity of the 70th floor boss had been revealed.

So he did a designated summon in order, and...

"Has the demonic being Duke Kavalan appeared?"

"Eh?"

"Did he cast the Curse of the Average again this time too?"

"In the 1st phase selection of 10 countries, perhaps the commander's country..."

"No, Korea was omitted, but..."

"Do not worry. I will protect the summoner."

"Hoeng!"

What was this, why did everyone know? Were they making fun of him?

When he asked before, they said they didn't know.

But now they do?

"The seal has been lifted. Therefore, the memories of Kavalan naturally resurfaced."

"When any player on Earth reaches the 70th floor, the blocked information is released."

"Military classification has just been declassified."

"The warrior also knows now."

"Hoeee."

Ah! So that was it.

The way the seal was lifted.

It seemed that when humanity learned about an unknown floor, the memories of the summoned entities were finally revived in response.

"Then what about the 68th floor?"

"Death Knight. Strong but stupid."

"What about the 69th floor?"

"An evil dark magician called a Lich. However, since it acts on instinct having lost its rationality, it is not difficult to catch."

They knew, they knew everything.

"What about Duke Kavalan? He's a sentient monster, and as a copy, he cast a curse over the entire Earth."

"The curse was not placed by the copy."

"Then who?"

"The original, of course. The copy is merely a puppet."

He knew it.

"If the 10 countries succeed in their clears...?"

"It is merely the 1st phase. Regardless of whether the 1st phase ends, there are 20 countries in the 2nd phase, 30 countries in the 3rd phase, 4th phase, 5th phase... Sometimes a previously selected country is even included again."

"...Wow!"

It was a terrible curse.

It basically meant every country gets included.

No wonder towers would collapse everywhere.

"Korea will be safe. I, Guardian Deity Cossack, will protect Summoner Bong's homeland."

What was the point if only Korea was safe?

When everywhere else was on the verge of ruin.

After painstakingly making tons of money to live luxuriously, what meaning is there if the world goes to ruin.

So,

"Anyone know where the Kavalan original is?"

No one.

If so,

"Hands up if you know a way to find him!"

Cossack timidly raised his hand.

"Oh! How do we find him?"

"We just have to beat up the copy. The original and copies share their consciousness. It will take time, but I, the master of negotiation, Cossack, can do it."

As expected of Sir Cossack.

However, as if he had something to say, Cossack hesitated before opening his mouth.

"U-um, Summoner Bong."

"Why?"

"Is there really a need for you to step forward? Just repairing the Holy Sword, you have already bestowed so much."

"Hmm."

It seemed Cossack was opposed to it.

Which meant?

"Is it dangerous?"

"Not at all."

"Then why?"

"To beat up Kavalan, we have to climb the 70th floor of the French Black Tower, but your level does not match."

Currently, Joo-hyuk's level was 67.

To climb the 70th floor, his level had to be 70 as well.

"Even so, you cannot climb the Korean Black Tower up to the 70th floor right now, and you only have 2 Multinational Tower Access Tickets, right?"

"That is true."

"Even if we find the original, it is a problem. We would then have to clear the Black Tower of the country where that bastard is hiding up to the 70th floor again..."

This was the core.

A player can only clear the tower of their own nationality.

The Item that could ignore it, the Tower Access Ticket, was lacking in quantity.

Of course, there was a way. Namely, temporary naturalization.

"What if I chose temporary naturalization?"

"Your identity might be exposed. I fear changes might occur to Young Master's leisurely everyday life."

What Gyeon Dal-rae worried about was Joo-hyuk's identity exposure due to temporary naturalization.

'That is a bit of a concern.'

But on the other hand...

'How long could I hide it anyway.'

The fact that he was the owner of the Holy Sword was already suspected by several countries.

'Temporary naturalization, huh.'

He also felt like trying it.

'There are advantages, too.'

If he cleared the French Black Tower, he could acquire Platinum Badges.

He could receive special privileges, attach badges to his summoned entities,

'I can't restrain myself from doing this.'

Identity exposure?

So what if that happened a bit?

The time to worry about safety had already passed.

Heaven and Earth One Origin Art, plus Blood Jade Astral Aura, Energy Shield, Blink Ring... all usable in reality.

What about his summoned entities?

He could call them anytime.

Even if the other summoned entities were on cooldown, calling Gwangma would be the end of it.

Thus, the loser's heart became magnificent.

"Let us do it right away."

"...Yes?"

"That trivial thing called temporary naturalization, I'll just experience it once through this opportunity."

As Joo-hyuk made his decision,

"Ayuu, as expected of Summoner Bong. You are a true man. Hehehehe."

"This little girl can only express admiration at Young Master's bold decision."

"The decision is made by the summoner. I, Gobang, will follow unconditionally."

"Pilseung! Sergeant Veronica Caliber, I will assist the commander with a passionate heart."

"Hoeeeek!"

The summoned entities obeying unconditionally.