Chapter 85 - Chapter 85

Chapter 85

===================

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

===================

The world was changing.

The fear of the average.

Everyone, when checking the time limit status of their country's Black Tower...

The sigh of relief.

On the other hand, the countries selected in the 1st phase.

They were struggling in the pit of despair.

The time limit counting down rapidly.

It was almost 4 times faster.

For a tower in the 50s, 30 days felt like 10 days.

And for Saudi Arabia, climbing the 60s, a 50-day deadline turned into barely 15 days.

However, Saudi Arabia showed an easy-going response.

Because they thought they could easily overcome it somehow.

Minister Majed accepted Korea's demands.

As an apology to the Korean Management Agency, he offered an official apology in the King's name to the owner of the Holy Sword and delivered a Rune of Trait Enhancement.

Through this, smooth temporary naturalization and material support were requested of Japan, in addition to Saudi Arabia's original conditions.

Saudi Arabia, with Minister Majed resolving it so easily, was no exception.

Now, who would have thought that a single rune they easily threw out could solve all their problems.

When money speaks, solving things was easy.

With the 67th floor's clear coming up, the newly temporary naturalized player 'Akram' took up the Holy Sword and entered.

He successfully dealt with the Phantom Reaper easily.

Using the light attribute of the Holy Sword to clear his path...

It was as if God was helping them.

Only half a day after entering.

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

[The clear time limit for the Saudi Arabia Black Tower has been extended.]

Oh! Finally the news they had been waiting for.

[Saudi Arabia has escaped the 1st phase of the Curse of the Average selection.]

Immediately after the announcement, Saudi Arabia escaped the selection.

With cheers, the citizens were intoxicated with joy.

"Haha! What did I tell you? Was it a big deal?"

Minister Majed had an arrogant expression, but that wasn't to say there weren't consequences.

At the same time as Saudi Arabia's escape.

[World Announcement: Due to Saudi Arabia's escape, one more country is newly selected.]

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

"No! What the hell is this?"

"Ah... are you crazy?"

Naturally, the newly added Philippines fell into a state of panic.

The other 9 countries also realized through this incident that it was entirely possible to escape the curse through clearing.

The United States followed right after.

The American players, with their overwhelmingly high levels and abilities, broke through sequentially.

Starting with the East Coast Tower, and then the West Coast Tower.

Not just clearing one floor, but continuously passing through the 60s.

They proudly declared their escape from the selection.

And right after the United States' escape.

[World Announcement: Due to the USA's escape, one more country is newly selected.]

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

Thus, the situation played out.

As if playing a game of tag.

Those caught had to desperately clear the Black Tower.

As clears accumulated like that, the average floor globally would gradually rise toward the 70th floor.

What a frightening demonic being Kavalan was.

Could he have designed all of this from the very beginning?

If so, humanity had thoroughly fallen for the demon's scheme.

Then what about Japan?

It was in the most critical situation among the 10 selected countries in the 1st phase.

Despite forcing their players to climb through what they called the 'Soul-Shattering Operation'.

They failed on average.

On the 58th floor, the players were annihilated.

Therefore, the tower's clear progress was halted, but the countdown for the time limit continued continuously.

10 days, 6 days, 2 days...

It reached the point where only 20 hours were left.

Even within 20 hours, they couldn't afford to hesitate.

Japan, driven into a corner.

***

In an age when survival was threatened, what meaning did nationality possess?

Joo-hyuk arrived in an unfamiliar European country.

The destination was Paris, France.

He didn't take a midnight flight. He flew openly.

Of course, using a private jet provided by the Korean government.

"Summoner Bong, are we going to clear the French Tower?"

"It is only temporary. Think of it as gaining some experience."

"Hoeee."

Joo-hyuk got off at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Normally, the airport would be crowded with people, but right now, it seemed relatively quiet.

Probably because France was currently in chaos.

He entered the VIP room right away. And the person waiting there,

"Welcome, Player Bong Joo-hyuk."

It was a representative from the French government.

A smooth procedure began.

They didn't delve deeply into the reasons for the sudden temporary naturalization request.

Why?

Because they were in a position where they couldn't even dream of clearing the 66th floor anyway since their top player, Guillaume, died on the 70th floor.

Of course, France's average clear rate was still high compared to the whole world, having reached the 65th floor.

Currently, France was not selected among the 10 countries under the Curse of the Average.

So there was no time pressure.

However, from their perspective, receiving an S-class player from another country like this was a blessing.

Moreover, if one looked at his level... level 67.

A level worthy of replacing the deceased Guillaume.

France accepted Joo-hyuk's naturalization proposal almost free of charge, with utmost respect.

Even providing utmost convenience.

Of course, it was temporary. 15 days was the period Joo-hyuk had set.

However, the French government expected him to stay fully naturalized.

For a country to welcome an S-class player, there were few that would give up halfway.

The documents were processed immediately.

Joo-hyuk handed over his passport and looked out the window.

The beautiful scenery of Paris.

Everything seemed peaceful.

However, he knew that inside this peaceful city, an enormous monster shaped like a tower was lurking.

A monster that instilled extreme fear in humanity.

No, this was merely a copy.

The original had set a trap. Perhaps the core layout of that trap was in the Korean Black Tower.

'Wait and see.'

Before finding the original and beating it up, he would warm up here first.

By fully beating up the copy.

"Player Bong Joo-hyuk, the issuance of your ID is complete. Starting from this moment, your nationality is recognized as French for 15 days."

The French official handed the French identification card to Joo-hyuk with a polite attitude.

"With this, you can now approach the French Black Tower."

"Thank you."

Joo-hyuk smiled and stepped out of the VIP room.

The temporary naturalization procedure was surprisingly easy.

Now, only one task remained.

***

The Korean Awakening Management Agency felt somewhat empty.

The player they trusted the most had temporarily naturalized to France.

No, wait. Although he said temporary, how could they know what could happen?

"Is there really a need to worry? We already have Player Nam Ga-eun, who is level 65."

"True, Nam Ga-eun is incredible as well."

However, she was not Bong Joo-hyuk.

Even if they denied it, everyone in the Management Agency had come to rely on Bong Joo-hyuk.

His overwhelming tower clearing ability.

The myth of the continuous S++ rank clears.

A man who had reached a level completely incomparable to ordinary players.

That man had gone to France.

Of course, he had firmly stated he would return in exactly 15 days.

However, when Joo-hyuk returned from France, he would probably be even more different from before.

Director Park Kyung-soo felt regretful, but on the other hand, relieved.

Because he knew Joo-hyuk had no desire to leave Korea.

In fact, wasn't Joo-hyuk making an astronomical amount of money in Korea through his Holy Sword rental business right now?

Who would abandon that kind of paradise and go abroad?

There had been some chaos due to the media clamoring over whether Bong Joo-hyuk had chosen to be fully naturalized.

However, the Management Agency firmly countered this.

- Player Bong Joo-hyuk's naturalization to France is merely for temporary training and gaining experience. He will return with certainty within 15 days. Please stop the baseless speculation.

The problem was that the media wouldn't believe it easily.

- Are you sure? In the past, Player Kang Min-ho of the United States also used temporary naturalization as an excuse before securing full naturalization.

- Isn't the Korean government too complacent? If Player Bong leaves, the 67th floor of the Korean Black Tower will become a major problem.

- What kind of experience? Reaching the 66th floor of the French Black Tower is essentially an unexplored domain. How could he just go there?

But they would soon see.

What kind of storm Joo-hyuk would bring to the French Black Tower.

***

On the first day of his temporary naturalization in France.

Joo-hyuk stood before the massive French Black Tower.

In downtown Paris. It felt incredibly strange standing right in the middle.

There were many people around.

They were all looking at Joo-hyuk with curious eyes.

Because he was an Asian man who had suddenly appeared in front of the French Black Tower.

"Are you entering right away?"

"Yes, there is no reason to delay."

A French official with a tense expression nodded.

"I will clear a path for you."

Under the guidance of the official, Joo-hyuk approached the Black Tower.

A massive gate. A black vortex.

Just by placing his hand on it, the system message would appear.

[You have been identified as a French national.]

[Will you enter the French Black Tower?]

'I will enter.'

Swoosh!

Joo-hyuk's body was sucked into the vortex.

Inside the tower,

It was the 66th floor.

The floor where top player Guillaume had used the Tower Jumping Ticket to run away from.

The objective was simple.

[66th Floor Mission: Defeat the high-level undead, Specter.]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 10 hours.]

[Completion Condition: High-level undead Specter 0/20]

A Specter.

A ghost wrapped in tattered rags. A monster that basically shoots a dark aura that curses the minds of players who approach it while hiding its real body inside.

Ordinary players would find it difficult to endure this mental attack, but

For Joo-hyuk, there was no such thing.

To be exact, not for Joo-hyuk, but for his summoned entities.

"Shall we start right away?"

"Hoee!"

"I am ready."

"Let's go."

A total of six summoned entities appeared at once.

This was possible due to the Rune of Trait Enhancement he received from Saudi Arabia.

With simultaneous summoning up to 7, bringing out six was no problem.

With a flash of light, his capable servants.

"Let's sweep them quickly."

"Yes, Summoner Bong!"

Cossack immediately leaped forward.

Swish! His two daggers drew sharp arcs in the air.

And following him, Gobang, carrying the Holy Sword Bardin on his shoulder.

He swung the Holy Sword right away as soon as he found the enemy.

"Light!!!"

Bardin's cry burst out.

Craaaack!

The Specter was swept away with the sound.

This wasn't an ordinary Holy Sword either.

It had returned with its durability massively increased to a tremendous level, making it the perfect equipment capable of showing its full power.

"Nice!"

And following that.

Babababam!

Verification of magic bullets.

Veronica Caliber sniped rapidly. Not just a simple snipe, but focused magic condensation fire.

Every time it landed exactly on the Specters, a tremendous explosion occurred.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

And in the rear,

Gyeon Dal-rae's talisman arts effectively blocked the dark aura spreading from the Specters.

Thanks to that, not even a speck of curse fell on the party.

The battle ended in literally an instant.

It took less than 30 minutes to eliminate 20 Specters.

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ rank clear for the 66th floor of the Black Tower (France).]

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

[Level Up!]

Without a hitch, Joo-hyuk's level rose to 68.

This proved why top players desired to clear the towers of other nations.

Clearing unexplored upper floors gave overwhelming experience points compared to lower floors.

If one wanted to grow quickly, breaking through unexplored floors was the easiest method.

Of course, they had to be able to overcome the risks that came with it.

But for Joo-hyuk, the risk was essentially non-existent.

He exited the tower.

"Did you finish already?"

The French official outside jumped in shock when he saw Joo-hyuk.

It had only been 30 minutes since he entered.

To think he cleared the 66th floor so quickly, an objective their top-tier players had struggled so desperately to pass.

"Ah... Yes. It wasn't very difficult."

"Truly incredible... Then, are you going to attempt the 67th floor right away?"

"No, well, the goal is to beat up the boss on the 70th floor, but doing the 67th floor today would make us too tired. I will rest and come back tomorrow."

"O-Of course. I will guide you to your accommodation."

Joo-hyuk leisurely headed to his hotel.

A very comfortable 5-star hotel prepared exclusively for him.

Since France was currently footing the bill for everything, it was free. It felt amazing.

However, the French officials who watched his performance were practically screaming.

Just 30 minutes.

It only took 30 minutes for him to pass through the 66th floor that they had considered fundamentally uncleared.

Moreover,

"Wh-What is the clear rank?"

"S-S++."

"S++? Are you kidding me?"

An S++ rank.

A tremendous record that French players had barely ever set even in the 10s and 20s floors.

To set such a record on the 66th floor.

Who on earth was this Bong Joo-hyuk person?

Could they really treat a player with such skills as a simple temporary naturalized citizen?

No. They had to grab onto him.

They had to make him stay in France somehow.

It was no longer just a matter of the Curse of the Average.

He was a player worth an astronomical value for France.

"Notify the President's office. Start the official full naturalization procedure for Player Bong Joo-hyuk immediately!"

At that time, Joo-hyuk was stretching luxuriously on the 5-star hotel bed.

"Ah, the bed is nice. I wonder what the room service is like?"

"Hoee!"

"We will be relaxing for exactly 15 days."

"..."

He didn't have even the slightest intention of naturalizing to France.