Chapter 89 - Chapter 89

Chapter 89

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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Lucius Bardin.

He thought he was a Holy Knight, but he was actually a heavenly Holy Sword.

It was enough to make one scoff.

No, does he like being grabbed and swung around that much?

But it sure was a spectacle.

With both his ankles grabbed by the Giant Gobang, shouting "Light!!!", the human Holy Sword Bardin swept away the undead with his body.

It was also undeniably efficient.

His reach became longer, and since he was clad in full thorn armor, his own destructive power was considerable, not to mention the secondary flail attacks added on top.

Was he a pervert, or a min-maxing efficiency enthusiast?

Regardless, Bardin was an important asset to the team, so they held a badge awarding ceremony right away to commemorate it.

"You have contributed greatly to clearing the tower by willingly throwing your entire body with a noble spirit of self-sacrifice, so I award you this badge."

The badge was attached to his underwear beneath his armor.

"My Lord! Just give the command. This servant is the monarch's sword."

Bardin, deeply moved, had tears welling in his eyes.

Tsk tsk tsk, what was so good about the fate of a human Holy Sword?

"Anyway, we are having a team dinner today. Empty the fridge."

"Yeeap!"

Although it had been quite a while since Bardin was summoned, he was practically a new family member.

They needed to build camaraderie as well.

'I should pick a day and include Sir Gwangma too.'

The French Black Tower clear continued.

The promised temporary naturalization period was 15 days.

He should finish quickly and restore his original nationality.

Thus, it was the 5th day of French naturalization.

The 66th-floor Specter.

Cleared smoothly with an S++ rank.

The 6th day of French naturalization.

The 67th-floor Phantom Reaper.

An undead monster Joo-hyuk encountered for the first time.

Well, it had a unique trait of using ranged dark auras, but...

"Light!!!"

What was so hard about it?

At least the Specters were large.

Cleared smoothly with an S++ rank.

His level also went up.

The 7th day of French naturalization.

The 68th floor.

He had finally reached this point.

A floor that had been marked as cleared due to a Tower Jumping Ticket, but no player had actually successfully cleared it.

According to Cossack,

The 67th floor was the floor they said could be reached with a Holy Sword that lacked durability before it was repaired.

He had said that from the 68th floor onwards, it would be difficult.

Because the Death Knight, a knight of death, appeared.

Death Knight.

Even its name sounded extraordinary.

Of course, the Dullahan was also a knight, but it lacked a head.

In contrast, the Death Knight had an intact head.

[68th Floor Mission: Defeat 4 Dark Death Knights.]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]

"Four? The number suddenly dropped significantly."

"That means it will be that much of a headache."

He was right.

A decrease in the number to clear was not something to be relieved about.

A small number meant they were proportionately strong.

Soon after, 4 Death Knights appeared all at once.

Maintaining their distance from each other at the front.

"Look at that armor. Even if we pierce the dark aura, it is difficult to deal effective damage because of its inherent defense."

"...Hmm."

In addition, black flames bloomed from their entire bodies.

The thickest dark aura they had experienced so far.

"Their swordsmanship skills are not easy either. So it is tricky for melee-type players to handle them. Well, it is not particularly easier for ranged either."

Truthfully, he was a little intimidated.

Pitch-black armor, a size as large as Göbang, a massive greatsword, and eyes shining like a beast.

Compared to that, what was he?

Ah, the incurable timidity of a lesser man.

He had hoped to be a real man at least inside the tower, but the Death Knights were blocking his path.

"...Can you stomp the Death Knights?"

"Yeeap!"

"Didn't you say it was difficult?"

"That applies to ordinary players."

"Haa, I guess the time is finally coming for me to show off my Blood Jade Astral Aura in actual combat."

At that, Cossack looked shocked.

"Aigoo! Summoner Bong, you can just stay still. If you personally deal with those pathetic armor-clad bastards, your dignity will be damaged."

"R-really? I'm naturally a real man, so I'm itching to step forward."

"Of course, how could I not know Summoner Bong is a real man? Still, please hold back. Hehehehe."

Not to be outdone,

"Young Master, please preserve your precious jade body. Base physical combat is the share of the servants."

"Hoeeee!"

"Summoner, rest. I will do it all."

If they insisted, it couldn't be helped. It was a shame.

He had wanted to show them his Blood Jade Astral Aura at least once.

Right then!

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"

"Yes?"

"Please leave this operation to me. The Death Knights, I will finish them off in a single blow."

"Hmm."

As expected of Veronica.

Flashing eyes.

The overflowing confidence, as full as her chest, could be felt directly.

"Yes! I believe only in Sergeant Ve."

"Pilseung!"

Veronica thought her opportunity had arrived.

The moment she could fulfill the Commander's expectations.

She was formerly a veteran sniper of the Northern Ranger Unit in the Magic Empire.

The Ranger Unit was the most elite force even within the empire.

However, since joining her new Commander's team, she hadn't had the chance to show the true power of an authentic sniper.

Just a backup role or pulling monsters.

She patiently endured and waited.

For the time to reveal the true skill of a Magic Empire Ranger sniper.

That time was precisely right now.

The formation was set.

Veronica in the center, Rajix to the right, and the Holy Sword Bardin to the left.

The prone shooting position.

First,

"Light!!!"

Fwussh! A brilliantly radiant flame.

"Executing attribute absorption."

Simultaneously, aiming.

The magic gun, equipped with a homing function upon ascending to SSR.

Sergeant Ve's magic gun, having absorbed Bardin's holy attribute, heated up with radiant flames.

Zzzing!

Pazzzt!

"Wow!"

It felt like watching the firing of a space battleship's ultra-photon cannon.

True to its power, the recoil was also massive.

Jiggle!

The moment it was fired, it shook Veronica's body, clad in full-body tights.

'Hmm.'

'Umm.'

'Ahem.'

The large bullet completely pierced through the Death Knight's dark aura and accurately struck the bastard's chest.

A large bullet that could even destroy buildings.

Fully imbued with holy energy through attribute absorption.

With this single shot, she consumed all the loaded mana stones.

During her life, when Veronica was deployed for the Northern Wall defense.

The large bullets were solely intended as lethal single-blow weapons to catch giant demonic beasts.

Like the super-giant demonic beast Jörmungandr, for example.

However, she hadn't been able to use them freely.

Because the mana stone consumption was too immense.

But now it was different.

The infinite mana stone supply from Supply Officer Rajix.

The result?

Bang! The Death Knight simply exploded.

It shattered into pieces along with its armor.

This could not be held back.

Joo-hyuk offered praise.

"Cl-clap!"

Clap clap clap clap!

One down.

"Light!!!"

"Hoeng!"

Bardin emitted light to recharge the attribute.

Rajix opened his subspace backpack and fully loaded the magic gun with mana stones.

Another shot.

Zzzing! Pazzzt!

Jiggle!

'Hmm.'

'Umm.'

'Ahem.'

Having ascended to SSR, the total number of large bullets Sergeant Ve could fire was 3.

Zzzing! Pazzzt!

Jiggle!

3 large bullet shots, 3 jiggles, 3 direct hits.

The remaining one?

"Light!!!"

Bam! Bam bam bam bam!

It met the fate of being threshed by a flail.

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ rank clear for the 68th floor of the Black Tower (France).]

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

There was no hesitation.

How fortunate it was to possess a proper ranged attacker.

Admiration naturally flowed from Joo-hyuk.

"100% accuracy Sergeant Ve!"

Cossack, too,

"Jiggly Jiggly Sergeant Ve!"

The other summoned entities as well.

"Reliable. Sniper."

"Truly the epitome of a heroine."

"Light!!!"

"Hoeng!"

With her head held high, the magic gun slung over her shoulder, and standing crookedly with her weight on one leg, Veronica's posture was truly akin to art.

***

The 2nd Curve of the Average and the collapse of the Japanese Black Tower.

Nations couldn't help but tense up.

Saudi Arabia was also in a very urgent situation.

Saudi King Ibn bin Al-Wahid personally appeared on an American news channel and issued an apology.

- The damage to the Holy Sword was a tragedy caused by the foolish actions of Player Nasser. Our Saudi government also bears responsibility for the mistake. We send a sincere apology to the actual owner of the Holy Sword in Korea. Promising to prevent recurrences and offering sufficient compensation...

Immediately after the apology broadcast aired, Minister Majed, along with a Saudi player, visited the Korean Awakening Management Agency.

"I apologize. We were foolish. We will sincerely apologize once again. And this..."

Swoosh.

Majed handed an ornately decorated jewelry box to Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

To anyone watching, it looked like offering a bribe.

"It is compensation for the damage to the Holy Sword. Please deliver it to the owner of the Holy Sword on our behalf. I implore you."

Even if it was an act, Minister Majed bowed with a servile expression.

"You really didn't have to go this far."

Jeon Kwang-il opened the jewelry box.

Inside, there was a single small pebble engraved with letters.

"Team Leader Lee Min-ah?"

"Yes."

Checking the item information.

Lee Min-ah nodded her head.

A signal indicating it was indeed a Rune of Trait Enhancement.

Yes, this is how an apology should be. As expected of the fiery Saudi Arabia.

"Yes, I will deliver it on your behalf."

"Then the Holy Sword..."

"Let's begin the rental immediately."

"Th-thank you."

The person who would perform the clear was Nasser's backup player, Saudi Arabia's next-in-line player Akram.

Akram was still only level 62.

Starting from the 62nd floor and clearing up to the 67th floor required moving busily.

Thus, the rental fee was also 50 million dollars.

Anyway, was this really real life?

Although mana stones were affecting the energy industry, the value of oil remained incredibly high.

The King of Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil-producing nation, apologized, and a minister offered a Rune of Trait Enhancement.

No matter if he was Jeon Kwang-il, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in his shoulders.

'If it's an enhancement rune and a 50 million dollar rental fee...'

There would be no permanent naturalization for Player Bong.

There must not be.

***

Saudi Arabia also began their clears.

The nations targeted for the 2nd phase selection also rapidly began climbing the towers.

The tower must absolutely never collapse.

Having witnessed the collapse and regeneration of the Japanese tower firsthand, nations were desperate.

If ours collapses too?

What if the regenerated tower is built in the middle of a city center?

Because it was an event that could easily happen in reality, not just a hypothesis, the anxiety was exceptionally maximized.

However, the curse had not yet ended.

Things you hope won't happen eventually do.

Another World Announcement appeared.

[World Announcement: The average floor of 70 has still not been reached. The struggling tower-climbing nations need to put in more effort.]

[World Announcement: 30 countries are selected for the 3rd phase. The selection method is random.]

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

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

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

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

.

.

.

Kavalan's 3rd Curse.

The selected nations were on the verge of madness.

Some countries were selected in the 1st or 2nd phases, barely managed to clear, and then got caught again in the 3rd phase selection target.

Mostly countries below the 60th floor.

The Japanese archipelago plunged into despair once more.

If it collapsed again this time, Tokyo would be wiped out entirely.

Conversely, a nation that had reached the highest floors.

France, who unsealed Kavalan, also fell under the curse.

The curse requiring them to clear the 70th floor.

***

China was on red alert.

Included in the 3rd phase curse.

The floor the Chinese Black Tower had to clear was the 60th.

Wyvern Lord and Venom Wyverns, known to be a floor more difficult than the 61st floor.

However, the level of China's top player was a mere 58.

Even the 59th floor had been cleared through the temporary naturalization of a Russian player.

Despite buying time like that, the Chinese players still hadn't surpassed the 59th floor.

Once again, they would have to rely on the temporary naturalization of a Russian player.

The newly inducted President Wang Yuan convened a meeting of the Standing Committee.

After President Lin Chaoming died of an acute cerebral infarction, Wang Yuan took over the regime.

His succession of power was practically predetermined.

To the extent that his nickname was Lin Chaoming's adopted son.

"Let us clear the 60th floor."

"...Are you thinking of sending a special envoy to Russia again?"

"I won't send one. They will just demand land or border resetting again, which will end up costing more."

"Then where will we temporarily naturalize... surely not Korea?"

"Hah! Bowing our heads to such an insignificant small country?"

Then by what means?

Wang Yuan, with a contemptuous expression.

"There will be no temporary naturalization."

"Then how?"

"How do you suppose France climbed up to the 70th floor?"

"Well... ah!"

"Tower Jumping Tickets, they can skip up to 5 floors. Currently, our China has secured 4 of them."

In the early days of tower climbing, when items were pouring out, a considerable amount of Tower Jumping Tickets were distributed to each country.

Procuring them was not difficult.

They were much cheaper than the price of temporary naturalization.

"There is also word that the 61st floor is actually easier than the 60th floor. Since it is said that it can be passed merely with light attribute items..."

Wang Yuan paused briefly before continuing.

"My plan is to select 3 individuals among the Chinese players deemed to have at least some talent."

Because Tower Jumping Tickets raised levels as well.

"With 3 tickets, China will possess 3 level 61 players."

Murmur murmur.

The Standing Committee members' faces filled with delight.

"If it really doesn't work, we can just put pressure on the Korean government and rent the Holy Sword, right? It's only 10 million dollars,"

That was right. That method existed.

"The tower collapsing in China will absolutely never happen. I will make sure of it."

Confidence overflowed from Wang Yuan's face.

***

US Secretary MacMillan, Director Antonio, and Player Gerald were still continuing their stay at a hotel in Seoul.

Still out of contact with Player Bong Joo-hyuk, and in the midst of this, another World Announcement popped up.

The White House also contacted them.

Saying it would be good to continue staying in Korea until the curse ended, or before breaking through the undead section.

It wasn't just the United States.

All countries clearing the undead section had camped out in Korea.

"This is maddening. The 3rd Curse? This time it's 30 countries."

"I am worried about China, which has three towers."

"China, huh, do you know what's funny?"

"How would I know? Out of nowhere like this."

Secretary MacMillan wore a smile, amused by something.

"I got a call from the CIA Director a little while ago. Word is that China is buying up Tower Jumping Tickets."

"What?"

Antonio with an utterly bewildered expression.

Tower Jumping Tickets?

"Are you saying they are going to clear it with that?"

Well, thinking about it, it seemed better than temporary naturalization.

"It is like a baseball game. Walking a strong batter intentionally to face the next one."

"They will reach the 61st floor, then."

However, the Chinese players hadn't even cleared the 59th floor.

"I guess they consider the 61st floor easy?"

"Well, they can somehow manage to pass it if they borrow the Holy Sword."

"...Renting the Holy Sword to players who leveled up by jumping? Is the Korean government crazy? I will oppose it before that."

"Wait your turn, I will oppose it first."

Renting the Holy Sword to a player who leveled up through expedient means.

Not a chance.

He would make sure they couldn't even enter Korea.

At least until everything was completely cleared for the United States.

Secretary MacMillan swore to himself.