Chapter 90 - Chapter 90

Chapter 90

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

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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

Even after completing the 68th floor Death Knight S++ clear and repeated clears.

Joo-hyuk also heard the 3rd World Announcement.

It was a curse that included Korea.

"Man, this is annoying."

When it was other countries, he had just brushed it off.

However, when Korea was selected, his mood soured completely.

Was it because he thought of his family?

'Everyone must be completely worried.'

Kavalan's curse.

The content was extremely simple.

It merely reduced the clear time limit.

However, the result was not simple.

How anxious must the hearts of people watching the clear time limit decrease in real time be?

When Joo-hyuk's expression darkened, the summoned entities became enraged.

"Just a mere copy, that Kavalan bastard is acting far too arrogantly. Fucking son of a bitch."

"My Lord, please grant this servant the glory of burning that demon bastard to ashes."

"I will shove the magic gun up his ass and pull the trigger on a large bullet."

"The warrior will tear that bastard in half."

"This little girl's heart aches at the sight of Young Master's sorrowful face."

"Hoeeek!"

Hmm.

His mood slightly improved.

Was this mental massage?

"Let's catch Kavalan tomorrow. Will it be possible?"

"It seems we just need to clear the 69th floor and immediately enter the 70th floor."

"...What is the 69th floor like?"

"An evil undead dark magician called a Lich appears."

Gyeon Dal-rae began explaining.

"It is a demonic beast. You could consider it a worm that sold its soul to the devil to willingly become a slave."

Could they catch it?

"This little girl will exert her power. Using the exorcism ritual, straw ropes, and talismans, we can defend against the dark magic the Lich casts."

Then it would be easy.

They also have the Holy Sword.

"However, preparation is required."

Preparation, hmm...

"This little girl has researched quite a lot on how to maximize the effects of rituals normally. And finally, I have found a method."

Maximizing the effects of rituals?

"This is all possible thanks to that servant Rajix."

"...Hoee?"

Hearing his name called, Rajix's eyes widened.

Just looking at him was heartwarming.

Lately, almost all solutions for their team came from Rajix.

"Also, a considerable amount of money will be needed, is that alright...?"

"Ah, money. You can spend to your heart's content."

"I just need to buy a few items."

Money was plentiful.

Money that wouldn't dry up no matter how much he spent.

'Since we're on the topic, should I check my bank account?'

Opening his smartphone and running the bank app.

'...Gasp.'

He couldn't help but widen his eyes.

What was this? A dynamically unrealistic number of digits?

One, two, three, four... ten, eleven,

'It, it surpasses one hundred billion?'

When did this pile up so much?

It was all money coming in from Holy Sword rental fees.

'They will keep coming to rent it in the future.'

Then the number in the account would gradually grow.

"What do you need? I'll go buy them right now."

Gyeon Dal-rae listed the items she desired.

Things he could easily procure.

However, it required legwork.

He was too lazy to go out.

Was there anyone to buy them for him?

'Hmm,'

There was one person.

He might be busy, so via smartphone.

Tap tap, tap ta tap, tap, tap.

He carefully composed a text and sent it to Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

Barely 30 seconds passed? Zzzing! A reply came.

- I will prepare them immediately and contact you.

Oh! Fast.

A heavy-weight public official in Korea. The real power of the Awakening Management Agency.

That was the lesser man Joo-hyuk, making Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il run errands.

***

Jeon Kwang-il, receiving the text, moved right away.

He called his staff and listed the items Joo-hyuk wanted to buy.

"Prepare them as quickly as possible."

"Yes!"

Korea was also included in the 3rd phase target nations.

They were busy managing Player Nam Ga-eun's mentality, who was slated to climb the 67th floor, and preparing for the clear.

But fulfilling Player Bong's request was a top priority task.

Therefore, the time it took to prepare the items wasn't very long.

Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il loaded the items into his car and set off toward Joo-hyuk's house in Cheongdam-dong.

From there, he sent another text.

- I am in the apartment's underground parking lot. Shall I bring them up to your house?

Zzzing.

- No. It must be heavy, so I will come down to receive them.

Waiting briefly, Player Bong Joo-hyuk appeared, riding the penthouse-exclusive elevator in the underground parking lot.

But he was not alone.

A hamster tightly holding Player Bong's hand, waddling along.

Ah, how could he be so cute.

But why did he come with Mr. Rajix?

There was a lot of luggage too.

He should have come with Mr. Gobang instead.

The reason was soon revealed.

"Deputy Director, thank you so much for bringing the items yourself."

"Hahaha, it is alright. It's nothing at all."

"By the way! The Korean Black Tower clear... shall I help? I don't need to change my nationality."

"Not at all. Player Nam Ga-eun is preparing for it."

If it was Player Nam Ga-eun, they could trust her.

Putting that aside.

"The items?"

"They are here in the trunk."

"Ah, I will take them now."

When Joo-hyuk pointed to the luggage in Jeon Kwang-il's trunk,

"Hoeng,"

Swoosh, swoosh swoosh, swoosh swoosh swoosh,

The items completely disappeared as if by magic.

Hmm, so that's how he takes them.

It wasn't something to be surprised about.

Did he think Player Bong carried Rajix around solely for cuteness?

"Then I will be going. I have a lot to do today."

As Joo-hyuk was about to take the elevator, Jeon Kwang-il said,

"W-wait a moment, please. I have something else to give you."

"Oh, is there an item left out?"

"Not that, an envoy from Saudi Arabia came yesterday. The Saudi King is offering compensation to the owner of the Holy Sword as an apology for damaging the Holy Sword..."

While saying that, Jeon Kwang-il brought out a small jewelry box.

What could it be? A ring or a necklace?

Joo-hyuk opened the jewelry box.

Then he saw a small pebble.

'Gasp!'

Could it be?

"Yes, it is a Rune of Trait Enhancement."

"W-wait, this precious thing..."

"You can take it. Since it is rightful compensation."

Aigoo, to score a Rune of Trait Enhancement here.

It was truly unexpected.

"I really don't know how to thank you."

"Seeing you pleased is a relief."

Of course he should be pleased. As expected of the oil nation.

The sheer majesty of offering a Trait Enhancement Rune as compensation for merely snapping a Holy Sword.

"Please register Saudi Arabia as VIP priority customers for renting the Holy Sword anytime. Convey my thanks as well."

"Yes."

Trait Enhancement.

Especially with the day for Random Summoning approaching.

It was good timing.

***

The 8th day of French naturalization.

Now, the 69th floor.

All preparations were complete.

Now, slice the Lich, successfully clear the 69th floor, and immediately enter the 70th floor to catch Kavalan.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeeap!"

"Let's go destroy it."

[Entering the 69th floor of the French Black Tower.]

Joo-hyuk and the summoned entities stepped out of the safe zone and headed toward the clear site.

"That's a Lich?"

"That is correct."

"Hmm, doesn't look very strong."

Compared to a Death Knight, that was.

A magician with a small frame holding a staff and wearing a black robe.

Slightly floating in the air like a ghost.

Dark energy creeping up from the bastard's body.

A protective shield slightly different from the dark aura.

[69th Floor Mission: Defeat 1 Dark Lich.]

[Completion Time Limit: Within 17 hours.]

[Completion Condition: Dark Lich 0/1]

A mission to catch just one.

Then.

"Mr. Rajix."

"Hoee!"

The cosmic master servant who could put Earth items into his subspace backpack.

He took out the items prepared yesterday from his backpack.

Two high-capacity power banks that could be used by charging electricity, an MP3 player that plays music via USB, 1 large woofer speaker, and 4 booming stand speakers.

One shouldn't underestimate them.

Combined, they cost tens of millions of won.

The wires were already all connected.

Set up so they could be used instantly just by turning on the power.

They were not ordinary audio equipment.

The speakers and MP3 player were all heavily plastered with talismans drawn personally by Gyeon Dal-rae along with straw ropes.

Prepared in advance to maximize the effect of the exorcism ritual.

Every single one was essentially a divine object.

Compared to the tiny portable speaker Gyeon Dal-rae used to carry around, this was a large-theater Dolby Stereo sound system.

At that moment! The Lich raised its hand.

Swoosh! Swoosh swoosh, swoooooosh!

Undead crawling out from under the ground.

Zombies, Skeletons, Ghouls, Dullahans, Specters, Phantom Reapers, and even Death Knights.

'This guy summons too.'

Summoning mere pathetic undead monsters, but still. It wasn't just the undead.

Woooooong!

The heavily sinking air.

A feeling like the entire tower was trapped within a dark aura.

Then, Gyeon Dal-rae slowly stepped forward.

The Heavenly Empire's finest chief shaman.

"I shall unleash the exorcism ritual."

She pressed the MP3 player button with a hand as delicate as jade, and the music reverberated from the Dolby Stereo surround speakers.

Kwang!

A majestic sound that threatened to tear their eardrums.

Cha-chang! Cha-cha-cha-chang!

Kwang! Kuku-ku-kwang!

The rhythm of the exorcism ritual ringing through the speakers.

The volume of the exorcism rhythm playing from the MP3 player was cranked to the maximum.

Cha-jaeng! Ja-ja-jja-jaeng! Jja-jaeng-jja-jaeng-jja-jaeng!

Kwang! Ku-ku-ku-gung! Ku-gung-ku-gung-ku-gung!

Already, the weak undead were taking damage and staggering from the sound waves alone.

Gyeon Dal-rae grabbed the microphone entirely wrapped in talismans.

With an incredibly hip voice, like a rapper,

"Evil spirits, begone entirely! The energy of the heavenly gods will mete out punishment to those that are unholy!"

The Lich seemed to feel threatened as well.

Ominous darkness sparked from the bastard's hand and shot straight toward Joo-hyuk's party.

Instantly! Fwooooooosh!

The bronze mirror hanging around Gyeon Dal-rae's neck shone brightly.

The dark energy being pushed back.

Pa-pa-pa-pat!

At the same time, hundreds of exorcism talismans were scattered.

Fwip! Fwip! Fwip!

The Lich's dark magic, weakened by the exorcism ritual, was blocked by the talismans.

"Light!!!"

"Attribute absorption executed, large bullet equipped, homing function activated, executing suppressive fire."

Zzzing! Pazzzt!

Jiggle!

A large bullet shot toward the Lich.

Fwip!

The Lich disappeared in a flash.

Blink?

But it was no use.

Because Sergeant Ve's magic gun possessed a homing function.

The large bullet swerved sharply toward where the Lich had dodged with Blink magic.

Bang! A direct hit on the dark shield.

Craaaack! Fissures appearing on the shield.

Another shot.

Zzzing! Pazzzt!

Jiggle!

Gobang charged at the Lich carrying the Holy Sword Bardin.

The talismans surrounding them as if escorting them.

"Light!!!"

Smaaash! Crack! Craaaack! Crunch!

Bardin swung alongside the flail.

"Swing it harder! You pagan barbarian!!!"

Woooooosh!

"Light!!!"

Gobang swinging Bardin, Bardin being swung by Gobang.

They were steadily advancing, sweeping away the undead blocking their path to the Lich.

Their coordination was breathtaking.

When he angled his body in the direction Bardin was swung, momentum was added.

What was Joo-hyuk doing?

Just standing with his arms crossed.

He should have something to do.

It was no different for Cossack.

"My butt is bouncing. Feels like I came to a club."

"Go out and dance."

"If I dance, it brings bad luck. Her Highness the Princess will yell at me."

True. How could he watch a sight like Cossack dancing?

"Can you even dance properly?"

"The rising star of the wave, street B-boy, the synonym for popping, vibrating twerking, I am Dancer Cossack."

"..."

Anyway, the orchestra of the exorcism ritual resounded magnificently.

The arte of the finest chief shaman Gyeon Dal-rae, combined with Earth's audio technology.

It was to the point that even Joo-hyuk's ears stung.

How would the Lich feel listening to it?

Without a doubt, it would be tasting death.

Talismans fluttering constantly from all sides like cherry blossom petals.

Falling, shooting up, and forming vortexes.

The Lich's dark magic could not pierce the wall of talismans.

If the main character of the 68th floor was Veronica.

The main character of the 69th floor was Gyeon Dal-rae.

The Lich's specialty was dark magic.

Tormenting players with a wide variety of curses, corruption, poison, disease, and dark attribute black magic, but if all of that were blocked beforehand?

It was a monster weaker than a Specter.

"Light!!!"

Smaaash! Craaa-za-za-zack!

The Lich wasn't a big deal either.

[Announcement: You have achieved an S++ rank clear for the 69th floor of the Black Tower (France).]

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

Finally, he would be able to face the Kavalan copy.

Let's see that face.

Going in today.

Since he wasn't planning on clearing the 70th floor of the French Black Tower anyway.

Skipping repetitive clears and going straight in.

Whoosh!

Joo-hyuk and the party returned to the penthouse.

Hand over the special privilege first.

What is it?

[A special privilege is granted for accumulating 75 Platinum Badges.]

Give it quickly. Because it's urgent.

[Special Privilege: A Summoning Attribute Change Ticket is supplied precisely to the Tower-Exclusive Inventory.]

'...'

What is this now?

Effect: Upon Random Summoning, calls forth a companion other than an initially established summoning trait. Can randomly summon from among Golems, Spirits, Demonic Beasts, Phantoms, and Spirit Beasts.

Limit: Affected by the number of simultaneous summons allowed.

Is it good?

He didn't know.

Since Random Summoning is currently on cooldown anyway.

Let's wrap it up here.

How much had he suffered because of Kavalan's shitting curse?

Embarking on a temporary naturalization completely unfit for his status, running around conquering the French tower.

'Am I some kind of tower-clearing machine?'

Even factory machines get turned off and allowed to rest occasionally.

***

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

The final destination.

...Or rather, an intermediate stop?

"It is dreary."

"Setting the mood. While possessing absolutely nothing."

A small trail stretching straight ahead.

A massive mansion is visible at the end of the road.

[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]

The mission also showed, Joo-hyuk surrounded by the 6 summoned entities.

Reaching the mansion, iron gates leading inside appear.

'Hmm.'

Should he knock?

This wasn't some kind of door-to-door sales visit, what knock?

"Mr. Gobang?"

Giant Gobang nodded.

Lifting his foot, BAAM!

Kicking it, the door opened wide.

Where did our Valan go? Let's see that face.

A vast grand hall.

A place covered with a red carpet.

And at the end of the carpet. Upon an ornately decorated chair.

"Welcome."

The copy Kavalan was sitting there. He possessed an appearance similar to a human.

However, as if proving he was a demon, massive wings on his back, and goat horns on his forehead.

"Dimension Summoner, Dimensional Summoner."

"...Huh?"

Is he talking to me?

"A class capable of waltzing into a solo-entry tower dragging a pack of dogs like this, could it be anyone else but you, the Dimension Summoner?"

Dimension Summoner, Dimensional Summoner, it rolls off the tongue nicely.

"Mr. Cossack, please call me Dimension Summoner from now on."

"Ummmm, Lord Dimension Summoner Bong, isn't that a bit long?"

Is that so? Anyhow.

'He speaks Korean well.'

Thought he'd speak in French since it's the French Black Tower.

Good thing communication isn't an issue.

Joo-hyuk poked Cossack's ribs.

Meaning, go do something.

Then Cossack also ruthlessly poked Bardin's ribs.

Bardin bravely stepped forward.

"Wicked demon, where is your original? Confess truthfully!"

"A Holy Knight of a Forgotten God. An empty shell."

"Hmph! It goes both ways. Wasn't the Demon God you served in the same exact situation?"

"Insolent!"

Wooooong!

The mansion trembling as if an earthquake struck.

However, Bardin remained unshaken.

"Arrogant. An imitation copy, you piece of a soul fragment, did practically a fake think it could handle the Lord's absolute sword?"

Then the copy Kavalan smirked.

"Overflowing with confidence. But do you know?"

"Know what?"

"You've all been caught. In other words..."

Kavalan spread his wings and shot up abruptly.

"You fell precisely into a trap."

Instantly!

Dadadadadak!

The thick iron gates slammed shut, and a dense gray fog intensely rose in the grand hall.

"Dimension Summoner, you will die here today."

[The soul of the original Demon Realm Duke Kavalan descends into the body of the copy Kavalan.]

"Uh..."

He came. The original.

He must have had a trick up his sleeve, too.

The dark aura densely thickened even more.

The thick fog also violently billowed up.

"Light!!!"

Fwooooosh!

Beginning with the roar of the Holy Sword Bardin.

Giant Gobang completely blocking Joo-hyuk's front.

Cossack drawing his twin daggers.

Clack! Veronica fully loading her magic gun.

Gyeon Dal-rae grabbing a handful of bronze bells and talismans.

Rajix trembling intensely whilst holding a golden pickaxe.

"Kikikikik, this is my house. A space built with a barrier. Dimension Summoner, you completely die here."

No, saying such scary words.

Joo-hyuk asked Cossack.

"If we kill that completely, is it all over?"

"That is a negative. Its body is a copy anyway. Only the soul is the original."

"Then?"

"I will mark it. Once the soul thoroughly escapes, we will accurately be able to tell where it goes."

Ah! I see.

That's unfortunate.

Would be nice just to finish it purely here.

"Utterly arrogant. Do you practically think you can escape this place? The moment you set foot in here..."

It was then.

A fluctuating flow of entirely absolute energy.

Papapat! The sound of thoroughly something completely shattering was heard.

"Why, why is the barrier..."

Flash! Swish! And a person absolutely appearing.

Already perfectly behind Kavalan.

Grab! Then grabbing Kavalan's wing.

"Huuuk!"

Riiiiiip! Tearing it clean off.

"Kaaaaaaargh!"

In a completely chilling voice.

"Where were you constantly babbling, saying exactly what about this venerable self's summoner?"

He arrived! Our brother.

The descent of Gwangma.