Chapter 92 - Chapter 92

Chapter 92

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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So, at the time when Joo-hyuk's S++ rank clear of the 69th floor of the French Black Tower was delivered as breaking news.

Gerald Watson, the American player with the Magic Swordsman trait, was in the Holy Sword rental office of the Korean Awakening Management Agency.

The United States had been under the 1st curse.

Therefore, Gerald had also entered Korea along with Secretary MacMillan and Director Antonio.

As for the 67th floor, he had successfully cleared it with ease.

They had resolved the curse.

However, they did not return to the United States.

As long as the Curse of the Average continued, they didn't know what might happen.

In the midst of this, the S++ clear of the French Black Tower's 69th floor was reported as breaking news.

The US side also knew.

That Korea's top player was temporarily naturalized in France.

The 68th floor was surprising enough, but the 69th floor too?

Honestly, Gerald's pride was hurt.

He too had once been the world's top player.

He had also tried entering the 68th floor.

He had even confirmed that Death Knights appeared.

Of course, he had abandoned the mission and come out.

Death Knight.

It was terrifying just looking at it from afar.

Still, wouldn't it be possible with the Holy Sword?

'I should try to catch at least one.'

It wasn't that he was trying to clear the 68th floor.

Whether he could catch it, how long it would take, maybe just a rehearsal?

So he asked Director Antonio to pick an appropriate time slot and make a reservation to rent the Holy Sword.

The request was accepted.

Equipping his gear and putting on a bodycam in advance at the Awakening Management Agency's Holy Sword rental room.

[Entering the 68th floor of the America (NO.1) Black Tower.]

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

"Hoo."

He felt courageous.

When he had entered without the Holy Sword before, he had felt at a loss.

Four appeared all at once.

Fortunately, there was distance between them, allowing for a safe pull.

"Shield, Strength, Haste...."

First, he cast his protective shield and buff magic.

"Magic Bolt."

Zap! He pulled one, but...

"Grrrrrrr..."

The Death Knight glared at Gerald with a chilling light in its eyes.

And then,

'...Huh?'

Screeeech! It charged at terrifying speed.

'Why is it so...'

Swoosh!

'Fast?'

The Death Knight's massive greatsword swung like lightning.

Gerald raised the Holy Sword to block the greatsword.

Clang!

"Keuk!"

Sword clashed with sword.

The impact was tremendous. It transferred all the way inside.

"D-damn it."

He realized from a single clash.

Crossing swords directly was a losing game.

Instead,

"Blink!"

Flash! Entering the bastard's rear with teleportation magic and immediately doing a vertical slash.

Swoosh! Clang!

"...Crazy!"

Thanks to the radiance, he cleaved through the dark aura.

However, the Holy Sword was blocked by the armor.

"Grrrrrk!"

The Death Knight's momentum grew even stronger.

It seemed enraged at allowing an attack.

Swoosh! Swish, swish, swish!

The Death Knight's ensuing offensive.

The Death Knight swung the massive greatsword as if it were a one-handed sword.

'Damn it!'

It wasn't a monotonous attack.

Swordsmanship combining variation, technique, and speed.

Clang! Claaaaang!

Gerald helplessly backed away.

He was barely able to parry the Death Knight's sword.

At the same time, damage gradually accumulated.

Resulting in red blood trickling down the corner of his mouth.

"B-Blink."

Stepping back, and,

"Shield..."

Swoosh! Whooosh!

The bastard rushed in before the shield skill was even completed.

"Heuk!"

Clang!

"...Geuk!"

Had it been about a minute since they crossed swords?

But he could feel it fully.

Even with the Holy Sword, he couldn't catch it.

He might die at this rate. Now, escaping was the top priority.

"Blin..."

Whooosh! Clang!

The Death Knight cornered him without even giving him space to use magic.

He didn't even have time to drink a healing potion.

Clang! Clang! Cla-cla-clang!

Gulp.

Finally, Gerald spat out a clump of blood from his mouth.

A desperately critical crisis.

Focus.

That's the only way to live.

Wasn't he the top player in the United States in name and reality?

He completely deflected the Death Knight's downward striking greatsword with the Holy Sword, and.

"Blink!"

Flash!

He quickly fled and barely reached the safe zone.

And immediately.

"Mission abandonment."

[You have declared the abandonment of the mission.]

[You have failed the mission.]

[Exiting the America (NO.1) Black Tower.]

Swoosh!

Gerald reappeared in the Holy Sword rental room.

Using the Holy Sword as a cane to drop to one knee,

"Cough!"

Blood water still continued to pour from his mouth.

With a trembling hand, he took out a healing potion from his inventory and drank it.

"Gerald!!!"

Director Antonio rushed over in shock.

Along with the medical staff who had been on standby.

"...Di-Director, huff, huff."

Gerald spoke, gasping for breath.

"Why?"

"I, I cannot clear it."

"What?"

"It's too strong. The Death Knight, the 68th floor is impossible... e-even with the Holy Sword."

"What...?"

Clearing it was not the issue.

Just returning alive was a stroke of luck.

***

Joo-hyuk's penthouse.

A Platinum Badge awarding ceremony was being held along with a simple team dinner.

But Gwangma is also beside him?

How would Gwangma view this badge awarding ceremony that looked like playing house?

Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing.

It is true that it's childish like kids playing.

Still, he couldn't stop it.

The summoned entities filled with anticipation.

It's embarrassing, but holding it in.

"Mr. Cossack."

"Yeeap!"

Cossack was awarded a badge for his contribution in revealing the true identity of the original by proposing the idea to interrogate the French Black Tower copy.

"Chuung! Thank you. The genius of strategy and tactics, the Black Tower solver, the quick-witted master of improvisation, I, Cossack, will work even harder from now on."

Seeing that, Gwangma,

"Tsk tsk tsk, even a three-year-old child could predict that following the copy would lead to finding the original, what big deed did you do?"

A very displeased expression.

"..."

Ugh, watching him from the side makes me quite nervous.

Should I have done this after Gwangma went back?

"...Mr. Gobang."

"Summoner, I am here."

Gobang received one badge as he contributed to reaching the 70th floor of the French Black Tower with his sturdy tanking role.

"The warrior always protects the summoner."

Gwangma was still grumbling.

"Eing, isn't it obvious for a summoned entity to protect the summoner, you foolish blockhead."

"..."

Next is,

"Sergeant Ve."

"Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"

Veronica was awarded one badge for her significant contribution to defeating the Death Knights on the 68th floor with 3 jiggles.

"Pilseung! Please pin it on me yourself."

"Ahem, ahem-hem!!!"

This time, just a dry cough.

Rajix and Gyeon Dal-rae received one badge each for transporting the Dolby stereo speakers using the subspace backpack and successfully performing the exorcism ritual during the 69th floor Lich clear, respectively.

"Hoee!"

"Eating it raw. You get a reward for delivering a speaker?"

"Hueeee?"

"This little girl, is always merely overwhelmed by your generosity."

"Dark arts tend to deceive not only the enemy but also allies."

An absolute boomer among boomers.

These days, if you talk like that anywhere, you'll be cursed at as a geezer or a fossil.

Bardin was awarded one badge for interrogating the copy Kavalan on the 70th floor and revealing his lies.

"My Lord! I shall become the monarch's sword."

"A mere sword getting treated like a person. Going around shouting 'Light!!!' all the time."

...Should I not call him from now on?

Anyway, the badge awarding ceremony also ended.

He couldn't even clap properly because he was minding Gwangma.

"Then this concludes the awarding ceremony...."

Right then!

'Hmm?'

In the blink of an eye, Gwangma appeared in front of Joo-hyuk.

Sticking his chest out, he stared intently at Joo-hyuk with eyes expecting something.

"..."

Don't tell me he's asking me to pin a badge on him.

No way, that couldn't be.

He's an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare), Legend Special Super Rare rank.

The most villainous, worst, mountain of corpses and sea of blood, peerless invincible Gwangma when he was alive.

Still, just in case, should I ask?

"Um, the badge..."

"I am ready, for the merit of subduing the soul of the original Kavalan and revealing his hiding place."

"..."

"I think this is more than enough."

He's asking for it.

No, even a Legend covets a badge?

When Joo-hyuk stood still with a bewildered expression, Gwangma asked with a slightly disappointed look.

"A-am I not qualified?"

"No, it's not that, but I thought you wouldn't really need it."

"Not need it! It's a token of the summoner's recognition, do you know how proud it makes one?"

"..."

He wanted to receive it.

Then I should give it to him.

"I will pin it on you."

Joo-hyuk carefully pinned the badge on Gwangma's chest.

"Ahem."

He likes it.

His expression shows exactly on his face.

The corners of his mouth are caught on his ears.

But suddenly, as if he remembered something.

"If I catch and kill the original Kavalan on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower... c-can I get one more?"

"Of course I should pin one on you."

"Be sure to call me! I will tear that bastard's flesh and soul into pieces and kill him for you."

With this, the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower is as good as cleared.

And the Curse of the Average will disappear too.

He wants to finish it quickly.

What temporary naturalization.

He wants to return to his daily life, spend the money he earned, rest, and play around doing nothing.

If he's a lesser man, he should live like a lesser man.

To do that, he has to end Kavalan's average curse.

First, a consultation.

Joo-hyuk contacted Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il.

Saying he wanted to meet urgently.

Important matters must be discussed face to face.

***

Korean Awakening Management Agency.

Jeon Kwang-il and Park Kyung-soo were in a heavy mood.

Is it because Korea entered the 3rd phase target nations of the curse?

That's not it.

Although it might be related in a way,

It was the failure of Player Gerald.

He went to test the waters on the 68th floor and got severely punished.

He couldn't even catch a single Death Knight.

He even almost died.

The top player of the United States, that is.

"Do you remember what Player Bong said when he entrusted the Holy Sword to us the other day?"

"I remember. He said the 68th floor might be difficult with just the worn-out Holy Sword. But this was repaired. And the effects improved significantly compared to before."

"Yes, I thought it would be fine too, but..."

The result was failing to catch even one and abandoning the mission.

To think clearing the 68th floor was difficult even with the Holy Sword.

It's a big problem. What should they do now?

Of course, Korea didn't need to worry because they had Player Bong Joo-hyuk.

The problem was other countries.

"What did you decide to do? Have you talked to Director Antonio?"

"We decided to keep it a secret for now. There's nothing good about Gerald's incident becoming known."

"Hmm."

It was just frustrating.

At this rate, the United States would covet Player Bong Joo-hyuk even more.

Is it just the United States?

With high-ranking officials and top players from all over the world staying in Korea to borrow the Holy Sword.

If what happened to Gerald on the 68th floor becomes known, it's obvious what kind of situation will arise.

A battle for Player Bong.

Or requests for temporary naturalization.

Even Japan's acting Prime Minister was supposedly coming to Korea directly, wanting to sign a mutual defense treaty against tower collapse.

Trying to pick up anything they can.

"What about Player Bong's French nationality?"

"I heard the French special envoy team is visiting Korea today, so I will ask Player Bong and have his nationality reverted immediately."

"Handle it quickly. I'm anxious because Player Bong is not of Korean nationality."

"Yes."

Both Jeon Kwang-il and Park Kyung-soo were regretting it.

If they had known this would happen, they would have grabbed Player Bong Joo-hyuk by the pants leg and begged him.

Absolutely do not naturalize temporarily.

In an instant! Ring.

The notification sound ringing from Jeon Kwang-il's smartphone.

"Uh..."

"What is it? Is it urgent?"

"Player Bong wants to meet, he says he has something to talk about."

"Really? Hurry and go. I'll handle your work instead."

***

The underground parking lot of Joo-hyuk's apartment.

Jeon Kwang-il and Joo-hyuk met inside the car.

First, Jeon Kwang-il explained Gerald's incident to Joo-hyuk.

"...He was no match for them at all?"

"Yes, not even a single one, barely abandoned the mission and returned."

Cossack had mentioned before that the 68th floor might be difficult, but...

Honestly, Joo-hyuk was also surprised.

If it were the worn-out Holy Sword, maybe, but this was a repaired and much-improved Holy Sword.

Well, they were strong.

Joo-hyuk had experienced it too.

The Phantom Reaper on the 67th floor and the Death Knight on the 68th floor.

The difference between the two was an insurmountable wall.

'This is troublesome.'

If even Gerald can't clear the 68th floor, how the hell is it supposed to be done?

'Should I just drop everything and run away?'

If he did that, the world would truly be destroyed in just a few years.

'Son of a bitch.'

This is all because of Kavalan, that bastard.

If it weren't for the Curse of the Average, they would have at least had enough time.

Anyway,

"The reason I asked to meet today is nothing else but because my business with the French Black Tower is finished. Could you help me recover my nationality as quickly as possible? I have urgent business."

Jeon Kwang-il's face lit up.

He was just about to bring it up anyway.

"I will handle it immediately... Um, but what is the urgent business?"

Now it was time to bring up the main point.

"The original Kavalan is on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower."

"...Yes?"

Jeon Kwang-il wore an expression of incomprehension.

Did he mishear? Who is where?

"To lift the Curse of the Average, we have to clear the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower."

Jeon Kwang-il's wavering pupils.

However, he had no choice but to believe it.

Is Player Bong Joo-hyuk someone who would lie about this?

"If we don't kill the original, the only way is to meet the average of the 70th floor, right?"

Jeon Kwang-il nodded.

That is correct.

If they don't kill him, they have to reach the 70th floor.

Actually, an average of the 70th floor is a ridiculous target.

But to clear the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower?

This isn't easy either.

How many people would they have to persuade?

"Th-this is not a matter that can be decided here...."

"I know. So please think about it, the clear is not a problem, so let me know when it's decided."

And one more thing.

"If the climb is decided, I will clear it twice a day."

"Yes? What do you mean twice?"

"...I can do it twice. Enter the tower."

"H-how?"

Well. Where should he start explaining.

With an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) rank, the summoning of Gwangma, achieving feats.... It gives him a headache to explain everything from beginning to end.

He had no choice but to roughly make up an excuse.

"Um... there's something called a Tower Entry Reset Ticket, w-with that, I can do it twice."

It's a lie, but who cares? It might actually exist.

"Was there such a thing as a Tower Entry Reset Ticket?"

"Yes, yes, th-that's right... I happened to have 2 of them, you see? Hahaha, with that, I can enter the 67th and 68th floors in one day, and the 69th and 70th floors the next day."

"Ah!"

Jeon Kwang-il looked convinced.

Anyway, he passed the ball.

The higher-ups will decide on their own.

He just needs to wait until then.

***

Jeon Kwang-il returned to the Awakening Management Agency.

And immediately met with Park Kyung-soo to explain everything he had discussed with Bong Joo-hyuk.

Naturally, Park Kyung-soo was also shocked.

To think the original Kavalan was in the Korean Black Tower.

And that they had to clear the 70th floor because of it.

It clearly wasn't a lie, so they had to come up with a countermeasure.

The two men discussing seriously.

Soon.

"Anyway, the priority is to restore Player Bong's nationality."

Whether they clear the Korean Black Tower or not, it's something that must strictly be done first.

"You meet the French special envoy team. French Prime Minister Benjamin Adrian should have come as the head of the envoy."

Director Park Kyung-soo also had work to do.

For fast processing, division of roles was essential.

"I will go to the Blue House. I do have to bring up the agenda at the Cabinet meeting."

And so Jeon Kwang-il met the French special envoy team that had entered Korea.

The head of the envoy was the French Prime Minister Benjamin.

"The reason we came is for a continuous temporary naturalization contract in the future, or to conclude a treaty to defend against tower collapse...."

Jeon Kwang-il cut him off sharply.

"Canceling Player Bong Joo-hyuk's nationality comes first. That is the prerequisite for conversation."

"No, that's."

"If you want to talk, revert it right now. Player Bong Joo-hyuk also wants it."

He pushed strongly. Because they had no time.

Director Park Kyung-soo also spoke passionately at the Cabinet meeting.

"The immediate task at hand is to lift the Curse of the Average. It is something we must absolutely do, even if it means we have to make sacrifices."

Jeon Kwang-il and Park Kyung-soo, both fulfilled their roles.

The result came out soon.

Jeon Kwang-il called Joo-hyuk directly.

"I think you may proceed with the clear."

- ...Yes, I will enter starting today.

With this, the clearing of the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower was decided.