Chapter 99 - Chapter 99

Chapter 99

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

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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

Administrators existed in the Black Tower.

Three of them in total.

The Designer, who planned and designed the climbing, missions, and rewards.

The Engineer, who was in charge of technical aspects such as the system.

And the Maker, who crafted various items.

They did not have an equal relationship.

The Designer was the highest-ranking administrator, followed by the Engineer, and then the Maker.

[So the total number of collapsed towers on Earth so far is only two? And one of those was even before the summoner awakened.]

[It's astonishing. Even though Duke Kavalan's Trial event was activated, only one tower collapsed.]

[I truly didn't expect this. Even if he's an incredible summoner, isn't this a record?]

[I was surprised once that there was a suitable person on Earth, and surprised twice by the fact that he produced such tremendous results.]

[What's the difference? He is certainly a noble soul as well, but what could be the difference?]

[It must be luck. Though luck doesn't come to just anyone.]

[At this rate, the 70s floor range might be plain as well.]

[We can't let that happen. Trials must be like trials.]

[Right now, the new player awakening rate has dropped to its lowest level.]

[Existing players must die for the new awakening rate to increase.]

[And the tower collapses too, at least 10 towers should have collapsed.]

[What's the countermeasure?]

[How about inducing competition?]

[In what way?]

[We need to release more items, Maker, put in a few more runes, tickets, potions, etc. This and that...]

[You already released items, and you're telling me to release more? And at this point, these items are too early.]

[It's fine. It's not the first time this has happened, we've released them before, and this much is within the permissible limits.]

[Then around when?]

[Engineer, not a single player has entered the 71st floor yet, right?]

[No, sir. Even the summoner only completed the 70th floor and hasn't climbed the 71st floor yet.]

[If anyone steps on the 71st floor, put up a system announcement, stimulate their expectations.]

[Yes. I will prepare it.]

***

Joo-hyuk returned to his penthouse in Korea.

Gwangma returned as his summoning limitation time had run out.

A trip to Japan he embarked on with high expectations.

However, he returned without even being able to eat a common bowl of udon, ramen, or a single piece of conveyor-belt sushi.

'Am I being punished for smuggling myself in?'

Although the time he spent in Japan didn't even amount to half a day, the aftermath of the unexpected event was tremendous.

News flowing out of the TV.

Gwangma beating up the anti-Korean protesters.

And the makeshift stage that turned blood-soaked.

The scattered Self-Defense Forces soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles stopped on the road.

Japan was still in chaos.

The problem was that there was no control tower to manage the situation.

It was a relief that the coup d'état failed, but since Acting Prime Minister Usuda had died, the cabinet government couldn't fulfill its proper role either.

"Phew."

Did I go to Japan for nothing?

Damn Clause 3 of the 3 Principles.

Gwangma and Cossack are both the same.

Walking bombs.

"Fortunately, my face wasn't shown. And since I completely changed my face, even if it comes out, they won't recognize me. Ehehehehe."

Cossack's words are right.

The scene of him cutting the necks of the Self-Defense Forces generals wasn't shown directly.

It might have been filmed but not broadcasted,

However, the impact of the unarmed combat Gwangma waged was indeed great.

Because all the smartphone cameras flocked to that side.

"Not being able to recognize your face isn't what's important. What are you going to do about that ribbon?"

A pixelated TV screen.

But it was enough to recognize.

That severed head placed on the platform on the stage, decorated with a butterfly bow ribbon like a gift.

"I, I only tied one."

"Yes, yes, you did very well."

"Hehe, I'm flattered."

"Does this sound like a compliment to you?"

"...."

Cossack flinching and gauging Joo-hyuk's mood.

"No, uh? Why did you make a fuss and tie a ribbon? Uh? Do you live thinking with your head, Mr. Cossack? Uh? What are you going to do if you get caught later."

In a crawling voice.

"...S, Sumimasen (I'm sorry)."

Then Gyeon Dal-rae flew into a rage,

"Sumimasen? It was merely a half-day trip to Japan, and yet you've become completely Japanese, Sir Cossack?"

"...."

"Why did you come to Korea, why not just settle down in Japan?"

"Gomen (Sorry)... a, no, I apologize."

"This truly shows the pinnacle of frivolity."

Cossack significantly intimidated by her reprimand.

The other summoned entities also joined the criticism.

"The warrior already knew Cossack was a pervert from long ago. I just didn't say anything because it was trivial."

Gobang didn't take Cossack's side either.

"As the Lord's Holy Sword, I also occasionally hear that I am a pervert, but I wouldn't even dare to mention it in front of Lord Cossack, truly sounds like a grand pervert."

Cossack even getting insulted by the human holy sword Bardin, whom he had called a pervert.

"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber, in fact, I was also suspecting it. Every time I fired a large caliber shell, Cossack's gaze was strange. I could feel his sleaziness as it is."

Hmm.

It seems Veronica knew everything too.

I should be careful and look occasionally so I don't get caught in the future.

"Hoeeeek!"

Rajix also shouted.

I don't know what he knows to act like that,

Cossack's head gradually lowered and stuck deep into the floor.

There's not a single person taking his side.

This is why a person's conduct is important.

In an instant!

Ring! An incoming phone call.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il. He knew a call would come.

"Hello."

- Player Bong?

"Yes, it's me."

- Uh-uh, excuse me, but where are you right now...

"I'm at the Cheongdam-dong penthouse?"

- I, Is that so?

"Hold on a second. I'll call you back."

Joo-hyuk pressing the video call button to call back.

"It's me. You can see, right? The penthouse here."

- Yes, yes.

"But what's the matter?"

- Ah, nothing. I just contacted you to see how you were doing.

Well, Jeon Kwang-il already knows what he knows, but I must hide the fact that I went to Japan.

Is this an ordinary incident?

When the Self-Defense Forces generals who participated in the coup d'état were annihilated.

I have to play dumb.

And change the topic as well.

"Oh right! I have a favor to ask you."

- Please speak.

"I am thinking of buying a building, could you look into it if there's a suitable place?"

- What price range...

"It's okay even if it's expensive. As long as there's a property."

- Yes, I will look into it.

Joo-hyuk's bank account is still growing.

Receiving interest regularly is good too, but he should take this opportunity to buy a building.

He felt bad for his father always playing around, so he should make him the building manager.

"Then I'll just go out for some company dinners now.... huh?"

Cossack is still sitting curled up in the corner of the living room over there with a gloomy expression.

'Was the shock big?'

Since he was sworn at so much.

'Tsk tsk.'

That's why you should be a little careful.

***

Jeon Kwang-il, who had finished the video call with Joo-hyuk.

"You saw it, right? It's not him."

"Then who is that old man? Isn't he someone Player Bong summoned?"

"How would I know? Anyway, since Player Bong hasn't even left for Japan, it's absolutely not something Player Bong did."

"...Huh, well that's peculiar, one understands it but still doesn't."

In fact, Jeon Kwang-il was guessing.

That this incident in Japan was also related to Player Bong.

Because Player Bong was also in Korea when the Chinese President died.

However, he must keep this only to himself.

Director Park Kyung-soo must not know either.

If this fact is revealed, Bong Joo-hyuk could instantly be branded as a dangerous individual.

"Anyway, I have an appointment scheduled now, so I will take my leave."

"Ah! CEO Ko Yeon-ha of HG Fashion?"

"Yes, it seems she realized that we're supplying Wyvern leather to another place."

"So what if she knows?"

"She probably plans to protest."

"Protest? Ridiculous."

"I will go and settle it."

Park Kyung-soo nodding.

"Then I will look into the building Player Bong asked about."

"Yes, please do."

Jeon Kwang-il turned his body and was about to leave.

But,

"Deputy Director."

Park Kyung-soo quietly muttered at Jeon Kwang-il's back as he was leaving the office.

"Yes?"

"I know how you feel, but don't worry."

"What do you mea..."

"We will protect Player Bong no matter what."

"...."

"Freely from any external pressure, and not letting him get hurt even a single hair. He is humanity's hope, after all."

Jeon Kwang-il didn't answer.

Director Park Kyung-soo is misunderstanding something.

'No. Director, why would we worry about Player Bong? Who is protecting whom? The person who should be worried is not Player Bong.'

'You don't know how terrifying those people are, do you? The soldiers who came to kidnap an elite player in China in the past, the Chinese President, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces generals...'

'If we're not careful, we'll die too. A ribbon might be tied to your head and my head, Director.'

He cried out like this, only inwardly.

***

The Tower Conquest Bureau of the US Department of Homeland Security.

Secretary MacMillan and Director Antonio were watching a video playing on the large monitor hanging on the wall.

"Who is that old man?"

"You're not asking expecting an answer, are you?"

The old man beating up the anti-Korean protesters in Japan.

"Phew, he looks much older than me."

"Could he be a Chinese Kung Fu master?"

"Kung Fu? Don't you know those people called Chinese Kung Fu masters got completely smashed by an MMA fighter? Kung Fu is all fake."

"There might be a real one among them."

True.

The land is wide and there are many people, so there are all sorts of people.

However,

"You said those protesters used the word Josenjing. Then he's probably Korean."

"Is everyone who speaks Korean a Korean."

"Perhaps, is Player Bong Joo-hyuk related to this incident..."

"I checked and there were no departure records. It was confirmed that he was in Korea even when the coup broke out."

"Hmm."

Well, what does it matter even if Bong Joo-hyuk was in Japan?

There is not a speck of connection to that incident.

"Who the hell killed Matsumoto and the Self-Defense Forces generals?"

"Information is scarce. We'll only know after securing Japan's CCTV footage, however..."

"However?"

"The method of cutting the necks is very similar to that white man's method during the HG Hotel terror incident."

"So you're saying that person was in Tokyo?"

Antonio sighed heavily as if frustrated.

"...Hah, how am I supposed to know that? That white man, that giant, and that old man, I can't figure out their identities at all. I ran the facial matching program, but nothing came up in Korea or the US. I wish videos like that wouldn't appear anymore."

It's a mystery.

Where do those people keep appearing from?

"Anyway, that old man is definitely stronger than ordinary people, but he looks incomparably weaker than that white man and giant at the HG Hotel."

"It's probably because he's old."

Secretary MacMillan also agreed.

Who can beat the power of time?

"Anyway, are preparations made for departure tomorrow?"

"Yes, we've finished coordinating with the Korean Awakening Management Agency. They said climbing will be possible starting tomorrow."

The White House decided to conquer the 70th floor.

Of the two towers, they plan to conquer only the Eastern Tower.

There's no need to climb both to the 70th floor.

The 70th floor would be conquered within a week at the latest.

Then the US will also be able to receive the High-Grade mana stone rewards.

The material for the room-temperature superconductor.

***

An emergency meeting was also taking place in the office of the Chinese President in Zhongnanhai.

New President Wang Yuan and the members of the Standing Committee were also watching the video through a monitor.

"He seems to be our Chinese person no matter how you look at it."

"I think so too. We cannot rule out the possibility of a hidden master."

"Can you find him?"

"We've contacted our embassy in Japan. But it's impossible to specify who it is just with that video..."

"Hmm, let's discuss that matter slowly."

In fact, the agenda for today's emergency meeting was something else.

Whether the Japanese Self-Defense Forces succeeded or failed and died in the coup d'état, that's not what's important for China right now.

Conquest of the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower.

And the benefit given only to the Korean Black Tower.

The restriction-lifted High-Grade mana stones.

It was no less than a room-temperature superconductor.

That wasn't all.

The types of potions had increased, and various weapons and equipment items were also pouring out.

Then what about China?

Should they just be sucking on their fingers?

"We have to change our plan."

President Wang Yuan speaking in a somewhat excited tone.

"That's right. We must also quickly conquer the 70th floor. If we jump to the 71st floor, the 70th floor will naturally be conquered."

Tower Jumping Tickets.

Originally, they had planned to use them on 3 players they judged to have some talent among the Chinese players to make them level 61 players.

"These are the 4 Tower Jumping Tickets we've secured. If we use 3 of them, we can conquer the 70th floor even today."

"There's no need to raise all 3 towers to the 70th floor. Tower No. 3 east of Xi'an city is suitable, rather than Beijing or Shanghai."

"Let's focus on one person. We just need to make Player Bailong reach level 71. He's a player who has already undergone Trait Enhancement twice."

"If Bailong reaches level 71, it will be enough to conquer the remaining two towers."

"We'll still have one ticket left over, so we'll keep that in case of an emergency."

Thus, China also decided to conquer the 70th floor.

Even if it was an expedient.

Like this, the US, China, no, all countries around the world accelerated their conquest of the 70th floor.

Now the time limit for the conquest didn't matter at all.

***

Joo-hyuk still had no intention of climbing to the 71st floor.

He hadn't even stepped onto the 71st floor yet.

Even though Kavalan's curse was over, he should keep the conquest time limit.

So he plays today too. With his summoned entities.

People called out one by one.

He even summoned the Blood Wolf.

He'd quietly meet Sir Gwangma later separately. But?

"Summoner, have you been well? Please do not worry. I threw all the ribbons away. I, this humble servant, am deeply reflecting on my past mistakes."

What is this?

The person who just spoke to him was Cossack. Why?

"Princess Gyeon Dal-rae, originally words should come not from the mouth but from the heart, but you've suffered a lot because of my frivolous speech, right? ...I hope you like it. Your mind must be refreshed now."

"...."

"Gobang, I'm sorry for the meantime. I treated you poorly because I wanted to get close to you. That will not happen anymore. No matter how close we are, it's better to keep a distance. Let's not invade each other's territory."

"...."

"Master Sergeant Veronica, I won't pay attention to your jiggling anymore. If you see me peeking again, you can pluck my eyes out. But please be careful with your actions as well, Master Sergeant Bae. Like a soldier."

"...."

"Knight Bardin, please live your life independently. Then who would call you a pervert? It doesn't look very good how you let Mr. Gobang sway you."

"...."

"Mr. Rajix, please continue to work hard for the summoner just like you always have. However, your 'Hoehoe' sounds are too forced. Do practical work rather than acting cute. Your presence has faded a lot lately too."

"...Hoe?"

"Blood Wolf, did I train you too harshly? You're the only one who understands my heart... Come here, I'll hug you."

"...Kkiing? (Whine?)"

And then Cossack sat on the sofa, hugging Blood Wolf, and staring out the window with melancholic eyes.

Joo-hyuk gathered the other summoned entities.

"...What is it? Why is he acting like that?"

It was absurd beyond measure.

To the point of not being able to adapt.

"It is certain that he is sulking."

"It is true that he has taken flight."

"He has taken flight."

"He's sulking."

"Hoe!"

Was I too harsh yesterday?

"But is 'sulked' the correct expression? Or is 'took flight' the correct expression?"

"Both are correct."

"Ah!"

Anyway, it seemed certain that Cossack had sulked and taken flight, so,

"What should we do? Should I apologize for being too harsh?"

"Then we will lose. We must not give in."

"That's right. If we show that we're sorry, he might act like that even more."

"Calmly, as if it's nothing."

"It won't last long."

Glancing over sideways, Cossack was still sitting on the sofa, stroking only Blood Wolf's mane.

"Hmm."

Come to think of it, he felt a bit sorry too.

Well, he'll eventually snap out of it.