Chapter 18

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 018

Chapter Title: Why Do Donations Keep Coming

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Sword Emperor Baek Jihun.

He was currently basking in a profound sense of elation and accomplishment.

Why?

"Finally...!"

Today, he had finally broken past the 67th floor, where he'd been stuck for months.

The light of physical enhancement from the clear enveloped him.

An even greater euphoria than usual wrapped around him.

The effect of the 50% reward boost included in the 'Newbie Protection Period'.

With this, surely.

"I can protect this country even better now."

Yes.

It was definitely possible.

And all of this was thanks to─

"It's all thanks to you, Dragon Emperor."

─Haegyeom's extension of the 'Newbie Protection Period'.

Without that, he never could have overcome the 68th floor's wall.

'At least not today.'

His gaze shifted to the viewer chat.

The viewers were chattering away among themselves today as well.

'Hmm.'

Sword Emperor wasn't one for casual interaction usually.

Honestly, if the tower didn't force-stream his climbs, he never would've turned on a broadcast in the first place.

But.

Today, for some reason, he felt like saying something to them.

"It seems you all already know. Yes. The Dragon Emperor is our Republic of Korea's hope."

The viewers went wild over his single comment.

Sword Emperor continued.

"The Dragon Emperor will not leave the Republic of Korea. I absolutely won't allow it."

He felt proud.

When Dragon Emperor first pulled off SSS+, who stepped up faster than anyone with an insane offer?

'Me.'

And who uncovered and punished the traitors in the process?

'That was me too.'

And who was still providing top-tier care to keep Dragon Emperor's heart tied to Korea?

'That would be me as well. Heh heh heh.'

In his own mind, Sword Emperor Baek Jihun considered recruiting Dragon Emperor to the Awakening Management Bureau his greatest achievement in 71 years of life.

'The politicians got a bit annoying in retaliation... but the evidence was ironclad.'

For the record, his second greatest feat was executing the finance minister who'd been smuggling promising awakeners overseas.

"Ah."

In his pride and unfamiliarity with chatting, he'd made a minor slip.

"Ahem. That's not what I meant. Seems there's some misunderstanding..."

He had no intention of forcing Dragon Emperor's hand.

"...I meant I'd take good care of him."

"......"

His pitiful excuse fell on deaf ears with the rowdy viewers.

"Ahem."

No helping it now.

Sword Emperor decided to end the stream.

"...Exiting the Salvation Tower."

This really wasn't his thing after all.

'Better just quietly support the Dragon Emperor...'

The moment the 'Newbie Protection Period' week was announced in Korea, breaking news exploded everywhere.

"......Incredible."

He'd just used one Newbie Shield, and suddenly the whole world was plastered with stories about him.

It felt fresh.

"...And kinda nice."

Haegyeom savored the swelling sensation in his chest.

Ppyeh!

"Yeah, Drong. Thanks."

And all of this stemmed from Drong.

No amount of gratitude toward the little guy would be enough.

Haegyeom gently scratched under Drong's chin.

Ppih-

Drong let out a pleased puff of breath.

"Feels good."

In all sorts of ways.

And so the first day of the 'Newbie Protection Period' passed.

The next ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠day arrived.

Haegyeom entered the tower's 7th floor.

As expected, viewers flooded in instantly.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A hefty sponsorship popped up.

"Thanks for the 500,000 won sponsorship, Woosung Leader."

"Got it."

Haegyeom chuckled and pulled out Drong.

Just that set the chat ablaze again.

And then.

The sponsorships entered a new phase.

"Hmm. Most of you know by now, but I'm with the Management Bureau."

"Haha."

Haegyeom laughed.

Well.

He was probably clueless about the actual penalty fee.

'I'm on 200 billion won a year right now.'

Even Woosung couldn't touch that.

Then.

The Bureau fired back with pinpoint precision.

"...Wow. Savage."

Dohyeon Lee swiftly changed tack.

As leader of Korea's top guild, he wielded some power, but against the Bureau? No chance.

'The Bureau's gotten stronger since signing me.'

Their approval ratings were hitting new highs daily lately.

However.

Woosung wasn't the only one after Haegyeom.

And so on.

Recruitment offers poured in from all over.

Paired with massive sums.

"...Wow."

When he'd first achieved SSS+, hefty sponsorships had piled up then too, but this was even more intense.

From America, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe—everyone throwing money to lure him over.

...Even shady underworld groups were in the mix.

'No way I'd go anywhere like that, no matter the money.'

Of course, Haegyeom had no plans to join dangerous outfits.

Anyway.

"Um... everyone? Thanks for the sponsorships, but I already have an affiliation."

Haegyeom made his refusal clear.

Honestly, switching now? The backlash would be a mess, and he wasn't unhappy with his current ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deal anyway.

"......"

The Bureau sponsored another million won.

'You don't have to go this far.'

They must've been anxious from all the recruitment pitches.

Made sense.

If they lost momentum here, national fears of him leaving abroad would skyrocket.

'Whatever, works for me.'

More money was always good.

With the donation haul done, Haegyeom geared up for the serious 7th floor raid.

"Thanks for all the sponsorships. Now, onto the 7th floor clear today..."

But.

The cash flood wasn't over yet.

"......?"

$100,000.

Over 140 million won in sponsorship.

Unlike others who hid terms, this one boldly offered a $100 million salary.

'Recruiter123'...'

Right.

Famous hunter broker.

From their moves, likely a US scout, even if not outright stated.

"......"

Haegyeom went quiet for a moment.

The huge sum startled him, but no big deal.

'1400 billion salary? Less than what I make now.'

He was a hunter on 200 billion won a year.

So $100 million—1400 billion—wasn't that much to buy him out.

Thus.

"Hmm..."

That's low.

─He was about to say.

"......"

The Bureau sponsored again.

30 million won, no less.

'Didn't the Bureau already blow their budget on me?'

What money were they burning like this?

"No─"

Haegyeom's flustered words didn't finish.

"......"

Why do the sponsorships keep coming!