Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Season 2 Begins
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The highest executive committee in China decided to conquer the 70th floor.
Under these circumstances, the faster the climb, the better.
China's top player, Bai Long, level 59, was immediately summoned for the Black Tower conquest.
Bai Long, who could enter the 59th floor, needed to ascend 12 floors to reach the 70th floor.
"Bai Long."
"Yes."
The head of China's Special Public Security Bureau for players handed Bai Long three Tower Jump Tickets.
"Remember. Three tickets for 12 floors. Each ticket allows a maximum jump of 5 floors, so you only need to skip 12 floors."
"...Understood."
Putting the tickets into his inventory, Bai Long entered the Chinese Black Tower.
'Hmm.'
The 59th floor.
The section he had been unable to conquer even after two trait enhancements.
The mission was to exterminate Lightning Wyverns that discharge electricity from their bodies.
The compatibility was terrible.
Bai Long's trait was [Rapid Speed].
The wyverns protected themselves by emitting lightning; even a slight touch would cause his body to stiffen.
He'd rather they just shot their breath so he could dodge.
There was no way to avoid contact with Lightning Wyverns whose entire bodies were wrapped in electromagnetic fields.
How much criticism had he received for failing to conquer the 59th floor?
He had conquered floors 1 to 58 at a rapid pace, for three towers no less.
But once progress on the 59th floor stalled, pressure came from the Chinese government.
The method changed from offering carrots to wielding a whip.
The medals and rewards he had received were revoked.
The house he lived in, the car he drove, his real estate and bank accounts were all frozen.
He was even threatened with being displayed in the Human Mysteries Exhibition if he failed to conquer the 59th floor.
"Those bastards."
In China, players were no different from slaves.
When he was doing well, they praised him as a hero of the people, but the moment he slipped, overwhelming pressure and condemnation poured down on him.
It's no wonder China kidnaps players from other countries and forces them into tower conquests.
If this is how they treat their own players.
Part of him wanted to escape China and become a permanent resident elsewhere, but in reality, he was just a vulnerable player.
Let's just climb for now.
First, I need to get out of this damn 59th floor.
He tore one ticket. *Rip!*
"Five floors."
A resounding conquest message echoed.
Now the 64th floor.
One more ticket.
*Rip!*
He jumped another 5 floors.
69th floor.
Finally, 2 floors.
A long, drawn-out message chimed.
Finally, Bai Long had reached the 71st floor.
Right at that moment!
A world announcement heralding the conquest of the 70th floor.
Would the benefits really be applied?
'It's done.'
Only a slight increase in probability.
In Korea, it was a massive boost.
Anyway, Bai Long wasn't particularly pleased with the Chinese Black Tower benefits.
What good were they to him?
Nothing would change.
Rather, he'd probably be forced into tower conquests day and night without rest to obtain high-grade magic stone rewards.
But then?
'...Huh?'
What's this? Another world announcement?
'...A gift?'
And a 4-piece set at that.
Bai Long's jaw just hung open.
A world announcement he had never anticipated.
'...So you get them just by being the first to step on the 71st floor?'
Moreover,
As conquest rewards too?
Though with the caveat of "floor 71 and above".
The world was turned upside down once again.
Jeon Gwang-il was meeting with HG Fashion's CEO, Go Yeon-ha, at a Korean fine dining restaurant near Seoul.
Go Yeon-ha's expression was far from good.
It was because of information he had obtained recently.
The fact that Ilseong Apparel had been spun off and changed its company name to "Razix Trading," and was now operating a leather processing factory.
Why a leather processing factory all of a sudden?
She sent people to investigate.
The leather being processed was wyvern hide.
Where was the wyvern hide being supplied from?
Naturally, it would be the Awakening Management Bureau.
"Vice-Director, I'm truly disappointed. Handing over wyvern hide to Ilseong Appa... no, Razix Trading. Didn't you promise to supply wyvern hide to our HG Fashion?"
Jeon Gwang-il chuckled.
"Did we ever sign a contract for wyvern hide supply?"
"Well, no... but I thought it was a given situation, since you gave us exclusive supply of basilisk hide."
"Absolutely not."
"Haah."
CEO Go Yeon-ha sighed briefly.
"Fine. The leather supply is under the jurisdiction of the Awakening Management Bureau, so I have no right to complain. Instead, please arrange for wyvern hide supply to our HG Fashion as well."
"Hmm, since we're on the topic..."
Jeon Gwang-il looked straight at Go Yeon-ha and spoke.
"From now on, HG Fashion will no longer receive basilisk hide."
"...What?"
Suddenly?
Go Yeon-ha was taken aback.
Had he misheard?
"But... isn't there already a contract? How can you just notify us like this out of the blue? No, more than that, what did we do wrong?"
There were plenty of wrongdoings.
"It seems HG Fashion lacks the capacity to handle basilisk hide."
"What?"
"Are you asking because you don't know? Can you find basilisk hide products in department stores, online, or even in outlet stores or pop-up shops? They're not being sold at all."
It was true.
Despite being the producing country, the items were nowhere to be seen in Korea.
"Th-that's because supply can't keep up with demand."
"Don't lie. We know all about your scheme to deliberately limit production to create scarcity and manipulate things behind the scenes."
"..."
Basilisk hide products had already ceased to be for ordinary consumers.
They had changed into items for a specific class by limiting production and raising prices.
Even in Korea, it was impossible to find basilisk hide products.
Even the cheapest Light Quality products.
While the website was open for reservations, it was impossible for ordinary people to even get on the waiting list.
Meanwhile, the bags were being secretly sold for lobbying purposes, as bait for import/export deals, as limited editions for the wealthy.
Why were they doing this?
Because selling leather products didn't leave much profit.
For every product sold, 95% of the net profit went to Player Bong.
In contrast, HG Fashion received a mere 5% net profit.
Even if they sold products diligently, they could only take 5%, so they were focusing their energy on other profitable ventures using the bags as bait.
"It, it's a misunderstanding. Our facilities are inadequate, so production capacity..."
"Even after we provided you with tower metal crafting tools?"
"Uhm, ah, that, that's..."
Jeon Gwang-il stood up as he spoke.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Please watch. See how many basilisk and wyvern hide products Razix Trading produces."
Go Yeon-ha felt dizzy.
He came to request wyvern hide supply, but now it seemed the basilisk hide supply would be cut off too.
"W-wait a minute. If you leave like this..."
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Please give me just one chance to make amends."
Jeon Gwang-il opened his mouth with a cold gaze.
"I'll give you exactly one month. I'll watch to see how much basilisk hide product becomes available in the Korean market by then."
"Ah..."
Jeon Gwang-il left the restaurant without looking back and got into his car.
Just you wait.
If things don't go as warned, there will be no leather supply.
The more they sell, the greater the profit that returns to Player Bong.
He said he wanted to buy a building.
He'll need more money.
How expensive is Korean real estate?
There are buildings worth hundreds of billions of won, or over 1 trillion won, or even land worth 10 trillion won.
'Since I'm already out, shall I drop by Razix Trading?'
To check if there are any production issues.
But right then!
"...Huh?"
What's this now?
China?
They were still struggling in the 60s...
'Could it be Tower Jump Tickets?'
Meaning they jumped 12 floors.
'How do they plan to clean up the aftermath?'
And the announcements continued.
"Ah..."
Jeon Gwang-il had no choice but to stop the car.
'The items are one thing, but...'
The final world announcement.
The start of the new Tower Conquest Season 2.
The collapse time limit stacks?
What does that mean?
If the collapse time limit is 3 months remaining, and you conquer another unconquered floor above 71, the collapse time limit increases to 9 months.
Conquer one more, it becomes 15 months, another becomes 21 months, adding 6 months each time.
Unprecedented item gifts and Tower Conquest Season 2.
Just what is happening?
China Black Tower (NO.3) 71st Floor.
Bai Long had not yet exited.
He hadn't even accepted a mission.
Tower Conquest Season 2, whatever, it meant nothing to Bai Long.
The four gifts in his inventory.
Ring of Morphing, Potion of Disease Cure, Elixir of Rejuvenation, Rune Necklace of Liberation.
The commonality of these items.
None of them had the "Tower Exclusive" modifier.
They could be used in reality, by ordinary people.
Three of the four gifts received were self-explanatory.
Just the names were intuitive.
But what about the Rune Necklace of Liberation?
A necklace with a rune engraved with characters hanging from a chain.
An item whose purpose couldn't be guessed from the name alone.
The information?
"...Insane!"
Bai Long checked the item information several times.
It didn't change.
Liberation.
Liberating a player's restricted abilities outside.
'W-what do I do with this?'
First of all, these were things he couldn't possibly keep.
If the world announcement hadn't been broadcast, no one would know.
But now everyone had heard and knew.
If he exited the tower, they would definitely be taken from him.
Anyone would go crazy with greed.
The Disease Cure, the Rejuvenation Elixir.
How could they not covet them?
'Damn it!'
Greed arose.
He didn't want to lose them.
The potion and elixir, of course, but also the Ring of Morphing and the Rune Necklace of Liberation.
A prolonged dilemma.
He asked himself.
Did he have any loyalty to his homeland?
'How could I?'
Bai Long finally made a decision.
'They're all mine.'
The gifts from other towers too,
Wang Yuan, China's new Chairman, rushed to the location where Bai Long had entered the tower as soon as he heard the world announcement.
Armed public security and his personal bodyguards accompanied him.
An Elixir of Rejuvenation.
It said consumption could rejuvenate you by up to 10 years?
What about the other items?
Moreover, the items didn't even have the "Tower Exclusive" modifier in their names.
Meaning even ordinary people could use them.
'It was a good move to reach the 71st floor.'
A divine stroke.
Who knew such items would be given?
Furthermore, China had three towers.
If you were the first to reach the 71st floor of each tower, you could receive three of each type of item.
He had to take them all for himself.
The Elixir of Rejuvenation, the Potion of Disease Cure, the Ring of Morphing.
He didn't know what the Rune Necklace of Liberation was, but he'd find out once he confiscated it.
Additionally, Tower Conquest Season 2.
From the 71st floor, the tower collapse time limit also stacks.
From now on, they absolutely must climb upward.
Since the Elixir of Rejuvenation and Potion of Disease Cure are also given as conquest rewards.
All three Chinese towers must reach the 71st floor.
By any means necessary.
Tower Jump Tickets are valid up to the 71st floor.
'By the way, why isn't Bai Long coming out?'
Chairman Wang Yuan felt anxious.
After all, when Bai Long exited the tower, he would reappear at the location he entered.
They just had to capture him before he got any ideas and make him cough up the items.
Right then!
*Poof!*
Bai Long appeared in a burst of light.
Chairman Wang Yuan welcomed him with a delighted expression.
"Oh! Player Bai Long, you've worked hard. I heard the world announcement."
"Yes, I've completed the mission and returned."
"Then show me quickly."
"...Show what?"
"The 4-piece congratulatory gift set."
He expected this.
Bai Long chuckled.
"Why should I show that to you, Chairman?"
"...What?"
"I received them."
"You dare...!"
*Fwoosh!* Bai Long's trait was Rapid Speed.
That power manifested in reality.
Appearing behind Wang Yuan in an instant,
*Grab,*
"Gah!"
Grabbing Wang Yuan's neck with both hands,
*Crrrk,* he twisted it all the way around.
*Thud,* Chairman Wang Yuan, the new leader, died on the spot.
Simultaneously, the faces of the armed public security and bodyguards turned deathly pale.
"Gasp!"
"B-Bai Long?"
"Why?"
China's supreme leader had just died before their eyes.
Killed by a player.
"G-get him!"
"Subdue him!"
But their fate was no different.
*Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh...*
At a speed impossible to follow with the eyes,
*Crack, crack, crack,*
Bai Long snapped the necks of the armed public security and bodyguards.
The power of a player whose tower abilities manifested in reality—how could ordinary people possibly oppose it?
Bai Long smiled bitterly.
The Rune Necklace of Liberation.
It was far better than expected.
But he had to hurry.
Duration: 1 hour.
He needed to escape this place quickly and leave China.
With the Ring of Morphing, escaping shouldn't be difficult.
What about his family?
He didn't need to care.
They were just leeches who had sucked his blood all this time.
Live or die, whatever.
And so, the player's great revolution began here, at China Black Tower (NO.3).
A new beginning, along with Season 2.
Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
Kosak was still sulking, sitting on the sofa.
Joo-hyuk, ignoring him, was chatting amiably with the other summons.
"Thinking about it now, it's like a dream. Just a few months ago, I was a penniless nobody, but thanks to all of you..."
Gyeon Dal-rae quickly answered.
"There is no such thing as a reward given for nothing in this world. This is all the result of the virtue you have accumulated, my lord."
"Is that so? Hahaha!"
"Of course it is. Hohoho!"
Kosak still showed no reaction.
"Warrior thinks the Summoner is worthy. I hope you live even more happily."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, I will always be by the Commander's side."
"My Lord, the Lord's joy is the joy of the gods."
"Hoeeeee."
A warm, cheerful atmosphere.
Even so, Kosak didn't budge. Well then?
"But the person I'm most grateful to is Mr. Kosak."
*Twitch!*
Kosak's ears moved slightly.
"He was the first one I met, and right after meeting, he protected me from loan sharks."
*Flinch,*
Kosak's buttocks wiggled.
"I learned Shadow Step from him, and actually, the person who first came up with the idea for the Tower Climbing Profit Creation Project was Mr. Kosak too."
"This maiden acknowledges that as well."
"If it weren't for the assassin, it would have been hard to buy a house like this."
*Scoot, scoot.*
While sitting, Kosak slid his butt closer to Joo-hyuk.
"Honestly, rescuing the players kidnapped in China was almost all done by Mr. Kosak, wasn't it?"
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, that's correct. I merely assisted."
*Scoot, scoot.*
"If Mr. Kosak hadn't been there, would I have come this far? I miss it. Mr. Kosak's cheerful appearance."
*Scoot, scoot.*
"I guess I won't be able to hear it anymore."
That's when it happened.
*Poof!* Using Shadow Step, Kosak instantly appeared right next to Joo-hyuk.
"Aiyoo, Summoner Bong-nim!"
"Huh? When did you get here?"
With a bright, smiling face,
"What have I done? Hehehehe."
"..."
In a way, he was a very easy summon to handle.
"Are you done sulking?"
"Eh? When was I sulking? It's me, Kosak. They say a summoner and a summoned being grow to resemble each other, you know?"
Was there such a saying?
"A manly summoner and a manly summoned being, a truth for all ages, it is."
"Hahaha, I suppose so. Now, for our new beginning, let's go on another journ..."
Right then!
"What's that?"
A sudden world announcement?
And it's China.
China, which couldn't even conquer the 60th floor and was struggling.
But the world announcements weren't over yet.
Followed by what the gifts were,
Announcing the new season as well.
"Hmm."
A new beginning, they said.
He kept hearing that things would be drastically different from the 71st floor. It really has changed a lot.
"Did you all know about this, by any chance?"
At Joo-hyuk's question, Gyeon Dal-rae responded.
"This maiden, th-the restriction on Season 2 has just been lifted. But those items given as gifts are only bewildering. Items that shouldn't be available now..."
The other summons also had expressions that said, "Those items are appearing now?"
Most of them weren't items for tower conquest.
All of them affected the world outside the tower, i.e., reality.
Moreover, since they said they could also be obtained as mission completion rewards for conquering floors 71 and above.
'I need to step on the 71st floor.'
But first, he should call the Mad Demon and discuss it.
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