Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: The Price of a Building
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Shanghai, a real estate company.
Outwardly ordinary, but in reality,it was the head office of a Chinese triad.
The triad boss, Gu Liangchun, sat across a table from a man, accompanied by his bodyguards, engaged in conversation.
"...Unbelievable. Is it really you, Bai long?"
"Boss, haven't I already proven it? This appearance is changed using a Shape-Shifting Ring."
Bai long.
The player who assassinated China's new president, Wang Yuan, and fled.
The very Bai long whom the public security and the People's Liberation Army were desperately hunting had now brazenly appeared before Gu Liangchun's eyes.
Originally, triad boss Gu Liangchun and Bai long had a friendly relationship.
Back when Bai long was China's top player, they had formed a guanxi network.
"So, what is it you need?"
"Thirty million US dollars and a perfect identity passport. Taiwanese or Singaporean nationality would be good. But it must have a player activity record."
"So you plan to continue your player activities."
"How else would I make a living?"
Gu Liangchun chuckled dryly.
Even if a player's abilities could be used in reality, escaping China was extremely difficult.
What good was just changing your face?
Without identification, you can't even use long-distance transportation like trains, let alone airplanes.
And the Liberation Rune Necklace also has duration and usage limits, so you can't use it recklessly.
On top of that, you must be out of money by now.
Judging by how you've shown up looking like a beggar.
"And the price?"
"I'll give you the Elixir of Rejuvenation."
"Not enough. Hand over the Disease Cure Potion as well."
"Hmm, well, if you keep your promise..."
Gu Liangchun nodded and spoke.
"Creating an identity isn't hard."
"It absolutely must be a player identity."
"Don't worry. When can I receive the elixir and potion?"
"Right after I arrive at New York airport."
Bai long planned to go to the United States.
After that, he intended to request naturalization through the US Tower Climbing Bureau.
The US was relatively lenient towards player naturalization.
If you applied, you were accepted immediately.
He had changed his face and physique with shape-shifting.
With a new, perfect identity on top of that, how would anyone know he was Bai long?
"Show me the real items first. The elixir and potion. After I verify them with my own eyes, I'll start the ID work."
Bai long frowned.
"Boss Gu, don't you trust me?"
"Huh? You're the one acting strange. What's so hard about showing them?"
Gu Liangchun sipped his pu-erh tea noisily and continued.
"That necklace hanging on your chest, it's a Liberation Rune Necklace, isn't it?"
"..."
"If you activate its power, you could kill an old man like me, along with everyone in this room, in the blink of an eye."
Bai long shrugged his shoulders.
"Boss Gu, who do you take me for? I'm not a murderer who kills anyone. What happened with President Wang Yuan was an accident."
What kind of accident.
As if you think we haven't seen the CCTV.
"Fine, fine, I'll show you."
Shlurp!
Two potion vials emerged from Bai long's inventory.
"This is the Elixir of Rejuvenation, and this is the Disease Cure Potion..."
That's when it happened.
Chang!
A hole appeared in the glass window, and,
Thud!
With a sound, a red hole was punched through Bai long's forehead.
There wasn't even a scream.
Thump!
He just slammed his head onto the table and died instantly.
Blood splattered onto Gu Liangchun's forehead as well.
Wiping it off slowly.
"Tsk tsk, this guy. He looked down on the Chinese government too much. Did he think they didn't know about our guanxi relationship?"
It wasn't just him.
The public security must have approached everyone connected to Bai long.
A triad?
It had long become a puppet of the Chinese government.
People's Liberation Army snipers had already been deployed here.
Even if the chance of Bai long coming to him was less than 1%.
'I prayed you wouldn't come.'
But you showed up anyway.
'Idiot.'
There was no choice.
Had to act according to instructions.
Otherwise, he'd be dragged down and killed too.
The very idea that a player could oppose state power was a huge, massive delusion.
No matter how much power you liberated.
Rumble rumble rumble,
It was the sound of public security officers rushing up the office stairs.
Gu Liangchun smacked his lips regretfully.
Because the Elixir of Rejuvenation on the table kept catching his eye.
But he didn't covet it.
Try to get 10 years younger, and you might die 10 years early.
Korea, Awakening Management Bureau.
Joo-hyuk met Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il again in the Tower materials warehouse.
Various conversations were exchanged.
About how many items were being sold in the Player Shop, how reselling was rampant.
How the whole world was astonished.
Korea's national prestige had risen.
It was the object of envy.
Players were requesting naturalization at Korean embassies worldwide, and even though Holy Water was appearing, the Holy Sword lending was proceeding smoothly.
Also, the progress with the French special envoy team,
that they were still making difficult demands but negotiations would soon conclude.
'Ugh, my ears are burning. He's gotten so talkative.'
Actually, Joo-hyuk had been stealing glances at the Platinum Badge pinned to Jeon Gwang-il's chest since earlier.
'Will he take that one back?'
Every single one is precious right now.
Of course, if he asked for it, he'd probably give it.
He had to hold back.
That would be too petty.
'Still, with 5 badges, I could upgrade a Summoned Being's LSSR-grade skill...'
Pennies make pounds, badges make LSSR.
'Sigh.'
But not now.
"You must have had a hard time."
"Oh, not at all. Thanks to the items you provided, our elite players' Tower climbs have become much safer. High-grade Magic Stones are being mined smoothly too."
It felt rewarding.
To think I almost tried to take this good man's badge.
"Ah! About the building you requested earlier."
"Oh, right. How did that go?"
"As a result of the Director's inquiries..."
Jeon Gwang-il explained eagerly.
A 61-story building in Gangnam had come on the market.
Negotiations were proceeding smoothly, the deal was practically done, only the legal procedures remained.
But the price of the building was,
"...How much did you say?"
"1.3 trillion won. It's a cheap item because the parent company's financial situation isn't good."
"Uh..."
Joo-hyuk's heart sank.
'1.3 trillion?'
No, it's true I said I'd buy a building, but I never even thought about the trillions.
"Considering Player Bong's social standing, we should be introducing you to a better building than this, but this is the only one currently on the market."
"..."
Why are these people like this?
'What's my social standing?'
He was just an ordinary Korean guy.
He Just got lucky with one good Awakening trait and meeting good Summoned Beings, that's how he got here.
'Do I look like someone who can casually drop 1.3 trillion?'
What should he do?
How would he buy that crazy expensive building?
He was just thinking of a small neighborhood building.
The matter had grown too big.
Grown by 1.3 trillion won.
Did he even have that much money to begin with?
Checking his account, he didn't even have half.
'Should I say I won't buy it?'
But he said the deal was already done.
"The Park & Kim law firm, which handles legal advisory for the Awakening Management Bureau, has agreed to handle all the procedures, so you don't need to worry about anything separately."
"...Yes, yes."
It's terrifying.
When buying the 30-billion-won penthouse, he trembled with indecision, going back and forth.
And now the moment to decide on buying a 1.3-trillion-won, 61-story Gangnam building had arrived.
"...Um, I can get a loan, right?"
"Ah! Don't worry about that. We'll introduce you to a bank with low interest rates."
Deputy Director.
He was not that much of a big of a shot.
He was not showing it, but his heart was pounding like a storm.
"And soon, Razix Trading will launch wyvern leather products. Payment for the basilisk leather from HG Group is also expected to come in."
"Ah!"
Right, he had forgoten.
There was Razix Trading.
The name Joo-hyuk came up with himself.
Thanks to Razix, they could commercialize wyvern leather, so of course the name had to be that.
'Come to think of it, I'm the major shareholder of that company?'
Holy Sword owner, building owner, major shareholder.
Right.
He was about to become a triple owner (ju), what's a mere 1.3 trillion?
Suddenly, his heart felt at ease.
Confidence welled up.
But he couldn't relax.
He had to earn diligently...
If he splurged on this building, he might not even be able to afford instant noodles three times a day, let alone Hanwoo beef sirloin.
And how many dependents did he have?
Soon, another new Summoned Being would come.
One comes every month.
Who knew the burden on the head of a household could be this heavy.
Let's earn diligently.
Work until his bones break to feed the family.
With firm resolve, Joo-hyuk spoke to Jeon Gwang-il.
"It'll be troublesome, but I have another favor to ask."
"Huh? What is it? Should I look for another building for you?"
Was this guy really trying to bankrupt him?
"That's not it. The Item sales agency."
"...Huh? Yes?"
"I have more things to sell."
"Huh, how much?"
Joo-hyuk used Designated Summon for Razix.
"Ho-eh,"
The ultimate worker appeared, raising his short arms.
Jeon Gwang-il tensed up.
Lord Razix had appeared.
Then, perhaps?
"Here, stack them neatly by type."
"Hoeng!"
Razix opened his subspace bag.
Items began piling up.
High-grade Magic Stones, equipment items, colorful gems, gold ingots....
Literally piled up.
So high it almost reached the ceiling of the tall materials warehouse.
'...Wh-what is all this?'
Again?
Jeon Gwang-il could only stare blankly.
What words are needed in this situation?
The quantity was more than last time.
Not just a bit more.
Twice, no, three times more?
Was there really a treasure vault inside the Tower?
"Can you sell all of this?"
"...Uhm, yes, yes, we, we have to sell. We'll sell diligently."
How was he supposed to digest this much?
As if suddenly remembering something, Jeon Gwang-il asked Joo-hyuk.
"Um, should we allow foreign players to enter the Player Shop this time? With this volume, it should be possible."
"That's a good idea. Let's do that."
Of course he agreed.
The faster it sold, the sooner he could raise 1.3 trillion, right?
Did only Korean players conquer Towers?
Foreign players had to conquer their own country's Towers too.
But it'd sell out soon.
How many players were there worldwide?
Between 700,000 and 1.5 million.
If even half of them visited the Player Shop....
They wouldn't buy just one, but two, three, four, five, they'd buy in bulk.
'This won't be nearly enough.'
Was there nowhere else to get more?
Gwang-ma had said.
If it's not the Korean Black Tower, but another country's Black Tower, there might be another treasure vault.
'Wait!'
An idea occurred to him.
He currently had about 6 Multinational Tower Usage Tickets.
It's a common item....
"What was it the French government requested again?"
"To climb to the 71st floor and hand over the 4-type item set.... A very brazen demand. Aren't they saying they'll blow their nose without even lifting a finger?"
Well, what's wrong with letting them blow their nose?
"Tell them we'll do it."
"...Huh?"
"But the condition is that I conquer the French Black Tower up to the 73rd floor."
"Gasp!"
Jeon Gwang-il was startled.
Not conquering the 70th floor, but conquering up to the 73rd floor?
"Do you think they might refuse? I hope they accept."
After standing dazed for a moment and snapping back to his senses.
"Ah, no. They absolutely won't refuse. How could they dare to decline?"
Right.
The collapse deadlines would stack.
They'd gain 540 days of time.
"Then I'll leave it to you. We need the French government's permission first."
"Understood. I'll report to the Director."
Money!
He needed to earn money.
Soon his bank account would be emptied.
An empty account needed to be refilled immediately.
A sudden worry arose.
'If I buy the building, who will manage it?'
There's one person at home who's free.
Father, Bong Su-cheol.
Mother was there too.
Ahhh!
What a filial son he was.
He was even getting his parents a workplace.
'But the French Black Tower must have a treasure vault too, right?'
If not, it's a bust.
Well, even just earning badges would be satisfying.
Current cumulative count: 85.
Physical badges remaining in inventory: 53.
It was 57 until yesterday, but he gave one to Kosak, one to Gwang-ma, and two to Razix.
'If I conquer the French Black Tower, 70th, 71st, 72nd, and 73rd floors?'
The 70th floor only gives S++ grade, so 1 Platinum Badge. From the 71st floor onward, 2 each, totaling 7.
Cumulative 92, physical 60.
Increase badge count, receive another special benefit, plus loot the Necromancer's dungeon treasure vault and the palace treasure vault.
Wasn't this killing four birds with one stone?
Upon receiving Joo-hyuk's intent, Director Park Kyung-su immediately attempted negotiations with the French special envoy team.
We'll receive the 4-type gift set and hand it over.
But under the condition of signing a contract to conquer the French Black Tower up to the 73rd floor.
France couldn't refuse.
They welcomed it instead.
If they conquer the 71st, 72nd, and 73rd floors, they'd accumulate 540 days of collapse deadline.
Joo-hyuk also conveyed his intentions to his Summoned Beings.
After summoning them all via Designated Summon.
"I need to buy a building."
"Oh! Buildings are the best. Real estate never fails, you know."
"This maiden also approves. For a nobleman like you, one building is no problem, is it?"
Everyone had pleased expressions.
But.
"It's a bit expensive. I need to earn more money."
"How much? Around 50 billion, maybe?"
Gyeon Dal-rae snorted.
"Hmph! This house is 30 billion. Buying a whole building, it should be at least 100 billion, shouldn't it?"
Kosak clicked his tongue.
"Wow! That's really expensive. With that money, you could eat Hanwoo sirloin for a lifetime and still have some left."
"There's a reason people say 'building owner, building owner.'"
Joo-hyuk revealed the building's price.
"1.3 trillion won."
"...What?"
"A 61-story building in a prime Gangnam location. 1.3 trillion, they said."
"Uhm, is that 1 trillion the real 1 trillion?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Did you get scammed? Who do you think I am, Kosak?"
Kosak's face turned pale.
"This is a disaster. We'll have to starve from now on. We might be chased around by loan debt. Even if we sell this house, it's only 30 billion."
Gyeon Dal-rae seemed greatly shocked.
"Ah ah ah ah...."
She pressed her fingers to her forehead, twisted them, and fainted.
"Oh dear, Princess! Wake up! You must strengthen your heart at a time like this."
Gwang-ma also had a curious expression.
"Just how much money is 1 trillion? Is it an amount the Summoner cannot handle?"
"It's a bit expensive, sure. But if we work hard..."
"Then what's the problem? Just buy it."
Then Kosak flared up and scolded Gwang-ma.
"Does Lord Gwang-ma not know worldly affairs? An elite player's annual salary is 12 billion. Saving that for 10 years makes 120 billion. Saving for 100 years makes 1.2 trillion. And you'd still be short 100 billion and couldn't buy a Gangnam building."
Gwang-ma flinched! He was surprised.
With an awkward expression,
"Hoho, I, this old man didn't know it was that much."
He avoided Kosak's sharp gaze.
"And that's not all! Acquisition tax, property tax, comprehensive real estate tax, management fees... Oh my, our Lord Bong Summoner will become a building beggar. He'll have to beg, beg."
Veronica made a disgusted face and swallowed dryly.
Gobang and Bardin seemed unable to grasp the reality, just staring blankly.
But only one person was different.
Razix with a sneering expression.
"Ho-eh eh eh eh."
A mere 1.3 trillion?
As if telling him to just trust him, he thumped his chest while looking at Joo-hyuk.
Right, only our Razix can do it.
"Mr. Razix, can you do it?"
"Hoeng!"
"Great! Then let's do it."
There's plenty of time.
If we conquer two floors a day, it's just two days.
Since the contract with France is finished.
First, tearing one Multinational Tower Usage Ticket.
"French Black Tower, 70th floor."
"Enter."
Spot!
Step, step!
Joo-hyuk and the Summoned Beings walked towards the mansion where Cabalan was hiding.
Everyone's expressions were fierce.
A strong will to fight.
A single-minded determination to smash everything in sight.
Creeeak,
As they opened the door and entered, the duplicate Cabalan looked down at the gathering with a grim expression.
"Welcome."
Welcome my foot?
"Get him!"
Rumble rumble!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
"...Kuh-huh! Wh-what?"
We're busy, you bastard.
Don't get in the way.
Followed by a series of world announcements.
About benefits from the French Black Tower, high-grade Magic Stone rewards, and so on.
There was no need to listen.
Exit and come out.
Next, the 71st floor.
First, he'd receive the 4-type gift set.
"Just the basic mission?"
"Let's just wipe everything out."
He received the item rewards too.
Common stuff.
Liberation Rune Necklace, Holy Water, things like that.
They should give at least one more Multinational Tower Usage Ticket.
"Damn bitch, target locked."
"Fire!"
Zzziiiiing!
Pajujujuk!
Puh-uck!
After killing even the fleeing Kate.
Tomorrow was the day to loot two treasure vaults.
But it still seemed insufficient.
If only the could loot about ten treasure vaults, they'd have no worries.
Was there another Tower to loot?
That day, French citizens who saw the world announcement cheered.
He had come.
France's savior.
Thanks to him, France became the first country in Europe eligible for high-grade Magic Stone rewards.
Countries around the world also fell into contemplation upon seeing France's example.
Instead of struggling to climb ourselves, can't we just ask him to conquer it for us?
That would be very convenient and certain.