Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Abyss of Infinite Prison
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The Infinite Prison.
Also known as the Abyss.
It was an incredibly vast place, but news spread surprisingly fast whenever something happened.
It was due to their method of communication.
Resonance of soul with soul.
In other words, telepathy.
『Did you hear? That crazy elf girl went out.』
『Don't tell me it's the foul-mouthed Aliamari?』
『Yeah, her. The one who spits curses everywhere.』
『Trouble's brewing. Bet she started cursing the summoner the moment she got out?』
『Even she wouldn't go that far, no matter how crazy.』
『No, what's with this summoner? Is he a scrap collector or something? Why does he only call out those kinds of people?』
『Now I get it. The reason I couldn't get out.』
『What is it?』
『I lived too normally.』
『Same here. Is there anyone as normal as me in this place?』
『Sigh, the normal ones can't get out, while the ones lacking in some way get out just fine.』
『Kekeke, you lunatics, acting all normal? You're all scraps anyway.』
『Shut up! You wretched woman!』
『Hmm, true. But if this summoner really is a scrap collector, then there's nothing to worry about. You'll all get summoned someday too.』
『...Really? Then I have hope too. I'm confident I can be more of a lunatic than the Mad Demon.』
『I was the original crazy bitch of this sector, Aliamari was beneath me.』
『Actually, I was better at cursing than that elf chick too.』
『A sudden crazy bitch, crazy bastard competition?』
『I wish there was a real contest. Just to get out somehow.』
『Me too.』
『Me too.』
LSSR Grade Alchemist Aliamari.
Her background description, reviewed yesterday.
- The life of the elf alchemist Aliamari was extremely unfortunate. Offered as a sacrifice to the ancient dragon Black Dragon Cassiurus by her own kin in her youth, Aliamari spent her entire life as a slave in Cassiurus's lair.
- The Black Dragon taught her alchemy. And alchemy became an escape, a way to forget her loneliness. She thought she would live her whole life alone, but a change occurred. The ancient dragon Cassiurus returned to the embrace of mana before she did.
- Now free, Aliamari still did not leave the lair. A thousand years of solitude had already become part of Aliamari's life, so when she died, she was alone.
She had severe anthropophobia (fear of people), it was the reason she became a shut-in alchemist.
She didn't converse with anyone except her summoner, Joo-hyuk.
Not even through written exchanges on paper.
She ignored the words of fellow women, Gyeon Dal-rae and Veronica, and even Razix's cuteness had no effect.
Kosak was thoroughly ignored after prancing around in front of her, and even the Mad Demon was no exception.
This was problematic.
A method had to be found.
To cure her anthropophobia?
Not a chance!
He had no such intention.
Having lived like that her whole life,
it had become a sort of identity,
could it be easily fixed?
He only intended to make basic communication possible.
Instead of the inconvenient method of writing characters on paper.
This was 21st century Korea.
There were plenty of ways to converse without facing each other.
So Joo-hyuk contacted Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
Meeting in the underground parking lot.
"The items are selling well, right?"
"Yes, the Player Shop is packed to the brim. You probably won't need something like a loan when you buy the building."
"That's a relief. If it falls short..."
"No need. Inventory is overflowing. Oh! And here..."
Jeon Gwang-il handed Joo-hyuk a paper bag containing a document folder and three Apple Pads.
"We've processed all of them as players who have permanently naturalized to Korea. They have perfect identities, so don't worry."
"Thank you."
"Oh, it's nothing."
Joo-hyuk had decided to grant Korean citizenship to his summoned beings.
On paper, that is.
He gave them simple names.
As long as the resident registration numbers came out correctly.
Originally, it was something he was reluctant to do.
What need was there to register summoned beings in the national database?
But now there was a need.
If only for Aliamari's sake.
"I'll contact you again if anything comes up."
"Yes."
After parting with Jeon Gwang-il,
Joo-hyuk took the documents and went back up to the penthouse.
And summoned the summoned beings.
"Alright, gather around."
Joo-hyuk took out the Apple Pads.
The six pads he'd bought earlier, plus the three additional ones he'd asked Jeon Gwang-il to buy, totaling nine.
Large 13-inch screens with cellular capability.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il had even handled the carrier subscriptions in bulk.
"Sign up for KakaoTalk. I'll give you your resident registration numbers."
Following Joo-hyuk's instructions, they completed their memberships, set their nicknames, and even added friends.
Then Joo-hyuk went to a small room and summoned Aliamari.
As before, she appeared with her head buried in the corner.
Joo-hyuk handled her membership for her.
After teaching her how to use it by writing on paper,
he sent out a batch invitation to a group chat room.
*Ding-ding*, the sound of message notifications ringing.
Everyone entered the chat room with their individually set nicknames.
<인싸코사> (PopularKosa) : I'm here.
Kosak, claiming to be popular.
Princess Gyeon Dal-rae was,
<겅듀♥무녀> (Gyeongdu♥Shrine Maiden) : Lord, this maiden greets you.
Where did she learn something like that?
MZ generations these days don't do that.
Then again, was Gyeon Dal-rae a modern girl?
<우주대머슴> (UlitmateBaldWorker) : Hweh!
A nickname that revealed Razix's identity perfectly.
<베로베로베상사> (VeroVeroVeronica) : Certain victory!
Veronica too.
<광마> (Mad Demon) : I'm not sure if this is the right way to do it.
<주군의성검> (Lord's Holy Sword) : My Lord!
Veronica, Mad Demon-nim, and even Bardin had entered.
What about Alchemist Aliamari?
He definitely sent the invite.
<상남자> (Real Man) : Mari-nim?
Then.
<마리> (Mari) : Yes.
She was here.
Now, shall we start communicating in earnest?
Kosak kicked things off first.
<인싸코사> (PopularKosa) : Mari-nim, nice to meet you. You must have been lonely all this time. Don't worry from now on. I will wholeheartedly....
Right then!
<마리> (Mari) : Shut up! You @#%!
<인싸코사> (PopularKosa) : Huh?
<마리> (Mari) : 'I'm here.' 'You must have been.' Is your keyboard speech pattern like that too? There's a limit to being an attention-seeker, you &%@ bastard!
Silence fell over the chat room in an instant.
Joo-hyuk couldn't believe his eyes either.
Sudden acceleration?
<겅듀♥무녀> (Gyeongdu♥Shrine Maiden) : Your words are too harsh. Kosak-nim may have shortcomings, but....
<마리> (Mari) : Talking nonsense like 'Gyeongdu'. What the % are you? A wet-behind-the-ears brat who wants a #&%$? Should I give you one?
<겅듀♥무녀> (Gyeongdu♥Shrine Maiden) : Ahhh.
This was getting...
<베로베로베상사> (VeroVeroVeronica) : Mari-nim. Please refrain from swearing. You're a learned person.
<마리> (Mari) : %#@ you. You big-breasted bitch, what $*@$? Want me to &@% you up?
<베로베로베상사> (VeroVeroVeronica) : Wow! I'm going to live long.
He never could have imagined.
<광마> (Mad Demon) : Turns out she's a lunatic. Wait! A crazy elf, now that I think about it, I remember hearing about her.
<마리> (Mari) : Yeah, you $%#. Dentures, want me to $@& them?
<광마> (Mad Demon) : Hehehe, this is fun.
In reality, she was an anthropophobe who couldn't even make eye contact with people,
<주군의성검> (Lord's Holy Sword) : Mari-nim needs repentance.
<마리> (Mari) : Repentance? You &@$ bastard, I'll shove a % right into your mouth! I'll @%# you up.
<주군의성검> (Lord's Holy Sword) : Light!!!
A ferocious keyboard warrior in the chat room.
<우주대머슴> (UlitmateBaldWorker) : Hweh?
<마리> (Mari) : Don't you act cute! You're not cute at all! I mean it.
<우주대머슴> (UlitmateBaldWorker) : Hweheheh,
<마리> (Mari) : Damn it! I said don't!
She seemed slightly shaken, but even Razix didn't work.
<상남자> (Real Man) : Uh, Mari-nim.
<마리> (Mari) : Please speak, Summoner-nim♡♡♡♡♡♡.
Everyone except Joo-hyuk.
But what's with the hearts?
Eventually, the Mad Demon stood before the door to Aliamari's room.
*Bang bang*, knocking on the door.
"Open the door. Let's talk face to face. Let's see if you can keep spouting curses."
But the firmly locked door did not open.
Gerald's house was a large mansion in the suburbs of Washington D.C., fitting for an American.
Dozens of armed bodyguards were stationed at his mansion, protecting him at close range.
The dignity of America's top player.
But that was just the surface.
In reality, it was surveillance disguised as protection.
For that reason, Gerald spent most of his free time in a bunker installed beneath his house.
An underground bunker built to take shelter in case of nuclear war.
Nothing special.
Mansions in Washington all had bunkers like this.
And there were no CCTV cameras here.
Locking the door from the inside,
Gerald took the Rune of Liberation necklace from his inventory and put it around his neck.
He pressed the rune necklace, *click*!, liberating the player's power.
This was the second time.
Instantly!
*Woooooong!*
The turbulent surge of magical energy inside his body.
"...Ahhh!"
Magical power erupted.
All the skills he had learned rose to the surface of his mind.
"Fireball."
*Whoosh!*
A ball of fire rose above Gerald's hand.
Close combat skills were the same.
He took a sword from his inventory and imbued it with magical power,
*Ziiiiing!*
A sharp sword aura clearly manifested.
*Slice!*
A thick iron rebar block he had brought for testing was instantly cut through.
'Unbelievable.'
He could see why the government wanted to regulate this item.
It was a dangerous item.
If all players had items like this, the world would be ruined in no time.
By the players' hands.
Gerald had absolutely no intention of using it outside either.
Only quietly, in a place where no one knew.
Filling his desire in a timid way.
The one-hour duration passed quickly.
It was a shame, but there was nothing to be done.
Now the number of uses was 1.
[Rune of Liberation Necklace.]
Effect: Allows the manifestation of player abilities outside the Tower for 1 hour.
Limit: Can be used a total of 1 time. The rune is destroyed when the number of uses is exhausted.
'Is there no way to get one more?'
Just playing with it secretly like this was satisfying enough.
'I've played enough.'
Gerald came out of the bunker again.
Time to slowly prepare for the conquest.
Climb from the Western Tower's 68th floor, enter the 71st floor, and receive the 4-type gift set.
But why did they say to only complete the basic missions on the Eastern Tower's 72nd and 73rd floors?
What was so special about them?
He'd heard the information, but it was hard not to feel dissatisfied.
The 71st floor was very easy.
Even the additional optional missions and high-difficulty optional missions.
Of course, the final ultra-high difficulty was tough.
Killing the fleeing necromancer Kate.
Even with repeated attempts, she was hard to catch.
She'd cast magic the moment she appeared, and when he unleashed his ultimate skill, she'd either blink away or be blocked by a shield.
Why wasn't it working?
How did the Korean player manage to kill Kate?
And with an S+++ grade conquest at that.
His pride was hurt.
It wasn't that he coveted the S+++ grade conquest.
Gerald knew his own place.
He had no desire to compete with that player.
He just wanted to ordinarily conquer the additional, high-difficulty, and ultra-high-difficulty optional missions given on each floor.
But he couldn't even do that?
No matter what, that was too much. He was America's top player.
And he was the world's best before the Korean S+++ grade conquest player appeared.
'What is there that I can't do?'
What should he do?
He had been pondering it for a while.
About conquering the Eastern Tower's 72nd floor.
And finally, Gerald made a decision.
'I should go up to the 72nd floor.'
He couldn't stand it anymore.
He'd just complete up to the additional optional and high-difficulty missions.
Leaving out the ultra-high difficulty,
'I'll get an earful from Director Antonio later, but...'
So what?
If he conquered it, the collapse time limit would increase, so it's actually better.
He could just apologize after causing trouble.
'When should I go?'
Today.
He hadn't entered the Tower yet.
Just in case, Gerald left a message for Director Antonio on his smartphone.
- I'm going to conquer the Eastern Tower's 72nd floor. Before conquering the Western Tower.
*Poof!*
Gerald disappeared.
And he did not return.
Even after a full day had passed.
Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
Yesterday was intense.
The anthropophobic alchemist Aliamari.
A typical keyboard warrior.
According to the Mad Demon, she was actually famous over there too.
The foul-mouthed elf.
She openly spewed curses.
So he had no idea, not even in his dreams, that this elf was that elf.
Who would have thought the crazy elf actually had anthropophobia?
How could he not know?
It was because of the communication method among souls in that world.
From the conversation he had with the Mad Demon yesterday.
'Souls don't speak with their mouths.'
'Then by what method?'
'Within a certain area, souls resonate with each other and convey their will in a telepathic form. It's quite similar to this chat window.'
It made sense.
The elf Aliamari, who had lived alone for a thousand long years.
Of course meeting people would be scary.
Anthropophobia.
Her curses were closer to self-defense.
Or perhaps she deliberately made herself disliked, so that no one would approach her.
'I guess from now on, I should only have conversations with her alone.'
At that moment. *Ziiing!*
It was an incoming call.
Checking the ID, it was Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
They had just met yesterday.
"Hello."
- Ah, Player Bong, I hope you're not busy....
"No, it's fine. What's the matter?"
- I just spoke with Director Antonio. But...
Director Antonio and Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il were usually on friendly terms.
He didn't know the details of their conversation, but after a brief silence,
- It seems something has happened to Player Gerald.
"Huh?"
Joo-hyuk was startled.
And for good reason.
'Player Gerald, then...'
Isn't that our hyung-nim?
America's top player.
The first customer for the holy sword rental.
The benefactor who rented the holy sword twice a day, allowing him to buy the penthouse.
"Uh, how? Did something happen while climbing the Tower?"
- That's right. According to Director Antonio, Gerald sent a smartphone message saying he was going to conquer the Eastern Tower's 72nd floor and entered the Tower, but...
"He hasn't returned, you mean."
- Yes.
The 72nd floor.
It seemed he had met with misfortune while attempting to conquer the ultra-high-difficulty 8-Circle Necromancer Norma.
No, he had specifically warned him through Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il to just stick to the basic missions.
Because of this, an emergency had been declared in America.
The atmosphere was like a funeral home.
Was there a way?
There wasn't.
If a player doesn't come out, that's the end.
To think they even contacted Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il...
- Player Bong, please always be careful too. If you let your guard down, it could be disastrous. I'm counting on you.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il must have been anxious too, calling him like that.
'Phew,'
Joo-hyuk felt complicated too.
Even though they'd never met, weren't they fellow players?
He was also a grateful person who helped with the holy sword rental.
It was unfortunate.
Was there no way to save him?
'If only I'd known earlier...'
Well, even then, it would have been helpless.
The Tower was that terrifying.
If an accident happened while you're doing well, there's no way to turn back.
He needed to stay alert too.
Danger could strike at any time, anywhere.
Just imagine if one of the summoned beings met with misfortune.
Not being able to see them for 100 days.
His chest ached even after not seeing Gobang for two weeks.
'But at least there's the Rune of Resurrection.'
The starter pack he received as a special perk,
He could revive them once.
Remembering it, Joo-hyuk took out the starter pack items from his inventory.
Summoned Being Resurrection Rune, Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket, Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket.
He hadn't used any of them since receiving them.
The Tower Conquest Mission Reset Ticket might come in handy someday,
but which of these was the most interesting item?
It was the Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket.
[Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket]
Effect: Intrudes into a Tower floor currently being conquered by another player. Must match the entry level. Can be used starting from the 71st floor.
Entering a floor where another player is.
Honestly, does that make sense?
Player conquests are strictly solo play.
'How do you use this?'
Just tear it?
At that moment.
"Ah!"
*Zrrrrrt!*
Items rising up.
Countless, one after another.
[Russia Black Tower 8th Floor, current conquering player's level 8LV]
[UK Black Tower 9th Floor, current conquering player's level 9LV]
[Vietnam Black Tower 10th Floor, current conquering player's level 10LV]
[Republic of Korea Black Tower 10th Floor, current conquering player's level 10LV]
.
.
.
And finally,
[Select the Black Tower floor you wish to intrude, then tear the ticket to move immediately.]
'So that's what it was?'
Unbelievable.
It even let you choose the intrusion location yourself.
Even the player level on that floor.
Actually, when a player enters the Tower, even on the same floor, their phases are separated.
Meaning even two players of the same level, entering the same nationality's Tower, the same floor, end up in different places.
But what if it gives you a target like this?
You can accurately find your way to the place you want to enter.
Doesn't that mean you could go in and interfere with or even kill a specific player's Tower conquest?
'I shouldn't use this.'
He wouldn't in the future either.
Why would he enter a Tower someone else is conquering?
But then?
"Huh?"
An item displayed at the very bottom of the list caught Joo-hyuk's eye.
[America Black Tower(NO.1) 72nd Floor, conquering player's level 72LV]
"...What?"
American Tower 72nd floor?
And even the Eastern Tower.
The floor Gerald entered,
'Was there another 72-level player besides Gerald?'
No.
Not to his knowledge.
Gerald conquered the American Black Tower's 71st floor too.
'...Could this be?'
If it's Gerald, the conquest time limit has passed, so why does it still say "conquering"?
'Could it be he's still alive?'
Or perhaps it's not Gerald, but another 72-level player who entered.
He couldn't just sit still.
He had to check.
'I'll enter the Tower and summon the summoned beings.'
Joo-hyuk specified the Tower and tore the intrusion ticket.
*Riiip!*