Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Workshop of the 72nd Floor Necromancer
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72nd Floor, Necromancer Noma's Workshop.
On the altar inscribed with pentagrams and magic circles.
Player Gerald was writhing.
He couldn't move or speak.
Even though the clear time limit had passed, he couldn't leave the Tower.
Shouldn't you be automatically ejected when the time was up?
Yet, a full day had passed, and he remained bound to the altar.
'...How did it come to this?'
The 72nd-floor clear.
As expected, it was easy.
Just like the 71st-floor mission.
Basic mission completed.
He disposed of the chimeras without much difficulty.
But then came the subsequent additional optional clear.
That's where things went wrong.
Suddenly, *ding!*
A system message appeared.
[The mission has been altered.]
Altered?
What?
[From the additional optional mission onward, it is a conditional clear.]
Conditional clear.
[If you do not wish to proceed, you may exit the Tower here.]
[Upon successful clear completion, you will receive 10x Superior Magic Stones and a 100% chance for an additional clear reward.]
He had heard about it.
Information that Director Antonio had received from the Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
If a mission labeled "conditional clear" appears, abandon it immediately and leave the Tower.
A choice had to be made.
Complete only the basic mission and leave, or proceed with the additional optional mission even if it's a conditional clear.
The answer was already clear.
Did I come here just to do the basic mission?
He entered intending to tackle the additional missions, aiming for at least the high difficulty level from the start.
Even if I gave up on the extreme difficulty.
And the reward?
How could he resist that?
So, he proceeded.
But.
[Conditional clear has been established.]
[Necromancer Kate and Necromancer Noma have joined the additional mission.]
'What?'
[High-difficulty and Extreme-difficulty optional missions will also proceed automatically.]
[Mid-mission abandonment is impossible.]
Mid-mission abandonment impossible.
Simultaneously, chimeras appeared.
Along with them, a woman and an old man with name tags above their heads materialized.
"So it's you? I was just about to go catch you with my master, and you show up on your own?"
Was this how it was meant to go?
The consequence of letting Necromancer Kate escape on the 71st floor manifested on the 72nd?
He fought desperately.
Poured out every skill he had.
But it wasn't enough.
Now he was in this state.
Mid-mission abandonment impossible.
Its meaning was that if the clear failed, he would be trapped in the Tower.
"How does it feel?"
Necromancer Kate whispered in Gerald's ear.
"Curious? I'll tell you what will happen to you."
With a mocking expression, she continued,
"First, I'll extract your soul. Your soul will be used to strengthen our darling Hydra, and your body... I'll specially turn it into a chimera."
Extract my soul?
Turn me into a chimera?
"Well, the pure souls of children are the most effective... but I failed because of you. You must pay the price. I'll make good use of your filthy soul."
How dare a fake do this to a real human?
Beings created for the Tower's missions.
Bastards akin to NPCs in a game.
"To be honest, I liked you."
That's ridiculous.
Just kill me!
"I saw you in our village. The day you ruthlessly killed the mercenaries' kids."
What about it?
"Even when village youths or elders died, when the mother protecting her children died, when the older kids were slaughtered... you didn't even blink, did you?"
So what?
It was a mission.
A mission given by the Tower.
"Actually, normal adventurers would save the people first. But you didn't. If necessary, you would have killed the villagers too, right? Hmm?"
...What?
"I like villains. The cunning, cruel, and selfish ones. Birds of a feather, I guess."
What is this?
How dare an NPC-like being spout human ethics?
'In the real world, I would have saved the people first.'
How can you compare living, real humans with the Tower's content targets...
'Hmm.'
A sudden doubt crossed his mind.
Were they truly fabricated humans?
Could beings who converse like this, mock, confess (?), and judge good and evil really be fakes?
Gerald recalled what happened in the 71st-floor village.
The smell of blood, the screams of people as soon as he opened the door.
Villagers were being killed by mercenaries, children were being kidnapped.
A mercenary bastard raising his sword to kill a woman, a child dying trying to protect their mother.
Looking back, it was a horrific scene.
What did I do then?
I just watched.
Because the mission was all that mattered.
'...Damn it!'
Even if they were fakes, that wasn't right.
He should have saved the people first.
An overwhelming sense of guilt overtook him.
Gerald's spirit was crumbling.
"Kate, extract it now. It seems ready."
"Yes, Master."
Kate placed a round object into Gerald's mouth.
It was the Soul Extraction Orb.
[Forcibly entering America's Black Tower (NO.1) 72nd Floor.]
Joo-hyuk appeared on the 72nd floor.
He immediately summoned his summoned beings.
As soon as he appeared, Gyeon Dal-rae spoke up.
"Master, isn't this the 72nd floor? Is there perhaps another treasure vault?"
"We already looted one. There can't be any items left."
However,
"Ho-he, there are."
"Huh? There are?"
That's right. There had to be.
Joo-hyuk explained in detail to his summoned beings why they were here.
"As expected, you appear here and there in a flash. After France, now it's America. You're a world-class Summoner, Bong. Hehehe."
Well, it just turned out that way,
"Welcome to the American Black Tower Seventy-Second Floor."
"..."
What's this?
Why is his English so good?
"Let's go check first. To see if it's really Gerald, if he's alive, and if he is, we need to bring him out."
"Yes, sir!"
"This old man shall lead the way."
There was one spot left.
Then, summon Hyeolrang too.
"Hoo-hey!"
"Woof woof!"
Razix beamed with joy.
Hyeolrang wagged his tail.
It seems these two have also become soulmates, just like Gobang and Bardin.
Gwang-ma fearlessly charged ahead.
So fast it was hard to keep up.
'No mission is popping up.'
Of course.
This was a floor another player is currently clearing.
He just forced his way in.
Soon, a large cavern in the dungeon came into view.
Necromancer Noma's Workshop.
But?
"Oh my? Who are you people?"
It was Kate.
He realized the situation.
So they didn't catch her on the 71st floor.
"Sergeant V."
"Targeting complete."
Zzzzzzzzing!
Pazuzuzuk!
Splash!
"Wha, what is this?"
Poof!
Kate, was killed by Sergeant V, in three different Towers, with three splashes, three times.
"Gwang-ma-nim."
Spot!
Gwang-ma, had already grabbed Necromancer Noma's head.
Crunchcrunchcrunch!
The Super Monster Hydra as well.
Pazuzuzuk! Kwaak! Seogeogeogek!
It sas hit by a flail, sniped by a magic gun, slashed by Kosak, and finished off by Gwang-ma.
But at that very moment!
Something caught Joo-hyuk's eye.
A person who seemed to be a player was laid out on the necromancer's altar.
He approached to take a closer look.
"...Gerald."
It was him.
And his face was pale.
He looked like a dead man.
Was he too late?
He pressed his ear to the chest—a faint heartbeat.
"Whew,"
Thank goodness.
If he had been a little later...
Joo-hyuk shook Gerald.
"Hello? Mr. Gerald? Or is it Watson?"
Gerald slowly opened his eyes.
'...What is this?'
But he couldn't speak.
His tongue was stiff and rigid.
His mind still not fully intact.
"Ah, right, he wouldn't understand Korean."
Even in his dazed state, Gerald was bewildered.
Who is this East Asian man who suddenly appeared?
'A hallucination?'
Anyway, his consciousness returned briefly, but it was hard to maintain.
Thump!
Gerald lost consciousness again.
"Huh? Why did he faint again?"
Kosak quickly ran over.
"I shall wake him up."
Slap slap!
He slapped Gerald's cheeks.
"Hey, Gerald, wake up! Wake up! Open your eyes! What's the matter?"
"..."
This guy's English has been good since earlier.
Anyway, since he wasn't waking up.
'What to do?'
And then.
"Hoo-heng!"
"Woof!"
Razix appeared riding Hyeolrang.
Judging by his expression, he must have looted another treasure vault.
Truly the ultimate worker.
Anyway, it seemed they needed to leave the Tower.
But nothing happened.
Kate was dead, Noma was dead, and the Hydra was dead.
Shouldn't they be ejected upon clear success?
'Hmm,'
He could guess.
This floor's time limit had already passed anyway.
Gerald recklessly charged in and ended up like this, so how could there be a clear success judgment?
'It's become a closed floor.'
Then how do we get out?
[Do you wish to exit the floor you have forcibly entered?]
"Oh!"
The system, as expected.
There's a procedure for everything.
Joo-hyuk picked Gerald up in his arms.
"Exit!"
Spot!
Cheongdam-dong Penthouse.
Gerald was laid gently on the bed.
He still hadn't regained consciousness,
By now, his complexion should have returned and there should be signs of him waking up, but he seemed to be getting worse.
His face grew paler as time passed.
Was he going to die like this?
'Should I take him to a hospital?'
No.
If it were a normal illness, he would have gone to the hospital immediately, but this was magical damage.
A doctor wouldn't be able to do anything.
'I need to call an expert.'
First, send one back.
"Hyeolrang Summon Release."
Spot!
Hyeolrang disappeared,
He entered the room where Gerald was lying.
"Aliamari Designated Summon."
Spot! Mari appeared.
Despite being the third summoning, Alchemist Mari remained crouched, her head pressed against the corner wall.
"Ms. Mari?"
Jolt!
It seemed she had trouble hearing human voices.
Couldn't speak, couldn't hear.
It was severe. Very severe.
The conversation began via tablet.
Tap tap tap, typing on the keyboard.
Of course, it had to be 5 stars.
Even if she was a foul-mouthed keyboard warrior.
Mari moved from her seated position by scooting her butt along the floor.
It seemed she didn't want to show her face even to the Summoner.
Keeping her back turned, she sat on the bed and carefully examined Gerald.
It seemed her social phobia didn't apply to unconscious people.
Sure enough, a red orb was inside Gerald's mouth.
Joo-hyuk did as instructed.
Crunch! The orb shattered.
Oh!
As expected, an instant diagnosis.
A prescription was ready.
Mari wrote down a dense list of herb names on paper.
Would he have the herbs?
"Mr. Razix."
Calling his name,
Roll roll roll, the ultimate worker rolled into the room.
"Hoo-heng?"
Joo-hyuk showed Razix the list of herbs Mari had written.
"Can you get these?"
"Ho-he, I have them right now."
"Oh!"
It seems he had been growing herbs in his spare time.
Actually, among Tower materials, herbs are the least profitable, so I hadn't paid much attention.
Razix placed the herbs next to Mari.
As Mari received the herbs,
Being an LSSR-grade being, she naturally had a discerning eye.
Swish!
A table appeared in front of Mari.
Being a production class, it seemed she carried around spatial storage items.
The potions were quickly made.
Now, all that was left was to administer them.
After that.
'Should I call Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il soon?'
Joo-hyuk called Jeon Gwang-il on his smartphone.
Jeon Gwang-il sprinted like a madman through the underground parking garage of Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
He was half out of his mind.
He was short of breath.
Not from running.
It was from trembling so much.
Who was at Player Bong's house?
Gerald?
No, what kind of bullshit is this?
If it weren't Player Bong, he would have yelled that.
But who said it?
How could he not believe it?
If it were true, by what means?
He had heard the explanation.
A ticket to force entry into a Tower, used to enter the American Tower's 72nd floor, and so on.
The detailed conversation would come later.
First, he needed to see with his own eyes.
Jeon Gwang-il pressed the intercom in front of the penthouse's private elevator.
"I, I'm in front of the elevator now."
The door opened automatically.
Whoosh! The elevator ascended rapidly.
Ding!
Upon arriving at the penthouse, the door opened, and he entered through the front door.
"Player Bong."
"That room over there. He's still asleep, but he should wake up soon."
"Ah, yes, yes."
He hurriedly opened the bedroom door and went inside.
"...Gasp!"
It was really Gerald.
How could he not know?
They had talked a lot while he was lending him the Holy Sword.
Suddenly!
"Ugh..."
Gerald groaned and regained consciousness.
As he sat up, his eyes met Jeon Gwang-il's.
"Gerald?"
"...Deputy Director?"
The two just stared blankly at each other.
"Why are you here, Deputy Director?"
"Th, that's..."
"Is this inside the Tower... Gasp?"
It was unclear if an explanation was even possible.
Washington D.C., USA.
The living room of Gerald's mansion.
It was packed with people.
But the atmosphere was gloomy.
No one dared to speak.
Director Antonio wore a despairing expression.
If only this were a dream,
Gerald, who left a message saying he was clearing the 72nd floor and entered the Tower.
But he still hadn't come out.
Even though far more than a day had passed.
America had lost its top player.
The hero who had successfully strategized two Towers for his country.
"Pull yourself together. It's irreversible, so we must prepare for the future."
McMillan also wore a somber expression,
"It was beyond our control. How could we stop a player from entering the Tower?"
"No. It's negligence on my part. I was careless."
Players who enter the Tower and effortlessly handle terrifying monsters.
It's a grave mistake to think they are strong just by their outward appearance.
In truth, they are endlessly fragile beings.
That's why managing their self-esteem and mental state by staying close is crucial, and
Director Antonio believed he had failed in that duty.
"I'll take full responsibility. I'll step down."
"Tsk, if you step down, I should too..."
Suddenly! Riiiiing!
A call came to Antonio's smartphone.
But now was not the time to answer.
If he left it, it would hang up soon.
But Riiing! Riiing! Riiing!...
It kept ringing.
It hung up and then called again.
Riiing! Riiing!
'...Who the hell is it?'
Checking the screen—it was Jeon Gwang-il from the Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
Maybe he was calling to offer condolences...
'Even though he knows what situation we're in.'
However,
Riiing! Riiing! Riiing! Riiing!
"...What the fuck!!!"
Anger surged.
Was he insane?
Why keep calling?
Antonio answered the call.
"What is it? Why are you calling?"
He snapped with a voice full of irritation.
"Don't you know what's happening right now? Why would someone who knows call... Who? Gerald? He's in Korea? What's the big deal about that.... Ugh, ah! W, wait a minute!"
Had he misheard?
"...Wh, who is in Korea, you said,"
Everyone's gaze focused on Antonio as he took the call.
"Gerald?"
Gerald?
"Our player Gerald Watson? America's top player, that Gerald? Are you sure?"
What kind of nonsense was this?
They had checked the CCTV.
They saw Gerald entering the Tower.
And he hadn't come out even after a day.
"Antonio, what are you talking about?"
As McMillan asked, Antonio raised a hand as if to say wait.
"I, if this is a joke or a prank, I'll kill you... Evidence? Yes, s, send it to me now."
Right then!
Ding!
The message notification sound rang.
It was a photo.
A man who looked very healthy.
Gerald.
Definitely him.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il was also next to him.
Really Gerald?
"...My god!"
What was this?
Why was he in Korea?
But was that important now?
Director Antonio threw his hands up.
"...Holy shit! He's alive! He's alive!"
"Really? Let me see."
"Wait a minute. ...Deputy Director? Can I speak to Gerald? Yes, please put him on."
"Put it on speaker!"
And moments later.
An incredible cheer erupted, as if it could lift Gerald's mansion off its foundations.