Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: A Peaceful Moment and a Dangerous Proposal
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Joo-hyuk visited his family home.
It had been a long time since he'd seen their faces, so he forced himself to make time and thought they could at least go out for a meal together.
"Hmm, your face looks better these days? Are you getting skin treatments?"
"I think I've heard that before."
"Have you?"
His father, Bong Cheol-su, smiled with satisfaction.
"My genes are really doing the work, as always. Live with a grateful heart."
"Um, I think he looks more like Mom."
His mother chuckled softly beside him.
"Of course, Joo-hyuk takes after me. His skin, and the way he runs around as a Player, don't you know?"
His younger brother Min-hyuk seemed quite dissatisfied.
"Then what about me? Why is my skin so bad?"
"You, Min-hyuk, take after your father."
"Ugh."
"What? Are you ashamed of looking like me?"
After briefly catching up,
Joo-hyuk took his family to the apartment parking lot.
"Let's take my car. I've already reserved a restaurant."
Min-hyuk waved his hands dismissively.
"A camper van? Why would you bring such a huge, embarrassing car? It'll be hard to park even. Let's just call a taxi."
You punk, do you think your older brother only has a camper van?
"I have another car."
"Oh! What kind? Did you buy a new one?"
Instead of answering, Joo-hyuk took the smart key from his pocket.
And with a click, he pressed it. From the parking space opposite,
Vroom! Along with a majestic engine sound,
The headlights flashed on.
"Gasp!"
"Wha, what is...?"
"Oh my?"
Joo-hyuk spoke with a grin.
"Get in. It's a Bentley."
The car of a successful son.
"This car is yours? Wow, you've really made it, our son."
"Wow! Driving a Bentley makes it feel real. My rich older brother."
"I knew it the moment I saw it. For a person of your stature, you should be driving something like this."
It was heartwarming.
After getting everyone in the car.
"Mom, should I get you a car? How about a Ferrari? A Ferrari."
"Drop it. I get cranky when I hold a steering wheel."
"...What about me? I know how to drive a Ferrari too."
"Dad, you already have a car."
"Brother, I'll drive it."
"Get a driver's license first."
He said that, but he planned to give them each a car later.
The Bentley carrying his family passed through Gangnam-daero.
It came into view.
The final finishing touch.
"You see that building over there?"
"Where, ah! The 61-story one?"
"Actually, it's mine."
Then,
"Yeah, right,"
"That's a bit much."
"How much would that even cost?"
He knew they wouldn't believe him.
"I plan to decorate an entire floor and open a museum. I'll display the Jikji Simche Yojeol, the Uigwe from the Royal Library, Wang Ocheonchukguk Jeon, paintings by Kim Hong-do, and so on."
"..."
"..."
"..."
This time, there was no reply.
Ah!
Since there wasn't a proper place to flex, he had to do it even to his family like this.
It was a truly peaceful moment.
Well, something did happen in North Korea, but what does that have to do with ordinary people?
The countries Dmitry dealt with in running the black market guild were of two types.
Countries that bought items and countries that sold items.
He bought items from places like India and Africa and sold them to the US, Japan, and China.
Then what about North Korea?
Naturally, a country that buys items.
A source of item supply for the black market distribution guild.
So it was only natural that he had frequent contact with North Korean officials.
Being Russian, Dmitry had connections with high-ranking North Korean bureaucrats.
His name was Ri Yong-tae, his rank was Vice Minister.
A kind of broker active on the European stage.
Of course, he was also a Player.
Originally, they only spoke by phone.
Just calling each other Guild Master and Vice Minister, nothing more than titles.
He called Ri Yong-tae.
"Vice Minister, it's the Guild Master."
- Guild Master Comrade, it's been a while. I was about to contact you myself, as there's a strange rumor going around.
"What rumor is that?"
- The rumor that the black market guild has collectively, at an organizational level, temporarily naturalized to our Republic.
North Korea knew too.
Well, he didn't think they wouldn't know, but still.
Was there any need to hide it?
"Yes, that's correct. I jumped in to make a killing, but the situation has become quite difficult."
- Haa, I see.
A brief silence flowed.
- By any chance, was the incident with our Republic's Black Tower's 62nd floor conquest your doing?
Dmitry answered innocently.
"I swear it wasn't. If I had planned to conquer it, I would have contacted you first, Vice Minister. Even with temporary naturalization, conquering an un-cleared upper floor is a big deal."
- Hmm.
This had to be hidden.
He'd deny it outright.
- So, why did you call?
"What other reason would a merchant have for calling? It's about items. I was wondering if you happen to possess any Tower Jumping Tickets."
- As if I would have any. Even if I did, I'd have sold them off long ago.
Indeed,
North Korea would sell off anything for money.
"And there's one more thing I'd like to ask. How does the government plan to respond to this situation?"
- As a matter of fact, a state of emergency has been declared in the Republic. Well, we've agreed we must climb to at least the 71st floor no matter what, but the method...
At this point, getting to the main issue,
"I've obtained a video, I'll send it to you first. Watch it and call me back."
Dmitry sent the 62nd floor body-cam footage to North Korea's Vice Minister Ri Yong-tae via smartphone.
After waiting a moment, he called.
"Have you seen it?"
- Isn't this body-cam footage? It looks old, but the zombies are too strong.
"It's not old. I just confirmed this video on SNS. The location filmed is the 62nd floor of the Black Tower belonging to the nationality of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
- …What?
Dmitry had instructed a guild member in the US beforehand to upload the body-cam footage to YouTube.
Under the title "North Korean Black Tower 62nd Floor Dark Zombies."
In case they doubted the video's source.
- Th, this is,
A sense of astonishment could be felt from the other side of the smartphone.
- Our Republic's Tower?
"Yes, correct. You're a Player too, Vice Minister, so you know. That's an undiminished Dark Aura. Undead from before the Cabalan era."
- How could this happen... Then our Republic's Black Tower is...?
"For now, you can consider it unconquerable. Even if you climb, you'll be stuck at the 68th floor. Without Tower Jumping Tickets."
- Umm...
He must be bewildered.
It's not like North Korea has the capability to deal with Tower collapse defense.
- Why show this to me?
"Because I have a proposal."
- A proposal?
"You need to conquer the Tower, right? And resume the halted high-grade magic stone mining."
- How? Is there a way?
"We will help. We need the North Korean government's assistance too. Not just Tower collapse defense, but let's climb to the 71st floor. First..."
- Ah, how can we discuss such important matters over the phone?
Then?
- Shouldn't we meet face to face? Let's meet. I'm currently staying in Berlin, where are you, Comrade?
Meet?
Dmitry pondered.
- If it's just over the phone, I won't hear the proposal. This isn't about buying or selling goods.
Should he meet or not?
This was a matter that required discussion with the North Korean government.
Things like holy sword rentals, securing Tower Jumping Tickets, and the 71st-floor four-gift set—these couldn't even begin without trust.
But taking such a risk?
Was there any reason to be impatient?
It would be easier to give up.
He could just wait a year anyway.
Relax and travel somewhere in the meantime.
'...No. It must succeed.'
The reason he was stepping forward like this.
The new business venture was his own proactive decision.
But it was thwarted from the start.
If he mobilized all the guild's assets to start a new business and then failed without accomplishing anything?
He'd have to step down as Guild Master.
That wasn't all.
He'd also have to take responsibility for the losses.
His very life could be at risk.
He had done the same.
He had mercilessly eliminated guild members who caused losses to the guild.
Under the pretext of maintaining discipline.
So this business venture must succeed.
"Yes, let's meet. Tomorrow in front of Prague Station should be fine. Around lunchtime."
- Understood. Let's do that. Will you come alone?
"If the Vice Minister also comes alone."
- Good.
After setting the meeting place and time, Dmitry hung up.
The next day
Dmitry went to Prague Station.
A place bustling with people and tourists, relatively safe.
If something happened?
He could escape into the Tower.
In the distance, Vice Minister Ri Yong-tae came into view.
After loitering for a while to confirm he was alone.
"Vice Minister Comrade."
"…Guild Master?"
"Yes."
"Finally seeing your face. Let's walk a bit. The conversation seems like it'll be long."
"Let's do that. I know the Prague area well, follow me."
Dmitry walked ahead.
Deliberately taking roads with many people passing by.
Vice Minister Ri Yong-tae followed alongside.
"So. What's the proposal?"
Dmitry explained his plan.
To break through the undead section, holy sword rental was essential.
Since it was an international transaction.
They didn't need to climb all the way.
Just up to the 66th floor.
Then use a Tower Jumping Ticket to take the elevator to the 71st floor.
The guild would take responsibility for securing tickets and the Players to wield the holy swords, etc.
"Anyway, if we succeed in climbing to the 71st floor,"
Ri Yong-tae's eyes sparkled.
"We receive the four-gift set, you say."
"That's right. The problem is the holy sword rental; that requires negotiation at the national level with the South Korean government..."
"Ah, wait a moment."
Ri Yong-tae raised a hand to stop him.
"My shoelace came undone, let's talk after I tie it."
"Sure. Take your time..."
Ri Yong-tae bent over.
Dmitry subtly stepped back.
That's when it happened.
Srrr,
A black van approached from the side and stopped.
'Hm?'
A van suddenly?
Dmitry felt uneasy.
'Don't tell me'
In an instant!
Screech!
The van door slid open.
Simultaneously, Ri Yong-tae, who was bent over, threw his body forward and shoved Dmitry into the van.
"Gasp!"
Thump!
Dmitry was helplessly crammed into the van.
Two thugs inside rushed at him.
"Th, this!"
Instinctively, he activated the Tower Entry skill.
Spot!
Dmitry's body vanished in an instant.
Ri Yong-tae made a disappointed expression.
"That damn bastard, he's fast, ain't he?"
In the end, he had missed his target.
"Vice Minister Comrade, what should we do?"
"What else? Park here and wait. Turn off the engine too."
A Player who entered the Tower.
Would they lose him forever?
They could catch him.
They'd just keep waiting.
Eventually, he'd have to come out.
Because the place you enter is the same place you exit.
"You think we haven't kidnapped Players once or twice? We're more professional than the Chinese."
Ri Yong-tae took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
"Looks like we'll have to wait a long time, so catch some sleep."
Time passed quickly.
During that time, the van didn't move an inch.
Parking violation or not.
And then, Spot!
Dmitry reappeared inside the van.
"Damn it!"
He was caught, unable to move.
Tower Entry was once a day.
This is why he needed the Liberation Rune Necklace.
"You bastard, trying to be clever, huh? Thought you'd be safe if you ran into the Tower?"
A North Korean agent stabbed a syringe into Dmitry's nape.
The drug effect spread quickly.
Thud!
"I've caught myself a golden goblin. Hehehe."
Ri Yong-tae laughed heartily, looking satisfied.
He was the black market Guild Master.
How many treasures must be in his inventory?
"Let's go home quickly. You've acquired our Republic's nationality, shouldn't you at least set foot on the land?"
What a joke.
A mere Player daring to try and negotiate with a nation?
This guy must have been the one who conquered the 62nd floor of the Republic's Black Tower.
They'd find out through torture.
Anyway, there was a lot to do.
From holy sword rentals to securing Tower Jumping Tickets.
Even if not that, there were plenty of other methods.
With South Korea right below.
Holy sword rental? Tower Jumping Tickets?
Was there any need to go through such complicated processes?
They could just demand it.
From South Korea's S+++ grade conqueror.
Of course, a little coercion would be involved in the process.
If the North Korean Tower collapsed, everyone died.
Because the Republic's nuclear arsenal would fly towards South Korea.
How many Players had their nationalities locked due to this new Black Tower incident?
No one knew.
Only the North Korean government likely had a grasp.
The level range was diverse too.
From newbies to veterans.
Well, the Korean Black Tower was a treasure trove of abundance at the time.
Amidst this, a video was uploaded to YouTube.
Titled "North Korean Black Tower 62nd Floor Dark Zombies."
Zombies with a thick, dense Dark Aura.
Undead from before the Cabalan era, now extinct.
Maybe an old video?
It wasn't.
The date the video was filmed was just the day before yesterday.
So it's not weakened undead?
How do you kill them like that?
Isn't North Korea's Tower collapse practically certain?
But North Korea itself made no official statement regarding the situation.
Instead, South Korea was the bigger topic.
News poured out daily.
A panelist who was a former Player appeared on a public broadcast debate program.
"North Korea's Tower conquest will be difficult. If it's a pre-Cabalan Dark Aura, they won't be able to pass the undead section."
"Even with holy swords and holy water?"
"Didn't you see? The video where Gerald almost died on the 68th floor."
The outlook was pessimistic.
"In six months, the Tower might collapse. Pyongyang will likely fall within the affected area."
"Then the solution is...?"
"The North Korean government won't have one. But we might."
"Ah! You mean South Korea's S+++ grade conqueror Player?"
"It's the only method. I can assert there is no other."
Then what action is expected from North Korea?
"First, they will formally request it. Talking about the Korean people and asking to conquer the Tower, for example, requesting the temporary naturalization of South Korea's top Player."
The anchor frowned deeply as she spoke.
"Temporary naturalization? If you transfer your nationality to North Korea now, you wouldn't be able to get out for a year."
"Yes, absolutely not possible. Our government wouldn't accept it either."
"Then with a multi-national Tower use ticket?"
"Probably. That seems most likely."
"But what if they don't accept that either?"
A military expert was also on the discussion panel.
"It will inevitably lead to military provocation. That's how North Korea operates."
"In what way?"
"Well, launching ballistic missiles into the East Sea, or subtly encroaching on the Military Demarcation Line."
Even if not a military expert, one could predict.
"And then they'll approach saying let's talk. If that doesn't work, they'll conduct artillery fire towards the West Sea to create tension, and then come forward again saying let's talk."
This is North Korea's way.
The so-called hard-soft two-sided tactic.
Using provocation to make the people anxious, and then acting up behind the scenes.
Thus eventually getting what they want.
The country that is close yet farthest away, North Korea.
Joo-hyuk and his Summoned Beings were also watching the news in the living room.
Joo-hyuk lay sprawled long on the sofa, moving the Homunculus this way and that, yawning and stretching.
In contrast, the Summoned Beings were quite serious.
Kosak, with his expression coldly hardened, focused intently on the news.
Gyeon Dal-rae, sharpening his sword on a whetstone, swish, swish.
Razix, getting up and sitting down, restless.
Veronica, taking out her magic gun to maintain it.
Bardin, emanating a faint glow.
Then Kosak spoke.
"Summoner Bong."
"What is it?"
"The weather is very hot."
"So?"
"How about a bowl of cool naengmyeon at a time like this?"
"Oh! Naengmyeon sounds good. Should we order some?"
He shook his head.
"Delivery naengmyeon is too bloated, can't eat it."
"Then?"
"Naengmyeon should be eaten at its place of origin to taste right."
Place of origin?
"Indeed, naengmyeon is Pyongyang Okryu-gwan naengmyeon."
"..."
"Use the Tower Exit Ring to exit at Pyongyang Black Tower. Then enter Okryu-gwan and slurp down a bowl of cold naengmyeon! Ah!"
He knew it would be something like this.
"The Mad Demon must come too. His vitality has been low lately, it's pitiful to see. For summer health food, naengmyeon is the best. Go to Pyongyang and summon us. And while we're at it..."
"Enough."
"Yes, sir."
Naengmyeon, of all things.
Gyeon Dal-rae chose the direct approach.
"Leaving North Korea like that will bring future trouble. That's not all. Please take pity on the North Korean Players who are being exploited."
Hmm.
'North Korean Players.'
He had been thinking about it for a while.
Ever since he rescued the kidnapped Players in China.
The reality of North Korean Players.
It was famous for a long time.
Testimonies from defector Players, or the body-cam footage they brought.
Aren't they probably the most pitiful people among all Players in the world?
Deprived of freedom, under surveillance, forced to enter the Tower once a day, and the magic stones and items received by risking their lives to conquer the Tower are all confiscated by the government.
And did they provide proper conquest support?
There probably wasn't a single North Korean Player who went into conquest with proper equipment.
What good was getting equipment as Tower rewards?
You had to hand it over exactly as is.
For North Korean Players, body-cams weren't tools for conquest analysis.
They're only used to monitor whether you entered the Tower, whether you're doing anything foolish, whether you're secretly using items without handing them over.
'They are pitiful.'
If a Player received treatment like that, it immediately caused problems with Tower conquest.
Moreover, they had to break through the pre-Cabalan undead section.
Actually, interfering in North Korea's situation could be meddling.
Who did he think he was?
But he rescued Players kidnapped in China too.
He invaded the American Tower and saved Gerald's life.
If he's going to meddle, he should do it equally.
Is there any reason he can't save North Korean Players?
He had the power to do it too.
Now that a Tower had appeared in North Korea.
Joo-hyuk could go to North Korea as he pleased.
What did it mean if Joo-hyuk went?
Well, all his summons would go too.
Except for Gobang, who went to the other world for promotion, and our resident Alchemist.
He should also consider Tower plundering.
If they couldn't conquer it, he should just take it.
Temporary naturalization wasn't possible, and there weren't many multi-national Tower use tickets either.
Plundering the Tower and making it South Korean nationality was the best method.
Then he could come and go as he pleased.
'Should I use the megaphone?'
But he also had to consider the potential risks that could arise from that.
North Korea was a nuclear state,
If he approached things carelessly, it could mean war.
'The scale is getting bigger.'
What would the Mad Demon's opinion be?
Frankly, there was no need to ask.
It would definitely be a northward unification, but....
He should find time soon to have a drink with the Mad Demon.
Should he include the resident Alchemist too?