Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: The Return of the King
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Dark night.
Namyangju villa.
The summoned beings had gone back, leaving only Joo-hyuk.
Sometimes, one needs time alone.
He began circulating his Heaven and Earth Primordial Art, starting his breathing exercises.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo!"
Then, with his left hand, he drew up his Blood Jade Aura, while his right hand gripped the Thunderstorm Mace.
Swish! Swis-swish!
Using Shadow Step alongside Hunyuan Pili Gun,
Crackle-crackle-crackle!
Finally, he called out his homunculi to tidy up the surroundings.
Just doing this, two hours flew by in an instant.
Training he did at least once a day.
'...I wonder if I'll ever need to use this in reality.'
But he had to keep practicing.
Ever since he started martial arts training, his body had become incredibly healthy.
He didn't feel tired even without sleep.
Health is the greatest wealth, after all.
Joo-hyuk was still waiting for Gobang.
The time required for an SSR grade to break through to LSSR was about two weeks.
But two weeks had already passed.
He still wasn't in a summonable state.
'Just when will it be...'
Anyway, he'd just have to keep waiting.
'Might as well have a drink while I'm at it.'
Joo-hyuk enjoyed drinking.
Even when he lived in a shabby semi-basement, he'd buy some soju and a few snacks for a solo drink.
But alcohol tastes better with company.
Among the summoned beings, apart from Gwang-ma, no one really enjoyed drinking.
What could he do?
He'd have to send them all back and call someone out separately for a drink.
First, before calling Gwang-ma.
Joo-hyuk went inside the parked camper van.
It would feel wrong to only treat Gwang-ma.
If possible, he'd include Ms. Mari too.
The only two LSSRs among the current summoned beings.
It would be three when Gobang came, but not yet.
"Aliamari, Designated Summon!"
Whoosh!
Swish!
Appearing and immediately sitting with her head pressed against the camper van wall, Mari.
'Come to think of it, I still haven't seen her face even once.'
When would she show her face?
Joo-hyuk quietly closed the car door and went out.
Then he picked up his tablet.
[Real Man]: Ms. Mari. Hello.
[Mari]: Thank you for calling me again. And for the 5-star rating too.
She spoke so well through the tablet,
[Real Man]: It's just, I was thinking of having a drink with Gwang-ma-nim, would you like to join?
[Mari]: No. I don't want to.
A firm refusal.
[Mari]: I can't drink alcohol, and I'm scared of the old master, so no.
I see.
But she must be bored alone.
[Real Man]: Should I call Mr. Razix for you?
[Mari]: No.
She was a true shut-in alchemist.
Well, with a tablet, she probably wouldn't get bored.
[Mari]: Um, I can't drink, but I can make alcohol.
Make alcohol?
[Real Man]: Really?
[Mari]: It's a medicinal herb-infused liquor. Using the Philosopher's Stone, I can accelerate fermentation and aging.
He was looking forward to it.
What would an alchemist's liquor taste like?
[Mari]: Please wait a bit. I'll make it for you.
So he waited.
About an hour passed.
Creak, the car door opened.
Simultaneously, a hand came out, pushing out two rather large glass bottles.
Homunculi deployed.
Clatter-clatter-clack!
The homunculi carrying the liquor bottles over to Joo-hyuk,
[Mari]: I can make more anytime you want.
[Real Man]: I'll enjoy it.
Was this an item too?
An amusing effect.
He was curious about the taste too,
"Gwang-ma, Designated Summon!"
Swish!
"Summoner."
"Welcome."
"Thank you for calling me."
"Hahaha, have a seat."
"The moonlight over the outdoors is serene. The alcohol will taste all the better for it."
First, he poured a glass,
Glug-glug-glug,
"Hmm? This liquor? Its aroma is quite extraordinary."
"Ms. Mari made it. She said it's a medicinal herb infusion."
"Is that so? Well, for a foul-mouthed elf, she has quite the talents."
He raised the glass and drank.
"...Haa!"
"Hoo-wah!"
What was this?
How could a liquor be like this?
The scent that reached his nose as he brought the glass to his lips was different from the start.
A subtle floral fragrance, an aroma that naturally lifted the spirits.
But the taste?
It was weighty and intense.
As soon as he drank, his body grew hot.
A roughly swirling first taste.
A deep, lingering aftertaste.
A man's liquor.
It was a fitting name.
He'd have to ask her to make it often.
"Impressive, I must admit."
"Indeed."
Drunk on the alcohol, drunk on the atmosphere.
"Ah! Gwang-ma-nim."
"Speak."
"Earlier today too, you seemed to be having a serious conversation with Mr. Kosak. What were you talking about?"
Gulp!
Gwang-ma glanced at Joo-hyuk.
Under normal circumstances, a summoned being cannot disobey or lie to their summoner.
Of course, a certain degree of autonomous action is permitted.
Minor lies unrelated to the summoner's safety, for instance.
So, without changing his expression, Gwang-ma calmly opened his mouth.
"Umm, the topic of North Korea's situation came up,"
"What did you say?"
"That assassin, the bastard, suggested taking out North Korea's leadership."
Taking out?
"Mr. Kosak did?"
"Yes, I objected. You dislike such actions, do you not, Summoner? Killing people."
It was true he disliked it.
"So he said we should take over North Korea without killing people."
Hmm.
"No, is that even remotely possible? Taking over North Korea without casualties? He said something about just subduing the North Korean leader... That sounds like a terribly difficult task, does it not?"
Huh? That actually sounded like a good idea.
"So I scolded him for talking nonsense. Hahaha."
"It's a good idea, though."
"Is it? We must approach it carefully. If a war breaks out by mistake.... Hmm? Wait, what do you mean it's good?"
Joo-hyuk thought for a moment before speaking.
"Mr. Kosak's idea, subduing... no, persuading and dealing with the North Korean Chairman."
Gwang-ma blinked.
"...Eh, it's good?"
"It's a clean method."
"You, really?"
"Minimize casualties, prevent war, and if we do it well, we can even take the Tower. That's so like Mr. Kosak."
Gwang-ma wore a bewildered expression.
It was good?
"Ahem!"
Gwang-ma cleared his throat.
"Actually, I was the one who proposed it first. Does that assassin bastard have the brains for that?"
"..."
"I'm serious."
"..."
Well, whoever proposed it first.
North Korea.
They lacked the capability to clear the Undead section before Cabalan.
Even if they wielded the Holy Sword.
'We have to solve it eventually. Even if we have to use the Tower Seizure Declaration Megaphone'
Let's take the Tower,
The badge, the privileges, and the treasure vault too.
"Um, Summoner, I have something to ask."
"Yes."
"When you say minimize casualties, how many people can die and it still be okay?"
"How could we possibly have zero deaths? That's being greedy."
Gwang-ma was moved.
He grabbed Joo-hyuk's hand firmly.
"Let's do it. If the Summoner wishes it, we must. There is a way."
"Shall we?"
"What you desire is to change the nationality of North Korea's Black Tower, is it not?"
"That's right."
"It can be done. It will just take a bit of time."
It would take time.
If the Tower collapses or the North Korean government does something crazy within that time....
"Sigh, if only we had the Tower Seizure Declaration Megaphone It should come out as a privilege soon."
Megaphone?
"Would that shorten it?"
"Of course. Less than half a month, even with peaceful methods."
Really?
"I have that."
"...Huh? What did you say?"
"Here."
Joo-hyuk took the megaphone from his inventory and showed it to Gwang-ma.
"Oooh!"
Gwang-ma beamed with delight.
"Let's do it. We'll do it. Don't worry."
It was decided.
Now all that remained was to hope casualties would indeed be minimized, as he said.
But Gwang-ma-nim seemed to have changed a lot too.
In the past, he would have advocated slaughtering the entire North Korean leadership.
'He seems to be watching his step a lot too.'
At first, Gwang-ma himself was frightening.
Even when they shared drinks, it was like that.
So he had decided to confront it head-on.
He thought it would be one of two things: either he would be absorbed into Gwang-ma's beliefs, or Gwang-ma would be absorbed into his.
But it was both.
They were influencing each other, giving and receiving.
Like a married couple growing to resemble one another.
Joo-hyuk had made his decision.
The summoned beings put their heads together to discuss.
A briefing began.
Everyone gathered closely.
Hyeolrang was a dog, so excluded; Ms. Mari was in the camper van with her head pressed against the wall,
Additionally, to ensure smooth proceedings, one outsider was also invited.
Kosak stood before the people.
"Good evening, the trusted retainer of Summoner Bong, the flower of unification, the dove of peace, who doesn't know this man, the stepping stone for separated family reunions, John Kosak."
He bowed.
"Today, a special guest is attending the briefing. Let's give a round of applause to Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il."
Clap-clap-clap-clap!
Jeon Gwang-il stood up awkwardly and bowed.
Right.
It was Jeon Gwang-il.
At the summoned beings' request, Joo-hyuk had personally called him.
Asking if he could come to Namyangju,
He still wore a bewildered expression.
"The briefing will now begin."
A beam projector screen was set up.
As the laptop connected, pop! the screen lit up.
A map of the Korean Peninsula showing the Tower's location.
"We are going to take over North Korea. Short-term goal: change the Black Tower's nationality. Long-term goal: unification."
What?
A confused Jeon Gwang-il.
Had he misheard?
Out of the blue....
He had been sleeping at home.
Then Player Bong said he had something urgent to discuss, so he hurriedly drove his car over.
But what was this?
Change the Black Tower's nationality?
Even unification?
"The Tower Occupation Declaration Megaphone, this is actually a war-provoking item. Using it without any preliminary work would be disastrous."
What was this megaphone now.
"But if we do sufficient groundwork and then use the megaphone, nothing could be more peaceful. How, you ask..."
Kosak's explanation continued.
Infiltrate North Korea.
Plant a tracking mark on the Chairman.
Be dispatched to North Korea daily and stick right by the Chairman's side.
And persuade him well to walk the path of peace together.
"For smooth goal achievement, I, Kosak, plan to be appointed as the Minister of the People's Armed Forces of the North Korean military. Kya! Comrades, be on your guard. It's Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kosak."
Jeon Gwang-il's mouth hung open.
An impossible thing... no, maybe it was possible.
These people weren't ordinary to begin with.
The explanation continued.
And Jeon Gwang-il realized.
Why he had been summoned here.
This briefing was for him.
This is how the plan will proceed, so don't be surprised.
Give the government a heads-up too.
'Unification.'
It might be possible.
Of course, there were many obstacles.
The politics, economy, and culture of North and South Korea were different.
But if they gradually narrowed the differences over time....
Just then!
Joo-hyuk jumped up.
"W-wait a minute!"
What now?
Everyone's gaze turned to him.
"I-it's up! It's up!"
"...Pardon?"
"Gobang, Mr. Gobang is..."
"Oh!"
"Is it true?"
"Hoho."
"Finally!"
A message had just arrived.
⚔ Summoned Being: Savage Meat Shield
✨ Evolution Complete: LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare)
Finally!
Gobang is coming. Gobang.
From Algobang to Sseussal Gobang, and now finally to Leusseussal.
And then, ding!
An achievement too.
Right, a tremendous achievement.
What could be greater than this?
[Achievement reward is being distributed.]
[You can now enter the Tower 3 times per day.]
"..."
No, this is a bit...
It was like this before too.
When he first summoned Gwang-ma, the achievement reward was 2 Tower entries per day.
'Are all achievement rewards like this?'
Well, was the reward important?
Gobang was here.
He was trembling.
How had our Mr. Gobang changed?
He prepared his heart first.
"Savage Meat Shield... Designated Summon!"
Whoooooosh!
A blinding halo of light.
Swish-swish-swish!
And he appeared.
Shining in LSSR glory,
The success story of a summoned being.
It was Gobang.
The Overwhelming Charismatic Barbarian Monarch Who Rules the Great Plains
"Mr. Gobang?"
"Summoner."
Ahhh!
"Welcome back."
"The warrior has been waiting for this day."
His outward appearance hadn't changed much.
Had he gotten a little shorter?
Deeper eyes, a more angular jawline, and a magnificent beard.
His soulmate, the human Holy Sword Lucius Bardin, looked at Gobang with a moved expression.
Their eyes met.
The two men nodded at each other.
Even Gyeon Dal-rae bowed her head slightly, paying her respects to Gobang.
"Lord of the Great Plains, congratulations on your safe return."
Veronica and Razix stood at attention,
"Regarding the Lord of the Great Plains..., salute!"
Their hands shot up vigorously,
"Victory!"
Swish.
"Hoe!"
Snap!
"Hehehe, Gobang."
"Assassin, you've worked hard."
"Oh my, hard work is nothing!... By the way, you won't do something unbecoming of a monarch like a flick on the forehead, right?"
"We'll see."
"..."
He truly had the bearing of a monarch.
The briefing was over.
They had gathered sufficient information through Jeon Gwang-il, and now only execution remained.
Go on a business trip to North Korea and begin negotiations (?) with the Chairman for a long-term unification plan.
No need to wait.
Start work immediately.
[Entering the South Korean Black Tower, Floor 1.]
Enter Floor 1.
[Using Tower-Exclusive Exit Bracelet.]
[Please specify the nationality of the Tower you wish to exit to.]
'North Korea.'
[Specified. Your next exit will be within a 10km radius of the North Korean Black Tower.]
Simultaneously, abandon the quest.
[You have declared quest abandonment.]
[You have failed the quest.]
[Exiting the South Korean Black Tower.]
Swish!
The appearance of a fairly large city to the west came into view.
It was Pyongyang.
The personnel going on the business trip were two.
Kosak and Gwang-ma.
Gwang-ma was acting as Kosak's temporary assistant.
He didn't really need to go, but he volunteered—how could they stop him?
He wouldn't cause a big mess, right?
He had changed, after all.
"Summoner Bong."
"Yes."
"Please do it quickly."
Kosak's sparkling eyes.
In contrast, Joo-hyuk's troubled expression.
"...Do I really have to?"
"Yep."
No choice.
Though it made him cringe,
Joo-hyuk pointed his finger towards Pyongyang and said,
"Go! Kosak!"
"Yes, sir!"
The moment the order was given, Kosak sprang into action.
Gwang-ma also wore an expectant look, but,
"I'm not doing it."
"Well, fine."
Swish!
Now, let's go conquer the Tower with Gobang.
It's been so long.
We should see what's changed about Gobang.
The most suitable floor would be....
[Entering the South Korean Black Tower, Floor 69.]
A place where Dark Liches spawn.
Additionally, a location where countless undead summoned by them appear.
Gobang stepped forward alone.
Gigantify, whoosh!
Simultaneously,
Clatter-clatter-clatter!
A tight-fitting black armor covered his entire body and head.
"Oooh!"
"That's amazing."
"The light!!!"
"Hoe?"
Countless undead appearing at the Lich's gesture.
Gobang stomped his foot.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak!
A tremendous shockwave swept across the entire Floor 69 battlefield.
All the undead in the path of the shockwave crumbled instantly.
It was as if an earthquake had struck.