Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: The Fox's Fate
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The fate of the nine-tailed fox Haeryeong was one of two possibilities.
To die as a demon...
Or to sever all lingering attachments and ascend to immortality.
If she were just an ordinary monster or human, he could have easily dealt with her.
But that was absolutely impossible.
She's our princess's master, after all.
He couldn't treat her as a simple target to be cleared.
The result?
Haeryeong regained her senses.
The demonic energy surrounding her began to dissipate.
Time passed.
A profound and auspicious aura bloomed from her body.
Spot!
The nine-tailed fox Haeryeong vanished in an instant.
"Master!!!"
"...Hmm."
"Whew."
"...."
Ding~
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[All missions of the 74th Floor have been completed.]
Floor cleared.
Honestly, he didn't even care whether it was a success or not.
The only important thing was Haeryeong's current state.
Was it just a simple floor clear?
Or was it ascension?
Then, a follow-up message appeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[The soul of the thousand-year fox, nine-tailed Haeryeong, has been liberated from the Tower's binding.]
Liberated from the binding.
What does that mean?
"Yes!"
Joo-hyuk threw his hands up in the air and cheered.
"It says soul liberation. That means ascension, right?"
"Without a doubt. She has escaped the Tower."
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
"Hehe, it's a joyous occasion, truly joyous!"
"Praise the light!"
"She overcame it. As expected of the princess's master."
"Hoeh!"
"Congratulations, Princess."
Thud!
Perhaps all her tension released at once, Gyeon Dal-rae slumped to the floor, tears streaming down her face.
Yet, a faint smile bloomed on her lips.
How worried must she have been?
Now, she could finally relax.
Her master was free.
She had found her freedom.
It was the best possible outcome.
The messages kept coming.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[The ultra-difficulty optional mission for the 74th Floor of all Black Towers on Earth has been changed.]
Ultra-difficulty optional mission changed.
The original mission was [Defeat the Bound and Shackled Thousand-Year Fox, Nine-Tailed Haeryeong].
Of course it had to change.
If her soul was liberated, how could she remain a target?
'It'd be nice if it changed to an easier mission...'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[The changed 74th Floor ultra-difficulty optional mission is 'Destroy the Thousand-Year Fox's Magic Circle'.]
'Hmm.'
It didn't get easier.
Even after the change, it's still impossible to clear.
Who's going to destroy that magic circle?
An ordinary player wouldn't stand a chance.
Even Kosak almost died messing with it.
And then,
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Achievement: First to liberate a soul bound to the Tower.]
'...An achievement?'
Of course! Honestly, I expected it.
An achievement should pop up.
The problem is the achievement reward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Achievement reward is being distributed.]
'This time, it's also...'
If it gives me a reward like "daily Tower entry count," I'm going to flip the table.
I don't know what I'll flip, but I'm flipping something.
🎁 ACHIEVEMENT REWARD 🎁
[The manifestation time limit for all Summoned Beings has been extended by 2 hours.]
'Huh?'
This is a good thing.
It's a jackpot.
"What did you get?"
"All Summoned Beings' manifestation time limit extended by 2 hours."
"...Eeek?"
"Oh!"
"Amazing!"
"Hoeh!"
"Hahahaha!"
The Summoned Beings were overjoyed.
Everyone was happy.
Especially Gwang-ma, whose face was beaming.
It seemed he was very pleased with the achievement reward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[74th Floor clear reward is being distributed.]
Ah! Right.
There was a clear reward too.
📦 CLEAR REWARD 📦
💎 High-Grade Magic Stone: 740kg
🦊 Fox Orb: 1
'...Fox Orb?'
What's that?
I'll check it out later.
Finally.
🌍 WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT 🌍
[World Notice: The Black Tower (South Korea) has achieved an S+++ clear rating for the 74th Floor.] [S+++ Clear Reward: Awarded 2 Platinum Badges.]
The rating was also S+++.
[You can now challenge the 75th Floor.] [You have been ejected from the South Korean Black Tower.]
Spot!
It was a truly rewarding clear.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Namyangju Villa.
The 74th Floor clear was over.
And he had a guess about what the next mission would be.
Defeating the evil nine-tailed fox, for sure.
On the 75th or 76th Floor.
Gobang had a continuous mission spanning three floors.
It probably wouldn't be any different for Gyeon Dal-rae.
'Speaking of our princess...'
Was there any aftereffect?
Like PTSD or something.
"Ah, the moment I stepped on the gold, my body went all tingly, and then whoosh! I was flung backward. I really thought I was going to die. I almost got knocked out for 100 days."
Gyeon Dal-rae chuckled.
"What a shame. I think I was just a bit short on power. Maybe because our master was weakened by that damn fox bitch... If she'd been at full strength, I could have sent Kosak-nim off comfortably."
Kosak tilted his head.
"But Princess, did you really learn properly from your master?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, you should have learned the art of transformation."
"I didn't learn it. I'm not a fox."
"Ah, what a shame. If you had learned it, you could have made your chest as big as a watermelon like a seven-tailed fox..."
"Hey, you idiot!!!"
She seemed fine.
One question came to mind here.
"...Gwang-ma-nim, don't you wish for it?"
"Huh? Wish for what?"
"To be liberated from the Tower through ascension, like Haeryeong-nim."
"Hoho, ascension, what nonsense!"
Gwang-ma didn't even hesitate.
"If it were possible, I would have done it already. But it's impossible. If there's anyone in this world with as many lingering attachments as me, let them step forward."
Is that so?
Well, he is the Martial World's public enemy, the greatest villain of the martial world, the mastermind behind the Sea of Blood at Mount Shi.
"The stains of the mundane world are too deeply ingrained and will never wash away. I am quite satisfied just with the extension of my manifestation time."
Right.
If Gwang-ma-nim is satisfied, that's all that matters.
Anyway, the morning's work was done.
He could enter three times a day, but...
It's a bother.
I want to rest.
Is there anyone else living this busy?
I have to focus on Tower climbing, and also keep an eye on domestic and international affairs.
No, when did an ordinary guy become like this?
Joo-hyuk took out the Fox Orb he received as a reward from his inventory.
It was red.
About the size of a ping-pong ball.
Fox Orb
Effect: A material item.
A brief description.
If it's a material...
Anyway, it might be related to Haeryeong.
"Hey, Princess,"
"Speak, my lord."
"I got a Fox Orb as a clear reward. Do you want to take it? It might be Master's keepsake."
Gyeon Dal-rae smiled brightly as she spoke.
"By no means. It does not belong to this maiden. Please consider it a gift of gratitude from my master for the favor you have shown her."
Well then.
Since it's a material, I should find out what it's used for.
Going inside the camper van.
"Summon Release for Hyeolrang."
Spot! Hyeolrang disappeared.
"Designated Summon for Aliamari."
Spot! Mari appeared.
Clack. Joo-hyuk closed the door and came back out.
Conversations with our shut-in alchemist are always via tablet.
It's cumbersome, but what can I do?
There's no way her severe social anxiety could be cured overnight.
Real Man: Mari-nim.
Mari: Summoner!!! Something amazing happened. My manifestation time limit increased by another 2 hours.
Real Man: Are you happy?
Mari: I'm so happy. I get to play with the tablet for 2 more hours♡♡♡
Honestly, I'm curious.
What does our shut-in hikikomori and keyboard warrior, Mari-nim, play with on her tablet?
Real Man: I got this from the Tower. I was wondering what it's used for.
He opened the door a crack and rolled the Fox Orb inside.
Mari: Oh my? It's a high-grade material.
Real Man: Is it useful?
Mari: It's like an essence. It can be used as a material for an Elixir of Enhancement. It can substitute for a Phoenix Feather.
Real Man: Ah!
Mari: It doesn't drop easily normally.
Meaning it's that rare.
Since he achieved an achievement, maybe the clear reward was also influenced by it?
Mari: Gather a bit more materials. Then I can make an Elixir of Enhancement.
Real Man: Yes!
Should he head home soon?
After dropping Kosak off in North Korea.
Kosak was preparing for his business trip.
"Are you ready?"
"Chung! I will depart on my assignment."
"Then let's go."
"Yes, sir!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Pyongyang.
Chairman Kim In-jung was still in a vegetative state.
He couldn't move his body, couldn't open his eyes, couldn't speak, but his mind was perfectly clear.
His current location was an underground bunker somewhere in Pyongyang.
A facility that wouldn't flinch even if a nuclear weapon hit.
A place with even tighter security than the official residence.
Once the entrance was sealed, it was a safe zone where not even a ghost could enter.
'Whew.'
Thinking he was safe now, his mind grew calm.
'Who the hell are they?'
Could it be from the South?
The most plausible guess was that a South Korean player, using a Liberation Rune Necklace, had secretly infiltrated Pyongyang.
Actually, he was almost certain.
An old man and a young man.
Both spoke Korean.
The question was, was the South Korean government involved,
or was it an act by a player who obtained the necklace on their own?
But what could he do about it either way?
Whether it was one or the other, did he have any brilliant solutions?
At best, he could lodge a protest with the South Korean government, or launch ballistic missiles or long-range artillery into the East or West Sea.
That's about it.
An actual war is impossible.
The military power between South and North Korea is almost insurmountable.
If war broke out, the Republic would be annihilated.
They probably wouldn't even be a match.
Whether it's ground forces, air force, navy, information warfare, or even missile capabilities, they've been outmatched for a long time.
They have nuclear weapons, but those are for threat and suicide.
They are not a means for war.
They are closer to a political tool.
If they actually launch a nuke, North Korea would be doomed in that instant.
Pyongyang would turn to ashes.
No one would survive.
Well, whatever happens, war or provocation, he had to get up and dust himself off to even respond.
He, the supreme decision-maker, wasn't dead and was perfectly alive.
Who would decide to go to war?
That aside, when would this paralysis wear off?
Kim In-jung couldn't see, but he could hear.
They even took CT and MRI scans.
They still said they couldn't find the disease.
No signs of external or internal injuries, no problems with his organs, and his brain was clean.
So they brought in masseurs to knead his entire body, gave him oxygen therapy, and even injected him with narcotic drugs.
But no matter what they did, he didn't improve.
He couldn't even wiggle a toe or a finger.
He was furious.
It was all because of the security failure.
How could the Chairman's official residence, which should be the safest place in the Republic, be breached like that?
Once he recovered, all the security chiefs would be purged.
By the way, would that guy really come?
He said he would come back tomorrow since today's talk was impossible.
He absolutely wouldn't be able to come.
No matter how liberated they were as players, it was impossible.
This underground bunker was a thoroughly concealed fortress.
They wouldn't even know he had been moved here.
Plus, the armed forces deployed throughout the entire bunker.
Inside the room, outside the room, in the corridors.
Not even a ghost could get in.
Even if it took time, after recovering his condition here...
But then?
Spot! Thwack! Thud!
'What's that?'
Thwack! Thud!
Thwack thwack thwack, thud, thud, thud…
The sound of impacts.
The sound of someone being hit and falling.
'What?'
And then,
"They are not dead. I knocked them out."
'Gasp!'
"I almost died today, so I realized the preciousness of life. Now I know how dangerous stepping on gold is."
It was that man.
'How did he know I'm here? Is there a traitor?'
"Did you feel safe because it's an underground bunker? Comrade Chairman, you can never escape from me no matter where you are."
Ahhh.
"If you don't believe me, try it. It doesn't matter if you surround this place with troops."
'How?'
Suddenly!
"Comrade Chairman!!!"
"Intruder!"
"You bastards, what are you doing? Sound the emergency bell now!"
Weeeeeeng!
An emergency was triggered in the underground bunker.
Chairman Kim In-jung was being moved somewhere again.
But,
"See. No one can find me, right?"
'....'
That's right.
He was right next to the bed.
But no one was aware of him.
Kosak, who had upgraded his stealth skill to LSSR grade with 5 badges, stayed right next to Chairman Kim In-jung.
For quite a long time.
Occasionally talking to him.
Then,
"Since you might become my superior in the future, I'll let you move your body for now."
'Superior?'
"Don't worry. I learned how to undo pressure points from the old man."
Poke poke poke poke.
After poking various spots on Chairman Kim In-jung's body with his fingers,
"I'll be back tomorrow."
Spot!
Kosak disappeared.
A moment later,
'Huuuh....'
Chairman Kim In-jung realized his physical condition had changed.
Wriggle wriggle.
His body moved.
His mouth was free too.
He sprang up.
"H-hey! ...Is no one here?"
"C-Comrade Chairman!!! Are you awake?"
Security guards came running in a fluster.
"Get a car ready right now."
"...Yes?"
"I need to get out of Pyongyang! Keep it absolutely secret!"
And a day passed.
His location was Wonsan, on North Korea's east coast.
Surely he wouldn't find me all the way here?
But late at night,
"Comrade Chairman, what are you trying to do by coming all the way to Wonsan? Did you think Wonsan would be safe?"
"...."
"My legs are killing me from coming here."
This is driving me crazy.
"...What do you want from me?"
"I'll be back tomorrow."
"W-wait!"
Spot!
The next day.
"Wow! This time it's Sinuiju? Are you trying to flee to China?"
"Damn it!"
"I'll be back tomorrow."
Spot!
"That bastard son of a bitch! I'll pull out his tongue."
Spot!
"What did you say?"
"...N-no, I, I didn't say anything."
"Be careful. I might bring the Sloshing Executioner. You might get a red dot on your forehead."
The Sloshing Executioner?
Spot!
Another day passed.
Kim In-jung gave up.
No matter where he moved, the man found him.
His current location was Pyongyang.
Alone in the Chairman's official residence.
All the security guards had been dismissed.
What could he do?
No matter what he did, he couldn't escape.
Slither...
Kosak appeared.
"Good. Are you ready to talk now?"
Chairman Kim In-jung nodded.
"Good. Let's begin."
"Why are you doing this..."
"I'm doing it to live well. Shouldn't the people of our Republic also eat rice and meat soup?"
Kosak continued with a smirk.
"Our Comrade Chairman has eaten too much. Look at that belly. If this continues, you might die from adult diseases before you even get a ribbon."
"...."
Gulp.
Kim In-jung swallowed dryly.
"First, clear the Tower. Shouldn't the Republic also resume high-grade magic stone production?"
"How am I supposed to clear the Tower... D-do you mean unification?"
"Tsk tsk, you dream big."
Kosak clicked his tongue.
"Unification requires matching levels too."
"Then what should I do?"
"You don't have to do anything."
"What?"
"I'm not joking. No matter what happens, do nothing. After that, just do as I say."
Finally, the last day of Kosak's plan arrived.
🌍 WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT 🌍
[World Notice: A player belonging to the Black Tower (South Korea) has declared Tower Occupation over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.]
A world announcement rang out.
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