Chapter 134
Chapter 134
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The Ordinary Guy's Tower Conquest Method - 134
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The world notification known as South Korea's Tower conquest progress.
NO.1 Tower: up to the 76th floor. NO.2 Tower: up to the 74th floor.
The Awakening Management Bureau also has two countdown panels for the collapse deadline.
NO.1 Tower: about 3 years until collapse. NO.2 Tower: about 2 years until collapse.
Plenty of time.
The days of agonizing and anxiously watching the shrinking Tower collapse deadlines were over.
Was it just the Tower deadlines?
What about the flood of high-grade magic stones?
And South Korea's biggest risk.
The heightened tensions due to the North-South division.
But the atmosphere changed drastically due to the Tower's strength.
Unification was right around the corner.
A situation perfectly described as a blessing in disguise.
So, what about other countries?
They were climbing the upper floors one after another.
The US had reached the 73rd floor.
Of course, only by completing the basic mission.
Countries considered Tower climbing pioneers, like Russia, France, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, had all reached the 70s and were climbing by completing basic missions.
The basic missions were easy.
They were even easier than the Undead section, which was said to have lowered its difficulty.
In addition, the desire for high-quality equipment, a greater variety of potions and elixirs, and high-grade magic stones.
In the past, since the collapse deadlines didn't stack, they would wait the full six months before attempting a conquest, but now they piled up the deadlines by climbing higher floors unconditionally.
Soon, other countries might catch up to South Korea's conquest progress.
No, they might even overtake it.
Did it matter?
Being first in Tower conquest didn't come with any special benefits anyway.
However,
"Please relay to each government that they should still judge climbing to the 80th floor carefully. I also plan to take a break from climbing higher floors for a while..."
Joo-hyuk was talking with Jeon Gwang-il in the Awakening Management Bureau's materials warehouse.
"Climbing to the 80th floor? Is it difficult to conquer?"
"I don't know for sure... but we experienced it on the 70th floor, right? Something like Cabalan's Curse."
"Ah!"
It was a plausible enough hypothesis.
So, the speculation was that something similar to Cabalan's Curse might happen on the 80th floor too.
"Yes, I'll convey that."
Well, it was a floor they'd have to climb someday, but being overly cautious wasn't bad either.
Thinking about it, it was a little funny.
In the past, they worried about not being able to climb higher, but now they worried about climbing too fast.
Who was at the center of that change?
Jeon Gwang-il said with a pleased expression.
"This is all thanks to you, Player Bong. For allowing us to sell items in the shop. If you equip the full set of reward items, the difficulty plummets."
Even though it was true, he was always humble.
"Oh, come on. I'm also selling those items for money. I'm always grateful that you handle the sales in the Player Shop."
This time too, he handed over items.
He summoned Razix and piled up the items secured from the North Korean Tower's 72nd and 73rd floors in one corner.
Not just items.
He also handed over the Mental Fortification Elixirs made by the Bedroom Alchemist for sale on consignment.
He heard they were selling the best these days.
Because there's nothing more important to a Player than their mental state.
Also, because it was effective not only for Players but also for ordinary people.
Three million won per bottle, and they were selling like hotcakes.
"Japan also successfully conquered the 60th floor a while ago."
"Already?"
The 60th floor was the floor where Wyvern Lords and Venomous Wyverns appeared together.
"It's because of the poison resistance items sold in our Player Shop."
Well, if you had a way to deal with the Venomous Wyverns, the Wyvern Lords weren't that difficult.
Of course, only for talented Players.
"And a negotiation team sent by the Japanese Prime Minister visited our Management Bureau."
He could guess.
They conquered the 60th floor, so they must want to break through the Undead section now.
"It seems they judged that Holy Water alone wasn't enough. They also requested to borrow the Holy Sword for a surefire conquest..."
Joo-hyuk and the Awakening Management Bureau had originally decided not to lend the Holy Sword to Japan.
But that was because the previous Japanese cabinet government had secretly tried to naturalize Korea's top Player.
The Japan of then and the Japan of now were different.
Prime Minister Maeda, a former Player himself, personally issued a statement apologizing to Korea.
It seemed they had learned their lesson after getting burned badly.
On all issues—Dokdo and other territorial disputes, economic conflicts, historical issues, etc.—Japan surrendered and stepped forward.
"Is it okay to lend it?"
"Sure, go ahead."
The combo of Holy Water and the Holy Sword, the greatly weakened Dark Aura.
Japan would soon be climbing at high speed too.
Just like other countries.
Anyway, lending the Holy Sword was most welcome.
It was a money-making venture.
'Gotta make money when you can.'
In fact, the money that left when he bought the 61-story building had already been recovered.
The Holy Sword lending, still ongoing, though reduced compared to before.
And the proceeds from items sold in the Player Shop.
There was more.
Basilisk and Wyvern leather products.
Production volume had increased dramatically, so the money coming to Joo-hyuk had also increased a lot.
In that sense,
"I'd like to buy more buildings..."
"Is that so? Which area should I look into? Gangnam? Seocho?"
"No. Location isn't important. I just want to buy a small, nice building or a countryside house. It's fine even if it's in the provinces."
"Understood. I'll talk to the dedicated department."
The reason for buying buildings wasn't anything else.
He planned to copy and paste them onto the White Tower's 17th floor.
Was it okay to just copy someone else's building?
He'd copy his own and paste it.
His main business was about done.
"Oh, right! This is an item I picked up in the Tower. Use it if you need it."
"Huh? This is..."
As he handed the Player Awakening Rune to Jeon Gwang-il and explained the item information,
"Th-this awakens an ordinary person into a Player?"
"That's right. You need to have one Platinum Badge, though."
"...B-badge, you mean, perhaps this one I'm wearing?"
"Yes. You can consume the Rune, but you need a badge."
"..."
"Since you happen to have a badge, it might be good for you to try using it yourself."
Jeon Gwang-il's eyes wavered.
Player Awakening?
Me?
"If you don't want to awaken, you can give it to someone else. You'd have to hand over the badge too, though."
"...Ah, the item's price?"
"Hey, between us, what price! It's free. It's useless for me to keep it anyway."
What good would it do to keep it?
He had no one to give it to.
Jeon Gwang-il had known about the Platinum Badge's existence for a long time and even wore one himself.
Family?
The only suitable candidate was his younger brother Min-hyuk...
'Would he even want to?'
A timid ordinary guy even more severe than himself.
He also didn't want to pressure him.
If anything, it was right for Jeon Gwang-il to awaken.
He was, after all, the Deputy Director of the Awakening Management Bureau—no, soon to be the Director.
Director of the Player Awakening Management Bureau.
What better justification could there be?
Joo-hyuk finished his business and came to the Namyangju villa.
From now on, it was healing time.
He summoned all his Summoned Beings at once.
[Trait]: Summoning (Simultaneous Summon: 9)
Including Hyeolrang.
He felt proud.
He had a full nine friends he didn't have to pay a "friend fee" to.
How wonderful.
Just seeing each other's faces was joyful.
He also held a badge award ceremony.
First, to Gwang-ma, one badge for the merit of helping Gyeon Dal-rae's master, Haeryeong, ascend.
"Ahem! My chest feels heavy, I can't straighten my back."
"There he goes again. If Gwang-ma-nim can't straighten his back, then we worker Razix would have to crawl every day."
"You want me to make you crawl for real?"
"Ah, no, sir."
Next, one badge to our Republic's People's Armed Forces Minister Comrade as well.
"Thank you, sir. From now on, I will resolutely defend Summoner Bong with the revolutionary spirit of Juche. Long live Joo-hyuk!"
Clap clap clap clap.
"Whoa, Gwang-ma-nim was right. My back is suddenly bending."
"..."
He couldn't leave out Razix either.
One badge for the merit of discovering the high-grade magic stone vein.
"Hoeng!"
Clap clap clap clap.
Suddenly, Razix started rolling around here and there in a daze.
"Worker Razix."
"Hoe?"
"Can you not stand because it's too heavy?"
"Hoe!"
"Endure it. You must bear the weight of the badge to be a Cosmic Baldy."
"Hueeeek!"
Unfortunately, Gobang, Veronica, and Bardin were not badge award candidates.
Hyeolrang was the same.
For Gyeon Dal-rae, he could give her all 21 at the farewell ceremony.
Since she already had 4 badges on her chest, the total would be 25.
Finally, the highlight of the badge award ceremony?
Of course, it was the Bedroom Alchemist, Aliamari.
Two Platinum Badges.
She was fully qualified.
"Summoned Being, Ms. Aliamari."
Ding!
"For completely annihilating the 76th-floor Twin Nine-Tailed Fox and its subordinate foxes with the powerful firepower of explosive homunculi, you are hereby awarded two Platinum Badges."
Ding!
After that, he slightly opened the door of the camper van where Mari was alone and quietly placed the two badges inside.
Swish,
A white hand reached out and swiftly collected the two badges.
Clap clap clap clap.
The badge award ceremony was over.
The real party began.
They lit a fire, grilled meat, set up a simple screen to watch movies together, played games...
Time passed quickly.
Now it was time to send Gyeon Dal-rae off.
Joo-hyuk tightly placed the Summoned Being Grade Breakthrough Rune and 21 Platinum Badges in her hand and said,
"It's okay even if you fail the breakthrough. Just come back safely and healthy."
Tears flowed from Gyeon Dal-rae's eyes.
"This maiden will surely succeed in the breakthrough and become the foundation for the grand journey you will undertake, my lord."
The other Summoned Beings also.
"As a warrior who has tried it, I know. A breakthrough isn't easy, but the Princess will achieve it."
"Victory! Congratulations in advance on your promotion."
"Blessings upon the heathen priestess! Light be with you!"
"Take care and come back safely."
"Hoe,"
"I'm looking forward to it. I'll hold my breath and wait."
And then, Gyeon Dal-rae Summon Release.
Poof!
The farewell party ended.
It was a pity.
Not being able to see the strict, serious, and solemn Gyeon Dal-rae for two weeks.
"We can start slacking off from today."
"The warrior will cook ramen."
"...Sergeant V, w-will you have some ramen before you go?"
"You wanna die?"
One spot was empty.
A welcome party began.
Was there any need to wait?
Let's fill it with a new person.
"I'll summon someone right away."
Would a proper person come out this time?
What did it matter if anyone came out?
He was already used to it.
Wasn't this already the tenth time?
"Random Summon!"
Whoooosh!
Gathering clusters of light.
Whoooosh!
The clusters of light merged into one.
Pop pop pop pop!
A form revealed itself.
Who was it?
The gender was male.
That's what the appearance suggested.
Short, slicked-back hair.
Pale facial skin with no hint of color.
In contrast, vividly red lips and pupils.
He wore a large black cloak on his back, and his overall appearance was like that of a...
— Name: Jepetto
— Grade: SSR (Special Super Rare)
— Type: Vampire (True Blood)
— Manifestation Period: 5 hours
— Satisfaction Rating: None.
— Re-summon Wait Time: 3 hours (applies after Summon Release)
'...A vampire.'
Wait, vampires were summonable too?
It was bewildering.
Beastmen, elves, he could understand, but...
"Master?"
"...Yes, yes."
Even though it was a Summoned Being, having a vampire suddenly speak to him gave him goosebumps.
"Thank you for summoning me. In that spirit, I have a request..."
"Please speak."
"Would you bestow upon me a taste of your blood?"
"Huh?"
My blood?
"Master, you possess a soul more noble than any human I have ever met. To taste your blood would be the honor and joy of a lifetime, and at the same time, the ultimate gourmet experience as the greatest connoisseur..."
"..."
It was a strange feeling.
The vampire Jepetto, who craved only the blood of humans with pure souls.
He was saying he himself was like that.
Was this also a compliment?
Just then!
"Hey, you crazy vampire bastard!"
Thwip!
"Huh?"
Thud!
"Gah!"
Kosak scorched Jepetto's face with a dropkick.
"What? What did you say about our Summoner Bong's blood?"
Crash bang!
Jepetto was kicked and sent tumbling.
Simultaneously, Bardin rushed over, grabbed his hair, lifted him up, and unleashed his divine radiance.
"Die! You devil! Light be with you!"
"Gyaaah!"
Sizzle sizzle sizzle!
Jepetto's body burned from the radiance.
Veronica couldn't hold back either.
"The most annoying thing during my military service was bastards like you, you mosquito fucks!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
She repeatedly slammed the butt of her musket into his face.
"Let me have a bite too."
Gobang also thrust his forearm into Jepetto's mouth.
"Let's see if your skin gets pierced, or if your toothpick-like fangs break."
Gwang-ma opened his mouth with a chilling gaze.
"Don't kill him. That would be too easy on him. We have plenty of time, let's beat him up slowly and thoroughly."
"Kill him!"
"Pull out his fangs!"
"Hyeolrang, bite!"
"Woof woof!"
"Hoehehe!"
"Uh, uh, Worker Razix, please tap gently with the pickaxe. You'll make a hole in his head."
"Ms. Mari, the homunculus is here. Spread this bastard's anus open."
The vampire Jepetto was undergoing a harsh initiation.
But then?
Ding!
Oh!
'An achievement?'
'...Huh?'
'What's this now?'
So, the Catalog list was limited to 10 entries?
If he summoned one more, the existing list would be deleted, starting with...
The oldest entry, which would be who?
Our People's Armed Forces Minister, of course.
'Haah, fuck.'
He thought it was an achievement, but a restriction had been placed.
A curse escaped his lips on its own.
Of course, he would absolutely not summon an 11th without expansion.
However, just imagining that Kosak might be deleted from the list was enough to make his blood boil.
'Is this also the Tower's interference?'
'...That's quite a lot.'
Well, summoning endlessly without any restriction would break the balance anyway.
If he just hunkered down for a year, the number would increase by 12.
The Tower wouldn't just sit back and watch that.
'By the way, where do you get a Catalog Expansion Ticket?'
Looking at the item type, it was clear it would come from special rewards.
'Well, is it a problem?'
He just wouldn't use Random Summon until the expansion ticket came out.