Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Designer's Proposal
With the collapse deadline overlapping, climbing the un-cleared upper floors wasn't a problem.
However, he was being cautious about the 80th floor.
What if he went up first and something went wrong?
A kind of staring contest, you could say.
He wasn't overly worried.
No matter how easy the 70s were said to be, reaching the 80th floor was an extremely difficult feat.
But then it actually happened.
Two American cultist players took turns climbing the 80th floor.
Players whose skill and talent were far from exceptional.
Moreover, as if they'd contracted amnesia, they didn't even remember how they'd cleared it.
In the end, a world announcement appeared.
This was a big problem.
Could Cabalan's Curse be repeated?
Back then, the Japanese Tower had collapsed.
Even that was considered fortunate.
Now?
It was as clear as day that an incident would happen in some form.
The U.S. government launched an investigation.
Starting with the two players who triggered the situation.
After investigating from all angles, they obtained information from people around them that the two had been bragging about a specific item they received as a reward from the Tower.
"Diarmat's Left Hand"
"Diarmat's Right Hand."
The item's modifiers.
The name of the 80th-floor boss that manifested outside the Tower.
That bastard must have plotted this.
The U.S. was on high alert.
Regardless of the cause, an American player had climbed the American Tower's 80th floor.
They could be branded as a global troll nation, just like France had been.
Of course, aside from China or Russia, there weren't many countries that would openly curse the U.S.
The important thing was face.
What if a crisis struck the world because of the U.S.?
American citizens were also uneasy.
How could they remain calm when the 80th-floor boss Diarmat had come out of the American Tower?
So, Secretary of Homeland Security McMillan was anxious day by day.
If only he could find a clue to where Diarmat, who had emerged outside the Tower, was... it wouldn't be so frustrating.
But if they found him, it would be fine.
Then they could make him pay the price for foolishly stepping outside the Tower.
Modern cutting-edge scientific weapons couldn't be taken inside the Tower.
Maybe a pistol that fits in one hand was possible.
But outside?
Just bomb him with missiles, fighter jets, and tanks, and that would be it.
They'd turn a bastard like Diarmat into Swiss cheese.
If they could find him.
But they couldn't find him.
"Hoo, where the hell is he and what is he doing?"
A mass-casualty event would be the worst-case scenario.
Just then.
Bang!
The door to the Secretary's office swung open and someone entered.
It was Director Antonio.
"...Tsk! Hey, you should knock before entering. It's already a troublesome situation."
"I came in because it's urgent."
"No matter how urgent!"
"Should I go back out then?"
"...What?"
Secretary McMillan closely examined Antonio's face.
'Will you look at that?'
A beaming expression.
Something was up.
"Tell me. Don't beat around the bush."
Antonio grinned.
"I just got off the phone with Korean Awakening Management Bureau's Player Jeon Gwang-il, no, the Director."
"And?"
"He told me not to worry about Diarmat."
"...W-what do you mean?"
"Exactly that. He said to consider it a minor incident and move on."
Don't worry?
"S-seriously?"
"Yes, he said Mr. Bong took care of it."
"Really? You're not joking?"
"Would I joke about this matter? I've confirmed everything."
Should he believe it?
He could believe it.
What choice did he have but to believe when the world's top player personally handled it?
McMillan threw his hands up and cheered.
The suffocating tightness in his chest cleared.
"Jesus! Thank God."
"You should thank Mr. Bong. He cleaned up the mess America made."
"I was going to anyway. I got his phone number last time."
McMillan pulled out his smartphone.
"He probably won't answer? I heard he doesn't pick up well."
"I'll at least send a message. I installed a Korean SNS messenger app a while ago."
McMillan carefully composed a sentence in Korean using a translator.
- Thank you. Diarmat handled. Will repay. Favor. Hope you visit. To America.
Then, a moment later.
Ding!
- You're Welcome.
"Oh! Look at this! A reply came!"
"...Must be nice."
"Hahaha, right! Any other information?"
"There was. Diarmat's identity is..."
The U.S. government moved swiftly.
They couldn't just let it pass.
They needed to alleviate the public's anxiety.
When the White House briefed the press about the Diarmat situation.
The news broke first in the U.S.
Korean community sites also exploded.
The identity of the world's top player.
Until now, it had never been publicly disclosed.
The Korean Awakening Management Bureau had also sent official letters to each media outlet, requesting they refrain from investigating the top player.
But now, the situation was starting to change.
The level of interest had passed a critical point.
Who could it possibly be?
Just finding out would be a major scoop.
It wasn't just journalists.
YouTubers, cyber leakers, and paparazzi also jumped in.
They each promised rewards of 100 million, 200 million won through personal broadcasts for tips on who the top player might be.
All sorts of nonsense tips were flooding in.
Amidst that, there were some highly credible tips as well.
Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
As always, new recruit training was Kosak's responsibility.
"Anyone must do the dirty work first at their first job. Only then will they be recognized by President Bong and loved by their seniors. Do you understand my words?"
"Y-yes, I understand."
"Good. Then let's start with simple living room cleaning. And dishwashing, there's a lot to do."
The former Succubus Queen Diarmat, now lying flat on the living room floor, began mopping diligently.
"Hueheek!"
Then, Razix snatched the mop from Diarmat's hands and yelled at Kosak.
As if protesting—cleaning is my job, why are you taking it away?
"Haa, Razix worker!"
"Huek!"
"You are a cosmic servant. You should leave chores like cleaning to the newcomers and focus on big tasks."
"...Hoeng?"
The Gyeon Dal-rae also chimed in.
"Kosak-nim is right. Servants have ranks too. That succubus is an untouchable lowly slave, while we are servants of a great noble house. How could we do the same work?"
"Hoeheee."
Razix felt good hearing the term "great noble house servant."
Well, how much could you clean with a puny mop like that?
His cleaning equipment was far superior to hers.
So he left Diarmat to her cleaning.
Meanwhile, someone else was frowning.
Ding!
A message from Mari arrived on Gyeon Dal-rae's tablet.
: Damn it! Put some proper clothes on her! You'll ruin the Summoner's eyes. At least cut off her tail! @&$%#$!!!
She seemed very angry.
[Gyeondu♥Fairy]: Got it. I'll dress her. Honestly, it didn't look good to me either.
[Mari]: Do it properly. No matter how much she's defected to the system, never trust her. That %&@&#@ succubus, keep her away from the Summoner if possible.
Gyeon Dal-rae tilted her head.
It seemed like an overreaction.
She was agitated.
Even now, she was watching Diarmat through the crack in the door, only her eyes visible.
Anyway, Gyeon Dal-rae took clothes from her closet and dressed Diarmat.
She hid the tail inside the clothes too.
The new recruit orientation was roughly over.
Now it was time to enter the Tower.
Joo-hyuk handed Diarmat a Rune of Grade-Up for Defected Converts and spoke.
"Take this, go raise your grade, and come back."
"...Huh? T-this is?"
"You need to be at least SR to pull your own weight."
"Ahhh."
Diarmat was moved.
The soul rank that had plummeted three stages due to contract termination.
This was a chance to recover one stage.
"Thank you, Summoner-nim. *Sniff*"
She shed tears and twisted her body.
'Ugh.'
Everything she did made your heart flutter.
Her cleaning, her speech, her crying expression.
It was an unavoidable thing.
Seducing people was a racial trait of the Succubus race.
"...Hmph! S-see you next time."
"Yes."
"Diarmat Summon Release."
Spot!
And then,
"Hyeolrang Summon!"
Spot!
"Hoe!"
When Hyeolrang appeared, Razix raised a hand in greeting.
"Woof woof!"
Hyeolrang responded.
The two had truly become soulmates.
Today's plan was also to climb the 77th floor.
Our Mr. Kosak, before leaving to attempt his grade breakthrough, should see his father Hartmann's face one last time.
Then he planned to go on vacation.
He wouldn't be seen for two weeks.
We should have a farewell party before that.
At a beautiful beach.
"Mr. Kosak."
"Yessir!"
"What will you talk about with your father today?"
"Nothing special. Same as always."
"About what?"
"About mother."
"......"
My eyes suddenly stung.
Would he even remember his mother's face?
"Is there any progress in the conversation?"
"It's difficult. I keep telling him this is the Tower, that you are a bound soul, but nothing changes."
That's right.
He seemed to understand, but upon re-entry, he reset back to square one.
It was pitiful to see.
How heartbreaking must it be?
A son went to kill his father but ended up being killed instead, and the father who killed his son later realized the truth and went mad.
Moreover, Kosak didn't even remember his mother's face.
Yet he always wore a bright expression.
He wiped his tears secretly.
Tower climb begins.
Spot!
But right at that moment!
"Huh?"
"What?"
"...What's this?"
"Hmm."
"That is..."
The 77th floor.
The prisoners were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a single man stood on the sandy beach like a totem pole.
Neither tall nor short height.
A smooth, bald head with no hair or eyebrows.
He wasn't even a physical entity.
Something like a hologram.
"You..."
The expression of the enraged Mad Demon.
"Now I remember. You're an Administrator."
Administrator?
Instantly!
A tremendous surge of murderous intent erupted fiercely.
All the summoned beings were glaring at the Administrator.
"How dare you come here."
"Shameless. I will make sure you face divine punishment someday."
"Fuck, you bastard son of a bitch. Where do you think you're glaring? Your eyes!"
"Light! I curse you!"
"Hoehek!"
"Grrrr!"
The hostility was intense.
Naturally.
The architect of Cabalan's Curse, the mastermind who sent Diarmat outside.
The black hand threatening the Summoner.
How could they stay still?
But why did the Administrator appear before a Player?
Was this allowed?
Swung! A crescent-shaped energy rose from the Mad Demon's hand.
Shook! Gobang enlarged.
Zzing, Kosak infused his dagger with energy.
All the summoned beings entered combat readiness.
"I know. If you were real, you'd already be torn to pieces."
Then the Administrator Designer made eye contact with Joo-hyuk.
A proposal, huh.
'This bastard, what's he trying to sell now?'
'Hmm.'
That was true.
Although the summoned beings did all the work.
Oh!
He's giving a reward?
What is it?
Show me.
'...Maybe this bastard.'
See!
I knew it.
'Cunning bastard.'
Who does he think will fall for that?
Equivalent exchange, my foot.
'What? Place the reward on a scale? Who does he think I am?'
If he thought I'd be swayed by such a thing, he severely misjudged me.
Safety over greed is the top priority... Wait!
'Desired reward? Could it be?'
Joo-hyuk looked at the Administrator and asked.
"Hey, any reward I want?"
'Oho!'
Anything?
Well, that changes things.
Joo-hyuk gathered all the summoned beings.
"Let's give it a try. It's a good opportunity."
"However, the mission's difficulty will be determined by the reward. We could fall into the Administrator's scheme."
"A Catalog Expansion Ticket and Rune of Trait Enhancement would be worth the challenge."
"My Lord! High risk, high return."
"What if that risk is too great to handle?"
"Let's think carefully. There's nothing particularly urgent."
Debate.
Opinions were divided, but there was something more urgent than anything.
"I plan to request Tower Soul Liberation. I will free Hartmann-nim from his bondage."
"Ah! That, that..."
"Ho! This old man never even considered it."
"Master... truly a selfless decision."
"Magnificent, My Lord."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, victory assured! Glory to the Commander!"
However.
"I oppose. Request the Rune of Trait Enhancement. Don't risk it for me and my father..."
"Hey now! Mr. Kosak's father is like my uncle. Huh? Let me be filial too. To my uncle."
"......"
Kosak hung his head low.
Joo-hyuk turned his head and spoke to the Administrator.
"It's possible, right? Hartmann-nim's soul liberation."
The Administrator flinched.
That was a huge ask—liberating a soul from the Tower was no ordinary matter.
Mutual agreement and causality were satisfied.
According to the law of equivalent exchange, the difficulty would skyrocket insanely.
But that wasn't enough.
For guaranteed failure, more!
Really?
Well then.
The summoned beings gathered, whispering and murmuring.
"The Rune of Trait Enhancement too?"
The Administrator couldn't hide his bitter expression.
They gathered again, whispering and murmuring.
"Did you see that bastard smiling?"
"It's all over his face."
"If we add the Trait Enhancement Rune, clearing will become impossible."
"Let's leave that out."
"No, rather than that, we should remove the father's liberation..."
"Shh!"
The opinions were gathered.
"I'll place only the Soul Liberation on the scale."
"It's fine. I'm not greedy."
Huh?
Another gathering.
Whispering and murmuring.
"It's fine. We can just mine those."
"Yeah, I'm not brave. I'm a cowardly ordinary guy."
He won't bite! This obvious bastard!