Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower Strategy 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The plan had changed.
A reliable source of power had emerged.
None other than the generous permission from Summoner Bong.
And on top of that, he was even going to escort them all the way to the Beijing Tower.
The summoned beings' hearts swelled with emotion.
It aligned perfectly with Article 3 of the 3 Principles and Summoner Bong's will.
Nothing could be better.
So they decided to go all out while they were at it.
First, Kosak and Diarmat arrived at the Beijing Tower alongside Joo-hyuk.
"Sir! Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all. I just need to use my Tower Exit Token. But try to keep civilian casualties to a minimum..."
"Yes, sir! Minimal loss of life! We'll keep it in mind."
After parting ways with Joo-hyuk, Kosak and Diarmat headed to Beijing.
On the way, the two chatted.
"I've upgraded a whole two ranks. I might not be Succubus Queen material, but Succubus Princess seems within reach."
"Yes, I've almost fully recovered my abilities."
Diarmat had returned from SR to SSR using another Rune of Summoned Being Grade-Up from a turncoat defector.
"Mm, it's all thanks to Master."
"You must always keep a grateful heart."
Then Diarmat twisted her body slightly and flashed a seductive smile.
"Of course. Master is my lifesaver. I'd fall short even if I gave him everything I have."
Kosak suddenly exploded in anger.
"Don't go spreading that charm everywhere! Summoner Bong might end up dreaming about you or something. Huh?"
"S-Sorry."
"You're not even fit to kiss Sergeant V's toes. Huh?"
"H-He's just too grand a figure."
"Quiet."
Kosak issued his first order.
"Defector Diarmat, can you slip into people's dreams and extract information?"
"That's my specialty."
"Good. Head to Zhongnanhai immediately and infiltrate the dreams of high-ranking officials. Find out Chairman Liu Zhao's schedule, movements, and location. Dream access for 24 hours."
"Yes."
"I'll swing by the North Korean embassy first."
The first phase went smoothly.
Diarmat and Kosak each gathered the intel they needed.
And two days later.
The moment of execution arrived.
The summoned beings launched the operation.
Joo-hyuk reappeared at the Beijing Black Tower.
And the summoned beings.
Gwang-ma, Kosak, Gobang, Bardin, Sergeant V, Jepetto, Diarmat.
A total of seven.
Razix made a special guest appearance.
His role was delivery.
Shh!
Razix pulled an item from his subspace backpack.
His job ended there.
"Good work. Cosmic Problem Solver."
"Hoo!"
Gobang slung the nuke backpack onto his back.
The very one Jang Chang-su had possessed in Pyongyang.
They'd modified the North Korean detonator fuse into a timer fuse.
It wasn't even theirs, so they were just returning it.
Beijing, China.
Liu Zhao, 78 years old this year, Chairman of the People's Republic of China.
He looked far younger than his age.
About ten years younger?
When he first took office, his face was covered in wrinkles.
Why?
Because he'd consumed a precious Rejuvenation Elixir.
Though it had almost no effect under 30 and drastically reduced efficacy on repeat use,
for those over 40—and the older the better—the Rejuvenation Elixir shone brightest.
It was originally a gift to Players who climbed the 71st floor.
To let them climb the Tower long and healthily.
In other words, Players were meant to use it.
Items like the Liberation Rune Necklace, Shape-Shift Ring, and Disease Cure Potion were given for the same reason.
But could Players keep those items intact?
No chance.
They had to hand them all over to those in power eventually.
China was no different; all items from its three Towers had gone to him and the Standing Committee members.
So what?
They were better suited for old folks than youngsters anyway.
They could compensate the young Players who handed them over with other ample rewards.
These precious ten years of youth.
Perhaps because of it, Chairman Liu Zhao grew bolder in his policies.
The Pyongyang Awakening Management Branch opening ceremony terror attack had essentially been his decision.
Of course, it went through a Standing Committee meeting.
Today was another meeting for the seven Standing Committee members, including himself.
The Pyongyang incident had failed.
They couldn't just sit idly by.
Countermeasures were needed.
The meeting venue was the Continental Crisis Management Headquarters.
Recent top Standing Committee meetings were all held there.
Because Zhongnanhai had been breached once before.
When a kidnapped Player escaped.
A national embarrassment.
China's prestige had plummeted.
So Liu Zhao favored the underground bunker at the Continental Crisis Management HQ.
A place that could withstand even a nuke.
With only one entrance, it boasted ironclad defenses.
In short, the safest spot in China.
External intrusion was utterly impossible.
Why go to such lengths?
In the past year, three people had ascended to the Chairmanship.
Former former Chairman Lin Chaiming, former Chairman Wang Yuan, and now him as the third.
If something happened to him amid all this, China's chaos would be uncontrollable.
Besides, in wartime, a national leader operating from an underground bunker wasn't unusual.
Safety first, always.
"Let's begin the meeting. First order of business?"
The seven summoned beings.
They were near the Continental Crisis Management Headquarters.
Even from afar, the security looked incredibly tight.
Tall walls and watchtowers dotted everywhere.
Situated in open plains away from the city, visibility was unobstructed.
Anyone approaching would be spotted for sure.
But that only applied to ordinary people.
What use were those guard posts against SSR-or-higher summoned beings?
All seven combat-type summoned beings mobilized.
Success wasn't the issue.
How quickly they could handle it was key.
"Vampire and I will infiltrate the underground bunker first and seize the CCTV central control room. Ten minutes later, clean up the watchtower guards on your way in."
What if there were 100 CCTVs?
Seize the control room, and it was done.
The blind spot of ironclad security.
The reason terrorists in movies always take the control room first.
Shh!
Kosak vanished into stealth.
Poof!
Jepetto transformed into a bat.
Ten minutes passed.
Diarmat began her move.
Whoosh!
Her wings unfurled.
Her wide-area Dream Domain was declared.
Upgraded to SSR, her unique skill now had greater range and duration.
In truth, dream demons were terrifying existences.
Why else would the administrators manifest Diarmat outside the Tower?
Ordinary people without resistance fell asleep the moment they entered the Dream Domain.
Plop, thud, thud.
The guards collapsed.
Plop, thud, thud.
Watchtower personnel cleared, next the bunker exterior soldiers.
She spread her wings and circled once over the Continental Crisis Management HQ.
Everyone plunged into sweet dreams and collapsed.
"If we'd left her alone, she could've caused big trouble."
"Ordinary people can't resist at all."
"Even I, a holy knight, got caught—imagine for them."
"Warriors can endure it. ...A little."
Gwang-ma, Gobang, Bardin, and Sergeant V carried the fallen guards to safe spots.
This was the hardest part.
They had to keep their promise to Summoner Bong: minimize loss of life.
Then they entered the bunker.
The door was already open.
Plop, thud, thud.
Diarmat advanced, deploying her Dream Domain similarly.
Poke, poke, thud, thud.
Those escaping the domain were put back to sleep by Gwang-ma's blood transfusion acupuncture.
Zip! Zip! Thud, thud.
Sergeant V's paralyzing shots helped too.
They moved the fallen inside to the outside as well.
The bunker had to be cleared clean.
Except for Chairman Liu Zhao and the Standing Committee members.
All this happened in utmost secrecy.
So those inside the meeting had no idea what was unfolding outside.
Continental Crisis Management Headquarters underground bunker conference room.
Standing Committee meeting chaired by Liu Zhao.
"Kim In-jung lodged a fierce protest through diplomatic channels."
"Jang Chang-su must have spilled everything."
"Small fry like that—we never trusted him anyway."
"Any evidence left?"
"Nothing besides Colonel Jang Chang-su's testimony."
After the failed Pyongyang nuke terror, the Chinese government erased all traces.
Even Jang Chang-su's family they'd brought to China.
Thus, no evidence remained.
"He threatened to cut ties if we don't apologize officially..."
"Hmph! They still haven't learned. After begging like beggars."
Liu Zhao's face flushed red with rage.
"Start with military pressure first."
"Yes, we'll advance mechanized units from the People's Liberation Army Northern Theater Command to the Yalu River."
"And tighten the Hallyu Ban."
Hallyu Ban (Korean Ban).
A ban on Korean-produced content in China.
It also penalized Korean products and companies operating in China.
"Send Chinese fishing boats into the Yellow Sea to ram them."
They brainstormed numerous other sanctions.
They'd crush South and North Korea from all directions.
Arrogant fools.
Think a little Tower progress makes you untouchable?
The meeting dragged on.
Their throats grew dry, stomachs empty.
"Since we're all here, how about a drink? What do you say?"
"Yes, let's."
"Got any good liquor?"
"A few bottles of Maotai from Guizhou."
"Oh! Perfect."
Liu Zhao signaled his aide waiting in the back.
Go out and prepare a proper spread.
The secretary hurried outside.
They waited a long time.
Just as they wondered why he wasn't back—
Creeeak.
The conference room door opened.
Then a strange man wheeled in a cart laden with liquor and food.
Rattle.
Liu Zhao tilted his head.
The man's appearance was unusual.
'...A Westerner?'
Why was someone like that in the Continental Crisis Management HQ?
And he wasn't alone.
An old man followed.
Then a man with a massive build.
"Assassin, grab the booze. Looks good—take it to the Summoner later for a drink."
"How do you plan to carry it? We can't take it if we unsummon."
"Call our manservant..."
"Calling the cosmic manservant for booze delivery will get us chewed out."
"It's fine. The Summoner likes his drinks."
"I'll check with him later."
Liu Zhao was dumbfounded.
The Standing Committee members too.
It didn't feel real.
How could such people waltz in here?
What were the guards doing?
Come to think of it, outside was deathly quiet.
What happened to everyone?
What the hell was going on?
"Wh-Who are you...?"
The old man spoke.
"Who? The heroes of justice here to punish you scum. Did you think you'd get away with your crimes?"
It was Chinese.
Mixed with some archaic language not used nowadays.
"Our crimes?"
"Pyongyang."
Pyongyang?
"Gwang-ma, no chit-chat. Pressure points quick. Not transfusion—pressure points. They need to stay conscious till the end."
"Got it."
Pew pew!
Gwang-ma's fingers unleashed Finger Cannon blasts.
Liu Zhao and the Standing Committee members all stiffened.
They couldn't even open their mouths.
Meanwhile, Kosak set up a tripod and camera.
"Gwang-ma, step out of frame."
Then,
Shh.
Kosak altered his face.
"Chinese enough?"
"That's historical drama material, isn't it?"
"Oops! Forgot."
Liu Zhao's dazed eyes.
Historical drama?
"Changed it back."
"Hmm, looks Chinese now."
"Heh heh, Han, Chinese, Japanese—all look alike, right?"
What the...?
Freely changing his face?
Shape-Shift Ring?
No ring on.
"Memorized your lines?"
"Yep. Beijing dialect master."
Kosak, face changed.
Behind him, Chairman Liu Zhao and the Standing Committee sat frozen.
"Gobang, put that thing on your back behind the camera. Out of lens view."
"Got it."
Gobang placed the cylindrical object from his back behind the camera.
The pressure-pointed victims' eyes widened in horror.
Ragged breaths.
How could they not be shocked?
It was the nuke backpack.
The one Jang Chang-su had in Pyongyang.
Why was it here?
Were they planning to detonate it?
Madmen?
Where they trying to wipe out China's top leaders at once?
Did they have no fear of repercussions?
No.
Impossible.
It was just to scare them.
Liu Zhao convinced himself.
Kosak checked his face on the camera, then hit record.
The nuke backpack behind wouldn't be filmed.
But they'd see it clearly.
The timer counting down.
Five minutes left.
Kosak's mouth slowly opened,
and fluent Chinese flowed out.
"I am a Player inheriting the great spirit of Chinese socialism."
Starting with self-introduction,
"But does the current Chinese government truly uphold the socialist spirit? I have no choice but to doubt it!"
Straight to the point.
"Scum exploiting the people with dirty capitalist power rule China. Look! Chairman Liu Zhao's shiny face! That piglet rejuvenated by the Rejuvenation Elixir!"
Kosak's grave expression.
"Players of Greater China! How long will you endure exploitation by these pigs? Rise up! Resist the vile dictatorship. The revolution is in your hands!!!"
His voice boomed louder.
"Make the exploiters tremble before the revolution! Players have chains to lose in revolution, and the power of the Tower to gain. Players of continental China, unite!!!"
In truth, Kosak had no idea what he was saying.
Just reciting the script from the North Korean embassy in Chinese pronunciation.
"Thus today, I resolve to judge these pigs. You can't build without destroying. For a new China, I'll clean out the old and rotten."
Finally.
"Long live the People's Republic of China! Long live! Long live!"
Liu Zhao and the Standing Committee were going insane.
What the mystery Player said didn't matter.
The nuke backpack was all their eyes could focus on.
The dwindling timer.
Less than two minutes left.
Was it really gonna blow?
A nuke backpack in Beijing?
They had to live.
Apologize, beg.
Sorry.
We've committed a mortal sin.
We won't do anything stupid again.
Please spare us.
Ten years younger,
could live another 30 easily.
But mouths sealed shut.
And the intruders vanished without a trace.
Only them in the conference room.
One minute left.
Liu Zhao desperately tried to move.
To stop the timer fuse.
'...F-Fuck!'
Straining so hard a blood vessel burst in his eye.
Thirty seconds left.
Still couldn't believe it.
Safest place in China, and a nuke here?
Deep regret.
That nuke backpack.
If they hadn't tried the Pyongyang terror, it wouldn't be here.
But too late.
Was he to follow his predecessors' fate?
Ten, nine, eight...
Writhing Liu Zhao and Standing Committee.
Despair filled their eyes.
"Guh..."
Mouths cracking open, vocal cords twitching.
Three, two, one...
"N-No!!!"
Zero.
Fuse activated.
Whoosh!
BOOM! KABOOM! BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM! BOOMBOOM!
It exploded.
The nuke backpack that failed in Pyongyang detonated in Beijing.
Inside the bunker where China's top leaders were gathered.
Scorching heat engulfed the conference room.
In his dying moment, Liu Zhao recalled.
The third Chinese Chairman's death.
Would a successor even be named?
Chaos would reign long.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!
The underground bunker collapsed.
The explosion's shock rippled across all of Beijing.
An unprecedented event.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!
The seven summoned beings watched the bunker crumble from afar.
"Refreshing. That's what mirroring is. Returned it as is."
"But did the recording work? Camera's smashed."
"Sigh, stop drinking all the time and learn something. That's why you get called old fogey out there."
"..."
"Camera's just for show; footage saves to this smartphone. That's how you upload to NewTube."
Gwang-ma's face froze.
"Right, you're LSSR too. Good. You won't die from a few hits."
"...Huh?"
"Wanna loosen up? Time to sort the pecking order."
Zing!
A blood Jade Astral Qi blade hovered over Gwang-ma's palm.
Swoosh!
Kosak bolted instantly.
"Heh, that guy's quick, I'll give him that."
Swoosh!
Gwang-ma vanished too.
Martial arts lightness skill versus Shadow Step.
Who was faster?