Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: A New Home, A New Taunt
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Joo-hyuk received 12 residence permit cards in exchange for 12 kg of top-grade Magicite.
Eleven cards for the catalog summoned beings, including Hyeolrang, and the defector Diamat, plus one extra card.
The funny thing was that they were physical cards. A stiff plastic material, like a credit card.
Since they could be easily lost, he went to the 1000-won shop in front of his house and bought some office ID card case necklaces, too.
Finally, he could grant the residence permits. That should register them, right?
He gathered all the summoned beings who were resting here and there in one place.
"Everyone, attention! I have something to give you."
"Is, is it a badge? Has my artistic soul been recognized by a Beijing explosion short film or something?"
"That's for later... and let's all show some restraint, LSSR folks, okay? SSR folks need badges to upgrade their skills too."
"...Yes."
Joo-hyuk took one card out of his inventory.
"Ta-da! This is it."
The summoned beings' eyes all went wide.
"Whoa, a corporate card? Can we just swipe it or something?"
"It's not a corporate card, it's a residence permit."
A residence permit? The clever Gyeon Dal-rae raised her hand first, catching on quickly.
"Master, when you say residence permit... you don't mean the White Tower...?"
"Yes, a residence permit for the 17th floor of the White Tower."
"Ah!"
"Huh?"
"Wow!"
The summoned beings' faces were filled with anticipation. They had only heard about it until now.
They'd heard that Lord Bong the Summoner had built a communications tower there, constructed a power plant, developed a residential complex, paved roads... but they couldn't enter.
They were very curious. The souls from that other world didn't know about the White Tower's existence either.
It was truly a mystery. An unknown world.
And now a permit to live there? Could they hold back?
"Line up, please. I'll give you one each."
Everyone rushed over. Whoosh! The quick Kosak was at the very front.
"Me first. Founding contributor, right?"
Then came Gyeon Dal-rae's thunderous roar, like an abstract painting.
"Sir Kosak! Have you no shame? Do you not know propriety? How can you be so shameless in the Land of Eastern Propriety? Yield to the Mad Demon!"
"I'm not from the Land of Eastern Propriety, though?"
"You, you, you... all talk and no...!"
Suddenly! The Mad Demon pushed Kosak aside and stepped forward.
"Hey, you're cutting in line."
"This old man has only a few minutes left before summon release. So yield a little."
"...Hmm."
Kosak's eyeballs rolled around. Ziiing—a black crescent of powerful energy rose above the Mad Demon's hand. What could he do?
"Ha... I'll let it slide just this once."
"Good, you thought well."
It was true; the Mad Demon didn't have much time left. Among the summoned beings, the ones with the shortest manifestation periods were the Mad Demon and Mari.
They might be automatically released any moment. Let's give to these two first.
Joo-hyuk put the residence permit into the ID case, convenient for wearing around the neck, and hung it directly around the Mad Demon's neck.
"Mad Demon, congratulations on becoming a resident of the White Tower's 17th floor."
"Hahaha, thank you."
Suddenly! Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt! The card vibrated inside the case. Then,
Swish, sssswish, swish, characters were engraved on the back of the card. In Korean, of course.
- White Tower Resident: Mad Demon -
"Oh! How marvelous. It's like an ID card."
And then, Ding! A message appeared.
'...Another achievement?'
Was the White Tower an achievement pit? Achievements kept breeding more achievements.
Added submenu.
'I can check that inside later.'
Next was Ms. Mari. He hurriedly ran to the room where Mari, the bedroom alchemist, was.
"Here's your residence permit."
He opened the door a crack and slid it through the gap. Swish! A pale white hand reached out and took the permit.
Right then! Whoosh!
The Mad Demon, whose time was up, was reverse-summoned. Following right after, from beyond the crack in the door. Whoosh!
Mari also returned to the other world. They could be summoned again in three hours.
'Now I can take it slow, I guess.'
Since he had some leeway in the simultaneous summoning limit, he should call Hyeolrang too. Our Razix, his soul companion.
But would Hyeolrang also become a registered resident? Probably. The condition for being a resident was having a soul.
"Designated Summon: Hyeolrang!"
Whoosh!
"Whoa!"
"Woof woof!"
Razix cheered, welcoming Hyeolrang. Hyeolrang wagged his tail like a windmill and licked Razix's face excitedly.
Meanwhile, the summoned beings were already lining up. There was no need to rush now. The remaining summoned beings had at least an hour or more of manifestation time left.
'Hmm, who should I give to first?'
He needed to see how granting the residence permit worked. So.
"...Princess?"
"Did you call for me?"
"I'll give you yours first."
Ignoring Kosak, who was grumbling "I got snubbed again," Joo-hyuk hung the residence permit necklace around Gyeon Dal-rae's neck.
Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt!Sssswish, swish, characters were engraved.
- White Tower Resident: Gyeon Dal-rae -
Third resident registered.
"Now that you're a resident, try entering the White Tower, Princess."
"Hmm, how does one do that?"
"Nothing popping up in your head? Like how to use the residence permit?"
"Nothing, my lord."
Then perhaps...
"Try saying it out loud. 'White Tower 17th Floor, Entry.'"
Like entering the Black Tower.
"I shall try. White Tower 17th Floor, Entry!"
"..."
But nothing happened. Did she need to say it a different way?
"Entry! White Tower 17th Floor, White Tower Entry! To the 17th floor, 17th Floor Entry! White Tower..."
Nothing worked.
'Sigh.'
What's the system doing? It should at least tell them how to get in.
"This maiden's shallow guess is that if you, Master, enter, I might be able to accompany you."
Was that it? Well, the Black Tower did work that way.
Tsk! How bothersome. If they're giving resident privileges, they should let them come and go as they please.
"Alright. Let's go in together."
Joo-hyuk murmured quietly.
"White Tower 17th Floor, Entry."
Whoosh!
He entered. But,
"Huh?"
He was alone. Gyeon Dal-rae hadn't followed him in.
Had she not been registered? Joo-hyuk tapped on the [Resident List] from the menu floating before his eyes.
[Current residents: 3]
[List: Mad Demon/ Aliamari/ Gyeon Dal-rae/]
All three were registered. No, he granted the permit cards, and they registered normally like this, so how were they supposed to enter?
'Do I need to summon them here inside the 17th floor?'
That's when it happened. Tap.
"Summoner."
"Ah, shit, you scared me!"
Joo-hyuk jumped, startled. Someone had suddenly called him and placed a hand on his shoulder. In a place where no one should be... Gasp!
"...Mad Demon?"
"Indeed. It is I."
Wait, why was he here?
"Weren't you... released from summoning?"
"Correct. So I thought I had returned to the Prison of Infinity, the world of souls, but it seems I was moved here instead. I was quite flustered, unable to leave."
He was released, but he was here.
"But this place... is it really the White Tower's 17th floor?"
"Yes... What about Ms. Mari?"
"She's over there."
"Ah!"
Mari was crouching in a corner of the residential complex. She hadn't crossed over to the other world either.
What was going on? Gyeon Dal-rae couldn't enter, but these two could? Was summon release the method of entering the 17th floor... Hmm?
'Could it be...?'
Let's check. Joo-hyuk immediately exited the White Tower's 17th floor. Whoosh!
"You're back!"
"You went alone."
"This maiden did not follow you in."
"Is it a scam?"
"The vile machinations of the administrators..."
He calmed the summoned beings who were bombarding him with questions.
"Gyeon Dal-rae, Summon Release."
"...?"
Whoosh! Gyeon Dal-rae vanished. And when he entered the 17th floor again,
"Ah, M-Master, what in the world is this...?"
Gyeon Dal-rae was there. Now it was clear.
"You've changed homes. From the Prison of Infinity to the White Tower's 17th floor."
"What?"
"Hah."
That's right. They were summoned beings. Their original dwelling was the other world's Prison of Infinity, the world of souls.
But they received residence permits. They gained a home called the White Tower's 17th floor. So?
They had moved. Their very souls. From the Prison of Infinity to the White Tower's 17th floor. In other words, a change of registered address.
"I understand now. That's how it is. Hah, now I can't go back there."
"...Are you disappointed?"
"Not at all! Disappointed? This is no different from the liberation of the soul."
The Mad Demon's face was flushed red.
"Summoner, do you know how monumental this is?"
"Well, I guess..."
"You have saved this old man. From that horrific world, from a prison I didn't want to stay in for even an hour, I have finally escaped. Hahahahaha!"
The Mad Demon laughed heartily. Then, grabbing Joo-hyuk's hand,
"What would have become of me if I hadn't met you? Thank you. Truly, thank you. Accept my bow."
He prostrated himself and bowed deeply.
"Oh my, please get up."
In a way, he understood. The world of souls, where the five senses were blocked. It must have been excruciatingly painful. But now they didn't have to go.
Gyeon Dal-rae also seemed overjoyed. She too bowed as if about to fly away.
"Master's sea-like grace, this maiden shall forever etch it upon her heart and live by it... It is such an immense, immense boon that I know not what to do with myself. I am grateful. Thank you. I am unworthy."
Ugh. Why are you all making my face burn like this?
Mari must be happy too. Although she wasn't showing her face, her trembling back seemed to convey her joy.
Anyway, now that he understood the situation, it was time for the other summoned beings. Whoosh! He went back outside to explain the benefits of being a resident.
"...What? Did I hear wrong?"
"S-Sergeant Veronica Caliber, you must have misheard, sir."
"This warrior still doesn't understand what it means."
"M-My Lord! It's just too incredible a story."
"Master? Master? Could you say it once more, slowly...?"
After explaining in detail, they finally grasped the situation.
"R-really?"
"...Yeah."
"Ahhh."
"So we don't have to go back?"
"Oh my god!"
The summoned beings all knew the Summoner wouldn't lie. But the story was so earth-shattering that everyone was dumbfounded.
They didn't have to go back now? A permanent farewell to the loathsome Prison of Infinity? Everyone's emotions welled up.
"Summoner, sir, *sob*..."
"I, I really don't know how to express my feelings."
"D-don't cry, *sniff sniff*..."
"Commander, v-victory!"
"Whaaaaaa..."
It was a sea of tears. Tears shed not from sadness, but from overwhelming joy. Hey, why are you crying?
"...Line up. I'll grant you the residence permits. Mr. Kosak? Our People's Armed Forces Minister. Come quickly."
But then?
"Hmm."
Kosak hesitated, shuffling his feet. What's wrong with him now?
"Um, Summoner Bong, sir."
"What is it?"
"Could we grant the residence permit... a little later?"
"Later when?"
"After being released from summoning and going to the Prison of Infinity and coming back..."
Huh? He wants to go there again? Even though he doesn't have to.
"If I get the permit now, I can never go there again, right?"
"That's correct."
"The souls over there won't know we've moved to the White Tower's 17th floor."
"And?"
"I can't brag about it. When I go, I have to go and brag that I changed my address."
"Ah!"
Kosak continued with a sly grin.
"T-bagging is essential. Hearing this will turn the world of souls upside down. I can see it now."
"..."
T-bagging. Beyond simple boasting, it was provocation and humiliation.
- Me? Moving out?
- This shitty neighborhood, I'm never coming back.
The listening souls would be green with envy. And furious. Kosak intended to enjoy that and then come back.
'Wow! This evil...'
For Kosak, it was perfectly natural behavior. If he missed this chance, he wouldn't be himself.
Well, let's grant his wish. It's not difficult.
"Alright. I'll give you the permit at the next summoning. What about the rest of you?"
Silence. No one raised their hand.
Huh? What? Could it be?
"Does everyone want to receive it at the next summoning?"
Nods all around.
"You all want to brag?"
Nods all around.
"..."
Well, it can't be helped. He had to do as they wish.
Mass summon release. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh... Go brag your hearts out and come back.
Anyway, it's a much more incredible reward than expected. Now the summoned beings could wait comfortably in a space almost identical to Earth.
But a remaining question. What about ordinary people? Would they also move completely? A forced change of address?
'That's a bit problematic.'
There was no way to test it. For now, he shouldn't let ordinary people become residents. They might get trapped on the 17th floor.
Joo-hyuk entered the White Tower's 17th floor again. Whoosh!
Gyeon Dal-rae and the Mad Demon were wandering around, fascinated by the 17th floor. Ms. Mari seemed to have gone inside a house.
It felt heartwarming. They could be together anytime now.
Nothing else changed. Only the waiting room was different.
When summoned by Joo-hyuk, they would conquer the Black Tower or spend time in reality, and when their summon was released or their manifestation period ended, they would return to the 17th floor to rest.
This way, the summoned beings' physical lives would be maintained. As long as they were with him.
'I need to make it a more comfortable space.'
There was a lot to do. To cultivate the 17th floor, he needed more high-grade Magicite.
Right! What was the menu added by the achievement reward? He tapped to check.
<Expulsion>
- Revokes the registered resident status and expels them from the White Tower.
Hmm. If he could expel them too... then experiments with ordinary people might be possible?
The incident that once shook the Prison of Infinity, the world of souls. The massive protest against the administrator's overreach and probability manipulation.
But it was a flash in the pan. Boiled over in an instant, then cooled just as quickly. What good did protesting do?
They just waited for the Earth summoner to secure the catalog expansion rights soon so random summoning could resume. But then?
『Hello there. Have you all been well?』
It was the assassin. The guy who gained the summoner's love and trust and recently rose to Legendary grade.
『Unfortunately, I've come to bid my final farewell.』
A final farewell? Did something else happen on Earth?
『Do you know about the White Tower? I asked before, and you all said you didn't know, remember? Well, its identity has been revealed. What kind of place is it, you ask...』
The explanation continued. From the White Tower's allocation to granting residence permits, and that upon summon release, they would go there to wait instead of the world of souls.
They've moved, he said. Changed their address, he said.
Shocking words. To an utterly unbelievable degree.
『Y-you, is that true?』
『Yep! We're now leaving the Prison of Infinity, the world of souls, for good.』
The words kept coming, one after another.
『Victory! Sergeant Veronica Caliber, I have received orders for permanent transfer. The duration is forever, goodbye! Everyone. I'm off now.』
『Indeed, a summoned being must meet the right lord. My lord is my new god.』
『This warrior feels the same.』
『If I hadn't been summoned... ugh, just thinking about it is dreadful.』
『Luckily, I caught the last bus.』
『My defection was a masterstroke too.』
『Whoaaaa!』
『Woof woof! Woof woof woof!』
The t-bagging began.
『Don't worry, everyone. Once random summoning resumes, you can escape the prison too.』
『Catalog expansion isn't happening, so how will random summoning work?』
『Ah! That's right. No summoning then.』
『Tsk tsk, what good is a high grade? Can't even get out of here.』
『Anyway, take care. Not sure if we'll ever meet again.』
『Bye!』
『Whaaa!』
The souls fell silent. Astonishment, absurdity, despair, anxiety, sadness, frustration—a whirlwind of emotions swirled. Then it all exploded at once.
『You fucking bastards!!!』
『You sons of bitches, you shits! You turds! You motherfuckers!!!』
『When I get out, assassin, I'll kill you first!』
『Waaaaah!』
『Kyaaaaak!!! Eek! Eek!』
『What about me? Why not me? Why not meeeee!』
『Let me out. Let me out, or I'll kill you all!!!』
『Damn it aaaaaaaall!!!』
『Let's die, let's all die. What's the point of living in this fucking place?』
『This goddamn shitty life, nothing ever goes right for me!!!』
It was a chaotic, hellish scene. Yet, as if trying to grasp at a last thread of hope.
『Now now, let's not do this, everyone, let's stay strong. Someday, our turn to be summoned will come. When I say "Heave!" you say "Ho!" and let's pull ourselves up together.』
『Heave!』
『Ho!』
『Heave!』
『Fuck! Heave ho my ass, we're all doomed!!! Catalog expansion isn't happening.』
『Doomed my foot! No weak talk, everyone together, Heave!!!』
『Ho!!!』
『Heave!!!』
『Ho!!!』
The souls' yearning was more intense than ever. Strong enough to pierce the Prison of Infinity's barrier and rise to the heavens.
And so, they finally reached it.