Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower conquest
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Things used to be different.
The place where summoned beings' grades rose, where they broke through grades, where those who died had to wait 100 days before resummoning—it was all the Spirit World.
But now everything had changed completely.
The White Tower's 17th floor handled it all instead.
First up, Hyeolrang's case.
"...H-Huh?"
It had no physical body.
Couldn't touch it.
A hazy spirit form.
So even its barking came across like telepathy.
How to revert it?
Joo-hyuk pulled a rune from his inventory.
His first time using this item.
How did it work?
'Runes are usually eaten, right?'
But could a spirit even eat?
He tossed it over.
Hyeolrang came close and gulped down the revival rune whole.
A spirit, yet it ate the rune somehow.
The result?
Fwoooooosh!
Luminous wisps like those at summoning surged from all directions toward Hyeolrang.
Tszzzt!
The light converged in one spot, and the hazy spirit sharpened into clarity.
"Oh!"
He's alive.
No more telepathic speech—Hyeolrang barked for real now.
"Hwoe!"
The two rolled around playfully, causing a commotion.
A heartwarming sight.
Don't ever die again.
'My nose is tingling for no reason.'
Suddenly!
Ding!
A notification rang out.
Huh?
No way, right?
"Yes!"
First ever? Gotta give a reward.
"Bring on the reward!"
"...Take that reward and shove it."
Damn.
Isn't that too harsh?
'It's like telling a salaryman to do overtime every single day.'
Should've been a White Tower-related reward.
Four tower entries a day? Bullshit.
Anyway, one down. Next?
Sergeant V's grade breakthrough.
Experienced folks would know.
Our fairy Gyeon Dal-rae had done it.
"How's breakthrough usually done?"
"In the Spirit World, you wear the platinum badge bestowed by the young master and swallow the breakthrough rune."
"Aha!"
"The moment you swallow it, you'll fall into a coma—unable to move or speak..."
Then?
"We'll need a quiet place. Somewhere undisturbed."
A quiet spot.
Joo-hyuk suggested to Veronica.
"Sergeant V, how about the top of that 61st-floor building over there?"
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I like it. I'll breakthrough straight up like that towering skyscraper and succeed in advancing!"
"Sounds good."
"I'll shatter that condor to pieces. Victory!"
"Victory!"
And so, Sergeant V began her grade breakthrough at the top of the White Tower landmark, the 61st-floor building.
Closed-door training commenced.
Estimated time: two weeks.
Once she returned, the random summon cooldowns would reset too.
"What do we do in the meantime?"
"...Um, just chill, right?"
"I'll make some bracelets."
Sigh.
"That damn bracelet, bracelet... We'll waste away making bracelets."
As Joo-hyuk grumbled in boredom,
"It's all for Summoner Bong's success. Where else will you find a summoned being as loyal as me?"
True, but
"Even Elder Mad Demon would slack off and sip booze alone without Summoner Bong around. Total wage thief."
What?
Drinking alone?
Not sharing?
That's kinda hurtful.
But the silently listening Mad Demon spoke up.
"Summoner."
"Yes."
"How... many revival runes do you have?"
"Two or three. Why?"
"Means I can kill you two or three times."
"Kill who..."
"There's a pup who keeps provoking this old man's killing intent."
It was obvious who.
"This old man is very curious. What happens to a summoned being who dies on White Tower floor 17."
Kosak burst out,
"Does Mad Demon have his wits? Or not? We gotta save the revival runes. Can't waste 'em anywhere. Must be senile, mind wandering. If you wanna test it so bad, try it on yourself."
Vrrr!
Mad Demon unleashed crescent saber energy.
"Let's experiment right now. If I sever the neck, will the head stay attached? Or roll away?"
"Eek?"
Whoosh!
Kosak fled.
Splat!
Mad Demon pursued.
'One day, they'll actually kill each other.'
That's why—he was thankful to have the revival runes.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Secretary Macmillan was conversing privately with Director Antonio in his office.
Their expressions were grave.
The topic demanded it.
"That thing's dropping in the Chinese tower's lower floors. Below floor 71."
"Yeah, that's why black market guild members are heading to China."
"Ha! Even black market guilds? Those guys haven't learned."
"It's a Liberation Rune Necklace. Any player would covet it."
Something unusual was happening in China.
Liberation Rune Necklaces were dropping in the lower floors of the Chinese tower.
Normally only from floor 71 and up.
Items only state-sponsored players could acquire.
Lower floors?
Rumors even said a floor 30 player got one as a reward.
Most regular players were below level 60.
But their numbers were vast.
Impossible to track precisely.
Many operated unregistered.
If this was real...
"No telling who got how many."
"Trouble brewing."
"Yeah, it'll be a massive social issue. Could be used for crime—imagine wearing one to rob a bank."
Bank heists would be child's play.
"Does the Chinese government know?"
"Probably. Whether they're countering it, who knows."
Of all places, China.
Well-known tensions between the government and regular players.
Currently, players were powerless against state authority.
But with Liberation Rune Necklaces?
They'd gain physical force to resist.
Potential for disaster.
Plus, black market guilds smelled blood.
Could spread worldwide.
"We can't sit idle."
"Right. Not just China's problem anymore."
Mid-conversation,
Macmillan spotted something odd on Director Antonio's wrist.
A bracelet?
Not a watch.
What, a guy wearing jewelry?
"Antonio, what's that bracelet?"
"Oh! This? Got it from a friend."
"Your sexuality's in question. Come out of the closet while you're at it? Eh, no biggie."
"Come on! One bracelet makes me gay?"
"This is America! Land of machos! Anyway, who gave it to you?"
"Chief Jeon Gwang-il. Sent via air delivery."
"...Huh?"
Hold on.
Bracelet, gift from the Awakening Management Bureau Chief?
Don't tell me...
"...Is that the Weight Loss Bracelet?"
"Bingo! You know it too, Secretary."
"How could I not? How's it working?"
"Amazing. I Lost weight and my blood pressure and sugar levels dropped."
"Whoa... really?"
"Why lie? Pretty sure I know who made it."
Macmillan nodded absentmindedly.
Fair enough.
Who else but Mr. Bong?
But too many for a tower reward item.
Might've gotten a manufacturing method as reward.
"Sell it to me. Double the price."
"No thanks."
"Just get another."
"Gotta request one after expiration anyway."
"Please sell it?"
"You just called me gay. Contact them yourself."
"Ugh, fine."
Secretary Macmillan was quite portly himself.
Makes sense.
He's American.
U.S. adult obesity rate: about 40%.
4 out of 10 adults were obese.
Hence, it was a top-tier obesity clinic market.
News of Korea's Razix Trading Weight Loss Bracelet reaching America was inevitable.
Not just America.
The world turned eyes to Korea.
To Razix Trading.
Overseas buyers visited.
Probed for export intentions.
But Razix Trading had no export plans.
They were already short on supply.
Joo-hyuk visited home after ages.
He'd show his face, share news with parents.
"Everyone's here."
"We've been here all along. You weren't."
"True."
Spot on.
"Anyway, treat your money-making son right."
"I'm gonna lay out a feast."
"Yes, please."
How long since the family gathered at the table?
An adult independent son visiting too often was an issue too, but.
After a warm meal, they sat in the living room watching TV.
News on the Weight Loss Bracelet came up.
"That bracelet's an obvious scam. Tsk tsk. People still fall for it."
Father Bong Cheol-su clicked his tongue.
Min-hyuk snickered.
"Dad's clueless. It was proven real ages ago, there are tons of positive reviews."
"Reviews can be faked."
"Sales figures?"
"Fake those too. Online sales."
"...Maybe?"
"If I can't buy it, it's all fake."
"Aha."
Tsk tsk.
Joo-hyuk clicked his tongue too.
"If you want one, just say so. It's all fake anyway."
"Then get me one? Even you can't, right? Yeah."
Underestimating me?
Right then!
Ding!
There was a notification on Joo-hyuk's smartphone.
He checked.
"Bro, what text? Loan?"
"Nah, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary wants a bracelet. It's an awkward request."
"...What bullshit?"
"It's real. Look."
Joo-hyuk showed Min-hyuk the message from Secretary Macmillan.
[U.S. Secretary Macmillan]: Mr. Bong! I'd be so grateful for one bracelet. Please. My doctor warned me about the weight gain.
Min-hyuk read it.
Face full of disbelief.
"U.S. Secretary messaging in Korean? ...You expect me to believe this?"
"Kinda hard to believe, yeah?"
Even he'd doubt it.
Anyway,
"Fine. I'll give everyone one. I prepared ahead."
Shh,
He pulled bracelets from his inventory.
"Here, take 'em."
"What's this?"
"Weight Loss Bracelets. One each."
"What?"
His family examined the bracelets closely.
They thought they were fakes at first, but no.
Exquisitely crafted.
Identical to TV and SNS videos.
Then...
"R-Really real?"
"Yep, I'm staking the Bong family honor on it."
"Oh!"
"My goodness? This precious thing?"
Mom Hong Geum-ja caressed the bracelet with ecstatic eyes, asked Joo-hyuk.
"But where'd you get 'em? Even with money, it's luck-based."
"Do you know the company making them?"
"Razix Trading."
"Razix Trading is my company."
"What?"
"Huh?"
"No... way..."
Joo-hyuk grinned smugly, lips split wide.
"Where's Razix Trading's HQ?"
"Gasp!"
"Ah..."
"For real?"
The family already knew the Gangnam 61st-floor building was Joo-hyuk's.
"And I'm the world's top player."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Living room went silent at Joo-hyuk's bombshell.
"For real. Don't trust your son?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
All dumbstruck.
"Me and Chief Jeon Gwang-il grab drinks, i'm best buds with North Korean People's Armed Forces Minister Kosageuk, I exchange greetings with Chairman Kim In-jung, oh! You saw the U.S. Secretary message? That's him. Got a thank-you from the U.S. President too."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Family speechless 'cause it rang true.
Their son was claiming to be the world's top player—and his expression said it was no joke.
It was always like this before.
First awakening, he claimed he had an elite contract—they thought it was bullshit, but it was true.
Later, he claimed to be the Holy Sword's owner —they scoffed, but it was true.
So this top player's declaration.
This too?
Their eyes wavered.
Understandable.
It was a huge shock.
But what to do?
More shocks were coming.
"Remember the Pyongyang terror on live TV? That hamster-looking guy who whooshed in and fixed it?"
How could they not.
Clips still circulating.
"Brace yourselves."
For what?
"Razix Designated Summon!"
Flash!
"Hwoeng?"
Razix appeared in Joo-hyuk's family home.
"Oh dear!"
"Uwaaaah!"
"H-Hamster! Big hamster!"
Introductions first.
"Mom, Dad, this is Razix. Razix, my family."
"Hwoe!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Where'd this cutie come from?
Family still speechless.
"Kosak Designated Summon."
Flash!
"Loyal! Summoner Bong's right arm, this era's top errand boy who races at your call, 17th-floor foreman Kosak who catches wage thieves with sharp eyes, reporting in!"
Who's this guy?
"Kosak, or People's Armed Forces Minister Kosageuk."
Quick-witted Kosak.
"Indeed, People's Armed Forces Minister of the Juche revolution-armed republic. I offer this body for the infinite glory of the great Bong bloodline. Comrade Joo-hyuk, abai, omeni, long live! Long live! Long live!"
He was overdoing it again.
He'd Just mass summon everyone.
"The girl greets you. I am Gyeon Dal-rae, serving the young master."
"The warrior is the summoner's shield. Pleased to meet you."
"Heh heh, this old man is the Mad Demon. The summoner's sword and blade."
"Light!!! Bless the Bong family!"
"I'm Mackenzie a Mage."
.
.
.
There was a sudden crowd surge.
The Living room was packed.
Like a bustling market.
A chanting minister, creepy-eyed white-haired elder, winged fairy bowing deeply, a giant, a glowing human, an elderly Westerner with a spotlight and fireworks over his head, a red-furred dog, a pale vampire and a seductive succubus...
Dizzying.
Chaos.
His family was frozen, trembling.
What.
These people.
Scary.
Meanwhile, Razix
rolled around the house,
"Hwoe!"
Swish swish scrub.
Cleaning diligently.
It was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.