Chapter 176
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower Conquest 176
A massive disaster had unfolded in Chongqing, China.
A liberated Player had grabbed a guandao and rampaged through the city streets.
Capturing just that one person had required countless sacrifices.
It was an unprecedented catastrophe where a single liberated Player had slaughtered over fifty people.
It happened in broad daylight.
There were plenty of witnesses.
Even media control couldn't contain it.
Only then did people truly realize it.
How terrifying a Player with unleashed abilities could be.
And the Chongqing incident was just the beginning.
In Shanghai, a Public Security Bureau headquarters was raided by two liberated Players.
Following that, incidents big and small related to liberated Players cropped up one after another in Tianjin, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xinjiang Uyghur...
The entire world was shocked.
What if something like that happened in our own country?
The Chinese situation was breaking as urgent news in Korea too.
There was no need to rely on the media.
It was spreading like wildfire on SNS.
Joo-hyuk caught the news while lounging on the 17th floor of the White Tower.
After sending Raziks off, he'd been idly chatting, got bored, and turned on the TV.
"Holy shit..."
How could something like that happen?
He'd anticipated such a crisis might arise, but...
Actually, it was a story he'd heard from Bureau Chief Jeon Gwang-il before.
Rumors that Liberation Rune Necklaces dropped unusually often from China's Tower—even from low floors.
With their huge population, maybe that was why...
"That's the work of those administrator bastards, right?"
It was obvious at a glance.
"That's right. Those fuckers are definitely behind it."
"The young lady concurs."
"I know because I allied with those guys back when I was the Succubus Queen. Only administrators can rig reward items like that."
"Fucking assholes."
"One day, I'll drop a meteor right on their heads."
The summoned beings raised their voices, cursing the administrators.
Joo-hyuk was inwardly furious too.
They weren't managing the Tower properly but instead showering the real world with shit like that—especially the low floors, and abnormally so!
"Whoa, talk about a backstab. What? Normalization? This is normalization?"
"Calm down. Your blood pressure's rising."
"The most abnormal ones are pretending to be normal."
"Former administrators or new ones—they're all the same scum."
"In the end, this old man's thoughts were correct. World conquest! Then the administrators couldn't..."
"No, old timer, aren't you just fanning the flames?"
The four-gift set from climbing to the 71st floor.
The highest-probability reward among them was the Liberation Rune Necklace.
Ring of Shapeshifting, Elixir of Rejuvenation, Potion of Disease Cure—their drop rates were extremely low.
A highly intentional reward design.
The Liberation Rune Necklace was pure evil.
It tempted Players' desires, making them do unnecessary things.
Like handing out pistols to people arguing over upstairs noise.
Why do gun incidents happen hundreds of times a day in America but almost never in Korea?
Because there are no guns in Korea.
Instead, knife crimes are common.
Why?
Because knives are available.
'If Liberation Rune Necklaces spread in Korea right now...'
No, they would spread.
The possibility was extremely high.
That was probably what the administrators intended.
Korea, so close to China.
With active exchanges between them.
Right.
If the necklaces spread, Korea was the most at risk.
How do you detect items in a Player's inventory that airport scanners can't pick up?
Of course, China was in the worst shape, but Joo-hyuk was more worried about it spreading here.
The thorn under your own fingernail hurts the most.
And above all, what pissed him off the most.
Was he just going to take this despicable scheme from the administrators lying down?
Don't get worked up.
Calm your mind.
"Is there no way to neutralize the Liberation Rune Necklace? Is it too hard because it's a system reward?"
At Joo-hyuk's quiet question,
Twitch!
Mackenzie's ears perked up.
"Well, binding the mana might do it."
Huh?
Bind what?
"Do you remember the magic scroll I showed you before?"
"...Ah! That spell whatever thing?"
"Spell Power Binding Block. It binds the target's mana for a set time."
Spell Power: Mana.
Binding: Restrain.
Block: Seal.
Mackenzie pulled out a few rolled-up sheets of paper from his pouch.
"This here..."
They just looked like regular paper.
So this could bind mana?
"Would it work? The Liberation Rune Necklace is a system-approved item."
Joo-hyuk's doubt.
Could human magic violate system rules?
"Of course, it can't directly interfere with skill or item activation."
"Then?"
"I'm talking about the mana generated after activation. That is, the Player's mana."
Hmm.
"So it can't stop the item from activating, but... you can control the mana surge afterward?"
Mackenzie nodded confidently.
"The Spell Power Binding Block scroll can seal it."
Sounded pretty impressive.
Like a mana EMP, powerful stuff.
"That's valuable, huh."
"Nah, not really."
"Pardon?"
"Any decent person has a few scrolls at home, right?"
"..."
"Not hard to make either. Just need special paper and ink to draw them."
Drawn by hand.
Common as dirt.
At least in other worlds.
"My world was the same."
Magic engineer El chimed in.
"Everyone carried a few scrolls. Like Light or Fire Tip spells. Substitutes for Earth's flashlights or lighters."
Like daily necessities?
"But the Spell Power Binding Block scroll has limitations..."
What?
"It can be countered. Magic scrolls lack a mage's verbal will—simple structures."
Mackenzie wet his dry lips and continued.
"Also, higher levels—or more mana—mean shorter duration and higher failure rate. SSR grade or 7th circle, top sword experts? The spell just doesn't stick."
So it might not work.
"But it doesn't matter for Earth Players. It'll stick for sure."
But another issue.
"One scroll per use? Even hand-drawing takes time..."
"We can do it."
"Huh?"
How?
"A mage, alchemist, and magic engineer all in one place. Impossible? No such thing."
True.
And all LSSR grade too.
Suddenly, his chest swelled with pride.
Why was he agonizing over this with these guys around?
Joo-hyuk, oh Joo-hyuk.
Still a long way from true manhood.
"Summoner, just give the order. Decide, and we'll find a way. Make the impossible possible."
"Mm."
Right then!
The Mad Demon tilted his head at Mackenzie.
"Sounds good, all good... but what if our summoner gets hit by the magic scroll?"
"Huh?"
"Magic engineer El froze with the Giant using a mana EMP. What if the summoner gets caught in the scroll's range?"
"Ah!"
Mackenzie understood, removing the necklace from his neck.
"I'll give you this necklace."
"What's that?"
"Necklace of Magic Resistance. That's the counter. Blocks all scroll magic—offensive or debuff."
Jackpot!
Item get.
"Come here. I'll put it on you."
Joo-hyuk approached Mackenzie.
"Ahem! You, with your outstanding character and compassionate heart, have been a model to your summoned beings, achieving world peace through Tower climbs..."
What?
Award ceremony?
He'd only been giving them out; receiving one was new.
Suddenly!
Kosak glared coldly at Mackenzie, dead serious.
"Old man Mac, what the hell are you doing? Who do you think you're imitating? You gone mad?"
"N-No, I was just joking..."
The summoned beings wouldn't miss the chance.
"Joking? Tsk tsk, doing well then crossing the line."
"A summoned being holding an award ceremony? To the summoner no less?"
"The minnow jumps when the bream does—pathetic."
"That's insubordination. Immediate execution."
"Left alone, now climbing over master's head."
"Think the master is a pushover?"
"Woof woof! Grrr..."
"Hwoeng! Hwoeeeng!"
Hwoeng who?
Already bummed without Raziks.
"Who's imitating Raziks?"
"H-Hwoeng, thought you missed him... sorry."
Kosak, huh.
Figured.
Then!
Mackenzie's eyes gleamed.
Chance for counterattack.
"Assassin, got no brains? Don't you know how heartbroken the summoner is over the space baldie's absence?"
"N-No, just joking..."
Arrows turned back to Kosak.
"Can't tell jokes from recklessness—idiot."
"Explains why you've been quiet lately."
"That mouth's the root of all evil."
"No one to imitate our space baldie..."
"Teasing the summoner."
"Behead Mac and Kosak, hang 'em on that comm tower. Establish discipline on White Tower 17th."
"I'll do the beheading."
Sheesh, these guys fight at every chance.
Let them play among themselves.
Time to test it out.
He had plenty of Liberation Rune Necklaces in inventory, and knew a Player who could use one.
The Korean government was closely monitoring the Chinese situation too.
Jeon Gwang-il was heading to the Blue House for countermeasures.
But he got a call from Player Bong.
Meet urgently at the Awakening Bureau's supply warehouse.
Player Bong first.
Blue House later.
Awakening Bureau supply warehouse.
Joo-hyuk arrived shortly after waiting.
"Mr. Bong."
"Chief, did I keep you waiting?"
"No. I just got here."
Reason for outdoor location.
Player abilities manifest fully outside the White Tower.
What Joo-hyuk wanted to test.
Could a scroll seal the mana unleashed by a rune necklace?
"Chief, what's your current level?"
"Level 41. Just started on basilisks."
"Power leveling, huh."
"Haha, my gear's too good."
"Hold on. Calling someone."
Joo-hyuk summoned Mackenzie, El, Mad Demon, and Kosak.
Poof! Poof! Poof...
"Hey, former chief."
"Howdy? Businessman Kosak here."
"Good to see you again."
"Former chief, this old man's here too."
Greetings exchanged.
"Here."
Joo-hyuk handed Jeon Gwang-il a necklace.
Jeon jumped in surprise.
A necklace out of nowhere?
And this was...
"N-No way?"
"Yep, Liberation Rune Necklace. Put it on and activate."
"...Right now?"
"Don't worry. Just testing."
He had no clue what was up, but he'd follow orders.
It was the first time using it for him too.
Jeon put the necklace on.
Activated the item.
Whoosh!
Mana surged through his body.
Power overflowed.
Especially for Jeon with the [Herculean Might] trait—the effects were visible.
His muscles bulged.
His suit straining to tear.
Crack!
Shoulders and chest broadening.
"Ooooh!"
"Looking good. That's gotta be a 5k triple lift. Are you a Gym YouTuber? You'd get 100k subs easy."
Clap clap clap!
One round of applause.
"Alright, here goes."
"What..."
Joo-hyuk pulled a scroll from his pocket and tore it.
Riiip!
Right then!
Hummm!
Fwaaah!
A sticky energy filled the vast warehouse.
When the wave hit Jeon!
"...Gah!"
Jeon's power drained away.
Pffft! Muscles deflated instantly.
His chest felt tight.
Like indigestion.
"Wh-What the hell?"
Joo-hyuk was fine.
Magic Resistance Necklace nullified the scroll magic.
Jeon still baffled.
"Try activating the Liberation Rune Necklace again."
"Uh, okay."
But no change.
Even though usage count dropped.
"This is Spell Power Binding Block—or short, Mana Seal Scroll. Seals target's mana for about an hour."
Jeon listened blankly.
"Th-There's an item like that?"
"Not a Tower reward."
"Then?"
"Asked someone I know."
Joo-hyuk to Mackenzie.
"Even normals can use this, right?"
"Of course. Scrolls—kids can use 'em."
"Safe?"
"Totally. Just binds mana. No mana, no risk."
Safe item.
"Range?"
"30m radius, all targets. The wave spreads—it is hard to dodge."
Wide area too.
"Mass production?"
"Print 'em. Etch magic formula on a metal plate, mount on the press..."
"Press?"
El explained.
"The scroll printing press is basic magitech. Easy to make, just needs scroll paper and mana ink."
"Paper and ink?"
"Any alchemist can whip 'em up."
To be sure, he messaged basement alchemist Mari.
Ding!
Things were falling into place.
Dream team assembled.
Mage who knew the Spell Power Binding Block formula, magitech engineer for the printing press, alchemist for paper and ink.
The perfect trinity of LSSR magic, alchemy, and engineering.
Businessman-mode Kosak too.
"Hm, decent business item. Call it household essential scrolls—one per home. Koreas combined pop 70 mil. Minimum 70 mil sheets."
Mad Demon added.
"If we suppress the necklace power, we can flatten those administrators' noses."
Jeon Gwang-il too.
"Preventive effect too. Once scrolls are known, Players won't dare use the necklaces recklessly."
Perfect!
"Halt all current businesses. Prioritize scroll production."
"Yes sir!"
"Starting now."
"Plus, we can build mass production for anti-obesity bracelets with this."
"Ugh, that bracelet again."
"Scroll biz is temporary. Bracelets? Eternal cash cow."
Jeon Gwang-il's mind raced.
Supply police stations and outposts first—gain control over liberated Players.
"Former chief, need something."
"Anything."
"Analog mechanical printing press. Ink-stamp kind..."
Suddenly!
Kosak's eyes sparkled, as if struck by genius.
"Great Comrade Summoner Bong Joo-hyuk."
Why's he channeling the People's Army Minister now.
"...What?"
"Entrust printing to our Republic."
North Korea?
"You sure?"
"Republic means leaflets, right? We'll churn scrolls like leaflets."
"..."
"The Great Leader's Republic leaflet tech rivals South's."
Not wrong.
They had decades of leaflet, propaganda flyer know-how.
"Let's do it."
"At your service!"
Administrator bastards.
Wonder what faces they'll make.
When they realize the plan failed.