Chapter 177
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Mass Production of Mana Seal Scrolls
Spell Power Binding Block, aka Mana Seal Scroll.
Let's count off the elements needed for mass production.
First.
A place to manufacture magic scrolls and the printing machines.
Kosak took care of that.
After performing simple groundwork on the flatlands around the Pyongyang Black Tower, he gathered revolutionary workers to erect prefabricated buildings. It was already underway from before, so it was quick.
Then, he requisitioned old printing presses from government offices throughout Pyongyang.
Along with veteran laborers experienced in printing work.
Skilled workers seasoned in producing propaganda leaflets and flyers.
Second.
The process of creating the metal printing plates to insert into those machines.
McKenzie stepped up.
Using engraving magic, he etched the Spell Power Binding Block magic pattern and formula onto metal plates.
Over 100 plates were needed.
One per printing machine, including spares for replacements in case of damage.
Even a single millimeter of error would result in defects.
So utmost concentration was essential.
Third.
Modifying the existing mechanical printing presses into magitech scroll printers.
Magitech engineer El took charge.
With her golem body, she already had infinite working hours and efficiency guaranteed.
She personally crafted various mana circuit boards—like mana flow paths, [Precision Printing], [Perfect Adhesion], and [Even Distribution]—and installed them on each printing machine.
Fourth.
Special scroll paper and mana ink.
Basement alchemist Mari made a personal visit to the Pyongyang Black Tower.
She set up a large cauldron, lit a fire beneath it, and mixed purified water, herbs, and mana stones in precise ratios to brew the chemicals.
Then, soaking printing paper in it for a set time, drying it, and voila—scroll paper complete.
She also produced mana ink.
Dyes were sourced separately, then mana stones and herbs were added, with work done to fix mana into the ink itself.
Tower metal went in here too.
About 10g of Orihalcon powder per liter of ink?
A minuscule amount, nothing burdensome.
North Korean printing laborers were thrown in en masse.
It was a part that required a lot of simple manpower, after all.
They worked incredibly hard.
Even doing unassigned tasks.
Were they naturally diligent?
Far from it!
Hourly wage was 10,000 won.
Equivalent to South Korea's minimum wage.
Of course they'd work like mad.
In just three days, they began trial production.
Chachachak! Chachachachachachak!
Magic scrolls rolling out from the printing machine rollers.
Next to the cutting machine.
This one had a mana circuit installed too.
[Precision Inspection] mana circuit.
A device that instantly detects defects.
Once passing all processes, laborers bundled and packaged them—done.
Joo-hyuk's role was testing the produced scrolls and making the final call, as the boss.
This time, the test subject was again Chief Jeon Gwang-il.
Handing over the Liberation Rune Necklace with one use remaining to activate its option effect,
Grgrgrrr!
Jeon Gwang-il's body swEld massively with Superhuman Strength.
But with the scroll?
Riiip!
Scroll magic lacked the mage's incantation will, so even the same spell had drastically reduced power,
"...Applied. Mana is sealed."
Success.
The mass-produced version showed excElnt effects just like before.
"We can announce it."
"I'll prepare the press conference."
The great chaos currently unfolding in China.
Players exercising power via the Liberation Rune Necklace.
There were various types.
Using the necklace to resist the government. So targets were public security or Communist Party officials and high-ranking bureaucrats.
Next, personal revenge.
Players who suffered injustices but received no legal protection and had to stay silent used the necklaces for private vengeance.
Finally, greed.
Releasing power to rob banks, raid high-grade mana stone storage, or commit crimes like murder or rape.
Incidents erupted several times a day.
Eventually, the Central Emergency Committee declared martial law by consensus.
In truth, even with the Liberation Rune Necklace, low levels had limits.
You die if shot.
Not by small arms like pistols, but large-caliber automatic weapons or sniper rifles.
So players died, public security died, soldiers died, and innocent civilians suffered.
The world watched China closely.
How would this crisis end?
It didn't seem like it would wrap up soon.
The US held an emergency staff meeting at the White House too.
"The rumors were true."
"Yes. This incident proves it."
Rumors that even below the 71st floor of the Chinese Tower, the Liberation Rune Necklace drop rate was very high.
Unable to confirm, they'd only watched.
"Just how many Rune Necklaces have been released in China?"
"No one knows. There are nearly 200,000 regular Chinese players alone. Who knows how many climb the Tower daily."
200,000.
Probably about that.
Player numbers are proportional to population.
Estimated maximum of 200,000 Tower climbs per day in China alone,
And since they drop on low floors, even if overall climb reward probability jumps to just 0.01%...
"That means 20 Rune Necklaces could come out every day."
"Even half, 10 each day, would be horrific. In a month..."
"My God!"
Liberation Rune Necklaces in the hands of uncontrollable players.
What item could be more dangerous?
The Liberation Rune Necklace wasn't ultra-rare.
They occasionally dropped in the US Tower too.
But above the 71st floor.
The initial world announcement system message had specified that.
Floors above 71 were mainly for state-sponsored players.
Regular players topped out in the 60s at best, parking there long-term.
Even weakened, conquering Death Knights and Liches with holy water alone without holy swords was no easy feat.
But now it was different.
For unknown reasons, necklaces were dropping below 71—but only in the Chinese Tower.
A simple glitch? Or the system's intent?
US President Lloyd pondered deeply.
Then.
"Countermeasures?"
"We need to include regular players under national surveillance..."
"Absolutely not. Have you forgotten why the China crisis happened?"
The side effects would be worse.
Wasn't this situation born from conflict between players and government?
It was frustrating all around.
Just when Tower collapse risks had eased and they could relax, trouble erupted outside.
Public perception of players could shift.
From positive images of preventing collapses and supplying mana stones for civilization, to dangerous beings with risky powers.
This had to be stopped.
For player protection too.
"Thoroughly inspect all aircraft and ships from China."
"China might protest."
"Doesn't matter. I'm even considering an entry ban if needed."
President Lloyd continued in a firm tone.
"Keep the necklaces from leaving China. The misfortune ends there. And expand permits for citizens to possess firearms for self-protection..."
Right then!
Knock knock, slam!
Secretary Macmillan was entering the White House meeting room.
"Hey, Mac! You're late. What, why did you come after the meeting's over?"
"I had a reason."
"What's the reason? You're late but so brazen... something up?"
"I was talking with Korea's Awakening Management Chief Jeon Gwang-il."
"Huh? About what?"
"Let's just watch Nutube together. There's a press conference scheduled today."
"Uh..."
The TV on the White House meeting room wall turned on.
Korea's Awakening Management Bureau channel was live-streaming the press conference.
Chief Jeon Gwang-il took the podium.
Jeon Gwang-il was preparing for the press conference.
Originally meant for domestic press only.
But quite a few foreign correspondents were present.
Of course!
Official announcements from Korea's Awakening Management Bureau always drew global attention.
Due to their status as the top Tower-climbing nation.
And weren't all their past actions world-shaking?
Holy sword rentals, Basilisk, Wyvern hide civilian supply, Kabalan conquest, mass sales of Tower reward items...
What this time?
What bombshell announcement to stun the world again?
"Ahem!"
He cleared his throat first.
Then slowly parted lips.
"Hello. I'm Jeon Gwang-il, Chief of Korea's Awakening Management Bureau."
Starting with greetings.
"First, I pay my respects to the players who continue their climbing efforts without rest to prevent Black Tower collapses."
"However, despite the mounting issues—the stacking of collapse deadlines through Tower conquests, civilization's advancement via high-grade mana stone rewards, the nightmare of the massive monsters in the 80s floors—another despairing event has erupted."
Chachachak! Chak chak!
Flashes bursting.
The press knew.
What "despairing event" Jeon Gwang-il meant.
The Liberation Rune Necklace incidents in China.
Probably what this conference was about?
"Yes, exactly. The Liberation Rune Necklace. An item useless for preventing Tower collapses."
Tower collapses were prevented by climbing the Tower.
Why need a necklace that manifests power in reality?
"Thus, governments worldwide have strictly managed and controlled those necklaces."
Korea, the US, European nations.
"But whether via a glitch or intent, in China, they're dropping even on low floors, leading to rampant use."
Chachachak! Chachachachachak!
Flashes grew louder.
"A minority of villainous players' twisted actions are harming civilians and the vast majority of good players."
"Now, not just China or neighboring countries, but the entire world must beware of the Liberation Rune Necklace."
Jeon Gwang-il paused, swallowing.
Time for the main point.
"To this end, the Awakening Management Bureau has developed an item to curb indiscriminate use of the Liberation Rune Necklace."
Murmurs.
The conference hall growing noisy.
Jeon Gwang-il held up a single sheet of paper.
"This is it. Spell Power Binding Block, aka Mana Seal Scroll. Looks like paper, but designate a target and tear it to activate. Range: 50m radius, all directions."
"Targets exposed to the scroll magic cannot use mana in reality. Minimum 1 hour, up to 2 hours sealed."
People were stunned.
That real?
"This scroll item's purpose is safely subduing liberated villain players."
"It will also serve as a deterrent to prevent unfortunate incidents preemptively."
Staring straight at the cameras.
"Our Awakening Management Bureau desires peace."
"Thus, we earnestly plead with players who obtain Liberation Rune Necklaces."
"Please do not let misguided judgment cause suffering to the innocent."
Then he bowed sincerely.
Announcement over.
"This concludes the press conference. Questions now."
Reporters shot up hands frantically.
Jeon Gwang-il pointed to one.
"Is supply sufficient? Effect aside, if the quantity is lacking..."
"The mass production system is complete. It's a paper item, so we print as needed."
"Where can you buy it?"
"Government agencies first. Already supplying Korean police stations. Civilian later will get access later..."
"Price?"
"Considering reasonable level, around 100,000 won per sheet."
Another reporter raised hand.
"Is sealing players' mana right? Could this not be used for oppression?"
He expected this.
"Oppression? Players couldn't use power in reality originally. Their strength manifested only inside the Tower."
"Thus, players were protected and respected. Ordinary people risking lives to climb for us."
"But post-Liberation Rune Necklace, they might become surveillance targets and objects of fear."
"This cannot be. They're the ones preventing collapses, mining mana stones for industry. They deserve respect."
Jeon Gwang-il spoke firmly.
"But a new seed of conflict has been sown."
"Suppose a Korean player uses a Liberation Rune Necklace, manifests power, commits something regrettable. What then?"
His face showed clear regret.
"Yes, we subdue them. Guns, missile helicopters, tanks, military mobilized. And carnage ensues. Like China."
"But this scroll allows a relatively safe resolution."
The scroll's reason for being.
Properly seen, not oppression but protection.
"Don't be misled by the item name. It's not Liberation Necklace, but Division Necklace. It drives wedges between civilians and players."
How was it different from seeds sown by the devil?
"The more it spreads, the deeper the rifits in the community grow, making Tower climbs harder."
Indeed.
Jeon Gwang-il was right.
An item unrelated to Tower conquest.
Only causes division, like in China.
Right then!
One person standing abruptly without being called, was shouting loudly—a Chinese correspondent.
"When will you be able to supply to China? The damage is severe. Do you have no intent to supply then ASAP?"
"Well... it'll take some time."
Sensing the lukewarm attitude, the Chinese reporter,
"What now? Sounds like no sales to China?"
Jeon Gwang-il's face hardened.
"Correct. There are no plans to sell Mana Seal Scrolls to China for now."
"Why? Is this a declaration of hostility?"
"There is concern that supplying to China would let the government use it to oppress good players."
Yes.
China differs from other nations.
Even before Liberation Runes, they oppressed players.
Just look at past foreign player abductions.
Thus, high chance they'd use Mana Seal Scrolls for harsher oppression.
"Ridiculous..."
"Isn't China's current mess also from government-player conflict?"
The Chinese reporter fell silent at Jeon Gwang-il's question.
"China's government must first open a dialogue with its players."
"Apologize for past unjust oppression, reach an amicable agreement."
"Once relations normalize through effort... no, promise that, and we'll supply Mana Seal Scrolls immediately."
The Chinese reporter sneered.
"Just apologize?"
"No, show real action."
"Like...?"
"First, release detained Chinese Player Association members and executives. Allow overseas asylum if they wish."
"You think that's possible?"
"If it's not, there will be no supply. Our Bureau sides with players from start to finish. Nationality is irrelevant."
"..."
The press conference ended.
Thus, the Mana Seal Scroll became widely known.
Once more, the Republic of Korea and Awakening Management Bureau's name spread worldwide.
White House meeting room.
President Lloyd, who watched the conference to the end on TV, asked Secretary Macmillan.
"It's real, right?"
"No doubt."
"Player Bong again?"
"Obviously."
Who else?
"Buy immediately, distribute to police, make available to civilians too. No pointless civilian gun expansion."
"Hm."
"Just paper scraps in daily life. But definite effect on liberated villain players."
Right.
It was an Item with specific use.
No effect normally.
Thus, it was very safe.
"What are you waiting for? Contact the Bureau now, secure a large quantity."
"Already done. Just approve the budget."
"Good. I'm relieved."
Meanwhile, the Pyongyang Tower factory's Mana Seal Scroll printers kept running nonstop.