Chapter 178
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower Conquest 178
Korea's Awakening Management Bureau press conference rocked the world once again.
Spell Power Binding Block, aka Mana Seal Scroll.
It was just paper.
It couldn't even fit into a player's inventory.
Because the paper used to make it was from Earth.
Honestly, there was doubt about whether it even worked.
Did tearing that thing really make a difference?
From the occasional SNS videos of incidents in China, the liberated players wielded near-superhuman levels of power.
The idea of subduing such super-powered villains with a single sheet of paper...
But the first country to request supplies of the scroll was the United States.
They ordered 3 million sheets in the first batch—for 220 million dollars.
Would the US really shell out 220 million dollars for worthless scraps of paper?
Were they idiots?
The mana seal effect had to be real.
Korea's Awakening Management Bureau had no reason to scam the world, right?
Order first, test later.
If it were guns or weapons, importing might be tricky, but this was just flyers.
Load bundles onto planes.
Carry one in your pocket and tear it if a situation arises.
Even better if you never had to use it.
Orders poured in from countries around the world.
But production had priorities.
First, supply to Korean government offices, then sequential fulfillment by order date.
The scroll's most important feature:
In cases like the China incident, it allowed relatively safe suppression without escalating things.
It could also serve as a deterrent.
The message to players:
- Liberation Rune Necklaces aren't invincible.
- Mana can be sealed at any time.
- Even by civilians.
- So don't even think about trying anything with force.
Of course, there were skeptical views mixed in.
The China incident happened because the government oppressed players without reason.
China was a special case.
Who there was oppressed besides players?
It was a dictatorship.
They oppressed civilians and players alike, without discrimination.
Look at their past record.
They never tolerated legitimate citizen criticism, resistance, protests, or group actions.
Crushed with guns, tanks, arrests.
Why would players be any different?
People knew.
The Chinese government would never apologize.
From the Chinese government's perspective, they didn't want this conflict to drag on either.
They were trying in their own way to patch it up.
But once incidents started erupting, they snowballed out of control.
One here, one there.
Even China's state-sponsored players were restless.
The key personnel for conquering the upper uncharted floors.
They were players too, after all.
Potential threats subject to the Liberation Rune Necklace.
Plus, their levels were high.
Full gear made them impervious to anything short of missiles or rockets.
Outwardly pretending to soothe them, but the government was tightening surveillance on state players too.
And in that process, news of the Mana Seal Scroll leaked.
Another external item circulating from Korea.
Exactly what China needed most right now.
Perhaps the only safe way to subdue liberated players.
So their ears perked up the moment it was announced.
But the preconditions?
Apologize to domestic players and allow exile for those who want it?
How dare they! Who was dictating to whom?
"This is interference in internal affairs. We must protest officially."
Central Emergency Committee meeting of Chinese Communist Party officials and government administrators.
"Protest? This calls for a declaration of war."
"Agreed. Time to snap them to attention."
"Those nobodies who have nothing but tower climbing."
"Start with economic sanctions. Shut down every Korean company in China."
"Can't leave North Korea alone either. They're in cahoots. Ungrateful wretches, forgetting our care all these years."
"Declare emergency for the entire People's Liberation Army, move carriers and subs to the Yellow Sea."
Of course, there were opposing voices.
"Even if not exile, shouldn't we talk to regular players?"
"Yes. If this continues, it might spiral beyond control."
"We should concede first. Release the Player Association leadership and negotiate."
But hardliners dominated.
"Are you sane? The troublemakers are all criminals. Talk to criminals?"
"Player Association? They are conspirators plotting to overthrow the state?"
"They're a handful. Round them up and execute them."
"Show them our government isn't soft."
"Honestly, what have these players even done?"
In truth, China's political elite had a poor view of players.
Chinese leaders' distrust of domestic players was longstanding—even state-sponsored ones.
There was reason for it.
In the Early tower days.
With three towers in China.
How much money was poured into raising players to prevent collapses?
But the results were a massive disappointment as time went on.
They ended up stuck at the 59th floor wall.
They even resorted to kidnapping foreign players.
Eventually they borrowed Russian muscle to conquer.
Ceding massive interests in the process.
Breaking through undead sections to the 71st? Tower Jump Ticket exploits.
Finally sent up, and that Bai Long guy murders Chairman Wang Yuan.
Thus, trust in domestic players hit rock bottom.
Protection my ass—they had no ability.
Meanwhile, Korea?
The undisputed top tower-climbing nation.
Possesses numerous tower-class players.
Even excluding the world's best, Nam Ga-eun, Lee Min-ah, and dozens of elites pushing the 70s.
It was humiliating.
They couldn't help but rage.
Jealousy boiled with every world announcement.
And now?
Stop oppressing Chinese Player Association members?
Release detainees?
Absurd.
Not worth it.
"Review sanctions against Korea first. From now on, Korea is an enemy state."
"You want war?"
"If necessary!"
"Be careful. North Korea is tangled with the South. Korea has nukes now."
"North aside, what about the US? They won't sit idle."
"So we just let it slide?"
China's power players, were always spoiling for fights when meeting.
"This is because we lack a leader. Hurry and elect a chairman."
"Such nonsense in this crisis?"
"No decisions get made."
"If you want chairman, just say so."
There was practically no will to resolve the situation.
Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
Meeting chaired by Player-originated Minhyuk Party PM Maeda.
Regime change, but Minhyuk Party's support base was shaky.
Liberal Democratic Party ruled Japan for 70 years backed by right-wing.
Did the world change overnight with a regime shift?
Bureaucrats, media, corporations—all still centered on LDP.
But PM Maeda wasn't incompetent.
Backed by players, gradually seizing Japan's political scene.
Resistance was fierce.
Deep-rooted right-wing wasn't easy.
Approval ratings stagnating.
Amid this, the China incident erupted.
Plus Korea's Awakening Bureau announcement.
"We need to import Mana Seal Scrolls too."
"Yes. No guarantee it won't happen here."
"Relations with Korea improved..."
"Frontline police need them urgently."
"But think carefully. Approval will drop. 'Begging Korea again—what do they give now?'"
"Approval now? After seeing China?"
"What if an incident happens? We'll bear the blame."
Even within Minhyuk Party, it was a heated debate.
But PM Maeda had decided.
"Import them."
"Yes, place an order via the embassy."
It would take time even ordering.
At least a month.
Other nations moved fast; Japan dithered, delaying a decision.
But better late than never.
'This necklace is useless now anyway.'
Truth be told, Player-origin PM Maeda secretly wore a Liberation Rune Necklace under his clothes.
Japan reached 71st, got the 4-item gift set.
Others neatly stored in national vaults.
Only necklace smuggled out.
Why?
Japan's PM history of misfortune.
Kawaguchi died in new tower incident, Acting PM Usuda was killed by coup forces.
Thus, Maeda wore it despite risks.
But ironically, now Mana Seal Scrolls emerged.
'Smuggled for nothing.'
One sheet neutralized it anyway.
Pyongyang Black Tower vicinity.
People still unaware this produced Mana Seal Scrolls.
One of world's most closed nations—North Korea.
Security top-notch.
Barren factory site with only temp buildings.
But magitech scroll printers ran nonstop.
Chug-chug-chug-chug...
Produced scrolls loaded on trucks for primary delivery to Awakening Bureau.
Then secondary distribution by order volume.
Razix Trading sales later—for civilians.
Shipped to Korea and even US by air.
US ordered first.
Orders flooded from elsewhere too.
North Korean workers toiled nonstop.
Drying chemically processed print paper, loading dried sheets into printers, bundling printed scrolls by count, stacking, loading trucks.
And more:
Foundation work nearby for mass-producing Obesity Escape Bracelets.
Magitech engineer Elle building automation machines.
Kosak's eyes gleamed in awe.
Such output from this half-baked temp factory.
Viability confirmed.
Future enchanted Obesity Escape Bracelets were producible similarly.
"Comrade industrial warriors! You've worked hard. I'll report up top for fat bonuses!"
North Korean workers moveded.
Bonuses too?
Unheard of.
The work was easy anyway.
Meals and snacks were provided.
Daily pay in dollars or won—immediately.
Won was more popular than dollars lately.
All places took Korean cash.
Markets only accepted won.
Republic currency was mere scrap.
No regime restrictions.
Aaah, the sweet taste of capitalism.
When was the unification?
Wanna spend savings properly.
Thus,
"Comrade Minister of People's Armed Forces! I have words for you."
Using the lunch break, a North Korean work squad leader stepped forward to Go Sa-geuk.
"What? Speak!"
"From false propaganda daily to revolutionary task for world peace—we are proud."
"So?"
"Allow overtime. We'll work till our bodies break."
Minister Go Sa-geuk was immensely satisfied.
Volunteering for overtime.
They were prime servants.
They deserve prime treatment.
"Your tearful loyalty moves me. Good—overtime from today! Overtime pay too, so work hard!"
"...Overtime pay too?"
"Think I'd work you for free? 1.5x regular base."
"Th-thank you!"
News spread—workers swarmed Kosak.
All beaming joy.
"One more thing to remember."
"Enlighten us, Comrade Minister."
"Know Razix Trading?"
How could they not?
"This factory runs under Razix Trading's North Korea Branch. Then you're full-time Razix employees. How's that?"
The workers' chests swelled.
They had eyes and ears.
Razix Trading.
It was ultra-popular in the South—hard to join.
Salary, welfare and treatment rivaled conglomerates.
Full-time there?
Where else cheer hurrah?
"Comrade Minister Go Sa-geuk hurrah!"
But Kosak scowled deeply.
"Don't shout state-shaking nonsense! Folks might think I'm a republic leader!"
Then?
"Comrades, we need Juche revolutionary spirit! Unite in Joo-hyuk spirit to complete tasks, yes?"
Workers nodded realization.
"Yes. Achieve 1,000%+ with Juche spirit."
"Good!"
Kosak's eyes reddened, moved.
Snap!
Heels together, at attention.
Crisp salute, arms high.
"Joo-hyuk hurrah! Razix hurrah!"
Kosak's lead cheer.
"Joo-hyuk hurrah! Razix hurrah!"
"Joo-hyuk hurrah! Razix hurrah!"
"Joo-hyuk hurrah! Razix hurrah!"
.
.
.
Workers repeatedly threw hands high, cheering throatily.
There was a mad glint in Kosak's eyes.
At the Loudest, biggest gestures.
The Madness spread.
The Workers too—their arms were flailing, their voices bursting with hurrahs.
"Heh heh."
Go Sa-geuk tongue-clicked at sight.
"First time seeing an assassin-type go mad like that. Truly wondrous."
"Pure insanity."
"Even cult leaders don't hit that level."
"Could eat as cult leader tomorrow."
"Sometimes I wonder if Sir Kosak has multiple personalities."
"Warrior acknowledges. Helps summoner."
"Yes. Credit where credit is due."
Even 9th-circle mage Mackenzie had to concede.
'That's how you secure number two.'
Fearsome guy.
It was Impossible to gauge his depths.
Number two's fate.
Ambition crushed under number one.
Inducing Razix cheers: Vow to stay content as number two, solidifying his position.
'Whew, fine, it was excellent. But!'
Mackenzie was unyielding.
Would he quit at this?
Opportunity would come.
To trample Kosak and rise as number two.
White Tower 17th floor.
Time flew.
Scroll production was Smooth.
Pyongyang Black Tower factory was bustling; The White Tower was quiet.
All summoned beings were dispatched to factory work.
Alone, Joo-hyuk sat in a chair and lounged.
He lazed back, gazing only at that landmark building peak.
Razix's closed-door training: it'd been a week already.
Sergeant V too—arrived after a week.
With a Physical body the breakthrough time was halved time, she'd said.
Thus today.
Light would burst from the top of the building.
When?
Soon, before noon maybe.