Chapter 182
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Ordinary Guy's Tower Strategy 182
Prime Minister Maeda finally made it to the Black Tower after going through hell and high water.
As he arrived at the bustling commercial district filled with people.
"Huh?"
"What the—? What's that guy doing with a weapon?"
"He looks familiar... Isn't that the Prime Minister? Prime Minister Maeda."
"Yeah, looks like him."
"Gasp! There's another one. He's got a spear."
"Phone, phone—get your phone out, quick."
"Gotta film this."
People reflexively pulled out their smartphones.
How could they miss this bizarre situation?
Chasing after Maeda, Yakuza Nomura Daikinjo also arrived at the Black Tower's bustling district.
He was extremely perplexed.
He'd been short on intel from the start.
Which led to a misjudgment.
It was within expectations that the Prime Minister might be wearing a Liberation Rune necklace.
Japan had reached the 71st floor, after all.
What he hadn't factored in were two things.
One was the level.
Prime Minister Maeda wasn't Level 31.
He'd figured even if he'd leveled up, it'd be by just 2 or 3.
How the hell had he gotten that high?
A politician climbing the Tower, of all things.
His own level was 60.
Excluding Japan's state-sponsored Players, was there any regular Player higher-leveled than him?
He hadn't registered, but he was probably top-tier.
The misjudgment threw everything off from the start.
He should've killed the Prime Minister on the elevated highway.
Then framed it as chaos from Chinese Players.
Liberation Villain Players? That's China, right?
Everyone would've bought it without question.
Japan's politicians would've mourned their Prime Minister—slain by Chinese Players—and launched immediate military action.
The Self-Defense Forces, shrunken since the failed coup, would've gloriously revived alongside Japan's right-wing politicians to seize control.
And he would've become the oyabun of a Tokyo Yakuza organization spanning the entire Kanto region.
That's how it should've gone.
The proper scenario.
But what the hell?
The Prime Minister blocked his strike, counterattacked, and escaped all the way here—and he still couldn't finish him off.
And the other variable.
The belt Maeda was wearing.
Every time it flashed red, his wounds healed on their own.
He hadn't accounted for that item either.
The biggest obstacle.
It was like fighting a guy with a potion bottle jammed in his mouth.
No need to pull potions from inventory, uncork them, splash or drink—the hassle was gone.
Cheat gear.
I want it.
I'll kill him and take it.
Before the police special forces show up.
"Damn it!!!"
Tzzt! Pippipipit!
Nomura lunged with lightning-fast thrusts at Prime Minister Maeda's throat.
Clang!
Maeda blocked with his longsword.
But the power overwhelmed him.
He barely protected his vitals.
Even so, the impact made blood gush from his mouth.
Arm sliced, shoulder stabbed, side pierced, thigh gashed.
Yet every flash from the belt healed the wounds automatically.
But the belt was nearly empty now.
Once the healing potions inside ran out, auto-healing would end.
Expensive potions without Tower-exclusive modifiers—he'd barely managed to stock the belt with them.
Still, he endured somehow.
Prime Minister Maeda unleashed a skill with all his might and swung his longsword.
He barely managed a counterattack.
But Nomura blocked the mana-infused blade with his spear shaft, then kicked Maeda square in the gut.
Thwack!
"Kuh!"
The Prime Minister flew back from the kick.
Whoosh!
The area around the Black Tower was a tourist spot.
Packed with big and small eateries and souvenir shops.
The Prime Minister's body crashed into a takoyaki stand.
Kaboom!
"Argh!"
"Wh-what the!"
"Run!"
"My shop..."
"Get away quick! You worried about the shop right now?"
People scattered in panic.
Staggering, Prime Minister Maeda stubbornly rose again.
He had to live.
Live to get revenge.
He was a Yakuza player.
Who's behind this guy?
Obviously the Liberal Party right-wing faction.
'You think I'm dying here?'
He was a samurai lineage descendant in his own right.
He'd come this far on grit alone.
Survive, and he wins.
Until the police arrive.
Meanwhile, the livestream was going nuts.
People cheered wildly at this outlandish event: Japan's Prime Minister versus a Yakuza.
It was like a hero action blockbuster.
The Prime Minister rising again despite his wounds.
The Yakuza doggedly trying to kill him.
Ten minutes had already passed since the fight broke out.
Anyone could see the Yakuza had the edge, but the Prime Minister was more tenacious.
White Tower, 17th floor.
The summoned beings gathered in a circle around a single smartphone, heads together.
A livestream of a showdown between Liberation Players.
Japan's Prime Minister fighting a Yakuza with real mana blasts? Unbelievable.
"Aigoo! So close."
"Hey! How'd he miss that? Grab the ankle on that kick and slice it off."
"Like this—whack!"
"Easy to say. Think they can pull it off? They're doing their best, those swordsmen."
"He's unfit as Japan's Prime Minister. A national leader needs at least Level 60..."
What did levels have to do with being Prime Minister?
Anyway, what to do?
The PM might actually die at this rate.
He should save him.
The new Japanese cabinet after the regime change, they were major clients.
Much better than the Liberal Party regime, at least.
And if it dragged on, civilians could get hurt.
Kids were visible in the footage here and there.
Seeing kids made him uneasy.
Growing up exposed to that stuff was bad for development.
Not enough good influences as it is.
That's when Mad Demon glanced at Joo-hyuk's furrowed brow and turned to Jeon Gwang-il.
"Ahem, former Chief Jeon?"
"Yes, Mad Demon."
"Why doesn't Japan have mana seal scrolls?"
"We got orders, but supply's short. We are shipping in order of requests."
"That Prime Minister's an idiot. Even the US, far from China, moved fast."
Right.
If they'd prepared earlier, this wouldn't have happened.
No choice.
Guess I'll go to Japan and use a scroll.
"I'll head to Japan. Ring of Exit makes it quick."
"...Pardon?"
Kosak jumped in surprise.
The fairy tried to dissuade him too.
"No, my lord. It's just infighting among those bastards. No need for you to expend energy—please withdraw the notion."
Mad Demon agreed.
"The fairy's right. What if a blind blade nicks your skin? If you insist, go with this old man. Summoner, just drop me at the Japan Tower."
The other summoned beings chimed in.
"Take this wizard instead. One fireball and they're crisp."
"No, come with me. I'll put 'em to sleep right there."
"Veronica Caliber, I never miss—one paralytic shot each, done."
"The warrior goes. Leave it to me."
"Bardin is here too my lord."
"Hoooeet!"
Hmm.
Everyone's fighting to go.
"Then we all go."
Except Hyeolrang and Mari.
"Yes, sir!"
"I'll prepare."
"Second time in Japan."
"Finish up and grab ramen?"
Joo-hyuk exited the White Tower, summoned the beings at the penthouse.
Entered the Tower, then exited.
Flash!
Joo-hyuk's group appeared at Japan's Black Tower.
A bit away from the fight.
Everyone's eyes were on the Prime Minister and Yakuza—no one noticed them appear.
Even if they did, no big deal.
"Mana seal scroll first?"
"Hm. In the heat of battle, losing mana could make them drop weapons—sending blades flying into innocents."
Disarm weapons first.
"Right. Let's strip their gear. Who's going?"
"This old man will use Empty-Hand Kung-fu..."
"I'll go—stealth in..."
"My liege! Give this loyal vassal a chance."
"Warrior takes one each..."
"I'll snipe..."
Do we need the effort?
"Diarmat?"
"Yes, Master."
"Dream Realm and put 'em all to sleep..."
Right then!
"Hoet! HoeEEE! Me, me!"
Razix wasbouncing up and down, waving his stubby arms frantically.
Wait, Razix? Why the worker?
"Our ultimate dimensional worker's in danger. What if he gets hurt?"
"I can do it."
Told you no, but he insists.
It was too risky.
Kosak chuckled.
"Don't underestimate the worker. X-meals get sorted by ultimate dimensional worker's pickaxe."
"True, the assassin's right. Labor-honed muscles are the real deal."
"No need for pickaxe—even a broom would sweep 'em."
"At LSSR level, they'd drop if he rolled by."
Is that so?
Now he was curious.
He wondered what Razix's fighting style was.
"You sure?"
"Hoe!"
"Let's see it."
With Joo-hyuk's permission,
Boing! Razix leaped into the air, spun three times—whirr—and rolled like a shooting star.
"...Fast."
Insanely fast.
Boom!
The battle raged against the Black Tower backdrop.
Street food stalls and shops around the Tower shattered from the two Liberation Players' clashes.
Prime Minister Maeda's mind was hazy.
The belt's healing potions were almost gone.
Deep regret.
'Should've taken today off.'
If he hadn't entered the Tower.
Climbing had become addictive—his routine was dawn climbs and returns.
That tripped him up.
If he'd fled into the Tower, it'd be over by now.
No need to come this far.
'Damn it!'
Why were the police so late?
This commotion should've had them here already.
Obvious.
Someone must be delaying dispatch.
Someone high up in the police.
Even after the regime change, he didn't have many allies in those power circles.
Hence the "dishwasher PM" nickname.
Cleaning up the Liberal Party mess like a temp gig.
Meanwhile,
Nomura was getting anxious too.
Police were coming.
Helicopters.
Snipers.
He had to Kill him now, or he'd be the one dead.
Nomura charged Maeda relentlessly.
The Fierce battle.
Was coming to an end.
Maeda's movements visibly slowed.
Whish!
Scree!
Nomura hurled his spear at the fleeing Prime Minister's back.
Pfshk!
The longspear skewered Maeda like a kebab.
Maeda toppled forward.
Nomura walked over and yanked the spear from his back.
"Heh heh heh. Knew it'd end like this. What a pain you are."
"Guh... You... bastard... I-I'll... definitely..."
"What're you gonna do?"
He'd die on his own, but.
Nomura raised the spear overhead.
"No time. I'll end it quick. I'm busy too—gotta get to safety and enter the Tower..."
That was when.
Boing! Whirr.
'Huh?'
Bounce! Roll roll!
'What...?'
From the Tokyo Black Tower side.
Nomura turned.
'Hm?'
What the hell is that?
Something white and round was bouncing rapidly toward him.
Bounce! Whirr. Boing! Roll roll,
Like a fuzzy bouncy ball.
'What in the...?'
Nomura forgot about killing Maeda and stared blankly at the fuzzy ball.
Prime Minister Maeda did too.
He was on death's door.
Or would die soon anyway.
He was ready to let go.
'That thing...'
A puppy?
No.
Not that round.
Bounce bounce! Boing! Whirr, roll roll.
Nomura sensed a threat from the incoming ball and reflexively assumed an attack stance.
"Horat!!!"
Shh!
"Gah!"
His longspear vanished from his hand.
And,
Shh, shh, shhh...,
His pants, shoes, tattered shirt, fundoshi underwear, and Liberation Rune necklace around his neck.
All gone.
He was completely disarmed.
He was left completely nude.
Prime Minister Maeda was in a similar spot.
Bounce! Whirr.
"Hoeng!"
Shh, shhh,
His armor vanished.
His longsword and Liberation Rune necklace too.
Luckily, his clothes stayed on.
'Insane!'
What a ghastly situation.
'That creature... seen it before... Ah!'
Now he remembered.
That being from the Pyongyang Awakening Management Bureau opening terror attack.
The hamster that made the terrorist's nuke backpack vanish smoothly.
A sliver of hope.
Would it save him?
Nomura couldn't hide his bewilderment.
Stark naked in front of everyone.
This freak.
This beast dared!
"Yoshi!!!"
Shh!
Nomura pulled a mass-produced Tower metal katana from inventory.
And aimed at the fuzzball,
"Die!!!"
But,
"Horat!"
Boing! Whirr, thwack!
Razix's ferocious mid-air rolling attack smashed him.
"Kek!"
Whoosh!
Crash!
He slammed into a Black Tower souvenir shop and passed out.
Razix had stored every threat into his sub-space.
Evolved sub-space ability upon reaching LSSR.
Remote collection.
Pretty much everything tucked away now...
Razix leaped and landed before the dying Maeda.
Boing! Whirr, skid!
"Hoe?"
He tilted his head.
Then,
Shh!
Pulled healing potions without Tower modifiers from his inventory and doused Maeda generously.
Sizzle, zzzt, zzt.
His wounds started healing.
The bleeding stopped.
"A-Arigato..."
He then pulled another potion bottle, popped it in Maeda's mouth like a baby bottle,
Finally he drew a mana seal scroll.
Riiip!
Fwoosh!
A mana suppression wave spread.
"Hahaha, geez!"
Joo-hyuk laughed hollowly.
"Healed him and then used the seal scroll."
The order was a bit off.
"But the end result's the same."
The Tokyo clash over.
The Yakuza was subdued, the PM saved.
Onlookers who'd watched live went wild.
Thunderous applause erupted.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
SNS exploded.
The life-or-death duel between PM and Yakuza.
It was a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat event.
Until the fluffy bouncy fuzzball showed up.
The fuzzball sucked up the Yakuza's gear and clothes like a vacuum—and stole all the attention too.
Tourists at the Black Tower who'd witnessed the spectacle.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Burst in to applause.
Razix responded to the cheers.
He waddled around, waving his short arms.
"HoeEEE."
People waved back.
Can't ignore a greeting.
Razix circled the scene chest puffed, shoulders shrugged, brimming with confidence.
The summoned beings were impressed.
"His hunger for attention is worse than any wizard."
"He craved the spotlight, I guess."
"Maybe he is showing off his LSSR evolution."
"Attention whoredom is incurable. Once tasted you can't quit."
"That's dimensional-level exhibitionism."
And.
Roll roll roll.
Razix started rolling again.
Shoosh! Shoooo!
Bounce! Whirr,
Shoosh! Shoooo!
Joo-hyuk's jaw dropped.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
"...What the heck is he doing?"
"Cleaning, it looks like."
"Why clean now..."
"Can't stand filth—He is the ultimate dimensional worker, after all."
"Or it was for the performance for attention."
Yeah, that.
Clean concrete and asphalt.
Suddenly!
Weee-ooo!
Sirens were wailing—the police finally arriving.
They were Real quick, huh...
After watching the Yakuza get nabbed.
"Time to go."
"Yes, sir!"
And.
Flash!
Watching from afar, Joo-hyuk entered the Tower with his group.
Thus, Razix's Tokyo live performance ended triumphantly.