Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Betrayal and the Holy Sword
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It was so absurd it felt unreal.
No one could have dared to predict something like this would happen.
A national-level player, who had achieved the feat of conquering the 65th floor with the government's full support and amassed both wealth and honor in one hand, suddenly naturalizes? And to Japan of all places?
The Republic of Korea was plunged into chaos.
In particular, Yu Cheol-min's statements at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office press conference were so ridiculous they were infuriating.
- The biggest reason I came to Japan is the complacent Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
- Even though the deadline for the 66th-floor conquest was right around the corner, they had no intention of providing proper support. The bureau's executives were only focused on political games and neglected the operation of the elite team.
- The future of South Korea was bleak. Japan was my only remaining choice. It's true that the smart ones escape first.
- I have no regrets about my choice to naturalize. I will humbly accept any criticism. Go ahead and curse me. I wish for Korea's continued prosperity.
It sounded like he was deliberately trying to stir up conflict.
Who would agree with such nonsense?
Everyone knew how comfortably Yu Cheol-min had been living under the South Korean government's wing all this time.
The media's reaction was fierce.
Furthermore, the Awakening Management Bureau, the National Intelligence Service, and the police also became targets of criticism.
The TV was filled with nothing but that story.
What happened, happened and it couldn't be undone.
Joo-hyuk calmed his excitement.
"There was a more ordinary guy than me."
"Oh my! Summoner Bong , if you're an ordinary guy, then all Korean men are ordinary guys. That bastard is just a pathetic loser and a fool."
That seemed right.
He was confident he was better than that guy at least.
Anyway, the reason Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il had requested a private meeting was probably because of this.
Kosak cautiously spoke up.
"...Ahem, when you go into the bureau, what that guy will say is pretty obvious."
Joo-hyuk had guessed as much.
"If you obediently agree, you'll spoil them. We have to keep going at our usual pace. Slowly and safely."
That was correct.
If they pushed too hard, problems could arise.
"It might be okay to ignore them and not go. We could also hide somewhere for a few days like that bastard..."
"Ah, that won't do."
"Why not?"
After all, they had built up some rapport.
"I'll go and just throw them the Holy Sword. It seems they need a light-attribute item,"
He could also make some money by selling it.
"Ahhh, as expected of Summoner. Bong I'm touched. To bestow such heavenly grace upon those useless civil servants."
Hmph! As if I'd do it just for that.
Who do you think I am?
I may look like an ordinary guy on the outside, but in reality, I'm a warm-hearted guy.
"But this Holy Sword... it's not a light attribute."
"Huh?"
"It's a Holy attribute."
Isn't that the same thing?
You said it had the characteristic of being imbued with radiance.
The 'radiance' character '光' means light, doesn't it?
Anyway.
"Is that good?"
"Yes! It's even better."
Then that's fine.
"With this Holy Sword, you can get up to the 67th floor. If a talented person wields it, that is."
Why only up to there?
"Because it's worn out. Look at the blade pattern. It's all faded."
"It really is."
"That's why its holy power is weak. A real Holy Sword's radiance is like a searchlight. Undead would just melt away."
Meaning it was like a broken lightsaber.
Anyway, whenever that day might be, there would come a time when he himself would reach the 60th floors.
"There are holy-attribute summoned beings in that world, right?"
"There are tons and tons of them."
"What grades?"
"Saints and Popes are LSSR grade, but Paladins, Priests, Monks, High Priests, etc., are everywhere from Rare to SSR. They'll definitely have at least one holy relic, so if you just get lucky with anyone, that's enough."
He knew it.
There were tanks and assassins, so why wouldn't there be healers?
What if the gacha fails?
What's the problem?
He could just park on a suitable floor and wait until one comes.
Now, it was time to get ready to go to the bureau.
Awakening Management Bureau, Hannam-dong, Seoul.
The area in front was incredibly chaotic.
It seemed like every single Korean media outlet had gathered.
Police were blocking access, but every time a person or car entered or exited the bureau's main gate, reporters rushed at them like a pack of mad hyenas.
No wonder Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il said he couldn't come out.
As the car Joo-hyuk was in entered the bureau grounds, the reporters swarmed in.
"What countermeasures is the bureau preparing?"
"There are rumors of Director Park Kyung-su being dismissed. Is that true?"
"Please, just one comment."
How should I know?
Thankfully, the car windows were tinted dark.
They moved via elevator from the underground parking lot.
The atmosphere inside the bureau was turbulent.
The faces of every employee he passed were utterly gloomy.
Would the emergency meeting scheduled for today even be held properly like this?
Meeting Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il in a quiet office, Joo-hyuk said,
"I'm sorry for asking you to come when you're busy."
"No, not at all. I fully understand, I saw the news too. You must be very distressed."
"...Thank you for your concern."
As expected, since they met often and were familiar, words flowed smoothly.
"The reason I asked for Player Bong is..."
Jeon Gwang-il seemed to have difficulty speaking. He gulped once and then said,
"Ho, how long do you think it would take... to, to reach the 60s?"
He knew this was coming.
Currently he was on the 29th floor.
Assuming he climbed an un-conquered upper floor every single day, 31 days. To the 66th floor would be 37 days.
The deadline for the 66th-floor conquest was about 80 days away, so by simple calculation, it might seem sufficient.
But he had to be firm.
So he took a deep breath.
And deliberately lowered his voice.
"It would be difficult within 80 days. If there's a difficult section for me, I prepare by repeatedly conquering
an earlier floor for at least 10 days before moving up."
"...I see."
At the same time, driving the point home,
"It's in the contract terms. Upper-floor climbing is solely at my discretion."
"I'm sorry. I'm ashamed. It hasn't been long since we signed the contract, and I'm already saying this... but I'm desperate..."
Ah, that pitiful expression.
His heart softened.
He wanted to say, 'Don't worry. I'll somehow get to the 66th floor,' but... what can't be done, can't be done.
Right now, he was in the 20s, so daily climbing might be possible, but what about the 30s? The 40s? The 50s?
Unless he summoned an LSSR-grade Saint or Pope from a Random Summon.
"I heard there's one more 60th-floor player in the elite team besides Yu Cheol-min."
"That's Player Nam Ga-eun. But she's been stuck on the 62nd floor for over 100 days."
"...That's a long time to stay."
"We're also trying to source light-attribute items to support Player Nam. But that bastard Yu Cheol-min ran off with all the items we secured. If only we had those..."
What a complete and utter bastard.
This seemed like a good time to throw it out there.
"Speaking of items, I was thinking of putting an item up for sale in the Player Shop."
"Huh? Oh, i-is it perhaps a light attribute?"
"It's not a light attribute."
"...Ah, yes, yes."
Jeon Gwang-il was slightly disappointed.
No matter who Player Bong was, what item could he possibly be selling in this situation? And not even a light attribute one? His head was about to explode from the stress.
"For selling the item, you should go to the Player Shop staff..."
Just then.
Bang!
A woman burst into the conference room.
"Team Leader!"
"Ah! Player Nam Ga-eun."
"Here you are. I heard the US might lend us a light-attribute item? I was curious about that."
"Umm, we haven't received a definitive answer yet, sorry."
"Why are you apologizing, Team Leader? I know you haven't been able to sleep and have been running around everywhere..."
Clenching her fist, Player Nam Ga-eun shouted at Jeon Gwang-il.
"Let's stay strong. If we get discouraged here, that bastard Yu Cheol-min will be so happy. Strength! And from now on, call me Plan A. I'll take the lead."
Then she looked at Joo-hyuk.
"But who is this?"
Gulp!
Jeon Gwang-il's expression froze.
How should he explain this?
The fact that he was an S++-grade conquest record holder absolutely had to be hidden.
So,
"...He's here to sell an item. Probably something he got as a tower reward."
"Oh! Congrats on the loot! You can just go to the Player Shop, but ah, you don't know where it is, right? Here! Follow me. I'll guide you."
Snap!
Nam Ga-eun grabbed Joo-hyuk's hand.
Eek?
"Uh, w-wait, l-let go of my hand."
"It's okay. Come with me. Player, you stay strong too. Strength!"
This was dangerous.
So this was Nam Ga-eun.
It was fascinating beyond words.
How could a person be this lively?
She casually initiated physical touch without hesitation.
Wait!
To sell the item for its proper value, he needed to confirm if it worked.
And for that, there was no one better than Nam Ga-eun.
"Uh, hey, could you let go of my hand for a second?"
"Oh my, sorry. I was being too forward."
"...It's fine. But I'll lend you an item, so, um, why don't you try using it?"
At Joo-hyuk's words, Nam Ga-eun tilted her head.
"Huh? Try using an item? I need to know what kind of item it is..."
Swish!
Joo-hyuk took the Holy Sword out of his inventory and spoke quickly.
He had to speak fast so he wouldn't stammer.
"It looks very old, but its attribute is Holy. Its name is 'Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Captain's Holy Sword'. Enhances attack power against undead, Holy Flame, Steadfast Spirit, and also critical hit chance..."
Stunned by the rapid-fire speech for a moment,
"W-wait a second, could you say the sword's name again?"
"'Tower-Exclusive Roland Holy Kingdom Paladin Captain's Holy Sword'."
"...Holy Sword? Its attribute is Holy?"
"Yes!"
Nam Ga-eun doubted her own ears.
She had heard of light attributes often, but a Holy attribute?
Moreover, a Paladin?
Wasn't that a term for a Holy Knight?
Jeon Gwang-il was the same.
The item he was selling was that?
If that was a real Holy Sword...
"It says a faint radiance imbues the wielder, so it might be able to neutralize dark auras. It might be enough to use up to the 67th floor... hahaha, if you have the talent, that is."
Neutralize dark auras, that's impossible!
Nam Ga-eun barely managed to part her lips and say,
"Can I check the item information?"
"Of course."
Nam Ga-eun took the sword from Joo-hyuk.
Then Jeon Gwang-il asked with an anxious expression.
"Did you check? I-is it really a Holy Sword?"
She nodded.
"Yes. It says it's a Holy Sword. The effects and characteristics are exactly as you said."
"Uhh..."
And then she looked at Joo-hyuk.
"Y-you said you'd lend this, right?"
"Yes, try it out and tell me what you think. You haven't conquered the 62nd floor, right?"
"...I couldn't."
"Try it. Now."
You have to use an item to know if it's effective, right?
He couldn't enter the 62nd floor himself,
and Kosak said it was better than light attribute and could go up to the 67th floor, so the 62nd floor should be fine.
He just hoped she'd give a good review after using it.
That way he could sell it for a good price.
"I'll go and come right back."
Spot!
Nam Ga-eun entered the tower.
And the mission.
62nd Floor Mission
📍 Objective: Defeat 20 Dark Zombies.
⏰ Time Limit: Within 15 hours.
🎁 Completion: Dark Zombies 0/20
⚠️ Failure Conditions: Death or Mission Abandonment
Undead.
Those things that should not be alive.
A Dark Zombie appeared.
An unarmed, tattered corpse with long nails and sharp teeth flashing as it approached rapidly.
Would it really be effective?
The item description was accurate.
Seeing the faint white radiance coating her body and the sword seemed to confirm it.
But whether this dim light could overcome the dark aura was uncertain.
Even the dazzling, brilliant glow of light-attribute items had been helpless.
'I have no choice but to try it myself.'
Focusing her mind, Nam Ga-eun gripped the worn Holy Sword's hilt tightly.
'You can do it, Ga-eun! Just try.'
But it was strange.
Because the radiance was faint, the dark aura didn't seem as frightening.
'Could it be Steadfast Spirit? Is that it?'
She took a step forward.
"Grrr..."
The Dark Zombie made a beastly sound.
Nam Ga-eun moved.
Swish!
Using the swordsman trait's distance-closing skill, she reached right in front of the zombie,
and swung the Holy Sword down with all her might from above.
Shkrrrk-crunch!
She could feel it the moment she slashed.
A critical hit, a proper fatal strike had landed.
The Holy Sword had cleaved through the dark aura.
Even the creature's raised nails were sliced off!
Along with its hard skull.
Whoosh-crackle!
The collapsing corpse even caught fire.
Even death itself was extinguished.
"..."
The kill count had increased.
She had killed it with a single stroke.
'Did I really do that?'
She couldn't believe it.
Until now, she had struggled immensely just to kill one zombie.
'This sword... it was real.'
The sword that somewhat sloppy-looking man had given her to try.
Honestly, even after checking the item information, she had been half-doubting it.
This wasn't something to be sold for money.
No, could a price even be set for it in the first place?
If it was an item that could prevent the tower's collapse!
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