Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: A Sign of Trouble
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Joo-hyuk was on the phone with Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il.
"It's a bit late, but congratulations on clearing the 63rd floor."
"Hahaha, thank you. It's all thanks to you, Player Bong."
"Not at all, it's because Player Nam Ga-eun did well. She's definitely more talented than Player Yu Cheol-min, isn't she?"
"She always has been. It's our fault for being blind and pouring all the enhancement runes and everything into that bastard, preventing her from shining. Of course, she's no match for you, Player Bong."
"Speaking of Yu Cheol-min... did he happen to live in our officetel too?"
"No. It was Apartment △△ in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. The penthouse on the top floor."
Joo-hyuk had passed by and seen it before.
30 stories, a single building.
A place where top-tier celebrities, third-generation chaebols, and IT company CEOs lived.
"Penthouse on the top floor of Apartment △△ in Cheongdam-dong... Wow! He lived in a nice place. To enjoy such benefits and then naturalize to Japan..."
"I still get furious just thinking about him."
"He must have left in such a hurry that he abandoned all his belongings in the apartment."
"Yes, he only took valuables. Things were so chaotic we haven't even cleared it out yet. If you're interested in that apartment..."
"Oh, goodness, no. I'm satisfied with the officetel."
After chatting a bit more with Jeon Gwang-il, Joo-hyuk ended the call.
"You heard where it is, right?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Go and bring back a few of the things he used. Things that won't be missed if they're gone."
"What about something like a remote control? It likely has many fingerprints on it, I think."
"That should be fine."
"I shall deploy."
Swish—
The assassin Kosak disappeared using stealth and invisibility.
The door would be locked, but could he open it?
If he couldn't, he'd probably just cut through the steel door.
After sending Kosak off, Joo-hyuk also prepared to go out.
When he went down to the first floor, an employee came out of the security office.
"Player Bong Joo-hyuk, are you going out?"
"Yes, I'm going to visit my family home."
"I'll prepare a car for you."
"Thank you, as always."
"Hahaha, it's nothing. That's our job."
Joo-hyuk's new family home.
The new apartment he received as part of his contract with the Elite Team.
Although it was far below Yu Cheol-min's penthouse, it was still worlds apart from where he used to live.
His family had finished moving in.
Joo-hyuk entered by pressing the passcode he had learned in advance.
"Wow! Nice house. Hmm, the smell of a new home."
His mother, Hong Geum-ja, greeted him.
"Come in. Have you eaten?"
"No. I came to eat here."
"Good, sit down. I'll prepare it quickly."
His father, Bong Cheol-su, was also home.
He had been temporarily discharged from the hospital upon hearing that Joo-hyuk was coming.
"Father, how's your health?"
"I'm just getting fatter and fatter. The bones have almost all healed. I should be able to be discharged soon."
"Hehe, you know who's responsible for this, right? It's all thanks to having a good son."
Suddenly!
His father and mother's expressions darkened.
"...What's wrong? Did something bad happen?"
"What bad thing? How can we feel good about living in luxury after sending our child in to a death trap?"
"Hey, I'm perfectly fine, okay? I'm being extremely careful while climbing."
It was true.
If he tried to hunt monsters, Kosak would frown and Gyeon dal-rae would cry.
Just yesterday, he couldn't even touch a single hair of a troll.
"Don't you know, Father? The moment I feel even a little danger, I immediately pull back."
"Well, you take after me."
"Though a little bit of Mom's genes are mixed in too?"
"Is that something to brag about?"
"Yes."
Suddenly!
Bang!
The blood-related brat burst through the door.
"Brother's here? Where is he? Brother!"
"Don't bounce around like a puppy."
"Oh! You were eating? Anyway, you're in the Elite Team now, right?"
"That's right."
"Then you saw Player Nam Ga-eun's face?"
"I did."
I even hugged her, you brat.
"Just get me one autograph. I'd like to take a photo together too, but that's probably asking too much..."
"Autograph?"
"What? No? You're not that close, huh? Actually, with your status, did you even exchange words with Player Nam Ga-eun?"
This little punk...
"Bring me some paper."
"Here."
Joo-hyuk swiftly scrawled his own signature on the paper.
"...What are you doing right now?"
"My autograph."
"No, that's a waste of paper."
"Just keep it for now. Who knows? Maybe I'll become more famous than Player Nam Ga-eun."
"Brother, are you serious?"
"Yeah."
What a fool.
Why doesn't he know the truth?
"Do you want one too, Father?"
"What would I do with that?"
His mother also shook her head side to side.
No, it's your son's autograph!
How truly disappointing.
"...Fine. I'll get you Nam Ga-eun's autograph. How many do you need?"
Then,
"I'll take one too."
His father said.
"Son, I want 10... no, 20 for me."
His mother said.
'Sigh...'
They all just don't know.
How incredible their manly son, Bong Joo-hyuk, is.
The man who achieved 30 consecutive S++ clears.
What can you do?
When you can't even reveal it.
Just get them the autographs.
Still, he felt good seeing his family living well.
The shackles of poverty had now vanished far, far away.
They should really experience what true luxury is, thanks to me.
After spending time at his family home, Joo-hyuk returned to the officetel.
Click. As he opened the door and entered, Kosak, who had been watching TV, sprang up.
"Chung! You have returned, sir?"
"Yes, you're already finished?"
"Mission accomplished, sir."
"Oh! How did you open the door?"
"It was open, sir. Police were inside the house."
"You weren't spotted, right?"
"Who do you think I am? I am an SSR, sir. An SSR!"
Indeed, SSR Kosak.
Joo-hyuk took the everyday items of Yu Cheol-min that Kosak handed over and said,
"Sorry, but I think you'll have to go back early today. I have something else to do separately..."
"Yessir."
After sending Kosak back with Summon Release, Joo-hyuk opened his status window and checked the catalog.
After giving all three a five-star rating,
"Designated Summon: Gyeon dal-rae."
"Young Master, to grant me so many stars... I am at a loss as to how I can ever repay this kindness."
Gyeon dal-rae walked over gracefully and bowed as if about to take flight.
Tomorrow was scheduled for the 31st-floor conquest.
The mission to hunt a monster called a Minotaur.
It was a large monster section.
A new monster.
A half-human, half-bull, bipedal bull-headed monster.
It was said to carry a giant axe.
He wanted to face it.
It had also been a while since he used Shadow Step.
At this rate, he might even forget how to use it.
Now, the one to persuade wasn't Kosak.
It was Gyeon dal-rae. He had to persuade her.
Even though she was a woman, she was a Summoned Being.
So, the burden wasn't that great either.
He had studied and practiced a lot.
Let's exploit her weaknesses well and conquer her.
First, starting with the justification for hunting the monster...
"Ahem, Princess Gyeon dal-rae."
"Speak, Young Master Bong."
"As a man born into this world, even if I cannot govern the country and bring peace to the world, I cannot afford to be afraid of a mere monster, can I?"
"No, that is not so. How can you say such a thing? Young Master Bong is a noble man fully capable of governing the country and bringing peace to the world."
"What kind of noble man can't even hunt a single monster?"
"..."
She couldn't answer.
Though she was a princess, she was still young.
If he couldn't persuade a middle or high school student, how could he call himself a real man?
So, with an utterly gloomy expression,
"I have skills, sufficient defensive items, and my level has risen... Does it make sense that I can't even face a single monster?"
"Th-that is not it..."
"If someone calls me a coward, I wouldn't even be able to refute it at this point."
"...How can you say such things? This maiden's heart is torn into a thousand, ten thousand pieces."
It was going well.
Next, the temptation operation.
"...The ice cream was delicious, right?"
"Huh?"
Gyeon dal-rae's expression showed she didn't understand the sudden question.
"I know a place that sells ice cream, and they have as many as 30 different flavors."
"Th-thirty flavors?"
"Strawberry, chocolate, cherry, cheese, yogurt, mint... Ugh! There are so many I can't even remember them all."
Gyeon dal-rae gulped.
"You've never had macarons, have you? They're a Western pastry, chewy and really sweet. What about cake? Soft fresh cream just like—!"
She was also a heavenly maiden.
She stared blankly at Joo-hyuk's mouth.
Indeed, the food to captivate a maiden isn't hot soup rice but dessert.
"I'll only hunt exactly five. I, as a noble man, will save face, and the Princess can enjoy the desserts I mentioned to her heart's content..."
She hesitated, her lips opening and closing.
Then,
"Th-then, just one..."
"Let's make it three! Clean and simple!"
"...I am worried the Young Master might be in danger..."
"Kosak and Gobang are there too. There's also the Princess's drum and bell sounds."
"..."
Was she giving in?
"I understand. This maiden shall follow the Young Master's will."
"That's a promise."
"This maiden always keeps her promises."
She gave in.
"I also keep my promises unconditionally. I brought what I talked about before. The personal items Yu Cheol-min used."
Instantly, Gyeon Dal-rae's gaze turned icy.
"Are you speaking of that traitor bastard?"
"Yes."
Joo-hyuk handed her the plastic bag containing Yu Cheol-min's everyday items.
"Please wait just a moment. It will be over quickly."
"Take your time. Slowly."
Suddenly, she pulled out a small silver dagger from her sleeve and cut her own finger.
"Gasp!"
Didn't it hurt?
Bright red blood flowed from her hand.
"Oh my, Princess! Didn't you say there was no harm?"
How painful it must be.
Flustered, he took out a bandage from the first-aid kit to apply it, but...
"It is fine. It does not even hurt."
Then, with her other hand, she picked up the remote control from inside the bag.
Swish swish swish swish!
Unfathomable patterns and symbols were being engraved onto the plastic surface with blood.
She filled it densely.
A moment later,
the patterns and symbols began to glow with a red light.
"It is done."
"...That was simpler than I thought. Aside from the bloodshed."
"Can severing karma be compared to severing flesh? It is merely leaving it to the judgment of heaven."
"Ah!"
"If the sin is light, it will end with minor misfortune. If the sin is heavy, great misfortune will befall him."
Fighting, Yu Cheol-min!
I sincerely hope the sins you've committed aren't great.
Now, for the 31st-floor conquest.
Let's take it slow.
Tanker, dealer, buffer—a three-person team.
We can safely go up to the 40th floor.
There's no need to use the Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket right away.
We're going up slowly anyway.
No rush.
If it were urgent, I would have used it already.
What about from the 41st floor?
When the cooldown returns, I'll summon one more.
If the new Summoned Being's grade falls short of expectations, I'll use the ticket and summon one more time.
Then it'll work out.
'Heh! A perfect plan.'
If a Trait Enhancement ticket pops up during this time, it would be the icing on the cake.
There's also a Trait Enhancement Rune, but is there nowhere to get one?
A major broadcasting station in Japan.
Yu Cheol-min appeared as a guest on a special broadcast.
With him, who had naturalized and become Japan's top player, appearing on TV, viewership ratings soared endlessly.
An anchor who spoke Korean well and interpreters were mobilized.
"Mr. Ryu, thank you for agreeing to the interview."
"Don't mention it."
After the usual greetings were exchanged,
"You plan to conquer the 57th floor today, is that right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I understand there's still plenty of time left for the conquest period."
"Hahaha, that's right. There's no problem even if I take it slow. However..."
While skillfully looking at the camera,
"I wanted to send a message of support to our citizens who have been disheartened by recent trivial incidents."
As his words were conveyed through real-time interpretation,
"Amazing! As a fellow Japanese citizen, I'm proud."
"Do not worry. Japan is safe. As long as I am here, the tower's collapse will absolutely not occur."
"My heart swells with emotion. So, when and where do you plan to conquer it?"
"No need to drag it out, right? Let's just go and come back right here."
"Oh!"
This broadcast was planned by the Kawaguchi cabinet government.
Yu Cheol-min's desire for recognition and the Kawaguchi cabinet's intent to boost approval ratings aligned perfectly.
Thus, they decided to broadcast the entire process of his successful conquest live, from Tower Entry to exit, and even the release of bodycam footage afterward.
A program planned for a total of 10 hours of live broadcast.
While Yu Cheol-min conquered the 57th floor, singers and celebrities would perform until the conquest ended.
In between, highlight videos of his successful conquest of the 57th floor of the Korean Black Tower when he was Korean would also be shown.
When Yu Cheol-min conquered the 57th floor of the Korean Black Tower, his clear time was about 8 hours.
Since his level had increased, it would be much faster.
About 5 hours should be enough.
Although they couldn't watch the conquest footage in real-time, the moment he exited the tower, the pre-recorded bodycam footage would be immediately connected and broadcast across Japan.
The Kawaguchi cabinet, whose approval ratings had fallen, would make a dramatic comeback thanks to this show.
It was a perfect plan.
"Then, I'll be back."
The moment his words ended, the audience, anchor, panelists, and staff all erupted in cheers and applause.
Yu Cheol-min smiled with satisfaction.
'Yes, this is it.'
A cheer he hadn't felt in a long time.
Lately, Korean bastards had flocked to his SNS account, pouring out all sorts of mockery and malicious comments, but...
Truthfully, there were good times in Korea too.
When he belonged to the Elite Team and climbed the tower faster than anyone else, the Korean people also cheered for him.
He was treated as a hero, of course, and received a salary he had never touched in his life, a spacious Han River-view apartment, nice cars, and even immunity privileges.
When he caused a drunk hit-and-run incident, they stepped in to cover it up. When he was arrested for assault after hitting a hostess at a room salon who refused to go to a second location, a law firm hired by the management bureau handled it.
Besides, he frequently committed minor crimes, but no records remained.
Such good times they were.
If there had been even a slight possibility of conquering the 66th floor, he wouldn't have naturalized.
Well, it's the same here too.
When he contracted with Japan, he also specified non-arrest and immunity privileges for crimes.
'Shall I enter now?'
But right at that moment.
'Huh?'
Yu Cheol-min tilted his head.
Because he felt strange.
A tingling sensation in both hands, plus a slight headache.
'Is my condition not good?'
Let's rest properly after returning.
The 57th floor?
What's so difficult about it?
The issue is how much time I can cut.
Just go and come back quickly.
It's a floor he conquered when he was level 57.
Moreover, he had mastered all the patterns through countless repeated missions.
Now he was level 66.
When entering the tower, physical abilities aren't adjusted to the floor's level but to the player's level.
There's no way he could fail a mission 9 floors below his level!
Spot!
It was a live broadcast.
Instantly, Yu Cheol-min disappeared from the TV screen.
The moment Yu Cheol-min disappeared, the anchor spoke.
"To all Japanese citizens watching, please gather your strength for Mr. Ryu."
Japanese singers came out, shouting "Ganbare, Ryu-san!" and sang songs.
In between, footage of Yu Cheol-min's exploits was shown.
About an hour passed?
Suddenly!
Whoosh—!
Clusters of light gathered inside the broadcasting station set.
Could it be?
Only an hour had passed, and he already succeeded?
Pop!
Yu Cheol-min, who seemed to have exited the tower, reappeared.
But something was a bit off.
Yu Cheol-min's face clearly showed a look of dismay.
The anchor hurriedly approached,
"Mr. Ryu... th-the conquest?"
Yu Cheol-min let out a deep sigh,
then took out a healing potion from his inventory and gulped it down.
"It must have been quite a tough fight."
"...Fuck!"
"Huh?"
Yu Cheol-min turned around and walked out of the set.
"Mr. Ryu! Mr. Ryu! Wh-where are you going?"
He didn't even respond.
Eventually, the broadcast was cut off.
Instead, an animation started playing on the TV screen.
And a few hours later,
breaking news began to spread across Japan.