Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Return of Gobang
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Gobang had returned.
And he was even more dependable now.
When he was the old Gobang, his fighting style was all about crushing, tearing, and breaking things with brute force.
In contrast, the new Gobang—the new SSR Gobang—was far more skilled in combat.
He was still unarmed, but he was no longer just fighting with his size and weight. He was now displaying a more refined, systematic form of martial arts.
He drew the attention of all the Minotaurs to himself, then grabbed them, spun them, swept their legs to trip them, and even evaded with swift mobility, seizing opportunities to grab necks and twist them.
"G-Gobang's f-fighting... has gotten c-cool too, sir."
I admit it.
The brute, old Gobang was gone.
The clever SSR Gobang had taken his place.
"He's gotten smarter and stronger, sir."
Well...
Smarter is debatable...
Anyway, the catalog description was wrong.
An ordinary (?) barbarian warrior?
How was that ordinary?
Even with that question mark attached.
He still occasionally showed glimpses of his former self.
Skreeee!
The charge of SSR Gobang.
Bang! Bang-bang-bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang!
The horde of 4th-floor Minotaurs were sent flying like mannequins the moment his body touched them.
"It seems we can just stand still."
"That is correct, sir."
It might take a while, but since it's a repeatable quest, there's no need to aim for an S++ clear.
"Hmm, had I known this would happen, I should have brought popcorn. Anyway, I'm glad we gave that enhancement rune to Mr. Gobang. I had no idea he'd change this much."
"This is overpowered, sir! Completely game-breaking. I got enhanced too... Why is that guy twice as strong? It's frustrating, sir."
Kosak lamented.
He even sounded a bit jealous.
Then, Gyeon dal-rae spoke up.
"Sir Kosak, you are far too envious. How could you reveal such vulgar inner thoughts before our Young Master Bong?"
"...That's just a figure of speech, ma'am."
"However, as you are also a useful tool of Young Master Bong, it would be good for you to take pride in your role as a servant."
"Hehe, is that so, ma'am?"
Kosak, swayed this way and that by just a few words from Gyeon dal-rae.
Now it seemed Gobang and Kosak's intelligence levels were about even.
'But I'm still smarter than them, right? Hmm, I should be... I have to be.'
I absolutely must be.
The 34th-floor repeatable quest was ultimately cleared from start to finish by Gobang alone.
When we exited the Tower, Gobang returned to his 190cm, diminutive warrior form.
We had sufficiently witnessed the power of the new SSR Gobang.
So, what about clearing the 35th-floor Minotaur King?
"As I said earlier, it's game-breaking, sir. Gobang goes forward alone, the Princess shakes her bell, and it is game over, sir."
Meaning we could consider the accumulation of 35 Platinum Badges already achieved.
So, what special reward would be good?
The cooldown for Random Summon was getting closer to resetting.
If I summoned one more, the catalog list would be four.
'I need a trait enhancement to appear...'
Weapons, items, skills, miscellaneous tickets.
What good is all that junk?
Only trait enhancement.
Please, let it be trait enhancement.
So,
"Uh, Princess Gyeon dal-rae?"
"Did you call for me, Young Master Bong?"
"I have something to ask... About that luck charm you gave me before. You said it was minor luck, but how minor is it?"
Gyeon dal-rae thought for a moment before opening her mouth.
"Hmm, let me use an analogy from Earth's culture. When friends draw straws to decide who pays for lunch, you alone are exempt. Or, a parking spot suddenly opens up in a completely full shopping mall lot. Or, you successfully reserve tickets for a popular singer's concert, becoming a dutiful child."
That's incredibly good!
That's not minor luck, that's a jackpot.
"If I use the luck charm and get an S++ clear on the 35th floor to get a Platinum Badge, can I receive the special reward I want?"
"Ah, regarding that, I cannot give you a definite answer, sir. Whether the specific reward you desire falls within the scope of 'minor luck'... even this maiden does not know."
Judging by Gyeon dal-rae's way of speaking,
It meant receiving the desired reward might be difficult.
Of course!
Trait enhancement was practically the best reward a Summoner can get.
The only thing comparable is a guaranteed LSSR-grade Random Summon Ticket.
"Then, is there anything better than the luck charm? Something that guarantees a surefire jackpot."
"This maiden's abilities are meager, so the luck charm is the limit. However..."
However?
It sounds like there's something.
"If one were to receive Karma... it might be possible..."
"Huh?"
That Karma Yu Cheol-min received?
"Depending on the Karma, the karmic retribution one must receive... can be delivered more swiftly, and all at once. If it is good Karma, one would immediately obtain the accumulated fruit of great fortune."
Karma.
Bad Karma is misfortune.
Good Karma is a jackpot.
Let me think.
Whether I should receive Karma or not.
'Have I lived a good life?'
It's bland.
Nothing particularly commendable.
At most, pushing an old man's cart loaded with scrap paper up a hill?
Bad deeds?
Ah, I'm not the type to... Wait!
'No.'
I might actually be closer to evil.
There have been more than one or two times I turned a blind eye to injustice.
It's probably better not to receive Karma.
Otherwise, forget the special reward, even an S++ clear might become impossible.
"...Being too greedy would look ugly, right? Let's leave it to heaven's will. I'll be satisfied with the luck charm."
"Understood, sir. I shall inscribe it for you with utmost sincerity."
I say that, but please, let it be trait enhancement.
By the way, what are Kosak and Gobang doing?
Gobang was watching TV.
It seemed to be a comedy program, and he was grinning as if he understood what was going on.
'He's definitely gotten smarter.'
What about Kosak then?
He was looking outside through the officetel balcony window.
Was there something interesting to see?
His back looked a bit eerie too.
"Mr. Kosak?"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing? It's been quiet."
"I was looking at the scenery outside, sir."
"Are you perhaps dissatisfied that Mr. Gobang became SSR?"
Waving his hands as if to say that's nonsense.
"That's absolutely not it, sir. With Gobang becoming SSR, Summoner Bong is much safer now, sir. He's a reliable guy, sir."
That's a relief.
So it's not jealousy.
But,
"Uhm, Summoner Bong, sir."
"Yes?"
"Can I ask a favor, sir?"
"Of course?"
"Please release my summoning now and summon me again around midnight, sir."
Huh?
"Why?"
"There's a soccer match in a faraway country tonight, sir. I really want to watch it, sir."
"Ah, I see... But do you like soccer?"
"I do, sir. I really want to watch this match live, sir."
"Well then, sure, I'll do that."
"Thank you, sir!"
The cooldown for Designated Summon is only 3 hours.
I can summon him at least twice a day.
It's not hard to grant this request.
'Might as well visit the Player Shop while I'm at it.'
I've accumulated way too many Magic Crystals from rewards.
Time to cash them out.
Joo-hyuk arrived at the Player Shop using a car provided by the officetel security office.
He went straight to the Magic Crystal sales booth and had them weighed.
54kg rounded up, amounting to over 27 million won.
He handed them all over.
Since the deposit would come later, it was time to do some shopping.
There weren't any special new items.
He was looking around, thinking maybe he should buy some gloves, when suddenly.
"Player Bong,"
Hearing his name called, he turned around.
"Ah! Team Leader Jeon."
Jeon Gwang-il glanced around cautiously before speaking.
"If you have time, would you like to have tea somewhere quiet...?"
"Sure."
Joo-hyuk went with Jeon Gwang-il to his office.
Quiet, just the two of them.
"Congratulations on clearing the 66th floor. Player Nam Ga-eun was amazing too, wasn't she?"
"It was all thanks to the holy sword you lent us. Without it, we never could have done it."
While exchanging compliments, the conversation flowed naturally.
It was definitely easier to talk with someone familiar.
"I prepared what you asked for, here."
"Oh! I was just needing that."
Nam Ga-eun's autographs.
There were far more than he had requested.
"That's a lot."
"When I said it was for you, she wrote this many."
That's kind of her.
I should thank her separately later.
"Have you decided about the penthouse transfer?"
It had come, as expected.
"I'm sorry, but getting it for free is too much of a burden."
"You don't need to worry about that. We would never ask for anything else in return for this."
"It's okay, it's not like I can't earn money. I'll buy it later when I have the money."
"Hmm..."
Jeon Gwang-il's expression seemed troubled.
"Please contact me anytime if you change your mind. We'll keep the penthouse vacant."
"Okay."
"But there's one more matter."
"What is it?"
"It's about... in a few days, Player Gerald Watson from the United States is scheduled to visit Korea."
"...Huh? What?"
Gerald Watson.
How could anyone not know that name?
The world's highest-level American player.
His known trait was Magic Swordsman.
"Why?"
"His purpose is to borrow the holy sword."
So foreign inquiries had finally come.
"What are the terms? What did they offer?"
"A rental fee of 10 million per use."
Ten million, ten million.
Surely it's not ten million won.
"I-Is it dollars?"
"Yes, dollars. Ten million dollars."
Good heavens!
That's about 13 billion won.
"They say their goal is to experience it, but Gerald will use it himself."
Insane.
As expected of America.
The wealthy nation that prints dollars.
Renting a holy sword wasn't like renting an electric scooter,
And that was for a single use.
Just for one trip into and out of the Tower.
"I know you might not be satisfied. Is that all? When the American negotiation team arrives, we'll drag it out. We won't accept just that measly ten million dollars."
W-Wait a minute.
Not accept it!
If they're offering, you take it immediately.
If you recklessly raise the price, they might say, "Fine, we won't borrow it for that amount," and the negotiation could break down.
Also, since their goal is just to experience it, they probably aren't in a hurry.
And the most important thing.
Is the holy sword really the only holy attribute item in existence?
Every country is probably searching frantically for one right now.
What if they secure another one?
Then we might not even get ten million dollars.
Take it while you can.
Anyway, they said the holy sword's effectiveness diminished from the 68th floor onward.
It can only be used up to the 67th floor.
The price needed to be reasonable for them to even consider borrowing it just for experience.
"Actually, ten million dollars seems appropriate. Let's accept it and lend it to them."
"...Huh? We could get more."
Putting force into his voice.
"I'm worried we might lose everything by being too greedy. I've decided. Please accept the ten million dollars."
"O-Okay, understood. Oh! And there's one more thing we secured at the national level."
"What is it?"
"The withdrawal of anti-dumping regulations on Magic Crystal steel products exported by South Korea."
As he said this, Jeon Gwang-il watched Joo-hyuk's reaction.
"I feel very sorry for using your personal holy sword to pursue national interests, but..."
But Joo-hyuk said,
"Oh! That's great."
He meant it sincerely.
They're handling the holy sword rental and even bringing in customers, so that much is nothing.
After exchanging a few more words,
"The Bureau plans to clear the 67th floor slowly too, right?"
"Yes, we plan to formulate a strategy at least four months from now. Please maintain your pace and climb safely, Player Bong."
They seemed to have found some breathing room.
Before, they wanted me to reach the 60s as soon as possible.
Given Player Nam Ga-eun's trend, she might be able to clear the 67th floor too.
"I should get going now."
"Please contact us if you change your mind."
Joo-hyuk left the Awakening Management Bureau in the same car he came in.
'Phew...'
13 billion won.
I can think of my salary as just pocket money now.
Had I known this would happen, I could have bought the penthouse even with money.
'...Or maybe not?'
Even 13 billion won probably wasn't enough to buy it.
Unless I lend the sword twice.
Joo-hyuk returned home.
He thought about ordering chicken but just boiled some ramen instead.
I must share the pain with the summoned beings.
And when midnight came.
"John Kosak, Designated Summon,"
[John Kosak has been designated and summoned.]
Poof!
"Enjoy the soccer game to your heart's content. I won't be able to see you off when it's time for you to return, okay? Once I fall asleep, I sleep soundly."
"Yessir!"
Tsk, what's so fun about watching people kick a ball around.
Let's just get some good sleep.
Kosak watched the soccer game.
After glancing at the TV screen for a while, he stood up from his seat when he heard Joo-hyuk's regular breathing from the room.
And then,
Flick! He disappeared.
Near Joo-hyuk's officetel,
In the basement of a building in a Seoul entertainment district.
The sign read [Royal Traditional Massage].
It seemed to have already gone out of business.
The door was tightly locked, and outdated mail was scattered on the floor, the lights were off too.
But there were people inside.
Eight in total.
Holding a secret meeting by the dim light.
Speaking in Chinese, not Korean.
"Let's do a final check on the selected targets."
One of the eight placed photos on the table one by one.
"...Name Kim Mi-sook, female, signed an Elite Team contract three months ago. Estimated to have reached at least the 30s."
"Next?"
"Name Jang Dong-soo, gender..."
"Next."
Photos continued to be placed.
When there were about fifteen,
"Name Bong Joo-hyuk, male, signed an Elite Team contract just over two months ago. Estimated to be in the late 20s at minimum."
Bong Joo-hyuk's photo was also placed on the table.
"None seem problematic."
Of course.
They're verified Korean Elite Team players with talent.
The leader spoke as he neatly arranged the photos of players including Bong Joo-hyuk.
"They're all suitable targets, so we can take anyone. But! We work on at least 3 to 5 simultaneously. This is a one-time operation anyway. The more we take, the better."
If Elite Team players went missing, the Management Bureau would be turned upside down.
This was completely different from voluntary naturalization.
But there was no other way.
To prevent the collapse of the Tower near Shanghai.
They had to kidnap them and force them to climb the Chinese Tower at least once a day,
Equipped with body cameras,
Until the 59th floor was cleared.
"If everyone's movements have been tracked, adjust the operation time to within 1 hour..."
But right at that moment!
"Wow, our Summoner Bong is photogenic too. He's the most handsome here."
Deng Guanlin, a senior officer of the Northeast Special Warfare Brigade under the Chinese People's Liberation Army, frowned and got angry.
"Who told you to speak Korean? When we're among ourselves, we speak Chinese... Huh!"
Deng Guanlin was startled.
There were supposed to be eight people in the room, including himself.
But now...
'Nine?'
One guy was standing beside them out of nowhere.
A very ordinary-looking man.
Who the hell was this?
When did he appear?
The elite special warfare soldiers didn't even notice.
"You, who are you?"
"What? Speak in Korean."
"...Who are you?"
Kosak bared his teeth in a bright, wide smile.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
He looked utterly demonic.
"...T-This bastard, kill him!!!"
At Deng Guanlin's shout, the Chinese Special Warfare Brigade soldiers sprang up.
Fwoosh!
A sudden, blinding light illuminated the dark space,
Thwip!
Schlick!
Thud-thud-thud.
A head rolled onto the table.