Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Taste of Pain and a Whisper
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I spent two full days holed up at home.
To rest, and also to calm down the overly excited summoned beings.
It wasn't like Joo-hyuk was perfectly fine either.
He had been directly caught up in the terror incident.
People had died in the process.
'...No, I killed them.'
He was the one who killed them, essentially.
After all, he was the one who had summoned Kosak and Gobang.
On the outside, he acted as if nothing was wrong, but inside, Bong Joo-hyuk, an ordinary guy, was shaken.
To recover his mental state, he didn't even enter the Tower and rested properly.
He did some cleaning with Laxics, huffing and puffing, grilled some meat, put some in sleeping Veronica's mouth, cooked ramen as a palate cleanser, and got scolded by Kosak during a shave with "You bastard!"...
'I feel a bit better.'
After spending time like that, it wasn't until the afternoon that he sent them all back.
Sometimes he needed time alone too.
A drink alone for the first time in a while.
He prepared alcohol and snacks.
It was an expensive whiskey he had bought from a department store.
A single-malt sherry cask or something.
He had originally bought three bottles to drink with the summoned beings, but they all waved their hands away, saying it was too strong.
'I'm thankful, though.'
For giving him the chance to drink the expensive liquor alone.
He had the TV on and was sipping from a glass full of ice when the news started playing.
The heroes who appeared at the showcase terror scene.
Yes, calling them heroes was not an exaggeration, but...
'It's a mess, a complete mess.'
The news was rife with all sorts of misunderstandings.
Suddenly, Kosak and Gobang had become S++ rank record holders.
'...Is it really a misunderstanding?'
Upon a closer look, the media had gotten it exactly right.
At that moment! *Bzzz!* A call came in.
It was Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
"Hello."
- Player Bong. I hope you are not inconvenienced?
"Yes, I rested a bit, so I'm better now."
And had a glass of expensive liquor.
- It might be bothersome, but I thought you should know...
The reason for Jeon Gwang-il's call.
First, he told him not to worry about the media.
He said there had been many interview requests, but he hadn't accepted any, and the reports were purely speculative.
And the identity of the terrorist.
It was certain he was Chinese.
At the same time, he said the man was highly likely to be the rumored player kidnapper, but he was keeping his mouth tightly shut, not saying a word, so it would take some time to confirm for sure.
However,
"...Player kidnapping? I thought that was an urban legend?"
- It is actually happening. Not just in China, but surprisingly, many countries are engaging in such acts. India is also under suspicion.
It was chilling.
In a way, humans were scarier than the Tower.
"Then there are kidnapped players trapped somewhere in China right now."
- That's correct. We believe so.
Bastards.
No matter how desperate they were, kidnapping people and forcing them into Tower conquests?
What if they died?
No evidence would remain.
They would just disappear.
What about the families of the kidnapped players, let alone the players themselves?
'Sigh,'
It was complicated.
He was drinking alone to recover his mental state, but somehow he felt worse.
'Should I call Mr. Kosak?'
Maybe talk it over with him.
Three hours had passed...
"John Kosak, Designated Summon."
*Whoosh!*
"Loyal! Kosak has arrived. ...*Gasp*! Did you end up drinking that strong liquor? Your liver enzymes will rise. Please exercise restraint."
Then Kosak realized he was the only one summoned.
"Ho, is it perhaps a mission?"
"No. I have something troubling me,"
"Hehehe, you did well. Who do you think I am! Summoner Bong's right-hand man, 'There are no bad players in the world.' The golden child counselor, this Kosak will listen to your troubles."
Who's the golden child?
"It's something else..."
Joo-hyuk relayed Deputy Director Jeon's story exactly as told.
Kosak's complexion gradually hardened.
"...Scum that deserves to die a hundred times over."
"Right? I feel bad for the captured players, so my heart is a bit heavy. It's depressing too."
"Aah, this Kosak is moved by Summoner Bong's compassionate heart. Tears are blurring my vision."
Moved, my foot.
The guy was feeling depressed.
Kosak stood up abruptly and said.
"May I go out for a bit and come back?"
"Why?"
"I'll go ask. Where they are keeping the kidnapped players."
"Ask who?"
"The one I spared."
"Do you know where he is?"
"I left a marker on him just in case he tried to run away."
Kosak, who seemed like a goofball, was actually incredibly thorough.
As expected, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
"What if you ask and he doesn't tell?"
"We can negotiate."
He was going to threaten him.
"What will you do if you find out?"
"The decision is always the Summoner's to make. We merely follow orders."
There was no helping it.
Might as well know.
"Take your time. We can talk tomorrow. If you're hungry, buy something tasty with this."
Joo-hyuk opened his wallet and handed a few bills to Kosak.
"Oh my, you didn't have to do this."
"It's pocket money."
"Loyal! Thank you. Then I shall be off. Hehehehe."
With Kosak gone, he felt lonely again.
Was it because the alcohol was kicking in?
Wasn't there anyone to have a drink with?
It was a bit sad that his social circle was so narrow at times like this.
Joo-hyuk opened the catalog in his status window.
One name among them.
'Gwang-ma...'
A summoned being whose name was in the catalog but had the lowest star rating and had only been summoned twice.
Frankly, he felt a bit sorry.
Although his methods were extreme, it was all for his own sake.
Every time they met, he gave him a 1-star rating and sent him away as if chasing him off.
Maybe today, he could talk with him until the summoning time limit?
See if his thoughts had changed, have a drink together,
"Gwang-ma, Designated Summon."
*Whoosh!*
A halo of light descended.
Then Gwang-ma appeared.
"Summoner."
"Welcome."
He was still scary, but with the help of the alcohol's courage...
"I was hoping to have a chat for a bit, if it's not inconvenient..."
"What inconvenience could there be? I am grateful just to be summoned."
Joo-hyuk and Gwang-ma sat facing each other at the table.
"Would you like a drink? I'm not sure if it'll suit your taste."
"Oh! My mouth is in for a treat."
"Let me pour you a glass."
"And you, Summoner?"
"I should drink too. It's expensive liquor."
"Hahaha, as you should. Give it here. I'll pour for you first."
In a way, Gwang-ma was also quite the pushover.
He had been forcibly dismissed and given a 1-star rating twice, yet what was so good that made him smile like that?
*Glug glug glug,*
The glass was filled.
One glass, then another.
Alcohol gives people courage.
Joo-hyuk asked Gwang-ma.
"...Your thoughts from before, they haven't changed, have they? World conquest, uniting the world under one nation."
Gwang-ma let out a deep sigh.
"Hoo, are you hoping I will change my mind?"
"Yes."
Then.
"Summoner, of course I can follow your command. If you tell me to change my resolve, I could answer that I will do so right now."
The mood was good, wasn't it?
"But would you be able to believe it? My obedience?"
"..."
Thinking about it quietly, it seemed he couldn't believe it.
The Third Principle's third clause was a decision made at the summoned being's own discretion.
"All summoned beings have their own standards. If they judge the Summoner to be in danger, they can do anything. Even if it goes against the Summoner's values."
Gwang-ma downed another glass.
"My Third Principle's third clause, that is a belief stemming from my identity and life experiences. The true enemy lies within. If we do not cleanse the inside, I believe a complete conquest of the Tower will still be difficult."
Somehow, Gwang-ma's expression looked lonely.
"Summoner, there is no need to try to persuade me. It will only drain your mental energy. If you ever deem me useful, you can use me then."
A belief.
It was true that it was hard to change.
But what in this world lasts forever?
Joo-hyuk refilled Gwang-ma's empty glass.
"It seems I can stay for quite a while today."
"Yes, I won't send you away forcibly."
"Hohoho, such undeserved favor."
Let's pass the time.
Talk about many things.
Whether he would become immersed in Gwang-ma's beliefs, or Gwang-ma would become immersed in his, something would work out.
Joo-hyuk drank with him too.
They went back and forth until the first bottle of whiskey was empty and he opened a new one.
Gwang-ma seemed to be in a good mood too.
As if drunk, his face flushed red.
"Summoner, I have something to tell you. May I?"
"Haha, speak freely."
"The time limit for conquering the Tower in this world is still six months, is it not?"
"That's right."
"But do not be complacent. The conquest deadline may change someday."
"Huh?"
What was he talking about?
"...You mean it could shorten?"
"That is so. The Tower is capricious. At any moment, it could become three months, or even one month, even half a month... Truly cunning. Just as the habit of conquering the Tower according to the deadline sets in, it strikes from behind, so to speak."
Fuck.
Suddenly, anxiety surged.
"I hope you keep that in mind at all times. If you need me, call anytime."
"When and how does it change, could you be more specific..."
"A restriction is placed upon me; I cannot say more."
"Ah!"
Someone of Gwang-ma's level must have climbed to high floors and experienced a world's destruction.
"What about the missions of the floors we must climb in the future? For example, what about above the 71st floor?"
"That is the same. I do not even remember."
Gwang-ma was like that, and Kosak was like that too.
It seemed there really was something called a restriction.
Anyway, he would find out by climbing himself.
That aside.
'Hmm.'
He suddenly became curious.
Although this was the third summoning, he had never once seen what abilities Gwang-ma could display in the Tower.
Joo-hyuk looked at his watch.
It had been almost three hours since he started drinking with Gwang-ma.
About ten minutes left until the summoning time limit.
"Gwang-ma-nim."
"Hm? Is it time to go now?"
"It's true the time is almost up, but would you like to go to the Tower with me once?"
"Hahaha, of course, no problem. Let's go."
Let's just take a look.
If we could fight together, let's fight.
"It's truly been a long time since I've tackled the Tower. I am nothing but grateful to the Summoner for giving me this opportunity."
"...Opportunity? I'm the one asking for a favor."
"I will do my best. Let's also try to get a useful item with this chance."
"Oh, I don't have any expectations."
The item rewards with their abysmal drop rates.
Even with an S++ rank conquest record, they rarely gave them.
Moreover, this was a repeated conquest; there was no way they'd give an item.
"It's a floor with shoddy Jiangshi, though they are clad in demonic energy."
"That's right. Ah, you'll probably need the holy sword, right?"
"Leave it be."
Hmm, that's unsettling.
"We need to strip away the Dark Aura. I learned a skill called Primordial Thunderbolt Staff, and I can use it with the holy sword too..."
"Will there even be time to use a skill? It's enough if you just watch from behind so you don't get hurt when they come forward."
What, was this guy like that too? Telling him to just watch again?
Gwang-ma and Joo-hyuk left the safe zone.
Gwang-ma walked forward with his hands behind his back, as if taking a stroll.
"There are two ways to deal with demonic energy. Either use a power that is the opposite of demonic energy, like divine power, or..."
*Wooong!*
"...overwhelm it with even stronger demonic energy."
A sinister black energy rose from his entire body.
It was more ominous than the Dark Aura.
"They're not even enough to be an after-meal snack."
That's Gwang-ma for you.
His name didn't have the character for 'demon' (魔) for nothing.
"Let's finish quickly and leave. The Summoner must be tired too; you need to rest comfortably."
Gwang-ma raised his hand.
Right then! *Swoosh!*
A massive, intangible energy forming in his hand.
It was a powerful energy shaped like a crescent moon, or a boomerang.
As soon as it formed, it was shot forward.
*Tsu-pa-pa-pa-pa...*
The energy boomerang spun, sweeping through the Dark Mummies.
*Pa-su-su-su-su…*
The Dark Mummies crumbled to dust and vanished.
It was instantaneous.
The Dark Mummies were there, and then they weren't.
The boomerang had simply made one lap around the 61st floor.
That was it. There was no second attack.
"...Huh?"
"Is there a problem?"
"We actually got an item."
"Oh! Is that so? Well, that's good. It seems I've earned the price of the liquor I drank."
Calling Gwang-ma was a good idea.
The National Intelligence Service building of South Korea.
Underground, there was a detention room guarded like a fortress.
Xiao Jun, was sitting on the bed with his severed wrist heavily bandaged and wearing a suicide prevention restraint device.
He had just undergone interrogation with an interpreter present and was detained again.
Of course, he hadn't said a word.
Even though he knew Korean.
'Pathetic bastards.'
Interrogation by the incompetent NIS?
Thinking they could make him talk?
Xiao Jun was a trained soldier even before becoming the deputy director of the Special Intelligence Department.
He had experience being deployed on dozens of operations for player abductions.
Since the mission was what it was, he had also received training assuming capture by the enemy.
He was confident he could withstand any torture.
He had even received truth serum endurance training.
Endure to the end.
An opportunity would come.
To escape, or to walk out proudly.
'I should get some sleep.'
To endure torture and interrogation, replenishing stamina was essential.
Fortunately, they gave him food and let him sleep.
If this were China, what kind of food would he get?
They wouldn't have let him sleep.
It seemed they were pretending to care about human rights.
Xiao Jun lay down on the bed.
He was about to drift off to sleep when...
*Clank!*
The sound of the detention room door opening.
What was that?
There had been no presence.
He sat up abruptly and scanned his surroundings. Still, no one.
"What the…?"
That was the moment.
*Swoosh!*
A palm covering his mouth.
Simultaneously, some energy forced its way into his body.
Xiao Jun's body arched like a bow.
An excruciating pain he had never experienced before.
It felt like his muscles were being torn apart.
It felt like his bones were being scraped with a saw.
It felt like his internal organs were melting.
He wanted to scream, but no sound came from his mouth.
"Kkeu-eup, eup-eup..."
"Shh! I only gave you a taste. What will you do if you can't handle this?"
The voice was familiar.
That's right.
It was certain.
The one who had severed his wrist.
"From now on, I will ask you a few things. You must answer in Korean."
Kosak whispered quietly into Xiao Jun's ear.
"Where are the kidnapped players being held? Nod if you're willing to talk."
Xiao Jun rolled his eyes wildly.
What should he do? In that instant,
"You're no good. Just rolling your eyes, still haven't come to your senses, have you?"
"Kkeu-eup!"
The excruciating pain surged again.
It was incomparable to the first bout.
"I was hoping to do this nicely if possible?"
"Eup! Eup-eup-eup!"
"Endure well. You'll lose your mind anyway."
"Eu-eup, kkeu-eu-eup!"
He wanted to lose consciousness instead.
"Eh, we haven't even started yet."
Xiao Jun wanted to nod.
He was willing to tell the exact location in Korean.
But his head wouldn't nod.
Because a hand was covering his mouth and firmly holding his head.
"Eu-eup, eu-eu-eu-eup..."
No, please let me nod, I'll talk, I swear.
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