Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Ring of Departure
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Spat!
Joo-hyuk and Gwang-ma exited the tower.
Even having witnessed it firsthand, it was hard to believe.
'So this is why they call them Legendary... Legendary indeed.'
Well, even SSR was terrifying enough, but LSSR grade wasn't just handed out for nothing.
'That's a solid five-star rating.'
How could anyone give that just one star? That would be shameless.
Now that they'd conquered the floor and were out, it was time to go.
Gwang-ma looked at Joo-hyuk and spoke.
"Summoner."
"Yes."
"Do not push yourself. You don't have to climb. No one will say a word if you stay hidden in the back. In fact, you'd be applauded."
"..."
It was a caring sentiment, but...
Telling him to just hide in the back was a bit...
"I shall await the day I can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Summoner. If not that, call upon me whenever you wish to share a drink."
Spat!
With that, Gwang-ma vanished.
The Gwang-ma they first met was filled with madness.
The second time, he claimed to have reflected, but the madness was still there.
'This third time...'
The atmosphere was definitely better.
Even if his core thoughts hadn't changed.
But Joo-hyuk still had no intention of summoning him together with the others. Above all, there was no room.
Besides, in a few days, Random Summon would be available again.
'Speaking of Random Summon, what should I do about that?'
Tank, close-range DPS, ranged DPS, support, and a versatile worker... It was already a well-rounded team.
Should he summon, or should he not?
'If a slot opens up, I'll try it then.'
The most important condition was an available slot. Summoned Beings weren't ordinary summons like spirits or golems you couldn't converse with.
It was a meeting between people.
He'd experienced it before when trying to summon Razix. He had to send him back, apologizing that there was no room now, promising to call him again later.
The sad look in Razix's eyes still lingered in his memory.
The principle of Random Summon: He would summon if a slot opened from a Trait enhancement.
What if something happened later? Wouldn't it be better to summon ahead of time?
Well...
It might sound unpleasant, but there was a spare. The reliable reserve Summoned Being, Gwang-ma.
Remembering this, Joo-hyuk called up the status window catalog. After selecting Gwang-ma's name...
He was more than qualified for 5 points. He'd even given an item reward.
'Right! I need to check the item.'
He took the fresh, hot ring from his inventory.
'Information check.'
"..."
What is this?
Did I misread?
Tower network?
Rubbing his eyes didn't change the description. Exiting the tower near a specific country's tower meant...
'It's a teleportation ring?'
For example, you could enter in Korea and exit near the American tower.
'Like a wormhole?'
The item name was wrong from the start. This wasn't a Ring of Departure, but a Ring of Teleportation.
Moreover, its utility for Joo-hyuk, who could use the tower twice a day, was immense. It wasn't even a one-time ticket, but a permanent-use item.
With this, there was nowhere on Earth he couldn't go. Enter the tower, go to Japan, Italy, the UK, Australia, China... Wait.
'China.'
Honestly, even if Kosak found out where the kidnapped players were, Joo-hyuk thought a rescue would be difficult due to the physical distance. It was far, very far.
But with this ring?
Getting to China would be a blink of an eye.
'Funny.'
Of all things, the Ring of Departure dropped from the floor Gwang-ma conquered. It fit together perfectly.
'Don't tell me it's telling me to conquer the world?'
Eh! Let's not even think about that.
He could just use this ring well for other purposes.
The next morning.
Joo-hyuk summoned the Summoned Beings one by one.
Today was the scheduled day for South Korea's Black Tower, Floor 62.
But as soon as Kosak was summoned, he began explaining last night's events in detail to the other Summoned Beings.
Naturally, chaos ensued.
"Kidnapped?! Aah, this maiden feels faint again. How could they commit acts worse than beasts?"
"This warrior is also enraged. It is something no human should do."
"Man's enemy is man. Indeed."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber agrees with Sir Kosak's words. That is why my machine gun is specialized for shooting humans rather than monsters."
"Hoeek!!!"
These guys were making getting angry a daily routine lately. Even cute Razix.
"What in the world are the rulers of this world doing?"
Gyeon Dal-rae's face flushed red with anger.
"We must rescue them immediately. And expose China's atrocities to the whole world."
"Calm down, Princess. Do not make a fuss."
"What did you say? A fuss?"
"You must know your place. Someone unqualified..."
"Y-you rascal!!!"
"Summoner Bong must grant permission. The decision rests with Summoner Bong ."
"...Oh?"
Gyeon Dal-rae's expression changed instantly. She bowed as if about to fly towards Joo-hyuk.
"I am ashamed. Please scold this maiden for her presumptuous recklessness."
In truth, Joo-hyuk had been contemplating since earlier. Staring intently at the Ring of Departure on his finger.
'What should I do?'
The subject of tower conquest was the player. The problem was that each tower had a designated nationality, expanding the issue to one of national survival.
To prevent collapse, each country had to mobilize all its resources to conquer the tower at any cost. Player cultivation at the national level was a prime example.
Regardless of cost, they would buy items, potions, skill runes, and trait enhancement runes to invest in players. If that failed, they'd even naturalize players from other countries temporarily to conquer towers.
But China had crossed a line. Forced naturalization through player kidnapping. A selfish act of sacrificing others to save themselves.
It was a despicable act beyond comparison to Japan's underhanded schemes that led to Yu Cheol-min's defection.
How did they plan to bear the weight of such evil karma?
On the other hand, he wondered if he was just being meddlesome. What was he? Just a single player who happened to get a good Awakening Trait.
Was he the world police now? Moreover, his own values and way of life were to endure injustice when he saw it.
But what if there was no risk even if he failed? Wouldn't it be okay to meddle just once?
After serious contemplation, Joo-hyuk opened his mouth.
"Then let's rescue as many as we can, as safely as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
As if waiting for it, Kosak connected his laptop and displayed a map on the TV.
"Summoner Bong's right-hand man, creative strategist, tactical genius, master of rescue operations, Kosak, will now begin the briefing."
Another briefing?
"The kidnapped players are imprisoned at a place called Zhongnanhai in Beijing, China's capital. Here is Seoul where we live, and here is Beijing."
Razix's hand shot up.
"Hoeng?"
"Speak, Worker Razix."
"It's too far."
"Worker Razix, an accurate observation."
"Hoe."
"Properly distributing the 7-hour summoning time is crucial. The success of this operation depends on it."
There was no need to agonize over it.
"The most common method to reach China is by aircraft."
Click.
The image of an airplane appeared on the screen.
Gyeon Dal-rae raised her hand and asked.
"How do we board a plane? We have no passports, and we must pass facial and identity verification procedures."
"We sneak in using stealth, then use a perception disruptor inside the cabin."
"Oh! That's a method?"
"As expected of our operations advisor."
"Hoe-ee,"
Kosak smiled, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"This brain contains the entire plan. No matter what unforeseen situation arises, we will adapt and overcome."
Clap clap clap clap!
Applause erupted.
"Then I will explain the details. After taking a taxi to Incheon Airport..."
Joo-hyuk also raised his hand sharply.
"Ayu, Summoner Bong, you needn't raise your hand, please speak."
"Let's stop here and just enter the tower. We planned to conquer the 62nd floor today."
"Huh? Ah, the briefing isn't finished yet."
"It's fine. Please prepare for the conquest."
"...Yes, sir!"
An airplane? How bothersome.
There was something much faster.
If Floor 61 was the undead zone tutorial, this was the starting point of the real conquest. The mummies were knock-off undead, seemingly created just to demonstrate the power of the Dark Aura.
Thus, they could be easily passed with just light-attribute items. But from Floor 62 onward, it was different. Dark Zombies were sturdy, strong, and swift.
'First, I should choose the exit tower, right?'
As he thought that...
'China.'
He'd already found out. The one closest to Beijing was Tower 1.
So...
'Number 1.'
Enter in Korea, exit in China. How to get back from China to Korea? Just enter the tower once more and exit.
Soon, the Floor 62 conquest began. As they left the safe zone...
Zombies began to appear here and there. A darker Dark Aura than the mummies. And faster speed.
"Grrrk?"
"Kugh?"
"Kehk!"
No need to pull aggro. The humanoid undead charged at the party the moment they saw them, eyes filled with hostility.
Gyeon Dal-rae's exorcism ritual began. The drumbeat rhythm of the gutgeori, the bells, and the sorrowful song.
The zombies' Dark Aura weakened, and their movements slowed simultaneously.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Veronica in a standing firing stance began dealing damage. The small-caliber rounds hit the Dark Aura. Then pierced through the aura and dug into the main body.
"Kehk!"
Gobang roared and charged into the zombie mob. Kosak followed closely behind.
It was definitely harder than the mummies. It would only get more difficult as they went higher. Would Gyeon Dal-rae's exorcism be effective even in the late 60s?
He wasn't too worried since he had the Holy Sword, but...
'Razix is.... Huh?'
Roll roll roll.
What's that?
It's the first run, what is he looking for?
"Mr. Razix!"
"Hoeng!"
What if a zombie catches him?
Spat! Spat! Spat!
Joo-hyuk chased after Razix using Shadow Step.
Roll roll,
Razix rolled swiftly. The moment he entered, he smelled it. That scent from the Holy Sword.
It was divine power.
Is it here?
Excitedly digging the ground with his golden pickaxe,
"Hoeng!"
Finally, an object emerged. A very small piece of wood. It looked like trash from the outside, but...
"Hoe-ee."
No doubt. A fragment of a holy relic with divine power still remaining. Probably originally part of a statue-like object.
A holy attribute item fragment. A few more pieces, and the Holy Sword could be repaired. The Summoner would be pleased.
Razix felt a slight relief. Soon, the Summoner might summon a new person. His own position could be threatened.
He had to constantly prove his worth. And thus, he would seize the position of the Summoner's right-hand man from the assassin. This was Razix's grand ambition.
Imagining himself confidently briefing in front of the Summoner made him feel very good.
'Hoe.'
He carefully placed the holy relic fragment in his backpack. Joo-hyuk, who had chased after him belatedly, asked Razix.
"Did you find something?"
"Hoeng, yes."
"Something good?"
"Correct. Hoe-ee."
Suddenly!
'Already finished.'
Conquest Rating S++ Achieved
📍 Tower: Black Tower (Korea)
🏆 Rating: S++
🎁 Reward: Platinum Badge
"Alright, everyone, good work. And don't be too surprised when we go outside."
The Summoned Beings tilted their heads as if wondering what he meant.
Spat!
Joo-hyuk and his party exited the tower.
There were three towers in China. One near Shanghai, another east of Xi'an, and the last in the mountainous area west of Beijing.
Among them, the Shanghai tower was the most dangerous. Being close to a major city, half of Shanghai fell within the collapse radius.
Xi'an itself was an ancient relic site; the material damage from a collapse would be significant.
The Black Tower west of Beijing was in a relatively better situation. It rose in the middle of rugged mountainous terrain, about 40km away from Beijing.
Considering sinkholes were usually 10km in diameter, Beijing was outside the collapse range.
Spat!
Joo-hyuk's party materialized on a mountainside with a clear view of the Beijing Black Tower.
"Huh?"
"Huhk!"
"Umm."
"Ah!"
"Hoeng?"
The Summoned Beings were startled.
"Uwaah..., it's not the penthouse! We came to a mountain! What happened?!"
"Hoe-eeng!"
"M-Master! Where on earth is this..?"
"Warrior is also bewildered."
Joo-hyuk chuckled and opened his mouth.
"This is China."
"...What?"
"Beijing is about 40km east of here."
"Ayu, our Summoner Bong, you're quite the joker. Your sense of humor is excellent. Hehehehe."
"I'm serious."
"...What?"
He explained the effect of the Ring of Departure in detail.
"Oh!"
"As expected,"
"Amazing."
"Hoe!"
"Commander! Combat mobility secured, congratulations."
Kosak also seemed very excited.
"Beijing is east from here, you say?"
"I don't know the exact cardinal directions, but..."
"I know them."
He stared intently in one direction.
"Please permit me to go to Beijing and return for a moment."
"You're going to rescue them right now?"
"Affirmative! Preliminary reconnaissance is needed. I will just confirm."
"But that would take a lot of time."
"I will clock out from Beijing."
"Well then... Go ahead."
Spat!
Kosak vanished the moment he finished speaking. With his speed, an hour should be enough to reach Beijing.
'Now what should I do?'
Let's roughly enter the 40s and skin a Basilisk. It's enough even without Kosak.
We'd exit to the penthouse.
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