Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Reward of a Badge
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The United States Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C.
Antonio, the Director of Tower Climbing, ran to the Secretary's office upon receiving a call from Secretary MacMillan.
With all the incidents popping up lately, he was feeling a bit uneasy.
And just as expected...
"...You're saying players have requested rescue at the U.S. embassy during the week?"
"Yes."
"And they claim they were kidnapped?"
"That's right. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia... eight people in total."
"But... even if they were kidnapped, how did they escape?"
"They wouldn't give details. They just said the door to their detention cell suddenly opened, and when they went out into the hallway, all the guards were knocked out."
It was nonsense.
There was clearly someone who helped rescue them.
Someone like those two players who single-handedly dealt with the terrorists at the HG Hotel fashion show event.
"Could it be those people from back then..."
"I know what you're implying, but we still don't have anything concrete."
Antonio agreed with Secretary MacMillan's words.
They would have to investigate to get the details.
"What does the White House plan to do?"
"Protect them, for now. And we've already contacted the respective embassies."
"And then?"
"We're thinking about it. It's a rather big issue, you know."
"Right."
China's act of kidnapping players.
Until now, it had only circulated as a rumor.
Because there was no solid evidence.
But now it was different.
Witnesses had emerged.
Eight players of different nationalities, no less.
"And this is a report that came in from the CIA..."
Secretary MacMillan lowered his voice and spoke cautiously.
"It seems there's been an accident involving Chairman Lin."
Chairman Lin...
"Y-you mean Lin Chaoming, China's supreme chairman?"
"Correct."
"No way... what kind of accident? Illness? An incident?... Surely not an assassination?"
"The weight is on the illness side, but even that's not certain yet."
"...Is it serious enough to warrant preparations?"
"Quite serious, I hear."
It was a major incident.
The exposure of player kidnappings was huge, but a problem befalling China's supreme leader was even more shocking.
"It's going to be noisy for a while."
"Very."
"You'll have a tough time too, Mr. Secretary."
"..."
Who was her kidding?
He was about to have a hard time even going home.
"You focus on the Tower conquest too. How about using this opportunity to discover some new talents? We can't rely on Gerald forever."
"...I'm working hard on it."
"Just words? Let's try to have an S++ grade conqueror record holder of our own."
Antonio wanted that too.
An S++ grade conqueror record holder with American nationality.
He was willing to treat them like an emperor.
But they had to show up first.
***
A terrorist incident had occurred in central Beijing.
Yet, it wasn't even mentioned in the Chinese media.
Even though two loud explosions echoed through the city in the early morning, and police, soldiers, ambulances, and fire trucks were running around causing a commotion.
The news broke first in foreign media outlets.
That afternoon.
The exposé broadcast by an American news channel.
- I am Nguyen, a level 57 player from Vietnam. I was kidnapped in China. Locked in a detention cell, I was subjected to torture and threats, forced to participate in China's Black Tower conquest...
- I am Imsha from Malaysia, Shard. I have been kidnapped in China for over three years. Look at these wounds. They are traces of torture. I want to see my family.
- My name is Zhang Jinping. I am not a Chinese player. My homeland is Taiwan. Gaoxiong is my hometown. They kidnapped me, saying we are all Chinese people. There are traitors inside Taiwan. That bastard's name is...
One after another, players claiming to have been kidnapped came forward, exposing China's atrocities.
The whole world was turned upside down.
China was kidnapping players, forcing them to naturalize, and deploying them for Tower conquest?
It was originally an unconfirmed bizarre rumor.
There was only circumstantial evidence, no physical proof.
But now eight witnesses had appeared.
All players who had been declared dead in the Tower or missing in their home countries.
The countries of the kidnapped victims each issued statements condemning the Chinese government.
Demands were issued of punishment for those responsible, a direct apology from the Chinese Chairman, preparation of compensation measures, and so on.
Of course, even countries not directly involved denounced China.
They said if China didn't want to be branded a criminal state, it should offer a sincere apology as soon as possible.
While every country in the world officially protested against China like this, the Chinese government itself did not respond at all.
Normally, by this point, a spokesperson would appear on national television, denouncing it as slander against China, baseless claims, and vowing not to forgive countries spreading groundless rumors without concrete evidence.
The rumors continued to spread.
China was in turmoil.
***
Joo-hyuk also saw it on TV.
The complete rescue of the kidnapped players.
How could he not trust him?
As expected of a founding member. The loyal Kosak.
"Amazing. I can't help but be impressed. How did you rescue everyone without a single one left behind?"
"Just used a bit of skill. Hehehehe."
"Phew, if you used your skill twice, China would be ruined. Hahahaha."
"Actually, I did use my skill twice..."
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
"What did you just say..."
"Ah, ahem. I didn't say anything."
And as for Veronica...
"Hrump! Kuul, kuuul,"
She was sleeping, so let's not wake her.
Anyway, the lingering discomfort in a corner of his heart was completely resolved.
"I really want to reward you somehow. Pocket money like before?"
"Ah, you don't need to. I haven't even spent all the money I received last time."
"It feels shameless to just say thank you with words."
"Ahem! With just one warm word from Summoner Bong, this Kosak feels energy surging up."
Still, he couldn't just shut his mouth and move on.
Anyone could just give praise with words.
He said money wasn't needed, buying him beef was used too often, and giving them a car each was also difficult.
He wanted some symbolic reward.
Something that could remain permanently.
Like a medal, for example.
'...Wait!'
There was something similar, come to think of it.
"Mr. Kosak."
"Yes!"
"Shall I pin a medal on you?"
"...Huh?"
A medal?
Kosak's expression showed he didn't understand.
"Th-the kind you pin on your chest?"
"Yes."
"The shiny, sparkling one?"
"Yes, a medal!"
Instantly!
Veronica, who had been lying down, shot up beside them.
"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber!... A, a commendation medal?"
Hesitation!
The other Summoned Beings also reacted.
They had been engrossed in their tasks, but at the mention of a medal, they stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes to Joo-hyuk.
It was unexpectedly explosive interest?
"I'll pin it on you. Come here."
"...Uwaaah."
Kosak stood awkwardly before Joo-hyuk with a tense expression.
Just pinning it on would be boring. Let's make it a proper ceremony.
"Summoned Being Kosak!"
"...Y, yes!"
Joo-hyuk opened his inventory and took out a Platinum Badge.
"For your great merit in safely returning the kidnapped players home through perfect planning and execution, I hereby award you this medal... no, this badge."
Kosak's eyes widened.
"Huuuurk!... Th-this precious thing."
"You deserve it, Mr. Kosak. You handled the job splendidly."
"Uwaaah, Su-Summoner Bong!"
The other Summoned Beings watched with envious eyes.
The assassin Kosak was receiving a medal from Summoner Bong.
It was an unprecedented event.
'A medal, aaah.'
'Hmph, I'm jealous.'
'Must be nice.'
'Hueeee...'
The badge he received as an S++ grade conquest reward.
The number of badges Joo-hyuk currently owned, including the one from the UAE Black Tower, totaled 63.
He had already received all the special privileges with them, so what good was keeping them?
But he had found a use for them.
This was the time to use them.
After all, the complete rescue of the players was an achievement on par with an S++ grade conquest.
The badge also had a pin attached so it could be fastened to clothing.
Joo-hyuk pinned the Platinum Badge on Kosak's chest.
"Thank you! I don't know what to do with myself. But I will not be satisfied. Until the day my entire chest is filled with badges, this Kosak will dedicate his entire being and offer his loyalty to Summoner Bong."
Kosak raised both hands high with a proud expression.
He stuck out his chest so the other Summoned Beings could see the badge clearly and spun around the living room once.
How could they not applaud? The sound was very quiet, though.
They congratulated him, but they were jealous.
They could do well too.
A Platinum Badge pinned by the Summoner himself?
How could he endure this?
"Next, Veronica Caliber, step forward."
Whoosh!
Veronica reacted like lightning.
"...Huh? M-me too?"
"Of course I should give you one."
Veronica flusteredly, yet swiftly, stood at attention before Joo-hyuk.
"Summoned Being Veronica."
"Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"
"For your great merit in protecting the hostages and safely escorting them to a secure location with your elusive marksmanship alongside Kosak, I hereby award you this badge."
"Victory!!!"
He took out another badge from his inventory.
And the moment he was about to pin it on Veronica!
'...Uh.'
This was awkward.
Veronica stuck out her chest, making it easy to pin.
What to do?
Those two enormous somethings filled Joo-hyuk's vision.
Moreover, the reinforced suit she was wearing was a full-body tights form.
Meaning it clung tightly.
Dangerous.
'...But I can't not pin it.'
Gulp.
Joo-hyuk swallowed dryly.
Ah, whatever.
With trembling hands, he lightly pinched the fabric of the reinforced suit on Veronica's chest and pinned the badge, *click*.
"This is the most honorable and proud medal I have ever received. I will fight fiercely for the Commander's victory."
Applause that couldn't help but be weak from envy.
"Kyaaaah! A medal! A medal!!!"
Veronica cheered and jumped around the living room.
Meanwhile, Gobang closed his eyes tightly, Gyeon Dal-rae sighed, and Razix looked despondent as he lay on the floor, just wiping.
But then?
"Next, Summoned Being Gyeon Dal-rae."
"...Huh?"
Gyeon Dal-rae's eyes sparkled.
"Y-yes, my lord."
"For your great merit in performing a blessing ritual that contributed to clicking and obtaining the Trait Enhancement Rune, I award you this badge."
"...This is too great an honor. How can such a grand award be given to a lowly maiden."
What grand award?
It's just one badge.
She looked like she was about to die of happiness.
This made the giver feel good too.
Clap clap clap clap!
The applause grew louder.
Because now anticipation was higher than disappointment.
Gyeon Dal-rae had received one too.
Past merits were being retroactively recognized.
Then?
"Summoned Being Savage Warrior Meat Shield."
"H-here I am! I'm coming too!"
Whoosh!
In his excitement, Gobang's body enlarged due to Gigantification.
"Please shrink. You're too big."
Shrink.
"For your merit in protecting your comrades by throwing your own body into the poison pit during the 60th-floor Wyvern Lord conquest, I award you this merit badge."
"Uh, quickly..."
His upper body was bare, so there was nowhere to pin it.
He had no choice but to pin it on his pants, which didn't tear even when he grew giant.
"Heh heh heh heh."
Gobang grinned broadly and stroked the badge pinned to his waistband.
Was it that good?
Instantly! *Roll roll roll roll!*
Unable to hold back any longer, Razix rolled out in front of Joo-hyuk.
"Hu, hue,"
Stomping his feet, Razix shot a desperate look, begging for his badge to be pinned quickly.
Oh my, how cute.
He was already puffing out steam like crazy.
"Summoned Being Razix."
"Hueng!"
"For your great merit in contributing to our finances through the collection of Basilisk hide and Tower ores, I hereby award you this merit badge."
"Huek!"
Joo-hyuk pinned the badge onto Razix's subspace backpack.
"Hueee, I, I like it."
Floating lightly,
Razix spun his chubby body right there, savoring the joy.
Joo-hyuk took out one more badge.
"Summoned Being Razix."
Huh?
Why is he being called again?
He wouldn't give it just to take it back, right?
"...Hue?"
"For your monumental contribution to future Tower climbs through the collection of Rune Fragments and Ticket Fragments, I award you one additional badge."
"Hueek?"
Razix's whole body trembled.
Two? Only I get two?
The other Summoned Beings nodded as if acknowledging it.
He deserved it.
Considering how much he had contributed.
"Hueeng."
Tears welled up in Razix's big eyes, but his face was full of happiness.
Were badges that good?
If he had known, he would have given them sooner.
Well!
One physical badge was much better than hearing praise a hundred times with just words.
Joo-hyuk was satisfied too.
Later, he should give special privileges to Summoned Beings who collected five.
"By the way, today's 63rd-floor conquest... It's Dark Skeletons, so it shouldn't be too hard, right?"
The expressions of the Summoned Beings suddenly turned solemn.
"Leave it to me, Summoner Bong's right-hand man, the master of bone broth, the bone extractor from Majang-dong. This Kosak will handle everything."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber, the 100% accurate gunner! The grim reaper of monsters, the milky-white lone female ranger, I will sever every joint of the skeletons with my gunfire."
"Warrior Gobang, king of regeneration, the tank, the aggro specialist, I prove myself worthy of badge."
"This maiden, the foremost shaman of the Heavenly Empire, the pro of cleansing rituals, the conductor of bells and drums, will shake the bells until her wrists break."
"...Why is everyone copying me? Th-the characters are overlapping."
And,
"Hueek!"
As if telling him to trust only him, Razix took out his shiny golden pickaxe, rested it on his shoulder, and shot a fierce glare.
'Hmm,'
It was a bit scary.
He could feel the raw desire for badges.
But the motivation was properly ignited.
***
The 63rd floor.
Dark Skeletons.
A bony body without a single patch of skin.
They were incredibly hard.
Their bones were on the level of metal.
Blunt weapons were more effective here than blades.
A large greatsword or great axe would be fine.
But perhaps because they were soldiers in their past lives, they didn't come unarmed—they attacked with shields, swords, and spears.
[63rd Floor Mission: Defeat 15 Dark Skeletons.]
The mission appeared.
The party stirred.
A chance to earn merit.
Especially Razix, who smiled ecstatically the moment they entered.
He could smell it. The smell.
The scent of divine power buried somewhere underground.
'Hueeee...'
Materials for holy sword repair.
Another Platinum Badge was clear in his eyes.
Razix was still hungry.
He would not stop.
Not until his entire subspace backpack was filled with shiny, glittering Platinum Badges.