Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Right Arm, the Left Arm, and the Warm Chest
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Savage Warrior Gobang.
Honestly, when the assassin first received his medal, he was secretly envious.
It was an un-warrior-like jealousy.
But it couldn't be helped.
He had clearly earned the merit.
But to award a badge to him as well?
How grateful could he be?
He'd repay it with faith.
The Skeletons enhanced by Dark Aura.
They were annoying existences.
Hard bones, and they even wielded weapons.
If you let your guard down, a blade would slip in and damage your flesh.
Even a body harder than steel could be pierced.
That was the terrifying aspect of Dark Aura.
This was a section requiring evasion-type tanking; you couldn't just charge in recklessly.
But Gobang had no concept of evasion.
"Kwoooooooooo!!!"
A roar of provocation.
He'd take it all.
He wouldn't disgrace this badge.
Veronica also rolled across the battlefield without a moment's rest.
Sniping in prone mode, shooting and retreating, rapid-firing in assault mode, and when enemies got too close, swinging the rifle butt to secure distance... All sorts of tactical actions unfolded.
*Pashut! Pashut! Pashut!*
The more medals, the better.
It was proof that a soldier was recognized by their commander.
That's how you become the top priority for promotion.
Veronica's lingering regret in life wasn't just about sleeping soundly.
Right before her death, she had earned merit but died without getting promoted.
She was practically guaranteed a two-rank special promotion.
But she ultimately died a Staff Sergeant.
She never even got to see a Sergeant First Class insignia.
But a badge?
Couldn't that fulfill her unrealized wish?
Gyeon Dal-rae was also sweating profusely, dedicated to her cleansing ritual.
Honestly, compared to the powerful might of divine power, her ritual was slightly lacking.
It focused more on appeasing the dead than subduing them.
So, it could only weaken the negative energy of the Dark Aura, not deliver direct damage.
What if a saintess or priest class was summoned in the next Random Summon?
She might be driven out before even getting a badge.
At this point, she understood how Kosak and Razix must have felt back then.
You have to constantly prove your worth.
Even if just to repay the symbol of trust bestowed by the Young Master—the Platinum Badge.
Shaman Gyeon Dal-rae's ritual dance became even more fervent.
*Kwak kwak kwak kwak!*
Razix, with eyes bloodshot, was digging into the ground ferociously.
If a place smelled suspicious, he'd dig into it without fail.
Look at them now.
The warrior, the gunner, the shaman, the assassin... They were frantically taking down Skeletons.
Why were they so fast?
If the conquest ended like this, the exploration would also end immediately.
It' was probably not intentional, but...
Still, they were practically enemies obstructing him.
"Ho-eh!"
Another holy artifact fragment was acquired.
And a ticket fragment too.
The next badge is mine.
The higher the floor, the more advantageous it would be for him.
He'd be able to excavate more item fragments.
Kosak was slightly flustered.
No, why were they like this?
Since when did they become so diligent?
They were performing their tasks desperately, as if there was no tomorrow.
Not that they were uncoordinated—absolutely not.
Gobang drew aggro, Veronica provided wide-area damage with small-caliber rapid fire, and Gyeon Dal-rae's dance became even more swaying.
The hunting was incredibly efficient.
It was actually more organic than before.
And what about Razix?
Just looking at his expression told you.
It seemed he'd found something again.
The most threatening competitor here.
'Sigh, worker Razix, can't I make a living too?'
This wouldn't do.
He needed to work even harder at excavation.
At this rate, he woudln't even get a whiff of a badge.
Left alone, Joo-hyuk. just stood there blankly, holding the Holy Sword.
Why did heI bring the Holy Sword?
What was he planning to do with it?
Was it just for decoration?
It did look cool.
The light of radiance enveloped his entire body.
'Hmm...'
The party's momentum had changed.
Before he could do anything, the Skeletons were already cracking and breaking apart, turning into materials for bone broth.
Why was everyone like this?
Did they want a badge that badly?
"Um, excuse me..."
"Busy! Don't talk to me."
"Mr. Gobang?"
"Kwooooooo!!!"
"S, Staff Sergeant Bae!"
"Skeleton approaching the front, skull penetration, sufficient damage accumulation, requesting finishing blow."
"...Princess?"
"Heo-eoi, Hwo-ei, the flower fields of the West Heaven lie yonder."
What about Razix?
"Ho-eeeeeek!"
*De-gururur, Kwak kwak kwak kwak!*
'...'
Ah,
He thought he had escaped being a loner after awakening as a Player,
'It was just a delusion.'
If this wasn't being left out, what was?
Did those guys want a badge that much?
He couldn't have that.
I won't give it out easily.
He'd make them beg and plead for just one...
You have achieved an S++ grade in conquering the 63rd floor of the Black Tower (Korea).
🎁 S++ Conquest Reward: A Platinum Badge is awarded.
'It's over.'
Let's just do a repeat conquest.
I should at least skin some hides.
Awakening Management Bureau.
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su and Deputy Bureau Chief Jeon Gwang-il sat facing each other, having a conversation.
"...Frankly, if it weren't for you, I'd never have believed it."
"I feel the same way. Just hearing about it, how could anyone believe it?"
"Control? For Players with a Summoning Trait, the hardest part is controlling the summoned beings... Hmm, should I call them Summoned Persons? Anyway, was there any difficulty in controlling them?"
"No, at least not yet."
Jeon Gwang-il recalled the situation at the time.
The Caucasian man who appeared when Bong Joo-hyuk shouted 'Summon'.
When told it was this kind of situation, he said they should call Gobang too and vanished in an instant.
The giant named Gobang was the same.
He protected Bong Joo-hyuk with his massive body and smashed the terrorist.
"They moved in perfect unison at Player Bong's single word. What control is there? They did everything on their own."
"Goodness! Summoning people? And people who speak Korean?"
It was astounding. Human summoning.
Let's assume it's possible.
If you could summon spirits, golems, and beasts, you could probably summon people too.
But it didn't happen inside the Tower.
It happened in reality.
Meaning, Bong Joo-hyuk was a Player who could use his Tower abilities in reality as well.
If this fact became known?
"All hell would break loose."
It wasn't a simple matter.
He could be classified as a dangerous person in one go.
"He's not a villain or has criminal tendencies, is he?"
"Not at all. Of course, I'm the only one who witnessed it, but what do you think was the reason Bong Joo-hyuk Player revealed his ability? It was to save Player Nam Ga-eun and the people."
"...You're right about that, but."
If he had a bad disposition or a selfish personality that only cared about himself, he would have run away alone.
He had the ability to do so.
"But will others think the same way?"
Humanity, with the common enemy of the Black Tower.
They should show unity, consideration, and solidarity, but that was just an ideal.
Competition between nations had intensified even more.
They didn't hesitate to engage in petty and unethical acts.
Just look at China's Player abductions.
"Sigh, the secrets keep piling up. I can't figure out how to respond; my head feels like it's about to explode."
Watching the troubled Park Kyung-su, Jeon Gwang-il cautiously suggested something.
"What about this?"
"What?"
"Player Bong's summoned beings, no, Summoned Persons, they were people, weren't they?"
"Yes."
"Then, treat them as people."
"Huh?"
"Make them citizens of the Republic of Korea."
Park Kyung-su sat dumbfounded for a moment, then suddenly straightened his posture.
"Citizens of the Republic of Korea?"
"We just need to hide the fact that they are Summoned Persons, right? Even if their identities are revealed later, people will only know they are Players with Korean nationality."
"Uh..."
"Player naturalization is under the jurisdiction of the Awakening Management Bureau. We can create new identities perfectly."
Right.
Creating one identity wasn't difficult.
They had done naturalization work before, and quite a lot of it.
Players themselves were national assets.
Elite Players for climbing unconquered Towers.
General Players for supplying Magic Stones and Tower materials.
If a Player from another country requested naturalization, unless they were criminals, they were accepted unconditionally.
They had done quite a few naturalizations recently.
North Korean defector Players, asylum Players from politically unstable nations, immigrant Players who came because they liked Korea.
A new start as a Korean.
Their pasts were cleanly laundered.
Player Bong's Summoned Persons were the same.
What's the problem?
They're people.
"That's... no, that's a very good idea."
"I'll meet with Player Bong and suggest it."
"Yes, yes, don't be too pushy, be careful."
*Knock knock!*
At the sound of knocking, Team Leader Lee Min-ah entered the office.
"Team Leader Lee, come in. What is it?"
"The 63rd floor of the Korean Black Tower was just conquered with an S++ grade."
"Ah, I see."
"I contacted him separately, and he said he'll conquer the 64th floor tomorrow and then entrust the Holy Sword again."
"Got it."
They had talked before.
He said he'd only go up to the 64th floor and then rest for a while.
"He could go up to the 66th floor."
"Then wouldn't the citizens feel anxious? Not knowing when the 67th floor would be conquered."
It was right to stick to the timeline.
The six-month conquest deadline should be used wisely.
"Which country was next for the Holy Sword reservation?"
"Russia."
"Hmm, I don't trust those bear cubs."
"Don't worry, they won't be able to do anything foolish."
The Holy Sword had already become a global public good.
If it disappeared or was damaged beyond repair, it was obvious the whole world would rise up.
Unless a crazy terrorist appeared, saying 'you die, I die.'
That's why, on a national level, thorough verification was done, and the Holy Sword was lent only to each country's top Players.
"After Russia?"
"Saudi Arabia."
"No need to worry about Saudi Arabia. Maybe we could lend it twice..."
"Hahaha, I'm looking forward to it too. Player Bong will be happy."
Three times would be fine too, as long as the rental fee was deposited.
Anyway, there were two people.
Two sets of naturalization documents should be enough, right?
Surely there weren't more.
Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
Smiles were blooming everywhere.
Normally, the difficulty should increase as you go up floors, but it had actually gotten easier.
"Hehehehe, did you see? I am Summoner Bong's right arm."
"There's no helping it. This maiden is the Young Master's left arm."
"The warrior is the Summoner's sturdy right leg."
"Huh? Then what about Staff Sergeant Bae?"
"I'm the Commander's warm chest, of course."
"...That's a bit."
"What about worker Razix?"
"Ho-eh, I am the Summoner's nose."
"A flaring nostril?"
"I smell things instead, ho-eeeh."
Then, he rolled right up to Joo-hyuk.
*Slorp!*
He poured something out.
Runes and ticket fragments.
This many?
He must have really dug hard.
"Ho-eng!"
Should I try piecing them together?
*Slllurp, slllurp.*
Matching fragments combined, while others showed no reaction, and then—
*Fwaat!* A light flashed.
"Oh!"
Finally, a complete fragment piece appeared.
Another merit earned. Give me a badge, won't you?
"Ho-eh, I'll work even harder."
*De-gururur.*
Razix rolled away before Joo-hyuk could even ponder, seemingly judging that this level of achievement wouldn't earn a badge.
Well, if he completed one more, he'd have to give him a badge.
Razix would probably monopolize the badges, won't he?
Tomorrow is the 64th-floor conquest; after finishing, I should entrust the Holy Sword again.
The Holy Sword reservations are backed up too.
Also, the event scheduled for the 64th floor.
The special reward.
Originally, it was for the 65th floor, but the Multinational Tower Usage Ticket moved it up by one floor.
'Let's see what comes out.'
And the Random Summon.
I haven't decided whether to pull or not yet.
It might be good to discuss it with his Summons.
Anyway, what should he do after finishing the 64th floor? He had a lot of time left.
'I think it's about time to start going outside more actively.'
Of course, not alone, but with the Summones.
Currently, there's no security detail.
The sharp Deputy Bureau Chief Jeon Gwang-il had all the security pulled.
He could move around freely.
No need for perception-obstructing talismans.
Gobang, after evolving, was under 2 meters tall in his normal state.
Kosak had a technique to freely change his facial appearance.
Gyeon Dal-rae would just look like an ordinary high school girl if she went out.
Veronica would pass as a foreign tourist.
Only Razix was a concern, but...
'Maybe go department store shopping?'
Buy some clothes.
But I was curious about something.
"Princess."
"Please speak, Young Master."
"If you're wearing clothes from reality and get Summon Released, do you appear wearing those clothes the next time you're summoned?"
"That is correct. The last appearance is automatically saved, as it were. And when we come out, the changes are automatically applied."
So they don't disappear.
One more thing.
"You said when the Summon is released, you go to the world of souls, right?"
"That is correct."
"What kind of place is it? And what do the Summoned Persons look like there?"
"I shall explain only within the limits permitted to this maiden."
Gyeon Dal-rae began explaining point by point.
"It is a place so vast it is beyond imagination. We exist there only as souls, as spirit bodies."
Spirit bodies, ghosts.
They were people who had already died.
"Everything changes into concepts. The items I possess, the clothes I wear... It would be easier to think of them as data in a computer game."
Game data.
Well, Tower conquest is similar to a game too.
That's why the awakened are called Players.
"Can you meet each other there? I mean, our Summoned Persons."
"Hmm. It's so vast... Of course, if you seek, you can probably find. But is there a need to do so?"
You'd meet each other anyway when summoned.
Anyway, to summarize.
When Summoned Persons are Summon Released, their state right before is saved, and they return to the world of spirits.
When summoned again, their spirit materializes and manifests in a form indistinguishable from a human.
He knew all he needed to know now.
Then let's enjoy it.
The abundant world of Earth.
"Let's pick a day and go out."
"B...beef?"
"No. Shopping. To the department store... Let's buy some clothes."
"Warrior hates shopping. But if Summoner says go, warrior goes."
"Ayu, I like it. I'll get a sharp outfit."
Just in case.
"Let's each put on a perception-obstructing talisman. Mr. Razix should be fine too, right?"
"Worker Razix will just look like a severely obese child."
"Ho-eng?"
Soon, Holy Sword rental fees would come in one after another, so I should spend freely without saving.
Wasting money recklessly—I've always wanted to try that at least once.
Come to think of it, it'd be good to have a means of transportation.
With this number of people, taking a taxi would be awkward.
'Should I buy a car?'
He had a license.
He got it in the military during his final year.
'A van would be suitable. Something like a 15-seater.'
Who knew how many more people would be added later, so it was better to have extra space.