Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Unexpected Party
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The Awakening Management Bureau's work can be broadly divided into two categories.
Fostering elite players for the conquest of unvanquished upper tower floors, and supplying the new industrial resource, Magic Crystals, to the civilian sector.
It was a fact universally acknowledged that it was the most important national institution in South Korea.
For that reason, the Awakening Management Bureau was thoroughly protected from any political pressure, and its requests were always given the highest priority.
Park Kyung-su was a man who had held the position of Bureau Chief for over five years.
He had no ambition to climb to a higher position.
He was planning to hand over his post to the Deputy Chief soon and enjoy a comfortable retirement.
Therefore, he had no reservations whatsoever about wielding his authority.
"The lowest-level player currently in the Bureau is level 39. It's still insufficient. But they are far more important than the likes of you. They are diligently climbing the tower today to prevent the Black Tower's collapse, supporting the high-level players from behind."
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su's voice boomed.
"But what can you do? An old man who digs into the affairs of elite players just out of greed for money. What's left of you if we strip away your position as a conglomerate chairman?"
Chairman Jung Sung-tae couldn't help but be flustered.
He had met countless public officials until now, but this was a first.
Truth be told, he was also a man with many enemies.
In the process of building Ilsung into a top-tier corporation in Korea, he had created numerous adversaries.
But where were there eternal enemies?
No matter how much of an enemy they were, he would laugh and converse with them, compromise where needed, take care of what needed to be taken care of, break down wariness, and even become friends...
Naturally, he had also maintained a close relationship with Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su over the Magic Crystal supply issue.
They were closer to being friends than enemies.
But what was this situation now?
Swearing and shouting insults to his face?
Only then did Chairman Jung Sung-tae snap to his senses.
He realized the situation he was in.
A conglomerate chairman?
One phone call was all it would take.
To the National Intelligence Service, which had the closest ties with the Management Bureau.
The NIS's cabinet would be packed with files on Ilsung Group.
Unleashing just one of them would be the end.
No, it was obvious what would happen if it was just quietly leaked to the press.
What would happen if it became known that a conglomerate chairman had approached an elite player for personal gain?
"Now, I think there's been some misunderstanding,"
"Shut up. First, tell me where you got this document."
"Uh..."
Park Kyung-su continued with a sneer-filled expression.
"Should I tell you for you? The initial information was compiled in the US. However, even the US couldn't be sure of the veracity of this information. So they passed it on to Japan. To see what they would do."
He had already figured out how this document had reached Jung Dong-hoon.
"And Japan? Same. It was inconvenient for them to move directly. But then, they happened to have a useful tool? A guy who was on friendly terms with Japanese political circles and was the chairman of a major Korean conglomerate."
Chairman Jung Sung-tae couldn't even retort.
"But you were no different. Since you didn't know what would happen if you approached an elite player recklessly, you passed this on to your nephew."
That's right. He knew everything.
"You probably thought there'd be no problem even if you got caught. Just do as you've always done. Have a meal with the powerful at a fancy restaurant like this, slip them some bribes, and it would be resolved."
Bang! Park Kyung-su slammed the table.
"But you stupid bastard! Even so, this is too much. At your age, how can your judgment be so poor?"
And then in a low, subdued voice,
"Should we handle this the classic way? Honestly, that's the easiest and cleanest. It'll also serve as an example."
What was the classic way?
Simple.
It meant killing.
It wasn't an empty threat.
He was a man with the power to do so.
What wouldn't the Awakening Management Bureau do for the safety of elite players?
It really felt like he was going to die.
Chairman Jung Sung-tae had no choice but to yield.
"...I admit to everything."
"Does admitting end it?"
"Please spare me. Wh-what must I do?"
"Good. Listen well. I'll open a path for you to live. Do as I say."
"I-I will listen attentively."
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su began his explanation.
Jung Sung-tae could only nod his head.
What else could he do?
If he wanted to save his own skin, he had to do as he was told.
While Veronica was asleep,
Joo-hyuk practiced his breathing exercise—no, his Heaven and Earth Origin Energy cultivation.
“Hoo, hoooo, hoo, hoooo...."
Kosak, who was lounging sideways on the sofa watching TV, looked at him and said,
"Do you have a cold?"
A cold, of all things,
"Hoo, hoooo,"
"Pollen allergy?"
"Hoo, hoooo...."
"You're breathing too hard. I'm worried."
Good grief! He kept chattering beside him.
It was breaking his concentration.
"It's called Heaven and Earth Origin Energy cultivation. It's a martial art mental technique."
"Does such a thing exist? Did you learn it from a cult group?"
"The Mad Demon taught me."
"...What? Wh-when?"
He took the opportunity to tell him.
The story of becoming drinking buddies with the Mad Demon, and receiving the Punishment Hair-Washing and martial arts instruction.
Gyeon Dal-rae made a joyous expression, bowed as if about to fly away, and said,
"I offer my congratulations. Although his disposition is peculiarly twisted, the martial arts he possesses are genuine. If you devote yourself to cultivation, you will achieve success."
Gobang also said,
"Warrior is happy Summoner getting stronger. Thank Mad Demon."
Kosak had a peculiar expression.
"I'm jealous."
"What? Do you want to learn martial arts?"
"Yes. If I were an LSSR, I would have taught you many things, Summoner Bong."
"You taught me Shadow Step."
"There are many better things than that. Lockpicking, pickpocketing, mugging, intimidation..."
This guy, trying to turn someone into a criminal.
"By the way, did you give the Mad Demon a badge? Anyway, credit is credit."
"Ah, do you think he'd like that sort of thing?"
"He'd go crazy if you gave him one. Receiving something from the Summoner is an honor in itself for a Summoned Being."
Could it be? Still, just in case, I should subtly bring it up next time we have a drink.
That there's a Platinum Badge, and if he wants it, I'll pin it on him.
By the way, when will Veronica wake up?
We need to do either tower conquest or a promotion congratulatory party.
"Right! Speaking of badges, what about Sergeant V's badge?"
"Of course. She got promoted, so it's a must."
Instantly! Veronica shot up, sitting upright.
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I shall prepare for the medal awarding ceremony."
"..."
She must have woken up instantly at the mention of a medal.
Now that she's up, maybe I should ask what I was curious about.
"Sergeant Vera. I couldn't ask earlier because you were asleep, but did anything change when you advanced to SSR?"
"Affirmative! I shall report."
First, pointing to the goggles worn on her face,
"Weakness detection is now possible. I can precisely target a monster's weakest point using the guidance function."
Veronica explained the enhanced suit upgrade as well—defense enhancement, physical function improvement, camouflage function, even temperature regulation.
The existing functions had been strengthened, she said.
The boots too,
Explosive speed, tactical leap, and for comfortable foot health, sweat is automatically expelled.
Finally, the magic rifle.
"The types of ammunition have been subdivided. Large-caliber rounds are now possible up to three shots. But above all, the biggest function is..."
She paused for a moment.
"Commander, I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"Please summon the Bardin Holy Sword."
No problem.
"Mr. Gobang?"
Whoosh! It was Gobang's gigantification.
Along with the summoning of the Lucius Bardin Holy Sword.
"Light!!!"
The holy sword's radiance manifested.
Click!
Veronica pressed the muzzle of her magic rifle against the Holy Sword Bardin.
What? Was she going to shoot?
"Initiating attribute absorption."
Attribute absorption?
Right then!
Zzzzzzzzzt!
The radiance of Bardin was being sucked into the magic rifle.
"Gasp! My, my true light is being plundered, you witch..."
"Shh!"
"Urk!"
So that's what it was.
"Whoa! It's a vacuum cleaner."
"Oh! I understand what attribute absorption means now."
"As expected of an SSR, you absorb it and then spit it out."
"Hoeh?"
Applause came naturally.
Veronica's expression was full of pride.
"This enables the firing of holy ammunition."
It meant holy attribute could be bestowed upon ammunition,
"What's the duration?"
"It's temporary. It disappears over time. But it can be used again by recharging the radiance each time."
"Aha!"
Sergeant V, returned dependable thanks to equipment upgrades.
So, that makes two holy attribute weapons now?
'We could really reach the 70th floor in no time.'
It was frustrating that the floor we could immediately conquer was only the 66th.
The 67th floor required at least four more months.
Unless, as the Mad Demon foresaw, the tower conquest timeline accelerated.
But he hoped that didn't happen.
The world might end overnight.
Well, it's not like there's nothing to do.
Secure leather and ore through repeated conquests, collect fragments, and have fun.
"Now that Sergeant Vera is awake, let's start the promotion congratulatory party."
Just then.
Bzzz, a call came to his smartphone.
It was Deputy Chief Jeon Gwang-il.
He didn't know what it was about, but he had to answer.
"Hello."
- This is Jeon Gwang-il. I hope all is well?
"Yes, always fine. What's the occasion for your call?"
- I contacted you because there's something I'd like to discuss. Could you spare some time? I'll send a car now.
Now? We were just about to have the badge awarding ceremony and promotion party.
"Um, is it urgent?"
- Well, it's not urgent, but it's something that needs to be decided as soon as possible...
'Hmm, this is troublesome.'
It's a bit difficult right now.
If I go to the Management Bureau now, the summoning duration will also end.
Then I'd have to wait another three hours.
The schedule will get tangled.
Should I say I'll go next time?
But it seems like a fairly important matter.
'Wait!'
It's Deputy Chief Jeon Gwang-il.
A man who witnessed my abilities firsthand.
He knows Gobang, and he knows Kosak.
Then?
"Just a moment."
- Yes. Take your time.
Then, to the Summoned Beings,
"Is it okay if I invite one outsider? It's Deputy Chief Jeon Gwang-il,"
"The Master is the head of this household. Please act according to your will."
"Ah, it's a matter for Summoner Bong to decide, whoever it is. And since we've met the Deputy Chief before, it's fine."
That's right. They all knew each other.
There was no reason to hide it now.
Picking up the phone again,
"Deputy Chief, could you come to my place instead? I'm in a position where I can't leave."
- Ah! I'll come right away.
Let's take this chance to introduce them to each other.
There were things he wanted to ask with everyone gathered.
Jeon Gwang-il arrived at the underground parking lot of the Cheongdam-dong apartment.
After parking his car, he rang the intercom in front of the penthouse's private elevator.
"This is Jeon Gwang-il. I'm in front of the elevator now."
- Yes, I'll open it for you now.
Then, the elevator door slid open.
As soon as he entered, the door closed and it ascended automatically.
The reason he had come to see Bong Joo-hyuk today was regarding the matter of company establishment.
Chairman Jung Sung-tae had raised the white flag.
He decided to spit out all his shares in Ilsung Apparel and spin it off from the group.
He had to transfer the shares held by Jung Sung-tae to Bong Joo-hyuk.
Of course, the final decision rested with Bong Joo-hyuk.
If he refused, they would have to find another way.
Honestly, he was worried.
Currently, his name was circulating everywhere.
America, Japan, even among civilians.
The true owner of the Holy Sword.
Yet, a player who could conquer the 65th floor with an S++ grade even after returning the Holy Sword.
The only person who could skin a Basilisk or Wyvern and supply massive amounts of Tower Ore.
It was only a matter of time before the abilities of this player, Bong Joo-hyuk, became known.
Any country conquering the Tower would covet him.
They would employ any means to bring Player Bong Joo-hyuk to their country.
The Korean Management Bureau couldn't help but feel uneasy.
They had to protect him by any means necessary.
That was the only thought in Jeon Gwang-il's mind,
Ding! The elevator stopped. Before approaching the front door.
'Hoo,'
He took a deep breath, checked his breath, tidied his hair, straightened his clothes, and then pulled the front door handle.
"I'm here. I came empty-handed in a hurry... Huh?"
He froze!
Jeon Gwang-il stood rigid in the entryway.
Bong Joo-hyuk wasn't alone in the house.
The noisy sound of people talking.
"Lighting is important for events. Gobang, hold the Bardin Holy Sword higher."
"Got it."
"Light!!!"
"Huh? Sergeant V! It goes out if you absorb the attribute!"
"Ah, s-sorry, I did it without thinking."
"Light!!!"
"Okay, lighting is good. Summoner Bong, you can proceed now."
"Sergeant V, step forward."
"Affirmative!"
Where is this? Who are these people?
Two of them he definitely recognized.
That Caucasian man and the giant. He saw them at the HG Hotel.
But the giant was holding a man in armor in his hand.
He was glowing all over like a light bulb. And for some reason, in a voice that seemed to tear at his heart,
"Light!!!"
And that young girl holding a bell?
He hadn't heard he had a younger sister.
There was one more woman.
An adult woman standing in a motionless pose, wearing skin-tight leggings.
A Pilates instructor?
But why was she carrying a gun on her back?
It looked like a toy gun.
"Summoner Bong, what are you doing? Don't shake, hurry up and pin the badge."
"...Sergeant V's enhanced suit is too thin."
"No, you pinned it on the princess's chest just fine. Is it a size problem?"
"N-no, I mean!!!"
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! Commander, you may grip it tightly."
"Uah!"
"It's an opportunity. Since you have permission, grip it tightly."
"...Wh-what kind of opportunity?"
"Summoner!!! What is this talk of a badge for these heretics!!! Why won't you pin one on me!"
"The lighting is talking again?"
"Shh! Light, no other conversation allowed."
"Urk!"
Most decisively,
"Hwehehehe!!!"
Roll roll roll!
A strange furry ball was rolling all over the house.
"Hoeh?"
What is that? That cute creature?
Then, Jeon Gwang-il's eyes met Bong Joo-hyuk's.
With an awkward expression,
"C-can I come in?"
"Oh! Please come in. Now, now, the Deputy Chief is here, everyone applaud!!!"
Jeon Gwang-il suddenly felt his mind go hazy.
He didn't even know why he was being applauded.
'It doesn't seem like a dream.'
Should he really go in?
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