Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Second Collapse
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Before the countdown to the collapse of Japan's Black Tower began.
In a small, old house in a rural town in Gunma Prefecture.
The place where the naturalized Japanese player, Yu Cheol-min, had been hiding.
JSDF soldiers had surrounded the house.
The owner was gone.
Yu Cheol-min had entered the Tower.
The 58th Floor of the Japanese Black Tower.
A JSDF officer was watching a clock.
Tick, tock, tick, tock…
Time flowed helplessly.
The designated 14-hour clear time limit had passed.
But Yu Cheol-min had not emerged.
That meant not a simple failure, but death inside the Tower.
"He's dead."
They hadn't expected success from the start.
Clearing the Tower depended heavily on a player's mental state.
What could you expect from an alcoholic player whose mind was addled by alcohol and drugs?
The JSDF officer picked up the phone and reported to someone.
"Failure. Yu Cheol-min died inside the Tower. Yes, we'll withdraw."
Having ordered their own homegrown players to conduct a lockdown operation inside the Tower, they couldn't just leave a naturalized player alone.
The Japanese government had also mobilized every method at its disposal.
They had even actively engaged in diplomatic efforts.
They had contacted every single country that possessed a player capable of clearing the 58th Floor.
It seemed like it might work out.
The amount Japan promised was an astronomical sum beyond imagination.
But, as luck would have it, the list of second-wave Cabalan Curse target nations was announced.
A whopping twenty countries.
Brazil, which Japan had contacted, was among them.
In this situation, what country would agree to temporary naturalization?
With the possibility of a third, fourth, and fifth wave still looming.
The US had already dispatched its naturalization-specialist players elsewhere.
They said they had no players to send to Japan.
There was one country that had some leeway.
Korea.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary spoke to Prime Minister Kawaguchi.
"We must request help from Korea. There is no other way."
"I know."
"I will make the request directly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...."
"No, don't."
"Th-Then?"
Prime Minister Kawaguchi bit his lip tightly and continued.
"If we borrow the power of a Korean player, we might avoid the Tower's collapse. But our political lives would end that very day."
"Ah!"
"Could you handle that?"
A temporary naturalization request wouldn't come for free.
If it were just money, that would be a blessing.
Territorial disputes, defense issues, economy and trade, historical issues, distortion of history, return of cultural artifacts...
Japan would have to concede on every pending issue.
And the Kawaguchi cabinet would have to shoulder that responsibility.
What good is avoiding the Tower's collapse?
When he was about to be ruined.
At that point, the premiership wouldn't be the problem.
He'd actually die.
"It's better to face the Tower's collapse. I can even find a breakthrough there."
That's what Kawaguchi thought.
"When a national crisis strikes, it's easier to unite the people."
"..."
The Chief Cabinet Secretary couldn't refute that.
The US had successfully cleared two Towers.
Originally, he was supposed to leave for the US today, but he postponed his departure.
With the sudden S++-grade clear in France—of course, they couldn't just sit still.
Upon recognizing the information, the US immediately activated its intelligence network.
In the process, they learned the truth.
The temporary naturalization of Korean player Bong Joo-hyuk to France.
The France Black Tower's global announcement that followed immediately after.
"It was Bong Joo-hyuk after all."
Secretary MacMillan wore an expression of disbelief.
"This feels like a proper backstab. I thought he was just a decoy player."
Director Antonio felt the same.
"He didn't go to France directly, right?"
"He was confirmed to be staying at his residence."
"And he didn't use the Holy Sword either."
"Yes, it was an S++ clear without the Holy Sword."
"He's insane. How on earth?"
In fact, they still couldn't understand it.
"Bong Joo-hyuk must have repaired the Holy Sword,"
"And he must be the one supplying the Tower materials."
"Then who were those two that appeared at the hotel?"
"I don't know either."
"Why did Bong Joo-hyuk temporarily naturalize to France?"
"That too... well, to see the face of Cabalan? It's practically cleared up to the 70th Floor anyway."
The more they dug, the more questions arose than answers.
"I'd like to meet him once,"
"Do you think the Korean Awakening Management Bureau will just stand by?"
"What's the problem? Who's suppressing individual freedom in a democratic country?"
"...Then you handle it, Mr. Secretary. I know nothing. I don't want to ruin my relationship with the Deputy Director."
Secretary MacMillan knew too.
For a foreign politician to approach a nation's managed elite, especially its top player, was highly discourteous.
But could he hold back his curiosity?
"Ah! Japan seems intent on holding out."
"It seems they've already given up."
"It's turning out as you feared. Do you think it will collapse?"
"Probably..."
There was a simple solution.
Improving relations with Korea.
If the Japanese government gave Korea what it wanted and begged them to prevent the Tower's collapse, it would be over.
But they weren't doing it.
"What about the White House? With many advisors being pro-Japan, you'd think they'd order us to help."
MacMillan smiled bitterly and said.
"They said to just watch."
"What?"
"We also have Towers located on fault lines. They said we need to observe what effect a Tower collapse has on a fault."
"..."
Japan wouldn't be the first Tower collapse.
The Mumbai Tower had also collapsed.
But when the Mumbai Tower collapsed, there was almost no data left on how it happened.
All they could see was a giant sinkhole.
The US wanted to observe from start to finish.
The scene of Japan's Black Tower collapse.
Thus, Japan would become a giant testing ground.
A place to vividly observe the process and results of a Tower collapse.
Day 3 of French nationality.
Joo-hyuk had also smoothly cleared the 64th Floor.
Cumulative Platinum Badges: 70.
At the same time, he finished the repeated clears of the 64th Floor.
Let's start by assembling the fragments Razix collected.
The rule is to postpone the main event.
"Wow! You collected so many fragments? Merci?"
"Hoe?"
"Let's assemble them together."
"Hoeng!"
A pile of runes and ticket fragments.
But only a tiny fraction of them actually combined.
The combination conditions were quite strict.
Clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk. A series of failures.
Still, occasionally, *smoothly*! *Snap*!
They attached one by one.
Of course, they were still far from completion.
"Hue..."
Razix was disappointed.
"Hey, what's with that face? We attached way more than before."
It was true.
The fragments Razix had collected were numerous and of high quality.
"Come on, let's give a round of applause for our best worker, Monsieur Razix!!!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Anyway, the pre-meal entertainment was over.
Next, the main event.
'Will a Trait Enhancement Rune come out?'
Probably, his Random Summon cooldown would return after his French naturalization period ended.
It would be perfect if it appeared now, but...
Joo-hyuk checked his inventory.
70 badges.
A number impossible to obtain through normal climbing.
You'd need to clear the 70th Floor to get 70.
[A privilege is granted for accumulating 70 Platinum Badges.]
'What is it?'
[Privilege: A starter pack for high-floor climbing above the 71st Floor and a 70th-floor clear commemorative bonus are granted.]
'...Huh?'
A starter pack out of nowhere.
'And it's for climbing above the 71st Floor?'
It seemed the system judged that since he had 70 badges, he must have cleared the 70th Floor.
So it was also giving a 70th-floor clear commemorative bonus.
'I'm grateful for early gifts, of course.'
But a starter pack? Like a new beginning?
He'd heard about it before.
Something starts to change from the 71st Floor.
'What on earth changes...'
[Privilege: Will you open the starter pack?]
'Open.'
"Huh..."
There were items he hadn't seen before. Three of them.
First, the Tower Intrusion Ticket.
Intrusion.
Its literal meaning is to barge in without permission.
Tower Floor Intrusion Ticket
Effect: Intrude into a Tower floor another player is currently clearing. Must meet the entry level requirement. Usable from the 71st Floor onwards.
"..."
What's this?
Why would I intrude?
That means I'd be in the same space as another player.
Next,
Summoned Being Resurrection Rune
Effect: Resurrects one deceased summoned being. Disappears after one use. Usable from the 71st Floor onwards.
'Hmm.'
Does this mean the summoned beings could die from danger?
Tower Clear Mission Reset Ticket
Effect: Resets a Tower clear mission when failure is anticipated. Disappears after one use. Usable from the 71st Floor onwards.
This was also an item hinting that clearing would become extremely difficult.
He'd find out once he entered.
What kind of missions would appear.
But at this point, it wasn't particularly necessary for Joo-hyuk.
The bonuses seemed more useful.
The Multi-National Tower Use Ticket and the Summoned Being Grade-Up Rune.
'The rune for Bardin...'
Suddenly!
"Whoa..."
Kosak, who was watching TV, let out a short exclamation.
"What is it?"
"Breaking news, it is."
"Breaking news?"
"The Japanese Tower is about to collapse."
What?
Joo-hyuk went to the TV.
The summoned beings followed.
The countdown to the collapse of Japan's Black Tower displayed at the top.
Not much time was left.
"...Really?"
No, how did it come to this?
While other countries were succeeding one by one and escaping the target list.
"Princess, did you curse Japan or something?"
"Utterly preposterous, it is. I, the maiden, absolutely did no such thing."
"Then why are they like that?"
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber! I did not do it."
"Warrior not know."
"Hoe!"
A statement from the Japanese Prime Minister also appeared.
It was long, but the gist was that they were prepared for the Tower's collapse.
That crazy bastard!
"That Kawaguchi, he's not even fit to be a condo board president. The epitome of incompetence. Japan is pitiful."
Kosak also seemed worried about Japan's Tower collapse.
"They say Japan is the best value for travel, it is. How great would it have been if our Lord Summoner Bong visited Japan and then it collapsed? A pity, it is."
Amazing. Truly amazing.
Is traveling to Japan the issue right now?
Joo-hyuk couldn't help either.
He'd used both his Tower entries already.
All he could do was watch.
'Wow! I kinda want to conquer Japan.'
Of course, he shouldn't think that.
The fateful hour drew near.
West of Mount Fuji, nearby.
Since it was also a mountainous area, it was quite far from inhabited cities.
Of course, there were a few small villages, but all had been evacuated.
The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, located about 15km from the Tower, had also ceased operations.
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces, mobilized under a public security order, were deployed near the Tower.
The collapse drew ever closer.
If it materialized, it would be the second in the world.
The cabinet government seemed to have already steeled its resolve.
The Prime Minister himself came out to issue a statement.
First, the traditional apology ritual of dogeza.
Despite being the Prime Minister, he prostrated himself, his head completely pressed to the floor.
"I am deeply sorry. Japan's strength was insufficient. In the end, we could not escape the curse."
"And yet, not a single country came to our aid. They mocked Japan by presenting unreasonable, humiliating conditions."
"The spirit of Great Japan will not yield. We will use this crisis as a stepping stone to arm ourselves as an even stronger Japan."
"Based on consultations with experts, scholars, and scientists, the probability of a major earthquake occurring due to the Tower collapse is significantly low. Furthermore, the Hamaoka Nuclear Plant is also outside the predicted damage range."
"However, as the safety of our citizens is paramount, please complete evacuation to nearby shelters before the Tower collapses."
Usually, when the Japanese Prime Minister himself performed dogeza, it moved the people's hearts.
It always had.
The Japanese people quietly accepted it.
There were also those who rebelled and protested.
Mainly the younger generation.
A generation that hadn't experienced Japan's bubble era's glory, the alienated and impoverished youth whose desires had been suppressed.
They took to the streets, demanding help from Korea, staging protests, calling for countermeasures... but their voices were thoroughly ignored.
Time continued to flow.
Countries around the world also watched Japan.
What consequences Japan's choice would bring.
The US forces in Japan were also on high alert.
Reconnaissance planes flew over the Tower.
Broadcast helicopters?
To capture the moment of the Tower's collapse, they circled the Tower from a distance, timed perfectly.
The expected damage was a 10km diameter sinkhole.
Would the Ring of Fire react?
Now,
One minute left.
Then, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.
Right then!
The Tower began to sink into the ground.
Actually, the Tower's own diameter wasn't that large.
Only about 500 meters.
If it collapsed into the ground, the resulting hole should be around 500 meters in diameter, but that wasn't the case.
Everything around it collapsed together.
Mountain ridges, valleys, grass and trees, rocks, houses left behind by people.
Like a person pressing a finger deep into a soft cake, a massive, unfathomably deep hole formed.
A tremor that shook the Mount Fuji region.
An earthquake? Or a volcanic eruption?
The Japanese people trembled in fear.
A repeat of the Great Kanto Earthquake?
But then, *RUMBLE*! *CRACK*!
The tremor suddenly stopped.
The Mount Fuji area fell silent.
No more noise could be heard.
All that remained was the giant sinkhole.
It remained in that state.
There was no change.
Neither an earthquake nor a volcanic eruption occurred.
The Hamaoka Nuclear Plant, 15km from the Tower, was also safe.
Prime Minister Kawaguchi, who had been watching the collapse process on video, clenched his fist tightly.
"W-we did it!"
The gamble had paid off.
They had avoided a major earthquake.
The slimmest of chances had come through.
The only damage was a giant 10km diameter hole.
"W-we're alive."
"Congratulations, Prime Minister."
"Then, the national address..."
That was when it happened.
The Tokyo Prime Minister's Official Residence vibrated like a smartphone.
*RATTLE*!
*CRASH-CRASH-CRASH*!
Glass shattered.
*CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACKLE*!
As the concrete floor split,
*TILT*!
The building leaned sideways.
Simultaneously, the outside darkened as if night had fallen,
"Wh-what is this..."
Prime Minister Kawaguchi witnessed it through the broken window.
Right next to the Prime Minister's Official Residence, as if a bamboo shoot were sprouting,
*BOOM-BOOM-BOOM*!
A massive Tower, breaking through concrete and asphalt, rose up.
Overturned roads, cars being pushed aside, collapsing buildings, people's screams.
This was unexpected.
A newly forming Tower in the heart of Tokyo?
Even the Prime Minister's Official Residence couldn't escape.
It collapsed completely from the aftermath of the Tower's generation.
It was a spectacular lockdown.
The actual damage inflicted on Japan that day was not due to the Tower's collapse, but due to the generation of a new Tower.
The misfortune was not yet over.
Author's Note Correcting a setting error. The section [Almost Complete... Summoned Being Grade-Up Rune (6/7)] has been deleted. That item was already used. Clarifying confusion regarding the nationality cancellation part. The conditions for canceling temporary naturalization are: the player's will to renounce nationality, and the government's approval to permit the renunciation. These two are the conditions for canceling temporary naturalization.