Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Cruelty of the Mad Demon and the Stakes of the Nations
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The boss designed for the 70th floor of the French Black Tower, Cablan.
One original and 144 copies.
There was a difference between the original and the copies.
Starting from basic physical abilities to the absolute quantity of dark magic power and the grade of the soul.
In short, the copies could be seen as avatars of the original, created by borrowing the Tower's power.
In terms of ratio, they had about 70% of the original's ability.
So they were degraded versions, counterfeits.
But now, it had descended.
Even if the body was an avatar, the soul was the real Cablan, itself.
It thought it could easily handle adventurers climbing the Tower.
Even if that adventurer was a Dimension Summoner.
If it could just eliminate the Dimension Summoner, Earth was finished.
The chain collapse of the Towers would be absolutely unavoidable.
Frankly, it hadn't expected things to move this fast.
It thought it would take at least two years to meet the Dimension Summoner.
But then the Tower suddenly opened up to the 70th floor.
It opened far faster than expected.
It was a golden opportunity.
The Dimension Summoner probably wasn't complete yet.
It was a chance to kill him before he matured.
That was the reason it spread the curse.
It would have preferred to directly curse the Tower of the country he belonged to, but that was impossible.
Because the 'Average' curse struck randomly.
Anyway, he would definitely come to the 70th floor.
Because in the current state, the only one capable of conquering the 70th floor was the Dimension Summoner.
And finally, it faced him.
To be honest, when it first encountered the Dimension Summoner through the shared consciousness of its avatar, it was a bit surprised.
The lineup of souls accompanying him.
They were no pushovers.
All were hero-grade existences.
All six of them.
And this was only the 70th floor.
But it was confident.
One of the six was a useless beastman laborer.
Assuming the shrine maiden supporter was neutralized by its barrier...
The actual combatants were four.
The assassin, the barbarian warrior, the Magic Empire ranger, and the Forgotten God's Paladin.
The Dimension Summoner himself was nothing.
It immediately descended into the avatar.
It would target the Dimension Summoner by any means necessary.
After all, he was just a pathetically weak human.
But what was this situation now?
When did a legendary-grade being appear?
Had he already succeeded in summoning one?
Cablan couldn't get a grip on itself.
It couldn't face a legendary-grade being with an avatar's body.
It would be hard even with its original body.
Its soul had already taken damage.
'I, I have to cancel the descent.'
But it couldn't escape.
It was the worst possible situation, completely unforeseen.
A Rune of Trait Enhancement is not an item to be hoarded.
It's best to use it as soon as you get it.
And so,
That's how it was before entering the 70th floor.
Well, it was a godsend.
The moment that message appeared, Joo-hyuk summoned the Mad Demon.
The luminous aura that appeared during the summoning was buried by Bardin's "Let there be light!!!", and the Mad Demon understood the situation immediately upon being summoned.
That was why Joo-hyuk remained calm even when threatened with death.
What was there to fear when his hyung was here?
The overwhelming divine authority of the Mad Demon.
The martial world's public enemy, the greatest scourge of the realm, the Sea of Blood on Mount Shi.
The one who fought a three-on-one battle against the Martial Alliance Leader, the Four Emperors' Sacred Lord, and the Demonic Cult Leader for a full seven days and nights.
He had spoken of it before.
The way to deal with demonic energy.
Crush it with even stronger demonic energy.
One of Cablan's wings was already torn by the Mad Demon.
And now the remaining wing.
Ssskreech!
"Gyaaaaaah!"
Despite the wretched scream, the Mad Demon didn't even blink.
"Tsk tsk, to think the one responsible for the 70th floor can't even handle this much pain."
Zzzzzzz!
The Mad Demon thrust his hand, thick with crimson Blood Jade Demonic Energy, into the torn wing wound.
"Gheeee..."
Cablan thrashed, its eyes rolling back.
Escape. It had to break free.
That was the only thought.
But.
"Hey now, where do you think you're running off to?"
Oooooom! Thick demonic energy rose from the Mad Demon's body.
"Do you think I'd let your soul just run away?"
The Mad Demon pressed down on Cablan's shoulder, forcing it to its knees, then grabbed the horn on its forehead and, with a crunch, pulled it out.
"Kiiiiii...."
Even in that state, it wouldn't die.
Because the Mad Demon wasn't allowing it to die.
As Cablan's demonic energy leaked from the extracted horn, the Mad Demon replenished it through its head.
Cruelty more terrifying than a demon's. That was the Mad Demon.
"We should finish our earlier conversation. How dare you threaten my Summoner?"
"D-damn you... y-you will... d-die..."
"Keh keh keh, a mere keeper of the 70th floor thinks he can do something to me? Are you sure about that?"
The Mad Demon grinned and continued.
"I think I'll have to play with your soul a bit on this occasion. Until you become nice and pliant."
Oooooom!
The Mad Demon's hand was covered in dark red demonic energy.
A scream bursting from Cablan's mouth.
"Grrrrrrrrrruuuuuuh..."
No, it was closer to a wail than a scream.
"...Dimension Summoner Bong"
"Yes?"
"I'm scared."
"...But he's on our side."
"Still, it's terrifying. Look at Razix. He might pee himself soon."
Razix was trembling uncontrollably.
Tsk tsk, why look at that?
Joo-hyuk subtly covered his eyes.
Kosak was right.
No matter if he's on our side, scary was scary.
I'd have to serve him well from now on.
Give him five-star ratings diligently.
With its wings torn and forehead horn pulled out, Cablan crawled across the arena floor.
But what was most unbearable was the pain directly inflicted upon its soul.
The Mad Demon, expression unchanged, followed behind and, crunch! stomped and shattered its ankle.
"Come to think of it, interrogation might not even be necessary. I can guess where the original is."
Huh? He hasn't interrogated it yet, but he thinks he knows? How?
"You dug a trap and targeted my Summoner without knowing your place? You must have judged that if he disappeared, this world could be ruined."
Whoosh! Flames ignited in the Mad Demon's eyes.
"Because only my Summoner can completely conquer the world's Towers, isn't that right?"
Crunch! The Mad Demon stomped and broke the remaining ankle.
"Huk! Ugh, uuuuuuh..."
Joo-hyuk found himself nodding without realizing it.
Cablan knew who he was.
It had clearly mentioned a trap.
"But we should still confirm it."
Swish. The Mad Demon turned his gaze to Kosak.
"Assassin, do what you were going to do."
"...Yes?"
"Didn't you say you were going to interrogate to find the original?"
"Th-that's me. He'll do it."
Shove. Kosak subtly pushed Bardin forward.
"Hmm, are you the Holy Knight?"
"Y-yes."
"How will you interrogate?"
"With the unique ability of a Heretic Inquisitor to discern truth and falsehood..."
"Ho oh."
The Mad Demon smiled, seemingly satisfied.
"Good. Ask this: Is the original Cablan hiding in the Black Tower of our Summoner's nationality? Ah! The original nationality, I mean. Korea."
Joo-hyuk was startled. The meaning of those words...
'That damn bastard...'
Was the boss of the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor the original Cablan?
To target him?
An angry Bardin stepped forward.
"Cunning demon, is your original in the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor?"
"Kgh, you think I'll answer..."
Grab. Bardin seized Cablan's head and radiated holy light.
"Let there be light!!!"
"Aaaaaaah!"
"Answer. Is your original truly in the Korean Black Tower?"
"...N-no. I'm not there."
Bardin shook his head vigorously.
"False."
Then?
"As I thought. It was in Korea."
The Mad Demon grabbed Cablan by the hair and lifted it to eye level.
"You were planning to wait in the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor, having laid a trap."
Cablan was silent.
It said nothing.
But everyone here knew.
That silence was affirmation.
The Mad Demon looked at Joo-hyuk with a gentle smile.
"Summoner."
"Yes."
"Now, pass judgment. What will you do with this thing?"
Joo-hyuk pondered deeply.
Then,
"If we kill this copy, can we deal with the original too?"
"Unfortunately, that's not possible. The original's soul that descended will return to its main body. Only this French Black Tower will be conquered."
"...The original is only in the Korean Tower?"
"Correct."
Then killing this thing would be pointless.
The 'Average' curse wouldn't be lifted.
'So that means we have to conquer the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor.'
What to do?
Conquering a national Tower isn't a decision an individual can make.
"Summoner, I am bound by a prohibition and cannot speak about the 71st floor, but I have something to say regarding the 70th floor conquest."
"Ah... what is it?"
"The 71st floor is a new beginning. If you conquer the 70th floor, the restrictions for conquering the 71st floor will be lifted."
A new beginning.
Joo-hyuk had experienced that too.
At 70 cumulative badges, he received a start pack for the 71st floor as a special privilege.
"Since you'll conquer the 70th floor anyway, it's also a good method to climb it in advance. Of course, the final decision is yours, Summoner."
"Hmm."
Let's think about it once we're out.
Since we decided not to conquer the French Black Tower's 70th floor, we'd abandon the mission here.
They'd go out, have a modest celebration, and since they earned merit, a badge award ceremony.
'Should I give one to Mad Demon-nim too?'
I wonder if he'd like it.
Japan's atmosphere was dreary.
Tower collapse, Tower creation, and the Prime Minister's death.
They experienced all of that in one day.
And as if that wasn't enough, they were a 3rd curse target country.
After Prime Minister Kawaguchi's death due to the Tokyo Tower creation, the acting Prime Minister leading the cabinet was Chief Cabinet Secretary Usuda.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Usuda was also at the Prime Minister's residence that day but survived by a hair's breadth.
He was personally presiding over a meeting of high-ranking Japanese officials and party representatives.
"We must mobilize all diplomatic channels. Two collapses are unacceptable."
"We know that too. But by what method?"
"We have to cling to the US."
"It's difficult. Even naturalization specialist players are fully booked."
"What about Russia..."
"Norway is also an option."
"Saudi Arabia again..."
Usuda clicked his tongue inwardly.
The country not mentioned in their conversation.
Korea.
They were consciously avoiding mentioning that country's name.
"What about Tower Jumping Tickets, like China?"
Tower Jumping Tickets?
Usuda took a deep sigh and opened his mouth.
"Hoo, tickets, can we even obtain them?"
"There are still countries that possess them..."
"I looked into it too. After China's declaration, there's currently a shortage."
That's right. The price had skyrocketed too.
They weren't even appearing on the market.
It's an unorthodox method that shouldn't be used in normal conquests, but in a crisis, it's sufficient for buying time.
"...Wouldn't it work if we pay a sufficient price?"
"Then what about after that? Is the 60th floor possible? The 61st? The 62nd, 63rd... Will we conquer them all with Jumping Tickets?"
At this point,
"I will personally visit Korea. Accept all conditions and request an inter-state Tower Collapse Mutual Defense Treaty."
An inter-state Tower Collapse Mutual Defense Treaty.
A better method than temporary naturalization or jumping.
But no one opened their mouth.
"..."
"Why is everyone silent? Wasn't this what you all wanted? Someone was hoping another would take the lead."
He hit the nail on the head.
Belling the cat.
As a Japanese politician, bowing his head to Korea?
His political career would be over.
Well, it's good if the Chief Cabinet Secretary steps up.
He'll take all the responsibility himself.
"Then let's consider it decided and end the meeting here."
But would Korea accept?
France.
President Macron was in an emergency meeting at the Élysée Palace.
Originally, he intended to tie Player Bong Joo-hyuk to French nationality.
In fact, the French embassy in Korea was making contact.
But in the midst of this, being selected as a 3rd target country...
He thought they wouldn't be selected because they achieved the average.
Go even higher?
Who would conquer the 70th floor?
The situation had changed.
In the end, there was only one person to rely on.
The player who just recorded an S++ grade conquest of the French Black Tower's 69th floor.
"In the current situation, tying Player Bong Joo-hyuk's nationality is the worst choice. It would only create backlash."
That's right.
If he were in France, maybe.
But how could they force Tower climbing on a player in Korea?
"If Player Bong Joo-hyuk feels the slightest discomfort, our France is finished. Before urging naturalization, we must show utmost courtesy to win his heart."
President Macron agreed.
Among all the world's players, the only one capable of conquering the French Black Tower was Bong Joo-hyuk.
"Then how?"
"Dispatching a special envoy comes first. Not directly approaching Bong Joo-hyuk, but through the Korean government."
"Let's do that."
And so, a French special envoy team departed for Korea.