Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Dilemma of the 68th Floor
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So, when the breaking news of Joo-hyuk's S++ rank conquest of the French Black Tower's 69th floor came through...
American player, the Magic Swordsman-trait Gerald Watson, was in the Korean Awakening Management Bureau's Holy Sword Lending Room.
The US had been hit by the first curse.
So Gerald had also entered Korea with Secretary MacMillan and Director Antonio.
The 67th floor? Conquered easily.
The curse was resolved.
But he didn't return to the US.
As long as the Average Curse continued, there was no telling what might happen.
In the midst of all this, the breaking news about the French Black Tower's 69th floor S++ conquest.
The US side knew about it too.
That Korea's top player was temporarily naturalized in France.
The 68th floor was amazing, and now the 69th floor too?
Frankly, Gerald's pride was hurt.
He was once the world's top player too.
He had even entered the 68th floor.
He had confirmed that Death Knights appeared.
Of course, he gave up the mission and came out.
Death Knights.
Just seeing them from afar was terrifying.
But with a Holy Sword, wouldn't it be possible?
'I should at least try to kill one.'
He wasn't trying to conquer the 68th floor.
Just to see if he could kill one, how much time it would take—a practice run of sorts.
So he asked Director Antonio to book a Holy Sword lending appointment for a suitable time slot.
The request was accepted.
He equipped himself with gear in the Awakening Management Bureau's Holy Sword Lending Room and put on a body cam.
"Hoo."
Courage swelled within him.
When he entered without the Holy Sword before, he had felt utterly lost.
Four of them appearing at once.
Fortunately, they were spaced apart, allowing for safe pulling.
"Shield, Strength, Haste..."
First, he cast defensive and buff magic.
"Magic Bolt."
Fzip! He pulled one, and...
"Grrrrrrr..."
A Death Knight stared at Gerald with a chilling gaze.
And then,
'...Huh?'
Bweeeek! It charged at him with a terrifying speed.
'Why is it so...'
Fzirrit!
'...fast?'
The Death Knight's massive greatsword swung down like lightning.
Gerald raised his Holy Sword to block the greatsword.
Clang!
"Kuh!"
Sword met sword.
The impact was tremendous. It reverberated through his very being.
"Da, damn it."
He realized from that single clash.
Going blade-to-blade was a losing proposition.
Instead,
"Blink!"
Pop! Using teleportation magic, he appeared behind the creature and slashed vertically.
Fzip! Thwomp!
"...Crazy!"
Thanks to the radiant light, the dark aura was split.
But the Holy Sword merely clanged against its armor.
"Grrrk!"
The Death Knight's momentum grew even fiercer.
It seemed angered by having allowed an attack.
Fzip! Fzipipzip!
The Death Knight's onslaught continued.
It wielded the massive greatsword as if it were a one-handed blade.
'Damn!'
Its attacks were varied.
They were a blend of variation, technique, and speed.
Clang! Claaang!
Gerald could only retreat helplessly.
He was barely managing to parry the Death Knight's strikes.
Damage was accumulating all the while.
A trickle of crimson blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
"B, Blink."
He retreated backward,
"Shield..."
Spot! Bweeeek!
The creature charged before his defensive skill could even complete.
"Huhk!"
Clang!
"...Ghk!"
Had it been about a minute since their blades first met?
But he could feel it clearly enough.
Even with the Holy Sword, he couldn't kill it.
He might die at this rate. Escape was now the top priority.
"Blin..."
Bweeeek! Clang!
The Death Knight gave him no opening to cast magic, pressing him relentlessly.
There was no time to drink a healing potion.
Clang! Clang! Clangclang!
Gulp.
Finally, Gerald vomited a mouthful of blood.
A life-or-death crisis.
Focus.
He had to focus to survive.
He was, after all, America's top player.
He deflected the Death Knight's downward-slashing greatsword with his Holy Sword,
"Blink!"
Pop!
Quickly fleeing, he barely reached a safe zone,
And immediately,
"Abandon mission."
Spot!
Gerald reappeared in the Holy Sword Lending Room.
Using the Holy Sword as a staff, he knelt on one knee,
"Cough!"
Blood was still flowing from his mouth.
With trembling hands, he took a healing potion from his inventory and drank it.
"Gerald!!!"
Director Antonio rushed over in a panic.
The medical team on standby did as well.
"...D, Director, huff, huff."
Gerald gasped for breath as he spoke.
"What is it?"
"I, I can't conquer it."
"What?"
"It's too strong. The Death Knight. The 68th floor is impossible... even with the Holy Sword."
"What...?"
Conquest wasn't the issue.
Just returning alive was a blessing.
***
Joo-hyuk's penthouse.
A simple reception and the Platinum Badge awarding ceremony were taking place.
But why was the Mad Demon there too?
How exactly would the Mad Demon view this childish badge ceremony?
Frankly, it was a bit embarrassing.
It really was like a kids' game.
But he couldn't stop now.
The summoned beings were filled with anticipation.
Swallowing his shame, he pressed on.
"Mr. Kosak."
"Yessir!"
Kosak was awarded a badge for his merit in revealing the original's identity by suggesting the idea of interrogating the French Black Tower copy.
"Chooong! Thank you. The genius of strategy and tactics, the Black Tower troubleshooter, the quick-witted improviser, I, Kosak, will work even harder from now on."
Seeing this, the Mad Demon,
"Tsk tsk tsk. The notion that following a copy leads to the original is something even a three-year-old could anticipate. What great feat did he accomplish?"
Wore a distinctly displeased expression.
"..."
Watching from the side, it was quite irritating.
Maybe he should have done this after the Mad Demon left.
"...Gobang."
"Summoner, I'm here."
Gobang was awarded a badge for his contribution as a sturdy tank, helping them ascend to the 70th floor of the French Black Tower.
"The Summoner shall always be protected by the warrior."
The Mad Demon continued to grumble.
"Tch, isn't it natural for a summoned being to protect their summoner? What a dull, thick-headed fool."
"..."
Next,
"Sergeant V."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"
Veronica was awarded a badge for her great merit in the Death Knight conquest on the 68th floor, achieved through three 'surges'.
"Victory! Please pin it on me personally."
"Ahem, ahem!!!"
This time, it was just a fake cough.
Razix and Gyeon Dal-rae were each awarded a badge for their roles in the 69th floor Lich conquest: transporting the Dolby stereo speakers using the subspace backpack and successfully performing the exorcism ritual, respectively.
"Hweh!"
"Getting a free ride, aren't you? A reward just for delivering speakers?"
"Hueh?"
"Young lady, I am ever undeserving."
"Sorcery not only bewitches the enemy but inevitably one's own allies as well."
The ultimate boomer among boomers.
These days, if you talk like that anywhere, you'd be called an old fossil or a geezer.
Bardin was awarded a badge for interrogating the copy Cabalan on the 70th floor and exposing his lies.
"My Lord! I shall be your sword."
"A mere sword receives human treatment, I see. All he does is shout 'Light!!!' everywhere."
...Should he just not call him anymore?
Anyway, the badge ceremony was finally over.
He was so distracted by the Mad Demon that he couldn't even clap properly.
"Well then, let's conclude this ceremony..."
Right at that moment!
'Hm?'
In the blink of an eye, the Mad Demon appeared in front of Joo-hyuk.
Then, sticking his chest out, he stared piercingly at Joo-hyuk with eyes that seemed to be expecting something.
"..."
Surely he didn't want a badge pinned on him.
Nah, no way.
He was an LSSR, Legend Special Super Rare grade.
The Mad Demon, the most vicious and evil in history, the Blood Sea of the Corpse Mountain, peerless through the ages.
But just in case, maybe he should ask?
"About the badge..."
"This old one is prepared. For subduing the soul of the original Cabalan and revealing his hidden location."
"..."
"I believe this is sufficient merit."
So he did want one.
Well, if that's the case.
"I'll pin it on you."
Joo-hyuk carefully pinned the badge on the Mad Demon's chest.
"Hmph hmph."
He liked it.
His face showed his feelings clearly.
The corners of his mouth reached his ears.
But then, as if he suddenly remembered something,
"If I capture and kill the original Cabalan on the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor... c-can I get one more?"
"Of course, I'd have to pin one on you then."
"You must call me! I shall tear his body and soul to pieces and kill him for you."
With this, the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor was as good as conquered.
The Average Curse would disappear too.
He wanted to finish this quickly.
Temporary naturalization, what a joke.
He wanted to return to his daily life, spend the money he'd earned, rest, and laze around.
An ordinary guy should live like an ordinary guy.
To do that, he had to end Cabalan's Average Curse.
First, a consultation.
Joo-hyuk contacted Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il.
He said he wanted to meet urgently.
Important matters should be discussed face-to-face.
***
Korean Awakening Management Bureau.
Jeon Gwang-il and Park Kyung-su were in a somber mood.
Had Korea become a target of the third curse?
No.
Though it might be related in some way,
Player Gerald's failure.
He went to the 68th floor to check it out and got thoroughly beaten, returning in disgrace.
He couldn't even kill a single Death Knight.
He almost died, they said.
And he was America's top player.
"Do you remember what Player Bong said to us when he entrusted the Holy Sword to us before?"
"I remember. He said that with just the old Holy Sword, the 68th floor might be difficult. But this one's been repaired. Its effectiveness is much improved compared to before."
"Yes, I thought it would be fine too."
The result was failing to kill even one and abandoning the mission.
Even with the Holy Sword, conquering the 68th floor was tough.
This was a big problem. What should they do now?
Of course, Korea had Player Bong Joo-hyuk, so there was no need to worry.
The problem was other countries.
"What did you decide? Did you talk with Director Antonio?"
"We decided to keep it a secret for now. There's no benefit if Gerald's incident becomes known."
"Hmm."
It was just frustrating.
Under these circumstances, the US would only grow more intent on Player Bong Joo-hyuk.
Was it just the US?
High-ranking officials and top players from various countries were staying in Korea to borrow the Holy Sword.
If what Gerald experienced on the 68th floor became known, the outcome was as clear as day.
A scramble for Player Bong.
Or requests for temporary naturalization.
Japan's acting prime minister was even coming to Korea personally, wanting to establish a mutual Black Tower collapse defense treaty between the two countries.
As if there was anything to gain from that.
"What about Player Bong's French nationality?"
"A French special envoy team is visiting today, so I'll ask Player Bong and have his nationality restored immediately."
"Handle it quickly. I'm uneasy with Player Bong not having Korean nationality."
"Yes."
Both Jeon Gwang-il and Park Kyung-su regretted it.
If they had known this would happen, they would have clung to Player Bong Joo-hyuk's coattails.
Telling him absolutely not to undergo temporary naturalization.
Suddenly! Ding-dong.
A notification sound rang from Jeon Gwang-il's smartphone.
"Uh..."
"What is it? Something urgent?"
"Player Bong wants to meet. Says he has something to discuss."
"Really? Go see him quickly. I'll handle your duties in the meantime."
***
Joo-hyuk's apartment underground parking lot.
Jeon Gwang-il and Joo-hyuk met inside a car.
First, Jeon Gwang-il explained Gerald's incident to Joo-hyuk.
"...He wasn't even a match for it?"
"Yes, not a single one. He barely abandoned the mission and returned."
Kosak had mentioned before that the 68th floor might be difficult, but...
Honestly, Joo-hyuk was also surprised.
If it was the old Holy Sword, maybe, but this one was repaired and much better.
Well, they were strong, after all.
Joo-hyuk had experienced it too.
The 67th-floor Phantom Reaper and the 68th-floor Death Knight.
The difference between the two was astronomical.
'This is troublesome.'
If even Gerald couldn't conquer the 68th floor, then how?
'Should I just throw everything away and run?'
If he did that, the world would probably be destroyed within a few years.
'That damn bastard.'
This was all because of Cabalan, that bastard.
If it weren't for the Average Curse, they would have had at least enough time.
Anyway,
"The reason I asked to meet today is something else. My business with the French Black Tower is finished. Could you help me restore my nationality as quickly as possible? There's something urgent."
Jeon Gwang-il's face brightened.
He had been meaning to bring it up himself.
"I'll handle it right away... Umm, but what's the urgent matter?"
Now it was time to bring up his own business.
"The original Cabalan is on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower."
"...What?"
Jeon Gwang-il's expression showed he didn't understand.
Had he misheard? Someone is where?
"To break the Average Curse, we need to conquer the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower."
Jeon Gwang-il's pupils shook.
But he had no choice but to believe.
Was Player Bong Joo-hyuk the type to lie?
"If we don't kill the original, we'll just have to match the average to the 70th floor, right?"
Jeon Gwang-il nodded.
That was correct.
If they didn't kill it, they'd have to match the average to the 70th floor.
Actually, an average of 70 floors was an absurd goal.
But conquering the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor?
That wasn't easy either.
Think of how many people they'd have to persuade.
"T, this isn't something we can decide here..."
"I know. That's why I'm telling you to think about it. The conquest itself won't be a problem, so please contact me later once it's decided."
And one more thing.
"If the climb is approved, I'll be conquering twice a day."
"What? Twice means?"
"...I can enter the Tower twice, you see."
"Uh, how?"
Hmm. Where to even begin explaining?
LSSR grade, Mad Demon summoning, achievement completion... Explaining from start to finish would be a headache.
He had no choice but to gloss over it.
"Umm... There's something called a Tower Entry Reset Ticket, you see. With that, I can enter twice."
It was a lie, but so what? It might as well be real.
"There's such a thing as a Tower Entry Reset Ticket?"
"Yes, yes, t-that's right... I happen to have two? Hahaha. With those, I can enter the 67th and 68th floors one day, and the 69th and 70th floors the next."
"Ah!"
Jeon Gwang-il wore an expression of understanding.
Anyway, the ball was in their court now.
The higher-ups would decide.
He just had to wait until then.
***
Jeon Gwang-il returned to the Awakening Management Bureau.
He immediately met with Park Kyung-su and explained everything he had discussed with Bong Joo-hyuk.
Naturally, Park Kyung-su was also shocked.
The original Cabalan was in the Korean Black Tower?
And they needed to conquer the 70th floor because of it?
It clearly wasn't a lie, so they had to prepare countermeasures.
The two men discussed the matter seriously.
Eventually,
"Anyway, restoring Player Bong's nationality should come first."
Whether they conquered the Korean Black Tower or not, this was a prerequisite.
"You meet with the French special envoy team. Prime Minister Benjamin Adrian will likely be the head of the delegation."
Commissioner Park Kyung-su also had work to do.
For swift handling, role division was essential.
"I'll go to the Blue House and come back. I need to put the issue on the State Council agenda."
Thus, Jeon Gwang-il met with the French special envoy team that had entered Korea.
The head of the delegation was French Prime Minister Benjamin.
"The reason we've come is to discuss future continuous temporary naturalization contracts, or to establish a Black Tower collapse defense treaty..."
Jeon Gwang-il cut straight to the point.
"Canceling Player Bong Joo-hyuk's nationality comes first. That is the prerequisite for any discussion."
"No, that's..."
"If you want to talk, restore it immediately. Player Bong Joo-hyuk wants it too."
He pushed strongly. Time was short.
Commissioner Park Kyung-su also gave a passionate speech at the State Council meeting.
"The immediate task before us is to break the Average Curse. Even if there are sacrifices on our part, it is something we must absolutely do."
Both Jeon Gwang-il and Park Kyung-su fulfilled their roles.
The result came soon.
Jeon Gwang-il called Joo-hyuk directly.
"It seems you can proceed with the conquest."
- ...Okay. I'll start entering today.
With this, the conquest of the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor was decided.