Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: The Tower's Managers
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The Black Tower had administrators.
Three in total.
A Designer who planned, designed, and managed the climbing, missions, and rewards.
An Engineer who handled the technical aspects, like the system.
And a Maker who created various items.
They were not equal in rank.
The Designer held the highest position among the administrators, followed by the Engineer, and then the Maker.
Joo-hyuk returned to his penthouse in Korea.
Gwang-ma had returned as his summoning time limit was up.
The Japanese trip he embarked on with high expectations.
But he returned without even tasting a single bowl of udon, ramen, or a piece of conveyor belt sushi.
'Is this punishment for illegal entry?'
Although he was in Japan for less than half a day, the unexpected events had a huge impact.
The news was playing on the TV.
It showed Gwang-ma beating down the anti-Korean protesters.
And the makeshift stage drenched in blood.
The scattered JSDF soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles halted on the road.
Japan was still in chaos.
The problem was the lack of a control tower to manage the situation.
While it was fortunate the coup had failed, with Acting Prime Minister Utsuda dead, the cabinet government couldn't function properly either.
"Sigh."
Did I go to Japan for nothing?
Damn the 3rd Principle, Clause 3.
Gwang-ma and Kosak are the same.
Walking bombs.
"Fortunately, my face didn't show up. And since I completely changed my appearance, even if it did, no one would recognize me. Ehehehe."
Kosak was right.
The scene of him decapitating the JSDF generals wasn't shown directly.
It might have been filmed but not broadcast, but the impact of Gwang-ma's bare-handed brawl was huge.
All the smartphone cameras were focused on that.
"That's not the important thing. What are you going to do about that ribbon?"
The TV screen was pixelated.
But it was clear enough to recognize.
The severed head placed on the stage podium, decorated with a butterfly knot ribbon like a gift.
"Ha, I only tied one."
"Right, right, you did so well."
"Hehe, you flatter me."
"Does that sound like praise to you?"
"..."
Kosak glanced furtively at Joo-hyuk.
"Hey, what? Why did you tie a ribbon and make a scene? Huh? Do you even think before you act, Mr. Kosak? Huh? What if we get caught later?"
Joo-hyuk's voice dropped to a whisper.
"...S, sumimasen."
Then, Gyeon Dal-rae exploded in anger.
"Sumimasen? For just a half-day trip to Japan, Mr. Kosak has become a full-fledged Japanese?"
"..."
"Why don't you just settle down in Japan? Why did you come back to Korea?"
"Gomen... ah, no, sorry."
"Truly the epitome of frivolity."
Kosak was thoroughly cowed by her scolding.
The other summoned beings joined in the criticism.
"Kosak pervert. Warrior has known since long ago. Didn't mention it because he pathetic."
Gobang didn't take Kosak's side either.
"As the Master's Holy Sword, I too am occasionally called a pervert, but I can't even present my business card before Sir Kosak. Truly, a master pervert."
Even Bardin, the human sword who had called himself a pervert, was berating Kosak.
"Sergeant Officer Veronica Caliber, to be honest, I had my suspicions. Every time I fired the large-caliber round, Kosak's gaze felt strange. I could sense the lechery."
Hmm.
So Veronica knew all along too.
He'd have to be more careful not to get caught from now on.
"Hweeeek!"
Razix also cried out.
Whether he understood or not,
Kosak's head gradually sank until it was buried in the floor.
Not a single person was on his side.
This is why a person's conduct is important.
Suddenly!
Bzzz! An incoming call.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il. I knew he'd call.
"Hello."
- Player Bong?
"Yes, it's me."
- Ah, sorry, but the place you're at now....
"The penthouse in Cheongdam-dong?"
- R, really?
"Hold on. I'll call you back."
Joo-hyuk pressed the video call button and called again.
"It's me. Can you see? This is the penthouse."
- Yes, yes.
"But what's the matter?"
- Ah, nothing. I just called to check on you.
Well, Jeon Gwang-il probably knew everything already, but I should hide the fact I went to Japan.
Is this an ordinary incident?
JSDF generals involved in a coup were massacred.
He had to flatly deny it.
And change the subject.
"Right! There's something I wanted to ask."
- Please go ahead.
"I'm thinking of buying a building. If you know of any suitable places, could you look into it for me?"
- What's the budget....
"Expensive is fine. If there's a property available."
- Yes, I'll look into it.
Joo-hyuk's bank account was still swelling.
Getting interest regularly is nice, but he should buy a building while he was at it.
It's pitiful seeing hisfather idle all day, he should make him a building manager.
"Well then, should we go for a company dinner... huh?"
Kosak was still sitting dejectedly in the corner of the living room.
'Was the shock that big?'
He got cursed at so much.
'Tsk tsk.'
That's why he should be more careful.
Jeon Gwang-il finished his video call with Joo-hyuk.
"You saw, right? It's not him."
"Then who is that old man? Isn't he someone Player Bong summoned?"
"I don't know either. Anyway, there's no record of Player Bong leaving for Japan, so it absolutely cannot be something Player Bong did."
"...Huh, honestly, it's baffling."
Actually, Jeon Gwang-il had his suspicions.
The fact that this Japan incident was also connected to Player Bong.
When the Chinese Chairman died, Player Bong was also in Korea.
But he had to keep this to himself.
Even Director Park Kyung-su shouldn't know.
If this fact came to light, Bong Joo-hyuk could be branded a dangerous person in an instant.
"Anyway, I have an appointment now, so I'll be going."
"Ah! HG Fashion's CEO Go Yeon-ha?"
"Yes, it seems they found out we're supplying wyvern leather elsewhere."
"What can they do even if they know?"
"They seem intent on protesting, at least."
"Protest? That's laughable."
"I'll go and settle this."
Park Kyung-su nodded.
"Then I'll look into the building Player Bong requested."
"Yes, please."
Jeon Gwang-il turned to leave.
But then,
"Deputy Director."
Park Kyung-su quietly called out to Jeon Gwang-il's back as he was leaving the office.
"Yes?"
"I understand your feelings, but don't worry."
"What do you mean..."
"We will definitely protect Player Bong."
"..."
"Freely, without a single hair harmed, against any external pressure. He is humanity's hope, after all."
Jeon Gwang-il didn't answer.
Director Park Kyung-su was misunderstanding something.
'No. Director, why are we worried about protecting Player Bong? Who's protecting whom? The people we should worry about aren't Player Bong.'
'You don't know how terrifying those people are. The soldiers who came to kidnap elite players in China, the Chinese Chairman, the Japanese JSDF generals...'
'We could die too. Director, your head and my head might end up with ribbons tied around them.'
Thus, he only screamed inwardly.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Tower Conquest Bureau.
Secretary McMillan and Director Antonio were watching the footage playing on the large monitor mounted on the wall.
"Who is that old man now?"
"You're not expecting an answer, are you?"
The old man beating down the anti-Korean protesters in Japan.
"Hoo, he looks much older than me."
"Maybe a Chinese Kung Fu master?"
"Kung Fu? Don't you know all the so-called Chinese Kung Fu masters got smashed by MMA fighters? Kung Fu is all fake."
"There might be a real one among them."
Well.
The land is vast, and there are many people, so all sorts exist.
However,
"Those protesters said 'Joseon-jing,' right? So he must be Korean."
"Just because he speaks Korean doesn't mean he's Korean."
"Is there any chance Player Bong Joo-hyuk is involved in this incident..."
"We checked; there's no departure record. It was confirmed he was in Korea when the coup happened too."
"Hmm."
Well, what if Bong Joo-hyuk was in Japan?
There's not even a speck of connection to that incident.
"Who killed Matsumoto and the JSDF generals?"
"We lack information. We'd need to secure CCTV data from the Japanese side to know, but..."
"But?"
"The method of decapitation is very similar to that white man's method during the HG Hotel terror incident."
"So you're saying that guy was in Tokyo?"
Antonio sighed deeply, as if frustrated.
"...Haa, how would I know? That white man, that giant, that old man now... we can't figure out their identities at all. We ran facial recognition programs, but nothing came up in Korea or the U.S. I just wish we'd stop seeing videos like this."
It's utterly baffling.
Where do these people keep appearing from?
"Anyway, that old man is definitely stronger than ordinary people, but he seems incomparably weaker than the white man and the giant from the HG Hotel."
"Probably because he's old."
Secretary McMillan agreed.
Who can overcome the power of time?
"Anyway, is the departure for tomorrow ready?"
"Yes, we've finished coordinating with the Korean Awakening Management Bureau as well. They say climbing is possible starting tomorrow."
The White House had decided to climb the 70th Floor.
They planned to conquer only the Eastern Tower out of the two.
There's no need for both to reach the 70th Floor.
It should be conquered within a week at the latest.
Then the U.S. could also receive the high-grade magic stone reward.
The material for room-temperature superconductors.
An emergency meeting was also being held in the Chinese Zhongnanhai, the Chairman's office.
Chairman Wang Yuan and the Standing Committee members were also watching the footage on a monitor.
"He seems to be one of our Chinese people."
"I think so too. We can't rule out the possibility of a reclusive master."
"Can we find him?"
"We've contacted the embassy in Japan. But with just that footage, we can't identify who it is."
"Hmm, let's discuss that issue slowly."
In fact, there was a separate agenda for today's emergency meeting.
Whether the Japanese JSDF succeeded in their coup or failed and all died, it wasn't important for China at the moment.
The Korean Black Tower's 70th Floor conquest.
And thus, the benefit granted only to the Korean Black Tower.
The unlocked high-grade magic stones.
They were room-temperature superconductors.
That wasn't all.
The variety of potions increased, and various weapon and equipment items were pouring out.
Then what about China?
Should we just sit on our hands?
"We need to change our plan."
Chairman Wang Yuan spoke in a somewhat excited tone.
"That's right. We also need to conquer the 70th Floor quickly. If we jump to the 71st Floor, the 70th will be conquered naturally."
Tower Jump Tickets.
Originally, they planned to use them on three of the players judged to have some talent among the Chinese players to raise them to Level 61.
"We have secured four Tower Jump Tickets. With just three of them, we could conquer the 70th Floor even today."
"We don't need to raise all three towers to the 70th Floor. Besides the Beijing and Shanghai towers, the third tower east of Xi'an is suitable."
"Let's focus on one person. Make Player Bai Long Level 71. He's a player who has undergone trait enhancement twice."
"If Bai Long reaches Level 71, conquering the other two towers will be sufficient."
"We'll still have one ticket left, so let's keep that for emergencies."
Thus, China also decided to conquer the 70th Floor.
Although it was a shortcut.
This way, the U.S. and China—no, nations all over the world—spurred on their 70th Floor conquests.
Now, things like conquest time limits were completely irrelevant.
Joo-hyuk still had no intention of climbing to the 71st Floor.
He hadn't even set foot on it yet.
Now that Cabalan's Curse was over, he should stick to the conquest time limit.
So today, he was relaxing again. With the summoned beings.
The people called out one by one.
He even summoned Hyeolrang.
I'll meet Gwang-ma-nim quietly separately later. But?
"Summoner-nim, hello. Don't worry. I threw all the ribbons away. I am deeply reflecting on my past mistakes."
What's this?
The one who just spoke to him was Kosak. Why?
"Princess Gyeon Dal-rae, originally, words come not from the mouth but from the heart. You must have suffered greatly due to my frivolous way of speaking... I hope you like it. You must feel relieved now."
"..."
"Gobang, I'm sorry for the past. I acted recklessly because I wanted to become closer to you. I won't do that again. It's better to keep our distance, no matter how close we become. Let's not invade each other's territory."
"..."
"Sergeant Officer Veronica, I won't mind the bouncing anymore. If I peek again, you can pluck my eyes out. However, please be careful with your actions as well, Sergeant Officer Veronica. Like a soldier should."
"..."
"Knight Bardin, live your life proactively. Then who would call you a pervert? The sight of you being swayed by Mr. Gobang isn't very pleasing."
"..."
"Mr. Razix, please continue to work hard for the Summoner as you always have. However, the 'hwehwe' sound is a bit grating. Instead of trying to act cute, do something substantial. Your presence has faded a lot lately."
"...Hweh?"
"Hyeolrang-ah, was my education too harsh? You're the only one who understands my heart... Come here, I'll hug you."
"...Kkiiing?"
Then, sitting on the sofa, he hugged Hyeolrang and gazed out the window with tearful eyes.
Joo-hyuk gathered the other summoned beings.
"...What is this? Why is he like that?"
It was absurd beyond words.
Unbelievably so.
"He is clearly sulking."
"He's sulking, for sure."
"He's sulking."
"He's sulking."
"Hweh!"
Was I too harsh yesterday?
"But is 'sulking' the right term? Or is 'being sullen' correct?"
"Both are correct, sire."
"Ah!"
Anyway, Kosak was clearly sulking and sullen, so,
"What should we do? Should I apologize for being too harsh?"
"Then you lose. You mustn't give in."
"That's right. If we show we're sorry, he might act even more like that."
"Act nonchalantly, as if it's nothing."
"It won't last long."
Glancing over, Kosak was still sitting on the sofa, stroking Hyeolrang's mane.
"Hmm..."
Thinking about it, I do feel a bit sorry.
Well, he'll get over it.
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