Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 014
Chapter Title: The Debuff Makes No Sense
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Lee Ha-rin of Geon-gon Guild had met with the Director of the Hunter Management Bureau.
It was usually just back-and-forth messages.
But this time, the issue was too serious to ignore.
"Have you been well?"
"So, what's this about?"
Jin Seong-cheol cut straight to the reason for the meeting.
Lee Ha-rin had already uncovered quite a bit.
In the end, she'd killed Tenjo of Kurotsuki.
She'd even tortured his soul to extract the information.
It was all necessary for JYS.
"Don't you find Japan's movements suspicious?"
The Hunter Management Bureau handled investigations into other countries as well.
Agents scattered across the globe.
They were surely gathering intelligence diligently.
Lee Ha-rin had obtained the relevant information.
It concerned regulations.
"Japan hasn't made it public to the world yet. That's why we've been keeping it quiet too."
"As expected. It's that, right? Elbrek."
Elbrek.
The key material used to alleviate incurable diseases.
Gates didn't just bring sickness.
They also provided materials that advanced the era in abundance.
As long as you didn't defeat the boss, the gate stayed open.
Gate breaks were prevented by maintaining monster populations.
That was how they harvested resources from other dimensions.
"Elbrek only comes from Japan. They were just stockpiling it in their vaults, wary of international scrutiny, but it looks like they've finally drawn their swords."
Japan had imposed export restrictions on Elbrek.
Now they were going all out.
With their homeland on the brink of ruin, they no longer cared about consequences.
Needed for manufacturing drugs that alleviate incurable diseases?
Then strike a deal for deregulation.
As the saying goes, those who have more always want more.
Lee Ha-rin shook her head slowly.
'If it weren't for JYS's prophecy, I would've learned about it too late.'
It was a prophecy from a few days ago.
Akane—Japan's number one? That lone wolf?
She'd been puzzled at first.
What kind of relationship did they have for that?
Her rising curiosity was swiftly quashed.
Questioning a god was blasphemy in itself.
So she'd simply acted.
And now she'd reached this point.
"Tell me. The guild that's locked down Elbrek exports. You must know, Mr. Jin Seong-cheol."
"Mm, since it's you, Lee Ha-rin, I'll tell you as a special favor. You absolutely cannot breathe a word of this to anyone."
Jin Seong-cheol leaned in.
He spoke in a hushed voice, wary of eavesdroppers.
"Daitoro Guild. That's the one—the third-ranked guild in Japan—behind it all. The company handling Elbrek exports belongs to them."
Daitoro was a notoriously pro-Japan guild.
They'd do anything for their country.
'It must be an order from Cabinet Minister Fujimoto Kenichi.'
The goal was obvious.
To strengthen their own hunters.
Especially the pro-Japan guilds.
'Earth Quest. And conquering the Tower of Despair. There's so much to claim first.'
But the one monopolizing everything was Korea.
More precisely, JYS.
He held it all.
"Korea received contact too. They offered special terms, different from other countries."
"What did they say?"
"The buff from Tower of Despair's -1 floor. If we hand it over, they'll lift the export restrictions exclusively for Korea—not just ease them."
It was an absurd demand.
How could they, without even contacting JYS?
As if reading her thoughts, Jin Seong-cheol smirked.
"I told them to fuck off."
"Right to their face?"
"Of course not, inwardly. Outwardly, I politely declined."
"Well done."
Lee Ha-rin stood from her seat.
She had the information she wanted; time to go.
"Was that all you wanted? The still-embargoed Elbrek situation?"
"Yes. Thanks for letting me know. I'll contact you again next time."
Calling an unexploded bomb a "situation."
It was that grave.
Countless incurable disease patients could die.
High-rank hunters among them, no doubt.
So the world watched Japan closely.
They'd swallow their pride and meet the conditions.
Handing over Tower of Trials buffs, items, everything in negotiations.
But Korea was different.
'No negotiating with scum who toy with human lives.'
Ruin awaited instead of talks.
Lee Ha-rin was certain.
The one to bring that ruin was JYS.
That's why she sent the message.
-Daitoro Guild, monopolizing Elbrek, is the biggest problem. Incurable disease patients hospitalized in Korea are at risk.
She'd been stunned at first.
That lone wolf had contacted her first.
That's how she could send the message.
-Understood.
The swift reply.
Lee Ha-rin felt the change.
The prophecy had come true.
Lee Ha-rin, who gauged her own growth, trembled faintly.
'JYS. This power that awaits our eventual meeting. I'll keep honing it to become your sharpest blade.'
She offered a silent prayer.
Her devotion deepened with each passing day.
The meeting with Yurek Han had gone successfully.
After helping him conquer -3 floor.
I received the good news.
"Haa, what a relief. Lee Ha-rin honored my request too."
"Haha, it's all thanks to Brother Jeong Yu-seong's benevolence. He saved my life, so I must use it wisely, right?"
Even gold plating gets burdensome if overdone.
I waved it off.
I'd covered his medical bills without even attaching my name.
Now it was full trust.
"Above all, this. You've been dying to see it, right?"
Yurek Han knew my situation.
He understood being trapped in the tower.
Tears welled up at the photo he showed me.
"Mom... and my little sister Somi..."
He'd taken it himself.
Couldn't take it as a spirit body intervention.
I regretted that deeply.
"They're healthy. That's a relief. Please keep looking after them."
"The pleasure's mine, Brother. Let's overcome our shared pain and seize happiness together!"
His fighting spirit was infectious.
So, what about Kim Team Leader and Senior Apprentice Brother?
"Well... traces were found."
"Traces?"
"Yes. Deeper than where the Tower of Despair was excavated. Signs of a deep fall. Both you and those two are listed as missing."
"Nothing at the fall point?"
"Yes, clean. The only oddity is that it leads to the lower levels of the Tower of Despair."
There was hope.
No bodies or belongings found.
They might've encountered their own fateful opportunity.
Once my body's back to normal, I'd search.
"For now, please keep protecting my family."
"I'll do my absolute best!"
Time to head back.
I gave simple requests and rewards.
The reward: info up to -5 floor.
Yurek Han memorized it firmly.
He grabbed and shook my hand vigorously.
"I look forward to meeting outside! I'll prepare a perfect reunion so you won't be disappointed."
Sounded ominous somehow.
Fireworks and parades?
"Ahem. Looking forward to it."
Couldn't say not to disappoint.
The meeting ended.
Back home, I had contribution rewards.
"Tch, a shame it's not tremendous contribution."
Still a reward.
I checked it.
No restrictions or conditions.
Just consume.
"Can't eat this right now."
Tucked it safely in my bag.
For when growth stalls.
Or in crisis.
It'd be a game-changer.
After stowing it.
Prepared for the next meeting.
With only one -4 floor conqueror now.
Had to exploit this opportunity fully.
Same time, same -5 floor. Retry.
She was summoned as if waiting.
Kamiya Akane.
She prostrated flat immediately.
"I'm sorry. Failed again."
I knew what she failed.
Uranium supply.
The Tower of Despair was meticulous.
Simple tools, books, items: fine.
Food: no major limits.
Except excessive weight?
The key was separate.
Anything affecting tower conquest.
The tower blocked those absolutely.
Classified uranium that way.
That's why no tricks worked.
"No need to apologize. It's a shame, that's all."
Still, glad she brought other things.
My status had improved a lot.
Tossed ragged clothes long ago.
New bag.
Plenty of water and food.
Toiletries, sleeping bag.
Mana stones varied by type.
Finally livable.
All thanks to Akane.
"Today's items are by the side."
"Any news?"
"Want to hear right away? Lee Ha-rin contacted."
She spoke while organizing items nearby.
Retrieve after mission barrier drops.
"Oh, really? What'd she say?"
Been putting it off.
Permanent debuff for a guild.
Gathering info to use wisely.
Finally, results.
"There's a material called Elbrek that only comes from Japan."
Akane explained.
I nodded continuously.
Elbrek. Export restrictions. Pro-Japan guild behind it.
"Daitoro Guild. That's the problem."
"Yes. This way, incurable patients will suffer."
"You okay with that, Kamiya?"
Just surname for Japan's star; basic courtesy.
I knew that much.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm about to inflict massive damage on a major Japanese guild. Might even disband them."
"Doesn't matter. As long as I can continue serving JYS's divinity. I've already planned how to handle Daitoro's downfall."
"Oh? Really?"
Akane didn't care.
A woman obsessed with strength.
Can't get enough of the strong.
That's why she favored me.
"There's Kaminari Guild. Neutral, not pro-Japan. The group that pesters me as fans—I'll have them take Daitoro's spot."
"Sounds good."
More thorough than expected.
Unexpected side.
Planned ahead, even aftermath.
Even what I wanted.
Thorough prep to score points with me?
Wait, Kaminari—Japan's fifth?
'An entire major guild is Kamiya Akane's fan club. Insane.'
Reassuring.
No major issues per her plan.
My family has incurable diseases.
Japan crossed the line this time.
Daring to toy with lives.
My family's lives, no less?
'You'll pay dearly.'
I used the debuff without hesitation.
The debuff kindly offered anonymity.
Felt like system consideration.
No hesitation.
[Anonymous] bestows a permanent debuff on Daitoro!
Bald One's Lament: Guild members permanently lose 1,000 hairs per day.
Done.
Bomb dropped.
Results via Akane.
Did they explode holding it?
Or scatter to survive alone?
'Looking forward to it.'
I dusted my hands and stood.
Time to set a retry record.
The tower was nasty here.
'New records get completely overwritten by retry records.'
Bad retry erases new record.
Always give best effort.
Adaptation complete.
Time to use 'this' properly.
"JYS. I've been curious... what is that?"
Akane finished organizing my items.
She hesitated before asking.
Change had appeared long ago.
The white sphere orbiting me now.
I pointed to it.
"This? They called it a Mystery. Got offered, so took it."
"As expected. Even in the Tower of Despair."
"What do you mean?"
"Every 5 floors in the Tower of Trials. Only one per all towers. That's why the Mystery's power is immense."
I see.
No wonder it looked so damn appealing.
'Tough to control. Makes sense now.'
Then -10 floor has one too?
Can't miss that.
Time to bid farewell to -5 soon.
"Let's start."
"Yes. Ready to watch."
My signal, she sits demurely.
Our routine.
She watches, I conquer.
Mission begins.
Monsters pour out as always.
Handled differently this time.
Sphere fired at my will.
Today's Mystery debut.
Daitoro Guild.
They clung to Japan's current regime.
Made a killing from this Elbrek regulation.
Their export company boomed.
Other countries' retaliation?
Government handles it; not our concern.
Daitoro just took profits.
Buffs for deregulation.
High-grade items too.
Guild leader Haruo grinned at the mirror.
Couldn't stop smiling lately.
"Phew, can't get more bountiful than this."
He brushed his irreplaceable asset.
Luxuriant hair beyond compare.
Most peers already balding.
Some round, some M-shaped.
Pitied them on sight.
Felt superior too.
Lusher than peers.
Guild soaring.
All good news.
What deal today?
Pick-and-choose fun.
'Cherry-pick the important stuff.'
Mid-brush, unfamiliar alert appeared.
[Anonymous] bestows a permanent debuff on Daitoro!
Bald One's Lament: Guild members permanently lose 1,000 hairs per day.
......Huh?
W-what... what the...?
"Bald One's... Lament?"
Ridiculous name.
But debuff applied instantly.
Instant ridiculous result.
Plop!
"......Ah?"
Front bangs brushed lushly back.
A chunk plummeted.
Haruo's heart sank too.