Chapter 109: Coup d'état (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 109: Coup d'état (2)
The news was abuzz with stories about the North Korean climber on the 5th Floor.
A North Korean climber who wanted to defect to South Korea had fled to the 5th Floor, and North Korea was demanding that the Security Force hand him over.
There were rumors that the atmosphere between the Security Force and the Black Star Society was tense, that the South Korean government was negotiating with the North…
It was a peculiar incident, one I couldn't help but follow.
The news only revealed a fraction of the story, but I was able to get a more detailed picture.
[Chicken Sandwich: They say he’s a climber from Hard Difficulty’s 14th Floor named Kang Tae-sung.]
It was all thanks to Villon.
Was it because this was a Korean issue?
Even though I hadn't asked, Villon’s side was feeding me all the information.
[Chicken Sandwich: He was reportedly one of the key figures who led the recent coup in North Korea. But he was betrayed by Park Gwang-jin and, while being pursued, used a gap when his Combat Status cleared to escape to the 5th Floor. We still need to investigate the finer details, but US intelligence agencies have apparently deemed Mr. Kang Tae-sung's testimony credible.]
I wasn't sure if they had a Security Force member providing information directly or if they were sharing intel with the Climbing Bureau. Either way, Villon was relaying every development to me in real time.
[Chicken Sandwich: It seems the North Koreans have no intention of negotiating.]
[Saram123: The Security Force must be in a tough spot.]
[Chicken Sandwich: They are. I hear complaints are starting to surface internally, though Captain Alex is keeping it under control for now.]
[Saram123: What happens if the negotiations fail completely?]
[Chicken Sandwich: With no other options, the Security Force will eventually have to let him go. Mr. Kang Tae-sung understands his situation and has expressed his intention to survive on the 5th Floor without leaving the Tower.]
I heard that in the real world, North Korea knew Kang Tae-sung’s location and was lying in wait. If he left, his chances of dying were extremely high, so staying on the 5th Floor was his only choice.
I felt a little bad for him.
From what I’d heard, this Kang Tae-sung fellow had started the coup because he wanted to make North Korea a better place to live.
Of course, there was no way to know if that was true.
“Hmm…”
Would a single word be alright?
It wasn't like there was nothing I could do to help. But just standing by and watching felt like a prick to my conscience.
The South Korean government was said to be in continuous talks with the North. A single message from me on the Communication Window could provide significant leverage in those negotiations.
My only concern was whether it would needlessly provoke the North… It was a delicate matter, and I was hesitant to act rashly.
After some thought, I decided to ask my government for their opinion.
[Saram123: Could you possibly tell me what the current situation is?]
I sent a Whisper to Section Chief Shin Su-jin.
* * *
“…There’s nothing to be done. I know I was making an impossible request from the start.”
“That’s not true,” Shin Su-jin said, shaking her head at Kang Tae-sung’s words.
Days had passed with no progress. Kang Tae-sung had been living in the Security Force’s building the entire time.
“I’m already deeply indebted to the Security Force. I can’t be any more shameless, so from now on, I’ll fend for myself.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’ll have to keep living on the 5th Floor. If I just hold out here, those bastards are bound to get tired eventually, right?”
At this rate, the Security Force and the South Korean government would eventually have to let him go. If North Korea refused to yield, that was his only option.
But the 5th Floor wasn't safe, either. North Korean climbers would be after him, and the Black Star Society might even assist them. The Security Force couldn't stick by his side and protect him forever.
Of course, Kang Tae-sung was a powerful Level 52 climber. Frankly, it wouldn't be impossible for him to leave Zone 0 and live in hiding in the monster zones. But no matter what, he was destined for an incredibly arduous life.
Shin Su-jin’s heart went out to him.
She left the Tower, finished her report, and checked the Communication Window.
But then…
“...!”
She gasped in surprise.
A Whisper had arrived from Saram123.
[Saram123: Could you possibly tell me what the current situation is?]
…So he was concerned about it after all?
Shin Su-jin gladly filled him in on the situation: the negotiations with North Korea were still stalled, and this was the current stance of the Security Force and the government.
After hearing her full explanation, Saram123 replied.
[Saram123: May I help?]
Shin Su-jin let out a small sigh. Considering his character, it wasn't surprising that he would step in.
Out of consideration, Saram123 asked her to inquire with the government.
[Lotus: Understood. I will relay the message immediately.]
Shin Su-jin went straight back to the Climbing Agency Director.
“…Saram123?”
The Climbing Agency Director’s eyes widened in shock as he repeated the name.
“Section Chief Shin, you’re saying he contacted you directly?”
“Yes. He is aware that I am part of the South Korea Climbing Agency.”
Although Shin Su-jin had previously denied having any connection to Saram123, it wasn't entirely strange that he would contact her.
After hearing the story, the Climbing Agency Director nodded with a grim expression.
So, Saram123 was finally making his move. The game was about to get much bigger.
The Bureau Chief immediately relayed Saram123’s intentions to the government.
The government went on full alert.
An emergency meeting was convened with the President and his staff, who had received the report directly.
This was the first time Saram123 had ever requested to communicate with the South Korean government. They took it as a sign of respect for their authority on a national issue, as he was asking for their opinion on whether he should intervene.
“…What should we do?”
It was a matter the government had to weigh carefully.
In truth, the government had been leaning toward dragging things out and then slowly washing their hands of the matter. The only reason they hadn't backed out yet was because of their international standing; they had no reason to take on such a burden to protect Kang Tae-sung.
The problem was that if Saram123 got involved, it would be difficult to back out, and it could provoke North Korea.
However…
“For Saram123 to step forward like this… doesn’t it mean he wants to rescue Kang Tae-sung?”
Considering Saram123’s character, it was perhaps the natural course of action.
To the government, this felt like pressure from Saram123. He had gone out of his way to convey his intentions, so what if they replied that he didn't need to get involved because they were planning to give up on Kang Tae-sung…?
Wouldn't Saram123 be greatly disappointed in the South Korean government?
On the other hand, this was also an opportunity.
The whole world knew Saram123 was Korean, but he had never once taken a stance that favored the South Korean government.
But what if Saram123 intervened in this matter?
That alone would grant the government immense diplomatic standing. North Korea would most likely be forced to accept negotiations… Unless they wanted to become an enemy of the entire world, would they really dare to threaten him with nukes?
The discussion concluded.
The government decided to ask Saram123 for his help.
After the government’s decision was relayed, a post from Saram123 appeared on the Communication Window.
[Saram123: I would like for Mr. Kang Tae-sung to be handed over to the Republic of Korea. I hope for an amicable negotiation between both sides.]
The world’s attention was instantly focused on the message.
[Sulfur: Saram123 is finally interveningㄷㄷ]
[Maximus: He’s Korean, so of course he’s stepping in, right?]
[Fenrir: A man’s life is on the line. He probably would’ve stepped in even if it was another country’s problem.]
[Rule: North Korea, stop being so stubborn~]
[Golden Bell: Whatever it is, just solve it quickly. Are you really going to make Saram123-nim worry about such trivial things?]
Naturally, public opinion was entirely on Saram123’s side.
The governments of various nations, which had been watching the situation and wondering if Saram123 would get involved, immediately issued official statements in support of South Korea.
“We can no longer side with you. Negotiate.”
The Black Star Society also switched its stance the moment Saram123 made his position clear. They switched sides so blatantly, without even a pretense, that the North Korean spokesperson was left dumbfounded.
Faced with pressure from all sides, triggered by a single sentence from Saram123, North Korea had no choice but to agree to negotiate.
* * *
After negotiations, North Korea decided to hand over Mr. Kang Tae-sung.
They had attached some economic conditions, but they were well within a range our country could accept.
It was decided that the North Koreans would personally escort Mr. Kang Tae-sung to the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom.
It seemed to be resolving well, but…
Since I’d already gotten involved, I decided to see it through to the very end. If North Korea were to break its promise, it would cause all sorts of chaos.
[Saram123: Villon, can I get detailed location information on Mr. Kang Tae-sung?]
I obtained Mr. Kang Tae-sung’s precise location from Villon.
I would warp there at the exact time he was scheduled to leave the 5th Floor.
* * *
“Thank you. I am truly in your debt.”
Kang Tae-sung expressed his gratitude to Shin Su-jin and the other Security Force members.
He had been resigned to the thought of having to live on the 5th Floor. He never imagined Saram123 would step in and that things would turn out this way.
Kang Tae-sung headed to the portal in Zone 0 with the Security Force members.
Although North Korea had agreed to hand him over, they had not agreed to the condition of withdrawing the military equipment they had deployed outside. Their reasoning was that Kang Tae-sung might go rogue, so they couldn't receive him without any preparations.
There was still a chance North Korea would break its promise. If that happened, Kang Tae-sung would be a sitting duck…
But that was a burden he had chosen to bear. The Security Force and the South Korean government had already done everything they could.
“I hope to see you again in the real world, Mr. Kang Tae-sung.”
After a final handshake with Shin Su-jin and bidding farewell to the other Security Force members, Kang Tae-sung exited.
[Would you like to leave the Tower?]
The moment his vision changed, a gunshot rang out.
Tang!
A bullet ricocheted off Kang Tae-sung’s body.
He didn’t even react, merely staring silently at Park Gwang-jin before him.
Park Gwang-jin smiled and threw the pistol in his hand to the ground.
“Relax. It was just a joke.”
“…A joke?”
They were on the outskirts of downtown Pyongyang. Surrounding them were tanks, missile launchers, drones, and other military equipment, as well as climbers.
Firing a gun could indeed be called a joke. A mere bullet couldn't even scratch the skin of a Level 50 climber. However…
“Let me ask you one thing,” Kang Tae-sung said.
“Why did you betray me? What was the point of the dream we shared, the one about fixing this rotten country?”
The two had been friends since childhood. By a stroke of luck, they had both become climbers and had waited for the right moment, sharing the same grand cause of one day overthrowing the nation.
They had achieved their revolution… but Park Gwang-jin had betrayed him at the last moment.
“You’re old enough to know better, yet you’re still living in a dream.”
Park Gwang-jin clicked his tongue as if in pity.
“Look at reality. The strong ruling is just the way of the world.”
“…”
“Overthrow what? Why would I destroy this paradise with my own hands? Watching that man, Ri Hyeok-cheol, from the sidelines, I only ever had one thought. That next, it would be my turn.”
Kang Tae-sung let out a hollow laugh.
“I was a real fool to trust a bastard like you. Let’s get this over with.”
Park Gwang-jin spoke with a sly grin.
“Get what over with? Right. We have to escort you to Panmunjom right away.”
Kang Tae-sung glared at him.
“Cut the bullshit. You have no intention of letting me go, do you?”
The gunshot. It was to trigger a Combat Status, preventing him from escaping back to the 5th Floor.
“You figured it out?”
The corners of Park Gwang-jin’s mouth curled up, as if he had no intention of hiding it.
“What can I do, Tae-sung? I know you too well. How am I supposed to sleep at night? As long as you’re alive, you’ll come for my life one day. Isn’t that right?”
“You know me well.”
Park Gwang-jin chuckled.
“It was actually a relief that Saram123 decided to stick his nose in. If I had just said I’d let you go easily, you wouldn’t have naively believed me and crawled out of the 5th Floor, would you?”
If he broke his promise and killed Kang Tae-sung here, the international burden would be immense, even for North Korea, which was already being hit with every sanction imaginable.
But Park Gwang-jin considered Kang Tae-sung’s existence a greater threat. It was worth the risk to eliminate him for good.
“I won’t miss a second time. Let’s end this here.”
Killing intent flowed from Park Gwang-jin and the other climbers.
Kang Tae-sung accepted his death and prepared for his final battle.
And in that instant.
Whoooosh—!
A massive wave of cold energy spread out.
Park Gwang-jin, the North Korean climbers, the military equipment surrounding the area, even the drones flying in the air—everything froze in an instant.
“?!”
Kang Tae-sung, who had been about to move, froze, his face a mask of astonishment.
What… just happened?
It was a sight he couldn't comprehend even as he saw it.
Suddenly sensing a presence, Kang Tae-sung looked up, his eyes widening.
A person was looking down at them from the sky.