Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Monopolizing the Resource Trove
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“A treasure trove overflowing with resources—that’s what I plan to monopolize.”
Go Minji’s meaningful words echoed calmly.
‘Monopolizing resources.’
Anyone who had climbed higher, anyone who possessed more, would feel the terror of those words viscerally.
“Is that all?”
No one knew what Kim Dayeon was thinking.
But in Go Minji’s mind, the value of the Magic Tower was changing by the second.
In terms of circles, it was countless.
In terms of a graph, a steep rise—nearly a straight line.
“…….”
Even imagining it made her dizzy.
Overwhelmed by the value the new name “Magic Tower” held, questions of how it was possible took a backseat.
“Moreover.”
Go Minji continued.
“If it had been a little while ago, it might have caused a lot of hassle.”
Before South Korea fully fell into Go Yohan’s hands.
Back when people were still struggling within it, a sudden structure in the heart of Seoul might have drawn countless rumors and attacks.
But things were different now.
“Who’s going to say anything?”
Even its intent was plainly obvious.
South Korea was already in a festive mood.
Just yesterday, annihilation had loomed, yet they had not only escaped that danger.
“Once they start feeling its effects, it’ll be total chaos.”
When the Magic Tower’s true capabilities began to reveal themselves, could any opposition to Go Yohan even exist anymore?
And.
‘If it spreads to the world.’
Go Minji’s expression changed noticeably.
“Go Yohan, what the hell is this guy aiming to become?”
Her tone was like that of an older sister fretting over a troublemaking little brother, but the scale was on another level entirely.
“What, does he plan to become the king of the world or something?”
And.
“…….”
Kim Dayeon, who had listened to it all, fell silent.
“He just might.”
Her voice was so soft it seemed inaudible.
That was Kim Dayeon’s honest thought.
*
*
*
The world seemed like it would erupt over the Magic Tower’s existence, but contrary to expectations, the atmosphere around Go Yohan felt calm.
Most hadn’t yet grasped what the Magic Tower meant or what it was.
-The annihilation of South Korea hasn’t ended yet.
-It’s Go Yohan’s deception, a trick to strengthen his control.
Small media outlets spouted such conspiracy theories, and that was it.
The World Association and so-called superpowers were simply watching South Korea quietly.
“Don’t worry too much.”
He looked like a short, freshman college student, yet his speech was that of an old man.
“We’ve confirmed no vital abnormalities or other issues.”
Cheol Jung-bae.
He was the hope of the dwarf clan and the leader of the new Dwarven race.
Standing beside him was Go Yohan.
“…….”
Even at Cheol Jung-bae’s words, Go Yohan silently stared ahead.
Purr.
Inside the massive mechanical device slept those precious to Go Yohan.
Lee Jaekyung, Yoon Seunga, Lee Hayeon, Kim Sion….
Those who had always stood by his side.
Unlike with Michael.
‘Comrades.’
Comrades he could call family.
They had fallen into a coma bearing the burden of over 300 gates during the Pantheon’s assault.
Sustained by life-support devices and the World Tree’s fruit, they slumbered.
“They’ll wake soon.”
Cheol Jung-bae comforted Go Yohan with the assurance they would recover.
“…It might sound odd to say this now, but I find this side of you fascinating.”
At those words, Go Yohan turned his head.
“In Travania, weren’t you always alone?”
“There were those I fought alongside.”
“Was that truly together?”
Countless battlefields, overwhelming might, overwhelming feats.
All accomplished in Michael’s name.
Knights and mages from across the continent, and the willing, flocked to stand with him in battle.
“But from what I saw, you were always alone.”
No one could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Go Yohan.
Not even Go Yohan himself.
“Didn’t you see them as comrades?”
Comrades.
‘Was that it?’
He couldn’t quite remember.
He recalled fighting alongside sword gods and grand archmages.
“Humans and ants may stand together, but we don’t call it comradeship. Humans don’t see ants as comrades.”
“……..”
“But now, it looks different.”
Cheol Jung-bae gazed at Go Yohan with warm eyes.
“They’ll wake. I stake everything on it. Didn’t the World Tree say as much? So don’t worry.”
Nod.
“If I had my way, I’d wipe out every place those angels showed their faces.”
“…D-don’t… do that.”
Cheol Jung-bae said in genuine fluster.
If it was Go Yohan—if it was the Michael he knew.
-Did they insult the Goddess?
-Th-that…
He had the record for it, more than enough reason.
“I won’t.”
“Huh, hahaha.”
“When the kids wake up, I need to leave some for their share.”
“W-wait a minute.”
“If they don’t want any, I’ll leave them be.”
“R-right?”
“I have no intention of leaving them be.”
“Gasp!”
“Of course, if the kids object, I’ll hold back.”
“That’s a relief… huh?”
Only then did Cheol Jung-bae seem to sense something off, lifting his head.
“Were you joking just now?”
Snicker.
A faint smile played on Go Yohan’s lips.
That’s what he finally noticed.
“I’m not an idiot.”
Go Yohan said.
“Why throw away all that effort? But I will make them pay the price, whatever it takes.”
“…You’ve really changed.”
Could he still think of this Go Yohan as the old Michael?
In some ways, more dangerous; in others, grown.
But now.
“You seem human.”
“……?”
“You were a bit different to call human. Everyone who saw you said so.”
When raising their voices, they called him a great holy knight, a noble paladin, the Goddess’s first knight.
But beneath that.
‘Zealot.’
A zealot.
‘War God.’
They called him a war god.
Behind it all…
“None of that matters. The church remains as is, and the temple relocation to the Magic Tower is underway.”
Cheol Jung-bae recalled his original purpose in coming.
“And once the temple’s move is complete.”
He said.
“All the plans you envisioned will come to pass.”
That would truly mark the counterattack’s prelude.
*
*
*
Days had passed since the Magic Tower’s appearance, yet the apostles had not awakened.
But Go Yohan showed no impatience, secluded in the Magic Tower handling necessary tasks.
Yoon Seunga’s external duties were divided among the Holy Land, Sanctuary, and Black Pavilion.
Lee Hayeon’s financial matters were handled by Goldian’s Richard and Samuel.
Kang In-bae’s role fell to Cheol Jung-bae, Kim Sehyun’s to Go Minji….
The apostles’ vacancies were filled, more or less.
-Truly, it’s astounding.
Shin Sookyung and Go Woojin handling Yoon Seunga’s work marveled at how burdensome it had been, per the Holy Land’s reports.
How could one human manage all this, keeping it turning like perfectly meshed gears?
-…Do well.
They called her a one-of-a-kind talent, nothing but awe.
-It’s insane. This is, really.
And according to Richard.
-Greed, we knew she was history’s greatest genius, but this is beyond!
The same went for Lee Hayeon’s responsibilities.
-I’ve tripped over her work before, but this isn’t humanly possible. Is she a computer? No, not even AI could manage this! She’d win chess for thousands of years!
Goldian, tasked with only a portion, screamed and wanted to flee.
They had to do it, but one small mistake could sway a nation’s economy—or crash the world’s.
And.
-Please remember once more: all this is possible because of you.
Samuel’s message too.
-Each of them surpasses nuclear bombs. Your value is immeasurable in guiding and controlling them alone. And that’s not all.
Whatever it was, the fact it was maintained mattered.
And now.
Boom!
The Magic Tower’s empty basement.
A massive impact echoed.
-Michael, all preparations are complete.
Yggdrasil’s voice began resounding in Go Yohan’s mind.
And.
“Let’s begin.”
Like that day, he activated Divine Eye once more.
But he no longer needed to worry about the Pantheon or demon attacks.
The Magic Tower was Yggdrasil’s trunk.
And Yggdrasil was linked to Go Yohan.
Roooar!
Sharing everything.
The World Tree’s true spouse—that phrase’s true meaning.
The barrier enveloping the entire Magic Tower was so firm even Go Yohan would struggle against it, and magic cast inside ignored all external interference.
And.
Thud.
It all happened in an instant.
The temple, spanning another dimension, materialized inside the Magic Tower—call it a new dimension.
-Dimensional synchronization in progress.
Yggdrasil’s voice echoed.
Once the temple’s relocation completed.
-Dimensional synchronization….
The temple would join the church, the Magic Tower, and.
-Complete.
Wherever Yggdrasil’s power reached, it could appear if needed.
Kwaaaaa!
Amid the swirling storm of mana, the temple emerged.
“Success.”
Cheol Jung-bae said in an emotional voice.
And.
“Yggdrasil, begin.”
There were still tasks remaining.