Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Tower of Pride
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Turmoil!
It was an era of utter upheaval.
Everything changed with the emergence of the 'Dungeon Abyss' across the world.
Korea had barely scraped by with over 5,000 points, avoiding 'invasion,' but the nations that failed to hit their targets were utterly crushed.
The Invasion Abyss lasted 24 hours.
Seventeen countries failed to meet their quotas.
Over 20 million lives vanished in total.
Rumors even swirled that North Korea's population had shrunk by more than 10%.
Everyone in South Korea breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Just imagining what would've happened if they hadn't reached 5,000 points was horrifying enough.
"We must actively respond to the Abyss!"
"This has gone beyond what the government can handle."
"The military alone isn't enough. We need civilian help."
Military firearms were useless inside the Abyss.
With no way to predict when or where an Abyss would strike, real-time responses were nearly impossible.
Coordinating troops within one was even harder.
Simple physical enhancements wouldn't solve this.
The fundamental systems of society needed to change.
"We have to train professional 'Abyss solvers.'"
"We can't skimp on privileges and support for them."
"The corporate world is already quietly hiring 'hunters' for unimaginable sums."
"...The private sector is mobilizing too. Countless small groups, and alliances of those groups."
Ironically, the government was the slowest to react.
From a civilian perspective, waiting for the government was unbearable—the Abyss was too vicious a hell.
There were no safe zones left in this world.
Band together or die!
No one ordered it, but people started gathering in twos and threes.
Neighbors they'd never spoken to confirmed each other's presence, formed bonds, and those bonds merged into countless alliances.
Centered around districts or strong individuals.
To prepare for the unpredictable Abyss.
Instinct told them unity meant safety.
Martial law was meaningless.
The military couldn't resolve this crisis.
To survive the unknown hell, they had to band together thoroughly.
And then.
Towers of Pride rose across the world.
Completely different from previous Abysses.
No compulsion, no penalties for failure.
But that final line moved people.
"...No Abyss encroachment around it?"
"Three Towers of Pride in Korea!"
"Seoul, Daejeon, Busan!"
It was a sea of humanity, waves upon waves.
For self-preservation, for family safety, crowds flocked to the Towers of Pride indiscriminately.
But some grasped the true meaning behind the messages.
"This is totally different from before."
"Pride? Does that name block the Abyss?"
"The Creators respect—or fear—whatever 'Pride' is."
"No time limit? Why not specify how long the tower stands?"
"What’s the radius of 'surroundings'?"
"...Everything’s decided inside, huh."
"We have to climb."
"Alliances must unite, the strong must band together."
Vague wording.
Only entering would clarify it all.
But entry was a one-shot chance.
Awakeners past the 1st limit level were about 1% of humanity.
And among them, only the best of the best.
It didn't matter.
Massive crowds were already surging into Seoul.
And where people gathered, trouble was inevitable.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Young man in 505! You in there?"
Someone pounded on the door.
Presences stirred outside.
"He's not dead already, is he?"
"Nah, someone saw him moving around."
Neighbors from the same apartment.
Dagon vanished at once, and Bok-sil tucked into his clothes.
He approached the door calmly.
Their reason for coming was obvious.
"What can I do for you?"
"Ah! 505 guy, you're alive! I'm the building rep!"
"I am."
"Phew! Look, about this new 'Tower of Pride'—we're all in the building trying to move together. Better to stick with folks from the same building, right?"
Something similar had happened around this time in the past.
Building 105's residents had banded together and headed to the Tower of Pride in Seoul.
The areas around the towers were now swarming with uncountable crowds.
Going alone meant no spot to claim.
Numbers and strong fighters were needed to secure a place within the tower's influence.
The building rep knew that and was rallying people.
'What to do.'
Park Chan-woo pondered briefly.
He had to reach the tower entrance to enter anyway.
Alone, even getting there would be tough.
'Non-Existence only triggers in Abysses.'
Not in reality, on Earth.
And likely not in the Tower of Pride either.
'The Tower of Pride isn't an Abyss.'
Things bearing Pride's name had no Abyss ties.
Just treated as 'Pride's domain.'
A tower sprouting on Earth, plain and simple.
Surprising, right?
Influencing Earth without being an Abyss.
That's why Abyss lords valued Pride's name.
No Abysses spawning nearby was the same logic.
It was that important.
But humanity didn't know why.
No Creator had told them.
...Reaching the Tower of Pride, and climbing it, would be hard without Non-Existence's help.
'The Creators will scramble for incarnations too.'
A surge of 1st limit breakthroughs was coming.
They might even court him.
No intention of accepting, but caution was wise.
"Got it."
"Good call! In times like these, we pool our strength!"
"I'll prepare and head out."
"Take your time. Meet at the building entrance in an hour!"
Moving with them wasn't a bad choice.
The rep had some get-up-and-go, and it'd help reach the tower.
"...You're planning to climb the 'Tower of Pride'?"
Dagon's voice came from behind.
"Pride's name holds big symbolic weight for demons, doesn't it?"
Park Chan-woo probed casually.
Dagon nodded.
"The 'Lord of Pride' doesn't exist in the Abyss."
"How can a non-entity wield influence?"
"Who knows. I don't. Maybe the Demon King-tier lords do..."
Lords never spoke of Pride.
Like Sepiro's name.
To them, 'Sepiro' was an unspeakable taboo.
The one who slew a great Ten Lord, an absolute god of the Abyss.
The first such event since the Abyss's birth.
"Be careful. With the Tower of Pride up, even lords who ignored Earth will start paying attention."
Dagon meant it.
If the lords learned his identity...
They'd never let Park Chan-woo be.
They'd erase everything tied to Sepiro's name.
Including Dagon, who was contracted to him.
"Don't worry."
Park Chan-woo replied leisurely.
This was different from past Abysses.
No need to bankrupt Creators or oppose them.
Climbing the Tower of Pride.
He'd do it purely with his own power.
No tricks would work.
'I'm prepared.'
It was fine.
His achievements weren't small.
World Tree Staff, Frost Helm, Arhat's Golden Secret—stellar gear, plus divine beast Bok-sil.
All for this moment, grinding relentlessly from the start.
Nonstop, like a madman.
The Tower of Pride.
To reach the summit no one had!
Thus, a crowd of 80 reached the Tower of Pride.
"Whoa..."
"All of Korea's here?"
"Insane, for real..."
The sight left them awestruck.
Too many people, an endless throng.
The tower was visible, but approaching was impossible.
"Don't push, you bastards!"
"Wanna die?"
"Aaaagh!"
A crush of bodies.
Conflicts erupted amid the masses.
Injuries piled up, but everyone shoved relentlessly.
Amid it, some shouted through megaphones.
"Anyone level 11 or higher?"
"Limit breakers and their parties—we'll escort you to the Tower of Pride!"
Recruiters gathering people from afar.
Sent by high-level Awakeners near the tower.
Offering perks to limit breakers and their groups.
"How do you check if someone's really 11+?"
"What if they're lying to get in?"
Grumbles rose.
But the recruiters were confident.
"Form a party. You know parties won't form if levels differ by 10 or more."
"We're all level 1! Can't party with 11+."
A way to filter lies.
Then a man stepped forward.
"I'm 12."
"Confirmed. Party impossible. How many with you?"
"About 50?"
"Line up single file. Our alliance will clear the way."
The powerful seized priority.
Lawless under the alliance banner, roaming freely near the tower.
Outnumbered and outleveled, civilians couldn't challenge their order.
The building rep panicked.
He'd thought sheer numbers would get them close.
But strength mattered more!
"...Anyone in our building level 11 or higher?"
"We've got a 9."
The building's top was level 9.
Not past the limit.
The rep raised his hand.
"Hey, does 9 work?"
"No. Grind some Abyss outside first. If you've got numbers and cooperate with our alliance, we might let you a bit further in."
Firm refusal.
The building folk eyed the level 9 man.
"...Staring won't make me go."
He scowled and shook his head.
He'd come here to escape Abyss dangers.
No solo risks.
No answers in sight.
Then.
"Park Chan-woo! You're alive?"
Someone joyfully called his name.
He turned.
'...Kim Byung-han?'
Fate or grudge.
It was Kim Byung-han.
The sniper Abyss survivor, back again.
"Whoa..."
"Who's that guy?"
"Golden armor?"
"Riding a tiger!"
"Must be crazy high level."
...In quite the flashy getup.