Humiliation in the Queue
Liberty Hall in the heart of New York.
The exclusive parking lot in front of the geometric building.
Screeech—! Screeeeech—!
Black luxury vehicles with heavy tint pulled up one after another.
Who were the ones scrambling out in a hurry?
Government officials and their entourages from various countries.
They locked eyes with each other and raced toward the shop entrance like it was a competition.
Thud thud thud thud!
But.
"Please form a line."
They were stopped by American guards who were clearly S-rank awakeners.
Where their fingers pointed, officials from other countries had already arrived first and were lined up.
No way, already? And lining up outside like this?
"Please form a line."
"Ah, got it."
They reluctantly joined the back of the line.
Everyone had arrived at different times.
But they all shared one thing in common.
Their faces were flushed with humiliation and shame.
'Why the hell do they all look like that...?'
It was a mystery, but he soon understood.
Click! Click! Click!
This was the heart of New York.
The busiest spot in the busiest district.
Beyond the Liberty Hall fence, an enormous crowd had gathered.
—Look over here for a sec!
—I've seen that guy on TV!
Camera shutters snapping nonstop.
Curious stares pouring in.
"Wh-what the hell is this...!"
This wasn't some zoo exhibit—what kind of spectacle was this?
America's intentions were obvious.
Parading the lined-up foreign officials for the world to see, reaffirming the power hierarchy.
Finally, someone couldn't hold back and shouted.
"What the hell is this nonsense! You could've easily set up a waiting area inside!"
The guards' response was icy glares.
"If you don't like Liberty Hall's entry procedures, you can leave. Consultations with the first entrants are underway inside, so refrain from disruptive behavior."
"Ugh...!"
The shouter flinched and clammed up.
Officials from countries he'd seen at the assembly whispered among themselves.
"What the hell is going on? They broadcast the opening ceremony of this bizarre building once, but the U.S. government hasn't issued any statements."
"Ugh, we need to get inside just to grasp the bare minimum situation."
"They're controlling information. To delay other countries from uniting and devising countermeasures as much as possible."
Speculation on America's motives.
"But making us stand out here like this! Even for a country obsessed with asserting dominance, this is crossing the line."
"Seems like retaliation against all the global opinion that Korea's the new top nation. Must've bruised America's ego bad."
"America loves making lines, and now they've really lined us up."
Outraged condemnation and sighs.
And then.
"Even Korea—or more precisely, the Hitchhiker—can't do anything about this one, right?"
"The opponent isn't a monster this time; it's the system itself... Even the record-breaking Hitchhiker will struggle."
"There was analysis saying the Hitchhiker might be above S-rank. Just a hypothesis, and the debuff chart only went up to S-rank anyway."
If the hypothesis was true.
"The Hitchhiker would be entering the tower with insane shackles every time."
Korea and the Hitchhiker.
Status ailment remedies.
They'd need an enormous amount.
No individual could handle that.
Even if the Korean government tracked down the Hitchhiker and poured in all their stock, it wouldn't change much.
The three nations that opened shops—America, China, and Japan.
All had declared no sales to Korea.
"Damn it! America, China, and Japan are all in cahoots!"
"Haaah, the future looks bleak."
"How the hell do we overcome this...?"
The officials' insides boiled.
Deep rage crushed their chests.
The situation was clear.
Somehow, they'd predicted the trial and coordinated in advance.
No matter the method, they'd predicted the trial and synced up.
America, China, and Japan won't release remedy stock?
Then the whole world grinds to a halt on climbing.
No, beyond that.
"We might not meet the score threshold."
"If the tower rampages again..."
Then more vehicles arrived.
Screech! Thunk!
Officials from allies like the UK and Canada stepped out.
They skipped the line and were escorted straight to the entrance.
Pfft.
Smug satisfaction on their faces.
The lined-up ones despaired.
A future where tower rankings were set entirely to America's taste loomed vividly.
Screech!
More vehicles arrived.
Mid-tier nations.
They froze at the sight of the line, then got back in and left.
Probably heading to Japan or China.
The situations there likely weren't much different.
Japan's Tokyo shop.
AM 5:42.
About 12 hours after the tower's trial activation and the America-China-Japan bombshell broadcast.
Despite not sleeping a wink all night, Director Nakayama was in high spirits.
Why?
The shop's waiting room was packed with guests flown in from various countries!
Another group entered.
Polish officials and their entourage.
He approached with a charming greeting and handled them personally.
"Japan doesn't crush other nations with authority like America does. Relax here, and when it's your turn, head to the consultation room."
If America was a mega-corp.
Japan was more like a small business.
To appeal, they needed a different strategy, right?
Plans were in place for suite rooms and other amenities later.
Of course, the service was friendly.
The remedy prices were devilish.
Some countries had already bought limited quantities.
In exchange for absurd markups and unequal treaties.
Then his deputy whispered.
"Sir, aren't we releasing the remedies too easily early on? Even if it's small amounts now, maybe ration them out more to control their breathing room..."
He shook his head.
"Desire intensifies once it's satisfied—you crave the means more. They need to use remedies lavishly first to feel the need desperately."
"Ah...! Understood...!"
The deputy's face lit up.
He hurriedly handed over the binder.
An analysis report on climbing status post-trial from Japan's management bureau.
Flip— Flip—
Debuff Overlap: Most lethal status is 'Darkness'. All awakeners agree—
S-rank on 50s floors: Perceived difficulty 30x+. Varies by class—
B-rank and below (avg. 20s floors): Minimal impact—
Nakayama smirked.
Worries? No need.
Japan had set aside a year's worth for their management awakeners.
'Korea's the one sweating. Dumbasses.'
Even the Hitchhiker was screwed.
Even if Korea dumped all their remedy stock on him, could he last a week?
The time had come.
For the clueless Joseon upstarts to return to the bottom!
Nakayama ascended to clown heaven.
Right then.
Thud.
Indian officials poured out of the consultation room.
He hurried over with a smile.
"Did you complete your purchase?"
"Ah, well, haha."
The Indians mumbled evasively.
Awkward laughs as they glanced around the waiting room and bolted out.
What? The vibe had looked great earlier.
He rushed into the consultation room.
Heard from the deputy director.
"It was down to stamping the contract. But suddenly they checked their phones, got some report, and backed out."
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah, like they had no reason to stay."
Utterly baffling.
Then commotion from the waiting room—he spun around.
And.
"......!"
Nakayama saw it.
Just like the Indians.
Officials checking phones and leaving one by one.
The message they'd received?
Reports from their governments on the holy water samples arriving from Korea.
What? This insane item?
First batch auction?
Then no need to buy the trash remedies here in Tokyo?
"Wh-why are you all leaving suddenly?"
"Ah, urgent business."
"Same here."
Officials shoved past the flustered Nakayama and fled.
"Eek!"
Nakayama tripped spectacularly.
The waiting room emptied in an instant.
Something was wrong.
His instincts screamed.
He suppressed his pounding anxious heart and thought.
Nothing changes.
Korea's downfall is set.
The Hitchhiker's climb halting is fact.
But then.
Tower 26th Floor World Ranking Updated.
"No way!"
Nakayama's nightmare began.
Goblin Legion Wave Defense
Time Limit: 15 Minutes
S-rank Equivalent Judgment: 5 Status Ailments Stacked.
The moment he entered the tower, all sorts of status ailments hit.
But.
'Burn' Status Nullified.
'Electrocution' Status Nullified.
'Freeze' Status Nullified.
'Darkness' Status Nullified.
'Curse' Status Nullified.
All bounced away in one go.
Damn, it works great.
Like a vaccine wiping out viruses.
"Master! I'm fine too!"
"All thanks to the Pontiff's grace."
Carmina and Yulia, gulping down cola (holy water) and beer (holy water).
They got the debuffs too—same judgment as me—but no issue.
Hmm, but.
"You can stop drinking now. 500ml lasts a full day."
"Hehe, Master! Buffs are always kept maxed out—game meta!"
"Hehe, every sip lets me feel the Pontiff's divinity."
Just excuses to enjoy their fave drinks at "work".
Whatever. As long as productivity holds.
Quest Begins!
Whoosh!
We flew up on the magic carpet.
Passengers: me and Carmina.
Armored Yulia? Stayed put on the expansive blue meadow.
And soon.
—Kiruk?
—Kirrruk!
Goblins spotted her from afar and swarmed.
Hundreds visible already, more crawling from tunnels.
"Like ants on candy!"
"Not as bad as planet restoration, but yeah, a ton."
Verbal stalling was the meta for 15 minutes.
But not for us.
—Kiruk!
Pop!
The first goblin leaped with sword raised.
Yulia dropped her last beer bottle and gripped her leaning hammer.
Her smile vanished, and.
Boooom—!
Full swing pulverized the goblin mid-air.
Barrier up, Yulia unleashed her one-woman rampage on the horde.
Bam—! Bam—! Boooom—!
Whew, she fights well. Whoever's ally she is.
Carmina didn't slack either.
She hurled fist-sized blood orbs she'd prepped.
Kaboom—! Kaboom—! Kaboiiiing—!
Echoing blasts.
Colorful chunks flying.
48 Goblins
81 Goblins
123 Goblins
Count skyrocketed instantly.
Cola? Beer? Who needs 'em?
This is my carbonation rush.
Definitely, allies were milking the holy water stat buffs.
'Kills convert to score.'
Can't let just them get the dopamine.
I copied Carmina's skill, made blood orbs, and started chucking.
"Ooh! Master, aim's killer!"
"PUBG-honed skills."
Mindlessly bombing, I pondered.
'Holy water samples should've reached most nations by now.'
America, China, Japan excluded, of course.
Sent to 188 countries, excluding the three plus the four fallen ones including North Korea.
Package: Tiny holy water sample.
And a short letter.
The first batch of holy water will be auctioned in lots in Seoul. Please reply regarding participation.
Best way to sell holy water?
Auction.
Hot items skyrocket in bidding wars.
"Hehe, how much per bottle?"
"No clue. Whatever you imagine, it'll top it."
Impossible to gauge.
Holy water was the perfect upgrade over regular remedies.
Biggest diff: convenience.
Regulars require pulling the right one per ailment mid-fight.
"In a pinch, it's life or death."
"Right! Seconds count in combat! Died so many times in Black Souls chugging wrong pots!"
That's skill issue... anyway.
Holy water? Gulp before entry, done.
Full combat focus.
Plus America-China-Japan jacked regular prices absurdly.
"Holy water value skyrockets more."
"Price hype! They're secretly nice guys?"
"Nah."
First, rake personal funds via auction.
Then tweak sales strategy gradually.
Key now: how many countries RSVP yes.
Then message from Cha Minhyuk.
And.
Tower 26th Floor World Ranking Updated.
Additional Reward Acquired
Tower Entry Reset Ticket x1
Wonder if America can keep up?