The Ultimatum
Zhang Xuan held a press conference.
I've suffered through every kind of discrimination. The moment I step out onto the street, all I get are icy glares, and the Korean government does nothing but allow those Korean netizens to go wild with their excessive trolling...
Zhang Xuan pretended to cry as he read from the script in front of the cameras.
"Wow, the acting is really bad."
"Disgustingly whining. Then, are you going to look at the drug addict with those eyes?"
"Wanting to eat his words and use emotional manipulation? Real?"
"Get out of our country already."
"If he gets out, the Tower collapses, you guys..."
Zhang Xuan sniffled for a long time, then suddenly unleashed a bombshell statement.
"Therefore, I have determined that the Korean government and the Korean people bear a moral responsibility. I have decided not to participate in the next Tower conquest."
"?"
"???"
"?"
"What did I just hear?"
"He didn't sign a contract with me? Is this a breach of contract?"
"If you expect common sense from a drug addict, this is what happens."
Zhang Xuan's sudden action sparked several theories.
Some said it was a scheme to raise his value.
Others claimed it was simply an out-of-control revenge.
Still others insisted it was China's scheme to manipulate the board.
"If you're not going to conquer, then get the hell out."
"No, if you do that, the Tower will collapse."
"Blame China!"
The Tower collapse crisis theory that had been circulating for some time was like a war.
People had been skeptical.
They figured the country would somehow handle it.
Whether the hunters cleared the floors diligently or received foreign aid.
The worst-case scenario people imagined was just foreign aid.
After all, they would have to hand over too much economically.
But now even that was impossible.
The crisis was right on their doorstep.
"But if he disappears, we can't conquer? Why are they clinging so desperately?"
"We can't conquer. The skill he possesses is essential for the 50th floor breakthrough."
"Then we can just receive aid."
"The only place that can provide aid right now is China. That skill is too valuable."
"Then receive it."
"Don't you understand the situation? We're forced to receive aid from China. Of course they're going to demand an outrageous price."
"How outrageous?"
Someone exaggerated a bit.
If they received China's aid this time, it would be like becoming China's economic colony for decades.
China was salivating at the thought of ripping off so much.
In reality, several countries had already become economic colonies.
Once the collapse became imminent, the citizens had no choice but to learn the detailed behind-the-scenes.
The entire nation now understood the situation Korea was in.
"Is it believable that we'll become an economic colony in the 21st century?"
"It's just a bit exaggerated. It won't be that bad. On the contrary, Koreans might even start to enjoy their lives."
"That guy up there is weird. Arrest him."
"Experts have said countless times that hunter power is national power..."
"This country's hunter scene is just hopeless."
"Do Hyeoncheol was retired and the hunter power indicator never grew. It was only natural."
"Accepting Joseon's comfort."
"What comfort, you crazy bastard."
Only about two months remained.
Everyone fell into panic.
Among them, the most miserable person was Jeong Sangguk, who had just been appointed Bureau Director of Conquest Planning at the Hunter Management Headquarters.
"Ugh, this is insane. Why did this happen the moment I returned..."
"Thank you for your hard work, senior."
Yoon Seongcheol, Jeong Sangguk's successor and head of the Conquest Planning Department, handed over a mixed coffee.
And then he plopped down on the sofa.
"It sounds like you're talking about someone else."
"I've given up. The only choice is to accept the Chinese proposal."
Yoon Seongcheol seemed nonchalant.
"The Korean hunter scene has been steadily declining since its peak, and now it's finally bursting."
Jeong Sangguk let out a deep sigh.
"Ugh... If we could just survive this season. If there were just three more months..."
Then Master Hyeonseok would have joined the top floor and somehow fixed it.
"Ugh..."
Jeong Sangguk sighed at the bitter reality of collapse.
Skill has been transferred to target .
'Oh, done.'
Without any intermediate steps, it was immediate.
He observed Kang Minji's reaction.
"Excuse me? Did you discover the owner of the skill?"
"Yes."
She seemed not to feel any change.
"Then what exactly do you mean by 'help'..."
He checked the status window once.
'As expected.'
Then what should he do now?
Should he explain how to use Shunpo?
Ding!
function activated. Information can only be viewed for transferred skills.
General Skill:
High-speed teleportation-like movement skill combined with a 400% conditional ambush damage multiplier.
'Just that exactly, and the text is red.'
'The skill has been acquired, but there's no awareness. It can't be used yet.'
Then he had to explain it.
"There is a skill that allows you to clear the 54th floor."
"Huh? Who? Not the skill?"
"Yes. I will teach you that skill."
"T-to me?"
But Kang Minji frowned in confusion.
"I haven't heard of such a skill..."
"Just try it. We have to prevent the collapse."
"But..."
Out of caution, she started doubting.
"And I'm a special advisor, so I won't say nonsense to Kang Minji."
"Special advisor..."
It was hard to believe, but seeing his SS-rank achievements, she couldn't dismiss it.
Debate was pointless.
He couldn't explain his abilities.
Just have her acquire it.
"No need to drag it out. Come see for yourself. Let's go to the training room."
"Ah, yes!"
He headed to the Support Team 3 Special Training Room.
Special advisors had team leader-level authority.
So it meant he could use it freely.
'Since I was promoted, no more chores, and I can just break through anything. Nice.'
He asked the Support Team 3 members to operate the training room.
"Thank you for helping despite being busy, senior."
"Hey, if you call me senior because I'm a special advisor, it'll be troublesome."
"Haha."
Contrary to his words, he wasn't being difficult.
Seeing him joking like that was a pleasant attitude.
He prepared a gift for the kind Support Team 3.
"There will be a performance for Hunter Kang Minji today. I'll transfer the performance bonus to Support Team 3."
"Really!?"
After all, he was a hunter before being a special advisor.
The performance bonus was nothing compared to a hunter's income.
Plus, including the 10 billion from Jo Youchan.
It was more than enough; it overflowed.
Most importantly, to receive help often, he had to build good rapport.
"Wow! Long live the special advisor!"
"The advisor is eternal Support Team 3. If you need help, please let us know anytime!"
"You all seem so happy. You don't know how much performance will come out."
"Our advisor's skill is naturally respected."
They hadn't known each other long, but he seemed to have gained quite a bit of trust.
'Thinking about it, lately I've been too busy and couldn't spend the money I saved.'
Where to spend it?
Only family and computer specs came to mind.
'I should upgrade the graphics card every time it's released.'
Happy worries ended there.
He looked back at Kang Minji.
She was watching them curiously, then flinched and looked away.
"Let's go in."
They entered the training room together.
"Will you attack me?"
"Huh?"
"Ah, not too fast. Moderately."
She was a 54th-floor high-floor hunter.
She might get hit before using Shunpo.
"Ah, okay. Moderately..."
A moderate punch flew.
Still faster than the previous Chinese agent on the 30th floor.
[Skill activated.]
Shuush-
In an instant, she was behind Kang Minji.
A fist appeared in front of her again.
"Ugh!"
[Skill activated.]
Shuush!
He used Shunpo again.
This time the fist didn't come.
"Sorry! When I get behind, my body moves on its own without me realizing it. It's like a habit from close-range damage."
"I-I see."
He was startled.
In such a short time, she reacted so quickly.
High-floor hunters were definitely different.
'But I reacted to that too?'
The reaction speed seemed decent compared to the floor.
He hadn't received any special trait through the hunter market function.
Maybe just talent?
"Then what did you just do?"
"The skill is quite good, isn't it?"
"It's not just good! I haven't seen movement like that since I was born!"
"Since I was born?"
This woman was quite a talent.
After all, she must have caught her father's eye.
"The important point is not the speed."
"Huh? Then?"
"Keep hitting me."
He used Shunpo continuously.
"No way... Is it a judgment that always catches from behind?"
"Yes. This can replace ."
"?"
"When a long-range sniper from the 54th floor comes, use this to instantly move behind the sniper."
"Huh!? At that distance, it works!?"
wasn't just a finishing skill.
It was even scheduled to evolve once more here.
"If it's really true, the 54th floor is..."
"It will be very easy."
He knew because he had tried it.
It was a game, after all.
But Kang Minji became gloomy again.
"But there's only two weeks left until the entrance. If I had met the advisor a little earlier..."
"I'll finish it today."
Actually, the skill was already embedded in her body.
"Huh? That's impossible. This is high-level technique. You need to train it for at least a year."
Objection came.
But he didn't argue.
"So, you're not going to do it? Let the Tower collapse?"
"Ah..."
Kang Minji had no choice.
"Then... I'll work as hard as I can."
She seemed to have given up on learning in two weeks.
Was she preparing for the next floor?
Well, she'd find out when she tried.
Kang Minji's skill acquisition speed was the fastest among his disciples so far.
She was already close to complete mastery of the 54th-floor close-range damage.
She wasn't evolving the skill like the previous two, but simply recalling the already input skill.
Shuush-
Kang Minji appeared behind him.
He turned around and clapped.
"Congratulations."
She had a dazed expression.
"H-how is this possible? I only received guidance for a little over an hour..."
The Support Team leader who had come down laughed.
"Everyone reacts the same. The previous two hunters did too. When Master Hyeonseok said a few words, the skill just appeared."
"Master Hyeonseok?"
"Why, are you jealous?"
The team leader laughed loudly.
Kang Minji still looked confused.
"This is my first time. I've received guidance from some masters, but as you said, my body moves smoothly..."
Her eyes were full of reverence as she looked at him.
"I expected a little because you're Master Do's son, but this much..."
"Master Do?"
Ah, she was talking about our father.
After all, he was a hunter raised by the father.
Soon Kang Minji changed her expression and clenched her fist.
"If that's the case, even without that drug addict son..."
"Whoa."
One could feel the grudge in her eyes.
She must have suffered a lot while in the same team.
"Then it might be solo play, but there's personal difference. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Solo play? No way. This isn't a low floor."
She denied it verbally, but her eyes sparkled and her body twitched when she heard his words.
She seemed eager to test the new high-level skill quickly.
"Let me go in and scout."
"R-really? Then..."
She smiled brightly with anticipation.
Smiling made her look like a puppy.
He stopped her from bowing.
"The gratitude greeting is after the clear. You seem very rushed."
"Yes, I want to go in right now. Then..."
Kang Minji called someone on the phone.
As she climbed the floor, her hearing improved, so she could hear the phone call clearly.
[Are you going in now? Are you perhaps not feeling well?]
"Just come quickly, there's something to try!"
[With only two weeks, it's tight to do personal maintenance, wasting time-]
"Ah, just come and use the shield!"
Kang Minji shouted in a pout.
'She can shout too.'
It seemed like she had a different personality when comfortable.
Also, she was probably excited now.
"Then, see you later!"
And she ran away quickly as if disappearing.
The 54th-floor close-range damage was extremely fast.
She had used Shunpo.
'I should climb the Tower too.'
His desire to accelerate the climbing speed grew.
He greeted the team members and left.
Kang Minji entered the 54th floor with her team member.
The team member was the chief mage of the No. 1 guild, Jeong-sang, Yang Hwayeon.
"Hey, if this gets discovered, you'll get disciplined. Where did a crazy person come from who comes to the top floor alone?"
"Not alone, it's two. You just said to use the shield."
"If I get caught, I won't take responsibility. Even if I get disciplined, if I explain well, they'll let me go. Got it?"
"Ugh, as a mage, you have no courage!"
"That's discrimination, you bitch!"
The 54th floor trial was a 'breakthrough'.
An empty field stretched before them.
Soon all kinds of long-range attacks would pour in.
Ordinary ones were no problem.
Blocking with the shield, the main damage dealers would pick off the enemies one by one.
But long-range snipers were impossible to deal with.
Too far, couldn't pinpoint location.
So was needed.
Soon the bombardment started.
"!"
A transparent barrier protected them.
Now it was time to counterattack the enemies.
But mages had to focus on defense.
That meant, without main damage dealers, counterattack was impossible.
"What are we going to do now?"
"Wait!"
Soon, a flash of light appeared from afar.
A long-range sniper that had brought everyone to a crisis.
"It's coming! Prepare for the shock!"
Yang Hwayeon reinforced the shield.
The team members crouched on the floor, but Kang Minji stepped out of the shield and leaped toward the sniper bullet.
"You crazy woman-!!"
Yang Hwayeon was startled as if her heart would burst.
But Kang Minji disappeared just before being hit by the bullet.
Shuush-
"Huh?"
After the surprise, the shield shook from the sniper's impact.
'Ugh. What happened?'
There was no such skill with her?
Soon the walkie-talkie rang.
[Since I have to return, send any attack to my location. Where am I...]
A short while later.
Shuush-
"Mommy!"
"Is this what you see?"
The sniper's head was in Kang Minji's hand.
"Eh!?"
"I'll come back again!"
Kang Minji stepped out of the shield again and disappeared.
They repeated this for several hours.
The two left the Tower and returned to their original place.
Yang Hwayeon's mouth was wide open, unable to close.
"Kyaaah! Guild Master! Master Hyeonseok!"
She just watched Kang Minji running around in circles with a dazed expression.