Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Blockade (2)
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> Anon (D44.444): They think they can catch me by controlling the towers? Why pull this bullshit?
> Beetle: You've been clearing them almost every day so far.
> Even if it was late, you'd post a new floor clear record within three days...
> So, their idea is that if ranking updates stop in a specific region's tower after they control it, they can tell you're in that region.
> Magic is Firepower: I've seen this in a comic. They played broadcasts sequentially to catch the culprit there too...
> Beetle: ...;; Anyway, this is seriously dangerous. If Demigod finds out about you, he won't let you be.
> Anon (D44.444): You think they'd try to kill me?
> Fridge: Nah, they wouldn't kill you. But if other countries find out about you, they'll definitely try to take you by force. Whatever it takes.
Everyone in the gallery agreed with that.
> Magic is Firepower: Yeah. To them, you're a walking nuke candidate.
> They'll try to lure you in somehow, then control and exploit you. You absolutely can't fall for it.
> Fridge: I get naturalization offers every day too. The terms were iffy, so I didn't accept.
> Magic is Firepower: What? So you're saying you'd leave if the conditions were right? That's not okay.
> Fridge: It's my life, isn't it...? No immigration plans for now, so don't worry.
> Pkaetchu: Hold up! We can't ignore our newbie's opinion! Any thoughts on going overseas?
> Anon (D44.444): Hmm... Not like I couldn't go?
My playful response turned the gallery upside down.
To be precise, one person especially.
> Magic is Firepower: Hey, don't do that, please, I beg you.
> Magic is Firepower: Tell me what you need. I'll get it somehow. Just stay in Korea, please.
> Magic is Firepower: Where would you even go? America? If you go to America, you'll just suffer under a lunatic like Demigod. Stay here.
I smirked at her desperate pleas and tapped the keyboard.
> Anon (D44.444): Not going, not going. It was a joke. Where else has internet this fast and chicken this good?
> Plus, I suck at English. Couldn't go even if I wanted to.
***
“Haa... This isn't easy.”
I let out a sigh.
In the end, if things went according to their plan, I'd be stuck unable to climb the tower for weeks.
Even if Korea was last, adding up all the periods came close to a month.
> Magic is Firepower: Once you hit S-rank, who cares what those bastards bark... But until then, better play it safe.
> Pkaetchu: But is becoming S-rank even real?
> Magic is Firepower: Isn't it obvious? If you don't hit S-rank, who does? Can you do what they do?
> Pkaetchu: No...
> Magic is Firepower: Exactly. S-rank confirmed. Confirmed.
> Pkaetchu: ...Why's the auntie more hyped than the newbie who's actually becoming S-rank?
> Magic is Firepower: ? Getting pissed off?
As always, Pkaetchu and Magic is Firepower started bickering.
Fridge tidied things up with a 'Cut it out, seriously' comment.
Beetle steered the conversation back.
> Beetle: So, how many days until Korea's control?
> Fridge: Did the math—looks like about 1 or 2 weeks left.
> Magic is Firepower: A week... Gotta find a solution somehow by then.
They all started discussing countermeasures without me.
Then, Magic is Firepower tossed out an idea.
> Magic is Firepower: Newbie. How about coming to Busan where I am instead?
> Pkaetchu: ? What does going to Busan solve? Total obvious play to swallow up the newbie.
> Magic is Firepower: It's not like that? I just have some gifts I want to give you.
> Pkaetchu: Gifts??? This auntie's gone full stalker mode. Do NOT go! You'll end up canned for sure!!!
I watched their exchange, then voiced the thought that had been circling my head.
> Anon (F66.666): But... Wouldn't it be fine if I just don't enter the tower and keep resting?
My comment plunged the gallery into brief silence.
> Fridge: You're right.
> Magic is Firepower: Hearing it now, yeah. If you just hide from now until the blockade ends, they won't know a thing.
It was a plan that seemed meaningless now that the info had leaked. If we hadn't known, maybe, but.
> Anon (F77.777): Why do something this inefficient?
> Demigod's a blockhead, that's famous, but the governments aren't all blockheads.
> They agreed to this op?
> Pkaetchu: Heard Demigod's IQ is dolphin-level, so maybe he's a real boulderhead.
> Magic is Firepower: Honestly, no one can stop Demigod if he pulls a sword and threatens...
> Beetle: Still, maybe there's another motive. A reason every world government would agree to. I'll look into it more.
Beetle said it gravely. But I was indifferent.
> Anon (F88.888): Dunno. How would I know about some huge conspiracy. Gonna eat some chicken.
> Magic is Firepower: So, really not coming to Busan? If you join our guild, I can treat you great...
> Guild master's just me here. No watching eyes, no hiding, safe climbing.
> Pkaetchu: Watch out. If that auntie catches you, she'll never let go and grind you into the tower daily. Obvious!!!
> Magic is Firepower: Shut it for a sec. -_-;
Busan?
I pondered briefly, then decided.
You never know.
“Can't protect myself from A-ranks yet anyway.”
Couldn't enter the tower either way right now.
No reason to leave my familiar room for Busan.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment, in the secret underground conference room of the White House.
BAM!
Demigod slammed his fist on the oak table. It screamed and split in half.
“So my plan failed, is that what you're saying right now?”
His fury-laced roar made the black-suited aides and analysts flinch in unison.
The room's air froze.
A senior analyst reported in a trembling voice, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.
“The target seems to have figured out our intent. After Europe's towers went under control, Double O's ranking records stopped completely.”
“And protests from each country's governments, especially regions nearing tower collapse deadlines...”
“Shut up!”
Demigod roared again.
This time, the shockwave alone shattered all the conference room's bulletproof glass.
“You incompetent fools fumbling over one little rat, and you blame me?
My plan was perfect! You vermin just couldn't execute it right!”
Demigod shot up from his seat, huffing.
To him, failure wasn't possible in his plans.
If it failed, it was entirely the underlings' fault.
“What? Governments protesting? What can they do? If they're unhappy...”
Demigod tapped a cracked wall with his hand.
The concrete wall crumbled away pathetically.
“Send all those countries' S-ranks to me. I'll snap their necks, and they'll quiet down.
Yeah, that's what you want from me, right? Shutting all those bastards up?”
An eerie silence fell over the conference room.
No one dared contradict him. He really had the power.
“I'll do it. Tell them that. If they don't want to watch a city vanish before their eyes, behave.”
With that, Demigod stood and stormed out.
As the door closed, the murderous aura crushing the room vanished like a lie.
Only then did the aides sigh deeply in unison.
*Crazy bastard...*
*How long do we have to cater to this guy...*
They all spat the same curse inwardly.
“Haa... So, what now? He stormed off like that, and the plan failed.”
An analyst loosened his tie as he spoke.
The one who had reported to Demigod broke the silence. His eyes gleamed coldly.
“No, this might actually be an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“Demigod's plan was a lost cause from the start. But thanks to him setting the stage, we have justification for what we wanted to do originally.”
He brought up a new operation plan on the central holographic screen.
“We install a double trap.”
“A double trap... you mean?”
“Yes. We proceed with the tower blockades as is. But publicly, we leak that it's Demigod's unilateral operation to hunt the unknown ranker 'Double O.' And while all hunters and media focus on that...”
With a gesture, the screen changed.
Complex magic circles and surveillance equipment blueprints filled the display.
“We achieve the real goal. We use this chance to build a new surveillance system on every tower in the world. Using every physical and magical tracking method available.”
The room buzzed.
“Isn't that... what all the hunter guilds opposed to the death?”
“Exactly. Something every government wanted but couldn't do.
Illegal unregistered hunters are the top threat for us and all governments. Especially if they have S-rank potential...”
Cold conviction laced his voice.
“But now it's possible. With Demigod stepping up to crush the hunters' discontent, we can push it through.”
“Really feasible?”
“We—America and China—provide the tech and manpower. Of course, we collect 'contributions' in return.
Each government gets justification and a leash for their hunters' backlash, and we get influence and gains.”
“......”
“By the end of the blockade, the perfect surveillance system will be complete. No hunter, no country, will be able to build power in secret anymore.”
The helplessness in the room faded, replaced by cold calculations.
“Alright. Let's adjust direction.”
***
A week since tower climbing was blocked.
“So what now...”
I sighed.
In the end, their plan meant I'd be stuck resting from tower climbs for nearly a month.
Time as an unemployed non-climber dragged on idly.
“Ah, so bored I'm dying...”
I needed things to do during this month blocked from the tower.
Well, what I could do was pretty much set.
Post on the gallery.
[Title: Lately, Hunter Gal feels kinda bleak, right?]
Author: Anon (A11.111)
Like, what is it...
That warm vibe from before is gone...
(...)
Ah~ What pointless bullshit.
So, everyone, get your shit together.
Dumbasses.
[Title: Hunbung Tit Proof.jpg]
Author: Anon (A11.111)
Hunbung, come sit here a sec.
(A picture of an angry duck-billed platypus with arms crossed, glaring)
I mixed bait posts and serious ones.
So people wouldn't totally ignore me, would hold out hope and click.
But.
“Aaah... Not enough. Dopamine shortage...”
I was dying of boredom.
No tower climbs meant no brag-worthy content for the gallery.
Before, just baiting and watching reactions was fun.
But now, it wasn't enough.
Why? Why wasn't gallerying as fun as before?
As I endlessly refreshed, it happened.
[Title: Healer Salary at This Level, PTCh?]
Author: Anon (119.204)
(Bank app screenshot.)
(Balance 3 billion proof pic.)
(3.2 billion deposit proof pic.)
Blockade and strikes mean no gigs lately, so tough...
Barely scraped by tightening my belt this month...
“This fucker?”
The instant I saw it, the smile vanished from my face.
Comments were already ablaze.
> Wow, fuck...
> What rank earns that much?
> >> Author: Was B-rank, but tiny compared to A-rank...
> >> Wanna beat that downswing bastard to death.
> Fuck, this B-rank? Makes sense?
> >> Healers and mages always rake it in. lol
> Ah, shoulda awakened as a clicker job too. Fuck warrior trash job...
> >> Fact) Demigod hit rank 1 as trash job monk. Job's fine. You're the problem.
> >> Fact) Fact) Minus Demigod, monks all die on floor 1.
> >> So job's not the issue. Low-IQ?
> >> Fact) Two-digit IQ lowlife is Demigod.
Pouring blatant envy and mockery.
But the poster wouldn't be fazed at all.
Probably enjoying these reactions.
That's when I realized.
Why gallerying lost its fun.
No brag-worthy content.
Simple aggro or bait couldn't fill the void.
I already craved more.
The thrill of fake-bragging was unforgettable once tasted.
“Damn... What to brag about?”
Me being Korea's fifth mage?
Or the world's only Extreme difficulty player?
Or the hidden pieces only I know?
“Hold back, hold back...”
My last shred of reason stopped me.
Still need to be careful.
Especially now that the whole world was hunting me.
Old Man Marmakno's VPN was on, but just in case.
I hopped on Mage Gallery to test the waters.
[Title: About that tower blockade]
Author: Anon (C44.444)
Still going? Any new news?
> Beetle: Yeah. Still ongoing. Europe's wrapping up. Korea soon.
> Pkaetchu: Newbie's body itching like crazy?
> Anon (C44.444): Nah?
> Magic is Firepower: Hang in a few more days. It'll end soon. Don't let on anywhere til then.
He was right. Time to lay low.
“Ah, seriously, nothing?”
Frustrated, I mindlessly scrolled Nertyube Shorts to kill time.
All sorts of stimulating, meaningless vids flashed by.
Cats, dogs, awkward dances. Even incomprehensible memes.
Then, at one video, my finger stopped.
A single idea flashed through my head like lightning.
Yes, this.
“I can do this too.”
No, way better than that guy.
Bigger, flashier.
And above all, perfectly erase all traces.
As if it never existed from the start.
I jumped up from my seat.
Headed out to execute the plan.