Chapter 120
Chapter 120
[Suddenly disappeared 'Occupation Reservation' towers.]
[Some towers returning to their original state!]
[Restoration of 'Occupation Reservation' towers being tallied in other countries as well.]
[FIPA announces they are currently tallying the restored towers.]
Since the Orcs had been defeated, there were now 17 races remaining in total.
Completely engulfed in black energy.
The 'Occupation Reservation' towers that writhed like living creatures had been tallied at 17 per country until now.
'Here, the bottom 17 countries in score had their towers completely transformed.'
In the case of Malawi, it had turned into metal with gun barrels protruding from the tower.
In North Korea's case, it had transformed to look like wooden pillars.
And in other countries, the black energy partially lifted and they existed with just changed tower colors.
As each race occupied one by one starting from the lowest-ranking countries.
FIPA speculated that expanding their spheres of influence was what 'occupation' meant...
'Did those different races who invaded really withdraw after seeing the Smiling Face Demon?'
Smiling Face Demon.
It was indeed a transcendent opponent that completely overwhelmed Lee Ganghan the moment he saw it.
But was it to the extent that the different races would be startled enough to withdraw from humanity's domain?
Those arrogant viewers had been quiet as dead mice in the chat window ever since the Smiling Face Demon's ID '◑◡◧' appeared.
'Still, how long has it been since the broadcast ended for them to withdraw so immediately... How curious.'
How much must they have suffered at the hands of that demon to act like this?
As Lee Ganghan found the different races' quick withdrawal decision curious.
-What's suddenly happening???
-Are the players clearing it or something?
-Clearing what lol everyone except Heavenly Demon is dying
-For real, even Heavenly Demon won miraculously...
-Still, it's fortunate that those ominous towers disappeared;
-Wow, stocks are rebounding a bit...
-Money really gets the news fastest;
People were showing relieved reactions while not understanding why the towers were disappearing.
The sudden start of Universe 101 integration that began on September 1st.
People's anxiety had become extreme due to the 'Occupation Reservation' towers that appeared afterward.
When it was confirmed that some were withdrawing, the atmosphere was somewhat calming.
-Will the tower near the ceasefire line also disappear?
-I hope it's gone...
-Why near the ceasefire line?
-Didn't you see the photo? It looks like a wooden tower;
-It was in North Korea's territory, the rumor going around now is that countries that couldn't manage their scores had their towers change strangely
-If it's wood, then Elves? Ooh, are Elves going to invade?
-Elf fanatics are still talking about Elves even in this situation ㅡㅡ
'The tower near the ceasefire line, I guess the rumor has spread completely.'
The wooden pillar-shaped tower in North Korea's territory.
It seemed like classified information before entering the First Tower.
But now the rumor seemed to have spread everywhere.
Well, the change was clearly visible.
This couldn't be hidden.
'If the wooden tower is from the Elf side, will they also withdraw?'
It would make sense if there were Elves among the viewers earlier.
As Lee Ganghan thought this.
Tiriring.
The phone rang.
Looking at the screen, it was a call from Shin Yuri.
[Heavenly Demon Lord! Did you hear the news?]
"What news?"
[Right now, some of the towers under 'Occupation Reservation' are disappearing! We'll need to tally for exact results, but so far 4 have been confirmed to have withdrawn!]
Four races had withdrawn.
About 1/4 of the remaining 17 races.
For them to withdraw this quickly even though it hadn't been long since the broadcast ended.
'A few more might withdraw later.'
Even when he fell down from B2 and met the Smiling Face Demon.
He wondered if he had fallen for nothing.
But if different races were withdrawing like this, it was completely a blessing in disguise.
"I also heard from the news that some had withdrawn. But why are they suddenly withdrawing?"
Since he couldn't talk about the Smiling Face Demon or the First Tower.
Lee Ganghan naturally asked Shin Yuri why the different races were withdrawing.
Then.
[It's a situation that occurred suddenly, so even the association side hasn't been able to identify the cause. FIPA is also looking into it, but they say there are too few clues.]
Shin Yuri naturally said they couldn't identify the cause.
"I see."
[Then I'll call you again as more information comes in. I'll also look into the cause through various channels!]
She said she would look into it more and hung up.
'The cause... They'd never guess that the different races were startled by seeing the Smiling Face Demon and withdrew.'
Should he have told Shin Yuri about this?
But then he would have had to explain a lot starting from the First Tower.
Lee Ganghan decided to keep this to himself for now.
'Then I should sleep a bit and enter the tower at night.'
Entering the tower as soon as it became 12 AM tonight to battle Gershu.
Since he went to the First Tower during the day.
He had met two absolute beings in half a day.
So even with high stamina stats.
Mental fatigue remained.
Moreover,
'The next tower is a promotion battle to rise to Silver... I need to rest sufficiently.'
Tower of Infinity where he had to climb as many floors as possible.
To run at full speed tomorrow.
He needed to conserve his strength now.
After Lee Ganghan lay down on the bed.
'Let's turn on relax mode too.'
He activated relax mode from the Arena Promising Player Bracelet and fell asleep.
While he was getting sound sleep.
[Breaking News - 5th 'Occupation Reservation' tower to disappear.]
[Are different races withdrawing?]
Breaking news continued to be posted.
***
Washington, USA, White House residence.
"What's the current situation?"
President Alfred, with sparse gray hair, asked his aide.
"A total of 6 'Occupation Reservation' towers have disappeared."
"6... Are you including the tower that Strong Lee made withdraw?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"1/3 has been cleared up."
After the explosion of the Tower of Light in Mogadishu.
The biggest incident, the '9.1 Occupation Reservation' crisis.
Even after Lee Ganghan drove out the Orcs, the occupation of 17 towers remained intact, making people wonder how to resolve this.
Thanks to 1/3 of the invading different races withdrawing on their own.
Humanity was in a situation where they could breathe a sigh of relief from the extreme crisis.
"But why are they withdrawing? Are we perhaps winning?"
"No. Excluding Strong Lee, the highest record achieved is Mike's 5th floor."
"Right? From their perspective, there's no reason to withdraw?"
"FIPA is also investigating from various angles. The CIA has also begun independent investigations."
Why were different races suddenly withdrawing?
Not only FIPA but intelligence agencies from each country were mobilized to find the reason.
But no one could figure out this mystery.
Meanwhile.
"Tsk... They should figure out things like this immediately! The dollars we support FIPA with are wasted!"
President Alfred, who had criticized FIPA several times.
"Mike... He's really disappointing too."
Changed the topic to mention Mike.
"Wasn't he definitely the world's number 1 ranking? Why can he only clear 5 floors?"
"That is..."
"Look at Strong Lee! Didn't he climb up to the 11th floor and perfectly defeat the Orcs! Mike reached the 5th floor by joining forces with party members... but didn't Strong Lee achieve all those feats alone!"
President Alfred meticulously compared Lee Ganghan and Mike.
The aide's eyes widened upon hearing this.
'Since when did he know so much about towers?'
President Alfred was in his mid-70s.
Although 10 years had passed since the Tower of Infinity appeared.
The elderly often lacked knowledge about towers.
And President Alfred wasn't particularly knowledgeable about towers before either.
"Koreans enjoy the effect of all stats +1 thanks to Strong Lee, right?"
"That's correct."
"Ha! Strong Lee should have been American!"
Ever since Lee Ganghan became known to the world.
Saying Strong Lee, Strong Lee.
President Alfred had become much more knowledgeable about towers than before.
"Isn't there a way to recruit Strong Lee?"
"He seemed satisfied with his life in Korea. Even when we guaranteed more compensation and a larger mansion, the agent side answered that he wanted to stay in his homeland."
"Ha! Can't we satisfy him more! Ah. Right."
President Alfred beat his chest as if frustrated.
His eyes sparkled as if he had a good idea.
"How about imposing economic sanctions on Korea?"
"Pardon...?"
"Or, right. Imposing tariffs!"
"But the reason..."
"Reason? Isn't Korea making enormous profits from us! We're imposing tariffs to correct the trade imbalance!"
The aide broke out in a cold sweat hearing President Alfred's tariff talk.
President Alfred, who had liked tariff policies from before.
But as international cooperation became important due to the Tower of Infinity crisis, he hadn't pursued radical tariff policies.
'Imposing tariffs to bring Strong Lee over...?'
Isn't this a bit too much?
The aide gently dissuaded President Alfred.
"Mr. President, the current situation is too serious to introduce tariff policies at this time. How about seeking good solutions after things calm down a bit?"
"Ahem... Right. Research some good solutions!"
"Understood."
"I've learned something from this crisis. The best players must be secured by our America!"
Even before the 9.1 Occupation Reservation crisis broke out.
When Lee Ganghan showed strong will to remain in Korea, President Alfred seemed to have given up on recruiting him.
But after this crisis occurred, the president's thinking seemed to have changed again.
For America, they must secure the best players.
Under this principle.
"Ah. Good. Then how about this? Making Korea specifically America's 52nd state..."
"Mr., Mr. President...!"
President Alfred was pouring out extraordinary ideas.
***
Beijing, China.
Ministry of State Security conference room.
"...Right. After 6 Occupation Reservation towers disappeared, there's been no further news?"
"Yes. No further withdrawal news has been heard."
Deputy Minister Wang Swei of the Ministry of State Security showed a disappointed expression after receiving his subordinate's report.
"I thought the different races would continue withdrawing on their own, but now we'll have to fight the remaining races."
"Yes. According to reports from various locations..."
For a while.
Information reports regarding the Occupation Reservation crisis were exchanged in the Ministry of State Security conference room.
When the discussion was somewhat finished.
"We'll need to compile all this information and submit a report. Good work everyone."
Wang Swei was about to conclude the meeting.
Then.
"Yes! Ah. And... Director Jin's family wants to negotiate with Heavenly Demon."
A Ministry of State Security agent spoke carefully.
"What? They want to negotiate with Heavenly Demon?"
"Yes. Director Jin's father wants to tell Heavenly Demon that he'll give him materials related to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, so please release Director Jin. A request came in asking if the Ministry of State Security could help with this."
"Ho. Materials related to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect..."
The current relationship with Heavenly Demon Lee Ganghan was at its worst.
But if they could negotiate well with the materials Director Jin's father was offering.
Wouldn't the relationship improve from now?
'We don't need to be enemies with Heavenly Demon. We must maintain good relations somehow.'
The importance of players had increased further after the Occupation Reservation crisis.
Although Mike was currently ranked 1st.
The player who could be called the actual pinnacle was Heavenly Demon.
It was better to maintain good relations with him somehow.
Wang Swei thought this and asked the agent.
"What are the related materials? We need to review them first, don't we?"
"Yes. They said it's one book."
"Book?"
"Yes. The title is... Divine Sect Secret Record (Shinjiao Birok)."