Chapter 136
Chapter 136.
[No, why are you withdrawing......!]
Shin Yuri was bewildered.
Lee Ganghan had the highest possibility of winning the vote.
From her perspective, it was incomprehensible that he would throw away the opportunity to become a Transcendent himself.
Still.
-A Transcendent who is elected without having sufficient power is nothing more than a toy for other Transcendents.
-Right. They thoroughly toy with unqualified newcomers. Heavenly Demon, you're not yet at the level to become a Transcendent. You know that too, don't you?
Yoo Doa's earlier words also weighed on his mind.
'There's another way to become a Transcendent anyway.'
Since one could become a Transcendent by raising Divine Power to gather the qualifications of a Transcendent.
It seemed right to pass on the current vote.
Still, it would be awkward to relay Yoo Doa's words directly to Shin Yuri.
"I found out about a separate method to become a Transcendent."
Lee Ganghan decided to mention only the second reason.
[There's a separate method to become a Transcendent......?]
"Yes. If Divine Power reaches 10, that's enough. Since the tower recognizes it as sufficient even with the all stats +1 effect when entering towers, practically I only need to raise it to 9."
Lee Ganghan, who had raised his Divine Power to 4 in such a short time.
Raising it to 9 wouldn't be too difficult for him either.
When Shin Yuri heard there was a separate method, her initially surprised tone dropped slightly.
[It's fortunate there's a method. And it seems like you could definitely achieve that level, Heavenly Demon. But...... isn't it still too regrettable? You could definitely succeed through the vote.]
"Actually, I judged that humanity needs someone other than me to play the role of Transcendent. It's not normal for me to be the only one breaking achievements, is it?"
[That's true, but.......]
In the crisis of the Tower Occupation Reservation incident by other races.
Since even Mike, the world's number 1 ranking, could only clear up to the 5th floor of towers under occupation reservation.
While the public was enthusiastic about Heavenly Demon's achievements.
Seeing other players' performance fall far short of expectations, they were also feeling great anxiety.
How could there be such a lack of talent besides Heavenly Demon?
he anxiety that no matter how much he alone performed, he might ultimately fail to resolve the current crisis.
"Still, it would be regrettable to just withdraw, so could you negotiate with the US, China, and India about what they'll give me in return for withdrawing?"
[It seems you're definitely set on withdrawing.......]
"Yes. Even if those three countries refuse to give anything, I will still withdraw."
When Lee Ganghan spoke firmly.
Shin Yuri, feeling his resolve, no longer tried to persuade him.
[......Understood! Then I'll try to get as much as possible! Ah. What kind of compensation do you mainly want, Heavenly Demon?]
"What kind do you mean......?"
[Money or items. I'm curious where to focus.]
Ah.
Whether it's money or items, is that it?
'Money is... well, since there's the Black Market, I don't really need it much.'
After hearing from Yoo Doa that Cheon Seran was the strongest in the Divine Sect.
He had thought about summoning 'Last Divine Maiden Cheon Seran' which boasted a price of 999 million TP.
But no matter what, rather than spending over a trillion to summon Cheon Seran.
Receiving items seemed better.
"Items would be better. Among those, accessories would be good, since I have weapons and armor."
[Yes. Understood! Then I'll ask for accessories mainly, at least SS grade.]
"Yes. Please take care of it."
After finishing the call with Shin Yuri.
'I have some free time.'
Lee Ganghan realized he had leisure time until the next tower climb.
Starting with encountering Gershu.
From the first tower climb to the Tower of Infinity promotion battle.
The recent three tower entries had considerable difficulty.
'I gained a lot, but...... if this continues every time, my body won't last.'
Against Gershu, he survived thanks to King of the Dead's Robe's instant death defense.
In the Tower of Infinity, he broke through crisis thanks to the Flame Angel's Wing Feather.
Against Son Goku, he kept dying and reviving.
Certainly, recalling these three consecutive tower climbs.
There were quite a few moments of crisis.
'Now I should abandon the attitude that Heavenly Demon Divine Art alone is enough like before, and definitely prepare all items properly before entering towers.'
Having definitely experienced the power of appropriate items through King of the Dead's Robe and Flame Angel's Wing Feather.
The items he would obtain from the US, China, and India by withdrawing from the Transcendent candidacy seemed important.
'There were almost no SSS grade items...... Even SS grade would be good.'
Lee Ganghan thought so expectantly.
He decided to dedicate his remaining time to training Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
"In the beginning, righteous, evil, and demonic were not distinguished......"
Lee Ganghan, who was cooking simple food while reciting the first verse of Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
'Somehow the incantations of Heavenly Demon Divine Art feel more resonant than before?'
The incantations of Heavenly Demon Divine Art that he had memorized blindly before.
He felt they were becoming embodied without him realizing it.
'Hmm...... is it because of Passionate Dullard?'
Or maybe it was because his martial arts fundamentals improved while fighting Son Goku.
Anyway, when the previously puzzling incantations began to resonate.
'I should focus and train.'
Lee Ganghan quickly finished his meal.
He decided to focus on Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
While he was devoting himself to Heavenly Demon Divine Art during his spare time.
"What? Heavenly Demon might withdraw?!"
The governments of the US, China, and India.
Were receiving news that had flown in from Korea.
***
The White House, USA.
"Strong Lee might withdraw...... Is that really true?"
Despite the late hour of 10 PM due to the time difference with Korea.
President Alfred hurriedly entered his office and asked his staff.
"Yes. His agent informed the three countries through the Korean government."
"Not just us, but China and India too?"
"That's right. He says if the three countries provide appropriate compensation, he'll withdraw from this vote."
"Compensation? What does he want?"
"According to his agent. He wants high-quality accessory items."
"He wants accessories? Just give them to him!"
President Alfred spoke lightly, saying why not just give them.
"But high-quality accessory items are not easy to obtain. Due to Heavenly Demon increasing accessory slots by 1 last time, the accessory shortage hasn't been resolved yet."
"Ah. That...... was that Strong Lee's roulette reward?"
"Yes. That's right."
"But we can still get them, right? We're America!"
Although the staff said obtaining items wasn't easy.
Alfred said casually that they were just items after all.
"We can get SS grade, but higher grades are not easy to obtain."
"Not easy? But not impossible."
"That's true, but......"
"Then get them!"
President Alfred's eyes sparkled brightly.
"If it's hard for us to get, it'll be hard for China and India too, right?"
"Yes. It'll be even harder for them."
"So we need to give Strong Lee the best items even more. And tell him. Support Mike!"
"Support Mike...... would he do that openly?"
"Why? If those guys give SS and we give SSS, wouldn't Strong Lee naturally support Mike?"
That makes sense.
The staff nodded at those words.
"And we don't need to ask for open support. Just saying he hopes a skilled player gets chosen would be favorable to Mike!"
"Ah......"
"Mike could get many of the votes that Heavenly Demon would have received."
"Even if China and India take their votes. Other countries will support Mike."
"Right. If Strong Lee drops out, who should become Transcendent? Obviously Mike, the world's number 1 ranking, right?"
Having climbed to the US presidency by winning an election considered difficult.
President Alfred was quick with vote calculations.
'He's definitely knowledgeable about elections.'
'If Heavenly Demon not only withdraws but also gives his support...... Mike could win the Transcendent vote.'
Getting Heavenly Demon's support was definitely important here.
The White House, making that judgment.
"Get SSS grade somehow! And clearly show Strong Lee who his closest friend is!"
"Understood!"
Moved busily to obtain SSS grade items.
Meanwhile.
Beijing, China, Ministry of State Security conference room.
"Heavenly Demon informed us he might withdraw from the Transcendent vote...... Is this true?"
With all executives of the Ministry of State Security gathered.
Deputy Minister Tang Yixin, sitting at the head of the conference room, looked around seriously.
"Yes. However, he demanded appropriate compensation."
"Compensation? What does he want?"
"He says he wants high-quality accessory items."
"High-quality...... Does that mean he wants SSS grade?"
"It should be at least SS grade, I think."
Tap, Tap.
Tang Yixin tapped the conference table a few times.
"How does the vote calculation work? If Heavenly Demon withdraws."
"America's Mike emerges as a leading candidate. Since he's been firmly established as world ranking 1."
"Then might a 4-way battle actually be more advantageous?"
"According to Ministry of State Security analysis, if Wang Jiebin becomes China's representative, a 3-way battle is feasible, but if Zhang Haoran is the representative, a 4-way battle is better."
World ranking 2nd Wang Jiebin and 7th Zhang Haoran.
If Wang Jiebin represents, there's competitiveness in a 3-way battle.
But if 7th-ranked Zhang Haoran is the representative, creating a vote-splitting situation would be better.
Tang Yixin frowned at this.
"Is Zhang Haoran that uncompetitive?"
"Well, the ranking......"
"Still, we can't change representatives. The Chairman has already decided."
Zhang Haoran, a distant relative of the Chairman.
Even in this situation, is blood relation the priority?
While executives sighed inwardly.
Deputy Minister Wang Swei spoke up.
"Then it seems better to go with a 4-way battle......"
"No. The Chairman wants a 3-way battle. He doesn't want Heavenly Demon to stand out anymore."
Then why did you ask for analysis?
Wile some executives thought so.
"So this time, let's just show appropriate sincerity to Heavenly Demon. S grade accessory and...... what was it. Deputy Minister, what did you report then?"
"Ah. Are you referring to the Divine Sect Secret Record?"
"Right. Tell him we'll give that too. That should show sincerity. And ask about Director Jin's situation while we're at it."
S grade accessory plus Divine Sect Secret Record is really just token gesture.
Wang Swei thought so while.
"Understood."
He bowed to the minister's instruction.
With America and China's stances divided like this.
Calcutta, India.
In Prime Minister Mohan's office, they were reaching a conclusion about Lee Ganghan's counter-proposal.
"A 3-way battle has no possibility of victory...... Are you certain?"
"Ye. Going to a 4-way battle and having Indian citizens unite to vote for Kiara is the only way to have a chance."
"Hmm......"
"Moreover, the items he wants are at least SS grade or higher. Getting that in one day won't be easy either."
"Here, pursuing practical gains would be......"
World ranking 9th Kiara.
Her chances of winning the vote weren't high from the beginning.
Going to a 4-way battle and hoping for vote splitting was the only way to have any chance.
From India's perspective, rather than giving items to Heavenly Demon, it was advantageous for him to participate.
"Then let's reject Heavenly Demon's proposal. Just tell him to run in the election!"
"Yes."
"I'll convey that."
The three countries' response methods, clearly divided by their different positions.
This was soon.
"Hmm...... Is that so?"
Conveyed to Lee Ganghan through his agent.