Chapter 154
Chapter 154.
In the car that came to pick up Lee Ganghan.
Shin Dongseok was sitting in the driver's seat for the first time in a while.
"Hello."
"Oh. It's been a while, Heavenly Demon. Did you break an achievement earlier?"
"That's right, Heavenly Demon Lord, I saw you broke an achievement! How did you break an achievement while being outside the tower?"
An achievement message that appeared as a notification to all humanity since it was a B-grade achievement.
"I stopped by Ten Thousand Demon Battle and dismantled the Kobold Elder's spinal cord, and a name appeared."
"Item dismantling?"
Thanks to discovering the Slime King, he was able to build a slime pond.
When he said he put the spinal cord in there, Shin Dongseok made an incredulous expression.
"Wow... why are you playing a construction simulation game by yourself? I like that kind of thing. Let me build Ten Thousand Demon Battle too."
"Uncle, you like those kinds of games?"
"Yeah. I like organizing and stuff like that. I did all the furniture arrangements in our house too."
This was quite unexpected.
If Ten Thousand Demon Battle's land had been narrow, he might have received facility placement consulting.
'Of course, Ten Thousand Demon Battle has too much empty land now... so that wouldn't happen.'
Later, if a situation requiring city planning arose, he should show him the Ten Thousand Demon Battle map once.
As Lee Ganghan was thinking this.
Shin Yuri brought up a story related to Kobolds.
"But I never expected Kobolds to be 9th place. That's the race that summons robots, right?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"If they're 9th place, shouldn't they be a manageable race? But seeing them shoot with robots, it didn't look easy."
"That simple fortress map is famous for its extreme difficulty. If it wasn't Heavenly Demon Lord, how could a Silver block a barrage of bullets?"
They were holding cold weapons like swords and spears.
But the robot on top of the fortress was unilaterally shooting alone.
Other Occupation Reservation towers were equally difficult.
But it was impossible for Silver players to break through robots that openly shot from on top of fortresses.
"And that 10th floor combination robot was a bit too much, wasn't it? Wouldn't it be better if you just use your tower designation authority to quickly drive them out? Do it tomorrow and then again 7 days later."
Tower designation authority that could be used once a week.
Regular players were using it to avoid towers currently under Occupation Reservation.
But in Lee Ganghan's case, the calculation was complex.
If regular towers only gave 3 challenge attempts, he could definitely blow them up on the third try by reaching the 11th floor.
"I'm planning to try entering towers for a few days first and designate later. The probability of getting matched with Occupation Reservation towers is originally high, isn't it?"
"That's right. They say the probability decreased after the invaders withdrew, but still, you get matched with Occupation Reservation towers with almost a 1/3 probability. It seems fine to enter regular towers for about 2-3 days and then use it."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And on the third challenge, you have to challenge the 11th floor, so I want to make full preparations before going."
If we assume a Transcendent appears on the 11th floor of the tower that Kobolds invaded.
It would be better to go in with maximum preparation.
"Well... you'd make the best judgment. I only trust you, Heavenly Demon."
"......Didn't you say Heavenly Demon Lord's ability would disappear soon??"
"Hey, that's plausible. Does Heavenly Demon ability honestly make sense logically? If this were a game, the balance would be ruined and they'd have to close the server immediately."
"But this is reality, not a game?"
"Tch... That's what's fucked up. They should at least give us guns like those mole bastards. I'm really good at shooting guns too......"
Then suddenly bragging about how he was a shooting champion in the army back in the day.
Wait, why is the conversation suddenly going to shooting champion?
As Lee Ganghan was thinking this.
Shin Yuri, sitting in the front seat, sighed.
"Haah. Uncle is talking about that story again...... You didn't do that during the last blind date, right?"
"Ah, I didn't!"
"Haven't you gotten married?"
"No. Uncle's standards are too high."
"Hey, I'm also a successful player! It's okay to have high standards!"
While listening to Shin Dongseok protest indignantly from the driver's seat.
The car carrying Lee Ganghan arrived at the meeting place before long.
"This place is......"
An elegant hanok-style building where no sign was particularly visible.
As the car entered inside, the interior space was much wider than it looked from the outside.
"It's a high-end Korean restaurant near the Association building. The American side rented the whole place today."
"Really?"
As Lee Ganghan got out of the car.
Two men approached him as if they had been waiting.
"Have you arrived, Heavenly Demon Lord."
The first person to speak was an elderly white man.
He smiled and offered a handshake to Lee Ganghan.
"I'm CIA Director William. Nice to meet you."
Awkward Korean that seemed memorized to say this line.
Still, thinking that someone of CIA Director level had sincerity.
Lee Ganghan extended his hand in response.
"Nice to meet you, Director."
Then.
The Asian man next to the director bowed in greeting.
"I'm Daniel Kang. I'm in charge of interpretation and item transport duties this time. Please take care of me."
Much more fluent Korean compared to William.
But the accent itself didn't feel like a native Korean.
'Korean-American, perhaps.'
Lee Ganghan exchanged greetings with him too and.
Entered the prepared room.
"So......"
Indeed, he had only memorized the greeting line earlier.
The CIA Director started to speak in English.
"The Director says......"
William next to him provided real-time interpretation of his words.
Expressing respect for the achievements Lee Ganghan had accomplished so far.
After going on at length with praise.
[......Meanwhile, President Alfred has shown interest in Stat 20. So besides this SSS-grade item, he's prepared one additional item.]
After about ten minutes.
He finally started getting to the main point.
***
"An additional item?"
Actually, SSS grade is sufficient.
What more are they giving on top of that?
While Lee Ganghan was puzzled.
[Then...... let me first give you the item that President Alfred obtained privately.]
"Privately?"
[Yes. This item is a gift that the President gives with a pure heart.]
The CIA Director emphasized that this item was obtained 'privately' by President Alfred.
He gestured to Daniel next to him.
Then.
"Inventory."
The person who was also in charge of item transport duties directly opened his inventory.
And handed over an item.
What Daniel gave was a silver ring.
When Lee Ganghan received it and looked at the item information.
[Ring of Fortitude]
Grade : S
An accessory that raises the player's 'Stamina' stat by 1.
Also reduces pain sensation somewhat, helping the player not give in even to fatal injuries.
A ring description came up saying Stamina +1.
And pain sensation reduction effect.
'This is better than the Ring of Monstrous Strength.'
Although the Ring of Monstrous Strength had a higher pure stat increase number.
Anyway, once Stat 20 was reached, additional stat effects beyond that were meaningless.
Currently, stamina becomes 19.4 when entering towers, so if it goes up by 1, it's more than enough.
Then having the additional effect of pain sensation reduction would be better.
'I don't need to get stamina-related items.'
President Alfred.
When he kept mentioning 'Strong Lee' on SNS all the time, it was a bit much.
But to give such an item as a private gift.
Suddenly he seems like a decent person?
Lee Ganghan smiled and expressed gratitude.
"This is exactly the item I need. To receive such a precious gift from President Alfred, I thank you once again."
Then Director William smiled broadly.
[I'm glad Heavenly Demon Lord is pleased. Then, let me also give you the SSS-grade accessory that Mike prepared.]
The Ring of Fortitude alone was good.
What could the SSS-grade accessory be?
Lee Ganghan looked at Daniel with expectant eyes.
But unlike when handing over the ring earlier, the other person had a somewhat strange expression.
When he wondered why.
"Inventory."
Daniel opened his inventory again.
And took out an SSS-grade accessory.
But.
"Uh... did you perhaps take out the wrong thing?"
What Daniel took out.
It wasn't something like rings, bracelets, or earrings.
It was a small owl-shaped doll.
"This is the accessory."
"This owl?"
"Yes. That... if you take it and look at the item description, it would be easier to understand."
An owl doll being an accessory.
Something feels fishy?
'Should I receive it for now?'
Lee Ganghan received the owl doll smaller than his palm from Daniel.
Put it in inventory and checked the item description.
[Owl of Twilight (Sealed)]
Grade : SSS
The sacred bird of War God Athena and symbol of wisdom, an owl.
When equipped, it raises the player's 'Mana' stat by 2.
The Owl of Twilight is in a sealed state.
When the player receives the goddess's recognition, the seal will be released sequentially.
As the seal is released, the owl's appearance changes and additional effects are given.
'This is Athena's owl?'
An owl smaller than his palm, the size of a keychain.
This is Athena's sacred bird and symbol of wisdom?
'Since it's sealed, it's practically no different from having no effects other than Mana +2.'
Then it's a bit disappointing to call it an SSS-grade item.
Still, raising pure stats isn't bad.
Especially mana becomes 17 when entering towers, the lowest among the four basic stats.
Raising mana by 2 was on the good side.
But.
'How do I equip this?'
Other accessories like rings, bracelets, necklaces are wearable.
But I can't even get a sense of how to equip this owl doll.
Should I go into a tower and test it?
As Lee Ganghan had such doubts.
"The owl... I've seen this on Sir Mike's broadcast."
Shin Yuri, sitting next to him, said quietly to Lee Ganghan with a slightly stiff face.
"This owl?"
"Yes. Mike tried to somehow find a way to equip the owl because of the Mana +2 effect... but whenever he entered towers, the owl wouldn't stay attached to Mike and would disappear. So wondering if unsealing it would work, he looked into various seal release methods, but eventually gave up."
What.
Then it's a useless item?
At least let him equip it.
'Suddenly my support intention is disappearing?'
No wonder he readily gave an SSS-grade item.
And Mike, being a mage, gave an item that increases mana by 2.
As Lee Ganghan's expression hardened.
Daniel Kang in front read the atmosphere and hurriedly spoke up.
"Although the Owl of Twilight was an item that didn't suit Sir Mike, this item's grade is SSS. And we prepared this item thinking that Heavenly Demon Lord would be fully capable of breaking the seal."
"Still, this is too much. Shouldn't you give equipment that's actually wearable?"
"That's why the President also gave the Ring of Fortitude together, in case the equipment couldn't be worn. Moreover, if it's confirmed that the Owl of Twilight cannot be equipped, we'll arrange another accessory."
"Then should Mike's support declaration be made after seeing whether the owl can be equipped or not?"
"Ah, that's... there's not much time left for the voting deadline......"
Daniel being flustered by Shin Yuri's rebuttal.
Still asking for a declaration of support.
'No wonder he readily gave the Ring of Fortitude as a gift.'
He handed it over as insurance in case the 'Owl of Twilight' couldn't be equipped.
'If it's like this, just give me an SS-grade accessory instead.'
This Mike bastard.
He passed over an SSS-grade item that was troublesome for him and just took credit.
As Lee Ganghan frowned.
Ttiring, Ttiring.
['War God Athena' releases the 1st stage seal of 'Owl of Twilight'.]
['War God Athena' releases the 2nd stage seal of 'Owl of Twilight'.]
He had only put the item in inventory and done nothing else.
But suddenly seal release messages started flowing up.