So—at the moment when news broke that Juhyeok had cleared the French Black Tower's 69th floor with an S++ rank—
The American player Gerald Watson, a magic swordsman–type, was inside the Holy Sword Loan Room of the Korean Awakening Management Agency.
The United States had been struck by the First Curse.
That was why Gerald had entered Korea together with Minister McMillan and Director Antonio.
Clearing the 67th floor was easy.
The curse was resolved.
But they didn't return to the United States.
As long as the Curse of the Average continued, there was no telling what might happen.
Then came the breaking news: the French Black Tower's 69th floor, S++ clear.
The American side knew as well.
That Korea's top player was temporarily naturalized in France.
The 68th floor was already shocking—but the 69th too?
To be honest, Gerald's pride was wounded.
He had once been the world's top player himself.
He had even entered the 68th floor before.
He'd confirmed the appearance of Death Knights.
Of course, he'd abandoned the mission and retreated.
Death Knights.
Just seeing them from afar was terrifying.
Still—if he had the Holy Sword, wouldn't it be possible?
'I should at least try killing one.'
He wasn't trying to clear the 68th floor.
Just to see if it was possible, how long it would take—something like a rehearsal.
So he asked Director Antonio to reserve a Holy Sword loan slot at a suitable time.
The request was approved.
Inside the Awakening Management Agency's Holy Sword Loan Room, he equipped himself in advance and put on a body cam.
[Entering America (No. 1) Black Tower, 68th Floor.]
[68th Floor Mission: Defeat 4 Dark Death Knights.]
"Hoo…"
Courage welled up.
Before, entering without the Holy Sword had felt hopeless.
Four appeared at once.
Fortunately, they were spaced apart, making safe pulling possible.
"Shield, Strength, Haste…"
He activated defensive and buff spells first.
"Magic Bolt."
Tsipit! He pulled one—
"Grrrrrrr…"
A Death Knight stared at Gerald with chilling eyes.
Then—
'…Huh?'
Screeeee! It charged at him at a terrifying speed.
'Why is it so—'
Tsipirit!
'Fast?'
The Death Knight's massive greatsword swung like lightning.
Gerald raised the Holy Sword to block it.
Clang!
"Ghk!"
Steel clashed against steel.
The shock was immense—it traveled straight through his body.
"D-damn it."
He understood from that single exchange.
Meeting the blade head-on was a losing move.
Instead—
"Blink!"
Pop! Using teleportation magic, he appeared behind it and slashed downward.
Tsipit! Thud!
"…This is insane!"
Thanks to the holy radiance, the dark aura was split—
But the Holy Sword was stopped cold by the armor.
"Grrrrk!"
The Death Knight's momentum surged even more.
It looked enraged at having been struck.
Tsipit! Tsipipipit!
A relentless offensive followed.
The Death Knight swung its massive greatsword as if it were a one-handed sword.
'Damn it!'
It wasn't a simple attack.
Variation, technique, and speed—all woven into its swordsmanship.
Clang! Clang!
Gerald was forced back helplessly.
All he could do was fend off the Death Knight's blade.
Damage steadily accumulated.
Blood traced a red line down from the corner of his mouth.
"B-blink."
He retreated—
"Shield—"
Spat! Swoosh!
It lunged at him before the defensive skill could even complete.
"Hhk!"
Clang!
"…Ghk!"
Had it been about one minute since their blades first met?
That was enough.
Even with the Holy Sword, he couldn't kill it.
At this rate, he might die. Escape became the top priority.
"Blink—"
Swoosh! Clang!
The Death Knight gave him no room to cast magic, relentlessly pressing him.
There wasn't even time to drink a healing potion.
Clang! Clang! Clangclang!
Ugh—
At last, Gerald spat out a mouthful of blood.
A desperate crisis.
Focus.
Only that would keep him alive.
Wasn't he, at least in name, America's top player?
He deflected the Death Knight's downward smash with the Holy Sword—
"Blink!"
Pop!
He fled at full speed, barely reaching a safe zone—
And immediately—
"Abandon mission."
[You have declared mission abandonment.]
[Mission failed.]
[Exiting America (No. 1) Black Tower.]
Spat!
Gerald reappeared in the Holy Sword Loan Room.
Using the Holy Sword like a cane, he dropped to one knee.
"Cough!"
Blood still poured from his mouth.
With trembling hands, he pulled out a healing potion from his inventory and drank it.
"Gerald!!!"
Director Antonio rushed over in shock.
The medical staff who had been standing by as well—
"…D-Director, huff, huff."
Gerald spoke while gasping for breath.
"What is it?"
"I—I can't clear it."
"What?"
"It's too strong. The Death Knights—68th floor is impossible… e-even with the Holy Sword."
"What…?"
Clearing the floor wasn't even the issue anymore.
The fact that he had come back alive at all was a relief.
Juhyeok's penthouse.
A simple celebration and a Platinum Badge award ceremony were underway.
And somehow, the Mad Demon was sitting right there beside them?
How exactly would the Mad Demon view this badge ceremony that felt like child's play?
Honestly, it was a little embarrassing.
It really was childish—like kids playing pretend.
But there was no backing out now.
The summoned ones were brimming with anticipation.
Even if it was embarrassing, he endured it.
"Kosak."
"Yes, sir!"
Kosak received a badge for the contribution of proposing the interrogation of the French Black Tower copy, which led to uncovering the identity of the real body.
"Chooong! Thank you very much. A genius of strategy and tactics, solver of Black Tower crises, master of quick thinking—this Kosak will work even harder from now on."
At that sight, the Mad Demon said,
"Tsk tsk tsk. Following the copy to find the real one is something even a three-year-old could guess. Acting like he did something great."
A clearly displeased expression.
"…"
Ugh, having him watch from the side was really nerve-wracking.
Maybe this should've been done after the Mad Demon left.
"…Gobang."
"Summoner, I'm here."
Gobang earned a badge for contributing as a solid tank all the way up to the French Black Tower's 70th floor.
"A warrior always protects the summoner."
The Mad Demon continued grumbling.
"Geez. Isn't it obvious that a summoned being protects the summoner? What a dense fool."
"…"
Next—
"Sergeant Bae."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"
Veronica earned a badge for her immense contribution in defeating the Death Knight on the 68th floor through three major staggers.
"Victory assured! Please pin it on me personally."
"Ahem—kheh-hem!!!"
This time, just a dry cough.
Rajiks and Gyeon-dallae each received a badge for transporting Dolby stereo speakers using a subspace backpack and successfully performing an exorcism ritual during the 69th-floor lich battle.
"Ho-e!"
"You're getting rewarded for doing nothing. You carried speakers and got a prize?"
"Hueee?"
"Maiden, this honor is far beyond what I deserve."
"Dark arts exist not only to deceive enemies, but allies as well."
The ultimate old-school fossil.
If someone talked like that nowadays, they'd be called a boomer on life support.
Bardin earned a badge for interrogating Copy Kabalon on the 70th floor and exposing his lies.
"My lord! I shall become my liege's sword."
"Even a mere sword is treated like a person. All you do is shout 'Light!!!' everywhere."
…Should I stop calling him?
Anyway, the badge ceremony came to an end.
Too busy worrying about the Mad Demon to even clap properly.
"Then, with this, the ceremony concludes—"
At that moment!
'Huh?'
In the blink of an eye, the Mad Demon appeared right in front of Juhyeok.
He puffed out his chest and stared at Juhyeok with eyes full of expectation, clearly wanting something.
"…"
No way—he wasn't asking for a badge, was he?
Nah. Impossible.
He was LSSR—Legend Special Super Rare.
The most vicious, most disastrous, blood-soaked, unrivaled Mad Demon of all time when alive.
Still, just in case, Juhyeok tested the waters.
"Uh… the badge—"
"I am ready. For the merit of subjugating the soul of the real Kabalon and uncovering the place where he hides."
"…"
"I believe that should be sufficient, no?"
He really was asking.
Wait—legends want badges too?
As Juhyeok stood there dumbfounded, the Mad Demon asked, sounding slightly disappointed,
"Am—am I not qualified?"
"No, that's not it. I just thought you wouldn't really need one."
"Don't need it?! It's proof that the summoner has acknowledged me! Do you know how proud that makes one feel?!"
"…"
So he really wanted it.
Then of course—he should give it.
"I'll pin it on you."
Juhyeok carefully attached the badge to the Mad Demon's chest.
"Hrm hrum."
He was happy.
It showed plainly on his face.
The corners of his mouth stretched nearly to his ears.
Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him—
"If we kill the real Kabalon on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower… c-can I get another one?"
"Of course you should."
"Be sure to summon me! I will tear apart his body and soul and kill him thoroughly."
With that, the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor was practically as good as cleared.
The Curse of the Average would disappear too.
He wanted it over quickly.
Temporary naturalization—forget that.
He wanted to return to everyday life, spend the money he'd earned, rest, and laze around.
If you're going to live like a loser, live like one properly.
To do that, he had to end Kabalon's Curse of the Average.
First step: consultation.
Juhyeok contacted Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il.
He said he wanted to meet urgently.
Important matters had to be discussed face-to-face.
Korean Awakening Management Agency.
Jeon Gwang-il and Park Gyeong-su sat in a heavy atmosphere.
Korea becoming a 3rd-curse target nation?
That wasn't it.
There might be some connection—but the real issue was—
Player Gerald's failure.
He'd gone to test the waters on the 68th floor and came back utterly crushed.
He hadn't managed to kill even a single Death Knight.
He'd nearly died, even.
America's top player, no less.
"Do you remember what Player Bong said when he entrusted us with the Holy Sword back then?"
"I do. He said the 68th floor might be difficult with just an old Holy Sword. But it's been repaired now. Its effectiveness has increased greatly."
"Yes. I thought it would be fine too."
But the result was mission abandonment without killing even one.
Even with the Holy Sword, clearing the 68th floor was difficult.
This was serious. What now?
Of course, Korea didn't need to worry—because they had Player Bong Juhyeok.
The problem was the other countries.
"What did you decide? Have you talked with Director Antonio?"
"For now, we've decided to keep it confidential. There's nothing to gain from Gerald's case becoming public."
"Hm."
Nothing but frustration.
At this rate, the United States would only grow more eager to get their hands on Player Bong Juhyeok.
Only the United States?
With high-ranking officials and top players from all over the world staying in Korea to rent the Holy Sword, it was obvious what would happen if word spread about what Gerald experienced on the 68th floor.
A tug-of-war over Player Bong.
Or requests for temporary naturalization.
Japan, too, was saying it wanted to sign a bilateral mutual defense treaty against tower collapse, and the acting prime minister himself was coming to Korea.
As if there were anything to gain by scavenging here.
"What about Player Bong's French nationality?"
"The French special envoy is arriving today, so we'll ask Player Bong and immediately restore his nationality to its original state."
"Hurry it up. I don't like Player Bong not being Korean."
"Yes."
Both Jeon Gwang-il and Park Gyeong-su regretted it.
If only they'd known this would happen, they would've grabbed onto Bong Juhyeok's pant leg and begged him.
Never to accept temporary naturalization.
Just then—ding!
A notification chimed on Jeon Gwang-il's smartphone.
"Uh…"
"What is it? Something urgent?"
"Player Bong says he wants to meet. He says there's something he needs to discuss."
"Is that so? Go right away. I'll handle your work in the meantime."
In the underground parking lot of Juhyeok's apartment.
Jeon Gwang-il and Juhyeok met inside a car.
Jeon Gwang-il first explained Gerald's situation.
"…He wasn't even a match?"
"Yes. Not a single one. He barely made it back after abandoning the mission."
Kosak had mentioned before that the 68th floor might be difficult, but—
Even so, Juhyeok hadn't expected this.
If it were the old Holy Sword, maybe—but it had been repaired and was much stronger now.
Still, it really was strong.
Juhyeok had experienced it himself.
The 67th-floor Phantom Reaper and the 68th-floor Death Knight.
The gap between the two was astronomical.
'This is troublesome.'
If even Gerald couldn't clear the 68th floor, then what could possibly be done?
'Should I just throw everything away and run?'
If he did that, the world would truly end in a few years.
'That damn bastard.'
This was all because of Kabalon.
If not for the Curse of the Average, there would've been plenty of time, at least.
Anyway—
"The reason I asked to meet today is that I'm done with the French Black Tower. Could you help me restore my nationality as quickly as possible? There's something urgent I need to take care of."
Jeon Gwang-il's face lit up.
He'd been meaning to bring it up himself.
"I'll take care of it immediately… hm, but if it's urgent, what is it?"
Now it was time to get to the point.
"The real Kabalon is on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower."
"…Pardon?"
Jeon Gwang-il looked completely lost.
Had he misheard? Who was where?
"To lift the Curse of the Average, we have to clear the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor."
Jeon Gwang-il's eyes wavered.
But he had no choice but to believe it.
Was Player Bong Juhyeok the kind of man who would lie?
"If we don't kill the real one, the only option is to raise the average to 70 floors, right?"
Jeon Gwang-il nodded.
That was correct.
If they didn't kill him, they'd have to hit an average of 70.
But an average of 70 was an absurd goal.
Then again, clearing the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor wasn't easy either.
Think of how many people would have to be persuaded.
"Th-this isn't something we can decide here…"
"I know. That's why I'm just asking you to think it over. The clear itself won't be a problem, so once a decision's made, contact me later."
And one more thing.
"If the climb is approved, I'll clear twice a day."
"Twice? You mean—?"
"…I can enter the Tower twice."
"H-how?"
Hm. Where to even start explaining?
LSSR rank, summoning the Mad Demon, feat achievements…
Explaining everything from start to finish would be a headache.
He'd have to gloss over it.
"Well… there's something called a Tower Entry Reset Ticket. Th-that lets you enter twice."
A lie—but so what? Something like that might really exist.
"There was such a thing as a Tower Entry Reset Ticket?"
"Yes, y-yes, that's right… and look at that, I happen to have two? Hahaha. With that, I can enter floors 67 and 68 in one day, then 69 and 70 the next."
"Ah!"
Jeon Gwang-il looked convinced.
In any case, the ball had been passed.
The people at the top would make the decision themselves.
All that was left was to wait.
Jeon Gwang-il returned to the Awakening Management Agency.
He immediately met Park Gyeong-su and relayed everything he'd discussed with Bong Juhyeok.
Naturally, Park Gyeong-su was shocked as well.
The real Kabalon being in the Korean Black Tower.
And that they had to clear the 70th floor.
It clearly wasn't a lie, so they needed countermeasures.
The two spoke in grave tones.
Eventually—
"In any case, restoring Player Bong's nationality comes first."
Whether or not they cleared the Korean Black Tower, this was a prerequisite.
"You handle meeting the French special envoy. Prime Minister Benjamin Adrian should be leading the delegation."
Director Park Gyeong-su had his own task.
For fast processing, division of roles was essential.
"I'll head to the Blue House. We need to put this on the cabinet agenda."
Thus, Jeon Gwang-il met the French special envoy delegation that had entered Korea.
The head of the delegation was French Prime Minister Benjamin.
"The reason we've come is to discuss a continued temporary naturalization contract, or possibly a tower-collapse defense treaty—"
Jeon Gwang-il cut him off sharply.
"First, cancel Player Bong Juhyeok's nationality change. That is the precondition for any discussion."
"No, but that—"
"If you want to talk, restore it immediately. Player Bong Juhyeok himself wants this."
He pressed hard. There was no time.
At the cabinet meeting, Director Park Gyeong-su delivered an impassioned speech.
"Our immediate task is to lift the Curse of the Average. Even if it requires sacrifice on our part, it is something we must do."
Both Jeon Gwang-il and Park Gyeong-su fulfilled their roles.
The result came quickly.
Jeon Gwang-il called Juhyeok directly.
"You may proceed with the clear."
—…Yes. I'll start entering from today.
Thus, the decision to clear the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor was made.