The decision was made.
Starting today, the clear begins immediately.
But first—confirmation.
[Name]: Bong Juhyeok
[Affiliation]: Black Tower (Republic of Korea)
Finally—Korean again.
Thanks to his own will and the French government's nationality revocation procedures, his Korean nationality was restored faster than expected.
Well, France was also cursed and needed to clear the 70th floor anyway—but that could wait.
With two Multinational Tower Access Tickets in hand, there was plenty of leeway.
If France wanted it, he'd take care of it.
Of course, for a price.
All summoned beings were called in.
Except for the Mad Demon.
Why deploy top-tier manpower everywhere?
"Kosak here. Bonjour."
"Hello, Mr. Kosak."
"…Eek? Bonjour again?"
"I'm Korean."
"Ah! Salute!"
Gobang, Gyeon-dallae, Rajiks, Veronica, and Bardin.
Everyone had received badges, and they all seemed in good spirits.
"Shall we climb?"
And so began the first day's ascent.
The goal: floors 67 and 68—back-to-back clears.
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower, 67th Floor.]
It had been a long time since he'd entered the Korean Tower.
The incident where Gerald tested the 68th floor and got utterly crushed.
Jeon Gwang-il and Director Antonio had agreed to keep the matter confidential.
But the Holy Sword Loan Room was crowded.
Agency staff, medical teams dispatched for emergencies, and foreign players waiting their turn.
Even with confidentiality agreements signed, word inevitably spread by word of mouth.
The story first leaked on the largest American player community site.
Did you hear Gerald almost died to a 68th-floor Death Knight? Apparently he was so badly injured he was vomiting blood.
ㄴ My God! Is that true?
ㄴ Not confirmed. Just something I heard.
ㄴ I heard it too. Supposedly he didn't even kill a single Death Knight.
ㄴ Not even one?
ㄴ Didn't even scratch it, they say.
ㄴ No way! He must not have taken the Holy Sword.
ㄴ No, he did take it.
ㄴ Wait—what? With the Holy Sword?
The rumors spread rapidly.
Gerald's pride—once the world's top player—was badly bruised, but that was trivial compared to the real issue.
He couldn't handle a 68th-floor Death Knight even with the Holy Sword.
Countries around the world tensed up.
Until now, floors above 61 had been considered easier than the late 50s.
Why?
Because of the Holy Sword.
With the power of radiance, undead monsters were nothing more than brittle corpses.
But now—68th floor.
If this was true, the 68th floor could become a wall of despair.
It was a crisis.
Damn Kabalon's curse.
First wave: 10 countries.
Second wave: 20 countries.
Third wave: 30 countries.
If it continued—fourth wave, 40 countries; fifth wave, 50 countries…
Nearly every nation's Tower would be affected.
And all would stall at the wall of the 68th floor.
There was an alternative.
A proven player who had cleared the French Black Tower's 69th floor without the Holy Sword.
Korea's S++-rank record holder.
His value skyrocketed.
Korea, too, was on edge.
This was no time to relax.
Players could change nationality at any time.
ㄴ Keep your head down. Don't show your teeth.
ㄴ How many countries are in Korea right now?
ㄴ Most of the ones clearing the 60s. Hotels are fully booked.
ㄴ They're not approaching our top player, are they?
ㄴ They know who he is.
ㄴ Any decent country probably does.
Every Korean had lived through it.
The experience of their top player suddenly becoming another nation's citizen.
So there was no room for comfort.
ㄴ Especially watch out for the U.S. Gerald failed, didn't he? So who do you think they'll target?
ㄴ No way they'd try to steal an allied nation's player.
ㄴ Allies my ass. Countries move by self-interest.
ㄴ What's the Awakening Management Agency doing? I'll pay double taxes if they just secure the S++ record holder.
Then—out of nowhere.
ㄴ Huh? A 67th-floor clear just popped up. System-wide announcement.
ㄴ What?
ㄴ Oh…
ㄴ That fast?
ㄴ Even with the curse, there's still time left.
ㄴ Why…?
Everyone knew it wasn't Player Nam Gaeun.
She was excellent—but she couldn't get S++ clears.
There was only one possibility.
The top player.
Publicly known as Gobang.
And about 30 minutes later—
The community and social media exploded again.
ㄴ Holy shit.
ㄴ What is this?
ㄴ No way.
ㄴ Why?
ㄴ What?
ㄴ Huh…
Republic of Korea Black Tower, 68th Floor—S++ Rank Clear.
What?
It hadn't even been an hour since the 67th-floor S++ announcement.
And now the 68th floor too?
ㄴ Why are you surprised? He already cleared 68 in the French Tower.
The clear itself wasn't the issue.
ㄴ It's because they popped up twice in one day.
ㄴ That's not strange. Remember the HG Hotel terror incident? There were two people. So twice a day makes sense.
ㄴ I heard rumors it was just one person.
ㄴ No way. How could one person do it twice?
ㄴ Maybe if there's an item that lets you enter twice a day?
ㄴ Is there really such an item?
ㄴ Well, there are items that let you skip floors, so…
ㄴ The more you dig, the more layers there are.
ㄴ Two people or one person—which is it?
ㄴ Shh! Better if it stays a mystery for now. Let's not dig too deep.
Amid the chaos, breaking news hit the media and TV.
A presidential special address?
Something serious was coming.
Shortly after—
At the Blue House briefing room, the President of Korea appeared in person.
—There are aspects of the ongoing consecutive S++ clears of the Republic of Korea Black Tower's 67th and 68th floors that the public needs to know, which is why I am speaking to you directly today.
Domestic and international reporters filled the room.
The broadcast was being transmitted live worldwide via satellite.
—Our nation's proud top player has begun moving to clear the Korean Black Tower's 70th floor.
What?
The 70th floor?
—We have obtained information that the real Kabalon, the source of the curse that has terrified the world, is hiding on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower.
The briefing room erupted into noise.
The Korean Black Tower's 70th floor—the hiding place of the real Kabalon?
How did they even find that out?
—Even though there is still time left before the clearing deadline, climbing in advance is practically the same as cutting into your own flesh.
That was true.
No matter how cursed they were, the clearing deadline should normally be used to the very last day.
—However, Korea and our player have decided to accept sacrifice for the sake of world peace. We will proudly bear whatever disadvantages come as a result.
Charararak! Chararak!
Camera flashes erupted nonstop.
—As early as tomorrow, the real Kabalon will be cleared by Korea's S++-rank record holder. With that, the Curse of the Average will be lifted.
Viewership was skyrocketing.
In Korea—and across the world.
—Please send your unwavering encouragement and support to our player, who has bravely thrown himself into this journey for peace. Thank you.
The briefing ended.
Reporters desperately raised their hands to ask questions, but the national address was over.
And people began counting the hours until tomorrow.
Would Kabalon's curse finally end?
The French special envoy delegation also watched the presidential address while in Korea.
A declaration of the end of Kabalon's curse.
If only that really came true.
France would gain time.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
Either way, the French Black Tower's 70th floor still had to be cleared.
Prime Minister Benjamin of France gave instructions to his diplomats.
"Let's anticipate what Korea might demand during negotiations. We need to know in advance to respond properly."
Because of the unforeseen incident involving Gerald, U.S. Minister McMillan and Director Antonio were also on edge, their mouths dry with anxiety.
"If the curse is lifted, at least the immediate fire is out."
"It's only getting past the crisis. We may still have to make a decision regarding the 68th floor."
"Hoo… let's watch what happens tomorrow first, then decide."
Japan's acting prime minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary Usuda, said,
"If the real Kabalon is truly defeated, we won't even be able to lift our heads in front of Korea from then on."
Just how great would Korea's influence become in the international community?
For Japan to survive, they'd have no choice but to prostrate themselves.
"If we want temporary naturalization or a tower-collapse defense treaty, what do you think Korea will demand?"
Usuda's secretary replied,
"The most immediate things would be the Dokdo issue, apologies for comfort women and forced labor, withdrawal of demands for equity in Korean SNS companies, and easing of import–export tariffs."
Usuda nodded.
He could accept all of that.
If survival was on the line, what couldn't he accept?
But the secretary's expression darkened.
It looked like something was bothering him.
"What is it?"
"I hesitate to say this now, but… the atmosphere within the Self-Defense Forces is troubling."
"The Self-Defense Forces?"
"There's growing outrage within the ranks over us visiting Korea at all."
"Hah! Are they planning a coup or something?"
"…The possibility is very high."
Usuda furrowed his brow deeply.
He'd known for a long time.
The rightward shift of the Self-Defense Forces.
But with a tower rising in the middle of Tokyo, would they really do something so foolish?
Absolutely not.
Usuda was convinced of that.
The next day.
As soon as he woke up, Juhyeok washed up and ate first.
Eat well, then finish all the clears in the morning.
The faster Kabalon's curse was lifted, the better.
And so he entered the Korean Black Tower's 69th floor.
Just like the French Black Tower, he performed an exorcism ritual using massive Dolby stereo speakers—
[Notice: You have achieved an S++-rank clear on the 69th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]
[S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
A light clear.
Wait—how many Platinum Badges did that make now?
Total count: 78.
If he cleared the 70th floor, that would be 79.
"Tch. One short."
Was there anywhere he could make up one more?
For now, he had two Multinational Tower Access Tickets.
The French Black Tower's 70th-floor S++ clear was already off the table.
He'd abandoned that attempt.
The same went for the UAE Black Tower.
That one was only at the 60th floor, so it wouldn't count anyway.
"Well, I only need one more."
Anyway—the long-awaited 70th-floor clear.
The place strongly suspected to house the real Kabalon.
[Entering the Korean Black Tower, 70th Floor.]
"Ugh."
The moment he entered, thick black fog filled everything in every direction.
He couldn't see anything.
Not even the narrow path leading to the mansion.
Kosak spoke to Bardin.
"Holy Sword."
"Why do you call me, assassin?"
"Radiance."
"You insane heretic bastard! Who do you think you're talking to—!"
"It's dark."
They really did need some light.
If only he'd brought a flashlight.
"Mr. Bardin."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Could you give us some radiance…"
"Light!!!"
Whoooosh! Much better.
Juhyeok's current trait enhancement was—
There were six summoned beings inside the 70th floor.
One slot remained.
"Summon: Mad Demon."
Fwoooosh!
"Summoner."
"Welcome, Mad Demon."
"I shall lead. You all protect the summoner. If even a scratch appears on his body, I will rip off your limbs."
The Mad Demon walked forward, swaggering.
"Follow slowly."
The remaining six summoned beings tightly surrounded Juhyeok from all sides as they advanced.
'Hmm…'
He understood the sentiment, but they were a bit too close to walk comfortably.
No helping it. He'd endure.
Before they knew it, they were standing in front of the mansion door.
Wooooong! The Mad Demon's aura surged violently—
Tspeeeet! Kwaaang!
The door exploded from the force of his energy.
At the same time, he stomped powerfully into the ground—
Koooom! Kabalon's residence trembled violently.
Krrrrrk!
The ground cracked like an earthquake, walls collapsed, the roof caved in.
The Mad Demon—demolition expert.
He smashed the building relentlessly from the outside, then said,
"Child, why don't you try it too?"
Veronica nodded at the Mad Demon's words.
Bardin, quick on the uptake, stepped forward first.
"Light!!!"
Suuuuuck—attribute absorption began.
Bzzzzing! Crackle-crackle-crack!
Thump!
A massive holy-attribute projectile passed through the shattered doorway and scorched the inner wall.
Boom boom boom boom! Kuuu-rumble!
All three heavy rounds were fired.
They started by destroying the building.
There could have been barrier traps inside, after all.
For the Mad Demon, such flimsy barriers were nothing—
This was all for the summoner's sake.
"Good."
Dust billowed thickly.
Kabalon's residence lay half-destroyed.
Whooosh!
Pushing through the dust, the Mad Demon strode forward.
Juhyeok followed cautiously behind.
At the end of a corridor reduced to rubble sat a single chair.
On it sat a shabby demon race member, trembling violently.
Like a shut-in holed up in his room.
It was Kabalon.
He had already lost all will to fight.
…Was that really the real one?
"He suffered damage to his soul," the Mad Demon said.
"Oh, back then?"
"Yes. When he descended into the copy, I touched him a little."
Unbelievable—even so, he was a 70th-floor boss.
"Doesn't he reset? It's been a while."
"If he were a copy, he would've been reset and restored perfectly."
"Ah."
"However, a unique soul cannot be reset. Because he's the real one, not a copy."
That was right.
This one was a sapient being.
A player's physical injuries healed with a potion.
But once the mind broke, even entering the Tower became terrifying.
"Let's finish it."
Wasn't it already finished?
Honestly, he felt a little sorry.
A faint sense of discomfort lingered.
The real Kabalon was completely different from the Tower monsters he'd faced so far.
He was no different from a human.
Clearing the 70th floor was essentially killing a person.
Even if he didn't do it himself, it was like contract killing carried out by his order.
"I think I know what you're thinking," the Mad Demon said.
"I understand completely. But steel your heart. This one is merely a monster that can think."
Juhyeok couldn't speak right away.
Then, at last—
"…Please—let him go without pain."
"I understand."
The Mad Demon stepped forward.
Kabalon greeted him with a hollow smile, as though he had given up everything.
"Will you resist?"
"…What would be the point? The outcome is already decided."
"Then this will be easier."
"Just do it quickly. I'm sick of it too."
"Thank the summoner. He's granting you a painless death."
Grab.
The Mad Demon seized Kabalon by the head—
Crunch—and twisted it a full turn.
At the same time, crack! rip!
Kabalon's neck was torn free by the Mad Demon's hand.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++-rank clear on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]
[S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge awarded.]
As the system-wide notice rang out—
[World Notice: High-ranking demon race Duke Kabalon (true body) has been annihilated on the 70th floor of the Korean Black Tower.]
[World Notice: The Curse of the Average imposed on towers worldwide has been lifted as of this moment.]
[World Notice: The Korean Black Tower's 70th-floor boss has been replaced with Copy Kabalon.]
World notices flooded in one after another.
[World Notice: The influence of Kabalon (true body) that affected all Black Towers worldwide has disappeared.]
[World Notice: Due to the annihilation of High-ranking demon race Duke Kabalon (true body), the stats of the 68th-floor guardian Death Knights are greatly reduced. Applied simultaneously to all towers worldwide.]
[World Notice: Due to the annihilation of High-ranking demon race Duke Kabalon (true body), the stats of the 69th-floor gatekeeper Liches are greatly reduced. Applied simultaneously to all towers worldwide.]
[World Notice: Due to the annihilation of High-ranking demon race Duke Kabalon (true body), the stats of the 70th-floor Copy Kabalon are greatly reduced. Applied simultaneously to all towers worldwide.]
Stats greatly reduced.
So that's how it works.
That would make things easier.
[World Notice: Benefits for clearing the 70th floor of the Black Tower are granted.]
'Benefits?'
[World Notice: Restrictions on high-grade mana stones are lifted, limited to the Korean Black Tower.]
[World Notice: Restrictions on various potions and elixirs are lifted, limited to the Korean Black Tower.]
[World Notice: Restrictions on weapons and equipment items are lifted, limited to the Korean Black Tower.]
'Oh!'
[World Notice: These clearing benefits apply to all floors of the Korean Black Tower. Additionally, reward drop rates are greatly increased.]
'Wait—mana stones have grades? High-grade mana stones…'
He didn't yet fully understand what "restrictions lifted" truly meant,
but since it applied to all floors and massively increased rewards, he'd find out soon enough.
In any case, for Juhyeok and all players affiliated with the Republic of Korea,
it was an extremely sweet reward.