The Japan sightseeing trip was decided.
Before leaving, Juhyeok stopped by his parents' house.
"What? There's no one here?"
His father, Bong Cheolsu, looked at Juhyeok with a sulky expression.
"What, am I not a person to you?"
"It's not that…"
"Your mom went to a gathering, and Minhyuk went to school."
Well, having just his father here was fine too.
He was only dropping off the healing potion and leaving right away.
"Please take this."
"Huh? What's this?"
"It's called a healing potion… keep it as a household medicine. If your hip still hasn't healed, drink it right away."
Bong Cheolsu tilted his head.
A healing potion—something he was familiar with.
"Son, are you making fun of me because I'm not a player? This stuff only heals injuries you get inside the Tower."
"This one's different from Tower-only healing potions. It works on injuries sustained outside too."
"Really?"
"Well, if you're doubtful, you could cut your finger a little with a knife—"
"Oh yeah? Give me your hand. I'll test it right now."
"…My finger?"
"Then should I cut my own finger?"
Cutting off a finger?
Ziiing!
An energy barrier activated reflexively.
"Ah, anyway, I'm busy, so I'll be off."
He'd delivered the healing potion, and there was a lot to do.
Honestly, getting to Tokyo was simple enough.
A passport was needed, plane tickets had to be booked.
Still, there were plenty of things to prepare—
international roaming for his phone, exchanging yen, spare clothes, and so on.
So the trip would be tomorrow afternoon, together with Lord Gwangma.
If you go to Japan, you have to drink some sake.
Preferably with a drinking buddy who's on the same wavelength.
That night.
Under the cover of darkness, Matsumoto Junichi, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, advanced on Tokyo with his escort units.
Fifty pre-prepared armored vehicles. Twenty tanks. Twelve attack helicopters. And over five thousand heavily armed Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers.
A coup is a battle of speed.
Seize the capital as quickly as possible, detain high-ranking government officials, and take control of the media and broadcasting stations.
'It's basically already a success.'
The proclamation of the New Great Japan would be held in front of the Black Tower of Tokyo.
Together with the crowds supporting him.
After finishing his schedule in Korea and returning home, Secretary of Homeland Security MacMillan was asleep when he received the news of the Japanese coup.
"What? …Good heavens!"
What kind of lunatics are these?
How long had it even been since Kabalon's curse ended?
Ziiing! Just then, a phone call came in.
It was a summons from the White House.
Throwing on his clothes in a hurry, he arrived to find President Lloyd, his aides, the CIA Director, and the Secretary of State already in an emergency meeting.
"Glad you could make it, Mac."
"Am I late?"
"No, we just started."
The meeting covered the progress of the Japanese coup and discussions on how to respond.
"It's too late to stop the coup. It looks like Matsumoto Junichi prepared thoroughly. The Japanese Diet has already been occupied."
With the army pushing in, who could stop them?
The Japanese police were only mobilized for traffic control, helping the military move smoothly.
"What about Acting Prime Minister Usuda?"
"We don't know for sure yet, but it's best to assume he's dead."
"And the cabinet members?"
"There was no resistance at all. Some even sided with the coup and declared their support."
"Then we should consider it a success."
"Yes. A military regime will be established."
What a peculiar country.
Even with the Black Tower standing in downtown Tokyo, its blade practically at their throats, they still staged a coup.
"What happened to the Korea–Japan temporary naturalization agreement?"
"With the coup, it should be considered void."
President Lloyd asked with a puzzled expression.
"Then how do they plan to the Black Tower of Tokyo? The curse may be over, but it's still a tower that needs to be cleared. Are they planning to beg us again?"
The CIA Director answered the president's question.
"We obtained information from a Self-Defense Forces officer. It seems Matsumoto Junichi acquired an item called a Rune of Level-Up…"
"Huh? What's that?"
"It's an item that raises your level randomly from a minimum of 1 LV up to a maximum of 5 LV, regardless of the tower floor. It seems he plans to use that to clear it."
"Something like that exists?"
The president turned to Secretary MacMillan.
"Mac, what kind of item is this Rune of Level-Up?"
"I'm hearing about it for the first time myself."
If even MacMillan, who was responsible for tower climbing, didn't know—
"Then we need to secure it too. Try to get one."
"Yes, I'll look into it."
An item that raises levels regardless of floor.
"Judging by the effect, it sounds even better than a Rune of Trait Enhancement."
But MacMillan shook his head.
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Why not?"
"For one thing, level isn't everything."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the top Korean player who naturalized to Japan?"
"I remember. Yu… something?"
"Yes. At the time of naturalization, his level was 66. But he failed to clear the 57th floor."
"Ah!"
President Lloyd looked like he finally understood.
"There are quite a few cases like that. The higher you go, the more important mental strength, talent, equipment items, and skills become."
"Still, a high level helps, doesn't it?"
"That's true. I just wanted to say that level isn't everything."
MacMillan continued.
"On the other hand, Runes of Trait Enhancement are extremely efficient. They strengthen signature skills. And you gain an enormous number of new skills as well."
"Finish Skills and Ultimate Skills can only be learned through trait enhancement. You can't learn them just by raising your level."
"And most importantly, raising your level is useless in the undead zone. Even four trait enhancements aren't enough there."
That's right.
President Lloyd nodded in agreement.
"Because of the Dark Aura."
"Yes. In the end, they'll have to wield the Holy Sword. But will they be able to borrow it?"
"Korea would never lend it."
If Acting Prime Minister Usuda had concluded the Korea–Japan temporary naturalization agreement—
They could have bought time to nurture their own players, and borrowing the Holy Sword in the undead zone would have gone smoothly.
"Well, let's keep watching the Japan situation for now."
For the United States, there was something more important than a coup.
"What do you think, Mac? Shouldn't we mine high-grade mana stones too? Corporations are in an uproar, and so are the sponsors."
The rewards of clearing the 70th floor.
High-grade mana stones, items flooding the market, and even items without Tower-only modifiers.
"Gerald is also positive about it. He agreed to clearing the 70th floor."
"Good. If we're going to do it, let's do it quickly."
The 70th floor they would have to climb someday anyway.
Going up sooner rather than later didn't seem bad.
However, the true motives of America's powerholders weren't the high-grade mana stones.
Information was circulating everywhere that healing potions without Tower-only modifiers would appear.
And that wasn't all.
What if elixirs or miraculous medicines also dropped without Tower-only modifiers?
Health and immortality are every human's dream.
Clearing the 70th floor might provide the clue.
Finally, the day of the trip arrived.
As soon as he woke up, Juhyeok washed up and finished preparing to travel.
Bong Juhyeok's first overseas trip in his life.
There was no way his heart wouldn't be pounding.
He had once gone to China using a Tower Exit Ring in the past.
But that wasn't for sightseeing.
This was, in effect, his first real experience.
He also summoned all of the summoned beings.
We should put our heads together and plan the trip.
Excluding the beast Blood Wolf—this is a trip for humans only.
"We gotta exclude restaurants where you have to line up. How long would we even wait?"
"The warrior will stand in line."
"Huh?"
"Maiden, after searching on the tablet, this place is a hotspot."
"My lord, please don't worry about lighting when you take photos."
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber! I will disassemble the magic gun and put it in the suitcase."
Everyone chimed in noisily with their own comments.
Once we roughly decided where to go, one last thing.
"Gwangma, designated summon."
Fwaaaah!
"Summoner."
"Lord Gwangma."
"So you've returned home—are your days of sleeping outdoors finally over?"
"Yes. I'm thinking of going somewhere else."
"Where to…?"
Juhyeok explained the Japan travel plan to Gwangma.
"Oh ho, a good idea. It's not bad to cool your head once in a while."
"You'll come with us, right?"
"…Even this old man? I don't mind, but I wonder if it's unbecoming."
"Oh, not at all. We'd love it if you came. Hahaha."
The summoned ones nodded as well.
They had hunted Kabalon together before, gone camping together too, and thanks to that, Juhyeok had grown fairly close to Gwangma.
"Then wear this."
Juhyeok handed Gwangma a luxury suit, dress shoes, and a fedora he had bought at a department store.
"Is this Earth's attire?"
"It'll suit you well."
"If the summoner tells me to wear it, then I shall."
Gwangma didn't refuse.
He went to another room to change and came back out—
"Wow!"
An involuntary exclamation escaped.
White hair beneath a fedora, a neatly tied necktie, and polished shoes with a suit.
He looked exactly like a stylish senior model.
Good enough for a fashion shoot.
It wasn't just Gwangma.
Bardin also stored his thorn armor in Rajiks's subspace backpack and changed clothes.
"Shall we go, then?"
[Entering the Republic of Korea Black Tower, 1st Floor.]
After entering the 1st floor,
[Using the Tower-exclusive Exit Ring.]
[Please designate the nationality of the tower you wish to exit.]
'Japan.'
[Designation complete. Your next exit will be within a 10 km radius of the Japanese Black Tower.]
At the same time, mission abandonment.
[You have declared mission abandonment.]
[Mission failed.]
[Exiting the Republic of Korea Black Tower.]
Spot!
Juhyeok and the summoned ones appeared inside a collapsed building next to the Tokyo Black Tower.
They were extremely close to the Black Tower.
Close enough to say it was right next to it—but since they were inside a building, there were no people around.
"Alright, let's go out."
They stepped outside the building and headed toward the bustling district.
And at that moment!
"…Huh?"
Krrrk, krrk, krrrk.
Something massive was passing right in front of them.
"Eh?"
"Hoh?"
"Huhhh."
Why is that here?
Krrrk, krrk, krrrrrrk…
A massive body, caterpillar tracks crushing the asphalt as they rolled, a gigantic cannon.
"That's a tank?"
"It's a tank."
"Why is there a tank in Tokyo…?"
"I don't know either."
And it wasn't just tanks.
Armored vehicles with mounted heavy machine guns were lined up, rolling through the streets of Tokyo.
Behind them marched soldiers carrying rifles and medium weapons.
"Ah, they're filming a movie."
"Truly Dynamic Japan."
"We came sightseeing at the right time. We even get to watch a movie shoot."
Everyone had perception-disruption talismans attached, so no one paid them any attention.
"If it's a movie, isn't that Kosak? A master of method acting—realistic stunt performances, delicate emotional lines that draw tears in five seconds, a handsome actor of the acting school, that's Kosak. Hehehehe."
"If it's historical drama acting, I am confident. Is there any actress who could dare rival this maiden?"
"The warrior just needs to paint himself green and he's ready."
"This old man, if it's a martial arts film."
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber—if it's a military movie, I confidently say no one is more suitable than me."
"God Bardin, I shall handle the lighting. O light!!!"
"Huh?"
What's with everyone?
Did they come to shoot a movie?
We came sightseeing.
But somehow, this didn't feel like a movie shoot.
Meanwhile, cheers could be heard from somewhere.
Extras?
There were an enormous number of them.
People wearing headbands with the Rising Sun painted on their foreheads, holding banners and placards, shouting at the top of their lungs.
Everyone seemed excited, swinging their fists and yelling their own slogans as they marched.
"…What are they saying?"
"They're acting really well. It feels real."
"Hoh."
I don't think so.
Should I run a translator?
These days, with advances in AI, all you need is a smartphone for automatic translation.
Even text on placards turns into Korean if you point the camera at it.
So I ran the translation app.
Absolutely oppose the humiliating Korea–Japan temporary naturalization agreement.Let us protect the glory of the Great Japanese Empire!Dissolve the incompetent Japanese cabinet and rebuild Japan!Tokyo citizens support the Self-Defense Forces' loyal decision.
"…"
This wasn't a movie shoot.
"So this is the right-wing protest you only hear about."
"Ah, anti-Korean folks?"
"Probably."
And even worse—
Kill the Joseon bastards.Rape Korean women.Occupy Takeshima.Expel Zainichi Joseon bastards.Declare war on Korea.
The more you listened, the more ominous the atmosphere became.
Tanks, armored vehicles, armed soldiers.
Juhyeok searched the news on his smartphone.
He didn't even need to look hard.
The moment he searched "Japan" on the portal site, the headlines appeared.
"…A coup?"
What the hell?
He had come on a trip, excited because "the day you go happens to be market day"—
'Should we go back?'
At that moment!
Wooooooong!
A storm of qi surged like a vortex.
It was Gwangma.
His entire body shone with crimson inner force.
Blood-Jade Inner Force.
A weapon in itself.
His expression was completely hardened.
A murderous intent subtly seeping out.
"Um… Lord Gwangma?"
"What is it?"
"What are you trying to do, drawing up your qi like that?"
Gwangma replied with an icy gaze.
"After hearing things like 'Kill the Joseon bastards,' 'Rape Korean women,' 'Declare war on Korea,' how could anyone endure it? It's no different from telling them to kill the summoner himself, is it not?"
Gulp. Juhyeok swallowed his dry saliva.
"If they've picked a fight, it's only natural to answer it. Do not worry. I will clean things up neatly."
"…"
If Gwangma started acting—
Tokyo would undoubtedly turn into a sea of blood.
"Could you… maybe close your eyes and pretend you didn't hear anything?"
But Gwangma's anger had already reached the limit.
"In a situation like this? One of my Three Principles, Clause Three, has already been triggered."
This was bad.
Forget sightseeing—there would be a massacre.
There was no choice.
Send him back for now—
"I'm sorry. Gwangma, unsu—"
Before he could even finish,
"Now, wait a moment!"
Ssssss—the pressure of Gwangma's qi vanished.
"…I will try to endure it."
He returned to normal.
It seemed he had calmed down.
No need to cancel the summon after all.
"But these damned bastards!"
Again—woooooong!
Gwangma flared crimson once more.
"Gwangma, unsu—"
Ssssss.
Gwangma relaxed again. A moment later,
"I really can't just let this—"
Wooooooong!
"Gwangma, unsu—"
Ssssss, back to normal.
But then—woooooong!
"Gwangma, unsu—"
Ssssss. A battle of wits. Wooooong!
"Gwangma unsu—"
Gwangma was determined to do something.
Juhyeok was equally determined to stop him.
The other summoned beings watched the exchange between Juhyeok and Gwangma with keen interest, wondering who would win.
Gwangma seemed to tire at last.
After repeating it several times, the storm of qi finally subsided, and the blood-jade inner force enveloping his body disappeared.
"Hoo… Summoner."
"…Yes?"
"I have a request."
A request?
"If it's something I can do—"
"If I just let this pass, I think I'll develop fire sickness. At this rate, it could even lead to qi deviation."
Come on, qi deviation? Surely not.
"Please allow me to vent my anger. I will not manifest Blood-Jade Inner Force."
Then—tap tap, tatadak, tap tap!
Gwangma began striking pressure points on his own body.
"I have suppressed my internal energy. I can now use only about one pun of my true qi."
One pun meant 1%.
Would that be okay?
"I will just hit them a few times. One hit per person."
"Hmmm."
To be honest, Juhyeok was angry too.
After all, he had gone out of his way to lift the curse and postpone the collapse of the Tokyo Black Tower, and now they were saying what? Kill Koreans?
"…Really, just one hit each?"
"I swear upon the name of Gwangma."
Ah, hell with it.
"Go vent your anger. But hold back."
Gwangma beamed at Juhyeok's permission.
"Oh! Thank you. I swear I will not kill civilians."
Suddenly, Kosak glanced at Juhyeok.
"Can I go too?"
That wasn't all.
Goban, Veronica, and Bardin too.
"The warrior will go as well. Just one flick on the forehead."
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber, crowd-control operations ready."
"My lord, please grant me permission to unleash divine wrath."
Even Rajiks, with his short arms, began patting his own body, imitating Gwangma's pressure-point tapping—
"Hoaeeek!!!"
What is he doing now?
But Gwangma raised a hand to stop them.
"You all stay and protect the summoner. Do not interfere. There won't be enough left for me otherwise."
"…Yes."
"Hoh."
And so Gwangma walked toward the anti-Korean protest.
"It has truly been a long time since I moved my body like this."
Wearing a luxury suit splattered faintly with blood, a fedora on his head, black dress shoes, he strode forward.
"Greetings! You worms!"
With that one thunderous shout—
"It's a Joseon bastard! A Joseon bastard is here!"
The organizer of the anti-Korean rally, who had been inciting the crowd with a microphone, pointed at Gwangma and screamed.
"Catch that old Joseon bastard! Hang him!!!"
The anti-Korean protesters surged forward in a mob.
"Heh heh heh, you wretches."
Gwangma casually waved his hand forward, as if shooing flies.
The man who had charged first was launched into the air.
Puwak!
"Keh?"
Thudududut!
Teeth scattered like kernels of corn.
And so, Gwangma—using only about 1% of his true power—
"Come, let us play to our hearts' content."
Was dropped right into the center of the anti-Korean protesters.
That was only the beginning.