Korea Awakened Management Administration.
Through a worldwide announcement, it was revealed that Player Bong Juhyeok had cleared the 72nd floor with an S+++ rating.
Another 180 days were added.
On the massive LED screen in the Administration lobby, the words "Tower Collapse Deadline: 527 Days" were displayed.
A year and a half still remained.
Just looking at it brought peace of mind.
The elite players coming and going through the Administration felt the same.
The burden of climbing the uncleared upper floors had been greatly eased.
As long as they climbed floors suited to their abilities and farmed high-grade magic stones or items, no one would criticize them.
High-grade magic stones.
The price set by the Administration was twice that of regular magic stones.
The quantity mined from the Tower was relatively small—
At least, it had been, until Player Bong handed them over by the ton.
Now, an enormous supply had been secured.
Enough to be used commercially.
As a result, inquiries were flooding in from various research institutes and companies.
Even from overseas.
Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il, summoned by Director Park Gyeong-su, knocked on the door to the director's office.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
"Director, did things go well at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"
The French special envoy delegation still hadn't left Korea.
Since the curse had been lifted, there was still plenty of time.
Park Gyeong-su spoke with a sour expression.
"The French bastards still haven't come to their senses."
"Did the negotiations not go well?"
"They went fine at first. The money, returning cultural artifacts, lowering export tariffs on wyvern leather products, things like that."
"And then?"
"They started making unreasonable demands, even though they're the ones receiving help."
Jeon Gwang-il tilted his head.
"What kind of…?"
"The Necklace of Liberation and the Ring of Form Transformation."
"…Excuse me?"
"They asked us to climb the 71st floor and hand them over."
"Hah!"
It was absurd.
"The nerve of those people—do they think we owe them? They should be grateful we're even clearing the 70th floor for them, and now they want us to go up to the 71st and bring back a Necklace of Liberation?"
Director Park Gyeong-su took another sip of water and continued.
"Well, there is a part of their position I can understand."
"What part is that?"
"The Necklace of Liberation is basically like a nuclear weapon."
A nuclear weapon?
What kind of comparison was that?
"Let's assume two hostile countries are at war. If a player who has liberated their abilities with a Necklace of Liberation infiltrates enemy territory and assassinates government officials or military commanders—could you stop them?"
It would be impossible.
They'd be helpless.
Especially with a Ring of Form Transformation added to the mix.
"It might be a forced analogy, but just like nuclear weapons can only be deterred by other nuclear weapons, the Necklace of Liberation works the same way."
The purpose behind wanting to possess a Necklace of Liberation was simple.
If your country's player does something crazy with it, we'll send a player wearing one too.
It was obviously an exaggerated comparison.
How could nuclear weapons and rune necklaces be equated?
Still, Jeon Gwang-il couldn't deny that there were similarities.
It was undeniably a dangerous item.
"They said if we just handed over the necklace and the ring, they'd agree to anything—said we could even take rejuvenation elixirs or disease-curing potions."
"…What do you think, Director?"
Park Gyeong-su shook his head vigorously.
"I'm against it. If Player Bong accepts the necklace on their behalf and hands it to France, we'll be tied up in it together. What if an incident happens because of that necklace?"
He was right.
An outright refusal was the correct choice.
If they wanted it, they could climb themselves.
If they didn't have players capable of it, they could use Tower Jumping Tickets.
"Oh, right! When do we start selling the items?"
"We should release them to the player shop today."
The massive quantity of Tower reward items entrusted by Player Bong—there was no comparison to anything crafted in workshops.
Where did he even get so many items?
But that was the kind of person he was.
A mere rejuvenation elixir? A disease-curing potion?
Not even worth a glance.
He was a player who casually obtained even a Necklace of Liberation.
And the benefits he provided came first to domestic players.
There were around ten thousand players active in South Korea, excluding North Korean players.
Even though item drop rates had increased across all floors of the Korean Black Tower, supply was still insufficient to meet demand.
Thanks to Player Bong, players would be equipped with high-quality gear and be able to climb the Tower more safely.
They planned to fully supply domestic players first, then turn their eyes overseas.
There was no danger.
Since these were Tower-exclusive items, they were nothing more than ordinary cold weapons in the real world, with no option effects.
After that, overseas sales would begin.
They planned to use Rajiks Trading Company.
And the prices would be higher.
"Director, did you look into the building Player Bong requested?"
"Ah, yes. There's a decent property in the Gangnam area. A 61-story building—but the price is…"
"How much are they asking?"
"Negotiated down to 1.3 trillion won."
"…Hmm."
Too expensive?
He might need to take out a loan.
He'd have to ask later.
Juhyeok spent a few days resting properly with the summoned beings.
They played around at home, and when bored, went out.
The 73rd-floor challenge was postponed again.
There was no great urgency.
Of course, he was curious about the mission details, but… even Gobang didn't seem particularly desperate.
For now, they were at the Namyangju villa.
He made a vegetable garden with Rajiks.
They planted lettuce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, flowers, and trees.
Their versatile Rajiks.
True to his role as a farmhand, he was great at farming too.
There was nothing he couldn't do.
Gyeondallae was busy as well.
With help from Gobang and Kosak, she set up sacred rope with talismans around Juhyeok's land and erected ritual poles.
"This is a sacred domain where my lord resides. We shall prevent stray beasts or outsiders from entering carelessly."
As expected of their princess.
The once-barren land was steadily becoming impressive.
Juhyeok also planned to ask Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il to install several more prefab residential container houses, complete with water, sewage, and electricity.
He learned a new skill as well.
A rune received as a reward for defeating the super-monster Hydra on the 72nd floor.
Effect: Upon consumption, grants the player one random skill. Usable only within the Tower.
And what he learned was—
[You have learned the skill: Ice Spear.]
On the status window:
[Combat Skills]: Shadow Step / Honwon Lightning Staff / Blood Jade Energy / Ice Spear
A magic skill.
Could this be used in the real world?
Probably not—even the Mad Demon thought so.
"Of course not. Shadow Step could be substituted with internal energy, but magic is an entirely different domain…"
I see.
Still, that means I've gained a ranged skill I can use inside the Tower.
That was good.
It would help with future conquests.
Effectively, that made two ranged dealers.
He gained a new skill, and—
In truth, there was a clear purpose for coming to the Namyangju villa.
What he spent the most time on here was—
Spot, spapapat!
Martial arts and skill training.
In the wide open area in front of the villa, Shadow Step unfolded.
Afterimages of Juhyeok were left scattered everywhere.
It was spacious enough to move freely.
He unleashed to his heart's content the skills he hadn't been able to fully use inside the Tower.
He dashed in a zigzag—
Whoosh!
Kicking off the ground, he shot upward, then descended slowly.
Wooooong!
The internal energy of Heaven-and-Earth Unity Art flowed unbroken and continuous.
Tschichichichichi…
With the Thunderstorm Destruction Staff received as a reward—
Shwaaaak!
Like a bolt of lightning, it struck a massive boulder at the edge of the clearing.
Kraaaash!
The rock shattered into pieces.
And even the falling fragments—
Ziiing!
Were cleanly sliced in midair by the Blood Jade Energy manifested in his left hand—
Slice! Slice!
Leaving behind perfectly smooth cut surfaces.
How is it?
Isn't this about worthy of applause?
But then—
Huh?
The summoned beings were gathered in one spot, whispering among themselves with serious expressions.
What's going on?
Didn't they even watch?
I'd been moving my body pretty earnestly, you know.
What scheme are they plotting now?
Truth be told, there was a reason they were acting like this.
They judged that danger was right at hand.
The Necklace of Liberation, the Ring of Form Transformation, equipment items that applied even in reality, and all kinds of potions and elixirs—
These things had begun to circulate in the world.
Items that worked in reality would put players to the test.
"When the summoned beings' waiting time is on cooldown, you must be careful—extra careful. Always make sure you can instantly summon at least one of us."
"An energy barrier is essential. It should activate out of habit, even at the slightest falling leaf."
"Victory! Please practice using the Blink Ring regularly as well. Considering the cooldown, use it once or twice every two hours. Frequent use makes it easier to handle."
"My lord, do not place too much faith in the Ring of Form Transformation. A liberated player with an Insight skill may see through it."
This was treating me like a child left alone near water.
I understood how they felt, but still—
"This is no time to relax. Danger can strike anytime, anywhere. What if a sniper targets you from a kilometer away? What if someone poisons your water?"
They were really trying to scare me.
"That's right. You could be attacked while taking a dump. You should summon at least one of us before going to the bathroom."
Do I not even get to use the bathroom in peace?
"Public bathhouses are out too. You could get taken out while bending down to pick up soap in the shower."
Hey, that's horrifying.
Guess I shouldn't go to public bathhouses anymore.
It wasn't just verbal nagging, either.
We did real training.
In the wide clearing, Juhyeok and Kosak stood facing each other.
In Juhyeok's right hand was the Thunderstorm Staff, in his left, Blood Jade Energy.
Kosak held a metal round shield.
"Just try hitting me once. I'll block it with the shield."
He was really looking down on me.
"If I hit you once, you admit it?"
Kosak smirked.
"Confident? You won't even touch me."
Hah!
Kosak really had a talent for getting under people's skin.
No wonder Gyeondallae was always yelling at this guy.
"Fine. Don't cry if you get hit."
"Hehehe. If I get hit, I'll be Gobang's son. Call me Kosak."
Suddenly, Juhyeok turned his head toward the Mad Demon.
"…Huh? Sir Mad Demon? What did you just say?"
Kosak also turned around, wondering what was going on.
Spot!
Juhyeok shot forward like a beam of light—
But—
"Heh! I knew you'd try that."
Failure.
"I figured it wouldn't work either."
"Still, I praise you. That was a fine move."
Cheap, but it couldn't be helped.
I was a weak man, after all.
Kosak leisurely stepped back.
Juhyeok stuck close behind him.
Spapapat! Spapat!
The two chased each other.
The distance steadily narrowed.
Got you.
Tschichit!
Crunch! Honwon Lightning Staff burst forth from the club.
But—
"Hmph! That was just my afterimage."
Kosak appeared behind Juhyeok before he knew it.
"Is this really fast enough?"
A mocking grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
That sly bastard!
"I could tell back when we were driving. Do you still go 50 km/h on the highway?"
"…It's 80!"
I really am going to hit him.
Papapat! Spipit!
"Rajiks the worker's rolling tumble is faster than this."
"Hooeeng?"
Hah… fine, keep provoking me.
My internal energy swelled throughout my body.
Power gathered in my lower half.
Tspipipipit!
I leapt up, then dove down sharply.
Boomgrrr! Spinning, I burst out in an instant.
"Eek! That was close."
That one really was close.
Just a palm's width away.
If I could overcome just this gap, I might catch him.
But Kosak was a genius.
A genius among geniuses.
The very man who had once tried to assassinate a Swordmaster.
Granted, he'd died from arrogance.
Could I land even a single hit?
How long had it even been since I learned martial arts in the real world?
And against an SSR-grade Kosak, no less.
Twenty-five years of a weak man's life.
If something seemed impossible, quick surrender had always been one of my life mottos.
But not now.
I didn't want to give up.
I wanted to know—
Whether I had talent.
Just one solid hit.
I moved with the resolve to fall right here.
A metallic taste filled my mouth.
My heart pounded as if it might burst.
Immersion came quickly.
In Juhyeok's eyes, only Kosak existed.
Nothing else entered his vision.
Tspit!
The Honwon Lightning Staff techniques flew in a flurry—
Falling Thunder Soul-Chaser, Falling Thunder Scatter.
Kosak dodged nimbly.
It felt like I was just wasting internal energy, but the swings weren't meaningless.
I changed the flow.
If I just chased him, I'd never catch Kosak.
In martial arts terms, this was a feint.
At the same time, I analyzed Kosak's movement patterns.
True to an SSR assassin, he was too fast.
If I relied on my eyes alone, I'd never catch him.
Then what?
I had to act one step ahead.
There was no answer but predictive attacks.
I needed to know how he reacted to each strike.
Kosak had to be in a direction I could anticipate.
Only then—
Pachichik!
The final three forms of the Honwon Lightning Staff.
Extreme Joy, One Strike to Kill—the ultimate skill.
So I could land a decisive blow of—
Falling Thunder Flash.
Pachik! Shwaeak!
"…Huh?"
Kosak's eyes widened in shock.
A bolt of lightning dropped from directly overhead at a moment he had never anticipated.
This was dangerous.
Even if he dodged now, he was already within the attack radius.
The arm holding his shield was already lifting upward.
Kwa-jik!Cha-chae-chaeng!
The impact was so violent that cracks spread across the shield.
Kosak staggered, then fell flat on his rear.
"Whoa!"
"Got you!"
Juhyeok stood proudly before the fallen Kosak.
At that very moment—
"Aaagh…"
Still lying on the ground, Kosak twisted his body in a grotesque way, sending pitiful looks his way.
"A-are you really gonna kill me?"
What is he doing now?
"I've got a wife and kids! Please spare me! Please!"
"…"
"Just let me go this once and I'll live honestly, I swear!"
As if he even had a wife and kids.
At that, the summoned beings shouted in unison.
"Finish him. Even if he becomes my son, I won't mind."
"You must strike. Correct his bad habits."
"Commander, it's a vital spot. Precisely between the legs."
"My lord! Smash him! He still won't die!"
"Hm… wouldn't it be better if he did die? Then this old man could secure a stable position."
"Hoeet?"
No matter what—
How could he beat up a summoned being like that?
That was when—
Kosak suddenly sprang to his feet.
Pounding his chest as if frustrated, he said,
"Summoner Bong, this won't do. You had it all finished—why didn't you follow through?"
"…"
"You need killer instinct. Haven't you seen movies? People get counterattacked when they relax at the end."
"…"
"Half-baked mercy is a hundred sweet potatoes."
Damn it!
Whooosh!
Kwa-jik!
"Kek!"
Kosak took a solid hit to the forehead from the staff and toppled backward.
He sprawled out flat on his back and lost consciousness.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Only then did the summoned beings erupt into applause.
"A splendid strike."
"It's a shame you didn't use a skill, but well done."
"If it were just a bit stronger, it would've been perfect."
"You should've hit between the legs, not the head."
"Hoeek!"
Now he understood why they'd staged all this.
It was to harden his resolve.
To make sure he wouldn't hesitate when facing an enemy.
"…Get up now. Stop pretending to be unconscious."
Kosak opened one eye and got up.
"Hehehe. Outstanding, Summoner Bong."
"You weren't even hurt."
"Eek? What do you mean? Don't you see this bruise? That was one-tenth the power of Gobang's flick."
That much?
At this rate, I might actually kill someone by accident.
He felt confident.
At this level, even if a level-70-something player charged at him after liberating their abilities, he could respond.
As long as they didn't rush him while he was taking a dump—
But—
If it really came to that, could he kill a person?
If it became a situation where either they died or he did?
…That's not easy.
Maybe try it once in the Tower?
"Let's clear the 73rd floor."
"We shall prepare."
"Certain victory!"
"Mr. Kosak, are you ready too?"
"It's Kosak."
"Weren't you adopted as Gobang's son?"
"…What?"
"Hoeeng!"
Anyway—
Once again, I'm counting on you, Rajiks.
[Entering the 73rd floor of the Republic of Korea Black Tower.]
Spot!
What kind of place would the 73rd floor be?
A royal palace?
Doesn't seem like it.
It looked like an underground space.
But torches were mounted on the walls, so it wasn't dark.
A prison?
That seemed likely.
Iron-barred cells lined both sides.
"Let's go."
Gobang stepped forward.
At that moment—Ding!
A mission window appeared.
[73rd Floor Basic Mission: Defeat 20 Battle Chimera Hounds in the Underground Prison.]
The basic mission appeared.
What about the optional missions?
[73rd Floor Optional Mission: Defeat 15 Norton Kingdom Royal Guard Knights.]
[73rd Floor High-Difficulty Optional Mission: Defeat the Norton Kingdom Royal Guard Commander Jornthe (Conditional Clear).]
[73rd Floor Ultra-High-Difficulty Optional Mission: Defeat the King of the Norton Kingdom (Conditional Clear).]
So it really is a royal palace.
The moment of reckoning had arrived.