A real estate company in Shanghai.
On the surface, it looked ordinary—but in reality, it was the headquarters of a triad syndicate within China.
Triad boss Gu Liangchun sat at a table across from a certain man, flanked by bodyguards, engaged in conversation.
"…I can't believe it. Is it really you, Bairung?"
"Boss, I already proved it to you. This appearance is changed using a Form-Transformation Ring."
Bairung.
The player who assassinated China's newly appointed chairman, Wang Yuan, and fled.
That very Bairung—whom the Public Security Bureau and the People's Liberation Army were desperately hunting—had brazenly appeared right before Gu Liangchun's eyes.
Originally, Gu Liangchun and Bairung had known each other.
Back when Bairung had been China's top player, they had formed guanxi.
"So what is it you need?" Gu Liangchun asked.
"Thirty million U.S. dollars, and a passport with a flawless identity. Taiwanese or Singaporean nationality would be best. It must show a history of player activity."
"So you intend to keep operating as a player."
"Then how else am I supposed to make a living?"
Gu Liangchun let out a short chuckle.
A player might be able to exercise their abilities in the real world, but escaping China was extremely difficult.
So what if you changed your face?
Without valid identification, you couldn't use airplanes—or even long-distance railways.
The Liberation Rune Necklace also had limits on duration and uses, so you couldn't use it recklessly.
And he must have run out of money too.
Just look at the beggarly state he showed up in.
"And the price?" Gu Liangchun asked.
"I'll give you an Elixir of Rejuvenation."
"Not enough. Hand over a Disease-Curing Potion as well."
"Hm. Well, as long as you keep your promise."
Gu Liangchun nodded.
"Making an identity isn't difficult."
"It absolutely has to be a player identity."
"Don't worry. When will I receive the elixir and potion?"
"Right after I arrive at New York Airport."
Bairung planned to head to the United States.
After that, he would apply for naturalization through the U.S. Tower Climbing Bureau.
The U.S. was quite generous when it came to player naturalization.
If you applied, they accepted you immediately.
He had changed both his face and physique with form transformation.
And if the new identity was perfect too, how could anyone tell he was Bairung?
"Show me the real items first—the elixir and potion. I'll verify them with my own eyes, then we'll proceed with the ID."
Bairung frowned.
"Boss Gu, do you not trust me?"
"Hm? You're the strange one. What's so difficult about showing them?"
Gu Liangchun continued, slurping the pu'er tea before him.
"That necklace on your chest—that's the Liberation Rune Necklace, isn't it?"
"…"
"If you activated its power, you could kill an old man like me—and everyone in this room—in the blink of an eye."
Bairung shrugged.
"Boss Gu, what do you take me for? I'm not some indiscriminate killer. Even the chairman Wang Yuan incident was an accident."
An accident, my ass.
As if they hadn't seen the CCTV footage.
"Fine, I'll show you."
Sliiide.
Two potion bottles emerged from Bairung's inventory.
"This is the Elixir of Rejuvenation, and this is the Disease-Curing Potion—"
That was when it happened.
Clang!
A hole appeared in the glass window.
Thud!
With the sound, a red hole opened in Bairung's forehead.
There wasn't even a scream.
Bang!
His head slammed onto the table, and he died instantly.
Blood splattered onto Gu Liangchun's forehead as well.
He slowly wiped it away.
"Tsk, tsk. You fool. You really underestimated the Chinese government. Did you think they didn't know you and I had guanxi?"
Not just him.
Public Security would have approached everyone connected to Bairung.
The triads?
They had long since become puppets of the Chinese government.
A PLA sniper had already been deployed here.
Even if the chance of Bairung coming here was less than one percent—
I prayed you wouldn't come.
But he came anyway.
You idiot.
There was no choice.
He had to act according to instructions.
Otherwise, he'd be dragged down and killed too.
The very idea that a player could stand against state power was a massive delusion.
No matter how much power you had liberated.
Thud thud thud thud—
The sound of Public Security officers' footsteps rushing up the office stairs.
Gu Liangchun smacked his lips.
His eyes were drawn to the Elixir of Rejuvenation on the table.
But he didn't give in to greed.
Trying to get ten years younger could make you die ten years earlier.
Korea Awakened Management Agency.
Juhyeok met Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il again in the tower materials warehouse.
A variety of conversations went back and forth.
How many items were selling in the player shop, how resellers were running rampant.
The whole world was in shock.
Korea's national prestige had risen.
It was the object of universal envy.
Players were submitting naturalization requests to Korean embassies around the world, and even with sacred water being produced, the rental of holy swords was proceeding smoothly.
They also discussed the progress with the French special envoy—
Still making unreasonable demands, but negotiations would soon be wrapped up.
Ugh, my ears hurt. He's talking even more today.
In truth, Juhyeok had been sneaking glances at the platinum badge pinned to Jeon Gwang-il's chest for a while now.
Should I take that back?
When every single one counted.
Of course, if he asked, the man would give it.
But endure it.
That would be too petty.
Still, five badges would let me upgrade a summoned LSSR-grade skill…
Many a little makes a mickle—collect badges, get LSSR.
Haah.
But not now.
"You must've had a hard time."
"Oh no, not at all. Thanks to the items you provided, our elite players' tower climbing has become extremely safe. We're also smoothly mining high-grade magic stones."
Juhyeok felt proud.
To think he had considered taking a badge from such a good person.
"Oh! About the building you asked about before."
"Ah, right. What happened?"
"After the Director looked into it…"
Jeon Gwang-il explained enthusiastically.
A 61-story building in Gangnam had come up for sale.
Negotiations were going smoothly, and everything had essentially been settled—only the legal procedures remained.
But the price of the building—
"…How much did you say?"
"1.3 trillion won. The parent company's finances aren't great, so it's been listed cheaply."
"Uh…"
Juhyeok's heart dropped.
1.3 trillion?
Sure, he'd said he wanted to buy a building—but he'd never even imagined going into the trillion range.
"Given Player Bong's social standing, we really should be introducing an even better building, but this is the only one currently on the market."
"…"
What is wrong with these people?
What's so special about my social standing?
I'm just an ordinary loser guy from Korea.
I just got one good Awakening trait—and was lucky enough to meet good summoned beings—that's all.
Do I really look like someone who casually drops 1.3 trillion won?
What now?
How was he supposed to buy such an insanely expensive building?
He'd only been thinking about a small neighborhood building.
It had gotten way too big.
Big enough to be worth 1.3 trillion won.
Did he even have that kind of money to begin with?
When he checked his account, he didn't even have half of it.
Should I say I won't buy it?
But they said everything was already settled.
"The Park & Kim Law Firm, which serves as legal counsel for the Awakened Management Agency, will be handling all the procedures, so you won't need to worry about anything separately."
"…Y-yes."
This was terrifying.
Even when he bought a 30-billion-won penthouse, he'd gone back and forth, trembling as he debated whether to buy it.
And now the moment had come where he had to decide whether to purchase a 1.3-trillion-won, 61-story building in Gangnam.
"…Um, I can get a loan, right?"
"Ah! Don't worry about that. I'll introduce you to a bank with low interest rates."
Deputy Director.
I'm really not that gutsy of a guy.
I may not be showing it, but my heart is pounding like a storm right now.
"And Rajiks Trading is planning to launch wyvern leather products soon. Payment for basilisk leather will also be coming in from the HG Group."
"Ah!"
Right. He'd forgotten.
There was Rajiks Trading.
A name Juhyeok himself had come up with.
Thanks to Rajiks, wyvern leather could be commercialized—so of course the name fit.
Come to think of it… I'm a major shareholder, aren't I?
Holy Sword owner, building owner, major shareholder.
That's right.
He was destined to become a triple "owner."
In that case, what was a mere 1.3 trillion won?
Suddenly, his mind felt at ease.
Confidence welled up.
But he couldn't relax just yet.
He had to earn like crazy.
If he splurged on this building, he wouldn't even be able to afford instant noodles three times a day—forget premium beef.
And how many mouths did he have to feed?
Soon, another new summoned being would arrive.
One per month.
So this was how heavy the burden on a family head's shoulders really was.
Work hard.
Earn until his bones broke, and feed his family.
With firm resolve, Juhyeok spoke to Jeon Gwang-il.
"It'll be a hassle, but I have another favor to ask."
"Huh? What do you mean? Should I look for another building for you?"
Was this man really trying to bankrupt him?
"That's not it. Item sales代理."
"…Pardon? What?"
"There's more stuff to sell."
"H-how much?"
Juhyeok designated Rajiks for summoning.
"Hoe—"
The space farmhand appeared, raising its short arms high.
Jeon Gwang-il tensed up.
Lord Rajiks had appeared.
Then… could it be?
"Stack them up here by type."
"Hoeng!"
Rajiks opened its subspace bag.
Items began piling up.
High-grade magic stones, equipment items, jewels of every color, gold bars…
They literally piled up.
So high they nearly touched the tall ceiling of the materials warehouse.
"…W-what… what is all this?"
Again?
Jeon Gwang-il could only stare blankly.
What was there to say in a situation like this?
There was more than before.
Not just "a lot."
Double? No—more than triple.
Did the tower actually have a treasure vault inside?
"Can you sell all of it?"
"…Uh, y-yes, yes, of course. I'll… I'll sell it. I'll do my best."
How was he supposed to move all of this?
Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, Jeon Gwang-il asked,
"Um, should we allow foreign players access to the Player Shop this time? With this volume, I think it'd be fine."
"That's a good idea. Let's do that."
Of course he agreed.
If it sold fast, he could scrape together that 1.3 trillion.
It wasn't only Korean players who climbed towers.
Foreign players had their own national towers to conquer.
But it would sell out quickly anyway.
How many players were there worldwide?
Between 700,000 and 1.5 million.
If even half of them visited the Player Shop…
They wouldn't buy just one—two or three, four or five, they'd buy like crazy.
This still won't be enough.
Was there somewhere else he could get more?
The Mad Demon had said it.
If it wasn't the Korean Black Tower, but another country's Black Tower, there might be another treasure vault.
Wait!
An idea struck him.
He currently had about six Multinational Tower Access Tickets.
They dropped fairly often anyway…
"What did the French government ask for again?"
"They asked us to climb to the 71st floor and hand over four types of items… A shameless demand. They want to blow their nose without lifting a finger."
What's wrong with blowing their nose for them?
"Tell them we'll do it."
"…What?"
"On the condition that I clear the French Black Tower up to the 73rd floor."
"Gasp!"
Jeon Gwang-il jumped in shock.
Not just the 70th floor—but up to the 73rd?
"Do you think they'll refuse? I hope they accept…"
He froze for a moment, then snapped back to his senses.
"N-no. They'd never refuse. How could they dare?"
Exactly.
With collapse deadlines stacking—
They'd be gaining 540 extra days.
"Then please take care of it. We need France's approval first."
"Understood. I'll report to the Director."
Money!
He had to make money.
Soon, his bank account would be completely empty.
An empty account had to be filled—immediately.
Another concern suddenly came to mind.
If I buy a building, who's going to manage it?
No problem.
There was someone at home with plenty of free time.
His father, Bong Cheolsu.
And his mother too.
Ahhh!
What a devoted son he was.
Providing jobs for his parents and all.
But… there'll be a treasure vault in the French Black Tower too, right?
If not, it'd all be for nothing.
Well, even then, getting badges would be enough.
Current cumulative total: 85.
Actual physical badges left in inventory: 53.
It had been 57 until yesterday, but he'd given one each to Kosak and the Mad Demon, and two to Rajiks.
If I clear the French Black Tower's 70th, 71st, 72nd, and 73rd floors?
The 70th floor only gave an S++ rank, so that was one platinum badge.
From the 71st floor onward, two each—seven total.
Cumulative total: 92. Physical count: 60.
More badges, another special perk, and on top of that, he'd loot both the Necromancer Dungeon treasure vault and the Royal Palace treasure vault.
That was killing four birds with one stone.
After receiving Juhyeok's decision, Director Park Gyeong-su immediately began negotiations with the French special delegation.
They would hand over a four-item gift set.
In return, they'd sign a contract to clear the French Black Tower up to the 73rd floor.
France couldn't refuse.
They welcomed it.
Clearing the 71st, 72nd, and 73rd floors meant accumulating 540 days of collapse delay.
Juhyeok also conveyed his intentions to his summoned beings.
After calling them all with designated summoning—
"I need to buy a building."
"Oh! Buildings are the best! Real estate never fails!"
"This girl also agrees. If it is Young Master, what is one mere building?"
Everyone wore satisfied expressions.
But—
"It's a bit expensive. I need to earn more money."
"How much we talkin'? Like fifty billion?"
Gyeon Dallae snorted.
"Hmph! This house alone cost three hundred billion. Buying an entire building means it should be at least one hundred billion—no, at least a thousand billion, shouldn't it?"
Kosak clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"Whoa! That's insanely expensive. With that money, you could eat premium beef loin for the rest of your life and still have leftovers."
"There's a reason people obsess over becoming building owners," someone muttered.
Juhyeok revealed the price.
"1.3 trillion."
"…Pardon?"
"A prime-location, 61-story building in Gangnam. It's 1.3 trillion won."
"Uh… that one trillion is that one trillion, right?"
"Yes."
"For real?"
"Do you think I've been getting scammed my whole life? Do you take me for Kosak?"
Kosak's face turned deathly pale.
"This is bad. We're gonna starve now. Buried in loan debt, getting chased around. Even if we sell this house, it's only three hundred billion."
Gyeon Dallae seemed utterly shocked.
"Aaaaah…"
She pressed her fingers to her forehead, staggered, and fainted.
"Oh dear, Princess! Wake up! This is when you need to steel your heart!"
The Mad Demon asked with genuine curiosity,
"Just how much money is one trillion, for the summoner to be unable to bear it?"
"It is a bit expensive. But if we work hard—"
"Then what's the problem? Just buy it."
Kosak exploded in anger and scolded the Mad Demon.
"Sir Mad Demon, do you have no sense of the world? An elite player's annual salary is twelve billion. Save that for ten years and you get 120 billion. Save for a hundred years and you get 1.2 trillion. Even then, you're still short by one hundred billion and can't buy a Gangnam building!"
The Mad Demon flinched in shock.
With an awkward expression, he said,
"Haha… I-I had no idea it was that much."
He avoided Kosak's piercing gaze.
"And that's not all! Acquisition tax, property tax, comprehensive real estate tax, maintenance fees… Good grief, our Summoner Bong has become a building beggar. A building beggar!"
Veronica swallowed dryly, looking sick of it.
Gobang and Bardin just stared blankly, unable to grasp the reality.
But one person was different.
Rajiks, wearing a mocking grin.
"Hoooeeeeee."
A mere 1.3 trillion?
As if saying leave it to me, Rajiks pounded his chest while looking at Juhyeok.
Right.
Only Rajiks could be trusted.
"Rajiks, can you do it?"
"Hoeng!"
"Alright! Then let's do it."
There was plenty of time.
If they cleared two floors a day, it'd take just two days.
And the contract with France had just been finalized.
After tearing one Multinational Tower Access Ticket—
[You have used a Multinational Tower Access Ticket.]
[Please state the country and floor of the tower you wish to enter.]
"French Black Tower, 70th floor."
[Entry conditions met. Would you like to enter now?]
"Enter."
Spot!
[Entering the 70th floor of the French Black Tower.]
Step, step!
Juhyeok and the summoned beings walked toward the mansion where Kabalon was hiding.
Their expressions were grim.
Intense fighting spirit.
A single-minded resolve to smash everything in sight.
Creeeak.
As they opened the door and entered, a copy of Kabalon looked down at them with a leering grin.
"Welcome."
Welcome my ass.
"Hit him!"
Rumble!
Thud thud thud thud!
"…Kuh-ack! W-what is—?"
We're busy, bastard.
Don't get in the way.
[Notice: You have achieved an S++ clear rating on the 70th floor of the Black Tower (France).]
[S++ Clear Reward: You receive 1 Platinum Badge.]
Global announcements followed in a long stream.
Something about benefits for the French Black Tower, something about high-grade magic stone rewards.
No need to listen.
They exited immediately.
Next, the 71st floor.
They promptly collected the four-item gift set.
"Just do the basic mission?"
"Let's just wipe everything out."
They also received item rewards.
Common drops.
Liberation Rune Necklaces, holy water, that sort of thing.
They could've at least given another Multinational Tower Access Ticket.
"Bitch, target locked."
"Fire!"
Zzzziiiing!
Pashu-jujuk!
Thud!
After killing even Kate as she tried to flee—
[Notice: You have achieved an S+++ clear rating on the 71st floor of the Black Tower (France).]
[S+++ Clear Reward: You receive 2 Platinum Badges.]
Tomorrow would be the day they looted two treasure vaults.
But it still felt insufficient.
If they could loot about ten treasure vaults, there'd be nothing to worry about.
Was there another tower they could plunder?
That day, upon seeing the world announcements, the people of France erupted in cheers.
He had come.
The savior of France.
Thanks to him, France became the first country in Europe eligible for high-grade magic stone rewards.
Other nations around the world watched France's example and fell into deep contemplation.
Instead of struggling to climb themselves, couldn't they just ask him to clear it for them?
That would be far easier—and far more reliable.
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