Ju-hyeok came out of the 17th floor of the White Tower.
Then, excluding Blood Wolf, he summoned all the contracted beings.
"Earlier, I asked you about the White Tower, right?"
As if they had been waiting, the summoned beings answered one after another.
"This old one also looked into it briefly in the other world, but there was no gain. No one seems to know what the White Tower is."
If even the souls of the other world didn't know, there were only two possibilities.
They had never experienced it—or it was forbidden.
"What kind of place is it? This girl is curious."
Ju-hyeok explained the 17th floor of the White Tower step by step.
Starting from how he had received it as an achievement reward, the floor's environment, the owner menu, and the functions and costs of each menu—everything in detail.
Everyone's expressions grew serious.
They understood what that floor represented.
In a way, the 17th floor of the White Tower was also an item.
After all, it was real estate granted by the tower.
Whenever an item appeared, there was always a reason to use it.
The was proof of that.
He'd thought he'd never need to use it.
He'd even hidden it from the Mad Berserker in case someone suggested using it.
But a situation had arisen where it was needed.
Granted, it had ended far more peacefully than expected, but—
So what did it mean that the 17th floor of the White Tower was given as a reward in this situation?
That the world's collapse was being assumed.
"A refuge, then."
"That's right. Even if the world ends, that place should be safe."
"If we go further, it may even become possible to be fully self-sufficient inside."
"Ha… I hope the day never comes when we have to use that floor."
No one looked pleased.
Meanwhile, Ju-hyeok clenched his fist and spoke.
"I'm going to build a city. I've already decided the name—Ju-hyeok City!"
But the Mad Berserker wore an awkward expression.
"…Summoner, isn't this a bit early?"
"Early for what?"
"For judging that the world will end."
"Huh?"
Gyeondallae quickly chimed in.
"The Mad Berserker speaks rightly. We still have room to spare. Whether there's a need to build a refuge—"
Building a refuge meant—
Deciding that the world would end.
In truth, it was no different from revealing weak resolve.
If the summoner wavered, the summoned beings would inevitably waver too.
"Master Bong, just trust this Kosak. The world won't end."
"The warrior stakes his life. If it is to protect the summoner's world, I will even accept the annihilation of my soul."
"My lord! I shall serve you with unwavering loyalty."
"Senior Sergeant Veronica Caliber. The Republic of Korea is my homeland as well. Even if I must reenlist, I will defend my country."
"Fuuueeh!"
Even Mari joined in.
Ding-dong!
[Mari]: I'll protect it. I'll do anything.
Hmm.
It was nice that they were steeling their resolve for the sake of this loser, but—
"I think you're misunderstanding something. I've never once thought that the world would end."
The summoned beings looked puzzled.
Then why build a refuge?
"Take a look at the penthouse. It's cramped—packed to bursting."
That was true.
It wasn't that the living room was small, either.
"If I summon everyone, including me there are nine people living there. And one room is taken entirely by Ms. Mari."
He'd even considered buying another house.
But would that really be enough?
"The manifestation period has been extended, we spend more time together, and in a few days another person is coming. If I strengthen my traits, the number of people I can summon at once will increase too. Ten people, twenty, thirty… how are we supposed to live only in a penthouse?"
As time passed, it would clearly become more cramped.
"Th-then?"
Ju-hyeok grinned.
"I'm going to build a new home on the 17th floor of the White Tower. Fully equipped with basic facilities, a wide and sturdy house made with copy-and-paste, and even roads!"
Then he turned to the reclusive alchemist Mari, who had been listening quietly in the corner.
"Mari, we'll need top-grade magic crystals. Is there any way to make them?"
Ding-dong!
[Mari]: With a Philosopher's Stone, you can transmute high-grade magic crystals into top-grade ones.
Yes!
Of course she could.
Who was Mari, after all?
An LSSR-grade alchemist.
Ding-dong!
[Mari]: Um, but there's a fixed ratio. Roughly 1,000 to 1.
"…What did you say?"
One thousand to one?
So you'd have to transmute one ton of high-grade magic crystals to get one kilogram of top-grade?
'What kind of ratio is that?'
It would cost far more than he'd expected.
Clearing the 70s only yielded about six kilograms of high-grade magic crystals as rewards.
He'd declared it boldly, but thinking about it calmly, this wasn't something to take lightly.
Just the basic facilities—the power plant and wireless network—would require a combined thirty tons of high-grade magic crystals.
And copying and placing buildings, roads, parking lots, and so on would cost even more.
At this rate, not only would top-grade conversion be out of reach, even securing enough high-grade magic crystals would be difficult.
It might actually be cheaper to just buy an entire apartment building.
'…Should I give up?'
He glanced around.
Everyone's faces were brimming with anticipation about the new home.
Going back and forth now would hurt his pride as a man.
There was no helping it.
Ju-hyeok grabbed Rajiks's short hand.
"Mr. Rajiks."
"Ho-eh?"
"We need high-grade magic crystals."
"Ho-eh…"
Rajiks could mine ordinary magic crystals from the ground.
Then maybe—just maybe—he could mine high-grade ones too?
"Can you find a vein of high-grade magic crystals?"
"Ho-eh!"
"Is it possible?"
"Ho-eek!"
"A lot of them?"
"Ho-eeek!"
Rajiks's eyes gleamed brightly.
That settles it.
If the cosmic farmhand Rajiks could do it, then it existed.
They'd keep climbing until a high-grade magic crystal vein appeared.
"Starting today, we're heading back into tower climbing."
They would begin with the northern tower.
Current progress: 62nd floor cleared, challenging the 63rd.
Since entry was limited to three times per day, they'd start on the 63rd floor the first day, and by the fourth day, clear up to the 74th—twelve floors total.
Ju-hyeok's current level was LV 75.
Badges were awarded for up to a five-level difference.
The first eligible floor was the 70th.
The 70th floor granted one badge, while from the 71st onward, two badges per floor.
By calculation, just from the northern tower alone, that would be nine badges.
If on the final day they also cleared the existing Republic of Korea Black Tower's 75th and 76th floors—
The total badges obtained would be thirteen.
'How many badges do I have now?'
Cumulative total: 93. Physical badges: 33.
Adding thirteen more…
'Cumulative 106, physical 46.'
Upon completing the five-day tower circuit schedule, the number of special privileges he'd receive would be a whopping three.
'I'll save up the privileges and check them all at once.'
If he opened three privileges at the same time, surely at least one would be something good.
And he'd also bundle the badge ceremonies together.
No holding back—just pile them on.
"Mr. Kosak."
"Yes?"
"You'll only join the first run of the day, then head back north."
"Yes, sir!"
Thus, Ju-hyeok started with the northern tower.
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.2), 63rd floor.]
The climb began.
Day One of the climb.
From Ju-hyeok's perspective, the undead zone counted as a low floor.
So no rank-clear announcement rang out.
The same was true on the second day.
Up to the 68th floor was cleared.
Day Three.
During the second run of the day, a nationwide announcement rang out to players affiliated with the Republic of Korea.
[Notice: You have achieved S++ rank in clearing the 70th floor of Black Tower NO.2 (Korea).]
ㄴ Huh?
ㄴ Gasp!
ㄴ Oh!
ㄴ Number Two?
ㄴ So it's started.
ㄴ That's why tower force occupation was needed.
ㄴ Who else could clear the undead section of the North Korean tower?
ㄴ Right. There's only one person.
ㄴ Anyway, we've got a numbered Black Tower now—two towers!
ㄴ And what's so good about that?
About thirty minutes later—
[World Announcement: You have achieved S+++ rank in clearing the 71st floor of Black Tower NO.2 (Korea).]
A world announcement spreading across the globe.
ㄴ 71st floor!!!
ㄴ It's that easy—why couldn't the temporary naturalized players do it?
ㄴ They just whined about being nationality-locked for a year.
ㄴ Korea's top player comrade climbs towers using Shrinking Earth!
ㄴ He threw pine-cone grenades with vigor! Long live Ju-hyeok!
ㄴ Huh? Who are the guys above?
ㄴ Nice to meet you. I live in Pyongyang—Republic of Korea Black Tower–affiliated player.
ㄴ Wow! Looks like unification might really happen. In the old days you'd be reported as a commie on the spot.
ㄴ But what's "Long live Ju-hyeok"?
ㄴ It's a slogan trending in the Republic these days.
ㄴ A propaganda chant?
ㄴ That's right. It's short for "self-reliant revolutionary spirit."
ㄴ North Korea really shortens everything.
ㄴ Anyway, is it livable up there now?
ㄴ Thanks to the top player comrade taking over the tower, it's livable now.
ㄴ And there's also the grace of Comrade Gosageuk, Minister of the People's Armed Forces.
ㄴ Soon free north–south travel will start, so come visit Pyongyang.
ㄴ They say men in the South, women in the North—are North Korean women pretty?
ㄴ You bastard. There's a face hierarchy here too, got it? If you're confident, try your luck—this one won't stop you.
ㄴ Damn it, I'm going to go eat Okryugwan cold noodles.
The next day, the announcement rang out again.
[World Announcement: You have achieved S+++ rank in clearing the 72nd floor of Black Tower NO.2 (Korea).]
ㄴ Going again today!
ㄴ A revolutionary tower climb!!!
ㄴ Long live Ju-hyeok!
The 73rd floor—another S+++ world announcement.
ㄴ Twice in one day!
Up to the 74th floor.
ㄴ Holy hell.
ㄴ Three times?
ㄴ Three S+++ clears in one day—isn't that a record?
The first ever triple S+++ clear in a single day.
ㄴ If this isn't Shrinking Earth, then what is?
ㄴ The great top player comrade climbs the tower using clone techniques.
ㄴ He crosses tower floors riding reed leaves!
ㄴ He turns sand into rice!
ㄴ Wow—these guys really learned theft well. The idolization is insane.
The Player Management Office in downtown Pyongyang.
A place converted from a long-abandoned pyramid-shaped hotel.
Commonly known as a detention facility.
Over 800 North Korean players were imprisoned there.
A place that starkly showed how North Korean players were treated.
Once it was discovered that someone was a player, they were immediately detained and sent to the Player Management Office.
Once dragged in, you never came out.
You died in the real world—or you died inside the tower.
Of course, they were fed three meals a day.
They were given the title of "revolutionary warrior," and their families received a certain amount of compensation.
But that was all.
They weren't allowed to equip gear and were forced to climb the tower.
Since they parasitized the southern tower to climb, there wasn't even much worry about tower collapse, was there?
There was no way player protection would be handled properly.
That was why, even if they awakened, North Koreans tried to hide the fact that they were players.
They operated in secret, avoiding the government's eyes.
They climbed the tower at night or dawn, took magic crystal rewards, and sold them to black-market brokers for money.
And if they were caught?
They were dragged away as reactionary elements.
What was the point of high-grade magic crystals dropping in the Republic of Korea tower after the Kabalon clear?
Even if you got them, they'd all be confiscated.
And then, on top of that, the newly created Black Tower with Democratic People's Republic of Korea nationality.
It was nothing short of a nightmare.
They'd obviously be driven to break through the undead zone to prevent tower collapse.
All that remained was to enter the tower to die.
Then, suddenly, an unbelievable event occurred.
The South Korean S+++-rank top player's declaration of tower stronghold control.
For a moment, it seemed like war would break out—but it didn't.
The situation flowed in a completely unexpected direction.
Their nationality was changed back to the Republic of Korea.
Chairman Kim In-jung proposed an inter-Korean summit.
The South Korean Awakening Management Agency decided to establish a branch in Pyongyang.
And all the players were released from the detention facilities.
They returned home and reunited with their long-missed families.
Was this a dream, or reality?
Who on earth had bestowed such a blessing?
The great Chairman Kim In-jung of the sacred Baekdu bloodline?
No way!
The North Korean people weren't fools.
Everyone had already noticed.
The Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Comrade Gosageuk, who had risen overnight to the position of second-in-command.
This was the result of his decisive actions.
And today—
Comrade Gosageuk paid an inspection visit to the Pyongyang Player Cooperative Management Facility.
"We wholeheartedly welcome Comrade Minister of the People's Armed Forces on his inspection of the management facility! Long live Ju-hyeok!"
"Long live Ju-hyeok!"
Wearing sunglasses, Gosageuk nodded.
"Have all the players been sent home? Before long, South Korean civil servants will be taking this place over."
The detention facility that once held North Korean players was scheduled to become a branch of the Korean Awakening Management Agency.
"Y-yes, the player comrades have all gone home. Only staff comrades remain at the facility."
"Is that true? You're not pulling a fast one, are you?"
The facility director flinched, then spoke again.
"Ah, there is still one person left."
"Huh? Who is it, where?"
"H-he's not a Republic player. He's a temporarily naturalized player brought in from the Czech Republic."
Gosageuk fixed the director with a sharp glare.
"What's this—ain't that kidnapping? You still haven't come to your senses!"
"N-no, it's just that he's a reactionary, the head of a black-market guild."
"No matter how much of a black-market boss he is… what?"
A black market?
He'd heard of it before.
The Trait Enhancement Rune that the United States had brought to repay their debt to Summoner Bong for saving the player Gerald.
Its source had been the black-market guild.
Then—
Could he just let this slide?
"Sounds like a reactionary to me."
"Yes! That's right."
"Bring him to me. And bring a translator too—I'll interrogate him personally."
"Understood!"
Kosak trembled with excitement.
For all he knew, there might be a Trait Enhancement Rune sitting pretty in that man's inventory.
A chance to score merit.
He'd coax him gently and strip him clean.
Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.2).
The North Korean tower had been cleared up to the 74th floor.
The necromancer dungeon treasures and the royal palace treasury had been secured without issue.
He'd received high-grade magic crystals and a handful of minor items as well.
Now, tomorrow—
It would be time to clear the 75th and 76th floors of the Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1).
The Mad Berserker and Gobang, both LSSR-grade, would join in, along with Kosak returning from his North Korea dispatch.
It shouldn't be difficult—but that didn't mean he could let his guard down.
In the final ultra-high-difficulty optional mission on the 74th floor, a piece of a chained quest had been foreshadowed.
The yokai gumiho.
It would definitely appear.
The same monster that had subdued the Thousand-Year Fox Haeryeong, who had once been Gyeondallae's master.
It was certain to be LSSR-grade.
And it wouldn't be easy.
Even among LSSR-grade beings, the differences were undeniably vast.
Haeryeong alone had proven that.
She had been weakened, and her corruption into an evil spirit hadn't fully progressed—yet even then, both Gobang and the Mad Berserker had needed to step in together just to bind her.
It was obvious that the yokai gumiho would be monstrously strong.
They needed to prepare thoroughly before facing it.
So Ju-hyeok asked the shut-in alchemist Mari to make some performance-enhancing potions.
Click—
The door opened,
and potions and elixirs brewed by the sage were stacked up one by one.
Real Man: Thanks as always. I know it's a hassle.
Mari: Not at all. Ask anytime. I'm working hard on them ♬♬♪
Even though she wasn't a combat class, Mari's role was irreplaceable.
Without her, how else would they ever make top-grade magic crystals?
But then—
Mari: Um… Summoner.
Mari: If things get tough while you're clearing, please call me. I can help too.
Her heart was kind as well.
Real Man: Got it. I'll call you if I need to.
Though there probably wouldn't be any reason to.