The United States Department of Homeland Security.
Secretary McMillan and Director Antonio did not attend the event being held in Pyongyang.
They had received invitations, but politely declined.
There was no need to unnecessarily provoke neighboring countries—
namely China and Russia.
So they were watching the ceremony live on TV.
On the screen was the Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Go Sa-geuk.
"…There he is."
"Yes. Currently the most enigmatic figure in North Korea."
"Where on earth did he come from? No relatives in the North, no connections, no academic background—nothing is known."
"I believe he's affiliated with Player Bong."
"Affiliated? On what grounds?"
Right on cue, Go Sa-geuk's speech began.
And as always, it ended with his habitual phrase—Long live Juhyeok.
"Look at that. 'Long live Juhyeok.' Isn't that a bit too coincidental?"
"What is?"
"Player Bong's name is Juhyeok."
"Haah, that's just Main Identity Revolution—the full term for Juche Revolution in Korean."
"Is it really?"
"Then are you saying Bong Juhyeok's Juhyeok refers to that?"
"That's my assessment."
Secretary McMillan shrugged.
Antonio's speculation felt like too much of a stretch.
The idea that the defense minister of North Korea—an enemy state until just months ago—was a subordinate of Player Bong?
"Your imagination's running wild lately. Don't say things like that elsewhere—you might get labeled a lunatic."
Right then—
Whoosh! Boom!
"Huh?"
"Fire!"
A North Korean soldier suddenly appeared at the venue.
The camera zoomed in.
"Th-that is…"
"A nuclear backpack? Is that really one?"
"I-it appears so."
"This is bad!"
...
Terrorism.
A nuclear terror attack was unfolding.
At a venue where North Korea's supreme leader, South Korea's Awakening Management Administration commissioner, and numerous high-ranking officials were gathered.
"…Is Player Bong at the venue too?"
"Th-there—"
The camera briefly swept past the crowd.
A young man seated toward the back.
Bong Juhyeok.
Secretary McMillan shot to his feet, clutching his head with both hands and shouting.
"Jesus! What are you doing, Mr. Bong?! Get into the Tower, now!"
"What if he's already used up all his entry chances?"
"Fucking hell!"
"My God…"
Player Bong must not die.
He was Earth's final bulwark—its savior.
Just his existence alone drastically reduced the burden of Tower conquest.
That was why the United States had tried to strengthen relations with him.
They had even gifted him a Rune of Trait Enhancement.
But if he were to die?
The countdown to Tower collapse would begin.
McMillan and Antonio could only stare blankly at the screen.
From the opposite side of the Earth, there was nothing they could do.
Please—somehow—
let Player Bong survive.
Either retreat into the Tower, or escape beyond the blast radius.
But then—
Something unexpected happened.
A white ball of fur appeared on the screen.
"…What is that? A giant hamster?"
"Uh—th-that doesn't look human… or is it?"
Anyway, a hamster-man appeared.
And it was absurdly cute.
"Hoe!"
As it reached out behind the terrorist's back—
Slurp.
The nuclear backpack vanished.
The terror threat disappeared in an instant.
"An inventory?"
"Unlikely. Items other than Tower artifacts can't go into an inventory."
"Then what on earth…?"
On screen, only the furball hamster-man remained.
The terrorist's face wasn't even shown.
The reporters must have instinctively known.
Who to film.
Where to focus.
Secretary McMillan and Director Antonio stared unblinkingly at the TV screen.
No matter how long they watched, it never got old.
Beijing, China.
Chairman Liu Zhao and the Standing Committee members were gathered together, also watching the Pyongyang event on TV.
Everyone was confident of success.
Jang Chang-su had landed in the center of the venue with the nuclear backpack on his back.
There was no room for doubt.
They had ensured it would explode under any circumstance.
Press the detonator—it explodes.
Drop the detonator—it explodes.
Even if Jang Chang-su were shot by a sniper and his heart stopped—it would explode.
That was it.
Once Kim In-jung was gone, all that remained was how quickly they could seize power during the vacuum.
Plans were already in place.
Kim In-jung's half-brother, currently residing in Singapore, would be installed to rule North Korea.
But then—what was this?
A mysterious ball of fur appeared and swallowed the nuclear backpack?
The backpack itself vanished.
Gone without a trace.
"…Huh?"
"H-how?"
"Why did the nuclear backpack—?"
Had they seen it wrong?
But every moment was being broadcast live.
Failed?
Because of some ridiculous animal?
Silence fell.
No one knew how to process this absurd situation.
The live broadcast drew massive viewership in South Korea.
Ratings exceeded 20%.
Then the nuclear backpack terrorist appeared.
Ratings surged past 40%.
And when Rajiks appeared, they broke 60%.
And they kept climbing.
A merciless cuteness that looked like it had stepped straight out of an animation.
A fatally round figure that assaulted the heart.
And on top of that, a mysterious ability that made a nuclear backpack vanish.
It was only natural that people went wild.
Breaking news flooded in.
Breaking News) Nuclear terror threat at Pyongyang Awakening Management Branch event.
Breaking News) Suspect believed to be North Korean military hardliner.
Breaking News) Infiltrated venue using a Rune Necklace of Liberation.
Breaking News) A miracle at the brink of catastrophe.
Breaking News) Nuclear backpack vanished in an instant by a hamster-man.
Breaking News) Where did it come from? The Tower? An alien?
Breaking News) Human or hamster—does it matter? Deadly charm, cute is enough (video attached).
Countless comments poured in.
L What's the name of that vicious creature? I'm dying because of it. Tell me now.
L Haaah.
L I want to touch it.
L I want to bury my face in that white fluff and rub it.
L Not the nuke—my heart is exploding.
L I'm on my 100th replay. I can't take my eyes off it.
L Is this CGI?
L It's live, idiot.
L If I defect north now, can I see it?
L I need healing. Recruiting party members to go to Pyongyang now (1/5).
L I was there. I seriously thought I was going to die.
L Anyone know what that hamster is?
L South Chosŏn comrades are fools. Can't you tell at a glance?
L Who is it?
L It's the guardian spirit of Mt. Geumgang, protecting the republic.
L Guardian spirit my ass—what's next, fairy maidens too?
Catchphrases were born.
L Hoe?
L Hoeeeee!
L Hoeeng?
L Hoek!
L Stop it, you lunatics!
L Hoeeng?
This wasn't the first time a summoned being's face had been revealed on video.
There had been Kosak and Gobang at Korea's HG Hotel,
and the Mad Demon brutally educating anti-Korean protestors in downtown Japan.
But Rajiks's impact was on a completely different level.
Korea—no, the entire world—was utterly captivated.
Pyongyang.
The situation was quickly brought under control.
Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il and Team Leader Lee Min-ah shielded Rajiks from the reporters and escorted him away, while the Mad Demon and Kosak took charge of the terrorist, Jang Chang-su.
Juhyeok and Diamat also left the venue, moved to a secluded spot, and finally entered the Tower.
That night.
Juhyeok summoned all the summoned beings except the Blood Wolf.
It seemed everything that had happened in Pyongyang had already been shared.
They were furious, relieved, and wracked with guilt.
"Young Lord! Please punish us! This lowly one was foolish. Failing to grasp the gravity of the situation and protect you—this sin deserves punishment!"
"N-no, what did you do wrong? It ended well, didn't it?"
Gobang slammed down on one knee.
"A warrior remains foolish. Even as Rrsssal, I am still dull. Someone like me should die."
That wasn't all.
"My lord! Please do not forgive this god."
"Senior Officer Veronica Caliber! I will voluntarily confine myself!"
"One like me doesn't even deserve to drink blood."
Even Marie the shut-in alchemist peeked out from the crack in her door, sniffling and wiping away tears.
Only then did Juhyeok learn—
they had been stirring up other souls in the other world, inciting protests for probability normalization and administrator punishment.
That was why they hadn't attended the event.
Though even if they had, there wouldn't have been much they could do.
After a long bout of tearful self-reproach,
Gyeondallae asked Kosak in a chilling voice.
"What happened to that man?"
"We got everything out of him and handed him over to Kim In-jung. He's probably in a Pyongyang State Security prison now."
"Hah! You let him live?"
The Mad Demon answered instead.
"Do not worry, princess fairy. He's already received his death sentence. Every day will be agony. Killing him outright would be mercy, so we let him live."
One more thing.
Did he act alone?
"The mastermind?"
"Where else? A country that hates Korean reunification."
"Japan already bowed its head—so China."
"Exactly."
"I understand."
And that was the end of it.
The summoned beings spoke no further.
Something felt strange.
This couldn't be right.
Had they completely become people of the Republic of Korea?
Or—
"…Wait."
Could it be?
"I see. It already activated."
Clause 3 of the Third Principle of the Summoned Ones.
When it comes to protecting the summoner's life, summoned beings are permitted autonomous judgment and action.
Once that kicks in, there's no stopping them.
In the past, they would have been raging—
We must eliminate the threat,we have to cut off Chinese politicians' heads, and so on.
…
"Oh dear."
Something was definitely going to happen in China soon.
As clear as day.
But honestly, he had no intention of stopping them.
They were the ones who had planned a terrorist attack with a nuclear backpack.
If you decide to kill others,
you should at least be prepared to die yourself.
"Alright, alright, let's change the mood. We'll begin the badge award ceremony."
They had earned merit—he had to hand them out one by one.
But he was short on badges.
This called for selection and focus.
So the LSSR summoned beings would temporarily be excluded from badge awards.
First, one badge each for the new members, Jepetto and Diamat.
"M-master!"
"I'll devote everything I have to serving you."
Then one for Senior Officer Ver—
"Victory!"
And one for Bardin.
"O Light!!!"
That made Bardin's total five.
As a result, he upgraded one of his skills.
Judging by how dazzling the Radiant Light had become,
it was easy to guess which one he'd enhanced.
Lastly—Rajiks.
Honestly, Juhyeok had no idea how many he should give him.
Either way, he wanted to give him as many as possible.
So he decided to split it up into separate commendations.
Rajiks's current total badge count was twelve.
First—
"You are hereby awarded three Platinum Badges for your outstanding contribution in transporting the nuclear warhead and emergency shelter during the defeat of the reinforced monster on the 81st floor, the ultra-giant beast Titan Behemoth."
"Hoe!"
Giving him three brought the total to fifteen.
Fwaaash!
The badges dissolved into light.
Another skill upgrade.
Which skill did he upgrade this time?
He decided to ask later.
There was still more.
"Additionally, for your great merit in saving numerous lives by seizing the terrorist's nuclear backpack during the Pyongyang Awakening Management Branch opening ceremony, you are hereby awarded three more Platinum Badges."
"Hoe?"
Rajiks looked slightly surprised.
Should he accept them?
Of course he should.
"Hoeee…"
He puffed out his chest.
That meant I'll take them.
Given what he'd accomplished,
it would've been strange not to give them.
Another three badges—six in total.
The remaining badges dropped from twenty-three to thirteen.
The other summoned beings looked on enviously.
Clap clap clap clap!
But the congratulations were sincere.
Why?
Rajiks deserved all six.
He could be arrogant for all they cared.
He'd earned it.
In any case, Rajiks's cumulative badge count was now eighteen.
Just seven more to reach twenty-five.
Five skills at Rrsssal.
The requirements for the Rrsssal rank would be met.
At that point, one question naturally arose.
What skill had Rajiks upgraded?
"Hoe. Cleaning."
"…Pardon?"
Cleaning?
Why?
In the next instant—
Swish!
Rajiks pulled out a golden broom, a golden dustpan, and a golden sack from his subspace backpack.
Well, whatever.
Cleaning, cooking—Rajiks could do whatever he wanted!
That aside, such a huge incident had occurred—
how was the establishment of the Awakening Management Branch going?
He could call Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il to ask,
but he was probably too busy right now.
"Turn on the TV. Let's watch the news."
"Yes!"
Kosak clicked the remote.
The screen lit up, and the news began to play.
But—
"Hoe?"
Rajiks tilted his head.
No wonder.
His own face was on the TV.
The scene of him flashing a V sign with his fingers—
a gesture he'd made hoping for praise from Summoner Bong.
"Uh… our cosmic errand boy's a star now."
It certainly looked that way.
They kept showing Rajiks's face.
Only the cute parts, carefully edited.
Repeating scenes already shown.
"Change the channel."
Click.
Rajiks.
Click.
Rajiks again.
Click.
Rajiks again and again.
Every channel—Rajiks domination.
"He's not just a star. He's a cosmic superstar."
Wow.
What should he do?
He'd wanted cute Rajiks all to himself.
But now everything was out in the open.
The scheming began that very night.
After the badge ceremony and the party ended.
Juhyeok, exhausted, went to his room and fell asleep early.
Meanwhile—
The Mad Demon, Kosak, and Gyeondallae gathered inside a dark bathroom with the lights off.
Calling it a bathroom didn't do it justice—it was a penthouse bathroom.
And with Rajiks cleaning it every day, it was clean enough to sleep on the floor.
"We don't need many. Just me and Diamat will do."
"I'll participate as backup. I can provide cover from afar."
"Chairman Liu Zhao is a well-known figure. Activating the tracking talisman on him will pose no difficulty."
Clause 3 of the Third Principle had already activated.
The summoned beings were united in purpose.
How dare those fools target the summoner?
It was something that had happened countless times in other worlds.
Players killed by other humans rather than the Tower—
leading to the world's destruction.
They bore some blame themselves.
They'd grown complacent.
Now they were reflecting deeply.
This had to be prevented before it happened again.
So what was needed?
A sharp warning.
But there was a problem.
Would Summoner Bong allow it?
"He has a gentle heart. We must not let him know."
"I know. We must not burden him with more worries because of us."
"Even so, this must be done. For Young Lord's safety. We can accept punishment later."
"That's right."
"Agreed."
They had to go secretly.
By any means necessary.
"The biggest obstacle is getting to Beijing. The physical distance is enormous. It might take half a day just to get there."
"Indeed. We'd have to pass through North Korea and the Manchurian plains."
"We can take a plane."
"What about passports?"
"I have Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il's business card. I'll contact him quietly, without the summoner knowing—"
Right then!
Click!
The bathroom lights came on.
"Oh my?"
"Mm."
The door creaked open.
"I knew this would happen. Caught red-handed."
It was Juhyeok.
He'd known they'd be plotting something.
So he pretended to sleep and raided the scene.
Kosak, the Mad Demon, and Gyeondallae froze, flustered.
They began making excuses.
"Uh—n-no, I was just going to take a shower."
"Ah—uh, I—I needed to pee."
"…This girl came to fix her makeup."
Seriously?
"So, all in one bathroom, at the same time—
one's showering, one's peeing, and one's fixing makeup?"
"E-efficient, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Three birds with one stone."
"Men and women are different, but aren't we basically family?"
Juhyeok snorted, then said—
"You want me to take you to the Beijing Tower tomorrow, right?"
The three of them stared at him, mouths agape.
"To be honest, I'm angry too. Detonating a nuke just to stop reunification? That's crossing the line—by a lot."
He was right.
If the plan had succeeded, how many people would have died?
The summoned beings lit up, smiling broadly.
"A wise decision, Summoner."
"I, Kosak, will finish it cleanly! No unnecessary killing—my word."
"A sagacious judgment for the greater good, Young Lord."
If they let it slide,
something like this would happen again someday.
To save more people,
this was unavoidable.