WSGCT Chapter 24

It felt so absurd it seemed unreal. No one dared imagine this could happen. A national-level Player who achieved the feat of clearing floor 65 with full government support, grasping both wealth and honor – naturalizing overnight? To Japan, of all places?

Korea fell into chaos. Yoo Cheol-min’s statements at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office press conference were infuriatingly pathetic.

• “The main reason I came to Japan was Korea’s Awakening Management Office’s complacency.”
• “Even with the floor 66 clear deadline approaching, they wouldn’t provide proper support. The office executives focused on politics while neglecting Elite team operations.”
• “Korea’s future looked bleak. Japan was my only choice. The saying ‘escape is by intelligence order’ was right.”
• “I don’t regret choosing naturalization. I’ll accept any criticism. Curse me all you want. I pray for Korea’s success.”

Seemed he was trying to provoke conflict with such statements. Who would agree with that nonsense? Everyone knew how well Yoo Cheol-min had lived under the Korean government’s protection.

Media reactions were sharp: <Yoo Cheol-min’s Vile Betrayal and Flimsy Excuses, Citizens Condemn Him as Traitor, Coward> <Yoo Cheol-min, Who Struggled with Floor 66 Undead, Runs Away Instead of Admitting Failure> <Utterly Disgraceful. Claims Insufficient Support? Why Omit How He Monopolized Enhancement Runes?> <Black-haired Beast, Ungrateful. Really Escaped Due to High Intelligence? Seems He Fled from Stupidity>

The Management Office, NIS, and police faced criticism too: <Yoo Cheol-min’s Escape – Really Didn’t Notice? Office’s Incompetent Management Exposed> <NIS and Police Utterly Defeated by Japanese Intelligence’s Secret Operation, Should Be Ashamed. Any Countermeasures?> <Management Office Director, NIS Director, Police Commissioner All Expected at Parliamentary Audit>

└ “Fucking coward, is he even human? Makes excuses and runs because he can’t clear floor 66?”

└ “So annoying. Why Japan of all places?”

└ “Why overreact? Wouldn’t be this excited if he went to China.”

└ “China? That’d be just as bad. We’d curse him for going to China, you shit-stirring bastard!”

└ “Hey! Stay quiet if you don’t want to die.”

└ “Ugh, this is worse than losing to Japan in soccer.”

└ “I hear that bastard took all his inventory items from the office too.”

└ “This is about pride. We must do something. Assassinate that Yoo bastard, or declare war on Japan.”

└ “What if they steal our S++ rank record holder too?”

└ “Very possible. If that person leaves too, I’ll consider emigrating myself.”

TV talked about nothing else. What’s done was done, no going back.

Juhyeok calmed his excitement. “There was a bigger wimp than me.”

“Oh my! How can you call yourself a wimp, Summoner Bong? Then all Korean men are wimps. That bastard’s just a pathetic loser wimp.”

Seemed right. At least he felt better than that guy.

Speaking of which, this must be why Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il requested a private meeting.

Kozak carefully spoke: “…When you enter the office, obvious what that man will say.”

Juhyeok could guess.

“Don’t be too agreeable, builds bad habits. We should maintain our usual pace. Slow and safe.”

True. Rushing up could cause problems.

“Could just ignore and not go. We could hide somewhere for days like that bastard…”

“No, can’t do that.”

“Sir?”

Still had built up relationships.

“I’ll go throw them the holy sword. They seem to need Light attribute items…”

While making money selling it.

“Ahhh, as expected of Summoner Bong. So moving. Bestowing ocean-like grace on these useless civil servants.”

Heh! Just for this? Who am I? Looking like a wimp outside but actually a warm-hearted chad.

“But this holy sword has Light attribute.”

“Huh?”

“Holy attribute.”

Aren’t those the same? Said it had radiance as a characteristic, Isn’t the “radi” in radiance about light?

Anyway.

“Is that good?”

“Yes sir! Even better.”

Then fine.

“This holy sword works through floor 67. If someone talented uses it.”

Why only that far?

“Because it’s too worn. Look at the blade pattern. All erased.”

“Really is.”

“So radiance power weak. Real holy swords have searchlight-level radiance. Melts undead.”

Meaning a broken lightsaber.

Anyway, someday he’d reach the 60s floors too, whenever that might be.

“Are there holy-type summoned beings in that world?”

“Plenty.”

“What ranks?”

“Holy Maiden and Pope are LSSR rank, but Paladins, Priests, Monks, High Priests etc. range from Rare to SS-rank. They’ll definitely have holy items, just need to get lucky with one.”

As expected. If there are tanks and assassins, wouldn’t there be healers?

What if summoning fails? What’s the problem? Just park at a suitable floor and wait until one comes.

Time to prepare for the Management Office.

※ ※ ※

Seoul Hannam-dong Awakening Management Office.

Chaos reigned outside. Seemed every Korean media outlet had gathered.

Though police blocked access, reporters swarmed like mad wolves whenever people or cars entered or left the office gates. No wonder Team Leader Jeon said he couldn’t come out.

As Juhyeok’s car entered the office grounds, reporters rushed forward.

“What countermeasures is the office planning?”

“Is it true Director Park Kyung-soo will be dismissed?”

“Just one comment please.”

How would I know?

Thankfully the car had dark tinted windows.

Taking the elevator from the underground parking lot. The office atmosphere was unsettled. Every employee they passed looked grim.

Would today’s emergency meeting even happen properly?

Meeting Team Leader Jeon Kwang-il in a quiet office,

“Sorry for calling you here when you’re busy.”

“No, I completely understand. I saw the news too. Must be heartbreaking.”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

Their frequent meetings made conversation flow easily.

“The reason I called you, Player Bong, is…”

Jeon Kwang-il seemed to struggle, swallowing once before continuing,

“H-how long would it t-take you to reach… the 60s floors?”

Expected this question.

Currently floor 29. Assuming daily climbs of uncleared upper floors, 31 days, 37 days to floor 66. About 80 days left until floor 66 deadline – simple math might suggest plenty of time, but…

Had to be firm. So taking a deep breath. Lowering his voice deliberately.

“Impossible within 80 days. When I hit difficult sections, I spend at least 10 days doing repeat clears to prepare before climbing.”

“…I see.”

Adding the final nail:

“It should be in the contract terms too. Upper floor climbing decisions are solely mine.”

“I apologize. I’m so sorry. Making such requests so soon after contracting, but I’m clutching at straws…”

Ah, that pitiful expression. Made his heart soften.

Don’t worry. I’ll somehow reach floor 66 – wanted to say it… but impossible was impossible. Sure, daily climbs were possible in the 20s, but what about the 30s? 40s? 50s?

Maybe if he summoned an LSSR rank Holy Maiden or Pope through random summon…

“I heard there’s another 60s floor Player in the Elite team besides Yoo Cheol-min.”

“Player Nam Ga-eun. But she’s been stuck in the 62s for over 100 days.”

“…That’s a long time.”

“We’re searching for Light attribute items to support Player Nam too. But that bastard Yoo took all our secured items when he ran. If we just had those…”

What a complete bastard. Time to throw it out there.

“Speaking of items, I was thinking of putting one up in the Player Shop.”

“What? P-perhaps a Light attribute?”

“Not Light attribute.”

“…Ah, yes yes.”

Jeon Kwang-il looked slightly disappointed. Even from Player Bong, what item could he be selling now, not even Light attribute, when his head was splitting from problems.

“For selling items, go to the Player Shop staff…”

Just then.

Bang!

A woman burst through the meeting room door.

“Team Leader!”

“Ah! Player Nam Ga-eun.”

“Here you are. Will America lend us Light attribute items? I came to ask about that.”

“Well, we haven’t received confirmation yet, sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing? I know you’re running around sleepless…”

Player Nam Ga-eun clenched her fists and shouted at Team Leader Jeon:

“Let’s stay strong! How happy would that bastard Yoo Cheol-min be if we got depressed? Fighting! And from now on, call me Plan A. I’ll take the lead.”

Then looking at Juhyeok:

“Who’s this?”

Flinch! Jeon Kwang-il’s expression froze. How to cover this? Must absolutely hide the S++ rank clear record.

So: “…Came to sell an item. Probably a tower reward.”

“Oh! Congrats on the drop! You go to the Player Shop – ah, don’t know where it is? Come on! I’ll show you!”

Grab! Nam Ga-eun took Juhyeok’s hand.

Eek?

“W-wait, l-let go of my hand.”

“It’s fine! Follow me. Stay strong too, Player! Fighting!”

Dangerous. So this was Nam Ga-eun. Amazingly unique. How could someone be so outgoing? Casually initiating skinship.

Wait! To get full price for the item, you need to confirm its effects. Then nobody is better than Nam Ga-eun.

“Um, could you please let go of my hand?”

“Oh, sorry! I was too forward.”

“…It’s okay. But I’ll lend you an item, um, try it out?”

Nam Ga-eun tilted her head at Juhyeok’s words.

“What? Try an item? Need to know what kind…”

Swoosh!

Juhyeok quickly pulled the holy sword from his inventory and spoke fast. Speaking quickly helped avoid stumbling.

“Looks very worn but has Holy attribute. Named Tower-exclusive Rolandian Paladin Commander’s Holy Sword, enhanced damage against undead, Holy Flames, Steadfast Mind, plus increased critical chance…”

Momentarily taken aback by his rapid-fire delivery,

“W-wait, repeat the sword’s name?”

“Tower-exclusive Rolandian Paladin Commander’s Holy Sword.”

“…Holy Sword, Holy attribute?”

“Yes sir!”

Nam Ga-eun couldn’t believe her ears. Heard of Light attribute often but Holy attribute? Plus Paladin? Term for holy knights?

Jeon Kwang-il felt the same. That was the item he wanted to sell? If it was really a holy sword…

“Says it bestows subtle radiance on the user, should counter Dark Aura. Probably usable through floor 67… hahaha, if you have the talent.”

Counter Dark Aura, such impossible…!

Nam Ga-eun barely parted her lips: “May I check the item information?”

“Of course.”

Nam Ga-eun took the sword from Juhyeok.

Jeon Kwang-il asked anxiously: “Checked it? Is it really a holy sword?”

She nodded. “Yes. Says holy sword. Effects and characteristics exactly as he said.”

“Uh uh uh,”

Then looking at Juhyeok:

“Y-you said you’d lend this?”

“Yes, try it and tell me your thoughts. Haven’t cleared floor 62, right?”

“…No.”

“Try now.”

Need to test items to know if they work, right? He couldn’t enter floor 62 himself. Kozak said it was better than Light attribute and worked through floor 67, so floor 62 should be fine. Just hope for good feedback after using it. Need that for a good selling price.

“I’ll go right now.”

※ ※ ※

Spot! Nam Ga-eun entered the tower.

[Entering Floor 62 of Korea’s Black Tower]

[Physical abilities enhanced according to level]

[Characteristic and combat skills available]

Mission too. 

[Floor 62 Mission: Eliminate 20 Dark Zombies]

[Time Limit: Within 15 hours] 

[Completion Condition: Dark Zombies 0/20] 

[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]

Undead. Something that shouldn’t be alive.

Dark Zombies appeared. Though unarmed, ragged corpses approached quickly, flashing long nails and sharp teeth.

Would it really work? The item description was accurate. Seeing the subtle white radiance overlaying her body and sword. But uncertain if this faint light could overcome Dark Aura. Even brilliantly bright Light attribute items were helpless.

Only one way to find out.

Nam Ga-eun gripped the worn holy sword’s handle tightly, focusing her mind. You can do this, Ga-eun! Just try it.

But strange. With the radiance, Dark Aura wasn’t so frightening. Maybe the Steadfast Mind? Is that it?

She took a step forward.

“Grrrr.”

Dark Zombies growled warily. Nam Ga-eun moved.

Spot!

Using the Swordsman characteristic’s distance deletion skill to reach right in front of a zombie, She swung the holy sword down with all her might.

Slash!

Could feel it the moment she cut. Critical hit, properly triggered. The holy sword sliced through Dark Aura. Cut through its raised claws with a crack! Plus its hard skull.

Whoosh!

The collapsing corpse caught fire. Even death itself was annihilated.

[Dark Zombie Elimination 1/20]

“…”

The kill count increased. Killed it in one strike.

Did I really do that? Couldn’t believe it. After all her struggles to kill even one zombie before.

This sword was real. The sword that somewhat disheveled man lent her to try. Honestly doubted it even after checking the item information.

Not something to sell for money. No, could you even put a price on it? Not on an item that could prevent tower collapse.