A real-estate company in Shanghai.

On the outside, it looked ordinary, but in truth, it was the triad general headquarters inside China.

Triad leader Gu Liangchun sat at a table with security in tow, talking face-to-face with a man.

“...I can’t believe it. Is it really you, Bai Long?”

“Leader, I already proved it to you. This appearance is a disguise—I changed my face with the Ring of Appearance Transformation.”

Bai Long.

The Player who assassinated China’s newly appointed Chairman Wang Yuan and fled.

The very Bai Long that Public Security and the People’s Liberation Army were hunting with bloodshot eyes had appeared right in front of Gu Liangchun, brazen as could be.

Originally, triad leader Gu Liangchun and Bai Long had connections.

Back when Bai Long was China’s top Player, they’d formed ties.

“So what is it you need?”

“Thirty million U.S. dollars and a passport with a perfect identity. Taiwanese or Singaporean nationality would be ideal. But it needs a Player history.”

“So you intend to keep operating as a Player.”

“Then what am I supposed to live on?”

Gu Liangchun snorted.

A Player could exert abilities in reality, but escaping China was extremely difficult.

So what if the face changed?

Without identification, you couldn’t use long-distance transportation like trains, let alone airplanes.

And the Liberation Rune Necklace had strict time and use limits, so it wasn’t something you could use carelessly.

And Bai Long had probably run out of money too.

Just look at the ragged state.

“What’s the price?”

“I’ll give you the Rejuvenation Elixir.”

“Not enough. Hand over the Potion of Disease Treatment as well.”

“Hmm. Fine—so long as you keep your promise.”

Gu Liangchun nodded.

“Making an identity isn’t hard.”

“It must be a Player identity.”

“Don’t worry. When do I receive the elixir and potion?”

“Right after I arrive at New York airport.”

Bai Long planned to go to America.

After that, Bai Long would request naturalization to America.

America tended to be generous with Player naturalization.

If you asked, America accepted immediately.

Bai Long had already changed face and build with the Ring of Appearance Transformation.

With a brand-new identity on top of that, how would anyone know it was Bai Long?

“Show me the real items first—the elixir and potion. I’ll confirm with my own eyes, then I’ll start the ID work.”

Bai Long frowned.

“Leader Gu, do you not trust me?”

“Hm? You’re the strange one. What’s so hard about showing them?”

Gu Liangchun sipped the pu’er tea set in front, continuing.

“That necklace on your chest. That’s the Liberation Rune Necklace, isn’t it.”

“...”

“If you activate that power, you could kill an old man like me—and everyone in this room—in the blink of an eye.”

Bai Long shrugged.

“Leader Gu, what do you take me for? I’m not some murderer who kills just anyone. Even the Chairman Wang Yuan incident was an accident.”

An accident, my ass.

Like anyone hadn’t seen the CCTV.

“Fine. I’ll show you.”

Slide!

Two vials came out of Bai Long’s Inventory.

“This is the Rejuvenation Elixir, and this is the Potion of Disease Treatment...”

That was when it happened.

CLANG!

A hole punched through the glass window—

THUD!

And with the sound, a red hole opened in Bai Long’s forehead.

There wasn’t even a scream.

THUMP!

Bai Long slammed forward into the table and died on the spot.

Blood sprayed onto Gu Liangchun’s forehead too.

Gu Liangchun wiped it off slowly.

“Tsk, tsk. You idiot. You underestimated the Chinese government. Did you think they wouldn’t know you and I had ties?”

Not just Gu Liangchun.

Public Security would have approached everyone connected to Bai Long.

A triad?

It had been a puppet of the Chinese government for a long time now.

A People’s Liberation Army sniper was already posted here.

Even if the chance Bai Long came here was under 1%.

I prayed you wouldn’t come.

And yet Bai Long showed up anyway.

You fucking moron.

There was no choice.

Gu Liangchun had to act as ordered.

Otherwise, Gu Liangchun would get dragged in and die too.

The very idea that a Player could oppose state power was a massive delusion.

No matter how much power was unleashed.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

Footsteps of Public Security climbing the office stairs.

Gu Liangchun smacked the lips.

Because the Rejuvenation Elixir sitting on the table kept catching the eye.

But Gu Liangchun didn’t get greedy.

Try to get ten years younger, and you might die ten years earlier.

*****

TOWER PLAYER AWAKENING ADMINISTRATION, Korea.

Juhyeok met Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil again in the Tower materials warehouse.

All sorts of conversation went back and forth.

How many items were selling in the Player Shop, resellers running wild—

The whole world was stunned.

Korea’s national prestige had risen.

It was soaking up envy.

Players were submitting naturalization requests at Korean embassies in every country, holy water was dropping, and yet the holy sword rental was still running smoothly—

And the progress with the French special envoy delegation too.

They were still making difficult demands, but negotiations would be wrapped up soon.

Ugh, my ears are ringing. He’s gotten talkative.

To be honest, Juhyeok had been sneaking glances at the Platinum Badge pinned on Jeon Gwangil’s chest for a while now.

Do I take that back?

When he was desperate for every single one.

Of course, Jeon Gwangil would give it if asked.

But—

Hold back.

That would be too petty.

Still, with five badges, you can do an LSSR skill upgrade for a summoned entity.

Many a mickle makes a muckle—collect badges, build LSSR.

Haa.

But not right now.

“You’ve had a hard time.”

“Ah, don’t mention it. Thanks to the items you brought, our ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM Players have been able to climb very safely. High-grade Magic Stones are being mined smoothly too.”

It felt good.

Trying to take badges from a good person like that—

“Ah! About the building you requested before.”

“Oh, right. How did it go?”

“After the Commissioner looked into it...”

Jeon Gwangil explained eagerly.

A sixty-one-floor building in Gangnam had come onto the market.

Negotiations were proceeding smoothly, the talks were basically finished, and only legal procedures remained.

But the price of the building—

“...How much did you say?”

“1.3 trillion won. The parent company’s finances are bad, so it’s being sold cheap.”

“Uh...”

Juhyeok’s heart dropped.

1.3 trillion?

He had said he’d buy a building, sure, but he’d never even thought in the trillion range.

“Given your social position, we should introduce you to an even better building, but this is the only one currently on the market.”

“...”

What is wrong with these people?

My social position is what, exactly?

He was just an ordinary weak man in Korea.

He got one Awakening Trait by luck, and he’d come this far thanks to meeting the right summoned entities.

Do I look like someone who casually drops 1.3 trillion?

What now?

How was he supposed to buy a building that expensive?

He’d been thinking about some small neighborhood building.

This got too big.

It got big by 1.3 trillion won.

Did he even have that kind of money?

When he checked his account, it didn’t even reach half. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Should I say I’m not buying it?

But Jeon Gwangil said the talks were already done.

“Park & Kim Law Firm, which handles legal counsel for the Administration, agreed to take care of the entire process, so you don’t need to worry about anything.”

“...Y-yes, yes.”

This was terrifying.

Even buying a 30-billion-won penthouse, he’d agonized, wavering back and forth in fear.

And now he was at the point of deciding whether to buy a 1.3-trillion-won, sixty-one-floor building in Gangnam.

“...Um, I can get a loan, right?”

“Oh! Don’t worry about that. We’ll introduce you to a bank with low interest on loans.”

Deputy Commissioner—

I’m not that gutsy.

I’m just not showing it. My heart’s pounding like a storm.

“And soon, Rajix Trading plans to launch wyvern leather products. And payment for basilisk leather will come in from HG Group as well.”

“Ah!”

Right. He’d forgotten.

Rajix Trading existed.

It was a name Juhyeok personally made.

Thanks to Rajix, wyvern leather could be turned into merchandise, so of course the name had to be that.

Wait... I’m a major shareholder too?

Holy sword owner, building owner, major shareholder.

Right.

A man who’d become a triple owner—so what was 1.3 trillion?

All at once, his mind settled.

Confidence rose.

But he still couldn’t relax.

He had to earn hard.

If he blew the money on that building, he might not even be able to eat ramen three meals a day, let alone Korean beef chuck flap.

And how many mouths did he have to feed?

A new summoned entity would be coming soon too.

One came every month.

So this was what it meant—the burden on the shoulders of a head of household.

Earn hard.

Earn until the bones crushed, and feed the family.

With hardened resolve, Juhyeok spoke to Jeon Gwangil.

“It’ll be a hassle, but I’m asking you again.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Should we look into another building for you?”

Is this man seriously trying to bankrupt me?

“Not that. Item sales agency.”

“...Huh? Yes?”

“I’ve got more things to sell.”

“Uh... how much?”

Juhyeok performed a Designated Summon for Rajix.

“WAAH,”

The cosmic bald farmhand appeared, raising short arms high.

Jeon Gwangil tensed.

Rajix was here.

So then—

“Here. Stack it up by type.”

“WAAH!”

Rajix opened Subspace.

Items began piling up.

High-grade Magic Stones, equipment items, jewels in every color, gold bars—

They piled up.

Literally piled up.

To the point of reaching the materials warehouse ceiling, high above.

...W-what is all this?

Again?

Jeon Gwangil could only stare, slack-jawed.

In a situation like this, what words were even necessary?

There was more than before.

Not just “a lot” more.

Double—no, over triple?

Was there really a treasure vault inside the Tower?

“Can you sell it all for me?”

“...Uh, yes, yes. I—I have to sell it. I’ll sell it as hard as I can.”

How were they supposed to process this much?

Then, as if something suddenly occurred, Jeon Gwangil asked Juhyeok.

“Um... should we use this opportunity to allow foreign Players to enter the Player Shop too? With this much supply, I think we can.”

“That’s a good idea. Let’s do it.”

Of course he agreed.

Didn’t it need to sell fast so he could gather 1.3 trillion?

Was it only Korean Players who cleared Towers?

Foreign Players had to clear their own Towers too.

But it would sell out soon.

How many Players were there worldwide?

Between 700,000 and 1.5 million.

If only half visited the Player Shop—

They wouldn’t buy just one. They’d buy two or three, four or five, six or seven, grabbing them in bunches.

This still won’t be enough.

Was there anywhere he could get more?

The Mad Demon had said it.

If it wasn’t the Black Tower in Korea but another country’s Black Tower, there might be another treasure vault.

Wait.

An idea hit.

Right now, he had about six Multinational Tower Use Tickets.

It was an item that dropped often, so—

“What was it the French government asked for?”

“They asked us to climb Floor 71 and hand over the four-item gift set... An incredibly shameless demand. They want to blow their nose without lifting a finger.”

So what if you wipe their nose?

“Tell them we’ll do it.”

“...Pardon?”

“But tell them the condition is that I clear the Black Tower in France up to Floor 73.”

“Gasp!”

Jeon Gwangil jolted in shock.

Not just Floor 70—up to Floor 73?

“What if they refuse? I’d like them to accept, but...”

After staring blankly, Jeon Gwangil snapped back.

“N-no. They’ll never refuse. How could they possibly turn it down?”

Right.

The Collapse Countdown stacked.

It would buy them 540 days.

“Then I’m counting on you. We need France’s approval first.”

“Understood. I’ll report to the Commissioner.”

Money.

He had to make money.

Soon his bank account would be empty.

An empty account had to be filled right away.

A worry suddenly surfaced.

If I buy the building, who manages it?

No problem.

There was a person at home with time on the hands.

His father, Bong Suchul.

And his mother too.

Ahhhh!

What a filial son he was.

Providing jobs for his parents too.

But the Black Tower in France will have a treasure vault too, right?

If it didn’t, it was all for nothing.

Well, even so, he could be satisfied with earning badges.

Current cumulative total: 85.

Physical badges left in his Inventory: 53.

It had been 57 until yesterday, but he pinned one on Cossack, one on the Mad Demon, and two on Rajix.

If I clear the Black Tower in France—Floor 70, 71, 72, and 73?

Floor 70 only gave S++, so one Platinum Badge.

From Floor 71 onward, two each—seven total.

Cumulative becomes 92, physical becomes 60.

More badges, another perk, and on top of that, he’d loot the necromancer’s dungeon vault and the royal palace treasure vault too.

Wasn’t this killing four birds with one stone?

*****

After receiving Juhyeok’s intent, Commissioner Park Kyungsoo immediately tried negotiating with the French special envoy delegation.

They would receive the four-item gift set and hand it over.

In exchange, sign a contract on the condition that Juhyeok would clear the Black Tower in France up to Floor 73.

France couldn’t refuse.

Rather, it welcomed it.

Clearing Floors 71, 72, and 73 would stack 540 days of Collapse Countdown time.

Juhyeok also conveyed his intent to the summoned entities.

After calling everyone through Designated Summon—

“I need to buy a building.”

“Oh! Buildings are the best. Real estate never loses, right?”

“This girl also agrees. If it is Master Bong, what is a single building?”

Everyone looked pleased.

But—

“It’s a little expensive. I need to earn more money.”

“How much? Like... fifty billion?”

Gyeon Dallae snorted.

“Hmph! This house is thirty billion. You’re buying a building—at minimum, it should be one hundred billion, shouldn’t it?”

Cossack clicked his tongue.

“Wow! That’s really expensive. With that money, you could eat Korean beef sirloin for the rest of your life and still have leftovers.”

“There’s a reason people say building owner, building owner.”

Juhyeok revealed the building’s price.

“1.3 trillion.”

“...Pardon?”

“A sixty-one-floor building in the best part of Gangnam. 1.3 trillion.”

“Uh... that one trillion is that one trillion?”

“Yes.”

“Seriously?”

“Have you only lived being tricked? Do you think I’m Mr. Cossack?”

Cossack’s face went pale blue.

“This is bad. We’re gonna starve, all of us. We might get chased around by loan debt. Even if we sell this house, it’s only thirty billion.”

Gyeon Dallae seemed deeply shocked.

“Ahhhhhh...”

She pressed fingers to her forehead, staggered—and fainted.

“Oh my, Princess! Get up! At times like this, you have to steel your heart.”

The Mad Demon looked curious.

“Just how much money is one trillion? So much that the summoner cannot bear it?”

“It’s a bit expensive, sure. But if I earn hard...”

“Then what is the problem? Buy it.”

Cossack exploded, snapping at the Mad Demon.

“Mad Demon, do you not know how the world works? An ELITE TOWER CLIMBING TEAM salary is twelve billion a year. Save that for ten years and that’s one hundred twenty billion. Save it for a hundred years and that’s 1.2 trillion. And you’re still short by a hundred billion—you still can’t buy the Gangnam building.”

The Mad Demon flinched in shock.

With an awkward face—

“Hahaha... I—I did not know it was that much.”

The Mad Demon avoided Cossack’s sharp gaze.

“And that’s not all. Acquisition tax, property tax, comprehensive real estate holding tax, maintenance fees... good grief, our Summoner Bong has become a building beggar. A beggar, I tell ya.”

Veronica swallowed hard, looking fed up.

Meatshield and Bardin just stared blankly, not really feeling it.

But one person was different.

Rajix, wearing an expression like he was laughing at it.

“WAAHhhhh.”

1.3 trillion, that’s all?

As if to say, trust only Rajix, he looked at Juhyeok and pounded his own chest.

Right.

There was only Rajix.

“Mr. Rajix, can you do it?”

“WAAH!”

“Good! Then let’s do it.”

There was plenty of time.

Clearing two floors per day, it was only two days.

And the contract with France had just been finalized.

First, Juhyeok tore one Multinational Tower Use Ticket.

[You have used a Multinational Tower Use Ticket.]

[State the country name and floor number of the Tower you ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) wish to enter.]

“Black Tower (France), Floor 70.”

[Entry conditions have been met. Would you like to enter now?]

“Enter.”

SPOT!

[You are entering Black Tower (France) Floor 70.]

Step, step!

Juhyeok and the summoned entities walked toward the mansion where Kabalan was hiding.

Everyone’s expressions were grim.

Burning battle intent.

A single-minded resolve to smash everything they could see.

Creeeak—

The moment they opened the door and stepped inside, Kabalan’s Copy looked down on everyone with a vile expression.

“Welcome.”

Welcome my ass.

“Hit it!”

Rumble!

WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM!

“...Kuh-huk! W-what...?”

We’re busy, you bastard.

Don’t get in the way.

[Notice : You have achieved Black Tower (France) Floor 70 clear rank S++.]

[S++ clear reward : You will be awarded 1 Platinum Badge.]

World Notices immediately followed, one after another.

Something about benefits in the Black Tower in France, something about high-grade Magic Stone rewards.

No need to listen.

Exit, come out—

Next, Floor 71.

Grab the four-item gift set right away.

“Just the Basic Mission?”

“Let’s just wipe it all out.”

They got item rewards too.

The usual stuff.

Liberation Rune Necklace, holy water—things like that.

They should’ve given another Multinational Tower Use Ticket instead.

“Bitch. Target acquired.”

“Fire!”

RRRRIIING!

PSHA-SHOT!

THUD!

After killing Kate too as she tried to run—

[Notice : You have achieved Black Tower (France) Floor 71 clear rank S+++.]

[S+++ clear reward : You will be awarded 2 Platinum Badges.]

Tomorrow was the day to loot two treasure vaults.

But it felt like it still wouldn’t be enough.

If he could loot, like, ten treasure vaults, he wouldn’t have any worries at all.

Wasn’t there another Tower to loot?

*****

That day, when the French people saw the World Notice, they erupted in cheers.

He had come.

France’s savior.

Thanks to that, France became the first country in Europe to rise as a nation capable of receiving high-grade Magic Stone rewards.

Countries around the world fell into deep thought as they watched France’s case.

Instead of struggling to climb ourselves... couldn’t we just ask him to clear it for us too?

That would be easy and certain.

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