With the Collapse Countdown now stacked,

climbing unexplored upper floors wasn’t really a problem.

However, people were being cautious about Floor 80.

What if someone went up first and something went wrong?

It had become a kind of silent standoff.

Juhyeok hadn’t worried too much.

Even if the seventies floors were easier, reaching Floor 80 was still extremely difficult.

And yet—

it actually happened.

Two American cult Players took turns climbing to Floor 80.

Players who were neither especially skilled nor talented.

Worse, they seemed to have developed amnesia—because they had no idea how they had cleared it.

Then the Global Notice appeared.

[Global Notice: Demonic Beast Lord Diamat manifests outside the tower.]

This was bad.

It might recreate Kabalan’s Curse.

Back then, the Japan Tower collapsed.

Even that had been considered lucky.

But now?

It was obvious something would happen, one way or another.

The United States government immediately began an investigation.

First, they interrogated the two Players responsible.

After questioning every possible source, they finally learned that the two Players had bragged to acquaintances about items they received from the tower.

Diamat’s Left Hand

Diamat’s Right Hand

Those item names.

And the name of the Floor 80 boss who had manifested outside the tower.

There was no doubt that creature had been plotting something.

The United States went on high alert.

Regardless of the cause, an American Player had climbed Floor 80 of the American Tower.

Just like France had once been, the U.S. could now be branded the world’s troll nation.

Of course, few countries besides China and Russia would openly insult the U.S.

But the important thing was national prestige.

If a global crisis happened because of the United States—

that would be catastrophic.

American citizens were also anxious.

How could they stay calm when the Floor 80 boss Diamat had come out of the American tower?

Each day became increasingly tense for Secretary of Homeland Security MacMillan.

If they could at least locate Diamat—

things wouldn’t feel so hopeless.

But if they found her, that would be enough.

She had come outside the tower without understanding the consequences.

They would make her pay.

Modern military weapons couldn’t be brought into the tower.

At best, a handgun could fit in one hand.

But outside the tower?

Missiles.

Fighter jets.

Tanks.

They could flatten her with overwhelming firepower.

They would turn Diamat into a pincushion.

If they could just find her.

But they couldn’t.

Where the hell is she, and what is she doing?

If some kind of mass-casualty event occurred, it would be the worst possible scenario.

At that moment—

BANG!

The door to the office burst open.

Director Antonio entered.

“...Tsk. You should knock before coming in. I’m already stressed enough.”

“I came in because it’s urgent.”

“Even if it’s urgent—!”

“Should I go back out and knock again?”

“...What?”

MacMillan studied Antonio’s face.

Well [N O V E L I G H T] now.

Antonio was smiling.

Something was up.

“Just say it. Don’t drag it out.”

Antonio grinned.

“I just spoke on the phone with Jeon Gwangil from the Korean Awakening Administration—well, Commissioner Jeon now.”

“So?”

“He said we don’t need to worry about Diamat.”

“...W-what?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. He said we should treat it like a minor incident.”

Don’t worry?

“N-no way...”

“Yes. Mr. Bong handled it.”

“Really? You’re not joking?”

“You think I’d joke about this?”

Should he believe it?

Yes.

If the world’s strongest Player handled it, what reason was there not to believe it?

MacMillan threw both arms into the air and cheered.

The pressure crushing his chest vanished instantly.

“Jesus! Thank you, God.”

“You should thank Mr. Bong instead. He cleaned up the mess America made.”

“I will. I actually got his phone number before.”

MacMillan pulled out his smartphone.

“It probably won’t work. He rarely answers.”

“I’ll send a message then. I installed that Korean SNS messenger app recently.”

Using a translator, MacMillan carefully composed a Korean message.

Thank you. Diamat handled. I will repay this. Your kindness. Please visit America someday.

A moment later—

Ding!

You're Welcome.

“Oh! Look! He replied!”

“...Must be nice.”

“Hahaha! Right! Did they say anything else?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Diamat’s identity was...”

The U.S. government moved quickly.

They couldn’t just ignore this.

They had to calm public fears.

During a White House press briefing, reporters were told the news.

<DIAMAT ELIMINATED! The situation appears safe now.>

<Official confirmation from the Korean Awakening Administration.>

<Who handled it? The world’s strongest Player personally intervened.>

<Experts suspect the Liberation Rune Necklace was used.>

<Korean officials confirm Diamat’s identity as a Succubus Queen.>

<Floor 80 boss monster replaced—now Nightmare, the Black Demon Knight.>

<A monster specializing in mental attacks on Players. Exercise caution when climbing.>

News broke first in the United States.

└ Can we really trust this?

└ Of course. It came from the Korean Awakening Administration.

└ But how did they deal with Diamat? They killed her, right?

└ What else would “deal with it” mean?

└ Hmm... still, it’s a shame. She was a Succubus Queen.

Korean community sites exploded with reactions.

└ Tavern keeper!!! Bring a bowl over here!!!

└ Special today: served by the Succubus Queen herself.

└ Didn’t I tell you? As long as we trust the world’s strongest Player comrade!

└ But how did he even know where Diamat was?

└ Idiot, can’t you tell? He used clairvoyance to find her, then teleportation to finish the job!

└ Honestly that might actually be true.

└ Long live the world’s strongest Player comrade! Long live Juhyeok!

└ Hey North Korean players, stop chanting that.

└ My name is Park Juhyeok. Every time I see that slogan I get startled.

└ Mine’s Lee Juhyeok.

└ I’m Jang Juhyeok.

└ People are going to think the strongest Player is actually named Juhyeok.

└ Still... I really want to know who it is.

└ The government probably knows.

└ The U.S. probably knows too. They’re just protecting the identity.

└ At this point I’m really curious.

└ Nothing good would come from revealing it.

The identity of the world’s strongest Player.

It had never been revealed to civilians.

The Korean Awakening Administration had even sent official requests to news agencies asking them to avoid investigating the top Player.

But now things were changing.

Public curiosity had reached the critical threshold.

Who was it?

If someone discovered the answer—

it would be the scoop of the century.

It wasn’t just journalists anymore.

YouTubers.

Online rumor channels.

Paparazzi.

They all jumped in.

Some livestreamers even offered 100 million won... 200 million won for information identifying the suspected strongest Player.

Wild rumors flooded the internet.

Among them—

a few highly credible reports existed.

────────────────────────────────────

Inside Juhyeok’s penthouse.

As usual, Cossack handled training the newcomer.

“At any first job, you gotta start with the dirty work. That’s how you earn Boss Bong’s recognition and your seniors’ affection. Understand?”

“I—I understand.”

“Good. Then start by cleaning the living room. Then dishes. Plenty to do.”

The former Succubus Queen Diamat knelt on the floor and began scrubbing diligently.

“WAAH!”

Rajix suddenly snatched the rag from her hand and shouted at Cossack.

It looked like he was protesting—cleaning was his job.

“Ahh, Rajix worker!”

“WAAH!”

“You’re a cosmic bald farmhand now. Leave cleaning to the juniors and focus on bigger work.”

“...WAAH?”

Fairy Maiden Gyeon Dallae joined in.

“Cossack is correct. Even servants have ranks. That incubus is an untouchable slave. We are servants of a noble household. How could we do the same work?”

“WAAAH...”

Rajix looked delighted at the phrase servant of a noble household.

Well, cleaning with that tiny rag wouldn’t accomplish much anyway.

His cleaning equipment was far superior.

So he allowed Diamat to continue.

But someone frowned.

Ding!

A message arrived on Gyeon Dallae’s tablet from Mari.

<Mari> : Damn it! Put some proper clothes on her! She’s going to ruin the summoner’s eyesight. Cut that tail off if you have to! @&$%#$!!!

Mari was furious.

<Princess♥Fairy> : Okay. I’ll dress her properly. Honestly I didn’t like seeing it either.

<Mari> : Do it right. I don’t care if it’s a system-approved defection. Never trust that damn incubus. If possible, keep her away from the summoner.

Gyeon Dallae tilted her head.

This seemed like an overreaction.

Mari was clearly agitated.

Even now she was watching Diamat through a crack in the door.

Anyway, Gyeon Dallae took clothes from her wardrobe and dressed Diamat.

She also hid the tail inside the outfit.

The newcomer orientation was basically finished.

Now it was time to enter the tower.

Juhyeok handed Diamat the Rune of Defector Rank Advancement.

“Take this and go raise your rank.”

“...Huh? Th-this is?”

“At least reach SR if you want to be useful.”

“A-ah...”

Diamat trembled with emotion.

Her soul rank had dropped three levels after the contract termination.

Now she had a chance to recover one.

“Thank you, summoner...”

Tears welled up as she twisted her body.

Whoa.

Everything she did made his heart skip.

The way she cleaned.

The way she spoke.

Even the way she cried.

It was unavoidable.

Seduction was a racial trait of succubi.

“...Ahem. See you later.”

“Yes.”

“Dismiss Diamat.”

SPOT!

Then—

“Summon Blood Wolf.”

SPOT!

“WAAH!”

Rajix raised his hand happily as Blood Wolf appeared.

“Woof!”

Blood Wolf responded.

Those two had truly become inseparable soulmates.

────────────────────────────────────

Today’s plan was another Floor 77 climb.

Before Cossack left for his rank breakthrough, he had to see his father one last time.

After that—

vacation.

Two weeks apart.

There had to be a farewell party.

Preferably on a blue beach.

“Cossack.”

“Yes!”

“What will you talk about with your father today?”

“Nothing special. Same as always.”

“What do you mean?”

“My mother.”

“....”

Juhyeok’s eyes stung suddenly.

Did Cossack even remember his mother’s face?

“Any progress?”

“Hard to say. I keep explaining that this is the tower and that he’s a bound soul. But nothing changes.”

That was true.

Hartmann seemed to understand.

But when they re-entered—

everything reset.

It was heartbreaking.

How painful must it be?

The son went to kill the father.

Instead, the father killed the son.

Then the father learned the truth and went mad.

And Cossack didn’t even remember his mother’s face.

Yet he always kept smiling.

Even as he secretly wiped away tears.

The tower climb began.

[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.2) Floor 77.]

SPOT!

But the moment they arrived—

“...Huh?”

“...What?”

“...What is that?”

“Hmm.”

“That’s...”

There were no prisoners.

Instead—

a man stood on the beach like a totem pole.

Average height.

Completely bald—no hair, no eyebrows.

And not even a physical body.

It looked like a hologram.

“You...”

Mad Demon’s face twisted with rage.

“I remember now. You are an administrator.”

Administrator?

[Correct. I am the designer responsible for planning and constructing the missions and rewards of each floor.]

Instantly—

a murderous aura exploded outward.

Every summoned entity stared at the administrator.

“How dare you show yourself here?”

“Shameless creature. One day I will see you punished by heaven.”

“You bastard. Who do you think you’re glaring at? Lower your eyes!”

“O light! I curse you!”

“WAAH!”

“Grrrr...”

The hostility was overwhelming.

Naturally.

This was the one who designed Kabalan’s Curse.

The one who sent Diamat outside.

The mastermind who had threatened their summoner.

How could they remain calm?

But why had an administrator appeared before a Player?

Was that even allowed?

A crescent-shaped qi blade formed in Mad Demon’s hand.

Meatshield enlarged.

Cossack infused qi into his dagger.

Every summoned entity prepared to attack.

[Whoa, whoa. Don’t waste your effort. I’m just a projection.]

“I know. If you were real, you would already be torn to pieces.”

[I didn’t come here to fight.]

The administrator turned his gaze toward Juhyeok.

[I came to make a proposal. Interested in hearing it?]

A proposal?

What kind of scam is this bastard selling now?

[Your achievements have been remarkable. Even for a summoner, the record of your tower climbing will go down in history.]

Hmm.

True enough.

Even if the summoned entities had done most of the work.

[Therefore, I propose something. A special reward for a special Player.]

Oh?

A reward?

Let’s hear it.

[But to receive the reward you want, you’ll need a special mission.]

Ah. I knew it.

[We plan to design Floor 81 as a special stage. If you succeed, you receive the reward with certainty. If you fail, you receive nothing.]

See?

Exactly what he expected.

Crafty bastard.

Did he really think Juhyeok would fall for it?

[It’s simply the law of equivalent exchange. Place the reward you desire on the scale. The difficulty of Floor 81 will match it.]

Equivalent exchange my ass.

Place a reward on a scale? What kind of idiot do you think I am?

If the administrator thought greed would blind him—

they had judged him wrong.

Safety first—

Wait.

The reward I want?

Juhyeok asked,

“Anything I want?”

[Yes. Trait Enhancement Runes, Catalog Expansion Tickets, Dragon Hearts, Demon King Hearts... choose whatever you like.]

Oh?

Anything?

That changed things.

Juhyeok gathered all his summoned entities.

“Let’s try it. It’s a good opportunity.”

“But the mission difficulty will depend on the reward. We may fall into the administrator’s trap.”

“A Catalog Expansion Ticket and a Trait Enhancement Rune would be worth trying.”

“My lord! High risk, high return.”

“What if the risk is too great to bear?”

“Let us think carefully. There is no need to rush.”

Arguments erupted.

But something else was more important.

“I’m going to request the liberation of a tower soul. We’ll free Hartmann from his binding.”

“...!”

“Oh! This old man never thought of that.”

“Master... your decision is truly selfless.”

“You are admirable, my lord.”

“Staff Sergeant Veronica Caliber, CERTAIN VICTORY! Glory to the Commander!”

But—

“I oppose this. Request a Trait Enhancement Rune instead. There’s no reason to risk everything because of me and my father.”

“Come on now. If he’s your father, that makes him my uncle. Let me show some filial piety too.”

“....”

Cossack lowered his head.

Juhyeok turned back to the administrator.

“You can do that, right? Free Hartmann’s soul.”

The administrator flinched.

That was a massive demand.

Freeing a soul from the tower was no trivial matter.

Equivalent exchange.

The difficulty would skyrocket.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

For guaranteed failure—

they needed even more.

[Very well. Place it on the scale. But is that enough? You could add another item.]

Oh?

Then maybe—

The summoned entities gathered again and whispered.

“Should we add a Trait Enhancement Rune?”

The administrator couldn’t hide a sly smile.

[Of course.]

They gathered again.

“Did you see that smile?”

“He’s not even hiding it.”

“If we add the rune, the mission will become impossible.”

“Then remove it.”

“Maybe remove the soul liberation instead—”

“Shh!”

They reached a decision.

“Just the soul liberation.”

[...That’s a guaranteed reward. You only need to clear the floor.]

“That’s fine. I’m not greedy.”

[What about 5,000 tons of high-grade Magic Stones? Or large amounts of top-grade Magic Stones?]

“...Huh?”

They gathered again.

“We can mine that ourselves.”

[Fortune favors the brave—]

“Nope. I’m a coward. A weak man.”

[...]

Not falling for it, you obvious bastard!