The operation ended successfully.

It was time for the final report.

The number of dead was only seven.

However, all seven had been China’s highest-ranking figures of power.

Put in Korean terms, it was as if the sitting president and the next, next-next, and next-next-next presidential frontrunners—seven in total—had all been wiped out in one place.

This was nothing like previous situations where the chairman’s seat had merely become vacant.

It would be extremely difficult to stabilize things in a short time.

Cossack connected his smartphone to the TV.

He said he had filmed everything properly.

“I am the master of mise-en-scène, a giant of art cinema, a stickler for historical accuracy, a director who rejects CG in favor of realism, a method actor fully immersed in his roles, and a director and actor with ten million views—none other than me, Cossack.”

The introduction went on and on.

Our RSR Cossack.

What could he not do?

The footage began to play.

Cossack, his face altered through polymorph, delivering a long speech.

Terrified Chinese politicians.

And then—

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWAANG!

With a deafening roar, the screen went black.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!

The summoned entities burst into applause.

Cossack raised his hand in acknowledgment, as if standing on a red carpet.

...No, seriously.

Why are you showing this?

I did give permission, but seeing the finished product made my heart pound wildly.

Of course it did.

This was not exactly an everyday occurrence.

“The piece turned out great. And I already uploaded the video to YouTube from Beijing. Under a Chinese account.”

He had even made it public.

A video filled with utterly absurd claims.

“Players of the great Chinese continent, unite”?

What was this, the Communist Manifesto?

Anyway, China was going to be noisy for quite a while.

They would not have the leisure to pay attention to discussions about Korean reunification either.

A result born from the activation of Rule 3, Clause 3 for summoned entities.

Chairman of China plus the Standing Committee members—seven deaths total.

At this level, it was the minimum sacrifice.

Revenge had been taken, and future threats removed.

All of it was ultimately for my sake.

“...You worked hard. And thank you, always, for looking out for me.”

“Ahem. There’s no need for thanks. I merely did what had to be done.”

“Veronica Caliber, just give the order anytime.”

“Ah, no need to thank us at all. This Cossack understands Lord Bong the Summoner’s heart just by looking into your eyes.”

“Hoh!”

In any case, it ended well.

Even if the aftershocks would be severe.

In Beijing, China, an explosion and tremor rang out.

At first, people thought it was an earthquake.

The nuclear backpack’s destructive power was not as great as that of a conventional nuclear weapon, and since it detonated deep underground inside a bunker, there was no fallout or mushroom cloud.

But soon, the military unit stationed closest to the headquarters rushed in first.

Defending the Daluk Crisis Management Headquarters had been their mission in the first place.

The unit commander arrived on site and began directing rescue operations.

A horrific scene.

The headquarters building had completely collapsed.

People lay scattered everywhere, groaning.

Enough to make someone faint.

What kind of place was °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° this?

The most heavily guarded location in Beijing.

A bunker housing the office and residence of Chairman Liu Zhao.

Yet the soldiers assigned to protect it were all lying injured outside the headquarters.

Putting it all together, there had clearly been an explosion—

Not outside, but inside the bunker.

Those lying outside had been far enough from the building to suffer only indirect damage.

It was utterly baffling.

The guards were all elite special forces soldiers with the highest level of training.

Even they did not know what had happened.

They said they had lost consciousness, then regained it amid a violent explosion and shockwave.

And the most critical issue—

The soldiers aside, what about the chairman and the Standing Committee members?

Were they inside the collapsed bunker?

Those lying outside were not just soldiers.

There were also permanent staff, aides, and secretaries from the headquarters.

Their testimonies were identical.

They lost consciousness momentarily, and when they woke up, they were outside.

Was this the work of ghosts?

If humans had been involved, there should have been at least some witnesses.

But no one remembered anything.

In any case, neither the chairman nor the Standing Committee members were found outside.

A bad sign.

If they were inside the collapsed structure—

Then—

An officer came sprinting over in a panic.

“C-Commander!”

“What is it?”

“At the blast site, um, r-radiation signatures have been detected.”

“What?”

Then—

“...A nuclear explosion?”

“J-just a hypothesis.”

What the—

This was bad.

An unimaginable outcome flashed through his mind.

At that very moment—

Ding, ding, ding!

Smartphone notifications rang out everywhere.

Because of the explosion?

No.

“P-please look at this.”

“Hmm? What is it... YouTube?”

A video streaming platform banned in China.

Yet everyone watched it anyway.

Through workarounds.

“A suspicious video was uploaded. An acquaintance sent me the link and told me to watch it.”

The commander watched the video on the phone. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Moments later—

“M-my god...”

The commander’s hand trembled violently as he held the phone.

A single YouTube video shook the entire world.

It contained the rant of a Chinese player armed with mad fanaticism—and the explosion itself.

The view count exploding was only natural.

This was not ordinary content.

And the people shown in the video—who were they?

For now, everyone was cautious.

Even the media hesitated to report on it.

The matter was too big.

It could be a deepfake.

Such videos were not unheard of.

But soon, it was confirmed to be real.

There was no compositing.

When factoring in the time, location, and upload origin, the video was authentic.

And the Chinese authorities responded with silence.

No statements. No denials.

If the video had been fake, all they had to do was have even one of the people shown appear publicly.

They could not.

Thus, the death of the third Chinese president was confirmed.

The world was thrown into shock.

China, in particular, was plunged into extreme chaos.

L: No way, this has to be fake. I still don’t believe it. That’s definitely a deepfake.

L: It’s not fabricated. Experts already verified it.

L: Look—even now, none of the people in the video have shown their faces.

L: Funny how there was a failed terror attempt in Pyongyang, and a successful one in Beijing.

L: Beijing didn’t have the cute Hoeng hamster.

L: Right. If it had, it would’ve gone “Hoh! Srrk!”

L: Hoeng?

L: Aren’t players going to get oppressed now?

L: Highly likely. Normally they’re civilians, but with the Liberation Rune Necklace, it’s different.

L: Hey, is that necklace really that common?

L: No. It only drops above the 71st Floor, and even then the probability is extremely low.

L: Only state-backed players ever even see it.

L: Then what about Pyongyang and Beijing? There were signs of Liberation Rune Necklace usage in both cases.

L: There’s a conspiracy. The state might be involved.

L: There were rumors that the Chinese government was behind the Pyongyang incident.

L: Could this be the same?

L: Who knows?

L: And that Beijing terrorist’s claims were nonsense too.

L: Yeah. “Mass Chinese socialism”? What even is that?

L: How does socialism mix with Sinocentrism?

L: Sounded like he was just spouting whatever came to mind.

L: He claimed to be a player, but maybe he wasn’t one.

L: Still, some of it rang true. Exploitation.

L: Being ruled by pigs isn’t exactly wrong.

L: Liu Zhao’s face definitely changed. Probably because he took the Elixir of Rejuvenation.

L: Anyway, looks like they’ll be changing presidents again.

That was the reality.

Whatever the cause, China’s top leaders kept dying one after another.

And two of those deaths were at the hands of players.

Wang Yuan died after coveting the 71st Floor reward set and getting beaten to death by the player Bailong.

Liu Zhao was blown apart in a terror attack carried out by an unidentified madman suspected to be a Chinese player.

The emergency committee hastily assembled amid the power vacuum ordered public security to find the player shown in the video.

Every registered Chinese player became a target of investigation.

A storm swept through the country.

A full-scale crackdown on players began.

The notorious reputation of Chinese public security was well known.

Players were dragged away, beaten, tortured.

Those who fled after failing to endure were declared wanted criminals.

As a result, discontent began to simmer among Chinese players.

What had they done wrong?

High-level Chinese players, in particular, grew increasingly resentful by the day.

And what about other countries?

Regardless of the reason, two terror incidents suspected to involve the Liberation Rune Necklace had already occurred.

Should players be regulated?

But how?

In truth, these incidents had been anticipated the moment the Liberation Rune Necklace first appeared.

So the perspective had to change.

Rather than regulating players, it was better to secure players with proven skill and trust.

They should be issued Liberation Rune Necklaces so they could respond to potential incidents.

This very case proved it.

If even one player wearing a Liberation Rune Necklace had been among the Daluk Headquarters guards—

Would the outcome not have been different?

Washington, D.C., United States.

The Tower Climbing Bureau under the Department of Homeland Security.

“Gerald, take this.”

Antonio, the director, handed something over.

Gerald’s eyes widened.

“T-these are Liberation Rune Necklaces... two of them?”

“Yes. Gifts from the East Tower and the West Tower.”

Gerald knew.

They were items he had personally received and then returned to the state.

“Why give them back to me?”

“I got approval from above. We decided to hand them to the person who can use them best.”

“...I’m honestly flustered. If I wear these, I’d be no different from a superhuman.”

“That’s right. Super Gerald.”

“Did you ever consider that I might become a dangerous individual?”

Antonio chuckled softly.

“If I thought that would happen, I’d have confiscated the Liberation Rune Necklace you already had.”

“...What?”

“Did you think we wouldn’t know? That you manifested your player abilities in your basement and secretly trained?”

“... ”

“Keep it hidden. If something happens in the U.S. too, we might need to ask you for help.”

“Well then...”

In this way, governments around the world began issuing Liberation Rune Necklaces to vetted, trustworthy players.

Honestly, it was a reasonable approach.

After all, only a Liberation Rune Necklace could counter another Liberation Rune Necklace.

Meanwhile, there was one person who was more shaken than anyone else.

Chairman Kim Injung of North Korea.

He watched the Beijing explosion video dozens of times from start to finish.

His reaction?

Shock—for a completely different reason.

‘...That is definitely Comrade Go Sageuk.’

He knew it at a glance.

Even though the face was different.

So what if the face was different?

Kim Injung already knew.

He knew that Go Sageuk, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, could freely change his face.

But the way he spoke, the way he moved—

Certain unique habits inevitably slipped through.

The “Chinese player” in the video was unquestionably Go Sageuk.

And the bomb used had to be the same nuclear backpack that Major Jang Changsu had once carried.

This was not speculation.

It was certainty.

A chill ran down his spine.

China was a massive country.

That was why, even though he knew China was behind the attack, all he could do was lodge a protest.

But Go Sageuk?

The moment he realized China was responsible, he did not hesitate to eliminate the chairman and the Standing Committee.

What did that mean?

Kim Injung’s life was worth no more than a fly’s.

A single flick of the hand, and he would be dead.

‘I must be careful.’

His body trembled.

The future felt utterly uncertain.

He had to survive.

And to do that, he needed to ingratiate himself—no matter what.

With Go Sageuk?

No.

With someone even higher.

Player Bong Juhyeok.

That man held the reins of his life.

But how was he supposed to curry favor?

He needed to understand him first.

‘Well... he’s a player, at least.’

For now, perhaps he should visit the Pyongyang branch of the Korean Awakening Administration and meet Commissioner Park Kyungsoo.

Juhyeok was chatting with Mari for the first time in a while.

Their shut-in alchemist.

Among the summoned entities, she had grown a bit close to Gyeon Dallae and Rajix, but otherwise she barely spoke to anyone.

What could he do?

He had to spend time with her whenever he had the chance.

But today, she messaged first.

<Mari>: Knock knock, Summoner-nim♡ What are you doing right now?

<alpha male>: Mari! I’m just resting. Sorry I haven’t been able to hang out with you lately—I’ve been busy.

<Mari>: Hehe, it’s okay♡♡♡ There’s plenty to do alone on Earth.

<alpha male>: Hahaha, we should all hang out together sometime.

<Mari>: Mmm, someday... Oh! I have something to give you. I’ve been making it for a while.

Oh!

An item made by an RSR alchemist.

How could it be ordinary?

Juhyeok hurried over to Mari’s door.

Creak.

The door opened just enough for a hand to slip through.

Then a glass bottle came out.

Tap.

One, two, three, four... ten bottles in total.

Yes!

Liquor.

Liquor!

The same kind he had tasted once before.

Absolutely phenomenal.

<Herbal Infused Liquor Brewed by the Sage>

Especially good for men.

Though even if it made you “better,” there was nowhere to use it.

<alpha male>: Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.

<Mari>: Umm, if possible, please drink it alone. It’s really good liquor—especially, never give it to that nightmare woman.

Come on, what was the fun in that?

Alcohol tasted better when shared with friends.

And “good for men”?

Then he would drink it alone with Mad Demon.

<Mari>: And there’s one more thing.

More items came through the crack in the door.

They piled up neatly in front of Juhyeok.

What were these?

Jewels?

Stones shimmering in a harmonious mix of blue and purple.

They shone brilliantly.

More than that, an intense energy radiated from them.

Dense, concentrated mana.

<Mari>: These are top-grade Magic Stones. I succeeded in refining them. Altogether, it should be about 12 kg.

<alpha male>: ...What?

Top-grade Magic Stones!

He had been waiting for these for a long time.

The moment he received them, Juhyeok entered White Tower Floor 17.

White Tower Floor 17 looked completely different from when he had first arrived.

Lush green fields and a gently flowing river.

A Power Plant and communication towers stood in the distance.

Residential complexes lined both sides of an asphalt road.

It was practically a city-building simulation game.

You could do anything here.

The internet worked.

Electronic devices functioned without being plugged in.

When he checked his smartphone, it was already at 100% battery.

A truly perfect self-sufficient world.

‘So how do you get Residency Rights?’

[Calling Owner Menu.]

[Basic] [Placement] [Grant Residency Rights] [Resident List]

When he tapped Grant Residency Rights—

<Residency Rights>

You may grant residency rights to any being with a soul. Residents may stay here freely, for as long as they wish, with no time limit.

Cost: 1 kg of top-grade Magic Stones per individual.

‘How do you issue it?’

[Do you wish to grant Residency Rights? 1 kg of top-grade Magic Stones from your inventory will be consumed.]

‘Grant.’

[Residency Rights granted. Automatically delivered to inventory.

If lost, reissuance is possible.

Reissuance cost: 5 kg of high-grade Magic Stones.]

Juhyeok checked it in his inventory.

It looked like a plastic card.

On the front were the words:

White Tower Floor 17 Residency Rights

‘So I just give this to whoever I want?’

At that very moment—

[Achievement: First to grant Residency Rights.]

Huh?

This counted as an achievement too?

[Achievement reward granted.]

‘What now?’

[Reward: A subcategory has been added to the Residency Rights menu.]

‘Ah...’

A menu expansion.

Just like before.

Last time, an achievement reward had added the elevator installation menu.

So what had been added this time?

<1-Day Trial Pass>

Grants a 1-day trial stay at White Tower Floor 17 to any being with a soul.

Valid for one day.

Cost: 1 kg of high-grade Magic Stones per individual.

<Monthly Lease Pass>

Grants a one-month stay at White Tower Floor 17 to any being with a soul.

Valid for one month.

Cost: 30 kg of high-grade Magic Stones per individual.

Those were the two new options.

...Great.

Looks like I’ve accidentally become a real estate agent.