Control room of Earth No. 1,001’s Black Tower.

The summoner had climbed to the 91st floor.

And he had been granted a Trait Enhancement Rune.

In the past, they would have been furious enough to half lose their minds... but strangely, their hearts were calm.

What could they do?

There was nothing they could do but watch.

Besides, obtaining the rune had followed an entirely normal route.

A gift for players setting out on a Great Journey.

[He probably received one on the other Earth too, right?]

[Probably.]

Assuming he had, that made two.

Well, whether he obtained ten Trait Enhancement Runes or a hundred,

was there any way to stop him?

If there was one thing to regret, it was everything they had done so far to stop that bastard.

They should never have done any of it.

[We interfered for nothing. If we’d stayed still, it wouldn’t have come to this.]

[Right. All we did was give him even greater power through causality judgment.]

Honestly, the Trait Enhancement Rune was nothing.

Having the corpse of an ancient dragon stolen, obtaining a Dragon Heart, and even recruiting a living adult dragon as a blood-summoned entity—

that was what was truly fatal.

Thanks to that, the Great Journey the summoner would undertake in the future would become much easier.

Of course, easier didn’t mean guaranteed success.

[Did he accept the Great Journey mission at the No. 675 Black Tower? He didn’t here.]

[There’s no way to know.]

[If we ask the other side right now—]

[At this point? They won’t even accept a communication request.]

That was probably true.

It would not be wrong to say that communication between the administrators of Earth No. 675 and Earth No. 1,001 had been completely severed.

[So once again, we just have to watch quietly?]

[There’s no choice. We can’t interfere with the Great Journey. Observation won’t be possible either.]

The Great Journey.

It began on the 91st floor of the Black Tower, but the actual mission location was not the Black Tower.

The 91st floor was a kind of station.

It connected the player to the actual mission site.

That was why it could not be observed.

[I’m more worried about the White Tower elevator than whether the Great Journey succeeds. Just how many floors have been unlocked?]

[Ahh...]

The White Tower elevator was a medium that connected dimension to dimension.

However, not every floor of every White Tower was connected to the parallel-universe “Earth.”

There were worlds that were not Earth.

In other words, there were floors belonging to multiversal worlds where the Black Tower had never existed.

[Don’t tell me those floors have been unlocked too.]

[They probably have.]

[.....]

That was right.

The summoner of this Earth was that kind of guy.

Always beyond imagination.

[Please just die.]

[All we can do is wait for him to die of natural causes in reality.]

[Natural causes? The Black Tower will probably be conquered before that.]

[What about dying in an accident?]

[Hmm.]

[This name reveal might create a singularity, you know. His identity has been specified, after all.]

The administrators had not interfered.

It had simply been predetermined to turn out this way.

Soon, everyone would know the summoner’s identity.

And if that led to conflict or strife?

[Well, it’ll be one of two things—he gets attacked, or he gets protected.]

[Which do you think the Earth summoner will face?]

The senior administrator-designer of Earth No. 1,001’s Black Tower could not answer.

In fact, on other parallel Earths, summoners died at the hands of fellow humans more often than they died in the Tower.

If this name reveal led to that outcome, how wonderful would that be?

The summoner being eliminated by fellow humans.

But the summoner of Earth No. 1,001 was completely different.

He had grown powerful enough to turn the entire Earth into his enemy.

[World Announcement: Survivors, please give your most generous applause and encouragement to the top player, Bong Juhyeok.]

In a way no one had even imagined, Player Bong’s identity was revealed.

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil was on his way to a Sinchon pub according to Cossack’s plan when he heard the World Announcement inside the car.

So shocked that he pulled over to the roadside, he made calls everywhere to prepare countermeasures—

and then received a message from Player Bong.

He said he hadn’t expected this either.

And that the reunion would have to be canceled.

That was right.

The reunion was not the problem.

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil immediately returned to the Administration office.

As soon as he did, Team Leader Lee Min-ah came running in a hurry.

“Commissioner.”

“Oh, Team Leader Lee. What happened with Sinchon?”

“The National Intelligence Service just contacted us. They’ve arrested Jang Wanseop on charges of threatening the top Player.”

“Got it. Cancel Jang Wanseop’s player registration and block his Magic Stone sales.”

“It’s already been handled.”

And then—

“What about VVIP security?”

“Start by taking care of Player Bong’s family.”

“Mm, what about Player Bong Juhyeok himself?”

“Leave him be.”

“Pardon? Shouldn’t he be the top priority?”

“It’s fine.”

In truth, even his family did not need excessive protection.

They also possessed Residency Rights for White Tower Floor 17.

If things became dangerous, all they had to do was shout the entry skill.

They needed protection in another way, not physical security.

Psychological security.

For example, excessive media coverage, approaches from politicians, spreading false rumors through the internet or SNS, and so on.

“Double the internet and SNS monitoring staff—no, triple it.”

“Yes.”

“And warn the media too. Names can’t be helped, but if photos or home addresses get posted, tell them we’ll kill them.”

“Understood.”

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil’s concerns were spot on.

Internet forums and SNS were exploding.

└ Shout it! Bong Juhyeok!!!

└ Wow, Bong is his surname? As someone with the same rare surname, I feel proud.

└ I know someone named Bong Juhyeok.

└ What kind of person is he?

└ Umm, if we go by MBTI, maybe an extreme introvert? Really timid.

└ No way. Then it’s not him. Must be a namesake. There’s no way the top Player is timid.

└ Comrade Bong Juhyeok, truly a hero whose name embodies the spirit of independent revolution, right? Long live Juhyeok! Everyone, shout it!

└ What if Juhyeok doesn’t mean independent revolutionary spirit, but literally “top Player” itself?

└ Hmm. That’s possible. Just look at the Pyongyang factory.

└ Huh? You’re right. There’s even a rumor that Rajix Trading belongs to the top Player.

└ It’s not a rumor. It really is the top Player’s company.

└ Then?

└ Really? So “Long live Juhyeok” meant that?

└ Why? Disappointed?

└ You bastard, disappointed my ass. The top Player is a warrior of the Democratic People’s Republic unification revolution.

└ Right, even better. Long live Juhyeok!!!

└ Long live Juhyeok!

└ Long live Juhyeok!

└ Anyway, Bong Juhyeok—his surname is rustic, but his name is nice. My son’s name is Juhyeok too.

└ No photos of Bong Juhyeok uploaded?

└ Why wouldn’t there be? But they’re all fake.

└ By the way, what’s Meatshield? At first, the top Player’s name was known as Meatshield.

└ Probably a nickname.

└ Anyway, once you reach the 91st floor, you get a Trait Enhancement Rune, right? I should hurry up and climb too.

└ You? If you’re elite, you might rent a magic gun and reach the 85th floor, but can you handle the 86th?

└ Exactly. A phoenix is out of the question. The highest floor humans can reach is exactly the 85th.

└ Haah, still, I want to reach the 91st floor.

└ Even if I do, I’ll hand over the Trait Enhancement Rune to the top Player.

└ Hahaha, if other players could also climb up and pool runes for the top Player, I’d enhance traits ten thousand times.

**

The repercussions of the name reveal were enormous.

In fact, governments around the world had already suspected that Bong Juhyeok was the top Player.

Only ordinary people had not known.

But now, everyone did.

The media was moving to secure information about Bong Juhyeok.

People from politics, business, academia, culture—various fields—were also interested.

Who is Bong Juhyeok?

Where does he live?

What does he look like?

How old is he?

Explosive interest poured in from overseas as well.

Wasn’t he the key figure behind the safe conquest of the Black Tower?

Of course people would be interested.

Japan and India in particular showed explosive reactions.

After all, the player who filled the massive sinkholes was Bong Juhyeok.

United States Department of Homeland Security.

Director Antonio was on the phone with someone.

“Yes, yes, that’s what we understand. If you ever need our help, don’t hesitate to tell us.”

After hanging up, Secretary MacMillan asked him.

“Commissioner Jeon Gwangil?”

“Yes.”

“How’s he responding?”

“Other than reinforcing security personnel for Player Bong’s family, nothing in particular...”

“Hm.”

Secretary MacMillan frowned.

“What about Player Bong? They should strengthen security even if it means mobilizing the army. There are so many lunatics in the world.”

“He must have a plan.”

“That won’t do. We should park at least one aircraft carrier near Korea.”

“That’s a bit—”

“I’m worried about China.”

“Surely they’re not still out of their minds—”

No.

China must never be judged by common sense.

And wasn’t it a country where the Liberation Rune Necklace incident still had not ended?

The potential risk factors had not disappeared.

“What if they try to pull something using the Liberation Rune Necklace?”

“There are scrolls, but...”

“We shouldn’t overtrust the scrolls. We have to keep in mind that unexpected situations can arise anytime, anywhere, in any way.”

Director Antonio agreed.

Now they had to redraw their strategy.

Because protecting Player Bong was more important than tower climbing.

Japan.

The Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

Prime Minister Maeda personally convened a cabinet officials’ meeting.

“So it really was this person.”

“Yes. The owner of the holy sword, the supplier of tower hides—it was exactly the person we first predicted.”

“What should we do?”

“We need to take action. And prepare a compensation plan as well.”

“What should we give? To the player who restored the Mount Fuji sinkhole.”

“Well... I’m not sure myself...”

In any case, the revelation of the top Player’s identity was not bad for Japan.

If anything, it was good.

Because now they could change the negotiation channel.

By contacting the top Player directly, without going through the Korean government.

“Prepare a press conference first.”

“Yes.”

But the White House was faster.

President Lloyd stepped forward with a press conference through a major news network and YouTube channel.

We praise the achievements of the world’s top Player, Bong Juhyeok. Regardless of nationality, he is a treasure and savior of humanity. The United States will extend its full trust and support to Player Bong Juhyeok.

Furthermore, we issue a warning in advance to any forces that might attempt to threaten Player Bong’s safety. If such a conspiracy is uncovered, the United States will mobilize all its power to strike preemptively.

A declaration of full support from the United States.

Japan followed immediately after.

In the past, Korea–Japan relations were marked by conflict and strife. On behalf of Japan, we once again offer our apologies.

However, there is someone who has transformed Korea–Japan relations toward friendship and mutual development. That person is Player Bong Juhyeok. We will address him with the utmost respect we can offer. Thank you.

Next came the Indian Prime Minister.

Then the King of the United Arab Emirates.

Then the European Union, led by France.

As if a floodgate had burst,

they rushed to release statements praising Bong Juhyeok’s great achievements.

At this moment, Bong Juhyeok had become the most frequently mentioned name in the world.

In Korea, and across the globe.

At workplaces, social gatherings, drinking parties.

Among college students, high school students, even elementary school kids.

Everyone was talking about Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok.

The next day.

Juhyeok took all /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ the blood-summoned entities out for a full group outing.

Those with no visual incongruity stayed as they were.

Unusual appearances like Duuna, Rajix, and El were altered using Craccus’s polymorph magic.

Blood Wolf was also shrunk down to about the size of a poodle.

Even Mari, who suffered from severe social anxiety, came along.

She wore a hat, a mask, and sunglasses.

Still anxious, she stuck tightly to Juhyeok’s side, holding his hand the whole time.

The shut-in alchemist, Aliamari.

Wasn’t she an elf by birth?

Blonde hair and a slender face.

A tall, lean figure with well-balanced proportions, long arms and legs.

What would it be like if her face were revealed too?

Even Veronica Caliber probably wouldn’t be confident.

Just her silhouette in modern clothing was enough to make passing men glance back at least once.

Anyway, with seventeen people moving together including Juhyeok, it felt like a group of foreign tourists on a package tour in Seoul.

In a crowd.

They rode the subway.

In a crowd.

They transferred to a bus.

In a crowd.

They walked on foot.

They visited Namsan, entered Gyeongbokgung Palace, and even went up to the observation deck of Korea’s tallest skyscraper.

Everyone was happy.

A world that had not collapsed.

An Earth that did not even look like it might collapse.

After roaming freely and sightseeing around Seoul, they rested at the White Tower due to the blood-summoned entities’ manifestation time limits.

In the evening, Juhyeok summoned the blood-summoned entities again.

This time, the get-together was outside.

Partly to comfort Cossack, who was utterly dejected after his scenario ended in complete failure.

“I’m fine.”

“Oh my, are you sulking?”

“M-me, sulking over something like that? Now that it’s come to this, I’ll go with a different cliché.”

“What cliché this time?”

Surely not another scenario.

“The department store cliché. Wearing shabby clothes while browsing luxury goods, then some rude clerk comes over and says, please don’t touch the merchandise with your dirty hands.”

And then?

“At that moment, Summoner Bong pulls out a black card and says, there’s nothing worth buying here, then walks into the neighboring luxury store and pays for everything at once, and that rude clerk kneels and begs...”

Oh dear.

“Or how about this one?”

“What?”

“The holiday family gathering cliché. We go to a relatives’ gathering, and then uncles and cousins all come over with shameless faces saying, we’ve taken care of your family all this time, so pay us back. Rajix Trading belongs to you, Juhyeok, right? Give us some shares too. Then the Summoner makes an enraged expression...”

Is that a holiday cliché?

But—

“My father and mother are both orphans, you know?”

“...Yes?”

“They grew up in the same orphanage. So we don’t have any relatives.”

“Uhmm.”

“Let’s just go eat.”

“Yes, sir!”

The restaurant had been reserved in advance.

A large meat restaurant.

When they said a group of seventeen was coming and asked for over three hundred servings of beef by cut, it was an automatic yes.

“Alright, we’ll have chances like this often.”

White Tower banquets were boring.

Eating food prepared by others outside was better.

It was not as though money was an issue.

“Let’s give a round of applause to Mr. Craccus, who made it possible for us to roam freely around Seoul without worrying about prying eyes.”

CLAP CLAP CLAP.

The dragon’s polymorph magic.

It was truly flawless.

The meal began.

Meat sizzled on the grill.

The drinkers gathered and toasted with mixed soju and beer.

And then?

MURMUR, MURMUR.

Voices reached Juhyeok’s ears.

“Huh?”

That was strange.

“Did someone just say my name?”

Listening carefully—

“I really am hearing it.”

From the table behind him, Bong Juhyeok.

From the table to the right, Bong Juhyeok.

From the table to the left as well—Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok.

“Oh! You’ve become famous.”

“Indeed.”

“This old man feels oddly proud.”

“This girl is somewhat concerned. I fear mad scoundrels might defile the young master’s name.”

Well, so what?

They don’t know my face yet.

If my face gets revealed, I can just change it with polymorph magic.

Anyway, it feels like the whole world is calling my name.

And right then!

Outside the restaurant, some drunk person shouted—

“Long live Juhyeok!!!”

CLANG!

What now?

Other people burst into laughter, raising their hands and cheering along.

“Long live Juhyeok!”

Ugh.

This is driving me crazy.

My face burned hot.

Is there anywhere I can hide?

This won’t do.

I need to leave Earth for a bit.

Take the White Tower elevator.

Should I start from the 2nd floor?