Late at night.

A suite at the Seoul Ilseong Hotel.

Crown Prince Abdul bin Sala of the United Arab Emirates couldn’t fall asleep.

Only fifteen days remained until the United Arab Emirates’ Tower Collapse time limit.

And yet he’d stayed here for five days.

He’d expected their request for temporary naturalization would be accepted.

Would the Korean government really loan out their top Player without a fight?

Still, individuals might think differently.

Korea was known for protecting Players’ personal freedoms as much as possible.

He’d placed his hope there.

That was why he’d stubbornly tried to contact Player Nam Gaeun privately...

Only to be rejected flat-out.

Not even one single day of temporary naturalization.

Next—

He moved the Korean media.

To appeal to the S++ clear record-holder of the Black Tower «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» (Republic of Korea).

He spread articles offering the best conditions and asking them to contact the embassy.

But every call that came in was a prank call.

Every attempt had failed.

There was only one choice left.

Go back to the United Arab Emirates and beg the Saudi Arabian government.

But Saudi Arabia’s demands were far too extreme.

Temporary naturalization was possible.

But he had to hand over the Trait enhancement rune.

They demanded land near the border, too.

A region with gas fields.

And on top of that—one billion dollars in cash, one ton of Magic Stones, one ton of Tower metal, one hundred sheets of Tower leather...

Even thieves didn’t steal like this.

But in return, they claimed they would clear not only Floor 60, but Floor 61 six months later as well.

‘There’s no choice.’

Until things stabilized, he had no option but to sign a humiliating contract.

Other countries would demand something similar anyway.

A neighbor was better than a distant nation.

He couldn’t keep living with Saudi Arabia as an enemy.

‘Then tomorrow, I return.’

In that instant—

BEEP! KA-CHUNK!

The suite door opened.

‘Hm?’

Was it the security team?

He hadn’t called them.

SCRAAAPE.

The sound of something heavy dragging across the floor.

Curious, bin Sala stepped toward the door—

“....”

A Western man was hauling two unconscious guards into the room by their legs.

And he even had a shield and an iron club strapped to his back.

An intruder. No doubt.

Bin Sala tried to move away—

But their eyes met.

‘Ghk—!’

Bin Sala sucked in a breath.

He just kept sucking in air.

He had to exhale, but he couldn’t.

He couldn’t move his body, either.

He only stood there, as if nailed to the spot.

The man was smiling.

That smile was chilling beyond words.

As if this were his own home, the man strolled over and sat on the sofa.

With a flick of his hand, he pointed to the sofa opposite him.

Sit.

Only then did bin Sala’s body move again.

His breathing returned to normal.

He had no choice but to obey.

Tap.

A sheet of paper placed on the table.

He glanced at it.

Two English words, written as labels:

Interpreter. Korean.

‘A Korean?’

By appearance alone, the man didn’t look like one at all.

Still—if he wanted people called...

Bin Sala picked up the phone.

“May I... make a call?”

A nod.

A gesture of permission.

Fine. He’d call them.

An interpreter—and more guards, too.

Bin Sala sent a message from his smartphone.

An intruder had broken in.

He described the situation in detail.

And then—

RUMBLE-RUMBLE—

Guards and attendants flooded into the suite.

Each of them leveling pistols at the intruder.

“Don’t move!”

“Hands up! Unless you want a hole in your head!”

“Protect the Crown Prince!”

“Twitch a finger and I’ll shoot!”

KA-CHUNK! KA-CHUNK! KA-CHUNK!

More than ten gun barrels were trained on him.

But the man remained relaxed.

Sitting with one leg crossed over the other.

“Who are you! How dare you, in front of His Highness—”

That was when—

FLASH!

SHHK, SHHK, SHHK, SHHK-SHHK—

Bursts of light carving through the dim suite from all directions.

Thud. Clatter-clatter. Thud-thud.

The front halves of the pistols fell to the floor, neatly sliced off.

At some point, the intruder had short daggers in both hands.

He’d cut pistols with daggers.

Was that even possible?

With just daggers?

No one could speak in this ridiculous situation.

No—rather than shock, it was that they couldn’t move.

A terrifying pressure was squeezing the guards and attendants.

Their legs trembled.

Their faces turned pale.

It felt like a sharp blade was aimed right at their throats.

And the intruder’s face—an expression you couldn’t read.

Was he smiling? Angry? You couldn’t tell.

A dreadful blankness.

The intruder pointed at the paper again.

Interpret.

Bin Sala glanced at an attendant who could interpret Korean and spoke.

“A-alright. Who are you?”

The attendant interpreted.

Cossack didn’t answer the question.

He only said—

“Bring the Trait enhancement rune.”

Bin Sala flinched.

The Trait enhancement rune?

He couldn’t comply.

Even if it meant dying here.

He tried to refuse, steeling himself for death—

“Even if you kill me—”

“I’ll clear Floor 60 within fifteen days. And Floor 61 in six months.”

Bin Sala jolted.

“H-how? By naturalizing you?”

“No. There’s no naturalization.”

“...Are you playing with me?”

Cossack continued with a greasy smile.

“Do you have an Emirati-affiliated Player here?”

“...”

Bin Sala clamped his mouth shut.

In truth, he’d brought one person.

A promising Player being raised by the United Arab Emirates—Omar Hassan.

He’d even used Trait enhancement twice.

But Omar Hassan was still only Level 27.

Floor 60 was impossibly far.

Bin Sala kept Omar Hassan close at all times.

For security.

The safest place was at his side.

And the Trait enhancement rune, too.

But this man wanted him summoned here?

“It’s here. Bring them now.”

“...”

“I won’t kill anyone. They’re just unconscious. But if you don’t listen, everyone dies.”

And then—

“Want to test it?”

The killing intent filling the suite thickened even more.

He hadn’t done anything, yet it felt like their throats would be cut.

An attendant collapsed to their knees in terror.

“Hurry. Bring them.”

Bin Sala understood.

He had to do what this man said.

Otherwise, people really would die.

Everyone’s heads would roll across the floor—just like those pistol barrels.

With a glance, he gave an order to an attendant.

A moment later—

Omar Hassan entered the room.

Cossack looked at Omar Hassan and asked,

“If you’re a Player, you can at least check an item, right?”

Omar Hassan looked to bin Sala once, then nodded.

Cossack pulled out a yellow ticket from his pocket, like a card.

“Check it. You can read the effect out loud.”

The moment Omar Hassan accepted the ticket with trembling hands—

“...Huh?”

Omar Hassan’s eyes went round.

“...A Multinational Tower Access Ticket?”

Bin Sala, curious, asked, 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Omar... w-what ticket is that?”

“It’s a Multinational Tower Access Ticket. It says you can enter any Tower regardless of nationality...”

“What?”

“That’s what the system message said.”

A Multinational Tower Access Ticket.

The name was self-explanatory.

He’d never heard of it before.

But Omar Hassan had no reason to lie, and if the system said so, it couldn’t be a forgery.

Cossack took the ticket back and spoke with emphasis.

“I promise you. The United Arab Emirates’ Black Tower Floor 60 will be cleared within fifteen days. Floor 61 too.”

A brief silence passed.

Some of the fear began to fade.

Because now they understood: this man had come here to make a deal.

Bin Sala’s mind turned quickly.

A promise to clear Floor 60 within fifteen days, and Floor 61 in six months.

Compared to Saudi Arabia’s demands, this was absurdly better.

No land ceded. No Tower materials. No cash. Nothing.

Just one Trait enhancement rune.

But would a contract like this be honored?

What if he handed over the rune and the promise wasn’t kept?

In the middle of that, Cossack pointed at Omar Hassan.

“You.”

“W-why...?”

“I’ll give you a gift. As a sign of goodwill.”

“A g-gift?”

Cossack unstrapped the mace and shield he’d brought and set them on the table.

“Take them.”

Omar Hassan didn’t understand what was happening. Omar Hassan looked to bin Sala—then picked up the mace and shield.

At the same time, an exclamation burst out.

“Ah!”

Bin Sala was startled.

He couldn’t help it.

‘What kind of item...?’

<Tower-Only Golden Aegis of Warm Dawnlight.>

Effect: Improves the user’s concentration when equipped, produces a dazzling flash, enhances physical defense and magical defense, and on a successful defense has a fixed chance to reflect an attack back at the enemy.

Trait: Maintains composure under any status ailment. Cannot be destroyed.

<Tower-Only Golden Mace of Cold Twilight.>

Effect: Increases attack speed in combat, freezes targets, increases attack range, and on a successful hit has a fixed chance to trigger an Ice Field.

Trait: Guides enemies to twilight’s rest. Cannot be destroyed.

Cossack let out a small snort of amusement.

He could tell just by the expression.

Omar Hassan was shocked by the item effects.

When Omar Hassan stood there blankly holding the mace and shield, bin Sala asked,

“Omar. What is it?”

“Both of these are Tower items. They aren’t crafted goods.”

“Not crafted?”

“I-I’ve never seen items like this before. You can’t buy something like this on the market. Ever.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. The option effects are unbelievable. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them the strongest weapons. I honestly want to enter the Tower and use them right now.”

Bin Sala stared at Cossack with a strange look.

“These items... did you come here to sell them?”

“I told you. A goodwill gift.”

“Even if I don’t give you the Trait enhancement rune?”

“I won’t give it and then take it back. But everyone here will die.”

That was the same thing.

‘A gift...’

Omar Hassan seemed completely taken with the equipment.

Clutching the weapons and shield, looking enraptured.

“If I hand over the rune, will the Tower truly be cleared?”

“On my name.”

“And what is your name?”

“Meatshield.”

Meatshield.

A strange name.

Not that it mattered.

“Your Highness, let me ask one thing. Is the Trait enhancement rune in this room right now?”

“No. As if I would carry something so important around—”

“It’s here.”

Cossack said, scanning the room.

“The living room? No. Then that room? Not there either... maybe the bedroom?”

A reaction.

“Got it. It was in the bedroom.”

Bin Sala swallowed hard.

“Be honest.”

“...”

“I’m very good at torture, too. Not just killing people.”

What couldn’t he do?

He could lock people in place with a single look.

“If I torture you, I can make you hand over the Trait enhancement rune with your own hands within one minute.”

“...Mm.”

“But listen. Don’t miss your chance.”

He had no choice but to believe him.

A person who could do that.

And yet, until now, he hadn’t killed anyone.

He’d even given a gift.

A thousand thoughts flashed through bin Sala’s mind.

Meatshield, who claimed he would clear the Tower without naturalization.

He’d proven it with the ticket, too.

Who was he? The S++ clear record-holder?

At that level, could someone use their power outside the Tower as well?

No. His identity didn’t matter.

Whether he could keep his promise, whether he’d take the rune and deny everything—

That was all that mattered.

His hesitation stretched on.

And yet, the intruder called Meatshield kept waiting.

He looked like the type who would start torturing someone the moment they annoyed him.

Even now, bin Sala’s heart pounded in fear, but little by little, trust began to form.

After a while—

Bin Sala decided.

He would bet his fate on Meatshield.

“Wait.”

Bin Sala went to the bedroom and returned with a small aluminum case.

A case with fingerprint authentication—and if the password was entered incorrectly, it would explode.

KA-CHUNK!

He opened the case and stroked the rune for a moment.

Then—

“Here it is. Take it.”

Cossack grinned.

“Congratulations. You lived. The United Arab Emirates will be safe too.”

At last—he’d acquired the enhancement rune.

And he’d put away the grotesque weapons as well.

“What happened today stays secret. There’s nothing good that comes from other people knowing, right?”

Bin Sala’s body trembled.

Somehow, he felt relieved.

Even after achieving his goal, this intruder was still letting him live.

“I-I understand. It’ll be secret...”

“Oh! One more thing. Are you satisfied with the deal?”

“What do you mean?”

“The deal we made. You have to be satisfied. Both of us. It’s important.”

“...I-I am satisfied.”

“Good. In fifteen days, you’ll be even more satisfied. And in six months too.”

And then—

SWISH!

Cossack vanished into the darkness.

Bin Sala felt as if he’d been dreaming.

Had he done the right thing?

He’d find out in fifteen days.

*****

Juhyeok was alone in the penthouse.

He’d sent Cossack to negotiate, and dismissed Gyeon Dallae, Meatshield, and Rajix.

Honestly, he was worried.

Cossack had left bragging confidently...

But an assassin negotiating? How was he supposed to trust that?

Still, he’d checked the privilege, and all that remained was Random Summon.

But he wasn’t going to do it yet.

He had to assume negotiations would fail.

Even if it meant benching Rajix, he had to aim for another chance at Floor 55.

Or go all the way to Floor 60.

Even if negotiations succeeded, he still had to climb to Floor 60.

And even if negotiations failed, he still had to climb for the privilege.

But what if he did Random Summon and another non-combat type appeared?

“Haah...”

He could only sigh.

He didn’t even want to imagine it.

But even in the worst case, he had a card to break through.

Mad Demon.

The strongest LSSR summoned entity.

Thinking that way gave him a surprising amount of reassurance.

If only he were a little less crazy, Juhyeok would’ve kept him around.

If he hadn’t kept talking about killing people in power, starting wars...

‘Should I summon him once?’

Maybe his thoughts had changed.

If so, he could be used as a hidden card.

The idea tugged at him more and more.

He wanted to summon him.

He wanted to see what he was thinking right now.

‘Screw it. I’ll summon him once.’

Do it.

Juhyeok opened the Status Window Catalog list.

“Designated Summon: Mad Demon!”

[Mad Demon has been summoned via Designated Summon.]

FLASH!

Mad Demon appeared again at last.

That bearing—still like an immortal sage.

“Summoner, I cannot tell you how glad I am to meet again.”

“...Yes. Me too.”

Actually, not really.

“After being forcibly dismissed by the Summoner, I reflected greatly. What, exactly, had I done wrong?”

Oh?

He sounded different.

“I realized that such extreme methods do not suit this world. There are limits to beating people to death, it takes too long, and grave side effects would surely follow.”

“That’s right.”

No way.

Our Mad Demon has changed.

“...Would you like a drink?”

“I will not refuse. If it is given by the Summoner, even poison must be swallowed.”

Juhyeok took out a cold can of soda from the refrigerator, POP! opened it, and handed it over.

Mad Demon drank deeply.

“It has been nearly a thousand years since I tasted the world’s food.”

He liked it.

The smile at the corner of his mouth proved it.

“From the start, killing every person in power was a foolish thought.”

“Well... I wouldn’t say foolish. It was just a bit intense.”

“Hahaha! Indeed.”

And then—

“I am curious: which nation in this world possesses the greatest national strength?”

The strongest country?

“That would be the United States.”

“The United States... is it ruled by a king?”

“No. A president.”

“Ah! I see. Then it is simple. Turn the President of the United States into an Empty-Soul Puppet and make them obey.”

“...Sorry?”

Empty-Soul Puppet? What even was that?

“There exists an Empty-Soul Grand Art. It destroys a human’s mind and makes them a puppet that obeys well. It consumes tremendous mental power, so even I can only create one per casting.”

Why did this feel like it was getting worse?

“If I use the Empty-Soul Grand Art on the President of the United States and make them follow orders, I can have them wage a conquest war in my stead, pacify the world, and then unify it later. A simple matter—and yet I failed to think of it, foolishly...”

Haah.

Unbelievable.

“Summoner and I would not need to stain our hands with blood. Of course, a war would cause great damage, but it is the sacrifice of the small for the sake of the great.”

“...”

“Let us begin at once. Where is the President of the United States? If we are to make them wage a conquest war, we must move starting now.”

He hadn’t changed at all.

“Mad Demon?”

“Speak. You too will approve. This plan was forged through deep reflection.”

“Your reflection wasn’t deep enough. Your direction is completely wrong. By a lot.”

“...Hm?”

Mad Demon blinked.

And Juhyeok’s lips parted.

“Dismiss Summon.”

“No, why do you keep—”

FLASH!

And—

[Mad Demon’s Satisfaction Rating has been scored as 1 point.]

Summoning him just to ask had been a mistake.

He should forget it and just do Random Summon.

And at that exact moment—

BEEP! The front door opened, and—

“ATTENTION! Summoner Bong’s right-hand man, trusty lieutenant, master of negotiation—Cossack is here, sir.”

Huh?

Already?

“...How did it go? The Trait enhancement rune—?”

“Hehehe. Hehehehe. Hehehehehehe.”

Cossack laughed, loud and shameless, like he couldn’t hold it in.

He didn’t even need to say it.

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