Department of Homeland Security, Washington.

Director Antonio of the Tower Clearing Division rushed to the office after being summoned by Secretary McMillan.

With disasters exploding left and right lately, he was getting a little uneasy.

And sure enough—

“...The Players requested rescue at the U.S. Embassy in China?”

“Yeah.”

“And they’re claiming they were kidnapped?”

“Right. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia... eight total.”

“No—kidnapping, fine, but how did they escape?”

“They wouldn’t say the details. They said their cell doors suddenly opened, and when they came out into the hall, all the guards were already down.”

That was impossible.

There was definitely a helper who rescued them.

For example—those two Players who had wiped out the terrorists in one shot at the HG Hotel fashion show.

“Could it be the people from back then...”

“I know what you’re trying to say, but there’s nothing certain yet.”

Antonio agreed with Secretary McMillan.

They’d only know after an investigation.

“How does the White House plan to respond?”

“For now, we protect them. And I already contacted each country’s embassy.”

“And after that?”

“I’m thinking. This is a pretty big issue.”

“It is.”

China kidnapping Players.

Until now, it had only circulated as rumors.

Because there hadn’t been anything resembling solid evidence.

But now it was different.

Witnesses existed.

Eight Players of different nationalities.

“And this came in from the CIA...”

Secretary McMillan lowered his voice and spoke carefully.

“They’re saying Chairman Lin might have had an incident.”

Chairman Lin—

“Y-You mean Chairman Lin Chaoming, China’s top leader?”

“Correct.”

“No, what kind of incident—illness? an accident?... Don’t tell me—an assassination?”

“They’re leaning toward illness, but that’s not confirmed either.”

“...Serious enough that we should prepare?”

“They say it’s pretty severe.”

A major incident.

The Player kidnappings being exposed was enormous, but something happening to China’s top power was even more shocking.

“It’ll ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) be loud for a while.”

“Very.”

“You’ll have a rough time too, sir.”

“...”

Who was he kidding?

At this rate, he’d barely be able to go home.

“You focus on the Tower clearing too. Why don’t you use this chance to dig up a rookie? We can’t keep relying on Gerald forever.”

“...We’re working hard.”

“Just with words? Let’s get our own S++ clear record holder.”

It was what Antonio wanted too.

An American S++ clear record holder.

He’d be willing to treat them like an emperor.

But first, they had to show up.

A terror incident that happened in central Beijing.

But Chinese media didn’t even mention it.

Two booms thundered through the city before dawn, and public security, soldiers, ambulances, even fire trucks were all over the streets raising hell—yet still.

The news broke first through foreign outlets.

That afternoon.

An exposé on a U.S. news channel.

I’m Nguyen, a Level 57 Player from Vietnam. I was kidnapped by China. I was locked in a cell, tortured and threatened, and forced to clear Black Tower (China)....

I’m Imysha Shard from Malaysia. It’s been over three years since I was kidnapped by China. Look at these scars. These are torture marks. I miss my family. My injustice—

My name is Zhang Jinping. I’m not a Chinese Player. My homeland is Taiwan. I’m from Kaohsiung. They kidnapped me while calling us the same Chinese people. There’s a traitor inside Taiwan. His name is—

One after another, the Players claiming they were kidnapped came forward and exposed China’s atrocities.

The world erupted.

China kidnapped Players, forced them to naturalize, then threw them into Tower clearing?

Originally, it was an unverified horror story.

There was suspicion, but no proof.

But now eight witnesses had appeared.

Every one of them was a Player who had been declared dead in their home country’s Tower, or listed as missing.

The countries directly involved released statements condemning the Chinese government.

Punish the responsible parties, a direct apology from the Chinese Chairman, compensation measures, and so on.

Of course, even countries that weren’t directly involved denounced China.

If they didn’t want to be branded a criminal state, they needed to offer a sincere apology as soon as possible.

Even as every country in the world lodged official protests, the Chinese government didn’t respond at all.

Normally, by this point, a spokesperson would be on domestic TV yelling about slander, baseless accusations, and how they would never forgive countries spreading rumors without proof.

But—

ㄴChina did China.

ㄴWow! Somehow our country dodged it. Because we’re developed?

ㄴDodged it my ass, there was supposedly a similar attempt before. The hotel incident too.

ㄴSo what happens now? China does a grand bow?

ㄴLike hell. They’ll play dumb.

ㄴBut why are they saying nothing?

ㄴRight? The whole world is cursing them together.

ㄴThis is the exact timing for excuses. “We will never tolerate insulting the Chinese nation!”

ㄴAre they using this chance to build tolerance or something?

ㄴThis part isn’t confirmed, but—

ㄴWhat?

ㄴSomeone got admitted to a VIP suite at Beijing University Hospital?

ㄴSo what?

ㄴI’ve got an acquaintance over there, and supposedly a rumor’s leaking out... that it’s Lin Chaoming.

ㄴNo way. The Chinese Chairman?

The rumor spread wider and wider.

China was shaking.

*****

Juhyeok watched the TV too.

Complete rescue of the kidnapped Players.

How could he not trust them after that?

As expected of the original members. The loyal retainer, Cossack.

“Incredible. I can’t not be impressed. How did you rescue everyone without losing a single person?”

“I just pulled a little trick, sir. Heh heh heh heh.”

“Geez, pull that trick twice and China might collapse. Hahahaha.”

“Actually, I pulled the trick twice—”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“What did you just—”

“N-No, sir. I didn’t say anything.”

And Veronica...

“Hrmmph! Khool... Khuuul...”

She was asleep, so let’s not wake her.

Either way, the nagging unease that had been stuck in a corner of his mind was completely resolved.

“I honestly feel like I want to reward you. Like before—an allowance?”

“Ah, keep it, sir. I still haven’t spent what you gave me last time.”

“It feels shameless to only say thank you.”

“No, sir! If Summoner Bong gives me one warm word, this Cossack—my energy starts surging!”

Still, he couldn’t just clap his hands and move on.

Anyone could praise with words.

Money was refused, and buying beef was already overused, and it wasn’t like he could hand out cars either—

He wanted something symbolic.

Something that could remain permanently.

Like a medal.

‘...Wait.’

He did have something similar.

“Cossack.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Want me to pin a medal on you?”

“...Huh?”

A medal?

Cossack’s face said he had no idea what was going on.

“You m-mean something you pin on your chest, sir?”

“Yeah.”

“Something that sparkles?”

“Yes. A medal.”

In that instant—

Veronica sprang up beside them.

“Sergeant Veronica Caliber!... A-award medal?”

Stop.

The other summoned entities reacted too.

They’d been absorbed in their own work, but at the word medal, they stopped and turned their eyes on Juhyeok.

Unexpectedly explosive interest.

“I’ll pin it on you. Come here.”

“...Aaaah.”

Cossack approached Juhyeok with a stiff, tense expression.

It wasn’t fun to just pin it. Might as well make it look official.

“Summoned entity Cossack!”

“...Y-Yes, sir!”

Juhyeok opened his inventory and pulled out a Platinum Badge.

“Through perfect planning and execution, you safely returned the kidnapped Players to their homes, and your merit is great. Therefore, I award you this medal—no, this badge.”

Cossack’s eyes went wide.

“Huuuh!... Th-This precious thing.”

“You deserve it, Cossack. You handled the job brilliantly.”

“Aaaah, S-Summoner Bong!”

The other summoned entities stared with jealous eyes.

The assassin Cossack receiving a medal from Summoner Bong.

An unprecedented event.

‘A medal... ahhh.’

‘Hmph. I’m jealous.’ 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

‘Must be nice.’

‘SQUEEEAK...’

A badge received as an S++ clear reward.

Juhyeok currently owned sixty-three badges total, including the ones from Black Tower (United Arab Emirates).

He’d already taken every privilege those granted—so what was the point of hoarding them?

But now they had a use.

This was when you used them.

A complete Player rescue was basically on the level of an S++ clear anyway.

The badge even had a pin to attach to clothing.

Juhyeok pinned the Platinum Badge to Cossack’s chest.

“Thank you, sir! I don’t know where to put myself. But I won’t be satisfied! Until the day my entire chest is filled with badges, this Cossack will give my whole strength and devote my loyalty to Summoner Bong!”

Cossack raised both hands high, wearing a proud expression.

Then, to show the badge off to the other summoned entities, he puffed out his chest and made a full lap around the living room.

How could there not be applause? It was very quiet, though.

Everyone congratulated him, but they were jealous.

I can do well too.

A Platinum Badge pinned on by the Summoner himself.

How are you supposed to endure that?

“Next—Veronica Caliber, step forward.”

Whoosh!

Veronica reacted like lightning.

“...W-Wait, me too?”

“Of course.”

Veronica hurried—but quickly—stood in front of Juhyeok at attention.

“Summoned entity Veronica.”

“Sergeant Veronica Caliber!”

“Alongside Cossack, you used elusive Magic Gun Marksmanship to protect the hostages and safely escort them to a secure place. Your merit is great, so I award you this badge.”

“Certain victory!!!”

Juhyeok pulled another badge from his inventory.

And as he moved to pin it onto Veronica—

‘...Ah.’

This is awkward.

Veronica thrust her chest out to make it easy to pin.

What now?

Two enormous somethings filled Juhyeok’s entire vision.

And her enhancement suit was full-body tights.

Meaning it clung.

Dangerous.

‘...I can’t exactly not pin it.’

Gulp.

Juhyeok swallowed hard.

Screw it.

With a trembling hand, he lightly pinched a bit of the enhancement suit fabric at Veronica’s chest and poked the badge in—

“Sergeant Veronica Caliber, this is the most glorious, proud medal I’ve received so far. For the Commander’s victory, I will fight with burning zeal.”

Applause drained of strength from pure envy.

“Kyaaaah! It’s a medal! A medal!!!”

Veronica shouted hooray and bounced around the living room.

Meanwhile, Meatshield squeezed his eyes shut, Princess Gyeon Dallae sighed, and Rajix lay face-down on the floor, cleaning with a rag like his soul had left his body.

But then—

“Next—summoned entity Princess Gyeon Dallae.”

“...Me?”

Princess Gyeon Dallae’s eyes sparkled.

“I receive your command.”

“By performing the cleansing rite, you greatly contributed to obtaining the Trait enhancement rune with a single click. Therefore, I award you this badge.”

“...I am unworthy. How could such a great reward be bestowed upon a lowly girl.”

What great reward?

It was just one badge.

But she looked like she was about to die of happiness.

And that made the giver feel good too.

Clap clap clap clap!

The applause grew louder.

Because now, instead of disappointment, expectation had risen.

Princess Gyeon Dallae got one.

Past merit was being applied retroactively.

Then—

“Summoned entity Barbarian Warrior Meatshield.”

“H-Here! Me too! I’m coming!”

Swoooosh!

So excited he expanded, Meatshield’s body swelling huge.

“Shrink your body. You’re too big.”

Swoosh.

“During the Floor 60 Wyvern Lord clear, you threw your body into a poison puddle to protect your allies. Therefore, I award you a merit badge.”

“Uh, uh...”

He was shirtless, so there was nowhere to pin it.

In the end, Juhyeok pinned it to the waistband of the pants that hadn’t torn even when he Enlarged.

“Heh heh heh heh.”

Meatshield grinned and stroked the badge on his waistband with his hand.

Was it that good?

In that instant—RROOOLL!

Rajix couldn’t stand it any longer. He rolled right up to Juhyeok’s feet.

“S-Squeak...”

He stomped his feet, firing an urgent gaze that begged for the badge right now.

Oh man. He’s adorable.

He was already puffing out little snorts.

“Summoned entity Rajix.”

“SQUEAK!”

“Through harvesting basilisk leather and collecting Tower ores, you greatly contributed to our finances. Therefore, I award you this merit badge.”

“SQUEAK?!”

For Rajix, Juhyeok pinned the badge onto the Subspace Backpack.

“SQUEEEAK... g-good.”

Floaty, floaty—

Rajix spun his chubby body in circles on the spot, savoring the joy.

Then Juhyeok pulled out one more badge.

“Summoned entity Rajix.”

Huh?

Why call him again?

Was he going to take it back?

“...SQUEAK?”

“Through collecting rune fragments and ticket fragments, you performed immense service for the Tower climbs that will unfold in the future. Therefore, I award you one more badge.”

“SQUEEEAK?!”

Rajix trembled head to toe.

Two? Only me, two?

The other summoned entities nodded like, yeah, fair.

He deserved it.

How many accomplishments had he stacked?

“SQUEEENG...”

Tears pooled in Rajix’s big eyes, but his face was full of happiness.

Were badges really that good?

If he’d known, he would’ve handed them out earlier.

Seriously.

Hearing praise a hundred times with words was nothing compared to one physical badge.

Juhyeok was satisfied too.

Later, for any summoned entity who collected five, he should give them a privilege.

“Hey, today’s Floor 63 clear... it’s dark skeletons. It won’t be too hard, right?”

The summoned entities’ expressions suddenly turned solemn.

“Leave it to us, sir. Summoner Bong’s right hand, master of bone-broth stock, Majang-dong butcher. This Cossack will handle it all.”

“Sergeant Veronica Caliber, peerlessly accurate magic gunner! The reaper of monsters, the milk-white lone ranger—I will sever every skeleton joint with Magic Gun rounds.”

“Warrior Meatshield, avatar of regeneration, meatshield tank, aggro expert. I’ll earn the badge I got.”

“This girl, the finest shamaness of the Heavenly Empire, pro of the cleansing rite, conductor of bells and drums—I will shake the bell until my wrist breaks.”

“...Why is everyone copying me, sir? Our characters overlap.”

And—

“SQUEAK!”

Like he was telling them to trust only him, Rajix whipped out a gleaming golden pickaxe, slung it onto his shoulder, and shot them a fierce glare.

‘Hmm...’

A little scary.

You could feel his desire for badges radiating out.

Still, the motivation was perfect.

*****

[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 63.]

Floor 63.

Dark skeletons.

A bony body with no skin at all.

Insanely hard.

Not bone—metal-level.

A place where blunt weapons were stronger than blades.

A huge axe or a greatsword would work fine.

But maybe because they’d been soldiers in a past life, they didn’t rush in barehanded—they charged with shields and knives, swords, and spears.

[Floor 63 Mission: Kill 15 dark skeletons.]

The mission dropped.

The party stirred.

A chance to earn merit.

Especially Rajix—he smiled in bliss the moment they entered.

He could smell it. He could smell it.

The scent of holy-attribute power buried somewhere underground.

‘SQUEEEAK...’

Material to repair the holy sword.

And another Platinum Badge shone clearly in front of his eyes.

Rajix was still hungry.

He wouldn’t stop.

Not until he filled the entire Subspace Backpack with sparkling Platinum Badges.

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────