It’s decided.

Starting today, the climb begins.

Before that, I checked.

[Name] : Bong Juhyeok

[Affiliation] : Black Tower (Republic of Korea)

Finally—Korean.

My Korean nationality was restored faster than I expected, thanks to my own will and the French government’s nationality cancellation procedure.

Well, France is also under the curse and has to clear Floor 70, but that can wait.

I have two Multinational Tower Use Tickets, so there’s room to /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ breathe.

If France wants it, I’ll handle it.

Of course, for a price.

Designated Summon for all summoned entities.

Except I didn’t call Mad Demon.

Why would I throw top-tier manpower at just anything?

“Cossack has arrived, sir. Bonjour, sir.”

“Hello, Mr. Cossack.”

“...Eek? Bonjour, sir?”

“I’m Korean.”

“Ohhh! Salute!”

Meatshield, Gyeon Dallae, Rajix, Veronica, and Bardin as well.

Everyone had received a badge, so they all looked to be in a good mood.

“Shall we climb?”

And so began the first day’s climb.

The goal was Floors 67 and 68—back-to-back clears.

[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 67.]

It had been a long time since I’d entered the Korean Tower.

*****

The incident where Gerald went to test Floor 68 and got wrecked.

Jeon Gwangil and Director Antonio had agreed to keep it secret at the time.

But there were too many people in the holy sword lending office.

Administration employees, medical staff dispatched in case of an emergency, even foreign Players waiting their turn.

Even with nondisclosure agreements, it was only a matter of time before word leaked from mouth to mouth.

The story broke first on America’s largest Player community site.

You know Gerald almost died to the Floor 68 Death Knights? I heard it was so bad he was spewing blood.

ㄴOh my god! For real?

ㄴNot sure. It’s just something I heard.

ㄴI heard it too. And apparently he couldn’t even kill a single Death Knight.

ㄴNot even one?

ㄴCouldn’t even scratch one.

ㄴCome on, no way! He didn’t take the holy sword, right?

ㄴNo, he did. He took it.

ㄴWait, what? You’re saying he had the holy sword and still?

The rumor spread at terrifying speed.

Gerald’s pride getting crushed—someone who used to be the world’s top Player—wasn’t even the real problem.

Even with the holy sword, he couldn’t handle the Floor 68 Death Knights.

Every country on Earth tensed up.

Up until now, Floors 61 and above had been considered easier to clear than the late 50s.

Why?

Because there was a holy sword.

If you borrowed the power of Radiance, undead monsters were nothing but fragile corpse bones.

But now they were saying Floor 68 was a wall.

If it was true, Floor 68 could become a wall of wailing.

A crisis.

That damned curse from Kabalan.

First wave, 10 countries. Second wave, 20. Third wave, 30. If it kept going like this, fourth wave 40, fifth wave 50...

Almost every nation’s Tower would get caught.

And then it would stop at the wall of Floor 68.

Of course, there was an alternative.

A proven Player who cleared Black Tower (France) Floor 69 without a holy sword.

The one who held Korea’s S++ clear record.

The value of that Player just kept rising.

Korea tensed up too.

This wasn’t the time to laugh.

Players could naturalize at any time.

ㄴBow your head low. Don’t show your teeth.

ㄴHow many countries are inside Korea right now?

ㄴProbably most of the ones clearing the 60s. I heard there aren’t any hotel rooms left.

ㄴThey’re not trying to approach our top Player, are they?

ㄴThey know who it is.

ㄴDoesn’t every decent country know by now?

Every Korean had experienced it.

Your top Player turning into another country’s person in an instant.

So it wasn’t a situation where anyone could relax.

ㄴEspecially watch out for America. Gerald failed too. So who do you think they’ll target?

ㄴNo way they’d try to poach an allied country’s Player.

ㄴAllies my ass. They move for their own interests.

ㄴWhat is the TOWER PLAYER AWAKENING ADMINISTRATION doing? I’d pay double taxes if I had to—there’s no way we can let the S++ record holder go.

And then, out of nowhere—

ㄴHuh? Floor 67 clear just popped. Global Notice.

ㄴWhat?

ㄴOh....

ㄴThat fast?

ㄴEven if the curse hit, there’s still time.

ㄴWhy....

They knew it wasn’t Nam Gaeun.

She was an excellent Player, but she couldn’t do an S++ clear.

It had to be the top Player.

The one publicly known as Meatshield.

And then about thirty minutes later.

The community and social media boards exploded again.

ㄴHoly shit.

ㄴWhat is this?

ㄴNo way.

ㄴNo, why?

ㄴWhat?

ㄴHuh.

Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 68 S++ clear record.

What?

Less than an hour after the Floor 67 S++ clear became known—

Floor 68 was S++ too?

ㄴWhy are you surprised? He cleared Floor 68 in the France Tower too.

Clearing it wasn’t the problem.

ㄴIt’s because it popped twice in one day.

ㄴNothing weird. Did you forget the HG hotel terror incident? There were two people. So twice a day makes sense.

ㄴI heard a rumor it’s just one person.

ㄴCome on. How can one person do it twice?

ㄴIf there’s an item that lets you enter twice a day, it’s possible.

ㄴIs there even an item like that?

ㄴWell, there are items that jump Towers too.

ㄴPeel him and peel him and he’s still an onion.

ㄴTwo people or one person? Which is it?

ㄴShh! It’s better if it stays a mystery for now. Don’t go trying to find out.

In the middle of that, breaking news hit the media and TV.

<Breaking News! The President will deliver a special address regarding Korea’s Tower climb.>

A presidential special address?

It sounded like something important was coming.

A moment later.

At the Blue House briefing site, the President personally appeared.

There is something the people must know regarding the ongoing back-to-back S++ clears of Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floors 67 and 68, which is why I have come out in person.

Reporters from Korea and abroad swarmed in.

It was being broadcast live by satellite worldwide.

Our proud top Player of the Republic of Korea has begun the steps toward clearing Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 70.

What is that supposed to mean?

Floor 70 clear?

We have obtained information that the source of the curse that shook the entire world, the True Body Kabalan, is hiding on Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 70.

The briefing room erupted into noise.

Korea’s Floor 70 being the True Body Kabalan’s hiding place.

How on earth did they find that out?

Even though time remains on the clear deadline, climbing early is no different from cutting your own flesh.

That’s true.

Even if you’re under the curse, you’re supposed to use the full time limit.

However, Korea and our Player have decided to accept sacrifice for the peace of the world. We will accept whatever disadvantages come with it with pride.

CLICKCLICKCLICK! CLICKCLICKCLICK!

Camera shutters firing nonstop.

As early as tomorrow, the True Body Kabalan will be cleared by the Republic of Korea’s S++ record holder. And the Curse of the Average will disappear.

Ratings were skyrocketing.

In Korea, and all over the world.

Please send unending encouragement and support to our Player, who has bravely thrown their body into a journey for peace. Thank you.

The briefing ended.

Reporters desperately raised their hands to ask questions, but the address was over.

And people waited for tomorrow with bated breath.

Would Kabalan’s curse truly end?

*****

France’s special envoy delegation watched the President’s address from Korea as well.

A declaration that Kabalan’s curse would end.

If only it could be that simple.

France would buy time.

Of course, it wouldn’t end there.

No matter what, Black Tower (France) Floor 70 still had to be cleared.

Prime Minister Benjamin Adrian issued instructions to the diplomats.

“Let’s predict what Korea will demand during negotiations. We need to know in advance to respond.”

Minister MacMillan and Director Antonio, their mouths bone-dry from stress after Gerald’s unexpected accident, also said—

“If the curse is lifted, we’ve put out the immediate fire.”

“We’ll only be getting past the worst of it. We may still have to make a decision for Floor 68.”

“Hoo... we’ll watch tomorrow first, then decide.”

Usuda, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary acting as prime minister, said—

“If clearing the True Body Kabalan becomes reality, we won’t be able to lift our heads in front of the Korean government ever again.”

How much would Korea’s influence grow in the international community?

If Japan wanted to live, it would have to lie flat on its stomach.

“If we want a temporary naturalization deal or a Tower Collapse defense treaty, what do you think Korea will demand from us?”

Usuda’s secretary answered.

“The first things that come to mind are the Dokdo issue, apologies for comfort women and forced labor, withdrawing the demand to pull out of equity stakes in Korean social media companies, and easing tariffs related to imports and exports.”

Usuda nodded.

Fine. We can accept all of it.

If you want to live, what can’t you do?

But the secretary’s expression was grim.

Like something was stuck in their throat.

“What’s the problem?”

“I’m sorry to say it at a time like this... but the mood inside the Japan Self-Defense Force is not normal.”

“The Japan Self-Defense Force?”

“There’s a lot of internal outrage in the Japan Self-Defense Force criticizing even the fact that we’re visiting Korea.”

“Hmph! Are they saying they’ll stage a coup or something?”

“...The possibility is very high.” 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Usuda pinched the bridge of the nose hard.

It had been obvious for a long time.

The Japan Self-Defense Force drifting hard to the right.

But a Tower had risen in the center of Tokyo.

Would they really do something that stupid?

No.

Usuda was certain.

*****

The next day.

As soon as I got up, I washed up and ate first.

Eat solid, finish all clears in the morning.

The sooner Kabalan’s curse got lifted, the better.

And so I entered Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 69.

Just like Black Tower (France), using a huge Dolby stereo speaker system to amplify an exorcism ritual—

[Global Notice: You have achieved a S++ clear rank for Black Tower (Korea) Floor 69.]

[S++ Clear Reward: Platinum Badge will be awarded.]

A light clear.

Hold on. Then how many Platinum Badges is that?

Total accumulated: 78.

If I clear Floor 70, that makes 79.

“Tsk. I’m short by one.”

Is there any place I can fill it in?

For now, I have two Multinational Tower Use Tickets.

An S++ clear for Black Tower (France) Floor 70 is already off the table.

Because I gave up clearing it.

Same with clearing Black Tower (UAE).

That’s the 60s, so I can’t get one there anyway.

“Whatever. I just need to fill one.”

Anyway, the long-awaited Floor 70 clear.

The place I strongly suspected the True Body Kabalan was.

[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 70.]

“Ugh.”

The moment we entered, thick black fog filled everything in every direction.

I couldn’t see anything.

Not even the small path leading to the mansion.

Cossack spoke to Bardin.

“Holy sword.”

“Have you called for me, assassin?”

“Radiance.”

“This insane heretic bastard! How dare you speak to—”

“It’s dark.”

We do need light.

I should’ve brought a flashlight.

“Mr. Bardin.”

“Yes, my lord!”

“Radiance, please...”

“LIGHT!!!”

FWOOOOSH!

Better.

Right now, my Trait Enhancement is—

[Trait] : Summoning (Simultaneous Summons: 7)

And there were six summoned entities with me on Floor 70.

One slot was still open.

“Designated Summon: Mad Demon.”

FWOOOOSH!

“Summoner.”

“Welcome, Mad Demon.”

“I will lead. You will protect the summoner. If even a single scratch appears, I will tear off your limbs.”

Mad Demon swayed along as he walked.

“Follow slowly.”

The remaining six summoned entities marched while tightly surrounding me on all sides, front and back.

“...Mm.”

I get it, but they were pressed so close it was hard to walk.

It can’t be helped. I have to endure it.

Before I knew it, we were at the mansion’s front door.

BWOOOOONG!

Mad Demon’s power surged,

PSHA-SHOT! BAAANG!

The door burst apart from the aura he threw.

At the same time, he stamped the ground with a powerful step.

WHAM!

Kabalan’s mansion shook.

CRRRRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACK!

The ground split like an earthquake hit—walls crumbling, roof collapsing.

Mad Demon, demolition specialist.

He was smashing the building from outside like a lunatic when—

“Child, you should try it too.”

Veronica nodded at Mad Demon’s words.

Bardin moved first with quick eyes.

“LIGHT!!!”

Shhhhk!

Attribute absorption started.

ZZZZT! CRACK! ZZZZZT!

The holy-attribute heavy round surged through the broken doorway and scorched the inner wall.

BANG! BANG! BAAANG! RUMMMBLE!

Three heavy rounds fired.

We break the building first.

There might be barrier traps.

To Mad Demon, a barrier like that is nothing.

This was all for the summoner.

“Good.”

Dust hung thick.

Kabalan’s mansion, half-destroyed.

FWOOOOSH!

Pushing through the dust, Mad Demon strode forward.

I followed behind, inching along.

At the end of a corridor that had collapsed into a mess, there was a chair.

On it sat a single shabby demon, trembling.

Like a shut-in loser in a corner, if you compared it to a human.

It was Kabalan.

Already looking like it had lost all will to fight.

Is that really the True Body?

“It is because it took damage to its soul.”

“Ah. Back then?”

“Yes. When it descended into the Copy, I... touched it a little.”

Good god. Even so, it’s the Floor 70 boss.

“It doesn’t reset?”

“Had it been a Copy, it would have been reset and returned perfectly intact.”

“Ah!”

“But a unique soul cannot be reset. Because it is real, not a Copy.”

Right. This thing is intelligent.

Even if a Player is physically injured, drink a healing potion and it heals.

But once your mind breaks, you start fearing even entering the Tower.

“Let’s end it.”

Isn’t it already ended?

Honestly, I felt sorry for it.

I even had an uncomfortable feeling.

The True Body Kabalan was nothing like the Tower monsters I’d seen until now.

It was basically human.

Clearing Floor 70 meant killing a human.

Even if I wasn’t doing it with my own hands, it was like contract murder carried out under my order.

“I think I know what you are thinking. I understand completely. However, you must harden your heart. This one is nothing more than a monster that can think.”

I couldn’t get the words out easily.

And then—

“...P-please... let it go without pain.”

“Understood.”

Mad Demon walked forward.

Kabalan greeted Mad Demon with an empty smile, as if it had abandoned everything.

“Will you resist?”

“...For what? The result is already decided.”

“Then this will be easier.”

“Do it. I’m sick of it too.”

“Thank the summoner. For dying comfortably.”

Mad Demon grabbed Kabalan’s head.

CRUNCH.

Twisted it a full turn.

At the same time—

CRUNCH!

Kabalan’s neck was pulled out by Mad Demon’s hand.

[Global Notice : You have achieved a S++ clear rank for Black Tower (Korea) Floor 70.]

[S++ Clear Reward : Platinum Badge will be awarded.]

At the same time the Global Notice rang—

[World Notice : High-Ranking Demon Kabalan Duke (True Body) has been annihilated on Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 70.]

[World Notice : The Curse of the Average imposed upon Towers worldwide has been lifted as of this moment.]

[World Notice : Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 70 boss has been replaced with Kabalan’s Copy.]

World Notices spammed like crazy.

[World Notice : The influence of Kabalan (True Body), which had been acting upon Black Towers worldwide, has disappeared.]

[World Notice : Due to the annihilation of High-Ranking Demon Kabalan Duke (True Body), the stats of the Floor 68 guardian Death Knights will be greatly reduced. Applies simultaneously to Towers worldwide.]

[World Notice : Due to the annihilation of High-Ranking Demon Kabalan Duke (True Body), the stats of the Floor 69 gatekeeper lich will be greatly reduced. Applies simultaneously to Towers worldwide.]

[World Notice : Due to the annihilation of High-Ranking Demon Kabalan Duke (True Body), the stats of the Floor 70 Kabalan’s Copy will be greatly reduced. Applies simultaneously to Towers worldwide.]

Stats greatly reduced.

So that’s what happens.

Then it’ll get easier.

[World Notice : Benefits will be granted regarding the clearing of Black Tower Floor 70.]

“Benefits?”

[World Notice : Limited to Black Tower (Republic of Korea), the restriction on high-grade Magic Stones will be lifted.]

[World Notice : Limited to Black Tower (Republic of Korea), the restriction on various potions and elixirs will be lifted.]

[World Notice : Limited to Black Tower (Republic of Korea), the restriction on weapons and equipment items will be lifted.]

“Oh.”

[World Notice : Clear benefits apply to all floors of Black Tower (Republic of Korea). Additionally, reward probability will greatly increase.]

Magic Stones had grades? High-grade Magic Stones...

I still didn’t know exactly what it meant for restrictions to be lifted, but—

If you could get them on every floor, and reward probability skyrocketed, I’d find out soon enough.

Anyway, it was a ridiculously sweet reward for Players affiliated with the Republic of Korea, including me.

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