It was so absurd that it didn't even feel real.
No one—absolutely no one—had ever imagined something like this would happen.
A national team–level player who had achieved the feat of conquering the 65th floor with the government's full backing, and who had simultaneously seized both wealth and fame in his grasp, suddenly naturalizing overnight?
And to Japan, of all places?
South Korea fell into chaos.
Especially Yoo Cheol-min's remarks at the press conference held at the Japanese Prime Minister's Residence—so ridiculous they were beyond belief.
The biggest reason I came to Japan is the complacent Awakened Administration of South Korea.
Even with the 66th-floor conquest deadline right around the corner, they had no intention of providing proper support, while the Administration's executives were consumed with political infighting and neglected the operation of the elite team.
South Korea's future was bleak. The only choice left to me was Japan. The saying "escape is the privilege of the intelligent" proved true.
I have no regrets about choosing naturalization. I will gladly accept any criticism. Curse me if you will. I wish South Korea continued success.
He was clearly talking that way to stir up conflict.
Who would agree with that garbage?
There wasn't a single person who didn't know how lavishly Yoo Cheol-min had lived under the protection of the Korean government.
The media response was razor-sharp.
The Awakened Administration, the National Intelligence Service, and the police were also put under fire.
└ That cowardly bastard—can you even call that thing human? He couldn't clear the 66th floor, so he made excuses and ran?
└ This pisses me off so bad. Why Japan of all places?
└ Why is everyone overreacting? If he'd gone to China, would you be this mad?
└ China? Same shit. If he'd gone to China, we'd be cursing China, you asshole! Don't stir shit up!
└ Hey! Shut up unless you want to die!
└ Ugh, this is more humiliating than losing a Korea–Japan soccer match.
└ I heard he even took all the items the Administration gave him in his inventory.
└ This is a matter of national pride. Something has to be done—assassinate that Yoo bastard or declare war on Japan.
└ At this rate, won't we even lose the S++-grade conquest record holder?
└ Very possible. If even that person leaves, I'll seriously consider emigrating too.
The TV was filled with nothing but that story.
What happened had happened, and it couldn't be undone.
Juhyeok calmed himself down.
"So there was someone even more of a beta male than me."
"Oh my! For you to call yourself a beta male, Master Summoner—then every man in South Korea would be a beta male. That bastard's just a pathetic, spineless loser."
That sounded right.
At the very least, Juhyeok was confident he was better than that guy.
Anyway, the reason Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il had requested a private meeting was obviously because of this.
Kosak spoke cautiously.
"…If you go into the Administration, it's obvious what that man's going to say."
Juhyeok had already guessed.
"If you comply too obediently, they'll take it for granted. We need to keep our usual pace—slowly and safely."
That was true.
If you pushed too hard climbing upward, problems could arise.
"Ignore them and not go—that's an option too. We could hide somewhere for a few days, just like that guy—"
"No, that won't do."
"…Yes?"
There was still some goodwill built up.
"I'll go and toss them the Holy Sword. Seems like they need a light-attribute item."
Might as well sell it and make some money too.
"Aaaah, as expected of Master Summoner Bong! Truly moving! To bestow such ocean-deep mercy upon useless bureaucrats!"
Hmph. Over something like this?
Who am I?
I might look like a beta male on the outside, but inside I'm a warm-hearted alpha male.
"But this Holy Sword—it's a light attribute item."
"Huh?"
"It's a holy attribute item."
Same thing, isn't it?
You said it carried radiance—
and the character for radiance literally means light.
Anyway.
"So it's good?"
"Yes! Even better."
That settled it.
"With this Holy Sword, clearing up to the 67th floor is a given—if used by someone with talent."
Why only up to that?
"Because it's worn out. Look at the blade engravings. They're all faded, see?"
"Oh, you're right."
"That's why the power of radiance is weak. A genuine Holy Sword shines like a searchlight—undead just melt away."
So basically, a broken lightsaber.
Still, someday—who knows when—he'd reach the 60th floors himself.
"There are holy-type summoned beings in that other world too, right?"
"Tons of them."
"Their ranks?"
"Saintesses and Popes are LSSR rank, but Paladins, Priests, Monks, High Clerics, and the like range from Rare to SSR. They'll all have at least one holy relic. Catch even one of them, and it's over."
Just as expected.
If there were tanks and assassins, of course there'd be healers.
If the gacha went bad?
So what?
You just park at a suitable floor and wait until something good comes out.
Now then—it was about time to get ready to head to the Administration.
※ ※ ※
Awakened Administration, Hannam-dong, Seoul.
The area in front was utter chaos.
It felt like every media outlet in Korea had gathered there.
The police were blocking access, but every time a person or car entered or exited the Administration's main gate, reporters swarmed like rabid hyenas.
No wonder Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il said he couldn't come out.
As the car carrying Juhyeok entered the Administration grounds, reporters rushed in en masse.
"What countermeasures is the Administration preparing?"
"There are rumors that Director Park Kyung-soo will be dismissed—are they true?"
"Please give us a comment."
How would I know any of that?
Thank goodness for the heavily tinted windows.
They moved through the underground parking garage and took the elevator up.
Inside the Awakened Administration, the atmosphere was grim.
Every employee they passed looked utterly dejected.
At this rate, would today's emergency assembly even be held properly?
Juhyeok met Team Leader Jeon Gwang-il in a quiet office.
"I'm sorry to call you in when you must be busy."
"No, it's fine. I understand completely—I saw the news too. You must be deeply upset."
"…Thank you for your concern."
Since they'd met often, the conversation flowed easily.
"The reason I asked to see you, Player Bong, is not for anything else, but…"
Jeon Gwang-il seemed to struggle to begin. He swallowed once, then—
"Ho—how long would it take you to… r-reach the 60th floors?"
I knew this was coming.
Currently on the 29th floor.
Assuming he climbed an uncleared upper floor every single day, it would take 31 days to reach the 60s, and 37 days to reach the 66th floor.
With roughly 80 days left until the 66th-floor deadline, one might think the numbers looked comfortable—
But I had to be firm.
So I steadied my breathing,
lowered my voice deliberately,
and said,
"It would be difficult within 80 days. When I hit a tough stretch, I usually spend at least ten days repeating clears to prepare before moving up."
"…I see."
And I drove the point home.
"That should be in the contract as well. Advancement to higher floors is entirely at my discretion."
"I'm sorry. I truly have no excuse. It hasn't even been that long since we signed the contract, and I'm already saying this… but I'm clinging to even the smallest hope…"
Ah—That miserable expression.
It made my heart waver.
I wanted to say, Don't worry, I'll get to the 66th floor somehow—but what can't be done, can't be done.
Sure, daily climbs are possible in the 20s, but what about the 30s? The 40s? The 50s?
Unless I somehow pulled an LSSR-rank Saintess or Pope from a random summon…
"I heard there's another elite team player besides Yoo Cheol-min who's in the 60s."
"That would be Player Nam Ga-eun. But she's been stuck in the 62nd-floor range for over a hundred days."
"…That's a long time."
"We're also trying to support Player Nam by searching for light-attribute items. But that bastard Yoo Cheol-min ran off with every item we had secured. If we'd had even those…"
Wow. What an absolute piece of trash.
Time to throw it out there.
"Since you mentioned items—actually, I was thinking of putting an item up for sale at the player shop."
"…Pardon? Ah—i-is it, by any chance, a light-attribute item?"
"It's not light-attribute."
"…Ah, I see."
Jeon Gwang-il looked slightly disappointed.
Even if it was Player Bong, in this situation—selling an item that wasn't even light-attribute, when his head was already splitting—
"If you'd like to sell an item, you can go to the player shop staff—"
That was when—
Bang!
The meeting room door burst open, and a woman rushed in.
"Team Leader!"
"Ah! Player Nam Ga-eun."
"So you were here. I heard the U.S. might lend us a light-attribute item? I wanted to ask about that."
"Mm… we haven't received a firm answer yet. I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? I know you haven't slept, running around everywhere."
Clenching her fist, Nam Ga-eun shouted at him.
"Let's stay strong. If we get discouraged now, that bastard Yoo Cheol-min would be thrilled. Stay strong! And from now on, please call me Plan A. I'll take the lead."
Then she looked at Juhyeok.
"By the way, who's this?"
Flinch.
Jeon Gwang-il's expression stiffened.
How should he explain this?
The fact that he was an S++-rank conquest record holder absolutely had to stay hidden.
So—
"…He's here to sell an item. Probably something he got as a Tower reward."
"Oh! Congrats on the loot! You should go to the player shop, but—aha, you don't know where it is, right? Come on! I'll show you."
Grab!
Nam Ga-eun grabbed Juhyeok's hand.
"Eek—?!"
"Uh, w-wait—please let go of my hand."
"It's fine. Just follow me. Hang in there, Player. You've got this!"
This is dangerous.
So this is Nam Ga-eun.
It was fascinating.
How could someone be this outgoing?
So casual with physical contact.
Wait—
To sell an item at a fair price, its effectiveness had to be confirmed.
And if anyone could test it, it was her.
"Uh—excuse me, could you let go of my hand for a moment?"
"Oh my, sorry. I get a bit carried away."
"…It's fine. But I'll lend you an item, so… um, try using it."
Nam Ga-eun tilted her head.
"What? Use an item? I'd need to know what kind first—"
Shhk!
Juhyeok pulled the Holy Sword from his inventory and spoke rapidly.
If you speak fast, you don't stutter.
"It looks very worn, but its attribute is holy. The name is Tower-Exclusive Holy Sword of the Paladin Commander of the Roland Holy Kingdom. Against undead enemies, it increases attack power, grants Sacred Flame, strengthens mental fortitude, and boosts critical hit chance as well—"
The machine-gun delivery made her pause for a moment.
"W-wait. Please say the name again."
"Tower-Exclusive Holy Sword of the Paladin Commander of the Roland Holy Kingdom."
"…A Holy Sword? Holy attribute?"
"Yes!"
Nam Ga-eun doubted her own ears.
She'd heard of light attribute many times, but holy attribute?
And a Paladin?
That referred to holy knights, didn't it?
Jeon Gwang-il was just as stunned.
That's the item he was selling?
If that really was a Holy Sword—
"It says the user is imbued with gentle radiance. It should be able to counter Dark Aura. You might even be able to use it effectively up to the 67th floor… haha, if you have the talent."
Counter Dark Aura—That was absurd.
Nam Ga-eun finally managed to speak.
"May I check the item information?"
"Of course."
She took the sword from Juhyeok.
Jeon Gwang-il leaned forward anxiously.
"Well? D-does it check out? Is it really a Holy Sword?"
She nodded.
"Yes. It says 'Holy Sword.' The effects and traits match exactly what you described."
"Ah—ahh…"
Then he looked at Juhyeok.
"Th-then… you said you'd lend this to us?"
"Yes. Try it and tell me how it feels. You haven't cleared the 62nd floor yet, right?"
"…I haven't."
"Then go do it. Right now."
You don't know an item's true worth until you use it.
There was no way for him to enter the 62nd floor himself.
And since Kosak said it was even better than a light-attribute item, and that it could go up to the 67th floor, then the 62nd floor should be nothing.
Hopefully she'd give a good review after using it.
That way, he could sell it at a good price.
"I'll go right now."
※ ※ ※
Flash!
Nam Ga-eun entered the Tower.
[Entering the Republic of Korea Black Tower, 62nd Floor.]
[Physical abilities have been enhanced according to your level.]
[Traits and combat skills are available.]
The mission appeared as well.
[62nd Floor Mission: Defeat 20 Dark Zombies.]
[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]
[Completion Condition: Dark Zombies defeated 0/20]
[Failure Condition: Death or mission abandonment]
Undead.
Something that should never have been alive in the first place.
A Dark Zombie appeared.
Unarmed, yet with long claws and sharp teeth flashing, the tattered corpse rushed forward.
Would it really work?
The item description was accurate.
A faint white radiance overlaid both her body and her sword.
But whether this dim light could truly overcome the Dark Aura was uncertain.
Even dazzling, brilliant light-attribute items had been powerless before.
I'll have to find out for myself.
Focusing her mind, Nam Ga-eun gripped the handle of the worn Holy Sword tightly.
You can do this, Ga-eun. Just try it.
But something felt strange.
With the radiance enveloping her, the Dark Aura didn't feel that frightening.
Could it be… Steadfast Mind? Is that it?
She took a step forward.
"Grrrr…"
The Dark Zombie growled like a beast, warily eyeing her.
Nam Ga-eun moved.
Flash!
Using the Swordsman trait's distance-erasing skill, she closed in right in front of the zombie—
then swung the Holy Sword down with all her strength, from top to bottom.
Shrrrk!
She could tell the instant it cut.
Critical hit—a proper, clean critical.
The Holy Sword cleaved through the Dark Aura.
The raised claws were severed cleanly—
and so was the solid skull.
Fwoosh!
Flames ignited on the collapsing corpse.
Even death itself was erased.
[Dark Zombie defeated 1/20]
"..."
The kill count went up.
She had killed it in a single strike.
Did… I really do that?
She couldn't believe it.
All this time, she'd struggled endlessly just to take down a single zombie.
This sword… it was real.
The sword that man—who looked somewhat unreliable—had told her to try.
Honestly, even after checking the item information, she'd been half in doubt.
This wasn't something to sell for money.
No—could you even put a price on it?
If it was an item capable of preventing the Tower's collapse, that is.