Commissioner Park Gyeong-su was preparing to step onto the press conference stage for the first time in a long while.
He'd been under immense stress.
So much so that even the president—his friend and political partner—had suggested that he consider stepping down.
But now, the situation was different.
Not only had they overcome the crisis, they'd landed a massive counterpunch.
All of it was thanks to Player Bong Juhyeok.
An S++-rank clear record holder who had even brought back an absolute item capable of neutralizing the undead's dark aura.
South Korea had become a nation in possession of a Holy Sword.
Sure, Player Bong Juhyeok would be the one making the money, but the fact that the Administration would manage the rental process was an enormous source of power.
From the 61st floor onward, the Holy Sword was mandatory for any country.
Unless another holy item appeared, that was.
And even if one did appear, they'd still have to borrow it.
The difference between having one item and two showed up first and foremost in safety.
Which meant everyone had no choice but to watch Korea's mood.
Park Gyeong-su walked toward the press hall.
As the status of the Awakener Administration had risen, so too had the dignity of his stride.
Step by step, shoulders squared, head held high, he stopped in front of the podium.
"We'll take questions now."
Reporters shot their hands into the air.
Pointing to one of them—
"First, please explain the effects of the Holy Sword."
Park Gyeong-su answered while referring to a prepared document.
"You can think of the Holy Sword's core as one thing: radiance. That radiance neutralizes dark aura. Increased undead attack power, mental fortitude, holy flames, and increased critical hits are nice bonuses, but they're secondary."
"In the video, the radiance surrounding the sword looked faint. Is there no way to strengthen it?"
"That's something I also regret, but at present, there's nothing we can do."
Next question.
"The exterior looked quite old. The durability didn't seem very good—"
"It can be repaired. We have master craftsmen commissioned by the Administration, and our orichalcum stockpile is plentiful, so there's no issue at all with the sword's performance."
Next.
"Did the Administration purchase it? How much of the budget was spent?"
"We do have it in our possession, but it is not an item we purchased."
"Then?"
"There is a separate owner. It is not for sale—only rental is possible."
"Then what about the rental fee?"
"We will not disclose that."
Why would we tell you that?
There's no need to decide it in advance anyway.
Those who are thirsty will figure it out on their own.
The lender needs only one word.
Make an offer.
"Can we know who owns the Holy Sword?"
"We cannot disclose the owner either. The Administration will act as on the owner's behalf."
"Are there restrictions on item rentals?"
"Yes. Countries wishing to rent it must send their players to Korea and use it at a controlled location. There is also the risk of theft or loss, so they must sign a contract accepting full responsibility."
"Can individual players rent it privately?"
"No. Rentals are handled at the national level. The state must provide a guarantee."
"Are there any other restrictions?"
At last, the moment he'd been waiting for.
"Any country may rent it—except Japan. You all know the reason."
Commissioner Park Gyeong-su smiled brightly.
"Furthermore, we hereby declare that there will be no exchanges of any kind with Japan regarding the Tower going forward."
No reporter asked whether that was really necessary.
Only—
"Is this something that received presidential approval…?"
"Do you think I'd do this on my own authority?"
"…"
"Stealing another country's players is, in effect, no different from a declaration of war. Export controls? Diplomatic pressure? Try whatever you like."
And in addition—
"Depending on circumstances, there may be one more country added to the list of those ineligible for rental."
He was clearly aiming at China.
They, too, were desperate to poach players of Korean nationality.
In any case, the press conference came to an end.
Park Gyeong-su felt as though a long-standing blockage in his chest had finally cleared.
└ Damn! Another drink for this.
└ Anyone got a translation of Japan's reaction?
└ Yeah, I wanna know too.
└ Post China's reaction as well.
└ What's Yoo Cheol-min's Starstagram handle? Gotta go laugh at him.
└ It just got shut down a bit ago.
└ LMAO, what an easy guy to read.
※ ※ ※
A National Security Council meeting held at the Japanese Prime Minister's residence.
Cabinet ministers and senior officials were gathered, watching footage on a large monitor.
Video of Korea clearing the 63rd floor of the Black Tower.
Because it was body-cam footage in first-person perspective, they couldn't observe the overall strategy, but it was more than enough to confirm the Holy Sword item's power.
Carefully, using throwing weapons, the player lured out dark skeletons one by one.
Creating one-on-one situations, they were brutally hacked apart with the Holy Sword.
Skeletons wrapped in dark aura were cut down helplessly.
Their weapons and shields were sliced apart along with them.
Calling it the undead's natural enemy would not be an exaggeration.
This wasn't the first time they'd seen footage of the 63rd floor being cleared.
They had Yoo Cheol-min's clear data, and video provided by the United States as well.
But they had never seen performance as outstanding as what was in that video.
And what about the clear time?
Yoo Cheol-min took twelve hours.
The United States took nine.
In contrast, Player Nam Ga-eun cleared it in just two hours.
That's right.
Two hours.
And that was with cautious, methodical fighting. Had she pushed herself, a one-hour-thirty-minute clear would've been possible.
Can one item really make that much difference?
Shouldn't they have carried that item back instead of Yoo Cheol-min?
Silence filled the conference room.
The officials' expressions were grim.
Prime Minister Kawaguchi of Japan was no different.
They had thrown a bomb at Korea through that press conference—
and it hadn't even exploded.
Instead, Japan ended up catching that bomb.
"Holy attribute, you say. Then besides that Holy Sword, is there a possibility that other holy attributes exist?"
"As far as we know right now, that's the only one. However…"
"Go on."
"It's also possible that other countries possess such items but haven't disclosed them."
That's right.
There's no way that's the only one.
If you look hard enough, there will be more.
For now, it wasn't an urgently needed item.
Japan was only on the 57th floor, after all.
But their pride had been severely damaged.
They had suffered a humiliating disgrace.
The more Prime Minister Kawaguchi thought about it, the more his anger boiled over.
What?
They wouldn't rent the Holy Sword to Japan?
"Those damn Joseon bastards."
What greater humiliation could there be?
The approval ratings that had surged when Yoo Cheol-min was naturalized were now plummeting by the second.
"Damn it!"
He was getting anxious.
This was the moment when something—anything—was needed to turn the situation around.
"When did Yoo Cheol-min say he'd clear the 57th floor?"
"He said he'd do it as soon as possible. It seems he was provoked by the situation in Korea."
"Hm."
There were still forty-one days left on the 57th-floor deadline.
Japan had originally had its highest-level player attempting the 57th floor.
But that player had died in an absurd accident mid-clear, leaving them no choice but to bring in Yoo Cheol-min.
Originally, they'd planned to clear it with about ten days to spare…
"Should we just do it now?"
It might actually be a good idea.
It would help boost approval ratings, too.
"Fine. Clear the 57th floor quickly. Package it well and promote it aggressively."
"Yes, we'll proceed."
"Make sure support is thorough so the climb isn't hindered."
"Understood."
※ ※ ※
In Japan, apartments are considered communal housing for ordinary people.
The wealthy live in ultra-luxurious mansions.
And the even wealthier?
They live in grand, old-fashioned estates.
The kind with ponds in the garden and massive koi swimming lazily within.
The house the Japanese government had given Yoo Cheol-min was exactly that kind of place.
"Fuck!"
Yoo Cheol-min cursed as he scrolled through his smartphone.
The situation unfolding was the complete opposite of what he'd expected.
After naturalizing as a Japanese citizen, one of his daily routines had been visiting Korean portal sites to search for news articles.
At first, it was fun.
Broadcast news and online articles pouring out nonstop.
The Awakener Administration being criticized, the intelligence service and police being called idiots, everyone fighting and tearing each other down…
But what was this?
The situation had completely flipped.
They'd even held a press conference to provoke them—
Yet Korean news articles were filled with nothing but praise for Player Nam Ga-eun and the Holy Sword.
Of course, his own name was there too.
The difference was that every mention of him was pure condemnation.
└ I'll kill Yoo Cheol-min.
└ Is there any way to find that bastard's address in Tokyo?
└ Hope he goes bald and gets erectile dysfunction.
"Pathetic bastards."
Go ahead, spam your comments.
As if it affects me in the slightest.
Yoo Cheol-min had also watched Nam Ga-eun's clear footage.
The 62nd and 63rd floors.
Wait—were those places really that easy?
He'd been shitting blood because of the dark aura.
It was all because of that holy-attribute item—the Holy Sword.
If they had an item like that, they should've handed it over to him long ago.
If they had, he might've even considered not naturalizing as Japanese—
"If only I'd dragged things out a little longer…"
No.
Regretting it now would mean losing.
All he had to do was live large in Japan.
Since he'd already naturalized, he'd quickly clear Japan's Black Tower starting from the 57th floor.
Once he cleared it, he'd rise as Japan's hero.
The 58th floor, then the 59th, the 60th as well.
Let the haters struggle all they want—he'd be the victor in the end.
That's what Yoo Cheol-min believed.
He believed it without a shred of doubt.
※ ※ ※
After finishing the clear,
Juhyeok ordered ten tubs of the most expensive ice cream sold at the convenience store near his officetel.
Ice cream he used to deliberately ignore even when it caught his eye.
He'd really come a long way—Bong Juhyeok.
And that was fine.
There were over a billion won sitting in his bank account.
This time as well, only after Juhyeok took a spoonful did Gobang and Kosak finally open their containers and dig in, while Gyeon Dallae smacked her small lips, enjoying it too.
Having fought together once in the Tower, the three had grown noticeably closer than before.
Chatting warmly as they ate ice cream.
It was a nice sight.
He hoped they'd keep getting along like that.
"Truly, my mouth is being pampered. Such sweet delicacies—I have never tasted them even within the royal palace."
"Hehe, you'll be able to eat your fill from now on, Princess. Summoner Bong is so generous that he spares nothing when giving to us."
"Indeed. You must never forget the Young Master's benevolence."
"That goes without saying. You know that too, right? Right, Gobang?"
"The Princess is correct. I am loyal at all times."
Look at them.
Now they were even buttering up a fellow summoned being?
But then—
"Lately, has there been anything troubling the Young Master's mood? Other than you lot, that is."
At Gyeon Dallae's words, Kosak pondered deeply before—
"Ah! There is one thing."
"There is? Such a heaven-defying outrage—speak at once."
"There's a bastard named Yoo Cheol-min, some damned mangjong. That guy, you see—"
Kosak excitedly tattled on Yoo Cheol-min.
Gyeon Dallae's expression gradually changed.
"What!? What a vile, damnable wretch! A man blessed with great power should devote himself wholly to stabilizing the nation and loyally serving his country—yet he dares entrust himself to Japanese pirates? Truly absurd!"
Gyeon Dallae's pale face flushed bright red.
"Just thinking of Japanese pirates makes my teeth grind. I will not leave this man alone. He will pay the price, without fail."
"Well said. As expected of the Princess."
Then she turned to Juhyeok.
"Young Master."
"Yes?"
"Is it possible to obtain an item that Yoo Cheol-min used? It would be troublesome, I know, but please acquire it for me. I ask because I truly need it."
"No. And even if there were, I wouldn't get it for you."
"What?"
What was she planning to do with it?
He could guess.
This was one thing he absolutely opposed.
If he'd intended that, he would've sent Kosak to Japan in the first place.
He could slip onto a Tokyo-bound plane from the airport using stealth, snip off Yoo Cheol-min's head in one clean motion, tie a ribbon on it, and be done with it.
Kosak wanted that too, but Juhyeok told him not to.
There was no need to kill Yoo Cheol-min.
"He is one who has abandoned the path of humanity. If such a man is left alone, injustice will run rampant."
"Hey, then we'd just be going to Japan to commit an unjust act."
"…What?"
"He's Japanese now. Let's not interfere. As long as we eat well and live well ourselves, that's enough."
Then Kosak chimed in as well.
"Summoner Bong is right. Truly wise, as expected."
"Right?"
"Of course. Since the trash was taken to Japan, hasn't Korea become cleaner?"
"Exactly. Hahaha!"
"Hehehe."
He usually endured injustice if he could.
That had always been his life motto.
The complicated human world.
Even when it seems absolutely clear who's in the wrong, the roles of perpetrator and victim can switch in an instant.
That's why his mental gear was always set to neutral.
And above all, the most important reason—
He had no intention of doing anything to Yoo Cheol-min at the cost of sacrificing Gyeon Dallae.
She was a precious summoned companion.
"Sending karma flying has backlash, you know. Letting the Princess suffer just to deal with a piece of trash like that? I'm against it."
Kosak sidled right up next to Juhyeok and rubbed his palms together.
"I've known all along why you were against it. That it's because you're worried about the Princess—so benevolent, so wise, and the very best!"
Juhyeok's shoulders lifted slightly.
Indeed, well-timed flattery was sweeter than ice cream.
But Gyeon Dallae said,
"I am at a loss for words at the Young Master's consideration. However! What I intend to send flying is not flesh."
Huh?
If not flesh, then—
"I shall send karma ."
What's karma now?
"No matter a human's actions, one will eventually receive reward or punishment for them. Cause and effect, the turning of justice—it is so."
So?
"If karma is sent flying, the retribution simply arrives a bit sooner."
"Ah."
"If Yoo Cheol-min has accumulated good karma, then fortune will come. If evil karma, then misfortune shall follow."
Fortune and misfortune…
Just that much?
"…Is there no backlash from manipulating karma?"
"Only fortune and misfortune are determined according to the laws of heaven and earth. No harm will come to this girl. Please be at ease."
Well then—
"Now that I think about it, we really shouldn't leave Yoo Cheol-min alone. If he's abandoned the path of humanity, he should at least experience some misfortune."
At that, Kosak clapped his hands loudly.
"Summoner Bong speaks the truth! One who violates the path must be punished. That's why I was going to board a plane to Japan myself!"
"Let's do it right away!"
"Hehehe, as expected, your thinking is flexible. Such lightning-fast changes in stance—this way, that way…"
That sounded more like an insult than a compliment.
Glare!
When Juhyeok shot him a look, Kosak flinched.
"I—I was wrong."
At least he knew it.
This was why flatterers never met a good end.
Getting hold of something Yoo Cheol-min had used wouldn't be difficult.
The guy must have left his belongings behind at the house he used to live in.
That aside—he still hadn't checked what the privilege was.
When he looked at the thirty Platinum Badges in his inventory—
[With a cumulative total of 30 Platinum Badges, a privilege is granted.]
'What is it?'
[Privilege: An Item Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket has been added to the Tower-exclusive inventory.]
"Oh!"
A Skill Cooldown Reset Ticket!
Amazing.
Beautiful.
"What did you get?"
"Ta-da!"
"Waaah! That's a truly great thing. Congratulations!"
"It's all thanks to you guys."
"Oh my, you're embarrassing us. What did we even do?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hehehehe."
The atmosphere became cheerful again.
Just as Kosak said, it really was an excellent item.
His power came from his summoned companions.
In that sense, a skill reset was the ultimate reward.
Because it meant he could use random summoning one more time.
'Should I just use it right now?'
Nah, that would be stupid.
A skill reset was the ultimate trump card.
He'd save it for when an impossibly difficult situation came along.