China was still under a state of national emergency.
The chaos caused by the Liberation Rune Necklace had spread across the entire country like wildfire.
The Chinese Communist government declared martial law and deployed public security forces and the People's Liberation Army to suppress it—but it wasn't enough.
The liberated villain players no longer charged in blindly like before.
Instead, they used the necklaces in extremely cunning ways: hit-and-run guerrilla tactics, long-range sniping with bows and crossbows, targeted assassinations with minimal movement.
Senior government officials and Communist Party leaders were even afraid to leave their homes.
They had become the priMari targets of the Chinese Player Association turned secret society—the Resistance Liberation Players.
Beijing, China.
An emergency countermeasures meeting of the Chinese government was held in a heavily controlled location.
"The Party Secretary of Shaanxi Province has been killed."
"Cause of death?"
"He was attacked at home. An arrow flew in through an open window and struck his forehead…"
"Have you caught the suspect?"
"They've already vanished… but we're pursuing them."
Pursuing them.
But could they really be caught?
The Resistance Liberation Players were growing ever more covert.
They were organized and systematic.
But above all, the biggest problem—
"Their numbers keep increasing. At this point, we can't even estimate how many there are."
"Hah…"
"If this continues…"
"This is madness."
What should they do?
How many high-ranking politicians and officials had already died?
If things went wrong, the government itself could collapse.
If there were a solution, it would be to block Tower entry at the source—but was that even possible?
There was no solution.
Their insides were burning with anxiety.
No—there was one option.
The Mana-Sealing Scroll.
The only reliable method to neutralize liberation players safely.
If they could import around a hundred million of them, it might work.
"Those mana-sealing scrolls are produced in Pyongyang, right?"
"Yes."
"Have you spoken with Chairman Kim?"
"We've already contacted him, but—"
"What did he say?"
"He said distribution is exclusively handled by Korean companies and the Awakened Management Agency. They're only a subcontracted manufacturer…"
"Damn it!"
That bastard.
Kim In-jung had completely changed sides now.
He was firmly aligned with South Korea.
"Send an assassination squad and kill him."
"It won't help. Kim In-jung isn't the real power in North Korea."
"Ah! Right."
The most powerful figure in North Korea now was the Minister of People's Armed Forces—Kosak.
"Then Kosak…"
"Or we raid the Pyongyang factory and steal the printing equipment—"
"Launch a preemptive strike first."
But there were dissenting voices.
"No, let's not do this. Why choose the hardest path? We don't have the capacity for war right now. That would only delight the liberation players."
That was true.
Even if Kim In-jung and Kosak were killed, would mana-sealing scrolls magically appear?
It would only create backlash.
Stealing the equipment was also unrealistic.
They had already acquired and studied several scrolls.
The technology was impossible to replicate.
It required special paper and ink.
"Is there an alternative?"
"We need to bow our heads and approach the Korean Awakened Management Agency. That's the best option."
"Hm."
"Let's issue a joint statement from China's Emergency Response Committee apologizing to players and showing sincerity. Then the Agency may allow scroll exports."
"Grrngh!"
It was the only alternative…
But the problem was national pride—China as a great power.
This was practically begging.
A white flag of surrender.
But what choice did they have?
"What does everyone think? Reconciling with the Korean Awakened Management Agency?"
"… I agree."
"There's no other way, so I agree."
"I agree as well."
"Agreed."
"I concur."
Unanimous decision.
With all six Standing Committee members in agreement, only action remained.
"Then who will go as special envoy?"
"I'll go. I'll meet Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il."
"We need at least a hundred million scrolls. Otherwise it won't be effective."
"Yes, understood."
One hundred million scrolls—ten trillion won?
Money wasn't the issue.
The country itself was at risk of collapse.
Clang—
The Human Holy Sword, Bardin.
The same Bardin who once shouted "O Light!" in Gobang's hand.
He returns—at LSSR rank.
Juhyeok ran to the landmark building to welcome him.
The summoned beings followed.
Nervous.
What would he be like now?
What was the true form of their LSSR Holy Knight?
Soon after,
Bardin arrived in the landmark lobby.
"O Light!!!"
After shouting once,
he walked forward.
"Ugh, I can't even open my eyes."
"He's pure light."
"That's basically a searchlight."
"I told you before—undead would melt instantly."
Such radiant brilliance.
A nightmare for undead—but warm to Juhyeok.
It even felt like his body was being healed.
"My lord! This knight, Bardin, has safely returned after breaking through his rank."
Name: Lucius Bardin
Rank: LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare)
Ahhhh!
A holy knight clad head to toe in radiant silver armor.
But the flail was gone.
Instead, he carried a shield far larger than his own body.
That's right.
A holy knight uses a shield.
Still, just to be sure—
"Sir Bardin?"
"Command me."
"You're not going to be a Human Holy Sword anymore, right?"
"Do not worry. I have finally realized my duty. A holy sword is not my role."
"Oh!!!"
Wonderful news.
"Instead, my role is…"
Clack!
He brought the shield from his back to the front and—
Thunk!
Slammed it into the ground.
"I am my lord's shield."
At that moment—
Whoooooosh!
The already huge shield began to grow.
Bigger and bigger.
Enormous—large enough to block any external attack.
But—
"… Giantification again? This makes me nervous."
Bardin stood holding a massive shield.
And over there stood giantified Gobang, holding a colossal hammer in one hand.
One of Gobang's hands was empty.
Big enough to hold something enormous.
Like a giant shield.
"… Don't tell me Gobang's going to—"
"As I said before. I am my lord's shield. I protect only my lord."
… Whew.
Thank goodness.
He thought it might turn out like the Human Holy Sword again.
But Kosak seemed to think otherwise.
He smirked at Bardin.
"Old habits die hard. One day, he'll end up in Gobang's hand."
What nonsense!
"Absolutely not."
If that ever happens—
He'll revoke their housing privileges and exile both Gobang and Bardin to the Spirit World for a month.
It would hurt, but wrong is wrong.
Anyway, Bardin's rank breakthrough.
That made ten LSSR-ranked summoned beings fighting alongside Juhyeok.
A grand celebration was held on the 17th floor of the White Tower.
Everyone showered the transformed Bardin with praise.
He came holding a shield, after all—
With the sole purpose of protecting his summoner.
"Commendable. Use that shield properly."
"A warrior is proud of you, Holy Knight."
"Truly admirable. Please take good care of the young master."
"It seems healing energy is woven into that radiance as well. Stay by the summoner's side during Tower climbs."
"Congratulations, Adjutant Bardin."
"Hoeng!"
They still needed to examine his changed abilities.
The obvious changes were the intensity of his radiance and the shield replacing the flail.
There had to be more than that.
They'd find out inside the Tower.
So where to go?
There was something they needed to do anyway.
Opening the 84th floor of Earth No. 675's Black Tower.
To restock their high- and top-grade crystal reserves.
"There should be ore veins there too, right?"
One run for an S+++ clear.
One run to search for veins.
"Sir Bardin, as your initiation—let's run the 84th floor of Earth No. 675's Black Tower twice."
"I shall prepare."
"Yes!"
Juhyeok and the party took the elevator down to the 1st floor of the White Tower.
They needed to exit outside first, so they wrapped themselves in a Transcendent Concealment Veil and left the White Tower.
"… Hm?"
What?
"There's nothing here?"
Before, monsters had packed the area with no room to stand—but now there wasn't a single one.
Really none?
Just in case—designated summons.
Spot! Spot! Spot!
"Eh? Why does it feel so empty?"
"I know. We came out all tense, but at this rate, do we even need the concealment shroud?"
Gyeondalla waved her hands in protest.
"That would be absolutely unthinkable. You must keep the shroud on at all times."
"The fairy is right. One must always remain cautious."
Let's go into the Tower.
Together with the summoned ones.
Spot!
[Entering the 84th Floor of the German Black Tower.]
The environment here—
A snowfield with blizzards swirling through it.
Exactly the same as the Black Tower environment of our Earth.
But then, at that very moment—
"Huh?"
What is it?
There was someone standing right ahead.
Immediately, Bardin stepped forward with his shield.
Gobang enlarged his body through gigantification.
The Berserker Mage released crescent-shaped fighting energy.
Ziiiing! Mackenzie deployed a barrier to protect Juhyeok.
Juhyeok simply watched.
A sense of déjà vu washed over him.
"Feels like someone I've seen before…"
That's right.
Not a real person—a hologram.
An egg-shaped head,
no hair, no eyebrows.
Don't tell me—again?
"It's an administrator."
"Administrator."
"Administrator indeed."
"An administrator."
"The 675th one?"
"Why's an administrator here?"
"Lower your eyes, you bastard!"
"Hoat!"
All administrators looked the same.
The thing's mouth slowly opened.
[Bang Juhyeok, you've been running wild in someone else's world. Do you think this is your world?]
Huh?
That's rich.
'As if you're a local yourself.'
[The reason I came here is—]
"Don't tell me, the equivalent-exchange scale again?"
[You've tried it once already, so you understand well. We can communicate.]
"What are you giving me?"
[State what you want first.]
At that moment—
"This bastard's getting mouthy. While I'm being polite, start using honorifics. If you keep talking down to us, I'll tear you to pieces."
Ohhh!
What's this?
Kosak speaking clearly and sharply?
The administrator didn't back down either.
With a mocking smile—
[The master stays silent, yet the dog steps forward. I'll need to discipline you properly.]
'What?'
This insolent bastard.
Calling our Kosak a dog?
Don't stop me.
From here on, I'm going all out.
With ten LSSR summoned beings backing me up—
"Hey!"
[Hm? Are you talking to me?]
"Yeah, I'm talking to you, asshole! Who the hell are you calling a dog? Get lost. I don't need your equivalent exchange or anything else."
[...]
"Did you eat etiquette for breakfast?"
[... Why all of a sudden?]
"Get lost!"
[Are you refusing dialogue?]
Dialogue my ass.
"If you want to talk, apologize and use honorifics."
[What?]
"Use honorifics. Otherwise, I'm not listening."
I'll keep talking down to you.
[...]
"You not gonna?"
I'm leaving?
[Very well… let us proceed that way.]
"Apology?"
[I'm sorry.]
Opening move won.
How dare you step to a grown man?
[As stated earlier, I came to propose an equivalent-exchange scale transaction.]
"Not interested. Can't you just let me climb the Tower in peace?"
I'm doing just fine.
Why keep messing with me?
[… You know it yourself. This isn't a situation we can ignore. Taking Gigants to clear the Tower… and five runs per day—isn't that excessive?]
"Hm."
[There must be hardship for growth. For you, Tower climbing can't even be called hardship. It's nothing but play. At least some effort is needed to feel accomplishment.]
What nonsense.
"My Tower-climbing philosophy is freeloading."
[Yes. I'll let you freeload. You succeeded with the equivalent exchange scale on Earth No. 1,001, didn't you? Do the same here.]
...
My heart wavered.
Easy clears. Easy rewards.
Just imagining it felt good.
[The floor to be set is the 85th. Place what you want on the scale. The difficulty will be determined accordingly.]
What to do?
First, everyone gather.
They huddled together, whispering.
"Should we do it?"
"Why hesitate? Accept it right now."
"Put up a Rune of Trait Enhancement for sure."
"And a Dragon Heart."
"Why not ask for a bottle of Enhancement Elixir outright?"
"How about one ton of top-grade magic crystals?"
These people were going big.
What if we fail?
"So what? It's a Tower in a ruined world anyway. If it doesn't work, we can just quit."
… That's true.
Even if this Tower collapses, it won't affect our Earth.
'Go all in?'
But the Berserker Mage spoke up.
"Let's not overdo it. Only ask for what we can actually clear."
Gyeondalla nodded as well.
"That is correct. This is an opportunity. We must be able to take what we place on the scale."
Then—
"Rune of Trait Enhancement, okay?"
[I'll place it on the scale.]
"Three thousand tons of high-grade magic crystals, and one ton of top-grade magic crystals too."
[Placed.]
One more.
"And if we clear at S+++ rank, increase Platinum Badge rewards by tenfold."
Meaning twenty badges.
[Placed. Anything else?]
That was enough.
Ask for more and we might not even be able to touch it.
Dragon Hearts could be obtained by killing dragons.
Elixirs and nectar could be crafted by gathering materials.
Hold back.
We'd been greedy enough.
"No more."
[Very well. An excellent transaction.]
The administrator looked satisfied.
'I'm satisfied too.'
I'll succeed for sure and take everything.
"Just so you know."
[Yes?]
"Thanks."
[… Understood. Then I'll take my leave.]
Shhhhk!
The administrator of Earth No. 675's Black Tower vanished.
Even as he left, his face was filled with a bright smile.
Yeah, go ahead and smile.
We'll see who's laughing in the end.
Anyway—
"Don't you think I was pretty manly just now?"
Anyone would agree, right?
So some praise would be nice—
"Top-tier manliness. Absolute alpha."
"A paragon among magnanimous men."
"Young master is the very embodiment of a gentleman."
"You were strong from the start."
"Archmage Veronica Caliber—an exemplar for all commanders."
"You shall become the emperor who leads the Earth Empire. O Light!!!"
"There's no man like my master across all dimensions. Hehe."
"Hoee!"
Hey! Why are you all like this?
You're embarrassing me.
"We don't know how the situation will change, so let's finish this as quickly as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
Before it gets patched.
First, clear the 84th floor.
Using Archmage Bei's sub-light-speed rounds.
Ziiiiiiing!
Bzzzzzzzzzt!
Shudder!
Boom!
The Colossus Condor exploded.
[World Announcement: You have achieved S+++ Clear Rank on the 84th Floor of the Black Tower (Germany).]
[S+++ Clear Reward: 2 Platinum Badges granted.]
Next, repeat the clear.
Check if ore veins exist.
Of course they did.
Now we just need to mine them.
And then—
"Kosak."
"Yes?"
"You've got that ready, right?"
That thing that doesn't work on our Earth but does work on Earth No. 675.
"It'll be ready."
"Then let's go to North Korea with Rajiks and bring it back."
"Yes, sir!"
How many should we detonate this time?
Five should be enough, maybe?
We can adjust depending on the situation.
"Whoa…
My heart's suddenly pounding.
I'm excited.
When that explodes on the 85th floor of the Black Tower—
I wonder how the administrators will feel?"