Chapter 218

CHAPTER 218

A U.S. White House security meeting.

President Lloyd, along with his aides and officials, was watching the sight of the Sinkholes in India and Japan being filled in through a large screen.

They had once watched live as the Black Tower near Mount Fuji in Japan collapsed several months ago.

And now that thing was being filled back in?

When the restoration process was replayed at ten times speed, it felt even more real.

The Sinkhole pushing upward from the inside, the hole beginning to narrow.

President Lloyd of the United States clicked his tongue at the astonishing sight.

Then he looked at Secretary of Homeland Security MacMillan.

“Because Player Bong cleared the 90th floor, right?”

“Yes. The causal relationship appears to be exactly that. Korea’s Awakener Management Agency says so as well.”

“Player Bong does all the hard work, and India and Japan reap the benefits.”

“Well, when has that ever not been the case? What country doesn’t owe Player Bong a debt?”

“True. Even for us, Player Bong is practically a benefactor.”

That was right.

Ever since Player Bong appeared, the very perception of clearing the Black Towers had changed.

Starting with the rental of the holy sword, all the feats he had pulled off.

Thanks to that, the fear of tower collapses had disappeared.

Now the Black Towers were nothing more than mines that produced upper-grade magic stones.

“Are Japan and India just keeping quiet and wiping their mouths clean?”

“Well. There hasn’t been any particular reaction yet.”

“Still?”

“They probably know they have to do something, but they don’t have a sense of how to go about it.”

“I can understand that. A few bucks wouldn’t even come close.”

Not long ago, China handed over half of Mount Baekdu to North Korea as the price for export approval of magic-sealing scrolls.

North Korea, as if it had been waiting for this moment, immediately declared unification.

“Shouldn’t Japan hand over Tsushima as well? It’s not like it’s especially useful land. It’s closer to Korea than to Japan anyway.”

MacMillan agreed.

“They repaired the hole torn into the mainland and even saved the Japanese prime minister’s life. Something like Tsushima is nothing.”

Then what about India?

Well, if they didn’t have land, they’d just have to make up for it with money.

Then, as if something occurred to him, President Lloyd let out a small chuckle.

“But what do we gain by talking about compensation when we’re not even parties involved? We can’t exactly say ‘give this’ or ‘hand that over,’ and if they dig in their heels and refuse, that’s that.”

“They won’t be able to refuse.”

“Why?”

“Director Jeon Gwang-il of the Awakener Management Agency isn’t an ordinary person. He’ll make sure to get something out of them.”

“More than anything, Japan and India will have to clear the 81st floor soon.”

“Ah!”

That’s right.

Who was the superior party and who was subordinate had already been decided.

Wasn’t there precedent?

China and Japan had once dared to provoke Korea and nearly ruined themselves.

“You said dragons won’t appear on the 89th and 90th floors of Black Towers owned by other countries, right?”

“Yes. Apparently, something like gigantic skeleton dragon-tooth soldiers will appear instead. Director Jeon Gwang-il told us himself.”

“So it’s easier?”

“Compared to dragons, it’s child’s play.”

How grateful that was.

He climbed up on his own, taking care of monsters that were otherwise impossible to clear.

The U.S. government was also planning to hold a press conference soon.

It would express gratitude for the efforts of the top player who had contributed to world peace.

“Are you going to announce it vaguely again as ‘the top player’ this time too?”

“Yes. Keeping his identity hidden is still the basic policy.”

“Honestly, we know who he is, but having to keep calling him just ‘the top player’ makes my mouth itch.”

The reality that they couldn’t say the top player was Bong Juhyeok.

“He still doesn’t want to be revealed.”

“If he were revealed, it’d be total chaos, right?”

“It’s beyond imagination. The media, broadcasts, SNS… they’d swarm like hyenas.”

“Yeah, that would be horrifying.”

“Director Jeon Gwang-il will handle it well.”

“Still, we need to be prepared for the moment Player Bong Juhyeok’s identity is revealed. Especially focusing on security.”

“Yes. We’re preparing.”

There is no eternal secret in this world.

Someday, everyone would know.

That the world’s greatest player was a twenty-five-year-old young man from Korea named Bong Juhyeok.

White Tower, 17th floor.

Landmark lounge.

He really hadn’t expected this.

He thought only Baek Dan-a was a blood-summoned being, but to think the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal was included as well.

A buy-one-get-one deal.

One plus one.

“Heh heh, even this old man didn’t know such a loophole existed.”

“You can tell just by looking, can’t you? The Ice Crystal also has a soul, and since it has a soul, it qualifies as a blood-summoned being.”

“But it’s not even human?”

“Couldn’t it have acquired a personality while parasitizing Baek Dan-a?”

That might be the case.

“Now I finally understand why the Ice Crystal appeared in reality.”

When you looked at it closely, it was simple.

“Two souls, so two bodies must be created as well. When the body was formed during summoning, the physical form of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal must have been created together.”

Either way, it meant the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal also possessed the qualities of a blood-summoned being.

He wanted to talk in more detail.

With the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal, that is.

At that moment!

“…Um, Summoner.”

“Yes?”

Baek Dan-a, who had escaped her frozen state and regained color in her face, spoke to Juhyeok.

“The Ice Crystal wants to talk to you.”

“Really?”

Perfect timing.

“How?”

“If you hold my hand and breathe qi into me—”

“Ah-ha!”

That meant they could communicate through qi and qi, just like earlier.

When Juhyeok extended his hand, she clasped it as if interlacing fingers.

Then she slowly raised her energy.

At that moment!

• I want to go out.
  
   

“H-Huh?!”

It wasn’t heard as a voice.

It was as if the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal transmitted its will telepathically.

• This one is too weak. She can’t handle me. That’s why it’s suffocating. Make me a body. Like a human. Then I’ll move into that body. I’ll behave myself. I’ll do everything you tell me to. I’m confident I can obey Summoner Master.
  
   

Wadadada—its intentions poured out all at once.

He felt dizzy, but he understood.

If he made it a body, it would move into it?

Wouldn’t a golem work?

So he summoned El and asked.

“Making a golem takes a long time. However.”

“However?”

“If it’s a homunculus…”

“Marie is a skilled alchemist. She should be able to synthesize a homunculus the size of an adult human.”

Marie’s alchemy skills were top-notch.

So he asked her.

Daring!

<Marie> : I can do it♥♡月月

Oh!

<Marie> : It’ll take a lot of various materials. A dragon corpse too.

As for materials, use as much as needed.

And so, the plan to separate Baek Dan-a and the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal began.

If the separation succeeded, what would happen?

Would it be recognized as a blood-summoned being?

He’d only know if the separation succeeded.

Anyway, the best possible outcome.

He would gain an invincible ice-attribute blood-summoned being capable of freezing even dragons.

Though, of course, the greatest achievement was that Baek Dan-a would be freed from the pain of seizures.

Rajiks Trading spreading across the world.

At first, it was nothing more than a company that sold bags made from tower leather, but now the company had grown explosively thanks to its obesity-escape bracelet.

No company that made computers, smartphones, or semiconductors could surpass Rajiks Trading’s revenue.

The company was overwhelmingly busy.

From entry-level employees to the company president.

Oh Jin-sook hadn’t seen CEO Jeong Dong-hun’s face in a long time.

He spent more days at the Pyongyang Black Tower factory in North Korea than at the Gangnam headquarters.

Oh Jin-sook was on the phone with Jeong Dong-hun on her smartphone.

“CEO, approvals are piling up. What should we do?”

– Uh, uh, I’m still in Pyongyang.

He meant he wouldn’t be coming back for a while.

– Jin-sook, you should head home for today too. I don’t know if we’ll be able to meet tomorrow either, but if not, we’ll handle approvals remotely.

“Yes, CEO.”

Oh Jin-sook left work early for once.

If the CEO told her to go, she should go.

Since things turned out this way, she made plans with a friend.

Lee Eun-young, her high school classmate and best friend.

Among her classmates, Eun-young was the only one she still kept in touch with.

After graduation, everyone had been too busy making a living, and they naturally drifted apart.

Among her friends, she was the most successful.

She was working in the secretarial office of Rajiks Trading, which was becoming the best company in South Korea.

Honestly, even she thought it didn’t make sense.

She joined as a general affairs intern with only a high school diploma, and now she was working as the CEO’s secretary?

She knew the reason.

There was no doubt Juhyeok’s influence was at play.

Just who was Juhyeok, really?

He was clearly an elite player.

She had once subtly asked CEO Jeong Dong-hun about Juhyeok.

Not directly—she’d danced around the subject.

But every time, CEO Jeong Dong-hun changed the topic and brushed it off.

There was something there.

He seemed uncomfortable even mentioning Juhyeok’s name.

And every time, the same thought crept into her mind.

Could it be the person she was thinking of?

The top player, that is.

So she decided not to ask any further.

If she wasn’t careful, the National Intelligence Service or the Awakener Management Agency might come looking for her.

“I need to watch my mouth.”

Lost in these thoughts, Oh Jin-sook arrived at the bar where they were supposed to meet.

“Jin-sook!”
“Oh, Eun-young. Did you wait long— huh?”

Oh Jin-sook’s expression twisted instantly.

There were several people there besides her friend Eun-young.

“Yo, Jin-sook!”
“Long time no see. You’ve gotten prettier.”
“Come on, sit down.”

They were people she knew from high school.

No—calling them friends would be generous. They were just classmates from the same school.

They were real troublemakers.

The kind who’d done every bad thing imaginable back then.

And she’d heard, through the grapevine, that they still hadn’t gotten their act together even now.

She’s still hanging out with guys like this?

It seemed Eun-young had kept in touch with them.

Should I just leave?

Her mood was completely ruined.

She’d planned to have a nice drink for once—maybe even hit a hunting bar afterward.

I’ll just sit for a bit and go.

So Oh Jin-sook sat down.

“I heard about you. Jin-sook, you made it big, right?”
“Made it big? Hardly.”
“Come on. Is that just any job? You’re the direct secretary to the CEO of Rajiks Trading.”
“Well, I’m still just a salaried employee…”

One guy in particular was trying way too hard to act friendly.

She knew him well.

He’d been infamous back in school—of course, for all the wrong reasons.

Was his name Jang Wan-seop?

“So anyway, why did you come today—”

Why are you here, making things uncomfortable?

I didn’t really want to see you.

“You know I stay in touch with Eun-young pretty often, right?”

No.

I found out today.

“I told her. Said I wanted to see you.”
“…Why?”

“Haha. I awakened.”

Awakened?

Jang Wan-seop wore a face full of pride.

Did he call her here just to brag?

“You mean… you’re a player?”
“Yeah. Level 15 right now.”
“Oh. I see.”

Even guys like this awaken, huh.

Well, awakening doesn’t screen for personality.

“I heard about you from Eun-young, and I had something I wanted to ask.”
“What?”
“Do a lot of Awakener Management Agency people come to your company?”
“…Yeah.”

Of course they did.

Given the nature of the business, they worked very closely together.

Oh Jin-sook herself received calls from the Awakener Management Agency almost once a day.

She’d even spoken directly with Director Jeon Gwang-il before.

“Jin-sook, I’m not bragging, but I’ve got quite a bit of talent.”

Don’t tell me—

“So put in a good word for me with someone you know at the Agency.”
“What kind of word?”
“Like… that there’s this guy with enough talent to get an elite contract.”

Now she understood why he wanted to meet.

He wanted an elite contract.

Through connections.

Pathetic bastard.

Granted, she herself had ended up in the executive office thanks to Juhyeok’s influence—but still.

“Then, Wan-seop, why don’t you just send your raid body-cam footage to the Agency? That’s how everyone gets contracts.”
“I already sent it. But I haven’t heard back yet.”

At that, the others chimed in.

“It probably got lost during processing. They didn’t even review it.”
“If they’d seen Wan-seop’s footage, it’d be an elite contract for sure.”
“Seems like you need connections to get in there.”
“Yeah, that’s how government offices are in this country.”
“Jin-sook, put in a good word for Wan-seop. You’re close with Agency staff, right?”

What nonsense.

Would the Agency really ignore a talented player?

Talent, my ass.

He’d probably been cut immediately during review.

Even if she were in a position to help, she wouldn’t.

Then Eun-young spoke up.

“Oh! Jin-sook.”
“Yeah?”
“Now that I think about it, didn’t you once say there was someone from our class who awakened as a player?”

Oh no.

Oh Jin-sook’s heart dropped.

That’s right.

She’d casually mentioned it to Eun-young once.

“You said you saw him in the lobby and were shocked, remember?”
“Uh, well… did I say that?”
“Who was it again? The surname was unusual… Ah! Bong! Bong Juhyeok, right?”

The expressions on Jang Wan-seop’s face—and his friends’—turned incredulous.

“What? Who? … Bong Juhyeok?”
“You mean that loser Bong Juhyeok?”
“That guy awakened?”
“I don’t know the details. Jin-sook said it.”
“Hah! This is interesting.”

No.

Don’t.

It can’t be interesting.

“Kekekeke, Bong Juhyeok is a player…”
“That guy going into towers and hunting monsters?”
“Funniest thing I’ve heard in my life.”
“I can’t picture it at all. That Bong-shuttle doing what?”

This is bad.

Oh Jin-sook was inwardly panicking.

“Hey, does anyone here have Bong Juhyeok’s phone number?”
“I do. If he hasn’t changed it, it should still work.”
“Call that bastard. Let’s see if he really awakened.”
“Now? He probably won’t pick up.”
“Hmmm.”

What should she do?

Should she warn them not to do anything stupid?

“Then let’s just make an excuse.”
“What kind?”
“Send out a group text—say we’re having a class reunion.”
“Eh, he still won’t come. He’s a total coward.”
“So what if he doesn’t? We’ll just have fun ourselves. Try it.”
“Should I?”
“Yeah. If he comes, we mess with him. If he doesn’t, we celebrate Jang Wan-seop’s awakening.”
“Hehehe. Alright. I’ll send it.”

Oh Jin-sook let out a deep sigh.

She couldn’t say anything.

If Juhyeok really was the top player—

If those bastards summoned him and tried something—

If the Agency caught wind of it and launched an investigation—

Her life could be ruined.

Their lives.

And hers.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have come out.

She thought her life was finally going smoothly.

This was the greatest crisis of Oh Jin-sook’s life.

What should she do?

White Tower, 17th floor.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal Body Creation Plan

They began work immediately.

The sooner, the better.

They started dismantling the Silver Dragon corpse that would be used as material.

First, peeling off the hide and skin.

Claws, talons, bones—all needed to be harvested.

If Marie successfully synthesized a human-sized homunculus using those alchemical materials, a new body would be completed just like that.

The dismantling didn’t take long.

The materials were transferred to Marie’s workshop.

By the way, Marie really has way too much on her plate.

Enhancement elixir production.

And now a homunculus to house the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Crystal.

Ironically, Juhyeok himself had nothing to do.

He was planning to halt tower climbing for a while.

So he was having an unexpected midday drink with Gwangma, Mackenzie, and Do-woo.

Then—

Daring!

A notification rang from Juhyeok’s smartphone.

He opened it.

Seeing his slightly startled expression, Kosak rushed over.

“Summoner Bong, what’s wrong?”
“I got a text.”
“Foreign text? From someone saying they miss you and are flying to Korea, asking you to pick them up at the airport?”

This guy!

Do I only ever get texts like that in your mind?

“It’s a reunion text.”
“…Yes?”
“My Taechang High School, 21st graduating class reunion.”
“W-what?! R-really?”

“Yeah.”

“Huuuuuh!”

Kosak screamed at the top of his lungs, his face flushed with excitement.

“Emergency! Emergency! Summoner Bong’s class reunion has appeared! A reunion!!!”

Blood-summoned beings swarmed in.

“I, Kosak, have been waiting for this day!”
“…Why?”
“If you succeed in life, the class reunion route is a classic cliché, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared the entire scenario.”

Then he looked at Rajiks.

“Dimensional farmhand!”
“Huh?”
“Go wash the Bentley first. And prepare a wristwatch worth about one billion won.”
“Huhhh?!”

Why are they making such a fuss about my reunion?

I haven’t even decided whether I’m going yet.