Chapter 221
CHAPTER 221
Earth No. 1,001 Black Tower control room.
The summoner’s ascent to the 91st floor.
The trait enhancement rune granted to him.
In the past, he would have been furious enough to half lose his mind… but strangely, his heart was calm.
What could he do?
There was nothing to do but watch.
Besides, obtaining the rune followed an entirely normal route.
A gift for players setting out on a Great Journey.
[He probably received it on the other Earth too, right?]
[Probably.]
Assuming he did, that makes two.
Well, whether he gets 10 trait enhancement runes or 100,
is there any way to stop it?
If there was one thing to regret, it was everything they had done so far to stop that bastard.
They never should have done that.
[We interfered for nothing. If we’d stayed still, it wouldn’t have come to this.]
[Right. All we did was give him even greater power through causality judgment.]
Honestly, the trait enhancement rune is nothing.
Having the corpse of an ancient dragon stolen, obtaining a dragon heart, and even recruiting a living adult dragon as a blood summon—
that’s what’s truly fatal.
Thanks to that, the Great Journey the summoner will undertake in the future will become much easier.
Of course, easier doesn’t mean guaranteed success.
[Did they accept the Great Journey mission at the No. 675 Black Tower? They didn’t here.]
[That’s impossible to know.]
[If we ask the other side right now—]
[At this point? They won’t even accept a communication request.]
That’s probably true.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that communication between the administrators of Earth No. 675 and Earth No. 1,001 has been completely severed.
[So once again, we just have to watch quietly?]
[There’s no choice. We can’t interfere with the Great Journey. Observation won’t be possible either.]
The Great Journey.
It begins on the 91st floor of the Black Tower, but the actual mission location is not the Black Tower.
The 91st floor is a kind of station.
It connects the player to the actual mission site.
That’s why it can’t be observed.
[I’m more concerned about the White Tower elevator than whether the Great Journey succeeds. Just how many floors have been unlocked?]
[Ahh….]
The White Tower elevator is a medium that connects dimensions to dimensions.
However, not every floor of every White Tower is connected to the parallel-universe “Earth.”
There are worlds that aren’t Earth.
In other words, there are floors belonging to multiversal worlds where the Black Tower never existed.
[Don’t tell me those floors have been unlocked too.]
[They probably have.]
[…..]
That’s right.
The summoner of this Earth is that kind of guy.
Always beyond imagination.
[Please just die.]
[All we can do is wait for him to die of natural causes in reality.]
[Natural causes? The Black Tower will probably be conquered before that.]
[What about dying in an accident?]
[Hmm.]
[This name reveal might create a singularity, you know. His identity has been specified, after all.]
The administrators didn’t interfere.
It was simply predetermined to turn out this way.
Soon, everyone will know the summoner’s identity.
And if that leads to conflict or strife?
[Well, it’ll be one of two things—he gets attacked, or he gets protected.]
[Which do you think the Earth summoner will face?]
The senior administrator designer of Earth No. 1,001’s Black Tower couldn’t answer.
In fact, on other parallel Earths, summoners died at the hands of fellow humans more often than they died in the tower.
If this name reveal led to that outcome, how wonderful would that be?
The summoner being eliminated by fellow humans.
But the summoner of Earth No. 1,001 is completely different.
He has grown powerful enough to turn the entire Earth into his enemy.
[World Announcement: Survivors, please give your most generous applause and encouragement to the top player, Bong Juhyeok.]
In a way no one had even imagined, Player Bong’s identity was revealed.
Jeon Gwang-il was on his way to a Sinchon pub according to Kosak’s plan when he heard the world announcement inside the car.
So shocked that he pulled over to the roadside, he made calls everywhere to prepare countermeasures—
and then received a message from Player Bong.
He said he hadn’t expected this either.
And that the reunion would have to be canceled.
That’s right.
The reunion isn’t the problem.
Jeon Gwang-il immediately returned to the administration office.
As soon as he did, Team Leader Lee Min-ah came running in a hurry.
“Director.”
“Oh, Team Leader Lee. What happened with Sinchon?”
“The National Intelligence Service just contacted us. They’ve arrested Jang Wan-seop on charges of threatening the top player.”
“Got it. Cancel Jang Wan-seop’s player registration and block his mana crystal sales.”
“It’s already been handled.”
And then—
“What about VVIP security?”
“Start by taking care of Player Bong’s family.”
“Mm, what about Player Bong Juhyeok himself?”
“Leave him be.”
“Pardon? Shouldn’t he be the top priority?”
“It’s fine.”
In truth, even his family doesn’t need excessive protection.
They also possess residency rights for the 17th floor of the White Tower.
If things get dangerous, all they have to do is shout the entry skill.
They need protection in another way, not physical security.
Psychological security.
For example, excessive media coverage, approaches from politicians, spreading false rumors through the internet or SNS, and so on.
“Double the internet and SNS monitoring staff—no, triple it.”
“Yes.”
“And warn the media too. Names can’t be helped, but if photos or home addresses get posted, tell them we’ll kill them.”
“Understood.”
Jeon Gwang-il’s concerns were spot on.
Internet forums and SNS were exploding.
L Shout it! Bong Juhyeok!!!
L Wow, Bong is his surname? As someone with the same rare surname, I feel proud.
L I know someone named Bong Juhyeok.
L What kind of person is he?
L Umm, if we go by MBTI, maybe an extreme introvert? Really timid.
L No way. Then it’s not him. Must be a namesake. There’s no way the top player is timid.
L Comrade Bong Juhyeok, truly a hero whose name embodies the spirit of independent revolution, right? Long live Juhyeok! Everyone, shout it!
L What if Juhyeok doesn’t mean independent revolutionary spirit, but literally “top player” itself?
L Hmm. That’s possible. Just look at the Pyongyang factory.
L Huh? You’re right. There’s even a rumor that Rajiks Trading belongs to the top player.
L It’s not a rumor. It really is the top player’s company.
L Then?
L Really? So “Long live Juhyeok” meant that?
L Why? Disappointed?
L You bastard, disappointed my ass. The top player is a warrior of the Democratic People’s Republic unification revolution.
L Right, even better. Long live Juhyeok!!!
L Long live Juhyeok!
L Long live Juhyeok!
L Anyway, Bong Juhyeok—his surname’s rustic, but his name’s nice. My son’s name is Juhyeok too.
L No photos of Bong Juhyeok uploaded?
L Why wouldn’t there be? But they’re all fake.
L By the way, what’s Gobang? At first, the top player’s name was known as Gobang.
L Probably a nickname.
L Anyway, once you reach the 91st floor, you get a trait enhancement rune, right? I should hurry up and climb too.
L You? If you’re elite, you might rent a magic gun and reach the 85th floor, but can you handle the 86th?
L Exactly. A phoenix is out of the question. The highest floor humans can reach is exactly the 85th.
L Haah, still, I want to reach the 91st floor.
L Even if I do, I’ll hand over the trait enhancement rune to the top player.
L Hahaha, if other players could also climb up and pool runes for the top player, I’d enhance traits 10,000 times.
**
The repercussions of the name reveal were enormous.
In fact, governments around the world had already suspected that Bong Juhyeok was the top player.
Only ordinary people hadn’t known.
But now, everyone did.
The media was moving to secure information about Bong Juhyeok.
People from politics, business, academia, culture—various fields—were also interested.
Who is Bong Juhyeok?
Where does he live?
What does he look like?
How old is he?
Explosive interest overseas as well.
Wasn’t he the key figure behind the safe conquest of the Black Tower?
Of course people would be interested.
Japan and India in particular showed explosive reactions.
After all, the player who filled the massive sinkholes was Bong Juhyeok.
United States Department of Homeland Security.
Director Antonio was on the phone with someone.
“Yes, yes, that’s what we understand. If you ever need our help, don’t hesitate to tell us.”
After hanging up, Macmillan asked him.
“Director Jeon Gwang-il?”
“Yes.”
“How’s he responding?”
“Other than reinforcing security personnel for Player Bong’s family, nothing in particular…”
“Hm.”
Macmillan frowned.
“What about Player Bong? They should strengthen security even if it means mobilizing the army. There are so many lunatics in the world.”
“He must have a plan.”
“That won’t do. We should park at least one aircraft carrier near Korea.”
“That’s a bit—”
“I’m worried about China.”
“Surely they’re not still out of their minds—”
No.
China must never be judged by common sense.
And isn’t it a country where the Liberation Rune Necklace incident still hasn’t ended yet?
The potential risk factors haven’t disappeared.
“What if they try to pull something using the Liberation Rune Necklace?”
“There are scrolls, but…”
“We shouldn’t overtrust the scrolls. We have to keep in mind that unexpected situations can arise anytime, anywhere, in any way.”
Antonio agreed.
Now they had to redraw their strategy.
Because protecting Player Bong was more important than tower climbing.
Japan.
The Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
Prime Minister Maeda personally convened a cabinet officials’ meeting.
“So it really was this person.”
“Yes. The owner of the holy sword, the supplier of tower hides—it was exactly the person we first predicted.”
“What should we do?”
“We need to take action. And prepare a compensation plan as well.”
“What should we give? To the player who restored the Mount Fuji sinkhole.”
“Well… I’m not sure myself…”
In any case, the revelation of the top player’s identity isn’t bad for Japan.
If anything, it’s good.
Because now they can change the negotiation channel.
By contacting the top player directly, without going through the Korean government.
“Prepare a press conference first.”
“Yes.”
But the White House was faster.
President Lloyd stepped forward with a press conference via a major news network and YouTube channel.
- We praise the achievements of the world’s top player, Bong Juhyeok. Regardless of nationality, he is a treasure and savior of humanity. The United States will extend its full trust and support to Player Bong Juhyeok.
- Furthermore, we issue a warning in advance to any forces that might attempt to threaten Player Bong’s safety. If such a conspiracy is uncovered, the United States will mobilize all its power to strike preemptively.
A declaration of full support from the United States.
Japan followed immediately after.
- In the past, Korea–Japan relations were marked by conflict and strife. On behalf of Japan, we once again offer our apologies.
However, there is someone who has transformed Korea–Japan relations toward friendship and mutual development. That person is Player Bong Juhyeok. We will address him with the utmost respect we can offer. Thank you.
Next came the Indian Prime Minister.
Then the King of the United Arab Emirates.
Then the European Union, led by France.
As if a floodgate had burst,
they rushed to release statements praising Bong Juhyeok’s great achievements.
At this moment, Bong Juhyeok had become the most frequently mentioned name in the world.
In Korea, and across the globe.
At workplaces, social gatherings, drinking parties.
Among college students, high school students, even elementary school kids.
Everyone was talking about Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok.
The next day.
Juhyeok took all the blood summons out for a full group outing.
Those with no visual incongruity stayed as they were.
Unusual appearances like Duuna, Rajiks, and El were altered using Craccus’s polymorph magic.
The Blood Wolf was also shrunk down to about the size of a poodle.
Even Mari, who suffered from severe social anxiety, came along.
She wore a hat, a mask, and sunglasses.
Still anxious, she stuck tightly to Juhyeok’s side, holding onto his hand the whole time.
The shut-in alchemist, Aliamari.
Wasn’t she an elf by birth?
Blonde hair and a slender face.
A tall, lean figure with well-balanced proportions, long arms and legs.
What would it be like if her face were revealed too?
Even Major Bae probably wouldn’t be confident.
Just her silhouette in modern clothing was enough to make passing men glance back at least once.
Anyway, with 17 people moving together including Juhyeok, it felt like a group of foreign tourists on a package tour in Seoul.
Swarm.
They rode the subway.
Swarm.
Transferred to a bus.
Swarm.
Walked on foot.
They visited Namsan, entered Gyeongbokgung Palace, and even went up to the observation deck of Korea’s tallest skyscraper.
Everyone was happy.
A world that hadn’t collapsed.
An Earth that didn’t even look like it might collapse.
After roaming freely and sightseeing around Seoul, they rested at the White Tower due to the blood summons’ manifestation time limits.
In the evening, Juhyeok summoned the blood summons again.
This time, the get-together was outside.
Partly to comfort Kosak, who was utterly dejected after his scenario ended in complete failure.
“I’m fine.”
“Oh my, are you sulking?”
“M-me, sulking over something like that? Now that it’s come to this, I’ll go with a different cliché.”
“What cliché this time?”
Surely not another scenario.
“The department store cliché. Wearing shabby clothes while browsing luxury goods, then some rude clerk comes over and says, please don’t touch the merchandise with your dirty hands.”
And then?
“At that moment, Summoner Bong pulls out a black card and says, there’s nothing worth buying here, then walks into the neighboring luxury store and pays for everything at once, and that rude clerk kneels and begs…”
Oh dear.
“Or how about this one?”
“What?”
“The holiday family gathering cliché. We go to a relatives’ gathering, and then uncles, cousins all come over with shameless faces saying, we’ve taken care of your family all this time so pay us back. Rajiks Trading belongs to you, Juhyeok, right? Give us some shares too. Then the Summoner makes an enraged expression…”
Is that a holiday cliché?
But—
“My father and mother are both orphans, you know?”
“…Yes?”
“They grew up in the same orphanage. So we don’t have any relatives.”
“Uhmm.”
“Let’s just go eat.”
“Yes, sir!”
The restaurant had been reserved in advance.
A large meat restaurant.
When they said a group of 17 was coming and asked for over 300 servings of beef by cut, it was an automatic yes.
“Alright, we’ll have chances like this often.”
White Tower banquets are boring.
Eating food prepared by others outside is better.
It’s not like money is an issue.
“Let’s give a round of applause to Mr. Craccus, who made it possible for us to roam freely around Seoul without worrying about prying eyes.”
Clap clap clap.
The dragon’s polymorph magic.
It was truly flawless.
The meal began.
Meat sizzled on the grill.
The drinkers gathered and toasted with mixed soju and beer.
And then?
Murmur murmur.
Voices reached Juhyeok’s ears.
“Huh?”
That’s strange.
“Did someone just say my name?”
Listening carefully—
“I really am hearing it.”
From the table behind, Bong Juhyeok.
From the table to the right, Bong Juhyeok.
From the table to the left as well—Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok, Bong Juhyeok.
“Oh! You’ve become famous.”
“Indeed.”
“This old man feels oddly proud.”
“This girl is somewhat worried. I fear mad scoundrels might defile the young master’s name.”
Well, so what?
They don’t know my face yet.
If my face gets revealed, I can just change it with polymorph magic.
Anyway, it feels like the whole world is calling my name.
And right then!
Outside the restaurant, some drunk person shouted—
“Long live Juhyeok!!!”
Clang!
What now?
Other people burst into laughter, raising their hands and cheering along.
“Long live Juhyeok!”
Ugh.
This is driving me crazy.
My face burned hot.
Is there anywhere I can hide?
This won’t do.
I need to leave Earth for a bit.
Take the White Tower elevator.
Should I start from the 2nd floor?