The Japanese tower climbing department was in a somber mood.
Consulate Tomoda was no different.
He’d been promoted to the prime minister’s direct Tower Climbing Department Administrator, a core position of power, for his contribution in naturalizing Yoo Cheol-min – but what had it come to?
The very achievement that earned his promotion had transformed into a trap gripping his ankles.
So he couldn’t even make excuses when Prime Minister Kawaguchi reproached him.
“What did they say was the cause? Why repeatedly fail floor 57 in Japan when he cleared it just fine in Korea?”
“There was an issue with his condition…”
“Failed three attempts and you’re blaming condition?”
“He, he says he doesn’t understand why either.”
Prime Minister Kawaguchi was at his wit’s end too.
Public humiliation on live broadcast, approval ratings dropping daily, and the tower collapse deadline approaching.
“The phrase ‘a fish bone stuck in your throat’ fits perfectly. Can’t throw it away but keeping it is useless.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Forty days is absolutely not enough time. How will you take responsibility if Yoo Cheol-min doesn’t recover by then?”
“We’re working on solutions.”
“Tell me right now. It better be a plan that helps with tower clearing. Otherwise you might find yourself assigned to an embassy in Africa.”
Gulp.
After swallowing dry spit.
“We request temporary naturalization from the American government. Just for one week.”
“That’s… your solution?”
“I have some connections in America from my diplomat days. I’m confident. Please give me one chance.”
“Connections, haha.”
Prime Minister Kawaguchi sneered at Tomoda with disdain.
“More than me?”
“…Pardon?”
“I asked if you have more political connections in America than me, the Prime Minister.”
“Uh, uh, no, what I meant was…”
“Leave for Congo, Africa tomorrow. Or submit your resignation if you don’t like it.”
Stupid fool,
Did he think they hadn’t thought of this?
Official temporary naturalization requests require enormous payment.
Money alone won’t do it.
The nation must concede numerous rights and interests to the other party.
And they’d return to their home country anyway.
That’s why they secretly brought Yoo Cheol-min over in the first place.
Sigh…
Felt like being stuck in a swamp.
Actually, Consulate Tomoda had a point.
If Yoo Cheol-min doesn’t recover, they’d have no choice but to play the temporary naturalization card.
Should at least ask about the possibility before making an official request.
Making a big move to request temporary naturalization only to be rejected would be bad.
※ ※ ※
How do you enter a country with multiple towers when you can just enter directly for countries with one tower?
When the system message appears, you select and enter.
Like this.
[Please state the number of the tower you wish to enter.]
So America’s eastern tower is No.1, western tower is No.2.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security overseeing tower climbing pays more attention to the western tower than the eastern.
For similar reasons as Japan.
Because the western tower’s location sits on the San Andreas Fault.
If this collapses, the entire American West Coast is done for.
Even America’s current world-best player is clearing the western tower first.
DHS Secretary McMillan asked Tower Clearing Director Antonio.
“So, you want to borrow the holy sword?”
“Player Gerald keeps begging to try it soon.”
“Tsk tsk, understandable. His item addiction’s acting up again.”
“It’s currently the only holy attribute item, right? They say it’s quite different from light attribute items.”
“Floor 67’s deadline is still far off. Why rush to clear it?”
“He wants to repeatedly clear floor 66. For experience purposes.”
Meaning they want to verify the item’s effects even if they have to pay hefty rental fees.
Secretary McMillan was curious too.
When taking down floor 66’s Specter in the western tower, they barely made the time limit.
It was incredibly difficult.
Both for Player Gerald and the support team.
The eastern tower was cleared earlier thanks to accumulated experience.
What if they did repeated floor 66 clears wearing the holy sword?
How much would the time be reduced?
“The rental fee? Did you set an amount?”
“We offered a million dollars, but they just scoffed.”
“Hahaha! That’s your mistake. With so many countries wanting to rent it in the future, would they lend it cheap from the start?”
“I was just testing the waters.”
Even a single light attribute item has a base rental fee of 3 million dollars.
Decent ones go over 5 million.
“Say we rent the holy sword, what’s our maximum offer?”
“I think 10 million would be fine. If the performance is good, that’s still cheap.”
True enough.
And some countries can’t even rent at that price.
Japan, for instance.
“You can rent at a national level?”
“Yes.”
“Then rent it. I’ll make an official request through diplomatic channels.”
Might as well try it now.
To prepare for floor 67 clearing later,
“Anyway, Japan was wrong about this surprise naturalization business. Pulling such a stunt just to clear their floor 57? Most ungentlemanly behavior. Should’ve negotiated first.”
“The Japanese Prime Minister’s office actually contacted us.”
“What about?”
“An unofficial inquiry about the possibility of temporary naturalization for a DHS-affiliated player.”
Secretary McMillan smirked.
“Seems their naturalized player isn’t meeting expectations.”
“You know about the happenings in Japan too, Secretary.”
“Could be temporary maladaptation, environmental changes, plus psychological pressure from naturalization.”
Such cases are quite common.
How many high-level players die on lower floors due to psychological issues?
“They wouldn’t request temporary naturalization for just that. Must be surprisingly serious.”
“Hehehe, well then, tell them temporary naturalization is certainly possible.”
“The conditions?”
“We should milk them for all they’re worth. Could get the holy sword rental fee from Japan too. Draw out negotiations until the collapse deadline. We can get more when they’re desperate.”
While towers should be humanity’s joint response, international relations are anything but.
Just look at what Japan did this time.
“Anyway, now that we’ve confirmed holy attribute items exist, shouldn’t we acquire some?”
“Already sent messages to all domestic players. Said we’d pay high prices if they have items suspected of holy attributes in their inventory, or if they obtain them as rewards.”
“Good! Keep that going while we check the holy sword’s performance first.”
Item rental business has existed for a while.
Same with temporary player naturalization.
America also has naturalization specialist players.
Such things are only possible with built-up mutual trust.
Otherwise you wouldn’t dare try.
Accidents happened frequently too.
Like borrowing items then running after putting them in inventory, or temporarily naturalized players never returning.
But that’s completely irrelevant from America’s perspective.
If anyone tried such tricks?
They’d need to worry about U.S. fighter jets from aircraft carriers bombing them before tower collapse.
※ ※ ※
The day after clearing floor 32.
Juhyeok summoned all his summoned beings.
As soon as she arrived, Gyeon Dallae sat at the table drawing talismans.
Four in total.
She dipped the mirror needle brush in red ink and drew strange shapes and characters on yellow ghost paper.
“We just need to carry these?”
“That is correct. They are perception interference talismans. People will recognize us as human but cannot discern our true nature. They will merely think some ordinary person is passing by.”
Just hearing about it sounds impressive.
“My father, the former Emperor, often used these too. He would attach perception interference talismans and venture alone into the marketplace for secret inspections.”
Understandable.
How stifling must it have been for an emperor to stay only in the palace.
Juhyeok’s reason for doing this was similar.
Until now, the summoned beings only knew home or the tower.
Except Kozak who visited Yoo Cheol-min’s penthouse.
Come to think of it, he went to Smile Cash too without being asked?
He wanted to show them around Seoul.
Go out to eat together, sightsee the streets, play together at karaoke or PC cafes.
Actually, if he hadn’t made the elite contract, he wouldn’t need to go through such trouble.
Could just freely come and go from his old semi-basement room without worrying.
Though Barbarian Gobang would still be an issue.
But what can you do?
The contract’s already made.
“Princess, won’t people notice Gobang because of his huge size?”
“The perception interference will apply. He’ll just seem like a tall person. As long as he’s careful not to bump into anyone…”
Right?
“Gobang, be careful not to shoulder check people on the street.”
“Check? Something to eat?”
Exasperated, Kozak stepped in.
“It means be careful not to bump into people, you bastard!”
“Got it.”
Let’s try it.
See if the talismans work.
There must be clear limits.
CCTV for example.
Given the talisman’s properties, perception interference clearly wouldn’t apply to camera footage.
But well, not like CCTV is everywhere in the officetel,
At least none in the apartment and hallways. Only at building entrances and external surveillance.
A privacy issue.
Who would like others clearly seeing everyone entering and leaving their home?
Juhyeok put the talisman in his pocket.
Kozak too,
Gyeon Dallae too,
Barbarian Gobang too,
“Let’s go out now.”
“I’m very nervous. Especially scared Gobang might get caught. His size is no joke.”
“You dare doubt my sorcery?”
“No, just saying it’s possible. Don’t misunderstand.”
“You wretch?”
Juhyeok raised his hand to restrain them.
“Shh! Please be quiet.”
Gyeon Dallae and Kozak,
Their personalities were so distinct that they occasionally clashed these days.
“Let’s not fight among ourselves. My heart sinks when you two argue.”
The two hung their heads at Juhyeok’s reprimand.
“And Princess Dallae, please don’t speak rudely to Kozak. It seems problematic that you keep calling him ‘wretch’ and such while he speaks respectfully to you.”
“This girl will gladly accept punishment for disturbing Young Master’s peace of mind.”
Gyeon Dallae was born a princess.
Naturally she’d be used to speaking down to others.
But is this the Heavenly Empire?
Sometimes even he startles when she thunders out commands.
Might be good to humble her a bit now.
“Then speak respectfully to Kozak.”
“What?”
“Quickly.”
“Umm…”
A summoned being must absolutely obey Juhyeok’s words.
So after hesitating slightly, Gyeon Dallae opened her mouth.
“Mister Kozak. I think I went too far. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Yes sir!”
“However! I absolutely won’t tolerate any disloyal or impudent behavior toward Young Master Bong!”
“…Yes.”
Wow!
Still unbending.
Must be her nature.
Now let’s really go out.
Juhyeok opened the officetel door and went outside.
The three followed.
They took the elevator down to the first floor and passed by the security office where guards gathered…
Huh?
They really don’t notice?
Wow!
Usually when an elite player goes out, they’d immediately ask where he’s going and offer to escort him.
They must perceive him as a regular resident.
This officetel houses many elite players, regular contract players, and even ordinary people.
But better wait until we’re completely out.
“Keep up the good work.”
“Yes.”
Confirmed.
The perception interference talisman.
This is amazing.
Feels strange.
No one looked at them oddly.
“This is truly amazing, Princess Dallae.”
“It’s not a difficult matter.”
“The talisman’s effect is incredible. Truly worthy of SSR.”
“You think so?”
Gyeon Dallae smiled proudly at the praise.
Kozak too,
“So cool. Summoner Bong has acknowledged you. Amazing!”
Gyeon Dallae responded to Kozak’s words with an odd smile.
“Mister Kozak, I appreciate the praise, but you too should strive ever forward. Sweet words that tickle the ears can please Young Master Bong, but sometimes providing practical help is the true way to serve him.”
“…Y-yes, sir.”
Oh boy.
Hit the nail on the head.
The implied meaning would be:
Kozak, what exactly do you do?
What else besides flattery?
Don’t just get by with words, do something helpful.
Better than thundering commands.
That must hurt more.
Maybe shouldn’t have told her to be respectful?
Wonder if there are other possible talismans?
For example,
“Um, are there talismans for good health?”
“Of course. There are health talismans. They allow one to live without minor ailments within their destined lifespan.”
Oh!
“Later, just three…”
“Simply give the command.”
For Father, Mother, and little brother.
“How about luck?”
“We have those. Though the effect isn’t very strong, only applying to minor luck.”
“Three of those too.”
“Understood.”
Ah!
Seeing Gyeon Dallae in a new light.
She’s a complete treasure trove.
Regrets.
Why did he scold her earlier?
Honestly, Kozak deserved the scolding.
Just flattering like some bootlicker.
“Just one more question.”
“Yes?”
“Uh… well… um, is there a talisman for getting a girlfriend?”
“You mean a destiny talisman? It increases the probability of finding a life partner. I shall write one for you.”
“I see. …I asked because I wanted to give it to my brother, not because I need it.”
“…”
“Really!”
Kozak quickly jumped in.
“That’s right. Of course it’s for your brother. Why would Summoner Bong need a destiny talisman? Your mere existence radiates divine light. If I were a woman, I’d ask you out immediately. Hehehe.”
Nod nod.
Kozak does have good judgment after all.
Sometimes he can be quite wise.
Anyway, thanks to this he could comfortably walk the streets of Seoul with his three summoned beings.
Juhyeok and company strolled around sightseeing like country folk.
Gobang, warned beforehand, trudged along avoiding people, when.
“Hey! That’s the road!”
“This is widest.”
“You’ll crash into something!”
“Warriors are sturdy.”
“I’m not worried about you! I’m worried about the car that hits you getting totaled.”
Gobang scratched his head and moved to the sidewalk.
Kozak seemed familiar with modern conveniences, knowing the distinction between road and sidewalk well.
“Kozak, was the world you were summoned to before like this too?”
“Yes. Similar but nothing was intact. Buildings were collapsed, cars were rusted. First time seeing cars actually running was in this world.”
“Ah.”
He said it was a ruined world, right?
Gyeon Dallae also calmly observed Seoul’s streets.
And the passing people too.
“Everyone lives so busily. They seem to lack composure.”
“This world is always like this.”
“Abundant, yet people’s hearts seem poor.”
Been hitting the mark since earlier.
Anyway, since we’re out, let’s wander freely.
Actually this was Juhyeok’s first time too.
Having this experience of roaming streets with friends(?).
And what friends were they?
A cold-blooded assassin, a barbarian warrior, and an imperial chief priestess.
“What do we do now?”
“Let’s go eat meat. Beef!”
“Ohhh! Expensive meat. I’ll eat mindfully.”
“You can eat plenty.”
“But, Gobang’s here too…”
“Whatever! Let’s order lots. Hey, don’t hold back!”
“Great! I trust you, Summoner Bong!”
How much could they eat,
They’ll probably get sick of it if they eat too much.