Tokyo, Japan.
A press conference by Pri Minister Maeda was held in the Cabinet Briefing Room.
What was the content—C-tier stuff?
Japanese reporters didn't show much interest.
Probably just the usual lip service.
Just like what other countries' leaders had done.
Pri Minister Maeda stood before the reporters.
Behind him, the cabinet ministers were lined up in formation.
"First of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate Player Bong Ju-hyeok of Korea on clearing the 98th floor. Japan, too, will spare no effort in providing full support for the complete conquest of the Black Tower's 100th floor."
An ordinary comnt.
Words that other world leaders had already said.
"As everyone knows, Japan owes a great debt to Player Bong Ju-hyeok."
An undeniable fact.
The pri minister himself had also received help during the attack by the Yakuza Villain Liberation Player.
"In the past, relations between Japan and Korea were not good. It is also an undeniable truth that there were many conflicts and disputes as a result."
Cha-cha-cha-chak! Cha-cha-cha-chak!
Cara flashes exploded.
"However, since the Minhyuk Party cabinet took office, relations between Japan and Korea have completely changed. We are overcoming the past and moving toward the future."
Pri Minister Maeda continued speaking calmly.
"Item support from the Korean Awakening Managent Agency's Player Shop, the loan of a holy sword in the Undead Zone, counterasures against the Villain Liberation Player through the export of mana-sealing scrolls, support for the Nightmare with dream-resistance kits, and ultimately the great achievent of clearing the 90th floor, which restored the Mount Fuji sinkhole."
The reporters tensed.
This wasn't ordinary.
It felt like a buildup to a bombshell statent.
"The Japanese people are mature. When we receive a favor, we repay it."
With what?
"I and the cabinet ministers have decided to cede all state-owned land and national facilities on Tsushima Island to Player Bong Ju-hyeok. Including the airport and ports."
A buzz rippled through the room, reporters whispering.
Of course it would.
Handing over Tsushima Island's state-owned land, ports, airports, and other key infrastructure—owned by the Japanese governnt—to Bong Ju-hyeok?
Tsushima Island.
Smaller than Korea's Jeju Island.
With a population of around thirty thousand—people currently living there.
Handing this over—does that even make sense?
One reporter shot his hand up and asked a question.
"Does that an Tsushima Island becos a Korean island? Does its nationality change?"
Pri Minister Maeda answered.
"That is not under consideration at this ti. And the recipient of the cession is not the governnt of the Republic of Korea, but Player Bong Ju-hyeok as an individual. An individual will own the land."
Another question followed.
"Player Bong Ju-hyeok is not a Japanese national but a foreigner. Is it possible for him to own such a vast area of land?"
"We can enact a special law."
"What about the existing residents? People live there."
"Nothing will change. The cession applies only to state-owned land. Even so, if the residents of Tsushima Island feel inconvenienced, we will provide full support and compensation so that they may relocate to the mainland along with land purchases."
"If the residents relocate, will that land also be handed over to Player Bong Ju-hyeok?"
"Well, I cannot give a definite answer under the current circumstances."
"Is your intention to hand over the entirety of Tsushima Island to Player Bong Ju-hyeok?"
"That has not been decided either."
"Why go this far?"
"As I said, he saved Japan. At the sa ti, we simply hope that the relationship between Japan and Player Bong Ju-hyeok will grow even closer."
With Pri Minister Maeda's declaration, all of Japan was thrown into chaos.
Opposition from the Japanese Diet, including right-wing factions, was fierce.
Ju-hyeok also watched Pri Minister Maeda's press conference from the 17th floor of the White Tower together with the summoned beings.
"…Why are they like this?"
It was completely out of the blue.
He hadn't said anything at all.
"Did anyone invade Japan and ask for Tsushima Island or sothing?"
The summoned beings shook their heads.
"Wasn't . Did the old man do it?"
"This guy? Heh heh, no, not this old man."
"Not the warrior either."
"This maiden also hears of it for the first ti."
"Huh?"
Right.
There was no way these people would do that.
"…Wait, don't tell ?"
He sent a text ssage on his smartphone.
Spot!
Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il appeared in the White Tower.
"About the Japanese pri minister's press conference—did the Awakening Managent Agency ask for land by any chance?"
"Ah…"
Jeon Gwang-il looked awkward.
"I—I didn't say it directly."
What?
So indirectly, then?
"Japan was being a bit irritating, so we were giving them a slight disadvantage…"
He continued explaining.
Even though they restored the sinkhole and helped with the tower conquest, the Japanese governnt had offered nothing but lip service in return.
So they delayed mass reservation approvals and, in passing, ntioned China's cession of Mount Baekdu to apply pressure—only for this result to happen.
"They bowed on their own."
Tsk tsk.
This is ridiculous.
"…What am I supposed to do with Tsushima Island if I get it?"
"S-sorry. I didn't think it would turn out like this either."
Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il's excuse—that it all stemd from a misunderstanding.
"I don't think so."
More likely, the pressure had been applied quite strongly, even if subtly.
From Jeon Gwang-il's perspective, territorial cession would have seed like a legitimate demand.
And in fact, that's how things had been so far.
Truthfully, Pri Minister Maeda was the most reasonable Japanese pri minister in history.
Reasonable enough to be called openly pro-Korean.
Ju-hyeok had even saved the pri minister when he was under an assassination threat.
They're neighboring countries, after all.
Maintaining friendly relations is far better than continuing a hostile one.
Well, it can be corrected even now.
Is there really a need to take land?
The White Tower alone is more than enough.
"Tell Pri Minister Maeda that Tsushima isn't necessary."
"…Yes, understood."
Right at that mont!
"Young master."
"Yes?"
"Please allow this maiden to speak for a mont."
Kyeon Dallae raised her hand and stepped forward.
"Why?"
"A great conflict will arise in Japan over this issue."
True.
It's not a few coins—they're talking about handing over land.
"This is truly a good opportunity."
"…For what?"
"To see how those wretches truly think of you, young master."
Hmm.
"If they know your favor and are truly grateful, then treat Japan generously. But if they are ungrateful beasts, then bestow rcy upon Japan."
Huh?
So if you like them, be generous.
If you don't, show rcy.
Isn't that the sa thing?
"To bestow rcy ans dismantling the Black Tower in Tokyo, Japan. Then Japan will be safe without fear of the tower's collapse."
"Ah…"
He understood what she ant.
Prevent Japan from mining magic stones from the tower.
However—
"Is there a reason it must be done?"
"Those wretches do not easily reveal their true intentions. On the surface, they loudly proclaim gratitude for the favor you bestowed, young master—but is that truly so? This maiden finds it doubtful."
Our anti-Japanese nationalist fairy princess Dallae.
She was saying she couldn't trust Japan.
"Just watch. Then you will see their true hearts."
Ju-hyeok nodded.
If he doesn't take Tsushima Island, that's the end of it.
Still, he was curious.
About Japan's reaction.
So he chose not to say anything.
The Korean governnt and the Awakening Managent Agency also kept their mouths shut.
As expected, Japanese politics plunged into a raging storm.
In the end, the coalition governnt led by the Minhyuk Party collapsed.
What did the divided Japanese Diet do?
They passed a vote of no confidence in the cabinet.
Pri Minister Maeda?
He imdiately declared the dissolution of the Diet.
Thus, Japan entered a general election.
A showdown between the Minhyuk Party, which supported handing over Tsushima Island's state-owned land to Bong Ju-hyeok, and the right-wing forces that were absolutely opposed.
Ti passed quickly.
The White Tower, overflowing with vitality due to population growth.
The start of a plan for rank advancent.
Ju-hyeok first began working on the mory-regression technique for the Lessezal summoned beings.
After that, he distributed one Seondo pill to each person.
With just that, their abilities increased dramatically.
It was a treasure more effective than any elixir.
Summoned beings below Lessezal also strove for rank advancent.
Even now, new summoned beings constantly ca and went from the Landmark Closed-Door Training Hall.
Once they reach Lessezal, he planned to apply the mory-regression technique to them as well.
There was no need to do it imdiately.
If they raised their rank through runes, their bodies would change accordingly.
But there was a shortage of runes.
With this many people, how could there not be?
So he even burned through all the accumulated Platinum Badge benefits.
From twenty-five benefits, runes for rank enhancent and rank breakthrough poured out… but it was still far from enough.
Well, it's fine.
Do you absolutely need runes to strengthen summoned beings?
There are many paths.
Just consistently eating als at the 17th-floor cafeteria is enough to rank up.
In the White Tower environnt rich with Seon energy, mana, and divine power, with crops grown by Douu, and food cooked by Chef Carlos in the basic cafeteria facility.
Is that all?
There's a thod just as direct and effective as runes.
Consuming elixirs.
There were those who had actually risen that way.
Geppetto and Diamant
advanced to Lessezal—no, even beyond—by consuming Royal Blood and the Heart of a Great Demon.
So what should be done next?
Just sweep the auction house.
If it looks decent, bid.
If it looks passable, bid.
Even if it's nothing special, bid.
Whether it's a finished elixir or raw materials—if it catches the eye, buy it all.
Martial arts manuals, magic grimoires, all kinds of equipnt—clean sweep.
A big spender at the dinsional auction house.
Earth traveler Bong Ju-hyeok.
Kyeon Dallae handled the bidding.
With piles of Choi-ma storage tickets stacked beside her.
And when sothing useful popped up—
Ding!
: Hey, a Dragon Heart just showed up! Chief Dallae, bid quickly.
"It says here it's a hatchling heart."
: I know, but we're not in a position to be picky about big or small.
"Understood. I'll place a bid."
: And buy mandragora the mont it appears. The more the better.
The other summoned beings were also seated in front of the auction status board.
"Ho ho, isn't that Azure Sky Oil?"
"Is that a good sword?"
"One of the finest elixirs. But it's expensive—one hundred thousand."
"That's fine. The young master has already ordered us not to spare the money."
That's right.
Why be stingy when it's about raising our summoned beings' abilities?
Spend as much as needed.
Ju-hyeok was also listing Earth items on the auction house.
Unlike before, he did it intermittently—once every three days, once every five days—
adjusting prices and recovering the Choi-ma spent on bids.
"Then place a bid on the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng as well."
"There's a unicorn horn too. Go for that."
"A Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Fox inner core just popped up."
"There's even ent bark."
If it seed rare, bid on everything.
They practically swept the auction house clean.
Dinsional travelers reacted imdiately.
What in the world is going on?
A whale is buying up all the elixir materials.
How was it in the past?
No matter how rare an item was, no one bought it.
Even setting the price to the minimum didn't help.
Now?
List it and it sells.
Even if you set the opening bid a bit high, it gets snapped up without fail.
The auction house went into chaos.
Inventory clearance began.
Let's sell everything while we can.
With that mindset, all kinds of rare materials poured in like a flood.
"Don't save the Choi-ma. We can always earn more."
Chunks of Choi-ma draining away.
Elixir ingredients piling up to the brim on the 17th floor of the White Tower.
'Hmm, did I overspend a bit?'
He'd spoken boldly, but at this rate he might burn through all the Choi-ma he'd saved.
And that was exactly what was happening.
'Guess I'll put buying a World Tree sapling on hold.'
He felt bad for Marie, but it couldn't be helped.
Right now, raising the summoned beings' ranks took priority.
Shall I go to the auction house?
Ti to pick up the items I won.
So he got on the elevator and was about to press the 5th-floor button—
"…Oh?"
A button he'd never seen before had appeared above the 5th floor.
'What's this? It's new?'
There was no number on it.
If it's above the 5th floor, that would an the 6th.
Ju-hyeok cautiously pressed the button.
Instantly—
Ding!
[Insufficient operating conditions. More information and influence are required to proceed.]
A ssage from the White Tower, God-White.
Insufficient conditions.
He didn't know what exactly was lacking, but—
'Which world does it lead to?'
Obviously another world, but if he was lucky, it might be the main base.
The place where the root cause of the Black Tower existed.
'…It's still too early.'
Charging into the enemy's ho base unprepared would be asking for disaster.
'Well, once the destination becos clear, I'll think about it then.'
For now, let's just retrieve the items.
Wheeeee—!
Arrival at the 5th floor.
He took out the storage tickets from the locker—Dragon Heart, mandragora, Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, and more.
Then he handed the materials over to Marie.
At the 17th-floor Integrated Workshop Center, elixirs would be manufactured.
Distributed to the summoned beings according to efficacy.
Then consud in the Landmark Closed-Door Training Room.
The summoned beings were growing at an explosive pace.
From Egg to S-al, from S-al to Ss-al.
Even Lessezal surpassed its own limits.
The rank-advancent process was proceeding smoothly.
But it's a bit boring, isn't it?
It's been a long ti since the last climb.
Feels like it's about ti.
"Shall we head up to the 99th floor?"
"Yes!"
Let's at least check what the mission is.
The 99th floor is practically the final floor.
The 100th is just the managent office.
There's nothing to worry about.
The threat of the Archangels is gone, the White Tower's influence has been strengthened,
and there's still one transcendent summon left.
The selection team was ford the sa as before.
After summoning all twenty-two in the penthouse—
[Entering the Black Tower (NO.1) of the Republic of Korea, 99th floor.]
[99th Floor Mission: The Great Journey Toward Completion – Ninth.]
[Do you accept the ninth stage of the mission "The Great Journey Toward Completion"?]
"Accept!"
Spot!
Ju-hyeok and the group arrived in the mission area.
The background wasn't much different, but—
"Oh…."
"This is insane. Totally wrecked."
"Did the Great Sage Equal to Heaven co through?"
Everything was in ruins.
Traces of what looked like buildings—now all shattered.
There was nothing left.
As if the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had destroyed everything.
No wonder the clear ssages kept popping up.
So the 99th-floor mission—
is it carried out here?
"If we follow this path—"
Ding!
The mission appeared.
[Main Mission: Destroy the Dinsional Energy Facility Control Center and the Teleporter.]
"…Two of them."
Two objectives.
One control center, one teleporter.
Let's go.
Boarding the green aircraft.
Nuclear warhead drop ready at all tis.
Shwaaaaak!
Infinite turbo blink flight.
It wasn't far.
The green aircraft arrived at the mission area.
And what needed to be destroyed was imdiately obvious.
"Huh?"
"Ah!"
"What?"
"That thing?"
A gigantic tree appeared before them.
At its base was a modern concrete building, and a massive trunk rose above it.
A structure unlike anything they'd seen before.
A fusion of tree and building.
And at the top of the tree, sothing like a long antenna tower was embedded.
"What is that?"
"A tree, a building, and an antenna—three-stage combination."
"It's grotesque."
"A bizarre hybrid."
The concrete building was probably the control center.
The antenna-like structure must be the teleporter.
Then what about the tree?
What role does it play?
At that mont—
"…Ah…."
A soft gasp ca from beside him.
"Huh?!"
Ju-hyeok was startled.
Because the one who made the sound was Marie—the shut-in alchemist elf with social anxiety.
"Marie, did you just speak?"
With trembling hands, Marie pointed at the hybrid of tree, concrete, and steel and spoke.
"…World Tree."
What?
Did he hear that right?
"What did you say?"
Marie spoke again in a clear, luminous voice.
"The World Tree. The Mother Tree. That is the World Tree."
The World Tree?
Then Mackenzie spoke up.
"Hmm, but it seems too small for a World Tree. According to legend, it's supposed to be large enough to hold up the sky…"
Marie answered the doubt.
"It's because it's still young. But why on earth is it like that?"
A World Tree that hadn't even fully grown yet, forcibly turned into a hybrid.
Pain seeped into her voice.
But—
'…Wow.'
For the first ti since being summoned, Marie spoke in her own voice.
She even showed her face.
She was stunningly beautiful.
Mystical beyond words.
Almost inhuman.
Snow-white skin, perfectly proportioned features.
Even with CG, you couldn't recreate sothing like that.
'So this is why people go on and on about elves.'
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