Chapter 248
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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China, Beijing.
A Supreme Standing Committee meeting held today as well.
However, this meeting’s atmosphere was completely different from before.
It was extremely harmonious and bright.
Because Wei Quan returned with good news.
“Wei Quan, is it true?”
“I succeeded. I finally got a definitive answer from Player Bong Joo-hyuk.”
Magic gun reservation success without providing nuclear warheads.
Moreover, he also formed a close relationship with Bong Joo-hyuk.
“Hahaha! Good work. If so, round when did he say renting is possible?”
“He said contact will come from the Awakening Management Administration soon. That they will adjust the timing and announce it.”
It’s done.
If Bong Joo-hyuk promised, the Awakening Management Administration will probably follow exactly like that.
“It is a victory of our diplomacy. We should raise a toast.”
“We must not become complacent here. We have to form a tighter relationship.”
“At this level, wouldn’t it be fine to provide a few nuclear warheads?”
“Heu-eum.”
“Merely for external show, of course, and using that as an excuse, inviting Player Bong Joo-hyuk to China too.”
It’s a good idea.
If the current leadership shows off their close relationship with Bong Joo-hyuk, it will also be a great help to regime stability.
“Wei Quan, you take care of pushing it forward.”
“Yes, I understand. …Ah right!”
Did he remember something, Wei Quan speaking to President Jin Xiufeng and the Standing Committee members.
“I met a noble person in Korea this time. I am planning to introduce her to everyone.”
An introduction?
“Who?”
“She will come here soon.”
“…What”
President Jin Xiufeng being startled.
Did I hear wrong?
“Sh, she’s coming here?”
“Yes!”
Wei Quan retorted nonchalantly as if asking what the problem was.
“Uh-uh, do you even know where this place is?”
“Of course I know. Isn’t this the President’s office?”
“Yet an outsider is coming to this place?”
“Hahaha, that person is someone who can go anywhere.”
What the hell is this?
Jin Xiufeng could not understand the reason.
Has that bastard Wei Quan lost his mind?
Does he even know what he’s talking about?
“…So I’m asking who that person is?”
“It’s the Queen.”
Right at that moment!
Beol-keok! As the door opened.
“Hi, boys?”
The people who opened the office door and entered were an unidentified young man and woman pair.
Jin Xiufeng and the Standing Committee members merely looking at them blankly.
They really appeared.
In the Chinese President’s office, that is.
Jin Xiufeng wasn’t even curious for what purpose those guys entered.
The thing he really couldn’t understand is…….
‘How did they come in?’
The place with the most heavily guarded security in China is precisely this place.
‘What about the guards?’
It seems they weren’t even restrained.
If they were, a commotion would have occurred, but there was no sound at all.
“Is there no one outside? What are you all doing? Letting outsiders into this place…….”
Jin Xiufeng yelling while pointing at the man and woman with his finger.
Then the moment he looked straight at the woman’s face!
“…Uh?”
What is it?
Jin Xiufeng stealthily lowered his raised hand.
Suddenly the world looks different.
Love, joy, peace, happiness, consideration, tolerance, trust.
All sorts of positive emotions.
Joy welling up full in the chest.
In a world this beautiful.
Why did I live squabbling to seize a handful of power?
The person to guide my life is right there.
If I just trust and follow that person, everything will be solved.
“Q, Queen-nim?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Why did you come only now?”
“Yeah. I was a bit late, right?”
It wasn’t just Jin Xiufeng.
Teol-sseok, teol-sseok, teol-sseok, teol-sseok…….
Without saying who was first, the Chinese leaders kneeling down.
Cossack clicked his tongue.
“Iya, as expected of a Great Demon-class Succubus, sir. The skill is definite, sir.”
“I didn’t apply a skill though? I was just standing still.”
“Then why are those guys acting like that, sir?”
“Because I’m so pretty?”
“Shut up, please. For someone who can’t even win Bong Summoner-nim’s heart, sir.”
“…Don’t tell heartbreaking stories.”
Great Demon Succubus Queen.
At this level, there’s no particular need to even apply a skill.
Because she fascinates people just with her presence.
Diamart wagged her tail and walked forward.
And with a sticky and sweet voice.
“Boys, will you listen to a favor of mine?”
“M, moving forward, please speak anything. Queen-nim.”
“From now on, dedicate China to Master Bong Joo-hyuk. Serve Master Bong Joo-hyuk as the Emperor and…….”
At that moment!
“Gal!!! What are you doing right now, sir?”
“Why? It’s much better to eat the whole country than nukes, right.”
“What would we do with having a Chinese land like that, sir? It just has a lot of people and is big in size, sir. Bong Summoner-nim finds it bothersome, sir.”
“Heu-eum.”
“Just give an order to move the nuclear warheads, please. To gather them in one place, so they’re easy to take away.”
“Got it.”
Then.
“You heard, right? Please. I need nuclear weapons. Give them.”
“I, I will give them.”
It was a too easy task for a Great Demon.
Since it ends just by making eye contact.
Cossack grinned (hi-juk).
Although I ended up not being able to cut off their heads…….
Well, how about it?
With this, one element threatening Bong Summoner-nim is bound to be completely removed.
* * *
The video unveiled this time.
Its aftermath has not cooled down yet.
Over-the-air TV broadcasting stations organized special programs and shed focused light on Player Bong Joo-hyuk’s play challenging The Grand Journey.
Looking at the video floating on the screen, the announcer asked questions to experts in various fields invited as panelists.
“The atmosphere is almost confirmed that Player Bong Joo-hyuk’s trait is Hero Summoning, but what are your thoughts, everyone?”
Panelists answering while nodding their heads.
“I also think so. It’s definitely Hero Summoning.”
“Right now, the game our son plays is a Hero Summoning RPG. Why wouldn’t such a trait exist in tower clears that are highly similar to games?”
“Viewed in that sense, Player Bong Joo-hyuk is a lucky guy.”
“Is there a need to say twice? Traits are clovers (gacha) too. You just have to draw well. A game of pure luck.”
Players depend on trait luck.
However, not everyone agrees.
“It’s a huge miscalculation to think of it as a game of pure luck.”
“What’s the reason?”
“During awakening, traits aren’t decided arbitrarily. They have a very large connection with the personality or talents players originally possess.”
“Ah, then Bong Joo-hyuk-ssi already possessed talent?”
“Isn’t it natural? A trait is a trait, but a player unconditionally needs talent.”
“That is correct. Also, even putting aside the trait, Player Bong Joo-hyuk is a very strong player. Something like that is exactly talent.”
That’s right.
Because the video of him catching the 88th-floor Sand Dragon alone is still famous even now.
For now, after floating the mood with Bong Joo-hyuk’s story.
The highlight of today’s broadcast program.
“No matter what anyone says, we can’t help but be interested in Player Bong Joo-hyuk’s summoned heroes; let’s talk after watching a video.”
Rajix’s appearance floating on the TV screen.
“It’s the most popular hero.”
“He’s cute. Is any more reason needed?”
“My daughter’s smartphone background screen is precisely a photo of Hero Rajix.”
“Hahaha! Mine is too.”
Actually, this program was not a program dealing with Bong Joo-hyuk’s active performances.
A hero popularity vote targeting netizens all over the world.
And the hero who took 1st place there is precisely Rajix.
“According to what’s known, he’s a worker. Because he is very competent, he is called dimensional farmhand.”
“Hahaha, Farmhand is a bit much.”
“He was known from before, right?”
“That’s right. Such as the Pyeongyang nuclear terrorism incident, or the incident of saving the Japanese Prime Minister.”
“Then let’s look at the next hero.”
2nd place is?
“It’s a military hero named Veronica. Her rank is Major and she’s said to handle firearms.”
“Heum, it’s understandable why she’s popular.”
“Yes, it is known that her popularity surpasses Rajix especially among men.”
“Actually, I also voted for Major Veronica but.”
Next, 3rd place.
“It’s exactly this person.”
“Oh! That’s unexpected? I thought it would be someone else.”
“He is known as Gobang, and has the nickname Meat Shield.”
“This person’s name is also a bit…….”
“However, he’s very macho. I also looked up the videos, but his destructive power, eohu! It’s fatal.”
“Look at those latissimus dorsi. Isn’t that practical compressed muscle?”
“His thick-lined appearance is also a handsome type, and,”
The rankings numbered exactly like that.
1st place Rajix, 2nd place Major Vero, 3rd place Gobang.
The mid-ranks?
Gyeon Dal-rae, Diamart, Baek Dan-ah, Man-nyeon, El, Mari in that order.
The confident-appearing Gyeon Dal-rae also had considerable popularity.
Female summoned entities were almost all positioned in the mid-ranks.
Actually, if Diamart had stood in front of people in reality without going through a video, it would unconditionally be 1st place but.
Baek Dan-ah and Man-nyeon were also popular.
Because seeing them cooperate together and handle work made them look like twin sisters.
Because El is a golem, not a human, and stay-at-home Alchemist Mari’s face isn’t visible, they were at the back of the mid-ranks due to those weaknesses.
And the bottom ranks.
Mackenzie, Dragon Crackus, Geppetto, Bardin, Mad Demon, Cossack.
They are all about the same.
Blood Wolf and Duu were omitted.
Because they didn’t appear in the videos.
Summoned entities going up and down on people’s lips (being talked about).
Their popularity gradually rose.
Businessman Jung Dong-hoon did not miss this opportunity.
After immediately calling Joo-hyuk to get permission, he went into figure production.
* * *
White Tower 17th floor.
Joo-hyuk went to the auction house today as well.
As he always did, collecting the topmost-grade mana stones earned through auctions, and registering new items.
Lately, the successful bid amounts are not like before.
The popularity of the items remained the same, but the prices plummeted to half.
An expected event.
Since he’s sweeping up the topmost-grade mana stones alone, the dimensional travelers’ pockets must have dried up.
And exchange items were occasionally seen too.
Especially things like tablets or smartphones filled with content, or portable game consoles too.
It’s not that Joo-hyuk doesn’t spend money either.
Among the items put up by other dimensional travelers, anything he thought was usable, he bid on them all, purchased them, and stored them in the warehouse.
Weapons, equipment, magic tomes, martial arts manuals, elixirs… even if not right now, since there might be a use for them later.
Topmost-grade mana stones were gathered step by step.
Various colored tickets filling up.
The final auction goal is the World Tree.
My chest is already widening (getting magnificent).
Right Immortal Peach tree, left World Tree.
Decorating the White Tower 17th floor with mythic-grade trees.
However, just the price of the World Tree sapling is two billion kilograms of topmost-grade mana stones.
Still far away.
There’s a long way to go.
Lately, Mari is secretly anticipating it.
The World Tree, which is the mother and identity of the elves.
If the World Tree puts down roots in the White Tower, she might be able to cure her chronic disease, anthropophobia.
Anyway, now one floor is left.
Parallel Universe Earth No. 675 Black Tower 100th floor.
The clear preparation proceeding smoothly.
Supply materials, and of course, even nuclear weapons supplement completion.
After the video of the nuclear weapons usage settlement was unveiled, various countries provided nuclear weapons once again.
They even drew their own national flags on the surface of the warheads.
It seems they were very proud that their country’s nuclear weapons were used in the Black Tower clears.
However, the topic lately was something else.
Namely, the summoned entity popularity vote.
Cossack, Diamart, and Crackus, who just finished dispatch duty in China and automatically unsummoned to return to the White Tower.
They found out after coming here.
The popularity vote results, that is.
“Still, I’m not last place. At this level, it’s a good defense.”
Crackus with a satisfied smile.
“I’m 5th place? Heu-eum, it’s meaningless. I just have to become 1st place to Master.”
Unenthusiastic Diamart.
On the other hand, Cossack reacted fiercely to the vote results.
“…D, does this make sense, sir? To think I’m last place! It’s evident manipulation, sir.”
The Mad Demon sneered while looking at Cossack.
“What manipulation! Who likes a guy whose eyes are full of killing intent? Still, you received a few votes at least, so you should be satisfied with that.”
Jji-rit!
Cossack’s glistening eyes.
“Killing intent? It shouldn’t be something old man Gwang of the mountain of corpses and sea of blood talks about, sir.”
“This bastard…….”
“What I cannot understand is Gobang, sir.”
What about Gobang?
“That simpleton is 3rd place? 3rd place? Rank 3rd plaaace?”
Gobang retorted calmly.
“This warrior thinks he is qualified.”
“Qualified? What qualification do you have?”
Gyeon Dal-rae answering with a strict and serious expression.
“Actually, this girl took out time to investigate the actual situation of the popularity vote.”
“P, please speak, sir, is it manipulated, sir? Did they mobilize companies, sir?”
“It was a fair vote.”
“…Nem (Yes)?”
Gyeon Dal-rae turned on a tablet and showed the number of votes by age group and region to Cossack.
“Sir Gobang received many votes from overseas. Specifically, I know there was explosive support from fitness enthusiasts.”
“…….”
That’s right.
Gobang’s solid practical muscle.
A wannabe for people who do fitness.
“And from women as well. Because he is tall and of the handsome rugged type.”
An attitude as if everyone agreed.
Except for Cossack.
“Crackus, Bardin, and Geppetto’s appearances also have quite some demand.”
Since they are a dragon, Paladin, and vampire.
“Old man Mae engraved his name in this unveiled video. He received the support of movie fans.”
“Keo-heom!”
Spot!
The shining spotlight on Mackenzie’s head.
The dignity of 10th place in the popularity vote.
“Mad Demon Elder pulled in votes from the elderly demographic.”
Showing off an old man’s vigor.
“On the other hand, Lord Cossack has no unique characteristics. Whether looking at your appearance or skills, aren’t you just a so-so summoned entity?”
Bi-teul-bi-teul (staggering).
Cossack slumped down with a devastated expression exactly as if stabbed in the core.
Teol-sseok!
Oh my.
He must have received a lot of shock.
“…If Farmer Duu and Blood Wolf were also included, I wouldn’t have been last place, sir.”
Is that so?
As if feeling sorry for Cossack.
Rajix toddled over and patted Cossack’s back.
“Hu-e-e-e…….”
Ah-ah-ah!
The warm consolation of Rajix, who shines brightly as 1st place in the summoned entity ranking and 1st place in the popularity vote.
“Go away, please. dimensional farmhand. I want to be alone, sir.”
It was of no help at all.
* * *
Time flowed quickly.
Now it’s time to conclude.
What about China, which hadn’t handed over nuclear weapons till the end?
Right on time, breaking news that broke out from China.
People perplexed by China’s suddenly drastically changed attitude.
Joo-hyuk knows well why they are doing this.
Since he was the one who sent Cossack, Diamart, and Crackus all the way to China whenever there was time.
It seems our Succubus’s skill was applied fiercely.
While calling her Queen-nim, Queen-nim, they probably said they’d dump everything on her, nukes and whatever else.
The Chinese leadership fascinated by a Great Demon-class Succubus, huh.
Well, what can I do?
It’s the 3rd clause of the 3 laws, they say.
“Bottom place in the popularity vote, this Cossack, will go receive nukes from China, sir.”
“…Please do.”
“1st place in the popularity vote Rajix must go together too, sir.”
“Yes.”
Dispatching Cossack, Diamart, and Rajix to China again on a business trip and.
After reliably filling the subspace with Chinese nukes.
“Let’s go.”
For now, it’s exploration.
Confirming what kind of method the mission uses is the primary climbing objective.
Currently, Joo-hyuk is level 100.
With 4 trait enhancements, the summonable personnel count is 20 people.
Soon, the Random Summoning cooldown returns.
It would be good to replenish one more summoned entity and enter but.
The problem is the Archangel.
That guy is coming soon too.
Rapidly completing the 100th-floor clear to raise the White Tower’s influence is the best.
Well, there isn’t a single handful of worry.
There’s the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal’s clone golden fur, and the Beyond Summoning skill too.
U-reu-reu.
Joo-hyuk and the party boarding the elevator.
The previously generated back door 96th-floor button has already disappeared.
What about the 100th floor planned for climbing today?
“There is no button, sir.”
“Must we enter through the normal method?”
“What if it is blocked again?”
“The White Tower doggy (whitey) will probably take care of it, sir. Or else 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the popularity vote can find a method.”
“…….”
At any rate, it seems the aftermath of the popularity vote will last long.
Anyway, let’s try entering via the normal method.
Riding the elevator to the 1st floor.
Let’s go outside the world of Earth No. 675 and recite the Entry skill.
Spot!
[Entering the 100th floor of the Black Tower (Germany).]
Arrived.
The environment?
It was a green hill.
A modern single-story building erected on top of that.
Tti-ring!
[You have arrived at the final stage of The Grand Journey.]
Final stage.
[Welcome to the Earth No. 675 Black Tower Administration Room.]
The 100th floor was the Administration Room.