Chapter 213

CHAPTER 213

There is a saying that the history of Black Tower conquest on Earth can be divided into before and after the appearance of the Supreme Player.

Before the Supreme Player appeared, there was hardly any need for explanation.
To humanity, the Black Tower was fear, despair, and utter darkness itself.

But after the Supreme Player emerged—
fear of the Black Tower vanished without a trace.

By conquering the true 70th-floor boss, Kabalon, the curse of averages was overcome.
Then the escaped true 80th-floor boss, Diamat, was eliminated as well, preventing any potential future disasters.

At present, he is the player who has climbed to the highest floor.
And not just that—he did it with an S+++ rank.
That is why he is the Supreme Player.

In truth, the reason he is called the Supreme Player is not merely because he reached the highest floor.

The Supreme Player was altruistic.
He did not stop after clearing only his own nation’s tower.

Not alone—but together.
“I’ll find a way. Let’s go up together.”

That philosophy began with the lending of holy swords.

Thanks to that, countries around the world were able to break through undead sections that were practically walls of lamentation.

And that wasn’t all.
He sold large quantities of tower reward items with special options—
at prices far below market value.
Players’ equipment improved dramatically.

On top of that, he developed Dream Resistance Kits that allowed safe ascents through the 80s,
and Mana Suppression Scrolls that prevented the activation of the Ring of Liberation.

Now, he even lends magic rifles designed for giant-monster zones.
Up to the 85th floor could now be climbed without much difficulty.

He also provided a safe conquest plan for the 85th floor.
If nations progressed smoothly to the 85th floor, they could stack more than seven years of Black Tower collapse delay per country.

How could anyone not be grateful?
It was only natural that the Supreme Player’s popularity soared.

Of course, some people raised objections.
Mostly jealousy disguised as criticism.

L: “Those holy swords and magic rifles aren’t free—you pay huge rental fees.”
L: “Exactly! He’s just making money.”
L: “And he’s already filthy rich, right?”
L: “Why act like it’s charity when it’s a normal transaction?”

But such complainers were very few.
The majority praised the Supreme Player’s achievements.

L: “Doesn’t it cost like 30 billion won to clear one floor past 81?”
L: “A single bullet costs 1.3 to 1.4 billion, so yeah, about that.”
L: “Back in the day, how much did it take just to sign a temporary naturalization contract?”
L: “At least 100 million dollars—1.3 trillion won, right?”
L: “Only 100 million? No way. You had to give land and economic rights too.”
L: “Compared to that, renting holy swords or magic rifles is practically free.”

Typically, players from each country purchase between 15 and 20 special bullets to challenge floors in the 80s.
That’s about 15 to 20 million dollars.

If it were a private transaction, one might call it expensive.
But this is a transaction between nations.

For stacking six months of Black Tower collapse delay, this price was extremely cheap.

No one thought it was expensive.
After all, special bullets cost money to manufacture.

L: “If I were the Supreme Player, I’d start at a billion dollars minimum.”
L: “Even at a billion, clearing floors 81 to 85 would only cost five billion total.”
L: “And what about China? I think even getting half of Mount Baekdu was cheap for lifting the mana suppression scroll.”

L: “Exactly. Half of Manchuria still wouldn’t be enough.”

China had extinguished an urgent fire.
As soon as the contract with Korea became public, the crime rate of Liberation Villain players dropped by nearly 90%.

L: “He even took care of humanity’s health with obesity escape bracelets.”
L: “Speaking of which, I succeeded in subscribing to the bracelet.”
L: “Oh! Congrats!”
L: “No more worries about diabetes, hypertension, or obesity.”
L: “Still, don’t get careless. It just makes health management easier.”
L: “By the way! Did you guys buy the Gigant No. 2 figure?”
L: “Sold out. Both standard and special editions.”

L: “Anyway, the Supreme Player is basically a god.”
L: “Who is he, really? I’m honestly curious.”
L: “If his identity gets revealed, it’ll be chaos. Nobel Peace Prize for sure.”
L: “Actually, I heard the Korean Awakened Administration got nominated this time.”
L: “Since we don’t know who he is, the administration might as well accept it.”
L: “Isn’t it about time to reveal him?”
L: “Well, we’ll find out someday.”

The Supreme Player’s popularity continued to skyrocket.
Along with it, curiosity about his identity reached a fever pitch.

White Tower, 17th Floor

Juhyeok stared at the unexpected scene in disbelief.

You really experience all kinds of strange things in life.
He’d only lived 25 years, but still.

He had just returned from repeatedly clearing the 88th floor to farm hardened Sand Dragon Hearts for their converted defector, Crackers—

“… Dad?”

No doubt about it.
It was his father.

The head of the Bong family, who had passed down weak-man genetics to both Juhyeok and his younger brother, Minhyuk.

“Is this real?”

It wasn’t that his father couldn’t come here.
He’d been given residency rights long ago.

But he’d rarely visited because the summoned beings scared him.
Same with Minhyuk.

That’s why Juhyeok sent a message this time.

Using his father’s hobby as an excuse, he told him a good fishing spot had opened up in the White Tower and invited him to visit.

The idea was that coming and going like this might gradually ease his aversion.

Honestly, Juhyeok hadn’t expected much.
He thought his father wouldn’t come—
probably choosing a safe, comfortable indoor fishing spot as usual.

But his father had come.
And he was fishing.

Not alone, either.
His father was chatting amiably with Farmer Dou while lowering his fishing rod into the reservoir.

Dou.
A man with an appearance that wasn’t exactly easy to approach.
No matter how excellent a farmer he was.

“Y-you became friends?””
“Yeah. This is my friend Dou. A real solid guy.”
“That’s true, but his looks—”
“Hey! You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.””

It was a mystery.

“You got close right away?””
“… Not exactly. I fainted a few times from shock.”
“A few times?””
“I don’t even remember how many.”

Figures.
There had been hardship.

Juhyeok could easily imagine his father’s reaction upon first meeting Dou.
Yet somehow, he overcame it all and became Dou’s friend.

It made sense, in a way.

The summoned beings his father feared the most were the Berserker, Kosak, and Gobang.

Even if they restrained their killing intent, the aura they carried was impossible to hide.

They were shaped by lives of battle—
martial artists, assassins, barbarian warriors.

Bardin?
A former inquisitor.

Veronica?
A former ranger soldier.

Even Gyeondallae carried a strict, solemn air that made her hard to approach.

Rajiks was the exception.
When Juhyeok had introduced the summoned beings before, Rajiks had made the best impression.

Dou had spent his entire life farming.
His appearance was grotesque, but once you got used to it, he felt reliable and steady.

“Juhyeok.”
“Yes?”
“Can I get a small plot of land here too?”
“Of course. A weekend farm?”
“Just as a pastime. Fishing too. Dou said he’d help.”

That’s great.
Now that he’d made a friend, even if he didn’t come every day, visiting the White Tower from time to time would be good.

“Oh! I have something to give you.””
“Hm? What is it?”
“Some delicious peaches just came in. Take them home later and eat them. One per person—however many people there are.””
“Are they precious?”
“Very! And don’t eat them all by yourself.”

So he gave him three Immortal Peaches.

After his father enjoyed fishing, exited the White Tower, and went home—

“Mr. Dou, thank you. Farming must be tiring…”
“Not at all. Summoner’s father. Kind. Good person.”

Dou had a good eye.
Even if his father was timid and timid, he really was a kind man.
That was the biggest reason Juhyeok’s mother had married him.

“Please take good care of him from now on. You know I trust you, right?”
“Trust appreciated. Will repay summoner’s faith.”

Watching from the side, Kosak felt uneasy.

Farmer Dou was frighteningly fast in climbing the ranks.
He now threatened Kosak’s position as second-in-command.

Not only was he responsible for cultivating Immortal Peaches, but he had also taken on the crucial role of entertaining the summoner’s father.

Had keeping an eye on Mackenzie been pointless all along?
The real tiger had been elsewhere.

Well—if the summoner was doing well, that was all that mattered.

Time passed quickly.

At last, the Immortal Peach had grown into a sapling.

Under Dou’s careful care, it was growing vigorously day by day.
Soon it would become a tree large enough to bear fruit.

Juhyeok’s party spec-up plan was also proceeding smoothly.

First, the Gigant engine core modification using the fallen Demon Dragon’s heart—
over 90% complete.

Weapons and shields were the problem.
Gigant’s equipment had been completely melted into scrap by the Demon Dragon’s breath.

But those were already being remade at the steelworks.
Since they had prior experience, production was progressing quickly.

Enchanting materials?

Those could be secured as well.

All that remained was to repeatedly clear the 87th floor’s Undead Bone Dragon and obtain two hearts that had been corrupted by dark energy.

This time too, they killed it themselves and extracted them.
Two didn’t seem like enough, so they pulled out four and handed them to El.

Next was Baek Danya.
Using multiple summoned-being rank-up runes, she was raised to SSR rank.

So—was she finally able to control the eternal ice crystal?

No.
Even after ranking up, nothing changed.

The moment she operated ice-based techniques, the ice crystal went berserk.
When that happened, Major Ver had to absorb the rampaging cold energy from Baek Danya.

“The problem is that the eternal ice crystal has spirituality. When her rank rises, it seems to grow stronger as well.”

The eternal ice crystal.
It grows together with Baek Danya.
A truly loathsome parasitic bastard.

“And it looks like it even shares the effects of Immortal Peaches. We’ll need to find another solution.”

Was there no way to completely separate that thing from Baek Danya’s body?
In the end, the only thing they could do was calm it through attribute absorption.

But even that had limitations.
Major Ver had to stay by her side at all times to absorb the cold.

“I’ve created an alternative. A cold-attribute absorption device made through magitech.”
“Oh!”

“Now cold absorption should be possible even without Major Ver staying beside her.”
“Hm. And the absorbed cold energy?”

“It’s stored here. So it can be reused later.”

Apparently, it would be used to manufacture cold-attribute ammunition.

“Sounds good.”

Recycling cold energy would be nice if possible, but for now, the priority was ensuring Baek Danya didn’t suffer.

Lastly—Crackers.

He had consumed a total of five hardened Sand Dragon Heart candies.
On top of that, he was fed one more Immortal Peach.

If Crackers evolved into a full-grown Green Dragon, they might be able to clear the 89th floor with an S+++ rank.
However, it would take time for the heart candies to be fully absorbed.

In any case, Crackers seemed to love living in the White Tower.
These days, he was completely absorbed in YouTube.

He said he was studying how civilization on this Earth had developed.
Even now, in his green-haired human polymorph form, he was staring endlessly at a tablet.

Kosak observed him quietly, tilting his head.

“Summoner Bong.””
“What is it?””

“That one seems suspicious.””

Suspicious?

“You mean Mr. Crackers?””
“Yes, sir! Something’s different.””

What do you mean?

“I think he’s already become an adult.””
“No way—just from eating a few hardened Sand Dragon Heart candies?”
“Please check.””

Surely not.

<Converted Defector: A Green Dragon who has recovered its lost power through sacred energy.> - Name: Crackers - Rank: **LSSR+++ (Legend Special Super Rare+++)**

…What the hell?!

“It’s LSSR. Plus three.””

Kosak sprang to his feet.

“I knew it! That bastard’s been keeping his mouth shut even after becoming LSSR.”

That was when—

Flash.
Ssshk.
Swish!

The summoned beings’ gazes locked onto Crackers.

At the same time—

Shrrrrrk!
Marie’s homunculi flowed out of the residential area like a torrent, converging on Crackers.

A chill ran down Crackers’ spine.

That’s right.
He had regained the power of an adult dragon yesterday.

The decisive factor was the extra Immortal Peach he had eaten.
The five hardened Sand Dragon Heart candies that hadn’t fully melted in his stomach—

The Immortal Peach’s energy dissolved them all at once, acting like a divine elixir and evolving him from a hatchling into an adult.

But he told no one.

Because this was exactly what would happen.

Ding!

<Marie>: A dragon heart. A clean, uncontaminated adult dragon heart!

Ding!

<Marie>: The last purple ingredient for elixir production is complete. You all know what that means, right?

“Extract it?”
“Right now?””
“Hm… there are eyes watching.””
“Tonight, then?”
“Let’s see how things go.””

The summoned beings huddled together, whispering conspiratorially.

Crackers panicked.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead.

At this rate, his dragon heart would be extracted.
Possibly even tonight.

They had already decided.
They would apply Summoned Being Rule No. 3, Clause 3.

Even if told not to, they would do it.
For the summoner’s safety.

There was no choice.
First—survive.

“Su-summoner!”

Crackers ran to Juhyeok in a panic and grabbed his pant leg, begging.

“Yes? What is it?””
“I have a wish.”
“What is it?”
“Please let us conquer the Black Tower’s 89th floor immediately.””
“… Right now?”
“Yes. I-immediately!”

It was possible.

“I’ll personally extract the free-contract dragon heart from the 89th floor. Please give me the chance. If not, my dragon heart will be extracted.”

Hmm.

Juhyeok glanced sideways at the summoned beings.
Their eyes were gleaming.

If he left the area, Crackers’ dragon heart would end up as an ingredient in Marie’s alchemy cauldron.

“I have to save him.”

Whether they could actually extract a heart on the 89th floor was another matter.

“Alright. Let’s enter the 89th floor right away.””

The summoned beings looked disappointed.
Their expressions clearly said they didn’t understand why he’d abandon the easy path for a harder one.

But he had to save him.
Crackers was a converted defector.

“What if the resurrection rune doesn’t apply to him?”

So they decided to ascend.

After heading outside and summoning everyone except Hyeollang and Dou—

[Entering the Black Tower of the Republic of Korea (No. 1), 89th Floor.]

What kind of enemy awaited on Earth’s 89th floor?
A dragon again?
Another corrupted dragon?

The environment was a vast lake.
Large and small islands were scattered throughout.

Ding!
The mission appeared.

[89th Floor Mission: Defeat the Mad Dragon, Hasphus.]
[Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]
[Completion Condition: Mad Dragon Hasphus 0/1]

What?

“… Mad Dragon? Are you kidding?”
“A crazy dragon?””
“A lunatic.””
“He’s insane.””
“A madman.””
“A mad bastard.””
“If it’s a mad dragon… the dragon heart should be intact. The brain, not so much.”

That was when—

“Krrrraaaaaarok!”

Their ally, the Green Dragon Crackers, transformed into his true form, spread his massive wings, and took flight.

A struggle for survival.

And thus began the conquest of the 89th floor—
 by a dragon, of a dragon, for a dragon.

Black Tower Control Room, Earth No. 1,001

The administrators noticed as well.

[The summoner has entered the 89th floor.]

[Really?]

Until now, he had been obsessively repeating clears on the 87th and 88th floors.

It looked like he was farming dark-corrupted dragon hearts and hardened Sand Dragon hearts.

Honestly, they were curious.
What was he even planning to use such useless items for?

[Did you warn Hasphus properly?]

[Yes. If he can win, kill them. If not, run away.]

That was the best course of action.
After all, delaying the clear by exceeding the time limit was also a valid defensive response.

But then—

[Huh?]

[Huh?]

[Huh?]

What in the world—

[… What is that dragon?]

[I—I don’t know.]

[That’s not Hasphus.]

[N-no. The color’s different. Hasphus is from the Silver lineage.]

[Then why is a Green Dragon coming out there?]

[I have no idea either…]

It was the result of a complete breakdown in communication between the administrators.