Chapter 288

CHAPTER 288

After finishing the satellite call with Kosak, Juhyeok got on the elevator.
Something big had happened, and it needed to be dealt with quickly.

He arrived on the 17th floor of the White Tower and sent a message on his smartphone.
Spot!
In an instant, Chairman Kim In-jung of North Korea from Earth No. 1001 appeared.

“I greet you with respect, Comrade Bong Summoner.”
“Welcome.”

Kim In-jung approached hesitantly, glancing around.

“It feels rather empty here. Where did everyone go?”
“They’re on Earth No. 843.”
“Ah….”

Juhyeok had seen photos of Chairman Kim Il-jung of Earth No. 843 before.
Compared to Kim In-jung—

They’re identical.

This one was a bit slimmer, sure,
but it wouldn’t be noticeable.

“Um, Chairman Kim In-jung?”
“Please speak.”
“How have things been lately? Are you busy?”
“Not at all. I’m just taking it easy. As for unification, the special committee handles everything.”

Perfect.
That meant he could leave his seat for a while.

Juhyeok started gently.

“You saw the other North Korean leader’s face in that video message before, right?”
“I did. I was shocked by how identical he looked.”
“Then… would you be able to go to Earth No. 843?”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“North Korea over there. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
“…Pardon?”

It was a sudden proposal.
Go to Earth No. 843?
Even if it was another North Korea, it was unfamiliar territory.

More importantly—

“Doesn’t that North Korea also have a chairman who looks exactly like me?”
“It does… ah, well. It did?”

“I’ve heard that if you meet someone identical to yourself, you die.”
“Ah! You know that story. Yes, I’ve heard such rumors too.”
“Then what happens if I go there and we meet?”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

Juhyeok leaned close and whispered near his ear.

“That man is dead. Even if you wanted to see him, you can’t.”
“…What?”

Kim In-jung jolted in shock.
Dead?
Why?
If the supreme leader of a state died—

“D-did a rebellion break out?”
“No.”
“Then how…?”

There was no helping it.
Juhyeok told him the truth.

“Mr. Kosak caused an incident. With a sword—well… anyway, he’s dead.”

“He said he tried to persuade him, but that man was extremely cruel. No hope of rehabilitation.”

Kim In-jung swallowed hard.
Goosebumps ran up his spine, cold sweat sliding down his cheeks.

He had forgotten, all this time, just how terrifying the people of the White Tower were.

Thinking back—
they had seized control of their republic by staging ‘accidents’ to eliminate party officials,
gone to China and detonated nuclear strikes against leadership,
gone to Japan and killed Self-Defense Force commanders…

He himself had nearly died.
He’d survived only because he’d been useful.
Perhaps his survival until now was sheer luck.

And yet—

He says he trusts me?

At the very least, this man acknowledged him.
And entrusted him with an important role.

To be honest, whether it was Kosak, some terrifying old man, or a vampire—it didn’t matter.
There was only one person he needed to impress.

The man standing right in front of him.
Player Bong Juhyeok—the one everyone chanted praises for.

As long as I stay in his good graces, I live.

“No one will dare touch me.”

I have to do this.

Pretending to be the leader of North Korea on Earth No. 843?
That was doable.

Someone identical to him in a parallel universe had died?
So what?
They were practically strangers.

“I… I understand. I will offer this body in service to Player Bong Juhyeok.”
“Then let’s depart now.”
“W-what? Right now?”
“The situation’s urgent.”

While they were at it, Juhyeok issued him permanent residency rights.
Then he boarded the elevator together with Chairman Kim.

…

Did he realize it, or not?
That he was about to become the first ordinary person to cross dimensions?

And so—
Screeeeech!
The ultra-fast flying dragon Crackersus streaked through the skies above Pyongyang of Earth No. 843.

With interference talismans plastered all over it, it looked like nothing more than a bird in flight.

Inside the ultra-high-speed green aircraft were Juhyeok, the summoned ones, and Chairman Kim In-jung.

They descended over Pyongyang.
Mackenzie carried Kim In-jung, Diamat hugged Juhyeok,
the Mad Demon carried Rajiks while running on air,
and Gyeondallae floated down like a celestial maiden.

Tap tap!
They landed at the entrance of an underground bunker near the Kumsusan Palace.
Kosak had already provided the location.

Diamat’s wide-area dream domain was already active.
With glassy eyes, the guards obediently opened the doors.

Step by step, they descended into the bunker and pushed open the office door.
A metallic stench of blood assaulted their noses.

Ugh. The smell of blood.

“Hehehe, I’ve been waiting.”

Kosak came trotting over.

“Tsk. Causing trouble everywhere—what’s so funny?”
“But it worked out, didn’t it? A blessing in disguise.”
“You damn bastard!”
“Truly vulgar. Still, since you accomplished something, I’ll let it slide this time.”

Juhyeok could only sigh.

Heads were scattered everywhere.
Red ribbons tied around them made the scene even more grotesque.

Chairman Kim In-jung, who’d come to serve as a stand-in, shivered and closed his eyes tightly.

“Rajiks.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, but take care of this.”
“Got it!”

The moment the words left his mouth—

Bang! Whirl—!
Shhht, shhht, shhht.

…

The bodies vanished into a subspace bag.
They could dump them inside a tower later.

And then—

“Ho!”

Rajiks pulled out cleaning tools and scrubbed even the bloodstains away.
Wipe, wipe—
The interior gradually became spotless.

As expected of Rajiks.
Cleanup was his specialty.

Meanwhile, Park Dong-hyeok, head of the republic’s tower-climbing division, stared blankly at Chairman Kim In-jung.

He’d been told they were bringing in a replacement for the dead Kim Il-jung.
He’d expected some actor.

But what was this?

Park Dong-hyeok doubted his own eyes.
Wasn’t that Chairman Kim himself?

Not resurrected… a parallel universe, really?

This one was slightly slimmer.
His belly was flatter.

But aside from that, it was flawless.

And Kim Il-jung had avoided media exposure anyway.
So even if he appeared thinner, the people wouldn’t find it strange.

“Master Bong Summoner, this is Head Climber Park Dong-hyeok.”

Park Dong-hyeok turned at the words.

That must be him.

The terrifying “Minister of the People’s Armed Forces” had spoken so flippantly to this man on the phone.

I need to make a good impression.
The fate of the republic depends on him.

“N-nice to meet you. I am Park Dong-hyeok.”

Juhyeok approached him with a sympathetic expression.

“My name is Bong Juhyeok. This must have been a shock for you.”

He clasped Park’s hand firmly as he spoke.

“…Y-yes. Ah—no, I’m fine.”
“You don’t need to worry anymore. We’ll handle everything.”

A warm reassurance.
Tears almost welled up.
His heart relaxed.

Just moments ago, he’d been on the brink of being purged.

Chairman Kim In-jung also stepped forward.

“Please assist me closely. I’ll be relying on you. I intend to seize power quickly.”
“Understood. Please don’t worry.”
“Focus on the spirit of Juche revolution. Or rather—the spirit of Juhyeok! Then it’ll be white rice and meat soup.”
“…Ah! Y-yes.”

The Juhyeok spirit again?
Is that really necessary?

Meanwhile, Kosak nodded with a satisfied expression.
The other summoned ones looked no different.

Phew.

He was probably going to do it anyway.
Raise both hands at the national assembly and shout “Long live Juhyeok.”

In any case—
North Korea was successfully taken over.

For now, summoned ones would be dispatched here.
In rotating shifts.

Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kosak, plus Jephet and Diamat, should be enough.

They’d manage.
They’d done it before.

Is this world headed toward unification too?

A thought suddenly crossed Juhyeok’s mind.

I said I wouldn’t take Chinese territory… but now I’m tempted again.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to take it.
How nice would it be
to firmly attach half of Mount Baekdu and Gando to the Korean Peninsula?

Meanwhile, Commander Jeon Seong-il headed to a university hospital in Busan.
He’d heard that the president—who had collapsed from the shock of the Seoul Black Tower’s destruction—had awakened from his coma.

The disease-curing potion given by the Summoner.
As soon as they received consent from the guardian, they’d administered it intravenously.

It seemed to have worked.

Though his complexion was still pale, President Kwon Myung-hoon was sitting up in bed under his own power.

They had been close even before martial law.
After all, Jeon Seong-il had once served as commander of the awakened forces during tower climbing.

“Mr. President!”
“Oh! Commander Jeon Seong-il—so I get to see you alive.”
“I’m relieved you’re safe.”
“Ha ha. We can reminisce later—first, let me ask something urgent.”

President Kwon continued, his face flushed.

“I’ve heard the story, but I still can’t believe it. A player from a parallel-universe Republic of Korea…”

It was understandable.
He’d woken up to a completely changed world.

“Kabalon was defeated, the Curse of the Average ended, and the tower was cleared up to the 89th floor?”

Yes.

“And even the Sinkhole Waves—and the person who saved my life—were all that same man?”

That’s right.

“Then explain it to me in more detail.”

Jeon Seong-il smiled faintly.

“Yes, sir. I’ll explain from the beginning. Starting with the Dark Wave that occurred at the Seoul sinkhole.”

He began his explanation step by step.
As the story went on, Kwon Myung-hoon kept exclaiming in amazement.

“…And that’s how things stand. Only the 90th floor remains. And that’s practically already finished.”

Kwon Myung-hoon was overwhelmed with emotion.
And at the same time, dazed.

“Hahaha, this is something else!”

Just before collapsing, there had been nothing but despair.

“Bong Juhyeok… I don’t even know how to thank him. I owe him an immeasurable debt.”

“This actually works out well. Martial law will be lifted soon, so once you’ve fully recovered and return to office, you can give the Summoner all the support he deserves.”

In that instant—

Zap!

Kwon Myung-hoon shot Jeon Seong-il a sharp look.

“Do you have no conscience? I just came back from the brink of death and you’re telling me to work?”

“Ah—n-no, that’s not what I meant.”

“Even without me, the world seems to be running just fine. It’s time for me to step down.”

“Sir?”

“I’ll announce my resignation while I’m at it. …Which brings me to my point.”

He looked at Jeon Seong-il meaningfully.

“You should step down as Martial Law Commander as well. Retire outright.”

“…What are you saying, sir?”

“And then join our party and run in the presidential election.”

“…Pardon?”

Run for president?

“No matter how I think about it, there’s no better choice than you.”

“B-but…”

“And more than that, aren’t you the one with the closest relationship to Bong Juhyeok?”

Jeon Seong-il looked flustered.

“And your popularity with the public is sky-high. You’d probably win even as an independent.”

“I never intended to go into politics—”

“This isn’t something to deliberate over. Think of it as your duty. I’m sorry to put this on you, but it can’t be helped.”

Sigh.

Honestly, a sigh slipped out.

He’d rushed over happily after hearing the president had awakened.
He thought this meant he could finally put everything down and start a new life.

And now—

Run for president.

What should he do?

He felt like he could handle it… but still, Jeon Seong-il had no choice but to agonize.

The next day, the Republic of Korea’s Martial Law Command announced a press conference for domestic and international media.

Another press conference from Korea?
Naturally, the entire world took notice.

Jeon Seong-il stepped up to the podium.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Camera shutters went off nonstop.

“The reason for today’s press conference is to deliver good news to the world.”

Good news?

Surely not—

“Three days from now, on Saturday at 5 p.m. Korean time, we declare the assault on the 90th floor of the Korean Black Tower. The Sinkhole Waves will come to an end.”

A murmur spread through the room.
Reporters whispered among themselves, until a journalist from the American GNN News channel raised his hand.

“Apologies for interrupting, but we need precise wording regarding the ‘end of the Sinkhole Waves.’ Could you clarify that first?”

Jeon Seong-il gestured for him to continue.

“You said the 90th floor of the Korean Black Tower. If that succeeds, does it only end Korea’s Sinkhole Waves, or does it apply globally?”

That was what everyone wanted to know.

“Yes, I’ll be very clear. This is not a simple tower reward. It is a reward for an achievement. Therefore, it applies worldwide.”

Ah!

Gasps erupted.

“If a Korean-nationality player clears the 90th floor, you will all experience the miracle of your own country’s sinkholes sealing themselves—without lifting a finger.”

He had said this before.
The reporter likely asked again because it still felt unreal.

“I’ve also heard that the 90th-floor monster, the dragon Brakios, left the tower. If that’s the case—”

“Yes. He’s been captured.”

“By what method?”

“I’ll omit the details.”

“There’s something the entire world is most curious about.”

“And what would that be?”

“The player said to be from another Earth in a parallel universe. Do you intend to reveal his identity?”

“At this time, we are not considering it.”

Questions and answers continued.
Reporters poured out all the curiosity they’d been holding back, and Jeon Seong-il answered each one clearly.

“And additionally, this Saturday, the martial law imposed on the Republic of Korea will be lifted.”

“Citizens of Korea, rejoice. Our nation will return to the world as it was before the Sinkholes.”

And finally—

“You are all aware of the promises China and Japan made to Korea.”

Jeon Seong-il paused, then spoke firmly and clearly.

“I warn the governments of China and Japan. You may choose not to keep your promises. However—”

“You will bear full responsibility for the consequences that follow. This concludes the press conference.”

The press conference ended.
Its contents spread across the globe as breaking news.

…

Time passed quickly.
And the day arrived—the day Jeon Seong-il had announced for the 90th-floor assault.

An ordinary weekend afternoon.
People’s daily lives seemed unchanged.

In some places, large-scale events were being held—
at Gwanghwamun, at New York’s Central Park, in European plazas.
Elsewhere, Sinkhole Wave defenses were still underway.

All attention was fixed on the world announcement that would—or might—soon ring out.

People in countries with different time zones set alarms on their phones.
So they could hear the announcement even in their sleep.

L It feels like the World Cup or the Olympics.
L Ha! You’re comparing this to a sports event?
L Exactly! It’s midnight here and every house has its lights on. No one’s sleeping.
L Who could sleep right now? A world-changing event is happening.
L Do you think Commander Jeon’s words will really come true?
L Of course. He’s never been wrong yet.

And then—one minute before 5 p.m. Korean time.

L Countdown starting. 60 seconds left.
L Ooooh, 59, 58, 57…
L 30 seconds left.
L I’m nervous.
L Should I crack open a beer now?
L Already did. I’ll drink after the announcement.
L 10, 9, 8, 7…

3, 2, 1, 0.

In that instant—

The entire world fell silent.

…

Why isn’t it ringing?
Did it fail?
That would be bad.
I was ready to scream.

Then—

Ding!

A message notification sounded across the globe.

[World Announcement: Korean Black Tower 90th Floor Cleared! A Korean-nationality player has cleared the 90th-floor mission of the Black Tower with astonishing ability, achieving an S+++ rank.]

L OOOH!!!
L He did it!
L It’s a success!
L Why did it ring so late? You almost gave me a heart attack!
L Probably latency. That still counts as exactly 5 p.m.
L Then what about the sinkholes?
L Not sure—there’s no word yet.

At the very moment people were wondering—

Ding!

Another system notification rang out.

[World Announcement: Restoration of the world outside the Black Tower has begun.]

[World Announcement: The concentration of magical energy on Earth is thinning.]

[World Announcement: Earth’s natural ecosystems are recovering.]

[World Announcement: The holes created by tower collapse are slowly being sealed.]

[World Announcement: Monsters that emerged outside the tower are gradually disappearing.]

It rang.
Everything came true.

WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

A simultaneous roar of cheers erupted.
The Earth itself seemed to shake.

Online communities exploded.
Posts flooded in nonstop.

L Hooray!
L Hooray!!
L Hooray!!!
L Thank you, parallel universe.
L Great work. Let’s have a drink!
L Cheers!

L Hey, go check the sinkholes right now. See what’s happening.
L You think it’ll change that fast? It said “gradually.” Gradually!
L Breaking news just came in—monster numbers coming out of sinkholes have already dropped a lot.
L What about Australia?
L That should recover too. It said ecosystems are restoring.
L Wow! Does that mean we can go back home?

L Haha, I feel great.
L I’m not going to school tomorrow.
L This is exactly when you should study harder.
L I’m a teacher.
L Okay! Then I won’t go to work either. Taking a day off.
L This is exactly when you should work harder.
L I’m the boss.

The servers nearly crashed.