<The Southern Man's Tower Climbing Tactics 31>
The atmosphere in Japan's Tower Climbing Division was gloomy.
The same went for Director Tomoda.
He had been promoted to the core position of Director of the Prime Minister's Tower Climbing Division due to his achievement of naturalizing Yoo Cheol-min, but what kind of situation was this?
The very achievement that earned him a promotion had now turned into a trap shackling his ankles.
Thus, even under Prime Minister Kawaguchi's scolding, he couldn't offer any excuses.
"What's the reason? Why do we keep failing on the 57th floor in Japan when we cleared it easily in Korea?"
"There were... complications with his condition..."
"You failed three times and still blame it on his condition?"
"H-he himself doesn't understand it either."
Prime Minister Kawaguchi was equally exasperated.
Public humiliation on live broadcasts, plummeting approval ratings, and the tower's collapse deadline looming closer.
"The phrase 'a chicken rib' fits perfectly. Useless to keep but too wasteful to discard."
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Forty days isn't nearly enough time. How will you take responsibility if Yoo Cheol-min doesn't recover by then?"
"We're preparing countermeasures."
"Tell me now. It had better be a plan that actually helps with tower climbing. Or you might find yourself reassigned to an African embassy."
Gulp.
After dry-swallowing:
"We'll request temporary player naturalization from the U.S. government. Just for a week."
"...That's your plan?"
"I have connections in the U.S. from my diplomatic career. I’m confident. Please give me this chance."
"Connections? Haha."
Prime Minister Kawaguchi laughed mockingly.
"Do you have more than me?"
"...Sir?"
"I asked if your U.S. political connections surpass those of your Prime Minister."
"N-no! That’s not what I meant—"
"Leave for Congo tomorrow. Or submit your resignation."
You idiot,
do you think I’m ignorant?
Official temporary naturalization demands exorbitant costs.
It’s not something solved with pocket change.
Nationally, we’d have to surrender countless interests.
And they’d return to their homeland anyway.
That’s why we smuggled Yoo Cheol-min here secretly.
Sigh...
It felt like sinking into quicksand.
Truthfully, Tomoda’s idea had merit.
If Yoo Cheol-min didn’t recover, temporary naturalization might be their only card.
But they needed to test feasibility before formal requests.
What if they mustered courage to ask only to be rejected?
※ ※ ※
Countries with one tower simply enter, but how do you choose in nations with multiple towers?
When the system message appears, select and enter.
Like this:
[Please state the number of the tower you wish to enter.]
Thus, the U.S. designated Tower No. 1 in the east and Tower No. 2 in the west.
The Department of Homeland Security prioritized the western tower over the eastern one.
For reasons similar to Japan’s.
The western tower stood along the San Andreas Fault.
If it collapsed, the entire U.S. West Coast would be devastated.
America’s top player currently focused on conquering the western tower.
Secretary McMillan of Homeland Security questioned Director Antonio:
"So, you want to borrow the Holy Sword?"
"Player Gerald’s been pestering me nonstop to try it."
"Tsk. That item addiction of his flaring up again."
"Isn’t it our only holy-attribute item? They say it’s leagues beyond light-attribute gear."
"But the 67th floor’s deadline is still distant. Why rush?"
"He wants to repeatedly clear the 66th floor. For training purposes."
Meaning: Test its effects at any cost.
McMillan understood the curiosity.
When they’d cleared the 66th-floor Specter in the western tower, they’d barely met the time limit.
It had been grueling.
For Gerald and his support team alike.
The eastern tower had been cleared earlier due to accumulated experience.
But with the Holy Sword, how much faster could they clear 66?
"Rental fee? Have you proposed an amount?"
"We offered a million dollars. They laughed."
"Hahaha! You lowballed them! With so many countries lining up, did you think they’d lease it cheaply?"
"I was testing the waters."
Even basic light-attribute items started at three million.
Quality ones exceeded five.
"What’s our maximum for the Holy Sword?"
"Ten million seems reasonable. If its performance matches, that’s still a bargain."
True.
Some nations couldn’t afford even that.
Like Japan.
"Can we rent it nationally?"
"Yes."
"Then proceed. Make an official request through diplomatic channels."
They’d take this chance to test it.
Preparation for the 67th floor.
"Regardless, Japan’s ambush-naturalization was a mistake. To conquer their 57th floor? Ungentlemanly. They should’ve negotiated first."
"Speaking of which, we received a message from the Japanese Prime Minister’s office."
"Oh?"
"An informal inquiry about temporary naturalization of a Homeland Security player."
Pfft. McMillan chuckled.
"Seems their naturalized player underperformed."
"You’re aware of Japan’s recent... incident?"
"Could be adjustment issues—environmental changes, psychological strain from naturalization."
Such cases weren’t rare.
Countless high-level players died on lower floors due to mental breakdowns.
"If it were minor, they wouldn’t request temporary naturalization. Must be serious."
"Heh. Temporary naturalization’s always possible."
"Terms?"
"Milk them dry. Have Japan cover the Holy Sword’s rental too. Use this to renegotiate their collapse deadline. Desperation breeds concessions."
Towers demanded global cooperation, but international relations remained cutthroat.
Japan’s actions proved it.
"Now that holy-attribute items are confirmed, we need our own."
"We’ve messaged all domestic players. Offering top dollar for any holy-attribute items in inventories or future rewards."
"Good! Pursue that, but first test the Holy Sword’s capabilities."
Item rentals weren’t new.
Neither was temporary player naturalization.
The U.S. maintained specialized naturalized players.
Such deals required mutual trust.
Without it, attempts were unthinkable.
Accidents happened often—players absconding with rented items or refusing to return after temporary naturalization.
But America needn’t worry.
Anyone attempting that would face carrier-strike-group bombings long before tower collapse.
※ ※ ※
The day after clearing Floor 32,
Joo-hyuk summoned his contracted beings.
Princess Gyeondalrae sat drawing talismans immediately upon arrival.
Four total.
Yellow spirit paper marked with crimson cinnabar symbols.
"Just carrying these works?"
"Indeed. Concealment talismans. Others will recognize you as human but perceive nothing extraordinary. Merely another passerby."
Impressive, even in description.
"My late father, the Emperor, often used these for incognito market visits."
Joo-hyuk understood.
Even emperors grew stifled in palaces.
His reasons mirrored that.
Until now, his summons only alternated between home and tower.
Except Kosak, who’d visited Yoo Cheol-min’s penthouse.
And Smile Cash, who’d wandered off unasked.
He wanted to show them Seoul—dine together, explore streets, visit noraebangs or PC rooms.
Without his elite contract, he’d have stayed in his old basement studio, unbothered.
But Gobang’s size posed problems.
Yet the contract was signed.
"Princess, won’t Gobang’s size draw attention?"
"The talisman’s concealment will hold. He’ll merely seem tall. Just avoid collisions."
"Gobang, be careful not to bump people on the street."
"Bread? You mean food?"
Kosak interjected irritably:
"He means don’t crash into others, idiot!"
"Got it."
They’d test the talismans.
Limitations existed, of course.
CCTV footage likely unaffected.
But cameras weren’t omnipresent in officetels—none indoors or hallways. Only entrances and exteriors.
Privacy mattered.
Talismans pocketed, they departed.
"I’m nervous. Especially about Gobang being noticed. His size is no joke."
"You dare doubt my magic?"
"Just acknowledging possibilities! Don’t misunderstand—"
Joo-hyuk raised a hand.
"Quiet."
Gyeondalrae and Kosak’s clashing personalities sparked frequent friction lately.
"Stop fighting. Your arguments weigh on me."
Both bowed deeply.
"Princess, address Kosak respectfully. No more 'this guy' or 'that guy.'"
"I humbly apologize for disturbing Master Bong’s peace."
Raised a princess, her condescension was habitual.
But this wasn’t her empire.
Her sharp tongue startled even Joo-hyuk sometimes.
Time to humble her.
"Speak politely to Kosak."
"Wha—?"
"Now."
After hesitation:
"Kosak-sir. I was too harsh earlier. I’ll be mindful."
"Yessir!"
"But I’ll never tolerate disloyalty toward Master Bong!"
"...Understood."
Her spirit remained unbroken.
Exiting the officetel, they passed security unnoticed.
Normally, elite players received immediate escorts.
But today, they were mere residents.
"Concealment talismans confirmed. Amazing."
No odd glances.
"Incredible, Princess!"
"’Twas simple."
"The talisman’s effect—astounding! Worthy of Ssussal."
"Indeed?"
Kosak grinned:
"Dope! Master Bong approved! So cool!"
Gyeondalrae smiled cryptically.
"Kosak-sir, while flattery pleases Master Bong’s ears, true service requires tangible aid."
Ouch. Direct hit.
Kosak, what do you actually DO besides brownnosing?
Regret surfaced.
Why scold her earlier?
"Any other talismans? Health, perhaps?"
"Health talismans prevent illness within one’s lifespan."
"Three, please. For family."
"Luck?"
"Minor luck boosts. Three?"
"Exactly."
Gyeondalrae: a treasure trove.
"One more—matchmaking talismans?"
"They heighten partner-finding chances. For your sibling, I presume?"
Kosak cut in:
"Master needs no talismans! His aura alone attracts women! If I were female—"
With talismans working, they explored Seoul freely.
Gobang lumbered carefully.
"Hey! That’s the road!"
"Wide here."
"You’ll crash!"
"Warriors are sturdy!"
"I’m worried about the cars, fool!"
Kosak understood modern traffic rules.
"Your summoned world?"
"Similar ruins. Crumbling buildings, rusted cars. Functioning vehicles? First time here."
Gyeondalrae observed bustling streets.
"People live richly yet seem spiritually impoverished."
Joo-hyuk agreed.
His first outing with "friends"—an assassin, barbarian, and royal priestess.
"Steak! Let’s eat beef!"
"Expensive! We’ll eat modestly."
"Eat all you want!"
"Gobang’s here too!"
"Bring it on! No fear!"
How much can they eat?
They’ll regret it later.
