Free Web NovelThe United States.
The nation with the highest Tower-climbing progress in the world.
But even the United States had never actually wanted to be at the top.
After all, the principle was to climb the Tower slowly, matching the collapse deadline.
Lumitri Romenkupp.
That damned world’s top Player.
It was all because of that bastard.
The White House emergency staff meeting.
President Hayden asked Secretary MacMillan of the Awakening Affairs Department a question.
“Have you figured out who it is?”
“Not for certain, but there is one highly suspicious Player.”
“Who?”
“His name is Bong Juhyeok. He passed a naturalization hearing in the Korean National Assembly two days before consecutively climbing five floors up to Floor 65, and is now registered as a Player.”
“Naturalization? So he was not originally Korean?”
“Well, when we ran our intelligence network, they were saying something about a parallel universe.”
“...What?”
A parallel universe?
What kind of absurd nonsense was that?
“Are they trying to hide his information?”
“Most likely.”
In any case, the day Commissioner Jeon Gwangil had announced for conquering Floor 70 was only a few hours away.
Could he really pull it off?
The terms {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} people around the world used to describe America.
The nation that triggered the Curse of Average, the nuisance nation, the axis of evil of the entire world.
They could not even make excuses.
Because an American Player had caused it.
And now some mysterious Korean Player was going to conquer Floor 70.
If he could just pull that off, how great would that be?
It would at least relieve some of America’s burden.
“Do we have any embassy personnel left in Korea?”
“Currently, all have been evacuated.”
It was the natural course of action.
Protecting its own citizens no matter what was America’s principle.
But with the embassy evacuated, official contact might take some time.
“What about US Forces Korea?”
“A small number remain. They have been steadily providing weapons support for defending against the Sinkhole Waves in the Republic of Korea.”
That was fortunate, at least.
They had kept the connection.
“Send someone to meet with Commissioner Jeon Gwangil. Ask if he needs anything. Tell him we will provide support if he does.”
“Understood.”
“And try to make contact with Korea’s top Player if possible.”
“Korea will not like that.”
“Hmm. Can’t we do it discreetly?”
“We will try.”
The United States had one sinkhole.
The current US Eastern Tower was not the original Tower.
Since they were the top climbing nation, they had not fallen under the curse by meeting Kabalan’s average threshold, but they could not avoid the collapse.
Six months later, the Tower ultimately collapsed, and a new Tower was generated in the southeastern region.
Yet it still remained unconquered.
Lumitri, that bastard, was useless.
After triggering the Curse of Average, he had a mental breakdown and went into hiding.
He was using his Level 70 Player abilities to run away.
“Damn bastard.”
He did not even have talent.
A worthless piece of trash who only relied on Trait Enhancement Runes and items.
The US government had tried.
They would bury the past, so let us work together to resolve the Curse of Average.
The Kabalan on US Eastern Tower Floor 70 was only a copy, but should they not still conquer it?
Only by doing so could they find a clue to conquering the original.
But that bastard ignored the government’s request and disappeared.
Top Player?
He was a bottom-tier Player.
Abandoning Lumitri and siding with Korea would be far better.
***
White Tower Floor 6.
He had stayed up all night making holy-attribute equipment.
Bardin had squeezed out Radiance with all his might, and Saint Dorothy had also poured out her divine power, extracting holy water like steeping beef-bone broth.
The constant sound of blacksmith hammers, the heated debates of mages, the operating noise of the magical engineering factory, the alchemy cauldrons bubbling ceaselessly without rest.
As a result, they had secured sufficient quantities.
Now they just needed to distribute these to the Korean Awakened Forces.
In truth, it was still far from enough.
Did sinkholes only exist in Korea?
They needed to consider exports too.
Of course, he had no intention of giving them away for free.
They would sell them for something in return.
‘Let’s see. The time is...’
It was approaching 5 AM.
About time to enter the Tower.
Even taking it leisurely, it would be done in an hour.
And after that?
Let’s go support the Chuncheon Wave.
With an armful of gifts.
He had already set up the group designations in advance.
Essential members were Cossack and Bardin.
The veterans did not need to participate, but it was better to have them on standby just in case something happened.
The rest were the new LSSR and SSR grade summoned entities.
They would participate in rotation, taking turns.
‘Shall we get going?’
He came outside and.
“Summon Group 6.”
SPOT! SPOT! SPOT! SPOT!
The eager newcomers.
While waiting in the World of Souls, they had been looking forward to this day.
They would prove their worth.
They would assist their Summoner and crush those damn Black Tower bastards.
And finally!
That day had come.
How could Juhyeok not understand these people’s feelings?
That was why he had arranged it so everyone could have a turn at Tower conquest.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes!!!”
“Don’t get hurt, and if it’s too much, just run away immediately. Understood?”
“We’ll keep that in mind!!!”
Bardin, however, was banned from participating in the conquest.
Because it would not be any fun if he joined.
He would only be deployed immediately if a dangerous situation arose.
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 66.]
What was the mission for Floor 66?
[Floor 66 Mission: Defeat 10 Dark Specters.]
[Completion Time Limit: Within 15 hours.]
[Completion Condition: Dark Specters 0/10.]
It had been a while.
Good to see you.
***
At that hour.
People around the world were in a state of intense focus.
Today was the day the Korean Commissioner had declared he would conquer Floor 70.
When would he do it?
It would be early.
Because there was also a Sinkhole Wave in Korea starting in the afternoon.
Right after midnight?
Or from the morning?
People around the world waited only for the announcement to ring out.
Would the true version of Kabalan really be conquered?
Would the Curse of Average really end?
Meanwhile, there were those with pessimistic outlooks.
Up to Floor 65, sure, let’s say that happened. freewёbnoνel.com
Even China had climbed to Floor 65.
But Floor 66?
The intensity of the dark aura was on a completely different level.
It was absolutely not an easy opponent.
The chances of failure were high.
Even if they succeeded, it would take an incredibly long time.
There would probably be a bloody battle.
People around the world prayed with one heart.
Whoever it was, please give it your all.
Even if it takes time, please just conquer the Specter.
***
Black Tower Floor 66.
Juhyeok felt slightly troubled.
Because a small problem had occurred during the conquest.
“What, you’re going to take them all yourself? Are the rest of us supposed to just sit here twiddling our thumbs?”
“They crumble if you so much as touch them, so what am I supposed to do? My Trait is holy power.”
“Then just release your holy power and fall back. What’s a Saint doing throwing punches?”
“A Saint can’t throw punches? Sword Demon, you have no sensitivity toward the holy!”
“I don’t know about sensitivity, but there are only ten of them. Two people should be assigned to each one.”
“Then let’s do that from now on.”
An argument between the Saint and the Sword Demon.
The SSR summoned entities bristled at this.
“In my view, you two are birds of a feather. You two are hogging all the kills!”
“Are you looking down on us because we’re SSR?”
“Ha! This is ridiculous. I can’t work like this.”
“This is so unfair. I need to rank up fast.”
The reason for the fight was simple.
Why are only you getting kills?
I want to contribute too.
Stop monopolizing the monsters.
“Let them be. Kids grow up fighting.”
Cossack said it was nothing to worry about.
“Tsk, tsk. Getting worked up over catching one more or one less monster. Ridiculous.”
And him?
While pretending to just stand there guarding him, he had somehow gone and caught one at some point.
“Teaching the juniors. How a Holy Swordmaster handles undead.”
Yeah, yeah.
Sure.
“My lord, we must consider efficiency. Even now, if you command me, I can sweep them all...”
“Please restrain yourself.”
“Yes!”
A fiery competition to conquer the Specters.
Summoned entities scrambling desperately to land even one more hit before completion.
Ten monsters went down quickly.
If they had not been fighting, it would have been a three-minute clear.
And then the World Announcement rang out.
***
[World Announcement: Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 66 conquest successful! A Republic of Korea national Player has cleared the Black Tower Floor 66 mission with S+++ grade through extraordinary ability.]
└ Gasp!
└ It’s up.
└ Specter conquest successful!
└ B-Bartender?
└ Don’t call for drinks yet. The shutters aren’t even up.
└ What time is it now?
└ 5:10.
└ Hmm, if we assume he went in right at midnight and caught it in five hours, that’s pretty good.
└ Is it though? What if he started at 5?
└ Come on, no way. You can’t clear the Specter in ten minutes.
And shortly after.
Ding!
A World Announcement rang out.
Floor 67 Phantom Reaper conquest successful.
└ ?
└ ??
└ ???
└ Uh, so it’s 5:21 right now.
└ It’s been ten minutes?
└ That’s insane!
└ He really did start at 5?
An unbelievable speed.
More bewilderment than surprise.
How on earth?
└ Will he clear the Death Knight and Lich too?
└ Of course, right?
└ In how many minutes?
└ Honestly, I have no idea anymore.
***
Floor 67 was also complete.
After swapping groups, they entered Black Tower Floor 68.
The Death Knight that Earth NO.1001’s Player Gerald had struggled to defeat even with the holy sword.
“Shit, who stole my last hit?”
“I was just trying to help.” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
“When did I ask for help? Don’t do anything. I’ll do it all myself.”
“Whatever.”
They spent more time fighting than killing.
Well, he could not stop them, and they would get over it eventually.
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t kill them so fast. There aren’t that many anyway.”
“They die in one hit. What am I supposed to do?”
“Gently, like you’re caressing them.”
“What, is the Death Knight your lover?”
“If you look closely, it’s not bad looking.”
“Instead of that, just hit once and back off! Hey... you bastards!!! I told you not to kill it yet!!!”
Ding!
Floor 68 Death Knight conquest complete.
Next was Floor 69, the Dark Lich.
All the undead that had appeared so far would show up together.
They just needed to ignore the other undead, quickly approach the Lich, and kill only it.
But if they killed the Lich, it would end quickly, right?
The summoned entities started watching Juhyeok’s reaction.
They were pretending to approach the Lich while only killing the undead it had summoned.
“Hehehehe! What a feast.”
“This is it!”
“Whoa! They’re coming in swarms.”
“Hey, hey, don’t touch the Lich. If we kill it, it’s over.”
“Shh! The Summoner will hear you.”
How nice.
The new summoned entities running around cheerfully, beating down the undead.
However.
“What do you think you’re doing? Is this a time to be filling your own pockets? Can’t you see Summoner Bong-nim frowning?”
When did I frown?
They’re doing great.
“Your motives are transparent. Do the seniors really need to step in? Light!!!”
The juniors rolled their eyes at their seniors’ scolding.
Then.
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!
Without anyone going first, they blasted through the undead army at full speed toward the Lich and.
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
Savagely gang-beat it.
Floor 69 was also done in under ten minutes.
“Alright, let’s head to Floor 70.”
There was a lot to do today.
They had the Chuncheon Sinkhole Wave coming up soon.
***
[World Announcement: Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 69 conquest successful! A Republic of Korea national Player has cleared the Black Tower Floor 69 mission with S+++ grade through extraordinary ability.]
└ ...
└ ...
└ ...
└ You guys type on keyboards, so why are you using ellipses on the forums?
└ Because there’s nothing to say.
└ Fair enough.
└ ...
The remaining floor was Floor 70.
Where Kabalan, the source of the Curse of Average, resided.
Now no one doubted success.
They just could not quite grasp it.
Honestly, they still could not believe it.
Was the Curse of Average that had tormented humanity for so long really going to end?
And by a Player from Korea, a country that had ended up with three holes because it could not conquer Floor 61?
***
[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 70.]
Juhyeok swapped groups again and came to Floor 70.
Now it was the last one.
He had known from the Judge’s Hammer that the original was here, but he still needed to confirm.
What was the mission?
[Floor 70 Mission: Defeat high-ranking demon Duke Kabalan (Original).]
[Completion Time Limit: Within 20 hours.]
[Completion Condition: High-ranking demon Duke Kabalan (Original) 0/1.]
The original had appeared.
Now they just needed to kill it.
“My lord!”
“Yes?”
“This is Floor 70. The original Kabalan is no easy opponent.”
So?
“Please entrust this to your humble servant. I worry the newcomers might recklessly step forward and get hurt.”
Cossack snickered.
“That’s funny. He just wants to fight himself.”
“...”
“Is your body itching? Do you want to butt in on the kids’ fun that badly?”
“...”
“Go back and spin the Radiance Generator if you want.”
“Shit.”
“Wow! The Holy Knight is swearing. That’s blasphemy!”
He was pitiful, really.
Bardin had not so much as lifted a finger from Floor 66 all the way to Floor 70.
“Alright. Bardin-ssi, just help a little...”
Before he could even finish.
“Thank you! My lord!”
SPOT!
Bardin shot into the air.
SHWAAAAK!
The window of the mansion where Kabalan resided.
CRASH!
He burst straight through and.
THWACK!
Grabbed the original Kabalan by the collar and soared into the sky.
Let’s skip the detailed description.
That was fine.
There was nothing special anyway.
Well, to put it simply.
The original Kabalan, dragged up into the sky without even being able to scream.
SHWOOOONG!
Was hurled toward the ground at terrifying speed and.
CRASH-BANG-BANG!
Was followed by Bardin’s massive shield, which.
CRACK!
Crushed its head.
And that was it.
“...”
How many minutes was that?
It had not even been one minute.
The new summoned entities stood there blankly, their expressions dazed.
They looked like their souls had left their bodies.
Aah!
How tragic.
They had not even gotten to touch it.
Cossack pointed at Bardin with a pathetic expression and criticized him.
“Look at that greed-covered Holy Knight. A religious person who doesn’t know the spirit of non-attachment. Shameless.”
The junior summoned entities were furious.
“Senior Bardin! What do you think you’re doing?”
“If you kill it that fast, what are we supposed to do?”
“Ah! Screw this! I can’t live like this!”
“Sniff, I waited so long to be summoned.”
“Don’t cry. Let’s stay strong. Never forget what happened today.”
Bardin was silent as a clam.
He just kept his head deeply bowed and could not say a word.
And then.
Drip, drip, drip!
Messages floated up.
[World Announcement: The high-ranking demon Duke Kabalan (Original) has been annihilated on Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 70.]
[World Announcement: The Curse of Average placed on Towers worldwide has been lifted as of this moment.]
Additionally, the undead zone difficulty was significantly reduced.
And finally.
[World Announcement: Republic of Korea Black Tower Floor 70 conquest successful! A Republic of Korea national Player has conquered Kabalan and lifted the Curse of Average through extraordinary ability.]
***
It was a day that would be recorded in history.
The resolution of the Curse of Average.
“Waaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!”
People all over the world screamed and rushed outside.
Due to time differences, some places were in broad daylight, midnight, dawn, or morning.
It was a frenzied celebration.
Fireworks exploded and flags waved.
But they still felt dazed.
What was this?
Was it really okay for it to end so anticlimactically?
After all that suffering?
Towers collapsing from the Curse of Average, monsters crawling out.
But this was nothing.
The real event was something else entirely.
Limited only to Korea.
[World Announcement: Benefits will be granted for clearing Black Tower Floor 70.]
[World Announcement: High-grade Magic Stone restrictions are lifted for the Republic of Korea Black Tower only.]
[World Announcement: Various potion and elixir restrictions are lifted for the Republic of Korea Black Tower only.]
[World Announcement: Weapon and equipment item restrictions are lifted for the Republic of Korea Black Tower only.]
[World Announcement: Conquest benefits apply to all floors of the Republic of Korea Black Tower. Additionally, reward drop rates significantly increase.]
A dose of national pride that Juhyeok was serving to the Koreans of Earth NO.843, who had been steeped in defeatism.
└ Here, have a drink.
└ Yeah, let’s toast.
└ The bartender opened the shutters. Got any snacks?
└ Damn! For a sacred dose of national pride, what do you need snacks for?
└ I was going to retire as a Player, but I’m going to enlist in the Awakened Forces today.
└ But what are high-grade Magic Stones?
└ They’ll probably show up soon? Can’t you hear the Players entering the Tower?
└ SPOT!
└ Oh! I really hear it.
└ SPOT!
└ SPOT!
└ Hahaha, stop it! You crazy bastards!
All Koreans had lost their minds.
It felt like they were all under mass hypnosis.
A Korean Player had killed the true version of Kabalan on Floor 70.
And in the Korean Black Tower at that.
On top of that, rewards exclusive to the Korean Tower.
High-grade Magic Stones and various items would come pouring out.
Korea was currently in a dopamine-overdose state.
The national pride swept through relentlessly.
All of this had happened within one hour.
No, even shorter than that.
