Seoul Gangnam Sinkhole.

The hole alone was approximately 18 times the size of Yeouido.

So what if there was a hole?

The worst part was the Monster Wave.

Wars occurring every ten days had reduced the area around the sinkhole to near total devastation.

Seoul had now become one of the three most dangerous places in the Republic of Korea.

It was no environment for people to live in.

What would happen if even one Tower monster escaped during a wave defense?

It had actually happened before.

An incident where a single orc that broke through the perimeter attacked Seoul citizens.

There were 58 casualties that time.

They had to evacuate Seoul.

Major government institutions, including the National Assembly, had also fled.

Where to?

Incheon was too close to Seoul, Daegu had a sinkhole, and Daejeon had a Black Tower regeneration.

There was nowhere else but Busan.

It was a place that had both a harbor and an airport.

The Blue House also moved to Busan.

However, the President was absent.

The President had collapsed from shock after the Seoul Black Tower collapse.

They were hospitalized.

The Prime Minister was acting in their stead, but... being quite elderly, he was inadequate to manage the chaos caused by the Tower collapse.

Holding an election was also impossible.

An election in this situation?

Fortunately, Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil was managing the chaos and exercising administrative power.

That did not mean he was wielding absolute power like a dictator.

In times like these especially, one had to observe the law and handle matters according to procedural legitimacy.

For that reason, they were trying their best to comply with the National Assembly’s naturalization hearings.

As the Liu Chenming case demonstrated, rushing things too hastily would ruin everything.

They had rashly accepted that bastard’s naturalization and ended up in an irreparable situation.

What if they got hit by the curse again?

A fourth hole would appear in Daejeon.

They had to prevent the collapse no matter what.

The method?

Overcoming it on their own would be best, but...

How could they possibly clear Floor 61?

So currently, the National Assembly and executive branch were keeping a last resort in mind just in case.

Namely, signing a treaty with China.

A card to play when they absolutely saw no future.

If one were to name the world’s top advanced Tower climbing nations?

The United States and China, of course.

First, in the case of the United States.

They had the capacity.

They continued providing weapons support to their closest allies.

Also, although Kabalan’s Curse had occurred due to top Player Lumitri Romenkuv’s deviation, their Player base was still thick.

However, the United States had declared a suspension of temporary naturalization.

Sending Players abroad during this urgent time?

So temporary naturalization dispatch was not possible.

What about China?

A nation that had completed up to Floor 65.

Currently challenging Floor 66.

Their average Player level was also high.

Therefore, they had the capacity to send temporary naturalized Players.

But the conditions were the problem.

They were demanding territorial rights to Jeju Island in exchange for temporary naturalization.

Those bastards.

Give up Jeju?

The citizens were adamantly opposed.

They would rather die with the Tower.

There were a few opinions in favor.

Let’s just give them Jeju Island and receive China’s help.

***

Meanwhile, a naturalization hearing was held at the Busan National Assembly.

Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil stated his case for naturalization before the assembly members.

“This Bong Juhyeok, he’s truly an incredible person to the point where one doubts the authenticity of the videos.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“However, his identity is too uncertain. Does it even make sense that he has no existing nationality?”

“Hmm, according to his claims...”

“Parallel universes? Do you actually believe that claim, Commander?”

He himself believed it.

But what about the assembly members?

It was only natural that it was hard to believe.

“I’m confident it’s not a lie. There’s no reason for him to lie anyway.”

“What if he has a Tower Jump Ticket? What if he just raises his level and runs away? Isn’t there precedent for that?”

Anyone watching might burst from frustration.

But it was not as if the assembly members were doing this on purpose.

They were people working to overcome the national crisis.

Why hadn’t they fled?

Because they had not given up on the Republic of Korea.

“And one more thing! Commander, can you control these people?”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say the Commander’s claims are true. Then these people aren’t from this Earth. They’re aliens, so to speak. And ones with very powerful abilities at that.”

“......”

“I’ll ask again. Can you control them?”

Control.

Of course, he had faith.

But control had a different meaning.

“I can hope for their cooperation. And I believe they will cooperate.”

He could have gotten by with a lie, but Jeon Seongil spoke the truth.

At those words, the assembly members shook their heads.

“Relying on uncertainty is foolish. We need something more certain.”

Right at that moment!

Ding!

What was that?

An ominous message notification sound.

Could it be?

[World Announcement: You have still not reached an average floor of 70. Countries lagging in Tower climbing need to step up.]

“Huk!”

“Oh no...”

“C-Could it be?”

“Good grief.”

The Curse of Average again.

This was the 11th round.

People’s expressions grew anxious.

[World Announcement: 30 countries will be selected for the 11th round. The selection method is random.]

Another 30 countries.

That dreaded World Announcement.

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for Switzerland’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for Tunisia’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for Kazakhstan’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

.

.

.

The Republic of Korea’s name was not among the first 10.

They were safe for now.

Not in the 20th, not in the 25th, nor the 26th or 27th either.

They had already collapsed three times.

So just let it pass this time.

Leave us off the list.

But.

.

.

.

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for China’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for Canada’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

[World Announcement: The conquest deadline for the Republic of Korea’s Black Tower is gradually decreasing.]

“Ah!”

“......”

“D-Dear God.”

“N-No!!!”

“Damn it!”

“...Hahaha.”

The assembly members’ expressions were devastated.

Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil shot to his feet and shouted.

“We cannot delay any longer. Please approve Bong Juhyeok’s nationality acquisition right now.”

Voices rose in the temporary National Assembly.

“Instead of that, let’s negotiate with China. The time has come to choose our last resort. With tears in our eyes, Jeju Island...”

“I’m opposed. What if we’re selected again in the 12th round? Will you hand over the entire peninsula?”

“That’s right, China was selected too. They won’t have the capacity to help us.”

“Then what are we supposed to do?”

“Let’s trust what Commander Jeon Seongil says. We all know his character.”

“Who said they don’t trust Commander Jeon Seongil? It’s that Bong Juhyeok person who’s suspicious.”

“Let’s stop this and bring the matter to a vote. We’ll decide by majority.”

At that moment!

TAP TAP TAP!

The National Assembly Speaker called the chamber to order.

“Now, let’s make a quick decision. As you know, we don’t have much time. Let’s conclude the naturalization hearing and discuss how to overcome the 11th round selection.”

An electronic voting screen appeared.

Assembly members’ names were listed.

“Those in favor of Bong Juhyeok’s nationality acquisition, vote yes. Those who wish to postpone, vote no.”

Green light meant in favor of naturalization.

Red light meant postponing naturalization.

Jeon Seongil prayed fervently.

Please let there be more green lights.

But right at that moment!

CRASH! BANG!

The shouts of National Assembly guards came from outside.

“Who is it?”

“You cannot enter!”

“Stop them!”

“We have to block them!”

“Urk! ...I-I can’t move.”

SLAM! BANG! CRASH!

The door opened.

A group of people came flooding in.

“B-Bong Juhyeok!”

Upon confirming the face, Jeon Seongil raised his hand to stop the guards.

“If you had contacted me beforehand, I would have come out to greet you.”

“I took longer than expected, so I was in a hurry...”

The assembly members focused their attention on the person who had entered through the door.

That’s Bong Juhyeok?

He looks too ordinary?

There were people beside him as well.

The assembly members had seen them in videos.

The ones who melted and tore apart monsters.

Even though the barrier between the Tower and reality had broken, allowing Players to use abilities outside the Tower, those people were far too strong.

Hence, a feeling of fear.

Why had they come?

And the person they had dragged in, was that a National Assembly guard?

They had done that to a person?

How pitiful...

“I’ve brought Liu Chenming. His face is badly damaged, so it might be hard to recognize him.”

What?

Liu Chenming?

People stirred in agitation.

“That’s him?”

“Yes, it is.”

His face was such a mess that at first they were not sure, but...

“It’s him.”

“Definitely.”

“That’s the bastard.”

They soon confirmed it.

It was Liu Chenming.

The one who had pushed the Republic of Korea into an abyss of despair.

People were enraged to the tips of their heads.

“Let’s execute him immediately. We don’t even need a trial, do we?”

“Ha! That would be letting him off too easy.”

“That’s right. We need to imprison him and make him conquer the Tower.”

“Torture him if necessary!”

“Can’t cut off his hands and feet since he needs those to conquer, so let’s start with castration!”

“You fucking bastard!!! You picked the wrong person to mess with.”

It was not just curses.

Several assembly members leaped over their desks and charged at Liu Chenming.

Kicks, punches, grabbing him by the hair and dragging him to beat him more.

My, they’re all fearless.

This guy was nominally a Level 61 Player.

It was a good thing they had sealed his pressure points beforehand.

Anyway, their grudge must have been deep.

After the chamber calmed down, Juhyeok asked Jeon Seongil.

“Was I in the middle of a naturalization vote?”

“Yes. We were just about to do it.”

Juhyeok also looked at the electronic display.

Yes meant in favor of his nationality acquisition.

No meant postponement.

‘Hmm.’

Surely they would not oppose.

But just in case.

“Rajix?”

“Hoe?”

“Take that thing out.”

“Hoeng!”

SWOOSH!

Something emerged from Rajix’s subspace backpack.

It was large, with various electronic devices connected to it.

“...A nuclear warhead?”

What was with this girl?

Always going for nukes.

“Why did you take out the nuclear warhead? That’s dangerous.”

“Hue.”

A nuclear warhead.

People’s expressions went pale.

She had put a nuclear warhead in her inventory and brought it?

How?

Did that even fit in there?

Actually, setting aside how she brought it, was she trying to threaten them with that thing?

“Put the nuclear warhead away and take out the items. The items! The ones we collected before.”

“Hoe!”

SWISH-SWISH-SWISH, SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH!

Various weapons and equipment came pouring out of the subspace.

They were not mass-produced factory goods.

They were all items from the Tower.

“Uh, uh,”

“Wh-What is all this?”

“What is all that?”

Everyone was surprised.

The assembly members, their aides, and the press corps too.

“If I acquire nationality, I will donate these items to the Republic of Korea’s Players.”

“......”

Was that all?

Other things came out of the subspace.

THUD, THUD THUD THUD, THUD THUD!

Magic Stones.

But?

“Wh-What is that?”

“What do you mean, Magic Stones.”

“But they’re different from what we know...”

“Very different, right? Because these are high-grade Magic Stones.”

High-grade Magic Stones?

Did such things even exist?

Among the assembly members was an expert in the Magic Stone industry.

He rushed out and examined them closely.

“Oh, these are definitely in a different league from regular Magic Stones. The color is darker and more concentrated.”

Juhyeok also smiled and added an explanation.

“That’s right. Room-temperature superconductors. When you clear Floor 70, the high-grade Magic Stone reward restriction gets unlocked.”

“......”

Their expressions were dumbfounded.

Did that make any sense?

The world’s highest Black Tower floor was 70.

And they were struggling just to clear that.

How on earth?

“I reached Level 100 on a parallel universe Earth. Clearing Floor 70 comes with many benefits, and clearing Floor 90 opens up a whole new world.”

Their expressions remained bewildered.

He understood.

They probably could not make heads or tails of it.

It could not be helped.

Time for the master negotiator to take the stage.

Juhyeok glanced at Cossack.

Cossack nodded gravely in response.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“...Yes.”

Cossack bowed respectfully to the National Assembly Speaker and ascended the podium.

“There is no ruling or opposition party when it comes to Black Tower conquest. Textbook of legislation, master of hundred-minute debates, legend of the 15-night 16-day filibuster, doesn’t care about popularity polls, first place in approval rating for White Tower district, salary return, privilege renunciation, 10-term assemblyman, White Party representative Cossack here.”

He was just making things up left and right.

“I also heard the 11th target nation selection announcement. It’s grim. You must be anxious. So then, what is the one and only alternative that can save us in this dire time?”

He sharply turned his head to look at Juhyeok.

“It is Summoner Bong.”

Cossack continued his impassioned speech.

“Our Summoner Bong’s only concern day and night is the country. Look at that haggard face. Do you have any idea how worried he is that the Tower might collapse again?”

That was right.

He was worried.

“But fear not. Summoner Bong can do it! For the Republic of Korea to become an advanced Tower climbing nation! To build a Republic of Korea overflowing with national pride that will shock America, send China fleeing in terror, and have Japan prostrating itself flat! He will march forward!”

Ahhh!

His heart swelled with grandeur.

“In that other world, China offered up Baekdu Mountain as tribute. Japan is even debating whether to hand over Tsushima. Wake up! Ceding Jeju Island to China? As if! Can you not hear the wailing of Seolmundae Halmang on Halla Mountain?”

That was right.

Give Jeju Island to China?

Even a wimp opposed that.

“Everyone, place your fingers on the approval button and press it firmly. There can be no opposition. With all your heart and soul! Unity, a spirit of self-reliant revolution is what this moment requires!”

That last part seemed a bit counterproductive.

“We protect our own fate! This is the true value of conservatism and the direction progressivism must take.”

...Did I make a mistake having him give a speech?

But then.

‘Huh?’

The assembly members had moved expressions.

Even Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil.

‘Was it... persuasive?’

Cossack declared his firm resolve and descended from the podium.

Then the National Assembly Speaker cleared his throat and said.

“We will proceed to the vote immediately. Please vote according to your conscience.”

A moment later.

FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH!

The lights lit up on the National Assembly electronic voting display.

“Oh!”

It was all green.

With this, nationality acquisition was successful.

Jeon Seongil also had a joyful expression.

He shouted into his smartphone.

“Colonel Lee, register Player Bong Juhyeok in the national resident registration network immediately. Yeah, it passed.”

After some time passed.

Juhyeok’s changed Status Window.

[Name]: Bong Juhyeok

[Affiliation 1]: Black Tower (Earth NO.1001 Republic of Korea)

[Affiliation 2]: Black Tower (Earth NO.675 Germany)

[Affiliation 3]: Black Tower (Earth NO.843 Republic of Korea)

Phew, that was exhausting.

Well, once he could enter the Tower, getting to Floor 100 would be quick.

But first, let’s acquire the White Tower.

After that, he would make the national-pride-overflowing Republic of Korea a reality in parallel universe Earth NO.843.

***

Juhyeok entered White Tower Floor 6.

Now he should have the qualifications, right?

Ding!

[The Player’s qualifications have been recognized. You may acquire White Tower Floor 6 through legitimate rights.]

There it was.

[You already own 2 floors of the White Tower. Progressive cost will be applied.]

Progressive cost?

[Would you like to acquire White Tower Floor 6 for 1,000 tons of supreme Magic Stones?]

‘......’

Supreme Magic Stones, 1,000 tons.

1,000,000 kg.

Why was it so expensive?

Were they trying to fleece him because he had made money?

Disappointing, God Baek.

What to do?

Actually, there was no need to think about it.

He could always earn another million.

He had even planted the World Tree.

“Rajix.”

“Hoe?”

“You have the supreme-grade 1,000,000 Blue Ticket, right?”

“Hoeng!”

“Take it out.”

He was this rich.

“I’ll acquire it.”

[You have become the official owner of White Tower Floor 6.]

[Your temporary stay period has been removed. You may stay for as long as you wish.]

[White Tower Floor 6 entry and exit skills have been permanently registered.]

[You may now use the White Tower Floor 6 owner menu.]

[White Tower Floor 17 residents have also been permanently registered on the Floor 6 resident list at no additional cost.]

Whoa!

All 355 people were recognized?

It was convenient not having to issue new registrations.

But then.

Ding!

“Hm?”

[Achievement: White Tower Real Estate King. You have become the owner of 3 floors.]

Wow!

An achievement.

[A reward will be granted.]

What could it be?

[You may copy and paste the facilities of a specific White Tower floor you own to another floor at no cost. Some items excluded.]

[Floors available for copying are White Tower Floor 1 and White Tower Floor 17.]

This was incredible.

What a sweet deal.

If this was the case, it did not matter if it was expensive.

White Tower Real Estate King.

That was Bong Juhyeok.

Let’s apply the achievement reward immediately.

“Copy White Tower Floor 17.”

Copying White Tower Floor 17.

And.

“Paste.”

WHOOOOOOSH!

CHCHCHCHCH! CHCHCHCHCH!

Buildings rising up here and there.

TATATATAK! TATAK!

Asphalt roads beginning to spread across the ground.

Generators and communication towers, landmark high-rise buildings, plazas and residences, even restaurants and the integrated workshop center, and logistics transport gates.

Done.

As expected of our God Baek.

Floor 6, now a twin of Floor 17.

It was not completely identical though.

Some items excluded.

The Seondo Tree and World Tree were not there.

That was to be expected.

There was no way he could be greedy for even those.

‘Has your influence grown a bit now?’

【Congratulations on becoming a Player of parallel universe Earth NO.843.】

Nice response.

Then perhaps a request could also be heard.

The Republic of Korea’s current situation.

Three Tower collapses, sinkhole waves, and on top of that, being selected as an 11th round climbing promotion target nation.

Their self-esteem had plummeted to the ground.

Despair and defeat were soaring to the sky.

So then?

They needed something to lift their spirits.

For those who had only encountered World Announcements through Kabalan’s Curse.

“Hey, is there any way to broadcast each floor’s conquest results as a World Announcement?”

The level difference was too great, so World Announcements would not ring, but.

What about with the White Tower?

“Ah! I don’t need a badge. Just something like an announcement that the conquest was successful?”

Would that work?

There was no response yet.

“I don’t have to do it for other nationality Towers. Just when I’m conquering the Republic of Korea’s Black Tower.”

Please.

You’re listening to me, right?

We’re even communicating with each other.

【I accept the Player’s request. I will attempt to access the system.】

Yes!

Then let’s begin.