Chapter 21

Chapter 21

15th Floor.

The midpoint of the floor is known as the undead section.

A man in a black robe walked through the thousands, tens of thousands of skeletons scattered haphazardly everywhere.

The man’s body was like a gaunt aspen tree.

His skin was dried out and rough like tree bark, and his bloodless face was pale, like a wax doll.

He looked almost like a mummy.

That impression was not far off.

[Immortal Khan]

He was not human.

The man—no, the monster—was an individual with a unique name.

He was on a different level from the ordinary monsters commonly seen in the Tower.

Step, step.

Immortal Khan walked down the path.

The shadow stretching long across the ground wriggled, and a gaunt finger braced itself against the earth.

The undead born from the shadow followed after the necromancer.

The undead rising one by one swelled in an instant like an overflowing river.

It was a tremendous sight, enough to make one’s breath catch.

However, Khan stared at the undead army with hollow eyes.

“How bitter. To think that even with an army of this size, this old man cannot make the real world his own.”

Originally, the Tower and the outside world were cut off from each other.

Only those selected by the Tower could freely enter and leave the Tower.

However, monsters could not enter or leave the Tower.

Why? Because the Tower’s rules were absolute.

Because that Tower had not permitted monsters to pass through.

But exceptions existed.

Only one.

There were times when the Tower and the real world became connected.

The Synchronization phenomenon.

The moment a Dungeon that had occurred in the real world failed to be cleared and overflowed, a tiny gap formed.

It was such a faint gap that calling it a needle hole would not be an exaggeration.

“With a gap of the size that will form this time, it seems possible to intervene in the real world.”

Soon, a Synchronization phenomenon would occur.

Until now, the gaps had been far too small, so there had been no chance.

At last, an opportunity had arrived.

“Tsk, tsk. It is a shame this old man cannot go in person.”

Of course, there were restrictions.

If it were at least the size of a rift, perhaps things would be different.

A small gap could not handle his existence.

It was the same principle as being unable to shove a club through the eye of a needle.

Still, that did not mean there was no method at all.

A method could be devised if he sought one.

Khan raised his palm and recited an incantation.

“Rise—”

Hundreds of years.

The resentment and hatred he harbored toward the living had become a curse beyond measure, transforming into an authority equal to magic crafted by an Archmage.

RUMBLE!!

As the earth shook violently, the mountain-like heaps of skeletons began to wriggle.

After waves of thousands, tens of thousands of skeletons surged one after another, a dragon revealed itself from within the rapids.

“This time, it is not quite a failure... but it will still be usable enough.”

It was exactly the maximum limit that the “gap” that would occur this time could allow.

Just as intended.

Soon, a Synchronization phenomenon would occur.

“When this old man’s child manifests in the real world... heh heh, it will be quite a sight. Enough to make it a shame that I cannot see it with my own eyes.”

The moment the Bone Dragon descended into the real world.

The real world would meet its end.

***

WEE-OOO, WEE-OOO!!

The siren blared fiercely.

“Please move to the designated shelters according to the instructions! Do not panic! Move according to the directions!”

Only one hour ago.

A report had come in that a Dungeon Synchronization phenomenon was about to occur.

Under the control of the military and police.

Countless refugees moved in long lines.

In the middle of that.

A man suddenly popped out from among the refugees.

He strode forward and crossed the police line.

At the sight, the official directing the evacuation line shouted angrily.

“Huh? Hey! Past there is a restricted area! No one but authorized personnel may enter....”

“I am authorized personnel. I came after receiving a summons from the Crisis Response Committee.”

When he pulled out a government-issued access pass, the eyes of the manager blocking his path changed favorably.

“Kang Seong-jin? Ah! You’re a Chosen. I apologize. Lately, there has been a surge in subversive elements committing crimes by taking advantage of the chaos....”

“It’s fine. So, what is the situation?”

“As you may already have been informed, observations indicate that a Synchronization phenomenon will soon occur in the Dungeon that appeared in E-2 Zone.”

“Why wasn’t anything done until it reached this point?”

99.9% of the Synchronization phenomena that existed in this world could be prevented in advance.

Synchronization was caused by Dungeons.

If the Dungeon that caused it was cleared in time, no problem would occur.

“As you know, the occurrence rate of Dungeons has surged over the past several months. We cannot handle it. Not with the personnel we have left.”

“.......”

“Unless the cause is resolved, at least....”

The manager trailed off while watching his expression.

If Synchronization was caused by Dungeons.

Then what was the reason Dungeons appeared?

It was simple.

Dungeons occurred because the Tower’s highest-floor record had not been updated.

‘It’s been about three months now.’

That was how long South Korea’s Tower had been stagnant, unable to advance past its highest floor.

Because of that, Dungeons were springing up everywhere like mushrooms after rain.

That was also the cause of the Gangseo-gu catastrophe that had occurred not long ago.

If the Tower’s highest floor had been updated, something like this.

Would never have happened.

“Are there any Chosen who arrived besides me?”

“Yes, there are, but as for combat power we can expect anything from....”

At Kang Seong-jin’s question, the official’s complexion darkened.

It was understandable.

The contact had come suddenly.

Chosen who could respond immediately after receiving such a message were not common.

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

“Ah, one moment. I need to take this call.”

Watching the official’s reaction, he left his spot.

Only after reaching a deserted alley did he answer the phone.

“This is Kang Seong-jin.”

-Did you arrive safely at the scene?

“Thanks to you. By the way, you have quite the network. To think you could grasp even information like this in advance.”

This Synchronization phenomenon.

He had given the official a suitable excuse, but he had not mobilized at the Crisis Response Committee’s request.

-You should not underestimate the intelligence agency of the People’s Liberation Corps. Stealing information from a small country is simple.

Ever since the Tower was established on Earth—more precisely, ever since Chosen appeared—nuclear weapons, which had once determined the military power of nations, had fallen to the level of conventional weapons.

Because no matter how many nuclear weapons one possessed, they did not work inside the Tower.

What determined a nation’s power was the strength of the Chosen affiliated with that country.

National power was, in other words, diplomatic relations.

“South Korea’s fate is sealed.”

Until only a few months ago, South Korea had been a great power counted among the G5.

However, that was now a story of the past.

After the death of Seven Star Kwon Hyeok-jin, South Korea’s national power plummeted sharply.

To what extent?

“I never dreamed we would end up on the same level as North Korea.”

-Since the powerful backing known as Kwon Hyeok-jin disappeared, its bare face could not help but be revealed.

Even if one covered the sun with one’s palm, could it all be hidden?

South Korea’s collapse was certain.

It could not be concealed.

Remaining still on a sinking ship was a foolish thing to do.

The third-rate watched from the sidelines, unaware that the ship was sinking.

The second-rate foolishly bailed water out from atop the sinking ship.

The first-rate were different.

“You haven’t forgotten the price for my naturalization into China, have you?”

A first-rate person moved quickly according to the situation.

-Yes, of course. The authorities welcome all valuable talents, regardless of nationality or race. However, we also have conditions....

“I know. A performance that China can accept, was it?”

-Yes. There must be justification for everything, must there not? The Synchronization phenomenon scheduled to occur in South Korea this time is also being watched closely by Public Security.

Face.

Along with personal connections, it was part of Chinese culture, which placed great importance on appearances and prestige.

No matter how outstanding one’s skill and reputation were.

If one could not show a performance China would accept, naturalization was impossible.

‘Choi Gyu-nam, that man failed too.’

His skill itself had been utterly pathetic.

However, if he remembered correctly, he had been selected as a recruitment target because his ability to get things done had been acknowledged.

Instead, that very ability had become poison, and he had been put on trial.

The final verdict was life imprisonment.

He had to avoid ending up like that.

There was only one variable that could arise in this matter.

‘...Pingkkyu Gyongdyu, was it?’

Pingkkyu Gyongdyu.

After the death of Seven Star Kwon Hyeok-jin.

He was a Chosen, climbing the Tower at an unprecedented speed while shattering all kinds of world records.

And not only inside the Tower.

The previous Gangseo-gu catastrophe and even the recent Boss Monster Irregular incident.

They were all Pingkkyu Gyongdyu’s achievements.

In present-day South Korea, anyone who did not know Pingkkyu Gyongdyu was a spy.

Even spies knew him.

Even if Seven Star Kwon Hyeok-jin kicked open his coffin and came back to life, it would be impossible for him to build achievements of that level.

But a mere individual possessed that level of skill?

Absurd.

Unless he had received the full support of a nation or a guild, it made no sense.

‘If that bastard gets involved, it’ll be a major problem.’

[The Hall of Fame is being updated.]

“Hmm?”

The Hall of Fame was being updated?

All of a sudden?

[Hall of Fame (11th Floor)]

1st: Pingkkyu Gyongdyu

2nd: Jin-ha

3rd: Kiina Karin

4th: Robert Hans

…….

….

..

The updated floor was the 11th floor.

What had changed was 1st place.

Looking at Pingkkyu Gyongdyu’s actions so far, his Tower climbs had not ended with just one floor.

“You said China is also watching this matter, right? Make sure my naturalization preparations are ready. I will prove myself by showing the results you expect.”

Kang Seong-jin spoke with confidence.

This matter.

There was zero chance Pingkkyu Gyongdyu would be involved.

If there was no rival, there was no need to be nervous.

***

“Blink.”

FLASH!

A golden flash of lightning gleamed, and my vision flipped.

A skeleton soldier wearing plate armor swung its sword.

Just before the skeleton soldier’s sword struck my body head-on.

CRACKLE!

Static Electricity flashed.

BZZZZZZZT.

A powerful electric shock discharged immediately after.

“Grrrrrrrk!”

The pure white plate armor was scorched black.

If this had been inside the game, a system message would have popped up saying it had been electrocuted.

As proof, the skeleton soldier’s entire body trembled.

Taking that opening, Poing slipped in behind it.

When Poing placed a hand on the armor, the plate armor melted away with steam.

At first, it had not been powerful enough to do this.

At most, it had only been enough to melt skin.

As its level rose, Poing’s ability had also climbed one step higher.

[Rainbow Servant Slime (Poing)- Lv36]

Among the monsters that resided in the 10th-floor range, there were probably only a handful that could beat Poing one-on-one.

They would have to be monsters with unique names, like Poing.

More than ninety percent of the monsters appearing in the Tower were ordinary monsters with species names.

But monsters with unique names... also known as Named monsters, were different.

Back when this was a game, many users had struggled against Named monsters.

‘They were just that unpredictable.’

Well, that was not something to discuss on low floors like this, so never mind.

[Imbuing Wand with Dust Cloud Explosion.]

“Dust Cloud Explosion.”

BOOOOOOM!

With an explosion, fragments of the undead’s bones flew everywhere.

[12th Floor cleared.]

[Contribution Rank 1 achieved.]

[MVP achieved!]

Climbing the 12th floor was also completed smoothly.

It was an obvious result.

“Hajin! You did great! How far are we going this time?”

“Mm... good question.”

I paused at Poing’s question.

I had not exactly decided how far we would go during this climb.

Normally, when you entered the Tower, you were done after climbing one floor.

Climbing several floors at once was only possible because it was me.

“Wouldn’t the 15th floor be enough?”

The exact midpoint of the undead section in the 10th-floor range.

Around there should be enough, shouldn’t it?

What could possibly happen?

***

Floors remaining until the 15th Floor.

F-2.