The tower collapse triggered by Kabalan’s Curse of Average.
As a result, three sinkholes had appeared in Earth NO.843’s Republic of Korea.
Each one required a wave defense.
The declaration of martial law was only natural.
It was a state equivalent to warti, after all.
This was exactly when ergency martial law should be declared.
Colonel Lee Minseon approached Commander Jeon Seongil, who had entered the tent, and quietly whispered to him.
Jeon Seongil nodded as he listened.
Then he flinched in surprise.
“...Five tis a day?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“I heard it directly.”
What a strange reaction.
Was five tis a day such a big deal?
He had said tower climbing.
Jeon Seongil’s expression was not pleased either.
Still, as if nothing was wrong, he smiled slightly and gave Juhyeok a crisp salute.
“Thank you for defending the Seoul sinkhole wave.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
Between us.
“I’m Jeon Seongil.”
“I’m Bong Juhyeok.”
Juhyeok shook hands with Jeon Seongil.
He could not express how glad he was.
It felt like eting a close neighborhood older brother in a foreign land where he had no connections.
They had only exchanged greetings, yet he already felt reassured.
Jeon Seongil felt similarly.
He had already heard from Mina.
That this young man held the highest position among them.
In his early twenties, quite young.
Nothing seed particularly special about him, but.
‘How peculiar.’
Why did he feel so trustworthy when he had just t him for the first ti?
Had they perhaps t sowhere before?
“Bong Juhyeok, if you don’t mind my asking, may I inquire where you’re from and what nationality is shown on your Player Status Window?”
Of course he could.
“Actually, I was just discussing that very issue with Lee Mina—I an, Colonel Lee Minseon. I don’t have a nationality. That’s why I’d like to acquire one.”
Jeon Seongil nodded.
He had received that report as well.
It still did not make sense.
Without nationality, one could not enter the Tower.
And without entering, Player qualification would be revoked.
‘There must be so reason he can’t reveal his nationality.’
He could simply acquire nationality.
It would just take so ti.
The problem was keeping this person in the Republic of Korea.
“Bong Juhyeok.”
“Yes?”
“I have a request. Please join us, the Republic of Korea.”
Oh!
As expected, he was straightforward.
A past mory ca to mind.
Director Jeon Gwangil had been like this too when he first awakened.
He felt like he could tell this person everything.
But before that, he needed to ask what he needed to ask.
“Um, Colonel Lee Minseon said that the naturalization process is very complicated.”
“That’s correct. The procedures have been strengthened.”
“Why is that? The Republic of Korea is on the verge of collapse, so shouldn’t you be retaining capable Players by any ans necessary?”
Jeon Seongil tilted his head at that.
“...Do you really not know?”
“No.”
“It’s quite a famous incident.”
“This is my first ti in this world.”
“......”
First ti in this world?
Was he so kind of alien?
“Whew, I understand. I’ll tell you about it.”
Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil let out a deep sigh and continued.
“Until recently, the Republic of Korea Black Tower’s clear progress was Floor 55 completed, Floor 56 in progress.”
That was it?
Even Floor 61 was pathetic, and they had been at Floor 56?
“Then the World Announcent about Kabalan’s curse hit. Climbing promotion target countries were selected, and Black Towers that exceeded the collapse deadline began to collapse.”
What about Korea?
“We weren’t included in the first round of selections. Not even the second round. As you know, challenging Floor 56 at that ti ant being in the upper-middle tier of Tower clear progress.”
Was that so?
“But we still had to prepare. Because we could be hit by the curse at any ti.”
So what was Korea’s response?
“We implented an aggressive naturalization policy. Securing talented Players capable of breaking through the late Floor 50s.”
That was an extrely common and sensible approach.
That was what had happened on Earth NO.1001 as well.
“At that ti, there was a Player from China who applied for naturalization. His na was Liu Chenming, a Level 56 Player with a ranged Trait.”
Hmm.
He had a bad feeling about this.
Since a Chinese Player was involved.
“A ranged Trait Player naturalizing during the wyvern zone. It was only natural to welco him. We gave him good treatnt too.”
That made sense.
They had to recruit him no matter what.
“And then that bastard showed his true colors.”
No way?
“Five floors were cleared in a single day.”
Ah!
Five floors at once.
He definitely did not have a daily climbing limit of five floors like himself.
“I think I know how he did it. A Tower Jump Ticket.”
“That’s right.”
Now he understood.
The reason they had reacted so sensitively to what had seed like a joke about five tis a day.
“We conducted an investigation to find out who was climbing the Tower at the mont Korea’s clear progress reached Floor 61.”
Tracking the suspect would not have been difficult.
There could not have been that many Players capable of climbing Floor 56.
“We checked the CCTV and narrowed down the suspects, and we found out the culprit was Liu Chenming. But by then, he had already disappeared.”
What a bastard.
“Did you find him?”
“We even issued a public wanted notice, but we couldn’t find him.”
So that was why naturalization had beco difficult.
Because one bastard had caused an incident.
If soone used a Tower Jump Ticket like this and then hid away playing innocent?
“Is there soone behind him? ...The Chinese governnt?”
“They adamantly denied it. Said it was an individual’s aberrant behavior, and that Liu Chenming wasn’t even a nationally nurtured Player.”
Hmm.
Even if it were true, there was no way China would admit it.
“And then during the third Kabalan curse, the Republic of Korea was selected as a climbing promotion target country.”
How terrible.
“In the end, we couldn’t stop it. The result was the Gangwon-do Chuncheon Tower collapse.”
Tsk tsk.
“During the fourth round, we were selected again. The Daegu Black Tower... that one collapsed too.”
Good grief.
“And during the fifth round, we were selected again...”
“The Seoul Tower collapse?”
“That’s correct.”
So they had been hit three tis in a row.
Being selected once did not an it was over.
It had been the sa on their Earth.
They could be selected two or three tis with no limit.
“If you bring in Players through temporary naturalization...”
“This is the Floor 61 undead zone. There aren’t many Players Level 61 or above worldwide, and since Kabalan’s curse, temporary naturalization has been virtually suspended.”
He understood.
“After the three collapses, the naturalization process beca extrely strict. Verified identity and hearing approval beca requirents.”
This was unavoidable.
“Setting aside whether soone is capable or not, is this person’s identity verified? What is their purpose for naturalization? These beca the core questions.”
If so nobody ca in asking for naturalization and they just approved it without question, that would be a problem too.
Anyway.
“Liu Chenming, that bastard is really terrible!”
“He’s a fucking son of a bitch.”
“He should be drawn and quartered, and his entire family line exterminated for three generations.”
“He must not be allowed an easy death.”
“Hoaaaah!”
Because of that bastard, the country had been brought to the brink of ruin.
There was no villain quite like him.
Even though all he did was tear up one ticket, the consequences had been devastating.
How many people had been sacrificed?
As Mad Demon said, this was a man who should not be allowed to die easily.
As a result, “five tis a day” had beco sothing like a taboo phrase in the Republic of Korea.
And he had not known that.
He had made people feel awkward.
Ti to give an answer now.
About why he had no nationality.
“Commander Jeon Seongil.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Do you happen to know about parallel universes?”
“Pardon?”
Jeon Seongil had a blank expression.
“There are countless Earths in the universe.”
“Ah, hmm.”
“I ca from Earth NO.1001. This is Earth NO.843. The numbering was assigned by soone else though.”
“......”
“Actually, I do have a nationality. Level 100 Player Bong Juhyeok of the Republic of Korea on Earth NO.1001.”
Jeon Seongil simply stood frozen, motionless as if turned to ice.
“On Earth NO.1001, there’s soone who looks exactly like you, Commander. His na is Director Jeon Gwangil.”
“......”
“We’re really close. I even have photos we took together. Would you like to see?”
Juhyeok opened his smartphone and showed him photos taken with Jeon Gwangil.
“Here.”
“...What is this?”
It must seem so random.
While he was at it, he showed so other conquest footage too.
The ones Mackenzie had fild.
Starting from the Floor 81 giant monster zone.
Gulp.
Jeon Seongil swallowed dryly.
Were the photos and videos real?
If they were fabricated...
But they seed so natural.
Even if they were fabricated, producing such footage would require an enormous amount of ti and money.
And it would be exposed soon anyway.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry. I don’t have much ti. I’d like the nationality acquisition to be processed quickly.”
“......”
Jeon Seongil wanted to believe Bong Juhyeok.
No, he did believe him.
Parallel universes?
They must certainly exist.
That was the only way all the questions could be answered.
The trendous abilities that Bong Juhyeok and his companions had displayed, and even the reason he had no nationality.
Earth NO.1001.
A world similar to this one, yet different.
“...What was the Republic of Korea like on Earth NO.1001?”
Cossack answered on his behalf.
“It’s the world’s strongest Tower climbing nation. The Republic of Korea, with a lethal dose of national pride that no other country can dare approach.”
“Ah!”
“It’s even a unified Republic of Korea.”
“R-Really?”
“I was the Minister of the People’s Ard Forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
“......”
“I’m not a spy. I’m Cossack, the flower of reunification.”
So that world had achieved reunification too.
anwhile, what about here?
National pride, his ass. The country was on the verge of collapse.
Jeon Seongil made his decision.
Let’s help him acquire nationality.
If it went wrong?
He would take all the responsibility himself.
A Dark Wave had already erupted.
The Republic of Korea was heading toward destruction anyway.
What difference did it make if things went wrong here?
“I’ll take responsibility and convene a naturalization hearing imdiately.”
“Uh, do we really have to do that?”
“It’s a procedural matter. We could change the law, but that would take even longer.”
“So you’re saying naturalization can only be approved after passing a National Assembly hearing?”
“Yes.”
Well!
It could not be helped.
Player naturalization was originally like that.
They had to be properly registered through docunted procedures after all.
“The National Assembly isn’t doing this with bad intentions either. It’s because that’s what the law requires.”
Was it a good National Assembly?
“Can the mbers of the National Assembly be trusted?”
“Yes, at least the ones who remain now are decent. Actually, about 100 out of the 300 assembly mbers have already fled.”
So so had fled.
But at least the core seed to have stayed.
Then well,
He would have to go through it.
“Understood. I’ll attend the hearing. But please make it happen today.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Let’s wait and see.
No matter how fast it was, it would take at least several hours.
But just sitting around was a bit boring.
“By the way, you said you still haven’t caught Liu Chenming, right?”
“Embarrassingly, we haven’t even been able to locate him.”
“I’ll catch him for you.”
“Pardon?”
Jeon Seongil’s eyes went wide with surprise.
“...You’ll catch him?”
“Just give a description and personal information on him.”
“Uh, we have the docunts...”
“Give them to . I’ll catch him and deliver him to you.”
“Uhmm.”
Jeon Seongil also desperately wanted to catch that bastard.
To catch him and hold him accountable.
But could he really catch him?
The guy that even the combined forces of police and military could not find?
Tower conquest and finding people were completely different matters.
But if he was that confident, he must have a thod.
“Adjutant!”
“Yes!”
“Do you have Liu Chenming’s photo and personal information?”
“I have it.”
“Show it to him.”
Juhyeok opened the docunt folder.
Photos, na, age, basic personal details.
“Most of it should be accurate. His na is his real na too, and there’s also information provided by the Chinese governnt.”
The photo from the docunts showed that guy.
But sohow, he looked familiar.
‘...Wait a mont?’
Liu Chenming? Liu Chenming, huh.
The na was similar to Yoo Cheolmin, the bastard who had once been Korea’s top Player before fleeing to Japan.
The face too.
Was it the sa person?
Did that matter?
That fucking bastard!
You’re dead for sure.
“...But he’s still on Korean nationality?”
“Yes, we haven’t released him.”
The first nationality transfer was free.
But from the second one onward, mutual agreent was required.
The reason they had not released him was obvious.
“You want to catch him and send him into Floor 61?”
“We need to make him take responsibility.”
Wasn’t it truly pathetic?
The reality of having to catch a criminal who had committed the worst cri and put him into the Tower conquest.
“Fairy Princess?”
“Please give your command.”
“We have a photo and personal information, so can you activate the Tracking Talisman?”
“It would be as easy as eating cold porridge.”
Good.
Let’s find that bastard and bring him back.
“Commander, I’m going to catch this guy and head to the hearing. Just tell the address, where I need to go.”
They had to hurry.
The stay duration was 24 hours.
About 4 hours seed to have passed already.
Catch him and acquire nationality within 20 hours.
And acquire the White Tower at the sa ti.
‘Who knew acquiring nationality would be this difficult.’
Anyway, let’s begin tracking Liu Chenming.
The first talisman that Gyeon Dallae carefully drew.
When she threw it into the sky, it burst into flas on its own.
FWOOSH!
“It is to the east.”
The Tracking Talisman was not omnipotent.
The first one only indicated a general direction.
A sort of divination.
But if they kept drawing and using talismans in succession as they closed the distance?
It would narrow down gradually.
In the end, it would reveal even the place where he lived.
Juhyeok and the group headed east.
If a dragon appeared from the start, people would be startled.
Empty Seoul.
In a place with no people.
“The Green Airplane is ready.”
“Let’s go!”
SHWAAAAK!
SPOT! SPOT-SPOT-SPOT-SPOT!
Infinite turbo blink flight comnced.
The destination was east.
***
Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan.
A luxury high-rise mansion.
Liu Chenming had just exited the Black Tower after entering.
Even while on the run, he had to diligently collect his Magic Stone rewards.
As the world was falling apart, the value of currency had plumted.
Physical goods were the best.
Especially Magic Stones, since they were materials used in various weapons.
The floor he had visited was Floor 43.
His level was 61, but was he crazy enough to enter the undead zone?
It was a floor he had risen to through foul play.
He had neither the ability nor the inclination to conquer it.
When he first obtained the Tower Jump Ticket, he had thought he absolutely had to use it.
Five floors of Tower climbing.
Five whole levels gained.
Not to ntion becoming stronger in reality.
A high-level Player welcod wherever he went.
How great was that?
He had to do it, no question.
The world would end soon anyway.
Still, he did not want to die early.
He had to cling to life tenaciously.
And to do that, he needed to get stronger.
But he could not use the ticket in China.
If it ca out that he had done it there, it would be the worst.
Not only he, but his entire family would die.
So he had looked for an alternative.
An easy target country.
He requested naturalization to Korea.
And finally, he used the Tower Jump Ticket.
It was only natural that Korea was thrown into chaos.
He was obviously going to get caught.
Well, did he have anything to worry about?
Liu Chenming had defected to Japan before using the ticket.
In fact, he had even entered Korea’s Floor 56 Tower from Japan.
His nationality was still Korean even now.
Korea would have to release him, but they would never do that.
They must still be red-eyed trying to find him, right?
Bastards.
The world was going to end anyway, so what difference did it make if it ended a bit sooner?
The reason Japan had accepted him despite the risk?
The condition was defending the Hokkaido sinkhole waves.
Combat outside the Tower did not care about nationality.
Plus, he was Level 61 with a ranged Trait.
He was useful.
In any case, he had successfully settled in Sapporo.
For the ti being, he would lounge around, and when the Hokkaido sinkhole wave hit, he would go defend it.
That was all he had to do.
Japan still had so breathing room.
Collapse was still a long way off.
Liu Chenming sat on the plush sofa, gazing at the snowy view of Sapporo.
Sipping a cup of ward sake, in tranquil peace.
Ah! What a peaceful life!
But then?
“...Huh?”
What was that?
Soone was plastered against the mansion’s panoramic window.
The person looked Western.
‘That guy...’
He looked like a Player.
Spider-Man?
Could he be a burglar?
At that mont.
SCRITCH, SCRITCH, SCRITCH.
“Huk!”
The Westerner was cutting through the thick glass window with a dagger.
“Wh-what?”
Cut neatly so a person could fit through, the glass window fell away.
“How are you?”
The guy casually walked in, greeting him in terrible Chinese pronunciation.
“What the hell is this crazy bastard!”
SWISH!
Liu Chenming pulled a bow from his inventory and aid at the guy’s eyes.
“I’ll pierce your eyeball!”
TSHHT!
An arrow flew.
He had used two Trait skills.
Unerring Accuracy and Pierce.
“Die!”
There was no way he could dodge.
Not at this distance.
He was certain of that.
Until he saw the arrow the guy was holding in his mouth.
“...Wh-what the?”
He caught a mana-infused arrow with his mouth?
Was that even possible?
“Tsk tsk.”
SPIT!
The distance closed in an instant.
“Huh?”
SMACK!
A palm struck his face.
CLATTER-CLATTER!
Teeth scattered.
“Gurghh...”
He had only been slapped once on the cheek, yet Liu Chenming’s entire body went limp.
He could not even dodge.
And he was a Level 61 Player.
“Brother Liu, have you eaten? Very good!”
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK...
With an expressionless face, Cossack slapped him repeatedly.
As expected, the sensation was underwhelming.
He should be cutting off his head instead.
Liu Chenming lost consciousness and went limp.
If he hit him any more here, he might die.
Cossack grabbed the subdued guy and went back out through the glass window, heading to the mansion building’s rooftop.
“I’ve brought him.”
“Wait, why is he beaten to a pulp like this?”
“I just gave him a light slap...”
Gyeon Dallae snapped at him angrily.
“How foolish! Do you think your slap is at a normal level? If he dies like this, do you have any idea how easy a death he’ll get?”
“...I’m sorry.”
Gyeon Dallae was right.
He should not be allowed to die easily.
“Rajix, just splash so healing potion on him.”
“Hooeng!”
SWISH.
He pulled out a healing potion, then smashed it directly onto Liu Chenming’s head.
THWACK!
CRASH!
Shattered glass and potion dripped down Liu Chenming’s head.
“......”
Well, the healing potion was technically splashed.
“Let’s hurry up and go. Captain Green Airplane?”
“Ready. Please board.”
The weather made visibility poor with heavy snowfall.
They might still get caught on radar, but...
It did not matter.
They could not catch them anyway.
“Should we just leave Japan alone?”
“Hmm.”
Then Rajix said,
“Hooeng, nuke?”
Oh dear.
Hooeng-nuke whenever he was bored.
It was becoming a habit.
“Not now.”
Was he going to develop nuclear explosion withdrawal symptoms or sothing?
No, had withdrawal already set in?
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