Late at night.
A suite room at the Ilseong Hotel in Seoul.
Abdul Bin Sallam, the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, could not sleep.
Only 15 days remained until the collapse countdown of the UAE's Tower.
And yet, the reason he had stayed here for five days.
He had expected his request for temporary naturalization to be rejected.
Would the Korean government willingly lend out its top player?
Still, the individual's thinking might be different.
Korea was known to guarantee players' personal freedom as much as possible.
He had pinned his hopes on that.
So he had persistently tried to make personal contact with Player Nam Ga-eun... only to be flatly rejected. Their position was that they wouldn't do it even for a single day of temporary naturalization, let alone fifteen.
Next.
He moved the Korean media outlets.
To appeal to the S++ rank conqueror of South Korea's Black Tower.
He put forth the best possible terms and spread articles asking the record holder to contact the embassy.
But the only calls coming in were prank calls.
Every attempt had failed.
There was only one option left.
To return to the UAE and bow to the Saudi government.
But Saudi Arabia's demands had been far too excessive.
Temporary naturalization would be granted.
In exchange, he would have to hand over the Rune of Trait Enhancement.
They also demanded land near the border.
An area with gas fields.
On top of that, one billion dollars in cash, one ton of magic stones, one ton of tower metal, one hundred sheets of tower leather...
Even thieves weren't thieves like this.
But in return, they would conquer not just the 60th floor but also the 61st floor six months later.
'I have no choice.'
Until things normalized, he would have no choice but to sign a humiliating contract.
Besides, other countries would likely make similar demands.
A nearby nation was better than a distant one.
He couldn't keep things on bad terms with Saudi Arabia forever.
'I should head back tomorrow.'
In that instant!
Ring! Click!
The door to the suite opened.
'Hm?'
The security team?
He hadn't called for them.
Drrrk.
The sound of a heavy object being dragged across the floor.
Curious, he went toward the door, and—
"..."
A Western man was dragging two fallen security guards into the room.
He even carried a shield and a club made of iron on his back.
It was clearly an intruder.
So he tried to get out of the way, but their eyes met.
'Hk!'
Bin Sallam inhaled sharply.
And kept inhaling.
He should have exhaled, but he couldn't.
He couldn't move his body either.
He simply stood rooted to the spot.
The man was smiling.
That smile was unbearably chilling.
As if this were his own home, the man walked over slowly and sat down on the sofa.
He gestured to the sofa opposite.
An instruction to sit. Only then did his body begin to move again.
His breathing returned to normal as well.
Bin Sallam had no choice but to comply.
Tap. A paper placed on the table.
He glanced at it with his eyes.
Two words in English: "Interpreter" and "Korean."
'Is he Korean?'
Judging by appearance alone, he didn't look it at all.
In any case, the man wanted him to call people.
Bin Sallam picked up the phone.
"M-may I make a call?"
A nod.
A gesture of permission.
Right. Call them.
The interpreter, and the security guards as well.
Bin Sallam sent a message on his smartphone.
Saying an intruder had broken in, explaining the situation in detail.
Then—
Whoosh!
Security guards and aides came flooding into the suite.
Each of them pointing pistols at the intruder.
"Don't move!"
"Hands up! Unless you want a hole blown through your head!"
"You two, protect the Crown Prince!"
"I'll shoot if you so much as twitch a finger!"
Click! Click! Click!
More than ten gun muzzles were trained on him.
But the man remained relaxed.
Legs crossed as he sat on the sofa.
"Who are you?! How dare you lay hands on the Crown Prince—"
At that moment.
Whoosh!
Flare, flare, flare, flaaaare....
Flashes of light illuminating the dark suite from every direction.
Thock, thud-thud, thock-thock—
The front halves of pistols, cleanly severed, dropping to the floor.
At some point, the intruder was holding short daggers in both hands.
Which meant he had cut the pistols with those daggers.
Was that even possible?
With mere daggers?
At this absurd situation, everyone was speechless.
No—it wasn't so much shock as that they simply couldn't move.
A terrifying aura binding the bodies of the guards and aides.
Their legs trembled.
Their faces turned deathly pale.
It felt like a sharp blade was pressed against their Adam's apples.
On top of that, the intruder's unreadable face.
Whether he was smiling or angry—they couldn't even tell. A terrifyingly blank expression.
The intruder pointed at the paper again.
He was telling him to interpret.
Bin Sallam glanced at an aide who could interpret Korean and spoke.
"Wh... who are you?"
The aide interpreted.
Korsak did not answer the question.
He simply said,
"Bring me the Rune of Trait Enhancement."
Flinch!
Crown Prince Bin Sallam flinched.
The Rune of Trait Enhancement?
Absolutely unacceptable.
Even if it meant dying right here.
So, steeling himself for death, he tried to express his refusal—
"Kill me if you want—"
"I'll clear the 60th floor within 15 days. And the 61st floor six months after that."
Jolt!
Bin Sallam stopped mid-sentence.
"H-how? By naturalizing?"
"No, there's no naturalization."
"...Are you mocking me right now?"
Korsak continued with a sly smile.
"Is there a player affiliated with the UAE here?"
"..."
Bin Sallam pressed his lips shut.
In truth, there was one person he had brought with him.
Omar Hassan, a promising young player the UAE had been developing.
He had even applied Trait Enhancement to him twice.
But he was only Level 27.
Still far, far too weak to reach the 60th floor.
Bin Sallam always kept Omar by his side.
It was a matter of security.
His own side was the safest place.
And also, for the Rune of Trait Enhancement.
And this man wanted him to bring him here?
"There is one. Bring him here now."
"..."
"I won't kill anyone. Those two just fainted. But if you don't do as I say, everyone dies."
And then,
"Shall we test that?"
The killing intent filling the suite grew even thicker.
He felt like his throat would be slit without the man doing a thing.
Overwhelmed by extreme terror, one of the aides collapsed to his knees.
"Call him quickly."
Bin Sallam realized.
He had to obey this man.
Otherwise, they would truly all die.
Everyone's throats would be rolling across the floor like the severed pistol barrels.
He gave a signal to the aide with his eyes, and—
A short while later.
Omar Hassan entered the room.
Korsak looked at him and asked.
"If you're a player, you can verify an item, can't you?"
Omar glanced once at Bin Sallam before nodding.
Korsak took out a paper ticket that looked like a yellow card from his pocket.
"Check it. You can read its effects aloud if you like."
The moment Omar took the paper with trembling hands—
'Hm?'
Omar's eyes went wide.
"...A Multinational Tower Access Ticket?"
With a face full of curiosity, Bin Sallam asked.
"Omar, wh-what ticket did you say it was?"
"A Multinational Tower Access Ticket. It says nationality doesn't matter and it grants entry to any tower..."
"What?"
"That's what the system message told me."
A Multinational Tower Access Ticket.
As intuitive as its name suggested.
Of course, he had never heard of it.
But there was no way Omar would lie, and if the system said so, it couldn't be a forgery.
Korsak, taking the ticket back, said firmly,
"I promise. The UAE's Black Tower 60th floor will be cleared within 15 days. And the 61st floor as well."
A moment of silence passed.
The fear gradually subsided as well.
Because they now knew this man had come here for a deal.
Crown Prince Bin Sallam's mind raced rapidly.
A promise to clear the 60th floor within 15 days and the 61st floor six months later.
Incomparably better than Saudi Arabia's conditions.
He wouldn't have to give up land, tower materials, or money—nothing at all.
Just one Rune of Trait Enhancement.
But would a contract made this way be honored?
What if he handed over the rune and the promise wasn't kept?
Meanwhile, Korsak pointed his finger at Omar.
"You."
"Why, what now...?"
"I'll give you a gift. As a token of goodwill."
"A g-gift?"
Korsak dragged over the iron club and shield he had brought and placed them on the table.
"Take them."
Omar, not understanding what was going on, looked at Bin Sallam, then soon picked up the club and shield.
At the same time, an exclamation burst from his mouth.
"Ah!"
He was stunned.
He had every right to be.
'What kind of item...'
Effect: When equipped, enhances the user's concentration, dazzling flash, increased physical and magical defense, and upon a successful block, a certain chance to reflect the attack back at the enemy.
Trait: Maintains composure against any status ailment. Absolutely indestructible.
Effect: Increases attack speed in combat, freezes targets, increases attack range, and upon a successful strike, a certain chance to trigger an Ice Field.
Trait: Guides enemies into the repose of twilight. Absolutely indestructible.
At that sight, Korsak smirked.
He could tell just from his expression.
He must have been startled by the item's effects.
As Omar stood there blankly holding the mace and shield, Bin Sallam spoke up.
"Omar, what about them?"
"They're both items that came from the Tower. Not crafted goods."
"Not crafted?"
"I-I've never seen items like these. They're absolutely not something you could get on the market."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Their option effects are incredible as well. It's no exaggeration to call them the strongest equipment. I feel like I want to enter the Tower right now just to use them."
Bin Sallam looked at Korsak with a strange gaze.
"These items... did you come here to sell them?"
"I told you. They're gifts of goodwill."
"Even if I don't hand over the Rune of Trait Enhancement?"
"You won't have it taken away after giving it. The only thing that happens is everyone here dies."
Doesn't that amount to the same thing.
'A gift, he says.'
Omar seemed utterly taken with that equipment.
Just look at him, hugging the weapon and shield tightly to his chest, enraptured.
"If I hand over the rune, will the Tower truly be conquered?"
"I'll stake my name on it."
"And what is your name, that it should matter?"
"Gobang."
Gobang.
A peculiar name.
Not that that was the important part.
"Crown Prince, one question. Is the Rune of Trait Enhancement in this room right now?"
"It is not. Surely you don't think I'd carry something that important around with me..."
"It's here, isn't it."
Korsak glanced around the room and said,
"The living room? No, then that room over there? Not there either... perhaps the bedroom?"
There was a reaction.
"Right. It's in the bedroom."
Gulp.
Bin Sallam swallowed dryly.
"Let me be honest with you."
"..."
"I'm also very good at things other than killing people. Like torture."
Could he really not do anything?
This was a man who could freeze someone in place with a single glance.
"If I torture you, I can have you offer up the Rune of Trait Enhancement with your own hands within one minute."
"Hmm."
"But listen. Don't miss this opportunity."
He had no choice but to believe his words.
Someone capable of it, someone who could pull it off.
And yet he had killed no one so far, had even given gifts.
Countless thoughts flashed through Bin Sallam's mind.
Gobang, the intruder who said he would clear the Tower even without naturalization.
He had proven it with the ticket, too.
Who could he be? Surely not the S++ rank conqueror?
Could someone at that level exercise their abilities even outside the Tower?
No, his identity wasn't what mattered.
Whether he could keep his promise, or whether he would pocket the rune and make excuses.
That was the only thing he needed to confirm.
His deliberation was stretching on.
And yet the intruder Gobang kept patiently waiting.
Even though it wouldn't have been strange for him to lose his patience and start torturing someone.
His heart was pounding furiously even now, out of sheer terror, but his trust was gradually growing.
A short while later.
Bin Sallam made up his mind.
He would stake his fate on Gobang.
"Wait a moment."
Bin Sallam went to the bedroom and returned carrying a small aluminum case.
A case equipped with fingerprint recognition, rigged to explode if the wrong passcode was entered.
Click!
He opened the case, caressed the rune for a long moment, and then,
"Here it is. Take it."
Korsak grinned and said,
"Congratulations. With this, you get to live. And the UAE will be safe as well."
At last, he had obtained the Rune of Trait Enhancement.
I've gotten rid of the hideous weapon too.
"Let's keep today's business a secret. It wouldn't do anyone any good if others found out."
Binsalla's body trembled slightly.
For some reason, he felt reassured.
That mysterious figure had achieved his goal, yet was still keeping him alive.
"A-all right. I'll keep it a secret..."
"Oh, right! Are you satisfied with our deal?"
"What do you mean?"
"The deal we made. You have to be satisfied. Both of us. This is a critical matter."
"...I-I am satisfied."
"Good. In 15 days, you'll be even more satisfied. And in 6 months too."
Then, sliip!
Kosak vanished into the darkness.
Binsalla felt as if he'd been dreaming.
Was it really the right thing to do? He'd find out in 15 days.***Juhyeok was alone in the penthouse.
He had sent Kosak out for negotiation purposes and released Kendallae, Gobang, and Rajiks from summoning.
Honestly, he was worried.
He had strutted off so confidently, boasting all the while...
An assassin, conducting negotiations? It was hard to believe.
In any case, he had confirmed his special privileges. All that remained was the random summoning.
But he had no intention of summoning anyone right now.
He had to assume the negotiation would fail.
Even if it meant pulling out Rajiks, he needed to watch for opportunities up to the 55th floor.
Or climb all the way to the 60th.
Even if the negotiation went well, he'd have to climb to the 60th floor. And if it failed, he'd still have to climb for the sake of his privileges.
But what if another non-combatant appeared in this situation?
"Ugh."
Only sighs came out.
He didn't even want to imagine it.
But even in the worst-case scenario, he had a card to play.
The Mad Demon.
The strongest summoned being, of LSSR grade.
Thinking of it that way, the Mad Demon was quite a source of strength.
If only he were a little less insane, Juhyeok would have brought him along.
If he hadn't kept going on about killing the powerful, starting wars, and so on—if he'd just thought, 'Hey, wanna give it a try?'—things might have turned out differently.
In that case, he would have been someone useful enough to serve as a hidden card.
His heart was gradually leaning that way.
He wanted to summon him.
He wanted to see what the Mad Demon was thinking now. 'Ah, whatever. Might as well give it a shot.'
He decided to go for it.
Juhyeok opened the status window's catalog list.
"Designated summon: Mad Demon!"
[The Mad Demon has been designated for summoning.]
Spat!
The Mad Demon appeared once more, just as he'd insisted on doing.
His appearance was still as fresh as ever.
"Summoner, I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you again."
"...Yes. Likewise."
Truthfully, he wasn't glad at all.
"After being forcibly released from summoning, I have reflected deeply on my conduct. Just what exactly did I do wrong?"
Oh!
Something was different.
"I realized that such extreme methods do not suit this world. There are limits to beating people to death, it takes a great deal of time, and serious side effects are bound to arise."
"That's right."
Good heavens!
Our Mad Demon had changed.
"...Would you care for a drink?"
"I shall not refuse. If it is offered by my summoner, I would drink poison if I had to."
Juhyeok took a cold can of carbonated drink from the refrigerator, pop! opened it all the way, and handed it to the Mad Demon.
He drank it refreshingly.
"It has been nearly a thousand years since I last tasted the food of this world."
He really liked it.
The smile on his lips proved it.
"Killing all those in power was a foolish idea from the start."
"Ah, well, not foolish exactly—just a bit extreme."
"Hahaha! You're right."
And then.
"I am curious—which nation in this world possesses the greatest national power?"
If it's the strongest nation...
"The United States."
"The United States, is it. Is it ruled by a king?"
"No. By a president."
"Aha! I see. Then we need only turn the American president into a Silhon-in—one who obeys my commands."
"...What?"
What on earth is a Silhon-in?
"There exists something called the Silhon Grand Method. It destroys a human's mind and turns them into an obedient puppet. Because it consumes a tremendous amount of mental power, even I can only create one at a time with the Grand Method."
Why did it feel like...
"We need only use the Silhon Grand Method on the American president to make him obey our commands, have him wage the war of conquest in our stead, pacify the world, and then unify it later—a simple matter, really. To think I never considered this and acted so foolishly..."
Haah.
He was going crazy.
"Neither you nor I need to stain our hands with blood directly. Of course, the war will cause great damage, but it is the sacrifice of a lamb for the greater good."
"..."
"Let us act quickly. Where is the American president? If we're to make him wage a war of conquest, we must start moving now."
He hadn't changed one bit.
"Lord Mad Demon?"
"Speak. You will like it as well. It is a plan I devised while reflecting deeply."
"Your reflection is lacking. Your direction is completely wrong. Massively so."
"...Hm?"
The Mad Demon blinked.
At the same time, Juhyeok's lips parted.
"Summon release."
"No, why do you keep..."
Spat! And then,
[The Mad Demon's satisfaction rating has been recorded as 1 point.]
Summoning him just to ask had been a mistake.
He'd forget about it and just do a random summoning instead.
At that very moment!
Ring-ring! The front door opened.
"Chung! The right arm of Summoner Bong, his dependable confidant, the master of negotiation—Kosak has arrived!"
Huh?
Already?
"...How did it go? The rune for trait enhancement?"
"Hehehe, hehehehe, hehehehehe."
Kosak laughed ridiculously, as if he couldn't contain himself.
He didn't need to hear it to know.────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────