The Gangnam sinkhole in Seoul.
Its diameter alone was about eighteen times the area of Yeouido.
A hole itself wasn't the problem.
The real nightmare was the monster waves.
With a war breaking out every ten days, the area around the sinkhole had been almost completely devastated.
Now Seoul had become one of the three most dangerous places in South Korea.
It was no longer an environment where people could live.
What would happen if even a single tower monster slipped through during wave defense?
It had already happened once.
An orc that broke through the encirclement attacked Seoul civilians.
That incident alone resulted in 58 deaths.
Seoul had to be abandoned.
Major government institutions, including the National Assembly, evacuated.
Where to?
Incheon was too close to Seoul.
Daegu had its own sinkhole.
Daejeon had a re-forming Black Tower.
There was only Busan.
It had both a port and an airport.
The Blue House relocated to Busan as well.
But the president was absent.
The president had collapsed from shock after the Seoul Black Tower collapse and was hospitalized.
The prime minister was acting in his stead, but… at such an advanced age, it was too much to expect him to handle the massive chaos caused by the tower collapse.
Holding an election was impossible.
An election in this situation?
Fortunately, Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil was stabilizing the chaos and exercising administrative authority.
That didn't mean he was wielding absolute power like a dictator.
In times like these, the law had to be followed, and matters had to be handled with procedural legitimacy.
That was why they were trying, as much as possible, to follow procedures such as the naturalization hearing in the National Assembly.
As seen in the Liu Chenming case, rushing too hastily only ruined everything.
They had accepted his naturalization recklessly, and it led to an irreparable situation.
If they were hit by the curse one more time?
A fourth hole would open in Daejeon.
They had to stop the collapse at all costs.
How?
Overcoming it themselves would be ideal—
but how were they supposed to clear the 61st floor?
That was why the National Assembly and the executive branch were also keeping a final measure in mind.
A treaty with China.
A card to play only when the future looked completely hopeless.
If one had to name global leaders in tower climbing—
it was, of course, the United States and China.
First, the United States.
They still had leeway.
They continued supplying weapons to their closest allies.
And although Kabalon's curse had been triggered by the misconduct of top player Lumitri Romenkopf, their player base was still thick.
However, the U.S. declared a halt to temporary naturalization.
Sending players abroad in such a critical time?
So temporary naturalization dispatches were impossible.
China?
A nation that had completed up to the 65th floor.
Currently challenging the 66th.
Their average player level was high.
They had the capacity to send players under temporary naturalization.
But the conditions were the problem.
In exchange for temporary naturalization, they demanded sovereignty over Jeju Island.
Bastards.
Hand over Jeju?
The public was vehemently opposed.
They'd rather die with the tower.
There were some minority voices in favor.
Better to give up Jeju and receive China's help.
Amid all that, a naturalization hearing was held at the temporary National Assembly in Busan.
Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil argued the necessity of naturalization before the lawmakers.
"Bong Juhyeok… he's an incredible individual, to the point that one would doubt the authenticity of the footage."
"Yes, that's correct."
"But his identity is far too unclear. No prior nationality at all—does that even make sense?"
"Well, according to his claim—"
"Parallel universes? Commander, do you really believe that claim?"
Jeon Seongil did.
But the lawmakers?
It was natural that they found it hard to believe.
"I'm certain he's not lying. He has no reason to lie."
"What if he has Tower Jumping Tickets? What if he just levels up and disappears? There's precedent, isn't there?"
Anyone watching would feel their insides twist with frustration.
But the lawmakers weren't acting maliciously.
They were people trying to overcome a national crisis.
Why hadn't they fled?
Because they hadn't given up on South Korea.
"And one more thing! Commander, can you control these people?"
"What?"
"Let's assume your claim is true. Then these people are not natives of this Earth. By definition, they're aliens—extremely powerful ones."
"I'll ask again. Can you control them?"
Control.
Jeon Seongil trusted them, yes.
But control meant something else entirely.
"We can ask for cooperation. And I believe they will cooperate."
He could have lied to gloss it over, but Jeon Seongil told the truth.
The lawmakers shook their heads.
"Relying on uncertainty is foolish. We need something more concrete."
At that moment—
Ding!
What now?
An ominous notification sound.
Don't tell me—
[World Announcement: The average floor level has still not reached 70. Underperforming nations must strive harder.]
"Gasp!"
"This is—"
"D-does that mean—?"
"Huh…"
Another Curse of the Average.
The 11th time.
Faces grew tense.
[World Announcement: Thirty countries will be selected for the 11th round. Selection method: random.]
Thirty countries again.
The cursed world announcements.
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for Switzerland's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for Tunisia's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for Kazakhstan's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
Up to the 10th announcement, South Korea's name didn't appear.
So far, so good.
Not the 20th.
Not the 25th.
Not the 26th or 27th either.
They'd already collapsed three times.
So skip us this time.
Please leave our name out.
But—
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for China's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for Canada's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
[World Announcement: The clear deadline for South Korea's Black Tower is steadily decreasing.]
"Ah!"
"M-my god."
"N-no!!!"
"Damn it!"
"… Hahaha."
The lawmakers' faces were filled with despair.
Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil jumped to his feet and shouted.
"We can't delay any longer! Approve Bong Juhyeok's naturalization immediately!"
The temporary National Assembly erupted into shouting.
"Then let's negotiate with China! It's time to choose the last resort! Swallow our tears and hand over Jeju—"
"I oppose that. What if we're selected again in the 12th round? Will we hand over the peninsula next?"
"Exactly. China was selected too. They won't have the capacity to help us."
"Then what are we supposed to do?!"
"Let's trust Commander Jeon Seongil. Everyone knows his character."
"No one doubts Commander Jeon Seongil. It's Bong Juhyeok who's suspicious."
"Enough. Let's put it to a vote. Majority rules."
At that moment—
Tap tap tap!
The Speaker banged the gavel to restore order.
"Let's decide quickly. As you know, we don't have much time. We'll conclude the naturalization hearing and then discuss countermeasures for the 11th selection—"
An electronic voting window appeared.
The lawmakers' names were listed.
"For Mr. Bong Juhyeok's acquisition of nationality, vote For if you approve, Against if you wish to defer."
Green light: approve naturalization.
Red light: defer.
Jeon Seongil prayed fervently.
Please, let there be more green.
But at that moment—
Crash! Bang!
Shouts from the Assembly guards outside.
"Who are you?!"
"You can't go in!"
"Grab him!"
"Stop them!"
"Ghk! I—I can't move!"
BANG!
The doors burst open.
People rushed in.
"B-Bong Juhyeok!"
Recognizing the face, Jeon Seongil raised his hand to stop the guards.
"If you'd contacted us in advance, I would have gone to meet you."
"I was later than I expected, so I rushed over…"
The lawmakers' gazes focused on the person who had entered.
That's Bong Juhyeok?
He looks ordinary.
Others stood beside him.
The lawmakers had seen them in the footage.
The ones who melted and tore monsters apart.
Even in a world where the boundary between tower and reality had collapsed and players could use their abilities outside—
they were far too strong.
That was why fear crept in.
Why were they here?
And the person they brought—
a National Assembly guard?
No, a man beaten into a pitiful state.
"Liu Chenming. I brought him. His face is pretty messed up, so he might be hard to recognize."
What?
Liu Chenming?
The room stirred.
"That's him?"
"Yes."
At first, it was hard to tell because his face was ruined—
but soon—
"That's him."
"Definitely."
"It's that bastard."
It was Liu Chenming.
The man who had driven South Korea into despair.
Rage surged to the top of everyone's heads.
"Execute him immediately! We don't even need a trial!"
"Hah! That's letting him off too easy."
"Right. Lock him up and make him clear the tower."
"If necessary, torture him!"
"If you cut off his arms and legs he can't raid, so castrate him first!"
"You fucking bastard!!! You're dead meat!"
It wasn't just shouting.
Some lawmakers vaulted over desks and rushed at Liu Chenming.
Kicks. Punches. Grabbing his hair, dragging him, beating him again.
Wow, you guys are fearless.
He's still technically a level 61 player.
Good thing they'd sealed his pressure points beforehand.
Eventually, order was restored.
Juhyeok asked Jeon Seongil.
"Were you in the middle of the naturalization vote?"
"Yes. We were just about to begin."
Juhyeok looked at the display.
His naturalization vote.
For or Against.
Surely no one would oppose—
but just in case.
"Rajiks?"
"Ho-e?"
"Take it out."
"Hoeng!"
Swish!
An item emerged from Rajiks's subspace bag.
Large, with various electronic components attached.
"… A nuclear warhead?"
What's wrong with him?
Always nukes.
"Why did you pull out a nuclear warhead? That's dangerous."
"… Hue."
A nuclear warhead.
People's faces went pale.
You brought a nuclear warhead in your inventory?
How?
Does that even fit?
No—putting aside how he brought it, was he trying to threaten them with that thing?
"Put the nuke away and take out the items, items! The ones you collected before."
"Hoeng!"
Ssssss—ssssss!
All kinds of weapons and equipment poured out of the subspace.
They weren't factory-made mass-produced goods.
Every single one was an item dropped from the tower.
"Uh…"
"W-what on earth?"
"What is all that?"
Everyone was shocked.
Lawmakers, aides, even the reporters present.
"If I acquire nationality, I'll donate these items to South Korean players."
Was that all?
More items came out of the subspace.
Thud, thudududud, thud!
Magic crystals.
But—
"W-what is that?"
"What else? Magic crystals."
"But they're different from what we know…"
"Very different, right? That's because they're high-grade magic crystals."
High-grade magic crystals?
Was that even a thing?
Among the lawmakers was an expert from the magic-crystal industry.
He rushed forward and examined them closely.
"Y-yes, they're definitely on a different level from existing magic crystals. The color is deeper and denser."
Juhyeok smiled and added an explanation.
"That's right. Once you clear the 70th floor, the reward cap on high-grade magic crystals is lifted. You could call it room-temperature superconductors."
"..."
Blank expressions.
Did that make any sense?
The top floor of the world's Black Towers was 70.
They were struggling just to get there.
How on earth—
"I reached level 100 on a parallel Earth. Clearing the 70th floor comes with lots of benefits, and if you clear the 90th floor, an entirely new world opens up."
Still, faces full of confusion.
He understood.
They had no idea what he was talking about.
There was only one solution.
Time to deploy the master negotiator.
Juhyeok glanced at Kosak.
Kosak nodded with a solemn expression.
"Please excuse me for a moment."
"… Yes."
Kosak bowed to the Speaker of the National Assembly and stepped up to the podium.
"There is no ruling party or opposition when it comes to Black Tower conquest. The textbook of legislation, the ruler of televised debates, the legend of the 15-day, 16-night filibuster, a man unconcerned with popularity polls, number one in approval ratings in the White Tower district, one who returns his salary and renounces privileges—ten-term lawmaker, leader of the White Party, Kosak, reporting for duty."
He was just spewing nonsense now.
"I, too, heard the announcement selecting us for the 11th round. It's bleak. You must all be anxious. Then, in these grim times, what is the single alternative that allows us to survive?"
He sharply turned his head toward Juhyeok.
"It is Summoner Bong!"
Kosak continued his impassioned speech.
"Our Summoner Bong worries about this nation day and night. Look at that haggard face! Do you know how concerned he is that the tower might collapse again?"
That's right.
He was worried.
"But fear not! Summoner Bong can do it! He will turn South Korea into a tower-climbing advanced nation! A nation that shocks America, sends China into panic, and makes Japan prostrate itself—a national-pride Korea! He will lead us forward!"
Ahhh!
His chest swelled.
"On that other Earth, China handed over Mount Baekdu! Japan was even talking about giving up Tsushima! Wake up! Giving Jeju to China? Nonsense! Can't you hear Seolmundae Halmang of Hallasan wailing in grief?"
That's right.
Hand over Jeju to China?
Even a beta wouldn't agree.
"Everyone, place your finger on the approve button, and press it with strength! There is no opposition! With all your heart! This is the time for unity and a spirit of self-reliant revolution!"
That felt like it might backfire.
"Our destiny is ours to protect! This is the true value of conservatism—and the direction progress must take!"
…
Shouldn't have let him give a speech.
But—
"Huh?"
The lawmakers looked moved.
So did Martial Law Commander Jeon Seongil.
'That was… persuasive?'
Kosak descended from the podium, having declared his resolve.
The Speaker cleared his throat.
"We will proceed to the vote immediately. Please vote according to your conscience."
Moments later—
Papapapapap!
The electronic voting board lit up.
"Oh!"
It was all green.
Nationality acquisition approved.
Jeon Seongil beamed.
He shouted into his phone at the top of his lungs.
"Colonel Lee! Register Player Bong Juhyeok in the national resident database immediately. It passed—yeah, it passed!"
Some time later.
Juhyeok's updated 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)
Man, that was exhausting.
Well, once tower entry was possible, clearing to the 100th floor would be quick.
Before that, let's take over the White Tower.
Then he'd turn Earth No. 843 into a national-pride Korea.
Juhyeok entered the 6th floor of the White Tower.
He should be qualified now, right?
Ding!
[The player's qualifications have been recognized. You may lawfully acquire ownership of White Tower Floor 6.]
There it was.
[You already own 2 floors of the White Tower. Progressive cost will be applied.]
Progressive cost?
[Do you wish to acquire White Tower Floor 6 for 1,000 tons of highest-grade magic crystals?]
One thousand tons.
One million kilograms.
Why was it so expensive?
Trying to fleece him because he'd made money?
God-White, I'm disappointed.
What to do?
There was no need to think.
A million could always be earned again.
He'd planted the World Tree, after all.
"Rajiks."
"Ho-e?"
"You've got that one-million HGM Blue Ticket, right?"
"Hoeng!"
"Take it out."
I'm this rich.
"Acquire."
[You have become the official owner of White Tower Floor 6.]
[Temporary residence period has been removed. You may remain as long as you wish.]
[Entry and exit skills for White Tower Floor 6 have been permanently registered.]
[Owner menu for White Tower Floor 6 is now available.]
[Residents of White Tower Floor 17 have been permanently registered to the resident list of Floor 6 at no additional cost.]
What?!
All 355 of them were recognized?
That was convenient—no need to reissue anything.
But then—
Ding!
"Huh?"
[Achievement: King of White Tower Real Estate — You now own 3 floors.]
Whoa!
An achievement.
[Rewards will be granted.]
What the—
[You may copy facilities from specific White Tower floors you own and paste them without cost. Certain items excluded.]
[Copyable floors: White Tower Floor 1 and White Tower Floor 17.]
That's insane.
Absolutely busted.
At that point, who cares how expensive it was?
King of White Tower Real Estate.
That's Bong Juhyeok.
Apply the achievement reward immediately.
"Copy White Tower Floor 17."
White Tower Floor 17 is being copied.
And—
"Paste."
Fwoooooosh!
Tztztztzt! Tztztztzt!
Buildings rose all around.
Tatadadak! Tatadak!
Asphalt roads spread across the ground.
Power generators, communication towers, landmark skyscrapers, plazas, housing, even restaurants, comprehensive crafting centers, and logistics transfer gates.
Done.
As expected of God-White.
Floor 6 had become a twin of Floor 17.
Not everything was identical.
Some items were excluded.
The Spirit Tree and the World Tree weren't there.
Naturally.
He wouldn't be greedy enough to expect that.
'Has my influence grown a bit now?'
[Congratulations on becoming a player of Earth No. 843.]
You answer quickly.
Then maybe you can grant a request too.
The current state of South Korea.
Three tower collapses.
Sinkhole waves.
And now selected again in the 11th climb-acceleration round.
National confidence had hit rock bottom.
Despair and a sense of defeat filled the air.
So?
They needed something to lift morale.
Something for people who'd only ever heard world announcements tied to Kabalon's curse.
"Is it possible to announce floor-clearing results via world announcements?"
The level gap was too big for a standard announcement to trigger.
But what if it was the White Tower?
"And no, badges aren't necessary. Just an announcement that the clear succeeded."
Would it work?
There was no response yet.
"And it doesn't need to apply to other national towers. Only when clearing Black Towers under South Korean nationality."
Do it.
You're listening, right?
We've been communicating this whole time.
[The player's request has been accepted. Accessing the system.]
Yes!
Then let's begin.
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