Beijing, Zhongnanhai, China.
The highest Standing Committee meeting was in session.
Those attending were the newly installed Chairman Jin Xiupeng and five other newly selected Standing Committee members—a total of six.
Everyone's expressions were grim.
Wei Quan, one of the Standing Committee members, had gone to Korea to reserve the 81st-floor heavy machine gun, but word had come back that negotiations had collapsed.
They want nuclear warheads?
Does that even make sense?
It was absurd.
How could anyone hand over national strategic weapons based on nothing more than a single video whose authenticity couldn't even be verified?
And yet China also had to challenge the 81st floor.
If not immediately, then at the very least, the reservation for the heavy machine gun had to succeed no matter what.
"What are the chances that we can clear the Black Tower on our own within five years?"
"Judging by current conditions, it's impossible."
"… Even with five years?"
"Time will not help us. Unless someone like Bong Juhyeok appears in China."
That was the truth.
Compared to Behemoth, ordinary players were nothing more than tiny insects.
Step on them and—splat!
This wasn't a mission designed to be cleared.
The giant-monster zone from the 81st floor onward was a wall deliberately set to ensure the Black Tower's collapse.
If the collapse deadline were layered on top of that—what then?
With a five-year time limit, the fear of the tower's collapse would only tighten its grip as time passed.
If the final moment ever arrived, China would be the first to fall.
But then a solution appeared.
The heavy machine gun—an utterly outrageous item.
Even if it was a dirty trick rather than a legitimate clear, it was more than enough to deal with Behemoth.
And the one who made that possible was Bong Juhyeok.
In the giant-monster zone, the heavy machine gun was absolutely essential.
It was the only viable means of clearing it.
"What about handing over a few nuclear warheads…?"
"Are you saying we should submit? What happens if the opposition uses that as ammunition to attack us?"
Either way, it was a problem.
"But public unrest will be severe. Other nations are steadily climbing past the 81st floor, while China alone can't. The opposition will latch onto that."
That was right.
Clearing the Black Tower was a political issue.
The current Chinese leadership's support base was far from solid.
Its control over the country was incomparably weaker than before.
It had been hastily assembled to deal with an emergency.
In a situation like this, failing to rent the heavy machine gun?
Of course people would question the government's leadership and diplomatic capabilities.
And the Villain Liberation Player crisis still hadn't fully settled down.
If large-scale unrest broke out, those villain players would go wild along with it.
"How about this?"
"What?"
"Wei Quan has suggested personally approaching Player Bong Juhyeok."
"… Would that work? Would the Awakening Administration just sit back? He probably wouldn't even be able to get close."
Chairman Jin Xiupeng reacted negatively.
But—
"Surprisingly, it's possible."
"Hmm?"
"According to Wei Quan, there's no security detail or surveillance around Player Bong Juhyeok whatsoever."
"… Is that really true?"
The most important person in the world—the one who should be most heavily protected—was Bong Juhyeok.
"Doesn't that mean he doesn't need protection?"
"Hm."
"He may be able to fully manifest his player abilities even in reality."
Jin Xiupeng nodded.
He had long suspected it.
The theory that Bong Juhyeok was involved in several incidents that had occurred in China.
There was just no evidence.
Even if evidence were secured, could they touch him?
The United States certainly wouldn't stand by idly.
"Meet him directly and propose a deal?"
"A deal, yes—but more importantly, we should appeal to his humanity. Ask him to think of the 1.4 billion people of China."
"Hm."
"If Bong Juhyeok decides, the Korean Awakening Administration will follow."
Appeal to his compassion…
"Considering what Bong Juhyeok has done so far… there's a chance. He has humanitarian tendencies. Of course, he also looks out for practical benefits."
Then it was a good idea.
If this opportunity brought Bong Juhyeok and China closer, that would be even better.
Perhaps they could even bring him to China someday.
"Fine. Tell Wei Quan. Have him plead earnestly—do everything he can to stir sympathy."
"I'll contact him."
China's countermeasure:
Appeal to Bong Juhyeok's compassion.
As a rule, any institution that receives a budget must meticulously record where and how the money was spent.
Nuclear warheads were no exception.
If you received them, you had to report how you used them.
A settlement report was mandatory.
And you also had to express gratitude to the sponsoring countries.
Cameraman Mackenzie poured his soul into capturing the explosions exactly as they happened.
Even amid the terrifying shock of nuclear detonations, he shielded his smartphone and action cameras with barriers and shields.
Not only the filming, but the editing was top-notch as well.
He even added subtitles, sent it to the Korean Awakening Administration, and had it released on their YouTube channel.
A collapsing Celestial Realm, corrupted divine lands, melting fallen angels, countless mushroom clouds blooming.
The entire world cheered.
The media rushed to cover it.
< Earth's nuclear weapons prove their power in the Fallen Celestial Realm >
< Where is the Celestial Realm? Is it connected to alien gods? >
< Melting winged beings—are they monsters, or real angels? >
< India and Pakistan: Finally, owning nuclear weapons paid off. >
< Russia claims the largest mushroom cloud was from the Tsar Bomba. >
< United States: We provided the most nuclear warheads. >
< Eco-friendly nuclear disarmament: the safest way to dispose of conventional nukes. >
< Who exactly are the beings Bong Juhyeok summons? >
< Awakening experts: High likelihood Bong Juhyeok's trait is Hero Summoning. >
< Strikingly similar to a collectible RPG game. >
< Downloads of hero-summoning games surge explosively. >
L: An L-dragon flies around dropping nukes on the Celestial Realm and killing fallen angels. Can someone explain what the hell is going on?
L: Would anyone even know? Just accept it.
L: The Demon Realm campaign was the easy mode.
L: LOL, and the countries that provided the nukes are riding the coattails.
L: Be proud! We're defeating the Black Tower's forces with our nukes!
L: Hero Summoning trait—those alien gods or whatever must be cursing Bong Juhyeok for playing such a busted game.
L: Bong Juhyeok himself is strong as hell, though.
L: Someone's totally going to make a game using Bong Juhyeok as the model.
L: Probably already in development. The tower raid is basically a game anyway.
L: That's why Awakened ones are called players.
L: But is it okay for one individual to own that many nukes?
L: What's the problem? He's not dropping them on Earth.
L: He even reported their usage.
L: What matters is that Earth is getting safer.
L: A textbook example of proper nuclear weapon use.
Even with the footage, the content was hard to believe.
The Celestial Realm? Angels? Land of gods?
What is this?
Isn't it scary?
Doesn't it make no sense?
Better not think about it.
Just watch and enjoy.
The video itself was more than entertaining enough.
And aside from Bong Juhyeok, there was another person drawing attention.
The one who filmed the video.
Filming: Mackenzie Dronak.
Editing: Mackenzie Dronak.
Subtitles: Mackenzie Dronak.
The ultra-extroverted, attention-loving mage Mackenzie was slowly becoming known as well.
A campaign that began with nukes and ended with nukes.
Physically and mentally, it was anything but easy.
Although the missions were carried out in a different dimension with separated space-time, their biological clocks remained the same.
They still had to eat, take breaks, and sleep.
They also needed to thoroughly prepare for the next campaign.
Juhyeok was in the penthouse with Kosak and Rajiks.
Their goal: securing food and snacks through a delivery app.
Instant rice, meat, fresh produce, snacks, drinks, alcohol, delivered meals, chicken, pizza, jokbal, soup, jjajangmyeon, jjamppong, sweet-and-sour pork, and more.
No need to go out personally.
Just pay and order, and the doorbell would ring in front of the penthouse's private elevator.
Ding-dong!
"Yes, I'll open the door. You can come up."
If the order was large, they tipped the delivery drivers extra.
"Rajiks?"
"Hoe!"
Just store everything in subspace and that was it.
Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.
Food deliveries never stopped.
They ordered delivery all day.
Almost two full days of it.
Looks like everything's finally arrived.
Should we head into the White Tower now?
Then—
Ding-dong!
"Huh?"
Was there still another delivery coming?
Checking the intercom screen, he saw people in black suits standing in front of the elevator.
What?
Gangsters?
Then they bowed deeply, as if their heads might touch the floor.
—Player Bong Juhyeok? Are you home?
Probably not gangsters.
Why would they come here?
Kosak hurried over to Juhyeok's side.
"Eh? Who're those guys?"
"… No idea."
The man on the intercom spoke into the speaker.
—I am Wei Quan, a former State Councilor. I'm here representing the Chinese government and its people.
A Chinese State Councilor?
Why here?
"Ah… yes, you speak Korean very well."
—If I couldn't speak Korean, would I be able to meet you?
True enough.
Of course they'd have to speak Korean.
"So, what brings you here?"
—I have something urgent to discuss. If you could spare a moment—
This was uncomfortable.
A high-ranking Chinese official coming to his home.
Should he just say he was busy and send them away?
But then—
"Su-Summoner Bong!"
Kosak looked extremely excited.
"Yes?"
"This is a cliché, a cliché."
"A cliché?"
"There are five major clichés that often appear in fiction."
"And those are?"
"The reunion cliché, the imported car dealership cliché, the luxury department store cliché, the holiday family gathering cliché…"
And the last one?
"The nationalistic hype cliché."
"Ah!"
"The one where China and Japan ignorantly rush in to deal with Summoner Bong and end up completely humiliated."
Good grief.
"To progress the story, you have to meet them now."
"Meet them?"
"They'll threaten you without knowing their place. Then you deliver righteous education and enjoy the refreshing payoff."
"… Are they really going to threaten me?"
"How could they not? And personally, I hope they do."
Kosak's eyes sparkled.
Was he really that excited?
Let's go with what Kosak said.
They'd come all this way—sending them back felt awkward.
Juhyeok pressed the intercom button and unlocked the door.
Beep!
"Yes, please come up. I'll open the door."
—Thank you.
The Chinese officials stepped into the elevator hesitantly, riding it up with great caution.
"I'm nervous."
Honestly, they looked more nervous than we were.
"But on the other hand, it's a bit of a shame."
"Why?"
"Only China showed up. For a proper cliché, Japan should've come too."
Good grief.
That cliché again.
In the penthouse living room, the Chinese special delegation sat on one side, with Juhyeok and Kosak facing them.
Rajiks was dismissed—unsummoned and sent back.
There was nothing more to store anyway.
Let's hear them out first.
Why did they come all this way to see him?
It was nothing like what Kosak had expected.
Wei Quan spoke politely and respectfully—his voice trembling as he poured his heart out.
Please, save us.
For the sake of 1.4 billion Chinese citizens.
China had cleared the Black Tower up to the 80th floor as well.
But they couldn't secure a reservation to rent the heavy machine gun for the 81st floor.
It felt like the Awakening Administration was deliberately disadvantaging them.
"We haven't even had proper negotiations. They're pressuring us unilaterally."
How so?
"They're demanding nuclear warheads, no questions asked…"
"Ah!"
"We want to cooperate, but this isn't something that can be decided lightly. It has to be discussed by the Standing Committee, and we must also persuade the Chinese people."
That was understandable.
It wasn't an easy matter.
"Isn't the foundation of negotiation dialogue and compromise? Yet Director Jeon Gwang-il is throwing his weight around using Player Bong Juhyeok as backing."
Kosak—the master of throwing weight around—frowned as he listened.
Then he leaned in and whispered into Juhyeok's ear.
"Hmm."
Juhyeok nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Affirmative!"
Kosak stepped forward, facing Wei Quan.
"From now on, Chinese official, you negotiate with me."
"Ah, yes, yes."
"You want to rent the heavy machine gun?"
"That's right. If you just secure the reservation, we'll do anything."
"Good."
Wei Quan's face brightened.
Coming all the way to meet Player Bong Juhyeok directly had been the right call.
It seemed they could communicate.
Now came negotiation and compromise.
"We're willing to pay any amount. We understand the price is one million dollars per bullet. The Chinese government will pay double—two million dollars per bullet. And if you wish, we can invite Player Bong to China and treat him as a state guest…"
Wei Quan rattled off every condition China could offer.
He even slipped in a subtle temptation of permanent naturalization.
Swoosh.
Kosak raised a hand to stop him.
Then said a single word.
"Nuclear warheads."
"… Excuse me?"
"All nuclear warheads owned by China."
"W-what?"
"That's our only condition."
Wei Quan was flustered.
Isn't this the same thing again?
"Now, as I said earlier—"
"Nuclear warheads."
"No—"
"Nuclear warheads."
"T-that—"
"Nuclear warheads."
"Please calm down—"
"Nuclear warheads."
"..."
...…
Wei Quan fell silent.
He turned his eyes to Juhyeok.
Juhyeok shrugged—
meaning he felt the same way.
Wei Quan let out a deep sigh.
"Hoo… I understand Player Bong Juhyeok's position, but I cannot give a definitive answer here."
Wei Quan and the Chinese entourage stood up.
"We'll be taking our leave now. If there's another opportunity, we'll meet again."
"Please, have a seat."
"Our flight time—"
Spot!
Kosak moved instantly, blocking their path.
"A great nation's official lacks backbone."
"… Pardon?"
"If persuasion doesn't work, you should at least try threatening."
Threatening?
That had never crossed his mind.
No sane person would come into a tiger's den and threaten the tiger.
"We have absolutely no intention of threatening you."
"Good grief! I'm asking you to threaten us like a great nation should!"
What is wrong with this guy?
"I'm disappointed! You're nothing like the great nation you imagine yourselves to be!"
Just what kind of image did he have in mind?
"How dare a small country defy a great power? If you don't give us the reservation, we'll turn Seoul into a sea of fire!!! Try saying that!"
Is he insane?
"A-absolute not! We would never—"
Kosak looked deeply frustrated.
"This is not following the cliché at all, and that makes me very unhappy."
"… Cliché?"
He burst out angrily.
"Then there's no justification! No justification!"
"W-what?"
"If you'd just threatened us, things would've been much easier."
Kosak shook his head back and forth.
"Haa… this is why sharp people—"
Then he turned to Juhyeok.
"Summoner Bong?"
"Yes?"
"Another cliché failure."
I knew it wouldn't work.
"But nuclear weapons must be taken, no matter what."
He clearly had no intention of giving up.
"Do they really?"
"Clause 3 of Principle 3. Leaving them alone is dangerous."
That made sense.
There had been cases in past parallel Earths where summoner players died to nuclear weapons.
And besides, all the world's nations were handing over their nukes—China couldn't be the only one left out.
Especially since it was Korea's closest neighbor.
The justification under Principle 3, Clause 3 was more than sufficient.
So how?
Invade outright?
"Please summon the succubus."
Diamat?
"She's actually an expert on Chinese politics."
"Ah."
That was true.
When Diamat first came out of the tower, the country she hid in was China.
She had even tried to incite war by manipulating Chinese politicians.
Let's call her out.
"Designated summon—Diamat!"
Spot!
Diamat appeared.
"Master! Your concubine is here!"
"… "
Then she looked at the Chinese delegation.
"Oh my? Who are these people?"
The succubus's instincts kicked in.
Whoever she met, she automatically activated her skill.
At that moment!
Wei Quan's eyes grew hazy as he gazed at Diamat.
"Q-Queen!"
Oh my.
Instant skill activation at first sight.
No surprise.
A great-demon-class succubus, Diamat.
For ordinary humans, even making eye contact guaranteed success.
Yet Diamat looked disappointed.
"Oh come on, this is how it's supposed to work… why doesn't Master react to me at all? Am I ugly? Am I not your type?"
Her eyes shimmered with moisture.
"Hey!!! Silence. Do you think Summoner Bong is the type to be swayed by mere demons?"
That was true.
"Summoner Bong only reacts to human women. He blushes and his voice shakes even in front of Team Leader Lee Min-ah from the Administration. Have you already forgotten Jin-suk?"
"… "
Jin-suk again.
Why keep dragging up someone who's living her life just fine?
"Anyway, Summoner Bong."
"Yes."
"The succubus, me, and Greenie request deployment to China."
What the hell?
"We'll retrieve the nuclear weapons by peaceful means."
I can already guess the method.
Honestly, that's better.
Much better than cutting off heads and tying ribbons on them.
Let's allow it.
Principle 3, Clause 3 activated.
Even if we opposed it, they'd go anyway.
"Kosak?"
"Yes?"
"Take responsibility and bring back only the nuclear weapons."
"Affirmative! I'll make sure to bring back the nuclear warheads too."
"No—only nuclear weapons!"
"Hmm… too?"
"Only!"
Don't bring back anything extra.
For example—heads with ribbons tied on them.
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