Tokyo, Japan.

A press conference by Prime Minister Maeda was held in the Cabinet Briefing Room.

What was the content—C-tier stuff?

Japanese reporters did not show much interest.

Probably just the usual lip service.

Just like what the leaders of other countries had done.

Prime Minister Maeda stood before the reporters.

Behind him, the cabinet ministers were lined up in formation.

“First of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate Player Bong Juhyeok of Korea on clearing the 98th floor. Japan, too, will spare no effort in providing full support for the complete conquest of the Black Tower’s 100th floor.”

An ordinary comment.

Words that other world leaders had already said.

“As everyone knows, Japan owes a great debt to Player Bong Juhyeok.”

An undeniable fact.

The prime minister himself had also received help during the attack by the yakuza Villain Liberation Player.

“In the past, relations between Japan and Korea were not good. It is also an undeniable truth that there were many conflicts and disputes as a result.”

FLASH! FLASH-FLASH-FLASH!

Camera flashes exploded.

“However, since the Minhyuk Party cabinet took office, relations between Japan and Korea have completely changed. We are overcoming the past and moving toward the future.”

Prime Minister Maeda continued speaking calmly.

“Item support from the Korean Awakening Administration’s Player Shop, the loan of a holy sword in the Undead Zone, countermeasures against the Villain Liberation Player through the export of mana-sealing scrolls, support against Nightmare through dream-resistance kits, and ultimately the great achievement of clearing the 90th floor, which restored the Mount Fuji sinkhole.”

The reporters tensed.

This was not ordinary.

It felt like the buildup to a bombshell statement.

“The Japanese people are mature. When we receive a favor, we repay it.”

With what?

“I and the cabinet ministers have decided to cede all state-owned land and national facilities on Tsushima Island to Player Bong Juhyeok. Including the airport and ports.”

A buzz rippled through the room as reporters whispered.

Of course it would.

Handing over Tsushima Island’s state-owned land, ports, airports, and other key infrastructure owned by the Japanese government to Bong Juhyeok?

Tsushima Island.

Smaller than Korea’s Jeju Island.

With a population of around thirty thousand people currently living there.

Handing this over—did that even make sense?

One reporter shot his hand up and asked a question.

“Does that mean Tsushima Island becomes a Korean island? Does its sovereignty change?”

Prime Minister Maeda answered.

“That is not under consideration at this time. And the recipient of the cession is not the government of the Republic of Korea, but Player Bong Juhyeok as an individual. An individual will own the land.”

Another question followed.

“Player Bong Juhyeok is not a Japanese national, but a foreigner. Is it possible for him to own such a vast area of land?”

“We can enact a special law.”

“What about the existing residents? People live there.”

“Nothing will change. The cession applies only to state-owned land. Even so, if the residents of Tsushima Island feel inconvenienced, we will provide full support and compensation so that they may relocate to the mainland, including land purchases.”

“If the residents relocate, will that land also be handed over to Player Bong Juhyeok?”

“Well, I cannot give a definite answer under the current circumstances.”

“Is your intention to hand over the entirety of Tsushima Island to Player Bong Juhyeok?”

“That has not been decided either.”

“Why go this far?”

“As I said, he saved Japan. At the same time, we simply hope that the relationship between Japan and Player Bong Juhyeok will grow even closer.”

With Prime Minister Maeda’s declaration, all of Japan was thrown into chaos.

Opposition from the Japanese Diet, including right-wing factions, was fierce.

Juhyeok also watched Prime Minister Maeda’s press conference from White Tower Floor 17 together with the summoned entities.

“...Why are they like this?”

It was completely out of the blue.

He had not said anything at all.

“Did anyone invade Japan and ask for Tsushima Island or something?”

The summoned entities shook their heads.

“Wasn’t me. Did the old man do it?”

“This guy? Heh heh, no, not this old man.”

“Not this warrior either.”

“This maiden also hears of it for the first time.”

“Huh?”

Right.

There was no way these people would do that.

“...Wait, don’t tell me?”

He sent a text message on his smartphone.

SPOT!

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil appeared in the White Tower.

“About the Japanese prime minister’s press conference—did the Korean Awakening Administration ask for land by any chance?”

“Ah...”

Jeon Gwangil looked awkward.

“I—I didn’t say it directly.”

What?

So indirectly, then?

“Japan was being a bit irritating, so we were giving them a slight disadvantage...”

He continued explaining.

Even though they had restored the sinkhole and helped with Tower conquest, the Japanese government had offered nothing but lip service in return.

So they delayed mass reservation approvals and, in passing, mentioned China’s cession of Mount Baekdu to apply pressure, only for this result to happen.

“They bowed on their own.”

Tsk, tsk.

This was ridiculous.

“...What am I supposed to do with Tsushima Island if I get it?”

“S-sorry. I didn’t think it would turn out like this either.”

Commissioner Jeon Gwangil’s excuse was that it all stemmed from a misunderstanding.

“I don’t think so.”

More likely, the pressure had been applied quite strongly, even if subtly.

From Jeon Gwangil’s perspective, territorial cession probably seemed like a legitimate demand.

And in fact, that was how things had been so far.

Truthfully, Prime Minister Maeda was the most reasonable Japanese prime minister in history.

Reasonable enough to be openly called pro-Korean.

Juhyeok had even saved the prime minister when he was under an assassination threat.

They were neighboring countries, after all.

Maintaining friendly relations was far better than continuing a hostile one.

Well, it could be corrected even now.

Was there really a need to take land?

The White Tower alone was more than enough.

“Tell Prime Minister Maeda that Tsushima isn’t necessary.”

“...Yes, understood.”

Right at that moment—

“Young master.”

“Yes?”

“Please allow this maiden to speak for a moment.”

Gyeon Dallae raised her hand and stepped forward.

“Why?”

“A great conflict will arise in Japan over this issue.”

True.

It was not a few coins. They were talking about handing over land.

“This is truly a good opportunity.”

“...For what?”

“To see how those wretches truly think of you, young master.”

Hmm.

“If they know your favor and are truly grateful, then treat Japan generously. But if they are ungrateful beasts, then bestow mercy upon Japan.”

Huh?

So if they liked him, be generous.

If they did not, show mercy.

Wasn’t that the same thing?

“To bestow mercy means dismantling the Black Tower in Tokyo, Japan. Then Japan will be safe without fear of the Tower’s collapse.”

“Ah...”

He understood what she meant.

Prevent Japan from mining Magic Stones from the Tower.

However—

“Is there a reason it must be done?”

“Those wretches do not easily reveal their true intentions. On the surface, they loudly proclaim gratitude for the favor you bestowed, young master—but is that truly so? This maiden finds it doubtful.”

Our anti-Japanese nationalist fairy princess Dallae.

She was saying she could not trust Japan.

“Just watch. Then you will see their true hearts.”

Juhyeok nodded.

If he did not take Tsushima Island, that would be the end of it.

Still, he was curious.

About Japan’s reaction.

So he chose not to say anything.

The Korean government and the Korean Awakening Administration also kept their mouths shut.

As expected, Japanese politics plunged into a raging storm.

In the end, the coalition government led by the Minhyuk Party collapsed.

What did the divided Japanese Diet do?

They passed a vote of no confidence in the cabinet.

Prime Minister Maeda?

He immediately declared the dissolution of the Diet.

Thus, Japan entered a general election.

A showdown between the Minhyuk Party, which supported handing over Tsushima Island’s state-owned land to Bong Juhyeok, and the right-wing forces that were absolutely opposed.

Time passed quickly.

*****

The White Tower, overflowing with vitality due to its population growth.

The plan for rank advancement began.

Juhyeok first began working on the memory regression ritual for the LSSR summoned entities.

After that, he distributed one Immortal Peach to each person.

With just that, their abilities increased dramatically.

It was a treasure more effective than any elixir.

Summoned entities below LSSR also strove for rank advancement.

Even now, new summoned entities constantly came and went from the Landmark Closed-Door Training Hall.

Once they reached LSSR, he planned to apply the memory regression ritual to them as well.

There was no need to do it immediately.

If they raised their rank through runes, their bodies would change accordingly.

But there was a shortage of runes.

With this many people, how could there not be?

So he even burned through all the accumulated Platinum Badge benefits.

From twenty-five benefits, runes for rank enhancement and rank breakthrough poured out, but it was still far from enough.

Well, it was fine.

Did he absolutely need runes to strengthen summoned entities?

There were many paths.

Just consistently eating meals at the 17th-floor cafeteria was enough to rank up.

In the White Tower environment, rich with immortal energy, mana, and divine power, with crops grown by Douu and food cooked by Chef Carlos in the basic cafeteria facility.

Was that all?

There was a method just as direct and effective as runes.

Consuming elixirs.

There were those who had actually risen that way.

Jepetto and Diamat advanced to LSSR—no, even beyond—by consuming Royal Blood and the Heart of a Great Demon.

So what should be done next?

Just sweep the auction house.

If it looked decent, bid.

If it looked passable, bid.

Even if it was nothing special, bid.

Whether it was a finished elixir or raw materials, if it caught the eye, buy it all.

Martial arts manuals, magic grimoires, all kinds of equipment—clean sweep.

A big spender at the dimensional auction house.

Earth traveler Bong Juhyeok.

Gyeon Dallae handled the bidding.

Piles of auction-currency storage tickets were stacked beside her.

And when something useful popped up—

Ding!

<Mari>: Hey, a Dragon Heart just showed up! Chief Dallae, bid quickly.

“It says here it’s a hatchling heart.”

<Mari>: I know, but we’re not in a position to be picky about big or small.

“Understood. I will place a bid.”

<Mari>: And buy mandragora the moment it appears. The more, the better.

The other summoned entities were also seated in front of the auction status board.

“Ho ho, isn’t that Azure Sky Oil?”

“Is that a good sword?”

“One of the finest elixirs. But it’s expensive—one hundred thousand.”

“That’s fine. The young master has already ordered us not to spare the money.”

That’s right.

Why be stingy when it came to raising our summoned entities’ abilities?

Spend as much as needed.

Juhyeok was also listing Earth items on the auction house.

Unlike before, he did it intermittently—once every three days, once every five days—adjusting prices and recovering the auction currency spent on bids.

“Then place a bid on the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng as well.”

“There’s a unicorn horn too. Go for that.”

“A Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Fox inner core just popped up.”

“There’s even ent bark.”

If it seemed rare, bid on everything.

They practically swept the auction house clean.

Dimensional travelers reacted immediately.

What in the world was going on?

A whale was buying up all the elixir materials.

How had it been in the past?

No matter how rare an item was, no one bought it.

Even setting the price to the minimum did not help.

Now?

List it and it sold.

Even if you set the opening bid a bit high, it got snapped up without fail.

The auction house went into chaos.

Inventory clearance began.

Let’s sell everything while we can.

With that mindset, all kinds of rare materials poured in like a flood.

“Don’t save the auction currency. We can always earn more.”

Chunks of auction currency drained away.

Elixir ingredients piled up to the brim on White Tower Floor 17.

‘Hmm, did I overspend a bit?’

He had spoken boldly, but at this rate, he might burn through all the auction currency he had saved.

And that was exactly what was happening.

‘I guess I’ll put buying a World Tree sapling on hold.’

He felt bad for Mari, but it could not be helped.

Right now, raising the summoned entities’ ranks took priority.

Shall I go to the auction house?

Time to pick up the items I won.

So he got on the elevator and was about to press the 5th-floor button—

“...Oh?”

A button he had never seen before had appeared above the 5th floor.

‘What’s this? It’s new?’

There was no number on it.

If it was above the 5th floor, that meant the 6th.

Juhyeok cautiously pressed the button.

Instantly—

Ding!

[Insufficient operating conditions. More information and influence are required to proceed.]

A message from the White Tower, Godbaek.

Insufficient conditions.

He did not know what exactly was lacking, but—

‘Which world does it lead to?’

Obviously another world, but if he was lucky, it might be the main base.

The place where the root cause of the Black Tower [N O V E L I G H T] existed.

‘...It’s still too early.’

Charging into the enemy’s home base unprepared would be asking for disaster.

‘Well, once the destination becomes clear, I’ll think about it then.’

For now, let’s just retrieve the items.

WHIRRRR—!

Arrival at the 5th floor.

He took out the storage tickets from the locker—Dragon Heart, mandragora, Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, and more.

Then he handed the materials over to Mari.

At the 17th-floor Integrated Workshop Center, elixirs would be manufactured.

They would be distributed to the summoned entities according to efficacy.

Then consumed in the Landmark Closed-Door Training Room.

The summoned entities were growing at an explosive pace.

From R to SR, from SR to SSR.

Even LSSR surpassed its own limits.

The rank-advancement process was proceeding smoothly.

But it was a bit boring, wasn’t it?

It had been a long time since the last climb.

It felt like it was about time.

“Shall we head up to the 99th Floor?”

“Yes!”

Let’s at least check what the mission is.

The 99th Floor was practically the final floor.

The 100th was just the management office.

There was nothing to worry about.

The threat of the Archangels was gone, the White Tower’s influence had been strengthened, and there was still one transcendent summon left.

The selection team was formed the same as before.

After summoning all twenty-two in the penthouse—

[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1) 99th Floor.]

[99th Floor Mission: The Great Journey Toward Completion – Ninth.]

[Do you accept the ninth stage of the mission “The Great Journey Toward Completion”?]

“Accept!”

SPOT!

Juhyeok and the group arrived in the mission area.

The background was not much different, but—

“Oh...”

“This is insane. Totally wrecked.”

“Did the Great Sage Equal to Heaven come through?”

Everything was in ruins.

Traces of what looked like buildings were all shattered now.

There was nothing left.

As if the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had destroyed everything.

No wonder the clear messages had kept popping up.

So the 99th-floor mission—

Was it carried out here?

“If we follow this path—”

Ding!

The mission appeared.

[Main Mission: Destroy the Dimensional Energy Facility Control Center and the Teleporter.]

“...Two of them.”

Two objectives.

One control center, one teleporter.

Let’s go.

Board the green aircraft.

Nuclear warhead drop ready at all times.

SHWAAAAK!

Infinite turbo-blink flight.

It was not far.

The green aircraft arrived at the mission area.

And what needed to be destroyed was immediately obvious.

“Huh?”

“Ah!”

“What?”

“That thing?”

A gigantic tree appeared before them.

At its base was a modern concrete building, and a massive trunk rose above it.

A structure unlike anything they had seen before.

A fusion of tree and building.

And at the top of the tree, something like a long antenna tower was embedded.

“What is that?”

“A tree, a building, and an antenna. A three-stage combination.”

“It’s grotesque.”

“A bizarre hybrid.”

The concrete building was probably the control center.

The antenna-like structure must be the teleporter.

Then what about the tree?

What role did it play?

At that moment—

“...Ah...”

A soft gasp came from beside him.

“Huh?!”

Juhyeok was startled.

Because the one who made the sound was Mari, the shut-in alchemist elf with social anxiety.

“Mari, did you just speak?”

With trembling hands, Mari pointed at the hybrid of tree, concrete, and steel and spoke.

“...World Tree.”

What?

Did he hear that right?

“What did you say?”

Mari spoke again in a clear, luminous voice.

“The World Tree. The Mother Tree. That is the World Tree.”

The World Tree?

Then Mackenzie spoke up.

“Hmm, but it seems too small for a World Tree. According to legend, it’s supposed to be large enough to hold up the sky...”

Mari answered the doubt.

“It is because it is still young. But why on earth is it like that?”

A World Tree that had not even fully grown yet, forcibly turned into a hybrid.

Pain seeped into her voice.

But—

‘...Wow.’

For the first time since being summoned, Mari spoke in her own voice.

She even showed her face.

She was stunningly beautiful.

Mystical beyond words.

Almost inhuman.

Snow-white skin, perfectly proportioned features.

Even with CG, you could not recreate something like that.

‘So this is why people go on and on about elves.’