Chapter 71 : A Proposal to the Fugitive

“I’m serious!”

Dohyun’s face showed disbelief.

Well, he must have almost given up by now.

Believing he would never be able to climb the Tower again.

But a miracle had come.

“Let’s enter the Tower right away.”

He still couldn’t believe it.

Could he really climb the Tower again?

He pinched his cheek, and the sharp pain was vivid.

This was no dream.

This was reality.

To be able to climb again, something he had so desperately wanted.

“Th-then I’ll just borrow it for today.”

He swallowed hard.

He had wanted it badly, but he could never accept such an item.

However—

“Heh. Between us, just keep using it. I’ll tell you when you need to stop.”

Woo min insisted firmly.

Though he said he was lending it, it wasn’t much different from giving it.

Still, Dohyun was curious.

Could he really move like before?

Just this once.

But he couldn’t refuse the sincerity of the person lending it.

“Alright, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Yeah, take care of yourself.”

Nodding, Dohyun moved to the 35th floor.

He still couldn’t attempt the highest floors.

It was a kind of rehabilitation.

To loosen his stiff body, he challenged a much lower floor.

[You have entered Floor 35.]

Mission: Missile Swarm 0/3,000

Time Limit: 12 hours

The pleasant sea breeze blew.

How long had it been since he’d felt such refreshing air?

After the injury, he had only repeatedly cleared the 20s to maintain minimal ability.

Because combat underwater on the 30th floor and the harsh environment on the 40th floor were impossible for him.

Just smelling the sea felt good.

Still, he couldn’t just stand idly by.

Since he drew his sword, he might as well use it.

“Phew, why am I so nervous?”

He took a deep breath and pulled out a club from his inventory.

He had cleared the 35th floor years ago.

The monsters here were the missile swarms.

An enormous number of missiles.

As a mid-boss stage, it was much harder than the 36th or 37th floor.

Named Missile Swarm.

Thousands of heads coming at him endlessly.

Each one was weak in stamina and defense, but their overwhelming attack power meant that even a moment’s carelessness would land him in the hospital.

Imagine it.

Living missiles with bright blue eyes flying toward you.

Without a decent AoE skill, it was a constant game of dodging all day just to barely make progress.

The only attack strategy was to wear sturdy defensive gear.

Dohyun was no exception.

As a close-combat player, if he didn’t have solid defense himself, it would have been very difficult.

But why the 35th floor?

There was a reason.

The raid team was still on the 40th floor.

They had high defense and level, so they could easily take a hit or two from the missile swarms.

While it was hard to defeat thousands, it was the perfect place to test his recovered ankle.

Agility, reaction speed, and all.

Dohyun gazed at the sea with a pounding heart.

That was when—

A bubble rose in the sea, and one missile leapt out.

Swoosh—

An incredible speed of 350 km/hr.

An average person wouldn’t even react.

And there were 3,000 of them.

Dodging one by one meant he wouldn’t get anything done within the time limit.

Then.

Respond.

Let’s sweep them all away in one go.

His body felt especially light today.

He hoisted the club onto his shoulder and took his stance.

Then—

Whack—

A home run.

With a crisp sound, dozens of missiles disappeared beyond the horizon.

It felt like he hadn’t been injured at all, as if he could soar into the sky.

His throbbing ankle didn’t hurt a bit.

Holding the swing stance—

Whack—

Another home run.

He was truly the cleanup hitter of Joseon.

***

After clearing the 35th floor, Dohyun looked completely refreshed.

He had finally completed the Tower climb he had so longed for.

Returning to the resort’s outer hut, Woo min greeted him.

“How was it?”

“Absolutely perfect.”

The thrilling feeling was something he hadn’t experienced in ages.

The tingling sensation at his fingertips was still vivid.

Have you ever swung a club at a missile flying at 350 km/hr?

If not, don’t even talk about it.

It was several times more exhilarating than hitting a home run at a batting cage.

“Good for you. I was feeling a bit sorry for you with the vice president’s attitude.”

“For me? Oh, what are you saying? I do this because I want to. Thanks to Woo min, I even got a radical promotion. I’m happier than ever.”

Dohyun laughed heartily in reply.

Thanks to Woo min, he had climbed the Tower again when he thought it was impossible.

Maybe that’s why people say connections are important.

If connections are measured, Dohyun must be the best in the world.

Besides being close friends with Seolha, the world’s number one player, he was also friends with James, the American Association team leader, Pildu, the temporary president of WM Company, and various ministers from many countries.

Among them, the most important?

Of course, SSS-ranked player Woo min.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you, Woo min.”

As they chatted, Dohyun suddenly remembered something he’d forgotten.

“It’s not about the Tower, but something about China we need to discuss.”

Ah, right.

China.

He had completely forgotten.

Dohyun was here because of the press conference declaring retaliation over China’s tariff hike.

“Oh, sure. Please speak freely.”

“I recently obtained some information.”

Information acquired by Dohyun, who had the best connections in the world.

What could it be?

“The current Chinese supreme leader is Luo Chenghao, as you know. Do you know who the number two is?”

“Number two?”

Second in China’s hierarchy.

Luo Chenghao, the Chinese supreme leader, was talked about so much in the media, but Dohyun hadn’t really cared about who ranked second.

“Yes, it’s Jang Lin, a man who’s been Luo Chenghao’s closest aide since he was young. He announced the recent tariff hike as well.”

Now Dohyun seemed to remember.

Jang Lin was often criticized in the media with photos plastered everywhere.

“Ah, I think I know who he is.”

“Anyway, we’ve identified Jang Lin’s whereabouts.”

What could possibly be so important to make him bring that up?

With a serious expression, Dohyun got to the point.

“To put it simply, Jang Lin is currently a state enemy. He’s hiding his identity and is in the Philippines.”

“Is that so?”

“The situation in China is really complicated. Wouldn’t it be good to have at least one ally on our side?”

A sudden suggestion.

To have an ally in China’s agricultural sector?

***

Sangrilla, a five-star hotel in the Philippines.

A familiar man was trembling in a luxury suite.

He was none other than Jang Lin.

China’s number two, vice president of the Player Association, Minister of Health, Minister of Economy.

One of the de facto power holders in his field.

Of course, this was only until a few days ago.

The reason Jang Lin was here was simple.

He had to hide from the Chinese Communist Party, which was after him.

It had started from something trivial.

During the regularly held World Player Conference, Wang Zifeng caused an accident.

Well, that kind of thing wasn’t unusual.

He hadn’t expected much at first.

But this time was different.

It had unfortunately coincided with the Taebaeksan Virus incident.

China had to take full responsibility.

Helplessly, they made excuses.

It wasn’t their fault.

They were innocent victims too.

But from here, everything went wrong.

On the day Wang Zifeng caused the accident, investments in the Tower Virus Vaccine were made.

Did the Chinese know this beforehand?

Of course not.

They hadn’t invested a single penny.

So the supply of vaccines was zero.

China’s precious players perished.

Unable to do anything, China had to bow its head.

As a great nation, it was unthinkable, but it was unavoidable to cover the faults of subordinates.

However, all that returned was mockery and shame.

Eventually, Jang Lin drew his sword.

Since death was imminent, he retaliated against Korea.

A 40% tariff increase.

Essentially a declaration of war.

If they didn’t supply the vaccine, companies would be starved to death.

They expected Korea could bear some losses.

But what came back wasn’t only Korean retaliation.

The whole world criticized it.

The United States, the UK, Germany.

Not to mention the great powers, but also Singapore, Japan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and over 30 other countries imposed economic sanctions.

The 40% tariff on Korea was coupled with bans on numerous imports.

It was a full-scale reverse attack.

It had turned the whole world into enemies.

Jang Lin wasted even the last chance.

He ruined Luo Chenghao’s pride as a great nation.

His life was as good as dead.

Still, Jang Lin wasn’t a foolish man.

Though he lacked people skills, he was sharp-minded.

His family had emigrated long ago.

He himself had poured a lot of money into the Philippine government to cover his identity.

Still, Jang Lin trembled with fear.

If he went outside and ran into a Chinese agent, he’d be just like now—helpless and shaking.

If anyone found out he was hiding in the Philippines, it’d be over.

If he died a clean death, that’d be one thing.

He’d probably suffer all sorts of torture and end up as a human test subject before bidding farewell to the world.

Because of that, he hadn’t been able to live properly for days, not even eating properly.

Even a sip of water would make him vomit everything.

“I have to live. I have to get out alive.”

Jang Lin mumbled quietly.

If only he could get rid of the old Luo Chenghao.

Jang Lin, who had been second in command for quite some time, still had some secret cards.

A coup d’état.

Seizing the military government and staging a rebellion.

In fact, within the regime, many factions hated Luo Chenghao, who had been in power for a long time.

If only he could persuade them, there might still be a chance.

But how could he convince them?

All he had left was a weak, fat body.

He couldn’t think of any good plan.

He even considered emigrating to another country.

He could smuggle out money somehow.

But as a state enemy, where could he go?

There was no ally within the government.

That’s why he ran to the Philippines.

There, by bribing a lot of money, he could at least hide somewhat.

While muttering to himself and hiding in his room, someone suddenly knocked on the hotel door.

Knock knock knock—

Even that small sound terrified Jang Lin, who held his breath, not daring to move.

Several minutes passed.

When the knocking stopped, Jang Lin cautiously got up and checked outside.

Through a small hole, he saw a familiar figure.

An Asian man.

That man was none other than Dohyun!

“Mr. Jang Lin, I have a proposal for you.”

How did Dohyun know he was hiding here?

Jang Lin’s hands trembled with fear.

But he soon shook his head.

Better Dohyun than a Chinese agent.

At least Dohyun wouldn’t harm him.

Closing his eyes tightly, he took a deep breath.

Then he opened the door and greeted Dohyun!