Chapter 17 (2/2): No One Is Allowed In

There was no response to Shin’s words.

Due to the recent shift in public opinion, it was no longer easy to target Kim Si-won.

They could ignore that, of course.

But recent moves by the government and guilds had been unusual.

How to put it?

“It feels like they’re watching, ready to withdraw at any moment. They’re cooperating actively but seem like bystanders.”

Like parasites waiting to switch hosts when the time is right.

If they begged or pressed them now, it would only show Shinhwa Guild’s incompetence.

So, no matter what, Kim Si-won had to be dealt with.

Even if it meant wielding the double-edged sword that is Japan.

“But they won’t accept easily.”

“They will.”

“You mean them?”

“Of course. They’ll get their hands on the only Awakened who can clear Very Hard.”

“…Ah!”

Only then did Chae Mu-yeol realize what Chulwoo Shin was planning.

“You intends to hand him over!”

Japan, called an Awakening Powerhouse, had never cleared Very Hard.

Kim Si-won was the world’s only Awakened capable of doing so.

Yet, Shinhwa Guild ruling South Korea assigned them the mission to dispose of that unique Awakened.

It was an irresistible prize.

They would surely try everything—persuasion, threats, any means—to bring the sole Awakened to Japan.

This was an enormous loss nationally.

But from Shinhwa Guild’s perspective, it was a hassle removed without lifting a finger.

“A brilliant idea!” Chae Mu-yeol exclaimed.

If Kim Si-won went to Japan, the faltering status of Shinhwa Guild would revive, and a troublesome enemy would be eliminated simultaneously.

It was a perfect case of using one enemy to control another.

“He’s stronger than expected. But not strong enough to handle Japan.”

When they met in the Tower last time, Chulwoo Shin felt Kim Si-won’s power firsthand.

Though recently Awakened, his strength was astonishing.

Even Chulwoo Shin, South Korea’s best, felt jealousy and envy.

No one could imagine how monstrous he would become after growing further.

That’s why now, before growth, was the best time.

Especially the force that would be dispatched this time was more than Kim Si-won could handle.

“He won’t go easily.”

Knowing his lone wolf nature, he wouldn’t fall for Japan’s sweet talk.

That was why this plan was made.

If persuasion failed, they would resort to force.

Surely, a conflict would erupt.

They didn’t expect him to wipe out both parties.

They only hoped that emotions wouldn’t flare beyond repair.

Kim Si-won’s chance of winning?

“Impossible.”

***

Kim Si-won’s level recently observed wouldn’t be enough to handle Japan’s forces.

Unless he had grown two or three times stronger in a short time.

In this modern era, I was an outsider.

Thoroughly isolated for opposing the Shinhwa Guild ruling South Korea.

CCTV everywhere, bounty hunters on my trail.

I didn’t need to dig to know there was a hefty bounty on my head.

So I moved carefully.

If my location became known, Shinhwa and its subordinate guilds would storm me.

Avoiding direct confrontation was best.

“At least until I find more power.”

The higher I climbed the Tower, the closer I’d get to full strength.

The power needed to overwhelm Shinhwa Guild, its subordinates, and allied guilds was about 20%.

But right now, I had only 6%.

I still needed some time, so I kept to hiding.

Avoiding city centers and crowded areas.

The sky as my blanket, the ground as my bed, the mountains as my pillow.

This hermit lifestyle felt oddly familiar.

Even on the Gritia Continent, where I lived for centuries, I was a complete outsider.

A lonely orphan with nowhere to cling.

But I wasn’t bothered.

Compared to hectic city life, this brought me peace of mind.

“Stop coming out.”

That was before the unwelcome guests arrived.

“Rustle rustle.”

Deep in the mountains, breaking through dense foliage, figures appeared.

Clad entirely in black military uniforms, hiding head and body alike.

As if determined not to reveal their identity.

“What is your purpose?”

They hid their bodies with stealth traits.

Sneaking in rarely had good intentions, but it was only natural to ask their purpose.

“Greetings.”

Words slipped from the one in front.

In Japanese.

But it sounded as if translated perfectly into Korean.

They must possess a translation item or trait.

Not flawless, but enough to sound like a foreigner speaking awkwardly.

“We are from Japan. We have come respectfully to escort Mr. Kim Si-won, who has cleared Very Hard difficulty.”

“To escort?”

I furrowed my brow, scanning the surroundings.

“Is sneaking into someone’s territory these days considered respectful?”

“That’s unavoidable. We must move covertly. South Korea is not friendly toward us. Escorting you must be done in utmost secrecy.”

“To escort me?”

“That’s correct. You are the only one in the world to clear Very Hard difficulty. Your value is boundless. But how does your country treat you? Out of envy, they requested we handle you.”

I roughly pictured the situation.

“Chulwoo Shin must have hired you.”

“Indeed, Shin asked us to handle you.”

“But it’s impossible.”

“You deserve respect. Japan treats talent with utmost care. Escape this lowly country that cannot recognize your worth and come with us. Japan will treat you as a state guest.”

At first glance, such words were enticing.

But—

“A state guest? You brought those with mind-control traits to handle that?”

Using my Insight Eye, I scanned their traits.

Most had stealth and assassination abilities.

But a few carried tracking (likely to locate me) and mind control traits.

Tracking is one thing, but mind control?

I guessed their true purpose.

“Assassination, kidnapping, mind control of enemy state figures.”

Every country has special forces.

Especially these were Awakened with matching traits.

“…Oh. You’ve noticed?”

Confident in my words, they no longer tried to hide.

“But that only comes when words fail. As I said before, we will treat you as a state guest—”

“Nonsense! If words fail, you’ll use mind control to dominate me, won’t you?”

They had no idea.

My Insight Eye pierced their thoughts.

What I felt wasn’t hospitality but hostility and contempt.

One only had to look at their recent behavior.

Ever since becoming an Awakening Powerhouse, Japan had looked down on South Korea and its people like insects.

Anti-Korean sentiment was now mandatory in Japan.

“…Refusing liquor and drinking punishment instead?”

Realizing my hardened stance, they finally revealed their true colors.

No, from the start, they never intended to treat me well.

They only saw me as a tool to be used and discarded.

“If it can be done……”

Knowing their hostility, I didn’t hesitate.

“…Anytime.”

I stomped the ground.

“Kwahng!”

The impact far surpassed before.

It had to.

By completing the Nightmare trial, I had gained 3% power.

Regaining 6%, my prime strength, at such speed was—

“Swoosh!”

I closed the gap in an instant, severing the head of the man who had just spoken.

The sensation of flesh and bone cutting under the Night Sword Lapide in my hand.

Familiar.

After centuries on battlefields, death was more familiar than life.

“Damn!”

Those who detected my move late—

“Ssssss—”

Tried to cloak themselves with stealth.

But it was a futile struggle.

“Extreme Acceleration.”

“Night Sword Lapide.”

The sword, named for the wind, granted enhanced speed.

The pale green aura enveloped my body.

“Shiiiiiik!”

I became the wind.

Speed?

No, it was transcending space.

“Swish swish!”

Dozens of Japanese special Awakening forces’ heads rolled across the ground.

Of course, some lucky ones hid.

But it was just meaningless thrashing.

“Swoosh!”

For one awakened to the Insight Eye, stealth was useless.

Not the advanced stealth, but their level was far below what I knew.

So, after a brief moment, only I stood there.

“…Japan.”

No matter that Shin requested this, I couldn’t leave those who threatened me be.

I had to teach them a lesson.

Only then would they realize who I was and whom they had provoked, and stop bothering me.

“Ziiiik—”

I tore the blue ticket earned from clearing the 3rd-floor Nightmare trial.

At that moment—

Blazing light burst from the ticket with a message.

[National Movement Ticket used.]

[To which nation would you like to move?]

Various nation names appeared before my eyes.

Among them, I chose—

[Using the National Movement Ticket, you may move to another nation’s Tower without separate procedures.]

[Moving to the 4th floor (Japan) of the selected Tower.]

“Flash!”

Kim Si-won, who was there moments ago, vanished.

After sometime had passed the Tower’s message rang across Japan, causing a worldwide stir.

[Congratulations!]

[South Korea’s Kim Si-won has cleared the Very Hard Difficulty 4th floor (Japan).]

[Achieved the first-ever 3-star condition on the Very Hard Difficulty 4th floor.]

[By clearing Very Hard difficulty he has obtained dominion over Japan’s Tower 4th floor.]

[Kim Si-won appointed as Administrator of Tower 4th floor (Japan).]

[By Administrator’s authority, entry to Tower 4th floor (Japan) is forbidden until entry conditions are met.]

Usually, using another nation’s Tower requires special procedures.

But Kim Si-won suddenly climbed Japan’s Tower with no prior steps and succeeded in clearing the Very Hard difficulty 4th floor.

And that was not all.

[Administrator Kim Si-won has applied entry restrictions on the 4th floor.]

[All Awakened from Japan are forbidden from entering the 4th floor.]