Chapter 18: Awakened Power Level- National Power Class

The Tower, which emerged amid the upheaval, was designed to foster fierce competition among nations.  

Additional rewards for the first clear, differentiated weekly and monthly rewards based on rankings.  

The structure inevitably meant that if someone surged ahead, others would fall behind.  

In such a competitive system, what was the most crucial factor to surge forward?  

Without a doubt, it was the Awakeners.  

The importance of Awakeners capable of climbing the Tower became paramount, heralding fierce recruitment battles.  

At the outset, the countries that responded most swiftly were the United States, China, Russia, and Japan.  

Sensing the Tower’s significance, they began gathering Awakeners regardless of nationality or ethnicity.  

They offered all manner of benefits—money, power, women.  

Even secret methods like kidnapping, coercion, and brainwashing.  

Thanks to these relentless efforts, these nations secured numerous Awakeners under their command and solidified the Four Powers system.  

Of course, other nations were no fools.  

This provoked inevitable friction with countries that suffered losses due to these measures.  

Those forcibly deprived of their share protested, and skirmishes broke out in some places, fueled by resentment.  

The gulf of emotions deepened with no sign of healing.  

Just when it seemed like a Third World War might erupt, the Four Powers intervened decisively.  

The heads of the Four Powers gathered in the U.S. capital, Washington D.C., to announce the International Awakened Law.  

This international law aimed to prevent the previously recurring disgraceful incidents and promised severe punishment for nations that violated it.  

The Four Powers, having already reaped their benefits, took the lead in proclaiming this law.  

No one was naive enough to miss the blatant self-interest behind it, but none could afford to disobey.  

Because to become the enemy of the Four Powers, bound by their mutual agreement, meant the disappearance of a nation was no big deal.  

Reluctantly, the International Awakened Law was passed, and the large-scale conflicts of the early days ceased.  

An uneasy peace began—one that could break at any moment.  

But now, that fragile peace was facing a crisis.  

“South Korea’s preemptive strike? Japan losing control of the 4th Floor.”  

“Illegal intrusion without national approval? Does this violate international law?”  

“What item did Kim Si-won use to climb the Tower from South Korea to Japan?”  

A South Korean Awakener’s ascent of Japan’s Tower—  

Passing the 4th Floor on Very Hard difficulty and bringing it under his control.  

An unprecedented event in the 50 years since the upheaval.  

From the UK’s BBC to the US’s CNN, major media outlets began breaking the news.  

Naturally,  the Japanese government was outraged.

“We never authorized his ascent of the Tower.”  

“Prime Minister Yamada Goro sternly warned South Korea. If the control over the 4th Floor isn’t normalized, military force may be deployed.”  

Struck like lightning from a clear sky, Japan erupted in fury.  

They immediately mobilized national-level responses, directing sharp criticism at the South Korean government and even considering military action as a last resort.  

“The South Korean government is investigating the matter.”  

“They emphasize it was an individual’s act, not a national intervention, and say they will cooperate with the Shinhwa Guild to find the culprit.”  

This was no ordinary matter.  

The South Korean government, which had once turned a blind eye to Japan’s illegal occupation of Dokdo, was once again terrified by Japan’s threats and seemingly prepared to sacrifice its own citizen.  

But this was no longer a matter between nations—it had become a conflict between a nation and an individual.  

Naturally, it was expected that Kim Si-won, who had caused all this, would soon be captured and suffer at Japan’s hands.  

But the situation began unfolding in an entirely unexpected direction.  

[Kim Si-won of South Korea used a Trait Weakening Ticket against the nation (Japan).]  

[The nation (Japan) has no means to defend against the Attack Ticket.]  

[All Awakeners designated as targets within the nation (Japan) receive a Trait Weakening penalty (5% chance to cancel Trait activation) for 72 hours.]  

A Tower message echoed throughout Japan.  

Of course, chaos erupted.  

Japan, preparing exemplary retaliation against South Korea, was suddenly paralyzed.  

But their response amounted only to an attempt.  

The trigger was a free talk video.  

Broadcast illegally on an overseas adult site.  

“It’s true. Chulwoo Shin was asked to deal with you. But we have no intention of doing so. You deserve respect. Japan treats its talents with utmost care. Leave this lowly country that cannot recognize true talent and join us. Japan will treat you as a state guest.”  

Fluent Japanese flowed from the video.  

Men clad in black martial uniforms radiated a threatening aura around the speaker.  

It was a recording of the recent battle between Kim Si-won and a Japanese special forces unit who had tried to ambush him.  

Expecting to seize Kim Si-won by any means, they were instead exposed on camera, defenseless.  

“Damn it!”  

The failed negotiation led to a fight.  

The video showed an astonishing conclusion.  

In the blink of an eye, the battle ended.  

Kim Si-won, moving like the wind, killed dozens of Awakeners and the entire Japanese special forces unit.  

Kim Si-won glanced around before approaching the camera.  

“…Consider this a warning.”  

Like during the previous live broadcast, he issued a threat.  

“If anyone interferes with my revenge against the Shinhwa Guild and Ha Yeon Lee, they will pay the price—no exceptions. Even if it is the nation of Japan.”  

An outrageously arrogant statement.  

No matter how much the value of Awakeners rose in the age of climbing, it did not compare to a nation.  

A nation commands thousands or tens of thousands of Awakeners through its control divisions.  

An individual was just that—an individual.  

No single person could ever surpass the power and status of a nation.  

But sometimes, the unexpected happens.  

“Remember, everything I do to Japan from now on is a consequence you brought upon yourselves.”  

And those words proved prophetic.  

Japan lost control of the 4th Floor, and received a powerful penalty canceling Trait activations for 72 hours.  

Though a 5% chance seemed low, for those climbing the Tower, it was a serious source of anxiety.  

What if Traits suddenly failed during a crucial battle?  

In the Tower, a single moment’s mistake could cost one’s life—so a 5% chance was anything but negligible.  

“If you want to avoid that, it’s simple. Don’t do anything conspicuous. If you don’t interfere with my revenge or stand in my way, I won’t retaliate further.”  

A warning?  

No, it was a threat.  

Anyone who obstructed or touched anything related to his revenge would be killed without mercy.  

And this intent was clearly conveyed to Japan’s leadership.  

The ministers in the Prime Minister’s residence watched the video in silence.  

No curses at his arrogance, no criticism.  

They had no choice.  

They realized the weight behind the words of one man—Kim Si-won.  

Normally, invading another country’s Tower requires government approval, but he could enter Japan’s Tower at will.  

He even cast a Trait penalty curse over the entire nation using a special ticket, rendering Tower climbing impossible for 72 hours.  

If they stubbornly opposed him now, what might come next?  

Fear and dread of the unknown overwhelmed them.  

“Why are you all silent?” Breaking the silence, Prime Minister Yamada Goro spoke gravely.  

“We’re gathered here to discuss countermeasures for this insolent Korean’s remarks, aren’t we?”  

“Well…”  State Minister Sato Saburo tried to speak but ultimately fell silent.  

Everyone knew the answer.  

But it was too humiliating and insulting to voice.  

“Minister Fujimoto, I want to hear your opinion.”  

The designated speaker was Minister Fujimoto Isao, 20th in Japan’s ceremonial order of precedence and in charge of all Awakeners.  

Given his role, his opinion carried particular weight.  

“My opinion is…”  

He took a sip from the water bottle on the table before speaking.  

“For now, it would be best to observe.”  

“Observe?” Yamada’s eyebrows twitched in displeasure, “So, we’re supposed to watch this worthless bastard spout arrogance?”  

Yamada Goro was a far-right nationalist with overt anti-Korean sentiments.  

Having risen as a major Awakener power, he no longer hid his views, especially as right-wing influence grew across the Japanese archipelago.  

“I’m afraid so. Kim Si-won is the world’s only Very Hard Difficulty Climber.”  

“This isn’t the time to brag about him.”  

“My apologies. But first, we need to understand exactly who Kim Si-won is.”  

“Go on.”  

“Yes. Upon investigating his recent actions, it appears he has used a Trait Weakening Ticket against the hostile Shinhwa Guild.”  

“Trait Weakening? Such a ticket exists?”  

“Yes. We suspect it’s a national attack-type item, probably only obtainable by clearing the Very Hard Difficulty.”  

At that, the Prime Minister and others fell silent.  

If the Attack Ticket was only available by conquering the Very Hard Difficulty, then Kim Si-won was practically the only one who could possess it.  

“Judging by the Tower message, it seems a Defense Ticket is necessary to counter that threat.”  

“Yes. The message clearly stated they had no means of defense.”  

“But Japan currently lacks the capability to clear Very Hard Difficulty, so there is effectively no defense against his national attack.”  

“Still uncertain?”  

“If the Oni Guild cooperates, we might find a way. But their secrecy is deep…”  

“What about other guilds?”  

“If we clear the 50th Floor or higher, we expect there may be methods. But aside from the Oni Guild and a few other major guilds, progress is slow.”  

Though Japan is a powerful Awakener nation, that strength is largely based on strong guilds.  

Some cooperate with the government, others don’t.  

Most large guilds, including the Oni Guild, are not very forthcoming with government information.  

“Let’s put that aside for now. Continue.”  

“Yes. Considering he climbed the Tower of another country without procedures and used Trait Weakening and other tickets, we cannot estimate how many Attack Tickets Kim Si-won possesses.”  

“So there could be even more powerful weapons than those we know.”  

“Yes. But since he hasn’t climbed the higher floors yet, the number must be limited. For now, avoiding conflict is in Japan’s best interest.”  

He has only reached the 4th Floor.  

How much reward could he have gained?  

Thus, the number of Attack Tickets must be limited.  

One must wait for the storm to pass, not break through it.  

Though it was humiliating to bow to threats from a lowly man, what choice did they have?  

One provocation had cost them three days of inability to climb the Tower—a fatal setback in this era of infinite competition.  

And this was not the end.  

No one knew what other tickets Kim Si-won carried, so they had no choice but to submit.  

“But will doing nothing solve this? Wouldn’t it be better to strike before he grows stronger…”   

Of course, some refused to submit and insisted on pressing forward.  

But—  

“Kim Si-won has a bitter history with the Shinhwa Guild and Ha Yeon Lee. If we let them fight on their own, he will inevitably reveal his true power.”  

“I see. We wait for them to exhaust themselves, then seize that moment of weakness?”  

“Yes, exactly.”  

“Good.”  

He nodded with satisfaction.  

For now, they would bow their heads.  

But that was one step back to make two steps forward.  

Provoking someone who might still hold unknown trump cards and wasting resources was pointless.  

Waiting for the right moment was the wiser path.  

“Even if it means hearing harsh words, it can’t be helped. Prepare the press conference immediately. The sooner this matter is resolved, the better.”  

Though greedy and condescending, he was the Prime Minister.  

As head of the cabinet system, his decisions were swift and backed by decisive action.  

And that day—  

“Japanese Prime Minister Yamada Goro: The group in the previous video were criminals impersonating government agents.”  

“Our failure to prevent this also bears some responsibility. We sincerely apologize to South Korea’s Kim Si-won and affirm we have no hostile intentions.”  

“We hope misunderstandings are cleared and will overlook this attack against Japan.”  

It was one of the rarest occurrences in the 50-year history since the upheaval.  

Japan, one of the world’s Four Powers at the center of global affairs, governed by the law of strength, proudly admitting fault.  

Not to other great powers or nations, but to a single Awakener from South Korea—Kim Si-won.  

Among the many articles that followed, one stood out:  

-The Birth of a National Power Class Awakener?  

The term “National Power Class” was often joked about.  

It was typically used metaphorically to describe Awakeners with overwhelmingly strong Traits and power.  

But now, it had become reality.  

Kim Si-won.  

The world’s only Very Hard Difficulty Climber.  

Through this event, he had acquired power equivalent to that of a National Power Class Awakener, capturing the world’s attention.