Chapter 51: The Number One Ranking Is Mine From Now On

‘Purge’

In the dictionary, it literally means ‘to Purge through and completely eliminate everything.’

At first glance, one might think it’s some kind of overwhelming power capable of killing enemies all at once.

But ‘That can’t be.’

I quickly shook my head.

From what I had observed so far, the effects of tickets weren’t that dramatic.

Most of them had supportive effects like exile, weakening, summoning, or defense.

Their role was to protect the nation safely from external attacks.

Of course, there were offensive means like summoning Named creatures, but even those took the form of summoning specific monsters rather than direct attacks.

So I was certain this wasn’t the kind of “Purge” that annihilates enemies outright.

Then, recalling the ticket’s information, my speculation turned into certainty.

[Purge Ticket: By successfully clearing a dungeon of 3 stars or higher, you can Purge that floor to obtain limited rewards.

*The currency obtained via Purge Tickets is restricted to tickets.

*The probability of obtaining tickets through Purge Tickets is fixed at 20%.]

Purge Ticket.

It was exactly like the tool used in once-popular mobile games, designed to reduce the time needed for clearing and to collect currency.

Of course, unlike Knight Swords or Armor, no initial clear rewards were granted.

What could be repeatedly obtained through Purging were tickets.

Still, that alone was a tremendous advantage.

I had received three Purge Tickets from the recent 30th-floor clear.

The only concern was the fixed 20% chance to obtain tickets.

No matter how abundant tickets were during the bloodbath difficulty run, the 20% chance meant the Purge Tickets would inevitably be used up at some point.

So for now, I shelved the idea of grinding Purge Tickets endlessly.

However, the energy radiating from the 1000 bundles.

Absorbing it, I felt vitality coursing through my entire body.

‘30%.’

The effort of breaking through the bloodbath difficulty paid off.

The recovered Knight energy was 5%.

Thanks to that, I could secure energy amounting to 30% of the peak level.

[You have 2 Knight Swords. Equipment of the same quality merges to become a stronger weapon.]

[You have 2 Knight Armors. Equipment of the same quality merges to become stronger armor.]

I obtained both the Knight Sword and Armor at the same time, which was difficult enough with just one.

The resulting enhancement.

Flash!

Along with the bright light that filled the surroundings.

The Excidium proudly displayed its increased runes.

And the plate armor with an entirely different appearance, now tougher—

Enigma.

Abandoning the name of Hawkin Albers, the Knight from the Imperial Intelligence Agency.

Afterward, I lived the life of Erllea Harmens, the No. 20 Knight of the Principality of Arldi.

And this armor, Enigma, was bestowed personally by the prince of the principality as recognition of my great contribution that breached a corner of the empire.

‘It’s been a while.’

Enigma, with its rarely used purple sheen.

Through this armor, named after a riddle, I achieved tremendous growth and finally made a name for myself across the continent.

The increased runes on Excidium granted various effects.

With Enigma added on, it was as if wings had been added to a tiger.

But it was too early to relax.

‘Evil lurks.’

The Demon Clan.

I guessed they were the seeds of evil who had taken over the United States.

No—

Their claws might have already spread not only across the United States but China, Russia, Japan, and perhaps the entire world.

That was why I couldn’t be complacent.

What was needed was overwhelming power.

No matter what tricks they pull.

No matter what schemes and plans they have, if I had overwhelming power to shatter them, all of it would be nothing but a mere incident.

And to turn all those schemes into incidents, what was urgently needed were tickets.

To defend the Republic of Korea from the United States, who could attack anytime.

I stared blankly at the Purge Ticket in my hand.

If I could use this well, I might even be able to mass-produce tickets.

Then suddenly a thought struck my mind like lightning.

‘Right. That’s it.’

November 30th.

Only one day left until the month ended.

The day of the monthly rewards, when the richest benefits could be claimed.

***

White House Secret Room

In a dark room lit only by a dim light.

Under the light, the figure visible was Joel Morris, the President of the United States.

With a solemn face, he looked straight ahead and asked, “Do you agree?”

“I agree.” Shaking his hand up and down was Zhang Zhao, Chairman of China.

It was an unexpected sight.

As everyone knew, the relationship between the United States and China was far from friendly.

They constantly exchanged accusations and threats.

If anything, their relationship was said to be more hostile than that of Russia, which had experienced the Cold War era.

But here they were.

The two leaders of the countries met secretly.

Though the atmosphere was serious, they wore satisfied smiles, as if they had achieved a favorable outcome.

The reason was simple.

On the table lay documents.

The US-China Mutual Defense Treaty.

Surprisingly, it was a defense pact between the two countries.

A promise to help each other against national threats—in other words, an alliance.

But that was something that shouldn’t happen.

Who in the world could threaten two of the strongest countries, the United States and China?

If one didn’t wish for the end of their nations, such a treaty would never be signed.

Yet it was happening here in this secret room.

“Frankly, the actions of South Korea, that minor country, have displeased us,” said Chairman Zhang Zhao with a smile on his lips.

That single sentence revealed the reason for their meeting.

South Korea.

They were meeting to curb this rising rookie country.

Their justification was clear.

The Chinese Awakener Lu Hong and many top-ranked Awakeners had been killed.

Not only that.

It was revealed that South Korea, specifically Kim Si-won, was involved in the destruction of New York.

But these two countries still couldn’t vent their hatred and anger.

Despite repeated attacks and interference, South Korea had shown a solid defense.

It was not something to be underestimated.

Even Japan, one of the four powers, had essentially surrendered immediately after declaring war.

Of course, both the United States and China looked down on Japan as far below them.

But still, South Korea’s excellent performance could not be dismissed.

That was why they had gathered.

Two of the strongest countries formed a mutual defense treaty to restrain South Korea (though their actual goal was more destruction than mere restraint).

“Yes. Even now, it’s no ordinary feat.”

Earlier, the two leaders ordered their Awakeners to use tickets.

Named Enhancement Tickets.

Several dozen of those rare tickets, almost impossible to see outside of the four great powers, were consumed.

They had thought that would be enough to bring down Kim Si-won, who was climbing the Tower.

But not at all.

[Kim Si-won has been appointed as the administrator of the 30th floor of the Tower of the Republic of Korea.]

[Under administrator authority, entry to the 30th floor of the Republic of Korea’s Tower is prohibited until entry conditions are met.]

The Named creatures, made even stronger by dozens of tickets, were defeated.

Kim Si-won successfully cleared the 30th floor, and that message echoed throughout the world.

“We must continue to interfere so that he cannot obtain any more tickets.”

“Exactly. The Very Hard difficulty is still a realm we haven’t reached. If he gets into the higher floors, it could be disastrous.”

The United States had already reached the 70th floor.

China was closely following.

Even so, they watched and restrained Kim Si-won who had reached the 30th floor.

Why?

The reason was simple.

No one until now had managed to clear Very Hard difficulty—the mysterious challenge.

Except Kim Si-won.

No one knew what rewards awaited there.

Only one thing was clear.

‘If we leave him be, it will be a catastrophe.’

That was understood through several clashes.

Even the protective shield that reflected nuclear weapons was an unfathomable domain.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, they say.

That was why Joel Morris reached out to Zhang Zhao of China.

Under the pretext of eliminating a budding disaster.

Normally, Zhang Zhao would never have agreed so easily.

More likely, he would have rejected it, watching the United States self-destruct.

But then—

A gray light adorned the eyes of Joel Morris and Zhang Zhao.

It signified that this meeting was not by their own will, but the result of external interference or coercion.

“Well, not much time is left now. Congratulations on maintaining the top position once again.”

Under positive negotiations, Chairman Zhang Zhao offered his congratulations.

“…Ah!”

At first, Joel Morris didn’t understand what he meant.

But the moment he checked the calendar, he realized the true meaning behind his words.

“We’re not the only ones to celebrate.

I heard you succeeded in clearing the 65th floor.”

“Hahaha! That news must have reached you already.”

“Well, all eyes are on the Tower’s clearances, so naturally.”

“We’re still far from the United States.

Clearing the 70th floor! That’s just a dream for us, hahahaha!”

“It can’t be helped.”

“Don’t worry. Now that we’ve formed an alliance, if there’s any way we can help, we’ll do so gladly.”

“I truly appreciate that.”

“Not at all.”

Laughing heartily.

The hostility of past days seemed unthinkable.

It was understandable since the monthly ranking was almost decided.

Though they failed to clear the coveted 70th floor, the United States firmly held onto first place.

Monthly Ranking

United States (1st): 5,103,000 (—)

China (2nd): 4,225,000 (↑1)

Russia (3rd): 4,110,000 (↓1)

Republic of Korea (4th): 2,980,500 (↑1)

Japan (5th): 2,550,100 (—)

Notably, China had surpassed Russia to claim 2nd place.

That was because they had finally succeeded in clearing the long-awaited 65th floor.

Thanks to that, China had climbed to 2nd place (though this was the current tally, it was solid barring any surprises).

Holding onto 1st place and climbing to 2nd.

In reality, with the two most powerful Awakener nations united, South Korea and the existence of Kim Si-won were just bubbles destined to burst soon.

“Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

Clinking glasses filled with prepared champagne.

They toasted to this new alliance and the monthly rankings.

But the next moment, they could only exhale champagne with the scent of sweet fruit.

At 11 p.m., one hour before the monthly ranking announcement.

Messages rang out as if alarms were set every five minutes.

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has cleared the Very Hard 31st floor.]

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has cleared the Very Hard 32nd floor.]

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has cleared the Very Hard 33rd floor.]

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has cleared the Very Hard 34th floor.]

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has cleared the Very Hard 35th floor.]

An unbelievable climbing speed.

Along with it.

[The monthly ranking has been updated.]

In just one hour.

In that one hour, a miracle occurred.

Monthly Ranking

Republic of Korea (1st): 5,980,500 (↑3)

United States (2nd): 5,103,000 (↓1)

China (3rd): 4,225,000 (↓1)

Russia (4th): 4,110,000 (↓1)

Japan (5th): 2,550,100 (—)

South Korea, which had been ranked 4th until moments ago, had risen to 1st place in the monthly ranking.

And that was—

[Special benefits are activated for the Republic of Korea, which has achieved 1st place in the monthly ranking.]

The monthly first-place benefits, which until now had only been enjoyed by the United States, were about to be transferred to a foreign country for the very first time.