Lumitri was still dazed.
The first people he saw after coming out of an unknown space were an East Asian holding a small wooden mallet, and another man.
They said something while aiming at him, and an unidentified energy swept through his entire body.
But their gazes—
They weren't looking at him, but behind him.
"What's behind me?"
When he turned his head to look—
"Gah!"
It was like a hologram.
And the content?
All the pathetic mistakes he had committed in the past, with himself as the protagonist, were vividly playing out like a movie.
It felt like his dark secrets had been exposed.
Shame came rushing in.
Ah! Right, I really was like that back then.
But the embarrassment only lasted a moment.
How were old secrets that only he knew appearing in midair?
Lumitri turned his head back again.
"Did that guy do this?"
At some point, the man who had been knocked down had gotten back up, grabbed Lumitri's hand tightly, and greeted him.
"Could it be?"
He was certain.
It was him.
The parallel-universe player he had wanted to meet so badly.
"Alright, alright, please take this."
At the same time, a thin sheet of paper was handed to him.
What is this?
"I can't understand Korean. You gotta speak English."
"… I'm not very good at English."
"I'm here, aren't I? Hehehe."
And then—
"White Tower Six Floor, One-Day Experience Ticket."
… What?
So, White Tower 6th floor, one-day experience ticket?
He couldn't make sense of anything.
As he absentmindedly took the paper—
Ssssh!
His name was engraved onto it.
"What is this?"
An item?
"State skill, Six Floor Enter, okay?"
… Status window skill, enter 6th floor?
"Huh?"
At that moment—
Ding!
A message popped up.
A White Tower 6th Floor Entry skill had been registered in his status window.
The validity period was 24 hours.
"Go go! Sixth floor, go go!"
"Yes, yes!"
He was completely overwhelmed.
He had no choice but to do as he was told.
Lumitri shouted the entry skill.
Spot!
The environment changed in an instant.
And what he saw was a small town filled with buildings and houses, towering modern skyscrapers, and at the center, an enormous—
"Golem?"
A Split Golem?
No.
It was far bigger than that.
Several times bigger.
So big that he had to crane his neck all the way back just to see its head.
"… Where is this place?"
Meanwhile—
Juhyeok ran to the Comprehensive Workshop Center.
Even though Kosak said he would interpret, he didn't quite trust him.
He needed to bring in a real expert.
To El, who was researching there.
"Dr. El, where is Principal Harold? Aren't you working together?"
"Ah, he's currently organizing books in the library… I'll go bring him. But may I ask why you're looking for him?"
"We need interpretation."
"I see."
The magitech engineer El pondered for a moment.
Then she picked up a large headset from the shelf.
"Summoner, try using this."
"Huh? It's a headset."
"Yes. It looks like an Earth item, but it's a translation artifact made through collaboration between mages, with advice from the principal."
Oh!
Translation?
"It has 7th Circle Telepathy magic and a Trans-Language magitech circuit built in. It's also equipped with high-output speakers, so it's more than sufficient for everyday conversation."
Wow!
They even made something like this.
As expected of our doctor.
The principal and the enchantment mages are amazing too.
"Is there only one?"
"Yes. It's a prototype."
One is enough.
He should put it on Lumitri.
The only person here who couldn't communicate was the American Lumitri.
Juhyeok took the translation headset and walked up to Lumitri.
He gestured for him to put it on his head, then—
"Hello. Welcome to the White Tower."
"Oh! Yes, yes."
"Ohhh! It works. Mr. Kosak, we don't need you anymore."
"… Tch!"
"Let's party up. Party!"
"P-Party?"
Communication became smooth.
But Lumitri was still bewildered.
The number of residents on the White Tower's 6th floor was 352.
Originally there were 355, but since Farmer Douu, Mari, and Bloodwolf were on the 17th floor, three were absent.
From time to time, a White Tower all-hands party was held.
Everyone gathered in the dining hall banquet room.
The banquet hall was noisy and lively.
At first, Lumitri felt awkward.
But once the language problem was solved and he had a few drinks, he quickly blended in with everyone.
Lumitri's attitude was humble.
He couldn't help being humble.
Even though it was the result of his own mistake, this was a world where player abilities manifested exactly as they did in reality.
At one time, the greatest player on Earth was himself.
Inside the tower, and outside the tower.
The U.S. government had issued a wanted notice for him, but why hadn't he been caught all this time?
Because he was stronger than anyone else.
Now?
Here, too, he could use all of his player abilities.
But he was the weakest.
There was no one weaker than him.
He felt like he'd get beaten up even by that cute hamster humanoid.
The same applied to the strongest player of the parallel universe.
He couldn't even dare to look him straight in the eye.
Of course, the man treated him kindly.
Lumitri suddenly became curious.
With that level of strength, how many times had he enhanced his traits?
"50 times? 100 times?"
Maybe even more.
He was curious.
Should he ask directly?
"Um, Mr. Bong Juhyeok."
"Yes, Player Lu, go ahead."
"It may be an impertinent question, but how many times have you done trait enhancement?"
"Ah! Trait enhancement? 22 times… no, I got 5 more runes as a reward for clearing the 90th floor, so it's 27 times."
What?
Only 27 times?
And before the 90th floor, it was just 22 times?
"Honestly, there's not a big difference between 22 and 27. I just felt really good."
Juhyeok meant it sincerely.
There really wasn't much difference.
Excluding the veteran deceased summons he usually brought along, there were about 13 to 15 people.
Even with just those veterans, it was more than enough.
Then why was trait enhancement good?
To give a bit more opportunity to the new deceased summons.
Because everyone wanted to be summoned.
Lumitri was shocked by Juhyeok's answer.
Five trait enhancements don't make a big difference?
Was he just strong from the very beginning?
"That's truly admirable. I couldn't even defeat a copy of Kabalon."
With 25 trait enhancements, would he even clear C rank?
In reality, he was just a curse-inducing average.
"Oh, that's all item power. With holy-attribute equipment, it's easy."
He had already experienced it.
Kabalon was nothing.
Even with fewer than 10 trait enhancements, a holy sword was enough.
Even for a player who hadn't enhanced traits even once.
"Speaking of which, since our guest has visited the White Tower, we can't welcome you empty-handed."
Juhyeok said while looking at Rajiks.
"Mr. Rajiks, let's give Player Lu a gift. A gift."
1
"Hoeh!"
Ssshh, sssshhh,
At the word "gift," Rajiks piled up a mountain of items in front of Lumitri.
Alcohol, snacks, various electronic devices.
In other words, products manufactured on Earth.
"Ahem, not those. Player Lu isn't like Sword Immortal or Yama, or Honse. He's someone who even owns artificial satellites."
"Huhhh?"
"Bring out the full set of holy-attribute equipment."
"Hoeh!"
Ssshh, ssshh, ssshh!
The Earth goods were put away.
And in their place, various holy-attribute equipment filled the space again.
Holy Sword, Holy Hammer, Holy Spear, Holy Staff, Holy Armor, Holy Helmet, Holy Boots, Holy Gloves, Holy Accessories, and more.
"Hurry and put them into your inventory."
"Uh, uh, all of this?"
Lumitri's eyes went wide.
"They're usable. Even if the enemy isn't undead, they still have effects."
"It's… it's too big a gift."
"They're mass-produced items made at the factory. If we want to, we can always make more."
"..."
Juhyeok also said to El.
"Doctor, you have the magic gun set, right?"
"Yes, we do."
"The latest improved version, fully stocked with all types of ammunition—can you give that to Player Lu?"
"I'll prepare it immediately."
A magic gun, of all things.
Lumitri tilted his head in confusion.
"A gun? Those won't work very well on high-floor monsters."
"What are you talking about! Most of them go down in one shot."
"Ah! … But my class trait is Magic Swordsman."
"Doesn't matter what your trait is. Anyone can fire it."
Firearms are effective against tower monsters?
Maybe for pulling purposes—but still.
It was hard to believe.
But this man wouldn't lie.
"Player Lu, you're planning to climb to the 71st floor too, right?"
"Yes. I'm going. I won't run away anymore."
"Good. With this magic gun, you should be able to climb the American tower up to the 85th floor without any trouble."
The 85th floor.
If that were true—
He wanted to verify it immediately.
Get revenge on the 70th-floor copy of Kabalon, and climb the upper floors of the American tower that no one had cleared yet.
"And take this as well."
"This is?"
"It's called a Rune Necklace of Liberation. Check the item info and you'll understand its use."
He took it and checked the information.
'What?!'
Lumitri was at a loss.
An item like this even existed?
Due to the effects of the 90th-floor clear event, players would no longer be able to use their abilities in the real world.
But this item allowed a player to manifest their abilities at any time.
"There will definitely be a time when you need it."
He had received far too many gifts.
He was deeply moved.
Not only had they thrown a party just for him, they were handing over such precious items without hesitation.
'I don't even know how to repay this.'
But he did have something he could give.
Three trait enhancement runes.
He had intended to give them from the start.
Use them as gifts, build goodwill, establish a business relationship—
And form a connection with the strongest player of the parallel universe.
But would they even like them?
Rather than showing off, he just felt apologetic.
After receiving these overwhelming gifts, offering mere trait enhancement runes felt inadequate.
'Still, I came here to give them. I should.'
Ssshh!
He took three Trait Enhancement Runes out of his inventory and shyly held them out.
"At least this… This is all I can give you in return."
Inside, Juhyeok shouted with joy.
Finally!
Three special enhancement runes!
Aaaaah!
That makes trait enhancement thirty times.
Thirty deceased summons available.
Ssshh!
He quickly took them and put them into his inventory.
"Hahaha, thank you very much. Such precious enhancement runes… I'll use them well."
"Um, compared to what you've given me, this is far too little."
"Oh no, not at all. I'm the one who's lacking."
"No, I'm the one who—"
Lumitri felt embarrassed even receiving thanks.
No matter what, he had to give a little more.
'All I really have is money.'
Or company shares.
That would at least balance things out a bit.
The next day.
As the one-day experience ticket was nearing its expiration.
Lumitri and Juhyeok exited the White Tower and arrived at the Daejeon Joint Chiefs Headquarters.
Time to say goodbye.
"Best of luck, Player Lu. I hope you defeat Kabalon."
"I will never forget this kindness."
He seemed like a good person.
Somehow similar to Dmitri, the black-market boss of Earth-1001, yet also reminiscent of Player Gerald.
'Did the two of them merge?'
After that, Juhyeok met with Commander Jeon Seong-il.
Today was the day to climb the tower from the 95th to the 99th floor.
"Summoner Bong, you look cheerful today."
"Haha, yes. Something good happened."
I'm a player with thirty trait enhancements.
I can summon thirty at once.
"Are you planning to climb the tower today as well?"
"Of course."
After the sinkhole-filling event, global attention on Juhyeok had skyrocketed.
As a result, a press conference before each tower climb became mandatory.
After discussing the schedule with Jeon Seong-il, Juhyeok prepared for the climb.
Jeon Seong-il?
He immediately announced a press conference.
Foreign and domestic reporters who hadn't yet left Daejeon flocked to the Joint Chiefs briefing room.
Standing at the podium, Commander Jeon faced a barrage of questions.
"Is there a tower climb today as well?"
"Yes, of course. Five times today too."
"Then up to the 99th floor?"
"If we don't fail. Which we won't."
Next question.
"According to the schedule, tomorrow is the 100th floor. Will there be a groundbreaking event like the 90th-floor clear?"
"Yes. You can look forward to it."
"Could you give us even a small hint—"
"I'll explain that at tomorrow's press conference."
After the Q&A about the schedule ended—
"The whole world is cheering for the parallel-universe player's tower climb. We're also considering support measures. Is there anything you might need?"
Jeon Seong-il smiled faintly.
Support, now?
As if they didn't already know what was needed.
"Let me ask you, reporter. What's the fastest way for a player to become stronger in a short time?"
"Um… trait enhancement?"
"Yes, that's right. And our strongest parallel-universe player needs that as well."
"Ah…"
"So I'll ask on this occasion. Would each country be willing to support our top player with the trait enhancement runes they possess?"
The press room fell silent.
Naturally so.
Trait enhancement runes were treated as strategic national resources.
No matter how many achievements the strongest player had accomplished or how much he had saved the world, would any country readily hand them over?
"Does cheering and offering verbal support alone do anything? Of course, the top player isn't asking for that either."
Jeon Seong-il's gaze was sharp.
But he soon smiled again.
"Even so, there is someone who has given our top player generous support."
Who?
The reporters looked curious.
"Player Lumitri Romenkov. He supported us with three trait enhancement runes."
What?
The press room erupted.
No one had expected that name.
"Lumitri—do you mean that Lumitri? The former top American player?"
"Yes. That very person."
What was going on?
Really, Lumitri?
"Our strongest parallel-universe player has also expressed infinite gratitude toward Player Lumitri."
Murmurs spread.
Reporters looked at one another in shock.
"From here on, the two have agreed to cooperate as strategic partners in Black Tower climbs, item distribution, and high-grade magic crystal circulation."
That combination was possible?
One man who saved the world, and another who was blamed for nearly ruining it.
"B-but Lumitri is a criminal who posed a massive threat to humanity by illegally climbing the American Black Tower."
At the reporter's words, Jeon Seong-il tilted his head and asked calmly.
"A criminal? What crime did Player Lumitri commit?"
"Didn't he trigger the Curse of Averages?"
"Is he Kabalon?"
"No, but the 70th-floor climb—"
Jeon Seong-il glared sharply at the reporter as he continued.
"So you're claiming that climbing to the 70th floor is a crime."
"That's how it turned out, isn't it?"
"Did Player Lumitri know in advance that climbing to the 70th floor would trigger the Curse of Averages?"
"No, but—"
With a stern expression, Jeon continued.
"By that logic, the very first player to reach the 70th floor would automatically be a criminal."
"As everyone knows, the Black Tower's 70th floor was a trap. An unavoidable trap. One that could never be evaded."
That was true.
Sooner or later—
The 70th floor had to be stepped on.
As long as the collapse deadline existed.
"Player Lumitri was simply more outstanding than others. If he had known the truth, he would have delayed the climb as much as possible."
Silence filled the room.
"Let's be honest. Everyone knows it, don't they? That Player Lumitri isn't at fault. Didn't you just need a scapegoat?"
And finally—
"The Republic of Korea's Martial Law Command and our strongest parallel-universe player oppose any and all criticism of Player Lumitri. And if the criticism continues?"
Jeon Seong-il said firmly.
"We are even willing to accept him through permanent naturalization. He would become a Korean-nationality player."
This wasn't mere lip service.
It was sincere.
"He is a talented player. And the Republic of Korea is always willing to—"
At that moment—
Ding!
[World Announcement: Republic of Korea Black Tower 95th Floor Cleared! A Korean-nationality player has cleared the Black Tower's 95th-floor mission with astonishing ability, achieving an EX-rank evaluation.]
"… It's begun."
The first of the five daily world announcements.
READ MORE CHAPTERS HERE-https://beastnovels.com