I spent two full days at home.

Partly to rest, and partly to calm down the summoned entities who were still all worked up.

Juhyeok wasn’t exactly fine either.

He’d been directly caught up in a terrorist attack.

And in the process, people died.

“...No. They were killed.”

It was basically like he killed them.

Who summoned John Cossack and Meatshield?

Even though he acted like nothing was wrong on the outside, inside, the weak man Bong Juhyeok was in shock.

To recover his mental state, he didn’t even enter the Tower and just took it easy.

Cleaning with Rajix while he went SQUEAK SQUEAK, grilling meat, putting food straight into Veronica’s mouth while she slept, boiling ramen as a palate cleanser, getting yelled at by Gyeon Dallae—“You bastard!”—when Cossack had his noodles....

“...I feel better.”

After having fun like ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) that, I didn’t send them all back until the afternoon.

Sometimes you need time alone, too.

Drinking solo for the first time in a while.

I set up the booze and snacks,

and it was an expensive whiskey I’d bought at a department store.

Something about single malt sherry cask.

I’d originally bought three bottles to drink with the summoned entities, but they all waved me off, saying it was too harsh.

Works for me.

They were giving me a chance to drink expensive liquor by myself.

I turned on the TV, poured it over a glass packed with ice, and sipped away when the news happened to come on.

The heroes who appeared at the showcase terror scene.

Yeah, calling them heroes still wasn’t enough, but....

“What a mess. What a damn mess.”

The news was full of misunderstandings,

and before I knew it, Cossack and Meatshield had become S++ clear record holders.

“...Is that even a misunderstanding?”

Turns out the media had nailed it exactly.

BZZZT! My phone rang.

It was Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil.

“Hello?”

Player Bong. Are you experiencing any discomfort?

“No. I rested a bit and I’m doing better.”

And I’ve even had a drink of expensive liquor.

This might be annoying, but I think you should know....

Why Jeon Gwangil called.

First, he told me not to worry about the media.

There had been a flood of interview requests, but he hadn’t accepted a single one, and it was all purely speculative reporting.

And then the terrorists’ identity.

They were definitely Chinese.

At the same time, there was a high chance they were those rumored Player kidnappers,

but they were keeping their mouths shut and not saying a word, so it would take time to confirm everything.

But then—

“...Player kidnapping? Wasn’t that just an urban legend?”

It’s real. And not only in China—there are more countries doing that than you’d think. India is also suspected.

Creepy.

In a way, humans are scarier than the Tower.

“Then even now, the kidnapped Players are locked up somewhere in China.”

That’s correct. That’s our assessment.

Those pieces of shit.

No matter how urgent it is, kidnapping people and forcing them into Tower clears?

What if they die?

There’s no evidence left behind.

They just disappear.

Not just the kidnapped Players—what about their families?

...Haah.

My chest felt heavy.

I was drinking solo to recover my mental state, and now I felt even worse.

“Should I call Cossack?”

At least to talk it out with someone.

It’s been three hours....

“Designated Summon, John Cossack.”

WHOOSH!

“ATTENTION! Cossack is here, sir. ...Gah! You actually drank that harsh stuff? Your liver numbers go up, sir. Please restrain yourself.”

Then Cossack realized only he had been summoned.

“H-hold on. Is this a mission, sir?”

“No. I’ve got something on my mind.”

“Hehehe, good call, sir. Who am I! Player Bong’s right hand man. There are no bad Players in this world. A precious little counseling specialist—this Cossack will hear your worries, sir.”

Who’s a precious little what.

“I’m talking about...”

I told him everything Deputy Commissioner Jeon Gwangil said.

Cossack’s expression hardened more and more.

“...Even killing them a hundred times wouldn’t be enough, sir.”

“Right? I just feel awful for the kidnapped Players. It’s depressing.”

“Ahhh, this Cossack is moved by Player Bong’s merciful heart, sir. Tears are clouding my vision, sir.”

Moved, my ass.

I’m telling you I’m depressed.

Cossack jumped to his feet and said,

“May I step out for a bit, sir?”

“Why?”

“I’ll go ask. Where they’re keeping the kidnapped Players.”

“Ask who?”

“The one I left alive, sir.”

“You know where he is?”

“In case he ran, I stamped him in advance, sir.”

I thought he was an airhead, but Cossack was incredibly thorough.

Yeah. You really can’t judge people by appearances.

“What if you ask and he won’t tell you?”

“Then we negotiate, sir.”

You mean threaten.

“If you find out, what are you going to do?”

“Decisions are always the Summoner’s, sir. We simply obey when ordered, sir.”

No choice.

At least find out.

“Go take your time. We can talk tomorrow. If you’re hungry, buy something good with money.” 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

I opened my wallet and handed Cossack a few bills.

“Aww, you didn’t have to do that, sir.”

“It’s allowance.”

“ATTENTION! Thank you, sir. Then I’ll be back, sir. Hehehehehe.”

After Cossack left, it got lonely again.

Maybe it was the alcohol?

Isn’t there anyone who could drink with me?

My connections are thin, so times like this feel kind of sad.

I opened my Status Window Catalog.

One name in there.

“Mad Demon...”

His name was listed in the Catalog, but he had the lowest rating, and I’d only called him twice.

Honestly, I felt a little bad.

His method was extreme, but it was all for my sake.

Every time we met, I gave him a 1-star rating and kicked him out like I was chasing him off.

Should I talk with him until the summon time limit today?

See if his thinking has changed, drink together—

“Designated Summon, Mad Demon.”

WHOOOSH!

A swirl of light flared.

And then Mad Demon appeared.

“Summoner.”

“Welcome.”

He was still scary, but I borrowed strength from the alcohol.

“I wanted to talk for a bit. If you’re uncomfortable—”

“What discomfort could there be? I’m grateful you called me at all.”

Mad Demon and I sat across from each other at the table.

“Want a drink? I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste.”

“Oh! This old man’s mouth will be spoiled.”

“I’ll pour you a glass.”

“And you, Summoner?”

“I should drink too. It’s expensive.”

“Hahaha, you should. Here—give it to me. This old man will pour first.”

In a way, Mad Demon really was a sucker.

He got forcibly dismissed and hit with a 1-star rating twice, and yet he was smiling like that—what was he even happy about?

Glug—

The glass filled.

One drink, then another.

Alcohol gives people courage.

I asked Mad Demon,

“...That idea you talked about before—you still haven’t changed, right? Conquering Earth. Binding the world into a single country.”

Mad Demon let out a deep sigh.

“Hoo... Do you want me to change my mind?”

“Yes.”

And then—

“Summoner, of course I can follow your command. If you told me to change my resolve, I could answer right now that I will.”

The mood’s good?

“But could you believe it? This old man’s obedience.”

“...”

Thinking about it calmly, I didn’t think I could.

Summoned Principles, Article Three was a decision the summoned entity made voluntarily.

“All summoned entities have their own standards. If they judge the Summoner to be in danger, they can do anything. Even if it goes against the Summoner’s values.”

Mad Demon took another drink.

“My Summoned Principles, Article Three—this is a belief born from my identity and my life’s experiences. The true enemy is within. If you do not cleanse the inside, a complete Tower clear will remain difficult.”

Mad Demon’s expression looked strangely lonely.

“Summoner, there is no need to strain yourself trying to persuade me. You will only consume your own strength. If, someday, you judge this old man useful, then use me at that time.”

A belief.

Yeah, it wouldn’t be easy to change.

But is anything truly eternal in this world?

I refilled Mad Demon’s empty glass.

“It seems you can stay quite a while today.”

“Yes. I won’t force-send you back.”

“Heh heh heh, what an honor.”

Let’s pass the time.

Talk a lot.

Whether I soak into Mad Demon’s belief, or Mad Demon soaks into mine—something will happen.

I drank with him.

Trading drinks back and forth until we finished a whole bottle of whiskey and popped open a new one.

Mad Demon seemed to be in a good mood, too.

Like he was drunk—his face was flushed red.

“Summoner, there is something I wish to tell you. May I?”

“Haha, say whatever you want.”

“This world’s Tower clear time limit is still six months?”

“Right.”

“But do not rest easy. One day, the clear time limit may change.”

“What?”

What are you talking about?

“...It could shrink?”

“It could. The Tower is fickle. In an instant, it could become three months, or one month, even half a month... Truly crafty. Just when Tower clearing according to the time limit begins to settle into inertia, it strikes you in the back of the head.”

Fuck.

Suddenly I felt anxious.

“Keep that in mind at all times. And call this old man whenever you need.”

“When and how it changes—can you explain more—”

“A restriction binds me. It is difficult to say more.”

“Ah!”

Someone like Mad Demon would’ve climbed high floors, and he might’ve even watched an entire world collapse.

“Then what about the missions on the floors we have to climb later? Like what it’s like above Floor 71?”

“The same applies. I do not even remember.”

Mad Demon, and Cossack too.

So this restriction thing really exists.

Either way, we’ll find out by climbing ourselves.

That aside—

“Hm.”

A thought suddenly hit me.

This was my third summon of Mad Demon, but I’d never once seen what he could actually do in the Tower.

I checked the clock.

It had been almost three hours of drinking together.

Maybe ten minutes left until the summon time limit.

“Mad Demon.”

“Hm? Do I have to go now?”

“The time’s almost up, but... want to go to the Tower with me once?”

“Hahaha, that’s no problem. Let us go.”

Might as well see for myself.

If we can fight together, we’ll fight.

*****

[Entering Black Tower (Republic of Korea) Floor 61.]

“Truly, it has been a long time since I cleared the Tower. I can only thank you, Summoner, for granting me this chance.”

“...Chance? I’m the one asking.”

“I will do my best. While we’re at it, let’s pull one usable item as well.”

“Haah. I’m not even hoping.”

Those item reward odds were vicious.

Even clearing S++ rarely gave you anything.

And right now it was a repeat clear—there was no way it would give an item.

“A floor where crude dark mummies appear. They wear demonic energy, but...”

“Right. Ah—do we need the holy sword?”

“Put it away.”

...Hm. I’m uneasy.

“You have to strip off the dark aura. I learned a skill called Mixed-Origin Thunderclap Staff, and I can use it with the holy sword too, so—”

“Will you have time to use a skill? If you step forward, you may be injured. Watching is more than enough.”

No, this guy too? Telling me to just watch again?

Mad Demon and Juhyeok left the safe zone.

Mad Demon walked forward like he was taking a stroll, hands behind his back.

“There are two ways to deal with demonic energy. Use a power that is its opposite, like holy power, or...”

WHOOOOOM!

“...Crush it with even stronger demonic energy.”

A damp, ominous black aura rose from his entire body.

It was more sinister than the dark aura.

“They aren’t even a post-meal snack.”

Now that’s Mad Demon.

Why else would his name have “demon” in it?

“Let’s finish quickly and leave. The Summoner must be tired—should you not sleep in comfort?”

Mad Demon raised his hand.

Right then—SWOOSH!

A massive, formless force blossomed from his hand.

It looked like a crescent moon, or a boomerang—an energy blade.

The moment it formed, it launched.

TSHAPAPAPAP—

The spinning boomerang of force swept through the dark mummies.

FSSSSSS—

They crumbled and vanished like dust.

In an instant.

The dark mummies were there, and then they were gone.

The boomerang had simply made one lap around Floor 61.

That was it. No second strike.

[You have succeeded in the Floor 61 mission.]

[Reward: Magic Stone 6.1kg]

[Reward: Tower-Only Ring of Departure]

“...Huh?”

“Is there a problem?”

“I actually pulled an item.”

“Oh! Is that so? Well, that’s good. This old man seems to have paid for the liquor he drank.”

Calling Mad Demon was the right move.

*****

National Intelligence Service headquarters, Republic of Korea.

Underground, there was a detention cell guarded like a fortress.

Xiao Jun sat on the edge of the bed with his severed wrist wrapped in bandages, wearing anti-suicide restraints.

He’d just been interrogated again with an interpreter and thrown back into confinement.

Of course, he didn’t say a single word.

Even though he understood Korean.

“Pathetic.”

Interrogation from an incompetent National Intelligence Service?

Trying to make him open his mouth?

Xiao Jun was a trained soldier before he was even a vice director-general of China’s Special Intelligence Department.

He’d been deployed on dozens of operations for Player kidnapping.

And because of the nature of the mission, he’d trained for being captured by the enemy.

He believed he could endure any torture.

He’d even trained to resist truth serums.

He would endure to the end.

And then a chance would come.

He would escape, or he would walk out proudly.

“I should sleep.”

To endure torture and interrogation, maintaining stamina was essential.

Fortunately, they fed him and let him sleep.

If this were China, food? What food?

They wouldn’t have let him sleep either.

Pretending to care about human rights, that’s what this was.

Xiao Jun lay down on the bed.

Just as he was about to drift off—

CLACK!

The detention cell door opened.

What?

There hadn’t been any sign of anyone.

He jolted up and scanned around. Still no one.

“What the...?”

That was when it happened.

SWISH!

A palm covered his mouth.

At the same time, some kind of force shoved into his body.

Xiao Jun’s body arched like a bow.

A horrific pain he had never experienced before.

Like his muscles were ripping apart.

Like someone was scraping his bones with a file.

Like his organs were melting.

He wanted to scream, but nothing came out.

“Ghk—mmph...!”

“Shh. I only gave you a taste—what are you going to do if you can’t even handle that?”

The voice was familiar.

That’s right.

Absolutely.

The one who cut his wrist.

“From now on, I’m going to ask you a few questions. You must answer in Korean.”

Cossack whispered softly into Xiao Jun’s ear.

“Where are you keeping the kidnapped Players? If you’re willing to talk, just nod.”

Xiao Jun’s eyes rolled wildly.

What do I do—?

In that instant—

“No. You’re hopeless. Just rolling your eyes—still not coming to your senses, huh?”

“Ghk!”

Agony surged again.

This time, it wasn’t even comparable to the first.

“I wanted to get through this nicely if I could.”

“Mmph! Mmmph mmmph!”

“Try to endure. Your mind will break anyway.”

“Mmph—ghhmmmph!”

He wanted to pass out.

But—

“Hey. I haven’t even started yet.”

Xiao Jun wanted to nod.

He was confident he could give the exact location in Korean.

But his head wouldn’t nod.

Because a hand was clamped over his mouth, and his head was being held tight.

“Mmmph—mmmmmmph...”

No, please, let me nod. I’ll talk.

────────────────────────────────────

────────────────────────────────────