The final destination of the Black Tower was the 100th floor.
Its true identity was the control room.
At least, that was true of the Black Tower of Earth No. 675.
“Then the 100th floor of the Black Tower on Earth No. 1,001 must be the control room too, right?”
“Judging by how we entered, it seems likely.”
“I think the same. Our Earth should be no different.”
From the 91st to the 99th floor of the Black Tower, each floor had been a kind of waiting room.
A place to stay before crossing into another dimension.
But here on the 100th floor, there was no message asking whether we wanted to cross dimensions.
We were sent straight into the mission area.
“So that modern-style building is the control room.”
“Truly modern. The architectural style is Earth-like. That’s how it looks to the one ranked last in the popularity vote.”
Good grief.
Popularity vote, popularity vote.
That was all I had been hearing from them.
Anyway, there was something I was curious about.
Earth No. 675 had only one Black Tower.
Naturally, that meant it only had one control room.
But what about Earth No. 1,001, which had 146 Black Towers?
Did every tower have its own control room?
Were there 146 control rooms?
“That doesn’t seem likely. Those bastards arbitrarily connect and stitch space together anyway. No matter which tower you reach the 100th floor from, it should lead to the control room.”
.....
That sounded right.
In short, the 100th floor was a single shared space.
“We should make an announcement, shouldn’t we? Let them know we’ve arrived.”
“This old man will volunteer to report.”
“Yes, sir! You’re ranked one place higher than last in the popularity vote, so I’m sure you’ll do well!”
Cossack seemed to be sulking badly.
Had the shock of a mere popularity vote really been that great?
It looked like the popularity-vote talk was going to continue for a while.
What could I do?
I would just have to endure it.
*****
The Frenzied Demon stepped forward.
Wooooong!
A crescent-shaped energy blade flew fiercely, generating a whirlwind.
Ts-piririririt!
But—
Srrrk.
Near the control-room building, it vanished without a trace.
“Huh?”
The Frenzied Demon tilted his head.
“...Why did that happen?”
Had he missed?
No way.
So he shuffled toward the hill where the building stood.
Goolleong!
He bumped into something elastic and formless.
Raising one hand, he felt around here and there.
Goolleong, goolleong, goolleong.
“...A barrier. Like a balloon.”
It was not hard, but soft.
Rather than deflecting external impact, it seemed closer to absorbing it.
“A barrier that absorbs impact, huh? Let’s see if it absorbs this too.”
The Frenzied Demon drew up the internal energy in his dantian to the fullest.
Wooooooong!
His body glowed red.
It was Blood Jade Energy, which shattered anything it touched.
Step, step.
The Frenzied Demon advanced with Blood Jade Energy enveloping him.
However—
Goolleong, goolleong, guuulleong!
The formless barrier blocked his advance.
“...Grrr.”
He could not even take a few steps.
“Whew. In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen a protective barrier like this.”
The barrier was soft and thick.
Just in case, he released all his strength and tried walking slowly, but the result was the same.
“Tch. Elder Frenzied Demon, step aside. What good are a few more popularity votes if that’s all you can do?”
“You little bastard.”
Ziiing!
Cossack drew his dagger.
Spot!
Using Shadow Step, he approached the transparent impact-absorbing barrier.
Seogeogeogeok!
He swung his blade.
Goolleong!
It was like cutting water with a knife.
There was no impact at all.
“...Hmm.”
“Tsk tsk. Pathetic fellow. That is why you came in last.”
“The public’s choice is always correct.”
“Later.”
“First place, please be quiet!”
“Can’t be helped. The leader of the lower ranks, this mage, will step in.”
Hwarreureuk!
A fireball from Mackenzie flew toward the barrier.
But again—
Goolleong.
There was no effect.
*****
“Move aside! The warrior is going in.”
“Oooh! Popularity-vote rank 3!”
Swoook!
His body enlarged through gigantification.
Thud thud thud thud!
He broke into a light run.
Ssshaeeek!
Then he charged at a terrifying speed.
Pu-eok!
Even though his speed dropped the moment he hit the barrier, Meatshield pushed forward.
Juuuuk!
He shoved his way inside.
The barrier still existed, but he ignored it and charged straight toward the building.
However—
Tung!
In the end, he was bounced back by the barrier’s elasticity.
Shuuut!
Kwa-dang!
He was flung backward and fell.
“Ehehe. That’s rank 3 for you. Rank 3, what did you say? That the public’s choice is correct? Princess Gyeon Dallae, please say it once more.”
At this point, it was madness.
In any case, the barrier was extremely powerful.
Bardin’s shield bash, El’s destruction beam, Gyeon Dallae’s talisman, and Jepetto’s blood mist.
None of them worked.
Then what if Mannyeon went in?
Together with Baekdana.
“Kyarrrrk!”
“Mannyeon, let’s go together.”
The twins ran forward cheerfully.
But—
Goolleong, goolleong.
The cold vanished the moment it touched the barrier.
“It does not even freeze.”
“This is troublesome.”
“What about striking it at high speed?”
“Major Veronica Caliber! Awaiting orders.”
The final challenger, Major Veronica Caliber.
Click!
“Loading one sub-light-speed round. Selector to single.”
Jiiiiiiing!
Ppajujuzuzuk!
Chuuulleong!
The ensuing aftershock—
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Even so—
Thud!
Goolleong!
The barrier absorbed the impact.
“Ehehehe! Popularity-vote rank 2—”
Click!
“Say one more word.”
Cossack fell silent.
Still, how were we supposed to disable that barrier?
Now it was clear.
Those Black Tower bastards had no intention of letting the tower be conquered.
If that was the case, why create tower missions at all?
They should have just collapsed it outright.
“Such petty behavior for a so-called god.”
That was right.
That was the power of a god.
The barrier had been created by the alien god who sent the Black Tower here.
A god, huh?
You think you’re the only god?
We had a god on our side too.
Let’s do this.
“Let’s see which god’s power is stronger.”
*****
Juhyeok took the Judge’s Hammer, which Yama had given him, out of his inventory.
He raised it high.
Then he threw it forcefully toward the control-room building.
Whiriririt!
Thud!
Tidik!
Even the sound was different.
Whirit!
The hammer flew back.
At the same time—
Tididididik!
Centered on the point where the hammer had struck, the barrier turned white.
The once-soft surface began to harden.
“Oooooh!”
“As expected of a summoner!”
“Amazing!”
“Ho-eh!”
See that?
I am Prince Bong Juhyeok of Hell!
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause erupted.
Once more.
Whiriririt!
Pu-eok!
Tididididid...
The nature of the barrier changed.
What had once been soft and elastic turned rigid.
Then—
“Everyone, attack at once!”
The hardened barrier.
Tsuchichit!
Kwa-kwang!
Pajujuk!
Pu-eok!
As the summoned beings’ attacks landed—
Warrarrrr!
It collapsed helplessly.
“Alright! Let’s go in!”
“Ranks 1, 2, and 3, lead the way. Last place in the popularity vote goes in last.”
Ah, damn it!
*****
Black Tower of Earth No. 675 — Control Room.
[You’ve come.]
[You’re here.]
He had finally reached the 100th floor.
I had desperately wished he would not come, but...
[Designer, wake up! He’s here!]
There was no response from the Designer.
[Why can’t you wake up? Open your eyes!]
A state of soul collapse.
Practically dead.
[What do we do?]
[...W-what do we do? There’s no way.]
[Damn it!]
It was a barrier created by God.
It could not be broken.
It must not be broken.
But anxiety surged anyway.
It felt like it would break.
It always did.
And just as feared—
Warrarrr.
[...]
[...]
All our methods had been blocked.
We could only sit and wait.
Who knew?
Maybe the summoner would show mercy.
*****
Juhyeok and his party entered the modern single-story building.
There were no closed doors or anything like that.
Only an open passageway.
Ding!
[Final Mission: Make contact with the Black Tower Crystal Core of Earth No. 675 and obtain administrative authority.]
[Time Limit: None.]
[Completion Condition: Obtain administrative authority over the Black Tower Crystal Core 0/1]
Huh?
Crystal core?
What was administrative authority?
“It’s a mission to take over the Black Tower.”
“Isn’t that the natural course? We conquered it, so we should take it.”
“Our Summoner Bong is becoming an administrator now?”
That was a bit...
What would I even do if I managed it?
Still, I supposed we had to do it.
Juhyeok and his party proceeded deeper into the building.
Then a round, circular room came into view.
At its center floated a small black crystal chunk about the size of a mug.
And surrounding the crystal were three chairs.
People were sitting in them.
They looked familiar.
Bald, eyebrowless, white-skinned humans.
Not holograms, but physical bodies.
“They’re administrators.”
“Administrators indeed.”
“Kekeke. The moment I’ve dreamed of has finally come. To think this day would really arrive.”
“One of them looks like he’s already dead.”
“You bastards! You’ve been spying on the World of Souls all this time and laughing at us!”
The administrators did not respond at all.
They only trembled in fear.
I had always been curious.
Those bastards we had always met as holograms—
How strong were they in actual combat?
“No need to worry. They don’t seem threatening at all.”
Juhyeok agreed.
They looked weaker than goblins.
“Disappointing.”
“Only slightly better than an ordinary civilian.”
Meanwhile, Gyeon Dallae narrowed her eyes and carefully examined the administrators’ bodies.
“They feel very familiar.”
“How so?”
“These bodies are not those of ordinary humans. They are constructed bodies.”
Which meant—
“That’s correct. They are extremely similar to our bodies. That is, the bodies of summoned beings.”
“Ah!”
Originally, summoned beings waited in a soul state.
When the summoner called them, a body was generated, and they emerged.
Gyeon Dallae’s opinion was that those created bodies were similar to the administrators’ bodies.
“If we ranked them, they would be normal-grade. Worse than last place in the popularity vote.”
In short, complete nobodies.
They posed absolutely no threat.
Let’s leave them alone.
We should focus on the final mission.
‘The final mission was to make contact with the crystal core, right?’
Juhyeok approached the crystal core.
The administrators panicked.
[P-Please!]
[...Don’t. You must not do that.]
Oh, I’m doing it.
When someone tells you not to, it just makes you want to do it more.
The black crystal was still floating in midair.
First, he tapped it lightly with the hammer.
‘Anything happen?’
Then he tapped it with his hand.
It was not hot, nor was it cold.
‘In any case, I have to make contact. I might as well be bold...’
Grab!
Juhyeok firmly grasped the crystal core with his hand.
At that moment—
Ding!
[You have made contact with the Black Tower Crystal Core of Earth No. 675.]
[A portion of the Black Tower’s administrative authority has been transferred to the player.]
Yes!
Mission success.
[As of this moment, all existing administrators’ authority has been revoked.]
[The three administrators—Designer, Engineer, and Maker—have been dismissed.]
Instantly—
The administrators’ bodies stiffened, and their eyes rolled back.
[Kyaaaaaah...!]
[Keugh!]
“Huh?”
Sssss—
With their screams, they turned to ash and vanished.
“...They’re dead?”
“They’re dead.”
“They’ve been erased.”
“Tsk tsk. We let them off too easily.”
No, they had merely been dismissed.
But for them, dismissal seemed to mean death.
*****
With the acquisition of administrative authority, a Black Tower management menu surfaced in Juhyeok’s mind.
Several functions became available through the crystal core.
‘So this is the core device that manages the tower...?’
The crystal core was like a central processing unit.
However, it only allowed partial authority over matters related to the Black Tower.
There were not many things he could do.
Entry approval and restriction.
Collapse timer maintenance and deletion.
Tower maintenance and dismantlement.
Transmission maintenance and shutdown.
Still—
‘Wow!’
Not bad at all.
It was worth taking over.
Among them, entry approval and restriction was a menu related to players ascending the tower.
Collapse timer maintenance and deletion needed no explanation.
Tower maintenance and dismantlement.
He could keep the tower as it was or erase it entirely.
Not collapse it in reality, but safely dismantle it beyond the phase world.
And transmission maintenance and shutdown?
That was a menu related to dimensional energy.
The Black Tower was a tool for extracting dimensional energy and sending it to a storage facility.
This had to be shut down first.
[Do you wish to shut down the dimensional energy transmission connected to the storage facility?]
No need to think.
“Shut it down.”
[Dimensional energy transmission has been shut down.]
Trying to steal from us, huh?
Next—
Should we maintain the tower or dismantle it?
It was a function that could erase every tower in the world, leave only some of them, or keep them all.
On Earth No. 675, there was only one tower anyway.
“Destroy it immediately.”
“It must be destroyed.”
“Dismantle it!”
“Even one Black Tower is already too much.”
The destroy-it camp.
“We could leave it as it is. Just delete the collapse timer.”
“A good idea. Without a collapse timer, it becomes a resource generator.”
“Just skim off the benefits.”
“Ho-eh.”
The leave-it camp.
This was something that needed consideration.
What was the right choice?
I could not decide right now.
“Let’s decide slowly.”
For now—
“Delete the collapse timer.”
[World Announcement: The collapse timer for 1 Black Tower entity on Earth No. 675 (Germany) has been deleted. The tower will not collapse even if the conquest time limit is exceeded.]
A system message was broadcast worldwide.
The tower would not collapse.
If the people of Earth No. 675 were still alive, how happy would they be to hear this?
Suddenly—
Ding!
[Crystal Core Contact 1/1]
[Final mission successful.]
[Maximum level reached.]
‘Mission success?’
But then—
[World Announcement: Black Tower (Germany) 100th Floor Conquest Rank EX... chzzk! EX... chzzk!]
‘What is this now?’
[Black Tower (Germany)... chk! 100th Floor Conquest... chzzk, EX... chzzk! chzzzzzzk.]
‘System-error vibes?’
Ding!
No way—
[Judgment reversed. The player’s mission completion is not recognized.]
What?!
Judgment reversal?
You cheating bastards!
[Error: This is not the player’s native Earth. The tower was conquered as an outsider.]
Ha!
Because I’m an outsider, it doesn’t count?
Then you should have blocked it from the start.
Why now?
“Hey, you scammy piece of—”
Then it happened.
Ding!
[Requesting reassessment of mission completion.]
“Huh?”
A system message suddenly intervened.
The tone was different from before.
Which meant—
[Grounds: Records of nationality acquisition and inheritance from a player of Earth No. 675 have been recognized.]
Oh!
[Therefore, the conquest of the 100th floor of the Black Tower of Earth No. 675 is valid.]
It was on our side.
The White Tower.
Whitedog!
But—
Ding!
[Request denied.]
[Grounds: Due to the absence of government offices in Germany on Earth No. 675, the heir’s nationality qualifications cannot be verified.]
Huh?
[Rebuttal: Entry into the Black Tower of Earth No. 675 itself constitutes proof.]
Oh!
[Error: Backdoor entry records detected. Entry method was not standard.]
Huh?
[Rebuttal: Entry up to the 95th floor was legitimate. Resistance against illegal entry blockage from the 96th floor onward constitutes self-defense.]
Uh—
[Error: Authority of an Outer God has been detected in the player. This is an exploit-based conquest.]
What?
[Rebuttal: The tower itself is powered by an Outer God. Is there a problem?]
They were arguing?
I had no idea who would win, but—
It was clear that the White Tower’s influence had grown.
Enough to wage a message battle against the Black Tower.
“It’s evenly matched. A fierce battle.”
“We must win. White one, please lend us your strength.”
“Go, Whitedog!”
“You can’t lose!”
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The system-message war continued.
Whenever the Black Tower cited errors to deny recognition, the White Tower immediately rebutted.
Neither side was easy.
Both seemed to have the power to interfere with the system.
Yet neither had an overwhelming advantage.
The Black Tower, fine—
But what exactly was the White Tower?
Black and white.
One seemed intent on destroying the world.
The other on saving it.
“Don’t worry. Whitedog will win.”
“On what basis?”
“We cleared the 100th floor anyway. The result is right there. How can they deny it? Even last place in the popularity vote knows that.”
True.
No matter what, we climbed it and cleared it according to the mission conditions.
They had to accept it.
[Recommendation: Judgment deferred until full conquest of the Black Towers of Earth No. 1,001.]
The Black Tower backed down slightly and suggested a deferral.
[Rejection: Violates the principle of causality. Grounds for deferral invalid.]
The White Tower’s will was firm.
Ding!
[Command: Requesting recognition of player’s mission completion.]
Again.
Ding!
[Command: Requesting recognition of player’s mission completion.]
And finally—
[...The success of the final mission on the 100th floor of the Black Tower of Earth No. 675 is... recognized.]
Ding!
[World Announcement: You have achieved EX Rank for the conquest of the 100th floor of the Black Tower (Germany).]
[EX Conquest Reward: Player traits strengthened.]
[Additional EX Conquest Reward: 100 Platinum Badges granted.]
In the end—
The Black Tower surrendered.
“Hooray!!!”
“We won!!!”
“It’s been recognized!”
“The White Tower pulled it off.”
“I knew it would.”
Our White Tower!
Its influence was massive!
