DCRBG 121

DCRBG

Chapter 121

Crew (3)

5.

A certain kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.

Inside a private room, two men with completely different ulterior motives were in the middle of negotiations.

“Are you saying we should keep South Korea in check together?”

“That is correct.”

Miyamoto Ryusuke, a high-ranking official from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke while looking at the man across from him.

<Tower of Conquest>.

A large-scale event that had been suddenly announced yesterday to players across Northeast Asia.

A multinational event involving Korea, Japan, and China naturally threw all three countries into turmoil.

“Up until now, haven’t our two countries been the ones leading the Abyss in Asia? History, foundation, national strength. If China and Japan join hands, we can easily crush South Korea, which has only just entered the 7th floor.”

Ma Chenhui, the third-ranking official of China’s Ministry of State Security, smiled leisurely as he sipped the sake poured into his cup.

“Ah, of course, we should give our little neighbor some leeway. It’s an event they have the right to enjoy as well. They say the tower goes up to the 5th floor, so… allowing them up to the 3rd floor should be enough, don’t you think?”

“So you’re saying you’ll forcibly block them from climbing the Tower of Conquest?”

“Why ask something so obvious? It’s what we’ve always done, isn’t it? We’re just applying it to the Tower of Conquest now.”

Until now, the tense power struggle among the three Northeast Asian countries had naturally extended into the Abyss as well—if anything, it had grown even fiercer.

The Abyss was the perfect place to flaunt national power.

A proxy war through players.

In that battle, China had maintained overwhelming superiority thanks to its population-based number of players, and Japan was similar.

It was only natural that South Korea, with the smallest population, lagged behind.

“Why is your country so desperate to devour South Korea?”

Miyamoto Ryusuke smiled faintly as he met Ma Chenhui’s gaze.

It was far too blatant.

Why had those mainland bastards, who had always looked down on South Korea, suddenly become so impatient?

In truth, Miyamoto knew exactly why.

‘Meteor.’

A player who had appeared like a falling star.

The only reason those slow-moving giants had become this nimble was because of him.

He had already discussed this matter with his superiors.

After thinking briefly, he poured more sake into Ma Chenhui’s empty cup and spoke.

“You called me here so suddenly that I rushed over… but unfortunately, I can’t give you the answer you want. The food here is exquisite. Why don’t we enjoy our meal instead?”

“…Hah.”

Ma Chenhui let out a hollow laugh as he looked at Miyamoto.

It was diplomatic wording, but ultimately a refusal.

“Why?”

“Well, it’s a complicated issue… and yet a simple one.”

“I didn’t expect Japan to respond like this. Surely this isn’t your personal decision?”

“It came directly from the Prime Minister. At least for now, there’s no reason for us to treat Korea as an enemy.”

He truly hadn’t expected them to refuse such an easy proposal—to join forces and crush one country first.

Ma Chenhui drained his cup in one gulp and frowned.

“I don’t know when Japan became so cowardly. Are you really afraid of mere Korea?”

Despite the blatant provocation, Miyamoto remained calm.

He simply set down the bottle and looked at Ma Chenhui.

“Well, I wonder if it’s really Japan that fears Korea… or rather China. They say the loudest dogs are usually the most frightened, don’t they?”

“…Hah. Why is it that island dwellers all have such narrow perspectives?”

Even for an unofficial meeting, it was an excessive insult.

And insults had to be repaid.

Miyamoto Ryusuke struck directly at China’s sore spot.

“You’re desperate to get revenge on the player Meteor, aren’t you?”

“What did you say?”

“I heard the 4th floor of China’s Abyss territory was destroyed by Meteor. You couldn’t control even the core area, right? He even planted an egg in the most valuable land. That’s humiliation on another level.”

The first-place reward of the Tower of Conquest—increased drop rate of <Incomplete Mana Cores>?

It was certainly tempting.

But China was the one in a hurry.

Japan had already secured partial ownership of the production facility for <Incomplete Mana Cores> discovered by Meteor.

‘He’s strange, but he’s not the type to break promises.’

Unless something went terribly wrong, Japan could obtain mana cores steadily from that facility.

And the drop-rate increase was a privilege given only to first place anyway.

If South Korea were removed from the equation, what were the odds Japan could beat China?

And if Japan sided with China…

‘Meteor might tear up the contract. He’s oddly patriotic.’

Another risk would arise.

All diplomacy was about calculating gains and losses.

And by those calculations, the answer was painfully simple.

A reliable and stable offer versus one with huge risks and little reward.

Even a kindergarten kid could choose.

“If you give us half of the mana cores obtained in your territory when you place first, we might consider it.”

“…Do you really think that makes sense?”

“Your proposal doesn’t make sense either.”

Japan had already chosen its path.

The U.S. had strongly warned them not to touch Meteor, and Japan had reassessed him as well.

‘That thing is a disaster.’

Something that suddenly falls from the sky and destroys everything around it—if that’s not a disaster, what is?

Therefore, Japan would not participate.

“We will always protect our national interests. So next time, please refrain from wasting our time with such pointless proposals.”

Couldn’t he see it?

That proposal was lethal if accepted.

At Miyamoto’s firm response, Ma Chenhui’s face turned bright red. He drank straight from the bottle, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and twisted his lips into a smile.

“You’ll regret that choice tomorrow.”

“Perhaps.”

“Just wait. Shocking news will reach you tomorrow morning. Don’t regret it then.”

Ma Chenhui had something to rely on.

That was why he simply waited for the moment to repay this humiliation.

6.

Some incredibly unlucky news greeted me first thing in the morning.

Breaking News) China enters the 8th floor of the Abyss.
China’s first vanguard team opens the era of the 8th floor.
Spokesperson of China’s Ministry of State Security: “We will definitely deploy this team into the <Tower of Conquest> to show China’s power to the world.”
Team leader Zhang Haoyu: “We’ve shown the power of the continent to the world. Our next goal is first place in the Tower of Conquest. We’ll show that arrogant someone the difference in strength.”
Experts: “Once players enter the 8th floor, their level fundamentally changes. Competition will be extremely difficult.”
Who is the ‘arrogant someone’? Most likely Meteor.

China had finally entered the 8th floor.

I woke up feeling great, and this is what I get?

On top of that, Chinese rankers were giving interviews left and right while trashing me. No wonder my ears were itching.

“Uncle! Uncle again! TV!”

Ian sat on my lap, smiling brightly.

My photo and the Chinese team leader’s photo were on the screen, and that’s why he was acting like this.

So cute.

I patted Ian’s head and smiled warmly.

“You like seeing your uncle on TV again?”

“Yeah!”

“Then uncle should appear more often.”

“What about Peanut? Peanut on TV too!”

Squeeeak?

Peanut, who had been loafing on Ian’s head, tilted his head.

Viewers had been saying lately that they missed Peanut since his screen time decreased.

“I’ll let Peanut be on TV too.”

『I’m fine though? Can’t I just run on my wheel at home?』

Peanut…

You’re a spirit, not a hamster.

Have you fully turned into a hamster since you stopped fighting much?

This won’t do.

“When Lebon gets summoned to Ethernell later, prepare yourself, Peanut.”

『L-Lebon?』

“And Bellua has already entered the Abyss too, you know?”

SQUEEEEAK—!

Peanut panicked and ran into a corner.

Maybe because he’s been eating well lately, his chubby butt is ridiculously cute.

“Seongwoo, here. Orange juice.”

“Thanks, noona.”

I accepted the cup from Bitna and smiled.

She sat next to me and watched the news for a bit, then asked quietly,

“It’s chaotic from the morning.”

“It’s always a noisy country. You know that.”

“The 8th floor is really a big deal, right?”

“It is.”

Including China, only three countries had reached the 8th floor so far:

The U.S., Germany, and China.

I’d heard the UK, France, and India would soon follow, but it was still a huge achievement.

Ryan Beckett told me that from the 8th floor onward, it was a completely different world.

More traces of other dimensions, far better rewards.

No idea how many floors there were, but the vanguards were definitely raking in rewards right now.

“I’m honestly jealous.”

“Why?”

“City maintenance costs are insane lately.”

“Oh, that city? Looks like it needs more than expected.”

“…After moving this time, I think I’ll have to tighten my belt.”

She wasn’t joking.

Since Ethernell appeared, most of my income had been poured into it.

Taxes from the Witch Forest’s Egersa, fees from the Primordial Forge—everything went into Ethernell.

It needed a ridiculous amount of mana stones.

For the time being, everything I earn goes into Ethernell.

“How about getting investments from corporations? If it’s mana stones you need, that’d be easy.”

“Then I’d have to give up shares. Noona, you know I only share good food with family.”

“True. You’ve always been like that.”

Ethernell would become a goose that lays golden eggs.

Equipment production, magic education, swordsmanship training…

It would become a must-visit place for all players.

So let’s endure for now.

Economic freedom—overwhelming freedom—awaits me.

“So I accepted a few ads this time.”

“Really? That’s amazing.”

“They offered a lot of money. Want me to buy you a building, noona? Maybe not hyung, but I can buy you one.”

“You’ve grown up, Meteor. Buying buildings for your noona.”

“No one at work giving you trouble, right? If they do, I’ll say I’m your brother-in-law.”

“You know what kind of job I do. If they find out you’re my brother-in-law, it’ll get really annoying.”

“…Yeah, true.”

Reporters wouldn’t leave her alone.

Still, the Ability Management Department was keeping an eye on her, so I wasn’t too worried.

If something happened, I could teleport with Ariadne’s Thread anyway.

I nodded and finished my juice.

“Are you off today?”

“I worked overtime yesterday, so they told me to rest today. The planning feature I was working on is done too… I’ll stay with Ian. And thanks for cleaning every morning with magic. It makes life so easy.”

“It’s nothing.”

A tiny bit of mana cleans laundry and the house—what’s hard about that?

Bitna hugged Ian and smiled happily.

“You said you’re streaming again today? You’ve been working really hard.”

“It’s my promotion quest day.”

“Already the 5th floor? That’s fast.”

“I need to reach the 5th floor in advance to prepare for the Tower of Conquest.”

At times like this, I need to stream diligently and dive into the Abyss to earn money.

For the future. For my financial freedom.

“I already posted the stream notice.”

“I heard the 5th floor promotion quest is famous. Be careful.”

“I heard from Inseob that it’s fun.”

I looked it up.

The 5th floor promotion quest—

<Epic>.

If <Theater of Dimensions> was a fairy-tale-themed dungeon, <Epic> was based on mythology.

You become the protagonist of a myth and clear the quest.

So I wrote a solid announcement.

Title: Going to destroy some gods today lol

Content: I am a god I am a god I am a god I am a god I am a god

Huh? Posted it 10 minutes ago and there are already comments.

Grandpa’s at it again! I told you to take your meds!
Metagod Metagod Metagod
Already the 5th floor promotion quest?
Wow, Epic! Never thought I’d see this on Meteor’s stream lol
You’re gonna say something to the Chinese rankers today, right? I’m holding my breath
Turn on the stream right now if you don’t want to die
But Epic is insanely hard though;;
Stayed up all night for this. Trying to order chicken but nothing’s open
Meteor’s stream is best watched with comfort food lol
Stream longer today