Chapter 40
Upheaval!
It was truly an era of great upheaval.
Everything had changed, beginning with the outbreak of “Dungeon Abysses” around the world.
Fortunately, Korea had surpassed 5,000 points and avoided “invasion,” but countries that failed to meet the target score were devastated.
The Invasion Abyss, which lasted 24 hours.
Seventeen countries failed to meet the target.
Over twenty million lives were extinguished.
There were even rumors that North Korea had lost over 10% of its population.
All of South Korea let out a collective sigh of relief.
The mere thought of what might have happened if they hadn’t scored enough was horrifying.
“We must actively respond to the Abyss!”
“It’s already beyond the level the government can handle.”
“The military alone is not enough. We need civilian assistance.”
Military firepower was useless inside the Abyss.
Since no one knew when or where an Abyss might strike, real-time responses were difficult.
Leading soldiers inside such chaos was even harder.
Simple institutional reforms wouldn’t fix this.
The entire system that structured society needed to change.
“We must train professional ‘Abyss Problem-Solvers.'”
“Grant them special privileges and provide generous support.”
“Corporations are already hiring ‘hunters’ for unimaginable sums.”
“…Civil society is also mobilizing. Countless small groups, and alliances formed by those groups.”
Ironically, the government was the slowest to act.
Waiting for government response was not an option for civilians facing the Abyss’s horrors.
No place in the world was truly safe.
People had to band together to survive!
No orders were needed—people instinctively gathered in groups.
Neighbors who had never spoken before were now checking on each other, forming bonds, and those bonds became alliances.
Centered around strong individuals or districts.
All to prepare for the Abyss that could appear at any moment.
It was a survival instinct.
Martial law was meaningless.
The military could not solve this crisis.
To survive the unknown hell, people had to unite thoroughly.
And then—
《The ‘Tower of Arrogance’ has appeared.》
《You have one chance.》
《Only those who have broken through the first limit level can enter.》
《Prepare thoroughly and ascend the ‘Tower of Arrogance.’》
《Unleash your abilities and talents within.》
《Countless treasures and opportunities await you.》
《Climb to the summit and seize the name of ‘Arrogance.’》
《While the ‘Tower of Arrogance’ stands, the surrounding area will not be encroached upon by the Abyss.》
Towers of Arrogance had risen all around the world.
Completely different from previous Abyss appearances.
There was no compulsion, and no penalty for failure.
But one line moved people’s hearts.
“…The Abyss won’t encroach?”
“There are three Towers of Arrogance in Korea!”
“Seoul, Daejeon, Busan!”
Waves of people surged like a great tide.
Seeking safety for themselves and their families, people flocked toward the Towers of Arrogance.
However, some realized the deeper implications behind the announcement.
“This is clearly different from before.”
“Arrogance? Does that name suppress the Abyss?”
“The Creators either respect or fear the entity called ‘Arrogance.'”
“What about the time limit? Why wasn’t it mentioned?”
“What does ‘around the tower’ even mean—how many kilometers?”
“…It must all be decided inside.”
“We must climb.”
“Alliances must band together, and the strong must unite.”
Vague wording.
Only by entering would everything become clear.
But there was only one chance.
Currently, only about 1% of humanity had broken through the first limit level.
Even among them, only the best would matter.
It didn’t matter.
An enormous crowd was already gathering in Seoul.
And where crowds gathered, problems inevitably followed.
—
Bang, bang, bang!
“You in there, kid from 505?!”
Someone was banging hard on the door.
Voices could be heard outside.
“Maybe he’s already dead?”
“No, someone saw him coming and going.”
They were neighbors from the same apartment building.
At the same time, Dagon vanished, and Boksil tucked himself into Chan-woo’s clothing.
Park Chan-woo calmly approached the door.
It was obvious why they had come.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah! You’re alive, kid from 505! I’m the building representative!”
“I’m alive.”
“Phew! Anyway, about the ‘Tower of Arrogance’ that appeared. We’re trying to move together as a group. Wouldn’t it be better for us residents to stick together?”
A similar thing had happened in the past around this time.
Residents of Building 105 had formed a coalition and moved toward the Tower of Arrogance near Seoul.
Currently, the area near the Tower was teeming with uncountable crowds.
If you moved alone, you wouldn’t even be able to secure a spot.
You needed numbers—and strong individuals—to secure a place within the Tower’s area of influence.
The building representative knew that and was gathering people.
‘What to do.’
Park Chan-woo briefly pondered.
Either way, he needed to reach the Tower entrance.
Moving alone would make even reaching the entrance difficult.
‘[Nonexistent] only activates inside the Abyss.’
It wouldn’t activate in reality, on Earth.
And most likely, it wouldn’t activate in the Tower of Arrogance either.
‘The Tower of Arrogance is not an Abyss.’
Anything bearing the name of Arrogance was unrelated to the Abyss.
It was simply treated as part of the “Domain of Arrogance.”
A tower had just risen on Earth.
Wasn’t it amazing?
Something not of the Abyss was influencing Earth.
This was why even the Lords of the Abyss placed great importance on the name “Arrogance.”
And why no Abyss would occur near the Towers.
It was that significant.
But humanity did not yet understand the reason.
No Creator had ever revealed the truth.
…Meaning that reaching the Tower of Arrogance and climbing it would be difficult without relying on [Nonexistent].
‘The Creators will fight hard to secure Avatars.’
A large number of Awakeners who had broken through the first limit would emerge.
They might even send offers to him as well.
Of course, he had no intention of accepting, but he would need to move carefully.
“Understood.”
“Oh! Good choice. In times like these, we need to stick together!”
“I’ll prepare and come out.”
“Take your time. Let’s meet in front of the building in an hour!”
Moving with them wasn’t a bad choice.
The building representative was an active individual, and getting closer to the Tower of Arrogance would be easier with their help.
“…Are you planning to climb the ‘Tower of Arrogance’?”
Dagon’s voice came from behind him.
“The name ‘Arrogance’ holds significant meaning even for demons, doesn’t it?”
Park Chan-woo asked casually.
Dagon nodded.
“The ‘Lord of Arrogance’ doesn’t exist in the Abyss.”
“How can a non-existent being exert influence?”
“I don’t know. Maybe the Lords above the Demon Kings might know…”
But the Lords never spoke of Arrogance.
Just like they refused to speak of Sephiro.
For them, the name “Sephiro” was a taboo—a disgrace.
The one who killed one of the Ten Great Lords, an absolute deity of the Abyss.
It was the first and only time something like that had happened since the Abyss’s creation.
“Be careful. Now that the Tower of Arrogance has appeared, even Lords who had no interest in Earth might start paying attention.”
Dagon was sincere.
If the Lords found out who he truly was…
They would never leave Park Chan-woo alone.
They would erase anything and anyone connected to the name Sephiro.
Including Dagon himself.
“Don’t worry.”
Park Chan-woo replied leisurely.
This situation was different from the Abysses he had experienced so far.
There was no need to bankrupt Creators or oppose them.
Climbing the Tower of Arrogance—
It had to be achieved purely by his own strength.
Tricks wouldn’t work.
‘Preparations are complete.’
Still, it was fine.
Everything he had achieved up to now was significant.
The World Tree Staff, the Frost Helm, the Arahan’s Golden Mystery—equipment shining like stars.
Even the Divine Beast, Boksil.
He had grown fiercely, relentlessly, from the very beginning for this moment.
The Tower of Arrogance.
To see the summit that no one had ever reached!
—
Thus, a group of eighty people arrived at the Tower of Arrogance.
“Whoa…”
“Feels like all of Korea is here.”
“This is crazy…”
People couldn’t hide their shock.
The crowd was immense.
The Tower was visible in the distance, but getting closer seemed impossible.
“Don’t push, you bastards!”
“Want to die?”
“Argh!”
A human flood.
With so many gathered, conflict was inevitable.
Injuries were rampant, but everyone pushed and shoved without caring.
Among the chaos, some were shouting with loudspeakers.
“Anyone level 11 or higher?”
“If you’ve broken the limit level, we’ll escort you closer to the Tower of Arrogance!”
Recruiters were calling out from a distance.
They had been sent by high-level Awakeners near the Tower.
Offering to escort Awakeners who had broken the limit—and their companions—closer to the Tower.
“How do they even verify someone’s level?”
“Couldn’t someone just lie?”
Skeptical voices rose.
But the recruiters were confident.
“Just try forming a party. If there’s more than a 10-level difference, you can’t form one!”
“Our recruiters are all level 1! If you’re level 11 or higher, we can’t party with you.”
A method to filter out liars.
A man stepped forward.
“I’m level 12.”
“Confirmed. We can’t form a party. How many are with you?”
“Around fifty?”
“Line up and follow us. Our alliance will clear a path.”
Those with strength held the advantage.
Under the name of an alliance, they moved freely near the Tower—a lawless band.
They were many, and high-leveled, and the average people couldn’t oppose their authority.
The building representative looked flustered.
He had thought that having numbers alone would be enough to approach the Tower.
But strength mattered more.
“…Anyone in our group over level 11?”
“We have someone at level 9.”
The highest level among them was only 9.
Meaning no one had broken through the limit.
The building representative raised his hand and asked.
“Excuse me, is level 9 acceptable?”
“No. Go level up outside the Abyss and come back. If you actively cooperate with our alliance, we might let you a little closer.”
A firm refusal.
People from the building turned their gazes to the level 9 man.
“…No way. I’m not going.”
The man frowned and shook his head.
He had come this far seeking safety.
There was no way he would risk venturing into the Abyss alone now.
A hopeless situation.
It was then—
“Park Chan-woo! You’re alive?!”
A familiar voice called out.
Turning his head—
‘…Kim Byung-han?’
An old connection—or old grudge.
The one calling his name was none other than Kim Byung-han.
The man who had survived the sniper Abyss.
“Wow…”
“Who’s that?”
“Golden armor?”
“And riding a tiger?!”
“His level must be insanely high.”
…And in an unbelievably flashy appearance.
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(T/N: Im back! Lol, kidding. I had a free time so I’m trying to do some TL work. Mind you, we are still not on the regular upload schedule!)
Congrats on your baby! Take your time with uploads, family comes first. Thanks for translating this in the first place, the quality is great! Have a great day!