Chapter 287. Choices and Preparations
“Please help me.”
It’s a phrase that ordinary people commonly exchange.
But that’s a story for ordinary people.
For Jinhyuk, it was not a phrase that would typically come out of his mouth.
He always planned alone and shook the board by himself.
The rest merely played supporting roles.
But now…
‘He’s asking for help.’
Chun Yoosung bit his lip.
He could guess just how serious the situation was.
It was clear that this was a matter of a different dimension compared to everything so far.
“What exactly happened in the Heavenly Demon Cult?”
“It’s a long story, but let’s just say a troublesome entity has caught a scent. I’ll explain in detail while we eat. We might as well enjoy a good meal on our rare day off, don’t you think?”
“Damn it. You set such a serious atmosphere, and now you expect us to eat?”
“Yeah, I think we can manage that.”
“What?”
“They say that even a ghost looks good after a hearty meal. Let’s eat well first, alright?”
Jinhyuk glanced at the others.
“I’m hungry. Even if the world ends tomorrow, I’ll regret not eating meat and dessert today.”
“I’ve already been saved once by Jinhyuk-nim. Hehe. And if we’re with Jinhyuk-nim, I’m sure we’ll find a way.”
“If my lord wishes it, I shall follow.”
“I’ve missed Korean food. Let’s have some Hanwoo ribs.”
The responses were positive.
“Of course, we should have some. So, Yoosung, they want Hanwoo ribs.”
“Why should I pay for the meal?”
Well…
“Obviously because you’re the oldest here.”
If you’re dressed as a scholar, you should follow Confucian principles.
Respect for elders is fundamental among the Five Relationships.
The laws of heaven are strict, so how can you expect younger people to treat you to a meal?
“Don’t be ridiculous! In that case, what about Alice or Andrea…?”
Jinhyuk cut off Chun Yoosung’s frantic protest.
“Residents don’t count. They don’t know what Confucianism or the Five Relationships are.”
“Is Confucianism something you eat? If so, I hope it’s sweet.”
“I’ve never heard of it either!”
Alice and Andrea shrugged.
And then…
“Thanks for the meal, ‘big brother.’”
For the first time, Jinhyuk used an honorific.
He wore an expression full of respect for his elder.
“…”
Chun Yoosung’s face twisted as if he had eaten something unpleasant.
He had completely fallen for it.
But, given the nonsensical logic and everyone’s gratitude, there was no way out.
Thus, they arrived at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin District.
A top-tier restaurant serving a 500,000 won per person course meal.
Soon, various special cuts with 50% marbling were served sequentially.
“Ohhh! This taste?”
“Wow…”
Exclamations of delight came from everyone.
Especially Alice and Andrea, who kept munching on the expensive beef as if they couldn’t get enough.
“Is…installment payment possible?”
Chun Yoosung’s voice trembled.
With even Yoo Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin joining in, the price skyrocketed beyond control.
Once their hunger was satisfied, the serious conversation began.
Topics ranged from the upper-floor entities and the Deputy Head of the cult to what was likely to happen next.
Of course, certain crucial details and the existence of hidden quests were glossed over.
He packaged the story so it seemed like he learned about the upper-floor entities from his master.
“…So that’s what happened in the Heavenly Demon Cult. Then, it means those entities will come down soon?”
“They probably will. I don’t know exactly where they’ll descend, whether it’s a specific floor or outside the tower, but wherever it is, it will turn into hell.”
“So instead of fighting and winning…”
“It’s about surviving.”
A grim reality, but there was no way to deal with them at the current level.
Even True Ancestors, demon kings, and even gods couldn’t defeat the entities from the 50th floor.
‘Even with my exceptional growth, it’s still impossible at this stage.’
It took over three years to clear just one floor of the 50th floor in the past. At level 100, it would be difficult to inflict even a scratch.
Therefore, they had to consider the best alternative, not the optimal one.
“I’d like some support from the Orthodox faction. Their masters could handle the lowest-ranked soldiers. Can you persuade them?”
“That’ll be difficult. The Murim Alliance is preparing for war with the Empire.”
The Murim Alliance was putting all its effort into the power struggle in the middle floors, unresolved from before.
With the Heavenly Demon Cult also involved, it would be complete chaos.
This must not be overlooked.
The Deputy Head…no, Sama Ja, that old snake, was also tied to the vampire clan and Hastings.
‘While we handle things inside the tower, we must prepare for the outside. We need to protect ordinary citizens.’
Chun Yoosung seemed to understand Jinhyuk’s concern and added a suggestion.
“If you’re really worried, why not talk to the major guilds? They might be able to help.”
“Well, it’s not that I haven’t thought about it, but if I suddenly show up saying the world might end, do you think they’ll believe me? Especially given my history with them, they’d be even more skeptical.”
“True, your reputation isn’t great. Even I’d be suspicious.”
Chun Yoosung nodded without hesitation.
Hey, that’s a bit hurtful.
I’ve helped quite a bit, you know.
“What about Teresa? She has a good image and recognition, unlike you.”
“Teresa…”
While Teresa had good recognition, she had no influence after leaving the alliance of the Seven Great Guilds.
Asking her would only complicate things.
Elder Yoo Cheonyoung was also unrelated to the tower.
It would be ideal if someone else could widely publicize this issue.
Someone with enough influence and credibility to prepare for this event.
Someone like that was needed.
“Let’s start by doing what we can. Taemin, I’ll give you some key points. Use the Machine Lord to prepare for base defense. Yeonhwa, gather as many people as possible to support Taemin.”
“Got it, hyung.”
“Okay, oppa. I’ll talk to my grandfather too.”
“For the rest, I’ll give you a list of tasks. Finish them within a week. If you have better plans, feel free to prioritize them.”
They had to finish all preparations within the remaining time.
To increase their survival rate, even by 1%.
Meanwhile.
At the headquarters of the Samurai Guild in Japan.
“Huff, huff…”
Takeshi shot up from his bed.
His body was drenched in sweat, and his breathing was uncontrollably rapid.
He trembled as if he had had a long nightmare.
“This can’t be…”
Even without using it, ‘Half-Future Sight’ had activated on its own.
This was the first time such a thing had happened since he acquired the unique ability.
Judging by the vivid scene etched into his mind, it was undoubtedly true.
Which meant his ability had improved.
But Takeshi’s face showed no joy or excitement.
Ashes, fire, and death.
Collapsed buildings and mountains of corpses were the final scenes of the apocalypse.
He needed to inform everyone.
The Japanese government, the World Awakener Association, the Samurai Guild, and other major guild leaders.
He had to inform them no matter what.
But…
“Even if I tell them, what will change?”
Who could stop this?
‘It’s impossible. Even if the whole world unites, we can’t stop this.’
This was beyond human capability.
Like a natural disaster, all he could do was pray that it wouldn’t affect him.
Then, a name came to Takeshi’s mind.
The god-like ‘Kang Jinhyuk.’
An absolute being who, despite being a player, displayed overwhelming prowess.
If it were him…
‘Maybe he can solve this. Yes, he can.’
The problem was, it wasn’t easy to ask him to save humanity in their time of need.
If they didn’t show any sincerity and just demanded help, they’d face another catastrophe.
‘I’ll need to gather the most precious items from the guild. What do we have? I remember a few things he might like.’
Sacred relics, coins, magic stones.
This wasn’t the time to be frugal.
And.
He had to inform the world to form an attack squad to support him.
That way, he might forgive their rudeness.
The decision didn’t take long.
Takeshi immediately picked up his phone.
Ring…
After a brief dial tone.
Click!
“What is it?”
Yoshio, the master of the Samurai Guild, answered.
“Prepare a video conference with all the guild’s rankers and the head of the Japanese Awakener Association.”
“No way…!”
“Yes. I saw something in my future sight. We don’t have much time.”
“Understood. I’ll contact everyone immediately.”
The conversation started to move quickly.
The prophecy of a ranker with future sight.
With news of an unmeasurable disaster, the whole world was in turmoil.
-Commany: Seriously, more over-the-top nonsense. Why are people panicking over what seems like a random fortune teller’s dream?
-jsh3: Exactly. Isn’t this just a scare tactic to make money? How gullible can people be?
-white: Nah. I know Takeshi. He’s actually predicted a lot of things correctly.
-kc27: Yeah. Remember three months ago during the US-Japan joint raid? His prophecy saved the attack team from being wiped out. It was spot on.
-Emperor of Shurima: Seeing how the governments and major guilds are reacting, it doesn’t seem like a false alarm.
-Kringnia: So, are we all doomed?
-Yerumina: There must be a way. They’ll figure something out.
-Haenaeng: Don’t worry too much. With the number of players we have, we’ll be fine. Probably.
Voices of concern began to rise.
Though they tried to comfort each other, the growing unease was undeniable.
Then.
A familiar name came out of Takeshi’s mouth during his broadcast.
“We have agreed to mobilize all our resources and personnel to support the S-rank player Kang Jinhyuk. As soon as he gives his consent, we are ready to act.”
-ksb: Kang Jinhyuk? The Kang Jinhyuk I know?
-Fool: Wow. Yeah, Kang Jinhyuk is a thing!
-Mujin: ^^
-JustTrustMe: With all the world’s rankers gathering, we might stand a chance.
-fore: Rallying around Kang Jinhyuk.
-YJH: I’m getting excited.
-Myoil: [Breaking News] Major guild masters and vice-masters will introduce the raid team and give interviews soon on ViewTube.
-Richa: It’s real. This could be the biggest raid ever.
-Hyojasun: Rankers and the number of players. This will be huge. I hope Unknown shows up too. They’ve been quiet lately. They should come.
-JeLuce: I heard the Nordic countries are also preparing top-tier holy relics. This is getting really exciting.
‘It was the right decision to spare him back then.’
Watching the Tower of Trials community and Takeshi’s actions, Jinhyuk nodded slightly.
He always knew that ‘Half-Future Sight’ would come in handy someday.
And it had proven its worth more spectacularly than he anticipated.
His personal message box was flooded with support promises from various guilds.
At that moment.
“All of Yaksha’s item sets have been exchanged for the items you requested, Jinhyuk-nim. You can check them in your personal subspace inventory. But, are you really sure about this? That weapon…”
Rick asked, puzzled.
He had observed all of Jinhyuk’s battles, but he had never seen him use such a weapon.
“It’s the weapon I used the most in the past. Thank you, Rick.”
“No, thank you for the great deal. By the way…”
Ahem! Ahem!
Rick cleared his throat.
He was about to talk about the most sensitive part of the transaction: the fee.
“How much was it?”
“With all costs and labor included, it comes to 2.5 million coins.”
“Hmm.”
2.5 million coins…
Though he appreciated the item exchange, it felt like a lot to pay as a fee.
“How about a simple bet instead?”
Jinhyuk smiled broadly.