The Heavenly Demon Destroys the Tower - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 55
[Yes. Originally, I was going to release it after getting your permission, but it seems the Management Bureau leaked the contract details first.]
A contract stuffed with nothing but Incentive clauses.
If I managed to hit every single target, the total amount would have been larger than any offer from other countries at the time.
But the conditions were practically impossible to achieve.
‘Of course, I didn’t mind—I was going to hit every one of those Incentive targets anyway.’
But from the perspective of any third party?
The guaranteed base amount was so minuscule it made you wonder why anyone would sign such a contract.
Especially now, halfway through the month.
Reaching “Cheonma Body Constitution Rank C” and “Top 50 in the monthly domestic Player Score Ranking” both looked impossible.
So perhaps that explained it.
‘It’s absolute chaos out there.’
On Tower-related forums and communities,
people were tearing apart the contract details.
-Is the Cheonma an idiot? Why sign something like this lmao
-The Management Bureau should’ve cut corners somewhere else, not throw garbage at the Cheonma
-Packing it full of only Incentives is so obviously malicious haha
-Setting two 150-billion-won Incentives with a deadline THIS month is way too petty;
-Fr the other stuff isn’t worth anything…
Lee Kang-han, whose value had skyrocketed thanks to today’s Achievement,
had been presented with terms by South Korea’s Tower Management Bureau that
were nothing but Incentives—and worse, all of them impossible to meet. The public was now crucifying the Bureau.
But regarding who leaked the contract,
-So who actually leaked this contract?
-Pretty sure it was GLASS, the Cheonma’s agent, right?
-After setting up such a trash contract, now that he hit today’s Achievement, they’re probably kicking themselves
-Yeah looks like they’re trying to flip the table from their side
-But GLASS says it wasn’t them lol
-Have you ever seen a thief confess to stealing? lmao
Most of the public suspected Lee Kang-han’s agency side.
‘Well, Shin Yu-ri did say they were planning to release it on this end anyway… so people thinking this way makes sense.’
Logically, leaking this contract would only make the Management Bureau look bad.
Why would they do it themselves?
As Lee Kang-han was scrolling through the reactions,
Shin Yu-ri contacted him again.
[I’ll look into how it spread and have our agency respond accordingly.]
“Understood.”
[Also, journalists might try to contact you. Your address here in Yongin seems to be getting around through word of mouth.]
Apparently word had gotten out after people spotted him jogging.
So his location was compromised too.
[For now, you might run into some uncomfortable situations when you go out. Would it be alright if we hire a security company to have some people escort you?]
“Security? Hmm… I’ll let you know if it becomes necessary. For now, it doesn’t really feel real to me.”
[Of course. Just say the word anytime.]
“Oh. And if I run into any journalists, is there anything I should be careful about saying?”
[No, you’re fine. Say whatever you’d like. We’re the ones holding all the cards now, thanks to today’s Achievement.]
“Is that so?”
[Absolutely. Even the US President is publicly expressing interest in you right now.]
President Alfred had praised Lee Kang-han on his SNS and publicly insisted that the greatest Player should come to the United States.
Given that, there was no need for caution.
“I understand. I’ll handle it appropriately if I meet with journalists.”
Lee Kang-han ended the call
and was about to check the Demon Realm Territory when he changed his mind.
‘I should get my run in before checking the Demon Realm Territory.’
He had a feeling that if he waited much longer, journalists would swarm in even greater numbers.
Better to get his daily run done before more of them gathered.
With that thought, Lee Kang-han stepped outside.
But.
The moment he opened his front door and took a few steps forward,
“Lee Kang-han!”
“Did you know about the contract being released?”
“Sir, would you grant us an interview?”
Already a handful of reporters had staked out positions
and were thrusting microphones toward him.
‘This is ridiculous…… my home address is already public knowledge.’
South Korea, for all its flaws.
Privacy protection leaves much to be desired.
Lee Kang-han chuckled softly and stepped before the journalists.
“I have no knowledge of the contract being made public.”
“But wasn’t it GLASS who disclosed it?”
“Yes.”
Despite his direct confirmation,
the reporters hardly seemed convinced.
He glanced around at them all.
‘She definitely told me to say whatever I wanted to.’
Given how significant today’s achievement was,
the balance of power had shifted in our favor, or so she’d said.
In that case, I might as well be forthright.
“We originally intended to make the disclosure ourselves, but someone leaked the contract contents before we had the chance.”
As Lee Kang-han offered this response,
the reporters’ eyes lit up.
“Then you’re saying GLASS was prepared to go public with the contract terms?”
“Exactly. After getting my approval, the agency was planning to release it themselves, but word got out before that could happen.”
“Was the intent to disclose it because of the unreasonable contract terms?”
“Many experts expressed shock upon reviewing the contract. The guaranteed amount is extraordinarily rare—so why proceed with such an arrangement?”
“Were you hoping to make the details public in order to revise those unfair clauses?”
From the reporters’ perspective,
it seemed the contract was heavily weighted toward incentives with minimal guarantees,
and they assumed he’d pushed for disclosure to overturn it.
This was the ‘common sense’ interpretation, after all.
But.
“Uh…… no, actually? Why would the terms be unfavorable?”
“I’m sorry?”
Lee Kang-han’s position was different.
“Thirty billion won per month—isn’t that an excellent contract?”
“Well, that’s contingent on meeting the incentive milestones……”
“I know. But I’ve already achieved one of them.”
“…… Pardon?”
Swish.
Lee Kang-han pointed to himself with his index finger.
“This Trait—it’s C-Rank.”
* * *
“…… C-Rank, you say?”
“Wait, it’s only been a few days since you reached D-Rank……?”
“That’s what I’m saying. It went up, didn’t it?”
And with that, he flashed a knowing smile.
“Plus, my Score—I’d say it’s well positioned to break into the top fifty, wouldn’t you?”
“T-top fifty, though?”
“The top fifty rankings are packed with Diamond-Rank players……”
“Well, we’ll see by the end of the month.”
Lee Kang-han radiated confidence.
The reporters exchanged glances among themselves.
‘Come to think of it…… with several Achievements already under his belt, if those count toward his Score, wouldn’t top fifty be entirely feasible?’
‘Even setting Achievements aside, with his current growth pace and clearing the Tower every single day, it might actually be possible……’
‘And wasn’t it true that many top Tower players took extended summer vacations? That could shift things in his favor.’
The threshold for entering the domestic top fifty Rankings.
When they actually thought it through, it seemed Lee Kang-han might pull it off.
Especially
“The system states that once Iron Rank reaches Level 25, all subsequent experience converts to Score. Taking that into account, I think I have every reason to aim for top fifty.”
As Lee Kang-han supplied this additional explanation,
the possibility of breaking into the top fifty seemed increasingly credible.
Like this.
“So your intention in disclosing the contract wasn’t to change its terms, but…….”
“To ensure it’s honored to the letter—by both the Management Bureau and myself.”
“Then…… wouldn’t there be no need to make the contract public in the first place?”
“We didn’t do it.”
“Ah, yes. But your intention was clear…….”
The reporters pressed on with relentless questions.
Lee Kang-han let out a quiet laugh.
Clearly.
I was told I could say whatever I wanted, wasn’t I?
“Ah. It’s because of National Assembly Member Ju Yong-wan.”
Then I should really say it.
“……Sorry?”
“Ju, Ju Yong-wan, you mean?”
The name of a ruling party power broker suddenly dropped into the conversation.
The reporters blinked in surprise at hearing it.
“Yes. He kept asking me to grab a meal. When I refused, the Management Bureau produced this contract, and then Yong-wan’s office contacted me saying they’d resolve the matter.”
“Wait, that means…….”
“Are you saying Ju Yong-wan’s office exerted improper pressure on the contract?”
“I’m not sure. The incentive was originally five billion won. My agent told me to take foreign offers instead of this contract, so I asked them to bump up my incentive a bit since I’d be getting paid anyway.”
Lee Kang-han laid it all out completely.
The reporters stared at each other in astonishment.
“Ju Yong-wan does have a lot of influence over the Management Bureau…….”
“He’s been doing things like this?”
“Ju Yong-wan’s network of players is no joke…… now it all makes sense.”
Everyone knew that when politicians talk about grabbing a meal, it never ends with just a meal.
Recalling the players who appeared so often at Ju Yong-wan’s district events.
The reporters instinctively sensed this press conference would be a major scoop.
Especially.
‘Lee Kang-han’s just laying everything bare.’
‘Is he done with staying in Korea……?’
‘No matter how you look at it, he’s openly targeting a ruling party congressman.’
Thanks to Lee Kang-han’s willingness to speak far beyond what the reporters expected.
There was no shortage of stories to cover.
“Ah. And after I cleared that Achievement today, his aide contacted me asking to change the contract terms…… but I’m just going to take 30 billion a month and move forward with a new agreement. That’s cleaner, isn’t it?”
“That, I see…….”
“So your plan to disclose the contract was perhaps out of concern that it might not be honored……?”
“You can never be too careful. Better to nail it down.”
Lee Kang-han smiled knowingly.
“Well, I’ve said all there is to say, so I’ll head out for a workout.”
Having dropped that bombshell, he turned to leave for his run.
“Ah. Please wait a moment……!”
“President Alfred has been pushing on social media that Lee Kang-han should be recruited—what do you think about that?”
“You mentioned a new contract—does that include foreign offers as well?”
“Depending on the proposals, are you considering immigrating abroad……!”
The reporters blocked his path and urgently tried to grab him.
Whoosh!
Lee Kang-han leaped lightly, vaulting clean over their encirclement in one bound.
“Oh, what……?”
“Can he use the Cheonma’s power in reality too?”
“Isn’t that a 10+ rating?”
Strength and Body 10+.
The figure proved Lee Kang-han’s remarkable physical prowess.
‘But is that jump something a 10+ rating could do?’
‘It looked easier than what an Olympic gymnast could manage……?’
The jump Lee Kang-han had just demonstrated transcended ordinary limits.
This was undoubtedly tied to the Cheonma Body Constitution.
As the reporters came to that realization and rushed to photograph him.
“And to answer your last question.”
He opened his mouth with an unhurried smile.
“I’ll certainly be in Korea until the contract ends.”
“Then, if you were to fulfill all the conditions and reach the point of negotiating a new contract…….”
He’d already achieved Rank C.
And making the top fifty looked quite feasible as well.
The reporter, already assuming a new contract would be in the works, pressed the question.
“At that point, I’ll know which country I’ll be in based on the new contract’s terms. Nothing’s been decided yet.”
“Ah…….”
Rather than commit firmly to staying in South Korea,
he’d left the door open to going anywhere.
‘In truth, I’m leaning toward remaining in South Korea for now.’
But he couldn’t reveal elements that would become weaknesses in negotiations in front of the press.
Lee Kang-han bowed his head once,
then said, “I’ll take my leave.”
Whoosh!
He vanished from the spot in an instant.
“Wow…….”
“That’s seriously fast.”
“Does a Cheonma’s abilities apply to the real world too?”
“Has there ever been a Player like that before……?”
The reporters, who’d been filming continuously, watched as Lee Kang-han disappeared in a blink.
“This is some kind of bombshell scoop…….”
“What are you doing? Stream the recording right now!”
“Do we need to hear Ju Yong-wan’s statement?”
“Why would we miss out on an exclusive? Just report it first and demand a statement later!”
They began fanning the flames of the bomb Lee Kang-han had just dropped.
The Cheonma Shatters the Tower (Serialized)
Author │ Yeom Bi
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ JPlus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 204 Daelung Post Tower 1, 288 Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Yeom Bi 2025
※This work is published by JPlus Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder. The contents may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and author.
Violations of this restriction may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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