The Heavenly Demon Destroys the Tower - Chapter 73

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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 73
The Tower Management Bureau headquarters, located in Yongsan, Seoul.
Inside the assembly hall within the headquarters building,
a Presidential Commendation ceremony was being held under the direct supervision of the President, with security measures tens of times more stringent than usual.
“Mr. President, it’s time.”
“Let’s proceed.”
Whoosh.
President Kim Seok-ho rose from his seat and, guided by security personnel,
walked down the corridor within the hall.
Kim Seok-ho, President of South Korea.
Now three years into his presidency,
he was generally perceived by the public as a “good person but incompetent.”
He maintained decent relations with politicians across both ruling and opposition parties,
but he had achieved nothing of note in the intervening years and frequently cut a figure of being dragged along by political forces.
And particularly—
‘The Tower has shaken my approval ratings considerably.’
When key Ruling Party lawmakers, including Ju Yong-wan, had announced a policy of reduced support for Players,
the entire Ruling Party had suddenly taken on the image of being “opposed to Players.”
Of course, three years ago, during the presidential election,
the argument that excessive support for Players should be withdrawn had struck a chord with the public,
and the image of being “opposed to Players” had contributed considerably to Kim Seok-ho’s rise to the presidency.
‘But times have changed.’
Recently, the scores the Tower demanded had begun rising sharply,
and in inverse proportion, skilled Players were being scouted abroad,
causing South Korea’s risk level to climb to a point where vigilance had become necessary.
Score management had grown precarious, ill-fitting for a nation ranked in the top ten of global economies.
As citizens witnessed the Tower growing far more demanding than it had been years prior,
they began to sense the danger themselves.
The Ruling Party, carrying the image of being “opposed to Players,”
and the President’s approval ratings, too, began to falter significantly.
‘If even Cheonma—this fellow—emigrates, the midterm elections could go badly.’
It wasn’t that South Korea had lacked talent until now.
They had all left because they weren’t treated well.
If Cheonma slipped through his fingers, the current administration and the Ruling Party would solidify their image as “opposed to Players,”
and that would work against them in the midterms.
It was for these political reasons
that President Kim Seok-ho had felt compelled to insert himself into the commendation ceremony and orchestrate this “spectacle.”
Click. Click.
As the President took the podium, flashes erupted from all sides.
Because Cheonma Lee Kang-han, who had become a global sensation, stood before him,
it seemed that the camera flashes were erupting even more intensely than usual.
“I am deeply honored to present the Presidential Commendation to Lee Kang-han, who has graced this occasion, in recognition of his profound dedication and achievements on behalf of the nation and society…….”
As he read the text of the commendation,
President Kim Seok-ho glanced at Lee Kang-han.
A man with a towering frame and a solid physique.
He was twenty-four, if memory served.
Certainly, he bore the youthful appearance of someone not yet tainted by the world.
Yet—
‘Those eyes show little interest at all.’
Kim Seok-ho, who had met countless people on his path to the presidency,
had developed an intuitive grasp of what others were thinking.
Most people, when the President stood before them,
either grew intimidated, curious, sought to draw attention,
or displayed some mixture of these reactions.
‘This fellow…… looks like he just wants this event to be over.’
Was he the type to concentrate only on his own affairs?
President Kim Seok-ho studied him with his eyes while
reading through to the end of the commendation text.
“Player Lee Kang-han, I’ve found your efforts over this time quite impressive indeed.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“Then shall we dine together this evening?”
“Of course. I’ll see you then.”
He handed over the commendation and extended his hand for a shake.
Lee Kang-han grasped it and bowed politely.
He observed the basics of courtesy before an elder, certainly.
But his lack of interest in the “President” was palpable.
‘If he’d cared about such things, he would’ve met President Alfred when he was in the United States.’
Despite Alfred’s posts on social media about it.
Hadn’t Lee Kang-han left the moment the FIPA Event ended?
Using the Incentive Contract to corner Ju Yong-wan.
That had merely been tit-for-tat—Ju had provoked first.
‘If Ju hadn’t pushed, he would’ve left it alone.’
In any case, the man was tiresome.
Picking unnecessary fights, scratching open old wounds.
So the first impression President Kim Seok-ho had formed of Lee Kang-han
deepened once the evening banquet began.
“Scores have been slipping lately, and with so many Players emigrating, our citizens grow more anxious by the day. Your performance has given us all tremendous relief.”
The President offered pleasant words and hinted at whether he lacked anything.
“I’m grateful for your kind words. But I’m satisfied with my current life, so there’s nothing pressing I can think of.”
His counterpart showed no particular greed.
Had it not been for his agent, Shin Yu-ri, whose eyes gleamed with interest at the banquet,
Lee Kang-han might have been bound far more easily.
‘Craftsmen dislike fuss. As long as he’s treated reasonably and left undisturbed, it should work.’
Having sized up Lee Kang-han this way, President Kim Seok-ho
continued: “It seems Ju Yong-wan caused you trouble. As someone who once belonged to the Ruling Party, I’m truly sorry. Instead of giving you proper treatment as a Player, he tried to exploit you. I’ll ensure he doesn’t interfere further.”
“Once your Incentive Contract expires and you’re ready to renew, I’ll review the terms myself and ensure they’re satisfactory.”
“If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
Lee Kang-han hadn’t requested anything in the first place.
Yet the President was offering him what he needed before he could even ask.
‘It’s rare to see a President commit himself like this unprompted.’
‘Is Kim changing his policy stance with this opportunity?’
‘His image as a Player opponent has certainly worsened lately.’
‘If he can just secure Kang-han, he can make up for all those missed Player opportunities.’
The reporters with access to the Presidential Office read the President’s intentions
and began composing headlines in their minds.
“I’d love to share a drink with you if I could, but you’re planning to enter the Tower after you get home tonight, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I see. Well then, I mustn’t keep a busy man too long.”
The President didn’t extend the banquet and ended it at a reasonable hour.
Click. Click.
Once the final photographs were taken after the banquet,
“Lee Kang-han, going forward I’ll be careful not to invite you to tedious events.”
President Kim Seok-ho said this with an amiable smile.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“I’ve heard climbing the Tower every day is grueling work. It must be difficult, but please continue giving your best effort as you have been.”
Most Players struggle with five Tower climbs a week as their tier rises.
Yet Lee Kang-han climbed daily without fail.
This alone spoke volumes about his craftsman’s spirit.
Of course,
‘Daily Tower climbing feels more like a casual stroll to me.’
For him personally, ordinary Towers posed no burden whatsoever.
In any case, the day’s event concluded in this cordial atmosphere.
* * *
With all schedules finished, Lee Kang-han and his party got in the car.
“You accommodated everything without my even asking.”
“He seems to have felt that policy adjustment was necessary given the expanded Score demands. He was far more supportive than I anticipated.”
Instead of Shin Dong-seok, who usually stuck to him like a bodyguard,
Tower Management Bureau Director Shin Kyung-chul, who had attended the Presidential banquet, spoke up with a bright expression.
“Player Lee Kang-han, the President said he’d support you fully like that. How would you feel about staying in South Korea?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Right, support is one thing, but thinking of the country and its people…….”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Shin Kyung-chul appealed once more to Lee Kang-han’s sense of patriotism.
Shin Yu-ri, who held the steering wheel, frowned at this.
“Sir, would it be alright if I drop Father off first? His house is nearby.”
“No, I’ll come along. I want to spend some time driving with my daughter, and I have things to discuss with our player here too.”
“That’s precisely why I was suggesting dropping you off, Director.”
“Ah, no—why would I? Did I misspeak? I only said what was natural.”
“Sigh…….”
Shin Yu-ri exhaled a long breath.
Lee Kang-han smiled.
“It’s fine with me. But before I head home, might I exchange my TP first?”
“Exchange your TP?”
“Yes. Though it’s quite a sum…… The government said they’d cover this too, didn’t they?”
Shin Yu-ri had been matching the conversion rate at 120%.
But she couldn’t keep dipping into her own pocket indefinitely.
From today onward, the government had agreed to handle it.
“Ah, right. Then let’s go to the Management Bureau. We’ll convert it at 120% there.”
After the commendation ceremony, the incentive was executed and 15 billion won was deposited into his account.
Adding the 7.1 million TP he currently held to that conversion.
He would now meet his target of 26 billion won.
“Ah, it’s a shame. There were so many characters in my status window.”
“Would you like to do this one yourself, Yu-ri?”
“Should I? Sir, how much TP should I convert for you this time?”
“Ah, about 7.1 million TP…….”
“S-7.1 million?”
“What, what?”
The father and daughter reacted with shock at the unexpected figure.
“7.1 million…… let me see. That’s over 11 billion won, isn’t it? Yu-ri…… do you have that much?”
“Not in my personal account. It’s all company money. Wait—when did you accumulate that much TP?”
“Once I received an EX-Grade rating, they started giving me TP in larger amounts. So I’m thinking of exchanging the money and then establishing the Cheonma Divine Cult.”
“Cheonma Divine Cult? Ah, a guild. Isn’t the establishment fee 100 million TP?”
“The cost turns out to be cheaper as it grows.”
He didn’t bother mentioning the Spirit Flame, and ended the conversation there.
“……Let’s head to the Management Bureau.”
“Right. 7.1 million is too much for one person to bear.”
Shin Yu-ri turned the car toward the Management Bureau.
After exchanging all the TP there.
‘Is this amount real?’
In his account sat a figure slightly exceeding 26 billion won.
Seeing the money actually posted.
A small part of him regretted pouring this fortune into founding the Cheonma Divine Cult.
‘But…… money is easy to earn again. What needs doing must be done.’
Lee Kang-han quickly set aside his material desire.
The moment he arrived home, he resolved to establish the Cheonma Divine Cult.
And on the drive back home.
“You don’t need to come separately to register the guild. Just call me directly, and the Management Bureau will process it right away.”
“But Father, are you really going to come along?”
“Watching you drive makes me nervous. Let me take the wheel.”
It was now Shin Kyung-chul who sat in the driver’s seat instead of Shin Yu-ri.
“Well, I suppose I should be the one driving…… I’m sorry. I don’t have a license.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m usually driven around, so I wanted to take a drive myself anyway.”
And so Shin Kyung-chul drove all the way to Yongin while saying.
“But have you thought about moving to Seoul?”
“Seoul?”
“Yes. It seems better to leave that house in Yongin and move to Seoul to receive proper protection. Seoul has an excellent player security system.”
He brought up the matter of moving with Lee Kang-han.
“Do I really need security?”
“Your value has been proven countless times by President Alfred, hasn’t it? As the Score situation escalates, foreign entities might attempt abduction. That house in Yongin seems far too exposed for that risk.”
Abduction.
He wondered if such a thing would ever happen.
“Players or not, in the real world we’re just ordinary people. Take a tranquilizer dart and you lose consciousness, go down. You have to watch yourself at all times.”
Hearing the warning from Shin Kyung-chul, the bureau director.
There was certainly no harm in being cautious.
‘Lee Sa-ra… I should give it some thought.’
Of course, I still hadn’t solved the mystery of the furniture in my house, so there was no rush to go now.
But I should keep it in mind.
As we continued talking about this and that,
“Ah. We’ve arrived already.”
The car had reached our destination without my noticing.
“Thank you for the ride, Director.”
“Think nothing of it. It was a good time for me too. I’d like to have moments like this more often.”
“I’ll be in touch again next time!”
After exchanging farewells, Lee Kang-han went inside.
‘Good… So now it’s time to establish the Cheonma Divine Cult.’
I’d convert the 26 billion won back into 20 million TP.
And with that TP, I could found the Cheonma Divine Cult.
As Lee Kang-han opened the door to his house,
before he’d even fully stepped inside, he proceeded with the TP exchange and founding procedures.
[‘Cheonma Divine Cult’ will be established. Is this correct?]
[20 million TP is required.]
Lee Kang-han pressed yes to the message that appeared before his eyes.
The TP he’d painstakingly accumulated over time vanished in an instant.
‘I wonder what makes the Cheonma Divine Cult different from a regular guild?’
Twenty million was a lot to spend—there had to be a real distinction from ordinary guilds.
Like a child just before opening a Christmas present,
staring at the system window with a racing heart, Lee Kang-han stepped into his home when—
[‘Arena Prospect Bracelet’ detects an imminent threat.]
[Barrier activates.]
“…What?”
An entirely unexpected message appeared before his eyes,
Ping!
and in the same moment came the sound of air being torn,
Tap. Tap-tap…
Bullets blocked by the barrier fell to the floor.
The Cheonma Wrecks the Tower (Serialized)
Author | Yeom Bi
Publisher | Kim Ju-hyung
Published by | J Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing | Han Jae-hyuk
Address | 204 Building, Digital-ro 288, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Daelung Post Tower 1st)
Email | [email protected]
Homepage | www.jayplemedia.com
© Yeom Bi 2025
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder, and the contents may not be used in any form or by any means without the permission of the company and author.
Violation of this 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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