The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 56
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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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The Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 056
Across South Korea.
Diamond collection campaigns began sprouting up everywhere.
The age of Tower civilization.
Now the nation was essentially a collection of city-states.
Cities competed and fractured rather than helped one another.
In fact, some regions had even experienced inter-city civil wars.
By common sense, it made no sense to go out of your way for another city.
And yet….
[Helping hands reaching out from across South Korea…]
[Diamonds and Orbs that individuals had been hoarding…]
The Real Madrid leadership couldn’t comprehend this situation.
“Are they insane?”
From low-level Awakeners to high-level Awakeners.
Even non-Awakeners stepped forward to donate Diamonds.
[Boddari Union announces full donation of union reserves!]
The Boddari Union, which had recently traversed the world and begun generating massive added value, generously donated all the Diamonds it had accumulated.
Within 12 hours of the Diamond collection campaign’s start, the total amount gathered reached 2.2 trillion.
[A national trait where they normally fight like they’re trying to kill each other, but unite when crisis strikes lol]
└I usually hate nationalism, but this is kinda cool ngl
└I wonder if this is a true story haha
└Something feels off. They’re cursing and talking about killing and saving, then suddenly they unite
└Is this what a nation is?
[They say it was like this back during the IMF or something?]
└What’s that?
Don’t you even know about the gold collection movement?
└Kids these days don’t know about that stuff
└Yeah next, welcome to the boomer zone
└I’m a foreigner passing through, but how do you guys fight and insult each other like that while combining your strength?
└I’m Korean and I don’t even know
The era and civilization had changed.
But the people leading that era and civilization had not.
[Breaking News: EX-Rank Awakener donates ‘Damage Increase Talisman’ to Seoul Guild!]
Seoul Guild immediately opened the ‘Sovereign-Only Auction’ system.
Only the lord of each city could participate.
Three hours remained until the auction closed.
Antonio, the lord of Real Madrid, felt his pupils tremble.
“A Damage Increase Talisman?”
Lords from nations across the world expanded their system windows.
───────
[Damage Increase Talisman]
Increases damage of offensive skills by 100%.
───────
“It’s Black Rune grade or higher!”
Information about Black Runes is still scarce.
The rune market remains centered on Red Runes.
By the standard of a fully-enhanced Red Rune, a 50% damage increase places it in the top 1%.
Antonio, the lord of Real Madrid, furrowed his brow.
“That’s… on a completely different level?”
“Clearing an EX-grade dungeon can yield EX-grade talisman fragments. However, assembling EX-grade talisman fragments into a complete EX-grade talisman is an entirely different matter.”
Gathering five S-grade talisman fragments and synthesizing them?
At best, you’d typically get a B or C grade.
You’d need extraordinary luck to get anything A-grade or higher.
“Isn’t there a master craftsman of enhancement in Korea? It seems he provided assistance.”
Once, the world was astonished by the +9 enhancement notification.
It became certain that the master of enhancement magic who completed +9 enhancement was aiding an EX-rank Awakener.
“Is it because both happen to be from the Seoul Guild?”
“…Yes.”
Seoul seemed poised to become even more arrogant.
‘This is problematic…’
I need to seek assistance from Incheon.
That’s how I gain influence over Korea.
But then, something foolish erupted.
[Hopeful Bid: 1,000,000,000,000]
The Saudi Guild.
They opened with a bid of one trillion Diamonds.
A true lord should navigate such situations to maximum advantage.
The Saudis seemed to have abandoned all political maneuvering.
“These insane bastards.”
Antonio ground his teeth.
* * *
[The Dedication and Sacrifice of an EX-Rank Awakener!]
└ EX-sama, you truly are our light
└ They just gave away a national treasure-class amulet??
└ I wouldn’t sell it even for 10 trillion
I’ve never seen an option like this before lol
└ They’re living in a different world
While the entire nation participated in relief efforts, the EX-Rank Awakener also put forth a national treasure-class artifact.
The mysticism was a bit cringe, but this is actually legit.
└ There’s always someone preaching about mysticism
└ If you had that kind of power, could you reveal your identity and walk around? Assassins from all over the world would come
└ Just say it’s cool without acting like a smartass
└ I’m glad that EX God is a Korean cookㅠ ♡
Lee Byung-gyu, who had received the ‘Demon-Sealing Amulet’ on consignment from Choi Kang-mok, rubbed his eyes.
The bidding price had already skyrocketed to 2 trillion diamonds.
“It surpasses even black runes, but….”
It was truly an obscene bid.
A system message arrived for Lee Byung-gyu.
[Saudi Arabia wishes to lend its strength to South Korea’s disaster relief.]
They made it clear that they weren’t simply bidding to collect an EX-class amulet.
[Saudi Arabia wishes to deepen its relationship with South Korea.]
They deliberately mentioned ‘South Korea’ rather than ‘Seoul’.
The expression was just one line, but the message was unmistakable.
In that single line lay Saudi Arabia’s entire political judgment.
Antonio had thought Saudi Arabia had abandoned politics, but he was wrong.
Rather, Saudi Arabia had seen through Lee Byung-gyu.
To win Seoul’s heart, one must act for South Korea.
The world’s wealthiest Guild extended its hand to the Seoul Guild.
[Breaking News] Saudi Guild Acquires ‘Demon-Sealing Amulet’ for 2 Trillion Diamonds!]
[Breaking News] Saudi Guild: “May divine blessing accompany South Korea”]
Lee Byung-gyu compiled the information and relayed it to Choi Kang-mok.
“We’ve secured sufficient diamonds.”
“…That’s good news.”
The pressure lifted.
Yet still, a corner of my heart remained heavy.
This is my responsibility.
I must minimize the damage as much as possible.
“It seems Saudi Arabia also hopes we would occupy their Tower as well. It’s not a formal proposal, but there appears to be an implicit expectation.”
“That’s possible.”
I already have one foothold in Europe.
The tide of globalization cannot be stopped anyway.
Security is important, but opening our doors is clearly necessary as well.
“To be honest, I’ve always thought it would be nice to have a foothold in the Middle East.”
The Middle East is a treasure trove of artifacts and mana stones.
Good grimoires appear there frequently as well.
“Has there been any contact from the American side? New York, for instance….”
“Yes. They’ve reached out offering to provide orbs. The New York Guild is coordinating support from dozens of guilds across America.”
Lee Byung-gyu suddenly realized just how much the world had changed.
This was something he could never have dreamed of in the past.
Now, rulers from nations across the globe were the ones requesting negotiations with Seoul first.
On the surface, it was “we want to help,” but beneath it all: “please, make a contract with us.”
‘There’s only one reason this is possible.’
A nation possessing an EX-Rank Awakener.
“It would be nice to establish a foothold on the American side too, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Five trillion diamonds. Five trillion orbs.
It took only twenty-four hours to gather all that wealth.
Lee Byung-gyu’s decision was swift.
He did not hesitate.
“Seoul, and the world, did not weigh human lives on a scale.”
[Vast quantities of growth resources are being invested!]
[Restoration speed increases!]
….
[Restoration speed increases!]
[Tower (Seoul) Floor 4 restoration is complete!]
The Tower returned to normal.
Entry became possible, and the tens of thousands of Awakeners trapped inside evacuated safely.
But that was not the end.
[Reconstruction has succeeded!]
[Tower (Seoul) Floor 4—Reconstructed]
Seoul Tower Floor 4 had been reconstructed.
The field expanded dramatically, and the dummies were replaced with steel ones.
The clear rewards changed as well.
[Due to the ‘Reconstruction Effect,’ acquired resources increase by 200%!]
[Due to the ‘Reconstruction Effect,’ the quality of acquired mana stones rises by +1 tier!]
One more effect was added.
[Due to the ‘Reconstruction Effect,’ you can acquire runes (random).]
With this, Seoul now possessed the 7th Tower.
The Golden Labyrinth.
And a reconstructed 4th Floor.
[【Breaking News】 Balun Layer Appears After 7th Floor?]
Currently, the Tower was the only stable source for acquiring ‘Balun’.
* * *
Most Awakeners had exited the Tower and returned to their families.
Choi Kang-mok sprawled across the sofa.
“Even I have to admit, this is a peculiar nation.”
Before the Tower civilization, they were desperate to devour each other, and after the Tower civilization, it only intensified.
Yet when the entire nation faces an existential crisis, strangely enough, they unite as one.
“I suppose you could call it a national characteristic.”
Christine sat down at the dining table.
“If you’re saying that, imagine how absurd this all seems to me as a British person.”
Christine felt a lingering sense of regret.
She should have helped more actively.
She should have forged stronger ties with Seoul and cleared her debts.
This time, Saudi Arabia had stepped forward far too decisively.
“You’re truly remarkable, Strongtree.”
“What do you mean?”
“I never thought you’d part with such a precious talisman. I could never have done it.”
This was an age where ‘deals’ had become paramount.
Christine understood the value of that talisman well.
“If it weren’t for this national crisis, that talisman would never have been revealed to the world.”
“You even know the word ‘national crisis’?”
Christine appeared deeply moved.
“I’ve learned so much from you, Strongtree.”
“….”
“From this nation too.”
“….”
“I thought the world had changed so much.”
Christine’s Korean was excellent.
“I believed we’d entered an age of self-reliance. I hastily judged that individual growth and strength had become paramount. Yet those living through this ashen age are still made of flesh and blood.”
Some people willingly surrender what is theirs for another’s sake.
Even if it is an immeasurable treasure.
“What matters. What we should live for. What is justice.”
It is easy to speak such words.
But Choi Kang-mok demonstrated it through action.
“I had forgotten so many things….”
Even when they tear each other down and despise one another.
They still unite before the greatest danger.
And the entire nation rejoiced at the safe return of complete strangers—fellow Awakeners.
“I think I’ll remember this.”
Ineffable emotions surged up from within me, too nuanced for words to capture.
‘If it had been London? Would it have been the same back then?’
Would the Ranker of London and I have offered up our most precious treasures? Like Choi Kang-mok did?
I couldn’t know now.
But one thing was certain.
‘I. And the path we must walk. And the world’s true direction—I showed it all clearly.’
The EX-Rank Awakener hadn’t spoken it in words.
Through action. Through the ‘Damage Increase Amulet’—he proved it boldly.
What kind of world he pursued.
What kind of person he was.
“That was a magnificent declaration.”
“You’re overdoing the praise. It wasn’t like that.”
“Yeah. I’m starting to understand you now.”
You always say things like that.
Christine laughed lightly.
Her gaze toward Choi Kang-mok had shifted subtly from before.
-Excessive visual attention detected.
-Though reluctant,
we
will classify this as hostile.
-Don’t look. Don’t look. Didn’t I tell you not to look?
That’s my user. I look. I protect. I have. I’m… first.
#mine_mine_mine #don’t_take #eyes_will_gouge_out
Mayo’s friend-or-foe identification activated once more.
Christine bounced back, startled.
“Huh?”
It was different from the usual friend-or-foe identification she’d experienced.
Christine’s voice pitch rose.
“Whoa! What is this now?”
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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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