Mr. Kim Strikes It Rich with Auto-Hunting [Novel] Chapter 65

Chapter 65

A world where Towers and dungeons emerged, and hunters took action.

[Successfully cleared Floor X of the Tower of Chaos!]

System messages like this were common.

They were something any hunter saw every single day.

Then what about a global announcement?

Unlike regular messages, it targeted every single person across the entire world.

That made it just as rare to see.

Because it only appeared for truly critical matters.

For instance, like 30 years ago when the world first began to change?

[Global Announcement: Ralph Carter (USA) is the first to advance to the 70th floor of the Tower of Chaos.]

[From this moment forward, the world will undergo a transformation.]

This time was no different.

People tilted their heads in confusion.

Out of nowhere?

How is it transforming?

The mystery was solved immediately.

Rumble, rumble—!

Soon, the earth shook, and Towers radiating a faint black glow began to rise all across the globe.

——-

Are you crazy;;; I was just walking along the Han River when a global notice suddenly popped up, and then a whole Tower shot right up next to me???? Is this happening anywhere else????

– Don’t know about other places, but I’m in Beijing and one just rose up here too;;;;

– London too, lolololol

– I’m on a business trip in the US, and a Tower just sprouted here so everyone’s screaming and losing their minds….

└ Where in the US?

└ Washington, yep

——-

Seoul, Washington, London, Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, and more….

The Tower of Chaos had erupted in the capitals of every nation.

It was a distinctly bizarre sight.

Why?

Because the Tower’s original location was up in the sky.

It had been like a mirage visible from anywhere in the world, seemingly within reach yet untouchable, possessing no physical substance.

Then what about now?

Though it was unimaginably tall.

It had gained physical form—tangible and approachable.

Did they just appear for no reason?

That didn’t seem likely….

Right as everyone was filled with doubt.

An additional announcement appeared.

[Global Announcement: Humanity has passed the First Gate.]

[From this moment forward, the difficulty of the Tower of Chaos will increase, and rewards will be drastically enhanced.]

[In addition, the clear deadlines for all Towers have been reset and readjusted to 3 months.]

[If a Tower is not conquered within the clear deadline, the region where the Tower stands will be annihilated.]

What the hell, what does this mean?

Unforeseen announcements popping up back-to-back.

People all over the world fell into a second wave of panic.

Wait.

All the Tower clear deadlines were reset and changed to 3 months?

On Top of that, if it’s not cleared in time, the region gets annihilated?

– What in the world….

– Isn’t this insane?

– If this happens, what did the countries that just reached the Top floor two days ago do wrong;;;;

– This is way too unreasonable.

– That’s way over the line….

The strategy for conquering the Tower of Chaos.

It was similar all over the world.

1. Climb as high as possible while leveling up.

2. Hit a wall? Farm the floor right below repeatedly to boost specs.

3. Challenge the highest floor once again.

That order.

Why?

Because recklessly pushing higher could lead to total disaster if you slipped up.

Especially if it was the highest floor.

Naturally, the current floor level for most countries was the absolute highest their capabilities could reach.

Yet they’re suddenly told to climb it within 3 months?

And if they can’t, their capital will be annihilated?

Unreasonable.

Nonsense.

…Those were the words that naturally came out from the announcements.

And that wasn’t even the end of it.

[Global Announcement: Preparations for the Next Gate have begun.]

[Target Nations – Countries currently on Floor 60 or higher of the Tower of Chaos (USA, UK, Germany, Korea, China)]

[If said nations reach Floor 70 of the Tower of Chaos within 1 year, the Next Gate will unlock.]

[Until conditions are met, the clear deadline for the Tower of Chaos is Fixed at 3 months.]

[※ Upon completion, the deadline will revert to the previous 2-year duration.]

[Failure Penalty: Annihilation of the regions where the Tower of Chaos stands in random nations (Number of failing nations * 10)]

Countries on Floor 61 or higher of the Tower of Chaos.

Raise the Tower floors of the 5 nations typically considered global powerhouses to Floor 70.

And do it within a single year.

What if they failed?

The capitals of random nations would be annihilated.

People all over the world thought the exact same thing.

“We’re doomed.”

Just like that.

* * *

“What the….”

America’s Rank 1 and the strongest man in the world.

Ralph Carter pressed a hand to his forehead.

[Global Announcement: Humanity has passed the First Gate.]

[From this moment forward, the difficulty of the Tower of Chaos will increase, and rewards will be drastically enhanced.]

Every single message appearing in succession was sheerly shocking.

My god….

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“An increase in Tower difficulty, a 3-month clear deadline…. Region annihilation upon failure….”

Even up to this point was a massive crisis.

[Target Nations – Countries currently on Floor 60 or higher of the Tower of Chaos (USA, UK, Germany, Korea, China)]

[If said nations reach Floor 70 of the Tower of Chaos within 1 year, the Next Gate will unlock.]

This part was unimaginably dizzying.

Currently the only hunter to ever step foot on Floor 70, Ralph Carter.

That was why he knew better than anyone else.

“Doing this in a year is impossible….”

Except for one person.

The Head of the Manpower Management Bureau.

“For now, the US and Korea should be fine.”

The US had already reached it.

And for Korea, it would just be a matter of time.

The problem lay with the other nations….

Even with maximum optimism, the UK and Germany might barely manage it.

The real problem was China.

Since China had no rankers left now….

It would be utterly impossible.

“All the blame is going to fall back on the US.”

Damn it.

If he’d known this would happen, he wouldn’t have rushed to climb it first.

Floor 70 in the first place?

He hadn’t even expected to clear it.

[Successfully cleared Floor 69 of the Tower of Chaos!]

[You have leveled up.]

[Clear Time – 11:47:44]

Even Floor 69 took almost 12 hours of fighting just to barely clear it….

If he hadn’t been in a position to receive all the concentrated support of a superpower like the United States, it would have been impossible.

“Plus, my personal assets took quite a beating too.”

Buff scrolls, potions, items….

It was the result of plastering himself with everything available.

Floor 70? No way.

It had just been greed.

The honor of the United States was on the line….

A desire to leave his mark before the Head of the Manpower Management Bureau did.

“Hah…. I just wanted to get a little taste of it….”

Clearing it?

He didn’t even dream of that.

Let’s just take a Look.

Even if I can’t clear it, I can still be the first to leave my footprints on the 70th floor, right?

…With that thought in mind, he had entered.

[Entering Floor 70 of the Tower of Chaos.]

[Defeat Vampire Lord Malinu (0/1)]

[Time Limit: 12 hours]

Right.

It was fine up until then.

A Vampire Lord.

It was obviously going to be tough, but.

“Not like I came here expecting to beat it anyway.”

Let’s just see what kind of monster it is.

If it doesn’t work out?

I’ll just run away.

He had already spent a massive sum to prepare an emergency escape scroll for that exact scenario.

So.

“Let’s check it out.”

The structure of the Tower of Chaos was simple.

Start at the safe zone spawn point.

The raid began the moment you stepped outside.

“There’s a castle in the distance, so the Vampire Lord must be there.”

Let’s proceed carefully.

With that light thought, he took a single step outside the safe zone—.

Ding!

[Global Announcement: Ralph Carter (USA) is the first to advance to the 70th floor of the Tower of Chaos.]

[From this moment forward, the world will undergo a transformation.]

He got the feeling right then that something had gone terribly wrong.

“Huh? The world is transforming?”

“That means things are just getting started.”

“Who’s there?!”

This was the Tower of Chaos.

A place where no other voices should be heard, so why was there a voice coming from above?

He hurriedly raised his axe—.

“You are quite impatient.”

Along with a calm voice, his blade was stopped cold.

What in the world….

He had clearly swung the axe.

Why?

Fortunately, his eyes could still move, so he glanced up.

“A Vampire Lord?”

“Indeed, a pleasure to meet you. I am the Vampire Lord, Malinu.”

“Crazy bastard, how can it talk….”

Hanging upside down from a tree.

The Vampire Lord casually waved his hand in greeting.

Ralph blinked his eyes.

A monster that talks?

He had heard rumors about it.

What was it again?

That they occasionally appeared in S-rank dungeons or something.

He had naturally assumed it was just nonsense, but….

‘It’s not like I’ve never been to an S-rank dungeon.’

America’s Rank 1, Ralph Carter.

Had he never been to an S-rank dungeon?

He had gone at least three times.

Of course, he had never seen a talking monster either.

Even worse.

‘That Vampire Lord is absurdly strong.’

The moment their eyes met, he could tell.

This wasn’t something he could fight.

How should he put it?

Like the feeling of seeing a monster for the very first time right after awakening?

How could he fight when his whole body froze the instant their gazes crossed?

This….

There was no answer right now.

He had to flee no matter what.

Fortunately, he had only taken one step out of the safe zone.

If he just lifted his foot and stepped back inside, he could safely give up—.

Let’s go back first and think.

Think….

“Damn it.”

“Why? Why not give it a try?”

It was completely baffling.

The Vampire Lord was still hanging upside down from the tree, yet….

His feet wouldn’t lift off the ground.

Just why….

In the meantime, the vampire descended to the ground.

Step, step.

And as he slowly walked over….

It was pure terror itself.

Fortunately, with trembling hands, he managed to grab something from his pocket.

[Using ‘Emergency Escape Scroll’.]

Flash—!

A burst of light flared along with the scroll’s activation.

Just as he sighed in relief that he had survived—.

“Let us meet again soon.”

He returned to reality hearing that dreadful whisper, bringing him to this very moment.

[Global Announcement: Preparations for the Next Gate have begun.]

The message that followed immediately was the notification about preparing for the Next Gate.

5 nations reaching Floor 70—an absurd condition.

And if they failed to meet it?

The very regions where the Tower of Chaos stood would be annihilated.

What were the conditions for where the Towers were erected?

He quickly looked it up.

“The capitals of each nation….”

That made the blow even more devastating.

Assuming China was impossible, at least 10 national capitals were destined to be wiped out.

And the responsibility for that?

All of it would fall on the US.

No, on Ralph.

“Hah…. Why did I even climb up there….”

He regretted it repeatedly.

Yet it was already too late.

Once an announcement rang out, it could never be undone.

* * *

The Tower of Chaos with its increased difficulty.

Its aftershocks continued to erupt all across the world.

[Breaking News! Reports indicate that hunters across the globe are dying in droves due to the sudden difficulty spike in the Tower of Chaos—]

– Is this Chaos Tower difficulty increase for real?

– Hello. I’m an American who was climbing Floor 53. After seeing the difficulty increase notice, I tried Floor 52 and barely escaped with my life.

– I’m a Floor 47 climber, and I just barely managed to clear Floor 40 with great difficulty.

– Hah, I was so happy clearing Floor 10 yesterday…. Heard people saying to drop at least 5 floors so I went to Floor 5, and I barely made it out alive…. Looks like I need to drop by 7 floors?

Those who went in late were the lucky ones.

Thanks to the vanguard who risked their lives, rough guidelines had been established.

The safe bet was 7 floors below your previous level.

If you were confident, 5 floors.

Going only 3 floors lower or less?

Write your will before entering.

Go in fully prepared to die.

– Our country’s Rank 1 died;;; What do we do?

└ What else can you do;;; It has to be cleared within 3 months, so we’re screwed;;; Or go complain to America.

– But is there really any country that can clear it in time? The difficulty is insane.

– The deadline is one thing, but those Top 5 nations are the real problem. If they fail, unlucky countries will just lose their capitals.

An impossibly spiked difficulty.

Amidst that, clear it within 3 months.

Right when the entire world was beginning to despair at the impossible conditions.

News of a breakthrough came from Korea.

[Successfully cleared Floor 62 of the Tower of Chaos!]

[Successfully cleared Floor 63 of the Tower of Chaos!]

And it was news of clearing 2 whole floors in a single day.