Chapter 68
"This is the shocking news that China's Wang Kai, the official World's Highest Level Climber, has died due to a battle with Person123 on the 5th Floor..."
The death of Wang Kai, which had been circulating as a rumor, was soon confirmed.
News media worldwide urgently broadcast breaking news.
\[Lemon: But this really makes no sense? How did Person123, who is Level 40, kill Wang Kai?\]
\[Lizard Tail: Looking at the difficulty of the Branch Towers he cleared, he definitely wasn't just at a Level 40 level.\]
\[Cocktail: They say Wang Kai died without even being able to put up a fight... but surely that's an exaggeration, right?\]
\[Heo Gang: Well. From what I know, the talk going around here is actually an understatement.\]
\[Hando: Isn't the Public Order Squad going to release some kind of official statement?\]
\[Freh: I heard the Public Order Squad is currently keeping its mouths shut.\]
How strong Person123 was, whether he was really Korean, what the specific reason for his dispute with Wang Kai was.
As the rumors were getting more and more heated, Public Order Captain Alex posted a message in the communication window.
It was the official statement from the Public Order Squad.
\[Sanmaek: This is Alex, the 5th Floor Public Order Captain. I am revealing the exact facts and our stance regarding the recent incident.
A dispute occurred in Zone 3 due to a Territory Dispute over hunting grounds between the Public Order Squad and the Black Star Society, which led to a Direct Conflict resulting in several deceased persons on both sides. Our Public Order Squad had 5 casualties, and the Black Star Society had 3.
In that situation, Wang Kai and I arrived at the scene, and we decided to have a One-on-One Battle where the losing side would admit fault and put an end to the situation. As a result, I lost to Wang Kai and conceded, but Wang Kai tried to kill the entire Public Order Squad present at the scene.
At that time, Person123 intervened to protect the Public Order Squad and mediate the fight. Person123 repeatedly warned Wang Kai to stop, but Wang Kai did not listen and instead continued to threaten and attack Person123. In the end, Wang Kai died due to Person123's counterattack.
The one who attacked Person123 first was Wang Kai, and the one who did not listen even though Person123 warned him to stop multiple times was also Wang Kai. I am making this clear. Person123 killing Wang Kai was completely self-defense, and our Public Order Squad was able to save our lives thanks to him...\]
A lengthy statement detailing the situation at the time.
It was a post that drove a wedge into the circulating rumors.
\[Haeryong: I knew it. That's just like those bastards from the Black Star Society.\]
\[Fantasy: Person123 killed someone << Logically, whose fault would it be? You don't even have to look to know the dead guy obviously did something to get himself killed, right?\]
\[Necromancer: Wang Kai is a seriously crazy bastard. He dared to try to kill Person123?\]
\[Webby: No, my brain just can't comprehend this...? Unless he was determined to destroy the world, how could he do something like that?\]
\[Winter Wind: Fr, even someone with Anger Management Disorder should become good at managing their anger in that situation, shouldn't they lol\]
\[Coffee: China needs to hurry up and release an apology or a statement.\]
The arrows of blame instantly and intensely turned toward the Black Star Society and China.
Some Chinese climbers tried to shield Wang Kai and criticize Person123's actions, but they were met with a barrage of beatings from the angry public.
It was a good thing Person123 was stronger than Wang Kai, but what if Wang Kai had been stronger and something went wrong with Person123?
It was a terrible thing to even imagine. The world had truly almost ended.
Soon, the Black Star Society's statement was also posted.
\[Heukgak: The Public Order Squad's stance is completely different from the truth, and they are maliciously framing us.\]
However, the content was the exact opposite of the Public Order Squad's stance.
The Public Order Captain's words were lies, the dispute occurred because the Public Order Squad attacked first, and Wang Kai never threatened or attacked Person123 first.
Rather, Person123 intimidated Wang Kai and ambushed and killed Wang Kai as he was trying to retreat...
To summarize the lengthy statement they released, its gist was something like that.
\[Parangsae: Truly, the only word that comes out is bullshit lol\]
\[Safe Driving: It's amazing in a different sense, really.\]
\[Dofre: Person123 ambushed and attacked Wang Kai... Do they seriously think anyone is going to believe this when they write it?\]
Of course, since there were no other witnesses, only the Public Order Squad and the Black Star Society at the scene would know the truth.
The side people believed was naturally the Public Order Squad's stance.
More accurately, they believed Person123.
Person123, the Hero who had saved Humanity countless times, who had taken on penalties himself to nullify the 3-year Rule, and who had dedicated and sacrificed himself for Humanity more than anyone else.
Logically, between such a Person123 and Wang Kai, which side would have brought the fight upon itself?
Several nations, including the United States, also issued statements strongly condemning Wang Kai and China.
And before long, the Chinese Government's official statement also came out...
"This is a lie, an incitement, and a frame-up thoroughly fabricated by forces hostile to China. We will never go against the truth and bow our heads..."
Even China's official stance was that Wang Kai did nothing wrong and it would absolutely not apologize.
As the Chinese Government, having lost Wang Kai, went on a rampage, public opinion flared up greatly once again.
---
China's Zhongnanhai Standing Committee meeting.
Where all the Standing Committee Members, including Chairman Zhiyuan, were gathered, the atmosphere in the conference room was very heavy.
The damage China was currently suffering because of Wang Kai's death could truly be called omnidirectional.
Losing Wang Kai himself, the Hard Difficulty Record Holder and the World's Highest Level Climber, was a massive loss to begin with. Chongqing's mana vein had been deactivated, whether the Branch Tower Ownership he held was processed as extinguished...
Now that even Person123 was entangled in it, China was facing a crisis in international politics as well, receiving condemnation and criticism worldwide.
Wang Kai, that reckless fool, had created a massive problem and ultimately left.
Chairman Zhiyuan formulated a single plan to break through this situation.
Even without this, his power within the party had been growing increasingly precarious for the past few years due to various issues, including economic problems.
If they meekly admitted their fault, China would suffer a severe blow to its reputation, in addition to the damages suffered so far, and if that happened, it would serve as an opportunity for its internal standing to be greatly shaken once again.
China was currently being attacked worldwide, but traditionally, external attacks were an opportunity to strengthen internal cohesion.
This was all a scheme by the Western Powers against China, an aggressive act. China was more skilled at such framing than anyone else.
Externally, they would engage in evasion of responsibility and drag the situation out vaguely.
Internally, they would instigate and inspire the populace, whose pride had been hurt by Wang Kai's death and whose dissatisfaction would be accumulating due to the criticisms pouring toward China, thereby solidifying their support. It was a perfect plan.
He hadn't said anything yet, but what if Person123 threatened to give up on the Nightmare Strategy again?
Even so, he intended to go all the way.
Would only China be finished then? The world would be finished together.
Anyway, looking at the actions Person123 had shown so far, there was no way he would ultimately give up on the Nightmare Strategy. Surely he wouldn't let all of Humanity die just because it didn't apologize a little.
"There is nothing to be shaken by. We just have to continue holding out without backing down..."
Bang, bang, bang!
Gunshots suddenly rang out from outside the conference room.
Chairman Zhiyuan and the Standing Committee Members stood up in surprise.
"What is that sound?"
The conference room door opened urgently, and agents from the Security Bureau rushed in.
"You must evacu... Ugh!"
*At that moment, another agent flying in from outside smashed into the wall along with the agent who had opened the door.*
Smiling brightly, a figure walked into the conference room.
"Everyone, please stay seated. You must be very surprised."
China's representative Nightmare Challenger, Ye Cheonwi.
Several agents followed him in and surrounded the Chairman and the Standing Committee Members.
Ye Cheonwi sat in the seat of honor, tidying his slightly disheveled slicked-back hair with bloodstained hands.
He looked around at the Chairman and the Standing Committee Members, who were left dumbfounded.
"You all understand what the situation is, right?"
"..."
"Let's keep this clean and neat. Raise your hand now, anyone who wants to die an ugly death."
Of course, no one raised his or her hand.
---
After the happening in Zone 3.
I planned not to enter the 5th Floor until the situation was somewhat sorted out.
When I looked at the communication window or the news, the atmosphere was such that everyone was taking the side of the Public Order Squad and me. I had expected it, of course.
And the talk about my personal information was also noisy.
That I was Korean, that I was a young man, what my face looked like, how tall I was...
It was somewhat correct, but there were even more false rumors circulating beyond that, so I figured I really didn't need to worry about this part.
\[Chicken Sandwich: I am truly glad you are safe, Mr. Kim. If there is anything you need my help with, please let me know at any time.\]
I also received a message from Billon asking how I was doing.
He said his heart dropped when he heard the news. I replied, telling him to rest assured as I didn't have a single injury.
Anyway, I didn't write any separate posts in the communication window or anything.
The Public Order Squad had already said everything that needed to be said by posting their statement.
And a refuting statement was also posted by the Black Star Society...
It was just ridiculously unfunny content.
I thought they would at least stay quiet, but they were framing me.
Even the Chinese Government stepped up and issued a statement that was no different.
I didn't really have any particular thoughts about it.
If you have no expectations, there is no disappointment in the first place.
Well, keep blabbering or whatever. What can you guys even do by blabbering?
I was thinking I should try going back slowly to the 5th Floor.
At that time, another unexpected event occurred.
"...The death of Climber Wang Kai is clearly a disaster he brought upon himself, and we deeply feel the management failure of our party. Regarding this, we express our deep regrets and apologies to Person123. Furthermore, for plunging Worldwide into a crisis with his foolish actions, we also convey our apologies to the citizens of Worldwide on behalf of the deceased Wang Kai..."
Suddenly, China did a 180-degree turn in its attitude and issued a statement.
Even Chairman Zhiyuan stepped up and read the apology with a haggard face.
The words that followed were also quite long.
"...As the Supreme Leader of the party, I failed to fulfill my responsibilities and caused unnecessary external friction, leading to the isolation of the nation. Furthermore, along with the deterioration of my personal health, I have realized that I no longer possess the political and moral qualifications to lead this massive nation.
Therefore, I, Zhiyuan, have decided to immediately step down from all positions as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the President of the State, and the Central Military Commission as of today..."
Wow.
What is this.
- China's Chairman Zhiyuan has announced his resignation. He has transferred full authority to Haoran, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the number one figure in the military...
It seemed a coup d'état had occurred in China.
---
The briefing room of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, CIA.
On the screen at the front, photos of several key figures of the Communist Party of China, including Chairman Zhiyuan, were attached.
"...The coup d'état was carried out incredibly quickly and without any superfluous actions. It is presumed that they targeted the time of the Political Bureau Standing Committee meeting to secure the persons of all the Standing Committee Members, including Chairman Zhiyuan, at once."
"That couldn't have been easy?"
"From various circumstances, it appears they co-opted some of the Security Bureau agents and simply broke through the rest, but..."
"If they had even mobilized Climber forces, it would have been a sure thing."
The agent giving the briefing nodded.
"It's an impossible coup d'état unless it was thoroughly planned from the beginning. Taking advantage of the gap where Wang Kai died and the party's currently shaking internal cohesion, they executed it immediately and boldly."
And they forced the Chairman to resign, confiscated the authority of the Chairman and the Standing Committee Members, declared a State of Emergency, and then formed an Emergency Response Committee, even finishing the preparation of a justification to seize power without any noise. It was a smooth progression, flowing like water.
He pointed with a laser pointer at the photos connected by lines like a spiderweb.
"The one who has currently seized full authority of the party is Haoran, the number one figure in the military. And the key personnel who are certainly involved are Long Weige, the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission here, Central Committee Member Xiaolin..."
The laser pointer, which had been pointing through the photos, stopped at one photo.
"...Above all, the most key figure is Ye Cheonwi."
The 4th Floor China's Nightmare Climber.
He was also the third son of Ye Chenzhe, the former Vice Chairman and a senior figure of the Daejindang, the largest faction in the Communist Party of China.
Due to this background, Ye Cheonwi was a figure the United States had been keeping a close eye on from the start.
A figure who could be called the elite of the elites in the party was challenging the Nightmare Difficulty at the Front Line alongside the United States' Taylor, excluding Person123.
Because he was a figure who rarely appeared in public settings, there isn't much that has been figured out about him even until now, but...
"As a result of synthesizing all the intelligence, it is judged that there is a very high probability that this Ye Cheonwi led this coup d'état."
"...Are you saying Ye Cheonwi is acting as a shadow power broker behind Haoran as well?"
"It is still difficult to accurately determine to what extent Ye Cheonwi holds power, but the possibility is high."
If so, it meant that a Climber was now directly holding power in the Communist Party of China.
The expressions of the CIA agents seriously hardened.
"This might be an unprecedented situation... We need to figure out what kind of disposition Ye Cheonwi has in more detail."
After staging the coup d'état, China suddenly took a stance of completely admitting its fault, borrowing the mouth of former Chairman Zhiyuan.
Even that was an action with an unknown purpose. Was it adding justification for the coup d'état?
However, completely admitting fault rather than just glossing over it appropriately was an action that would bring more harm than good to China no matter how you looked at it.
Whether Ye Cheonwi had truly seized the party's power, why he was taking such actions, and what the picture he was envisioning and his purpose were remained unclear.
Thinking about how they would be endlessly busy again from now on, the CIA agents couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
---
\[Heukgak: The statement released by the Public Order Squad is the truth without an inch of falsehood, and everything is the fault of the deceased Wang Kai and our Black Star Society. We offer our deep apologies to Person123 for all the wrongs we have committed...\]
China's coup d'état occurred.
Their attitude changed as if it had completely flipped.
The Black Star Society, which had released the false statement, also posted an apology to Person123 again.
\[Hwadan: But aren't they groveling a bit too much compared to what I expected?\]
\[Dolgyeoksocheong: What do you mean too much? If they have a conscience as humans, they should do that.\]
\[Radki: I mean for China, that is.\]
People felt like things were finally running properly, but they were also slightly puzzled.
While the situation rapidly changed over just a few days, Person123, as expected, did not release any statement. Since he was originally that kind of person, everyone just figured that was how it was.
The Wang Kai Incident was wrapping up like that, and the public's attention shifted back to the information revealed about Person123 rather than China.
A certain high-rise building in Beijing, China.
"Tell me how Wang Kai died, just exactly as you saw it."
Ye Cheonwi, sitting in a chair, spoke while fiddling with an object like a rosary.
The Black Star Society officer standing in front of him answered in a tense voice.
"I'm not... sure. Person123 shot something like a Black Ray."
"And?"
"...When the Black Ray covered Wang Kai, Wang Kai just disappeared. Th-that really is everything."
Ye Cheonwi let out a laugh.
"Understood. You may go now."
The Black Star Society Officer left the room.
Ye Cheonwi spun his chair around and looked down at the scenery outside the building.
"As expected..."
He truly was an amazing person, as expected.
Of course, there was no way someone like Wang Kai could dare be compared to him—but to think there was such a massive gap.
Thanks to Person123 killing Wang Kai, Person123 was able to execute his plan right at the opportune time.
Now, the majority of the Communist Party of China's power has fallen into Ye Cheonwi's grasp.
At the very least, China would no longer do anything to obstruct that person's path forward.
Ye Cheonwi smiled and continued to fiddle with the object in his hand.
A rosary with the number 123 engraved on a human-shaped metal ornament.
It was a pattern that was no different from the symbol of the Person123 Church.