Chapter 127

    A month had passed since clearing the 5th floor.

    While a month might seem like a long time, in the grand scheme of a lifetime, it is not that significant. Assuming a human lifespan of 100 years, a month constitutes approximately 0.08% of one’s life. Wasting 0.08% of your life isn’t something anyone would despair over.

    You think I’m exaggerating? Let’s consider the earth’s transformation. If it takes 10 years for landscapes to change drastically, a month would account for only about 0.8% of that period. Similarly, it’s an insignificant figure.

    『 Player Association Established... The first President is “Mighty Michael” Michael Jeter.』

    『 Korean Government Awards Presidential Commendation to Choi Ji-Won... First Domestic Player to Climb the 10th Floor.』

    However, during turbulent times like these, a single month was more than enough to upend human society. For players, their lives had clearly changed. Even ordinary people, who could barely comprehend information about the “Tower,” felt its influence firsthand.

    『 Actor Lee Min-Ho Reveals He Has Awakened as a Player... Attributes Kept Confidential.』

    『 60-Year-Old Grandpa Crosses 100 Meters in 10 Seconds—What’s His Secret?!』

    For the general public, the most striking aspect was the mere existence of players. A frail woman lifting a car with ease or conjuring flames in midair had ceased to be surprising. After all, hadn’t the U.S. Vice President created an ice block live on television?

    YouTube’s algorithm had already been overtaken by player-related videos, and players appearing on mainstream TV was now routine. People had come to accept the idea that “humans with superpowers” had emerged.

    『 Surge in Player Crimes... Criticism of the Korean Government’s “Slow Response.”』

    『 Subway Massacre on Morning Commute Leaves 71 Dead... Culprit is “Another Player.”』

    『 Why You Should Beware of Players Without Visible Body Parts.』

    Of course, this didn’t mean that players had become universally embraced. Although governments were trying to heroize some players, one of the main issues brought about by the Tower was the crimes committed by players. After all, even mentally unstable individuals had been granted powers.

    Players with enhanced stats and unique abilities could kill ordinary people as easily as snapping a child’s wrist. They didn’t even need visible weapons—since their very bodies were lethal, assassination cases surged worldwide. Preventative measures were nearly impossible.

    『 Korean Government Declares “No Compromise.” Allows Use of Live Ammunition.』

    『 Japan’s “Concrete Prison”: Does It Work? (Exclusive Column)』

    Naturally, world leaders weren’t fools and took action. Problematic players were immediately shot on sight. No matter how extraordinary a player was, they were still human at their core—and humans die when shot.

    But what about players who escaped through portals to the 1st floor? Exploiting the fact that portals always appeared at the same location in the real world, governments laid traps or even sealed the areas with concrete. If the location happened to be in the middle of a city, the economic losses were astronomical, but... well, better that than more deaths.

    『 U.S. Association’s Vigilante Teams Granted Authority: Their Surprising Success. Can This Be Adopted in Korea?』

    The newly established Player Association also took the lead by organizing vigilante squads to maintain public order. While their long-term role was uncertain, for now, the association was playing a relatively positive role.

    Why the sudden mention of the association?

    [Mighty Coin.]

    [+19,832.41%]

    [Kim Jun-Ho’s Balance: ?1,983,241,000.]

    “...Wow.”

    Thanks to Player Association President Michael Jeter, the ?10 million I had invested in Mighty Coin had turned into ?2 billion.

    ?2 billion. An amount I had never even dreamed of holding. With ?2 billion, the possibilities were endless. I could order 100,000 chickens or buy ten luxury sports cars. Nearly every indulgence humanity offered was now within reach.

    There were only a few things this fortune couldn’t buy. Hmm... It wasn’t quite enough to buy a house in Seoul, nor was it sufficient for a mid-tier potion.

    With ?2 billion in my account, I could book him a first-class plane ticket myself. On top of that, the person asking was Choi Ji-Won, Korea’s top player and recipient of the Presidential Medal. Worst-case scenario, I could mention how I saved people on the 4th floor. Naturally, I expected a positive response.

    “...Ah, I see. Oh... yes. Okay. Thank you. Goodbye.”

    Choi Ji-Won lowered her phone, shaking her head in disbelief.

    “They said they can’t reach him.”

    “Why not?”

    “Well...”

    It wasn’t because William Smith bore a grudge against me over the 4th floor. My memory of William Smith was of a kind, ethical, and warm-hearted American.

    The reason was simpler than that.

    “He’s apparently... impossibly busy right now.”

    “?”

    “He’s been overwhelmed with people seeking treatment from across the United States...”

    William Smith was so busy that he barely had time to breathe.

    “...?”

    Nationwide Treatment? Suddenly?

    Confused, I grabbed my phone and searched through U.S. online communities. Just typing “William” brought up a flood of posts.

    『There’s a god living in California. He’s saving the sick.』

    『I’m grateful to live in the same era as William Smith...』

    『I hate myself for ever doubting his abilities. This era belongs to William Smith.』

    『Even Florence Nightingale was just a great nurse in comparison.』

    “????”

    None of this sounded familiar. I was certain I had never seen anything like this during my previous regressions. If this level of buzz had existed, I would have known.

    Which could only mean one thing.

    “...This is my doing, isn’t it?”

    The kind-hearted healer William Smith had become a pivotal figure—and it was all because of me.

    – – – End of Chapter – – -

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