Climbing the Tower with Time-Stop Ability - Chapter 68

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

◈ Climbing the Tower with Time-Stop Ability

Chapter 68

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Floor 5 (6)

- This is shocking news. Wang Kai of China, officially the world’s highest-level Climber, has died in a battle with Person123 on Floor 5...

The rumors of Wang Kai’s death, which had been circulating like gossip, were soon confirmed.

News outlets around the world rushed out breaking reports.

[Lemon: But this seriously makes no sense, right? How did Person123, who’s level 40, kill Wang Kai?]

[Lizard Tail: Looking at the sub-towers he cleared, he was obviously never at level-40 strength anyway]

[Cocktail: They’re saying Wang Kai died without even putting up a fight... no matter what, that has to be exaggerated, right?]

[Heo Kang: Not sure. From what I know, people here are actually understating it.]

[Hando: Isn’t the Peacekeeping Corps releasing any official statement or something?]

[Freh: Heard the Peacekeeping Corps is basically locking everything down right now]

How strong Person123 really was, whether he was truly Korean, and what exactly led to his clash with Wang Kai.

As the rumors kept overheating, Peacekeeper Captain Alex posted in the Communication Window.

It was the Peacekeeping Corps’ official statement.

[Mountain Range: I am Alex, Peacekeeper Captain of Floor 5. I am here to clarify the exact facts and our official position regarding the recent incident.

A conflict broke out in Zone 3 over hunting-ground territory between the Peacekeeping Corps and the Black Star Society, and it escalated into direct clashes that caused multiple deaths on both sides. We lost 5 people on the Peacekeeping Corps side, and the Black Star Society lost 3.

In that situation, Wang Kai and I arrived at the scene, and we agreed to settle it with a one-on-one duel, with the loser admitting fault and ending the matter. As a result, I lost to Wang Kai and accepted that outcome, but Wang Kai then tried to kill every Peacekeeping Corps member at the scene.

At that point, Person123 intervened to protect the Peacekeeping Corps and mediate the fight. Person123 repeatedly warned Wang Kai to stop, but Wang Kai did not listen and instead continued threatening and attacking Person123. Wang Kai died as a result of Person123’s counterattack.

It was Wang Kai who attacked Person123 first, and it was Wang Kai who ignored multiple warnings to stop. I am making this absolutely clear. Person123 killing Wang Kai was clear self-defense, and our Peacekeeping Corps survived thanks to him...]

It was a long statement detailing what happened.

It drove a final nail into all the rumors flying around.

[Sea Dragon: Yep, figures. Those Black Star Society bastards are exactly what we thought]

[Fantasy: If Person123 killed someone, then who do you think was at fault? Use common sense. You can tell without even seeing it that the dead guy had it coming.]

[Necromancer: Wang Kai was actually insane. He dared to try killing Person123?]

[Webby: No, my brain genuinely can’t process this...? Unless he was trying to end the world, how do you do something like that?]

[Winter Wind: For real, even if you have anger issues, you’re still supposed to control your anger lol]

[Coffee: China needs to release either an apology or a statement now.]

In an instant, public anger focused on the Black Star Society and China.

Some Chinese Climbers tried to defend Wang Kai and criticize Person123’s actions, but furious backlash buried them.

It was only because Person123 was stronger than Wang Kai. If Wang Kai had been stronger and something had happened to Person123 instead?

Even imagining it was horrifying. The world had almost been destroyed.

Soon, the Black Star Society also posted a statement.

[Black Horn: The Peacekeeping Corps statement is completely different from the truth and is maliciously framing us.]

But its contents were the complete opposite of the Peacekeeping Corps statement.

The Peacekeeper Captain was lying, the Peacekeeping Corps attacked first, and Wang Kai never threatened or attacked Person123 first.

Instead, Person123 intimidated Wang Kai, then ambushed and killed him while Wang Kai was trying to back off...

That was the summary of their long statement.

[Bluebird: This is so insane all you can do is swear lol]

[Safe Driving: This is impressive in a completely different way]

[Dofre: Person123 ambushed Wang Kai first... do they seriously think anyone will believe this?]

Of course, there were no outside witnesses, so only the Peacekeeping Corps and Black Star Society members at the scene knew the full truth.

But people naturally believed the Peacekeeping Corps.

More precisely, they believed Person123.

The hero who had already saved humanity multiple times, taken penalties on himself to nullify the 3-year rule, and devoted and sacrificed himself for humanity more than anyone else.

Between Person123 and Wang Kai, who would have started the fight, realistically?

Several countries, including the United States, released statements strongly condemning Wang Kai and China.

Before long, the Chinese government also released an official statement...

“This is complete fabrication, incitement, and slander orchestrated by forces hostile to China. We will never bow our heads against the truth...”

Even China’s official stance was basically that Wang Kai did nothing wrong, and they would never apologize.

The Chinese government, having lost Wang Kai, went into overdrive, and public fury exploded all over again.

* * *

Zhongnanhai, China. Standing Committee meeting.

All Standing Committee members were present, including Chairman Ziyuan, and a heavy silence hung over the room.

Wang Kai’s death. The damage China was taking from it could be called total and all-directional.

Losing Wang Kai himself, the top Hard-difficulty record holder and the world’s highest-level Climber, was already a massive loss. His sub-tower ownership also appeared to have vanished with his death, as Chongqing’s mana vein had been deactivated...

On top of that, with Person123 now involved, China was under global condemnation and criticism, facing an international political crisis.

That reckless bastard Wang Kai had died after leaving behind a colossal mess.

Chairman Ziyuan came up with one plan to break the deadlock.

His power inside the Party had already been growing unstable for years because of economic issues and other problems.

If he openly admitted fault, then on top of the damage already suffered, China’s national pride would be dragged through the mud, which would become another major trigger shaking his domestic position yet again.

The whole world was attacking China, but historically, external attacks could be turned into opportunities to harden internal unity.

This was all a plot and aggressive move by Western forces against China. China had always been extremely skilled at framing things that way.

Externally, evade responsibility and let the issue fade.

Internally, stir up and rally the people, whose pride had been hurt by Wang Kai’s death and whose resentment was rising from global criticism of China, then lock in support. It was a perfect plan.

He still had not spoken, but what if Person123 threatened again to stop clearing?

Looking at everything Person123 had shown so far, he would never actually give up on Nightmare clears anyway. Would he really let all humanity die just because China did not apologize?

“There is nothing to waver over. We only need to stand firm and refuse to back down-”

Bang bang bang!

Sudden gunshots rang out from outside the conference room.

Chairman Ziyuan and the Standing Committee members jolted to their feet in shock.

“What is that sound?”

The conference-room doors burst open, and Central Guard Bureau agents rushed in.

“You need to evacu- urk!”

At that moment, another agent flew in from the hallway and slammed into the wall together with the one who had opened the door.

A man walked into the conference room with a bright smile.

“Everyone, please stay seated. You must be very startled.”

China’s representative Nightmare Climber, Ye Tianwei.

Several agents followed him in and surrounded the chairman and Standing Committee members.

Ye Tianwei sat in the head seat, smoothing his slightly disheveled slicked-back hair with a bloodstained hand.

Then he looked over the stunned chairman and committee members.

“I assume you all understand the situation.”

“...”

“Let’s keep this clean and neat. If anyone wants to die ugly, raise your hand now.”

Of course, no one raised a hand.

* * *

After that incident in Zone 3,

I planned to stay out of Floor 5 until things settled down a bit.

From the Communication Window and the news, everyone was taking the Peacekeeping Corps’ side and mine. Just as expected.

There was also endless noise about my identity.

Korean, young man, what my face looked like, how tall I was...

Some of it was roughly right, but there were even more wild rumors beyond that, so I figured I didn’t need to worry about this part either.

[Chicken Sandwich: I’m truly relieved you are safe, Mr. Kim. If there is anything you need from me, please tell me anytime.]

Billon also contacted me to check in.

He said his heart dropped when he heard the news. I replied that I didn’t even have a scratch, so he could relax.

Anyway, I didn’t post anything in the Communication Window myself.

The Peacekeeping Corps had already posted a statement and said everything that needed to be said.

Then the Black Star Society posted a rebuttal statement too...

It was so ridiculous it wasn’t even funny.

I thought they’d at least keep quiet, but they were trying to frame me.

Even the Chinese government came out with a statement that was no different.

I didn’t think much of it.

No expectations, no disappointment.

Keep talking if you want, whatever. What can you even do by talking~.

I was just thinking it was about time to head back into Floor 5.

Then something unexpected happened again.

“...Climber Wang Kai’s death was clearly a disaster brought on by his own actions, and we deeply acknowledge our Party’s failures in management. We express our profound regret and apology to Person123. We also apologize to citizens around the world, on behalf of the deceased Wang Kai, for plunging the world into danger through foolish actions...”

China suddenly did a complete 180 and released a new statement.

Chairman Ziyuan himself came out and read the apology with a haggard face.

What followed went on for a long time.

“...As the Party’s top leader, I failed to fulfill my responsibilities, and by causing unnecessary friction internationally, I brought isolation upon the nation. Along with my deteriorating personal health, I have realized that I no longer have the political or moral qualifications to lead such a great country.

Accordingly, as of today, I, Ziyuan, have decided to immediately resign from my positions as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State President, and all posts within the Central Military Commission...”

Wow.

What was this?

- China’s Chairman Ziyuan has announced his resignation. He has transferred full authority to Haoran, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the military’s number one figure...

It looked like a coup had happened in China.

* * *

CIA briefing room, United States.

On the front screen were photos of key Chinese Communist Party figures, including Chairman Ziyuan.

“...The coup was carried out extremely quickly and cleanly. We estimate they targeted the Politburo Standing Committee meeting and secured the entire group, including Chairman Ziyuan, in one sweep.”

“That couldn’t have been easy.”

“Based on multiple signs, it appears they co-opted some Central Guard Bureau agents and forced through the rest...”

“If they mobilized Climber assets too, that would have locked it down.”

The briefing officer nodded.

“This would have been impossible unless it had been planned thoroughly in advance. They moved immediately and decisively after Wang Kai’s death, exploiting cracks in internal Party unity.”

Then they forced the chairman’s resignation, seized authority from him and the Standing Committee, declared a state of emergency, and formed an Emergency Response Committee, giving themselves justification to take power without resistance. The process was smooth, like flowing water.

He pointed with a laser at photos connected in a web.

“Haoran, the military’s number one figure, currently holds full Party authority. Other major figures clearly involved include Long Weige, Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Central Committee member Xiaolin...”

The laser pointer moved across the photos and stopped at one.

“...Most importantly, this is the key figure. Ye Tianwei.”

China’s Nightmare Floor 4 Climber.

Also the third son of former vice chairman Ye Qianzhe, an elder of the Daejin Faction, the largest faction in the Chinese Communist Party.

Because of that background, Ye Tianwei had already been someone the U.S. was watching very closely.

An elite among elites in the Party, yet one of the very few fighting on the front line of Nightmare difficulty alongside Taylor of the U.S., excluding Person123.

He rarely appeared in public, so there was still little confirmed about him...

“But after combining all available intelligence, we judge there is a very high probability that Ye Tianwei led this coup.”

“...Are you saying Ye Tianwei may be the hidden power even behind Haoran?”

“It is still difficult to determine exactly how much power Ye Tianwei controls, but that possibility is high.”

If true, that would mean China’s Communist Party was now directly controlled by a Climber.

The CIA officers’ expressions hardened.

“This may be an unprecedented situation... We need a clearer read on what kind of person Ye Tianwei is.”

After the coup, using former Chairman Ziyuan’s voice, China suddenly took a full-admission stance on fault.

Even that move had unclear intent. Extra justification for the coup?

Still, this wasn’t vague damage control. Fully admitting fault was, no matter how you looked at it, more harmful than beneficial for China.

Did Ye Tianwei really seize Party power, why was he acting this way, and what overall design and objective did he have?

The CIA officers could only feel a headache coming as they thought about how nonstop busy they were about to be again.

* * *

[Black Horn: The statement released by the Peacekeeping Corps is the truth without a single lie, and everything was the fault of the late Wang Kai and our Black Star Society. We offer deep apologies to Person123 for all our wrongdoing...]

After the coup in China,

their attitude changed completely.

The Black Star Society, which had posted a false statement before, also posted another apology to Person123.

[Flower Bed: But aren’t they bowing way too fast?]

[Assault Rifle: What do you mean too fast. If you have a conscience as a human being, that’s exactly what you should do]

[Radki: They mean for China, that’s what’s unusual]

People felt like things were finally getting back on track, but at the same time they were slightly dumbfounded.

During those few days, while the whole situation kept flipping rapidly, Person123 still said nothing. Since he had always been that kind of figure, people just took it in stride.

That was how the Wang Kai incident wound down, and public attention shifted again from China to the information that had surfaced about Person123.

A high-rise building in Beijing, China.

“Tell me how Wang Kai died. Only what you saw.”

Ye Tianwei sat in a chair, fiddling with something like a rosary as he spoke.

A Black Star Society executive standing before him answered in a tense voice.

“I... don’t know exactly. Person123 fired something like a black beam.”

“And then?”

“...When that black beam engulfed Wang Kai, Wang Kai disappeared on the spot. Th-that’s really all there was.”

Ye Tianwei let out a quiet laugh.

“Understood. You may go now.”

The executive left the room.

Ye Tianwei spun his chair and looked out over the city.