Chapter 149

Chapter 149

As Baek Jinwoo buckled his equipment into place, a small group gathered right behind him.

The production crew from PBC, Yu Jia, and Olivia.

“I’m begging you… please make it back in one piece.”

Slicing through the heavy, suffocating atmosphere, Olivia pressed her palms tightly together.

Baek Jinwoo offered a resolute nod.

“I intend to just get a look at Floor 51 and turn right back around.”

“Naturally……”

Yu Jia murmured softly from his side, prompting a faint smile from Baek Jinwoo.

“I’ll attempt to make it quick, though it might take a bit of time.”

At the very least, that was the reassurance he offered them.

There had to be a specific explanation for why Rachel hadn’t managed to make her way out.

I cannot let my guard down. Not even for a fleeting second.

In all honesty, considering his current level of power……

He could likely sprint straight through to Floor 80 of the Tower of Trials without encountering much resistance.

Even so, there was always that unpredictable element of the unknown.

Particularly when one crossed into the intermediate stages of the tower, anomalous events could multiply without end.

Baek Jinwoo had dedicated the entirety of the previous night to mapping out every conceivable scenario, breaking them down one by one.

“All right, let’s wrap up the parting words. I’ll be on my way.”

Click.

He pressed down on the recording function of his equipment, which hummed into motion with a deep, vibrating buzz.

“Understood, sir! Wishing you a safe journey, Ranker!”

“Please be careful!”

“……Don’t make us wait too long.”

Carrying their parting wishes with him, Baek Jinwoo stepped forward.

Heading toward Floor 51.

And now.

Seven full days had slipped by, and his return was still nowhere in sight.

—

“Sigh.”

Inside the primary executive office of Yubaek.

Yu Jia rested both her hands flat against her forehead, letting out a heavy, weary breath.

A deep sense of dread and panic was slowly eating away at her core.

I knew from the start that something felt amiss.

During the opening day or two, she had simply brushed the worry aside.

This marked his initial venture into the intermediate tiers of the tower, and while unusual, there were documented instances where an ascent required more than forty-eight hours.

However……?

As the third day bled into the fourth, the knot of anxiety in her chest began to expand.

It swelled to the point where concentrating on any single task became utterly impossible.

In all honesty.

If Baek Jinwoo failed to reappear, Yubaek, SKY, and everything connected to them—none of it amounted to anything at all.

The entire corporate structure and the guild itself had been established solely to support him.

“He gave his word that he’d return swiftly……”

With his presence missing, complications were beginning to fracture their operations on multiple fronts.

Was it time to make a public declaration regarding this situation?

The very thing that those on Rachel’s side had refrained from doing up to this point?

“WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, HOW DO WE FIX THIS?! AGH!”

Experiencing an even greater internal meltdown than Yu Jia, Olivia was pacing frantically back and forth across the floor directly ahead of her.

“What is actually happening on Floor 51?! Did Rachel Unni and JinuGod genuinely both perish inside that place?!”

“……Refrain from voicing such ominous thoughts.”

Yu Jia’s response was sharp as winter frost.

Words carried a heavy weight.

That brand of catastrophic speculation…… she refused to entertain it or let it occupy her mind.

“But it is the reality! How can a person vanish without a trace for an entire WEEK? And this is JinuGod we are talking about—the myth who conquered Floor 100!”

“There are numerous potential explanations. It could be a creature capable of severe chronological manipulation, or…… perhaps upon reaching Floor 51, players are restricted from exiting until they successfully breach Floor 60.”

“Do you really think that’s the case?”

Olivia brought a hand up to rest against her jaw.

That theory did possess a certain logical plausibility.

“For the moment, the primary dilemma we must resolve is…… whether or not we inform the public.”

The governing bodies of both England and South Korea were currently operating under conditions of supreme crisis.

In truth, even the official state authorities had been kept entirely in the dark.

Only the leadership of Red Rose and SKY possessed any awareness of the true circumstances.

Concurrently, the training grounds for the guild members had dissolved into absolute disarray.

The root cause was simple: Drill Sarge was no longer present.

“Sigh……”

“Only now do I truly realize how grand we had it when Drill Sarge was around.”

“No kidding. I used to view him as nothing more than an ear-splitting tyrant who constantly roared things that nobody desired to hear.”

In the absence of Drill Sarge, the advancement of summon training had reached a grinding, complete halt.

He stood alone as the individual capable of unlocking a summon’s hidden capabilities.

That was merely one facet of the issue.

The specialized respiratory training had ceased as well.

The physical conditioning routines……

Everything felt vacant. Devoid of energy. Incapable of being sustained.

Only in his absence did they recognize the immense reassurance and drive provided by Drill Sarge’s boisterous support—the way he would burst into enthusiastic applause, Clap clap!, and extend an encouraging gesture whenever someone pushed themselves to their absolute limits.

“For the time being.”

Clack.

Placing down the ink pen she had been utilizing to sign documents, Yu Jia stood up without a sound.

“I maintain my faith in him.”

“That JinuGod remains among the living?”

“Yes.”

Baek Jinwoo had given her his word.

Had there been even the slightest doubt regarding his survival, he would have chosen not to venture inside.

To Yu Jia, Baek Jinwoo represented a brilliant mind.

Not a brilliance born of academic study—something far more elusive to define. An innate, instinctive brilliance.

And that very individual had set forth filled with absolute certainty.

Therefore, he would find a path back alive. She held no doubts about it.

“We shall maintain absolute secrecy for now.”

“……”

“Until the moment he steps out, we continue to fulfill our obligations.”

Bring in fresh talent for the guild.

Organize everything necessary for the upcoming 5th World League.

“Ughhhhh.”

Olivia rubbed at her temples, trying to ease the throbbing pressure behind her eyes.

“Sigh, very well. If Unni insists on this path.”

She recognized that Yu Jia functioned as Baek Jinwoo’s authorized surrogate.

If that was the path she chose?

SKY would fall in line with her directives, without question.

And if SKY maintained that stance, their bound partners within Red Rose would be compelled to follow the identical protocol.

Truthfully, it was the wisest course of action.

Even within the ranks of the Five Emperors—allies strictly on paper—certain figures were harboring quiet resentments, based on the rumors she had gathered.

After all, Rachel had continuously seized the World League championship crown right out from under them time and again.

Should information surface that she had vanished?

The fallout could easily expand beyond anything they possessed the power to manage.

A few might wonder: surely no one would resort to such extreme measures?

Yet historical precedent provided an unyielding response to that doubt.

When enough time elapses, permanent alliances and permanent rivalries cease to exist.

Which meant the entire geopolitical landscape could transform in an instant.

“However, the exact split second Baek Jinwoo emerges, you must notify us without delay, understood? We pledge to do the precise same thing the moment Rachel Unni appears.”

“That goes without saying.”

With those final words.

Olivia departed, setting her course back toward England once more.

—

The broadcast covering Baek Jinwoo’s endeavors debuted far ahead of the projected timeline.

A multi-part documentary series titled The World’s Strongest: The Challenge.

The production team had labeled Baek Jinwoo—the top player globally and the prime catalyst for the league triumph—as “the world’s strongest,” while portraying his progression toward the tower’s 50th floor as “the challenge.”

“Quite well executed.”

Yu Jia gave an approving nod as she reviewed the entirety of the footage.

The craftsmanship was undeniably superior.

Which was entirely logical.

This specific production was a premier project intended for global distribution, serving as the foundation for PBC’s prospective financial gains.

There was no scenario where they would deliver a careless product for something of this scale.

Their finest creative talents must have sacrificed an entire week to sleepless labor to finalize the edit.

Even Yu Jia found her hands tightening into fists as she watched the narrative unfold.

Suspense was present, certainly, but it was largely overshadowed by pure, unadulterated excitement.

This transcended mere patriotism for her country. This was immense pride centered entirely on Baek Jinwoo.

“I believe it is prepared for release exactly as it stands.”

“It brings us immense comfort to know it meets your standards.”

The assembled PBC leadership let out a unified breath of relief.

What if the representatives from Yubaek had denied authorization?

It would have completely derailed the operational flow for creating the subsequent entries.

“In that case, shall we move forward according to the schedule?”

One of the PBC directors inquired with measured care.

Yu Jia cast her eyes across the display one final time, permitting herself a composed expression, and then offered her confirmation.

“Yes, I see no requirement for further alterations.”

Snap!

She closed the digital device with an air of absolute certainty, and the mood within the meeting space shifted instantly—becoming lighter and more comfortable.

The oppressive anxiety dissipated. A sense of relief washed over the faces of every director present.

“To begin, this media feature is slated for a synchronized premiere across more than thirty nations globally. We have already secured binding agreements with prominent television networks throughout Europe and North America, and extensive promotional campaigns are currently launching on the ground. Audiences in England and America are already buzzing with immense excitement.”

“Indeed, ensuring this reaches the maximum volume of viewers is our primary objective.”

“Furthermore, regarding our upcoming strategy, we plan to construct supplementary features utilizing the material gathered past Floor 50. The moment the recording of Baek Jinwoo’s Floor 60 endeavor concludes, we will immediately initiate preparation for the subsequent release. If feasible, we desire to synchronize our timelines much more closely through Yubaek’s active participation.”

That final sentiment was laced with a palpable undercurrent of nervousness.

They were seeking an ironclad guarantee—assurance that the upcoming endeavor would remain exclusively theirs to produce.

Hah.

Yu Jia let out a quiet smile.

The arrangement was highly favorable.

They had locked down half of all residual earnings, and the artistic caliber of the work was masterclass.

Even so.

“The material spanning Floors 41 through 50 involved a distinct financial arrangement, meaning the content covering Floors 51 through 60 will naturally demand supplemental terms as well, correct?”

This was entirely for the benefit of Baek Jinwoo.

She fully intended to extract every single piece of value available to them.

“Floor 60 in particular…… represents a destination that even Rachel failed to attain.”

Granted, Baek Jinwoo had not actually made his return yet, but……

A binding agreement remained a binding agreement.

It was far better to solidify all parameters at this very moment.

“Hahaha! Without a doubt!”

The promotional revenue generated by the advertising blocks flanking this presentation would be monumental.

Financial terms?

They were prepared to provide whatever sum was deemed necessary.

If the capital wasn’t readily available, they would discover a path to secure it.

“You have absolutely no cause for concern! We shall search every corner of the planet to assemble an incentive package even more grand than the one we presented previously!”

Every executive gathered in the chamber bowed their heads respectfully toward Yu Jia.

—

The public broadcast of the documentary commenced in an official capacity.

Initiating within South Korea.

England, America, Japan, Taiwan, and multiple other territories……

The feature aired in a synchronized block across numerous regions, and the resulting public feedback was nothing short of a massive sensation.

└ Incredible.

└ Is everyone currently tuning into the Baek Jinwoo feature?

└ Can this even be real? It’s hard to accept that he and I are classified as the same category of player.

└ Seriously, he operates on a completely non-human level haha.

└ Did anyone observe his manipulation of Rolly on Floor 44? What he displayed during the competitive league was a mere fraction of this skill level.

└ And Stormy, oh my goodness! Her destructive capability exists on an entirely separate plane now, doesn’t it? This bears no resemblance to the Tower of Trials; it looks as though he’s simply clearing a commonplace labyrinth;;

Within South Korea, digital platforms and community networks exploded with activity overnight.

Memorable segments showcasing each individual summon were quickly compiled into brief video clips that spread rapidly across the internet, and with every sequence depicting combat, the feedback channels swelled with profound amazement.

└ Is that the fresh companion that everyone has been discussing? Aso?

└ It appears so. An incredibly diminutive creature, adorable to look at but engages in combat like an absolute terror.

└ Drill Sarge, completely as anticipated! Carrying on the grand reputation!

└ That Dhampir is incredibly charming!

By this point, the entire populace had become deeply familiar with Baek Jinwoo’s array of summons.

Their fame had ascended to such a degree that the guild leader’s companions were prominently displayed on the primary digital hub of SKY.

└ Stormy, you have my complete devotion!

└ Pure snow white! Baek-Stormy!

└ Baek-Stormy? Haha, what is that supposed to mean?

└ Given that she belongs to Baek Jinwoo as a summon, she receives his family name, obviously lol.

Dedicated follower communities began to form for every distinct summon, with Stormy’s individual renown experiencing a massive surge that eclipsed many others.

Yet, as one would naturally expect, the figure capturing the absolute peak of public adoration?

Unquestionably, it was Baek Jinwoo himself.

└ This is completely mind-boggling. Now I finally comprehend the true standard of an international champion.

└ Baek Jinwoo stands as an absolute asset to the country.

└ Did anyone happen to catch the moment the Floor 45 intermediate guardian was taken down in a single blow?

└ So the intermediate 40s utilize a Titan motif, it seems. The narrative progression from Floor 41 leading up to the final entity on Floor 50—I devoured every single second of it.

Simultaneously, the wave of excitement across America matched that fervor step for step.

Right after the conclusion of the broadcast, the social tag “Baek Jinwoo” surged straight to the peak of global real-time discussion lists, and prominent digital commentators offered their own insights regarding his engagement videos.

─ Have you all laid eyes on Jinwoo Baek? That engagement on floor 45 mirrored a high-budget cinematic piece! Completely mind-blowing!

─ He literally neutralized the entire floor single-handedly with zero friction. This represents the absolute pinnacle of human capability!

─ I possessed awareness of his strength, but this surpasses all expectations……

The American audience rained accolades upon Baek Jinwoo’s flawless combat precision.

The environment within England mirrored this sentiment perfectly.

The precise instant the media feature concluded, journalistic pieces flooded the market, and Baek Jinwoo’s combat sequences took command of the primary news feeds.

[Baek Jinwoo, the Campaign to Dominate Floor 50! No Obstacle Could Obstruct Him! A Three-Part Masterpiece! When Does Part 2 Arrive?]

[A Confrontation Mirroring the Grand Scales of Classic Mythology! Every Single Second Took Our Breath Away!]

[Has the Time Arrived to Concede? The Emergence of a Modern Zenith, Eclipsing Even Rachel!]

The presentation carried that level of profound impact—to the point where even a nation as steeped in competitive pride as England was publishing commentary of that nature.

Every population group was deeply affected by Baek Jinwoo.

Martial prowess, unyielding determination, tactical acumen, execution. Every single metric.

All of it was executed flawlessly and possessed an intrinsic beauty.

“Ah, his endeavor went far beyond the mere establishment of a new benchmark.”

“Without a doubt! I believe we are justified in classifying this performance as an independent masterpiece of art!”

“The subsequent segment! We absolutely REQUIRE the next installment!”

It marked the precise window in time where a solitary broadcast held the undivided attention of the entire world.