Above the Golden Gate Bridge.
Several vehicles were stationed on the bridge, which would have typically been off-limits under normal circumstances.
“Everyone, right now we are…”
“According to the government’s official announcement…”
Reporters, with their microphones displaying their broadcasting station logos, stood on the road of the Golden Gate Bridge, speaking into the cameras with the S-Rank Tower looming behind them.
If this were another country, there might be people setting up their smartphones on tripods and exclaiming, “Yo, guys!!” in the background, regardless of the news being broadcast. However, at least on this bridge, such voices could not be heard.
“Ah, let me through…”
Click.
“Ah, that won’t be possible. No.”
Not only were police cars present, but a special task force had also been deployed to control access to the Golden Gate Bridge. The officers stood with stern expressions, ready to use force if necessary, warning any approaching citizens with sharp glares.
But the people weren’t afraid—this was routine.
In fact, anyone causing trouble for the police would be considered the strange one.
At least in the United States, recklessly antagonizing the police was equivalent to saying, “I’d love to get tased or shot right now.”
If this were a case of police using excessive force against a particular group, it would be a different story. However, in this situation, they were simply enforcing control over the strategy operation for an S-Rank Tower, and no one dared to oppose them.
If anyone did, they wouldn’t be around for long.
So, whether they were reporters or ordinary citizens, the only thing they could do was wait anxiously, hoping for the successful conquest of the S-Rank Tower on the Golden Gate Bridge.
If there was anything they could do at all—
“It has now been three hours and thirty minutes since the S-Rank Tower assault began. Experts, what are your thoughts?”
“Considering past S-Rank Tower raids, the attack would usually still be in progress. However, if we consider the average clearing time of the <Master>, this is taking a little longer than usual.”
How long would it take for the Master to clear it?
“The inside of the Golden Gate Bridge Tower is known to be a vast ocean. How long is the Iowa-class 5th ship, Illinois, capable of operating in there?”
“It’s difficult to compare it to the real Illinois. According to government officials, this Illinois possesses combat power and operational capability comparable to even the most modern battleships of the current U.S. Navy…”
What level of power did the Master possess? Would they have any difficulties conquering this dungeon?
“Let’s take a look at the footage. Here’s a video recorded by an A-rank Hunter who previously entered this Tower. As you can see, upon entry, a vast ocean spreads out, and a monstrous bird appears almost immediately…”
“Which is exactly why they brought in a battleship. What better place for a warship to shine than the open sea?”
“I see… Now, let’s hear from an economic expert. Doctor, what kind of economic impact could we expect if the Golden Gate Bridge is reopened?”
“The impact would be beyond words. In Korean terms, it would be like having eight of the bridges crossing the Han River shut down and then suddenly reopened…”
Or perhaps, what would happen after the Master cleared the dungeon?
As various discussions unfolded, there was one topic people avoided speaking about carelessly.
“Why didn’t the previous heroes clear the Towers… Mmph!”
“You idiot, shut up.”
Why hadn’t the existing Hunters achieved these results?
No one dared to speak openly about that.
“Just accept that the Master is exceptional. Got it?”
“Even the Master respects the Hunters who came before. How dare you insult them? Do you want to be ‘Ironblooded’?”
“Mmph…!”
In this globalized era, everyone knew why the Master had left Korea and moved to the United States. No one spoke about it recklessly.
“We must never disappoint the Master. What if they get disappointed and move to another country?”
“This is America, though?”
“But what if Korea, with its S-Rank Hunters pushing that whole ‘Miracle of the Peninsula’ project, completely transforms? If the Master decides to return to Korea, are you going to take responsibility for that? Huh?”
“…I can’t even argue with that.”
“That’s how important the Master’s presence is.”
The land of freedom.
Freedom of speech.
Everyone understood that freedom was a given, but they also knew that freedom came with responsibility.
And with Towers scattered all over the world—many still remaining in the U.S.—no one could afford to offend the one clearing them.
Especially in a country like America, where the land was vast, but the number of Hunters was relatively small.
“But in the end, even this fortunate situation only exists because the Master is clearing the Tower—”
Gugugugu—
Just as someone was about to continue speaking, the Tower began to shake.
“…Break?”
Could it be that the dungeon was undergoing a Break, unleashing massive amounts of seawater?
As that thought crossed their minds, panic spread among the people near the Golden Gate Bridge, and they began to flee.
Kwaaaaang!!
The top of the S-rank tower.
At the very top of the Tower, a single ship burst out as if breaking through something.
“T-That is…!”
Illinois.
A battleship shot out from the summit of a Tower over 100 meters tall.
“Could it be… the strategy attempt…?”
“No, it’s not a failure!”
The Tower began to collapse.
Just as all the Towers in Korea had done before, the S-Rank Tower on the Golden Gate Bridge also started to crumble and disintegrate.
And from the collapsing peak of the massive structure, Illinois emerged, escaping the falling debris.
Then—
It slowly began to descend toward the ocean.
Instead of nosediving like a diver, it maintained a perfectly level position as it plummeted toward the water.
“E-Emergency!!”
Those on the Golden Gate Bridge panicked, their eyes widening in shock.
Kwaaaaaang!!
Illinois crashed into the sea.
For a moment, there was concern—would the impact damage or even destroy the ship?
But Illinois merely created a colossal splash, hitting the water with tremendous force before steadily resurfacing.
Swoooosh.
Water sprayed in all directions, spreading outward in massive waves.
Some even feared a tsunami would strike the Golden Gate Bridge, but the waves only barely reached the bridge’s edge, stopping just short of overflowing.
“…”
The Tower had vanished.
Illinois had emerged.
It was the very image of a Hunter completing a raid and walking out of a conquered Tower.
“O-Oh…”
People rubbed their eyes and stared at the Golden Gate Bridge.
No matter how many times they looked again and again, something that had always been there was now gone.
“O-Oooooooooh!!”
“The S-Rank Tower!!!”
“Has been conquered!!”
Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
A deafening cheer erupted.
The roar of the crowd was so powerful that the Golden Gate Bridge itself seemed to shake.
* * *
“…Why does it feel like the waves Illinois made were smaller than this reaction?”
The crowd’s excitement was far beyond expectations.
The people gathered around the Golden Gate Bridge were celebrating as if they’d won the greatest battle of their lives.
‘Damn.’
From the bridge of the Illinois, the screen displayed the scene—an outright festival.
‘So this is America.’
Jumping up and down was just the start—people were kissing each other passionately, just like the dramatic endings of blockbuster movies.
Even—
‘Whoa, that’s definitely gonna get censored.’
There were even some stripping off their clothes in sheer joy, reminiscent of World Cup celebrations that got out of hand.
Korea?
Who else could cheer like that with their shirts completely off?
Just hugging each other in joy should be enough.
‘Still, seeing them so happy puts me in a good mood.’
I had no real interest in knowing about the economic impact or other benefits of conquering the Golden Gate Bridge.
It was simply enough that one more threat to the world had been eliminated, and people were celebrating because of it.
And that one of the stacks for my fifth summon had now reached [1/6].
That alone was already more than enough reason to be happy.
Beep, Beep, Beep.
The phone rang.
Just as I stepped out of the dungeon, someone was calling me. And, as expected, the caller was none other than President Luigi.
“Yes, President.”
[…There are so many things I want to say.]
His voice was slightly hoarse.
Maybe he was overwhelmed with emotion?
Even though I could hear others around him, his voice was clearly trembling.
[Congratulations on your survival, Master.]
“Not on the conquest?”
[Even if you had failed the conquest, just returning alive is something to be grateful for. But since you succeeded as well, there is nothing more we could ask for.]
“Is that so?”
[Just say the word. What do you want? As the President, no—as an American and as your friend, I will grant whatever you ask for. We will do everything in our power.]
This wasn’t just empty talk.
Even though we were speaking in real-time over the phone, I could clearly see where President Luigi was making this call from. Drei had displayed the live broadcast feed on Illinois’ bridge display.
In front of other politicians.
With cameras and news stations broadcasting his words in real-time.
While my voice wouldn’t be picked up by the cameras, the President’s words, expressions, and the context of our conversation were currently being broadcast worldwide.
“…Did you just say anything?”
[Yes. Anything.]
For a brief moment, President Luigi’s expression showed a hint of regret.
“In that case.”
From the moment I had stepped out of the dungeon, one line had been lingering in my mind.
“I’m…”
[…What?]
And in an instant, President Luigi’s face turned to pure bewilderment.
* * *
[One Hour Later – Press Conference]
“Hey, Frank. This guy really isn’t American—he’s Korean. Who else would make such a request right after clearing a dungeon and coming out?”
“James, wouldn’t that actually make him more American? If he were Korean, he would have just said, ‘I’m simply grateful for conquering the dungeon,’ and left it at that.”
“Damn it. You’ve already been influenced by American-style thinking.”
“It’s just a clear case of give and take.”
The press conference room was packed with reporters, all waiting for the President to take the podium.
“What did the Master even ask for that’s taking this long?”
“No idea. Maybe a mansion? Something like Michael Jackson’s house?”
“That’s… a bit much.”
“It is. Even if he cleared an S-Rank Tower, getting the King of Pop’s house is…”
“Doesn’t someone else own it now?”
“That’s not the point… ugh.”
As the waiting dragged on, speculation ran wild.
“James, what would you ask for?”
“One year’s worth of the U.S. defense budget.”
“…Are you insane?”
“How is that insane? No matter how much money you throw at it, you still can’t clear an S-Rank Tower with military force alone. But in under four hours, the Golden Gate Bridge reopened, and part of the U.S. West Coast was secured. One year’s budget is a bargain in comparison.”
“With that much money… ugh, never mind. I should just keep my mouth shut.”
“Then what about you?”
“…If it were me, hmm, a night with an A-Rank Hunter?”
“You crazy bastard.”
“What? That’s a possibility, isn’t it?”
“[Maid] is already there, and you’re thinking about an A-Rank Hunter?”
“Ah-ha.”
As wild rumors and speculations spread through the room—
“The President is entering.”
At the secretary’s announcement, President Luigi stepped onto the podium.
The moment the press saw the President’s grim expression, a few veteran reporters immediately understood what it meant.
“President Luigi! What did the Master ask for?”
Before the President could even speak, a black-haired reporter shouted the question.
Just as some aides and other reporters shot him a warning look, President Luigi reached out and grabbed the microphone.
“I will relay the Master’s exact words.”
After briefly tapping the mic, he spoke.
“In 2002, the head coach of the national soccer team said—”
“???”
“I’m still hungry.”
“…!!”
I’m still hungry.
“The Master has now begun preparations for the next S-Rank Tower conquest.”
“Wow.”
A blonde-haired reporter let out an impressed whistle.
“As expected, that was fast.”
