Spell Power Binding Block, also known as the mana-sealing scroll.
If we count the elements needed for mass production on our fingers:
First.
A place to manufacture magic scrolls and the printing machines.
Kosak took charge of this.
After doing some basic groundwork on the flatlands near the Pyongyang Black Tower, he gathered revolutionary workers and set up temporary buildings. Since preparations had already been underway for some time, it didn't take long.
Next, old printing presses were requisitioned from government offices across Pyongyang.
Along with them came veteran workers—seasoned craftsmen who had produced countless propaganda leaflets and flyers over the years.
Second.
The process of producing the mold plates to be mounted onto those printing machines.
Mackenzie stepped in.
Using engraving magic, he inscribed the Spell Power Binding Block's magical patterns and formulas onto metal plates.
Over a hundred plates were required.
One for each printing machine, plus spares to replace damaged ones.
Even the slightest deviation would result in defects.
Absolute concentration was essential.
Third.
Modifying existing mechanical printing presses into magitech scroll printers.
This was handled by the magitech engineer, El.
She possessed a golem body.
Unlimited work hours and efficiency were guaranteed from the start.
She personally crafted and installed various mana circuit boards into each printer—
including mana conduits, , , and circuits.
Fourth.
Special scroll paper and mana ink.
The stay-at-home alchemist Mari personally traveled to the Pyongyang Black Tower.
She hung a large cauldron over a fire, mixed purified water, herbs, and magic crystals in precise ratios, and brewed the solution.
The printing paper was then soaked in the mixture for a set period, taken out, and dried—
thus producing finished scroll paper.
She also produced mana ink.
After sourcing dyes separately, she added magic crystals and herbs, fixing mana directly into the ink itself.
Tower metal was added as well.
About 10 grams of orichalcum powder per liter of ink.
Such a tiny amount that it wasn't a burden at all.
Large numbers of North Korean printing laborers were mobilized.
That stage required a lot of simple manpower.
They worked extremely hard.
They even did things they weren't told to do.
Was it because they were naturally diligent?
Not at all.
The hourly wage was 10,000 won.
The same as South Korea's minimum wage.
Of course they worked like mad.
In just three days, trial production began.
Clack! Clack-clack-clack-clack!
Magic scrolls rolled out from the printing press rollers.
They moved on to the cutting machine next.
This, too, had mana circuits installed.
A mana circuit.
A device that instantly detected defects.
Once all processes were cleared, workers bundled and packaged the scrolls—and that was it.
Juhyeok tested the finished scrolls and made the final call.
After all, he was the boss.
Once again, the test subject was Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il.
When the Rune Necklace of Liberation—now with only one remaining use—was activated,
Crack!
Jeon's body enlarged under the effect of Herculean Might.
But what about the scroll?
Rip!
Scroll magic is significantly weaker than true spells because it doesn't contain a mage's will—
even when it's the same type of magic—
"…It worked. The mana is sealed."
Success.
The mass-produced version showed just as excellent an effect.
"We can announce it now."
"I'll prepare the press conference."
The massive chaos currently unfolding in China.
Players exerting their power using Rune Necklaces of Liberation.
The patterns varied.
First, resistance against the government.
Players used the necklace to attack public security officers, Communist Party officials, and high-ranking bureaucrats.
Second, personal revenge.
Players who had suffered injustices but received no legal protection used the necklace to exact private vengeance.
Third, greed.
Liberating their power to rob banks, raid upper-grade magic crystal warehouses, or commit crimes like murder and rape.
Incidents erupted multiple times a day.
Eventually, by consensus of China's Central Emergency Committee, martial law was declared.
In truth, even with a Rune Necklace of Liberation, low-level players had limits.
Get shot, and you die.
Not from pistols, but from large-caliber automatic weapons or sniper rifles.
Players died.
Public security died.
Soldiers died.
Innocent civilians suffered as well.
The world was watching China.
How would this end?
It didn't look like it would be resolved quickly.
In the United States, an emergency advisory meeting was convened at the White House.
"So the rumors were true."
"Yes. This incident has proven them."
The rumor that Rune Necklaces of Liberation dropped with high probability even below the 71st floor in the Chinese tower.
There had been no way to confirm it before—only observe.
"Just how many necklaces were released in China?"
"No one knows. There are nearly 200,000 ordinary Chinese players alone. We don't even know how many climb the tower daily."
Two hundred thousand.
That sounded about right.
The number of players scaled with population.
That meant up to 200,000 tower climbs per day in China alone.
If the necklace dropped even on low floors, and the overall reward probability rose to just 0.01%—
"That means up to twenty Rune Necklaces could appear every single day."
"Even ten a day would be catastrophic. In just a month, the total would—"
"My God!"
Rune Necklaces of Liberation in the hands of players beyond government control.
What item could possibly be more dangerous?
The Rune Necklace of Liberation wasn't an ultra-rare item.
They appeared occasionally even in the American tower.
But those were above the 71st floor.
That had been clearly stated when the global system announcement first appeared.
Floors above 71 were mostly accessible only to state-sponsored players.
Ordinary players were usually stuck long-term in the 60s at best.
Even weakened, defeating Death Knights and Liches with only holy water—without a holy sword—was no easy task.
But now things were different.
For reasons unknown, necklaces were dropping below the 71st floor—but only in the Chinese tower.
Was it a simple error?
Or the system's intention?
President Lloyd fell deep into thought.
Then—
"What countermeasures?"
"We should place ordinary players under state surveillance—"
"Absolutely not. Have you forgotten why the Chinese situation happened in the first place?"
The side effects would be worse.
Wasn't this entire situation the result of conflict between players and the government?
It was all deeply frustrating.
Just when the risk of tower collapse had diminished and people were relieved, chaos erupted outside the tower instead.
Public perception of players might change.
From protectors who prevented tower collapse and supplied magic crystals,
to dangerous individuals wielding terrifying power.
That had to be stopped.
For the sake of protecting players as well.
"From now on, thoroughly inspect all aircraft and ships arriving from China."
"China may lodge formal protests."
"That's fine. If necessary, consider entry bans."
President Lloyd continued firmly.
"Make sure the necklaces don't leave China. The tragedy must end there. And expand legislation allowing our citizens to carry firearms for self-defense—"
At that moment!
Knock knock—bang!
The White House conference room doors burst open as Minister McMillan entered.
"Mac! You're late. The meeting's practically over."
"There was a reason."
"What reason could justify this? Judging by your nerve, something big?"
"I was speaking with Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il of Korea's Awakening Management Agency."
"Hm? About what?"
"Let's watch YouTube together first. There's a press conference scheduled today."
…Huh?
The large TV on the White House conference room wall turned on.
A live press conference was being broadcast on Korea's Awakening Management Agency channel.
Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il stood at the podium.
He was preparing to speak.
Originally, the press conference had been intended for domestic media only.
But many foreign journalists were present as well.
Of course.
Official announcements from Korea's Awakening Management Agency always drew global attention.
Because Korea was the strongest tower-climbing nation.
And had any of their past actions ever been ordinary?
The holy sword rental announcement.
Basilisk and wyvern leather civilian distribution.
The conquest of Kabalon.
The mass sale of tower reward items.
So what would it be this time?
What revelation would shake the world next?
"Ahem!"
He cleared his throat first.
Slowly, his lips parted.
...
"Hello. I am Jeon Gwang-il, Commissioner of the Korean Awakening Management Agency."
He began with a greeting.
"First, I would like to express my respect to the players who, even at this very moment, continue their climbs to prevent the collapse of the Black Tower."
"However, despite the many pressing issues before us—the extension of collapse deadlines through tower conquests, civilizational development driven by upper-grade magic crystal rewards, the nightmare zones of giant monsters in the 80th floors—another devastating incident has occurred."
Click, click—flash! Flash!
Cameras went off in rapid succession.
The reporters already knew what he meant by that devastating incident.
The Rune Necklace of Liberation crisis in China.
Was this press conference about that?
"Yes, that's right. I am speaking about the Rune Necklace of Liberation. An item that offers absolutely no help in preventing tower collapse—an item that, frankly, does not need to exist."
Tower collapse can be prevented by climbing the tower.
Why would an item that manifests power in the real world be necessary?
"That is why governments around the world have strictly managed and controlled this necklace."
Korea.
The United States.
European nations as well.
"However, whether due to an error or deliberate intent, Rune Necklaces of Liberation have begun appearing even on low floors in China and are being used indiscriminately."
Click—click-click-click!
The flashes grew louder.
"Because of the aberrant actions of a small number of villain players, ordinary civilians and the vast majority of good players are suffering harm."
"Now, it is no longer just China. Neighboring countries—indeed, the entire world—has reached the point where it must be on guard against the Rune Necklace of Liberation."
Jeon Gwang-il paused and swallowed.
Now was the time to get to the point.
"Accordingly, the Awakening Management Agency has developed an item capable of suppressing the indiscriminate use of the Rune Necklace of Liberation."
Murmurs spread through the hall.
The room grew noisy.
Jeon Gwang-il raised a single sheet of paper and spoke.
"This is it. Spell Power Binding Block—commonly known as the mana-sealing scroll. It looks like ordinary paper, but when you designate a target and tear it, the effect activates. The effective range is a 50-meter radius in all directions."
"Any target exposed to this scroll magic will be unable to use mana in the real world. The seal lasts at least one hour, and up to two hours."
People were stunned.
Was that really true?
"This scroll item is designed to safely subdue liberated villain players."
"And it will also serve as a deterrent, preventing tragic incidents before they occur."
Staring directly into the camera, Commissioner Jeon continued.
"Our Awakening Management Agency seeks peace."
"That is why we also earnestly appeal to players who have obtained Rune Necklaces of Liberation."
"Please, do not let innocent people suffer because of a moment of poor judgment."
He then bowed deeply, offering a sincere gesture.
The announcement was over.
"That concludes the press conference. We will now take questions."
At once, reporters raised their hands frantically.
Jeon Gwang-il pointed to one of them.
"Is the supply sufficient? Even if the effect is real, if there aren't enough to use—"
"We have already completed a mass-production system. Since this is a paper-based item, we can print as many as needed."
"Where can it be purchased?"
"We will begin by supplying government institutions first. It is already being distributed to police stations and precincts across Korea. Civilian distribution will come later…"
"And the price?"
"We are still considering an appropriate price point, but it should be around 100,000 won per sheet."
Another reporter raised their hand.
"Is it really right to seal a player's mana? Could this not be used as a tool of oppression?"
He had expected that question.
"Oppression? Players were never able to use their power in the real world to begin with. Their power was manifested only inside the tower."
"That is why players were protected and respected. In the real world, they were no different from ordinary people—people who risked their lives climbing the tower."
"But after the Rune Necklace of Liberation, players may come to be seen as objects of surveillance and fear."
"That must not happen. They are the ones preventing tower collapse and driving industrial development by mining magic crystals. They deserve respect."
Jeon Gwang-il spoke firmly.
"However, a seed of conflict never seen before has been sown."
"Let us suppose a Korean player manifests power using a Rune Necklace of Liberation and commits an unfortunate act. What should we do then?"
Regret was evident on his face.
"Yes, we would have to subdue them. Guns, missiles, helicopters, tanks, the military—everything would be mobilized. And there would be devastation. Just like in China."
"But with this scroll, the problem can be handled comparatively safely."
This was the reason for the scroll's existence.
Not oppression—but protection.
"Do not be misled by the item's name. It is not a necklace of liberation—it is a necklace of division. An item that drives a wedge between civilians and players."
What difference is there between that and seeds sown by demons?
"The more this necklace spreads, the more community conflict will intensify, and tower climbing will only become more difficult."
That's right.
Jeon Gwang-il was correct.
An item with no connection to tower climbing at all.
One that only caused chaos, as seen in China.
At that moment—
Without being called on, a man abruptly stood and shouted.
A correspondent from China.
"When will it be supplied to China? The damage is severe right now. Do you have any intention of supplying it as soon as possible—even a day sooner?"
"Well… it will take some time."
Sensing something off in Jeon Gwang-il's lukewarm response, the Chinese reporter pressed.
"What is that supposed to mean? It sounds like you're saying you won't sell it to China."
Jeon Gwang-il's expression hardened as he replied.
"That is correct. At present, we have no intention of selling mana-sealing scrolls to China."
"For what reason? Is this a declaration of hostility toward China?"
"If we were to supply mana-sealing scrolls to China, there is a serious concern that the Chinese government would use them as a tool to oppress innocent players."
Yes.
China was different from other countries.
Even before the Rune Necklace of Liberation, it had already oppressed players.
One only had to look at past incidents of abducting foreign players.
For that reason, there was a real risk that mana-sealing scrolls would be used to tighten that oppression even further.
"That's absurd—"
"Isn't it true that China's current situation ultimately stems from conflict between the government and players?"
At Jeon Gwang-il's question, the Chinese reporter fell silent.
"The Chinese government must first engage in dialogue with its own players."
"And it must first apologize for the unjust oppression it has imposed thus far and seek a reasonable agreement."
"If efforts are made to normalize relations… no, even if there is merely a promise to do so, we will supply mana-sealing scrolls immediately."
The Chinese reporter asked sarcastically.
"Just an apology will be enough?"
"No. Tangible actions must be shown."
"What kind of actions…?"
"First, release the detained members and executives of the Chinese Player Association. And if they wish to seek asylum overseas, allow it."
"Do you really think that's possible?"
"If it's not possible, then there will be no supply. Our Awakening Management Agency stands with players—from beginning to end—regardless of nationality."
The press conference ended.
Thus, the existence of the mana-sealing scroll became widely known.
Once again, the name of South Korea and the Awakening Management Agency spread across the world.
White House conference room.
President Lloyd, who had watched the entire press conference on the TV screen, asked Minister McMillan.
"It's real, isn't it?"
"There's no way it's fake."
"Player Bong again?"
"Of course."
Who else could it be?
"Purchase them immediately and distribute them to the police. And make them available to civilians as well. There's no need to expand civilian gun ownership."
"Hm."
"In everyday life, it's just a piece of paper. But against liberated villain players, it's unquestionably effective."
That's right.
An item with a very specific purpose.
One that has no effect in ordinary circumstances.
Which made it extremely safe.
"So what are you waiting for? Contact the Awakening Management Agency immediately and secure a supply."
"It's already been discussed. Just approve the budget."
"Oh? Then that's good."
Even as all this unfolded, the mana-sealing scroll printing presses at the Pyongyang Tower factory continued running without pause.