Chapter 82

Chapter 82.

The global situation changed rapidly.

The Republic of Korea, which had been gasping on the verge of death, had miraculously revived.

On top of that, from the 71st Floor to the 94th Floor, floors mankind had never once set foot on.

By monopolizing the farming rights to the so-called “unexplored territory,” it had obtained a card capable of shaking the entire world order.

“Tch.”

Richard Sterling, the U.S. Hunter Association President, stared down in disgust at the call that had been unilaterally cut off, then hurled the phone straight at the marble wall.

CRACK!

The latest smartphone shattered into pieces, scattering fragments everywhere.

“Arrogant bitch.”

Richard stroked his blond hair, slicked firmly back in an all-back style, and spat on the floor.

“Clean it up. And bring me a new one.”

The bodyguards standing at attention in black suits moved with a familiarity as natural as breathing.

One knelt and quietly swept up the spit Richard had spat and the remains of the phone, while another took a fully configured new smartphone from his pocket and respectfully offered it to him.

Their mechanical movements made it clear that this kind of tantrum-driven venting was nothing new.

Without paying the slightest attention to them, Richard snatched up the new phone and approached the window with a snort.

“Hoo.”

The view of New York unfolded beneath his feet.

After Washington, where the Tower had taken root, collapsed, New York had become America’s new capital. Looking down at the “City” had become Richard’s habit.

His success, his monument, his trophy.

That was what this city itself was to him.

BUZZ—

‘Hm?’

At that moment.

The “private phone” he secretly kept deep inside his clothes rang.

‘What is it all of a sudden?’

“Everyone, get out.”

When Richard gestured with his hand, all the bodyguards hurried outside.

“What is the matter?”

Unlike when he had spoken with Min Ji-hee, Richard’s voice as he answered the phone was extremely cautious.

[Richard, I need you to do one thing for me.]

The voice that came through the receiver belonged to Pandemonium Guild Master Iranshu.

Like a new employee receiving a call from a superior, Richard’s waist naturally bent forward.

“Please tell me.”

[Arrange a meeting with the higher-ups in the Republic of Korea. As soon as possible.]

“Understood.”

[And…]

Iranshu drew out the rest of his words.

Naturally, Richard held his breath as well.

[Go play a little prank while you are there.]

“…A prank, sir?”

[I am going to send you something now.]

THUNK.

At the same time Iranshu finished speaking, something hard touched Richard’s foot.

‘?!’

Startled, he looked down, and a lump of Mana Stone giving off a dim light was rolling there by itself.

‘Where did this suddenly come from…?’

Cold sweat ran down Richard’s back.

Even though he kept his senses open in ordinary times, the radar of an S-rank Hunter had not detected even the slightest ripple of Mana.

[Ah, is this your first time seeing it? If it is one of my “contractors,” I can send objects through their shadow no matter where they are.]

“…You are… remarkable.”

If Iranshu’s words were true, it meant that the Mana Stone had suddenly risen out of Richard’s shadow.

The straight-line distance from the West Sea of the Republic of Korea to New York was roughly eleven thousand kilometers.

Across that vast space, without any preliminary phenomenon, he had transmitted an object by leaping through a single shadow.

‘…What exactly is Master’s ability?’

There had been a time when he thought it was magic performed through shadows.

But it was also true that there were far too many strange points to dismiss it as simple “shadow magic.”

Even so, after observing him for so many years, Richard had been proud that although he did not know the true nature of the ability, he had grasped most of the cards Iranshu held…

‘With this one move, he widens the gap so easily.’

Richard let out a hollow laugh and picked up the Mana Stone.

“A-rank. A top-grade one too. Why give something this precious to me?”

[That is not just a Mana Stone. Mm, it is a kind of… Monster Ball.]

“Monster Ball?”

[There is a monster inside it.]

“…?”

Richard held the Mana Stone up to the sunlight.

He could not see anything.

‘It feels like… something is rippling inside it, but maybe not.’

[Hehe. I was joking.]

“…Why would you make such a creepy joke?”

[It is my hobby.]

“Hm. So?”

[Say you are giving that as a gift.]

“Oho. They will not be able to refuse. The Republic of Korea is suffering from a chronic shortage of Mana Stones. If an A-rank Mana Stone is offered just for one meeting, they will come running with their eyes turned inside out.”

[Yes. And while you are at it… make the stage as large as possible. A grand stage where many people gather, so everyone can see that “gift” you give them.]

“…Hah.”

Richard let out a laugh filled with satisfaction.

Imagining himself casually presenting that precious Mana Stone as a gift, and imagining that arrogant Min Ji-hee’s eyes widening, put him in a good mood.

That arrogant woman, who had always bristled with venom and snapped back instead of ever breaking.

Imagining that such a woman would eventually fold that pathetic pride of hers and bow her head at his feet…

It put him in an unbearably good mood.

‘As expected, deals with Pandemonium are always satisfying.’

“Hehehe…”

[Heheh…]

The laughter of two snakes, each sharply hiding their true intentions, filled their respective spaces.

***

“Done with the summary.”

“Mm, you worked hard.”

Feeling Jin Cheon-jin’s hands massage her shoulders, Min Ji-hee reviewed the “Priority Negotiation List” she had just finished preparing.

The content was already completely in her head.

The basis for deciding the rankings as well.

But these were materials to report to the Apostle…

There could not be even a single typo.

[1. Italy]

“The Saintess’s country. You decided to place them first?”

“The grace the Saintess showed us… is something we must repay.”

Everyone had abandoned Korea.

In truth, Italy, right up until Yeriche visited Korea, had also been one of the countries that turned away from Korea.

However, at the very end, it was undeniably Yeriche’s Italy that extended a hand and helped clear the 94th Floor.

For the Republic of Korea Hunter Association, it was the first helping hand they had ever received…

They were grateful, deeply grateful.

Of course, that was not the only reason.

“The 95th Floor… The journey to clearing it will surely be arduous as well. Therefore, at this timing, we need to show every country that ‘the Republic of Korea always repays its debts of gratitude.’”

This time too, because there was no S-rank Healer domestically, they had ultimately been forced to borrow strength from another country.

‘…To be precise, the Apostle borrowed it for us.’

When she recalled that every combat asset besides Tankers received a failing grade, help from other countries would always be necessary.

Until now, Min Ji-hee had painfully experienced that with the title of a “dying country,” they could not receive help from anyone.

‘Now we need to carry the title of a “country that repays its debts of gratitude” and actively seek help.’

To do that, they first had to properly repay Italy, which had extended a hand to them first.

[2. United States]

“This is unexpected.”

“Well… separate from how disgusting Richard is, it makes no sense to exclude the United States in the Hunter era.”

In the twenty-first century, the United States had already been a superpower.

However, after the Hunter era began, it had gone beyond even a superpower and become the strongest country on Earth in both name and reality.

Overflowing Hunter resources.

A blessed starting floor of the 2nd Floor.

…And above all, it had benefited greatly from being the first to occupy the “Blessed 40th Floor,” the floor where the largest amount of “Made in Tower,” in other words Mana Stones, could be mined, and developing the Mana Stone industry.

[3. China & Japan & Russia]

“They are close countries.”

“I plan to leave this entirely to the Apostle’s judgment. Each one has its own pros and cons.”

After checking everything down to the final tenth rank, Min Ji-hee nodded in satisfaction.

“The Apostle should arrive soon.”

Min Ji-hee prepared the presentation.

At this very moment, when the great powers were applying active pressure for high-floor Tower farming.

The Apostle’s judgment had to take priority over everything else.

‘He is someone who sees an even bigger picture than I do, so he will surely make a wise decision.’

***

“…And for those reasons, we intend to establish friendly relations in this manner.”

Min Ji-hee confidently finished the presentation to the end.

‘Mm, there was not a single mistake. Perfect.’

Just as she smiled inwardly and gave the presentation a perfect score of 100 out of 100…

“…Min Ji-hee, you are misunderstanding something.”

At the Apostle’s lukewarm reaction, Min Ji-hee’s heart dropped with a THUD.

“Y-Yes?”

“I see… You did not understand…”

The Apostle let out a small sigh as though frustrated…

“We will not share the Tower’s resources with anyone.”

Then, with a calm expression, he made a bombshell declaration.

“…Uh.”

She had not expected this.

“All of it is mine… no, ours.”

***

‘Why would we share such precious Tower resources?’

I was dumbfounded.

And the United States?

That was the place blaring the loudest on the “Aggro Radar,” meaning the place with the strongest hostility toward the Republic of Korea.

Since the Republic of Korea was essentially me.

Hostility toward the Republic of Korea would be regarded as hostility toward me.

Therefore, there was no reason to associate with people like that.

‘Min Ji-hee does not know this information yet, though.’

Even setting that aside, how should I put it?

She was naive.

‘Our Min Ji-hee Has Changed.’

Had clearing the 94th Floor made her sentimental?

I truly, truly had not expected words like “let us prosper together” to come out of that cold-blooded Min Ji-hee’s mouth.

—Kruk. The time has come. Let us return all the persecution and contempt we have endured until now.

—Hehehe. This is what the United States said to me four years, three months, one day, nineteen hours, thirty-three minutes, and twenty-four seconds ago…

Saying that while pulling out something like a “Book of Grudges,” where she had written down every single thing she had suffered until now, would have been much more “Min Ji-hee-like.”

‘Min Ji-hee. You have failed as Min Ji-hee.’

Be a little more Min Ji-hee-like.

“Th-Then I will reject all the meeting requests that have come in.”

“?”

No, that was not it.

“We will accept the meeting requests.”

“Yes? Did you not just say that we were rejecting them?”

“You do not even know this…”

At those words, Min Ji-hee’s shoulders shrank like a crushed can.

Min Ji-hee, you were not good at business.

Even though you were so good at stopping monster waves.

I immediately called Kang Hyo-jun.

“Send Lee Hyeong-je up.”

[…Yes.]

Lee Hyeong-je ran to the Association conference room in no time.

Freed from his heavy workload, he came in with a delighted expression, shooting me a look that practically said he was grateful I had called him…

“Golden Mine. Do one more job.”

“…Yes?”

As if!

I immediately dropped another work bomb on him.

“I-I am already too busy right now…”

“I see.”

“I cannot even go home, and I barely have time to eat. Instead of me, someone else…”

“I see.”

“…”

“I see.”

When I looked at him as if asking whether he had anything else to say…

Lee Hyeong-je began sweating nervously.

Answer quickly.

There was only one answer anyway.

“…I-I will do it.”

“Good. Congratulations.”

Too bad, Mr. Lee Hyeong-je.

The person who did business best in our country was you.

And you were also the best in the world.

Leaving such a talented person idle would be an act of treason against me, no, against the nation.

“From this moment on, you are appointed as the Finance Director of the Golden Foundation, the Head of the Special Business Department, the Republic of Korea Tower Resource Management Team Leader, and the ‘Special Mission Team for the Distribution of Republic of Korea Tower Entry Tickets,’ entrusted with full authority over Tower resource negotiations…”

“…”

“Do you understand?”

“Yes?”

“…From this moment on, you are appointed as the Golden Foundation…”

“I-I understand.”

With a heavy sigh, Lee Hyeong-je took out a handkerchief and dabbed away his sweat.

After closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, and organizing his thoughts.

When Lee Hyeong-je opened his eyes again, they had returned to those of a cold-headed businessman and great merchant.

“So, let me summarize. My mission is to sell the product known as the ‘Republic of Korea Tower’ for as high a price as possible. Is that correct?”

I nodded.

‘As expected, he understands quickly.’

“There is one thing you must make clear. What exactly am I allowed to sell? For example, only permission to farm the 75th Floor…”

“You too are saying naive things.”

I shook my head.

At that moment, Min Ji-hee sent Lee Hyeong-je a look of strange kinship and pity, as if saying, “You are no different,” and Lee Hyeong-je only blinked with a puzzled expression.

It seemed I had to tell them the correct answer.

“Lee Hyeong-je, in other words, sell the right to have a meeting with the ‘Special Mission Team Leader.’ Tell them you will meet first with whoever presents better terms.”

“…No way?”

‘As expected, he catches on quickly.’

“I see… So I only need to raise my own price?”

“Extract as much as possible.”

“What about the Tower entry rights…”

“Bait that seems close enough to touch, yet never quite is. That is what drives prey mad.”

“Controlling the tempo will be important. I now understand why you called me.”

Lee Hyeong-je nodded.

“I can see the picture. From this point on, I will take charge of this matter.”

A merchant who had once been the best at business in the world.

A legendary merchant who had earned the most Points in the barren land of the Republic of Korea through business skill alone.

The “Golden Mine” awakened from a long sleep.

As I watched the Golden Mine rise with enthusiasm, and Min Ji-hee follow after him…

I leisurely observed the radar.

“Now, let us see how this prey moves.”

Nopi in my hand.

And the “Sword Saint” I had synchronized with.

For some reason, they felt especially reliable today.

***

[Grand Open]

Republic of Korea Tower Floors 71–94 Unexplored Territory Farming Rights Opening Commemorative Packages Now on Sale!

[General]

Farming Rights Negotiation Table “First Application Ticket” (100-Draw Package)

A chance to have a top-priority face-to-face negotiation with Team Leader Lee Hyeong-je, who holds full authority over the distribution of Republic of Korea Tower Entry Tickets!

Through an application ticket lottery, only “5 lucky winners” will receive the chance for top-priority negotiation.

Probability: 0.001%

(※ Pity system introduced! One Bronze Table Waiting Ticket guaranteed after 1,000 purchases!)

(This is a first-come, first-served benefit, so hurry!)

Price: Inquiry Required (Market Price)

[Season Pass]

Floors 71–94 Early-Bird Priority Negotiation Pass (Season 1)

Enough of those exhausting lotteries! Upon purchase, you will immediately be registered in the “Silver Tier” negotiation waiting queue with priority.

30% reduced waiting time, with one free bottle of water provided inside the negotiation venue!

※ This pass is valid only for “Season 1.” Next month, you must purchase the “Season 2 Pass” separately to maintain your negotiation eligibility.

Price: Negotiation Required

[Limited Edition]

VVIP Diamond-Tier Special Waiting Ticket (Ultimate Edition)

A dignified choice for global great powers.

This is an entry ticket to the VVIP waiting room, where a one-on-one private audience with Team Leader Lee Hyeong-je (up to 10 minutes) and premium catering will be provided.

Bonus Benefit: Hand-signed poster of the 94th Floor Clear Party. (※ 0.1% chance to obtain)

Price: Separate Consultation Required

[Mandatory Terms to Confirm Before Purchase (★★★★★)]

1. These products are not 94th Floor “Entry Tickets.” They are tickets that grant you “the right to negotiate how much you will pay to buy an Entry Ticket.”
2. If negotiations break down, the ticket purchase cost will not be refunded under any circumstances. (Including but not limited to simple change of mind, insufficient funds, late arrival at the negotiation table, etc.)
3. Even if you acquire actual Tower entry rights, you must separately purchase the essential DLC required for survival: [70s Floor Clear Guide Part 1–10], [80s Floor Clear Guide Part 1–10], and [91–94th Floor Clear Guide Part 1–10]. The Republic of Korea assumes no responsibility whatsoever for any party wipes that occur due to failure to purchase them.

***

“WHAT THE FXCK?”

Richard’s face turned bright red with rage as he read the official document sent under the name of the Republic of Korea Hunter Association.

It was absurd.

What country in the world treated the United States like this?

“These lowly inferior creatures…!”

Tremble, tremble.

Richard shook as if he were about to tear the document apart.

But in the end, he could not tear up this “flyer.”

[Present this official document for a 1% discount]

[No meeting permitted without this official document]

…Because of the final two lines.

[Purchase Location: Near the Republic of Korea Tower, Hanam Fortress]

“Prepare the private jet immediately!!!”

Richard carefully folded the flyer and tucked it into his clothes, then shouted.

To bluff by refusing to buy…

The bait was far too large.

Richard’s eyes gleamed with rage.