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Chapter 196: Sale

A while ago, Ilsung Group held a presentation on runes.

Robert, the President of the United States,

He also watched the presentation in person and was the first to contact Chairman Kim.

Fortunately, Chairman Kim and Robert had a close relationship.

They had met through the slime battery deal, and the US government held a 5% stake in the Money Talks Guild.

Perhaps that’s why Chairman Kim readily sent a few rune samples to Robert.

That’s how the rune came into the president’s possession. He stared at the small stone in his hand.

[Rune of Defense II]

[Effect 1: Increases equipment defense by 20%]

“Sigh…”

Robert’s head heated up as he looked at the rune. The White House was already filled with the top guild leaders of the United States and various experts.

Their eyes were filled with greed as they looked at the rune.

“What do you think? Has anyone seen anything similar inside the Gates? Anyone at all?”

“Absolutely not. If we had, we would have extracted the technology somehow.”

“This is a completely new method. Just embedding a stone into equipment enhances it this much. It’s revolutionary.”

“The Gate Scramble is imminent. We must obtain this. If we miss out, we’ll be left behind.”

Robert’s eyes became serious.

‘Even the top guild leaders in the US haven’t seen this…’

The Awakened gathered here were top-ranking individuals from around the world. Yet, even they were seeing runes for the first time.

The United States had only two options to obtain runes.

One was to purchase them through Ilsung Group.

The other was…

‘The craftsman, K, was it?’

That was the initial that appeared at Ilsung’s presentation. He was also known as the craftsman who possessed the rune-making technology.

Persuading this craftsman to come to the United States could also be a method.

However, this would create a problem with Kim Minwoo.

‘He definitely won’t stay still.’

He recalled the look in Kim Minwoo’s eyes the last time he saw him. He was a very ambitious man.

His relationship with the Chinese President,

And the fact that he had gathered SS-rank Necromancers from all over the world at the conference. He wasn’t someone who would easily give up the initiative.

And what about his skills?

It had been a little over six months since he Awakened.

But he was already a world-class ranker.

Korea’s future was excessively bright.

“…Korea must be doing quite well these days.”

“It’s in chaos there. I heard Ilsung’s stock price has risen 1,000% in six months.”

“The equipment market is also rapidly opening up. It seems Europe, which was wary of the rune announcement, is now hesitant.”

“Thanks to Plus equipment and potions, the average level of Korean Awakened is rapidly…”

It was dangerous.

The slime battery was one thing, but the rune was even more significant.

Robert could feel it in his gut.

The hegemony was shifting, even if only slightly, towards Korea.

“Mr. President, there’s no need to be too concerned. It’s just one craftsman. How much can he produce?”

“That’s right. Only a small amount of runes will be released, and we just need to sweep them up as much as possible. It’s a good thing we have a good relationship with Korea.”

“As long as they don’t go to other countries too much. We don’t have enough for ourselves anyway.”

“…But what if, and this is a hypothetical,”

Robert looked around and said,

“What if Korea wins the Gate Scramble this year?”

“…Win this year?”

“Kim Minwoo is impressive, but he’s just one person. Looking at the average level of Korean Awakened, winning is impossible. Unless the Sword Saint comes out… But he retired, didn’t he?”

“…That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Of course, we can’t be sure what will happen in two or three years. Kim Minwoo’s teaching methods are excellent, and his own growth rate is tremendous. But this year is different.”

Robert nodded silently. World ranking 157th. Not low, but not high either.

Especially in the top ranks, where a single rank difference represents a huge gap, it was still okay for now.

‘For now, that is…’

But next year was uncertain.

‘Why is his growth so fast…’

He recalled his conversations with Kim Minwoo in the past.

―I’ll help you utilize China effectively.

―Sell guild shares to our US government as well. I hope Korea and the US can cooperate in the Gate Scramble. All the results too.

Containing China’s growth and forming an alliance with Korea, which was starting to thrive.

Back then, he had made those proposals with a much lighter heart than now.

He had requested a 10% stake to slowly build a relationship. Then, as time passed, he would gradually bring Korea under the influence of the United States.

But now it was different.

‘If I mention supplying more runes, the US will get even more entangled…’

It was becoming increasingly burdensome.

He hadn’t expected Kim Minwoo to grow this fast.

How could a single Awakened, in less than half a year, pose such a threat to the United States? Time was not on their side.

But buying more shares…

‘That’s not a fundamental solution.’

It was doubtful whether Kim Minwoo would even sell more shares.

Should he find a new leash or accept a new hegemony? Robert’s worries deepened.

* * *

He had heard that the leaders of the US, China, and Japan had visited recently.

In addition, leaders from various other countries had sought out Chairman Kim.

The United States would receive the largest supply, but the other countries had also agreed to receive a smaller share of the runes.

Except for Japan.

‘Those guys already have their heads held high.’

Unless they had a partnership like the US, there was no reason to prioritize them with the limited supply.

In any case,

Kim Minwoo, who had entrusted Ilsung with the sales, was now facing his guild members.

“It’s been a while, Han Siah. Did you change your class successfully?”

“Yes. I got an SSS-rank skill, Weapon Summoning.”

“Is it a Priest weapon?”

“That’s right. I’ll show you.”

A white aura gathered in her hand. A cross, shining beautifully like a jewel, appeared in her hand.

“Holy Relic Iverg. It’s my skill.”

“A Holy Relic…”

Han Siah continued her story.

He was also able to find out why her retrial had been particularly long.

“You created a Holy Relic?”

“Yes. I traveled through countless battlefields for several months, starting as a Third-class Priest and reaching Sainthood. But…”

She narrowed her eyes and asked,

“I faced the Death Lord’s army, and I saw a familiar face.”

“A familiar face?”

“Cedric.”

“What are you talking about? He was with me.”

“…It was a past battlefield.”

A past battlefield?

It was a familiar concept.

Wasn’t the Death Lord’s arrangement also to act in the past?

‘Did he cut out a past battlefield and put Han Siah in it?’

He summoned Cedric.

Cedric stared intently at the cross.

“I have a question. Do you know what this cross is?”

―This… is surprising. To be precise, I didn’t know. But now I do. My memory has changed.

“Your memory has changed?”

―Originally, there was no Priest in the Hero’s party. There was a swordsman, an assassin, a mage, and an archer. But my memory is different now.

“How is it different?”

―The mage disappeared and a priest appeared. It’s as if… it was overwritten.

“…How is that even possible…”

Kim Minwoo’s words trailed off.

According to Cedric, it meant that the past had been changed and memories altered.

‘Is that even possible?’

Just how powerful would someone have to be to do that?

Wouldn’t it require a backer who could handpick weapons for the Hero’s party from among countless SSS-rank skills?

‘I’m getting curious.’

He became very curious about the identity of the backer, whom even the intermediate angel Jiphael was cautious about mentioning.

And he was also very curious about why they had distorted the past to create the Priest’s weapon, and why they had insisted on giving it to him.

He suddenly recalled the words of the Death Lord before the second trialbegan. When he asked why the Death Lord seemed to be gathering the Hero’s party’s weapons, the Lord replied:

―Then it might be to provide prey to raise their level.

Provide prey.

There were four Legion Commanders in total.

And four weapons for the party.

What if there had been no such process when Han Siah underwent the retrial?

There was originally no Priest-related party weapon, so she would have received a different SSS-rank skill instead of a Holy Relic.

Even then, they couldn’t have given her the mage’s weapon, since Han Siah’s class was Priest.

In other words, one of the Hero’s party weapons would have been missing.

There would be four Legion Commanders but only three weapons for the party.

‘Did they not like that?’

So they intervened?

Countless questions arose.

If they were strong enough to intervene like this, why would they need to provide him with prey? What were they planning to use him for after raising his level?

‘They haven’t asked for anything yet, though…’

He didn’t know.

There was no point in dwelling on it now. He sent Cedric back and looked at his guild members.

“I went to Heavenly City this time.”

He explained about Heavenly City.

A new stage.

He started with how it was like an “ark” for countless races and went on to explain about the Seven Lords. Park Siwoo, who had been listening with interest, sparkled his eyes.

“Wow, awesome. So, you’ve already gotten into a conflict with one of the Seven Lords?”

“That’s what happened.”

“Considering you’re developing the city, you’re planning to keep going.”

“I have to. The rewards are great.”

Starting with the Skill Enhancement Ticket, Heavenly Projection, and the Divine Relic he obtained this time.

As he explained the rewards, the eyes of the three lit up.

Especially Seo Yerim, who had already heard about Heavenly City, was even more excited.

Her eyes were not just sparkling, but practically flashing.

SSS-rank Skill Enhancement Ticket.

It was an item that didn’t even appear as a reward in S-rank Gates.

Heavenly Projection was also incredibly useful. It seemed to buff almost everything, and she had never heard of such a skill before.

“Hyung, can we go too?”

“Yes, I can give you Sponsorship Certificates. However…”

He explained the structure of Sponsorship Certificates.

Whether they would start with a silver spoon or a dirt spoon. The Sponsorship Certificate was roughly that kind of structure.

“I managed to get one Diamond Sponsorship Certificate. If you do well there, you might even reach the next stage, Deadly difficulty.”

There was one certificate, but three guild members. Naturally, the three of them exchanged glances.

“But I promised to give this to you first. Take it, Yerim.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. I promised you back then. That I would give it to you if I got one.”

She perked up her ears and glanced at the other guild members.

Fortunately, they seemed a little disappointed, but nothing more.

“Sorry, Siwoo. You joined first.”

“Nah, it’s okay. It’s just a month earlier. But hyung, are you sure? I heard that a Sponsorship Certificate is expensive. To take care of me and Siah noona too…”

“It’s fine. I set up automatic hunting. Merit Points will accumulate again.”

100,000 points might seem like a lot now, but as they moved to higher districts, its significance would gradually decrease.

Moreover, if the Earth guild members joined, they would be a great help in the future fight against the Red Flag.

‘Their skills are definitely reliable.’

Although their levels were low, they were all SSS-rank skill holders.

Their talents were also exceptional.

This was an opportunity to fill the lackluster middle management positions.

He looked at Seo Yerim.

“You can move whenever you want. However, you’ve heard that there was friction with the Red Flag. It may not be immediate, but it could become dangerous someday.”

“The greater the risk, the greater the reward. This is what I wanted. The problem is that there aren’t any dangerous places.”

Well, that was true.

There hadn’t been any S-rank or higher Gates on Earth yet. Of course, not all S-rank Gates were the same, so the top-tier S-rank dungeons offered decent rewards.

The problem was that these places were usually managed by guilds or countries.

They could go if they wanted to, but the number of Gates Korea possessed was the issue. There weren’t many high-ranking Gates.

Anyway, it seemed Seo Yerim had also decided to challenge Heavenly City soon. He would have to wish her luck in getting the Deadly difficulty.

As they were talking in the meeting room,

A corner of the floor turned pitch black and sank like a rotten swamp. A figure emerged from the sunken floor.

It was a monster wearing a black gothic dress with three heads.

Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim, startled, summoned their weapons.

Han Siah’s Holy Relic hummed loudly.

With three heads, it couldn’t be human.

‘Then, a monster?!’

Park Siwoo, aiming his holy sword, glared.

“Who are you!”

―Promise.

―Keep.

―Came.

“This crazy monster… What promise?!”

At that moment, Kim Minwoo stretched out his hand and stopped Park Siwoo.

A witch with three heads.

It was a familiar sight to him.

He had met her in the Orc Gate. She was a full-fledged witch who had been killed by Merhen without leaving a trace.

“…Leluya?”

―Ananke-nim.

―Said.

―Guide you to the Abyss Lord’s dwelling.

He remembered Merhen and Ananke making a deal back then.

The apprentice witch Iris had left, and Leluya had talked about taking memories or something.

But why was she resurrected?

[TL/N: Few things to Clarify-> 1. Super Rookie Tournament → Super Rookie Selection (It was to select who is the best rookie out there) 2. Gate Scramble- I had already mentioned this before that I am not sure what to call this yet and will decide on the final name when I get more context about it, but wanted to clear this out that—THIS is a ‘tournament’ and ‘Super Rookie’ wasn’t one.]