Chapter 103: Dorim (1)
“Ah, yes! I heard that loud and clear. Ilsung phones are great, aren't they? I'm using one myself. Please show lots of love to all our new products. Now, I think it's time to interview someone else. This one made quite the entrance from the start, didn't they?”
Choi Yong-jun cut off the ad spiel at an appropriate moment and turned to Merhen.
“Beautiful looks! Paired with equally formidable magic skills! May I have your name?”
―Merhen.
“Yes! We'll have Merhen here!”
Merhen stepped forward.
She tapped the mic a few times, then brought it to her lips as if she'd figured out how it worked.
―Hello, everyone.
She waved at the camera while greeting them.
―Her face is the size of my fist lol
―Egu gu gu~ kekeke
―So damn cute kekeke
―Already making me grin like an idiot, is this normal?
―Totally normal kekekeke
“I have so many questions! After all, this is your first time appearing before the public today!
―Yeah. Cedric was summoned sooner.
“You look so human on the outside, which is why I'm asking, but you're not actually human, right?”
―Undead. Banshee.
“Yes? A banshee?”
Choi Yong-jun blinked.
Was she referring to that ghost maggot-ridden body crawling with worms, full of holes—that undead?
“You don't look like one at all…”
―I'm the queen.
“Ah. You're the Banshee Queen, got it?”
Merhen nodded.
“Viewers have tons of questions. About the magic nullification—you did it so effortlessly. Any secret tips?”
―Choi Yong-jun? Right?
“Yes? Yes, that's my name.”
―Does Choi Yong-jun need a secret to breathing?
“Uh, no?”
―That's how it is.
―That's how it is… note taken…
―Damn, she showed it, so can't not believe kekeke
―Just breathe to do it… pro tip…
“Ahh… I see.”
―Yeah. The ones here are simple, so it's easier.
“The mages?”
―Yeah. Angela? She's terrible at magic, but Minwoo praises girls like that.
Angela.
She was a top-10 mage in America.
The top 10 in the world's strongest awakened nation was at least on par with Korea's top-3 mages.
Especially her water magic, hailed as one of the best.
But the evaluation was brutally harsh. If it had been some no-name mage trash-talking, backlash would've poured in immediately.
But things were different now.
Merhen, who nullified magic like breathing and unleashed spells beyond imagination.
No one disputed her overwhelmingly superior skill.
Angela?
She'd probably struggle half a day to pull off one nullification.
Arrogance with reason behind it.
And since this was Korea, not America, Choi Yong-jun smoothly followed up.
“Guild Master Kim Minwoo. Isn't that a bit much? Praising other mages while having one like this.”
“It was all to help our Merhen improve. A little rivalry sparks progress.”
―Minwoo, was that it?
“Of course. That's why she whipped up a brand-new spell in seconds.
At their exchange, Choi Yong-jun hurriedly interjected.
“Wait, she created a spell on the spot?”
“That water dragon summon one? Yeah, she recreated something like that.”
… So Merhen copied the Water Dragon Summon spell?”
“Yep. An upgraded version, even.”
“That's what I'm dying to know.”
“Well, showing it off isn't hard. Merhen?”
[Merhen uses Water Dragon Storm (SS)!]
The water gathered above her hand transformed into a massive dragon.
Choi Yong-jun's eyes widened.
It was similar to Angela's spell, yet completely different.
From the appearance to the swirling power inside.
A whole different league.
She'd 'created' the spell.
He instantly understood why Kim Minwoo had phrased it that way.
‘That's not just copying?’
Choi Yong-jun wasn't the only shocked one.
Nearly 200,000 spectators.
And tens of millions of viewers.
All watched the scene live.
Gulp.
Choi Yong-jun swallowed and gripped the mic.
“Incredible. It looks similar to Water Dragon Summon… but so much more.”
Even a seasoned caster like him could only muster “incredible.”
―Angela crying blood tears kekekeke
―Real-time spell NTR what kekekeke
―And she uses it even cooler kekekeke
―One summon wipes out all kimchi mages kekekeke
―Insane summon For real kekeke can't stop laughing kekekeke
―Hey now, no disrespecting the summon. Call her 'Goddess of Magic.'
“… You said 60 trillion for 20%. Honestly, starting to make sense. Am I the only one?”
From spectators to viewers at home, everyone nodded inwardly.
Not content with being a divine archer, out came a summon devouring the world mage scene.
―20% for 60T? Seems like a bargain now?
―Looks too cheap?
―This the family discount or whatever?
―(Breaking) US Goldman investment offer, 10% stake for 50T.
―For real?
―Wait, is it real?
―Awakened powerhouses' finance firms going nuts? Places offering 60T for 10% too. (Breaking link.)
―Selling?
“Uh, Guild Master?”
“Yes.”
“They say overseas is blowing up. Wall Street firms offering 60 trillion for 10% stake. Any plans to sell more shares?”
“Way too lowball.”
“Yes?”
“Kidding. No plans to sell more right now.”
Kim Minwoo shrugged.
Why sell now when it's only going up?
Especially to Wall Street sharks who aren't even family.
Mess with them wrong, and they get annoying. No mercy before money.
Plenty of rich folks out there who stay hands-off—the good ones.
He shot Choi Yong-jun a subtle glance.
The event was run by the big three broadcasters, but Ilsung owned the waterworks.
Naturally, caster Choi Yong-jun was tied to Ilsung inescapably.
What to ask, what not.
Guidelines had been set long ago.
In other words, this was a well-scripted play.
Although no one had imagined Lavish Guild would be this strong, Choi Yong-jun caught the cue and said,
“Time for the last question. Everyone knows the government is gathering awakeners for a tournament these days, right?”
“Yes!”
The crowd nodded and replied. It was pretty big news.
Especially since not just Korea, but other countries too.
The reason soon came out.
A system-hosted tournament.
Word spread fast it was for selecting players.
“Three will be picked from preliminaries. And those three… will face off against the Lavish Guild members here in the finals!”
Normally, the follow-up wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Put another way, Lavish Guild got a free pass, skipping qualifiers.
But not here.
“Woooah!”
The crowd roared in cheers instead.
The Super Rookie tournament was international too.
A matter of national pride. Korea had choked in these forever.
Everyone secretly worried this time too.
But if Lavish Guild stepped up?
They could snatch victory outright. Today's show was no joke.
Special treatment?
With skills like that, of course.
The awakener world was meritocracy to the bone.
Treating them like everyone else would've been weird.
Viewers cheered the same.
―Aah, bored to death. 'Victory confirmed.'
―Korea finally wins one 😭
―Out of prelim hell at last 😭 Not huge scale, but still 😭
―Yeah. Gain exp here, then gate wars—bliss guaranteed kekekeke
The stadium heated up.
* * *
The guild battle ended.
By the time they exited, the sky was already darkening.
“Bro, afterparty?”
Park Siwoo asked, eyes sparkling.
“Wait, aren't you legal to drink this year?”
“Yes! I can booze legally now! Perfect time for team bonding! Sis, you think so too, right?”
“… Eh, sure, if we're going.”
“I'll text the spot, head there first.”
“Why? Got stuff to do, bro?”
“Yeah. Meeting someone.”
Dorim's Chairman Jo.
So urgent, he insisted on meeting ASAP whenever free.
Told him no for a while due to guild battle, he begged to meet right after.
So they scheduled.
Time to see him.
‘Must be shitting bricks.’
If Lavish Guild stayed quiet, maybe okay, but they kept flipping Korea upside down.
This guild battle peaked it.
From simple super rookies to a guild showing more.
The more they shone, the steeper Dorim's sales plunged in spiteful freefall.
So bad, even government hinted at easing up.
‘Might as well scoop all core businesses.’
Ilsung products selling like hotcakes, production lagging. Can't build factories overnight. Best to absorb someone else's.
And snag their talent too.
‘But that'll be tough.’
Even worms squirm when stepped on. Let alone Korea's No.2 conglomerate.
Choke them with no air, they'll thrash wildly. They still had reserves.
‘Guess settle for fair share.’
Time for negotiation skills.
“You two like Korean BBQ?”
“Us? Can't say no. Sis?”
“Fine by me.”
“Whole place then. Their green onion pancakes are killer. Address here…”
They nodded at the address.
“Go on ahead. Should wrap in an hour or two.”
Chairman Jo ran Dorim.
Kim Minwoo represented Ilsung too.
CEO meets CEO—no need for chit-chat.
Set the range, underlings handle rest.
“Ride's over there. They'll take you.”
No worries on the way.
Chauffeurs and Ilsung cars packed the stadium front.
The two left first.
Kim Minwoo boarded a car and named the destination.
“To Hannam-dong.”
Time to meet Dorim's chairman.