Chapter 109: Return Home
Saudi trip, day two.
The deposit went through quietly and cleanly. It probably helped that not only the king but also the key royals had all awakened amicably.
‘Clean money transaction.’
Just as he was enjoying delicious food and lounging at the hotel party hall.
The Ilsung board of directors arrived at the palace. They'd called them right after sealing the deal on the first day, and fortunately, they came rushing over immediately.
Time to properly savor some oil money.
The board members entered the party hall cautiously, looking hesitant.
He beckoned them over.
“This way.”
Near Kim Minwoo, who said that, all the Saudi ministers were waiting.
The royals who had received the benefits of awakening had already wrapped up all prior discussions. He introduced the board to the ministers.
“These are Ilsung's board of directors. Talk business with them. Please take good care of them.”
“Of course.”
“Just trust us.”
The ministers approached the board with beaming smiles.
Their faces lit up with fatherly grins, as if they'd hand over their livers.
And for good reason—their bodies had transformed overnight through awakening. The moment they consumed the elixirs, their physical abilities skyrocketed, bordering on rejuvenation.
No more stiff backs.
No more aching knees.
It was a change bordering on a revolution.
They'd even heard from the king that Kim Minwoo had made it all possible. On top of that, orders had come down to assign business to Ilsung on a priority basis.
‘Time to really rake it in.’
‘Load them up with projects.’
Ilsung Group wasn't some fly-by-night company; it was one of the globally recognized corporations.
Entrusting them with work meant they'd at least handle their roles competently.
The ministers' eyes sparkled as they looked at the board.
* * *
“… My God.”
Was this a dream or reality?
That was the board's sentiment.
Normally, snagging a single contract in the Middle East required endless lobbying.
But not this time.
The haughty ministers approached first with bright smiles, and every proposal got an instant OK, like vending machines.
“Ah, you want the plant contract? Perfect. We just happen to need one built…”
“We're planning a new building, actually a skyscraper project—how about taking that on?”
“We're developing a new residential complex…”
From construction to appliances and furniture, Saudi planned to blanket it all with Ilsung.
Dream or reality?
After a brief meeting, the board sought out Kim Minwoo.
“Y-Young Master. What in the world is going on?”
“Did it go well?”
Gulp.
The board swallowed hard and spoke.
“… The Saudi royals seem set to hand us all the new construction projects. Estimated value? Around 200 trillion!”
“Not bad. No need for separate kickbacks—just some courtesy gifts. I've already talked it over with the king.”
That was the price for awakening the king and others too. No need for kickbacks since it was fair compensation.
Still, a simple gift was just good manners.
“Whoa…”
The board stared at Kim Minwoo in a daze, as if beholding an incomprehensible being.
When they first heard he was going to Saudi, they'd wondered why.
In one day, he'd secured nearly 200 trillion in business. The god of sales, practically.
Plus royal backing meant no pesky flies buzzing around from the start.
‘Maybe he shouldn't have become an awakener…’
‘Should've inherited the company instead?’
If Kim Minwoo led Ilsung, the company would not merely dominate Korea; it could become a global giant.
That said it all.
And there was reason to think so. Since Kim Minwoo started seriously involving himself, Ilsung's growth had been blindingly fast.
Dominating the equipment market.
Dominating the appliance market.
Even the new Ilsung Phone was a massive hit, and now Saudi construction contracts?
‘… Too successful for his own good.’
If he were just a mediocre awakener, he might focus more on the company.
But he was too outstanding as an awakener, barely glancing at the company.
“You all worked hard. I'll be off now.”
“A-Already?”
“Got to level up and grow some more.”
He'd brought the baby birds to the water. No way they couldn't drink.
Ilsung's board weren't that incompetent.
Leave them here, and they'd snag business and work diligently on their own.
Like auto-farming.
‘Alright, time to go.’
Money deposited.
Smooth introductions made.
No reason to stay in Saudi longer.
* * *
Kim Minwoo's Saudi trip.
Public interest was already at a fever pitch from the guild war and ads.
Meeting the king pushed it to the peak. Why suddenly meet the Saudi king?
[Breaking] Five fighter jets for unprecedented escort! Kim Minwoo dominates in Saudi!
[Breaking] Saudi VIP treatment! Abdullah the 'Mr. Everything' personally welcomes at palace…
[Breaking] Kim Minwoo representing Ilsung to discuss Saudi business…
―What are those fighters? Spraying Taegukgi colors?
―Seems so;; State head-level treatment lol
―Kim Minwoo is Korea's rep awakener, right? Lmao
―But for just business talks? That much fanfare?
―He's repping Ilsung, top corporation, and a star awakener. Makes sense?
―Even accounting for that, overkill lol Presidents don't get that in Korea?
―Unless he found oil or something, no reason for that treatment;
―Direct meet with king means they had stuff to discuss? What'd he offer?
Breaking news poured in soon after.
[Breaking] Kim Minwoo hits Middle East homer?
(Kim Minwoo grinning arm-in-arm with Abdullah)
[Breaking] Kim Minwoo's insane connections!
(Kim Minwoo grinning with Saudi ministers at party)
―Wtf? Built that network in two days?
―What; BFFs with the king 😨;
―Royals all clinging to Kim Minwoo at the party lol
―This the super mega social butterfly?
―How do you get everyone that chummy in a day? Lmao hypnosis sword?
―Mr. Everything bro? Looks so cozy compared? Lmao
(Domestic top 10 chaebol chairmen politely waiting before the king)
―Shit lol That's Mr. Missing during Korea visit, right?
―Yeah, summoned top 10 chaebol chairs in a day lol
―Even asked each what business they wanted separately lol
―Chairman Kim's there too 😨
―(Info) Nicknamed 'Missing' bro, moves 3 quadrillion 😨
―Way bigger than Ilsung market cap lol
―4x Korea's budget lolol
―So Kim Minwoo's arm-in-arm with that titan?
―Royals clinging means he's the real power now 😨
―Went for business talks and this? No way lol Ilsung's the one begging for contracts lol
―Kim Minwoo gave something. No idea what. Yeah.
[Breaking] Ilsung Construction mega jackpot! 200 trillion in Saudi construction contracts!
―200 trillion? Not 20?
―For real?
―Hanmin Construction scraped 30 trillion total in Saudi?
―Yeah; But Ilsung grabs 200 in one go;;
―How many projects lol
―Skyscrapers, housing complexes, plants, etc.—everything to Ilsung lol. Even interiors and fixtures.
―Royals pushing full force. No other explanation lol
―In just two days?
―Yeah; And Kim Minwoo left Saudi immediately lol
―Normally you'd stay to build relations longer wtf lol
―(Departure reason) Gotta level up, gg.
―Ice cold lol
―Lmao can't hold back level up lol
By the time Kim Minwoo returned.
Reporters swarmed the airport.
“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Heard you had a private audience with King Abdullah! Care to share what you discussed?”
“As I said before leaving, it was business talks. Glad it wrapped up well.”
“What on earth did you say to land 200 trillion in contracts…”
“We shared lots of good talks.”
Kim Minwoo smiled faintly.
The nuance was clear.
Don't pry further.
‘Well, it'll come out eventually.’
The king and Saudi royals.
They hadn't awakened despite their age.
But after his visit, they all had?
People would guess what he traded for the Saudi contracts.
Awakening help.
He could imagine the fallout.
Rich non-awakened worldwide would freak out.
Dozens awakened? They'd think he had a special ability to uncover awakening conditions.
It'd get annoyingly busy.
Unless they were as rich as Abdullah, no point meeting one by one.
So he'd made a rough agreement with the king.
Simple gist.
Announce their awakenings a few days after he left.
Royals should trickle out slowly, one by one.
The king agreed readily.
It wouldn't erase all suspicion, but.
‘At least it'll be less annoying for a while.’
Catching the nuance, reporters switched questions.
“How was meeting King Abdullah?”
“Very kind and generous man. Had a great time thanks to him.”
Glancing at his watch, Kim Minwoo said.
“Guess I should go. Time to level up for the nation.”
Precisely, for personal glory over Korea, but topping the charts would boost Korea's face too.
‘Gotta grind A-rank gates.’
Hit 251 before preliminaries. Gate spinning was best for level grinding.
[A-rank Gate, Blazing Land entered!]
Blazing Land.
As the name suggested, swarming with fire-type monsters.
‘Plenty of mobs too…’
Decisively.
―Kyu.
['Hayangi' shares attributes with owner!]
[Ice attribute usable!]
Counter attribute to sweep monsters. After summoning his unit and hunting while spinning the gate.
[Skeleton unit average level reaches 101!]
[Skeleton unit grows!]
[Special technique learned!]
[Title, 'Owner of the Dragon Knight' activates!]
[You are the first Necromancer on 'Earth' to unlock skeleton potential!]
[Job change system activates!]
‘Huh?’
He tilted his head at the floating message.