Chapter 130: Mind Games
Even though a full month had been specified, the tournament wrapped up far quicker than expected.
In just two weeks, the awakeners from every nation had finished the event and returned home.
The results spread like wildfire.
Korea?
It was total pandemonium.
[Breaking News! Lavish Guild Lights Up Korea! Sweeps 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Super Rookie Selection…]
[Breaking News! Selection Raid Contribution: Lavish Guild at 77%!]
[Breaking News! Reason for Delayed Return: Special Rewards?!]
[Breaking News! Returning Awakeners Convinced Korea Scored Massive Rewards…]
―No way they swept gold, silver, and bronze? This real?
―Every participant worldwide is saying the same thing, so you think it's fake? lol
―Kim Minwoo super hard-carrying again lol Did he solo the raid boss?
―For real. Contribution 42%? That's like chopping off all the boss's limbs single-handedly.
―The other guildmates are insane too? 20% and 15%;
―3-man raid lol
―And the awakeners they raided with are all national future assets lol
―Damn; Thought Kim Minwoo was just skilled, but his eye for talent is nuts too lol Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim, he scouted them both lol
―Yeah. Park Siwoo wasn't even awakened, all the guilds gave up on him. Without Kim Minwoo, he'd probably be swinging a shovel on a construction site right now?
―Seo Yerim's even crazier lol Went into one gate and ditched the sword she'd used her whole life to switch to archer lolol
―Wasn't she famous for grabbing a sword during some village festival archery contest? lol
―Ah, that video? lol It was epic lol
―Brings back memories lol The Sword Sage's lip twitch was legendary lol Back then the old man was still active, right?
―Not fully retired like now, but he barely went on gate raids anymore.
―Fair. He was in his 60s even then; that's normal lol
―Old man 😭
―Nah lol Old man's still kicking ass lol World record in his 80s lol
―Kimchi's best when it's fully fermented lol
―For real he's a beast lol
―Anyway, Divine Archer was born, right? Cheers~
While netizens chattered, a massive bombshell hit the news.
[Breaking News: China Toying with 'Export Controls' Card? Resource Crisis Looming!]
―… What?
―Probably cuz of the second exam. Chinese awakeners all wiped.
―Yeah. Only major awakening power to get totally eliminated.
―Heard the details, they deserved to die lol Thought they'd sacrifice fellow awakeners and survive? lol
―Judgment served lol But that's that… Aren't we screwed?
―Why?
―Check the list; If those get controlled, we're back to the Stone Age.
―Can't we self-sustain?
―You think? lol Trucks stop first, logistics chaos lol
―So what do we do?
―Breaking news again. These bastards are straight-up shameless; Sounds like they'll actually impose controls unless Lavish Guild apologizes politely?
―… So we apologize?
―Uh… Maybe?
―We could not… lol But our lives get… a lot tougher?
―Mixed grains with kimchi and tough it out fml!
―Uh… Won't mixed grains and kimchi prices skyrocket too…?
―No way;; Ramen too…?
―Ha… Does Korea have to apologize again…?
That's when.
Kim Minwoo's face appeared on the news. Reporters firing urgent questions at him.
Soon after.
―… Guild Master. Any plans to sell elixirs to other countries?
―Well, depends on the situation?
Cheers erupted alongside Kim Minwoo's response.
―We're saved lolol Feels like the board just flipped lolol
―For real. He's gonna snag the top-grade elixir recipe lolol
―Now we're talking lolol
―(Noob) I know it's rare, but that big a deal?
―Cute noob lol Top-grade elixirs are that big a deal lol How good do you think they are that other nations make secret deals to get 'em lol
―Sprinkle some to neighbors except China and it's delicious already? lol
―Gate turf war right around the corner and China tanks lol
―Nah nah. No need to sprinkle lol Forgot? That's US strategic asset lolol
―What idiot makes secret deals for elixirs? lol Just pay Kim Minwoo and buy 'em lol
―Anyone else hear the US ambassador to Korea rushing over, eyebrows falling out? lolol
―Yeah, Chinese ambassador ripping his hair out too~ If they leave it alone, we're screwed lol
* * *
When asked if he'd sell elixirs abroad, Kim Minwoo shrugged and answered. Probably broadcasting live worldwide.
‘Time to shake things up a bit.’
China?
Clashing with Korea head-on would be tough for them.
Export controls would hurt a lot. So call in the big players too.
Like the US, treating it as a strategic asset.
Or allied nations with secret deals for exclusive imports.
The major awakening powers, roughly speaking.
Interviews done, barely back home, and meeting requests flooded in.
First to rush over: the US ambassador.
So rushed, his bald spot gleamed with sweat.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kim Minwoo. US Ambassador to Korea, Steven.”
“Pleasure's mine. What brings you here?”
Steven bristled at Kim Minwoo's knowing, sly grin.
But only for a moment.
Composing himself professionally, he asked cautiously.
“… Did you really obtain the top-grade elixir recipe?”
“They gave me plenty of good stuff there.”
“… We need at least some verification. You understand?”
“Of course. But you're not asking to see the recipe…”
“Just name three demon-type monster materials and two humanoid-type.”
“Colossus spinal fluid, Atango tail feathers, demon heart, Medusa hair, centaur chieftain's eyeball. Something like that?”
“…”
The ambassador's face stiffened.
He didn't know the full recipe. Just basing questions on what the president told him.
‘Exact match.’
From the monsters Kim Minwoo named to the precise parts.
Identical to the snippet the president mentioned.
‘… He really got it.’
No denying it now.
“Down to business. The US probably just wants Korea not using it exclusively, right?”
“… Yes.”
Precisely, just Kim Minwoo and Lavish Guild would be ideal…
‘But impossible.’
Even for the US, restricting to that level was a stretch.
Kim Minwoo held the recipe, so he stated it plainly.
Koreans?
They'd want their awakeners to benefit too, naturally.
Factoring that in, at least let the holder nation Korea use it.
But beyond that? No way.
The US would be in deep trouble.
“You're not asking me to do it for free…”
“… What do you want?”
“Hmm. What should I want? Selling this is money printing, but now I can't? Hm…”
“… Money?”
“That alone? Can't wield influence either? World has things pricier than money.”
Sweat beaded on Steven's face. Honestly, ego bruised. Even the Korean president wouldn't be that arrogant to his face.
‘Damn…’
Situation sucked.
If he blustered here and Kim Minwoo met the Chinese ambassador?
Disaster.
Korea was at least an ally; China, effectively hostile.
Nothing more exhausting for the US.
‘What to offer?’
Money? No clue how much he'd demand.
From the vibe, money alone wouldn't cut it.
Seeing the silent ambassador, Kim Minwoo smiled.
“US and Korea are friends, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“I'd prefer we stay friendly.”
“Haha… Of course.”
Obviously.
Make an enemy of the top awakening superpower US?
Better to slap China a hundred times over.
‘Nothing to gain antagonizing now.’
Give where due, take what's yours, move on. Best play.
“China's been noisy.”
“They'll quiet down soon.”
“Obviously. So, mind if I sell some to them?”
“… To China?”
“10x price, US doesn't lose out.”
“… Pardon? 10x?”
What the hell was this guy saying?
Steven tilted his head.
US sold to secret-deal allies at 1.5x max.
Plenty of nations rioting even at that.
10x?
No one sane would buy…
‘Wait. They might actually.’
Gate turf war imminent.
For top awakeners, not impossible.
800 billion each, 600 units.
‘48 trillion…’
Squeezed right, maybe a few…
‘Still insane…’
If US bought at that? Impeachment incoming.
But China's different.
Opaque funding flows from the start. Near-dictatorship politics.
Dictators tanking nations? Plenty.
Factoring that, not impossible.
Just…
“… Think those guys would really pay that?”
“Not 'would they.' Make them.”
Kim Minwoo grinned.
“And payment doesn't have to be cash.”
“…”
If China really bought at 10x? US says thanks.
A few elites powering up to tank the nation? Fine.
No structure for them to beat top awakening superpower US anyway.
“… I'll consult home, but if you really sell like that, we could consider.”
“Tell them think it over. Korea growing suits US interests more than China.”
“Honestly, agreed.”
“Then down to business?”
Selling to China at markup was one thing. Still stuff owed from US.
Steven's bald spot gleamed again.
* * *
“Pleasure, Ambassador.”
“Likewise. Just to be sure…”
“No worries. Chinese ambassador won't even see my face. Though maybe on TV?”
“Looks like we can have a good relationship, Mr. Kim.”
“You too, Ambassador.”
“Will consult home and follow up.”
Steven left.
Soon, a bodyguard whispered.
“Young Master. Chinese ambassador's been waiting since earlier…”
“Didn't tell him to leave?”
“Of course. But he's insistent…”
“Chase him off politely. If he sticks, drag him out.”
“Even so… okay?”
“Yeah. Totally.”
Why buddy up with US otherwise? Even if export controls hit over this.
‘China bleeds.’
Current lineup?
China vs. US allies + US + Korea.
Controls? Month or two hardship?
China? Years of agony from that choice.
‘Whatever, let 'em bark.’
Needed to hustle till US replied.
Top-grade elixir recipe.
Used on skeletons.
Could alchemy elixirs with materials.
‘But crap quality.’
Top-grade? Near-max difficulty.
Skeletons' alchemy D-rank. Massive failure rate, crude results even on success.
Needed A-rank min for proper ones.
Months grinding skeletons to level up.
No time.
Current level ~270.
300 for elixir consumption soon.
Time to find a manufacturer.
‘But with recipe, they can make it.’
Not knowing materials/method blocks it; know 'em, try away.
Recipe registers eventually.
One person came to mind. Korea had decent alchemists.
Pulled out smartphone, dialed.
Soon.
―H-Hello…?!
Trembling, urgent voice answered.
‘Fair enough.’
Any alchemist would.
Feel the heart-pounding weight of Kim Minwoo calling now.
“Choi Yuna? Long time. Yes, Kim Minwoo. Saw the news. Need top-grade elixirs; meet to talk?”
Lowest to high-grade elixirs. Fast, precise, well-utilized alchemist Choi Yuna.
Later had Siwoo fund her for elixirs.
Now, lean on her for top-grade too.
Kim Minwoo headed out.
“Pleased to meet you, Choi Yuna.”
“M-Me too!”
At the cafe, hat-wearing Kim Minwoo spotted, Choi Yuna stomped excitedly.
Top-grade elixir recipe.
TV showed Kim Minwoo got it; nearly flipped out.
US witch's exclusive recipe!
Coveted to madness.
But couldn't reach out.
His status now worlds apart from first meeting.
Lately, only Park Siwoo contacts. Till high-grade supply ended. Thought no more meetings…
“Down to business. I know the recipe, you make it.”
“Y-Yes!”
“But can't just hand it over.”
“R-Right.”
“Know canned goods?”
“… Can, canned?”
Choi Yuna tilted her head.
Like, trapped making products?
“7 years. Exactly 7. Let's do that.”
Kim Minwoo smiled.