Chapter 133: Meeting
Even though there were no truly exceptional Awakeners, the high average was something to boast about.
“Ah, no…”
“This is a dream, it has to be… a dream…”
Now even that boast was in jeopardy.
Defeated by the guilds of a small Eastern nation, at best a 2.5-tier power on the world stage.
And in a way that left no room for excuses, utterly crushed.
To make matters worse, this was being broadcast live to the entire world by global media.
China had generously permitted access and filming from the start.
It was nothing short of an international embarrassment.
Soon, Nam Cheolmin grabbed the microphone and spoke.
“This victory is entirely thanks to Guild Master Kim Minwoo. Without the top-grade elixirs he supplied, today's win would have been impossible. With that in mind, Guild Master?”
Step.
Step.
Kim Minwoo stepped onto the arena and took the mic.
“As you've seen, Korea will only grow stronger from here. The days of being called an Awakener weakling nation are numbered.”
He gave a sly smile.
“On the other hand, what about China? At this rate… well, the future doesn't look bright.”
―…
The crowd fell silent, faces twisted in fury.
They couldn't erupt in rage despite their boiling anger because the result was that shocking.
Shrugging, he continued.
“I'm a busy man. Still, I was thinking of squeezing in a day for some Beijing sightseeing. This is the only chance. A golden opportunity like this.”
With that, he left the arena alongside the Ilsung Guild members.
Nam Cheolmin asked cautiously.
“You're really planning to stay here?”
“What have we done wrong? Since we're here, let's grab some good food. I've reserved a famous spot.”
For the record, even the Chinese Chairman frequented it.
* * *
US President Robert.
Lately, one name dominated his thoughts.
Kim Minwoo.
The man who shook America overnight by acquiring a top-grade elixir recipe, casually declaring he'd sell to China at ten times the price.
How on earth?
Out of curiosity, he watched the guild match between the two.
In an instant, the hand holding his cheeseburger began to tremble uncontrollably.
“… Convene a meeting immediately. Right now!”
At the president's command, America's key figures gathered.
The Awakener Department Minister cautiously handed over documents to the president.
“Analysis results.”
President Robert's face crumpled as he reviewed them.
[Analysis Data]
―Target: Nam Cheolmin
―Estimated world archer ranking in the top 100. Habit of mixing unnecessary movements when using skills…
(Updated)
―Bad habits gone, movements even cleaner. Now fully capable of top 60 in world archer rankings…
“Is this possible just from elixirs?”
“Absolutely not. Stat increases and cleaner movements are entirely different matters.”
“Right? That's what I thought too.”
“Yes. It seems Kim Minwoo did something special for the Ilsung Guild. Otherwise, such rapid power growth is impossible.”
“What do you think he did? The stat analysis doesn't suggest doping.”
“Given the elimination of bad habits, we're estimating some form of training. The mystery is… how he achieved such change so quickly.”
“…”
The Awakeners in the room nodded.
Kim Minwoo returned just two weeks ago, yet Nam Cheolmin's skill leaped from top 100 to top 60 archer ranking.
An absurd turn of events.
“… Come to think of it, the instructors were praised for their excellent teaching in the second exam, right?”
“Yes. Especially Merhen's training was astonishing. They even raised the grade of spells. Of course, without her, they'd revert…”
Even that was shocking.
“What if those instructors trained the Ilsung Guild?”
“We already checked with Dragon Guild. Thompson and Sophia improved, but nowhere near this level.”
“Still far short?”
“Yes. If they hid their full teaching ability, maybe, but they wouldn't ahead of a raid.”
The president nodded.
The minister was right.
Facing a dangerous raid.
Hiding their full potential by giving half-hearted instruction?
It didn't add up.
“… What about Kim Minwoo? Did he conduct separate training?”
“Yes. He was absent the first three days, then did joint training afterward.”
Tap.
Tap.
President Robert, drumming his fingers on the table, straightened up and spoke.
“Sum it up. Kim Minwoo seems to have some special ability. Everyone agree?”
“Agreed.”
“How do you think China will react going forward?”
“The leadership knows the elixir's effects to some extent. But the masses don't. So… outwardly, it'll look like the elixirs' incredible effects led to the win.”
“With Korea hoarding them, China's in a panic.”
“Yes. The Communist Party held power despite issues because of the vision of being an Awakener superpower. If that's shaken… their foundation crumbles.”
“So Kim Minwoo can keep up the bluff to pressure the leadership?”
“Yes. Just gesturing to supply elixirs to neighbors like Mongolia, Japan, India… would be huge pressure on Chairman Li Zemin.”
“What if the Chairman reveals the elixir's true effects?”
“Impossible. China only estimated; they couldn't steal any. Unless he shows the real thing…”
“… It'd just look like downplaying the effects.”
Whether to be glad for the tight security was debatable.
America was in a complicated spot too.
“Plus, the effects will be overhyped. That's another issue.”
“… My phone's already blowing up. I'll handle the allies.”
“Yes. And we need to decide whether to follow Kim Minwoo's lead.”
President Robert closed his eyes in thought.
“… Will China buy the elixirs?”
“Kim Minwoo showed insane ability, that's certain. So they'll probably meet and hear terms. They don't know yet if it's really ten times or bluff.”
“… They'll pay ten times. He won't want to break promises with us America. But he might bundle training with the elixirs.”
As a service, nominally.
Normally, America would flip if such went to China.
But criticizing Kim Minwoo now was awkward.
What if he fully aligned with China?
His true abilities were still unknown. A nightmare for America.
Pondering the president's words, the minister said cautiously.
“If really ten times… even including that training, it's an enormous price. If I were Chairman, I'd try to deal with Kim Minwoo while he's still in China.”
“Fair. Letting him return to Korea like this leaves the Chairman no options.”
“Yes. But there's a variable. Kim Minwoo knows the risk yet stayed in Beijing. Heading to a restaurant the Chairman frequents, no less.”
“Either crazy or has backup. One or the other.”
“Yes. Analyzing his actions… he seems to have backup.”
“Something so strong even the Chairman moving against him wouldn't matter?”
“Probably… his summons? Or faith in his own power.”
“Fair… with the world's eyes on him now… the Chairman would hesitate to act.”
“To handle Awakeners like him, they'd need Awakener units beyond the military, but Ilsung Guild already crushed Nine Dragons. Add Kim Minwoo… nightmare for the Chairman.”
Nodding, President Robert said.
“Cancel my entire schedule. And set a visit to Korea. As soon as possible.”
* * *
Chairman Li Zemin and the Politburo Standing Committee.
Having watched the guild match, their faces were contorted like they'd eaten shit.
“What the hell…”
The Chairman crushed an ashtray, face beet red. The result was that unbelievable.
Essentially 10:0.
Meaning Nine Dragons Guild's average was far below Ilsung's.
They couldn't even control the broadcast.
They'd invited every media outlet expecting the result to spread everywhere—how could they stop it now?
“This can't be real! What the fuck!”
“Th-that…”
The Standing Committee members averted their eyes.
They were high-rank Awakeners themselves.
Objectively, did Nine Dragons underperform?
No.
They showed their usual performance.
The problem was Ilsung.
They went berserk like they'd consumed legendary elixirs.
Game over.
And…
“Those damn bastards! Look at them harping on elixirs nonstop! That's pressure on us!”
“… No way top-grade elixirs alone cause that change…”
“Who doesn't know that! But who else does?!”
That was the issue.
Even they, who analyzed the effects precisely, now doubted if hidden extras lurked.
How would the ignorant masses see it, unaware of the true effects?
Just that they transformed via amazing elixirs and won.
How else could Ilsung surge overnight?
“They're gonna keep this shit up. What do we do?”
If not just Ilsung but others showed massive growth, packaged as elixir effects?
If China kept losing?
Cold sweat beaded on the Standing Committee members' foreheads.
“If we reveal our estimated effects…”
“Yeah, right, they'll believe that! Like 600 stat boost explains this?”
“…”
It'd look like China downplayed due to crisis. They couldn't show the real thing.
Security was top-tier.
Even China hadn't obtained a single one.
That's why they mobilized think tanks for analysis.
Now allies like America were cozying up to Korea.
Elixirs?
They wouldn't reveal effects before, nor after.
Why would they?
Just sitting idle tightens the noose around the Party.
‘Damn.’
‘This is bad.’
Then.
Someone said cautiously.
“About dealing with that Kim Minwoo bastard…”
“Fuck! Easy, huh? You think he's stupid enough to stay in central Beijing for no reason?!”
“Th-that's true, but…”
The Chairman's eyes grew cold.
It started as pressure on Korea.
But it backfired.
Someone had to take responsibility.
Not him, obviously.
One of these Standing Committee members would be deemed to have made a 'foolish' call.
Fine, whatever.
‘… Guess I need to meet him first.’
Him staying here meant he had demands.
Time to talk.
* * *
At a round table.
Ilsung Guild members devoured the piled-high food ravenously.
Cedric and Merhen ate too.
―Wow, Minwoo! This skin is super crispy!
―At least this world's culinary level is far superior.
Merhen stabbing and chomping Peking duck with a fork. Cedric savoring each bite delicately.
For today's quiet meeting, he'd rented out the entire place.
‘They're due any moment.’
Then.
The room door opened.
A familiar face appeared.
China's absolute powerholder.
Chairman Li Zemin.
Entering with Nine Dragons Guild Master and Vice-Master in tow, he scanned the room.
“Nice to see you. Not too late, at least.”
“… Quite a crowd.”
“Everyone, step out for a bit.”
At his words, Ilsung Guild members filed out one by one.
Left were Kim Minwoo and the Chairman—plus the two summons ignoring them, focused on food.
“You know them, Chairman? My summons. Say hi.”
―Cedric here.
―Hi. I'm Merhen. Chairman like duck too?
The Chairman stared at the summons in bewilderment briefly.
Then he sat at the table.
His eyes sharpened.
“… How the hell? Impossible with just elixirs.”
“Does it matter?”
“Hoo. What do you want?”
“I need a lot of money. Wanna buy elixirs? Ten times the price.”
“… And if not?”
“Well, your position gets trickier, Chairman?”
Kim Minwoo shrugged as he replied.