Chapter 135: President Robert
President Robert visited the Blue House and, after a brief conversation with President Lee Kang-hoon, met Kim Minwoo in private.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Robert, President of the United States.”
“I’m Kim Minwoo. You wanted to see me.”
“I watched the strategy battle. It was truly impressive. I was wondering how you pulled off that 10x multiplier… Whew. I never imagined you’d exploit the information gap like that.”
“Korea’s already struggling as it is. Even I have to do my part for exports.”
“If that’s the case, I think the United States can provide plenty of support.”
“Shall we get to the point?”
“Very well. We’re convinced you possess a special ability, Mr. Kim Minwoo. It seems like some kind of ‘teaching,’ and we believe you shared it with China too. Otherwise, there’s no way that scale of funds would have moved.”
Well.
They’d already caught the scent and come running.
America was America, alright.
“So?”
“As you said, Mr. Kim Minwoo, it’s better for us if Korea grows over China. We’ll help you make the most of China going forward.”
“Straight to the point, I see.”
“What you’re handing over to China is already set in stone, isn’t it?”
“I’m aiming for around 5th place in the gate scramble for them.”
President Robert shrugged at that.
“5th place. Not bad from Chairman Li’s perspective. Might sting for China, though.”
“Is it my teaching you want?”
“Narrowly speaking, yes. But looking further ahead, it’s more than that.”
“Lay it out plainly.”
“From our analysis, you seem to love Korea a lot, Mr. Kim Minwoo. We can’t lure you to America. But leaving you be… your abilities are just too outstanding.”
“Must be a dilemma.”
“Exactly. The gate scramble is right around the corner, and honestly, we’re feeling the pressure. Your teaching—no, let’s call it education. We don’t know its limits or how far it applies.”
“It probably won’t work on world rankers.”
“I’d like to believe that, but you’re like an onion, Mr. Kim Minwoo. Layer after layer. This meeting’s giving me a real headache. Too many factors to consider.”
President Robert let out a sigh.
“We can’t just nuke an allied nation’s awakener for performing well. It’s a tough problem.”
Kim Minwoo chuckled.
“You’re too honest.”
“Don’t you like that sort of thing?”
They’d even figured out his tastes.
Kim Minwoo nodded.
“I do. But that doesn’t mean I’ll hold back my abilities or stop growing, right?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll educate your American awakeners too. Send them to Korea.”
“How many?”
“That education’s more hassle than it seems. Let’s start with 10. For reference, China’s getting five.”
“How many for Korea?”
“The 10 S-ranks from Ilsung, plus my guild members… around 12 total.”
“Same level as Korea’s?”
“Exactly. No restrictions.”
“Good. We’ll do it. What’s the price?”
“An A-rank level 9 skillbook. Necromancer skillbook, naturally.”
From here on, scouring the world for items gets tough.
Better dump the hassle of collecting and reinforcing on them.
If they want to keep learning, they’ll figure it out.
The Dullahan alone cost about 20 trillion.
Given how higher-grade skillbooks skyrocket in price, even straight successes on A-rank level 9 would probably eat 80 trillion easily.
If it fails midway?
Their accounts would be wrecked.
But hey.
It’s America. They’ll manage.
“That enough?”
“Throw in some cash too. Gotta hit the auction house.”
Robert scratched his head.
They’d already detected massive fund outflows to Saudi and China.
He wasn’t asking for a few hundred billion.
At least a trillion-unit sum.
The auction was days away.
Too tight for congressional funding.
Even if the teaching was amazing, shelling out that much would draw endless complaints.
If they were granting Kim Minwoo’s demands, it had to be off the books.
‘Chairman Li. Must’ve been rough.’
He’d probably walk a similar path.
“…We could manage about 20 trillion.”
That was roughly the slush funds from defense and intel ops.
“20 trillion. Being a democratic president sounds tough.”
“…Sometimes, I envy Chairman Li.”
“Well, I’ll gratefully accept.”
20 trillion secured.
Not bad for tuition.
America would send their top domestic talents.
An awakener of that caliber growing stronger was worth more than money could buy.
Especially with stronger gates possibly looming.
America was getting a bargain.
Li Zemin, take notes.
He might spit blood and roll on the floor in envy.
But what could he do?
America was too strong to pressure outright.
Some cooperation was essential.
“Then the narrow view’s settled. Now I’m curious about the big picture.”
“Sell guild shares to the US government too. Let’s cooperate on the gate scramble—Korea and America together. Everything from the results.”
This was going to take a while.
* * *
After Kim Minwoo finished speaking with the US President, President Lee Kang-hoon approached quietly.
“Did the meeting go well?”
“Yeah. Pretty good outcome. Got a decent haul. Not free, but.”
“Sorry. The nation should have your back at times like this…”
“Not your fault, Mr. President. And it’s just handing over some shares.”
“…How much did they ask for?”
“About 10%?”
After some back-and-forth with Robert, they settled on roughly 10%.
Not too much, not too little.
America could now plant a foot in this side—good for them.
‘Not bad for me either.’
Selling shares to America was always on the table.
As Lavish Guild grew, America would start watching closely.
Once growth threatened their hegemony, they’d flip out.
But shares?
It’d buy time by making it a give-and-take relationship.
Time was what they needed.
‘Plenty of ways America can help ahead.’
Like gate raids in the US, villain hunts internationally, cover for squeezing China, etc.
Plenty of benefits here too.
Anyway.
5% priced and handed over soon, the rest 5% later when the guild grew more.
Solid deal.
‘Growth speed’s definitely fast.’
In past timelines, America only crept in after at least two years of playtime.
Not this aggressively.
Just testing the waters.
But now?
Five months post-possession.
US President canceled everything to fly in, so proactive it was hard to shake him.
That’s how fast things were moving.
“I’ll head out now, Mr. President.”
“You’ve worked hard. Anytime Korea can help, just say the word. Anytime.”
He returned home amid President Lee Kang-hoon’s warm send-off.
Basement level 4.
Bubble bubble…
Between bubbling cauldrons, Choi Yuna tossed in ingredients, dark circles heavy under her eyes. She nodded off briefly.
But she kept pushing through, producing results.
“Yuna?”
“Huhng! Oh… yes! You’re here?”
“Sleep if you’re tired.”
“It’s just, once I got into it, it’s kinda fun. Levels and proficiency shoot up fast.”
Her eyes sparkled now, sleep forgotten.
Probably the steady bank deposits per elixir, plus her own fun. At least paying her top dollar.
“Eighteen hundred done so far?”
“Uh… probably?”
“Then just three thousand more.”
“More?”
“Yeah. New students coming.”
What she’d made so far went to Seo Yerim, Ilsung Guild, storage here—various uses.
With Nine Dragon Guild from China incoming, needed more elixirs.
“By the way, that’s 10x your usual pay.”
“T-Ten times?!”
“Yeah. Got a good price.”
“Th-Then I’ll do it! One week! No, five days! I’ll crank them out!”
Kim Minwoo nodded in satisfaction. Nothing motivated like money.
He set Choi Yuna on auto-macro mode and stepped out, dialing someone.
“Dr. Kim? You free now? Yes. Wanted to drop by. Oh, anytime works? See you in 30 minutes then.”
He hung up and got in the car. Soon, it stopped before a massive building.
Ilsung Comprehensive Research Institute.
Inside, past a few buildings, his target appeared.
[Magic Stone Battery Specialized Lab]
After absorbing Dorim’s division, he had relocated all related teams and facilities here.
Among them, Dr. Kim Seok-jin was.
‘The key guy.’
No him, no battery development. Naturally, salary bumped 100x to retain.
Dorim had squeezed him for peanuts—300 billion range.
Dirt cheap for pioneering a trillion-trillion market.
‘Battery, time to rush it.’
Originally planned to drag it out.
No need now.
Had leverage to negotiate evenly with America.
Got their tacit approval for battery market entry.
‘Crank up development.’
The President had brushed off the sudden battery topic mid-talk.
He’d regret that answer over time.
Inside, researchers bustled.
“You’re here!”
“Yeah, Dr. Kim. Satisfied with the facilities? Rushed them a bit.”
“Oh, absolutely! These setups were pipe dreams at Dorim!”
“Research progressing well?”
“Uh… well… we’re giving it our all, but…”
“Not rushing you. Speak freely.”
“It’s… from the internal structure for energy transfer to materials, still in early trial stages…”
Kim Minwoo nodded as Dr. Kim continued.
He knew the gist.
Stuck there for 10 years, no real results.
That’s why Dorim’s ambitious investments had withered.
“Know about slimes?”
“Slimes? Heard of them…”
“They drop clumps. Blob-like.”
Dr. Kim nodded.
He knew.
Slimes had once buzzed worldwide.
Put stuff in the blob, it’d melt it.
Trash disposal revolution?
World went nuts.
‘Then side effects hit.’
Stuff in, random explosions. Splashing acidic goo everywhere—massive damage.
Ambitious slime trash plants bankrupted some firms, scandal ended it.
Interest died, became unpopular monsters.
“Try putting a magic stone in that blob.”
“Huh? Magic stone?”
“Yeah. It’ll spit liquid. Mix in some of your researched materials and solidify.”
“…?”
“Then twist into a helix shape.”
Kim Minwoo shrugged.
Magic stones don’t explode.
Just ooze liquid.
Some groups analyzed it, but no one nailed the use.
Buried.
‘Dr. Kim exploited it.’
That’s all he knew.
Dr. Kim announced it himself. Didn’t know exact layout or materials.
‘He’ll figure it.’
Lead a horse to water, it drinks itself.
Dr. Kim had the chops.
“Definitely try it. Got it?”
“Yes. Not hard, but…”
“No worries if it delays research. You know me—your salary and budget are pocket change.”
“R-Right.”
“Do it. Please.”
“Yes. I’ll try it for sure.”
“Keep up the good work. I’ll head out.”
Seed planted. Wait for it to sprout.
* * *
May 5th.
The world’s most lavish auction house opens.
Unexpected top-grade elixir recipe boosted holdings again.
Warm Chinese cash: +50 trillion.
Democratic president’s sponsorship: +20 trillion.
Saudi king’s 100 trillion, plus prior Ilsung investment. Total over 200 trillion.
No small sum.
‘Time to splurge.’
Necromancer, swordsman, archer gear.
Those won’t be on offer.
Sweeping them all.
With cash to burn.
‘Grab some Cedric and Merhen gear too.’
So far, stuck them with safe rares.
But now money overflowed.
‘No need anymore.’
Merhen: mage gear.
Cedric’s job odd—melee general stuff.
‘Spend big.’
Money’s for times like this.
9 AM, message popped up.
[The Celestial Auction House has opened!]
[You possess an invitation!]
[Join the Celestial Auction House now?]
Perfect morning wake-up.
“Hayangi.”
―Kyu.
It perched on his shoulder.
“Daddy’s going shopping. Come with.”
―Kyu. Kyu?
“Yeah. Shopping. Daddy’ll buy you lots of treats today.”
―Kyu!
[Participant #1. Kim Minwoo. Verified.]
[Joining Celestial Auction House!]
[A special mask covers your face! Removing it is up to you.]
Scenery shifted with the message.
Opulent auction hall interior.
Already packed with a thousand masked figures.