Chapter 143: Demonstration
Whoosh!
Vehicles racing from morning till night without end.
Even when Isabella showed up, I'd already guessed the performance wasn't fake…
But seeing it with my own eyes was a whole different level.
—Any chance this is rigged…?
—It's live broadcast, drones and cams all over the vehicle inside and out, foreign press swarming it?
—Get real lol PR queen Isabella lol
—No black swan from Ilsung full buyout? lol
—US battery stocks in freefall rn lol
—Hold tight lol circuit breaker incoming lol
—Black Monday lol
Panic sell.
Dumping stocks in fear.
That's what the US stock market was doing right now.
Last night was chaos too, but nothing like this. At least it hit circuit breaker once and bounced back.
Then the index held at around -2.6%, putting up a decent defense.
But now?
Different story.
Every lap Voltron made around the track, the indexes plunged right alongside it. Another dramatic rebound after circuit breaker like yesterday?
No such luck.
Even a tech newbie could see 1,000km on a charge vs. 3,000km was a massive gap.
For the engineers? The chasm was even wider.
US battery industry?
Total loss of will to fight.
Wall Street screaming bloody murder too. Decades of US dominance—not just in gates, but tech too.
Stocks had been climbing peak after peak. Even newbies heard “just buy US dividend stocks if you don't know shit.”
Then circuit breaker hits?
S&P -9%.
—9.1%.
—9.3%.
“Sell! Sell it all! Dump every battery stock down to your last pair of underwear!”
“Save us!”
And the real problem? This wouldn't end today.
How many industries use batteries?
Apple already down -5%, a clean plunge. Tomorrow? Day after? No guarantee no more breakers.
White House in unprecedented frenzy too.
President Robert.
He rubbed his temples, sighing like his head hurt.
‘Damn it.’
Permitting battery industry entry.
One of the things Kim Minwoo demanded last time they met.
Robert had agreed.
Batteries?
US turf.
Top global firms challenged it, none succeeded.
That's why he agreed.
But not even two weeks later, this monster drops.
He gathered engineers and scientists.
“… Just how good is that thing?”
“Half-joking, it's alien torture-level. Current US batteries can't compete.”
“Tech gap at least 20 years. Material combo too complex—impossible to copy.”
“Haa…”
Robert sighed.
Recent Korea import/export trends? Mass production ready. Massive resources flooding in from China.
Factory expansions nonstop. Production no big hurdle.
Sure, couldn't meet global demand yet, so exports limited to select nations…
But even that dooms the battery sector. Lobbyists screaming everywhere for mercy.
Makes sense.
Apple and other battery users already slashing orders, scrambling to cozy up to Ilsung.
He gathered aides.
“… Let's think best path forward.”
“Sanctions or export bans to pressure Korea… possible, but…”
“Not easy. We signed official contract with Kim Minwoo. Includes battery tolerance clause. We could skirt it, but…”
Then.
CIA Director cautiously spoke.
“Mr. President. Kim Minwoo waited in central Beijing for the Chairman. Temper's no joke—he won't sit idle.”
“… Yeah. That's the issue. If we do, how's he react?”
“… Strengthen ties with China. We broke promise first—he'll link arms with Chairman no hesitation.”
“Urgh…”
“And our US Awakeners? Might lose future drive. His training's worth it. Plus top elixirs—he'd flood China with them.”
Science community chimed in with bad news.
“Mr. President. This is super-gap tech. Sanctions mean our firms lose slime batteries too. Competitiveness tanks.”
“Military issues galore. Subs with slime batteries vs. without—endurance gap huge.”
“… True.”
Weapon systems less dominant post-Awakeners, but still vital.
“So, just accept it?”
Aides fell silent.
US tech hegemony slipping—even one sector—ripples massive.
“… Tough call. All in, compromise best bet.”
‘Driving me mad.’
Compromise?
Easy?
Mutual ha-ha only when sharing profits.
What share does US get from slime batteries?
At best, Korea tech transfer, duo monopoly. They'd hand it over nicely?
Met him once—Kim Minwoo no pushover.
He'd demand a fortune.
Robert's face fell, watching hair shed.
“… Got it. Everyone out.”
Cleared room, sighed, picked up phone.
End of day.
US reaching out first.
* * *
‘Screaming along nicely.’
Voltron kept cruising, unfazed by all-nighter.
Isabella didn't shill the vehicle itself, pity, but fine.
Her absence sold slime batteries as legit. US battery stocks proved it.
Then.
Phone rang.
Familiar number.
Grinned, answered.
“Yes. Kim Minwoo.”
—Robert here. You know why.
“Decision made?”
—We'll honor it. But coexist, please. Battery firms all bankrupt? US in deep trouble.”
“Of course. Coexist. Great word.”
Living together.
How nice.
Kim Minwoo fully willing.
As long as he held the leash.
“Needed factories anyway. Share tech. Just pay hefty royalties. Term? Say 30 years.”
US battery firms?
Convert to slime battery plants. Meets surging demand, floods market fast.
Grow market with US—expands huge.
—… Royalty rate?
“30% of sales profit.”
—Haa… 30% too high. Industry won't swallow.”
“Then let 'em reject, all go bust. Weak get weeded out—world's way, no?”
—…
Silent Robert.
—…30% excessive. Some leeway, please.
Yeah.
Pitch 30%? Front-page cartoons—him kissing Ilsung shoes.
Reelection looming—no thanks.
“So Mr. President, I get one owed?”
—… Yes. Owe you. So please…
“Then 20%.”
—20%…
“Honest now. Factor market growth—US can live with it. Not killing 'em outright.”
Aimed for 20% originally.
Call high first—lowering feels generous.
Robert guessed it.
Owing favor? Smooth relations wish.
The silence was brief.
—… Deal. But anything else hidden? Your words make my heart race—bad way.”
“Dunno. Trade secret. Anyway, tell CEOs nicely. Hype slashing 30 to 20—your hard work.”
—I'll set CEO meetings.
“P. S. Reject first offer? Next royalty higher. Pass that on.”
Warning given.
Stall? US bleeds.
* * *
30-hour nonstop demo ends.
Stunning range, smashing success.
As curtain fell.
Step.
Isabella approached.
Cleared throat briefly.
“Shilled hard. 30 hours in that car—ass numb as hell.”
“With your stats?”
“… Anyway, gave my all.”
“Good work. Head home, rest up, eat nice.”
Kim Minwoo turned.
Isabella grabbed his wrist urgently.
“Wait.”
“…?”
“… That's it?”
“More to say?”
“Heart Fist?”
“Heart Fist? Why?”
“You said hustle promo first.”
“Yeah. Payback for intros. One demo for that secret? Really?”
Face flushed, she said.
“… I'm not that shameless. Just…”
“Just?”
“… Send me home like this?”
“Dunno. Nothing more to gain from you. Nothing to task.”
“… Want the tablet?”
“Nah. That trivial?”
“… Trivial? Seemed precious then.”
“Value shifts hourly. You studied econ.”
Tablet?
Current Isabella wouldn't trade 300 for Heart Fist.
Felt its power sparring Sword King.
Cup of cold water to desert-thirsty? Priceless.
Same now.
“What do you want?”
“Dunno. Really.”
“… Holding that rejection grudge?”
“Not petty. Just… really dunno.”
Voltron.
Could've bundled promo set.
East Asian cars inferior? Thoroughly trashed 'em.
Fact, sure.
Ilsung vehicles lagged Western luxury—truth.
But truth hurts hearer.
That's it.
“Gonna head out. Gotta grow fast—keep 4-month promise.”
“W-wait! Ilsung product promo?”
“Dunno. One thing clear: want Heart Fist? Show sincerity. Whatever it is.”
“…”
Silent Isabella.
Want from other, but clueless what they want?
Tough spot.
Kim Minwoo knew.
That's why.
Vague means…
‘Get more.’
Trade Heart Fist for one promo gig?
Bad math obvious.
“Think hard back home. What to offer for him to teach…”
Mid-sentence.
● You are humanity's 'Horizon Opener'!
● Recognize world change!
● Over ten powers chose special option!
● Achievement points 50…
● First mass choice bonus: 150 points…
● Hold Achievement Vending! Doubled…
Familiar messages.
Popped when bored. SS-rank Awakeners spawning, Necromancer picks up too.
Difference?
‘Bonus points?’
11th Necromancer triggered extra bonus. And so…
● Total achievement points surpassed 3,000!
● 'Gold' grade items unlocked!
● Limited 'Necromancer' items generated! (10 hours till sale end)
● 'Earth Credit' value now exchangeable with achievement points.
● You contributed most to Earth Credit value rise. Special perk granted.
● From now, convert Earth Credits to achievement points.
“Huh?”
Earth Credit.
Rastan's term for Earth money at Sky Auction.
So now…
Cash to copy achievement points?