Negotiation (2)
Pureum Corp has an obligation to provide users with fresh and enjoyable content.
Of course, that content should ideally suit the current situation and draw the attention of as many users as possible.
Several months after server integration.
Pureum Corp had been racking their brains for more such content, but nothing came easily.
That's when user Hyun-soo officially declared the start of the Great Atlas War.
The Great Atlas War was a siege battle where real forces under Hyun-soo defended a virtual castle.
The allied forces, meanwhile, were spearheaded by each nation's top players and world rankers.
Ironically, this would concentrate more people than the 'Continental Wars' held across the world.
It should have garnered significant global interest, but expectations were too low.
The power gap between the two sides was just too vast.
That's the power level the world imagines.
CEO Lee Se-jin judged that while there was indeed a big difference in forces, it wasn't as absurd as people thought.
At the very least, Hyun's Forge is stronger than they realize.
This could lead to a massive reversal.
Of course, whether an even more dramatic twist unfolds would depend on user Hyun-soo.
There was one reason Se-jin had come to the press conference.
"It's CEO Lee Se-jin!"
"Why is CEO Lee Se-jin here?"
As he entered the press room, camera flashes erupted from the reporters.
Hyun-soo, Kali, and the representatives from both sides standing behind were equally stunned.
CEO Lee Se-jin approached the podium and spoke softly.
"How about a short break?"
Hyun-soo and Kali sensed he had a proposal for them.
The discussion paused briefly.
***
In the waiting room behind the press conference hall.
A long table was set up, with Lee Se-jin at the center, Hyun-soo and Hye-in from Hyun's Forge on his left, and Kali along with each nation's top players on his right.
Se-jin made an intriguing proposal.
"I've come to officially host this event initiated by Hyun's Forge under Pureum Corp."
His appearance had been somewhat anticipated.
Hyun-soo grimaced, but the allied side wore pleased smiles.
Our victory is assured. Broadcasting it worldwide at this moment will show everyone Hyun's Forge crumbling pathetically, elevating our prestige even further.
Hyun-soo, who had recently hunted the legendary monster Fenrir.
Seeing him easily toppled would benefit the allies greatly.
Hye-in shook her head.
"You're saying you'll broadcast the Great Atlas War on every major game channel worldwide."
Announcing Pureum Corp as the host would allow them to rope in global broadcasters.
But it favored only the allies and put Hyun's Forge at a disadvantage.
Of course.
...Our reversal could elevate Hyun's name even higher.
Even the current reversal alone could cause a massive stir.
But Hye-in was about to object, and Se-jin caught on.
"According to the report I received on the way, the allies proposed one week. I suggest three weeks."
Hye-in and Hyun-soo were impressed.
He seemed to read their minds.
One week was too short for them, a month too generous for the allies—they were aiming for three weeks.
The allies would reject it.
"...We have no desire to grant further concessions. Why should we?"
"Concessions...? You gathered countless powerhouses to crush one outstanding individual, forcing Hyun's Forge to launch the Atlas War out of necessity—is that what you call granting concessions?"
They flinched.
It was a plain fact, one only Lee Se-jin could state.
No matter how much they were a nation's top players or wealthy.
Lee Se-jin was on another level entirely.
The world's richest man, with assets exceeding 100 trillion won.
Se-jin wasn't taking Hyun's Forge's side.
"The allies should consider this too. If the Atlas War erupts in a week and proceeds as easily as expected, will people cheer? No. They'll criticize it as powerhouses ganging up to drag down one person. But if Pureum Corp grants a full three weeks, that changes everything."
This was also true.
Hyun-soo sharply pointed it out.
"And for those reasons, do we have to accept Pureum Corp's opinion?"
Of course, three weeks bought Hyun-soo time, which was good.
But worldwide broadcast was burdensome, a concern the allies shared.
Worldwide broadcast was fine, but was it necessary?
"Yes."
But Se-jin was thoroughly prepared.
"I've prepared rewards."
Hyun-soo and Hye-in reacted most strongly.
Hyun's Forge has no rewards.
If Pureum Corp sets them...?
"First, if the allies win, they'll receive an elixir that boosts all stats by 5."
"...An elixir!"
The allies gasped at the word elixir.
Elixirs were items nearly impossible to buy even with money.
The tops had brought their subordinates to the event.
With Hyun's artifact creation rights monopolized by themselves, guilt and burden toward their underlings had coexisted.
"If Hyun's Forge wins, everyone gets a mystery elixir."
Hyun-soo tilted his head at the unfamiliar mystery elixir.
"A mystery elixir basically boosts all stats by 5. But Hyun's Forge is at a disadvantage in this Atlas War. Depending on audience response or how much damage you take to win, it could grant more than 5 stats."
A great elixir assuming a reversal.
Se-jin looked to the allies.
No further objections.
The allies are in a favorable position. It's natural their rewards are measured better.
But Hyun's Forge felt their rewards lacking, and Se-jin could fill that gap.
"Hyun-soo will receive a personal reward."
"...A personal reward?"
He had been regretting and frustrated.
Even if they somehow won, the gains weren't huge.
They focused on Se-jin's words.
What personal reward would he grant?
"Divine beast materials."
"...!?"
"...!?"
"...!?"
The waiting room buzzed.
No one in Ares was ignorant of divine beasts.
Divine beasts were far more tremendous existences than imagined.
With no true gods fully appearing in this world yet.
People were convinced Ares had real 'gods.'
Divine beasts proved it.
Divine beasts were god-like among monsters.
Thus, divine beast materials meant power close to divine grade.
Hyun-soo's heart raced.
Insane...
Se-jin's unexpected appearance offered him rewards and set a goal.
As a blacksmith, divine beast materials were more tantalizing than dragon or demon ones.
He had already seen Babylon embedded with 100g of divine ore.
His mouth went dry.
Japan's Musashi raised an objection.
"Why offer such an absurd material? Favoritism because he's Korean?"
Kali subtly gripped his sleeve, but Musashi bristled.
Musashi was hot-tempered and poor at rational judgment.
Se-jin eyed him sharply.
"User Hyun-soo agreed to craft at least 20 legendary artifacts as compensation if he loses. Taking value exceeding 20 legends, such remarks are hard to understand."
Irrefutable charisma emanated from CEO Lee Se-jin.
"Crafting 20 artifacts takes over a year. Is that excessive? If both sides don't get fair rewards, can this even qualify as a proper 'event'?"
Se-jin nailed the facts.
"To me, it looks like several people bullying one to just take everything."
"......"
Musashi's face flushed, and Mio mediated.
"I acknowledge it. User Hyun-soo earning divine beast materials upon victory is sufficient."
Kali smiled faintly.
"Musashi made a mistake. I acknowledge that too. And divine beast materials... well."
Rankers calculated faster than others.
"What's the point of getting materials you can't even use right away?"
Higher-grade materials had crafting restrictions.
"You need level 650 to use them."
"Pfft."
They didn't know Hyun-soo's true caliber was his skill.
"The material details will be shared only with user Hyun-soo."
Everyone agreed. That much convenience was fine.
"Do both sides agree to Pureum Corp hosting?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Then we'll issue the press release, finalize event details and rules, and proceed in three weeks."
The press conference attendees dispersed quickly.
The allies' faces were full of smiles.
One week or three—makes no difference to us.
They were certain of victory.
And in his Bentley, Lee Se-jin thought.
He had checked the Atlas War win rate via supercomputer.
He wasn't showing favoritism.
Simply put, Hyun's Forge's current odds were abysmally low.
Lee Se-jin believed.
Whether the Great Atlas War became entertaining depended entirely on user Hyun-soo.
He'll check the notification the moment he gets home.
And whether he obtained those materials also rested with Hyun-soo.
***
Hyun-soo logged into Ares.
Rewards have appeared...
That alone ignited massive motivation.
Whose is it?
He knew the Ares Church's divine beast Phoenix, symbol of good, wielded the world's strongest flames.
What if it's a Hydra?
The absolute evil Hydra enabled the world's strongest poison weapons.
Then Hyun-soo saw the Twin Dragon Swords.
I already have these Twin Dragon Swords, which are plenty.
Logging in, Hyun-soo marveled.
The divine beast's identity, known only to him.
You learn about the Guardian Deity Hyeonmu.
Guardian meant to protect and defend.
Win the Great Atlas War to acquire Hyeonmu's Carapace.
Confirming it, Hyun-soo was stunned.
Hyeonmu's Carapace.
The highest-grade material currently in Ares.
What ultimate material was it?
Armor.
At that moment.
Blood King Brad.
He received a report on anomalies from the Goyad fall.
"...Gremory descended?"
Another intriguing report caught his interest.
"...An unidentified figure killed over 50 commanders."
Hearing the description, Brad's eyes widened.
"...It's Lukio. He's become human again!"
His subordinate asked.
"Shall I bring him?"
Brad shook his head.
"I'll go myself."
Meanwhile.
Lukio smiled bitterly.
I'll leave without causing harm.
He surveyed Atlas territory, where he'd stayed only a few days.
He knew.
The king he'd served would notice and come for him soon.
The Great Atlas War.
He hadn't joined not just for lack of cause, but because he knew he had to leave soon.
As Lukio prepared to depart, a small dog approached.
"Mang...?"
This dog was special.
As if sensing what was happening, it gazed at him with worried eyes.
"...Protect your lord. It'll be fine with me gone."
Lukio stroked its head.
The current Hyun-soo couldn't defeat the Blood King.
"Mang! Mang!"
Bokdeongi barked at Lukio leaving the territory.
And Bokdeongi had power.
His scent, his traces.
No matter where he went, Bokdeongi could track him.
And Bokdeongi knew.
If he returned, he'd live to protect Hyun-soo.