Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Goldian's Relocation Bombshell
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The world's corporate behemoth, the Goldian Group, announces its relocation plans to South Korea.
The sudden news left people thinking it was inevitable while still unable to hide their shock.
- Analysis of impacts from the announcement by the world's No. 2 conglomerate, Goldian...
It was clear that Goldian had, at some point, begun showing pro-South Korea tendencies.
It was also confirmed that the group was moving due to its ties with Go Yohan.
But to announce relocation plans to South Korea in the current situation?
No matter how one looked back at their past actions, it was hard to comprehend.
"Richard!"
A thunderous voice echoed through the Oval Office in the White House.
"You're insane! Truly insane!"
The U.S. President couldn't contain his rage, his hands trembling as he shouted.
"How... how could you..."
The moment he heard the news of Goldian's relocation, he had summoned Richard, the head of Goldian.
Even though Goldian was unlisted, it occupied a massive share of the U.S. economy, so their relationship had always been close.
"Without even a word of discussion..."
Goldian's announcement had been made abruptly, without any prior conversation with the U.S. government.
"This is utterly abnormal."
Corporations prioritize profit.
For a transnational giant like Goldian, even nations were mere bargaining chips—but this was different.
"Relocating headquarters? No, the entire business to South Korea? At a time like this, without even consulting me?"
Already, figures from the economy and politics were demanding explanations from the President due to Goldian's relocation news.
They feared the massive ripple effects from even one such move and worried about the fallout for themselves.
"You're insane!"
The President shouted again upon returning.
His bulging eyes burned with an intensity that seemed ready to tear Richard apart on the spot.
"What's the problem?"
Richard finally spoke.
"Goldian has never received government support, and this is simply our inherent right—our 'freedom.'"
"You!"
"I'm well aware that our agreement explicitly includes such provisions."
"That's..."
The U.S. President rubbed his face.
It was true.
It was clearly stipulated in the contracts between Goldian and the government.
*Back then, we were certain nothing like this would happen.*
After a certain point, uprooting a system they'd deeply embedded becomes incredibly difficult.
Above all, the U.S. had offered Goldian promises greater than to anyone else, and they had been faithfully upheld.
So there was no reason for them to leave.
"What do you want?"
"......"
"If you have demands, I'll grant them."
When the angel appeared, America was in a festive mood, but that wasn't the full story.
A significant portion of South Korea's material and human resources—more substantial than expected—had moved to the U.S.
Even without that, with investments exploding into the U.S. where the angel had appeared from nations without one, the economy should have been in a boom.
*But stock prices aren't just holding—they're falling.*
Vast capital—insufficient to call it merely vast—was ebbing away like the tide.
For now, the influx of investments hid it, but at some point...
Gulp.
Experts predicted the U.S. economy would reel as if struck by a bomb.
If even Goldian slipped away in this midst...
"The U.S. government is painting a brilliant future alongside the angels. I was certain Goldian would be a fine partner in that."
It would be a fatal blow.
"Tell me."
Thus, he wouldn't let them go.
"Not to you, but to your master."
*
*
*
Silence descended upon the Oval Office.
This was a stark contrast to Richard's usual unflappable, leisurely demeanor.
No, he was leisurely.
More so than ever.
Not a feigned leisure, but one emanating genuinely from within.
Clench.
The sight only fueled the U.S. President's rage further.
"I will relay the Master's words."
Ha, the President exhaled shortly.
This was the most secure office in America.
*How are they communicating?*
He held no phone, wore no electronic devices—yet it seemed he could connect externally.
Shivering at their technological prowess, he waited in silence.
"Goldian's conditions are..."
"Speak freely. I'll consider everything positively!"
"There are none."
"......!"
The U.S. President's face contorted as if shotgunned in the back of the head.
"Goldian's relocation will proceed unconditionally. This is merely a notification, not a request for permission. If needed, check the contract terms."
"This..."
Insane!
"Truly!"
It felt like his heart would burst.
"You're crawling on your own feet under that mad tyrant's thumb?"
Go Yohan.
"Didn't you see what he showed? He's a butcher! A butcher!"
He was the one who stabbed his own nation's president to death before the world's eyes.
"He's the devil's nemesis? Nonsense! If he's an angel, he'll side with the United States of America!"
He was the one who tore even those angels apart.
"If he declares Goldian devils and massacres them, what then? If he raises that hand pointing at Goldian, do you think Goldian will emerge unscathed!"
No! No!
"A mere twenty-one-year-old, a puny human wielding power he shouldn't have—truly!"
Psssh!
Steam seemed about to erupt from his head.
"Fine, you go alone! Leave Goldian behind!"
Goldian's value swirled in his mind.
Their overwhelming technology in extracting mana from magic stones, rare resources from gates.
Their smelting and processing tech for rare ores only found in gates.
Their ability to craft Rare and Unique-grade items.
"All that owes to the United States' efforts too! Do you truly not know?!"
They had rocketed into the global top 10 just by holding item auctions and player trading systems, but once they grasped those technologies, they sprouted wings.
And more.
-Goldian Services.
Recalling the myriad businesses under Goldian's name.
"You mad bastards."
The U.S. President spat.
And then.
"Did you not know?"
Richard, who had silently endured the insults, spoke.
Swoosh.
Rising from his seat, he looked as if there was no further need for talk.
"That all of it was granted by Him."
"......! What do you..."
"Yes, Goldian was just a big tech firm skimming fees from item auctions and player trades."
Richard's eyes were calmer than ever.
As if this was his true face.
"Think back to when Goldian acquired extraction technologies like for magic stones."
"......!"
"You don't even know which came first."
Snicker.
"Then, enjoy your happy times with the angels, President."
The U.S. President stared blankly.
Creak.
The office door opened.
"No choice, then."
The President spoke with a cold sneer.
"Arrest him."
"......"
*
*
*
News arrived of Goldian's relocation and the detention of its head, Richard.
The charges numbered dozens, not one or two.
Simultaneously, a full investigation of Goldian began, with seizures and searches underway.
Among the many charges, the gravest—though phrased variously—was:
-Treason.
The claim was that Goldian plotted to overthrow the United States.
Public opinion roiled wildly, sending shockwaves across the globe.
-Goldian's defection is real! Scum trying to steal what they received from great America.
-Go Yohan's power abuse was the biggest concern, but what of America's current state?
Amid divided opinions clashing.
Chirp.
A radio crackled.
"Black Panther, position confirmed."
Dozens of shadows.
No.
Swoosh.
Hundreds of shadows encircled a building in the middle of the desert.
They confirmed the target via telescopes and advanced gear.
Chirp.
"Awaiting orders."
The radio echoed, their presence shrouded in sand by silently descending mana.
Chirp.
-Black Panther...
From beyond the radio, through layers of superiors, came an order from an untraceable command level.
-Black Panther, kill on sight.
The order dropped.
Behind the moving shadows followed eccentrically suited figures.
Codename: Black Panther.
Unknown to the public.
'The true owner of Goldian.'
The name for Samuel.
Dozens of ways existed to contain Goldian, which betrayed America.
The simplest: sever the head and absorb the rest.
'Richard is already detained.'
With him—the holder of all authority—in government hands.
Chirp.
"Prepare to breach."
Kill the true master, and Goldian would fall into U.S. government control.
For the great United States, it was the swiftest, most perfect plan not to yield anything to that small Eastern nation.
"Black Panther assessed as a hidden powerhouse, reportedly possessing Legendary-grade equipment."
Those poised to breach spoke.
"Self-strength alone places him among top rankers."
Most were players from the U.S. Association, government-leashed mercenary guilds like Black Mountain.
They were skilled enough to enter rankings anytime, and their commander, Foraya, already held a spot in the world rankings.
-Gigant, Foraya.
World ranking 12, a formidable force.
But not the end.
"Security systems expected to exceed imagination. In emergencies..."
Three suited figures waiting behind.
They were America's strongest new assets.
"Entrust everything to the angels."
Soon, they all began crossing themselves.
"May God's grace be with us."