Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Market Reversal
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The news of Goldian HQ's relocation had turned South Korea's sparkling blue stock prices a deep red.
And the momentum was more severe than expected.
A smirk crept across her face.
Lee Ha-yeon looked utterly unfazed, as if this were only natural.
She stretched, loosening her body, then gazed at the screen and murmured softly.
"Fights are all about momentum. Just you wait."
When releasing good news, do it all at once.
Knowing full well how crucial momentum and flow were, Lee Ha-yeon had no intention of letting this moment slip.
Not again.
"What should we start with?"
She had far too many cards up her sleeve.
"That Goldian bombshell was a big one, so let's match it."
Tap, tap.
Drumming her fingers, Lee Ha-yeon spoke.
"Liberty first."
The world's number two guild, America's pride, the symbol of freedom—Liberty Guild.
With over 30,000 members and an average level well over 200, it boasted the most rankers of any guild.
Some raid parties even included twenty rankers, so it was widely predicted that Liberty would soon claim the top spot.
And now.
"Yes."
Liberty's name had been dropped.
It was information that had been desperately suppressed in the U.S. to stem the falling stock prices.
Tick.
-World's number two guild, Liberty, has split.
Now it was being exposed.
-Liberty's vice-raid captain, Kyle, along with top ranker Greus and others, has declared independence from the guild.
Kyle, who had long been active in Liberty, expanded his influence even further after becoming a zealot.
Thanks to the resources pouring in from the church and temples, he focused on his own growth and generously supported those he considered his own.
In fact, Kyle was even mentioned as Liberty's future guild master.
The faction he controlled was nearly half of Liberty.
-Vice-raid captain Kyle—no, guild master Kyle of the new guild Crusader...
This news was breaking simultaneously across broadcasts worldwide.
Influential personal streams were covering it too.
Liberty wasn't just a guild; it was a symbol of national security and safety.
She didn't need to look to know.
The shock and stares of all those hearing the news.
-We will establish it in South Korea, he announced.
South Korea.
-Guild registration is already complete, with guild founder listed as ranker Greus and nineteen other world-class rankers...
At that moment.
Beep.
The screen shifted again.
Not all, but many of the red numbers.
They.
Rustle, rustle.
Were rapidly flipping from blue to an even deeper red? No—from red back to blue at accelerating speed.
Meanwhile, the news kept rolling.
-Interview with Crusader Guild Master Kyle, the ranker.
It all felt like some mere game.
-Hello, I'm Kyle Rodeo, the new guild master of Crusader Guild.
Kyle appeared impeccably dressed right in the heart of Seoul.
-Crusader saw great potential in South Korea, and we feel it is our mission to station here for global security and safety.
The red numbers multiplied, surging faster.
-Crusader will form partnerships with South Korea's guild alliances, known as the Holy Alliance and Sanctuary Alliance, to grow together.
Flash!
It was as if something had pierced through.
-This country will be our grave.
The ceiling.
The growth ceiling for South Korea, anticipated from Goldian's relocation—that limit was shattered in this instant.
-And we should all be grateful.
Lee Ha-yeon's assets, which had plummeted, were reversing in a heartbeat.
-To that one who strives for humanity.
This single interview covered all the losses.
A soft chuckle escaped her.
"Easy. Too easy."
Lee Ha-yeon spoke as if she hadn't even tensed up.
And how could she?
"Next up: Xenoider Group's relocation. Then the new replica holy relic announcement. After that, elixir supply..."
When it all ended.
Rustle, rustle!
Everything she held would turn a brilliant, unyielding red for a long time.
*
*
*
As if the days of calling it a failed state were ancient history, massive investments began flooding into South Korea.
All of it seemed timed perfectly, as if just waiting for Go Yohan to seize control of the nation.
Even amid lingering fears, the investments ramped up competitively, everyone eager not to miss the huge piles of gold right in front of them.
The funny part? The true owners of those investments were already decided—the newcomers could only scramble for crumbs.
-Go Yohan effect?
Those who had chosen to stay in South Korea shouted in joy.
-Money printer activated?
-Go Yohan-nim. We believe in you.
Despite reports that Go Yohan's faction had taken over the government, ordinary citizens felt almost no change—quite the opposite, reactions were overwhelmingly positive.
-Heard they wiped out all the drug scum?
-Reinvestigating the power players—results already out for a bunch lol.
-How?
-Straight to jail, duh. Talk of reviving the death penalty too.
Firm punishment for criminals.
As that took hold, crime rates—expected to spike amid the chaos—plummeted instead.
Moreover, the corruption and tricks of the elite were being exposed one by one, with punishments locked in.
-Plans to pursue even those who fled overseas.
For the worst offenders, it signaled there was no escape, not even abroad.
-Go Yohan! Go Yohan!
-This guy's leader material, right?
-North Korean origin?
-Nah.
Support ratings were climbing, positive public opinion on Go Yohan solidifying.
In stark contrast, those who left South Korea reacted differently.
"You filthy rats—how's it any different from the North Korea you trashed?"
Those who had left full of hope now regretted it, badmouthing what they could never return to.
Plenty were said to hope for a way back already, but the church-controlled government wasn't allowing returns.
Now foreigners.
-One word from Go Yohan and you're all massacred lololol.
-You too, probably?
-Fair point.
-Seeing how they dragged Goldian straight from the U.S., who knows? The whole world's his turf. Better beg Yohan for some holy grace than tremble!
Things were stabilizing somehow.
*
*
*
"Establishing the Magic Tower and relocating the World Tree will take about two months."
In the church's chapel, the group gathered after a long while to converse.
More like a briefing.
Yoon Seung-ah was.
"A barrier will encompass all of South Korea, and accordingly..."
Speaking to Go Yohan, so it was only natural.
It had been nearly a month since gates last appeared.
Contrary to the settling surface calm.
"Six out of ten South Korean players are judged to have completely lost their systems."
Deeper issues were bubbling up.
"......"
System.
At the word, Go Yohan's expression darkened.
No matter what anyone said, the system was the goddess's blessing.
For Go Yohan, who had heard her voice, it had been quite some time since that too fell silent.
'Goddess.'
How had he come to hear her voice.
Would he never hear it again?
"At this rate, before a month passes, most South Korean players will lose their systems. Anomalies detected in systems of Crusader Guild members from Liberty as well."
One fact emerged from this.
"...Someone can manipulate the system. That's certain."
As Lee Jae-kyung said, someone held authority over the system.
And that someone did not approve of South Korea—or Go Yohan.
"In areas where angels appeared, player awakenings surged explosively, and confirmed reports show..."
Many thought the temple schism had left it powerless.
Since the temple's existence was barely known anyway, it wasn't odd to assume Go Yohan's overseas foundations had crumbled.
"Angels are directly selecting and awakening them."
"Min Jun-hyeok..."
Even the president Go Yohan personally executed had been chosen by angels, instantly becoming a ranker-level player.
"What the hell are those bastards thinking."
They seemed set on their path.
"No contact from them yet?"
World Association, British royalty.
Perceived agents of the angels and self-proclaimed gods—no outreach.
They'd simply cut all channels, watching from afar.
"Yes. Tried other lines, but..."
Yoon Seung-ah said.
"They were eliminated."
Even her separate organization couldn't approach.
Swish.
All eyes turned to Go Yohan before they knew it.
The apostles and seeds sensed the subtle shift only they could feel.
"Is something up?"
He knew something.
And from the Goldian incident, they knew more.
-Whether to see all of you as enemies, or just some.
As if they weren't one, but two.
"My take is."
Go Yohan finally spoke.
"They feel split into two factions."
"......"
"The first time Manseon opened warp gates, the clash with Royal Guild, even Shin Min-gyu."
They gave off different vibes.
"We won't have to wait long."
Divine Sight revealed it.
Changes had begun brewing in the world.
The lull in demon invasions tied to it too.
And days later.
-Gates have reappeared.
Gates emerged.