21. Balhut Cult (3)
Bahamut was well aware of the importance of currency. History had proven time and again that trade through money brought immense economic benefits since ancient times. So for this matter, he consulted with Lee Hyun-ah, who seemed like an expert, and strove to resolve as much as he could on his own end.
"So, what about the currency we've been using?"
"The banks and government that backed its credit are all gone. It has no value whatsoever. Low-denomination coins might still have some worth as raw material... we could melt them down and repurpose them."
Bahamut first inquired about the old currency. Lee Hyun-ah's response matched exactly what had been discussed at the cult meeting, confirming to Bahamut that the South Korean won was utterly worthless.
"What about foreign currencies?"
"Aside from the dollar, you can consider them all worthless."
'Then use dollars... oh, right, we have no way to issue them ourselves.'
He mentioned alternatives to the won, but she said everything except the dollar was wiped out. Pondering the use of dollars, he quickly realized even their supply was limited.
"I see. We need a new currency backed by someone trustworthy to guarantee its credit."
"Exactly."
They both recognized the need for fresh currency with reliable backing. The question was, who could provide that credit and value?
Bahamut felt confident about this particular issue.
"Then I shall guarantee the credit and value of the currency myself."
"Pardon?"
If Bahamut himself vouched for the currency's credit and value, that settled everything. This bold move stemmed from his confidence that, at least in Gyeongju, no one would deny his existence—especially since it was commodity money for local use.
"In other words..."
"I shall personally mint the currency for use in Gyeongju."
If the Balhut Cult stepped in to guarantee it, doubts might arise. But if the dragon Bahamut himself minted it and stood behind it, who would dare question? Survivors in Gyeongju fully acknowledged his existence, and camp leaders of note had even spoken with him directly. With his personal guarantee, issuing the currency should proceed without issue.
One potential snag, however...
"But how do you plan to make the coins? We don't have the minting equipment here."
"No issue there. I intend to craft them with magic."
"Ah."
Lee Hyun-ah pointed out the lack of minting machinery in the temple, but Bahamut dismissed it, saying he'd use magic. At the word "magic," she nodded in ready understanding and fell silent.
"What form will the currency take, then?"
"Coins. Coins made of metal carry inherent value, unlike paper bills that people might distrust."
"That sounds best."
Lee Hyun-ah agreed with his choice of coins over easily forged bills. In any currency economy, counterfeit money was the greatest threat, capable of collapse if hostile survivor camps started printing fakes. Coins were the safest bet.
"First, can you collect as many South Korean coins as possible and send them here? I'll melt them down and mint new ones under my personal guarantee."
"Understood. I'll have people gather all the coins from the banks and survivors and send them over."
Lee Hyun-ah nodded and promised immediate action. Returning to Balhut Cult headquarters from the temple, she sought out Choi Yu-na to rally help.
"Bahamut-sama orders all coins in Gyeongju City collected."
"Why?"
"To make new currency."
"Got it. I'll assign personnel."
With Choi Yu-na's swift assistance, Lee Hyun-ah quickly amassed the coins: 10-won, 100-won, and 500-won pieces, all delivered to Bahamut with the cult members' aid.
With preparations complete, Lee Hyun-ah waited patiently for Bahamut's prototype...
"Is this the Balhut Cult's currency?"
...A few days later, she received the new coin samples from him.
"Indeed. What do you think?"
Better than expected. That was Lee Hyun-ah's assessment. The edges were cleanly finished, denominations meticulously sorted.
'Hard to counterfeit.'
Each coin bore intricate patterns too precise for quick replication, looking machine-stamped. She fetched a scale, weighed them, and found uniform mass—enough to make her wonder if he'd installed minting gear in the temple.
Reassured that counterfeits wouldn't flood the market anytime soon, she was caught off-guard by...
"Oh, and I enchanted them with anti-counterfeiting magic."
"...Pardon?"
Bahamut's casual benevolence bombarded her composure.
Anti-counterfeiting magic on every single coin? What kind of spell was that?
"Anti-counterfeiting, you see?"
"Each coin contains a fixed amount of my mana, infused through a special process during minting. Even if someone perfectly mimics the appearance, they can't replicate my mana's signature. And melting my coins to recast them? Impossible."
Counterfeiting was naturally infeasible. It was done for profit; if the cost exceeded the coin's face value, no one would bother. Melting existing money for new coins? Pure loss.
"Right, of course... So all these coins hold your mana?"
"Precisely. And if a coin ever loses value, melt it on the spot to forge a weapon."
"A weapon?"
Uncounterfeitable coins already had ample value. But this odd remark from Bahamut...
These coins could be weapons?
"Yes. Melt the coins and apply a light coating or engraving. Depending on the pattern, they activate as enchantments with various effects."
"Th-this is a weapon!?"
Historically, coins had been made from meltable metals for utility. Bahamut's logic was sound, and Lee Hyun-ah grasped it. But this exceeded her expectations, birthing currency of extraordinary worth—she couldn't help but be stunned.
'Of course, as prototypes, we need to test the effects thoroughly. But these are no ordinary coins.'
Bahamut's proud claim rang true; she sensed they were anything but mundane.
"What shall we call them?"
"Keep them as won, like before. A new name might confuse people."
"Ah, yes. Makes sense."
The coins retained the name "won" to avoid bewildering Gyeongju's citizens. Lee Hyun-ah nodded in agreement.
"So, 10 won, 100 won, and 1,000 won each?"
"Yes, think of them that way."
Low, mid, and high denominations—all covered.
"The 10-won are pure copper, 100-won nickel-copper alloy, and 1,000-won pure nickel."
"Then..."
This was viable for a currency economy. Thrilled, Lee Hyun-ah collected the prototypes and turned to Bahamut.
"How shall we set the prices?"
"That's for you to handle. You're not the ones using it—Gyeongju's citizens are."
He drew a firm line on pricing, guaranteeing credit and value himself but delegating usage to the cult. A considerate gesture from Bahamut, but...
'Too much. This is overwhelming.'
His head was at its limit after the minting. He prayed inwardly she'd manage the rest and dumped the remaining tasks on her.
'I wish he'd set the values... No, reliable coins are enough.'
From her view, valuing them was tricky. A clean dictate from him would've been easier, but he'd already done plenty by minting and guaranteeing them.
'A double-edged sword.'
Overly perfect coins risked deflation if mishandled. Her worries deepened.
"Understood."
"Good luck."
Lee Hyun-ah resolved to properly assess the prototype values first. Back at headquarters, the first person she met was...
"These coins can be made into weapons?"
"Yes. Bahamut-sama said so."
...Jeong Dong-gun, handling military affairs. He managed city security and zombie extermination, leading troops that day to clear incoming hordes or liberate infested villages.
His face filled with doubt as he eyed the coins Lee Hyun-ah presented.
"Hm. Potent mana indeed. Can't be easily counterfeited—true enough."
"Bahamut-sama applied anti-counterfeiting magic himself."
"Anti-counterfeiting... merciless to forgers, isn't he?"
Handling a coin, Jeong Dong-gun sensed the powerful mana ensuring no easy fakes. At the mention of Bahamut's personal spell, he gave a wry smile, joking about the dragon's lack of mercy toward counterfeiters.
For the fledgling Balhut Cult, preparing for contingencies was vital. Grateful for the thoughtfulness, he and Lee Hyun-ah shared appreciation.
"And Bahamut-sama says these can make weapons."
"Weapons... If just copper, a smithy could fashion casings easily. Mind if I test?"
"Go ahead."
Jeong Dong-gun suggested shell casings as a quick test; she approved.
"They're prototypes anyway—not for circulation yet. Use as needed."
Non-circulating samples allowed leeway, and in the apocalypse, weapons were the ultimate value gauge for coins.
"Then I'll head to the smithy, make casings, and test."
"Please do."
He promised to handle it at the forge; she thanked him and left for her duties. Alone, Jeong Dong-gun pocketed the coins and headed to Gyeongju's sole remaining forge.