Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Olympus's Tempting Proposal
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While Baek Ga-yeon headed off to greet them, Yoo Seongwon started getting ready for the meeting, with Shin Somi assisting him.
Even in their own territory, showing up in full armor felt a bit much, so he changed into a suit and tidied up his hair.
“By the way, no clue what those Olympus folks came to talk about. Didn’t we wrap up the loot distribution nice and clean right there on-site?”
“That’s true. But as you know, Olympus Guild is the world’s largest guild on a global scale. You might’ve forgotten, but they’ve got twelve Constellations. That means their frontlines are massive. Without Olympus, we probably would’ve had to abandon the Pacific routes. There, hair’s done.”
“Yay~”
As a super-massive guild with twelve Constellations, their operations spanned across nations on a truly global level.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that wherever there was a major evil-aligned Constellation threatening the world, an Olympus sky fortress had set up shop.
That’s what kept international organizations, trade, and cooperation alive—but that was that, and Yoo Seongwon wasn’t thrilled about it.
“Whew~ And during that loot trade, it reeked of ulterior motives, didn’t it? That… Diomedia, was it? That woman.”
“Probably~ The warrior of Athena’s Constellation, the one you saved before?”
“Yeah, sis. Back when we first met, and even during the total mobilization. She’s been eyeing me way too obviously.”
He’d been too busy causing chaos during the total mobilization to remember everything clearly, but he vaguely recalled Diomedia glaring at him.
And honestly, he figured he’d given her plenty of reason to.
Sure, he’d saved her life, but as Athena’s warrior Constellation fighter, she’d been robbed of the finishing blow on a monster she’d worn down in battle.
“But if she’s that resentful, why’d she yield so much loot during Lemlem and again this time?”
“Pride, probably. To steel herself for ‘next time, I’ll win!’ And the way she stared daggers while handing it over? Anyway, they definitely want to drag us into their global frontlines.”
“…Hmm~ Well, whatever…….”
[Hey, you idiots! I said prep for the guests! You two lovebirds screwing around or what? Get your asses out here!]
“Sigh, Granny’s calling. I’ll be good and head over.”
Shin Somi sensed something off and was about to point it out, but Baek Ga-yeon’s timing was perfect as she summoned Yoo Seongwon. With no choice, he stood up with a shrug and headed to the conference room.
And to prepare for any surprises, he entered alongside Baek Ga-yeon.
As expected, upon arrival, Tritonias and Diomedia were dressed in pristine white Mediterranean-style garments straight out of ancient Greece, with Olympus guild members in Greek and Roman armor lined up behind them.
“Ah, um~ Sorry we’re late. I’m Yoo Seongwon, the temporary manager here. So, what brings the Olympus Guild? Unhappy with the previous loot split?”
“We’re not that petty, Sir Yoo Seongwon. We came today simply to discuss the state of affairs in Korea since that last subjugation battle. As you know, Seoul Guild has collapsed, the Shin Gangnam legend is over. And Blue Dragon Guild made a fuss about an SS-rank appearing, but they showed their true colors this time. Effectively, the three major guild system is done for.”
“…Yeah, pretty much.”
Yoo Seongwon listened to Tritonias but didn’t show much interest.
It had never been his concern to begin with.
Korea’s political situation, economy, future—those were from a whole other world, far removed from him.
Especially now, when he was busy just handling his own business amid all the annoying hassles(?).
“And you know what Blue Dragon Guild pulled during that subjugation.”
“Oh~ Yeah, I know. Bragging about their SS-rank Hunter, then just scavenging off others’ fights. Ah… not that I didn’t do the same…….”
“But at least you were upfront about it. Anyway, Korea is a crucial foothold in Asia and the Pacific, a gateway to China and Japan. That’s why the Korea-US alliance has endured for so long. Straight to the point: Sir Yoo Seongwon, ascend to the top Hunter spot in Korea. We’ll back you.”
Olympus Guild’s shocking proposal. Baek Ga-yeon’s eyes widened as she looked at Yoo Seongwon.
With Blue Dragon Guild already marked for elimination, Olympus’s support was an offer too good to pass up.
“Of course, we won’t just talk. Olympus Guild will specially leave Ms. Diomedia here for you. Use her as you wish, so long as you don’t oppose us.”
‘Even loaning out an active S-rank Hunter? Generous to a fault. What’s their angle? Did they uncover something about him I don’t know?’
“If you need experts, weapons purchases, or anything else, contact us anytime. We hold Korea in high regard—a nation that’s survived countless crises and the Hunter era. We want it to endure.”
Despite appearances, Korea had high defense spending due to the North Korean threat and its position between Cold War powers and advanced nations, which minimized early Awakener damages compared to others.
But poor treatment of Awakeners led to guild-state clashes, culminating in the Grandmaster incident and another crisis—yet they overcame it.
Now, they withstood Slaughter King’s provocations without losing territory.
China had fractured under two Constellations, plus Slaughter King taking three provinces—four in total. Japan was split in half by a Constellation.
Russia was crushed by evil Constellations from the Arctic and Siberia.
Countless nations had vanished into history.
With UN members down to two-thirds from pre-Awakener days, and warlords fighting everywhere, just maintaining a nation was a small but remarkable feat.
‘Anyway, this is an opportunity. Topple Blue Dragon Guild, and we’re Korea’s undisputed top Hunter group. Swaying the government would be easy.’
No need for direct meddling—just have Yoo Seongwon pressure them in his usual style: ‘Become a nation worth protecting, or no deal. Good luck.’ Power-hungry politicians would hustle to stay in line.
Korea’s chronic issue wasn’t inability, but laziness or greed preventing action.
Overstepping bullies? Crush them like Shin Gangnam.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not cut out for that role. I’d rather help if you guys took over the Korean Hunter scene…….”
“What on earth are you saying?”
But Yoo Seongwon’s response shattered all those thoughts.
Even the confident Tritonias stared at him in disbelief, screaming inwardly.
‘No way, is he nuts? Turning down this golden deal? The guy who haggled for 100 trillion! He could take all of Korea! What’s wrong? It was perfect, even with Diomedia!’
“Right? Did we mess up? At least he’s not just a greedy bastard.”
Tritonias’s head throbbed from the unexpected reply, while oblivious Diomedia gazed at Yoo Seongwon with sparkling eyes, visibly relieved.
Her loot greed and 100-trillion demand had soured her image a bit, but rejecting a whole-country handover eased her worries.
Of course, Tritonias was frustrated by her clueless muttering amid the mess.
“Now’s not the time to relax! I set this up for you, convinced the higher-ups to plant you here! Damn, never thought he’d refuse! Sigh~ He denied it during total mobilization, but now his eyes light up seeing you again!”
“I thought it was just gratitude for saving my life.”
Diomedia defended herself fiercely.
Truth be told, she’d never imagined feeling drawn to a guy like that.
Initially, she chalked it up to rescue gratitude and denied it vehemently during total mobilization. But seeing him rush to help during Korea guilds’ botched last op made her heart race.
“So you repaid the favor by yielding mountains of loot. Know how pissed our guys were?”
“I covered your share.”
“So, what’s the verdict now? After reviewing the files and seeing him in person.”
“Hmm, still not quite…….”
“Make up your mind!”
“How do you ‘make up’ feelings?”
The two dove into a heated back-and-forth.
Yoo Seongwon’s sharp senses picked up their whispers easily, but since they spoke Greek, he couldn’t understand a word—useless.
‘…Why are they arguing like that? Suspicious. Should I learn Greek? Not a damn clue.’
“Care for a short recess, lad?”
“…Huh? Pardon?”
He was eavesdropping when that came.
Baek Ga-yeon, too, had words for Yoo Seongwon after his blatant rejection of a sweet deal. She whispered to him, then stood without waiting for a reply, announcing to the others.
“Hoho, we need a moment to gather our thoughts. How about resuming in 15 minutes?”
“Ah… Yes, that works for us too. Since we’re breaking, let’s make it 30 minutes.”
“Agreed.”
Tritonias’s side also needed to regroup after the 100% surefire proposal’s rejection, so they accepted.
Baek Ga-yeon promptly dragged Yoo Seongwon out of the conference room and into a side room, where she grilled him.
“Hey, why pass up the easy path? Not taking down Blue Dragon Guild?”
“We will. But their offer’s too sweet, right? Smells like an ulterior motive. They were tight with the three majors before.”
“…Huh, true enough.”
Yoo Seongwon’s sharp point left Baek Ga-yeon speechless for a moment.
Olympus had been one of the three majors with a Korean branch, but they’d always bail for “global duties” at critical moments.
Then they’d poach talent from Academia with sweet deals, bleeding Korea dry. The government couldn’t cut ties with the influential, Pacific-frontline powerhouse tied to the US—it was a headache just weeks ago.
“Of course, Diomedia and Tritonias came from other frontlines, but they’re still Olympus at the core. Higher-ups have their own agenda.”
“Hmm… You’ve got a point. Still, worth using them to crush Blue Dragon, no?”
“Sure, but top dog, strongest—those spots are a hassle. And for a roughneck bottom-feeder like me, ruling would just bring misery.”
“…Heh, at least you’re thinking these days.”
“Can’t help it with someone scarier than my mother-in-law nagging. Haah~”
Yoo Seongwon shrugged and sighed.
Proud of his growth from reckless chaos to thoughtfulness, Baek Ga-yeon decided to fill him in on what he’d overlooked.
“No need to rule outright. Just sit at the top, glare menacingly, and squash any line-crossers. Those cowards won’t sit idle. Koreans thrive in crises, remember?”
“Yeah, I’ve thought that for ages. But fear and pressure alone aren’t enough. Needs one more thing. Like…….”
“Like?”
“That… super old infomercial for the ‘Escape Korea Immigration Package.’ ‘Your chance to ditch Korea! Flee conscription! Military exemption, tax breaks, no security worries, language study, local staff and Hunter guilds handle safety and adaptation! Sign up now for a free Anoo Tech armed home-defense set!’”
“Oh, I remember. Huge backlash. Sold out 1,000 packages in 12 minutes; makers announced extras.”
“Premium ones went from 300 million won retail to 1.4 billion black market. Government, association, guilds, Defense Ministry teamed up to crush it—gone in a week.”
It wasn’t lack of ability.
Power struggles and greed blinded them, but they were Korea’s brightest, well-studied minds.
Sure, some rode nepotism rails, but even they knew to defer to the competent in crises.
Just needed the spark.
“So, how do you spark it? Cut a deal with Olympus to sell Escape Packages?”
“Nah, only idiots repeat failures. They’d block it fast. So…….”
“So……?”
“I’ll make one. A place worth ‘escaping’ to that people actually want. They’ll shape up out of envy. Can’t physically stop me. Haaa~ Tough, but make it look better relatively, not perfect—just convincingly shiny!”
Simply put, Yoo Seongwon’s solution was competition theory.
Monopolies jack prices and quality stagnates, but rivals force efficiency, rationality, even emotional appeal to retain customers.
Baek Ga-yeon smiled, deeming it a solid plan.