Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Mobilizing the Masses
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Suddenly needing to save twenty thousand workers, Taho posted notices across nearby cities and villages using his own name. Promising hearty meals for those who worked.
"Human trafficking again? They're not even trying anymore."
"If you go, you won't come back."
"You might come back, minus an eye or a kidney."
"But it's got Taho's name on it, so it should be fine, right?"
"You naive fool, you been living here just a day or two? You think that's real? Someone else probably just wrote it."
"I'm going anyway."
"What?! You got a death wish?!"
"Staying here means starving to death soon anyway. I can't even stomach eating grass anymore."
On the first day, only a few dozen people showed up—those who had half-given up on life. The workers from Jax's factory had all returned to their homes, leaving them no choice but to rely on the notices.
After a day's work, they went back and spread the word: easy jobs, full bellies, and even pay.
The second day brought hundreds.
By the third day, it surpassed a thousand, and the numbers kept growing daily. To bring in all these day laborers, they had to scrape together every military truck and tour bus available.
"You here to work too?"
"Yes. Please let us work."
Ragged, skinny kids with no parents—or parents who didn't care—came in droves.
"Good. We'll give you work. Taho, gather up those former teachers."
Taho caught on immediately and sent for about a dozen people.
"Why have we been...?"
The suddenly summoned group shuffled awkwardly.
"From now on, teach the kids. That's your job today and going forward."
"Ah, yes!"
With the mindset that schools were pointless when survival was tough, and funding cut off, most schools had closed. Teachers, now jobless, had turned to day labor, so being asked to teach kids was the best news possible.
"Studying doesn't make money. We want to work and get paid."
The kids grumbled not because they hated studying, but because they needed money.
"Study, and you get food, a place to sleep, and pocket money. Don't want to? Go home."
Cutting it off bluntly, the kids exchanged glances and nodded.
With no proper classrooms, they sat on the dirt floor of one corner of the construction site, using the one scavenged blackboard for lessons.
These kids kept multiplying. From dozens at first, now hundreds, requiring them to divide into grades and classes. It was practically a school.
"Surprisingly many want to learn Korean?"
Na Young wanted to teach Korean to the kids from her school days, so they started Korean classes. As electives, only a few were expected, but now hundreds sat before her with notebooks, hanging on her every word.
"Why are the adults here?"
"Chairman, all the development leads here are Korean. Even if we speak English, it makes sense they'd want to learn Korean."
Jaerin, watching beside her, chimed in.
"Oh, right?"
"We'll need to split into more classes. Can't teach properly with that many."
Meanwhile, the workers swelled past ten thousand in no time.
"You've got real talent, Chairman."
Jaerin glared. Days of poor sleep had darkened her under-eyes.
"What talent?"
"Not a compliment."
"Hahaha."
She glared, but he laughed it off.
President Yang and the Regen production manager flew in to help, while Pablo—who'd guided their Spain trip—and a cartel member fluent in Korean executed Jaerin's orders.
Inexperienced people on site are usually no help. But when there are that many, even simple repetitive tasks finish fast.
Thousands of bodies did the work of heavy machinery. Walls cranes would erect were pulled up with ropes by people; dozens of tons of dirt were hauled; roads were cleared with just shovels, axes, and pickaxes, felling trees and rocks.
"Sigh... With this manpower, parallel operations will be most efficient. Let's divide into major groups: Civil Engineering and Construction Team, Ogre Dismantling Team, Item Crafting Team, Cleanup Team, and Support Team."
Jaerin sighed wearily, but her planning was flawless.
Cartel Hunters sliced the tough ogre hides, and the Dismantling Team further separated the pieces for specific uses.
The Item Crafting Team tanned the hides and treated them with chemicals.
Cleanup Team gathered the rest. Afterward, Na Young and I absorbed all remaining life force and mana to minimize incineration.
Absorbing was tedious, but after seeing mana effects in North Korea, we were extra careful. Better to prevent spread than hunt down and heal the sick later.
Finally, Support Team cooked for workers and cleaned/managed dorms.
The system locked in within a week. Normal companies chase profits, so they don't hire dozens of times the needed staff or overbuy materials like madmen to cut time. But Jax's money might as well be mine—I spent freely. Money from Mexico stayed in Mexico; once the factory was done, profits would flow to me.
I could hog all Jax's cash, but Mom once said: greed too much alone, and you'll burst. No money woes now, so no need to steal foreign funds, burn bridges with Mexico forever. Better friendly ties for long-term gains.
But issues remained.
With so many workers, plenty lounged in dorms, eating and sleeping without working.
"Ahem... Sorry. I'll go give them a stern talking-to."
Taho flushed, heading for the slackers.
"No need."
"Hm? Why?"
"No big deal. We're overstaffed temporarily; won't keep it up. See those two?"
President Yang and Jaerin wandered with notebooks, checking IDs of hard workers and jotting names.
"Later, only those named get full-time hires."
"Ah, clever."
Of course, we couldn't do it alone.
"Gifts for you~"
Behind U.S. S-Rank Hunter Amy Gibbs, trucks loaded with supplies rolled in.
"Still not gone?"
"Haven't heard the story yet~?"
"Not busy?"
"A bit's fine~"
"But I'm swamped."
Not an excuse—he really was. He had to move constantly to allocate people right.
"No worries there~"
Behind Amy came heavy equipment and construction crews. Replenished gear sped things up—a welcome aid.
"Sorry for attacking you~, grateful you blocked the gates opening across the Americas with your body~, wanna hear inside-the-gate tales~"
First two excuses; real reasons: gate stories and building ties.
"Fine. But no details on my or Hunter Bae Na Young's abilities."
They took a break. Amy Gibbs and a U.S. Awakener Management Bureau official listened.
"Just two against an Ice Dragon?"
The official eyed him like a lunatic.
"Not at full strength. And it wasn't just one dragon—endless monsters followed."
Official frowned in alarm; Amy listened expressionless.
"So you can still see inside the gate?"
"Yes. But only nearby; not far."
He finished, showing dragon heart and gate tower parts.
"Sell?"
"Nope. We have our dev team. That enough? Back to work."
Construction continued. But life's not just work. They ran three shifts, leaving Saturday evenings free for group BBQs.
"Raise your glasses!"
Taho bellowed heartily.
"Beloved citizens of my Mexico!"
The noisy site hushed.
"We've passed through a dark tunnel. One we thought endless. Many said we'd perish there! No hope! But look at us now! See what we're building!"
"Ooh!"
"We can rise again! No—build a Mexico stronger, richer than before!"
"Right! Well said!"
"People made this possible. They came where others fled, stayed through danger. Danger over, they could've left scot-free, but he shares gains with us, not taking to his homeland."
Eyes turned to his table. Pablo translated Taho's words.
"Fellow countrymen! Whose grace is this new future?"
"Señor Lee!"
"Geoseok!"
Cheers erupted.
"No need for that..."
Taho raised his glass again.
"Mexico's hero! Rise!"
Mood peaked, so he and Na Young stood at Taho's behest. Sanghun, Oh brothers, Yesul hesitated; he beckoned them up.
"We won't forget your courage! Devotion! To our hero! Salute!"
"Salute!"
Thousands toasting him was a thrill like none other.
Party raged: strong liquor, grilled meat, fun.
Someone once said: none party like Mexicans. Fast beats flowed; passionate South American dances ignited crowds.
"Drink with me!"
Lines formed endlessly for tequila shots with him.
Untouched by booze, he obliged.
"Señor! Dance!"
Mid-drinks, a Mexican woman tugged his arm.
Adriana, Taho's subordinate in a low-cut black dress. One of few B-Rank Hunter cartel members. Tall, bronzed skin, toned body—eyes on her.
Swept by the heat, he rose awkwardly. Checked jealous Na Young; she waved him on.
"A hero doesn't need just one woman!"
Adriana pulled him to the dancers' center.
"I don't dance."
"Follow my lead!"
Her boldness won; he matched her, then others. Reflexes made it easy. As party fever peaked, fast beats slowed to soft sway.
She pulled him close, bodies pressed.
"First man like you."
Her hot gaze met his.