Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Artifact Research Lab
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"An artifact research lab?"
The chairman of Namdu Group, Nam Hyun-cheol, wore a surprised expression.
He wanted to establish Nam Yeon-ah's research lab in Black Tortoise Hall?
"Yes. As you know, Chairman, Yeon-ah has a real talent for researching and developing artifacts. Calling her a genius wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"That's true."
Nam Hyun-cheol stroked his chin and nodded. He'd entrusted her with the lab precisely because he knew that.
"So you want to set up an artifact research lab for Yeon-ah? In the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan, no less?"
"Precisely in Black Tortoise Hall. I have no intention of relying on the clan's support."
"Without any help from the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan?"
"Yes."
Nam Hyun-cheol's eyes gleamed with interest at Shin Yu-hyun's response.
This meant placing the artifact research lab under Shin Yu-hyun's own faction.
"Intriguing. Does that mean you're proposing a partnership with our group's artifact division?"
"Yes."
Shin Yu-hyun nodded in affirmation.
"Black Tortoise Hall can protect Yeon-ah. And partnering with Namdu Group's artifact division would be a boon for me."
"Do you understand what partnering with the artifact division entails?"
Nam Hyun-cheol fixed Shin Yu-hyun with a steady gaze.
The warmth in his eyes from moments ago had turned cold and calculating.
Namdu Group supplied artifact equipment to countless superhumans and hunters.
And the division researching and developing those artifacts was none other than the artifact business unit.
That was why Namdu Group maintained strict neutrality.
They dealt purely on business terms, never aligning with other clans, guilds, or factions.
But what if Shin Yu-hyun partnered with the artifact division?
He'd gain influence over the artifact business—possibly even monopolistic control.
For Nam Hyun-cheol, who prized neutrality, that was far from ideal.
"I know exactly what you're worried about, Chairman. Monopoly rights, right?"
Shin Yu-hyun was well aware.
"You do understand."
"No need to worry on that front. I have no intention of meddling in Namdu Group's artifact business."
"No meddling? Even though dipping into artifacts could mean big money?"
Nam Hyun-cheol looked at Shin Yu-hyun with mild surprise.
"Yes. I won't touch Namdu Group's artifact business at all."
Shin Yu-hyun had never planned to monopolize artifact gear in the first place.
Quite the opposite—this status quo was exactly what he wanted.
If superhumans and hunters could access affordable, high-performance artifact gear, it'd make fighting magic beasts and Getia that much easier.
"There's only one thing I want."
An artifact research lab for Nam Yeon-ah.
Nothing more.
"Good to hear you won't touch the artifact business."
I nearly got disappointed there.
Nam Hyun-cheol kept the last part to himself.
Had Shin Yu-hyun shown any sign of greed toward the artifact business, he'd have been shown the door right then.
Trying to muscle in on artifacts would've meant Shin Yu-hyun was overreaching.
"But it's still not enough."
No matter how much it was for Nam Yeon-ah's protection, building Namdu Group's artifact lab in Black Tortoise Hall was a stretch.
Even if Shin Yu-hyun promised no interference, it was tantamount to handing over the lab—complete with Nam Yeon-ah.
"Aren't there other artifact labs you could use?"
"You're right. But the core is Yeon-ah's lab. Aren't you essentially saying you want to take our Yeon-ah away?"
"Can't deny that. Fair point."
Shin Yu-hyun gave a wry smile at Nam Hyun-cheol's words.
Even without touching the business side, relocating Nam Yeon-ah's lab to Black Tortoise Hall brought perks.
Like priority access to new artifact gear for Black Tortoise Hall's swordsmen.
"Plus, building an artifact lab costs a fortune. You couldn't match the scale of the Bukhansan underground facility."
If they built one in Black Tortoise Hall, it couldn't be on a massive scale. The costs would be astronomical, just as Nam Hyun-cheol said.
"It doesn't need to be as big as Bukhansan underground. Just enough for Yeon-ah to conduct her research in a perfect environment."
The Bukhansan underground lab housed not just Nam Yeon-ah but a host of other researchers, hence its size.
But the one in Black Tortoise Hall only needed to accommodate Nam Yeon-ah and a small team—more than sufficient.
"Planning to run it lean and smart?"
"Something like that."
Like how she'd used the entire fifth basement level of Bukhansan all to herself.
That scale would do nicely.
"Even so, it'll cost a pretty penny. And without Yeon-ah, we won't abandon the Bukhansan lab. We'll rebuild it."
The underground lab had been wrecked, but most basic facilities remained intact. Repairs would make it operational again.
"Rebuilding won't be cheap, but do we really need to build a new one in Black Tortoise Hall? I've been thinking... for Yeon-ah's safety, couldn't I just handle that myself?"
Nam Hyun-cheol met Shin Yu-hyun's eyes intently as he spoke.
He wasn't one to trifle with.
As Nam Hyun-cheol said, there was no need to pour money into a new lab in Black Tortoise Hall for Nam Yeon-ah's safety.
Especially when they could hire a personal female bodyguard for her.
Or have her craft self-defense artifacts to protect herself.
But Shin Yu-hyun had an ace up his sleeve.
"I'll cover the construction costs myself."
"You will?"
Nam Hyun-cheol looked genuinely surprised, his expression turning intrigued.
"Black Tortoise Hall doesn't have that kind of money lying around."
He had a rough idea of Black Tortoise Hall's finances through their cash flows.
And they were tight.
"Haven't you been starting all sorts of projects lately?"
"You know about that, huh."
Shin Yu-hyun gave a wry smile.
As expected of Namdu Group's chairman—he was up to speed on Shin Yu-hyun's recent moves.
"Word travels fast in my position, even when I'm not looking for it."
Rumors were already rampant.
From the Red Tower mage specializing in wide-area spells joining the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan, to the Hunter Association's notable Golden Arrow Guild signing a contract with them.
"With all those contracts, I'd figure you're short on funds. Where's the money for a lab coming from?"
"That's why I have one favor to ask of you, Chairman."
"From me?"
"Yes. Invest in it?"
"What? Invest?"
Nam Hyun-cheol let out a disbelieving chuckle.
Shin Yu-hyun had built up some anticipation, only for this.
"I don't invest in uncertain ventures. Not even for a direct heir of the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan."
Shin Yu-hyun was the clan's third son, just starting to run Black Tortoise Hall.
An artifact lab demanded not just construction funds but massive ongoing costs.
No matter that he'd saved Nam Yeon-ah or his clan status, it was too risky to bank on.
Especially after the Bukhansan lab's destruction caused major losses.
"Funds? I can find a way."
Shin Yu-hyun smiled.
This was his trump card, prepared for negotiations with Nam Hyun-cheol.
"What if I said I'd reclaim Gangneung?"
"Pardon?"
Nam Hyun-cheol startled at Shin Yu-hyun's quiet declaration.
Gangneung reclamation.
The implications were enormous.
"Didn't peg you for a joker. Why not just say you'd get engaged to our Yeon-ah? That sounds more realistic."
Nam Hyun-cheol laughed in astonishment.
Shin Yu-hyun's words had hit that hard.
'Engaged to Nam Yeon-ah. Not a bad idea.'
Shin Yu-hyun chuckled inwardly.
Strategic marriages were common in high society.
An engagement to her would secure Namdu Group's full backing.
Bringing the clan leadership one step closer.
But he hadn't met her yet.
The European witch who'd been everything to him in his past life—Maria Testarossa.
"I'm not thinking about marriage yet."
Besides, superhumans had long lifespans.
They aged slowly, and marriages often came later—usually in one's thirties.
Though it varied.
"And reclaiming Gangneung isn't impossible."
"Not impossible? Do you know how dangerous that is?"
Nam Hyun-cheol eyed him with concern.
Gangneung was close to Seoul.
A hotspot teeming with deadly magic beasts, complete with a hive and a 6-star boss.
The Korean government and Hunter Association had designated it a danger zone, restricting access.
Even villains stuck to the outskirts, treading carefully.
"Gangneung isn't something you poke at lightly."
They couldn't even gauge the hive's magic beast numbers in the city center.
Mess it up halfway, and beasts could spill out—leveling Seoul.
The cities were too close.
"I have a way to take Gangneung."
"What?"
Nam Hyun-cheol's eyes widened in shock.
A method to conquer Gangneung?
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
Gangneung was indeed perilous, crawling with giant and high-grade magic beasts.
But what about the Immortal King's legion?
'I need at least one more from the Seven Arcs.'
With one additional Seven Arcs member and nearly a thousand skeletons, reclaiming it was feasible.
"Gangneung reclamation..."
Nam Hyun-cheol fell into thought.
If successful, funding wouldn't be an issue.
A 6-star boss and high-grade beasts had turned it into a treasure trove.
Mana stones galore, plus rare earth minerals unknown on Earth: mithril, adamantium, orichalcum.
Value beyond imagination.
After a moment's reflection, Nam Hyun-cheol looked back at Shin Yu-hyun and spoke again.