Chapter 169: Innkeeper! Another Bowl Here! (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 169: Innkeeper! Another Bowl Here! (1)
The United States. Just like on Earth, it was a superpower reigning at the absolute pinnacle in this world as well. A vast territory, overwhelming resources, and flawless infrastructure. The US was a nation that led in every single aspect.
However, America's journey to becoming number one in the world was incredibly arduous. Because its rival was simply too powerful.
The only country capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States as a dual superpower. That place was Korea—the root of my past life, and my motherland in this current life.
One might wonder: no matter how much of a domestic Korean game Miracle Blessing M was, how could Korea possibly go toe-to-toe with the United States? If the gap between reality and the setting is too wide, it ruins the immersion. After all, if a setting is too over-the-top, it's bound to get criticized.
But this was a game world overflowing with fantasy elements. Heroes, superhumans who fought bare-handed against monsters that even tanks couldn't scratch. When they combined armaments and blessings, they practically lived out a wuxia novel. And the country that produced the most of these heroes was Korea. According to the lore, it was because the soil of the Korean peninsula contained a profound energy.
The players didn't nitpick that deeply anyway. The vast majority of the player base was Korean, and hey, it was a fantasy world. That level of plausibility was well within the acceptable range.
In any case, the United States had a remarkably low rate of producing heroes. It was strangely low, even when compared to other major powers.
They did have All Mute, but other than her, there were virtually no notable heroes of American origin.
Without All Mute, America would have been weeded out of the hero society long ago. That was how heavily they relied on her.
Of course, it wasn't as if the heroes were constantly fighting among themselves. With the demons as a common enemy, causing friction with one another would lead to utter ruin.
But then again, isn't human history a history of war?
Even on Earth, countries don't just fire nuclear weapons at each other just because they have them. It was the same here. Heroic military power was a demonstration of a nation's strength and a means to maintain a balance of power.
In this world, simply having a lot of money wasn't enough to command respect in the international community. Thus, the United States adopted a different strategy. If Korea raised heroes, America would buy them using its financial might.
They established their own unique 'Hero' system. While ensuring they weren't left behind in hero society, they marketed and branded these heroes.
Since they spent a fortune importing them, they intended to get their absolute money's worth. It was truly a nation worthy of being called the pinnacle of capitalism.
…And right now, at this very moment.
I was experiencing firsthand exactly what kind of nation the United States was.
“This is a blank check.”
An American who introduced himself as Kane thrust a check toward me.
“Would you be willing to become a hero for our Lancelot Company?”
I just stepped out to the grocery store for a bit, and now I'm being asked to become a hero? What kind of situation is this? I looked around, wondering if they were filming a Neotube video.
There were no cameras, nor any suspicious presence. I put down the green onion I was holding and asked in a stern voice,
“I don't know how you tracked me down, but a hero agency approaching a cadet should be a violation of the agreement, shouldn't it?”
At that, Kane responded with a practiced, capitalistic smile.
“Normally, yes. But we at Lancelot Company could no longer afford to delay. We simply wish to offer Master Geomma the treatment he deserves as soon as possible. The agreement? The atmosphere lately has been quite unusual, hasn't it? With the winds of war beginning to blow ever since the Joaquin Disaster, we can't afford to worry about such trivial matters.”
Without missing a beat, Kane smoothly continued.
“And if you are willing to join us, Mr. Geomma, the VIP of our United States can personally put in a word with Joaquin Academy.”
“…A VIP? Who is that?”
“I cannot mention their real name, but shall we say they reside in the 'White House'?”
The White House? No, wait, is it really okay to have this kind of conversation in the grocery store produce aisle?
“Lancelot Company promises you the absolute best treatment, Mr. Geomma. Not only that, but we will also bypass all procedures and issue you US citizenship immediately. Oh, and...”
Kane rattled on with his smooth-talking. Whenever I tried to politely excuse myself, he threw out even greater incentives. Every single one of them was an unprecedented privilege. Listening to him was utterly absurd. At this rate, it felt like he would buy me an entire island if I asked for one.
He smells like a con artist.
Just as my suspicion was naturally growing,
Grab.
Someone suddenly appeared from behind and grabbed Kane's shoulder. Startled, Kane turned his head.
“…Who are you?”
“Uh, I'm Geomma's manager.”
Weapon replied, his brow deeply furrowed. Not to be outdone, Kane's expression soured as well.
“I've been listening, and you're crossing the line way too much. Besides, didn't you see what happened to all the guys who tried to pull fast ones on Geomma?”
Before Kane could even open his mouth, Weapon spat out his words.
“Why are you beating around the bush so much when you're basically telling him to sell his seat as the next Seven Stars for a blank check?”
Speed Weapon, the resident expositor, had come to help.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the principal's office, two women sat facing each other across a reception table.
“…Ellie, do you hear what you're saying right now?”
Medea, who had been listening silently, had a face contorted like a wrathful deity. She glared at All Mute with razor-sharp eyes.
“You want to recruit Geomma into your agency in America?”
All Mute shot back, her spine perfectly straight.
“Yes. Judging by the skills of that friend, the Sashimi Sword Saint, staying in the Academy any longer is inefficient. It would be far better for his future to receive professional care and treatment in the United States. Even the White House considers Kang Geomma to be a national-level asset.”
Slam—! Medea's fist smashed the sofa's armrest as if it were tofu. Her fist trembled slightly atop the completely shattered pieces.
“Ellie, do you have any idea how insulting your words are to me? Because his skills are too outstanding, you want your agency to manage Geomma directly? Are you kidding me? How dare you try to play me?”
“...”
“I know none of this is your own will. In the end, it's the desire of Lancelot Company and the White House.”
“...”
“Lancelot Company? The White House? What they want is the 'next Seven Stars.' Do you think I don't see through their obvious scheme? They push All Mute as hard as they can, and if it looks like she's losing ground, they'd rather just buy Geomma with money. What the White House wants is an 'American' sitting on the seat of the next Seven Stars. Even if that person isn't you, All Mute. Isn't that right?”
Medea's emerald eyes blazed with fury.
“But what truly pisses me off is that you are acting as a parrot for those petty, short-sighted fools. Tell me, Ellie. Is that what the Academy taught you? Where did the upright girl from your cadet days go, and how did you end up as a carrier pigeon delivering this kind of garbage?”
All Mute, who had been frozen like a stone statue, finally gritted her teeth. She snapped her head up fiercely.
“Do you think... I wanted to say this kind of garbage either?! But our citizens desperately want the next Seven Stars to come from America!”
All Mute cried out, venting her frustration.
“Didn't you say it yourself, Principal? That a true hero must move according to the wishes of the public! I have never broken that rule. It's just that my methods are different from when I was a cadet. Because I know now—there is no such thing as the romance of our teenage years in the real world!”
“You twist my words to suit yourself and say what? Just a difference in methods? Do you really want a taste of my 'rod of love' after all this time?”
“How long are you going to keep treating me like a child?! It's embarrassing to say it myself, but I am the one projected to succeed the Sword Emperor. That means—my martial power is on par with the current Seven Stars heroes! And do you not remember that the last time I got hit by your 'rod of love,' I ended up with a two-month recovery period?!”
While a sense of shock filled the principal's office, Medea soon relaxed her fist. Then, she suddenly called out toward the door.
“Send her in.”
At those words, the door opened, and the metallic clacking of boots echoed.
“…Mao Rang? What are you doing here?”
All Mute's face went blank.
“Long time no see~”
Mao Rang, the Iron Leg, who had been her classmate at the Academy. She waved her hand gently in greeting.
Medea massaged her temples as she spoke.
“Ellie, I called her when I heard you were coming to Korea.”
Mao Rang chimed in with a smirk.
“We ended up having an unexpected reunion, huh? I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Kahn, you seem to have changed a lot.”
All Mute's eyebrows furrowed deeply. Mao Rang stared at her quietly before muttering bitterly to herself,
“That's why I was so hatefully jealous of you, but in the end, you've been stained too. Just like me...”
Mao Rang instantly wiped the bitter smile from her lips.
“Principal, may I make a suggestion?”
Medea nodded. Mao Rang smiled and continued.
“I think when opinions clash like this, it's best to reach a compromise in the most Joaquin Academy-like way. Fighting with words only hurts feelings and leads nowhere.”
“A Joaquin Academy-like way?”
All Mute tilted her head. Mao Rang narrowed her eyes and spoke once more.
“A subspace sparring match, of course. Did we learn anything other than how to beat each other up during our cadet days?”
“...”
“If we hold a subspace sparring match, what more can the White House or the company higher-ups say? Then you'll have an excuse to fall back on, Kahn. You can just say, 'I did my best.'”
Hearing Mao Rang's suggestion, All Mute fell into deep thought. At first glance, it sounded absurd. Coming all this way to persuade someone, only to suddenly end up in a subspace sparring match.
But if she proved herself right then and there, things would be resolved easily. The recruitment of Kang Geomma was merely something proposed at the corporate level anyway.
To be honest, All Mute had also prepared herself for this outcome. Although she was someone who knew how to acknowledge others, she wasn't entirely devoid of pride.
Whenever people around her compared her to Kang Geomma, she had felt a suffocating tightness in her chest...
If I happen to win, America's prestige will become even more solid.
As All Mute was lost in thought, Mao Rang sneered.
“Kahn, I'm telling you this because you seem to be misunderstanding. What I meant was for you to get utterly thrashed by Kang Geomma and learn your place. You can neeeever beat him. At best, you'll last 20 seconds? Maybe 50 seconds if you use every single one of your abilities.”
A mocking sneer. A vein throbbed on All Mute's temple. She immediately contacted Kane.
“You're with Kang Geomma, right? An uninvited guest suddenly crashed your pitch? Persuade him and bring him to the training hall.”
[@#$&*… @#%$%]
“Why? Why do you think?”
All Mute stretched her neck from side to side as she spoke.
“To shock the world and make China tremble in fear.”