The Tartaros Ticket and Manchurian Gambit

"Perfect for Japan, wouldn't you say? It's like their kamikaze style in item form."

"······."

Nakayama broke out in a cold sweat.

But true to his seasoned politician's instincts, he quickly regained his composure and scrutinized the ticket's effects.

Giant monster Tartaros.

A name he'd never heard before.

Yet the moment he grasped the ticket, a vivid scene replayed in his mind.

A colossal beast, hundreds of meters tall, rampaging on all fours, demolishing cities in its path.

A volcano on its back spewing lava.

Its entire body encased in rocky shell.

The grotesque form he'd never seen before sent chills racing across his skin.

Gulp.

'This ticket is a whole different beast from what Japan possesses.'

Not for targeting Awakeners.

This was for assaulting another nation's territory.

Nakayama's mind raced.

Any sharp nation would have caught on during the Lycanslope incident by now.

This summon ticket was for the top 3 ranks.

In other words, one of the special items granted to the US, China, and Japan.

Not only had no such item ever appeared worldwide before,

but the description explicitly stated the top 3 ranking requirement.

And then.

'International politics has its flows.'

That damn Hitchhiker.

If China had succeeded in the assassination?

Terror would blanket the world.

The US and Japan, presumed ticket holders, would reap the benefits.

But China failed.

And paid for it by getting bitten by the entire world.

The flood of international opinion.

Fierce condemnation of China.

But deep down, it was closer to checks on the US and Japan.

In an instant, an atmosphere prioritizing international peace and fair play had formed.

In other words.

'They completely botched the first button. Neither the US nor Japan can use their tickets easily anymore.'

Tower rankings equaled power.

But ignoring the full tide of international sentiment was tough.

Unless you were a mad dog like China.

'And now even China's playing it cautious. Tsk.'

Lost in thought, Ma Chingdong's voice cut in.

"China assesses there's a high chance Hitchhiker's base is on Korean soil. Burning down an area to catch a bug is one method. Attacking their territory will rattle him somehow, forcing an opening."

Nod.

"You're right. We need to root out and eliminate Hitchhiker before he grows further here."

As Nakayama replied, he kept gauging possibilities.

For now, mighty Japan.

Ties between Japan and Korea were far more tangled than China-Korea.

National prestige mattered too. Land of the rising sun. Nation of propriety.

But this ticket?

'Its effects stay hidden.'

Framed merely as a Tower's Trial.

Japan could be painted as a victim too, pinning suspicion on China and the US.

Plus.

"Japan's an island nation, right? I hear a significant portion of infested zones are on islands."

True enough.

Japan had its four main islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu—plus countless subsidiary isles.

Infested zones mostly clustered on those subsidiaries.

Influence reached the mainland, but towers were often on the outlying islands.

The polar opposite of Korea, where mainland towers affected even minor isles.

A rare case worldwide.

And Tartaros?

Random summon to one infested tower.

"Indeed, a Tartaros summoned in Japan has a high chance of getting stuck in some useless island zone."

"Meanwhile, Korea's infested zones are mostly mainland. Only Jeju Island qualifies as an island possibility."

Nakayama pressed a palm to his creeping smirk.

Cunning mainland bastards.

Offering this choice?

Of course, worst case, the beast could spawn in Yokohama, an infested zone under Tokyo.

It'd march straight up.

Catastrophic.

But analytically, how likely was that?

'If Tartaros gets trapped on an island...'

Game over.

Huge body, but no special ranged attacks.

Japan, meanwhile? Boasted dozens of S-rank Awakeners with barrage skills.

Sail in warships, bombard with skills unilaterally.

'Korea, on the other hand, is Awakener-poor.'

Obviously. How could talent sprout from lowly Joseon soil?

Of course, the Hitchhiker variable who one-shotted Lycanslope existed.

'But even he can't handle this.'

Heh.

Tartaros was a monster on another dimension from Lycanslope.

The other random nation?

Didn't matter who.

In summary, a Russian roulette with 99% win odds.

But still.

'Not zero risk.'

Slide.

"I'll hold onto the ticket for now. We'll use it for sure, but not just yet. Instead, as consolation for China's troubles, we'll share Japan's interests."

The follow-up boiled down to this:

Japan had traded massive interests to the US for info on the impending cataclysm.

"Soon, without mass abnormal status cures, high-rank Awakeners won't be able to climb at all."

In other words.

"You've already stockpiled from the US and plan to sell some to us China?"

"Precisely."

Nakayama summoned aides to show evidence.

Of course, omitting total quantities and exact costs.

Ma Chingdong let out a hollow chuckle at the docs.

'Teaming with China upfront, colluding with the US behind?'

Utterly vile.

Bat-like island scum!

But rage aside, the offer was insanely tempting.

Secure stock early?

While others groveled before the US, China could surge ahead.

Plus, gouge dozens-fold profits on surplus.

'China's resurgence accelerates.'

Euphoria swelled deep in his chest.

But masking it, he replied.

"We'll review positively. Any more intel on US intentions?"

"Tried digging, but tough. Old fox of a nation—tons to hold, tons to lose, so they'll maneuver carefully."

"Tch, all they need is to remove that Hitchhiker punk."

Frustrating.

But one thing was certain.

China and Japan now had gear to weather the US storm.

And.

"This time, we stop Hitchhiker's climbs for good."

"Obvious the US won't supply Korea cures, right?"

"Haha, no sane mind would."

The mood, once icy, now warmed cordially.

Inwardly churning thoughts, they hit the key agenda.

"On the cures: quantities roughly this, at our US purchase cost. The recordings? They're stumbling blocks to our nations' harmony, no?"

Roughly: jack prices way above cost, scrap the tapes.

"Deep thanks for Japan's magnanimity. But as a token binding our fates, maybe hold them a bit longer?"

Roughly: we see the markup scam, but we'll gouge others harder, so we'll overlook some. And no funny business—we ain't dropping our leverage ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠soon.

After fierce verbal sparring.

"To China and Japan's prosperity."

"To Korea's downfall."

Clink!

Glasses collided.

Oily, insidious laughter lingered in the chamber.

The next day.

China's delegates, arriving via private jet in Korea, were guided by attendants.

"The President and Agency officials await in the meeting room. This way."

Chairman Bin Hao's pride stung fiercely.

Not even the Foreign Minister to greet them?

Daring to send mere attendants?

Guts spilling out?

Deputy Director Ma Chingdong soothed the fuming Bin Hao.

"Your Excellency, they're psyching us out. Saw what they pulled at the assembly against the world? They're dead set on rampaging with that unconfirmed-nationality Hitchhiker."

True. No getting swayed by petty mind games.

Calming, Bin Hao addressed the group.

"Remember: our Korea visit is solely to quell world opinion. Approach negotiations unyieldingly—nothing goes easy."

"Sage words, Excellency. A minnow demanding national reparations from a giant? Against reason."

"Korean officials' weakness is known. Just watch that Cha Minhyuk."

China's team marched with fiery eyes, battle-ready.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

Through the National Assembly halls.

"Chinese dignitaries have arrived!"

Meeting room reached.

Plan: enter grandly, seize initiative.

But they flinched.

Why?

Korea's seated officials.

Their gazes burned several times fiercer.

Utterly bewildering.

Korean politicians were mostly bland milquetoasts, bar a few.

Yet now, all eyed like starved beasts.

Reason? Crystal clear.

That morning, early.

A box arrived at the Agency.

Contents: one letter, one bottle of water. Impact: enormous.

The letter claimed sender: Hitchhiker.

Shortly after.

The Agency erupted.

President and officials rushed in mid-commute.

"Finally, Hitchhiker's formally contacting Korea...!"

"H-Huh, hahaha─!"

"P-President! Breathe! Breathe!"

Excitement, ecstasy, joy, chaos.

In the frenzy, Cha Minhyuk spoke.

"This might be Hitchhiker's test for Korea. Entrusted sales, and instructions below on China negotiations demands?"

Currently monster-infested Chinese land.

Demand transfer of Manchuria region's ownership.

The letter's nuance: if possible.

But Korea's government and Agency interpreted differently.

"W-We must make this happen!"

"Top priority in these talks! Yield everything else, but secure this!"

"Summon every bureaucrat now!"

"Mr. President, about the Agency spy incident..."

Hitchhiker's intent? Why worthless land?

Irrelevant.

What mattered: he wanted it.

A miracle incarnate visiting Korea's decree.

Practically an imperial edict.

Stake lives to fulfill.

Result: now.

Korean officials with pitbull-glinting eyes.

Especially Cha Minhyuk's—pure madness.

"What are you waiting for? Sit already."

A chilling command.

Chinese flinched.

But soon grasped it, seething with indescribable rage.

Korea's seats: all prime positions.

China's: scraps and the foot of the table.

Treating them like a vassal state?

Deputy Ma Chingdong bristled.

"What the─!"

Grab.

This time, Chairman Bin Hao gripped his shoulder, whispering.

"Stir trouble here, and opinion boils worse. Situation favors them inevitably—best to wrap talks quick and leave."

Tense air, Chinese seated.

Then heated exchanges on national reparations.

Massive cash.

High-grade tower gear.

Top mana stones and byproducts.

Various proposals tossed, tugged in neural warfare.

China kept disoriented.

Why?

"Absolutely unacceptable."

"Hah, you think that's enough?"

Koreans' attitudes matched their eyes: brutally combative.

Because of Cha Minhyuk and leads?

No.

Everyone transformed into savage, tenacious demons.

Have they lost it?

They weren't like this.

Group-injected with Awakening agents?

Caught off-guard, China's pace crumbled.

And.

"Korea demands ownership ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠transfer of the Manchuria region as reparations."

Nuke dropped.

Chinese felt volcanic fury and killing intent at Cha Minhyuk's words.

Crazy now?

What nonsense from that gaping mouth!

Korea, rampaging punk minnow, crossed the line hard.

Monster-infested Manchuria.

Planned someday reclaim with North Korea as great China's soil.

Crack!

Unable to hold, Ma Chingdong smashed the desk with superhuman strength, rising.

Pointing, bellowing.

"You bun-tzu bastard! Push it and see! Spouting mad bullshit─!"

Beep.

Then screen projected docs.

Chinese intel agency activities.

Assassination success list targeting famous Awakeners worldwide.

Masses of once-promising US names and photos too.

"Warning you—sit down."

A voice freezing the air.

In Cha Minhyuk's mind, Hitchhiker's morning relay replayed.

"Official doc came yesterday? Tartaros? Pre-investigation of Korean zones?"

"No worries. Grateful to Japan, actually. But keep this to yourself, Mr. Cha."

"Spy card ends here—shelf life up, and bigger fish ahead."

"Plus, I doubt China spills to Japan about intel leaks."

Cha Minhyuk's lip curled.

Frostbite chill clung.

US, China, Japan.

Korea's indiscriminate blade dance truly began now.