The Rothschilds Arrive in Busan
The Rothschild family, often called the pillar of the global economy, has declared an unprecedented large-scale investment in the Busan region. A representative of the Rothschild family stated at a press conference, “Busan will become the new core hub of the global Awakened community,” and outlined their investment plans….
……
Global magic stone energy giant ‘Royal Shell,’ Europe’s top magic device manufacturer ‘Symphonia,’ and every other Rothschild-affiliated corporation had already arrived in Busan. The representative then dropped a bombshell: the person directing all of them was none other than the retired Grand Duchess Evelyn Rothschild.
……
In a written statement, Evelyn Rothschild revealed, “While searching for the next engine of future growth, we were drawn to the limitless potential of the Mir Guild.” She went on to emphasize their partnership, declaring, “Busan will now become our family’s second headquarters, and the Mir Guild will be like a brother to us.”
……
Specific details regarding the investment sectors and scale are scheduled to be released later. All eyes are now on what kind of transformation the Rothschild family—Europe’s beating heart and the pillar of the world economy—will bring to Korea and Busan.
It exploded!
A nuclear bomb had gone off!!
There were no vague phrases like “under consideration” or “in discussion.” This wasn’t a negotiation or a probing move.
It was a straight-up, in-your-face announcement: “We’re already doing it!”
The shocking news hit Korea like a bolt from the blue, sending the entire country into a state of pure shock.
The public’s reaction was no different.
But that only lasted a moment.
It didn’t take long for the screams of shock to turn into screams of pure joy.
Shock is temporary, but cold hard cash is forever.
Dollars!
Euros!
Pounds!!
Who cares if the faces on the bills look a little different? It’s all money in the end! And money is always right.
And so the once-relaxed port of Busan became completely packed. Trucks loaded with materials poured out of the harbor, scattering across the city and pouring into construction sites springing up everywhere.
Ilshinwooilshin—the proverb meaning “renewed day after day.” It was now unfolding not for a person, but for an entire city.
Meanwhile, there were those left feeling rather awkward by the Rothschild investment—namely, the other countries of East Asia.
Even watching your own family buy land can make your stomach twist. How much worse must it feel when your neighbor—the one you’ve been growling at for years—suddenly gets hit by a money meteor in real time?
Japan, in particular, was taking it the hardest.
Japan had originally built close connections with the Rothschild family. They had been certain that their country would be the only Asian destination for Rothschild investment.
In the original story, the Rothschilds had indeed used Japan as a gateway to suck up Asia’s potential.
Japan had been eagerly rolling out the red carpet, even loosening regulations to attract that sweet Rothschild capital…
Only for Grand Duchess Evelyn to suddenly cancel her schedule?
And then a few days later—huh? She’s investing in Korea? Of all places, Korea?!
It was the perfect image of a dog chasing chickens only to stare helplessly at the roof.
Of course, that was their problem. Over here, it was pure celebration.
Being recognized as the future of the Awakened world was wonderful. Watching the economy surge from the massive investment was delightful. But above all, the fact that Korea had seized all of this while beating their competitors made every Korean’s heart swell with pride.
Naturally, the Mir Guild and Lee Shin, who had delivered this enormous gift, became the center of attention.
Honestly, people thought there was nothing left that could surprise them about Lee Shin anymore.
Raising the dying Mir Guild to the very top. Building an empire on a tiny declining island in Busan. Every path he walked had already become legend and miracle.
Yet every single time, Lee Shin delivered an even greater miracle. No matter what people imagined, he surpassed it, achieved it, and continued engraving his existence into the world.
National pride was everywhere.
At home, the investment wave from the Rothschilds!
Abroad, overwhelming international competition results!
And at the center of it all, as always, was this one man.
* * *
Meanwhile, while the whole of South Korea was in an uproar over the Rothschilds and Lee Shin, a full-blown party was underway aboard the private jet carrying the returning Taeguk Warriors.
“Drink up!!”
“Cheers~!”
“Wahahaha!”
Champagne corks popped everywhere, glasses never stopped circulating, and laughter never ceased.
In this moment, it didn’t matter if you were a Hunter or staff. Everyone was of one heart, congratulating one another.
It was only natural. Even they could see that this regional qualifier had been a massive success.
Vietnam, which had poured national resources into the international competition. Singapore, rising as Asia’s financial hub and injecting enormous capital. And Thailand, which had been hungrily eyeing the spot right under the noses of Korea, China, and Japan.
All three were well-known names in Asia, and before the tournament began, many had predicted Korea would struggle.
Yet the results were:
South Korea (4) vs Vietnam (0)
South Korea (4) vs Singapore (0)
South Korea (4) vs Thailand (0)
Not a single set lost.
A flawless victory with zero openings in power, tactics, or strategy.
Their astonishing performance drew praise even from foreign media.
The evaluation that had once placed them roughly half a step behind China and Japan had completely flipped. Now the consensus was that Korea held a slight edge both strategically and in raw power.
And no discussion of that evaluation could leave out these three people… the hottest issue of this group stage without question: Lee Shin’s children.
“Hehehehehe.”
“Lira, are you that happy to be separated from your sister? You’ve been grinning nonstop since earlier.”
“Aww~ you’re imagining things. How much do I love you, sis?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. I’m hurt now. After how much I took care of you. I even gave you that pentakill in the last match against Thailand!”
“What are you saying, Eun-seo unnieeee!”
“Let go, let go.”
“I won’t let gooo. Hehe.”
Yu Ri-ra had clearly been the Flame Queen’s sub before the tournament began.
But after the very first match, the evaluation changed instantly. Her explosive power centered on that terrifying speed carried risk, but many now rated it above even the Flame Queen.
Once she gained international experience and Guardian Yeo Eun-seo forcibly drilled “judgment” into her, the remaining risk control issues were resolved. In the final match against Thailand she dropped a pentakill and became the national team’s superstar.
While Yu Ri-ra had learned judgment and caution from Guardian Yeo Eun-seo, what Park Su-bin learned from Spear Ghost Yang Kang-cheol was the exact opposite.
“Final review, kid. What did I tell you?”
“If it goes well, it’s thanks to me. If it goes badly, it’s your fault.”
“Again.”
“If I’m gonna shit anyway, I’ll do it myself. That way even if I have to clean it up I won’t feel wronged.”
“Last one.”
“Don’t avoid responsibility. A man who loses face is finished.”
“Puhahaha, that’s right! Now descend the mountain, young man!”
Park Su-bin had inherited the steel-like mindset of the tough guy Yang Kang-cheol.
Through this international competition he had learned boldness and risk control, which combined with his newly awakened brainpower to fully awaken his ability as the control tower who directed the game.
And finally, the one who had gained perhaps the most in an entirely different sense…
“Hey, no one’s watching the idiot, so drink. Chug it.”
“Dammit! Come on!”
…was, anyway, Baek Yeon-woo.
The match where Baek Yeon-woo drew the most attention was undoubtedly the one against Singapore. He proved exactly why he was called a world-class dealer by ripping apart Singapore’s top laner.
The interesting part was that Sword Master Park Gwang-seob had been right there with him during that proof.
The two had competed against each other.
It sounded ridiculous to say teammates were competing, but that was exactly what it looked like.
They sped up as if declaring “I’m the crazy one in this lane,” swung their swords, and in the end even showed the world a miraculous team fight where the two of them cleaned up all five Singapore players—spreading the terror of Korean-made madness across the globe.
“Everything about you is a problem, but the biggest one is how hard you push yourself.”
“Hyung, everything about you is a problem, but the biggest one is how lenient you are with yourself.”
“If you keep looking for every problem inside yourself, you’ll break someday. In that case, it’s better to be a little kinder to yourself.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Hehehe, if we mixed you and me half and half we’d get something perfectly average. Come to think of it, we actually suit each other pretty well, don’t we?”
“That was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Ew… I got goosebumps.”
“This little brat really doesn’t lose a single argument.”
Park Gwang-seob, face flushed from alcohol, looked at Baek Yeon-woo while holding his glass.
A talent that sparkled just like his own younger self, yet grew straight and true unlike his own had.
Maybe that was why their first meeting had been so sharp, he thought.
Because he had been jealous.
Jealous of the fence this kid had that he himself never did. But now Park Gwang-seob no longer held any resentment toward this cocky brat.
Because in Baek Yeon-woo, Park Gwang-seob saw his own childhood.
The free-spirited talent he had once possessed.
“You resemble me.”
“Fuck off.”
“Kkkkkk.”
And with that, the children’s debut tournament came to an end.
It was time to go home.