Chapter 15: Reward (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15: Reward (2)
“Haha… That’s a funny joke.”
His lips were smiling, but his eyes were still filled with doubt.
Apparently, he didn’t believe me.
Of course he doesn’t.
The elixir and cross I’d obtained from Iano’s Tomb were precious enough to be compared to one of Japan’s named artifacts, the treasured sword Yamata no Orochi.
In terms of value alone, they were on par with it—though, of course, there was no way Japan would ever trade the sword away.
And I’d just consumed one of those items? A mere student? It was only natural that he didn’t believe me.
“…”
So, I didn’t bother correcting him.
“…In that case, what about the cross?”
When I didn’t mention the elixir again, he seemed to give up and asked about the cross instead.
“I plan to sell it to Arcadia.”
I wondered if I should be revealing so much, but the Hero Association wasn’t after the cross itself anyway.
What they wanted was to prevent the cross from going to the Japanese Association, or, if it did, to secure a much larger compensation for it.
So, in the end, we were in the same boat.
“I see. I imagine Arcadia would want it as well.”
He nodded calmly, but couldn’t quite hide his subtle relief.
As we talked, the sedan arrived at the Association building.
The magnificent structure stood before us. Its facade was made of transparent glass, giving it a modern yet solid feel.
“If you go up now, they’ll try to seat you at the negotiation table immediately. And aside from the interpreter, we won’t be able to get involved in the negotiations.”
“We can’t interfere, either,” he added, continuing slowly.
“So, before that, would you come this way first?”
I got out of the car and quietly followed his lead.
He led me not to the public entrance, but to a separate one that seemed to be for staff only.
There was a sleek metal door with a separate security scanner next to it.
He touched the security tag on his wrist to the door, and it slid open with a soft whir.
“This way.”
It was an elevator, apparently for internal use only.
The elevator doors slid shut, and I felt a slight vibration through the soles of my feet.
He pressed the floor button and looked back at me.
“This is where we discuss and finalize internal matters before heading into external negotiations.”
The doors opened to reveal a lavishly furnished meeting room.
A woman in a crisp, tailored suit sat at one side of the negotiation table.
She was reviewing documents on her laptop and looked up when Kim Gil-gyu and I entered.
“Hello, Mr. Jung Hae-in.”
Her voice was soft, yet sharp.
“Yes.”
At my reply, she nodded and gestured to a seat.
“Please, have a seat. I’m Jung Yu-ri, from the Association. I’d like to ask a few preliminary questions before the official negotiations begin.”
Kim Gil-gyu looked at me and gave a quiet nod. I sat down and faced her.
“Regarding the matter of Iano’s Tomb, it is highly likely that the Japanese side will make the following three main requests.”
Flipping through her documents, she began to explain, point by point.
I was inwardly impressed. The briefing was far more thorough and systematic than I’d expected.
“First is the ownership of the dungeon. Both international and South Korean law strongly guarantee the rights of a dungeon’s discoverer. However, right now, you don’t even have exploration rights, let alone ownership. Therefore, the Japanese side will attempt to purchase these ownership rights.”
I nodded. I had expected as much.
“Second are the artifacts found in the tomb. In particular, it’s highly likely the Japanese side will want to acquire Iano’s Cross and Elixir at all costs. These artifacts are directly related to their history.”
“Just a moment.”
I raised a hand, cutting her off.
“There is no elixir. I’ve already used it.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed her expression.
Beside me, Gil-gyu stared at me, his face clearly saying, You were serious?
I told you it was real.
“I see. However, that changes nothing. In terms of symbolism alone, the cross is far superior.”
Her voice was calm and unwavering.
“Third is the relocation of the dungeon itself. Japan will hire experts to try and move the entire dungeon to their country. They want the right to control the dungeon within their own borders.”
She looked at me and added her final words.
“Therefore, Mr. Jung Hae-in, it would be best for you to decide on your stance regarding these requests, or, conversely, to prepare a list of conditions you might demand from the Japanese side.”
She slid a list across the table to me.
“This is a list of artifacts in Japan’s possession. Their rarity and power are recorded in detail. I hope it will be helpful in your decision.”
Wow.
I really hadn’t expected them to go this far.
I slowly looked over the list. I did have something in mind.
“Would this be possible?”
I slowly scanned the list before pointing to one item.
She leaned in to see where my finger had landed.
“Ah… that one will be difficult.”
The item was the treasured sword I’d mentioned before, Yamata no Orochi.
“It’s highly likely the Japanese side will never put this artifact on the negotiating table.”
Just as I expected.
Even if their values were identical, the symbolism and fame of the Orochi were on another level entirely.
“You should assume there’s almost no chance they’ll let go of the Orochi.”
I smiled slightly and nodded.
To be honest, I was just testing the waters.
This wasn’t what I really wanted.
“Then, what about this one?”
I asked, pointing to another item. Her gaze returned to the paper.
“Hmm, this one…”
She paused, then spoke cautiously.
The Dongbaek Sword.
In the game, it was an artifact that was absolutely unobtainable without using cheats.
More importantly, I knew a heroine who was a perfect match for this sword.
“It’s not on the level of the Orochi, but honestly, it won’t be easy…”
“One moment.”
As if to wrap things up, Kim Gil-gyu checked his watch and looked at me.
“It’s about time for you to go.”
*
As I was escorted to the conference room, the quiet hallway gradually filled with the murmur of voices.
The interpreter waiting at the door greeted us. Only the two of us would be entering the negotiation room.
“The Japanese representatives are already waiting.”
The moment I stepped into the conference room, the air grew even heavier.
Several members of the Japanese delegation were already seated, waiting for me. They rose slightly and bowed their heads when they saw me.
“Hajimemashite (はじめまして。).”
It was a simple enough greeting for even me to understand. I returned a slight nod and took my seat.
The representative began with pleasantries before quickly getting down to business.
The documents passed across the table neatly summarized the status of Iano’s Tomb, the Japanese side’s assessment, and the demands of the Japanese Hero Association.
“We, the Japanese Association, formally request ownership of Iano’s Tomb.”
A clear-cut demand. When I flipped through the documents without any change in expression, the lead negotiator spoke again.
“Of course, we are prepared to offer substantial compensation. We hope to reach an agreement… What are your thoughts?”
I deliberately said nothing.
A moment of silence passed. The lead representative swallowed, fiddled with his lips, and then changed the subject with an awkward laugh.
“Haha… I understand. If an agreement on ownership is difficult, we would like to purchase the artifacts found within the tomb—especially Iano’s Cross or the Elixir. We have also prepared an appropriate sum for this.”
I turned my head away, and the Japanese representative’s gaze followed me relentlessly.
After a brief glance at the interpreter, I spoke firmly.
“It’s not for sale.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m not selling. The price isn’t the issue.”
The Japanese representative’s eyes wavered. I could see the other staff members stirring and whispering among themselves.
But I just tapped the table, my expression blank.
“In that case, uh… may I ask your thoughts on relocating the entire dungeon to Japan?”
In response, I cut straight to the point.
“If you need ownership of the tomb that badly, I can hand it over.”
The entire Japanese delegation flinched in surprise at my sudden proposal.
A flicker of hope crossed their faces, then immediately turned to wariness.
I rested my clasped hands on the table and spoke.
“Give me the Dongbaek Sword.”
As soon as I finished speaking, a man who seemed to be one of the lead negotiators shot up from his seat.
As if his bewilderment was contagious, the interpreter repeated my demand in a slightly slower voice. The seated representative’s brow furrowed deeply.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and replied.
“Ah, that is… a very difficult condition. The Dongbaek Sword is quite significant in our history—”
“Ah, yes, I suppose it is difficult. Can’t be helped.”
With an indifferent expression, I gave a slight nod and leaned back, as if I might leave at any moment.
He’s giving up that easily?
Someone was surely thinking that.
“That’s why I’ve thought of a new buyer.”
As if.
I continued speaking, my expression nonchalant.
“China.”
With the interpreter’s translation of that single word, the tense atmosphere instantly shattered.
In this world, for the last twenty years, China had been striving to incorporate historical heroes from all over Asia into its own history.
And Iano, of course, was one of their targets.
Therefore, if I were to hand it over to China, it would be like having their own hero stolen right before their eyes. For Japan, it would be a truly horrific situation.
Furthermore, in this world, the conflict between Japan and China was depicted as far more severe than in reality for that very reason.
My words must have gotten through, because one of the delegates across the table shot up, shouting furiously.
“What’s he saying?”
The interpreter relayed the message.
“He says it’s absurd… that China is absolutely out of the question…”
In this world, nothing is absurd.
I slouched back in my chair.
“Ah, whatever. I guess I’ll just sell it to China.”
If you won’t give it to me, I’ll sell it.
“Mr. Gil-gyu~ Go ahead and call China for me~”
So, the Dongbaek Sword?
Or would you rather let China have your hero?
It was a threat, yes.
But it was also the strongest card I had.