The Crown's Warning and the Port of Ambition
The Gold Crown's terrifying warning window caught Kim Hwang-je's eye.
You can only remove it by dying.
Being a king was a lifetime job.
After all, even after stepping down, they called you the retired emperor.
Besides, after dancing the Gujiga with the spirits, there was no easy way in. How could there possibly be an easy way out?
“Since it’s already come to this, there’s no other choice. We’ll have to negotiate and secure ownership.”
“Your Majesty, do you have a plan in mind?”
The butler asked.
Kim Hwang-je scratched his head.
“At first, I was thinking of negotiating through a donation in kind… I figured I could somehow patch up the broken barrier myself.”
“Indeed… A brilliant idea, sir.”
Seo Jun-seo clapped his hands.
“You’re planning to proceed with a BTO—Build-Transfer-Operate—model. Formally transfer ownership while retaining permanent lease rights and continuing to serve as the barrier. That’s what you mean, correct?”
Since Kim Hwang-je had worked on construction sites, he had overheard conversations between Park Jo-woon and building owners.
The idea was to finish the building, donate it to the government, receive tax exemptions, and secure operational and business rights in return.
“Since I obtained it by chance, I thought something similar might work for this crown. But you’re saying the actual owner isn’t the government?”
Could this method work even if it wasn’t the government?
At Kim Hwang-je’s words, both Seo Jun-seo and Jung Da-yeon nodded.
“That’s correct. It belongs to the Garak Clan. More precisely, it belongs to Jo Chun-ki, the one who first condensed the Gujiga incantation.”
The name sounded absurd.
“Wait, why is a Jo clan involved with Gaya? Isn’t the royal family of that dynasty supposed to be Kim?”
“He claimed that since the crown came to him, he had the Mandate of Heaven. In the end, it’s all decided by the logic of power.”
“Still, if it’s Gaya, the Kim clan should be the royal family… Seriously.”
Seo Jun-seo pulled a thick report from his coat.
“However, Director, the BTO method is quite a solid solution. If Jo Chun-ki keeps causing trouble, we can cut the Gordian knot by donating it to the government and requesting protection.”
Kim Hwang-je’s gaze was drawn to the cover of the report Seo Jun-seo had taken out.
The first page had the bold title [Evidence of Crimes Committed by Garak Clan Patriarch Jo Chun-ki] stamped across it, with a Level 1 Confidential seal beside it…
Where the hell did he get this?
“Since no domestic organization would take it on, we gathered the materials through overseas intelligence agencies and awakened information groups. However, using these documents will likely lead to an all-out war.”
Seo Jun-seo’s expression was grave.
“In any case, we are a small private company. We don’t care about getting cursed at. But the opponent is large, which means they have many vulnerabilities. If that’s what you want, Director, I will use any means necessary to sever his limbs.”
Mr. Seo Jun-seo… it feels like your genre has changed.
You’ve become the incarnation of cold-blooded business.
Was this the world he originally lived in?
But Kim Hwang-je was worried about him.
Seo Jun-seo’s face was so tightly drawn with tension that it looked like not even a needle could pierce it.
“You seem incredibly tense… Is there a reason for that?”
Wouldn’t they just lend it if we paid them?
However, Jung Da-yeon nodded.
“The Garak Clan has taken control of most of Korea’s political and business circles since the Gate Incident. They do not tolerate losses. Objectively speaking, they shift losses onto others to an irrational degree.”
“They’ve taken control?”
“For example, the coffee you’re drinking right now… if the Garak Clan halts their logistics operations, you won’t be able to drink any more. And that’s not all. Seventeen percent of Korea’s current GDP comes from the Gaya Group. If they give the order, it may become nearly impossible to purchase supplies within Korea.”
Only then did Kim Hwang-je begin to understand the pressure Jung Da-yeon was under.
They’ve taken control of the entire logistics industry in a country that lives off exports?
And that meant that if he got on their bad side, even purchasing supplies to send to the royal castle on Korean soil would become difficult.
Seo Jun-seo immediately pulled out a large tablet and began writing something on the screen with a stylus.
“The current ownership of the Gold Crown is the result of various interest groups forming alliances and betrayals eleven years ago. Jo Chun-ki’s money, power, and violence were all mixed into that process.”
“…Come to think of it, he did say he killed people, right?”
Seo Jun-seo nodded.
“Because of this ownership, he intentionally weakened the Gate defenses and caused terrorism within Sejong City.”
“What?”
“At the time, he assassinated ten high-ranking officials at the ministerial and vice-ministerial level. Over one hundred thirty people were caught in the crossfire. But even this is only the tip of the iceberg.”
“…Wait, hold on. I’m not following this very well.”
The reality Kim Hwang-je knew seemed very different from this.
“Due to media control, the public doesn’t know much. The power structure built after the Gate Incident doesn’t want to give the public that kind of information. On the surface it looks peaceful, but Korea’s government corruption index is on par with the old South American countries that colluded with the mafia.”
Of course, both the government and the mafia there had been wiped out together thanks to monsters…
“Your Majesty. Is this not the time to draw the sword of justice and eradicate evil?”
Kim Hwang-je was startled.
Not just him—everyone present jumped in surprise.
A two-headed chibi silver-haired, golden-eyed handsome man was standing on top of Kim Hwang-je’s head.
“Whoa!”
“Oh my!”
Seo Jun-seo’s eyes widened, Jung Da-yeon’s eyes sparkled, and the butler maintained a perfect poker face.
“Director, who… is this being? He resembles the howling entity from before.”
Ah, he’s those kids’ father.
And as you can see, he’s not an imaginary friend.
But he couldn’t say that.
“Um… He’s my colleague.”
“A pleasure. I am the Seventh Knight who has sworn loyalty to His Majesty. My name is Benedict.”
“Kyaa…”
Jung Da-yeon blushed.
“He’s so adorable. Is he one of Your Majesty’s summons?”
“A pleasure, my lady. I am not a summon, but since I stand by his side for now, the situation is similar.”
Benedict shouted while wearing a tiny silver sword at his waist that was only slightly larger than a toothpick on his two-headed chibi body.
Where did all that solemn glory from when he swore the oath go…
When he bowed at the waist in his chibi form, Jung Da-yeon’s face turned bright red.
“Oh my… May I take a photo?”
“Photo? What is that?”
“Um, it’s a picture!”
“Many imperial portrait artists wanted to paint us. Since time is short, please do a quick sketch and fill in the rest with your imagination.”
Before he even finished speaking, Jung Da-yeon floated about a meter into the air and began snapping photos of Benedict on top of Kim Hwang-je’s head with her phone.
Seo Jun-seo quickly turned his head after catching a glimpse of the black stockings moving beneath her H-line skirt.
“Ah… It’s not showing up.”
But she soon looked disappointed and descended from the air.
Kim Hwang-je felt envious of Seo Jun-seo for being able to turn away.
His hormones must still be raging, making the universe feel too vast.
Benedict tried striking various poses while leaning against the crown and fluttering his silver hair, but eventually gave up and drooped.
“What a shame. Each day is a wonderful memory, so it’s best to preserve as many as possible in pictures.”
“Of course. Absolutely.”
Old man…
After finishing his “work,” Benedict drew his five-centimeter silver sword and shouted.
“Then I shall offer counsel once more! Your Majesty! Let us strike down the treacherous and uproot them completely!”
Why does his voice have to sound so majestic and cool…
Please don’t shout about slaughter like an orc with such a cool voice…
“Kill them! Let’s kill them all!”
You’re even copying him, Poyu!
This was practically a special feature on whether fairy dragon education was going well or not.
Sadly, no one else could hear Poyu’s voice.
“Hehe~”
Poyu shouted loudly and then hugged Benedict to their chest.
“Of course, the decision is yours, Your Majesty. I shall simply follow quietly.”
Wrapped in warm fur, Benedict sat down in meditation once more.
Kim Hwang-je looked back and forth between Jung Da-yeon and Seo Jun-seo before speaking.
“Let’s meet him first and talk. It’s not like we’re going to kill him, right? For now, I don’t want to escalate the conflict any further.”
What mattered right now was the royal castle.
Even if Jung Da-yeon couldn’t understand, Seo Jun-seo immediately grasped the meaning.
“Of course. I will follow your will, Director.”
“Um… Since I’m on the same boat, I’ll do my best.”
Jung Da-yeon said.
“Then please set a date for the meeting. The sooner the better.”
Kim Hwang-je said.
Then he turned to Seo Jun-seo.
“Oh, right, Mr. Seo. I have something to tell you.”
Kim Hwang-je stood up from his seat.
“Come to the VIP room.”
Since he had seen the royal castle, he needed to make sure his lips were sealed tight.
* * *
Kim Hwang-je poured coffee and handed it over.
Seo Jun-seo politely accepted the cup.
“Thank you, Director.”
After savoring the deep aroma for a moment, Kim Hwang-je asked.
“Jun-seo, you saw a lot back there, didn’t you?”
Seo Jun-seo nodded.
How could he even begin to describe the astonishing things he had witnessed?
“I heard many people praising you, Director. I had no idea you were feeding and supporting so many lives.”
“The story’s going to get long.”
Kim Hwang-je set down his coffee and leaned back in his chair.
“I’m in charge of that kingdom. I have to feed them, clothe them, and keep them alive. You understand what I mean, right? Ancient magic is involved, and if that world falls into danger, this world will too.”
Seo Jun-seo stared at the foam in his cup before speaking.
“Director. I am an orphan from the American slums.”
Suddenly sharing his life story?
Kim Hwang-je found it hard to believe that the Seo Jun-seo sitting before him in a crisp navy suit had once been a poor orphan.
Cultural capital of that level couldn’t be accumulated overnight…
His sense of perfume and fashion, his asset management skills—everything about him suggested he had lived as a rich family’s young master.
“The slums?”
“Yes. After the Monster Incident, I was abandoned in one of the slums that rapidly expanded… Then one day, Lost came. They said they taught smart children, and that I had passed an intelligence test above Mensa level. Do you know what I thought at that moment?”
“Something like… thank you?”
“I felt displeased.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just because my genes were slightly different, I received favors and luck that they could never enjoy in their entire lives.”
Usually smart people didn’t think that way.
Or maybe he thought that way because he was too smart?
Kim Hwang-je felt confused.
He had never thought about life in that way before.
“Even as a child, I knew all the orphans there would die. They didn’t have the money to move out of a monster-infested area. Not long after, I saw the news.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Seo.”
Kim Hwang-je let out a sigh.
“You know it too, Director. The guilt of the survivor…”
“…….”
It was something Kim Hwang-je had experienced as well.
People caught in major accidents felt sad because they had survived.
Why me?
Why only me instead of my family?
He remembered the red basin.
And his mother’s hands washing him in the yard.
Kim Hwang-je lifted his coffee cup to hide his face.
“While touring the kingdom, I discovered an orphanage built with cement. I heard that you are raising every single child there.”
Kim Hwang-je nodded.
Rescuing orphans was an important issue for him as well.
“I will do what I can. I can’t erase that guilt. It’s better to do good deeds instead.”
“That’s why I made up my mind.”
Seo Jun-seo smiled faintly.
It was the first time he had smiled since they met.
He’s always so tense and breaking out in cold sweat. Am I really that difficult to deal with?
“I want to make the world a better place together with you, Director. Please let me see a world where it is not natural for orphans to die.”
Kim Hwang-je nodded as well.
“That’s what I wanted to ask of you. While showering, I often thought it would be nice to have someone like Hwang Hui around.”
“Haha… I suppose I should give up on going home on time. But Director, if my salary keeps rising at this rate, by the time I reach Hwang Hui’s age I’ll be incredibly wealthy.”
Kim Hwang-je extended his hand.
“Even if I give you more, it won’t be enough. Don’t worry and just work.”
“Then I’ll be counting on you, Director.”
As their hands clasped, an alarm appeared.
Kim Hwang-je quietly read the words vassal state and nodded.
Well, it was good to have.
However, Seo Jun-seo, who was sitting across from him, seemed to interpret that gaze as a prompt to continue working. He placed his tablet on the table and said,
“Regarding the donation-in-kind method you mentioned earlier, Director, it gave me a new idea. First, about the two trillion won that has entered the account.”
“…I already spent some of it…”
“Pardon?”
“My skills require money.”
He had spent an enormous amount.
Repelling Katima alone must have cost over a hundred billion won.
He didn’t even dare check the remaining balance.
“There’s even a saying that mages fight with money. Don’t worry.”
There’s a saying like that?
Of course he hadn’t known.
Naturally, Seo Jun-seo was referring to the cost of magic materials.
“Director, you’re aware that with that amount of money, taxes exceed fifty percent…?”
Kim Hwang-je nearly fainted.
What kind of tax… exceeds fifty percent!?
Seeing Kim Hwang-je unable to breathe, Seo Jun-seo quickly continued.
“How would you feel about using that money to develop a port?”
A port?
In this world currently overflowing with monsters, ports ranked second among the most dangerous facilities.
“You want to invest and build a port?”
“The Hunter Special Act recognizes reinvestment of income tax into SOC—Social Overhead Capital—in the form of donation in kind. In other words, it’s telling us to use the money we would pay in taxes to build facilities that help national security.”
Seo Jun-seo looked genuinely pleased.
“Since we’re using money we’d have to pay in taxes anyway, there’s no loss on our side. Plus, since it helps national defense, the chances of the government refusing are extremely low. And we can handle both construction and operation ourselves. If everything goes according to plan…”
“No way…!”
“Exactly. All materials needed for port construction can be legally used for the royal castle as well!”
Oh! A massive harbor!
A legal business!
It was a project on a scale Kim Hwang-je had never even imagined.
Let’s go big!
Could the shabby shantytown of Sinal Port be transformed into something as grand as Busan Port?
Kim Hwang-je laughed heartily.
“Mr. Seo Jun-seo, you’re the best!”
It meant a direct channel to the royal castle would open.
A secret backdoor just for him to bring oil into the country!
Watching the delighted Kim Hwang-je, Seo Jun-seo said,
“Not at all. It’s all thanks to your ideas, Director.”
“Then look into oil distribution channels as well!”
Kim Hwang-je said with a broad, joyful grin.
Thanks to that, Seo Jun-seo didn’t quite understand the words.
He blinked twice before asking again.
“…Oil?”
“Ah, I didn’t mention it. I found an oil field.”
Seo Jun-seo spilled his coffee.
Black liquid like crude oil flowed down onto the floor beneath the table.
“Pretty good, right?”
Kim Hwang-je smiled brightly.
At that moment, Seo Jun-seo realized that working like Hwang Hui was not a metaphor.