<p>Ding-dong.</p>

"Yeees~ Coming, coming~."

A guest after a long time—maybe the very first since moving into this house.

And a face I was meeting for the first time.

"Greetings, Basement Blood Demon! I mean, Mr. Park Hyun-gi!"

"Yes, hello. Welcome."

"Welcome, Association President!"

"Ohoho, hello to you as well, Mongmo."

Association President Kim Min-woo had come to our house.

He was carrying quite a load in both hands.

Mongmo and I, now in human form, took the bags from him and led him inside.

"You look far more dashing in person than on screen!"

"You look better in real life too, Mr. President."

"Is that so? Hahaha!"

Kim Min-woo laughed heartily and glanced around.

I guided him into the living room.

Mongmo came out with canned drinks.

"What brings you here? You usually don't say much, but you were quite eager to meet this time."

At my question, Kim Min-woo gave a slightly bitter smile.

"Straight to the point, I see… I'm a little hurt. This is?"

"You're the first person I've let into this house besides my parents."

I had never planned on inviting anyone here, but I decided to make an exception for the Association President.

From the very beginning of my awakening, he had helped in countless ways.

From the moment Hyeolma Guard was established, even to Ether loans.

He had truly supported me with all his heart.

If someone helps you this much, you can't help but open up a little.

Kim Min-woo's face brightened at those words.

"Really? Haha, I'm honored. Then, since you're a busy man, I'll get straight to the point."

Kim Min-woo pulled something out of the bag he had brought.

What he held up were two photographs.

Each showed a person's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠face.

"One is Kim Dan, President of the Crafting Alliance, and the other is National Assemblyman Cheon Sang-hyun."

"Why these people?"

"This house… has anyone else besides me ever come inside?"

"No? You're the first to come inside the house, aside from the parking lot."

"…Hmm. One moment."

The Association President took something else out of his bag.

What the hell was that thing that looked like a landmine detector?

"What's that?"

"It's a device for finding wiretaps. Just in case, would you mind if I scan the place?"

"S-sure, go ahead."

That serious, huh?

"Yes, then."

After connecting the device, the Association President wandered around the living room for quite a while.

Wow, what kind of conversation were we about to have?

I was starting to get nervous.

"Hmm, nothing here. That's a relief. If anything feels off, please contact me right away."

"…Okay."

After disconnecting the machine, Kim Min-woo sat back down and continued.

"Those two are preparing to bring down Hyeolma Gentleman right now."

"…How?"

"They'll probably hold a hearing in the National Assembly. Under the pretext that you're monopolizing equipment."

"The meaning of 'monopoly' seems a little different from what I know. What monopoly? There are plenty of other crafters still standing strong."

"That doesn't matter. They'll pressure you with all sorts of nonsense. Their goal is to summon 'Basement Blood Demon' to the National Assembly."

"…?"

"Kyaaak! If they so much as touch a single hair on our master—!!"

"Mongmo, quiet."

"Understood."

I calmed down Mongmo, who had been growling and forgotten he was in human form, then nodded.

"Ah, haha. Don't worry. You've already protected your personal information with Ether, haven't you? You did very well."

Kim Min-woo, who had looked slightly flustered for a moment, pulled out another document from his bag.

"What's that?"

"An official notice. In short, it's an order to bring Basement Blood Demon to the Association. Since they can't reach you directly, they're trying to go through us."

"So that's why you came."

"Yes, but. You don't need to go. I'll block it on my end, and no matter what they do, they won't be able to find you, Mr. Park Hyun-gi. Not unless they break through your Ether-protected personal information."

It seemed like the story was over, but Kim Min-woo's expression was different.

It was the face of a mischievous child with a plan.

"But… wouldn't it be boring to just end it here?"

"What?"

"They tried to hit us, so we should at least land one counterpunch!"

Kim Min-woo threw punches into the air.

"I've never liked those two anyway. They nitpick at everything, keep raising Labyrinth prices to squeeze Awakeners dry, and especially that bastard Kim Dan…! No, anyway, don't you feel wronged?"

I hadn't suffered anything yet, so I didn't really feel wronged.

"That's right!!! No, yes! Exactly! Right, Master?!"

…Mongmo?

"Who do they think they are, trying to slander our business… I mean, our master! We have to teach them a lesson!"

"Exactly! Opportunities like this don't come often. If we play this right, we can turn it around…"

"E-excuse me, you two?"

"When's the date?"

"One week from now. That's plenty of time to prepare…"

"M-Mongmo?"

"Since we're doing this anyway, we should get a little help from Ms. Elena too…"

"Oho… Indeed, even just stirring up the atmosphere a bit…"

"Hellooo?"

The two of them had suddenly started plotting right in front of me.

"Master just needs to sit still!"

"We'll properly teach them a lesson! Mr. Hyun-gi, please focus on the Labyrinth!"

"…?"

It was my problem. Was I really just supposed to sit this one out?

The community was in a festive mood over the appearance of Korea's new high-ranker.

People were as happy as if the country had won the World Cup.

After all, these days, a nation's power is measured by its Ether count.

The barrier stones that keep monsters from appearing in reality are also maintained by Awakeners.

Before the Labyrinths appeared, a country's strength was divided into economic and military power. Now, Ether count and high-rankers were included as well.

If there are strong Awakeners, the country becomes safer.

What could be more important than that?

Everyone was celebrating, but there were two people who couldn't laugh.

"Master Craftsman Kim Dan. You don't seem very desperate?"

Cheon Sang-hyun sat with his legs crossed, sipping coffee in a café.

Kim Dan sat across from him, face flushed, unable to say a word.

"Haha, if the people won't help me, what can I do?"

"Congressman… Please. We're doing our best. At this rate, we really will…!"

"Tsk."

Cheon Sang-hyun placed something on the table.

It was a phone screen floating in the air.

The screen showed a message with the date of the hearing.

"Turn public opinion around by then. If not, I'll just let it pass without saying anything at the hearing either."

Only six days remained.

"…Understood."

Kim Dan stood up with a stiff expression.

Outside the café, he made a call.

"Use up the entire remaining budget to hire people. Include other companies besides the one we're already using. Put in the requests now!! And gather everyone from the Alliance!!"

There was no turning back for him now.

News poured out every day, and thousands of malicious comments appeared.

Amidst all this, one piece of news spread.

A hearing on the equipment monopoly suspicions.

All eyes turned to the National Assembly.

Crunch, crunch.

I was eating popcorn while watching the monitor.

It was a live broadcast of the National Assembly hearing.

And the main character was none other than…

"…Is it really okay for me to just sit here?"

Me. Basement Blood Demon.

So this was my hearing. Wow.

"Yeah! Preparations are complete! Just watch!"

Mongmo was also perched on my shoulder, crunching on a piece of popcorn.

"Oh, it looks like it's starting!"

Amid a barrage of camera flashes, a man entered.

It was the congressman I had seen in the photo—Cheon Sang-hyun.

Ooh, this was my first time seeing something like this. How fascinating.

Once the congressmen had gathered, the chairman sat down and brought the microphone to his mouth.

"Please take your seats. Since we have a quorum, I hereby open the first special temporary session of the Labyrinth Management Special Committee hearing to investigate suspicions of violation of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act and the monopoly of equipment supply by a specific company."

Cheon Sang-hyun watched the hearing proceed with a smile.

Even if he did nothing, the hearing would run on its own.

Because every congressman present was his supporter.

Even those who appeared to be from opposing parties were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠actually on friendly terms with him behind the scenes.

This was a fight he couldn't lose.

However, he had no intention of making a big issue out of it.

After all, the current number one ranker was Basement Blood Demon.

He was someone with considerable influence, so Cheon Sang-hyun planned to simply make him bow his head a little.

If he ran several businesses, destroying just one—Hyeolma Gentleman—would make him fall in line.

If he was as reckless as Choi Kang-hyuk, he would need a bit more handling, but that wasn't the case here.

Throughout the hearing, Association President Kim Min-woo blocked every attack in place of Park Hyun-gi, who hadn't attended.

"Does that make any sense, Association President Kim Min-woo!"

"You're misunderstanding. That's not it…!"

"How dare you raise your voice! Do you know where this is?!"

"You're the one raising your voice, Congressman…"

"So you're saying this really isn't a monopoly? Right now, countless small-scale crafters outside are…"

"Hyeolma Gentleman is only a mid-sized company at this point."

"What do you plan to do about the small-scale crafters who lost their jobs? Their families!! Their lives!!"

"That's not something the state should intervene in, but rather ensure fair competition…"

Kim Min-woo was sweating profusely, struggling to survive.

Then Cheon Sang-hyun took the floor.

"Association President Kim Min-woo… You're defending Hyeolma Gentleman very passionately?"

"…Yes?"

"Is there something going on? A man in the position of Association President is desperately defending a single Awakener. It's suspicious."

Kim Min-woo glared at Cheon Sang-hyun.

"Just a single Awakener?"

"Then he's just a single Awakener. What makes him so special? He's just an ordinary citizen."

"Congressman, that man is not an ordinary citizen. He is a world-class high-ranker and Korea's current number one Awakener!"

"So what? Does that mean he can break the law?"

"He has never broken the law. And Congressman."

Kim Min-woo let out a low sigh and continued.

"Don't say 'just.' Because of them, Korea's barrier stones are maintained and we can prepare against threats from other countries with Ether."

"Just as it's natural for soldiers to protect the country, it's natural for Awakeners to enter the Labyrinth. It's not something to praise."

"…You're still living in the past, Congressman Cheon Sang-hyun."

"What?!"

Cheon Sang-hyun shot to his feet.

"Look at this! This arrogant Awakener is hiding his identity and refusing to respond to the National Assembly's summons. How insolent! He thinks he's someone important! The National Assembly represents the voice of the people! Right now, Basement Blood Demon is ignoring the people! Ignoring Korea!"

As Cheon Sang-hyun's tone grew heated, the chairman tried to calm the atmosphere.

"Please maintain order."

Cheon Sang-hyun's face turned bright red, but inside he was laughing.

The mood had already shifted in his favor.

He would destroy Hyeolma Gentleman and then show mercy.

Kim Dan, who had been observing, smiled brightly.

"There is one thing I would like to show you."

When the chairman nodded, Kim Min-woo displayed something on the screen via the beam projector.

"What you are seeing now is the annual Ether acquisition ranking. As you know…"

Kim Min-woo pointed to one spot.

"Korea is in 28th place. We acquire 400 Ethers per year, and we fall behind in both population and average Awakener stats."

"So what?"

"But then Basement Blood Demon appeared. Just one Awakener? This is an era where Ether is national defense power. Congressman. 17 Ethers per month means he alone has increased Korea's national defense power by 25 percent!"

"Don't say such nonsense. What about the military?"

"No, but Ether can stop nuclear weapons."

"Hah, has anyone launched a nuke? Don't exaggerate, Association President."

"It's not an exaggeration. And there's one more thing."

Beep!

This time, different numbers appeared on the screen instead of Ether.

"After Hyeolma Gentleman and Hyeolma Guard began operations, missing person reports on the 1st and 2nd floors have dropped sharply. Do you know what that means?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Congressman, it means that the number of deaths in the 1st and 2nd floor Labyrinths has decreased by a full 90 percent. He is saving the people!"

"Don't exaggerate. That's not accurate either."

Feeling like he was talking to a wall, Kim Min-woo shook his head.

No matter what he said here, no one would listen.

This was supposed to be a hearing, but in reality it was a play whose outcome had already been decided.

"Regardless, the fact that he is ignoring the National Assembly and the people while monopolizing equipment remains unchanged. Therefore, Hyeolma Gentleman…"

Buzz— Buzz—.

Buzz— Buzz—.

At that moment, everyone's phones in the hearing room began vibrating simultaneously.

"Who is vibrating their phone during the hearing…!"

Buzz— Buzz—.

"…"

Even Cheon Sang-hyun's emergency phone was vibrating.

"Ahem."

As the atmosphere settled for a moment, everyone checked their phones to see what the message was.

"W-what?! America?!"

"T-three thousand?!"

"That can't be real? Why? Is this fake news?!"

The meeting room suddenly became noisy.

Feeling that something was wrong, Cheon Sang-hyun also checked his phone.

[Breaking: U.S. Awakener Management Agency extends love call to Basement Blood Demon with 3,000 Ether.]

"W-what?!"

One of his aides had sent an urgent message.

3,000 Ether.

A number greater than the total Ether Korea currently possessed.

Watching this, Kim Min-woo slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

"It seems everyone is seeing the same thing. Let's watch it together."

"W-wait, Association President…!"

Beep!

Before Cheon Sang-hyun could stop him, Kim Min-woo switched the beam projector's screen.

Live breaking news from various channels.

Elena Benson, Director of the U.S. Awakener Management Agency, was holding a press conference.

-Director, is that true?!

In response to the reporter's question, Elena Benson answered in English.

-Yes, it is. Since direct contact was impossible, I am sending this public message. If 'Basement Blood Demon,' who has been confirmed to reside in Korea, comes to the United States, we are willing to pay 3,000 Ether in a lump sum.

"Three thousand Ether…"

"Isn't Korea's total Ether count barely over 1,500…?"

"That's ten years' worth of mining for our country…"

-Furthermore, we will do our best to make him America's second SS-rank. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The offer is always valid, so if you see this, please contact us.

It was such an outrageous statement that anyone would think it was AI-generated.

Thanks to that, not only domestic news but the entire world's attention was focused on it.

Who was Basement Blood Demon that America would go this far?

"Look, Congressmen. 3,000 Ether is enough for Korea to immediately enter the world's top 10. That's how important he is for America to offer that much."

"D-don't say such nonsense. Just one Awakener…"

"He is not 'just' one, Congressman Cheon Sang-hyun!!!!"

Kim Min-woo shouted.

No one could react properly to the sudden turn of events.

"Y-you insolent…!"

"Will you take responsibility if he immigrates to America?!!"

"…What?"

"I'm asking if you'll take responsibility!!! Can you handle it?"

"…This guy, really. Hey, Kim Min-woo!!!"

"Think carefully. He's the number one ranker. Barrier stones and Ether!!! Can you, Congressman Cheon Sang-hyun, solve the amount he brings in?"

"We can leave that to Choi Kang-hyuk…!"

"The gap is already double! And the magic stones are over 50 times more. He alone maintains Korea's barrier stones…!"

Buzz— Buzz—.

While the argument was heating up, phones vibrated again.

"Y-you…! What now!!"

Cheon Sang-hyun checked his phone irritably, and his eyes widened.

"Perfect. Basement Blood Demon's identity? Let's take a look!"

Kim Min-woo switched the screen again.

It was a YouTube channel.

A video uploaded to a personal channel.

"That's…"

"This is Basement Blood Demon's personal channel, just officially confirmed."

"…Hyeolma TV?"

Kim Min-woo played the newly uploaded video.

Silence filled the National Assembly.

Buzz— Buzz—.

Only Cheon Sang-hyun's phone vibrated softly.

[Congressman… The mood is not looking good…]

A message from his aide.

But even without receiving this message, he knew.

'…I'm screwed.'

Korea was on the verge of turning its back on him.

-I will do my best until the day no one dies in my country's Labyrinth. Therefore, I cannot go to America. I decline the 3,000 Ether. I'm sorry, and thank you.

What the hell was that.

That was my voice.

Ah, my hands and feet.

Hah, my secondhand embarrassment…

"…Mongmo?"

"Hm? Did you call?"

"That… who was that?"

Of course, I had never filmed a video like that.

Then Mongmo jumped down from my shoulder and transformed with a poof.

His fur clumped together and grew larger.

Much larger than his usual child form.

And what appeared was…

"Ta-da!"

"…Me?"

It was my appearance.

"I can transform into any form! I filmed that in your place!"

Our Baron Park Mongmo rummaged through his drawer, pulled out a red mask, and put it on his face.

"How is it?! Looks exactly like you, right?! Elena helped, so we got a good script."

"…Didn't things get way too big?"

"Don't worry! Master just needs to keep playing and eating like now!"

"…"

Well, playing and eating was nice, but…

"By the way… that wasn't real, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ms. Elena… the 3,000 Ether."

"…Are you interested, Master?"

3,000 Ether. I don't know about 30 trillion won, but that's 0.4 garlic.

Damn… that was tempting.