Chapter 75
The next morning, Alexei's presidential jet from Russia touched down at Seongnam Seoul Airport.
"This way."
"No time to waste—let's go."
There was no lavish welcome ceremony, no honor guard. Who had time for such formalities? This was a negotiation with none other than the harbinger of life's end. No one could predict how many days it would take. If they delayed even slightly and the update period ended, monsters swarming the skies would make return impossible.
As if every minute and second counted, they disembarked the plane with only minimal escorts and raced in the prepared motorcade straight to the National Assembly building.
Please... please let the negotiations go smoothly.
Alexei gripped his tense hands tightly, staring anxiously at the passing scenery.
"Alexei's arrived?"
Choi Ah-rin's call came as I gazed out the window at downtown Seoul. In a prior call with her, the Russian president had expressed how desperately he needed my help. Naturally, this wasn't something Choi Ah-rin could decide unilaterally—it required my direct involvement, so we'd agreed to meet for the negotiations.
"Got it. Tell him I'm on my way now. Chat for a bit in the meantime."
-Yes.
I ended the call and turned to Cha Eun-joo.
"We're heading out—get the airship ready."
"On it!"
Cha Eun-joo flung open the window and leaped out without hesitation.
"Oh, and Yunsia."
Whoosh—thud.
Yunsia tossed me a small envelope. I snatched it mid-air. The sweet scent of chocolate. We'd gotten the routine down pat.
"...I'll be back."
"Take care!"
With bright send-offs from Yunsia and Tier, I too leaped out the window.
Alexei was on pins and needles. He didn't show it outright, but he kept glancing around sidelong.
Where's Sertina? Hasn't she arrived yet?
Today, he'd finally lay eyes on the legendary being. The transcendent incarnation from another world that no one could touch.
Across from him, Choi Ah-rin smiled softly and gestured to the teacup.
"Wouldn't it be better to drink it before it gets cold?"
"Ah, yes, of course."
Alexei grabbed the cup and gulped it down. Freshly brewed hot tea scorched his palate and throat as it poured down, making Choi Ah-rin's pupils widen in shock. But Alexei had no time for such trifles. His heart felt ready to burst from his chest.
Gulp, gulp—
"Hoo..."
Clink.
Alexei sighed, setting down the cup.
"Er... um..."
Thinking it novel to see someone chug tea like that, Choi Ah-rin exchanged small talk with him for a few minutes. Fitting his status as president, the topics were international affairs, global markets, and the monster crisis.
Alexei finds America's moves suspicious too.
In that short time, Choi Ah-rin gleaned a few more insights. Russia was too busy with its own issues for major gains, but Alexei spilled everything he knew freely. She inwardly worried he might leak state secrets at this rate.
Time passed like that.
"Lady Sertina has arrived."
"She's here."
Gasp!
The moment those words hit, Alexei and his aides froze. The unparalleled absolute powerhouse was about to appear before them.
I've got to stay sharp!
Every word here could seal a nation's fate.
The door to the tense meeting room swung open.
Swish—
A girl in a white sleeveless dress etched with blood-red patterns entered with an expressionless face.
Th-that's the world's conqueror!
What majesty!
Gasps echoed here and there. Silver-white hair tipped blood-red, crimson eyes—a petite girl whose dignified poise exuded elegance. Her mere walk commanded attention with an intangible aura. Her flawless porcelain skin accentuated her otherworldly allure, as if she belonged to a different plane from humanity.
Huh...?
And one more thing captivated the Russians' gazes.
Munch, munch—
The small bag of chocolates in her hand.
***
"Russian President Alexei. It's an honor to meet you."
"Yeah."
I shook hands with Alexei. His slender hand felt rough despite his build. The dark circles under his eyes told of his ordeal.
"We've heard the news. You annihilated the undead horde and saved the entire Asian continent. On behalf of Russia, allow me to express our gratitude."
Alexei bowed a full 90 degrees—overly polite for a president.
He must've really been through hell...
I didn't know the specifics, but it looked worse than I'd imagined. He'd lick my shoes if I asked, judging by his desperation.
...Not that I'd ever demand that.
The meeting began amid the swampy atmosphere.
Russia's request boiled down to one thing.
Cooperation from World Boss Sertina in clearing all B-rank and higher monsters within Russian territory.
In exchange, they'd pay any price. And they offered rewards that left jaws on the floor.
• Priority supply rights and cost-price provision of crude oil, LNG, natural gas, and electricity.
• Sharing of cutting-edge military technology and joint research on sensitive tech.
• Large-scale permanent lease of Siberian and Far East lands, plus long-term resource extraction rights.
Even I blinked at the list.
They're offering this much?! Do they have no backup plan?
I glanced at the Russian delegation, half-disbelieving, but their eyes brimmed only with desperation. They earnestly hoped I'd accept and save Russia.
Hmm... feels like I've become the robber.
I rubbed my chin, unease lingering as I scanned the list. Did they think too little would anger me?
"Th-this is the maximum we can offer," Alexei said in a trembling voice.
Yeah, I get it. Asking for more would be shameless.
The decision was mine: accept as-is, demand extras, or scrap it all. Russia's fate hung on it.
"Hmm..."
All eyes turned to me. Choi Ah-rin watched expressionlessly.
Good poker face.
I held out my palm.
"Pen."
"Here."
Choi Ah-rin's aide handed over a sleek black pen with a perfect grip. The Russians straightened tensely, gulping.
I struck lines through the list ruthlessly.
Cross this... hmm, this too.
Alexei paled. The defense minister and aides' pupils quivered, faces grave.
Is even this not enough?
That vibe hung in the air. Finally, only three items remained.
I held up the revised list like a trophy.
"This is enough."
"Pardon...?"
A quiet murmur rippled like waves on still water.
"R-really? This is sufficient?"
Alexei asked incredulously. The key points were:
• Absolute declaration of support for Sertina.
• Establishment and specification of Korea-Russia alliance and cooperative relations.
• Priority supply rights and cost-price provision of crude oil, LNG, natural gas, and electricity.
Energy security was vital for Korea, but the rest didn't sit right.
I crossed my arms, eyeing them.
"Aren't you going to rebuild your nation?"
The Russians' eyes twitched faintly. Alexei opened his tightly pressed lips, as if holding back sorrow.
"We have to solve the monster problem first to even think of reconstruction."
I closed my eyes and sighed deeply.
"I get that you need my help. But you're representatives of a country, right? Representatives prioritize their own people."
Thud.
I set the crossed-out document on the table.
"This isn't a negotiation."
I snapped.
"It's a slave contract."
The Russians' eyes widened.
"I know how desperate you are—offering such outrageous terms proves it."
If Eterna Guild were in peril, I'd do the same. I understood their plight.
"But this is wrong. Negotiations are about mutual compromise. Did you think I'd be thrilled by this?"
The Russians bowed their heads somberly.
After watching them a moment, I pulled the document toward me. I twisted the pen to extend the tip and signed my name in the signature block.
Their eyes bulged.
"I'll help this time. But next time, bring a proper negotiation document. Or else..."
I handed the signed paper to Alexei with a smile.
"I won't help."
Tears streamed down Alexei's cheeks, emotions long suppressed finally breaking free.