Chapter 130

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 130: Nerves of Steel

The competition, which was supposed to last a month, ended sooner than expected.

In just two weeks, the Awakened from each country finished the competition and returned.

The results spread like wildfire.

Korea?

It was completely turned upside down.

[(Breaking News!) Money Talks Guild brings glory to Korea! They swept the top three spots in the Super Rookie Selection Competition……]

[(Breaking News!) Money Talks Guild’s contribution to the Selection Raid is 77%!]

[(Breaking News!) The reason they haven’t returned yet is because of a special reward?!]

[(Breaking News!) The returning Awakened are confident that Korea will receive a huge reward……]

— No way they swept gold, silver, and bronze? Is this for real?

—Everyone around the world is saying the same thing, so it can’t be a lie, lol.

—Kim Minwoo hard carried again, lol. Did he solo the raid boss?

—WTF. 42% contribution? That’s more like he single-handedly chopped off all the boss’s limbs.

—The other guild members are amazing too, right? 20% and 15%;

—3-person raid lol

—Even the Awakened they raided with are all national treasures lol

—Wow; I knew Kim Minwoo was skilled, but his eye for talent is insane too lol. He discovered Park Siwoo and Seo Yerim lol

—Yeah. Apparently, other guilds gave up on Park Siwoo because he hadn’t Awakened. If it weren’t for Kim Minwoo, he’d probably be shoveling dirt on a construction site right now.

—Seo Yerim is even crazier lol. She went through a Gate once and threw away the sword she’d used for half her life to become an archer lmao

—Wasn’t the Divine Archer famous for holding a sword at her first birthday party? Haha

—Ah, that video? lol It was awesome lol

—Brings back memories, haha. It was legendary seeing Sword Saint’s lips twitch after watching that, haha. Wasn’t grandpa still active back then?

—He wasn’t retired like now, but he rarely went on gate raids.

—Right. He was already in his 60s then; that’s normal, haha.

—Grandpa ;;

—Yeah, haha. Grandpa is still going strong, haha. Broke a world record at 80, haha.

—Well, kimchi is best when it’s aged, haha.

—You crazy, haha.

—Anyway, in the end, Divine Archer was born, right? Cheers!

While netizens were chatting like this,

A massive news story broke.

[(Breaking News) China, considering ‘export controls’? Possibility of resource crisis increases!]

—…What?

—It seems like it’s because of the second exam? All the Chinese Awakened died.

—Yeah. They were the only Awakened superpower to be completely wiped out.

—I heard they deserved it. Did they think they could sacrifice other Awakened and survive? Haha.

—They got what they deserved, haha. But that’s that, and… aren’t we screwed?

—Why?

—Look at the list; if all those things are controlled, it’s like going back to the Stone Age, right?

—Can’t we be self-sufficient?

—How? As soon as the trucks stop, a logistics crisis will break out, haha.

—Then what do we do?

—Another breaking news just came out. These bastards are really petty; it seems like they’ll really go through with the controls if Money Talks Guild doesn’t apologize formally?

—…Then should they apologize?

―Hmm… Should they?

―They don’t have to… haha Our lives are getting tougher, aren’t they?

―Just eat mixed grain rice with kimchi and endure it!

―Hmm… Won’t the price of mixed grains and kimchi skyrocket too?

―Even instant noodles…?

―Sigh… Does Korea have to apologize again…?

At that moment, Kim Minwoo’s appearance appeared on the news. Even the sight of reporters urgently asking questions.

Soon after,

―…Guild Master. Do you have any intention of selling potions to other countries?

―Well, it depends on the situation.

With Kim Minwoo’s response, cheers began to erupt.

―Alright haha It seems like the tables have turned, huh? haha

―Seriously. We’re bringing back the top-tier potion recipe from here haha

―It’s worth a try haha

―(Newbie) I know that’s valuable, but is it that valuable?

―The newbie is cute, haha. That’s how valuable top-tier potions are. How good must it be for other countries to go as far as forming alliances just to get it lmao.

―Except for China, let’s shower the surrounding countries with it~ It’ll already be a hit, right?

―Gate competition is imminent, and China’s performance is sinking haha

―No need to spread. You guys Forgot? That’s a strategic asset of the United States.

―Who the hell forms alliances and seeks potions? haha Just give Kim Minwoo money and buy it lol

―Can anyone else hear the sound of the eyebrows of the US Ambassador to South Korea falling off? XDXD

―Yeah, even the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea is running here bald~ If we leave that alone, it’ll be a mess Lmao.

* * *

When asked if he would sell the potion to other countries, Kim Minwoo shrugged. “It’s probably being broadcast live around the world right now.”

‘I might as well expand my market while I’m at it.’

China?

Korea would be a tough nut to crack.

It would be a shame if exports were controlled. In that case, we could just bring in other big players.

Like the United States, which is using this as a strategic asset.

Or the allied nations that have signed secret agreements to import it for themselves.

You know, the awakened superpowers.

Not long after the interview, a flood of meeting requests came in.

The first to arrive was the U.S. ambassador.

He had come in such a hurry that his bald head was glistening with sweat.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim Minwoo. I’m Steven, the U.S. ambassador to Korea.”

“Nice to meet you too. But what brings you here?”

Steven shuddered at Kim Minwoo’s sly smile, as if he already knew the answer.

But only for a moment.

Like a true professional, he regained his composure and asked cautiously.

“…Is it true that you have acquired the recipe for the highest rank potion?”

“They gave me a lot of good stuff there.”

“…We need at least a minimal verification process. Do you understand?”

“Of course. But you’re not asking me to show you the recipe, are you?”

“Just tell us three ingredients related to demonic monsters and two ingredients related to humanoid monsters.”

“Colossus spinal fluid, Atango tail feathers, Demon heart, Medusa hair, Centaur chieftain’s eyeball. Are you talking about things like that?”

“…”

The ambassador’s face hardened.

He didn’t know the entire recipe by heart.

He had only asked questions based on the information the president had given him directly.

‘It’s the same.’

From the monsters Kim Minwoo was talking about to the specific body parts, it was all exactly the same as part of the recipe the president had mentioned.

‘…He really got it.’

At this point, he had no choice but to admit it.

“Let’s get to the point. What the U.S. wants is probably for only Korea to use it, right?”

“…Yes.”

To be precise, it would be best if only Kim Minwoo and the Money Grubbing Guild used it…

‘But that’s impossible.’

Even for the United States, it would be unreasonable to limit the scope to that extent.

Kim Minwoo had already openly stated that he was in possession of the recipe.

Koreans?

Of course, they would want their own Awakened to benefit from it to some extent.

Considering that, they would have to allow at least Korea, the country that owned it, to use it.

But anything more than that would be difficult.

It would be very difficult for the United States.

“I’m sure you didn’t come here empty-handed to ask for that…”

“…What do you want?”

“Well, what do I want? If I sell this, it’s like printing money, but I can’t do that? Hmm…”

“…Do you want money?”

“Would that be enough? I can’t even exert influence? There are many things in the world that are worth more than money.”

A cold sweat ran down Steven’s face. Honestly, his pride was a little hurt. Even the Korean president wouldn’t be so arrogant in front of him.

‘Damn it…’

But the situation had taken a turn for the worse.

What if he made a big deal out of this and Kim Minwoo decided to meet with the Chinese ambassador?

That would be a real disaster.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Korea was at least an ally, but China was practically an enemy.

From the U.S. perspective, there was nothing more troublesome than that.

‘What do I have to give him?’

He didn’t know how much Kim Minwoo would demand if he offered money.

And judging by his attitude, it seemed that money alone wouldn’t be enough to control him.

Kim Minwoo smiled at the ambassador, who remained silent.

“The U.S. and Korea are friends, right?”

“Y-yes, of course.”

“I’d like to get along with my friends, too.”

“Haha… Is that so?”

Of course it was.

Making an enemy of the U.S., the most powerful Awakened nation?

It would be a hundred times better to slap China in the face.

‘There’s nothing to gain from making an enemy of them right now.’

It was best to give what he had to give, take what he had to take, and move on.

“China is being quite noisy.”

“They’ll be quiet soon.”

“That’s a given. By any chance, can I sell some of the potion to them?”

“…To China?”

“If you sell it for 10 times the price, the U.S. won’t lose out either.”

“…What? Ten times?”

What the hell was this guy talking about?

Steven tilted his head.

Even the U.S. only sold it to its allies for 1.5 times the price.

There were many countries that were struggling to buy it even at 1.5 times the price.

But to sell it for 10 times the price?

Common sense dictated that no one would buy it…

‘Wait a minute. Maybe they would actually buy it?’

With the Gate Scramble just around the corner, it wasn’t impossible for the sake of a few top Awakened.

80 billion won per potion, 600 potions.

’48 trillion won…’

If they squeezed, they might be able to get a few people to buy it…

‘But it’s crazy no matter how you look at it…’

If the U.S. bought the potion at that price, it might not be long before an impeachment bill was introduced.

But China was a different story.

Their financial flows were opaque to begin with. And their political structure was close to a dictatorship.

There had been many dictators who had ruined their countries.

Considering that, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

But…

“…Will they really buy it at that price?”

“It’s not about buying. It’s about creating a market.”

Kim Minwoo replied with a faint smile.

“And there’s no law saying you must only receive payment in money, right?”

“….”

If China was buying medicine at that price, it was a win for the United States.

Some awakening individuals were ruining the country just to gain a little more power.

Even if a few top-rank awakeners got stronger, it wasn’t a structure that could defeat the United States, the strongest awakening nation.

“…We’ll need to consult with the homeland, but if they’re really selling it like that, there might be room for consideration.”

“Please think about it carefully. But I still think it’s in the United States’ interest for Korea to be bigger than China.”

“Frankly, I agree.”

“Then shall we get to the point?”

Selling at a high price to China was one thing, but they hadn’t received what they were owed from the United States yet.

Stephen’s forehead began to glimmer again.

* * *

“It was a pleasure, Ambassador.”

“The pleasure was mine. Just in case…?”

“Don’t worry. The Chinese Ambassador won’t even see my face. Oh, but will they see it on TV?”

“It seems like me and Mr. Kim Minwoo could have a rather good relationship.”

“I quite like the Ambassador too.”

“Well then, I’ll contact you again after consulting with the homeland.”

As Stephen left.

Before long, one of the bodyguards approached and whispered.

“Young master, the Chinese Ambassador has been waiting since earlier…”

“Didn’t you tell them to leave?”

“Of course I did. But they insisted on seeing you…”

“Just shoo them away. If they resist, drag them out.”

“But… is that okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine. You can do that.”

That’s why they’re working with the U.S., right? Even if they impose export controls because of this…

‘China will be the one to suffer.’

What’s the current situation?

It’s China vs. the U.S. allies + the U.S. + Korea.

Even if they impose controls, they’ll only suffer for a month or two, right?

On the other hand, China will suffer for years because of that choice.

‘Well, let them bark all they want.’

They need to move diligently until they get a response from the U.S.

The highest rank potion recipe.

He gave it to the skeletons.

If they have the ingredients, they can use alchemy to make the potion.

‘The problem is that they come out poorly.’

The highest rank potion?

The production difficulty is almost the highest.

On the other hand, the skeletons’ alchemy is D-rank. Even if they try to make it, the failure rate will be enormous, and even if they do make it, they will only produce crude results for the time being..

Their alchemy needs to be at least A-rank to make proper potions.

To get there, he’ll probably have to work the skeletons for months.

He doesn’t have that kind of time.

His Current level was 270

And level 300, the level he would need for drinking those potions was fast approaching

It was time to find someone who could craft the potion.

‘Well, I can still make it if you just give me the recipe.’

They couldn’t make it because they didn’t know the exact ingredients and the method, but if they knew the ingredients and the method, they could try to make it any time.

Then the recipe would be registered.

There was someone who came to mind. They said that there was a decent alchemist in Korea as well.

He opened his smartphone and made a call.

Immediately after.

—Y-Hello…?!

A voice answered the phone urgently, trembling.

‘That’s understandable.’

At least if they were an alchemist.

Right now, they must be feeling their heart pounding at the thought of what it meant for Kim Minwoo to call them at this moment.

“Ms. Choi Yuna? It’s been a while. Yes, this is Kim Minwoo. You must have seen the news already. I need some high-rank potions, so would you like to meet up and talk?”

Choi Yuna, the alchemist who was quick and accurate in her work, had been a valuable asset in making lowest-rank, low-rank, mid-rank, and high-rank potions.

After that, he had given Siwoo some allowance and had him make potions.

It seemed like he would have to rely on her for the highest rank potions as well.

So Kim Minwoo stepped out of the house.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Choi Yuna.”

“N-Nice to meet you too!”

Choi Yuna, who saw Kim Minwoo wearing a hat at the cafe, said this while shuffling her feet.

Highest Rank Potion recipe.

When she saw on TV that Kim Minwoo had obtained it, she was so surprised she thought she was going to flip over.

No wonder, it was a recipe that only America possessed!

She was so envious that she could go crazy.

But she couldn’t bring herself to contact him.

That’s because the status of him and her had changed drastically since they first met.

All she had been doing lately was contacting people like Park Siwoo.

And that was only until she started supplying him with high-rank potions. She thought she would never see him again…

“Let’s get down to business. I know the recipe, and you know how to make it.”

“Yes, sir!”

“But I can’t just give it to you like that.”

“Y-Yes, I understand.”

“Do you know what a cannery is?”

“……T-Tinning?”

Choi Yuna tilted her head.

Isn’t that like being locked up somewhere and making products?

“7 years. Let’s just live like that for 7 years.”

Kim Minwoo said with a grin.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]