‘No... What is that guy doing over there?’
It wasn’t surprising that Choi Yeonseung led the hunters and killed monsters while the French hunters pulled out. That’s just how he was. However, it was just hard to believe that the French government would entrust the Abyss base construction project to him just because of the successful raid. Was the French government crazy?
He called his secretaries who were waiting.
“Isn’t President Georges an impulsive and moody man?”
“But this is too much even for him.”
The monster raids led to a huge new market, but they also became more competitive. Many new industries were created and markets exploded, but in the end, there were winners and losers.
One of the most important aspects of this competition was a country’s thirst for power. A country had to have its hunters kill monsters!
If the hunter of Country A killed a monster, then all the loot they gathered from it would essentially become the property of Country A. Of course, it was technically the property of the hunter, but they would sell the loot and spend the money in Country A. Thus, killing monsters would indirectly empower one’s country.
Countries invested heavily in the development of hunters, partly to deal with monsters, but also to avoid being left behind in this competition. The Abyss base was very important in this regard. Without their own base there, the French would be at a disadvantage in all areas, starting with exploration, hunting, gathering resources, and so on.
They would have no choice but to stand and watch enviously as other countries would enjoy the benefits of going out into the Abyss!Entrusting the construction of such an important base to a hunter from another country was a difficult thing to do even for the president. First of all, wouldn’t the French hunters be outraged? Hunters were extremely defensive when it came to their own interests.
Hunters from other countries took over their duties and would grab a hefty share of the rewards...
“Won’t there be an assassination?”
“Would they go that far?”
Of course, they wouldn’t go as far as assassinating someone, but having to see all hunters roll their eyes when they saw you was quite annoying.
“Then should I call them and tell them to decline?”
“No! Why?”
Hwang Gyeongryong couldn’t believe what this person was saying. Even if a revolution broke out in France, he had no intention of giving away the profit that rolled in.
“That is that and this is this.”
“I knew you would be like this.”
“... That’s not very nice… You know what, just get out.”
“......”
The secretary was kicked out for saying the wrong things and angrily left the room.
“I didn’t think he would get along with President Georges... It’s a strange thing. Ah, right. Tell him to bring back some treasures from France.”
It wasn't uncommon for hunters who were active in other countries to bring back some nice gifts. Something of great significance! That was how Hwang Gyeongryong got to raise his own panda. He got it as a gift from the Chinese Government.
***
“Whoa. It’s amazing!”
The CEO of Dragon Batter, Ducoms was watching the news with a look of surprise on his face. He too was watching the news about Choi Yeonseung.
“I was worried he would be a pushover after hearing that he saved the citizens of Paris, but he is much more cunning than I thought!”
“What do you mean?”
“Look. Choi Yeonseung saved people by walking around Paris while other hunters were stuck in hotels playing poker. How unprofitable is that?”
“It certainly is.”
“But because of that, our reputation has improved greatly in the eyes of the French. If we had stayed inside, we would’ve been sworn at as well. However, since a hunter from overseas came to save the day, the French hunters have no choice but to endure the swearing.”
Ducoms continued with an expression of admiration.
“Because we built a good reputation for ourselves, we were able to step into a project that naturally should have been reserved for the French hunters, like the Abyss base. Look! No one is swearing.”
Ducoms opened a website to check the public opinion on the side of the French. Naturally, having to ask foreign hunters for help because the hunters of your own country lack the skill to slay monsters would result in harsh criticism. However, the current situation was something else entirely.
-I’d rather put my faith in Hunter Choi Yeonseung than the French hunters who ran away instead of helping us. He didn’t run away, did he?
-We should take this opportunity to get rid of the hunters who never showed their faces. They always say that they’re the only ones who can stop the monsters. Yet in the end, who was the one who actually dealt with the monsters?
The citizens went from cursing both their government and the French hunters to expressing their support for the opposite side. They couldn’t help feeling admiration.
“He saved the people of Paris in a selfless act of heroism. Very admirable! He is completely different from the hunters who only care about themselves.”
“It’s amazing to hear that.”
“Yes. As expected, Dragon Hwang knows exactly who to bring in.”
“You said that you met him at dinner the other day. What kind of person is he?”
The secretary carefully asked this question when Ducoms, who was usually foul-tempered, seemed to be in a good mood.
“Um... His food is really good.”
“...Huh?”
“He cooks really well,” said Ducoms with a smile on his face. His mouth was watering just thinking about it. “Speaking of which, did you say that there is a Korean restaurant around here?”
“Yes. There is a very good chef...”
“Let’s go there. You better hope it’s good, or else…”
On that day, Ducoms was kicked out of LA’s ‘Myeongdong Fine Dining.’
***
“This... This is a great treasure. It’s not something we should give to a foreigner...”
“Uhuh! You should keep quiet and be ashamed of yourself for stealing the treasures of another country. How dare you open your mouth?”
‘Gyeongryong hyung?’
Choi Yeonseung was surprised by the sight of President Georges being angry next to him. For a moment, he thought that the president was possessed by Hwang Gyeongryong. The museum director was visibly stressed and tried to remedy the situation somehow, but President Georges was already being influenced by Choi Yeonseung and firmly pushed the museum director.
“This is a treasure belonging to the Korean royal family. Evidently, I have to give it back. Are you going to embarrass me in front of a hero?”
‘A lunatic is ruining France!’
The museum director struck his chest.
They had to return the treasures for which their ancestors gave their blood, sweat, and tears. The ones that France had plundered during the chaotic times of the 20th century.
“What is this zodiac statue?”
“T-That isn’t a Korean treasure. It’s a treasure that came from Yuanmingyuan in Beijing, China....”
“Well, why does that matter? Give that as well. If it’s a Chinese treasure, South Korea can have it.”
“......”
Choi Yeonseung was about to hit the jackpot.
“H-Hunter Choi Yeonseung. Please explain it to the president. This is a Chinese treasure...”
“There were times when China took Korean treasures while insisting it was theirs. Why shouldn’t I have this?”
Choi Yeonseung didn’t hesitate to take it.
The director of the museum wept in his heart.
‘Should I put it next to the panda in the garden?’
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung. I have high hopes for the Abyss base. Now my political opponents are cursing me by spreading false rumors...”
‘The rumors aren’t false though… He’s brought this upon himself.’
“You have to be successful! Hasn’t Dragon Industry successfully completed the base?!”
“There’s still a long way to go.”
Since the opening of the First Abyss Kingdom, countries and companies around the world would seek to quickly establish bases and gain an advantage. It was natural that Choi Yeonseung, who had made the biggest contribution, and the Dragon Industry base would have an advantage. However, despite the tremendous pace of construction, the base was still under development.
“Uhahahat! You’re being humble. I believe you can do it!”
“......”
Choi Yeonseung was starting to get nervous. Would he really be able to do it?
***
“Ohh... Ohhh...”
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled as he saw Hwang Gyeongryong carefully stroking the old fan.
“It’s pretty weak for an artifact.”
As the gates opened and magic power started spreading across Earth, there were cases where old treasures were transformed into powerful artifacts.
“I didn’t ask you to bring it because it’s an artifact. I asked you to bring it because it’s a historical treasure.”
Treasures that were stolen by the French. These treasures should have been returned sooner, but...
“Do you know what they shamelessly said when I tried to negotiate and get it back last time? They said they wouldn’t give it to a person who lacks the ability to manage the treasures of humanity. I wanted to kill them on the spot but I controlled myself.”
Hwang Gyeongryong gritted his teeth. It was infuriating to hear something like that, given how many museums he owned. Even thinking about it now made him feel angry.
“Despite this, why didn’t you object to sending hunters to France?”
“...It’s profitable.”
“......”
‘As expected of the one who built factories in China.’
“Don’t look at me so judgmentally!”
“So are you going to give it back to the South Korean government? They would appreciate it.”
“Uh...”
Hwang Gyeongryong’s words trailed off.
“What’s wrong?”
“This artifact... I can use it...”
“It’s not a very good artifact so you may as well give it away.”
“Maybe there are hidden powers...”
“There’s no such thing. I’ve already checked.”
“...Why should I give it back to the Korean government?!”
Hwang Gyeongryong revealed his true feelings. Even the biggest mountains could be altered in ten years or so, yet his grudge still persisted after thirty years. All the public officials who used to bully Hwang Gyeongryong had clearly retired, but even so...
“Don’t return it because it’s the property of the Korean government, but because it’s the property of South Korea. It will also help Changsik hyung.”
Choi Yeonseung intended to return this treasure to Lee Changsik. Recently, whenever he went on the Internet, he kept seeing articles like ‘When will Director Lee Changsik be fired?’ and it broke his heart. Wouldn’t the criticism subside if he returned an artifact like this?
“......”
However, Hwang Gyeongryong was sullen. He turned his head without answering.
“No, Hyung. You’re a grown-up, so why are you acting like this?”
“Forget it. I’m sure you prefer Changsik better.”
“ Hey, who’s the one that obtained the French Abyss base business this time? How much money is that...? Isn’t it enough to support some of the companies on Dragon Industry’s side?”
“Since when are you so interested in management...?” Hwang Gyeongryong grumbled but he still looked quite relaxed. It was too much money to keep sulking.
“So the base on Dragon Industry’s side is doing well?”
“We’ve had some problems, but we’re doing pretty well. It wouldn’t hurt for you to go there once. It would be quite helpful to the hunters there.”
“Hmm...”
Choi Yeonseung was lost in thought. The constellations were now focused on the angel going against the collector, so this might be a good chance. He should check out the base and figure out a way to attack the next Abyss kingdom.
‘I wish the constellations were a bit more distracted...’
***
When entering the gate, the temporary base installed in the front greeted the guests. Here, they could pay a high price to use teleport magic in order to move to the bases of each country. It was quite dangerous to just run down the road in the Abyss.
‘This much...
It isn’t a base, it is a city.’
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is amazed by the technological advancement of humans!]
It wasn’t that long ago, but before they knew it, a city was taking shape. It was the result of a combination of magic and the technological prowess of humanity, which was one of the best in the Abyss. Seeing this, Choi Yeonseung had a strange premonition. Wasn’t it possible that humanity would one day conquer the Abyss?
-Isn’t that just ridiculous?
-Indeed... We still have a long way to go.
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