NOVEL NEXT Chapter 235
Episode 235. The King of Merchants (2)
A bill for conquering 10% of the world arrived. I expected problems, but I didn’t think it would be today.
“Hello.”
On the right sits Pobia.
A young woman in a navy suit.
She’s an employee of Pluto Limited Company, a group that trades in supernatural phenomena, especially humanoid ones. She might even be a shareholder. It’s hard to tell.
On the left is the youngest son of the Enlightenment Group’s owner family.
Jin Seung-jae, the head of the 8th Research Utilization Division.
From the Foundation’s perspective, he seemed to hold the most power in the family. But that’s just the Foundation’s view. Since he couldn’t aim for the chairman position, he wasn’t at the top of the power hierarchy.
Just a high-level shadow.
I let out a sigh first.
“What brings you here?”
“We’ve come to offer our help.”
They’re people I’ve collaborated with multiple times, but they’re still a pain to deal with. Hostile groups are, at their core, hostile groups. Even if they’re sometimes reasonable, it doesn’t change much.
“State your demands.”
What nonsense are they about to spout now?
“The 8th Research Utilization Division plans to build a large-scale supernatural phenomenon research facility in Ulsan.”
“Supernatural phenomena. How about purchasing 1 trillion won’s worth?”
The latter might be possible. Even though 1 trillion is an unimaginably large sum, it’s not my money. But the former seems a bit risky.
Pobia feigned ignorance for a moment.
“Why me?”
“Wouldn’t it be tiring to rule three dragons alone? Under Dr. Kim’s command, trusting the comrades you’ve fought alongside would be the wise choice for a ruler.”
Three dragons.
Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing.
I glanced at the piece of paper handed over by the two hostile groups. The absence of a signature space suggested it wasn’t a contract but a list of demands.
It was worth considering.
One thing was certain.
Fighting two hostile groups that had joined forces would be exhausting. If money could solve it, that’d be a relief.
The 8th Research Utilization Division and Pluto Limited Company had helped me during the civil war.
On the other hand, I couldn’t just sit back and watch these hostile groups pressure the Foundation.
I needed to find a way to meet their demands without killing them all.
I wasn’t sure if such a method existed yet.
“I can meet your demands. This much is within my authority.”
Within my authority, but building a large-scale supernatural research facility in Korea outside the Foundation and government isn’t safe. Pouring trillions into hostile groups is also risky.
Why Ulsan?
It’s obvious they’re planning to cover it up as a chemical spill accident if things go south. I picked up my phone and texted Nanami.
[Move.]
[Got it.]
Pobia, with a slightly arrogant smile, looked at me and spoke.
“Administrator, you are the wisest, the king of scholars, and the strongest, the king of soldiers. If you wish to become the king of merchants, you must understand what merchants aim for and revere.”
It’s all about money. That was the gist of Pobia’s words. If I give them money, or the means to make money, they’ll cooperate with me.
The king of merchants, huh…
“Shall we discuss this over a meal?”
“Yes.”
Let’s buy some time.
Nanami slid down the rappel line from the helicopter. It wasn’t a dangerous operation.
“This is Nanami. Descending onto the target building.”
Operation Golden Goose. One of the Foundation’s contingency plans to swiftly take control of key national facilities in Korea.
The operation was simple. Though the Seoul Branch’s Special Forces were assisting today, it was straightforward enough for Nanami to handle alone.
Five minutes after Dr. Kim issued the move order.
Nanami and the Special Forces successfully descended onto the National Pension Fund Headquarters building.
[This is a bomb threat alert. All employees, please take cover under your desks and fully cooperate with the police.]
There was no reason for failure.
It wasn’t a heavily guarded facility.
Just a matter of moving. Now, onto the main body of Operation Golden Goose…
Well, since Dr. Kim is the Administrator, and there’s no one above him, this operation is feasible. Nanami connected her radio.
“This is Nanami. Arrived at the operation zone. All targets secured and will be escorted to Point A.”
The operation was very simple. It didn’t seem like a deeply thought-out plan.
Sometimes simple is good, but this seemed downright foolish to Nanami.
Taking control of the Fund Management Headquarters by force—does that even make sense? With effort, it might work, but Nanami was skeptical of the basic idea.
[This is Moon-1. Moving.]
[This is Moon-5. Target cooperative. Moving.]
The headquarters’ director and eight Ph.D.-level officials gathered in the central meeting room. All wore frightened expressions as they were escorted by the Special Forces.
“What’s this? You’re not the police!”
Took you long enough to figure that out. Nanami removed her helmet, crossed her legs, and sat at the head of the table. She made eye contact with the escorted individuals.
“Do you know where you are? I’m reporting this hostage situation to the police right now—”
“The director, out.”
The plan from here was Dr. Kim’s. The director, appointed by a minister appointed by the president, wasn’t the core of power in this organization.
“Who’s the representative among you?”
The department heads exchanged glances. Soon, a middle-aged man sat across from Nanami.
“Director of Operational Strategy. Dr. Choi.”
“Right.”
Dr. Choi stared at Nanami.
“You said you were the police. But you’re wearing military uniforms without insignia. Special forces? No one can handle the fallout of a hostage situation like this.”
“Rain.”
Nanami flicked her finger. Moments later, raindrops began falling outside the window.
The director looked out the window in disbelief. No matter how many times he blinked, the result didn’t change. It was actually raining.
But.
Negotiations had to be made.
At least, Dr. Choi thought so. The soldiers who had arrived must have a purpose, and they must want something to have sent special forces in a helicopter.
“Then—”
“Let’s talk without the hounds. I know you’re listening to this conversation.”
Nanami sighed and removed her earpiece, tossing it to Dr. Choi.
Nanami was inwardly impressed. Dr. Choi. I thought he was just a suit-wearing banker. Turns out he’s not just a leader in this organization for nothing.
I let out a sigh.
“Checkmate. Dealing with two hostile groups would be more troublesome than just meeting their demands.”
“Yes.”
Pobia and the research director wore satisfied expressions, as if they had won.
I sighed softly and turned to the Enlightenment Group’s research director first. Let’s deal with him first.
“You have Enlightenment Group stocks, right? How much of the owner family’s shares do you hold?”
“Hmm, about 5%. Why?”
Less than I thought.
“I just got a message from the National Pension Headquarters. They plan to gradually halt investments in Korean stocks and sue the Enlightenment Group for actions against shareholder interests.”
The research director dropped his phone.
“Huh? Why would the Pension Headquarters—”
Why? Because the Seoul Branch’s soldiers just kidnapped all the executives of the National Pension Fund Headquarters, so they have no choice but to act as I said.
This kind of thing is harder to clean up than to execute, but I can handle the cleanup.
“The National Pension holds over 5% of shares across all Enlightenment Group affiliates. A little move, and things could get messy. Don’t you think?”
The National Pension can move trillions.
Of that, tens of trillions are tied up in Enlightenment Group affiliates. Even without fighting these hostile groups, I could crush them just by playing their favorite money game.
“Wait, Administrator—”
“Did someone hear a rumor?”
“Huh?”
The research director’s phone, lying on the floor, started ringing like crazy. Dozens of text notifications popped up during the call.
The research director, sent by the Enlightenment Group, picked up his phone with a pale face, looking like he’d just survived a war.
“Oops.”
Pobia awkwardly scratched her head.
“This… was a miscalculation.”
“Good attempt. If I were still a director, I’d have definitely fallen for this strategy.”
But not today.
“You’re not in a position to gain anything here today. Think about how you can get me, or the Pension Headquarters, to reverse the decision.”
The research director bowed his head.
At least he’s quick on the uptake.
“My apologies.”
Pobia looked at the man sitting next to her in disbelief. The alliance was broken. Her comrade had surrendered immediately.
I crossed my arms.
“Each of your proposals is worth considering… But if anyone thinks that hostile groups banding together can pressure the Foundation, they’re gravely mistaken.”