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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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“This should be enough.”
After delivering his one-sided announcement, Yeongwoo noticed a Negwig, carrying two slaves, running towards him from a distance.
- Screeech!
It could only enter after the core was removed, and all the gates of the Forbidden City opened.
‘Oh, come to think of it, the Negwig hadn’t been able to enter until now.’
This fact was frustrating when the Metal Forbidden City was under enemy control.But now that he had secured the "Core," it pleased him.
‘The Metal Forbidden City's barrier was strong enough to block the Negwig? Then wouldn’t the same apply to Metal Seoul?’
With two other companies simultaneously declaring war on Dogo during this turbulent time, it was a great relief that Seoul’s defenses would be improved.
Especially since he planned to use Metal Seoul as the address for Dogo's Earth branch.
‘Of course, the citizens of Seoul won’t like it... but I'll have to convince them somehow.’
As he had just announced, there was only one hour left until the start of the business presentation.
So, Yeongwoo hurriedly reached out to touch the "Core" in front of him.
Thump.
Then, for the first time since the reset, a tooltip from Toma appeared.
「Steel Core」 - ◇ Toma Power Source
【C-Class Development Site Creation】
【Guardian Dragon】
【Annihilation Mode】
‘A Toma power source, huh.’
As Yeongwoo's expression showed interest, a detailed description appeared below it.
Pop!
【C-Class Development Site Creation】
|Transforms a designated area into a state where it can be reinforced.
【Guardian Dragon】
|Increases all #dragon-type abilities by 20% within the reinforced area.
【Annihilation Mode】
|This power source supports a special defense system.
‘Ah, it’s a kind of mode-switching item.’
Yeongwoo thought he could roughly understand it just by looking at the tooltip, though he’d have to use it in Seoul to be sure.
Most likely, placing this core somewhere in Seoul would transform a specific area into a state where it could be modified.
After some procedures, it would turn into a bizarre fortress, much like the Metal Forbidden City.
However...
‘But wasn’t the order to set the new capital given by Dogo, not Toma?’
[Dogo] "Heavenly Capital"
[Mission] Secure the remodeling core of the Forbidden City and establish the new capital of Earth.
[Special] In this mission, you must disclose the support from Dogo.
[Reward] 30 million Karma
So, who would be responsible for reinforcing the "new capital"—Dogo, or Toma, who made the core in the first place?
‘This is really hard to figure out.’
He wouldn't know until he used the core himself.
The one thing that was clear was that just as he was tied to Dogo by an advertising contract, Toma must have had some sort of deal with Im Dupyeong.
‘I saw the 500 million debt mark under Im Dupyeong's chin. It was probably something like a debt.’
But there was no tooltip related to this on the core he had just obtained.
In other words, the "becoming a god" that Im Dupyeong mentioned must have been a separate contract with Toma.
And it was likely what saved him from the 300 million arrows.
‘Toma wouldn’t have stopped 300 million arrows for just a 500 million debt. I bet he sold something really important.’
Although he felt ominous, he didn't notice any immediate losses.
After all, he had obtained the core without paying any extra fees, which was already a significant gain.
“Negwig, let’s hurry back to Seoul. Right now, public opinion is the most important.”
Without the support of the people, Yeongwoo07 would just be a mere puppet of aliens, a piece of Earth’s trash.
So, gaining the support of the citizens, the voters, was absolutely essential.
He had no desire to see the birth of a Second Strongest Sword, nor did he want to kill his successor personally.
That would only lead him down an irreversible path of villainy.
Moreover, considering all he had done—from the contract with Dogo to the approval of the Orc Autonomous Region and the invasion of China—he needed to ensure that no adversaries were left on the Korean Peninsula to wrap things up properly.
After all, too many cooks spoil the broth.
‘Fortunately, with the core, I can at least show some results.’
Yeongwoo's politics, which relied solely on destructive power, had to be based on achievements.
Crunch.
As Yeongwoo gripped the core tightly, it shrank to the size of his palm.
With the core in hand, he climbed onto the Negwig and pointed east.
Hyaaah!
“Let's go! Today, I will present the future of the Korean Peninsula!”
* * *
At the same time, near COEX in Gangnam, Seoul.
The ones most flustered by Yeongwoo’s reckless announcement were none other than the Taewon Group.
The sudden news from Jeonggu about Yeongwoo’s "business presentation" meant they had to prepare for a large-scale event in just one hour.
Of course, Yeongwoo himself only intended to chat with various Strongest Swords and citizens on the street, but Taewon had a different perspective.
“How did they gather so quickly? Rumors sure spread fast.”
As Jeonggu muttered while looking at the crowd that had already formed a dark mass near the tower in Gangnam, Lim Suna, standing next to him, had a troubled expression.
“There will be even more people in an hour.”
“…You mean there will be far more people than this?”
“Yes. People will definitely come from Gangbuk and Gangseo as well. It’s the Strongest Sword’s business presentation... it’s a huge event.”
Everyone in Seoul, or rather the entire Korean Peninsula, knew that the elected representative was out of his mind.
Yet, because of the harsh times, they had no choice but to choose such a harsh person, which led to giving power to the infamous Yeongwoo07.
And within just a few dozen hours, this happened.
[Development Company 1, "Lemu," has declared war on "Dogo."]
[Development Company 2, "Mara," has declared war on "Dogo."]
Was it a mistake after all?
The choice they made together brought war to the Korean Peninsula.
“A cosmic war... it still doesn’t feel real.”
Lim Suna smiled bitterly.
Jeonggu bowed his head with a face full of guilt.
“I’m sorry. You must be very worried. Although he is my son, I can’t control him... I’m in a difficult position too.”
“No, you don’t need to apologize, Father.”
As Suna waved her hand, feeling it wasn’t something Jeonggu should apologize for, he quickly lifted his head back up.
Swoosh.
Then, with a different expression, he began stroking his chin.
“Hmm, but…”
"……?"
"He wouldn't have started anything without a plan. He's too sneaky to fight a losing battle."
"What do you mean...?"
"It means that if he started the war, it must be because he believes he can win."
"...What?"
Suna, who had been wide-eyed with surprise, quickly regained her composure and whispered quietly to Jeonggu.
"It would be better if you refrained from making such remarks in public, Father."
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Regardless of whether they could win the war or not, any conflict with external forces was bound to be a burden for the general public.
This included Suna, who was an employee of Taewon Group.
'At least Yeongwoo and Father aren't at high risk of assassination, which is a relief.'
If there was one advantage to preparing for this "business presentation," it was the security. No matter how many people or experts gathered, she didn't have to worry about the VIPs' safety—that was one good thing.
'But everything else is just...'
Variables or headaches.
Just as Suna was about to rub her throbbing forehead, she barely stopped herself when she noticed a group of Strongest Swords approaching at an inhuman speed from afar.
"Didn't I say this would happen? I told you they'd cause trouble eventually, and even sooner than I expected."
"Being the strongest and being a representative are indeed different matters..."
"What kind of stunt do you have to pull to get a war declaration within a day of being elected?"
The approaching figures were none other than Oh Yeonhee from Songpa, Choi Namhee, the Strongest Sword of Seocho, and Lee Hanwook from Dongjak.
The three Strongest Swords from the Gangnam area were running side by side.
Oh Yeonhee, who recognized Jeonggu first, started to slow down.
"Father!"
"Oh, Yeonhee."
"Where's Yeongwoo? Is he not here yet?"
Yeonhee's eyes were filled with hostility toward Yeongwoo.
No matter how impressive Jeong Yeongwoo's achievements were, she couldn't justify him causing a war that involved two to one odds.
And it wasn't just her.
The crowds near the tower and COEX area were all wearing expressions of dissatisfaction and fear.
"The announcement about the war agreement—what a ridiculous statement. They didn't even put the decision to a vote, just asking for our consent."
As Yeonhee questioned Jeonggu in place of the absent Yeongwoo, Jeonggu bowed his head again.
"Yes, I saw that statement too. It was indeed inappropriate."
Yet he didn't forget to add one more thing.
"But wasn't it us who got the war declaration? With swords drawn, the enemy is already coming at us; we can't just sit around debating whether to fight."
"Still, there's a difference between saying things one way and another. At least the tone could have been... "
As the two argued over the "war agreement," the crowd around the tower began to stir.
"Oh?"
"It's coming!"
"Whoa, what is that?"
Amidst the commotion, people who had been watching the sky finally saw what they were waiting for.
Like a shooting star, a streak of light was cutting across the sky from afar.
"Is that... the Strongest Sword?"
"The Strongest Sword!"
"Is the Strongest Sword here?"
Even though there were already several Strongest Swords present, everyone was calling out for just one "Strongest Sword."
The one who rides starlight across the sky, the only elected Strongest Sword in Korea—Jeong Yeongwoo07.
Shiiing!
As the beam of light that had flown from afar was absorbed into the top of the tower in Gangnam, the crowd burst into cheers and flocked towards the entrance of the tower.
Most had come to see the face of the incompetent Strongest Sword who had brought on this war, but upon seeing him move like a comet, they forgot why they had come in the first place.
"The Strongest Sword!"
"Yeongwoo!"
Even more people continued to gather around the tower and COEX area in Gangnam.
And finally.
Pheeew!
The tower flashed white for a moment, and one side of the outer wall opened up in an arch, from which Jeong Yeongwoo emerged.
"Oh, oh? He's here!"
"Yeongwoo! Jeong Yeongwoo...!"
As people rushed forward to get closer to the Strongest Sword, Yeongwoo raised his voice from atop the Negwig.
"Everyone! Please step back! If anyone gets hurt here today, the business presentation won't happen. You'll end up in a war without even knowing why it started."
"What... What...?"
The crowd, which had been buzzing with excitement, was suddenly stunned by his unexpected comment.
Then they quickly rekindled their anger, directing it at the Strongest Sword.
"That's right! Because of you, we're about to have a war!"
"What's going on here?"
"Explain yourself! We trusted you enough to elect you, and now there's a war after just one day?"
At that moment, Korea's representative, Jeong Yeongwoo07, took out a "core" from his pocket.
Pop!
He glanced around at the crowd and asked.
"Why do you think this war is because of me? Do you have any proof?"
"...What?"
"Uh...?"
The people were momentarily confused again.
Yeongwoo quickly followed up with another point.
"The question you should be asking now isn't why the war started, but how we're going to win... You should be asking if I have a plan to win."
"..."
The crowd fell silent for a moment at Yeongwoo's words.
Then someone from the back of the crowd asked.
"So, do you have a plan to win?"
It was none other than Yeongwoo's father, Jeonggu.
So Yeongwoo...
Swoosh.
After briefly looking at his father, tossed the core into the air.
The small, fist-sized core began to grow larger as it ascended into the sky above Gangnam, and Yeongwoo grinned wickedly.
"Do you think we’ll just win the war? The entire world will kneel before us."
Right on cue, the core in the sky grew to an enormous size, casting a massive shadow over the Gangnam area.
"Oh...?"
"Wait a minute."
"Do they really need to kneel...? Why?"
It was then that the citizens realized something important.
Someone in the crowd asked in a very small voice.
"Could it be... Are we playing the villain?"
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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