Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense

Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense

121- The Hunt Continues

“However, to achieve that three-month period, certain conditions must be met.”

Prime Minister Ishida nodded several times as he listened to Soo-jeong’s words. Originally, the completion of Liberty City, which was expected to take several years, if not decades, would bring astronomical benefits to the Japanese people as it was expedited. The Prime Minister’s sincere sentiment was that he was willing to pay any price for it.

“Just tell us. If it’s something the Japanese government can support, we’ll pay any price for it.”

Upon receiving Soo-jeong’s signal, Myung-jun stepped forward and spoke. If the construction of Liberty City was her responsibility, then obtaining the necessary materials was her role as the clan master.

“First, we would like all the rights to attack any new gates within Japan and the existing gates that have been generated but not yet conquered to be transferred to the Liberal Clan. Even if the basic materials for the construction of Liberty City are obtained with the support of the Japanese government, special materials for manufacturing and the crystal stones required for ECV operation must be obtained through gate conquest.”

“But unlike other countries, the Japanese government has conducted gate conquests mainly through private clans. So, most of the rights regarding the current gate conquests have already been handed over to private clans. Forcing them to reclaim those rights…”

“If that’s the case, then we can buy the rights to attack the existing gates from our Liberal Clan.”

In exchange for obtaining all the rights to process materials from all gates across Japan for three months, they would grant priority to the equipment produced after the completion of Liberty City to Awakeners affiliated with private clans who cooperated in material procurement. Additionally, if desired, after three months, the Liberal Clan would return materials of a higher grade than those taken.

Since it was a promise made by the leader of the Liberal Clan, known as the world’s strongest Awakener clan, there was no need to doubt its credibility.

“And we also need personnel.”

“For personnel…”

“There are too many gates to conquer. The Liberal Clan is known for advocating a small elite. No matter how strong our clan members are, it’s impossible for us to conquer all the gates across Japan with our members alone. So, we’re thinking of borrowing some awakeners from private clans in Japan.”

“When you say ‘borrow’…”

“It means that in exchange for providing all the equipment necessary for gate conquest from the Liberal Clan, we will borrow 100% of the materials obtained during the gate conquest process.”

“So, in exchange for supporting the gate conquest with world-class equipment and directing it, all the spoils obtained from there will be taken by the Liberal Clan, and after three months, they will repay with equipment or higher rewards, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“With those conditions, it seems there won’t be anyone refusing. We’ll contact the Awakener clans in Japan. If you tell us the areas you want to target for conquest, we’ll gather all the Awakener clans active nearby.”

“Then please.”

“When are you planning to start the operation?”

“Well, the sooner, the better, but we’ll need some time to prepare, so it would be best to start around tomorrow. By the way, is this camera currently live broadcasting?”

As Myung-jun approached one of the cameramen and spoke, the announcer holding the microphone responded in confusion.

“Yes… Yes?! Oh! Uh, yes! We are live broadcasting!”

“Since other cameras are also rolling, our conversation here is being broadcasted nationwide. Could you please lend me the microphone for a moment?”

As the announcer, seemingly entranced, handed over the microphone, Myung-jun took it. Then, in clear Japanese that could be heard by all Japanese citizens across the country, he spoke.

“Greetings to all Japanese citizens and Awakeners nationwide! I am Cha Myung-jun, the clan leader of the Liberal Clan.”

In today’s broadcast, which recorded the highest real-time viewership in the history of the Japanese broadcasting industry, Myung-jun showcased himself as the national hero responsible for the future of Japan.

With a clean appearance reminiscent of a character from a Korean drama, a sturdy physique forged through countless trials, towering over 180 centimeters tall, and possessing a voice that pleased the ears of listeners, Myung-jun embodied the ideal hero envisioned by the Japanese people, excluding his Korean nationality.

And at this moment, that hero was holding the microphone, appealing to the entire nation.

Asking for help.

For cooperation with the Liberal Clan to hunt down the monsters threatening Japan and the Liberal Clan’s future.

“Whether Awakeners or civilians, it doesn’t matter. If you use the equipment we provide, you can have combat capabilities comparable to Awakeners. All those who support us will be rewarded according to their great courage.”

At that moment, an image drone summoned by Soo-jeong created a large screen behind Myung-jun.

Displayed on that screen was a photo of Marine Type Knights arriving at Tokyo Harbor, which had deeply moved all Japanese citizens just a few days ago.

Ten-meter-tall blue steel giants with outer gloves gleaming in the water against the sun.

At the sight of robots bearing giant flags on their chests, something warm surged beneath the eyes of every Japanese person watching the broadcast.

“Those who support the expedition team will board the world’s first mass-produced Knight, the Knight-Marine Type, provided by the Liberal Clan, to fight against the monsters in the deep sea.”

The next photo Soo-jeong displayed showed awakeners equipped with Liberal Clan gear literally ‘slaughtering’ the monsters.

With an image reminiscent of a scene from a video game as the background, Myung-jun continued his explanation.

“Those who support the collection team will hunt down the monsters at major gates nationwide with the latest protective gear and weapons provided by the Liberal Clan, alongside the World Ranker Awakeners affiliated with the Liberal Clan. Throughout the hunting process, our clan members will ensure the safety of the participants, and fair compensation will be provided based on the achievements of each individual.”

Finally, the last photo displayed was of the Knight purifying nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, a moment that over 70% of Japanese people had considered the ‘most touching and beautiful moment they had ever seen in their lives’ in a survey conducted after its public release.

With that photo, symbolizing erasing Japan’s dark past and creating a bright future, in the background, Myung-jun made his final request.

“My last request is to the strongest awakeners in Japan. I ask for your support in the ‘conquest team’ that I personally lead, to conquer the most dangerous gates in Japanese history. Of course, all rewards obtained there will be taken by the Liberal Clan, but as soon as the construction of Liberty City is completed, I will personally create dedicated equipment tailored to each individual who participated in the conquest.”

After saying that, Myung-jun handed the microphone back to the announcer. Then, he turned to Prime Minister Ishida, who was staring at him blankly.

“Then, I’ll leave the follow-up to you.”

“For the follow-up…”

“Most likely, there will be a flood of applicants, and the Liberal Clan doesn’t have a call center to handle that volume of calls. Just set up a hotline and handle it as you see fit.”

It was practically saying, ‘I’ve done the impressive part, so deal with the hassle,’ but Ishida could only nod with a pleased expression. As a Japanese citizen born and raised in Japan, the Liberal Clan’s bold actions, in his eyes, were nothing but steps for Japan’s future. And that was the common sentiment among all Japanese who watched the broadcast.

[Hello? Is this the broadcasting station? I saw the broadcast earlier and called. Where should I contact to support the hunting team?]

[Although my rank is low, I am also an awakener. If I can’t be included in the conquest team, I still want to support the expedition team. I don’t need any rewards; please let me participate in this operation for Japan!]

[I’m Shiro Sanada, the leader of the Sanada Clan, ranked 3rd in the Japanese awakener clan rankings. On behalf of the clan, I want to fight alongside Cha Myung-jun, the world’s strongest awakener, against the monsters threatening humanity.]

Amidst the flurry of phone calls flooding in like mad after the broadcast ended, the broadcasting station call center staff were also desperately trying to handle the calls.

Just like the Japanese citizens who were overwhelmed with emotions as they picked up their phones, the staff also believed that their response was solely an action for the sake of the country.

“I’m very sorry, but instructions regarding the current application process have not yet been issued. As soon as detailed guidance is available, it will be broadcasted immediately. Please be patient for a little longer!”

“Although it’s beyond my authority, I’ll try to contact the reporters on site to relay Sanada-san’s intention to join! Please wait a moment!”

While the broadcasting station call center was paralyzed, Myung-jun, the one who caused the chaos, looked around the scene with a satisfied expression, watching government officials and reporters running around making phone calls in a frenzy.

Then, he signaled to Soo-jeong and entered the construction site where the stealth field was deployed.

In front of the two, a giant pit, several tens of meters deep, had been dug within less than 30 minutes by the tens of thousands of ECVs lined up.

Although the depth of the pit wasn’t too deep considering the working speed of the ECVs, Myung-jun thought the speed of the work was even faster than he had imagined.

While observing the pit with a feeling akin to looking at a monument so huge that it was hard to believe it was made by humans, Myung-jun turned his head and spoke towards Soo-jeong.

“Senior. Is the noise blocked here?”

“You heard it from outside, didn’t you? Remember? Even with this many ECVs flying around, you couldn’t hear a thing.”

“Then I guess I can relax a bit. Phew…”

As Soo-jeong flicked her fingers, a drone flew in from somewhere, bringing beverages. Handing it to Myung-jun, she smiled.

“You looked like a real hero back there. For a moment, I even thought you were trying to become the hero of the Japanese people.”

“Well, convincing acting is essential to sway people. But it’s not a bad thing. Thanks to that, we’ve got everything we need for the plan, right? Probably, with the current atmosphere, there will be people willing to jump into the gate conquest without even receiving the promised rewards, don’t you think?”

“I think so too. And seeing that, I understand why you chose Japan as the final bidder.”

Before Myung-jun selected Japan as the final bidding country, she asked him why Japan.

To which Myung-jun replied.

“Because when it comes to doing something for the country, they are a people who can even eat peaches grown near nuclear power plants with a smile. They long for a glorious past more than anyone else, so they are people who wouldn’t think twice about sacrificing one person for glory.”

Recalling that conversation, Soo-jeong spoke to Myung-jun, who was sitting in front of her, drinking his beverage.

“From the looks of it, it seems like we’ve already achieved our goal just from the atmosphere. What do you think?

“It’s not enough. Right now, everyone is just caught up in the mood. I hope the support for the Liberal Clan becomes more solid.”

“How solid are you hoping for?”

“To the extent that every Japanese citizen would gladly sacrifice themselves for the sake of protecting the Liberal Clan.”

“War? Against the monsters? Or against other countries?”

“We don’t know. It’s a fact that we have to face the monsters on D-Day, but before that, there might be other formidable opponents who might challenge the Liberal Clan.”

“If it’s other countries…”

“The country where someone is boiling with anger and volunteering for the role of savior.”

The ‘formidable opponent’ that Myung-jun mentioned.

It was the Republic of Korea, where the director of the EDA, Moon Hee-cheol, was throwing things around the room like crazy upon hearing the news that Liberty City, which was expected to take decades to complete, would be completed in just three months.

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