Chapter 58: Plundering Japan's Industries
The Presidential Chief of Staff was left speechless.
He could only swallow dryly.
He wanted nothing more than to stand up and walk out immediately.
But he couldn't.
If these negotiations collapsed now, even the advantage Korea had fought so hard to secure through the Resource Wars could begin to crumble.
These Resource Wars aren't some kind of sport.
They're wars.
Wars Korea absolutely could not afford to lose.
More importantly...
We can't lose F&C.
The only shield Korea had against the Japanese government, and the only way to protect the domestic semiconductor industry, was in the hands of the man sitting across from him.
Even at this very moment, the Tokyo stock market continued to fall.
They had even received intelligence that the Japanese government was already on its way to beg for negotiations.
If they upset F&C Refining Corporation now, Korea could lose the initiative it had finally managed to seize.
The Presidential Chief of Staff wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and cautiously spoke.
"...We'll review your proposal. However, I can't give you an immediate answer. This is something I need to report directly to the President as well..."
"Go ahead."
CEO Park shrugged as though it were nothing.
Then he added,
"Just don't take too long. The other side is probably waiting so desperately their necks are about to fall off."
"...The other side?"
"Japan."
CEO Park grinned.
"If the Korean government takes too long, I can always talk to Japan first. There's no law saying Mana Stones have to be distributed through Korea."
"...!"
The Chief of Staff's face instantly turned pale.
CEO Park seemed to enjoy the reaction as he slowly exhaled cigar smoke and chuckled inwardly.
Capital earned from oil.
And exclusive distribution rights over Mana Stones.
If he obtained both of those...
They'll become the seeds I need to swallow Korea's entire energy industry.
CEO Park leaned deeper into the sofa and faintly raised the corners of his lips.
Outside the reception room window, the late-afternoon sunset shone down indifferently.
Tower of Fate – Japan, Floor 55.
Goblin Mana Stone Mine.
BOOM! RUMBLE!
Instead of the sound of pickaxes, explosions from mining skills and explosives echoed throughout the mine.
They came from Hunters employed by contractors hired by F&C Refining Corporation.
They wore work clothes and dust masks.
Their combat equipment was minimal.
Yet their expressions couldn't have been more relaxed.
"Hey. Dig a little deeper in Area B. Yesterday's survey said the reserves were richest over there."
"Yes, sir!"
There was no need to fight.
No need to hurry.
They simply swung their pickaxes at a leisurely pace, broke down walls with mining skills, and loaded Mana Stones into carts.
That was their entire job.
They were relaxed enough to sit together during lunch and eat packed meals.
Rather than a battlefield, the place looked more like an ordinary quarry.
And around the peaceful outskirts of the mine...
"You are not permitted to enter the Mana Stone Mine without authorization."
Several Hunters had established a perimeter and were stopping anyone who tried to approach.
"Then what about the people mining over there?"
One Hunter attempting to enter glared angrily at them.
"Only companies officially licensed and approved by the government are allowed to conduct mining operations. Unauthorized mining violates regulations."
"...What kind of bullshit is that? Aren't those guys just mercenaries too? And what about you people?"
"We are employed by companies operating under formal contracts and government approval. If you have any complaints, please submit them to the Hunter Association's civil affairs office."
The contracted Hunter's attitude didn't waver in the slightest.
Realizing there was no point arguing any further, the Hunter swallowed his curses and eventually turned away.
And so, F&C's subcontracted Hunters peacefully continued mining Mana Stones yet another day.
[Title: How Long Is Japan's Floor 55 Mana Stone Mine Going to Stay Like This?]
Content: I tried sneaking in and got caught by the Two-Star General while he was patrolling. My head got smashed before I could even react. All I saw was a flash of red beside me, then suddenly I was staring at the ceiling of my house.
[Comments: 421]
LMAO. If the Two-Star General catches you, you're basically dead instantly. What did you expect?
The guys mining in there are surprisingly strong too. If you look closely, some of them have Squad Leader equipment.
┗ Don't underestimate them because they're contractors. There's a reason they're the ones mining Mana Stones in there.
I'm a High-Rank NCO. Tried picking a fight with them, then a whole crowd rushed me and beat me to death. Posting because I'm pissed.
┗ LMAO. What's unfair about that? You attacked them first.
You probably need to be at least Officer rank to break into that Japanese mine. And even then, only if you're lucky.
I filed a complaint with the Association, but haven't heard anything. Even if they reply, it'll probably just be some automated response.
┗ I heard some of the people guarding the miners are Association Hunters.
┗ Seriously? If that's true, isn't the government using taxpayer money to guard a private corporation?
┗ Apparently the guards only hunt monsters, though.
┗ Isn't that basically the same thing? LMAO.
Complaints like these occasionally appeared on Hunter Inventory.
But the Association had already prepared for that kind of public criticism.
Rather than directly protecting the workers, Association Hunters focused exclusively on hunting goblins inside the mine.
They also never attacked approaching Hunters first unless those Hunters attacked them.
"We're simply maintaining public safety. We're not protecting that private contractor. We're protecting the lives and safety of our citizens from monsters inside the mine."
That was the Association's consistent official position.
On paper, it was flawless.
In practice, it guaranteed F&C Refining Corporation's mining operation completely.
But formally speaking, there was almost nothing anyone could criticize.
