Chapter 62
The aftermath of Castle Defense spread throughout the player community worldwide.
The ‘Named’ theory, which states that monsters grow stronger as they gain experience, and the theory that ‘Warlords’, who lead other monsters, emerge among the Named.
These two theories, born in Korea, began to attract attention from players all over the world.
And, along with it, interest in the real-life Warlord, Scar.
The time given to withdraw from Castle was not very long, and other miscellaneous monsters were burned after their cores were extracted.
However, the bodies of Named and Warlord monsters were collected and secured as much as possible.
This was for use as research material.
Especially, the world’s attention was focused on Scar.
An ordinary monster had become as strong as a raid boss…
This fact implied various possibilities.
‘Could it be that players can also become as strong as raid bosses?’
Research results on the Warlord core also proved this possibility.
It was confirmed that it had the function of concentrating the energy of certain monsters.
Although more in-depth research is needed on the process and principle… this was enough.
“Warlord core…!”
The reason people’s attention was focused on Korea.
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There were five pinnacles in the Player System.
A tanker with transcendental strength boasting a strength of 23, possessing the strongest specs of modern humanity.
<America’s ‘All American’ Steve Queen.>
A master of eighteen weapons and thirty-six martial arts. A melee dealer with the best martial arts skills in humanity.
<China’s ‘Martial God’ Chong Daolong.>
The pinnacle of mages, capable of casting support magic on a thousand players simultaneously.
<France’s ‘Jihadist’ Jean Bosung.>
The leader of the ‘Keshig’ player cavalry corps that gallops across the grasslands.
<Mongolia’s ‘Guardian of the Seal’, Brigadier General Batkhishig Mangyanbayar.>
The queen of players, possessing political power that influences a whole nation and mystical spells derived from South Korea’s cutting-edge player science.
<Korea’s ‘Heavenly King’ Yekaterina.>
Their positions and forms were different, but they all had a high voice and influence within their respective countries.
And all of them…
“They are requesting information about the Warlord core.”
Mason shrugged at Masika’s words.
“Share the research data in real-time. Not just with them, but with the whole world, free of charge.”
“Are you sure?”
Research is not free, so its fruits cannot be free either. This was even more true for the Player System, where lives were at stake. It was customary to receive some kind of payment even when disclosing research data.
But Mason…
“It’s important information. We have to share it with everyone.”
“It’s even more important to sell it because it’s important information…”
Masika grumbled, but she didn’t protest further, as if she didn’t have much hope.
Mason had been like this from the beginning, so the people around him had no choice but to adapt.
Mason looked at Masika.
Her side profile had the confidence characteristic of someone looking ahead.
She had a dignified and confident appearance, unlike Yeonhee Seo or Yekaterina, who had a shadowy side.
“Why?”
“Just wondering.”
Mason asked casually.
“How’s your hometown?”
“Well, it’s the same as always. Dozens of people die every day, and the number of people coming under our family is increasing.”
Masika said with a chuckle.
“At this rate, my father might become more famous than me.”
“How do people live in such a place?”
“It’s bearable once you get used to it. We’re people who live in the same neighborhood as hippos and lions.”
“…”
“And even if monsters kill people, it’s less than the number killed by AIDS and the wealth gap.”
Mason frowned.
“That doesn’t sound like something to joke about.”
“Does it sound like a joke? It sounds like a joke to me too. The fact that it’s not.”
Masika gave a complicated smile.
“South Korea is a developed country, so they’re thinking about getting rid of monsters. In developing countries, they’re coexisting with monsters whether they like it or not.”
“…Everyone’s just desperate for their own situation. Once they’ve sorted out their own countries, they’ll help other countries someday.”
“Well, I don’t think that day will ever come.”
Masika smiled brightly.
“The history of the African continent proves only one thing, the law of the jungle.”
“…”
Mason was speechless and was about to say something.
“Mason, you’re here.”
Yeonhee Seo entered the room.
Mason asked.
“What’s up?”
“Someone wants to meet you, Mason.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s a little hard to say at this stage.”
Yeonhee Seo glanced at Masika, and Masika smiled.
“You’ll tell me later if it’s about work, right?”
“Yes.”
Masika smiled and walked away. As she left the room, Yeonhee Seo quietly said.
“As I said, someone wants to meet you, Mason.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s Brigade Commander Chong Daolong of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army <Sweep Brigade>.”
“The Martial God?”
“Yes.”
He was China’s champion and one of the strongest players in the world. Mason frowned.
“I don’t know him.”
“That’s why he contacted me.”
“Right. That’s true, but why does he want to see me?”
“It’s probably about the Warlord core.”
“…Hmm.”
Mason thought for a moment. And soon he stopped thinking.
There was someone who had something to say. Then it wouldn’t be too late to think after hearing him out.
“Okay, let’s meet him.”
Yeonhee Seo nodded.
“Then let’s go.”
The two headed to Deroa’s room.
Deroa, who was playing a mobile game, looked at Yeonhee Seo with a puzzled expression.
“What’s up?”
“We have somewhere to go. Can you teleport us?”
Yeonhee Seo gave Deroa the coordinates.
“Is this where we’re going?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Deroa cast the teleport spell.
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The place they arrived at was a hangar. A man was waiting for them there, where military heavy equipment such as tanks and armored vehicles were lined up, as well as trailers for players.
She was a beautiful woman with a willow-like, gentle physique and impression, wearing a Chinese-style player combat uniform.
“Hong Long of the Sweep Brigade greets the three distinguished guests.”
She bowed politely, and Yeonhee Seo did the same.
“Uh? Uh uh?”
Mason was flustered and then imitated the two, bowing.
Hong Long smiled gracefully, not feeling offended.
“We apologize for making you come all this way. The Brigade Commander is also waiting.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Deroa grumbled.
“If you’re going to apologize, why didn’t you guys come? Do you think teleporting is free?”
“Of course, we won’t send our guests back empty-handed.”
Hong Long gestured lightly, and a subordinate in a suit came over with an attaché case and opened it. There were two teleport cores and a shiny card inside.
Deroa’s eyes changed.
“…Are you really giving this to me?”
“Yes.”
“Awesome!”
Yeonhee Seo, who seemed clueless, asked Deroa.
“What is that?”
“A 3-star character selection exchange ticket!”
“…Do you play mobile games too?”
“Yeah, I started recently.”
“Spend your money wisely…”
Mason had an interesting expression on his face.
‘She’s a thorough person.’
The simple gift-giving was showing off three things.
The fact that she predicted that Deroa would come with Yeonhee Seo if they called Mason through Yeonhee Seo.
The fact that she investigated what kind of person Deroa was and what she would like to receive.
And… the fact that her power and influence extended to game companies that seemed completely unrelated to the player industry.
She had introduced her abilities and meticulousness with a single shiny game card.
Yeonhee Seo also seemed to have a similar feeling, as her brow furrowed.
Deroa took out her phone and asked.
“Hey, what’s the Wi-Fi password here?”
While a man in a black suit entered the Wi-Fi password, Hong Long smiled and said.
“We will entertain Deroa. You two, please go up.”
“We will.”
The elevator stopped at the top floor.
Indoor landscaping resembling a paradise. In that place, where an artificial waterfall and pond were prepared, a man was looking out the window.
He was a man of dignified physique, wearing a robe embroidered with dragons.
He slowly turned around as people arrived.
Muscles focused on elasticity rather than bulk. The trained, lean muscles were like those of a predator lurking in the forest, waiting for the right moment to strike.
But what was most impressive were his eyes.
His eyes, which were tracking the closest of his opponent’s limbs, were perfectly demonstrating the principle of air superiority that Mason had recently learned.
‘He’s strong.’
Mason was impressed.
Liza and Ronan were also masters of martial arts who had reached the realm of experts.
But this man was a master of martial arts, one step above them.
“I am Chong Daolong of the Sweep Brigade. Raid Leader Mason Park, Miss Yeonhee Seo. I am deeply grateful that you have visited me.”
“Mason, Mason Park.”
“I’m Yeonhee Seo. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Chong Daolong bowed politely.
“A friend has come from afar [有朋自遠方來]…”
Yeonhee Seo bowed back and smiled brightly.
“Is it not delightful [不亦樂乎]?”
Chong Daolong smiled interestingly.
“Have you read the Analects, Miss Seo?”
“How could I refuse to learn from Confucius, the teacher of all people under heaven?”
While the two were exchanging pleasantries, Mason just blinked.
“I haven’t read it…”
“That’s a shame. It’s a very sad thing.”
“Records don’t get passed down as well as you think…”
Mason smiled bitterly.
“By the way, you speak Korean well?”
“Korea is a leading country in the Monster System, so Korean can be considered a common language. It’s more strange not to know it.”
Chong Daolong led the two to a table by the waterfall.
In that room, where a scroll of <Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty> was hanging on the wall, hot tea and simple refreshments were neatly laid out.
As the three sat down, Chong Daolong offered them tea and said.
“I don’t know if the tea will suit your taste.”
Yeonhee Seo savored the tea aroma for a moment and said.
“I’ve often tasted Tieguanyin in my own country, but this is the first time I’ve had such a rich Tieguanyin.”
“How can tea for sale be the same as tea for a friend? I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Mason just blinked.
“I don’t know much about tea…”
“…It’s very precious. You can’t buy it even if you have money.”
“Hmm… Hearing that, it seems delicious…”
Chong Daolong smiled warmly.
“The more you become accustomed to the fragrance of tea, the deeper it becomes, just like making friends. If it’s unfamiliar, it’s charming in its own way.”
“Uh… Hmm… Can we skip the talk that I don’t know much about and just get to the main point?”
“If you wish.”
Chong Daolong put down his teacup and said.
“I heard you obtained a rare treasure through fate.”
“Are you talking about the Warlord core?”
“That’s right.”
Chong Daolong handed over a piece of paper he had prepared in advance.
It was a blank check.
“I want to buy the Warlord core. Whether it’s money, or other benefits, under the conditions you desire, Raid Leader Park.”