Damn Necromancer-Chapter 291
Chapter 291: Earth (2)
Currently, the Death Cult operates as an unofficial fan club. It means it has no legal personality.
Even if they receive donations, tax processing isn't possible, and even if they build facilities, they aren't recognized as religious facilities.
It hadn't been long since it was established, and initially, he didn't understand the concept of building divinity through faith. So it was a bit less serious.
He had just recognized it as one of the means to increase fans.
But now it was different.
‘Then it’s fine if I just run with it from now on.’
Fortunately, Han Siah had diligently colored in the sketch.
North Korea.
This looks truly delicious.
Even in a fan club state that was half in the shadows, the number of believers was in the hundreds of thousands.
What if it was truly brought into the light?
He couldn't imagine how big it would grow in the future.
“What about the Ilsung side's conditions?”
“Exclusive rights to the North Korean reconstruction project. Infrastructure, resource development, even gate management. Everything.”
Kim Minwoo smirked.
Ilsung Group.
The number one company in the Korean business world run by his father.
The fact that North Korean development rights were going to Ilsung meant, in the end, profit falling to Kim Minwoo himself.
The Cult side couldn't have been unaware of this, so they intentionally included Ilsung.
“Is this a matter the President agrees on?”
“Haha…… I have no reason to oppose it.”
Lee Kanghoon smiled bitterly.
“The North Korean regime is already on the brink of collapse. It's a matter of whether China swallows it first or we make a move first. Fortunately, since Liang Xiaojun's side and the Death Cult said they would handle the practical affairs, we are just grateful. Plus, practically…… isn't this almost like spoon-feeding us?”
It was indeed spoon-feeding.
Cleaned up China, showed power to the international community, isolated North Korea.
He did everything for them.
So President Lee Kanghoon must be beaming.
Normally, it would have been a situation where pressure came in from all sides, but now the composition for unifying North Korea had come out far too smoothly.
“Plus…… the gaze of each country has been dispersed due to the 2.0 Update. I consider it practically a god-given opportunity.”
Kim Minwoo crossed his legs and sat.
“Then let's organize the specific conditions.”
Lee Kanghoon’s eyes changed.
No matter how much goodwill he had toward him, he was the President of a country.
Since the future flow of Korea could be decided in this negotiation, he had no choice but to show a serious attitude.
“Please speak.”
“First, the establishment of the Death Cult as a religious corporation. Also, register it as an official partner for the North Korean reconstruction project, and grant operating rights for educational and welfare facilities.”
“Even education?”
“Re-education of North Korean residents will be needed. The Cult will take on that role. Of course, under government supervision.”
Lee Kanghoon propped his chin. It wasn't a bad proposal. North Korean re-education was a project requiring an astronomical budget. To think the private sector would take it on.
Money Talks Guild and Ilsung were in a relationship where they were practically one body.
There was no need to doubt their financial power.
“Second, Ilsung Group's exclusive rights to North Korean infrastructure. Roads, power, and communication network construction will be exclusively handled by Ilsung. Instead, the government should support 30% of the initial investment.”
“30%, huh.”
Lee Kanghoon's brow furrowed.
“Isn’t that a bit excessive? Giving exclusive rights and even support funds?”
“It is not excessive.”
Kim Minwoo raised a finger.
“North Korean infrastructure is virtually zero base. Over 80% of the road network is unpaved, and the power supply rate is less than 40% outside the capital region. Not to mention the communication network.”
The numbers flowed out smoothly.
“If a private company takes all this on, it will take at least 15 years to recover profits. Instead of Ilsung bearing that risk, the government shares part of the initial cost. In return, we will return 20% of the infrastructure usage fees to the government for 10 years after completion.”
Lee Kanghoon’s eyes moved.
He was a man quick with calculations. Initial 30% support and 20% return for 10 years.
In the long run, it wasn't a losing deal for the government.
“Raise the return rate to 25%.”
“22%.”
“23%.”
“Good.”
Kim Minwoo nodded.
20% was a negotiation number from the start.
“Third.”
Kim Minwoo’s voice lowered.
“Gate management rights within North Korea.”
Lee Kanghoon’s expression hardened.
He knew this was the core.
“If you say gate management rights, specifically how far are you talking about?”
“Priority raid rights for all occurring gates. And primary purchase rights for drop items.”
“That is…….”
Lee Kanghoon trailed off.
Gates are money.
Magic stones, monster materials, rare items.
They all possess astronomical value.
A matter that could be seen as the core of national power.
To hand over that priority right entirely.
“Instead, there is a condition.”
Kim Minwoo raised his hand.
“If an S-rank or higher gate occurs within North Korea, Ilsung and our Money Talks Guild will handle it free of charge. Without spending a single penny of the government budget.”
Lee Kanghoon’s eyes wavered.
He knew exactly how much it cost to handle a single S-rank gate.
Combined with manpower, equipment, and post-processing, hundreds to as much as hundreds of billions fly away.
To do that for free?
“Besides, look at the situation right now.”
Kim Minwoo pointed out the window.
“After the 2.0 Update, SS-rank gates started exploding. SSS-rank will also come out sooner or later. If that explodes in North Korea, who will block it?”
Silence flowed.
Lee Kanghoon knew.
Currently, the top-tier forces possessed by Korea could be counted on one hand.
Sword Saint and a few Hall of Fame Awakened.
Even they were distracted blocking gates scattered across the country.
Coldly speaking, the current Korea had no capacity to cover North Korea as well.
“Alright.”
Lee Kanghoon let out a sigh.
“Instead, I will add one condition.”
“Please speak.”
“If an SS-rank gate occurs within North Korea, please prioritize deployment upon the government's request. Before gates in other regions.”
Kim Minwoo smirked.
“You’re saying something obvious. It’s our Korean land; if I don't protect it, who will?”
Strength drained from Lee Kanghoon’s shoulders.
They called it a negotiation, but in reality, it was flowing exactly as Kim Minwoo wanted. Still, it wasn't bad.
No, frankly speaking, it was a jackpot for Korea.
The private sector takes on a significant portion of the unification cost and even takes responsibility for gate defense.
The government only needed to take the justification.
“Lastly…….”
Kim Minwoo stood up.
“Please handle all these conditions privately. The official announcement should be just something like ‘North Korean Reconstruction Project through Private Cooperation’.”
“Understood.”
Lee Kanghoon also rose from his seat and extended his hand.
“It was a good negotiation, Guild Leader. And, on behalf of Korea, thank you. I didn't know I would see unification in my lifetime…… haha.”
Kim Minwoo grasped that hand.
“Me too, Mr. President.”
Calculations of their own brushed past the faces of the two people shaking hands.
Lee Kanghoon will become a president remaining in history.
And Kim Minwoo will get his hands on the massive resource called North Korea.
Win-win.
At least on the surface, it was like that.
＊ ＊ ＊
Money Talks Guild Conference Room.
Park Siwoo, Seo Yerim, and even Han Siah.
The guild’s core personnel gathered in one place.
“The negotiation with the President ended well.”
Kim Minwoo dropped the documents on the table with a thud.
“North Korea unification. Our guild leads it.”
Silence flowed for a moment.
Park Siwoo’s eyes grew round.
“Hyung-nim, is that real? North Korea?”
“Yeah. The establishment of the Death Cult as a religious corporation was also approved. Official activities became possible in South Korea, and it was registered as a partner for the North Korean reconstruction project too.”
Han Siah’s eyes trembled minutely.
“Then…… propagation in North Korea too…….”
“It is possible. According to the picture Ms. Siah painted.”
Kim Minwoo said while looking at Han Siah.
“Including the Cult in North Korea unification…… it was a good judgment, Ms. Siah.”
A faint flush spread on Han Siah’s pale cheeks. She lowered her head and gathered her two hands neatly.
“No, it’s not something I did. It’s just a picture created by you, Mr. Minwoo.”
“Congratulations, Hyung-nim!”
Park Siwoo jumped up and smiled brightly.
“I heard Hyung-nim’s skills get stronger if the number of believers increases? The North Korean population is over twenty million; even if we make just half of them believers…….”
“That’s a story for later.”
Kim Minwoo raised his hand to restrain Park Siwoo.
“Before counting our chickens, we have to unify first.”
Seo Yerim crossed her arms.
“North Korea unification……. What's the method?”
Her eyes narrowed sharply.
“The Park family has been inheriting power for 3 generations there. Their defenses must be thorough. No matter how much the regime is shaking, a system built over decades won't collapse overnight.”
“Right. That’s why.”
Kim Minwoo slowly stood up from his seat.
“I think our guild needs to step in directly.”
The air in the conference room changed.
“The Park family. Let’s capture them all.”
Han Siah’s eyes shone quietly. The corners of Park Siwoo’s mouth went up. Seo Yerim’s fingers unconsciously brushed the quiver at her waist.
There was practically no one in South Korea who liked the Park family.
The guild members were the same.
Since the stage was set, there was no reason not to step forward.
“The Chinese side also decided to help. Liang Xiaojun will move the troops on the border side. Blocking the retreat route, we go straight to Pyongyang.”
Kim Minwoo tapped the table with his finger.
“Then, catching them is a piece of cake. Hayang will become our eyes.”
Stealth ability to the extent that even the Sword Saint couldn't easily notice.
The Park father and son?
Even if they died and woke up, they couldn't avoid Hayang’s surveillance.
If only the location is pinpointed…….
“Catching them is a piece of cake.”
Seo Yerim nodded.
“True. If it’s as you say, Oppa, it would be easy.”
She murmured while propping her chin.
“Because the level of North Korean Awakened isn't that high. In a closed environment, know-how for clearing gates is insufficient, not to mention the equipment level.”
“Right.”
Kim Minwoo smirked.
His gaze slowly swept over the three people gathered in the conference room. Divine Archer Seo Yerim, Master of the Holy Sword Park Siwoo. And Death Cult Saintess Han Siah.
Plus himself.
It’s like one EX-rank and three SSS-rank Awakened swarming in.
From North Korea's perspective, it was truly a disaster.
Park Siwoo clenched his fist tight.
“Hyung-nim, when do we depart?”
“There’s no need to rush. Since I sent Hayang for now, news will come before long.”
Kim Minwoo looked out the window.
Seoul’s night view sparkled. Beyond that, north of the ceasefire line, there was another world.
Land that had been severed for decades.
Soon that place will become his territory.
‘Resources, gates, manpower.’
It was all money, and his power.
“Prepare.”
Kim Minwoo said, turning around.
“Since this will be the starting point where history changes.”
