Chapter 97 – Work [Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat]

February 13, 2031.

After returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport, Siguk lived without a moment’s rest until May, busy handling the tasks he needed to accomplish.

“The acquisition tax levied on buyers during magic stone transactions. That’s a bad law maintained only in Korea and a few Third World countries.”

First, to realize the pledge of breaking the structure where the state exploits Hunters—the righteous cause he had put forward to draw Hunters into the revolution—he had to spearhead several legal amendments.

“In fact, we can sufficiently persuade the public on this even if we wage a public opinion battle. Among OECD countries, Korea is the only one with such a system.”

At Siguk’s words, Prime Minister Nam Hanseok straightened his posture, nodded, and agreed.

“But there’s no need to unnecessarily wage a public opinion battle. If possible, it’s better to handle Hunter-related matters quietly. If unnecessary noise arises, the tower we’ve painstakingly built might collapse. Remember. Just because we hold real power doesn’t mean we hold all the voting rights.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Make sure this part gets buried quietly. Anyway, we’re planning to propose the tax revision bill by mid-March, right? At that time, we need to set off a few big explosions so the media doesn’t turn its attention here.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Siguk said, the Nam Hanseok cabinet included a massive tax reduction plan in the tax revision bill proposed to the lower house on March 4, one that went beyond simply abolishing the magic stone purchase acquisition tax.

“I’d appreciate it if you could ensure that the abolition of the magic stone acquisition tax doesn’t become a point of debate. Well, it’s not particularly significant for the national economy anyway, is it? I’d like the media to focus only on the large-scale reductions in the highest tax rates for corporate tax, earned income tax, and capital gains tax.”

Just before the bill was proposed, Nam Hanseok summoned the executives and editors of major media companies and earnestly requested that.

The executives of news-producing media outlets and portal sites that curate and display news had to be mindful of the National Policy Advisory Council, the National Hunter Federation, and the chaebols behind Nam Hanseok, so they obediently complied.

Thus, the tax revision bill proposed on March 4th passed through the lower house standing committee and the upper house on April 5th, after heated debates only about the pros and cons of tax cuts.

While the media paid no attention, one of the long-held wishes of Hunters had been resolved.

“We need to allow individual Hunters to establish solo guilds on their own, like in the US. And we must also allow membership in multiple guilds. Only then will the picture we want be created.”

While the media and the upper and lower houses of parliament were loudly debating the tax revision bill, Siguk drafted another bill and handed it to Nam Hanseok.

“If we distinguish the roles of solo guilds and multiple guilds, the reason for joining multiple guilds will become clear. The bureau staff have drafted the specific details, so just push forward with that.”

Under the 2021 System, magic stone transactions could only occur between the state and guilds.

Transactions occurring outside the relationship between the state and guilds were all illegal and subject to crackdowns by the International Superhuman Association and individual national superhuman associations.

“It’s still difficult to revise international law since our influence is limited to the peninsula, so we have to use a workaround. Nothing special. The US also allows solo guilds. Membership in multiple guilds varies by state…”

So what Siguk came up with was allowing the establishment of solo guilds and membership in multiple guilds.

If that happened, Hunters could, if they wished, establish a solo guild, become its Master, and still remain in their existing guild.

“Large-scale purchases can be made through existing guilds, and small-scale purchases through solo guilds. At the very least, Hunters’ lives will definitely improve compared to now.”

Thus, the related bill was quietly submitted to the lower and upper houses through Nam Hanseok.

This time, the media didn’t even report on it.

The lower house standing committee members and upper house senators, who had been fiercely debating the tax revision bill, all unanimously kept their mouths shut, inserted the related bill among various other minor public livelihood bills, and passed it swiftly.

“Upgrade the status of existing National Policy Partner Guilds to State-Designated Magic Stone Exchanges. This can be done by revising enforcement ordinances without amending laws, so it can be resolved at the cabinet level.”

Finally, Siguk ordered Nam Hanseok to work on upgrading the status of the JH Guild as a National Policy Partner.

Since it was an area adjustable at the administrative enforcement ordinance level without separate bill proposals or amendments to existing laws, the task was completed within three days of the order.

Siguk soon registered JH Overtech as an exchange, and from April, all legal magic stone transactions within the country came entirely under the control of JH Overtech.

It meant that through JH Overtech and the JH Group Comprehensive Planning Office, they now controlled domestic magic stone transactions, both overtly and covertly.

In other words, at least within the country, there would be no more magic stone transactions occurring without Siguk’s knowledge.

Thus, Siguk spent nearly three months after entering the country from Japan busily handling various matters, big and small.

And a few changes occurred in his daily life as well.

“I’m so tired lately.”

In Korea, Polina, who had enrolled in the Global Business Self-Designed Major at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, which had a partnership with Moscow State University, had been whining like that to Siguk every day since around midterm exam time.

“I’m tired too. If you knew how much work I have to handle all day, Polya, you’d never say you’re tired.”

“I know. Gguk works hard. But that doesn’t mean I’m not tired either.”

Since coming to Korea and starting to live together, Polina had naturally dropped formal speech.

She lay down on the sofa, using Siguk’s lap as a pillow as he reviewed documents on his tablet PC.

Polina didn’t expect much from Siguk, who looked seriously at his tablet PC whether a woman was lying on his lap or not.

Just occasionally whining and leaning on him was enough comfort for her.

And Siguk, pretending not to notice, would look at Polina, who had laid her head on his lap and fallen fast asleep on the sofa, with a pleased smile.

That stemmed partly from his fondness for Polina’s femininity, but the fundamental reason was different.

‘Right. This way, I can naturally take her hostage under the pretext of cohabitation.’

Siguk did not 100% trust Ivan Ivanov’s words, “We Russians unconditionally take care of our own people.”

That was his nature.

‘You can betray a man who is loved by his daughter, but you can’t betray a man who holds his daughter hostage.’

Moreover, through cohabitation with Polina, Siguk was also reconsidering the angle regarding marriage to her.

‘I’ll have to get married someday. That kind will be a political marriage. In that sense, Polya isn’t a bad choice either.’

Given the nature of Russian politics, unless Ivan Ivanov gets cancer like Putin or something, his permanent rule is practically a foregone conclusion.

Becoming the son-in-law of Russia’s lifelong leader.

At least for now, it was the best choice.

And above all, Siguk liked Polina’s open-mindedness.

“You should go into the room to sleep. How long are you going to sleep on my lap?”

Putting down his tablet PC, Siguk gently pinched Polina’s nose and woke her up.

“Can’t I sleep with Gguk today?”

Speaking with a stuffy nose, Polina pleaded with Siguk.

“What about school tomorrow?”

“I have a free period.”

“You’re not going?”

“Yeah.”

Siguk smiled slightly.

“Kyaah-!”

He picked Polina up and went into the room.

Both Siguk, who was carrying her, and Polina, who was in his arms, had bright, happy expressions.

April 20, 2031, 16:20.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines.

Fully equipped with sunglasses and a mask, Siguk sat in the VIP lounge, watching the stream of people entering and leaving the airport.

“We’ve lost contact with Bat since around last March.”

A man standing at a slight distance from him, Hakaiyamaguchi sub-boss Sakamoto, briefed Siguk in a calm tone.

“There have been times before when we lost contact with Bat, but this time the atmosphere is unusual.”

At Sakamoto’s words, Siguk nodded.

“The reason? Any guesses?”

“Not certain, but I’ve vaguely heard rumors that South Philippines has split in two.”

“Hmm… The division of South Philippines… Tsk tsk…”

South Philippines, where the B-Rank Druid Villain Marcos, also known as the Beast King, exercises dictatorial power.

That place was a paradise for Southeast Asian Villains and the center of magic stone smuggling in Southeast Asia.

To establish the Asian Villain Cartel, subduing him was essential.

But it split in two?

“Things are getting complicated.”

At Siguk’s sincere words, Sakamoto bowed his head as if it were his own fault.

“Well, I didn’t think it would be easy. I just didn’t think it would be this much of a headache.”

After uttering those words, Siguk fell deep in thought.

‘In my past life, I never heard that the Beast King stepped down from power.’

At least until May 1, 2042, when Siguk died lonely in the electric chair, the Beast King Marcos reigned as the ruler of South Philippines and the king of Southeast Asian Villains, earning an even worse reputation than Siguk.

‘Is this also a butterfly effect in the end?’

From the moment he cleared the unprecedented dungeon that appeared in Moscow’s Red Square in 2028, history began to move in a direction completely different from the trajectory of his past life that Siguk knew.

Immediately, Russia did not split apart with President Ivan Ivanov surviving, and his power was even strengthened with Siguk’s help.

The 2030 System that the NAC wanted was not established, and no meaningful advancement of Hunter rights occurred in the Western world either.

What flowed somewhat according to history was the situation in Korea. But even that didn’t flow completely in line with history. It was merely similar in appearance: the existence named Hyeon Woongryeol disappeared without a trace from power, and a group controlled by Hunters entered the executive and legislative branches.

‘Russia, the Western world, and Korea too. All have experienced changes in history, big or small. The Philippines, even if just half of it, won’t be any different.’

Then the question was who exactly was behind this.

‘Marcos is B-Rank. Moreover, the Mindanao island where he is located is an environment that’s practically a natural fortress for Druids. For someone to resist him in such a place, clearly an external force must have intervened. The problem is…’

The prominent organizations that immediately came to Siguk’s mind were the NAC and China.

Considering the financial power, information power, and military power both possessed, it was a plausible enough scenario.

‘Whichever it is, it’s troublesome. South Philippines needs to be firmly held by Marcos. That way, it’s easier to use.’

Having sorted out his thoughts, Siguk soon sprang up from his seat.

He spoke to Sakamoto.

“Let’s go see for now. Since we’ve come this far, we’ll find out by seeing with our own eyes. Whether Bat has just been sleeping for a while or has switched sides.”

“Yes, understood.”

Siguk checked his wristwatch.

The hands were past 16:30.

“The flight time is almost up. Let’s move.”

“Yes.”

Siguk took the lead, and Sakamoto followed, pulling his carry-on.

Sitting in first class on the plane after passing through the gate, Siguk looked at Sakamoto sitting some distance away and spoke.

“First… where do we need to go to meet that Bat guy?”

At Siguk’s question, Sakamoto answered immediately.

“If we go to the entertainment district of Masbate City, there’s a casino run by a gang called the Esperanza Union. We usually made contact there.”

“Contact method?”

“We’d give a note to members of the Esperanza Union along with a 5-dollar tip, and they would come.”

“Hmm…”

Siguk crossed his arms and fell into thought for a moment.

Watching him, Sakamoto finished his words.

“But I think this time will be a bit different. So I think it’s better to approach in a new way.”

Siguk glanced at Sakamoto.

“A new approach? What is it?”

Sakamoto promptly explained his thoughts to Siguk.

Listening quietly, Siguk nodded in agreement when he finished.

“Alright. Good. Then let’s do that.”

“Yes, understood.”

Siguk sank deeply into his chair.

Enjoying the soft feeling enveloping his entire body, Siguk organized and reorganized in his mind the tasks he needed to do in Masbate.