The Republic of Korea was peaceful.

Gates were deleted as soon as they appeared, and as anxiety about gates decreased, the market economy was further revitalizing.

Currently, the international community gives very high marks to the Nation’s gate stability Castle.

In that regard, the Republic of Korea could truly be called an advanced country.

Foreign capital, always searching for stable investment opportunities, came in.

As stock prices soared day after day, a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the ‘Director’ was finally about to be resolved into Nothingness.

The Government announced a Presidential National address.

The announced time was 9 AM, and then 11 AM the next day.

“National address? That’s unsettling.”

“There was a National address during the Seoul evacuation order, wasn’t there, probably…?”

“Don’t say such unlucky things. But aren’t gates okay now?”

“If not that? Surely they’re not going to declare martial law, are they?”

People first expressed their anxiety. From the perspective of citizens who were experiencing unprecedentedly peaceful days since the appearance of Dungeons and Hunters, changes were not welcome.

The last National address was about the B-rank gate incident, so it was normal for all sorts of stories to circulate.

Some even joked in Internet Communities that if the President took off his mask, Kim Songcheol would appear.

And so, a day passed.

The scheduled 11 AM.

Through public Rupture and YouTube Live, Republic of Korea President Seo Jaegwang’s study appeared.

The citizens instinctively knew the moment Seo Jaegwang’s study appeared.

Ah, this is good news.

Because Seo Jaegwang’s study walked onto the stage with a smile on his face.

It was in complete contrast to his grim expression during the Seoul evacuation order.

At that time, the country was truly faltering, so his complexion was almost the color of cement from a construction site, but now he looked Illusion like a flower born in spring.

Look at that Aura as he walks.

Even a Captain wouldn’t be that confident.

Seo Jaegwang’s study went up to the stage, greeted the citizens, and then opened his mouth.

“Distinguished citizens. Today, as the President of a Nation and as a citizen living in this era, I stand here to deliver exciting news.”

Seo Jaegwang’s study began that way.

People eating in restaurants, Office Workers working with a YouTube window open on the side, citizens watching on their Mobile Phones on the subway.

Everyone Concentration on the National address as if sucked into the screen.

“Today, the Republic of Korea has officially decided to install a Portal, the second in the world.”

Cheers erupted in various places. The camera even shook slightly.

The Republic of Korea was abuzz.

Everyone watching the National address cheered in their own way.

Some people covered their mouths, some screamed “Illusion Castle!” at the top of their lungs, and one taxi driver even declared that he would not charge his passenger.

“My dear citizens! This Portal is not merely a means of transportation. It is the result of the sweat, effort, and blood shed by the Hunters of our Republic of Korea, and their will to protect the people.”

President Seo Jaegwang continued, suppressing his overwhelming emotions.

“Now, the flow of global logistics and economy will begin to revolve around our Republic of Korea. Through this Portal, we will connect thousands of goods, hundreds of millions of opportunities, and infinite possibilities across borders in real time.”

President Seo Jaegwang looked at the camera with a bright expression.

“My beloved citizens, the Government will actively foster related industries with the installation of the Portal, and concentrate all policy capabilities to ensure that substantial benefits accrue to the lives of the people. Now, we open a new door. That door will soon become the path to the future of the Republic of Korea. Thank you.”

Thus, the President’s national address concluded.

The Republic of Korea was turned upside down.

A Portal installation, of all things!

Just a few months ago, they were tearfully issuing evacuation orders for Seoul, and now they had rapidly emerged as the world’s second Portal-owning nation.

A Portal is not merely real-time logistics transport. From Portal usage fees to the economic revitalization of the installation area, and even the diplomatic advantages that can be enjoyed over user nations.

If one were to list the advantages, several academic papers would not be enough.

As tremendous benefits were expected, the news of the Republic of Korea acquiring a Portal was a nuclear-bomb-level news item, not only in the Republic of Korea but also in the international community.

Furthermore, if the Republic of Korea acquires a Portal, one cannot discuss it without mentioning Kim Songcheol.

Quite a few countries currently possess B-rank Hunters.

America, in fact, has five.

Yet, they couldn’t even dream of acquiring a Portal, so the fact that the Republic of Korea, which possesses Kim Songcheol, was the first to acquire a Portal, indicated a great deal.

After a little time passed and the initial joy of the Portal installation subsided somewhat…

The citizens noticed that there was missing information in the President’s address.

“But where are they installing the Portal?”

“Indeed. There was no mention of that.”

President Seo Jaegwang had not said a single word about the Portal’s installation location.

A Portal consists of two structures that allow bidirectional transport. One would naturally be installed somewhere in Korea. Its specific location wasn’t a critically important matter.

However, the location of the other one was quite important.

Where did Korea intend to connect Korea with via the Portal?

Again, there are two Portals. One must be installed in the possessing country, and the other in a different country.

It promises great benefits to the installing country, though perhaps not as much as to the possessing country.

But President Seo Jaegwang did not say where it would be installed. That was also the Republic of Korea’s question to the international community.

Who wants to have the Portal installed?

Countries that want it, come forward with your conditions.

Naturally, all nations immediately began to act.

The Portal bidding competition had begun.

***

It was when Kim Songcheol was eating bean sprout soup deliciously, having come home after a long time.

“Son, where are they installing the Portal?”

His mother asked.

“I don’t know.”

If you don’t know, who does? All the points that went in there were earned by our son. Now the aunts are in an uproar, asking where it’s going to be installed.

I don’t know either. But why are they curious about that?

Well, they’re talking about stocks and whatnot, but I don’t really know much about that.

There was a time when Kim Songcheol’s mother also had an interest in stocks and coins. His mother is a housewife, and his father is an ordinary office worker, so as retirement approached, he developed an interest in financial management.

However, after hearing Kim Songcheol’s approximate annual salary, her interest in such things completely disappeared.

His assets, which exceeded hundreds of billions, were soon approaching the trillions, and even the interest alone was more than he could spend in a lifetime.

Moreover, hunters don’t even pay taxes. That was the law of the Republic of Korea.

Although conscription was inevitably maintained, the nation offered many benefits to those who became hunters.

But you really don’t know? Is the country secretly colluding without our son?

I don’t think so. I have to attend a meeting today. They begged me to be a figurehead…

After all, Kim Songcheol’s presence or absence at the negotiation table is bound to have an impact.

This time, the Republic of Korea was completely determined to prepare for the negotiations.

Their resolve was to extract everything they could from the nation’s colossal project of portal installation.

It was perhaps natural to mobilize Kim Songcheol.

Then the results will be out soon, right?

But even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you. There are insider trading issues, and if I just announce national events, I’ll be breaking the law.

He vaguely concocted various reasons why he couldn’t speak. If it were Kim Songcheol, he would just let it slide, but he didn’t really want to.

Really? Breaking the law?

Probably?

His mother opened her mouth as if there was nothing she could do.

Then that’s no good. People who are well-known need to be careful with their actions. I’ll have to tell the aunts I don’t know. What can the neighborhood ladies do? I’m completely the boss these days because I have such a good son, hoho. Even the lawyer’s mom can’t say a word to me~

…The power structure there is intense too.

Kim Songcheol gulped down the bean sprout soup he was eating. His mother’s bean sprout soup was the best because it tasted familiar.

Also, being able to talk about dungeons with his mother so casually was quite comforting.

‘By the way, which country will it be decided on…’

Kim Songcheol already had a rough idea of the information.

First, in Korea, the provisional conclusion was Busan, and at the time of announcing the portal installation, the Republic of Korea had already narrowed down the candidate nations.

Europe was largely excluded since the United Kingdom already had one, and they were considering the Middle East, Australia, or the Americas.

Among them, the best option was America.

Los Angeles, America.

Since Guam is located at a similar longitude to Korea, connecting it with America, which is on the opposite side of the United Kingdom, would complete a scenario where goods from Guam enter Busan and go to America, maximizing efficiency.

And with the massive volume of goods entering Los Angeles, they could collect enormous portal usage fees.

However, America already had a connection with the United Kingdom, and even Guam, where a portal was installed, was an American territory.

While it wasn’t exactly a competitive situation, America seemed hesitant to connect with the Republic of Korea, a latecomer in portal technology, due to concerns about the United Kingdom’s reaction.

The analysis suggested a possibility that they might not participate in the competition, and there were also predictions that they might propose quite unfavorable conditions.

Ultimately, it was a matter to watch, as it depended on what conditions the candidate nations would offer.

I’ll get going.

Oh, right, Mom, please move it when you go to the countryside this weekend. Okay? Around 2 o’clock.

Yes, I understand.

Kim Songcheol teleported out of his house and appeared in the conference hall corridor.

When he entered the conference hall, both the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia were already seated.

He thought they might be a bit late due to being from the Middle East, but it seemed such considerations didn’t apply to urgent matters.

Oh, Hunter Kim Songcheol…!

The negotiating team from Saudi Arabia acknowledged Kim Songcheol, but it wasn’t like a fan meeting.

The feeling a powerful Hunter gives to ordinary people, especially when appearing as an opponent in a negotiation, would be quite pressuring.

For Kim Songcheol, it would only be a matter of time before he could devastate an entire country.

Thus, the negotiations began.

Many countries had already made contact and left, but Saudi Arabia, among the Middle Eastern countries, was one of the main candidates, which is why Kim Songcheol made an appearance.

As expected of a main candidate, Saudi Arabia offered good terms.

Of course, all usage fees will be attributed to Korea. Korea will also need to build a new port, and we will cover all those costs. Furthermore…

To summarize the conditions put forth by the Saudi Arabian King, they included the attribution of usage fees, full coverage of all facility costs, and economic support amounting to trillions.

From their perspective, it’s better to host the Portal, even if they have to pay money.

This is because all Middle Eastern logistics would gather in their country, allowing them to gain control over that power.

Nevertheless, the negotiations were quite fierce.

Korea pressed Saudi Arabia, demanding more, while Saudi Arabia, though willing to concede some points, showed a determination not to be exploited beyond a certain limit.

After some adjustments, the first round of negotiations concluded.

After the Saudi Arabian team left the conference hall.

They really do have a lot of money.

Kim Songcheol and the Republic of Korea team were astonished by Saudi Arabia’s financial power.

In terms of the amount of money offered, no other country could compare.

At that moment, one of the government officials subtly checked his mobile phone and then spoke to the others.

The American team has arrived at Incheon Airport.

Oh, really? Well, at least they came.

They say they’re available immediately, so how about we wait a bit and see America too before we leave?

Today’s schedule was only for Saudi Arabia, because it was a major country. He had enough stamina to see one more place.

Shall we?

Kim Songcheol also nodded. He was curious about what conditions America would offer.