In a circular conference room, the Korean side and the Japanese side sat facing each other.

Nominally, it was given a strange name like ‘Korea-Japan Sustainable Partnership Consultation,’ but it was clearly a diplomatic battle regarding the ‘Mana Power Plant.’

“How do you do?”

“It’s a pleasure.”

After the usual greetings and some ice-breaking.

The Korea side began an official briefing on the Mana Power Plant.

This is because they had to accurately inform the other party about the product they wanted to sell.

“First of all, I’d like to mention that the Mana Power Plant uses martial arts, a power source that generates nothingness…”

Information that the old Hawk side needed to know, such as the size of the facility, power generation, and maintenance, came out one after another.

And the expressions of the Japanese officials listening to the explanation gradually hardened.

This was because it was a more remarkable product than they had imagined.

They knew it was a martial arts-based, nothingness-generating power source, but the fact that it was silent and small, allowing for flexible site selection, was a huge advantage for Hawk.

It’s the size of a regular house.

This means they can just build it anywhere.

Moreover, from Japan’s perspective, given the nuclear-related incidents, there was a strong desire to quickly acquire this technology and replace existing power facilities.

“…So, it’s a facility ‘attraction’?”

Mitsuda from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked.

“That’s right. Both construction and facility management will be handled by Korea.”

“Then we’ll have to bear the costs separately.”

“Yes.”

The Korea side nodded without hesitation. It was an attitude of ‘take it or leave it.’

After all, countries willing to buy were lining up.

Japan was well aware of that situation.

This wasn’t a matter of whether to buy or not, but how cheaply they could buy it.

“Hmm.”

Mitsuda let out a small groan.

It wasn’t a problem for Korea to come and build it. The issue of blueprint leakage was understandable, and construction costs wouldn’t be high. The building was small to begin with.

However, if he twisted his perspective a little, it was quite a galling matter.

If all Mana Power Plant construction was handled by Korea, an enormous amount of foreign currency would flow into Korea.

It wouldn’t just make them a strong hunter nation and a holder of magic-related facilities, but also achieve significant economic growth.

“Do you have anything to propose?”

Mitsuda asked.

Then, as if they had been waiting, the Korea side pulled out a list.

“We are considering technology transfer. Japan has many patents and excellent precision manufacturing equipment technology, doesn’t it? Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to teach Korea.”

At first glance, it sounded like praising Japan, but it was actually a request for them to hand over their technology.

From the way they were talking, it seemed like one or two items wouldn’t be enough.

He felt like he was in such a pinch that he almost let out a hollow laugh.

How much did he have to give up?

It was when Mitsuda pushed up his glasses and moistened his throat with mineral water.

“While you’re thinking, would it be alright if I introduced some other facilities?”

The Korean side, with an almost illusory smile, proposed ‘another facility’.

Mitsuda, on the other hand, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

You have to be careful when a Korean person smiles like that.

Because it means they’ve ‘decided’ on something.

‘What kind of facility have they prepared this time?’

It must be an amazing facility, impossible to refuse.

Considering its utility, it was right to smile, but thinking about the cost made him dizzy.

‘It’s just like asymmetric power…’

The opponent’s hand was so strong that there seemed to be no room for negotiation. He couldn’t even guess how much they would try to extract from them.

“Ah… another facility, you say?”

Mitsuda barely managed to ask.

“Yes.”

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs gestured, a young employee displayed a different presentation on the screen.

An aerial view of an unknown building appeared first.

“It’s a magic purification facility. It purifies ‘all’ wastewater.”

A simple explanation.

A strong tone.

The ‘real’ things never need many words.

‘I have no choice but to buy this…’

Mitsuda thought with a bitter smile. It was a facility as attractive as the Mana Power Plant.

Perhaps what was immediately needed was this magic purification facility.

“May I hear the detailed conditions?”

A slightly submissive posture.

He conveyed a readiness to accept.

In response, the Korean side presented several conditions. They were a few key technologies and diplomatic treaties.

The conditions were surprisingly not harsh.

In short, they were conditions that made one think, ‘Isn’t that worth it?’

The Korean side also had its circumstances.

Kim Songcheol had clearly stated that they needed to sell it quickly.

These blueprints are too accessible. They can be acquired just by reaching an A-rank dungeon.

The theory was that they should profit while they had a monopoly, and Korea was largely accepting this, trying to quickly conclude negotiations at a reasonable price.

This naturally led to pressure in other ways.

“As I said, Korea will handle all construction and operation. As our personnel are not unlimited, it’s uncertain how long it will take if your turn is pushed back.”

The Korean side subtly urged them on, pretending to be considerate of Japan.

They applied maximum pressure while hiding their eagerness.

“…Alright.”

After much deliberation, Mitsuda nodded. He had already held an official position meeting in Japan and had received various authorities.

The conditions put forward by Korea were within his decision-making scope.

“Thank you for your decisive action.”

The Korean side praised Mitsuda’s decision, and the meeting concluded for now.

Since a decision had been made, the detailed matters could be adjusted separately.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs loosened his tie slightly as he stepped out of the meeting room.

Only one meeting had ended. There were many more meetings to come.

“What’s the schedule like?”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked his aide.

“China and Russia are currently waiting. Among the major nations, the United Kingdom, Spain…”

“Wait, the United Kingdom came?”

The United Kingdom’s negotiation team had come to Korea.

This was a bit strange.

The United Kingdom possessed the strongest hunter, Ocean Winslow.

That was also why Korea had to quickly sell off the blueprints.

Because they didn’t know when Ocean Winslow would bring the blueprints to the United Kingdom.

“Yes, we definitely received an official communiqué stating that the United Kingdom negotiation team had departed.”

“Why would the United Kingdom…”

However, instead of obtaining the blueprints from a dungeon, the United Kingdom sent a negotiation team to Korea.

It was a situation where the Minister of Foreign Affairs couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.

The aide also delivered another unexpected piece of news.

“Um, by the way, Minister.”

“Why?”

“There’s still no news from America.”

“Why is America also…? They came running barefoot when it was about hosting the portal…”

America was strangely quiet.

***

James Whitmore, the Director of America’s Hunter Administration, summoned Colt Vanguard.

It was right after Korea announced the details regarding the Mana Power Plant.

Colt Vanguard was involved in the dungeon at that time, and he was practically dragged to the Hunter Administration as soon as he arrived on Earth three days later.

Colt looked utterly exhausted.

He was already frequenting A-rank dungeons. This was a first for America, but it was kept secret externally.

There was no particular reason. For some unknown reason, Colt Vanguard wanted to keep it a secret.

“Why are you making me come and go?”

Colt asked, his expression showing he couldn’t understand why someone who had just returned from a dungeon was being summoned.

“Go immediately and find out where we can get the blueprints related to Mana infrastructure.”

James said, pointing somewhere out the window, unconcerned. What he wanted to point to was probably where the blueprints could be obtained.

“What?”

“They announced that they obtained the Mana Power Plant blueprints from Korea. Kim Songcheol must have gotten them. Doesn’t that mean you can get them too?”

“…Kim Songcheol got something like that?”

Colt’s hazy eyes brightened a little.

“Where did he get them?”

“You need to find that out. Do you think I pay you that much salary for nothing?”

“…So, that’s how it is, then?”

Colt scratched his chin, looking displeased.

It wasn’t because of James’s nagging, but because of Kim Songcheol’s actions.

Colt had met Kim Songcheol once before. At that time, he sensed his potential and hid that information from James.

In a way, that was also a blow to his pride.

Because it was like admitting that Kim Songcheol would become a greater Mage than him.

Gradually, Kim Songcheol surpassed Colt. Although there had never been an exact comparison between the two, it was evident from their achievements.

Because achievements are proportional to one’s power.

“Alright. But prepare a bonus for me.”

Colt surprisingly accepted without much complaint.

“I’ll prepare something generous.”

James nodded.

A three-story building in Base Beian.

It was the headquarters of the ‘Neo Land’ guild.

There are many organizations in A-rank Dungeons, but Neo Land is quite well-known among them.

Excluding the massive organizations, there probably aren’t many that surpass Neo Land.

As Colt entered the first-floor lobby, Peter, who was lying in a recliner reading a book, subtly shifted his gaze.

“Didn’t you just leave? Is my memory failing me?”

“Something urgent came up.”

Colt said with his characteristic mischievous smile.

“What?”

“They told me to get the Mana facility blueprints. Do you know anything about them?”

“Mana facility blueprints? Oh, has your world already come to that?”

Peter looked past Colt. Ocean Winslow was sitting at a table in the backyard, drinking beer.

“I wouldn’t know.”

Ocean merely shrugged his shoulders.

“You should pay more attention. You’re too careless.”

“I’m getting rid of all the gates. I even installed a portal. I don’t know how much more I’m supposed to do. Do you know how much one of my swords costs?”

“Then use a cheap one.”

Peter said, as if he didn’t understand.

The swords Ocean uses cost tens of millions of points each. But even such expensive swords often break during combat.

This is because for the powerful individuals Ocean deals with, the physical strength of objects holds little meaning.

Nevertheless, the reason for using expensive swords is that an expensive sword is at least slightly more effective.

Of course, to Peter, a Mage, it seemed to make no difference, but to Ocean, it was different.

“But who already got the Mana facility blueprints? Isn’t there really anyone?”

Peter asked. Earth’s exploration could already be considered complete. It had been thoroughly surveyed once to recruit personnel for Neo Land.

Colt was the one chosen at that time.

Of course, Colt doesn’t know that Peter did a major scan.

This is because they haven’t discussed it officially.

“Ah, there is. Such a Mage.”

“Who is it?”

“Will you know if I tell you?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I know?”

A flicker of Black Energy passed through Peter’s eyes. Even a reckless Colt couldn’t act out in front of Peter.

Not only was Peter practically his magic mentor, but his power level was also much higher.

“A guy named Kim Songcheol.”

Colt reluctantly uttered the name.

“Hmm?”

Peter slightly furrowed his brow.

“Kim Songcheol is active in A-rank? And he even got the Mana facility blueprints? He’d have to be pretty active to even hear rumors about him…”

Peter, who had completely lost interest in Kim Songcheol, suddenly became very interested again.

This was because it was a completely unexpected turn of events.

“What happened? Didn’t you say he had no Source?”

Ocean, who was sitting in the backyard, also questioned.

Peter was the one who had been certain that there was no Source.

That’s why he brought Colt as a backup plan.

“He definitely didn’t have one. Or maybe he’s just making do with 2nd-tier Magic without 1st-tier Magic? His talent was immense…”

“That might be it. But there’s also a chance you’re wrong.”

“No way. But I should still check, right? What in the world is going on…”

Colt quietly listened to their conversation.

Through their conversation, he could infer that Kim Songcheol was originally the first choice for recruitment, and he was merely a substitute for Kim Songcheol, who lacked the Source.

‘It’s annoying. Standing someone up like this…’

Colt, showing no emotion on his face, interjected into their conversation.

“So, where can I get the blueprints?”

“Ah… that place is…”

Peter immediately replied.

“Magic Tech.”

It shouldn’t be hard to find.