Here's an Opportunity-Chapter 228: The Interview (2)

A few days earlier, Lee Bo-Ram from K Daily and Kang Seok-Hyun from Hunter World had received invitations from Kim Ki-Rok. They presented the letters to the elf knights stationed at the outer wall gate.

"Welcome to the city of Gate," the elf knights said, bowing politely.

The two reporters hurried to bow in return. Because Kang Seok-Hyun kept his invitation visible the whole time, neither they nor their junior colleagues were stopped again along the way.

Led by an elf knight, the four reporters passed through the outer wall and crossed a garden. When they entered the Castle, they couldn't help but gasp in awe. Video footage had never done justice to the breathtaking beauty before them.

All around, Beastfolk, elves, and humans worked together cleaning, while Elementals lent a helping hand. Various species hurried by, carrying armfuls of documents.

"I will guide you directly to Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok," their elf knight escort announced.

At the guide's words, the four reporters regained their composure and continued walking. After crossing the lobby and entering a hallway, they stopped before an enormous door.

Kang Seok-Hyun listened intently. Through a narrow gap in the door, he picked out faint words: "documents," "funds," "publicity," and "methods." The words were too indistinct for him to be sure of their meaning. He mulled over possible topics, but soon realized he would be drawn into those matters eventually, so he stopped speculating.

The elf knight knocked. "Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok, your invited guests have arrived."

As the elf knight announced them, the conversation inside abruptly ceased.

A moment later, the door swung open with a creak, and Kim Ki-Rok appeared. "Oh my! You're here."

Kang Seok-Hyun and Lee Bo-Ram bowed respectfully. Next to them were the rookie reporters, Lee Chae-Eun and Baek Tae-Soo, who both seemed flustered but quickly bowed as well. Meanwhile, the seasoned journalists handled the situation with practiced ease.

"I am Baek Tae-Soo, a new reporter at Hunter World. I look forward to working with you!"

"I am Lee Chae-Eun, a new reporter at K Daily. I look forward to working with you."

The two newcomers introduced themselves with nervous energy.

While humming, Kim Ki-Rok crossed his two index fingers and pointed at them. "Hmm... It feels like you two should be at each other's companies."

Lee Bo-Ram and Kang Seok-Hyun both suppressed a laugh.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kim Ki-Rok of the DG Guild," he said formally. "The meeting isn't over yet, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer." He glanced at Kang Seok-Hyun and Lee Bo-Ram for their understanding.

"That's no problem," they replied.

"Thank you for your understanding. Would you prefer to wait in the guest room, or here in the meeting room?"

"Inside," they answered at once.

With a nod, Kim Ki-Rok showed them to seats along the edge of the room. Then he returned to the round table at the center, clapping to draw attention. The reporters unpacked laptops and smartphones, preparing to take notes.

"Well then, let's continue. Where were we?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"We were just discussing the auction method," replied Pilarin, regent of the Aians Empire.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded and resumed the meeting, while the reporters typed diligently. By letting reporters sit in, he was essentially authorizing them to report on the meeting. Before long, the reporters' eager expressions faded into confusion, and their fingers stilled.

"Let me say this again. On our side... No, that's not right," Kim Ki-Rok said, stumbling over his wording. "Oh dear, I keep forgetting."

A ripple of chuckles went around the room.

Sheepishly grinning, he continued, "At this auction, we're selling three things: construction rights, benefits, and lastly, priority."

Pilarin raised a hand. "We understand the construction rights, as you've explained before. But when you say 'benefits,' what exactly will we be offering the upper echelons of Earth, or rather, the corporations?"

"We'll be selling exclusive trading rights for monsters and mana stones," Kim Ki-Rok replied. "For restoring the continent, the most in-demand resources aren't monster corpses, but water, food, stone, seeds, fertilizer, manpower, and time."

The whole room nodded in agreement.

"By the way, you've already secured a significant amount of mana stones, correct?" Kim Ki-Rok added.

"That's right," Pilarin confirmed. "We've been at war with the Black Kingdom for a long time."

"Yuashiel Dimension doesn't currently need more mana stones because you already have enough. Monster corpses are essential for Hunters' equipment, and mana stones are one of the hottest new resources on Earth. So, we'll offer exclusive trading rights for those. Corporations won't turn down the chance to monopolize them for a few years."

"Hmm... Is there a risk that the corporations could collude to win the rights at a low price?" Pilarin asked.

"None," Kim Ki-Rok stated flatly.

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

"Why is that?" Pilarin pressed.

"Because there will be hundreds of companies bidding in this auction."

Kim Ki-Rok's bright smile seemed to settle the room. The representatives, catching on, nodded in understanding. So did the reporters.

"That's true," Lee Bo-Ram murmured.

"Kim Ki-Rok didn't just approach Korean companies. He went global," Kang Seok-Hyun added.

The rookie reporters nodded, recognizing that Kim Ki-Rok had launched a worldwide initiative through the DG Channel.

"Of course, I can't say there's absolutely no risk of collusion, especially if companies grow nervous about fierce competition and heavy losses. However!" Kim Ki-Rok said loudly, drawing everyone's focus. "It's not just construction firms interested in joining this project. We're also auctioning off the benefits and the priority I've just mentioned."

"Hmm..." Pilarin mulled it over.

"Is there an objection?"

"No. As you said, we have enough mana stones and monster corpses. I was just wondering what you meant by priority."

"I'll explain in a moment," Kim Ki-Rok said. "Back to the main point. Many companies will participate in this auction. Government representatives—officials equivalent to royal envoys from the Yuashiel Dimension—will also be involved. That's why they'll be reaching out to the companies."

"To offer support, and in return, share the profits?" someone at the table asked.

"Exactly. Monster corpses and mana stones fetch high prices on Earth. These exclusive trading relationships allow corporations to outpace rivals and form close ties with the countries they assist. Considering this, alliances between nations and companies are all but certain," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Understood. Now, about the last thing," said Krayvan, the young regent of the Oras Empire. "What exactly do you mean by priority?"

"It's the right to receive reinforcements from your side before anyone else, if Earth faces a crisis."

"Holy..." Kang Seok-Hyun swore under his breath, even before Kim Ki-Rok had finished.

Earth and Yuashiel had formed an interdimensional alliance. Just as Earth had come to Yuashiel's rescue in its time of need, if Earth were ever threatened, Yuashiel would respond by sending knights, wizards, and others to help.

The representatives nodded in understanding, some having lost their country or repeatedly suffered defeat without outside support.

One representative, watching Kim Ki-Rok intently, raised a tentative hand. "May I ask one question?"

"Go ahead."

"Um... The thing is..."

"Yes?"

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok, are you..." The question trailed off, drawing everyone's curiosity.

"Are you a regressor? Someone who lived a previous life, perhaps?" the representative finally managed.

Kim Ki-Rok, who had been smiling, was momentarily taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"No, I mean... are you from a past life? Have you reincarnated?"

Kim Ki-Rok burst out laughing. "Ho! Ho! Ho! What a question!"

"It's just that your help to the Yuashiel Dimension has been enormous, even at Earth's expense..."

"Hehe. So you think I'm a regressor? That I died in the Yuashiel Dimension and was reborn on Earth?"

The representative nodded. "Yes."

"Where did you even get the idea of reincarnation?"

"From the novels Hunters sell..."

"This is getting out of hand."

For the first time, Kim Ki-Rok's smile twisted, as if he were a father hearing his child swear for the first time. He spoke in a firm tone. "I was born and raised on Earth."

"Then why—"

"It's simple. Because this is an alliance."

***

The interview continued in Kim Ki-Rok's office, where he and the reporters had gathered after the morning meeting.

"This is a mutually beneficial alliance. If either side makes a deal that only benefits itself, then, even if a Gate allowed two-way passage, the Yuashiel Dimension could just stand by when Earth is facing a crisis," he explained.

"So that's why you proposed a deal that gives Yuashiel the initial benefit, even though it means a loss for Earth?"

In response to Kang Seok-Hyun's question, Kim Ki-Rok crossed his legs and absently stroked the back of a pure white flying squirrel with horns on its forehead. "Yes."

"But isn't it possible that Earth will never face a crisis like the one that struck Yuashiel?" Kang Seok-Hyun pressed.

"It will."

"You're certain of that?"

He grew solemn. "I am. We can't predict the form the danger will take. The S-Class Gates have been appearing more frequently, and the intervals between them are shrinking. It's possible these Gates could threaten Earth, or that all the Gates could suddenly go berserk at once. If not that..."

He paused, then simply said, "We can't know exactly what will happen. But a crisis is inevitable. My hypothesis matches what many researchers expect."

High-level Gates had been appearing faster and more often than ever before. As Kim Ki-Rok said, researchers had already warned that multiple S-Class Gates could manifest within five to ten years. Lee Bo-Ram, Lee Chae-Eun, and Baek Tae-Soo nodded in agreement. Kang Seok-Hyun, however, remained skeptical.

This is Kim Ki-Rok, the Guildmaster, he thought.

Surely his words carried weight, but accepting them at face value wasn't so easy.

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok."

"Yes, reporter Kang Seok-Hyun?"

"If we go off the record, may I ask about your third hypothesis?"