NOVEL WEB Chapter 49
The U.S. Presidential Office.
Recently, critical reports in the field of abnormal awakenings have been nonstop.
Interestingly, most were related to Korea.
This time was no different.
“How is the contact with EX going?”
EX—now a widespread codename—referred to a “Perfect Clear Awakened.”
“The Korean government is fiercely evading our inquiries.”
“Damn it. They must have caught on.”
“Yes. We suspect they’ve discovered the effects of the E-rank Blessing.”
“Keep trying.”
The spread of abnormal dungeons around the world was like a plague.
While not yet at critical risk globally, Korea was an exception.
Soon, other nations would inevitably face the same situation as Korea. They needed to prepare in advance.
The world had observed Korea closely and recognized the danger.
Even with Proff. Kang Hyun on their side, Korea barely held on.
If things escalated, the damage to other countries would be far greater.
Most nations were desperately searching for solutions.
America, however, had found an answer.
“Any alternatives?”
“None so far. Only the E-rank Blessing of Perfect Clear can fully resolve the problem.”
Each rank of the Perfect Clear Blessing had different effects.
Particularly, the E-rank Blessing sealed dungeon anomalies within its range.
Did it suppress the power of the demons causing the anomalies?
The exact mechanism was still theoretical.
“Hmm. If that’s the case, we’ll have to be aggressive.”
“Shall we have the CIA kidnap them?”
“Are you insane?”
The intelligence director flinched. The current president was known for his boldness.
He had suggested the idea to cater to the president’s tastes.
“They’re a precious talent destined to end up in America’s hands eventually. If we provoke them now, it could ruin our future relationship.”
“Ah…!”
Such deep insight.
Truly, the president’s broad perspective was befitting the White House’s master.
“So what aggressive action are you suggesting?”
“Mobilize the CIA to uncover EX’s identity. A small offense can be smoothed over with appropriate compensation.”
“Understood.”
America was ready to show plenty of sincerity.
“And court EX—aggressively.”
“Yes, sir!”
America was also prepared to welcome any talent.
“Publicly, launch friendly diplomacy with Korea. If the E-rank Blessing goes on the market, ensure we’re the first customer.”
“Yes, sir.”
“This situation will be long-term. Make it so Korea can’t refuse our requests. Turn them into America’s friend.”
“Yes, sir.”
The current president’s aggressiveness didn’t solely mean being combative. It meant being proactive in all respects.
“Preferably, we’d become the ones selling the Blessings first.”
This was the most coveted human resource ever.
The president licked his lips.
###
Within Seonghwa Corporation Headquarters.
TVs were mounted everywhere, perpetually tuned to the news.
Especially in the café or underground pub.
Guild members constantly crowded around them.
The news was just too interesting these days.
Mar was no exception.
He stared at the TV intently, sipping his drink.
“You’re always here watching TV.”
“Look, elites like me only go out for critical missions!”
Due to the dungeon anomalies, even those missions had been greatly reduced.
“Anything interesting today?”
“Nope. Just wondering when the Phantom will start taking out politicians!”
“Whoa, whoa.”
Taking on politicians directly? That’d be enough to make the nation draw its sword.
The attention and sense of crisis surrounding the Phantom were that high.
“Oh, right! Something interesting— the government rescinded its statement!”
“They did?”
“Yeah! They revised it to the legal maximum bounty of 3 billion won. The Prosecutor General is resigning.”
“Wow! That’s such a relief!”
Aden was visibly delighted.
It was practically reduced to merely catching a criminal.
‘At least I won’t feel too pressured as Phantom.’
Kang Hyun felt a weight lift off his chest.
Aden leaned in, standing on tiptoes, and whispered into his ear.
“I’ve collected all the names of the politicians. The ones who cooperated with Palan.”
“When did you do that?”
“It might come in handy for the Phantom someday!”
Hmm… definitely useful.
Might as well take it. Save it for a quieter time.
“Four thousand!?”
A massive disaster.
In a major city like Osaka, it hit even harder.
“They’re struggling too.”
“I hate these dungeon anomalies!”
Mar shivered.
The surrounding guild members shared the sentiment.
Dungeon collapses were on the rise globally.
All because of these anomalies.
Japan, in particular, had suffered a major incident this time.
“Other countries must have defectors too.”
“Of course they do.”
It had been the same 100 years ago.
Cockroach-like scum, everywhere.
“When will this anomaly crisis end?”
Killing Oh Hyuk-jun wouldn’t solve it.
The bastard had already spread his filth and fled.
‘Do I really have to face Abyss himself?’
That’d be suicide.
A threat incomparable to an S-rank.
“The government hasn’t found a solution?”
“Not sure. I was going to call Chief Choi—”
Ring-ring-
Speak of the devil.
“Yes, Chief Choi.”
Japan issued an unexpected statement:
“Sounds like they’re being aggressive,” someone commented.
“This is just the beginning,” came the reply.
They stabbed a piece of tteokbokki with a toothpick.
“The tteokbokki here is the best!”
“Tteokbokki’s too spicy for me.”
“Hold on, pay attention to what’s being said now.”
Japan was openly assigning blame and now even issuing demands.
Eating tteokbokki and now this bolt out of the blue.
Great, now they’re planning to claim compensation.
“Yeah. It seems like they’re fully determined this time.”
Relations between Japan and South Korea were strained, but this sharp tone seemed over the top.
“They’re trying to redirect internal anger outward. It’s a tactic they’ve used historically.”
“Oh, because of the Collapse?”
Right in the heart of Osaka. The Japanese people must feel immense anxiety.
“They’re in full-blown panic mode.”
Hearing this, it felt a little pitiful.
Still, blaming the government for a natural disaster seemed unfair.
“True… our country does the same thing.”
Japan’s government had also reportedly mishandled the situation.
They underestimated the scope of the anomaly and sent in low-ranking awakened soldiers.
The result: massive casualties.
“No wonder. Even for a major city, those deaths seemed too high.”
“When Japan feels cornered, they often try to shift focus to Korea.”
Sounds like they’re really desperate.
“Are other countries starting to realize the seriousness of these anomalies?”
Recently, the world had been focused on Korea:
Countries were asking, “What’s going on in Korea?” and information spread quickly.
So global awareness was rising faster than it had in Korea.
“Some countries with weaker governance have already seen riots.”
“Korea was the guinea pig, huh?”
Maybe that would speed up finding a solution?
The U.S. and other developed nations were supposed to be so capable. Wouldn’t someone figure it out?
“Does our government have a solution yet?”
“They seem to have found a lead, but it’s all classified.”
“I don’t know much. Something about Seoul and… Perfect Clear, I think?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe they meant Perfect Clear’s progress?”
“Ah, maybe. But that’s not a permanent solution.”
This anomaly crisis had been dragging on forever.
“So, what do we do about Japan’s demands?”
Anti-Korean sentiment was reportedly rampant in Japan.
“We can’t send a Perfect Clear Awakened into such hostility!”
“But higher-ups don’t know the specialist is an Awakened, do they?”
This could lead to the government agreeing to lend me out temporarily to avoid diplomatic conflict.
“Are we really going to Japan?”
“It feels risky. What if there’s an attack?”
“Exactly. We can’t let this happen! I’ll try to—”
But Chief Choi had no actual power to stop it. He was just venting his frustration.
As he paced nervously, something came on the TV.
“Isn’t that the U.S. President?”
Chief Choi turned up the volume quickly.