Damn Necromancer - Chapter 134

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Spendthrift Necromancer (134)
Eye of the Typhoon
Kim Min-woo stared hard at Li Zhemin.
Won’t buy it?
Then I’ll just apply pressure until he wants to. Now that I’ve opened this door, it won’t be difficult. All I need to do is be a bit more diligent going forward.
That’s all there was to it.
“Think you’ll hold onto that position for another three years or so?”
“How dare you……!”
The Gulong Guild master standing behind Li Zhemin was about to draw his sword in a fury when it happened.
A sharp spear point suddenly pressed against his throat, and the guild master swallowed hard.
The skeleton known as Bone Knight.
Its eye sockets burned with spectral light as it fixed its gaze upon him.
—You don’t get a second chance.
“…….”
The outward level seemed comparable.
Yet the spear reached his body far more quickly—a clean movement that couldn’t be explained by weapon length alone.
Confronted with such obvious skill disparity, Hong Tao’s face naturally grew respectful.
Cedric spoke without inflection as he retrieved his spear and returned to his seat.
Li Zhemin’s eyes darkened considerably.
Part of him wanted nothing more than to strangle Kim Min-woo where he stood.
The problem was simply that it didn’t look easy to do.
“……Phew. Are you playing games with me right now?”
“I don’t know. For the price of maintaining that position, it doesn’t seem very expensive. After all, it’s not even your money anyway—it’s always the people’s funds that you talk about channeling to the small country. Why not treat it as a charitable donation this time?”
Truly, this was no ordinary madman.
Li Zhemin, breathing heavily, asked calmly.
“Let me start with this: that item—it’s got a total Ability Score of 600, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then what’s the point? Even if I buy it for that much money, it won’t produce any meaningful effect at that level.”
Raising Ability Score by 600 alone—how would that solve anything?
It wouldn’t.
He’d be throwing money away with zero effect.
Kim Min-woo laughed at that.
“Of course, I’m planning to include a service package. Let’s see—China usually ranks around 7th in international tournaments, yes? I’ll bring you to about 5th place.”
“……5th?”
“Wouldn’t that give you some face of your own?”
Li Zhemin fell silent.
The reason China ranked in the 7th tier.
There wasn’t a single Awakener who truly satisfied the Party’s preferences—players being sent weren’t weak, but there was an absence of superstar-caliber talent.
If only that ranking could be improved…….
“……How exactly would you raise it?”
“I’m rather good at teaching. As you saw today, the Ilseong Guild benefited from it as well.”
“That was…… because of your instruction?”
“Yes. Let me show you. You—what was it, Hong Tao? Come on out.”
Gulong Guild master Hong Tao.
He walked out with a bewildered expression.
A sparring match followed immediately.
Within six exchanges, a blade touched his throat.
“Your fundamentals are decent enough, but your instincts need work.”
“……?”
“Try it like this.”
A brief lesson ensued.
[Title ‘Greatest Teacher Effect’ activating…….]
After offering a few simple pointers, Hong Tao’s eyes went wide.
“……My, my goodness! What is this…….”
Hong Tao recoiled in shock.
He then looked toward Li Zhemin and nodded frantically.
Through just a brief sparring session, his swordwork had sharpened dramatically.
An Awakener of Hong Tao’s caliber couldn’t possibly fail to grasp what this meant.
‘A monstrous ability.’
Precisely that.
Li Zhemin’s eyes gleamed at the sight.
The Ilseong Guild’s sudden rise in power.
If that was because of that teaching…….
‘Fifth place might actually be possible.’
For someone in his position, maintaining power meant building achievements was critical.
Raising the Guild Conquest Tournament rankings?
Extraordinarily appealing.
Li Zhemin straightened in his seat.
He’d grown ready for a more serious conversation.
“So… if we were to purchase Elixirs, how do you propose handling this matter?”
“Well. We could schedule a follow-up and hold another Grand Tournament? China buys the Elixirs, puts up a solid fight at about forty percent, then loses. That’s hardly a disaster, is it?”
“…… You’re suggesting we rig it?”
“I’m simply going to teach you to that level, that’s all.”
“So you’re telling me we’re supposed to lose again?”
“Better to lose after a hard-fought battle than to be wiped out helplessly, isn’t it? You’re rather good at this sort of thing, after all. ‘This is just the beginning,’ that sort of narrative. You pulled it off well enough with Liang Xiaojun.”
“……Can’t China just win once?”
“No. That’s not possible.”
The refusal left no room for argument, and silence fell—but only briefly.
Li Zhemin deliberated.
A forty-to-sixty loss.
It was still a loss, but if the match unfolded through a fierce, competitive struggle rather than like this one……
‘There might actually be something to work with here.’
At least he’d have some excuse to fall back on.
In that light, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable.
“Still, the price can’t be ten times over. The people won’t accept it.”
“There are ways to conduct private transactions, aren’t there? Draw up a separate contract.”
On the surface, a reasonably fair price.
Behind closed doors, ten times that.
It was the perfect arrangement.
“Since this is our first deal, we need time to build trust. I won’t demand anything excessive. Just five people get Elixirs. Two hundred and forty trillion. The numbers work out cleanly.”
Li Zhemin’s face and those of the Gulong Guild members behind him drained of color.
Even buying at ten times the price made him dizzy, and now you wanted them to feed it to five people?
Two hundred and forty trillion was no trivial sum.
China was a socialist state.
It had always emphasized welfare and equality, yet spending two hundred and forty trillion to strengthen just five people?
If those five received proper training and rose to become world-class rankers, that might be defensible, but otherwise—if discovered, it would be ruinous.
And from what he was saying, it was clear the training would end at a modest level at best.
“That’s far too much. Surely just one or two…….”
“No. It has to be five.”
Kim Min-woo spoke with absolute firmness.
In the first deal, you had to hook them through the nose.
When this transaction came to light, he wanted the leadership to face destruction—catastrophic, comprehensive destruction.
So they’d become his permanent ally, his partner, bound by shared culpability.
Li Zhemin fell silent, his lips sealed.
He was sharp enough to understand exactly what the high opening bid meant.
‘…… Damn.’
Li Zhemin intuited it instantly.
He had to choose here and now.
Either commit fully and entirely,
or end this right here, whatever the cost…….
“Oh, by the way.”
“……?”
“I picked up something useful at the Preliminary Tournament. Something called a Nuclear Bomb. Like this.”
“……!”
As Li Zhemin read the item’s description, his eyes widened with shock.
“I imagine it would be rather useful. Anywhere, really.”
Kim Min-woo smiled faintly as he spoke.
Li Zhemin exhaled slowly, as if his resistance had crumbled, and spoke quietly.
“……You don’t seriously think we can gather that amount of money in a short timeframe?”
“It doesn’t have to be just money. I’ll take whatever you’ve got.”
What, do you think all transactions are made in money alone?
Materials, items, stakes, valuables—there’s no shortage of things to exchange.
And there’s plenty I could ask for in return.
Considering all that, it’s not an amount I couldn’t manage. China’s financial reserves are certainly formidable.
“Then, shall we draw up a contract? If circumstances are difficult, installments are possible—two months.”
It really was the kind of generous deal you’d hardly believe existed.
* * *
Li Zhemin’s eyes sharpened for a moment—the look of someone entertaining a dangerous thought.
I gave him an immediate lesson with the Nuclear Bomb threat, after which Li Zhemin signed the contract meekly, like a lamb turned docile.
He even kindly stamped his seal.
“There’s no need to be so worried. It’s not a loss for you either. Frankly, all you need to do is maintain your position, isn’t that right?”
“……The cooperation will be certain, yes?”
“Of course. Fifth place. I promise you. Your future will be solid.”
Ten members of the Gulong Guild emerged from the Grand Tournament.
Naturally, they’re the ones who’ll show their faces in the Gate Conquest Tournament too. If I give five of them Elixirs and provide some training, there’s no reason they couldn’t secure fifth place.
‘Li Zhemin won’t lose anything either.’
A typical power-wielder.
The man had gripped his position for a full twenty years without letting go.
As long as he’s confident his own seat remains secure, whether China rots or thrives is none of his concern.
The higher-ups would be the same way. If I use that well, they’ll become a very reliable source of funds.
“Let’s do business together for a long time, Li Zhemin.”
―Honestly, Li Zhemin’s face kind of looks like an old bear’s. It’s cute.
“…….”
Li Zhemin stared blankly at Merchen, then nodded as if accepting the comment.
As if there were only one or two mad Summons in the world.
Sometimes ignorance was simply the answer.
* * *
[(Breaking!) Li Zhemin Denies Any Knowledge of Export Controls; Reportedly Furious Upon Hearing the News!]
[(Breaking!) Korea Relations Heat Up? China Abruptly Removes Ding Guangxun, the Sixth-Ranked Vice Premier of Commerce! Ding Guangxun had actively voiced opinions on the export controls……]
[(Breaking!) Kim Min-woo and China in Good Winds? Kim Min-woo Makes Surprise Visit to Zhongnanhai! Li Zhemin Gives Warm Embrace in Enthusiastic Welcome……]
[(Breaking!) Kim Min-woo: Li Zhemin Is a Magnanimous and Forthright Person. Everything Was a Misunderstanding from Careless Oversight. Elixir Sales Now Under Serious Consideration……]
[(Breaking!) Elixir Prices Set at Reasonable Levels…… Li Zhemin Declares the Future of the Gulong Guild Is Now Far More Secure Than Before!]
―Wait, isn’t Ding Guangxun one of Li Zhemin’s close aides?
―What else would it be lol a scapegoat sacrifice lol
―They saw the Elixir effects and panicked lol
―After a 10:0 stomp at the Grand Tournament they had to make some gesture of regret, even if it meant firing sixth place lol
―I looked up the articles—looks like they’re selling them for 16 billion each. So that’s double the cost, right?
―Yeah. But even at that rate, China’s getting a pretty reasonable price.
―Honestly, ten times would’ve been crazy. But if this is the deal, is America really just going to sit there?
―I haven’t heard any news about it though? What’s going on?
―Kim Min-woo must’ve already made contact with America. Sounds like they struck a deal to cooperate.
―The cooperation is selling Elixirs to China? Is America under hypnosis or something? lol
―What if the actual cost is 2 billion, not 8? lol Pretty shameless markup if that’s the case, but I can’t imagine the US would let that slide.
―High-Grade Elixirs cost around 2.3 billion to produce. Factoring in production failure risk and labor, selling at 3 billion makes sense. Given that, 8 billion profit seems right.
―Then what’s the deal? Did they sign a side contract? Something even pricier than double markup?
―Maybe? Meanwhile Japan’s going crazy lol
―China gets to use Elixirs but they can’t? That’s got to be killing them inside lol
―Kim Min-woo said he has no plans to visit Japan? lol
―Right~ he’s got the Heavenly Auction House to attend lol he’s planning to really throw his money around there lol
―Isn’t he sitting on about 45 trillion right now?
―With that kind of money he could probably crush most countries lol
―(horror emoji) 45 trillion is a conservative estimate. He definitely got paid from Saudi Arabia and China lol
―Necromancer gear is about to moon past the peak price lol
―Could be market rate though? I don’t think other countries want to face off against Kim Min-woo lol
―Once he wins the bid he HAS to buy, so lol they hike the price and if Kim Min-woo doesn’t take it they eat the loss lol
―What gear does Kim Min-woo have anyway? Wasn’t he always wearing Rare sets until now?
―Yeah. Except for a sword and some accessories, he’s been in full Rare. He must’ve gotten pieces from the Preliminaries…… this bidding war’s gonna be intense.
Then.
A headline broke.
[(Breaking!) US President Robert Making a Visit to Korea?]
[Breaking News: This Korea visit highly unusual? All schedules reportedly canceled in a rush!]
[Breaking News: Robert states the United States considers Korea a Five Eyes-level priority ally. Says he’s been using Il-sung phones very well. Declares this opportunity will cement relations between the two nations as solidly as diamond…….]
[Breaking News: President Lee Kang-hun welcomes U.S. Presidential visit anytime! Says Korea’s national prestige has risen thanks to Kim Min-woo, the nation’s treasure…….]
―What? When did Korea become Five Eyes-level?
―No clue? Suddenly lip service — the fact that they’re bringing up Il-sung phones out of nowhere makes it obvious this visit is because of Kim Min-woo lol
―Were the elixir sales not supposed to be announced beforehand?
―No way. If it wasn’t approved, the U.S. would’ve imposed sanctions immediately lol
―So why are they rushing over like that?
―Korea’s probably the same as always…… but clearly Kim Min-woo’s holding something. Something big enough to make the U.S. President sprint over lol
―Is Kim Min-woo insane? The Saudi King, the Chinese Premier, and now the U.S. President too ㄷㄷ
―Saudi Arabia begging, China jealous, America freaking out ㄷㄷ
―Beyond playing both sides, he’s playing three ㄷㄷ
―We’re living in the age of Kim Min-woo…….
* * *
A warm meeting with Premier Li Zhemin.
Afterward, Kim Min-woo returned to Korea with his party.
He headed straight for the Blue House.
President Lee Kang-hun.
He welcomed Kim Min-woo with a grin spread wide across his face.
“Mr. Kim Min-woo. On behalf of Korea, I must express our gratitude. You’ve done something truly extraordinary.”
When he’d received word that Kim Min-woo was in China.
At that moment, he’d thought he might lose consciousness.
A mega-transaction totaling 240 trillion won.
Even for China, settling the entire amount in cash would be difficult. And the transfer process had to proceed in secrecy.
So he’d asked the Korean government for assistance.
High-level officials from both governments had conducted confidential negotiations.
They’d agreed on several methods to carry out the transfer.
Especially regarding resources. Selling massive quantities at low prices, transferring mining stakes or corporate shares from state-owned enterprises through paper companies.
Passing high-value artwork and antiques.
Every possible method had surfaced.
He’d also received about 50 trillion won in cash to use at the Heavenly Auction House.
They’d simply printed currency without hesitation. He’d smuggled it in through a Subspace Ring.
Given that Premier Li Zhemin and the leadership had aligned on keeping it secret, the chances of the currency printing becoming public were slim.
‘Well, even if it does leak.’
Printing that much currency should be manageable.
A world where the economy had expanded far beyond its previous scale due to Gates.
Printing 50 trillion won in currency?
For China’s economic size, that wasn’t beyond what they could handle. With proper liquidity management, it could be administered without major disruption.
In any case.
Both now and in the future, he’d be receiving funds through various channels, and President Lee Kang-hun had been instrumental in that process.
Since he’d received help, he intended to offer benefits in return.
“Still, the supply isn’t free, is it?”
“Ha ha. Of course we’ll pay full price.”
President Lee Kang-hun spoke with a warm smile. Thanks to Kim Min-woo, Korea too was enjoying indirect benefits.
Buying resources at fair prices?
Wasn’t it precisely because they couldn’t do that they’d suffered China’s pressure repeatedly?
Of course, this transaction wouldn’t resolve all those resource pressures entirely, but what mattered was that this was merely the beginning.
Since China had chosen installment payments, a second wave would arrive next month.
Kim Min-woo had nothing to lose either.
He was receiving cash along with all manner of tremendous resources.
Rather than simply holding onto it, selling it to the Korean government for payment made far more sense. For Il-sung, the quantity was simply too vast to consume entirely.
‘I can always dispose of it gradually.’
A covert transaction.
If exposed, China’s leadership would be shaken. Of course, with the Korean and Chinese governments coordinating perfectly, things were unlikely to escalate unless something went very wrong.
‘But I should keep at least one mouth sealed.’
The United States.
Those people had sharp instincts. To keep China functioning as a useful money pump, America’s tacit approval and cooperation were essential.
Conveniently.
“President Robert apparently wants to see me?”
“That’s right. Honestly, for that haughty fellow to rush to Korea right now — there’s no one else but you, Mr. Min-woo.”
“That works out nicely. Cash on hand is always convenient for an auction house.”
It seemed I’d be able to enjoy pleasant conversation with the United States as well.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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