You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 58
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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58
Ashin Guild Master’s Office.
A thick contract placed on the table.
And across from it sat Yamyeong and the goblins of Sadangpae.
A somewhat familiar scene was unfolding once again.
The contents of the contract were also similar to Dolsoe’s time.
However, as the goal of information gathering expanded from Korea to worldwide, only a few items were added.
Additional elements like airfare and accommodation costs.
But do goblins even get passports?
Well, Yamyeong will probably handle that part.
“Please take your time reading it, and feel free to ask questions anytime.”
Jin-woo handed over the contract with skilled movements.
Still, being the second time, he seemed to have gotten somewhat used to it… like hell.
Just look at that guy’s face turning pale white.
He was managing to smile without collapsing, which was impressive.
With all the time he’d spent with Dolsoe’s bunch, he should have gotten used to it by now.
It seemed his nature of fearing ghosts wasn’t easily changed.
“Your Majesty, it may be presumptuous to say, but we don’t really need to write a contract…”
I know. I know what Yamyeong wants to say.
Already, like Dolsoe, the goblins of Sadangpae were connected to me through Ghostly Energy.
The King’s Power that Yamyeong mentioned was Ghostly Energy.
The goblins belonging to me can move freely by borrowing my Ghostly Energy.
Conversely, without Ghostly Energy, their actions would be restricted.
Even without writing a contract, I already possessed a kind of coercive power.
If I set my mind to it, I could suppress their activities in the outside world.
Just like with Dolsoe, I don’t particularly like that kind of responsibility.
Fair labor for fair compensation.
That is Ashin’s motto that I pursue.
So I don’t care about Yamyeong’s feelings.
I couldn’t understand refusing a fair contract—no, a contract offering already industry-leading treatment.
‘Dolsoe too. Really, what strange goblins.’
“Just sign it. You folks who go crazy for ink and makgeolli, what are you hesitating about?”
Unable to contain his frustration at Yamyeong’s continued hesitation, Dolsoe spoke up.
“But how can a subject receive compensation from the King?”
As expected of a scholar goblin, so stubborn.
“Then think of it as His Majesty bestowing it upon you.”
“His Majesty bestowing it…?”
At Dolsoe’s words, Yamyeong looked at me.
I shrugged my shoulders and nodded.
‘Yes, if you’re going to sign, let’s say I’m bestowing it.’
There were quite a few Sadangpae members who needed to sign contracts.
And lunchtime was approaching.
Work hours and break times must be strictly observed.
Your lunch break is important, but my lunch break is more important.
So I hoped they would sign quickly—that was my position.
Perhaps my feelings got through, as Yamyeong finally stamped his seal.
Starting with Yamyeong, the leader, the waiting Sadangpae goblins also stamped their seals in turn.
“So, are all the contracts finished now?”
“That’s right.”
Kim Jin-woo nodded at my words.
Then it was time now.
“Let’s handle the rest after we eat.”
***
After lunch, Asin’s Guild Master, the Leader of Sadangpae, and the Vice Guild Master gathered in one place.
It looked quite impressive, but it was just the three of us – me, Kim Jin-woo, and Yamyeong.
The purpose was simple.
It was a meeting to share information and decide how to continue our intelligence activities going forward.
“First, I will report the information about the Sect that our Sadangpae has investigated.”
Yamyeong stepped forward, turned on the projector, and began his report.
“Several historically occurred Dungeon Breaks had common points.”
He pointed at the projector screen with his finger, going through the incidents one by one.
“The first is the Break that occurred near the Panama Canal.”
I remember that incident.
At that time, from rising prices to the export industry, the damage was quite significant.
“It suddenly occurred in a Dungeon that had entered a stable phase.”
As Yamyeong explained, since it had already entered a stable cycle, it was ambiguous to hold anyone responsible for management.
“As a result, the canal was paralyzed and transportation costs skyrocketed.”
I don’t know what happened, but North American A-Rank Hunters participated in the raid, yet it dragged on for over three weeks.
In the end, the United States directly dispatched an S-Rank Hunter to resolve it.
“Next is the Break that occurred near the oil pipeline from Russia to Europe.”
At Yamyeong’s words, the slide quickly moved forward.
“This also occurred at an unexpected time. The supply chain was cut off, causing international oil prices to soar.”
That incident was quite noisy too.
As winter approached, Europe couldn’t avoid importing oil.
Moreover, there was a reason that incident remained in my memory.
The actual problem was in Europe, but bread prices rose in Korea.
So I remember watching the news feeling absurd about it.
I crossed my arms and listened to Yamyeong’s explanation.
He said he would brief us on information about the Sect, but the stories he brought up were seemingly random incidents.
However, as I listened to Yamyeong’s explanation, I began to understand what he was trying to say.
“This isn’t all. The Dungeon Break that occurred at the North American Port, and the recent S-Rank Dungeon Break that Your Majesty resolved are the same.”
The slides quickly moved forward, showing the devastating scenes of Dungeon Breaks.
“All were accidents that occurred in stabilized Dungeons.”
“So you’re saying all those accidents were artificially caused by someone?”
“That’s correct.”
Yamyeong nodded at Kim Jin-woo’s question.
“And whenever those incidents occurred, there were forces that gained enormous profits as if they knew it would happen.”
It sounds like a conspiracy theory.
“Circumstantially it’s correct, but we need solid evidence.”
Jin-woo’s words were also right.
This kind of thing needs to be handled precisely.
If we handled it wrong, we could face severe backlash.
“I’ve been the head of an intelligence organization for over 1,500 years – would I bring this up over just something like this?”
Yamyeong smiled at Jin-woo’s words.
“Suspicious groups entering Dungeons before Dungeon Breaks occurred were captured.”
The slide changed, showing photos lined up around Dungeon entrances.
The image quality wasn’t that good, but someone secretly entering Dungeons was clearly captured.
“The source of the photos is the US Intelligence Agency. There’s no room for doubt.”
And as if that wasn’t the end, Yamyeong continued speaking.
“And we investigated the corporations that gained massive profits at that time. Where their money flows to.”
The changed slide showed corporate names and money flows connected by arrows.
“At first glance it seems to circulate, but here and here, and this part.”
Yamyeong pointed to several corporations.
“There are slight differences between the money going in and coming out.”
“So those corporations might be forces of the Sect?”
“According to the information we’ve gathered, that’s correct.”
“Hmm…”
At Yamyeong’s words, I closed my eyes.
I knew the Sect was quite a large force, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.
‘An organization that would appear in conspiracy theories…’
Well, it’s a force that artificially causes dungeon breaks and even creates S-rank monsters, so maybe this level is actually mild.
‘Since I’ve become an S-rank Hunter anyway, I’ll inevitably keep clashing with the Sect.’
Since I’ve drawn the Sect’s attention to some degree, they’ll try to recruit or eliminate me by any means necessary.
Then I need to prepare at least minimal defenses.
“How does Sadangpae conduct intelligence activities?”
If they can infiltrate even the US intelligence agency, Sadangpae’s intelligence activities must be quite high-level.
“The method is simple. Humans cannot live without eating meals.”
“Meals…?”
I asked about intelligence activities, but talking about eating was quite unexpected.
“It would be better to show you directly. Grand Eunuch, my lord.”
Yamyeong called him Grand Eunuch while looking toward Jin-woo.
“Grand Eunuch?”
Kim Jin-woo seemed quite flustered by the sudden title.
“Of course. Since you assist the King at his closest side, aren’t you the Grand Eunuch? Is the title uncomfortable?”
“Elder Brother’s closest aide…? Ahem, no, it seems like a very appropriate title.”
Jin-woo’s lips curved up at the sudden treatment as a closest aide.
I wonder if Jin-woo could make that expression knowing that a Grand Eunuch is the head of the eunuchs.
Then Yamyeong picked up the teaspoon from Kim Jin-woo’s cup saucer.
“The same goes for things you cannot live without drinking.”
Both Jin-woo and I stared blankly at Yamyeong.
“Return to your original form.”
As Yamyeong said this and shook the teaspoon,
With a pop! sound, the teaspoon transformed into a small goblin of Sadangpae wearing black robes.
“A goblin?!”
Jin-woo’s eyes widened at the true identity of the teaspoon that had been stirring sugar into his coffee just moments ago.
“Now you understand the method, don’t you?”
I could immediately understand how Sadangpae was able to access even US intelligence agency information.
True to being American agents, they seem to be crazy about coffee and donuts.
At the same time, a good idea came to mind for spreading Sadangpae worldwide.
“Jin-woo.”
“Yes… Elder Brother.”
Jin-woo, still not recovered from the shock of the teaspoon, answered in a daze.
“Shall we start a tableware company?”
***
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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