ASLTN 51🦋

Chapter 51

 Amsang (2)

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Mr. Black erased the trace of agitation from his eyes and smiled calmly.

“I would like to say that’s interesting, but…”

“Doesn’t sound very appealing to you?”

“As Madam’s associate…”

“My name is Eugene. I don’t have a business card, so just call me by my name.”

At Eugene’s blunt reply, Mr. Black’s smile deepened as he changed the subject.

“Mr. Eugene. Do you know how many people are needed to manage the interests Red Spider controlled?”

“Twenty people for the plantation. As for the northern business, five guides should be enough.”

“You’ll need people for Black Herb distribution as well.”

“So?”

“I’m not sure whether you can manage both the plantation and the northern business.”

Mr. Black spoke in a calm and reasonable tone.

Eugene, who had his arms crossed, snorted.

“You sure talk a lot. What exactly are you trying to say?”

His expression remained indifferent.

Even in front of the head of Amsang, he showed no concern.

Mr. Black had encountered this kind of composure from powerful people several times in his life.

This man is the real deal.

There was a limit to how long someone could pretend to be calm.

Unless they were born with a talent for hiding their emotions like Madam or had received extensive training.

Mr. Black instinctively knew Eugene wasn’t bluffing.

The man had slaughtered two Red Spider executives and over a hundred hunters.

Even so, Mr. Black remained composed.

“Amsang will help you establish yourself in Ground Zero.”

“And in return, you want something?”

“If you entrust Black Herb distribution rights to us, we’ll handle the troublesome work.”

The main ingredient of the drug cocktail Black Moon.

Its price per gram was lower than bloodstones, but unlike bloodstones, the supply was steady.

In terms of long-term value, the plantation was worth even more.

There was always a reason why Red Spider’s second-in-command had personally managed it.

“As you know, it’s a drug. Finding customers won’t be difficult.”

“I could also ask Madam to provide people.”

“You’re free to do it yourself if you wish.”

Mr. Black answered as though he had no regrets.

“I still haven’t heard your answer.”

“My answer?”

“The trade route through the North, including Kaesong.”

Mr. Black replied casually.

“I already told you that I’m not particularly interested in Kaesong—”

“Then forget it. I’ll hand the northern trade routes over to the Black Merchants instead.”

Eugene cut him off and stood up.

“You’re leaving already?”

“The negotiations failed. I’ll have to find another business partner.”

“Hoho. I did my best.”

“Consider yourself compensated.”

Without a trace of hesitation, Eugene headed for the private room’s exit.

Step. Step.

His slow footsteps echoed through the room.

For the first time, the eyes of Mr. Black—who had shown no emotion until now—twitched.

Eugene’s hand gripped the steel door handle.

“Could you wait a moment?”

Mr. Black’s voice remained calm.

However, he couldn’t completely hide the faint trembling at his fingertips.

Heh.

Madam glanced at his shaking fingers and smiled briefly.

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*

Eugene turned around.

Their gazes met in midair.

“I thought you weren’t interested. Change your mind?”

“Hahaha. It’s just a shame to part ways so soon after meeting.”

“I’ve got nothing more to say.”

“Come now. Let’s talk a little longer.”

Mr. Black gestured toward the empty seat.

Eugene stared at him for a moment before slowly returning.

I was wondering how long you’d hold out.

The owner of Amsang, Mr. Black, was someone Eugene had known before his regression.

Since he had built Necropolis in Kaesong, not far from Ground Zero, it would have been stranger not to know him.

Amsang wants the northern trade routes.

After the Great Cataclysm, the sea was no longer humanity’s domain.

Gates had opened in the oceans.

Closing gates in deep waters was nearly impossible.

As Break incidents occurred, large portions of the sea became Corrupted Zones.

People didn’t live there. The real problem was the monsters.

Monsters emerged from the Corrupted Zones.

Marine monsters that escaped the gates attacked passing ships.

Sea routes weren’t completely closed, but avoiding corrupted regions required more time and fuel.

Ships also needed guards to defend against monster attacks, greatly increasing overseas trade costs.

I learned that the Korean Peninsula suffered even more because its land routes were blocked.

Now, thirty-five years after the Great Cataclysm, stability had mostly returned.

But efforts to reopen northern routes beyond the border continued even now.

Mr. Black offered me that deal before my regression too.

When Eugene turned the Kaesong region into a land of death, the first person to arrive carrying gifts and bribes had been the man sitting before him.

Not interested in the North?

Yeah, right.

【How shameless!】

Why? Is something bothering you?

【Using knowledge of your opponent’s weakness in advance!】

That’s called being smart.

Using knowledge of the future was the privilege of a regressor.

Ah.

It really was sweet.

“The Black Merchants are Chinese black-market traders.”

“I know.”

“And you’d still hand the northern routes to them?”

“I thought you weren’t interested.”

Eugene cleaned his ear with his little finger.

“Stop begging for patriotism and get to the point.”

“I need confidence that you can truly eliminate the human hunters.”

“Not drive them away. Eliminate them.”

“Either way is fine. What matters is whether it can be done.”

“It’ll take some time, but at most two years.”

The human hunters were stronger than Red Spider.

They controlled a vast territory stretching across western Kaesong, Yonan County, and Haeju.

Because they controlled and raised monsters as soldiers, they possessed even greater combat strength in the border region.

If Eugene really could eliminate them—

Not only the northern routes, but the entire coastal trade around Gyeonggi Province would be within reach.

Damn it.

Mr. Black cursed inwardly.

What confidence does he have to casually mention the northern routes?

Eugene’s proposal contained both a carrot and a stick.

Even within Amsang, almost nobody knew how much Mr. Black wanted the northern routes.

Had Eugene somehow read his mind?

Suppressing the growing disturbance in his heart, Mr. Black asked:

“Mr. Eugene. What if you fail to eliminate them within two years?”

“Do I really need to explain that investments come with risks?”

“So whether I believe you or not is my choice.”

“You should be grateful I even gave you the option.”

After a moment of silence, Mr. Black finally spoke.

“On the condition that we are guaranteed passage rights near Kaesong, Amsang will support you.”

One of the three major powers that controlled Ground Zero.

After the Milky Way Pub, even Amsang had now sided with Eugene.

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*

Mr. Black left the private room looking dazed.

The moment the steel door closed, Madam burst into laughter.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I got to see something very rare.”

“What are you thanking me for?”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen the head of Amsang so flustered.”

“You’ll see it often in the future.”

Eugene answered indifferently and stood up.

Mr. Black had promised to handle the troublesome matters.

Now Eugene only needed to strengthen Necropolis’s control over the plantation and nearby border regions.

Working alone keeps me busy.

Once he reached 3-Star, he would gain stronger undead creation skills.

Even if they weren’t on Pafnir’s level, intelligent undead would make managing Necropolis much easier.

“Wait a moment.”

“If this is about the Red Spider remnants—”

“That’s not it.”

Madam pointed at Eugene.

“Me?”

“Arahan is interested in you.”

The Arahan Guild.

Korea’s number one hunter corporation and Pafnir’s old enemy.

In Eugene’s previous life, they had achieved their goal of establishing a hunter family.

They had even joined hands with the Romanov Family, one of the Seven Great Houses, giving them a reason to interfere in Korea.

“Seongcheon Corporation asked me to pass along the message.”

“Arahan wouldn’t move carelessly. Impressive that you managed to learn that.”

“Our chairman always keeps an eye on your movements, Mr. Eugene.”

“You’re doing a good job dressing up the fact that you’re feeding my information to Seongcheon.”

Madam merely smiled instead of answering.

Eugene rubbed his chin.

“Does the chairman of Seongcheon know about this matter?”

“It’s a big issue, so I haven’t informed him separately.”

“Then only Amsang knows.”

“I didn’t know how the negotiations would end. Everything is still under control.”

“Then keep it under control a little longer.”

The corner of Eugene’s mouth twitched upward.

【That vulgar smile again.】

Stay quiet, wandering spirit.

【What sinister plan are you thinking of this time?】

I’m going to make use of every resource available.

The reason Arahan was interested in him was obvious.

Defeating the rookie instructor in a sparring match.

And his connection to the mass-produced mid-grade potions.

“Are you planning to wait for Arahan to approach you?”

“They’ll make a move soon enough.”

“Hoho. Then let’s give them a little push.”

“Tell Seongcheon whatever you want, but get my permission before discussing major matters.”

“I’ll ask before selling information to anyone else as well.”

“How touching.”

Eugene grinned and left the private room.

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*

Tap. Tap.

A man tapped the armrest with his fingers.

It was a habit that appeared whenever Baek Seong-hyun, Vice President of the Arahan Guild, fell into deep thought.

One name lingered on his lips.

“Cheon Eugene. Cheon Eugene.”

A promising hunter who had defeated Jung Jin-ho, an instructor despite being only 1-Star.

A hunter who seemed connected to the producer of mass-produced mid-grade potions.

The moment Baek Seong-hyun received the sparring report, he ordered an investigation into Eugene.

“It’s been a little over a month since I gave the order, correct?”

“Yes, Vice President.”

“You’ve gathered quite an impressive amount of information.”

“I understand now why you took an interest in him.”

The facts were remarkable.

He had formed a 1-Star party and repeatedly entered the border region.

He had provided the key source needed for mass production of mid-grade potions.

And recently, he had even cured the youngest daughter of Seongcheon Corporation’s chairman of Moknae Disease.

“Heh. I’m not sure whether to believe all this.”

“We cross-checked everything. It’s all true—”

“I’m not doubting it. I told you to investigate because he seemed unusual.”

Baek Seong-hyun glanced at the tablet.

“You’re certain he doesn’t belong to any organization?”

“Yes. There was a hunter team that worked with him in the border region, but they also weren’t affiliated with any guild.”

“That little rookie team?”

“We prepared information on them as well, just in case.”

“They’re worms not worth looking at.”

His voice turned cold.

Hunters at the level of that rookie team were as common as stones on the roadside.

Only talented hunters interested him.

“What happened with the recruitment of the new alchemist?”

“He refuses every offer except supplying the first batch of mid-grade potions.”

“So even 30 billion won couldn’t change his mind.”

Baek Seong-hyun’s expression grew icy.

He hadn’t even asked for the potion formula.

The money had simply been an investment proposal for Shin Jun-seok’s alchemy workshop.

Yet even that had been rejected.

“What impressive spirit, Alchemist Shin Jun-seok.”

“I’ll send another proposal.”

“No. It would be problematic for Arahan to lower its head twice.”

The secretary immediately understood the meaning behind those words.

“We’ll apply pressure through the potion distribution process.”

“It would be even better if defective products appeared. There aren’t enough verification cases yet.”

If he couldn’t obtain it, he would destroy it.

The second-in-command of Arahan had always lived by that principle.

“If Alchemist Shin finds himself needing Arahan, offer him a warm welcome.”

“Understood.”

“More importantly, have you prepared a method to recruit Hunter Eugene?”

“Yes. According to the report submitted by the Recruitment Department, this method should be the most effective.”

After hearing the explanation, Baek Seong-hyun let out a short laugh.

“Heh. Even worms have their uses. Investigating them wasn’t a waste after all.”

“Thank you, Vice President.”

“Then proceed.”

Dismissed by Baek Seong-hyun, the secretary withdrew with visible relief.

“This is exciting. I wonder how much benefit the guild will gain by acquiring such a brilliant talent.”

The photo still displayed on the tablet screen.

It showed Eugene with one corner of his lips slightly raised.

And that image remained in Baek Seong-hyun’s eyes.