Chapter 64 : Mint’s Underwater Treasure Discovery

“After the massive Megalodon hunt ended.

Just as we were about to return to the resort, Mint stepped in.

Mumbling with her small mouth, she said,

‘Couple! There’s an incredible treasure sensed nearby.

Not as much as the stone tablet fragments, but it’s definitely something huge.’

Mint’s underwater treasure detector intuition was precise.

A special ability possessed only by the Sacred Beasts.

In the case of the Phoenix Bbyak, it can see through a person’s true nature, distinguish lies, and purify them.

Thanks to this ability, many problems had been solved.

Then what about the Tortoise Mint?

Her ability is to sense a wide range underwater.

She becomes one with the water.

If underwater, she could sense everything within a certain radius.

The range was about 510 units.

Now that the Megalodon’s interference was gone, incredible things could be felt in the deep abyss.

‘Really?’

Nodding with a confident expression, Mint looked excited.

What could it be to make her this thrilled?

But.

Couple.

Mint alone can’t bring it back.

She spread her short arms wide and said,

‘It’s huge.’

Even for a Baby Black Tortoise who had lost her power, the size was overwhelming.

Then.

‘Could you help?’

The Kraken, holding one Megalodon with its eight legs, smiled.

‘What’s so difficult about that?’

The Kraken readily agreed to help.

Following Mint’s lead, they dove together.

Swimming quickly to the deep abyss, Mint and Kraken made great speed.

How long had they been underwater?

In the pitch-black darkness where not even an inch was visible, the Kraken asked,

‘Kuaaah?’

‘Couple!’

They were only halfway there.

It must be incredibly deep.

Of course, a tremendous treasure wouldn’t be just anywhere.

So, the two went even deeper into the abyss.

After a long while, something appeared in the distance.

Ruins of collapsed buildings.

An ancient archaeological site.

A massive city sunk in the deep sea.

It reminded one of the legendary Atlantis.

Then.

‘Kuaaah.’

The Kraken, as if recognizing it, made a sound.

As the guardian of the surrounding waters, there was no way he didn’t know this place.

But to think there was treasure here.

The Kraken nodded.

Confidently, Mint answered in kind.

‘Right there.

There’s a huge treasure hidden in the square at the center of the city!’

Trusting Mint’s certainty, the Kraken nodded and strongly bent his eight legs.

A tremendous propulsion.

Even steel plates bent under strong water pressure didn’t faze him.

Raising a water plume, the Kraken arrived at the square.

Looking around carefully, Mint searched for the treasure she spoke of.

But there was nothing that could be called treasure.

Just the same kind of ruins that could be found anywhere.

While surveying the area, Mint followed behind and suddenly stopped.

Then immediately pointed.

At the fountain in the middle of the ruined square.

Is that the hidden treasure?

Now that she looked, it was unusually swollen compared to the others.

It still retained the shape of an intact fountain.

Normally, it wouldn’t be strange if it had corroded and broken by the seawater.

But the oddly swollen appearance of the fountain gave credibility.

Following Mint’s lead, they cautiously approached the fountain.

On the surface, it looked ordinary, but upon closer inspection, something was different.

There were small gaps on each tier.

It was mechanically designed.

Even the Kraken, who had guarded this sea for a long time, had never seen anything like it.

What was this?

Anyone could tell the fountain’s top looked like it wanted to be pressed.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Mint pressed down with her head.

Then.

‘Kugugung—’

The surrounding seabed trembled violently, and the ground shifted.

The tectonic plates seemed to rise higher.

Soon.

‘Gwaga gagak—’

With a tremendous roar, it surged upward rapidly.

‘Jwaaak—’

Raising an enormous wave, it revealed its form above the water!

[Hidden underwater ruins discovered.]

[Dead spirits are being resurrected.]

[If the King of the Wraiths is defeated, you can possess the city that once held ancient glory.]

Mint had caused a serious incident.

And it was a massive one.

***

All the high-ranking officials of the Chinese Association gathered.

The agenda was to settle their stance on Korea.

Of course, it wasn’t a favorable one.

Yesterday, Jang Lin, who had visited the Korean Association in person, was treated with contempt.

Not only was he publicly humiliated, but absurd demands were also made.

An apology from the Supreme Chairman.

It was China’s pride and face.

But they wanted a direct apology?

How could a great nation bow its head to a small country?

It was absolutely impossible.

It was a matter of national pride.

And that wasn’t the end.

The second demand was to grant the Party Player free immigration rights.

It was something only a madman would propose.

Players with Chinese citizenship were assets of the Party.

Who in their right mind would give what they have to others?

Jang Lin was blood boiling to the very end.

He couldn’t sleep well last night.

His face kept appearing when he closed his eyes.

The sight of those who acted like they were something special was haunting him.

Then.

The conference room door opened with the bodyguards.

Everyone stood and bowed.

His identity was none other than China’s Supreme Chairman, Luo Chenghao.

Despite being over eighty, he radiated an aura no one dared to challenge.

He was no mere old man.

One word from him could mean death for everyone present.

Walking slowly, Luo Chenghao sat at the highest seat and looked down on all.

Then he spoke in a low, imposing voice.

‘Jang Lin.’

At Luo Chenghao’s call, Jang Lin froze completely.

Second in command?

It was no joke.

If he didn’t want it, this seat would not be a seat.

Jang Lin bowed his head as much as possible and pleaded.

‘Are you just going to stand by and watch?’

‘N-No.’

‘Fool. I thought you were smart and kept you close, but you can’t even read people and ended up stirring up trouble.’

‘I-I’m sorry.’

There was no emotion in Luo Chenghao’s eyes.

It was as if he didn’t expect anything anyway.

He had raised her from a young age, showing political talent.

She was sharp and efficient, so he kept her nearby.

But even Jang Lin had a flaw.

She lacked the ability to see talent.

Wang Zifeng was a case in point.

That fool relied solely on his backing and messed everything up.

It wasn’t entirely Jang Lin’s fault, but it started from her incompetence.

Still, she had a use.

A toothless tiger can be made to fight with a bomb strapped around its neck.

‘No matter what it takes, do not let the prestige of the great nation fall.’

‘You have a decent brain, so you know what I mean.’

With those last words, Luo Chenghao stood.

Do not let the nation’s prestige fall.

What did that mean?

He had handed her a sword.

No matter the damage, take revenge on Korea.

This was the final chance.

If she botched this one too, her head would really roll.

Jang Lin’s expression hardened.

She was determined.

What they had going for them?

An overwhelming market.

And capital.

At this point, it was all or nothing.

‘Prepare for a press conference. And—’

Jang Lin let out a deep sigh.

She had lived too comfortably for too long.

She wasn’t careless anymore.

How many people had she exposed to get this far?

She needed to be a little tougher.

She only had one life anyway.

Brushing back her hair, she commanded,

‘Get the trade charts related to Korea. It’s a war starting now.’

China’s chosen strong move.

Economic retaliation.

***

From early morning, Korean news went wild.

Why?

Because of their neighboring country, China.

Suddenly, they raised tariffs against Korea by 40%.

It was absurd behavior.

It was tantamount to a declaration of war, severing national relations.

As a result, the government was on high alert.

It was the world’s second-largest market after the US.

For Korea, a country with weak self-sufficiency, China’s tariff increase was fatal.

However, Dohyun, a political genius, had anticipated everything.

He had already pulled funds from the global association.

How?

There were many ways.

Getting money was not difficult.

Because Korea had the strongest backing in the world.

The US and European associations had supported Korean player development funds with over 20 trillion.

As soon as the start of China’s tariff war was announced, Dohyun immediately prepared for a press conference.

Standing in front of cameras broadcast worldwide, he grabbed the microphone.

Then with a confident expression, he said,

‘We will never stand idly by and watch China’s unilateral oppression.’

If it’s a declaration of war, it’s only natural to meet the beat.

Dohyun stared directly into the camera.

‘The Korea Association, in agreement with the government, plans to support businesses harmed by China’s tariff retaliation using part of the global association’s player development funds.

The fund amounts to 20 trillion and will be used carefully to minimize damage.

Additionally, we will provide tariff reduction benefits and market entry consulting for some products exported to China from the US and some European countries.’

First, they took care of the affected businesses.

A nation’s power comes from its businesses.

Taking care of the citizens was the right direction.

Then came the counterattack.

If you get hit once, you have to hit back equally.

No, hitting twice as hard feels better.

‘China has imposed unreasonable tariffs to sanction Korea.

This is clearly an international dispute, and we will not stand idly by.

From now on, the Player Association and the government declare this a tariff war and will carry out retaliation accordingly.’

Click, click.

Flashes continued to go off at Dohyun’s declaration of retaliation.

What kind of country was Korea until now?

An economic miracle icon of revival along the Han River.

The only country that went from receiving aid to giving aid.

But in reality, the brilliant image was hiding something.

Korea was always watching the eyes of great powers.

Listening to the US Federal Reserve, one word from China’s Supreme Chairman had ruined many companies.

But now things were different.

The situation had completely reversed.

They had a monopoly on items produced only in Korea.

Literally exclusive.

If concentrated in Korea, it was even stronger than other countries.

Yet which country had acted rashly?

Even in a situation where a formal apology was insufficient, they declared war.

‘The Korea Player Association plans to completely ban the export of certain Tower-related items to China.

The list is as follows.’

Dohyun read out the prepared list.

Starting with Flower Bracelets, then Diet Carrots, Magic Boost Fruits, Virus Vaccine Honey Jelly, and two others.

All items exported by WM Company were included.

Now that the Tower Virus had spread,

With WM Company turned into an enemy, Chinese players’ extinction was certain.

What if a war broke out?

That day would be China’s final day.

A nuclear bomb?

They were already planning a complete defense system.

Moreover, over 50 countries were supporting Korea.

They were literally turning the entire world into their enemy.

Three days?

Even one day until the war ends would be too little.

It was checkmate.

China had crossed the point of no return.