Chapter 120
The ID card bore the CIA mark and the name Smith.
Anyone could tell it was obviously an alias.
The agent disguised as a waiter said.
“I watched today’s event with great admiration.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“The reason I’m here is that our home government is interested in your company.”
“…What do you want?”
The broker’s eyes sharpened. It looked like he’d been expecting this.
I was also on edge, wondering what kind of proposal the other side would make.
There was no helping it.
In the movies, a situation like this always means an intelligence agency’s approach leads to trouble, doesn’t it?
“‘Hey, pal. Want to work on a job with me?’”
And proposals like that never end well.
But the agent’s attitude was unexpectedly polite.
“On behalf of our home government, we hope to establish a cooperative relationship with your company.”
“If you mean cooperation, what specific form are you talking about?”
If they tried to hide demands for exclusive sales or technology sharing behind the pretense of cooperation, that would be a problem.
“Please don’t misunderstand. We have absolutely no intention of interfering in your company’s management rights or technology. That kind of unsophisticated approach is something only those idiots who were just kicked out would use.”
As if he’d read our wariness, the agent said with a faint smile,
“What we want is simple. Give us the right to buy your company’s products first. Of course, we’re not asking for today’s first edition. We’re talking about purchase rights for other lines you’ll produce in the future.”
“Priority purchasing rights?”
“A place with technology like this won’t just make one shield and call it a day. I became even more certain of that after seeing this showcase.”
“…Yes, we do have to become a global company.”
“Yes, and as it grows, you’ll likely run into a lot of international problems, won’t you? When you need help, we can provide appropriate support. Think of it as a kind of insurance.”
It was an even more gentlemanly offer than I’d expected.
The intelligence agency of the superpower known as the United States was offering protection to a new company before anyone else?
I found it surprising.
The same seemed true for the broker as well.
The broker asked, still unable to readily accept it.
“Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re going this far to accommodate us. With your capabilities, you could probably take a more… aggressive approach.”
“You mean coercive methods? Of course we could. But that’s not our style. At least, not right now. What do you think would happen if we used those methods while all these VVIPs are watching?”
“Hmm.”
“Of course, if your company’s value rises far beyond what it is now and becomes a threat to national security…. Then even then, conditions this soft won’t be the only thing on the table.”
Agent Smith spoke frankly.
Hearing that, I nodded.
I thought I understood what they were thinking.
In other words, our company wasn’t yet threatening enough to them, nor so valuable that they felt desperate to get their hands on it.
It seemed they planned to keep one foot in the door and watch our growth.
If we grow well, they can expand cooperation based on the leverage they’ve already built with us; if we don’t, they can cut us off without hesitation.
‘This doesn’t seem bad.’
There was no need to pick a fight with the United States right away.
If anything, since that Chinese Hunter had just made such an obvious move, we could use their protection for a while.
Of course, this state wouldn’t last forever.
I could feel it from that meeting.
Someday, the day would definitely come when even they would be desperate to cling to us.
When that time came, we’d need to have built up our strength in advance so they couldn’t push us around.
Of course, becoming strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a country—especially the United States—wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
That was still far off in the future.
The broker apparently read my thoughts too, and smiled as he held out his hand.
“Very well. We accept your offer. Please take care of us in the future.”
“A wise choice.”
Agent Smith shook his hand with a satisfied expression.
And just like that, my company gained the CIA and the United States as backers from the very start.
***
After the sudden meeting ended, the showcase was already nearing its close.
By then, everyone had left.
The purchase application forms were neatly piled up in one corner.
It looked like every single attendee had filled one out.
“It was a success. It’s all thanks to you, boss.”
The broker said with a pleased smile.
His face was full of fatigue, but there was also a sense of accomplishment in it.
“You worked hard. Here, take this.”
“What is it?”
I handed him a champagne flute.
Of course, I had one in my own hand too.
When else would I get to drink such expensive champagne if not now?
“Come on, let’s toast!”
Just as I was about to bring the glass to my lips,
the broker promptly snatched the glass from my hand.
Clack!
“No alcohol.”
“Why not? One glass on a day like today is fine, isn’t it?”
“You’re a minor.”
The broker had even dropped the honorifics and seemed utterly unwilling to compromise.
“I’m an adult.... My mental age is high too....”
“Your mental age is high? Doesn’t seem like it.”
“Tsk….”
I pouted and grumbled.
So that’s how you want to play it, huh?
I’ll have to sneak a bottle away later.
The broker, seeing me like that, snorted and held out another glass instead.
“Here.”
“Ohhh!”
I eagerly brought the glass to my lips.
But I didn’t taste a hint of alcohol’s bitter flavor.
“What the hell…. It’s just juice….”
“Drinking alcohol while you’re still growing damages brain cells. It would be a disaster if you got even dumber than you already are.”
The broker said that and refilled my glass with juice.
I held the glass with a sulky expression.
Orange juice with ice floating in it.
If I half-closed my eyes, it might have looked like champagne.
“Cheers.”
“…Cheers.”
Clink—.
The clear sound of glasses tapping rang out.
Right, let’s enjoy the atmosphere at least.
I drained the entire glass in one gulp and wiped the juice from my mouth.
“Ahh, this is amazing.”
“…Jeez.”
Seeing me like that, the broker burst out laughing in disbelief.
***
The next day, I was lying on my bed at home, checking reactions on my phone.
Since it was an event that gathered all kinds of celebrities, it seemed to have drawn plenty of attention.
Related news could be found everywhere.
[Breaking) Aeternus’ first showcase is a huge success… what’s next?]
[Who are the ten leading candidates for the First Edition?]
[Exclusive interview with Master Craftsman Jang Inhyeok on the secret of absolute defense that even an S-rank Hunter couldn’t pierce.]
“Internet news sites these days all block the comments….”
I clicked my tongue.
As always, if you want the honest reaction, you have to check the comments.
It would be a real shame to leave it at that.
First, I took full screenshots of the articles plastered across the news homepage, then saved each one individually.
After that, I naturally logged into Hunter Gallery.
Sure enough, I could find related posts right away in the monthly best.
The comments section was in an uproar.
ㄴ I heard they’re a Korean company?
ㄴ Isn’t it just the CEO who’s Korean? How the hell did Korea make something like this.
ㄴㄴ You damn traitor, in times like this you just go full patriotic hype.
ㄴ If we have that, I feel like even I could enter the tower.
ㄴ You couldn’t afford it even if you worked for the rest of your life lol
ㄴ Even if you had the money, you still couldn’t buy it lol. I heard there’s a qualification screening too.
ㄴ Who are you to judge my qualifications?
ㄴ Hunter bro, you don’t have money or qualifications….
ㄴ But is it really a thousand times more expensive than other items?
ㄴ Even if it’s sturdy, maybe 11 to 13 times safer, 14 to 15 times at most.
ㄴㄴ I don’t think it’s ten times, lol; didn’t you see it blocking an S-rank?
ㄴㄴ At this point it’s a luxury good. Not the kind of item you talk about in terms of value for money.
ㄴ Where exactly is the value in this shield that makes it worth a thousand times more?
ㄴㄴ It’s just a flex, that’s all.
ㄴㄴ The broke losers are jealous again
ㄴ It’s just a comic line, so don’t get mad, everyone….
Reading the warm, affectionate comments, I could finally feel it a little.
Just how huge a thing I’d accomplished.
“Ah, right, just looking isn’t enough anymore….”
My fingers itched.
In the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation and made a post.
Rare-angle photos I’d secretly taken at the showcase venue.
[Title: I attended the showcase in person and here’s my review.]
(VVIP photo.jpg)
[Upvotes: 13,648]
[Downvotes: 3,213]
ㄴ Is this real?
ㄴ No, how big a shot is Top-Yudong bro really?
ㄴ For real, you took that right next to them. How did you even get it?
ㄴ Didn’t you get any autographs??
ㄴ (OP): They’re all people pretty much like me, so why would I ask for an autograph?
ㄴ Kyaahahahahahahahaha
ㄴ (a generic trembling reaction image)
ㄴ ‘They’re basically like me, so why would I ask for an autograph?’ lol what the hell, this guy’s insane.
ㄴ At this point, shouldn’t someone know your identity already?
The recommendations and comments shot up in an instant.
“Wow, I’m going to set a recommendation record.”
I couldn’t keep the corners of my mouth from rising.
At this rate, reaching the monthly best would be a piece of cake.
Then, a strange comment was posted.
ㄴ Whatever else, wouldn’t it be better to take down something like image number 5?
“The fifth one? What’s the fifth—ah, the Chinese guy.”
My rare-photo collection also included a shot of Yang Tai leaving with his face red.
ㄴ That’s the one from the rumor, lol.
ㄴ Looks like he really got kicked out.
Thanks to that comment, other people started paying attention to the photos again.
ㄴ No, do you not know that posting images like this can get you into trouble?
A mysterious semi-anonymous user left yet another reply.
But other people immediately started replying to it.
ㄴ Hm….
ㄴ Ah, damn, weird. Why is it only on this photo?
ㄴ Ah crap, why is it, seriously, I don’t know.
ㄴ Transparent, completely transparent.
ㄴ What the hell do you mean by that? Weren’t you the one who said last time that you’d never forget Tiananmen and would absolutely take back democracy?
ㄴ If these bastards cause trouble, I know nothing about it. I warned you.
ㄴ Wow, so scary.
ㄴ Come catch me if you can~
ㄴ How are you going to trace an IP like 555.555? lol
I snickered as I watched that scene.
This is why I browse the gallery.
But the fun didn’t last long; as time passed and the pace of comments noticeably slowed, I started to get bored.
“Maybe I should’ve split the photos up from the start….”
I regretted it belatedly, but the water had already been spilled.
“Should I say a mod took it down, delete it, and repost it?”
It would’ve been a double-view event.
But I had no choice but to give up on that plan soon enough.
Because my original post had already been bumped up to the monthly best at just the right moment.
“No choice then. I’ll have to be satisfied with this much….”
After taking a screenshot showing both the monthly best and my post, I stood up from my seat.
I wasn’t some mindless dopamine addict anymore.
I knew how to stop browsing the gallery at a reasonable point now.
“Let’s go on with what I was about to do.”
I opened the refrigerator door and took out the gourd bottle tucked deep inside.
It was time to squeeze more information out of the black mage again.