How a Calamity Necromancer Retires

The recent interest of the Japanese ambassador to Korea was the development of Seron.

It was the first company that productively mined seabed resources, which made Korea, a resource barren country like Japan, self-sufficient in copper and zinc and even exported them overseas.

That’s why, after receiving instructions from the government to somehow bring about cooperation with Seron Development, he kept sending love calls, but he didn’t pay attention to Seron Development.

No, to be exact, Chairman Han Ji-hyeok.

But wasn’t Han Ji-hyuk suddenly contacting me and asking me to meet him first?

“Are the refreshments ready?”

At the words of the Japanese ambassador, the embassy staff nodded and said.

“yes. Coffee and tea, as well as sweets and fruits, I didn’t know what you might like, so I prepared everything.”

“good.”

The relationship between Japan and Korea is obviously not good.

However, it is incomparable to the relationship between Japan and China, which is so tough that it is safe to say that it is a fierce enemy.

However, recently China imposed tariffs on Korea, more precisely, on the raw materials of the development of Seron, so in a way, this could be seen as an opportunity.

Because the enemy of an enemy is a friend.

The time when I waited after all the preparations.

“Chairman Han is here!”

The Japanese ambassador jumped up and said.

“Come on, take me this way!”

After a while, Chairman Han Ji-hyeok appeared, guided by an embassy staff.

The Japanese ambassador smiled brightly and said.

“Welcome, Chairman Han.”

“hello.”

“Sit over here. Do you like tea?”

“give me anything.”

“All right. Please bring me some tea and some snacks.”

Then, the embassy staff put tea and snacks on the table.

“Here, Japan’s most famous tea and sweets. We prepared specially because President Han was coming.”

“is it so?”

After taking a sip of the tea, Han Ji-hyeok said.

“It is delicious.”

“hahahaha. I’m glad you like it.”

“I don’t know what to do with your hospitality.”

“It’s a place to treat the president of the Seron Group, but this much is nothing.”

At that time, the Japanese ambassador said with a firm expression.

“By the way, I also heard about China’s tariffs. Anyway, aren’t they selfish and only aware of themselves?”

The Japanese ambassador Han Ji-hyeok, who is in a real-time fight with China, picks out words he likes to hear.

Unsurprisingly, the target was seafloor resources, especially rare earths, Japan’s Achilles’ heel.

Rare earth does not simply mean a single mineral, but it is an expression that refers to several types of rare minerals, and most of them have absolute value in high-tech industries.

For example, neodymium, a type of rare earth, has magnetic force that is 10 times higher than that of general magnets, so it is one of the indispensable materials for electric vehicles because it dramatically reduces the size of motors that require magnets.

Other rare earths are also essential materials for all kinds of high-tech industries such as batteries and semiconductors, so their value will inevitably shine.

The problem was that China’s share of global production of this rare earth was absolute.

Rare earths destroy the environment and release radioactivity during the refining process, so common countries cannot touch them even if rare earths are buried in their land.

The reason China is willing to risk such environmental destruction is simple.

Rare earths are both money and power at the same time.

China has weaponized rare earths and wielded them in all directions, enough to be called rare earth hegemony, and Japan is also one of the parties to the rare earth hegemony.

Even now, giving in to China’s pressure to restrict exports of rare earth elements during a territorial dispute and offering an apology was a humiliating incident that all Japanese people resent.

For this reason, the production of rare earths was an important task for Japan that took priority over anything else, but the Japanese ambassador was not in a hurry.

‘It’s greedy to be full on the first drink. First of all, we have to build a good relationship with Chairman Han, and other resources other than rare earths are also good, so we have to work together and take steps slowly.’

The smelting company had already proposed a joint venture, but the development of Seron notified that they would take care of the rest as long as they gave the ship and mining rights.

Of course, what Japan wanted was resources that they could freely control, so it was a proposal they could not accept.

That’s why the Japanese ambassador who took the route in the direction of gently beguiling.

“Such absurd nonsense at such a critical time when all of humanity can benefit from submarine development. Even though I am Japanese, I was really frustrated as a person who majored in Korean and lives in Korea.”

Han Ji-hyeok nodded and said.

“I mean. It’s not like I’m doing anything harmful, but if I do something, they’ll tackle me, and I’m very annoyed.”

“Isn’t that a Chinese characteristic?”

Like that, the Japanese ambassador thought as he sipped tea after voicing Han Ji-hyeok’s dissatisfaction.

‘good. Let’s finish this well, and next time we will cooperate with subsea resources…’

But then.

“So I’m going to give you a shot this time. what is it. I heard that there are rare earth elements on the sea floor of Japan? Wouldn’t you like to develop it together?”

“Poop!”

The Japanese ambassador, who spewed out the tea he was drinking, said with a blank expression.

“Rare earth?”

“yes.”

The Japanese ambassador was taken aback when he suddenly scratched the most ticklish part without warning.

“That, so, of course welcome, no, not necessarily because it is a rare earth, but should I say that Chairman Han’s proposal is welcome. that······.”

Han Ji-hyeok said with a relaxed expression.

“First of all, I hate joint ventures, so the mining will be entirely done by Seron Development. The ship is provided by Japan.”

It is not different from the previous proposal.

but.

“Instead, refinement will be done in Japan. I think we should share such refined rare earths with Seron Development and Japan.”

Han Ji-hyeok, who first handed over the proposal that Japan wanted and longed for the most.

In the end, the Japanese ambassador, who had been absentmindedly, nodded violently and said,

“Now, wait a minute. I will contact the home country right now!”

*

My plan was simple.

Rare earths emit radioactivity during the refining process, so this refining process is carried out using skeletons in Japan, and in return, a portion of the rare earths is given to Japan.

However, Japan’s readiness is more unusual than expected.

“As a result of analyzing the composition of rare earth elements in the seabed using an unmanned submersible, it was found that the content was about 130 times higher than that on the ground. It was also confirmed that the amount of radioactive material was significantly less.”

The Japanese ambassador, who had been in contact with the Japanese government, said with an excited expression.

“So, based on the sampling results, the Japanese government has already selected an uninhabited island and prepared for refining, and has completed research on how to treat radioactivity as well as how to refine seafloor rare earths.”

I heard that Japan took a hit from China and gnashed their teeth, so they are serious about rare earth elements.

Literally, Japan has already finished all preparations.

There was only one thing Japan lacked in mining rare earths under the sea.

right way to mine.

“However, the problem was how to mine the rare earths 3,000 meters below the sea floor. It is not something that can be picked up one by one like manganese nodules, but it has to be mined by breaking the veins in which rare earth elements are distributed… I installed a mining machine, broke it, and then sucked up the broken minerals with water. I also installed a crusher on an unmanned submersible. But all have failed.”

The Japanese ambassador shook his head and said.

“All of them were not capable of continuously mining minerals. However, since there was no other way, we have been focusing all our efforts on developing unmanned submersibles for mining, and then the development of Seron appeared.”

The Japanese ambassador smiled brightly and said.

“The terms of our government are really simple. We’ve got everything ready, just dig up some rare earth ore from the ocean floor and we’ll take care of the rest. Of course, I will share the refined rare earth with Seron. ah. If you wish, we can also provide you with the equipment we have developed. The reason why the submarine miner failed was that it couldn’t be moved after mining, but it’s a different story with skeletons.”

Collaboration between Japan, which prepared everything except mining methods, and Seron, the only company in the world that can mine underwater resources.

But I don’t like it very much.

‘Then there are too many things to do in Japan.’

I literally tried to borrow only the land and mining rights, but in this way, Japan would be in charge of virtually the entire refining process, as well as Japanese equipment.

Of course, the fact that the Japanese part is getting bigger means that the share to be shared is also getting bigger.

“Then, how many to how many?”

“How about 6 vs 4?”

“Seron is 6?”

“Japan is number 6, so Japan is in charge of all other processes except for mining.”

I got up and said.

“That can’t be. Negotiations are broken.”

Then the Japanese ambassador spoke in an urgent voice.

“Now, wait a minute. Don’t you like the proportions?”

“of course. I don’t like it even if the theory is 6, but even Japan is 6.”

In the first place, I thought the ratio was 9 to 1.

But what… yes.

I was going to use a skeleton because radioactive material leaked during the refining process, but the images developed the technology and made all the countermeasures, so that’s okay.

In addition to the annoyance of having to write a refinement algorithm, if Japan takes over the uneasy situation of radioactive leakage, I will concede up to 7 to 3.

Seron development and smelters are trading at exactly that rate.

But what?

Japan is 6 and Seron is 4?

Don’t make a deal like that.

“Do you have a percentage you want?”

“8 to 2. Of course, the third is 8.”

I’m thinking of going 7-3, but I can’t lay a tile from scratch.

The Japanese ambassador then said in amazement.

“Chairman Han, it’s not that all countries are reluctant to produce rare earths and China is holding onto rare earths for no reason! Rare earth refining is so difficult, and the side effects are enormous!”

“On the other hand, seafloor rare earth elements have a low amount of radioactivity and a high content. Of course, the level of difficulty will be incomparably easier than that of terrestrial rare earths.”

“Yeah, but that’s the case.”

“Besides, the fact that Japan has prepared it is great, but it doesn’t mean that there are no substitutes.”

Obviously, Japan’s readiness is great, but it’s nothing compared to the uniqueness of the development of Seron, the only place in the world that can mine underwater resources.

“I heard that the US is working with Australia to develop rare earths to contain China. Shall we contact America?”

Since the United States and Japan are allies, if the United States joins hands with me to develop underwater rare earths, Japan will also switch to American products, not Chinese ones.

However, if Japan was satisfied with that, why would it have prepared to develop rare earths in its territorial waters in the first place?

The United States and Australia are already pursuing rare earth development.

Of course, the most important thing for Japan is self-sufficiency.

Complete self-sufficiency without borrowing the power of any other country.

“Chairman Han, isn’t negotiation originally about exchanging little by little? How about 5-5 instead?”

“great. I’ll give you a little concession too. 7 to 3. But no more concessions. If you ask for more, let’s find another country, well. But you know what?”

I said with a bright smile.

“Seron always gives preferential treatment to first-come, first-served customers. If this negotiation goes wrong, Japan will be pushed far behind. you know? Undersea resources are limitless, but ships and skeletons are lacking. I’m busy developing other countries, but when will it be Japan’s turn? isn’t it?”

If you’re late, there’s no soup.

“Contact the Japanese government. If you refuse this offer, I will make it happen.”

*

In the end, the Japanese government, given my ultimatum, accepted my proposal 7 to 3.

Instead, I put on the condition that I give the Japanese government the priority purchase right of 2 out of 7, which is my share.

Of course, I had no reason to refuse.

I’m digging to sell anyway, but if Japan buys something made in Japan right away, it’s comfortable and good for me.

When the contract was officially signed, the Japanese government moved at the speed of light.

The Japanese government operated an undersea rare earth refining facility that had been prepared in advance on an uninhabited island, and promptly prepared used ships for undersea mining.

Thanks to this, I immediately started mining rare earths by putting in skeletons and workers, and in that way, the rare earths that had been dormant on the seabed in Japan were finally revealed to the outside world little by little.

“Here it is.”

The first rare earths that Japan completed by refining the rare earth ore that Skeleton dug up.

I said, picking up a small mineral.

“Isn’t this radioactive?”

“The post-processing is finished, so there is nothing at all.”

“is it so?”

This is a rare earth element that China is so proud of, right?

“How much does this cost?”

“It varies by type, but expensive ones cost 300,000 won per kilogram.”

“and. 300,000 won for 1kg? Then it is tens of times more expensive than copper.”

“yes. Instead, production is clearly low. The amount of rare earth ore that was supplied to Japan this time amounts to hundreds of tons, and we only got 1 ton by refining it.”

Even though the content is 130 times, it is only 1 ton.

So just how much digging is required to mine the rare earths above ground?

It’s expensive.

“ah. And it is said that Japan will soon hold a major press conference to formalize the success of underwater rare earth mining.”

Undersea rare earth development that has been done privately.

Now that the results have come out, I will brag to the neighbors.

We, Japan, are finally producing rare earth elements.

I said with a smile.

“The Chinese guys will be horrified to see the Japanese announcement.”

Rare earths were one of the few strategic cards China could use against the United States.

Of course, the United States is well aware of this, so it is working with Australia to increase rare earth production, but China’s rare earth production is still overwhelming at 83%.

At this time, how would China feel if an alternative product called Seron appeared?

“Probably like sh*t.”

China, which used to call for shutting down rare earths just like Russia shouted for closing gas valves, is it not working now?

From the Chinese point of view, it is literally like a thunderbolt falling from a dry sky.

This means that the diplomatic and economic superiority that China has enjoyed with rare earths will disappear.

“Hey. Just thinking about it makes me sue.”

So why are you touching me?

I said looking at Kim Deok-bae.

“President Kim, please contact the Korean government in advance before Japan announces that we are also producing rare earths. You shouldn’t be a bit sad when you hear the news. you have to tell me in advance ah! In addition, they say that they will supply rare earth elements to Korea as a top priority for the time being.”

Korea is also a country with a 90 percent dependence on Chinese rare earths.

If China locks down rare earths, all kinds of high-tech industries from semiconductors will stop, so I had no choice but to look at China.

It is to make such a Korea self-sufficient in rare earth elements.

“Then let’s go to America and Europe one by one.”

The countries that are not on good terms with China, but have been holding back because of rare earths, are freed one by one from China’s rare earth hegemony.

Of course, as they rely more and more on Seron’s rare earths, China’s power weakens, and at the same time, Seron’s position and status rises more and more.

I said with a bright smile.

“Now, when it comes to rare earths, it’s not China that comes to mind, but Seron.”

China’s Rare Earth Hegemony?

no

Now it is Seron’s rare earth supremacy.