The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 37: Scammer (1)

The interior was colorless and gray, devoid of unnecessary furniture, resembling a typical laboratory. They strolled through the corridor and entered one of the labs.

On either side of the rectangular table were ministers, congressmen, and laboratory staff, with the president naturally taking the central seat. As the image appeared on the wall in front of the president, the director began to speak.

“Now, let’s begin the report on the ‘Yongsan District Floating Island.’ Since time is short, let’s stick to the essential points.”

A picture of a standard A-class gate appeared on the screen.

“Until now, passing through such portals allowed access to the lands of another dimension. Those lands were rich in resources from the other dimension, but the resources that could be extracted were limited due to concerns about the collapse of the gate. Additionally, the inside of the gate was in the form of a dungeon, limiting the areas that could be explored.”

The gate connected not only ‘Earth’ and ‘other realms,’ but more precisely, ‘Earth’ and ‘dungeons.’ In other words, beyond the gate was not a ‘realm’ itself but rather a ‘dungeon.’

This was unchanged in terms of it being the land of another dimension, but something blocked the way after reaching a certain point, as if a part of the land had turned into a dungeon.

“But this time, it was different.”

The director showed a picture of the floating island taken from the sky.

“A part of that land emerged from the gate and landed on Earth, and even after the conquest, it didn’t disappear.”

This meant that a new, golden land had appeared on Earth after the conquest.

“So, we immediately began researching the terrain after the conquest. Soon, we made an astonishing discovery. Do you happen to know how that island is floating in the sky?”

“Well, isn’t it floating with something like magic? It’s fascinating, but it’s not particularly unusual in this day and age.”

One of the congressmen made this statement.

The director firmly shook his head.

“No, this phenomenon is not due to magic but ‘science.'”

“…Science?”

“Yes, have you ever heard of a substance called ‘room-temperature superconductor’?”

“I’ve heard of it, but I don’t remember it well.”

The president sighed, scratching his eyebrow.

He then poured out words that the director couldn’t understand.

“A superconductor is a material with virtually no electrical resistance, and it can even repel magnetic fields, making it suitable for use in maglev trains. The reason that land can float in the sky is because it pushes away the Earth’s magnetic field.”

“……?”

Whether they didn’t understand the director’s words at all, except for the laboratory staff, the others showed confusion. As if expecting this reaction, the director sighed.

“Well, the important thing is that this substance makes up that land. So, to help you understand its value, let me put it in perspective. The estimated value of that land is roughly-”

The director’s sincere gaze turned toward them.

“One trillion.”

“1, 1 trillion…? Was that even a number that existed…?”

“To be honest, the specific number doesn’t matter, it signifies its significant value. This substance fills the gaps that magic cannot. Do you understand now? That’s why I insisted that this information should not be known to others.”

The director turned off the screen and handed the president some documents.

“Mr. President, this is the only copy we have, excluding the original. Please read it and be sure to store it in the magic vault.”

The trembling hands of the president grasped it.

“If you intend to nationalize that land, you must ensure that the hunters attending the meeting tomorrow and even later, other countries, must never know this fact.”

The president still didn’t understand why it had an estimated value of 1 trillion. However, if it was true, it was clear that it should never be disclosed to anyone.

“Ah, I understand.”

“Then, let’s adjourn. For tomorrow’s sake.”

It hadn’t been long since they gathered, but the director concluded the report. It was to prevent unnecessary complications. Afterward, the president went back to his office and skimmed through the documents.

“Surely, if this substance becomes known, it could lead to a world war.”

Understanding the severity of the situation, the president quickly stored the document in the magic vault. The magic vault was impenetrable even by SS-rank hunters without the owner’s iris recognition.

“I can rest assured here.”

After confirming the tightly closed magic vault, the president left the office and headed for the bedroom.

After the president left the office…

The lights in the office went out, plunging it into complete darkness, and the cool moonlight streamed in through the window. From the corner of the wall, a figure emerged.

Shayen, a male demon completely assimilated with darkness, raised his eyebrows in displeasure.

“Rats like them dare to covet the lord’s land.”

Shayen’s silent footsteps moved towards the magic vault.

“I need to find out their intentions.”

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The next morning, I attended the ‘Compensation Plan Meeting for the Floating Island’ held in Yongsan District.

I didn’t bring the Solomon guys. They were instructed to keep an eye on the guild building as bringing them might cause unnecessary trouble.

“Ah, Mr. Seo-jun. I’m glad you’re safe.”

As I walked through the building corridor, Kim Eun-ha approached me. It seemed she had followed Kim Jin-woo, who was attending the meeting.

“Well, nothing much happened.”

“Haha… I guess that’s to be expected from Mr. Seo-jun….”

Kim Eun-ha laughed gracefully, patting my arm. Below her moving desolate eyes, even without using Lezie’s insight, I could tell what she was thinking.

I placed my hand on her delicate shoulder.

“……?”

Kim Eun-ha raised her head at the sudden touch.

I leaned in and whispered.

“If you want to get stronger, come to me. You won’t regret it.”

After seeing the Seven Deadly Sins, I thought of a way to make others stronger. If Kim Eun-ha agrees, she will become significantly stronger.

“S-Seo-jun…! W-What is that…?!”

For some reason, Kim Eun-ha’s face turned red, as if she misunderstood something.

I removed my hand from her shoulder and clarified.

“Oh, it’s not like that. It means join my guild.”

“A- Ah..! I see…. I’ll consider it again….”

Kim Eun-ha, who had turned into a red carrot, was flustered. Although she whispered, it was a situation open to misunderstanding, especially if Kim Jin-woo happened to hear it. Kim Eun-ha mumbled in embarrassment.

“Uh, well, I…”

“There’s no need to answer right now. Take your time to think.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll be waiting, then.”

With that, I headed towards the conference room.

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***

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Later, Seo-jun took a seat at a large round table. Besides S-rank hunters, there were the president, minister, members of the National Assembly, and the director of the Gate Research Institute.

Normally, the guild that owned the gate would decide on compensation without such grand meetings. However, due to the unprecedented nature of this situation and the fact that the land didn’t originally exist on Earth, they gathered for this purpose.

The foreign minister was the one to open the discussion.

“Firstly, after hearing the opinions of each country, the Korean government decided to take charge of the compensation for this floating island. According to international law, the gates that appear in a territory are not to be concerned with until the country requests help.”

This decision aligned with the fact that Korea had not asked for help.

“In addition, other survivors have already received sufficient compensation. The United States and China, which were the main concerns, remained silent after watching Seo-jun’s press conference. With the uproar about an SS-rank hunter turning hostile towards humanity, they have no reason to care about this place anymore.”

Seo-jun had taken care of compensating other survivors, and the obstacles of the United States and China were resolved by him.

“Now, the only ones left uncompensated are the hunters of our Korea. What kind of compensation do you want? Our government will provide ample compensation for this operation. Of course, the matter regarding Hunter Jang Min-tae, who sacrificed himself during this operation, will be decided after this meeting.”

The S-rank hunters who participated in the operation remained silent. Rather than having nothing to say, they judged it better to keep their mouths shut.

One member of the National Assembly suggested.

“How about a simple monetary compensation? We can also consider special benefits like tax deductions later.”

“That wouldn’t be bad. And don’t worry. We’re not scoundrels; we’ll pay each of you according to your contribution after killing the demons and consider the loot you obtained during the operation.”

The S-rank hunters still seemed reluctant to speak in this situation.

Among them, Ha Seong-woo, who had received treatment from Seo-jun, was the first to voice his opinion.

“I don’t need any compensation. Damn, I haven’t done anything to deserve compensation.”

“I’m the same.”

“Me too.”

Jeong Dae-jin and Kim Jin-woo replied in succession. The politicians chuckled at their indifferent attitudes.

“Why are they acting like this today?”

Originally, as leaders of a group, they would somehow try to tear down the opposition to gain any advantage. However, today, they seemed strangely lacking in enthusiasm.

“Well, it’s good for us.”

However, there was no reason to dislike their compliant attitude. If things continued this way, it was clear that the land would be claimed by the Korean government.

The president, who had been quietly listening, turned to look at Park Sang-cheol.

“Association Chairman, what compensation do you desire?”

“I will entirely follow Seo-jun’s opinion.”

“…What?”

“It means I will entrust everything to Seo-jun.”

A strange silence fell again.

Park Sang-cheol had never shown such a submissive attitude before. He always resisted and did not bow to members of the National Assembly or ministers. But what was the meaning behind this behavior? It seemed as if he had become Seo-jun’s subordinate.

“…I understand. Then, Seo-jun, what do you want?”

In a brief silence, the president looked at Seo-jun, who quietly spoke.

“A floating island.”

“What?”

“I want the floating island itself.”

The bewildered eyes of the politicians focused on Seo-jun.

What is he talking about? Asking for the entire large floating island for himself?

A member of the National Assembly responded, trying to conceal his confusion.

“Don’t say absurd things. Let’s talk about something more realistic.”

“Why is it absurd? I protected the Earth from that thing. I’m seriously wondering why you guys are deciding on our compensation from that.”

“That’s because it’s Korean territory…”

“Korean territory? What province and city does it belong to?”

“Hah, since it’s in Korean airspace, isn’t it Korean territory?”

A member of the National Assembly, as if something occurred to him, slapped the table with his palm.

“So, does that mean it’s not Korean land if it’s not in Korean airspace?”

“W-Well, that’s…”

“Okay, let’s move on. Assuming you guys get that floating island, are you going to leave it as it is, with no sunlight reaching Yongsan District?”

It was indeed a problem they were seriously contemplating. Leaving the floating island as it is would undoubtedly provoke protests from residents living in Yongsan District.

A member of the National Assembly responded with some resistance.

“W-Well, we can attach propulsion engines and move it…”

“Ho-ho, so that colossal thing will move well, huh?”

“But isn’t that the same for you? You act all high and mighty…”

“Don’t treat me the same way as you.”

“Then, do you have a solution?”

“Well, we have no choice but to rely on our Twilight Guild.”

At first glance, Seo-jun didn’t know how to handle it, but after the situation was resolved, he came up with a method.

The director of the research institute showed interest.

“Is that really possible? Is there a way to move that floating island?”

“It may take some time, but it is possible.”

“What method is that?”

The eyes of the research institute director sparkled slightly.

Seo-jun looked at him with a smirk.

“You guys really have no conscience.”

“…What?”

“You know the value of that floating island, yet you’re willing to settle the matter of hunters who risked their lives for mere pennies and even seek help from me? There’s really no scammer like you guys.”

The politicians were infuriated by Seo-jun’s statement.

“S-Scammer?!”

“You’ve been speaking informally since earlier!”

The quiet meeting room heated up with their anger.

Amidst the commotion, Seo-jun calmly uttered in a cold voice.

“Well, since none of you seem to acknowledge that fact, let me show you evidence that you guys are scammers right now.”

Seo-jun used [Demon King’s Gluttony] to retrieve a document.

In the subsequent scene, Seo-jun examined it slowly and intoned,

“The area of that floating island is approximately 47 percent astonishingly composed of ‘room-temperature superconductor.’ The reason it can float in the airspace is due to that material.”

As if the sounds of insects outside could be heard, a profound silence fell in an instant.

Everyone simply concentrated on Seo-jun’s voice with blank expressions.

“This is a substance that scientists have dreamt of for a long time, and it is an extraordinary material that will bring about another revolution since the emergence of magic power. For this reason, the estimated value of that floating island is 1 trillion…”

There was more information behind, but Seo-jun only read the summary and lifted his head.

Then, visible faces froze.

Facing them, Seo-jun chuckled.

“Say something again. You scammers.”

(To be continued in the next part)