Episode 167
Kevin Lee, President of the Players Association of America.
An unexpected person came to our office in Washington, DC.
The World Players’ Association, which manages players’ associations in each country.
It was Vincent Chang, the head of the World Players’ Association.
“These are the coffee beans you like.”
Association President Kevin Lee said while handing over the coffee he brewed himself.
“Thank you. “The only person who welcomes me is the president of the association.”
Vincent Chang said with a sly smile.
“haha. “Who would dare treat the president of the World Players Association poorly?”
“Sometimes the position makes a person bad.”
The two people chatted happily.
Vincent Chang, as his name suggests, is Chinese-American.
Considering that there is currently a lot of antipathy toward Chinese people in the United States.
I was able to anticipate how much work had to be done to become the president of the association.
The person who helped Vincent Chang rise to his current position was Kevin Lee.
Asians make up a significant portion of the world’s population, and Americans pride themselves on being the world’s most powerful nation.
Vincent Chang, who received support from these two groups, was elected as president of the World Players’ Association, and as Kevin Lee expected, he became a strong ally.
“so. “How did you get to this point?”
“haha. “You played a practical joke this time.”
Vincent Chang answered Kevin Lee’s question while swallowing a sip of coffee.
“It’s just a joke. “What do you mean?”
Kevin Lee made a fool of himself.
It was just a habit.
A common habit of experienced people who try not to reveal their skills as much as possible.
Vincent Chang bowed his head first.
“There was a high percentage of American players in this unexplored dungeon. “Isn’t it because of the upcoming examination?”
Although the SS rank was created, S rank players are still an object of envy and a symbol of a wealthy nation and strong military.
In that respect, it is an unexplored dungeon led by the United States.
B-rank and A-rank players who conquer SS-rank unexplored dungeons and survive.
They would have an advantage in obtaining S-class licenses in the future.
Kevin Lee laughed heartily at the obvious question.
“It would be a lie to say otherwise. However, that level of borrowing would be impossible unless we were in the United States.”
“I agree. “The reason I came here is to take care of the president of the association who is working hard for the world.”
After saying that, Vincent Chang took out a small case.
“What is this?”
“Please open it.”
Vincent Chang handed it over and Kevin Lee opened the case.
Sweet.
There was a ring.
It was a ring with unusual magical power.
“Isn’t this… an item? That also looks quite expensive…”
“That’s right. “This is an item recovered from the Chinese government that recently exterminated the triads.”
“If it’s a triad… could it be…?”
At the mention of the triad, one item came to Kevin Lee’s mind.
Vincent Chang did not miss that moment.
“That’s right. This is a legendary grade item. “This is one that hasn’t been revealed to the public yet.”
“Oh…”
Kevin Lee lifted the ring and looked around.
Legendary grade item.
A while ago, the World Players Association gathered craftsmen with S-grade production skills and produced it in secret, but the information was leaked to the Triad and it was stolen.
I heard that the Triads were wiped out in a friendly battle the other day and their whereabouts are unknown.
‘Even if it was returned secretly through an agreement with the Chinese government…’
“Why are you giving this to me…?”
Kevin Lee expressed doubt.
Legendary grade items currently have inestimable value.
Give and take.
There had to be something you wanted.
Vincent Chang, conscious of Kevin Lee’s gaze, burst into laughter.
“Didn’t I tell you? It’s a gift. “Only when the president’s prestige stands will my ‘prestige’ also stand.”
Only then did Kevin Lee understand the true meaning.
The World Players Association Presidential election will be held in a year.
Vincent Chang was seeking re-election.
“Ah… don’t worry. “The United States will be your strong supporter.”
“Hehe. Thank you. “Only when America does well will the world be at peace.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
The two people confirmed their mutual interests once again and shook hands with satisfaction.
“Oh, by the way, that ring. “It would be best not to wear it right away.”
“…?”
“I don’t think it was given the status of legend for nothing. “It will only be usable when the horsepower is at least 300.”
“300… That’s a ridiculous number.”
“yes. “But there are two qualified people in America.”
A player with a magic stat over 300.
It was as if the owner had already been decided.
“haha. “You think the same way as me.”
Kevin Lee smiled brightly and put the case away.
“Well then, I trust you will use your gift well. “Shall we talk about work?”
“You tell me.”
Kevin Lee, who was in a good mood after receiving the big gift, answered willingly.
“Unexplored dungeon in Paris. How long do you think it will take to conquer?”
The reason Vincent Chang asked that question was for the sake of the status of the World Players Association.
They are trying to appeal that even the world’s most powerful country, the United States, is under their control.
Kevin Lee didn’t know that either.
That could have meant lowering the prestige of the Players Association of America.
‘It’s nothing compared to a legendary grade item.’
After gathering his thoughts, he brought some documents from his office.
These were secrets that the United States was secretly working on in relation to the unexplored dungeon Abyss.
After checking the documents, Vincent Chang let out an exclamation.
“You were drawing a bigger picture than I thought.”
“I gave you a big gift. “I should tell you that much.”
“Thank you for your trust. So what is the final deadline for the Paris uncracked dungeon?”
“Considering the supplies we brought, we will be attacked within the next three days.”
“That’s fast. “He is indeed the elite of the elite.”
“That’s not all. A week after work in Paris was over. “They plan to go to Berlin right away.”
“It’s been a week… so you’re in quite a hurry. “Is it because of New Korea?”
“I can’t say no.”
Kevin Lee did not try to deny it.
“It is said that a player named Kim Tae-hyun stands out. “Yes, it is an individual.”
Vincent Chang had not yet recognized Taehyun’s true value.
What happened at the award ceremony is being treated as nothing more than an equipment error.
The failure to completely break away from the Chinese ideology also played a role.
“There’s no harm in being careful.”
Contrary to what he said, Kevin Lee’s mind was complicated.
Kim Tae-hyun of New Korea.
He was a player recognized by Michael Gore, Ricky Harlis, and even Cody Cruz.
When you look at the achievements he has made so far.
‘The Milan Dungeon will eventually be conquered… Humanity’s update must be carried out by us in the United States.’
That was why I was in a hurry.
Fortunately, the magic power levels of the unexplored dungeons in Paris and Berlin were not relatively high.
If you do well, conquer the two dungeons first.
They could claim the right to attack the Barcelona Dungeon and absorb New Korea as a member of the Allied Powers.
“You’re thinking mischievously.”
Vincent Chang spoke after reading his thoughts once again.
“For the world. “I think it’s karma I have to bear.”
“I have nothing but respect.”
That time when two people exchange good words.
The secretary who came in with a knock opened her mouth quietly.
“President of the Association. The Dungeon Commander requests to see you.”
“We are currently receiving guests. “Tell them to wait a moment.”
“Well… they say it’s about an unexplored dungeon.”
The two people’s ears perked up when they heard that it was an unexplored dungeon.
“It looks like the news we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.”
“Then we can listen together. “Take the dungeon commander inside.”
After a while, the dungeon commander wearing a military uniform came in.
The expression on his face when he glanced at Vincent Chang was not good.
“It just so happens that the president of the World Players Association has been waiting for this news. “It’s good to report.”
Upon receiving Kevin Lee’s permission, the commander opened his mouth with a salute.
“President of the Association. “Now, two unexplored dungeons have been broken at the same time.”
“Two places. So does this mean that the Milan dungeon has already been conquered?”
Because other unexplored dungeons will not have been broken yet.
Kevin Lee thought the two dungeons would be Paris and Milan.
The same was true for Vincent Chang.
“It is Milan… but the other place is not Paris.”
“what?”
“Milan and Barcelona. Currently, two dungeons have been conquered and are on break. “The target country is New Korea.”
“….”
“What is that… why Barcelona…?”
To an unexpected report.
The two association presidents were speechless.
* * *
The day after two unexplored dungeons were broken.
The Paris unexplored dungeon was belatedly broken.
It was news that many people had been waiting for, but the world was already focusing on New Korea.
‘The identity of Milan’s unexplored dungeon is a double dungeon.’
‘New Korea’s Kim Tae-hyun does it again this time.’
‘Unknown, unexplored dungeon ecosystem. The pioneer is Kim Tae-hyun.’
‘New Korean casualties are counted at around 30.’
‘Ji Jin-hee, president of the association. His leadership that revived the new Korea.’
Ji Jin-hee quickly read the piles of newspapers.
Everywhere there were articles about Shin Hankook, Taehyun, and the attack team.
“What Taehyun said… was right.”
“yes. “Currently, we are receiving requests for strategy from all over the world.”
“It’s a request… it’s worth it.”
This morning.
An unexplored dungeon in Paris has been conquered.
If it were like before, it would have been an unfortunate event for humanity.
The current atmosphere tended to highlight the incompetence of the United States and other powers.
Not only did Shin Korea, who entered later, conquer it earlier, but he also conquered Barcelona’s previously unexplored dungeon.
It was natural that other countries that had been waiting for support from the United States would naturally cling to New Korea.
Many of them could be solved by only intermediate or upper level players.
“With this kind of atmosphere, I think it will take less than two years to make the association president’s dream come true.”
“haha. I guess so… Anyway, he’s an amazing kid.”
Ji Jin-hee smiled brightly, thinking of Tae-hyeon, who was such a blessing.
“And… it’s about Taesan Group Vice Chairman Lee Jeong-soo…”
“Tell me.”
Ji Jin-hee’s expression hardened.
Lee Jeong-su, Vice Chairman of Taesan Group.
Even though he did not have a player license, he was believed to have powers comparable to that of an S-class player.
If you just focus on business like you do now, you won’t have to worry about anything.
He continued to invest in the player industry and was on the lookout for opportunities.
A player who exists only for the Taesan Group, not for pioneering the Abyss and exterminating monsters.
Knowing such ambition, Ji Jin-hee was desperately trying to block Taesan Group’s advancement.
Currently, the Taesan Guild, which is separate from the Taesan Group, has been launched, but due to the cooperation of Ji Jin-hee and the four major guilds, it has not yet grown beyond the size of a small or medium-sized guild.
“He is a man with endless greed.”
Ji Jin-hee frowned as she thought of Lee Jeong-soo.
“The results of Nightwalker’s investigation have just been released. The identities of many of those reported as Taesan guild members are said to be unclear. “It appears to be related to a malicious guild.”
“Min Ji-hong… Is there any news about ‘that guy’…?”
Go Tae-wook nodded to Ji Jin-hee’s question.
“I have suspicions about who is behind the shadows… but I’m not sure yet.”
“I understand. “I think I should meet Guild Leader Yoo Ah-young. There is no greater threat than uncontrollable power.”
“That’s right….”
Ko Tae-wook trailed off.
With the incident in Jeju Island.
Taehyun came to mind.
