Episode 307

Chapter 12. The Method To Sift Gold (2)
2 weeks ago
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No matter how worthless a being might seem, the Secret Society recycled them if possible, depending on their utility.

The S-class Rasputin from Russia was decided to be recycled as a Guardian. After undergoing re-education with all her previous memories erased, she will become a solid and loyal member of the Korean Peninsula Guard, flashing her teeth with a thumbs-up.

[With this, even Korea can rest easy. A former S-class being is now protecting the Peninsula.]

“…….”

From now on, those who dared to cross the border would be met with resistance.

An A+ level ability user who was suspiciously diligent in guarding the border.

If someone was merely lost, they would be knocked unconscious and sent back outside the border. But if someone approached with malicious intent, they would be sent back with a giant hole in their body by this mysterious ability user.

In Russia, the villain Rasputin had disappeared, but that had nothing to do with the steadfast Guardian, who was guarding the border.

Because Rasputin died today.

[It’s like having an A+ level person stationed at the northernmost part of the Korean Peninsula, guarding the border constantly. The government should find this quite beneficial.]

“This is the way of the Secret Society.”

Taejo pointed to what used to be Rasputin, now being dragged to the education center by the Brewers, after the room was cleaned and all her magic power was drained.

“In situations where heroes can’t always step in, they provide support, establish cooperative relations with heroes, and make the necessity of the Secret Society recognized.”

[There’s no better way to highlight the necessity of the Secret Society than solving manpower shortages.]

For Yumir, the response to Platinum Sun online.

For Taejo, the measures against those vile ones who coveted the resources of the Korean Peninsula.

“What do you want? I don’t think you’d do this just because you’re moved by my past. Are you after… gold?”

[It would be nice to get some gold, but what we desire most is a state of no turmoil.]

The Secret Society gained by providing what the opponent desired, whether it’s a hero or a nation.

[About 10kg of gold as payment should suffice. However, the exposed gold mine needs to be disposed of.]

“Disposal?”

[I’m saying you should go ahead with your plan to blow up the gold mine. Make China and Russia believe that ‘the gold mine was destroyed’ or ‘the gold mine was worthless’.]

“But in reality….”

[The gold mine is still intact, and depending on the circumstances, you can continue extracting gold from it.]

The word “extraction” felt quite awkward, but in the case of the Shinuiju gold mine, “extraction” is fitting.

[Taejo, the fact that the amount of gold has increased, is that true?]

“…Yes. The amount of gold has increased since I first discovered the mine.”

Currently, the resources of the Korean Peninsula were multiplying.

Like plants, these resources took root deep in the ground, absorbing mana as nutrients, and then converting these nutrients into matter, increasing the material over time. In theory, the underground resources of the Korean Peninsula were ‘infinite’.

It might be due to the impact of the meteorite, a feeling that even the world was embracing resources for the sake of the great Republic of Korea.

Even the Secret Society had noticed this part and was taking maximum precautions to prevent this information from spreading.

But information didn’t always stay contained just because we were cautious.

[This is the first gift. Take this list and sort it out as you see fit.]

“This is….”

[These are the spies within Korea identified through thieves. There are a few in the Ministry of Industrial Resources and some legislators involved in land development. There are also a few in the Haegneul Construction group.]

“It seems it was leaking everywhere… sigh.”

Taejo squinted as he took the file I handed him.

“Government officials, who are supposed to work for the country, are selling information to other nations—China and Russia, no less.”

[No matter how important the country is, in the end, money going into one’s pocket is more important. They were probably planning to stash away gold nuggets in a warehouse after robbing the mine.]

“I’ll take care of it quietly.”

Soon, the information about them would spread.

Whether it’s through the scandals secured by the Secret Society or the corruption held within the National Intelligence Service, the process would gradually unfold until everything was settled.

“Sigh. If only everyone worked for the country.”

[Less than 0.01% of 50 million people can live like that, especially if they are civil servants.]

No matter how much this world tried to pick those who work hard for the nation, patriotism was often shaken by greed for money.

[For some, the satisfaction of working for the country might be worth less than a fat wallet.]

In a country where even ability users received low pay compared to other nations, it was not easy for a regular civil servant to resist the temptation of massive wealth.

Of course, those who leaked information about the gold mine to foreign countries were higher-ranking officials, but their ‘treason’ was still deeply connected to money.

“In any case, this makes it harder to move….”

The more people involved, the more variables arose, and when trust and faith were broken, it became more difficult to mobilize people.

This time, Taejo brought only eight people to guard the gold mine with agents from the National Intelligence Service.

Knowing that two S-classes were coming, only eight people were sent to suppress information leaks.

Sometimes, life taught you that such efforts were wasted in absurd places.

“…It seems more people are turning to the Secret Society. After all, there’s no worry about such issues with them.”

[That’s the Secret Society’s greatest advantage.]

The agents of the Secret Society were all ‘crazies,’ united by a strong sense of mission to work for the Secret Society and for the peace and conquest of the world.

Because of this, it’s hard to imagine information leaking from the Secret Society—except in Korea.

‘Damn nationalist light novels.’

Even the Secret Society, which conquered the mighty America, had instances where Korean members betrayed the Society when it meant that the great Republic of Korea’s resources might be leaked, rather than guarding them.

‘If an operation within the Secret Society progresses to a disadvantageous situation for Korea, there is almost always a traitor from within.’

Just as in the past, not long after I entered Sejong Island, there was a foolish Secret Society agent who tried to use the Goblin to benefit Korea.

If the Goblin were to steal the kimchi jars from a Jonggak family’s storeroom, there might even be agents within the Society who would leak the Goblin’s identity.

-World conquest is fine, but I still can’t betray my country!

-No matter how deeply I’ve involved myself with the Society, I can’t harm this nation!

This was why Korea had been so difficult to conquer.

Even when trying to conquer Korea, suspicious information leaks frequently occurred, creating frustrating situations, making it unlike conquering other countries.

The original plan was to leave Korea as the final grand finale of world conquest, but if things start to unravel like this, the story changes.

[Taejo, if you have the support of the Secret Society, you can stretch out comfortably and live safely in Busan. Trust the Society.]

“…….”

One by one, even S-class heroes were made to join hands with the Society.

Starting with Gwang Ik Gong, Yoon Iseon, who became an agent of the Society, was given a position, Baek Seol-hee was corrupted into an affair, and now, Taejo was being informed of the usefulness of the Society.

[If you are worried about the gold mine, there is one way to handle it properly. Brewer, bring it here.]

“Yes.”

The Brewer brought the pre-prepared item and placed it in front of Taejo.

Taejo fiddled with the ‘miniature’ placed in front of him, inspecting it inside and out, then tilted his head in confusion.

“A train…?”

[If you’re worried about leaving the gold here, you can transmute the gold into a train and transport it on the railroad.]

“But for that, we need people-”

[Why not just make it a train? There’s no need to carry it, just create a train made of gold.]

“……!”

Taejo’s mouth hung open in astonishment.

[Were you thinking of loading it onto freight cars? That’s a shame. If you leave just enough gold to make it seem like the mine is almost depleted, and then extract the rest to create a train, no one will suspect a thing.]

“The exterior….”

[Of course, it should be painted. With magic. Make it look like a regular train. Covering the gold with something is a basic tactic in concealment. Of course, this isn’t a crime—just applying some techniques used in crimes for our purposes.]

Neither China nor Russia would notice a thing.

From Shinuiju down to Kaesong, and heading towards Busan or somewhere else in Korea, the whole train made of ‘gold’ would be unnoticed.

[Your ability is metal manipulation. You’re not limited to just making small objects; you can create something like this as well.]

“…….”

[Once you understand the structure, making it is quick. After embedding the form into your mind through the miniature, you can scale it up to the size that fits the railroad and make it run.]

Taejo was capable of doing that.

[Blow up the mine, deceive the enemies into thinking the mine is nearly depleted and unprofitable, and the actual gold can be transformed into a freight train and sent down south. This way, China and Russia won’t bother targeting the Shinuiju gold mine again.]

“…….”

[Taejo, think of it comfortably.]

I approached Taejo and gripped his shoulder firmly.

[You’re just making a model a bit bigger. It’s something you can definitely do.]

“…A train?”

[Of course.]

Taejo can do it.

[If a train doesn’t suit you, how about a tank—]

“I’ll make the train.”

Creating a golden train using his ability.

In a world where anything was possible with imagination.

“I’ll make it. The golden train.”

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