Chapter 59

Episode 59. The Priceless (1)

***

The driver of the white Rolls-Royce was glancing around nervously. Two people in suits were sitting casually in the back seat.

One woman and one man, both in suits.

Neither showed clear signs of aging, but they didn’t look particularly young either. Their ages were unreadable.

The woman, Pobia, spoke first.

“I still don’t get it. Do we really need to go meet the new Director in Seoul? We don’t even need to catch the Foundation’s attention, let alone voluntarily walk into one of their facilities…”

“That’s a fair point, but… haven’t you heard the rumors going around the company lately? They say the new Director in Seoul is different. Awkward, sure, but shouldn’t we go meet the new king of this country?”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Who knows? Maybe we can sell or buy something new. They say this Director is on the friendlier side. Not like the usual Foundation control-freak war-mongering fascist scientists.”

The two in the back fell silent again.

The driver glanced back briefly.

“I’m really sorry, but what exactly are you two talking abou—”

Pobia raised her hand, cutting him off.

“Driver. Didn’t we agree to pay you ten million won to drive without asking questions today? Was that not enough?”

“No, but—”

“Alright, here’s another ten million. Please, no more questions. Just take us to the destination.”

The driver, afraid Pobia might change her mind, nodded without responding. Pobia smiled coldly.

“So, Daemos. Continue. What exactly did this new Director in Seoul do?”

“Hard to say. The rumors are wild. They say they launched a tactical nuke at the city, killed gods, deployed fighter jets to hunt superhumans…”

“You said they’re not a fascist?”

“I didn’t say they’re not ruthless. Just that they’re not a fascist like the usual Foundation higher-ups.”

Pobia sighed.

“Sigh… Making money is tough. The chances of the Foundation selling or buying a proper artifact today are slim, right?”

“The Foundation’s different from us. Most of their resources go into their facilities, personnel, and equipment. They’re not going to sell artifacts to outsiders easily.”

“I see.”

“The Foundation’s poorer than you’d think. They don’t hoard gold or cash like we do. Even if we go, it’s unclear if they can move significant funds in a short time.”

Daemos stopped talking and closed his eyes.

***

The past few days had been hectic.

I’d been running around directing the garden exploration on-site, and it felt like I’d been on a business trip for a week. But today, I had nothing special to do.

Maybe I’ll check on what the research interns have been up to. Or see how the new recruits in the Precognition Department are adjusting.

But that might just turn into more work.

Maybe I should just rest. I could ask for a hammock in the office…

I sat up straight in my chair.

Come to think of it, there was one thing I needed to do. The Precognition Department mentioned it. Some guest from a hostile group is coming to this facility.

I should prepare for that.

I took out a mirror and placed it on the desk.

“Dr. Kim. What do you think? How should we handle the hostile group, the ‘Bankers’?”

[Me?]

The me in the mirror rubbed my eyes.

“Yeah.”

[The Bankers are scum. I don’t know about your world, but how much do you know about them?]

The Bankers, also known as Pluto Limited Company. Like all existing hostile groups, they mostly operate under the Foundation’s radar.

Their numbers are around a hundred at most, but they’re one of the most powerful hostile groups.

Their goal is singular, and so is their method. They trade supernatural phenomena for money.

Most of their assets are separate from the market, but judging by their spending, every member is likely a billionaire… or so they say.

[Still, killing them won’t do any good. They’re very friendly with the Foundation. Their wealth comes from the Veil of Ignorance. They have no choice but to rely on the Foundation.]

“Alright… I get it.”

I frowned.

***

The Director’s Office decided it was inappropriate to receive hostile group employees in my office.

No, bringing hostile group employees into the facility itself is a problem. At least if we’re not planning to isolate them. We chose a suitable hotel lounge connected to the Foundation.

A hotel with a rooftop helipad.

I brought Nanami as my escort. Though she was waiting outside the lounge.

I quickly scanned the two individuals. These were the employees of Pluto Limited Company.

“Hello, Director Kim. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Pobia, a member of Pluto Limited Company, and this is Daemos.”

I crossed my legs and sat down.

“Hello.”

Pobia also sat down across from me. Daemos remained standing.

Pobia, the woman who introduced herself… had a plain yet striking appearance, neither young nor old.

Her face was probably young.

But her eyes and expression made her seem older.

“So. What do you want to talk about?”

“Are you busy today?”

“Not really.”

Pobia nodded.

“Then let’s talk for a while. It’s about… the Roman era. Roman currency was so powerful that it was used as trade currency even in India, on the other side of the continent.”

“Yes.”

“Emperor Nero told the entire empire spanning three continents: ‘Give me a fire that will never go out, lighting the palace day and night.’”

“…”

“Well… I don’t need to spell it out. Nero didn’t pay for the treasures he received, and the fire burned Rome for nine days.”

“Should I take that as a threat?”

Pobia shook her head.

“No. It’s just an interesting old story. We consider ourselves the Foundation’s strongest allies and partners. You don’t think of yourself as Nero, do you?”

Well… that’s true. That was an excellent response. I had no choice but to stay silent.

Pobia and Daemos, having said what they wanted, sat back comfortably.

***

Pobia looked quite pleased with herself for having thrown that verbal jab at me earlier.

“Let’s get down to business.”

“Go ahead.”

“This is our first meeting, but I believe you know what we do. We sell supernatural phenomena, and we buy supernatural phenomena. That’s all we do.”

I nodded.

“I won’t be selling any supernatural phenomena.”

“We’re aware of the Foundation’s rules, but you don’t need to be too rigid about them.”

I tapped the desk with my fingertips.

“Huh.”

“The Foundation’s resources aren’t infinite, are they? Selling some supernatural phenomena could help cover operational costs, and if it’s a safe one, it could go to someone who needs it.”

“…”

Pobia and Daemos watched my reaction.

“Hmm, you don’t seem like a materialistic person, so I brought that up first. Don’t take it the wrong way. Is there anything you need, Director?”

I have to admit, I’m a commoner who’s never gone a day without worrying about money. If I said I didn’t have an inferiority complex about money, I’d be lying.

But isn’t it ridiculous that I’m getting annoyed over money now…?

“Just say the word. Whether it’s a building, a yacht, a person, or even a new facility for the Foundation, if it can be solved with money, we’ll handle it. Just so you know, there’s no problem that enough money can’t solve.”

“…”

Disgusting.

“Just a glance tells me you’re a very modest person. Someone who can manage providence. A ten-million-won pair of glasses, a ten-million-won watch, a fifty-million-won suit.”

Not that those are cheap.

I didn’t even know how much they cost. I just wore what Administrator Lee had tailored for me last month.

“No, just look at this hotel we’re meeting in. If you’d let us arrange the venue, we wouldn’t have to meet such a distinguished person in such a humble place.”

Pobia pulled out a bottle from somewhere.

“Ah, can’t drink on the job? My bad. Take a bottle with you.”

Pobia handed me the bottle.

I took it. Pobia and Daemos pulled out another bottle and started drinking among themselves. I don’t know much about wine. No idea how much this costs.

“It’s Romanée-Conti. Sorry, it’s nothing special. Just about ten million won.”

“Ah, I see.”

“See, a sip makes everything better. What was I saying again?”