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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
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Chapter 238: Death Cult (2)
"What did they wager?"
"Merhen's photos. The ones only apostles can see. And... a bit of material reward was added."
Liang Xiaojun showed the chat window as he said that. Indeed, someone who seemed like an insider was talking about Joongyong Pharmaceuticals.
"They're writing in Korean?"
"For the past few months, I've been diligently learning not only to speak but also to write. I'm quite proficient now. Anyway, the main point is this. There seems to be a lot of hidden corruption. And there's a rising company called Shinyong Pharmaceuticals that's a strong competitor."
The emergence of a strong competitor.
And the newly appointed, reckless chairman was ruining the management, and to hide that, he committed accounting fraud.
Inflating sales, reducing expenses, overstating assets, and manipulating profits.
He even secretly pocketed a generous amount of slush funds.
"Is this for real?"
"Yes. Luckily, there was a board member from there among the high-rank believers. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been easy to find out. So, about that... Is there a vacant seat on the board?"
"Ah, is that person aiming for that?"
"It seems so. The story that our cafe is related to Mr. Kim Minwoo is widespread. Of course, you don't have to give it to them."
"They weren't involved in the corruption, were they?"
"I heard they weren't. They say they're clean. They just abetted it. They said they couldn't stop what the higher-ups were doing... Well, that's how the world works."
"Then tell them I'll give them a seat, so they don't have to worry."
As long as they weren't involved in corruption, it was fine.
Abetting it is what most company employees do anyway. It's actually the ones who expose internal corruption that are considered the unusual cases.
"Are you sure it's okay? We haven't confirmed their abilities yet..."
"Ilsung has too many capable people, that's the problem. If they're not suitable, we can just give them an advisor position and pay them a steady salary."
"That's true."
Indeed, with Kim Minwoo's power, nothing was impossible. Even considering only his personal assets, it wouldn't be a burden at all.
"But, they said it's going to explode soon?"
"Just a moment. It seems like it might explode within a few months."
"It's useful."
He admitted it.
That Death Cult.
It seemed very useful in terms of gathering information. Of course, the fact that Joongyong Pharmaceuticals was on shaky ground wasn't exactly difficult information to find out. If Ilsung's information team set their mind to it, they could extract that information in less than half a day.
'But extracting it within 5 minutes is a different story.'
Of course, the biggest factor was that there was a Joongyong Pharmaceuticals board member among the members...
But even considering that, useful was useful. The more the group grew, the more useful it would become.
"If you have any requests, tell me."
"Hehe. Well, that is..."
He smiled slyly.
Then he cleared his throat and said.
"I currently hold the position of Diocese Head. Excluding the one true god, Mr. Kim Minwoo, and the four Legion Commanders, it's the highest position in our cult."
"How did you get the agreement of the other apostles?"
"Actually... I used my influence a bit. As everyone knows, I was the first one chosen by Mr. Kim Minwoo, wasn't I?"
"That's right."
"So... I bragged a bit. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Actually, you were the one who knew the most."
"I was lucky. I still get chills thinking about it. If I hadn't been in nearby China. If I hadn't been luckily selected for the training... I wouldn't have become a Diocese Head."
"Why do you think that?"
"In terms of power, Mikhail from Russia is superior. In terms of country, Andrew from the US has the advantage. But in terms of growth potential... sadly, I can't surpass the other Necromancers."
"I see. But for me, power isn't important. Acorns are all the same, whether they're big or small."
"Yes. I'm well aware of your skills, Mr. Kim Minwoo. Reaching the world rankings from level 1 in just 6 months is a tremendous feat! Probably among all the Awakened in the world... there's no one like you, Mr. Kim Minwoo."
This was Liang Xiaojun's sincere feeling.
Even the legendary Swordsman didn't grow this fast.
The same went for Isabella, who was currently active. The path they took years to walk, Kim Minwoo broke through in just half a year. He's already amazing now, so what about in the future?
"Even a fool would know what the trend is. After the symposium, I consistently suggested establishing the cafe and persuaded the other apostles. Even if you didn't say it, Mr. Kim Minwoo, we had to prove our loyalty first. But..."
"But?"
"The other apostles couldn't see the big picture. Only Sakura from Japan agreed, and the rest of the apostles were like, 'Do we really need to go that far?' They said, 'What can we do by just establishing a cafe?' How foolish!"
Bang!
Liang Xiaojun's eyes swirled with madness as he slammed his fist on the table.
"Think about it! Can insignificant beings like us be of any help to the successor in terms of power? He's already so far ahead! It's hard to even catch up! So we have to actively do other things that can be helpful so that we won't be abandoned later and can move forward with the lord! They didn't even understand such a simple principle! Ha! To make a fuss over being SS-rank Necromancers! They're all idiots! Ah, except for Sakura."
Liang Xiaojun, after saying that, gulped down a bottle of water.
"Anyway, I kept insisting on that, and only after you became a world ranker did the apostles finally agree. They must have realized that if they didn't do this, they would be abandoned one day."
"....Is that the kind of image I have?"
"To be precise, the Death Lord... he's... a bit... you know?"
Ah, the Death Lord's infamous personality was undeniable.
When it came to granting power, he was a godsend, but in other aspects, he was an endlessly questionable figure.
It seemed the followers were also aware of that.
Well....
They had seen the memories of the past life.
"I agree."
"That's why there were quite a few who had the blasphemous suspicion that you, the successor, might also have that kind of tendency..."
"Don't worry. I'm a human, not a Lich."
"Yes, that's why it's truly fortunate. Anyway, I intend to continue growing this cafe."
"How?"
"The reason it's currently only open to Korea is because of the watchful eyes of the state. Even I can't openly reveal my status as a Diocese Head. The Communist Party would keep me in check. So I have a figurehead in place... but what about in the future?"
"Are you talking about the future where you become the chairman?"
"Yes. If the positions of each apostle become that high... the power of the Death Cult will also increase like crazy. The reason is simple. I intend to make the cult the official religion of each country."
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"That won't be easy."
"I'll do it. No matter what opposition I face. So... I hope you won't abandon me, Mr. Kim Minwoo."
"I promise you right here. The position of Diocese Head will be yours forever. Even if a more outstanding Necromancer appears, it's the same. Above you, there will be no one but me and the Legion Commanders."
"....!"
Liang Xiaojun's eyes widened.
'Finally...!'
Until now, his position had been extremely precarious. The fact that he knew Kim Minwoo well, that he had awakened early and had a high level, and that he was connected to Chairman Kim.
For various reasons like these, he had risen to the position of Diocese Head, surpassing the other apostles, but it wasn't an official 'recognition'.
It was because he hadn't been recognized by Kim Minwoo, the one at the very top of this cult, practically treated as the one true god, the successor of the Death Lord.
In the end, his legitimacy was extremely unstable. That could only make Liang Xiaojun anxious.
The chairman of China?
The top position of a country with over a billion people was sweet, but in fact, he was vaguely aware. That position was half a puppet.
Compared to Korea, which had a bright future, or the US, which was currently the top Awakened nation, China only had the advantage of a large population.
Born as the son of peasant workers, he spent his childhood with a growling stomach.
If he hadn't been lucky enough to awaken, his life would have been filled with darkness.
That's why Liang Xiaojun was ambitious. Of course, he didn't want to go hungry ever again.
To be more honest, he wanted to hold a higher position and greater power. But that would be impossible as the chairman of China.
Even if Kim Minwoo didn't doubt Liang Xiaojun's loyalty, he would doubt China itself. The country he loved was Korea, not China.
That's why the second answer he found was the Death Cult. A space where the most promising Necromancers would gather in the future, a group with the potential to encompass the world.
The group of 13 Necromancers, including Kim Minwoo, might have a humble beginning...
'But it has the highest potential.'
The members were all SS-rank Necromancers, promising figures in their respective countries!
And if Kim Minwoo reached out, there was no reason they couldn't become the leaders of their respective countries in the future.
In the absence of a tiger, a fox becomes king. If he could secure the position of the second-in-command here?
He could literally become the ruler of the world!
That's why he couldn't help but be thrilled.
At this moment, his position as the second-in-command in the world was solidified!
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"I'll create a chat room, so report anything about the Death Cult directly there from now on."
"Oh! I will!"
He even got a direct hotline to contact the top dog.
The rewards were beyond imagination!
— Oh, Liang. Congratulations.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Pat pat.
Merhen patted his shoulder as if to encourage him.
Liang Xiaojun was seen reacting with tears streaming down his face.
'Is it that big of a deal?'
Was his loyalty really that high that he would cry at a single word? Or was his acting that good?
He didn't know.
Maybe it was both.
Anyway, among the apostles, he was the most proactive, so there was no reason not to give him the second-in-command position.
To be precise, with the four Legion Commanders, he would be around fifth in command, but well.
If he could put a hat on him and use him well, it wouldn't be a loss.
"Okay, you can go now."
"Yes! I shall take my leave! Please contact me anytime if you have any orders!"
Liang Xiaojun left the room with a joyful face.
— Isn't he a bit cute?
"Huh? Is that your type?"
— No! Not like that. He's diligently scurrying around. Like a squirrel looking for acorns.
A squirrel looking for acorns.
Considering Liang Xiaojun's face, it might be too cute of an analogy...
But he let it slide.
Indeed, his ability to find his livelihood might be top-notch.
'That's why he was the Diocese Head.'
The Diocese Head was a considerably high position, even under the Death Lord, governing an entire region. You could think of it as a kind of governor.
Anyway.
"How do you feel? Your nemesis is in that situation."
Swoosh.
Black particles gathered in the air and took the shape of a human.
"I didn't think that reckless bastard would manage the company well. But I didn't know he'd ruin a perfectly good company so quickly."
Lee Seoyoon, who had revealed herself, smiled as if she found it interesting.
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HELHEIM SCANS
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