Chapter 21
Bahamut also understood the importance of currency well.
It had been historically proven that numerous economic benefits were achieved through transactions using currency since ancient times.
So, in this matter, he consulted with Lee Hyuna, who appeared to be an expert, and tried to solve the parts he could as much as possible.
“So, what about the existing currency?”
“Since the banks and government that guaranteed its credit have all collapsed, it has no value. As for small coins… they have some value as they can be melted down for other uses.”
First, Bahamut inquired about the previously used currency.
Of course, Lee Hyuna’s response was the same information mentioned during the cult meeting, and Bahamut realized that the Korean won had no value.
“What about currencies from other countries?”
“Except for the dollar, you can assume that all others have lost their value.”
‘Then should we use dollars… Ah, but we have no means to issue dollars.’
Thus, he brought up the idea of using other currencies instead of the won, but it was said that all currencies except for the dollar were essentially worthless.
Even though he considered using dollars due to Lee Hyuna’s remarks, he quickly realized that the number of dollars available was limited.
“I see. It seems we need a new currency that someone trustworthy can guarantee.”
“That’s exactly right.”
He recognized the need for a new currency that could guarantee trust and value.
However, the problem was where to establish that trust and value.
Bahamut, however, had confidence in this matter.
“Then I shall personally guarantee the credit and value of the currency.”
“Excuse me?”
It would be enough if Bahamut himself guaranteed the credit and value of the currency.
This would solve all the issues.
Since it was a currency to be used exclusively in Gyeongju, he acted with confidence, believing that no one in Gyeongju would deny his existence.
“So…”
“I shall personally produce the currency to be used in Gyeongju.”
If the Balhut Cult stepped forward to guarantee the credit and value of the currency, it could naturally raise suspicions, but if Bahamut, a dragon, directly produced and guaranteed the currency, it would be difficult for anyone to question it.
Moreover, the survivors living in Gyeongju were well aware of Bahamut’s existence, and many camp leaders of survivor groups had even met Bahamut in person.
With Bahamut directly guaranteeing the credit and value of the currency, it was possible to issue it without any issues.
However, there was a concern.
“But how do you plan to produce the currency? We don’t have the tools to manufacture currency here…”
“That won’t be a problem. I plan to produce it with magic.”
“Ah.”
The issue was that there was no machinery for currency production inside the shrine.
Lee Hyuna pointed this out, but Bahamut confidently stated that it was not a problem, as he planned to use magic to produce the currency.
At the mention of magic, Lee Hyuna nodded in understanding and fell silent.
“Then, in what form do you plan to produce the currency?”
“I intend to make it as coins. Coins made from metals will be more trustworthy to people than paper money.”
“That seems to be the best choice.”
Lee Hyuna nodded in agreement with Bahamut’s decision to produce coins rather than paper money, which could be easily counterfeited.
In a currency-based economy, the greatest danger was counterfeit currency, which could cause the collapse of the entire system. If a rival camp of survivors issued counterfeit currency with ill intentions, it could destabilize the economy.
Considering this, producing the new currency in the form of coins was indeed the safest choice.
“So, can you gather as many coins issued by the Republic of Korea as possible and send them here? I will melt them down and mint new coins, personally guaranteeing their value.”
“Understood. I will arrange for the collection of coins stored in banks and those held by people and send them over.”
In response to Bahamut’s request, Lee Hyuna nodded and agreed to proceed promptly.
Returning from the shrine to the Balhut Cult’s headquarters, Lee Hyuna sought out Choi Yuna to deploy personnel.
“Lord Bahamut has instructed us to collect all the coins in Gyeongju City.”
“What’s the reason?”
“He intends to create a new currency.”
“Then, I’ll assign the necessary manpower.”
With Choi Yuna’s assistance, Lee Hyuna was soon able to gather the coins needed for the new currency production.
With the help of cult members from the Balhut Cult, Lee Hyuna collected 10-won coins, 100-won coins, and 500-won coins, all of which were handed over to Bahamut.
After completing all the preparations, Lee Hyuna waited patiently for Bahamut to present a prototype of the new currency…
“Is this the currency of the Balhut Cult?”
…A few days later, Lee Hyuna received the prototype of the new currency from Bahamut.
“Yes. What do you think?”
Lee Hyuna’s evaluation was that it was made surprisingly well.
There were no issues with the finishing touches, and the classification of the coins was meticulous.
‘It won’t be easy to replicate.’
Each coin was engraved with intricate patterns, making it difficult to counterfeit quickly.
Seeing the coins that looked as if they were stamped out by a machine, Lee Hyuna even wondered if a coin-minting machine had been secretly installed inside the shrine.
With coins like these, she felt assured that counterfeit coins would not quickly flood the market…
“Ah, I have placed an anti-counterfeiting enchantment on the coins.”
“…Excuse me, did I hear that wrong?”
Bahamut’s simple goodwill bombarded Lee Hyuna’s composure.
So, he’s saying he placed anti-counterfeiting magic on each coin?
What kind of magic is that?
“An anti-counterfeiting measure?”
“Each coin contains a certain amount of my magic power. The coins were made using a special method during manufacturing, so even if someone were to create counterfeit coins that look identical, they wouldn’t be able to replicate the scent of my magic. Surely, no one can melt down the coins I made to mint new ones, can they?”
Naturally, counterfeiting was impossible.
Counterfeiting is meant for profit, but if the cost of counterfeiting exceeds the value of the currency, it wouldn’t be worth the effort.
And melting down existing coins to make new ones?
That would be a losing endeavour.
“Yes, right? …So, does that mean all of this currency contains your magic power, Lord Bahamut?”
“Indeed. Ah, if the coins lose their value, they can be melted down on the spot and turned into weapons.”
“Weapons?”
The non-counterfeitable nature of the currency was already valuable enough.
But Lee Hyuna heard something strange from Bahamut.
Did he say that these coins could be… used as weapons?
“Yes. By melting down the coins and lightly coating or engraving patterns onto items, they can function as enchanted objects that activate various effects depending on the engraved design.”
“W-Weapons, you say!?”
In the past, currency was sometimes made of metals that could be melted down for various uses to maintain its value.
Bahamut’s reasoning was along those lines, and Lee Hyuna could understand that logic well enough.
However, she couldn’t help but be surprised since the coins turned out to be more valuable than she had anticipated.
‘Of course, it needs to be tested since it’s just a prototype. But these are no ordinary coins.’
Though Bahamut’s method would need testing, Lee Hyuna sensed that the coins were not just ordinary objects from the way he proudly spoke about them.
“What will they be called?”
“They will be called won, like the original currency. If we give them a different name, it might confuse people.”
“Ah, yes. That makes sense.”
The coins retained the name of the original currency, won.
This decision was made to avoid confusing the citizens of Gyeongju, and Lee Hyuna nodded in agreement.
“So, should I think of them as 10-won, 100-won, and 1,000-won coins?”
“Yes, that would be appropriate.”
From small denominations to larger ones, it seemed that everything necessary was in place.
“The 10-won coins are made of pure copper, the 100-won coins are a mix of nickel and copper, and the 1,000-won coins are made of pure nickel.”
“Then…”
With this, it was suitable for establishing a functioning currency economy.
Lee Hyuna eagerly collected the prototype coins and, looking at Bahamut, asked.
“How will you determine the prices?”
“That’s something you will have to figure out. After all, it’s not me who will be using them, but the citizens of Gyeongju.”
She inquired about the value of the coins, but Bahamut drew a clear line regarding this matter.
While he would guarantee the coins’ credit and value, he left the decision of how to use them to the Balhut Cult.
This could be seen as Bahamut showing goodwill toward Lee Hyuna…
‘Impossible. It’s beyond my capacity.’
Bahamut’s mind had already reached its limit regarding the coin issue.
He could only hope that Lee Hyuna would take care of the rest, passing on all the remaining tasks to her.
‘It would have been better if Lord Bahamut had decided everything… Though having trustworthy coins is more than enough.’
From Lee Hyuna’s perspective, she was in the midst of figuring out how to assess their value.
If Bahamut had made all the decisions clearly, it would have been easier, but even just guaranteeing the minting, value, and credibility of the coins was a considerable contribution.
‘It’s a double-edged sword.’
Moreover, since the coins were exceptionally well-made, distributing them poorly could lead to deflation, turning them into a double-edged sword.
Lee Hyuna’s worries deepened.
“Ah, understood.”
“Take care.”
Lee Hyuna decided to properly assess the value of the prototype currency given by Bahamut.
Upon returning to the Balhut Cult, the first person she met was…
“This coin… can be used as a weapon?”
“Yes. Lord Bahamut said it can be used as a weapon.”
It was Jung Dong-gun, who was in charge of military affairs.
He was responsible for maintaining order within the city and hunting down zombies from outside. Today, he led troops to hunt down zombies or liberate villages occupied by them.
Jung Dong-gun looked at the coins placed before him with a puzzled expression at Lee Hyuna’s words.
“Hmm. I can certainly sense strong magic power in them. It’s true that they can’t be easily counterfeited.”
“Lord Bahamut said that he placed an anti-counterfeiting enchantment on them.”
“Anti-counterfeiting, huh. He’s quite unforgiving to counterfeiters, isn’t he?”
Jung Dong-gun felt the strong magic emanating from the coins, realizing that it made them hard to counterfeit.
When Lee Hyuna mentioned that Bahamut had personally placed the anti-counterfeiting enchantment, Jung Dong-gun gave a wry smile, joking about how Bahamut was unforgiving to counterfeiters.
Of course, for the fledgling Balhut Cult, it was crucial to be prepared for any possible situation.
For this reason, Jung Dong-gun and Lee Hyuna felt grateful for Bahamut’s thoughtful precautions.
“But Lord Bahamut said these coins can be used to make weapons.”
“Weapons, huh… If these were simply made of copper, we could use them at a foundry to manufacture bullet casings. Would it be okay to test that?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
When Lee Hyuna mentioned weapons, Jung Dong-gun suggested testing by making bullet casings, and Lee Hyuna nodded in agreement.
“Since it’s just a prototype and not a finalized coin for circulation, it’s okay to use it for tests.”
It was a reasonable statement, as these were prototype coins not yet in circulation, and they hadn’t been formally approved as currency.
Moreover, to accurately gauge the coins’ value, testing them as weapons—one of the most valuable resources in the apocalyptic disaster—would be the quickest way.
“Then, I’ll head to the foundry and try making some bullet casings.”
“Please do.”
Jung Dong-gun immediately offered to head to the foundry to test the coins for bullet casings, and after expressing her gratitude, Lee Hyuna left to attend to her own tasks.
Left alone, Jung Dong-gun took the coins Lee Hyuna had given him and headed to the only remaining foundry in Gyeongju.
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