Chapter 78
In conclusion, Lee Hyuna decided to be content with ensuring the copyright and patent for the technology were guaranteed by the United States.
After all, the technology itself was quite simple, and once the currency issued by the Balhut Cult was recognized by the United States, it was only a matter of time before the technology would be discovered. It seemed she believed that securing international guarantees for the patent and copyright in advance was advantageous.
Once the technology of the cult was guaranteed for copyright and patents under the name of the United States, Lee Hyuna disclosed the secret of the Bahamut Rounds without hesitation.
“Indeed. So, this small coin is the critical material for creating Bahamut Rounds?”
Steven, looking at the coin in front of him, asked again if this coin was indeed the main material for producing the rounds.
However, Lee Hyuna lightly nodded as if to dispel Steven’s doubts and explained the trick hidden in the coin.
“Yes. The coins we use are inherently imbued with magical power. The enchantment technique utilizing this is the key to the Bahamut Rounds.”
“Anna. Is this true?”
“Yes. It contains dense… precise pure magical power. Who would have thought such a small coin could harbor such potent energy! It cannot even be compared to the magic stones rarely obtained from monsters!”
At those words, Steven turned to Anna, who confirmed with a face full of certainty that the coin was imbued with powerful magic.
The fact that such overwhelming power resided in a small coin seemed astonishing to him, prompting a comparison to magic stones, which were rarely acquired from monsters, and marveling that it was on an entirely different level.
‘Magic stones? Could it be the same magic stones often mentioned in hunter stories?’
Lee Hyuna keenly listened to the mention of magic stones, suspecting that they might be similar to the objects often seen in the hunter genre.
As Anna cited magic stones as an example while marveling at the power within the coins, Lee Hyuna speculated that the coins and magic stones might share similarities.
“Where did you obtain this item?”
“It wasn’t obtained. This coin was personally minted by God Bahamut for the cult.”
Regaining his composure after Anna’s awe, Steven asked where they had acquired it. Lee Hyuna responded that the coin before him wasn’t something they obtained.
She then explained that the coins were personally minted by God Bahamut, whom the Balhut Cult served, causing Steven to gape in astonishment.
“So, you’re saying this was directly crafted by God Bahamut. I’ve heard stories in the shrine, but I didn’t realize the coin was this extraordinary!”
“Yes. Our craftsmen processed these into Bahamut Rounds. This means that the coins issued by God Bahamut himself can inherently serve as materials for crafting magical weapons.”
Although Bahamut had been mentioned in the shrine before, he hadn’t given it much thought.
However, witnessing the Bahamut Rounds and examining the coin now made him realize the immense value of the coins used by the Balhut Cult.
‘Then, using American technology and artisans, could we create something even stronger?’
While the industrial facilities here weren’t bad, they paled in comparison to the military-industrial complexes painstakingly established by the White House.
If the Balhut Cult were to collaborate with American technological prowess and Bahamut coins, wouldn’t it be possible to produce weapons even more powerful than the Bahamut Rounds crafted by the cult?
It was a plausible thought.
However…
‘The Balhut Cult surely wouldn’t be unaware of this.’
The copyright and patents for the technology had already been secured by the Balhut Cult, and the United States had promised to uphold them.
This meant that the cult had already grasped the value of the Bahamut coins perfectly and knew better than anyone how to utilize them.
“Haha. It must be incredibly valuable.”
“Yes. That’s why we could maintain a stable value even without other items to guarantee the currency.”
“Of course. This is a remarkable piece of art and a powerful weapon at the same time! The mere fact that it was crafted by a dragon will drive countless wealthy individuals in our homeland wild with desire!”
Steven had no choice but to acknowledge the value of the Bahamut coins and practically admit defeat.
After all, once it became known back home that these coins were crafted by a dragon revered as a god, numerous affluent individuals would drool over the coins, eager to acquire these beautiful artworks and rare treasures. They’d be willing to trade hidden reserves of precious metals to obtain them.
The narrative alone—that a dragon created these coins for humanity—could establish premium value, something Steven, living in a capitalist society, understood better than anyone.
Moreover, as both exquisite artworks and powerful weapons, the Bahamut coins served as the driving force that allowed the Balhut Cult to sustain its currency economy, even without sufficient precious metals or gold to back it.
“So, you’re asking us to recognize these coins as currency for use on the Korean Peninsula?”
“Yes. We’ve shared the technology, and while we’re at it, why not? After all, to produce Bahamut Rounds yourselves, you’ll need the primary material: Bahamut coins.”
“Hahaha. That’s true! Since Bahamut Rounds are made by processing these coins, our homeland might be reluctant to acknowledge this, but they’ll have no choice. Based on my judgment, I’ll recognize them.”
If Bahamut coins were acknowledged as currency, they could now be used to purchase goods from the United States.
Steven admitted that it was unavoidable, even acknowledging that the homeland would also have no choice but to accept it.
From America’s perspective, developing its own Bahamut Rounds or Bahamut weapons required the coins issued by the Balhut Cult and crafted by Bahamut.
In fact, it was mutually beneficial, as America could convert its surplus resources into coins to procure magical weapons for urban reclamation.
“But can you guarantee that all the coins circulating in the market will have the same performance?”
“Yes. You don’t need to worry about that. God Bahamut himself guarantees the quality and value of these coins. Moreover, sensory-type Awakened individuals like Anna will be even more sensitive to the quality of the coins, making it easier to identify counterfeit coins circulating illegally.”
However, all of this depended on whether the coins in circulation maintained the same value.
Steven, in a doubtful tone, pressed Lee Hyuna aggressively, but she confidently declared that God Bahamut personally guaranteed the quality. Furthermore, she explained that sensory-type Awakened individuals would be highly sensitive to the coin’s quality.
“What do you mean by that?”
“If one can remember the magical scent and pattern of Bahamut, coins that merely imitate the appearance can be easily identified.”
Since the coins were inherently friendly to Awakened individuals, they were considered highly secure against counterfeit currency, which posed the greatest threat to a monetary economy.
Lee Hyuna explained that if someone could recognize the magical scent and pattern within the coins, they could easily distinguish the real from the fake. As she spoke, she pulled out a coin from her pocket.
Its outward appearance was identical to that of the Bahamut coins circulating in the market.
“This is counterfeit currency created by raiders. It’s a coin that merely replicates the appearance using a 3D printer. Can you feel the difference?”
“…Unlike the real coins, the amount and sensation of magic are different. Instead of the refreshing energy of the real coins, this one feels unpleasant and harsh.”
However, Anna, being a sensory-type Awakened individual, quickly recognized the counterfeit nature of the coin.
By comparing the real coin with the fake one, she immediately noticed the differences and could accurately determine which one was counterfeit.
“The identification itself is so simple that even non-sensory Awakened individuals can easily detect it. Even if someone tries to imitate the characteristics of the Bahamut coins, coins made by ordinary Awakened individuals are of such poor quality. Honestly, finding a currency with this level of reliability in this apocalyptic situation would be very difficult.”
“That’s undeniable.”
Even non-sensory Awakened individuals could easily identify counterfeit coins, making these coins highly friendly to the Awakened.
In this era of the apocalypse, where the importance of Awakened individuals was growing, finding a currency more reliable than these coins would be nearly impossible.
Even in America, such a feat was currently unattainable.
“In the future, if Awakened individuals grow even stronger, there might be counterfeit coins capable of mimicking these. However, someone capable of such feats wouldn’t need to resort to counterfeiting; they could easily make money through honest work. Honestly, I believe these coins will remain highly reliable for at least ten or even twenty years.”
Thus, Lee Hyuna confidently claimed that these coins could be guaranteed for at least ten years.
“Of course, that is assuming human civilization lasts those ten years.”
In contrast, Steven expressed skepticism about whether humanity could survive for another decade in this apocalyptic world.
“I believe we can ensure it.”
In response, Lee Hyuna confidently stated her belief that they could guarantee survival.
It was a confidence born from being the victor who had conquered and ruled a region.
“Haha. Is that the confidence of someone who serves the Priestess of the Dragon, who is contracted with God Bahamut?”
It was a confidence stemming from a relationship akin to a cheat, that of serving someone in a contract with God Bahamut.
Steven implied that this confidence was possible because of Bahamut, but…
“…That is blasphemy. I am not someone contracted with God Bahamut. I am merely an administrative official who serves the great Priestess of the Dragon.”
“Ah, I see. It seems I’ve made an inappropriate comment, Ms. Hyuna. My apologies, milady.”
Even the bold Lee Hyuna flinched at the implication, drawing a clear line by clarifying that she was not contracted with God Bahamut but simply an official serving the Priestess of the Dragon.
Steven acknowledged his misstep, apologizing, and followed up on Lee Hyuna’s earlier statement with his decision.
“First, regarding your request to recognize the coins as currency—yes, I will approve it. I will inform my homeland and arrange for your currency to be used for purchasing our goods. After all, we are in a period where we need a large number of magical weapons for our war against monsters. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“And what about the core technology?”
Steven reaffirmed his acceptance of the Balhut Cult’s request.
After all, America would sell its surplus resources to acquire weapons, while the Balhut Cult could obtain the supplies it currently needed.
It was a deal that both sides, given their mutual benefits, could not afford to refuse.
What mattered most to Lee Hyuna, however, was the issue of core technology, to which Steven nodded in agreement as he continued.
“We intend to pay royalties. In addition, we would like to request the dispatch of experts from the Balhut Cult. Oh, and we should also arrange military—or rather, Awakened exchanges.”
Steven assured her that royalties would be paid. Moreover, he expressed interest in sending American experts and establishing exchanges between their Awakened individuals and those of the Balhut Cult.
If they were going to collaborate, they might as well learn all the know-how the Balhut Cult had to offer.
“If necessary, your Awakened individuals could be deployed on our frontlines for appropriate compensation. Let’s build a more intimate and cooperative relationship.”
If they could involve allied forces in America’s wars, the bloodshed of American soldiers could be reduced.
And if they could gain Bahamut’s assistance, it would be even better.
“You will not be disappointed with the price.”
Steven assured that America would offer ample compensation.
Thinking of the overflowing grain silos in their warehouses, Steven showcased America’s overwhelming wealth and abundance.
‘Their unfathomable wealth. Truly, this is America. Even though the negotiations started in our favor…’
Faced with the overwhelming financial power of America, Lee Hyuna broke into a cold sweat, relieved that things were proceeding as she had intended.
Despite starting with an advantageous position, the negotiation had gone smoothly, leaving her keenly aware of America’s immense wealth.
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