The Heroine Stole My Regression

15 – Reward (2)

“Ha ha… A humorous jest.”

His lips were smiling, but his eyes were still full of doubt.

He didn’t believe me, it seemed.

‘Naturally.’

The Elixir and Cross obtained from Iano’s tomb were as precious as the named relic of Japan, the Sword Yamata no Orochi.

In terms of value alone, they were on par with that relic. Even so, there was no way they’d trade it.

And yet, I ate it? A mere student? It was only natural he wouldn’t believe it.

“…”

So I didn’t bother correcting his skepticism.

“…Then, what about the Cross, perhaps?”

When I didn’t mention the Elixir any further, he seemed to give up and began to inquire about the whereabouts of the Cross.

“I plan to sell it to Arcadia.”

I wondered if I should be saying all of this, but the Hero Association wasn’t after the Cross itself in the first place.

What they wanted was to prevent the Cross from being handed over to the Japanese Association, or, if it were, to extract a greater reward in return.

So, in the end, we were in the same boat.

“I see. Arcadia would likely desire it as well.”

He nodded nonchalantly, but he couldn’t quite hide the subtle relief that surfaced.

Having spoken, the sedan had, before I knew it, arrived at the Association building.

The grand edifice stood before us. Its facade was all transparent glass, imparting a modern yet robust feeling.

“If you proceed as is, they will immediately seat you at the negotiation table. And in that negotiation, save for the interpreter, we won’t have any room to intervene.”

-Nor could we.

He added the thought unspoken, continuing slowly,

“So, before that, would you care to come this way first?”

Alighting from the car, I quietly followed his lead.

The direction he took was not the thoroughfare for outside visitors, but a separate entrance, seemingly used only by internal personnel.

There, an elegant metal door was installed, and beside it, a distinct authentication device was situated.

As he held the authentication tag on his wrist to the door, it opened with a smooth mechanical hum.

“This way, please.”

It was an elevator. Apparently, for internal use only.

As the elevator doors closed, a slight vibration resonated at my feet.

He inputted the floor number, turning to look at me.

“This is a space where matters are internally discussed and organized before any external negotiation takes place.”

When the doors opened, a negotiation room with a luxurious atmosphere came into view.

A woman sat at one side of the negotiation table, dressed in a neatly tailored suit.

She was reviewing documents in front of her laptop when she looked up, noticing Kim Gil-kyu and me.

“Hello, Jung Hae-in.”

Her voice was soft, yet sharp.

“Yes.”

At my reply, she nodded and offered me a seat.

“Please, sit. My name is Jung Yu-ri, affiliated with the Association. Before the full-scale negotiation begins, I would like to ask you a few preliminary questions.”

Kim Gil-kyu turned to me, giving a quiet nod. I sat down, facing her.

“Regarding the matter of Iano’s Tomb, it is highly probable that the Japanese side will make the following three primary requests.”

She began to explain, point by point, while turning the pages of her documents.

I was inwardly impressed by the briefing, which was more formal and systematic than I had anticipated.

“First, there is the ownership of the dungeon itself. Both international law and the laws of the Republic of Korea strongly guarantee the rights of the dungeon’s discoverer. However, currently, you possess neither ownership nor even exploration rights. Therefore, the Japanese side will attempt to purchase this ownership.”

I nodded. This was an expected point.

“Second, there are the artifacts discovered within the tomb. In particular, it is highly likely that the Japanese side will insist on acquiring Iano’s Cross and the Elixir. These artifacts are directly linked to their history.”

“Just a moment.”

I raised a hand, halting her explanation.

“There is no elixir. I already used it.”

Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Mr. Gil-gyu beside her stared at me, a look that screamed, ‘That was real?’

I’m telling you, it was real.

“I see. However, that changes nothing. The Cross holds far more symbolic weight, you understand.”

Her voice was steady, calm.

“Third, the dungeon itself. Japan will attempt to hire experts to completely transfer this dungeon to their own country. They desire the right to control the dungeon within their borders.”

She looked at me, adding the final point.

“Therefore, regarding these requests, Mr. Jung Hae-in, it would be wise to formulate your stance, or conversely, conditions that you might demand of the Japanese side.”

-Swish-

She handed me a list.

“This is an inventory of the artifacts held by Japan. Their rarity and potency are documented in detail. I hope it proves helpful in your decision.”

Wow.

I truly hadn’t expected them to go this far.

I slowly examined the list. I did have something in mind.

“Is… this also possible?”

I scanned the list slowly, then pointed to one item.

She noted where my finger rested.

“Ah… this would be rather difficult.”

The item in question was the legendary sword I’d mentioned before, Yamata no Orochi.

“The Japanese side is highly unlikely to offer this artifact as a negotiation point, ever.”

As expected.

Even if the value were equal, Orochi’s symbolism and notoriety were in a completely different league.

“You should assume they will not relinquish Orochi under any circumstances.”

I chuckled softly and nodded.

Truthfully, I was just asking.

What I truly wanted wasn’t that.

“Then, what about this?”

I pointed to another item and asked. Her gaze shifted back to the paper.

“Well, this one…”

She hesitated for a moment before carefully uttering,

‘Camellia Blade.’

An artifact impossible to acquire in the game without cheating.

And above all else, there was one heroine I knew who was particularly well-suited to this sword.

“It’s not Orochi-level, but frankly, it won’t be easy either…”

“Just a moment.”

As if trying to wrap things up, Kim Gil-gyu, who was beside me, checked his watch and looked at me.

“It’s almost time for you to leave.”

*

As I was guided by the association towards the conference room, the quiet hallway gradually filled with the murmur of voices.

“The Japanese side is already waiting.”

Stepping into the conference room, the air felt noticeably heavier.

Several members of the Japanese delegation were already seated, awaiting my arrival. They slightly rose and bowed as they saw me.

“Hajimemashite.”

Even I could understand such a simple greeting. I nodded lightly in return and took my seat.

The representative began with some customary remarks, but quickly got to the point.

Documents passed across the table meticulously outlined the status of Iano’s Tomb, the Japanese side’s assessment, and the demands of the Japanese Hero Association.

“Our Japanese Association formally desires the rights to the ownership of Iano’s Tomb.”

A decisive demand. As I flipped through the documents without a change in expression, the negotiation representative continued.

“Of course, we are prepared to offer a considerable sum as compensation. We hope an agreement can be reached in some form… What are your thoughts?”

I deliberately offered no response.

A moment of silence hung in the air. The representative seemed to swallow hard, fiddling with his lips before forcing a smile and changing the subject.

“Haha… I understand. If an agreement regarding ownership proves difficult, we would like to purchase the artifacts found within the tomb—specifically Iano’s Cross or the Elixir. We have also calculated an appropriate amount for these.”

As I turned my head, the Japanese representative’s gaze followed me intensely.

“Not for sale.”

“… Pardon?”

“It is not for sale. The amount is not the issue.”

The Japanese representative’s eyes flickered. A slight murmur rippled through their staff.

I merely tapped the table, expressionless.

“Then… might I inquire how you would view the matter of transferring the entire dungeon to Japan?”

In response to the representative’s question, I cut in cleanly.

“If the ownership of the tomb is so vital, I could perhaps relinquish it.”

The entire Japanese delegation visibly startled at the sudden offer.

A glimmer of expectation flashed across their faces, quickly replaced by suspicion.

I folded my hands together on the table, interlacing my fingers.

“Give me the Camellia Sword.”

The instant my words left my mouth, someone who appeared to be the negotiation lead shot up from his chair.

He dabbed at the perspiration gathering on his brow with a handkerchief.

“Ah, that… that is a very difficult condition. The Camellia Sword holds considerable significance in our history—”

“Ah, yes, I figured it would be difficult. Oh well.”

With a nonchalant expression, I tilted my head once, lightly pushing myself back from the table as if about to depart at any moment.

‘He’s giving up that easily?’

Someone, surely, was thinking exactly that.

“So, I’ve considered a new prospective buyer.”

Never, absolutely never.

I continued to speak, my face devoid of any tell.

“China.”

In this world, for the past twenty years or so, China had been relentlessly striving to incorporate historical heroes from across Asia into its own history.

And Iano, naturally, was among their targets.

Therefore, handing him over to China would be akin to Japan having their hero stolen from right under their noses. A truly dreadful situation for them.

Moreover, in this world, due to the aforementioned reason, the conflict between Japan and China is depicted as far more severe than in reality.

To confirm my words were fully understood, one of the committee members across the table started to shout rather noisily.

“What are they saying?”

“Unbelievable… They’re saying things like, ‘China is absolutely out of the question…,’”

Nothing is unbelievable in this world.

I settled into a more relaxed position, reclining slightly.

“Ah, I don’t know, maybe I should just go ahead and sell it to China.”

Give it, or I sell it.

“Mr. Gil-gyu~ Please contact China, quickly~”

Dongbaek sword, yes?

Or, will you be subject to the Northeast Project?

It was a threat, yes, but…

It was also the strongest card I had prepared.