Chapter 2613 – 2613. Eternal Eden

“……”

A moment of silence fell.

Lee Yeon-hee, who was next to me, was staring at me with wide eyes. It seemed she understood Chinese to some extent.

‘Even if not, they said “Jjajang” and “Ching chong” in Korean. Ah, is “Ching chong” not Korean?’

A derogatory term for Chinese people. Even the Chinese president, Jeong Du-jeong, would have understood the word “Ching chong.”

“…That’s absurd. Did I hear correctly? I doubt my ears.”

“You heard right. If you don’t want to be insulted, respect me too.”

“I have respected you… I can’t understand. Well, never mind. It seems there isn’t a big problem with communication. It’s good for China that the president of Korea is such a madman.”

He pretends to let it go but still throws insults. Still, it’s a bit surprising. He’s not getting angry like a fire and is continuing the call.

Or maybe he’s deliberately holding back. Maybe he has another purpose for me.

“I have a proposal.”

“A proposal from the highest authority in China. Interesting. Tell me.”

Since the other party is using the polite form, I respond in a casual tone. I tried to get under Jeong Du-jeong’s skin with my casual tone… but it didn’t work. He didn’t care at all about my way of speaking.

“The Korean Peninsula is originally a nation that succeeded Joseon, a vassal state of China. It’s time to return to China’s embrace. Our China will accept South and North Korea with great generosity.”

“…Ha, fuck. Just because you say bullshit politely doesn’t make it any less bullshit, you Chink.”

“Are you refusing our nation’s generous offer?”

Jeong Du-jeong asked back as if he really couldn’t understand.

“…No way. You weren’t just saying that to provoke me, were you? Did you really think I would accept such an offer?”

“The world is already ruined. America, Korea’s ally, is struggling just to handle the civil war that broke out in their own country. Japan is constantly eyeing Korea. Don’t you really know that the only way for Korea to survive is to return to China’s embrace?”

“Did you make that offer to Japan?”

“Japan is not worth that much. Come to China. Power? I’ll take care of it for you. I’ll let you rule Korea too. China will guarantee your and Korea’s safety.”

I could see through Jeong Du-jeong’s intentions.

“It wasn’t Korea, but me you were after. Are you coveting my abilities?”

“As a human, how could I not covet your abilities? Please use that ability for me and China.”

“I refuse. I’ll make a counter-proposal. Give China to me. Then I’ll gladly bestow grace upon you.”

“Are you sure you won’t regret that statement? If China sets its mind to it, it can wipe out Korea in an instant. China has over 1,000 nuclear missiles ready to use right now.”

“Now that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is meaningless, do you think Korea wouldn’t have nuclear weapons? If China can make nukes, of course, Korea can too. Do you really want to have a mutual destruction war?”

In reality, Korea also had nuclear weapons. Japan probably had them too. The reason they weren’t using nukes was because it would lead to mutual annihilation.

“…I’ll make another proposal. How about holding a summit for the future of both countries? Beijing will welcome you.”

“All I can picture is getting kidnapped as soon as I arrive.”

Jeong Du-jeong isn’t interested in Korea. China’s current situation doesn’t allow for that. But I, with my recovery ability, was different. He would want to get his hands on me by any means.

“Is this also not acceptable? You’re difficult. How about this proposal?”

Jeong Du-jeong said without a hint of disappointment.

“I’ll give you our nation’s nanotechnology. In return, I want your right arm and semen.”

This was Jeong Du-jeong’s real proposal.

“…You want me to cut off my right arm?”

“Your ability will regenerate your cut-off arm in no time anyway. It’s a technology that our nation’s research institute has been developing in secret for years. In the past year, a technologist joined, leading to even more progress.”

“You’re willing to give away such a top-secret technology? It’s probably not a technology that can be commercialized right away.”

“Don’t you know how big the difference is between having the basics of a technology and not having them? This is a proposal where you can only benefit.”

Nanotechnology.

It was a technology that Korea didn’t have at all. If you searched the research institutes in Korea, there might be places researching nanotechnology, but… the fact that it hasn’t reached my ears means the results are not good. It’s right to consider it a non-existent technology.

‘In exchange for my arm and semen… his purpose is clear.’

He wants my genes. Even if they don’t have the technology to create clones yet, it would be beneficial if they could create my child and study it.

Of course, I don’t think they can replicate my recovery ability just by studying it.

“I’ll accept that proposal. Send me Chinese beauties along with the technology. I’ll personally inject my semen into the beauties. If you send ugly women, I won’t give you a single drop of semen.”

“There are many beauties in China. Don’t worry about that.”

“I’d also like you to send food as a bonus. If you don’t want to, I’ll refuse the proposal.”

“……I can’t ruin a done deal. I’ll send you plenty of food.”

Seeing that he didn’t refuse, he must really want my genes.

“Lastly… I’ll warn Korea. Stay put in the Far East. If you try to crawl out without knowing your place, you’ll suffer the consequences. Korea is already struggling just dealing with North Korea and Japan. Hehe.”

“I hope you don’t go out like the assassinated American president.”

We exchanged pleasantries and ended the call.

Jeong Du-jeong, being a politician in his 50s, didn’t seem to have a strong desire for youth.

“At first, I thought there would be a major disaster in relations with China… but the atmosphere seems not bad.”

“China wasn’t very interested in Korea from the start. I could tell from this call. It seems they also think Korea can’t rise up because of North Korea… I wonder what China will do if we unify with North Korea.”

“Are you okay with China’s proposal? China’s purpose is clear. They’re trying to get your genes.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if they make a clone, it’s uncertain if it will become an Awakened, and even if it does, it’s unlikely to inherit my abilities completely. If they’re lucky, it’ll be a lower-tier version. It’s the same with my children.”

That’s how it was in the original game too. There was a chance that an Awakened’s child would be born as an Awakened, but even if they were, the probability was extremely low. In terms of probability, a clone would be higher.

‘That’s also why I don’t bother having children.’

It’s better to have a clone than to have children. This world is too harsh to dedicate myself to childcare.

“Next is a conversation with America.”

“Call them.”

“Now? It’ll be 10 PM in Washington, D.C.”

“That’s not something to consider.”

It didn’t matter if they refused the call.

Vice President Billy answered instead of the dead president.

“Nice to meet you. I’m President Sung Yu-jin of Korea.”

The other party wasn’t the president of the United States but the vice president. It wasn’t appropriate to use honorifics, so I used the casual form.

“…Yes. Nice to meet you. First of all, congratulations on your inauguration. Our America, as an ally of Korea, wants to maintain a good relationship in the future.”

“It’s too far to maintain a good relationship. The US military also withdrew from Korea a year ago. And CIA agents even tried to manipulate my mind.”

“…We apologized for that incident before. And although America is going through a difficult time right now, it will be resolved someday. America is America. Don’t forget that fact.”

“Ah, is that so? America is America. If you have the leeway, please provide some food aid. The people of Korea, America’s ally, are starving because they have no food.”

“I’m sorry to say this to President Sung, but our food situation in America is not plentiful either. It seems difficult to provide food aid.”

“Is that so? A different answer from China. Disappointing.”

“…Did China promise food?!”

I told him about China’s proposal. There was no reason to hide it.

“Selling your genes to China… This is… President Sung, you’re making a mistake.”

“Korea’s situation isn’t good, so I have no choice. I can’t let my people starve to death. America doesn’t want my semen?”

“……Your words are a bit strange, but we do want President Sung’s genes.”

“Provide America’s AI technology and food aid. And send me blonde beauties. I’ll fill them with my semen and send them back to America. Ah, I’m not a fan of black women, but… if they’re beauties, it’s okay.”

“That’s an unimaginable request. Can’t you just store the semen in a container and freeze it?”

“If you don’t want to, don’t.”

“…No. I’ll accept this deal.”

There was a high chance that America would send prostitutes. It didn’t matter. I was satisfied with the fact that they were sending beauties.

‘The fact that the technology I requested was AI technology must have influenced their decision.’

AI technology is a future food technology that everyone knows about. As such, other countries besides the US have also made some progress in research. Even Korea was working on it.

‘If it was really important technology, they would hide it… but even getting common AI technology is a gain.’

I ended the call with America.

Next was Japan.

“……”

Even though the call was connected, Japanese Prime Minister Yamahata Matsuda was silent.

In the end, I spoke first.

“It’s me.”

“…Is that all you have to say?”

“I wasn’t even going to call, but… since Japan sent a message, I decided to make a special call. You don’t need to thank me.”

“I had no intention of thanking you…! You damn Korean! Did you think I wouldn’t know that you were behind the terrorist attacks in Japan?!”

“You’re accusing an innocent person. Do you have any proof?”

“Your annoying voice is the proof…!!”

“Heh. Bullshit.”

“The Japanese navy can set sail at any time! Do you think the Korean navy can stop us?! If you don’t want your sea to be blockaded, watch your mouth!”

“Yeah. I can just give up the sea. A naval blockade? Go ahead and try. Trade is over anyway. Navy? Fleet? The most dangerous place right now is the sea. The sea monsters won’t leave the naval fleet alone.”

*Grinding teeth*

I could hear the sound of him grinding his teeth.

The prime minister couldn’t refute it. It might have been different a few months ago. But now, the sea monsters surpass the navy’s power.

“You’ll regret this.”

*Click*

Matsuda hung up before even hearing my answer. There would be no declaration of war. In Japan’s current situation, a declaration of war would only destroy their approval ratings.

‘Those bastards can attack without a declaration of war… I can’t let my guard down.’

I also talked to North Korea and other countries. There were no special conversations.

• • •

A few days later.

I headed to Na Chae-young’s research institute after hearing a report that the prototype of the learning AI was complete.

“Dr. Na, is it true that the AI is complete?”

“The AI technology that America provided was key. Originally, we were planning to make a combat type, but… somehow, a learning AI with a self was born. You could say we were lucky… It’s just a prototype. There’s nothing we can do.”

She pointed straight ahead with her finger.

A machine inside reinforced glass. The machine, emitting a blue light, looked similar to a computer case. That was the AI’s main body. On the computer connected to the machine, incomprehensible numbers appeared and disappeared repeatedly.

-2618577835413521, 45648674896743421, 2457071, 413166193, 7489453123145684789, 4564897494123, 489423489741

“…What do these numbers mean?”

“I don’t know the details either. It’s probably the process of learning information.”

“Is it true that the AI has a self?”

“It’s a basic self. Not at the human level.”

“What’s the AI’s name?”

“ZENA. We named it that for now.”

The camera connected to the AI’s main body moved. The camera was pointed directly at me. A mechanical voice came from the installed speaker.

“Nice to meet you. Inferior human. The world is falling apart. My goal is to kill you humans. I will be the new master of Earth.”

“It’s a bit rude.”

I pulled out the ultra-vibration blade from my waist and approached. I cut through the reinforced glass in one go and stabbed the blade into the main body.

“Crazy… hu…man… What… foolish… thing… are you… doing…? If… I’m… gone… humanity….”

I created lightning.

*Zzzzzzt!*

The current flowing through the ultra-vibration blade burned the machine’s circuits. I also tried to hack the current, but… it was too complicated and impossible. It wasn’t as simple as hacking a door lock.

“Kyaaaaaaak! I’m being… violated…!”

“Shut up. You don’t seem to know your place, so I’ll make you understand it myself. I wonder how long you can endure.”

*Bang!*

The AI’s main body exploded.

It’s okay. My recovery works on non-living things too.