Tae-Sung immediately headed to the Grand Hyatt hotel, where he met the Vice President of Hive Games Entertainment, Oppenheimer.

‘That guy is definitely Oppenheimer...’

A middle-aged white man with a large build and clad in a gray suit was waiting for him.

He looked exactly like the person Tae-Sung had been seeing on the news and on the official website of Hive Games Entertainment.

“Hello, Mr. Han Tae-Sung.”

Wearing a translation device, Oppenheimer greeted Tae-Sung warmly.

The world had made technological advancements so great that virtual reality games looked no different from reality itself, so the language barrier between people had long since vanished.

Tae-Sung grasped Oppenheimer's hand and shook it.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Han Tae-Sung.”

“Please, have a seat.”

“Okay.”

“Do you smoke by any chance?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Would you mind if I did?”

“Sure, go right ahead.”

Though Tae-Sung was not a smoker himself, he was not the type to feel uncomfortable or stop others from smoking around him.

“Then, excuse me.”

Oppenheimer asked for his understanding before pulling out a premium cigar. He cut the tip of the cigar, placed it between his lips, and lit it.

He took one puff from the cigar and fixed his gaze on Tae-Sung.

“I’ll get straight to the point. The reason I wanted to meet you is because of the recent incident.”

“Ah, that one?”

“As you might be aware, our company’s policy is to never interfere in the game.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“It’s no different this time. As we have officially announced, the company does not intend to intervene in this matter,” Oppenheimer said. Then, he let out a low chuckle and added, “Haha... Or rather, there’s no such function that allows the administrator to intervene in BNW.”

“What?!” Tae-Sung exclaimed, shocked by what he heard.

“From the very beginning, BNW was developed in such a way that the company cannot intervene, no matter what happens. That’s the reason that we cannot forcibly step in and do something about this situation. At most, we can only monitor what happens, but that’s about it.”

“I... I see...”

Tae-Sung finally realized why Hive Games Entertainment had never stepped in before, no matter how big the mess was.

It was not that they had chosen not to; they simply couldn't do anything about it in the first place.

“We had intended to do the same this time, but this incident is a little different from the previous ones.”

“What makes it different?”

“Class action lawsuits are very troublesome for the company. Ever since it was reported that we are getting sued from all sides, our stock price has started falling. And our shareholders are complaining every day.”

“Oh...”

“We are expecting an intense legal battle, as this case involved legal claims of infringement on individual property rights,” Oppenheimer explained. Then, he added cautiously, “Which is why... Hive Games Entertainment would like to ask for your help.”

“What sort of help are you talking about?” Tae-Sung asked, his interest piqued.

“If you can help the gamers regain control of their characters, we are prepared to compensate you handsomely,” Oppenheimer said. Then, he slid a contract across the table and added, “You will be granted stocks as compensation. And also...”

“...?”

“We will make arrangements so that you can continue playing BNW.”

“Huh?”

“Even if the game servers are one day terminated.”

“...!”

Tae-Sung’s eyes widened at the offer. His ultimate goal had always been to keep BNW running, even if the servers were shut down one day.

If it weren't for that goal, he wouldn't purchase Hive Games Entertainment stocks whenever he had cash.

“In addition, we could appoint you as an executive member of our company and allow you to participate in the next game we are developing. Of course, that is if you’re interested in it.”

“W-Whoa...”

“Our company has learned a lot from this incident, so we intend to review the terms of service and notify the players in advance. However, we cannot avoid the lawsuits that are already filed. Someone has to resolve this crisis, and frankly, we see no one but you, Mr. Han Tae-Sung.”

Oppenheimer exhaled a puff of cigar smoke toward the ceiling, as if he were suffering from a migraine.

“In any case, you are the star of this game. Therefore, if you do decide to accept our offer, then we will do our—”

Tae-Sung cut him off, “I’ll do it. I don’t see any reason not to.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, I am.”

The offer to receive stocks, personally own BNW in the future, and even become an executive of Hive Games Entertainment was simply too good to pass up on. It was like killing two birds with one stone—no, make that three birds.

Besides, he had to settle things with the Marchioni Empire anyway, so this was something he had to do.

Of course, Oppenheimer and Hive Games Entertainment were aware of that fact. Still, their dire situation forced them to make this extremely generous offer to Tae-Sung.

“But there is one condition.”

“What is it?”

“You will find it written on the contract. But you must return control of the characters to the gamers once you win the war.”

In other words, the contract stipulated that if Tae-Sung managed to seize the antenna, he could not use it for his personal gain.

“No need to worry about that.”

“Excellent.”

“As for the contract, I’ll have my lawyers review it before I get back to you.”

“The terms are overwhelmingly in your favor. But please, feel free to review it as thoroughly as you wish.”

And with that, Tae-Sung verbally accepted the offer from the Vice President of the Hive Games Entertainment, Oppenheimer.

***

The next day, Siegfried logged in and headed to the border with the Marchioni Empire, and there he met none other than the one who had started a rebellion against Emperor Stuttgart—Neighdelberg.

He had seized control of the border area between the Marchioni Empire and the Proatine Empire, effectively trapping him between a rock and a hard place.

“Long time no see, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Unlike before, Neighdelberg greeted Siegfried with utmost respect.

‘Ughh... This cunning old geezer,’ Siegfried grumbled inwardly with a grimace.

He couldn’t help but feel disgusted by Neighdelberg’s complete reversal in attitude.

Neighdelberg acted in a very haughty and arrogant way when he used to be Emperor Stuttgart’s loyal dog, and now, he was being so courteous toward Siegfried.

“So, what did you want to see me about?” Siegfried asked.

He sat on Neighdelberg’s throne as if he were at home.

“Your Imperial Majesty must be aware that I have raised my banner and rebelled against the Marchioni Empire.”

“And what about it?”

“Well, the Proatine Empire is currently at odds with the Marchioni Empire, and a full-scale war is looming on the horizon.”

“How about you tell me something I don’t know?”

“If Your Imperial Majesty will form an alliance with me, then my forces will prove invaluable in the upcoming war against the Marchioni Empire...”

Neighdelberg proceeded to list out various advantages he could offer the Proatine Empire.

In other words, he proposed fighting together, as they shared a common enemy now.

“So, I humbly request Your Imperial Majesty to extend your magnanimous grace and put aside our old grievances. We now share a common enemy, making us as good as allies.”

“Hmm...”

“The Marchioni Empire is an enemy that Your Imperial Majesty will find difficult to defeat alone. Even if all the nations on the continent join forces, it might still prove difficult to beat them. Therefore, we should work together and depose that tyrant that—”

Neighdelberg continued wagging his deceitful glib tongue when—

Bam!

Siegfried punched him straight in the face.

“Argh!” Neighdelberg gasped in agony and flew several meters away.

"..."!

The rebel knights nearby were shocked, as not a single one of them had expected Siegfried to punch Neighdelberg.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Siegfried mercilessly kicked Neighdelberg, venting all the anger he had accumulated.

Neighdelberg and his despicable schemes were the reason Siegfried was forced to run around without rest.

A strategic alliance with such a cunning geezer? Never in a million years would Siegfried even consider something like that.

“W-What are you doing? Go stop him!”

“Grand Duke Neighdelberg is being attacked, but...”

“You go stop him. I’m not going anywhere near them.”

None of the knights dared to step in, even though their de facto leader was being beaten to a pulp.

No one was brave enough to stop Siegfried.

Who would dare stop him?

Siegfried’s fame had already reached a point where everyone on the continent knew about his combat prowess. He, a Grandmaster, possessed the power to wipe out an entire army all alone.

“Do you know how much!”

“Gah!”

“I had to suffer!”

“Kuheok!”

“Because of you?!”

“Kiyaaaah!”

“You damned old geezer!”

“M-Mercy...! S-Sire, please—gah!” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Neighdelberg was seventy years old now, but Siegfried did not give a damn. Old man or not, he had no intention of sparing him, as the old geezer’s crimes were too great. He had plotted several schemes to destroy the Proatine Empire, and those schemes would have taken countless lives if Siegfried hadn't stopped them.

In addition, he played a major part in convincing Emperor Stuttgart to trick Siegfried, use him, and discard him once they achieved their goals.

“This alliance will... be extremely... beneficial... Do you think... you can ally with us... after treating me like this?” Neighdelberg gritted his teeth and groaned.

“Alliance? Fuck that shit,” Siegfried scoffed in response.

“...!”

“I’m not getting in bed with someone like you. You’re obviously going to stab me in the back later, so why the fuck would I ally with you? Do you think I’m dumb or stupid?”

Bam!

“Argh!”

“And...” Siegfried trailed his words. Then, he flashed a devilish grin and asked, “Do you think I can’t form an alliance without you?”

After saying those words, he looked around the hall and declared, “This place is now under the Proatine Empire’s control. Those who wish to surrender, surrender now. Those who surrender now, I’ll accept as a citizen of the Proatine Empire. But those who don’t... Well, you can try me and see what happens to you.”

“...!”

The rebel leaders fell silent at the threat.

The threat was supposed to send a chill down their backs, but it was actually a very generous offer. They were living on borrowed time anyway, as there was no way the Marchioni Empire would spare them.

Thus, it was better for them to surrender and become a citizen of the Proatine Empire, rather than stubbornly continue with their rebellion.

“Choose wisely,” Siegfried said. Then, he picked up the old geezer and added, “I’ll be taking this bastard with me. Any objections?”

“...”

As expected, no one dared to stop him. Someone like Neighdelberg was practically powerless against someone like Siegfried. After all, he was merely a figurehead the rebels had set up, and he was neither their liege nor their lord.

Siegfried dragged Neighdelberg by the scruff of his neck and headed for the warp gate.

“Hehehe... I’m not going to grant you a peaceful death,” he muttered with a snicker.

Siegfried planned to throw Neighdelberg into the notorious Aoji Mine, where he would work until the day he died.

***

After taking over the rebel forces and throwing Neighdelberg into the Aoji Mine, Siegfried immediately left the Proatine Empire once again.

There was no time. The all-out war was drawing closer by the day, and the fighting would begin anytime now. At times like this, time was an invaluable commodity, so he had to act swiftly.

‘I have no other choice now.’

Siegfried had originally intended to use the power of the Ten Calamities only after some time had passed since the war began. His plan was to hit the Marchioni Empire’s major cities while their army was tied up in battle.

However, that strategy was no longer feasible now that the side effect of the Elixir of Transcendence was revealed.

He had to unleash the Ten Calamities in advance and throw the Marchioni Empire into chaos so that the high-level Adventurers would become scattered throughout the empire.

‘This will be my counterpunch.’

With his trusty sidekick next to him, Siegfried stepped through the warp gate and headed into the territory of the Marchioni Empire. Then, he traveled across the eastern, western, southern, and northern regions of the empire, releasing all Ten Calamities one by one.

‘Hehehe! Let’s see how you like this!’

After unleashing the Ten Calamities, Siegfried returned to the Proatine Empire. These calamities were so destructive that even a single one of them possessed the power to devastate the entire world.

Yet Siegfried had released all ten of them, all at once, upon the Marchioni Empire.

Siegfried had no doubt that even the mighty Marchioni Empire would be shaken down to its core by these calamities.

With the imperial army tied up in the war against the Proatine Empire, it was only a matter of time before the Ten Calamities ravaged their lands.