God-Tier Enhancement: My Upgrades Never Fail-Chapter 237: Episode _A Hero is Made in Turbulent Times (9)

Chapter 237: Episode 237_A Hero is Made in Turbulent Times (9)

11.

Every day was exciting. For the players, it was inevitable. A war between the black magic mages and the Empire, a conflict guaranteed to be entertaining, was now on a set schedule. The real main event—the demon invasion—hadn’t even begun, yet the game was already this thrilling. The anticipation was palpable.

A new hope began to bubble up among the players: if they could crush the black magic mages in this war, if they could draw out every last one of them from hiding and annihilate them all at once, perhaps they could steer the story in a direction where the demons never came to the continent at all. This hope motivated them to do more than just watch; they wanted to participate directly in the war.

Of course, not for free. They couldn’t play the game purely out of affection for the continent; they still had levels to gain and items to acquire.

Rewards! Kenji, appointed Commander-in-Chief, generously distributed the funds he had received to all who volunteered.

—Joining the war is a sweet deal, way better than grinding.

—I heard you get 1 gold for killing a black magic mage.

—You just have to get the last hit.

—The EXP you get from just one day of war is insane. I’m gonna join up after I finish my hunt.

—Try volunteering as a scout. You complete the quest just by finding the black magic mages’ location.

—Jackpot!

Kenji had shattered the rigid framework of "Black magic mages versus the Empire." He had turned it into an event for all players, and he was using his own money to do it. His reputation soared with each passing day.

Meanwhile, within his guild, they were wracking their brains around the clock.

"What could their scheme be?" Dino wondered aloud.

"Time is on our side," Kenji replied. "For them to turn back like this..."

The odds had suddenly shifted in Kenji’s favor. In fact, from the moment the black magic mages had chosen a target and begun their march, the fight was disadvantageous for them. They were simply outnumbered. The true terror of the black magic mages lay in the damage they could inflict while remaining hidden. In a head-on battle, there was no reason to fear them. Therefore, the answer couldn’t be found in a direct confrontation.

Dino’s expression darkened. He wasn’t just intelligent; he had a firm grasp of reality. "It might be a show," he suggested.

"...A show?"

"Yes. No sane black mage would choose an all-out war with the entire continent. Not unless they’re planning to use their own forces as a sacrifice to summon the Demon King."

Kenji fell silent.

In preparation for the war, Kenji had received some historical data from the Empire about the last demon invasion. It was mostly generic fantasy lore, but it provided a basis for several hypotheses.

"They’ve set a destination for the war, but they’re causing as much damage as possible along the way," Dino continued. "They keep changing their route to drag out as much time as possible. From our perspective, we can’t effectively counter their guerrilla tactics, so we’ve been forced to cede ground to minimize our losses, but..."

He trailed off.

"What if this is all a show, purely for the sake of causing destruction, with no intention of ever fighting a real war?"

"Isn’t that too great a risk?" Kenji countered.

He let out a low groan as he considered the most plausible theory. If it were true, all the money he was pouring into this would be for nothing. It would mean the black magic mages never intended to fight at all. Of course, he could order his assembled army to pursue them now and inflict some damage. They had revealed themselves deep within the continent; they couldn’t escape easily. But the moment he did that, the situation would devolve from a war into pure pandemonium. The amount of damage that would be caused in the ensuing chase was unimaginable. This wasn’t reality, so he wouldn’t have to feel guilty about the lives lost, but that damage was precisely the chaos the black magic mages desired.

His head began to ache. He had been too focused on the Specialists. He had assumed they were controlling the black magic mages simply because they had led them out with such confidence.

"If not that..." Dino trailed off.

If not that, what if they pulled a fast one now, when everyone was expecting a fight?

Kenji was speechless.

The narrative changing wasn’t the problem. The Emperor would eventually dispatch the army to hunt down the black magic mages regardless. But if that happened, the grand picture Kenji had so carefully painted would be utterly ruined.

"Haaah." Kenji clutched his throbbing head. In moments like this, only one person came to mind.

"I need to see Simin."

"...Making a deal seems like the safer option," Dino agreed.

’Did he anticipate this and act so boldly? Or perhaps...’

A guild member burst in. "Guild Master! We have a problem! Simin is on the move to make contact with the Specialists!"

Kenji was stunned.

A state of emergency was declared for Kenji.

12.

Han Simin was no genius. He’d never had his IQ tested, but in his entire life, no one had ever called him exceptionally smart or suggested he join Mensa. If he were that brilliant, he would have excelled in his studies. But he hadn’t, he had no interest in it, and using his brain for intellectual pursuits just wasn’t his forte.

However, he would admit that his mind was exceptionally sharp when it came to making money. That was why he knew his limits and only ever painted pictures he knew he could complete. Always.

Besides, this was a matter involving countless people and their conflicting interests. In the real world, families fell apart over money all the time. Who could you possibly trust in a game enough to orchestrate some grand scheme? He was simply moving along a predetermined path. Kenji’s interference had caused a slight delay, but that variable had, in its own way, turned back around to benefit him.

"It’s been a while."

"How have you been, Seolah?"

"Am I invisible?" Hyeonsu grumbled.

"Nope. Hey to you too, Hyeonsu."

He had left the Royal Knights and Holy Knights behind, bringing only Grokile. Kardian had to stay and protect Squeaker. After making contact with the black magic mages, Simin immediately started his broadcast. Secret meetings were for the real world and private guild chats. This risky rendezvous was purely for show.

The lighthearted atmosphere between the four instantly vanished. A tense distance formed between them, and the surrounding black magic mages raised their staves, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

And then, a special guest appearance.

Grokile remained silent, his expression the sourest it had been since he’d arrived on the continent, but it only served to heighten the dramatic tension.

"A demon, too... You didn’t have to hide something like this from me," Simin said, his voice laced with disappointment.

"Hmph. We can’t stay in the same boat forever, can we?" Yeseul shot back. "If we told you, and the fact that we summoned a high-ranking demon got out to the other side, it would be our loss. Why would we do that?"

And so the drama began, with each of them giving an award-worthy performance. Grokile, who was bound to Simin, was now magically the great hope of the black magic mages, summoned by their power. The four of them stood on a knife’s edge, ready to explode at the slightest touch.

"Don’t be like that," Yeseul pleaded. "Why don’t you join our side? It’s no good for you over there anymore. A high-ranking demon has been summoned, and we’re offering human blood as a sacrifice. The gate to the Demon Realm will open soon. So stop investing in a lost cause and come over to us. I’ll make sure you recover all your losses and then some."

"That’s right, Simin," Seolah added softly. "Let’s see this through together, until the end."

The Specialists refused to give up on Simin. For the viewers watching, their pleas were so heart-wrenching that they wanted to drop everything and join the black magic mages themselves.

—Do they not know they’re being broadcast?

—Wow, they’re gorgeous.

—I’d rather go down with their side, even if it meant ruin.

The biggest reason for this, of course, was their looks. Simin himself seemed to waver, falling silent for a moment. Seeing his hesitation, Yeseul and Seolah pressed their advantage.

"Your negotiations with Kenji fell through anyway, right?" Yeseul said. "Since it’s come to this, just bring the Saintess and the knights and join us. Please? We’ll pay you whatever you want. We have plenty of money, too. The cost of recruiting you is nothing to us. Please. With you on our side, I feel like we can bring this scenario to a perfect conclusion."

"And while you’re at it, hand over the weapons you’re currently enhancing," Seolah added. "We’ll pay a handsome price for them."

Before they knew it, the secret meeting had turned into a full-blown attempt to seduce Simin. It was strange, but utterly captivating.

—Is this the moment that decides the fate of the continent?

—But what really changes if Simin switches sides? It’s not like the Emperor is going to die.

—This guy doesn’t know FW. It means the Saintess will join the black magic mages.

—He might even be able to bring the knights and paladins with him.

—Are you crazy? Why would they switch sides?

—If it’s Simin, he could probably persuade them if the price is right.

Betrayal and politics were always infuriating when you were the victim, but incredibly entertaining to watch from the sidelines. Especially a betrayal of this magnitude. Regardless of the war’s outcome, this was a scene that would deepen personal grudges for a long time to come.

—Weapons he’s enhancing?

—I heard he’s using his Rich Territory VVIP privilege to enhance two weapons.

—No way. Don’t tell me it’s that Special-grade weapon and Legendary-grade sword he bought recently?

—OMG.

—But if he steals them, what happens to his territory?

—What do you think? If he switches sides, he’s giving up his title as the Emperor’s son-in-law. You think he’d care about his territory?

—Which option is more profitable for him?

—Who knows. We have no idea how much he’s making.

This turn of events made Han Simin the main character. His next words would completely change the tide of the war. Even if he didn’t join the black magic mages.

"If that’s too much, you can just agree not to participate in this war," Yeseul offered. "Just hand over the weapons. That alone would be enough."

That was another possible outcome. After a long, contemplative silence, Simin nodded. Then, with an expression more serious than ever before, he spoke.

"Still, there’s such a thing as trust with a client. I’ll ask for his opinion first."

The Specialists were dumbfounded.

It was a serious answer that no one had expected. He immediately initiated a call.

*

Kenji was, of course, watching the broadcast. It wasn’t because he was on the verge of having items worth billions stolen from him. It was because they were items that couldn’t be bought with money. He was watching with bated breath when the call came through. He accepted it instantly.

—"Are you watching?"

"...You’re not really going to sell them, are you?"

—"That’s what I called to ask you."

Kenji was speechless.

He wanted to ask if Simin was out of his mind. In what world does a thief ask the owner for permission to steal their property? The answer was obviously no. But the words wouldn’t come out. He knew exactly what Simin was getting at.

—"How much will you buy them for?"

Kenji was confused.

—"I’ve received an offer from this side, but ah! Let me show you the enhanced options first."

Kenji didn’t respond.

Simin was firm. And his tone was matter-of-fact, as if this entire situation were perfectly normal. He added one more thing.

—"Ah! And I’m absolutely not doing this for revenge because you backed out of our deal. You know that, right?"

This wasn’t personal revenge. He hadn’t conspired with the Specialists. In fact, his original plan hadn’t even included enhancing Kenji’s weapons.

"You’re the one who asked me to enhance them at a time like this."

It was utter nonsense, but somehow, the blame had been shifted entirely onto Kenji.

*