The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 214: Chapter 215: The Most Profitable Proposal

The room remained silent.

Nobody spoke for several seconds.

The photographs of the four bosses were still displayed across the table, each image representing a region that the Association had no realistic means of conquering.

Kang Dong-wook finally leaned back in his chair.

"If we requested assistance from other countries, how much would that actually change our chances?"

Seung-ho considered the question carefully.

"Not enough."

Dong-wook looked toward him.

"Explain."

"The problem isn’t simply that we lack enough S-Rank Awakeners."

Seung-ho pointed toward the photograph of the Abyssal Broodmother.

"Even if several foreign S-Rank Awakeners agreed to participate, they would still have to enter the eastern region and survive long enough to reach the Broodmother."

He paused.

"And according to the information you’ve provided, that region contains thousands of high-ranking monsters."

"Correct."

"Then the S-Rank team would have to fight through the entire ecosystem before they could even confront the boss."

Seung-ho’s expression became increasingly serious.

"That alone would exhaust an enormous amount of their strength. By the time they reached the Broodmother, they would already have spent most of their mana, stamina, and recovery resources."

Dong-wook slowly nodded.

"And that is supposed to be the weakest of the four."

"Yes."

Seung-ho turned toward the next photograph.

"The Behemoth is considerably stronger, and its territory is even more difficult to traverse because of the seismic activity it generates."

He moved to the World-Eater Serpent.

"The southern region presents an entirely different problem. Its environment is hostile, the serpent can consume magical energy, and the surrounding monsters are adapted to that ecosystem."

Finally, his gaze settled on the Infernal Emperor Dragon.

"And the northern region..."

He stopped for a moment.

"The dragon is simply beyond anything we have previously classified as a conventional dungeon boss."

Dong-wook’s expression became grim.

"So even if every country agreed to send their strongest Awakeners..."

"We would still have no guarantee of success."

Seung-ho’s answer was immediate.

"Honestly, Chairman, I wouldn’t even call it a proper chance."

Dong-wook looked toward him.

"What would you call it?"

"A gamble."

The word remained in the room.

Seung-ho continued.

"A very dangerous gamble in which the price of failure would be the lives of the people we send inside."

He looked toward the photographs again.

"We wouldn’t be entering a dungeon to defeat one powerful monster. We’d be entering an ecosystem containing countless high-ranking monsters and four entities that are individually capable of devastating nations."

Dong-wook lowered his gaze.

"Then our chances..."

"Extremely low."

Seung-ho didn’t hesitate.

"Even with international assistance."

The Chairman remained silent.

The room gradually became heavier.

There was no strategy left that could guarantee victory.

There was no force large enough to make the operation safe.

And there was no indication that the dungeon would become easier with time.

If anything, the opposite was true.

Dong-wook eventually spoke.

"Then what exactly are we supposed to do?"

Seung-ho didn’t answer immediately.

He looked toward the photographs one more time.

"We don’t have a solution."

The admission was quiet, but it carried more weight than any previous statement.

"We can request foreign assistance."

He paused.

"We can gather every S-Rank Awakener willing to participate."

Another pause.

"We can prepare the largest subjugation force in human history."

His expression remained grim.

"But none of that changes the fundamental problem."

He looked toward Dong-wook.

"We don’t have the strength to clear that dungeon."

Silence followed.

Ares had listened to the entire discussion without interrupting.

He lowered his gaze.

’Hmm.’

For a moment, he remained silent.

Then a thought crossed his mind.

It was a simple idea.

Perhaps too simple.

And the more he considered it, the more attractive it became.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

’If they don’t have the strength to clear it...’

His eyes moved toward the photographs.

’...then perhaps I should take it from them.’

The thought was almost amusing.

Ares already knew what existed inside that dungeon.

He knew the four bosses.

He knew the countless powerful monsters scattered throughout the four regions.

He knew the enormous quantities of magical crystals, rare minerals, monster materials, magical plants, valuable organs, venom, scales, bones, cores, and countless other resources that had accumulated there over an unknown period of time.

And more importantly, he knew exactly how valuable those resources could become.

’The magical crystals alone would be useful.’

His thoughts continued.

’The research division could use them to develop new magical technology, energy systems, preservation equipment, communication devices, defensive barriers, and countless other projects.’

He thought about Starlight.

’Starlight could benefit from the materials as well.’

The business could use rare monster materials.

The craftsmen could use high-quality metals, scales, claws, horns, and other components.

The medical division could investigate monster organs, venom, regenerative properties, and rare magical substances.

The organization’s researchers would have access to resources that could take decades to acquire through ordinary means.

And then there was the wealth.

’If I own everything inside that dungeon...’

Ares’s smile widened slightly.

’...the amount of wealth I could obtain would be absurd.’

He almost laughed.

The Association considered the dungeon an impossible disaster.

Ares saw something else.

An enormous natural treasure house.

One that nobody else could safely exploit.

’This is probably the most profitable opportunity I’ve encountered since coming to Earth.’

His expression remained calm.

But there was something unmistakably wicked behind his eyes now.

He looked toward the Chairman.

"I have a proposal."

Both men turned toward him.

Seung-ho’s expression became cautious.

"What kind of proposal?"

Ares leaned back slightly.

"If the Association cannot clear the dungeon..."

He paused.

"...give it to me."

Silence.

Dong-wook stared at him.

"Give you the dungeon?"

"Yes."

Seung-ho’s expression hardened.

"You mean you want permission to enter it?"

"No."

Ares shook his head.

"I want the dungeon itself."

Neither man spoke.

Ares continued.

"Transfer all rights and authority over the dungeon to me, and I will clear it."

Seung-ho stared at him.

"The entire dungeon?"

"Yes."

Ares looked toward the photographs.

"The eastern forest, the western territory, the southern marsh, and the northern volcanic region."

He paused.

"I will eliminate every hostile monster inside."

His gaze settled on the four bosses.

"Including all four bosses."

Seung-ho’s expression became incredulous.

"You cannot be serious."

"I am."

"You’ve spent the entire conversation explaining why these creatures are beyond the capabilities of our forces."

"That’s correct."

"And now you’re claiming that you can clear the entire dungeon alone?"

"Yes."

Seung-ho shook his head.

"That doesn’t make sense."

Ares remained calm.

"It doesn’t have to make sense to you."

Seung-ho stared at him.

"You yourself said that even if we gathered every available S-Rank Awakener in Korea, our chances against the Broodmother would already be extremely low."

"Yes."

"And the Broodmother is the weakest of the four."

"Yes."

"You also explained that the other three are considerably more dangerous."

Ares nodded.

"That’s true."

Seung-ho leaned forward.

"Then how can you possibly claim that you can defeat them?"

Ares looked directly at him.

"Because the fact that you cannot defeat them doesn’t mean that I cannot."

Seung-ho’s expression remained skeptical.

"You expect us to believe that?"

"No."

Ares answered without hesitation.

"You don’t have to believe me."

Dong-wook narrowed his eyes.

"Then what exactly are you asking us to do?"

"Take a risk."

Ares’s voice remained calm.

"You’ve already established that your current options offer almost no realistic chance of success."

He looked toward the photographs.

"Foreign assistance won’t solve the fundamental problem."

He paused.

"Waiting won’t solve it either."

His eyes became slightly colder.

"And sending more people into that dungeon simply gives you more casualties."

The Chairman remained silent.

Ares continued.

"I’m offering you another option."

Seung-ho crossed his arms.

"Which is?"

"Give me the dungeon."

The answer came immediately.

"I will assume responsibility for clearing it."

Ares leaned forward slightly.

"In exchange, I want everything inside it."

Seung-ho’s eyes narrowed.

"Everything?"

"Everything."

Ares gestured toward the photographs.

"Every monster corpse."

He continued.

"Every magic stone."

"Every magical crystal."

"Every mineral."

"Every magical plant."

"Every organ, venom, scale, bone, horn, claw, fang, hide, core, and other material that can be recovered."

He paused.

"And anything else naturally produced or discovered within the dungeon."

Dong-wook studied him.

"You want all of it."

"Yes."

"No exceptions?"

"None."

Seung-ho’s expression became more serious.

"You aren’t asking for a portion of the resources."

"No."

"You’re asking us to surrender every resource inside the dungeon."

"Exactly."

The room became silent again.

Ares’s smile became slightly more pronounced.

’If I’m going to take responsibility for clearing a dungeon this enormous, there is no reason to leave the valuable part behind.’

’The Eclipse Order would benefit enormously from this.’

’Starlight alone could make use of an enormous amount of the materials.’

’The research division could spend years studying the crystals, monster biology, magical properties, and energy contained within the dungeon.’

’The craftsmen could develop new equipment.’

’The medical division could study the regenerative properties of the monsters.’

’And if even a fraction of the rare materials were sold...’

Ares almost laughed.

’The wealth would be ridiculous.’

He looked at the two officials again.

"Naturally, I understand why you’re hesitant."

Seung-ho remained silent.

Ares continued.

"But consider the alternative."

He pointed toward the photographs.

"You don’t own the resources inside that dungeon in any meaningful sense if you cannot safely retrieve them."

Seung-ho’s expression tightened.

Ares looked toward the Chairman.

"You can keep legal ownership of a dungeon that nobody can safely clear."

He paused.

"Or you can transfer it to someone willing to assume the responsibility of clearing it completely."

Dong-wook looked at him carefully.

"And you expect us to simply accept your claim."

"No."

Ares shook his head.

"I expect you to make a decision based on your circumstances."

Seung-ho frowned.

"You’re taking advantage of the fact that we have no alternative."

Ares smiled.

"Of course."

The blunt answer made Seung-ho fall silent.

Ares continued.

"I’m not pretending otherwise."

He leaned back.

"You have already admitted that you cannot clear the dungeon."

Dong-wook remained silent.

"You have also admitted that foreign assistance would still leave you with extremely low chances of success."

Another pause.

"And you cannot simply allow the dungeon to remain untouched forever."

Ares’s expression became serious.

"So I’m offering you a solution."

Seung-ho looked toward Dong-wook.

The Chairman didn’t speak immediately.

Yet the person sitting across from them was calmly asking to take responsibility for all of it.

Dong-wook finally spoke.

"If we agreed to this..."

Ares waited.

"What exactly would you require from us?"

"Exclusive rights to the dungeon’s internal resources."

Ares answered immediately.

"The Association would retain no claim over anything I recover from inside."

Seung-ho looked at him.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Not even the magic crystals?"

"No."

"The monster cores?"

"No."

"The remains of the four bosses?"

"No."

"Any rare materials discovered deeper inside?"

"Everything."

Ares’s answer never changed.

Seung-ho remained silent.

Dong-wook finally looked toward him.

"And what would the Association receive?"

Ares answered calmly.

"A cleared dungeon."

The Chairman’s eyes narrowed.

"You make it sound simple."

"It is simple."

Ares looked toward the photographs.

"You have a dungeon you cannot clear."

He looked back at them.

"I have the ability to clear it."

He paused.

"You want the threat removed."

"I want the resources."

The room became silent again.

It was an ugly arrangement.

A completely one-sided acquisition of everything inside the dungeon.

And yet neither Dong-wook nor Seung-ho could ignore the reality of their situation.

They had already established that their forces had essentially no realistic chance of clearing the dungeon.

Even if every available S-Rank Awakener in Korea participated, they would still be sending people into an environment where the strongest creatures could destroy nations.

Foreign assistance would not solve that problem.

Waiting would only allow the dungeon to continue developing.

And every failed attempt would cost lives they could not replace.

Dong-wook slowly folded his hands together.

"If we agree, you understand that the Association will still monitor the Gate from outside."

"That’s acceptable."

"We will retain the authority to intervene if the Gate itself becomes unstable and threatens the surrounding population."

Ares nodded.

"Reasonable."

"You will not intentionally allow any creature from the dungeon to escape into South Korea."

"Agreed."

"If your actions cause a catastrophic incident outside the dungeon, you will be responsible for the consequences."

"That’s fair."

Seung-ho looked toward him.

"And if you fail?"

Ares met his eyes.

"Then you can take the dungeon back."

Seung-ho frowned.

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

Ares leaned back.

"If I fail to clear it, the agreement becomes void."

Dong-wook remained silent for several seconds.

Then he looked toward Seung-ho.

Seung-ho understood immediately.

Neither of them believed Ares could actually accomplish what he was claiming.

But they also knew that their own chances were practically nonexistent.

This wasn’t a matter of choosing between a safe plan and a dangerous plan.

There was no safe plan.

There was only a choice between continuing toward almost certain failure and allowing an unknown individual to attempt something they themselves could not accomplish.

Dong-wook finally reached for a blank contract.

"We’ll do it."

Seung-ho looked at him.

"Chairman?"

Dong-wook’s expression remained serious.

"We have no reasonable alternative."

He looked toward Ares.

"If you truly possess the strength you claim, then this may be the only opportunity we have to remove the threat without sacrificing another army."

He placed the contract on the table.

"But understand this."

His voice became firm.

"If you fail, the dungeon returns to the Association."

Ares nodded.

"Understood."

Dong-wook continued.

"And until the dungeon is cleared, we will continue monitoring the Gate from outside."

"That’s fine."

Seung-ho looked at Ares.

"You’re really willing to accept those conditions?"

Ares smiled faintly.

"Of acourse."

Seung-ho stared at him.

For some reason, that smile bothered him.

It wasn’t the expression of someone taking an impossible risk.

It was the expression of someone who already knew exactly what he was going to gain.

Ares looked down at the contract.

Everything was written clearly.

The Association transferred exclusive rights to the dungeon and all resources contained within it to Ares.

In exchange, Ares accepted sole responsibility for the dungeon’s complete subjugation.

The Association would retain external monitoring authority but would make no claim over any material recovered from within.

Ares picked up the pen.

He signed.

Dong-wook signed afterward.

Seung-ho added his signature as an official witness and representative of the Gate Management Bureau.

The contract was complete.

Ares picked it up and examined the signatures.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

’Perfect.’

He carefully stored the contract inside his spatial storage.

The Chairman watched him.

"You seem rather satisfied."

Ares looked toward him.

"Is that so?."

Seung-ho narrowed his eyes.

"You understand that we still don’t believe you can clear that dungeon."

"I know."

"And yet you’re smiling."

Ares’s smile widened slightly.

"Wouldn’t you be?"

Seung-ho didn’t answer.

Ares looked toward the photographs one final time.

"The dungeon is now mine."

He paused.

"And so is everything inside it."

His expression remained calm.

But beneath that calmness was the satisfaction of someone who had just acquired an entire world of resources without spending a single coin.

For the Eclipse Order, the implications were enormous.

The research division would have access to materials it could never have obtained normally.

Starlight would gain resources capable of accelerating its development for years.

The craftsmen would have rare materials for new equipment.

The medical division would gain access to extraordinary biological specimens.

And if Ares chose to sell even a small portion of the resources later, the resulting wealth could be enough to fund the organization for years.

He looked at the signed contract again.

’All I had to do was offer to solve a problem they couldn’t solve themselves.’

A faint, wicked smile appeared.

’What a profitable problem.’

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