Chapter 181
"Hah. So how much do you want?"
"The production cost of a 20 cubit s.p.a.ce Expansion Marble is 20b. So excluding that amount, 9 to 1 from the net profit. In other words, you get more the higher you can get the price during the negotiation."
"Well, okay. Instead, no more renegotiating."
The guy took out a contract.
I thought that this much was good so I signed it and lightly shook my hands with him. It felt like we really became some kind of business partner or something.
I don't know how I got into such a relations.h.i.+p with this guy but there was no need to cut it off if we both earned a profit I suppose.
"Then I'll go straight into negotiation so you stay right here. By the way, it's probably a good idea to not go out."
"Hm? How so?"
"Do you not even look at the TV even while staying indoors all day?"
"I don't particularly like it."
The television was Soo-ah's while I was in Korea too.
"Even so, you should know how famous you are since you use the internet no?"
"That should calm down soon enough."
The battle that occurred on the beach of San Diego was already a hot issue on the internet.
Because I was filmed from a close distance unlike the time at the forest region my face had appeared as the size of a door.
Due to that, various press companies were raging to interview me.
However, n.o.body knew I was at a safe house due to being under the protection of the government. It was impossible to find me no matter how hard the reporters looked for me.
Due to that, attention had been amplified due to me unknowingly becoming a mystical person. Either way, I didn't think much of it since it was all things that occurred on the internet.
There were many that recognized me as the Great Summoner but it wasn't like there had been problems because of it and a bit of annoyance wasn't really a problem after all.
As I signed the contract, An Gyu-b.u.m hurriedly returned. He said that it would take around a week so I was planning on training psychokinesis during that time.
I was practicing psychokinesis at the swimming pool the next day when Jane Gray suddenly visited.
She started talking with a surprised expression after seeing me walk on the swimming pool water.
"Is that a water walking technique?"
"No, it's just psychokinesis. But did you need something?"
"I came looking for Edward."
"Hm. That guy isn't in the house right now. Why didn't you call ahead of time?"
"I called but he didn't receive it. That's why I even left a message saying that I'll come today."
So that's why he disappeared. I thought he couldn't be seen all day.
"It seems like he won't come back today. Go ahead and rest since you're here and all."
"It's because of me isn't it?"
"Probably."
There was no need to make her hope by telling a lie. Edward being in a relations.h.i.+p had nothing to do with me but there was no need to hook him up on purpose after all.
"Am I not good enough?"
"It's not like that. The problem is probably that he has high standards."
As if women on the level of Joo Jyeon were that common.
He's a guy that says it has to be on the level of a woman who's called the greatest beauty of Asia. Staying single is for the best for that kind of guy.
"I'm not good enough as expected."
What did this woman understand my words as?
"It's not like that."
"Are you saying that I have charm as a woman?"
"Of course. In my opinion, you're too good for him. On the contrary, I want to ask. Why do you like him so much?"
"Because he's good looking."
"…… Right."
I wanted to say that the face wasn't all to a guy but it didn't feel right for me to say so and so I left it at that.
"So, is that your only business?"
"No. I had something to pa.s.s on to Mr. Jun."
"What is it?"
"Do you have any interest in attending a show?"
"Nope."
I cut her off immediately.
Jane opened her mouth with an expression that said that it was a shame.
"An offer came from a famous talkshow of STV broadcasting station. This is an incredibly famous program. It'd be quite a shame if you were to refuse."
"I don't really have much interest in shows."
There was only one reason hunters wanted to earn fame. Money rolled in if one's name became famous. However, I had plenty of money. Also,
"You do know that Mr. Jun is extremely popular right?"
"I have heard so, yes."
I had looked up my name because of An Gyu-b.u.m. I had surpa.s.sed being the Great Summoner to being called the Hero of San Diego.
"Everybody wants to see you. I don't think it would be bad to express your thanks to them."
"It's not that they want a temporary amus.e.m.e.nt?"
"Do you think Americans are people that don't even know favors?"
"I didn't mean it in that way. However, people are always like that. They just want to see the so called hero."
In the first place, I had applied for compensation from the American government. The lost monsters and dead mermaids would add up to an astronomical amount of about 500b.
I don't know if it will work or not so I'll only know once time pa.s.ses but I have said that there might be slight problems in installing s.p.a.ce Expansion Marbles if it doesn't pa.s.s so it probably will.
However, if this were to spread to the public would the American citizens still think of me as a hero?
I continued talking.
"Also, the public opinion will change once the compensation amount is revealed."
"You're only receiving the rightful compensation for your actions though."
"Well, in any case, I'm not going."
As I refused in succession she made an expression of pity.
However, it was decided that I would go in the end.
There was only one reason.
The compensation I applied for would only pa.s.s with the condition that I attend the show.
There were probably many reasons such an option got added but the most important one is probably to turn the attention away from the unease created after the recent events.
New Alaska, the sudden attack of monsters, and the disappearance of dungeons etc. were being issues within America and anxiety was rising about what would happen.
In that situation, the Great Summoner appeared as the Hero of San Diego so the American government probably wanted to use me in any method possible.
I didn't think it was that bad if it was a show where the performance fee was 500b.
The broadcasting station was smaller than I thought. The lights were a bit bright but the studio was about the size of 3 cla.s.srooms put together and the number of spectators were limited to about 30 people.
Also, the person interviewing me was STV broadcast's figurehead MC Will Bradshow.
I didn't know that well but I was told that he was a pretty famous person so I just accepted it as it was.
"It's not a live broadcast but a record so you don't have to be nervous."
Will said as he approached me who was waiting in the waiting room. He was an aged gentleman with soft eyes as well as white hair and beard.
The broadcast started with after a brief greeting with him.
The burden got lightened a bit since it was a record but it couldn't be helped since it was my first time in a show.
A loud cheer greeted me once Will introduced me and I entered the studio.
It was only an audience of 30 people but they were all cheering while giving a standing ovation. There was even a girl who was screaming to the point that she looked like she was about to faint.
A few questions were asked.
The thing the people were most interested in was about how I could tame the monsters as expected.
Of course, I couldn't tell them so I replaced the answer with making an eagle fly around the studio.
There were also a question on my thoughts about the 500b compensation problem and the criticism. The answer to that was simple.
It was money that I should rightfully receive and I had the right to it.
1,700 monsters died. 500b was a bit extra added to the total price of the monsters.
Of course, there were things I obtained from killing mermaids but that was what I should rightfully receive so there wasn't anything the American government would lose out on.
The MC and audience nodded their heads.
Around the end of the broadcast Will Bradshow carefully asked a question.
"This is information that we obtained with much difficulty. We have heard that Mr. Jun will be staying in America for a while. Can we hear the reason for that?"
"I'm not sure if I can say that."
"It's said that you might be able to help solve a large problem America has been having."
I looked at Will. Could it be even the matter about the s.p.a.ce Expansion Marble has been leaked?
However, the matter of me personally installing it and officially starting trade is a confidential matter. I answered while shrugging my shoulders.
"I'm unable to answer that at this point of time. However, you won't be disappointed even if you have high expectations."
***
The broadcast was edited immediately and was broadcasted that day at night.
I didn't know why it was processed so quickly but I suppose it means that the public's interest in me has increased that much.
It felt rather amazing since it's said that no one gathered so much attention recently.
At this point, it felt like the president of America should come out and give me a commendation or something.
Of course, it was only a thought to the end.
…….
I didn't know that the president would appear for real you know.
"Dwain Wholsh.o.r.e."
"Ah…… so."
I looked at the middle aged man in front of me once more.
Brown skin that made it certain that he was of Hispanic origin and green pupils that took after his North European mother.
The clear wrinkles on his forehead and gray curly hair was no doubt president Dwain Wholsh.o.r.e who appeared on television about a week ago.
I shook the hand the president put forward while being nervous on the inside.
I had no clue as to why this man appeared here. There should be many things a president has to do so did he have the leisure to show up here?
The president spoke as if he read my expression.
"I came because I wanted to meet the hero that saved the citizens of America. You were a much younger friend than I imagined."
"Yes, yes."
I nodded and repeated the same answer.
It was such a sudden situation that I couldn't process it properly. I was looking at the recorded broadcast while eating dinner when a visitor arrived suddenly and for that to be the president.
"But for what reason did you come visit me?"
"I have told you the official reason for visiting but there's actually another reason."
He talked in a low voice.
"I have something to ask of Mr. Jun."
What would the president of America have to ask of me?