episode_0014

“I am none other than the leader of Manma-jeon Company! I am Ma-wang Jang!” The woman with horns who followed behind the girl corrected her mistaken words while fixing the girl’s disheveled hair.

“It’s not Ma-wang Jang, it’s ‘Jang’.”

Gabrielle, who had only heard rumors about the leader of Manma-jeon Company, doubted that such a little kid could hold such a position… but when she looked into her eyes, she could tell that it was true. The dazzling magic that didn’t seem to match her small body was fully contained within her.

“To doubt me~ how audacious~, if I were to put it in earthly terms, I am undoubtedly the leader of Manma-jeon possessing the intelligence of Yeo-Fo and the strength of Je-gal-ryang! You came to negotiate because your administration is in trouble, so I have come like this! Pay your respects!”

“…Our administration has encountered difficulties, so we have come to make a deal.”

The woman took out a business card from her front pocket and handed it to Michaela and Gabrielle.

But something seemed misspoken. Didn’t intelligence and strength get mixed up…?

“I am Ashtaroth, Jang’s aide and CEO of Manma-jeon Company.”

“Although the perfect ma-wang doesn’t need any help, I have been specially appointed to raise her abilities and act as a messenger to convey her intentions!”

“Even if the Ma-wang unintentionally says something, please understand.”

Ashtaroth, adding these words with an expressionless face, was familiar with the Ma-wang’s remarks.

Michaela, who had already received a message before, was getting a headache.

Originally, they were two organizations belonging to different factions, busy growling at each other due to the conflict between their divine ranks. However, Michaela had a solution to the current situation, which is why she had specifically invited them. But Michaela was not idle enough to listen to such nonsense.

“Let’s quickly move on to the main point.”

“Haha, haven’t the arenas been completely destroyed? From what I’ve learned, the administration is now in shambles, and I can be of help with that! Ashtaroth!”

The company, Bon Manma, decided to prepare a pastime for the demon kings after observing the arena of the Bureau of Complete Management. They aimed to provide entertainment for the demon kings. The arena they prepared was not limited to human contractors but rather gathered various species from across the universe, creating a true battleground.

If the Bureau of Complete Management could do it, there was no reason why the company couldn’t. Despite facing criticism for copying, if it succeeded, such opinions would be discarded and overlooked, leaving no impact.

As Astaroth flicked his finger, an image of a planet appeared before him. “Fundamentally, the arena possesses the same abilities as the planet on which it is based, including immortality and even the projection of the combatants. It is a barrier with top-tier blessings applied, ensuring that even amidst dozens of clashes among the demon kings, there is no impact.”

Gabriel, examining the applied blessings below, furrowed his brow in contemplation. It was indeed true. From a simple barrier perspective, the structure of the arena was so tightly woven that it could rival a planet’s defenses.

Perhaps, it could even withstand Atlock Nacha’s onslaught. And yet, the company presented such a planet to the Bureau of Complete Management.

“We will lend it to you for free.”

“What’s the catch?”

When someone offers something out of goodwill, it might include pork, but when it comes to beef, there’s usually an ulterior motive. However, Bon Manma was pushing not just any beef but A5 Wagyu steak into the Bureau of Complete Management’s mouth.

“Even if it’s not free, we have no choice but to accept the company’s proposal. Given the current situation, even if the Bureau of Complete Management demands a stake in the Earth they possess, we are in such a difficult position that we have to accept the company’s proposal to some extent.”

However, suddenly offering it for free? It was simply incomprehensible.

“Questioning the sincerity of our goodwill is truly a vulgar and petty act, befitting of nothing but a lowly archangel~”

“…I understand your concerns thoroughly… However, the proposal we are making this time at our company is genuinely about lending support without any compensation. Firstly, the reason for this is…”

Astharoth brought up the planetary management records.

“…The cost of maintaining the planet is exorbitant.”

“….?”

“The expenses are becoming unsustainable even with the company’s revenue.”

It goes without saying that maintaining a barrier of my scale doesn’t come for free. The arena operated by the administration attracted numerous devotees from Earth, who eagerly provided investment funds, allowing us to start without much burden. Furthermore, the arena, funded by those investments, was a massive success. We used the profits to cover the planet’s maintenance costs, but… unlike the administration, the company had to purely stick its resources into the middle of space.

Compared to other deities, the pride of these demon lords was so scarce, it was pitiful. All coming together in one place to cooperate? It would be more realistic for foreign media to depict them turning into yandere characters, repeatedly crying out “Don’t go, don’t leave!” while going into a frenzy.

Not only was such a situation hard to anticipate, but for the demon lords, recreational activities like the arena were incredibly frustrating. It all happened because the majority of those who wanted to participate didn’t seek to raise followers but rather desired to personally rampage on the battlefield.

In short, the plan of the company, which sought to emulate the arena, completely fell apart. Nevertheless, given the enormous capital that had been poured into this planet, it was an untenable situation to simply abandon it. With the sunk costs being so substantial, it became a drawn-out situation.

If the colossal, nearly bankrupt company wavered in covering the maintenance costs every month, who would trust them, comparable to the dilapidated administration?

Hence, in exchange for lending it for free, the administration will bear the maintenance costs.

“To be frank, if it weren’t for the recent arena collapse, we were considering proposing to dispose of this planet, despite bearing significant losses…”

“That which stopped it was none other than I, the Demon King Jang! With this keen foresight, I have incited the prosperity of Manma Jeon—rejoice!”

“And above all, if the Management Bureau fails, it will be troublesome.”

Ashtaroth raised his hand and grumbled at Jang’s exclamation, looking at him with eyes full of resentment.

“…My lord, not long ago, Sir Jang made a substantial investment in the Management Bureau… without anyone knowing…”

“Hehe, it was the display of the beast’s heart~”

“Ah.”

At those words, Gabriel recalled something. Just a few days before the start of this tournament, numerous anonymous powers had entered the Management Bureau. It seemed as though someone had organized a divine consortium and made a proper investment, but it turned out to be Manma Jeon Company?

“Could it be that 15%…?”

“…Yes. That’s correct. 15% acquisition.”

It was like Samsung selling its own shares and buying Apple stocks, then disclosing the major shareholder. In other words, it was an insane move.

“If Mansinjeon prospers, our Manma Jeon will survive as well.”

For some reason, Astaroth’s expression seemed extremely awkward, both Michael and Gabriel thought simultaneously.

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After tirelessly haggling with Dike, who adamantly refused to sell off points, Yoo Dahee finally managed to sell just one point.

“This crazy guy should save what he can. At this rate, he’ll break his back before the next match even arrives,” Yoo Dahee sighed.

“Ugh… my one point… I’m sorry, darling… now it’s become four points…!”

As if remotely selling points was not terrifying enough, something hazy and indistinct began to swirl around Dike.

That was probably divine power.

After harnessing the incoming divine power and devouring it like candy, Dike snapped his fingers, and a door appeared out of thin air, sliding open towards him.

“…Rent, huh. For a week. Lodging for the gods.”

As he stepped inside after opening the door, a penthouse unfolded before him.

The wood-paneled walls with undulating patterns seemed so fake that he had to knock on them to confirm they were real wood.

Outside the window, the slowly rotating scenery of the Earth unfolded. A space view, huh? What kind of messed-up building structure is this, anyway?

“This costs one point per week?”

“Actually, it’s about 0.7 points… including maintenance fees, it’s around 1 point. With that level of contribution, you can use this place as your accommodation.”

To be honest, I didn’t expect this kind of lodging. Yoo Dahee was the type who could just lie down on the ground, using dirt as a bed and clouds in the sky as a blanket. Despite the bizarre truck, Dahee’s adaptability to her sleeping arrangements was truly remarkable.

Considering the torment she endured from foreign reporters whenever she tried to sleep in outer space and the dreadful environments she had experienced, homelessness was practically a 5-star hotel for her. When she opened the refrigerator, it was filled with foods and drinks she had never seen before. The first drink she tasted was something with a refreshing lime flavor.

After finishing it, when she tossed the bottle out the window, it fell towards Earth due to gravity and melted, displaying a kind of fireworks due to friction. They called it “firemelon.” Tossing a few more bottles… it somehow felt addictive.

I should have used the points sooner instead of going through the trouble of sleeping in the truck for no reason. Moreover, Dahee, shedding tears at the sight of food that actually looked like food after so long, was enjoying her meal.

Thinking about what she had been eating all this time… Ugh! While Dahee was enjoying her newfound love for food and forgetting her past suffering, Dike was exploring a gallery where various deities gathered on Earth to exchange information—a place to alleviate their boredom.

It was a hub for exchanging information among the various deities on Earth… a place to distract themselves from boredom. Occasionally, genuinely useful information was posted, but most of it was either close to nonsense or borderline offensive content.

Yet, if you wanted to gather information, there was no other place with as much content as this, so Dike gritted his teeth and once again delved into various posts today. As expected, the hot topic was the temporary suspension of the arena due to the management office. [What the hell are these management guys doing?]

No, whether this planet explodes or not, it’s none of my business. I invested everything in theme stocks for retirement planning, but damn, it’s down 35% now? At this rate, I’ll be homeless from next month. Damn it.

Barely? 35%? 35%? 35%? Peak.jpg

Damn, this guy got wiped out at the penthouse lol

What the hell is -77%? Even if I handed over the buy/sell buttons to Chimera, it wouldn’t be this messed up.

I’m in the middle of value investing, please stop posting.

I invested for value, did I say “invest for dick value”?

[I’m convinced. If it’s a theme stock from the management bureau, it’s for idiots lol]

Don’t understand the situation? They’re erasing the divine power at the management bureau. They’re just scooping it up with shovels and throwing it away lol What are these idiots who still invest in the management bureau thinking? The divine power is being destroyed!

They’re shoving in the divine power!

Those bastards are going all in with dimensional credit loans, damn it.

[The reason I invest small amounts in the management bureau…]

At first, it was a large amount, you bastards.

You too? Hey, me too!

[Reasons for not trading stocks within the top 5%]

Investment profit top 1500.png

I didn’t buy or sell anything, but I’m ranked 50th lol

Bearish… Who are you…

[Yeah, let it crash, you idiot lol]

If you commit suicide, it’ll all stop~

Management Bureau: Yeah, go ahead and kill yourself, you idiot. If you do, we’ll post about it lol

[It’s late for a surge… At this rate, I’ll end up posting about my grandmother…?]

And once again, the management bureau hit the lower limit. Blue lights flash in an instant. Close your eyelids, then open them. My asset status is completely blue. In the nostalgic past profit certification, around that time, Grandma spreads her legs just like that───

Damn it, seriously!

Why did I even click on this post…?

[Here, use [Grandma] and [Grandpa]. If it’s those two, they can handle it.]

I’m stepping out for a moment… And don’t come back for two hours…

Stamp stamp stamp stamp! You bastard! You piece of shit!

Amidst all the chaos swirling in the gallery, Yoo Dahee was staring intently at the hologram next to Dike, wondering when he had arrived.