Ch.7878. Alliance (3)

In conclusion, Lee Hyeon-a decided to be satisfied with securing the copyright and patent for the technology from the United States.

The technology itself was quite simple, and since it would eventually be exposed once the coins issued by the Balhut Cult gained recognition from the United States, she thought it would be advantageous to secure international patents and copyrights in advance.

Once the cult’s technology was guaranteed patents and copyrights under America’s name, Lee Hyeon-a revealed the secret of the Bahamut Bullet without hesitation.

“Indeed. So you’re saying these small coins are the crucial material that creates the Bahamut Bullets?”

Steven looked at the coin before him and questioned whether this coin was truly the main ingredient for creating the bullets.

However, Lee Hyeon-a nodded lightly as if to resolve Steven’s doubt and explained the trick behind the coin.

“Yes. The coins we use have inherent magical power. Using this with enchantment technology is the core of the Bahamut Bullet.”

“Anna. Is that true?”

“Yes. Dense… precise pure magical power is contained within. To think such powerful energy resides in this tiny coin! It’s incomparable to the magic stones rarely obtained from those monster bastards!”

Steven looked at Anna upon hearing this, and Anna confirmed with absolute certainty that powerful magical energy resided in the coin.

Seemingly amazed that such immense power could dwell in such a small coin, she mentioned the existence of magic stones rarely obtained from monsters, exclaiming that the coin was incomparably superior.

‘Magic stones? Like those commonly mentioned in hunter stories?’

As if not wanting to miss that comment, Lee Hyeon-a carefully noted the mention of magic stones, judging them to be similar to those appearing in hunter genre stories.

Since Anna had used magic stones as an example while marveling at the magical power in the coins, Lee Hyeon-a assumed they must be similar objects.

“Where did you obtain this item?”

“We didn’t obtain it. This is a coin directly minted by Dragon God Bahamut for the cult.”

After watching the amazed Anna, Steven regained his composure and asked where they had obtained it. Lee Hyeon-a replied that the coin presented before them wasn’t something they had obtained.

She then explained that it was a coin directly minted by Dragon God Bahamut, whom the Balhut Cult served, causing Steven to open his mouth in genuine surprise.

“So, Bahamut himself directly manufactured this. I heard about it at the temple, but I didn’t realize the coins were this special!”

“Yes. Our craftsmen process these to create Bahamut Bullets. In other words, the coins issued by Bahamut themselves can serve as materials for magical weapon production.”

Bahamut had already mentioned this at the temple, but Steven hadn’t given it much thought.

However, after witnessing the Bahamut Bullets and seeing the coins, he could tell that the value of the coins used by the Balhut Cult was rising dramatically.

‘Then couldn’t we create even more powerful items using American technology and craftsmen?’

The industrial facilities here weren’t bad, but they were significantly inferior compared to the military industrial facilities that the White House had established with all its might.

If American technology combined forces with Bahamut coins instead of the Balhut Cult, couldn’t they create weapons even more powerful than the Bahamut Bullets made by the cult?

It was certainly a possibility.

However…

‘The Balhut Cult must be aware of this.’

The cult had already secured the copyright and patent for this technology, and the United States had promised to guarantee them.

This meant the other party had already perfectly understood the value of the Bahamut coins and knew better than anyone how to use them.

“Haha. That must be quite valuable.”

“Yes. That’s why we could maintain a certain value for our currency even without having items to guarantee its worth.”

“Of course. This is both a fine work of art and a powerful weapon! Just the fact that it was made directly by a dragon would drive countless fat cats back home absolutely crazy!”

Steven had no choice but to essentially surrender, acknowledging the value of the Bahamut coins.

If word got out that these were made directly by a dragon god, countless wealthy individuals back home would drool with desire for these coins, eager to dig out precious metals secretly stored in their vaults to obtain these beautiful art pieces and rarities.

The narrative itself—that a dragon created something for humans—could form a premium value, something Steven, living in a capitalist world, understood best.

Above all, being both excellent art pieces and powerful weapons, these coins could be the driving force allowing the Balhut Cult to maintain a monetary economy even without sufficient precious metals or gold to guarantee their currency’s value.

“So, are you asking us to recognize this coin as the official currency in the Korean Peninsula?”

“Yes. We’ve shared our technology with you. It’s a win-win situation. After all, you’ll need Bahamut coins, the main ingredient, to produce your own Bahamut Bullets.”

“Ahaha. That’s true! Since the Bahamut Bullets themselves are made by processing these coins. Even if my country doesn’t want to recognize them, they’ll have no choice. In my judgment, we’ll recognize them.”

If they recognized Bahamut coins as currency, they could now purchase American goods with that currency.

However, Steven admitted defeat, saying they had no choice but to recognize it, and that his country would have to accept it as well.

From America’s perspective, they needed the Bahamut-minted coins issued by the cult to develop their own Bahamut Bullets or Bahamut weapons.

Rather, they could exchange the abundant American supplies for coins to use as magical weapons in reclaiming cities, making it a mutually beneficial trade.

“But can you guarantee that all coins circulating in the market have the same performance as this one?”

“Yes. You needn’t worry about that. Dragon God Bahamut himself guarantees their quality and value. In fact, Awakened individuals with detection abilities like Anna would be even more sensitive to the coins’ quality and could more easily identify counterfeit coins illegally circulating in the market.”

However, all this was only possible if all currency in circulation held the same value.

Steven pressed Lee Hyeon-a with a suspicious tone, but she declared that Dragon God Bahamut would personally guarantee the quality, adding that detection-type Awakened would be particularly sensitive to the coins’ quality.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If one can remember Bahamut’s magical energy scent and pattern, they can quickly identify coins that merely imitate the appearance.”

Because the coins were Awakened-friendly, they could be considered highly secure against counterfeit currency, the greatest vulnerability in a monetary economy.

Lee Hyeon-a explained that if one could remember the scent and pattern of the magical energy contained in the coins, they could quickly identify them. She then pulled out a coin from her pocket.

Its appearance was identical to the Bahamut coins circulating in the market.

“This is a counterfeit made by looters. A coin with only the exterior properly made using a 3D printer. Can you feel the difference?”

“…Unlike the real coin, the amount and feel of magical energy is different. Instead of the refreshing energy, it feels unpleasant and acrid.”

However, Anna, being a detection-type Awakened, could immediately tell this coin was fake.

Comparing the real and fake coins, she could quickly notice the differences and accurately identify which was counterfeit.

“Even regular Awakened, not just detection types, can identify them easily. Even if someone tries to imitate the characteristics of Bahamut coins, those made by mere Awakened show terrible quality. In this apocalyptic situation, it would be hard to find currency with this level of reliability.”

“I can’t deny that.”

She claimed that even regular Awakened, not just detection types, could quickly identify counterfeits, making the coins Awakened-friendly.

When Lee Hyeon-a asked if there was any more reliable currency in this apocalypse, Steven smiled bitterly and affirmed her statement.

In this apocalypse where the age of the Awakened was approaching, it would be difficult to find currency more reliable than these Awakened-friendly coins.

Even current America couldn’t achieve this level.

“If Awakened become stronger in the future, counterfeit currency imitating these coins might appear. But Awakened who reach that level wouldn’t need to become counterfeiters—they could earn money easily through honest work. Frankly, I believe these can be used as highly reliable currency for at least 10, even 20 years.”

Lee Hyeon-a confidently stated they could guarantee this for at least 10 years.

“Of course, that’s if human civilization is guaranteed to last those 10 years.”

Conversely, Steven expressed skepticism about whether human civilization would last more than 10 years in this apocalypse.

“We believe we can guarantee it.”

To this, Lee Hyeon-a displayed confidence that they could guarantee it.

This could be seen as the composure of a victor who had conquered a region.

“Haha. Is that the luxury of serving the Dragon Priestess who has contracted with the Dragon God?”

It was also a luxury possible because of the almost unfair contract with the Dragon God.

Steven asked if Lee Hyeon-a’s confidence was possible because of Bahamut, but…

“…That’s blasphemous. I am not someone who has contracted with the Dragon God. I’m merely an official who follows the great Dragon Priestess.”

“Oh my. It seems I’ve said something unpleasant to you, Ms. Hyeon-a. I apologize, lady.”

Even the bold Lee Hyeon-a seemed startled by this, drawing a line that she was not someone who had contracted with the Dragon God, but merely an official serving the Dragon Priestess.

Seeing this, Steven apologized for his slip of tongue and then responded to Lee Hyeon-a’s earlier statement.

“Regarding your request to recognize your currency—yes, I accept. I’ll inform my country and arrange for you to be able to purchase our goods with your currency. We’re in a period where we need many magical weapons for the war against monsters. This means we can both benefit.”

“The core technology…”

Steven reconfirmed that he would accept the Balhut Cult’s demands.

America would sell their accumulating supplies to buy weapons, and the Balhut Cult could acquire the supplies they needed now.

It was a deal that had to be made as long as there was mutual benefit.

However, what was important to Lee Hyeon-a was the discussion about core technology, and Steven nodded and continued.

“We intend to pay patent fees. I see the Balhut Cult also wants to request the dispatch of professional personnel. And military—no, Awakened exchanges would be necessary too.”

He assured her they would pay patent fees, and even suggested that the American side could add professional personnel dispatch and Awakened exchanges.

The intention was to acquire all of the Balhut Cult’s know-how while they were trading.

“If possible, let’s build a more dense and close relationship where your Awakened can be deployed to our frontlines for appropriate compensation.”

Additionally, if they could encourage allied participation in America’s wars, it would reduce American bloodshed.

And if they could receive Bahamut’s help as well, that would be even better.

“The price will not disappoint.”

Of course, America would pay with supplies that would certainly not disappoint.

Thinking of the grain warehouses that were filling up, Steven showcased and displayed America’s overwhelming wealth.

‘That limitless wealth. This really is America. We started from an advantageous position, but…’

And Lee Hyeon-a, sweating at America’s overwhelming wealth, thought it fortunate that things had flowed according to her wishes.

Despite starting from an advantageous point, the negotiation had ended quite smoothly, making her realize America’s overwhelming wealth.