Now that’s amusing.

Martial artists would never say what Reese said out of pride. They might offer their service and absolute obedience, sure, but would never try to perfectly match the whims and the pace of the other party.

So, you want to say you’re not a martial artist? Is that it?

Of course, that didn’t really matter to Kang Jin-Ho.

He already knew that he couldn’t just confine himself to the martial world anymore. He shouldn’t have taken up the role of the Assembly Master if he didn’t want to speak to those without qualifications, which was the attitude he used to have in the past.

He had grown enough as a person to understand that now.

Kang Jin-Ho held Reese’s stare and asked back. “You want to know what I want?”

Reese nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“You got it wrong again.”

“Sorry?”

Kang Jin-Ho sounded a little disappointed just then. “Before we can talk about what our side wants, shouldn’t you rethink the demand you made earlier? After all, the situation has changed somewhat since then.”

“Oh, that...” Reese sighed softly. “I was trying to tell you back then, but never got the chance to do so. When I said we wanted the Martial Assembly to end the alliance with the Chinese government, we didn’t mean it that way.”

“What does that even mean, then?”

“From our viewpoint, the Martial Assembly shouldn’t have a reason to maintain a permanent alliance with the Chinese government. Indeed, wasn’t it a temporary solution to the problem you were facing back then?”

Kang Jin-Ho said nothing, but his silence was all the confirmation Reese needed.

“Sir, what we want is to establish a stable alliance with you. And to maintain it for as long as possible.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head slightly to the side. “And what makes you think such a thing is possible?”

“Because it is possible, sir.” Reese’s eyes narrowed. “I understand why you don’t trust us. You most likely view America as the nation that adheres to the concept of hegemonism. America will try to devour the entire world one day. If we deem you no longer useful, we’ll simply cut ties with you. That’s how you view us. Am I wrong?”

“I’m not going to deny that.”

“I assure you, you’re wrong about us, sir. Because, no matter what we do, ruling over the martial societies of other nations will be completely impossible, even for us. America boasts a military that’s overwhelmingly superior to its martial society in terms of combat strength, yet we still can’t do much about the situation in the Middle East. Isn’t that a good-enough indicator of how things will be?”

“Hmm...?”

Kang Jin-Ho grew a little more interested just then. He glanced at Wiggins and saw the latter nodding away as if to say Reese had a point.

Kang Jin-Ho shifted his gaze back to Reese. “So? What do you want to say?”

Reese took a large gulp of the coffee to quench his thirst.

Although discussing such an important topic inside a burger joint was a surreal experience, he must overcome the surreal-ness of it all and successfully conclude this discussion somehow!

“If I’m being honest... America cannot afford to stay out of the developing situation in East Asia. Chaos in the region will affect the entire world, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “Your side wants stability in the region instead of an all-out destruction?”

“In a way, you could say it’s similar to why we keep our attention on North Korea, which some will argue is a minor nation. The last thing the American government wants is the world falling into chaos. Chaos brings instability, you see?”

In other words, a stable world was better for America’s attempt to maintain its hegemony; that was what Reese was implying.

Kang Jin-Ho grew curious just then. “In that case, wouldn’t it have been better to back one of the Three Kings instead?”

“Not at all, sir. Because those people—it doesn’t matter who—will turn their attention to other countries the moment China is finally unified under one banner.”

“Mm...?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head slightly.

Reese tried to explain. “That’s all thanks to the national characteristic of China. They wish to acquire hegemony. And nothing is better than ‘territory’ to quantify one’s hegemony. Since there aren’t any clearly defined borders in the martial world, they will unhesitantly invade other countries the first chance they get. And devour the others mercilessly.”

Kang Jin-Ho had no problem understanding that line of logic.

For sure, would the Crimson King leave South Korea alone after dealing with the other Two Kings? Of course not.

This had nothing to do with the Crimson King’s own greed or nature, however. Regardless of what he thought about South Korea, the Martial Assembly, or even Kang Jin-Ho... Once he was finished with devouring the rest of China, he’d naturally extend his tendrils to Korea, too.

“However, you’re different, sir,” said Reese.

“...?”

“You don’t attack other countries unless they provoke you first. That is what we know about you. Even in Korea, you seem to avoid attacking others first. That tells us you wish for peace and stability. Are we wrong?”

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged. “Maybe.”

It could have been for a slightly different reason, of course!

Reese continued. “Even if there’s been a slight error in our calculations, we still prefer you to be in control of East Asia, not one of the Three Kings. That’s out of the question in our view.”

“Hmm, I see...” Wiggins muttered, choosing to chime in just then. “I get why you’d arrive at that conclusion. I, too, would have thought the same had I still been a part of the Round Table.”

“I knew you’d see our point of view, Mister Wiggins.”

“However,” Wiggins pointedly stared at Reese. “That story only applies when we can help each other out, no? But we’ve just confirmed that your side cannot possibly assist us, haven’t we?”

“...”

Reese could only sigh after failing to think of a reply.

His original plan was to use the overwhelming combat capabilities of Area H27 to simplify the negotiation process. However, now that the much-vaunted strength of the American martial artists was proven to be useless, Reese was basically taking on this gamble without offering a sufficient-enough stake.

“That’s why I’ve brought this matter up, sir. To learn what we must do to help you, and to figure out how to build a good working relationship with the Martial Assembly and the Assembly Master.”

“Huh. Huhuhuh...” Wiggins shrugged helplessly. “Goodness me, this isn’t even a negotiation anymore.”

Rather than a negotiation of two equal parties offering benefits to each other, it became one side pleading with the other instead!

However, that doesn’t make Reese pathetic, does it?

Some people might view America pathetic for groveling like this, but not Wiggins. He got a little more scared of this country and its people instead!

If he were in Reese’s shoes, could he have put everything aside just for that unlikely chance of meeting his objective?

Wiggins had a hunch that he wouldn’t do that.

When in a superior position, lean heavily into that superiority during the negotiation; however, when in a disadvantageous position, put your pride away and try to keep the conversation going for as long as possible. Such a mindset was only possible when one rigorously stuck to rational thinking, where things like emotions had no place.

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged. “Sounds like that’s something you shouldn’t discuss with me. You probably know this already, but we usually let a pro handle such conversations.”

Reese’s expression brightened slightly. “Then...?”

“I only have one demand. If we’re letting those soldiers stay in Korea...”

“Yes, sir?”

“Their command must fall under me.”

“I’m sorry? But doesn’t that... mean...”

Reese’s bright expression instantly faded away, replaced by the stupefaction of a man who got slapped unexpectedly in the face. He genuinely didn’t think such a demand would be made here.

Giving the SOB’s command to Kang Jin-Ho? That meant he’d have the authority to do whatever he pleased with those soldiers. The proud American soldiers would become a part of Kang Jin-Ho’s private army instead!

Who in their right mind would want to green-light such a deal?

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “What’s the matter? I thought those soldiers were being dispatched to Korea to assist the Martial Assembly?”

“Y-yes, but this and that are a little different, wouldn’t you say? Reinforcements can’t be the same as the... as the standing army, no?”

“It’ll be a good deal for your side, though.”

Reese tilted his head this way and that. A good deal? What did Kang Jin-Ho mean by that?

“I don’t quite follow, sir. When you say it’s a good deal...?”

“I never abandon those under me. With your method, you’ll need a long time to fix those guys, but if you hand them over to me, I’ll mold them into proper martial artists in no time at all.”

“...! Ah!”

In that case, this negotiation would have to change a bit!

In return for the command of the troops, those soldiers would become a useful combat force. Indeed, that made this deal worth considering.

Reese sat forward and spoke gravely. “I’ll convey your offer to my higher-ups. I don’t have the authority to give you a firm answer, after all.”

“Sure, do that.”

“Then...”

Wiggins took the baton over from Kang Jin-Ho and replied to Reese. “Everything we speak of now will be based on the premise that your side has agreed to satisfy my lord’s demand. If rejected, none of this discussion will matter, after all.”

Reese nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s right.”

“We have a few demands to make, so I’d very much appreciate it if you can help us with those. I can’t keep requesting the Round Table for them, you see?”

“We’ll do our absolute best to assist you, Mister Wiggins.”

And so, with the premise in place, the talk went quite smoothly and quickly. That meant Reese’s mood improved just as quickly, too.

Maybe...! Maybe we can end this discussion on an encouraging note!

Just as his thoughts reached that far, however!

“Then, mm...” Wiggins scratched his cheek sheepishly, then slowly got up. “I should get out of your hair now, since me being here might make it more difficult for you to discuss the rest. Well, have fun, you two.”

Reese blinked his eyes in stupefaction. “I’m sorry? What?”

Even Kang Jin-Ho leisurely got up to leave. He glanced at Wiggins and asked, “Should we continue with our field trip, then?”

“That’s not a bad idea, my lord. Let us.”

“I’m sorry? Mister Kang? Mister Wiggins? Why so suddenly...”

Reese was about to stagger back up to his feet, but his movement froze up when a gentle voice pulled him back.

“Mister Reese, why don’t you take a seat, please?”

Reese slowly, oh-so-agonizingly slowly, turned his head. And that was when he saw Lee Hyeon-Su sitting behind empty burger wraps while making a face of a diligent bureaucrat!

No, wait. Not a bureaucrat, but... an evil, vile lawyer!

That was the overriding impression filling up Reese’s brain at that moment.

Lee Hyeon-Su grinned affably while pointing at the seat. “Please sit. We need to start our negotiation, after all.”

“Negotiation? What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Mister Reese? It’s about time we get to the meat of our negotiation, after all. Since all the sundry stuff is finally out of the way.”

“What do you mean by the meat of the negotiation?!”

“Haaah. Don’t be like that, now,” Lee Hyeon-Su sighed, his expression cramping up in disappointment, as he reclined against his chair. He spoke high-handedly, as if he didn’t enjoy explaining something so obvious. “You can’t seriously be thinking that the negotiation is over when all we’ve talked about so far has been regarding trivial things. We still need to sit down and discuss our real demands.”

“Huh?”

“Since time immemorial, all deals are made with this standard currency,” said Lee Hyeon-Su while sitting upright. He winked like a smarmy used car salesman while connecting his index finger with his thumb to create an unmistakable symbol. “And that currency is... money.”

“...!”

That was when Reese saw it. He saw Lee Hyeon-Su’s face bloom into the most radiant smile he had ever seen!

“I’m genuinely looking forward to this,” said Lee Hyeon-Su gleefully. “I’m dealing with Earth’s greatest country, after all! Let’s find out how absurdly huge your scale is. Let’s see if it matches the reputation of the strongest country capable of making the world move with your financial muscle alone! Yes, it’s time to talk about... money!”

Lee Hyeon-Su didn’t stop there and struck Reese in the solar plexus with another powerful punch.

“How much will you be paying?”

“...”

“Don’t make that face now. I’ll give you a discount. A sizable discount! Trust me~! So, make your offer.”

“...”

It seemed Reese was in deep trouble now.

***

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his eyebrow. “What’s the matter with Reese?”

Wiggins slowly shook his head. “It seems he got robbed blind, my lord.”

Kang Jin-Ho alternated his gaze between the whistling Lee Hyeon-Su and the slack-jawed Willie Reese before chuckling helplessly.

“Couldn’t you have gone easy on him?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked triumphantly when Kang Jin-Ho asked him that. “I was going easy on him, you know. It’s just that Mister Reese’s scale proved surprisingly tiny, sir. So it took me a bit of time to wake him up to reality.”

“...I see. Good work.”

“You’re welcome, sir!”

Lee Hyeon-Su looked utterly refreshed just then. He seemed under the weather for a few days while trying to manage their stay in a foreign country, but now... Maybe money wasn’t the only thing he sucked out of the poor Reese, but even the American’s vitality, too?

If not, other people’s pain might be Lee Hyeon-Su’s panacea or something!

I guess... It must be the latter, right?

Kang Jin-Ho helplessly shook his head again.

“Look, nothing has been confirmed yet. It’s too early to get serious about this.”

“I agree, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su enthusiastically nodded. “I still have a lot to squeeze out of this country, after all!”

That was not what Kang Jin-Ho meant, though? He promptly gave up chatting to Lee Hyeon-Su just then. Then again, he already knew Lee Hyeon-Su was unstoppable in things like this, anyway!

“Okay. Let’s get out of here.”

“Yes, sir!”

Kang Jin-Ho was about to climb into the plane waiting for him on the runway, but stopped after noticing a familiar figure rushing toward him. “Mm?”

“P-please! Wait!”

Major Jimmy Bower rushed up to the plane, his expression urgent. He panted loudly while addressing Kang Jin-Ho. “Assembly Master, sir!”

“Yeah? Speak.”

“To become stronger... For us to become full-fledged martial artists and not some wannabes, what should we do?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s brow slowly arched upward as he studied Bower’s face.

Well, isn’t this amusing?

He didn’t expect a model soldier to ask something like that.

“I’m not sure why you’d be interested in that,” Kang Jin-Ho replied. “Soldiers have their own roles to play, after all.”

“Yes, I... We know that, sir.”

“However, if any of you are still interested in improving yourselves further... Tell them to come to South Korea.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Because I will improve you.”

...Which was what they wished for, wasn’t it?

Kang Jin-Ho smiled at Bower before slipping inside the plane. Wiggins and Lee Hyeon-Su followed. The last person to board was the still-stupefied Reese. As for Bower...

He stood on the runway and watched the plane carrying Kang Jin-Ho’s group gradually disappear from his view.

“South Korea, you say...?”

Maybe he should think about traveling to that distant country soon.