I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 200

It unfolded as expected.

The UN expressed concern about the current situation, but that was the extent of their response. Moreover, the concern wasn’t directed solely at South Korea; it was also sent to the Sino-Twenty Nations.

In other words, they were essentially telling both sides to exercise restraint.

Ultimately, however, the Sino-Twenty Nations were at a disadvantage in terms of justification. The war crimes they committed were still seared into people’s memories, and by 2027, the era of digital information had reached full bloom. Every atrocity they had committed was electronically recorded, and with just a bit of effort, anyone could uncover their horrifying deeds.

In such a context, their cries of “One China” naturally drew sensitive reactions.

At present, no international organization capable of influencing Asia was willing to help the Sino-Twenty Nations.

However, opposition emerged from an unexpected source. The Democratic Republic of Germany and Communist Berlin, both of which had been named in South Korea's statement, raised objections.

It wasn’t about the content of the official statement per se. Instead, they took issue with being labeled as war criminals of World War I and II and with the implication that their aspirations for reunification were akin to a return to the Nazi regime. They strongly criticized these characterizations.

Even the alliances to which these Germanys belonged chimed in.

It was surprising, to say the least, to see the Democratic Republic of Germany's EU (European Union of Democratic States) and Communist Berlin's DEU (Democratic European Union) moving in unison.

“This is a mess, but it’s a strangely chaotic mess.”

Their intervention was completely unforeseen.

Sure, South Korea’s rhetoric was strong, but was it enough to prompt international organizations in Europe to act? Moreover, when you think about it, whether it’s the EU or DEU, their member states were victims of Nazi Germany.

Has time dulled the impact?

“I can’t even begin to predict how this will unfold.”

Initially, I thought the Koryo Group would just beat the Sino-Twenty Nations into submission, but Germany’s involvement has complicated things.

Not that I needed to do anything in particular. At most, I moved my capital to safe assets as a precaution, which Muyeol Financial was already handling.

I’ll just focus on my usual tasks.

On Monday morning, South Korea issued a second statement. This time, it wasn’t just critical of the Sino-Twenty Nations but also of Germany, warning them to mind their own business unless they wanted to face serious consequences.

Could this be the prelude to World War IV? I wondered, but fortunately, it seemed to remain a war of words.

Kim Eunji reassured me that the situation wasn’t too severe.

“You don’t need to worry about Europe. It’s just a typical WWE scenario. They’re using this to consolidate their respective alliances—Europe uniting their unions, and Asia solidifying its own.”

“What nonsense...”

“What you should be paying attention to is the Sino-Twenty Nations, which have yet to release any additional statements. That’s the real wildcard here.”

“Fair point.”

While Germany’s intervention was surprising, it’s still Europe—a continent thousands of miles from Asia. Moreover, with the two Germanys split into opposing factions, they’re too busy fighting among themselves.

Even though the EU and DEU issued a unified stance this time, it’s only a matter of time before internal discord arises. Their protest was simply about “Why are you badmouthing us?”

From the South Korean government’s perspective, they couldn’t afford to back down while keeping pressure on the Sino-Twenty Nations.

“Got it.”

I ended the call with Kim Eunji. I considered asking about the progress on support for the Namdong Industrial Complex, but since I had inquired just a few days ago, I decided to let it slide.

No point in being overly pushy.

Later, I used my aides to monitor the situation in China. The Sino-Twenty Nations, on the brink of economic ruin, had two choices: capitulate and enter negotiations or escalate further. Their next move was highly anticipated.

“Was it Li Wei?”

“The Prime Minister of Shanghai?”

“Yeah. What was he thinking, stirring up such a mess?”

“Who knows? Maybe he has grand dreams. Perhaps he’s trying to unite the people’s pent-up anger and crown himself a new emperor.”

“Hm.”

“And he probably anticipated South Korea and the Koryo Group’s strong reactions.”

“So, he’s got a follow-up plan?”

“Yes.”

That makes sense. He wouldn’t have acted without considering the aftermath. Surely, he’s not that foolish.

By evening, the Sino-Twenty Nations finally issued a response. During the ongoing Sino Summit, Shanghai Economic Alliance’s Prime Minister Li Wei once again called for a total uprising of the Chinese people and declared that Shanghai would no longer pay reparations.

They stated that they had already repaid several times the reparations set fifty years ago and firmly rejected further financial exploitation.

In a way, this had the potential to have an even greater economic impact than “One China.”

Watching the live broadcast, I could feel the sheer intensity in his voice.

“This is going to hit hard.”

If they refuse to listen, it’s time for whatever Minji hinted at to drop near Shanghai’s shores. Whether that’s the mysterious weapon known as Jumong’s Arrow or one of Shanghai’s satellites...

“Now the rest of the Sino-Twenty Nations are making declarations too. Looks like they’re collectively flipping the table.”

The goose’s belly has been slit open. It won’t lay golden eggs anymore.

Now the question is, do you carve up the remaining goose to feast on, or do you sew the belly shut and try to force it to lay new golden eggs?

It’s one or the other, isn’t it?

*****

Tuesday, December 22, 2076.

With Christmas just around the corner, the news had been chaotic since morning.

Japan, which had been quietly observing the situation, strongly criticized the actions of the Sino-Twenty Nations. Accusing them of threatening Asia’s order and driving the global economy into collapse, Japan demanded that if they truly desired “One China,” they should reflect on the damages caused during World War III and issue an apology and reparations for the Second Tokyo.

For context, the “Second Tokyo” refers to what is now the Japanese capital, the Third Tokyo. Essentially, it’s just Tokyo.

During World War III, Japan suffered a trifecta of calamities: the Nankai Trough Megaquake, Mount Fuji’s eruption, and the Tokyo Megathrust Earthquake. These events, occurring in succession, nearly obliterated the country. China dealt the final blow by launching a massive airstrike on the recovering Tokyo, leaving it in ruins once again.

After the war, Tokyo was rebuilt only after South Korea joined the conflict and crushed both North Korea and China. This newly reconstructed city became the Third Tokyo.

If we dig into history, the details are endless. To put it simply, Japan, being one of the major victims of World War III, was naturally infuriated by China’s rhetoric.

Following Japan’s lead, other Asian nations also began to condemn the Sino-Twenty Nations.

Not only had they openly defied South Korea, the leading power in Asia, but they were also the root cause of the current global chaos. And now, they were once again chanting for “One China.” The backlash was inevitable.

And then...

Late Tuesday night, as it transitioned into Wednesday, breaking news flooded every portal site and video platform.

One of the satellites belonging to the Shanghai Economic Alliance, which was orbiting Earth, malfunctioned and veered off course.

Had it ended there, it might have been dismissed as an accident. But the real problem began when this satellite collided with a military satellite belonging to Militaris, causing a massive explosion.

To make matters worse, a previously undisclosed missile, guided by the military satellite, ended up crashing into the waters near Shanghai’s coast. The resulting explosion was catastrophic.

Even though it detonated in the ocean, it instantly vaporized the surrounding water, creating a blinding white flash that turned the entire area into a temporary daylight. According to Shanghai residents, it felt as if the sun had suddenly risen to its zenith.

Militaris issued a statement claiming that the ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) missile was originally meant to be tested in the waters off Dalian, but due to the malfunction of the military satellite, it had accidentally fallen near Shanghai’s coast. They blamed the Shanghai Economic Alliance’s satellite for destroying their own, which had disrupted the experiment.

In short, they argued, “Your satellite destroyed ours, which affected the experiment.”

Naturally, Shanghai erupted in outrage. Regardless of the explanation, something akin to a nuclear blast had gone off near their shores—how could they stay silent?

“They’re not holding back at all.”

Of course, I already had a rough idea of what was going on.

Minji had mentioned beforehand that something would drop near Shanghai’s coast. It was obvious Militaris had orchestrated this.

And surely, Shanghai, the Sino-Twenty Nations, and everyone else observing the situation had figured it out by now.

This was the Koryo Group’s warning.

South Korea, being a nation, could issue official statements and directly involve itself in state affairs. But the Koryo Group, on the surface, was merely a corporation. It would seem strange for a company to interfere in another country’s politics.

This was their way of sending a message instead.

A very clear message: “Go any further, and you’ll really die.”