Chapter 960

EP.960 Part 2 Chapter 9 Scene 17 ■■ Is Patriotism

Total interest-free loan of 300 million won.

Repayment term of 30 years.

No prepayment penalties.

None other than the “Yu-Sung Group” in charge.

Attention towards Seoul housing began to soar sky-high.

“When did this start?!”

“Shit, feeding the media garbage? At the very least, you should’ve sent out leaks an hour before the official announcement, right?!”

“Team Leader, it seems we’ve been caught off guard. Apparently, even the PR team was unaware.”

“Does that make any sense?!”

“Well… since it’s tied to the Commander…”

Top Secret.

A project carried out so covertly that everyone got blindsided.

If anyone had known, they’d have already prepared and secured the 300 million somehow, lining up at Yu-Sung Group’s bank counter waiting for the news to break so they could immediately withdraw their full amount.

Those who already had 300 million ready—whether in cash or otherwise—needed no further convincing.

They immediately applied through Yu-Sung Group’s homepage, frantically selecting their preferred regions while bloodshot-eyed over where to live.

Most of these individuals were Hunters who’d struck it rich selling Cores.

300 million isn’t pocket change—it’s not something one can just pull out easily.

But in this era of monsters, where capturing a single B-Rank monster nets around 100 million per person, being a Hunter is by far the most sought-after profession.

Moreover, with Core-based weaponry advancing rapidly, even ordinary people without special abilities can wield weapons against monsters if they’re properly equipped, allowing them to earn Cores and sustain themselves.

Someone once said,

“If you work non-stop in the Core market like day laborers, you can easily hit 100 million within a year.”

Given that the monster age has lasted 25 years, there are more people than expected who’ve made significant fortunes from monsters.

“Hey, let’s go to Seoul together, alright?”

“You kidding me? Where do I have 100 million? I don’t even have money for tomorrow’s meals.”

“What?”

“Do you think everyone can suddenly come up with 100 million like you? Out of 100 people, only 10 could! I’m not a Hunter or involved in any related business—I’m just an accountant. How am I supposed to gather 100 million?!”

Who doesn’t want to live in Seoul?

But ultimately, what keeps most people out of Seoul is the astronomical housing prices, which take a lifetime of working minimum wage jobs to barely afford.

“You guys aren’t part of a company handling monster carcasses? Isn’t your salary high?”

“Our boss drives a Core Engine car, but I drive a BMW.”

“You drive a BMW, so you must be doing well, right?”

“Bike, Metro, Walk—idiot!!”

But this is the Great Magical Era.

“You bastard, thinking everyone earns close to 50 million monthly just because you do! I didn’t want to say this to protect my pride, but that’s my two-year salary!”

“Oh, sorry…”

In the Core Age, where cores replaced traditional energy resources, monsters became the new bread and butter.

“I thought everyone earned as much as me since I work in core-related industries…”

“That’s only true for real Hunters and industry insiders.”

Hunters and engineering groups specializing in monster hunting.

Specialized teams dismantling monster corpses received from Hunters.

Groups producing specialized tools used by Hunters and dismantlers.

Teams processing cores and monster remains provided by Hunters.

“And even if you earn well, how do you suddenly come up with hundreds of millions?”

Many others profited from the monster and core industries, making life not too different from before the monster crisis.

Minimum requirement: 100 million.

“I can’t. I don’t have that much money.”

“But Yu-Sung is offering loans. Why not apply?”

“Why keep asking me to go with you?”

Even with such a huge sum, things change when someone offers to lend you the money.

If you calculate paying back 100 million over 30 years, depending on interest rates, it might still fit within your monthly budget.

“It’s interest-free. Even though we have to repay eventually, after calculating, it seems doable…”

“Hmm, it doesn’t seem impossible…”

And it’s interest-free?

Directly managed by the Yu-Sung Group?

People realized.

“Let’s go. This is our chance. It’s a massive sale linked to the Commander.”

“Indeed, if we don’t act now, we’ll just end up watching rising housing prices later.”

This represents Yu-Sung Group’s commitment to rebuilding Seoul.

“Let’s check it out at the bank first. Even if it’s not the Yu-Sung loan, maybe we can get a credit loan elsewhere.”

Yu-Sung is boldly investing in Seoul citizens who moved away!

“We can borrow from the bank.”

“…We’re not the only ones thinking this way.”

Banks were swarmed with people.

Of course, those hearing the news directly from banks reacted similarly.

“I want a loan!”

“Hey! Why isn’t the waitlist decreasing?!”

“Can I get my loan processed please!”

“You’re a banker, deal with it!”

“I’m a citizen who wants to live in Seoul too!”

The banks were chaos.

“By any chance, need some cash?”

Loan sharks circled nearby, but…

“With Yu-Sung offering interest-free loans, why bother?”

“Better to let Yu-Sung access my salary and personal data than risk losing everything to loan sharks.”

Interest-Free.

That word alone made everyone scream.

Amidst national unrest, Yu-Sung’s sudden economic explosion threw everyone into confusion.

Humans naturally gravitate toward tangible benefits rather than vague promises.

Whether it’s traditional Korean houses, Core-built structures, or anything else—if combining your savings and borrowed funds allows you to buy property in Seoul, anyone would try.

Unbeatable real estate? Prime locations?

Wrong.

“Did you hear? Magical Maidens decided to settle in Yeouido!”

“There are five S-Ranks. At least one must be stationed in Seoul.”

“Prime location? Forget that! A Hero lives right in front of my house!”

Because S-Ranks want to live in Seoul.

Because the Commander chose Seoul.

In this era of constant monster threats,

Had the Commander chosen Gangwon-do, every citizen would’ve driven there.

But the Commander chose Seoul.

He claimed the island of Yeouido as his own.

“Everyone’s going crazy…”

“Of course. Who wants to live in New Seoul when everyone lived there only because Light Blade did?”

“Wait! Yun Yuhwa is on TV again!”

All eyes turned to Yun Yuhwa.

Smirking as if satisfied with the chaos she created, she appeared briefly on a short CubTube video and spoke.

-How can we offer premium subscriptions without special conditions? For those hesitating, here’s a special opportunity! We’re building a new apartment complex in Yeouido District. Who qualifies? Newlyweds only.

“!!”

-A special application exclusively for couples married within the last two years or planning to marry within six months from now. Let’s repeat that. Everyone…

The video ended.

The news concluded.

Yun Yuhwa seemed ready to speak again, but the panelists froze, instead engaging in heated discussions about satellite imagery of the area she mentioned.

Seoul wouldn’t be complete without skyscrapers reaching twenty stories.

To buy such an apartment in New Seoul would require at least 2 billion won.

-Eh… Could this also be 300 million?

-Seems like it… Hehe…

As the panelists grew confused, the people at the bank started sizing each other up.

“If we miss this, we’re doomed…”

“Hey, let’s go to City Hall together.”

“Is this some kind of marriage proposal? Worst one ever.”

“So, do you hate it?”

“…Who said I do? ♥”

One by one, couples began heading to City Hall, unseen on TV but continuing on CubTube, Yun Yuhwa’s speech carried on.

-Follow along, everyone. One, two, three-

* * *

July 4th, 3 PM. Yeouido ‘Clam House.’

“Sex is patriotism.”

Yun Yuhwa’s bombshell flipped the nation upside down.

Even those indifferent to Seoul after its recovery began taking interest, turning the situation positive.

If asked why all this fuss in a game, the answer would be: the number of Seoul citizens significantly impacts future developments and game difficulty.

Seoul is akin to the final ‘Sanctuary’ of somewhere.

Facing endless hordes of monsters, Seoul serves as one of the launchpads for the Commander’s spaceship. The more people in Seoul, the easier the final battle becomes.

Moreover, securing more Seoul citizens affects heroines’ affections.

Take Yun Yuhwa, for example—didn’t she create hundreds of thousands of borrowers overnight using the vast capital generated from Seoul?

While the main parties reaped immense profits from Seoul’s cores, including interest-free loans and even giving away money, people barely noticed.

-We should focus on the cores gathered from Seoul.

-Is that important now? Houses in Gangnam are 300 million! 300 million for a 50-pyeong apartment!

“Ultimately, everything boils down to money, huh? Hmm.”

[Right? With the current newlywed discount, marriage registrations are flooding in. Whether they’re real marriages… well…]

“They’ll probably fall for each other eventually.”

[Well, we should prepare insurance. Kicking them out if they can’t maintain their marriage, or… Commander, what about this?]

“What?”

[Supporting child-rearing in Seoul with 20 million won per child? Up to 50 million for three children? Too much?]

“……Chairman.”

I simply said one word.

“Announce that raising a child in Seoul for 20 years will fully repay the loan. I’ll cover the initial costs with cores.”

Sex is patriotism.