The reinforcement team didn’t immediately return to Armstrong city and tried to locate the survivors, who had scattered into the surroundings, instead .

  Thankfully, they did find some . Some Connector parties had been lucky . They had been in their labyrinths when the attack had happened, so they had avoided the calamity . The rescue parties continued looking for more survivors on the surface of the Moon .

  After a while, the teams finally returned to Armstrong .

  ***

  Shwahhhhhhh!

  Water fell from the showerhead . Blood mixed in with the water as the day’s exhaustion washed away .

  “Hoo-ooh!”


  Sungyoon let out a satisfied sigh as he turned off the showerhead . After wiping away the water droplets on his body, he exited the shower room . When he went to the living room, he found Tim and Emily playing chess and Grace drinking black tea .

  “Who’s winning?”


  Sungyoon looked down at the chessboard and saw that the white pieces were crushing the black ones . He could even tell who was winning just by looking at their expressions .

  Emily’s face held a grin, while Tim’s face had agony written all over it .

  “Ah! Mr . Sungyoon!”


  Tim perked up .

  “Since Mr . Sungyoon is here, why don’t we end the game now?”


  “Ah . You don’t have to do that . I’m not in a hurry . I plan on having a cup of coffee . ”


  “You heard what he said . ”


  Tim despaired at Sungyoon’s reply, while Emily had a triumphant expression .

  Sungyoon went to make a fragrant cup of coffee for himself, then returned to the living room . Tim and Emily were still focused on the chessboard, so he sat next to Grace .

  “Did they make a bet or something?”


  “The loser has to do dishes for a month when they head back to Earth . ”


  “I see . It’s an important wager . Still, Mr . Tim is not good at strategic games . I’m surprised he took her up on the offer . ”


  “Ms . Emily put a handicap on herself by removing a Knight, a Bishop, and a Rook . ”


  “If he loses, he has no excuse . ”


  Sungyoon and Grace watched the chess match while drinking their beverages . No dramatic turnaround happened, and after a couple more minutes, Emily won .

  With the smile of a victor, Emily put away the chessboard . Tim’s face was pale as if he were burnt out . He looked down at the table with a blank expression .

  After rescuing the survivors, the party had returned to Armstrong . Then, they had taken a cozy and comfortable break . However, this period wasn’t just all fun . All four of them had used this opportunity to reflect on their mistakes and think about their future path . It was a time when the party had an open meeting with each other .

  “It’s unfortunate that even though we entered the middle stages of the Great Labyrinth, we won’t be able to challenge it for a while . We have to help in the defense of Armstrong . ”


  Tim had recovered from his defeat; no, he was probably trying to avoid reality by talking .

  Grace responded .

  “Armstrong is desperate . In all estimation, Gagarin·Yang city was supposed to be a formidable rival, yet it was destroyed in an instant . ”


  “Still, they can’t keep Connectors in Armstrong for long . Armstrong is important as a hub for acquiring moonstones, and no country on Earth wants a disruption in its supply of moonstones . ”


  “Ms . Emily is right . Moonstones are starting to become scarce on Earth . Moreover, many Connectors were killed in the downfall of Gagarin·Yang city . If Armstrong lowers the supply of moonstones any further, Earth will face a massive energy shortage . ”


  Emily agreed with Grace as she added more texture to her point .

  Tim looked at Sungyoon and spoke .

  “I saw the news earlier . The public opinion is really against destroying the Golems . The sudden appearance of monsters happened when Gagarin·Yang city indiscriminately destroyed the Golems and the labyrinths . Some in the public even want to stop the excavation of Mana-Knight . ”


  Sungyoon didn’t hesitate before speaking .

  “I’ll stop it . ”


  “Are you ok with that?”


  Sunyoon’s words had surprised Tim .

  “I have no reason to be stubborn . In the end, my goal is to clear the Great Labyrinth . ”


  Sungyoon possessed massive wealth . He had everything he needed to live a happy life with Shinhae . So even if Mana-Knight was no longer excavated, he would have no regrets .

  However, Grace presented an opposing view .

  “You don’t have to shut it down . Earth continues to be attacked by monsters . Also, Mana-Knight has become vital to Armstrong’s defense . The shells made of Mana-Knight can damage monsters, and you saw the power of the new weapon for yourself, Mr . Sungyoon . ”


  In the rescue mission of Gagarin·Yang city, the party had witnessed Mana-Knight artillery bombardment . The artillery used special shells that could be easily shot in space, and these shells had ripped through the monsters .

  “The test subjects of the experiment were weak monsters, but these weapons can be used by normal people . People will have a hard time letting go of it . ”


  “You do have a point . ”


  Tim agreed with her . However, their conversation was interrupted by a ringing . Everyone turned to look at the source of the sound, and Sungyoon stood up and picked up the phone .

  “Yes . ”
-

  I’m glad you answered, Mr . Sungyoon .

  “President? Is something wrong?”
-

  I need you for a task on Earth . Can you come down?

  “Armstrong is in a state of emergency, so I don’t think I’ll be able to . ”
-

  I heard about what happened . I’ll have to discuss this with the mayor of Armstrong .

  “What’s wrong?”
-

  It’s related to the shortage of moonstones . Our country is gathering our moonstone collecting companies and moonstone processing companies for a meeting . They want to come up with a way of solving the current shortage . I thought we would need the opinion of someone that acquires the moonstone, so I would like to go to the meeting with you, Mr . Sungyoon .

  “Understood . If Armstrong allows it, I’ll be there . ”
-

  I’ll talk to them . Ah, Mr . Sungyoon . Also . . .

  Jimin took a pause before continuing -

  Lee Jaeho might attend this meeting .

  Sungyoon’s face crumpled .

  ***

  The meeting room was full of people clad in business suits . They were the representatives gathered to discuss the shortage of moonstones . Most of them were advanced in years, and they laughed while exchanging pleasantries . However, their eyes remained sharp as they tried to discern the intentions of their rivals . These were men and women who had given their lives to their business, and they were old hands that knew all the ins and outs of the industry .

  The door of the meeting room opened, and naturally, everyone turned to look who it was . Their eyes shone as two newcomers stepped inside . Sungyoon and Jimin became the focus of everyone’s attention .

  Sungyoon was the most famous Connector on Earth, and Jimin was the president of the company he was contracted to . All the Connector companies and the moonstone processing companies only saw the benefits of getting close to the two of them .

  Numerous people greeted the two . Jimin looked used to this, and she greeted everyone normally . Sungyoon had become a little stiff, but he didn’t forget his manners .

  Another person approached the two of them and spoke .

  “I don’t believe we’ve met . ”


  His silver head had been dyed black, but unlike his age, he still had a fierce look in his eyes .

  “My name is Lee Hooyoung . I’ve heard a lot about you, Jungbum’s President Hahn Jimin . ”


  The man smiled so warmly that it appeared as though he were looking at his granddaughter . But Jimin inwardly snorted at the man .

  ‘This old man has no shame . He wants to see us fail so badly . ’


  This man was Jaeho’s father and the current chairman of the Daesung group .

  Sungyoon stood behind Jimin, and his eyes went past Hooyoung to catch sight of a man with a sour expression on his face .

  In the past, Sungyoon had considered Lee Jaeho his best friend . However, Jaeho had shoved Sungyoon into a pit of despair and revealed his true nature . He was trash . No, Sungyoon felt sorry for ’trash’ for being compared to this man .

  Sungyoon had only wanted to live a happy life with Shinhae, so he had tried to leave behind his past bad memories . But Lee Jaeho had then gone out of his way to recruit Miyun to threaten Shinhae .

  Just the sight of him made Sungyoon feel extreme displeasure . However, Sungyoon had no reason to get heated here, and he looked at Jaeho with indifference in his eyes . Jaeho felt as if Sungyoon was looking down at him, and anger surged within his heart .

  Most of the people here knew the history between the two men, and they looked on with fascination in their eyes .

  After finishing his pretentious greeting with Jimin, Hooyoung was about to turn his attention to Sungyoon, but he got cut off .

  “You’re here, Jimin . ”


  “Ahjussi!”


  Jimin looked delighted when Dongin came up next to her .

  “Oh my! Were you exchanging greetings with the chairman of the Daesung group? I’m really sorry for the interruption . I can be a bit clueless at times . ”


  “No . We’ve already greeted each other . You seem close to the president of Jungbum . ”


  Dongin placed a hand on Jimin’s shoulder .

  “Ha ha! She’s like a daughter to me!”


  The two chairmen conversed with each other . Just like how their peers behaved, the two of them smiled and assessed each other .

  Did they hate each other because they were cut from the same cloth? Whatever the reason was, Dongin and Hooyoung didn’t seem too happy . Unlike their amicable conversation, the atmosphere around them was hostile .

  Sungyoon saw that Hyunwoo stood behind Dongin . But, Hyunwoo seemed a little off .

  “It has been a while, Mr . Hyunwoo . ”


  “Yes . It has been indeed . It seems you’re still doing well . I’m glad . ”


  “Is something bothering you?”


  Sungyoon asked . However, Hyunwoo didn’t say anything as he looked at Sungyoon with a searching gaze .

  He spoke right about the time Sungyoon was starting to get flustered .

  “No . It’s nothing . I just have a lot on my plate these days . ”


  “I understand . ”


  Everything was changing so fast, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the world had gone crazy . Even the great Sung Hyunwoo would be stressed at such times .

  Sungyoon and Hyunwoo conversed with each other for a short time until the minister entered the room . It was time to start the meeting .

  ***

  Everyone here was a prominent figure in the industry, and a company of Jungbum’s size was out of place in this meeting . However, the reason for her attendance was Sungyoon’s affiliation with her company . Moreover, she possessed a team capable of raiding the Great Labyrinth .

  “Is it impossible to increase the supplies of moonstones?”


  The Minister asked as he wiped the sweat on his forehead . He was in a tough spot, but nothing would be solved if he threw a tantrum .

  “All kinds of changes are occurring within the labyrinths and on Earth . That’s why many Connectors are looking out for their own well-being . They are limiting their trips to the Moon by living off their savings . ”


  The president of one of the Connector companies spoke up .

  “Is there any way we can fix that problem?”


  “Our connectors are doing the minimum amount of work needed according to their contract . We cannot force them to enter the labyrinths . Even if the Connectors are signed under our companies, it’s merely a business contract . This is especially problematic when it comes to high rank Connectors . They can switch to a different company at will if they are asked to do something they don’t like . ”


  “We are in a tough spot too . The price of moonstones has skyrocketed . Even if we pay more, it doesn’t change that there is a shortage . ”


  One of the presidents of the moonstone processing companies spoke up . He had aimed his words toward the Connector companies, but in reality, his words were meant for the Minister . Nobody liked the government meddling in their business, but the moonstone processing companies wanted the government to intervene on their behalf .

  As expected, the Minister frowned . However, he didn’t immediately join in .

  “We are also in a tough spot . The supply of moonstones to our country has been disrupted, but you have to take into account that China, Russia, and their allied countries are having shortages too . They had put in massive resources to create a new Lunar city, yet it was destroyed alongside many of their Connectors . Korea is still in a much better situation than them .

  "If we sell the moonstones to them, we can get a much better price; several times higher than now . The only reason we aren’t doing so is the existence of domestic laws that restrict the export of moonstones . We are already making a great sacrifice by following this law . ”


  In a roundabout way, the president of the company was asking the Minister to lift the restrictions .

  Even after a fierce debate, the members inside the meeting room couldn’t come up with a clear solution . It didn’t matter what they discussed as the situation surrounding the labyrinths would remain the same for the near future .

  They just had to be satisfied with the fact that their opinions were being heard by the Minister .

  “I would like to say something . ”


  Hooyoung raised his hand, and everyone turned to look at him .

  When the Minister gave permission, Hooyoung opened his mouth .

  “Everyone has fallen on hard times . In such a situation, we have to come together . We have to be fair to each other, yet there is someone here that lets her personal feelings influence her dealings . I don’t think that should be tolerated . ”


  His eyes headed toward Jimin, and his intentions were obvious . Hooyoung wanted Jimin to take his company off her blacklist . Everyone else silently monitored the situation .

  “What do you think, Minister? I think it is highly unfair . ”


  Hooyoung was trying to put pressure on Jimin by talking to the Minister .

  “Stop the idle talk, Mr . Lee Hooyoung . ”


  Sungyoon spoke up . He had been watching the meeting with his arms crossed, but Hooyoung’s words had stirred him into action .

  “I don’t care what happens . There is no way we’ll sell anything to your company . ”


  The faces of Hooyoung and Jaeho crumpled .