All Stat Slayer

Chapter 35: (1): Season 1: Preparation



Originally, the Union was considered a collective of guilds. Individually, they lacked power, but as a group, they gained strength. It was initially formed for the advancement of slayers’ rights. However, the situation was slightly different in the United States. The concept of the Union evolved beyond a simple alliance and became a higher guild that integrated and managed other guilds. Other countries were also gradually transforming their Union into a form similar to that of the United States.

In most countries, the Monster Stones dropped during monster slaying were managed at the national level, and the government obtained profits from them. The United States established the Union as the first in the world and through legitimate struggles with the government, managed to lower taxes and obtain more reasonable prices.

Guilds affiliated with the Union were able to engage in slaying with lower taxes and greater benefits. The United States was rich in monster resources, especially because of the large number of orcs, making it a country with significant advantages in slaying. Currently, orcs were considered the most efficient target for slaying based on the slayers’ skills. Monsters weaker than trolls were too strong, while those weaker than orcs…

By joining the Union, guilds could obtain more detailed monster maps, and in case of conflicts among slayers, the Union mediated. They also established an independent trading system to facilitate faster and more convenient item transactions between slayers.

‘The American Union feels like an organization above the guilds.’

Above the guilds, there were higher guilds. Guilds paid a portion of their profits and maintenance costs to the Union.

‘The taxes levied on Union-affiliated guilds and non-Union-affiliated guilds are different.’

When joining the Union, slayers paid taxes to the Union. It was not a perfect analogy, but the Union was like a large company, and the guilds could be considered employees. It resembled the time when guilds were affiliated with major corporations. The only difference was that back then, the owners were the companies themselves, whereas now it had become the Union.

In any case, most guilds in the United States opted to join the Union because it brought significant benefits to the guilds. The American Union was regarded as the most successful form of Union and secured its position.

‘It’s definitely a clear benefit for me.’

There was no need to think or hesitate. To have the best slayer treated the best, what harm could it bring? After carefully considering the details, there was nothing that would make the situation worse than it currently was.

‘But…’

***

In the end, Hyun-seok declined the offer to go to the United States.

The reasons could be summarized into three. Without delving into difficult words and explanations, first and foremost was loyalty. The Korean Union had only recently been established and was still in the process of solidifying its position. In that regard, the presence of a Platinum Slayer could significantly elevate the status of the Korean Union.

If a Platinum Slayer were to leave for the United States at such a stage, the Korean Union would become a Union unable to retain its own slayers in its own country.

Hyun-seok couldn’t negotiate as dramatically as the United States with radical conditions and treatment. However, he expressed his dreams and aspirations, making a human-to-human request to join forces with Sung-hyung. The world didn’t solely operate on rationality; in fact, there were often more cases where it moved emotionally. People could get angry or cry, even though it might not be beneficial from a rational standpoint. Wars could even break out. War was a classic example of the world not being solely driven by reason.

If loyalty was the first reason, the second reason was greed.

‘It’s funny how I came up with this idea, but…’

Joining the Union in the United States was like entering a major corporation. They already had enormous power and financial strength. However, the Korean Union couldn’t compare to that. It would be challenging to provide Hyun-seok with significant rewards and treatment at this stage. It was still in its early growth phase. In other words, the American Union was a major corporation, while the Korean Union could be seen as a small to medium-sized enterprise. Hyun-seok staying in the Korean Union was similar to being part of a small company and working to develop it.

‘I want to further grow the Korean Union!’

Hyun-seok, who used to be the most risk-averse person, had a slightly strange feeling. He wondered how far they could grow if they continued to develop it, and the intangible value of achieving that growth together with Sung-hyung and establishing it as the head of the Union greatly appealed to him.

‘Well, well… People do change, it seems.’

He felt like an investor who was putting faith in a company with an uncertain future and investing in its potential value. It was undoubtedly a notable change from before.

Typically, low risk brings low returns. High risk, high returns. However, joining the Korean Union didn’t entail significant risks. It was just slightly less comfortable compared to the American Union. He would receive slightly fewer benefits. It was a considerable reward and an enticing offer, but it wouldn’t overshadow everything else, especially with monsters continually growing stronger and even Cyclops, a monster that surpassed the standards of normal mode, becoming solo-killable. The value of 300 billion, in that context, wasn’t significant enough to disregard everything.

The third reason was practical.

‘New monsters and dungeons are appearing in Korea first.’

Currently, the United States could be considered a massive market. It had many monsters, like orcs, that were efficient for slaying and offered substantial profits. However, those monsters didn’t help Hyun-seok much. Monsters like Cyclops, which exceeded the standards of normal mode, were the ones that contributed the most to his growth. He was limited by his level and experience and had to accumulate achievements to become stronger.

Moreover, achieving the “First” title was highly recognized through achievements. To achieve that, staying in Korea seemed to be the better choice. If the current trend continued, the first and strongest monsters would keep appearing in Korea.

‘Considering all factors… staying in Korea is better.’

Even Hyun-seok, the decision-maker, found it somewhat difficult to claim that staying in Korea was undoubtedly the better option. However, he concluded that it was better for him to remain.

Jong-won, on the other hand, initially recommended going to the United States. It was undoubtedly a favorable condition. However, he didn’t oppose Hyun-seok’s decision. He just marveled at it slightly.

“Oh, my. The risk-averse person has changed a lot, huh?”

“Shut up, man.”

“Well, you know… it’s better for me that you stay in Korea. I’ll receive great benefits even as a low-level slayer. Leveling up is for the ignorant ones who rely on brute force. You are a hidden gem.”

“Low-level my a*s.”

“It’s true.”

Jong-won chuckled.

“Even if I go, will I go alone? I’ll take my guild members with me.”

“Pfft, as if! If you get into any situation, let me get it in with you. Don’t act like a superhero. Sung-hyung would scold me for being useless. I can’t stand seeing that. Isn’t it better to have a fox’s head than a dragon’s tail?”

“You’re more like a snake’s head than a fox’s tail, aren’t you?”

Jong-won was taken aback.

“That’s true. But hey, aren’t you one of those? Some kind of hidden class came out…”

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