Articles appeared everywhere. The international response was still limited, but if Howard Industry's claims were true, it was only a matter of time before it spread globally.
Some considered the hype excessive for just a company launch, but they didn't understand the industry.
-Is this for real? Does this mean I can finally buy magical tools?
└You can buy them, but they'll be ridiculously expensive.
└Exactly. They said they'll increase the supply, not lower the prices. They can't possibly meet the demand.
-Can I buy one if I sell everything I own?
└How much do you have?
└890,000 won… haha
└Get lost.
-I want to be an Awakened! Or at least own a magical tool!
└This guy's spamming this comment everywhere.
Magical tools were items that could indirectly fulfill ordinary people's yearning for supernatural powers. Luxury items for the wealthy, a safety net in emergencies, miraculous equipment capable of feats beyond modern technology. Weapons for Guardians to combat villains, or tools for villains to enhance their criminal activities.
All of this stemmed from the artifacts brought back from other worlds by returnees. The demand was constant and insatiable. People had simply given up due to the limited supply.
But now, a company claiming to solve this problem had appeared. It was natural for society to take notice. Among those closely watching were various villain organizations.
—Including the Heaven's Turn Society, the largest in the world.
"Howard Industry…"
The Master of the Heaven's Turn Society, emerging from a temporary hibernation in his carefully constructed hidden world, frowned at the information displayed on his tablet.
"…A variable."
A critical, unforeseen variable. Even the Oracle, with her precognitive abilities, hadn't foreseen this.
'I never thought this would be possible.'
He knew the future would deviate from his knowledge. He had been actively influencing events for over two decades. Expecting the future to remain unchanged was unrealistic.
'But how is this possible? Even Doctor, who can bypass Earth's laws, hasn't found a solution. And the Oracle didn't foresee this…'
She had seemed quite flustered when relaying this information. Overlooking such a significant event was a major blunder, even for her.
But such occurrences had become increasingly frequent lately.
"Korea again."
South Korea, the epicenter of these variables. Starting with Hahoe Mask, followed by Saint Heinrich, and now Howard Industry. Even Phantom Heinz, the true power behind it, was a variable!
'It's too early to reveal myself, but… I can't remain idle any longer.'
Heinrich's public appearance had already caused unrest within the organization. And the Scribe, a member of the Pantheon's executive committee, had been abducted by unknown assailants, heightening the sense of crisis.
"Tsk, I wanted to wait until Doctor awakened."
Doctor, who had entered hibernation to modify his weakened body after his resurrection, might be able to analyze Howard Industry's technology and uncover its secrets.
But he couldn't afford to wait. He needed to act.
'I need to stall them, buy some time.'
He scanned the information on his tablet. A video file at the end caught his attention. He played it, his gaze fixed on the beautiful woman standing on a stage before a crowd of reporters.
-"Let the showcase begin. We'll take questions later, so please remain silent…"
The Howard Industry showcase, held just before he received the report.
'How did things get so out of hand?'
Jin Soran sighed deeply, standing backstage, waiting for the showcase to begin. She wasn't just a staff member; she was the host.
'I hoped to enter the public eye someday, but… this is too sudden, Lord.'
She had been content with her current situation. While public perception of vampires hadn't changed much, they were no longer universally feared and ostracized within the Awakened community. The Blood Alliance's vampires were even recognized as protectors, boosting morale within the organization. They were ordinary people before becoming vampires, craving acceptance.
"It's time! You're on!"
"…Yes, I understand."
Jin Soran took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. Not as Heterosis's spokesperson, nor as a Level 8 vampire, the first progeny of a Divine Blood and the strongest vampire in Korea.
But as 'Orchid,' a rising internet streamer, hosting the event.
"Let the showcase begin. We'll take questions later, so please remain silent…"
Orchid, named after her favorite flower. Her streaming hobby was her only connection to the world she had left behind after becoming a vampire.
'But I'm not famous enough for this.'
She was in charge of the event, but she wouldn't have chosen herself as the host She was here because of Heinz's direct order.
"…Next, we'll introduce our products."
"This is our main lineup. We have spatial storage tools, strength enhancement, defense, speed enhancement, and various other types. Their specifications are…"
Heinz, planning an influencer marketing campaign, had chosen her. He wanted a high-ranking member present, but it was also a favor. The exposure would boost her streaming career.
"Next, our potions. These have been certified safe by the Awakened Association and the Otherworldly Industry Resources Department. Depending on their grade…"
She was grateful, but also overwhelmed. She had been streaming for a while, but it was just her talking to a camera. It was a hobby, not a career.
Click Click
Murmur
Despite being Korea's only Level 8 vampire, the flashing cameras and intense gazes of the reporters unnerved her. She would have preferred a battlefield.
"Now, let's move on to the next segment. Please remain silent. The Q&A session will be held after all presentations…"
"These are the top-tier magical tools crafted by Howard Industry! These are samples. We can custom-make items with comparable specifications, provided the conditions are met…"
Thanks to her streaming experience and her role as Heinz's representative, she managed to complete the showcase without any major issues.
No, it was more than just completing it without issues.
The response after the showcase…
Exceeded all expectations.
After the showcase, Howard Industry officially launched its operations. While the physical stores weren't ready yet, online sales were sufficient for now. Payment would occur after the items were delivered, during the in-person transactions.
The stock market reacted accordingly, related stocks fluctuating wildly. Howard Industry wasn't publicly traded, but the industry's influence was pervasive.
And another place erupted with activity: internet communities.
Magical tools and potions certified by the Association and Supernatural Management Bureau.
Not really a new company. They've been distributing small quantities for a while now, verifying safety.
The "top-tier" items are amazing, making even veteran Awakened drool.
Goddess!
(Showcase photos)
-That's four lines, not three.
└That's not the point.
└Agreed. The last line is the most important.
-Who is she? She's gorgeous.
└Orchid.
The showcase became a hot topic, fueled by public interest and photos of a certain individual taken from various angles.
-Wow… Her streaming appearance was actually nerfed? I thought it was makeup, lighting, and filters, but it was the opposite!
-Every photo is a masterpiece. And they're unedited.
The buzz spread beyond Korea. The showcase, featuring her as the face of the company, had generated immense hype, exceeding expectations. Her appearance captivated both men and women.
-Look at her charisma. I'm a woman, and I'm smitten.
└I can't look away. I'm seeing the light…
-Kyaaa!! Unnie! Marry me!!!
This reaction wasn't just due to her beauty but also her newly acquired power. After Heinz II achieved Divine Blood status, he had bestowed upon Jin Soran 「Refined Blood Crystal」 to facilitate organization management.
It had maximized her potential and awakened a portion of Heinz's traits, enhancing her existing 「Concealment」 ability and awakening a new ability, 「Charm」.
"Ugh… I thought I had it under control. I must have lost focus due to nerves."
"Hmm, it shouldn't be a problem. The reaction wasn't excessive."
Jin Soran buried her face in her hands as Heinz II, watching the showcase footage in his office, nodded. 「Charm」 was a mental ability. Using it indiscriminately on ordinary people would be problematic.
But her already striking beauty, enhanced by her ascension to Level 8, had masked the effect, preventing even Awakened individuals present from noticing anything unusual.
'Not bad. Excellent, even.'
Pleased with his foresight, he watched the video. It had reached the latter half of the showcase, the demonstration of the top-tier magical tools.
Crackle
Blue sparks crackled on screen as the Awakened demonstrator grasped a short-handled hammer. The energy radiating from it was palpable even through the screen. Without the barrier erected at the venue, ordinary people would have fainted.
Rumble
Lightning struck the hammer. It shot out like a bolt, reducing the distant target and its surroundings to ashes before returning to the user's hand. Like a scene from a movie… or Norse mythology.
The showcase had been held outdoors for this very reason.
'I tweaked the design, so there shouldn't be any copyright issues.'
The hammer was one of Howard's masterpieces. No one would question him even if he had copied the design exactly, but there was no need to invite trouble.
'Of course, that was just bait. The reward tier will depend on the quality of the elixirs offered. I wonder how many possess elixirs of sufficient value.'
They needed to be at least High-grade to be worthwhile.
As he watched the showcase conclude—
"…Lord? We just received a call from Branch Manager Yoon of the Association…"
Yoon Ji-yoon, the Lightning Empress, one of Korea's top three Transcendent beings.
He had caught a big fish right from the start.