Robert Edward Gates was the second son of the Gates family, the 'owners' of American First.
'I didn't expect American First to contact me so openly,' Seong Jihan pondered.
In the BattleNet world, guilds could be structured like companies, with distinct owners and operators.
While in most guilds the guild master played both roles, in massive guilds like American First, the guild master and the owner could be different entities.
To make that distinction, the 'owner' needed to make significant decisions.
To become the world's number one guild, entrust the guild master position to the best player.
The Gates family will demonstrate its commitment to achieving the best results.
This was the philosophy of the Gates family, which controlled American First.
Their method was simple but effective: use vast amounts of money to recruit outstanding players, and every two years, decide whether to retain or change the guild master based on their performance.
'In the end, Barren, with his unparalleled abilities, continued as the guild master,' Seong Jihan remembered.
While it seemed like Barren was the sole leader of American First during humanity's final era, the actual owners were still the Gates family.
'And Robert is the head of the scouting team that only approaches the best players.'
Although Robert introduced himself as a mere scout in the donation message, he was one of the top power players within the guild.
Especially when it came to spending money, Robert's resources seemed limitless.
"Thank you for your generous donation, Mr. Gates. I don't usually open my private messages, but given your significant GP donation, it seems appropriate. May I share your message on this broadcast?"
No sooner had Seong Jihan finished speaking than another donation arrived.
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bam!
[R.E.Gates has donated 1,000,000GP.]
[Of course. In fact, I'd appreciate it if you made it public.]
[General achievement, 'Reliable support. (2)' cleared.]
[You will receive 5,000 achievement points as a reward.]
The viewers erupted.
– Wait, the number just got bigger. It seems there's an extra zero?
– 1 billion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
– That's the level of a top-tier guild for you.
– ??? : Is he trying to buy the message box with money!
– It's too much money to scold him about…
– Holy sh*t! Is American First this rich?
– Of course. The Gates family is among the top wealthiest in the world.
Seong Jihan responded calmly, "Shall we see what American First has proposed together?"
He opened his system window and switched his private message status to public.
He then found and opened Robert's message, which was a guild contract proposal translated neatly into Korean.
The signing bonus alone was $300 million, an unimaginable amount for a newly minted Silver Rank player.
Seong Jihan read out all the proposed terms in detail. The viewers' reactions were as expected.
– I can't resist this…ㅠㅠ
– With that kind of money, I'd emigrate to the US too.
– Sigh… that's why people go to America…
The Korean viewers seemed to have given up.
– $300 million? AF sure spends a lot.
– That's Gates' money. There is one condition, however: Seong must become a US citizen.
The American viewers cheered,
– Oh! Naturalization? Welcome!
– Teaming up with Barren Williams… Fantastic!
There was a consensus among them that, despite the overpayment, they should get the best players at any cost.
"Thank you for such a generous offer. I can't give an immediate response, but I'll contact you later," said Seong Jihan, closing the message window.
– If it were me, I'd accept right away.
– Taking a break before diving in, huh?
Robert Gates' donation and the shocking recruitment proposal from American First allowed the viewers to gauge Seong Jihan's current stature.
Seong Jihan clapped his hands, changing the mood, "Now, shall we return to our main topic?"
– What were we discussing again?
– Oh, Yoon Seah's Gift?
– Got brain freeze after hearing about the signing bonus
– My brain froze when I saw a donation of 1.3 billion
The original topic that everyone had forgotten due to Robert Gates was Yoon Seah's Gift.
Seong Jihan nudged Yoon Seah, who seemed lost in her thoughts.
"Seah?"
"…Yeah?"
"It's time to show your Gift."
She took a deep breath and opened her status.
[Gift – Late Bloomer (Rank-F – Participate 50 times in the game to upgrade)]
[Upgrades the basic BattleNet system.
To upgrade it, you must participate in BattleNet games.]
[F-rank Effect: Increases daily game participation by 1.]
[100% increase in natural stat growth.]
– A great vessel is made late. Do you understand, South Koreans?
– A growing Gift? Damn!
– Haven't heard of anything like this before.
– Even at F rank, it twists the system. How is this a trash Gift?
– Trash? Trash? Trash? Trash? Trash? Trash? Trash? Trash?
Although the Gift was currently at rank F, viewers were stunned by the unique 'upgrade' aspect they hadn't seen before.
"Despite having such a Gift, do you think she should still take the college entrance exam?"
– Why even bother with exams lol. She can pick any college she wants.
– Why does she need an exam? Oh, Korean friends. This person doesn't need to be judged by an exam.
– The Korea Daily really messed up.
– She clearly has an amazing Gift.
The viewers reacted just as Seong Jihan had predicted.
"However, aren't you curious why such a mistake was made by Korea Daily?"
– ??? Was there a reason?
– They probably rushed the scoop, right?
"Actually, I had an issue with them during Seah's Gift ceremony."
Seong Jihan showed the viewers a video captured by a security guard, depicting a Silver player causing a scene.
Furthermore, "Perhaps due to my past with them, the BattleNet Administration Director paid me a visit."
Seong Jihan also played a recording of the administration director, who, under the influence of Korea Daily, tried to force Seong Jihan into an advertising and management contract.
Seong Jihan laid out all the cards, revealing the truth behind the misleading article on Yoon Seah and the challenges he had faced.
"This is the real story behind the article about Seah and the events I encountered."
– Is this the 1980s?
– They crossed the line!
Viewers were incensed by the BattleNet Administration Director's antics.
– Damn, this guy's infuriating. Using a commendation as a threat?
– Threatening with an exclusive story is so pathetic
– What?! The Administration Director siding with a corporation to oppress a player? Seong, come to the U.S. fast!
– He won't betray his country!!!
– Who the hell is this?
The chatroom exploded with condemnations against Korea Daily and the Administration Director.
Seong Jihan watched the reactions for a moment before speaking.
"My original plan was to establish a guild in Korea. I had a personal experiment I wanted to conduct."
– A guild? By a Silver?
– With so many invites, why create a guild? Moreover, isn't Korea already a competitive red ocean?
– Shh! He said he had an experiment.
– He should stay in Korea, why the fuss?
"However, with the Administration Director acting like this… I'm hesitant about how I, a mere player, should operate a guild in Korea." Seong Jihan said, appearing more relaxed than his words conveyed.
"For now, Seah and I will remain in Korea until September. But if major corporations and government agencies continue to pressure me, I might consider moving to a country that offers the best terms."
Immediately following that, a barrage of donations came in.
[R.E.Gates has donated 100,000GP.]
[Player Seong, if you establish a guild in the US, our guild will assist you. The U.S. government will also fully support you.]
[★☆Take-chan☆★ has donated 100,000GP.]
[Seong-san~ Isn't Japan closer and better than the U.S? I, Take-chan, will prepare everything for you! Just say the word!]
– Take-chan increased the donation amount
– He's probably feeling the pressure~
– Suddenly there's a recruitment competition…
– Please, just not Japan. If you're going to go, go to the U.S. ㅠㅠㅠ
The mention of a guild formation intensified the recruitment competition from various countries.
Whether it was America First or the Neo Self-Defense Force, the connection with their respective governments made this a high-stakes situation.
Seong Jihan continued, "Thank you for the donations. Establishing a guild in either the US or Japan would certainly spare me from political pressures."
He smirked, "Unless Korea Daily and the Administration Director publicly apologize and promise not to repeat such actions, I might seriously consider these offers."
'Though I don't really intend to leave Korea…'
The signing bonus of 300 million dollars and the incredible terms offered by Robert Gates were tempting, but Seong Jihan didn't want to leave his homeland.
The national bonus after the tutorial and the desire to defeat the Sword King as Korea's representative were part of his motivation.
He added, "However, I love my home country, South Korea, and wish to stay. But for that… I desperately need your support."
The viewers understood his subtle plea, rallying to exert public pressure for a resolution.
– So if they apologize, you'll stay here?
– What are you doing? Let's start a petition.
– Shouldn't we start a boycott against Korea Daily??
– Let's just do both
– The director looks like an old fogey. Think he'll apologize?
– We'll make him.
The viewers were actively rallying behind Seong Jihan. With a tear in his eye, he bowed deeply.
"Everyone, I am a Korean… and I want to remain a Korean. I hope this sentiment isn't changed by external pressures…"
And with that, public opinion erupted.