The transfer to another world and the appearance of Returnees marked a significant turning point in human history.
Until then, the existence of various mysteries and superhumans, considered mere fantasies, was enough to shake the current paradigm. Humanity, swept away by this colossal upheaval, had to adapt somehow to minimize the damage.
Various organizations managing abilities across countries, the Global Association of Returnees, Guardians operating openly to maintain peace, and Villains who had hidden in the shadows prioritizing their desires…
Earth began to change rapidly amidst global chaos, and part of that change included not only the Returnees but also new materials that came from another world through them.
Organizations, including governments and corporations, studied the powers of Awakened Ones, presenting money as bait or even resorting to threats.
They analyzed the components of potions and elixirs that produced all sorts of marvelous effects, and they attempted to dismantle the magical equipment imbued with mystery to uncover its principles.
Astronomical capital was invested, and top scholars sequestered themselves, desperate to solve this conundrum.
However.
Even after several years, nothing was gained.
What they learned was that no mystery could be replicated on this Earth.
Of course, there were those who continued to persevere in their research, but mainstream opinion had long since solidified in that direction, and no theories were proposed thereafter to overturn it.
In the end, those in power had to accept a situation they could not control and change their course to accommodate it as much as possible.
Thus, two decades passed.
Those who had adapted to a certain degree had become accustomed to the present.
The overall technological prowess developed rapidly even with indirect influences, daily conflicts between Guardians and Villains became the norm, and the items from other worlds had become luxury goods that were tough to purchase even with money.
In particular, magical equipment was not only rare but also practical; it became a symbol of wealth representing those who had it, rather than just the possession of the Awakened Ones.
“Oh my? What’s that? I’ve never seen that bracelet before?”
“Oh— this? It’s magical equipment that generates a protective barrier in dangerous situations. Dad bought it for me because he was worried.”
“Wow… Where on earth did he get it? I heard it’s super hard to find.”
“Eh, he should have just gotten me a spatial dimension handbag instead. How often do you need something like this?”
“Hey, it’s something for emergencies, so if you don’t use it often, it’s even better. I should ask my dad too.”
“Should I ask my dad where he bought it? He might be selling more.”
“Oh my, really? Then that’d be great!”
With overflowing demand and limited supply, the value surged.
The Blood Alliance led by Heinz II’s faction, ‘Heterosys’, quickly expanded its power, taking advantage of the situation.
They gifted precious magical equipment to wealthy families, subtly slipped bribes to Guardians who were bound to have frequent conflicts, bestowed potions on those with sick family members as a means of goodwill, and employed ordinary people based on massive capital to expand their roots across South Korea.
In a capitalist society brimming with money, finding “voluntary blood donors” was an easy task.
Direct blood-sucking based on compensation, not through indirect means using blood packs.
This not only prompted the organization’s expansion but also improved its quality, which translated into loyalty to Heinz, who brought such miracles.
And now.
The Blood Alliance was poised for another leap.
From the shadows into the limelight.
From Korea to the world.
There was no one who could stop their thoroughly grounded advance.
*
“…Howard Industry?”
Yoon Ji-yoon, head of the South Korea Returnee Association, grimaced as she rechecked the documents in front of her.
But no matter how much she looked, nothing changed.
“What the heck is this?”
In the end, she turned her gaze toward the secretary who had brought her the documents.
In truth, the information the association had gathered was all contained within, but she couldn’t help but ask because it was unbearable.
“As you can see, this is the current movement of the Blood Alliance. They seem to have the intention of bringing their clandestine magical equipment trade to the surface and expanding its scale. They’ve already completed the corporation’s establishment…”
“No, no. I see that, but…”
She cut off her secretary’s long-winded explanation and looked back down at the documents in disbelief.
The movements of the alliance thus far were already surprising enough.
Their dexterity was so exceptional that even those who should have intervened to halt their expansion remained silent and passive.
In fact, many Guardians under her command were not only reluctant to confront the alliance’s vampires but had developed personal friendships with several of them.
‘But this is on a whole different level, isn’t it?’
A company specializing in selling magical equipment from another world.
In reality, there were already quite a number of companies that acted as intermediaries and distributors for materials from another world.
However, given that the supply itself was vastly insufficient, that was more akin to a premium service through a small number of brokers…
“…Is this scale correct? Opening nationwide stores? Wait, they’re even planning to set up branches overseas? Discussions with Europe are already finished?”
This scale had far exceeded anything that could be considered normal.
This was a plan that could not be attempted through existing intermediary trade.
Even if someone had brought a massive number of magical equipment to Earth, the supply would ultimately run dry, so that was not an option either.
“It definitely looks like there’s a creator behind this. No, it’s not just that…”
A mass production system on Earth.
Without a doubt, it had been acquired by a vampire organization that had thrived in the shadows of Korea, something even world powers and colossal corporations had given up on.
‘How? I can believe a craftsman could be found, but how did they procure materials? Especially in such large quantities…?’
Her head became a jumble of thoughts.
Until now, thanks to the cooperation of the Hahoe Mask and Phantom, she had been enjoying an unprecedentedly peaceful time, but she felt a massive storm approaching in the distance.
“Phew, no. I don’t need to worry about this. The president will coordinate with the government first. I’m just a branch head.”
Indeed, being satisfied with a moderately suitable position was the best choice.
Having patted herself on the back, she felt much more at ease as she flipped through the documents again.
“However, Howard Industry… It’s not Heinz, it’s Howard?”
“According to the Information Department, there are suspicions that a figure named Howard is the key person in magical equipment production. Since obtaining information through Heterosys is nearly impossible, we haven’t caught any solid leads, though.”
“…Their cohesion is well-known. The ability to subjugate all vampires without regard to their origins is Phantom’s trademark.”
Unlike the Hahoe Mask, who moved alone, Phantom Heinz was a bigwig who commanded not only the Blood Alliance but also foreign vampire clans.
From a national perspective, he could be considered an even greater potential threat than the Hahoe Mask.
For this reason, entry bans had already been imposed in various countries, but naturally, such measures held no significance for him.
‘Should I reach out after a long time?’
Yoon Ji-yoon, who had a slightly friendly rapport with him regarding the Buncheon Society, figured this plan might have been initiated with that matter in mind, but given the scale, it seemed it would spill over this way as well.
‘What on earth is he busy with to be so hard to reach? Should I send a message through the spokesperson of Heterosys?’
With another sigh, she found her gaze drifting to the last few pages of drawings in the document.
Banners placed in various locations against a background that seemed to have captured an internet screen, and posters that looked meticulously crafted by an expert.
“…What’s this?”
“Oh, it’s promotional material for Howard Industry. They seem to be serious; they’re pouring ads into various media even before the official opening. Their website and social media are already up as well.”
“Huh.”
While she flipped through the papers with a stunned expression, her hands suddenly stopped.
“…They’re looking to acquire elixirs? No, more so, custom-made top-tier magical equipment? It’s not like they intended to keep this a secret from the start, huh?”
She accidentally chuckled in disbelief but, upon considering it again, it made sense.
The owner of Howard Industry, Phantom Heinz, was a top-tier transcendent being who had defeated some of the very few Level 9 vampires in the world, proving his worth.
In particular, after he was confirmed to have ended the life of the “Duke,” once regarded as the strongest in Europe, there were few who would dare provoke him.
‘If not for that, no matter how much the alliance greased the wheels, they would have faced limitations in scaling up like this. Greedy pigs wouldn’t be satisfied with what they were given, rushing in to snatch even more.’
Existing factions of considerable size were already aware of everything he accomplished in Europe.
If anyone wanted to end up as a headless mummy after being drained of blood by a stranger in the night, they would stay out of trouble.
“I’m curious. Just how confident are they to be so open with this kind of advertising?”
Yoon Ji-yoon laid the documents on her desk, quietly stroking her chin.
The main points within the advertisement contained two key issues.
The large supply of magical equipment that could not be produced on Earth and the custom production of top-tier specialty products.
She was already aware of the level of magical equipment they handled.
Having expanded their influence through distributing it after the alliance had been established, she’d even personally tried the items received as gifts during the cooperation process with the Buncheon Society.
“Top-tier, huh… Even if it’s not super-class, that level isn’t so easily obtainable. How could they make custom orders for such things?”
Super-class items were as invaluable as the ‘Holy Sword’ from Heinrich Saint Landgard, so top-tier equipment could only be considered the best magical gear manageable by Awakened Ones.
‘The things I used in the past were only mid-tier at best on Earth.’
Though they were top-notch items in that world, the strong emphasis on one’s innate abilities led to a lack of development in magical equipment production.
Instead, they had significantly advanced technology related to elixirs…
“Hmm, should I at least bring it up?”
She mumbled quietly, recalling the elixirs she’d brought just in case.
With some hope, she thought he probably wouldn’t attempt to cheat her.
On the very first day of the promotional campaign, even before the official opening, the Howard Industry project was flowing smoothly.
*
‘Truly, all the groundwork laid ahead of time has paid off.’
The establishment of the corporation and the opening of stores; all complex preparations were proceeding swiftly as if propelled by the wind.
Thanks to the grease applied over the years, there were no one actively opposing it, and instead, many had lent their support, allowing the plan to gain momentum.
[What’s this? Suddenly, a lot of ads are popping up? ]
-Howard Industry? They say it specializes in magical equipment; anyone know anything?
└Magical equipment from another world? Is that for real? Seems like a scam, doesn’t it?
└No way, if it were a scam, they’d only be advertising on some obscure site. This is on the main portals too!
└It’s reported in major news outlets as well. Not only major newspapers but just about every paper is plastered with it. Is this a subsidiary of some conglomerate? How much money are they spending?
└This is getting ridiculous;;
The advertising was progressing smoothly.
While they were preparing to open stores nationwide, they had no intention of focusing solely on offline operations.
‘Internet provides the best accessibility for information and purchasing.’
Of course, given the extravagant price tags, they had no plans to use typical transportation services.
When customers made a purchase, they intended to personally deliver it to their desired location, showcasing their sincerity.
‘With the Blood Alliance’s vampires directly managing things, there’s no one bold enough to pull anything here.’
From security to store management and product delivery.
With versatile personnel available, it was exceedingly easy to press forward.
‘Since most of the Blood Alliance vampires belong to Heterosys now, their resistance to sunlight has also improved.’
Initially just a faction within the Blood Alliance, the Heterosys had been growing prominent through their contributions, bringing others to join without pressure.
They learned that the benefits of joining, despite the inconveniences of the subordinate relationship, outweighed them significantly.
‘After all, they’ve never forced anyone into any extreme demands.’
In any case, there’s a command hierarchy based on status existing everywhere, right?
Gradually expanding in scale, Heterosys now accounted for more than 90% of the entire Blood Alliance.
At this point, it was almost reasonable to view ‘Blood Alliance = Heterosys.’
“Of course, achieving their goals soon won’t be that easy.”
Even though they had been distributing magical equipment in the shadows of Korea for quite some time, the outside world still regarded “Howard Industry” as merely a new company.
Despite the advertising, there would always be doubters regarding their trustworthiness.
There was nothing to be done but wait on time; rushing would only yield negative results.
‘Still, I could shorten that time. If I hire a famous celebrity as a spokesperson and start selling potions at the same time…’
On Earth, it wasn’t just magical equipment that was in demand.
Potions, which could be seen as a kind of panacea, were highly valued too.
Being directly linked to health, they could yield more dramatic effects.
‘Just as the potion factory of the Hubert Association is ready to start operations. It took some time to hire enough alchemists, but we’ve finished that part.’
The funds expended had come from distributing various ingredients, both local spices and items that could only be procured here.
My goal was mutual growth through exchanges on both sides, not a one-sided relationship of giving.
“There’s a need for various promotional events as well, but… ah, smart people will handle that.”
Success yields corresponding rewards.
That alone should fulfill my role as an employer.
Given the elite workforce well-versed in that field, there was no need for an amateur like me to interfere with it.
‘I should only focus on supplying products. Let’s see, for top-tier magical equipment that I’ll show off for promotion…’
Perhaps because she was feeling more at ease like that, the reactions to ‘Howard Industry’ started surfacing much sooner than she had anticipated.
