In the White House, the President of the United States was in a virtual meeting with his South Korean counterpart.
While the two were separated by thousands of miles, the Korean president still felt a significant amount of apprehension while meeting the American. He sat up straight and listened attentively to the latter’s instructions.
"Come again? A book about summoning evil gods has been delivered to South Korea? Rest assured, I will send people to investigate, and once we have results, we will inform you immediately."
The President of South Korea looked surprised on the video, then solemnly assured the President of the United States.
"Please make sure to investigate thoroughly. That book is extremely dangerous. If the evil gods inside are summoned, it will be a major crisis for humanity and the Earth! Although in the past, we survived thanks to the favor of the gods, good fortune may not always be with us. If humanity lacks faith, our doom is not far off!"
The President of the United States spoke with a solemn expression, resembling a preacher in a church.
"Thank you for your guidance!"
The President of South Korea flattered the President of the United States, and then the video conference came to an end.
After ending the call, he turned to Director Smith who was standing in front of his presidential desk. The director spoke, "Mr President, I don’t think we can trust him.!"
"Haha, I know that, of course."
The expression of the President of the United States remained unchanged. Although this president had done many bizarre things, he had experienced highs and lows in his life. Having a net worth of billions of dollars and successfully running for President of the United States, he was not foolish. He would not easily believe the words of the South Korean president with just two or three assurances.
"I am familiar with the situation in South Korea. In a country filled with cults nationwide, I don't believe that the president there will really put in his best effort. I even suspect whether he has already embraced the worship of evil gods. Moreover, if the item is truly in South Korea and their government finds it, I don't think they would seal it away. There's a good chance that the South Koreans will use that book."
The President sighed and continued, "I will convene a secret meeting of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. This matter is no longer something we alone can handle. We need the support of allies, and I am ordering the US troops stationed in South Korea to go to Level 2 alert. If an uncontrollable situation arises, we may need to deploy troops."
Hearing that the President had considered all the details and even prepared a plan, Smith finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"As for the handwritten copy of the book 'Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan', what do you think we should do, Your Excellency?"
Smith asked a new question.
The President of the United States remained silent for a moment, then shrugged helplessly. "What else can we do? I will order, in the name of the president, that your S.H.I.E.L.D. can conduct research on that book. However, any research findings must be reported to the White House and Congress."
"You know, what you said is a temptation that is difficult for some people to resist. Even if they know that the book is dangerous, they will inevitably want to study it."
Smith fell silent. He knew that the President was referring to those wealthy magnates of the United States. He also knew that the leaders among those magnates were interested in the methods recorded in the ‘Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan’ for resurrecting the dead and extending life.
Even if they knew that the method of prolonging life recorded in the book involved becoming a disgusting creature like a ghoul, those people with endless money and immense power would never give up. They already had nearly everything, and what they desired more was an even longer life.
"In fact, you are curious too, Smith, don't deny it. Even I am endlessly curious. Even members of the Party and the Donkey Party are curious. No one can resist such temptation."
The President of the United States sighed, with a self-deprecating smile.
This time, Smith did not speak again. As the President said, upon learning that they could conduct research on the handwritten copy of the 'Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan', Smith himself was excited and almost jumped up.
"Oh, by the way, those apprentice wizards who returned from the 'San Soliel School of Magic' in the Scottish waters, did they really learn magic?"
The President of the United States recalled something and said enthusiastically.
"Yes, Your Excellency! I witnessed the magic they used with my own eyes. Even catching that South Korean person was possible thanks to the magic of those wizards. They are apprentice wizards, and they don't know many spells, and their power is not great. However, even so, those spells made me feel the terrifying power of supernatural forces and the longing for it. Just the spell 'Language Proficiency' alone is envy-inducing."
Smith introduced the actions of those apprentice wizards to the President with enthusiasm, and the President listened with great interest.
"Hey, Smith, find a time to let our American wizards come to the White House for commendation."
The President of the United States' eyes lit up, excitedly suggesting.
Smith knew that letting those apprentice wizards receive commendation was just a pretense. The real reason for the invite was to allow the president to see magic personally.
However, Smith did not refuse because commending those apprentice wizards, who were American citizens, and having them attend a banquet at the White House could enhance the image of the American government in their eyes and increase their patriotism.
Then Smith had another idea. He felt that all the apprentice wizards should be invited to the White House. After all, it was just awarding a medal and treating them to a meal, and it wouldn't cost much money. Moreover, if by any chance, one of these wizards developed a good impression of America and changed their nationality, then America would be the real winner.
Smith chatted with the President about some other matters, and then he took his leave.
As soon as Smith left, the President of the United States dialed a secret number known only to the heads of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Before long, a secret video conference of the five major nations was convened.
No one knew what the content of the meeting was, only that after the meeting, the five major nations made commitments and assurances. If things really took a turn for the worst, the five major nations would jointly impose economic sanctions on South Korea. South Korea was not Russia, and for a country like South Korea with scarce natural resources, if it faced joint economic sanctions from the five major rogue nations, the country would be almost finished.
At the same time, China secretly moved troops to its northeastern region, stationed at the border. Russia also sent troops across Siberia to station at the borders of China, and the external excuse was that China and Russia were conducting joint military exercises.
In the wake of these events, North Korea grew increasingly uneasy. The ruler of the nation quickly reached out to China and Russia. Upon understanding the specifics, this powerful figure expressed a willingness to collaborate with both nations. He even offered to assist in facilitating the movement of soldiers through his own country. What's more, he fervently declared that, if required, he could showcase the artillery and rocket launchers stationed at the South Korean border, initiating a formidable barrage of ten thousand shells directed towards South Korea.
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