How to Live as an Immortal - Chapter 325
Only Noblemtl
How to Live Immortally Episode 325
325 No force
A voice that adds a cool chill to the quiet atmosphere.
A man wearing a futuristic mechanical face mask walks slowly to the head table and sits down.
Knock, knock, knock.
I held each cane in my hand as if to show off my presence.
He was a being that even qualified candidates could not be looked down upon lightly.
Chairman of Nodetech, the exclusive supplier of devices that form the foundation of society―
“As you may know, my name is Maxwell Koster and I represent the board of directors.”
He was a living god of wealth.
The area extended beyond the city government to supply military supplies to the Mars Defense Forces.
Megacorp, the true representative of the seed colony.
That authority also influenced the titles used to address other presidents.
“If you look at the faces gathered here, you will see that they are all strong candidates. You can be proud. You will definitely be the ones leading the next generation.”
A respectful attitude, unlike the overbearing tone.
First, the presidents were not overjoyed or saddened by it. The Maxwell they knew was the type of person who would not even praise superficially.
Moreover, it was not as if there were no corners that could be pointed out.
The idea was first floated by Olivia Lee, chairwoman of the Isabella Foundation.
“You have a noble reason for delaying the selection of directors for two months.”
“What I’m saying is that we had no choice but to think about it very carefully.”
“But since we’ve called this meeting together, I guess we’ve finally reached a conclusion?”
“I’m going to explain it to you now.”
“for a moment.”
In an instant, the back of my hand, cracked like dry firewood, rises.
“Chairman Maxwell. Before that, isn’t there one thing we need to point out?”
The one who voiced my opinion was Amir bin Abdul Al-Sadat, the chairman of Easyroad, an old man with half his face mechanized by a goggle-type unit inserted.
Head of Megacorp, which is responsible for all transportation including Hyperloop, maritime and air transport, intra-city delivery, and transporting goods between colonies.
The giant’s finger was pointed straight at the person sitting across from him.
“Why is the president of MTI here?”
“what?”
The man who was pointed out gets angry.
Even though he hid his body in a suit that was in vogue recently, he couldn’t hide his arrogant expression. Wow, his gestures were so sly that he looked like he would fly away if he didn’t breathe, but no one accepted it as it was.
Alexander Weber.
Because he was a prince who caused an internal strife and usurped the chairmanship at the age of not even forty.
“What are you suddenly talking about, Elder? I am also qualified to join?”
Alexander protested, but Amir ignored him and just stared at Maxwell.
“The board of directors is a position that requires great responsibility, presiding over the affairs of the Seed Colony. But what about MTI? They possessed a strategic material called Able, and even more, an asset that is indispensable to humanity, but due to poor management, they caused communication failures. If someone like this is elected as a director, who will shoulder the damage?”
“How about we start by squashing the guys who set up the system to monopolize such things? Oh, the board of directors. Too bad.”
Even though local broadcasts were playing, Amir stubbornly pushed through with his justice.
“So, wouldn’t it be right to revoke his qualifications now? Or is there a plan the board of directors is considering?”
Among the five candidates, the weakest faction was Lee Ji-ro. That was why he preemptively raised an objection in order to increase his chances of becoming a director.
Moreover, it was Nodetech that granted MTI the right to join.
From the guarantor’s perspective, this case must have been quite tricky.
As expected, Maxwell nods with interest.
“If you have something to say, go ahead, Alexander.”
“If you think about who is more dedicated to the economic system of the seed colony, the answer becomes clear. Why do you think we raise the fees while getting cursed at?”
The third officer in charge of infrastructure.
Communications, electricity, medical.
Among them, MTI was in charge of communications. The company’s internal reserves, which had been steadily accumulated through overwhelming operating profits, were likened to a spring that never dries up.
Everyone is jealous, but that’s something one knows and two don’t.
The tax revenue that had to be borne due to the sales that were renewed every year was also astronomical.
Without exaggeration, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is the backbone of the basic income system.
so-
“That’s just nitpicking. I can still see the faces of the staff working day and night to restore communication. And speaking of which, we are not responsible for this ‘accident’.”
Amir’s eyebrows furrow.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“The reason why communication failures are still occurring is because of DDoS attacks coming from all directions.”
Commonly known as a distributed denial of service attack.
It was a cyber-terrorism attack that artificially increased traffic usage and caused the line to become paralyzed.
“I kept it a secret because it seemed like my shortcomings were being exposed, but if this is how it is, I have no choice but to change my course. The timing is just too coincidental.”
“Ha, someone is keeping MTI in check.”
“You tripped and fell for it already. As if you were waiting for it. Isn’t this something Easy Road planned?”
“What an absurd delusion.”
Olivia, who had been watching, intervenes between the two people engaged in a heated argument.
“Let’s go that far. The reason MTI is vulnerable to DDoS attacks is probably because of its chronic structure of not directly connecting to Able, but rather passing through a satellite.”
If Able had been fully utilized in the first place, DDoS attacks would not have occurred. However, the fact that it is neglected despite its flaws is all due to human greed.
“I believe that you have not forgotten the ‘666 Incident.’ The tragedy that arose from the reckless management.”
Incident 666.
It was a turning point in MTI’s history.
Alexander glared at Olivia, who was getting on his nerves.
“I don’t think I have anything to say about the subject of sullying Isabella Lee’s legacy.”
“It’s a decision to move in a better direction. You shouldn’t be afraid of change.”
As the name suggests, the Isabella Foundation was an organization established for public interest purposes. Therefore, even though it boasted a weight class comparable to that of a megacorp, pursuing private interests was practically taboo.
This is evident from the fact that this is the first time he has set his sights on the board of directors.
That was exactly what Alexander was pointing out, but Olivia smiled and spat out her sarcastic remark.
“How about starting by taking care of your own household?”
“This fucking bitch…!”
“stop.”
thud.
The boiling atmosphere died down in an instant as Maxwell struck the floor with his cane.
“It seems like there’s a lot of regret between the two of you. But let’s resolve that between the parties involved later. This isn’t the place to show off your friendship.”
Blake Lindberg, the leader of Mastop, nods his head as if to confirm.
“That’s enough, now tell me.”
“The method of electing the board of directors this time was decided through a proxy war.”
“A proxy war?”
When the topic was announced, Snow White couldn’t help but be shocked.
It was natural.
Because it was a word that wasn’t in her plans.
* * *
Mars.
The second home planet of humanity, after Earth.
Although it had been over 120 years since it took root, there were still many unexplored areas.
The birth of a cult,
Outrider’s Offensive,
A natural environment hostile to humans.
There were countless factors that hindered advancement. However, the number of people jumping in with the hope of making a fortune overnight was increasing every day.
There is only one reason.
Because Mars belongs to no one.
There are no defined borders or prescribed growth limits.
Just plant the flag and defend it.
Even the best seed colonies on Mars started out like that.
“In a world where no one guarantees sovereignty, the most important thing is not justification or logic, but force.”
This was also a virtue that the board of directors needed.
In order to rule without being influenced by foreign intervention, one must first stand alone.
“In times of emergency, you must be able to withstand the pressure of the Mars Defense Forces. The reason gold is so omnipotent is because you can use it to buy violence. And it even provides an excuse for the damage that results.”
Maxwell adds, his expression hidden behind a mechanical face mask.
“You are such golden lords. Then, you cannot help but fight over the most essential items on Mars.”
thud.
As if representing the candidates’ feelings, Maxwell’s cane slammed down, spitting out thunder.
“The method is simple. Each person selects the fighter they think is the best and has them participate in the proxy war as a representative of the company. Then, the Megacorp that appoints the fighter who survives until the end becomes the director.”
Simple and clear.
“that…….”
Isn’t this openly acknowledging the friction that is secretly prevalent between megacorps?
Amir swallows dry saliva.
Moreover, since the board of directors declared that they would tacitly consent, there was no perfect ending for anyone.
Whether big or small, you will have to endure some bleeding.
‘no.’
Most likely it is a serious loss.
In other words, participating in the proxy war meant forming a grudge against the four chairmen. If it went to extremes, it might not be possible to resolve it with an apology.
Because full-scale wars between megacorps don’t usually happen.
And even if he steps on all the other candidates, what’s the point? It’ll just be a victory with only scars.
More than any economic retaliation,
More than any market disruption,
A fatal move.
Yes, the proxy war is not a forum for electing directors.
“There’s no word. I thought you were going to strike at any moment.”
“… … Now that I think about it, it was a ploy to eliminate a potential ambush.”
“You sound sad. I have prepared this wholeheartedly for you. Isn’t this the fastest way to convince your opponent of your skills? And do you think you will readily accept it if it’s a different topic?”
no-
Maxwell clenches his fist as he declares.
“In the end, at the last moment, the only means by which I can enforce my position is with an iron fist.”
iron fist,
Iron power.
It was all a law that arose from actual oppression.
“This time, you could say that its essence has been projected more visibly.”
It was then that Blake, the chairman of Mastop, made a mocking sound, as if he was being deflated.
“That’s stupid. In this day and age, you want me to do it with my body? Growl like an animal? Even if it’s a premium for being a new director, that’s too much.”
“I won’t force you. Everyone has the freedom to choose. If you don’t want to, leave.”