Chương 144: Chapter 143: Founding Vance Earth Holdings

The 120th floor of Lotte World Tower offered a full view of the Han River winding through the neon-lit heart of Seoul. On the black marble wall of a compact operations office, two technicians tightened the final screw on a restrained bronze sign:'VANCE EARTH HOLDINGS - EXTRACTION PILOT' Lucian stood in a sharply tailored black suit, hands in his pockets, in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass, looking out over the city below. [UNIFIED SYSTEM V2. 0: DOCUMENTED COMMERCIAL NOTE] [VANCE EARTH HOLDINGS: PROVISIONAL INCORPORATION FILED] Initial capitalization: documented funds that cleared declaration and compliance review. Registration status: pending sponsor, counsel, and beneficial-ownership review. Earth exchanges and public records remain independent systems. [OPERATIONAL REMINDER:] Observed market data is not future-price certainty. The first business activity is a limited, regulated dungeon-concession pilot.

Evelyn, in a white blouse tucked into black slacks, a tablet under her arm, handed Lucian a freshly printed org chart. [VANCE EARTH HOLDINGS - INTERNAL PROJECT ROLES:] Founder and beneficial owner: Lucian Vance, supported by a licensed adult local representative where required. Project spokesperson: Eleanor Sophia de Solaris (First Princess). Technical lead: Evelyn Wright (Former Software Engineer). Archives and documentation lead: Sylvia Lunaire, working with Korean counsel.

Site-safety liaison: Astra (compensated partly in strawberry ice cream). Lucian scanned the personnel list and nodded, satisfied.

"Perfect. We will pay for qualified local counsel, keep the work inside the rules, and let Sylvia make sure our records are readable." You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Click. The doors to the tower's international press room swung open. Dozens of camera lenses from Korean business outlets and local Hunter press flashed as Eleanor stepped up to the podium.

She wore a pristine white suit trimmed in gold, carrying herself with the composed confidence of a First Princess representing a new project. Eleanor adjusted the magitech microphone and spoke, clear and resonant, carrying across the live broadcast.

"To all citizens and Hunters around the world." She looked straight into the camera and delivered Vance Earth Holdings' pilot charter with authority.

"For the past ten years, the major Hunter Guilds have upheld an unjust system of exploitation — seizing 80% of dungeon profits while forcing E-Rank and D-Rank Hunters to pay for their own medicine and life-saving equipment." Eleanor held up a signed, sealed pilot commitment document.

"As of today, Vance Earth Holdings is officially implementing the following pilot policy: Up to 70% of verified mana-crystal value paid directly to cleared-work teams. Employer-paid accident, health, and disability coverage, plus supplied antidotes and equipment. Sane shift limits, rest rotations, and licensed safety supervision. The press room fell into surprised silence for five seconds. Then the local Hunter forums began buzzing hard.

Within the local Hunter community, applications and messages began arriving fast.

"Accident coverage? Fair revenue share?"

"A new company is actually putting that in writing?" Vance Earth Holdings' pilot inbox received a few hundred inquiries that afternoon, subject to ordinary screening and licensing. Five o'clock. The press conference wrapped up. Lucian sat in the small project office, pen in hand, reviewing the intake file for the first twelve pilot workers. Click. Click. The soft, steady sound of heels on ebony flooring.

Eleanor stepped into the room and rested one hand on the edge of Lucian's desk, looking straight into his eyes with a bright, teasing smile.

"Founder Vance... according to internal company policy, doesn't the project spokesperson have the right to request dinner with the Founder after business hours?" Lucian glanced at his watch.

"Five oh one. Business hours are officially over." He closed the ledger and stood, reaching for his black overcoat.

"Beef and mushroom hot pot in Gangnam. My treat." Eleanor laughed and walked beside him toward the door.

"Let's go, boss."... At the same time, in the office of the President of the Korean Hunter Association. SMASH! A water glass shattered against a TV screen, mid-broadcast on the wave of Hunters asking about Vance Earth Holdings. The Association president, eyes bloodshot with fury, stared at the plummeting market-share charts of the major Guilds and roared into the phone.

"Have our counsel file a compliance complaint and ask the proper regulators for a review. We will not let that company dodge a single rule."