The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 152: Contaminated Land (1)

The moment Unknown, Han Jung-Woo, entered the convention hall, a glimmer appeared in the eyes of the broadcasting officials.

Oh, so that young man is Unknown?

He's much younger than I expected.

Judging by his appearance, he seems to be Korean.

But I don't quite feel the overwhelming charisma he had in the videos.

The broadcasting officials wore puzzled expressions at first, but the moment Han Jung-Woo introduced himself on the podium, their thoughts changed.

“Thank you all for coming. I am Unknown."

Hmm. He's not a young man to be taken lightly.

Even though he looks very young, he's full of confidence and exudes authority.

It's undoubtedly the aura that only those who have overcome numerous trials and hardships to reach the top can emit.

Well, that makes sense. Becoming the best in MID Online isn't something you can achieve with just luck.

Leaving a strong impression with a brief introduction, Han Jung-Woo continued saying, "I believe you all know why I've invited you here today."

The first war in MID Online consisted of an army of over 10,000 from the Church of Muldine and 1,500 NPCs. It was a war that involved more than 2,000 forces, including players!

The high-ranking officials of broadcasting stations had gathered here to purchase the broadcast rights for that video.

"I'll get straight to the point. Among the overseas broadcasting stations, there was an offer of 9.2 billion won."

"9... 9.2 billion won...?!"

"Ugh."

"Well, the market size is different itself, so the money power is vastly different."

"I never imagined they would pay that much without hesitation just for the rights to a video..."

The expressions of those who had expected the amount to be at most 1.5 to 2 billion won hardened instantly.

As expected.

Observing their reactions, Han Jung-Woo said with a gentle smile, "Judging by your expressions, I can see what you're thinking. I understand the position and sentiment of the broadcasting officials. It's practically impossible for a small country like Korea to offer better terms than the overseas market."

The executive producers and directors slowly nodded in agreement with Han Jung-Woo's words.

"That’s right. The number of viewers is just incomparably different."

"America, China... no, even Japan's market size is far beyond that of Korea."

"9.2 billion won... There's no way that kind of money can be put up in Korea just for a video."

This time, they showed a rather positive reaction. Those who had initially given up on the auction upon hearing the mention of 9.2 billion won waited quietly like obedient students for Han Jung-Woo's next words.

"As you might have guessed, I am Korean. I was born and raised here, and my nationality is also South Korean."

"I knew it!"

"There were rumors that Yoo Ha-Rin, the previous number one, was Korean, but it wasn't certain... But Unknown really is Korean!"

"Regardless of the deal, this is truly something to be proud of!"

"I'm curious about the rough adventures he must have had."

During the Olympic season, all the citizens applauded with pride when a Korean athlete won a gold medal. The same was true for Han Jung-Woo.

It's just a game, but it's a game with over a billion registered users.

And he was number one in such a place. In other words, a person who was one in a billion was Korean.

Just knowing that brought smiles to the faces of the directors and executive producers. This was exactly the point Han Jung-Woo intended to exploit today.

I'll emphasize the fact that I'm Korean and highlight that I'm intentionally selling the video to my own country.

A person's impression was greatly influenced by their first impression. If the first impression of someone was not good, even their kind deeds became annoying, and that was the same across all cultures!

On the other hand, if the first impression was good, they would come off as endearing even if they clumsily tripped while walking.

Make the first impression strong, then be gentle afterward.

After lightly stirring the hearts of the broadcasting officials, Han Jung-Woo said, "Before you all participate in the auction today, I have only two conditions.”

"May we hear what those conditions are?"

"I hope they aren't too unreasonable."

"My conditions are simple." Han Jung-Woo paused for a moment and looked at the audience which looked to him as if he were their mother bird. Then he continued, "Firstly, the starting minimum bid for the auction will be 1.5 billion won."

"1.5 billion won? Hmm. That's not bad."

"That's within the expected range."

"If the starting bid is that high, even if the auction becomes intense, the maximum should be around 2.5 billion won...?"

"Still, isn't that quite expensive for just a video?"

"What are you talking about? Compared to the 9.2 billion won offered overseas, this is a fair price. OnGames will participate."

With most of the people showing a positive reaction, Han Jung-Woo grinned.

Would they have reacted the same way if I hadn't mentioned that an overseas broadcasting station offered 9.2 billion won?

He didn’t think so. Even though they knew he was Unknown, the number one ranking player, appearances were important.

No matter what I do, in their eyes, I'll just look like a young man in his early twenties.

In that case, even if they colluded on the price behind his back, there would be no way for him to intervene.

He would have used his Bargain skill in the game, but he couldn't because this was reality. That was why he had played the 9.2 billion won card first. Humans were often swayed when an impossible condition was presented first, followed by a seemingly achievable one.

This is something I learned when I paid the registration fee at the Training Grounds of the Dawn.

All those past experiences were turning out to be invaluable.

Without delay, Han Jung-Woo laid out his second condition. "Second. I want Michael Reynolds to participate as the producer for the video editing."

"... Huh?"

"But we're trying to buy the rights to the video itself..."

"If we bring in an editor from elsewhere, then it's not really our video..."

"Moreover, he's an amateur."

The executive producers who directly managed the project showed slight signs of displeasure.

However, Han Jung-Woo remained unfazed and said, "Michael has edited my videos several times, and his skills are already well-recognized in the industry. In fact, all the videos he's made for me have been globally praised for their outstanding cinematography."

"Well, that is true, but..."

"Sure, he edits well. But this isn't just a simple raid; it's a war."

"This is a massive project that could take weeks just to edit the footage."

"How about we add more money and handle the editing independently?"

They clearly didn't like the idea of letting someone else take a piece of their pie. However, this was one point Han Jung-Woo wasn't willing to compromise on.

"Of course, I respect the producers, directors, and editors here. But you must understand my position as well. If I hand over the video to a broadcasting station without consulting Michael, what does that make me? Please give Michael a chance."

"... Umm, fine. But if Michael's skills turn out to be less than what his reputation suggests..."

"Of course, I won't interfere after that. A professional should speak through their abilities."

Though he said this, Han Jung-Woo wasn't worried at all.

Michael's skills are recognized worldwide. He only works in the underground scene because he finds the spotlight too bothersome...

Han Jung-Woo was currently transitioning from the community's video board to the television screen. However, it wasn't possible to ignore the broadcasting stations and leave everything to Michael for the editing.

I'm sorry, Michael, but you’re gonna need to step into the spotlight.

Of course, it would be all for nothing if Michael refused, but Han Jung-Woo was confident he would accept.

After all, I have already shown him the initial footage.

Michael loved video editing more than anyone else. Otherwise, he wouldn't spend sleepless nights buried in work. For an editor with that level of passion, there was no way Michael wouldn't be excited the moment he saw the footage Han Jung-Woo sent him.

He's probably packing up by now, eager to get started.

Han Jung-Woo showed a faint smile, and called a nearby staff member to hand over a USB.

"Before we officially start the auction, I should show you the product, right?"

"By product you mean...?"

"The video."

As Han Jung-Woo smiled and snapped his fingers, all the lights in the convention hall turned off. Then, like a scene from a movie, the war began to play out on the screen that was big enough to belong in a movie theater

***

The total running time was six hours and fifty-seven minutes. It was such a long duration that they had to take two breaks in between.

These were busy individuals with packed schedules. Yet, not a single one of them made the foolish decision to leave their seat. In fact, when the video ended, only one thought dominated their minds.

I have to secure this no matter what.

I'm certain that if overseas broadcasters saw this video, the bidding price would easily exceed 10 billion won.

It's just the raw footage but it's this good. If we enhance it with editing, amplify the sound, insert an OST, and add effects...

It's at the level where it could attract over ten million viewers if shown in theaters.

Everyone here was a broadcasting professional. They could tell just by looking at the footage whether it would be a success or not with their keen instincts, and their sharp instincts were screaming that this video was a jackpot.

"1.6 billion."

"1.7 billion."

"1.8 billion."

"Damn it, 2 billion! Plus a 5% incentive based on viewership!"

That was why the competition was so fierce.

Sitting comfortably in his seat, Han Jung-Woo wore a satisfied expression as he watched the heated bidding.

It seems showing them the video was the right choice.

Even Han Jung-Woo was meticulous when buying something. He considered whether the quality was good, if it was cost-effective, how its durability was, and what other people thought about it.

And right now, he was selling a video worth billions of won, so of course they would be more cautious.

Of course I had to make them want it as much as possible.

That was why he showed them the video in advance, stimulating their desire to purchase it!

And the result was a huge success. Starting with OnGames, which kicked off the auction at 1.5 billion, executives from NET Media, TBC, and GBM Broadcasting dove in with eyes blazing.

Now, how much will it sell for?

The price had already exceeded 3.8 billion. On top of that, there was already a special program slot being discussed, with an additional 15% incentive based on viewership ratings.

The executive producers finally began making phone calls to the directors, practically begging.

"Director, this is a hit. Don't you trust my judgment? You know how many successful programs I have had so far, don’t you?"

"You know that footage from CTN in America with dozens of people fighting? It got a 21% viewership. I guarantee, the moment this video airs, that will look like child's play."

"Have you seen The Lord of the Rings or The Admiral: Roaring Currents? This is on par with them... No, it's even better. Ugh! Just give me a generous budget, please!"

But in fierce competition, there can only be one winner.

"4.8 billion, with a 20% viewership incentive. Plus, we'll package your previously uploaded community videos into a special program, with an additional 35% incentive."

"Hmm." Han Jung-Woo slightly nodded and extended his right hand with a smile. "Congratulations to NET Media on winning the bid."

It was a successful deal.