Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: True Money Flaunting
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"Levitation!"
Paat!
The moment the magic incantation ended, I felt the mana in my circle drain away cleanly.
Dudung!
"Ooh, oooh! It's floating! I'm floating!"
At the same time, my body floated into the air as if someone had gently lifted me up.
Magic that always brought surprises.
Like a baby Superman, I stretched out my arms and struck a flying pose.
"Heh heh heh. If I become a great mage like Master, world conquest wouldn't be a problem."
The endless applications of magic.
No matter how advanced the 21st century was, there was no end to what magic could achieve.
I could use Invisibility magic to rob a bank without anyone seeing, or explore women's bathhouses—a lifelong curiosity.
If I set up safe Warp magic circles, I could travel the Earth freely anytime.
Not to mention, various attack and defense magics could make a human invincible.
With extensive magical knowledge, developing new drugs, new materials, and magic items would let me make money easier than falling off a log.
"If I keep going like this, next year I'll reach 4th Circle—no, even 5th Circle."
The new mana cultivation method Master created but never fully mastered in his body—a Daoist internal energy technique fused with magic—suited my impatient personality perfectly.
What good was becoming an 8th Circle great mage like Master at nearly a hundred years old?
Youth gone, beautiful girlfriends long turned to dust.
'Let's get it done quick! I'll achieve the fastest growth in mage history!'
The distinct three strands of mana circles pulsing in my chest.
I could feel them communicating with the mana in my upper and lower dantians, forming the circles.
'3rd Circle magic isn't enough. The strongest attack spell is just Lightning. I can't use strong magic in real danger.'
Magic theories flashing through my mind.
To cast magic instantly without formulas or incantations, I needed to master spells one circle higher.
In that sense, learning 3rd Circle magic brought no real gains.
My fists had more power now than slow, unprotected spells.
'4th Circle! Next goal is 4th Circle!'
Once a mage, always a mage—Master's words.
I'd become a mage with double vision for circles and magic knowledge.
'Time to learn Fly magic. Then sneak to Ye-rin's apartment window while she sleeps... heh heh heh.'
One lewd thought fueling my ambition.
That's why I needed magic.
And I'd pass it to my son later.
By creating 108 supremely useful(?) real-life magics.
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"Is the information solid?"
"Yes, Master. The Magician Company private jet we've been monitoring is parked long-term at Incheon International Airport. The one who used it is a 17-year-old high schooler named Kang Hyuk."
"A high schooler... Must be the old man's disciple. A money-grubber like him wouldn't lend his jet otherwise."
A man in his mid-forties sat in a chair made of top-grade alligator leather.
The white tiger pelt on the wall and a dozen decorative submachine guns showed he was no ordinary man.
"Send some useful kids to monitor this Kang Hyuk."
"Yes, Master!"
The man with a deep scar from his right eye to his mouth bowed his head.
The man called Master before him.
His forehead twisted grotesquely from burns, he was one of the three leaders of the Triad, whose name alone made Hong Kong, China, and Southeast Asia tremble.
His name was Cheng Li.
One of the Triad's legendary killing machines who rose to this position with his fists alone.
'Old man... I've waited for this day. I can't touch you, but I'll crush the magical sprouts you left behind before they grow. Grr!'
Over twenty years ago, he stopped in Czechia for a hit job and met a mage by chance.
At first, he thought it was a mad old man with delusions, but the terrifying magic he demonstrated made Cheng Li his disciple.
But after years without breaking past 3rd Circle, Cheng Li plotted to kill him and steal his fortune.
The mage's tower held immense wealth, plus astronomical sums hidden worldwide.
Plundering the tower alone could build an organization effortlessly, so he planned murder—but failed.
An 8th Circle great mage.
The high-circle magic was beyond Cheng Li's imagination.
The mad mage had sensed his betrayal and set magic traps everywhere.
Cheng Li barely escaped with his life, racking his brains on the floor.
'Kang Hyuk... I hope you have the skills to survive me. Kekeke.'
Born with a natural warrior's body and through bloody training, Cheng Li had pushed 3rd Circle magic to its limits.
Magic was the true source of his power.
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"Hyuk, what do I do? My grades are gonna drop this time."
"A guy's not gonna sulk over some test scores!"
'Kekeke! Midterms are finally over.'
Even a great mage couldn't escape Korea's education system.
Jung-hyun trembled, clutching his last test paper like he'd bombed it.
'I can't help loving Master. Kekeke.'
After learning magic, my brain sharpened. I could memorize books perfectly after one focused read—my intellect exploded.
And the exams.
Not a single question stumped me.
'Come to think of it, Master raised Einstein too? He used only 20% of his brain... Ooh! So I've got genius-level smarts now?'
Magic's benefits unfolding like peeling an egg.
At this rate, Nobel in Physics was mine.
"Hoho, good work, everyone. But midterms over doesn't mean life's tests are done—keep studying hard. Studying's for you, not others. Hohoho!"
Teacher Wang Seon-nyeo, the terror who crushed kids' spirits with every word.
She lectured on studying despite our relief, oblivious.
"Teacher, Grandpa says to bring all my friends after exams."
"Oh, really? Chairman Hwang said that?"
"Yes. He's inviting us to Oseong Hotel."
'Look at this punk.'
I'd warned him not to flaunt money, but Hwang Sung-taek blabbed proudly.
"Oseong Hotel's great. I went recently—food's clean and delicious."
Second only to Daehan Group in Korea, Oseong Group.
Direct heir Hwang Sung-taek beamed like it was his.
"A bus is ready outside. We can go now."
"Hoho, great. Kids, a friend's grandpa invited us—all go! Let's play today."
Teacher Wang, who'd pressured us to study moments ago.
Hotel invite, and her mouth gaped, rallying the kids.
"Woo! Oseong Hotel buffet's famous—gonna feast!"
"Hoho! Having a great friend rocks."
Oseong Group, one of Korea's chaebol giants with Daehan.
Kids, thinking future, went wild.
"No pressure—if you're busy or uninterested, skip it. Especially if you might get lost in the hotel."
Hwang Sung-taek sneered coldly at me.
'That rude bastard! Grr!'
I'd planned a light punishment, but he tested my patience.
'I'll go once. See how great it is.'
Never been to Oseong Hotel.
I grinned, grinding teeth.
With a hidden dagger in the smile.
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"Nice."
"As expected of Oseong Hotel!"
In school uniforms, we flooded the Oseong Hotel buffet.
A string octet played live sweetly amid hundreds of gourmet dishes clamoring to fill our poor stomachs.
'This is good? Close to home, no meal worries.'
Genius idea hitting at the buffet sight.
"Manager sis."
"Yes, what is it?"
I called the manager eyeing us—chairman's grandson and friends.
"How much is this?"
Manager Lee Yeon-sil followed my finger.
"Evenings, with VAT, about 120,000 won. But Chairman's orders: Daehan High students and family half-price."
Top hotel smile, polite explanation.
"No, not that—how much for the hotel?"
"Pardon? The h-hotel?"
Casual question stunned Manager Lee Yeon-sil.
"Our hotel's unlisted, so no exact price. But unlisted shares at 50,000 won each... about 120 billion won."
Thinking childish question, she emphasized 120 billion.
"Sis, what's your dream?"
"Pardon? My dream?"
She pondered my odd question, no food touched.
Not introducing or counseling, yet prying.
"Naturally, hotel management—the ultimate for hoteliers. I've lived for that dream."
'Ooh, cool sis.'
Dreamers are beautiful, they say.
Late-20s beauty's eyes sparkled at hotel management dream.
"Then good news soon."
"Pardon? Good news?"
Manager Lee Yeon-sil blinked uncomprehending.
"No good eatery nearby. Thinking of buying this hotel."
I whispered like a secret in her ear.
"..."
Silence.
"If you acquire it, let me manage. I'll make it Korea's—no, world's—top in a year."
Joke? She recovered, smiled, whispered back sweetly.
Charming enough for blind date setup.
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Crunch crunch.
I chewed king crab leg meat drizzled with fragrant kiwi sauce.
'Heavenly taste.'
Even Korea's best school lunches couldn't match top hotel buffet.
Motherless days without proper meals—I roamed Korean, Japanese, Western stations, plus continent-themed ones, stuffing my gut.
'Perfect seasoning, fresh ingredients. Kyaa! Chef's skill seals perfection.'
Gourmet courses melted on my tongue.
"Hyuk's hungry?"
"Huh? Nah. Just eating hard to spite a friend's 'generosity.' But Ye-rin."
"Yeah?"
I called Ye-rin picking at salads amid delicacies.
"Mom says curvy eaters birth kids like rabbits later."
"Birth? Pfft, not caveman days."
My bone-deep future worry made Seo Ye-rin blush with her signature 'pfft,' face rosy.
'Aigoo, watching fills me up.'
"You two are weird?"
Coincidentally—or fate—panties-and-rubber-band duo Jung-hyun and I sat together as always.
Ye-rin plopped casually, delighting me.
Jung-hyun eyed us suspiciously mid-bite.
'Kid's sharper than he looks.'
Pleased at his unexpected insight.
"Pigging out good."
Mid-meal with Ye-rin, a voice like sewage.
"Starved begging in Europe like a bum."
"Kek! Stuff yourself, Korea's loser."
'These punks?'
Three pups ignoring 'don't bother a dog eating.'
They appeared, picking fights cluelessly.
Especially smirking eternal-rude Hwang Sung-taek.
'Beat 'em today?'
Brief thought.
"Kang Hyuk, eat up. Poor kids rarely hit spots like this. Kek. Impress this Crown Prince, maybe daily feeds. Right, Seo Ye-rin?"
Arrows shifted from me to Ye-rin.
"Hmph."
But proud lilies don't mix with mud.
Ye-rin huffed, turned to window.
'This fool doesn't know true flaunting.'
Old me might've bruised ego, but rich now, his antics amused.
"Chairman arriving."
"No, suddenly the Chairman..."
Buffet entrance buzzed as I pondered Hwang Sung-taek's demise.
"Grandpa!"
'Grandpa? Oseong's Chairman Hwang Man-hyuk?'
TV-famous Oseong Chairman Hwang Man-hyuk entered with a dozen aides.
Hwang Sung-taek scampered like a puppy.
'Whoa, short-leg family.'
70s half-bald gray chairman.
Short stature, he hugged his pup grandkid.
"Ha, kid. Getting married day after tomorrow."
Kind smile, petting his puppy's head.
Unlike Dad's fund manager tales of SME-devouring evil corp, he seemed fine.
Warm like KFC grandpa.
"Hello? Hohoho! I'm Wang Seon-nyeo, Sung-taek's homeroom teacher. Honored to meet you. Hohoho!"
Snow White Wang dripped faux culture.
"Ah, Sung-taek's teacher. Meant to visit—finally met."
"Hoho, no need. Leading Korea's Oseong, no school time—I'll care for Sung-taek fully, worry not."
Wang maxed social skills, bootlicking.
"Then I'll relax. I'll send small token—accept, and please guide our future Oseong leader Sung-taek."
Rare chaebol chairman meet for teacher—her powdered face lit at 'token.'
Embarrassing she's our homeroom.
"General Manager."
"Yes, Chairman."
Hotel GM rushed.
"Tell kitchen special menu for my grandson's friends..."
Casual slur end.
"Already ordered specials pre-arrival."
GM froze like private before division commander.
'Tch, like grandpa, like grandson.'
Explains Hwang Sung-taek's rudeness upbringing.
Learned only posturing from grandpa—brat went wild sans manners.
"Now, everyone! Thank Oseong Chairman Hwang Man-hyuk for invite?"
Wang emphasized 'great Oseong' like PR.
"Thank you."
"Chairman, you're the best!"
Clap clap clap!
Mostly our class, few outsiders—cheers boomed.
Ye-rin and I alone apathetic.
"Thanks. Eat now. Old man crashed vibe."
Economic titan packaged humbly before kids.
'I know your heart's black crow kin.'
Unlike kids, Dad shared Oseong's dirty tricks.
Order from strong SMEs, cut prices, nitpick bankruptcy, merge affiliates—Hwang Man-hyuk's style.
"Enjoy fun. Sung-taek, tomorrow take free friends to Oseong Land. I'll arrange."
"Grandpa, thanks. Hehe."
'Fainting fit.'
School strut king wagged tail like begging mutt before grandpa.
Scrape.
"Hyuk, where?"
Chair push, Ye-rin asked.
"Someone to give life advice sternly."
Ran after Chairman.
Words I itched to say.
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"Chairman Hwang!"
Called energetically at elevator post-buffet.
"Who? Sung-taek's friend?"
Assumed thanks, welcomed warmly.
"I'm Kang Hyuk. One question."
"Question? Haha! Brave youth."
Brave indeed—guards/aides swelled to twenty.
"Yes, what question?"
Still kindly.
"What's your dream, Chairman?"
"Dream?"
Sudden dream talk flustered Hwang Man-hyuk.
"You! Joking busy Chairman!"
Aide-secretary-looking man scowled forward.
"No half-baked dreams. Just live fiercely given life."
'No dream... I see.'
Childhood, Grandpa held me, story-like:
"None happier than dreamers. None unhappier, fearfuller than dreamless."
"Thanks. I'll deeply reference(?) henceforth."
Bowed, returned to buffet.
"Your name?"
Chairman's thick voice behind.
"Kang Hyuk."
'You'll hear it often.'
Dreamless man leads Korea's giant corp.
Subordinates fine dreamless, but leaders must dream.
Leader's dream becomes subordinates'.
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"Hwang Sung-taek, thanks to you—great meal."
"Yeah? Finally got your place?"
Back inside, to cocky Hwang Sung-taek sipping drink.
"Kid, thought you had something strutting penniless stiff-necked..."
"Keukeu, behave ahead."
His word, two hounds barked.
"So, inviting you all tomorrow."
"Invite?"
"Guys!"
Ignored Sung-taek, called food-burying kids.
'Punks! True paradise tour time.'
No yielding to rude Oseong.
"Tomorrow, 10 AM Incheon Airport departure A-gate, passports ready."
"Passports? Puhaha! Why? Collect 'em, flee abroad?"
Clueless Hwang roared laughter.
"Teacher, free till Monday?"
"Huh? Nothing planned..."
No-plans spinster Wang, sauce-lipped oblivious.
"Come then. Guys, all come—no regrets lifelong."
Teach true flaunting.
"Hwang Sung-taek, you two—must come. Don't be chickens rejecting invite. Kekeke."
"What? Hmph! Fine, I'll grace you, gutless fool!"
Master-taught fishing.
Immature carp bit hard.
"P.S., bring little. Change undies, best swimsuit for your bod."
Confident voice echoed buffet.
'Punks, just starting!'
Planned meticulously.
My dreamed paradise for kids.
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"What's today?"
"Forgot? That noble from A380 last time?"
"Yeah. Still dreamlike. Europe's parliament chair, heads called company prez—max protocol."
"That noble teacher's departing today. With 35 class kids."
"What?!"
Incheon Airport protocol team, rare schedule envied.
Late Thursday call: chaos.
Early AM VIP gate 9 departure.
Not VIPs but nobles—staff bustled.
35 nobles' exit checks proxy: big work.
"Whoa, NIS agents!"
Protocol per manual, shock staff.
Veterans: smooth.
"National Security Bureau Chief Choi Byeong-ryeol. Simplify exit checks for departees—straight out."
Three gray Barbour-coated NIS notified protocol head.
"Y-yes."
Presidents need checks.
But NIS demands minimal.
Must obey state.
Puzzled anew.
President? No. VIP? No. Noble gets NIS guard?
Staff mulled noble's identity mid-move.
"Teacher here?"
"Hyuk, hoho. Came as you said... why today?"
Our homeroom: immature, scatterbrained, moderately hyperactive Wang Seon-nyeo.
Today quiet, but Math Teacher Lee Ji-hye joined.
"Haha, thank teachers for teaching, and kids for ruined field trip—my small token."
"Token?"
Curious overnight.
"Hyuk, Wang said come... where today?"
Elegant caring Lee Ji-hye eyed half-worry, half-question.
"Wait bit—fairies'll weep at beauty, teachers."
"Hohoho, Hyuk sees well."
Wang thrilled, oblivious to praise via Lee Ji-hye.
Unaware tragedy awaits trip.
"Hyuk!"
"Hyuk-ah!"
Chatting teachers, kids gathered gate-side pairs.
'Ooh, cutie! Stylish?'
Trendy sunglasses atop, long straight hair swaying: Seo Ye-rin.
Chilly day, bold light shorts, white shirt shone amid boys.
'Lee Ji-hye no slouch, but youth wins!'
Proud lily Ye-rin, cosmos-like Lee Ji-hye.
Two beauties flanking, shoulders auto-puffed.
"Hehe, Hyuk. Here."
Light trip, yet huge trunk: Jung-hyun.
Caught swimsuit hint? Straw hat.
"Y-yeah. Good coming, my BFF."
Humane Kang Hyuk's true-believer bestie Jung-hyun.
Uni prez dad, yet humble friend—proud to call friend.
"Kang Hyuk, came as said... just time-kill? Not cheap airport meal with passports?"
No teacher greet, straight taunt: Hwang Sung-taek.
Said swimsuit, but casual no-bag, two mutts.
"Hwang Sung-taek, these teachers look janitors? Thought noble house, but tofu dregs?"
"W-what! You punk!"
'Heh heh. Caught, punk.'
Today: mutt re-education day.
"All here—follow me."
"Hyuk, where?"
"Hmph! Who to boss?"
Gathered, but golden weekend—want rest.
Hwang influences, teachers come: why not.
Some curious my motive.
'No nobles elsewhere.'
Lee Ji-hye beside as teacher, Ye-rin natural beside amid stares.
Heart pumped to beauties' scents.
Steps to VIP protocol lounge, not general.
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"Wh-whoa?"
"VIP lounge we've heard of?"
"Pine Hall?"
Ex-presidents, trio VIPs only: VIP lounge.
Kids following gasped at antique Pine Hall.
"Hyuk, what's this?"
Wang gawked, awed.
"Welcome. Gate escort soon."
Ivory-suited pretty protocol sis from arrival bowed.
Kids stared me, no sofa dare.
Like kindergarteners eyeing teacher picnic.
"Sit all. Sis says wait. Teachers, sit."
"Y-yeah."
Plop—I sat, urged; Wang/Lee gingerly on pine sofas.
"Soft! Ours like burlap sack."
Iron-needy Wang forgot decorum.
"Tea? Ginseng, wild honey, reishi, 20yr pu'er, Arabian bean coffee. Others ready."
Protocol sisses smiled kindly to awkward kids.
"Earl Grey please."
Ye-rin first, tiny butt cautious beside me.
"Hoho~ Ginseng best? Lee too?"
"N-no, bean coffee."
Wang spinster-vibed; Lee classy.
Whoever marries her: jackpot.
'Punk, trembling now?'
Hwang's face dog-shitting since lounge.
Mutely corner-eyed mutts gravely.
"Kang Hyuk-nim, where?"
'Huh?'
Thrilled at Hwang's grimace—sharp 40s Barbour man called.
"I'm Kang Hyuk."
"NIS Chief Choi Byeong-ryeol."
"Y-yes? N-NIS?"
'What? NIS why?'
Spy-hunting NIS unexpected even me.
"Any inconvenience or needs—call."
Not social worker, yet smile, card: Choi.
'Kuh! Masters need great masters!'
Guessed.
Master centers all.
"Haha! Constant toil—thanks. Call later."
Choi boosted my value.
Sudden state guard nagged, but today mine.
"Checks done. Board now."
Protocol sis with passports in wood basket.
'Time to go?'
Last night boasted kids, home tasked Marso sis.
Tomorrow class fun—seasonless swim spot.
Fateful day dawned.
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"Th-this plane?"
"Wider than our living room!"
"Welcome. Enjoy flight."
'Who these goddesses?'
A380 private: 10+ beauties greeted entry—Marso-led Europe/Japan/Korea stewardesses.
"Miss Hyuk, long time."
"Haha! Marso sis, prettier apart."
"Hoho! Hyuk manlier months. Tempting."
'Whoa, tempting?'
Joke met serious—Marso's seductive blue eyes.
Kids gaped fluent French from me.
"Ready?"
"Expect great, Hyuk~!"
'Why tongue-twist?'
French slippery as oiled pan; rolled more, butter-oil blues.
'Keke, private jet minimum.'
Huge A380 awed kids silent, following.
I was king henceforth.
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"Woo~ No shakes!"
"The famed A380?"
'Punks, bumpkins....'
Daehan-sponsored Daehan High: Europe trip economy.
Kids' plane nightmares from hours.
Double-decker Airbus swallowed dozens easy.
'Punk tail-down. Keke.'
Awe-kids sparkled respect at me.
But corner-cringed scowling Hwang Sung-taek.
Even chaebol heir can't private mega-jet.
"How? Fun sight?"
Devilish corner wriggled. Yielded, approached Hwang/mutts.
"Grr."
'This punk?'
Not fully cowed—Hwang gritted hate-filled eyes.
"Hey, hounds. Hungry? Beg sisses. Tough serving prickly master all day."
'Too kind me.'
Selfishly caring.
Any wife: God thanks nonstop.
"K-Kang... Hyuk... you..."
Hwang spelled my name.
"Expect. Show true flaunting. Heh heh heh."
Cash-risers need cash-beating to wise up.
Pity(?)-teaching bright punk: sage act.
Heaven blesses such me.
"Lalala~ Lulululu~"
Whistle auto-flowed.
Spacious plane.
Paradise-invited kids happy-screamed.
"Luan?"
"Shari...."
"Hahaha!"
'What Hyuk's identity?'
Seo Ye-rin pondered, sipping kiwi juice.
Hyuk-seat special: chatting passing stewardesses multi-lingual.
Not Ye-rin's known Hyuk.
Taekwondo/kendo pro, jazz piano/music genius.
Now language ace.
'At least five tongues, native-perfect.'
Joking fluency.
Doubts deepened swamp.
'And this plane? Airbus next-gen—why his toy?'
Suspicious piles.
Frequent trips knew protocol, mega-jet costs.
'Kang Hyuk, who?'
Heart-question.
Hyuk no answer.
Just enjoying chats, drinks.
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"Waa!"
"Human world?"
Nonstop Incheon-Malé, 50-seater to Donakuli Island's Nikani Resort—6-star water villas.
Pearl-powder sand, picture villas atop islet: heaven?
'Thanks, Marso sis. Heh heh.'
Why she followed.
"Hyuk, total happy."
Not kids, yet clasped hands ecstatic: Wang Seon-nyeo.
"Wah, dreamed honeymoon spot! Ah! Sea, I came!"
Tears, arms wide to coral-waving ocean.
"Lady Marso."
"Mr. Hyuk, called?"
'Gulp.'
170cm+ slim, micro-mini, sleeveless tee cleavage: golden smile Marso.
'Kills. Straight kill.'
French sensual body vs. innate beauties.
Dry-swallow fail: eunuch or homo.
"This place too...?"
"Hoho, yes. Group investment. Fiji, Bali, Hawaii, Australia—world resorts group-tied."
'...Amazing.'
No more words.
Gangster Master likely clueless asset globe-trot.
"Welcome~!"
Ding-ding~ Ding-di-ding~
Merry music, dozens staff flower leis.
Welcomed us warmly.
'Now enjoy?'
Bold before kids, but dreamlike new me.
Must be bold.
Lovable kids trusted behind bumpkin-chief me.
Rowed ready.