Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Translator: Penny
Episode 12: The Commoner's Press Conference [End]
Episode 12: A Commoner's Press Conference [END]
"They've been secured."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Still, we need to be thoroughly prepared."
"Of course. Our preparations are flawless."
After checking the photos of the reporters sent to my phone, I slipped the device back into my pocket.
The sight of them bound, black sacks over their heads, was... a little pitiful. But since these two held so much valuable information, I'd specifically instructed Mr. Deok-bae to transport them with maximum security.
Judging by the radio transmissions, they'd likely be more frightened than physically threatened. I'd even authorized the use of sleeping gas if they became too unruly. There's no way they'll escape.
"Hmm... I think that's enough questions about my hair and eye color..."
To begin with, I had never attended any official events or public gatherings with Yun Seong-ho. Before the Demonic Eye was implanted, Lee Seol-hwa always represented the family at such occasions, while I was trapped in the laboratory undergoing experiments.
After Lee Seol-hwa ran away and I was forced to become Yun Seong-ho's daughter, Yun Se-a, disgusted by this charade, likely holed herself up in the Academy dormitory. In fact, when I ego-searched to see if I had ever appeared at any recent official events, not a single photo of me surfaced.
So, if I—a complete outsider who doesn't even resemble Lee Seol-hwa—suddenly inherit 60% of the shares and become the new owner of the Yuseong Group... the reporters would naturally be suspicious.
Is that girl really Yun Seong-ho's daughter? they'd wonder.
The DNA match documents and explaining that my psychokinesis ability caused my hair and eye color to differ should be enough.
Besides, such questions would be rare. Most reporters would likely focus on asking Mr. Deok-bae about his plans for managing the company. This preemptive measure was simply to prevent any of the reporters from raising questions that the people currently trapped in the van might ask, just in case.
Should I just dye my hair...?
Colored contacts exist for eye color, so it's not like it's impossible...
...No, forget it. Dyeing my hair is ridiculous.
Once you start dyeing your hair, you have to keep doing it. Naturally, people can have hair colors like Kang A-yul's crimson red, depending on their innate mana. For those who wield psychokinesis like me, our hair is typically purple or violet.
Changing colored contacts and all that is such a hassle. Let's just stick with this.
Why ruin Yun Se-a's beautiful image for no reason? In fact, suddenly switching from purple hair to white might raise suspicions and lead people to wonder if I dyed it to hide something.
"Alright, let's go. Head straight in."
"First floor."
Whoosh!
The elevator doors opened, and a barrage of camera flashes erupted.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Young Lady."
And so, we strode confidently through the blinding lights, and the interview began.
Yuseong Group to Operate Under Professional Management for the Time Being...
Sudden Death of Chairman, Seamless Transition to Successor
Chairman Yun Seong-ho's Daughter Was Student Council President at Raon Academy?
Acting Chairman Kim Deok-bae Is a Figurehead; Yun Se-a Holds the Real Power?
"Looks like I handled that well."
The press conference was a resounding success, flawless in its execution.
Unexpectedly, early questions focused heavily on my background. However, after revealing the results of a genetic test and telekinetically crushing the laptop of the reporter who asked the question—thereby demonstrating my psychokinetic abilities—the inquiries about my origins ceased immediately.
Following this, Mr. Deok-bae announced that I would co-manage the Yuseong Group with professional managers until I graduated from the Academy... though some astute reporters clearly suspected I had already seized control of the conglomerate.
If even the reporters have figured it out... I won't be able to slack off work and escape to the Academy anymore.
As Guild Masters with vast intelligence networks, they might contact me directly without going through Kim Deok-bae.
And I managed to obtain the USB containing the Kim Family's secrets from the reporters they sent, using entirely peaceful methods.
I didn't expect them to hand over the USB and beg for their lives before I even had to use mind control... but thanks to that, I didn't have to use the Demonic Eye's power. It worked out well.
The reporters knew they'd be fired if they returned empty-handed after failing the interview and losing the USB. So they said they wouldn't go back to the Kim Family's broadcasting station.
Since they mentioned transferring to a broadcasting station where they had connections, it seems I don't need to bother supporting them or going out of my way to help.
Ding!
Greetings, Guild Master of the Naseon Guild, Ryu Seong-ho here. First, I'm truly sorry about your father...
"How can someone be so rude right from the start?"
I had expected some kind of response, but I never imagined the Guild Master would send me a personal message immediately after the press conference.
So, it's just because I'm Yun Seong-ho's daughter, huh?
In essence, the message demanded that I continue supplying potions at the same prices as before: 1,500 per bottle for High-Grade Potions and 500 for Mid-Grade Potions.
Why did they have to emphasize, "As an Academy student sworn to protect South Korea, I trust you wouldn't exploit the lives of heroes for profit"?
The message concluded with a thinly veiled threat: refuse, and they would rally most guilds to boycott Yuseong Group's potions.
Ah, he even mentioned that his younger sibling would be entering the Academy next year. He had the audacity to offer to introduce them to me if I wanted.
"Ha ha, trying to buy potions at raw material cost while completely ignoring labor expenses is just outrageous. It's not like we're gambling with our employees' lives for profit."
Is the Guild Master of the Naseon Guild insane?
It's like going to a ramen shop, throwing down 850 won for a packet of instant noodles and 500 ml of bottled water, and demanding a free bowl of ramen.
"Mr. Deok-bae."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"Have you secured overseas suppliers?"
As soon as I asked, Mr. Deok-bae pointed to a file folder on the back seat, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"This is a list of companies eager to purchase Yuseong Group's potions. They're so proactive that they've offered to handle all transportation themselves—we only need to prepare the goods."
"Well done."
He opened the file and slowly read through the letters from overseas guilds.
They all began with pleasantries expressing condolences for his father's passing, before concluding with requests for the maximum possible supply of Mid-Grade and High-Grade Potions, regardless of price.
It was a compelling offer, one worth enduring the media backlash from the government and domestic guilds, who were framing the sale of potions overseas as a national loss.
"Even the United States, thanks to Yuseong Group's potion patents, is barely managing to produce and use only the lowest-grade potions—the ones Yuseong Group was forced to relinquish under government pressure. I can't understand how a nation in such a position could possibly be manipulated by mere domestic guilds."
The Vultures of America, the Golden Lion of Britain, and Musashi of Japan—these are the guilds we can trust with absolute certainty, at least for now.
These three are the most powerful guilds in their respective countries. Framing it as "exchange with overseas guilds" should minimize resistance... Besides, even if South Korea is the world's leading superpower in the setting, the Vultures are an exception.
Thomas Andrea, Guild Master of the Vultures Guild, is the world's most formidable Defender. This madwoman single-handedly cleared an X-Rank Gate like the Jeju Island Gate, which required three S-Rank Hunters from South Korea working together to subdue.
If only she hadn't become a money-crazed villain later on... She was such a perfect person.
There's a reason why Thomas Andrea transforms into a money-obsessed monster.
It was Yun Seong-ho's twisted nature—his willingness to consider supplying potions only if Andrea, who had secretly infiltrated the Yuseong Group to beg for them to save her Guild members in dire straits, agreed to purchase them at 100 times the normal price.
That Yun Seong-ho is a real bastard.
Even to maintain friendly relations with American Guilds, they had to prevent the corruption of Thomas Andrea, an S-Rank Hero who was otherwise a woman of honor until driven mad by money. This meant they had no choice but to trade with the Vultures Guild.
"First, what's our current stock?"
"We have 14,600 Mid-Grade Potions and 3,000 High-Grade Potions."
More than I expected.
The Guilds' collusion must have led to a significant stockpile.
"Prepare 8,000 Mid-Grade Potions and 1,500 High-Grade Potions. Tell the Vultures to come to Incheon Port for inspection and pickup. As for domestic guilds, ignore any offers below 30 million for High-Grade Potions and 16 million for Mid-Grade Potions."
"Are you sure about this? Our reputation in South Korea could plummet beyond recovery."
Mr. Deok-bae voiced his concern, his tone tinged with worry at this radical move.
"That's not my problem. If things get too bad, we can just relocate to the US. Besides, South Korean guilds are already raking in 1 to 3 billion won per Gate run. They might stumble briefly, but we're opening trade with the Vultures to minimize the damage."
"As expected, you're always thinking ahead."
"The government and domestic guilds keep trying to control us through price collusion... We need to make it clear that we hold the reins."
Now, all that's left is... investigating the research lab, I suppose.
"Ah, come to think of it... Mr. Deok-bae, you were also a researcher under Yun Seong-ho, weren't you?"
Mr. Deok-bae's hands, gripping the steering wheel, suddenly began to tremble violently.
Does he think I'll punish him?
"Don't worry, I never discard anything useful. Just guide me through the research lab. After that, you can continue serving as the Acting Chairman of Yuseong Group."
"Thank you for your leniency, Young Lady."
Upon arriving at the Main Residence, Mr. Deok-bae immediately provided a detailed explanation of the research lab's layout.
The research material storage room, about the size of two soccer fields, was particularly impressive.
Almost every ingredient imaginable was stored in the warehouse, and even a farm had been implemented, so there was no need to purchase materials separately. Unmanned robots automatically stocked the warehouse. This is amazing!
Yun Seong-ho really went all out. I never imagined he'd create a self-sufficient system for procuring materials just to avoid being discovered by others.
"Thank you for your hard work. Please forward anything you consider important to me. Otherwise, you're free to handle everything else as you see fit."
"Understood, Young Lady."
I instructed Mr. Deok-bae to handle all company matters unless they were exceptionally important.
Well, it's just too much of a hassle.
After all, I'd even implanted a Suggestion to offload my responsibilities onto him. There's no way I should be doing any work myself.
In that case, I'll head to the lab and try brewing a simple potion to get a feel for it.
And so, until the day I was scheduled to meet Eve to discuss our research on eyes, I didn't set foot outside the lab even once.