Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Coin King's Offer
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"I have no memory of saying that, teacher."
Choi Seok-il stared blankly at the monitor before letting out a deep sigh.
His face was etched with deep fatigue and a sense of injustice.
Choi Seok-il had experience working as a manager for a fairly famous major streamer in America, and he'd been recognized for it by joining a newly founded MCN from the very beginning.
At first, no one had more love for the company than he did. He managed the streamers under his care diligently, pouring his heart into it.
Over the course of three years, the internet broadcasting market exploded after COVID, and the company rode that wave to rapid growth.
What had started with just a handful of streamers had now become a major MCN with dozens on the roster.
But as the company grew, unexpected problems began to arise.
Factions started forming within the company.
Invisible hierarchies emerged among the employees based on academic backgrounds and alma maters, and in that atmosphere, Choi Seok-il gradually became ostracized.
Choi Seok-il didn't have an impressive academic record.
But he'd joined the company purely on his professional experience and had handled all the practical work from the start.
He knew the American internet broadcasting ecosystem better than anyone and had top-notch skills in handling streamers.
In fact, most of the company's key operational tasks had passed through his hands.
However, as the company shifted to being run by university cliques, Choi Seok-il—who lacked those connections—was increasingly pushed out of internal politics.
He had to watch juniors who'd joined later get promoted first, and his salary had been frozen for years.
In the end, unable to take it anymore, Choi Seok-il went to the CEO's office to voice his grievances.
But the CEO's response was colder than expected.
"Seok-il, I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do. Just hang in there a bit longer. When the company gets even bigger, good opportunities will come your way too, right?"
The CEO's perfunctory consolation only filled Seok-il with greater betrayal and bitterness.
The company's major streamers now were all ones he'd personally scouted from the beginning and nurtured one by one.
His efforts had long been forgotten within the company.
It was unbearable to see others now reaping the rewards of his hard work.
"Ha... fuck, this is such bullshit."
He muttered the curse under his breath and slumped over his desk, arms folded beneath his head.
The company and streamers he'd poured his passion into now made him feel like his very existence was being ignored.
Watching even the CEO lose his initial drive and change, his lingering attachment to the company began to fade bit by bit.
'Who was it that built up these streamers from the start... The CEO's changed a lot too.'
He repeated the bitter words to himself, sinking into deep doubt and emptiness.
Honestly, Seok-il desperately wanted to quit the company, but he hesitated in the face of harsh reality.
He wasn't married yet, so there were no dependents, but he couldn't even properly pay off the loan on his current jeonse apartment.
His monthly salary was nominally 3.2 million won—about 38.4 million annually—but after taxes, he took home barely 2.7 million.
After subtracting living expenses and jeonse loan interest, it left him suffocating each month.
In the end, his unsettled heart kept him from deciding to resign easily.
After getting home from work, he cracked open a can of beer and drank alone in silence.
This was the only time he had to unwind from the day's fatigue.
Then, an unexpected call rang out.
The caller was Young-su, a streamer he'd been close with back in his manager days.
Seok-il picked up the phone with a puzzled look.
"Hello? Young-su hyung?"
A bright, friendly voice came through from Young-su.
"Hey~ Seok-il! How've you been?"
Seok-il felt glad but also a bit flustered by the sudden contact.
"Yeah, hyung. Long time no talk. What's up with the call?"
Young-su broached the subject cautiously.
"Oh, nothing much. Hey, do you know someone called Coin King among the big shots these days?"
Seok-il rummaged through his memory for a moment.
It was that figure making waves in recent news and communities.
"Oh! That guy from the news lately?"
Young-su jumped in enthusiastically.
"Yeah, that's him! I ended up working with him this time. And get this—he's starting a new MCN. He asked if I knew anyone in the industry to recommend. You're the only one who came to mind, so I figured I'd check with you."
Seok-il paused for a second.
The words "new company" felt a bit off-putting.
He'd helped build his current one from the ground up, only to be sidelined as it grew. He feared the same thing happening again.
So Seok-il asked carefully.
"Hyung, is this for scouting an employee?"
Young-su answered honestly.
"I don't know the details. I'm just making the intro. But you never know, right? How about at least going for an interview?"
After some thought at Young-su's words, Seok-il made up his mind.
"Hmm... Well, since you're introducing me, I'll at least hear them out. What do I need to do?"
Young-su replied brightly.
"Great! I'll check and get back to you right away. You're up for an interview, right?"
Seok-il grinned confidently.
"Yeah, hyung. If the conditions are good, of course I'd jump ship."
After hanging up, his mind suddenly cleared.
The gloom from moments ago vanished, and his heart raced.
If he moved to a new place, they might bump up his salary given his experience—a spark of hope ignited.
And this time, he'd firmly demand a higher position.
Not long after, with his heart pounding in anticipation, Young-su called back.
Seok-il set down his beer and answered quickly.
The moment he hung up, Seok-il slowly checked the text from Young-su.
He could feel his fingertips trembling.
'This time, I have to do it right.'
His resolve was firm: no compromises if he wanted his skills properly valued and rewarded.
Before dialing, he went to the sink and splashed cold water on his face.
The chill sharpened his mind and focused his thoughts.
Back at his desk, he sat in front of the computer and calmly typed out a list of questions in a notepad.
Salary level, position, contract length, benefits, work environment—about ten items in all.
If the annual salary went up by even just 10 million won, he'd switch without hesitation.
He figured staying put would just lead to getting pushed out in faction fights sooner or later anyway.
Taking a deep breath, Seok-il picked up his phone with a determined expression.
He confirmed the number Young-su sent and hit call.
After a few rings, a low, calm voice answered.
"Hello?"
Tensing up without realizing it, Seok-il spoke quickly.
"Hello. This is Choi Seok-il. Are you Coin King by any chance?"
"Yes, that's me. I heard from Young-su. You're Mr. Choi Seok-il, right?"
Coin King's voice was smooth and composed.
Steadying his breath, Seok-il replied as politely as possible.
"Yes, that's right. I heard from Young-su hyung and reached out. Thank you so much for the opportunity."
Coin King chuckled warmly.
"No need to thank me. I'm glad to have a good recommendation. Feel free to share your thoughts or conditions."
Seok-il began going through his list of questions one by one, slowly and deliberately.
This time, he was determined not to back down and to get his value recognized, so he'd be thorough.
This call might just be a turning point in his life.
Seok-il took a deep breath and opened cautiously.
"Um... First off, Coin King. I'd like to start with salary."
Yes.
In the end, salary was the most important factor in switching jobs.
No matter how good the benefits or environment, if the pay didn't match, moving was off the table.
With a racing heart, Seok-il awaited Coin King's response.
Then, unexpectedly, Coin King asked first.
"Hmm... Seok-il, what's your current annual salary, if you don't mind?"
Seok-il answered carefully.
"I'm in my third year, making 38.4 million won."
As his words landed, a brief silence fell, followed by Coin King's startled voice.
"Pardon...? 38.4 million won?"
Seok-il tensed at the reaction.
Was Coin King thinking it was higher than expected? Despair crept in.
'If they lowball me from here... I'm screwed...'
He cleared his throat carefully and repeated.
"Yes, that's right, Coin King. 38.4 million currently."
After a moment's hesitation, Coin King replied astonishingly calmly.
"Then we'll do 100 million."
In that instant, Seok-il's mind went blank.
He reflexively blurted out.
"Pardon...? 100 million?"
Coin King confirmed naturally.
"Yes, 100 million annual salary, with raises each year. Any more questions?"
Seok-il's heart pounded wildly.
Forgetting all his prepared questions, he declared firmly.
"I'll join."
This time, Coin King was caught off guard.
"Pardon...?"
Without a shred of hesitation, Seok-il said forcefully.
"Yes. No more questions. I'll join."
Coin King asked, puzzled.
"But... didn't you say you had a lot of questions prepared?"
Seok-il didn't waver for a second, acting as if he'd never heard it.
"You must have misheard. I've decided to dedicate my life to this company starting today."
"........."
"........."