Chapter 83: The Chaebol Heir
Jeong Gi-hoon recognized me not through Observation, but simply because he knew my face. To him, my face must have been a pretty important one. Maybe even more so than Go Yeon-ju's in some ways.
"Yes, I'm Choi Si-woo. Jeong Gi-hoon."
At my words, Jeong Gi-hoon smiled, but the two subordinates behind him flipped out.
"How dare you address the grand lord!"
"You bastard!"
Wow, they really call him grand lord just like that. He probably is one, but isn't it kinda embarrassing to shout it out in public? And if he's a grand lord, then so am I. But these subordinates are butting into a conversation between lords? Is it because they don't know who I am? Or does it mean they can't see anything but Jeong Gi-hoon?
Jeong Gi-hoon himself didn't seem particularly inclined to stop his subordinates' antics.
"Jeong Gi-hoon, mind if I ask something?"
"How dare you!"
I hadn't even pressed some berserk button, but the subordinates were losing it. I neatly ignored them and looked straight at Jeong Gi-hoon. He responded with evident interest.
"Ask away."
"Alright, then. Were you born the eldest grandson of a chaebol family without any manners, or do you act like that because you trust your level?"
"You bastard!"
At my words, Subordinates 1 and 2 charged at me. Given their levels around 40, they could be considered top-tier among hunters. The problem was, I wasn't at a level where these guys could touch me—not invincible Red, but still.
Subordinate 1 swung his fist. So I swung mine right back at him. What happens? Our fists collide head-on.
Crack!
"Gahhh!"
Subordinate 1 screamed. His hand bones were probably shattered to pieces.
Meanwhile, Subordinate 2 attempted a roundhouse kick. It was a clean, powerful strike—probably from someone with a black belt. Against a normal person, it would've been devastating. National team reserve level, maybe. But that's only against normals.
Crack!
I thrust my fist toward his leg, and it met the same fate as Subordinate 1's hand.
"Argh!"
Jeong Gi-hoon had looked pretty smug, full of pride in his men, but his face hardened as both went down in one hit.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this?"
"Why? You stood by when your subordinates attacked me, but now that they're getting wrecked, you ask what's going on? Isn't that a bit hypocritical?"
"Th-that's..."
"Born the chaebol heir. Lucky enough to become a gate owner, snag that rare Observation skill. Whether you subjugated other territories or sweet-talked them, you qualified as a grand lord, and now the world's spinning to your tune, right? So you tried to threaten or coax Go Yeon-ju under your wing. Am I wrong?"
"What nonsense."
"What do you think? If you came at me full force, do I look like I'd lose even 1%?"
"......"
No manners doesn't mean stupid. Jeong Gi-hoon was probably calculating furiously right now—gains and losses if he clashed with me. His life must've been smooth sailing till now. Born the chaebol heir, elite education, wanting for nothing. In modern terms, nobility among nobility. Back in the day, he'd be a duke or archduke's successor.
And lucky him, he got a gate and Observation. In Korea, including me, only three had it. One lost their gate and went civilian. Left with Jeong Gi-hoon and me. He probably didn't rate me highly since he got his gate first—figured he could always bribe or bully me under him.
For some reason, it pissed me off seeing through that. Normally, I'd let it slide. Gate influence? Nah, with my Clear Mind, unlikely. Maybe becoming a grand lord shifted my mindset.
The guy's not just any lord—he's a grand lord with more subordinates than me. Him looking down on me is the same as looking down on Siho Territory. And I treasure my territory too much to swallow that.
"Why so quiet, oh mighty grand lord?"
"You, you're—"
"You're using casual speech. A chaebol heir wouldn't lack basic etiquette training. Oh, wait—do you not see anyone else as human, so no need?"
"What bullshit is that? My family isn't like those crazy chaebols."
"Then why the casual speech?"
"I... apologize. I was rude."
He composed himself in an instant, straightened up, and bowed to me. Gotta admit, that was impressive in its own way.
"So, what about those who attacked first?"
"I'll revoke their hunter abilities."
Not easy hitting level 40, but he said it without hesitation.
"Fine, we'll call it even."
"Yes."
Jeong Gi-hoon immediately revoked their gate access. Naturally, I checked them with Observation. They were civilians now.
I approached the two writhing in pain and used Heal. My current skill could fix that easily. Light gathered in my hand and seeped into them.
I could've used healing potions, but mana regenerates anyway, and I didn't want to reveal those.
"Th-that's healing magic."
"Yeah, doesn't everyone do this much?"
Jeong Gi-hoon just stared at me in shock.
"Let's be straight. I can't Observation you right now. Your doing?"
"As you suspect. Your Observation level is lower than mine, so it blocks you from me and everything Siho-related."
"Planning to kill me?"
What nonsense? I gave him a dumbfounded look, and his face stiffened.
"Have you killed other gate owners like that?"
"Of course not. Even chaebols can't cover up murder."
"You could've used those two on the floor."
"They showed excessive loyalty. Guess I took it for granted at some point."
What? Why so frank all of a sudden? His honesty made it hard for me to press him.
"Surprisingly upfront."
"You're a grand lord too?"
"Yes."
"Then Go Yeon-ju is—"
"A lord under me. She entrusted herself to Siho to fend off the monster wave. But how'd you rack up six subordinates?"
"I know it looks suspicious—especially after those idiots just now. But there's context. The first was a new hire at my company who became a gate owner. I met him, and he suddenly wanted to hand everything to me. And then..."
"System notification popped up?"
"Exactly. So I accepted. The other five gate owners..."
"Money?"
"Yes. Bought them as subordinates."
Surprisingly legit. I could tell he wasn't lying—I'd copied the village head's skill for times like this. And yeah, the subordinates' overzealous loyalty was real too.
"Fine, say that's true. Why seek me out? You messaged in the gate owners' community to meet."
"Yes. I need to brief you on the situation. First meeting was rocky, but I'm actually fighting other factions."
Other factions? I frowned involuntarily.
"Jeongsan Group upholds the legacy of Jeongsan Jeong Gi-cheol. Know him?"
Jeongsan Jeong Gi-cheol was an independence fighter like my grandfather. Jeongsan Group formed to honor that. But chaebols claiming activist roots felt off—hard to buy.
"And?"
"We're opposed by Rown Group and Yuseon Group."
Jeongsan, Rown, Yuseon—the big three chaebols. Rown was built on Japanese capital, HQ in Japan despite earning here. Yuseon, nothing special.
"Go on."
"They control 70% of Korea's gate owners now. Both founded by pro-Japanese descendants."
What? So this chaebol heir's been meeting owners for Korea's sake? Things were veering weird.
"What's your point?"
"We need to protect Korea's gates. And they're hunting weird people."
"Weird people?"
"Yes. Three hunters in steel man suits. Stole an important gate from Japan. Details unknown."
That's the mithril gate from Fukushima. Not stolen—we brought it. So they're after me, Seon-woo, and Si-yeon.
Then I felt intense eyes from the side. Turned to see Go Yeon-ju staring, mouthing silently: 'Red.'
Ah, yeah—she'd connect the dots.
"Tell me more."
"Sure, so..."