Reunion (14)
Ayaka was someone who clearly separated business from personal matters.
Business deals were about securing the most advantageous terms.
Her offering a lower contract price was just basic negotiation.
But the mad movie she'd glimpsed through Hyun-soo had completely captivated her.
It wasn't like ordinary mad movies.
This one encapsulated his life and growth.
That's why she'd given it her highest praise.
"This isn't just a video. It's art."
And she'd seen tremendous potential in it.
Potential like that was the most valuable thing in the world.
The world was convinced that Hyun-soo had obtained a legendary class Master Craftsman title in the beginner zone.
This belief had been reinforced by his success in breaking the wooden dummy.
Korea alone had over fifty beginner zones.
People speculated that in one of them, Hyun-soo had met an exceptional blacksmith, ascended to legend, and shattered the dummy.
But what if they learned it wasn't class compensation—it was pure skill?
'And in this day and age, a real blacksmith actually exists?'
It felt as tangible as discovering that samurais truly existed.
"There's a reason you haven't released this art to the public."
Team Leader Ayaka couldn't disclose it either.
Purum Corp employees were bound by user privacy clauses to keep silent.
Not that she had any intention of spilling it.
But now she was certain of the reason.
"You'll soon be at the center of a massive controversy."
Hyun-soo didn't reply, just stared at Ayaka.
If it were truly a legendary class, the system would provide some compensation.
But Hyun-soo had none of that.
'What game compensates for actual skill?'
That's why he'd keep advancing, sparking controversy.
Global controversy.
Just like how China had recently suspected ties between Hyun-soo and the Korean branch, the whole world would question and swarm him.
What if they dropped this video then, proving it was real skill?
'The world would turn upside down...'
And crucially, Ayaka still had to close the deal on the contract fee.
"As I mentioned, I have no intention of signing for less than 3 billion."
Hyun-soo drove the nail in.
Ayaka's lips twitched.
She had countless counters.
But Hyun-soo spoke first.
"I don't want to hear about how you'd be worth hundreds of billions after the server integration announcement. That's outdated nonsense, like old movies claiming renting a restaurant gives free promo, so pay less."
"......"
"Oh, and spare me the 'Purum Corp gets nothing out of this' line. Factor in broadcast revenue, new user influx from the teaser, and how a well-made teaser racks up steady clicks for years—it's hugely profitable."
"......"
"Also, I'd like 5% of the broadcast fee ratio tied to the contract amount."
"......"
"And you know this, right? Once it's revealed I'm a real blacksmith, people will click the teaser again, spiking views. Curious about my skills? Hoping it's something that could stir up real buzz?"
He pulled up a photo on his smartphone gallery.
"The Baekje Seven-Branched Sword."
"......!"
It had been Korea's biggest issue that year.
Thanks to it, Korea had acquired the national treasure.
And there it was in the photo, in perfect form.
'Not just skilled—he's genuine Master Craftsman level...? This young guy...?'
Hyun-soo said,
"I know my value better than anyone. Price me accurately, no discounts. And finally..."
Ayaka threw up her hands in surrender.
"Threats about using another user if the terms don't match won't work either."
She was speechless, like she'd swallowed honey.
In theory, if the price didn't fit, she could find someone else.
The problem was that her mind was now fixed on Hyun-soo—no one else.
'Wait, even 5% would exceed 1 billion... How does he know the revenue structure from broadcasts?'
She didn't know, but Hyun-soo had solid backing.
The director of AJ Internet Broadcasting.
Before coming here, he'd spoken with the director.
But she'd already mentally locked in Hyun-soo.
Now she had no choice but to calculate at his true value.
Paying Hyun-soo a high fee would still profit Purum Corp.
Especially since they needed to nail the server integration—the dawn of Ares's second era.
It would create synergies.
After a successful teaser airs and time passes, revealing Hyun-soo's story would drive massive new users to Ares.
'Ares: Where your dreams come true.'
They could tagline it that way.
Hyun-soo was the prime example.
From the lowest depths to the highest peaks.
It would captivate even those uninterested in Ares.
'It's fine. I've closed tons of deals successfully before.'
All those lowered fees she'd negotiated were her achievements.
She started tapping her mental calculator. Hyun-soo's value for the teaser.
Soon, Ayaka made her decision.
"28 billion. And we'll apply the 5% ratio."
That value alone was worth at least 45 billion.
The bare minimum.
But Hyun-soo tilted his head. Ayaka added,
"It's the absolute max I can offer."
It truly was the ceiling for her.
The 5% ratio was huge, scaling with bigger hits.
But Hyun-soo said,
"I heard a new Ares VVIP capsule is coming out soon, right? Limited to 50 units."
It wasn't her department.
But she knew about the post-server integration VVIP release.
Costing around 450 million each.
"Production cost's probably about 200 million, yeah?"
Ayaka thought,
'Why are you thinking production cost? You're skinning fleas...!'
Still, she had authority to allocate one of those 50 to someone.
"Understood."
Only then did Hyun-soo smile and extend his hand.
Ayaka shook it, and Hyun-soo casually glanced around.
"Anything worth taking?"
She nearly blurted, 'You madman!'
It was like, 'Oh, need more cash? Guess I'll snag this.'
Knowing it was a joke, Ayaka steadied her pounding heart.
Hyun-soo's name was etched into the contract.
The two exited together.
"We'll handle the bill, of course. It was a pleasure."
"Pleasure's mine. Thank you."
Unlike moments ago, Hyun-soo bowed very politely.
Ayaka gave a wry smile.
She decided to chalk it up to an extravagant day.
Then, receiving the bill, Ayaka panicked.
"Coffee's 1.25 million...?"
"Ah, the two who just left had our hotel's finest premium Luwak beans."
"......"
No wonder they'd savored every last sip.
Ayaka, soul stripped bare, watched their backs leaving the hotel.
Then she made a call.
To the capsule production team.
"Yes, a call will come soon under the name Kang Hyun-soo. Approve it under my authority. No payment required."
But one thing puzzled Ayaka.
'Doesn't he already have a VVIP capsule?'
Why demand another?
She'd have asked for other royal perks.
It was a whopping 450 million capsule, after all.
And these 50 weren't just for the highest bidder.
"What's the new VVIP capsule's big feature?"
-The previous one was synced to claimed rates. We advertised near 99.9%, but actual was 93%. Got fined for false advertising recently.
Ayaka knew that.
-Main upgrade: that hyped sync rate is now truly 100%. Not the inflated 99%—real 100%.
Ayaka's eyes widened.
"Articles out already?"
-Of course. No hype this time—pure confidence.
Ayaka's eyes shook.
True 100% synchronization.
Meaning perfect reality match.
Most users wouldn't notice the difference.
But Hyun-soo was different.
'As a true blacksmith, that sync rate gives him a platform for even better crafting?'
Chills ran down her spine.
That seemingly casual demand elevated him further.
But the employee continued.
-There's something even more important than sync rate.
"More important than sync rate?"
Ayaka looked puzzled.
Playing via capsule—what could top that?
-Yes, it's...
Ayaka's eyes went wide hearing it.
Ending the call, she let out a hollow laugh.
"He took it all... took everything, ho ho ho ho..."
Ayaka wryly smiled.
She'd make it worth the contract fee.
"We'll make this server integration teaser the best ever. You all know what that means, right?"
Her team knew.
'The best ever...!'
'We can do it—we're adults...'
'Mom, I won't be home for a while.'
The entire promo team meant all-nighters.
"Fancy meeting you again?"
"Thrilled to see you after a year. And thank you for leading Korea to victory in the continental war."
Hyun-soo felt a rush of emotion.
The two installers he'd met about a year ago.
These special techs, sworn to customer privacy, beamed broadly.
"We'll retrieve the old capsule and credit you 30 million—60% value."
Like last time, they finished installation in a flash.
"Thank you. Great work, both of you."
After kindly explaining, they turned to leave with bows.
Then one installer halted abruptly.
Suddenly, he recalled first meeting Hyun-soo.
A young man in a mask even indoors, burn scars peeking from his clothes.
After setup, one had sighed,
'Whew... kid's my son's age...'
They knew he'd been the first to break the wooden dummy.
Seeing his capsule fill half the studio, they'd hoped he'd thrive.
Now he smiled more, living in a spacious, clean officetel.
Before leaving, the installer said,
"We'll keep cheering. Big fan."
After they left, Hyun-soo smiled faintly.
He eyed the capsule.
'My dream capsule.'
It might be someone else's dream too.
His first Ares login, he'd wished for features like this.
This was that wish realized.
Hyun-soo entered the new capsule.
100% Synchronization Applied.
This was hugely important too.
But Hyun-soo needed one more feature.
Rehabilitation Mode Activated.