Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Sanctuary Corp
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"Ah..."
But soon, I realized one problem.
"Where's the company?"
I didn't know the way. Should I ask Uncle Chris? But if I, his son, admitted I didn't even know where my parents' company was, wouldn't that raise suspicions?
All sorts of worries flooded my mind.
But I quickly realized that worrying in advance was utterly useless.
"Oh, the tutorial. Yeah, that makes sense."
Thanks to the tutorial system, I wouldn't have to go around asking for directions.
"Let's see... Search for 'Bal Ji-un's' company."
"No. First, search for the location."
"Navigation? Huh? Whoa!"
A very familiar guiding voice echoed in my head. And at the same time, a green arrow appeared before my eyes, showing me the way.
"Let's see..."
Before heading out to the company, I rummaged through the closet first. I mean, as the chairman's son, showing up in sweats wouldn't cut it. Not in front of the parents who'd be handling my lifeline from now on, either.
While digging through the closet, I found a sleeveless tee with a deep cut at the side.
"..."
Me—no, my character—was a total muscle freak.
"Okay, time to go."
For a trip to the company, I went with a safe, standard suit.
I was worried the clothes might feel tight given my massive build and wrestler-like rippling muscles, but luckily, they were custom-tailored. They hugged my body perfectly—super comfortable.
Following the arrow out of the mansion, I spotted Uncle Chris already outside, tending to the garden.
He turned at the sound of my footsteps, spotted me, and looked shocked.
"Huh? Where are you off to, Young Master? And what's with the sharp getup? You got a date or something?"
Uncle Chris chuckled, clearly thrown by me in a suit.
"If it were a date with a beauty, that'd be great, but sadly no. I'm heading to... my parents' company."
"To Sanctuary Corp? You?"
Was going to the company really that shocking? Uncle Chris's eyes bulged like they might pop out. His reaction was so intense it left me flustered.
"Is it that surprising for me to go to the company?"
"Well, you threw that massive fit because you hated going there. For someone like that to head there on their own two feet? How could I not be surprised?"
"..."
What the hell had I been up to? No, what kind of insane stunt did I pull? If Uncle Chris called it a "massive fit," it had to be no ordinary mess.
Looks like I'd check that memory album the second I got back from the company.
"You mentioned earlier that today Cruemora Doctor's doing an experiment, and my parents are attending. I'm curious what kind of experiment it'd take for them to show up in person."
"Heh heh heh. Curiosity's a good thing. Just wait a moment. I'll call someone for you."
"Ah, sure, thanks."
"Yes. Head to the main gate first."
"Got it. Uh, the experiment hasn't ended already, has it?"
"I heard it starts at 2 p.m. Plenty of time left."
Uncle Chris smiled as he pulled out his phone to make a call. Probably to the driver.
Come to think of it, I didn't need to scout the company's location or take a taxi in the first place.
In this world, I was a chaebol heir. Exactly that—a chaebol son.
Of course, there was a driver ready to take me anywhere I wanted. I could've just said I was going to the company without all the needless fretting.
Following the arrow only I could see, I reached the main gate. After a short wait, a car pulled up. A young driver got out and opened the back door for me.
'Who’s this guy... Character search.'
'No particular closeness means I can just keep my mouth shut and ride. But what kind of superpower is that?'
From the looks of it, it was specialized purely for driving. The name said it all.
"We're heading out."
"Yes."
I nodded, and Izma started the car. It was smooth and steady—no bumps—and especially on corners, there was no lean. Truly the Best Driver.
"I'll catch a quick nap, so wake me when we arrive."
"Understood."
After telling Izma, I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.
I had no intention of actually sleeping. I planned to check the memory album before we got there.
'Execute memory album.'
'What? It's not just showing them?'
'Wh-what... Ugh?!'
Suddenly, my head throbbed like it was splitting open. I nearly screamed if I let my guard down. But it was bearable—thanks to my superpower right away.
I'd focused my Body Enhancer superpower on defense.
Raw power was nice, but since this was my first time playing the game, I loaded up the psychic tree with defense and survival skills for safety.
I could pick four more superpowers anyway, so that was the call. And it was the right one.
If I hadn't gone all-in on defense—especially without Pain Resistance and Mental Resistance—I might not have endured the pain and killed Izma, who was driving so diligently.
'Huff, huff, huff... Fuck.'
How much time passed?
The skull-cracking pain finally faded. At the same time, unfamiliar memories—ones I'd never seen—began surfacing in my mind.
Memories not of me, but of my character, Bal Jeong-nam.
'Whew... Fuck, I'll endure just this once.'
Not that I had a choice anyway.
Anyway, I started sifting through Bal Jeong-nam's memories now lodged in my head. To act like the real deal, I needed to know how he'd lived.
...First off, I had to change that name. Bal Jeong-nam—what a shitty vibe.
I'm not horny, but it makes me sound like I am!
Anyway, time to read my—
"We've arrived, Young Master."
"...Already?"
The moment I tried to access Bal Jeong-nam's memories, the smooth-riding car had already pulled up at the company. Guess the memories would wait.
"How long was I out?"
"About 20 minutes."
"...That short?"
"I'll wait in the parking lot."
"No need. Just hand over the keys and head home first. I've got other business."
"I'll drive you."
What can I say? Izma was a devoted driver.
It was nearing 11 a.m., and Cruemora Doctor's experiment I cared about started at 2 p.m.—over three hours away—and he was offering to wait.
He got paid with my money—or rather, my parents'—but Izma was diligent about his job.
Still, I couldn't keep him around. I needed to scout Dark City's layout and gather info.
The core of the story I'd crafted was a thorough double life. No one could know my true identity.
I flashed a casual smile at Izma.
"Nah, it's fine. I'm meeting my girlfriend after so long and seeing my parents too."
"Ah..."
"Hm?"
For some reason, Izma's expression soured.
"What's up?"
"Well..."
"Go ahead, speak freely."
"I don't... have a girlfriend..."
"Ah..."
I'd unintentionally stabbed Izma in the gut. And mine too.
Izama or me, neither had a girlfriend. Same boat.
"Whoa... This is no joke."
I couldn't help but gawk at Sanctuary Corp, run by my father Bal Ji-un and mother Stephanie Yu.
Sanctuary Corp wasn't just one building. Every surrounding structure, every person—it was all Sanctuary Corp. It was a forest of skyscrapers unto itself.
Dozens of large and small buildings, parks nestled between them, and topping it all, a tower so tall I couldn't even guess its height.
My god. I couldn't fathom Bal Jeong-nam throwing a fit to avoid coming here. You'd have to bow in gratitude, not complain... Spoiled brat? Yeah, definitely a spoiled brat.
"Heh heh heh."
And now, that spoiled brat was me.
"Son!"
"Huh?"
As I finished taking it in and headed for the main building, a familiar voice rang in my ear. A voice I'd never heard, yet my body insisted it knew well.
Bal Jeong-nam's body was reacting.
Which meant the owner of that voice was...
"My god! It really is my son? Seeing my boy at the company... In a suit, no less... Son, Mom can die happy now."
"Good grief~ What kind of weird talk is that?"
'Wow.'
My mouth replied naturally, but inside, I was blown away.
Slim figure, ample chest, cinched waist, long legs—an alluring beauty. Her ponytail of golden hair hinted at her fiery passion.
Part of me wanted to flirt with this stunner right then, but I couldn't.
Because this beauty was my mother, Stephanie Yu.
Who'd ever peg this woman for 50? At most, late 20s—young and gorgeous.
"But son, what's gotten into you? Chris mentioned it, but I couldn't believe it. You hated this stuff."
"Just decided to take an interest from now on. I'm 30 already—time to grab hold of something solid."
"Ugh...! Haa..."
"Mom? You okay? Hurt somewhere?"
Mom squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered at my words. Was she in pain? As I worried, she looked up shaking her head.
"No, just too happy."
"Huh?"
"When did my boy grow up like this... Mom's so touched."
"I've been bigger than you since middle school."
"Quiet, son?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Stating facts got me a glare. I playfully zipped my lips, and Mom finally burst into a grin, linking her arm with mine.
"Shall we? Oh, eaten lunch? Let's grab something yummy with Mom."
"What about Dad?"
"Dad? He stepped out briefly. Be back soon."
"I'm not going anywhere. Take it slow."
"Okay!"
"Whew."
I sighed watching Mom reply with such youthful pep. Then a thought struck me.
Would anyone even see us as mother and son?
If not, was Mom too young... or was I too old?
'...Probably both.'