Chapter 71
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Life Doesn't Go as Planned
Life doesn't go according to plan, you know.
To cut to the chase, our spoiled brat plan failed spectacularly.
"If you don't want to taste Lulu's sizzle, let us in quick meow!"
"...No license, no entry."
"If you keep blocking us, I'll make you all soggy with Arin's bubbling!"
"...No license, no entry."
"How rude! Don't block the king and benefactor's path!"
"...No license, no... ...Senior. They all look like Awakeners. Can we let them through just this once?"
"I'd love to, but skipping license checks would get us fired."
"Ugh... No license, no entry..."
My Plausibility effect was so potent that even when we acted like total jerks, we drew looks of genuine sympathy rather than glares of annoyance.
Eventually, it got to the point where the guards seemed more frustrated than us that they couldn't let us in.
"Hmm... The spoiled brat plan doesn't look like it's gonna work at this rate."
Sorry... I had no idea Father's 'Plausibility' effect was this strong...
"Neither did I, so no need to apologize. Anyway, got any other plans?"
Well... Give me a moment, and Tabula will adjust the plan accounting for 'Plausibility'...
"Hmm... I'd love to wait if I could..."
Thud-! Thud-! Thud-!
"Please come with us for a moment. Benefactor-nim and your party."
"...Looks like time's not on our side."
Hiiing... Sorry...
"It's fine. Dad's life never goes according to plan anyway, so I'm used to it. Leave the rest to me."
Okay...
"Daddy meow. Does that mean the spoiled brat plan is over meow?"
"Yeah. Spoiled brat plan service terminated. Time to be good kids now."
"Already...? But we still have tons of bad kid antics left that Sis and I prepared..."
"Save those for next time."
Anyway.
With the spoiled brat operation derailed from the start by my Plausibility effect, we set it aside for now.
And as we talked to the group in black suits who suddenly appeared and told us to follow...
"Sorry for the commotion, but the kids are watching, so I'd like to avoid violence if possible."
"We're not here for Benefactor-nim for that reason."
"Huh? Then why?"
"You were looking for the manager here, so we came to escort you. Please come with us."
"...?"
...What the heck is this nonsense?
We caused a ruckus, and now these black-suited folks are here to escort me?
In the confusing situation that made no sense, I briefly suspected it might be a ploy to lower my guard.
Ding-!
"The owner is here?! Where are they right now?!"
A chubby middle-aged man soon stepped out of the staff elevator in the distance.
He exchanged a glance with the black-suited woman I'd been talking to, then hurried toward me.
Before long, panting hard, he arrived in front of me and bowed so deeply it bordered on groveling, whipping out a business card as he spoke.
"I-I am... an executive director with Chaesung Group... and the overall manager of Chaesung Central Tower, Park Ki-nam...! I-I'm truly sorry for not greeting you in advance upon your visit...!!!"
"...Pardon?"
No way. This middle-aged guy sweating bullets right in front of me...
An executive director at Chaesung Group?
That's a pretty high-up exec position in the group.
Why the hell is someone like that here?
####
After introducing himself as an executive director of Chaesung Group and the building's overall manager,
he launched into an explanation without even catching his breath, as if chased by something.
"I-I'm truly, deeply sorry... The official notice only came down this morning, so it didn't reach the site properly... It was my negligence that it wasn't immediately shared with security and guards..."
"No, no. It's my fault for showing up unannounced, so don't worry about it. More importantly, you look like you're about to pass out—catch your breath first."
"Th-Thank you for your concern... Then... excuse me for a moment..."
And so,
worried he might actually keel over, I waited for him to catch his breath.
"Hoo... Thank you for your consideration. And once again, I apologize for the unpleasant experience due to our inadequate handling."
"It was partly our mistake too, so let's move past it. Anyway, I have an appointment, so I need to head in soon. Can I enter without a license?"
"Where in the world would we block the building owner? From now on, I'll personally guide you. Just tell me if there's anything you need."
With that, Park Ki-nam bowed once more and stood by my side.
The black-suited group maintained a set distance, positioning themselves around me like bodyguards.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'Owner. These surrounding humans are so annoying.'
'I agree, but this is pretty tame for the owner's family life, so bear with it.'
'I've thought this since last time, but human culture is so inefficient.'
'That's humans for you.'
Anyway.
As I listened to Lavris's complaints via mental conversation,
"Benefactor-nim. May I ask what your appointment today is?"
"Nothing much. Just selling one of my elixirs."
"Ah! Then I'll guide you to a VIP room for private dealings. How about we call your trading partner there too?"
Come to think of it, there's a high chance I might end up fighting Bug Hater.
With the spoiled plan scrapped, do I really need to draw attention?
If so...
"Please make it the largest room possible, with soundproofing good enough that any fights inside won't be noticed outside."
...Whether I'll use Lavris's 'Right of the Victor' or not is up in the air.
But it's a sure bet that dumping baldness potion on his head will make him scream, so better prepare for that.
But at that moment.
"Um... Will you need to use force for anything?"
"Well, can't say for sure. I've caused a bit of trouble."
"In that case, we'll assign a few more of our people matched to the trader's level. Or should we bring them in subdued?"
"Whoa..."
...This is hard to get used to.
Normally, they'd question why a fight might happen.
But Park Ki-nam offered manpower without asking, even confirming if they should subdue first.
Watching him, I got a rough sense of how things worked in this country now.
And so, just a little...
Thump-!
"...I'll handle my guest myself, so please mind your manners, Mr. Park."
Irked, I let out a bit of bloodlust as a warning against rash actions...
Gurgle-!!!
Thud-!
"?"
...Park Ki-nam, mid-conversation, suddenly foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Thud-! Thud-!
The black-suited escorts, who had kept their distance for protection, began to wobble one by one.
The black-suited woman I'd first spoken to sweated coldly and said,
"Benefactor-nim... We're truly sorry for the manager overstepping... But if you release any more aura, he'll die... Please... show mercy..."
"...From this much?"
No, this wasn't even full power.
Just a light warning aura, and people were dying?
'Of course. Owner. It's not just any bloodlust—it's Warlord-level. Even controlled, non-Awakeners can't withstand it.'
'Sure, but still. No one's reacted like this around me before, right?'
'Because you never released bloodlust with intent to harm. And everyone around you lacks normalcy, so they all have matching strength.'
'Hmm... Fair point.'
Come to think of it, I'd forgotten amid their eccentric behaviors, but they were all top-tier Climbers.
So they'd been tanking my bloodlust without flinching until now?
Gurgle-! Gurgle-!! Gasp-! Gasp-!!!
"Benefactor-nim...! Mercy, please...!!!"
"Oh, right."
Anyway, I'd think about that later.
This was getting dangerous—I'd better stop the bloodlust first.