Knight of Mu-yeol V
Monday, September 21st, had arrived. Two days prior, on the 19th—while I was hosting a massive hiring audition with over a hundred celebrities in attendance and incidentally breaking Yoon Ha-young—Real Production dropped a bombshell announcement.
The CEO himself stepped up, spouting all sorts of grand talk, but the core message boiled down to this: "All the virtual reality games on the market right now? They're fake. I'm going to make the real thing. Another world." Something along those lines. He unveiled ambitious plans to craft a virtual realm nearly identical to reality itself, where players could become the protagonists of their own world.
To top it off, they paired it with a flawlessly produced demo video that blew up over the weekend, sparking a global frenzy. The clip racked up a ridiculous 180 million views on Mitoob and 7 million shares.
Naturally, Real Production's stock was skyrocketing.
"M-Master! Real Production's stock... it's hit 190,000 won! Our holdings are worth a whopping... 1.8 trillion..!!"
Exactly as planned. The CEO's legendary bullshit artistry, followed by the inevitable stock surge. Everything proceeding smoothly.
But it's climbing a bit too fast, isn't it?
Even accounting for the game launch, it'd only been about a week since it jumped from 8,000 won to 190,000. At this rate, it'd smash my projected peak of 330,000 won by next week.
It didn't rise this sharply in the original.
I'm no lore nerd who dives deep into every detail, but I knew it hadn't moved this quickly.
Ah. Could it be...
"How about the entertainment stocks?"
"Entertainment? They're getting wrecked. Some companies have already been liquidated. That sector's already down 30% from the theme crash."
"Funds are flowing in from there, then."
Human psychology—desperate to recoup investment losses. With the entertainment pillar crumbling this hard, folks are piling into surging stocks or anything that looks promising, hoping to flip them quick.
And the perfect fit? Real Production, fresh off a smash-hit game launch and riding high on the CEO's bold vision.
'Game's a success, CEO's talking big—prime time to jump in.'
Everyone rushing to buy it up, driving the price way steeper than the original timeline. I just wanted to kneecap my rivals early, but things are spinning out of control.
Maybe I should hold a bit longer?
The original peak was around 330,000 won. But with this momentum, we might overshoot it.
No. Don't be stupid.
Tempting greed flickered, but I shook it off. I'm no stock whiz—I just know the future. Getting cocky and deviating could cost me everything. Better stick to what I know. Plenty of cash overflow later anyway.
"Adjust the sell order to 300,000 won."
Still, a modest greed tweak. Dumping at 270,000 feels wasteful with this firepower; starting sales at 300,000 should be fine. The influx might absorb my full position and inflate the bubble further, exploding even bigger later...
Let's see... if it digests everything at 300,000, that's...
"About 2.8 trillion, Master."
"2.8 trillion..."
At that scale, forget hiring mercenaries—I could buy a whole company, build a prison, do whatever. Not enough to dominate the market, but solid seed money to enter and build a foundation.
"You screened the mercenary companies?"
"Yes. A few promising ones, but there's a problem."
"What problem?"
"No company employs only female mercenaries."
"..."
"No all-female staff either."
"..."
"And obviously, none take only female clients."
"Hm."
All my exact requirements. When I gave the order, Sua had drawled, "I don't think places like that exist~..." but I told her to try anyway. World's a big place—maybe. But nah, of course not. No company runs like that; it'd bleed money.
So in the end...
"Guess I have to make one myself?"
"Y-Yes..."
Unfortunately, anyone can't just start or own a mercenary firm. That's why I was pushing hires or acquisitions via stocks—far easier than building from scratch.
"Hand over the list for now."
"Here."
I scanned the mercenary company list Sua pulled. Mostly sleazy, ugly dudes grinning smugly in photos. Gross—didn't want to look.
"Tch."
Handed it back to Sua.
"...Found any land?"
"Ah, yes... Um... Here!"
She rummaged through files and passed one over.
"A-As requested, I prioritized Namdong Industrial Complex. But they have a tight-knit vibe there. Touch one without consulting, and the others might flip out together."
"Can't divide and conquer?"
"Yes. Five dominant groups form a loose alliance—with their own rules."
"Rules among themselves? Whatever."
I tapped the documents thoughtfully.
Want to build in Namdong, though...
Incheon's a sprawling beast—1.5 to over 2 hours across—but paradoxically short on land. Factoring everything in, nothing beats Namdong. Problem is wiping out all those gangs there.
"Can't your cops handle them?"
"Full force? Sure, we could crush them. But too many entanglements, and if they go hard, casualties unknown. Plus security vacuum in the meantime—upper brass won't greenlight it. Cops alone? Tough."
Figures. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called Demonic Incheon.
'Police chief's slinging drugs out the back door, after all.'
"W-What about an island, Master?"
"Island?"
"Yes. Tons off Incheon's coast. Some with decent flatland. Plenty big enough for a prison even without."
"An island, huh..."
"Building a prison there dodges Incheon city's eyes, eases exports off the peninsula. Some transport/ops costs, but long-term value's huge. You're not limiting to Incheon business, right?"
"True enough."
Her pitch swayed me. Not building for profit anyway—no big ops worries. Hassle? That's what staff's for. If I stomach that, perfect for hiding, imprisoning—no city transit needed, straight to sea or China. Bonus: future whim for warships? Dock 'em for emergencies.
'Then scout spots viable for a full harbor.'
"Fine. Island it is. Uninhabited, biggest area possible."
"Understood, Master."
"And prep what we need to start a mercenary company."
"Yes."
+++
Nonsan, Goryeo Militaris Knight Training Grounds.
Trainee knights poured out into the hallway after sim tests.
"Baekseol took first again."
"Can't beat her."
Everyone marveled at the one woman.
"Not just first—dominant. Hand-to-hand, shooting, mechs. Excels everywhere."
"Straight to general, then?"
"Hey! Not 'her'—show respect: General."
"Pfft."
Completing the 15-year knight course earns "knight" status with colonel-equivalent perks. Top performers get a star and fast-track to army HQs per Defense Ministry-Militaris pact—but not unlimited generals.
Someone like Baekseol, utterly dominant? General posting almost guaranteed.
'General... still just a slave.'
Baekseol smirked cynically past the murmurs. Colonel this, general that—knights' essence was obedience. Genetic tweaks plus implants ensured submission to command holders. Power's price: a leash. Slave-level, really. Lucky predetermined at birth; otherwise, she'd never choose this path.
"Seol-ah! Baekseol!"
Heading to barracks, a man rushed up. Buzz-cut military style, head taller than her. Fellow trainee, second to her scores.
"No."
"...Haven't said anything yet?"
"You'll confess again, obviously."
He'd been at it nonstop lately. Let's be together post-grad. Support each other. Nearing 30 tries? Rejected every time.
"We're slaves. No point indulging luxuries."
"Same line."
"Ditch false hopes, live the natural way? Friend's advice."
She walked on. He followed.
"You don't hate me, right?"
"..."
"We ate together back then. C'mon, 15 years—I know you. Stared at your nape that long."
"..."
Ignored, kept walking. He stopped.
"You're just scared, huh?"
"...What?"
She halted.
"Scared?"
"Good thing ends bad, heart shatters—so you bail. Right?"
He approached, reached out—
"Don't touch."
"Ahem... Baekseol. I really like you."
"..."
"You don't mind me. Future's unknown—why not enjoy now? Now for now, later for later?"
"I..."
She bit her lip. Didn't hate him. Top trainee barring her, handsome too. Wanted normal life stuff others had.
Just... scared, like he said. Losing happiness after tasting it.
"Let's try. Yeah? Won't know till we do! Freaking out forever?"
"..."
He kept persuading. Finally...
"Then... from tomorrow."
"Uh, y-yeah...?"
"..."
"F-For real??"
She walked off—faster than usual.
"F-For real? No backing out tomorrow, right??!!"
He bounded joyfully to his barracks. Baekseol smiled faintly too.
Yeah. Cowardly before starting? Un-knightlike.
Next day.
Training director assembled trainees early.
"Trainee Knight Baekseol, front and center."
"?"
What the hell? Tilted head, mounted the podium.
"Trainee Knight Baekseol is hereby commissioned as of September 22, 2076."
"Pardon?"