8-01. Adaptation Complete

With Sua by my side, I headed down to the first floor. There was Aram, fully prepared, Han Secretary looking as impeccably neat as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ever, and one woman who looked oddly familiar.

A woman with her black hair tied back in a ponytail, her face cold and stern. A beauty so striking that even a single glance etched her into my memory for life.

NIS pipsqueak.

She was smiling brightly at me like a flight attendant, but her true identity was a spy planted by the National Intelligence Service. I had no idea what her mission was, but her real feelings sure as hell didn't match that fake smile.

One of the secretary candidates I sent packing yesterday, and now they're shoving her back at me?

The three of them rose from the sofa as soon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as they spotted me, bowing their heads.

"Good health to you, young master."

"And who's this?"

"Ah, this is the girl who'll assist Im Sua, as I mentioned yesterday."

"...Seo Eun-mi. Pleased to meet you, young master."

"I know. I saw you yesterday."

"She may not have caught your eye, young master, but she's the most capable of those left."

Maybe they'd shuffled some personnel around, but it seemed they had no one else to assign to me.

Or could Han Secretary be NIS too?

Just to be safe, I pulled up Han Kyung-baek's info.

Nothing particularly noteworthy. He didn't seem like the type to spy for NIS or any other agency.

The only odd thing was how underwhelming his stats were in absolute terms. Sure, they were insanely high for anyone else, but for a secretary serving the owner family directly—and holding the title of chief secretary—he was on the younger side for his age and a bit lacking in ability.

Well, that explained why he'd been stuck as the wastrel Ko Mu-yeol's secretary.

But impotent? Damn.

That was unexpected and kinda tragic. I hadn't pegged the otherwise perfect Han Secretary for that.

"Fine. If we're short on people, no choice. Starting today, assist Sua."

"Yes, young master. I'll do my utmost not to disappoint."

Seo Eun-mi bowed with another radiant smile. She really was gorgeous. Wonder how she'd react if I groped her? Yesterday's butt grab got zero response.

Would she stay quiet even if I went all the way? An NIS spy?

"I'm Im Sua. Nice to work with you, Eun-mi."

"...Yes. Likewise."

Han Secretary bowed again after watching their exchange. Seo Aram hesitated a bit before following suit.

"Then we'll take our leave, young master."

"G-Goodbye."

"Yeah, see ya."

"Yes. Be well."

They left. Now it was just me, Im Sua, and Seo Eun-mi (Ha Eun-young) in this massive house.

Cops and NIS? This place is a freak show.

Sua was ex-corrupt cop, so whatever, but Seo Eun-mi was a straight-up spy who'd faked her name. Plus, her traits screamed Patriotic, so bribing or corrupting her into my camp wouldn't be easy.

How do I cook this one?

"So, master, what should I do first?"

"Before that, your job transfer sorted?"

"Ah, yes. This morning's personnel shift made it official—me and the whole team assigned to you."

"Damn, fast."

To someone who remembered pre-possession Korea, this was baffling. Cops, the people's guardians, forming a whole team just to protect some jobless chaebol third-gen?

A stark reminder of how rotten the public power structure was in this story's Korea.

"..."

And sure enough, Seo Eun-mi's face twitched ever so slightly—the unpalatable corruption, the private use of public authority. It had to grate on her patriotic ass.

Not that she can do shit about it.

In the story, Korea—and the whole damn world—just kept rotting over time. If the player went full justice route, maybe it'd change, but otherwise? Endless decay until democracy collapsed into de facto monarchy.

Pure hell... but not my problem.

No plans to fight the tide. I'd just aim for the top spot.

If someone's gonna be king, might as well be me—especially since I got isekai'd here.

Time to recap my to-dos:

1 and 2 done. Left with 3 and 4.

RK-99? I could whip it up tomorrow. The issue was protecting it.

The second I announced it, everyone—hell, even Goryeo Group family—would swarm.

So, secure some muscle first. But hiring mercs out of nowhere? Instant red flags: What's this punk up to?

Best to move with plausible deniability.

Perfect—my company's Goryeo Entertainment. Hire some idols/trainees as "security" and build up forces gradually.

Not foolproof, but way better than random arming. Plus, Ko Mu-yeol's wastrel rep gave me slack for overkill.

Wait, simpler: Buy cheap trainees, cyberware the shit out of 'em. Debut some, keep others as secretaries.

Dump mercs early, pivot to Goryeo Ent trainees as main force.

For now...

"How many on your team? Fifteen yesterday?"

"Thirty total, including me."

"That's a lot. Got a criminal to handle. I'll give you his deets—send half to grab him. Or just waste him."

"Uh... waste? He's a criminal, right?"

Male lead started as an Incheon alley brawler. Criminal? Check.

"Yeah. Report up proper so no backlash."

"Reporting might draw interference. Could hinder your plans."

"Don't care. Just take him out."

"Understood."

I gave her the male lead's info, and Sua immediately phoned orders.

"And Seo Eun-mi?"

"Yes, young master."

"My company's a legit entertainment agency, but zero talent on roster."

One guy yesterday, but male actor—booted him. 300 mil penalty? Pocket change.

"Scout actors, idols, trainees worth buying. Hit up agencies."

"Yes, young master."

"Wait."

I stopped her as she moved.

"Young women."

"..."

"Pretty and sexy. Gotta have market value."

"...Y-Yes. Young... pretty women."

She grimaced, forced a smile, and left. I admired her swaying ass before grabbing my phone.

Recipient: My soulmate Han Secretary... nah, Ko Mu-yeol's cousin-noona, Go Ha-yan. The one from Geumsu Mountain Sun Palace yesterday.

Family, so numbers synced.