First Class
Tap. Tap.
Cha Jiyun stepped into the dimly lit interior of an upscale bar in Cheongdam-dong. Roughly five young men and women lounged inside. A single glance at their clothing and accessories revealed luxury brands worth tens of millions of won each.
They turned to look at her.
“Hey! Jiyun! Over here!”
They waved their hands enthusiastically.
“...”
Cha Jiyun offered a small, polite bow and walked toward them.
“Oh, Jiyun. Congratulations. I heard you’re taking over the Bio company this time?”
“...Yes.”
“Wow, that’s impressive. At only seventeen? Come, sit down.”
They belonged to the club First Class, which Cha Jiyun had been part of since childhood. First Class was an exclusive gathering open only to the children of Korea’s highest elite. Every member was the offspring of a major corporation whose name alone carried weight.
“Jiyun. Start with this.”
The young man in front held out a glass of liquor.
“....Ah. I’m fine, thank you.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Just take one.”
“...I’m sorry, but I’m still a minor.”
“Jiyun really is so strangely rigid about the oddest things, isn’t she?”
“...More importantly, are we the only ones here?”
Cha Jiyun scanned the spacious bar. Aside from the club members, the only other person present was the bartender.
“Yeah. We can’t exactly drink and chat in the same space as commoners, can we?”
“....”
“Those lowly creatures and us are different from the very root.”
The man smirked as he spoke.
“Hey. Bartender.”
He snapped his fingers.
“Yes! Did you call for me?”
“Come over here.”
“Pardon? What do you—”
“Stop talking and get over here. Now.”
The bartender soon stood before him.
“Kneel down and bark like a dog.”
“...Excuse me?”
“I said kneel and bark like a dog. Must I repeat myself?”
“Sir, our establishment does not accept that kind of request.”
“.....”
The man’s expression hardened in an instant.
BANG—
He slammed his fist on the table and rose from his seat, glaring at the bartender.
“Didn’t I make myself clear? Kneel and bark like a dog.”
He pulled out his wallet and took out a thick wad of fifty-thousand-won bills, tapping them against the bartender’s face.
“Do it and this is yours. How about it? Motivated now?”
“...”
“You commoners go crazy for money like dogs, don’t you?”
He continued tapping the bartender’s cheek with the wad of cash.
“...I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
“...What? A mere commoner dares ignore me?”
He raised his hand.
SLAP—
The sharp sound rang out as his palm struck the bartender’s cheek. The man’s face flushed bright red in seconds.
“...I’ll give you one more chance. Refuse again and things won’t be pleasant.”
The bartender’s face burned crimson. At the same time, his tightly clenched fist began to tremble.
“Oh? What’s this? You gonna hit me? Go ahead. But can you afford the settlement money? One punch from you will cost you at least a hundred million. If you’ve got that kind of cash, then swing away.”
He grabbed the bartender’s fist and pressed it against his own face.
“Hit me, you idiot.”
But the bartender could only shake, unable to act.
“Sigh. Can’t even do that? No wonder you spend your whole life getting stepped on, idiot.”
“...”
“But here’s the thing—I can hit you. Why? Because money makes everything go away.”
He drew back his fist.
Just before it connected—
Whoosh—
Someone caught his wrist.
He glared at her with burning eyes. It was Cha Jiyun.
“Jiyun. Let go.”
His gaze blazed as he stared her down.
“...Let’s stop here. This isn’t a pleasant sight.”
“....You’ve gotten really arrogant lately, haven’t you?”
The man narrowed his eyes at Cha Jiyun.
“Just because you successfully grew the Oriental Guild, you think you can act so high and mighty?”
“...That’s not it. It was simply uncomfortable to watch.”
“...Uncomfortable?”
“...Yes.”
“...Who the hell are you to say that?”
He glared at her in silence. The others quickly intervened.
“Hey, both of you, stop. That’s enough.”
“Yeah. We’re all supposed to get along. What’s with the tension?”
“You’re right. I got a bit too heated.”
He lowered his fist and dropped back into his seat with a thud.
“Still, Jiyun.”
“...Yes.”
“You really are taking over the Bio company this time?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Wow, incredible. President of a Bio company at seventeen years old.”
His tone dripped with sarcasm as he continued.
“It must be because you did such a good job with the Oriental Guild that the chairman decided to give you a chance too, right?”
“...”
“The Samhwa Group chairman has always only handed subsidiary president positions to your brother. The fact that he gave one to you must mean he’s starting to expect something from you as well.”
“...”
“...But what a shame. The first Samhwa subsidiary you’ve been given is going to fail spectacularly.”
“...Why do you think that?”
Cha Jiyun stared at him coldly.
“Oh? That? It’s obvious. You’re only seventeen and you have zero knowledge of the bio field. How could a company function with someone like you suddenly sitting in the president’s chair?”
“....”
“Jiyun, you know who I am, right?”
“...”
Cha Jiyun stared at the card in silence.
“That’s right. This oppa is the president of Hain Bio, currently the number one bio company in Korea.”
Lee Min-ki grinned wickedly and continued.
“Since this oppa knows the bio market inside and out, I’ll give you some special advice—give up while you still can.”
“...Give up?”
“Yes. You already know our company completely dominates the bio sector, right? No matter how hard Samhwa Bio tries, it can never be our rival.”
“...”
“So you’d be better off focusing on the subsidiaries you already have. A latecomer like Samhwa Bio has no chance of success.”
“...”
“It’s better to back out now. It would be troublesome if you end up earning the nickname ‘Hand of Minus,’ wouldn’t it?”
He sneered.
“...Isn’t that something we’ll only know after trying?”
Cha Jiyun replied.
“...What?”
Lee Min-ki looked genuinely dumbfounded.
“...Of course, it’s true our group is a latecomer in the bio industry. I’m also aware that the Hain Bio you run holds the top position.”
“Yet you’re still going to try?”
“...Yes. Whether something is long or short can only be known after comparing them, can’t it?”
“Hahahaha—”
Lee Min-ki burst into loud laughter. His voice echoed through the bar for a long time.
“Ah—sorry, sorry. It’s been a while since I heard such a funny joke. I laughed too hard, didn’t I? My apologies.”
“...Haa.”
Cha Jiyun let out a quiet sigh.
“Well, from your position, Jiyun, you don’t have much choice.”
“....”
“To compete with your brother for the Samhwa Group chairmanship, you need to successfully grow the bio company you’ve been given. I understand the desperation. I really do.”
Lee Min-ki clicked his tongue and went on.
“All the other major corporations jumped into bio saying it was profitable, but every single one of them failed. Why do you think that is?”
He stood up and began circling Cha Jiyun as he spoke.
“It’s because our company’s bio technology is overwhelmingly superior.”
“...”
“If you look up the records, you’ll see it all. Every conglomerate that challenged bio and how they collapsed.”
“...”
“Wise people learn from the past. Fools have to experience it themselves.”
“...”
“If you’re the type who needs to suffer before you understand, then I suppose there’s nothing to be done. Truly regrettable.”
“...Our new drug will be released in one month.”
Cha Jiyun looked at him directly.
“Yeah. So?”
“...I’m very curious whether you’ll still be able to say the same thing then.”
“Heh heh. I’ll be looking forward to it. I wonder how amazing this medicine of yours really is.”
“...Then I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Cha Jiyun frowned and rose from her seat.
Ring, ring— Ring, ring—
“Ugh.”
I silenced the blaring alarm clock.
7:00 AM
It was already time to wash up and head to school. But before that, there was something I needed to do first.
Student Nam Doyun will take Teacher Son In-hyeok's practical midterm exam. The location is in front of the dungeon behind the school. Please arrive by 9:00.
“As expected.”
Just as I had predicted, Son In-hyeok had arranged for me to take his practical exam. It was probably retaliation for the way I had humiliated him in public last time.
Shaaaa—
I stepped into the shower and let the warm water soothe my body. My slightly foggy mind began to clear.
After throwing together my belongings, I left the dormitory.
When I arrived at the dungeon entrance, a large crowd of students had already gathered.
9:00 AM
One student stood out among them. A male with striking red hair immediately caught my attention.
“...”
I watched him in silence. His name was Kane.
All the students’ eyes were locked on him. Naturally—he was the only one present not wearing an Elphon Academy uniform.
“Have you seen that guy around school before?”
“No, never. Is he even from our school?”
“Maybe he’s a senior?”
“No way. I’d recognize a senior’s face.”
The students murmured among themselves, clearly puzzled.
“Hey, forget that—the teacher’s coming.”
“Oh, you’re right.”
9:10 AM
Son In-hyeok was approaching from afar. Despite being ten minutes late, his stride was relaxed and confident. He soon stopped in front of the gathered students.
“Looks like everyone’s here. Then let’s begin with a brief explanation of today’s exam, shall we?”
His gaze swept over the crowd. When it landed on me, the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk.
He must have prepared something extremely unfavorable for me.
“Could everyone please put on these blindfolds?”
“...Pardon?”
The students looked confused. Blindfolds out of nowhere?
“Once you’re wearing them, the guides will escort you inside the dungeon.”
“Teacher, I have a question.”
One student raised their hand.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Is it really necessary to wear the blindfolds?”
“It is. You must not know the dungeon’s layout in advance.”
“Why can’t we know the layout?”
“Because you must not know your exact location inside the dungeon.”
“But why?”
“The exam begins the moment you remove the blindfold.”
“Huh?”
“From the instant you take it off, you will search for the exit door. I will assign scores based on the order in which you emerge.”
In short: The students would be taken into the dungeon blindfolded. At a certain point, they would remove the blindfolds and begin searching for the exit. Their ranking would be determined by who came out first.
“Oh, and please take one of these pouches.”
Son In-hyeok handed each student a small pouch.
“Inside the dungeon, you may only use the items contained in these pouches. Student weapons are the exception, of course.”
“Just this tiny pouch?”
“Yes. The purpose of this exam is to evaluate your individual capabilities, so we must minimize the use of external items.”
I smirked. Just as I thought.
I slipped the medicine I had brought into the small pouch.
“Now, if everyone would please put on your blindfolds.”
The students began covering their eyes one by one. I did the same.
A guide took my arm and led me into the dungeon.
After walking for what felt like a long time—
“You may remove your blindfold now.”
I took it off. The interior of the dungeon unfolded before me.
“Oh, and there’s one more thing I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
“This is the seventh underground floor. We are permitted to reveal that much according to the rules.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“And there’s something that must be confirmed.”
“What?”
“Could you open the bag you just received? We need to ensure there are no dangerous items inside.”
I opened it. The medicine I had brought was clearly visible. The guide’s expression turned intrigued.
“Hoo. So you brought this. Did you already know what kind of traps were set in here?”
“No, of course not.”
“Well, it’s none of my concern. I’ll be leaving now.”
The guide bowed politely and departed.
I looked around. The wall clearly read “Underground Floor 7.”
UNDERGROUND FLOOR 7
Seventh underground floor, huh.
This was the deepest level of the dungeon—and by far the most difficult. The difficulty was so vicious that clearing it was considered nearly impossible.
It seemed Son In-hyeok had sent me here specifically to make me suffer.
But it didn’t matter.
I already knew every single path in this dungeon.