The Weight of a Father's Disappointment
The confrontation between Yoo Heeyeon and her father unfolded with ruthless efficiency. At a single word from Yoo Hanbeom, the entire guild began digging through every incident—down to the most trivial detail.
Relay this clearly. If even the slightest concealment occurs during the investigation, I will personally ensure punishment. Do not engage in any foolish behavior.
Everyone in the Artemis Guild knew Yoo Hanbeom's personality all too well. He never spoke empty words or made idle threats. That was why the word "punishment" carried unimaginable weight when it left his lips. Being expelled from the guild would be a merciful ending. If someone was caught trying to genuinely cover up the incident, their remaining life would become an endless torment. Or perhaps they would simply die. He possessed both the power and the will to ruin a person's life completely.
—BOOOOM!
In Yoo Hanbeom's office, a massive stack of documents slammed onto the desk. Vice Guild Leader Bae Kiyoung wiped the sweat pouring down his face as he spoke.
"Guild Leader, I've collected everything. I printed them all on physical paper to eliminate any possibility of tampering during the transfer process. The information here covers every record from the first time Lee Hyunseung and Yoo Heeyeon met until now. Every use of Artemis Guild authority by Yoo Heeyeon—including Madam Kim Heera—is documented in exhaustive detail."
"You've done well."
It was an enormous volume of information. Yoo Hanbeom offered rare praise to Bae Kiyoung, his expression one of satisfaction. The vice guild leader bowed his head, eyes shining with emotion.
"I'm glad I could be of help. Please call on me anytime if you require anything further."
Sensing the mood, Bae Kiyoung quickly excused himself from the room.
"Hmm…"
Yoo Hanbeom reached for the stack of documents that numbered in the hundreds. He activated his skill.
Acceleration
Using the Acceleration skill, he sharpened his thoughts and dynamic vision. Then he lifted all the papers into the air. The hundreds of unfolded sheets floated around him in a perfect circle, none overlapping.
—SWOOOOOSH!
With a powerful sweep of his hand, the documents began spinning rapidly around him like a whirlwind.
"Artifact vault access… Broad Academy donation foundation records confirmed…"
He absorbed and organized the information at an impossible speed. About ten minutes later, he canceled the magic with a grave expression. When he extended his hand, the scattered papers on the floor gathered neatly in one spot.
"How irritating."
Rubbing his throbbing temples, Yoo Hanbeom organized the situation in his mind.
'The fact that a piece of evidence—a phone—was found in Lee Hyunseung's desk is true. There was no intervention from Artemis in that regard. Therefore, if Lee Hyunseung didn't commit this stalking incident, then someone else did. But the way it was handled so cleanly suggests it wasn't the work of a mere individual. This was a group effort. I'll have to track these bastards down and deal with them later.'
Based on the evidence, Yoo Hanbeom grasped the full picture. Assuming Lee Hyunseung was not the culprit, it didn't appear that Yoo Heeyeon had fabricated a fake phone and planted it in his desk. However—
'On the day Lee Hyunseung was suspended, there is a record of my wife visiting Broad Academy accompanied by Artemis Guild bodyguards. Before the visit, she checked the list of ongoing joint donations between Artemis Guild and Broad Academy… and then came the suspension.'
The details weren't explicit, so he could only infer, but Yoo Hanbeom pieced it together convincingly. After all, the position of guild leader for the nation's top guild was not something one could hold through incompetence.
'It seems Kim Heera pressured the dean. The method was likely a threat to withdraw support for the joint donations.'
Finally, he let out a sigh as he recalled the artifact vault access records.
'She opened the artifact vault to sabotage Lee Hyunseung during the F-class representative selection match.'
There were records of Yoo Heeyeon accessing the Artemis Guild artifact vault. Furthermore, those artifacts had been used during the F-class representative selection. In other words, she had taken useful items from the vault, distributed them to the F-class members under her control, and used them to obstruct Lee Hyunseung.
—Ziiiiing.
Yoo Hanbeom replayed the footage of the F-class representative selection match. The barrier with absurd defensive power. The enormous fireball. These were not feats F-class students could accomplish without artifact assistance.
'She must have bought off several people along the way.'
In normal class annihilation matches or representative selections, bringing in external artifacts was strictly prohibited. The fact that external artifacts had been used meant someone had turned a blind eye. It was obvious Yoo Heeyeon had bribed them.
—Grind.
Clenching his teeth, he shouted.
"Yoo Heeyeon. Bring Yoo Heeyeon to me immediately."
At his command, the vice guild leader waiting outside responded sharply.
"Right away, sir."
***
Yoo Heeyeon couldn't hide her anxiety at her father's sudden summons.
'Why… why is Father calling for me…?'
Her father, Yoo Hanbeom, only sought her out when absolutely necessary. He was always busy with work and valued efficiency above all else. He rarely showed familial affection or warmth—even to his own blood. Their conversations only occurred when her practical or written exam scores were released. That was why she was terrified. This wasn't the time for scores to be coming out.
The uncertainty of why her father had called her gripped her like a vice.
—Creeeeak.
"Yoo Heeyeon. Sit down."
The moment she heard her father's first words, Yoo Heeyeon flinched. She instinctively knew the reason for this summons was not positive. After all, he had addressed her as "Yoo Heeyeon" instead of the more affectionate "Heeyeon-ah."
"Father… what is the matter?"
She tried to sound calm, but Yoo Hanbeom looked at her and said,
"I have something I want to ask you. Do you remember what I told you before? That to rise to the top, you must do whatever it takes."
Yoo Heeyeon recalled her father's previous words.
She nodded.
"I remember. You said I must take first place no matter what it takes. That as your daughter, destined to one day lead the Artemis Guild, I cannot afford to lose first place in a place like the academy."
"Yes. You remember it perfectly."
Yoo Hanbeom rose from his seat and approached her.
"Yoo Heeyeon, do you know how many dirty and ugly things your father had to do to become the leader of the Artemis Guild? I have sacrificed everything to protect my family and ensure that no one I care about is ever looked down upon. I continue to do so even now. Thanks to that, you enjoy money and power without a single worry, taking everything you desire. As proof, those beneath you wouldn't dare think of defying you. You were born with everything others could ever envy. You started with perfect conditions. Do you agree?"
Yoo Heeyeon swallowed dryly and nodded.
"I… I agree. I am satisfied with my current life."
Yoo Hanbeom's expression turned icy as he continued.
"Exactly. You started from a far more advantageous position than others. If life is a race, you didn't just start a few steps ahead—you began dozens of steps in front. So of course you should take first place. It's only natural. That is why I told you to claim first place even if it meant doing dirty, ugly things."
He lowered his head, voice thick with anger.
"And by 'dirty, ugly things,' I meant doing everything within the limits of your own ability. If your leg cramps while running, hop on one foot. If that foot fails too, crawl with your arms. If your arms stop working, drag yourself across the finish line with your teeth if you must. Even if it looks filthy and disgusting to others, you were to seize first place using your own 'ability.'"
Then he slammed his fist on the desk.
—BAAAAANG!
"I gave you every innate advantage, every head start, every form of support you could possibly want. So why the hell—!"
He paused to collect himself, then looked at her and spoke in a low, chilling voice.
"Why would you resort to such acts… simply because you couldn't even manage first place in the academy?"
Instantly, Yoo Heeyeon's face turned deathly pale, cold sweat breaking out across her skin.
"W-what are you…"
At her attempt to play innocent, Yoo Hanbeom scowled and reached out, spreading the stack of documents across the desk in front of her.
—Fwoooooosh!
"The thing I hate most is lies. So choose your answer carefully. Otherwise, I might truly lose my temper."
The air in the room grew freezing cold, weighed down by Yoo Hanbeom's mana.