Outer God (1)
Time flew by in a flash, and it was now the afternoon of the third day. Just as Kim Gwa-jang had predicted, the atmosphere in Ansan City felt off today. To be more precise, it was too peaceful.
"Hmm."
The wanted posters had been pulled, and the tracking spells deactivated. The mages from the Ma Tower had holed up inside again, creating perfect conditions for anomalies to roam free. And yet, for some reason, not a single yokai was in sight.
"Feels too quiet."
Fair enough for mid-to-high-tier Legends that packed a punch, but even the Rumor-level yokai you bumped into on a daily basis were nowhere to be found. It was like they were all hiding from something. The calm before the storm, plain and simple.
"No other options here."
Unsettling or not, there wasn't much I could do. All I could hope for was that the Ma Tower handled it well. Given their size and power, the odds of something going wrong were slim. For now, I had my own tasks to focus on.
"First up, the meeting."
Today was the final meeting with Han-seong Home Appliances. Since their building had blown up last time, it was at a temporary office a bit farther out. The contact had changed from Yu Hana to someone else, too.
"Hmm..."
Come to think of it, I wondered how Yu Hana was doing. I'd tossed her into a corner of the labyrinth during the Ma Tower raid. She'd taken leave from the company after that, so I hadn't heard any updates. She was close enough to call an acquaintance—maybe I should keep an eye on her to make sure she didn't kick the bucket.
Come out.
Pip pip?
I let a drop of blood drip from my fingertip, summoning the weakest deep-sea entity. Compared to sea life, it was like an anchovy—tiny, cute-looking, but still capable of wiping out a squad of special forces without breaking a sweat.
There's this girl named Yu Hana? Stick by her side.
Pip!
If anything happens, send a signal.
This little guy's ability was hive mind. It hung out with near-infinite kin, sharing consciousness and moving as one. If I sent it up to the Ma Tower and kept one with me...
"Can you hear me?"
Pip pip!
...I could know what was going on even from afar. In a pinch, it could tank hits too, making it handy for emergencies.
"Alright, let's head out."
I'd gone off on a tangent, but anyway, time to go to Han-seong Home Appliances. For the record, I'd sent Kim Gwa-jang to Incheon ahead. No point dragging him into the danger when it was clear something was brewing in Ansan. Just needed to stamp the contract—no real need for his backup.
"..."
I took a taxi to the temporary office. About ten minutes later, I arrived, met an employee on the first floor, and exchanged greetings.
"Follow me."
"Sure."
We rode the elevator to the top floor and entered a massive conference room. The employee left at the door, so I knocked and went in alone.
The room was huge. A long table sat in the center, flanked by dozens of empty chairs. Through the windows, Ansan City's skyline stretched out, the height giving a sense of liberation.
"Hello?"
"..."
A man sat at the far end of the table. Slicked-back hair, suit—looked mid-thirties, but more like meticulously maintained than naturally young. The aura he gave off didn't match his apparent age.
What the hell.
This wasn't the contract handler I'd been expecting. But he didn't seem like an intruder either; he was lounging like he owned the place. Not enough clues for a solid read.
"You're Lee Jin-seok, right?"
"That's me."
As I mulled over possibilities, he suddenly called my name. Company insider? Or did he already know me? My guard went up a notch.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Yeon Un-il, chairman of Han-seong Group."
"???"
His introduction hit like a curveball—totally unexpected. Chairman of Han-seong Group? Shocking enough, but his name rang even more bells. Yeon Un... Yeon family? I had someone with that surname close by.
"From your expression, you've figured it out."
"Uh... are you Yeon Dae-ri's father?"
"Correct. I'm Yu-hwa's father."
That sent me reeling. Yu-hwa, secret daughter of a corporate titan? Game-changer for our relationship...
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Jin-seok, Yu-hwa's older brother figure and workplace senior."
"Pleasure's mine."
...Nah, not really. That wasn't enough to dent our friendship. Even if her parents were Martians, I wouldn't care. What mattered was our bond, not her backstory.
"I've heard plenty about you. They say you look out for our Yu-hwa often."
"Just minor help."
"Still grateful. You've done a lot for us."
With that mindset, Yeon Un-il and I chatted normally—like a father and his daughter's friend. The chilly room warmed up.
"One thing I'm curious about, though."
"What's that?"
Mid-conversation, seated a couple chairs apart, he tossed out a question. If it wasn't something special, he'd have heard it from Yu-hwa—what could it be?
"I heard a rumor you're Yu-hwa's lover..."
"Kuhum! Total nonsense."
I'd been listening intently, but that sucker punch caught me off guard. I coughed awkwardly—a rare fumble.
Such a rumor, huh?
'First I've heard of it.'
Track down the spreader?
'Please hold off.'
As I soothed Shin-nim internally, Yeon Un-il added,
"I don't meddle in my daughter's love life."
"Meaning...?"
"Consider it indirect approval."
Shin-nim, already pissed, boiled over. My gut turned into a volcano. What the hell was this guy spouting? Yu-hwa and I were close, but not that close.
...Probably?
As far as I knew, anyway.
"I'm married."
"No word of a wedding, and no ring."
"..."
Couldn't argue there. Legally married, but no ceremony, no ring.
Super pissed. Just you wait. Soon I'll...
'What're you talking about? Shin-nim? Shin-nim??'
I could hear her grinding her teeth from somewhere. Ceremony or ring, whatever—just act normal, please.
"Enough joking. Let's get to business."
"You saw through it?"
"Timing's too suspicious."
"Fair point."
More chit-chat would've been bad for my heart. Time to cut to the chase and hear why the big boss was here. No way he moved without reason.
"I'd like to propose a collaboration."
"...What kind?"
Not business-related, that much was clear.
"Help stop today's terrorist attack."
"Figured as much."
"At my level, you see a lot."
Yep, he was in the know, and so was the offer. His vibe and speech had screamed "industry insider." But even so, I should turn it down.
"Not really interested in getting involved."
"Hmm... Thought you'd say that."
No matter it was Yu-hwa's dad, I'd decided to sit this one out. No reason to risk it, no motivation.
But he pressed on, like he'd anticipated it.
"We have a prophet in our camp. Sees bits of the future."
"And?"
"In the future, you handle it alone."
Prophecy—intriguing in a world of real magic and yokai.
'That true?'
Yep. Hubby was awesome again.
Shin-nim's word made it fact. But there was more—he'd pitch why I should team up.
"This terror attack's fallout won't stay in Ansan."
"..."
"Specifically, it spreads to the next city over—Incheon."
Ah, that explained why future-me stepped in. Incheon meant my contacts and family at risk. I'd have jumped in and ended it somehow.
"So..."
"Ma Tower botched the initial response. Made it worse."
The tower I'd trusted had fumbled hard. Sounded like a problem even the chairman couldn't handle.
"Bottom line?"
"Squash it before the sparks turn into a blaze."
"Hmm... Not bad."
I hated hassle, but if I had to handle it anyway, better early. Plus, Yeon Un-il's help—whatever it was, a chairman wouldn't cheap out.
"And one more key point."
"What?"
As I leaned toward yes, he flashed a sly smile and dropped the clincher. Something I couldn't refuse.
"I know how to royally screw over that Outer God bastard—his plans, big time."
"I'm in."
Couldn't pass on screwing the Outer God. Shin-nim would agree.
'You approve?'
Of course. Outer God's best beaten to a pulp. lol
Shin-nim's stamp of approval—time to try this collaboration thing.