Chapter 419: The Chaotic Daily Life of Leilan Academy. (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 419: The Chaotic Daily Life of Leilan Academy. (2)
The day after the “Clash of the Titans” between my father and Mr. Cheon Mu-jin began.
While eating breakfast and watching the news, I dropped my spoon in sheer shock.
It was so bad that even Ha-ni, who usually never missed a chance to tease me, was walking on eggshells around me. Meanwhile, Luna was bright and cheerful, delighted to see her “grandpa” on TV.
Why, you ask? Because my father and Cheon Yu-hak’s father were actually on the news!
And it wasn’t even a recording—it was a live broadcast!
On the screen, my father had swapped his usual cold expression for a polished corporate smile.
[Yes, we have two very special guests with us today. Both of you have become the talk of the town by simultaneously announcing sudden, massive new projects. Is that correct?]
[Yes. In truth, the framework has been in place for some time. An opportunity simply presented itself to bring it to fruition now. I want to make it clear from the start that this isn’t some rushed project or a show to win public favor without preparation.]
[That goes without saying. Cheonhwa Group has also been extremely cautious with this investment. We decided to move forward only after our calculations showed that this venture holds immense potential and will bring great profit to both the company and the nation.]
I couldn’t tell if this was the news or a variety show. As the news anchor began leading the talk like an MC, the two fathers gave flawless, unperturbed answers.
They had probably prepared for this in advance.
…God, I want to turn off the TV.
Wait, since it’s a live broadcast, maybe I should fly there on the Nimbus Cloud, put on a mask, and just wreck the station?
Except for Cheon Yu-hak, who was likely in the exact same position, no one could possibly understand how I felt right now.
[Since the heads of the nation’s top two corporations are speaking with such confidence, I find myself even more excited. What field does this new investment target?]
[Yes. On a large scale, it’s regional development; on a smaller scale, it’s domestic tourism.]
[…Domestic tourism? For something you described as a large-scale operation, that doesn’t sound particularly massive.]
[Haha! Well, if it were just a new package deal or travel agency discounts, that would be true. But what we are preparing is nothing like that. From now on, domestic travel will be completely different from anything seen before.]
[Different? In what way? Oh!]
Cheon Mu-jin spread his wings and snatched the microphone.
[What is the current image of domestic travel? Overpriced, lacking things to do, never changing, and too cramped to truly enjoy—hasn’t that been the image?]
[Wow, you’re being quite blunt… well, to be honest, that image does exist!]
[Not anymore. Cheap, high-quality food, ample leisure facilities, wide beaches, and even a sea where you can swim in absolute safety!]
The presentation Cheon Mu-jin pulled up on the screen was indeed spectacular.
Multiple artificial islands built in the middle of the ocean, connected by undersea tunnels that people could traverse on foot or via vehicles.
Considering the potential for safety issues, they would install barriers and safety devices to prevent attacks from marine life or monsters. There would even be an experience center where people could pet tamed underwater monsters.
As for the price-gouging issue that often plagues vacation spots, he stated that Cheonhwa Group would negotiate directly with local businesses to fix prices and strive for higher quality.
[Ah, that’s certainly impressive, but won’t there be significant backlash from local merchants?]
[Hmm, I’m sure not everyone will feel this way, but yes. There will always be those who remain unsatisfied even when we make concessions.]
Despite his words, Cheon Mu-jin maintained an air of supreme confidence.
[So, what of it?]
“Pardon?”
[I am willing to embrace as many merchants as possible and provide maximum support to those coming from outside. However, why should I concern myself with those who persist in their greed?]
[That is…]
[I am not running a charity. I am investing because I see the potential for long-term, consistent profit. I fail to see why I should worry about individuals who would ruin a project with immense growth potential just for their personal greed.]
That man knows exactly how to play the public.
He understands that while missing small details might cause some noise, you ultimately win if you capture the opinion of the larger majority.
Besides, in a superhuman society, there isn’t really another country that considers others’ well-being this much anyway.
[In fact, I’d like to issue a warning. If anyone tries to interfere despite being given the opportunity for ample profit, I will take it as a declaration of all-out war against Cheonhwa Group. That is all from me.]
[Ah, well. Such overflowing confidence! Truly what one would expect from the owner of the nation’s top group. Now then, I’d like to hear the position of Yuseong Group.]
[Yes. To be honest, I haven’t prepared anything as flashy as my friend over there.]
[Ah, seeing as you’re already playing it down, I’m actually more expectant!]
[Haha, it’s really nothing much. It’s a fact that our Yuseong is lagging slightly behind Cheonhwa, isn’t it? We haven’t traditionally invested much in the tourism industry, either.]
[Ah, then is Yuseong, unfortunately, just…]
[Yes. With Gyeongju as our hub, we will open the artificial artifact business we’ve been preparing to the public. We will unveil artificial artifacts and power suits that allow even ordinary people to defend themselves against Awakened individuals.]
…I almost dropped the food I had just picked up.
[…Excuse me?]
The anchorwoman’s reaction was one of pure bewilderment, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
[Until now, it has been difficult for artificial artifacts to surpass the Legendary-grade. However, this means Yuseong has finally succeeded in creating Legendary-grade artificial artifacts that can be used even by non-Awakened people. And, of course, we plan to let people experience these new-age artifacts in Gyeongju first.]
[For something you called ‘nothing much,’ this is incredible!?]
[Oh, no. Besides that, on a smaller scale, we have exhibitions using various artifacts found in Gyeongju, and redevelopment of the surrounding city is planned. We also intend to revamp lodging facilities without damaging tradition, but it’s true that we still fall short compared to Cheonhwa.]
…The investors must be losing their minds right now.
Land prices and building values are probably skyrocketing as we speak.
[I-I think that’s more than enough, but is there no possibility of accidents or the artifacts being used for crime?]
[Yes. Artifacts available to the public have limiters set so they cannot be used for anything other than self-defense. Furthermore, through a system similar to a sense of ownership, we have a system in place to immediately identify the owner even if an accident occurs. Naturally, they cannot be used by anyone other than the person who originally contracted them, so there’s no need to worry about theft.]
…Honestly, it’s impressive, but looking strictly at the “travel” aspect, Jeju Island still seems to have a slight edge.
I mean, how fun can an artifact experience really be…
[Ah, it’s not quite a full demonstration, but I have a prototype here, so I can give you a brief look.]
The moment my father slotted something into the belt at his waist, his appearance on the screen transformed completely.
With a mechanical clanking sound, armor enveloped his body. Steam hissed out with a psshhh, and the face guard flashed with a brilliant red light.
…To put it bluntly, my father, appearing on the morning news, had just transformed into a Kamen Rider.
[This is a prototype, so the design is a bit crude. However, the finished product you’ll see soon will have much more attention paid to its aesthetics. We also plan to sell child-safe toy versions, so please be sure to visit.]
I see. If you go to Gyeongju, you can change your job to a Kamen Rider.
[Ah, one last thing. This isn’t anything particularly grand, but…]
[What, what else is there!?]
My father smiled at the anchor, who was staring at him with eyes full of anticipation, as he deactivated his Rider mode.
[We also plan to unveil a small theme park built using artificial artifacts.]
[A theme park…?]
[Yes. It’s not that big, but it will likely be the largest theme park ever built in this country.]
…Are these people planning to have all this ready by the end of this month? Have they both gone insane?
[…Hmph. You’ve put quite a bit of thought into this.]
[Shouldn’t I do at least this much to surpass the industry leader, Cheonhwa Group?]
[Surpass?]
[I kept telling you, we’re still behind. So, isn’t it time to overtake you?]
[Interesting.]
[I’ll make it even more interesting. Shall I remind you of our school days?]
The moment the Pegasus wings fluttered and the belt of the Rider suit began to emit light, a “Please Wait” screen appeared, and the broadcast was cut off.
“…Uh, well.”
“Daddy, what exactly is Grandpa saying?”
“So-hyun, this is insane. I knew you were rich, but you’re really, really rich.”
Luna looked puzzled, and Ha-ni was looking at me with a face that said she was completely fed up.
“Luna.”
In this chaotic space, the only thing I could do…
“I think Grandpa is making an amusement park for you to play in.”
“Wow! Really!?”
…was to give Luna at least one piece of positive information.
* * *
The moment I arrived at school, I decided to destroy the world.
“Fine, I get it. I’m going to crush Yuseong and Cheonhwa Group.”
“I understand how you feel, and I want to do the same, but hold back.”
Well, maybe not the whole world, but I was about to put on a mask and burn down those two corporations. However, a fellow victim, eyes dead, began to hold me back, telling me not to do it.
As soon as I entered the school gates, I saw life-size standees of my father and Cheon Mu-jin. Part-timers were handing out pamphlets explaining the redevelopments of Gyeongju and Jeju Island.
“Students~ Please give us a moment of your time~ We’re giving out souvenirs~”
“Participate in our preliminary survey and get a souvenir!”
“Find out about the newly transformed Gyeongju!”
“Jeju Island! Korea’s new travel destination. Watch as Jeju is reborn as the perfect resort, abolishing all old bad habits!”
“Hasn’t everyone dreamed of being a transforming hero or a magical girl at least once since childhood? Now is your chance to make that dream come true!”
“Dreams are more beautiful when they stay as dreams. What students who are already exhausted and worn down by competition need is a comfortable rest, don’t you think!?”
…Shit.
Was this really supposed to get this big?
I don’t think it was. How did it end up like this?
The other kids were shocked in a different way than they were at Cheon Yu-hak’s birthday party. They couldn’t even find an angle for Public Humiliation; they were actually flinching and watching our reactions.
“Wow, but honestly, I want to go to both.”
“…Looking at the news, it seems like they’ve been planning this for a long time. Is it really true that all this happened because of our school trip?”
Yeah, it’s absurd, isn’t it? I find it absurd too, so imagine how you guys must feel.
If you didn’t know us personally, you’d really think these were projects that had been planned for years.
“No, both of them were likely preparing similar businesses in reality. It just happened that this became the catalyst that caused things to overheat.”
“…Overheat? Is ‘overheat’ really the right word for this?”
When I asked Cheon Yu-hak, who was trying his best to shield his father, if he was serious, he actually had enough of a conscience to shut his mouth.
“But now that it’s like this, I’m even more worried. It’s getting harder to choose.”
“Ah, right. I’m starting to waver a bit too.”
“Indeed, even I am having a bit of a dilemma.”
As everyone was talking while crossing the school gate, Ban Gi-san naturally joined the conversation.
“…I thought you stayed with the Elves?”
“Ah, there’s still a lot of work to do over there, but a few decent Farmer Experts have emerged, so I have enough leeway to return home for a bit.”
…I was hoping you’d live there forever.
“Hmm, depending on your travel destination, I have to decide whether to grow fruits suited for Gyeongju or fruits suited for Jeju.”
…Oh, is this guy planning to follow us? That’s a terrible idea.
I honestly thought this insane competition would end at the level of a commotion like Cheon Yu-hak’s birthday party.
I naively believed that, surely, they would know where to draw the line.
Yes, the price for underestimating the “Clash of the Titans” between the two fathers would come to haunt me a little later.