So, What Now?
Santa Monica, near a five-star hotel.
The bed in the penthouse suite—boasting a staggering ten thousand dollars a night—was incredibly plush. Did all top-tier rooms in luxury hotels come with beds of this quality?
I should get one this good for my own place later.
I made that mental note as I lounged diagonally across the bed, listening to David Kim's report. It had been a few days since his last visit.
"We've completed the transfer to Korea as you requested, as quickly as possible. We minimized taxes within fully legal bounds, and…"
"I'll review the details in the written report. The point is, we paid less than what was originally due, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Good enough."
I waved him off—my signal to leave.
But even after my dismissal, David Kim didn't budge. Instead, I could hear him quietly swallowing hard. His heart had been pounding since he walked in, and it seemed my persistent persuasion over the past few days had finally taken hold.
Has he finally made up his mind? A bit indecisive, though.
I glanced up at him with a bored expression.
Honestly, my offer wasn't bad at all—it came with serious perks—and yet he'd mulled it over for days. Wasn't he a little too timid?
David Kim: deduct ten points.
Still, I could cut him some slack.
Maybe he's just lacking in confidence. For his line of work, overconfidence could be a problem anyway.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, David Kim slowly spoke up.
"About the proposal from before."
"The executive secretary position?"
"Yes, that…"
He glanced at me hesitantly, then continued.
"I'm grateful for the offer, but I'm sorry—I have to decline."
"…Hmm. What's the issue?"
I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled.
Why turn this down?
David gave an awkward smile.
"I'm an asset manager. I can handle anything money-related, but I can't take on a secretary's role."
Ah, not his expertise, then.
Since he'd described his job as a private banker managing the wealthy—like the head butlers overseeing noble houses in that other world—I'd assumed it fit. Guess not.
My bad for jumping to conclusions. I nodded readily, and David hurriedly added,
"However, if you're looking to hire someone in asset management, I'd be happy to leave Goldman Sachs for that. Even if not, I'll do my utmost as your PB to manage your assets."
"Hmm."
Asset management. Money was secondary for me right now. What I needed was a secretary to make life easier.
I pondered briefly, then hit on a good idea.
"How about this."
"How…?"
"I'll hire you. We'll set up a company for investments, and you can be the CEO. All my asset management will go through it."
At the mention of running a company managing 27 trillion won, the thump of David Kim's heartbeat swelled like it was right in my ear. Tch, why did I have to hear a forty-year-old man's heart racing?
"Salary three times what you make at Goldman Sachs. Generous incentives too. In exchange, you'll be my secretary for the time being."
"That’s…"
"Just for a while. During that time, find someone to take over as my executive secretary. Find them quick, and you'll be free of the hassle sooner."
David swallowed again.
I checked his face, then stood up. As I headed for the door without waiting for a reply, he panicked.
"I-I haven't accepted yet."
I chuckled.
"Feels like you already have. Or am I wrong?"
"…"
"Looking forward to working with you."
As I left the hotel, I sorted out my thoughts.
David Kim should suffice for now.
Truth be told, a secretary was essential.
In that other world, living as the Lord God's proxy, I always had someone handling the paperwork and daily needs. I was used to being taken care of.
After years like that, my self-sufficiency was in ruins—beyond repair. I absolutely needed someone to manage my life.
Sure, I could learn it all step by step, but why bother when money was no object?
"Hmm."
I sank into the plush lobby sofa, sipping a lime Zero Popsi, and mulled things over.
So, what now.
Not just for the moment, but for life ahead.
Thinking about how to spend the rest of my days drained the energy right out of me. I slumped into the sofa like melted cheese and sighed.
Money's overflowing. Even if I blew through it wildly for life, I'd never dent it.
They say you spend wisely once you've known poverty—old orphan habits die hard. I wasn't great at splurging or waste.
Not that I was a miser pinching pennies, but 27 trillion won wouldn't vanish easily. Same for anyone normal, really.
With that much, no need to work.
27 trillion won. A thirteen-digit fortune.
Stick it in the bank, and interest alone would outpace my spending. No reason to labor for more.
So, spend eternity leisurely burning cash like a shut-in NEET?
"…No way in hell."
-Crunch!
I gritted my teeth.
The Lord God sending me back willingly, rewarding my seven years of devotion with 27 trillion—it was all beyond what I'd expected. I hadn't planned for any of it when fighting to return.
But.
I didn't come back to be some worthless freeloader.
Not to idle away as a rich bum. Better to stay there if that was the goal.
At least life had intensity then.
Me, of all people, falling that low? No.
Savior of that world. Proxy of the Lord God.
Hero.
I wouldn't degenerate like that.
If so…
Better off dead.
But.
No matter how I racked my brain, nothing came to mind.
I unclenched my fist, staring at the veins bulging on the back of my hand. Energy ebbed away again.
"Hoo."
I sighed, slurping the last of my Zero Popsi through the straw, then stood.
I'd think hard during this vacation.
If no conclusion came…
I smiled bitterly.
Inevitable fate.
After that, I partied like mad for about two weeks.
Cruised California's hotspots for sightseeing, hit a theme park on a whim, shopped at department stores to get a taste for spending.
But none of it was fun.
Nothing sparked joy or interest. My body moved, but my mind hung like sodden cotton. Basically just pretending to have fun.
…Gambling was the least boring, maybe.
Visited a famous casino, played some cards. Gambling was more tolerable than expected.
Not thrilling, though. With my senses piercing poker faces and reading opponents' hands, where's the challenge?
Lost interest after winning two million dollars.
"Sigh."
A sigh escaped naturally.
The reason was obvious: my head brimmed with "what now," overflowing, leaving no room for anything else. Until I exorcised that thought, I was a brain-dead zombie shambling through motions.
Thus I wandered aimlessly.
-Beep-boing!
A flashing sign caught my eye.
[THE V-BOX]
"…V-Box?"
No clue from the name, but I felt an odd pull. Like someone calling me there.
I asked my bodyguard.
"It's a virtual reality retro game center."
"VR game center?"
"Yes. They remake old games in VR. Pretty famous here in California. You haven't heard of it?"
Well, I'm not local.
"Hmm."
I licked my lips.
VR had been around forever, but I'd never tried it. An orphan scraping by had no bandwidth for pricey hobbies.
I've watched VR game streams, though.
Too expensive to try myself.
But now I've got money.
So.
Why not give it a shot.
If nothing else amuses, try something new. Mesmerized, I entered the arcade.
The interior screamed retro: warm red brick walls contrasting garish neon signs, evoking time travel to the past.
Beneath them, countless VR machines.
Round capsule pods lined up like something from an old sci-fi flick.
"…Let's do this."
I picked an empty one nearby.
The slightly worn seat cradled my back softly; a helmet enveloped my head.
Next instant, I stood in a bustling lobby amid crowds. Giant arcade cabinets loomed—portals to games, apparently.
"Tech's advanced so much…"
To render VR this realistic.
I tested my limbs slowly.
Movements felt natural.
No—beyond natural…
…It's syncing perfectly with my senses.
In that moment.
Thoughts flashed through my mind.
Senses sharper and keener than anyone's. VR. Near-perfect synchronization. Superhuman bodies in games. Unmatched performance no one else could achieve.
And.
-Gulp.
This needed confirming.
I bolted to a massive nearby cabinet.
[Assault Gear]
No idea what game, didn't matter.
As long as I could do it.
Slammed the huge start button.
Vision shifted instantly: asteroid-filled space unfolded. Scanning quickly, I was aboard a bee-like spaceship.
Controls popped up. I scrolled through, absorbed it in seconds, skipped tutorial, dove in.
The ship accelerated per my will, my senses. Asteroids whipped by.
I can do this.
Accelerated harder.
Asteroids blurred past at insane speeds. One slip, and full-speed collision—game over.
But.
I can!
I dodged them all.
Sensing every obstacle, piloting like aerial acrobatics, threading the needle.
I was certain.
I can do it!
Virtual reality.
Here, like in that world.
I could reach the pinnacle.