Yucheon Group's Ascent
Over the span of four years, I had secured a solid foundation. Yucheon Group Surpasses 3,000 Trillion Won in Market Cap!Between the Liberin Kingdom and Korea — Which Nation Does Yucheon Group Belong To?World Awakener Association Signs Exclusive Potion Contract with Yucheon Group!Yucheon Group Converters Excel! Energy Yield from Mana Stones Increases by 235%!Yucheon Group Equipment Shines! Awakener Mortality Rate Plummets Over the Past Four Years!
The Yucheon Group appearing in newspapers everywhere was the very corporation run by my subordinates — Baalzebul, Mammon, Leviathan, and the others. The name Yucheon Group naturally came from my previous life's name, Seo Moon-yucheon.
'Three thousand trillion won in market cap, huh.'
Compared to the real-world Apple Group's 3,650 trillion won, it had grown nearly on par. Achieving this in just four years was possible because this world was filled with mana awakeners, and we sold them far more advanced equipment and potions than anyone else. Adding the energy business on top made such a valuation only natural.
'In this world, the military's usefulness has declined because of mana awakeners.'
No matter how many soldiers you fielded, powerful mana awakeners could smash tanks like tofu and even bring down fighter jets. They also possessed the power to wipe out entire groups of enemies in an instant. Most decisively, monsters only took half damage from non-mana attacks, so the existence of mana awakeners had become absolutely essential.
'The military isn't completely useless, but it only serves to support mana awakeners now.'
Yet the presence of mana awakeners wasn't entirely a good thing. While public order was maintained thanks to those affiliated with national institutions, those called villains posed a real threat to civilians. This wasn't a world where children could play outside without worry like in modern Korea.
Selling equipment to mana awakeners was akin to selling tanks, fighter jets, or missiles in the real world. But because monsters could appear anywhere, anyone with an awakener registration and money could purchase mana equipment.
"No matter how much money you have, it's useless without power."
Beyond simply possessing wealth, how you utilized that money mattered. In a world where military strength was everything, having only money made you nothing more than a tempting slab of meat waiting to be devoured.
'It'll still take time to grow further.'
That was why, from four years ago, I had been steadily preparing to expand my influence. Today was another day dedicated to that very task.
In a certain building in Korea, countless people wearing numbered tags on their chests had gathered. Every single one of them was a mana awakener, and the vast majority held Korean nationality. While Yucheon Group primarily recruited from Korea and the Liberin Kingdom, anyone of any nationality could participate here as long as their identity was verified.
'It's finally starting.'
'I have to pass, no matter what.'
The reason everyone had gathered was the same: Yucheon Guild. Those hoping to join Yucheon Guild waited anxiously, wondering whether they would be accepted or rejected. As the guild managed by Yucheon Group, its name made its affiliation obvious. The guild master was Seiton, a reclusive powerhouse from the Liberin Kingdom who had first appeared four years ago. Yet his strength was undeniable, and under his leadership Yucheon Guild had rapidly grown into a massive organization spanning both the Liberin Kingdom and Korea.
Being accepted here guaranteed a bright future as a mana awakener.
"How does it look?"
Seiton, ranked among the top five in the Liberin Kingdom, asked respectfully. His gaze was directed toward a man wearing a dragon mask that concealed his face.
"Quite a few passers this time. Good work, Seiton."
"Thank you, my lord."
The masked man's voice was also altered, making it impossible to determine his age. The Korean awakeners gathered here all looked visibly tense.
'Ugh, I'm so nervous.'
The identity of this unknown man whom even the notoriously hot-tempered and violent Seiton treated with such deference had remained a mystery since four years ago. The fact that even Leviathan, the famous artifact craftsman, pledged loyalty to him had led to speculation that he might be the true owner of Yucheon Group.
'If he's the real master of a conglomerate worth over three thousand trillion won, he must have something beyond just capital.'
'Is he really the true owner?'
No one present voiced these thoughts aloud. Those who had asked such questions over the past four years had received no answers, a fact well-known enough to appear on the internet. The masked man simply never responded to pointless inquiries.
'Today's my chance.'
Among the participants was Choi Jae-hoon, a Korean boy. Though only seventeen this year and still a minor, he stood among the crowd, staring nervously at the dragon-masked man. Several even younger minors were present as well. Even if they passed, they wouldn't be able to take on active duties immediately. Legally, minors couldn't enter dungeons without a guardian's permission. However, the power of mana awakeners was dangerous if left unchecked. That was why all registered awakeners had to undergo practical training against weak monsters every three months from the moment they registered. The government recorded their basic information while simultaneously ensuring they didn't fear monsters — killing two birds with one stone.
Those who proved their potential this way were often scouted early by guilds and registered as future assets. It was an investment in the future: nurturing talented children and turning them into core guild members.
'If I can join Yucheon Guild… my life will change.'
Choi Jae-hoon knew the benefits Yucheon Guild offered. Everyone here had come for those very benefits. The test itself was simple — the dragon-masked man merely glanced at each candidate before making his decision. Even failure carried no penalty.
'Insurance for illness and injury, monthly living expenses, and additional compensation for work-related injuries.'
Most importantly, they provided three million won every month as living expenses! However, if you transferred to another guild, you had to repay ten times the amount you had received. Once you became an adult, you would be registered as a full guild member, undergo training, and then work as an official member. In addition to the living stipend, accepted minors received room and board plus a training environment.
'Three million won a month, plus room and board and training. I have to pass.'
This wasn't limited to minors. Full guild members received a base salary of three million won per month, with pay increasing significantly as their rank rose. Equipment was also provided on loan, and Yucheon Guild's gear was renowned for its quality. It was common knowledge that the World Awakener Association had tried and failed to secure an exclusive contract for Yucheon Group's equipment, just as they had with potions. Thanks to their equipment, awakener mortality rates had dropped sharply over four years, and overall awakener quality had risen across the board. As a result, the saying "If you want proper high-end gear, use Yucheon Group's" had become common sense. As a Yucheon Guild member, you could rent and use that equipment as standard issue!
"Then it's time for the announcement."
The moment had come for the dragon-masked man to separate the successful candidates.
"Here is the list of those who passed. Out of 120 applicants, 32 made it."
The dragon-masked man declared the number and projected the list as a floating hologram, enlarging it so everyone could see. Barely more than a quarter had passed. Choi Jae-hoon scanned the list, praying his name was among them.
"I… I did it!"
Seeing his number — 47 — on the list, Choi Jae-hoon barely suppressed the urge to jump for joy. Relief and happiness flooded through him.
'I made it! My life is going to change now!'
A great hope bloomed in his heart.
'Choi Jae-hoon.'
I had already received the list in advance, but seeing it in person stirred a strange feeling. Choi Jae-hoon. He was someone I knew.
'I never expected to see him here.'
A supporting character who had been in the same year as Seo Moon-hyun in the original story. That was all the information I had about Choi Jae-hoon.