Yucheon Group's Heir
Chapter 8 {Yucheon Group} 2 {Yucheon Group}
"The talents have all passed." Not just Choi Jae-hoon, but all thirty-two people I had selected possessed the potential for talent. Four years ago, after gaining my power, I had developed the ability to discern latent capabilities at a single glance. Those who didn't know I possessed this skill had protested heavily at first. Even at fifteen, wearing a mask made it obvious, so I disguised myself as an adult with illusion magic and altered my voice, yet the reactions remained the same. From their perspective, passing meant a chance to change their lives, so they struggled to accept rejection. However, whether they accepted it or not, my decision never changed, and no amount of stubbornness from those I rejected would alter it.
"Damn it."
"Rejection, seriously…"
The results had been clear enough over the past four years. Those who refused to accept rejection and caused trouble were met with lawsuits for obstruction of business, so no one dared to act out anymore. Especially Seiton… my subordinate, the demon of wrath, Satan. Known as Seiton, he remained calm under my strict orders, though his boiling point was quite low. He controlled his anger well in front of me, his lord, but anyone else who provoked him witnessed his rampaging side, earning him the nickname "Rampant King."
[How dare you show attitude in front of me!]
The title "Rampant King" stuck more than "Tyrant" because of his usual demeanor—he appeared normal until anger struck, at which point he turned violent. I hadn't given him that nickname; the world had attached it on its own, and since it suited him, I saw no need to change it.
"Those who passed may start work tomorrow. Seiton, I'll leave the rest to you as usual."
"Yes!"
After entrusting the follow-up to Satan, I left the venue. Though I felt a slight interest in Choi Jae-hoon as an original supporting character, I had no intention of doing anything special for him. "I'll just provide support if he struggles to make a living." Even if Choi Jae-hoon worked hard and grew stronger than in the original story, the difference wouldn't be extreme. I could make it happen if I invested seriously, but since I hadn't overly empowered Seo Moon-min-hye for the sake of the original plot, there was no reason to extend such favor to a male supporting character. "It's not like I owe him anything, so there's no need to be kind."
The elderly couple I had been indebted to since age five were mere extras who appeared briefly in the original story, yet they had shown me kindness despite their own modest means when I was cast out at five with nothing. In return, I made them wealthy and, four years ago when I gained my power, granted them health. "Those grandparents were still healthy when I saw them recently." They enjoyed longevity without illness. Now over seventy, their bodies remained at the level of people in their forties or fifties. I had also placed protective spells on them to prevent any accidents. That was enough to repay their kindness. I never forgot debts of gratitude any more than I forgot grudges. "Though the memories are too vivid for my own good."
The pain from when I was five still felt fresh. Thinking of being expelled from the Seo family, exploited, and suffering made my teeth grind even fourteen years later, as if it had happened yesterday. At the same time, the elderly couple's kindness remained just as vivid. "In a way, it could be considered a side effect." Being unable to forget either gratitude or grudges was arguably a downside of this immense power. But compared to obtaining such overwhelming strength, it was a trivial matter. The lofty status of the Yucheon Group had now become my solid foundation.
- My lord!
After finishing the interviews, I bought a drink from a vending machine and was enjoying some alone time when I received a message from Leviathan. Hearing her voice in my head, I sent one back. The distance between Korea and the middle of the Pacific posed no issue at all.
- What's going on?
If she was contacting me separately, something important must have happened.
- The Liberin royal family has invited me separately as the president of Yucheon Artifact, the division of Yucheon Group that manufactures weapons and potions for Awakeners.
Yucheon Group was no ordinary company. Founded by several unidentified experts who suddenly appeared, it had a structure where most shares were divided among disguised identities: Baalzebul as Bae Jae-young, Mammon as Ma Mo-hyun, and Leviathan as Levi. Baalzebul held an abnormally large 40%, while Mammon and Leviathan each held over 20%, on the level of major corporate chairmen. The fact that the Liberin royal family had invited Leviathan separately was obvious.
- Unlike Baalzebul and Mammon, who hold Korean nationality, you have Liberin Kingdom nationality, so they probably want to build a deeper relationship with Yucheon Group through you, right?
- Yes, I think so too. Since I've devoted myself to earning your recognition, Lord, my achievements must be drawing attention from others as well. Hehe.
Leviathan's jealousy toward Baalzebul's accomplishments remained unchanged even after four years, and she still wanted to prove she was the more useful one. Thanks to that mindset, she had managed to work without conflict with the others so far.
- Good work.
- Ah, to receive such praise from my lord! This Leviathan is so happy!
- Yeah.
If I didn't have the passive skill Stable Composure, I might have been flustered by Leviathan's almost fanatical demeanor, which never grew familiar no matter how many years passed. Before synchronization, I had selected numerous passive skills in addition to active ones, and I could use or receive their effects in reality. That was why I could always maintain a calm appearance unless I intended otherwise.
- My lord, what do you think about participating as well?
- Me too?
- Yes. If you accept the invitation with me and announce there that you are the next heir of Yucheon Group… wouldn't that help when you enter the academy?
Leviathan's words made sense. But she was overlooking something.
- If it becomes known that Seo Moon-jin, expelled from the Seo family, is the next heir of Yucheon Group, it would reduce the effect once I enter the academy. Seo Moon-hyun must not recognize my existence until he enrolls in the academy. The Seo family, except for Seo Moon-min-hye, must not know either, and Seo Moon-min-hye is keeping the secret as well.
- If my identity is revealed, the Seo family will definitely try to pull me back into their fold. Seo Moon-kang-hyuk is that kind of man. He expelled his own five-year-old son for lacking magic talent, but if he sees that expelled son as useful, he'll use the father-son relationship to exert influence over Yucheon Group.
All plans began when Seo Moon-hyun enrolled in the National Hero Academy, the main stage of Academy Hero Chronicles, known overseas simply as Korean Hero Academy.
- To drag Seo Moon-hyun down from his happiness after he enrolls in the academy with his abilities and rises to success, it must not be known that I am the Seo Moon-jin who was expelled from the Seo family.
At my words, Leviathan spoke.
- My lord, what if you hide your appearance?
- Don't reveal my appearance?
- Yes. The name Seo Moon-jin, registered as the heir, will eventually need to be made public considering social issues, but we can keep the appearance secret. If you wear a hood, cover your face with a mask, and cast recognition interference magic, you can hide your looks.
- It's possible. Since the Seo family doesn't know I have power, they won't connect the five-year-old Seo Moon-jin they expelled with the heir Seo Moon-jin of Yucheon Group.
- Yes, exactly. They'll just think it's someone with the same name. But if the surname is Seo, there's a high chance the Seo family might contact you suspecting a connection. In that case, we can clearly draw the line that you're not from the Seo family and warn them under the name of Yucheon Group that such behavior would be considered an insult.
- The way you're saying all this makes it seem like you really want me to participate?
From how desperately she was trying to persuade me, Leviathan clearly wanted to attend the event together. The sight of her wanting to boast about her achievements right in front of her lord and receive his favor felt almost childlike. Still, it was hard to refuse when she wanted it this badly.
- Fine. I'll participate. Is the princess attending as well?
- Yes! Princess Arian is also participating.
Leviathan's voice was filled with joy now that I had decided to join. But right now, rather than dwelling on that, my thoughts turned to Arian Liberin, the princess of the Liberin Kingdom.
- I see. So that's how it is.
Arian Liberin. I would soon see her, one of the heroines from Academy Hero Chronicles, up close. And through this meeting, it might be good to plant the seeds that would one day drive a wedge between her and Seo Moon-hyun.