Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The 300 Million Won Wish
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Kim Sung-hoon’s stress had dropped significantly, but not enough to use the item.
I informed the members of Kim Sung-hoon's group about his situation, and they all dropped everything to gather immediately.
Kim Sung-hoon resented me for it, but it couldn’t be helped.
Setting my own goals aside, if his panic disorder worsened, it could lead to the worst-case scenario.
A small farce unfolded at the old, crowded restaurant.
“We were being selfish. I’m sorry, Sung-hoon. We’re going to officially withdraw from the group and terminate our contracts tomorrow.”
“Jin-hyung hyung! What are you talking about! You earned money for me and Jin-woo when we were struggling. Now it’s my turn! Why are you making me the bad guy!”
“That’s why you should stop worrying about us and get treatment! It’s okay if you quit, just take a break and live like a human being! What is this!”
“He’s right, Sung-hoon. Your hyungs might not be as successful as you, but we’re not that desperate.”
The surrounding patrons couldn’t bring themselves to leave, eavesdropping on their curious conversation.
“Just try and quit! You want me to die, for real?”
It was time for me to offer a compromise.
“Everyone around has already heard you. There’s a high chance an article will come out tomorrow. Please don’t leave the group. Instead, convince Kim Sung-hoon hyung to rest and get treatment with a clear mind.”
* * *
The next day.
I drafted an article based on yesterday’s events and sought the company’s approval.
“Until now, not much of artist Kim Sung-hoon’s human side has been revealed. That was his selling point, but given the circumstances, how about we emphasize his more personal side?”
“What kind of bullshit is this!”
Team Leader Lee, who was in charge of Kim Sung-hoon, shouted.
“Do you want to get fired?”
“Ahem… jeez.”
At Manager Ji's subtle warning, Team Leader Lee hung his head low and shook it.
“…What are we going to do if we just expose everything?”
While the CEO and the Director remained silent, Manager Ji spoke with a grim face.
The company’s cash flow could be cut off.
“His symptoms were more severe than I thought. He almost went into shock from hyperventilation…”
As I spoke, the image of the foul-smelling sock in the plastic bag popped into my head, and I had to catch my breath.
“…I barely managed to calm him down.”
“It was that bad?”
“Yes.”
The CEO, who had been reading the draft that painted yesterday’s events in a warm light, finally spoke.
“Alright. Let’s do it that way.”
“CEO!”
“Will you just be quiet?”
When CEO Park Jae-yong added his piece, Team Leader Lee leaned back in his chair, looking defeated.
“Once Answer’s show airs next week, work will start flooding in for them, so it should be fine. People’s well-being comes first, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ll speak with the Dope Scale hyungs and proceed immediately.”
The planning office filled with sighs.
After informing the Dope Scale members and Sung-hoon hyung, I contacted reporter Shin Dong-min.
“Wow… this is bad news, but also heartwarming. Thank you for the exclusive. I’ll polish it up nicely…”
“No, reporter-nim. I think being sincere is for the best. I’d appreciate it if you don’t stray too far from the draft.”
“I understand completely. I’ll look for some of his past good deeds and add those in.”
“Yes. Thank you, I’ll be counting on you.”
Though reporter Shin spoke with a tone of regret, I could hear the excitement in his voice over getting an exclusive on a top star like Kim Sung-hoon.
“Oh, by the way! You mentioned you were looking for a talented writer last time, right?”
“Yes.”
I recalled asking reporter Shin Dong-min for help with Director Lee Joo-won and CP Kim Soo-yeon’s problem.
“It’s not certain yet, so I didn’t mention it, but there’s a writer who’s rumored to be on bad terms with their PD. I’ll look into it more thoroughly and let you know.”
“Thank you, reporter Shin Dong-min.”
“Oh, no, thank you! You gave me an exclusive. When is Answer’s broadcast airing? I’ll have a beautifully written article ready and waiting. Hahaha!”
I was struck once again by the thought that I had made a truly valuable connection through a chance encounter.
“Min-jun. Are you sure this was the right thing to do?”
“It’s all out in the open now, so just let it go and focus on healing. You’ve suffered for over ten years.”
I bowed deeply to Sung-hoon hyung.
When I lifted my head, Kim Sung-hoon was crying.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, you punk! You bowing made me tear up!”
[Kim Sung-hoon’s stress has decreased by 100.]
His tears made me feel a pang of sympathy. I could feel the exhaustion of a man who had been fighting a long, invisible battle with himself.
A mentality that had been worn down by pushing himself when he felt like collapsing. The anxiety and panic disorder that followed.
Lunchtime.
The news of Kim Sung-hoon’s severe panic disorder began to spread online, and reporter Shin Dong-min released his exclusive article as if he had been waiting for the signal.
-Exclusive Scoop. Kim Sung-hoon on the verge of halting activities due to panic disorder!
-Popular star Kim Sung-hoon, both a singer and an actor, is reportedly showing severe symptoms of panic disorder and anxiety. According to sources…
The content didn’t deviate much from the draft I had provided, emphasizing the heartwarming story of Dope Scale from their past to the present.
-I was worried because he always seemed to be breaking out in a cold sweat when he sang. I guess it was panic disorder.
-Panic disorder, my ass. Everyone and their mother has it these days.
-The viral marketing is insane. Pathetic.
↳ Are you crazy? Why would a top star like Kim Sung-hoon use a mental illness for viral marketing? Think before you speak.
↳ Everything is viral marketing to you, huh? Have you ever had a job?
↳ It could be viral marketing. Kim Sung-hoon and the boys.
-Wow, can’t believe people suspect this is viral marketing.
-I’ve had panic disorder, and you really can’t breathe.
↳ I almost died in my sleep because I stopped breathing.
-That’s right. Panic disorder is a serious illness. My husband felt something like a heart attack and went to the ER in the middle of the night, but they said there was nothing wrong. He said he felt so awkward on the way out.
-Wow, I thought Kim Sung-hoon was a total asshole, but he’s a loyal guy.
↳ Didn’t the other members support him when he was struggling?
↳ So just because of that past, this should be taken for granted?
↳ Exactly. I think it’s amazing.
-Wow, so he just donated half the money he earned to his members? He’s an angel.
↳ At this point, the members have no conscience.
↳ That’s not it. When Kim Sung-hoon was struggling, the other members helped him out.
-He’s loyal. I see him in a new light.
-I’m cheering for him starting today! Hope you recover from your panic disorder soon!
Most of the comments on the article were favorable.
I showed him the comments.
“Hey, I don’t read comments.”
“It’s okay to look this time.”
He gulped and cautiously shifted his gaze. I could see his flushed face gradually calming down.
[Kim Sung-hoon’s stress has decreased by 50.]
[Kim Sung-hoon’s stress has increased by 10.]
[Kim Sung-hoon’s stress has decreased by 80.]
⋮
“Yes. This is JD Enter.”
-…
“Ah… a casting offer? For all of Dope Scale?”
Contrary to everyone’s worries, my prediction was spot on.
Casting offers from various variety shows and programs flooded in, all wanting to be the first to feature the heartwarming story of Kim Sung-hoon and Dope Scale.
“A natural winner is a natural winner, I guess…”
Manager Ji said to me, looking dumbfounded.
Because any plan that seemed impossible would become a success the moment I touched it.
If I am the only one here with a status window, then just as he said, I will continue to soar above others.
Kim Sung-hoon’s stress level plummeted, and finally, I was able to use the Zero Stress item.
[Kim Sung-hoon’s stress has been reset.]
[Kim Sung-hoon’s panic disorder has been cured.]
[Quest ‘JD Enter’s Cash Cow 2’ objective achieved.]
[Your trust level with Kim Sung-hoon has reached its peak.]
[You have been awarded 3pt as a reward.]
Just points? Why didn’t I get the 300 million won?
With his stress gone, Kim Sung-hoon’s energy seemed to be running wild.
“Hey! Everyone from the company, gather ‘round! It’s my treat tonight!”
“You seem to have gotten better all of a sudden, don’t you?”
The Director remarked, looking at the overly energetic Kim Sung-hoon with curiosity.
“Huh? You think so? That’s weird, huh?”
At the Director’s words, Kim Sung-hoon took stock of his own condition, looking puzzled.
“Ah, whatever! I’m in a great mood today. Let’s have a company dinner, huh?”
“The kids will gain weight.”
“Aww, noona… Then I’ll treat everyone to sashimi! Sashimi won’t make you gain weight!”
“Woooah!”
The office staff cheered.
If this were a regular company, news of a sudden company dinner would be met with complaints and a somber mood as people schemed to get out of it, but this place was different.
The staff here was thirsty for a high-end company dinner.
“Yeah! A company dinner sounds great!”
Even CEO Park Jae-yong clapped his hands, welcoming the idea.
“Director Lee, Sung-hoon wants to let loose a little. If he relieves stress like this, his mental illness…”
“Pa. Nic. Dis. Or. Der.”
“Ah, sorry. Panic disorder. Why are you so sensitive? Team Leader Min, tell the kids.”
“Yes. Should we set the location for near the company?”
“Yep. Tell them I’m laying out a huge spread of assorted sashimi.”
* * *
“Kim Sung-hoon seonbae-nim, thank you for the meal!”
Answer, Choi Yoo-jun, and Lee Yoo-ah, who had just returned from their schedules, were all gathered at the same table.
“Hey! Yoo-ah and Answer, the ones who will follow in Dope Scale’s footsteps! Eat a lot and get even prettier, okay? Alright, everyone. Raise your glasses!”
Fueled by Kim Sung-hoon’s high spirits, everyone at the gathering cheerfully raised their glasses.
“To the future of Dope Scale and all of JD Enter’s artists! To love! To work! Missile!”
“Missile!”
The teenage trainees giggled, finding the adults’ toast amusing.
“This kid is driving me crazy.”
Manager Ji said with a face full of delight.
“Hey, Sung-hoon. But why are you suddenly like this?”
“Like what? I always treat people well.”
Kim Sung-hoon replied to CEO Park Jae-yong’s question as if to say, ‘don’t underestimate me.’
“Not that. You were saying you couldn’t even breathe until yesterday. But looking at you now, you seem like someone who doesn’t have panic disorder at all.”
“Ah, it’s really strange for me too. Until yesterday, I felt so hopeless, like I was going to die. But after I decided to get treatment, the article came out, and as soon as I saw the comments, my mood just suddenly went *whoosh* and got better.”
Kim Sung-hoon pointed at me and said.
“No matter how I look at it, I think Min-jun and I are just a good match.”
Kim Sung-hoon wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
This was my chance.
“Hyung. Do you remember your promise from yesterday?”
“Huh? Did we make a promise?”
“You said you’d grant my wish if I cured your panic disorder.”
The eyes of all of JD Enter’s top executives focused on us.
“Did I? I don’t know if my panic disorder is cured or not, though.”
I shot him a bitter smile.
“Ah, ah, I get it… So, how much will it take?”
“Hahaha.”
The joyful atmosphere and the bit of alcohol they’d had made everyone’s laughter come easily, even at a silly joke.
I remembered the ‘300 million?’ that had appeared in the system.
The setting was a bit daunting, but I instinctively felt that now was the time.
“300 million won.”
“What?”
“Hahaha.”
People started laughing again, thinking it was a joke.
“I’m not just asking for it. Please lend me 300 million. I’ll pay you back within the year.”
“What?”
“I’ll even write you an IOU.”
“He’s serious…”
While everyone else was enjoying themselves, a silence fell over our table.
“Team Leader Min. Are you in some kind of trouble?”
The Director asked, her face filled with genuine concern.
If I told them it was for stock investments, they would surely laugh at me. My credibility would plummet.
[Trait ‘Charisma Lv2’ activated.]
An aura extended from my body, enveloping our table.
“I want to make more advanced music. I’ve been selling sources and songs on SoundCloud.”
I opened the email on my phone and showed them the requests I was receiving as the sound maker, Beat Room.
They were emails confirming the sale of sources and requesting songs with various concepts.
“…He was serious.”
“Yes. To make better songs, I need equipment. I can’t just use the company’s equipment like it’s my own.”
The Director’s eyebrows shot up as she looked at CEO Park Jae-yong.
“…What? Why? No! What do you mean 300 million for equipment… yes, that’s right! 300 million is right! The quality of the song is everything, how can we skimp on that?”
CEO Park Jae-yong said, as if he too had been holding back for as long as he could.
“Who said anything? I didn’t say a word.”
“Uh… you didn’t? Am I being stupid?”
CEO Park Jae-yong, who had gathered all his fighting spirit, instantly deflated.
“Hey, Team Leader Min. Still. You should have talked about something like that privately.”
“The CEO is right, Team Leader Min. You did a good job, but this isn’t the place to say that. You’re putting Sung-hoon in an awkward position.”
CEO Park Jae-yong and Manager Ji seemed to be chiding me for the same, yet different, things, but…
“I’m sorry.”
*Ding-dong*
-100,000,000 won has been deposited by Kim Sung-hoon.
-100,000,000 won has been deposited by Kim Sung-hoon.
-100,000,000 won has been deposited by Kim Sung-hoon.
-10,000,000 won has been deposited by Kim Sung-hoon.
In an instant, 310 million won entered my bank account.
I never gave him my account number.
“I asked for your salary account when you became a team leader. I was going to get you a gift.”
“…Ah.”
Even though I was the one who asked for the money, I was so surprised that I couldn’t even say thank you.
“I’m investing in your talent, and yes, I’m also lending it to you. You don’t have to pay it back this year, but make sure you pay back the 300 million.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing him give away such a large sum of money so casually stirred an indescribable sense of gratitude within me.
With this money, I could gather as much of SJ Enter’s stock as possible when it went public in a few months, led by Fire Emblem.
This meant I had just been given the opportunity to make tens of billions of won within the year.