A Father's Sweet Revenge

"MBS?" Kim Tae-san tilted his head in confusion.

Once before, solely to tease Tae-hyun, he had gone on a gaming broadcast. Since it was his in-game character appearing on screen rather than his actual face, he had felt less resistant to the idea. Back then, the station he chose was SBC. Kim Tae-san had absolutely no connection to MBS.

"What business does MBS have with me? No, more importantly, how did you get my number? Did Tae-hyun give it to you?"

"Ah, well... I got it from Bae Mi-na."

Bae Mi-na. She was Bae Jang-wook's younger sister and a PD at SBC. Back when Tae-hyun was first taking the gaming world by storm, she was the quick-witted producer who had recruited Kim Tae-san after seeing his potential!

"Hmm? Are you two close?"

"She is my younger sister."

"Hmph. I don't particularly care for PD Bae Mi-na."

"?!"

Kim Tae-san genuinely disliked PD Bae Mi-na. He had only gone on that broadcast to embarrass Tae-hyun. Yet, PD Bae Mi-na had framed the entire show around a heartwarming father-son concept. Thanks to her editing, Kim Tae-san had walked away with the public image of a doting, boastful father who couldn't stop bragging about his son!

The reaction of the viewers who watched the broadcast had been exactly as she intended.

To anyone else, the two of them couldn't help but look like an incredibly close father and son!

Regardless, the broadcast's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reception had been stellar. The ratings were among the highest for any gaming program SBC had ever run. Naturally, Bae Mi-na had desperately wanted to keep the show going, but...

—Why on earth would I do something that benefits that brat Tae-hyun! No way!

—We, we can raise your appearance fee...

—Don't need it!

To Kim Tae-san, money meant absolutely nothing. He was the ultimate opponent, completely immune to any form of financial persuasion! In the end, Bae Mi-na had no choice but to give up with tears in her eyes.

And now, Bae Jang-wook had barely managed to convince his sister to hand over Kim Tae-san's number. His goal was simple: to persuade Tae-hyun!

To conquer the fortress that was Kim Tae-hyun, one had to conquer the moat surrounding it first. That was Bae Jang-wook's strategy. But to think Tae-san had complaints about PD Bae Mi-na right from the start. Cold sweat began to bead on Jang-wook's back. Why?

"M-May I ask why? Did my sister do something rude..."

"It's not that. She made that brat Tae-hyun look far too sweet and wholesome."

"..."

For a moment, Bae Jang-wook thought Kim Tae-san was joking. Even if Bae Jang-wook had produced that show, he would have taken the exact same direction as Bae Mi-na. That was how well-made the broadcast was!

The "bickering on the outside but actually a close family" trope was a highly effective character dynamic that always drew viewers in.

"Ah, I-I see."

Bae Jang-wook composed his flustered mind. For now, he had to agree with Kim Tae-san.

"So, what business do you have that made you track down my number?"

"Well..."

Bae Jang-wook trailed off. Originally, he had planned to have a pleasant chat with Kim Tae-san first, then naturally transition to the topic of Tae-hyun. He wanted to use Kim Tae-san's help to persuade his son. But looking at the atmosphere now, it didn't seem like Kim Tae-san would be very cooperative.

I never imagined Mi-na would be the reason I wouldn't get cooperation!

"What is it? Why are you trailing off? I don't like people who beat around the bush."

Ah, whatever.

Bae Jang-wook threw caution to the wind and spoke up. If he couldn't get help, at least he shouldn't draw Kim Tae-san's wrath. Let's explain what happened as politely and respectfully as possible!

"...And that is why I contacted you."

Hearing Bae Jang-wook's explanation, Kim Tae-san paused.

"So, you want to put Tae-hyun on a broadcast. Not as his game character, but with his real face?"

"Yes. Since Mr. Kim Tae-hyun doesn't seem to have much interest in such things, I wanted to get his family's persuasion and help. But if you don't feel up to it, Mr. Kim Tae-san, you don't have to help..."

"Whaddya mean by that?!"

"?!"

Kim Tae-san's reaction was so fiery his pronunciation slipped!

"Of course I'll help! Let's meet right this instant!"

"?!?!"

Bae Jang-wook was still dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Kim Tae-san to be this enthusiastic.

"Now, sit. Coffee?"

"Ah, thank you."

Entering Kim Tae-san's study, Bae Jang-wook looked around nervously. He already knew from dealing with Tae-hyun, but this family was incredibly wealthy. To own such a massive mansion in Seoul... He now fully understood why Bae Mi-na had failed.

To someone like this, appearance fees would just be pocket change for a hobby...

"How is the coffee? I made it myself."

"It's delicious! It has a completely different, luxurious taste compared to what I usually drink..."

"It's instant, though..."

"..."

Kim Tae-san looked at Bae Jang-wook with a look of pity.

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a look that clearly said, What on earth do you usually drink?

Bae Jang-wook's face flushed red. A massive mansion that looked like something out of a drama, a study with a heavy, dignified atmosphere... When served coffee in a luxurious cup in a place like this, anyone would naturally assume it was some high-end brew!

"It seems the broadcasting station treats its people quite harshly. If you like this kind of coffee, I can brew you another cup."

Although working at a broadcasting station was tough, Bae Jang-wook wasn't in a position where he couldn't even get instant coffee.

"Well... I thought it was drip coffee..."

"I don't know how to make that."

"O-Oh, there are game capsules over there! Two of them. Do you play together, father and son?"

Bae Jang-wook quickly changed the subject.

"I bought those so my wife and I could play together."

"Ah, I see. It must be fun to play together."

"Well... we don't actually play together."

"...?"

"I'm a bit embarrassed to show my guild members to her... and if she logs in..."

Kim Tae-san trailed off. He didn't want to show Yoon-hee how he went around destroying other people's fortresses with a bunch of Orc uncles!

"Ahem, anyway, the important thing right now is that brat Tae-hyun, isn't it?"

"Yes. That's right."

"That brat Tae-hyun will definitely hate it if we tell him to go on a broadcast."

"Yes..."

"Then we absolutely must make him do it."

Kim Tae-san clenched his fist tightly!

Seeing this, Bae Jang-wook felt his common sense fly out the window. What was up with this family?

"Wait, no. You just said Tae-hyun wouldn't want to do it..."

"Yes. He'd hate it. I heard you."

"But you're still going to help?"

Even though Kim Tae-san was offering to help, Bae Jang-wook was dazed. Was he understanding this correctly?

"Of course. Do you know what that brat Tae-hyun did recently? He ran me over with a motorcycle and fled!"

"Are you alright?!"

Bae Jang-wook asked in shock. If he had been hit by a motorcycle, he shouldn't be sitting here talking; he should be in a hospital.

"No, in the game."

"..."

"Since he committed such a heinous crime, he deserves to be taught a lesson."

"I-I see. But how do you plan to persuade him?"

As far as Bae Jang-wook could tell, Tae-hyun wouldn't listen even if Kim Tae-san spoke to him.

"Heh. That brat has a weakness."

The way he spoke made it sound like he was dealing with a mortal enemy rather than his own son!

"What... is it?"

"It's... my wife!"

Boom!

He said it with extreme solemnity, but the answer was nothing special!

Bae Jang-wook tilted his head.

"...Pardon?"

"Call Yoon-hee and explain it to her. She'll handle him in one shot."

"...Really?"

"Yes. I guarantee it. Oh, and don't tell Tae-hyun that you met and persuaded Yoon-hee. If he finds out, he'll try to eat you alive."

"Haha, what a joke... You're not joking, are you?"

"Indeed. Hmm... imagine Tae-hyun shouting on a live broadcast, 'PD Bae Jang-wook, that son of a gun, tricked me and forced me into a contract!'"

Shiver!

It was an absurd scenario, but for some reason, it felt like something Tae-hyun would actually do.

"When that brat loses his mind, he's terrifying. Don't underestimate my son. Once he targets someone..."

"I-I understand. I will keep absolutely silent."

"Yes, yes. You came to meet Tae-hyun but met me instead, and I was the one who called Yoon-hee."

"But will your wife be okay with this? We don't know if she'll like the idea of putting Tae-hyun on a broadcast."

"Well, that's up to you to persuade her."

Right now, Tae-hyun was avoiding Jeong Yun-hee's interference by showing great success in his game broadcasts. Even though he had taken a leave of absence from college instead of studying, Jeong Yun-hee hadn't said anything. A promise was a promise, after all.

But Jeong Yun-hee was undoubtedly having many worries deep down. Is it really okay to leave him like this? Is that game really worth risking his entire life over?

In such a situation, what if Bae Jang-wook presented a new future for Tae-hyun to move toward?

Whatever it was, there was a high probability that Jeong Yun-hee would push Tae-hyun's back and tell him to do it.

Bwahahaha! Tae-hyun, you brat! Take this as punishment for daring to run over your own father with a motorcycle!

Kim Tae-san laughed inwardly as he sipped his coffee. Today, the coffee tasted exceptionally sweet.

"I just got a sudden chill. What was that?"

"Is someone talking trash about you?"

"Maybe someone is plotting to assassinate you, Lord Tae-hyun?"

"Which bastard... No, there are too many suspects to even guess. Sigh."

"..."

Tae-hyun tilted his head. An ominous feeling was slowly creeping up on him!

In any case, he had parted ways with the Woodstock Guild. The Woodstock Guild Leader was sending him whispers once every hour like an ex-lover, though...

—Hey, you're considering it, right?

—We're still teaming up, right?

Normally he would have blocked him, but Tae-hyun endured. He could still make use of him.

First, let's open the authority.

—Use.

"……!!!!"

Since authorities could also be duds, Tae-hyun hadn't expected much when using it. But what came out...

This is incredible!

He could literally get someone else's authority for free!

Considering how much blood, sweat, and tears one had to shed to obtain an authority, he knew just how amazing this was.

Of course, there were downsides: he had to witness someone else using the authority right in front of him to copy it, and once used, it would be locked in forever, meaning he couldn't change it again...

But those downsides were barely even downsides.

Tae-hyun fell into thought. How could he use this skill to make a legendary name for himself?

First, the Sadique Order was out. He would eventually get their authorities anyway by fighting and destroying them.

The Archisus Church was also out, obviously. Because the only player who used the Archisus Church's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠authorities was Tae-hyun himself! Even if he wanted to copy one, there was no one to copy from.

Hmm, should I look around?

It was only because Tae-hyun kept running into minor, heretical cults like the Sadique Order or the Archisus Church, but there were plenty of proper, thriving religious orders on the continent.

Orders like the Demer Order or the Tyran Church, where players flocked like clouds!

Just searching a bit brought up a flood of videos.

Tae-hyun clicked around, searching for something that caught his eye.

"T-This is...!"