Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The Chairman's Liquor
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Is this how actors feel walking the red carpet? I finally understood why so many people risk their lives for fame, beyond just the money.
Countless gazes filled with all sorts of emotions clung to my skin like needles pricking it. My heart raced, heat rushed to my face. To be honest, I was half-erect. Hey, half was better than nothing. Even my clenched fist tightened without me realizing it.
Thrilling, so damn thrilling!
Was this catharsis? I'd tasted it once before, but it still felt fresh and unfamiliar. It was a different flavor from last time. Excitement mixed with a hint of fear. Now that I knew, I had a feeling I'd crave this taste again.
The saying "There are gamblers who haven't tried it, but none who've only tried it once" flashed through my mind.
"Chairman! We're so ashamed. We'll tighten up the training and drills from now on, so please be lenient this once..."
"No need. I saw it with my own eyes—your team did nothing wrong. It's that punk who's the freak."
For bodyguards tasked with protecting the mansion and Hanban Group's people, getting humiliated by some unheard-of tall weirdo, Han Se-ryong's expression wasn't bad at all. He even smiled, like he'd found an amusing new toy.
"Hah, look at this punk. On purpose?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked if it was on purpose. A young punk like you couldn't possibly be deaf already. Answer properly when I ask once."
I heard him fine. I just asked back because I didn't get it.
"Just looking at his face, it's definitely not on purpose. But if it turns out he meant to do it, I'd be shocked—this kid's got some seriously creepy talent."
Only after hearing Han Se-ryong mutter it again did I belatedly catch on.
No way. Did this old man think I was racking up points or staging some dramatic act by pretending to be a total loser? How does someone even come up with that?
Smart people overthink and jump to their own conclusions, huh.
Hasn't the quest cleared by now?
Contrary to my expectations, no quest completion notice came.
Wait, no way?
"Kid, I see you're tougher than you look. But a real man has to hold his liquor. All the human connections and big deals happen over drinks."
"Pardon?"
This was driving me nuts, for real.
I was squeezing my pea-sized brain for all it was worth, desperately trying to keep up with these people and avoid asking questions, but I just couldn't follow.
"Follow me."
I mean, I can't keep up!
"Have a safe trip, Hyunwoo."
Han Aebom waved with a natural smile, like it was no big deal.
At least I'll never end up a chaebol or politician. These people are from another world—what the hell.
Muttering that to myself, I trudged after Han Se-ryong. The mansion was ridiculously huge, so there was even an electric cart like you'd see at a golf course waiting. We rode it to the room next to the study, furnished with fancy sofas, a table, and a liquor display.
What do I even know about booze?
The only stuff I recognized was cheap wine from the convenience store. None of this looked like that.
"Chairman, what would you like?"
"Bring the Ormeng Brick."
Secretary Jang, who had followed like a shadow, twitched his eyebrow. Was this Ormeng whatever super expensive?
Damn, now I'm dying to know.
I stared at him with that exact expression, and he chuckled before explaining.
"There are so many liquors in this world. Some are worth more than a house, easy. The one the Chairman just ordered? Current market value is 410 million won. Even he doesn't pull it out often."
Pardon?
"Looks like he's in a really good mood today."
"Good mood my ass! I'm in a shit mood, that's why I'm drinking. The one and only pride of Hanban Group—my granddaughter—brings home her first guy ever, and it's this punk. How could I be in a good mood? Enough chit-chat, bring the booze."
"Yes, Chairman."
Even as Secretary Jang and Han Se-ryong bantered beside me, I couldn't snap out of it.
What did I just hear? One bottle costs 410 million won?
"I'll have the snacks out shortly. Here's the Ormeng Brick."
Staring at the elegant bottle placed on the table with a thud, I nearly had an out-of-body experience. Holy shit. This was really worth 410 million? Money I might not save in ten years of work, all in one bottle.
You fucking...
Today was a real eye-opener. No wonder guys who've tasted money keep raking it in through stocks, coins, or business even when they're set. Keep experiencing this, and your sense of money goes haywire. I was still happy with a 20,000-won sushi set and cola. Then suddenly, a 410-million-won bottle shows up...
"We're drinking till dawn. If you've got evening plans, cancel them now."
"Pardon?"
"Can you stop with the damn questions every time? Always parroting back, you little shit!"
"S-Sorry."
I'd been the center of attention just moments ago, but now alone with Han Se-ryong, I shrank back to extra status.
But what could I do?
[PM 5:34]
This crazy old man's saying we're drinking till dawn—at 5 PM? I figured a few glasses, some compliments, and he'd send me home. Damn, my shift starts at 10.
"Uh, I'll step out to call my part-time job real quick."
"Go ahead."
I left Han Se-ryong waving me off and slipped out. Leaning against the hallway wall, I slid down slowly.
[Search: Mental Hospital]
"Gasp!"
I swallowed a gasp at the keyword I'd searched without thinking. I quickly hit back and scrolled through contacts to find the Store Manager.
"I'm seriously losing it."
The last few days had been one shock after another. Oh Hana's backstory was bad enough, then hearing about Han Aebom's family to resolve it, followed by an immediate visit. Chatting with Han Se-ryong, sudden physical training and sparring, and now a one-on-one drinking session with him.
"Am I dreaming?"
Even if it was a dream, no rush to wake up. With a deep sigh, I made the call.
"Hello, Novel24 Sindong Branch 1, Store Manager..."
"Store Manager!"
Holy crap. Never thought hearing this guy's voice would bring such relief. Like being stranded abroad and bumping into a Korean.
"Oh, what? Hyunwoo? What's up at this hour? You night owls should be sleeping before your shift."
Yeah, that pathetic... utterly ordinary voice, potbelly and all, probably getting nagged at home like a worn mop.
The tension and nerves from the sharp-edged day melted away. Like an attachment voice for my sanity. Gotta call him when work gets tough—even in society. Instant effect.
"Whew, Store Manager. I'm really sorry, but..."
"Hold up, you punk."
"Yes?"
"It's 5 PM now. Four hours till your shift. You're not about to pull some bullshit excuse and ditch, are you? You trying to kill me?!"
His gruff tone just made me laugh. Maybe from dealing with Han Se-ryong all day?
"Sorry, Store Manager. But I really can't help it."
"You fucking punk! Shit! Fine, let's hear your excuse. What grand reason demands sacrificing me? Give me some lame crap and I'll smash your chair—you'll stand all shift!"
So adorably threatening. Nothing compared to people trying to kill me with glares.
"I'm at Hanban Group's Chairman's mansion right now. Met Han Se-ryong and we're talking..."
I condensed what I wanted to say.
"...So we're about to crack open a 410-million-won bottle. And the Chairman says we're drinking till dawn. That's why I called in a panic. I thought he'd let me go before shift..."
"Wait, Hyunwoo. Hold on!"
The Manager cut me off urgently. Dead serious tone. I could feel his worry through the phone.
"Hyunwoo, I'm saying this out of real concern, no joke. S-Sorry for the cursing earlier. But seriously... how about seeing a psychiatrist? I'll cover your shifts till tomorrow. Ask the weekend kid. You seem really off. Sorry. I've dumped all the nights on you for months—maybe mix in some days? Like alternating..."
Laughing at him treating me like a nutcase. Yeah, that's the normal reaction. He heard my laugh and got even more frantic.
"Hyunwoo, snap out of it. Not having weird thoughts, right? Y-You haven't... gotten into drugs or anything? Hallucinations? Muttering nonsense..."
Before he calls the cops, I spoke up.
"Come on, seriously. I'll snap some pics here later to prove it. Don't worry. It's not that."
"Really?"
"Really. Hanging up now, Store Manager. Han Se-ryong's waiting impatiently. Sorry for ditching tonight."
"O-Okay. Call when the drinking ends, even at dawn. I'd appreciate it."
"Yes, got it."
His worried voice to the end brought a smile to my lips. Was this why people brag about connections?
"Pfft."
I couldn't hold back the laugh. Ah, yes. See? I'm not the weird one. This place is.
"So, who’s waiting for you so impatiently?"
"Ah, haha..."
The moment I opened the door and stepped in, I faced another dose of unreal reality. My heart, just calmed, started pounding irregularly again.
"Quit eyeing me and pour, kid."
"Yes, sir!"
I jumped up and carefully lifted the open bottle with both hands. 410 million won, a whole house...
Glug glug.
Even watching the clear liquid pour into Han Se-ryong's glass with a crisp sound, I struggled to accept this reality. Was half my soul still hovering outside my body?
"Drink up."
As I raised the 410-million-won glass, the thought hit me. Unlikely, but... what if the day came when I fully immersed myself in this world?
No way.
Muttering to ditch the delusion, I tipped the liquor down my throat. My first sip of 410-million-won booze tasted nothing like it should for the current me.