Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 298
Chapter Title: The Chairman's Funeral
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“Han Dae-hyun, chairman of Hanseong Group, passed away at Hanseong Medical Center this morning. Over 26 years at the helm of Hanseong Group, Chairman Han Dae-hyun elevated it to the world’s top corporation and made immense contributions to Korea’s economic growth.”
The voice of the news anchor echoed from the living room of Kim Jin-cheol’s mansion.
Lee Seo-jun, his face set in stone, adjusted his black suit and tie.
“The funeral hall for Chairman Han Dae-hyun has been set up at Hanseong Funeral Home next to Hanseong Medical Center. Currently, access is restricted to approved visitors only, with general mourners turned away.”
“You ready?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Kim Jin-cheol stared at Lee Seo-jun for a moment before nodding.
The two stepped out of the mansion and boarded a waiting black luxury sedan.
The car headed straight for Hanseong Medical Center, where Chairman Han Dae-hyun’s funeral was being held.
It wasn’t far, so they arrived in under twenty minutes.
“Get out.”
Kim Jin-cheol flung the door open and stepped out.
Lee Seo-jun followed suit.
Flashes erupted from all sides—reporters swarming the funeral site, snapping photos.
“It’s Chairman Kim Jin-cheol!”
“And Lee Seo-jun next to him?”
Amid the commotion, Kim Jin-cheol kept his stern expression and strode into the funeral hall.
A solemn atmosphere hung inside.
More mourners than expected filled the space.
Familiar faces from the media mingled with dignitaries from all walks of life.
A few he recognized from the association bowed their heads slightly upon spotting him.
“Take a good look at everyone here.”
Kim Jin-cheol said quietly.
“These are the heavyweights from every corner of the world. People you’ll cross paths with constantly once you graduate and enter society.”
Lee Seo-jun nodded faintly, scanning the crowd.
“Don’t just memorize faces—observe who they really are.”
“I get it.”
“You talk a good game… Don’t take it with a grain of salt. Listen seriously.”
Kim Jin-cheol’s voice hardened.
“Sharpen your eye for people. And don’t hand out trust easily. There are probably terrorists and demons hiding among us here, masks on. The biggest regret from my climb to the top? Giving trust too freely.”
Lee Seo-jun instinctively knew Kim Jin-cheol was referring to his disciple, Jin Cheon-woo.
“What I mean includes the Han family right here. Those bastards have been secretly collecting mysteries from the shadows for ages, pulling all sorts of shady schemes. Worse than terrorists or demons—never better.”
“Understood. I’ll keep it in mind.”
That was when it happened.
“Hello, Chairman.”
A man approached Kim Jin-cheol.
Han Se-jin, the eldest son of the Han family.
Spotting Lee Seo-jun beside him, Han Se-jin offered a small smile.
“Student Lee Seo-jun came along too.”
“With news this tragic, of course I had to bring him. So, did Chairman Han Dae-hyun go peacefully?”
“Yes, I believe he did.”
“I see.”
With that, Kim Jin-cheol proceeded into the incense room.
After paying respects before the flower-framed portrait, he glanced around.
“Where’s your younger sibling?”
“Se-yeon stepped out for a bit. I’ll call her.”
“No need.”
Just then, Han Se-yeon appeared, dressed in black mourning clothes, walking toward them.
Her under-eyes were hollow, as if she’d shed a flood of tears. A man followed behind her, and when Lee Seo-jun saw his face, he froze in surprise.
‘…Kim Sun-woo?’
No, on second look, not Kim Sun-woo.
Kim Jin-woo.
“…Kim Jin-woo.”
He looked just like him, no matter the angle. Identical.
Build, height—everything.
Lee Seo-jun naturally recalled the man in the hat from the expo. His physique had matched this one too.
He’d thought he’d dodged them so far, but Lee Seo-jun was certain there was some connection between Kim Sun-woo and them he didn’t know about.
Their eyes met by chance then.
Kim Jin-woo stared straight at Lee Seo-jun, whispered something to Han Se-yeon, and moved to step back.
But Kim Jin-cheol approached them first, striding over.
“Six years? You’ve grown so much.”
“Hello, Chairman.”
Han Se-yeon bowed politely. As Kim Jin-cheol turned to Kim Jin-woo, he bowed too.
“And you are…”
“First time meeting. I’m Kim Jin-woo.”
“So it is you. I’ve heard your name floating around the association now and then—been wanting to see you. Now that I have, I get why. You’ve got this peculiar aura. Only someone who’s delved into magic would sense it. Heh.”
Kim Jin-woo didn’t respond.
Kim Jin-cheol extended his hand.
Kim Jin-woo stared at it.
“Come on, my arm’s getting tired. No handshake?”
Lost in thought, Kim Jin-woo let out a small laugh at Kim Jin-cheol’s words.
“Sorry. I don’t shake hands lightly.”
“…What? Kahahaha. Just as they say—quite the character. Quick on the uptake too. First time for this. Heh heh.”
Still chuckling, Kim Jin-cheol continued.
“I’ll be off now. See you soon.”
They stared blankly at Kim Jin-cheol’s retreating figure as he left the funeral hall.
Kim Jin-cheol, offering me a handshake.
Through mere contact, his trait ‘Mana Scan’ let him vaguely discern what magic someone wielded, probing my abilities.
Having endured a Mana Scan before as Kim Sun-woo, accepting it now might’ve blown my cover entirely.
“Jin-woo?”
As I mulled over the encounter, Han Se-yeon’s voice pulled me back.
“Why didn’t you shake his hand earlier?”
“No real reason. Just felt off.”
I shrugged, brushing it off as nothing.
Han Se-yeon gazed at me steadily before nodding.
As we talked, I felt Han Se-jin’s gaze from afar.
His eyes seemed emotionless at first glance, but I caught the wariness hidden beneath.
Han Se-yeon must have sensed it too, because she said to me,
“I should go. Oh! And Jin-woo, today… really, truly, thank you.”
Han Se-yeon gave a faint smile. The grief from before had faded somewhat, easing my mind.
Earlier, Han Se-yeon and I had a long talk.
Comfort over her father’s death, advice on her mindset moving forward.
No more Han Dae-hyun to shield her. Now she’d have to face Han Se-jin head-on for control of the Han family.
Once the funeral ended, Han Dae-hyun’s secret will would be revealed.
That would ignite the true Han siblings’ strife.
And with it, the fate of the original story’s major villain—the demon—would be sealed.
“Call anytime if things get tough.”
“Yeah, I’ll message you later.”
After bidding Han Se-yeon farewell, I stepped out of the funeral hall.
Ignoring the barrage of camera flashes aimed at me, I walked along the sidewalk.
Soon, I entered a deserted alley.
Confirming no one around, I halted.
Gathering mana, I fired neutral attribute spheres backward.
Bang!
The magic spheres I launched vanished against a barrier.
Sophisticated one—high-level craftsmanship, judging by the form.
I knew who it was, so no surprise.
Wasn’t fired to kill anyway.
“Stop hiding and come out.”
At my words, the barrier dropped, revealing someone.
“What? When did you notice?”
The red-haired woman, Ellen, spoke. Ignoring her, I asked,
“Why are you tailing me?”
“…Just curiosity?”
“Your eyes look too murderous for mere curiosity.”
“What’s wrong with my eyes?”
“You’re glaring like you want to kill me.”
Ellen’s eyes widened slightly, as if to say no way.
“…Huh? No? They always look like this?”
She’s not the joking type—did she really think I’d buy that?
“Whatever, sorry for tailing you. And it really was pure curiosity, so don’t worry.”
Impossible not to.
If it were just intel-gathering, fine—but my ‘Kill Intent Detection’ trait had faintly triggered on Ellen.
Meaning she harbored intent to kill me.
From my position, I didn’t want her as an enemy. Needed to uncover why.
“Got some grudge against me?”
“No, seriously, nothing like that.”
Ellen scratched her head as she spoke.
Her demeanor rang true—no lie detected. Like she couldn’t help it herself.
Seeing that, a rough picture formed in my mind.
Rune’s Book.
And Han Se-jin’s orders.
“…Yeah, I get the gist. Need to prepare ahead.”
Muttering to myself, Ellen reacted.
“What’d you just say?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Ugh, what? Tell me.”
Shrugging at her reaction, I said,
“Nope, not telling.”
“Argh, seriously!”
Ellen stomped toward me.
I ignored her and kept walking. She caught up, grabbed my shoulder—I shook her off and continued.
Then, from behind, Ellen yelled.
“Argh! Hey! Stop!”
She hiked up her sleeve, activating the magic circle tattooed on her right arm.
Whirr!
A support-type binding magic circle rose beneath my feet.
Instantly, my feet turned to stone, thanks to the pre-made tattoo magic.
“What were you about to say earlier?”
With me pinned, Ellen sauntered over leisurely.
Sighing at the sight, I said,
“…What a pain.”
Glancing around, I placed a hand on the ground and infused mana.
Whirr!
Flash!
In under two seconds, the binding circle vanished.
“…Huh? Wha—?”
Ellen gawked at me, dumbfounded.
“What… what was that just now?”
“Quit making trouble.”
Staring her down, I resumed walking.
“W-Wait! Hey! What the hell! Don’t go!”
After shaking Ellen and handling some JWK errands, it was late by the time I returned to the dorm.
“Nyaang!”
Gretel greeted me with her usual bright smile.
I smiled faintly and patted her hard shell.
“Gretel, did you clean the place like I asked?”
“Nyaang.”
Gretel nodded confidently.
Peeking at the living room floor, it gleamed spotless. She’d done as told.
“Ooh, super clean! Good job~ Here’s your pay for today.”
I pulled pizza I’d bought on the way from my subspace.
A message popped up.
[You’ve achieved the ‘Summoned Beast Labor Exploitation’ feat.]
[Reward: 4,000 points acquired.]
“…Huh?”
What’s this?
Labor exploitation? Isn’t that a bit harsh?
Points feel good, though.
“Gretel loves pizza, right? Super tasty, yeah?”
“Nyaang!”
See? She loves it. What exploitation?
[You’ve achieved the ‘Gaslighting’ feat.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
Staring at the messages in bewilderment, another appeared.
[Your points have exceeded 350,000!]
[You’ve achieved the ‘Point Saver King’ feat.]
[Reward: ‘Secret Discount Shop’ opens for one week!]
“…Now what’s this? Secret Discount Shop?”
I blinked at the message.
A special discount after ages.
But different—‘Secret’ prefixed.
[Welcome to the Secret Discount Shop.]
[Special items not sold in the Point Shop available for one week only!]
[A chance that won’t come again! Don’t miss it!]
Pretty flashy.
I checked the Secret Discount Shop.
［Special Items on Sale for One Week!］
［Current Purchasable List - 50 Items］
［30% Comprehensive Discount Coupon (???) - 100,000 points］
［Top-Tier Unlimited Subspace Pocket (???) - 50,000 points］
［Supreme Proficiency Potion (???) - 100,000 points］
What the heck is this?