Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Chaebol Reporter
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Su-ho smiled upon seeing them.
‘Yeah, I was wondering why they hadn’t shown up yet.’
The staff quickly formed a human barrier to block the crowd’s approach.
Then Jeong Cheol-min emerged from among them, standing beyond the safe line as he stared at Su-ho and made a call.
The recipient was, naturally, Su-ho.
Su-ho answered the phone and asked,
“Yes, Team Leader.”
- Su-ho, I can’t tell if what I’m seeing right now is a dream or reality.
“It’s reality. Unless you took some kind of drug, Team Leader.”
- As if I’d do something like that…… You’re always beyond imagination, Su-ho. So, about that—would you come with me to the Association?
“May I ask why?”
- It’s an unprecedented incident. This place was being run as a public gate by the government because we thought it was absolutely impossible to clear.
“I get that, but does that mean I have a reason to go to the Association? There’s no pretext for it.”
It was obvious without even looking.
The Association President or Vice President must have told him to drag him over.
The reason?
Probably just to take some photos.
Those ex-congressmen were meticulous about their image management.
‘They probably told him to cobble together some excuse and bring him along. Cheol-min hyung’s done that kind of thing a lot.’
That was exactly why he had no intention of going to the Association.
If he went, it would be on his own two feet or out of necessity—not because those two summoned him, just to pose for free photos.
Jeong Cheol-min sounded flustered at Su-ho’s response.
- That’s true, but…… given the scale of this, we still have to conduct an investigation.
“You didn’t do investigations like this when other major guilds cleared hard gates. If you need any materials, just request them separately.”
- …….
Jeong Cheol-min fell silent.
He had nothing to say.
But Jeong Cheol-min had no intention of giving up.
Even as a powerless civil servant, he’d risen to team leader at a young age because he was good at his job.
- Understood. Then, could we at least escort you out? If you move wrong in this situation, it could lead to a crushing accident.
“I’m fine. I can get out on my own.”
- Pardon?
“I’ll contact you again soon, Team Leader.”
At that moment.
- Huh, wha—?
Jeong Cheol-min panicked.
Su-ho, who had clearly been right in front of him, had suddenly vanished.
The others reacted the same way.
“Huh, what?”
“Where’d he go?”
“What the hell?!”
“Hey, where’s An Su-ho!”
But Su-ho brazenly walked right past them and out of the Tower of Challenge.
[ Achromatic Solitude activates. ]
Thanks to the first Mumumu he’d synthesized for a stat-up.
Su-ho leisurely exited the area and spotted the yellow Ferrari in the nearby parking lot, where departure preparations were complete. He climbed into the passenger seat.
The passenger door suddenly opened, startling Jo Jin-hwi, who tensed up.
“Ow! You scared me…… Huh? Su-ho?”
“Let’s head out right away.”
“H-How’d you get out?”
“I slipped through somehow.”
“That’s weird? I was watching the side and rearview mirrors the whole time.”
As if that would’ve let him spot it.
No matter how closely a regular person looked, the first Mumumu caused cognitive distortion.
Soon, the yellow Ferrari roared to life and departed, and the two of them merged onto the highway.
Once on the highway, Jo Jin-hwi pulled a business card from his pocket and offered it with a formal greeting.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Jo Jin-hwi, senior reporter at PBS.”
PBS reporters progressed from trainee to regular reporter, senior reporter, then chief reporter and top reporter.
So Jo Jin-hwi’s rank was equivalent to a junior manager in a company.
Su-ho responded in kind.
“I’m An Su-ho. I already gave you my intro over the phone, so no need to repeat it, right?”
“Of course. You’ve already told me everything there is to know. But…… could I ask one thing?”
“You’re a reporter. Of course.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but I just can’t wrap my head around it. Why a civil servant of all things? Someone with your skills would be welcomed anywhere with top offers.”
Su-ho gave a faint smile in response.
“They’d offer a lot of money, sure. But no matter how strong a private guild is, can it surpass the power of the state?”
Jo Jin-hwi’s eyes widened at that.
It was the first time he’d heard someone interpret it that way.
“You’re serious?”
“Dead serious.”
“But if you think about raw power, private guilds are stronger, right? The total firepower they’ve got is nothing like the national hunter civil servants.”
“That’s still just private hunter power. But what does that even matter? Pure strength-wise, they’ve long had enough to stage a coup. What would they gain from it, though? At best, a fleeting sense of accomplishment. They truly shine when they’re part of the infrastructure the state has built.”
“Well……”
It wasn’t wrong.
Sure, if they went abroad like to the US, they might get treatment equal to or better than in Korea—but could native Koreans, born and raised here, ever fully satisfy in a foreign land with different climate and culture, no matter how luxuriously they lived?
The answer was no.
‘Why do you think people who fled overseas for money or military service reasons always want to come back to Korea in the end?’
For native Koreans, complete satisfaction in a foreign land was impossible.
That’s why even top mega-guild hunters never crossed the line with the government.
If they were to enjoy power, it had to be here in Korea.
Su-ho continued.
“As I said before, I genuinely want to end the gates. But no individual can achieve gate closure alone, so I need an affiliation—and I chose the government as the most efficient means for that process.”
“Hmm…… I see. Still, you know this, right? Among the Korean players I know…… no, in Korean player history, no one has made an impact like you. A few have come close, but none on your level.”
At that, Su-ho recalled a few historic star players.
But even in his previous life, they’d been outshone by Su-ho in fame and impact.
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
Su-ho nodded lightly and said,
“I know. That’s exactly why I want to join the government.”
“So you’re applying for the upcoming public recruitment exam? But no matter how I think about it, putting talent like yours in a 9th-grade field position feels like a waste.”
“I’m not taking the 9th-grade.”
“Huh? Then 7th-grade?”
“No, I’m planning to apply for the Grade 5 Public Recruitment.”
“……Pardon?”
Jo Jin-hwi’s jaw dropped at the words.
“You’re serious?”
“You keep asking if I’m serious, but I always am.”
“Good lord……”
“Oh, and don’t put this in your article.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I’ve got a specific buildup in mind, and it’s too early to reveal it now.”
“Could I hear it, by any chance?”
“Sure. No reason not to.”
At Jo Jin-hwi’s question, Su-ho briefly explained his plan.
Jo Jin-hwi’s mouth slowly gaped open again.
“Ah, so that’s your plan?”
“That’s why I’m asking you to hold off.”
“Smart idea. Oh, and about what you just said—something I just thought of. Is it related to the Nexus Academy scholarship? Wait, before that—are you really a Nexus Academy alum? Doesn’t seem like it to me.”
Su-ho laughed.
“Sorry, that’s covered under contract terms—I can’t say.”
“Come on, I’m not gonna go blabbing. You think I’d let a big fish like you slip away over some minor info? That’d be a huge loss.”
Fair point.
He was someone with strong professional pride, beyond just being a golden-tongued reporter.
Su-ho decided to tell him, to build some rapport.
Nothing bonded people like sharing secrets.
“I approached them first for the scholarship. It’s common enough, right?”
“As expected…… But sounds like you were really strapped for cash?”
“Yeah, well. I’d only dropped out recently.”
“Right, you mentioned dropping out. Due to department corruption?”
It was an old memory—no real anger left.
Sensing the story might drag, Su-ho smoothly changed the subject.
“I’ve already forgotten about that, so it’s not a big deal…… Anyway, I’ll keep helping you with the hype, so use me for exclusive scoops, build your influence in the company.”
Jo Jin-hwi smiled this time.
“So you plan to make full use of me, huh?”
“If I’m getting chummy with a reporter, might as well boost you up big and make you useful to me.”
Jo Jin-hwi nodded.
“Then no need to set up something flashy like a Newsroom exclusive interview. Just sticking to Su-ho exclusives will boost my standing plenty.”
Newsroom interview.
Su-ho knew it as the top-tier interview.
But he’d pass on such cumbersome spots for now.
“Exactly. I’m only going official through you anyway—no need to escalate things.”
“Works for me—saves me hunting for scoops. So, heading home?”
“For now.”
“You sure? Your personal info’s probably leaked by now—expect crowds at your place.”
“I’m good. Same method I used to escape the tower works for entry too.”
“Why not stay at my place for a while instead?”
“Your place?”
“No weird intentions—just offering. I live alone in a big house. If you’re okay with it, crash there awhile. Guest room’s all set up, and security’s tight—no one gets in without being a resident.”
“Whereabouts?”
“Kaiser Cheongdam.”
“Wow.”
Kaiser Cheongdam.
He’d heard it was one of the top premium complexes, with units costing hundreds of billions.
A wealth befitting a golden-tongued reporter.
Su-ho asked,
“Nice digs. But that’s not your average chaebol heir lifestyle, is it? I know you’re a chaebol kid from your blog.”
Chaebol heirs had levels.
And Kaiser Cheongdam was tough for your run-of-the-mill ones.
Jo Jin-hwi chuckled softly.
“Average chaebol heir…… Yeah, the youngest son of a chaebol family isn’t exactly average.”
“Youngest son of a chaebol?”
What was this now?
As Su-ho’s eyes widened, Jo Jin-hwi said casually,
“You shared, so I will too…… You know Daesan Group? I’m the chairman’s youngest son.”
“Huh? But the Daesan Group chairman’s age……”
“My eldest and second brothers have different moms. Mine was his concubine. So I’m the concubine’s kid…… like an illegitimate son. Get it now?”
“Ah……”
“It’s a secret I don’t even tell company folks. But I figure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, Su-ho. Oh, and while Dad’s given me stuff, I’ve got zero influence in Daesan Group—no shares. Even turned down inheriting a subsidiary. I know how to wield a pen, not run a business.”
“Interesting.”
“Right? We might end up closer than we think.”
Su-ho laughed.
He could relate.
Maybe they’d get even closer than expected.
Vroooom!
Jo Jin-hwi’s yellow Ferrari tore across the highway.