Chapter 206
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: Worse Than Strangers
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Ma Kyung-rok had two younger brothers.
The second son, one year younger: Ma Kyung-sang.
The third son, two years younger: Ma Kyung-su.
They'd fought a lot as kids, but they'd never really held grudges against each other.
That brotherly bond had grown distant after they became adults, and it wasn't for any other reason.
Money.
As they matured, they realized the value of money and understood that they weren't just silver spoons—they were diamond spoons.
They also knew that when their father passed, they'd inherit a massive fortune.
Naturally, they started protecting their own rice bowls, but the problem was the eldest son, Ma Kyung-rok.
Traditionally, the successor's position went to the firstborn.
The second and third sons faced the prospect of spending their lives looking over their shoulders.
Was that position what they hated?
The brothers joined forces and began protesting to their father about the unfairness.
They argued it wasn't right for the incapable eldest son, Ma Kyung-rok, to hog everything.
They claimed they were far more suited to building the company.
Ma Dae-chul, seeing the logic in their argument, eventually abandoned tradition and declared he'd select the successor based on ability.
That was why Ma Kyung-rok couldn't help but have a bad relationship with his brothers.
"What are you two doing here?"
Ma Kyung-rok's cold gaze was met with equally sharp glares from Ma Kyung-sang and Ma Kyung-su.
"What do you mean? We're here to congratulate you."
"Can't your little brothers celebrate their big brother's success?"
"I don't want your congratulations. Get out."
"You think we wanted to come?"
"Dad—no, the Chairman—insisted we come along. What were we supposed to do?"
Chairman Ma Dae-chul shot his two sons a piercing look.
"Enough, all of you. Do you have to fight even after coming this far?"
"......"
"I called you here to see your brother's achievements and maybe patch things up, but you're glaring daggers the second you see him."
"Right, boys. Isn't it time you acknowledged your brother by now?"
Turning at the voice from behind, they saw a portly middle-aged man entering with the security detail.
It was Seoul Mayor Ma Dong-won.
"Uncle... no, Mayor, you're here too?"
"It's been a while, Kyung-rok. No need for formalities among family. Just call me little uncle."
Flashing a gentle smile that contrasted his sturdy build, Ma Dong-won tried to defuse the icy tension by changing the subject.
"Thanks for setting up this celebration. Did you prepare it yourself?"
"I just threw together something modest."
"It's the celebration for a company hitting the KOSPI after five years. Modest won't cut it."
"What's so great about listing on the KOSPI? Dad built the entire group. I can't settle for this. I have to lead the group from here on out."
As he spoke, Ma Kyung-rok looked at his brothers with the eyes of a victor.
A smirk close to a sneer played on his lips.
'Fucking bastard...!'
'If it weren't for him...!'
Oblivious to his brothers clenching their fists in rage, Ma Dong-won laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! So this is the man who's set to inherit Oseong Group? Of course! To take over the group, you need that kind of confidence!"
Patting Ma Kyung-rok's shoulder in approval, Ma Dong-won turned to his brother.
"Brother, looks like you don't have to worry about the eldest anymore."
"No need. With achievements this clear, what's there to worry about?"
"Achievements beyond expectations, right? The condition you set was top 30 on KOSDAQ."
"Exactly. I never imagined he'd list on KOSPI like this. You did great."
Ma Kyung-rok beamed with pride at his father's praise.
"Thank you, Chairman."
Hearing such words from a father stingy with compliments felt like recompense for all his hard work.
His brothers, meanwhile, made no effort to hide their scowls, faces twisted in every possible way.
It almost seemed like their father hadn't brought them to reconcile, but to rub it in.
But Ma Dae-chul's true intentions lay elsewhere.
'Sons, envy your brother. Jealousy and resentment will be the driving force that makes you stronger.'
In truth, Ma Dae-chul had no intention whatsoever of reconciling his sons.
He hadn't even expected it.
He just wanted to show the eldest's achievements firsthand and spur them on, laying the foundation for their growth.
That was why he'd dragged his two sons here.
'Now, stung by this, Kyung-sang and Kyung-su will strive to catch up to their brother.'
But Ma Dae-chul didn't know.
That bringing his sons had only poured oil on the fire.
"By the way, brother. Isn't it about time you told us?"
"Told you what?"
"Your nickname."
Ma Kyung-rok fell silent at Ma Kyung-sang's question.
It wasn't without reason. All three brothers were players in their twenties.
They knew exactly what revealing a nickname meant.
'These bastards... Are they trying to track me?'
Revealing a nickname was like showing your face under the mask.
It gave anyone intent on tracking you the perfect excuse.
In a world where you could stab someone in the back and leave the body without punishment.
'What do they want to track me for? To kill me?'
That was the only reason to ask for a nickname.
That's why he'd never revealed it.
"What do you want with my nickname?"
"Just curious."
"And what's yours?"
"Come on, respect your elders. You first."
"It's Black Scythe."
"Bullshit."
"It's true."
"You're joking too much. Prove it right here then."
"Prove how?"
"You know about the new duel request feature?"
"Yeah."
"I'll request one. Beat both of us. No weapons, no skills—just bare hands. If you're really Black Scythe, you can handle that, right?"
The duel request feature had unlocked at level 60 for everyone.
They knew how it worked from experience.
Including the ability to wager stakes.
"If we win, you step down as successor. If you win, we'll acknowledge you cleanly."
"A 2-on-1?"
"Yeah. What, no confidence? Black Scythe?"
It was childish provocation, but Ma Kyung-rok couldn't retort.
With weapons, maybe. But bare-handed, no skills?
No matter how skilled, he had no confidence in those conditions.
"Fine, I lied a bit. I'm not Black Scythe. Happy?"
"Thought so. As if you could be Black Scythe."
"Why lie about something so obviously fake?"
"What?"
Ma Kyung-rok's face darkened at the insult.
His brothers shot back cold glares.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!"
Ma Dae-chul, who had been silently watching, couldn't hold back his anger.
"You lot! Talking about duels and nonsense—what is this insanity? Did you come here to fight your brother?"
"We said we didn't want to come."
"But you dragged us here anyway, Dad."
"What? You little—!"
The chairman fumed, but the brothers didn't flinch.
In the old days, with no successor set, they'd tread carefully. But not now.
Ma Kyung-rok had shone, and the successor was all but decided.
"Honestly, we don't even know why you brought us."
"If you're just gonna lecture us to learn from our brother, we'll head out."
"You insolent brats!"
"Boys, watch your mouths with your father!"
Ma Dong-won tried to scold and intervene, but he couldn't sway their already twisted hearts.
"Watch your back at night, big brother. Don't get cocky just for surviving to round 13."
"What?"
"Keep your head too high, and you'll trip on a rock someday. Remember that."
Leaving those curse-like words, the brothers departed.
"Calling those scumbags my sons... Argh, my neck."
"Brother! You okay?"
Supporting Ma Dae-chul, Ma Dong-won called out to Ma Kyung-rok, who stood frozen.
"What are you doing? Help your father!"
"Oh, right."
Ma Kyung-rok supported his father, but his expression was dazed.
He was replaying his brothers' words.
'Watch your back at night? Trip on a rock?'
It was unmistakably a curse—and a threat.
'Fucking dogs. Can't even congratulate me, and they spew that crap?'
Crunch—
Blood brothers or not, he had no good memories of them.
'Worse than strangers.'
The murder threat made his temples throb.
Lately, Ma Kyung-rok's stress had been off the charts.
Was that why?
Ma Kyung-rok entertained a thought he shouldn't have.
'Before they get me, should I strike first and kill them?'
It wasn't an empty threat.
Those guys were more than capable of plotting his death.
It would open the successor spot for them.
Give them a chance.
'Until now, they figured I'd fail Dad's mission. They didn't expect me to grow the company this far. Maybe even thought I'd die in a round on my own.'
But now the situation had changed.
'I won't just wait to die in the otherworld. They're desperate too, not knowing how long they'll survive.'
That's why they'd left with such genuine threats.
Truly believing they had to kill their brother.
'You think I'll just sit here and take it? They don't know me at all, family or not.'
Sneering coldly, Ma Kyung-rok resolved to kill his brothers for real.
Unaware that someone else was reading his thoughts.
* * *
'What? Why's the vibe like this?'
Ryu Min, arriving at the company after Ma Kyung-rok's invitation, couldn't even pretend to know him.
He'd witnessed the clash between Ma Kyung-rok and his brothers.
That's why he was using invisibility to approach and read thoughts.
'Chaebol life isn't all roses, huh?'
Family feuds over inheritance were such a common cliché in dramas, it'd feel off without them.
'In a situation where their lives are on the line, who wants to fight over successor with family?'
No—maybe because death could come anytime, they were more obsessed with grabbing it first.
'Looks like the chairman has no plans to change successors.'
He'd already locked in Ma Kyung-rok as next in line.
And rightly so.
How could he not adore his eldest for exceeding expectations with a KOSPI listing?
'He called the other brothers as a stimulant so they wouldn't feel down, but it backfired.'
Ryu Min had read the brothers' thoughts as they parted with the "watch your back" line.
They genuinely wanted to kill Ma Kyung-rok.
They might huddle up later to plot specifics.
'And Ma Kyung-rok thinks he needs to preemptively strike before they do.'
Brothers plotting mutual murder.
Talk about a powder keg family.
'Hold on. This could be an opportunity for me?'
If he played this right, he could completely sever Ma Kyung-rok and Christine.
Then make Christine fully his.
'I already confirmed how Ma Kyung-rok feels about Black Scythe. No way they'll get close.'
They'd stuck together for mutual gain, but now it was time to cut ties.
No more upside.
'The company too. Passed listing review, but that's it. Players are dwindling, and once round 15 ends, revenue crashes.'
Perfect time to sell.
'But as majority shareholder, I can't dump it all.'
Selling everything now would net massive profits, clean break.
But Ma Kyung-rok would know.
'Dumping now is basically declaring war.'
If anything, sell partially.
Secure about 100 billion won—enough to live lavishly forever—and hold the rest.
'About 3% of shares.'
That way, even if the company tanks later, he won't suspect the Prophet betrayed him.
'Time to call Russell. Tell him to liquidate all his shares.'
And one more.
'Christine.'
Use this to his advantage with her.
'And Seo Ah-rin. To help sort out my thoughts.'
Ryu Min subtly raised the corner of his mouth, gauged the mood, then dropped invisibility from afar.
He approached Ma Kyung-rok naturally.
Pretending he hadn't seen a thing, with a cheerful expression.