Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Prophet
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"I'm the person who won the lottery first prize five times in a row."
"Excuse me?"
At Ryu Min's confession, Ma Kyung-rok's eyes widened.
Unlike before, his eyes showed genuine surprise.
"Is that true? You're the winner who caused such a stir a few months ago?"
"Yes."
"Hah..."
It wasn't just Ma Kyung-rok.
Ahn Sang-chul, who was beside him, also looked quite surprised.
*That kid is the one who took home 70 billion won from the lottery alone?*
The two of them finally understood.
How Ryu Min could have amassed such wealth at such a young age.
"But Mr. Ryu Min, when I read the articles, it said 70 billion won. How did you get such a huge sum of 280 billion...?"
"I dabbled a bit in Bitcoin."
"Bitcoin? Is that all?"
"Yes."
He turned 70 billion won from the lottery into 280 billion?
At those words, the look in Ma Kyung-rok's eyes changed.
*Anyone in the know is aware of how volatile Bitcoin is. It's impossible without considerable nerve and guts.*
Thinking he was bolder than his image suggested, Ma Kyung-rok couldn't help but be impressed.
"That's truly incredible. To think of investing 70 billion won in Bitcoin... I couldn't have done that. Haha!"
Was it because he was displeased with the representative he served belittling himself?
Ahn Sang-chul frowned before suddenly blurting out a comment.
"You must have been really lucky."
"It wasn't luck."
When Ryu Min immediately refuted him, Ahn Sang-chul gave him a displeased look.
"I saw it in the articles. They said you received the lottery numbers in a dream. If that's not good luck, what is...?"
"I wasn't given the numbers in a dream."
"Then...?"
Pausing for a moment, Ryu Min shifted his gaze.
Ma Kyung-rok was waiting for his answer with expectant eyes.
*'This is the only way to convince Ma Kyung-rok and get him on my side.'*
Taking a deep breath, Ryu Min gave his prepared answer.
"This is the first time I'm revealing this to anyone, but... I have the [Rune of Future Sight]."
"What?"
"It's a rune that allows me to see several years into the future. In other words, I am..."
Ryu Min said with clear pronunciation.
"A prophet who can see the future."
"..."
"..."
For a moment, silence fell over the room.
*What did I just hear?*
*A prophet? What kind of absurd nonsense is that kid spouting...*
Only for Ryu Min, who could read minds, was the silence not permitted.
Ma Kyung-rok, coming to his senses, barely managed to speak.
"A prophet... Are you being serious?"
"Why would I lie?"
"Are you saying you got the lottery numbers right because you saw the future with that Rune of Future Sight?"
"That's right. It's the same for how I multiplied my money with Bitcoin. I was able to put all my money in because I was certain I could see the future."
"..."
In truth, it was a future he knew from dozens of regressions...
*'Either way, it's pretty much the same in that I know the future.'*
So, it wasn't a complete lie.
And yet.
*Can I trust this person's words?*
*A Rune of Future Sight. Does such an incredible rune even exist?*
The two of them still couldn't let go of their suspicion.
"If you don't mind my asking, can you prove it?"
"Prove it?"
"Perhaps by predicting what I'm about to do..."
Ryu Min, having read Ma Kyung-rok's thoughts, laughed inwardly.
*'Since I can read thoughts, predicting his next move would be a piece of cake, but...'*
It was better for the future to place restrictions on his ability, so he shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but the ability can't be used so freely. It tends to activate without me knowing."
"You mean it's random?"
"Yes."
*Well, if it's a rune that sees the future, it would need that kind of restriction to be balanced.*
As Ma Kyung-rok was thinking that, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"Mr. Ryu Min. Then, does that mean you invested the huge sum of 280 billion won in our company because..."
"Yes. I invested knowing that Cheonma Consulting would experience rapid growth in the future."
"If it grows rapidly, to what extent...?"
"Within six months, getting listed on KOSPI will be a piece of cake."
"...!"
A look of surprise flashed across Ma Kyung-rok's face.
How great would it be if that happened?
Not only would he be acknowledged by his father, but he could also adjust the proportion of his inheritance.
Inheriting the chairman position later would be the natural course of events.
The corners of Ma Kyung-rok's mouth lifted slightly, but only for a moment.
*I must have been crazy for a second. To think I was smiling at information that might not even be true.*
Still, the words that his company would do well put Ma Kyung-rok in a good mood.
Until Ryu Min spoke his next words.
"However, to succeed, you'll have to completely change your line of business."
"What? Our line of business?"
Cheonma Consulting was a company that provided consulting services in various fields, such as corporate, construction, medical, real estate, management, employment, and startups.
It was a company Ma Kyung-rok had specially created to utilize the information and know-how of the Oseong Group, which had its hands in many different fields.
Therefore, being told to change the business sector was like being told to tear down the tower he had painstakingly built.
For Ma Kyung-rok, it was a situation where he had to set aside his pride.
Was it because he knew that fact well?
Ahn Sang-chul's voice grew louder.
"That's an unreasonable demand! Telling us to change our business sector now? Why don't you just tell us to change the company name as well?"
"Manager Ahn!"
Ma Kyung-rok admonished him from the side, but their thoughts weren't very different.
Ryu Min said in a calm voice.
"Since the line of business is changing, of course the company name must change too."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I came all this way to joke around?"
Ryu Min stared intently at the refuting Ahn Sang-chul.
Unlike his slightly naive appearance from a moment ago, his gaze was unwavering.
*'It's better to show such a resolute side when promoting my ability. It makes me seem more trustworthy.'*
Just as Ryu Min expected, Ma Kyung-rok's thoughts changed.
*The atmosphere has changed. His gaze is steady. Does this mean he's that confident in his ability? An absurd ability to see the future?*
Ma Kyung-rok corrected his thoughts.
*No, that's not necessarily true. In a world that has already transcended reality, I can't be certain that a Rune of Future Sight doesn't exist. Then, does that mean my company can really succeed just by changing its business sector?*
Ma Kyung-rok thought.
If that were the case, he would change the business sector without a second thought.
*The problem is, I can't tell if his words are true or just nonsense.*
As Ma Kyung-rok made a troubled expression, Ryu Min tried to persuade him again.
"Since you are both Players, you must know well. What a huge loss and penalty it is to reveal one's own rune."
"..."
"For my part, I've accepted that risk and revealed my rune. As the major shareholder, and as a business partner who will participate in management, I want to help the company grow. Why else would I have invested 280 billion won?"
Even though he'd said his piece to persuade them, the two still sent him suspicious glances, as if they couldn't believe him.
"If the company is to succeed, you must take my hand."
"Representative. Surely you don't believe him, do you?"
At Ahn Sang-chul's words, Ryu Min let out a small sigh.
"It seems you find my ability untrustworthy."
"Frankly, yes."
Persuasion through words wasn't working.
*'I knew this would happen, so I prepared a few things.'*
Now it was time to show them the proof.
"Manager Ahn. Have you considered how I came to move into the apartment below? Surely you don't think it was a simple coincidence?"
"Ah...!"
"Wait a minute. The apartment below?"
As if hearing it for the first time, Ma Kyung-rok looked at Ahn Sang-chul.
"Manager Ahn? What is this about? The apartment below?"
"Ah, Representative, that is..."
Ahn Sang-chul confessed to Ma Kyung-rok about his encounter with Ryu Min.
"Mr. Ryu Min lives on the floor below actress Seo Ah-rin's penthouse?"
"Yes, I moved in this January. Not long after I obtained the Rune of Future Sight."
Ma Kyung-rok's head turned to Ahn Sang-chul.
"Manager Ahn. Why are you only telling me this now?"
"I, I only found out today myself."
Moving into the neighboring apartment of someone related to the company he plans to invest in?
That's impossible without knowing the future.
*No. It's not impossible. Anyone who knows I'm sponsoring Seo Ah-rin could easily move in next door.*
Despite Ryu Min's persuasion, Ma Kyung-rok didn't believe him easily.
*'Right, this won't be enough.'*
As expected, Ryu Min pulled out his next card.
"You still look like you don't believe me. Then how about this?"
Ryu Min grinned.
"This hotel we're in right now, it's owned by you, Representative Ma Kyung-rok, correct?"
"..."
"And your identity, Representative Ma Kyung-rok, is the eldest son of the Oseong Group."
"..."
"And Cheonma Consulting is a company you secretly founded to gain your father's approval, isn't it?"
That three-hit combo revealing his identity should have been dizzying.
But Ma Kyung-rok wasn't easily swayed.
Instead, it was Ahn Sang-chul who shot up from his seat, agitated.
"You! Who put you up to this? This is information no one outside the family would know...!"
"Manager Ahn. Please calm down."
Ahn Sang-chul suppressed his anger and sat down.
In contrast, Ma Kyung-rok's tone was calm.
"Yes, that's all correct. However, it's not persuasive enough to be something you learned by seeing the future. As Manager Ahn said, it's information any relative would know."
"..."
"I'm sorry, but it doesn't quite convince me. To be honest, I feel as though someone else might have put you up to this to trap me. I have a few people who wish for my downfall."
A self-deprecating smile appeared on Ma Kyung-rok's lips.
"To trust the major shareholder and change our business sector in this situation? I don't need to say it for you to understand, do I? How utterly absurd that sounds."
"..."
"Even as the major shareholder with 51% of the shares, I cannot accept this. Of course, your words are persuasive enough. But you must admit there are holes, right?"
Ryu Min listened silently without answering.
"I also want to believe that a Rune of Future Sight exists. I really do. If there's a way for my company to grow, who would refuse? I'd follow it even if it meant tearing down my own sign."
"..."
"But Major Shareholder Ryu Min, your words are hard to believe. I appreciate you investing in our company, but it seems we'll have to hold a shareholders' meeting to review the matter. Convincing the other shareholders will be your job, Mr. Ryu Min."
Ma Kyung-rok buttoned his suit jacket as if to get up from his seat.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. I'll be leaving first, then."
"Just a moment, Representative."
At Ryu Min's call, Ma Kyung-rok settled back into his seat.
"Is there something else you'd like to say?"
*'Is this the only way, after all?'*
Ryu Min, who had been acting as if he were hesitating, carefully opened his mouth.
"Then how about this?"
"What is it?"
"I'll give you information on the 4th Round."
"The 4th Round...?"
Not just Ma Kyung-rok, but even Ahn Sang-chul's eyes widened.
"You have information on the 4th Round as well?"
"Yes. I saw it all with my future sight. The kind of tragedy that will unfold."
Watching the two surprised men, Ryu Min smiled.
"With this kind of information, it should be enough to prove my ability, wouldn't you agree?"