Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Casting a Champion
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“Cast a co-star who matches my level. Not an extra—I want to shoot the ad with someone appropriate for my status.”
…That was her final demand.
The PR team staff couldn’t hide their embarrassment.
They’d already blown through the entire budget approved from above under the pretext of a pride battle with Seojin Construction.
All that was left was about 20 million won.
Every one of them wanted to shout, “Jin Soo-young, cut your own fee first! Then we’ll cast anyone you want!”
But who would pull a stunt like that and get fired on the spot?
“Got no ideas? Isn’t there anyone famous who’s cheap?”
Park Min-chan’s words made Assistant Manager Lim Soon-chul barely stifle a hollow laugh.
Where in the world was such a person?
But no one spoke up.
If they said something unnecessary, they’d get an earful from the already irritated Park Min-chan.
They all clamped their mouths shut, praying this ordeal would end soon.
“No ideas at all? Huh?”
As the staff stayed silent, Park Min-chan thumped his chest in frustration.
Even he couldn’t nitpick this time.
It was an unreasonable request, even by his own standards.
Where in the world was a “cheap famous celebrity”?
At that moment, Lee Dae-hyuk tentatively raised his hand.
“There’s someone with a low appearance fee whom every person in Korea knows.”
“…And where’s this person?”
“Choo. Dong. Hyun.”
In response to Park Min-chan’s question, Lee Dae-hyuk named Choo Dong-hyun.
Choo Dong-hyun.
Korea’s—no, the world’s—top mixed martial artist.
He’d already made more than enough money, so he had no greed for it.
Instead…
‘…He’s got a greed for tormenting people.’
Whatever the reason, thanks to him, Lee Dae-hyuk had grown this strong so quickly.
In a way, he was grateful.
That’s why Lee Dae-hyuk planned to repay Choo Dong-hyun a little(?) through this ad.
‘And rack up some points for myself, of course.’
An ad featuring Jin Soo-young and Choo Dong-hyun as newlyweds for Daehan Construction apartments.
It wouldn’t just boost Daehan Construction—it would transform the entire Daehan Group’s image.
But Park Min-chan, Lim Soon-chul, Joo Hyo-min, and everyone else there tilted their heads in doubt.
Choo Dong-hyun, holder of the “strongest man” title, had already cashed in on countless ads, raking in a fortune.
The problem was that he hadn’t shot a single one since.
‘…Because it’s a hassle.’
The PR team had learned that the hard way when they tried to recruit him.
How utterly unhinged the guy was.
“Interferes with my training. If you want to use me that bad, bring 100 billion won.”
…He’d even said that publicly.
And now this clueless newbie thought he could snag Choo Dong-hyun on the “cheap.”
“…….”
As they all stared at him with eyes full of distrust, Lee Dae-hyuk let out a chuckle.
“Something on my face?”
“Lee Dae-hyuk.”
Joo Hyo-min sighed.
She had a bad feeling he was about to cause trouble.
Lim Soon-chul and the other staff watched Lee Dae-hyuk with worried eyes.
But Lee Dae-hyuk ignored their gazes, continuing with a smiling face.
“I’m close with Choo Dong-hyun. If I ask, he’ll gladly do it.”
Park Min-chan scowled at Lee Dae-hyuk’s bold claim.
Normally, he would’ve chewed him out.
But considering Lee Dae-hyuk’s track record(?) so far, a nagging premonition told him this might work too.
“Do whatever. But it won’t be zero guarantee, got it? The remaining budget is… Hyo-min.”
“Yes. About 20 million won.”
“You heard that?”
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded at the remaining budget figure.
“That’s plenty.”
***
The next evening.
A pork belly joint near the gym.
Sizzle—!!!
Choo Dong-hyun picked up a piece of meat cooking on the grill and set his chopsticks down again.
“Are you messing with me?”
He couldn’t believe his ears.
An appearance fee of 20 million won?
“You know how much I make per fight? Hell, I earn way more than 20 million in just one minute.”
“I know it’s an absurd amount.”
“What you’re doing right now is straight-up robbery, Lee Dae-hyuk. Robbery. What’s a chaebol heir doing acting like this?”
Lee Dae-hyuk understood Choo Dong-hyun’s reaction.
Even he’d find it ridiculous.
But.
He was confident he could lure Choo Dong-hyun in.
“It’s not just 20 million won—you know there are other conditions too.”
“Other conditions?”
Choo Dong-hyun showed some interest.
He knew Lee Dae-hyuk wasn’t your average chaebol heir.
‘A guy disguising himself as an ordinary employee, training in MMA in his spare time—who’s normal?’
Still.
‘He’s an entertaining weirdo, though.’
Choo Dong-hyun liked people who weren’t normal, just like himself.
“Hmm…”
Munch munch—!!
Clack—!!
Lee Dae-hyuk swallowed his meat and set down his chopsticks.
Then.
“Gym Master, what’s your dream?”
“Me? I don’t dream. I sleep like a rock.”
“…I don’t mean that kind of dream. I mean your goal. Your ultimate goal.”
At Lee Dae-hyuk’s clarification, Choo Dong-hyun looked a bit embarrassed and furrowed his brow.
“Hmm. My ultimate goal… Originally, it was just tormenting other kids. Felt unfair that I suffered alone. But at some point, a new goal popped up.”
Pat pat—!!
Thirsty?
Or embarrassed?
Choo Dong-hyun poured himself some cider and continued.
“Look. I made a fortune, but now I manage it—no soju. Soda? Once a week at most. And when fight schedules come, I cut all this out. It’s all about training. Training.”
Gulp gulp—!!!
He downed the cider in his glass refreshingly and went on.
“We’re idiots. Idiots who burn everything we have because we love being strong. Some lose their fortunes, others end up disabled or die young. But we can’t leave the ring. I want to create a stage where those idiots can play to their hearts’ content. Yeah, it’s not crystal clear yet. Just thinking about it.”
At this stage, Choo Dong-hyun’s goal was pie-in-the-sky talk.
But Lee Dae-hyuk, who’d come from 15 years in the future, knew what it was.
Creating a new MMA organization.
A stage where the strong could fight and live comfortably, just as he said.
Ten years from now.
Choo Dong-hyun would found the AFC MMA organization.
A solid outfit backed by investments from major conglomerates across Korea and Asia.
‘The problem is… AFC collapsed in three years due to match-fixing and doping scandals.’
After the organization fell apart, Choo Dong-hyun retired from active competition immediately.
The mental blow was that severe.
He even personally beat up fighters involved in doping and fixing, landing himself in prison.
The public loved it—“Classic Choo Dong-hyun”—but…
‘That wasn’t how he really felt inside.’
After that, he rehabbed his image on variety shows and lived decently enough…
But for someone as prideful as him, the scar of his organization’s failure would last a lifetime.
This time, though, his life would change.
“I’ll invest in your dream, Gym Master.”
“…Invest in my dream what?”
Choo Dong-hyun asked again, as if he’d misheard.
His dream was to create a legitimate, top-tier MMA organization in the backwater of the fight world.
That meant pouring over 10 billion won a year into it.
“Dae-hyuk, did you not get what I said? The ‘stage’ I mean is like starting an MMA org like the WFC…?”
“I know exactly.”
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded.
The person who knew Choo Dong-hyun’s dream best in Korea—no, the world right now.
Who else but himself, from the future?
“Lee Dae-hyuk and the Daehan Group will make your dream come true.”
Lee Dae-hyuk casually dropped the Daehan Group’s name.
He didn’t love it, but what could he do?
It would sell better than his own name for convincing Choo Dong-hyun.
“…….”
Choo Dong-hyun was silent for a while.
He had plenty of money himself.
But personal capital had limits.
With a sponsor like the Daehan Group behind him?
He could build an org that dominated Asia, if not WFC level.
But one thing needed clarifying.
“Scale could be huge. With Daehan Group’s help, we could swallow Asia whole. But… is this your personal opinion, Lee Dae-hyuk? Or the Daehan Group’s?”
At Choo Dong-hyun’s question, Lee Dae-hyuk paused briefly.
The answer was set.
He was just calculating which would convince him best.
A few seconds later, Lee Dae-hyuk spoke firmly.
“My opinion will become the Daehan Group’s.”
“…Hahaha. Lee Dae-hyuk, I knew it from the start. You’re a total nutjob.”
Choo Dong-hyun burst out laughing at the response.
Lee Dae-hyuk was the Daehan Group’s youngest.
No matter how talented, seizing the group was a long shot.
Claiming his opinion would become the group’s…
‘A declaration of war to take the Daehan Group.’
Lee Dae-hyuk wasn’t drunk without even a sip of soju.
He meant it sincerely.
“You trust me?”
“I trust Korea’s strongest man.”
Lee Dae-hyuk answered without hesitation.
Choo Dong-hyun was a bit twisted, but trustworthy.
Plus, it wasn’t unconditional charity.
Running a small sports org would help his image as the future Daehan Group chairman.
‘To etch the name Lee Dae-hyuk into the public’s mind.’
Unaware of Lee Dae-hyuk’s ulterior motives, Choo Dong-hyun, deeply moved, muttered.
“Feels good. Real good.”
A satisfied smile crept onto his lips.
Earning trust felt great.
Especially from a chaebol third-gen who could aid his life?
Pat pat—!!
“Guess I can have a soju tonight. Soju, one bottle here.”
As Choo Dong-hyun ordered, a server brought a bottle.
Pop—!!!
Choo Dong-hyun opened it and grinned at Lee Dae-hyuk.
“If you want anything else from me, just say it straight.”
Pour pour.
His eyes brimmed with affection as he filled Lee Dae-hyuk’s glass.
“Man, at my age, someone investing in my dream? Overflowing with love. Heh heh heh.”
“Your dream will help mine too.”
Lee Dae-hyuk declared confidently.
Korean fighters alone wouldn’t cut it, but luckily, he knew top global MMA stars who’d succeed in the future.
Gather them all, and matching WFC wasn’t impossible—beyond Choo Dong-hyun’s expectations even.
“…….”
Accepting the glass, Lee Dae-hyuk recalled his past life as Kim Gun-woo.
The days of beer, chicken, and MMA broadcasts.
‘…Pathetic hobbies.’
A middle-aged widower in underwear watching fights after work…
Just thinking about it made his head spin.
‘But thanks to that, I know all the big stars.’
Now, that life had become the catalyst to achieve a bigger dream with Choo Dong-hyun.
“Here’s to me toasting you now.”
“Good. Let’s take one from our sponsor.”
Choo Dong-hyun chuckled heartily and handed Lee Dae-hyuk the soju bottle.
Pour—!!!
Lee Dae-hyuk poured, beaming.
“No special treatment just ‘cause I’m a sponsor. Keep pushing me hard like always.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll work you half to death. Heh heh heh. I never go easy on the ones I like.”
Choo Dong-hyun laughed, raising his glass.
“…….”
At a loss for words, Lee Dae-hyuk slowly brought his glass to his lips too.