The First Seat
A shabby raw fish restaurant.
It was so small that it could barely fit twenty people, and the facilities were utterly worn out. Yet the owner had never once worried about money.
All because of this one man.
“Hey, I’m here.”
“You’ve arrived, Chairman!!”
The old owner, who had been scolding his son while covered in dust from his cooking clothes, came rushing out the moment Lee Sang-byuk slid open the rickety door.
“It’s been a while. Business treating you well these days?”
“Thanks to you, Chairman, we’ve been living comfortably.”
“Glad to hear it. Got some nice fat ones ready for us today?”
“Of course. I flew all the way to Jeju Island myself.”
“Hahaha, would you look at this guy, Cheol-ong? As he gets older, his smooth talking only gets better, doesn’t it?”
“It’s about time he got good at it.”
“Kekeke, enough chatter. Have the kids sit down. You, get the table set.”
Behind the laughing Lee Sang-byuk followed Chief Secretary Yu Cheol-ong, Vice Chairman Lee Young-bin, President Lee Chan-bin of Yido Motors, and the other key executives.
The heart of Korean finance, the Lee Do Group. The very men who ran it were now squeezing themselves into this cramped little raw fish joint.
They could have easily held their dinner at a far more luxurious restaurant or hotel if they wanted, but none of them complained. Instead, a faint pride glowed on every face.
Because this place was the Lee Do Group’s very first dinner spot.
Lee Sang-byuk’s obsession with the number one was beyond imagination.
First.
Number one.
The best.
Once he started something, it had to be number one. Anything carrying the Lee Do name had to be the absolute best. For a man like him, not placing meaning on “first” would have been stranger.
That was why, whenever Lee Sang-byuk was truly happy, he always came to this original dinner spot first.
In other words, being invited here with him meant you were close enough to share in his joy.
Which explained why the Vice Chairman, whose single word could shake the smartphone market, was personally setting out spoons, and why the president of Yido Motors—the company with the highest domestic market share—was loading soju bottles into an ice bucket.
Where else would you see a scene like this?
Only here.
Only at this first dinner spot.
Once the table was set, Lee Sang-byuk lifted a glass containing a soju shot and spoke.
“Alright, no need for fancy words, right? First glass, let’s drink it strong. Cheol-ong.”
“Cheers!”
At Yu Cheol-ong’s booming toast, everyone shouted “Cheers!” loud enough to shake the restaurant. They emptied their glasses, then clapped enthusiastically.
This was a place Lee Sang-byuk only visited when something good happened. That was why every drinking party here always began with applause.
“Krr! Sweet. So sweet. Feels just like my mood lately. Real good. You all know why I’m in such a great mood, right?”
How could they not?
The major guild he had longed for had finally been born.
These days, the word “guild” came up more than any other at Federation of Korean Industries meetings. Among the chairmen, owning a guild had gone beyond hobby and become a matter of pride.
Yet, as everyone knew, the Lee Do Group had never had one.
Despite being the top conglomerate, they had no pride in that area. So whenever the other chairmen laughed and chatted about their guilds, Lee Sang-byuk would always clear his throat and turn his head…
But now he had one too. The guild that only he lacked had finally appeared!
And not just any guild—the Mir Guild. The one that had transcended legend and was writing a myth. It was their guild! His guild!
“Hehehe. The moment I said I’d spend money, those old geezers’ faces went tight as could be. Tasted just like roasted sesame seeds.”
This was no joke. One hundred percent nonfiction fact.
Every chairman who attended the meeting had tensed up at Lee Sang-byuk’s declaration.
They were people who had competed against him during turbulent times. No one could predict where that madman’s obsession with being number one would strike next.
In truth, if Lee Shin hadn’t stopped him, Lee Sang-byuk had been ready to show them.
What real wealth looked like.
“What did that kid say again? That everything has its time. Can you believe it, Cheol-ong? He’s lecturing me. Cheeky brat.”
He called the boy cheeky, but Lee Sang-byuk’s face was filled with smiles.
Because not long after those words, they had recruited Hwarang. Because they had become the final victor of the Stove League.
“Kekeke, once the results came out, he had nothing to say. That rascal really made a fool of me. Don’t you think, Vice Chairman?”
“My apologies.”
“What are you apologizing for? Mine went to you, and yours went to him. So in the end, isn’t it all my fault? Yeah, it’s my fault. Hahaha. Come on, everyone, have another drink.”
As he set down his empty glass, the corner of Lee Young-bin’s mouth twitched. He was trying to hold back a smile. Even the usually icy Lee Young-bin found his father’s praise so delightful that maintaining his expression was difficult.
But at Lee Sang-byuk’s next words, Lee Young-bin’s face naturally settled back into composure…
“I’m truly happy. And right at the peak of that happiness, I heard a really funny story.”
At Lee Sang-byuk’s gesture, Yu Cheol-ong turned and placed a newspaper on the table.
The front-page article was a glowing piece praising the Kirin Guild, which had hosted the opening match for the past five years.
“That rascal of mine called me and said, ‘Grandpa, we fell behind Kirin and ended up in second place?’ Then he giggled like an idiot.”
“So I told him, what kind of nonsense is that? Speak clearly. Then the kid showed me this article and said something. Do you know what it was?”
Lee Sang-byuk had naturally assumed the opening match was always held by the previous season’s champion guild. That was how it had always been done. So he hadn’t thought much of it…
But that rascal had smashed a hammer right into his head.
“Where is it written that it has to be that way? Hahaha. That’s right. Where in the world is there anything that’s truly ‘natural’? Exactly, exactly, a hundred times correct. Kehehe.”
If they had only done what was natural, the Lee Do Group would never have grown this big.
It was by succeeding at things that weren’t natural that the current Lee Do Group existed.
Hahaha. Lee Sang-byuk laughed for a long time.
But the gathered executives grew tense. The atmosphere had shifted.
“Cheol-ong. Recite what you investigated.”
“Yes, sir. The Mir Guild’s current brand power ranks second, right behind the Kirin Guild. What’s noteworthy is that unlike Kirin, which is strong with people in their twenties and thirties, the Mir Guild shows strength across all age groups…”
From Yu Cheol-ong’s mouth flowed countless reasons why the Mir Guild could overtake Kirin and become the main character.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-byuk downed another glass of soju and picked up one of the designated driver flyers sitting beside the spoon holder.
Once the report finished, Lee Sang-byuk waved the neatly folded flyer above his head.
“Hey, kids. What does this look like? Director of Trading?”
“I-it’s a flyer, sir!”
“Director of Construction?”
“It’s a flyer, sir!”
“You too, Lee Chan-bin?”
“Y-yes, it is.”
“And you, Lee Young-bin?”
“…It appears that way to me as well.”
Lee Sang-byuk clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Hopeless. Utterly hopeless. Can’t even read an old man’s heart.”
Looked like he’d have to show them.
Lee Sang-byuk waved an identically folded flyer at Yu Cheol-ong.
“Cheol-ong. What does this look like to you?”
Yu Cheol-ong answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“It’s a ticket, isn’t it?”
“What kind of ticket?”
“It appears to be a ticket for the opening match. VVIP Seat Number One. It seems the young master paid quite a bit of attention.”
“!!”
The completely unexpected answer made everyone flinch.
Lee Sang-byuk grinned and spoke to them all.
“See? This. This was the answer I wanted.”
He poured liquor for Yu Cheol-ong, who had given the correct reply, and continued.
“Listen well, kids. The date and time of the opening match are written right here on this ticket. I, Lee Sang-byuk, will be sitting in this seat that day no matter what happens. No matter what, I will be in Busan. Yeongdo. Yongwanggung. The VVIP room. Seat Number One.”
“Did you understand what I said?”
Whether it rained, snowed, or a typhoon struck, Lee Sang-byuk would be there.
Even if they failed to secure the opening match and lost to the Kirin Guild, he would sit there and watch even an empty screen.
And the seats beside him would be occupied by the people here.
“Got it? I’m trusting you.”
The next day, the executives who had returned to their respective domains moved busily.
“All Strategic Planning Office staff to the Vice Chairman’s office.”
“You have ten minutes. Bring the Crisis Management team to the conference room immediately.”
“Stop all non-essential work. We’re handling this first.”
Lee Sang-byuk’s top-priority order had been issued.
We will take the opening match.
“We must approach the media first. Reduce exposure of the Kirin Guild by any means and instead push the Mir Guild…”
“We need to shut the Association’s mouth. The fact that the Association President plays golf with Manwang Han Jeong-do…”
“Shouldn’t we run straight to the Bureau? As you know, time is short. This is more of a lobbying matter than a battle of public opinion…”
“We should start by supporting the fandom. After all, this whole situation began when Mir Guild fans caused an uproar in America. We should…”
Opinions poured out from the country’s brightest talents.
Normally they would sift through them, narrow it down, and choose the option with the highest chance of success…
But not today.
“Do them all.”
“A-all of them, sir?”
“Want me to say it twice?”
“Yes, sir!”
“What are you standing around for? Get moving.”
To hell with selection and focus.
“Haha, it’s been a while, Director. Do you remember me?”
“President, please clear your schedule for tonight.”
“I don’t care if it’s the Yongbong Era or whatever era—just tell me how much you need! Go find out!”
They had little time. Yet they had to produce results.
If they failed, how could they endure Lee Sang-byuk’s disappointment?
In times like this, there was only one choice.
Efficiency? Probability? Forget all that. Just charge straight in.
The same way Lee Sang-byuk had built this empire back when everyone said it was impossible.
“Aigoo, Director, if you’re in a difficult position, you should have said so! If it’s not too rude, we’d like to help you out.”
“This is what I think—stagnant water rots. Vice President, it’s time for you to claim victory.”
“Gift certificates? Ha, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the Kirin guys were so stingy. Here, take this first. It’s a small handbag. It’s your wife’s birthday, isn’t it?”
“Hahaha, yes. Whatever work you do, our Lee Do Group will support it. Ah, no need to worry. Whether it’s volunteer work or sharing events, do whatever you want. Just send us the invoice afterward. We’ll take care of the rest. Yes, any amount is fine.”
Open your mouth, here comes the money.
The media, the Association, the Bureau, the Central Awakener Management Headquarters, the government, and even the Mir Guild’s fandom.
The Lee Do Group’s endless barrage of resources continued.
And the effect was clear.
.
.
The Kirin Group realized the seriousness of the situation too late.
Was the Lee Do Group’s overwhelming resource offensive simply too powerful? Had five years of dominance made them complacent? Or was it both?
They moved with everything they had, but…
— “What power do we have? We’re just following orders from above.”
— “I told you to help me, didn’t I? Ahem, I don’t know. I’ll be stepping back from this matter.”
— “Telling us not to run the article? Is this media suppression?”
— Beep beep~ The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable…
There was nothing the Kirin Group could do against people who had already eaten until their stomachs were full and were now lounging lazily. In the end, they had no choice but to seek their final option.
However…
— “I’m sorry. The President is currently in a meeting.”
Did the Kirin Group know? That their final option was already reaching out to shake a different hand.
“There was the magic stone bid three years ago as well. This old man has given the President quite a lot of reasons to feel disappointed in us.”
“Y-yes… there was that incident…”
“Still, looking at the results, thanks to that we gained a guild and even resolved the family’s biggest headache. Truly, you never know what life will bring. Don’t you think so, Mr. President?”
“Indeed. Life is unpredictable.”
“That is why I wish to extend my hand to the President once more. Will you take it?”
“……”
The President closed his eyes tightly and took the hand.
Lee Sang-byuk’s lips curved upward at the desperate grip he felt.
.
.
A few days later.
The articles rose to the surface.
League’s First Busan Derby Confirmed!