A Vision of the Future
“How fascinating.”
That was Evelyn Rothschild’s first impression upon meeting Lee Shin.
“How can a single human being contain so many different kinds of charm?”
He possessed both lightness and weight, cuteness and decadent beauty. At times he seemed innocent, at others cunning. Then, in an instant, a wave of ecstasy would wash over her. She was already caught.
What do you mean? Speak plainly?
That was exactly how Evelyn felt. As if she had encountered an incomprehensible existence that no human language could describe.
“Especially that aura of his.”
When Evelyn looked at people, she saw the aura behind them rather than the person themselves. Dangerous auras clung to the violent, warm auras to the kind.
Auras were like fingerprints—almost impossible to change. In fact, they were more stubborn than fingerprints, sometimes even consuming their owners.
But Lee Shin…
“He’s playing with his aura…? How curious.”
When he first saw Evelyn, it felt as though a pinpoint spotlight had illuminated him. When he smiled softly, comfort spread through the surroundings.
Yes. This boy didn’t just change his own aura—he reorganized the atmosphere around him to revolve around himself.
“If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, even I wouldn’t have believed it.”
What did that mean?
“There’s actually someone in this world who can force others to like them with nothing but charm…!”
Like Lee Sang-byuk, who overwhelmed others with overwhelming charisma.
Like Evelyn herself, who moved people with her innate nobility.
This young man already possessed his own unique aura.
“The Lee Shin on screen and the Lee Shin standing before me are as incomparable as a firefly and the sun.”
No camera could ever capture him completely. There was no lens that could contain all the charm and aura radiating from him.
Honestly, by this point Evelyn wanted to throw away all her work and simply enjoy tea time with this boy.
If it hadn’t been for “family business,” she probably would have.
Just a short conversation had made flowers bloom in her long-withered heart. If she could put a price on that feeling, Evelyn would have gladly paid millions of pounds—perhaps even more.
“If even I feel this way, how must ordinary people feel?”
She naturally nodded, understanding why Korea was so obsessed with Lee Shin.
Even more surprising was that she had reached this conclusion less than five minutes after meeting him.
After that, he had moved her by recalling a forty-year-old interview word for word. Then there was his insight—somehow knowing the true state of the Rothschild family and why they were so fiercely obsessed with hunters and mana stones.
“Everything was beyond expectation. Far beyond what I imagined.”
And the final touch was his refusal of her last proposal with a simple “I’m sorry.”
— “I’m truly grateful that you recognize my abilities and show me such kindness. I also understand that your proposal would be beneficial to me. However, I believe the order is wrong.”
— “After all, this is the first time we’ve met, isn’t it, Your Grace?”
Lee Shin smiled harmlessly as he spoke.
Anyone could see it wasn’t some cheap bargaining tactic to raise his own value. Lee Shin was genuinely looking at the connection with Evelyn rather than the benefits the proposal would bring.
Even now, waiting for her in front of the hotel.
— “Would you grant me the honor of escorting you today, my lady?”
Was there anyone who had ever tried to treat her with simple human kindness?
It was refreshing.
Evelyn Rothschild, born with blue blood in her veins.
Seventy years. Seventy years fighting on battlefields where money replaced swords and spears, serving as her family’s greatest warrior.
She had thought there was nothing left in the world that could feel new to her. She had already experienced too much to feel novelty.
That was why she had retired and gone backpacking.
But now…
“I don’t think I need to do that anymore.”
Evelyn’s heart was pounding for the first time in a long while.
As she looked at their joined hands.
* * *
“How about these, Grandmother?”
“Let me see.”
Evelyn and Lee Shin pressed their faces against the glass display, eyes sparkling. They looked so serious it was almost grave. What could possibly make these two titans so serious?
Surprisingly, it was shoes. Ordinary sneakers.
“Isn’t the design too plain? What do you think, Grandmother?”
“I think simple is rather nice.”
“What about the color? I like white.”
“White is safe.”
Two people who possessed at least trillions in assets and were still earning more were seriously debating in front of a store. They could buy the entire brand if they wanted, yet here they were, agonizing over a single pair of sneakers.
Then they both nodded.
“Let’s buy them.”
“Yes, let’s.”
“Go, go!”
A short while later, when Lee Shin and Evelyn emerged from the store, they were both wearing identical sneakers.
“Oh! They’re more comfortable than I expected. Right, Grandmother?”
“They really are. I’d only heard the name before, but they’re better than I thought.”
“The fit is better than luxury brands. Honestly, you agree, right?”
“Haha, I do.”
“Then let’s move on to the next one!”
Lee Shin took Evelyn’s hand and led the way cheerfully. Evelyn smiled warmly at his adorable demeanor and followed.
The two walked through the empty floor.
“This is the most popular brand among young people these days.”
“Is that so? Let me see.”
“How about this green one, Grandmother?”
“No. That one’s definitely not it. Navy would be better, wouldn’t it?”
“Nah, if I’m getting navy, I might as well get black.”
“Black is too dull.”
“It’s fine. You and I have faces that act as lighting, after all.”
“Oh my, listen to you talk.”
They bought matching black tracksuits at another sports store.
“Hmm? That hat doesn’t look bad, Lee Shin.”
“I hardly ever wear hats.”
“Then trust me this once and try one. A gentleman needs a hat as an essential item.”
“Should I?”
They wore matching caps side by side.
“We’ve changed everything from head to toe. Shall we take a fresh photo?”
“Is there a photo studio here too?”
“There’s nothing missing here. Look over there.”
“Oh my? There really is nothing missing.”
They took stylish commemorative photos at a self-photo studio.
After completing their fashion tour, the two bought coffee and strolled through the park on the rooftop.
“It’s really amazing. In Korea, they put parks inside department stores? Honestly, I’m not even sure if this should be called a department store.”
“Haha, that’s exactly what I was going for. I asked them to build it as big as possible.”
“Why did you think of that?”
“Hmm, I just didn’t want something ordinary? I thought there would be a certain grandeur that comes with scale. How was it?”
“How was it? I’ve been thinking since earlier about building one in Europe too. It was that impressive.”
In truth, Lee Shin had brought over the concept of the massive shopping complexes that had been popular in his previous life. Since even a shut-in like him had heard about them, he figured it would succeed—and sure enough, even before opening, it was getting media coverage.
No wonder Lee Sang-byuk had considered turning “Royal Field” into a brand name.
“Then am I the first customer of Royal Field?”
“That’s right. I’m thinking of putting it on a plaque. ‘Evelyn Rothschild takes her first steps here. Ta-da!’”
“My, what an honor.”
The two leaned against the railing and looked out at the sea.
“Did you enjoy today’s date?”
“Very much. I don’t remember the last time I laughed this much.”
“I’m glad. That I could bring you joy, Grandmother.”
Lee Shin smiled gently.
Evelyn felt warm at his sincere smile. This child truly wanted to be close to this old woman. Just as she was about to thank him for his warm heart—
His next words stopped her.
“Then tomorrow, let’s go to the beach over there.”
“……Pardon?”
“We promised to get to know each other better, didn’t we? Don’t you need to see more of me?”
There was still so much he wanted to show her. Did she really think one day of dating would be enough?
This was only the beginning.
Lee Shin tapped his newly bought sneakers on the ground and laughed.
“Let’s spend tomorrow together too.”
·
·
“Alfredo, cancel the Turkey schedule. Tell the president as well.”
“Yes, understood.”
* * *
The next day, Lee Shin met Evelyn in front of the hotel just like the day before.
Wearing the clothes they had bought the previous day, the two rode in the Rollin and headed toward the beach as promised.
They walked along the coastal trail and talked.
“From here, the walking path stretches all along the coast. Nice, right?”
“Very nice. Quite excellent. The Korean sea has a refined charm. And with so many children playing, the atmosphere feels different from yesterday. There are many apartment complexes too— is this a residential area?”
“As expected of you, Grandmother. You noticed right away. The first thing I did after buying Yeongdo was reorganize the zones. This area has the best view, so I had people live here.”
“Then that school over there—was it built by you as well?”
“Technically, my grandfather built it. It covers elementary through high school, and all education is free for our guild members. The employees of Choi’s Pharmacy get it free too, by the way. Heh heh heh.”
“My… How interesting. Could you tell me more while we walk?”
“Of course.”
If the first day had been a tour of the massive shopping mall “Royal Field” about to open, the second day was spent walking the coastal trail and exploring the residential areas.
Children playing in playgrounds, employees coming out of restaurants—everyone radiated hope.
It was a lively, energetic day.
And when it was time to part, Lee Shin made another offer.
“You see that construction site over there, Grandmother? We’re going there tomorrow. You can look forward to it.”
That night, Evelyn returned to her lodging and spoke.
“Alfredo, cancel the Switzerland schedule.”
“Yes, understood.”
On the third day, as promised, Evelyn visited the construction site. Construction vehicles constantly coming and going, rebar and concrete rising block by block. The most striking thing was the smell of metal.
“Is that a blast furnace…? Don’t tell me it’s a blacksmith shop?”
“Ding dong, correct! It’s a blacksmith shop where we can repair and modify equipment. For now, that’s the plan. Later, when it gets bigger, I’m thinking of moving into manufacturing as well.”
“Manufacturing? That won’t be easy. Items require not just the forge’s facilities but skilled blacksmiths as well…”
“Heh heh, that’s actually where I’m most confident. Do you know someone called Master Ak-bong?”
“Wait a moment—are you talking about the legendary blacksmith who suddenly disappeared? The one they called Ak-bong? He’s still alive?”
“It’s a secret. I’m only telling you because it’s you, Grandmother.”
“Oh, my, god……”
“Heh heh heh, then tomorrow we’ll go right inside that tent over there. You’ll be surprised when you see it.”
On the fourth day, she was amazed by the “Second Stadium” being built in a completely different style.
On the fifth day, they toured Choi’s Pharmacy’s new research lab and received a generous supply of the newly renewed Woongjindan sets.
By this point, Evelyn was beginning to picture something in her mind. The reason Lee Shin called Yeongdo an empire, and what vision he was drawing as he designed his territory.
And the clearer that vision became, the longer Evelyn’s stay grew.
“Alfredo, cancel the meeting with the Saudi king.”
“Cancel everything in Japan.”
“Cancel all schedules in China.”
“Cancel the South America schedule as well.”
National-level schedules were being canceled one after another.
Alfredo finally asked worriedly— wasn’t she canceling too much? Wouldn’t this damage relationships?
Evelyn answered firmly.
“That’s not what’s important right now. Can’t you see it, Alfredo? What’s right in front of us? What that child is showing us?”
She sighed in frustration at the confused butler, then said something else.
“Contact the family. We’ll need to rewrite the contract.”
At first, Evelyn had thought it was just a date. She had assumed the boy was simply acting cute.
But she was wrong.
What Lee Shin had shown her was a single picture.
Potions from Choi’s Pharmacy, a blacksmith shop to supply equipment, caring for hunters’ families so they could focus on clearing gates without worry.
“Over the past few days, under the guise of dates, you’ve been showing me what you wanted me to see. Your abilities and your value. That you are truly the master of the next generation.”
Yes. The future.
The title of the picture Lee Shin had shown was “The Future.”
“This island, this city, the entire empire Lee Shin has built—it’s all the ‘future of the guild’ that will soon unfold. Isn’t that right, Lee Shin?”
Evelyn spoke, and Lee Shin, sitting across from her, clapped his hands.
Correct.
“Now we can negotiate seriously.”