The Second-Generation Chaebol's Misconception
The next day.
I continued listening to lectures at Cheonjihae.
Fortunately, this lecture was on Urban Legend History and Personality Education, so nothing noticeable happened like before.
These theory classes are actually something I'm good at.
I seemed to be listening to them even more earnestly.
It felt like I was learning world-view knowledge I didn't know, so it was purely fun.
Even though I lack skill, I need to score points in theory and diligence.
I can't ignore the main class.
Any class, if you get a failing grade, you'll be kicked out without mercy.
So, waiting in the lecture room for the next lecture, a conversation drifted over from one side.
“Should I really go?”
“Of course~ Since our mother personally invited you and gave permission, think of it comfortably.”
“Waa.... Yeonhwa-ssi’s company is recognized not just in Korea but worldwide as a barrier company.”
“It’s not that much. Well~ Last year’s overseas sales were number one.”
“Not domestic, but overseas! Really, it’s lucky for us that we’re in the same class as Yeonhwa-ssi.”
One of the main characters from the original work.
The barrier expert Yoo Yeonhwa was chatting with her faction members.
This time, it was the same class as her.
Yoo Yeonhwa is the only daughter of a chaebol CEO specializing in barriers.
In short, a second-generation chaebol, or modern-day noble.
In a world where anomalies exist, there are overflowing consumers wanting barriers.
If you’re number one in that field, there’s nothing more to say.
As the only daughter of such a company, Yeonhwa herself is skilled in barriers.
Well, it’s a story from a different world than me.
Why would a second-generation chaebol get involved with someone like me.
Originally, I didn’t even think about getting close to her, so just observe from afar.
[Hehehe! Look over there.]
[Is that the top student? Ordinary looking? I can tell.]
[Don’t judge people by appearances. That’s a bad thing.]
At that moment, a new voice came from above my head.
When I looked up, three small child ghosts were looking down at me.
...Why are the president’s ghosts here again?
Why are ghosts in an exorcism mega-corporation, but these ghosts are an exception.
Because they are the ones handled by the president of Cheonjihae.
Since they’re not bad guys either, just leave them be.
They seem to be coming to watch the top student like me.
It seems like the only person in this lecture room whose voice is heard is me.
[Look! Look! Sitting alone on the desk, all by yourself! Too funny!]
[I can tell there’s no friends. I know.]
[Don’t tease them. I know this person must be sad because they have no friends.]
...But these ghosts.
They talk too much.
They even sneak in personal attacks!
[Wait! Did they frown? We can’t see them!]
[No way. We can’t be seen. I know.]
[What if we attack them? Scary!]
[Hey, hey! You can’t see us~ Look this way~ You pervert! Idiot~ Ehehehe~]
[From how they don’t react, it’s clear they’re perverts. I know.]
[Pervert? Poor human. I think we should feel pity.]
“Ah, it’s noisy! Shut up!”
Those damn perverts, perverts, perverts!
Readers would really comment “Is he really a pervert?” in the comments!
I shouted without realizing because it was creepy.
Then, silence fell in the lecture room.
...Huh?
When I looked around, everyone was staring at me.
Especially Yoo Yeonhwa looked at me and laughed as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Hah. Did you just say that to me?”
I quickly assessed the situation.
These ghosts aren’t visible to others.
So, Yeonhwa, who was chatting, must have mistaken my words for directed at her.
...Shit.
An elite who would have been second place originally with the second-generation chaebol.
She started an argument with the most annoying opponent.
“Why is it that you keep sticking with Cheok Jiyeon. It seems like you’ve become quite close.”
Were you talking about Cheok Jiyeon?
I didn’t hear anything.
“...It’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t talking to you.”
“Then who was it? The only people talking here were us?”
Yoo Yeonhwa asked in a mocking tone.
Well, if I explain, it sounds like nonsense.
Moreover, the ghosts had fled in surprise earlier.
They probably ran back to the president.
As expected, getting involved with ghosts brings nothing but bad things.
“...You seem not to know well. That Cheok Jiyeon woman isn’t an ordinary person.”
Yoo Yeonhwa naturally sat in the seat in front of me.
“The famous Cheok family clan was wiped out because of one successor who went crazy with swords. I don’t know when that woman will end up like that. Do you think it’s okay for someone like that to be in Cheonjihae?”
This. She’s more logical than I thought?
The fall of Cheok Jiyeon was a hot topic and problem even in the original work.
“We’re concerned about this and looking for countermeasures. It’s ridiculous to tell us to shut up.”
“No, it’s really not related to me.”
I wasn’t talking to you guys just now.
Do as you like whether you talk or not.
Cheok Jiyeon herself isn’t the type to care about such things.
“...It’s interesting. Whether there’s a past or not, I don’t care and don’t care? What a great friendship.”
But something’s weird.
She definitely said she doesn’t care about me.
But Yeonhwa is misunderstanding that I’m siding with Cheok Jiyeon.
“Did you like that woman that much? Where is that blunt woman attractive?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Huh! Want to say it’s a pure friendship without ulterior motives? Well, I don’t dislike that kind of romance.”
Yoo Yeonhwa nodded while saying.
Is the conversation diverging from my misunderstanding?
Who am I making the protagonist of a novel...
Sorry, but I’m already a hardened adult in society.
It’s a bit too much to discuss friendship, love, romance.
“What are you saying. Actually, I have interest in you.”
“Me...?”
“The top student of Cheonjihae. An talent spotted by team leaders from the first class. Do I need more reasons?”
Yoo Yeonhwa stared at me fixedly.
As the main character, she’s definitely pretty.
Not as much as my sister.
“This is fate, so I’ll formally propose. I’ll accept you into my faction. Such a woman, come to me.”
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Foot!”
Laughter burst from the corner at my refusal.
Yoo Yeonhwa’s face turned bright red.
Suppressing the person who was mocking her with her gaze, Yoo Yeonhwa turned her head back.
“A-Are you rejecting my proposal now?”
“I have no intention of joining any faction.”
I know she’s making her own faction.
That’s also the purpose of the second-generation chaebol entering Cheonjihae.
But what about a new employee... no, a trainee joining a faction is a faction.
Of course, even as a trainee, if they stick together, it’s helpful.
They can exchange information or combine powers.
But for someone like me who has to hide things, there are more risks.
“I appreciate the proposal but I’ll decline.”
“You can’t! If you do this, it looks like I’m chasing you!”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Huu! You make people feel bad about their pride?”
Well, I understand Yeonhwa’s heart too.
Because she’s a second-generation chaebol, she was probably spoiled.
The fact of being rejected by someone would be embarrassing and awkward.
“......”
Yoo Yeonhwa glanced at her faction’s eyes.
They were already whispering while looking this way.
If I keep rejecting, it’s a matter of face.
Even if not, she probably doesn’t want to leave a blemish from the start.
No matter what, as someone trying to make a faction, it’s hard to just let it go.
“...Okay. Then how about a bet?”
“A bet?”
“If I win, join my faction. Instead, if you win, I’ll grant any wish you want.”
It was a calculated strategy.
If I win, I get the fact that I beat the top student and get Yeonhwa too.
But-
“Why me?”
I have no reason to accept the bet.
Yoo Yeonhwa’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“A-Are you serious? You say my wish power isn’t appealing?”
“Not really.”
It can’t not be appealing.
It’s the second-generation chaebol’s wish power after all.
Whether money or making barriers, there are plenty of places to use it.
But I can’t win!
No matter what the bet is, I lose for sure.
My head, my skill, maybe even luck is inferior.
What’s the point if I can’t win even if the odds are good.
“Wa... You said you didn’t need Yeonhwa’s help just now?”
“If you’re a second-generation chaebol, just asking for a cheap amulet would be a big win.”
“That’s nothing. As expected, the top student is different.”
...Something started to sound weird around me.
People were interpreting my words as “I won’t even take Yeonhwa’s wish power.”
Why do I keep getting misunderstandings no matter what I say...
Yoo Yeonhwa’s face started to boil.
“...What do you want?”
“Huh?”
“If I give you that, will you abandon that woman and come to me!”
...Isn’t this line a bit weird now?
It seems her pride is heating up a lot.
How much, people walking on the road started looking because they thought something was happening.
No, why is she doing this to me so much.
I can’t accept a bet where I know I’ll lose.
While thinking how to resolve this situation cleanly.
“An interesting story is coming out?”
A boy who had joined our side said.
It doesn’t seem like much, but this is quite a big deal.
Even as a trainee, the ones here are exorcists.
Meaning they dove in without any noise.
...But right now, that’s not important.
The bigger thing is this boy’s identity.
“President...?”
Looking like a young elementary school boy.
The person in front of me, who would naturally say “shota”, is the president of the giant exorcism corporation Cheonjihae.
“Ah, don’t worry about me. I just came because I had business.”
How can I not worry when the president is in front of a trainee.
Originally, why is the president here...
Suddenly, the ghosts that were hiding behind the president’s head appeared.
They ratted me out!
“Anyway, recent trainees are interesting. Personally, I’m interested.”
The president said with a smile.
“If it’s okay, I’ll take on the referee for this bet. How about holding a proper match.”
“......”
I had no words for the president’s proposal.
Is there anyone with the courage to refuse the president’s words in front of a new employee?
At least I’m not.