Chapter 55

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: No Issues So Far?

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After the match ended, the name on everyone's lips was none other than Lee Jaeyoung.

A lot of people kept talking about why he had been standing there.

As the netizens said, Kangyul announced he would use the entire team event prize money for the benefit of the socially vulnerable.

Of course, only after discussing it first with his clan members.

"...The full amount donated? Doesn't that feel a bit wasteful?"

The host asked half-jokingly, half-seriously, but every member of the 'Midas A' clan shook their heads.

'Well. They're giving us bonuses equivalent to that amount, so no loss there.'

In lieu of the donation, Midas Corporation had agreed to pay out the prize money equivalent as bonuses.

It looked much cleaner to the public, and it was great for company promotion too.

"...I see. So, what are you all planning to do today? Head home and brag about your victory?"

"No."

Kangyul smirked as he replied.

"We've gotta have a team dinner. Thinking of devouring expensive flower sirloin and sushi to our hearts' content."

At the word "team dinner," Im Honggyu and Kim Min-a lit up with joy.

The host chuckled heartily at the sight of the 'Midas A' clan members.

"You folks are so pure-hearted. Well, with that, the first Midas-sponsored Sudden Attack Strongest Tournament comes to an end. Thank you so much to everyone who tuned in!"

"Ah, can I say one more thing?"

At that moment, Kangyul shot his hand up.

"Of course! Our adorable Kangyul can say two more if he wants."

"Thank you. Ahem. Midas Corporation will be establishing a professional gaming team. The initial investment will be around 10 billion won, funded by Midas Mutual Savings Bank. We'd love for many people to support us."

The host and the audience, who had expected just a simple greeting, were startled by Kangyul's sudden announcement of forming a pro gaming team.

It was too big to dismiss as mere words.

"W-Wait a second. A pro gaming team? Directly created by Midas Corporation?"

Kim Yongjin, the caster standing next to the host, urgently asked Kangyul.

"Yes, of course. Our 'Midas A' clan is under Midas too. We'll focus on Sudden Attack for now, but expand to other games later... We look forward to the support of all gamers out there."

Kangyul bowed his head at the end of his statement.

He tried to step down from the stage right away, but the reaction was weirder than expected.

A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pro gaming team on the scale of 10 billion won—something never seen before.

And it was from Midas Corporation, who had even hosted the tournament themselves.

'BasementKing' had a pretty valid point.

But that was because he didn't understand Midas Corporation's structure.

Kangyul had no intention of just shoving them somewhere to play games all day.

'If we're hiring them, obviously we'll have them shoot videos, promote, stream, and work for it.'

He planned to create a pro team YouTube channel and produce content without interfering too much with their practice.

It was killing two birds with one stone: gathering talented gamers while expanding YouTube channels.

'We already have plenty of video experts.'

In any case, the '1st Midas-sponsored Sudden Attack Strongest Tournament!' ended, leaving behind a ton of buzz.

Kangyul headed straight to a fancy restaurant with his clan members.

It was a beef specialty place with quite a luxurious interior.

"Eat as much as you want!"

"Woooow! Boss is the best!"

"I'll have some yukhoe!"

Sizzle―

The beef melted softly in his mouth and slid down his throat.

"Honey, by the way, why does everyone call Kangyul 'boss'?"

Jang Seongtae's mom asked Jang Deokcheol while munching on some meat.

Jang Deokcheol was momentarily flustered by the question.

But Seongtae, sitting right next to him, casually answered for him.

"Kangyul acts so mature and gives orders like a boss. Jaeyoung hyung told me."

"Oh, I see. It's like gaming lingo."

'...So that's how Jaeyoung hyung and Seongtae see it. Good.'

Kangyul, Kim Min-a, and Im Honggyu just kept eating their meat without a word.

The dinner alone cost millions of won, but it didn't feel wasteful at all.

The pro team formation was announced immediately after the tournament ended.

And as if waiting, a flood of applicants poured in—including, surprisingly, Once-na.

'...If Once-na joins, it'll be huge.'

The combo of Jang Seongtae and Once-na would create insane synergy.

But first, before reviewing applicants, he signed contracts with the existing 'Midas A' clan members.

Including Jang Seongtae and even Tteutteutteutteu.

Lee Jaeyoung was already under a preliminary contract, so no need to renew.

The signing bonus was naturally in the bottom 0.1% of the industry.

They tilted their heads at the mention of streaming, but perked up when he explained it was YouTube content like his and Meerkat's channels.

'Our gaming channels are gonna explode in number.'

Kangyul felt even better thinking about all the new content.

And soon, he signed new pro gamers as well.

He focused on those specializing in the game with real skill, but sadly, there weren't many—Once-na included only a handful.

This brought the 'Midas A' clan to a total of 8 members.

"Hmm. So Oh Yangchun's gone to Suwon?"

Kangyul was having a discreet chat with Jang Deokcheol in the president's office.

Normally, he'd be swamped with 'Midas A' clan stuff, but not now.

The company on the 7th floor had vacated, and he'd turned it into the 'Midas Sudden Attack Pro Team' headquarters.

Aside from Kim Min-a and Im Honggyu, who had returned to their main duties post-tournament, all the gamers were on the 7th floor.

"Yes. He's holed up in an empty house since moving there, not going out."

Kangyul's expression hardened.

Oh Yangchun, who had gone down to Suwon, suddenly stopped drinking as if he'd become a different person.

And apparently, he wasn't leaving the house for a while, doing who-knows-what.

"What about tracking the funds?"

"We checked. It was just an ordinary individual from China."

"Sigh. I see."

'If he's in Suwon, the incident's probably getting close.'

Kangyul's mind grew complicated as the event loomed nearer.

If it actually happened, Bae Jihun, who was monitoring, would report it and bring the police—that should resolve it.

'But is that really the end of it?'

Oh Yangchun had wandered aimlessly across the country.

In the areas he visited, there were 151 missing women, with 86 directly linked to him.

This alone screamed serial killer, but the police response was odd.

They tried to destroy bones found in an incinerator and cover it up.

Not only that, they pressured newspapers that reported on human flesh consumption to issue corrections.

'These facts came to light after 2020, thanks to one journalist's exposé.'

Kangyul couldn't trust police who tampered with evidence to suit themselves.

But he had no power to deal with Oh Yangchun on his own.

'What to do?'

Kangyul sank deep into thought.

Bzzz―

Then Jang Deokcheol's phone buzzed.

Jang Deokcheol jumped in surprise upon checking it.

"What's wrong?"

Jang Deokcheol showed Kangyul the text he'd received.

It was from Bae Jihun.

"What's this? No issues is good, right?"

"Jihun and I have an agreement. Report immediately if there's movement or anything special. If not, text every 3 hours."

"And?"

Rather than explain, Jang Deokcheol showed other texts.

"Casual chit-chat like this means nothing's up."

Jang Deokcheol clicked back to the recent one.

"And... sending 'no issues' means something unusual has happened. Or he's in danger."