A Careful Reading of the Employment Contract
There was a game called Civilization War 5.
In simple terms, it was a game where you built a civilization in one region and conquered the world.
And in that game, the word "world conquest" could be interpreted in many ways.
One was pure military power — just overwhelming violence that crushed every country with sheer force.
Another was pure financial power — seizing the money supply so completely that the fight itself could never even begin.
And the final one...
"『Culture』."
Cultural invasion.
That was the last card Yoo Hyewon had played.
"It would be impossible to defeat the youngest by force."
"Business-wise, the eldest son is holding strong."
"Therefore, the only remaining path is one. Even if it loses meaning under pressure..."
If it loses meaning, then it loses meaning.
"That's why I have a relatively free body compared to the other two."
Compared to the youngest, I had more hands.
While the youngest was busy managing just one Hero party, I could do multiple things at the same time.
Compared to the eldest son, my reach was wider.
Naturally, I would have to keep an eye on the youngest's movements, and more importantly, I would watch whether he made any reckless moves on the executive side.
"On top of that, the essence of cultural invasion has always been its unique 'stealth.'"
Military power immediately becomes a threat.
Because of that, it must be watched.
Financial power is the same.
Anyone would be wary if their rice bowl could disappear overnight.
But the person watching a manga book hidden under the desk drawer would be nowhere to be found.
"Actually... in reality, the pen is stronger than the fist."
Culture is a kind of poison.
Once it spreads, it's an irreversible, irresistibly seductive and viciously deadly poison.
If it starts spreading, it's already too late to notice.
That's why it's cultural invasion.
Yoo Hyewon tilted her teacup and gave a light smile.
"Yeah. Culturally invading FreeX and cloning it was a bit... bold."
"Puff!"
The stream of water splattered right in front of my face.
Luckily Seiren was still in her arms, so it didn't touch me.
Thanks to that, Hyewon's face was left covered in teacup water.
Even though I quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it, the water stains on the desk didn't disappear.
"Really... it wasn't FreeX at all."
"Then what about FreeX Co.?"
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
There was a game whose mascot was a cat that looked like a cunningly deceitful personality.
I tilted the teacup in front of me.
[Wait!]
"Eh?"
[Something dirty is in there!]
"Oh..."
Seiren had headbutted the teacup.
Soon liquid droplets rose up, swirling inside the cup...
Pshook!
"Kyaa?! Kuph, cough!"
[I returned it to its original position! Did I do well?]
Straight into Hyewon's mouth.
It directly struck her throat.
"Fluff..."
It must have hurt.
I looked at Hyewon choking and slowly tilted the teacup again.
This time Seiren, with no foreign object, rubbed her face against my chest without a word.
There, there.
We can play in the lake later.
Thinking about it, I haven't been out much lately.
"Anyway! That's why I entered the entertainment industry."
"I understand what you're saying."
The point was to take the least risk while ensuring that if the pot boiled, I couldn't be stopped.
But if I was only aiming for that, there would have been no need to build a separate training facility...
"So. What did you prepare for the second round?"
"...Prepared? Are you trying to trick me again like before? Unfortunately, this marks the end of my plan."
"Then when the time comes for me to be restrained, it's like a second arrow, right?"
Probably up to D or C rank, at best B rank.
If I could gather that many people...
"Like ordering bodyguards or security guards?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Maintaining public order?"
"............"
Her expression had become completely stiff.
I shrugged and explained my interpretation.
"For opposing the Hero. If that's the case, the only thing left is one thing."
No matter how strong the Hero's power was, the body was still one.
On the other hand, if I spread my influence toward public order, people would remember the name 'Yuseong's Yoo Hyewon' far more than the Hero's name.
This would also create synergy with the cultural business.
"Supporting dungeon conquest..."
"The Yuseong Group is not weak enough to struggle with dungeon conquest. If it was really for that, they would have upgraded the company's facilities and built a new training center."
If I had built a new training center outside, the honest employees wouldn't benefit from it.
If I had intended to enhance the power of internal employees, it should have been installed inside the company.
But since it wasn't, it meant there was another purpose.
Thinking about it, the company itself was almost in that man's hands. It was hard to bring internal people over to become his own, so they created a third force outside...
In the sense of creating a group for minimal military power rather than fighting power, it wasn't a bad strategy.
But that was it.
"I'm getting a little sorry."
"Eh...?"
I tilted the teacup again and gulped everything inside.
"Sorry... sorry? You say?"
She gave a bewildered look.
I answered Hyewon while adding a bit of guilt to my voice.
"Even though it was an important moment, I suddenly said I was disbanding the party. It must have been a rather large loss for you... Thank you for accepting the disbandment application."
"...If you know, then it's fine."
By the way, what now?
Hyewon let out a deep sigh and hugged her head.
"If it had leaked to the point where everyone knows, it would already be known by all the people who mattered."
"That's right. But isn't it okay?"
"Okay? It's not that grand that it would attract attention just because it leaked."
"............."
She looked hurt.
Hey. The person who bets everything on ambiguity ends up getting hurt after hearing that it's fortunate the ambiguity worked out.
"The worst possible move would be if the eldest and youngest joined hands to take you. But that's a bit unrealistic. It's not that there's no foundation to crush, and on the other hand, the gap could be exploited at any time, so I can't launch a coup."
A strange triangular relationship.
But it was a structure that could only be realized by giving up military and financial power.
"Instead, if I had tried to assimilate, I wouldn't have. Since their relationship is complementary, I think the direction itself isn't bad."
"...So the plan is to not get caught, right?"
"Conversely, if it gets caught, it could be a plan that benefits from being caught."
Because both of them would definitely pull out the card to assimilate me.
"....Haaaa. Anyway. The work has already happened, and all that's left is to act."
Hyewon was filled with determination.
"Yup. Determination full. Enthusiasm max. So you will help me too, right, oppa?"
"I'll prepare to flee at any time if it goes wrong."
"After coming this far to say that...?"
"Soldiers are all like that."
She smiled mischievously and stared at me.
Hyewon smiled back in surprise.
Now, I think it's time to stop small talk and get serious.
"Making a Spirit Contractor into an idol... I honestly don't recommend it. Especially if you're only looking at Spirit Union and trying it."
"I don't want that either."
"But it would be nice if it was flashy enough. To stand out at a glance. And it should have enough distinctiveness?"
"As an awakened person, to dance and sing like an idol, and to integrate with the spirits... I think anyone would be captivated. It also has its own symbolism."
"Then it's not that easy of a story..."
Right behind, the reserve idols had become the golden counselor's reserves.
"There's a saying. Spirit Contractors can see their potential from childhood. Why does that saying exist?"
"Is it because Spirit Contractors are greatly influenced by talent?"
"That's part of it, but more than anything, it's because of the relationship with the spirits."
"Relationship-wise..."
In simple terms, that's it.
"Whether it's me saying let's go to the amusement park together, or that high-end company president's sweaty offer of a hundred billion for one night in bed... which do you think is better?"
"Even in a lifetime, I won't choose the latter."
"The spirits' perspective is exactly that."
"....Eh?"
Was it hard to understand?
To put it even more simply...
"The difference in relationship between 'friend' and 'contractor'?"
In childhood, the soul is pure and the mental age matches, so the relationship works because they can play fun things together, but as adults it's different.
The spirits have power but are immature mentally.
Adults have no power but are mentally mature.
A combination that's unbelievably unbalanced ends up maintaining the relationship through the adult's compromise.
In the end, the powerless one ends up on their knees.
"So when I see Spirit Contractors, they offer me things like tribute and stuff? That's all because they pay with money to match my mood. But for the Spirit I have known since childhood, I don't need to do that. On top of that, since we're friends, we look after each other."
By the way, 'between friends' is not the same as 'contractual relationship' — there's no choice.
No matter how much the owner seems to be on the verge of disappearing, if it's not handled according to the contract, it just ends.
That's why the academy tells them to get along well with spirits. Summoning them whenever and having fun together is all to build intimacy.
".............."
"...Do you get it now? So don't say unnecessary things. Instead, look for something else. If you want to see a Spirit-transformation idol, make an artifact and give it to me to hold. You have that much wealth, don't you?"
"Yes. I get it now."
"It's fine if you get it."
I let out a small breath and leaned back against the chair—
"If it's me, I can succeed in Nature's debut!"
"Huh?"
—without expecting it and sat up straight.
What are you saying, Hyewon?
I already said it earlier, but to be able to do something with someone you know from childhood, even if you rub it a little...
"If it's me, I can do it, right?"
"Instead, bring in Oseong Professor! That's more possible!"
The golden counselor's field is different.
So don't think about pointless things and go back.
I waved my hand to indicate rejection to Hyewon.
"...Then there's no choice."
Hyewon finally gave up.
I smiled and nodded.
"You have to pay ten times the money you previously advanced to me as penalty."
"............"
Um.
What is our Hyewon saying now?
"Before, you sent the money transfer right in front of me, right? You said you were grateful and wanted me to be your coach."
"That... was true..."
"Employment contract. If you voluntarily disband the contract without valid reason after receiving the request, a penalty of ten times the amount is paid."
"............"
Hey.
You weren't going to...
"That's why I prepaid the money just in case, right♪"
"Ki... kitsuma...!! (Y-yes, you two...!!)"
Her eyes were knowing.
She knew the success rate was low, so she laid a trap to prevent me from escaping!
I should have been suspicious from the moment she suddenly offered money!
I felt my vision darken in an instant and slowly lifted my head.
"Our Nature, please take good care of it, producer♪"
"Stop kidding around...!"
Hyewon was smiling the most refreshing smile she had made today.