Chapter 138

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 138

Chapter Title: Leukemia Crisis and SSS Genius

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Pushing everything aside, I headed straight to the hospital.

Mother-in-law was hospitalized in a private single room, sleeping soundly with a pale, gaunt face.

A-yeong watched her anxiously, stomping her feet in worry. Her eyes were glistening with tears.

"Why did she collapse?"

"I don't know. We'll have to wait for the test results."

"It'll be nothing serious. She'll be fine. Don't worry too much."

"Okay..."

I pulled A-yeong into my arms. I gently patted her back.

Seeing her so worried made my heart ache.

'It'll definitely be nothing major. Even if it's serious, no problem. I can handle it with Era of Success abilities.'

I comforted A-yeong. After some coaxing and soothing, she finally calmed down.

With A-yeong still in my arms, I checked Mother-in-law's profile.

"Ah..."

A terrifying disease.

'I have to help her.'

But I wasn't worried. I had Era of Success. I could treat it without much trouble.

I opened the shop. I searched for leukemia treatment items.

With 1,000 points, I could wipe out the leukemia problem clean.

I could gather 1,000 points in about five days of effort.

'I need to buy the leukemia treatment and give it to Mother-in-law.'

'10,000 points might be a stretch, but 1,000 is no burden.'

'I should gift her the Family Comprehensive Health Vitamin too.'

Family Comprehensive Health Vitamin.

Taking it brought short-term vitality and long-term prevention of minor ailments, letting you live healthily.

'Thank you.'

I was simply grateful to the god who gifted me Era of Success. Thanks to it, I could treat Mother-in-law without hassle.

'Thank you.'

Thank you so much.

A small potted plant sat on the desk in the president's office. Cute green sprouts were blooming adorably.

I'd earned around 120 affection points per day.

The higher the affection score, the more items you get, but I didn't know the exact threshold.

'Finally, the number of affiliated YouTubers...!'

My affiliated YouTubers and streamers had finally reached 40. Twenty-three active in Seoul, seventeen in Cheongju.

My short-term goal was to sign 100 YouTubers. I just needed sixty more contracts.

'Actors...'

YSP Entertainment had a total of eight actors under contract. Four leads, three supporting, and one child actor.

Rumors spread in the industry that Jeong Ha-neul and Oh Mi-yeon had shot CF ads before even debuting, drawing in talent.

Thanks to that, I signed one lead, three supporting, and one child actor.

'There were way too many nasty ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠people among the actor applicants.'

'What's the point of good looks and talent if they're hopeless like Na Min-seo?'

I picked and chose carefully before signing.

All of YSP Entertainment's actors were raw gems. True talents with both skill and character.

[Great. We'll pay 50 million won as signing bonus. Looking forward to working together.]

[Seo-ah will surely become a top actress. Here's 30 million won.]

I contracted as generously as possible.

For those struggling financially, I gave ample signing bonuses.

My short-term goal was to expand the actors to twenty.

'Idols...'

I was preparing a four-member girl group. Planning to debut them after at least six months of training.

'No word from Do Min-ho at all.'

For the boy group, I hadn't even gathered members yet.

I was scouting talent, but unfortunately, not a single one.

'Impressive.'

YSP Entertainment had grown tremendously. Total of 52 people. 40 YouTubers, 8 actors, 4 idols.

Sales were growing too.

'We've grown so much.'

Evening came. I headed to the meeting spot on time. A high-end Japanese restaurant.

"Hello? I've heard a lot about you from Team Leader Lee Myeong-ho. I'm YSP President Yoo Jin-seong."

"Yes. I'm Oh Seok-jeong. I work at Wai & Wai game company. Myeong-ho hyung has told me all about you, President."

We shook hands with smiles.

I was shocked, utterly stunned, upon seeing Oh Seok-jeong's profile.

The reason for my surprise was Oh Jeong-seok's extraordinary appearance.

Lee Yeong-ho looked older than his age too, but Oh Jeong-seok went beyond that—extreme balding and aged look.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a mid-40s bald uncle. Astonishing.

But Oh Jeong-seok's abilities were at least ten times more astonishing than his looks. Truly awe-inspiring.

He was the owner of an SSS-grade talent.

It was the first SSS-grade talent I'd ever seen since birth.

'SSS-grade talent—maybe one in 500 million...'

Oh Jeong-seok wasn't just exceptional in programming.

He was a true genius of this era, excelling across various talents.

Astonishing talent.

Amazing talent.

Great talent.

And a good person at that.

'Whoa, this is insane.'

Goosebumps rose on my skin. I loved Oh Jeong-seok. I wanted to befriend him. No, recruit him.

"Jeong-seok, YSP is planning new ventures. Internet broadcasting platform, online shopping mall, crypto exchange. Want to join us?"

"...A scouting offer?"

"Yes. A scouting offer."

I smiled kindly on the surface and answered firmly, but inwardly I scolded myself for being too hasty.

I could've built rapport first before proposing recruitment, but eagerness clouded my judgment.

'Whoa, whoa, relax. Relax. Take it slow.'

I forcibly calmed my excitement.

'No need to rush.'

I settled my heart.

"Haha, my market value is high, you know?"

"I'll match it as best I can."

"Thanks for the offer."

"Hungry? Let's eat first."

We enjoyed various sashimi.

Over the meal, we talked. Company stories, IT industry, hobbies—diverse topics.

Oh Jeong-seok graduated from Seoul National University's Computer Engineering department. Worked at mid-tier game company Wai & Wai.

He and Lee Myeong-ho met by chance in a game and became close, calling each other brothers.

'Interesting.'

We discussed the future of IT, and Oh Jeong-seok's views matched Secretary Han Ji-yu's report perfectly.

'I have to snag him!'

His talent was too tempting. I had to make him mine. Bring him to my company.

"Jeong-seok, come to our company. I'll treat you right."

"What do you say, Jeong-seok? Transfer to us? Our company's great. Good pay, great benefits."

Oh Jeong-seok gave an awkward smile.

He didn't dislike the enthusiastic recruitment from me and Lee Myeong-ho, but it felt burdensome.

He planned to decline.

"Thanks for the offer, but I must decline..."

"Jeong-seok."

I cut off Oh Jeong-seok's words.

"Write it down."

"Pardon?"

I pulled out a fresh white memo pad and pen from my bag and handed them over.

"Write your desired ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠signing bonus, salary, conditions—everything."

"......"

"If my abilities fall short, I'll grow them to match."

"......"

Oh Jeong-seok looked at me. I met his gaze without flinching.

Jin-seong's eyes were steadfast. Not a hint of wavering.

Tremble-!

Oh Jeong-seok's eyes shook. Conflict etched across his face.

With the other side wanting him so strongly, his resolve wavered.

"...Can you match 100 million won salary?"

He currently earned 60 million pre-tax. A decent salary at the company.

"Yes."

I nodded without hesitation.

"I'll match post-tax 100 million won."

"...Post-tax?"

"Yes. Post-tax. Starting salary post-tax 100 million, and once you prove yourself, up to 120 million post-tax."

Post-tax 100 million meant more than double his monthly pay. 120 million post-tax was 10 million per month.

"I'll guarantee the IT department general team leader position. Signing bonus 100 million. Meals, dorm, vehicle—all covered."

My offer was outrageously generous.

"...?!"

Oh Jeong-seok was too shocked to speak.

"Whoa?!"

Lee Myeong-ho could only exclaim in admiration.

'I can splurge. No, I should. Once he's mine, he'll bring in billions, minimum.'

I played my final two cards.

"I'll offer incentives."

First card: incentives.

"Even if the IT department shuts down, I'll personally cover your salary for at least three years minimum."

Second card: solid insurance.

"President! Please take care of me!!"

He grabbed my hand tightly.

As of today, he was no longer a Wai & Wai Games employee.

Now he was YSP man. He'd dedicate his life to YSP.

Today was...

the opening day for the first Halmae Tteok franchise.

'Heh heh.'

First store manager Kim Hyun-soo looked out the window with a pleased smile.

Waiting line.

Customers had lined up long after hearing the opening news.

'Great start.'

I sensed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a massive hit.