You Think You Can Buy Me with Money!? (5)
You Think You Can Buy Me with Money!? (5)
The restaurant named Soseon,
a place said to be where immortals frolic.
However, unlike its grandiose name, the interior was filled only with silence.
No serving staff, no faint aroma of food, no gentle background music—nothing.
Under the jewel-like sparkling lights, the only things visible were the black-suited bodyguards standing like ancient guardian posts.
Sure enough, Clare's bored sigh filled my head.
'Haa... It's so predictable, it's no fun...'
'Be quiet.'
'I'm dying of boredom...'
Well... I shared the sentiment.
Truth be told, I was beyond bored or dull—I even felt sorry for the place.
Anyway, this time I glanced at Scarlet Kim walking beside me.
'Hmm... She hasn't said a word since earlier.'
Say what you will, she must be tense on the way to meet the sky-high chairman.
Of course, the Team Leader 1 leading the way ahead—Scarlet Kim called him that—was silent too.
Thanks to that, at the end of the suffocating silence, a sliding door straight out of a palace appeared.
"This is the place."
That was Team Leader 1's single line, standing with his back to the door.
I stepped forward lightly and muttered under my breath.
"Man, why's it so hard just to grab a meal?"
"Haha. But the taste is guaranteed. As you know, Soseon is the world's top Korean cuisine restaurant."
"The world's top, huh..."
If everything wasn't the world's top, how tough would life be?
Pushing aside the sudden thought, I entered through the door Team Leader 1 had flung open.
"Ah, come on in. Without the helmet, I almost didn't recognize you. Hahaha."
The moment I entered the room alone, Lee Yong-jae, the chairman seated at the head, flashed a bright smile.
Naturally, no power or abilities could be felt from him.
But those deep, sunken black eyes behind rimless glasses.
His upright posture and clear, low voice.
No throne, no crown, yet Lee Yong-jae was a king.
"Nice to meet you, Chairman-nim. I heard you're over 80 this year... You look much younger than on screen."
"Appreciate that. The anti-aging treatments cost a fortune. Sit, sit."
"Thank you."
On the large, wide table were picture-perfect dishes neatly plated.
Is this Korean food...? It looked so different from what I knew—foods I'd never seen in my life.
Thanks to that, for a moment, my eyes were stolen by the unfamiliar dishes.
Then, the chairman's voice came from across the table.
"First off, I sincerely apologize for what happened earlier."
"Hmm... Didn't expect you to bring that up like this."
"Haha, so what did you expect?"
"I figured something like, 'I didn't order that, but my underlings did it...' That kinda vibe. It's easier that way."
"You're right. Blaming it on others is easy and convenient. But it's not right."
I smiled wordlessly and nodded.
Lee Yong-jae's right and wrong is his own right and wrong.
Different from what I think is right or wrong.
Anyway, I came to eat, so I should at least pretend.
I picked up the chopsticks in front of me and grabbed one dumpling-like thing.
"How is it? Hope it suits your taste."
After a few chews, the chairman tossed in a casual remark.
It was delicious. Different flavors rose one after another, harmonizing beautifully in my mouth.
The kind of dish you'd expect from a place boasting world's best.
"It's delicious. I had one personal question—mind if I ask?"
"Of course. Rare chance, so enjoy it fully, hahaha."
"Haha, then... Do you mostly eat food like this?"
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Did you think someone like me always insists on the world's best?"
"Hmm... Can't say no."
"I see. Then let me ask one now."
"Sure. Rare chance, so enjoy it fully."
"Hahaha, right. So... If I'd answered yes to your question just now, what would you have thought?"
"I'd have thought you were pitiful."
The room went deathly quiet.
The chairman stared at me silently, and I stared back silently.
After a brief silence.
The chairman leaned slightly toward me and asked.
"Unexpected answer. Mind telling me why you think that?"
I nodded and spoke softly.
"It's not that complicated. If you can only taste the best food and fill your belly with it, how tragic is that life?"
"Hmm... I see. Yeah, now that I hear it, it's not complicated at all."
"Guess I fell short of expectations, haha."
"No, not at all. You exceeded them by far. And..."
"Hm?"
"Maybe our ways of thinking are very similar... That's the feeling I get."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
Naturally, I didn't buy the chairman's words.
I'm too old to take people's words at face value.
That said, I didn't dismiss it as him trying to trick me.
Such shallow tricks aren't the way of the top conglomerate chairman—or a king.
At the very least, Lee Yong-jae seemed like someone who knew that much.
In other words, he was genuinely intrigued by what I said.
I'd been ready to bolt if needed... but maybe a bit more talk wouldn't hurt.
"As you know, Chairman-nim, I'm just a day-to-day Delivery Rider."
"True. A guy who can trash an A-class Magic Beast like picking up litter, yet still delivers."
"Well... it's caused some hassle. I spotted a big piece of trash and cleaned it up, then suddenly the world's biggest company wants to give me an award. Even using honey traps."
"...Hm? Honey trap?"
"Wasn't it?"
"Uh... wait, let me check."
Honey trap? What the hell?
The chairman called in Team Leader 1 from outside and asked around—his expression didn't seem feigned at all.
Team Leader 1's darkening scowl said the same.
Just as my head was getting a bit muddled.
Letting out a soft sigh, the chairman looked at me.
"Erm... Looks like I need to apologize again. Sorry, our employee's enthusiasm got a bit overboard."
"Huh? No, no need to... I enjoyed it too..."
"Hm? Uh... you, enjoyed... it?"
"Hmm... Let's say I fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"...Right. Glad you enjoyed it. There's that saying, Heroes love beauty. Heh heh..."
"That's a good one. Heroes love beauty. Ha, haha."
This time, only awkward laughter filled the table.
Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't have brought up Scarlet Kim...
I don't distrust him, but yeah, it needed checking...
'Sigh. Looks like you can't even become a gentleman if you tried, Hero-nim.'
'Don't butt into adults' talk.'
'Who'd have thought you'd blab about your own woman to someone else. Sigh, I should've guided you properly...'
The trouble-stirring Holy Sword, that troll, was at it again in my head.
Then, finally, the chairman eased into the main topic.
"So... Can I take it that you've accepted the sincerity we've prepared?"
"Hmm, well. Not planning to flat-out refuse, but not jumping at it either."
Here, "sincerity" obviously meant the black card.
...Not suddenly referring to Scarlet Kim naked on all fours.
Of course, the food was great, and I plan to keep eating well.
Anyway... The chairman, who had been leaning back in his chair, leaned forward.
Looks like the real talk was about to start now.
"No idea how it'll sound, but what I said earlier wasn't a lie."
"You mean our ways of thinking are similar...?"
"Yeah."
"Then, mind sharing how you think, Chairman-nim?"
"Haha, sure. Truth is, the reason we're here is because of each other's positions. You probably get what that means... What do you think?"
Positions. Positions.
Lee Yong-jae's position is Changseong's position.
Changseong's position is being number one in the business world.
'Aha... I get the vibe.'
'What Changseong wants is maintaining the order. And you, Hero-nim, have the power to deny Changseong's order.'
Block time over already?
Anyway, Clare nailed the core.
The modern world is one where Monster Cores decide everything.
From simple stock prices to national power, even world order.
If I joined some other company as a Hunter, the order Changseong set and leads would shake.
Assuming I wield that kind of influence, of course.
I've got the flow now... I looked back at the chairman across from me.
"Seems like you want me to keep living quietly like I have been, Chairman-nim."
As soon as I said that, a small smile crept onto the chairman's lips.
"Haha, not wrong... but regrettably, I'm not that unambitious."
"I understand. Bit awkward saying it myself, but from your side, I'm a very tempting talent. So, you want me to work for Changseong?"
"Sort of, and sort of not."
"Hmm. Care to elaborate?"
"Sure. Let's get into some realistic talk."
The chairman downed the small cup beside him.
Liquor or tea... Anyway, after wetting his throat, he looked at me and spoke.
"Bottom line: We'll set you up with your own company. It'll be under our affiliate, of course, in the manpower dispatch business. We'll handle the office building and all the nitty-gritty too."
"Just bring your body, that it?"
"Didn't expect such ardent courtship. But seems it's not purely because you value me highly."
"Yeah. We do value you, but it's also an implicit pitch."
"'Don't even dream if you can't offer this much'?"
"Haha."
The chairman smiled and nodded again.
Of course, the talk wasn't over, so he naturally continued.
"But... if something comes, something goes, right?"
"True. Then let me ask: What do you want from me, Chairman-nim?"
"Nothing much. Just send manpower when we ask occasionally."
"Hmm... Could you be more precise?"
"Simple. When you feel like it, or when we request, just show your skills or cooperate."
"And besides that..."
"We want nothing."
"Hmm."
Gotta acknowledge what's worth acknowledging.
From now on, living quietly like before won't be easy.
I don't regret that choice, but choices come with a price.
So, simple.
If you're gonna be a slave, be one in the governor's house.
"Understood, Chairman-nim. Looking forward to working with you."
"Haha, I should be the one saying that. Thanks. It's been a refreshing talk in ages. Ah, finish your meal?"
"Of course. When else would I get food like this?"
"Hmm, thought you were the type to shun luxury."
"I'm honest about my desires and needs. Just don't like being dragged around."
"Living coolly. Enviable. Ugh... I'd love to have a light drink, but..."
"Can't be helped—that's the chairman's life."
"Haha, thanks for understanding. I'll head out first then."
"Yes, Chairman-nim. I won't go far."
"Hahaha."
With that, the chairman left first, leaving me alone at the table.
Haa... Life turns on a single choice... Woke up one morning about to be called CEO.
'Getting tired of dealing with asshole customers anyway—perfect. How about hiring a bunch of beauties as secretaries?'
'What the hell do you take me for...?'
'Hmm... CEO-nim?'
CEO-nim, CEO-nim.
Keeps sounding better the more I hear it.