Preparations for the Trip to New Seoul
They had planned for a month, but it wrapped up in just half that time.
The entire Jirisan Monster Defense Legion withdrew from the forest in perfect order.
The cadets who had come to observe returned to their military academy.
Though they hadn't captured the elite three-headed white tiger, confirming its existence was achievement enough.
The Jirisan Monster Defense Legion headquarters was busy for a while afterward.
They had to compile reports on the operation's results, spoils of war, and any issues for submission to the Joint Chiefs.
How should they report on the elite three-headed white tiger?
There was footage captured from Cheonwangbong Peak.
After much deliberation, Major General Oh Jinhyeong created two versions of the video.
One with the full content, and another edited to show only the three-headed white tiger, excluding Kim Taeju, the chairman.
The former would go to the imperial family and Joint Chiefs, while the latter would be released to the press.
Thus, the Jirisan Monster Subjugation Operation ended in resounding success.
A festival broke out in Gurye City too.
Schools declared temporary holidays, and companies and government offices gave employees a paid day off.
With the wave threat gone from Gurye, all that remained was growth.
In the midst of it, construction on the bridge to the castle proceeded smoothly.
Taeju rushed to the Gurye General Market metal workshop upon hearing that the commissioned elite hidden weapons were complete.
"Chairman! Come on in."
"All done?"
"Yes, sorry for the wait. Take a look."
The artisan opened a square aluminum case.
Inside lay premium hidden weapons, gleaming radiantly in neat rows.
Ten Flying Waterfall Flash darts and thirty-five Blood Butterfly darts—five more than originally planned, as the artisan had said.
Just looking at them lifted his spirits.
More than reaching the 7th stage of Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong, even.
"Like them?"
"Yeah, very much."
"Hahaha, glad to hear it. Oh, and take this too."
"...Elite steel feathers."
"Plenty left over. If we'd had more elite mana crystals, we could've made even more weapons. Go ahead."
Elite steel feathers were extremely rare and expensive monster byproducts. The artisan could've easily pocketed them if he'd wanted.
Great craftsmanship and honest to boot.
Taeju stacked cash from a bag he'd prepared in advance.
"One billion for labor."
"Whoa! That's way too much."
"Nonsense. I was worried it might be too little. And this."
The bag held more than just cash.
"More feathers?"
"Yeah, a good amount this time."
He also pulled out five more elite mana crystals.
"Whoa! How do you keep getting these precious things...?"
"Bought 'em."
"Ah."
The artisan nodded quickly.
Gurye's richest man bought them with money—what was the problem?
Of course, the elite mana crystals came from hunts.
A few more sat in his infinite storage space.
The feathers, meanwhile, were a gift.
During the subjugation, the Jirisan Monster Defense Legion had taken down two more elite steel-feathered owls.
Major General Oh Jinhyeong had passed along feathers from one as thanks for Taeju's participation.
"Make ten more big ones, and the rest small. I'll double the labor fee."
"Aigoo, no need, but alright."
In business with merchants, trust came from money.
"Just match this quality."
"Don't worry. They won't be any worse—better, if anything."
Taeju took the finished hidden weapons home.
He drew one elite Blood Butterfly dart.
Ziiing!
Aura rose naturally.
Regular hidden weapons trembled and shattered under aura infusion.
These gleamed brilliantly.
And the sound—so smooth.
Nice.
He'd never lose them.
Not at that price per piece.
Into the infinite storage they went, safely stowed.
After the monster subjugation, time passed quietly with no special incidents.
Taehong Bio Pharmaceuticals.
It looked idle on the surface, but not a single person was slacking.
Except Taeju.
Baek Changhoon and Jang Suncheol's Five Elements Divine Skill had advanced greatly in proficiency.
They'd reached the level where they could handle the final alchemy process Taeju had done alone.
"Alright, for that, all of you bow to me nine times each."
"Pardon? Well, it's not impossible, but why all of a sudden...?"
"Dunno. Someone I know told me nine bows seal the master-disciple bond."
The two flinched at Taeju's words, then without missing a beat—
"Master?"
"This disciple offers his bows."
They should've done it sooner. A bit late now.
"Good. Changhoon, you're the eldest disciple. Suncheol, second."
"I'm the senior brother?"
"Yes! We'll follow your lead."
Hierarchy established.
"You've been scouting talented kids, right? Need some under you."
"Funny you mention it—we've got one promising junior."
"Oh?"
"Still in high school, graduating soon. Orphanage alum, mana compatible."
"Bring her. If she passes the interview, we'll awaken her and teach Five Elements Divine Skill."
The bear gall from the elite giant crescent bear they'd harvested this time.
Exceptional potency.
Taeju figured one dose could boost rank by two stages.
Meanwhile, Baek Hongpyo had fully stepped back from Taehong Bio operations.
He'd relinquished all positions, keeping only an honorary director title.
But he was busier than ever.
His first task: visiting struggling orphanages across the empire, bringing impoverished orphans to Gurye.
Every day, he'd board a train somewhere, returning hand-in-hand with young orphans.
Word spread empire-wide.
Good or bad, the orphanage population exploded.
Hence the expansion under construction.
Frankly, only someone like him deserved to run it.
Baek Seoyeonn went without saying.
She was probably the busiest at Taehong Bio.
Today too, she came to Taeju buried in documents.
"New Seoul branch office interior construction is complete. New staff for the branch start fieldwork today."
"Good work."
"And the new factory completion ceremony in New Seoul is set for a month from now. You'll need to..."
"Attend, right?"
"Yes."
He'd been resolving to fulfill his chairman duties anyway.
Strength wasn't everything.
Time to meet new employees, build connections.
"Schedule it. I'll be there."
"Yes! I'll prepare diligently."
"And the patent applications?"
"Coinciding with your New Seoul visit."
Patents were key.
"How long for patent approval?"
"About a month. Could be faster. But even with patents, drug sales need Food and Drug Administration approval. That takes quite a while."
"Ah, really? Then I'll stay in New Seoul till patents clear."
"Yes!"
Baek Seoyeonn beamed with excitement.
"I'll assemble the protocol team right away."
"...Protocol?"
"You're going to New Seoul as Taehong Bio's chairman. You'll meet new staff—can't look shabby, right?"
"No need for that..."
Just a branch visit and factory ceremony. Protocol?
But Baek Seoyeonn was geared up like attending an ex's wedding.
She hustled everywhere.
First, book a hotel in New Seoul.
The presidential suite.
And cars to drive around the city.
Already reserved.
At least three or four.
No rentals.
Buy them outright.
Rentals didn't suit the chairman's image.
Drive them back to Gurye after.
Next, Gurye's top bespoke tailor.
"Chairman heading to New Seoul soon, but lacks proper attire. Thinking of commissioning a few suits."
"...The chairman's clothes?"
"Yes. Money's no object. Show me Gurye's artisan spirit."
The tailor's resolute expression.
Making clothes for Kim Taeju himself? Pride enough.
"I stake my honor on it. Bring him for measurements."
Then, the department store.
A man's lifeblood was his watch, no?
Grabbed a few top-line pieces.
Now, the protocol security team.
At least five.
No need for actual protection for this chairman, but appearances mattered.
Not Changhoon or Suncheol.
They had work.
Then?
Baek Seoyeonn called Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu of the Hamyang Unit.
She'd built rapport since his dispatch for Taehong Bio security. Even if no approval, she could pitch it.
"Hello? Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu?"
- Oh! Director Baek. Been a while. Was gonna visit for fun anyway.
"Anytime. You're always welcome."
- Haha! Got it. What's up?
"Kim Taeju chairman heads to New Seoul in a week. Need escorts."
- Escorts?
"Yes. Five awakened officers? Think of it as part-time. I'll cover stipends, gift each a sharp suit."
- Ah, backdrops for the chairman. Women officers okay?
"Plenty. But regardless of gender, we'll check height and looks."
- Sigh, guess I can't sit this out.
"..."
- I'll get upper approval. They'll cooperate gladly. Not much to do post-subjugation anyway.
"Don't be too strict. Keep it reasonable, please."
- Didn't you know? 'Reasonable' handling's my specialty.
Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu was certain of approval.
For Kim Taeju? No brainer.
His role in the Jirisan Defense Legion was division commander-level, practically co-legion commander.
Without him, would the subjugation have succeeded so?
Especially when the elite steel-feathered owl and elite orc warlord appeared together—anyone but Kim Taeju, and the op would've ended that day.
Do Minsu's real worry: how to reject applicants.
They'd swarm like bees.
Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu went straight to Division Commander Park Pilseong of the Hamyang Unit.
"Melmalsa! Reporting for business with the division commander."
"What is it?"
"Well..."
Do Minsu explained Baek Seoyeonn's request in detail.
"Sure? Of course we'll cooperate. Once selected, I'll approve leave. Go worry-free."
"Thank you!"
"...But you know."
Division Commander Park Pilseong hinted slyly.
"Wouldn't one seasoned middle-aged escort be good? Say, a master-rank for a proper backdrop..."
First crisis for Do Minsu.
What to do?
"Th-there are conditions."
"Conditions?"
"Age limit. Sorry."
"I look pretty youthful, don't I?"
"Chairman Kim Taeju might feel awkward. You two know each other."
"Hmmm, no dice then?"
Chance here.
"Melmalsa! Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu business done. Taking leave."
"...Fine. Dismissed."
Close call.
If even the division commander... what chaos would the notice bring?
Do Minsu posted the escort recruitment on the Hamyang Unit internal board immediately.
Responses in under a minute.
First was his direct superior.
"Hey! Why didn't you tell me first? Spot open? Put my name in."
"Sorry, but no for you, colonel."
"What?"
"Director Baek Seoyeonn's checking faces and height. You'd fail the interview."
"Fuck! I've been working on my hair lately! Look!"
Do Minsu eyed his superior's thinning pate and continued.
"Even the division commander failed."
"...Sigh."
As the direct superior left dejected, dozens of awakened officers swarmed in.
"Me! I'll apply. Spots left?"
"Colonel! Pick me. Got the looks, right?"
"Juniors below major are out. No seniority."
All awakened officers in the division piled in.
And not just them?
Word spread somehow—other divisions in uproar too.
Do Minsu was dying inside.
Monster subjugation sounded better.
End of Preparations for the Trip to New Seoul