Comrades Met in New Seoul (1)
Taeju's mind wasn't at ease.
Dom Pérignon was decent enough, at least.
To an immortal... Spam?
It wasn't what he'd intended, but that's how it had turned out.
Not even pure meat—just scraps and fat ground up with a bunch of seasonings and additives into mixed meat, fed to a noble immortal from the celestial realm, no less.
Of course, he loved the stuff himself.
Nothing beat a thin slice of fried Spam on a bed of hot rice.
Sigh, if only I'd realized sooner.
He should have noticed when the unassigned section started glowing.
Who had created the infinite storage space in the first place?
It was thanks to the immortal energy of Dang Gunak, the parallel soul who shared his very essence.
The silver lining was that this was the presidential suite in New Seoul's finest luxury hotel. The minibar and fridge were stocked with high-end booze, drinks, snacks, and sides.
Even the watch on his wrist at the last minute.
But what had Dang Gunak given him in return?
As written in the letter.
The immortal peach, its fragrance still filling the hotel room.
A treasure of the celestial realm, a legendary fruit edible only by immortals.
It was incomparable to the random junk he'd tossed into the shared warehouse.
This is driving me crazy.
At least they should be somewhat equivalent for his conscience to rest easy.
He was always the one receiving, while all he'd sent were Spam, booze, and snacks.
Taeju picked up the immortal peach from the bed with both hands.
This is what immortals eat?
The fragrance was utterly mind-blowing.
Dizzying, even.
Hmm.
He had cultivated the Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong.
Spiritual herbs were mostly useless to him.
They grew through poison; elixirs just turned to shit.
But an immortal peach?
It contained the highest form of energy—immortal energy—that embraced even the lowliest forms.
Wasn't poison part of nature too?
Countless plants and animals thrived harboring toxins.
Humans merely labeled as poison what harmed them; it was utterly natural in the ecosystem.
Dang Gunak was called the Poison Immortal.
In other words, immortal energy embraced even demonic poison.
That was why it hadn't affected his poison core when creating the infinite space.
Taeju brought the immortal peach to his lips and took a bite.
Squish! Juice burst forth.
The intense peach aroma flooded his mouth.
Slurp.
Delicious!
The more he chewed, the more ecstatic it felt.
Once he started, he couldn't stop.
Before he knew it, the peach—big enough for both hands—was gone.
No pit, huh.
If there had been one, he might have planted it.
Anyway.
The immortal peach contained traces of immortal energy.
He'd received it indirectly through Dang Gunak before, under strict limits, but now he'd eaten it directly.
What effect would it have on his poison core?
New poisons made it writhe in response.
But the peach elicited no such reaction.
Still, the immortal energy had definitely seeped in.
Sssrrrr...
Not poison, yet it absorbed it like one.
And then,
Warm.
His dantian felt softer somehow.
Nothing else seemed changed?
Either way, efficacy wasn't the point.
The taste was just too good.
Right! This isn't the time.
He needed to prepare properly.
The ultimate gift in return.
Ready to toss into the shared warehouse the moment it glowed.
Sized like a carry-on suitcase—he had to fill it to the brim.
What would be good?
Actually, it was simple.
Something uniquely Earthly, distinct from the martial world or celestial realm.
Food with a unique edge.
Like chocolate or coffee.
Already sent those.
Think of what the Poison Immortal needs most.
Then?
The celestial realm is boring as hell.
A fact gleaned from Dang Gunak's memories during their second soul link.
Something to alleviate the boredom...
The conclusion was clear.
Movies and dramas.
Earth's vibrant cultural content.
But to enjoy them, electricity was needed.
How big are portable generators?
A quick search.
Fits fine in the shared warehouse.
A generator powered by mana crystals.
Stuff it with elite mana crystals, and even heavy use should last at least a year.
Electricity solved.
Next, content.
Subscribe to OTT platforms, pay monthly, download completed dramas and movies to a tablet.
Watchable even offline.
Buy the highest-capacity one.
Add a beam projector and foldable stand screen for group viewing.
Might be tight.
When to prepare all this?
No choice.
Ask Baek Seoyeonn.
She had awakener officers as escorts too.
※ ※ ※
The next morning.
Taeju asked Baek Seoyeonn to procure the items he'd thought of yesterday the moment he saw her.
"...Ah, yes, Chairman. I'll prepare them for you."
She seemed about to question it but nodded readily.
Then Taeju called aside Major Do Minsu.
"I need a portable generator. As small as possible; money's no object. Top-of-the-line only."
"Conveniently, I know a shop in central New Seoul. What about the mana crystals for fuel? They can source and install them if I ask."
"Tell them to install these."
"Yes, sir!"
Do Minsu took the crystal from Taeju.
But then.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Th-this... isn't this an elite mana crystal?"
"It is. Problem?"
"Whoa, you're putting an elite in a generator?"
"Yes."
"An el-elite... in a g-generator..."
It was for Dang Gunak—what was there to skimp on?
Do Minsu, meanwhile, looked dumbfounded.
Elite mana crystals, prime material for elixirs.
Used for electricity?
"Come with me into the city. I have business too. Handle yours separately, Major."
"...Y-yes, sir."
Today's errand: Leaders Club.
Taeju's car left the hotel.
New Seoul reused many old Seoul place names when built.
Like New Jongno, New Apgujeong, New Jamsil, and so on.
Leaders Club was in central New Seoul, New Apgujeong.
Taeju began prepping on Leaders Club in the car.
Baek Seoyeonn's report was neatly summarized—reading it was enough.
A social club, huh.
A place for the empire's power players to mingle, share info.
Not just anyone got invites.
Even with one, it wasn't over.
Leaders Club had damn ranks too.
Bronze at the bottom, then Silver, Gold, Sapphire, Diamond.
Tch, like a pyramid scheme.
They ignored adapters, compatibles, awakeners.
Membership based purely on fame and status.
That's why he'd gotten an invite.
Almost there. Infinite space...
He checked the infinite storage occasionally.
No telling when it'd glow.
A signal would be nice.
Arrival imminent.
The 10-story building visible through the window: cylindrical, tapering upward like a tower, facade of gleaming jade marble, "Leaders Club" in elegant script.
"Drop me here."
"We'll escort you."
"No. I'll go alone. Get that generator for me, Major. As fast as possible."
"Yes, sir! I'll watch to ensure the elite mana crystal fits right and bring it back once done."
Taeju approached the main entrance alone.
Then.
"How did you get here?"
The entrance guards blocked him.
"I was invited."
He showed the invite.
"Ah! Welcome. This way."
Taeju followed the guard.
First floor: lobby.
Club started at second.
They arrived at an office behind the lobby.
A sleek, model-like woman greeted him—clearly notified ahead.
"Mr. Kim Taeju, CEO? I'm the club manager, Jo Miyoung."
"Yes. Nice to meet you."
"We sent the invite ages ago, but you're just now here."
"Ah, been busy."
"Glad you made it. Have a seat."
Jo Miyoung's friendly explanation began.
Membership fees, dues, rank privileges and duties, club perks.
"As a new member, Mr. Kim, despite your MRC success, you're classified as a young entrepreneur—starting at Bronze."
Lowest rank.
No complaints.
If that's the rule,
"Membership fee's 5 billion, but not bad. Considering the networking and info value among members, it's a steal."
Taeju agreed.
Info had quality.
"Not just info. Even Bronze has pros and mid-tier CEOs. Mutual pulls and pushes make goals easier."
That part rubbed him wrong.
Their league, their privileges.
Think back to his mana rejector days.
No invite, let alone membership.
But purpose here: Taehong Bio New Seoul branch success.
Hated it or not, necessary.
"Ready to join?"
"Yes! Just sign here for Bronze membership. Pay dues within a month."
"Signed."
"Welcome to Leaders Club, Mr. Kim. Here's your ID. Wear it around your neck."
Taeju donned the necklace with a brown copper nameplate.
"Bronze members use floor 2 only. Silver gets 3. Don't worry—you'll climb fast."
The manager was polite and sweet.
Taeju shook Jo Miyoung's hand and left the office.
Second floor, right?
He returned to the first-floor lobby.
How to go up...
Ask the info booth?
Sightsee the lobby meanwhile.
As he wandered slowly,
"Hey, you!"
Someone calling him.
Him?
Two flashy-dressed men glared distastefully.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you!"
"What?"
"Nameplate says Bronze. Why loiter in the lobby?"
Pointing at his own badge.
Shiny silver metal.
...Unbelievable.
Some neighborhood.
Rank obsession worse than military insignia.
Insane.
Not his style.
Quit now?
But what to do?
The family head's burden was always heavy.
"Don't linger—head to Bronze club quick."
"Got ulterior motives, huh?"
"Seems like. Snooping to catch eyes of the big shots entering the lobby."
These bastards?
"Lately, more of these types. Ugh, lowers the class."
"Leaders Club's gone downhill. Bronze tags letting any mutt claim membership."
...Kill them?
Hold back.
He'd killed plenty lately.
Instead.
"Hey, you!"
"Oh? You just called us 'you'..."
Zing!
A trace of killing intent.
Taeju's eyes sharpened instantly.
"C-called... us...?"
They flinched, of course.
"You two—what rank?"
"Silver..."
"Then what's your humanity rank? Judge for yourselves."
"..."
The Earth's Poison Demon was merciful.
Otherwise, they'd be melting from poison already.
Then.
The quiet lobby erupted.
The two Silvers glanced nervously at Taeju and shuffled away.
"Oh, you're here."
"...Y-yeah, let's go."
"How do I look? Nothing off?"
"Nah. You?"
"Good."
They were the ones peeking for big shots.
Probably saw him as competition and picked a fight.
They were trying hard in their own way.
Kinda cute, thinking that way.
Hurried movements all around.
Club staff mobilized fully.
"Hurry!"
"Called the manager?"
"Yeah, coming now."
"Check attire!"
"Line up on both sides!"
Clack clack clack.
Heels echoing loudly.
"Ex-excuse me. Step aside, please."
Jo Miyoung rushed past Taeju.
A young man entered from the main door, escorts in tow. Small facial tattoo—awakener.
Jo Miyoung and staff bowed deeply along his path.
Who? Diamond rank gets that treatment?
Unlikely.
But familiar face. Where from?
Suddenly!
The young man's eyes met Taeju's as he strode confidently.
"...Huh?"
He halted abruptly.
Face to face.
Aha!
He knew now.
Greet first?
No need.
Thud thud thud!
The young man charged, eyebrows fluttering.
"Ch-Chairman Kim Taeju! Taeju! No, hyung!!!!"
Grabbed Taeju's hand.
"Meeting you here is a dream. When'd you arrive in New Seoul?"
"Long time. You well? But why hyung..."
"Thanks to you. Really bummed. Aren't we comrades from the Jirisan monster subjugation? Could've notified the palace—I'd have come to greet you."
"..."
Diamond member, top tier at Leaders Club. Emperor's youngest, Fifth Prince Ryu Jincheol.