Addiction
< Addiction >
No one knew exactly how many immortals lived in the Celestial Realm.
It wasn't as vast as the human world, but it was still a considerably expansive place.
And surrounding it were not only the Celestial Realm but also the Spirit Beast Realm where divine beasts resided, and the Yokai Demon Realm where yokai dwelled.
Immortals lived far apart from one another, each establishing their own secluded abodes protected by barriers.
They'd occasionally emerge to play go with fellow immortals, reveling in the realm's stunning natural beauty.
No worries about aging.
Physiological urges? Indulge as desired.
They could eat or not, excrete or not.
Bored? Hop over to the Spirit Beast Realm for fun or stir up chaos in the Yokai Demon Realm.
But only once or twice.
Honestly, how entertaining could it really be?
The worries and anxieties of the human world were gone, but life was bland, lonely, and utterly tedious.
So at first, everyone regretted their ascension.
Over time, they grew accustomed to the monotony.
Lately, though, the Celestial Realm was abuzz.
All thanks to Poison Immortal Dang Gunak.
No one knew where or how he'd obtained them, but he'd introduced the immortals to alcohol and food from another world.
And exquisite, intricately crafted wristwatches that were beautiful to behold.
Those who'd experienced them gasped in awe; those who hadn't wallowed in regret.
Would he bring more?
What would it be this time?
This time, I absolutely have to try that chocolate thing that kills with its sweetness.
Impatient immortals sought out Dang Gunak, but he holed up in his abode, refusing to emerge.
Desperate, they'd call, "Hey, Poison Immortal!" But he wouldn't budge.
Dang Gunak ignored the calls from outside, utterly absorbed in his videos.
Time to go out now?
He connected his tablet to a beam projector, beaming movies and dramas onto a screen. When the battery died, he'd recharge it with a mana crystal generator and switch to another tablet.
Taeju had so thoughtfully sent three tablets.
And not just that—high-performance speakers in case the sound was too quiet.
Hungry? Pull out a bag of popcorn kernels and heat it with his Heat Palm Technique. Pop! Pop pop pop pop! Kernels burst into fluffy popcorn.
Munch crunch munch. Thirsty? Crack open a can of cola.
Hm? Already gone?
He had to ration it.
Who knew when the connection would open again?
"Hey! Poison Immortal!!! You there?"
Another call from outside.
No chance.
He'd enjoy it fully first.
Immortals could come after.
This was paradise.
Ascended to the Celestial Realm, cut off from mortal ties—no obligations.
Just lounging around.
This was the pinnacle of Dang Gunak's life.
All thanks to Kim Taeju.
How had he come up with this?
Through two soul connections, he knew of Earth's advanced culture.
He'd been curious, but without electricity or communications, it hadn't crossed his mind.
Yet to experience it firsthand...
Handling the devices was easy.
There were manuals, and Taeju's letter explained everything in detail.
Still feels insufficient.
Fifty Celestial Peaches weren't enough to repay this favor.
Time to get moving?
Let's start a business.
Earn lots of celestial coins, buy pouches from the immortals, and ship them to the shared warehouse.
The business? Entertainment.
Dang Gunak planned to open a theater.
The Celestial Realm Theater.
There was a hurdle, though.
Language barrier.
They didn't know Korean.
But...
Teach them.
They'd learn quickly.
Immortals were smart, after all.
Most were martial artists, but there were plenty of scholars, poets, and painters—artists aplenty.
Couldn't start the theater until they mastered Korean?
No.
There was a workaround.
Content in a comprehensible language existed.
Earth's Chinese wasn't identical to the murim tongue but close enough to follow easily.
First screening...
The Legend of the Condor Heroes trilogy, latest edition.
As if reading his mind, Taeju had downloaded them.
This it is.
Great special effects, epic story.
Part 1: The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 50 episodes.
Part 2: The Return of the Condor Heroes, 50 episodes.
Part 3: The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, 50 episodes.
Total 150 episodes.
Mild flavor.
The spicy stuff was separate.
Melodramas and movies packed with sensational content.
But starting too hot might make the mild stuff boring later, so ease in gradually.
Pricing?
Too expensive wouldn't do.
Celestial coins were hard to come by in the Celestial Realm.
Monthly stipend of one, or rewards from occasional missions from the Supreme Elder or Jade Emperor.
Most immortals were old-timers—wealthy, never short.
Some even owned Ascension Peaches.
Truth be told, Dang Gunak was the poorest here.
Screen 3 to 5 episodes a day.
First day free.
Second day onward, paid.
Introduce a subscription system.
25 celestial coins a month—fair.
150 episodes total; 25 coins covers the full trilogy in one or two months.
Accept other payments if no coins.
With his plan set, Dang Gunak stepped out.
Immortals lit up at the sight.
"Oh! He's here."
"Poison Immortal, what've you been up to? I was dying of curiosity."
"Got more booze? I brought some celestial coins."
"Show us already."
Dang Gunak grinned.
To him, they looked like walking Celestial Peaches.
Clearly desperate.
A little taste?
"I do have something to show."
They swarmed, chattering.
"Oho! What is it? I'm dying to know."
"In your infinite space?"
"A pouch?"
Dang Gunak squinted at the bright Celestial sky.
"Too bright out here. A bit darker would be nice."
Dark Rock Immortal stepped up.
"Poison Immortal, how dark?"
"Not pitch black. Doesn't need to be wide."
Dark Rock flicked his sleeve.
The gathering spot dimmed instantly.
Dang Gunak set up the portable screen first.
Adjusted the beam projector, connected speakers and tablet.
Episode 1 of The Legend of the Condor Heroes (50 eps total) began with the OST.
Ba-ba-ba-bam! Ba-ba-ba-bam!
"Gasp!"
"Wh-what is this?"
"...What in the world?"
"A pouch?"
"Of course it's a pouch."
"What else could it be?"
"Heh heh, unbelievable..."
"Shh! Quiet! Can't hear a thing!"
Even he, recently ascended, was hooked.
These gathered immortals were ancient veterans, dulled by boredom.
Their crumbling facades played out live.
The beginning of addiction.
No antidote.
Dang Gunak was certain.
Earth's entertainment.
The most vicious poison he'd ever wielded.
The mine Sergei, spine shattered, was secretly transported to Imperial Intelligence.
Now he'd be interrogated there about infiltrating the Leaders Club.
Tortured, perhaps.
"Once final approval comes, we'll visit promptly."
"Yes, we'll be waiting."
Before returning, Imperial Intelligence First Deputy Director Moon Kyungshik met Igor and conveyed that the incident would be handled confidentially.
"Chairman Kim Taeju suggested keeping it secret."
"Ah..."
"Given the risk of more mines targeting the club, we're dispatching agents. At Chairman Kim Taeju's special request..."
Igor Baranov was deeply grateful to Kim Taeju.
Not only had he eliminated the mine but protected the secret and ensured safety too.
What consideration.
Igor thanked him profusely.
"I don't even know what to say... truly, thank you."
"No problem. I'm a member here too."
"I'll get members' consent and close the club for a week. Can't in good conscience keep it open like this."
Igor planned a full system overhaul.
Especially security and intel gathering.
Taeju bid farewell to Igor and Manager Jo Miyoung, then headed out to his car.
"What was that inside? Lots of people going in."
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
"...Where to?"
"Hotel. Drop me off and go have fun. Here, bonus."
"Whoa! You didn't have to."
Back at the hotel, check the Celestial Peaches and read Dang Gunak's letter.
Mines rampaging even in New Seoul, the empire's capital.
These bastards have no fear?
They believed no transformation, no detection.
Time to shatter that illusion.
Taeju returned to the hotel.
As he entered the elevator to his suite...
Hm?
Several men in black suits stood before his door.
Who're they?
Imperial Intelligence?
Too soon for approval handlers.
Taeju approached slowly.
"Are you TJ Bio Chairman Kim Taeju?"
"Yeah. And?"
"Go in. They're waiting."
"...Waiting?"
Taeju's eyes narrowed.
Barging into his room uninvited?
Who the hell?
Emperor himself?
Even then, unforgivable.
Look at these guys.
Want to meet? Call ahead.
No basic manners.
Rude bastards get rudeness back.
Taeju smirked.
"So, who's the punk in my room?"
"...Watch your mouth."
"Who is it, then?"
Someone powerful enough for a hotel suite invasion.
Hotel couldn't stop them.
"See for yourself."
Ridiculous.
Though, asking might take longer than checking.
Hands in pockets, Taeju kicked the suite door hard.
BAM!
Wood splintered off the frame.
"Let's see your faces. Who snuck in like rats?"
Step step.
Taeju strode inside.
More black suits within.
Notable: awakening tattoos on their faces.
The room's scene registered.
Two men.
Middle-aged one, younger one.
Both tattooed.
Lounging on the sofa like they owned the place.
Expecting polite inquiries about their identity?
The younger one spoke to Taeju.
"You Kim Taeju?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"...Cocky little shit, just like they say."
"Less than you assholes squatting uninvited."
"Fine. Let's see if you stay cocky after I beat your face in."
The young punk rose slowly.
Taeju advanced.
This one first.
But spotting the silent middle-aged man acting superior...
He knew who.
Blood doesn't lie.
Uncannily similar.
Mirinae Group Chairman Lee Gieon.
What set him apart from other chaebol chairmen? He was an awakener.
Royal family awakener.
It propelled him past siblings to group dominance.
But his wife was a mana compatible from another chaebol house.
Wanted to marry an awakener, but chaebol life forbade free choice.
So he had many kids.
One had to awaken.
With the main wife: four sons, two daughters.
Not one awakener.
Lee Dongwoo was the second son.
No awakening as hoped, but he'd built the pharma company diligently.
Via forced mergers, patent theft, erasing the disobedient forever... illegal, sure, but uncaught was fine.
He'd taught that.
Then his second son vanished.
All his lackeys too.
All suspected mines, but Lee Gieon thought otherwise.
Taehong Bio's Kim Taeju.
Second son humiliated at New Seoul Central Station by him.
Stay quiet? With that temper?
Call logs from lackey Jeon Kyungchul told the tale.
Definitely called Kim Taeju that night.
They met.
Something happened.
Here to find out.
Worse than a pup.
No situational awareness.
Guests here, yet rampaging instead of hosting.
Tame that temper first.
Lee Gieon hadn't come alone.
His lackeys weren't average awakeners.
Beijing outpost veterans, battle-hardened against hordes.
Elite monster hunters from top private guild.
Led by Master Han Daehyeon.
Not all masters equal.
Worlds apart from his son's lackey Lee Doochang.
Lee Gieon sank deep into the sofa.
As if uninvolved.
Not jumping in foolishly.
Maintaining master's dignity.
Step in after lackeys handled it.
That was class.
So he'd stayed silent.
Only speak when the brat knelt.
But less than a minute later, dignity shattered.
"...Huh?"
Thwack!
Before Lee Gieon's eyes, Master Han Daehyeon soared.
Spewing blood fountain from his mouth.
< Addiction > End