The Emperor's Gift
Judging someone's realm only works when you're on a similar level.
If the gap in strength is too wide, it's hard to even tell if the person in front of you is stronger or weaker than you.
That's why a puppy charges at a tiger without fear, only to get swatted away and realize too late, 'Oh! This guy's way stronger than me.'
Pretty much all the masters who'd clashed with Taeju so far had been like that.
They strutted around boasting their master rank, lunged in, and ended up dead, nearly dead, or knocked out in one hit.
Taeju and Geum Suhu, on the other hand, knew each other's terror all too well.
The moment Geum Suhu laid eyes on Taeju, an inexplicable pressure made his body shrink back.
He'd known for a while that this guy wasn't just some ordinary pharma CEO. He'd heard about his exploits in the Jirisan monster subjugation op.
But there was something Geum Suhu hadn't anticipated.
The untouchable charisma and dignity radiating from Kim Taeju—like standing before His Majesty the Emperor himself.
This had nothing to do with raw power or talent.
His gaze carried the weight of someone who'd lived through an entire world.
No wonder everyone around him called the young Kim Taeju "Chairman" this and "Chairman" that.
'He's really 29?'
Taeju was no different.
He acknowledged Geum Suhu too.
A true master.
If you compared it to the murim of the jianghu, he fell just short of the top ten experts but could easily claim a spot in the top twenty.
Sparring with him would teach a lot.
Maybe he should politely ask for a match.
Sensing Taeju's intent, Geum Suhu avoided eye contact and continued reading the emperor's letter.
"Let's begin."
From the start of your antidote production, I have kept an eye on you. I am always grateful for your efforts in slaying mines and protecting the lives and safety of imperial citizens.
I am well aware of your contributions in the Jirisan monster subjugation. I wish to summon you to the palace immediately and bestow great rewards, but with the palace in turmoil these days, I hesitate to insist on your presence.
My inept children may approach you. I earnestly beseech you—do not take sides with any of them.
The palace in turmoil?
Why?
Some imperial throne succession battle brewing?
I have not summoned you to the palace to avoid needless scandals hindering your path. Thus, I send my loyal secretary in secret to deliver this commendation.
I already know of your aid to the Imperial Intelligence Agency in capturing mines. But do not let your guard down. Exercise utmost caution in hunting mines.
You may encounter foes utterly different from the mines you've caught so far. Even first-generation awakeners still live—do you think there are no first-generation mines? If you meet one, forget pride and run.
I believe your success will be the empire's success. If you face difficulties, seek aid from Geum Suhu. He will assist you.
Geum Suhu provided further explanation.
"He looks middle-aged, but His Majesty is quite advanced in years. Even master awakeners don't live forever. That's why the succession struggle is playing out in the shadows."
Right.
"Isn't there Crown Prince as the rightful heir?"
"You think the other princes will accept that? They're all such outstanding talents, and their maternal clans are no slouches either."
Even the emperor, hailed as the strongest awakener, couldn't control his kids.
The emperor had many children.
Princes and princesses from the empress and consorts, all gifted due to their bloodline.
"It's Crown Prince versus the other princes for now, but they're all gunning for each other's weaknesses. Building factions with sponsors and funding is standard."
Taeju had money.
Fame too.
If this new drug succeeded, he might crack the top ten richest in the empire.
Which meant he could get dragged into a headache.
"That said, no need to cut ties with Fifth Prince. That was just coincidence."
"..."
Taeju didn't see it that way.
Distance from Fifth Prince too.
Stay far from the succession mess entirely.
"Tsk tsk, I advised against marriage so many times, but he fell for his retainers' coaxing..."
"..."
Practically treasonous, but... Geum Suhu was the emperor's closest aide.
"Look at me! So convenient being single. You stay unmarried too. Ahem."
Geum Suhu's reading continued, but the letter ended there.
"There, that's the full imperial writ."
Geum Suhu conjured flames in his hand—whoosh!—and burned the paper.
"Now, time for His Majesty's reward."
Reward?
What could it be?
Geum Suhu unhooked a small leather pouch from his belt.
Familiar.
The bag Oh Jinhyeong had carried during Jirisan, claiming imperial support.
No way?
"Is this a sub-space pouch as the reward?"
Geum Suhu blinked wide-eyed, flustered.
"...Sorry, but this is mine. W-want it?"
His voice trembled.
"Would you give it if I asked?"
"W-well, your merits are substantial. If you really want..."
He'd give it, but hated to.
Whatever, with infinite storage, who needed it?
"Nah. I'll buy one when I make bank next time."
"Haha, right, right. I'm sure you will soon."
He pulled something from the sub-space pouch and set it on the hotel floor.
"Huh? This is...?"
Willow leaf daggers.
Identical in shape and size to the ones Taeju had used.
Not just one or two.
Geum Suhu kept drawing more from the pouch.
Thud, thud.
As Taeju approached, Geum Suhu flinched but kept going.
"I acquired the daggers you used in Jirisan. Imperial awakener artisans crafted these replicas—top quality."
"...Worthy of the name luxury."
Awakeners' system skills weren't limited to combat.
Crafting skills existed too.
Like those presumed to make sub-space pouches and magic items.
Commonly called awakener artisans—their gear outclassed normal smiths' work.
"Two hundred in total. Elite mana crystals, steel feathers, giant lizard claws, mana alloy steel, and more. Insanely expensive, in short."
Rare materials, huge quantity.
How much per dagger?
And artisan-made, so no ordinary blades.
Taeju liked the emperor.
A big spender.
"Each has Sharpness and Indestructible options. Try not to lose any."
Taeju picked one up, running his fingers over the surface.
Cold metal touch.
Far superior to Gurye artisans' work.
"Hahaha, like 'em?"
"Please convey my thanks to His Majesty."
Jackpot.
Better than a sub-space pouch.
"I have a separate gift. Not the pouch. Something for your business."
"What kind?"
"No more sabotage from Lee Gieon. Spread your wings freely."
"...Sounds good."
"No need to decline. It's already in motion."
No empty words.
Actually perfect.
Who cared about Lee Gieon?
The guy's hospital-bound soon anyway.
※ ※ ※
Mirinae Group.
Chairman Lee Gieon was glued to his phone in his office, dialing nonstop.
The goal: block Taehong Bio's drug approval from the FDA.
"Yeah, Director Park, I get it. FDA lobbying's impossible, but I'm not asking to approve the new drug—just stall it, right?"
The call was to a high-ranking executive branch official, a junior from the FDA director's alma mater.
"This ain't a free city. Some rural Gurye pharma can't peddle unverified crap in New Seoul."
Not just one call.
Lee Gieon mobilized every connection.
"Haha, thanks. Let's grab a meal sometime. Oh! Your son's killing it at the company. So competent, the underlings are pushing for his promotion. Good news soon."
Another call done.
'Hoo.'
Lee Gieon caught his breath, sipping hot tea from the table.
The more he thought, the angrier he got.
Humiliation from Kim Taeju.
'What? Don't give up, keep coming? My group won't survive?'
Even booted from Leaders Club.
'Igor, that bastard too...'
Planning thousandfold revenge.
So he called club members he knew, urging them to quit.
Cheonggong Guild's Han Daehyeon too.
Dropped in one hit by a non-awakener.
Withdrawn guild support—no more use.
'I'll crush them all with everything I've got.'
To take out Kim Taeju effectively, smash his base.
Already sent men to Gurye.
Seize the autonomy committee, pin him down.
Warned Baekdu Group too.
Help him and face total war.
Won't spare them even if it means mutual destruction.
Total war.
Never poured this much into burying one person before?
A rural nobody who'd come to the capital, no less.
Game over already.
He couldn't win.
Right then!
Knock knock.
His secretary entered.
"What is it?"
"Imperial Intelligence Director Nam Ilbok is here. Wants to see you, Chairman."
"The director?"
Why?
Son-related?
When his son vanished and he reported it, the precinct chief called.
Mentioned Imperial Intelligence might intervene.
He'd said okay.
Knew the protocol.
But who knew?
They might crack the case easy.
'Did they find a lead?'
Possible.
Lee Gieon was convinced Kim Taeju killed his son.
Might have evidence.
He secretly hoped.
"Send him in."
"Yes, sir."
Knock knock.
Door opened again.
Imperial Intelligence Director Nam Ilbok entered with his awakener escort.
"Oh, Director Nam! What brings such a busy man to me?"
"Busy? My underlings handle it all."
Nam Ilbok, Geum Suhu's confidant, unaffiliated with palace factions.
Handshake first.
Exchanged pleasantries.
"You've been swamped lately, Chairman."
"Really? More like insomnia over my missing son. Sigh, dead or alive?"
Nam Ilbok smirked at Lee Gieon's worried tone.
"Should've raised him right from the start. Brats who rampage fearless end up humiliated."
"...Pardon?"
Misheard?
"Humiliated? Stop there, but no—you bribe patent office to block a rival's New Seoul entry. Where's he hiding? Really dead?"
What?
Even for the director, saying that to his face...?
"What the hell? Director Nam! You lost your mind?"
But Nam Ilbok's eyes were ice-cold.
"Hey! Lee Gieon!"
"W-what? How dare you...!"
"Shut it! You fucking trash! Booted from the club and still yapping."
"..."
Lee Gieon froze at the sudden profanity.
"Think no one knows you're calling around to sabotage Taehong Bio's FDA approval?"
"H-how?"
Even his secretary didn't know.
Told no one.
One-on-one calls only.
...Wait!
"D-did you wiretap my phone?"
"And if we did? Useless punk pulling strings?"
"Uh-uh..."
Nam Ilbok's tirade continued.
"Don't overreach! Whatever Taehong Bio's Chairman Kim Taeju does, stay away and twiddle your thumbs."
"K-Kim Taeju? This is because of him...?"
"Be grateful you're not arrested for bribery already. Keep harassing Chairman Kim with dirty tricks, and you'll wish for a wheelchair at the prosecutor's."
Lee Gieon was baffled.
Did Kim Taeju have pull with Imperial Intelligence?
"Consider meeting me lucky. Keep the nonsense up, and Palace Secretary Geum will visit personally."
Unbelievable.
Military, princes, Leaders Club, Baekdu's Jeong Ukcheol, Intelligence Director, Palace Secretary Geum Suhu?
Connections others couldn't dream of,
Who the hell was Kim Taeju?