Real Doll (23) #Epilogue 2. Real Doll Number 78
"I'll go meet with the Chairman. It doesn't seem like something I can handle on my own."
Consulting on how to deal with James, who had barged into the executive office, Elise Hildebrandt walked down the long corridor toward the Chairman's office. Holographic barriers were set up at every block, scanning passersby to verify their identity. If anyone unauthorized was detected, barriers would 3D-print across the front and rear blocks, trapping them instantly. It was an impeccably thorough security system.
Of course, Hildebrandt, holding the high position of executive director, wasn't subject to imprisonment. However, the information that she was approaching the Chairman's office was immediately transmitted to him. There was no such thing as an "unknown" to the Blackstars Chairman.
The question "Who is this?" was a phrase the Blackstars Chairman would never utter.
"Executive Director Hildebrandt. What is it?" Those were the first words Elise heard upon reaching the Chairman's office door.
She hadn't even announced herself with a 'I'm here,' yet the Chairman already knew everything. Rudeness like opening the door and entering without permission wasn't allowed. The door was locked to begin with, and the only one with the key was probably the Chairman himself. This was the standard way executives conversed with the Chairman—speaking through the door.
Even Elise Hildebrandt, head of a prestigious European noble family with significant shares in the company, had never once seen the Chairman's face.
"Yes. A young man who was paralyzed from the waist down after being assaulted by one of our company's Real Dolls has stormed into my office and is causing a scene."
"Understood. I'll handle it shortly."
"Pardon?"
The response was too swift. And the meaning of "handle"... it was probably referring to 'assassination.'
"W-wait a moment, Chairman. James is a headache of a troublemaker, but there's no need to kill him... Besides, he was once a promising American football player, so he's somewhat famous. Handling him carelessly could draw media attention."
"I'll control the media. Every major outlet worldwide is already sustained by Blackstars' sponsorship. We'll handle it smoothly without any rumors."
"B-but..."
"Do you have a problem with that, Executive Director Hildebrandt?"
"......!!"
Her lips went dry. Elise was an elite from the upper class herself, but the Blackstars Chairman was on another level. His influence and power were said to surpass even the U.S. President's, and rumors swirled that his personal wealth alone exceeded trillions of won. Killing a few people was trivial for such a transcendent figure. There were whispers of numerous executives who'd been purged for subtly defying him.
"N-no complaints, Chairman. It's just... this foolish me can't comprehend if James's crime warrants death. The football team did file a massive lawsuit, but I've already settled it."
"I know, Executive Director Hildebrandt. You sold off all your shares in our company."
"Ah... that was because my loyalty to the company vanished—not because I lacked loyalty, but at the time, it felt like I had to do it...!"
Elise hurriedly tried to explain, but the Chairman's voice remained calm. Though laced with a mechanical tone, the emotion came through clearly.
"I understand. Kim Hoyoung must have ordered you to do it."
"Y-yes...! That's right. It really was."
She let out a sigh of relief, and a sudden curiosity arose. No one knew the Blackstars Chairman's identity, yet he knew everything. All the world's information flowed into his ears.
"Um... Chairman, do you happen to know Kim Hoyoung?"
"Very well."
"After meeting him, I ended up penniless. Yet strangely, I don't resent him at all."
"That's natural. Titles like chaebol or noble mean nothing before Kim Hoyoung. You got off lightly, losing just your fortune."
"Pardon? What do you...?"
Losing over 300 billion won and that's 'lucky'? It sounded absurd, no matter who said it. Even from the Chairman. But his voice grew oddly chilling, devoid of life. Enough to send shivers down her spine.
"You nearly destroyed our company, Executive Director Hildebrandt. Not intentionally, of course."
"Me? When?"
"Going to toy with Kim Hoyoung. If he holds a grudge and comes after us, Blackstars could vaporize overnight."
"What... what are you talking about?"
Blackstars dominated global oil and arms supplies. No superpower could wage war without their support. How could one man, alone, dismantle them in a day? It was nonsense—a bad joke.
"He's just a nouveau riche living in a nice house. He didn't even have 300 million dollars and had to beg me. No matter how great he thinks he is, to Blackstars, he's an ant crawling on the ground. Hahaha."
"............"
"? Chairman?"
Was the Chairman... joking around?
"...You stupid bitch."
"Huh?"
Concrete walls descended from the ceiling, blocking off one side of the corridor. The opposite passage sealed with an identical wall. This was the security protocol for trapping intruders.
"Ch-Chairman?! Chairman!"
"Your sins are threefold, Elise Hildebrandt."
"Chairman!!"
Gas leaked from the ceiling. She tried to flee, but all paths were blocked. Covering her nose with her shirt was futile. The gas filled the air, blurring her vision.
"First sin: selling all your company shares. You're now just an ordinary employee with no power. Disposing of you is effortless."
"Cough! Cough! Please! Chairman!"
"Second sin: foolishly provoking Kim Hoyoung. Nations and corporations—no enemies remain for us. The only one who could destroy us is Kim Hoyoung, and you poked him, nearly dooming us. You chilled me to the bone."
"Why are you doing this! Cough! What the hell is Kim Hoyoung?!"
"To soothe Kim Hoyoung's heart, a sacrifice is needed."
Her breath caught. Every inhale filled her lungs with gas. Elise dropped to her knees, clawing at the concrete with her nails. Pathetic flailing.
"I...! I'm the head of the Hildebrandt family!! Habsburg... Empire's countess...!"
"Third sin: your carelessness in leaving Real Doll project documents unlocked in a drawer. James found them."
"Wha...t...!!"
"That's why James must die too. Including you, the idiot who leaked classified info."
"No... way...!"
"Fools deserve fitting punishment."
James. That damned cripple had finally caused trouble. What was Lee Jiyoung doing? She'd ordered her to watch him closely.
Ah. Consciousness fading. Too much sleep gas. In her blurring mind, Elise recalled two incidents.
About 15 years ago, shortly after joining Blackstars as a rookie, she'd submitted an idea that struck her: modifying living humans into Real Dolls. A report with a shocking proposal.
"You lunatic! No way such an inhumane system gets approved!"
Her then-boss, trapped in rigid thinking, tore up the report and threw it in her face.
Surprisingly, she soon received a direct summons from the Chairman.
"I read your report. I'm putting you in charge of the new Real Doll business."
"B-but it was rejected by the director."
"That man is dead."
"Pardon?"
Incredibly, the director who'd decried it as an affront to humanity died in a timely traffic accident, and his position went to newbie Elise. For the next 15 years, she effectively led the Real Doll operations.
But now she wondered: was that director's accident really 'coincidental'? Had he been dragged to the Chairman's office and gassed in this very corridor, disguised as an accident?
Then, 10 years ago, she recalled a favor from a Korean acquaintance, Kim Wanyong. A businessman she'd met in university. Sharp-eared for dirty deals, he'd sniffed out the Real Doll truth and sought to exploit it.
"I want to devour Trauma Bakery... but the Chairman's bitchy daughter is in the way. Can you make her disappear? Turn her into a Real Doll, and she'll lose all rights, including inheritance."
"...Fine. If the donation's generous."
That donation too was lost fulfilling Kim Hoyoung's command. If she'd refused Kim Wanyong, Isia wouldn't have become Real Doll Number 77, she wouldn't have met Kim Hoyoung, and she wouldn't be facing elimination now.
But... regrets were too late.
Elise succumbed to the sleep gas, closing her eyes and losing consciousness for a long time.
When she awoke, she was vacuum-sealed like an object, being shipped. Destination: Kim Hoyoung's mansion, which she'd visited once.
"To ease your mind, I've prepared a gift."
Under that pretext, Elise Hildebrandt stood before Kim Hoyoung again as Real Doll Number 78.
"What~? The gift is just Elise? Tsk... I was thinking of fucking her once more. What to do? Tough choice~"
Choice my ass! Untie me, you bastards! I'm the head of the Hildebrandt family!! You think you can get away with this?! I'm no ordinary person! I'm nobility with backbone! My connections in society are vast!! I'll never submit to scum like you! I'll escape at the first chance!
"Huh? What's that, Elise? You look like you have something to say."
Hmph! Keep using that informal tone, you brat! Brag all you want now! My networks across society will come rescue me soon!
"Stop glaring and spit it out, Elise."
When they do, I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill you! I'll fucking end you!
"I said speak."
Kim Hoyoung lifted her chin with a finger, demanding an answer. Utterly humiliating posture, but Elise's lips slowly moved. Strangely, they trembled.
"M-M...
"M-?"
"Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Master! Real Doll Number 78 exists solely to obey her Master! From sex to cleaning the toilet, she'll do anything ordered, so please use this worthless tool conveniently! Blackstars stands ready to do anything for Kim Hoyoung's convenience—please forgive us!"
Later, Kim Hoyoung was told, "Number 78 was specially modified for exceptional loyalty. She'll smile and carry out even a suicide order." As a unique gift tailored to please him, she'd received meticulous adjustments. No room for error.
Elise Hildebrandt, discarded by her organization, saw her revenge vanish like a midsummer night's dream. She was now company property, compelled to serve its interests even after abandonment.
Moreover, her noble family had been co-opted by Blackstars, abandoning the reckless fight against a megacorp for one daughter. They erased the shame of their Real Doll head from the family registry in a tidy settlement.
Of course, Elise had forgotten she was ever nobility. Living as a mere Real Doll, she firmly believed menial tasks and sexual service were her sacred duty. Irrelevant to her now.