The Hierarchy of Privilege
"Huh? Where did you hear about that?"
At Yoon-gi’s reaction, the professor made a strange, sputtering noise. His face flushed deep red, and he struggled to open his mouth. "W-well, that is..."
It was a situation where one might be misunderstood as having stumbled upon 'classified' information. Realizing he should stop the teasing, Yoon-gi grinned.
"It’s not exactly a state secret. Someone of your stature, Professor, could certainly have heard it from somewhere."
Yoon-gi’s way of speaking naturally acknowledged the professor’s status. The professor let out an awkward laugh and found himself scratching the back of his head.
"Did your child say they wanted to go to Merrill Land?"
"No, it was my grandson..."
To the professor’s still-awkward reply, Yoon-gi nodded with a gentle smile. "I suppose you took your grandson to Merrill Land, and perhaps it was just too crowded at the time?"
The professor nodded. "Yes... there were so many things my grandson wanted to ride, but there was nothing I could do. We were there all day, and he only got to go on four rides. He cried so much on the way home... and that’s when I heard about the Silver Card."
It was certainly understandable. Amusement parks were notorious for the intense psychological warfare between visitors. Even on weekdays, if you were unlucky, it could be more crowded than on a weekend.
"Your love for your grandson is truly heartwarming."
At Yoon-gi’s words, the professor’s face brightened slightly. He felt a strong intuition that he was actually going to get something. "I’d be grateful if you thought so... Just two cards would be enough... I could just tell my daughter-in-law to take my grandson..."
"However, unfortunately, I cannot give you a Silver Card."
For a moment, a deeply complex expression crossed the professor’s face. Why would he build up the atmosphere as if he were going to give it, only to suddenly refuse at the last minute? It was natural; the professor’s expression was a mix of anger, resentment, bitterness, and frustration. Since he had already lowered his pride to this extent, it was an inevitable reaction, so Yoon-gi didn't feel offended at all. Instead, he immediately offered a carrot.
"Instead, I can give you a Bronze Card."
"B-Bronze Card?"
The professor blinked at the unfamiliar term.
"Yes. The specific regulations are confidential, so I can’t disclose them, but you, Professor, do not qualify for a Silver Card. However, I can issue a Bronze Card under my own authority."
Yoon-gi pulled a box from his bag. When he opened it, it was packed with bronze-colored cards. He took out six of them.
"This should be enough for your family to go, right?"
As Yoon-gi handed over the six Bronze Cards, the professor accepted them with a bewildered expression.
"This is a card that allows you to enter Merrill Land for free on the date of your choice, just once."
"Huh?"
Even with the professor’s exceptional learning, it was hard to grasp Yoon-gi’s words all at once. It wasn’t because the content was difficult, but because it was something he hadn’t expected in the slightest.
"The Bronze Card is a one-time free pass. But it allows entry even on Wednesdays."
"Ah!"
The professor cherished the six Bronze Cards, wrapping them in both hands.
"Was this helpful?"
At Yoon-gi’s grinning question, the professor bowed as if his waist were hinged.
"Thank you, thank you... This is enough. This will make my grandson so happy."
With this, it would be revealed that Merrill Land’s VIP cards existed in Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. After all, the professor would be bragging about it all over town.
"Hyung."
Im Seon-ho answered immediately to Yoon-gi’s question. "Yeah?"
The two were currently in a lecture hall. Since the lecture hadn’t started yet, most of the students were either slumped over sleeping or chatting with each other.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Are you kidding me? You know I don't, are you trying to tease me?"
Im Seon-ho was now close enough to Yoon-gi to converse without formality. Thus, this style of speech had become natural.
"Just in case. You never know, you might have a girlfriend I don't know about."
"If I had something like that, I’d have no wishes left in the world. In high school, they said I’d get a girlfriend when I got to college, so why isn't it happening? And this isn't just any college, it’s the Seoul National University Law Department!"
"That’s because..."
"Shut up, you were just about to say 'It’s because you’re ugly, hyung,' weren't you?"
"How did you know?"
"Ha..."
At Im Seon-ho’s sigh, Yoon-gi grinned and shook his head. "I’m joking. I just asked because I wanted to give you this."
Yoon-gi pulled out a Silver Card.
"Huh?"
Im Seon-ho doubted his own eyes for a moment. A silver card with the word Merrill Land written on it. According to the rumors circulating, it was undoubtedly one of the Merrill Land VIP passes. The rumors about the VIP passes had spread from professors to teaching assistants, and from assistants to close students. Im Seon-ho swallowed hard.
Shhhk.
As Yoon-gi lightly rubbed his thumb and forefinger, it was revealed that there were two Silver Cards.
"I was going to give them to you if you had a girlfriend, but since you said you don't..."
Yoon-gi pretended to smack his lips and tried to put the Silver Cards back into his pocket.
"N-no! I have a girlfriend! I do!"
"You just said you didn't."
"No, I’m telling you I have one! I do! I really do!"
At Im Seon-ho’s truly desperate words, Yoon-gi grinned and handed over the Silver Cards.
"Go get one quickly. You don't need to pass this down as a family heirloom, do you?"
At Yoon-gi’s words implying he already knew everything, Im Seon-ho received the cards with a bitter smile, but soon set his expression with determination.
"Of course! I have to! I received such a great thing, I have to get one! Ugh... I really am close with you, aren't I? Honestly, I wanted to make this a family heirloom."
"I told you not to make it a family heirloom. I’ll refill it for you in about half a year."
"Huh? Really?"
"If our relationship continues."
"Hey! Is there any reason I’d cut ties with you? Just, should I join YK?"
"Oh, that sounds good."
"Huh? Then, are you hiring me?"
"No, you have to take the entrance exam."
"Ah..."
Im Seon-ho smacked his lips as if his joy had been cut short. Currently, YK was a company where employees almost never resigned, so there were very few new recruits. It was a company with extremely fierce competition. That was why Im Seon-ho smacked his lips in genuine regret.
"Still, with your level of effort, wouldn't you be able to get in?"
"Th-that’s right, isn't it?"
Perhaps because the Chairman had personally encouraged him, Im Seon-ho harbored hope. Just in time, the professor entered, the lecture began, and the conversation between Yoon-gi and Im Seon-ho ceased. After the lecture ended, as Yoon-gi left the room first due to his schedule, a crowd of people flocked to Im Seon-ho. Being able to use Merrill Land in a leisurely way was truly a massive privilege. Many competitors swarmed him, but Im Seon-ho only heard the voices of the female students.
"Oppa, go with me!"
"No! Seon-ho, go with me!"
"Seon-ho, I’ll buy you dinner!"
Of course, there were also those who flaunted their 'loyalty.' In particular, a fourth-year male senior wearing a military-issue quilted liner jacket stood out.
"Seon-ho, shouldn't we strengthen our friendship from our ROK Army days?"
Of course, Im Seon-ho didn't even listen to the senior, instead looking at a second-year female junior.
"Th-then, do you want to go together?"
"Yes! And I’ll buy dinner tonight!"
Of course, this was all thanks to the Silver Card. It was an opportunity gained purely for material reasons, but whether he could turn this into a real opportunity depended entirely on Im Seon-ho.
The executives gathered in the study once again.
"I’ve established more detailed policies regarding the Merrill Land VIP cards."
As two weeks passed, rumors about the Merrill Land VIP cards had already spread to the public. The reason, of course, was that the executives had transferred some to those around them. Naturally, people were comparing the cards they had received, and the executives were also able to build additional connections through the VIP cards. But at the mention of additional detailed policies, everyone looked at Yoon-gi.
"It’s nothing special. I’ve just further subdivided the tiers."
Yoon-gi placed two cards on the table. A sparkling card and one with a slight reddish hue.
"These are the Diamond Card and the Platinum Card. I mixed in a slight red tint for the Platinum Card so it wouldn't be confused with the Diamond Card."
In an instant, two tiers were added to the VIP hierarchy. He had originally thought that three classifications—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—would be enough, but as he distributed them to those around him, he realized that future games didn't operate with at least five tiers for no reason. Once he realized it, it was only natural to implement it. So, Yoon-gi didn't hesitate and spoke to the executives clearly.
"The Diamond Card allows entry to Merrill Land whenever you want."
When they heard this, it didn't seem much different from the Gold Card. After all, the people here weren't the type to skip out on going because of the money.
"The condition is that they must be my blood relatives or in-laws."
In an instant, the executives gulped. That was it. They realized the significance of that Diamond Card. But Yoon-gi’s words weren't finished.
"And... it is limited to those who are permitted to enter this study."
Boom!
A nuclear explosion went off in the executives' heads. The meaning of the Diamond Card. It was proof that they were people Yoon-gi absolutely trusted. Even though they had been shocked once before, the executives couldn't help but be moved once again. Of course, they knew they already held that trust even without the card. But that card was like a medal. Thus, the YK executives stared at the sparkling Diamond Card with fervent eyes.
'This, this is truly... heaven’s luck...!'
In particular, tears even welled up in the eyes of Ma Seok-il, who had joined the latest.
"This one card allows up to six people to enter. The cardholder’s direct blood relatives can use it by proxy, but they must bring proof of documentation."
All the executives nodded and shouted in unison.
UNDERSTOOD!!
Yoon-gi next held up the Platinum Card.
"The Platinum Card will be presented to YK executives who aren't permitted in this study, or to external figures of similar standing. It’s easy to think of President Jo Yoon-tae, right? And as for external figures, we could include the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Justice."
The executives nodded, agreeing with the reasonable appointments.
"The Platinum Card can be used by up to four people at a time. Everything else is the same as the Diamond. Of course, I will punch a hole in it every time you visit, and the card will be replaced every 20 visits."
Yoon-gi’s words continued.
"Gold will maintain the existing system, and only Silver will be changed slightly."
Yoon-gi pulled four Silver Cards from his pocket.
"The Silver Card will no longer be for the last Wednesday of every month, but each Silver Card will have a specific week of the month in which it can be used. This is to distribute the special visitors as evenly as possible."
It was an equally rational policy. To some, Merrill Land might look like a 'chaebol’s waste of money,' but Yoon-gi was reaping everything he could from within that structure.
The VIP tiers of Merrill Land brought 'unexpected fun' to the people.
"Hey, we have a Merrill Land Bronze Card at my house?"
In a third-grade elementary school classroom, one child boasted to the others while striking a pose.
"Pfft, only Bronze?"
A child sitting a little further away said. At that, the child who mentioned the Bronze Card got slightly angry.
"Hey! Do you know how hard it is to get a Bronze Card? I’m going to Merrill Land with my dad tomorrow!"
"No, we have a Silver Card at my house. My mom is a manager at YK."
"So what? You can only go on the set days with a Silver! You got yours because your mom works at YK, but my dad got his because he’s actually close with a high-ranking person at YK!"
"So, does your dad work at YK? My mom works there."
At the clear counter, the child who had boasted about the Bronze Card welled up with tears and trembled. And another child watching from afar thought to himself:
'Idiots, Bronze or Silver, they’re all the same, why are they acting like that? My dad has a Gold Card.'
The appearance of elementary school students obsessed with tier-pride, or rather, card-pride. Most of the children watching this didn't even have a Bronze Card, so they just looked on with regret. Still, if they had parents, there was at least some hope. However, children without parents couldn't even harbor such hope.
Jin Young-soo, currently in the third grade of elementary school, was exactly that type.
'I’m envious...'
Jin Young-soo, the son of Jin Dong-gi, who lived in an orphanage run by YK. Because he was growing up relatively happily in the orphanage, the shadows had faded a lot, but the fact that he had no parents always created a shadow that couldn't be peeled away. However, when he left the school gate, Jin Young-soo always came out with a smiling face. Because his sister would be waiting for him.
"Young-soo!"
Jin Young-soo’s sister, Jin Hee-young. Jin Hee-young was in Yoon-gi’s limousine, calling out to her brother through the car window.