Chapter 76 - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

===================

Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

===================

Ilseong Apparel Headquarters.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il and Jung Dong-hoon conversed alone in the office.

He had heard the whole story from start to finish.

How he knew Player Bong Joo-hyuk's name, and where the documents came from.

"I, I genuinely didn't intend to do anything. I was planning to discard the documents. It's unfair. This is a trap."

Jeon Kwang-il looked at Ilseong Apparel CEO Jung Dong-hoon with an indifferent gaze.

It's not something he orchestrated.

If it were, he wouldn't have made a mistake on the phone call, and even now, he was shaking his legs nervously with anxious eyes.

It seems clear that he received the document from Chairman Jung Sung-tae, but.

'Where was this document from in the first place?'

The US, Japan, or perhaps China?

Actually, at this point, the origin of the document isn't the important part.

The problem is that Player Bong Joo-hyuk's name is circulating even among private enterprises.

Anyway, Chairman Jung Sung-tae.

The more he thinks about it, the more disgraceful it is.

'That sly old raccoon.'

It was an obvious trick.

He probably intends to pass the uncomfortable task onto his nephew and watch how the situation unfolds.

Then, if he judges the information to be reliable, he'll mobilize political circles and slyly slide his foot in.

"When you received the documents, did you record it?"

"A, no."

"Then there would be no proof that this document came from Chairman Jung Sung-tae."

"Yes. B, by any chance, am I going to be arrested?"

"No way. Please feel at ease. Because that's not going to happen."

Anyway, now that he understood the situation.

"Actually, the reason I first called was for a business proposal."

"Ah..."

"If you're okay with it, would you like to hear the rest of the proposal you couldn't hear earlier?"

Jung Dong-hoon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Excuse me, it's uncertain if I can stay in the CEO position. My shares are only 10%, and my uncle will probably use this incident as an excuse to strip me of my management rights and kick me out."

"Hmm."

"Honestly, I don't have any lingering attachments to the CEO position either. Taking this opportunity, I plan to lay everything down and take a good rest...."

Jeon Kwang-il nodded.

The more he looks at him, the more he likes him.

As a business partner, that is.

'He doesn't have greed, his nature seems kind, and it seems like he'll be easy to control.'

Of course, Jung Dong-hoon might change later, but for now, he's much more reliable than Ko Yeon-ha.

Ilseong Apparel is an unlisted company.

Most of the shares are likely held by Chairman Jung Sung-tae.

What if they separate the company from the affiliate group and hand the shares over to Player Bong?

The worry about the leather is solved to some extent.

"The business proposal is about the supply of Wyvern leather."

Flinch! Jung Dong-hoon was startled.

Wyvern? Wyvern leather?

"We are planning to supply Wyvern leather to the private sector, so what does CEO Jung Dong-hoon think about it?"

"Uh-uh, w, well."

Wyvern leather.

Its biggest advantage is that it is sturdy above all else.

It doesn't even compare to Basilisk.

Beautiful and clear patterns and an outstanding self-repair function.

It can be used in an incredibly wide range of places, not just leather products like bags.

For example, for furniture products like chairs or sofas, as interior and exterior materials for cars, and naturally, it's top-quality material for player armors.

However, Jung Dong-hoon couldn't accept the proposal.

Because he had already let go of his lingering attachments to the company.

"It might be better if you propose this again when a new CEO comes instead of me...."

"No. I need you, CEO Jung. If you don't accept, it will go to Daehyun."

"Umm..."

"How about deciding not to quit and continuing to manage the company?"

"Th, that's not up to me."

"Become independent from Ilseong."

"Yes? Wh, what?"

He couldn't help but be bewildered.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il is not an ordinary bureaucrat.

A real power figure of the Management Agency.

It likely wasn't just him throwing words around.

"Whether independence is possible is secondary, I don't even know if I could do well...."

"You will do well. I will help you."

"..."

Jung Dong-hoon pondered.

If he could receive the supply of Wyvern leather, the company wouldn't go bankrupt even if he managed it with his feet.

"Then let's decide to keep maintaining the CEO position, and I will contact you again later with the details."

"Uh-oh, yes, yes."

Jung Dong-hoon nodded in a daze.

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il was definitely as the rumors said.

His driving force was something to be acknowledged.

'I thought I was going to be caught without a way out.'

To think an opportunity would come out of nowhere.

It felt like he was possessed by a ghost.

After finishing the meeting with Jung Dong-hoon, Jeon Kwang-il went into the Awakening Management Agency.

He headed straight to the Director's office and reported everything that happened today to Director Park Kyung-soo.

"...This is the situation. It's a bit too much of a weight class difference for me to push forward directly."

"Dear me, that Jung Sung-tae fellow, it's not even his time to go yet, has he gone senile."

Park Kyung-soo with an extremely displeased expression.

"People sometimes have delusions; as power grows stronger, they think they can cross that kind of line. Without even knowing that crossing the line means the end."

Director Park Kyung-soo made a few phone calls to somewhere and then said to Jeon Kwang-il.

"Give me the documents here."

"Here they are."

"I will handle this matter. You go and pay attention to other work."

"I have another request besides this."

"Huh? Tell me."

Deputy Director Jeon Kwang-il explained the plan quietly, and Director Park Kyung-soo listened while nodding.

* * *

Penthouse in Cheongdam-dong.

How much time had passed? Joo-hyuk opened his eyes wide.

"...Huh?"

When did I fall asleep?

And where is this?

'It's the living room.'

He heard that sleeping in a cold place makes your mouth slant. But he must have slept deeply, as his body felt light.

'Elder Gwangma must have left.'

Elder Gwangma.

From now on, he has to attach 'Elder' (nim) when calling him.

He shouldn't carelessly say Gwangma, Gwangma.

It's the duty of a human being.

'But what is this smell?'

Did someone take a shit?

"...Hmm."

He's the only one here in the penthouse.

'Is it because of the Bone Marrow Cleansing?'

He had heard the stories.

That your skin peels off, and the bodily waste exits the body, making the smell quite foul.

After learning the internal energy breathing method and the method of operating the Blood Jade Astral Aura from Elder Gwangma, he underwent the Bone Marrow Cleansing as the final process.

He mentioned something about executing the Macrocosmic Orbit by unblocking the Conception and Governing Vessels and the Life and Death Profound Gate, but he fell asleep due to rushing drowsiness.

Ah, the generously giving Elder Gwangma.

It's to the point where he regrets his poor treatment of him so far.

Opening the catalog, selecting Gwangma, 5 stars.

[Gwangma's satisfaction evaluation has been rated as 5 stars.]

By the way, I need to do something about the smell.

The clothes he was wearing went straight to the trash can, he wiped the living room floor with a mop, and when he turned on the air purifier.

Whhrrrrr!!!

It spun frantically with a red light turning on indicating severe air conditions.

'I'm sorry, air purifier servant.'

Joo-hyuk went into the shower room and washed cleanly.

As he changed into new clothes and stepped out.

'Phew,'

Feels like I can live a little.

The smell had largely cleared up as well.

'Then shall I review what I learned yesterday?'

Starting with the breathing technique called Heaven and Earth One Origin Art.

Once shallowly, once deeply.

"Hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo, hoo, hoo-ooo-ooo...."

He couldn't feel it yet.

It worked well when Elder Gwangma's hand was on his back.

'Is it because I'm doing it alone?'

Still, he continued breathing.

Right at that moment.

"Oh!"

A small energy felt from his lower abdomen. It moves.

In rhythm with his breathing, a small lump circulates through the blood vessels of his entire body.

It's definitely different from mana.

It was somewhat heavy and sticky.

'The Blood Jade Astral Aura is....'

Sss-sss.

A slight reddish tint softly circling his fingertips.

Compared to the Blood Jade Astral Aura he unleashes inside the tower, it's at a level where it's barely there.

Still, he wasn't disappointed.

Can one be full from the first spoonful.

To be at this level after just one day of breathing exercises is incredible.

'Anyway, review is done.'

Shall I call the summoned entities? Starting by checking the catalog.

[Catalog]: John Cossack / Barbarian Meat Shield / Gyeon Dal-rae / Rajix / Gwangma / Veronica Caliber / Lucius Bardin.

A total of 7 people.

No, exactly 6 people and 1 Holy Sword.

First, the elite members.

Spot! Cossack appeared.

"Thank you for calling me, sir. Summoner Bong's right.... Eh?"

Twitching his nose.

"Did you perhaps fart, sir?"

"...No."

"Aw, you seem to have farted, your bowel movements are active as expected, sir. This Cossack is touched, sir."

"I said it wasn't me!"

"Yes, sir!"

Not only his nose, but his eyes also rolled back and forth.

"Hmm, something seems to have changed, sir. Your skin is clear, sir."

"My skin was always good."

"...It's certain you've gotten healthier, but."

Calling Gyeon Dal-rae too, she also seemingly caught the smell.

"Mr. Cossack, where do you think you are to fart!"

"It's not me, sir."

"Are you saying Young Master farted, then? How can you have such seditious thoughts!"

Gobang as well,

"The warrior... hmm, assassin, your breath smells."

"You punk! I said it's not me!"

"Then it was the Princess."

"Th, this, you insolent fool!!!"

Rajix's reaction was extraordinary.

"Ho-ek?"

After checking the smell.

Sss-ssut!

Taking out the golden mop from his subspace backpack.

"Ho-e-e-e-e!"

He started wiping the living room floor like crazy.

Especially the spot where Joo-hyuk had lain down to sleep.

And heading to the bathroom, rinsing the mop, he wiped again, scrub!

The trash can couldn't escape Rajix's attention either.

Roll-roll-roll-roll.

Placing the clothes Joo-hyuk threw away tightly sealed in a volume-rate garbage bag.

Roll-roll-roll-roll,

After placing it outside by the elevator in front of the front door,

Roll-roll-roll-roll,

Wiping the living room floor with the mop again.

"Hoo-e!"

It's all done.

Now there was no smell whatsoever.

"Awesome, sir! It's fragrant, sir."

"Great work, Top Servant. You cleaned up the shit Mr. Cossack took so cleanly."

"How many times did I say it wasn't me, sir!"

Joo-hyuk just stood still.

There's no particular need to say it was himself either.

"Now, now, let's take a look at the face of the newly promoted person."

How exactly did she change?

"Veronica Caliber, Designated Summoning."

Hwa-a-a-a-at!

Spot!

She finally appeared.

"Koooar, zzzzz, slurp! Smack, smack,"

Lying spread eagle on the living room floor.

"Eh?"

"Hmm."

"Wow."

"Mmm."

"Ho-eng?"

She used to appear dozing off before.

"Looks like she was hauled out while sleeping deeply hidden somewhere, sir."

Slyly approaching her side and poking her ribs with his finger, Cossack.

The moment,

"Hieek! Sergeant (First Class), n, no, Master Sergeant Veronica Caliber!"

Jumping up, looking around and then looking at Joo-hyuk,

"Certain! Victory! Present magic gun towards the Commander!"

Chack!

A snappy salute.

"Congratulations on your promotion."

"Ho-e!"

"It truly is the majesty of one who matches a hundred."

"I look forward to working with you going forward."

"Applause!"

The promoted Veronica.

What looks different?

Her abilities come from her equipment.

First, her gun had changed.

The body became larger, and the barrel longer.

And the reinforced suit.

It is still a tight-fitting shape, but,

'...Somehow it feels somewhat thinner.'

Shouldn't it become thicker if it's an upgrade?

She was also wearing goggles on her face.

Additionally, long boots reaching her knees.

- Name: Veronica Caliber

- Rank: SSR (Special Super Rare)

- Type: Magic Gunner (Human)

- Manifestation Duration: 7 Hours

- Satisfaction Evaluation: None.

- Re-summon Cooldown: 3 Hours (Applies after unsummon)

Her rank is SSR, her catalog modifier is Special Duty Master Sergeant.

Although why the modifier 'Glamour' was attached is unknown.

"Then now...

What should we do?

Tower climbing to commemorate the promotion? Celebration party? However,

"Kooooar, zzzzzzzz,"

Veronica fell asleep while standing. She sleeps well. Really well.

"Shall I wake Master Sergeant Be, sir?"

"Leave her be. Let her sleep deeply."

When she wakes up, let's go clear the 66th floor.

After doing that, I won't be able to climb upper uncleared floors for a while.

Well, it's fine just going around gathering leather and ores, though.

* * *

A private room in a high-end Korean restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul.

Chairman Jung Sung-tae of the Ilseong Group had arrived beforehand and was waiting for someone.

The person he planned to meet today was Director Park Kyung-soo of the Awakening Management Agency.

They contacted him first from their side.

When a big shot asks to meet directly, shouldn't he make time even if he doesn't have any.

Then why did Director Park Kyung-soo ask to meet?

He can guess.

'Dong-hoon, that guy must have been caught approaching Player Bong Joo-hyuk.'

It seems he intends to discuss the handling of Jung Dong-hoon.

Because whether it's punishment or whatever, they have to consult with him first.

He also came having thought out in advance how to respond.

A sincere apology, and an appropriate countermeasure to match.

He will take full responsibility.

He would make his nephew Jung Dong-hoon step down from the CEO position and gladly subjeect him to the punishment of the law.

And then they'd have an in-depth conversation.

It seems his nephew was backed into a corner because sales dropped after the Basilisk leather was exclusively supplied to HG.

Isn't it a bit much to give everything solely to one company.

It doesn't look good either, so please supply it to other places as well.

He also added that he'd be grateful to be given a chance to apologize to Player Bong Joo-hyuk.

His ulterior motive will be plainly visible, but what can they do about it?

He is Jung Sung-tae.

Chairman of the Ilseong Group that dominates the Korean business world.

Knock, knock.

The door to the private room opened along with the knocking sound.

"Oh my, I am late. You waited a long time, right?"

Director Park Kyung-soo entered.

Chairman Jung Sung-tae also responded with a relaxed expression.

"Hahaha, not at all. For a leisurely old man to be called by the Director, I am just grateful."

"Well, the same goes for me."

However, Park Kyung-soo rummaged through his bag as soon as he sat on the chair.

"I picked this up on my way here, and it seems to belong to you, Chairman."

Thud!

He placed a file folder on the table.

It was a familiar document.

The one he had handed over to his nephew Jung Dong-hoon.

The atmosphere instantaneously turned cold.

What is he trying to do?

Jung Sung-tae didn't even touch the document.

With an expression signifying his displeasure.

"Are you saying this belongs to me?"

"Is it not?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Let's frankly confess where this document came from first."

"What on earth... are you interrogating me right now? So abruptly...."

Park Kyung-soo smirked.

"You fucking bastard, your tongue truly is long."

Did I hear correctly? It seems like he just cursed.

"Wh, what?"

"Did we look that stupid? Did you think we wouldn't know if you plotted something using your nephew as a front?"

"...Director Park, don't you know you are crossing the line right now?"

"You crossed the line too, so why wouldn't I find it possible to cross? You son of a bitch!"

"Kn, knowing who I am..., have you perhaps gone senile?"

"You're the one who's gone senile, has having people look up to you all this time made you fearless? The likes of a conglomerate Chairman dares dig into the background of an Elite Player?"

"Uh-uh, th, that's n, not...."

It was an unimaginable situation for Chairman Jung Sung-tae.

His mind went completely blank.

He didn't even know how to respond.

Of course he wouldn't.

Where would he have ever experienced something like this?

His initially relaxed expression was nowhere to be found.