Episode 297
After a conversation with Jin Se-jeong that was full of shock and fear, I left the office.
Choi Jun-ho: Republic.
It was definitely an attractive word.
However, when I looked at the contents, I couldn’t like it all.
Because in order to have power, you have to work endlessly and diligently. And in Jin Se-jeong’s plan, my working diligently means maintaining that strange idol worldview.
Even now, I have goosebumps all over my body, but I can keep it that way?
I might give up before then.
[The distribution is amazing. When you see him declaring that he will eat up a country.]
“That’s right.”
Yongyong’s feelings were also my feelings. I don’t like people talking around me, so I’m willing to do that. That’s a direction that benefits me, but I thought Jin Se-jeong’s momentum and distribution were amazing.
It seems like a pretty painful thing to me.
[Can’t you just endure that much?]
If you endure it, you can endure it.
Instead, I don’t think I’ll have any limbs left.
In fact, I feel like this is a more severe blow than high-speed flight.
If I go this far, I don’t think I can come back anymore.
No, we’ve already come a long way.
“How are you?”
When I got home, Yunhee greeted me wearing the most comfortable clothes in the world. I saw him after a lot of things had happened after returning from his trip to America, but his attitude was as if I had seen him a few minutes ago.
“Are you still that upset even after seeing you for so long?”
“All I have to do is stay alive and well, right? “There’s no reason to pretend like we’re friends, so why are you doing this?”
“but.”
It’s not wrong. However, the status I realize is very different from what I thought.
I looked at Yunhee, who was clinging to the sofa in the most comfortable position in the world.
“Do you have something to say?”
“How are you these days?”
“me? I’m rolling around like I’m dying. “I now know that the salary I receive is definitely not because the guild is generous or kind.”
Yunhee, who had established herself as a capable hunter of the Holy Guild, was actively hunting as a core force in the field. Yunhee’s < Indomitable > is effective in hunting, so she is using it to death in the Sacred Guild.
It is a very desirable phenomenon to be able to die without thinking about anything else. It looks affordable, but it might be a good idea to increase the intensity even more.
“Aren’t other people bothering you?”
“why?”
“When I see people talking about me these days, I thought it might be annoying for you too.”
“Do you know that now? If I had to start with the answer, it would be so annoying that I would die. “Wherever I go, my brother’s story comes up, and I can’t ignore it, and the more I mix it up, the more it sticks with me.”
“I see. “It might be a little annoying, right?”
“doesn’t care. “I’m actually enjoying it.”
“Do you enjoy that?”
I felt speechless at Yunhee’s shameless expression.
“There’s no reason you can’t enjoy it, right? My brother is the world’s strongest superhuman, so of course I should enjoy it since he is outsmarting me. If you don’t enjoy it when you can, it will disappear into the distance. Anyway, those people are trying to please their brother, not me, so if you enjoy it within a reasonable limit, there won’t be any backlash. “I’m completely mad.”
“….”
I didn’t know how to respond to people telling me I was great. I thought he might be suffering because of me, but he actually seemed to be enjoying it.
It was unfamiliar to see my younger brother like this.
[He’s just your younger brother. What are you talking about? It’s the same as you.]
Yongyong is crossing the line.
“I’m enjoying a different atmosphere from Sehee. “So, I understand why Sehee’s words and actions are the way they are these days.”
“To the point of rubbing up against Lee Se-hee?”
“It’s not like I’m going to become a chaebol or anything like that. I can enjoy it much more freely than Sehee. Instead, it has a fatal flaw, but do you know what it is?”
If you don’t know what this guy is enjoying, how can you possibly know his fatal flaw?
But he looked at me with a very serious expression and said.
“Maybe it’s because my brother is such a scary person that men don’t stick with me.”
“….”
“I ruined my dating business because of you. “You should feel sorry for me.”
[Is it really because of that?]
Well, from what I can see, it seems more like a personality issue than me.
“Don’t make excuses for your personal problems.”
“Is it real? “Who am I to grow old alone?”
“If you say that outside, you will be beaten to death.”
“are you okay! “It’s not like I’m going out somewhere and getting beaten up.”
“The world is wide and there are many people stronger than you.”
“You don’t have to be around me. Anyway, it’s true, right? “The story goes that the reason he keeps such an attractive woman alone is because of his brother.”
“Think what you want.”
I clicked my tongue while looking at Yunhee, who was once again working hard on self-justification. I think it was wrong for her to meet a man too.
And I think it’s not because of me, but because his personality is dirty.
[I think the siblings are similar.]
When I hear that, I will say yes, but I think Yoonhee will probably go crazy.
When I talked about what I had with Jin Se-jeong, I gave a surprisingly simple answer.
“Choi Jun-ho’s Republic? “If you want to find out, go outside.”
“Where?”
“To the place where my brother’s pop-up store is.”
One thing I didn’t know.
Jin Se-jeong was running my pop-up store.
* * *
I followed Yunhee’s words and visited the place where my pop-up store was located.
And within 5 minutes of looking around there, I was overcome with shock and fear.
It was mine, by me, for me.
These were so-called goods, but the moment I saw the various products with my face on them, I felt like my mind was empty.
What is it that makes you buy it?
I racked my brain several times, but no answer came out.
However, the reaction on site was enthusiastic. What I had vaguely heard from Jin Se-jeong, seeing it in action felt completely different.
Why are my so-called fans crazy about me?
It is true that I contributed to the defense of the Republic of Korea. Just that. There were many hunters besides me who contributed to peace. In that case, it is the influence of the idol worldview that was introduced after listening to Jin Se-jeong.
How could I be possessed to react like that?
I thought about it several times, but I couldn’t understand it with my head.
[Are they new humans?]
Yes, not only me, but Shinsu also didn’t understand.
[Perhaps trying to understand was itself arrogant?]
…Maybe so.
For the first time in a long time, Yongyong and I had the same thoughts.
Anyway, one thing was clear.
There are fans who love me so passionately that I don’t understand.
And their presence is of great help to what I am trying to do.
Then you should do well.
[But I don’t understand.]
That was something I agreed with.
* * *
The reason I set out to hunt the Divine Beast was because it was information that was top secret. The existence of divine beasts was not yet widely known to the public, and only the story of the existence of monsters smarter than humans was spread, as in some legends.
So, some people believe that he went to the United States to carry out an operation in complete secrecy.
Sehee Lee is one of them. Today too, she was showing off her arrogant spirit in a black two-piece suit, but as soon as she saw me, she softened her energy.
“It smells like a gift.”
“Aren’t you awakened to a new gift?”
“It can’t be. “I’m just sensitive.”
“…Amazing?”
Lee Se-hee’s strength is that she can transform freely in any situation.
I mentioned the conversation I had with Jin Se-jeong before unpacking the gift bag.
“Team leader Jin is competent. “You can see that Junho’s absence is not felt at all.”
“Are you just salting and stabbing?”
“Even if it’s unfamiliar and hard to understand, Team Leader Jin’s direction is right. “We are making Junho a friendly and attractive character rather than a scary one.”
…It was hard to say no because I saw it in a pop-up store.
I was curious about what my charm was that I didn’t know about.
“Wouldn’t it be easy to see it as an easy thing?”
“Not really. Who would risk their life when Junho showed me these things? People also know how precious their lives are. Now, I can’t look down on Junho. “The people who were harmed by Mr. Junho are probably seething inside as they watch the character creation being done.”
It sounded quite plausible.
So should I say thank you to Jin Se-jeong?
I was grateful, but the method was very unfamiliar.
“I thought it would have been better if there was another way.”
“But it wouldn’t have been as effective as it is now. “It was a very harsh prescription for Mr. Junho.”
“yes.”
I couldn’t deny Jin Se-jeong’s magic, so I clicked my tongue.
After talking more, I acknowledged Jin Se-jeong’s contribution and changed the topic because I felt like I would fall into a deeper quagmire.
Now it’s time to unpack the gift bundle.
“There are benefits obtained from the United States.”
“yes. I heard that your trip to America went well. “Is there anything we can help you with?”
“Of course we need Shinsung Group’s cooperation. “You can take whatever you want in the process.”
“thank you. “I will take good care of it.”
The saying that a businessman’s conscience cannot be trusted came to mind, but since Lee Se-hee belongs to the category of people who take care of their conscience, I decided not to tackle it.
And I released the bundle that I almost robbed Herbert of.
It all looked good so I brought it all.
“Uh um.”
Lee Se-hee looks at me with a confused expression.
“why?”
“Is this a normal transaction?”
“Is that correct?”
Although I took everything that Herbert had prepared, it was a reward for my achievements.
Instead, didn’t the U.S. government get a comfortable LA without villains?
I got a fair price.
What the other person thinks is not that important.
“Starting with oil, they sell various resources and food? And that too without any tariffs at all?”
I think it was a bit harsh even for Lee Se-hee.
Well, now that I think about it, Herbert looked like he lost his country when I took it away. Aside from his frivolous personality, he was a man who pursued the interests of the United States since he was the President of the United States.
“That’s it.”
“This is an impossible transaction without holding a gun to their head…”
Why use a gun when you’re blowing people’s heads off? All you have to do is just use your hands.
Considering the fact that Herbert freaked out every time he saw me, he must have felt threatened.
Lee Se-hee, who was serious at first, smiled brightly as if she decided to just look at the actual gift bag.
“Anyway, the important thing about this deal is that, following Saudi Arabia, the United States also opened its doors. “With Junho’s secret, you can cross the Pacific Ocean if you put your mind to it!”
The transport ship I built with Yongyong’s claws is not only capable of transporting oil.
Regular trade became possible if one wanted to. There was widespread anticipation that this could unite the logistics that had been broken up into pieces due to the presence of monsters.
But for that to be possible, I don’t think Yongyong would have any claws left.
You should be careful, right?
[Are you thinking of me? Thank you!]
I am the only one who thinks of you. But can’t we get a few spares?
[what? Were you just pretending to care about me?]
Don’t do it if it doesn’t work out. To be harsh.
“I think we should do this for now and check the rest in detail before making adjustments.”
“That’s enough.”
Since this is not a field I know well anyway, I can leave the rest to the experts.
The purpose of today’s visit was successfully achieved.
I finished what I wanted to say, but Lee Se-hee hesitated and spoke to me, wondering if she had something to say.
“If you have time, would you like to meet the chairman?”
“Chairman Lee Young-moon?”
“Yes, I guess there is something you would like to discuss with Junho. “Junho can schedule whatever is convenient for him.”
After Lee Se-hee’s regime was solidified, Lee Young-moon had stepped down, leaving most of the work to him. However, his presence is still strong, and he is established as a powerful figure in the business world.
I don’t know why you asked to see me.
I’m not the type of person to talk nonsense, so it might be okay to take a look.
“Let me take a look.”
“Okay, when are you okay?”
“Right now.”
“Right? “Is that okay?”
“I’m curious as to why you’re asking to see me.”
There won’t be any trivial stories like just asking to see your face once.
Upon my acceptance, Lee Se-hee immediately contacted the chairman’s office, and her expression became relaxed only after she responded that she would cancel all schedules and make room for her.
30 minutes later.
I met Lee Young-moon with Lee Se-hee in the chairman’s office at the headquarters. I heard that his health wasn’t that good, but his complexion didn’t look that bad, probably because he was taking good care of it.
“I heard it from Sehee. This time too, you achieved amazing results. Thank you for your kindness to the group.”
“I just entrusted the work to a partner I can trust.”
I have now reached a level where I can speak words of humility.
But this isn’t my style, so I wanted to get straight to the point.
Lee Young-moon must have read my thoughts and got straight to the point.
And it went further than I thought.
“I heard about Choi Jun-ho’s Republic. If it is okay with you, we would like to do our best to support you. “What do you think, Adept?”
“Why is that story coming up all of a sudden?”
“It’s because I think it’s a trend that can’t be denied. Some may judge it to be too early, but if we don’t take a step ahead like this, we have no choice but to fall behind. We are supporting Choi Jun-ho’s Republic.”
It was a strange story, but it sounded plausible because Chairman Lee Young-moon was paying attention to the problem.
“If you have an idea, to what extent do you intend to support it?”
“I’m trying to place a bet on the group’s fate.”