Chapter 22
Seeing them, Suho smiled.
‘I was wondering when they’d show up.’
The staff quickly formed a human barrier to keep people from approaching.
Then, Jeong Cheol-min appeared through the crowd and stood beyond the safe line, staring at Suho as he made a call.
The recipient was, of course, Suho.
Suho answered the phone and asked.
“Yes, Team Leader.”
– Suho-sshi, I can’t tell if what I’m seeing is a dream or reality.
“It’s reality. Unless you’re on something, Team Leader.”
– As if I would… Suho-sshi, you always exceed expectations. So, would you come with us to the Association?
“May I ask why?”
– This is an unprecedented event. The government operated this place as a public gate because it was deemed unconquerable.
“I understand that, but I don’t see why I need to go to the Association. There’s no valid reason.”
It was obvious without seeing it.
The Association’s chairman or vice chairman probably told him to bring me in.
Why?
Probably just to take some photos.
Those former politicians were meticulous about their image.
‘They probably told Cheol-min hyung to bring me in under some pretense since he’s done this kind of thing often.’
This made Suho even more determined not to go to the Association.
If he went, it would be on his own terms or out of necessity, not because those two called him in for some free photo ops.
Cheol-min, flustered by Suho’s words, responded.
– That may be true, but given the scale of the event, we need to conduct an investigation.
“You didn’t do investigations like this when other major guilds cleared hard gates. If you need any information, just request it separately.”
– …….
Jeong Cheol-min was speechless.
But he wasn’t about to give up.
Although he was a powerless civil servant, he had become a team leader at a young age because he was good at his job.
– Understood. Then, may we at least escort you outside? Moving through this crowd could lead to a trampling accident.
“It’s okay. I can get out on my own.”
– What?
“I’ll contact you again soon, Team Leader.”
At that moment.
– W-What?
Jeong Cheol-min was startled.
Suho, whom he had been watching, suddenly disappeared.
It was the same for everyone else.
“Huh, what?”
“Where did he go?”
“What’s going on?!”
“Hey, where’s Ahn Suho!”
But Suho had already passed through them and exited the Tower of Trials.
Thanks to the unique effect of the first-of-its-kind synthesis he had created for stat upgrades.
Suho leisurely exited and found the yellow Ferrari ready to depart in a nearby parking lot. He got into the passenger seat.
As the door suddenly opened, Jo Jin-hwi was startled and wary.
“Ee-yah! What the… Oh, Suho-sshi?”
“Let’s go right away.”
“H-How did you get out?”
“I maneuvered through the crowd.”
“That’s strange. I was watching through the side mirrors and rearview mirror the whole time.”
As if a regular person could spot him using Achromatic Solitude.
The yellow Ferrari roared to life and soon entered the highway.
Once on the highway, Jo Jin-hwi took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Suho.
“Let me introduce myself formally. Senior reporter from PBS, Jo Jin-hwi.”
PBS reporters had ranks from trainee, regular reporter, senior reporter, to chief reporter and lead reporter.
So Jo Jin-hwi’s rank was equivalent to a mid-level manager in a company.
Suho responded.
“Ahn Suho. I’ve already introduced myself over the phone, so no need to repeat that, right?”
“Of course. You’ve already shared everything. But… may I ask you something?”
“You’re a reporter, so go ahead.”
“I’ve thought about it, but I just don’t get it. Why a civil servant? Someone of your skill could name their price anywhere.”
Suho gave a faint smile and answered.
“They would certainly offer a lot of money. But can any private guild be stronger than national authority?”
Jo Jin-hwi’s eyes widened. It was the first time he had heard such an interpretation.
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely.”
“But when you think about it, don’t private guilds have more power? The combined forces of national hunters are different, right?”
“They’re still just civilian hunters. But does that really matter? In terms of sheer power, they could have staged a coup long ago, but what would they gain from that? At most, a brief sense of accomplishment. Their true value shines when they are part of the infrastructure the state has built.”
“True…”
It wasn’t wrong. Even if they went overseas, to somewhere like the US, they might receive as much or even more recognition, but could native Koreans, born and raised in Korea, live completely satisfied in a foreign land?
The answer was no.
‘Why do people who left for money or military issues always want to come back to Korea?’
For native Koreans, full satisfaction in a foreign land with different climates and cultures was impossible.
That’s why even the hunters in the largest guilds don’t cross the line against the government.
If they were to enjoy power, it had to be in Korea.
Suho continued.
“As I mentioned before, I genuinely wish to end the gates. But a single person can’t achieve that alone, so I need an affiliation, and I chose the government as the most efficient means in that process.”
“Hmm… I see. But you know, right? Among the Korean players I know… no, in the history of Korean players, no one has made as big an impact as you, Suho-sshi. Some came close, but none surpassed you.”
At this, Suho recalled a few historic star players.
But even in his past life, they were players who had been outshined by Suho in terms of recognition and impact.
It wasn’t surprising.
Suho nodded lightly.
“I know. That’s why I aim to be a part of the government.”
“Are you applying for the upcoming open recruitment? But it seems like a waste to use your talents at a level 9 field position.”
“I’m not aiming for level 9.”
“What? Then, level 7?”
“No, I’m applying for level 5.”
“…What?”
For a moment, Jo Jin-hwi’s jaw dropped.
“Are you serious?”
“You keep asking if I’m serious. I’m always serious.”
“My god…”
“Oh, and don’t write about this in an article.”
“What? Why not?”
“I have a specific buildup in mind, and it’s too early to reveal it now.”
“Can I know what it is?”
“Of course. Why not?”
In response to Jo Jin-hwi’s question, Suho briefly explained his plan.
Jo Jin-hwi’s jaw dropped again.
“Oh, so that’s your plan?”
“That’s why I’m asking you to hold off.”
“It’s a good idea. By the way, what you mentioned earlier, does it have anything to do with the Nexus Academy scholarship? And are you really a Nexus Academy graduate? I don’t think you are.”
Suho laughed at this.
“Sorry, can’t disclose that due to contract terms.”
“Come on, I’m not going to spill it. Missing out on a big fish like you for a mere piece of information would be foolish.”
True, Jo Jin-hwi had strong professional pride despite his reputation as a paparazzo.
Suho decided to share to build camaraderie.
Nothing builds bonds like sharing secrets.
“I approached them first for a scholarship. It happens often, right?”
“I knew it… Were you in dire need of money?”
“Yes, well. I had just dropped out recently.”
“Oh, right. You said you dropped out because of corruption within your department?”
Since it was an old memory, Suho didn’t feel much anger.
Realizing the conversation could drag on, Suho naturally shifted the topic.
“That’s in the past and irrelevant now… Anyway, I’ll continue to help you generate headlines, so use me for exclusive reports and build your influence within the company.”
This time, Jo Jin-hwi laughed.
“You really plan to use me to the fullest, don’t you?”
“If I’m going to befriend a journalist, I might as well fully utilize them to my advantage.”
Jo Jin-hwi nodded and said,
“So there’s no need for a special interview spot like the newsroom then. Just having exclusive reports about you will already boost my standing.”
Newsroom interviews.
Suho knew they were the highest tier of interviews.
But he preferred to avoid such ostentatious settings for now.
“Exactly. I plan to release official statements through you anyway, so there’s no need to make a big deal out of it.”
“That makes it easier for me too. No need to hunt for exclusive scoops. By the way, are you heading home?”
“For now, yes.”
“Are you sure that’s okay? By now, your personal information has probably been leaked, and there might be people camped outside your house.”
“It’s fine. I can get in the same way I got out of the tower earlier.”
“Instead, why don’t you stay at my place for a while?”
“At your place?”
“Not for any weird reason, but I live alone in a rather big house. If you’re okay with it, you can stay there for a while. I’ve got a well-furnished guest room, and the security is tight, so no one can enter without being a resident.”
“Where do you live?”
“Kaiser Cheongdam.”
“Wow.”
Kaiser Cheongdam.
It was known as one of the most prestigious residential areas, with house prices reaching billions of won.
It was indeed fitting for someone of his status.
Suho asked,
“That’s a nice place. But that means you’re not just any rich kid, right? I knew you were wealthy from your blog, but…”
Even among rich kids, there are levels.
But Kaiser Cheongdam was not a place an ordinary rich kid could afford.
Jo Jin-hwi smiled quietly and said,
“Not just any rich kid, huh… Well, being the youngest son of a chaebol family isn’t ordinary.”
“The youngest son of a chaebol family?”
What was he talking about?
Seeing Suho’s widened eyes, Jo Jin-hwi casually explained,
“Since you mentioned it, I might as well tell you… You know Daesan Group, right? I’m the youngest son of the chairman.”
“What? But if he’s the chairman of Daesan Group, then his age…”
“My eldest and second eldest brothers have a different mother. My mom was my father’s mistress. So, I’m the child of a ‘concubine’… like an illegitimate child. Now do you understand?”
“Oh…”
“This is a secret I haven’t even told my colleagues. But I’m telling you because I think we’ll be seeing each other for a long time. And just so you know, although my father gave me some things, I have no influence in Daesan Group. I don’t own any shares. I even declined the offer of a subsidiary because I’m only good with a pen, not with management.”
“Interesting.”
“Right? Maybe we’ll become closer than we thought.”
Suho laughed at that.
He could relate.
Maybe they would indeed become closer than they initially thought.
Vroom!
Jo Jin-hwi’s yellow Ferrari sped down the highway.
