Chương 42: 42
42. Dinner with Ma Gyeong-rok
'It's clean.'
The scene that was full of blood became magically clean.
Jang Seok-hyun's corpse was also nowhere to be seen.
This was thanks to the common skill he had just learned.
[Common Skill - Erase Traces]
-Effect: Erases all traces at the scene, including corpses, blood, fingerprints, footprints, etc.
'The performance is certainly impressive.'
As described in the skill description, the scene became as clean as new.
It's hard to believe a murder took place here.
The 20,000 gold investment was worth it.
'It's good to clean up so thoroughly.'
There's no need to think about how this is possible.
After all, skills can even revive dead people.
'With this, players can run wild.'
Erase Traces is a perfect skill for committing crimes and cleaning up afterwards.
It almost seems like it was made specifically for committing crimes.
Later, there will even be players who offer to erase traces for others.
'Though they demand items in exchange.'
It's not free, but there's high demand.
It's cheaper to give one item to have traces erased than to gather 20,000 gold to learn the skill.
'There are probably some now, but later there will be even more players offering skill services.'
At level 40, the [Trade] function becomes available.
It's a function that allows trading items or gold between players.
That's when players start doing gold business in earnest.
They use common skills like Track or Erase Traces to find people or erase murder scene traces for others.
'I don't plan to do gold business like that.'
Track and Erase Traces will be useful many times in the future.
For Ryumin, buying is a better choice than outsourcing.
'Besides, I don't want to get involved in others' crimes just to earn a few coins.'
He already had a way to earn gold in mind anyway.
None other than using Ma Gyeong-rok's company.
'We're meeting for lunch tomorrow, right?'
Recalling his lunch appointment with Ma Gyeong-rok, Ryumin left the abandoned factory after cleaning up.
He didn't think or worry about the murder at all.
'I should buy a suit for tomorrow.'
He was only thinking about meeting Ma Gyeong-rok.
Thoughts of Jang Seok-hyun had long since been erased.
* * *
The next day at lunch.
Ryuwon couldn't help but be surprised seeing his brother dressed in a suit.
It was the first time he'd seen him in a suit.
"Brother, do you have a date on the weekend?"
"What date?"
"You're suddenly wearing a suit."
"It's an important appointment."
"Who are you meeting?"
"A business partner."
"Huh? Are you doing business?"
When Ryumin nodded, his brother made a worried expression.
Staring intently, his brother's thoughts inevitably came through.
-He went all in on stocks before, now he's getting into business? What if he fails? He'll be so disappointed.
His brother was worried about the mental impact, beyond just losing money.
'He's still worried even though I've been so successful. Well, I guess it's normal to seem unstable?'
A smile formed on Ryumin's lips.
"I'll tell you the details if things go well with the business partner. Don't worry too much. You trust me, right?"
"I trust you! Who else would I trust besides you?"
"Then wait quietly at home. It's dangerous outside because of players."
"I saw the news. They say players are causing trouble using their abilities for crimes. I heard criminals even escaped from prisons in other countries?"
"Criminals also become players without exception if they're old enough."
It was predicted that the world would change rapidly.
The population decreases and players get stronger every month, it would be strange if things didn't change.
'This is nothing. Later, an era will come where ordinary people are hunted and enslaved without a second thought.'
An era where players are supreme, with no regard for laws.
Before it becomes such a lawless city.
'I need to overwhelmingly increase my power and raise Black Scythe's fame more.'
Ryumin said as he put on his shoes.
"Anyway, be careful when you go out. Most people got jobs in this Round 3, so the overall level of players has improved. That means it's become that much more dangerous."
"Got it. But when will you tell me your job?"
"It's a secret."
"I'm curious."
"I'll tell you soon, so stop nagging."
"Really?"
Leaving his brightening brother behind, Ryumin opened the door.
"I'm going to have lunch with my business partner. Don't wait and eat by yourself. Buy something more expensive than jajangmyeon."
* * *
Ryumin entered the lobby of a hotel under Osung Group, a mega-corporation known to all Korean citizens.
This was none other than Ma Gyeong-rok's hotel.
'I knew he'd say to meet here. It's advantageous to play on home ground, like in soccer.'
But the fact that the hotel is owned by Ma Gyeong-rok is confidential.
Moreover, Cheonma Consulting is also not under Osung Group.
It's a company Ma Gyeong-rok secretly established to gain his father's approval.
'Probably no ordinary person besides me knows this information.'
At most, only Ma Gyeong-rok's relatives would know.
Therefore, he should use this information to appeal to Ma Gyeong-rok as much as possible.
His own value.
'Before that, image-making first.'
Ryumin approached the front desk with a naive expression, looking around.
"Ah, hello. I have an appointment and was told to speak to the desk when I arrived at the hotel..."
"Ah, do you mean the appointment with Cheonma Consulting's CEO?"
"Yes."
The employee touched her earpiece and spoke kindly.
"The CEO will arrive shortly. Would you mind waiting in the lounge over there? We'll guide you when he arrives."
"Yes, thank you."
After bowing awkwardly, he sat in the lobby lounge waiting with awkward steps.
While waiting, he stared at the chandelier on the ceiling with his mouth open like an idiot.
This was all image-making in preparation for any situation.
Just then, he saw An Sang-cheol entering through the lobby doors.
'He's here now.'
Trying his best not to act like he knew him, he looked around the hotel interior with an impressed expression.
An Sang-cheol, who was talking at the desk, walked over.
"Are you Mr. Ryu Min?"
"Ah, yes! Hello..."
Ryumin pretended to be startled.
Even the poker-faced An Sang-cheol made a slightly surprised expression.
Because they were acquainted.
"Have we met before? At Galleria Forest."
"Ah... yes. I think I saw you when I was handing out rice cakes after moving. You were next to actress Seo Arin, right?"
At Ryumin's words, An Sang-cheol also recalled the situation.
"That's right. Are you perhaps Cheonma Consulting's major shareholder?"
"Yes."
As soon as he answered, An Sang-cheol bowed 90 degrees.
"I apologize for my rudeness last time."
Though he was apologizing outwardly, his inner thoughts were different.
-This kid who doesn't even look 20 is the major shareholder who invested 280 billion? That doesn't make sense?
Though he maintained an expressionless face outwardly, he was suspicious inside.
A faint wariness could even be glimpsed in his eyes.
'Well, is this a natural reaction? There's no way someone my age would have that much money.'
But there was no need to convince An Sang-cheol right now.
The person he needed to talk to was Ma Gyeong-rok.
Of course, the reaction he needed to show now was set.
"Ah, it's fine. You didn't know. I didn't know Cheonma Consulting's CEO lived upstairs either..."
"Ah! Don't misunderstand. I'm not the CEO."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry for the late introduction. I'm Director An Sang-cheol. The CEO will be a bit late, so I came first."
"Ah... I see."
He pretended not to know even though he knew everything.
This was the right reaction when he said he didn't know Ma Gyeong-rok.
"Let's go inside and wait until the CEO arrives."
"Ah, yes."
He followed An Sang-cheol into the hotel's restaurant.
As expected of a hotel under Korea's top corporation, the restaurant interior was splendid.
"Wow."
He looked around the restaurant with his mouth open like a country bumpkin who just came to Seoul.
He could see An Sang-cheol glancing at him from the corner of his eye.
'A distrustful look.'
Not just the look, but the thoughts he overheard were like that too.
Well, that was the intention.
"Let's sit here and wait comfortably. The CEO will be here soon."
"Okay."
While waiting blankly in the reserved room, An Sang-cheol fiddled with his phone at the door.
-CEO. After meeting him first, he seems like someone put up as a stand-in. He's not the caliber to directly invest such a large sum. He may have been instigated by someone, so be careful.
The text message content was transmitted directly to his mind.
Thoughts could be read even looking at the back of his head.
'As expected. He sent An Sang-cheol first for reconnaissance.'
He had anticipated this.
Someone as meticulous about self-management as Ma Gyeong-rok wouldn't be late for such an important appointment.
Shortly after.
Clatter-
"Hello."
A man with a manly appearance and tall stature appeared.
None other than Ma Gyeong-rok.
Unlike Ryumin who looked awkward in a suit due to his short height, the suit looked perfect on him.
"I'm Ma Gyeong-rok, CEO of Cheonma Consulting."
"Ah... I'm Ryu Min."
He hurriedly stood up and shook the hand Ma Gyeong-rok offered.
"Please, sit down."
"Yes..."
"Director An, please sit next to me too."
"Yes."
He made An Sang-cheol sit with them without asking permission.
'He's subtly trying to take the initiative.'
As if sensing Ryumin's gaze, Ma Gyeong-rok smiled as if asking for understanding.
"Director An is an employee I trust more than anyone. Is it alright if he sits in and listens to our conversation?"
"Ah, yes. That's fine."
"Thank you. Before we talk business, let's eat first. I prepared a traditional Korean course, I hope it suits your taste."
"Anything served at such a high-class hotel must be delicious."
Shortly after, food prepared according to Ma Gyeong-rok's instructions came out.
Soup, cold appetizers, fish porridge, grilled Korean beef, braised short ribs, stone pot rice, bibimbap, etc.
While experiencing the course meal with extraordinary plating one by one.
The three focused only on eating without much conversation.
"It's really delicious."
"I'm glad it suits your taste."
Only such exchanges occurred occasionally.
But for Ryumin who could read minds, it wasn't a meaningless time.
'Reading his thoughts, his mind seems complicated.'
He could understand what they were thinking even without speaking.
'He's racking his brains thinking I was instigated by someone else.'
Sure enough.
-Director An is right. He's too young to have invested 280 billion. He looks barely 20? He doesn't seem to have that kind of nerve either.
Looking at Ma Gyeong-rok, complex thoughts came through.
-He must have backing. He's clearly a puppet set up by someone. Who instigated this? My brothers? Uncle? What are they planning to do with our company's management rights?
Though Ma Gyeong-rok was outwardly drinking tea leisurely, his inner thoughts were not so calm.
-Whatever it is, I'll have to draw out information by talking to him.
Unaware he was having his thoughts read, Ma Gyeong-rok opened the conversation.
"I was really surprised when I first saw you, Mr. Ryu Min. To think our major shareholder was such a young person. If it's not rude, may I ask how old you are?"
"I'm 20 years old."
"20 years old?"
Ma Gyeong-rok made a surprised expression, but his eyes were calm.
-He's young as expected. Was he really instigated?
The reaction that he was young as expected.
-Still, I can't let my guard down. The fact that he's survived until now after Round 3 ended means he has skills despite his naive appearance. Well, he might have just been lucky.
Ma Gyeong-rok didn't look down on the other party for being young.
Ryumin inwardly admired this.
'As expected of Ma Gyeong-rok. Befitting a talent who survives until Round 15.'
Unlike An Sang-cheol, he doesn't rashly disregard or look down on the other party.
He watches with eagle eyes until he grasps definite capabilities.
But Ma Gyeong-rok with his perfect poker face didn't reveal any of these inner thoughts.
"20 years old. I'm 29. It's nice to meet a fellow 20-something. Haha."
"Yes... Nice to meet you too."
"How do you have such a large sum at such a young age? Are you perhaps from a chaebol family?"
'He's quite direct.'
Ryumin waved his hand as if it was preposterous and answered.
"Chaebol? No. As you're concerned about, there's no one behind me. Until recently, I was just an ordinary student."
"Until recently?"
Feeling the need to get to the main point, Ryumin opened his mouth.
"Have you seen the news article?"
"What..."
"The article about the nouveau riche who won the lottery 1st prize 5 times in a row."
"Ah, yes. I saw it, but..."
Ryumin said with a smile.
"That was me."
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