Chapter 15
—
Chairman’s Office, Lee Do Group.
“Haha, so Cheol-ong was famous in Busan, you say?”
“Famous? That’s putting it lightly. He was flying high.”
“Don’t exaggerate, Kim Jong-pil. Flying high, my foot.”
“Oh, come on, don’t you remember, sir? When the boys from our neighbourhood got beaten up by the kids from Nam-il Middle School? You and I stood in front of their gate with sticks in hand and smashed their heads—”
“Hey! Kim Jong-pil, the chairman is present.”
“Oh, right, smashed their—”
“Stop it!”
The atmosphere was cheerful.
Even the famously ill-tempered Kim Jong-pil, the man known as Lee Do’s Grim Reaper Yoo Cheol-ong, and the emperor of Lee Do, Lee Sang-byuk, found themselves lost in nostalgia.
“Ah, this is enjoyable. I never imagined I’d be sitting here in my office chatting with you like this.”
“Indeed, I’ve always hesitated to visit because of the scrutiny, but this place has its charm.”
“Of course! Compared to that rustic old man Kim’s office, mine’s much better.”
“Hahaha.”
As Lee Sang-byuk laughed heartily, he reached out and clasped Kim Jong-pil’s hand tightly.
“It’s truly good to see you. Just seeing you here brings tears to my eyes.”
“The chairman always held you in high regard. He always hoped you’d visit him here.”
“I know. Both you and Cheol-ong always wanted me to join you here.”
When large corporations first entered the guild scene, Lee Do Group’s top recruitment target was none other than the Mountain King, Kim Jong-pil.
Through Yoo Cheol-ong, they even reached a verbal agreement. But in the end, everything fell apart at the last moment.
“Even now, thinking about it makes me sigh. Was it because of those darn golden badges? Why do they always mess things up with their slow, third-rate behaviour? I’m sorry. You must’ve been put in a tough spot because of me.”
“It’s fine. That’s all in the past now.”
“Exactly. Besides, we’re finally working together under the same roof now.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Lee Sang-byuk clasped Kim Jong-pil’s hand warmly for a while before turning his gaze to his grandson, the one responsible for this meeting.
“This cookie is pretty good.”
In the corner, Lee Shin was happily devouring a pile of cookies.
The eldest grandson of the nation’s most powerful family, yet his manners were completely absent.
Watching this, Lee Sang-byuk let out an unintentional sigh.
“Who would’ve thought I’d have to thank that rascal one day? Life is unpredictable, isn’t it, Cheol-ong?”
“Well… perhaps.”
Lee Sang-byuk had reluctantly given his grandson a chance. It wasn’t a full opportunity—more like a throwaway card.
He assumed the rascal would waste the chance as always, much like his previous antics of running a small shop in a remote village into the ground.
But this time, that rascal had managed to fulfill one of Lee Sang-byuk’s lifelong dreams.
‘Hmm, though he’s still far from perfect.’
Lee Sang-byuk couldn’t fully acknowledge his slightly lifted spirits.
At that moment, Kim Jong-pil chuckled softly.
“But sir, it seems the rumors in this field can’t always be trusted.”
“What do you mean?”
“Him.”
“Him? You’re talking about Shin?”
“Yes, that rascal Lee Shin. While the rumors painted him as absolute trash… seeing him in person is…”
“Different?”
“Not quite.”
Kim Jong-pil shook his head and declared,
“He’s impressive. Honestly, I’m quite amazed.”
“Is that so?”
If the Mountain King found someone impressive, that was saying a lot.
Lee Sang-byuk’s eyes began to gleam with interest as he looked at Lee Shin.
“For starters, he’s got guts. It’s not easy to speak one’s mind in front of me, but he’s utterly fearless. His drive to push things forward, his seemingly light demeanour masking a deep strategic mind… He’s not like the kids these days. The more I see, the more I find him fascinating.”
To put it bluntly,
“He reminds me of your younger self.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you, sir.”
“Ha! If you want to insult me, just say it outright.”
“No, I’m serious.”
Lee Sang-byuk laughed.
This man had turned Lee Do Group, once just a flour company, into the top conglomerate in the country.
And now someone was comparing that legendary man to Lee Shin?
“But Kim Jong-pil truly believed it.
“You can take it as a joke if you want, but I saw you in your youth, sir. If you had been good-looking, you’d have turned out just like him.”
“Ha! So you are making fun of me, bringing up appearances all of a sudden.”
“Anyway, keep an eye on him. He’s bound to be very interesting.”
That’s why I chose him.
Kim Jong-pil’s confident tone left Lee Sang-byuk wondering if there might indeed be something to his words.
Could that rascal really…?
After the long conversation, Yoo Cheol-ong took Kim Jong-pil to the dining room, leaving the grandfather and grandson alone.
“Phew~ that was long. Done with the nostalgia trip?”
“Hmm…”
“Then it’s my turn to talk.”
Lee Shin, who had been stuffing himself with snacks, finally broke the silence.
“How much are you willing to pay?”
As if expecting it, he held out his hand.
‘This is supposed to be the younger me…?’
No way. Absolutely not.
Lee Sang-byuk felt a headache coming on as he stared at Lee Shin, whose eyes were practically glittering with greed. Never mind the fact that his own eyes were just as greedy.
* * *
The Start of Business Time.
The previously cheerful atmosphere of the chairman’s office had turned deadly serious.
Like true money-obsessed relatives, neither Lee Sang-byuk nor Lee Shin was willing to back down.
“What do you want?”
“Make an offer first.”
“You’re the one who should make an offer.”
“I don’t care. You go first.”
The battle between Korea’s top money devil and the SSS-tier fire-attribute rascal had begun.
“What an absurd kid. You’re a representative! A CEO! This is all for your benefit, and yet you’re asking me to make an offer?”
“Pfft. Grandpa, you’re just a robber without a knife. We’re talking about the Mountain King! Korea’s legend, the legend of legends! Don’t you get it?”
“Fine, because it’s Jong-pil, I’ll support the contract fee.”
“Wow, why are you acting like such an amateur? The contract fee is a given. We should be talking about something more productive.”
“This brat…”
“Come on, loosen up your purse strings.”
Lee Shin made a vulgar gesture with his thumb and forefinger forming a circle. Lee Sang-byuk frowned, drawing a line.
“Be satisfied with the contract fee! I’ll take care of the rest later.”
He cut things off firmly, exuding the aura of a corporate titan, a presence that no one could dare challenge.
But he had picked the wrong opponent.
Already in full form to extract as much as possible, Lee Shin wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip.
“That’s disappointing. Thanks to certain people, I’ve developed a distrust of humanity. I don’t deal with ‘verbal agreements.’”
“…”
Of course, Lee Shin had realized he was a throwaway piece the moment he heard the name “Mir.”
“While we’re on the topic, that was pretty petty of you. Offering an opportunity and then discriminating like that?”
“Pe-petty?!”
“Not that I can say Grandpa is stingy…”
“You little brat!”
“Well, I’ll let it slide this time. Let’s get back to business.”
“Ha…”
His cunning words stung, but Lee Shin didn’t worry.
Why?
Because he knew he’d get everything he wanted—the contract fee, the salary, all of it.
“Contract fee and salary? Do you even know how much Jong-pil’s salary is?”
“What’s the difference? You’re going to pay Korea’s best anyway.”
“Ha, are you Jong-pil’s agent? You’re the CEO of Mir Guild! You’re supposed to save every penny. But now you’re telling me to pay Korea’s best? What’s your basis for that?”
“Aha, so you’re pretending not to know. You’re testing me, aren’t you?”
“Just answer the question.”
“Fine, fine.”
Why should the Mountain King, Kim Jong-pil, be paid the best in Korea?
Isn’t it obvious?
Because this is Lee Do.
“Korea’s best company. The ultimate symbol. The top conglomerate. Lee Do has always been the best in Korea. Some brands are worth more than gold.”
And would you throw away such a well-established brand?
In reality, Lee Do was a newcomer in the guild business—barely even a newcomer.
But that didn’t matter. Why? Because they were Lee Do.
“Don’t you know marketing? People already associate Lee Do with being the best. Why break that? Let’s establish that even as newcomers, we’re unmatched. It’s like a guaranteed winning lottery ticket.”
Let’s make them believe that.
“Sure, an underdog story is fun. But nowadays, people love a top-dog story. You know, one where overwhelming support clears the way for success.”
In that sense, bringing in the Mountain King Kim Jong-pil was worth every penny.
Why? Because it came with a story.
“Imagine this: Lee Do embraces Kim Jong-pil, the pinnacle of Korea. With the best contract fee, the best salary, and the best treatment. How do you think people will react?”
“Wow, Lee Do is amazing! The class is different!”
Kim Jong-pil, promised the best, becomes the envy of hunters. And Lee Do, capable of promising the best, becomes the dream destination—an Eldorado for all hunters.
“Sure, some might say it’s throwing money around, but so what?”
Who cares?
“Let them. Because throwing money around takes money. And Lee Do has the most money in Korea.”
“If throwing money around becomes synonymous with being Korea’s best, people will secretly envy it. ‘I wish I could get that kind of treatment.’ It’s all marketing—branding the name ‘Lee Do’ as the best. Only Lee Do can pull that off.”
What do you think?
Lee Shin shrugged nonchalantly.
But Lee Sang-byuk’s eyes gleamed.
This had indeed been a test—a test to gauge Lee Shin’s caliber.
And his answer?
“Above expectations.”
Honestly, Lee Sang-byuk had expected Lee Shin to bring up Kirin Guild.
Currently, Girin was Korea’s top guild, unmatched in terms of hunters and spending.
Wouldn’t the prideful Lee Do naturally outspend Girin to prove their superiority?
Lee Sang-byuk thought so, fully prepared to be goaded into action.
But surprisingly, Lee Shin never mentioned Kirin.
Why avoid the easy path and take the harder one?
Lee Sang-byuk couldn’t help but ask.
And Lee Shin’s answer?
“Grandpa, was Kirin what you were worried about? That’s disappointing. Since when did my grandpa lose his guts? Are you producing too much estrogen in your old age?”
Kirin? Why bother with them? Are they Korea’s best?
Lee Shin turned the question back on him.
“Are you really going to settle for Korea? Are you honestly satisfied with being number one in this tiny, insignificant market?”
To Lee Shin, the fossilized master of ambition, Korea was just a stepping stone.
If his only goal were to become Korea’s best, why would he bother trekking all the way to Geumgangsan to recruit the Mountain King? With his skill, he could just gather promising rookies, grind them for a few years, and achieve that naturally.
“I thought your ambition was to become the best in the world. If it’s only Korea, that’s disappointing. There’d be no reason for me to work with you.”
Lee Shin’s unexpected provocation made Lee Sang-byuk furrow his brow deeply.
“You’re getting cocky, aren’t you? Even the seat you’re sitting in was given to you by me. Do you think you could’ve managed without my help?”
The intimidating tone carried a hint of threat.
But Lee Shin answered calmly, without hesitation.
“Yes.”
It was such an obvious response.
The casual remark froze Lee Sang-byuk’s expression.
It was almost as if Lee Shin was denying his very existence. Furious, Lee Sang-byuk glared at him.
But the moment their gazes met, he was at a loss for words.
“……!!”
What he saw in Lee Shin’s clear, unwavering eyes was nothing short of absolute conviction.
In that moment, the words of the Mountain King flashed through his mind.
―“His mind is… not like kids these days.”
“Your help did save me time, but that’s all. Without your support, I’d still have entered this industry and succeeded.”
Why? At least in the guild business…
“Because I’m the best in the world.”
The best in the world.
It was an outrageously arrogant statement.
And yet, Lee Sang-byuk couldn’t refute it. Not when faced with those clear, unwavering eyes filled with certainty—almost to the point of madness.
“Does that answer your question?”
“…Fine. Just make sure you stand by your words.”
He had achieved results, presented a vision, and demonstrated confidence.
Thus, Lee Sang-byuk had no choice but to concede.
“Fine. Contract fee, salary support—all as you’ve requested.”
Lee Shin had passed the test.
Satisfied with the surprisingly capable young man before him, Lee Sang-byuk smiled faintly—something rare for him—and patted Lee Shin on the shoulder as he got up.
But just then…
“Hold on a moment.”
“What is it now?”
“That’s my line. Why are you acting like such an amateur?”
“What?”
The Mountain King’s matter was settled. Now it was his turn.
Pulling out documents from his bag, Lee Shin said:
“Now it’s time to talk about what I’m going to get.”
—
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