Chapter 216
After leaving Woo-Jae's mansion, Yu-Seong waited for Ji-Ho to emerge from the front entrance. And soon enough, his oldest brother opened the door and stepped outside, accompanied by Baek Chul and Min-Seok.
"You’ve been waiting," said Ji-Ho.
"Yeah, hyung-nim. It's also been a while, Captain Baek," Yu-Seong said.
“Long time no see,” Baek Chul replied, nodding in response to Yu-Seong's greeting.
He looked a little embarrassed, perhaps because he remembered what had happened in the past.
‘Perhaps it wouldn't mean anything if I were to say not to mind the past.’
Regardless, it might naturally resolve itself with more time and more encounters with each other in the future.
"I suppose we need to talk," Ji-Ho said.
"Yes. But what about Mi-Na noo-nim?" Yu-Seong asked.
"She's still inside. She seemed a little upset with Father," Ji-Ho replied.
Given Mi-Na's personality, she would resist hearing what she didn't want to hear. Perhaps this situation would also be quite troublesome for Woo-Jae as well.
"But he won't change his mind, right?” Yu-Seong asked.
"Of course not. Let's discuss the details after we move elsewhere. This isn't the best place for it," Ji-Ho said before his gaze turned to Min-Seok, who was standing awkwardly next to him.
"So… I… I..." Min-Seok stuttered.
"I'll let you know if I need anything else. Just wait at home,” Yu-Seong said firmly to the hesitant Min-Seok.
Although Min-Seok still appeared somewhat repentant, Yu-Seong knew his true nature.
‘A leopard can’t change its spots.’
Even if his actions may change, Yu-Seong couldn't trust someone like Min-Seok, who had a fundamentally malicious and cowardly nature. Above all, the reason the man had chosen Yu-Seong's side in Woo-Jae's office earlier on was due to his own vulnerability. Perhaps, if the situation had been different, Min-Seok, who had counted the number of people on each side, would have sided with In-Young instead.
"...Alright," Min-Seok said, looking a little indignant. Unable to refute Yu-Seong's words, he nodded and left the group with a sullen expression.
"Was it necessary to be that harsh?" Ji-Ho asked Yu-Seong as he looked at Min-Seok's retreating back.
"Hyung-nim, I've had to suffer more than once because of my carelessness. I won't keep someone who I can't trust completely," Yu-Seong replied firmly.
"Hmm..." Ji-Ho looked thoughtful for a moment, then a small smile appeared on his lips. He said, "Well, you have your own way of doing things.”
In fact, Ji-Ho knew he was in no position to judge, having already failed himself.
"I'm sorry if you were offended," Yu-Seong said.
"No, not at all. I understand that this is your path to take, and I don't want to interfere. Let's find a better place to talk. Where would you like to go?"
With a bright smile to lighten the mood, Yu-Seong answered Ji-Ho's question without hesitation, “Shall we go to my house?”
Of course, there was no safer place than home.
***
Yu-Seong returned to his place with Ji-Ho and prepared tea. Although he could have asked the housekeeper who stayed in his house during the day, Yu-Seong had decided to prepare the tea himself. It was because he felt a sense of obligation to make the personal effort as a sign of gratitude toward Ji-Ho.
It was his first time making tea, but it wasn't as difficult as he had thought. He boiled the water, steeped the leaves, and poured it into the cups.
Ji-Ho had been silent throughout the entire process, but as he picked up his cup, he smiled. Then, he asked, "I like the smell of this tea. Can I ask where you got it from?"
"...Well, to be honest, I don't know. It's just the one we have at home."
"Then, someone with good taste must have picked it out.”
"Probably Yu-Ri. She's not here now because she's in the process of a promotion evaluation," responded Yu-Seong.
At that moment, Ji-Ho trembled. He called out, "Yu-Ri… Hmm, Yu-Seong.”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever been curious about your mother?” asked Ji-Ho.
Even the original Choi Yu-Seong from the novel did not have a ‘mother’. Given his current situation of being possessed, certainly it was impossible for Yu-Seong to have a mother.
"Of course, I am curious about her too. But she has already passed away," replied Yu-Seong calmly.
However, Ji-Ho's gaze seemed to waver with a momentary conflict as he looked at Yu-Seong.
"Why did you ask that question?” asked Yu-Seong.
"Well, this is something that would be better heard from Father at the appropriate time rather than from me," said Ji-Ho.
Based on Ji-Ho's reaction, Yu-Seong suspected that there might be a secret about his mother, Baek Yu-Ri, that he had never considered before.
‘This also seems like a setting that wasn't written in the original novel.’
Due to the many unfriendly parts of the original novel, Yu-Seong found himself furrowing his brow once again. Of course, he had no intention of arguing with Ji-Ho about it. He simply said, "I see.”
In fact, if it was something necessary for him to know, then Ji-Ho would have told it to him right away.
“Anyways, what is the reason for your sudden return?” asked Yu-Seong.
"I guess being cooped up in the mountains all the time isn't as enjoyable for a city person like me," Ji-Ho joked.
“...Are you serious?” asked Yu-Seong.
"Of course, it's a joke. But, actually, I'm only half joking," said Ji-Ho with a smirk as he placed his tea cup down. Then, he looked into Yu-Seong’s eyes and continued, "Yu-Seong, I heard that you want to inherit Father's position.”
This time, Yu-Seong trembled. It was something he had said when he had still been as new to this world as a naive child. He had only expressed his determination to show his loyalty and not necessarily out of ambition. However, was it really true that he did not have any desires or ambitions for the position?
After a moment of hesitation, Yu-Seong answered truthfully, "Yes, that's right."
In fact, when Yu-Seong had seen the imposing wall of Woo-Jae's mansion this morning, he had a desire to acquire a fortress-like place like that for himself. It wasn't just a desire for a bigger house, but to have a place where the owner of the Comet Group lived.
"Do you mind if I ask why?" Ji-Ho inquired.
Again, Yu-Seong took a moment to think before responding. In fact, he had to find an answer for himself.
"If I'm in that position… I think I'll be able to stay safer."
Ji-Ho tilted his head. "Safer? Isn't it more dangerous?"
"Of course, there will be more enemies. But if I have more power to protect myself, then that's all that matters, right?" Yu-Seong answered.
In fact, Woo-Jae was just like that. Among the figures in the Korean business world, there were few who liked the Comet Group. This was due to the overwhelming presence of Woo-Jae and the Comet Group’s explosive growth, which made everything feel even more burdensome. However, Woo-Jae had never been defeated in all of the fights he had been in. He had always overwhelmed his opponents with greater force and more power.
As Yu-Seong thought of the frighteningly strong Woo-Jae’s face, a smile crept onto his lips. He said, "Above all else… I thought I couldn't cover the sky with one hand."
"You mean you have a lot you want to protect now," said Ji-Ho.
"That's correct," answered Yu-Seong as he lifted the tea cup to his lips and nodded calmly.
'It’s warm.'?
In some sense, the people around Yu-Seong right now had him wrapped up.
He previously had to cling to his own survival no matter what. It had been somewhat inevitable because of his fate to die in the original novel. However, what about the current Yu-Seong? Indeed, a lot had changed. Even during the fight with Young-Hoon, Yu-Seong felt that he had enough insurance that he no longer had to worry about his own death as much.
But what about the people around him? Of course, it was good to eat and live well alone. However, humans were social animals. Even if it meant living well alone, they still needed people around them. In this world where they faced much greater danger with the invasion of the demon tribe, was it the right choice to just hide and have someone else run around to protect everyone? Of course, it could be the right choice.
‘But he won't be able to do that.’
Do-Jin, the man who had already seen the end of the world, was the person who Yu-Seong—essentially from the reader's point of view—liked the most. This was only natural since he was the protagonist.
Although Yu-Seong was somewhat scared and hesitant due to his position in this world, he found it difficult to hate Do-Jin. In the end, the two of them became closer and they now clearly felt emotions that could be called friendship.
‘It would be nice if Kim Do-Jin could handle it alone as written in the original novel, but…’
However, one should never underestimate the butterfly effect of a changing world. It wasn't just Do-Jin; there were also Bernard, Yu-Ri, Do-Yoon, Ye-Ryeong, Jin-Hyuk, and even Ji-Ho and Mi-Na who were right in front of Yu-Seong, not to mention Woo-Jae.
In order to protect them all, Yu-Seong knew he may have to fight against Do-Jin again. After all, Yu-Seong was just an individual with so much to do. In fact, Ji-Ho was exactly right—one could not cover the sky with one hand. That was why Yu-Seong wanted to become the Chairman of the Comet Group. It would mean being able to support many people with one hand and to cover the sky.
After sorting out all his thoughts, Yu-Seong's eyes had a firm gaze. Ji-Ho, who faced him, showed a gentle smile as he said, "I came here because I thought you would think so."
"But, hyung-nim, you are..."
"Yu-Seong, my life won't last long."
"That's not true. You could live longer."
With that potion, Elixir, Ji-Ho's illness could be cured. However, Ji-Ho only shook his head firmly. He then said, "I know my destiny better than anyone else. The reaper is coming soon.”
"If the reaper comes, I'll stop him," Yu-Seong said.
Ji-Ho nodded at Yu-Seong's resolute voice. With a smirk, he said, "If that's what you want, I'll believe it.”
"...I don't really feel like you believe me."
"That's a misunderstanding."
Yu-Seong no longer bothered to continue speaking. Neither of them had the intention to change their minds. After all, it was a clash between the stubborn Choi family. What more was there to say?
"Anyway, did you come here just to make me the Chairman?"
"You could say that," Ji-Ho said. He seemed to be hiding something else, but he made no mention of it.
"Do you have any other thoughts to share?" asked Yu-Seong.
This was different from the news pertaining to his deceased mother, Baek Yu-Ri.
Even with Yu-Seong's persistent question, Ji-Ho only shook his head.
"That’s good. Then, what about Father's current decision...?" asked Yu-Seong.
"As soon as he comes out of the Tower of Heaven, he is scheduled for the SS-rank promotion evaluation,” responded Ji-Ho.
"Pardon?"
Yu-Seong's eyes widened in surprise. When did Woo-Jae, who seemed to just sit quietly in the Chairman's office, grow so much? This was another situation that far exceeded the settings of the original novel.
"Father thinks that the best time would be when the Comet Group jumps into the world. Before that, he wants to solve the problems within the family," elaborated Ji-Ho.
Until now, Woo-Jae had actually watched his children argue and fight with one another. It was because he thought that the competition between them would be the driving force of development.
However, when they advanced into the world, internal fighting could be rather poisonous. Although Comet had overwhelming influence in South Korea, there were many more powerful groups in the world. Thus, it was now time to unite. And in order to do so, of course, they needed to firmly establish the succession system.
Finally, Yu-Seong could understand why Woo-Jae had left his seat and intensified the fight between the two siblings.
"What about Mi-Na noo-nim...?" asked Yu-Seong.
"You know her personality, don’t you? She refused to take the Chairman position when Father offered it. If it was in the past, he would have pushed her anyway, but…" Ji-Ho responded.
Now, the situation was different. Woo-Jae was thinking of Yu-Seong as a replacement.
"What about In-Young noo-nim...?"
"That's the mountain you have to overcome," Ji-Ho replied.
Indeed, it was the final test. Finally, Yu-Seong was certain of the meaning of Woo-Jae's words.
‘Father already knows everything.’
Woo-Jae likely already knew about the secrets of In-Yeong's background regarding her maternal side of the family. However, he would have kept it hidden in order to strengthen the Choi family.
And now, Woo-Jae had given the final test to Yu-Seong in order to solidify the Choi successor internally. However, what if Yu-Seong failed the final test?
‘Maybe he will look for the Elixir of Immortality like Qin Shi Huang.’
Yu-Seong smiled bitterly. It was his father, but the more Yu-Seong knew about him, the more fearful he became.
1. Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China who is known for unifying the country, building the Great Wall, and his obsession with achieving immortality.
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