Ch.165Foolish Disciple

Choi Seokho doesn’t know much about games.

And he doesn’t know much about how the gaming ecosystem works.

But he had a thorough understanding of business in general.

“…The price of Golden Knot is 55,000 won.”

And it sold 50,000 copies on the first day alone.

“Roughly calculating… after taxes and everything else…?”

Steam fees, corporate tax, local income tax, value-added tax.

After subtracting this and that.

“…They made about 1.3 billion won in just one day?”

Moreover, he found out that games typically sell the least on their first day.

Which made sense.

No business does well immediately after opening.

“So roughly… if they sell ten times more, that’s 13 billion?”

?!

Choi Seokho jumped up from his seat.

“T-this is a huge success!”

If Golden Knot becomes a hit.

Naturally, Kim Donghu, as the main investor, would receive enormous dividends.

In other words.

“Can Donghu really… see the future or something?”

Kim Donghu had essentially made an incredible amount of money at once by investing on faith.

Actually, calling him the “main investor” was somewhat funny.

100% ownership.

Though Kim Donghu’s personal assets and Veritas’ assets were mixed.

‘Anyway, Veritas is basically Donghu.’

Even considering all those complexities, it was definitely profitable.

“But is it really that well-made?”

Thinking about Kim Donghu’s rapidly growing assets,

Choi Seokho checked to see what process had led to such explosive sales.

*Scroll*

The first thing he saw when scrolling down was the evaluation “Overwhelmingly Positive.”

“That must mean it’s really good?”

After roughly inferring the meaning of the words and examining them one by one,

Choi Seokho came to one conclusion.

“I guess I’ll have to try it myself?”

That day.

“…Is my chick underpowered? Why does it die even to regular mobs?”

Choi Seokho realized just how little talent he had for gaming.

+++++

Late February.

Daejong High School graduation ceremony.

As the name Daehanjonghabyesul High School suggests,

Daejong High’s graduation ceremonies were famously extravagant.

That’s why when outside parties requested to film there, they almost always got an automatic OK without much approval process.

Exposing as many students as possible to the outside world.

That was one of Daejong High’s roles.

“Wow, how do we get more people at every graduation?”

“We’ve consistently produced celebrities.”

“Well… and not just any celebrities, but even Olympic gold medalists.”

The teachers clicked their tongues at the crowds surrounding the school.

“With idol performances and everything… it’s flashy, so I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Who’s coming this time?”

“That, um… who was it? The one who just released their debut song…?”

“Was it Trimax… there are so many idol groups these days, it’s really not easy to remember all their names.”

One might wonder how a teacher at Daejong High couldn’t remember idol names, but

coming from one of the few regular subject teachers, it was somewhat understandable.

While preparing for the graduation ceremony and observing the situation,

when they finally had some free time, the teachers brought up what they really wanted to discuss.

“So, do you think he’ll come?”

“Who?”

“Come on, you know who.”

“Ah… Kim Donghu?”

Kim Donghu.

Daejong High’s pride.

Daejong High’s living myth.

Daejong High’s living legend.

Daejong High’s pride and eternal idol.

…at least that’s how he was known publicly.

“I wonder if he has any attachment to the school… he barely even attended…”

In reality, he was the epitome of a delinquent student.

The ratio of attendance to absence was nearly 1:2.

It was practically a miracle that he graduated at all, and even that would have been impossible if not for his grades.

“He was absent more days than he attended, so I doubt he has any attachment to the school.”

“True, but the chairman is just… so pitiful.”

The reason Kim Donghu was able to graduate without any issues?

It was thanks to Chairman Edward Park’s bold push.

While the school itself was generally flexible with attendance for those in the entertainment industry,

Kim Donghu’s extreme absences were unprecedented,

leading to many discussions, with some even suggesting he should repeat a year.

But whenever that happened:

-“Adults should never block the path of a talented child.”

-“Don’t confuse means and ends.”

-“School is just one of many places for education.”

-“If there’s a place where a student can grow, that place can also be considered a school.”

-“Please break free from the notion that education must only happen at school.”

Edward Park desperately defended Kim Donghu’s situation.

And so he was finally allowed to graduate.

“He hasn’t shown his face even once since graduation.”

Honestly, it wasn’t an obligation.

There were many additional benefits gained from letting Kim Donghu graduate.

But still.

“Personally, I was hoping he’d come at least once.”

“It is disappointing, but well… he probably didn’t have time to develop any attachment to the school.”

“It was a win-win situation anyway, letting Kim Donghu graduate made our competition rate skyrocket…”

The feeling of regret was immense.

Just once, no more, no less.

How wonderful would that be?

“The chairman would be so happy.”

“Even now, he sometimes mentions it at company dinners after a few drinks.”

“‘His piano talent is legendary, he should definitely enter competitions… if piano were an Olympic event, he’d win gold there too…'”

The teachers imitated the chairman’s manner of speaking to somewhat ease their regret.

“Oh my, look at the time. Five minutes until the graduation ceremony!”

“Already? Time really flies.”

They hurriedly dispersed to prepare for the graduation ceremony.

In truth, they had finished all preparations the day before, so there wasn’t much to rush for.

Just calming the students down when the flashy performances began.

As long as they kept the lines in order, nothing would go wrong.

“The sound equipment seems even better than before.”

“That’s not all. The sound spreads so well that even a single violin can be heard throughout the entire auditorium.”

While chatting occasionally as they arranged the students,

when the time finally came, the auditorium suddenly fell silent.

“Hello, dear Daejong High students. I am Edward Park, the owner and supreme authority of this school.”

Then came the graduation congratulatory address.

As always, Chairman Edward Park warmed up the atmosphere with his humorous speech.

After discarding all the boring formalities like moral lectures,

and cleanly singing just the first verse of the school anthem as a final act of conscience.

“Now, let’s enjoy!”

The graduation ceremony performances officially began.

++++++

It’s always enjoyable to see children laughing and chatting.

“Hmm, this year is good too.”

Because he believed that being happily playful was the most student-like thing.

“The quality is high as well.”

“Right? It seems to get better every year.”

The principal agreed with Chairman Edward Park’s satisfied smile.

“The performance order is excellent too. Fun performances ending with calm classical music at the end, good idea.”

“It’s like a retreat, isn’t it? Have fun and then bring out the tears during the final campfire—that’s the standard.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

Edward Park responded appropriately while checking the schedule.

As the principal said, classical music would mark the end after the fun performances.

A beautiful performance on a grand piano.

‘It’s a shame that I have to do this myself.’

He regretted not being able to book a pianist due to time constraints.

No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t compare to active professionals.

No, actually, there was another reason for his regret.

‘How wonderful would it be if Donghu could play the piano for us again.’

That performance filled with the heavy emotions that only Donghu could express.

It would have been perfect to end the graduation ceremony with that—that was his regret.

“But what can we do if he’s busy. A child’s time moves quickly, and old people find it hard to keep up.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Just an old man’s grumbling, how silly of me.”

The graduation ceremony continued in a festive atmosphere for a while.

As things were winding down,

With the MC’s skilled guidance, the stage curtain came down.

A brief moment to prepare and move the piano.

“Well, I’ll go prepare for my performance.”

“Good luck!”

Just as Edward Park stood up to perform according to schedule.

♪♬♩

From the back of the audience.

A sudden violin sound came from the entrance of the auditorium.

“…?”

While everyone was still trying to locate the source of the sound,

Only Edward Park on stage found its origin.

“Ah…!”

A piece said to have been played by one who made a deal with the devil.

Intense yet fierce, gentle yet dominant tones filled the auditorium.

Paganini Caprice No. 24.

The devil’s performance gradually spread, silencing the audience.

Who was this devil performing?

People’s jaws dropped when they saw the performer.

There was.

‘Donghu…!’

Kim Donghu was playing while slowly walking toward the stage.

++++++

One must always repay the kindness received.

How many accommodations had he received while attending school?

With an apologetic heart, he took each step toward the stage.

Walking slowly toward his mentor,

who had guided him to Daejong High and provided unwavering support.

He had wanted to repay immediately.

‘What an unworthy disciple I’ve been, so lazy.’

Now it was time to repay that debt.