Ch.217Chapter 9. S-Class Reader (2)

While I do receive regular payments as an agent of the Syndicate, naturally, the money entering my bank account is monitored by the government.

As the saying goes that the IRS is even more frightening than the FBI, taxes are a serious matter.

And what the government watches most closely is black money—funds that suddenly appear without going through proper tax procedures.

“Where did you get 10 billion won? For someone with an annual income of 30 million. No gifts, no lottery winnings. How did you suddenly acquire 10 billion to buy a 33-pyeong apartment in Busan?”

“I-I found it in a garlic field!”

“Then you obtained it illegally? You need to pay acquisition tax.”

“T-that’s…!”

If you carelessly handle black money, not only will you have to deal with its original owner, but the tax office will immediately launch an investigation if you use it recklessly.

“Do you know when villains get caught most ridiculously? When they hide their identity to steal money, then use that money to buy real estate, spending amounts disproportionate to their annual income.”

For agents, employees, and collaborators of the Syndicate, taxes are the most important concern.

“Don’t get caught by government authorities over something as trivial as tax issues.”

Whether through paper companies or other means, the Chairman’s directive is to ensure that financial authorities don’t investigate suspicious money flows.

“Why do you think the Syndicate employs accountants, tax specialists, and bookkeepers? It’s to legally process all that money for tax purposes!”

To avoid troublesome situations.

“But then we have no way to pressure powerful people with money.”

“That’s why we’ve prepared an alternative strategy. Hehehe.”

Instead, the Chairman proposed legitimate and reasonable methods to his collaborators around the world—methods that would make even tax authorities say, “Damn, that’s frustrating!”

“Through precognitive abilities, we’ve identified stocks that will skyrocket. This one will surge exactly 43 days from now, so contact our agents immediately and tell them to invest.”

“…Is it okay to use abilities like that? It’s future prediction.”

“No point in saving it until it rots. Using it to fund the Syndicate’s activities is more beneficial!”

Like instructing them to buy certain stocks.

“Through mind-reading abilities, we’ve confirmed the Minister of Land’s new urban development project. Now, strategically buy real estate in this area!”

“But this is just empty land.”

“Exactly. Trust me. We’ve already confirmed that the Minister’s relatives have been visiting nearby real estate offices.”

Or telling them to hold onto property for about three years before making a big profit.

“Money, money, money. Running a massive organization like the Syndicate requires enormous funds. And most importantly, we must operate ‘legally.’ What do you think is the easiest way to attract people’s money, Section Chief Do?”

“…Mobile character collection gacha games?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of extending our reach there. Section Chief Do, prepare a PowerPoint presentation immediately!”

Or teaching methods to amass huge sums of money within legal boundaries.

The most representative example is the lottery, specifically “Hero Toto,” the ability-era sports lottery.

For example:

Who would win in a fight between S-class ability user Goblin and S-class ability user Snow White?

Such matchups rarely happen in reality, but if they were to occur regularly or become popularized, many people would watch these confrontations.

Add gambling to the mix?

“Can’t resist gambling!”

Even if you bet real money, as long as it’s a government-operated sports lottery, you can earn enormous sums despite high fees and taxes taken as commissions.

“When are they going to bring ‘Do’ back? Can’t even make the starting lineup lol”

“Let’s go Toto! Woohoo! Do-nim! You’re the best!!”

“…Couldn’t you have scored one less goal? Coming in as a substitute and scoring a hat-trick…”

Even regular sports betting attracts massive popularity.

But what if it’s battles between ability users?

“I can’t hold back on this!”

“Ban those boring ball games! This is the era of hero battles!”

“Prince of Tennis is… surrealist manga!”

Being able to watch superhuman battles in real-time—the kind you’d only see in movies or comics—and gamble on them too?

It’s bound to explode in popularity.

Humans will sell anything for money, even water from the Daedong River or the ashes of dead ability users, so how could they ignore a gambling market based on ability users?

Especially when it’s a government-approved “legal” market?

“Hero Toto? Are you talking about what became legal five years ago?”

“Is there any other Hero Toto?”

“Yes, many. They used to operate illegally under the radar until they became government-approved five years ago.”

The tavern owner knew the history of Hero Toto well.

“In 2020, it was officially approved when the Hero Association formally opened Hero Toto. Full implementation began in 2021, and now in 2025, the market is thriving. End of wiki reading.”

“About 2021…”

“Even with Hero Toto, we can’t make kids fight. Adults gambling on minors’ battles would be inappropriate, so they only set up matches between adult ability users.”

Despite the gambling aspect, it seemed inappropriate to profit from minors fighting each other, so Hero Toto only officially emerged in 2020 when ability users who had reached adulthood began to appear.

In other words, before that, it was only popular underground.

The system was already established when it came into the open.

“It seems like Section Chief Do isn’t interested in old affairs.”

“The only old things I’m interested in are folktales. Or matters related to the Syndicate.”

“Yeah, yeah. But Section Chief Do, have you ever tried Hero Toto?”

“I’ve tried it a few times. Just once or twice, to see how it works.”

In reality, while I’ve bought lottery tickets a few times, I’ve never tried sports betting.

My interest was in novels, not real-world sports.

“Then you probably don’t know about the most recent issue in detail?”

“The recent issue would be the Grand Sports Festival, right?”

“Yes. At that time… the world was turned upside down, and so was the Hero Toto world.”

The tavern owner displayed the history of various Hero Toto events from this year.

“Did you know that 120 billion won evaporated when Yoon Yi-seon won the Grand Sports Festival?”

“That sounds like a specific figure. 120 billion won disappeared?”

“Everyone who bet on Ray Huang lost their money. Ray Huang was one of the favorites to win. The amount bet on him was a whopping 120 billion won.”

“…The tournament was just a one-day event, but Hero Toto was open?”

“The system was already in place, so people placed bets while watching each round of the tournament on-site. The Grand Sports Festival Toto was essentially real-time betting.”

The reactions from the Hero Toto community that the tavern owner showed were explosive:

-Those who tried to ride the traitor coin got wrecked! LMAO!

-Is there anyone who didn’t make a patriotic bet when our countryman made it to the finals?! Don’t tell me someone actually bet on that nationality-switching traitor?!

-This is fraud– The academy principal made Yi-seon win because he bet on her. She should have been eliminated because of Hayabusa, how is this a victory?

Those celebrating Yoon Yi-seon’s victory were naturally those who won money, while those denying her victory were those who lost money.

“That’s why there was so much talk. People who bet on Ray Huang lost their money, so they claimed Yi-seon’s victory was invalid.”

“I can imagine. An unsatisfying victory plus losing money. By the way, did you also bet on this?”

“I only placed sure bets. Ymir. Yoon Yi-seon. Thanks to them, I made a profit. Hehehe.”

“But weren’t they underdogs?”

“Not to me. Both of them are people you’re targeting, Section Chief Do. Hehehe.”

“…You owe me a meal later.”

In this world, people bet on everything from E-class users advancing to D-class, to determining the champion who will be certified as A+ class.

“So now that Armored Taejo has accepted the challenge, will Hero Toto open?”

“Of course. This isn’t just any Hero Toto—if Yoon Yi-seon wins, it’s the moment the ‘8th S-class’ is born. Will the detector win, or will a new S-class emerge? Even the government-approved gambling sites are seeing real-time increases in bets, and illegal sites have already accumulated 200 billion won in wagers, even though the match is still a week away.”

“…This truly is the great ability era.”

If this is the entertainment of this world…

I’ll use this entertainment to duplicate the money in “Do Ji-hwan’s account.”

“Tavern owner. I want to bet all 10 billion won in my account. Help me do it.”

“Who are you betting on?”

“Yoon Yi-seon, of course.”

Beep beep beep.

I made a call.

[Yes, teacher. This is Yoon Yi-seon.]

“Are you free tonight at 10?”

[…I can’t go out.]

“That’s fine. Is the time okay?”

[Yes.]

“Then I’ll call you again then.”

I summoned Yoon Yi-seon.

“Tavern owner. Gather all the data on Armored Taejo.”

“…Section Chief Do, you’re not planning to…?”

“I need to prepare.”

I reached out toward a spoon on a table in the distant kitchen.

Click.

The spoon flew through the air and stuck to my hand. I gripped it and waved it lightly.

“The goblin does the tricks, but Do Ji-hwan collects the money.”

It’s a perfect plan.

“I’ll become Armored Taejo and spar with Yoon Yi-seon.”

All of this…

For Yoon Yi-seon’s victory.

And for my bank account.

“That’s unfair. You raise her and then profit from it.”

“Unfair? It’s a strategic investment.”

There’s no fraud involved.

“I’m just placing a 10 billion won underdog bet with the heart of a beast.”

After all, investment is just a personal choice.