Ch.81Chapter 4. How to Conquer a Hero (2)

Heroes are mostly affiliated with the government.

The country tries to bind them legally by granting them the status of “civil servants,” and employs all possible means and methods to maintain their hero status.

And just as the country works so diligently, other forces also spare no effort to bring ability users to their side.

For example, in the business world.

Taking “Haeguneul” as an example, they try to recruit ability users with money by any means necessary.

They pay enormous signing bonuses and fees to the ability users themselves, and provide tremendous financial support to their families in order to make them agents affiliated with Haeguneul.

Unlike heroes affiliated with the nation or government, private heroes who work through agencies cannot be treated carelessly by the country.

With giant corporations backing them instead of the government, even the government cannot openly challenge these companies.

At most, they can only apply pressure through tax audits or search and seizure operations.

From the country’s perspective, they want to say “How dare a company challenge the state?” but the reality is that companies want to maximize profits without having to be mindful of the country.

That competition is now taking place in the form of securing ability users.

The government provides all possible benefits the country can offer.

Companies recruit ability users by providing more support in ways the government cannot.

Yimemangryang is closer to the latter.

Being a multinational and supranational corporation rather than a government entity, it seeks to recruit ability users in various fields through economic support.

In other words, Yimemangryang is a corporation bound by capital.

Except for the chairman, directors, and myself, everyone else is more or less tied to money.

But beyond financial aspects, if everyone shares a belief, it’s that the “unified world” Yimemangryang will create will certainly be much more stable and have fewer conflicts, if any, than the current world.

Everyone works at Yimemangryang because they sincerely believe in the vision created by the chairman, believing that someone like the chairman and their descendants will rule the world in the right direction.

That’s the vision of those who have joined Yimemangryang.

So how should I draw Ymir into Yimemangryang?

As a method, I suggested using my handsome appeal, and the chairman actively supported this.

The meeting ended.

But my conversation with the chairman wasn’t over.

“Chairman. If my thinking is wrong, please tell me right away. I’ll look for another approach.”

[No. I was sincere in what I said.]

Calling the chairman separately, I checked on their condition.

[I’m not the kind of woman who says ‘I’m not angry’ when I am. And Manager Do is the same, right? If I said I didn’t like it, you’d stop immediately and look for another method, wouldn’t you?]

“Of course.”

That’s only natural.

If the chairman dislikes it, I’m even prepared to give up my life as Do the librarian.

[When Manager Do said he would seduce them, it must be because that’s an effective method, right?]

“It’s more that the situation has developed that way.”

[So you’ll casually show kindness, help them out, give advice from the sidelines, then meet frequently, eventually eat meals together, have drinks, and end up eating morning soup together, right?]

“…I haven’t yet woken up together with Ymir.”

With Ymir.

[Then how about Baek Seol-hee?]

“As for her…”

I pulled up a meme that was circulating online.

“I’ve created an image of a somewhat promiscuous and free-spirited man.”

It’s nothing special.

I just posted a random story saying [Man and woman spotted buying two boxes of hangover cure] and its comments.

That couple is obviously me and the Tavern Owner.

During the treasure hunt, I stayed at the Tavern Owner’s house for an alibi, and thanks to the Taegeuk Watch staying at her house continuously, my alibi was perfect.

No one has come to investigate me yet, but someday when someone investigates my whereabouts, they’ll think:

-He was at this woman’s house for three days during the period when the Goblin appeared? …They must have been together. How could he be the Goblin? Ah, well, he must have been pounding something with his goblin club.

-Staying at a woman’s house for three days without leaving. What an impressive person.

-What? There’s no evidence he was continuously inside the house even though he didn’t leave? Hey! Look at the data. They rented movies together and paused them midway—would they be plotting evil together!

That’s what they’ll think.

I created the situation to make them think that way.

[You bought two boxes of hangover cure at the convenience store. You’ve created quite a virile image?]

“It’s the truth.”

[I know best. Our Manager Do’s physical capabilities.]

I didn’t respond to the chairman’s words.

[Why are you silent?]

“If there’s one person I can’t handle, it’s you, Chairman.”

[Thanks for the compliment. But I’ve been nerfed now so I’m not a match, so please show off your physical prowess to others.]

The chairman’s voice was full of laughter.

[Thanks to Manager Do, the executives have been able to strengthen their bonds, and thanks to that, Yimemangryang has a distinctly different atmosphere than six months ago. Instead of being wolves aiming for the chairman’s position, they’ve become true brothers-in-arms dreaming of one future together.]

“Not colleagues or comrades?”

[Yes, yes. Colleagues. Anyway, since it’s been proven that Manager Do’s methods are most effective, go ahead and properly wield your club against those S-class and presumed S-class targets. I don’t mind.]

“Since you’ve already given permission, I’ll do it, but…”

[Is there something making you hesitate?]

“What if they later ask to see my wife directly?”

[…Hmm. Then use my photo.]

“Chairman, your photos are widely known to the public. Wouldn’t they find it suspicious that a librarian named Do Ji-hwan has access to someone they couldn’t possibly approach?”

[I mean use my true appearance.]

“…Pardon?”

Wait.

Hold on.

“Are you trying to make me look like some kind of sex offender?”

[You’re already a villain, so what difference does one more red line make?]

“Still, I can’t carelessly leak your true appearance. Even the executives only found out at last year’s Christmas year-end party.”

[It doesn’t matter. The world will only ever see my public appearance, while my true form will only be known to our ‘family’.]

“…Are you planning to include them in the family too?”

[Seeing how Manager Do is pursuing a relationship with those two women despite having so many others, I think it would be fine to allow them to become family after confirming their mindset. They are S-class, after all.]

The chairman is a meritocrat.

I’m favored because I’ve shown ability, and in the original work, the protagonist received attention from the chairman because he demonstrated tremendous ability.

“In your opinion, Chairman, do you think Baek Seol-hee and Ymir would be significant assets to your plans?”

[We could manage without them, but they’re good pieces to have. They’d be quite troublesome if they turned against us.]

“So you’re saying they must be recruited.”

[If we’re not going to kill them, we need to recruit them. People like that.]

The chairman has set the policy.

[I’m not trying to recruit them simply because they’re S-class. I believe in Manager Do’s eyes, Manager Do’s instincts, Manager Do’s choices.]

With unlimited trust in me.

[Baek Seol-hee, Ymir. Try your best to bring them to our side. And later, I hope you can all cut watermelon together by a stream and spend a night together. Hehe. Looks like you’ll need to exercise hard until Christmas? I don’t know how many people you’ll be dealing with.]

“No, what are you saying now?”

[You already have 5 people, plus Baek Seol-hee and Ymir makes 7. And if more are added, the number will increase, right? Eventually, won’t you need to use some kind of goblin clone technique?]

“That wouldn’t be proper. Treating people with clones.”

Clones are just fakes.

If someone treats me sincerely while I use a fake, that’s deceiving them.

[……When you say it, it somehow feels strange, but alright. I believe in you, Manager Do, so contact me anytime if you need The Syndicate’s help.]

“Of course. But Chairman.”

I carefully asked.

“About the ‘restriction’ you placed on me—is it okay to reveal that?”

[…….]

The chairman was silent.

[That…. hmm.]

I heard the sound of fabric rustling.

[I’ll lift it when we meet next Christmas, so until then, handle it however you see fit. You can lie, make excuses, or even tell the truth as it is.]

“But, Chairman.”

[It would be amazing if they still wanted to have an affair after hearing the truth. Fine. Let’s do that. Manager Do? This is an order.]

The chairman gave me a command with a low chuckle.

[Until next Christmas, enjoy yourself to your heart’s content. After that, you won’t be able to go out even if you want to.]