Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 32: What Kind Of Crazy Quest Is This?.

In truth, it was hard to view Gaeul’s parents in a positive light.

Considering Gaeul’s current situation, it meant her parents had not only allowed but submitted legal guardian consent forms while their daughter dropped out of high school and worked four part-time jobs a day.

No matter how I thought about it, it wasn’t something proper parents would do.

Gaeul’s feelings when she described her father as strange likely stemmed from this context.

I had a feeling that making a contract with her would become increasingly difficult.

But I couldn’t give up just because it was difficult.

It would be ridiculous if all this work was ruined because we couldn’t get her parents’ permission.

I steeled myself. No matter what kind of crazy parents appeared, I was determined to persuade them to make Yoo Gaeul a trainee.

“…From here on, cars can’t pass.”

“Then we’ll have to walk. I’ll park the car. Please wait a moment.”

The place we got out of the car was what they called a ‘daldongne’1.

Gaeul and I walked through the alleyways of the outskirts, almost climbing uphill.

Then Gaeul stopped at an old house with a red X spray-painted on the wall.

“…Here it is.”

Gaeul’s face turned bright red, seeming embarrassed as if she considered it a flaw.

I stepped one step ahead of where she stood and said with a neutral expression.

“Shall we go in?”

Gaeul glanced at my face and, as if determined, took the lead and opened the door.

The old iron door creaked as it swung open.

“Gaeul, is that you?”

A gaunt, middle-aged man sitting in the small house made up of a kitchen and living room greeted her.

Judging by his demeanor and handsome face, he seemed to be Gaeul’s father.

Gaeul’s father, who gave a weak smile upon seeing her, noticed me following her in.

“…Who is he?”

“He’s Team Leader Seon, whom I mentioned on the phone. He came by because of the contract.”

“I’m Seon Taeyang, Team Leader at TwoBear Entertainment. It’s an honor to meet Gaeul’s parents.”

“Oh… Team Leader Seon! It’s really nice to meet you. It’s a humble place, but please, come and sit.”

Gaeul’s father, who had been tilting his head weakly, welcomed me with a bright expression.

It was a relief that he seemed favorable towards the contract.

“…I shouldn’t just sit here. I’ll make some tea! Would you prefer coffee or green tea?”

His hospitality was nice, but his demeanor was somewhat burdensome.

I smiled gently, not showing my discomfort.

“Then, coffee, please.”

“I’m really good at making coffee. Please wait a moment.”

Gaeul’s father took out a stick of instant coffee, poured hot water into a paper cup, added the coffee powder, and then folded the empty coffee stick to stir the coffee.

“Here you go!”

Gaeul’s father’s hand was trembling as he handed over the coffee, as if he had a tremor.

Afraid the coffee might spill, I stood up to take it from him.

Seeing that, Gaeul bowed her head so low that it almost touched the floor. She seemed embarrassed.

No, but he seems like a good person. Why are you so embarrassed?

I took a sip of the coffee and then spoke to Gaeul’s father, who was looking at me expectantly.

“Wow, the water balance is perfect. It tastes really good.”

“Oh, thank you for saying that, even though I’m offering such meager hospitality!”

Gaeul’s father cleared his throat slightly and then said.

“Then, may I see the contract?”

“Of course.”

I handed over the contract that Seo Soo-yeon had prepared.

“We will pay a lump sum of 46 million won as a contract fee. Additionally, about 60 million won worth of support for art-related education, food, and daily necessities is also guaranteed.”

Gaeul’s father read the contract slowly.

After about 30 minutes, Gaeul’s father asked.

“So, if I sign this contract now, does that money become mine immediately?”

For a moment, I couldn’t hide my feelings, and my eyebrows twitched.

Of course, the question “Does that money become mine?” from Gaeul’s father significantly disturbed me.

How is that your money? It’s Gaeul’s money.

But I tried to remain as calm as possible and explained.

“The contract fee will be considered an investment and deducted from the settlement amount if Yoo Gaeul successfully debuts as an idol and starts earning. It’s not entirely a donation, as you might think.”

As I finished speaking, Gaeul’s father, who had maintained a submissive attitude until now, glared at me with anger.

“…Isn’t that a bit different from what you said? Isn’t this a scam?”

“Dad, it’s not that…”

I gave Gaeul a slight signal to stop.

Then Gaeul stopped what she was about to say.

I nodded slightly at her and then said.

“I understand your disappointment, but it’s a basic procedure to explain the flow of funds to investors.”

This was something I had to do.

“The company is not trying to scam Miss Gaeul. In fact, she is being treated very favorably.”

I further explained this exceptional treatment.

“Even if it takes five years to settle, no interest will be charged during that period. Moreover, even if Gaeul fails and doesn’t generate any revenue, she won’t have to repay the money. The amount paid as the contract fee is treated purely as an investment.”

It couldn’t be seen as a pure donation, but it could be considered close to one.

“…So, to settle, she would need to repay 100 million won?”

“Not necessarily. The 60 million won worth of support isn’t even considered an investment. This amount won’t be deducted during settlement.”

Therefore, replacing some of the support and education expenses with cash wasn’t entirely disadvantageous for Gaeul.

Considering Seo Soo-yeon’s efforts to expand the scope and quality of support, it could be seen as more advantageous.

“Originally, promising such treatment in a trainee contract is extremely rare… No, it’s actually almost non-existent.”

This was a very luxurious contract for a mere trainee.

Gaeul’s father seemed to realize this and expressed doubt.

“Then why…”

“Because Miss Gaeul is definitely talented enough to succeed. She deserves this kind of treatment.”

Gaeul’s father seemed bewildered.

I wanted to give him confidence.

“I promise you. I will make such a huge success that 50 or 60 million won will seem like a trivial amount. Please allow Miss Gaeul to join us at TwoBear.”

I bowed my head.

Gaeul’s father, looking at me with trembling hands and darting eyes, finally spoke.

“Um, is it possible to reduce the amount and pay in cash instead of support, which can be deducted from the settlement later?”

It was a surprising request.

“Four thousand, no, even two thousand would be fine. Can’t it be done?”

It wasn’t easy, considering the company’s policy was already set.

But I didn’t want to lose Gaeul over two thousand.

I steeled myself.

“Then, I can personally…”

“Don’t agree to that!”

At that moment, a boy who looked like a middle schooler suddenly appeared and shouted.

Both Gaeul and her father looked surprised, just like I was, at his sudden appearance.

“Gahyeon! Didn’t I tell you to stay outside? This isn’t a conversation you should be part of.”

Gaeul’s father spoke in an outburst of anger.

From his reaction, it seemed like he was Gaeul’s brother, who was studying art.

“I have a reason to be part of this conversation. I’m also part of my sister’s family.”

Gahyeon looked straight at his father and asked.

“If you take that money, where will you spend it?”

Gaeul’s father looked at me and Gaeul and then spoke.

“…Of course, I will use it for Gaeul and you.”

“Liar.”

Gahyeon, with a bitter smile unbefitting his age, said.

“Then just accept the support. That’s all we need.”

“You’re too young to understand. If an external organization is involved, the money will inevitably be used inefficiently!”

I decided to intervene at this point.

“I want to assure you of one thing. The details of the fund usage will be very transparently disclosed. Moreover, since the organization handles it on a large scale, more efficient transactions are possible. There will be no inefficient spending as you worry.”

Gaeul’s father waved his hand dismissively and said.

“Oh, that wasn’t directed at you, Team Leader Seon. I just used a slightly extreme example because the kid seems too naive about the world!”

His attitude of self-deprecation made him seem almost groveling.

Gahyeon looked at me and said.

“Mister, if you give that money to our father, he’ll definitely use it for gambling. You absolutely can’t give it to him as is.”

“You little bastard!”

Gaeul’s father stood up, clenching his fist.

It was hard to tell if his hands were trembling due to a tremor or anger.

Seeing that, I felt like things might escalate.

I stood up to stop Gaeul’s father.

At that moment, a quest window suddenly appeared.

[Strong to the weak, weak to the strong. Beat Yoo Dae-cheol, who suffers from anger management issues, to instill the fear of violence in him!]

What kind of crazy quest is this?

Are you out of your mind, System Window?

While I was bewildered by the absurd content, the reward information appeared a beat later.

[Reward – The Senses of the Sword Saint]

Staring blankly at those words, I thought.

…That’s quite a tempting bait.

TL/N: A poor hillside village ↩️