Chapter 141: Mastermind (9)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Jae-ha smiled inwardly at the ‘Additional Perks’ listed by the woman's voice. CEO Seok Ji-yeon and the Directors of ‘HG ENM’ were sitting in front of him, but right now, the woman's voice was more important to Jae-ha.

【Please select the 'Additional Perk' you wish to receive.】

【1. Additional Pension of 50 billion won】

【2. Insight (Ability)】

Because along with the rather incredible Additional Pension of 50 billion won, an ‘Ability’ had appeared. On top of that, the ‘Ability’ Insight was the one Jae-ha had been unable to choose from the ‘Additional Perks’ not long ago.

‘As expected, even if I pass on it, I can get it again later.’

In any case, 50 billion won and an ‘Ability’. More importantly, the Additional Pension kept ballooning to ridiculous amounts. 50 billion? At this rate, it might actually reach 100 billion someday. Either way, 50 billion was enough to make him hesitate a little. Even so, in Kang Jae-ha's eyes, an ‘Ability’ was still more valuable.

‘If the Additional Pension goes up even more, and I can tell an ‘Ability’ won't be all that useful, I can always choose the money then.’

This time, Insight (Ability) looked useful even at a glance.

‘I wanted it last time too.’

Having made up his mind, Kang Jae-ha requested the ‘Ability’ Insight. The woman's voice soon sounded again.

【Confirmed. Additional Perk ‘Insight (Ability)’ will be granted to Kang Jae-ha-nim.】

【‘Insight’ allows you to identify a target's ‘Ability’, as well as discern buffs or debuffs caused by an ‘Ability’.】

As expected, the ‘Ability’ Insight described by the woman's voice was extremely useful. For one thing, from now on, Kang Jae-ha could see the ‘Abilities’ possessed by others. That applied equally to the subordinates gathering around Jae-ha and enemies such as the Vice-Commander.

‘Oho- then I won't have to ask them one by one anymore.’

The mechanism was simple. He only had to look at someone and use ‘Ability’ Insight, and he could see it immediately. On top of that, he could see not only the ‘Ability’ they possessed, but also any buffs or debuffs caused by an ‘Ability’.

‘Debuffs probably include paralysis, or something like Jin Jong-hoon's brain getting wrecked last time.’

Jin Jong-hoon's brain had been destroyed due to an ‘Ability’ that had been planted in advance. From now on, Kang Jae-ha could know about debuffs like that ahead of time.

‘This is good. Whether it's an ally or an enemy, I can learn their ‘Ability’ first without asking or having to figure it out, then prepare without them noticing. I can get myself ready accordingly too.’

Kang Jae-ha was satisfied with the ‘Ability’ Insight. Soon, he activated Detection. He wanted to find out whether any of his subordinates were nearby, including around this large conference room, or whether anyone connected to the ‘New Light Truth Church’ was present. But he found nothing.

‘Hmm.’

After letting out a low hum, he shifted his gaze away from the slightly surprised CEO Seok Ji-yeon. He looked at Go Chun-seok, who stood behind him like a towering tree. He wanted to test the effect of the Insight he had just obtained. Kang Jae-ha looked at Go Chun-seok and activated ‘Ability’ Insight.

There was no major change in his vision. He could simply see it.

-Possessed Ability: ‘Superhuman Strength’

Go Chun-seok's ‘Ability’, that was. Ah, so this was how it worked? Kang Jae-ha mused inwardly, and he now already had five ‘Abilities’ obtained through Additional Perks. Six if ‘Absolute Obedience’ was included. Kang Jae-ha had already been a broken character even without any ‘Abilities’, thanks to things like his Pension, and he was only getting more ridiculous.

That was when.

“Director Kim Ha-jae-nim?”

CEO Seok Ji-yeon, her hair neatly tied back, called out to the masked Kang Jae-ha.

“Is that really true? Becoming our ‘HG ENM's Running Mate- are you deciding that at today's meeting?”

The initial capital alone for ‘K:FESTA’ was over 8 billion won. Looking at the project as a whole, there was a very real possibility that they would end up spending 15 billion won or more. Yet Kang Jae-ha's decision came without hesitation.

“Yes, let's just decide it at today's meeting. I don't think you'd like it dragging on either, CEO-nim.”

“Th, that's true, but- I'm just a little surprised.”

That was when. Gorilla-like Director Lee Dong-hak glanced at CEO Seok Ji-yeon before cutting in.

“But CEO Lee Chan-hoo-nim of ‘MEG’ didn't come with you? It's a bit awkward from our perspective that only you came, Director Kim Ha-jae-nim.”

There was a fairly strong edge of provocation to his tone. Kang Jae-ha, smiling, looked at Director Lee Dong-hak and replied.

“Ah- what did you say your name was again?”

“......Lee Dong-hak.”

“Ahh, Director Lee Dong-hak-nim.”

Jae-ha, wearing the mask of Director Kim Ha-jae, let himself off the leash. Well, Kang Jae-ha was always running wild like a madman anyway.

“CEO Seok Ji-yeon-nim and I were talking. Is that really important enough for you to interrupt us?”

“...Pardon?”

“It doesn't seem very important to me. Is it really that important?”

The underlying message was clear: don't act up, and don't casually butt into the middle of the conversation. Kang Jae-ha stared at Director Lee Dong-hak as though he were unquestionably the one holding all the leverage. A cold, detached smile lingered on his face.

‘So that's Director Lee Dong-hak, the guy who's in a bit of a power struggle with CEO Seok Ji-yeon inside ‘HG ENM’. As expected, he's already flailing.’

Naturally, Kang Jae-ha had already finished investigating the major figures of ‘HG ENM’. Their internal affairs as well. It had not been particularly difficult for Jae-ha, the Commander of ‘MEG’.

‘The appearance of ‘MEG’ is a lifeline for CEO Seok Ji-yeon, whose position is precarious, but for Director Lee Dong-hak, we're an obstacle. Well, it's fine for now. If Director Lee Dong-hak acts up any more, I can just get rid of him.’

By this point, Director Lee Dong-hak, having been sharply rebuked by Kang Jae-ha, quietly clenched his jaw.

‘What the hell is with this bastard? He's beyond just not being a pushover. He's downright arrogant.’

As the atmosphere grew strange, CEO Seok Ji-yeon stepped in to smooth things over.

“Director Kim Ha-jae-nim, Director Lee Dong-hak-nim and I are simply curious about the CEO of ‘MEG’, which has been so hot lately. We thought we'd be able to meet him today, but he didn't come.”

Kang Jae-ha fixed his gaze on CEO Seok Ji-yeon and replied evenly.

“‘MEG’ has been incredibly hectic lately. CEO-nim is busy in his own right. It's meeting after meeting.”

“I see.”

“If you want, we can reschedule the meeting, though it might take a few months.”

“No, no, no, that's not necessary. It's fine.”

His smile deepening now that he had completely thrown off the reins, Kang Jae-ha spoke to CEO Seok Ji-yeon while keeping his eyes fixed on Director Lee Dong-hak.

“Let's talk business, neither of us has much time.”

“......”

Director Lee Dong-hak remained silent. Kang Jae-ha continued regardless.

“‘MEG’ can come in as ‘K:FESTA's main investor with 8 billion won. What do you think, CEO Seok Ji-yeon-nim?”

“Of course, I'd welcome it. Can you proceed with the contract immediately?”

“No problem.”

“If there are any conditions you want, please tell us now.”

Several conditions came from Jae-ha's mouth, but all of them were things a Running Mate could reasonably ask for. Well, those were his conditions for now. Kang Jae-ha, while ‘K:FESTA’ was underway.

“We can gradually work out the conditions as ‘K:FESTA’ progresses.”

Because he intended to get everything he wanted.

Meanwhile, animation studio ‘FrameMEG’.

At the workspace where final Editing on ‘Moonless Village’ was in full swing. Quite a few staff members were visible. At least five people were clustered around the workstations. Naturally, Director Hong Man-seop, who was spearheading ‘Moonless Village’, was among them. Judging by the hollow look around his eyes, he had barely been sleeping lately.

“Let's watch that last cut one more time.”

“Understood.”

For reference, ‘Moonless Village’ had already finished its Voice Actor recording. Director Hong Man-seop had stayed up all night again yesterday, but his concentration had not wavered. Displaying almost superhuman alertness, he never took his eyes off the monitors.

Various cuts from ‘Moonless Village’ were displayed across the monitors.

Close-ups of the characters, vast backgrounds, battle scenes, and more. Director Hong Man-seop spent dozens of minutes checking them and giving instructions to the staff when suddenly.

“Ugh- whew.”

He let out a faint groan and scrubbed his face with both hands. By then, the monitor he had been watching showed the ending credits rolling after the final cut of ‘Moonless Village’. At the same time, ‘Wolhyang’, the main OST of ‘Moonless Village’, echoed through the workspace.

After listening for a moment to the main OST ‘Wolhyang’, which highlighted Choi Ri-na's vocals, Director Hong Man-seop murmured.

“This is enough.”

He dropped into a nearby chair with a thump! and took out his phone. After gesturing for the staff to turn off the sound, Director Hong Man-seop.

-Swish.

Called someone. A familiar male voice soon came through the phone.

“Yes, Director Hong Man-seop-nim.”

It was Lee Chan-hoo's voice. In other words, Director Hong Man-seop had called the CEO of his agency, ‘MEG’. After exchanging greetings and a brief conversation, Director Hong Man-seop got to the point with Lee Chan-hoo.

“CEO-nim, we just finished all the Editing for ‘Moonless Village’.”

A declaration that Editing was finished on ‘Moonless Village’, which had its sights set on the world through Netflix. Excitement entered Lee Chan-hoo's voice at the good news.

“Oh! Really??”

“Yes. Just now.”

A smile appeared on Director Hong Man-seop's face.

“You can schedule the Test Screening anytime.”

‘Moonless Village’ was ready for launch.

Dozens of minutes later, back in the large conference room at ‘HG ENM’.

By then, Director Kim Ha-jae. No, the conversation between Kang Jae-ha and CEO Seok Ji-yeon had grown quite involved. Judging by their exchange, ‘MEG's Investment in ‘K:FESTA’ was practically confirmed, and they were now discussing when to sign the official contract and matters involving other sponsors.

Around then, gorilla-like Director Lee Dong-hak felt Go Chun-seok's burning stare on him while stealing glances at the masked Kang Jae-ha.

‘Director Kim Ha-jae- I've been feeling this for a while now, but does this bastard just have no brakes? He acts like he has absolutely nothing to lose. Just how deep-pocketed is the backer behind him??’

The confidence and self-assurance radiating from that Director Kim Ha-jae were simply too overwhelming. Even Director Lee Dong-hak, who had spent more than a decade in this industry, had never encountered his type before. In the meantime, Kang Jae-ha asked CEO Seok Ji-yeon.

“I hear things aren't looking too good when it comes to finding sponsors either? As far as I know, the companies you sent proposals to have been lukewarm.”

“...Of course, the atmosphere is more subdued than it was for the first ‘K:FESTA’.”

“That'll change once our ‘MEG’ joins as the Running Mate.”

“You're quite confident.”

“Hmm? Why, CEO-nim, aren't you confident in ‘HG ENM’?”

“No, that's not it, but... Director Kim Ha-jae-nim, there's something rather distinctive about you. I've never encountered it before.”

At that moment, a knock echoed through the large conference room before CEO Seok Ji-yeon's secretary entered with a greeting. After behaving with due courtesy, he approached CEO Seok Ji-yeon and whispered in her ear. At first, she was fine.

“What?? Really??”

CEO Seok Ji-yeon's eyes quickly widened.

She stared at the masked Kang Jae-ha sitting across from her and cried out in shock.

“G, General Manager Kim Ha-jae-nim. That ‘MEG’ landed Director Yu Gil-tae-nim. No, is it true that he actually joined you??!”

The Directors, including Lee Dong-hak, widened their eyes as well.

“Wh, what?!”

“??!!”

“What?! Director Yu Gil-tae went to ‘MEG’??!”

CEO Seok Ji-yeon had abruptly brought up Director Yu Gil-tae, one of the industry's foremost Masters. The Directors were startled as well. Kang Jae-ha, on the other hand, already knew and replied as though it were nothing, in an exceptionally dry tone.

“Looks like the article went live. It's true. Director Yu Gil-tae-nim and ‘MEG’ have decided to work together.”

CEO Seok Ji-yeon froze with her mouth slightly open, looking more than a little shocked.

‘......My God, Director Yu Gil-tae, that Master, actually chose the fledgling ‘MEG’ as his new home???’

*****

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