AECS 16

Chapter 16

Player Headquarters.

Talent Management Team Office.

Employee Yoo Ji-ah looked at Park Chang-seok with a worried expression.

The bearded man slumped in the soft chair, looking miserable.

“Are you okay, Congressman?”

Even at her question, Park Chang-seok only let out a long sigh.

“Puuuuu…”

Yoo Ji-ah was smart.

An elite from the headquarters.

She didn’t even need to ask to roughly guess why he was like this.

‘It started after meeting Congressman Lim Hee-soo.’

Was it four days ago?

He had stormed off full of anger, talking about settling a score, and returned looking like this.

‘There’s no way around it.’

Park Chang-seok was usually a very strong person.

A Yaksha of the headquarters, respected by all employees.

But…

‘Baek Jin-woo…’

Ever since he started helping that gamer, he had developed many weaknesses.

“Is it because of Baek Jin-woo? Is it? Does Congressman Lim Hee-soo want the lower-grade summoning scroll back? Should I mention it to my grandfather?”

“….”

Park Chang-seok stared at her quietly.

Employee Yoo Ji-ah. Age 28.

A capable young professional, but with an extraordinary background.

‘Fourth granddaughter of Yoo Byung-cheon, founder of Daesung Group, the largest conglomerate in South Korea.’

She had no direct control over the company, but her beauty earned her her grandfather’s full love.

Her elite status was simple.

She had received every type of education a wealthy family could provide, supported by Daesung.

After the world changed, Yoo Ji-ah became very interested in players.

That was also why she joined the headquarters.

“Thanks for saying that.”

Park Chang-seok let out another sigh, then quietly smiled.

“It’s my choice. Just because it got messed up doesn’t mean I can use the power of my family.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Hmm?”

When Yoo Ji-ah immediately agreed, Park Chang-seok’s eyes widened.

What?

Was that just a joke?

“Of course, it was a joke. I just wanted to comfort you.”

“…What?”

“My grandfather hates it the most. People who could solve things themselves, but try to take the easy way by using the family’s power.”

Ha.

A founder’s mindset, indeed.

Park Chang-seok agreed with it.

“Actually, the lower-grade summoning scroll issue is already resolved.”

“Really?”

“That’s nothing. It was under my authority anyway.”

“Then why the miserable look…”

“Lim Hee-soo keeps provoking me.”

Park Chang-seok recalled what had just happened.

His archrival: Congressman Lim Hee-soo.

The target of his attack was none other than the Talent Management Team.

• “What kind of talent management team can’t even properly train talent? Are you just wasting the headquarters’ budget? Are you trying to raise those rankers you keep there? Those losers who can’t even make the national selection. Haha, why not just give me the Talent Management Team’s budget instead?”

Every point. Every word was meant to provoke.

But he had no way to argue.

Lim Hee-soo’s rankers in the headquarters were always selected for the national team and had many achievements.

Annoying, but skilled.

• “You’re not bragging about setting a record in the lower-grade Tuesday dungeon, are you? Congressman Park Chang-seok, just go beat up some gangs like usual. Don’t waste time raising talent that won’t work.”

Gnash.

Teeth gritted automatically.

Park Chang-seok could be cold and rational, but sometimes fiery.

He couldn’t let it slide. Not even in front of the headquarters director.

• “What will you do if the talent I trained makes it to the national team selection?”

Seeing Lim Hee-soo smirk at that made him unable to hold back.

• “Want to make a bet? Whether my rankers get into the national team or not?”

The year-end World League.

Each country could only send ten players.

• “Do you want to see who ranks higher?”
• “Oh? You’re serious? What’s the bet?”

Lim Hee-soo grinned.

Of course.

Park Chang-seok had never had a player make the national team.

Lim Hee-soo had two last year.

A huge achievement.

Not only headquarters rankers compete, but top guild rankers also join.

• “The loser admits the other is better to the public and resigns voluntarily. How about it?”
• “Are you crazy? Seriously?”
• “Yes. If you break it, ten billion won penalty. Want to sign the contract now?”

The headquarters director, called the old man in the back room, nervously tried to stop them.

• “Haha, calm down, you two. Why are you doing this?”

But neither congressman listened. Their pride was on the line.

In the end, they signed the contract right there.

As described.

“Yeah, I did it in anger.”

“…Wait, does that make sense?”

Yoo Ji-ah’s face was stunned.

A completely random bet?

And the chances of winning were almost… zero!

“Could it be…”

Yoo Ji-ah asked hesitantly.

“Are you doing this because of Baek Jin-woo?”

“Yeah.”

That was why Park Chang-seok sighed.

Baek Jin-woo wasn’t fully his player yet.

To make a bet before knowing if Jin-woo would follow? Uncharacteristic.

‘Or maybe… that’s just me.’

Of course.

Anyone obsessed with Baek Jin-woo and investing everything wouldn’t be calm.

“He’s impressive, but just a gamer. He’s far from competing with the current rankers for now.”

“I know, I know.”

Puu!

Park Chang-seok sighed again.

“But don’t you see?”

“What?”

“I have a very good eye for people.”

“….”

Yoo Ji-ah stayed silent.

Secretary Kim Byung-jin, employees Yoo Ji-ah and Hwang Tae-seop.

All chosen by Park Chang-seok. The other congressmen envied him for that.

“I trust Baek Jin-woo. With proper support, he’ll give us huge info.”

“…Huh, okay.”

Just as Yoo Ji-ah shook her head, sighing,

“Congressman! Congressman!”

A man banged the door open.

Secretary Kim Byung-jin.

“You asked me to check the player who’s been quickly clearing dozens of D-grade dungeons solo?”

“Right?”

“That’s Baek Jin-woo.”

“What?”

Park Chang-seok shot up in shock.

Yoo Ji-ah’s eyes widened slightly.

“Baek Jin-woo? Really?”

Could it be?

A player registered just a month ago, clearing D-grade dungeons solo?

And averaging less than 5 minutes per dungeon.

The speed of progress was insane, proving he had massive information.

“See? What did I say?”

Park Chang-seok smiled at Yoo Ji-ah.

“Baek Jin-woo is amazing, right?”

“Amazing?”

Yoo Ji-ah puckered her lips.

When did that word become popular?

Meanwhile…

“Hehehe.”

Baek Jin-woo couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

[Account Details]
[Account Holder: Baek Jin-woo]
[Preferred Account]
[Withdrawable Amount: 26,002,500 won]

Only four days.

Sun rose and set four times. He cleared 160 D-grade dungeons.

Result: roughly 16 million won in profit.

This came from selling all the “Intermediate Summoning Scrolls” that drop with about 20% chance.

“A world made for me has finally arrived.”

The money would be reinvested in summons.

But first…

Baek Jin-woo split his account into four.

1. Living expenses account.
2. Family account.
3. Savings account.
4. Player account.

He deposited 5 million won into the living expenses account.

‘Always keep 5 million in the living account.’

If rent, bills, cream bread, or food costs go out?

Top it back to 5 million at the start of each month.

‘Next, the family account.’

Also 5 million.

‘500 each month.’

For his family. Saved to spend generously on his parents and Baek Ah-jin.

‘And the savings account.’

1 million won each month.

Purely for his future.

‘Finally, the player account.’

Used for summons: runes, enhancers, scrolls, materials, skill books.

‘The player’s value is most important.’

Money? It would come automatically if he became the best.

Not the time to obsess over savings.

By now, his summons had grown well from running dungeons.

Lamba, Hoon-gyo, and Pok-ryong all passed level 30.

A huge achievement.

Level 40 would take many more runs, as each level needs exponentially more experience.

‘Time to match runes and strengthen them.’

For that, he needed to train them in weekday dungeons.

‘A player can make three teams.’

Jinugod’s three teams:

1. Player team.
2. PvP team.
3. Weekday dungeon team.

‘First, player team.’

The team that goes with the player, for normal dungeons or Tower of Trials.

‘Next, PvP team.’

Specialized summons for battles, like assassins.

‘Lastly, weekday dungeon team.’

Each day has a different theme. This team can auto-farm without him.

Also, each day has a core unit for fast clearing.

For example, last time, the “Spotted Komodo” (B-rank) was Tuesday’s core unit.

Baek Jin-woo already knew the core units from D-grade to B-grade for all days.

‘Time to set up a team that can run weekday dungeons as fast as possible.’

Set it up, then train them hard through Hoon-gyo.

Also, unlock their potential to maximize speed.

‘First, a time attack on lower-grade weekday dungeons.’

Once the team can clear the highest-grade dungeons in under a minute, growth speed skyrockets.

[Account Details]
[Account Holder: Baek Jin-woo]
[Preferred Account]
[Withdrawable Amount: 6,002,500 won]

After splitting the account, exactly 6 million won remained.

‘Not sure if it’s enough to buy summons.’

He opened the Player Web and went straight to the Marketplace tab.