The Novel’s Villain

12. Subordinates Are Too Good at Work (1)

The General Manager nodded. The method was excellent, and the timing was just right as representative Knights of each country visited Korea to commemorate the Peace Thanksgiving Day.

Peace Thanksgiving Day was a holiday created to commemorate the establishment of the international convention for Gates distribution. It was considered the biggest holiday in the world. Not only the head of state but also the prestigious Knights participated since it began in memory of the many Knights who had died. However, except specifically on Memorial Day, the atmosphere was more like a festival.

Ordinary citizens walked around the streets dressed in Gate costumes, in a display incomparably larger than Halloween. Peace Thanksgiving Day was held every year, but Knights from different countries gathered only once every two years. Although it was an event to commemorate Thanksgiving Day in name, it was intended to measure power and check political force while watching other countries’ Knight parade.

Since the parade held the most powerful knights with destructive power that couldn’t be compared with existing modern weapons, it was possible to gauge the power of each country. A small world war was taking place, with new coalitions forming to secure the Gate. That was the busiest time for analysts.

South Korea was the most powerful and capable power that received the most checks, followed closely by the United States, the European Union, and China. China and Japan had an alleged cooperative relationship to keep Korea in check, despite historically being incapable of working together. It had been a long time since the rest of the countries formed a united front called the Third Coalition.

China encouraged relatively weak countries to participate in the ‘Neutralization Ridge,’ but it didn’t end well.

‘That was exactly right. That insight is astounding.’

The facilities of the JW Central Center inside the Gate had been completed, and the existing buildings had been wholly remodeled. It was completed rapidly by utilizing a large amount of capital, many engineers, and several competent people. However, the date dropped even further.

It could be seen that the General Manager had worked too hard, but it was clear that he expected that much! Because the Master knew the exact talents and limitations of his people. The General Manager was overwhelmed.

‘I can’t believe he entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility!’

The Commanders and Knights, entrepreneurs, high-ranking officials from each country, and officials from Gate companies who visited Korea would stop by the JW Gate. It was also according to the master’s direct command.

‘Let’s have a food tasting party and set up the store slowly.’

That’s what he said! The General Manager faithfully carried out the order. That was the unofficial performance presentation held during Peace Thanksgiving Day. The General Manager spared no effort to show the majesty of the JW gate.

A maid knocked on the door and came in.

“General Manager. Director Kim Min-soo of the Future Strategy Office, Professor Choi Sung-min, and the research team, as well as the G&P Vice President Lee Jung-jin and his employees, have arrived.”

“Just in time.

“The invited businessmen and lawmakers have arrived, and Baek Jong-woon and his chefs will arrive soon.”

“Take care of your guests. We must not profane the master’s name.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

The figure of the maid with her head bowed faded and disappeared. The General Manager watched the place where the maid had disappeared and immediately took a step. Moderate pain and adequate reward made a person a better being. The General Manager knew it better than anyone else.

He headed to the waiting room where the research team and G&P staff were located. They were the people who served the master together with him, so they weren’t to be treated harshly. However, except for a few people, different measures were taken as there was a difference in loyalty. He knew the fatal weakness of each individual or created it appropriately if there were none he noticed.

Director Kim Min-soo of the Future Strategy Office was a genius strategist in organizing such a thing to the extent that the General Manager recognized him. The General Manager arranged his collar for a moment in front of the waiting room and went inside.

Director Kim Min-soo greeted him warmly.

“Long time no see. General Manager.”

“Well, it’s been four months?”

“Yes, that’s about it.”

The General Manager patted the shoulder of Kim Min-soo, who politely greeted him. He was a talented person who made a great contribution to completely absorbing the Future Strategy Office. He was very resourceful and had a lot of loyalty, so he was a reliable friend.

‘Master has a good eye.’

On the day Master left the mansion, he took care of the family of Director Kim Min-soo, who suffered a lot because he got involved in illegal activities. It was at that time that Director Kim Min-soo was awakened.

The General Manager looked at the professors of the research team. They all had bright eyes as they touched the furniture around them. They even brought measuring devices made exclusively for the Gate, and the Gate-only outfits they were wearing felt very awkward.

‘It must be a lineup that isn’t easily seen in academia.’

All of them were crazy about research. Although they weren’t classified as competent people, there was no sense of incongruity if their abilities were included in the category. Their every word was even featured in the world’s most influential Gate science magazine, ‘The Gates’. It was amazing to acquire such talented people.

The technology using the recently discovered mineral, ‘JW Gray Stone,’ had easily passed the test and already entered the stage of practical use. Although there were endless possibilities, the currently being actively researched fields were semiconductors, alternative energy, and batteries. It was at an unbelievable speed that defied common sense, but it was possible because it was based on the technology that the master had collected and patented.

It fit perfectly as if they had found the last piece of the puzzle. G&P was growing endlessly according to his plan.

He also greeted G&P Vice President Lee Jung-jin. Both eyes were full of poison. Originally, he had a simple impression of him, but his impression had changed after being betrayed. Kim Yoo-na was scouted under the master’s order. He didn’t immediately scout her but waited for the situation to get worse and catch a glimmer of hope before her eyes.

‘He gave her hope when she was most desperate…’

There was no doubt about the loyalty of G&P Vice President Lee Jung-jin.

“General Manager, this is Researcher Kim Se-yeon.”

“Um, I see. Nice to meet you.”

Vice President Lee Jung-jin introduced Kim Se-yeon. The General Manager looked at Kim Se-yeon and shook her hand. Kim Se-yeon was trembling slightly. Her nervousness could be seen easily. The General Manager’s eyes sparkled.

‘So, she’s the talent that Master has chosen personally.’

She was a talented person, even at first glance, full of potential. It was the talent that Lee Min-woo was trying to take. Kim Se-yeon flinched at the General Manager’s gaze and then bowed her head.

“P-please take care of me.”

“Is this your first time at the Gate?”

“Yes, it hasn’t been long since I joined the company…”

The General Manager put on a nice smile. The cold impression changed so much that she let her vigilance down.

“With a talented person like you, the future of G&P is very bright. Feel free to tell me if you suffer any inconveniences.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Haha, to be honest, it would be difficult to study among freaks like that.”

The General Manager smiled and pointed to members of the research team. Kim Se-yeon smiled slightly. Director Kim Min-soo also nodded.

“I want to take her to the Future Strategy Office, but she said she prefers research.”

“What a wonderful friend. Well, I’ll watch over you.”

“I understand.”

The General Manager and Director Kim Min-soo looked at each other and shared a grim smile. The research team members shivered slightly as if they felt the air was lowering.

The General Manager turned his gaze to Kim Se-yeon.

“Would you like to take a look? Come to think of it. It must be the first time for everyone here to enter the castle.”

“Pardon?”

Kim Se-yeon looked at the General Manager with slight surprise, but the research team members turned their heads at the General Manager’s words. The research team applied silent pressure with their eyes filled with bright lights. Se-yeon looked around and nodded. They came out of the waiting room and headed to the Castle of Gold and Silver. There was supposed to be an event in front of the castle.

It was very beautiful as all the buildings were beautifully arranged around the castle. It matched the fantastic night sky of JW Gate perfectly. Much bigger stars than the stars seen on Earth were embedded as if they were going to start pouring down, and a large blue moon showed off its presence. Even though the moonlight was bright, the stars were shining clearly.

It was daytime when Se-yeon entered the waiting room, but now it was completely night. Se-yeon was mesmerized by the night sky and fantastic scenery. It was like she was in a fairy tale.

Kim Dae-jin smiled warmly at sight.

“The nights here are always fantastic. Just looking at it wakes me up, so I don’t need coffee.”

“Yes…I think so.”

“There aren’t that many people who can see this view. The professor who did your ability test…”

“Professor Kim Han-sung.”

“Yeah, right. Kim Han-sung. This is also Kim’s lifelong wish. He asked me so many times…but what can I do? Not everyone can come in…it must be hard for you too, right?”

“Yes, it was very difficult. I was quarantined for a week and tested.”

“Haha, I understand. What we are doing is changing the world to be beautiful.”

Kim Dae-jin warmly smiled. There was an event hall in front of the castle, but it was a bit noisy.

[Sir Liu Wei, you seem to believe too much in your sword. Or do you believe in the great Seven Dragon that much?]

[It is swordsmanship with a history that is incomparable to your country. Do you want to test it?]

[…You’re so cheeky, huh. I hope to see you again at the next competition. At that time, there will be no protection from the Seven Dragons.]

English and Chinese were heard from the Knights engaged in a nerve war. Se-yeon, seeing the Knights for the first time, looked at them curiously, but the General Manager shook his head and clicked his tongue.

‘Tsk-tsk, calling those things Knights…they are all worthless.’

The generational change of Knights was quick. This was because everyone had passed on except for famous Knights in each country. Looking at the Knights called the most promising stars of the year, he couldn’t help but be disappointed.

‘Is the Sword Master’s granddaughter the best?’

Choi Family’s Sword School that Master visited for inspection looked pretty good to him. Sword Master’s granddaughter, Choi Hee-yeon, was sitting proudly at her seat. Although she was a promising youngster, her sharpness was comparable to that of a veteran. When Se-yeon found Choi Hee-yeon, her eyes widened.

“Ah…that’s…”

“Hmm? Lady Choi Hee-yeon? There are also many Choi Hee-yeon fans in our team.”

Professor Kim Dae-jin said so with a smile. He then looked around and began to speak in a small voice.

“It is one of the legends of the CEO, but I heard she fought our CEO with a sword.”

“Yeah? If you are talking about our CEO…do you mean Mr. Lee Jin-woo?”

“Well. He learned the swordsmanship of Choi Family’s Sword School in an hour and showed equal skill. It must be true since the Choi Family’s Sword School didn’t deny anything about it. Perhaps by now, it wouldn’t be strange if he already easily…”

Snap!

A sound came from Choi Hee-yeon’s side. Choi Hee-yeon was looking at Kim Dae-jin.

“Cough, let’s go quickly.”

Professor Kim Dae-jin walked ahead. Kim Se-yeon looked at Choi Hee-yeon and sent her respect to the Knights. Choi Hee-yeon looked at her, bowed slightly, and turned her head.

‘She’s beautiful…’

She looked so noble that she felt like she was shrinking.

The General Manager stood in front of the huge door. It was a place that was never open to the public. Area 51 of the United States was once considered the most mysterious space, but now this place had stolen its reputation. It didn’t matter because he had permission to use it freely. The General Manager turned his head to look at Se-yeon and the others.

“Welcome to JW Castle, the Castle of Gold and Silver.”

The door opened after the General Manager finished speaking. It was the first time Kim Dae-jin, as well as Director Kim Min-soo, were entering it. Although the high-ranking judges stayed there, it was only partially used. The rest was a custom space only for Jin-woo, so there was no public disclosure.

Everyone went inside, following the General Manager’s steps.

“Ugh?!”

“What the…”

Rare artifacts were displayed at random. These were artifacts that couldn’t be seen in the JW Gate warehouse. Even Kim Se-yeon took out his measuring device with trembling hands. Professor Kim Dae-jin looked at the General Manager with shaking eyes.

“T-these should be in the research lab…G-General Manager, p-please tell the CEO about it!”

“Hehe, don’t be so surprised already.”

The General Manager showed the inside of the castle with a pleasant smile. Kim Se-yeon also fell in love with the waves of high-quality relics and artifacts. It was closely related to her field of study. She touched them carefully and measured their device, making sure to take notes.

Kim Se-yeon’s gaze soon landed on the beautiful gem in the center. Her ability wasn’t able to analyze it.

The General Manager approached her as she stood stiffly in place, eyes on the gem.

“Are you interested in it? It’s an artifact that detoxifies the Gate poison and prevents decomposition. Master made it himself.”

“Is this…? Ah! I’m sorry.”

The General Manager smiled generously while Se-yeon apologized.

“Hahahaha! What are you apologizing about? Well, Miss Kim Se-yeon.”

“Yes?”

“There is going to be an event today, so don’t lose your strength in advance.”

“By the way, he made the gem himself?”

The General Manager nodded.

“Do you like reading?”

“Yes, I do.”

“There must be the answer you want here.”

The General Manager handed her a luxurious book. Kim Se-yeon took the book and looked at it, blinking. It was ‘The Biography of Great Lee Jin-woo (Special Revision).’ A rank was even attached with the utmost sincerity from the General Manager, but no one knew about it.

[E+] The Biography of Great Lee Jin-woo (Special Revision)

A book was written by the high-ranking General Manager with extreme mental concentration and with the utmost sincerity. It has excellent absorption power, and the illustrations are of the highest artistic level. It is a biography that combines the facts and the General Manager’s imagination to create great persuasive power.

*[E+] Faith: Increases the probability of being persuaded to believe it is true. The more righteous and purer the soul, the stronger the faith becomes.

Se-yeon liked books, and she was also very curious about Lee Jin-woo. Her strong impression of seeing him for the first time hadn’t been erased, and her gratitude remained deep in her heart. That was why she chose G&P.

She originally intended to go back and read it, but the pages she unwittingly opened caught her mind. The General Manager smiled, pleased, and stepped back so that everyone could freely read. Now, no one knew what this book would bring about.

Se-yeon and the others went outside and sat down in the prepared seats as the event time approached. There was still time, so there were only Knights around. She sat down as the maids guided them. It was time to focus again on the book in her hand.

She suddenly heard a loud voice and looked up at the epicenter.

It was a Chinese man dressed in a Knight’s suit and making a splendid gesture. It was like watching an exaggerated historical drama.

[As a Knight of the Third Chinese Knights, I officially request an exclusive audience. It has been the eighth time I have come by myself! How much longer do I have to wait?]

“Please go back.”

Moo-jin, blocking the knight, didn’t shake at all.

[I guess you didn’t understand. I am Liu Wei of the Third Chinese Knights. As a member of the Seven Dragons Association, I ask Lee Jin-woo Lee for an audience!]

“You shouldn’t make more noise.”

[Noise? How dare you say that?]

“My apologies. You have not been assigned a VIP seat. If you are dissatisfied, please leave the JW gate.”

[Ugh! How dare a Mercenary…!]

Liu Wei frowned and exuded his energy. His anger ran through his head as he acted impulsively. Moo-jin, who blocked Liu Wei’s path, wavered and stepped back. His complexion turned pale as he suffered an internal wound and collapsed, vomiting blood.

Liu Wei, who had come to his senses, was surprised. Seeing this, Choi Hee-yeon got up from her seat. The other Knights were looking at Liu Wei with bewildered eyes. This was because the novice, who had been a Knight for less than ten years, had no idea what the problem was.

There was no need for Choi Hee-yeon to step up. Liu Wei flinched, and his expression hardened at the maid’s bloody eyes that appeared from behind Moo-jin. Then he felt his body tremble. He quickly stepped back when he saw the General Manager standing next to him. His body reacted instinctively.

The General Manager’s face was distorted with anger. Kim Se-yeon’s expression stiffened under pressure, as did the Knights around her. Only the experienced veteran Knights nodded in admiration. The people from the government and business side panicked, fearing that it would spread to international war.

Tension filled the spacious outdoor hall.

“What’s going on?”

As soon as a soft voice was heard, the atmosphere full of murderous intention disappeared instantly. The General Manager and the maids also stepped back and greeted the newcomer politely.

Lee Jin-woo, the owner of JW Gate, had appeared.

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