The Novel’s Villain

12. Subordinates Are Too Good at Work (4)

Their eyes focused more intensely on Jin-woo with a mixture of excitement, astonishment, and even respect. Those gazes were very burdensome.

A stillness fell over them. Lee Jung-jin looked at Jin-woo as everyone was strangely waiting for Jin-woo to say something.

‘Umm….’

It felt like he had to say something. Jin-woo hesitated for a moment before he started.

“It’s liberation from the cord.”

“Ooh! Liberation from the cord! That’s great! Awesome!”

“Well, as expected!”

Clap-clap!

A round of applause broke out. Businessmen stood up and applauded excitedly, and Knights who valued dignity as much their lives were moved. Lee Jung-jin also nodded.

“G&P’s liberation from the cord. That’s a cool declaration. He is indeed our CEO. It means true cord-free. The world will now be freed from the cord.”

“Ooh!”

“The CEO has declared a true cord-free policy!”

Admiration erupted everywhere. It wasn’t out of courtesy but was sincere admiration.

‘…I don’t know anymore.’

Standing still, he was already halfway there. Jin-woo forgot what to say at the applause and just stayed still.

Declaration of liberation! It was a tidal wave that would overturn everything. It was clear that those who didn’t conform to this irresistible flow would be destroyed. What if that thing was released on the market? Electronic products that couldn’t be equipped with that new battery would be lost in history.

Price was an issue. They had no choice but to buy it even if it was two times the current price, or even more. However, there was a rumor that every mountain range in JW Gate was full of magic crystals. It was natural for the businessmen to show signs of anxiety beyond nervousness. They would be pushed back and ruined if they didn’t connect with G&P.

There was no such thing as a technological gap. It was a huge wall that couldn’t be caught. Technology and resources were all monopolized. There weren’t only Gate entrepreneurs but also general entrepreneurs here. However, those involved in large corporations, such as Daeon Group, which had always been a step behind Frontline Groups, didn’t come even though they were invited.

It was simply because of the loss to their face and self-esteem. It was also because it was Lee Jin-woo who invited them, not Chairman Lee Hee-jin.

‘Those foolish bastards.’

Lee Jung-jin smiled wickedly inside. Their downfall was obvious.

Jump!

The CEO of GeneTech, who came with a heart like grasping at straws, jumped up from his seat. GeneTech was a smartphone manufacturer. Now, they were in a situation where they were marching through hardship behind the most famous groups such as Neffles, Jinseong Electronics, and Daeon. It was more suitable to say that they were being pushed back. Now, it was less well-known than some Chinese companies.

The recently released smartphone was a passing point, but it was difficult to escape the image of a bankrupt company.

“W-when will it be commercialized…? N-no, what will the price range be?”

“CEO Lee Jin-woo had a word about that. It’s not about making a profit.”

“What?”

“I’ve also been thinking deeply about it.”

Lee Jung-jin’s words stirred people around. Jin-woo thought deeply about what he meant.

‘Ah…’

Come to think of it; he did remember saying that they didn’t have to make a profit. He also told them not to work too hard and take care of their health first. It was because he had to build Waste stacks. Lee Jung-jin spread his arms out while Jin-woo was lost in thought.

“Our CEO is trying to change the world.”

Silence descended. Everyone held their breath. Jin-woo was the only one who was flustered.

Me?

Jin-woo blinked. He had no intention of changing the world. After all, his dream was to be a rich free-timer. He would play and eat for the rest of his life if only the Emperors and the Devil were resolved well.

Jin-woo became somewhat anxious, but Lee Jung-jin couldn’t have known his feelings.

“This is just the beginning. There was nothing until just a year ago. Please note that an official announcement will be made when we enter the commercialization stage. You’re with the future right now.”

There was another round of applause. Jin-woo was still dazed.

The event continued. Kim Dae-jin and Choi Sung-min also introduced many things, but it wasn’t something Jin-woo could understand. He honestly didn’t understand anything about the speed of computational processing using wavelengths. He just nodded moderately.

It was said that the factory design had already been completed, and a huge factory would be built inside JW Gate. It was possible thanks to the neutralization of material decomposition.

Truly a series of shocks! The room was filled with scorching heat. The aftermath lingered around for a long time.

‘It’s barely over. Now it’s the food tasting party.’

It was very different from Jin-woo’s intentions so far, but there was still the main event left. It was a tasting session to see their reactions.

‘It must be okay since the Rank is low enough that it doesn’t affect daily life, right?’

The maids made it according to Jin-woo’s recipe, but the rank was significantly lower than that made by Jin-woo himself. The gates of the huge castle behind the stage opened. There was no noise at all. The gates, which contained many secrets, were opened, and everyone looked inside.

The maids came out with the dishes. It wasn’t a course, but a set meal, and from simple dishes to slightly complex one.

“Oh…”

“It smells nice…”

The smell was overwhelming. The air was filled with tempting smells that were different from traditional Earth food. The smell was almost as aggressive as the monster the dishes were made from. They all turned with enchanted eyes. The same was true of Baek Jong-woon as well as the best chefs he invited.

The first Western-style dishes were placed on the table. The General Manager spoke up when all the dishes were served.

“This dish is made with ingredients from JW Gate. They are made with recipes developed by the Master.”

“Are you saying…it was made with Gate ingredients?”

“From the JW Gate here.”

Everyone was very surprised by the General Manager’s answer. The atmosphere became chaotic. Gate poison was considered almost impossible to detoxify. Even the competent people, who were proud of their poison control, met their end in terrible pain as blood flowed from all the holes in their bodies.

It was information that even the chefs knew. The smell was so alluring, and the visuals were fantastic, but none of them could hold up their spoons. The research team was the first to pick up their cutlery. The research team knew about the detoxification, but they had never tried Gate food.

Se-yeon carefully cut ​​the meat with a knife and brought it to her mouth. She had never eaten a steak before, so it took her a moment to cut through it.

“Oh…!”

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. It brought a feeling close to ecstasy; it felt like she was melting down. Baek Jong-woon, a culinary researcher and owner of several franchises, was the first to raise his spoon among the general public. He had a great yearning for a new dish.

He was a man who would eat something new even if it was poisonous. He couldn’t contain his excitement since maybe he had come to the place where a new culinary culture might be born. He began to admire it once he smelled the dish.

“It’s the first time I’ve smelt something like this. It’s a scent that permeates thoroughly, creating a feeling of addiction. I think it’s marinated…”

Baek Jong-woon carefully examined the meat and put it in his mouth. As soon as he tasted it, he was struck with astonishment. He chewed carefully and took another bite, admiring the taste. He took a deep breath as he shook his head.

The Knights and others were watching Baek Jong-woon eat.

“This is…I’m speechless. The seasoning itself is light…how can meat taste like this? It’s magical. No, it’s magic itself. Chefs, try it.”

“Is it that good?”

“Well…”

Master Kim Sook-ja, who became a master of cooking in the Korean Food War, and an Italian chef sat beside him also began to taste the cuisine. The chefs were speechless. None of them could hide their astonishment and excitement.

Munch-munch!

The Knights and others also began to eat. It turned into a scene of astonishment, shock, and admiration.

“Wow…”

“I have tried all kinds of gourmet cuisine, but this is different. It’s a few levels above.”

“Everything I’ve ever eaten before feels like seasoned rubber.”

“Try the salad, too. This is a revolution!”

In an instant, the quiet atmosphere grew noisy. Jin-woo also nodded after tasting it.

‘This mild flavor is enough.’

This was just right. It was enough to keep thinking about it while living his daily life. No matter how he thought about it, the Gate cuisine was the best. Earth’s cuisine was even more delicious if it was made with Gate ingredients. However, all of Jin-woo’s diet included Gate ingredients.

Jin-woo looked around. Those sassy Knights hurriedly emptied their dishes, their dignity long lost. There were even Knights who ate with their hands without using a fork.

‘The reaction is good, isn’t it?’

Even the Knights reacted like that so that he could expect a big hit. Taking over the food culture didn’t seem impossible at all. He could see Hee-yeon. While eating, she had a blank expression on her face, which then turned to shock, and finally a grimace. Jin-woo could see that the fork she was holding was slightly bent, which was a bit scary.

Jin-woo slowly turned his gaze. Everyone was busy eating. Usually, people had conversations over dinner, but there was no such thing to see here. Dessert was served at the close: it was the golden apples grown by Jin-woo.

The Golden Tree that was classified as a monster, was extremely productive. Unlike common plants, they grew fast by eating insects, weeds, and meat. When he threw away the food waste, it ate them all at once and created several large golden apples. It was very easy to store as the Gate ingredients didn’t rot. Of course, it also wouldn’t sprout without seeds.

The breeding itself was reproduced by the fallen branches. As the number of Golden Trees rapidly increased, Jin-woo had no choice but to move them to the Sanctuary. Even now, golden apples were continuously piling up in the Sanctuary.

‘Should I just throw it away?’

It was quite difficult to deal with. The golden apples with their golden gloss were a sight to behold.

“Whoa~”

“Wow!”

“It’s good.”

The eyes of those who ate the golden apple became relaxed.

“Ugh?”

William Merlin Kingston, a British Royal Magic Division member, who ate the golden apple with the most elegant gestures, suddenly let out a scream. He quickly brushed his hair and looked around. As the eyes around gathered to him, he coughed in vain and got up from his seat.

The loyal Knights following him tried to follow him as he got up, but William Merlin Kingston gracefully raised his hand and stopped them.

“I have some personal business, so excuse me for a moment. Enjoy the beautiful cuisine.”

He turned his body modestly, waving his brilliant blonde hair. The Knights around him nodded. His golden hair that was abundant and charming like a horse’s mane, beautiful features, and clear eyes were the biggest reasons why he earned the nickname ‘The Wizard of the Sun.’ He was proud of his magic, but he was humble and always tried to set an example as a Knight. He wasn’t called Britain’s hero and pride for nothing.

He was known as the most elegant Knight in the world. To be precise, he was a Wizard. It wasn’t wrong since a Knight was a term that referred to all competent people. However, there had been a movement among Circle Wizards to create a separate name for themselves nowadays.

A Wizard must have dignity. That dignity made the circle stronger and cleared their mana. It also amplified the magical power.

William Merlin Kingston- Merlin walked with moderation to the restroom next to the waiting room. He closed the door quietly and looked in the mirror. It was a mirror wrapped by a tree branch, clearly a noble artifact. It was an object of a great mystery that even he, a high-ranking Wizard, admired.

But now, it didn’t matter. He unfolded his mana to see who was around. No one was there. Merlin reached for his head. His iconic blonde hair fluttered and slipped off, revealing his bald head. That naked head was a tragic symbol of all Circle Wizards. Every one of them felt it intuitively.

The fact that they would lose their hair every time they went up one circle. Every Circle Wizard knew it, but it was some kind of implicit secret. Fortunately, the public had yet to realize. In his hand, the charming blonde wig was a high-tech wig made by his school with a lot of research and money. More than thirty percent of the total budget was being spent on wig research and overcoming hair loss.

But there was no progress.

He carefully put down the wig and looked at the mirror carefully, observing the crown of his head. He looked twenty years older, but it didn’t catch his eye because he was used to it. After carefully examining the top of his head, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

“N-no way?!”

He barely stopped what he was about to scream. It was a shiny scalp. It couldn’t be saved by modern medicine, nor by any magic, artifacts, or relics.

Modern hair loss could be prevented by taking medicine and managing it well, but that wasn’t the case with a Circle Wizard. Hair transplants didn’t have much effect either. It was because it would fall out quickly if the circle went up or if you used great magic. The reason hadn’t yet been determined. It was called ‘The Curse of Circle Magic.’

The curse didn’t discriminate between genders. Therefore, circle ascending phobia was popular among the Circle Wizards who were reluctant to climb to the upper levels. Now, rumors were circulating among competent people, so Wizards worldwide were struggling to respond. The wide-brimmed hat worn by the Wizard was intended to effectively cover their head.

“My hair…hu-huh…”

He could see it with his excellent eyesight. Hair pierced the scalp and was slowly rising. He was always observing his head with his supersensory ability to quickly detect even the smallest changes. If he had poured that mental power into magic, his magical power would have risen by about 20%.

Merlin had a rivalry with the American Archmage Oz M. Martin. Merlin was second in their latter year, and his support was pushed back even though they were in the same circle. Merlin hated him because of the ‘Hair Illusion Magic’ that Oz discovered at the Gate. Only the M School of Oz knew the magic, however.

The Circle Wizards gave Oz overwhelming support and were inspired to join the M School. But now that didn’t matter!

“Ah…aaah…”

The beginning was weak, but the end was prosperous! Look at those fine hairs that were rising brilliantly! He was touched. The smooth surface was now gritty.

‘Aah…!’

He stared blankly in the mirror for a while. He thought he could stare at his slowly growing hair forever. It was a miracle, a scene he had always dreamed of!

It was a sight he had only ever seen in his dreams.

“How come…?”

It was right after he ate the golden fruit. That was all. After that, he could detect subtle changes in his hair. He ate only one piece of it. Merlin put on his wig and hurriedly ran outside. His graceful and modest steps had long disappeared.

He went to his seat, but the plates had already been removed.

“W-where did the dessert go?”

“I thought you were done eating, so I cleaned it up. You don’t eat fruits, do you?”

“That’s…!”

He managed to put up with his raising voice. The British Knights looked at him with curious eyes. After all, he was a dignified Wizard who had never spoken loudly. Merlin approached a maid who was on stand-by. All of the maids were beautiful women, so he became more polite than usual.

“Lady, may I ask you one question?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“It’s the fruit that came out as dessert…”

“Are you talking about the golden apples?”

“It tasted very good. Can I purchase it separately if there is any spare left?”

“I’m sorry, but it is a special gift from Master himself…”

He threw away his face and said so, but the maid only shook her head. The golden apple was brought by Jin-woo himself. She had no authority over it. Even the General Manager didn’t know where it came from.

Despair crept across Merlin’s face. The hope of saving all Circle Wizards seemed to disappear.

No, there was still hope!

Merlin looked towards Jin-woo. Everyone, regardless of their status, always put themselves first over anything, even the Queen of England. Merlin only responded in a polite and leisurely manner.

‘Face isn’t important.’

He coughed and adjusted his outfit. It was just after the meal, so the atmosphere felt free. He didn’t think he could face him if it weren’t for now. Lee Jin-woo was a very difficult person to meet normally.

Merlin walked towards Jin-woo. The General Manager blocked him. Merlin could tell just how strong the General Manager was just by feeling his spirit.

‘To have such a person…’

Such a monster was following him with all his life. Lee Jin-woo was looking down at everyone from the splendid throne with a bored look on his face.

That figure didn’t feel strange at all. It seemed so obvious. As Merlin grew closer to Jin-woo, he could feel the waves emanating from him.

‘This is…the King’s Wave…!’

That was what he said.

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