“The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 107”
Everyone in the industry knows that the Seven Stars Group is eyeing the Agent business.
Seven Stars has been preparing for the Agent business for a long time.
Through costly lobbying, they acquired the Magic Gem business rights, and on top of that, handed over bundles of money labeled as ‘cooperation’ to institutions inseparable from Agents – the police, regulatory agencies, and the Executive Department.
Now that the groundwork is done, it’s time to build up their actual strength.
From equipment and consumables used in raids to securing buyers for disposing Magic Gems, everything is set. They’ve also started to bulk up by recruiting personal parties and small-scale Agents, commonly known as ‘capable Agents.’
Years of investment, showering money like a watering can, the preparations finally bore fruit.
And that was ‘Miracle Agent.’
An Agent on a scale comparable to the three major ones.
Indeed, many industry insiders predicted that Miracle would create a storm in the Agent industry.
However, despite these optimistic predictions, Chairman Yeon Jeong-woon of Seven Stars had one regret.
“One punch is missing. A powerful punch.”
Yeon Jeong-woon views Agents from a business perspective.
For a brand to succeed, there must be a powerful defining feature representing that brand.
Look at the current electronics industry. Prizm took the world by storm when it launched the smartphone ‘Step.’
JB hastily released the ‘Solar Series,’ but due to its lack of strong impact, it remains in second place.
Prizm’s ‘Step’ like powerful punch. In Agents, something like Optimum’s ‘Sword Master,’ something that sticks in everyone’s mind, was what they needed.
And every time this regret surfaced, the memory that came to Yeon Jeong-woon’s mind was…
“Stupid! We should’ve grabbed Park Ki-hyuk back then.”
Seven Stars had definitely had a chance.
Park Ki-hyuk.
They made contact with his blossoming talent before anyone else.
Of course, it was due to a foolish mistake by his son, but who cares about the process when you’re a merchant? What matters is the result.
“Who would have thought that was the lowest point? Knowing he’d rise like this, we should’ve snatched him up somehow back then.”
In fact, Yeon Jeong-woon had been keeping an eye on Park Ki-hyuk.
From the moment he was discharged and recovered his health.
First of all, he’s a Sword Master, isn’t he?
A lineage renowned not just in Korea but around the world. Even as a single drop of bl**d, Park Ki-hyuk was valuable enough.
Even with Mana Deficiency Syndrome, his bl**d doesn’t just disappear.
But his misjudgment was beyond what he expected.
Park Ki-hyuk disbanded over half of the teams during the first-year midterms. The Academy, filled with talents gathered from across the nation, where he reigned as an unparalleled calamity among them.
Moreover, the magic he demonstrated during this process was a never-before-seen new concept, catching the attention of the magic academic world.
There’s also a rumor, though this isn’t confirmed, that he played a key role in resolving the large-scale abduction incident carried out by the Evolutionary Group the following year.
There were also whispers that he played a role in the recent ‘Red Gate’ incident.
Currently, Park Ki-hyuk’s stock price is not just hitting the upper limit – it’s breaking through the charts.
The problem is, no one can even gauge how much higher this could go.
“Still, he must join. Park Ki-hyuk is the master key to Miracle. If we have him, everything will be resolved.”
Yeon Jeong-woon knows it – the probability of recruiting Park Ki-hyuk is slim.
But a true merchant knows how to invest in even a slim possibility and produce results.
This is why he called his daughter, Yeon Su-ji.
“Su-ji, try to entice Park Ki-hyuk.”
“…What? You call me when I’m busy, and the thing you ask me to do is ‘entice’ someone? Dad, for a long time now I’ve wanted to say this – you really have an issue with your character. Honestly.”
“My character is my business. You bring Park Ki-hyuk in front of me. No means are off-limits.”
“Must we do it this way, Dad? You know he rejected us before. Moreover, he’s not normal. That time… with the, the, bodies…”
“Bodies? So what? He hasn’t committed any crimes, and his abilities are solid.”
“You don’t understand, do you? Dad, I’m a woman too.”
“Instead, if you succeed, Seven Stars is yours.”
“Everything?”
“Everything. All of it. I’ll make it so you entirely own Seven Stars. Jeon-hoon’s share, and even the shares of other family members will be gone.”
“Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
The entire Seven Stars Group was put on the line.
Yeon Su-ji is also a person with the bl**d of a merchant. If the other party has wagered Seven Stars for a bet, it’s natural for this side to attempt it as well.
As charming as possible, and yet also exuding the same atmosphere of respectability that reminds Park Ki-hyuk of the person he admires most – his mother, Kim Yeon-hee, she went to meet him.
When she saw Park Ki-hyuk again, he had grown even taller and handsomer than expected. Hmm, warmer, maybe?
True, what’s wrong with liking corpses? Compared to what other tycoons get tangled up in – affairs or illegitimate children – playing with corpses is far better.
Thus, Yeon Su-ji seriously extended her hand, envisioning a future with Park Ki-hyuk.
“Who are you?”
Who… are you?
Is that truly all I am now?
So, she’d forgotten about him entirely.
Later, she said…
“Oh! I remember now. You’re the person who guided me back then, right? Nice to see you again. Let’s do well together.”
To any outsider, it seemed like a casual expression. In fact, it seemed like she just wanted to finish the greeting quickly because she was tired.
Sigh. A sigh involuntarily escaped her.
Is this all I am to him?
Who was she? She was Yeon Su-ji of the Seven Stars Group.
The Yeon Su-ji who doesn’t even extend a business card to most tycoons!
Just looking at her background, there aren’t that many women in Korea who can surpass her. Moreover, she doesn’t just rely on her family background; she also possesses outstanding personal abilities. Honestly, she considered her face to be one that didn’t fall short anywhere.
And yet, not only did he prefer corpses over her the first time they met, but now he’s forgotten her entirely.
Still, she managed to bite her lip.
Right. He’s a Sword Master. If he’s a Sword Master, it makes sense, doesn’t it?
Yeon Su-ji forcibly rationalized her situation while suppressing her pride and suggested they have a drink.
“Sorry, but I don’t drink alcohol. It leads to muscle loss. I’ll be going then.”
“Yo, Jin Yu-ri, can you drive me? Don’t bother talking nonsense. It’s not like we’re going somewhere to play around. It’s the day Uncle Do-ha and I work on the Dragon Armor.”
KO.
Utterly crushed.
Yeon Su-ji, left alone, clenched her teeth.
“Good. It’s going to be like this, huh?”
A spirit of defiance emerged at this point.
“Secretary Han, has what I mentioned before been found? Secure it. Spend whatever it takes, just secure it.”
She made up her mind.
Park Ki-hyuk. I will get him.
No, even if I can’t make him mine, I will at least make him acknowledge me.
I’ll ensure that he will never again say “Who are you?” when he looks at me.
Yeon Su-ji’s eyes shone brightly.
The day after meeting Yeon Su-ji.
The on-site class officially began.
Fortunately, we were assigned to a relatively nearby area in Incheon. We decided to meet at the designated place by our own accord.
So now I’m riding in Jin Yu-ri’s car.
Currently, Jin Yu-ri is ecstatic. She’s been in this state ever since seeing the Dragon Armor that Jin Do-ha and I were working on yesterday.
“…It was incredible. Really, it was beautiful. How can you materialize magic into ‘metal’? What kind of thought process leads to that? It’s astonishing, Ki-hyuk.”
“Enough. Compliments should be limited, right? How many times has she said it now?”
“I don’t want to stop. I’ll say it a hundred times if I have to! It’s a shame. We didn’t have more materials, but Dad didn’t say anything too, but he was really regretful.”
“No, yesterday was enough. Pushing further would have been dangerous.”
“Don’t be humble. I want to see it again soon.”
Jin Yu-ri, looking back with reverie, her eyes gleaming.
Honestly, even I thought it was remarkable.
Metal made purely out of magical matter. In my previous life as a Demon Lord, such a thing never even crossed my mind.
“That reminds me, about her yesterday.”
“Her?”
“Yeon Su-ji. Our leader. I don’t think I’m to her liking.”
“Has there ever been someone you actually like?”
“Why wouldn’t there be? You, Mary, Jun-woo – I quickly became friends with all of you. Even our Sister TMI.”
“Sure, sure, I get it. So why don’t you like her?”
“She just keeps fawning over you, pretending to know you, flashing those subtle smiles. Especially her outfit! It’s exactly what you’d call the Mother Look.”
“Mother? Aunt Hae-ryeon?”
“No! Our mother.”
“Are you seriously talking about my mom?”
“What’s with you? Of course. Who else would your mother be?”
Unbelievable. Where does this sense of confidence come from?
Since when did my mother become “our” mother?
While I find it strange, on her side, she’s already incredibly agitated.
“Look. Neatly parted hair, business attire for women, a blouse that slightly accentuates the collarbone, and a brooch for flair. I know this, I’ve seen it countless times!”
“…How do you know it better than me, who sees her every day?”
“Hmph, this is why raising a son is pointless.”
“You’re… you’re at it again with your nonsense.”
Then wait…
What did she say earlier? Business attire?
My gaze traveled from Jin Yu-ri’s head down.
“Neatly parted hair.”
“Chuckle.”
“Business attire for women…”
“Snicker.”
“Blouse that slightly accentuates the collarbone…”
“Ahem.”
“Brooch for flair…”
“Er, How do you think I look? I gave it a thoughtful effort. Ah, don’t worry, my regular clothes are here. This is combat wear! I’m making a grand declaration to that fox today.”
“Y-yeah, do as you please.”
“There’s no way I can lose.”
Jin Yu-ri, giving a chilling smile while saying, “You’ll see.”
While I should be used to it by now, she always manages to surprise me. She’s crazy in a very unique way. That’s talent, always evolving madness.
After arriving at the appointed place, we joined the group and set off.
The official start of the on-site class began inside the city hall.
“Before we begin, I have something to say. A Night Officer’s main task is dealing with ‘Red Gates.’ These investigation or bodyguard support tasks are literally ‘support’ roles. They are secondary.”
“So, it means if we don’t want to, we don’t have to do it, right?”
“Exactly.”
In response to my question, Yeon Su-ji smiled and said,
“Still, it’s good to do it. Though the pay is low compared to the work, it adds to your record. Accumulated records can lead to equipment support like weapons and invitations to national events.”
After briefly glancing at our group, she continued.
“But you all probably don’t need such things, do you? Let’s move on to the main topic.”
Yeon Su-ji pulled out a pad from her extradimensional backpack and showed us the document displayed on it.
“This is the mana usage permit. In principle, all mana used without this permit is illegal.”
Magic or not, any superhuman ability can’t be used outside the Gate.
“Of course, even with laws in place, some people will use their abilities. I’ve used it a few times, and I’m sure you all have too. As long as it doesn’t harm anyone or cause material damage, it generally gets overlooked. However,”
Yeon Su-ji extended three fingers.
“There are two types of magic that must never be used.”
One.
“AoE magic.”
Two.
“Mental magic.”
AoE magic harbors the risk of massacre and mental magic can destroy a person’s personality.
“I’ll explain these points in more depth as we go along. Please follow me.”
At the Night Officer counter, we had to fill in several forms.
Filling, and more filling… I won’t. Do you agree? Attention please.
Check, check. It was all paperwork.
“Tedious, isn’t it? Night Officers spend so much time on paperwork that it runs from start to finish. Some people choose to become Hunters because they dislike this.”
At that moment, Mary raised her hand.
“Question, do we have to do this every time?”
“Technically, yes… However, all of you will join an Agent organization, right? Once you join, your assigned leader will take care of this.”
Jin Yu-ri said cheekily,
“We’re all fine then, since our ‘Mother’ will take care of it, right?”
ZIP ZIP –
Briefly, sparks flew between Yeon Su-ji and Jin Yu-ri.
“…If you’re done with the paperwork, shall we move on?”
Next, we headed to the police station.
We had to confirm the official document at the police station where we would be operating.
“Many people think that Night Officers are part of the government. That’s not true. Technically, Night Officers are freelancers. When the government requests assistance, Night Officers provide services in exchange for a fee.”
The document review at the police station confirms this cooperation request. What tasks we’ll accomplish and what we’ll receive.
“Once you sign this, you’re temporarily part of the government. This evidence allows us to seek police assistance. Officer, may I ask a favor?”
Thus, we reviewed the incident file given by the police officer before heading to an area where supernatural crimes frequently occurred.
*
In the heart of downtown.
Amidst the bustling crowd of people, two men were having a conversation.
“It’s easy, I tell you!”
“…W, well…”
“Hey, frustrating, isn’t it? Just follow me. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
The man, rubbing his hands together, moved into the crowded area. His target was someone who ‘looked wealthy.’
Spotting a designer handbag amidst the crowd,
There it is.
He motioned with his eyes. That one.
“Keep watching closely.”
Silently, the man moved like a ghost.
He extended his hand. Wind gathered, forming a shape, and a blade of wind flashed.
The man sliced the handbag. The bag parted silently. Retrieving the wallet through the slit, the man leisurely returned to his companions.
“See that?”
“Yes, I saw it. Your skills are impressive.”
“Yep, I’m the best…”
Before he could gloat, he realized the voice was female.
“d*mn it!!”
Noticing this, the man turned to flee but…
A fist filled his entire field of vision.
BOOM!
And the man went flying.
Yeon Su-ji, standing on the chest of the man who was trying to get up, calmly spoke.
“Thus, mana is easily applicable for criminal purposes with just a simple use. Jun-woo, please return this wallet to its rightful owner.”
