When I went down to the first floor with Su-ah, I saw A-ram, who had finished preparing, Manager Han, who always looked neat as usual, and a woman who seemed strangely familiar.
She had black hair tied into a ponytail and a cold expression on her face. Her beauty was so striking that I felt like I could never forget her, even after seeing her just once.
'She's the National Intelligence Service (NIS) spy.'
Although she smiled brightly at me, like a stewardess, I knew her true identity: she was a spy sent by the NIS. I had no idea what her purpose for being here was, but there was no way her true feelings matched that expression.
'She's one of the candidates who came to be a secretary but was sent back. Why would they send her up again?'
The three of them stood up and bowed their heads when they saw me.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"Who's this?"
"Oh, this is someone who will assist Miss Lim Su-ah from yesterday."
"…Seo Eun-mi, Young Master."
"I know. I saw you yesterday."
"Although you may not be satisfied with her, she is the most capable among the remaining candidates."
It seemed like there had been a recent personnel change, and it looked like they didn't have anyone else to assign to me.
'Or could Secretary Han also be from the NIS?'
On a hunch, I checked the information on Han Kyung-baek.
[Han Kyung-baek]
Age: 41
Affiliation: Goryeo Group
Race: Human
Level: 119
Strength: 118
Will: 131
Tech: 102
Leadership: 110
Charm: 76
There was nothing particularly noteworthy. He didn't seem like someone who could be a spy for the NIS or any other agency.
The only odd thing was that his stats were a bit underwhelming. Of course, by absolute standards, he was an incredibly talented individual, but compared to the level of a secretary directly serving the Main family, especially with the title of 'Manager,' his age was relatively young and his abilities were lacking.
I suppose that's why he had been working as a secretary for someone like Go Mu-yeol, a reckless fool.
'Wait, but he's an eunuch?'
That was a bit of a surprise and also a shame. I hadn't expected someone like Manager Han, who seemed so perfect in every way, to have such a characteristic.
"Alright, if there's no one else, we have no choice. Starting today, you'll assist Miss Su-ah." "Yes, Young Master. I'll do my best so as not to disappoint you." Seo Eun-mi smiled brightly and bowed. She really was pretty.
I wondered how she would react if I touched her. When I touched her butt yesterday, she didn't react at all. If I pushed it further, would she still stay silent? A NIS spy?
"I'm Lim Su-ah. Please take care of me, Eun-mi."
"…Yes, please take care of me."
As I watched the two women exchange greetings, Manager Han bowed again. Seo A-ram hesitated for a moment, then followed suit and bowed.
"Then, Young Master, we'll be going now."
"Go on."
"Yes, we'll be back."
"Alright. Take care."
The two of them disappeared. Now, only Lim Su-ah, Seo Eun-mi (Ha Eunyeong), and I were left in this large house.
'With the police and the NIS here, I'm really going crazy.'
Lim Su-ah was fine since she was part of the corrupt police, but Seo Eun-mi was a clear spy who had even used a fake name to get in. Moreover, her specialty was blatantly listed as 'Patriot,' so it didn't seem like I could bribe her or do anything to turn her to my side.
'How should I deal with her?'
"Then, Master, what should I do now?"
"Before that, have you solved your workplace issue?"
"Oh, yes. This morning, through a personnel change, I've officially been assigned to serve you, along with my entire team."
"Wow, that was fast."
As someone who still remembers the pre-possession version of South Korea, I found it both incomprehensible and hard to accept.
The police, which were so closely linked to the people and often called the "staff of the people," actually organized a whole team just to protect a third-generation chaebol heir who held no official position.
This was a moment that showed just how corrupt the public authority was in the South Korea depicted in this story.
"...."
And as expected, Seo Eun-mi, who had the "Patriot" trait, slightly twitched her expression.
Such corruption was absolutely unacceptable.
The personal use of public power.
It would likely be incredibly irritating for her.
'But in the end, she probably can't do anything about it.'
The South Korea in this story only becomes more corrupt as time goes on.
No, it's not just South Korea— the entire world is slowly stagnating.
If the player were to pursue a route to restore "justice," things would be different, but if not, it will just keep decaying, and eventually, "democracy" itself will collapse, and another form of monarchical rule will rise again under a different name.
'It's practically hell… but that's not my problem.'
I have no intention of going against the flow of the times, nor am I aiming to change the top leadership. I'm just thinking of possibly becoming the one at the top instead.
Since someone is going to become a monarch anyway, wouldn't it be better if it were me? I mean, I'm already possessed after all.
In that sense, I remind myself of what I need to do.
1. Find a secretary
2.
3. Get the female protagonist
4.
5. Kill the male protagonist
6.
7. Secure the RK-99 development and manufacturing facilities
8.
I've already taken care of numbers 1 and 2.
The remaining tasks are number 3 and 4.
As for the RK-99, I could make it immediately.
The problem is securing it.
The moment I start developing it, people from all over, even from within the Goryeo Group itself, will come after it.
So, I need to secure at least a minimal amount of military force before I proceed.
But if I suddenly start hiring mercenaries and arming myself for no reason, it's easy to draw suspicion like, "What is that guy trying to do?"
The best move is to act with a plausible justification.
'Since my company is Goryeo Entertainment, I could just bring in some celebrities or trainees, and then gradually build up my force under the pretext of protecting them.'
Of course, it wouldn't be a perfect cover, but it would be much better than doing it for no reason at all.
Most importantly, since Go Mu-yeol had already built up a perfect "reckless" image, it would be okay to overdo it to some extent.
'No, wait, let's think simply. I can just buy some cheap trainees, attach cyberware to them, debut some of them, and make the others my secretaries.'
The mercenaries can be used briefly at first and then discarded, while I focus on training the Goryeo Entertainment trainees.
So, the task I need to do right now is...
"How many team members do you have? Was it 15 yesterday?"
"There are 30 in total, including me."
"That's quite a lot. I have a criminal I need to deal with. I'll give you their details, so just send about half of your team to catch them. If not, you can just dispose of them."
"Uh... dispose of them? They are a criminal, right?"
The male protagonist's background was that of a thug who used to throw punches in the back alleys of Incheon, so yes, he was a criminal.
"That's right. Make sure to report it properly so there's no backtalk."
"If I report, there might be interference. It could become an obstacle to your wishes, Master."
"I don't care. Just get rid of that guy."
"Understood."
Upon hearing the details about the male protagonist, Lim Su-ah immediately picked up the phone to relay the orders.
"And Seo Eun-mi?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"My company is supposed to be an entertainment agency, yet there isn't a single celebrity under contract."
Until yesterday, there was one, but I kicked him out. I had to pay about 300 million won in penalty fees, but that's something I can endure.
"Find out if there are any actors, idols, or trainees available to purchase. Either call around to other agencies or figure it out."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Oh."
I stopped Seo Eun-mi, who was about to move.
"Only young women."
"..."
"They need to be pretty and sexy. That's how they have market value."
"...I understand. Young and...pretty women, right?"
Her face showed reluctance, but she forced a smile before leaving.
I admired her swaying back as I picked up the phone. The caller was Go Ha-yan, the cousin of Go Mu-yeol.
The same woman I had run into yesterday at Geumsusan Palace.
Since she was family, I had her contact details.
-Who is this? Did the sun rise from the west today? You're the one calling.
"I didn't think you'd answer, but thank you for picking up, Sister."
-It's surprising. The name that shouldn't be on my screen is showing up.
Her seductive voice carried a hint of mockery. It echoed in my ear, and I couldn't help but recall the face and form I had seen yesterday, which led to a sudden, unwelcome physical reaction.
'Damn, even so, she's my sister...'
I briefly thought this and then remembered: she's Go Mu-yeol's sister, not mine. A crude logic surfaced.
-So, what's the matter? I don't think we're on the kind of terms where we casually chat.
I checked the clock on the wall.
10:39 AM.
There was plenty of time until lunch. Dinner was even farther away.
"How about we have a meal later? Just family. I'll treat you."
-What?
Her bright, mocking laughter came through the phone. It seemed so strange to her that I suggested we eat together.
After laughing for a while, she lowered her voice.
-Hey, what's your game here? Are you trying to drug me or something?
"What scheme could I have? I'm just trying to grow the company I inherited."
-The company? Ah, right. You got that Goryeo Entertainment thing, didn't you? So, you're calling me for that? You want me to help your lackeys get on TV?
Go Ha-yan.
She would later become one of the key figures in Goryeo Group, taking a high-ranking position in Goryeo.
But before that, she had significant influence in South Korea's broadcasting and advertising industries.
People might say one-man media is the trend now, but ultimately, even that industry is still controlled by advertisements.
-Whatever, just get on TV. Why are you calling me? Do you think I'll go out of my way to interfere with you?
"That's not it. Since I'm using the 'Goryeo Group' name, I didn't think it would look good to expand without contacting you."
-Wow... you've been acting weird since yesterday. What, did you take something? I can't get used to this new version of you.
"I'm reflecting on my past mistakes. You could say I was shocked... because of what happened yesterday."
-...
Through the phone, I heard a little sniffle. It seemed like she wasn't used to my sudden change.
I wasn't an outstanding or capable person, but Go Mu-yeol had to be kind of an idiot, right?
-Fine. Our cute little brother is trying to turn over a new leaf and do something useful. As your sister, I should help. So, what do you need?
"All I need is for my 'Goryeo Entertainment' to be able to fully utilize the name and influence of 'Goryeo Group.'"
-So you're saying don't get in your way and stay out of it? Alright, go ahead and do what you want. But if your lackeys succeed, they better prioritize my ads. You don't mind that, do you?
"No complaints here."
I wasn't planning on making money from advertising anyway.
Raising celebrities was just a side project for me.
-Oh, and I don't need to eat. I'm hanging up.
She didn't even listen to my farewell before hanging up.
It was a rude act, but thinking back on Go Mu-yeol's past behavior, I should be thankful that she even treated me this way.