Unexpected Offers

"Joon-ho Kang," Hye-su greeted him, her voice calm and measured. "I've been looking for you."

Joon-ho's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Hye-su's words. He hadn't expected the CEO of NexaCorp Korea to be seeking him out, of all people.

"Uh, hello there," he replied, a hint of confusion lacing his tone. "You've been looking for me? Is there something I can help you with?"

Hye-su regarded him with a penetrating gaze, her expression inscrutable.

"If you are indeed the Joon-ho Kang I've been searching for, then yes, there is something I need to discuss with you," she replied, her tone slightly sharp.

Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves at her response. It was clear that Hye-su had a purpose in seeking him out, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to be drawn into something far beyond his usual realm of experience. Nevertheless, he tried to maintain an air of composure as he waited for her to continue.

"Then, what brings you here?" Joon-ho inquired, curious about the purpose of her unexpected visit.

"Have you heard about NexaCorp Korea's plan to open NexaCorp Korea University?" Hye-su met his gaze, her expression unreadable.

"Ah, yes, I've heard about the university," Joon-ho replied, nodding slowly. "Mr. Park, my teacher, mentioned it briefly."

"Good. Then you understand the purpose behind our initiative," Hye-su nodded, her expression neutral.

"But why come to me personally? I mean, I'm just a student. I don't have any special skills or qualifications," Joon-ho questioned, furrowing his brow.

"To be honest, we wouldn't have reached out to you at all if it weren't for one particular reason," Hye-su admitted with a shrug.

Joon-ho felt a pang of disappointment at her blunt words, but he pushed it aside, eager to hear her explanation.

"And what reason would that be?" he inquired, trying to hide his deflated spirits.

"We're interested in your eyewitness account of the incident with the mysterious player who nearly broke NexaRealm," Hye-su leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady.

Joon-ho's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing with questions. How had NexaCorp Korea discovered his encounter with the mysterious player? The only person he had confided in was Soo-jin, and she wasn't one to gossip.

Could it be possible that NexaCorp Korea was wiretapping players' conversations? If so, it would constitute a serious breach of privacy, raising ethical and legal concerns.

"You want to know about that?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Yes," Hye-su confirmed. "Your firsthand account could provide valuable insight into what happened that day. We're trying to piece together the events leading up to the incident, and your perspective could prove invaluable."

Joon-ho mulled over her words, a mix of apprehension and indignation swirling within him. The idea that his private conversations could be monitored without his consent left him feeling uneasy and violated.

Joon-ho's eyes widened in disbelief, his mind reeling with the implications of Hye-su's revelation.

"How did you learn that I saw the mysterious man?" he questioned, his voice tinged with incredulity.

Uncannily, Hye-su explained.

"We have video records of every single corner of NexaRealm, always on record. This includes the events of that fateful day." She paused, her expression serious. "Through the footage we recovered, the mysterious man appeared as a bleak image of void. We need your firsthand account to fill in the gaps."

Joon-ho's unease deepened as he realized the extent of NexaCorp's surveillance.

"But this is a breach of privacy," he argued, his tone growing more assertive.

Hye-su's response was sharp and decisive.

"Players are required to read and accept the terms and conditions before playing any game," she retorted.

With a swift gesture, she produced a device that Joon-ho had never seen before. From it, a hologram-like projection materialized, displaying the terms and conditions of NexaRealm. Specifically highlighted was a clause granting NexaCorp the authority to record players, including their voice and conversations, for safety reasons.

Joon-ho tried to protest, citing scenarios where such surveillance could lead to abuse.

"What if players share sensitive information, like their card PIN or even confess to a crime?" he argued.

But Hye-su remained unfazed.

"That's precisely why the rule exists," she countered. "With the growing popularity of NexaRealm, both virtual and physical world theft is on the rise. This rule allows us to swiftly identify wrongdoers and maintain a safe gaming environment for all players."

Hye-su listened intently as Joon-ho recounted the events surrounding the mysterious player. Once he had finished, she nodded thoughtfully.

"Thank you for sharing your experience," she said, her voice measured. "Your testimony sheds some light on the situation."

Joon-ho regarded her sceptically.

"But why do you need my testimony if you already have the video footage?" he pressed, his tone tinged with suspicion.

Hye-su sighed, her expression growing serious.

"The video, audio, and everything surrounding the mysterious man was nothing but a bleak void," she explained. "We need firsthand accounts to fill in the gaps. Your perspective could provide valuable insight into what happened that day."

Joon-ho's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"You mean to say that you don't have it?" he asked incredulously.

Hye-su nodded.

"Exactly. We don't have your conversation with Soo-jin recorded," she confirmed. "However, we do have a recreation of it."

With a wave of her hand, she gestured toward a screen that materialized before them, displaying a vivid recreation of the conversation Joon-ho had with Soo-jin in NexaCorp's recreation room.

Joon-ho watched in astonishment as the scene unfolded before him, his words echoing in the virtual space. Soo-jin's animated reactions mirrored the suspense of his tale, and Joon-ho found himself drawn back into the mystery that had captivated them both.

As the recreation reached its climax, Hye-su turned to Joon-ho.

"Your account could be crucial in unravelling the mysteries of NexaRealm," she explained. "We need your help to understand what happened and how it could impact the future of the game."

Joon-ho hesitated, his mind racing with questions. But deep down, he knew that this was an opportunity he couldn't ignore. With a nod, he agreed to cooperate, knowing that his actions could have far-reaching consequences for the virtual world they both inhabited.

Joon-ho's brows furrowed in frustration as he listened to Hye-su's response.

"But what's the point of me joining the university if you don't need me and I won't be doing what you expect?" he argued, his voice tinged with defiance.

Hye-su met his gaze evenly.

"The choice is yours, Joon-ho," she replied calmly. "What you aim to achieve at the university is up to you. You'll be subjected to regular interviews, unless we find you not worth interviewing anymore."

Joon-ho's jaw clenched as he weighed his options. Finally, he shook his head.

"I refuse," he stated firmly, his tone resolute.

A sly smile played at the corners of Hye-su's lips as she reached for the device once more. With a flick of her wrist, a video footage materialized before them, showing a man engaged in conversation with Soo-jin. Joon-ho's heart skipped a beat as he watched Soo-jin's happy expression on the screen.

Hye-su spoke over the footage, her voice taking on a sinister edge.

"We've already extended an offer to invite Soo-jin Kim to the university," she revealed. "And she accepted without hesitation."

Joon-ho's heart sank at the realization. Soo-jin, joining the university? It seemed surreal, and yet, there it was, unfolding before his eyes.

But Hye-su wasn't finished.

"Soo-jin is not a strong player," she continued, her words cutting through the air like a knife. "Without proper guidance, she's bound to fail."

A chill ran down Joon-ho's spine as he processed her words. Soo-jin, failing? The mere thought was unthinkable to him.

Hye-su leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"It would be a shame to see her dreams crushed," she remarked, her tone dripping with insincerity. "But perhaps, with the right mentor, she could succeed."

Joon-ho's fists clenched at his sides as anger surged within him. To think that Hye-su would stoop to such manipulative tactics. He felt a surge of protectiveness towards Soo-jin, his resolve hardening.

"No," he declared, his voice steady with determination. "I won't be a part of your schemes. Soo-jin's dreams are not yours to manipulate."

Hye-su's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure.

"Very well, Joon-ho," she replied coolly. "The choice is yours. But remember, actions have consequences."

Hye-su fixed Joon-ho with a steely gaze, her voice carrying a hint of finality.

"Oh, and as the director of the university, dropping someone isn't a difficult decision," she remarked coolly. "I look forward to seeing both of you there."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode back to her black sedan, the sleek vehicle glinting in the dim light of the street. Climbing into the driver's seat, she started the engine and drove off into the night, leaving Joon-ho standing alone on the sidewalk, his mind whirling with confusion and uncertainty.

Torn between loyalty to his friend and the weight of Hye-su's veiled threats, Joon-ho found himself faced with a difficult decision. As he watched the taillights of the sedan disappear into the distance, he knew that whatever choice he made would have far-reaching consequences. And with the looming specter of NexaCorp Korea University hanging over him, Joon-ho couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store.