542

 [Chapter 147]

[The Power to Fabricate Truth (4)]

Samra Group.

Eunha didn't remember much information about the Samra Group.

In his previous life, it wasn't a very influential business group.

Groups outside the top 10 were too busy keeping each other in check to raise their voices to the Fairy Lady government...

Compared to what the top 10 groups did, it was just child's play.

In the Player-related market,

Galaxy Group and Sirius Group showed strength in the device sector.

Alice Group was strong in the potion sector, and Yeongwon Group in the insurance sector.

And while the Dangun Group, which had a huge influence on the Player market, dominated connections and land distribution,

The Samra Group dominated air and sea distribution, as well as the energy development sector.

But the Samra Group was strongly overshadowed compared to other groups that occupied the market.

Since the sky and sea had many dangerous aspects, there were limits to the group's growth.

The path to expand to land was essentially blocked by the Dangun Group.

So the Samra Group could only reign as a nominal ruler of sky and sea.

Naturally, the Samra Group didn't often show itself in official settings.

All Eunha remembered about the Samra Group was that the person who would someday become its chairman was a woman with odd eyes.

"─Hae-in, you... Isn't that going too far no matter what?" "Why come late and cause such a commotion? If you're late, you should just quietly come in and keep your seat, why draw attention like an idiot? Are you an attention seeker?"

"Hey... Oh Hae-in! Are you really going to be like this?"

"..."

In that sense,

Eunha was at a loss for words seeing Oh Hae-in of Samra Group suddenly step forward and threaten Hong Ye-hwa of Dangun Ilbo.

She speaks so harshly...

Was she suppressing her personality before the regression?

Oh Hae-in openly picking a fight.

She seemed far from the word caution.

She who hadn't left an impression on Eunha in his previous life, overshadowed by other direct descendants, was clearly imprinted at this moment.

She's a troublemaker...

And Eunha frowned.

Oh Hae-in, who was calmly causing trouble in a place where one word becomes a sword, was a typical troublemaker.

A troublemaker who can't control her arrogance after becoming part of the top 10 groups.

That's what he thought at first.

But─

"─What are you doing in front of Seo-hyeon?" "What?"

"Unless you're treating Seo-hyeon like water, you wouldn't bring someone without qualifications to pick a fight. Right?"

"..."

"Are you aware of who you're dealing with? Ah, perhaps your mindset is still stuck in kindergarten?"

"That's not it! I didn't mean to disrespect Seo-hyeon..."

"Then remember clearly. We're no longer in a relationship where we can laugh together like before." "...Ugh..."

Eunha soon changed his thinking.

Oh Hae-in was getting angry on behalf of Han Seo-hyeon.

Now that he looked, she had stepped forward to confront Hong Ye-hwa as if to protect Han Seo-hyeon.

In other words, Oh Hae-in was now thoroughly taking Han Seo-hyeon's side.

"You shouldn't ruin the gathering atmosphere like this on the day Seo-hyeon came out after a long time." "...I'm really sorry about that..."

Hong Ye-hwa biting her lip tightly.

She lowered her head and her shoulders shook.

But Oh Hae-in just snorted, not paying attention to her who once enjoyed glory but has now fallen.

"You're no longer the you of the past. Understand the situation well and act accordingly."

"..." "Now will you take your partner who's been glaring at me and disappear somewhere quiet?"

"...Alright. Seo-hyeon, I'm sorry. This wasn't my intention. If you're angry... I'll formally apologize later." "...No, it's fine. Contact me later. Have a good time today." "Okay, you too. Ah, congratulations on your engagement."

It's not the Dangun of the past.

It's not the Samra of the past.

The situation has completely reversed.

Hong Ye-hwa apologized deeply to Han Seo-hyeon in front of people.

Soon she disappeared somewhere, taking the disgruntled On Tae-yang with her.

Some people followed her, but

It only looked more shabby because it was such a small number.

Dangun was falling.

"Serves them right..."

Meanwhile, Oh Hae-in whistled, seemingly very pleased about something.

She soon turned and spoke to Han Seo-hyeon.

"Hello, Seo-hyeon. It's really been a long time. I wanted to greet you first, but there were so many people flocking to you, so I've been holding back until now." "Yes, hello. It's been a while." "..."

It's completely different from just before.

Eunha looked at Oh Hae-in who was striking up a conversation in a friendly atmosphere.

Their eyes met.

The odd eyes smile.

"Looking up close, you're really tall? Seo-hyeon caught a great fiancé. Ah, I'm the same age as Seo-hyeon so I can speak casually, right?" "...Yes, go ahead."

"You speak casually too. A 2-year difference is like friends."

"I will, then."

The odd eyes observe Eunha.

Eunha also observes Oh Hae-in.

Soon she giggled.

"─You don't have to be so wary."

"..."

"I'm not that bad of a person. The reason I got angry at Ye-hwa earlier was partly personal, and partly because I was annoyed at her looking down on you two." "..."

"But it seemed like you weren't on good terms with that man earlier... If something like that happens again, tell me. I'll teach them a lesson for you."

"It's fine, there's no need for that."

"Don't try to put up walls like that. I just want to be close friends with you. Come on, let's shake hands."

Oh Hae-in holds out her hand.

Eunha stared at that hand for a while, then shook hands with her.

The corners of her mouth rise.

Then she opens her mouth in a clear voice as if for others to hear.

"─On behalf of the Samra Group, I sincerely congratulate you two on your engagement. And congratulations on dating Ha-yang too. I'll come greet you again later when you're with Ha-yang."

""""...!!""""

Congratulations mentioning the group's name.

It meant the group had goodwill at the group level.

And that's from a group occupying the last seat of the top 10 business groups.

Oh Hae-in's statement was enough to make the people gathered in the hall roll their eyes.

"─Yes, thank you for the congratulations."

"Then Seo-hyeon. I hope you have a good time today."

"Yes, thank you."

Han Seo-hyeon giving a formal response.

Oh Hae-in hugged her once and bowed politely.

""""...!!""""

The hall was shocked again.

Even among the same top 10 groups,

Of course, there was a difference in rank between the Samra Group that just entered the last seat and the Sirius Group maintaining 2nd place.

However, the relationship between the two groups was by no means a hierarchical relationship like that between a monarch and subject.

Nevertheless, Oh Hae-in bowing politely and retreating meant─

─Is she going to serve on her own...

It meant she had no intention of turning the Sirius Group into an enemy.

At the same time, it was like saying she would show courtesy to the Sirius Group as a superior.

What on earth is she thinking?

Even so, Oh Hae-in's behavior was groundbreaking.

Eunha watched her return to her seat with a complicated expression.

Just then─

"─Oh Hae-in's behavior is natural. There's no need to think about it in a complicated way."

Han Seo-hyeon opened her mouth beside him.

Eunha turned his gaze to her.

Her eyes were also following Oh Hae-in's back.

"Though it's the last seat, they've entered under the name of the top 10 groups. In this country, the concept of the top 10 groups exerts tremendous power in people's perceptions just by name alone."

"..."

"So from the perspective of the Samra Group newly incorporated into the top 10, they can't look favorably on the Dangun Group, which is still occasionally called one of the top 10 groups among people instead of them. Oh Hae-in shaming Hong Ye-hwa was partly to get angry on our behalf, but it was to imprint here that Samra stands above Dangun."

"...I didn't think of that."

"The Dangun Group is the enemy of the Samra Group. The Samra Group will probably try to keep the Dangun Group in check in the future to erase the Dangun Group from people's memories."

Han Seo-hyeon's explanation.

Eunha nodded.

Now he understood the situation.

If the Samra Group plays the role of keeping the Dangun Group in check... I'd be grateful.

He knew the Dangun Group wouldn't recover.

Nevertheless, Eunha was still wary of the Dangun Group, which still had influence in the Player industry.

But if the Samra Group keeps them in check, it could be said that one worry was reduced.

"But why did Oh Hae-in bow to us just now?"

"To look good."

"But to come out with such a subservient attitude?"

"That can't be helped either."

Meanwhile, Eunha asked Han Seo-hyeon about the unsolved question.

Then she answered as if it was nothing.

"Sirius secured the largest stake and acquired Dangun Market, which is considered the core of the Player Market. Alice also acquired Dangun Distribution." "..."

"But when Dangun was shaken two years ago, other groups weren't idle either. Galaxy acquired Dangun Steel, and others acquired Dangun's affiliates or at least got a foot in the door." "So?"

"The Samra Group acquired one small affiliate among Dangun's affiliates, and was able to get a small stake in Dangun Market and Dangun Distribution. You could say the Samra Group, which had only been active in the sky and sea until now, has a thread-like path to go on land." "..."

"So from the Samra Group's perspective, wouldn't they want to look good to the Sirius Group and Alice Group? We have the largest stakes after all." "..."

"In that sense─"

Han Seo-hyeon turns her gaze.

She looks up at Eunha.

She continues speaking.

"─The Samra Group has no choice but to be favorable to you who has me and Ha-yang. Do you understand now? The reason Oh Hae-in tried to act so politely to you." "...Yeah. There was such a reason."

"But don't let your guard down."

"Why?" "Though the Samra Group is trying to curry favor with you now for the future, who knows if the Samra Group that proudly becomes one of the top 10 groups in the future will give you the same treatment as now." "..."

"The Samra Group will surely dominate land distribution someday. In a world where Dangun has fallen, the only strong player in distribution is the Samra Group."

Han Seo-hyeon warns.

Eunha looked for Oh Hae-in again while listening to her words.

"..."

Far away,

Oh Hae-in was waving her hand.

"─That Oh Hae-in kid is on our side. If you think she's on your side, you'll get burned big time someday. Remember that." "I'll remember."

Han Seo-hyeon says quietly.

Eunha nodded.

☆

The congratulations from people not in the top 10 groups was finally over.

Now all that was left was exchanging greetings with direct descendants belonging to the top 10 groups.

"To think I have to greet twice..." "Are you very tired?"

"...No, I'm fine. Let's go."

Once going around the banquet hall with Han Seo-hyeon, once with Jung Ha-yang.

It's truly inefficient.

Eunha couldn't help but sigh.

Then Jung Ha-yang, who had her arm entwined with his arm, worried about him.

He couldn't make her worry.

So Eunha tried to cheer up and looked for the next direct descendant to meet.

"Ah, there's Geon-ung." "But isn't Geon-ung someone we know? Do we really need to greet him..."

"What we know and what others know is different. Geon-ung!"

They roughly exchanged greetings with the direct descendant representing the Galaxy Group.

They finished greetings with Yeongwon Group and Luminous Group first.

They had their first conversation here with Pine Group's direct descendant.

YH Group's Choi Ye-jin received greetings in place of Choi Ye-jang who said he would rest in the lounge.

It was really hell when greeting Han Seo-yeon...

Meanwhile, ironically,

Eunha had to go greet Jung Ha-yang when going around with Han Seo-hyeon, and conversely had to go greet Han Seo-yeon and Han Seo-hyeon when going around with Jung Ha-yang.

Eunha was in hell then.

He definitely became a spectacle for the people here.

The Samra side treated them very well...

Meanwhile, when Eunha went to meet Oh Hae-in with Ha-yang,

Oh Hae-in treated the two very well, as Han Seo-hyeon predicted.

Anyway, now only two groups were left.

Only KK and Donghae.

"─As I already said at the Academy, congratulations to both of you on dating."

KK Group's direct descendant Kim Geon-ung.

Kim Geon-ung, who was talking with people around him, welcomed Eunha and Jung Ha-yang happily.

"Grandfather's feelings may be different... But for now, I have no intention of being on bad terms with you. Let's get along well in the future."

"You remember you owe me, right?"

"...Yes, I remember."

"Let's get along well."

"Ha..."

Geon-ung, who made a face like he ate something bad for a moment, changed his expression as if nothing happened.

Eunha burst into laughter seeing him flustered before him.

Now only the Donghae Group was left.

"─Hah... You came again. I told you to come greet all at once. Why are you being so formal like this."

"Young master."

"...Alright, you two date well. Is that enough?"

Donghae Group's direct descendant Jung Geum-jeon.

He spoke indifferently, sitting on a sofa in the corner of the banquet hall.

Then he rested his chin on his hand and snorted.

"But Jung squirt." "Yes, what?"

"Just what do you like about Noh squirt that made you decide to date him? No matter how I think about it, I can't understand your taste. What's so good about Noh squirt..."

"This hyung is saying─"

Jung Geum-jeon grumbling while pointing at Eunha.

Eunha was about to say something in disbelief.

Just then─

"─He's handsome! Extremely!" """"...."""

"Wh-what did you say?"

"He's extremely handsome. The reason I like Eunha is also..." """"...."""

Jung Ha-yang interrupting Eunha's words.

She shouts confidently as if for those around to hear.

She excitedly chatters about the points she fell for in Eunha.

 Everyone heard that sound.

Jung Geum-jeon was open-mouthed, saying it was unbelievable.

Finally, Eunha─

"─Ha-yang, please stop..."

He couldn't lift his face due to embarrassment.

He wanted to hide if there was even a mouse hole.

They say Eunha bowed his head deeply.

☆

"─Eunha, do you have a moment?"

The rounds of greetings must be finished.

The gathering must be almost over.

He was about to take a rest while eating his fill of food he hadn't tried before.

Just then, Yoo Do-jun suddenly approached Eunha.

"Why? What's the matter?"

"It's a bit awkward to talk here... Shall we go outside to talk?"

"...Alright, then."

Yoo Do-jun's face was serious.

Eunha, examining his expression, decided to talk outside.

Fortunately, they could go up to the rooftop if they went up one more floor.

"Ha..."

"What's the matter?"

The night breeze is lukewarm.

Eunha and Yoo Do-jun, who went out under the summer night sky, leaned on the railing and looked at the night view for a while.

""..."" 

The night in Myeongdong was bright.

But areas outside Seoul were just dark.

"─I just received a contact."

While vaguely counting the outskirts of Seoul.

Yoo Do-jun finally opened his mouth.

Eunha listened to his words.

"According to what the people investigating Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals found out..."

Depressingly and heavily.

Yoo Do-jun listed what he had discovered while investigating Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals, sighing in between.

─So... it has reached this point.

A story he had heard once in his previous life.

Eunha was amazed that Yoo Do-jun had uncovered the darkness of Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals a year faster than before the regression.

But the story he was telling was not something that could be dealt with just by admiration.

"─Is this what you're talking about?"

"...Yes."

Yoo Do-jun handed over his smartphone.

It was a photo of a research report he said he obtained while investigating Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals.

Eunha read the title of the report.

"─New Humanity Project..."

New Humanity Project.

It was a report on human experiments.

Even without flipping through a few more photos, Eunha could tell what Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals was plotting.

That's why he also knew why Yoo Do-jun had such a serious face.

But you would do it.

The darkness deeply entangled with the Yeongwon Group.

It was something that could uproot the Yeongwon Group if done wrong.

Nevertheless, Yoo Do-jun came to find Eunha with ambition, to correct what was wrong.

"Eunha."

"Yeah."

So Eunha could tell what Yoo Do-jun would say next.

He, no different from before the regression.

Looked at Yoo Do-jun opening his mouth as if he had decided something.

"─Let me make one request. If it goes wrong... it's a request where you could die."

Solemnly.

As if giving room.

Yoo Do-jun spits out.

But Eunha no longer wanted to hear what he was trying to say.

"─Alright, fine. I'll grant your request." "...What?" "I said I'll grant your request. What's the problem?"

"No, hey... Think carefully..."

"There's nothing to think carefully about."

"..."

"I told you."

Yoo Do-jun standing blankly.

Yoo Do-jun waiting for the next words.

Noh Eunha smirked.

"─That I'd make you king."

He owed many debts to Yoo Do-jun.

Now, it's time to repay those debts.