◈ Episode 30

"I'm thinking about starting a company."

Kim Yi-hyun's words made the surroundings quiet. The silence didn't last even three seconds. The eyes that had been focused on him also returned to their original positions.

"I don't have a lot of savings… but I do have a lot, and I'm confident I can quit drinking and smoking if I'm told to. So please! Just this once, please set up a seat for me."

"When did you say that your face would make you a woman?"

"No, we didn't meet. I guess I've been living too harshly. I thought someone would get my number if I wandered around the downtown area at night!"

"You were running around because of that? You crazy bastard."

Pep and Jenna chatted amongst themselves, while Bryce took a sip of rum and worked on his personal gear.

The most serene was Chelsea. It was only on the outside. She sat on the sofa, hugging a cushion, and glared at the agents with a sharp look in her eyes.

Not all of the White Fang survivors were here. Bald Robben and a young man named Peterson had already moved to another affiliation. They would be busy working by now.

anyway.

"...I'm thinking about starting a company."

"You don't have to say it twice. I heard it all."

Kim Hyun-ah frowned at Bryce's answer.

"But why is the reaction like this?"

"It was a bit out of the blue, but I guess that's how it is. Considering your personality, it's not surprising."

"Is that a compliment?"

"It's not a bad thing."

I feel really awkward. It was only after I had a few words with Bryce that Jenna brought up the topic.

"If it's a company, it's the one I told you about before, right?"

"By the way, you said you could hire me. Were you serious?"

"I lie, but I don't tell empty words."

"What difference does that make?"

Pick-smiled Jenna and sat up straight.

"Actually, I'm a little interested. Maybe it's because White Fang ended up like this, but I don't want to go to another platoon like Robben or Peterson."

Only one person responded positively. Bryce immediately expressed his discomfort.

"If you're talking to us, it means you're thinking of PMC-affiliated companies, but it'll be hard to establish a foothold in Cilicia right now. Even the original companies are looking for a way to survive."

"I also think it's oversaturated."

That was a good point. With the number of outlaws drastically reduced, the mercenary market is a red ocean. The chances of a startup succeeding are slim.

But first, I thought I should correct a misunderstanding.

"It's probably a bit different from what you're thinking. If I were to put it into perspective, well, it's closer to White Fang taking on tasks autonomously than Lotus Company. They'll probably be working as a small group of elites."

"Does it feel like a mercenary force with only a company name?"

"Then, the capital may be small, but… the problem remains the work, right?"

"I've taken up the job. It's pretty long-term."

Huh. Bryce let out a squeak.

"When on earth did that happen?"

"Yesterday. Apparently the council needs help. They were worried that the gloomy guys living underground might not be able to adapt upstairs."

Bryce stopped what he was doing and sat down to think. Pep still looked hesitant. Meanwhile, Jenna raised her hand.

"Me. I want to join."

"Can you just decide like that?"

"Whatever. No matter where I go, I'll be a newbie, so I feel more comfortable here considering the prejudice. And besides, it's a parliamentary job, right? It's nice because it's clean and there's no need to worry about the aftermath."

"Oh, man. That sounds about right…."

"I'll work as hard as him. Pay me twice as much."

A motivated workforce was created. Even Pep, who had a temperament of a phalanx, began to feel conflicted and wrapped his head.

"After the congressional request is finished?"

"We'll have to figure that out then. Let me tell you in advance that Cilicia is just one of the bases, and I don't plan on limiting your activities. I might even put you in charge of a branch office."

If I want to intervene in the subsequent scenarios, I will have to travel all over the continent. I plan to establish a solid network of contacts before leaving Cilicia.

"Is it okay if I hold off on answering for a moment?"

"Do whatever you want."

"Then I will also hold off for now."

"Let's deduct their base pay every day they're late."

Jenna, who said she didn't like being treated like a territorial person, was acting like a territorial person herself. That was when Kim Yi-hyun burst out laughing.

"... Hey, it's fine whether you run a company or take a dump, but would it be better if you went out and did something?"

The landlord insisted on spitting out harsh words.

This was Chelsea's house. It was a house where the old White Fang had been coming and going since some time ago. It was a place where grown adults would gather like a hideout.

His sharp eyes were directed at Kim Yi-Hyeon.

"Do you like me? Why do you keep coming to other people's houses? You guys have your own place to stay."

"It broke then."

"Do you want me to work?"

"You clean and fill the fridge before you leave."

"That's…thank you!"

Chelsea, momentarily speechless, answered trembling.

There was a reason for the gathering. It wasn't a rational favor, of course. Kim Lee-hyun was determined to scout Chelsea.

'This guy is definitely helpful.'

He is not a highly regarded agent in the game. He can perform various roles if you give him equipment, but his performance is said to be ambiguous.

But what is the reality?

It is an environment where even the simple specialty of being good at shooting a gun shines. Chelsea has played a key role in the previous two incidents.

'… … No matter how much I think about it, Mary is still in pain.'

If Mary had been alive, she would have shown incredible synergy. I felt guilty, but I couldn't help but feel regret.

"You think about it carefully. You won't be bored."

"I like a boring life."

"Then why do you gamble?"

"How many times do I have to tell you that it's an investment?"

"Oh, I see. Should I give you a pick?"

Chelsea snorted and looked at Kim Hyun-joong.

"No problem. Do you know the mysterious and sensitive ecosystem of the League?"

"I don't know, but I can give you a heads up when Asterike comes out."

She gasped and held her breath. Her mind began to work busily on the abacus. Her greedy inner feelings were clearly visible on her face.

Bryce, who was watching the scene from the side, shook his head.

"I heard that the owl is a magpie… but it turns out it's just a magpie."

"Who said that? I can't even drink alcohol."

"Please refrain from spreading rumors."

"Don't you remember? That would be understandable. I blacked out and fell to the floor, unconscious."

"At that time… my condition was bad."

"You must be foolish."

The two looked ready to start drinking at any moment. Kim Yi-hyeon clicked his tongue and tsk-tsk. The sight of him bragging about his drinking capacity was quite unsightly.

It was an ordinary afternoon.

* * *

The wait wasn't long.

Bryce and Pep also decided to join. They would have chosen a more stable workplace, but the last battle changed their minds.

I realized that stability can easily disappear due to someone's plot and malice. The camaraderie of surviving together there also played a part.

Chelsea maintained an attitude of indifference, but only on the surface. At some point, a message would arrive on Kim Yi-hyun's terminal.

- What are the terms of the contract?

- No, I'm just asking.

- How much vacation time do you give?

- I think welfare is also important in this day and age.

- You're going to do it yourself?

- There is no intervention.

It seemed that he had a lot of random thoughts because he was left alone again at night after being noisy during the day. He had practically come over. I wondered if he would be able to get the contract soon.

Once the initial members were formed, Kim I-hyeon began full-scale preparations. He secured an office in a street where the land price was relatively cheap.

"Haha. The office is just as shabby as I thought."

"That's right. What's the use of getting wind of the wind from the beginning?"

"Yeah. I didn't expect that either."

As the workers said, it wasn't a sophisticated space. It was narrow and dirty. It was like the office of a third-rate gangster that often appears in movies.

"I don't have enough money to buy a building in the city center. Even if I had, I don't plan on operating it that way. I'd rather buy land or a warehouse to use as a training ground."

"But you've met all the requirements? It hasn't been that long since Hyun became a citizen. I thought you'd have to go through the process for at least three or four months."

Incorporating a corporation is not easy. During the period when the Cilician parliament actively pursued immigrant welfare policies, companies used immigrants to establish a large number of paper companies.

As many incidents and accidents occurred as there were corporations, Cilicia, suffering from labor pains, introduced strict conditions and procedures from that time on.

But it wasn't something Kim Lee-hyun had to worry about.

"I got some help."

From the planning stage, it was already closely linked to the National Assembly. There was no reason for it to be tied down by procedures that they had accepted.

"Congress? Hmm. It might be a presumptuous remark, but I don't think we should rely too much on it. To put it nicely, it could be a partnership... "

I didn't have to ask what the omitted remark was. There was a great risk that he would become a dog in the National Assembly. It was something I knew.

"It doesn't matter. When operating in Cilicia, basically think of it as being friendly to the Council. It's better than accepting requests here and there indiscriminately and getting caught up in a fight."

"is it."

"You just have to make sure you don't give them too much initiative. We have to make them think that it's better for them to act in their own way."

"I understand the policy. It was an overstepping of the bounds."

"No, feel free to interfere in the future."

Kim Yi-hyun's goal has not changed. To prevent the tragedies that will come to Polaris in advance. If that is not possible, to minimize the damage in any way possible.

'It would be better if you could explain it right away.'

It was difficult to talk now. There was too much to explain, and even if I tried to convince them, they wouldn't really sympathize.

'You'll find out if you try to match them one by one.'

We can't stay in Cilicia forever. We need someone who can move around autonomously when Kim I-Hyeon is away.

'It might be difficult to get there, though.'

At the very least, it should be maintained as a 'Cilicia branch' so that information can be exchanged from afar. And so that when we return to Cilicia, we can operate without any problems.

Asterike, who had been listening silently in the corner, spoke.

"...This is hard to talk about. I can't follow along well."

"Anyway, that means I'm the president."

"I know that too."

"Then I know everything. You can just continue on as you have been. I think that since there are more people now, there are more things we can do together."

Compared to other businesses, it is a hole-in-the-wall shop run by a handful of people. It is just a formality to ensure that there are no problems in operating in an organized manner.

"Mr. Hyun. Actually, I wanted to ask you something."

"huh?"

"What is the company name? What does it mean?"

Pep asked abruptly, looking at the office wall. It was the location where Kim Yi-hyun had roughly scribbled down some words. A sign with the mission inscribed on it would soon be hung there.

Dustborne Corporation.

Originally, it was Dustborne Interactive. It was the name of Polaris's production company. Even Kim I-hyeon didn't know what it meant. He was interested in Polaris, so he didn't care about the name of the production company.

But the answer was set.

"You little shits."

* * *

"Gasp, huh!"

A skinny man ran frantically through the back streets of Cilicia, his steps splashing in puddles of rainwater.

The rain that fell steadily chilled the night air. The man stumbled and fell, but he quickly got up and started walking again.

― … … Is! The winner of this match is Charace!

― This is a 5-game winning streak. Rudba, who finished last season in 9th place, ended up giving up points.

― It seems like the audience as well as the staff are mixed in their joys and sorrows. But please pick up the trash. It would be unfair to pay a fine after blowing money, right?

The league announcer's frivolous voice could be heard through the sound of the rain. Outside the alley, densely packed buildings and billboards flashing with light could be seen.

The street is close. A color came to the man's face. He could hope for someone's help. The man whipped his tired body once more.

The shadow that appeared at that moment blocked the street light.

"I found the lost item. Send me the location information."

A black beanie pulled down. The face visible under the hat was extremely expressionless. As if it were something inhuman, something that did not know human emotions.

They see others as tools. They treat them like meat in a butcher's shop. Maybe they think of them as walking currency.

"Shit…!"

The man had no choice but to turn his back. The neon glow disappeared from his sight. The dark alley looked like a monster's mouth had opened.

Even in the mouth of the monster, people lived. The darkness of Cilicia was very patient, and did not swallow people whole.

It just melts in your mouth like candy.