Earning Trust

Adam remained silent for a long moment, processing every word Kim had spoken. The busy city street around them seemed to fade away as the weight of the conversation took hold.

Before Adam could begin to respond, Kim took a deliberate step forward and positioned himself directly in front of Adam. His hands rested firmly on his waist, and his eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto Adam's.

"Look, Adam," Kim said in a steady, serious tone, "if you're serious about taking on such a powerful corporation, then first, you need to earn my trust. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Adam took a deep breath and nodded slightly. "I'll tell you everything," he replied, his voice soft yet determined.

Kim studied him for a few moments, his gaze unwavering. He then glanced around the open street—where their conversation was exposed to the curious eyes of passersby. With a slight, almost ironic smirk, Kim turned back to Adam. "Let's go somewhere quieter," he suggested.

Adam agreed without hesitation, and the two of them walked side by side to a nearby restaurant. The restaurant was cozy, with a large glass window that offered a clear view of the sidewalk, where people strolled by on their own busy journeys.

Not far from the entrance, a flower shop added a splash of color to the otherwise serious surroundings, its display of bright blooms contrasting sharply with the weighty discussion that was about to unfold.

Inside the restaurant, Kim and Adam chose a round wooden table tucked away in a quiet corner.

The low murmur of other patrons and the soft clinking of cutlery provided a subtle backdrop, yet Adam could feel the intensity of Kim's piercing gaze as he settled into his seat.

The atmosphere was calm on the surface, but every word spoken between them carried a heavy significance.

Kim leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a quiet intensity. "Alright, Adam, I want the truth. Don't hide anything from me," he said firmly.

Adam took another deep breath, his mind racing as he debated how much he should reveal. Could he truly trust Kim with everything? Should he explain his ability to copy and paste objects? Should he confess that he wasn't even from this time period? The questions swirled in his head, but he knew that honesty was the only way forward if he hoped to secure a real partnership.

After a moment of hesitation, Adam finally spoke, "Mr. Kim, I won't lie to you. I'm a college student—or at least, I was." His voice wavered slightly as he tried to balance vulnerability with the determination of his new purpose.

Kim's eyes narrowed as he asked, "What do you mean?"

Adam hesitated for a moment before answering, "I recently dropped out of college. Or rather, I was kicked out." His voice dropped even lower as he recalled the painful memory.

Kim's brows furrowed in concern. "Can I ask why?" he pressed gently.

Adam exhaled sharply, the memory of bitter rejection coming back in full force. "The mayor's son had me expelled. To him, I'm an enemy, and he wants me dead… slowly and painfully." The words fell heavy between them, laden with both anger and sorrow.

Kim listened carefully, his expression hard to read. As Adam spoke, Kim realized that Adam's background was far more complicated than he had initially thought. There was a depth of struggle and a history of betrayal that lay behind Adam's calm exterior.

Kim nodded slowly, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand now. Your enemies are powerful. But you know, Adam, that just proves how important you are.

A person's worth can often be measured by the strength of their enemies. If you have enemies this powerful, then you must be destined for something big." His words, delivered in a measured tone, carried a weight of hard-won wisdom.

Adam blinked in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. He had never thought of it that way, but the logic resonated with him. Still, he quickly steeled himself and continued, "I recently purchased a piece of land."

His voice grew steadier. "And on that land, I discovered a massive crude oil reserve."

At this, Kim's expression shifted noticeably.

A flicker of shock passed over his features as Adam reached into his bag and pulled out a small glass bottle filled with crude oil—the same sample he had once shown to the Green Refinery Corporation's executives. Carefully, Adam placed the bottle on the table between them.

Kim picked up the bottle, his eyes narrowing as he examined the dark liquid inside. The crude oil glistened under the soft light of the restaurant, its rich color hinting at immense untapped value. His mind raced with questions and possibilities as he set the bottle down gently.

After a long moment of silence, Kim took a deep breath and said, "Alright, Adam, I won't ask more than I need to. I can tell that there are things you don't want to reveal, and I respect that. So, instead, let me ask you something as your future employee." His tone shifted, now mixing authority with genuine curiosity.

Adam nodded, leaning slightly forward as if to signal his readiness. "Go ahead," he said.

Kim's eyes locked onto Adam's as he spoke, "How many employees does your company have, aside from me?" His question was blunt and direct, a test of the seriousness of Adam's enterprise.

A slow smile began to creep onto Adam's face. At that moment, Kim felt a sudden unease—an inkling that there might be more to Adam's story than he had initially let on. "Wait," Kim said, lowering his voice. "Don't tell me that I'm the only one?"