127 – The Second Invitation(Complete)
An opportunity, an opportunity…….
After thinking over his words, I looked at Kang Cheol-hwan.
Kang Cheol-hwan continued his story without a break.
“A chaotic society…… Oppression of the powerful…… A monster appears…… The effectiveness of the tower…… Illegal ability users’ behavior…… The man who had been watching all this in silence was able to hold his heart firmly.”
Recalling the old memories of Kang Cheol-hwan, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. Who is the man Kang Cheol-hwan is talking about? You don’t even have to think about it. It is because it is obvious that it is Kang Cheol-hwan himself.
“Was it a stroke of youth? Or was it an immature delusion?”
“… ….”
“The man had the ambition to stand tall at the top after uniting the talented. He said, looking back now, it was such a stupid dream.”
“… ….”
Ambition to stand at the top.
It is too stupid and inexperienced to think that it was held by a mere individual. But what if you have the power to make it happen?
The story may be slightly different.
“When I was young, it was a wild dream like a child who would answer without thinking when his homeroom teacher asked him about his future dream. Wasn’t everyone like that when they were young? Whether it’s a dream to be a president, a dream to be a soccer player, or a dream to be a judge…….”
Kang Chul-hwan laughed lightly and tapped the table with his index finger.
“…… Usually, as you grow up, you bump into a wall of reality, get frustrated, and eventually give up on your dream.”
However, Kang Cheol-hwan was not normal.
“A man is a horse. He was lucky It was great. He was full of passion, hard work and talent to fulfill his ambitions.”
One day.
Kang Cheol-hwan, who is said to have appeared like a comet and unified the world with just one fist.
Cheolhwan Kang’s talent and passion were not something I could easily judge.
“The man who quietly cultivated his strength decided that the time had come and revealed himself. One by one, he subdued and subjugated small organizations, eventually creating a huge group that even the government could not easily touch.”
That is Heishan Group.
Monsters who could be called villains were grouped together and formed into an organization.
The Black Mountain Society, made up of those who were abandoned and oppressed by society, was already a huge group of villains.
“In the old days, I really couldn’t have dreamed of it.”
Before the period of upheaval, a mere gangster would not have been able to run amok in Korea, one of the world’s leading security states.
However, as a cataclysm occurred, people capable of threatening the government with their own power began to appear one after another, and in the end, they had power comparable to that of the military.
…… It’s not that powerful people are being treated as tactical weapons for nothing.
“Unlike the past, the era has arrived when individuals can stand against the government with their own strength.”
A few years ago, there was a case where a person with a large-scale trigger-type ability ran amok in the middle of the city, and hundreds or thousands of people were injured.
“I was one of them too.”
Cheol-hwan Kang, an S rank talent.
I felt the weight of it all over again.
“I was able to jump on the trend of the times and grow like this. It wasn’t a smooth process. It was the result of countless hours of blood and sweat.
How much did Kang Cheol-hwan have to go through to create an organization of the size of Heuksanhoe? I dare not even imagine.
“I don’t know if it’s because of that, but in the end, it became a company representing Korea with the name of the 4 clans.”
“This is amazing.”
“Huh…… Is it?”
Kang Cheol-hwan exhaled lightly and laughed.
“But a West. I wasn’t the only one who jumped on the bandwagon of the times…….”
Laughing is only for a moment.
The corners of Kang Cheol-hwan’s mouth began to go down.
“…… The Ilsung Group, which grew into a corporate organization from the beginning, the Sephirot, which quickly gained wealth and fame by attacking the tower, and the surname family, which had a high reputation as a martial arts group from the old days.”
Ilsung Group, Sephirot, Surname Sega.
The names of the 4 major clans besides Heuksanhoe.
They were also a group that encompassed an era like the Heuksanhoe.
“The Heuksanhoe has also grown into a group comparable to them, but in other words, that would mean that it is everything.”
Someone will think it’s really great just for that.
However, for Kang Cheol-hwan, it seemed like a disappointing achievement.
“If it’s greed, it’s greed…… Yes, it must be greedy.”
Cheol-hwan Kang muttered bitterly whether he knew about it.
“Ever since I was young, I thought I could do anything. Overwhelming power. Subordinates following me. Large organization. There was nothing lacking. That’s why I was able to ignite my desire to stand tall. But in the end, that dream could not come true. At this point, I might give up, but it was hard to give up in the end. I know it’s lingering, but I’ve come this far, but it’s a real shame to let it go.”
It felt as if the lingering attachment to my dream was still deep in my heart.
“A West. Do you have a dream too?”
“Yes.”
I nodded slowly.
There was something more like a goal than a dream.
It conquers the tower right away. It is to completely attack the damn tower.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“People will laugh at me when they hear it, but my goal is to conquer the tower completely.”
“Ha. That’s right, yes.”
After hearing my story, Kang Cheol-hwan shrugged his shoulders as if he was in a good mood.
“Huh…… It’s definitely a far-fetched story. To the point where other people would dismiss it as a mere joke.”
I know.
It is a goal so far-fetched that a passing dog snorts.
Until now, mankind has not seen the end despite all their efforts, so how can someone like me dare to reach the top?
When I thought about it with common sense, my goal was a delusion that young children would think.
“But I will not laugh at your dreams.”
Kang Cheol-hwan looked at me with slightly serious eyes.
“A person with a big bowl has big dreams. A Westerner’s eyes are alive. Nice eyes For you, conquering the tower is not a dream, but a reality that must be achieved.”
“… ….”
“Like you decided to attack the tower, I also have a dream that I cannot give up.”
“…… Yes.”
I gave a heavy nod.
Just as I foolishly tried to attack the tower from my days as a porter, Kang Cheol-hwan foolishly had an ambition to achieve.
“However, as time passed, his body grew sick and senile. As I said before, I came to the point where I thought I wouldn’t be able to achieve it in the end.”
Compared to his heyday, Kang Cheol-hwan has become too old and weak. In the flow of time, it was inevitable for Kang Cheol-hwan to become an old man in the back room.
“Is that why? I’ve been thinking about the future It may be a foolish idea, but it is common for parents to want their children to fulfill their dreams.”
As Kang Cheol-hwan said, it was not unusual for parents to want their children to achieve their dreams.
“Of course I didn’t force it on the children. I just wished so.”
“I see.”
“The children have grown up very well. Hwaryeon has already reached S rank. The ability is also very good. The second child, Yu-jeong, was a bit lacking in ability, but she was always a bright child. And the third, Yoon-ryeol, inherited my ambition. I will not hesitate to work hard and persevere to achieve my goals…….”
Kang Yun-ryeol, that bastard seems to have been too ambitious?
He also tried to kill his own brothers and sisters to fulfill his own ambitions.
“They are all my precious children. But how does it compare to the heirs of other clans?”
“That is.”
I stopped at Kang Cheol-hwan’s words.
Hwaryeon Kang, Yujeong Kang, Yunryeol Kang…… All are powerful hunters.
However, compared to the bloodlines of other clans, it is a bit inferior.
“In the case of the Sephiroth, there was no special feature, but when a talented hunter named Lee Ji-hyun joined, a new upheaval was encountered. He won more favor than the Sephiroth’s lineage, and in the end, he left the Sephiroth and founded a new clan. Did I mention that the clan name is Shinjeong? People are already making a fuss. They said that now Korea will become one of the 5 largest clans.”
In an instant, I thought of Jeong Se-yeon, the successor of the Sephiroth Clan.
How about comparing Jeong Se-yeon and Ganghwa-ryun?
Jeong Se-yeon is underrated, but it is clear that she is a formidable talent. No, what Of the bloodlines of the 4 major clans, I wonder if there is an easygoing kid out there.
“Ilsung Group is…… It was originally a corporate organization. So, the presence or absence of the leader’s strength may not be very important. But the eldest daughter of Ilsung Group is really amazing. Not only did he reach S rank before Hwaryeon did, but he was also a multi-ability awakener.”
If the day comes when Seoyoon can freeze and control all of her mental abilities, she will definitely become much stronger than she is now.
“Yerin Ryu, the illegitimate daughter of another family name…… I have heard the news about that child. When he was young he was kicked out of his surname Sega, but he was surprisingly strong. Not only did he take down all of his siblings, but even Seong Baek-hyun…… It’s just amazing. I couldn’t imagine how much more she would grow if she was supported as the successor of the Sega family in the future.”
Yerin really had overwhelming skills and technique.
Her physical ability isn’t very high, but she has a good fighting sense that’s strange.
“On the other hand, my children…… It’s not bad, but can you compete with them and stand tall? It is inevitable that doubts arise.”
Kang Cheol-hwan lightly touched the tip of the glass with his index finger.
“Hwaryeon will be able to lead the Heuksan Group without difficulty. Yoojung has other thoughts, but she will help Hwaryeon in her own way. I’m a little worried about Yoon-yeol and the rest of the kids, but I’m not going to do anything weird.”
Cheolhwan Kang, who evaluated his children himself, raised his head and looked at me blankly.
“…… In the end, the status quo.”
Then he spits out the results of the evaluation.
“Attempting to maintain the status quo while everyone else is developing must be in line with retreating.”
It was a voice with a hint of loneliness.
“Unfortunately, this is my reality.”
I thought that alone would be enough, but I guess it wasn’t for Kang Cheol-hwan.
“As I said earlier, I have no intention of forcing my dreams on my children. Because Hwaryeon is working hard in her own way.”
However, it seemed that the lingering regret that had been sleeping deep in Kang Cheol-hwan’s heart kept stirring up.
“Whoa…… But I couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.”
The lingering feelings that had settled as a small ember did not go out easily.
“It’s the old man’s lingering, lingering lingering…… By the way, a West. Isn’t that what a dream is originally? It’s a dream that can’t come true, so I have more regrets. It’s stuck in my head.”
Kang Cheol-hwan said slightly self-mockingly.
“…… Is it because of this stupid lingering? Didn’t see the kids properly. My body was broken and weakened, and in the end, the Geumjeongpa people instigated Yun-ryeol, resulting in a great conflict called a factional fight.”
“It’s not your fault, Chairman. It may be a little strange to say this, but it was a preordained split.”
“After. Is it? It could be. In any case, I definitely realized it then. That I’m too old and frail I already thought so in my head, but it was the first time I realized it with my skin to this extent.”
It seems that he resents himself for being much weaker than he was in his prime.
“This helplessness…… This weak body…… It felt like he was talking about the current reality, so it hit me even more.”
Kang Chul-hwan clenched his fists tightly.
“In the end, I thought I wouldn’t be able to achieve my dream…… My children won’t be able to make their dreams come true…… I was giving up halfway like that.”
It must have been really difficult and sad to give up an ambition that I had dreamed of for so long.
“But then.”
Kang Cheol-hwan suddenly looked at me and said with a smile.
“I met you.”
“Yes?”
I responded reflexively, and Kang Cheol-hwan began to mumble a little more vigorously.
“No surprise, Han West. I heard so many stories when I first met you. Saying that thanks to you, we can end the faction fight safely, saying that you healed me, that you saved my children…….”
“Oh, I see.”
“More than anything else, I was surprised that I was in a relationship with Hwaryeon. Up until now, Hwaryeon hadn’t shown much interest in men, but a westerner told me that he thinks of you as a member of the opposite s*x.”
I smiled wryly as I stared at Kang Cheol-hwan, who was clearly laughing. It was because he remembered what he had done to Ganghwa-ryun. If you knew what I did to Ganghwa-ryun in the past, you wouldn’t be able to think so positively.
“Of course, on the surface, Hwaryeon explained that it was just a justification for intervening in the Heuksanhoe, but at a glance I could tell it was a lie. Huaryeon really likes you.”
“… ….”
“As a father, I couldn’t hide my regretful heart. And I was curious She’s the one you are. What’s her personality like, what’s her personality like, why she likes Hwaryeon…… I found out about this and that.”
“… ….”
It could be said that it was a very natural process for Kang Cheol-hwan to investigate me, but he was just worried about how far he had found out.
“In the meantime, I learned a lot of facts. Not only Hwaryeoni, but also the fact that there are other women around.”
“Oh, well. That chairman that is… ….”
“There is no excuse, one West. You have women like Lee Ji-hyeon, Choi Seo-yoon, and Ryu Ye-rin by your side. As a childhood friend or a junior of her acquaintance or a close sister.”
“…… Yes.”
I didn’t deny it.
Because I knew very well that I couldn’t deny it in the same situation.
However, Kang Cheol-hwan was not in an atmosphere of rebuke. He wasn’t even trying to blame. He wasn’t even angry.
“That’s why I was suspicious. I wonder if the close relationship with Hwaryeon was made to take advantage of the background of Heuksanhoe.”
Did you have any doubts?
It is in the past tense.
Are you saying your doubts have been resolved now?
“But as a result of researching more and more about you and talking to you face-to-face like this, I came to a realization.”
Cheolhwan Kang smiled softly.
“You are not simply using Hwaryeoni.”
“Ah… ….”
Oh no.
I am bitten by my conscience.
At first, I think we met just to use it.
‘I don’t know what on earth makes you think of me that way. Aren’t they a bit blind?’
When I was thinking about this and that, Kang Cheol-hwan kept moving his lips.
“Haven’t I told you once? It is said that good men gather good women.”
“Yes. It was.”
When I affirmed, Kang Cheol-hwan lightly stroked his chin.
“Lee Ji-hyeon, Choi Seo-yoon, Ryu Ye-rin…… Given that the same women have gathered around you, isn’t it clear that you are also a good man?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Yes. That’s right.”
Good…… Is working hard to become a man.
“I am favored by the heirs of the 4 major clans, La…… This is true What a surprise. Sounds like a third rate scenario, doesn’t it? Isn’t that so, the West?”
“…… A little bit like that.”
“They are talented people who will lead Korea in the future. And you’re getting their attention. You know very well what this means.”
“…… Yes.”
Lee Ji-hyun of the top 10, Choi Seo-yoon, the eldest daughter of the Ilsung Group, and Ryu Ye-rin, the successor of the last name family.
I really knew what it meant to be loved by them.
And it was directly related to the ambition Kang Cheol-hwan had long dreamed of.
Simply put, Kang Cheol-hwan is trying to realize his own ambition by attracting me to the son-in-law of Heuksanhoe.
From noble mtl dot com
The ambition to stand tall at the top of Korea.
“A West. I don’t hate you.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s like seeing me in my younger days. As the head of the company, it is only natural to keep women by your side. hahahaha.”
“Ah, yes… ….”
I just shook my head trying to hide my confused expression.
“That was amazing. Aren’t they usually women? Moreover, Choi Seo-yoon has a reputation for hating others…… A western. You seem to know how to sew a woman together.”
“No.”
“Heh heh. It’s okay, a western. I’m not trying to rebuke you. I don’t know if you were a rogue who spends the night with any woman without thinking, but aren’t you?”
Just having talented women by your side is a great source of strength.
“Didn’t you say heroic lust? You should enjoy it in many ways when you are young. Hmm. Come to think of it, I’m not inferior to you in the West…… Hmm. Let’s get this far.”
Cheolhwan Kang cleared his throat.
I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.
Looks like that nobleman wasn’t normal either.
Well, even now, he has five wives.
“Anyway, to start with the conclusion, I have no intention of intimidating you, and I have no intention of burdening you.”
“Thank you.”
“A West. Isn’t it so strange to have a wife and concubine in this world?”
“Yes. It tends to be a bit like that.”
Since ancient times, high-ranking people have had a lot of women around them.
These days, people with abilities have become stronger.
“It doesn’t matter that you go out with girls like Lee Ji-hyeon, Choi Seo-yoon, and Ryu Ye-rin. But let me tell you. Wouldn’t marriage be a slightly different matter?”
“…… Ah.”
Cheolhwan Kang put his hand on my shoulder.
I don’t know why, but it felt heavy like a lump of lead.
Feeling a lukewarm weight, I moved my head slightly and looked up at Kang Chul-hwan.
…… He was laughing
“The end of marriage. Marriage is a great human event. It is the biggest event and important issue in life.”
“Yes, but… ….”
“By the way, a western room.”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t hide my embarrassment at Kang Chul-Hwan’s sudden action. It’s a bit burdensome because I’m staring at it so piercingly. If the face is removed…….
“Of course you intend to marry Hwaryeon, right?”
“… ….”
Uh, hmm. Big.
“South Korea is not yet ready to accept polygamy. Even if you accept all of them as wives, can’t you do anything about the legal relationship?”
“Yes… ….”
“I believe in you, but isn’t the human mind a bit like that? I hope you understand this old man’s policy.”
“No. However, marriage is a matter to be considered carefully, so it is not yet…….”
“Uh huh. This person.”
“Chairman. In the first place, Hwaryeon doesn’t see this situation very well.”
“Ah…… Did you care about that?”
Cheol-hwan frowned at my attitude of trying to get over it.
But when I said something, Kang Chul-hwan seemed to think that I was acting lukewarmly because her daughter was disapproving of the situation.
“Don’t worry. Don’t you know how much Hwaryeon loves you? She can complain a little on the outside, but she’ll agree a lot if you keep pushing. Contrary to her appearance, she is very soft on the inside.”
“…… I don’t think Hwaryeon will readily accept it due to her personality.”
“Hmm? You. What did you say just now?”
“No, nothing.”
I reflexively spat out words to myself, but luckily Kang Kang-hwan didn’t seem to hear them.
“You’re not going to give up just because Hwaryeon acts a bit brusque, right?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, it should be. A man of hers must not give up her own woman to the end. And she also needs to know how to hold her own when she’s holding her back.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Hope you sleep You’re not going to be her man and dragging around, right?”
“Water, of course.”
“I guess so. Don’t you have great skills enough to form a close relationship with them? I had a strange illusion for a moment.”
…… I’m being swayed a bit too much
No, what. It’s pretty good these days though.
“Sleep anyway.”
“Yes. Tell me, Chairman.”
“What do you think of Hwaryeoni?”
“I really value it.”
“Compared to other women?”
“Ah, that… ….”
Cheol-Hwan Kang immediately waved his hands as if nothing had happened.
“Hu, this old man said something nonsensical again. Just forget it I think I threw it on farmland once.”
“Okay.”
“You just need to value Hwaryeoni. Yes, that’s fine.”
Kang Cheol-hwan nodded his head and spoke to himself.
“This old man won’t have to worry anymore. I will keep an eye on you from afar.”
“Ah, yes sir.”
Kang Cheol-hwan patted me on the shoulder once more and went back to his seat.
“So please.”
Cheolhwan Kang, who met my eyes straight, said with a face full of paternal love as if he were asking.
“Take good care of our Hwaryeoni, Han Seobang.”
I ended today’s talk by quietly answering his sincere words.
***
‘Ha…… The story ended much better than expected.
I’m dumbfounded because I didn’t know it would work out this far.
But you can’t be happy without thinking.
Because he has to meet Ganghwa-ryun next time.
If you think about Ganghwa-ryun’s personality, she will never end the story with a smile. She may be trying not to talk properly in the first place. I’m sorry to say this, but Ganghwa-ryun really isn’t the type to listen.
‘Whoa. Should I use that method too?’
I muttered inwardly.
I’ve already made up my mind, but I can’t hide my tension.
Because I had no intention of laughing and talking with Ganghwa-ryun in the first place.
Since ancient times, unruly animals should be dealt with with a rod.
It sounds a bit crazy, but that’s the only way.
Ah, I really wish I could go back alive today.
If everything goes according to plan, it might be possible, but…….
‘Ehh. I don’t know. Now what…… Oh sh*t. Wait for a sec. What? My head is a bit weird…… ?’
I staggered for a moment.
I put my hand on the wall and blinked my eyes.
It was only for an instant, but it became dark in front of my eyes.
‘Oh, no way? Me?’
…… Are you drunk
Yes.
That damn vodka.
Did you say the alcohol concentration was 95.6%?
It’s strange to be sober after drinking sh*t like that.
“Hiccup. Oh sh*t Can I go to Ganghwaryun in this state? … ?”
I don’t know either.