Chapter 334:
"A reward, huh…"
Yu-hyun nodded, seemingly pleased as he mulled over Lotfiout’s words.
“How much are you thinking of?”
“Haha. Are you asking me back?”
Normally, such a question would be considered highly rude, but Lotfiout decided to let it slide with a humble heart.
If it weren’t for Yu-hyun, he wouldn't have noticed the insect hidden deep within his company.
It wasn’t just a manager, but even an executive director had fallen for the tricks of Praytion. This was not something to be taken lightly.
Although the company, which was essentially himself, wouldn’t crumble as long as he was fine, it was clear that it would have taken a significant hit.
So, Lotfiout intended to give Yu-hyun a fitting reward, but he hadn’t thought about what would be appropriate.
“Do you desire a manager’s position, or perhaps a new directorship? If I intervene, it’s possible.”
Yu-hyun’s talent had already been sufficiently proven by his return from exile.
Not only that, he had succeeded in returning and immediately punished Demialos, who had set this trap for him.
‘Gathering the board members like this means he had anticipated such an incident would occur.’
Lotfiout stroked his beard.
At that moment, one of the board members, who had been quietly observing, cautiously spoke up.
“Chairman, what about the matter concerning Demialos and this Georn incident?”
“Ah, right. My mind must be wandering.”
He had been so intrigued by Yu-hyun that he had forgotten the most important matter.
Or perhaps, it wasn’t the most important matter. There couldn’t be anything more important to him than elevating such a great talent to a high position within the main office.
‘Yes, I should handle the Georn issue first. No matter how lenient I am, I can't just stand by watching as such serious misconduct occurs below me.’
While he couldn’t completely cover up this incident, there were ways to minimize the damage.
“Alright. First, take Demialos out of my sight.”
“Should we deal with him?”
“Deal with him? What a laughable statement. Letting him go cleanly like this is the greatest mercy I could bestow upon him.”
Lotfiout glared coldly at the board member.
A creature made of smoke only from the upper body without the lower half. Wasn't it the director called Modeus?
A frustrating fellow.
“To the one who tried to corner both the company and me like this, do you now suggest showing mercy?”
“N-no! I’ll take immediate action!”
Director Modeus quickly ordered the tellers to drag Demialos out. Since the moment Executive Director Hata had died, Demialos had already lost all will.
For someone who had risen to this position by trampling over numerous tellers and ruling his subordinates through fear, it was a rather pathetic end.
But his life wouldn’t end just like that.
“You can look forward to it.”
The one dragging Demialos out was Director Utata.
Until recently, his head had been filled with a red aura, but at this moment, he was radiating a brilliant white light out of sheer joy.
“You won't die. Even if you beg for death, you won't die.”
Utata hadn’t forgotten the grudge for his subordinates. While it was Executive Director Hata, disguised, who had killed them, Demialos wasn’t blameless either.
How he had dreamed of capturing him like this.
He wouldn’t be simply discarded. He’d be confined to a far more horrifying, eternal prison of pain where death was not an option.
Because Utata would make it so.
“Now that Demialos is dealt with, the remaining issue is… the matter concerning Georn.”
“How will you handle that part?”
“First, keep it quiet.”
“But if we do that, Georn’s successor, someone named Lean…”
“Lean. They said he’s a great leader of Gard. I plan to meet with him separately to talk.”
The chairman himself had to step in. He didn’t know what kind of personality Lean had, but if he used Georn’s matter as an excuse to antagonize the Celestial Corporation, it would become troublesome.
There were still excuses on his side. So, there should be room for negotiation.
“But there are other witnesses.”
“Other witnesses? They’re just second-generation at best, aren’t they? They’re third-generation nobodies.”
Even if they were third-generation, only Lotfiout could dismiss Divine Spirits as nobodies.
Most of them, who came to watch the birth of a new Divine Spirit out of curiosity, didn’t know the details of what happened to Georn or the involvement of the Celestial Corporation.
While some might be suspicious and keep an eye on this side, the truth was always known only to a few.
From Lotfiout’s perspective, it was enough to deal with Lean somehow.
“The rest of you handle it. If you don’t want me to replace another executive director today, do it well.”
“There will be no problem.”
“Now, go.”
At Lotfiout’s gesture, Modeus and the board members left the courtroom in a hurry. From today, the board members’ arrogance would significantly diminish.
“You may leave as well.”
Lotfiout dismissed the manager-level tellers. They had no reason to stay any longer.
The managers, wanting to leave this uncomfortable place quickly, also departed as soon as Lotfiout gave the order.
Celestina, although regretful that she had to leave, couldn’t refuse the chairman’s order.
“Good work. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Sure.”
Celestina patted Yu-hyun on the shoulder for his hard work and left the courtroom last.
Now, only Yu-hyun, Lotfiout, and the newly appointed executive director, Galitz, remained in the room.
With no one left to be wary of, Lotfiout pressed Yu-hyun for an answer.
“So, what is your answer to my question?”
“The directorship, you say? It’s indeed a generous offer, but… I think it’s still too early for me.”
“Huh. I intended to give you a significant reward, and you refuse even a directorship? Then, tell me. What kind of gift do you want?”
It was no longer a reward but a gift. Lotfiout’s interest in the teller Yu-hyun was that great.
This company needed such talent. Lotfiout thought Yu-hyun was the perfect fit for the main office.
“Ah, there is one thing.”
“Alright. What is it?”
“I want to resign.”
“Hm…!”
It was Galitz who gasped, not Lotfiout. With wide eyes, he shot a look at Yu-hyun, as if asking what on earth he meant.
Even Lotfiout’s hand stroking his beard moved slightly faster.
“It’s not a very funny joke.”
“It’s not a joke. I truly want to resign.”
“…Did I hear wrong? You’ve just been promoted to assistant manager, and you could easily secure a director’s seat if you wished.”
“Yes, that’s correct. If I do that, I will indeed hold great power within this Celestial Corporation.”
“…”
At Yu-hyun’s words, Galitz finally realized why he had refused.
His urgent gaze turned to Lotfiout. He was worried Yu-hyun might have offended the chairman, but it was an unnecessary fear.
“Heh heh. Hahaha! Indeed, if you’re a thinker, you should dream big. Yes, even if you hold great power, there will always be someone above you. That’s how companies are.”
“I suppose so.”
“If you truly desire absolute power, or pure freedom without anyone hindering you.”
Lotfiout spread his arms wide, removing his hand from his beard.
His face, like a plaster mask, twisted into a horrifying grin.
Creak.
The plaster-like face made a breaking sound.
“Do you desire the chairman’s seat?”
“What if I do?”
“Take it if you can.”
Galitz felt suffocated. But there was no room for him to intervene.
The gazes of Yu-hyun, smiling softly, and Lotfiout, smiling with terrifying madness, crossed in the air.
It was Yu-hyun who first surrendered.
“I’m too scared. After seeing your true self today, how could I dare challenge you?”
“Eh. How boring.”
Lotfiout returned to his usual expressionless face. Although all this was an act, Yu-hyun and Galitz could sense it.
Lotfiout truly hoped Yu-hyun would entertain him.
That wasn’t what Yu-hyun wanted. There was no need to antagonize Lotfiout.
“Ruling from a high position and dominating everyone doesn’t suit my taste.”
“Then?”
“If I had to say, I’m closer to laissez-faire. As for the resignation, I mean it. Until now, I’ve been active because I lacked certain things, but it’s time for me to go independent.”
“Independent. You mean becoming a freelancer?”
“Something like that.”
“Haha. Interesting. Yes, with your reputation, you can live well even if you leave the main office and work alone. Or do you plan to start your own new company?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then there’s no need to resign. If you ask, I can make sure no one bothers you.”
“Considering the path I’m going to take, I don’t want to be hindered by anything.”
Yu-hyun’s words implied that the company itself was a hindrance to him.
Those words could be taken as offensive, but Lotfiout just laughed, seemingly amused.
“You seem to have forgotten, I am very greedy for talent. Some call me the King of Butter, but I am different. If there’s a kingly title
that suits me, there’s only one.”
King of Greed (强慾王).
He ruthlessly discards the useless but is insatiable in making those he deems valuable his own by any means.
Those without talent or ability are weeded out, while those who prove their worth are showered with wealth.
Celestial Corporation was established to fit Lotfiout’s nature.
“Even if you slip out of my hands, can you be sure you won’t end up in someone else’s? What about Catharsis? Damcheon? Can you refuse their offers?”
“I don’t have a favorable impression of Exodus and the Comedy Troupe.”
“That’s a problem then. For you to stand tall in this harsh world after rejecting my offer, you need a fitting backer. How about it? I’ll be your patron.”
No less than Chairman Lotfiout himself offered to support Yu-hyun.
A typical teller would be overwhelmed by such an offer and would kneel and clasp hands in gratitude.
But Yu-hyun did not.
“Did you forget? I am the teller who rejected even Satan’s and Michael’s offers.”
Satan, the lord of Pandemonium, and Michael, the great archangel of Eden.
Was there any merit Lotfiout, the King of Stories, could offer that surpassed or equaled them?
That absurd statement left Lotfiout momentarily stunned.
Regaining his composure, Lotfiout tried to persuade Yu-hyun again.
“I know what you want. The Book of Genesis, you want to collect its fragments, right?”
As a child of Logos, Lotfiout was well aware of the Book of Genesis. He just wasn’t eligible to gather its fragments himself. But he recognized its existence clearly.
“You can’t do it alone.”
“Who said I was alone?”
“What?”
“Just because I resign, become a freelancer, and don’t join anyone doesn’t mean I’m alone. I already have a promised partner.”
“Are you saying that partner is greater than me?”
That would indeed be an insult.
Lotfiout’s voice began to show anger.
His twisted desire for talent slowly transformed into rage. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Yu-hyun as if to tear him apart.
“Are you saying that I, Lotfiout, am being overshadowed by just one partner?!”
“It’s not just any partner.”
“Not just any partner! Are you saying that being is equal to me?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
Yu-hyun’s cheerful response left Lotfiout bewildered, wondering if he had misheard.
“Let’s see. I called him earlier, so he should be arriving soon.”
“What…”
“Oh dear. Regardless of that, who gave you the right to come and go as you please?”
At that moment.
A third party’s voice was heard in the courtroom, which allowed no one else’s entry.
It was a young, unbroken voice, yet Lotfiout recognized the familiar presence within it.
How could he not know?
“…Oelo.”
“Hey, Lotfiout. Long time no see. You look well.”
A blonde boy, standing next to Yu-hyun, waved at Lotfiout.
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