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Chapter 182: The Rich (2)

"I’m rich."

Of course, he had never been poor before. His family was wealthy. However, Han Jung-Woo\'s personal assets had never reached 1 billion won.

Of course, compared to others my age, I was unbelievably successful...

Still, it had been somewhat awkward to call himself rich, but that uncertainty ended today.

I split the contract fee with the six major guilds and even used some of my own money to give a bit to the regular players who participated in the war.

Even after that, just from the contract fee alone, he ended up with over 600 million won. However, the incentives tied to viewership ratings were solely for him.

"I can’t believe the viewership surpassed 60%..."

Both NET Media and Han Jung-Woo ended up smiling at the outcome. The stock price of NET Media was now soaring because they had achieved what many thought was impossible: a viewership rating above 60%.

Moreover, with their name now spread across the globe through simultaneous online broadcasts, the rival networks that failed to secure the contract were undoubtedly not just frustrated, but likely fuming with envy by now.

"When it exceeded 30% viewership, it was 100 million won per 1%, so..."

63.4%. Excluding the decimal point, that meant they had achieved an additional 33%.

Well, that explains the amount I’m seeing here.

4.2 billion won—it was an amount large enough that he had to count the zeros shown in his balance.

"To think I reached this point within just a year of MID Online\'s launch..."

It had been only about six months since he had transitioned into the role of a Solaris Cleric.

Han Jung-Woo, now one of the biggest stars MID Online had produced, put away his bankbook and left the bank.

On his way, he stopped by a convenience store, picking out snacks and drinks as he pondered.

Let’s start by organizing what I need to do. First... there’s the Titan bastards.

The world’s top ten guilds cared more about their image than anything else. Even notorious groups like Black Bee and Titan put effort into cultivating a good image.

Han Jung-Woo was no different.

If I get labeled as a pushover, things will get really tough.

During the Invasion Event, Titan had taken a jab at him. Of course, he had countered with a knockout punch, but the fact remained that they had landed the first hit.

If I just stay quiet, the top guilds will think I’m easy to push around.

He wasn’t particularly afraid of the Titan guild. Even without rallying the non-human forces, he could easily make their lives difficult alone.

It might sound petty, but I’ll start with their lower-level members.

Sure, he might earn himself a messy reputation, but he could still send a clear warning.

I’ll let them know that wearing the Titan guild’s emblem could make them my prey.

After all, he was still frustrated about having placed seventh in the Invasion Event because of them.

And then there’s one more thing I need to keep in mind...

Now, truly annoying situations could start happening more frequently. Like, for example...

Beep, beep.

The clerk ringing up his items kept glancing at his face. As he handed over the cash, the clerk finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity and spoke up.

"Excuse me... Are you by any chance Unknown...?"

"You’ve got the wrong guy."

With his hood pulled low over his face, Han Jung-Woo grabbed his bag and hurried out of the convenience store like he was fleeing.

My face is all over the place now.

One of the terms of the NET Media contract had been to reveal Kai’s face. Being the main character, his face being blurred out would have severely decreased the quality of the video.

At this rate, I might end up with celebrity disease.

The world outside home was dangerous. Hurrying back to his apartment, Han Jung-Woo spotted a group of men and women waiting in front of his building.

"Isn’t that...?"

It was the woman who lived in the penthouse, always surrounded by her bodyguards.

Why is she...?

As usual, her fashion was marvelous. She wore a leopard-print fur coat that suited the cold winter weather, paired with a knit sweater underneath and white slacks for contrast. And of course, an oversized pair of sunglasses completed her look.

"I never expected we’d live so close."

Click, clack, click, clack.

The woman walked directly up to Han Jung-Woo and slowly removed her sunglasses.

At the same time, Han Jung-Woo’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh? No way..."

"Nice to see you. Kai... or should I call you Han Jung-Woo?"

It was Seol Eun-Yeong, the master of the Cheonhwa guild, and she flashed a captivating smile which was unlike her character.

***

"Please, have a seat, though it\'s not much."

"It really indeed isn\'t much."

Seol Eun-Yeong carefully took a seat as she glanced around Han Jung-Woo’s apartment. Her bodyguards were waiting outside the door, per her instructions after noticing how uncomfortable Han Jung-Woo was with their presence.

"Sorry for dropping by so suddenly. I actually held back my urge to come right after watching the broadcast yesterday."

"Oh, well... Thank you for that, I guess," Han Jung-Woo nodded politely, wondering why she had come to see him.

My relationship with Cheonhwa isn’t bad—if anything, it\'s good.

He had helped them rise to the world’s top ten greatest guilds. Of course, they had also made significant contributions that allowed him to achieve victory in the Battle of the Bir Plains. In short, they had a mutually beneficial relationship.

Is this a recruitment offer?

If it was, he planned to refuse. In his current position, after all, there was no need to tie himself down to a guild.

"First of all, I enjoyed the broadcast yesterday. You became a global star overnight."

"Thank you. Honestly, it hasn’t really sunk in yet."

"It will soon enough," Seol Eun-Yeong replied while smiling again.

To that, Han Jung-Woo tilted his head. "How do you know that?"

"Your face is everywhere, and you’re the hottest character right now. Offers from various shows and commercials will flood in soon."

"Oh, come on..."

"You think I’m joking?"

Seol Eun-Yeong shrugged and took out her phone, making a call.

"Yeah, it’s me. Did you check on it? Tell me."

After listening for a moment, Seol Eun-young nodded her head.

"Got it. That\'s enough. Bye."

She ended the call and naturally explained, "You\'re causing quite a stir. Electronics companies are eager to make you the face of their flagship gaming mouse, keyboard, and computer lines. And it’s even crazier with the broadcasting stations. Multiple game shows and entertainment programs centered around you were planned just last night. One of them even involves being stranded on an island and catching fish."

"...Is that for real?"

"I don’t lie about things like this."

Seol Eun-Yeong, who was known for her pride, crossed her arms and spoke firmly, lending her words credibility.

I guess Seol Eun-Yeong has nothing to gain by telling such a lie.

But then again, there was also no immediate benefit for her in revealing this information.

"So, what are you getting at?"

"Sign an exclusive contract with Cheonhwa Group. Think of it as a form of management."

Han Jung-Woo looked taken aback by her sudden proposal. "Sorry, but I’m too lazy to—"

"Please, hear me out first." Seol Eun-Yeong cut him off. "You won’t have to do anything. Cheonhwa Group will handle all the show offers, commercials, and requests that come your way.”

"...And what do I get in return?"

"Money and time."

"Let me ask you this—what does the Cheonhwa guild get in return?"

"Just the fact that you’ll be able to focus entirely on the game."

"Huh..."

It was practically an unfair deal. Of course, it was an unfair deal overwhelmingly in his favor.

"You’re going to get busier from now on. Cheonhwa will handle all the bothersome things for you."

"Why are you going to such lengths? Don’t tell me you expect me to help Cheonhwa in the game?" Han Jung-Woo asked with slightly furrowed brows, suspicious that her goal was to bind him somehow.

But of course, Seol Eun-Yeong firmly shook her head. "Not at all. You don’t need to feel any pressure. However..."

"However?"

Seol Eun-Yeong gave an unusual smirk, lifting one corner of her mouth. "You’re human too. If we treat you this well, wouldn’t you feel inclined to help Cheonhwa if something happens?"

"...I see. So that’s what this is about."

Understanding her cute ulterior motive, Han Jung-Woo let out a soft chuckle.

It’s not a bad deal.

Even if only half of what she said was true, it was still going to be a hassle. Maybe it would be different when things settled down, but with pursuers constantly on his tail right now, it was especially appealing.

I like being able to focus entirely on the game the most.

Having made up his mind, Han Jung-Woo nodded. "Bring the contract with you next time."

"No need. I’ve already brought it."

As if she had been waiting for this, Seol Eun-Yeong pulled a folder out of her bag.

Impressed by her thorough preparation, Han Jung-Woo carefully reviewed the contract.

It’s just as she said. It’s so straightforward it’s almost scary.

He was particularly stunned by the part where he would receive an exclusivity payment of 5 million won. It almost made him worry it was some kind of new scam.

As he signed the contract, Seol Eun-Yeong smiled in satisfaction and extended her hand for a handshake. "It was a good deal."

"Yes, it was a good deal."

They shook hands, and Seol Eun-Yeong glanced at her watch before hastily standing up.

"Oh, I have to go now."

"You have an appointment or something?"

"Yes, I promised to run a newly discovered dungeon with my guild members. I’m going to be late at this rate."

After seeing Seol Eun-Yeong hastily pack her things and rush off, his phone rang as if on cue as soon as he saw her off.

[Min-Soo]

He knew what this was about without even listening.

"Hello—"

—Hey! How could you do this to me?!

"You saw the broadcast?"

—Of course, I called because I saw it! How could you hide being Unknown from me when you knew I was such a huge fan all this time?

"Hey, even my parents and sister don’t know.”

—Ugh, well, when you put it like that, I guess I can’t argue...

"Did you just call to complain about that?"

—Ahem, no, that’s just a side thing. My friend, you know I’ve always been a huge fan of Unknown, right?

"As much as I don’t want to know... yeah, I do..."

Every time they talked, Min-Soo would rave about how he was watching Unknown’s videos, and how many times he had rewatched them. He even texted every day reminding him not to miss the Battle of the Bir Plains.

—Can you just please set up a fan club signing event once...

"I’ll think about it."

—R-really? You said you’d think about it, okay?

"Yeah. I’ll seriously think about it, long and hard. I’ll get back to you in about a month."

—Thanks! Let’s hunt together again sometime! The Rush guild members have been bugging me nonstop about not getting your autograph. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Autographs? Geez... I’m hanging up now."

—Don’t forget this big bro is always rooting for you.

"Just go play the game."

After hanging up, Han Jung-Woo chuckled at his friend’s adorable behavior.

"My family isn’t really in the loop when it comes to games, so they’ll probably reach out in a day or two..."

That would be perfect timing.

First, I should check the rewards from the Invasion Event.

He was curious about what kind of reward awaited him for placing seventh in the contribution rankings.

1. Korean ATM and bankbook ☜