This chapter is brought to you by anubisscans. More updates on our website.
Support us by reading at anubisscans.com.
chapter 52
“…Recruitment offers?”
Hanbit had expected Yeonwoo to bring this up eventually.
The problem was the number.
“All of these are recruitment offers? Isn’t this way too many?”
“Think about what you’ve done. Even after filtering as much as possible, there are still a hundred left. If I cut more, I’d have to drop major corporations.”
Yeonwoo protested his unfair treatment, saying he’d done his best.
Watching the exchange, his mother asked in confusion,
“What does that mean?”
“Ah, Mom, this is……”
“I’ll explain. Hyung, check them first.”
Cutting him off, Yeonwoo began explaining the situation to his mother.
Watching in disbelief, Hanbit pulled the documents toward himself.
‘There are a ridiculous number.’
A long list of companies, streamers, and individual players.
Each offer was neatly summarized with conditions.
Important ones were highlighted in different colors with comments attached.
‘What am I, a baby bird?’
Yeonwoo’s final stubbornness was evident in this document.
Naturally, larger organizations had better conditions than the startup company he planned.
He probably wanted Hanbit himself, but his thinking must have changed as he watched the gameplay.
It was an un-businesslike thought—letting him go to bigger waters.
So very Joo Yeonwoo that it made him chuckle.
“That’s why they’re trying to recruit you. In sports terms, you’re a ridiculously promising prospect.”
While Yeonwoo finished his explanation, his mother spoke after a brief silence,
“So… all of these people want to recruit Hanbit?”
“Yes. In some cases, multiple offers came from the same company. They really want him. A lot.”
“…Is that so?”
Faced with such an unfamiliar situation, his mother carefully examined the documents.
The mix of game terminology made it hard to understand.
But some things stood out immediately.
“One hundred million… one hundred fifty million? What is that?”
The amounts listed behind a company called Geumjo.
Since there were no additional notes, she couldn’t understand them.
“That means a signing bonus of 100 million won and an annual salary of 150 million. The rest are incentive clauses… Basically, it’s the ratio for sharing treasures Hanbit finds with the company. But compared to others, the conditions aren’t that good.”
“……?”
From Yeonwoo’s explanation, the most intuitive parts were the signing bonus and salary.
But they still felt unreal.
“Ma’am, I personally reviewed everything and filtered out only stable companies. You recognize many of these names, right?”
Understanding her concern, Yeonwoo pointed at several entries.
Major domestic corporations, even celebrities’ names, were listed.
The familiarity brought new worries, but Yeonwoo read her thoughts as well.
“For reference, contracts will be signed officially inside company headquarters. For individuals, everything will be handled legally and fairly, so you don’t need to worry too much. My family is in law, so I’ll personally take responsibility for the connections.”
The thorough explanation gradually eased her worries.
Yeonwoo’s parents were co-representatives of one of the top three law firms in the country.
Though he wasn’t pursuing law himself, being the youngest allowed him a relatively free future.
Clink—
As they talked, the course meals began arriving one by one.
Hanbit slowly savored the food while reading through the documents.
‘Yeonhwa is here too.’
Before Rashten’s monopoly incident.
The company that had shown the most aggressive interest was Yeonhwa Gaming.
Their offer fell through after suspecting Hanbit and Yeonwoo, but after realizing it was a misunderstanding, they began pouring in donations of several million won at a time.
Even now, their signing bonus alone was 200 million won.
“What do you think? Yeonhwa, and there are some really eye-catching conditions here too. Honestly, it depends on how the episode turns out, but we can add retroactive application clauses.”
Yeonwoo asked, emphasizing the conditions.
Hanbit, still looking at the list, asked instead,
“Why isn’t your company here?”
“Huh? I haven’t even properly established it yet. You just need to pick from these based on the conditions. I filtered out black companies as much as possible, so don’t worry.”
“You think filtering gets rid of black companies?”
Even with research, it was hard to know a company’s inner workings.
Even workplace rumors could be managed by companies.
“Yeonwoo, you’re starting a company?”
His mother asked as she continued looking at the documents.
Yeonwoo scratched his head and answered,
“It’s nothing big. Just gathering game streamers and forming a team. Of course, we’ll make proper profits.”
“Really?”
His mother seemed to sink into thought.
Meanwhile, having finished reviewing the list, Hanbit closed the folder.
“I’ve decided.”
“Oh? Already? Where are you going?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“…What?”
At the absurd answer, Yeonwoo froze.
After a moment of wondering if he’d heard correctly, he asked again,
“You’re not going anywhere?”
“Why are you so surprised? I told you before.”
“No, it’s different now! Look at all these offers! Do you know how hard it was to organize this?”
Yeonwoo raised his voice, protesting unfairly.
But nothing changed.
Hanbit didn’t want any external interference in RP.
“Use this document however you want. Just hurry up and prepare your company. I’ll do whatever I want there.”
“Wow, really? You think I’d say ‘Thank you so much’? Mom, you want him to get a good job too, right?”
Yeonwoo quickly sought backup from Hanbit’s mother.
“A job?”
Hearing the question, his mother turned to look at her son.
The list of companies and enormous conditions.
Of course, for a stable future, choosing the best offer would be the right answer.
But the answer to this dilemma had been decided since the day Hanbit was born.
“Why, Mom? Do you want me to pick one from here?”
At Hanbit’s gentle question, his mother, as if recalling old memories, looked down at her food and said calmly,
“Do what you want. That’s what will make you happiest. And if you’re with Yeonwoo, I won’t worry.”
“As expected of my mom.”
“Ma’am!”
Hanbit and Yeonwoo’s reactions were completely opposite.
Hanbit wasn’t surprised—he’d known her heart all along.
Yeonwoo, however, could only look flustered.
“Someone would think you rejected my company.”
“You don’t understand how heavy this burden is. It’s scary.”
Choosing his own startup over great offers.
If he failed to deliver satisfying results, it would be entirely his fault.
That thought naturally arose.
“So, do you hate it?”
“…How could I?”
Even under that pressure, his anticipation swelled uncontrollably.
The offers listed were only those up to yesterday.
What would things look like tomorrow, the day after, a week later, a month later?
With such a fresh and stimulating playstyle, it was impossible to imagine.
“Thank you. I’ll work hard and make you and your mother rich.”
“Thanks, even if it’s just words.”
His mother chuckled lightly at the solemn resolve.
Yeonwoo fully intended to make it reality.
“How long until you’re ready? It’ll take a bit longer, right?”
“The corporate setup is done. Just some minor decisions left. I’m getting help from my father on that.”
Even as the youngest and most doted-on child, business and personal matters had to be kept separate.
That was his father’s principle.
For now, Yeonwoo was under evaluation.
“Anyway, since you said you’ll join me, I’ll connect things to work immediately. I was already preparing to grow the channel.”
“Preparing to grow it?”
“Editing clips, polishing and re-uploading the info you shared in the community to the channel. I’ll show you gradually.”
Yeonwoo rattled off several plans.
With the shift in mood, the meal ended satisfactorily.
“Thanks for the meal. You treated us well.”
“Next time, I’ll treat you to something even better.”
Their farewell was as warm as that of a mother and second son.
“You’re going to keep shopping with your mom, right?”
“I’m going to look at RP gear. The store inside the department store is pretty big.”
“Gear? Already moving to the next stage?”
Yeonwoo’s question was natural.
Less than a week of playtime.
For Hanbit, who was already using level 2 gear, considering the next stage was objectively early.
“I need it for the remaining main quests. Want to come?”
“Huh? Is that okay?”
“Of course. Let’s go.”
Hanbit moved with the two of them toward the RP section of the department store.
Among all the merchandise, they saw a display lined with gear.
“Welcome. Is this your first time with RP?”
A female employee quickly approached to assist them.
She seemed to glance at Hanbit’s face, but he didn’t pay much attention.
“No. I’m looking at level 3 gear.”
“Ah, I see. Level 3 gear is in the second block. Please follow me.”
The employee kindly led them to the location.
Inside the glass display were various forms of gear.
“As you know, RP gear differs by manufacturer. Depending on your desired details—vision, hearing, smell, movement, sensitivity—we can recommend a suitable product.”
The core technology of gear, disclosed by the game company.
Various manufacturers added their own renewals based on it.
Depending on product competitiveness, one manufacturer could rake in enormous profits.
It was natural that Hanbit’s company was eyeing this market.
“Overall, which is the best?”
“Core’s products show the best overall efficiency. The price range is around 30 million won.”
Listening, Hanbit looked at Yeonwoo.
Catching the glance, Yeonwoo nodded.
“There really isn’t anyone better than Core. They’re number one in global market share.”
Unlike Yeonwoo, who didn’t care much about play, Hanbit used even the smallest movements precisely.
For him, improving gear performance was no different from improving character stats.
“Then I’ll take this.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll assist you with payment right away!”
The employee responded a beat late and guided them to the counter.
Yeonwoo wandered the display, explaining things to Hanbit’s mother.
“…….”
While checking the gear’s condition, the employee kept glancing at Hanbit.
When the payment process finished, she cautiously asked,
“Um… are you streamer Black Dragon, by any chance?”
“…What?”
At first, he thought he’d misheard.
Even if Lee Minho recognized him, encountering this situation inside a department store was bewildering.
“Black Dragon?”
At that moment, an unfamiliar male voice came from behind.
Turning his head, Hanbit met the gaze of a tall man in a suit.
The man’s eyes widened dramatically a moment later.
“Huh? That face—! Are you really Black Dragon?!”
Calling out loudly, the man strode over.
He continued excitedly,
“So you set your in-game appearance identical to real life! No wonder I felt such familiarity!”
The overly friendly attitude was unmistakable, yet they were clearly strangers.
Instinctively adopting a guarded stance, Hanbit asked cautiously,
“Who are you?”
“Ah, sorry. I got too excited.”
The man rummaged through his suit pocket.
Then, handing over a sleek business card, he continued,
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m the streamer Avantgarde!”
