Chapter 25 : The Black Bean Aftermath

That day, not many actually caught the surprise live streaming.

All Daily had newly launched a channel called ‘Miracle,’ but the subscriber count was still low.

On top of that, without any promotion, the sudden live broadcast started, so by the time it ended, only 104 viewers had tuned in.

It was daytime, after all, so ordinary office workers found it difficult to watch.

Among those 104 viewers was Guchilseong, who was not an ordinary office worker.

On his bald head was a snake-like scar, winding and crooked.

He was slowly typing in the chat.

“C-c-could you p-please… sp-sp-speak…”

His fingers were thick and unfamiliar with typing, causing frequent typos.

Growing impatient, he tried to type faster.

“T-th-the Black Bean, where d-do you s-s-sell it…”

At the moment when Lee Woo Do was gaining attention, the chat window was ablaze with activity.

ㅡ Everyone, did you enjoy the surprise streaming? Today’s footage will be edited and uploaded in about three days. See you again, everyone!

But just as he pressed enter to send his message,

with Lee Yulhee’s closing statement, the broadcast suddenly cut off.

A twitch of strength flashed across Guchilseong’s forehead.

“What a damn bastard!”

Furious, he grabbed the crystal ashtray from the desk.

Then, without hesitation, he slammed it down on the head of the subordinate kneeling beside him.

Pam-grang!

“Ahh, aagh!”

Park Duyeop, the subordinate sitting there, clutched his head and screamed.

The ashtray shattered into pieces from the brutal strike, showing just how merciless the blow had been.

Blood poured from Park Duyeop’s head, stained with crystal shards.

Though Guchilseong’s hand must have been injured from the force, it was surprisingly steady.

His hand was covered in a hardened shell, courtesy of his Gift: Glitter Hands.

“You damn bastard, you screwed everything up!”

“I-I’m s-s-sorry, boss!”

Only a month ago, Park Duyeop, a low-ranking member, couldn’t have dreamed of confronting Guchilseong face-to-face.

But recently, his life had changed completely.

And not for the better.

“How do you plan to take responsibility? Who would dare touch a guy like that?”

“P-please, just spare my life…”

“What? You think your life will atone for this?”

“Eek! No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Even if I kill you, what good will it do, you idiot.”

Guchilseong kicked Park Duyeop as he staggered forward.

The blow sent Duyeop rolling on the floor.

Hearing the pitiful cries of his subordinate, Guchilseong spat on the ground.

“It’s been dangerous since Gwak Cheongrae died. But you disrespected the organization’s name in front of that bastard?”

“I-I-I didn’t mean to disgrace the name!”

The guild Seven Stars was created by Guchilseong.

It was formed as a rival to the Chilseong faction of the Red Eye gang.

About three weeks ago, Seven Stars, which had been expanding its power by dealing in dangerous drugs, received a critical blow.

Gwak Cheongrae, attempting to recruit internally as a senior member, caused a major accident.

Despite Guchilseong’s best efforts behind the scenes, the investigation by the Seoul prosecution began.

Reluctantly, they had to abandon the operation and distribution network they had barely managed to establish.

To lift the somber atmosphere within the organization, Guchilseong organized a large gathering.

A grand assembly with everyone from low-level members to the guild master.

It was then that Baek Yuseong appeared on TV for a moment.

Park Duyeop, a low-level member, froze.

“Uh, isn’t that guy from our neighborhood?”

Park Duyeop was a low-ranking member of the Chilseong faction active in Yuseong’s neighborhood.

He had been the thug who extorted money from Yuseong and harassed a local grocery store owner.

Guchilseong immediately grabbed Park Duyeop and questioned him.

Apparently, the new face of Cheonghwa who arrested Gwak Cheongrae had ties with a low-ranking thug.

The thug who had been shaking down Yuseong before he got stronger was none other than Guchilseong’s subordinate.

After this was revealed, Park Duyeop’s life collapsed pitifully.

Go Byeongjae of Red Eye suffered a similar fate after being ordered around by Seong Jeokpyo.

But even Go Byeongjae would have pitied Park Duyeop had he known the latter’s situation.

Guchilseong’s temper was merciless to that degree.

“Seong Jeokpyo, that red bastard, is trying to recruit Baek Yuseong. If that happens, can you take responsibility?”

That was the news that had infuriated Guchilseong so deeply.

Reliable sources had already informed him.

Seong Jeokpyo of Red Eye was desperate to recruit Baek Yuseong.

In fact, according to the sources, Red Eye guild members had been discussing Baek Yuseong’s recruitment right outside the Cheonghwa Support Center.

“Duyeop, do you know why that bastard Jeokpyo wants Baek Yuseong?”

“W-w-well…”

“It’s obvious. They want to ditch our farming operations, use Cheonghwa’s connections to sway the police and prosecution, and clean up their image to rise to the top.”

Farming.

Literally, Seven Stars was cultivating crops in a specific area within the Abyss.

If the government or energy-related companies found out, it would have been a joyous discovery.

But unfortunately, what they were cultivating wasn’t food.

“Do you want to end up like Gwak Cheongrae?”

“Eek! No! Absolutely not!”

The plants of the Abyss had hallucinogenic effects.

They were what people called the Hallucinogenic Flower.

After a brief silence, Guchilseong crouched down and asked Park Duyeop.

“Duyeop, do you want to live?”

“Yes! I’ll do anything you say!”

Bleeding profusely, Park Duyeop cried out as if grabbing onto a lifeline in the darkness.

“I’m going to take down that bastard Jeokpyo this time.”

“Yes, sir.”

Although Seven Stars and Red Eye were rivals, they rarely confronted each other directly.

If they fought, neither side could easily overcome the other—their power was evenly matched.

Park Duyeop’s pupils trembled at Guchilseong’s declaration of war.

“And you’re the one who’s going to take him down personally.”

Then came a thunderous command.

“You will become my sword.”

Under any other circumstances, Park Duyeop would have been thrilled and excited.

“I’m not worthy. I don’t even have a proper Gift. My rank is barely D-class. It’s an honor, but…”

However, Park Duyeop was nothing more than a small-time thug who only acted tough around his neighborhood.

Seong Jeokpyo of Red Eye was a fourth-class and belonged to an elite few compared to Seven Stars.

For a lowly member like Park Duyeop to take him down was absurd.

“Haha, do you really think you’re the one who’ll stab him with a sashimi knife?”

But Guchilseong suddenly smiled and helped Park Duyeop to his feet.

“You only need to lure them.”

“L-lure them?”

“Yeah, make those bastards run in circles.”

The Stone Curse.

Hearing that, Park Duyeop recalled something.

“Could it be, the Medusa Rat…?”

Among the many monsters in the Abyss, there were terrifying ones that could turn explorers to stone.

One or two were manageable, but when their numbers rose to dozens, even the strongest explorers could be petrified like statues.

“This plan is known only to you and me for now. If you succeed, I’ll forgive everything and promote you to a senior position.”

Senior position.

Guchilseong’s unprecedented appointments were notorious even within the organization.

Hope glimmered in Park Duyeop’s bloodshot eyes.

“If you just give me a chance…”

“Good, you’ll get one.”

A smile crept onto Guchilseong’s grim face.

Park Duyeop realized that he had stepped once again onto an irreversible path.

But now, there was no choice but to advance.

***

Seoul Special City, Jongno-gu.

Explorer Association Seoul Branch.

ㅡ Explorer Baek Yuseong’s identity has been confirmed.

When he held up his permit at the entrance gate, the passage opened.

Yuseong’s Ferrari, a bright scarlet, smoothly entered.

“Dojin, look at this. It’s hilarious.”

“Ah, hyung, you’re driving, you know. That’s dangerous.”

“Who said I’m driving? The Automatic Driving System is. If you don’t like it, don’t watch. I’ll watch alone.”

The one in the driver’s seat was none other than Jang Dojin.

He sat there because he had been applying for a driver’s license during winter vacation.

Either way, the car was driving itself via the automatic driving system.

Yuseong watched the video playing on his phone and marveled.

ㅡ So, the claim that Black Bean is effective for hair loss treatment is completely fake news!

We have to win with facts, facts!

Chairman Lee Woo Do probably used other medical treatments.

What are those? If I knew, would my head be like this right now?

Someone uploaded a video analyzing the effects of Black Bean on MyTube.

“No, the edited version didn’t even include the Chairman. How did everyone figure it out?”

At the time, the live streaming had only about 100 viewers.

In the edited version later uploaded, all scenes mentioning Black Bean and Chairman Lee Woo Do were cleanly cut.

Yet rumors had spread somehow, and analysis videos about Lee Woo Do and Yuseong kept appearing.

The edited video alone had already surpassed 500,000 views.

True to his nature, Jang Dojin cautiously asked,

“Aren’t you getting too famous?”

“Don’t worry. It’s just some strange guy shining briefly. Soon everyone will forget.”

But Yuseong didn’t seem to care much.

Their conversation continued as they arrived at their destination.

Dojin got out and exclaimed,

“Wow, this building is really cool.”

“You’ve been to the Explorer Association before, why?”

“But this building is new.”

“True, beginners rarely have reason to come here.”

The Explorer Association Seoul Branch was located on Bukaksan in Jongno-gu.

This place, which Yuseong had come to, was deeper inside past the main building.

The International Pioneer Record Information Center.

People who liked to give things nicknames called it the Akashic.

It was a place where information for explorers was traded—whether for money or for other valuable information.

Yuseong took out his sunglasses from his pocket and put them on.

“Let’s go in.”

The Return Knowledge he had gained—now was the time to use it wisely.

“Wow, those sunglasses look cool… Hey, come on!”

Jang Dojin, still dazed, hurried after Yuseong.

***

Within the Explorer Association, there were several departments.

Administrative Headquarters, Pioneer Command, External Affairs Bureau.

The Explorer Association was originally an international organization, but since Abyss exploration was a national project, the Seoul branch could be seen as a semi-public institution.

Among them was a somewhat peculiar subordinate agency.

It was the Pioneer Record Information Center, ranking alongside the National Assembly Library and the National Central Library.

Literally, it stored records and information related to the Abyss and exploration.

It collected detailed data about the uncharted world of the Abyss, publicly sharing it to improve safety during exploration.

However, contrary to its noble purpose, over time the record center failed to function properly.

Exploration brought wealth to humanity, and information about the Abyss became precious.

Explorers stopped submitting valuable intel to the country.

Instead, they monopolized or sold the information to companies.

Information sharing became more closed off, prompting the Explorer Association to take drastic measures.

They introduced market principles to the record center.

Explorers who brought good information would be compensated with money or receive equivalent valuable information.

There was criticism that using information about humanity’s fate for personal profit was wrong, but it succeeded.

The center became a hub for information exchange, with quality intel flowing in daily.

Naturally, explorers who discovered new information first received the highest rewards.

They took vast sums of money and important intelligence before others.

Explorers or guilds without such ability had to bring large sums just to get the information they needed.

Among these was Red Eye.

“That information won’t be something I can give you, Mr. Jeokpyo.”

“You know well that we won’t misuse it, Manager Park.”

The External Affairs Bureau mediated between guilds and the association.

At Executive Manager Park Mi Sun’s office, Red Eye’s guild master, Seong Jeokpyo, was visiting.

“Since the record center won’t grant access, I’m asking for your help. You’re the only one we trust.”

“Pharma da Camellia Colony’s location? How could we possibly tell you? That’s globally restricted info with hallucinogenic and toxic plants.”

“No, we’re not trying to steal it to sell. You know me well after all this time. Our Red Eye has been careful. It’s not a scam.”

“Then you need a legitimate reason. If you can’t disclose that, how can I give you info outside my jurisdiction?”

“Oh, please, when we’re done, won’t we tell you everything? This is a guild issue. The association won’t intervene.”

The tiresome debate dragged on again today.

Park Mi Sun held her aching head.

The record center was not under her control.

Yet for weeks, Seong Jeokpyo of Red Eye had been pestering her relentlessly.

Bzzzzz.

Then her phone rang.

The thought of briefly escaping the argument brightened her face.

“Excuse me, I have to take this call.”

“…Alright.”

Though Seong Jeokpyo’s expression darkened, Park Mi Sun quickly answered.

But her own expression soon clouded.

“No, not again? It’s not under my jurisdiction, so why do they keep bothering me?”

The caller was the persistent record center.

“What…? Baek Yuseong?”

When Yuseong’s name came up, Seong Jeokpyo’s eyes snapped open.

The name was completely unexpected.

But whether Seong Jeokpyo cared or not, Park Mi Sun immediately left her seat.

“Please wait a moment.”

“No, you can do it here if you want…”

Ignoring him politely, she closed the door and continued the call in the hallway.

“So, what’s the matter?”

ㅡ Yes, Baek Yuseong requested information exchange. But this information is restricted.

“Ugh, why are so many people after restricted info? What kind of info this time? And shouldn’t the center block personal requests? Why do they pass it to me?”

Annoyance crept into Park Mi Sun’s face.

Even if Red Eye’s Seong Jeokpyo was troublesome, Baek Yuseong’s personal request for information should have been blocked at the center.

ㅡ But the information offered in exchange is far from ordinary…

“What? He’s just started pioneering. What information could he possibly have?”

However, as the center’s explanation continued, Park Mi Sun’s mouth dropped open.

“What?”