Geumo Group — Part 1
I didn’t tell anyone that I had reached Level 5.
The only thing I did was visit the Superhuman Tower once for certification.
“Superhuman! Congratulations!”
How did they find out?
Manager Choi barged in, carrying a ten-tier cake larger than me.
“Teacher! I heard you reached Level 5!”
“Congratulations!”
Behind him, Baek Sorin and Janet walked in.
Unlike Manager Choi, they didn’t bring anything as flashy, but each carried a bottle of wine and champagne.
Meanwhile, magical fireworks exploded in the sky.
Boom! Bang bang!
[Congratulations to Teacher Warrior Kim on his grand achievement!]
[Cheers to Level 5 Warrior Kim!]
[From everyone at Jaelboan.]
I didn’t even need to check to know who was responsible for the fireworks.
It was Seo Woojin.
The extravagant fireworks display, which must have cost a fortune, was accompanied by a drone show flashing lasers as it darted around in the sky.
And it didn’t stop there.
[We’ve been waiting for this day. — From the Iron Fist Gang]
[Cheers to a great achievement — From the Hunter Association]
[Congratulations on reaching Level 5. — From the Sun Mage Tower]
[Celebrating this small but monumental step. — From the Eastern Army]
[May your path be filled with flowers! — From the Thor Church]
[We pray for your ascension. — From the Protector Alliance]
[May the Goddess bless you. — From Gaia’s Cult]
[Congratulations on your achievement. Always rooting for you. — From your little sister with white hair.]
[The Old Father is still waiting for you. — From the Old Father’s Cult.]
Wreaths lined up as they were brought in one after another.
These weren’t the plain and simple wreaths I’d seen in my original world.
They were made with magical spiritual flowers and decorated with all kinds of gemstones.
Some even seemed enchanted, as the surrounding space shimmered gently.
When I saw the last wreath, my lips twisted into a grimace.
The Old Father’s Cult.
‘Is this some kind of provocation?’
“Truly amazing!”
Baek Sorin’s eyes sparkled.
“I had no idea you were connected with so many places, Teacher!”
Kim Chulkwon, who arrived just in time, nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. Other than the major conglomerates, every one of the Four Great Powers sent a wreath. When did you build such connections?”
“I guess this is what happens when you live diligently.”
Now that I think about it, what’s going on with the Geumo Group?
They tried to steal my information through the Sun Mage Tower, so I thought they’d contact me soon, but there hasn’t been any news.
“Party time!”
Manager Choi had already set up a grill and was cooking meat.
Baek Sorin helped him, while Kim Chulkwon brought an entire crate of alcohol from his car.
Janet, not knowing what to do, just stood there watching.
“Manager Choi, have you heard anything about the Geumo Group?”
I asked casually, and Manager Choi gave me a surprised look.
“So, you’ve heard about it too, Superhuman. Well, no matter how much they try to suppress the news, those in the know will find out.”
Wait, what?
Something happened?
“As you may know, it’s a real mess right now. The succession war has become unwatchable.”
Succession war?
“You’re aware that the fallen chairman had seven children, right? Among them, the eldest son, the second son, and the youngest daughter are locked in a three-way battle. The other children have already been eliminated. Their factions are evenly matched, and since their abilities are also similar, it’s not easy to determine a winner. It’s basically come down to war. The board of directors has apparently already approved a method for warfare.”
‘Wait a minute…’
Isn’t this something that was supposed to happen much later?
The Geumo Group’s succession war.
In my memory, this event was supposed to take place just before the nuclear war in Episode 6.
It all began when the Geumo Group chairman was assassinated by the mastermind behind the nuclear war.
“The eldest son, the second son, and the youngest daughter?”
“Yes. Are you interested? Actually, just this morning, we received a request. It seems like they’re quite interested in you, Superhuman.”
“What kind of request?”
“It’s simple. A duel.”
“A duel?”
“It seems the three factions plan to hold five consecutive duels. They’re asking you to participate. They’ve offered a colossal amount as a success fee.”
Listening to him, it sounded insane.
First of all, 10 billion won in cash.
That was the base amount, offered equally by all three factions.
In addition, the eldest son offered 30 Diamonds, the second son offered three pieces of magical equipment, and the youngest daughter offered a Dasan Gun.
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“10 billion won as the baseline?”
“Well, they’re conglomerates after all. Plus, if it’s you, Superhuman, they’re certain you can win against Level 5 opponents. You might even beat a Level 6.”
“Did they set any level restrictions?”
“Yes. The board of directors imposed a limit: two Level 6s and three Level 5s per faction. Level 7s are not allowed to participate.”
“Why would they bother with such restrictions?”
“I heard it was a collaboration between the second son and the youngest daughter. The eldest son’s master is a Level 7.”
“Ah, I see.”
“So the eldest son included Level 5s in the lineup. While Level 6s are evenly matched, his in-laws at Level 5 are some of the most skilled fighters around.”
Politics sure are complicated.
Even in a series of five duels, there’s this much maneuvering.
“They’re deciding a conglomerate’s succession with five consecutive duels?”
“That’s not all. The five duels are just one of three rounds.”
“Three rounds?”
“There’s also the Grandmaster Duel and a team match planned.”
“Shouldn’t running a conglomerate be about making money? Deciding it through combat doesn’t make much sense.”
“Well, the factions and abilities are evenly matched. Plus, making money is tied to power, isn’t it? Without strength, you can’t protect your assets. The fallen chairman was particularly famous for not hesitating to use force, which is why this kind of decision suits them.”
‘Fair enough.’
In the game, the Geumo Group was practically a villainous organization.
I’ve heard that all three contenders had already proven their managerial abilities.
‘Diamonds, magical equipment, and a Dasan Gun, huh?’
Should I get involved?
All three rewards were items that were hard to come by.
Since it wasn’t a team battle but one-on-one duels, honestly, I could breeze through it.
Didn’t I win a three-on-one fight in the Grand Labyrinth?
Granted, that was because the two Inquisitors and the Knight Commander were only N-rank.
“I’ll participate as well.”
“You too, Superhuman?”
“I have some unresolved business with the Geumo Group. A few months ago, did you hear about a mage being expelled from the Sun Mage Tower?”
“Yes, I saw it in the news. I heard he’s now working as a private bodyguard for the Geumo Group’s eldest son.”
The eldest son?
So, the backer behind that incident was him?
“Then I’ll join the youngest daughter’s side.”
The reason was simple.
Her reward was the best.
In the game, the youngest daughter had always been at the biggest disadvantage.
It’s probably the same here.
The elders of Geumo Electronics would back the eldest son, and the skilled members of Geumo Security would support the second son.
The youngest daughter might control Geumo Financial, but at this point, even that was likely weak.
High risk, high reward—that’s an unchanging truth.
“Superhuman, there’s something you should know before you decide. It’s about the fallen chairman.”
It’s probably information I already know.
In the game, the chairman’s death appeared to be from natural causes.
But later, when the Truth Tower was revealed as the mastermind behind the nuclear war, the full story came to light.
In the secret documents obtained after raiding the Truth Tower, it was revealed that the events of Episode 4 (Evil Dragon), Episode 5 (Hell Gate), and Episode 6 (Nuclear War) were all orchestrated by the Truth Tower.
The reason the Truth Tower was not considered one of the Four Great Towers, despite its internal operations being fully implemented, was also explained there.
“There’s a rumor that the Sun Mage Tower had a hand in his death.”
The Sun Mage Tower?
Why is their name coming up here?
Baek Sorin, who had been lingering nearby, quickly jumped into the conversation.
“The Sun Mage Tower? What about them?”
“Well… I don’t know the intimate details, but I’ve heard that the Geumo Group made a mistake involving the Sun Mage Tower, and the Sun Mage Tower retaliated.”
“No way. No matter what happened, they wouldn’t go after a conglomerate chairman, would they?”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Sorin.”
Kim Chulkwon interjected.
“People often lump the Four Great Powers together, but there’s actually a clear hierarchy among them. Strictly speaking, it’s more accurate to say there are the Six Major Forces and Twelve Lesser Forces.”
“The Six Major Forces and Twelve Lesser Forces?”
“Kim Chulkwon is right. The Eastern Army, Western Army, Shinwha Group, Sun Mage Tower, Old Father’s Cult, and Shiva Church are considered the Six Major Forces. The gap between these six and the rest is significant.”
Among the 18 major powers—the 2 Great Armies, 4 Conglomerates, 5 Mage Towers, and 7 Churches—the distinction between the strong and weak was straightforward.
“They’re the ones with Level 8 Superhumans.”
“Exactly. It’s also highly likely that the Sun Mage Tower’s Tower Master personally got involved this time.”
“I’ve heard about that as well. They say the chairman’s heart was charred black, yet some unidentified magic was still circulating his blood, keeping it pumping. It’s pretty clear.”
“In Korea, only the Tower Master of the Sun Mage Tower could pull off something like that. Apparently, there are a few people abroad who could, though.”
Listening to Manager Choi and Kim Chulkwon’s back-and-forth, I fell into thought.
Why would the Tower Master of the Sun Mage Tower intervene?
The first thing that came to mind was the incident from a few months ago.
The attempt to extract my information.
Perhaps the Tower Master had quietly issued a warning, but things escalated.
The Geumo Group chairman wasn’t exactly the type to back down either.
If the situation had spiraled to the point where the Tower Master’s rage exploded…
It wouldn’t have been just covert sabotage. It would’ve turned into an outright brawl.
The Geumo Group would’ve done everything in their power to cover it up.
Conglomerates care the most—and the least—about public perception.
It’s no wonder they’ve got TV stations and newspapers firmly in their grip.
‘Still, this feels off.’
Even so, the idea that the Geumo Group chairman is dead doesn’t sit right with me.
While the Tower Master has a quick temper, he doesn’t seem like the type to kill a conglomerate chairman without caring about the aftermath.
There’s probably more to this that I don’t know yet.
“What’s odd is the siblings’ reaction. If the Sun Mage Tower took out their father, shouldn’t they be seeking revenge?”
“That’s not how that family operates.”
“They’re a bunch of hyenas. None of them even suggested bringing in a Saintess or a Pontiff. If they’d used an elixir and brought in a resurrection miracle from a Saintess or Pontiff at the time of discovery, the chairman would’ve survived.”
“The chairman had definitely lost public support. He frequently sent assassins after people, disguised it as promotions, and then exiled them to remote locations. Who would’ve liked him? Even his own children aren’t fighting to save him; they’re too busy battling over control of the company.”
“It’s too late to save him now anyway. They say his life is being sustained by machines, with only his heart still beating. The moment the vice-chairman is elected, the chairman’s death will be officially announced.”
What a mess.
In the game, they at least tried to save him.
Here, they’re practically pushing him to die.
“The things people do for money… Understood. Manager Choi, please officially contact them on my behalf.”
“The youngest daughter’s side is at a clear disadvantage, but are you okay with that?”
“It’s fine. Disadvantages come with their own advantages.”
“Understood. I’ll reach out right away.”
The appointment will likely be scheduled a few days from now.
That’s what I thought as I popped open a bottle of champagne.
I was congratulating Baek Sorin and giving her some advice when I noticed she was close to reaching Level 4.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang, and at the same time, Manager Choi’s smartphone buzzed loudly.
“Uh…”
Manager Choi checked his phone and widened his eyes.
“She’s here.”
“What?”
“The youngest daughter—no, President Seong of Geumo Financial—has arrived outside.”
I had barely accepted the request, and she’s already here?
She must have jumped into a flying car, or maybe even an aircraft, the moment she received the message.
I adjusted the sanctuary’s boundaries and opened the door.
Under the pouring sunlight stood a proud woman, exuding an air of confidence.
No secretary. No bodyguards. She was alone.
But that didn’t mean she could be underestimated.
The raven-feather marking on her neck immediately caught my attention.
A small gem, partially hidden behind her hair, radiated potent magic.
It was the Leviathan Build—a combination of biological mutation and mechanical augmentation.
Clearly, even among chaebol families, they had access to specialized knowledge about enhancements tailored to their lineage.
“President Seong?”
“Yes. I’m Seong Huiyeong. I received your email. So, you’ve agreed to take on my request?”
Seong Huiyeong scanned me from head to toe, her gaze as appraising as if she were evaluating merchandise.
I did the same to her.
In the game, she was described as both a viper and a scorpion—someone dangerous and calculating.
Though wary, I was also intrigued.
Her mother was a top star, so at least in terms of appearance, she was truly exceptional.
“Come inside. We’re having a small celebration.”
“I heard you reached Level 5. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
She herself was a Level 6 Superhuman.
Seong Huiyeong’s heels clicked sharply against the floor as she stepped inside.
The previously noisy atmosphere of the house grew silent.
Though she wasn’t releasing any mana waves, her mere presence was enough to dominate the room.
“Hm.”
Seong Huiyeong glanced at Baek Sorin and Janet, letting out a soft nasal hum.
“Are they your genius disciples, Superhuman?”
“Yes. Both are Level 3. One of them is about to reach Level 4 within a month.”
“They certainly look the part. I’d heard from Director Seo that you seem to have a natural talent for teaching. Seven disciples, and all of them are Level 3 or above.”
Seven?
Ah, she must be including Seo Woojin and his friends in that count.
They weren’t official disciples, but if this were martial arts fiction, they’d be considered external disciples or lay disciples. Either way, a disciple is a disciple.
I merely shrugged my shoulders.
“Something like that.”
“If possible, we’d like to bring you into our security team. Or, better yet, as the CEO or a permanent advisor to Geumo Security. How about it?”
“Making a mere Level 5 the CEO? That seems like a stretch.”
“It’s possible. After all, you’re not just anyone; you’re the Black Tiger Swordmaster.”
Her gaze lingered on my waist—on none other than the Black Tiger Sword.
Well, who would think of me as just a simple Level 5?
I was connected to the Sun Mage Tower, honored as a Knight of both the Thor Church and Gaia’s Cult.
Though I’d kept my actions relatively quiet, those who needed to know were well aware.
“Apologies, but I don’t like being tied to organizations.”
“I expected as much. Someone who even turned down the offer to become the Legion Commander’s disciple wouldn’t find the CEO of Geumo Security appealing. But I’ve heard there are things you do like.”
Seong Huiyeong reached into her pocket.
Kim Chulkwon, visibly on edge, rose to his feet.
His hand hovered near his submachine gun, but Seong Huiyeong didn’t so much as glance at him.
From her pocket—likely a magical one with spatial expansion—she pulled out a hefty pistol.
It was a familiar weapon.
I’d seen it countless times in the game, and it bore an uncanny resemblance to the two guns currently resting in my golf bag.
“This is a Dasan Pistol.”
Seong Huiyeong said confidently.
“I’ll give you one as your retainer fee, and if you succeed, you’ll receive another one as a bonus.”
–TL Notes–
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Who is the little sister with white hairs? An anonymous message from priest kim?
Could be