Martial Arts Returnee’s Game Broadcast

Chapter 272

Min Woo-sung did not want this promotion at all. His mouth naturally began searching for an excuse.

“Isn’t there a need for someone to stay by the Guild Master's side as a personal secretary?” [If you want to work as a secretary, you can do that with me.] “...Even I have limits when it comes to the workload. Isn’t it true that Mr. Gyeong Seok hasn’t even shown his face at the headquarters since he took on the corporate duties?”

Fortunately, Ha Eung Eung seemed to understand. However, she did not retract her previous order.

[If it's about being a secretary, Jiwoo has plenty of time.]

Jiwoo really did have a lot of time. Back when the Haenam faction first started the guild, she took on all kinds of hard tasks and external work just to earn the contribution points needed for the guild's establishment. But now, with the guild stabilized and matters like contributions and security being taken care of by Elder Shinseonggak and the Daesan Guild, there was no need for someone like Jiwoo with much martial prowess. If it were another guild, a secretary would likely be chosen with some emphasis on martial strength. However, in order to find a secretary stronger than Ha Eung Eung, humanity would need more time.

“It’s not easy managing Mark 2 either.” [If it’s about childcare, Eve would love it. Eve likes me, so she’ll take good care of Mark 2.]

Saint Eve, who came from the Eastern Bloc. When it came to having time to spare, she was as much as Jiwoo. With Dashman, her constant attendant, always by her side, it would be a perfect arrangement if Dashman, who knew about Mark 2's existence, helped out.

Min Woo-sung wanted to come up with some other excuse, but he couldn’t think of anything that would reverse Ha Eung Eung’s decision.

[Why do you keep refusing? Are you not willing to take responsibility for the child you brought?]

A faint anger flickered in Ha Eung Eung's eyes. There was no longer any justification for refusing the promotion.

“No, it’s just that I was worried whether others would be able to take over the tasks I was handling. I am a bit over-responsible, so please, kindly understand.”

[Even if you don’t pass this competition, these kids still have to live their lives.]

In the entertainment world firmly gripped by Teen Entertainment, it was impossible to continue pushing forward with just Haenam faction’s backing without any agency. Someone had to take responsibility for the kids, and Min Woo-sung, in his own opinion, believed he was the most suitable candidate.

‘Alright, if I can’t avoid it, I’ll think of it positively.’

He might not be able to enjoy the joy of standing by the Guild Master's side, but at least he could protect Ji-su’s bright smile. He also had the desire to provide a better opportunity for Hanna and Ji-yeon, and he had to take responsibility for So-young, whom he had brought along.

‘Jiwoo is nothing special.’

Given Jiwoo's abilities, she was certainly inadequate to be Ha Eung Eung's personal secretary. Soon, Ha Eung Eung would likely give him an order to return to headquarters. Min Woo-sung’s true enemy was elsewhere.

‘Park Ji-o. If he becomes the representative of the entertainment company, that composer guy will be the one I hire.’

A somewhat sinister ambition crept in. He had already earned more money than he could ever need, and he certainly couldn’t neglect an A-level composer, but he could devise a way to reduce the opportunities for that man to meet the Guild Master. If he couldn't stay by the Guild Master's side, he wouldn’t allow that man to meet the Guild Master either. The short time between Min Woo-sung accepting the position of Haenam Entertainment’s representative had been filled with numerous thoughts, analyses, and calculations.

“Then, are there any guidelines regarding the future management policy of Haenam Entertainment?”

Ha Eung Eung vertically placed a pen on her finger, stacked an eraser on top of it, and then placed a file folder on the eraser, looking around the room. In that moment, with her demeanor seeming drained, Min Woo-sung pulled out a cigarette pack from his pocket.

Oh.

One of Ha Eung Eung's hands grabbed the cigarette pack, and after considering how to place the other hand, she lightly flicked the pack up with the tips of her fingers. Displaying unparalleled balance, her skill in placing the cigarette pack on the file folder was no less than that of a professional circus performer.

‘Her strange little tricks are increasing day by day.’

Next time she returns here, I might even see her jumping into a flaming ring or training an elephant with a whip. As his thoughts spiraled, with one hand performing tricks, she wrote her answer with the pen in her other hand.

[Sometimes, all you need to do is what I ask.] “Does that mean you’ll leave everything else to me?” [Do it just like Mr. Gyeong Seok.]

Min Woo-sung was certain. This person had no idea how well Mr. Gyeong Seok was doing. Under the name of Haenam Enterprises, the number of subsidiaries had already surpassed ten, and at this rate, they would soon challenge the stronghold of Teen Guilds. Of course, no matter how well his subordinates performed, Ha Eung Eung was always indifferent as usual. In her eyes, a cigarette pack that appeared late just made her tilt her head in curiosity.

[Didn’t you used to avoid smoking?] “It just happened that way.”

The impulsive thought of offering to smoke together was quickly suppressed. The desire to spend even a little more private time with the Guild Master, who seemed like a child so engrossed in circus tricks, using cigarettes as an excuse, seemed quite foolish to Min Woo-sung.

Jiwoo was in a very good mood.

“It’s been so long since I’ve had the honor of attending directly by your side. Haha.”

After Min Woo-sung’s demotion—though it wasn’t exactly a demotion—Jiwoo, who had been idly hanging around in the headquarters, was now appointed as the next secretary. Having become Ha Eung Eung’s personal secretary, it felt like a dream come true every day.

[Jiwoo, Zombie Hazard is a game that can’t be played alone.] “Haha, the multiplayer mode is like that, isn’t it? If everyone doesn’t gather as a group, the game can’t be played. And the kids are always so busy. But, since their performance is good, what can we do? I guess we just have to wait.”

[But I want to play Zombie Hazard.] “Haha, yes. I, too, am looking forward to seeing the Guild Master commanding zombies in Zombie Hazard.”

Unlike Jiwoo, who was blissfully happy, Ha Eung Eung felt troubled. When she was with Min Woo-sung, if she hinted like this, Min Woo-sung would immediately apologize, saying he hadn’t noticed, and move swiftly to take care of things. But Jiwoo, even after confirming again and again that her message was delivered, still couldn’t understand.

‘It’s like a well of wishes.’

During a covert assassination mission in the demon realm, a demonic figure, knowledgeable in the true names and legends of monsters, once told her a story. When wishing, if one lowers an object tied to a pulley connected to the well, when the pulley is pulled up, a completely different item comes back. Using that object could fulfill the wish, but no one knew how to use it, so it was also called the well of hope and torment.

‘Viewers called it the "Ancient Primitive Random Box."’

Ha Eung Eung thought Jiwoo was just like that well of wishes. Throwing the notebook, she had no idea what answer would come back.

“It’s a bit boring. How about doing a joint stream with Mr. Eom Gil-dong? I heard you set it up for a collaboration after coming to sign the contract last time.”

[Will that allow us to play Zombie Hazard?] “Haha, yes. The multiplayer mode only supports one group at a time. It’s really sad when the popular ones go out with their clique and leave the outsiders just hanging, don’t you think?”

She wasn’t curious about that reason.

“Mr. Eom Gil-dong is a bit of a relief in that regard. He doesn’t have any friends, you know?”

“...”

Despite Ha Eung Eung’s increasingly sulky expression, Jiwoo proudly showed off the majesty of the cutting-edge modern random box. That was a bit disrespectful toward Mr. Eom Gil-dong.

“Or…”

It was as though Jiwoo was proposing another person, casually, as if it was just something said in passing.

“How about a joint stream with Speed Master?”

[No thanks.] “That person is a pretty popular streamer, you know?” [I have high expectations for him.] “Then that’s even better, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t the expectations toward the joint stream that mattered. For a top-tier streamer who occasionally reveals a notable presence, Jiwoo had high hopes for a competitive spirit and expectations about his skill.

‘Maybe, aside from me, he might be the strongest in the industry, and I don’t want to deal with him lightly.’

She was the type who would savor the strawberry on a strawberry cake or the only white chocolate decoration on a chocolate cake at the very end. She didn’t rush for the delicious things, knowing she had the power to keep others from taking them.

Survival wasn’t the goal; it was enjoyment of the meal.

Ha Eung Eung’s meals were that much more special to her.

‘It’s okay to save it for now.’

A top-tier streamer’s stronghold wouldn’t collapse so easily.

“How about instead, as a substitute, Mr. Lee Jae-chan from Gukbongseonsa? I heard he’s quite good with a sword too.” “?” “You remember, right? We had an interview together before. When the Myungho Guild was still strong, we experienced the monster air raid together. Have you forgotten already?”

She did remember. What made her puzzled wasn’t the memory, though.

[What would you do with a joint stream with that person?]

Just a bit of swordplay. Of course, he was not as skilled as herself.

That concern was unexpectedly resolved in another direction.

“While the Guild Master is stronger, don’t you think it’s still too early to be sure you’re better at training disciples?”

[Jiwoo, you’re really good at provoking others. You’re provoking me, the leader of Haenam Faction, on my disciple training skills.] “Haha. It’s not me; it’s Mr. Lee Jae-chan who’s amazing. There’s a game called Gladiator Master, where players train NPCs to make them fight.”

Lee Jae-chan is ranked number 1 in Korea there, you know.

That statement made thoughts of the Half-Demon Valley, Hellse Sal, Ibok Academy, and Zombie Hazard all fade to the background.