Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 155

157

“I see. Then give me those glasses. Let me take a look.”

Aula looked at him with a wry smile.

“If I wanted to show you, wouldn’t I have displayed it on the screen?”

“Oh, come on. Why are you being so difficult over such trivial information? It’s all about me anyway.”

“That’s right. But there’s also something about you that you don’t know. If you want to know, you have to pay the price.”

Julian scoffed, finding it absurd.

“Hey! How can I not know something about myself!”

“Huhu. Humans tend to judge themselves subjectively. So, no matter how rational a person is, they often reach a completely different conclusion about themselves than the objective opinions of others – usually a very positive one. As a friend, I advise you, never rely solely on your own thoughts about yourself. It’s a shortcut to ruining your life.”

He looked interested, his eyes widening slightly. External evaluations of himself? He was genuinely curious.

“Okay. What did they say about me?”

Aula held out her open palm.

“How many times do I have to say it? If you want to know, you have to pay the price.”

Julian sighed deeply.

“Hoo~ What do I have to give?”

“You tell me what you’re willing to give. Then I’ll tell you as much as it’s worth.”

Julian took out a blank check from his pocket, wrote a 5 followed by five 0s in the amount field, tore it off, and handed it over.

“Here. It’s 500,000 krangs [currency]. Tell me quickly what they said.”

Aula took the check with a leisurely gesture and replied immediately.

“It’s simple. They say you’re a pathetic loser.”

Julian slammed the table with both hands.

“What! What did you just say!”

“Hmph. What do you think people will say about someone who was outmaneuvered by a rookie and came crawling to me?”

“Hey! That’s because the Black Society is backing that guy!”

“The Black Society? You had the Economic Organizations and the Youth United Business Association behind you. And according to the information, Oh Beom-seok didn’t rely much on the Black Society and solved most things himself, while you received full support. So, don’t you have anything to say to that?”

He gritted his teeth. He had no argument, even from his own perspective.

“R, really?”

“Yes. The Black Society only supported him with some funds and a few preliminary operations.”

Julian’s eyes lit up at the mention of funding. Knowing that fact alone could deliver a fatal blow to the Black Society and Beom-seok.

The reason they were being pushed back was that Beom-seok’s third-party theory had swayed government officials. So, they viewed Emma’s performance as an achievement made with her own skills, and their opinions were ignored. If they revealed the fact that funds were being provided, with accurate evidence, they could immediately reverse their current disadvantage.

“The Black Society funded him?”

“Hmm. It’s not certain, but there are indications.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t say.”

Julian took out another wad of checks.

“Do you need money? I’ll give you as much as you want, so please tell me.”

“This isn’t about money. So, give up.”

“Hey! Why are you acting so expensive?”

“I have no choice but to act expensive. If I tell you this fact, our bank and the Black Society could become enemies. Wilkins Financial Group is already rising from below, making my grandfather uncomfortable, and if the Black Society’s funds leave the bank because of this, I, the cause of the problem, will be immediately removed from the line of succession.”

Julian bit his lip tightly.

“Hey! Isn’t our Economic Organizations uncomfortable too!”

“Of course. It’s uncomfortable.”

“But why are you protecting the Black Society and ignoring us!”

“It’s simple. I don’t know if you know, but our banking sector has decided to remain neutral in this fight between the Black Society and the Economic Organizations. But if I tell you this information, it will damage that neutrality, whereas if I remain silent, I will be keeping that principle. In other words, I won’t be responsible for anything if a problem arises later. And the most decisive reason is that our LHN [banking group] is uncomfortable with both the Black Society and you, but we have the power to accept any challenge.”

Julian, meeting Aula’s fierce gaze, immediately backed down. He was already struggling with the Black Society, and there was no need to add LHN to the mix.

“Hey. Don’t do that, just tell me. I’ll keep it a secret. Surely, knowing my personality, you know I won’t make things public recklessly, right? So, just this once… Please…”

“No. Absolutely not. Even if it’s not from your mouth, this matter will leak to the Black Society.”

“Hey. Don’t say ridiculous things. How would they know about things here?”

Aula looked at him with indifferent eyes.

“You’ve been through so much, and you still underestimate the Black Society? In fact, we firmly believe that the Black Society will win this fight. Do you know why?”

“W, why?”

“Because the Black Society has the world’s strongest intelligence network. They probably already know that you and I met and are preparing countermeasures.”

“I, is that true?”

“Yes. It’s not much of a secret, so I’m telling you. Do you even know why my grandfather sent me to this information control room, which is no different from a security office?”

“H, how would I know that?”

“It’s because my grandfather was shocked after confirming the Black Society’s intelligence capabilities. So, he told me to create an intelligence organization that rivals theirs and sent me here. The one who obtains information will dominate the future, and the one who dominates the future is the winner. This information control room nominally regulates the maintenance of internal secrets, but in reality, its main task is to grasp external information and advise the management.”

No wonder Chairman Balbar, who doted on Aula, had her stuck in this security office. It was definitely a credible story. However, he couldn’t give up like this because the information was too tempting.

“Hey. Don’t do that, just tell me. Honestly, it’s just us here right now. The Black Society may only suspect, but they don’t know for sure that you’re involved.”

“That may be so. But you don’t need this information.”

“What does that mean?”

Aula stared intently at the screen. The way the Black Society handed over funds to Beom-seok was through a gambling house in Osaha. The problem was that this method of transferring funds was a key route for corruption that led to the top of the political world, as well as the business world. If Julian poked around here, considerable sanctions would be imposed by various levels of society.

“Do you think the Black Society would handle things carelessly? If you touch this line, you’re dead. This money is not only to support Beom-seok, but also a trap to cut off your lifeline. So, pretend you don’t know. No matter how tempting and fragrant it is, don’t stick your nose into the cheese in a mousetrap.”

“No way! Are you saying we’ll be caught in the Black Society’s scheme!”

Aula shook her head and said in a quiet voice.

“Since there’s something you don’t know, I’ll tell you. The reason the Economic Organizations are fighting the Black Society on equal terms is because they haven’t abandoned their pride yet, not because you’re doing well. The moment the Black Society abandons its pride and widens its range of actions even a little, you’re finished.”

The range of actions she was talking about referred to the rule of receiving only about 100 new members each year who have received free body modification procedures with excellent grades. They were some of the best talents in the world, but they had no homes or temples, so they were not very helpful to the organization. No, they had to be raised and supported under the name of fostering juniors, which was a burden to existing members. However, if the Black Society expanded this range to include self-made entrepreneurs, its power would grow dramatically.

But foolishly, they were now fighting a battle that could trigger such a situation. If the Economic Organizations won this conflict and the policy of providing free body modification procedures to about 100 people each year disappeared, the Black Society would change its method of selecting members to survive, which would soon lead to the expansion of the organization. In other words, what the Economic Organizations are doing now is not a policy to destroy the enemy Black Society, but a self-destruction.”

After finishing all the explanations, Aula scolded him as if blaming him.

“Got it? You idiot. So, back off from this fight. The moment you win this fight, you die.”

Julian could only swallow hard at her new interpretation and could not raise any objections. If the Black Society really abandoned its pride and changed its rules, the Economic Organizations would be in great danger. If the Black Society attracted even self-made entrepreneurs to expand the organization, they would not be able to maintain their current equality.

“Hoo~ Ah, I understand. I’ll give up on that information.”

“Hmph. You’re not a complete idiot.”

“But I can’t just leave Beom-seok alone. I’ve suffered so much that I can’t sleep at night.”

Aula glanced at the screen and nodded.

“Well, you’ve suffered a lot. I’d be angry too if I were you.”

“Yes. So, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What favor?”

“Lend me your strength and brains. I want to destroy him.”

“I told you. We don’t want to be enemies with the Black Society. From what I can see, if I get involved with that kid, the Black Society will step in. As you know, Beom-seok is the center of this fight.”

Julian brought his face close to hers.

“I know that too. But I can’t help it in my current situation, so I’m asking you for help.”

“Why? You have the Economic Organizations and the Youth United Business Association behind you.”

“But they’re slowly trying to pull out. In fact, I’m only saying this now, but the organization has no intention of continuing this fight. Beom-seok keeps Emma with him, so we’re almost on the verge of defeat. So, to make up for this, they’re drawing a new front, and naturally, his work has been pushed to the back burner. In other words, I have to fight alone now.”

“You have a lot of guts. You know that the Black Society will step in if you touch that kid, and you’re going to jump in alone?”

“That’s why I came to you for help. Please don’t just stand by and help me. There must be a way to screw that kid over without the Black Society stepping in.”

Aula rested her chin on her hand and stared at him for a long time before smiling brightly.

“Well, if you look hard enough, there might be a way somewhere.”

Julian opened his eyes wide.

“There really is! What way is it!”

“I have a rough idea, but I don’t know yet. I can only give you a definite answer after looking at the detailed information.”

“Then what are you doing? Check it quickly.”

“Okay. Wait.”

Aula reorganized the screen and opened a new information window. This time, it was Beom-seok’s financial information, and all of his financial information, such as his expenses and income, was accurately displayed.

She looked at the list of assets at the top and let out a small exclamation.

“He’s no joke. He has 130 million krangs [currency] in funds.”

“Why? Are you going to destroy him with money?”

Aula pushed Julian’s face away with her hand.

“Don’t say ridiculous things. How many times have I told you? I can’t directly touch Beom-seok. Besides, this kid has no debt and the team is privately owned. There’s no reason for us, a financial company, to impose sanctions.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“Wait, I’m looking for it now.”

She began searching for personal-related menus in security level 1 information. It was a database obtained by bribing a high-ranking official of the Federal Government’s Central Intelligence Agency, and it contained detailed information on all citizens around the world.

However, the more Aula dug into Beom-seok’s interior, the more uneasy she felt. The information before he entered society was ridiculously sparse. His history only showed the date of birth and the government-run childcare facilities he had gone through, and no parents or related people were linked at all. Moreover, if she tried to go deeper, a no-access sign would invariably appear. If a person was protected to this extent, they were either a high-ranking government official or a Central Intelligence Agency agent working in the private sector with a major mission.

She looked at Julian with a desperate expression.

“J, Julian. Who the hell is he?”

“Who is he? He’s the chairman of the Gods Knights team.”

“Don’t lie! The database I’m searching now contains information on all citizens searched with the ID of the Deputy Director of the Federal Central Intelligence Agency. If there’s even protection here, it means that Beom-seok is no ordinary person! At least he’s an important government figure or a secret agent of the Federal Central Intelligence Agency!”

Aula was making a big mistake. Beom-seok was just the main character in the game, so the central system was preventing the game character from searching for information. Even the Deputy Director of the Federal Central Intelligence Agency could never search for accurate information about him.

However, Julian had no way of knowing this.

“Hey. No way. There must be a computer error. Would such an important government official have nothing to do and run a pro-fighting team? Sports clubs have nothing to do with the government or the Federal Central Intelligence Agency other than making money.”

Aula quickly reopened Beom-seok’s financial information window. She wondered if it was possible that he was making money. Occasionally, government agencies would do secret work to obtain illegal slush funds, and she wondered if Beom-seok was an agent doing work related to that. However, no such circumstances were found no matter how much she searched. If slush funds were paid, there would be awkward financial transactions, but his financial information was too clean.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

Ah, I’m a little late. I went out and just came in now. Hahaha. These days, I’m strangely busy every weekend.

Then everyone have a nice weekend. I’ll see you again tomorrow.