Chapter 358

[‘CatBreedingIsTheBest’ donated 10,000 won!]

– If we win this round, it’s 100,000 won per kill, right?

[100,000 won per kill? Wait a second, HighSchoolLover, can you handle it if I get over 20 kills? I might have to bring out my hidden weapon.]

– A big spender has appeared ㄷㄷㄷㄷ

– Suspiciously suspicious furry lover ㄷㄷ

– Chosen by the Golden Cat!

– Not even a high school student, but HighSchoolLover lol

– Is this person for real a chaebol? Always throwing money around.

└ Isn’t that Nomane’s manager?

└ He appeared briefly in the UFC episode, giving off a genuine chaebol vibe.

Three girls gathered, and all they could do was watch internet broadcasts while eating spicy rice cakes and chicken.

“So chaebols order chicken too.”

“I feel like I’ve heard that a million times in my life.”

We had no overlapping interests aside from internet broadcasts.

Adella wasn’t into cosmetics, Eborum disliked traveling, and I was ignorant about music, movies, and dramas.

“Wow, they really are rich. Don’t your parents say anything about spending so much money?”

Adella asked bluntly while tearing into a chicken leg.

“I get an allowance separately?”

Eborum was petting Adella’s tail, which she had succeeded in taking for herself through some kind of deal.

“You get an allowance? Then what’s this?”

“Ah, this is stock dividends. My dad checks where I used my card, but the dividends go directly into my personal account, so it’s fine. Ugh, by the way, the smell of pine trees is so nice, Adella. I want to make it into a perfume for my room!”

“Kyaaa!”

When Eborum brought Adella’s tail close to her nose, Adella stood her fur bristling.

I suddenly became curious and asked.

“Doesn’t it taste any different?”

“Yeah. It doesn’t taste like anything.”

“It’s hard to taste aura. You have to cover each taste bud with aura. And even then, most of it will just taste bitter.”

“Yeah, it’s a shame. But I’d rather enjoy the pine scent.”

“My tail isn’t public property, you guys are too much! Hey, Eborum! Don’t bite my tail with your spicy hands!”

Adella reclaimed her tail again.

Seemingly tired of yelling, she eventually released her external manifestation.

I didn’t understand why she was so sensitive over something that wasn’t even her body.

Cats are, in any case, hard to understand.

“Nameya, isn’t tteokbokki not spicy? Is it edible?”

“Yeah. If it’s too spicy, I balance it out with my aura while eating.”

“Do you have to go through all that trouble to eat…?”

“It’s not that I can’t eat spicy food; I just don’t like it.”

“Oh, really? I’m proud of our room leader!”

While I nibbled on the meat attached to my wings, the two girls with good appetites quickly finished off the tteokbokki.

Meanwhile, the streamer who received a mission managed to get 20 kills but lost all the money due to the team’s defeat.

Eborum laughed and typed a merciless comment.

“Isn’t your hobby way too awful?”

“Compared to those kids who have drug parties in officetels, this is a very wholesome hobby, you know?”

“Eh? That kind of comparison is cheating! Who says that? Your friends?”

“I don’t know, it’s all people I’ve cut ties with now. As long as I don’t cause trouble, my dad doesn’t care what I do. He probably encourages me to watch broadcasts even more.”

“What’s the chaebol world like? Can you tell me a bit? I’m so curious!”

Adella rested her chin on her hands, her eyes twinkling.

As expected, who doesn’t like money?

Eborum casually answered.

“There’s nothing particularly special… Those I know usually study hard and go study abroad in America, and those who like to party mostly go on omakase tours or attend fashion shows. Occasionally, they get to eat with celebrities and might use some drugs when they get bored.”

“Why does it always come back to drugs?!”

“All the friends who live decently have gone to the Academy, so I wouldn’t know about them.”

“It’s really polarizing.”

“It seems when you have a lot of money, things get divided extremely. Everyone lives as they please. But isn’t Nameya the real chaebol? 200 billion won, right?”

“I’ve spent everything on her.”

“Oh… right, you did…”

“Yeah, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! It’s wrong that I was born into this world!”

Adella pounded her chest, lamenting her unfairness.

With such a reaction, it was only natural to tease her.

We finished with the trivial talk and got to the main point.

“Eborum, about the money I lent you last time—”

“Ahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine! You’ve given me the chance to meet the noble Adella in real life, what’s a little money compared to that!”

“Don’t just call me noble; I hope you treat me well too!”

“Hmm, where is our Adella going to high school? Should I transfer there too?”

“If you come, you’ll die!”

“Both of you, be quiet!”

I clapped my hands loudly to calm the chaotic girls.

It was hard to get a word out.

“Actually, the reason we gathered again today is because I have another purpose. I thought you might be interested, Eborum.”

“Oh, the room leader is up to something again! I’m in!”

“Let’s hear what you have to say first?”

I placed my phone on the floor and activated hologram mode.

“Adella, could you close the curtains?”

“Okay!”

In the now dark living room, a soft blue light emerged in a reverse pyramid structure.

I continued to zoom in on the pale blue dot with my finger.

I unfolded the globe-like Earth at the center to show a 2D world map.

“A map? Are we going to travel the world or something?”

In response to Adella’s remark, I shook my head.

“No, do you know how many large foundations there are in the U.S.? Based on holding over 100 high-ranking mages.”

“I don’t know.”

“There are over 50. Specifically, there are 53.”

A red pin appeared, marking the locations of each foundation headquarters.

“China has 20, Japan has 9, while Korea only has 4.”

The Raon Clan is one of the four major clans in Korea.

Surprisingly, the Changcheonnamgung is a mid-sized clan with about 30 members, far from being one of the four major clans.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Why do people around me keep making things hard for me? Do I really have to leave Korea for all these problems to be solved?”

Recent tax investigations also conveyed a clear malice towards me.

Although the Board of Audit and Inspection is currently scrutinizing the National Tax Service, it would probably only result in administrative penalties.

If even a single mistake appeared in the accounting books of BioAkashic, public opinion would likely turn against me.

Lately, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of walking on thin ice.

“But I’ve concluded that it would be the same anywhere in the world. They’ll pretend to care at first but will ultimately just use me again. Adella, you’re no exception. What do you think will happen if your true identity is exposed right now?”

“Um… never thought about it before?”

“If you’re lucky, maybe the National Intelligence Service will neutralize you; if you’re unlucky, you could be kidnapped overseas right away. This is no ordinary magic, you know.”

“Sure seems like… it’s magic everyone in the world would covet. I’ve never heard of something like this before.”

Eborum nodded seriously, agreeing significantly.

Simply becoming stronger as an individual holds little meaning.

Reflecting back on my past life, I struggled just to survive when 10,000 criminals came at me day and night.

In a high-power fantasy world where the gap between individuals is drastic, how would it be here?

A lack of mana means that if supply from the mana power plants is cut off, we have to fight with extremely limited aura.

“Do you know why soccer players pass the ball? Because people can’t run faster than the ball. Similarly, two people are stronger than one, and three are stronger than two.”

The noble who commanded those 10,000 soldiers was truly an insignificant pig.

However, just like a king protected by numerous chess pieces, his safety measures were so robust that breaching it took an eternity.

In the end, power is necessary.

This isn’t just for wielding power but for protecting myself.

I absolutely hate the idea of being betrayed after being used by the royal family, like a hero party.

If I’ve died twice, I should learn from it.

“I’m going to create a clan.”

“A clan?”

Currently, it is strictly prohibited by law to accumulate large amounts of mana as an individual anywhere in the world.

Giving mana to anyone poses a constant risk of state overthrow.

The one and only exception is clans.

Does anyone believe that clans don’t have the power to topple a state? No.

The influence of clans is too vast for them to be recklessly interfered with.

“Nameya. But founding a clan isn’t easy. First, it requires a lot of money.”

“I know. Most Korean clans are backed by large corporations. Our country doesn’t have as many tycoons as the U.S. or China. That’s why I’m asking you, Eborum. Samyeon Group doesn’t have a clan they’re sponsoring yet.”

Most global companies sponsor one or more clans to guarantee safety or discover new innovative technologies.

However, Samyeon is in a somewhat special position, making them an exception.

They are a B2B company that installs infrastructures like mana power stations in Korea.

Because the state provides protection, they don’t need clan assistance and have already secured a monopolistic position. When new technology arises, they can just buy it outright.

That said, it wouldn’t make sense to sponsor small clans for marketing purposes.

“It doesn’t have to be Samyeon. Receiving sponsorship is solely based on my abilities. I simply mentioned Samyeon because I heard you’re from a chaebol family.”

Eborum’s expression grew serious.

She was aware of her standing within her family.

Eborum’s father viewed her as a half-abandoned child.

It’s strange for her to suddenly participate in management now.

The choice is solely hers.

“And there are other conditions. First, you need to become a high-ranking mage to establish it.”

Eborum’s level of knowledge was unexpectedly high.

As expected, a chaebol is indeed a chaebol.

“Yeah, that’s right. What are the conditions to become a high-ranking mage again?”

“First, you must create an A-rank unique magic.”

Eborum counted off on her fingers.

“Anything else?”

“You must pay over 1 billion won in taxes to the Korean Mana Corporation.”

“Okay, and what else?”

“The last requirement is to receive recommendations from five or more government-recognized high-ranking enchanters, right…? Six?”

“Five is correct.”

In fact, the first requirement is the most critical virtue, and the rest are merely tests of patriotism.

“Oh!”

Eborum clapped her hands, displaying an expression of realization.

“Nameya, you already!”

“Yeah. I’ve already created Adella, an A-rank unique magic.”

The sales that had diminished after Emika returned to Japan skyrocketed again.

Even with countless variations, people ultimately prefer the original.

“And what’s 1 billion won? I’ve paid 200 billion.”

I still feel regret about that, but I have to follow the law.

“So, who are your recommenders?”

“My dad and the principal of Seviron Academy, Guonyu. I just need three more.”

By establishing a clan, I’ll expand my foothold in Korea.

Though it may be a story for the distant future, if this clan grows on a global scale,

Walpurgis will be perfectly erased from this world map.