Chapter 21
Hyenas (1)
1.
The next day.
I got up in the morning, had breakfast, played energetically with Ian, and then went outside.
I decided to go out boldly, partly to eat the unique capsule I had taken yesterday and partly to check out the place where my brother worked.
Usually, he goes to his law office, but today he said he had a trial, so he went to the Seoul Southern District Court.
So the place I ended up at today was…
“Hmm.”
The Seoul Southern District Court.
I stopped by to have lunch with my brother, but the atmosphere felt a bit strange.
Honestly, I’m someone who can live without the law.
He said the trial would end soon, but when would he come out?
“Excuse me!”
“Yes?”
As I was standing at the entrance of the court, zoning out happily, a male student in uniform approached me.
I see.
Without a doubt, a fanboy.
No one comes up to me without reason, right?
“I… I’m an atheist, so sorry…”
“…Could you sign this for me?”
“Oh.”
Correction:
Not a fanboy, but a very precious subscriber, it seems.
I quickly turned and smiled brightly.
“Nice to meet you, student.”
“Megat.”
“You know Meteor?”
“Wow, really Megat… I’m your fan, sir! I’ve watched you since your first broadcast. I got curious after watching your brother Inseop’s broadcast…”
Quite a talkative student.
It’s one thing to receive praise in chat during the broadcast, but having it delivered in person like this felt strangely ticklish.
Could it be that they really recognize me now?
“But Meteor hyung…”
“Yes, student?”
“Why are you in front of the court? Don’t tell me… for a trial?”
“Look at my face, student. Does this look like a criminal’s face?”
“Well… if you were a criminal, you probably wouldn’t be wearing casual clothes like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah! I meant that if it were you, it wouldn’t be some petty crime, but a big, major one! You’re not an ordinary person.”
Is this flattery or feeding my ego?
Such a peculiar feeling.
The unnamed student chattered excitedly for a while and then handed me a white bag.
It looked expensive at a glance.
“The pen… ah, there’s no pen. What should I do?”
Still, I couldn’t send away the first fan who approached me empty-handed.
“This looks expensive. Can I sign here, student?”
“Yes! If I get your autograph, it’ll be super valuable if I ever resell it! Not that I plan to sell it, though!”
A truly weird kid.
“What’s your nickname?”
“Megat’s Big Toe. Ah! You don’t have to put my nickname in the autograph!”
Definitely a crazy one.
As expected. There’s no normal person among those who’ve been watching my broadcast from the start.
Flare.
I lightly sparked fire on my finger and left a stylish autograph on his bag.
Heh heh, I practiced signatures every night knowing this day might come.
Now then.
Would it be rude not to write his nickname?
After elegantly finishing the autograph, I boldly added his nickname next to it:
<Megat’s Big Toe>
The moment I wrote the nickname, the student’s expression twisted slightly, but that’s none of my concern.
“Please continue to support me, student.”
“…Yes.”
“Take care.”
Good. Let it be a family heirloom.
Since it’s my first autograph, its value should rise.
Anyway.
After finishing this historic first meeting with a fan,
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to have lunch with my brother.”
“Really? Seems like a hassle.”
“Ahem.”
My brother finally appeared at the entrance.
The trial must be over.
Next to him was a woman with red-rimmed eyes.
“Thank you for your hard work today.”
“Thank you. Really… thank you.”
“No, I only did what I was supposed to. I’m glad we won.”
She must be a client.
My brother calmed her with skill and said his goodbyes.
She repeatedly bowed and left.
“Let’s go.”
“What trial was it?”
“A player harassed an ordinary person using abilities. That client is an ordinary person. That’s all you need to know.”
“Wasn’t he a player-specialized lawyer?”
“I handle all cases involving players. These days… ordinary clients are more common.”
Does that mean player crime rates have risen significantly?
My brother continued as we walked slowly.
“Players have accumulated enormous wealth through the Abyss. Based on the Player Special Act, they’re granted various privileges.”
“So you always defend the weak?”
“I’m not that righteous. And just because someone is weak doesn’t mean they’re good… I just do my best.”
I heard this yesterday while drinking with Inseop.
Even when busy, he provides free legal aid to those in need.
He’s always been generous, even if he seems gruff.
“Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean keep living like that. By the way, I told Inseop I spent seven years in another world.”
“And?”
“He believed me. How can someone believe another world exists so easily? Isn’t Inseop the type to fall for scams?”
My brother chuckled lightly at my teasing.
“Shows how much he trusted you. Even after being gone for seven years, he believed it.”
“He probably would’ve lent me 300 million too. Normally, saying you went to another world would sound delusional.”
“With the Abyss existing, why wouldn’t another world exist?”
“…Wow. You really are a lawyer. So logical.”
“Better eat and get him back quickly. And don’t teach Ian weird stuff.”
“What did I even teach him?”
“That’s the problem—you don’t know.”
We walked to a restaurant chatting.
Lunch was at my brother’s favorite gamjatang (pork bone soup) place.
Maybe because it’s been a while since eating gamjatang with him, lunch was very satisfying.
2.
After finishing gamjatang and coffee at a café, it was time to part ways.
“You go ahead. I have to stop by the office.”
“I’ll stop by the Ability Management Department to get my capsule appraised.”
“The unique bound capsule from yesterday?”
“Huh? I don’t think I told you?”
I narrowed my eyes and asked; he sighed deeply.
“…I think I heard it from Bitna.”
“You didn’t tell her either.”
“Hmm.”
“So you watch my broadcasts?”
“What are you talking about?”
He adjusted his tie, exhaled lightly, and turned slightly.
“Don’t be late. We’ll have dinner together.”
“See you at home.”
“Okay. Ah, and…”
He hesitated briefly, then in a slightly lower voice said:
“Your broadcast is fun. I’m off.”
So, just as Bitna said, my brother watches my broadcast too?
Well, he did back in the day.
When the audience was fewer than ten, he would pop in under a weird nickname, donate, and leave.
At first I didn’t know, but Bitna told me.
In fact, he might be my oldest supporter.
So I should treat him well. He’s given me so much.
Anyway.
Time to handle the task I’d been putting off.
Whoooosh—!
I quickly stepped into a back alley.
A deserted alley, except for a cat perched inside.
“Was I mistaken?”
I slowly entered, pretending not to notice, and stopped in front of an outdoor unit.
“Huh. I was just being too sensitive.”
Grinning,
Fwoosh!
“Kyaahhh!”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
I reached out and grabbed tightly next to the outdoor unit.
A scream erupted from thin air as a man in a suit appeared.
Mid-30s.
Seeing the mana radiating from him, he’s definitely a player.
“W-why… are you… doing this?”
“At that hangover soup place by the Abyss Gate yesterday, I thought it was fine. But I’m spending time with my family, and this is too rude.”
“How did you know…”
I sensed the same mana I felt drinking soju with Inseop.
No doubt. One of the guys who was spying on me yesterday.
“He’s probably not an Ability Management Department employee.”
The department is still approaching me cautiously.
We’ve kept minimal courtesy, and Manager Choi promised he wouldn’t send anyone near me.
He wouldn’t break that promise easily.
So he’s not likely from the department.
Then who sent him?
“Who sent you?”
“Pl-please… let me go. I can’t breathe…”
“Oh?”
The amount of mana he radiates is similar to Inseop’s.
According to Inseop, mana correlates with level, and higher-level players climb higher floors.
By that logic, he’s probably a 5th-floor player.
Curious what nonsense he’ll spout, I set him down.
“Huff… huff…”
He coughed, recovered his breath, and quickly pulled out a business card, handing it to me.
“I’m James Kim, HR for the Multinational Guild Union in Korea.”
“A scout?”
“…Yes.”
Union?
Sounds familiar… where did I hear that?
“I wanted to offer a good proposal to Player Meteor, so I risked being rude…”
“Stalking since yesterday, even following me while I was with family? Weak excuse.”
“I’m… sincere.”
“Go on. This is amusing.”
He continued cautiously:
“Did you sign a direct contract with the Ability Management Department?”
“If I did, would you give up?”
“We can handle penalties and other conveniences. As you know, the department’s power isn’t absolute. Our Union Guild, as a multinational company…”
Boring corporate spiel.
I listened with one ear, thinking of how to punish this guy.
People who stalk for recruitment?
I need to set a precedent.
Maybe just break some limbs…
Ah, first, check my price.
“So, how much will you pay?”
“Do you have… a contract amount in mind?”
“Wait. Such things need competition.”
Flare!
I conjured a fireball and threw it to the left.
“Gyaaaah!”
Another man hiding nearby screamed and collapsed.
Are stealth items common now?
This guy also spied on me and Inseop yesterday.
Perverts. Watching guys drink?
“What guild are you from?”
“We’re not a guild, but an international headhunting firm. We can even help with foreign naturalization if you want…”
“Ah, a traitor. Fine. How much is your contract offer?”
“Uh…”
“Every 100k won difference, one slap. Agree?”
Both went silent, eyes rolling.
The scout cautiously revealed his offer:
“…500 million?”
“We’re offering 700 million…”
“800 million!”
The bidding suddenly flared.
I smiled, nodding at them.
“1 billion.”
“Excuse me?”
“1 billion.”
“That’s impossible…”
These guys stalked me, even saw me with my brother.
You think I’d let them go?
No. Perfect precedent.
Anyone approaching me like this will face consequences.
“1.5 billion.”
This is the Meteor-style negotiation.
In short,
“No response? Then die, guys.”
No compromise with stalkers.
You’re done for.
