Chapter 6: Business Proposal

“Could you maybe help me and my kids set up a company and debut?”

“Huh?”

Manager Woo frowned deeply and stayed silent for a while.

Well, this is the kind of situation where you need to give it a bit of dramatic pause. Still…

[‘Trait – Woo Taeyoon’s “Ambitious” trait is beginning to stir!’]

The bait had already been taken.

That’s how ambitious characters are in any novel. All they need is a little push and a trigger.

I would’ve liked a bit more buildup, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or luxury to explain every little thing right now.

“I’ll cover all the costs to start the company.”

I grinned and looked at Manager Woo. He was still frowning, but finally opened his mouth.

“Looks like the company settled accounts better than I expected. Hey, Kim Haram. Quitting your agency isn’t exactly something you can just…”

“I didn’t.”

I cut him off before he could finish his sarcastic remark.

Settlement? I had a lot to say about that.

“I’ve never once received a proper settlement from the agency.”

“…What?”

Another wrinkle formed between Manager Woo’s brows.

What is that, a sort of anger meter?

“What do you mean? If you never got a settlement, where the hell did you get all that money?”

“Lottery.”

“…What?”

I looked him straight in the eye, while he kept repeating ‘what’ like a broken record.

“I won the lottery.”

It wasn’t a lie, so my gaze was filled with nothing but confidence.

[Why don’t you mention the amount?]

Shhh. Shut it. Can you please read the room?

I gave the system window a brief glare, and it shrank and vanished awkwardly.

Why is it acting like a person? Now I feel guilty.

Manager Woo was quiet for a while before speaking again.

“So you’re telling me you want me to set up a company with that money?”

“Yes.”

You understood that perfectly.

“…Is it true you never got a single settlement?”

Why would I lie about something like that?

I nodded again.

“Ha…”

Manager Woo suddenly hung his head and rubbed his face hard.

“Ha… Seriously… Damn.”

…What’s with this reaction? It’s like I just dumped him or something.

Suddenly I got a wave of PTSD. Guys who reacted like this never ended up sane.

“CEO… No, even Jo Jungjae—does he know you won the lottery?”

I didn’t tell him. Haram did.

“…Was that why you got called in yesterday?”

Turned out that was the reason.

“…What did he say?”

“…Said if I entrusted it to him, it would help the kids debut…”

“That son of a bitch!”

Bang!!

Manager Woo slammed the table.

Damn, that actually scared me. I didn’t mean to provoke him that much. At this rate, I was starting to worry if some trait other than ‘ambitious’ was awakening.

[‘Trait – Woo Taeyoon’s “Ambitious” trait is starting to evolve in a new direction!’]

…Seriously? As long as it’s not turning violent, I guess it’s okay?

While I was lost in thought, Manager Woo called out to me, frowning hard.

“Hey.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“What the hell were you thinking, telling him that? You said you didn’t even get a settlement.”

…Why are you flipping out at me? Now I was starting to get a little—no, very irritated.

Well… Not that I didn’t understand where he was coming from. I didn’t really get Haram’s thought process either, to be honest. It was frustrating.

[(Awkward)]

…Can you not just pop up like that for no reason? This is a really important scene. Let’s focus, please.

Trying to think from Haram’s perspective, I opened my mouth.

“…I wanted to debut.”

“What?”

“I wanted to debut. With the kids.”

Yeah. That was the reason Haram endured all that senseless exploitation.

“With Woojin, and Hyunjae-hyung.”

Even after hitting rock bottom and making the worst choice, he still decided to entrust me with his life one more time.

“With all the kids. I wanted to debut with them. Here.”

There was probably no other reason. Not for someone like him.

“So, I thought maybe it would help a little, so I told him.”

“…You told him because you wanted to debut with the kids?”

“Yes. You know too, don’t you? The kids—how hard they work.”

This was it. This was the moment to give a bitter, tragic smile.

I lowered my gaze and let out a soft, scoffing breath.

“But… I guess it’s hard, huh? Sorry for asking something like this.”

Even though I was looking down, I could clearly feel Manager Woo staring right at me.

Did I get through?

Just as I started hoping he might finally accept my proposal, Manager Woo opened his mouth again.

“Why did you ask me?”

“Ah.”

Thinking I misheard, Manager Woo added clarification.

“I mean, with all the people you’ve met during your career, why me specifically?”

Unfortunately, I hadn’t misheard. In fact, this was the part I’d been waiting for.

“Nine Music, BIZ.”

“Huh?”

I had plenty to say.

At the seemingly random reply, a puzzled noise came from Manager Woo’s mouth.

“After Record, Decaffein.”

“Page Entertainment, Romancia.”

“Logic Entertainment, V2C.”

All were names of entertainment companies and idol groups.

Even as I paused to catch my breath after listing so many, Manager Woo kept looking unimpressed.

“So what about them?”

Hold on. We’re not done yet.

“And Herb Entertainment—Kim Haram.”

After finishing the final name, I looked up and locked eyes with him.

These were all idol groups Manager Woo had nurtured and helped debut while bouncing around small agencies.

I gave him Kim Haram’s signature bright smile.

“I know you like idols, Manager Woo.”

4:35.

…I could feel a strange twitch in my cheek. Ugh, this stuff is still hard. But not bad. Just a bit more.

“I believe you care about our members too, even if you don’t say it.”

Now for the final line. The closing shot.

“And honestly, you were my favorite person I met while working. Manager Woo.”

The moment I said that, his expression changed.

…His ears turned red. So he’s the type who blushes easily, huh?

[Trait – Woo Taeyoon: ‘Ambitious’ is evolving in a new, opposite direction!]

Wait, what? So earlier you really were about to go full rage-mode? That’s… kinda dangerous.

Having finished playing the role of Kim Haram, I let out a quiet sigh of relief inside.

‘Well, that’s the official reason, anyway.’

Just managing to debut that many idol groups smoothly and helping them settle was already impressive.

But the real reason wasn’t Kim Haram.

It was about Seo Jimin.

MegaHit Music.

Two years later, this company would surpass all the agencies I just named, becoming a supernova in the industry.

And the person at the very center of it all—

‘—was this man right here.’

Manager Woo Taeyoon, two years from now.

There couldn’t be anyone more fitting for the “Ambitious” trait.

Of course, later he ended up becoming co-CEO with some guy who had a beer belly. But that didn’t diminish his accomplishments in any way.

‘No wonder he looked familiar.’

As I kept reviewing his face in my head last night, I suddenly recalled who he was—and it gave me goosebumps.

Why are you here, of all people?

I found myself shaking my head at how such a hidden gem was stuck sucking the life out of someone like Kim Haram, who couldn’t appreciate his worth.

While I was lost in thought—

“Ugh.”

A burst of light hit me from Manager Woo’s direction, and I instinctively squinted.

What the hell. Eye-blinding flash?

I glanced over at him—

[‘Character – Woo Taeyoon’s new unique trait is blooming!!’]

A status window glowing in golden brilliance caught my eye.

…Seriously? So over the top. If I were the author, I would never write it like this.

The system radiated from behind Manager Woo, and at a glance—

‘He’s evolving into Zhuge Liang or something.’

The system’s personality was so unpredictable that I found myself imagining all sorts of things.

“Haram.”

“Ugh—yes?”

Even though I was squinting, Manager Woo spoke to me like he didn’t mind at all.

Sorry, sir. You’re too dazzling to look at. I swear this isn’t flattery—it’s just facts.

“Let’s do it.”

And with those words—

Flash~!

[<Tra. it. Bloo. ming>

Trait Name: Ambitious Seeker of Justice

Grade: Unique

Status: Activated

Effect & Description:

The momentum of this blossomed ambition is unmatched.

– This special ambitious soul will not hesitate in pursuing their sense of justice.

You have been classified as an embodiment of ultimate good to this ambitious person.

– …You better keep an eye on him. (Wink)]

“Ugh.”

Why is that wink so infuriating?

Something good just happened to the protagonist, yet the protagonist was weirdly irritated.

Wait—am I not the protagonist?

[‘You have had a significant impact on Woo Taeyoon’s trait bloom.’]

[Additional rewards will be granted based on your high activity.]

[You’ve obtained a “Random Box (High Grade)”.]

A typical-looking gift box popped up in the system window.

Something told me not to expect too much from it.

‘I’ll open it later.’

As I looked forward again, Manager Woo was staring at me with a greatly uplifted expression.

‘Ah, his frown lines are fading.’

Guess my read on him was spot on.

‘Good. Manager Woo’s on board.’

Now all that’s left…

‘I need to smash that Director Jo’s thick skull already.’

‘Let’s not rush. Step by step.’

Yes, step by step.

“Manager Woo.”

“Yeah.”

Manager Woo replied while maintaining his determined expression.

It was a little intense.

“Since we’ve decided to work together, would you mind coming with me somewhere for a bit?”

*****

T. Hub Entertainment Headquarters – deserted on a holiday

Sitting alone in the CEO’s office, Jo Jungjae was deep in thought.

“Sss… There’s gotta be a way…”

After Kim Haram walked out yesterday, another piece of good news had come.

‘Boss, I looked into it, and there’s only one winning ticket recently that hasn’t been claimed — it’s the 37 billion won one.’

That was what Choi, the guy who had gone to cover for his good-for-nothing son, brought back.

‘Sh*t, so you’re saying Haram’s the one who got the 37 billion?!’

‘Yessir, most likely.’

Jo CEO thought to himself — good call keeping this punk close. When it came to shady work like this, Choi was way better than Manager Woo.

“I wanna get my hands on it fast….”

Kim Haram’s money felt like candy someone else was licking right in front of him.

Even if Haram spent a bit here and there, the thought of him wasting even a single won of his money was unbearable.

‘Haaah— It’s mine.’

The bigger the amount, the more his greed swelled out of control.

Jo CEO repeatedly wiped his clammy face, then his eyes lit up.

‘Should I call him first?’

The more he thought about it, the more agitated he got. Without realizing, Jo started gnawing on his fingernails.

‘Tsk. I can’t take it anymore.’

He finally dialed Haram’s number, which had been sitting on his screen for ages.

♪ No~ No~

That tacky ringtone went on for a while. Usually, Haram never let his calls ring more than three times.

‘What the hell? Why isn’t this punk picking up?’

Just as unease started creeping in, Haram’s voice came through the receiver.

[Hello?]

Haaah— Jo CEO let out a deep sigh of relief in his mind. Yes, that’s more like it.

His tone sounded a bit curt, but he didn’t care too much.

“Hey Haram, nothing serious, just thought we could meet up today or tomorrow. That cool with you?”

Hearing Haram’s voice, Jo CEO couldn’t suppress the grin that burst across his face.

The corners of his eyes crinkled,

and he couldn’t close his mouth—he felt like drool might start dripping.

But who cared? It’s not like Kim Haram could see his face right now.

Churup—

Ah—damn it.

As much as he tried to hold back, Jo CEO couldn’t resist in the end and actually drooled onto the table.

So much for his dignity as a CEO…

[Nope, I don’t want to.]