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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Don’t you have any alcohol here?”
“…Not in my cafe.”
“Hmm, then make me some strong coffee. It’s rude not to offer a guest something to drink.”
“I find your current posture rather rude for greeting a guest.”
“I’ll handle the rudeness. You just worry about being a good host.”
“Fine, fine.”
“Oh, Senior, can I get an Americano too…?”
“Make it yourself, you freeloader!”
“…”
There were no ambitious PDs, no spies disguised as cafe staff, no menacing thugs radiating a violent aura. Just a cafe owner diligently serving coffee, and a struggling PD being scolded.
Yeonhwa, wondering why she had been so nervous about coming to this place, was brought back to reality by Limon’s casual voice.
“Sorry about the lack of hospitality. They’re not used to this kind of thing.”
‘Neither are you, apparently.’
Limon sat with his feet on the table, his demeanor anything but welcoming. Yeonhwa swallowed the retort that had risen to her lips.
She instinctively knew that this arrogant young man was the one who had put Moon Cheon-yeop in the hospital and summoned her here.
“Forget the apologies. Can we get to the point?”
“You’re in a hurry.”
“I am.”
To avoid being swept up in his casual attitude, Yeonhwa spoke firmly, meeting his gaze.
“I have a few questions.”
“What are they?”
“Why did you think I would accept your proposition?”
“It’s not that complicated.”
Limon chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee.
“For a mere singer’s manager to be the power behind a guild, you need a direct connection to Midas.”
“So? The entire WIM Guild benefits from that connection.”
“But your authority has diminished. That asshole has been acting like he’s in charge.”
“…”
“And in my experience, most leaders can’t stand losing their power, even more than they care about the organization’s benefits.”
Yeonhwa remained silent, impressed by his insight.
He had accurately described the subtle power dynamics between her and Moon Cheon-yeop, a secret known only to WIM’s inner circle.
‘How does someone so young have such a… presence?’
He looked like an ordinary, albeit arrogant, young man in his twenties. But there was something else, an indefinable aura, different from a cunning politician, a seasoned hunter, or a predator. She observed him for a moment, then finally spoke.
“Alright. Tell me how you plan to get rid of Moon Cheon-yeop.”
“Hmm? No more questions?”
“I know you’re not one to waste time with nonsense.”
“Good. I appreciate the efficiency.”
Limon nodded, taking another sip of his coffee.
“It’s not a complicated plan. You take his place while he’s incapacitated.”
“…You called me all the way here for that?”
“You think you can’t do it?”
“If I could, I would have already gotten rid of him. But Claire won’t allow it.”
Yeonhwa’s voice was laced with disappointment.
Claire, a Level 80 Grand Duke-level player and a popular singer, was WIM’s star, the reason Moon Cheon-yeop had such a strong connection to Midas.
“Why is that a problem?”
“You’re saying I should persuade Claire? Unfortunately…”
“No, I’m asking why you’re clinging to Claire.”
“What?”
Limon’s unexpected question surprised her. He continued calmly,
“The point is whether you can offer Midas more benefits than that asshole.”
“…You’re saying I should offer Midas more profit than Moon Cheon-yeop, even without Claire?”
“Exactly.”
“Do you even realize how absurd that is?”
Yeonhwa was dumbfounded.
Claire, as both a singer and a player, generated more than half of WIM’s revenue. Her popularity and influence were immense.
Replacing her, exceeding her value to Midas… it was impossible, even if she embezzled WIM’s entire profit.
But Limon had a plan.
“Don’t worry. That’s why we have PD Kim here.”
“Me?”
Kim Seung-jun, startled by the sudden attention, looked at Limon, who smiled enigmatically.
“You said you’re preparing a new program, right, PD Kim?”
[Music Challenge]?
“Yes, I’m going to use that.”
“You want to be on my program?!”
“No, I’m going to use it.”
“What?”
Kim Seung-jun, who had been repeatedly ignored by Limon, was initially excited, then confused. Limon explained his plan to the bewildered Kim Seung-jun and Yeonhwa.
Yeonhwa’s expression shifted from dubious to surprised to incredulous as she listened. When he finished, she chuckled dryly.
“You seriously think that ridiculous plan will work?”
“Of course.”
His shameless confidence made her stare at him as if he were insane. Limon chuckled, turning to Kim Seung-jun.
“PD Kim, do you think my plan is that absurd?”
“I…”
Unlike Yeonhwa, who had dismissed it immediately, Kim Seung-jun considered it seriously, his expression thoughtful.
After a long pause, he replied,
“It’s… possible.”
“Are you serious? Your career as a PD is on the line.”
“I don’t care. If I don’t do something, my entire network is finished.”
“Is that bravery, or recklessness?”
Yeonhwa frowned. If Limon were the only one making these claims, she would have dismissed him as delusional.
But Kim Seung-jun, despite working for a small network, was a seasoned PD. He wasn’t one to be swayed by baseless confidence.
‘Come to think of it, Moon Cheon-yeop tried to recruit him.’
Moon Cheon-yeop, despite his flaws, had a keen eye for talent. He was the one who had discovered and nurtured Claire.
And he had been persistently pursuing this musician, even resorting to threats. And this musician had just put Moon Cheon-yeop in the hospital. A high-level player, clearly.
“Why are you so hesitant? You have nothing to lose.”
“…That’s true.”
Yeonhwa nodded. Compared to Kim Seung-jun, who was risking his career, and Limon, who could potentially provoke Midas, her risk was minimal. But she didn’t agree immediately.
She looked at Limon intently.
“I said I was done with questions, but I have one more.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you going this far?”
She understood Kim Seung-jun’s motivation. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose. She understood her own motivation as well. This was a chance to regain control of WIM.
But Limon…
“I know Moon Cheon-yeop tried to exploit you, but it’s not like he’s your sworn enemy.”
If he truly possessed such influence, he could have resolved this peacefully.
Why escalate the situation, dragging her into it?
Limon replied calmly,
“I recently learned something.”
“What?”
“When you deal with an asshole, you have to do it thoroughly, so that neither the dog nor its owner dares to bark again.”
“…”
He gently stroked the bluebird perched on his shoulder.
“Otherwise, innocent people get hurt.”
A dog bared its fangs because it thought it could get away with it. Its owner stepped in because he thought his dog was being unfairly targeted. Half-measures only made them bolder.
He would crush Moon Cheon-yeop so thoroughly that even Midas would abandon him.
His calm, measured tone was more chilling than any threat. After a long silence, Yeonhwa finally spoke.
“How long do you need to prepare for that program?”
The conspiracy to bury Moon Cheon-yeop had begun.
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“Did something happen with the Sword Saint?”
“Yes.”
Li Chingwei soon learned about Limon’s plan. Yo Ouin had informed her about Moon Cheon-yeop, and Limon himself had briefly explained his intentions.
“That’s a shame.”
“That the Sword Saint clashed with Midas?”
“No, that he didn’t ask for my help.”
Li Chingwei shook her head, smiling sweetly.
“If he had just asked, I could have made that Moon Cheon-yeop disappear without a trace.”
“Indeed, a missed opportunity for our covert units. They could use the practice.”
“The Obsidian Unit would have been more suitable, considering the Ten Great Guilds are involved.”
“You are right.”
If Moon Cheon-yeop had heard them discussing how to “cleanly” dispose of him, he would have been terrified. But Li Chingwei wasn’t concerned about such trivial matters.
“This works out well.”
“How so?”
“I was wondering how to ask him for a favor, but now, he’s offered me an opportunity.”
She smiled, pulling out a sheet of stationery and writing a short message with practiced ease.
She folded the letter, sealed it with wax, stamped it with her seal, and handed it to Yo Ouin, along with a small box.
“Yo Ouin, please deliver this to her.”
“…May I ask the purpose of this letter?”
“There’s no need for secrecy or formality. It’s just an invitation.”
“An invitation?”
Yo Ouin’s expression turned complex.
As the General Manager of the Leviathan, he could handle even assassination orders without flinching. But the recipient of this letter…
“Do you think she will accept?”
“She will.”
Li Chingwei’s voice was firm. She wouldn’t have been so confident before. The recipient was a princess of the Seven Dragons Association, just like her.
But now, she smiled enigmatically.
“If it’s her, she will definitely accept.”
As long as she didn’t run away first.
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[Your Text Here]
He could also reveal himself as Limon and Midas would let go instantly