Vol 7 Chapter 43

Perhaps he had a meeting with Yoon Seok-ho. Nam Mugeon twisted the corner of his mouth while discreetly glancing at the middle-aged man passing behind those waiting for the elevator.

This man had been the Branch Manager before Yoon Seok-ho was appointed to his current position, and naturally enough, he didn't like Yoon Seok-ho at all, who had suddenly pushed him out and parachuted in.

Saturn Korea was built as two identical twin buildings connected by corridors on each floor, and as soon as he was appointed, Yoon Seok-ho had caused great opposition by moving the Vice Branch Manager and all the original Saturn business departments he managed to one building, then creating and installing new game departments in the remaining building.

Though he had only separated the buildings and work, and hadn't actually cut down the Vice Branch Manager's work content and power, Yoon Seok-ho was able to focus solely on MIST-related work without much difficulty afterward. However, facing constant checks from the Vice Branch Manager's faction was an inevitable result.

Having joined before THE MIST opened, during the preparation stage, and experienced harassment disguised as meetings with Yoon Seok-ho, Nam Mugeon's mood always plummeted whenever he saw that pig-like man, having witnessed many cases of him subtly interfering with Yoon Seok-ho behind the scenes.

Of course, Yoon Seok-ho, being himself, always handled work as he pleased without paying any attention to the Vice Branch Manager, but there was no guarantee he could continue doing so forever. Especially not when it was certain that the Vice Branch Manager was closely aligning with the U.S. headquarters who were watching for a chance to pull Yoon Seok-ho down.

"Ah, by the way, is it true that an inspection team from U.S. headquarters is coming in a few days?"

"Pardon?"

Lost in deep thought, Nam Mugeon turned to Kwon Cheon-woo in confusion and asked back.

"About the inspection team. I've been hearing about it all day, so I thought directors might know better. Haha."

It was just a playful comment about nothing special. Nam Mugeon was somewhat surprised, suddenly remembering his original purpose at these words that seemed to be merely bringing up a rumor already widespread in the company.

'...Right. The reason I'm here now is to open up conversation with this guy...'

"It seems so. Though I don't know the details either..."

Just as he gave a vague answer, the elevator doors opened with a ding. After waiting for Kwon Cheon-woo to enter, Nam Mugeon pressed the button and chose his words carefully while watching Kwon Cheon-woo's seemingly peaceful face through the elevator mirror.

Even if Kwon Cheon-woo wasn't actually a spy, he had to assume his instincts were right here and consider all possibilities.

If Kwon Cheon-woo was an infiltrator in the company, what bait would make him bite? Nam Mugeon decided on 'friendship' and 'information' as the names of that bait. Building friendship to make approaching and talking easier while dropping hints of information that a company spy would naturally want to obtain and observing the reaction. Simple, but there was no better method.

"Come to think of it, I heard you've been with the company for quite a while, why haven't you become a regular employee yet when your performance is good?"

Nam Mugeon brought it up as if he had suddenly thought of it. Kwon Cheon-woo blinked for a moment before showing that seemingly practiced smile again.

"What are you saying? I don't deserve such high praise from you, Director Nam. You keep complimenting me, it's embarrassing."

"Don't be modest. If you haven't heard anything yet, maybe I should put in a word with HR."

At this, Kwon Cheon-woo waved his hand while smiling somewhat awkwardly.

"No. That's alright."

His rejection of an employment offer that anyone would accept seemed very suspicious, perhaps due to Nam Mugeon's preconceptions. Especially since he neither appeared genuinely troubled nor pleased.

'I should go ask HR about matters related to Kwon Cheon-woo soon. Surely I can't have been the only one to make him a formal employment offer.'

Just as Nam Mugeon opened his mouth to press the momentum a bit further, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. It was their floor. Kwon Cheon-woo quickly exited first then gave Nam Mugeon a bright greeting.

"Thank you for the yogurt today, Director Nam. I'll head in first."

What a shame. Though inwardly disappointed, Nam Mugeon decided to be satisfied with this much progress.

"Alright... Have a good afternoon."

"Yes."

Nam Mugeon didn't move from his spot until the red hair striding away disappeared around the corridor.

"Whew."

It was quite mentally taxing trying to purposefully approach a man he would normally have been indifferent to and paid no attention to.

'It would be easier to handle the aftermath of ten more problem users instead.'

Speaking of which, what was HR-02 user doing these days after staying in his jurisdiction area for a while before leaving? He remembered the first user whose play style had personally interested him after making them significantly reshape the map by devastating the land with magic before.

'Branch Manager Yoon Seok-ho told me to watch him carefully, but I've been too busy lately to properly check. I should look at his bio records first when I get back.'

There was too much work but only one of him. While thinking it would be nice if Yoon Seok-ho either promoted him or at least raised his salary, Nam Mugeon looked at the ring on his left ring finger.

"..."

Then after checking if anyone was around, he impulsively quickly kissed the ring and headed toward Team 3's office with slightly reddened cheeks.

However, he never noticed until the end. That the man who had said he would go ahead was watching him intently while leaning against the corridor to Team 1's office, invisible from Team 3's office.

Two days later, when Kapros went out to go to the kendo dojo, he had to meet the huge bike and its owner standing by the road again before walking very far.

"You came again..."

When Kapros let out a breath that spread like cigarette smoke while looking at him, Je-hwan took off his helmet and pointed to the back seat.

"Get on."

"How did you know I was going to work today?"