Season 3: Chapter 135: Pass It On (5)
Indeed, from the beginning, Ju-Hyeok never intended to just take over the company and let it go.
"Before even meeting Lee Kyung-Ho, everything was already set in motion."
On the day of the shoot, the documents had already been organized and sent to Lee Kyung-Ho’s company.
Ju-Hyeok had kept Lee Kyung-Ho occupied during the shoot to ensure he remained unaware of the documents being sent. The meeting time had not been chosen because it was the only available time, but to keep the main office empty and vulnerable.
"Ah… You sent it beforehand? Is there such a way?" Sang-Hyeon asked in surprise.
"The system is similar. When I asked a colleague, I found out that there’s an anonymous reporting method."
"Ah… That…"
Having worked at Ah-Sung for quite some time, Sang-Hyeon understood.
At Ah-Sung, this anonymous whistleblower process was considered a nominal system. The day someone used such a method was practically a day of mourning.
However, this case was different. Ju-Hyeok was an outsider. Whether Great Planning faced a disaster or not was none of his concern.
"I’ve been putting money into Ji-Ah’s company since last month. I even included my share of the advance payment from Hitman."
"…!"
A corporate account with the same advertiser’s name as Great Planning had already been set up. Although Ju-Hyeok called it a preview, everything was already in progress.
Ju-Hyeok took another sip of his drink and continued, "Whether he leaves the company or deals with the corporation afterward, he’ll be seen as someone who fled after causing trouble. From the company’s perspective, he’s just a criminal."
"Wow."
Sang-Hyeon’s eyes widened in amazement.
Lee Kyung-Ho probably thought it was all over. Just when he let down his guard, the real blow came.
Sang-Hyeon felt impressed and even frightened despite being Ju-Hyeok’s friend.
However, he still had a few questions.
"But then, is Ji-Ah’s company okay? Does Ji-Ah know about this?"
Would it be safe if Ji-Ah’s company was involved in Lee Kyung-Ho’s disciplinary action? Did Ji-Ah know about all this?
"…"
Ju-Hyeok silently shook his head.
Sang-Hyeon was startled.
"The company’s not okay?!"
Considering how Ju-Hyeok obtained the company, it would be shocking if it started in such a way.
"You went through so much trouble to get it… finally finding a way to inherit it… ugh."
Ju-Hyeok, noticing the people around, covered Sang-Hyeon’s mouth.
"Hey, be quiet. Who’s taking what? It’s a cultural arts planning business… what’s with the National Cultural Association?"
"Uh, oops."
"Yeah, the company is fine."
"Whew," Sang-Hyeon let out a sigh of relief or something else. "But how is it fine? It’s clearly involved in what happened."
"When they look into it, they’ll find no problems. The corporation receiving the money did so legally."
"Then, won’t Lee Kyung-Ho get away too?"
"Oh. Well, he might escape Hitman and the corporation issues."
Under Ju-Hyeok’s scheme, Lee Kyung-Ho wouldn’t be disciplined for this corporation. He would be disciplined for something else.
"Oh? There’s something else?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"I don’t know."
"What?"
"I don’t know."
"???"
How did Ju-Hyeok set this up without knowing what the issue was?
"I don’t know, but there must be something in a big company with people carrying company cards around. Can you shake it without dust coming out? Look at Lee Kyung-Ho’s usual behavior." ℝаŊꝋβĚŚ
"Ah…"
He placed his bet on that.
Even Sang-Hyeon nodded in agreement. In corporate life, there were few exceptions to certain things.
"Once an audit starts, it’s over. You’re finished."
An audit could only be avoided if it never began because no one was entirely clean.
"Just the fact that he represents a corporation that made money off of his present company is one hundred percent grounds for discipline. If they review all his company card usage, he’ll probably face claims for damages and get fired."
Indeed, Ju-Hyeok’s predictions would turn out to be accurate.
Lee Kyung-Ho often used the company card under the pretext of business trips. Even on the day that he met Ju-Hyeok, he used the hotel’s indoor golf range, sauna, and gym.
Everything went according to plan.
"Then why did your expression suddenly sour?"
In the end, Ju-Hyeok’s expression didn’t look good. Sang-Hyeon found it strange.
"Because Ji-Ah doesn’t know."
"… Ah."
Sang-Hyeon nodded as if understanding and downed the remaining drink.
"Well."
Ju-Hyeok likely wouldn’t want his current lover to hear about her ex-lover’s downfall. He wouldn’t want to tell her either.
"Good job."
"Yes."
Ju-Hyeok also drank.
Sang-Hyeon poured another drink and raised his glass.
"Anyway. Congrats, Representative Kim!"
He clinked his glass against Ju-Hyeok’s.
Clink!
"Yeah! Let’s do well!"
Ju-Hyeok expected the victory drink to taste sweet, but it tasted more bitter than expected. He swallowed the bitter taste with a grimace.
"Kya…"
Once it went down, only a pleasant buzz remained.
‘This is just the beginning.’
Ju-Hyeok looked up at the red ceiling and reflected. It was time to run down the path he had paved.
***
The company with Ju-Hyeok and Ji-Ah as co-representatives would become a management company for streamers. It wouldn’t just manage streamers, but also hire editors to manage their YouTube channels and possibly provide other services. This cultural arts planning business would plan anything related to popular culture.
The problem was that their company's only streamer was Almond. Although Almond alone could generate considerable revenue, most of it went to himself. A significant portion went to Ji-Ah for the videos and the rest went to Ju-Hyeok and the company. Not much was left after that.
It wasn’t feasible to ask Almond to share a percentage with the company at this point. The company couldn’t exist without him. Almond was a unique case in that he was an honorary representative.
Ju-Hyeok planned to have a three-person co-representative setup for the company. That was the current plan.
"Still, it's just a peanut company. Why are there three representatives?"
“Sigh,” Ju-Hyeok sighed and leaned on the table.
"Hey, a passing peanut might take offense. Call it a walnut company," Ji-Ah interjected from the other side of the table.
They were having a meeting about how to run this new company.
"We managed to get it, but now what?"
Ju-Hyeok had some ideas in his head, but felt a bit confused when it came to the execution. Where to start? How would they propose ideas so that others would naturally accept them?
"First, we need to bring in BornToB."
Ji-Ah made a list of people they could immediately recruit for the company.
BornToB had started streaming thanks to Almond. Since Ju-Hyeok had worked with him before, BornToB would likely agree.
"Yeah, BornToB. Let's go with him."
BornToB's stream wasn’t huge yet, but it was growing. He would benefit from the trickle-down effect, especially once the Civil Empire national competition finals started.
"But... it will take some time for BornToB to generate significant revenue. We're in a position where we have to nurture him."
BornToB wasn’t an immediately profitable streamer.
"It would be great if we could get another established streamer besides Almond."
Ju-Hyeok tapped the table with his pen. He had someone in mind, but wondered if it was too much to ask. Would she join just because of her goodwill toward Almond? Would it be right to call her?
Ji-Ah patted his shoulder to reassure him.
"It's okay. Take your time. There's no need to rush. The hardest part is already over."
"Yeah, you're right."
Only then did Ju-Hyeok relax and take a sip of his coffee.
Even though they now had a company, nothing really changed. He could just continue focusing on managing Almond.
Things wouldn’t get worse. He didn’t need to worry.
"Ju-Hyeok."
Ji-Ah held his face and turned it toward her, looking at him straight in the eye.
"Thank you. I felt like I didn’t properly thank you before."
"… It's nothing."
Ju-Hyeok smiled and turned his gaze away. He decided to change the subject.
"Ah… Ji-Ah, have you thought about working with PD Jang?"
"Huh? But what about our company?"
"As you said, let’s take it slow. You don’t have to tie your editing work to the company."
"Hmm…"
Once the national competition finals started, Ji-Ah would be out of work.
"Maybe I should edit BornToB’s videos during that time. Heh."
Ji-Ah smiled and tried to brush it off.
"And after the competition?"
"Then, we’ll need someone else."
"BornToB might not be big enough for that. If we change editors later, he might be disappointed."
"Ah…"
It wasn’t financially sensible to assign a pro like Ji-Ah to BornToB. A new editor would likely be assigned later. If Ji-Ah edited for BornToB during the competition and a newbie editor took over later, BornToB wouldn’t be pleased.
"And honestly, there’s no guarantee BornToB will join us."
"That’s true."
"Maybe you should just take a break during that period."
Sensing Ji-Ah’s reluctance, Ju-Hyeok shifted the conversation. For some reason, Ji-Ah seemed reluctant to work with PD Jang. He suspected that it was because she disliked corporate life.
"Hmm…"
Ji-Ah gave a noncommittal answer and fell into thought.
"Maybe I should post more videos from G-Star… There are a lot I haven’t used yet…"
Thud!
At that moment, Ju-Hyeok suddenly stood up.
"I just thought of something our company can do."
"… You scared me."
The mention of G-Star sparked an idea.
‘A lot of streamers were selling there.’
At G-Star, people not only sold game related products, but also streamer merchandise like the flea market. Various streamer goods had been displayed everywhere.
Back then, Ju-Hyeok thought the goods looked a bit silly. He briefly wondered about selling merch too after seeing so many people buy them, but hesitated to proceed because the goods seemed useless.
However, the national competition season gave him a new idea.
‘Merchandise to support the team is absolutely needed.’
He thought about selling merchandise now to support Almond and the other fake national team members. Some unofficial fan-made products for Almond already existed in This World, but they had never been made official because Ju-Hyeok didn’t have the time.
Things had changed. Both Ji-Ah and Ju-Hyeok had more time before Almond advanced to the finals.
"Let’s make merchandise for the national competition team."
"Huh? That sounds good."
"Yeah. Almond hats and clapping balloons, things like that. It should be quick to make them in This World."
"Right. We just need a designer."
"And we can make items for other national competition members and general merchandise… even physical ones!"
"If we make them physical as well as in This World… we’ll need a factory. That’s a bit tough."
"Right."
Ju-Hyeok’s thoughts didn’t stop there.
‘Production… How can we do this cheaply and quickly?’
His father always said using personal funds for a business was foolish.
‘But Dad, whose money should I use for a business then?’
He always asked that question. Now, it became clear after starting a business and entering the battlefield.
"… Monster."
The sponsor was desperate to show off their logos during matches.
"Huh?"
"Monster! The sponsor! They wanted their logos displayed during matches, right? Even if it’s not on uniforms, merchandise could work!"
"…!"
Ji-Ah’s eyes widened.
"Ah, right. If they make merch…"
"They get exposure! The ad cost covers production! We make them for free and sell them for money!"
Ju-Hyeok felt excited.
"And if we add cheering merch for Almond and other popular members…"
It would likely be the company’s first revenue.