Chapter 73: Chapter 73

I went to work at Goryeo Entertainment.

Going to work just meant coming down from the penthouse office at Goryeo Entertainment’s building in Ganghwa, where I stayed on weekdays.

“Good morning, CEO!”

When I arrived downstairs with Soo-ah and the others, employees were already lined up, as if for a military inspection. When I appeared, they all bowed at a 90-degree angle to greet me. Among them were even some members of LUMINA, whose debut was approaching.

“Come in.”

“Yes, CEO.”

I entered the spacious CEO office, followed by Soo-ah, other support staff, and members of LUMINA and their team.

“All right, let’s wrap this up today. How many times have we done this?”

“…”

It hasn’t been that many days, but doing this every day has gotten tedious. The staff were tired, too. They’d had to overhaul the choreography every night, which LUMINA members had to practice endlessly.

Sitting on a long sofa, I gestured for the LUMINA members to stand in line before me, striking poses with tense expressions. The manager gave a timing signal, and the title track began to play.

With a sensual yet powerful melody, the choreography started, with the main dance following the first lyrics.

They performed a synchronized dance, with one member stepping forward for a solo part at the right moment, then returning to group formation as another member emerged for her solo.

‘Oh, it’s pretty good this time.’

After days of revisions, it was finally coming together.

Every so often, they’d expose a bare armpit to release pheromones, or if the armpits weren’t visible, they’d give a glimpse of their underbust, or if neither, they’d extend a bare leg forward for emphasis. Throughout the song and dance, even if the exposed area varied, there was always a bit of skin showing. When that wasn’t possible, the choreography highlighted their body lines.

The LUMINA members had high potential to begin with, so their dance level had improved significantly under my guidance. Naturally, practicing as a trainee with no clear debut in sight is very different from training with a set debut date. If they kept progressing like this, they’d be more than ready for launch.

‘Their expressions are fantastic too. That desperate look, as if they’re ready to burst, is incredibly hot.’

Finally, seeing their dance had me aroused.

I wasn’t sure if the other songs’ choreography was up to this standard, but at least the title track was solid.

“Good. Cut.”

I clapped silently.

As the LUMINA members, panting from the dance, saw my applause and noticed the bulge in my pants, they smirked slightly.

Good. That’s the sense of accomplishment.

“Just perfect. Let’s go with this. Nice work.”

“Th-thank you!”

“The teaser video is ready, right?”

“Yes, CEO. We’re ready to upload.”

“Upload it to the MiTube channel and set the debut for next Saturday. Schedule the music release and TV appearances. Oh, and let’s do an interview with Shin Mirae Daily, so prepare a fitting script for that as well.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“All right. Go on.”

They all filed out of the office. Watching LUMINA’s swaying backs as they left, I spoke to Soo-ah.

“Bring them to my bed tonight.”

“Yes, Master.”

I’d been indulging whenever I was in the mood, but tonight I was planning something extra drawn out. Though I was tempted to lie them down right away, I held back as I still had work to do.

“There are still a lot of entertainers on the market, right?”

“Yes. The numbers are still increasing. In-ae has been doing a ruthlessly efficient job on the special investigation… though it seems to have slowed down a bit now.”

“Tsk.”

Due to the Chief Prosecutor’s assassination by a Terminator, public opinion against the special investigation was heating up. If the mass killings at Dream First were brought to light, the prosecution might disband the special investigation under public pressure.

Of course, if that happened, I’d have to step in personally.

Our Na-eun still has a lot of work to do. She has to bring down more agencies, expose more dirty clients, and offer her rear to me if my business is to run smoothly.

“Announce the second round of auditions and set a date. Budget around 500 billion won.”

“500 billion?”

“I need a main dish too.”

“Understood. Should we proceed the same way as last time?”

“No. Last time was mostly for fun. This time, let’s do it properly. I’ll only participate in the final test.”

“Understood.”

All right.

I wonder what I’ll make them do for the final test in the second round of auditions. Just thinking about it makes my lower half tense up.

...

As I stayed busy with work, evening came around. With LUMINA’s debut approaching and so many entertainers under my wing, there was more to do than I’d expected.

Just giving instructions and reviewing documents was enough to make me wonder how company CEOs manage to do this daily.

At least I enjoyed seeing the company grow under my control. It felt like a kind of game. While the time scale was much longer than in a game, watching things unfold was satisfying in its own way.

As I was working, just before six o’clock, I received the qualification review result for the private military company (PMC) Baek Seol had applied for. I’d submitted it with Muyeol Finance, and results came back within a few days.

“As expected of a knight like Ms. Seol, she passed the basic qualification review. She just needs to complete a ten-hour administrative training to receive her certification.”

“Oh, that’s fast. They said the finance thing takes two months.”

“That one’s a lot stricter… Actually, setting up a corporation usually takes about one or two weeks.”

“Anyway, so Seol can establish it?”

“Yes. But if Goryeo Entertainment or you want to own the PMC, you’d need to acquire the certification yourself.”

“Oh, no need for that. I’ll leave it entirely under Seol’s ownership.”

“Excuse me?”

“M-Master?”

“Why so surprised? I’ve mentioned it before. I intended for her to establish it from the start.”

“But…”

Soo-ah and Seol looked at me with surprised expressions. Even Se Eun-mi, usually wearing her professional flight attendant smile, couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Are you… really okay with that, Master?”

Soo-ah asked, a mix of emotions showing on her face.

“Seol would never betray me, so it’s fine. Isn’t that right?”

“O-Of course, Master. I would never betray you.”

“See?”

“I… I see…”

Soo-ah glanced at Baek Seol with a complex expression, looking partly resentful, partly jealous.

That was intentional on my part, and it wasn’t a bad sight. Her jealousy toward Seol implied a desire for my trust. As long as it didn’t go too far, it was a very positive signal.

“Since she passed the basic qualification review, just take the ten-hour training and complete the establishment procedures.”

“Yes. They’ll notify us of the training schedule later.”

Good.

Now we had Goryeo Entertainment, Muyeol Finance, and the PMC taking shape. I should start thinking of a name for the PMC.

“What should we name the PMC? Since Seol will be the CEO publicly, should we call it ‘Baek Seol Mercenary Company’?”

“What?”

“Or, to play up her name, we could go with ‘Snow White.’ It would have a kind of ironic appeal, right? Using a delicate name like ‘princess’ in a PMC name to emphasize strength.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere turned cold.

Even Seol, who was usually unwavering in her loyalty, looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

“Are you serious?”

“Have I ever joked?”

“…”

I’m always serious.

“Then… how about letting Seol name it instead? Since she’ll be the CEO.”

“Maybe that’s a good idea.”

Looking at Seol, her face turned red as she hesitantly replied.

“Well… in that case… how about MB.FORCE?”

“MB?”

It had a certain ring to it.

“I used the initials of your name… and mine, Master.”

“Oh, really…”

Soo-ah sighed. It seemed she wasn’t too thrilled with the name.

“…We can think about it later. We still have the ten-hour training, so come up with more ideas by then.”@@novelbin@@

“Yes, Master.”

After finishing up, I went up to the rooftop to head back to the Songdo residence.

Why Songdo? Because the weekend was coming.

As I boarded the AV, a text came through. It was from Min Ji-ah.

- Both of Seong-hyun’s brothers have been dealt with.

She even attached photos. She’d thoughtfully added mosaics over the corpses, probably remembering my comment about the “snuff film” last time.

‘Her tone seems normal in texts.’

I immediately called her.

“Yes! Y-Y-Y-Young Master, Min Ji-ah speaking!”

“How wide is the target range?”

“Oh… Well, the target includes all of Jeon Seong-hyun’s direct family and key executives of Daejin Group!”

Not just family but executives too? That’s a wide net. Is it really necessary?

“What about Do Eun-joo, Seong-hyun’s mother? What’s her status?”

“Um… apologies, we’re… pursuing her.”

Pursuing her?

Didn’t they go after her simultaneously with the brothers?

“We’ve already identified her location, and we’ve blocked all escape routes around her! We’ll catch her, definitely!!”

“…I understand, but stop shouting. It’s hurting my ears.”

“Ah! S-Sorry!!”

“I said, stop shouting.”

“Oh, um… m-my apologies.”

Her actions involve ordering subordinates to commit murder, yet she’s strangely clumsy about it.

“By next Saturday, okay?”

“Yes! By next Saturday! Understood!!”

“I said stop… Never mind. For the final report, come see me in person, Aunt.”

“Yes, Young Ma—”

I hung up before she could finish.

Ahh.

Talking to her always brings a strange thrill.