“Mister, you knew her?”

“I did, but only briefly… You remember, Yuhyun? The middle-aged woman who visited as the representative of the British Hunter Association.”

Yuhyun tilted his head faintly.

“I recall her, but there was nothing particularly special. She didn’t hide her mana or anything. At least I didn’t sense anything worth being on guard against.”

“She appeared ordinary, after all,” Gray said. Even I possess plenty of special skills, yet few could recognize them. Elder transcendent beings are said to have a different value of existence, and so on.

“…So from the start you intended to bring me here?”

“I do not know all the details, but I believe it made no difference to our mistress whichever choice was made.”

Did that mean whatever I did was anticipated? A chill ran along my arm. The Crescent Moon and Marisa both watched us from far above, their webs of influence spun across every possible path.

“In any case, we are not on good terms. You kidnapped a perfectly fine person. Surely the troubles in Africa weren’t unrelated either.”

Chohwaun’s group aligned with the Prophets, but they had also tried to seize Isabella and Samir, who had no direct connection to us. Those two were linked more to Seong Hyunjae’s wedding—likely a request from Miss Marisa’s side.

“And there was the incident in China as well. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame myself if I’d destroyed this mansion in retaliation.”

“I fully understand,” Gray replied calmly, without flinching.

“So please consider this simply hospitality, nothing more.”

“…Even if I try not to, it still feels meaningful.”

“What is certain is our mistress never harms others for personal reasons.”

“Because it benefits many people? You claim this is to save the world?”

My voice rose unintentionally. I cannot prioritize the world or the majority, even if it is the universally right thing.

“No. There is no way to satisfy everyone in the world. Each person has desires, and many of those desires can only be fulfilled by harming others, directly or indirectly. Even in lawful competition, there must be losers. Illegally, there are even more victims.”

Unless humanity’s desires themselves are suppressed, universal satisfaction is impossible. People endure and restrain themselves their whole lives just to maintain society and secure a place within it.

“Members of society must always yield, endure, and sacrifice to some degree. Therefore, our mistress sacrifices some to act as efficiently as possible for the many. It is natural that those who are sacrificed feel anger and sorrow.”

Her answer bore no excuse and no hint of guilt. I recalled the Newcomer of old, who prioritized saving the world through the System above all else, without regard for personal feelings.

“In the end, you won’t consider our position at all.”

“Correct. However, we too will not champion some grand cause of our own. If you ever share our purpose, feel free to request our cooperation. We may even ask you to help us in return. Since Han Yujin-nim tends to want to save the world, we would have no reason to oppose you.”

Gray said the situation had simply grown complicated.

“Even if we oppose each other, the balance can invert at any time. Such is the world.”

“That may be true.”

Whichever side.

“For me, those I cherish come first. My own limited capacity means I’m ill-suited to Miss Marisa Moore.”

My capacity is small: I cannot encompass the world, only those around me. Let the great-hearted people embrace it all. Frankly, to reach that level I’d have to break entirely beyond my limits—and I never will.

“As long as I have you, hyung, I’m happy. If you’re happy, I am too.”

“I was only trying to help, Dad.”

Gyeol whispered from my shoulder.

“Whatever choice you make, I’ll support you.”

Do what I want. Of course I can’t live entirely as I please—one does not live alone without regard for others, nor flout laws, rules, or morality. But for truly important decisions, shouldn’t one follow one’s own will? After all, it is one’s life.

“Saving many people is a good thing, I think.”

Yerim looked between me and Gray.

“If it came down to it, I’d save the people I love first, wouldn’t I? …Actually, I’m not sure. My body might move on its own.”

“Whatever conclusion you reach, I’m on your side, Yerim.”

“Of course I’m on Mister’s side too!”

Yerim grinned, making a finger-heart. My heavy heart lightened.

“But Director Song might feel differently.”

Yerim glanced at Director Song, noting his tendency to neglect himself. He fell silent briefly, then spoke slowly:

“I only do my best.”

His calm voice continued:

“Even if saving everyone is impossible, I will not give up anyone I am meant to protect. I am not in a position to choose; I am not qualified to decide who lives and who dies.”

Even one who champions saving the world might think so. Yerim nudged me gently.

“Director Song’s answer sounds like the ideal one, doesn’t it?”

I agreed inwardly, though he pushes himself to extremes. Gray inclined her head slightly toward him.

“He is truly admirable.”

“It is my duty.”

If all public servants were like him, world peace might have been achieved. Gray turned back to me.

“Neither side can be deemed wrong. Gears of identical size and shape only produce simple motion in a machine. Therefore, I will not attempt to win your understanding, Han Yujin-nim.”

“Well, for those who suffer no loss, it matters little.”

She spoke well, yet clearly we were ill-matched.

“Moreover, if the gears differ too greatly in size or shape, they will grind and break.”

“Precisely. This is no coercion.”

Though I had many complaints, discussing further would only be like running on a hamster wheel. It would be more straightforward to call them outright enemies—this ambiguous politeness was more vexing.

“Anyway, since you are deeply connected to the Crescent Moon…”

Even if my insides writhed, I would maintain a workable relationship for the sake of information. …These dealings are a poor fit. If only Seok Simyeong were here; he would handle it in my place.

At that moment, a polite knock sounded. The door opened and a very familiar face slipped in.

“…Team Leader Seok?”

It was Seok Simyeong. He beamed at us, briefcase in hand.

“Director Han Yujin! You look radiant today as well!”

What on earth? Why was he suddenly acting like an eager salesman? His gaze was so ardent that Yuhyun moved to shield me and Peace bared his teeth in warning.

“Team Leader Seo was supposed to handle this, but he may not be accustomed yet, so I came in his place. I had my share of troubles in America.”

…America? Seok Simyeong still looked absurdly cheerful as he set his bag on the table, then extended his hand to Mr. Vantes and Ms. Gray.

“Pleased to meet you in person. You must be Ms. Charlotte Gray? Thanks to you, everything was handled smoothly.”

Handled? What had he done? He opened his bag with a broad smile, spilling a laptop and papers across the table.

“I can’t say exactly why, but the deceased Chatterbox’s heir is Director Han Yujin!”

“…What? Oh, um—”

Heir? I had heard something, but had forgotten until now. A smile crept across my lips. Wait—was I legally inheriting his estate?

“First, a brief list of real estate~.”

Seok Simyeong excitedly powered on his laptop. A photograph appeared of the luxury hotel in Manhattan where we stayed.

“A ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) top-tier hotel in Manhattan, New York!”

The slideshow advanced:

“A penthouse in Manhattan! A luxury resort in New York! A mansion in Los Angeles! A villa in Hawaii! A penthouse in Paris─”

Hold on! Real estate? I expected maybe a few items, not an endless string of properties. How much was all this worth? Did Chatterbox—or rather, the host whose body he inhabited—really own this much?

“The real estate alone is estimated at over one billion dollars.”

“…What? Houses cost that much?”

“Even one penthouse exceeds ten million dollars, and hotels and resorts fetch especially high prices.”

“Wow… Mister, are you going to be richer than Master Seong Hyunjae?”

…No way. And yet, wow.

‘I should prepare an ancestral table for Chatterbox too.’

I’d given thought to a feast for Lu and Paeya. But to spite him, I might just set a plain bowl of rice in the garden.

“And Chatterbox’s channel is also valued at tens of millions of dollars.”

“…What?”

“Maintaining it yourself would be difficult, so I recommend selling it. Several buyers have already expressed interest. It’s currently the top Hunter channel by image and viewership.”

He said it would be best to sell before its popularity waned; with my signature, the auction could begin immediately.

“I haven’t confirmed all items owned by Chatterbox. S-Rank or higher items could rival the value of the real estate and channel, but unfortunately some must be distributed among party participants.”

“Oh, yes. Most of those I and my party will keep.”

“Understood. The vault where most items are stored only admits the owner. Director Han Yujin, please visit it at your convenience.”

He laid out papers for me to sign—full of jargon even a translation might not clarify.

“…I really can sign this, right?”

“Of course—I would never harm your interests.”

He filmed me signing on video. There were so many documents. While overwhelming, it felt good. Chatterbox had saved so diligently—thank you. I’d expected item inheritance, but this was beyond anything I imagined. I’ll at least set a few seasoned greens alongside the plain rice.

“I’ll return to New York now. Guildmaster, do you need anything?”

Yuhyun looked at me and shook his head.

“Please handle things on my behalf.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Elated, Seok Simyeong exited. He seemed more delighted than I was. Half the properties would serve for overseas expansion, the rest as items.

‘I wonder how many SS-Rank items there are?’

I wanted to follow him to New York. First, I must deal with Chohwaun’s group here, then hurry to the vault. …Since I hold a significant share in Seong Hyunjae’s inheritance, perhaps I can call on it naturally then.

“If you include the items, Mister might be the richest of all!”

“I’ll give the items to you all. What use would they be just sitting in my inventory?”

“I’d feel bad receiving them for free. I earn my own money!”

“You all contributed greatly in the party. It’s only fair. Director Song too—I’ll choose the perfect items for you.”

“…Ah.”

“By law, I have to give them to you! Legally!”

Money really is wonderful. Even if it turns to worthless scraps if the world ends, having it is still nice. Rising, I asked Mr. Vantes quietly as we left.

“Sesung doesn’t have many SS-Rank items, does it?”

He met my gaze kindly.

“No, of course not. Since you seem curious, I’ll whisper—you, Director Han Yujin, are the largest shareholder of Demason Corporation.”

…Demason? The pioneering hunter mega-corporation in manastone energy and item trade. As if reading my astonishment, Mr. Vantes continued:

“You do not interfere in operations, but your early investment was considerable. And that is only part of your holdings.”

…Ah, I see. Truly impressive. Ten billion dollars is no small sum. Hearing that, I both envied him and felt relieved about Seong Hyunjae. Wherever he goes, he’ll eat well and live well.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep