Everyone is Young Except for Me - Chapter 276

Chapter 276
Yoo Minseok and I arrived at the indoor smoking room on the rooftop.

“Here is the lighter.”

“Yes.”

Yoo Minseok took out a cigarette, gave it to me, and even lit it with a lighter. I took a deep drag of the cigarette he handed me. I had been smoking cigarettes in the virtual world for a long time so the cigarette in reality could be the taste of Heaven.

“Aren’t you going to smoke?”

“Haha, no matter what, smoking together is a bit...”

“Smoke. I don't care about that. I will be more restless if you just stand here.”

“Ah, yes. Then...”

Yoo Minseok turned his head to the side out of politeness and lit a cigarette. The two of us relaxed at the same time and blew out smoke from our nose and mouths. I was the one who opened my mouth first, “Yes. What can I do for you?”

“It is actually because of your granddaughter.”

“Mido?”

“Yes.”

I instantly frowned. He suddenly wanted to talk about Mido.

“Your granddaughter was selected as the best performer in our Union Internship Project. A notice will probably be sent to your home soon. Your granddaughter isn’t starting school until March next year and there will be no impact on her studies if she takes the job.”

“Ah, really? What is this? Is it as a full-time employee?”

I seemed to know what Yoo Minseok was talking about. Some time ago, I helped Mido with her homework until my arms were swollen. It seemed to be this. I remembered handing her the papers containing information about constellations under the name ‘Dark Wolf.’ I was very proud because I felt that I was helpful to Mido.

“Cough. It isn’t full-time. We will observe the results of her efforts for a year and then hire her as a full-time employee if she passes.”

“What? Aish, it isn’t a full-time employee. Then why say it so proudly with just this? In any case...” Grumble.

I applied silent oppression like I was tightening a screw in Yoo Minseok’s head. It seemed to work pretty well. “Cough. I’m sorry. I will pay more attention in the future.”

“Bah. It is your fault if my granddaughter doesn’t become a full-time employee!”

In fact, it was half a threat.

“Ah, yes. Haha...” Yoo Minseok gave a laugh that wasn’t a laugh, then he stopped and sighed deeply. He took a few deep breaths and spoke to me with his hands clasped together, “It is like this...”

“Don’t hesitate and say it.

“Yes. Then I’ll talk to you without hesitation. Elder, did you help your granddaughter with her report?”

“......”

I was instantly speechless. I couldn’t say anything. It was because it was true. I was worried that I would trouble Mido if I spoke the truth.

“It won’t harm your granddaughter. I’m not interested in that. I am just interested in the contents of the report. The contents written in the report seemed to have seen through the Star Fruit eaters who appeared this year. I want to know if you are involved and how you know about these things.”

I slowly closed my eyes. It was to calculate whether it would be possible to talk to Yoo Minseok. The cigarette smoke that pierced the tip of my nose lingered in the smoking room and a minute passed in silence.

“Can I talk without any honorifics to you?”

I reluctantly took one last drag of the cigarette in my hand and crushed it in the trash can in the middle of the room.

“I would be grateful if you do so.”

“Minseok.” 

“Yes.”

I took a deep breath and organized what I should say. Joseph had told me not to tell anyone about this. However, if his words were true and a disaster struck the game then I thought I would need one or two members of Union to help. Thus, I decided to tell him about the truth of the game created by Union, Dr Kang Jaeseong and Lee Geonmyeong.

“...To what extent do you believe in Lee Geonmyeong?”

Now it was time to talk.

* * *

The fierce battle between the United States and Spain lasted more than an hour. James, the first of the two aces to appear, defeated the Spanish players in turn. The rapid fire shadow bullets shot from the Star Piece violently broke the Spanish players who boasted a fierce defense. The Spanish players known for being tankers and boasting a strong defense were running out.

Finally, one of the strongest players in Arkstar, Torres appeared. “Bah. You are foals who run around with little talent. Hiccup!”

The fight started and he defeated James with ease. The clones created by Hydroponics Bordeaux constantly tormented James. In the midst of the attack from Torres and his clone, the desperate James was imprisoned in the underwater prison. The finishing blow was done by the water dragon, Blash.

“Aqua Breath.”

The water dragon roared above James’ head. Soon, a fierce blue energy rushed out from Blash’s mouth and swallowed James up entirely. James disappeared without a trace and only Torres was left standing. His appearance was very imposing.

[The user ‘James’ has been logged out.]

[Please hurry and send out the next player.]

There was a strange tension among Damian and the other US players watching James’ fight.

“......”

James had done a good job and achieved three wins, but this was already expected by the other players. The problem was that James couldn’t reduce Torres’ health and stamina. It was an unexpected situation.

Damian’s thoughts were complicated. ‘...The matchup between James and Torres is worse than expected. If this happens, it means I have to go to Plan B.’

However, Damian had already planned for this situation. A good strategist should always keep the worst possibility in mind. This was why he called for a reinforcement against Torres. This person naturally didn’t want to appear, but it would be a pity for his strength to be buried in volunteer activities.

Damian brought the person who had been devoting himself to volunteer work here. “Cappuccino.”

“Um? It’s already my turn?” Cappuccino stood up with a smile from where he had been leisurely enjoying coffee at a round table summoned by magic. He was a man who had risen to the position of vice-leader of the Zeus Guild with only his control skills, even though he only had a low rated rare class. It was the moment when he, who was actually an American, would show his true colors. “Hmm. I’m going. Don’t forget your promise.”

“Yes. I'm already talking to a lawyer. I always keep my promises.”

“I know, I know. Hahaha!”

Cappuccino laughed and disappeared. Damian moved his gaze to the field. There, Cappuccino and Torres were staring at each other.

‘He is a unique person.’

Damian made a donation he had never done before in his life in order to convince Cappuccino to come here. The conditions to bring him were tricky. First, it was to open a cafe in an orphanage of the United States in Cappuccino’s name. In addition, he would anonymously sponsor Save the Children every month.

It was ordinary dedication and service.

It was Cappuccino, a person who always shouted about justice. Damian understood it to some extent, but Cappuccino was definitely a unique person.

At this moment, Michael opened his mouth, “...I don’t like it. I want to fight him fairly.”

Damian watched Michael. Michael wanted to fight Torres fairly, but as seen earlier, there was a large compatibility problem. In the first place, MIchael’s sand lost to Torres’ water. He believed in Michael, but he was reluctant to risk it.

“I’m sorry, but I want you to respect this as well. This is my way.”

Thus, Damian brought Cappuccino here. Cappuccino’s ability, known as the Ruler of Ice, would surely trouble Torres.

“Hmm...”

“Don’t look at me like that. I did something I didn’t want to do in order to bring Cappuccino here. I will surely lead the United States to the championship. It is my responsibility as the captain. In any case, you have to fight with the old man. Isn’t it good to save your strength? I heard that he beat Torres.”

Michael’s cheek twitched. This was something that Michael also knew. Choi Chuntaek’s solo fight against Torres in the Star Field event was a big hit in the community and became the best video. Damian was probably talking about this.

Damian reiterated, “You have to beat that old man. Then you will be the best player in Arkstar. Leave Torres to us. I’m naturally talking about me and the other players of the United States’ national team. I spent some money to increase water resistance. Won’t we win with this much?”

Damian laughed openly like he wasn’t worried. Finally, the discomfort on Michael’s face was removed. Perhaps he was grateful to Damian for pointing out his arrogance.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

Michael gave a small nod and Damian nodded back at him. Their eyes turned toward the field simultaneously. The fight between Cappuccino and Torres began and a terrible blizzard ensued. Cappuccino’s specialty, Blizzard, devoured the stadium.

* * *

Meanwhile, after talking with Choi Chuntaek, Yoo Minseok immediately returned to his office at headquarters. He was exhausted. He undid the tie around his neck and collapsed weakly into his chair.

“Sigh...”

Yoo Minseok leaned back in his chair and stared blankly at the ceiling. It was an unbelievable story. Choi Chuntaek told him a story that he didn’t know what to believe. It was a forbidden box that shouldn’t have been opened. His heart was denying all of it. It was impossible. ‘He’ would surely never do that.

“......”

He had joined Union in the early stages of the company and devoted everything to it. He couldn’t believe that Lee Geonmyeong, who was considered the greatest man in the world and was respected by everyone, actually committed such outrageous experiments and secretly formulated a plan to put the world in danger.

“Damn. What was I supposed to do?!”

Anger suddenly rose and Yoo Minseok scattered all the objects on his desk. Suddenly, his eyes fell on his name plate. Yoo Minseok grabbed it.

[Team Leader of Union Strategic Planning Team 1, Yoo Minseok]

“......”

In the past, he was fed up with the big company he used to work for and went to interview with Union, which was still a small to medium sized company. At that time, Chairman Lee Geonmyeong was his interviewer. Lee Geonmyeong looked through his resume and wondered, ‘What is your reason for applying for a small to medium sized company? The environment is strange and there will be many strangers compared to the big company you are used to.’

Yoo Minseok replied to Lee Geonmyeong, ‘It is a strange environment and I will encounter strangers. However, I think that a stranger can give people unexpected help or joy. If that person is a man, he might become a lifelong confidant. If that person is a woman, she might become a lifelong partner. I don’t think there are any strangers in the world. There are only people I don’t know yet. If I try to get to know them, I don’t think that person is a stranger.’

The moment he was notified of his acceptance, Lee Geonmyeong personally called him and spoke of his high expectations. He said he was very impressed with what he heard in the interview. Unlike the daily life in the large companies where he was always scolded, Union and Lee Geonmyeong acknowledged and praised him.

This was why Yoo Minseok preferred to go to Union than to stay working at a large company. Then he met Cha Jincheol, Cha Jincheol’s noona, Cha Aeri, and even got married to her.

Lee Geonmyeong entrusted some of Arkstar, which was preparing for closed beta at the time, to Yoo Minseok. Yoo Minseok succeeded in globalizing Arkstar along with Lee Seokjun. Yoo Minseok never forgot the moment when Union rose to become a world-class company, beating even the Holy Spirit Group that was deeply rooted in South Korea.

‘Yet it was all smoke and illusions?’ 

Yoo Minseok unknowingly grabbed his mobile phone. The old man had given him the number of a person called Joseph.

Choi Chuntaek had told him, ‘I’ll contact him in advance so call him when you calm down.’

Yoo Minseok knew Choi Chuntaek’s personality and knew he wasn’t a man who would lie. Still, he wanted to confirm it. The hidden truth. He thought he was qualified enough.

Yoo Minseok touched his phone a few times and then heard a ringing tone. Not long after, the voice of a man who was his own age was heard from the phone.

-Hello.

“...Joseph-ssi? I am called Yoo Minseok.”