ocean-life Chapter 196
Chapter 196
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Lucky]
Chapter 196
The drinking party continued until dawn.
One of Lee Gabin’s subordinates, exhausted, stepped out onto the terrace.
“Phew... So this is the ‘war’ that Ms Gabin mentioned, huh?”
At first, she thought they were heading to an actual battle.
There had always been talk about a ‘master’, but it all felt like old tales.
When she heard that the person who had once restricted their freedom had returned, she thought they were preparing for a decisive fight to break free from him.
But what a surprise this was.
The “decisive fight” turned out to mean something completely different.
It was a banquet, celebrating the reunion with their master.
The competition was to drink until they collapsed, a contest to prove their loyalty to him.
“Phew... At this rate, I really might die.”
The intoxication hadn’t worn off.
Even using magic to dispel it didn’t work.
It didn’t seem like ordinary alcohol.
The drunkenness clung stubbornly.
She leaned against the railing, tilting her head back, trying to regain her composure.
That was when an unfamiliar voice spoke.
“Are you struggling?”
“Uh—”
It was Han Chanyul.
The master of the one she served.
He was a tremendously intimidating person.
“You don’t have to be so formal.”
Seo Yoon-ah, a subordinate of Lee Gabin, immediately straightened up and was fully alert.
Though he was younger than her, he was no ordinary man—he was a monster.
Far stronger than even the most skilled hunters, he was on another level entirely.
Even if he looked like a young office worker just starting out, letting her guard down was unthinkable.
“Please, speak comfortably.”
“I— I can’t do that.”
Seo Yoon-ah desperately tried to shake off her intoxication.@@@@
What she had drunk was a particularly potent liquor from the Demon Realm.
The fact that she, a human, was still standing was already impressive.
Even so, as she tried to stand upright and maintain decorum, her body swayed.
“You’re going to fall at this rate.”
When Han Chanyul grabbed her wrist, the overwhelming intoxication instantly vanished.
Even the magic she had used couldn’t handle the effects of the drink.
But just the touch of his hand seemed to dispel it effortlessly.
As the drunkenness completely faded, her mind became sharp and clear again.
‘Even earlier, when I sensed just a fraction of his energy... he’s incredible. The entire world’s balance is going to change because of him.’
If the master she served moved, the world would undoubtedly tremble.
But what would happen if the man standing before her decided to act?
The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.
She couldn’t help but anticipate what his next steps would be.
As those thoughts filled her mind, a fervent determination shone in her eyes.
Han Chanyul repeated the words he had once said to Min Kyungsoo.
“I have no intention of meeting your expectations.”
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, I don’t plan to make South Korea a powerful nation or clear every gate to become some kind of hero.”
“You have such power, yet you’re saying you won’t do anything with it?”
Han Chanyul silently nodded.
Seo Yoon-ah, risking rudeness, asked, “Why? Your power is too immense to go to waste. Why not use it for something good?”
“If I use my power, there will inevitably be consequences to pay.”
Her imagination shattered instantly.
The current society revolved around hunters.
Only those with power could rise to the top—where authority, wealth, and honor were freely handed to them.
It was even possible for someone to become the president of a country at a young age.
And yet, here he was, choosing to walk away from it all.
Who in their right mind would give up something like this?
‘Is it because he’s transcended everything? I can’t understand it at all.’
Money was better the more of it you had.
In this short period, everyone had come to recognize Min Kyungsoo’s competence.
‘SG Group is destined to soar even higher.’
‘He’ll dominate the company even more effectively than Chairman Min Hyungbae did.’
‘To survive, we’ll have to swear loyalty to him—not the company itself.’
The executives nervously watched Min Kyungsoo, eager to earn his favor.
As if he could read their thoughts, Min Kyungsoo lightened the mood.
“Thank you all for your hard work. I’ll be counting on your help to lead the company successfully.”
The heavy atmosphere quickly dissipated, and applause filled the room.
They began discussing how to steer the company forward.
Sitting in his chair, Min Kyungsoo fell into deep thought.
‘I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. Why couldn’t I think this way before?’
His father and brother never saw him as a son or a younger sibling.
To them, he was merely an experiment—nothing more, nothing less.
And yet, he had always cared for them as family.
That’s why he never dared to stand up to his father or brother.
Most importantly, he hadn’t realized they would go so far as to risk his life for their awakening experiments.
After all, who would suspect their own family of causing them harm?
‘At least I’ve finally gotten my revenge.’
The frustration that had weighed him down for years evaporated completely.
It was all thanks to Han Chanyul’s help.
Everyone associated with him was remarkable.
Without their assistance, revenge would have been impossible to achieve so quickly.
‘Now it’s my turn to keep the promise I made to Chanyul.’
Just as he finished his thought and opened his mouth to speak—
[Would you mind having a word with me?]
It was a woman’s voice.
The voice of someone who had barged into his penthouse, shared drinks, and bonded with him and others not too long ago.
* * *
Lee Gabin had requested a private meeting with Min Kyungsoo.
He readily agreed.
“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“I understand you’ve heard the master’s vision. His proposal to create a world of our own—are you planning to move forward with it now?”
“I made a promise to Chanyul, and I intend to keep it.”
“I’d like to ask you to reconsider halting the awakening program.”
“Why is that? Does Chanyul know about this?”
“The master doesn’t know. He’d be furious if he found out.”
“Then why are you bringing this up?”
“I’ve been thinking deeply after hearing Bu-er’s words.”
“Bu-er?”
“You probably call him Blata.”
“Ah.”
“According to Blata, the master initially intended to use Teverland to create awakened individuals.”
“That was the plan at first.”
“I think we should proceed with that plan.”
“You’ll need to explain your reasoning if I’m to convince Chanyul.”
Lee Gabin spoke her mind, revealing her thoughts.
“The master still can’t let go of Teverland. Even though it’s a virtual world, he constantly thinks about maintaining it. He wants Teverland to be a place of dreams and hope for people.”
“What does that have to do with the forced awakening program?”
“I plan to stabilize the program. I want to make it safe, even for the elderly and children to use, without endangering their lives.”
“You mean you want to make people dependent on Teverland?”
“Teverland could serve as an escape, but that’s not enough. Without the forced awakening program, it’s just an empty shell. A program that allows anyone worldwide to awaken easily and safely—if we make it so that the strength gained in Teverland reflects in reality, wouldn’t it turn Teverland into the ultimate dream game for ordinary people?”
“That makes sense, but...”
Min Kyungsoo hesitated.
The concern was whether the forced awakening program could truly be stabilized for safe use.
“With all of us working together, it’s possible.”
“If it really works out that way, it’ll fulfill Chanyul’s dream. I’ll support it and try to convince him.”
“Thank you.”
Lee Gabin smiled radiantly.
Her dazzlingly beautiful smile left Min Kyungsoo momentarily mesmerized.
‘But why does her smile seem tinged with sadness?’
What he didn’t know at the time was the kind of sacrifices required to stabilize the forced awakening program.
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Lucky]