Chapter 70
A stake in Lumina’s head.
When Belarus brought it up, I started calculating in my head.
‘It’s true that Endless provided the information and guided us.’
Endless’s help was a major reason we made it through the wasteland ‘relatively’ safely.
Manager Millelo and Deputy Manager Kim did have to put in some hard work.
But it was Lumina’s power that decisively crushed the enemy commander, Max, and opened a path to the target.
And what about recovering the most important box?
Hadn’t Belarus himself said so?
That only I, as a human, could handle that object properly.
Without me, they wouldn’t even have been able to open the box, and the powerful mana backlash would have caused considerable damage.
Which meant Lumina’s lost face would still be inside that box.
An irreplaceable specialist.
That was my position in this operation.
Then shouldn’t I naturally demand my own stake as well?
“Let’s include my stake and calculate everything again from the beginning.”
That was why I stepped forward.
To obtain my legitimate rights.
Belarus’s red gaze flickered.
-The human young man’s stake……. You’re absolutely right. I completely forgot about that. Please, go on.
“You said earlier, Director, that Endless held a certain stake in the head because you provided information and manpower, didn’t you?”
-That is true, but.
“But Ms. Lumina provided the actual combat support. And I handled the most important recovery and mana-circuit connection work. Without me, that box would either have gone berserk and blown the entire fortress away by now, or it would still be locked.”
I took a step closer to Lumina’s side and drove the point home.
“In other words, Endless provided information and an escort, Ms. Lumina provided the combat power, and I provided an irreplaceable core technology. You know without my saying who played the most important role.”
Belarus did not answer.
He simply stood there, continuing to wait for me to finish.
“To get straight to the conclusion, my stake in this operation is at least 50 percent.”
-Oh. 50 percent, is it? Why?
“Isn’t it obvious? Without me, the seal would never have been opened. In any business, it’s common sense that whoever holds the irreplaceable core technology receives the largest stake.”
Belarus slowly stroked his jawbone.
-…I can’t deny that. You’re right. Only Kim Mincheol was the sole master key capable of safely releasing it. If we strictly assess everyone’s contributions, your claim to more than 50 percent is reasonable.
Belarus cleanly acknowledged my stake.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Since I had started this, I might as well see it through thoroughly.
“And one more thing. The information Endless offered was essentially the change due from the 5 billion won you took from us earlier, wasn’t it? Then shouldn’t that stake go to Ms. Lumina?”
The location of what was believed to be Lumina’s head.
That had been payback for the 5 billion won Endless had taken from us earlier.
In other words, Endless had provided the information, but we had already paid for it, which made Lumina the owner of that information.
Therefore, the stake represented by that information had to go to Lumina as well.
“Huh……?”
Lumina let out a small gasp at my words.
It was something she had briefly forgotten in the joy of finding her head.
And it was something Belarus had deliberately failed to mention in order to steer the contract in his favor.
“The information you claimed entitled Endless to a stake is something we already paid for. All that remains is the escort personnel, and even their contribution is far lower than the other factors. Isn’t it a little too petty, considering your reputation, to demand a stake and force a modeling contract on Ms. Lumina?”
Those words I uttered at the end meant—
‘We’ve come this far, so don’t be petty about the stake.’
That was what I had said in an extremely polite roundabout way.
No one could have missed the implication hidden in my words.
Silence descended over the outskirts of Taepyeong City in the early-morning air.
Behind me, I heard Manager Millelo swallow dryly.
‘Did I go too far?’
Honestly, that last remark had slipped out impulsively because I had gotten a little heated.
I was also worried that I might have needlessly provoked a director of a major corporation.
But I couldn’t let it go unsaid.
I couldn’t help feeling tense.
Belarus’s red gaze curved into a smile after he heard me out.
-I apologize. I had forgotten that the information was given as payback. Please regard it as an ill-considered remark brought on by my desire to have Ms. Lumina work as our model.
Belarus bowed politely.
-Everything you say is correct. It seems I was being far too greedy. I’ll withdraw every stake I just claimed and settle the matter by returning it to Ms. Lumina. Although the word return is odd, since it was never mine to begin with. Ms. Lumina owns 100 percent of her head. Endless guarantees it.
“……”
-And as a gesture of apology, we will share one of the locations where we believe her memories are being kept. Please be generous enough to forgive our mistake.
At those words, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew, we got through that safely.
That could have turned into a disaster.
“It seems to have been resolved.”
However, Belarus did not back down so easily.
-But apart from the issue of the stake, our proposal for an exclusive modeling contract remains valid.
“You’re still on about that? Why would I model for your company?”
-Once you hear the terms, you’ll change your mind.
Ssswish.
At a wave of Belarus’s hand, a parchment contract appeared in midair.
With another gesture, the contents of the contract began writing themselves onto the parchment.
-Likewise, if you work as our official model, we will spare no support for the locations believed to contain your memories or the cost of searching for them.
“Isn’t that the same contract you offered earlier?”
-There are two differences. First, we will pay you a substantial signing bonus upfront.
“A signing bonus?”
-That’s right. We will also guarantee the industry’s highest level of revenue sharing for your image rights and activities. Furthermore, Ms. Lumina will be the party of the first part in this contract.
“……”
-Yes. Even if we request that you work as a model, whether you proceed will be entirely up to you. If you dislike an assignment, you may refuse it at any time. There will be no penalty for refusing. Please understand that this means we place an exceptionally high value on Ms. Lumina as a model.
The terms were extraordinary.
A signing bonus, support in searching for her memories, and the highest possible revenue-sharing rate.
And on top of that, she would have the right to refuse assignments.
At this point, they were practically begging her to come work for them.
“What should I do?”
Lumina asked me.
Perhaps it was because of how I had calculated the stakes just now.
Lumina was relying on me completely.
“It seems fine. If Endless really has information about your memories, there’s no reason not to take the deal. But there’s no harm in checking the information Endless provides about your memories before signing the contract.”
“Ah.”
The information about her memories was being offered as an apology for deceiving us.
Whether she accepted the contract would depend on how valuable that information was.
That was precisely why I had deliberately brought it up.
If the first information they provided was of poor quality, there would be no reason to sign the contract.
Conversely, if it was genuinely valuable, signing this favorable contract to find the rest of her memories would unquestionably benefit her.
The first piece of information they offered as an apology would be a perfect touchstone for testing how reliable the future contract would be.
After hearing my explanation, Lumina opened her eyes wide, then smiled broadly and nodded.
“Ah, now that you mention it, you’re right. That’s Mincheol for you. You’re so dependable.”
Lumina seemed to have entrusted every decision to me. With a light smile, she boldly raised her chin toward Belarus.
“You heard him, right? Give me the information you said you were offering as an apology first. I’ll decide whether to sign the contract after I see whether it’s useful.”
-…….
Belarus was silent for a moment.
He left the parchment contract floating in the air as his red gaze passed over Lumina and fixed on me.
Clack.
Soon, his jawbones knocked together, and a cheerful laugh spilled out.
-Kahaha! Remarkable. You intend to use even your opponent’s apology as a testing ground to verify the company’s reliability and information-gathering capabilities.
“Wouldn’t you have done the same thing if you were in my position, Mr. Belarus?”
-Of course. If I were in the same situation, I probably would have said something similar. My, my, I’m impressed. That perfect calculation, weighing profit so thoroughly without being swept away by emotion! You truly are a talent I covet more the more I see of you.
Belarus spread his arms wide and approached me.
-Mr. Kim Mincheol. Let me ask you directly.
“Yes?”
-Would you consider joining Endless Corporation as a professional negotiator?
For a moment, I doubted my ears.
-We will offer you department-head-level treatment, of course, and a salary three times what you currently receive…… No, we’ll make it ten times that. If you wish, we can also grant you stock options based on your performance. What do you say? Would you work with me as an executive of our company?
It was a completely unexpected job offer.
An extraordinary offer to become a partner, delivered directly by a director of an undead conglomerate.
“Oh my! Mr. Mincheol! Come work with us! I’ll be your direct mentor and take great care of you!”
“Deputy Manager Kim, you’re in a different department. Mr. Mincheol, if you come to our flesh-and-blood zombie planning department, you’ll be able to work very comfortably.”
The two undead who had worked with me each chimed in.
It was a good offer, but.
“I believe I mentioned it before. I’m not interested in immortality.”
No matter how long I lived, and no matter how much money I received,
what fun would life be if I couldn’t enjoy good food and had no sex drive?
And besides.
It was a black company.
-Tsk, what a shame. I really thought you were the finest talent.
Belarus did not press the offer any further.
-Then, Ms. Lumina, I’ll come visit you with the information soon. In the meantime, rest and enjoy seeing the world with the head you’ve recovered.
When he snapped his fingers, a black aura rippled and formed a portal.
-Manager Millelo, Deputy Manager Kim, we’ll take the two of you back to Endless…….
“No, that’s all right. We have somewhere else to go.”
Lumina cut Belarus off.
-I see. It seems the two of you still have something left to settle. Then, Manager Millelo, gather the equipment and go through the portal.
“Understood.”
Manager Millelo and Deputy Manager Kim bowed to us.
“It was a pleasant mission. I hope we meet again.”
“I enjoyed it so much I didn’t even notice my bones were rotting. Hahahah!”
After the two undead climbed into the car and disappeared through Belarus’s portal,
Whooosh.
Only Lumina and I remained on the outskirts of Taepyeong City.
“Mincheol, thank you. If not for you, I probably would have been struggling with some strange contract.”
“It was nothing.”
The eyes of the woman looking at me sparkled.
She was coming toward me.
She had avoided contact ever since recovering her head, yet now she was drawing near.
“Ms. Lumina, is this all right? You’re awfully close.”
“…I-it’s all right. J-just a little……”
Her face was bright red, but she did not step back.
“And it’s not like I have no say in it either……”
After saying that, she hugged me tightly.
A fragrant scent tickled my nose.
I felt something soft against my chest.
“Thank you, Mincheol. Truly……”
I was a little surprised by her behavior as she nestled into my arms, but I soon patted her shoulder.
“You’ve been through a lot, Ms. Lumina.”
After remaining in my arms for a long while, she asked with her face buried against me,
“…But how long are you going to keep calling me Ms. Lumina?”
“Huh?”
“Isn’t it about time you called me noona?”
“Would that be all right?”
“Hm?”
She looked at me.
I smiled at her.
“Lumina noona, you’re really shy.”
At those words,
“…D-dangerous. V-very……”
Lumina’s face turned red, and she looked away.
I liked Ms. Lumina when she was forward, but it was nice to see her shy like this, too.
Dawn was gradually breaking.
Was the flame glowing where her neck connected to her head taking on a faint orange hue because of the rising sunlight?
“Shall we head back?”
“W-wait. We haven’t finished settling accounts yet.”
“Settling accounts? Wasn’t everything already finished?”
“Are you really going to leave empty-handed after I helped you this much?”
Lumina stepped slightly away from my embrace and smiled up at me.
Her bright smile gleamed in the sunlight.
“I’m talking about the stake. You said you owned 50 percent of my head.”
“Huh?”
“You told Belarus yourself. You said 50 percent was yours.”
“Uh, uhh……”
I had said that.
“That was just because it seemed like Belarus was trying to make a predatory contract, okay? I didn’t actually think I owned 50 percent……”
“Do I look like the kind of dullahan who’d conveniently pretend not to know about it?”
“That’s not what I meant……”
“My head’s 50-percent owner.”
“…Yes.”
She rose onto her tiptoes and met my eyes.
Her cheeks were still bright red, but she looked straight at me without avoiding my gaze.
“Now that you’re a major shareholder, you’ll have to take proper responsibility for my maintenance.”
“Maintenance?”
“Yes. If you neglect it, the value of your stake might fall, right?”
Lumina slightly tightened the hand gripping my collar and whispered in a voice full of shyness,
“So, for today…… Eat breakfast with me in the name of our first shareholders’ meeting. A-a dawn d-date.”
“A shareholders’ meeting is a date?”
“Why? Do you dislike it?”
“…No.”
Seeing her work up the courage to say what she wanted despite her embarrassment, I finally burst out laughing.
I wondered how much embarrassment she must have endured just to say that.
That thought made it impossible for me to stop laughing.
She really was an utterly lovable dullahan.
“Understood. As the major shareholder, I’ll gladly approve the first agenda item. Let’s go, Lumina noona.”
“……”
There was no answer.
Her face turned so red it looked ready to burst.
“D-don’t call me noona for a while.”
“Are you really that embarrassed?”
“…I almost lost my head.”
Lumina, her face red enough to burst, cupped her cheeks in both hands and tried to sink to the ground.
I caught her hands.
“We should hurry. It’s still a long way to Taepyeong City.”
“…So I have to ride behind you.”
“Are you still embarrassed?”
“…I’ll try to endure it……”
Lumina’s face turned red.
I never knew she could be so expressive.