Chapter 184
The Businessman.
In the original story, he appeared as one of the three major villains alongside the Lord and Baob.
He was a magnate who held a tight grip on the Empire's black money, dealing in Slave Auctions, Drug Trafficking, contract killings, and more.
At the same time, as he frequently engaged in Beastfolk Hunts, he stood in direct opposition to the Fox.
Especially to Irene, the Businessman was no different from the enemy who had burned her entire Village.
He was the one who instilled *human distrust* in her.
*He was a filthy human.*
Truly, an adult.
More precisely, he was a figure who illuminated the depths of corruption.
He coveted money, treated the world as a commodity, and preferred to crush rather than converse.
For him, there were no understanding, no sympathy, no mercy.
If there was a criterion for distinguishing good from evil, it was whether it made money.
His inherent nature placed the man at the top.
-If money had a devil, it would surely be he.
-He answers only to gold.
-Who could strip greed from evil?
This was the musing of an NPC.
This passage clearly revealed the Businessman's character.
He was the kind of person you'd imagine if the concept of 'capital' were sculpted into a devil.
His overwhelming wealth commanded the Underworld, and based on this, he employed Private Soldiers, including his 'Hunting Dogs'.
Added to that were his connections with various Nobles.
But perhaps it was because of these characteristics.
Even in the original story, he was quite ill-regarded.
[Category: Free Bulletin Board]
[Title: Businessman <- Every part he appears in is somehow unpleasant]
It feels too direct, somehow.
The evil deeds committed by guys like the Lord or Heretic Cultists feel somewhat unrealistic, right?
Like ruling as a king, wielding nuclear-level human weapons, or destroying the world...
It's okay because it's villainy with that unique fantasy feel.
But
Businessman <- He's a bit different.
He commits acts that could genuinely happen.
Political-Business Collusion, cartels, Drug Trafficking, Human Trafficking...
When you think about these things actually happening in some distant country, it's just... *something*.
Is it just me?
[I've felt something similar too]
-> He does have an annoying side.
-> That's why he's also an impressive villain.
-> You could say he knows how to use money properly.
[Even if he's generally disliked, I think the character itself is well-made]
-> According to developer comments, he was designed as a 'villain who becomes more unpleasant the more you understand the fear of money.'
-> So all that unpleasantness was intentional.
-> It just goes to show the quality is *unbelievable*.
-> No, if you take out the *fucking* quality, it's a god-tier game.
-> Nah, it's a god-tier game even with it.
[Truly an 'adult' character]
-> I think he's the most extreme example of reflecting the negative aspects of adults.
-> If he had been 'adult' in a different way, he probably would have been more popular.
-> Even now, TS potion, *let's go*.
[Looking at the Businessman, who gives Players an ambiguous sense of discomfort, I realize how amazing the Dean is, who has been at the top of the dislike list for years...]
-> As expected, normalizing the discomfort index is Dean-centric.
-> Undeniably, *Our Boy's Story* is the GOAT.
-> *Damn it, it's the Great Dean again. I was just going to read this post and go to sleep, but I saw the Great Dean again. Now I must shout. Even though I know shouting will wake me up completely, I shout. That is the mission of one who has witnessed the Great Dean. As of today, I withdraw my support for the Great Dean. From today, I am free from the relationship of support... (omitted)*
-> Ugh, it's so long.
-> Does this guy write the comment section all by himself?
-> Clean public etiquette is *Dean-tier*, lol.
An Antagonist who showcased the depths of depravity.
Especially in the episode dealing with the Fox's past, he truly showcased his peak form.
Anyone who considered Irene their favorite character would have found it almost unbearable to watch.
The cruelty driven by money and greed was so cold.
[Category: Free Bulletin Board]
[Title: I absolutely cannot watch the Fox side story.]
Irene is my favorite, but I can't stand seeing her suffer.
After Irene was tricked and betrayed by the Businessman, her Village burned to ashes without a trace.
Her Master, whom she relied on, died, and the other adults were sold off everywhere.
Even the little ones she tried to protect were taken away.
I thought at least the story would go towards her getting the lost little ones back.
But they all died, apparently.
And the ways they died were *horrifically* diverse.
Abuse, torture, taxidermy, butchery... just hearing about it was horrific.
It was the first time I saw Irene despair like that in the story.
It's too bleak. I'm dropping this side story.
[It's tough, alright]
-> If you don't have a high tolerance for bleakness, you can't handle it.
-> It's just a side story anyway, so skipping it won't affect the main story.
-> You play games to have fun, so you shouldn't get stressed.
[*The Businessman is a fucking bastard*]
-> Irene's Fandom is seriously pissed off.
-> Our daughter is being tormented!
-> I'm going to go cut off the Businessman's head right now.
[But what the hell is 'butchery' among the ways they died??]
-> I looked up the lore, and apparently, there was a rumor that the meat of young Fox beastfolk was a delicacy.
-> Whether it spread like a trend or not, there seemed to be quite a demand for it in the Underworld.
-> Oh, *shit*...
-> So, was it actually delicious?
-> According to one gourmet's review, it was *utter nonsense*.
-> Even *more shit*.
[The rumor mentioned in the comment above—the Businessman probably spread that too, right?]
-> ??????
-> Is this *for real*?
-> It's real. It came out in Gongyakjip Yangban's new video.
-> If it's from that channel, it's pretty reliable.
-> Gongyakjip is practically semi-official now.
-> Wow, but that's truly disgusting...
Truly, humanity at its absolute lowest.
Paradoxically, it was precisely for this reason that he was praised as a well-crafted character.
The prevailing opinion was that he perfectly portrayed a compromised adult, whose sole purpose was money.
Of course, character design or whatever. To me now, it was utterly irrelevant.
To me, he was merely a condemned man.
I smiled faintly.
*To look down on people like that.*
Those who attacked the Academy as they pleased.
Beniti had already been crushed, so now it was the Businessman's turn.
As for Baob... he was shrouded in mystery, so tracking him would take time.
But *he* was as good as in the palm of my hand.
Because I knew all his movements.
*He's a cunning one.*
Since he's quick-witted, he's probably already preparing to flee.
He must have sensed that things were going strangely after Beniti's downfall was announced.
I figured he'd probably flee to another continent.
He took a similar path in the original story.
*By whose leave?*
Of course, I had no intention of letting him go.
I was the type to always repay a debt.
And isn't it a person's duty to keep a promise?
-Let's leave it to your imagination.
-What price will you pay?
He was a rat in a trap.
He was already caught in the snare, too late to struggle.
Who would dare try to stop the Steps of Punishment?
Did his connections with Noble Families build up over time?
*Hmph.*
What's that supposed to mean?
I have the Emperor backing me.
After the Beniti Purge Order the other day, the Imperial Family's authority was higher than ever.
It was as if they had imprinted on the Nobles that one wrong move could cost them their heads.
In such a tense period, there would be no Family that would actively oppose the Emperor's will.
I monologued with an overt sneer.
*If he wanted to fight with connections... he should have done at least this much.*
Judgment finds its mark.
In life, Justice Prevails.
The price for wrongdoing will surely be exacted from the wicked.
We intended to approach him in the way he was most familiar with.
Rather than conversing, we would crush him.
"Then."
I subtly turned around.
Standing where my gaze landed was a girl clad in white robes.
Her orange Hair fluttered in the wavering breeze.
The Fox stood silently in place.
"Shall we go, Miss Irene?"
Beyond her pupils, a deadly intent shone.
Her tightly clenched fist, trembling slightly, held her emotions.
Yet, Irene's calm demeanor suggested acceptance.
The chilling coldness symbolized her growth over time.
I extended my hand.
"Into our night."
The Fox was silent for a moment.
Soon, as if her thoughts had settled, she nodded.
Our hands intertwined, not to be separated.
"Yes, because it's something that must be done."
"This is Miss Irene's story, after all."
"For my Master who passed away, for the adults, for the children I couldn't save, and..."
"And?"
Her gaze was resolute.
Like a winter that would never break again.
"......And for myself."
*Flicker-*
A light *flame* flickered.
Her dark pupils fully contained me.
In response to that resolve, I smiled.
A tribute to one who rose from despair.
"May the stars always be with you."
The night had fallen *Pitch-Black*.
It was the adults' time.
***
The spring was settled in silence.
And the dawn that covered the brightness of that season.
Against the dark backdrop, only two people walked.
One was the Slit-Eyed One, a boy in a black coat, the other was the Fox, a girl in white robes.
Their harmonious steps traversed the Night Street.
*Thump-thump-*.
Soon, a massive building came into their blurry sight.
For a building erected in an isolated area, its exterior was excessively ornate.
The boy spoke as if reminiscing.
"It's been a while. This place hasn't changed at all."
"......Indeed. It hasn't changed, almost unbearably so."
Their gazes lingered on its grandeur.
The Empire's largest Slave Auction House is Apple Tree.
It was an illegal facility operated by the 'Businessman', a magnate of the Underworld.
And it was also the setting where certain characters' stories began.
The two approached the large entrance.
"Then... shall we announce ourselves?"
Apple Tree.
Once, it was a place where the Fox was imprisoned, and a hateful space.
At the same time, it was the miraculous Iron Cage where she first met the 'snake'.
Irene clenched her drooping hand tightly.
The chillingly reflected blade.
Its light was like a star.
"The return of the prodigal daughter."
The two took their steps.
Towards their past, still vivid.