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Lucas Metathronius Goldsmith.

No matter how many times I mull it over, it’s a peculiar name.

Unlike the common name “Lucas,” having such a unique middle name is just bizarre.

Moreover, seeing the phonetic symbols printed on the business card makes it feel even more odd.

It’s like a kind soul is kindly explaining how to pronounce this word: that “Metathronius” should be read as “메타트로니우스”.

What else could possibly be considered unusual if this isn’t?

Metathronius.

It’s evident that the name is just a slight variation of the Latin word “Metatronius”.

The meaning of Metatronius is “the one serving on the throne.”

Another meaning is that of God’s representative.

And naturally, the owner of this grandiose title is someone special.

The world-renowned angel is the protagonist in question.

The scribe of heaven and the angel of contracts.

A being representing Yahweh, who guided Moses as a pillar of flame.

Tall enough to touch the skies, and possessing a body of fire as a pillar.

Metatron (מטטרון).

In some regions, due to its immense power and omnipotence, this angel is even mistaken for Satan, and here it is plainly shoved into the middle name.

A devout religious person might furiously proclaim, “This bastard, born of Satan, is blaspheming!”

Moreover, considering that America is a Christian-dominated country, one could only feel that the name reflects extreme audacity.

However, at the same time, perhaps the mere fact that this man is alive with such a name proves his greatness.

“No. Just look at that crystal arm….”

Actually, maybe he’s not quite alive after all.

His left arm is completely gone, no artificial limb in its place.

But well…

There are plenty of ways to replace an arm, so it might not be such a significant loss.

Jinseong stood up while pondering this.

“Yes. I’ll look forward to the meal.”

“Heh, right. It’s an amazing place. Feel free to look forward to it.”

* * *

The place Lucas took Jinseong to was a handmade burger restaurant called Wolf’s Burger.

As soon as they opened the door and stepped in, the intense scent of meat and cheese hit them, and well-dressed people were lined up waiting to get their burgers.

The tables were packed with people, all sporting vacant expressions while devouring enormous handmade burgers in a variety of ways.

“This way.”

Lucas led Jinseong deeper into the crowded restaurant.

After venturing in a bit, they found a small room marked ‘VIP Only’.

He opened the door and spoke to the staff waiting inside.

“I’ll have what I always get.”

He placed his order with the staff as if it were second nature, then looked over at Jinseong, who sat across from him.

He then broke into a grin and said,

“And this guest will have everything on the menu.”

“…Everything, you say?”

“Yeah. Oh, you know all those items include shakes and beverages, right?”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and Jinseong Park has no allergies, so don’t hold anything back. Show your skills.”

Having finished his shocking order, Lucas shooed the staff out of the room as if to hurry the food along. Then, with playful eyes, he turned to Jinseong and asked,

“Were you disappointed after I brought you to a handmade burger restaurant, after getting all hyped up?”

“No, not at all.”

“You seem to be genuinely looking forward to it. Your eyes are sparkling. I really couldn’t help but give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Right. Since you’re so excited, I thought I should give you a present. So, don’t hesitate and try everything on the menu.”

Lucas smiled.

“At least among the burgers I’ve had, this place is the best. You can believe me; I’ll stake my name on it.”

He pointed at the wall, indicating that it was no empty boast.

“Why do you think I invested in this shabby hole? I acquired this burger joint, and I personally ordered the creation of this VIP space. It’s designed so I can comfortably enjoy burgers whenever I’m hungry, tailor-made to my tastes!”

He continued to praise this handmade burger restaurant, which he claimed to be “his.”

It seemed he was trying to instill anticipation in Jinseong.

And, simultaneously, he aimed to inflate the question lingering in Jinseong’s mind: ‘Why did he invite me for a meal?’

This was a tactic of negotiation.

Deliberately going in circles to make the other party anxious and unable to respond properly, an age-old method employed throughout human history.

It was a method so overused that its essence was long since drained, but it remained one of the most fundamental and effective strategies.

And this method’s flaw was its popularity.

While it was easy to detect, recognizing it also led to a feeling of powerlessness, as if one was dragged along, reinforcing that the initiative belonged to the opponent.

This sense of powerlessness removed one’s ability to assert themselves during negotiations.

However, this negotiation style was also somewhat rude.

At least, it wouldn’t be strange to call it rude if used on a ‘first-time guest.’

Yet, Lucas employed this technique on Jinseong without a second thought.

Why?

‘He’s never faced a situation of disadvantage.’

He must have never been in a weaker position.

He’s never received such treatment, and no one complained when he dished it out.

So, it was no wonder that he used this approach so casually.

‘Goldsmith, Goldsmith. A surname like that belongs to the Jewish community. Looking at the connection with Wall Street… must be a wealthy family in finance.’

Jinseong, observing Lucas’s name and attitude, could roughly guess what profession he might be in.

Of course, it wasn’t definitive.

Just a mere assumption.

But it couldn’t be helped.

The name Lucas Metathronius Goldsmith was entirely unfamiliar to Jinseong’s memory.

It was highly likely that he met his death.

It was inconceivable that he wouldn’t have remembered someone with such a name, having mingled with mercenaries, forged connections as a shaman, and traversed the globe.

It would be quite unnatural for him not to have heard a name even once.

Unless, of course, he was part of a secret organization, he must have come across this name at some point.

‘He probably died before establishing himself as a mercenary.’

Jinseong was naturally inclined to speculate when Lucas would have met his demise.

During a time when he was too busy fending for himself to open his ears to the outside world.

In the chaotic world political situation, amidst the madness, that’s when this man likely perished.

And when alive, the high honors he possessed would have been shredded and thrown onto the ground.

His legacy would have been split among the mouths of other wealthy individuals.

Or perhaps…

‘…A butterfly effect might have caused someone who ought to have died early to be alive now.’

It may have been linked to why this man led Jinseong to America.

* * *

Lucas’s boast about the handmade burger’s flavor was spot on.

With every bite, the flavor exploded on the palate like a bomb!

And it wasn’t just the burgers that shone.

The milkshake, which was reported to outsell the burgers in this place, was truly exceptional, and the fries, enhanced with a special seasoning, were exquisite as well, utterly stimulating every single taste bud like a snack.

“Oh dear, Jinseong Park. Is that all you’ve managed to chow down?”

Sadly, despite the amazing taste, Jinseong couldn’t consume much.

Just nibbling at the towering piles of handmade burgers and side dishes could fill him up.

It was inevitable.

Due to the price he had to pay for the curse ritual performed in the past, half of his stomach was taken away, leaving his capacity smaller than others.

It had improved greatly over time, but… that didn’t mean he was of the same level as others now.

“I couldn’t eat any more because my stomach is small. But it was truly excellent. I think I’ll remember this taste long after I return.”

“Hahaha. Yeah, it’s splendid. I’m glad you liked it.”

“I think I’ll be stopping by whenever I visit America. I’m truly grateful for introducing me to such a great place. I am so pleased to encounter new dishes of heavenly flavor in a new location. It’s a blessing from God, a grace, a true favor.”

After finishing their meal, Jinseong chatted happily with Lucas.

However, while it was disguised as gratitude, the conversation was heavily laden with an impending sense of parting.

It would not seem out of place for him to stand up and say, “It was great seeing you today, let’s meet again soon.”

Heh.

Lucas chuckled softly at Jinseong’s demeanor.

“Yeah. Really, the shaman is indeed a shaman.”

Lucas grinned at the sight of Jinseong, ready to sneak out like a snake after having devoured all the food.

“Hey, Jinseong Park. Have you heard the saying that there’s no such thing as a free lunch?”

“Yes. It’s a well-known saying.”

“In that sense, I’d like you to listen to my story.”

“Is it enough if I just listen?”

“Heh, yeah. I’d be even more grateful if you could say yes, but that would be excessive for a price of a free lunch. Just listen to my tale and judge for yourself.”

Lucas invoked his rights as the host.

Then, placing his intact arm on the table, he leaned toward Jinseong and said,

“First, look out the window.”

He pointed toward the window as he spoke.

Outside the window, there was a street bustling with people and cars, and across the road stood a massive building.

“That building is mine. My Metatron Investment is located there.”

Lucas spoke as he gazed at the towering high-rise building.

“However, I’ve been facing some issues lately. It’s been seeming like I’m cursed or something, with crap happening non-stop.”

“A curse…?”

“Yeah, so here’s the deal. I want to request two things from you.”

Lucas raised two fingers and tried to turn his head toward Jinseong.

In that very moment, something moved swiftly outside the window.

From top to bottom.

Boom—!

And it crashed to the ground with a loud sound.

Like a fruit that was way too ripe falling and shattering into pieces.

And what was once a person just moments ago, that fruit of a tree, astonishingly, was the very building Lucas had just claimed as his own.

Indeed.

Someone leapt from Lucas’s building…

“Oh, damn.”

At that realization, Lucas cursed and added,

“Now it’s three. I want to request three things.”

He extended one more finger.

 

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