“Just because having a large initial investment may seem good at first glance, there’s always the risk of losing management rights behind it.”
“So, the way to stabilize the founder’s management rights while finding a way to grow is this redeemable convertible preferred stock (RCPS)? It certainly avoids hostile takeovers, and from the investor’s perspective, they can expect high-yield dividends.”
Name flicked the empty spoon as she took a bite of whipped cream on her waffle.
“Our TwoWorld will take on the role of leading investor for the Series A funding of Bio-Akashic. So, we’re aiming to raise 20 million dollars to start with.”
20 million dollars, roughly 37 billion won at the current exchange rate.
Nyangster Call’s Executive Lee Hyun-seo set his glasses on the table and leisurely lowered his head to match Name’s eye level.
The bright lighting in the cafe accentuated Name’s baby-like skin even more.
“Isn’t that a bit much for a Series A?”
But Name’s blunt reply came back.
“I know that most initial Series A investments are around 5 billion won, so it makes sense to question that.”
In fact, considering that the Katsuhata Sect’s investment amount was from an angel investor, it was quite a lot.
“You’re talking nonsense, Room Leader. These days, popular startups gather 20 billion or 30 billion from the very beginning. And didn’t they say to always invest in areas you know best?”
“Is that so?”
Nyangster Call was a fan who had observed NoName closer than anyone else.
“Even if Bio-Akashic flops completely, the skills our Room Leader has shown are undeniably real.”
No matter how much the media tried to hype up Name, her abilities were always underestimated, in his opinion.
“I still can’t forget the moment when you saved Adella. Thanks to that, how should I put it… some sort of spiritual enlightenment? Not getting to see the last scene live is a regret I carry forever.”
“You must like games.”
“Yes, I love them. Though I haven’t had the time lately.”
“Then can I ask one more thing, Mr. Nyangster Call?”
“Of course.”
“Mr. Lee Hyun-seo, are you on my side?”
Name leaned forward, asking in a serious tone.
“It’s not a big deal, but the interest rates and terms you mentioned are excessively favorable for our company. I’d like to ask why you decided to take the lead as an investor, aside from our connections on the broadcast.”
“Ah…”
Hyun-seo was taken aback internally.
Even the same amount of money could feel ridiculously high to one person and like a mere pittance to another.
But right now, Name was objectively and accurately assessing the value of cash in light of her situation.
Hyun-seo lightly cleared his throat and spoke earnestly.
“If you ask other investors, they’ll all give you a similar response: they’ve recognized the value of the intangible assets your company possesses. Business people are all merchants; they do it because it’s profitable.”
“I see.”
“However, I—”
Hyun-seo emphasized. He looked at Name with a seriousness that was unparalleled.
“I won’t say that I’m different from them just because I’m a businessman. But I’ve wanted to repay my debt to you for a long time.”
“Debt?”
“Yes, my family were victims of the Bonghwa Bridge disaster. I was lucky enough to survive, but… I lost my loved ones in an instant. I wanted to sincerely thank you for helping to uncover the truth behind that tragedy. I am truly grateful…”
The man bowed his head deeply.
A long silence followed.
As the older man bowed toward the young girl, whispers among the nearby ladies could be heard.
Feeling awkward standing still, Name decided to lift Nyangster Call back up.
“Mr. Nyangster Call, this is where my role ends. I hope you’ll discuss the rest with CEO Baek Ho-chan.”
It appeared that Name was deliberately avoiding the mention of the Bonghwa Bridge disaster.
Hyun-seo took a deep breath.
He had forgotten in that moment that the child in front of him was an 8-year-old with a sorrowful tale.
“Did I inadvertently bring up something close to trauma?”
As feelings of regret surged over him, Name reached out her small hand and held onto his scarred hand.
“Ah, Mr. Executive, is there anything else I can help you with? Gathering 20 million dollars is no easy feat.”
However, rather than a negative response from Name, a smile appeared on Hyun-seo’s face.
“Is it really okay… Room Leader?”
“I haven’t really done anything. I don’t think I deserve to be treated as a benefactor. So, let’s forget about all that gratitude stuff and redefine our relationship from here on out. A merchant speaks through money, so you can expect to build sufficient trust going forward. I don’t usually trust people much.”
Her beaming smile radiated an innocent charm.
But that was exactly what made Nyangster Call think it was monstrous.
She showed a bold decisiveness in excluding personal emotions for the constructive growth of the company.
It was just an added bonus that it demonstrated she wasn’t swayed by private feelings.
“Show me trust with money… It’s like looking at our company executives, who are 50, but I can’t tell if you’re 8 or 30.”
Hyun-seo gazed silently at the small hand that Name requested for a handshake.
When that tiny hand finally grew up, he couldn’t imagine how big the company would be.
“No, not the company. The world will definitely change.”
*
Nyangster Call’s kindness toward me felt a little overwhelming.
There wasn’t a single false note in our conversation, so I suppose I could trust him for now.
No matter how many legal safeguards there are, I can’t let my guard down too readily.
Being young, I would attract even more people who would rush in with their eyes lit with excitement.
[Are you really going to take on the role of leading investor for TwoWorld? Why are they going so far for us…? Are you not going to jump ship to another company, Name?]
“Stop talking nonsense and start working on the security for the Demon King’s Horn.”
The unique magic of the company, set to be released as a ‘product,’ shouldn’t be fully disclosed in open source like Adela.
To briefly explain the principle of security, specific circuit formulas that require no variable input should be made invisible, and all rune words utilized will be encrypted.
Then, the user would receive a decryption key from the company to cast the unique magic.
With security so tight that even employees can’t understand the structure of the unique magic, that’s all there is to say.
Yet, the only downside to this system is that if I suddenly decide to back out from registering the unique magic, the whole company could collapse.
That’s why Baek Ho-chan’s recent anxiety about matching my mood was understandable.
[Your role is the most important right now, Name. The lives of our 30 employees depend on you alone.]
“Don’t worry. If you’re really anxious, should I add RGB lighting to the horn for appearances?”
[Hey, that’s a great idea! It’ll definitely appeal to the younger generation!]
“I was just joking. I’d be too embarrassed to do that. I need to go now, so I’m hanging up.”
[What are you embarrassed about? NoName is originally thick-skinned in this field—]
Thunk
The final list of participants for the competition will be announced at 6 p.m. at the lobby of Aquila Hotel, so I need to hurry in and check.
It took ages to get through the slowly turning revolving door.
The lobby was already bustling with students.
I could easily get trampled trying to squeeze my way through.
“Do you want a piggyback ride?”
An indifferent voice from the side turned my head; it was Student Council President Shin Jin-ho.
“No, let’s just wait here a bit.”
We decided to sit on a sofa in a corner of the lobby until the kids dispersed.
“Did you have a good outing? Nothing unusual happened?”
“Yeah, well… I just went to the cafe for a bit, nothing much happened.”
“I heard the rehearsal interview went well the other day. The Altair Academy student council members gave you a lot of praise.”
“Really? What did they say?”
“They said you’re really smart and cute.”
“I didn’t say that to appear cute or anything…”
“Too bad you were born cute. Just accept it.”
I felt a chill listening to the Student Council President, who spoke like an emotionless machine, from the beginning to the end in a monotonous tone.
Was he teasing me, or what did that even mean?
I blinked and stared at his face.
“Oh, it’s a compliment.”
“Please don’t say that to my friends. They’ll get upset.”
“Really? Our vice president says the same thing.”
“Anyway, Mr. Student Council President, it’s true that your face looks a bit intimidating.”
“Me?”
“Didn’t you know?”
“No.”
Shin Jin-ho might be popular among his peers, but I could see how someone with a gentle heart, like Ma Ji-hye, might find his gaze somewhat intimidating.
Another silence ensued.
Being around people with such poor conversational skills made me feel a bit socially awkward.
I thought maybe I was just fortunate in this life to have kind people looking out for me.
When compared to my past life, it made me feel oddly melancholic to think that I hadn’t improved at all.
“Someone wants to have their path validated. It’s a really nice thought.”
“Uh?”
“It’s what you said in that interview, Name. Do you usually think like that?”
“Ah, it didn’t have much meaning. It was just my thoughts at the moment.”
“When you attend the academy for a long time, you see a lot of kids who are lost. They all enter dreaming of becoming great wizards, but not everyone can achieve that.”
“Well, that’s something you can’t help in a competitive system. But just because they’re wandering doesn’t mean they’re on the wrong path, right?”
“You’re right. But our society doesn’t really tolerate deviations, does it? What started as a competition for unity has now turned into an event just for a small group of students, and injuries happen at every academy competition.”
“It’s a bit sad.”
“I don’t believe we should abolish the competition altogether. But now… I don’t even know what I want anymore…”
Student Council President Shin Jin-ho let out a deep sigh.
“I think it’s not too late to ponder that after winning.”
The crowd of students that had been gathered began to slowly ascend to their dormitories.
We walked toward the large announcement board.
“By the way, Name, you got selected. A middle schooler got food poisoning and their parents took them home yesterday.”
“What? Why are you telling me this now? Did you know right from the start? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You didn’t ask.”
“Ugh…”
Thinking back, I seem to have more social skills than this guy.
I confidently strode over to the announcement board to check the list.
Middle School Division 1st Grade… not there.
Middle School Division 2nd Grade… not there either.
“Middle School Division 3rd Grade?”
“We really have no words about you taking the role of a substitute for 3rd grade, but I’ll ask the teacher to place you as a last resort.”
“No, thank you so much, Student Council President. It’s a competition where everyone gives their all, so it’s only natural someone might get hurt, right?”
How old is a 3rd grader? 15 years old?
That was around the time Klaus betrayed me and left.
And just about the peak of hitting someone felt best.
“Your being worried means you haven’t won lately. Just win once, and I bet you’ll want the academy competition to be held regularly.”
