Chapter 570 – Best Friend (3)
—
– Iktus (ἸΧΘΥΣ)
It’s been two days since the Administration Bureau’s intervention turned the mid-year financial report into a disaster.
The situation is gradually spiraling into chaos.
The directors and major shareholders of Sunrise, who were unexpectedly grabbed by the collar and slapped around by impertinent soldiers, were left in a state of shock.
This wasn’t something that could be salvaged by ‘Director Johan’s’ usual trust and reputation.
— Ziiiing! Ziiiing!
“Iktus.”
“Just call me Johan when possible.”
“Hmm, I like that! Johan, your phone seems to be ringing?”
Sitting across from me was an astonishingly beautiful woman, yet she was just sipping her drink.
My conversation partner? The parrot on the table.
I may not be ordinary, but this whole situation has me completely baffled.
“The phone has been ringing since yesterday. The directors and shareholders are waiting for my explanation.”
“Explanation?”
“They want to know what kind of mess I’ve gotten us into that made the Bureau step in.”
“Piiiii…”
“Don’t ‘pii’ me! If this continues, Sunrise is doomed. Do you think anyone in this world isn’t afraid of the Bureau? You could make billions, but if a Bureau soldier shows up and fires a shot—everything—”
“Calm down. The Bureau won’t intervene, I tell you!”
The Bureau won’t intervene in Sunrise?
That was hard to believe, like something out of a dream, but astonishingly, there was a solid basis for that statement.
Right in front of me, the agent saw me and casually walked away.
At that moment, I was just surprised, but as I calmed down and thought it over, the answer clicked.
This ‘friend’ must have connections to the Bureau.
Not on the level of charming a few employees with his powers, but rather, he knows an actual ‘agent’!
Could it just be a connection?
If it’s not…
“Friend, just to be sure… are you, by any chance, a member of the Bureau?”
The friend twisted his beak in disbelief.
After seeing him repeatedly, I realized that his movement, which no normal bird would make, clearly indicated disdain.
“No need to hide it! Even if you’re a Bureau agent, I would accept that— Actually, in that case, I should honor you properly. I’m ready to serve—”
This time, my words seemed to bewilder the parrot, as it cocked its head.
“What? You’d be prepared to serve even if I was an agent?”
“Yep.”
“… You, Iktus—”
“Johan.”
“Have you forgotten what I told you about the truth of your forgotten past?”
“Truth?”
“You said the death of Apollyon was a plot by the Bureau. But—”
“Friend, what’s past is past.”
The dignified father I served my whole life, Apollyon, has perished.
According to my friend, it was the Bureau’s scheme, and I wasn’t surprised since I had suspected it even before hearing about it.
“Past?”
“I loved my father. He would’ve loved me too. So, would he not wish for his son to live well in the future?”
“… Sounds more like he’d want revenge.”
“Ah! My frustrating friend! Would seeking revenge bring back the dead Apollyon? The dead—gods are forgotten as they die, and the living must live anew!”
Suddenly, the parrot flapped around like a goldfish, turning its head towards Elena.
“Coo!”
“Lady Elena?”
“Pfft! Haha! This is quite sincere, isn’t it?”
Sincere?
Did you just determine whether my words were honest or a lie?
Not only the parrot, but this lady isn’t an ordinary person either!
“Are you telling me that’s sincere?”
“Ha ha! Director Johan, you’re a more entertaining person than I expected! But honestly, that part about the Bureau? No, we’re not on the Bureau’s side. It’s just that we know a few people there.”
“… Really?”
Disappointing.
I desperately wished these two were actually part of the Bureau.
Only the Bureau could solve the chaos erupting at Sunrise right now!
“Let’s get back to the beginning. Sunrise is facing a crisis. The directors and shareholders are demanding explanations, and I have no way to explain.”
“Ah, so that’s why you asked us if we were Bureau people?”
“What are you planning to do? While it’d be shameful to beg my friend, wouldn’t you rather not see the company crumble like a sandcastle?”
The parrot, which resembled an Umbrella Cockatoo, nodded.
“Of course. Elena.”
At that, the lady placed a piece of paper with a drawing on the table.
“What is this?”
“It’s the design for the sculpture commissioned. It’s due to be completed in a few days.”
“Hmm? This is….”
“How is it?”
It was a remarkably extravagant animal sculpture.
“Owl sculpture—”
“Owl.”
“Owl sculpture? Anyway, it looks incredibly pricey, full of jewels. You’re not thinking of using real ones, are you?”
“Of course.”
“What’s the purpose?”
“Listen closely.”
…
After listening for a while, I came to a conclusion.
“There’s a saying. If someone dislikes you without a reason, then create a reason for them to dislike you.”
“And?”
“I was thinking of how we could escape the Bureau’s grasp, but you seem to be adding a surefire reason for the Bureau to dislike us.”
And that made me uneasy.
“That metaphor is strange, isn’t it?”
“What?”
“The Bureau has never disliked Sunrise without reason. Iktus, you are the reason itself.”
“… Call me Johan. I’ll call a meeting soon.”
*
“What an interesting person!”
“Isn’t it ridiculous? Just yesterday, I told him the hidden truth behind Apollyon’s death—”
“That truth is just a lie invented by Han Kain.”
“… He was the one shedding tears just the other day over what I told him.”
“Really?”
“Then he came today to claim that a dead demon is a demon, and he must continue living. What? If you’re an agent, you’re prepared to serve from the heart?”
“That’s quite a ‘flexible’ mindset.”
*
– Iktus (ἸΧΘΥΣ)
Once the board meeting began, chaos ensued.
“Director Johan, what on earth is the meaning of this!”
“I—I still dream about that gorilla-like agent!”
“How can a person… be over 3 meters tall?”
If someone is 3 meters tall, they’re not a Homo sapiens! Such a foolish question!
“It’s not just that day’s ordeal that matters! If the soldiers start pointing their guns at us, how can the company continue running? What does this… this diamond badge even mean?”
The one saying that was the same guy who knelt down and shed tears the day he got his diamond badge.
“Director Johan!”
“…”
“Johan, you, you person!”
“…”
Ignoring the voices coming from all around, I remained silent.
After all, in a conversation, you must make the other person beg.
After about 5 minutes of silence, the surrounding area began to grow quiet.
Now’s the time.
— Clap!
With a light clap, everyone’s gaze shifted to me.
“I fully understand your concerns. I have also prepared answers for them.”
As I sensed the subtle rise of anticipation around me, I spoke.
“Today, I’m here to talk about two things. First, the fearsome actions of the Bureau that worry you will no longer occur.”
“Are you saying that—”
“Do you want me to believe that?”
“Ah! Isn’t it obvious what you’re saying?”
“Stop with the random comments—”
An uproar broke out.
Well, it’s not like they can relax just because I told them to.
We need evidence.
Evidence that the Bureau won’t attack us.
A ‘miracle’ created by my friend!
“Everyone, a guest will be entering soon, so please remain silent.”
“A sudden guest? Johan! Just bringing in a rich guy isn’t going to help us feel safe—”
“Please be silent.”
“…”
The meeting room fell silent once more.
Soon, the door opened, and ‘someone’ walked in.
His build was closer to that of a gorilla’s than a human’s; he wasn’t some ridiculous 3 meters tall, but he was over 2 meters of pure muscle.
“Wow! This is a familiar face! How are you all doing?”
“…”
“No response? Hey, what was your name again?”
“P-Park Jinbong, sir.”
“Relax, dude! I’m here today because of an invitation from Director Johan!”
The very agent who had terrified the Board just two days ago had made an appearance!
However, unlike that day, the agent didn’t seem interested in throwing punches anymore.
“Where’s my seat? Hey! Johan!”
“Please feel free to take any seat.”
A slightly dismissive tone, which could feel rude.
But considering he was an agent, I had to accept it.
Moreover, since that person was acting chummy with me, everyone was wide-eyed!
Yes, this was it.
The only ones who could quell the fear brought by the Bureau are the agents themselves.
…
How on earth is my ‘friend’ able to command an agent like that?
He says he’s not with the Bureau, but I find that statement more perplexing.
“Everyone, will you trust my words when I say the Bureau won’t commit any atrocities from now on?”
Everyone nodded in a daze as if enchanted.
“Then, let’s start the second story. Let’s head to Sunrise’s Sanctum.”
“Sa-sanctum?”
A sanctum in a company? This isn’t some religious organization!
I fully empathize with the confusion of the Board members.
In truth, even I, the founder, didn’t know a sanctum would be created in the company!
*
Beneath the Sunrise headquarters building.
Since it was a secluded place no one often visited, the air felt a bit stifling.
In front of the ‘sanctum’ door, I turned around to meet everyone’s gaze.
I could still see the chaotic looks in their eyes.
It’s understandable; I brought them here without any explanation.
“Those gathered here are all of Diamond rank at the very least.”
The cornerstone of a multi-level network marketing scheme is rank.
From Bronze to Platinum to Ruby to Sapphire to Emerald to Diamond—there’s a thoroughly hierarchical structure!
Within this system that stimulates competitive spirit, lower ranks burn with desire to rise, while higher ranks gain psychological satisfaction and loyalty.
“In other words, this means you’re the true family of Sunrise. Thus, you are deserving of the ‘real secret’ of our company.”
The ‘real secret.’
For the record, that secret was created just two days ago.
“Please come in.”
— Creeeek!
As the sanctum’s door opened, the people couldn’t hide their bewildered expressions as they peered inside.
Inside were odd drawings and sculptures filling a bizarre location.
Thanks to the flickering candles and incense, the interior space was hazy.
Some directors who inhaled the pungent smoke were coughing and looking dazed.
I silently knelt in front of the sculpture at the center of the sanctum.
“Director Johan?”
“What is that?”
“What sort of bird sculpture is—”
“Come here, come here.”
Awkwardly, the gathered people approached.
I exaggeratedly gestured as I bowed my head towards the sculpture.
I must not have named that sculpture yet, right?
In the rush to prepare everything in a short time, I left some odd gaps in the process.
“Director?”
What did the blonde lady call my friend?
Perro?
“…”
“Director, what exactly is this—”
“RoOoOoO…!”
“Hmm?”
With hands clasped, I proclaimed again.
“RoOoOoO…! RoOoOoO…! Oh great one! Here I am, the foolish Johan, before you. Grant me your wisdom.”
People trembled slightly.
I could hear the murmurs.
“Isn’t this some sort of cult?”
Whispers of whether Director Johan had fallen into some weird religion.
So that’s why the Bureau came!
But what about that agent in the conference room earlier?
Filled with distrust rather than belief.
How tragic! How tragic indeed!
Oh, these foolish beings!
How can I guide the foolish masses onto the path of light?
“… Grant me your wisdom.”
Johan! Iktus!
Even after enduring so much, have you still not learned patience?
Human enlightenment comes later than that of the wise.
Right now, all that’s left is to wait for a ‘miracle’ to arrive.
— Piiiik!
A divine—well, to be honest, it was just noisy, but with the atmosphere, it felt mystical—sound erupted as a parrot landed on the owl sculpture’s shoulder.
Right after that, something bizarre happened.
“Whoa! Wh-what’s this?”
“What? Is there some lightning or something—”
“Be silent.”
“Sorry, Johan—”
“Shut it.”
The parrot shuddered as if it had been hit by lightning.
I realized today that parrots can also ‘act.’
As if possessed, the flapping parrot opened its beak.
“Piiii—! Busan’ Shotong New Light Apartments plummeting…”
“Whoa! Wh-what just happened!”
“—9th report, numbers ahead 21145129, believe it? Daesung IDT September issue re-tidecoin October security—”
“Whoa, whoa! I-I’m trying to remember just one thing—”
“Shut up, you moron!”
With their eyes bloodshot, the foolish souls struggled to remember even a single word.
Truly, this is greed etched into their very souls.
For them, the greatest miracle is undoubtedly the golden blessing.
“Peep!”
With a beep, the parrot’s beak closed.
Immediately, the immensely excited people shouted.
“What—what was that? I didn’t catch a single word!”
“I think Director Park was writing something!”
“Show me! All together—”
“Wugghh!”
“You crazy bird! Did you just swallow the paper?”
“Wugghh! T-The secret! Gulp! Only the selected people should know—”
If I leave it be, they’ll end up grabbing each other by the collar.
I can’t tell if these are humans or pigs.
“Alright, alright. Calm down.”
Like a lie, the chaos silenced all around.
“What am I doing right now?”
Somehow, I found myself kneeling before the sculpture.
Soon, the faces of the people flushed red as they bowed with utmost respect before the sculpture.
“Let us pray. RoOoOoO…!”
“RoOoOoO…!”
In the extremely pious atmosphere, I thought alone.
What did they just say again?
Wasn’t there something about Busan’s New Light Apartments? Was it shooting up? Plummeting?
Could someone reiterate whether the prices are climbing or falling?
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