Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 042

Company dinner with the CEO.

Too troublesome to do, but not doing it felt regrettable. The drinking party seemed like an extension of work where you could boost the loyalty of employees and make a favorable impression on many members at once.

‘Why is this kind of gathering so difficult.’

More precisely, it was closer to a feeling of genetic sequence disliking drinking parties rather than finding them troublesome. From college MT (membership training) to various club gatherings, year-end parties at work, and occasionally… as soon as I became an adult, the drinking culture that inevitably attended gatherings didn’t suit my taste.

Maybe I’m fundamentally indifferent to people. It’s fortunate that I have a sense of responsibility when I’m wearing a badge like today, but in casual gatherings without any specific purpose, I usually kept my mouth shut. I was a guy with no charm, no fun, few words, and therefore unappealing.

‘Don’t act like a nerd.’

Let’s think of it as work. Leadership needs to be consistently demonstrated to make progress. If you know that the CEO of the company you work for is a fool who doesn’t know how to deal with people and can’t present a reliable blueprint, will you feel like working?

“Sir?”

Secretary Hwang who was walking a few steps ahead, turned around. The look in her eyes was a reproachful one, questioning why I wasn’t going in quickly. She must be really excited to eat.

Today is cheat day, right? She said she was going to a dinner party tonight, so she didn’t eat much for lunch.

“Let’s go in.”

The reserved pork belly restaurant was crowded with familiar faces. Employees gathered among themselves, and members immersed in lively conversations with each other.

I subtly felt proud of this scene. A total of 58 people. Aren’t these people my clan members? Lately, the sense of belonging seems to have strengthened, and we will continue to face challenges together in the future…

‘Oh well.’

“Oops!”

“Leader! Have you arrived?”

“Hello!”

The comfortable sight was disrupted by the chaotic atmosphere.

It’s the way things unfold when the leader of a group, like a professor or a CEO, appears.

Even if they were deeply engrossed in discussing what to eat among themselves, they would suddenly stand up and bow their heads…

‘This is not something I’m used to.’

I can’t figure out how to respond to such extreme treatment.

“No need to make a fuss. Please, everyone, take a seat.”

The members who were standing near the entrance quickly took their seats. Other tables, like dominoes, also sat down one after another.

The warm atmosphere, filled with the scent of people, suddenly chilled.

‘Did my tone sound a bit off?’

It seems like I’ve ruined the mood since my entrance. Let’s switch to Plan B. I shouldn’t let them know what I’m up to.

Even if I try to demonstrate leadership and offer advice or compliments to these people, they might perceive it as a sinister threat.

“You can come this way.”

The management team leader came out, leading secretary Hwang, and me to the innermost table in the restaurant, surrounded by team leaders.

‘Is this my first time drinking in this world?’

I received a glass of soju from the management team leader. The pork belly that was ordered in advance was almost fully cooked, and the neatly cut pieces were perfect for eating, thanks to the agile hands of the promotion team leader sitting across from me.

– Silence.

–

“……?”

It took a moment for me to realize that the room had suddenly fallen silent, and people were looking at me. What is this suffocating situation where everyone seems to be watching my every move? I feel like I should say something in this uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Sir, how about a toast?”

Secretary Hwang, finally managed to bring up the words. The team leaders were also unable to casually utter that keyword.

I noticed it too… Now, how do I overcome this crisis?

‘I could pass it on to the youngest.’

A toast is not usually a mission suitable for someone without a sense of humor. When I used to work for a company, the old-fashioned department head who used to give a hard time to several employees often delegated such tasks to someone easygoing because he felt uncomfortable being treated as an insensitive person.

– Swish.

–

“….!”

As I was rolling my eyes to find a suitable target, the face of a 1-year-old newcomer from the general affairs team, who had been hiding in the corner, turned pale as soon as our eyes met. Passing this dual task onto him seems almost like a form of social violence.

However, looking for talent among the members on the opposite table seems difficult, especially with the youngest being overwhelmed. ‘There’s not enough justification to assign it to someone else’.

It was a dilemma.

Even though I tried to come up with a toast that could be considered a proverb, it didn’t work well. I could only think of serious and senseless wording.

– Swish.

–

I picked up the glass first. Employees and members also raised their glasses.

Despite the internal conflict I went through, it took roughly 5 seconds, and no one seemed to have noticed that I, the nerd, was struggling with a toast like this.

Let’s go for it. If I hesitate any longer, it won’t end well. Act nonchalant, indifferent, and chic.

“Youth is right now. Blue jeans.”

*Translator Note

“Hahaha! Blue jeans~!”

“Blue jeans!”

I sincerely appreciated Gil-seong, who lit the mood with my pitiful toast. Thanks to her, the suffocating air seemed to loosen up, and the clan members could engage in casual conversations.

The team leaders mostly brought up stories that would capture my interest, such as the recent verdict on Han Seung-tae.

“Have you heard? It’s about Han Seung-tae.”

“Han Seung-tae? The guy who was trying to get involved with Eun-ha?”

“Yes. He got his hero qualifications revoked and turned to the mercenary side. They say he has to work in the mining industry for five years to get released from the contract.”

It ended up that way.

It seemed like he had saved this piece of news to use it during a drinking party.

‘It worked out well for me.’

Mercenaries are individuals who, due to losing their hero qualifications or not becoming heroes, use their talents in private military activities. The scope of missions they can undertake is much narrower than that of heroes, and the mortality rate is higher, making them a complete lower-class occupation compared to heroes.

Rather than imprisoning heroes who have committed crimes, the court punishes them by forcing them to work as mercenaries. A five-year sentence in the mines could be considered a reasonable punishment. If they beat the sentence by a substantial amount, it could lead to creating a villain.

– Chatter.

–

People, fueled by the power of alcohol, used the opportunity to release pent-up emotions, share life stories, and engage in witty reactions, elevating the atmosphere of the drinking party.

The team leaders gradually shifted towards team-building activities or friendly conversations within their teams. This naturally provided an opportunity for me to leave the table.

It would seem odd for Secretary Hwang and me to be the only ones sitting at the large table.

‘The virtue of a waiter is to calculate and disappear.’

Continuing to sit there would only make people uncomfortable. I decided to go home after the second round.

“Leader~!”

“We’re here.”

… As long as the kids don’t come with glasses. Cute underage Gil-seong and Jin-soo brought glasses of cola.

With their naturally high energy and the festive atmosphere of the drinking party, Gil-seong was already in the mood from the beginning.

“Thank you, Leader. You always protected us when it was dangerous.”

She said this while looking directly into my eyes. Since I haven’t heard someone express gratitude to me often in my life, I found myself at a loss for words.

“… Yeah.”

– Gulping.

–

I poured cola into the glass with both hands. Even so, as the leader, I should at least give a proper word of encouragement.

Even if the employees are one thing, it seems like I haven’t built even the slightest rapport with these kids. They probably won’t just awkwardly accept my words.

“Last time, you were lucky, but from now on, pay attention to your physical condition while fighting. It seems like you’ve hit a wall in breaking through your limits.”

“Oh! Right? It was my first time feeling that way, so I was confused!”

“What you experienced is indeed breaking through your limits. Strengthening your spirituality is like demolishing a giant wall blocking your path. You all will experience breaking through your limits someday. Success or failure will depend on how strong your spirit and body are, so just work hard. There’s nothing else to say.”

“Wow! Advice from a master. I should take notes on this!”

Gil-seong playfully opened the smartphone memo function. I can’t tell if it’s a joke or if she’s really writing it down.

“Refill the glasses.”

“Yes. Uh, yes!”

While holding the cola bottle, I also poured for Jin-soo. Even though he only drank cola, his face seemed flushed. He was caught up in the atmosphere.

“Congratulations on the B-Class promotion.”

“T-Thank you.”

“You’re doing well.”

“…Haha, yes!”

I wanted to praise him more, but my mouth wouldn’t open. I guess I’m not good at expressing emotions, coupled with the side effects of charisma, making the drinking party annoying from earlier.

Enduring it until now was commendable.

“Leader, thank you always.”

This time, seo Eun-ha handed me a slightly lifted glass. It’s surprising that a few months ago, she was in sharp conflict with the clan, and now she’s saying something like this. It seems like I’ve been doing my job properly.

“Thanks for your hard work.”

“… Oh, no.”

It wasn’t an empty phrase; Eun-ha had truly endured. While other members had their share of struggles, she had renewed her popularity and career through her own efforts. Constant communication on social media, even holding fan meetings with her own savings, and give tribute to fans. Moreover her sacrifice talent use her lifespan. Because of this, the chairman Seongsan Foundation including family members, opposed her hero activities.

“I don’t want to cause trouble for the leader.”

Eun-ha, who rarely speaks in such a humble manner, said today.

Hmm, it’s a bit embarrassing.

It seems like she’s talking about the previous dating rumor, and now there’s a kind of indebtedness building up due to her realizing that I resolved the situation.

“Huh? Trouble? Why does our clan’s top contributor with the highest sales lack confidence?”

I responded to Eun-ha’s words of causing trouble with a rhetorical question. If I just accept it shamelessly, it would alleviate the sense of indebtedness and liven up the atmosphere.

“Uh… um. Haha. Did I do that? Right. I’m, I’m Eun-ha, right?”

“Hahahaha.”

“Wow, a complete fox. A fox.”

Fortunately, Eun-ha giggled and teased while showing a fresh appearance. That’s more like the Eun-ha I know.

“I’ll have a drink too!”

“Sure.”

Finally, I poured a drink for Hwang Man-deuk. Honestly, I’ve been worried about this friend since earlier. Something strange appeared in his status window.

[Slump]

This abnormal status, which wasn’t visible until last week, suddenly appeared. Such status abnormalities can occur for no apparent reason, and unfortunately, it happened right at the time when he should be focusing all his efforts on growing for the year-end hero competition.

I tried to find out the reason for his slump through the martial arts newspaper…

“Do you have any concerns these days?”

“None!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Even though I was trying to help, the answers were like this. It seemed like he activated the situational skills he acquired over five years in the industry.

‘No rush. It might not be a big deal.’

If I pry too much, it might lead to worse results. Let’s leave it alone. Hwang Man-deuk is a strong hero; he’ll handle it.

“Let’s drink.”

“Cheers!”

– Gulp. Gulp. –

We coolly downed cola and soju. After that, we had a time to listen to each member’s worries and give advice.

The common concern among the kids was how long they could continue this job. Working in the hero industry, where your life could be in danger the next day if you make a mistake, it’s impossible to maintain sanity. So, based on the future I knew, I gave them words of encouragement during the psychological counseling session.

“You will become the world’s best hero team. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

After that, from Gil-seong’s emotional outbursts to her teasing, we had a tough schedule of taking turns to pour drinks for the other members of the second squad.

It was a night that was both annoying and heartwarming.

====

***

====

A four-day holiday, including the weekend, had begun.

Despite the nature of the industry where more missions pile up on holidays, except for the hopefuls, the employees and members of the Harmony Clan could take a break from work and missions. It meant taking a break when you can and working hard until the end of the year.

During the break, isaac immersed himself again in magic engineering research.

For two days, he accumulated new engineering knowledge, and for the rest, he exerted effort in purchasing and producing the ‘Low-level Mana Recovery Potion’, which had a relatively easy to produce.

Of course, isaac, who was constantly in a state of boredom, found studying through typesetting interesting, but the repeated failures in practical experiments stressed him out. When he accidentally wasted materials, he had to either read a book for a while or, if that didn’t work, consume caffeine.

Still, the fact that he could continue researching and challenging himself was a remarkable achievement. Until he acquired the daily skills ‘Bookworm’ and ‘Night Study’, he had never imagined engaging in self-improvement after work.

After relentless efforts, on the third day, isaac succeeded in brewing a mana recovery potion for the first time. The beginning was challenging, but from then on, with each new attempt, he continued to succeed.

Though the progress was modest at first, isaac had a faint smile on his face, convinced that such endeavors would bring tremendous rewards in the future.

Translator Note: It is a play on the words “청춘” (chuncheon), which means “youth,” and “청바지” (cheongbaji), which means “jeans.”

It is suggesting that youth is a time to be free and expressive, and that jeans are a symbol of that freedom.