ReLife Player

[A price worth paying (2)]

I never got used to being in the presence of people from the political world.

Even after a year, it hadn’t changed.

Children who were born and raised in the world of the elite took it for granted that they were bossed around, and they had an excessive amount of pride in the family they were born into.

Above all, they were arrogant.

Even though they were friendly on the outside, they were hiding their condescension on the inside.

Hayang could tell.

The emotions contained in the mana that children unconsciously shed.

The same was true for the children belonging to the Alice Group affiliates.

The children who were forcibly dragged away by their parents secretly looked down on her, filled with envy and resentment.

Her grandfather and mother frequently introduced her to the children of the affiliates, but she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable dealing with them.

‘Hayang, are you sure you’re okay? Don’t you really like any of them?’

‘Yes, I’m fine, unnie.’

‘…Okay, but if you change your mind, you have to tell me.’

At that moment, Min Su-jin looked at her worriedly as she said that she wouldn’t meet any more children.

Hayang understood the reason why she wanted to introduce her to the children.

Like Sena did, like children from other chaebol families did—she wanted her to go around with the kids from the subsidiaries.

But she resisted the idea of been with people who weren’t her friends and treating them like servants.

In the end, she couldn’t separate friends from factions, nor could she adapt to ordering people around.

Nevertheless, she could do well.

She had learned etiquette well enough, and she had memorized the faces of everyone attending the party.

Unlike before, her friends were also attending the party.

She had no reason to be afraid.

There was no need to worry.

After the incident at the training camp, she had grown significantly and had the confidence not to be flustered no matter what happened at the party.

«Only a two-year difference. You can comfortably call me oppa. Do you know who I am?»

But did something like this have to happen?

Hong Jin woo touched her face without permission.

She hadn’t expected a direct descendant of the Dangun Group to act this way.

Her mother had told her not to deal with him.

She knew who he was.

She’d been a mouse at the gatherings of the children of the Jung family, but she’d heard rumors about him.

He was known to have a fierce personality and had no qualms about harassing girls from a young age.

He was even rumored to have sexually assaulted his half-sisters.

Her grandfather and mother had also warned her to stay away from Hong Jin-woo of the Dangun group.

«Come to my house next time. We have a lot of fun things to do, you’ll definitely enjoy it.»

«Uh…umm, I’ll think about it.»

«Think?, just do it…, when I tell you, just say yes and come over.»

She couldn’t figure out why he was acting so unruly at the Alice Group party.

She couldn’t understand what he believed or where his confidence came from.

As far as she was concerned, he was just another member of the group, two years older than her and in the top ten in the hierarchy.

But the way he was telling her what she had to do and what he said was just plain rude.

What should I do?

In their world, arguments among kids don’t end as simple arguments.

Their actions and words are a reflection of their family’s reputation.

Right now, Hong Jin-woo was tarnishing the name of Dangun Group and insulting Alice Group in front of many people.

His behavior could not be ignored.

If he backed off, it would give the impression that Alice Group had bowed to Dangun Group.

It was an insignificant gesture, but in their world, even insignificant gestures are given unnecessary meaning.

I have to respond, but I wonder how I should do it.

She could feel the children’s eyes on her and Hong Jin-woo.

Even YH Group’s Choi Ye-jin, who had spoken to her in a friendly manner just a few moments ago, was looking at her curiously.

Their gaze was an evaluation of me.

If I don’t handle this properly here, it will be a weakness that will be taken advantage of.

However, she couldn’t take it lightly.

If she raises her voice in a situation that could be resolved with a single word, it would be a tremendous embarrassment.

‘This is why a child who grew up poor can only be poor’ she was sure to hear such insults.

The problem is, she doesn’t know how much power she can wield.

She knew how much power the Alice Group held in their world, but she didn’t know how much power she could wield.

Last year, she confronted Sena from KK Pharmaceuticals, but dealing with the leader of a group and dealing with a family’s direct heir are completely different.

Moreover, Hong Jin-woo was the eldest son of the person who was likely to be the second chairman, and he was the direct line of the group, ranking in the top ten in the hierarchy.

«Eunha?»

«What do you think you are doing?»

«Are you okay? You don’t look very well….»

That’s when Eunha interrupted.

He had a worried look on his face.

Hayang was momentarily surprised.

She knew that he was acting, but she hadn’t expected him to show genuine concern.

…Eunha is worried about me.

Looking him in the eye made her feel really unwell.

She tried to leave as naturally as possible so that he wouldn’t get into trouble later.

There was no way that Hong Jin-woo, his pride bruised, would just walk away.

«Hey. Who do you think you are, doing this in front of me?»

Oh no, this is bad.

Hayang swallowed hard. Her heart was racing.

It wasn’t because Eunha couldn’t confront the Dangun Group’s heir in their world.

Eunha wouldn’t hesitate to stand up to anyone he disliked, even if they were from the Dangun Group, and even if it meant using magic.

But now, a terrifying aura emanated from Eunha’s body.

No! I have to stop him!

I’m very grateful for what he did.

But I had to stop him, if only for his sake, if only to prevent something worse from happening later.

«It’s okay.»

No, Eunha!

It’s not okay at all!

Hayang had forgotten that this was a gathering of the children of the Jung family, and she was on the verge of tears.

If this goes on, there’s going to be a real mess.

Not to mention the relationship between the Alice Group and the Dangun Group would get worse, and the Dangun Group wouldn’t leave him alone.

«─What’s wrong with him?»

If it weren’t for the arrival of Han Seo-hyun, a direct descendant of Sirius Group, the situation would have been irreversible.

☆

Han Seo-hyun,

Was she here too?

After collecting his mana, Eunha looked at Han Seo-hyun, who was walking towards him without a care in the world.

Perhaps because it was a gathering of the children of the powerful in the business world, she seemed to exude an air of dignity.

Her hair rested on her shoulder, as if she had just descended from the moon.

She faced Hong Jin-woo, the heir to the Dangun Group, with an unchanged expression.

«What’s up, Han Seohyun? You were here too? If you were coming, you should’ve told me earlier. We could have come together…»

«I have no intention of having useless conversations with you.»

Han Seohyun retorted mercilessly.

Hong Jinwoo’s face contorted in frustration.

That was it.

Even if everyone called him a spoiled brat, he also knew that he couldn’t recklessly confront a direct heir of the Sirius Group.

He must have some intelligence left.

Then why did he touch Hayang?

He didn’t think it was okay to treat her like that, did he?

Frowning, she glared at Hong Jin woo, and then she spoke up.

«That person is an executive at one of our group’s subsidiary companies. What did he do wrong?»

«What? he’s from your group’s affiliate?»

Hong Jinwoo looked at Eunha with an expression of disbelief, and the kids who followed him, as well as those who were curiously observing the situation, were also taken aback.

They hadn’t expected him to be the child of a Sirius affiliate executive.

The faces of some of the children showed their disappointment.

She was speaking back to them, including Hong Jin-woo.

Did the Sirius Group do something wrong or they’re just making a scene?

«It’s not that…I was talking to Hayang, and he suddenly tried to drag her away.»

«Oh, really?»

Han Seohyun, directed her gaze was on Eunha, who had his arm around Hayang.

Giving him a chance to speak, Eunha decided to respond with a clever answer.

«I wasn’t trying to drag her away. She looked like she wasn’t feeling well, so I thought she’d wanted to go outside and take a break.»

«…I see.»

Seohyun nodded.

Then she turned to Hong Jinwoo.

«You’re trying to have a conversation while holding onto someone who doesn’t feel well? It doesn’t seem like he forcibly tried to take her away… Let’s talk straight.»

«Hey, it’s because you didn’t see! He was glaring at me and he used mag-«

«By the way.»

Seohyun didn’t give him a chance to finish.

She interrupted him abruptly and let out a mocking laugh.

«You’re getting mad over that? I think it’s your fault for not considering other people’s conditions and just talking about yourself all the time. We’re not just little kids, you know.»

«…Seohyun, you don’t understand because you don’t know him. That guy…»

«And have I ever been close to you? When did I tell you to call me Seohyun? You keep calling me that…. It’s rude, inconsiderate, and ignorant. Is that what your family taught you?»

«What? Are you done talking?»

…That’s a little scary.

Eunha was secretly scared as he watched Seohyun, who was taller than him, speak without hesitation, even as Hong Jinwoo’s face turned red.

She didn’t seem to care about anything.

He didn’t know that she would show such a hostile attitude.

She was using her influence very well, too.

«Ugh, what the…. What’s wrong with him?»

«That is so…»

«He’s got no manners.»

«Maybe, but what’s with the temper?»

One by one, the children following her began to chime in.

Before long, Hong Jinwoo found himself dealing not only with her but also with the kids following her.

«Who’s in the wrong now?»

» Why are you picking on Jin-woo? It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?»

«Yes, he’s definitely in the wrong.»

«I think so, too.»

Hong Jinwoo tried to rally the kids following him, but the argument was favoring the girls. Moreover, the kids she was with were not just from the affiliate companies.

«Just because of that, he brought other kids here to pick on someone younger than him…»

Direct heirs from other groups chimed in:

«That’s why people say players are barbaric.»

«True, that’s how Dangun is.»

«By the way, didn’t they have some accident in Dangun Group not too long ago?»

«Oh, what kind of accident?» «Well, it was their insurance department manager…»

Other kids brought up unrelated topics, finding flaws in DanGun Group’s reputation.

But it didn’t stop there. She had gathered the kids around her, whom she considered to have some influence, and sought their agreement.

«Don’t you all think the same way?»

Seohyun, who had been enjoying the spectacle until now, even brought in kids from other groups.

Kids who had the power to ignore her words weren’t present here.

«I do, too.»

«Me too.»

«It was a bit… too much.»

As kids began to speak up, Hong Jinwoo’s position began to shake rapidly.

At this point, he had no choice but to retreat with a disgraceful appearance.

«…I think I have something to take care of. Seohyun, let’s see each other later.»

«Is that so? Let’s meet next time. But next time, don’t call me by name. We’re not that close to call each other by our names, right?»

Seohyun didn’t give in until the end.

Now I realize that she wasn’t part of the Sirius Group for nothing.

I thought she didn’t have any friends, but she’s got these kids with her….

«What are you thinking?»

«No, just….»

She was incredibly perceptive.

Eunha softened his tone, looking at her with caution.

Although she displayed discomfort, it seemed she didn’t want to pry.

Instead, she addressed the kids around her.

«What are you guys looking?»

With a single word, the kids scattered in all directions. YH Group’s Choi Yejin greeted her warmly, but…

«Hello, Seohyun-unnie. It’s been a while. What brought you to an event like this?»

«Yeah, hello. But I don’t think you should be concerned about this right now.»

«…Ah, right, I see. Sorry. But Seohyun-unnie, about you and Hayang…»

«I’d like to have a little chat with them.»

«Oh! Right, if that’s what unnie wants. I’ll head back now. Hayang, see you next time.»

She even sent away the direct heir of YH Group with a frosty attitude.

Seohyun even told her accompanying kids to stay a bit away.

«Sorry. It looks like Eunha caused some trouble.»

«No, it’s not like that…»

Hayang replied while being cautious.

She had seen how Seohyun had dealt with DanGun Group’s direct heir with just a few words.

She had gotten help from her, and she was grateful.

Though there was something she needed to clarify.

«But…, Eunha is my friend»

«So? Is there a problem?»

«It’s just…, I think you’re being a little too hard on him.»

«That’s fine.»

«What?»

«What’s the big deal? He’s part of my faction, right?»

What is this atmosphere?

Eunha felt uncomfortable under their stares.

Even though they were chatting, he felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

Moreover, Seohyun was urging him to speak up.

«…Right.»

My father’s boss is her father.

For now, Eunha decided to say it like it is.

I had no desire to join Seohyun’s faction, but attending her social gatherings was proof that I was in her faction.

«Still…, you shouldn’t treat him like this.»

«What is wrong with that?»

For a moment, Hayang’s eyes wavered, but she quickly regained her composure and continued.

Seohyun, looking down at her, didn’t change her expression. She just flicked her hair back and spoke up.

«Can’t you do that?»

«What?»

«Our followers are supposed to do that. Didn’t Chairwoman Alice suggest you to take some kids with you?»

«She did, but… it feels like I’m bossing people around…»

«Ha.»

Seohyun let out a disapproving sound.

«Do you think we’re bossing people around without reason?»

«……»

«Do you think we treat people as if they have no minds of their own? Do you not understand why they choose to follow us, even lowering their heads for us?»

«……»

«Those people have their reasons too. Instead of us bossing them around, they seek our protection.»

«Protection…?»

«Do you really think that weak and powerless individuals in this world can survive without someone’s protection?»

Hayang fell silent.

Now she could understand.

In this world, those without power would be easy prey for those with power.

«We too seek protection here.»

«We do?»

«This place isn’t just for doing business. It’s a place where people meet, where words and dignity matter.

Do you think we can wield power in this place?»

«……»

«A single mistake in words can tarnish the reputation of a family, a house, that is already on shaky ground. Conversely, a single word can bring down an opponent who is not to our liking.

But you… why aren’t you wielding power? Look over there.»

Seohyun gestured with her gaze.

Hayang followed her gaze to survey her surroundings.

The children of Alice Group’s subsidiaries followed behind the kids forming the factions.

At times, they exchanged awkward smiles and awkward laughter.

Originally, they were the ones she should have brought with her. However, unable to receive her protection, they struggled to gain the protection of others.

«A direct member of Alice Group can’t properly take care of even one of her own subsidiary kids, and instead, she’s foolishly wandering around, receiving poor evaluations and being attacked by these insignificant kids…»

Seohyun scolded with a cold face.

Hayang couldn’t take her eyes off the scattered kids from the subsidiary companies.

«Do you have any idea what your position as a member of Alice Group means?»

«……»

«You have the authority to command these kids as you please. You also have the duty to protect them.»

«But to treat my friends…»

«Why do you call them friends? They are not friends.

They are people who have come together for mutual interests, not friends.

How you handle the factions is up to you. It’s better if you maintain good relations with them. They will serve as a protective wall for you.»

«……»

«But would they think of you as a friend? The moment you treat them as friends, you’ll become vulnerable to them.

Learn how to maintain distance and protect what’s yours before you learn to command those beneath you. Follow me.»

«What?»

«I said follow me. Are you just going to stand by and watch them while they chase after others and make a mess of things?»

Seohyun turned away.

Hayang hesitated. Then, she gathered her resolve and followed her.

Gradually, the children who had been away from Seohyun’s side began to gather around her one by one.

They moved as if they were a single entity, following her every move.

It’s better than not having a faction at all.

Han Seo-hyun seemed to want to introduce her, but… she couldn’t trust her that easily.

If he were her, he could trust her.

Eunha was about to turn away from seeing Seo-hyun introducing the kids she knew to Hayang.

If she hadn’t called him.

«Where are you going?»

«Huh? To have lunch.»

«Weren’t you in my faction?»

«Well, technically, yes, but…»

«…Do I have to join you?»

«Do you want to get in trouble?»

«Haa.»

Eunha had no choice but to follow Seohyun.

«But Seohyun, I didn’t expect you to take the kids with you, you usually go alone.»

«Are Sirius Group affiliate parties the same as other groups’ parties?»

«They’re different, but I didn’t expect you to have so many friends outside of the affiliates.»

«…They’re not friends.»

«What?»

«Not friends.»

«Then what are they?»

«Business associates.»

«…….»

«What.»

Eunha looked at her with a pitying gaze.

She’d been keeping a poker face all this time, butwhen she felt his gaze, she frowned.

«…….»

«What do you want to say.»

«…Ha, I can’t help it.»

«What?»

«I’ll be your friend since you don’t have any. You can’t go around saying you don’t have any friends…ouch!»

Seohyun pinched him.

☆

Meanwhile, Hong Jinwoo who left the banquet hall─,

«─Do I have to suffer such humiliation?»

The children in the car were all silent.

If they spoke, they might get beaten up.

In times like this, you have to keep quiet.

They knew this from experience.

«I’ll get those assholes…. I’ll get them.»

The car entered the tunnel, and Hong Jin-woo gritted his teeth as he looked out the window at the yellow light passing by.