Chapter 226. I am an Egg (2) (1/2)

[Normally, you have to exchange contribution points for divine power…]

In an instant, the surface of the egg became dyed in white.

Seol Jihu vacantly gazed at the white egg that was glowing like a luminous pearl.

[But I’ll do it without a price just this time, okay?]

Luxuria giggled while seeing the absent-minded Seol Jihu preciously.

Soon, the light filling up the egg slowly subsided.

No, it was being absorbed.

As if the egg was inhaling the light, the cluster of light slowly petered out until it finally disappeared at the center.

That was it.

Seol Jihu barely grabbed the egg as it fell down.

It wasn’t that the egg didn’t go through any change. First, its surface was brighter and smoother than before. Now, it looked more like a jade than an egg.

It might just be him, but he felt the egg heat up.

His hand, which was holding onto the egg, felt warm.

Seol Jihu looked a little disappointed.

Well, it wasn’t that he expected some incredible effect, but he was at least hoping it would hatch right away.

[The test has begun the moment I gave it divine power.]

A gentle voice awakened Seol Jihu’s mind.

‘Not after it hatches?’

[Of course. I’m sure you’ve heard about cases where not a single Authority was granted to the spear’s master, right?]

That meant the Arcus Spirit might refuse to hatch altogether.

Seol Jihu was blown back.

‘What kind of a tricky Spirit is this?’

Anyway, he had met the minimum requirement.

Seol Jihu courteously expressed his gratitude. Gula always had her head in the clouds when she explained things, but Luxuria spoke clearly. Seol Jihu liked that a lot about her.

[Once the Arcus Spirit awakens, you’ll have to come to the temple a lot more often.]

‘For divine power?’

[Yes. You’ll be responsible for is growth the moment you become its master.]

“….”

Now he was unexpectedly entrusted with childcare as well.

As if that wasn’t enough, he apparently had to exchange contribution points he’d gathered up to feed it divine power.

Seol Jihu sighed.

‘…Should I just sell it and buy another good spear?’

He even had this embarrassing thought.

[No, you can’t. I told you, the Arcus Spirit will become a powerful ally and partner, and not just for its Authority. Using contribution points for a lifelong companion isn’t a loss at all.]

‘I see your point…’

Seol Jihu smacked his lips and put the egg away in his pocket.

[You can exchange contribution points for divine power wherever you go, but…]

Luxuria giggled and raised her voice cheerfully.

[But I’m hoping my baby will come to my temple more!]

Seol Jihu smiled awkwardly.

‘I’m not a baby.’

A healthy, 26-year-old man, a baby?

Of course, he might be a baby in a god’s eyes, but Seol Jihu couldn’t help but raise an objection from embarrassment.

[Fufu.]

Luxuria let out an indecipherable laugh.

[To me, you’re still a cute baby… you were back then, and you are now.]

Seol Jihu tilted his head.

*

Sinyoung Pharmaceuticals.

Going back to roots, Sinyoung started from a business called Soonyang Pharmaceuticals. Although it was only a medium-sized company, when CEO Yun Seojin was invited to Paradise by coincidence, his life changed completely.

Being excited about a new beginning lasted only a moment. It wasn’t as if his disposition as a businessman, who raised a small family business into a mid-sized enterprise, went anywhere.

By amassing contribution points, he could take Paradise’s items to Earth.

Meaning, Paradise was profitable.

The moment he realized this, Chairman Yun Seojin moved fast.

He decided to found a new company that was based in Paradise.

Of all the products Paradise had to offer, what caught his eye was medicine.

Not only did Paradise have all sorts of mystical medicine, but it also had potions and other drugs made with herbs and alchemy.

There were all kinds of ingredients he had never even heard of before. To Chairman Yun Seojin, Paradise was a true treasure cove.

His first product was a liquid medicine that was a diluted version of a potion that raised one’s focus.

He released it as a sports drink and distributed it not only in pharmacies, but also at convenience stores. The result, a massive success.

Even though he thinned the effect by over a half, the drink immediately cleared up one’s mind and raised their focus for 10 or so minutes. To consumers, it was quite a refreshing product.

Parents of students were even more excited. Almost explosively excited, even.

Because of its instantaneous effect, stories of the product spread through the internet like wildfire, and sales saw a steep increase.

Chairman Yun Seojin didn’t stop there. Settling Soonyang and establishing Sinyoung, he began his Paradise business for real.

Of course, he couldn’t reveal the existence of Paradise in accordance with the oath, but that didn’t pose a problem.

In fact, that was what he wanted.

All he had to do was establish a research institute and say his researchers succeeded in developing new medicine.

And now, Sinyoung proudly boasted its name in the top ranks of Korea’s pharmaceutical companies, and with hundreds of employees just in its headquarters alone, it was a fully-fledged conglomerate.

According to the media, if it weren’t for Soyoung Trading Corporation, Hayeon Science, Haesol Institute, and Beauty Vivien, Sinyoung would rank as number one among all conglomerates.

Going back to the main topic, Sinyoung was the first organization to have adopted a ‘company’ concept in Paradise.

While it didn’t seem like it would suit a place like Paradise, as that was how Sinyoung operated, it naturally had an internal company hierarchy and a department that evaluated their employees.

Murmur, murmur.

Sinyoung’s first-floor lobby was unusually busy today. Quite a few people were gathered in front of the noticeboard, checking the company announcement.

The title said this: Personnel Transfer.

It was unusual in a way. The employees’ performance only really affected whether they got promotions, and layoffs in Paradise were practically non-existent. This was because they had to spend a considerable amount of contribution points to purchase a stamp when hiring a new employee.

Of course, the announcement posted in the lobby wasn’t about a layoff, but a personnel transfer could be similar to one, depending on where one was transferred to.

Clack, clack.

When the sound of high-heels rang out, three or four people standing in the center turned back. Seeing who was walking up behind them, they flinched and staggered to the side.

The crowd gathered in front of the noticeboard split like the Red Sea.

A ponytailed woman wearing a neat grey suit cut through the crowd.

Stopping in front of the noticeboard, she read the announcement without batting an eyelid.

Her gaze stopped in the middle of the list of six names.

—Personnel Transfer….Chief Kim Hannah → Transferred to Attack Team….

A hint of bitterness flashed across her face when she saw her name. But because it only lasted a mere moment, no one noticed the change in her expression.

“Congrats on your promotion.”

Behind her, a sly voice rang out.

Kim Hannah quietly turned around.

A well-dressed man was staring at her with a smile.

“…HR Director.”

“Yes, Chief Kim. Or should I call you Manager Kim now?”

Kim Hannah stared at the director, who was striking up a chummy conversation.

Congrats? Kim Hannah was a non-combatant specialized for business. Leaving the recruitment team, which had a strong voice in the company, and being moved to the attack team was something to be congratulated about?

Anyone who knew even a little bit of what was going on would say it was too harsh. However, Kim Hannah’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

In fact, she bowed with a faint smile.

“Thank you, director.”

The director patted Kim Hannah’s shoulder with a gentle smile.

“Good luck out there. I put in a good word for you, so don’t make me lose face.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good, you better. Well, I don’t doubt you’ll do fantastic, Manager Kim. Ah, can you hurry up with organizing your past duties for the transfer? We have a new chief coming in soon.”

Kim Hannah secretly swallowed hard before smiling.

“Of course, I don’t see why not.”

Even though the two of them were all smiles, their eyes weren’t friendly in the slightest. In fact, they both seemed tired of each other.

“Shin Hansung has been waiting for ages, you see.”

“I understand.”