Chapter 205 (1/2)

The moment I heard this, it felt like my entire world was fading away. My mind became more complicated. If what he said was true, no, it was true. This meant that Joseph had deliberately hid his identity while running Argos. It meant that all of his actions in the past were acting...

Could I trust him?

“...der. Are you surprised? Elder?” Joseph’s call woke me up from my thoughts.

“Uh, ah... Yes. No, I had a rough guess.”

I had no idea. In fact, I didn’t know what he was talking about right now.

“Huh? Really? I tried so hard to hide it. This is devastating. I should practice my acting some more...”

Joseph’s murmured words were even more horrifying. What was he doing? Why hide his identity and run such an organization? I asked hesitantly, “Are you that?”

“Huh? What?”

“A psychopath or something...”

“Haha. Are you kidding me?” Joseph laughed like it was ridiculous, but my expression was extremely serious. Joseph seemed to read my expression and told me, “I’m very normal.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Let me ask you something.”

“What is it? You can ask me two things.”

I corrected my posture. He said I could ask two questions, but I was actually going to ask more. The first one was this. “Why do such troublesome things when you’re the leader?

As the leader, he would’ve been able to run the organization with confidence, but he didn’t. Joseph nodded as if he understood my question. Then he took a deep breath and showed a serious expression. “Well, it’s simple. Do you know the saying that it is dark under the lamp? That is it. I have to hide my identity.”

“Why?”

“I’m looking for someone, but there is a person who can’t know about it.”

“A person who can’t know about it? Who is it?”

“Chairman Lee Geonmyeong.”

“Lee Geonmyeong?”

I knew this name. I couldn’t not know it. I had always seen it in the news even before I started Arkstar. The news was always about Chairman Lee Geonmyeong’s accomplishments, his privacy, and his health. He was known for his enormous achievements in reviving the world’s economy after he left the Korean economy. After Arkstar’s success, it was obvious that he had established one of the best companies in the world.

“Based on your reaction, he hasn’t found you yet. I’m glad.” Joseph muttered.

“Lee Geonmyeong is looking for me? Why?”

“Um, it is a long story...”

Joseph pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth. The moment he was about to light it, a cafe staff passed by and shouted urgently, “Customer-nim, this is a non-smoking area!”

“Ah, I’m sorry. It has become a habit.”

Joseph apologized with a gentle nod of his head, put away his cigarette, and took a sip of the coffee in front of him. His expression was serious. What type of story was he going to talk about?

“...I don’t know where to start talking. Can I check one thing before that? You must tell me the truth. Can you promise me?”

“...I will.”

“Have you been chosen by the seven stars?”

Perhaps he knew something. I struggled for a moment. Could I tell Joseph about this?

Joseph once again read my expression and spoke, “Elder, I won’t hurt you. It is very important to me. This way, I can tell you the truth. I will swear on my wife and twins.”

“Um...” I struggled for another minute before nodding. “Yes, that's right.”

Joseph’s expression brightened. “Thank you for your understanding. Then it is now my turn.”

Joseph sipped the coffee in front of him again and stared at me. His eyes were heavy like he was carrying the worries of the world alone. “Let me start with this. Your wife didn’t donate her organs.”

“What...?”

What exactly did he mean by this? My wife Seonyeong didn’t donate her organs. His words were like a bolt from the blue and brought me a headache. “It was an experiment for the game Union was making.”

* * *

The whole world was engulfed in a bright light. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, a familiar place appeared. He was standing on white clouds. Even so, Park Muyeol was surprised this time.

“It is huge.”

The previous clouds he saw when he meditated were large enough for two people to sit. The place where he currently stood was too vast. It was like an endless field.

[You came.]

Park Muyeol turned around at the familiar voice. There was a huge man standing there.

“Hercules?”

[Yes, it’s me.]

“Are you a giant?”

[Haha. They are the ones I’ve knocked down. I’m not a giant. I’m a constellation.]

“Yes. So why did you call me here? I have to look for the Star Fruit on the golden apple tree.”

[Yes, you do. However, I don’t think you can get near the tree at your current level. So I came to give you this.]

A gr.a.p.e in Hercules’ huge hand was surrounded by light and changed into a smaller form. It floated through the air and landed in Park Muyeol’s hand.

[An Ambrosia Piece from the Celestial Palace has been acquired.]