The Frozen Player Returns

ightforward.
I like it.
I was thinking… 150 billion won.”

 

150 billion won.

(TN: ~$13m)

 

Cha Si-eun’s eyes widened.
It was much more than she’d expected.
She looked at Seo Jun-ho expectantly, as if to say, “Hurry up and accept it!”.

 

“…”

 

But after considering it for a second, Seo Jun-ho shook his head.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Choi Pil-ho let out a low breath and immediately raised the price.
“200 billion.”

 

“President.”

 

“Is that still not enough? Then 250… No, I’ll give you 300 billion.
Do you need more?”

 

Choi Pil-ho stared at Seo Jun-ho, biting his bottom lip hard.
Seo Jun-ho slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I’m not telling you to raise the price.
100 billion.
I’ll take 100 billion won.”

 

“…?” Both Choi Pil-ho and Cha Si-eun’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Really?” He felt that Seo Jun-ho’s price wasn’t high enough.
Specter had sold the core to the Frenchman for exactly 100 billion.

 

But things were different now.
Inflation was one thing, but the Frenchman had bought the core without knowing if it would work or not.
Choi Pil-ho was buying it with a guarantee.
The price of an item went up depending on how badly one wanted it.
Actually, the most he’d paid a team for this commission was 240 billion won.

’

 

“Yes.
100 billion is more than enough.”

 

“Can I ask why?” Seo Jun-ho grinned.

 

“The Frenchman actually offered 500 billion won for the core.
He was willing to sell everything if it meant he could save his wife.”

 

“…This is the first time I’m hearing this.”

 

“Oh, I heard this from President Shim Deok-gu.”

 

“I see.” It wouldn’t be strange for Shim Deok-gu to know the truth of such a story because he had been Specter’s close friend.

 

“But the Specter refused the offer and sold it for lower.
Do you know why?” After a moment, Choi Pil-ho shook his head.

 

“I’m listening.”

 

“‘You shouldn’t play around with the feelings of someone who’s trying to save their family…’ is what he said.”

 

“…”

 

“I agree with Specter-nim.
If I took advantage of such a situation to fill my own belly… It wouldn’t feel right.”

 

After listening to his explanation, both Choi Pil-ho and Cha Si-eun looked deep in thought.
After a moment, Choi Pil-ho opened his mouth.

 

“…Phew, I think I should apologize first.” He bowed his head and started to explain as Seo Jun-ho looked on with a curious gaze.

 

“All the others who have accepted my commission were only after the money.
I had to set a price for Sun-hee’s life and only looked for expensive hirees.”

 

“It must have been hard on you emotionally.”

 

“Thank you for understanding.
You’re the only one who understands the pain that my family has been going through.
I apologize once again for thinking that you were like the others.” Choi Pil-ho had been extremely touched by Seo Jun-ho’s words.
That was because no other player had been this concerned or considerate of him.

 

“Anyway, I think player Seo Jun-ho alone will be enough this time.”

 

“I’m surprised.
Are you that confident that I’ll bring back the core?” Choi Pil-ho laughed at the question.

 

“As I get older, the only things that increase are my wrinkles and my eye for people.”

 

“Thank you for your praise.”

 

“It’s almost lunchtime.
Shall we dine together?”

 

’

“I’m sorry.
I have to make preparations if I want to defeat the Cinder Fox.”

 

Even though he’d swiftly rejected the offer, Choi Pil-ho didn’t seem offended.

 

“Ah, I apologize.
Your life is at stake.
You should prepare as thoroughly as possible.”

 

“It’s no problem.
We can dine together next time.
When I return with the core, I mean.”

 

“I feel better just hearing that.
I’ll prepare the best chefs.”

 

With a kind smile, Choi Pil-ho escorted them out.

 

“I’ll be counting on you.”

 

“Don’t worry.” Because you chose the best person for the job.

 

Seo Jun-ho swallowed those words and got in the car.

 

“Is that story about Specter-nim true?” Cha Si-eun broke the silence, eyes sparkling.

 

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? He had an image for being cold and mechanical…”

 

Cha Si-eun shook her head.

 

“Nope.
Actually, it makes sense that someone as kind as Specter-nim would do that.”

 

“…Is he kind? The Specter?”

 

“I think so.
And after what you said, I’m more sure now.” Cha Si-eun closed her eyes as if remembering someone and gently placed her hands on her lap.
“Specter-nim probably refused the initial offer because he was thinking of his own family.”

 

“…”

 

“Specter-nim watched his parents die right in front of his eyes.
It’s probably his biggest regret.
So when he saw someone faced with the same situation, he probably didn’t want them to experience the same pain… Don’t you think so?”

 

Seo Jun-ho quietly watched the Han river pass by before he closed his eyes and muttered a reply.

 

“…Perhaps.”

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“Well, no one knows but Specter-nim himself.”

 

They rode the rest of the way to the Association in silence.