ReLife Player

Unlocked chapter (2/13)

[When the Fox Rain Stops (9)].

«How do we deal with a large group of people?»

«Shouldn’t we gather more people than the other group? There’s an advantage in numbers, isn’t there?»

«You’re not entirely wrong, but it’s better if you can disrupt the group before you do that.»

«Disrupt?»

«It’s best to make people lose sight of why they’re in a group and fighting, and if that doesn’t work, the next best thing is to split them up or appease them.»

Time had passed, and it was now nighttime.

Seohyun advised Hayang to go to sleep.

«And in this case…, we need to use both sides to disrupt the group.»

«…….»

«The coffee smells good. Tell your father thank you.»

Seohyun smelled the coffee and smiled contentedly.

Tilting her cup, she glanced over at Hayang, who hadn’t touched her cup.

She was waiting for her next words.

«Now that your friends are dealing with the disturbances inside the school, we have to deal with the parents who are attacking outside the school.

For what reason are they insisting that your friend should be expelled?»

«Ain is considered a dangerous presence.»

«In that case, we just need to eliminate the argument that Ain is dangerous.»

Just then, her phone vibrated.

She checked the message and nodded as if she’d seen it coming.

Everything was ready.

«From now on, there will be news coverage on the 9 p.m. national TV news about Ain Players’ initiatives and social contributions.

After the news airs, it will trend on major internet portals in real-time, and it will also be on the front page of tomorrow’s morning newspapers.»

«…What?»

Hayang’s eyes widened.

The reason why the parents were clamoring for Seona’s expulsion was because of their misunderstanding and prejudice against Ain.

It was necessary to eliminate the cause of their united protests.

But the scale was too big.

Hayang never expected her to act in this way.

«…Isn’t unnie a middle school student?»

«So?»

«It’s not what I thought it was…. Aren’t you going to get in trouble with your parents for this?»

«Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility for everything.»

Han Seoyeon was currently undergoing education to become the next chairman of Sirius.

Upon hearing Hayang’s unexpected visit and showing interest, she decided to teach her how to use the media.

Thus, the situation escalated.

Seohyun could clearly see Seoyeon’s intentions.

But she wasn’t going to stand by and let her sister manipulate her.

This is the girl I have to take care of now.

She checked the next message that arrived and spoke.

«Sirius Economic Research Institute just released an article stating that an increase in the number of Ains contributes to economic growth.»

«What does the number of Ains have to do with economic growth?»

«I don’t know either. I just asked them to publish an article suggesting that Ain’s existence is beneficial for the economy.»

«Why?»

Hayang tilted her head in confusion.

Seohyun said with a nonchalant tone.

«Because even if it’s a silly story, people will see it differently if it’s published by the Sirius Economic Research Institute.

When an authoritative organization says speaks for itself, and who can doubt that?»

«But doesn’t that mean they’re lying and it’ll come back to bite them later?»

«It’s not exactly a lie, as long as the period when the number of Ains increases aligns with the period of economic growth, that’s enough.

What’s important now is that with this, we can shake the grounds of the opposing group. Although you’ve already laid out a large-scale plan… Are there kids in your school related to Alice Group?»

Hanyang nodded.

Many children from Alice’s subsidiaries attended Doan Elementary School. Although she would greet them if she met them, she wasn’t particularly close and never engaged in deep conversations.

«We should make their parents attack the people raising their voices against your friend. Even if the opposition has lost their grounds, without a force to stand against, they won’t retreat, right?»

«…Do I have to do it?»

«Then who else will do it if not you? I’ve told you before; you have the responsibility to protect the kids from your subsidiaries.

Along with that duty comes the authority to utilize their power. Didn’t I say that to you earlier…?»

«Ahaha….»

Hayang laughed awkwardly, avoiding Seohyun’s gaze.

Ever since her birthday party last year, she had been taking the affiliate children to gatherings.

While these subsidiary kids acted as a barrier, preventing others from looking down on her, she also shielded them from potential bullying.

Although she was closer to them than she had been before, it was still a role-playing relationship.

Again, at school, they only said hello.

«It’s up to you how you deal with those kids. Or rather, you should maintain a close relationship with them even at school. If you had done that, your position wouldn’t be shaking like this.»

«…Yes.»

«Jung Hayang, now that you’re in my faction, don’t go around showing weakness. I can’t forgive you for that.»

That wasn’t the only thing that needed to be done.

The underlying reason for Seohyun lending her power to Hayang was because Eunha was involved.

The fear of Eunha that had spread through the school needed to be eradicated.

Of course, it’s not easy to erase the fear that children have experienced firsthand.

So they had to give up on the idea of doing it completely.

«I’m going to get the kids from the affiliates to spread the word about Eunha around the school, and I’m going to need your power since you’re so close to Eunha.

It won’t spread too far, though, because bad rumors are easier on the ears than good ones.»

«…….»

«So we need to create a new rumor and use a child as a scapegoat, someone who can be left alone and bitten until they can’t care about Eunha anymore.

Who do you think would be a good scapegoat?»

Seohyun didn’t hesitate to say the word scapegoat.

At that moment, Hayang could see a glimpse of her mindset.

She was relentless in sacrificing others, except for those who came under her shadow.

And she was telling her to do the same.

Don’t hesitate to be cruel to get what you want.

To fight evil with evil.

«…….»

She wouldn’t have been able to do this before coming here.

If Seona hadn’t suffered, she would have sought ways not to hurt others.

Not anymore.

If she had to be brutal to protect what she wanted to protect, she was willing to be brutal.

«…There are a few kids I can think of. Turning those kids into bad ones won’t be difficult.»

«So? Do you need my strenght?»

Seohyun noticed a change in Hayang’s mood.

She asked with an interested gaze.

Normally, this was something she would have instructed the children of Sirius Group to do, but she had changed her mind.

If this girl wanted to do it alone, she would let her do it.

«It’s okay, I’ll do it.»

«Sure, go for it. If you don’t know something, don’t worry about it alone, just tell me.»

Seohyun was also thinking of finding other ways to hurt Dangun Group.

Even if she couldn’t break them, she could at least shake them enough to make them lose their mind for a while.

According to Hayang, Hong Jun-il, the chairman of Dan Gungroup, had said that this was a child’s game.

So even though they may not feel good about it, they won’t retaliate.

Seoyeon was also aware of that, so she was raging under the guise of education.

For Hayang, it’s not only a chance to test how much influence she has, but also a chance to learn what it’s like to wield power in the real world.

Dangun Group had overlooked something important because they were focused on creating the best educational environment for Hong Jin-woo.

The possibility that Jung Hayang would ask Sirius Group to lend her power.

As a result, it had pissed off Han Seohyun and piqued Han Seoyeon’s curiosity.

«…What’s going on here?»

«Why? What’s happening?»

«Maybe… we’re not the only ones attacking Dangun Group, are we?»

Some time passed.

Seohyun, who was about to go to bed, frowned as she checked her smartphone.

Hayang, who was wearing her borrowed pajamas, peeked over her shoulder.

The top search terms on the internet were dominated by allegations of corruption against Dangun Construction.

The next topic was about Ain.

«Eternal…Group…?»

Hayang muttered the words from the article Seohyun had clicked on.

There were suspicions that Dangun Construction had provided illicit funds to the Eternal Group.

The following article stated that the Eternal Group would not overlook the wrongdoings committed by the three brothers while simultaneously warning Dangun Construction about the situation.

«Oh? What does ‘organized criminals’ mean, unni?»

A new search term appeared at the top.

Seohyun read down the article about thugs breaking into the building under construction by Dangun Construction.

«The timing is too… perfect, isn’t it?»

«Why would the Eternal Group easily admit to corruption like this?»

«The other heirs probably thought it was time to expose everything.»

«Then what about the people who broke into the building under construction and committed violence? It doesn’t seem likely that it was the Eternal Group… Is it a coincidence?»

«Do you think it’s a coincidence?»

«….»

Hayang knew too.

Sirius’ coverage.

Eternal Group’s involvement.

And now, organized criminals.

It was too perfect to dismiss as a coincidence. The three seemed to have some connection.

«…Who could it be?»

Seohyun tried to find the mastermind behind the intense criticism by the Eternal Group against the three brothers within Dangun Construction.

But she didn’t know who it could be.

She couldn’t figure out who within the Eternal Group had exposed the corruption.

«Who the hell could have done this?»

Above all, she was astounded by the fact that someone had mobilized thugs.

If that person made a mistake, it could lead to serious consequences.

Fortunately, it seemed their identities hadn’t been revealed yet, but she wanted to see the face of the person who had given the order to prioritize emotions over logic.

«Still, it worked out well.»

As Seohyun was lost in thought, Hayang remarked.

She was right.

The Dangun Group probably also noticed Sirius Group’s actions.

If Sirius and Eternal Group were to join forces, it would deal a significant blow to Dangun Group.

The stakes had been raised.

☆

«…It’s started.»

Eunha muttered to himself as he brushed his teeth and went into his room.

His parents were watching the 12 o’clock news in the living room.

The news was reporting on the corruption of the Eternity Group in a big way.

«Eunha, you should go back to bed.»

«Are you going to oversleep tomorrow too?»

«Mom and Dad will wake you up on time.»

Eunha looked up at his parents, who were drinking beer.

His dad chuckled and put a piece of dried squid into his mouth.

He had to brush his teeth again.

«But it’s interesting how Eternity Group is confessing to their corruption.»

«What can you say about Eternity Group… the family relationships there are really complicated. There are so many children and grandchildren under the chairman, so the succession disputes are serious.»

«But they won’t resort to terrorism like the Dawn Group, right?»

«There’s no way they would do that.»

Eunha replied while chewing on the squid his mom had given him.

The succession structure within the Eternity Group was much more complicated than that of the Dawn Group.

If someone were to cause a terrorist incident, other potential successors would relentlessly investigate.

In fact, in the future he knew, Eternity Group only fought among themselves, they never resorted to monster terrorism.

Yoo Do-jun must have done well.

Eunha was relieved to see the news.

Approaching Yoo Do-jun wasn’t as difficult as he had thought.

There weren’t many people protecting him in the succession structure.

‘You owe me.’

‘…Who are you?’

Eunha left without answering Yoo Do-jun’s question.

If he didn’t move as he wanted, he had plans to find Kim Yoo Ha.

Yoo-ha’s father is an executive at the Sae Nara Ilbo, one of the top ten centralized daily newspapers.

It was risky to get involved with the press, but it was all he could do.

Luckily, he never had to deliver a copy.

I don’t know if it was Yoo do-jun or someone helping him, but it worked out.

«What? Why did the Sirius Institute of Economics Research publish a paper on Ain and domestic economic growth…, who published this?»

His Dad was dumbfounded to see a publication from the Sirius Institute.

So was Eunha.

The situation was strange.

Why would Sirius Group put out something like that?

Even without knowing why, it wasn’t a bad situation.

It could be used to silence those who were calling for her expulsion.

«What? Organized criminals?»

«Huh?»

His father spewed out his beer.

Eunha was equally incredulous.

What in the world was happening?

Who had mobilized organized criminals to disrupt Dangun Construction’s project?

«Who on earth did this?»

He didn’t know who did it, and he didn’t know what their intentions were.

For him, it was good that Dangun Construction suffered, but he couldn’t fathom why organized criminals had intervened.

Regardless, the game had begun.

From tomorrow, Dangun Group would face days without a moment of rest.