Chapter 223: Ganesha 2
Sungtae looked at Junhyuk and said, “But we have a problem.”
“A problem?”
He smiled and continued, “I was able to install the Ganesha, the artificial intelligence program, but we will need a team to operate it in order to maximize its use.”
“You mean your college buddies?”
“Yes. I’ll bring them over, but their salaries can’t be lower than mine.”
“Maybe they aren’t that capable?”
Sungtae’s annual salary wasn’t low, but his salary couldn’t be compared to those of capable workforce in the States.
“They hate going outside more than me, so they sell their programs or fix computers whenever they needed money and live like that. I want to bring them over.”
“Can you trust them?”
Sungtae took a moment to think.
“Considering the work we will be doing, we might want to write contracts that enforce confidentiality agreements?”
“You think so?”
“What do you want to do?”
Junhyuk pondered everything and said, “We’ll need our own team of lawyers, but we’ll do that later. Instead, we’ll have the contracts written by a law firm first.”
Sungtae touched his chin and said, “This and that, we have a lot to do.”
“That’s right. We have to find a security team as well.”
“I’ll do that by tomorrow.”
He thought Sungtae was working harder than he had expected, which was a good thing.
“OK. Call your friends and let them know.”
“Will do.”
“Approximately, how much money do you need?”
“Not counting me, there are ten people. How about $10 million total for their annual salaries.”
“They can’t be paid same as you. No way.”
He wanted to treat the administrator and the others differently.
“The salaries are a matter of negotiation. l’ll be able to lower their salaries, but one floor of the building has to be their room and board.”
Junhyuk took a moment to think and said, “I gave you the authority to oversee the building. Do as you please.”
“Can I?”
“I don’t care if you use the entire building.”
Sungtae laughed gleefully, and Junhyuk continued, “I’ll find a law firm and have the contracts written.”
“The salary is settled then, but the research costs and equipment will cost $50 million more.”
Junhyuk stared at him without speaking. Sungtae might think Junhyuk was a bank and stupid.
“I’ll wire $100 million to the company account, but be mindful of it.”
“It’ll last at least five more years in operation costs.”
Junhyuk shook his head and said, “I’ll come back tomorrow. Prepare the things you need.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Junhyuk took out $1,000 in cash and handed it to him.
“You’ve installed Ganesha, so treat yourself to something delicious.”
“I can’t leave this place yet. I must order food.”
Junhyuk was about to leave when he thought of something else.
“Tell Brian to make another ID.”
“Whose is it?”
“A twenty-four year old woman named Catherine. I’ll send you her picture later.”
“Sure.”
His purpose was to make an ID for Sarang. After, he waved goodbye.
“Then, see you tomorrow.”
—
Junhyuk called Sarang and changed their meeting place. They would be meeting at Seocho Station, and when Junhyuk arrived, he saw Sarang was already there. She was wearing her mask, and when he walked to her, she ran to him and hugged him.
At that, Junhyuk touched her forehead with his fingers and pushed her away. She stuck her tongue out at him, but he remained adamant.
“We’ll eat first, then go somewhere.”
“Where?”
“A law firm. I need some help with writing contracts.”
Sarang stared at her calmly. She was doing it with such unspoken intensity that it seemed she could see through his mask, and he felt that her soul had grown since her death.
He caressed her head and said, “Let’s go. What do you want to eat?”
“Sashimi!”
“Sure.”
They find a sashimi place near Seocho Station, and once they ordered, he looked at her. She seemed to be expecting something, and he said, “I’m expecting more from Eunseo Kim.”
“Guardians’ CEO?”
“Yes. Like Jeffrey said, I must collect people with powers.”
Sarang shrugged.
“Will she be on our side?”
“I don’t know, but if she were, she would help us.”
“She must have a lot of money and friends…”
“She does.”
Sarang puffed her cheeks with air.
“Hmph!”
He laughed at her.
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealous? Why?”
He shrugged, and her eyes widened ever so slightly. She was wearing a mask, but he could guess at her expression under that mask and laughed.
He felt himself recovering from his fatigue. Sarang was about to say something when the sashimi came out to the table. She still wanted to say something, but Junhyuk picked up a piece of sashimi and raised it toward her.
Her face reddened, and she opened her mouth and ate it.
He didn’t speak further, eating his sashimi in silence. The sashimi was very soft, and it melted in his mouth. When he put down his chopsticks for a moment, Sarang asked, “What’s the matter?”
He answered calmly, “Nothing. I earned a lot of money, but I haven’t gotten anything for my parents.”
“You’ve earned hundreds of millions of dollars, you didn’t get anything for your parents?”
Junhyuk looked embarrassed.
“Tonight, I’ll visit them.”
“Do it. Can I go with you?”
He laughed.
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“Hmph!”
She continued to eat the sashimi, and he picked up his chopsticks again. That night, he would visit his parents, but for now, he was hungry.
Once they were finally full, they started looking for the biggest law firm around Seocho Station. They entered the building without hesitation, and the people inside greeted them respectfully.
“How may I help you?”
“I need a contract written.”
“How much money will it involve?”
“I’m making contracts for my employees. Their annual salaries will be $1 million.”
“Please come in.”
Junhyuk and Sarang entered and waited. A few minutes later, a middle-aged person entered the room. Junhyuk got up, and the middle-aged man handed him a business card.
“I’m the CEO of the General Law Firm, General Choi.”
Junhyuk looked him over.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Max.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Choi offered them seats, and everyone sat down. Junhyuk learned that he was General Law Firm’s CEO and explained what he needed from him.
“The contract concern confidentiality agreements and salaries, and I need them written. Most of our employees are foreigners, and I don’t want any mistakes made.”
“You need the contract in English.”
“Yes.”
Choi looked at him with eyes that seemed to smile.
“We have a form for contracts like that, and I’ll touch up on it.”
“Please do.”
“When do you need it by?”
“As soon as possible.”
Choi answered him nonchalantly, “Can I send it to you by tomorrow?”
“If you get it ready tomorrow, I’ll come pick it up.”
Thinking about it, Junhyuk didn’t even have a fax machine, and he thought he would need more things in his building.
“How much will it cost?”
Choi knew it from his extensive experience that Junhyuk could choke someone just by looking at him. It had been a long time since Choi met someone like Junhyuk. He had asked for a $1 million contract, but Choi thought that could be a test.
“It’ll be my gift to you.” Junhyuk’s eyebrow twitched, and Choi quickly continued, “You could become our client.”
Junhyuk stared at him without speaking, and Choi smiled.
“Our law firm is one of the top five law firms in the country.”
He hadn’t known that. Junhyuk had entered the law firm’s building because the building was big.
“You won’t be disappointed,” Choi said confidently.
Junhyuk thought about it. He wanted his own legal team, but he might need to use a law firm before he could put one together.
“Fine. If I like this contract, I’ll hire your firm.”
“Please, trust us.”
While getting up, Junhyuk said, “I value action more than words.”
Choi was a lawyer, and he had to be articulate, but Junhyuk needed results.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Junhyuk walked outside with Sarang, and Choi escorted them to the exit, waving goodbye. Junhyuk chuckled and walked with Sarang.
“I’ll use my new ID to purchase a new house and a new car.”
“Good thinking,”
“The next time I’m shopping for a house and a car, come with me.”
“Will it be OK?”
“Sure. I’m getting your ID made as well.”
“ID?”
JUnhyuk nodded.
“Your name will be Catherine.”
“Cool!” Sarang expressed herself, and Junhyuk laughed at her.
“When the ID is finished, I’ll let you know.”
“Sure!”
He took her home and took a picture of her before saying goodbye. Sarang insisted that he take a picture of her real face, but he ignored her and walked her home.
Afterward, he called Elise. She seemed very glad to hear from him.
“You must’ve been to the Dimensional Battlefield. Did you bring back anything new?”
“Let’s meet and talk.”
“I’m at the company. Come over.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
He went home first and took off his mask. Then, he drove to Ilsan. The company was still under construction from the monster attacks.
When Junhyuk walked in, he heard Zaira’s voice.
[Come downstair.]
He went to the basement, and saw Elise eating black bean paste noodles and waving at him.
“You came!”
Her lips were covered in black bean paste, and he shook his head. She offered him a seat, and he took it.
“Do you want some noodles?”
Elise showed him her bowl of noodles, but he shook his head.
“I already ate lunch. Are you eating yours now?”
“I’ve been busy.”
She was always busy working, but he did not ask her about it at that time. He placed his hand inside the Spatial Bag and asked, “Today, I have a $100 million bloodstone and thirty smaller bloodstones, and you wanted seeds and fruit. Are you going to buy everything?”
“Puff!” Without realizing, she spat out her noodles, and he blocked them with his hand.
“How about it?”
“Let’s appraise the bloodstone first.”
Junhyuk nodded and took out all of the bloodstones. She examined them carefully and placed them in a measuring instrument. Then, she went back to her seat and started eating her noodles again.
“It’ll take five minutes to come up with prices. May I see the seeds and fruit?”
He held them out in his hand and asked, “How are you going to come up with prices for these?”
She put down her chopsticks with sparkling eyes.
“If these are as I expect, they’ll be worth more than $100 million. For all of the seeds and fruit, I’ll give you $300 million.”
Junhyuk shook his head.
“I was talking about the bloodstones. Just give me a hundred for these.”
Elise stared at him.
“What else do you want?”
“I want to know the results of your research.”
“My research results?”
He nodded, and she added calmly, “You can’t buy research results with money. I thought you knew that.”
“I know, but without my help, that research can’t continue.”
Elise smiled mysteriously, and he laughed and asked, “Deal?”
She shrugged and replied, “Nothing I can do. Deal.”
