Palace 1

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“Deputy Kang, Deputy Kang!”

Despite the urgent voice of Manager Park calling out to him, Deputy Kang did not respond. He had already decided to quit the company and did not want to get involved any further.

Seeing no response, Manager Park quickly approached him. 

“Deputy Kang! Could you help me with my presentation related to the AI project…?”

Manager Park shamelessly mentioned the project he was in charge of and asked for help. Kang thought that Manager Park was indeed a deeply rooted member of the “Strategic Planning Team.” In a broad sense, the goal of strategic planning is to achieve the company’s objectives effectively with limited resources. In that sense, Manager Park’s actions of removing Kang’s name from the report to be submitted to the Executive Director and the CEO seemed like the work of a strategist racing toward promotion.

Kang was dumbfounded by Manager Park’s request for help without considering the work Kang had done.

“I believe there is only one person assigned to this project, not two. As someone who is not the assigned person, how can I dare to help?”

At Kang’s curt reply, Manager Park got angry and suddenly shouted at him.

“Hey, you punk! Kang Seong-jin, even if your superior speaks nicely, what’s with that attitude?”

Manager Park’s yell made Kang look at him coldly. Manager Park felt a shiver run down his spine at Kang’s calm gaze.

“I have been grateful to you all this time.”

“W-what do you mean!”

Manager Park’s heart sank at Kang’s emotionless words. The situation where the meeting with the CEO about the project was scheduled earlier than expected was problematic if the working-level person, Kang, was missing.

“Deputy Kang, do you think the company is a joke? Why, are you thinking of resigning if you don’t like it?”

Manager Park, thinking that Kang wouldn’t resign in these difficult economic times, tried to intimidate him. But Kang, true to his Strategic Planning Team nature, showed his determination straightforwardly.

“I will resign.”

Hadn’t Manager Park pointed out every day that in strategic planning, one should “answer first”? Kang turned on the intranet, clicked on the HR tab, and began to write his resignation letter. 

Seeing the screen in front of him, Manager Park’s lips trembled, but he began to coax Seong-jin nicely.

“Deputy Kang, no matter how hard the company is, it’s hell outside, you know? Calm down and tell me what you want.”

“I have nothing to say.”

Seeing Kang focused on writing his resignation form, Manager Park’s insides began to burn with anxiety.

“Deputy Kang… can’t you help me just this once? The meeting with the CEO is at 7 o’clock today…”

Despite Manager Park’s desperate voice, Kang was unmoved, forcing him to acknowledge his mistake.

“I made a mistake… right? I’ll put your name back, so just help me this once.”

“Hmm…?”

“I’ll definitely give you the highest rating in next month’s performance evaluation.”

Promotion in the Strategic Planning Team isn’t necessarily a “carrot.” Given that he was already not able to go home, the likelihood of giving up weekends was high if he got promoted. He was, however, curious about the CEO’s reaction to his project.

“In addition to the performance evaluation, I will give the presentation this time.”

“That won’t do!”

The presentation is the highlight of the project. The manager couldn’t yield that. 

As Seong-jin turned his head back and silently resumed typing, the greed that had briefly risen in Manager Park’s eyes quickly faded away.

“Alright… Deputy Kang can give the presentation.”

“I will prepare the materials by 7 o’clock.”

“Can you do it? Time is tight.”

Contrary to Manager Park’s anxious voice, Kang nodded calmly. The current time was 5:30 PM. It was not uncommon for the final decision-maker’s meeting schedule to change in the planning team. Anticipating such a situation, Kang had already prepared the presentation materials but had not handed them over to Manager Park.

An hour and a half later, as Kang and Manager Park entered the conference room and finished preparing for the presentation, the CEO, the Vice President of the Strategic Planning Team, and the former Executive Director entered.

“Manager Park, are you ready?”

At that, Manager Park, with an awkward smile, pointed to Seong-jin and said.

“Executive Director, today, Deputy Kang, who prepared the materials with me, will be giving the presentation. Since the CEO might want more detailed information, we have prepared the working-level personnel.”

At Manager Park’s words, the former Executive Director’s eyes flared up. The CEO and the Vice President seemed to understand the situation but proceeded with the presentation first.

Luckily, Deputy Kang, known for his competence, would be giving the presentation.

“Hello, everyone. I will begin the presentation on the AI project, ‘Janus.'”

Kang felt everyone become engrossed in his presentation. The CEO, particularly interested in the project, asked questions intermittently.

“What do you think is the first task that needs to be prioritized for implementing the Janus project?”

“The first task that needs to be prioritized is data cleansing. The uniformity of the data we currently have is about 30%, so a data-related expert needs to join the task force team at the start of the project.”

Seeing Deputy Kang present specific numbers, a satisfied expression appeared on the former Executive Director’s face. However, the CEO’s unchanged expression throughout the presentation caused concern for the Vice President, the former Executive Director, and Manager Park.

“I heard the presentation well. Is your name Deputy Kang Seong-jin?”

“Yes, CEO.”

“If you were the CEO, why do you think this project is a must?”

“Because it can improve work productivity and save costs. Janus can replace repetitive tasks, which we estimate account for about 10% of the total work time. This is expected to save about 5% of the company’s labor costs.”

With a concise, essential, and number-specific answer, the CEO’s eyes flashed with a momentary greed for Kang, and finally, a smile spread across his face.

“That was a very satisfactory presentation.”

At the CEO’s words, everyone in the meeting room breathed a sigh of relief. The CEO’s shocking follow-up statement brought joy to one face and sighs to others.

“From today, this project will be managed by Deputy Kang, not as a Deputy but as a Manager.”

The word “Manager” sent a thrilling sensation down Seong-jin’s spine. The memories of working day and night, even on weekends, flashed through Seong-jin’s mind.

“Thank you, CEO! I will do my best.”

Manager Park, who had regained his composure, cautiously spoke.

“CEO…? Isn’t this decision a bit hasty…?”

At that, the CEO, who had been about to leave, paused, smiled at him, and said.

“Manager Park? Are you in a position to say such things? Do you think I’m unaware of everything and just let it slide? Remember, there won’t be a second time.”

Manager Park turned pale, while the Vice President and the former Executive Director clicked their tongues and shook their heads in disapproval. After the CEO left first, the Vice President and the former Executive Director patted Seong-jin on the shoulder with words of encouragement before leaving the room.

The resentment and regret in Manager Park’s eyes were palpable as he had missed the promotion. Seong-jin casually ignored that look and said.

“Manager Park, I will be leaving work now.”

At Seong-jin’s words, Manager Park nodded absentmindedly. 

Seong-jin left work, went to a convenience store near the company, and bought four cans of beer for 11,000 won, celebrating alone. He immediately drank one can, feeling a sense of intoxication. He must have been more excited than he realized. Smiling to himself, he let his imagination run wild about his future, and before he knew it, he arrived at the bus stop.

Creeeak.

Isn’t it said that life’s ups and downs are unpredictable? To get promoted on the day he decided to quit! Even the village bus arrived and opened its doors right in front of him, with all the seats empty.

Beep!

They say small fortunes follow bigger ones. The author of the web novel “The Prince’s Two Faces,” which he only read briefly during meals, had updated an unplanned extra chapter just for him.

Having purchased the latest chapter, Seong-jin felt a catharsis as he read about the prince who mercilessly dealt with his enemies to become the emperor.

“The one who becomes the sun of the empire kills even his brother.”

Feeling a sense of satisfaction as he read about Kyle beheading the third prince who begged for his life, Seong-jin felt as if he might someday cut off the incompetent Manager Park with his own hands.

As he slowly scrolled through his phone, he suddenly heard a horn and felt a strong impact hit his body.

Honk!

Bang!

Seong-jin felt nauseous from the sudden shock, tasting something metallic in his mouth. Just when everything seemed to be coming together.

He fought to keep his eyes open, feeling like he would never wake up again if he closed them. But he couldn’t overcome the weight of his eyelids.

‘Damn… Damn…’

When Seong-jin opened his eyes, he heard loud voices all around him.

“Your Majesty, the volume of goods entering the empire has doubled. If we don’t resolve the sudden increase in volume, it will cause great chaos.”

“What is the cause?”

“Since the trade routes with the kingdoms Your Majesty conquered have officially opened, goods and merchants are rapidly gathering in the capital.”

Seong-jin was jolted awake at the word “Your Majesty.”

‘Where am I?’

As he opened his eyes and looked around, he saw the scene of a French palace he had only seen on TV. The dazzling golden decorations unmistakably indicated that he was in a royal palace. 

While Seong-jin was bewildered by the exotic scenery, a man with red hair and ruby eyes beside him stepped forward and spoke.

“Your Majesty, may I say something?”

Seong-jin tilted his head at the sight of the man with red hair and red eyes. In the novel he had been reading, “The Prince’s Two Faces,” the protagonist was described as having red hair and red eyes.

‘No way…’

“Your Majesty, I think that as the empire’s situation improves, such issues will become more frequent.”

The emperor’s blood-red eyes stared at the man assumed to be Kyle.

“Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to reorganize the empire’s capital?”

The emperor looked at a white-haired man beside him.

“It’s not a bad idea, but the roads will be even more congested during the construction period. Additionally, we need to consider where to source the additional funds.”

The red-haired man was about to respond, but the emperor stopped him.

The emperor turned his head quietly and asked a young man with the same hair color as him, wearing luxurious clothes.

“Adrian, what is your opinion?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

This prince, bowing his head with a timid voice, was looked at with disdain by the emperor, who then turned to look at Seong-jin. 

When the emperor looked at him, Seong-jin noticed his expression twitch with irritation.

“Ian, what do you think?”

At the mention of “Ian,” Seong-jin looked around and realized that everyone was looking at him, indicating that “Ian” referred to him.

‘Ian… Ian!’

Seong-jin’s eyes widened in realization.

‘Ian Helios,’ the third prince of the empire, known as the ‘incompetent fool’ in the novel.

‘Incompetent fool.’

Thinking that the red-haired prince next to him might be the one who would eventually behead him, Seong-jin felt a chill run down his spine.

When Seong-jin did not answer, the emperor spoke again in an angry tone.

“Ian! Answer me!”

In the midst of his confusion and the emperor’s rage-filled voice, Seong-jin felt his mind going blank but soon composed himself. Working in the strategic planning team, he knew how dangerous it was to incur the wrath of the final decision-maker.

The right decision should be, of course, “Answer First,” in a deductive manner.

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