Chapter 504  

It was often the case that if someone had a plausible track record and a good business card, others would think, ‘Oh, that person has to be capable.’

It was the same with Jacob Parker. He had built his career at various companies before becoming the CEO of Parker Energy, so he seemed like a talented individual that had proven himself on his own. He wasn’t the generic third-generation son who used his parent’s power.

“No?”

“No. Of course he’s going to have some results when working at an affiliate of Parker Group... He can get results just by going there and breathing,” Aine said coldly.

Aine also came from a wealthy family, so she knew how one could build a career like Jacob’s. If he was given a decent business resume and joined a well-run, rising company, his subordinates would work hard and achieve results.

He would then take credit for those results and jump to the next company. After doing that several times, Jacob had taken the position of CEO, and now he was seen as a leader with a great career.

“Still, he must be capable and knowledgeable about the field.”

“No? Look at how stupidly he lost the dungeon last time. From what I’ve heard, it seems like he has a negative IQ.”

Aine looked frustrated. Jacob Parker truly was an incompetent person, but Choi Yeonseung didn’t believe it.

[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ says that she seems to be looking down on him too much.]

“If he lacks talent, why would the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House seek him out?”

Neither Choi Yeonseung nor the Chef of Endless Gluttony were convinced by Aine’s assertion. If Jacob Parker really was incompetent, the treasure constellation wouldn’t have made a deal with him!

“Even constellations are sometimes wrong! The treasure constellation might’ve fallen for a plausible lie or something! He’s not familiar with human society, is he?”

‘She’s surprisingly sharp.’

Choi Yeonseung was slightly impressed by Aine’s argument. Indeed, constellations were more ignorant of Earth than people thought. Since constellations were transcendent and powerful beings, they simply couldn’t comprehend some things about mortals.

‘If Aine says so, maybe he really is incompetent.’

[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ shakes his head at the arrogance of humans.]

‘...Maybe the chef constellation is also a bit incompetent.’

-I think so as well.

“But even if Jacob is incompetent, that doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous.”

“That’s true,” Aine agreed.

Even if Jacob Parker wasn’t capable, the Parker Group’s enormous capital and connections posed a threat on their own. On top of that, he had also gotten involved with an evil god constellation, which was a disaster waiting to happen.

“I’ll gather as much information as I can from the people there.”

“Alright. I’ll also contact people and gather information.”

At that, Aine was wondering if Choi Yeonseung was going to mobilize the hunters. She was certain that most of his connections were hunters.

Out of the hunters who were under Parker Group, there had to be some that respected Choi Yeonseung or even wanted to be on his side.

‘I’m going to call the CEO of an affiliate of Parker Group.’

Aine was taken aback; she had never imagined that Choi Yeonseung had connections with a CEO of Parker Group.

***

[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ observes the scene in front of him with a careful expression.]

“This is the new business of the new era,” proclaimed Jacob Parker, spreading his arms wide.

An area with vast plains that was connected to the First Abyss Realm—it was one of the valuable safe areas that Parker Group had invested a lot of money in.

Jacob Parker was currently preparing a new business with money from the treasure house constellation.

...This business was about taming monsters, and its foundations lay in the Tame skill, one of the rare skills found in the Abyss.

There were a few hunters out there that had acquired this skill and tamed monsters. However, all of them ended up using that skill just for their own benefit. No one had managed to make the taming of monsters into an industry.

However, Jacob Parker was confident.

“The reason others have failed so far is because human technology hasn't advanced enough, but things are different now. Humanity has managed to step into the realms of the Abyss, and we can get whatever we need. I mean, look! We can even grow Abyssal plants on Earth, even though a few years ago we thought it was impossible!”

[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ tilts his head.]

-Master, I think this human is crazy. The ogres twirled their fingers beside their heads and cursed Jacob Parker under their breath. No matter how they thought about it, this human had a screw loose.

Instead of using magic to control one or two monsters, why not eliminate their wild nature by breeding them in a huge space controlled by humans? After all, a monster would cease to be a monster if its wild nature was eliminated.

“Master, it is your choice to doubt me. But please know that throughout history, Earth’s pioneers have always been questioned. If Neil Armstrong had given up on his plan because people were ridiculing him, humanity would still be trapped on Earth.”

-The gate was going to open anyway. Why would they be trapped...?

“What if...! What if a pioneer plans to monopolize the US distribution industry and crush all other competitions?! If we’d given up because of the criticism and ridicule, Parker Group wouldn’t even exist today!”

[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ is moved!]

The treasure house constellation didn’t know much about human history, but the passion behind Jacob Parker’s words touched his heart.

This human was a perfect fit for his greedy nature.

“Trust me, Greedy Owner of the Treasure House! I am the household member who shall dedicate his soul to you! Do not think that I am doing this without a proper plan!

[The ‘Greedy Owner of the Treasure House’ gives you permission!]

[He orders you to carry out the business!]

***

Gilbert Gerrity, an A-grade hunter, sat down with a disapproving expression.

Ever since the US government had changed and Choi Yeonseung had become an S-grade hunter, several changes had occurred within the clans under Parker Group. It was a long story, but in short, all those hunters had to be on their toes and bow their heads for a while.

Rather than siding against Choi Yeonseung and taking one hell of a beating, it was better to hold out for a while.

Despite being an A-grade hunter, Gilbert Gerrity was in the same situation.

-Be careful for a while and don’t get in trouble.

-You dare say this to me?!

-If you want to stir up trouble, go ahead and try it! Just know that in this situation, not even our Western Shields clan can prevent you from being handcuffed, Gilbert.

-...Fine.

The circumstances had brought together people who hadn’t been close initially. It wasn’t surprising that Gilbert Gerrity came at Jacob Parker’s call.

“Please activate it already.”

“Hey, there’s no need to rush. It’s not like your magic power is being consumed.”

Along with a sound, the artifact triggered by Gerrity emitted a light.

[’Curtain of the Concealment of Existence’ is triggered.]

[The gaze of the constellations will be obscured.]

“You’re sure about this, right?”

“Think first before you speak... Getting this thing was quite difficult,” Gerrity retorted with a sour look on his face.

The artifact he had just activated was indeed very difficult to obtain. It was a powerful artifact that hid them from the gazes of the constellations!

...It sounded great on paper, but this artifact was actually not that useful in practice. After all, those who didn’t didn’t serve constellations had no reason to hide from their eyes.

This artifact was aimed at those who had signed a contract with a constellation. However, how many people had the guts to try to deceive a constellation after making a deal with them? Most people would rather not sign a contract than attempt something like that.

But for Jacob Parker, this artifact was invaluable.

“Sorry man, but you’re nuts for trying to deceive a constellation.”

‘This kid isn’t your average lunatic,’ Gerrity thought to himself.

Perhaps it was because he had been born and raised in a noble family, but it seemed that Jacob had no sense of danger. He had the arrogant confidence that everything would somehow work out in the end, even if there were clear problems.

Of course, that principle applied to humans. Even if Jacob killed people, he could use the power of Parker Group to avoid any punishment.

...But it was a different story when it came to constellations.

“If the business succeeds, I will regain control of the group. And... Father...” “It’s time for him to rest,” Gerrity responded.

The old chairman of Parker Group had made a lot of mistakes, his most recent one being in the last presidential election. Above all, he was too old to be manipulated by Gerrity.

“Of course, I’m not saying that I am going to rebel against him, but...”

“I get it. It’s just a matter of letting him rest.”

Jacob Parker’s plan was simple and bold. After succeeding in this new business by borrowing the power of the treasure house constellation, he would immediately go under another constellation and cut off the treasure house constellation.

It was an insane plan, and any constellation from the Abyss would be shocked by it. How could a mere mortal dare to betray a constellation?

“By the way, is this business really going to work? Taming monsters won’t be easy.”

“Who do you think I am?”

‘A pushover bastard...’

“Jacob of the Parker Group.”

“That’s right. Just watch.”

Gerrity was getting a bad feeling.

During the last presidential election, Alex Parker, the chairman, said, “Who do you think I am?! Trust me!” Naturally, everyone believed in him. Then, some crazy clown came out in the presidential election and was beaten pitifully by Choi Yeonseung until he disappeared...

On second thoughts, Gerrity couldn’t remember the last time something good happened when a Parker said “Trust me.”

...Could it be that Parker Group had finally run out of luck?

Shouldn't Gerrity just go under Choi Yeonseung and keep his head down like other clans?

‘No. That can’t happen! I’ll use Jacob to resurrect myself.’

***

Choi Yeonseung didn’t even have to do a lot of research. The whole thing was being heavily publicized. -Parker Group's monster taming project is about to be commercialized... Will it be a revolution for humanity?

-Jacob Parker declares that we will no longer have to hire expensive hunters, as trained monsters will protect humanity in this new era...

-An innovative defense system... Not just for the US military, but also the whole world...

“!?”

[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ is shocked!]

[He says this is why you should’ve been careful of this person!]

‘What the...? Is that even possible?’

Monster taming was shocking even to Choi Yeonseung, a constellation who was running a unique undead factory in the Abyss.

Training monsters systematically...?

“Adaquaniel, is that possible?”

Adaquaniel looked puzzled. It was difficult to tell even with Future Sight.

[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ wonders if more accurate predictions can be made if you ask the master of the angels, the ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’.]

-No, chef constellation. Don’t bother the goddess.

In response to Choi Yeonseung’s firm answer, the Chef of Endless Gluttony started thinking to himself. It was clear that the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead was extremely violent. Otherwise, why would the Undefeated Incarnation of Training be so cautious about her?

“There’s only one way.”

“?”

“I’m going to sneak in and steal their blueprint.”

“...”

Aine looked at Choi Yeonseung in bewilderment. Of course, this type of physical method was used a lot more in the industry than one might think.

...However, S-grade hunters usually didn’t do such dirty work themselves.

‘Is it okay to use the last shield of humanity for something like this? Shouldn’t I stop him...?’