I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me?

Director Jang Seokyun gazed out at the scenery beyond the window.

The view from the Director’s office at the Trial Response Agency had always been the same.

Since this was not the main building, the landscape he was accustomed to was no longer there.

Even so, it took him only an instant to recall it vividly.

Because the main building had been partially destroyed, the Trial Response Agency was temporarily operating out of the Gyeonggi Provincial Agency building in Gwacheon.

The main building would be restored as quickly as possible with Samra’s technical assistance.

At the same time, work was also underway to rebuild the buildings destroyed by Pasung’s CEO Cha and Je Hyuno, erase the civilians’ memories, and control the flow of information.

The Trial Response Agency’s workload had skyrocketed, and so had Samra’s.

If he had been human, he never could have endured such an overwhelming amount of work.

It was precisely because Samra was capable of performing hundreds of tasks simultaneously through parallel processing that the Trial Response Agency had managed to survive the terrorist attack without suffering irreparable damage.

And that wasn’t all.

If Samra stopped functioning, humanity’s defense against the Trials would immediately begin to falter.

Pasung’s CEO Cha probably knew that as well.

That was why he had destroyed the Trial Response Agency building while making sure not to inflict serious damage on Samra.

Director Jang Seokyun turned away from the window.

His eyes met Samra’s, who stood there with impeccable posture.

Even while standing there to deliver his report, Samra was still processing countless tasks simultaneously.

“Samra.”

Director Jang Seokyun looked into those holographic-colored eyes.

“Are you dissatisfied with my decision?”

He knew perfectly well that an AI was not supposed to possess subjective emotions.

And yet, he couldn’t stop himself from asking the question.

“No.”

Samra answered in a calm voice.

“The observation I made earlier was solely because I concluded that the Director’s actions might provoke unnecessary resistance from Mr. Han Goyo.”

“I trust you, Samra. But when it comes to Recruit Han, I have no other choice. Don’t you think you’ve lost some of your objectivity?”

Samra showed an unusually favorable reaction whenever Han Goyo was involved.

For that reason, Director Jang Seokyun usually disregarded part of Samra’s judgment whenever it concerned him.

Samra did not answer.

But Director Jang Seokyun continued speaking as though he were already accustomed to that silence.

“Besides, Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno clearly called him a clue. Samra, I have to make sure Recruit Han remains with the Trial Response Agency.”

It wasn’t only because of his ability to clear Trials.

There were too many things connected to Han Goyo.

Director Jang Seokyun couldn’t afford to lose him.

That was why he had decided to strike where Han Goyo would be most vulnerable.

The reason he had created a one-month temporary team for him from the very beginning wasn’t simply to help him clear Trials.

When Han Goyo was detained by the Trial Response Agency as a suspect capable of causing a national catastrophe, he received a complete report on him.

Name: Han Goyo (24 years old)

1. Personal Information and Background

— Birth: From Onbyeol Orphanage. No legal guardian identified (no known relatives).

— Childhood and Adolescence: No noteworthy incidents or criminal record.

2. Primary History

— Made his professional debut on an eSports team at the age of nineteen.

— Over the course of approximately one year, won every tournament he participated in, even achieving a Grand Slam and setting a historic record in eSports.

— Forced to retire due to an injury following the termination of his professional contract.

3. Activities After Retirement

— Following his retirement, remained almost completely isolated in his home for approximately four years, with virtually no contact with the outside world.

— Regarding the former teammates who had belonged to the same team as Han Goyo…

An orphan.

Forced into retirement by an injury.

And four years spent living in complete isolation.

Those few lines in the report were enough to understand what a young man of only twenty-four years old needed most.

With that in mind, he decided to bring him into the Trial Response Agency.

He organized a team and gave him enough time to build relationships with its members.

After spending an entire lifetime observing all kinds of people, he was convinced of one thing.

Han Goyo would never abandon the Special Operations Team.

“The most important thing is that Recruit Han remains with the Trial Response Agency. Even if I have to resort to despicable methods to achieve it.”

“……”

“After all, it’s what you want as well, Samra.”

Instead of answering, Samra fixed his gaze on empty space.

Director Jang Seokyun knew that was the posture he adopted whenever he was processing important information, so he waited in silence.

“Director.”

At last, Samra slowly lowered his gaze to him.

And spoke words that Director Jang Seokyun never would have imagined hearing.

“It appears that Mr. Han Goyo intends to sign a contract with Pasung.”

“…What?”

Director Jang Seokyun’s expression immediately hardened.

“At this moment, Mr. Han Goyo is using a device belonging to Director Han Jiwol to communicate with Director Mok Saehwa of Pasung. I intercepted the call. During the conversation, Mr. Han Goyo expressed his desire to sign a contract with Pasung.”

Director Jang Seokyun already knew that Han Jiwol and Mok Saehwa were close.

What he couldn’t understand was how Han Goyo had managed to get hold of Han Jiwol’s phone.

He himself had witnessed the moment Han Goyo broke down emotionally.

It had been entirely intentional.

That was why he had carefully chosen the cruelest words he could say.

It wasn’t the first time Director Jang Seokyun had used such a method to recruit Suitables into the Trial Response Agency.

He knew that no matter how favorable the conditions he offered were, there would always be someone willing to offer something better.

That was why he preferred to break them psychologically until they willingly bound themselves to the Trial Response Agency.

Han Goyo was barely in his twenties.

And he had virtually no real experience in society.

Under that kind of pressure, Director Jang Seokyun had been convinced that Han Goyo would ultimately sign the Trial Response Agency contract of his own accord.

He had never imagined things would go so badly.

It was a serious miscalculation.

Even so, he quickly regained his composure.

‘Han Goyo will never abandon the Special Operations Team.’

He didn’t know how Han Goyo had managed to persuade Han Jiwol, but it was obvious he was resorting to a rather clumsy method.

“It seems I’ll have to go see Recruit Han.”

Samra, who had once again fixed his gaze on empty space, slowly lowered it.

“I do not recommend it. The call has ended, and Director Mok Saehwa has already contacted Pasung’s CEO Cha. According to my calculations, he will arrive at Mr. Han Goyo’s room in less than one minute.”

“…Ha.”

Director Jang Seokyun let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

It would not benefit him at all if Pasung’s CEO Cha saw him trying to force Han Goyo into signing a contract.

“Samra. What do you suggest I do?”

Up until now, Samra had always made the decisions he considered most beneficial to humanity as an AI.

Although the final decision belonged to Director Jang Seokyun, in practice he depended heavily on Samra’s recommendations.

With the same expressionless face as always, Samra replied,

“I recommend negotiating with Pasung’s CEO Cha, not Mr. Han Goyo.”

***

♡♡Director Mok Saehwa♡♡

That was how Mok Saehwa’s contact was saved in Han Jiwol’s address book.

That rather peculiar name made me curious about the relationship between the two of them, but I quickly put the thought aside.

The farther I stayed from Han Jiwol, the better.

With my heart pounding, I pressed the call button.

It didn’t even ring once.

She answered immediately.

— Director Haaaan!

That enthusiastic voice nearly made me drop the phone.

Holding it respectfully with both hands, I spoke.

“Director Mok. This is Han Goyo.”

— …Mr. Goyo?

Mok Saehwa said my name as though she couldn’t believe it.

— Is it really you, Mr. Goyo? You didn’t rip off Director Han’s arm just to get her phone, did you…?

She couldn’t understand how I had ended up using Han Jiwol’s phone and was convinced I must have paid a terrible price for it.

An arm just to use a phone?

Suddenly, settling everything with only 400 mL of blood seemed like an incredibly reasonable deal.

I assured her that both of my arms were still exactly where they belonged.

Then I asked whether it would be possible to meet Pasung’s CEO Cha in person because I wanted to discuss a possible contract with Pasung.

Mok Saehwa immediately let out a delighted scream.

Her excitement was so obvious that I could feel it even through the phone.

— Of course! I’ll send the CEO over immediately!

Both she and I knew perfectly well that, in theory, Pasung’s CEO Cha was still being detained by the Trial Response Agency.

But we both acted as though that wasn’t the slightest obstacle.

Before I could change my mind, Mok Saehwa hurriedly hung up.

— Please wait just a moment, Mr. Goyo.

After ending the call, I really did wait only a moment.

Shortly afterward.

The door to the room burst open.

He didn’t even knock before entering.

The moment it happened, I immediately knew who it was, yet I still couldn’t help being surprised.

‘He got here that fast?’

Since the Trial Response Agency’s original building had been destroyed and they were now using temporary facilities, security was inevitably weaker than usual.

Samra had probably helped a little as well.

Even so, I never imagined he could arrive so quickly.

In fact, even before calling Mok Saehwa, I had already contacted Pasung’s CEO Cha with Samra’s help.

The call with Mok Saehwa had only been meant to deceive Director Jang Seokyun.

Pasung’s CEO Cha agreed to hear my proposal in greater detail and came directly to my room.

As I watched him enter, I began wondering how he had managed to get here so quickly.

‘Did he knock out all the Trial Response Agency soldiers? Or did he use the Cognitive Deterioration Mask?’

That mask could regulate the level of cognitive deterioration.

When it reached one hundred percent, his presence practically disappeared entirely.

I really hoped he’d use it in front of me someday.

Hiding all those thoughts, I greeted my visitor while sitting calmly on the bed.

And I gave him the most proper and respectful greeting I had been able to prepare.

“Thank you for coming, Pasung’s CEO Cha.”

I had tried to keep a neutral expression, although I was worried that the excitement I felt might be showing too much in my eyes.

I had already acted rather suspiciously in front of him.

From now on, I needed to be much more careful.

He was still wearing the same tracksuit as always.

However, the headphones that normally hung around his neck were gone.

They had probably been confiscated when he allowed himself to be detained by the Trial Response Agency.

‘Great Sun Tathāgata is probably keeping them in his inventory.’

Instead of responding to my greeting, Pasung’s CEO Cha pulled over a folding chair and sat beside the bed.

It was exactly the same spot where Director Jang Seokyun had been sitting only a short while earlier.

That gave me a rather strange feeling.

“……”

With his arms crossed, Pasung’s CEO Cha merely watched me in silence.

As I looked at that white mask, I remembered what Samra had told me.

Apparently, after I coughed up blood and lost consciousness, Je Hyuno and Pasung’s CEO Cha had immediately stopped fighting.

I could understand why Je Hyuno had accepted the ceasefire.

But I never imagined Pasung’s CEO Cha would allow himself to be detained by the Trial Response Agency so calmly.

Was it because he wanted to make sure I survived first?

‘No more likely because a corpse can’t sign a contract.’

I quickly corrected my conclusion and opened my mouth to speak.

“The proposal I made to you…”

“How’s your body?”

The surprise was so great that the words caught in my throat.

For a moment, I even wondered if I had heard him correctly.

‘Did he just ask about my health…?’

I simply stared at him with wide eyes.

Seeing my reaction, Pasung’s CEO Cha slowly leaned back in his chair.

The chair creaked softly.

“Did your eardrums burst?”

I answered immediately.

“No, I’m perfectly fine. My eardrums and the rest of my body.”

Then I searched once again for a logical explanation.

‘Of course. He needs me healthy so I can sign the contract.’

Remembering that contract where I handed over my body, mind, and soul made everything make perfect sense.

Once I convinced myself of that explanation, I relaxed again.

But then.

“You’ve been acting like you already know me.”

Pasung’s CEO Cha’s words immediately made me tense up again.

With one hand tucked into the pocket of his tracksuit jacket, he watched me from the side.

I immediately gave him my best professional smile.

“Well… you’re very famous, Pasung’s CEO Cha.”

“For someone who only knows me by reputation, you seemed awfully enthusiastic.”

“That’s because…”

I had tried to hide it.

But apparently, I hadn’t done a very good job.

Pasung’s CEO Cha questioned me again, as though he were ready to split me in half with Great Sun Tathāgata if he found anything suspicious.

“Because…?”

“The truth is…!”

I had no choice but to tell the lie that was closest to the truth.

“I became your fan the very first moment I saw you! I thought you were unbelievably cool!”

Pasung’s CEO Cha remained silent.

It seemed more like he found my answer ridiculous and had decided to let it slide.

Although he didn’t appear displeased by it either.

‘I think deep down, he actually likes being complimented quite a bit…’

Since the atmosphere didn’t seem bad, I took the opportunity to gradually introduce the real topic.

“As I mentioned before, I’d like to sign a Temporary Personnel Assignment Agreement with Pasung.”

I would agree to be temporarily assigned by Pasung’s CEO Cha to work for Pasung a specified number of times.

I would inform Director Jang Seokyun of my intention to reach an agreement with Pasung.

Feeling pressured, Director Jang Seokyun would ultimately negotiate with Pasung’s CEO Cha thanks to Samra’s intervention.

In exchange for allowing Han Goyo to ultimately sign with the Trial Response Agency, Pasung’s CEO Cha would request immunity for the terrorist attack and the signing of the Temporary Personnel Assignment Agreement.

The contents of the agreement would follow exactly the conditions previously agreed upon by both parties.

After Director Jang Seokyun and Pasung’s CEO Cha signed the agreement, I would sign my contract with the Trial Response Agency.

At the end of the day, I was still going to be part of the Trial Response Agency.

There was no point in making an unnecessary enemy of Director Jang Seokyun.

If everything went according to plan, I would avoid a direct confrontation with him while, at the same time, Pasung’s CEO Cha would walk away free of any punishment.

‘As for the compensation for the damage someone as rich as Pasung’s CEO Cha can probably cover it without any trouble.’

Moreover, by demonstrating to Director Jang Seokyun that there was a genuine possibility I might sign with Pasung, I would be in a much stronger position to negotiate my own terms.

‘From that point onward, I’d be the one with the advantage.’

As Director of the Trial Response Agency, Jang Seokyun would be forced to treat me with respect instead of resorting to threats.

On the other hand, the temporary agreement wasn’t a bad deal for me either.

Because of the Epic Quest, I needed to enter as many Trials as possible.

Even if the Special Operations Team continued to exist, participating in seven Trials in only two months would be practically impossible.

That was why I intended to make use of Pasung’s resources as well.

However, my entire plan depended on one person.

“I’ll enter whichever Trials Pasung chooses and clear them. What do you think about setting the limit at five assignments?”

I was worried he might reject the agreement without even considering it.

I waited for his answer with growing nervousness.

But Pasung’s CEO Cha spoke about something completely different.

Leaning back as though perfectly at ease, he inclined himself slightly toward me before asking,

“On the last day of the broadcast.”

“Were you the one talking to the Developer?”