Chapter 52: Yoo Hee-yeon confronts her father and is questioned..

The investigation proceeded swiftly.

With just one word from Yoo Han-beom, people began meticulously combing through every detail of the guild’s

affairs, no matter how trivial.

[“Make it clear to everyone. If there’s even the slightest concealment during the investigation, I will personally

ensure punishment is delivered. Don’t even think about doing something foolish.”]

Everyone in the Artemis Guild was well aware of Yoo Han-beom’s personality. He was not one to make unnecessary

remarks or empty threats.

Thus, the weight of the word “punishment” from his lips was unimaginable. Being expelled from the guild would be

considered a fortunate outcome. If someone were caught trying to cover up the incident, their life would become a

never-ending struggle—or worse, they might not survive at all. Yoo Han-beom had the power and the resolve to

utterly destroy someone’s life if necessary.

Bang!

A massive stack of papers thudded onto Yoo Han-beom’s desk. Baek Ki-young, the vice guild master, was sweating

profusely as he spoke.

“Guild Master, I’ve gathered everything. To ensure there’s no room for manipulation during the handover, I’ve

printed everything out. These documents contain every record from the moment Lee Hyun-seung and Yoo Hee-yeon

first met to the present. Every instance where Yoo Hee-yeon or Madam Kim Hee-ra used the authority of the Artemis

Guild has been meticulously documented.”

“Good work.”

The sheer volume of information earned Baek Ki-young a rare compliment from Yoo Han-beom, who appeared quite

satisfied. Overwhelmed with emotion, Baek Ki-young bowed deeply in response.

“I’m glad I could be of help. Please feel free to call on me whenever you need assistance.”

With that, Baek Ki-young tactfully exited the room.

“Let’s see…”

Yoo Han-beom reached out toward the stack of papers, which comprised well over a hundred pages.

[Accelerate]

Using his acceleration skill, he heightened his cognitive abilities and reflexes. He then levitated the papers into the air.

Hundreds of sheets spread out, forming a perfect circular array around Yoo Han-beom without overlapping.

Swoosh!

When Yoo Han-beom waved his hand forcefully, the papers began revolving around him in a swift orbit.

“Artifact warehouse access logs… Broad Academy donation foundation records…”

Reading at an astonishing speed, Yoo Han-beom gathered and organized the information. After about ten minutes,

he deactivated the magic, his expression darkening.

Soon after, he reached out, and the papers that had been scattered began piling up neatly in one spot.

“Annoying.”

Clutching his throbbing temples, he began piecing the situation together.

‘It’s true that the incriminating phone was found in Lee Hyun-seung’s desk drawer. However, there’s no evidence of

any involvement from Artemis in this matter. This means that if Lee Hyun-seung isn’t the perpetrator of the stalking

incident, someone else must be. Judging by how thoroughly the job was done, this wasn’t the work of a lone

individual. It has to be a group targeting Yoo Hee-yeon. I’ll deal with those bastards later.’

Based on the evidence, Yoo Han-beom deduced the circumstances. If Lee Hyun-seung wasn’t the culprit, then it

didn’t seem likely that Yoo Hee-yeon had fabricated the phone and planted it in his desk. However…

‘On the day Lee Hyun-seung was suspended, my wife visited Broad Academy accompanied by Artemis Guild guards.

There’s also a record of her reviewing the list of donations jointly managed by Artemis and Broad Academy

beforehand. And then the suspension happened.’

Although the details weren’t clearly laid out, Yoo Han-beom had managed to make a plausible deduction. The

position of the guild leader, overseeing the best guild in the country, was not something to be taken lightly.

‘It seems Kim Hee-ra pressured the president. The method of pressure was probably something like cutting off the

joint donations they had been working on together.’

Lastly, he let out a sigh, thinking about the opening of the artifact storage.

‘So, she opened the artifact storage and interfered with Lee Hyun-seung’s F-class representative selection.’

There was a record of Yoo Hee-yeon opening the Artemis Guild’s artifact storage. Additionally, those artifacts had

been used in the F-class representative selection. This meant that Yoo Hee-yeon took useful items from the storage

and distributed them to the F-class members under her command, subsequently disrupting Lee Hyun-seung’s

selection.

hi-ing

Yoo Han-beom rewound the video of the F-class representative selection.

The defense shield was of an absurdly high level, and the massive fireball…

Without the aid of artifacts, it would have been impossible for any F-class members to perform like that.

‘She must have bribed a few people along the way.’

Normally, bringing in external artifacts during class extermination or representative selection battles was not

allowed. The fact that external artifacts were brought in meant that someone had turned a blind eye. Undoubtedly,

Yoo Hee-yeon had bribed them.

• Clack
  He gritted his teeth and shouted.
  “Yoo Hee-yeon. Get Yoo Hee-yeon here—now!”
  As soon as he spoke, the vice guild leader, who had been waiting outside, shouted back.
  “I’ll bring her immediately.”

Yoo Hee-yeon, on the other hand, couldn’t hide her anxiety at the sudden call from her father.

‘Why… why is Father calling me…?’

Her father, Yoo Han-beom, was someone who never visited unless absolutely necessary. Always busy with work and

focused on efficiency, he rarely expressed affection or personal care, even toward his own flesh and blood. They only

spoke when it came to her practical or written exam results. For this reason, Yoo Hee-yeon felt a sense of dread.

After all, it wasn’t yet time for her practical or written exam scores to be announced. What could he possibly want

now?

• Screech
  “Yoo Hee-yeon. Sit down.”
  As soon as Yoo Hee-yeon heard her father’s first words, she flinched, immediately sensing that whatever reason he had for calling her was not a positive one. After all, her father didn’t call her “Hee-yeon” in a gentle manner but rather by her full name, “Yoo Hee-yeon.”

“Father… what is it that you want to talk about?”

Trying her best to keep her composure, Yoo Hee-yeon asked. Yoo Han-beom then addressed her directly.

“I have a question for you. Do you remember what I told you before? That you must do whatever it takes to reach the

top?”

Yoo Hee-yeon recalled her father’s words.

• “You must never fall short of being number one in any field. Use whatever means necessary, I don’t care how dirty or ugly it gets, but you must secure that number one spot. Do you understand?”
  She nodded.

“I remember. You told me that I must be number one, no matter what it takes. As your daughter, and as the future

leader of Artemis Guild, I must never let myself fall behind in places like the academy,” she said.

“Exactly. You remember it well.”

Yoo Han-beom stood up from his seat and approached Yoo Hee-yeon.

“Yoo Hee-yeon, do you know how many dirty and despicable things I had to do to become the guild leader of

Artemis? I’ve sacrificed everything to protect my family and ensure that no one disrespects those I care about, and

I’m still doing it. Because of that, you’re living without worrying about money or power, enjoying everything you

want. As proof of this, your subordinates don’t even dare to defy you. You were born with everything others could

envy. It means you have perfect conditions. Do you agree?”

• Swallow

Yoo Hee-yeon swallowed dryly and nodded.

“I… agree… I’m satisfied with my current life.”

At that, Yoo Han-beom looked at her with a cold expression and continued.

“Yes, you’re standing on a superior starting line compared to others. If we were talking about a race, you’re not just a

few steps ahead, but dozens of steps ahead. Therefore, you must come in first. It’s natural and expected. That’s why I

told you. Do whatever dirty and despicable things you need to do, but you must come first using your abilities.”

He lowered his head, as if angry, and continued speaking.

“And by ‘dirty and despicable things,’ I meant doing anything within your ability. If you sprain your leg while

running, hop on one leg. If your other leg is injured, crawl on your arms. And if your arms don’t work, scrape the

ground with your teeth and keep moving to cross the finish line first. It may look dirty and despicable to others, but

that’s what I meant by winning with your ‘ability.'”

He then slammed the desk.

Bam!

“You were born with natural advantages, a superior starting line, and you were supported and helped with anything

you wanted. Yet, why is it that you couldn’t even manage to—!”

He paused for a moment, seemingly collecting his thoughts, and then looked at Yoo Hee-yeon and spoke quietly.

“Why couldn’t you even get first place in the academy?”

At that moment, Yoo Hee-yeon’s face turned pale, and cold sweat began to drip down.

“W-What do you mean…?”

With Yoo Hee-yeon acting as if she didn’t understand, Yoo Han-beom’s expression twisted, and he reached out to

spread the documents from the corner of the room in front of her.

• Rustle!

“I hate lies the most. So think carefully before you answer. Or else, I might really get angry.”

The air in the room became icy, filled with Yoo Han-beom’s mana.