It was a simple bet, nothing serious enough to cause bad blood.
Besides, he must have thought I wouldn't pass.
I picked up the documents I had prepared and stood up, then headed straight to Chief Yoo So-Ak.
I entered the Chief of Internal Affairs' office.
Without even looking at me, Yoo So-Ak asked,
"What brings you here?"
"I've completed the task you assigned."
"…Excuse me?"
Yoo So-Ak lifted his head and looked at me with a baffled expression.
"You're saying you're already done?"
"Yes."
His expression quickly turned to irritation.
He probably thought I had thrown it together haphazardly, hence the annoyed look.
I confidently held out the documents.
It didn't even take half a breath before his expression turned to shock.
With a hardened face, he asked,
"Who taught you how to draft documents like this?"
Who taught me?
You did.
It was tough learning it.
But I couldn't answer that way.
"I figured it out by looking at other documents."
"For this report, the reference materials… You've even numbered and organized them separately. Who taught you to do that?"
"I saw other documents formatted that way, so I tried to follow suit."
I replied with a smile.
"The documents I referenced were excellent, so I naturally learned. I suppose it's thanks to your guidance, Chief Yoo."
At my words, Chief Yoo silently looked at me for a moment. Then he said,
"You've done far better than I expected. You pass. You may go home early today."
Just as I expected—I passed.
When I returned to my seat from Chief Yoo's office, Yeo Chang-Ui, one of the Finance Pavilion's assistants, approached me with a curious expression.
"How did it go?"
"Oh, well…"
I picked up some scattered materials from my desk.
Perhaps thinking I had failed and was now cleaning up, Yeo Chang-Ui tried to console me.
"Don't be too discouraged. Getting an immediate pass from the Chief of Internal Affairs is less likely than being struck by lightning while picking up a coin off the ground…"
Flick.
I handed him the documents and said,
"I passed."
"…What?"
"Well then, I'll leave the organizing to you."
***
Yoo So-Ak, looking tired as usual, made his way to the Finance Pavilion.
In truth, he had only just left work earlier at 1:00am.
So, he had barely slept three hours before returning to work.
"I'm crazy. Why did I… fall for the Lord's words like that…"
It was something he always muttered.
Though once a high-ranking official, he had returned home for personal reasons, and it was Eun Gil-Sang, the Merchant Group Leader, who persuaded him to join the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Now he was serving as the Chief of Internal Affairs for the group.
He often blamed his hardships on having fallen for the Lord's words—but really, it was just a habit.
Because to Yoo So-Ak, Eun Gil-Sang was a benefactor who had once saved his life.
Yoo So-Ak was not one to forget a grudge, but neither did he forget kindness.
He had already resolved to devote his life to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
He quickened his pace.
Before heading to the Finance Pavilion today, he had stopped by the Merchant Lord's office, so he was running a bit late.
As he entered the Finance Pavilion, the night-duty staff immediately stood up.
"You've arrived, Chief."
Yoo So-Ak nodded at their greeting.
"Yes, good morning."
He said to the assistants,
"When Young Master Eun Seoho arrives, tell him to come to my office."
The assistants replied,
"Yes, understood."
Thinking of Eun Seoho, Yoo So-Ak couldn't help but smile.
'On the first day, I was really disappointed… I completely misjudged him.'
From the very first task, Eun Seoho had submitted a flawless report.
It had been ten days since then.
During that time, he had quickly and accurately handled every task given to him—so much so that it was now impressive.
'That skill… like someone with decades of experience…'
Even if he were a genius, some things still wouldn't make sense.
Geniuses are known for their brilliance, but not necessarily for their meticulousness and flawless administrative work.
That's why we have phrases like "bookworm" or "ivory tower scholar."
Such skills are only gained through practical work.
Every successor in the merchant group had to undergo five years of practical training—but that wasn't a fixed rule.
Once the respective heads of the Finance Pavilion, Breeze Pavilion, and Sunset Pavilion declared one's competence, that area of training was considered complete.
In Yoo So-Ak's mind, Eun Seoho had already earned ten passes over.
He just hadn't declared it yet because of how it would look to others.
After all, both of Eun Seoho's older brothers had spent three years in the Finance Pavilion.
There was no need for him to stand out too much alone.
However, continuing to assign him test tasks and practical training was now pointless.
'What he needs now is broader experience.'
And the best way to provide that was by having him serve directly at his side as an assistant.
That was the conclusion Yoo So-Ak had reached.
Of course, Eun Seoho would be horrified if he heard it.
Though Eun Seoho was officially under the Finance Pavilion as a special trainee, and thus Yoo So-Ak had authority over his appointment, he was still the Merchant Lord's son.
So, Yoo So-Ak had sought permission.
That was why he had stopped by the Merchant Lord's office earlier.
'Ahem! It's not because I need help with my work—certainly not. It's just that it wouldn't hurt for one of the Merchant Lord's sons to gain some experience in the Finance Pavilion. Yes, that's all.'
Mumbling that to himself, Yoo So-Ak stepped into his office.
***
I headed to the dining hall for breakfast.
My two older brothers were already there.
"Good morning,"
My eldest brother, Eun Jeong-ho, greeted me.
"I heard you've been hiking the back mountain early in the morning. Is it for your health?"
"Yeah."
The truth was, it was for martial arts training.
It was about time I started training outdoors. Too many eyes were around for me to train at home.
Elder brother Jeong-ho said,
"Staying healthy is good, but don't overdo it."
"I won't. I'll be careful."
He really was considerate as always.
Then my second brother, Eun Jinho, chimed in,
"Aw, come on, elder brother! Just climbing the back mountain in the morning is fine, isn't it? You worry too much."
"Well, I'm just concerned he might get sick again."
"That's why he should move around more. He's grown taller and stronger lately, hasn't he? It's all thanks to his morning exercise."
Elder brother Jinho said that, then subtly asked me,
"By the way… do you want to start learning martial arts again?"
"Martial arts?"
"Well, working in the merchant group, there are times when you have to defend yourself."
Even if one is a successor to the merchant group, martial arts are not to be neglected.
It's just that its priority is lower than the merchant group's work, but still, as much attention as possible is given to learning martial arts.
Because in times of danger, martial arts can be what saves you.
That's why both elder brother Jeong-ho and elder brother Jinho were learning martial arts from the Chief of External Affairs.
The Chief of External Affairs, who was also the leader of the Silver Wind Squad, had received great grace from our grandfather, and to repay that grace, he volunteered for his current position.
As part of that repayment, he was now passing on his martial arts to the successors of the merchant group.
He even declared that he would not marry until his debt of gratitude was fully repaid—and in fact, until I died, he never married.
I, too, learned martial arts when I was young.
But after I began falling ill, I had to stop.
Thankfully, I had only learned external martial arts.
If I had practiced internal energy as well, my lifespan would have been even shorter.
Because the Chief's martial arts were of the Ice Arts type, yang qi-based.
In many ways, completely incompatible with me.
And explaining that would've been troublesome, so the fact that I was secretly training in martial arts remained a secret.
I smiled at elder brother Jinho and replied,
"I'll think about it."
Just then, Grandpa and our parents entered the dining hall, and breakfast began.
Today's breakfast was rice porridge with chicken.
In our merchant group, unless there's something unusual, breakfast is usually porridge.
I was carefully eating the hot porridge when Father called out to me.
"Seoho."
"Yes, Father."
"I've heard you've been doing quite well in the Finance Pavilion lately."
"Ah, I'm only doing what those around me are teaching me."
"That in itself is a talent."
I felt a little embarrassed by Father's praise.
"This morning, the Chief of Internal Affairs came to me with a personal request. He wants you to work as his assistant."
"Oh, he did… Wait, what? Why?"
My voice unintentionally rose.
An assistant to Chief Yoo?
This wasn't something that happened in the future I experienced.
To my question, Father replied,
"What do you mean why? Obviously because you've been doing such good work."
"So… you gave him permission?"
"Of course. Besides, your department is already the Finance Pavilion—there's nothing for me to permit, right?"
At Father's words, Grandpa chuckled and added,
"That picky fellow actually wants to keep you by his side! How surprising!"
"Indeed. Hohoho," Mother laughed.
My two brothers also chimed in with admiration.
"Wow! Impressive."
"Our little brother's got skills."
"..."
And just like that, with the whole family celebrating, it became a decided fact that I would be working as Chief Yoo's assistant.
.
.
.
Becoming the assistant to Chief Yoo was… well, quite shocking. No, very shocking.
Today, in fact, is an incredibly important day.
It's the day when a great fire breaks out, causing serious losses to the merchant group.
Only I could prevent that event, and I needed time to do it.
But now, I was going to be working as Chief Yoo's assistant.
The assistant to the always overwhelmingly busy Chief Yoo—
Meaning I too would be overwhelmingly busy!
Maybe I should've held back a little.
Sighing, I headed to Chief Yoo's office.
He stood up to greet me.
"You're here?"
A very different reception from the first day, when he only raised his head from his desk.
"I heard you called for me."
"Yes, starting today, you'll be working as my assistant."
I glanced at the stack of documents teetering dangerously on his desk and gulped.
Working as his assistant meant I would also be responsible for those documents.
This was my last chance to decline.
"I'm honored that you think highly of my abilities, Chief, but I've only been doing real work for ten days. Isn't being your assistant a bit much?"
"Feeling overwhelmed?"
"I apologize."
"Hearing you say that only strengthens my decision to have you as my assistant."
"…?"
Chief Yoo smiled and continued.
"Because you also possess the virtue of humility."
So he had taken my reluctance as humility.
But I really meant it…
"I understand your concerns. But I believe that a person's ability shines brightest when used where it's needed most. And if your talent helps the Eunhae Merchant Group grow further, that's a good thing."
He asked me,
"Do you not care for the Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"..."
Do I not care for the Eunhae Merchant Group?
Of course I do.
Was Chief Yoo trying to provoke me?
That question clearly meant he'd made up his mind.
In that case…
"Understood. I'll serve as your assistant. But I have a few conditions."
"Please, go ahead."
"First, I want my meal times guaranteed. Also, I'd like set working hours."
"Agreed."
"And I'll start tomorrow."
"Fine."
The first condition was for the sake of my future plans.
The second was so I could prevent the fire that was going to break out today.
When I returned to my seat, Yeo Chang-Ui approached.
"You're back, Young Master?"
"Yes, I just came back from the Chief's office."
"I see."
I would begin assisting Chief Yoo from tomorrow, but I couldn't say that yet.
He had asked me not to say anything—probably for security reasons.
'Now that I think about it, Chief Yoo never really trusted people.'
Even when he died from overwork, he hadn't had a single assistant. That's why me becoming his assistant was so unexpected.