The sun hung low over Seoul University like a loaded question, and for once, Min-Joon wasn't the one everyone was staring at.
No, today… they were staring at the couple who walked beside him.
His mother — elegant hanbok with sharp lines, expression tighter than a high-wire act. His father — suit tailored to perfection, his eyes like mirrors: unreadable, cold, expensive.
Together, they looked like a corporate dynasty had just been summoned from the sky.
And Min-Joon?
He walked a step ahead of them.
As always.
Unbothered. Hands in his pockets. Sunglasses on. Untouchable.
But inside?
A flicker.
A ghost of history brushing across his steel.
[ALERT: Parental Protocol Triggered – Background Scan]
• Father: Kang Tae-Jin – CEO, JinSoft Group (Fortune 100)
• Mother: Han Mira – Former Actress, Political Strategist
• Intent: Unannounced Visit – Purpose Unknown
• Risk: Emotional Disruption / Legacy Pressure
• Suggested Action: Maintain Dominance
The System's calm didn't shake him.
Nothing did.
But the university quad suddenly felt like a battlefield he hadn't chosen.
"Why now?" Min-Joon said as they stepped into the admin hall's private reception wing.
His father answered first — voice like steel wrapped in cashmere.
"Because you're building something reckless."
His mother added, "And powerful."
He stopped walking.
Turned.
Faced both of them.
"Exactly. You're welcome."
They didn't smile.
His father's gaze sharpened. "You're becoming a name the families whisper about. The Society reports came to me before your file did."
His mother crossed her arms. "Girls. Fights. Influence. Money thrown like theater. Do you think this will end well?"
"It will," Min-Joon replied, voice flat, "because I don't lose."
Silence.
Then his mother leaned in — voice low.
"You're just like him."
That made him flinch — barely.
He stepped back.
Smirked.
"I'm not like anyone. I am the blueprint."
Then the message arrived.
System blinked bright red across his vision.
[HIGH-TIER EVENT INVITE RECEIVED]
Event: The Invitation to Madness
Location: Society Tower – Apex Floor
Format: Seduction Tournament – Tier One
Players: 13 Highest-Ranked Manipulators in Asia
Stakes: Control over All Rival Harems / Black Card Access / Total Societal Influence
Dress Code: Fatal
His parents watched the screen appear over his shoulder.
Read it.
Didn't blink.
"You're really going to war with the people who raised our world," his father said.
Min-Joon smiled.
"No," he replied. "I'm about to replace them."
His mother gave him one last long look.
Then reached into her clutch, pulled a black envelope.
Dropped it into his hand.
"This gets you into the Apex."
He looked at the seal.
JinSoft's logo.
A legacy token.
Currency even the Society bowed to.
"Why give this to me?" he asked.
His father turned.
Walked away.
Left only one word behind:
"Win."
—
Hours later, Min-Joon stood before a 200-meter glass tower in the center of Seoul's luxury triangle. No sign. No name. Just silence and scale.
This was where the most dangerous players gathered.
And tonight?
He was going to own them.
Seo-Rin was at his side.
New dress. Diamond collar. Loyalty tracker activated.
She whispered, "Is this where gods eat gods?"
He smiled sideways.
"No," he said. "This is where I remind them I'm not one of them."
She blinked.
He walked forward.
Past the guards.
Past the gold.
Into madness.
And behind him?
Everything burned quietly.