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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Seorin's Negotiation
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Trica conference room.
They would normally have met in a small conference room, but since it was the weekend, they gathered in a space smaller than the large one yet more than ample for four people. Minwoo was so shocked upon seeing her that his jaw nearly dropped.
"…This is the new manager?"
"Yes, and we go way back personally."
"Wow… Why would someone like you take a manager job…? You should just go straight into streaming…"
Minwoo's point was perfectly valid.
Baek Seorin.
Words like "radiant" fell short of describing her beauty.
Her skin was flawless, her hair looked softer than silk.
Add to that her tall stature and a figure that turned heads wherever she went.
Frankly speaking, she could debut on terrestrial TV right now without batting an eye—no need for internet streaming.
So when someone like her announced she was doing internet broadcast management, of all things, it was no wonder Minwoo forgot his role as a manager and just blurted out his thoughts.
But that astonishment didn't last long.
"She's not in it for the money anyway. She just offered to help me out."
"Oh, gotcha."
"She's loaded."
"…Ah, that explains it."
Loaded.
That single word made everything click for Minwoo. He gave up overthinking and slid the contract across the table.
"This is the contract with the terms we discussed last time. No streaming other games for at least a week after the ad broadcast starts. Upfront payment of 7 million won, plus another 7 million based on ad performance later."
"Same as before."
"I'm not dumb enough to backtrack on my word."
"Let's sign right away."
"Oh, and same terms for Mint, but upfront of 15 million. No performance bonus, though."
"Sounds good to me!"
As both Haesung and Hayun nodded in satisfaction at the deal, Minwoo's face lit up with a grin.
"Hold on a sec."
"…Uh, well—"
"I'm Baek Seorin. Just call me Seorin."
"Right, Seorin. Any issues?"
Seorin suddenly cut in, putting the signatures on hold.
Unfazed by all eyes turning to her, she pointed to a clause in the contract.
"This 'no other games for a week' is fine for Hayun, but it puts Haesung at a disadvantage."
"Huh? What do you—"
"The bet with Elbow. True: Purple rank within two months. You haven't forgotten, right?"
"Oh… But I'm already halfway there…"
"Does halfway count as done?"
"…No, it doesn't."
Haesung had made a promise tantamount to betting his streaming career before the ad broadcast.
True: Purple within two months.
Of course, no one doubted he'd pull it off now, but swapping places with anyone else? Absurd.
"Spending a full week on just one game for this ad—that's huge value. So the compensation needs to reflect that."
"…Hmm, that's above my pay grade."
Demanding extra pay for sacrificing a precious week—what blood and gold that time was worth—was only fair.
Sure, Haesung could hit True: Purple without that week, but appearances mattered to the public.
"And bump Hayun's fee too."
"Mint's too? But I already pulled the max based on her profile."
Seorin wasn't done; she roped Hayun in next.
Minwoo was sharp, and he'd calculated Hayun's worth to the penny.
That's how he'd secured the hefty 15 million upfront.
But he'd overlooked one thing.
"A collab stream."
"…!"
Joint broadcast.
Collab, as it was commonly called.
"If we guarantee at least one collab between Comet and Mint, the hottest names right now?"
"…Whoa, a collab… That's brilliant. How'd I miss it?"
"Zombie Survival's a solo game. Single-player format, so collabbing isn't top of mind."
"…Mind if I step out and make a call?"
"Of course."
"Excuse me."
Minwoo couldn't hide his surprise, but his eyes gleamed as he absorbed Seorin's point.
He knew squeezing more ad money from the game company was always better.
He pulled out his phone and headed for the door. Seorin waved with a sly smile. Once he was gone, Hayun let out a cheer.
"Whoa! Unnie, you're amazing! How are you so good at this?"
"I've dealt with a lot of people."
"It's wild. But why push for my fee too? I'm not even your boss."
"You're his sister. And before that, my friend's little sis."
"…Can I call you unnie forever?"
"Obviously."
"Hehe, Seorin unnie's the best!"
Hayun buried her face in Seorin's shoulder, shivering with delight at how Seorin's sharp tongue had spotted the blind spot and jacked up the ad fees in a flash.
"How much more do you think we'll get?"
"Hmm, at least 5 million more upfront. And 5 more on the bonus."
"Original upfront was 15, so plus 5 makes… Whoa! 20? And full bonus? 25 million?!"
"Not enough? We can haggle or play hardball if needed."
"No way! It's plenty! Hehe, my account was drained from that big purchase recently, but even without bonus, it'll be flush."
"…I'll pay you back once the ad money hits."
"Nah, it's fine. I'm getting ad money too!"
Haesung knew that "big purchase" was Hayun's streaming setup and PC rig. He couldn't hide his guilt, but Hayun just struck a pose with hands on hips and a smug grin.
Partly thanks to Seorin, and technically, she hadn't spent on Haesung anyway.
"How much for me?"
"You won't see a huge upfront bump, Haesung. But the bonus'll be big… Maybe 10 million upfront, 10 bonus? Assuming max performance, of course."
"Hmm, solid."
Upfront 3 million plus 3 bonus, originally.
That'd clear Hayun's debt and leave enough for parents' gifts. Haesung nodded, pleased.
"Adventure Corp approved! The no-other-games rule applies only to broadcast days, not off-days. So five days—Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri—then two rest days, and it lifts after Mon-Tue streams."
"Two days is fine! And they okayed the raise? Amounts?"
Hayun's eyes sparkled at the sweet words "ad fee increase." Minwoo relayed the new terms.
"15 million upfront? No—2,000 upfront for Mint, bonus 500. Comet: 1,000 upfront, bonus 1,000. With at least one collab each. Obviously, bonus depends on ad results."
"Whoa… Just like unnie said."
"Huh? What'd she say?"
"Oh, nothing! Seorin unnie's prediction matched your offer perfectly. Blew me away."
"…Ever thought of working at Trica?"
"Thanks, but pass. Managing people's worn me out. Helping friends is the exception."
"Shame."
He was intrigued by how she'd predicted his deal, but she said no. Plus, she was loaded and a natural. Minwoo had no leverage.
Sure, he wondered why someone in her mid-twenties was burnt out on people-managing, but they'd just met—no prying into personal history.
Shaking off his regret, Minwoo slid over fresh contracts.
Only the amounts differed from before.
Hayun: 2,000 plus 500.
Haesung: 1,000 plus 1,000.
No need to negotiate further. Perfect terms. They signed without hesitation.
And so Haesung inked his first ad contract.
For 1.5 times more than expected.
* * *
"Thanks for signing. Upfront hits soon; bonus after the ad run. Oh, and after taxes and fees, you'll take home about 70-80%."
"They skim a lot."
"Can't be helped. Company's gotta eat. And thanks to you, I might snag a bonus. Better deal than original—makes sense, heh."
70-80%.
Nearly 20-30% cut. Full bonus meant Haesung losing 400-600k to fees.
But Trica brought the deal, gave perks, and as a Korean earning in Korea, taxes were inevitable.
"Buy us lunch."
"Harsh. Can't ask a salaried guy for that."
"Kidding. Grab something quick today; meat feast once ad money lands."
"Haha, deal!"
Good deal, good vibes—laughter filled the room.
Seorin put the cherry on top.
"I know a great omakase spot. Good food for a good seat. Lunch is on me."
"…! Goddess!"
"…Thank you!"
Hayun and Minwoo's eyes lit up at "omakase." Seorin smiled softly, then eyed Haesung.
"Oh? My friend's not grateful?"
"Oppa! That's no way to treat a goddess! Apologize!"
"Comet, no manager like this exists. Cherish her while you've got her!"
"…Haha, groveling levels of thanks… But you want it?"
"Anything from you works."
"…I'll dig in."
Groveling.
But from Haesung? Seorin could get even bolder. This was tame.
Pleased with his thanks, she led them out.
"Hey! Comet! That you?"
A clear feminine voice stopped them.
Black sleeveless tee and casual jacket couldn't hide her dynamite curves.
"Oh, Angel came to sign too, huh."
"Hehe, can't do an ad without Angel!"
Angel, Trica's top female cam streamer, Yang Jiyeon.
Like Haesung's group, she'd visited HQ for Zombie Survival ad contract. She flashed Haesung a seductive smile.
"Loved your Purple climb donation stream. So cool."
"Thanks. It was nothing."
"…Tried it myself—yeah, it's something. Couldn't even hit green. Wanna collab sometime? Master-disciple vibe?"
Her pouty grin screamed top-tier cam girl.
No match for Seorin, but her unique charm shone.
Seorin reacted first.
"Sorry, but run broadcast stuff through me, the manager."
"…Ah, you're the new hire? But we're streamers talking shop—manager butting in feels off, no?"
"Depends on the case. Sometimes you gotta. Especially if it ties to the client's interests."
"…Heh, fun. Girlfriend?"
"…Nah, just friends."
Jiyeon smirked at his stiff face and faint blush.
"So girlfriend spot's open."
"…Yeah, I'm a total solo."
Missing time aside, he'd never dated pre-disappearance. Pure solo.
Jiyeon blinked in surprise, then grinned mischievously.
"Collab later then~"
"Talk to me first."
"Sure, I'll think~"
After a zapping glare-down, Jiyeon skipped off, glancing back with a smile before leaving Trica HQ lightly.
Seorin, visibly annoyed, grilled Haesung.
"Seen that girl before?"
"First time…"
For some reason, crushed by her aura, Haesung scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"If she hits you up for collab, run it by me."
"Why? Can't I just do it? Like you set up me and Hayun—collab with Angel sounds good too, right?"
His oblivious response earned an axe-glare from Seorin.
"…Idiot. Eat alone!"
Thud thud thud!
She stormed out, stomping purple-hard for effect. Haesung watched, stunned.
"Sigh, oppa's hopeless."
"Comet, see you next time."
Hayun sighed; Minwoo bowed lightly. They chased Seorin for lunch. Haesung stood frozen.
Clueless what he'd done wrong.
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