My Players Are So Fierce

We’ve also invested some money into the company for you, and you’ll get dividends. Oh, by the way, you need to resign from your position in the army. Didn’t you just say that many commanders like you have been marginalized by Marshal Hilaklio?

Why don’t we make them our first target customers?”

“Wait a minute, I’m a bit dizzy.”

Ivan Koff said, looking pained:

“I’ve never done business, so why are you looking for me to be in charge? With my brain, it’s not about making money—it’s all thanks to the Goddess of Fortune if I don’t lose money. I yearn to get rich, but I know exactly how much ability I have. I don’t even believe in myself, so where does your confidence in me come from? What’s most important is, you haven’t made it clear what exactly this trading company is supposed to do?”

“What we do isn’t important; what’s important is that the profits are high enough, that the returns for shareholders are rich enough, even to a maddening degree.”

003 smiled, blew a smoke ring to obscure his face, and said:

“So you can understand it as us selling Merfolk Pearls from the Misty Sea to Green Island to make a handsome profit…”

“Can that really work?”

Ivan Koff asked with suspicion:

“Let’s not talk about how you’ll get in touch with the Merfolk; just the journey from the Misty Sea to Green Island is a long one.”

“Oh, why can’t you get it? I’ve told you, what business we do doesn’t matter at all; it’s just an excuse to make others believe. It seems you’re really not that good at business.”

003 sighed and said:

“But that’s also fine; a blank slate is the best to work from. Let’s not discuss this for now. I just need you to give me an answer—are you willing to join us?”

“I’ll… think about it.”

The major coughed and whispered:

“Then what about my gambling debts…”

“Huh? What gambling debts? How come I don’t know about them?”

003 showed a gentle smile, stepped forward to help Lieutenant Colonel Ivankov untie the ropes, then took out a delicate insignia of Treasure Bay’s platinum VIP customers from his pocket and placed it into the major’s hand, saying:

“I only know that you’ve made a fortune from doing business outside and become a prominent figure among Treasure Bay’s client base, enjoying a life of nightly revelry. Many women, dazzled by vanity, want to enter your life, and many wealth-hungry nouveau riches are hoping you’ll take them under your wing.

You will eventually become a great business tycoon and a historical figure of note.

Ivan Koff, a true great man…

Now, come with me, complete the entry procedures, and then patiently receive training.

The best economists will teach you how to deal with clients, and the most professional accountants will assist you in managing this trade company that is bound to thrive. You won’t even need to personally engage in business activities.

You just need to make good use of your connections and network and keep climbing upwards.

I still remember when we were in the tunnel, you always complained about your father and your half-brother. You said your sister-in-law is a famous noblewoman and looks down on you…

Ah, how miserable, my brother.

But don’t worry; soon enough, they will have to come and plead with you with a different face.

I promise!”

“I’m a bit afraid…”

The major stomped out the cigarette butt with unease, fixed his gaze on 003, and said:

“I just don’t think all this you’re describing could ever happen to me. This surely isn’t just simple business; this might even be…”

“Shh!”

003 made a silencing gesture, pulled a gun from his waist, and placed it on the table, which conveniently occupied the sides of the table alongside a stack of paper and pen, saying:

“When you walked through this door, you were left with only this choice, Ivan Koff. You’re not our only candidate; there are plenty of disillusioned people in the Kafuhoka region. We chose you because I thought you at least contributed to the fight against the Wolf People. I wanted to give you a hand. But if you don’t intend to climb out of your own mire and don’t plan to accept this help, then honestly, I’ll have to handle this by the book. However, you don’t have to worry. In this operation, you’d lose nothing more than your chains; now, put away your weakness! Come with me, someone is waiting for you.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ivankov glanced at the loaded gun on the table, then at the tightly closed door in front of him, and finally looked back at the chair where he’d just been tied up.

He gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and signed his name on the paper filled with terms he couldn’t understand, then followed 003 out of the basement. They went up the stairs to the first-floor hall, bustling with workers decorating it, seemingly transforming it into a commercial guild storeroom.

A man dressed in a believer’s robe was sitting on a chair nearby, engrossed in the “Avalon Book of Nature,” looking out of place amid the busy scene around him. He was evidently a man of status.

It wasn’t until 003 brought Ivan Koff to him that Crow Brother, with the Holy Emblem of the Goddess of Fortune on his chest, lifted his head.

He pushed up his glasses, gave a gentle smile, and looked at the disheveled major in front of him, then rubbed his chin and said:

“Your image needs a change. Ditch the military uniform, put on a suit, tidy up your hair, and style your beard. Your demeanor also needs an overhaul; a successful businessman doesn’t wear a fawning smile. Face those who beg for wealth, you need to straighten your back, like the sound of a great bell. The louder your voice, the more truthful your lies become. Finally, you need a new identity to utterly say goodbye to the past and embrace the future. Tell me, sir, what is your name?”

“Ivan Koff, sir, my name is Ivan Koff.”

“Not like that, lift your head up! Eyes more serious, voice from the diaphragm, left hand salutes at the chest, right hand naturally hangs down, imagine you’re standing in the Ice Palace introducing yourself to Lupa, tell me, who are you!”

“Ivan Koff! I am…”

“Stop! Louder this time, think about the most extraordinary person you’ve met in your life and how they introduced themselves, try again, don’t rush, think it through, then imitate them, tell me, who are you?”