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PENANCE

The year is 2052 and the world has changed. Heroes have risen from the ashes of an Earth ravaged by war and now, humanity is thriving due to the presence of dungeons and magical abilities. The Guild controls every aspect of superhuman lives. The strong are revered and the weak are shunned. Among the many hopefuls is a woman doomed to die despite being a once-in a-millennium genius! "Why were you ever born into this world? Why can't you just die in a ditch somewhere?" "You should know your place. Live while keeping your head down and I might just let you survive." Read PENANCE: The Prologue here -> https://bit.ly/PENANCEPrologue

Mineva · ファンタジー
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23 Chs

The Light of God

After a few days had passed, Lim Cha-Kyung transferred over to the Prana Cultivation Facility along with his family. The Special Refugee Zone or SRZ was left for his protégé to manage.

Of course, I had sent over some specially contracted prana-capable mercenaries to act as a self-defense force for the SRZ. They were led by Cha-Kyung's loyal bodyguards so there should be no issues when it comes to hierarchy or for the mercenaries to disobey orders.

After all, money was no longer an issue for me.

After Renard green-lit the slow injection of prana wine into the global market, the returns were more than incredible.

I initially thought that the $10,000,000 price point for each bottle of prana wine was staggering but Renard's reports almost made me laugh like a madman! Each bottle was sold at $100,000,000!

Cha-Kyung's advice over the phone was truly worthy of his reputation as a former chaebol. After I had just left the SRZ a few days ago, he gave me a call and asked me to auction off each bottle instead of selling them directly.

He didn't wait for my response and he directly dropped the call. What a stubborn old man, I smiled to myself.

I thought of myself as a relatively open-minded woman so I listened to him and instructed Renard to do as he advised and a few days later, Renard ran into my office, completely red in the face.

He opened his mouth repeatedly like a fish struggling to breathe on land but he eventually just closed his mouth and walked away wordlessly after handing over the report on the sales of the prana wine.

I slammed my fist on the table, knocking the unopened bottle of prana wine to the floor. "You have got to be kidding me!"

Even as a former noblewoman, I have never seen this many zeroes in my entire life!

I skimmed the report and my eyes were glued to the number beside the word 'Profits'

$1,000,000,000,000

Ignoring the commotion of the concerned people who went into my office checking if I was alright, I picked up my phone and dialed Patricia's number.

She immediately picked up and I was greeted by her sweet voice.

"Mistress, did you miss me?"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Forget about that. Check my bank account! Quickly!"

Sensing the urgency in my voice, Patricia held back her retort and simply did what I asked her to.

"Alagarassi."

"Yes Princess?"

"Who did you rob?"

What the fuck! It's not as if I'd rob anybody! Well maybe if I was bored and desperate but this was earned honestly! I swear!

I maintained a neutral expression and retorted, "I've come to pay back my debts."

"I don't want you to pay me back, you know?"

"I know. But now that I have the money, I want to at least stand beside you equally."

Patricia muttered, "Stand…beside me…?" After a few seconds, she immediately replied with a laughing voice, "Sure. Pay me back all you want! Payback the interest as well!"

I dropped the call and transferred over what I owed her. What a silly woman.

The last few days have certainly been fun but this feeling of accomplishment was second to none when it comes to pleasing me.

When everything started calming down, I invited Lim Cha-Kyung and his daughter Noblesse over to my office for some wine and idle chatter.

Cha-Kyung and Noblesse's initial neutral expression widened upon seeing me, seated on my desk and elegantly drinking wine. It seems that even former chaebols are not immune to my charms.

Noblesse in particular was fascinating as I saw her beautiful and cold face flush upon meeting my eyes. I sized her up and she was indeed worthy of her reputation as an unmatched combatant. Even at 22 years old, she stood as still as a sword.

Her only flaw was that she was unable to hide the bloodlust that was threatening to burst out of her.

She might be a naturally talented fighter but she was still young and inexperienced.

I gestured for both of them to take a seat. Renard was standing behind me and acting as an aide but he was a suitable conversation partner.

He placed down two glasses for the father and daughter duo and clumsily poured them some wine. He gave them a light bow and exited the room with quiet steps.

After a few weeks of living in the Prana Production Facility, I had made this house into my own. This office space, in particular, was something that I decorated with my reputation in mind.

Expensive artworks were elegantly placed on the walls and beautiful furniture was moved in. I had a stockpile of prana wine gently cooling in my refrigerator and some female volunteers acted like my maids and took care of everyday needs.

Now that I think about it, the first time they bathed me was probably both a scarring and blessed experience for them.

These young women walked into my bathroom expecting to give me a bath only to be greeted by the sight of my bathing in prana wine.

To other people, the sight might have been an intoxicating and stimulating sight. To normal people, however, it simply looked like a villainess bathing in the blood of virgins.

One of the volunteer maids passed out while some of them screamed. In the end, Renard had to run in to try and pacify the situation only to pass out upon being greeted by my bare chest and legs.

Perhaps due to the influence of the dregs in my bathwater, the maids no longer moved in a clumsy manner. They were now akin to that of a veteran maid team working for the queen. They took care of my needs automatically.

They were convenient tools, so to say.

I perfunctorily greeted Noblesse and Lim Cha-Kyung. "Thank you for coming."

Cha-Kyung maintained himself well and he looked like a stunning older man. He gently smiled and lightly bowed his head. "No, it was our pleasure to come, Master Alagarassi."

He gestured towards his daughter and introduced her. "This is my daughter, Yoonah. She might be foolish but please do be patient with her."

I sensed that he was trying to downplay her abilities but I'm the type of person that likes to cut straight to the chase.

"Cut the bullshit, Cha-Kyung."

I ignored their agitated expressions and gently raised the wine glass to my mouth.

Sipping, I smiled at Yoonah "A Swordmaster at 22 years old." I appraised her with my eyes. I could see everything that I needed to know about her thanks to my Master rated Prana Manipulation affinity.

"And that physique…fascinating."

Cha-Kyung held his daughter close while Noblesse had a feral look on her face. She was currently being dominated by my aura and her natural response is to…fight back? Truly interesting.

"Calm yourselves. I called you here to talk."

I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Besides, your daughter is an interesting talent. We both know what's going to happen." I stared into Cha-Kyung's eyes. "You know she needs me."

Cha-Kyung looked at his daughter before nodding in resignation. "I know."

He gently patted her on the head and instructed her in a stern manner. "You will be serving Master Alagarassi from now on. Do you understand, Yoonah?"

His daughter simply nodded at bowed her head to me. She spoke in a slow manner but it wasn't as if she was stupid. It simply felt like she cherished each and every word.

"Yoonah greets master."

I accepted her obeisance and offered my cup up for a toast.

"Cha-Kyung, Yoonah. We've got much to do so I expect you both to give your all."

""Cheers""

I drank the prana wine as usual but I could sense some unease from the father and daughter duo.

Cha-Kyung broke the silence. "Uh, master? What is this?"

"Prana wine" I replied lazily.

"Does it do..what I think it does?"

Downing the contents of my glass in one swift motion, I simply nodded at his dumbfounded face.

"What a ridiculous concept." Cha-Kyung sipped little by little as if he was savoring each drop of the stuff.

Seeing Yoonah drinking normally, I gently caressed her head. "You should follow your daughter's example, Cha-Kyung."

"That's because she doesn't know what this is!"

"Perhaps ignorance is more graceful than enlightenment, at least in this case."

I looked at Yoonah and she stared back at me. I could feel her bloodlust slowly seeping out of her seemingly cold body.

Walking to my refrigerator, I instructed Cha-Kyung. "Take over operations of the Prana Production Facility. I'll give you 3% of sales on a quarterly basis."

I took out a bottle of prana wine and tossed it over to him. "Take this. I've also transferred over some money to your account. 75% of it is for the SRZ and the rest is for your personal expenses. Consider it a signing bonus."

And you, I pointed at Yoonah. "Come with me and I'll give you what you want."

Yoonah meekly followed behind me. The sights of the prana production facility barely fazed her as she kept her gaze at my neck. She seemed to be itching for battle but I knew that her physique was also slightly messing with her mental state.

I guess it's time to put my new puppy in her place.

Thanks for your continued support! Just a quick note! The title is a reference to Yoonah's name which means "Light of God" and is meant to represent her father's love for her!

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