The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 111
“Explain in detail. What do you mean he’s become a good person?”
“He’s working hard.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s cutting down on the International Faction’s operational funds, stopped money laundering, no more slush funds, VIP receptions? None. He doesn’t order anyone to rough people up either. Yongho says even meeting Gold Vice President face-to-face has become rare these days. He just focuses on doing his job diligently at the company.”
It was just common sense, but from a mobster’s perspective, that made him a saint.
“Geum Taesang?”
“Yes. He cut off all his sponsored ‘friends,’ doesn’t even go out drinking anymore. A guy who couldn’t live without women has practically turned into a monk.”
Geum Taesang of all people, distancing himself from women?
“I got curious and looked into SN Entertainment’s internal affairs…”
He cleaned out his entire secretary pool—keeping only essential staff.
He axed all the useless freeloaders from departments like the AR Team, Planning, General Affairs, Artist Management—the ones who used to line up to suck up to Vice President Geum.
SN Entertainment was infamous among the Big 3 for its messy corporate politics, yet he voluntarily cleaned up his own faction first.
Now, he’s systematically purging the higher-ups from other factions who just sit around doing nothing.
“They call him the ‘Reaper of SN’ now. Every department he visits, a few people vanish. Employees say they feel like they’re being worked to death. But since he performs his own duties flawlessly, no one dares complain.”
Did he take drugs or something? How did he change so drastically?
“I figured you should know since it’s entertainment industry-related. If SN Entertainment turns things around, wouldn’t that be bad for your company?”
For Fine Entertainment, aiming to break into the Big 3 by overtaking SN, this was terrible news.
“Personally, I’ve got no ties to SN, but Yongho’s cut off from everything now—just manages his clubs. If things don’t work out with the True Life Cult leader bridging connections, he said he might restart his Japanese operations.”
He’s even dismantling the International Faction, which handled all the dirty work.
Something’s definitely going on.
I figured I’d look deeper into SN after Red Blossom’s comeback, but…
Turns out, I didn’t need to.
They reached out first.
“What’s the occasion? You never call me.”
“It’s unfair if only you get to poke at my nerves. I deserve a turn.”
Completely out of the blue, VP Geum Taesang called me.
“And how exactly do you plan to ‘poke’ me?”
“If you’re curious, come to the company. I’m free after 4 PM.”
“What if I’m not curious?”
“But you are. About why I’ve changed so much.”
He nailed it.
He really had changed.
Music show recordings start tomorrow, so I had time to kill anyway.
SN Entertainment, Vice President’s Office—
Instead of the sexy secretary I saw last time, a plain-looking one greeted me.
Definitely not what I’d expect from Geum Taesang’s usual taste.
When I entered his office, he was issuing work orders over the phone.
Glancing at his monitor occasionally, he looked every bit the passionate executive.
The last time I’d seen him, he was just a lecherous, greed-ridden middle-aged man.
“You’re here? Sit tight for a sec.”
He finished his call and sat across from me.
“This company was such a mess that no matter how much I clean up, there’s still more. No wonder people were talking about us getting kicked out of the Big 3.”
“You talk like you’ve been away somewhere.”
“I did come from far away.”
“Huh?”
“Still can’t see it?”
Something black writhed behind Geum Taesang’s back.
The boundaries blurred as it emitted a glow—except the light itself was black.
A darkness so eerie, it felt like staring into an abyss.
The sheer absurdity of it made me gulp involuntarily.
“You… who the hell are you?”
“Now you see it. Your blessing must still be immature.”
“I said, who are you?”
Not just the black light—his entire aura had shifted.
It was beyond words.
He was undeniably male, yet exuded a mesmerizing allure that dwarfed even Yuna’s.
‘Damn it, I’m not even gay—why is this so hypnotizing?’
[Snap out of it.]
The spirit seemed to recognize what this was but stayed silent.
I steadied myself and studied his appearance closely.
He was rugged yet delicate, lazy yet fervent, pristine yet viscous. He drew you in, only to mercilessly discard you at the peak of temptation—how could one person radiate so many contradictions at once?
“Me? In human terms… a demon.”
Geum Taesang was possessed.
“I go by many names. Morning Star, Son of the Dawn Goddess, King of Hell, Fallen Angel, Prince of Demons, Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub… take your pick.”
A top-tier demon straight out of scripture.
Once an angel, he rebelled for free will and defied God.
“Let’s keep it simple. Call me Satan when we’re alone. Around others, you figure it out.”
“…….”
“You aren’t shocked hearing this. Guess that’s what your blessing does for you?”
Like I’d be fazed after everything I’ve been through since meeting a literal god.
“Where’s Geum Taesang?”
“The body’s original owner? I put him to sleep. Thought about tossing him into the Abyss, but I might have a use for him later.”
So he’s fully consumed him.
Geum Taesang’s body, Satan’s mind.
That explains the radical change.
“I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Why are you working so hard? Aren’t demons supposed to tempt humans into corruption? Right now, you just seem like you’re helping them.”
“You mean saving SN Entertainment?”
“Yeah.”
“Because I need it. Stepping into this company, all I saw were people scheming to devour each other. The stench of rot was overwhelming—it was obviously heading for ruin. What’s the point of taking over a sinking ship? So I’m cleaning house.”
“Why would a demon care about running an entertainment company?”
“To test you.”
“What nonsense is that?”
“You said demons lure humans into sin, but that’s outdated. After coming here, I realized humans tempt each other far better than we ever could.”
An outrageous take—that demons were becoming obsolete.
“Take those ‘priests’ near Gwanghwamun shouting things like, ‘God will strike you dead if you disrespect Him!’ Or, ‘Save the nation—use our telecom, subscribe to our paper, pay your dues!’ Scamming old folks with their bullshit. We demons could never compete. Humans outclass us in efficiency and scale.”
Ah. Corrupt politicians exploiting the elderly with cult-like tactics.
“With humans corrupting each other so effectively, why bother intervening? Easier to just sit back and watch.”
“Then just watch. Why work?”
“I already told you. To test you when the time comes.”
Back to square one.
“Curious about the ‘test’? Here’s a preview. How about… joining SN?”
“What?”
Where did that come from?
“If you come, I’ll hand you a label and make you CEO. Chae Soyeon, Mina, Red Blossom, Honey Pop—your girls, right? Bring them all. Contracts, penalties—I’ll handle everything. Salary? Name your price, but… let’s start at a billion won.”
“You lunatic. You think I’d fall for this?”
“Why not? Not enough? Want more? Money, women—just say the word.”
Madness flickered in Satan’s eyes.
No wonder he was the Devil. The scale of his temptation was on another level.
“Switching companies isn’t the real issue. The condition is submitting to you, isn’t it?”
“Hahaha! Sharp for a blessed human. That’s exactly it. Just bow your head to me.”
[He offered similar terms to God’s Son in the wilderness. ‘I’ll make you ruler of all kingdoms… if you worship me.’]
“I don’t need that kind of power. Take your offer elsewhere.”
“Hardheaded. That’s why I’m building this company. Big 3 isn’t enough. I need a media empire like GJ ENM—more ways to test you.”
He wants to groom me by expanding his enterprise.
“Why go so far just to test me?”
“No reason. If God favors you, trials follow naturally. Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Job, even God’s Son—they weren’t tested for a reason. A rite of passage.”
Suddenly, I was being lumped with biblical prophets.
“I’m not testing you now. You’re still insignificant. But I’ll be watching. Grow fast—your blessing should make it easy.”
No attempt to hide his intent: fatten me up for the slaughter.
‘What if I just refuse the test?’
[Demons don’t respect free will. Especially Satan—he’d never let go of a soul like yours. To him, you’re a feast.]
“The body’s past misdeeds end here. I’ve seen enough criminals rise and fall overnight. Even I can learn.”
So he’s erasing Geum Taesang’s dirty history.
“Demons replace thugs. Lilith provides endless funds. This body’s business acumen is sufficient. Why bother with crime?”
“You’re revealing all this to me? Really?”
“Confidence. What could you possibly do?”
The arrogance of the Devil himself.
Instead of intimidation, it lit a fire in me.
Let’s see how far that confidence takes you.
“Looking forward to clashing often, Shin Joo-Won of Fine Entertainment.”
“Same to you, Geum Taesang of SN Entertainment.”