After a long silence, Hyeon-u Bang stopped his deliberating and spoke.

"Let's do this."

He looked at Seong-ho Kim with the expression of a man who'd reached his answer after deep thought.

"There's only one match left, isn't there? I'll give you 2 billion."

Hyeon-u Bang went on as if he'd extended a great favor.

"And of course, we'll cover half the cost of the event itself. What I'm saying is — we cover half the event fees, and on top of that, in exchange for letting us in, we'll pay another 2 billion. How's that? Wouldn't that be enough?"

"No."

Seong-ho Kim declined instantly, as if there were nothing to think about.

"Two billion is an absurdly small sum."

"Excuse me?"

Hyeon-u Bang's face soured that Seong-ho Kim had refused without even pausing.

"Aren't you making light of 2 billion won?"

"That's correct. I am making light of it."

"What?"

Hyeon-u Bang was speechless with disbelief, and Seong-ho Kim explained his reason for refusing.

"Vice-Chairman. Do you really believe Ilhyeon is short on event funds and needs Mirae's help? Until now this has been an investment; from here on, we'll be collecting the fruit. And you're proposing to share in that for a mere 2 billion — I confess, I'm the one who's a bit taken aback. You know perfectly well what it's worth."

At Seong-ho Kim's words, one corner of Hyeon-u Bang's mouth twisted upward.

"I'm aware Ilhyeon has been investing. And I'm well aware you've recouped it all and then some. You've probably already made several times what you put in. What do you stand to lose by letting us slip our spoon in on top of that?"

"Vice-Chairman."

Seong-ho Kim spoke in a calm, measured voice.

"When you could earn 100 won and only earn 50, even 50 counts as a loss. That doesn't appear to be Mirae's way of thinking."

Hyeon-u Bang's face twisted.

"Are you lecturing me on business?"

"I would never presume to."

Seong-ho Kim shook his head.

"How could I lecture you on business? I was simply telling you what I think."