Chapter 571: Mikhail (3)
“Ah.”
“Of course, I’m not saying that this isn’t right. Making a good deal could mean that I’m in a higher position than others. But I think we are ignoring the foundation too much. The pawn is the foundation and center. It looks insignificant and almost as if you can just throw it away, but it also serves as a focal point, as you can see. Maybe if you pay about 20 percent more attention, you’ll be able to play much easier than you are playing right now.”
“That is some helpful advice. For sure… Yes, I understand what the problem is. It was the Queen who ended the game, but by the middle… Yes, that’s too bad. Then… how about it? Do you want to play one more time? Ah, is it getting too late?”
“I think I’ll stay up all night if I play a few more times… I also want to spend more time with the chairman, but as you know, I can’t be away for long because of internal problems…”
‘Ah, this bastard is running away after beating me.’
I wanted to scream harshly, ‘You can’t get out of here until I win!’ However, considering that we both had work to do tomorrow, it was right to close the game there.
Even one round took a very long time, so if we played a few more times as he said, we’d be up all night. I was behind in my work, and Mikhail also had a lot of problems to solve…
‘Yeah, let’s fold.’
“I’ll invite you again when the internal problems in your area have been resolved, Mr. Mikhail.”
“Yes, I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Please say hello to your workers… Please invite your wife as well next time, haha.”
“Yes, thank… you. I will do that.”
“I won’t see you off separately, but get home safely. And I also prepared a gift for you.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
“Please accept it. It comes from my heart. Of course, I know you’re not used to things like this, but please think of my effort…”
“Thank you… I’ll take it.”
“Yes, it’s been a while since I had a good time. I look forward to hearing goods news from you.”
“I hope to deliver some soon. Then, goodbye…”
“Oh, and we prepared your transportation so that you can go back comfortably.”
“… Thank you.”
Perhaps, the gift was too much of a pressure for him. As he left, he looked slightly anxious. Except for a few things, it was a more enjoyable time than I expected.
Above all…
“Chess was fun.’
He was as exactly as I had thought. He also seemed willing to solve the problem, so how could I be in a bad mood? While I was fiddling with the chessboard, Cho Hyejin called me.
‘It’s been a while.’
I answered the call right away. She appeared in front of me. I hadn’t seen her face in a long time.
Her hair was tied up as usual, and she gave off a sharp and neat appearance.
Of course, she looked a bit more fatigued than usual, but I was curious about why she suddenly called.
I wondered if she had a message from Kim Hyunsung.
“Let’s keep in touch more often. Not only when you have to send me reports.”
-It’s because I’m so busy, Vice Guild Master.
“So… What’s going on? Did Hyunsung…?”
-No, Guild Master just wanted to greet you. Also, there’s something I’d like to report to you regarding leading the joint troops. Actually, it’s a simple report that doesn’t need to be on the phone… Um… Were you just playing chess?”
“Yes, since it’s been a while since I had a visitor.”
-You lost horribly.
“How did you know I lost?”
-Well, considering your skills, it’s no wonder you lost. I can roughly see how you lost. You tried to shake up your opponent, but they didn’t take the bait.”
“Miss Hyejin, you don’t deserve to say that.”
-What?
“It’s because you are basing your knowledge on the last chess game we played together. I didn’t know anything, so I lost completely.”
-248 wins and 246 losses. If I’m to be honest…
“Man, why do you remember stuff like that? You should just remember the most recent rounds. I wonder who was the one that lost three rounds in a row and became disheartened?”
-Then I wonder who the one that ran away after winning a few rounds at the end was? I guess you don’t remember that part.
“It was because I didn’t want to continue playing with someone who was too low-level. I didn’t run away. I was giving you the chance to improve your skills a little bit more and come back. Isn’t it natural to not want to play with a beginner? Pffff… Pffhhhhhhhh.”
-…
“Pfffhhhhhhh.”
-This… This b…
“Hahahahaha. Our cute Hyejin, have you been improving your skills lately?”
-S-Stop laughing like that. It makes me want to punch you.
“If you are going to punch me, you should do it with chess, not violence. That’s why your skills don’t improve. How can a person who uses her fists first rather than her words have a chance to beat me?”
-Let’s play again. Okay, it’s on. What kind of person goes on like this for something that happened one year ago…?
“Hahhahhahhah… PFfffff.”
-I’ll play with you during this lead. Wait and see.
“Hmph, I don’t play with beginners.”
-This b…bastard…you sh*tty bastard, you are so dead…
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
-Wait and see this sh*t… You’ll see. I’ll step on you so hard, you won’t be able to say a word.
“Okay, beginner. Thank you, next.”
-*Slam*
I wanted to forget my pain of losing to Mikhail through Cho Hyejin, and yet she hung up the phone for her own mental health.
‘Wait, didn’t she have something to report?’
However, I wasn’t too worried because I was sure that that information would come through Lee Jihye. Sure enough, I heard someone knocking on the door.