Rich & Wicked

Act 3 : Episode 4 - The Numbers Part 1

[SHIN JIN POV]

“Time to select our fighters! Roll the roulette!”, I ordered.

“Initiating random selection!”, Min Min respond.

The screen opens up and random faces keep rolling like a casino slot machine, I wonder who’s gonna be number 1. I hope it’s someone challenging to take on, the excitement is running through my veins, my heart is beating fast like a running horse. This is one of my favorites in a game, selecting your character!

“Stop!”, the rolling slowly stops and the first puppet has been revealed.

[Name : Jo Ha Na]

[Age : 24]

[Current Status : Music Artist]

[Reading profile . . . please wait], an automated voice said.

[Jo Ha Na, is a singer / songwriter and a solo artist who gained popularity through a viral video of her singing back in 2014 when she was a high school student. She dropped college after signing a contract with an entertainment company called Universe Studio. Her reputation is incredibly high as her albums get sold out after the first day of release.]

“Nice catch! Number 1 is perfect to play with! This might be a lucky day! I hope the next one is also incredible like her!”, I said.

[Background: She was raised in an orphanage called Hope For All. A facility that takes care of orphans. She was sent to an orphanage as an infant after discovering her inside a cartoon box that was left in a children’s playground. She was adopted by the Jo Family and registered her name to Jo Na Ra. She left the Jo Family and suspicion of abuse in the year 2012. She worked at a convenience store as a part-timer when she was 16 and continued to study. Her viral video started when a customer filmed her when she was singing at the register. The video went viral and cause her popularity, mostly in her age. She was recruited by various entertainment agencies but she declined to finished her studies. After graduating high school, she pursued her singing career and became a pop music sensation. She eventually changed her name Jo Ha Na and titled her stage name as Ha Na]

“That is so sad, this is so inspirational, life was so harsh on her. She was alone fighting back her peers. I think I am going to cry”, I sob as I covered my eyes with my right hand, “I wonder how it feels like when she goes back miserable again after her success, that will be more sad right?”, I grinned. “Hah hah hah! That will exciting! A perfect puppet to play with!”, I yelled with excitement. “Select her!”, I order.

“Registering”, Min Min responded.

This girl will be an interesting character in my game, I can’t wait to face her!

“Jo Ha Na has been registered as Puppet # 1, The Swan Puppet has been selected!”, Min Min confirmed.

[ Puppet # 1 - Jo Ha Na, The Swan Puppet ]

[ Registration Complete ]

“OCHA! Roll the next one!”, I ordered.

“Initiating random selection!”, Min Min responded.

“I hope Number # 2 is great as Number # 1”, I said to Chan.

“I hope so, it’s a random selection, so you really can’t change the one who was selected by the system even if the puppet is great or not. You have to stick to the game’s principle Jin”, Chan is being annoying again.

“Yeah, yeah I know, I know, I follow rules strictly okay? No need to remind me, I play fair”, I said to him frowning.

“Look at you being sensitive”, he chuckled

“Stop!” I ordered.

The face of Number 2 has been uncovered. The ladies began chit-chatting and talking about his good looks and the room was full of murmurs. Well, I didn’t care, it’s natural for ladies to fantasize about men who fit their taste.

“Profile please”, I ordered.

No one responded, even Min Min couldn’t resist the appeal of the guy, her juniors snapped her back, “Oh I am very sorry, Master Shin, please forgive me!”, she stood up and bowed her head down.

“It’s fine just show his profile”, I said. See? I am a good person, I am a considerate person.

“Showing profile”, Min Min hurriedly encrypts his data onto the screen.

[Name: Kang Jun]

[Age: 26]

[Current Status : Professional Gamer]

[Reading Profile . . .  please wait]

[Kang Jun also known as KJ, is a professional gamer in international leagues. He is known for his fast intuitions and critical thinking. He is ranked Number 1 in the major league as the best player of the year since 2018. He participated in a variety show before called Mystery Room, he gained more popularity after solving 7 mystery rooms in 5 minutes’ time. He was considered a born genius by the nation afterward]

“Another jackpot! This one is also amazing! Plus he is a gamer which makes it better! A genius like me too but not as smart as me, I am far way better than him right?”, I look at Chan and waited for his answer.

“Okay then”, he gave an unacceptable short answer so I decided to stomp his feet with a cane again.

“Ow! Stop doing that! You are way better alright? Happy now?”, he said as he was hopping in pain using his one foot.

“Yes”, I gave a short response too, his face was shouting that he was upset.

[Background: Kang Jun was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1994. He is the son of Kang Ji Sang, the chairman of KLoir Group. They went back to the year 2007 after her mother died of cancer in 2006. She has a sister named Kang Je ni who studies at Harvard University. The siblings are known for being outstanding in terms of academic performance. Kang Jun graduated from High school and didn’t go to college, he cut ties with his father due to some reason. He stayed at a cafe where he began to show off his gaming skills, he was discovered by the recruiter of Team Exodus and invites to the team. He accepted the condition for free food and a room to stay. In his first year as a professional gamer, his team won the championship in the 2018  Major League, and was awarded as MVP and rookie of the year. As of now, he continues to dominate the gaming industry]

“Wow, an amazing person indeed. The generation today is really incredible, right? Geniuses are born in this era, and it’s great to use them as my entertainment, thanks to the almighty for bringing geniuses to this world, I can now have endless fun with them”, I sarcastically prayed.

“Select him!”, I ordered.

“Registering”, Min Min responded.

“Kang Jun has been registered as Puppet # 2, The Eagle Puppet has been selected”, Min Min confirmed.

[Puppet # 2 - Kang Jun, The Eagle Puppet ]

[Registration Complete]

Oh yeah, two awesome catches, I have the skills of a great fisherman, “Next!”, I yelled.

“Initiating Random Selection!”, Min Min responded.

“One and Two are already amazing candidates,  I can’t wait to see if the other numbers are better than them!”, I said.

“I hope so”, Chan replied.

“Stop”, I yelled as I stomped my cane on the floor.

The rolling is slowly revealing the next puppet, who could it be? Please be a good one!

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[End of Act 3 : Episode 4 - The Numbers Part 1]

[Next Episode - The Numbers Part 2]