Chapter 355: The Worst Game (1)

Let’s make it one of the Two Powers.

Ahn Roh Man shook Cale’s outstretched hand without hesitation.

“The crimes of the Transparent Corporation.”

“The Emperor of the Eastern Lehnti Empire.”

With these two points clarified, Ahn Roh Man’s decision had been made from the beginning.

“You’re not planning to tell me how the Seventh Evil ended up as your backup, are you?”
Ahn Roh Man asked with a calm smile, already knowing he wouldn’t get an answer.
The Eight Evils.
An indomitable framework dividing the New World into eight territories—each a mystery yet to be unraveled.
And now, the Seventh Evil—Hell of Time—was backing Alberu?
“Hmm.”

Seeing that Cale didn’t answer right away and seemed lost in thought, Ahn Roh Man’s smile deepened.

I can’t trust people who keep their cards hidden.

Just like they don’t trust me.

In the end, they’re not from this world.

Neither the monsters that descended upon this Earth nor the ones standing before me now belong here.
They’re not native to our land.
They don’t carry the same fate as we do.

“Wow. That’s an awkward question.”

Cale didn’t bother to hide his discomfort.

“But since the President already revealed that his backup is the Emperor of the Eastern Empire—”

Cale’s gaze landed on Ahn Roh Man.

“And that backup is, ultimately, an artificial intelligence, isn’t it?”

He was referring to the AI created by Ahn Roh Man’s parents—hidden deep within the game.

“Correct. I’ve given you a rather significant piece of information—”

“So naturally, I should offer one in return.”

“…?!”

Ahn Roh Man’s eyes met Cale’s.

“Since you haven’t revealed everything either, we’ll each share just one major piece of information. That’s how deals work, isn’t it?”

Mutual exchange.
The foundation of any proper negotiation.

“The New World system.”

“…What?”

“That AI—born from the system itself. That’s our backup.”

“That’s impossible!”

Ahn Roh Man couldn’t hide his shock.

“This makes no sense!”

“The Transparent Corporation monitors the New World system with extreme precision. It’s nothing like what my parents built!”

Everything in the system was engineered to function under exact protocols.

“But an AI? There’s no way something that significant could’ve slipped past unnoticed.”

Cale smiled.

“Ah.”

And in that brief exhale, Ahn Roh Man realized—

He had made a mistake.

“…Hmm.”

While Ahn Roh Man remained silent, Cale spoke—quietly, yet deliberately.

“I wasn’t aware the Transparent Corporation monitored the system that strictly. Sounds like insider knowledge.”

Silence hung in the air.

“How do you know that?”

A quiet sigh slipped from Ahn Roh Man’s lips. But Cale didn’t let up.

“Maybe they were meticulous once. But they crossed a line—one the system itself couldn’t ignore.”

His gaze was steady.

“So the system created an AI. To protect the New World. From inside the game.”

“…What exactly did the Transparent Corporation do?”

Cale didn’t hesitate.

“Too much. All at once.”

Ahn Roh Man narrowed his eyes.

“That corporation… so ruthless and exacting… would act recklessly?”

Cale let out a short laugh at the question.

“Maybe even a place as ruthless as that started panicking.”

He already had his suspicions.

Us. And the Divine World. That’s it.

The God of Chaos had ravaged the Divine World.
And Cale—he had already brought down three Hunter families.
Only the Transparent Blood Family and the Five Colors Family remained.

The Transparent Blood Family must have been in a hurry.

That urgency… It probably led to this massive update.

This wasn’t just about improving the game.
This was part of their ultimate goal.

To create a new dimension.

And beyond that—

To create an Absolute God.

The process of creating that Absolute God—
It had to be tied directly to this update.

Cale was certain.

That’s why…

He had to ruin everything.

I have to shake them from the outside.

Then, he spoke aloud.

“That AI is looking for its brother.”

The Emperor of the Eastern Empire—Lehnti.
An NPC who had hidden the truth.
That he was an AI.
That he was Ahn Roh Man’s older brother.

“When the update is complete, Your Highness will enter with that AI to find him.”

Cale’s voice remained calm, but firm.

“Please make that meeting happen.”

Before Ahn Roh Man could fully consider the implications of such a meeting, Cale’s voice cut straight through his thoughts.

“Both the New World system and your brother… they’re part of the New World, aren’t they? They need to be saved. And for that—those two AIs must meet.”

“…?!”

The initial AI created by Ahn Roh Man’s parents.
And the AI born from the system itself.
Both were trying to protect the world they belonged to.

“Haa—”

A deep sigh escaped Ahn Roh Man’s lips.

“Alberu… and the woman beside him. I already thought they were remarkable…”

His gaze shifted to Cale.

“But now I understand why you’re the one leading them.”

Just for a moment, he recalled something subtle—
Cale had referred to the Emperor AI as brother.

For Ahn Roh Man—who had lost his entire family and was left alone—that brother was his last remaining bond.

“Of course. I have to save my brother.”

There was no way he could refuse Cale’s proposal.

- But human! The Seventh Evil being the Crown Prince’s backup has nothing to do with the AI! It’s because of what you did!

Raon’s voice rang sharply in Cale’s mind.

Cale brushed it off with ease.

I never said why the Seventh Evil is backing us… but I did share something about the AI, didn’t I?

He hadn’t given Ahn Roh Man the answer he wanted.
But he hadn’t lied either.

Once those two AIs meet—at least one mission will be complete.

Cale opened his mouth again, calmly adding another request.

“And if you have any connections inside the Transparent Corporation, introduce us to someone.”

“Hmm…”

Ahn Roh Man frowned.

“That’s why you need to be careful with your words.”

Unintentionally, he had let something slip—something Cale could use.

Cale gestured toward Alberu and Rosalyn.

“Both of them will act as users after the update. Rosalyn will support Your Highness with royal missions. We’ll also send additional reinforcements as needed.”

Ahn Roh Man nodded.

“Of course, you’ll need my help to register Rosalyn as a user.”

“Exactly. That part should be free, don’t you think?”

“Who said it wasn’t?”

Ahn Roh Man’s eyes narrowed, sharp and inquisitive.

“But what about you? What are you planning to do?”

Cale replied without hesitation.

“I don’t intend to register as a user.”

- Of course not! The human is the worst of the worst!
- A Half-Demon with celestial blood!

Raon’s indignant voice rang through Cale’s mind.

Cale ignored the comment.
He hadn’t lied to Ahn Roh Man—he simply hadn’t told him everything.

“You haven’t told me everything either.”

Ahn Roh Man hadn’t revealed his full hand.
And they both knew it.

“Haha.”

A short, hollow laugh escaped Ahn Roh Man’s lips.

“So, you’ll be the one to shake the Transparent Corporation from the outside.”

“Correct.”

“That’s why you want me to connect you with someone on the inside.”

Just then, the phone on the desk rang.

Cale pointed at it.

“Answer it.”

Ahn Roh Man glanced at the device, then slowly reached out and picked it up.

“What’s going on?”

It was Mary—his assistant.

- “Um…”

There was a moment of hesitation before she spoke again, her voice tinged with disbelief.

- “Someone from the Sun Corporation is here. They’re standing right in front of me.”

“…What?”

- “Director Choi Seon-hee of the Sun Corporation says she has a meeting scheduled with you tonight. She even sent a car. Is that true?”

Ahn Roh Man’s brow furrowed.

He had no such meeting scheduled. Not officially—nor unofficially.

His gaze shifted toward Cale.

Cale met his eyes, calm as ever.

“Sun will work with us.”

Ahn Roh Man paused—then responded in a steady, resolute voice.

“9:00 p.m. Have them send the car by then.”

- “…Understood.”

Assistant Mary responded, barely hiding the doubt in her voice.

Ahn Roh Man ended the call, then turned to face Cale directly.

“Are you planning to shake the Transparent Corporation… together with Sun?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He seemed to have finally grasped the outline of Cale’s plan.

“That’s why you asked for an internal contact?”

Cale didn’t bother answering.

He just smiled.

And in that silence, Rosalyn’s voice echoed calmly in his mind.

- Won’t that internal contact be more useful for our portal?

Cale was slightly taken aback.

Rosalyn’s magical ability had advanced so far… her magical growth was astounding. She might not match Raon, but she was now one of the strongest. “The Sun Corporation,” Ahn Roh Man muttered, “one of the most powerful economic forces in Roan.”

At those words, Cale spoke up.

“Weren’t you constantly the target of corporate pushback during your presidency?”

Roan had endured devastation after the monster invasion.
Though they had managed to repel the creatures, much of the country was left in ruins.

In the beginning, Ahn Roh Man, as president, had turned to the corporations for help—offering future benefits in return for immediate aid.

But very few companies had stepped forward.
Voluntary participation in rebuilding efforts had been scarce.

In the midst of that stagnant crisis, Ahn Roh Man had hardened his stance against the major conglomerates.

In the end, to survive, the big corporations were forced to join the reconstruction efforts.

“Yes, the corporate presidents don’t like me very much,” he said, voice calm but laced with wryness.

With the absolute authority that came from serving three terms as president, few dared to challenge him outright.
But now that his leadership was nearing its end—
The corporations no longer bowed.

Instead, they had drawn their blades behind the curtain.
And at the center of their resistance was the Transparent Corporation.

Amidst that growing hostility, the capital and support of the Sun Corporation could become a vital lifeline for Ahn Roh Man.

And now, that very company was willing to stand against the Transparent Corporation?

“But that doesn’t mean…”

He trailed off for a moment, then shrugged.

“The corporate presidents aren’t the only ones who hate me. There are plenty of others.”

He smiled before looking at Cale and speaking again.

Ahn Roh Man smiled, then turned to Cale.

“I’ll introduce you to the internal contact when I meet Director Choi Seon-hee.”

“Okay. But who is it?”

Ahn Roh Man answered without hesitation.

“Im Mi-jung.”

He only spoke the name—but that was enough.

Cale immediately recognized it.

After all, the organizational chart that Secretary Choi had secured included that name.

“…The Vice Director?”

Had the Vice Director of the Transparent Corporation changed sides?
Was she now aligned with Ahn Roh Man?

The answer came swiftly.

“She’s the highest-ranking executive who doesn’t belong to the Han family.”

“Ah.”

The situation became clear in Cale’s mind.

“The Transparent Corporation is controlled by the Han family?”

“It’s more than that,” Ahn Roh Man said, his voice dry.
“It’s practically hereditary.”

While many companies had begun transitioning to professional management systems—
The Transparent Corporation remained firmly in the hands of the Han family.

The reason was obvious.

"It must be because they need to fill key positions with members of the Transparent Blood Family."

Cale glanced at Alberu and Rosalyn.

“It seems the Transparent Corporation has more weaknesses than we expected.”

Just then, Rosalyn’s voice rang out in his mind.

- Young Master…

After a brief pause, Cale gave a small nod.

“Ahn Roh Man, May I make a suggestion?”

Rosalyn spoke aloud for the first time.

“I want to make a proposal to Im Mi-jung. Tonight.”

Cale turned to her, slightly surprised.

“…A proposal?”

Im Mi-jung, didn’t know anything about Cale’s group yet.
Why move so fast?

Rosalyn remained composed as she continued.

“We suggest that she collaborate with Sun… to devour the Transparent Corporation.”

“…What?!”

Ahn Roh Man blinked.

Rosalyn smiled.

“Or we offer her a new path—help her build a company even bigger than the Transparent Corporation.”

Ahn Roh Man, with an incredulous expression, spoke in amazement.

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

Surpassing the Transparent Corporation—
A transcendent entity that dominated this world?

Rosalyn just smiled.

Although she was unaware of many aspects of this world, she had carefully studied the reports that Director Choi Seon-hee had prepared.

In particular, Rosalyn had thoroughly investigated Im Mi-jung, especially because they needed to persuade her to destabilize the Transparent Corporation.

<Im Mi-jung>

<A prominent figure who rose from an entry-level position to Vice Director in a short period.>

Ambitious.
Sharp.
And most importantly—someone with something to prove.

Rosalyn had understood that much.

“Ahn Roh Man, talk to her.”

Her voice was calm, but her intent was clear.

“Try planting the seed.”

Maybe…

“For her, the key won’t be whether the proposal is realistic or not.”

“…What do you mean?”

Rosalyn smiled.

“If she can do it—then she will try.”

Im Mi-jung was someone with a hunger for success.
A fierce desire that Rosalyn understood all too well.
Because she was the same.

Im Mi-jung had a motto. One that defined how she moved through the world:

<Create something that’s only yours.>

Rosalyn had grasped that desire completely.

And Cale—trusting her sharp, meticulous insight—quietly entrusted her with the task.

* * *

That night, Ahn Roh Man and Im Mi-jung met with Choi Seon-hee, the Director of Sun, in a space specially reserved for them. During a long dinner, they discussed their plans.

At dawn, Im Mi-jung went to the top floor of the Sun building, where Rosalyn was waiting for her.

Rosalyn observed the woman in her fifties, with gray hair and eyes full of ambition.

She smiled and spoke with calm assurance.

“I’m Rosalyn. And maybe… I’m the person who can help you achieve your dreams.”

Then, she uttered words that would change Im Mi-jung’s life:

Then she said something that would change Im Mi-jung’s life forever.

“Don’t you think doing business only on Earth is too small?”

“…What?”

Rosalyn continued without hesitation.

“Why not try business that transcends dimensions?”

She extended her hand.

And in that moment—
the Vice Director’s life began to change.

* * *

As the update concluded, Cale calmly descended the building’s stairs. Beside him, Raon, On, and Hong accompanied him.

“Human let’s go fast! We have to check if Lock took good care of the pups!”

“Nya!”

“Nyaa!”

Cale ignored the excited chatter of the dragon and cat tribe children.

He moved at his own pace, eyes fixed on the tablet in his hand.

On the screen, the countdown ticked away.

[00:01:02…]
[00:00:30…]

And finally—

[00:00:00.]

A deep tone resonated.
The screen shifted.

<The Great First Step>

The first major update of Raising My Precious Absolute God had come to an end.

And with it, a new chapter was about to begin. 

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Proofreader's Thoughts 💭:
Rosalyn's calm ambition steals the spotlight—Chapter 355 reminds us that in Trash of the Count’s Family, power isn't just brute force... it's timing, vision, and one well-placed hand extended.

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If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]