Chungsung: I have brought you your beverage, bocchama.
Dongha: Ah.
[sfx: Drink being set down]
Dongha: This aroma... is this lapsang souchong?
Chunsgung: Yes, sir. Seeing as you partook of Chinese food earlier this evening, I chose a tea that would pair well with it.
Dongha: Hm. ... I don't hate it.
Chungsung: Thank you very much for your time.
Dongha: Nevertheless, I find it difficult to believe that I am being asked something so utterly ridiculous as forming a team to fight alongside others. What a foolish thing to suggest.
Chungsung: By being cognizant of connections formed between others, the entire scene will be made better, and the individuals themselves will be able to take strides forward... it sounds like an excellent idea, but...
Dongha: What sort of ridiculous nonsense is 'comraderie'? It's a mindset that only the weak subscribe to. We are each to forge our own destinies, especially when it comes to matters of winning and losing. It would be the utmost in folly to leave such matters up to the performance of others.
Chungsung: So do you decline to participate?
[sfx: cup being set down]
Dongha: Hmph! What a stupid question.
Chungsung: How do you mean?
Dongha: I've decided that we will be participating. If they are going to be putting on this affair, then I am not going to be left behind.
Chungsung: Bocchama.
Dongha: ... oi! What's with that expression!?
Chungsung: What, sir?
Dongha: You looked like you're tearing up! I'm not falling for some churlish provocation!
Chungsung: I am aware of this, and would never be so foolish as to think otherwise.
[sfx: Dongha rising, THWACK, Chungsung gasping]
Dongha: I do not care who you are, nobody is allowed to laugh at me. Have you forgotten, Chungsung?
Chungsung: No, sir. ... but, if my face displeases you, you are welcome to strike it repeatedly with that cane until its shape is more appealing...!
[sfx: Dongha sitting back down in a huff]
Dongha: Getting back to the topic at hand.
Chungsung: ... ... yes, sir.
Dongha: I refrained from saying as such in that moment, but I do intend to use this event for my own personal gain. If it turns out to be a spectacular affair after all, then it will attract even more attention to me than ever before. Do you not agree that this is a rare business opportunity?
Chungsung: When you say "opportunity", am I to assume you refer to the enterprise in question?
Dongha: Indeed. Alter Trigger was dismantled two tournaments ago, and the Yeon conglomerate's reputation has suffered for being implicated in the funding of clandestine experimentions.
Chungsung: Yes. It is a great fortune that those who provided funding were not formally charged with any crime.
Dongha: Hmph. Of course not.
Chungsung: Oh?
Dongha: What would happen if the heads of major conglomerates who support entire countries could not manage PR crises so deftly? The business world is one where the weak get devoured. If you show weakness, you will be devoured on a moment's notice.
Chungsung: Bocchama...
Dongha: Why are you making that face.
Chungsung: No, it's nothing.
Dongha: Listen well to me, Baek Chungsung. I was born to inherit the Yeon conglomerate. I lnog ago abandoned the naiive idea of "justice".
Chungsung: Yes, sir.
Dongha: "Comrades"? "Teamwork"? Anyone who talks about such things is clearly not so superior at all.
Chungsung: Yes, sir.
Dongha: Will you follow me, Chungsung?
Chungsung: Yes, sir. I will be at your side even to the depths of hell.
Dongha: At any rate. Regarding the Alter Trigger incident; it is true that the Yeon conglomerate's reputation suffered significant damage as a result thereof. That is exactly why I, as the succesor to to the Yeon conglomerate, need to take action. The only way to redeem a reputation tarnished by research into that metal is to continue researching that very same metal.
Chungsung: Yes. When you suggested this to the master, even I was quite surprised.
Dongha: The Yeon conglomerate will be launching a new research institute. It will be focusing on treating patients who have lost consciousness or sensation due to the effects of phantometal erosion. Eventually, we will develop world-first technology to minimize or event prevent the side effects of metal use altogether. We will aim to produce an anti-metal system.
Chungsung: A brilliant strategy to turn adversity into an advantage and turn the tide of public opinion. Splendidly done indeed, sir.
Dongha: And then the one to perform a phantom live, and be a subject of the metal, will be none other than myself. By accepting the burden of this risk, I will show everyone my determination and resolve, both at home and abroad.
Chungsung: Even so... [laughs] It is quite the deft plan, Bocchama.
Dongha: What do you mean by that.
Chungsung: To propose a strategy to restore the conglomerate's image and to continue music performance in Japan strictly as a business move. Is that not a strategy to prevent the master from saying "no"?
Dongha: ...
Chungsung: Would he not would have denied his approval, had you told him that you wished to pursue music for its own sake? A truly masterful gambit.
Dongha: I am serious about my intent to establish a foundation. Continuing to use phantometal without regard for trap reactions is a recipe only for ruin. This is not a problem only for other people; this is a problem that affects me as well. ... [sigh] Regardless. It is entirely for my own sake that I am choosing to participate in this event. With the announcement of my participation in this tournament, I will be representing the Yeon conglomerate and launching our new research institute.
Chungsung: Understood.
Dongha: [laughs] I'm sure it will be very interesting. If the Yeon conglomerate makes this move, then even people who have never paid any mind to live music will turn their heads and pay attention.
Chungsung: If the effects of phantometal can be mitigated, then the music industry... no, I dare say the technology can be easily transposed to other fields as well; and I daresay the profits generated will be astronomical.
Dongha: Yes. But... I will give none of it to the mutts who st and against me. All proceeds will go directly to the Yeon conglomerate, and I will keep it to myself.
Chungsung: Ah... what greed, Bocchama. Could it be that you are descending into hell?
Dongha: And of course, Baek Chungsung, you will be there, by my side, in hell, will you not?
Chungsung: A question that need not be asked, Dongha-sama. ... your tea has gone cold, hasn't it? Allow me to take it away and clean up.
Dongha: Yes. And while you're at it, inform them of my participation.
Chungsung: Of course, sir.
[sfx: Footsteps, door opening and closing, footsteps]

Chungsung: A team competition... [chuckles] I don't know who in BAE came up with the idea, but perhaps I may be so bold as to understand this is a challenge being issued to bocchama, Hajun-sama? Working in cooperation with others, going towards the same goal, rejoicing in the victories of your allies-- things that Dongha-sama has yet to experience on his path. I am certain that this will be a great help for when bocchama becomes the head of the Yeon conglomerate in the future. ... do not worry. I am certain that Dongha-sama will overcome this trial with great success and grow even more. After all, he has me, Baek Chungsung, by his side.