episode_0161

The US military base in Korea.

Literally, it’s an American military foothold established within the country.

Though I don’t know the specifics, I heard they all boast enormous scales.

Furthermore, I heard it’s a symbolic entity whose very existence isn’t simple, intertwined with political ideologies and various vested interests.

Most of my miscellaneous TMI was picked up while working.

“They planted America inside Korea.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I worked overseas in my younger days, you see. But! Those Westerners, they built America even in the middle of the desert! And they did that in Korea too, you see.”

“So?”

“Well… what I mean is, we shouldn’t import rice.”

“……”

The laborers I met on site had an astonishing amount of miscellaneous knowledge.

Of course, most of the time it was disorganized and lacked substance.

Even the conversation that just flashed through my memory couldn’t be easily dismissed.

When layered with Assemblyman Pyo’s subsequent words, it became even more so.

“There will be items the US military couldn’t retrieve or take with them.”

“…Including weapons?”

“Exactly.”

I focused on Assemblyman Pyo’s words.

It was a story I’d picked up from a site worker a long time ago.

That wherever America goes, they build America on-site.

Whether it’s their lifestyle or their rules.

They are a people who eat ice cream and play golf even in the middle of the desert.

Such Americans established a stationed unit within the country.

‘They might have guns and everything…’

The idea of raiding the US military base in Korea was absurd, but when combined with the subsequent explanation and the past stories I’d overheard, it became a matter that couldn’t be ignored.

“Our primary goal is to secure weapons, boost combat power, and establish defensive capabilities.”

Listening to Captain Lee, who was assisting Assemblyman Pyo, I nodded.

Although there was an immediate crisis of hunger, the power to defend oneself was absolutely necessary.

Moreover, in a situation like this, I felt I would do the same.

Because only with military force to back you up can you break through or fight.

In that sense, the significance of modern weaponry is quite substantial.

For trained soldiers, it goes without saying.

The practicality of being able to do one’s part just by knowing how to shoot a gun.

Even our group, after cramming in basic knowledge, immediately went out onto the streets and gained experience.

I looked at Captain Lee and Assemblyman Pyo in a new light.

I sympathized with their perspective of facing reality, not just comfortably prioritizing safety.

It was a plausible justification in its own right.

“Captain Lee and his team members present here will participate in the operation.”

“Hmm…”

“I’ll tell you more details later. For now, it’s classified.”

I gazed intently at Assemblyman Pyo, who was holding back his words.

‘He has a concept of security…’

He was certainly a person equipped with basic common sense.

I quietly admired that such a person existed even among politicians.

That aside, this is this, and payment is payment.

“If I help you carry out the operation, what will you give me?”

I asked directly and bluntly.

It was a remark that might make me seem quite like a shrewd businessman.

But as if they had anticipated it, the Konkuk University Shelter faction remained calm.

“Ten percent of the total captured supplies.”

I quietly admired.

In a different sense.

‘Are they kidding me?’

I was dumbfounded watching Assemblyman Pyo, who had been doing well, not just straying but practically drifting off track.

It was the moment his improving image plummeted again.

“You may have proposed this after careful consideration… but we cannot agree to those terms.”

CEO Choi, full of confidence, stepped forward.

But Assemblyman Pyo didn’t back down either.

As if he’d expected it, he naturally picked up the thread of the conversation.

“Is there something you desire?”

In response, CEO Choi glanced at me, and I subtly nodded.

‘Go, CEO Choi.’

CEO Choi, who responded with piercing eyes, confidently declared.

“We want fifty percent of the total acquired supplies.”

“What?!”

“Every single bottle of water, every single bullet, precisely.”

“Are you, are you serious?”

“It’s a conclusion reached after long deliberation, and I am serious.”

“That’s absurd! It’s too much!”

The opposing faction was startled, and Assemblyman Pyo jumped up from his seat.

Naturally, the reactions of those nearby were not good either.

The conversation had finally been progressing, but the atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.

The suddenly tumultuous room became chaotic.

But the three of us remained calm and relaxed.

Because we had already exchanged deep conversations.

“How about we do it this way?”

“??”

“They will likely engage in activities to acquire supplies.”

“I believe so.”

“That would include food and general necessities, wouldn’t it?”

“Hmm?”

“There’s also a possibility it could be weapons.”

“…Weapons?”

“They might be thinking of raiding a military base.”

“Uh… certainly…”

“You should demand sixty percent of the total supplies they acquire.”

“……”

“Junseong hyung-nim. It’s good, but will they agree to it? This is a bit…”

“You think it’s excessive?”

“Uh, yes. I was there too, at the time. Their side seems to be in a pretty difficult situation, so I don’t think they’ll agree easily.”

“That’s why we need to push harder.”

“……”

“This isn’t me being greedy.”

“It’s not greed?”

“Seonghan-ssi’s very involvement holds that much value. If they knew more about Seonghan-ssi, they’d agree even if you asked for seventy percent.”

“Hmm…”

“If Seonghan-ssi says he’ll do it, success will be certain. The fact that we can do what they cannot, this is an unparalleled advantage.”

“……”

“It’d be one thing if they didn’t know at all, but these are people who came looking for Seonghan-ssi because they know about him. They won’t be able to refuse easily.”

To some extent, what CEO Choi had anticipated seemed to be proving true.

Although they asked for 10% less than initially planned, saying it’s half still feels quite significant.

But compared to the value of a life, could it even compare?

I kept my eyes on the chaotic table and remained silent.

As if on cue, CEO Choi seized the opportunity on my behalf.

“Didn’t all of you take the risk and come all this way because you know about Seonghan-ssi?”

“Even so, fifty percent? That’s too much.”

Against Assemblyman Pyo, who was pleading with exasperation and frustration, CEO Choi was completely at ease.

“It seems Assemblyman Pyo and I have very different ideas.”

“……”

“I am the CEO of an entertainment company. I was, in my own way, the best in the industry.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s a reason I became the best in the industry.”

“…A reason?”

CEO Choi, adjusting his jaw, muttered with emphasis.

“When it comes to assessing a person’s value, I am the best.”

“Value…”

“I was considering more than half from the very beginning.”

“?!”

“But I proposed a compromised amount, taking into account Seonghan-ssi’s thoughts and your sincerity.”

“…That is half?”

CEO Choi nodded once, gravely.

“To recruit outstanding talent, people invest enormous funds and offer favorable terms. Assemblyman Pyo and CEO Kim present there, I believe you know this better than anyone.”

“……”

“Ten percent? That’s absurd. Don’t even dream of it.”

No one dared to utter a word to CEO Choi, who was scoffing.

The people from the Konkuk University Shelter side only let out groans, as if deep in thought.

In contrast, I admired him internally.

‘CEO Choi…’

While showing his business acumen, his assessment of me was tremendous.

I hadn’t realized he held me in such high regard.

And I was surprised that the other side was seriously contemplating it.

I had expected them to flip the table and leave, so this was unexpected.

However, they also couldn’t give an answer easily.

I don’t know how many supplies they would secure, but perhaps it felt significantly large because it was half.

Whispers rippled across the table.

The individuals from the Konkuk University Shelter whispered quietly while glancing at me.

The whispering continued, but no conclusion was reached.

Having remained silent until now, I decided to step forward.

Before that, I subtly glanced at CEO Choi.

‘CEO Choi.’

‘My part is done. Do as you wish.’

They exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

I immediately turned my gaze.

“Assemblyman Pyo.”

“…Speak.”

“Who will be deployed for the operation, and how many?”

In place of Assemblyman Pyo, who seemed perplexed by the sudden question, Captain Lee stepped forward.

“Including myself, five team members will be deployed.”

“…Five people?”

“It’s all the remaining personnel. Though the number is small, they are talents who will do more than their share.”

To deploy only five people for the operation was absurd.

…For now, I didn’t show it.

After hearing Captain Lee’s words, mixed with pride, I spoke to Assemblyman Pyo.

“The number of personnel seems insufficient?”

“Hmm.”

“The lives of the soldiers deployed in the operation, what are they worth?”

Suddenly, Captain Lee’s expression turned grim.

Assemblyman Pyo’s expression also hardened, making it quite unpleasant to see.

“…A human life…!”

“May I interpret that reaction as: ‘It cannot be compared to anything else’?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

I met Assemblyman Pyo’s displeased gaze head-on.

“No one will die.”

“…Excuse me?”

“What I mean is, unless they foolishly act out, no one will die or have reason to grieve.”

“What is that…”

“Assemblyman Pyo. And Captain Lee.”

I paused for a moment and cleared my throat.

“Didn’t the two of you come to pick me up because you know about me?”

“…That’s right.”

“Then I will show you. I don’t know if I can acquire the items you want or not. However, no one will die. That is all I can promise.”

“…Huh…”

“Oh, but they might get hurt?”

Leaving Assemblyman Pyo dumbfounded, I continued.

“Dr. Jang Heeyeon and the market representatives, you all know well what I am capable of.”

Immediately, gazes turned to the two of them.

I slowly rose from my seat.

“I’ll be outside smoking. Please think it over thoroughly and make your decision.”

I vacated the seats to make it easier for them to deliberate.

Hyung and CEO Choi also quietly headed outside with me.

Assemblyman Pyo and his party couldn’t stop us from heading outside.

We took out cigarettes and lit them a little distance from the supermarket.

“Wow… Junseong hyung-nim. Did you see those people? Their eyes were like…”

“Of course, in a place where profits are changing hands. You won’t do. If you can’t control your expression like that… don’t even think about doing business; just keep working with me.”

“No, why does the conversation turn that way?”

“You act all smart, but you’re too soft. You won’t do.”

At CEO Choi’s frank assessment, I burst out laughing.

Indeed, Hyung was thoughtful and calm, but surprisingly he had many soft spots.

To be precise, should I say he was weak to sentiment?

Even considering these points, he remained a reliable person to lean on.

And CEO Choi was the same.

He didn’t say much, but the atmosphere he exuded, which overwhelmed others, was good.

Even with the same thoughts and words, there was something about him that made it difficult to dismiss easily.

I admired his speaking skills, which instantly shut down ridiculous conditions.

It was a completely different method from mine, which involved pressing down with force and instilling fear.

CEO Choi certainly seemed to be a person suited for business.

It was the moment my evaluation of CEO Choi skyrocketed internally.

“They say to come inside.”

A soldier approached and called us in.

We stubbed out our cigarettes and followed him inside the meeting room, where the atmosphere was heavy.

The expressions of the people from the Konkuk University Shelter side also seemed full of dissatisfaction.

Even as we took our seats, they couldn’t compose their expressions.

Seeing that right in front of me, I had no particular thoughts.

Whether they refused or not, it didn’t matter.

Because I had heard good things, I could let it go amicably.

‘A US military base…’

For me, who had only ever thought of perhaps going to a military base or police station at best, it was a pretty good hint.

If they refuse, it wouldn’t be bad to go and raid it alone—

“We will agree to the terms.”

“……”

They accepted it.

“I won’t insist on unconditional agreement. Instead, please promise to do your best.”

Assemblyman Pyo, who had accepted the ridiculous terms, stared intently at me with an incomparably serious gaze.

I responded to his intense gaze with a nod.

What Assemblyman Pyo was saying seemed to imply not only supplies but also people.

Captain Lee seemed to be a man who received more profound trust than I had thought.

I haven’t been able to keep all my promises in life.

But I tend to make an effort to keep them.

This time was no different.

There’s no need to overthink it; I just need to be faithful to my task.

And the role they desire, I can sufficiently fulfill.

‘I’ll do my best.’

I quietly steeled my resolve and observed the people across the table.

Except for Assemblyman Pyo, everyone else couldn’t control their expressions.

They looked fierce, wronged, frustrated, displeased, dissatisfied…

A variety of gazes glaring at me.

Even as CEO Choi and Assemblyman Pyo continued their discussion, making detailed adjustments, those gazes didn’t change.

‘…….’

I began to wonder how long those gazes would last.