episode_0253

The Old Man incessantly slapped the armrest of his wheelchair, as if his palms felt no pain, his expression clearly stating he was dying of amusement.

“……”

Seeing him grin mockingly, I wanted to shatter him, wheelchair and all.

“Your gaze is impertinent.”

“Enough, Old Man. We’re busy, I tell you.”

“…Tsk.”

The Old Man might enjoy dispelling his loneliness, but I didn’t. If I came home late, I might be troubled by the two women again. Hadn’t Grandmother told me not to make women cry?

Regardless, the Old Man merely smacked his lips.

“Such a rigid fellow.”

“Old Man. Get a clue.”

“Oh, it’s been a while since I lived without a care for others, you see.”

This senile old man with a silver spoon, seriously…

“How about I… revive your ‘dead sense’?”

“Begone. An old man who doesn’t have much life left won’t even be able to pick up his bones.”

“……”

When I clamped my mouth shut, he finally pretended to listen.

“Alright, alright! I get it!”

*Damn Old Man.*

But the Old Man, though silent, didn’t leave. After absentmindedly touching his mouth for a moment, the Old Man subtly spoke.

“It seems our conversation was interrupted because of me… Let’s resume. Why are you probing about Taesong?”

A serious voice and deep eyes. The old man in front of me, stripped of his playfulness, transformed from the Old Man into Chairman Kim. Chairman Kim, demanding my answer, maintained composure and leisure. Though he was sunken into his wheelchair, he exuded the demeanor of the head of an organization.

I calmly gave Chairman Kim my reason.

“It’s personal.”

“……”

“No, really.”

Chairman Kim’s expression remained unchanged, but he didn’t seem to believe me.

“What extent do you desire?”

“The latest information is best. I don’t need much. Just knowing their location is enough.”

“…Is that all you need?”

“If possible, please find one person for me, for sure.”

“Who is that?”

Chairman Kim, his eyes gleaming with interest, leaned his upper body slightly forward.

“Please find a man named Managing Director Choi.”

At that moment, several people in the meeting room flinched.

“His name is probably…”

“Why are you looking for Choi Seonhong?”

Even Chairman Kim’s expression slightly hardened.

But my answer remained unchanged.

“I told you, it’s personal. More importantly, do you know who he is?”

“I do.”

“And his location?”

“That’s difficult to confirm.”

“…You were boasting so loudly earlier, and now there’s no substance to your words.”

Chairman Kim didn’t react to my chiding. Instead, he narrowed his brows and slowly rolled his eyes, as if doing calculations. His brain still seemed to be working, as the calculation didn’t take long.

“Is that the thought of all your family members?”

“No. I told you, it’s a personal matter.”

“Then give up.”

My expression involuntarily twisted at his resolute answer.

“He’s not someone an individual can handle.”

“Is it because of those guard dogs?”

“…You knew about Daehan too?”

“They’re always sticking together, aren’t they?”

Chairman Kim slightly clenched his fist at my nonchalant reply.

“Surely… you’ve encountered them?”

“Otherwise, why would I be probing?”

“Then you must know what kind of guys they are?”

“Yeah. Bloody flashy weaklings.”

“…What did you say?”

“They really are bastards.”

Chairman Kim blinked. The Old Man acting like that was a bit…

“Right… I understand that you are no ordinary fellow.”

“I know, so hurry up and tell me—”

“But are you truly alright?”

Chairman Kim expressed genuine concern.

“As the world turned this way, there are no leashes that can hold them. Those guys, whose reins have been loosened, are so vicious it makes your teeth chatter. More than you can imagine…”

“Ah, come on… Old Man.”

I felt annoyed.

“You don’t need to worry about that, Old Man…”

“I do need to.”

“What?”

“Suppose we gave you the information. What then?”

“What then…”

“Will others be safe?”

“……”

I slightly turned my upper body and faced Chairman Kim directly.

“We’ve already made enemies with Taesong, so we have no choice but to fight. But what about your family?”

“……”

“If you meddle carelessly, you’ll be struck back.”

“Ha…”

“This is no laughing matter. Your family members might get hurt. Are you saying that doesn’t matter?”

He seemed to have been quite affected, but from my perspective, it was simply laughable…

“I am the proof.”

“Huh?”

“I barely survived because of those guys. I only woke up a few days ago.”

“Ch-Chairman-nim….”

Chairman Kim raised his hand to stop the others.

“Those guys are formidable, but I am also no easy opponent. Yet, I was caught off guard. They are that dangerous.”

“……”

“I won’t speak ill of you. Just reconsider.”

“Kugh~”

“……”

Unable to hold back, I let out a small chuckle.

“You rascal! Did you even understand what I said?!”

I curled the corner of my lips at Chairman Kim, who was genuinely reprimanding me.

“You’re weak, Old Man.”

“What?!”

“And you only have weaklings around you. So, of course, you’d be defeated.”

“Eeek!”

I spoke softly to Chairman Kim, whose face was flushed up to his neck.

“Don’t put me in the same category.”

“……”

“Kuhuhuhuhuhuhu~”

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

I won’t lose to you, Old Man.

“I understand that you suffered because of those guys, Old Man. And I’m not laughing at you.”

“You already laughed your fill and now you’re trying to cover it up.”

“Ah, come on!”

“It was genuine… You wicked fellow.”

“No, listen to me.”

I spoke calmly to Chairman Kim, who was slightly annoyed.

“I don’t know how great you are, or what you can do.”

“……”

“It’s the same for you, isn’t it? You don’t know what I can do.”

“No matter how outstanding you are, aren’t you still just an individual? How can an individual…!”

“I can do more than you think, Old Man.”

Chairman Kim fell silent at the plain statement of fact.

“It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not. It’s just the truth.”

“……”

“Thank you for worrying about our family. I mean that sincerely.”

“…Hmph.”

Chairman Kim, pouting, listened to me as if reluctantly.

“But you don’t need to worry. Before anyone lays a hand on my people, they’ll all be… killed.”

I softened my words, conscious of Miri behind me.

“…They’ll be handled. It’s a substitute, but I’ll even get you compensation for your injuries, Old Man.”

“Haaah!”

“Killing two birds with one stone?”

“…Ugh…”

“Kuhuhuhuhuhu~”

Seeing the Old Man speechless made me feel refreshed. I was reveling in an indescribable sense of invigoration.

“Chairman-nim. May I speak?”

“Go ahead.”

It was Captain Lee who rose from his seat.

“Seonghan’s words are all true. You can simply listen and believe him.”

“Lee Kanghoon…”

“And rather, you should be worried about those guys.”

“Well, I’ll be.”

Captain Lee, who had offered his brief support, grinned broadly.

“If it’s Seonghan, he can resolve your grudge, Chairman-nim.”

“…Young man. Are you speaking from the heart?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“He will utterly and completely wipe them out, leaving no trace.”

Captain Lee spoke respectfully and resolutely, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at me.

“You can trust him.”

“Haha…”

“I guarantee it, as I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“Ah…”

It’s good that he trusts me deeply, but he shouldn’t be guaranteeing things so lightly…

“I’ll guarantee it too.”

A stylish voice from a sophisticated urban gentleman.

“Choi Junseong…!”

“I would say the same.”

“You’re… that is… Kim Jihyuk? Right?”

“Yes, Chairman-nim.”

*No, why is hyung stepping in too…?*

“Even you?”

“I know a little about what Seonghan can do. So, I’m telling you, you can put your worries aside.”

“I-Is that so?”

With Jihyuk hyung stepping in as well, Chairman Kim was greatly swayed. I didn’t entirely dislike Chairman Kim’s indecisive appearance. He was someone who knew what was important and what to prioritize. Although his worries were minor, his sincere consideration touched my heart. As such, Chairman Kim’s words carried weight. That’s why I didn’t just act rashly.

*…Old Man…*

He might be a petty and cheap Old Man, but he was certainly a figure fit to lead people. I apologize to my grandparents, but he gave off a similar vibe. The feeling of a true, or proper, elder. Of course, my grandparents’ victory was absolute.

While the Old Man was deep in thought, I was having useless thoughts.

*Knock knock knock-*

“Come in.”

At the sound of the knock, Chairman Kim let someone in as if he’d been waiting.

“Excuse me.”

Behind the woman who replied with a beautiful voice, two men followed. The two men brought in large bags on a trolley.

“Secretary Seong. Today, you’ll switch and come with me.”

“Understood.”

I was slightly impressed by the woman called Secretary Seong, who replied respectfully. She had a neat bob cut that reached her jawline and a bare, makeup-free face. Despite that, she was incredibly beautiful. She had long, straight limbs and a slender figure, but she was clearly trained. Her movements were natural, but a sense of tautness could be felt. Her body was ready to react at any moment. A calmly subdued atmosphere flowed around her body. Her consistently expressionless face made one wonder if she wasn’t a mannequin.

*Much better than that bastard earlier.*

If one were to protect a high-ranking person, shouldn’t they be at least this capable?

“And what you’ve prepared. Roughly tell that fellow over there.”

Secretary Seong’s eyes twitched at Chairman Kim’s words, as he pointed at me with his index finger.

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes. You can ask Secretary Seong anything you’re curious about, you rascal.”

“……”

Secretary Seong and I’s gazes intertwined. The look she gave me was completely expressionless. Her calm gaze scrutinized me. Then, her intelligent, beautiful voice slowly pierced my ears.

“What would you like to know?”

“Things about Taesong, and Managing Director Choi’s location.”

“Managing Director Choi Seonhong’s location is not fixed. He moves arbitrarily to various places and has no specific fixed residence. He travels between Seoul and Incheon, mainly using a helicopter. So, tracking him is difficult.”

Her voice was pleasant to listen to, but I got the impression she was like a machine. Like an AI equipped with a pleasant, beautiful voice, perhaps. In any case, her answer was seamless, but…

“You sure take a long time to say you don’t know.”

“……”

“Hahahaha!”

Chairman Kim once again cast aside his dignity and burst into laughter. Secretary Seong’s expression remained unchanged.

“Don’t you know anything?”

Breaking through Chairman Kim’s burst of laughter, I couldn’t help but grumble.

“Didn’t you hear? I said it’s difficult because he’s someone who runs around everywhere.”

“If it’s difficult? Is the world ending? Are you just going to keep watching?”

“…I’ve never seen such a damn rascal…”

“……”

“Hmm.”

Still, it seemed he was trying to do something. He had tried to give me answers within what he knew. After a moment of thought, I spoke again.

“…I heard all the bases in Seoul belonging to those guys were destroyed.”

The meeting room stirred at my words.

“What?! Is that true?”

“Yeah. And it seems they left Seoul.”

“What kind of…?”

“A few of them scattered and fled by car and helicopter, right? It’s not exact, but… they mentioned Gangwon-do and Hanam. Does anything come to mind?”

Chairman Kim looked truly surprised, and Secretary Seong’s expression faltered slightly.

“How did you know that?”

“I asked first, didn’t I?”

“There is something that comes to mind regarding Gangwon-do.”

“Excluding the research facility at the Iginda Unit site.”

“……”

“You, what kind of person are you?”

Their expressions hardened, but I was dumbfounded.

“Ugh, seriously, you don’t know anything.”

“You rascal! No, wait. Tell me first. How do you know that?”

“How? Well… I asked them, and they answered.”

“Who on earth?!”

“Who else? Those guard dogs scurrying around and those other guys.”

“……”

Chairman Kim, who had been snapping, fell silent at my answer.

“There’s no one else to ask besides those guys, is there?”

“Heh, heh heh…”

“No, *I* asked them, but they’re the ones sitting here giving answers. What is this?”

As I grumbled my dissatisfaction, Chairman Kim immediately replied.

“They likely headed to Icheon.”

“Icheon? What’s there?”

“I don’t know that either.”

This damn Old Man, seriously. Chairman Kim, noticing my mood, quickly continued.

“But if it’s a place where Taesong’s influence reaches and where they own land, then it’s possible.”

“Land?”

“Yes. The Lee Ga family owns a lot of land. Icheon is no different. They once tried to indiscriminately buy up land in the Icheon area. It wasn’t that long ago either.”

“Oh…”

It seems people only truly function when pressured.

“At first, I thought it was to secure factory sites… But now it seems that’s not the case.”

“What? You acted like you knew everything?”

As I chided him lightly, Chairman Kim elaborated as if making excuses.

“You rascal. No matter how dog-like those guys are, their abilities are definite. Wealth, power, connections—everything is top-tier in Korea. If they are determined to hide something, it’s not easy, even for me.”

“So you don’t know, anyway.”

“…I cannot confirm. But hearing your words, it seems plausible.”

Chairman Kim also seemed frustrated with himself. It felt like a situation that was almost within reach but just out of grasp, which was regrettable…

“Excuse me for interrupting.”

Secretary Seong interjected with a respectful tone.

“How did you obtain that information?”

“Indeed. Where did you hear it?”

Seeing Chairman Kim’s eyes light up as if he’d found a treasure, I grinned.

“For free?”

“!”

“Right? I asked for what I needed, but it seems I’m the one who’s getting offerings instead.”

“Eeek!”

“Is there anything you desire?”

Secretary Seong asked politely, her voice neat but flat. In her expressionless face, only her eyes showed a hint of urgency.

“Well…”

As I showed a disinterested reaction, Chairman Kim clicked his tongue.

“This rascal, this rascal…”

“Oh, what now?”

“Enough. Just look at this.”

Chairman Kim had the man standing idly by place the bags on the table.

*Click-*

“H-Huh?!”

“Oh ho?”

Four bags filled with brilliant golden light.

“Gold bars. Worth 20 billion won at the previous market rate.”

“So?”

“I’ll give these to you.”

As I calmly stared at Chairman Kim, he naturally began to explain.

“You might want something, but it doesn’t seem to be anything material.”

“That’s right.”

“Indeed. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have conceded so many resources.”

“Hmm?”

“This is a gesture of goodwill and a promise.”

“…A promise?”

“Yes. A promise for the future regarding the great concession you’ve made, and what we are borrowing from you.”

Chairman Kim used the term “borrowing” for the resources he was receiving.

“A promise, huh…”

“We will not forget this favor. Daehan and I never forget a favor and will certainly repay it.”

“Like an advance payment.”

“Well, something like that.”

I gazed at the shining yellow gold bars on the table.

“Right now, they won’t hold their value. With one gold bar, you’d be lucky to buy dog food. But!”

“But?”

“As time passes and stability begins, they will become necessary in many ways.”

“……”

“Gold doesn’t lose its value over time. It might be in this state now, but it will certainly find its true value.”

Chairman Kim’s words had some truth to them. After some time, it might even replace inconvenient paper currency. Though a great loss, one might exchange a top-tier watch for water and a can of food. It was something only seen in movies, but it was a possible situation now. Chairman Kim was offering the gold bars, arguing that point.

And accepting this meant…

“If I take this, I’ll get entangled, won’t I?”

“Why go so far? Haven’t you already gotten entangled?”

“Huh.”

To latch onto that so stubbornly.

“Even if you say no, Taesong won’t.”

“Ah. You’re right.”

“Since it’s already come to this, it also carries the meaning of getting along well.”

“…That’s too little for that…”

“You rascal! Who said I was giving this and then cheating you out of more?!”

“Alright, alright! Why are you yelling and making a fuss?!”

“So, you’ll take it?”

I turned my gaze at Chairman Kim’s subtle urging.

“If it’s a partial down payment, you may accept it.”

Representative Choi offered his opinion with a faint smile.

“I’m giving it to you, why are you asking Choi?”

“Because I entrusted all negotiations to Representative Choi and Jihyeok hyung.”

“……What?”

Seeing Chairman Kim dumbfounded didn’t feel bad at all.

“All future negotiations should go through Representative Choi and Jihyeok hyung. I don’t have much to say.”

“Ah, no…”

“Before that, you asked where I heard it, right?”

With that, Chairman Kim had Secretary Seong push his wheelchair closer to me.

“Yes. Hurry up and tell me. Who on earth was it?”

“I heard it from two small fry, and one of our family members.”

“Hmm…”

“Sangildong Engineering Center. Do you know it?”

“I do.”

He understood me perfectly, at least.

“Those two mentioned it, so I went to check, and it was true.”

“…So it was true that the place became a base.”

Secretary Seong also seemed to have heard something.

“They had even built barricades, it was quite serious.”

“Is that so?”

“These damn bastards…”

Chairman Kim ground his teeth, but Secretary Seong remained expressionless.

“If you give us time, we will refine the information you need.”

“Well, understood.”

“Icheon is the most likely location. The Managing Director Choi you’re looking for also has a high probability of being in that area.”

Hearing Chairman Kim’s strong prediction, I asked just in case.

“Then the Taesong chairman would be there too?”

“…Probably.”

“So that’s how it is.”

*Grin~*

“……Why are you smiling like that?”

“Huh? What?”

“Don’t you look in the mirror? You looked exactly like a heinous criminal just now, you rascal.”

“……”

“Your smile is like that of a mountain bandit… Ugh~”

“Old Man….”

As I subtly gritted my teeth, Chairman Kim waved his hand.

“Don’t grit your teeth and listen.”

“……”

Chairman Kim, who had drawn close to my indifferent self, grinned, showing his gums.

“What do you plan to do to the Lee Ga family?”

“……”

“Tell me honestly.”

An illusion made Chairman Kim’s innocently smiling eyes seem to burn fiercely.

“I really want to hear it.”

“……”

I just wanted to go home.