Free Web NovelI arrived at the Myeongdong office and opened the door.
“You’re here, Boss.”
The presidents, each managing their own lending branch, all bowed low.
“Everyone’s gathered.”
I walked naturally to the head seat and sat down. Crossing my legs, I gestured with my chin.
“Sit down. What are you waiting for?”
Only after my permission did the rest sit.
I began to look over their faces, one by one.
My gaze stopped on Kim Hosik and Noh Ikseon.
“How long have you two been in Myeongdong?”
“Thirty years for me.”
“Twenty-five for me.”
They answered in turn.
“You’ve worked hard since my grandfather’s time.”
“No, Boss. Thanks to you, I can proudly tell my daughter what I do for a living. I’m grateful.”
At Kim Hosik’s words, I gave a faint smile.
“That’s right. You were the first to take my hand. So, your daughter’s growing well?”
“Yes. She entered high school this year. Thankfully, she takes after her mother, not me, and studies well.”
“That’s good.”
Kim Hosik claimed his daughter didn’t resemble him, but he was a graduate of a top university.
Nowadays many college graduates joined lending companies, but back when loan-sharking operated outside the system, it was rare.
Perhaps that was why Kim Hosik had a sharp eye for the tide.
After the trivial greetings, I turned to Noh Ikseon.
“I hear you’ve secured yourself well in Gangnam.”
“All thanks to you, Boss. Just as you predicted, venture companies line up, desperate to borrow at high interest.”
Venture companies had multiplied under the Kim Hakgwon administration’s industrial policies.
But not all could attract investment.
Those rejected for funding inevitably turned to the shadowy private loan market.
Even with loan-sharking pulled into the system, it never disappeared—only went deeper underground.
With the tacit consent of the gangsters controlling Gangnam, Noh Ikseon had become a major player in its loan market.
But interest earnings weren’t enough for him.
“I hear you’re making plenty aside from what you pass up to Myeongdong. It’s worth it, isn’t it? Not only ventures but construction companies, too?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Sure enough, having worked longest under my grandfather, your business skills stand out.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing him grin smugly at the praise made my anger rise.
I erased the smile from my face and spoke in a cold voice.
“You’re smiling?”
“Sir?”
“You think this is funny?”
Noh Ikseon’s face hardened at once.
“This isn’t a place I called to praise you. The same goes for everyone here.”
“...”
“Noh, why’d you do it?”
“What do you mean, Boss?”
He played dumb.
“Hey, Snake. Why’d you do it?”
“I honestly don’t know what you mean.”
“My grandfather dies, and you think you own the loan market? Or did I just trust you too much?”
He stuck to feigned ignorance.
But quick-witted Kim Hosik had already realized the reason behind my words.
He rose from his seat, knelt at my side, and bowed his head deeply.
The other presidents only darted their eyes about in confusion.
“I’m sorry.”
Ignoring Kim Hosik kneeling, I kept my gaze fixed on Noh Ikseon.
“Nothing to say?”
He rolled his eyes, gauging me.
Meanwhile, the others figured it out and followed Kim Hosik, kneeling one after another.
“I told you to keep your greed in check. And yet you dared to run loan operations without my permission? You must think you’ve got two lives.”
“...”
“I trusted you with all matters related to lending. And this is how you repay me. If you want to die, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
At my icy words, the kneeling presidents went pale.
I shook my head and turned toward Manager Ma.
As my gaze shifted to him, Noh Ikseon’s face drained of all color.
“B-Boss! I’ve committed a grave sin!”
He hurriedly bowed. Afraid of Ma but not of me, was he?
I raised my hand to stop Ma before he could move.
“Noh. What I want to hear isn’t some worthless apology.”
“I... I ran loans on the side. Not the corporate lending you ordered, but personal loans to individuals. But... these were people so low in credit even the companies refused them. I thought they deserved a chance to survive. That’s the truth.”
What kind of bastard is this? A hollow laugh escaped me.
“Unbelievable. All you had to do was state the facts—why tack on excuses? Did you think painting me as the villain would spare you?”
“...I’m sorry.”
“When my grandfather was alive, this never happened once. But now, barely after his death, it happens? Like you were waiting for him to die.”
“No! Never, Boss.”
He waved his hands, flustered.
“Enough. I don’t want to hear more. Step down and rest. Return every single thing you’ve siphoned off.”
“...Boss.”
“What, don’t want to?”
“You know how much I struggled to secure Gangnam. I did everything you asked.”
“Say one more word.”
At my cold warning, he shut his mouth. I curled one corner of my lips and glared sharply.
“Just because you’ve got a mouth doesn’t mean you should run it, bastard. Anyone could have sat in that seat and done what you did. I gave you another chance out of respect for your long service under my grandfather, and you repay me with betrayal? And now you dare say, ‘This isn’t fair’? Save that shit for the right time.”
“...”
Everyone in the office stared at me, shocked.
I had never once spoken so crudely in front of them. Hearing foul words from me left them stunned.
“You think the gangsters left you alone because they feared you? No, they bowed every time they saw you, and you mistook it as respect. Want to see if those same men who covered for you yesterday will kill you tomorrow?”
“That’s not what I—”
“Noh. This was your second chance. When you sided with Chairman Cheon’s line, I forgave you once. And now you want forgiveness again? Shameless. And why are you still sitting?”
Respect is only for those who act human.
Treating something less than an animal like a man is a mistake.
“What are you waiting for?”
The blood had already drained from his face.
I gestured toward the floor where the others knelt. Trembling, Noh rose and knelt beside Kim Hosik.
“Kim.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Did I ever wrong you in some way?”
“No.”
His calm reply only stoked my anger.
“No matter how tempting, you shouldn’t have crossed the line. Do you remember how hard it was to step into the light? To shed the label ‘Twin Blades’? And yet you’ve gone back to feeding on common people’s blood. Do you sleep well? Don’t you hear their curses?”
“I’m sorry. I have nothing to say.”
“...Haa.”
Of my grandfather’s old circle, Kim Hosik had been the most reasonable.
That was why I put him at the front line in the war against the Japanese lenders.
And he had fulfilled his role perfectly.
“You were the first to take my hand, saying you wanted to go straight. Do you regret that? Or are you just unsatisfied now?”
A single company couldn’t monopolize the whole market. That was why, on Kim Hosik’s recommendation, I had established several companies and installed presidents in those seats.
“President Seong, President Jeon, President Moon—you’re the same. Your bellies are full.”
“We’re sorry, Boss.”
“Sorry is the end of it, right?”
“No.”
I closed my eyes, breathing steadily. Silence filled the room.
Opening them again, I called to Manager Ma.
“Manager.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Bring Attorney Hong in.”
“Yes.”
Ma made a call while I turned back to the presidents.
“Every one of you will clear out your offices today.” free𝑤ebnovel.com
Their pale faces shook violently.
“This is your last chance. If you’ve done wrong, confess now. If I find out later, it won’t end like this.”
“Please forgive us, Boss.”
“There won’t be a third time. Return every cent you stole, and I won’t pursue it further. Once Attorney Hong arrives, cough it all up yourselves. Don’t regret it later.”
I gave them no further glance.
Instead, I fixed my eyes on the kneeling Noh Ikseon and Kim Hosik.
“You two, come with me.”
I rose, calling them to follow.
“When Attorney Hong arrives, take over all their corporate shares. Then contact Samseon Accounting immediately and order audits for each company.”
I turned and entered my office. Noh and Kim followed.
“Sit.”
I spoke as I sat down, cold whether they sat or not.
“Nothing to say?”
“...”
“Those outside will end it by packing # Nоvеlight # up. But not you two. It won’t end so easily.”
Kim Hosik might have been salvageable, but Noh had already spent his second chance.
To betray again meant no more chances.
“You’re the one who threw away your last opportunity. Don’t blame me.”
“Boss, please—just one more chance.”
Noh pleaded, but I didn’t intend to listen.
My icy stare made him bite his lip.
“There is no third. I respected you for serving my grandfather and gave you a second. But am I supposed to shelter a beast that betrays my trust?”
“...”
“Hand over all your assets and go live in the countryside. I’ll spare your life if you do.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you want to find out how Sledgehammer died, then do as you please.”
Maybe then he would realize whether money outweighed his life.
Quivering with his head hung low, Noh spoke in a voice twisted with rage.
“Even if we hadn’t done it, someone else would have. It makes no sense to let others take the profit!”
I nodded. He wasn’t wrong—leave a gap, and Japanese lenders had already tried to force their way in.
“Yes. Others would have done it.”
“Then why are you doing this? Chairman Cheon never stopped us. If something made money, he let it happen.”
“The times have changed. I respect my grandfather, but my way is right now.”
In his era, you did anything to make money.
But I had no intention of feeding off common people’s blood and tears.
There were more than enough ways to profit without it.
“And even my grandfather never let go of commoners’ loans. Do you know why? No—you’d never understand. If you did, you wouldn’t be like this now.”
Noh had stood beside him for years and still failed to grasp his intent.
I stared at him with undisguised contempt.
