Free Web NovelAfter the foreign exchange crisis plunged the Korean economy into chaos, the nation tried to recover under the IMF’s supervision.
But then the IT bubble burst, destroying the KOSDAQ market, and the ensuing credit card delinquency dealt the final blow.
The foreign exchange crisis had devastated the government and corporations, but the credit card defaults struck directly at the people.
Countless individuals became credit delinquents, and the financial sector would be haunted by bad debts for years.
For others, it was a disaster—
but for Taesan Finance, it was another opportunity.
“We’ve already organized a dedicated task force.”
Of course, I hadn’t told Ha Myeonghun everything.
I’d only hinted that reckless credit card issuance seemed risky and that suspending new cards might be wise.
But from that tiny hint alone, Ha Myeonghun had brought me the perfect answer sheet.
“Well done. Leave that to the staff and, Chairman, focus on tracking Choi Sun-man’s fund flow.”
“Yes, President.”
I’d felt it before, but he really was a sharp one.
Smiling with satisfaction, I said,
“I heard you still visit my grandfather’s grave every weekend.”
“...”
“That must be exhausting.”
“No, sir. If this is the only way I can still pay my respects, then I’ll visit him until the day I die.”
I expected him to say that, but hearing it directly still struck me deeply.
Such a steadfast man.
After a brief silence, he spoke carefully, slowly.
“President, Chairman Cheon always compromised.”
I nodded.
“I know. Grandfather gained power by giving others what they wanted.”
“Yes, exactly. He’d give them what they asked for, and in return, he gained something greater. Of course, when compromise failed, he didn’t shy away from a power struggle.”
I could read the intent behind his words.
Even after watching me all this time, he still worried too much.
The gentle tone in his voice made that obvious.
“You’re telling me to compromise when possible, aren’t you?”
“...Yes.”
“My grandfather and I are different. He focused solely on money, gripping the loan market with an iron fist. He gained immense power, yes—but only financial power. And what was the result?”
At the uncomfortable subject, Ha Myeonghun frowned.
I still remembered the tears he’d shed when my grandfather died.
“You saw it yourself. His children fought each other to claim a penny more, while powerful figures used their greed as leverage.”
“...”
He bit his lip. He knew exactly what I meant, and it weighed heavily on him.
“Money and power can’t be separated. I must have both if I’m to be safe. Only then can no one threaten my wealth, my people, or my life. To achieve that, no one in Korea can be stronger than me. That’s the purpose I’ve been running toward all this time.”
“But...”
“You’ve seen everything I’ve done. As always, I’ll win. You don’t have to worry too much. This will be the last time.”
I smiled brightly at him.
At last, Ha Myeonghun nodded.
“Have a drink.”
I held out the whiskey bottle.
Ha Myeonghun silently raised his glass with both hands, and I filled it to the brim.
“This is for my heart toward the Chairman.”
“Thank you, President.”
The clear clink of our glasses marked the beginning of a long night.
We drank deep into the evening, reminiscing about my grandfather.
* * *
A man visited Choi Sun-man’s residence in Yeonhui-dong.
Choi, alone, was playing a game of Go when the man bowed deeply.
“It’s been a long time, Mr. President.”
“Vice Chairman Seo Jaehoon, isn’t it? Come in. Has it been five years?”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Don’t just stand there. Sit.”
With the former president’s permission, Seo Jaehoon sat on the prepared cushion.
“How’s Chairman Seo Yonggeon? Any sign of recovery? He wasn’t the kind to collapse so easily.”
“He still hasn’t regained consciousness.”
“tsk... A great man of the business world, brought so low.”
Choi clicked his tongue regretfully—but there was no true sorrow on his face.
His voice held pity, but his eyes didn’t.
Seo Jaehoon knew that well enough.
He himself was acting, too. When his father collapsed, he’d wept publicly—but it was only for show.
He felt no compassion, no grief.
“You must have your hands full. If Ilseong Group wants to rise again in Korea, this is the moment. It’s a crisis, isn’t it? The Chairman down...”
“...”
“And the money flow blocked. Must be difficult.”
“...”
Seo Jaehoon simply stared at him in silence.
Choi didn’t seem to expect an answer anyway, and continued.
“I hear you’re negotiating to sell Ilseong Electronics’ semiconductor division to Toshiba? Who was it... the Chairman’s errand boy who went to Japan? Lee something...”
He was referring to Lee Seokmin, Ilseong’s chief secretary.
But Choi barely bothered to remember the name. To him, such a man was beneath notice.
“How did you know that?”
“Haha, do you think this old man, just because I stay in my room, doesn’t know how the world turns? I heard the prices didn’t match.”
It unsettled Seo that Choi knew details only he and Lee Seokmin shared.
Still, he replied smoothly.
“Business always goes that way. It can’t be helped.”
“I could help you.”
“...Help me?”
“Yes. I could speak with the Japanese government. Or unblock your loans.”
When Seo hesitated, Choi raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t trust me?”
“To be frank, I’m not sure you still have that kind of influence, sir. Not like the old days.”
Choi let out a short laugh.
“Do I look powerless to you?”
“The times have changed.”
He nodded slowly, wrinkles tightening faintly with irritation.
“Yes, times have changed. In the old days, you couldn’t have said such a thing in front of me, could you?”
The room’s air turned cold in an instant.
Choi’s once-soft tone now carried the oppressive weight of his former self.
“You don’t know what I went through to reach this seat. Your father would never have acted so insolently before me.”
But Seo didn’t flinch.
“The remnants of the past belong to the past. The future must be forged by our own hands.”
“Ha... ha ha ha!”
Amused by the young man’s defiance, Choi burst into loud laughter.
Watching him laugh, Seo felt a surge of murderous rage.
That smug old man—
How he wanted to grab his throat and snap it right now.
But he clenched his fists and suppressed the urge.
When the laughter finally stopped, Choi’s eyes gleamed coldly, though a thin smile remained.
“Yes. You’re very different from your father.”
“...”
“Still, you’ll need my help. Look at reality. If you take my hand, I can free up that frozen loan immediately. How about it?”
It was a tempting offer.
Seo knew there was no such thing as help without a price.
“What do you want in return?”
“A price? None. I’m just saying that those who share a common enemy should join hands. All I ask is that you provide political funds when I request them.”
“A common enemy. You mean President Kim Muhyuk? Is he truly your enemy?”
Choi chuckled. Ah, young pups always made him laugh.
“You don’t know that man’s true nature. You probably think he’s just a rich businessman. But he’s a demon who wants to seize Korea itself in his hands.”
“...”
“The times have changed. In this capitalist world, money is trying to overtake power—thanks to those stupid Americans. But not every country must follow.”
He paused, fixing Seo with a sharp gaze.
“I believe that, in Korea, political power must still stand above capital. In the old days, I might have feared Ilseong as a rival of both money and power. But now? Ilseong’s just another conglomerate. I called you here because we share a common enemy.”
It was an offer with nothing to lose—but Seo felt a strange aversion.
He couldn’t tell if it was because of the old man before him, or because he didn’t want to admit Kim Muhyuk’s strength.
“What do you say? I can even help your succession. You’ll lose nothing.”
“That’s exactly why I hesitate. It’s a poisoned chalice. I believe I can overcome this crisis with my own ability.”
Choi sighed softly.
He didn’t dislike the young man’s confidence—just pitied his lack of realism.
“Think carefully whether you’ll inherit the Ilseong Group—or only the name of a corpse.”
“...”
“I heard you’ve requested a loan from the Industrial Bank. I can make it happen immediately. Then you’ll see the kind of power I still hold. Check it yourself, then come ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) find me again. You may go.”
Ilseong Group had asked the Industrial Bank for a loan to cover Ilseong Card’s debt.
The government was already aware of the credit card crisis and moving quickly to provide relief through external funding.
Yet only Ilseong Card’s application had been denied.
Other companies had received emergency funds to survive, while Ilseong Card was drying up.
And now Choi claimed he could unlock it instantly?
If true, that meant the old man still had power.
After a brief thought, Seo stood and gave a short bow.
Then he left the room.
Moments later, the sliding door beside Choi opened and another man entered.
“Your Excellency, must we really keep that one alive?”
“Heh. I like the look in his eyes.”
“But... you know his behavior is far from clean. If he weren’t Ilseong’s heir, he’d already be in prison.”
“All the better. That means he’ll need us more. Stop standing there—sit.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man didn’t sit across from Choi. Instead, he knelt on one knee to his left, in reverence.
“Hyuk.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Keep in touch with our comrades still in the army. Make sure they’re ready to move at any time.”
“Yes, I’ve been doing so.” free𝑤ebnovel.com
“I’m restricted in how much I can act. You’ll have to move for me.”
The man called Hyuk nodded firmly.
“You’ve grown old too. I can see the gray in your hair. How long has it been since you came under me?”
“Thirty years, sir.”
“We were both young then. Sometimes I miss our days in the army.”
“So do I.”
Choi smiled warmly at him.
“Good. I hear Yoon Chang-ho’s having second thoughts? Tell him to arrange a meeting with Kim Muhyuk. I need to see him myself. After that, I’ll decide whether to join hands... or kill him.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it.”
Issuing the order, Choi turned his gaze back to the Go board.
Between the black stones’ open mouths, he placed a white one—
and smirked.
* * *
The phone rang. It was Yoon Chang-ho.
I set down the document I’d been reading and answered.
“Yes, Chairman.”
— I’ve been contacted by former President Choi Sun-man.
“Ah. Already? He must be desperate.”
— I only said I wanted to meet, but he requested a meeting with you first. As you predicted, that bastard betrayed me.
There was a note of gloom in Yoon’s voice.
“You already knew that.”
— Yes... you told me he’d betray me for Choi’s hand, but I didn’t believe it. He and I have stood side by side for decades since our days in the prosecution. But now...
I cut him off gently before his grief could spill further.
“You must be strong, sir. That’s the only way to seize the presidency. Trust no one—except me. I’ll make you President. Have I ever disappointed you?”
— ...
I could hear his heavy sigh through the receiver.
“Don’t falter now. There’s no turning back. Whether we rule Korea or not will be decided by this battle.”
— ...All right. The meeting is set for after the World Cup ends. He said he’s flying to Japan for the final match.
“Well done.”
— Then, I’ll leave it in your hands.
“Yes, Chairman.”
After my answer, Yoon hung up.
No matter how he tried to steel himself, he must still be uneasy.
“So... he wants to meet me, does he?”
I muttered, eyes gleaming with interest, as I stared at the silent phone.
