Free Web NovelAn old mansion on the outskirts of Tokyo. A heavy air hung over the antique house.
“What was this Kim Muhyuk like, the one you met today?”
A man knelt before Daigo Tadashige and asked in a small voice, head bowed.
“He was an interesting fellow. A fine meeting after a long while. If he had been Japanese, I might have made him my successor.”
When Daigo Tadashige praised Kim Muhyuk, agitation showed on the man’s face.
Seeing that, Daigo Tadashige laughed out loud.
“Araki.”
“You called, Chairman?”
“Are you jealous of Kim Muhyuk?”
“No.”
The man called Araki bit his lip and denied it.
Daigo Tadashige looked at him disapprovingly.
“You are my heir. Why so unsettled? You are meant to rule over others; do not show your feelings so easily. The chair of Daedonghoe is such a position. Understand?”
“Yes, Chairman. I will take your words to heart.”
“Good. I only met him because of my brief tie with Chairman Cheon, but he left quite an impression. He did not flinch in front of me.”
Araki Sadao lifted his head in surprise and, without hiding it, asked cautiously,
“Chairman, you—do you not know him?”
Daigo Tadashige snorted. The animosity in Kim Muhyuk’s eyes was not the look of someone who did not know him.
“No, no. It was clearly a look of someone who knew me. He pretended otherwise... If he had truly not known me, he would not have welcomed me so readily when I showed up unannounced.”
Daigo Tadashige raised the teacup before him and continued,
“He could become a fine rival for you. Watch him closely, Araki.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Araki bowed obediently, but Daigo Tadashige gave a slight cough and a faint expression as he watched him.
To Daigo Tadashige, after meeting Kim Muhyuk, Araki Sadao seemed somehow lacking—even though he had named him successor.
Kim Muhyuk’s intense gaze had made him feel as if he were young again.
Since taking the seat of Daedonghoe’s chairman, no one had dared challenge him.
Prime ministers responsible for the cabinet, chairmen of business circles—all bowed before him, and Daigo Tadashige had, as a matter of course, pulled strings from behind.
Yet this sudden man named Kim Muhyuk felt utterly alien.
One person threatening a whole nation of Japan, and then getting what he wanted—such a thing had left an impression.
“Alas, he is not a man who can walk with us. We must carry on with our plans as intended.”
“I understand, Chairman.”
“Now it begins. With this operation we shall restore the glory of the Greater Japanese Empire. No small mistakes can be tolerated. Understood?”
Araki knelt and bowed so his head nearly touched the floor.
“Yes! I will follow your orders.”
The unwavering, precise voice satisfied Daigo Tadashige and he finally showed a contented smile.
“You may leave now. I will rest.”
Araki answered softly, rose, backed out of the room, and closed the door.
Left alone, Daigo Tadashige murmured to himself, lost in thought.
“This time we must abolish the pacifist ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) constitution and succeed in revising it. Yes—absolutely.”
* * *
The Korea–Japan World Cup final.
Japan’s anthem rang out, and Song Chanhyuk beside me could not wipe the smile from his face.
The World Cup’s success and Korea’s unexpectedly strong performance had sent Song Chanhyuk’s popularity soaring.
I watched him closely. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
‘You aren’t thinking of running for president, are you?’
Song must have sensed my gaze and turned to ask,
“Do you have something to say to me?”
I smiled and answered.
“Your popularity is enormous. There are even jokes that you could easily win the presidency if you ran like this.”
“Haha, I’ve seen such reports too.”
“Are you thinking of running for president?”
Song looked mock-serious and asked in return,
“If I run, do you think I could become president? What do you think, Mr. Kim?”
I had to stifle a laugh internally. He clearly had the notion tucked away and was playing coy.
“Popularity alone does not guarantee victory. I worry you’d follow in your father’s footsteps. That would not be ideal.”
My frank opinion slightly raised Song’s eyebrows.
“I’m sorry if I offended. You and Chairman Yoon Changho have a relationship—maybe I asked something I should not have.”
Mentioning Yoon Changho outright showed he was a bit put out.
Anyone would be drunk on such popularity.
“Putting aside your ties to Chairman Yoon, it would still be difficult to achieve good results. Would the public stand by a chaebol-backed candidate? Right now, the World Cup fervor blinds many things, but there are six months until the presidential election.”
Given my blunt words, Song still showed discomfort, so I continued.
“If someone tells you to run now, they intend to use you. Asking you to run with no backing and no preparation, relying only on public favor—chains you to a role as a pacemaker. It will not end well.”
“Hmm.” ƒreewebɳovel.com
Someone has already whispered sweet nonsense into his ear.
From his expression and actions, it was clear Song had received an offer to run.
If he announced his candidacy, the effects were uncertain, but politics was a living beast.
Even if Chairman Yoon’s approval sat above 50% now, the political field could be reshaped at any moment, and Song’s value would inevitably rise.
“The choice is yours to make. But I would like to dissuade you.”
“Do you think it impossible?”
“Yes. Impossible. Not even one percent. If you run, you’ll only burn out as a pace-setter. You wouldn’t run as an independent, would you? You’d have to join some party and then fight through internal primaries. Is that possible with no real backing? A four-term lawmaker like you should know this.”
Song Chanhyuk had been elected from Ulsan, Daehyun’s base, for four terms. Although that fact carried weight, he knew the game.
I let the matter rest; no one could hear reason now, and it was better to stop.
“This is the only advice I can give. The show’s starting—let’s watch the game.”
The whistle signaled the match’s resumption and I turned my gaze to the pitch.
Brazil’s attack started, but the match remained surprisingly tight.
Brazil dominated possession and the initiative, while Korea defended as if with their lives.
By halftime, Brazil had more than ten shots on goal, but none had entered the net.
The match was fierce. The more heated the atmosphere, the louder the cheers rose.
The Red Devils from Korea made a distinct red surge through the stands.
“Excuse me a moment...”
At halftime, Koizumi’s secretary approached and said,
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk, would you follow me?”
I nodded and rose.
He led me to a small room inside the stadium.
Koizumi was waiting for me when I opened the door.
“Please, come in.”
“Prime Minister.”
We exchanged quick greetings and sat facing each other. No need for pretense—so I asked directly.
“Have you decided?”
“...It won’t fail, will it?”
“It will not. Even if something goes wrong, no harm will come to you. But if you have any second thoughts...”
“Do not speak of that. I have no intention of retreating.”
Koizumi cut me off firmly. Then he took a note from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“This is a list of Daedonghoe’s core members.”
Without looking at the paper, I asked again,
“Are you certain?”
In our last meeting he had been evasive; he had seemed to want to distance himself. If he acted that way again, I would withdraw my hand.
But Koizumi nodded with resolve.
“If you eliminate these people, I will handle the rest.”
“Understood.”
Only then did I take the note.
Five names were written.
Daigo Tadashige.
Araki Sadao.
Honjo Shigero.
Honda Kumataro.
Aoki Kazuo.
These were the names Jessica’s dossier had listed as well.
“Just these must be eliminated?”
“Yes. Remove them and Daedonghoe’s influence will shrink. They are extreme among the extreme right. Especially the chairman Daigo Tadashige and his heir Araki Sadao...”
Koizumi’s voice trailed off, but his meaning was clear: they must be killed.
“Understood. I will take care of it.”
“The sooner the better. Who knows when the Self-Defense Forces might move.”
“Do you know the precise plan?”
“They likely have the details ready. I do not know, but I expect they will notify me the day before execution.”
Koizumi’s awareness of the Self-Defense Forces’ movements was a stroke of fortune.
“When drug gang conflicts erupt, they will move. I expect it to begin once the World Cup ends—attention is on the Cup now. We will insert our mercenaries into Japan and proceed.”
“Do you need my help?”
“If you help, you risk exposure. Not helping is the help you should offer.”
Koizumi’s direct assistance might only create more danger. It would be better to handle things quietly and leave Japan afterward.
Those coming in this time were Russians by nationality, so even if traced, they could find a way out.
I told Koizumi,
“Daigo Tadashige actually visited me today. Your help might do more harm than good.”
Koizumi flinched and asked,
“Daigo Tadashige visited you?”
“Yes. He came to the hotel.”
“...Did he come because he knew we were meeting?”
Koizumi’s voice trembled slightly.
“No. He said he’d come because of his brief tie with your grandfather. He didn’t seem aware of your involvement.”
“He is not someone who moves easily...”
He seemed more unsettled by my meeting with Daigo than by anything else. I smiled and said,
“Don’t worry. That meeting only confirmed that I cannot walk the same path as Daedonghoe.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. He warned me—said his watching was ending and that I should stop my antics. He even told me to leave Korea for a while.”
“...”
“He looked down on everyone but himself. I understood why you cannot partner with him. So rest assured. I cannot join hands with Daigo Tadashige.”
Koizumi nodded faintly in assent.
He was probably more uneasy because he realized I would not ally with Daigo than because of Daigo’s visit.
“If Mr. Kim says so, I will believe you. For me, I have no other option but to work with you.”
Power was terrifying—seeing Japan’s prime minister, who had resented me, come crawling was a potent sight.
But power borrowed from foreign influence is ephemeral.
This would become a trap and surely ensnare Koizumi later.
At that moment, a roar erupted through the stadium.
Did Korea score? I turned my head slightly.
“Let us return. The second half appears to have started.”
