Free Web NovelThe tail end of autumn.
All attention was fixed on the upcoming presidential election.
It was only natural—this was the grand event to choose the president who would lead the Republic of Korea for the next five years.
The business world’s interest was no different. Whoever became president would reshape policies, after all.
Naturally, every major conglomerate was on edge—but before they could focus on the election, a bigger bomb had dropped.
The Fair Trade Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and even the National Tax Service had launched an intensive investigation targeting the Ilseong Group.
Although the results weren’t even finalized yet, more than three separate cases had already been referred to the prosecution.
For those who had barely survived the financial crisis and were still clinging to their businesses, the Ilseong Group incident hit too close to home.
If anything, their own situations were worse.
At the Myeongdong Hotel’s grand conference room, people were gathering one by one.
From middle-aged men to elders with graying hair, all sorts filled the room.
The atmosphere was heavy. No one dared to speak first, and only silence reigned.
“What on earth is this about?”
The first to open his mouth was a man who looked to be the youngest among them.
“Why are we even here? You just told us to come without any explanation, and now everyone’s silent—what’s going on?”
“Wait and see, Chairman Guk.”
“Chairman Jeong, please tell us something. Why are we gathered? And why is the head seat empty?”
The man’s tone rose, but as Geumseong Group’s Chairman Jeong Gunbon spoke, he lowered his voice—though he didn’t back down.
“Who exactly called this meeting?”
“He’ll be here soon. Be patient.”
“Chairman, our time is money. What’s the point of wasting it sitting here in silence?”
Everyone present ranked within the top thirty of Korea’s business world.
Every major chairman except for Ilseong Group’s was there.
The one raising his voice was Guk Daeho, chairman of Poongsan Group, which had recently entered the top thirty after the IMF crisis.
“Chairman Jeong.”
Perhaps because he was the youngest, he was also the most spirited.
When no one else spoke, Guk Daeho turned to others.
“Chairman Song.”
Daehyeon Group’s Chairman Song Chanwoo said nothing.
“Chairman Kim.”
Joongwoo Group’s Chairman Kim Byungwoo sighed before replying.
“Chairman Guk, you’re too impatient. Just wait. The person who called this meeting will be here soon. Best not to act rashly in his presence.”
“What the hell...”
Guk Daeho bit his lip in frustration.
Everyone else seemed to know something he didn’t. That stung.
‘What the hell is this? Are they trying to play power games? Just because I’m younger and near the bottom of the list, they think they can look down on me?’
His irritation had reason. He’d come here only because of a vague notice.
Chairman Song had merely told him that top-thirty chairmen were gathering and that he should attend—no further details.
He’d been sitting here for thirty minutes with zero explanation. No conversation, just waiting endlessly for someone unknown—it was enough to drive him mad. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
“Chairman Kim—”
He began again, lips parting to speak—when the conference room door opened.
Footsteps rang out sharply as a man entered.
He walked straight across the table and naturally took the head seat.
Despite how young he looked, none of the other chairmen said a word.
It was as if they were used to this sight.
Guk Daeho couldn’t make sense of it.
But he wasn’t completely dull; seeing the others’ reactions, he kept his mouth shut.
After glancing around the room, the man spoke.
“My apologies. I’m a bit late.”
A faint, confident smile played across his lips.
* * *
I left the Myeongdong office and was on my way to the Myeongdong Hotel.
“So you’re saying Cheon Jisoo swindled Cheon Jiwon’s money?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Wow. That’s amusing. Very amusing.”
I’d just received a report that Cheon Jiwon had fallen victim to a scam gambling ring—under Cheon Jisoo’s direction.
“Why?”
“The exact motive isn’t clear yet. But the private casino Jiwon frequented caters to VIPs only. Apparently, Jisoo provided the funds for him to enter. Beyond that, there’s little information—it was discovered by chance.”
“And the total amount Jiwon’s lost so far?”
“They themselves took about twenty billion won. Including what others siphoned off, it’s roughly forty billion.”
I couldn’t help but let out a low whistle. What a pathetic idiot, Cheon Jiwon.
“Well, I’ll just ask Jisoo directly about that later... What about the operation team?”
“Sorry, that’ll take some time.”
“Hm? Why?”
“There’s a fixer involved in that circle—someone known as ‘Rubber Band.’ We’re tracking him down.”
“Fixer?”
A stock manipulator being called that?
“Yes. They say he can stretch and snap stock prices like a rubber band—hence the nickname. He’s hijacked other operations and walked away with the profits more than once.”
“Surprised he’s still alive.”
“No one’s actually met him in person, apparently.”
Stock operations always had gangsters tied in.
Get in their way, and abduction or murder was standard procedure.
For someone to infiltrate and rob them—it took both guts and skill.
“Can you find him?”
“If we can’t find him, no one in Korea can. We’ll have results soon.”
“Good. If we’re going to hire someone, might as well hire the best. But don’t take too long.”
While we talked, the car slowed and stopped in front of the Myeongdong Hotel.
“Alright, time to deal with our old men. I wonder what kind of greed awaits me this time.”
Manager Ma got out first and opened my door. The hotel staff, already notified, were waiting at the entrance.
“Welcome, sir.”
Dozens of employees bowed in unison. I sighed.
I’d told them a thousand times I hated this gangster-like display.
“I told you not to do this.”
“B-but, sir...”
“This is the last time. Don’t do it again.”
“Understood.”
Hotel President Kang Yonggeun bowed again and waved his staff away.
“Tell everyone to get back to work, and you come with me.”
Kang dismissed the employees and escorted me through the lobby.
“Are they all here?”
“Yes, sir. Everyone arrived about twenty minutes ago.”
I nodded. I’d deliberately come late—to see how the chairmen would react.
“Good. Make sure no one approaches the conference room.”
When Kang tried to follow me into the elevator, I stopped him.
The doors closed, and the elevator began its ascent. Through the glass, I could see Kang bowing deeply below.
“That man’s competent, but he overdoes it.”
“He’s been serving since Chairman Cheon’s days. That’s probably why.”
“Still, too much zeal can backfire.”
Well, at least he did his job well. The elevator reached the top floor with a soft chime.
I stepped out and walked toward the conference room, giving orders.
“From now on, lock it down. Even if the president shows up, don’t let him through.”
At Manager Ma’s signal, his men moved instantly.
Emergency exits slammed shut.
They took positions at the exits and by the elevator.
Satisfied, I stopped before the conference room door.
Manager Ma opened it, and a dense, heavy air pressed against my face.
Every gaze in the room turned toward me.
I walked in, indifferent, under the weight of all those eyes—some wary, some resentful, some curious.
Lined along both sides of the long table sat the giants of Korea’s corporate world.
Step by step.
I walked straight down the middle of the table. Sitting at the head seat as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I looked around and spoke.
“My apologies. I’m a bit late.”
Silence filled the room.
“I’ve seen most of your faces before, but there’s one unfamiliar one. Chairman Guk Daeho of Poongsan Group, right?”
I addressed the man sitting closest to the entrance.
“You don’t look too pleased. You don’t quite understand what’s going on, do you?”
“······.”
“Still, it’ll be a good thing for you too, so just wait a little.”
Crossing my legs, I swept my gaze over the gathered chairmen again.
On the left side of the table sat Chairman Kim Byungwoo, and at the head of the right side was Chairman Song Chanwoo.
So they even arranged the seats by corporate ranking, huh? I couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle at the sight.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Song Chanwoo.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I hear Congressman Song Chanhyuk is running for president this time. You must be proud.”
“······.”
“It seems the son is trying to achieve the dream that Chairman Song Youngjoo never could.”
Song Chanwoo’s face turned pale. Then, regaining his composure, he answered.
“It has nothing to do with us. Our entire family opposed it.”
Even so, I could see the sweat trickling down his temple as he tried to keep a calm expression.
He knew very well how much time and money I’d invested to make President Yoon Changho win the election.
I waved my hand lightly and smiled.
“Surely you don’t think I’d hold you responsible, Chairman Song. I personally told Congressman Song Chanhyuk before not to chase useless dreams, but if he insists, what can I do? Once someone’s caught up in a delusion, it’s hard to stop them—I understand that well.”
“······.”
“But since he made the decision himself, he’ll have to bear the consequences, don’t you think?”
Song Chanwoo quickly nodded, replying to me.
“Yes. We’ve already had the entire Song Chanhyuk family step away from company management.”
“I heard. But I’m afraid that won’t be enough.”
“Then what should I...”
“Well, let’s wait and see the election results first. Who knows? Maybe Congressman Song Chanhyuk will {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} actually become president.”
At my words, his eyes trembled violently, realizing the weight of what I’d just implied.
He should’ve stopped his son more desperately. I looked at him with a halfsmile curling at the corner of my mouth.
“······That won’t happen.”
“Let’s see. If he becomes president, that’s one thing—but if he loses, things won’t end well.”
Leaving Song Chanwoo behind, I turned my gaze toward Kim Byungwoo.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Kim Byungwoo.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I heard Joongwoo Trading had a major business success recently. Congratulations.”
After that, I exchanged greetings with the others one by one.
Then my eyes landed on Chairman Seo Jaesang of JC Group, and I smiled.
“Chairman Seo Jaesang, it’s been a long time. How’s Honorary Chairman Seo Maenggun’s health?”
“Thanks to your concern, he’s recovered well.”
“That’s good to hear. Time really is cruel, isn’t it? Both Chairman Seo Yonggun and Chairman Seo Maenggun... another era is fading away.”
Just then, I heard someone clear his throat. I turned toward the sound.
It was Chairman Cho Hyungwoo of Daesol Group. Looking around, I noticed that among the thirty men gathered here, three of the conglomerates had once split off from Ilseong Group, and four from Daehyeon Group.
Seeing them all gathered like this was striking. The saying that “chaebols keep everything within their own circle” wasn’t wrong at all.
“Chairman Cho, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Now that I think about it, your mother was Chairman Seo Yonggun’s older sister, wasn’t she? Is she in good health?”
“Yes, she’s doing well.”
“That’s good.”
I continued offering brief greetings, and at the end, I addressed Guk Daeho.
“Chairman Guk Daeho of Poongsan Group—it’s my first time meeting you. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“Yes, I’m Guk Daeho.”
Confusion flickered across his face. His lips parted slightly before he finally spoke.
“Excuse me, but I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who exactly are you?”
“······.”
Now, that’s a fresh question. Tilting my head with a crooked smile, I looked at him as he asked again.
“Who are you that all these chairmen act so submissively before you?”
So blunt. Guess he’s still too young to be corrupted yet.
“Submissive, you say... well, who knows.”
“Please don’t joke around—explain yourself.”
“Haha. Just think of me as the major shareholder of every company represented here.”
“Major shareholder? That’s ridiculous...”
Looking bewildered, Guk Daeho glanced around the room, but none of the other chairmen showed any reaction.
“I see it’s not sinking in. Let me put it simply—someone who, if I wish, can shake the management of every company here. Including yours, Chairman Guk.”
“What?”
Matching his directness, I replied evenly.
“Poongsan Holdings’ largest shareholder is you, its second is Mirae Investment, and its third is DreamHigh Investment, correct?”
“······That’s right.”
“Two of those are mine. Does that clear things up?”
“Pardon?”
“It’s simple. It’d take effort, but if I wanted to, I could take over any of the companies gathered here. Shaking their management would be even easier. That’s why everyone’s here.”
Silence swept through the conference room.
“Now you understand how to conduct yourself here, don’t you, Chairman Guk?”
“······.”
“I like people like you, Chairman Guk. You weren’t handed your position—you built your group with your own hands and made it into one of Korea’s top thirty.”
Poongsan Group had begun as a construction firm, expanding aggressively through mergers and acquisitions of IMF-era distressed companies.
“I’ll discuss in detail later why I called this meeting, after I’ve heard everyone’s opinions.”
I turned my gaze away from Guk Daeho and spoke clearly.
“As most of you already know, the reason I called this meeting today is because of the Ilseong Group.”
The faint smile on my face disappeared—instantly, the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop.
