Free Web NovelI had already asked Myungsoo in advance to keep an eye on Park Seok’s movements.
Before long, he sent me a fairly well-organized report.
“In a poll targeting party members, Park Seok is ahead.”
“By a big margin?”
“About 5%.”
“That’s quite a gap. Park Seok is still independent, right?”
Myungsoo nodded.
“As far as I know, no major faction has attached itself to him yet. If the Conservative Party faction joins him, his numbers could rise even further.”
“So the primary will be tough?”
Park Seok’s name recognition was higher than I expected. Myungsoo seemed to think the same, slightly furrowing his brows as he spoke.
“Unless President Yoon Changho intervenes indirectly, it’ll be difficult. But the President said he won’t get involved in this primary.”
He had told me the same thing.
Whatever conversation he had with Woo Youngsik, the President had made it clear he would not interfere in the primary.
Partly to avoid giving anyone grounds for criticism—but there was likely a bigger intention behind it.
“He’s giving Woo Youngsik a chance. Survive on your own. If you do, then help me.”
“Choosing a harder path when there’s an easier one... doesn’t feel great.”
“Still, if your faction and the President’s faction combine, you have the upper hand, don’t you?”
“That’s true. For now, I’m going to focus on Woo Youngsik. Once he officially declares his candidacy, a few days later our candidate will announce support for him and withdraw.”
Myungsoo’s plan was reasonable. Despite his complaints about Woo Youngsik, it seemed he intended to support him properly.
“What about the party leader’s candidate?”
“He was planning to drop out midway, but now that the Blue House says it won’t interfere, he’s thinking of going all the way.”
“Isn’t he last in approval ratings? That’s just greed.”
“Isn’t that what politicians are like? They only see what they want to see.”
After a brief moment of thought, I called in Chief Ma.
“Chief Ma. What about Park Seok’s movements?”
“He hasn’t made any notable moves yet.”
“I see?”
“Yes. However, there’s a reservation under an aide’s name at Oebaek Restaurant in Yeouido tomorrow.”
“That’s the same time as Woo Youngsik’s press conference, right?”
Chief Ma nodded slightly.
“Make a reservation for us at the same time. In the room next to Park Seok’s.”
“Understood, Boss.”
After Chief Ma left, I turned to Myungsoo.
“Clear your schedule for lunch tomorrow.”
Even without further explanation, Myungsoo quickly grasped my intent.
“You’re going to meet Park Seok yourself?”
You’ve gotten pretty sharp. I smiled in satisfaction and nodded.
* * *
When Park Seok saw me, he froze for a moment.
I stood up and deliberately walked slowly toward where °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° he was.
I had never met Park Seok even once until now.
He had been a Conservative Party lawmaker, but not part of the mainstream, so he had remained far from the reach of my blade of revenge.
After the Conservative Party collapsed, Park Seok left the party and declared his retirement from politics. Since then, there had been no reason for us to cross paths.
“You said your name was Kim Muhyuk?”
“That’s correct, Assemblyman.”
Park Seok glanced between me and Myungsoo before speaking again.
“Sit down.”
As soon as we sat facing each other, he spoke.
“How did you know to come here?”
It was a question laced with suspicion—had we been surveilling him?
Myungsoo answered with an easy smile.
“Come on, Candidate. Is there any secret in Yeouido? Any politician here knows you’re here.”
“······.”
“That just means everyone is watching your moves. You could say you’re the eye of the storm in politics right now.”
“You don’t like me.”
“I neither like nor dislike you.”
Park Seok narrowed his eyes.
It seemed he didn’t like how the much younger Myungsoo spoke without backing down.
“Director Lee. A politician must be humble. The fuller the rice stalk, the lower it bows. If you keep your head held high like that before your seniors, you won’t last long.”
For a brief moment, Myungsoo looked bored, but soon a faint smile returned to his face.
“As you know, I entered politics to do what I want. I won’t hold back what I want to say just to cling to power like others. And Candidate—shouldn’t you start passing your seat on to the next generation? If you truly care about your juniors, that’s what you should do.”
In other words—an old man clinging greedily to power.
I watched their exchange with interest.
“You’re even worse than I heard.”
“That’s what the seniors in the National Assembly always say too—that I’m a rude bastard. Every time I speak uncomfortable truths, they try to suppress me with age.”
“······.”
“But I’m not rude. I’m just direct. I even say what needs to be said to the President. And he values that about me.”
The contrast between Myungsoo’s smiling face and Park Seok’s stiff expression was striking.
Myungsoo paused briefly, then threw out a heavy, direct question.
“Candidate, let me ask you one thing.”
It was a question that would hit Park Seok right where it hurt.
“Is your goal to become a lawmaker—or to become the next President?”
“Why does that matter to you?”
“You already retired once. I was just curious why you came back. What is it you still want to see?”
Instead of answering, Park Seok let out a hollow laugh. But the veins bulging in his clenched fist were visible.
“Myungsoo.”
I called him to end their clash.
He glanced at me, then nodded slightly and stood up.
“I’ll step outside and have a chat with the other old men. I’m especially curious why party officials who are supposed to remain neutral were gathered here.”
After bowing to Park Seok, he passed by me and tapped my shoulder.
“Come out when you’re done. I’ll take care of the others.”
I nodded faintly. Once Myungsoo left, it was just the two of us.
“You know who I am, right?”
“Of course. You’re the man who tore the Conservative Party to pieces.”
“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I want you to give up your candidacy in Jongno.”
“What?”
“Please withdraw from the Jongno race.”
Park Seok looked at me in disbelief.
“Are you trying to force me to withdraw?”
“Whether it’s force or a request depends on how you choose to see it.”
“······.”
“Don’t dream pointless dreams. I have no intention of allowing someone who once belonged to the Conservative Party to become President.”
My tone was calm—but the chill behind it was unmistakable.
Park Seok swallowed dryly.
“Be satisfied with running for Seoul mayor in the next local elections. That’s as far as I’m willing to overlook.”
“So both of you are mocking me now.”
Grinding his teeth, Park Seok glared at me.
“I am Park Seok. I didn’t live my life carelessly enough to be mocked by brats like you! And what—this is as far as you’ll overlook?”
His voice rose, and he slammed the table.
“You think I’d stake my political life on the likes of you? Go ahead and try whatever you want. I won’t sit still either. I know your methods well—grabbing people by their weaknesses, shaking them, buying them with money, then putting a leash on them so they can’t do anything.”
“······.”
“Do you know how I survived in this filthy political swamp of Yeouido for decades?”
Park Seok’s political life had been turbulent beyond measure.
Yet he had survived because, unlike others, he resisted the temptation of money.
Rejected by the mainstream time and time again, he had even run as an independent and won after being denied nomination.
“I endured all kinds of slander and attacks. And when the Conservative Party collapsed, I declared my retirement. Because it was the only party I ever had.”
“I already know. Personally, if I had to name someone I respect, you would be one of them. But our paths and beliefs are different. That’s why I don’t welcome your return.”
At my unexpected acknowledgment, Park Seok flinched.
But my next words changed his expression.
“Are you really going to join hands again with the ghosts of the Conservative Party? The same people who oppressed you for decades?”
“That’s...”
“I won’t stop you if you’re willing to abandon your principles. But winning this primary won’t be easy. Because Director Lee Myungsoo and I will make sure of that. A strong showing in party-member polls doesn’t guarantee victory.”
“······.”
“We can simply change the primary rules.”
Park Seok’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“We’ve already reached an agreement with the leadership. The primary will be conducted as a public primary.”
“Ha... Do you think that’s so easy?” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
“It is. Once the Supreme Council approves it, it’s done. If you’re hoping for internal backlash, don’t. Everyone except you will welcome it.”
Unable to respond, Park Seok’s lips parted soundlessly.
“No matter how much President Yoon Changho insists on neutrality, the public won’t separate Woo Youngsik from the President. In that case, you won’t win the primary.”
“Then let it be. Why come all the way here to tell me this?”
I couldn’t help but smile at his sharp tone. I had already offered him a path, but he had been too agitated to catch it.
“Because it would be a waste. As I said, even if our paths differ, that doesn’t mean we can’t work together. That’s why I’m suggesting you run for Seoul mayor.”
The mayor of Seoul was often called a “little president.”
As the capital of ten million people, it carried immense authority.
“If you lose to Woo Youngsik in the primary, your political life is over. Who will remember you? An old politician defeated by a rookie. That’s why I want you to accept this offer.”
I didn’t dislike Park Seok.
It was just unfortunate that our paths diverged.
But I couldn’t afford to waste such a valuable piece.
“I want Woo Youngsik to become the candidate by acclamation. If you step down, that can happen. What do you think of my proposal?”
Whether someone aiming for the presidency could settle for Seoul mayor—I didn’t know.
But this was the best offer I could give.
“······Seoul mayor...”
“Not a bad final chapter for politician Park Seok, is it?”
“How can you guarantee I’ll become the mayoral candidate?”
“I’ll appoint the head of the nomination committee for next year’s nationwide local elections to someone you choose. However, aside from the Seoul mayoral race, they won’t have full discretion over nominations.”
Of course, even the committee head couldn’t control everything.
But it was a position that allowed influence over several key slots.
“You’ll give me control of the nomination committee?”
“Yes. If you hold a press conference announcing that you’re stepping aside for the next generation, I’ll give you my word. It won’t be written down—but I’ll stake my name on it.”
Park Seok fell into deep thought, frowning.
“If you refuse today, we’ll change the primary rules and proceed.”
I pushed a little harder to force a decision.
“Will you accept—or refuse?”
After a moment longer, he nodded.
“Alright. I’ll hold the press conference. Make sure you keep your promise.”
“You’ve made the right choice. I didn’t want to see a respected man like you fall into ruin. Thank you.”
I smiled in satisfaction and checked my watch.
Perfect timing.
“There’s a press conference scheduled at the National Assembly briefing room in two hours under Director Lee Myungsoo’s name. Let’s head out.”
“······You never even considered I might refuse, did you?”
At my prior preparation, Park Seok looked almost disgusted.
“If you had refused, that press conference would’ve been about changing the primary rules.”
When you set a trap, you dig two pits.
Of course, I had prepared both options.
“Ha. No wonder I couldn’t beat you.”
“Let’s go.”
Out of respect, I waited for him to stand first.
He nodded and rose, extending his hand.
I stood as well and shook it.
“I hope we maintain a good relationship. I was never fond of the Cheongpung Society either. I didn’t have the power to deal with them, but when you destroyed them—it felt incredibly satisfying.”
At the long-forgotten name, Cheongpung Society, I couldn’t help but curl one corner of my lips.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s head out.”
“You go ahead. I’ll follow later. Just tell Director Lee Myungsoo, and he’ll guide you.”
“Very well. Let’s have a drink sometime.”
Park Seok left the restaurant first.
I waited a little longer before stepping out myself.
Two hours later—
Park Seok held a press conference announcing that he would withdraw from the Jongno race for the sake of the next generation.
