Chapter 225

***

Hong Ki-jun wasn’t a clueless person like Son Jin-hyeok, nor was he someone who had lived with Yoo Se-ra for just a day or two. Sure, he might run wild like a stallion at night, but he wasn’t the type of husband to make weird, snorting noises over the phone and demand ridiculous things. So, there was no need to misunderstand his ramblings.

He just wished she’d be a bit more specific.

– You know, that thing. That thing.

Ah, what is it, woman?

He engraved the word “patience” in his heart and waited for his wife to sort out her thoughts.

– You’ve been doing suspicious things lately, and I’ll pretend not to notice, but could you help me out?

He felt like the air was knocked out of him at her unexpected words.

Frowning, Hong Ki-jun pulled his chair closer to the desk.

Could she have noticed that he’s been up to no good in the shadows?

He had been meticulous about security, so this was even more shocking. He wasn’t directly involved, but if it came out that he was orchestrating dirty deeds, the disappointment and betrayal his wife would feel wouldn’t be trivial.

“What I’ve been doing? What are you talking about?”

He kept his composure and asked in a low voice.

– You’ve been sneaking out early on weekends and coming back late at night. How could I not notice…?

Ah, busted. Hong Ki-jun clenched his eyes shut.

His wife’s weak, disappointed voice filled him with a sense of defeat.

– You don’t say anything when I go golfing or fishing without you.

Ugh.

His racing heart quickly calmed down.

At least his disguise seemed to have worked, considering he still cared about his appearance.

Hong Ki-jun silently listened to Yoo Se-ra’s complaints.

– Blah blah blah.

She was annoyed, furious, and wanted to throw everything away, etc.

Her words matched her elegant and dignified appearance.

“Alright. You’ve done enough. I’ll help you now.”

Describing Yoo Se-ra’s personality as “kind” would be a stretch.

She was more like someone who didn’t abuse her power despite her arrogance. A chaebol daughter who grew up well but had just enough humanity to treat people like people.

Putting aside her charm, if she hadn’t possessed even that minimal level of character, Hong Ki-jun wouldn’t have fallen for her in the first place.

As he smiled, thinking about his smart but slightly clueless wife, a more specific request came through.

– Just give me some backup. I’ll do the fighting. It’s my battle.

Her request for support to counter media manipulation reflected both her inability to be cruel and her independent spirit.

“That’s easy. Just cutting off ads and sponsorships will make them bow down quickly.”

There’s no better punishment for a media company that abandoned pure journalism for profit. What, they’ll just get ads from other companies? One call from Hong Ki-jun would solve that.

How many companies would dare to ignore Hong Ki-jun’s threats and still run ads? Only a few competitors remained, and they weren’t in great shape either, given the current economic climate.

‘This will be a proxy war.’

He could see exactly where they’d reach out. Or maybe Daejeong would make the first move.

– Blah blah blah.

“It’s not cowardly. They’re the ones acting cowardly first. Why should we play fair?”

When they go low, we go high?

‘Bullshit.’

One naive person like Son Jin-hyeok is enough.

Hong Ki-jun had no intention of living purely like that.

His decision to use the SSS of Sakdo to root out criminal organizations, starting with the New Boss faction, was a silent declaration of his resolve.

That’s why he was tense when Yoo Se-ra brought up his “recent activities.” Like a thief guarding his own house, he didn’t want his family to know about these matters. They wouldn’t look honorable in the eyes of those living in safe zones.

So, he reduced the frequency of calling Moon Seok-il and Yang Gang-wook for security reasons. While the Sakdo agents had become more elite, he figured that overusing Moon Seok-il would raise suspicions.

After finishing the call with his wife, he pressed the intercom button.

“Tell the secretary-general to come to my office and connect me to the head of PR.”

What couldn’t a powerful man with military, intelligence, and financial resources do?

Hong Ki-jun’s war didn’t give the enemy time to think.

And the tactic of cutting off the breath of those defined as enemies was the key to victory in a speed battle.

But Yoo Se-ra only asked for rear support.

‘What a shame.’

He thought they’d have a big fight.

Well, there’s still time. No rush.

– Yes, Chairman.

The head of PR appeared on the intercom.

“You know what I’m about to say, right? Good. Make a list of media outlets and cancel all contracts.”

But he wasn’t going to do it half-heartedly.

“Combine that budget with the sports sponsorship budget and redirect it to support eSports.”

If you’re going to push, push hard.

Go all out like a runaway train.

Knock knock.

The secretary-general, who had been waiting outside for the call to end, entered.

He sensed something unusual in the young chairman’s gaze and straightened his appearance even more.

“Prepare a position for Min. No, you handle it directly. I’ll need to call him in soon.”

“By when should it be ready?”

If he dared to ask “Why?” his neck would be on the line. A desk job could be created by tomorrow, but if the chairman was personally involved, there were other considerations. If he didn’t have that level of insight, he wouldn’t be in the secretary-general position.

“By next fall.”

“Understood.”

Prepare a position for a year from now.

This is a big deal.

He’s planning to form a new organization around that person.

Is it going to be a department or a division? Suppressing his curiosity, the secretary-general bowed respectfully and left.

*

Hong Ki-jun was the most famous and busiest businessman in the world.

‘I don’t even have time to spend money because I’m so busy working.’

In his past life, in his early 40s, he lived as a salaryman, going out to play every holiday. He had to mind his family, but he lived without headaches, oblivious to the worries of ordinary people.

After the secretary-general left, someone else knocked.

Knock knock. Click.

Only one person knocked so casually and carefully before opening the door immediately. A secretary with a somewhat plain appearance and a graceful demeanor stepped in, stopped, and bowed softly with her hands clasped in front.

“Chairman, Director Jeong Sang-tae is here.”

“Alright. Do we have sikhye?”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

Jeong Sang-tae loved sweet drinks, especially sikhye.

Remembering the preferences of frequent visitors was just part of being a businessman. Especially when that visitor was someone entrusted with important tasks.

Watching Jeong Sang-tae bow respectfully as he entered, Hong Ki-jun felt a renewed sense of emotion.

‘If it weren’t for Jin-hyeok, I wouldn’t have met this person.’

Disillusioned with the rotten world that had been vibrating since his past life, he had fantasized about creating a devil’s weapon to clean it up after returning. But he didn’t know how.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried. He had secretly investigated and contacted military, prosecution, police, and underworld bosses, but their ambitions were pitiful, and they were nothing but weak-willed individuals. In contrast, the rewards they desired were excessive. They were the kind of people who fueled his disgust for humanity.

But what about Jeong Sang-tae and Moon Seok-il?

“Park Dae-soon is dead.”

They thoroughly handled their tasks and didn’t show up unless there was something special to report or unless Hong Ki-jun called them. And yet, there were no issues.

“Was it an accident?”

“Yes. He fell at a construction site. They say he slipped.”

He had asked them before. Why do you work so hard and obey so thoroughly? Moon Seok-il and Jeong Sang-tae just smiled, and their answers were always the same.

– “It suits our nature.”

He knew there was more behind their awkward smiles, but their faces weren’t suspicious enough to doubt.

Thanks to them, he could protect his friend and build a fortress in Sakdo.

He raised his hand to stop Jeong Sang-tae from giving further reports.

Just then, the secretary returned with the sikhye.

Hong Ki-jun took a sip and stared at Jeong Sang-tae with emotionless eyes.

“Did you confirm it yourself?”

“Yes, it was an open space during the day. There was no evidence of foul play.”

The answer came without hesitation to the question of whether someone had intervened.

Hong Ki-jun sighed lightly and leaned back on the sofa.

“The construction company probably covered it up.”

The sequence of events played out in his mind.

A slip, corporate intervention, media defense.

It was an important report, but a phone call would have sufficed.

But Jeong Sang-tae didn’t even trust the secure phone he used. He probably had a bug detector activated in his pocket right now. That’s why he was such a trustworthy person.

Hong Ki-jun also recalled another reason Jeong Sang-tae had come to report in person.

“You came to give a completion report.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

A rare, relaxed smile appeared on Jeong Sang-tae’s face.

Even though Hong Ki-jun lived in a different world, their conversations always went smoothly.

“How’s the family doing?”

“They’re fine.”

Hong Ki-jun recalled an old report.

Park Dae-soon’s wife ran a pottery shop in Busan, and his children were attending school.

“The family must be grieving.”

“The funeral is tomorrow.”

Hong Ki-jun closed his eyes for a moment, trying to empathize with Jin-hyeok’s feelings.

‘Yes, as you said, it’s pitiful.’

Park Dae-soon, who had left his hometown after nothing happened on that moonlit sea.

Hong Ki-jun had only warned Park Dae-soon that Daejeong wouldn’t leave him alone. That was over seven years ago when he first visited Jin-hyeok’s house. Park Dae-soon must have felt both guilt and fear from that one sentence. He probably secretly sold his assets and fled with his family in the middle of the night.

‘Those who know every detail and exploit Park Dae-soon’s weaknesses to make him do dirty work—what couldn’t they do?’

Park Dae-soon must have thought that far.

At least Park Dae-soon had some connections, so he managed to save his family. And then he worked himself to death in a foreign land, his body broken.

‘Yes, even if it’s clumsy, empathizing with him makes me feel sorry for him, as you said, Jin-hyeok.’

The reason Hong Ki-jun had warned Park Dae-soon was simple.

He didn’t want any major incidents in the village where his friend, like a brother, had settled down. That was the only reason. It wasn’t for Park Dae-soon’s sake.

He sighed again and opened his eyes.

“Do one more thing for me.”

“Please tell me.”

Jeong Sang-tae had guessed Hong Ki-jun’s intention but didn’t show it.

It was a proper distance.

Moon Seok-il had repeatedly emphasized that those who show off their intelligence too much always get cut down, so he should keep his words to himself.

“I’ll tell the secretary’s office, so stop by and get some money. It’d be best if you delivered it personally. Once it’s done, return to your original unit.”

After finishing, Hong Ki-jun extended his hand for a handshake.

Jeong Sang-tae hurriedly grasped it with both hands and bowed.

He was flustered by the unexpected gesture.

He had once wondered if a handshake held any significant meaning, but after entering the world, he realized its weight depended on who was offering it. Praise, trust, gratitude… or farewell.

Delivering condolence money to Park Dae-soon’s family would perfectly conclude the mission. Thinking of the rural area and family that lingered in his mind, he felt a sense of relief. Hong Ki-jun’s soft voice flew in as if to comfort him.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Hong Ki-jun saw Jeong Sang-tae off to the door and sat back down with a lighter heart.

‘Another one of those shackles has been removed.’

Now, it’s just a matter of letting him run wild like a freed colt.

With this, one of Jin-hyeok’s bad ties has been resolved.

***

When the season of cool breezes arrives, the morning mist rising from the waterways and the colder night air signal the change.

“Ugh, it’s chilly getting off the bus.”

Choi Mi-kyung, walking beside him, suddenly moved behind him and slipped her hand under Jin-hyeok’s armpit. It was a surprise attack, but Jin-hyeok wasn’t flustered. It was a pattern he had expected.

When his friend attacked his armpit like inserting a key, Jin-hyeok bit his lip to suppress the ticklish feeling. Then, with his hands in his pockets, he pressed his latissimus dorsi and biceps together. To warm his friend’s hand. It was something they’d done since they were kids.

“Assistant manager, take care, sleep well, see you tomorrow!”

“Rest well.”

Wash your hands before bed.

After watching his friend enter the house, Jin-hyeok changed direction. Toward the Sweet Home, lit up like a fortress in the darkness.

Sometimes, the late autumn air feels colder than winter, and this was one of those times. The sudden gust of wind made his neck shrink and his spine shiver. He felt uneasy, and it wasn’t just that.

“Is this punk feeding Cheon-ma again?”

For some reason, Jang Gun-i didn’t come out to greet him.

Is Cheon-ma a mermaid? Since he’s male, is he a merman? Since he’s a dog, is he a merdog? Merhound? His name is Cheon-ma, so merhorse?

Jin-hyeok grumbled endlessly as he walked along the field path.

Click, clack.

The dry bean stalks rustled in the autumn wind, sounding like drums as they marched. The rice harvest was over, but the beans were still waiting to be picked.

It felt like just yesterday he took the first bus to school, but already, less than two months remained in the second semester.

As he passed the field path and reached the fence near the bamboo grove, Jin-hyeok was startled.

“Oppa, you’re here?”

A delicate voice mixed with the autumn wind—it was Yoo Jin.

“Whoa, you scared me.”

“…Sorry.”

“You punk, aren’t you scared? Why are you here at this hour?”

Somehow, Yoo Jin had ended up crouching in the dense bamboo grove.

He pushed aside the thin, stiff bamboo stalks and pulled Yoo Jin out.

Ah, Yoo Jin. Her hands were as cold as ice, as if she had been there for a long time. The chilly touch of her hands made his heart ache with frost.

Jang Gun-i, Hong-shi, and Geon-ma also came out, panting as they pushed through the bamboo.

Yoo Jin’s eyes were swollen, and she was drooling as she opened her mouth.

“Agemuri, Agemuri… They were trying to catch me, so I ran away. Sniff.”

As she spoke, Yoo Jin sobbed pitifully.

“Where’s Mom? Dad and Jeong Won-i? Where are the other uncles?”

Yoo Jin, with her eyes tightly shut, shook her head and couldn’t continue.

Jin-hyeok hugged his sister and comforted her.

Come to think of it, the house, which usually had a warm atmosphere, was strangely quiet.

It seemed Jang Gun-i and the others had been holding their breaths to protect Yoo Jin.

‘Who are these bastards…?’

Jin-hyeok gritted his teeth so hard it made a chilling sound, and his eyes blazed with fury.