This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 497

After hearing those words, did I instinctively realize that something was about to happen?

The combination of “Hero” and “Fraud” made the faces of those seated turn serious instantly.

Well, that made sense.

The mere fact that two incompatible words had merged together indicated that this was no ordinary matter.

Perhaps that was why, unlike before, looking at the faces that had hardened, I suddenly had a thought.

If I were to swing a knife, where would I strike first, and how should I wield it?

Those thoughts swirled in my mind like cigarette smoke, but I decided to put them off for later.

After all, what was truly important right now was not that.

Yes, what mattered at this moment was anything but that.

‘It would be a lie to say I’m not worried about that part…’

But isn’t it more important to grasp the situation regarding this incident first?

Deciding what to cut out, what to prune, and what to eliminate could wait until after.

“External Cooperation Team Leader.”

I shifted my gaze directly to the External Cooperation Team Leader, who had been biting her lips since earlier.

Honestly, I genuinely wanted to rummage through the accounts of all the heroes affiliated with the association, but that would only exponentially increase the workload.

If we had the luxury of time, it might be different, but given the urgency of the situation, that wouldn’t do.

And that meant before the Audit Team could start their work, it was necessary to pull together a rough list of who was involved in this incident.

Having some information in hand would allow the Audit Team to operate more smoothly and swiftly.

“Yes, yes…!”

So I intended to ask her to do some groundwork before starting the formal investigation, but perhaps she had already figured out what she needed to do from the conversation we’d had so far.

There was an air of determination in her response.

Surely, the team leader’s position wasn’t just for show.

With her level of competence, I could trust her with this.

“It seems you already know what needs to be done… How long will it take?”

That was the most crucial point, of course.

To be honest, it was inevitable… Once the investigation began, information would slip out in one way or another.

And the moment that happened, there would only be one decision made by those trying to exploit the heroes for personal gain.

To take all the money they collected and run, that’s what.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

To prevent that situation from occurring, it was necessary to resolve things as quickly as possible, and for that, the External Cooperation Team needed to step up.

How quickly they could pull together the list would impact many things.

So, putting everything else aside, I asked her how long it would take, but even she, showing some resolve, struggled to answer that.

A moment of silence stretched between us.

That was somewhat frustrating, but… I didn’t want to rush the other person.

If rushing them would yield better results, I would have done it a hundred or a thousand times, but in a situation like this, pushing would likely be more harmful.

So, I held back my impatience and kept my mouth shut, wondering how much time passed in that state.

Finally, the External Cooperation Team Leader, who seemed to be furiously weighing her options, let out a sigh and spoke.

“Huh… I’ll have it done by noon today, no, before morning.”

“Are you really sure that timeframe is feasible? I don’t want you to overexert yourself…”

“No, I can do it.”

From the way her eyes were blazing, it seemed she was not only planning to call back those who had left early after finishing their work but also those who had stayed late to ensure the investigation began in earnest.

I felt a little guilty for those who were suddenly going to work night shifts instead of just early mornings.

‘Well, still, it’s better than letting the workplace fall apart after a crisis…’

And as expected, just as the conversation was about to wrap up, the External Cooperation Team Leader asked for permission in a cautious voice.

Judging by her expression, she must have decided that it was better to leave and start the investigation more quickly.

If we had still had things to discuss, it would have been different, but I had already said everything I needed to say, so it was fine to let her go.

“Understood. Then, let’s get going.”

And as I said she could leave, it seemed she had been waiting only for that.

With a slight bow, the External Cooperation Team Leader stood up and exited the meeting room.

The moment she stepped out of the room, she immediately took out her mobile phone from her pocket, suggesting she was going to call her subordinates.

One of those who had been in the meeting left the room, yet… the real meeting was about to begin now.

“Alright, then since it will take some time to get the results of the investigation… let’s discuss how to handle this matter until then, shall we, Audit Team Leader?”

.

.

.

The results pulled together by the External Cooperation Team and the Audit Team were nothing short of shocking.

No, it might even be inadequate to call it shocking.

Because what came out as the investigation results were slightly different from what people expected.

Of course, it was also different from what Chae-rim had anticipated.

I don’t know what others thought, but Chae-rim believed the heroes involved in this incident were mere victims.

Not only in terms of financial loss, but for some, their heroic identity—something they valued more than money—would take a severe beating.

Given that, Chae-rim was trying to handle the situation to minimize the damage to the heroes and was actually working towards that goal, but…

The moment she checked the documents sent up from the Audit Team, she realized.

All her efforts had been in vain.

And the world was vast, filled with insane people.

“Ha…”

It was absurd.

So absurd that it only brought out a hollow laugh.

She thought everyone was naive, easily deceived by the smooth talk of fraudsters…

But among the 23 people presumed to be involved in this incident, only two were not.

She never expected that there would be those who colluded with the fraudsters.

Perhaps that’s why she felt as if her skull was on fire.

“Ugh…?”

No matter how many people gather, one of them is bound to be trash, but still, she never imagined there would be such people among those known as heroes.

Not only stabbing their colleagues in the back but also trying to sully the very name of heroes built on the sacrifices of many.

If… if this incident had broken out, and if this fact had been revealed to the public, what would have happened?

To be honest, even imagining it terrified her.

‘What should I do with these…?’

While holding the crumpled papers that had lost their original shape, I hesitated for a moment, then suddenly shot up from my seat.

Then I stretched out my hand—

Beep—!

Using an extension telephone, I called for the secretary waiting outside.

“Did you call for me?”

“The Audit Team.”

“Yes?”

“Contact the Audit Team. I’m heading down right now, so tell them to prepare for deployment before I arrive.”

Of course… I knew.

It was one thing for the External Cooperation Team, but the Audit Team was directly operated under the Association Chairman, so as the Deputy Chairman, if I stepped in here carelessly, it could easily be seen as overstepping authority.

And if the Association Chairman latched onto that point, it would put me in a rather difficult position.

I understood all of that, but… I couldn’t contain myself.

Given how precarious the Association’s situation was, the last thing I wanted was for someone like Dogun to make matters worse.

‘This won’t do.’

I threw off my suit, which felt particularly constricting today.

Then I opened the drawer beneath my desk, where I hadn’t touched what rested there for a while.

The cold sensation pressed against my skin.

As I savored that feeling, I thought to myself.

It’s been a while since I need to take action myself.