Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Selig's Korean Representative
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"Me... Me, the Korean representative of Selig?"
It must be incredibly shocking.
In the US, she's being hailed as a rising star, and Wall Street is busy dissecting Selig's success story.
The news of Selig expanding into Korea was surprising enough.
But to be put in charge of a branch of a massive pharmaceutical giant?
One wrong move, and he might even have a heart attack.
"N-No, I can't do it! What makes you think I have the skills to run a huge company like that?"
Seong-ho waved his hands frantically, but then something seemed to dawn on him.
He pointed at me and yelled.
"You, what are you? How do you know so much about Selig?"
How could I not know?
Because I'm the true CEO behind Jin Seol-hwa in the US.
A little more teasing, and he might just faint.
Even now, his fingers trembled uncontrollably in shock and terror.
Still, spilling 100% of the truth might be a bit tricky.
No matter how close we are, sharing everything feels off.
I'll tell him just enough.
"I'm personally acquainted with Jin Seol-hwa. We crossed paths by chance."
"W-With CEO Jin Seol-hwa? That Jin Seol-hwa!?"
"Yeah. She's in the US right now—you must've seen her on the news. Selig's rushing around setting up production facilities in 37 countries."
"R-Right, I saw that on TV..."
Sorry.
About not being able to tell you that I'm the real owner of Selig.
Of course, once he takes over the Korean branch, he'll learn the ins and outs naturally enough.
'Until then, I can't even trust family. Understand, Seong-ho.'
Starting from Selig, if he digs back, he'll uncover DJ Investment in the Philippines too.
The paper companies handling money laundering bit by bit were shadowy tools that couldn't be exposed to any government.
"Let me explain why I recommended you, at least."
I gulped down the orange juice he'd brought, frustration bubbling up.
The first sip was sweet and refreshing, followed by the tangy citrus bursting across my tongue. As it slid down my throat, a cool sensation washed over my whole body.
Finally, I feel alive again.
"I needed someone reliable. As you know, my network's pretty much nonexistent. Grew up hearing 'hikikomori' or 'outsider' since high school."
"That's true."
Tch, no denial there.
A twinge of hurt crept in.
I know it too.
That I was a total runt back then.
"...And it's not just any company—it's Selig. After the Deadly Mite treatment, they're developing new drugs for incurable diseases, with researchers pouring everything into cancer studies."
"!"
"Cancer's humanity's eternal scourge. It wasn't well-known in the past, but it's the death sentence no living thing on Earth can escape."
No matter how medical tech advances over time.
People fundamentally fear cancer.
Even when the head doctor says survival rates over 80%...
'Awareness of cancer runs deep. To change that fundamentally, we need revolutionary tech.'
If someone pulls it off.
A Nobel Prize would be a breeze, right?
Especially pancreatic cancer, so hard to detect even on checkups—cure rates are dismal. By the time it's found, it's usually stage four.
'Endoscopic ultrasound is helpful, but not perfect.'
Funny thing—even with those scans, some cases slip through.
Why I recommended him.
Time for the honest truth.
"Can't recommend based on skills alone. Pharma companies need ironclad security above all."
"You think I'm tight-lipped?"
"Yeah."
I nodded without hesitation.
Seong-ho might suck at other things, but loyalty? He's unbreakable.
He'd sooner die than sell out a friend, even with a knife to his throat.
"Studying's something you can handle. I believe nothing's impossible for humans."
"......"
Korea's post-Korean War rise proves it.
What did those global economists say back then?
They were dead certain Korea couldn't recover even after 100 years.
Yet.
In under 50 years, it surged beyond pre-war levels.
Leaving the whole world in doubt.
"It's not just 'cause we're friends. I'm introverted and scrawny, but I fancy myself a damn good judge of character."
Yeah.
I can't trust anyone else, but you? Absolutely.
When Mom bowed to market vendors through hard days, you saw 'human Kim Do-jun,' not 'dirt-poor Kim Do-jun.'
That kindness is still buried in my heart.
"So, Seong-ho."
"Y-Yeah?"
Moved, huh?
His face looked serious.
Like he might burst into tears any second.
I gave my friend a light hug.
"Sucks about your girlfriend dumping you. Maybe it was money issues. Well, life's short—you only get one shot."
Seong-ho met my eyes.
I didn't look away.
"Why not go big? Live like a man and slap a director's business card down for all to see?"
I landed the final blow.
"As the head of a company no one dares ignore."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Mi-jeong's face bloomed with smiles, despite breaking up with her boyfriend not long ago.
The man before her was Gu Do-young, a promising manager from the same company.
Sure, there was an age gap, but so what?
Gu Do-young came from old money, tight with the former executive director. Probably why he skipped interviews altogether—classic parachute hire.
Marrying him meant no money worries, at minimum.
Before regular work hours.
Earlier than usual, the two indulged in their affair.
In the dark office.
Devouring each other's bodies so brazenly.
Yet they showed no shame.
"People will be here soon."
"Okay..."
Mi-jeong noticed.
Among the arriving employees.
One man slipping in stealthily, glancing around.
Park Seong-ho, the one she'd dumped recently.
Even when their eyes met, he ignored her as usual.
Already broken up, so she didn't dwell.
"Alright, everyone head home early today. You all worked hard prepping the audit—rest up at home."
"You too."
"Good work, sir."
Quitting time hit, and a group headed to the parking lot.
Mi-jeong followed Gu Do-young to his BMW.
"Wanna catch a movie tonight?"
"Sure."
Whispers everywhere!
No one was clueless about Gu Do-young's powerful backers.
And Mi-jeong's secret fling with him? The employees knew subtly.
Office romance banned?
Who cares.
With the former exec behind him.
Even department heads treaded carefully.
"Wh-What's that?"
A convoy caught Mi-jeong's eye as she reached for the passenger seat.
Vroooom!
Presidential motorcade or what?
Center: the priciest Mercedes, a Maybach, gliding carefully. Flanking it: black vans with tinted windows, guarding like knights.
Murmurs rose!
Employees froze on their way out.
This was company grounds.
Security at the gate, yet they just waved them in?
Might be the boss's guest, so they stepped aside.
Mess up, and promotions were toast.
Screech!
Men in black suits piled out, surrounding one person instantly.
That person was...
"Isn't that Seong-ho?"
"Why are they boxing him in?"
"Did he commit a crime? Prosecutors maybe?"
"Nah... Look at them. Totally American."
"What's going on?"
Amid the crowd's stares, Mi-jeong couldn't look away from Park Seong-ho.
Problem was, he already seemed briefed and was following the burly men.
Mi-jeong dazedly approached him.
"Wh-What's this?"
She tried speaking, but...
The swarm around him blocked her.
"What's the matter?"
"!"
Can't even talk?
What's this guy hiding?
Just a regular salaryman, right?
"Who are you people? Act like this in our company, and I'll report to upper management."
Mi-jeong snarled, but they didn't flinch.
They smirked, as if scoffing at this puny firm.
The leader stepped forward.
Massive muscles standard.
Blond hair, foreigner-style.
Sharp scars around eyes and mouth.
Intimidating aura just standing there.
Foreigner, but fluent Korean.
"I'm James, head of Selig Security Team 2. May I ask what's the issue?"
"!"
Gentlemanly despite the looks.
But Mi-jeong had no time to think.
Why was Selig's security team here...?
"I-I..."
Gu Do-young watched from behind, but now wasn't the time.
That Park Seong-ho.
The one taking public transit, scraping by in a studio apartment.
Her ex!
Why this treatment? She couldn't fathom.
"If you have no business, please step aside..."
Mi-jeong lost her words at the thunderbolt threat.
Open intimidation.
"Refuse to back off, and we'll detain you by force. Your choice?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So that's why you dispatched Selig Security Team 2 to Korea."
"Yes, Director Kim Do-jun. It was unavoidable."
Jin Seol-hwa replied gravely.
A few days ago.
A threat letter arrived at Selig HQ.
Promising to kill researchers.
Local cops and FBI mobilized, apparently.
"Common in the US. Few months back, bomb threat at a baseball stadium."
"Land of the free, big scale as always."
"Hohoho. Probably bluff, but we've got full security on researchers and key personnel."
She slyly added,
"We should bolster your protection too, Director."
Ah! That one's fine.
Honestly, Im Yun-ah alone was overwhelming.
'USSOCOM ain't the neighbor's dog...'
Rumor had it a congressman fainted on-site watching her train during an inspection.
"Wait—Seong-ho's company isn't under our jurisdiction, right?"
It's another firm's property.
Not our place to barge in.
Jin Seol-hwa covered her mouth, laughing.
"Was going to report today, Director, but DJ Investment bought a stake."
"...Pardon?"
Faxed papers that day.
I read them carefully.
Just as she said.
"Selig Korea's incorporation is complete. Factory 1 in Songdo, 2 in Cheongju—all approved by the government. Better to acquire local firms for entry."
Haa, the scale keeps ballooning.
Makes sense—Selig entering Korea means jobs galore, regional growth boost.
Government obsessed with polls would welcome foreign investment with open arms.
All set by Jin Seol-hwa and Olivia, who just joined DJ Investment.
"Oh, and I heard you're hosting a Starcraft tournament, Director."
Hm, what's this now?
"Your first event as our owner—shouldn't the prize pool be huge?"
Jin Seol-hwa winked conspiratorially.
"Selig requests to sponsor 1 billion won for our Korea launch celebration."