Someone Worth Helping
"Those damn Japs are definitely gonna lose their shit. Yeah, no doubt about it."
After listening intently to the hot-off-the-press info Gak Du-sik had brought, Im Hong-jae spat out his conclusion. Gak Du-sik nodded without objection.
"No doubt. So?"
"Huh? So what?"
"So what're you gonna do about it? I'm assuming you've got some plan, right?"
"What the hell am I supposed to do? I'm already swamped with the stuff you dumped on me before. So tell whoever's got time to handle the gold coins and all that complicated crap."
Im Hong-jae shrugged it off like he had no clue what was being asked. Gak Du-sik smirked in disbelief.
He leaned back leisurely in his chair, glancing down at Im Hong-jae before speaking.
"Hong-jae, oh Hong-jae... Why didn't you cover up those bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep first?"
"Shit!"
Im Hong-jae hurriedly covered his eyes with his hand, but Gak Du-sik had already seen everything he needed to.
"Eyes all red and bloodshot, hands shaking from too much caffeine, face full of exhaustion. You... watched that stream and started racking your brain, then chugged coffee and energy drinks to stay up poking around somewhere, huh?"
"...Ahem!"
"The Toyotomi gold coins aren't exactly news to you, are they?"
"...Ahem ahem!"
"You went digging into it yourself before? Like buried treasures in our country?"
"Shh! Shh! That's classified! Classified!"
Im Hong-jae waved his hands frantically, then pulled a plum-flavored candy from his jacket pocket with his still-trembling fingers and popped it in his mouth.
"Mmm!"
Avoiding Gak Du-sik's grinning stare, he rolled the candy around in his mouth vigorously before finally scratching his head in frustration.
"Hong-jae. I'm not really interested in treasure secrets either, like you said. Don't wanna end up buried where no mouse or bird can find me. Plus, there's a ton of other stuff this reporter Gak Du-sik has to worry about in this world. Anyway, the Jeong Kyung-rok thing is still in progress, right?"
"Obviously. With Kang San and Jeong Kyung-jin, they've buried it so deep it's not gonna come out easy like the other stuff. But that bastard's gone blind, and they still don't know why or how to fix it. Hospital's pissed and sedating him every time, keeping him down. So soon those little rats'll start scurrying out."
"Like rats jumping from a sinking ship, huh."
"Exactly. Look at the bastard's usual behavior—who's gonna stay loyal? Once those rats start peeking out, we grab 'em all at once, toss 'em on a fire pit. Roast 'em nice and crispy front and back, and they'll spill everything."
"Spill everything... Sounds like there's a lot going on?"
Gak Du-sik narrowed his eyes, and Im Hong-jae shrugged.
"Plenty. A ton. Jeong Kyung-rok getting like that makes you think heavenly punishment still exists in this world. Oh, and thanks to his eyes, most operations are on full stop—confirmed that."
"Doesn't mean we can let our guard down—"
"Du-sik. You think I'm some amateur? If I can't wipe out the aftermath completely, I'll watch it to the end."
Im Hong-jae pointed from his own eyes to Gak Du-sik's with his index and middle fingers, snorting as he continued.
"Du-sik, you said last time to make the board bigger. Keep people's eyes on Kang Seol-bin. That still valid?"
"Until we completely sideline Jeong Kyung-rok. And who knows—there might be someone behind him."
"Aha... A real black curtain? Using Jeong Kyung-rok as a puppet... Yeah, trying to take down Seomho Group? Possible. Very possible. Smart Jeong Kyung-jin would've been tough, but dumb Jeong Kyung-rok? Easy. Lemme dig into that too."
Gak Du-sik changed the subject, watching Im Hong-jae wiggle his fingers with a chuckle.
"So, that's why you're in this state—digging into treasure stuff?"
"What do you mean 'this state'! Well, since those Japs are obviously gonna pick a fight, I figured I'd rub up against some big fish."
"Rub up?"
"Our country's got buried treasure stories too, but we can't go digging everywhere like madmen. Plus, there've been big scams lately with treasure ships."
"Mm."
Gak Du-sik nodded. The Dmitri Donskoi, supposedly loaded with 150 trillion won in gold bars. A scam claiming to have found a Russo-Japanese War battleship near Ulleungdo, scamming investors for salvage costs.
Of course, total fraud.
"But across the Pacific, those guys actually hunt treasure ships for real and find 'em. So I poked around and..."
Im Hong-jae trailed off meaningfully, leaning forward to whisper.
"Found out a U.S. treasure-hunting specialist company is after the Toyotomi gold coins. They're pretty damn good. One of their teams found a ship with 200 tons of silver bars about ten years ago."
"200 tons?!"
An insane amount—and value. Gak Du-sik blinked before saying,
"Yeah, but the research institute folks say the map showing where the Toyotomi gold went is exclusive to them—"
"Right. They've got their story, we've got ours. But get this... The Toyotomi gold's a massive haul, right? Probably exaggerated to show off wealth, but in today's money, trillions in gold coins and bars. They'd hide it in multiple spots, obviously. Some in Japan, some in Korea, and—"
Im Hong-jae paused dramatically, raising his index finger.
"Some in the Netherlands."
"Huh? Netherlands?"
"Ha, you were thinking China, huh, Du-sik?"
"Hmph."
Im Hong-jae wagged his finger side to side, clicking his tongue.
"Toyotomi Hideyoshi's lord, Oda Nobunaga, imported matchlocks from the Netherlands to end the Sengoku period and nearly unify Japan. Toyotomi, watching it all, turns eyes to the Netherlands too?"
"Hoo... Paid in gold coins for his kids' safety?"
"Anyway, seems that U.S. team found a map or contract. They must've busted their asses decoding it."
"Decoded it and pinpointed the location?"
"Different spot from where Kang Seol-bin caught that golden cod, but no electronic mentions, so no docs. Probably hand over paper in person for security. But definitely sank near the Netherlands—no movement otherwise."
"Hoo. So 'rubbing up' means...?"
"Attach those grizzled pros to our side! Americans are experts."
"Those guys? Not the treasure ship hunters you just mentioned?"
"Nah. Americans are good at treasure ships, but also pros at pitting sides against each other and profiting in the middle."
"Hm?"
Gak Du-sik tilted his head, and Im Hong-jae tapped the table.
"Like this: British ship loaded with colony gold sinks. U.S. company finds the wreck after years. But it's in Spanish waters? Who owns the gold? British ship owner? Finder U.S.? Spain where it's found? Colony that mined it?"
"Ambiguous."
"Exactly."
Im Hong-jae leaned back, muttering.
"Streamer Coronodon. This time's different. Golden dom fish was just angler buzz—normies think 'big deal, one fish.' But gold? Gold pulls people in instantly! Old-looking gold rings, earrings, Japanese coins... Remember that Aussie news? Eel with a gold wedding ring?"
"Ah, yeah. Someone's lost ring."
"Right. In a world where that hits Korean airwaves in days. But it's gold that gets the broadcast—otherwise, nah."
"Hm..."
"Japan pretends no interest but obsesses more than anyone. Our nationalist YouTubers thrive on bashing Japan for views. 'Japan kept screwing up for centuries? We snag rare gold coins fishing! Japan fails for hundreds of years, Korea reels 'em in—exclusive!' Japs see it, freak: 'That's our gold! Hand it over! Tell us the spot! Steal it and you're done!' Headache city. So..."
"Use the Toyotomi gold-hunting U.S. team as a shield? Like waving 'finders keepers'?"
"Bingo!"
Im Hong-jae snapped his fingers, his bloodshot eyes gleaming.
"Use barbarians to control barbarians! Poison against poison! Wipe your nose without touching it!"
"Hoo...!"
I gazed out the window with a satisfied smile.
Bin-i had been bouncing around promising the world's best wheelchair, then got a bit down after searching, but perked up saying she'd shuttle anyway. But gathering people for a wheelchair race? What the... And Mom, thrilled by my quick recovery, grilled the doctor relentlessly.
Not blaming the doc—he couldn't know my situation. Modern medicine kept my body going for 11 years, but waking and regaining upper body control so fast? No doctor could explain it.
Mom cornered the startled doctor with questions: When can legs move? Real food, not tube slop? Wheelchair outings? What to pack? Overwhelmed, the doc promised tests, rehab schedule, and fled.
Hm. Choi Du-cheon's been awfully quiet. Might stay that way. Hasn't visited since.
No contact with him after Jeong Kyung-rok's mess. Who'd stay loyal to trash like that?
No one could lift Amjeong's veil of darkness from Jeong Kyung-rok's eyes. Blind and aimless, he'll wither like a cut kite string.
Anyway... Gave gui-mul to Mom and Bin-i. Confirmed on their fingers. Anyone with ill intent—human or spirit—gets a harsh lesson. Not a head-smash like Amjeong's, but...
【Master. Feels good. Me too. Feels good.】
Amjeong sidled close, grinning. Proud from back-to-back successes and my praise.
【You. Getting. More dangerous scent.】
【My methods. Master approved. So very good. Dangerous. Scent!】
Amjeong declared proudly at Hwa-jeong's worried words.
Yeah. Among the jeong, Amjeong's the expert there. Ruthless hands, no hesitation once target confirmed.
More incidents like that ahead, and Amjeong'll shine. World full of folks who bully freely sans conscience, but fake remorse when hit physically.
Civilized folk ruder than savages, knowing no skull-cracking for rude words.
Next up: Han Myeong-rye's kid. Schizophrenia, she said.
Molded fist-sized lump into five egg-sized adsorbents.
Need more? Grab from True Truth Village, ask Heavenly Wood.
Went out, grabbed two, headed to psych ward next door.
Found the room Han Myeong-rye mentioned—
Just a bit longer and the mountain spirit'll heal you. Hang in there, okay? You'll be fine. Of course... you have to be...
A man staring blankly at the ceiling with unfocused eyes, Han Myeong-rye murmuring desperately beside him.
Man too old for "kid," but parents see grown kids as babies.
【This man your son?】
Mountain spirit!
Han Myeong-rye jumped, staring at me.
The black soybean paste—
【Heard it was good.】
Oh, thank goodness! Paste tastes different per person, home even with same ingredients—
I raised a hand, cutting her off.
【Not here for paste talk. Got payment, confirmed. Time to deliver.】
Ah, yes!
As she brightened, I was blunt.
【Didn't make this medicine myself. Involved, yes, but not hands-on start to finish.】
Ah...
【High chance it'll restore his sanity. But if you doubt—】
No.
She shook her head firmly.
It's fine. I trust the mountain spirit.
Fair enough. Approached the man, pressed adsorbent to his forehead.
Gasp?!
Han Myeong-rye yelped as it sank in, then covered her mouth, calming.
Invisible to her, but clear to my Spiritual Eye. Amjeong marveled too.
「Spreading out.」
Once inside, it split like dense tree roots, wrapping his brain, spreading everywhere. Pulsing, sucking in, expelling.
Thought it absorbed harmful energy—spot on. But limits? Heavenly Wood's power how?
Glanced at Han Myeong-rye's anxious face, then moved on.
Brought two for experiments. Next patient: dementia.
Saddest disease, soul-eater. Patient forgets self, family suffers burdens—physical, financial, mental, stress, depression, suicide.
Early drugs delay severe progression years, no cure. Top pharma fails repeatedly.
Nursing home full of severe cases, easy find. But this one's from Mom and Lee Pil-nyeo's stories.
Like most homes, varied patients, but they pitied this one repeatedly.
Checked dementia rooms, found him: hunched on bed, hollow face staring blankly at toes.
No trace of renowned prof, three-term congressman thanked by many—smart, capable.
Inherited wealth donated socially, built more for independence heroes' descendants scholarship. Now dementia patient here.
Too smart, diagnosis late—already severe.
Mom and Lee Pil-nyeo's saddest: tiger dad, dog sons. Four kids fighting over inheritance, claim dad's will invalid—dementia patient can't decide right.
Foundation might dissolve, stranding poor students.
If adsorbent works as hoped on dementia, experiment helps worthy patient.
Better help those worth it.
Approached the old man, pressed adsorbent to his forehead.