Ch 99
Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy
Chapter 99
"I'll do my best to have the trial handled domestically. Since only one person actually died, there won't be a death sentence. I'll also take responsibility for your family."
―Um... Could you give me a little time to think? I'll contact you again by tomorrow morning.
"I understand."
I did get a promise that he would support me in the Asia Chairman vote at the next regular meeting, but cleaning up someone else's mess really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I was worried about who to send if this guy refused too, but judging by his reaction, he seems to have almost come around, so I probably won't need to contact the other guys.
That bastard Filkas was acting all high and mighty during the regular meeting, but how the hell does he manage his subordinates...
And of all people, he had to mess with Kang Shin-hyeok's student, which made this whole situation disgustingly complicated.
If it had been anyone else, we could have just covered it up and moved on without all this trouble.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Father, it's me."
"Oh, yes."
The door opened and my daughter-in-law came in.
"What is it, dear?"
"Father, you have a visitor."
A visitor at this hour? I don't have any scheduled appointments, so who could it be?
"I didn't receive any contact about this. Who is it?"
"He says he's Director Kang Shin-hyeok from the Hunter Association...."
"K-Kang Shin-hyeok?"
For a moment, I couldn't help but doubt my ears, wondering if I had heard wrong.
How did Kang Shin-hyeok find this place?
Surely... No, that can't be possible.
I thought it was dangerous because he knows many executives, but I never thought he would know about me.
Even among the executives, only a very few know my true identity. Who could have betrayed us?
"Father?"
"Ah... Yes. Where is he now?"
"He's in front of the house. You told us not to let just anyone in carelessly. If you don't have an appointment with him, should I tell him to go back?"
"No. I'll meet with him, so let him in."
***
He told me to wait a little, but it's been almost 10 minutes with no response.
At first, I thought about visiting other high-ranking officials, but the Boss would be the most reliable source for information.
Meeting the Boss carries significant risk.
Not only are there various executives around the Boss, but I don't know how the future might change by my meeting with him.
Of course, the future would have already changed due to my past actions, and I had resolved not to worry about it, but I wanted to avoid changes as much as possible.
If things change too drastically, all the future information I know would become useless.
But now, I really don't care what happens.
While waiting for Minha's parents, Minha regained consciousness first.
Her first words weren't about pain or asking for her parents.
"Teacher, the kids... What happened to the kids?"
Even with her arm in that condition, our foolishly kind class representative worried about others first.
When I told her they were okay, she finally showed a relieved expression. Seeing that, I couldn't hold back and shed tears, apologizing that it was my fault.
Then Minha said it wasn't my fault, that she did it because she was the class representative... That it was okay, and she actually comforted me instead.
In the midst of this, Minha's parents arrived.
At first they wailed, then got excited and tried to grab me by the collar, but it was Minha who stopped them.
I made a promise to Minha and her parents.
That I would take full responsibility.
I thought it might be difficult to meet him, but I figured that since I'm also a Hunter Association Director with social standing, he wouldn't just refuse outright. But I guess a direct approach was too much.
There are so many CCTVs and tight security, and I didn't want to drag this out, so I chose this method...
If it won't work, at least tell me quickly, I thought, and was about to return to my car when the door opened.
If the direct approach doesn't work, I was planning to wait until it got a bit darker and then force my way in, so this is fortunate.
Now that I'm actually about to go in, I'm getting a bit nervous. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Passing through the well-maintained garden to the entrance, I see a man who appears to be in his early 40s.
He doesn't seem like the person I came to meet, but judging by the resemblance, he's probably the son.
"Please come in. I'm Shin Young-ho."
"I'm Kang Shin-hyeok. I apologize for visiting so suddenly at such a late hour."
"We're the ones who should apologize for making you wait so long. Please come in."
"Excuse me."
The garden was impressive, but the house is truly magnificent as well.
"I had no idea that Director Kang had a connection with our father."
So he is the son after all?
According to the original work, the son knows nothing about Antas.
I made appropriate small talk and said I wanted to see his father.
"Ah, yes. Father is in his study... It's over there."
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Father, Director Kang Shin-hyeok is here. We're coming in."
As soon as I followed the son inside, I saw a massive desk directly ahead with a white-haired old man sitting behind it.
He has quite a sharp impression.
"Young-ho, you can leave now."
"Yes? Ah, yes. Then please have your conversation."
The son closed the door and left.
"I was truly surprised when I heard you had come. For now, please sit on that sofa over there."
Oh ho? I thought he would pretend not to know and try to deflect, but is he acknowledging it?
The name of this old man before my eyes is Hong Man-sik.
He's the Vice Chairman of SJ Group, which ranks 2nd in South Korea's business hierarchy, but his true identity is the head of Antas Korea.
"I have no intention of talking at length, so I'll just stand and speak. I want information."
"Your words are quite short."
"Yours are short too. Normally, no one would use honorifics with a criminal organization boss."
"You're quite angry. How did you find out my identity?"
"I have no reason to tell you. I'm the one asking questions."
"Calm down a bit? This incident wasn't something we intended... Well, it was an accident."
This is bewildering.
The culprit isn't affiliated with Antas Korea.
That's why I naturally thought Antas Korea wasn't involved and came just to get information, but have these bastards really gone crazy?
"An accident? Don't give me such nonsense. Didn't I say I wouldn't stand still if you touched me or those around me?"
"Calm down a bit. Didn't I say it was an accident? She'll turn herself in by tomorrow morning."
Turn herself in... Something's strange.
The culprit is definitely an executive in a considerably high position in an Antas European country.
No matter how much he's the head of Antas Korea, he can't make an executive from another country turn herself in...
"What's the culprit's name?"
"Didn't I say he would turn herself in?"
"The name."
"It's Park Su-cheol."
Park Su-cheol... This is really ridiculous.
It seems they've already contacted the culprit's side. Since Antas Korea knows I have quite a bit of information about them, they're trying to cover it up by having some random organization member turn herself in, but not a chance. An Antas Italy female executive named Park Su-cheol? It's not even a female name to begin with. I'd find it more believable if they said a passing cat was named Kim Chun-sik.
"We agreed not to interfere with each other, and this incident is truly regrettable. Since our side also deeply feels responsible and is having her turn herself in, don't be so..."
"Old man, do you think I came here knowing nothing? What foreign woman uses the name Park Su-cheol?"
"…"
I guess I was being too gentlemanly.
I drew up my internal energy and created Hand Gang (Sugaang).
"If you lie one more time, then the old man's neck is gone. The name."
"No..."
I instantly closed the distance and brought the Hand Gang to the old man's throat.
"Answer."
"Be... Bennett Krizia. It's Bennett Krizia from Antas Italy."
Right. That was the name.
"Where is she now?"
"I really don't know that. We only agreed to handle the aftermath..."
"Then find her."
"She's not even our affiliate, so how can we..."
"If you can't find her, then today will be the old man's last day, won't it? I have plenty of people to ask even if I kill the old man. I can go to Europe and... Right, I can find Patrick."
"H-how do you know Patrick..."
Antas is an international criminal organization, so its structure is quite complex.
There's a head for each country, and countries belonging to the five continents - Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and North America - elect chairman among themselves, and from those chairmen, they select the overall chairman of Antas Global.
Patrick isn't the boss of Antas Italy, but he's the head of the European countries.
"I told you only I ask questions. Find her or can't you? Just say that."
"I-I'll find her, so give me time. And this..."
"Good."
I withdrew the Hand Gang that was aimed at his throat.
"I'll be here until you find her, so you'd better hurry. I don't have much patience."
***
"A wanted notice? Old man, what do you mean? I didn't leave any traces."
―Are you sure?
"Of course. Old man, you know my skills. Who the hell did this?"
―The Boss did. He said he got contact from the Antas Korea Boss. They tried to end it by having some random organization member turn herself in, but your appearance description got out and a wanted notice was issued, creating a headache.
"Huh? No, is there really a wanted notice out for me? I just checked the local news and internet, but there's nothing like that anywhere."
―If they inform the media, you might go into hiding, so they're probably planning to catch you when you try to leave the country.
"I was going to take the morning flight tomorrow, but that won't work. Old man, what should I do?"
―Antas Korea has agreed to help with smuggling.
"Really? Then there's no problem. Eh, what was that about? Old man, you made me worry for nothing."
―Bennett, you... How can you say such things right now?
"Why are you getting angry again? You said Antas Korea would help."
―Do you think the Antas Korea guys would help for free? Do you know how troubled the Boss was? When you come back, prepare to get a serious beating.
"I got it... So what should I do?"
―Go to the Incheon Port Passenger Terminal area by 7 PM tomorrow. Antas Korea said they'd help you smuggle to China using a cargo ship.
"A cargo ship? Am I cargo?"
―Is this the time for you to be picky about such things!
"Why are you yelling? I understand. So how do we make contact?"
―When you arrive near Incheon Port Passenger Terminal, contact me. I'll let you know then.
"Okay."
―Throw away most of your luggage. Just in case, change your hair color too.
"Dyeing damages hair quality. And I bought a gift for the old man, should I throw that away too?"
―Bennett, you really...
"Ah... I got it. Then I'll contact you tomorrow."
***
"Yes. Do that."
I'm managing my expression, but honestly, I'm a bit surprised.
I didn't expect him to come up with this method in such a short time.
Indeed, a criminal organization boss is a boss - his mind works really well.
"Ahem, as you heard, she agreed to come to Incheon Port Passenger Terminal by 7 PM tomorrow."
"But you didn't decide on the exact location, did you?"
I've never been there, but if it's a passenger terminal, it must be quite large with many people. It would be difficult for me to search alone.
"The boss of Antas Italy is quite suspicious. If we decide on the location now, their side might become suspicious too. I'll contact you about the location tomorrow, so..."
I don't know if he's making excuses or if it's really like that, but it doesn't actually matter.
I approached the old man.
"Why... Why are you doing this?"
"You're right-handed, aren't you? Then I'll use your left arm."
"What are you..."
I paralyzed his left arm with pressure points.
"Since we're not exactly in a trusting relationship, I need to take out insurance too. It doesn't hurt, does it? Try moving it once."
I'm not an idiot.
After I leave, he could contact them again to cancel and set a trap.
I'm confident I can smash through any trap, but I can't let the culprit escape.
"My arm..."
He has an extremely flustered expression.
"It won't move, right? Every three days, the paralyzed area will gradually spread. It's the same even if you try to clumsily undo it. If you don't believe me, call your subordinates and test it."
"…"
He glares at me with eyes that look like they want to devour me.
"Don't worry too much. If the old man cooperates properly tomorrow and I catch that bastard, I'll come back to undo it."
Of course, it's a lie.
Pressure points don't have such a function, and rather, the pressure point will be released in three days.
But it doesn't matter.
In this world without martial arts, no one will be able to see through my lie.