Black Sky (1)
Jang Cheon and Park Jin-ho headed straight to see Chairman Park In-hwan.
It was an internal company matter, as well as a family issue, so they cleared the room and spoke just the three of them.
After hearing the full story, Park In-hwan said nothing.
Park Jin-ho couldn't lift his head.
"Chairman, I'm sorry."
Park In-hwan had finally learned why this had all happened.
Fortunately, his son hadn't foreseen this outcome or orchestrated it intentionally. That alone brought Park In-hwan some relief. But he didn't show it. Instead, he spoke more sternly than usual.
"Handling a venture this major on your own is utterly unacceptable."
"It was all my failing. I'll accept any punishment."
Of course, Park In-hwan fully understood why his son had pushed so hard. To outmaneuver his older brother, Park Dong-su, in the succession battle, he'd had no choice but to take risks.
"Withdraw for now and reflect on your actions."
"Yes, Chairman. I'm truly sorry."
Park Jin-ho quietly excused himself.
Now, only Jang Cheon and Park In-hwan remained in the room.
"We've identified the culprit and the motive. All that's left is who."
At Jang Cheon's words, Park In-hwan replied,
"One of the existing players in the Murim business, no doubt."
Jang Cheon nodded in agreement.
"Likely."
Park In-hwan was a lifelong businessman, after all.
He might not know the specifics of that company, but he understood why they'd resort to this. HT Group's entry into the Murim business would threaten their livelihood directly.
"I'd wager it wasn't just their idea. At least one Murim sect must be backing them. Even a Murim-related businessman wouldn't easily deal with an assassin organization on their own."
"Thank you. Thanks to you, I now know why they tried to kill me."
"No need. Now we'll uncover who placed the contract."
"What good does knowing the company do us? It'll be one of the outfits we've pissed off—or all of them."
Park In-hwan recalled Jang Cheon's earlier warning: the real trouble would come after identifying the backers. He realized now how right he'd been. The problems were just beginning.
"I'll leave the follow-up to you. Whatever it takes, ensure they never tangle with us again. I'm entrusting you with the cleanup."
When they'd discussed handing over the second job, the two had hinted that Jang Cheon would handle the finish. The issue, as always, was the price.
"It could wrap up simply, or turn unexpectedly complicated. Apologies, but the cost will seem higher than expected."
"I'm prepared."
"130 million dollars."
1.3 trillion won.
An astronomical sum—one no one but the HT Group chairman could even consider.
And this would come from his personal slush fund. Had it been company money, Jang Cheon probably would've quoted over 10 trillion, Park In-hwan figured.
Despite demanding such a fortune, Jang Cheon stood firm.
"As I said, we can't predict their moves. They might back off quietly without me lifting a finger. In that case, you'd be out 1.3 trillion for nothing."
Park In-hwan chuckled.
"I've wasted money on failed deals plenty of times in my career. This would shatter my record."
"I'd rather you break it."
Meaning he hoped nothing happened at all.
Park In-hwan knew how bold it was to say that after quoting 1.3 trillion.
Suddenly, Chairman Blayton's words came to mind.
I'm still only seeing the tip of that man's iceberg.
He'd charged 19.8 million won for an African native's request, spent tens of billions over four months without billing it, and now demanded 1.3 trillion from him.
"What if we don't break the record?"
"Blood will spill. This sum covers many lives—yours, your sons', Security Chief Hong and his team, me and my men. Maybe even unforeseen victims."
Park In-hwan didn't deliberate long. He nodded decisively.
"Done."
He was one of Korea's top chaebol leaders. His slush fund exceeded 1.3 trillion easily—but it was still an enormous amount.
"Being such a large sum, it might take a few days to arrange."
"Understood."
"Record-breaker or bloodbath, my demand is one: reset everything to before this mess. Ensure Murim never touches our group again."
"Got it. I'll do my utmost."
"Through the market, as before?"
"Too big—split it up."
Jang Cheon jotted several account numbers on a notepad, noting the amounts for each.
Park In-hwan took it, speaking sincerely.
"I count on you."
Jang Cheon bowed politely, as always.
"Work starts once the funds clear."
The first order of business for Jang Cheon was the Black Heaven problem.
BS, the representative cartel of assassin organizations, was highly organized and systematic.
Internally, they rooted out assassins who leaked clients or abused client info for personal gain—black assassins, they called them. Externally, they shielded their own from crackdowns with the cartel's immense power.
Thus, they reacted hypersensitively to any threat of organizational collapse. They had their own communication network, dispatching investigators immediately at the first sign of trouble.
With Clean Company vanishing without a trace in a single day, BS would surely send an investigator.
Fortunately, Jang Cheon had bought time to focus on this.
The assassination was on hold since Clean Company was gone. The client who'd commissioned it would scout the new assassin group but first investigate who, how, and why Clean Company had been wiped out.
Guwolmun had been on high alert for days.
"Who the hell did this?"
No one in the room could calm Guwolmun Lord Baek Yang-po with the right answer.
Guwolmun's Seoul Branch Leader and Gangnam Sub-branch Lord had vanished the same day. Tae Jin-gu disappeared with over twenty subordinates; Park Ho with his right-hand man, Im Black. Missing? Clearly taken out.
"You bastards! I'm asking who!"
Baek Yang-po's roar crushed the room again. Everyone bowed low, avoiding his eyes. His hot-tempered nature had cracked skulls for lesser words—especially now, where a wrong glance could cost lives.
"Taking billions monthly from me, huh? Wallets open, mouths shut?"
As the mood soured, Deputy Leader Yang Seon-gu spoke up.
"Investigation's ongoing."
He was Baek Yang-po's most trusted. Everyone inwardly sighed relief.
"What investigation? They vanished without a trace."
"Narrowing suspects. Contacting our spies in other factions too."
"Park Ho was poking into the HT Group incident before vanishing?"
"Yes. That's nearly wrapped."
"True?"
"Yes. He reached out everywhere right before."
"Why chase that?"
"Probably Park Gwang-cheol..."
"And?"
"Tae Jin-gu wouldn't introduce Park Gwang-cheol's rival VIP to Park Ho."
The probe was Park Ho's doing—didn't add up.
"Anyway, tied to Park Gwang-cheol somehow."
Baek Yang-po pondered coldly.
"Gotta meet the kid to know."
"Best avoid HT Group now?"
"Meet quietly, no incidents. Go yourself—can't trust the kids. He's a chaebol heir; scare him straight."
"Understood."
Baek Yang-po's swivel chair spun.
"Rest of you—out! Sick of looking at you."
Jang Cheon was handling work on his laptop.
His ventures spanned the globe. Capable subordinates lightened the load, but as CEO, some decisions were his alone.
Even with Bishop's analyses, the final call was Jang Cheon's.
Midway through, the doorbell rang.
Opening it revealed an unexpected visitor.
"Still my friend?"
Park Gwang-cheol.
"Nope."
He shoved past as Jang Cheon tried closing the door. Jang Cheon didn't stop him.
"Why so stingy? I know I'm a punk, but I've got a favor to ask."
"What?"
"Remember Tae, that Clean Company prez from Gangnam Sub-branch? Guwolmun guy."
"Yeah."
"He and Guwolmun's Seoul Branch Leader vanished same day. Guwolmun wants to meet me—thinks I'm involved."
"Are you?"
"Crazy?"
He denied vehemently, then eyed Jang Cheon suspiciously.
"You? Your doing?"
Jang Cheon walked to the door and opened it. Park Gwang-cheol sighed.
"Close it. Haven't asked yet."
Jang Cheon shut it.
"They wanna meet. Embarrassing, but I'm kinda scared."
"So?"
"Come with."
"Why?"
"Friendship."
As Jang Cheon reached for the door again, Park Gwang-cheol rushed,
"Kidding. Remember? Right terms, you're hired."
"Yeah."
"Hire you for today."
"You have skilled guys. Why me?"
"They'd have you kneeling already. Skip the heartbreak. Price?"
"When?"
"Today."
Jang Cheon paused thoughtfully. A spark of new scheme flickered in his eyes, then faded.
"30 billion."
Park Gwang-cheol gaped, then exploded.
"Fuck! No standards? You just pull numbers outta your ass?"
"Pretty much. Depends on wealth, character. Normally, 100 billion wouldn't sway me—but for your dad, special rate."
"Not joking? Damn. Any discount? No haggling anywhere?"
"10 seconds to think."
"30 billion merits 30 seconds!"
"9, 8, 7..."
"Why so cheap with me?"
"5, 4, 3..."
"Deal."
"Okay."
Jang Cheon handed over the account.
"Full upfront."
"After."
"Can't trust your type. Deposit, then return."
"Damn it!"
Park Gwang-cheol stormed out.
Once gone, Jang Cheon didn't call Bishop—but Phone.