When the News Arrives (1)
The next day, Jang Cheon headed to HT Group headquarters to meet Chairman Park In-hwan.
He passed through the security office staff's ironclad vigilance and was escorted to the chairman's office.
Park In-hwan greeted Jang Cheon warmly.
"Haha, come on in."
"Have you been well?"
"Every day feels just the same."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It's regrettable in its own way."
The two men faced each other and smiled.
Park In-hwan's feelings toward Jang Cheon had changed dramatically since their first meeting. In a word, the quality of his trust was different now.
"You know what? Every time you come to see me, you bring some astonishing news."
Jang Cheon smiled, meeting Park In-hwan's expectations.
"Like the news that I've eliminated the one who commissioned the hit on you?"
A brief silence fell.
Park In-hwan's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Jang Cheon.
"No way? You?"
Jang Cheon nodded.
"Yes. I took him out."
"Really?"
"He was the CEO of Geom-myeong Co., Ltd. A company that was rapidly encroaching on Korea's Murim market."
"I see. So that's how it was."
Park In-hwan's face lit up with relief.
Until now, he'd harbored not just fear of death, but anger toward his enemy.
If the target had been trying to kill him or his family, that would be one thing—but attempting to murder him and his son just because the son wanted to enter the Murim business? It infuriated him.
And Jang Cheon had eliminated that foe for him.
"In my judgment, they won't target you again right away, but you should still stay cautious for the time being. There's a backer pulling the strings behind them."
"Still, we've cleared one major hurdle."
If Jang Cheon said so, Park In-hwan could trust it. This alone was enough to let out a big sigh of relief.
"I'll keep an eye on things for a while and provide after-service during the warranty period."
He'd borrowed the line from what his son, Park Gwang-cheol, had said to him.
At that moment, Park In-hwan grabbed Jang Cheon's hand firmly.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Park In-hwan was genuinely grateful.
This result alone would have been enough for Jang Cheon to call it quits. If problems arose later, he could just claim ignorance about any further backers.
But Jang Cheon promised to see it through to the end.
That sentiment meant the world to him.
"Separate from this matter, you're in business too, right? If you ever need help with anything business-related, just say the word. If it's something I can assist with, I'll do whatever it takes."
The chairman of HT Group wasn't just some rich guy. The experience and connections he'd built were priceless.
This was the moment when Jang Cheon's sense of responsibility returned as a grand promise.
Jang Cheon didn't refuse Park In-hwan's goodwill. With the expression of someone who'd gained a thousand troops and ten thousand horses, he replied,
"Thank you so much. If I need help, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Good."
"I'll see you again."
As Jang Cheon turned to leave after the pleasantries, Park In-hwan asked casually,
"If I get bored, mind if I drop by with some drinks? That rooftop had a nice vibe."
Jang Cheon smiled.
"You're welcome anytime."
As Jang Cheon was about to get into his car in the parking lot, someone came running up.
"Please wait a moment."
It was Security Chief Hong Tae-sik.
"What is it?"
"I just heard from the chairman. You killed the one who commissioned the hit on him."
"That's right."
Hong Tae-sik's eyes reddened slightly at Jang Cheon's confirmation. He bowed deeply and formally.
"Thank you so much."
"No need. I just did what had to be done."
When Hong Tae-sik straightened up, his face was still flushed.
"I heard you spoke well of me to the chairman."
"I just stated the facts."
Hong Tae-sik stared at Jang Cheon for a moment before extending his hand for a shake.
Jang Cheon clasped it.
"Thank you. I won't forget this."
"Don't let your guard down yet. Murim affairs are unpredictable."
"Understood."
Jang Cheon could see it. This was Park In-hwan's masterful way of handling people and employing talent.
By passing along the praise he'd given, he'd drawn Jang Cheon and Hong Tae-sik closer.
Hong Tae-sik was moved, Jang Cheon became someone to be grateful to, and Park In-hwan had two key allies bonded more tightly—all from a single word, benefiting everyone.
Back at his residence suite, Jang Cheon turned on the TV.
The news was in the middle of covering yesterday's explosion.
Jang Cheon turned off the news and called Bishop.
Just as Jang Cheon was pondering the path ahead, unexpected news came through.
London. Leicester Square. In a tiny theater with fewer than 50 seats, a male actor was performing a one-man show.
He bantered with the audience, mimed at times, and conveyed his inner turmoil through soliloquies and asides.
His quiet voice carried such persuasive power that it never felt like mere lines.
Despite his all-out performance, the audience was sparse—only five or six people scattered about.
But when the show ended, they gave thunderous applause.
They respected his total commitment, even to such a small crowd.
You could sense he'd pour the same passion into a single spectator.
After the curtain call, the audience filed out.
But one middle-aged man in a bowler hat remained seated even after the others left.
He spoke toward the empty stage.
"Im Yeon-sin is dead."
From behind the curtain came the reply of the actor who'd just performed.
"I've heard."
The actor stepped back onstage. It was none other than Actor—the same one who'd spoken to Im Yeon-sin on video call. He really was a theater actor.
Actor sat in the chair from his performance, speaking as if still in character.
"People die someday, after all."
His tone shifted back to normal for the addendum.
"But I didn't expect it so suddenly."
"Black Heaven's doing. Voice analysis from his call confirms he told the truth. Desperate, but no coercion or lies."
"Im Yeon-sin contacted a cleaning company for the HT Group hit. Even killed a Murim Alliance elder. Reckless on all fronts. I clearly warned him."
It hadn't quite been a warning—just concern expressed—but now that he was dead, it became a "clear" one, dodging blame for oversight.
"We need to send someone to wrap this project."
"And if Black Heaven doesn't sit idle?"
Even to this organization, Black Heaven was a formidable foe. It represented every assassin in the world.
"We can't abandon Korea. Too much money sunk into this project already."
"The Murim Alliance Leader will see Im's death as a golden opportunity and scheme anew. We need someone who can firmly control him."
"Who, then?"
Actor seemed to ponder, then shook his head.
"With Black Heaven involved, moving now isn't wise.
Let's watch how the Leader plays it. I'll time when we send someone."
"And if the whole project goes up in smoke?"
"We'll deal with that when it happens. Life's an improv, after all."
The man pulled his bowler hat low and stood.
"If this project tanks, we go down with it. Forget your lines if you must, but not that."
The bowler hat exited the theater.
Left alone onstage, Actor looked up at the spotlight that had pinned him. After gazing at the darkened light, he vanished behind the curtain.
Soon, the empty theater went dark.