Executive Director Jo (2)
Lee Yeon stepped into Park Gwang-cheol's office.
"You called for me, President Park?"
It wasn't the friendly nickname from their old acquaintance; now he was the president who'd hired her as an SGC security agent.
"There's something I need to discuss. Have a seat."
Park Gwang-cheol's demeanor was more serious than usual.
"I didn't call you here as an SGC agent today. This is something I want to say to Lee Yeon, the person I know personally."
"Go ahead."
"I'd like to bring you on board with our company officially."
Lee Yeon was taken aback. Stunned by the unexpected offer, she stared blankly as Park Gwang-cheol handed her a thick stack of documents.
"This is the contract. It details your training, how we'll develop you, revenue splits—everything. Take your time and read it when you can."
"President Park?"
"This is an official scouting offer."
"You're serious?"
"Yes, completely serious."
Park Gwang-cheol realized he'd never once made a formal scouting pitch to Lee Yeon, despite Hwa-ran's advice.
It proved that even when someone tried to change for the better, they couldn't overhaul everything overnight. His thoughts and actions had been out of sync.
Lee Yeon skimmed the contract. It wasn't slapped together—it was meticulously crafted, tailored just for her.
"If you're considering it, have a lawyer or expert review it."
"To that extent...?"
"You should. A contract is separate from personal ties."
"Got it. If I decide to go for it, I will."
"I know how terribly I acted when we first met. I'm sorry for that."
"No, it's fine."
His sincerity made it impossible for Lee Yeon to dismiss the offer lightly.
"Then let me ask one thing."
"Of course."
"Do you really think I could make it as an entertainer?"
"Yes."
"Is this because of our personal connection?"
"No way. Absolutely not."
"Then why?"
"It's a feeling."
Park Gwang-cheol knew how unreliable that sounded, so he quickly elaborated.
"It's true I slacked off and didn't do my job properly. But the company survived anyway because my instincts are sharp. I can tell who's going to make it and who won't. Even outside our agency, the ones I pegged as stars always blew up. And my gut says you'll make it big."
"Hearing you say that, I'll think about it seriously."
"Thank you."
Lee Yeon bowed and left. The surprise proposal left her still dazed.
She hadn't become a security agent out of some grand sense of duty. It was just a job to her—HT Group, SGC, all the same.
If she could get better treatment and live happier, she'd switch careers without hesitation.
Could she really thrive in the entertainment world? Would that life bring her happiness?
There'd be endless questions and worries, but the first one boiled down to this:
Was Park Gwang-cheol's instinct right?
Bam, bam.
The airport customs officer stamped their entry permits again. The staff had no idea, but he'd just waved through members of yet another massive organization. They'd been entering the country nonstop lately.
Stepping into the arrivals hall were Executive Director Jo and Hunter.
Hunter was nothing like his image. The name suggested a young, fierce powerhouse, but the real Hunter was a sixty-something old man. No rugged, sun-bronzed muscles defying his age, no piercing gaze of a master martial artist. Just your average elderly guy.
How had this man become the organization's top hunter? It was baffling, but that's what made him special—accomplishing the impossible at his age with such an unassuming presence.
Executive Director Jo, on the other hand, matched expectations perfectly.
His face screamed his personality. You could tell at a glance he had a nasty temper: sharp eyes, prominent cheekbones, thin lips twisted in perpetual irritation.
Anyone seeing them for the first time would peg Jo as the hunter and Hunter as the director.
Sing and Sato Mi were there to greet them. Sing knew flaunting his empty title as Asia branch head would only invite brutal payback.
"Executive Director Jo."
"President Sing."
The two shook hands. Sato Mi gave a slight bow from behind.
"Miss Sato Mi."
"Oh, you remember my name."
"How could I forget a beauty like you?"
Jo flashed a wide grin. To the uninformed, it might seem like rational charm or gentlemanly manners, but knowing him, it was chillingly predatory.
Sing and Sato Mi exchanged greetings with Hunter too.
This was their first meeting; they'd only heard the rumors.
"I've heard of your reputation. It's an honor."
Sing offered his hand first, but Hunter merely nodded once. It wasn't personal disdain for Sing—disrespect was ingrained in him.
Fine for Jo, but Hunter was clearly subordinate. Still, Sing couldn't reprimand him here.
Jo didn't step in either. Hunter was essential for this job, so Jo had his back.
'Damn bastards!'
Forcing a smile, Sing said to the pair,
"Let's go. I've booked a hotel."
Hunter muttered about preparations and wandered off somewhere.
Sato Mi drove the waiting luxury van.
Jo gazed out the window, taking in the scenery near the airport.
"Korea really is beautiful, isn't it?"
Jo replied without turning from the view.
"Don't you hate Korea, President Sing? You said you'd love to wipe it clean."
"Ah, right, I did."
He still remembered that offhand party remark from years ago.
Jo's prickly grilling began.
"I read the reports on the way. What the hell is wrong with Korea?"
"Well... things got tangled up."
"Because of Jang Cheon? Skimming the reports chronologically, the real problems started after he entered the country."
"Not entirely his fault, but he played a part."
"Why'd you let a guy like that into the organization? The reports show you were involved."
Jo's glare was fierce, unyielding despite Sing's position. Without central ties, even a flashy title made you just another crime boss lackey.
"No choice in the situation at the time."
"Look, President Sing—there's no such thing as 'no choice.' The world boils down to two things: what's good for you and what's not. You picked the good one."
"No, I handled it fairly."
Sing was on edge. One slip, and Jo would pounce.
"Fine, let's say so. Where's Jang Cheon staying now?"
"At the HT Group Residence."
"Head there. Call him and tell him to meet me now."
"Understood."
Sing told Sato Mi via the rearview,
"Change course to there."
"Yes."
Sato Mi turned toward Jang Cheon's lodging.
Jang Cheon, who'd gotten the call, waited in the residence's first-floor café.
Jo paid little heed to onlookers. He was confident and brazen in everything.
"Jang Cheon."
"Executive Director Jo. Feel free to keep calling me that."
He didn't give his real name. Even in the organization, he was known as Executive Director Jo.
Jo sized up Jang Cheon's martial prowess.
Jang Cheon didn't reveal his full strength. Regardless of the setting, deciding how much to show was crucial.
With Jo's finicky, sensitive nature, it was especially vital. Surprisingly, Jang Cheon benchmarked against Jo himself.
He gauged Jo's level instantly: formidable, on par with Death, the former world unified bi-mu tournament champion.
Jang Cheon displayed one level above that.
Since masters typically hid a move or two, the suspicious Jo would assume two levels superior.
He deliberately didn't undersell below Jo.
Ambitious types like Jo looked down on the weak as expendable, but schemed to exploit the strong.
"You look pretty strong, Jang Cheon."
Jo's frankness earned Jang Cheon's straightforward reply.
"That's why the organization recruited me."
"We've had a meal together, so drop the formalities? I'm way older anyway."
"Sure, make yourself comfortable."
Jang Cheon confirmed showing strength was the right call. Jo's vibe leaned more friendly than hostile.
"Got any leads on tracking Baek Sang-du?"
"Right here."
Jang Cheon handed over a USB drive: photos of Baek Sang-du's face, Dae Jeong San Jang intel, his martial arts data, rooftop pics—everything Baek-related, minus anything linking back to himself.
Jo passed the drive and a note to Sato Mi.
"Send this there."
"Yes."
Sato Mi emailed it to Hunter.
"We'll track his location."
"Whoever you assign, it won't be easy."
Jang Cheon feigned ignorance of Hunter.
"You asked us to handle it, right? Trust us."
"Misunderstanding. I didn't ask—I shared info out of loyalty. Honestly, I don't care if the alliance head lives or dies."
Jang Cheon played hard to get. Jo linked to the organization's core; he needed to craft a narrative with him.
One thing was clear: with Jo's type, strength built better bonds than weakness. Best to become indispensable.
"Loyalty? Do people still say that?"
"Doesn't my loyalty determine my payout?"
"Hahaha."
Jo burst out laughing at Jang Cheon's worldly greed. One of us—not bad. Such types were easy to handle.
"What next after we find him?"
"Our hunter grabs him, or if not, we call in backup."
"Don't underestimate him."
Jo interjected,
"You hunted him before?"
"A couple times."
"Then you get it. Hunters don't beat tigers by being stronger."
"Baek Sang-du's no ordinary tiger."
"We're no ordinary hunters."
Hunter was clearly on the hunt. Jang Cheon was certain: Hunter might track him, but killing? No chance.
He didn't offer to tag along—volunteering for a suicide hunt would raise flags.
Jo's phone buzzed with a text.
Grinning at it, Jo said,
"Our hunter's on the prowl."
The fresh data had yielded a lead already. No ordinary hunter indeed.
Now it began.
Take down Baek Sang-du with them, uncover the central organization through Jo along the way.
How it'd unfold was unknown.
Could Hunter find him? Report success or failure? What then for Jo?
Jang Cheon told Jo,
"Hope it's a killer hunt."
To himself as much as Jo.