Chapter 71
“Kang Moon-soo, Park Han-hee athlete. We are currently on official duty!”
“Turn off the camera right now!”
The police who burst into the room were thrown off balance. I kept a straight face and said, “Show me your faces and badges. If I get infected because you’re breaking quarantine rules, we need to establish clear accountability.”
“Athlete Kang Moon-soo...!”
“Stop filming immediately!”
They ignored my demand and just kept repeating themselves.
“This is really strange. Have I committed some crime?”
“That’s... not it.”
“Then what’s the reason for barging in here all of a sudden?”
“We received a report.”
“From whom?”
“We can’t disclose that due to informant protection.”
“What was the report about?”
“A tip that athlete Kang Moon-soo’s hotel room window was broken.”
The moment I heard the police’s flimsy explanation, I burst out laughing.
“Haha! You’re saying someone on the ground saw that hole?”
“What’s so funny?”
“Go outside and see for yourself. It’s blocked by the outdoor garden with the open-air bath and the terrace. You can’t see it unless you’re looking from above the clouds.”
“......”
The cop’s face stiffened as he realized his slip-up.
“Han-hee. The video?”
“Still recording.”
“Save it now and send it to every contact you’ve got. Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility.”
“O-okay!”
Judging that things weren’t going their way, the police sprang into action.
Right on cue, they’re showing their true colors!
They were far more focused on Park Han-hee’s smartphone than on the supposed reported incident.
Click.
They drew the pistols from their holsters and aimed them at us in warning.
“Stop right now.”
“Hands off the smartphone.”
Park Han-hee’s face went pale at the threat of death.
“M-Moon-soo...”
“Do what they say.”
“Got it...”
Thud.
She carefully set the smartphone down on the floor.
“Now raise your arms above your head and move to the wall— Agh?!”
Thwack!
The moment the cops’ eyes shifted to Park Han-hee’s smartphone, I counterattacked. I kicked away the pistol aimed at her, then—
“Kuh!”
Bang!
I dodged the live round fired without hesitation straight at my heart.
It stings!
But the distance was so close I couldn’t dodge it perfectly.
The cop wasn’t spared either.
“Gah?!”
My upward kick nailed him in the jaw, snapping his head back and knocking him out cold in one blow. I snatched the pistol slipping from his limp hand right out of the air.
“Freeze. Don’t move.”
“......”
The other cop’s motion to grab the fallen pistol halted abruptly.
“Go pick up the gun.”
“Moon-soo! Blood’s pouring out of your side!”
“I’m fine. Hurry.”
“O-okay...”
Park Han-hee dashed over and grabbed the gun on the floor—
Bang!
“Aaaagh?!”
I pulled the trigger without hesitation the second the cop moved to take her hostage. His scream echoed as the bullet pierced his leg.
I reloaded casually and said, “Thought I wouldn’t shoot?”
“Kuh! Shooting a cop! You think you’ll get away with this...!”
“Of course.”
“If you’re counting on that video, give it up! Forgot it cut off midway? You’ll be charged with obstructing official duties and assault!”
“Who said it cut off?”
“The smartphone’s right there...”
The cop glanced at Park Han-hee’s smartphone on the floor, then trailed off as he belatedly sensed something off.
“Here’s the problem. Where’s Kang Moon-soo’s smartphone?”
“No way!”
Whoosh!
Did he have sharp eyes? The cop scanned the spacious room and quickly spotted my smartphone—the ancient model set up in prime position with a full view of the scene.
And he despaired.
(Athlete Kang Moon-soo! Is your grazed waist okay from the gunshot?!)
“Yeah. Just a graze. I never dreamed I’d be subjected to something this horrific during a video call.”
With the dangerous first half over, the second half began.
* * *
I don’t think everyone in the Korean government secretly wishes for my death.
Of the people, by the people, for the people...!
Old-school politicians who trot out “the people” every time something blows up.
They seem incompetent on the surface—and they are—but when they sniff out a chance to win votes, they relentlessly tear into their rivals.
「It’s slander from the ruling party!」
「A vile plot by the opposition!」
「This is a gate scandal!」
「We’ve secured the recording!」
“Pretty amazing.”
It was a bizarre spectacle rare in modern times, where politicians almost never faced real crimes.
Were they frustrated by these pathetic displays? Even ordinary citizens were voluntarily gathering evidence and filing reports for their favored parties!
「Zoomed-in helicopter shots...」
「Eyewitness testimony states...」
「Saw someone armed with a gun...」
「Reported a suspicious man...」
This was another jaw-dropping sight you wouldn’t see in a modern era where the government handled things efficiently.
“Truly astonishing.”
I lay in my hospital bed, watching the whole circus unfold at a leisurely pace.
Security? That side got flipped upside down too. Bribery allegations and evidence kept piling up, with officials dropping like flies!
And at the end of it all was always one businessman tangled up.
“That’s the guy!”
Park Han-hee, my “girlfriend” who’d been practically living in my room under the pretense of looking after the orphan me, pointed at the TV in shock while peeling an apple.
“Cram school?”
“Yeah! No doubt about it!”
The guy from the cram school who’d advised her to quit running and just sing, only to get shot down hard. Just as she’d described, he had the polished look of a chaebol heir raised in luxury.
“Found him.”
“He’s definitely the perp caught on the Player Village apartment surveillance cams too. Same build.”
“Yeah.”
A slender, pretty-boy flower type. From behind, he looked a lot like Choi Kang-hun, who could be mistaken for a girl.
The difference is night and day!
Nam Hae-su, the Swimming Emperor, was ancient enough to drop dead in nature’s embrace at any moment, yet he had broad shoulders and manly limbs. In his prime, he’d boasted an athlete’s sturdy physique.
But this guy...
「Chairman Hwang Hae-su holds a press conference...」
「Court summonses Chairman Hwang Hae-su...」
「Chairman Hwang Hae-su’s attendance...」
Hwang Hae-su.
Chairman of one of Korea’s top five conglomerates. He was hailed as a genius who’d built a world-class empire through uncanny investment savvy at a young age.
“Impressive...”
Was it because he knew Korea’s future? As soon as he became a conglomerate chairman, he was pouring astronomical sums into a money-pit defense contractor.
But, way too complacent.
His aptitude was athlete. Not suited for politics or business.
Didn’t Kim Eun-jeong prove that? Born as the youngest daughter of a noble count family in her dream, but her actions were straight out of reality.
So she failed! Kim Eun-jeong could never become Anjilina Chimac.
「Speculation allegations against Chairman Hwang Hae-su.」
「Hwang Hae-su, SME hunter.」
「Defense Ministry owned by Chairman Hwang Hae-su?」
「Hwang Hae-su’s women.」
Nam Hae-su in another man’s skin was no exception.
His success secret wasn’t skill, but a monopoly on future info!
But to third parties, it looked like insider trading via illegal channels.
「Where did Hwang Hae-su get his info?」
「Land grabs for 100x profits.」
「Chairman Hwang Hae-su claims coincidence...」
「193 coincidences? No way.」
His cronies or those he had dirt on defended him with their lives, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Why? Because 99% of Nam Hae-su’s wealth was non-productive unearned income!
Real estate, stocks, crypto... It contributed zilch to national growth, just squeezing tears of blood from the ignorant masses.
In short, his reputation was in the toilet!
And the old-school politicians didn’t miss the chance.
「Statement condemning Hwang Hae-su!」
「Hwang Hae-su mocks the people!」
「Hwang Hae-su will face judgment!」
“The firepower’s insane.”
It took just ten days for the swaggering conglomerate chairman to end up in court as a defendant.
And I played a big part in that momentum.
“Athlete Kang Moon-soo. Mind doing an interview?”
“Sure.”
“How’s your injured body holding up?”
“Much better.”
The media is the strongest army that doesn’t shed blood.
“You were attacked by police allegedly backed by Chairman Hwang Hae-su. What are your thoughts on him?”
“The worst. He tried to have me killed for no reason.”
“Any idea why?”
“None. Do I run a business? Play politics? Invest? I’m just an athlete.”
I spoke boldly in front of the swarm of reporters and cameras.
Nam Hae-su. You watching?
For coming after my life, I’ll gift you the worst nightmare.
“We heard you nearly died before this too.”
“Yes. They sent a car full of gangsters and even hired a sniper in a helicopter.”
“How did you handle all those gangsters alone?”
“I’m an athlete.”
“Pardon?”
“...To elaborate, I trained under Coach Gomushin, the pride of Korean taekwondo.”
“Ah! Under Coach Gomushin...!”
“He taught arrogant me the meaning of humility.”
This wasn’t empty flattery.
When I couldn’t use the swordsmanship Valentine taught me without a blade, taekwondo was a huge help.
It’s why I endured Coach Gomushin’s brutal foot odor and trained diligently.
“Athlete Kang Moon-soo.”
“Yes.”
“Any message for the government?”
A pre-arranged question in exchange for the interview.
I gave my prepared answer.
“It was such a shock I’m seriously considering emigrating. I hope to see justice still alive in Korea.”
A line aimed straight at Nam Hae-su.
Sensitive topic, so the reporter quickly moved on.
“A word for the fans worried about your health?”
“I’ll do my utmost to compete in the Olympics without issue. Long live Korea. Thank you.”
Clap clap! Clap clap clap!
Did they like my closing slogan? The reporters and hospital staff watching the broadcast applauded enthusiastically, as if on cue.
Smooth sailing.
Now that I’d uncovered Nam Hae-su in his Hwang Hae-su disguise, provoking him by impersonating the guy was unnecessary.
「Hwang Hae-su Gate exposed!」
「What grudge against athlete Kang Moon-soo?」
「Who’s to blame for the shoddy security?」
「National disgrace. Someone must take responsibility...」
But as my popularity and value soared with the Olympics, “Hwang Hae-su’s” reputation would plummet endlessly.
I needed to stick to the original plan: compete, sweep the gold medals.
The live broadcast wrapped up...
“Athlete Kang Moon-soo. Thanks for toughing it out despite your injuries.”
“No, thank you. It eased some of my frustration and injustice. Truly grateful.”
“Here’s my card. Call anytime, and I’ll come running.”
“Reliable.”
Politicians and celebs who read the winds came to visit.
If not for the quarantine limits on visitor numbers and times, there’d have been way more.
Thanks to that, I survived.
The quarantine rules that always annoyed me felt incredibly grateful today.
* * *
If only everything went according to my plans, how easy life would be?
But the impossible happened.
“An honor to meet you. As you probably know, I’m Hwang Hae-su.”
“Huh...”
Nam Hae-su, who’d dumped all the blame on his underlings and gotten a suspended sentence, came to “apologize.”
This make any sense?
I was stunned by the archaic trial and verdict that defied common sense.
Hwang Hae-su’s underling A tried to kill Kang Moon-soo.
Hwang Hae-su’s underling B tried to kill Kang Moon-soo.
Hwang Hae-su’s underling C tried to kill Kang Moon-soo.
Hwang Hae-su’s...
Anyone could see it screamed orders from “Hwang Hae-su.”
Yet the underlings confessed to acting alone, and the trial fizzled out. The real culprit walked with a fine, house arrest, and de facto no charges.
“I’m truly sorry for the hardship, athlete Kang Moon-soo.”
Nam Hae-su in another man’s skin apologized in a tone that sounded anything but sorry.
“You’ve got some loyal underlings.”
“Incompetent fools who can’t even do the jobs I give them properly.”
“Still, their loyalty was impressive?”
They went to prison in his place, facing life sentences for sure.
“Our company takes good care of their retirement.”
“Nice company.”
“Thank you.”
Nam Hae-su kept side-eyeing Park Han-hee glued to my side.
Bothered? Then I’d make it worse.
“Remind you of Nam Su-hee?”
“Wha...!”
Nam Hae-su’s eyes bulged at the name of his own daughter, who resembled Park Han-hee in her youth. He couldn’t hide his agitation.
“Just checking.”
“Who the hell are you...!?”
Grip!
He seized my shoulders with both hands and bellowed imperiously.
“Mr. Hwang Hae-su.”
“Get off him.”
My security detail approached, deeming me in danger.
“How do you know Su-hee?!”
But he’d already lost his reason and wouldn’t back down.
“Questions one at a time—”
“Who are you...!”
“Kang Moon-soo. Shaman.”
A bit disappointing I couldn’t experience that old-school Olympics, but...
I decided to end this boring story here.