The Beast Reveals Himself
Jung Dae-woon, lying in bed, had grown far weaker than ever before. Numerous medical devices were connected to his body, and various support equipment surrounded the bed. Several IV drips were inserted into him. Anyone who didn't know him would never guess that the man lying there was Jung Dae-woon, the de facto invisible leader of Korea and the owner of National One, one of the world's most powerful corporations. His body was already broken beyond recognition.
Yet his eyes were not those of a sick man. Though his body was so ruined that it wouldn't be strange if he died tomorrow—or even within the next hour—Jung Dae-woon's gaze burned with an unyielding light, as if he would never submit to such trials, as if he feared even death itself. Even Kang Nok-san treated him with genuine respect when facing that gaze.
"I apologize for coming without notice."
"Indeed. Under normal circumstances, you would never do something so discourteous."
"...You're the same as ever."
"Hahaha! You came knowing that, didn't you?"
"...Well, that's true."
"State your business. I'm genuinely curious."
"...You already know, don't you?"
When Jung Dae-woon answered a question with another question, he smiled faintly and looked straight at Kang Nok-san. Kang Nok-san met his eyes directly and replied.
"You've worked hard. From now on, I will lead National One."
After observing Jung Dae-woon's demeanor, Kang Nok-san realized from the ease in his eyes that the chairman already knew his purpose. He spoke bluntly. Jung Dae-woon, likewise, showed no surprise and calmly regarded him.
"...Now that it's come to this, it feels emptier than I expected. I'll ask out of courtesy first. Do you think I'll listen to what you have to say?"
"This isn't a request. It's a notification."
"I know. But I'm saying this because I can stop you."
"...Do you truly intend to stop me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Chairman, I have a question. Do you plan to hand National One over to Miss Jung Su-a? Or do you want to make National One even stronger?"
"....."
Jung Dae-woon hesitated uncharacteristically at Kang Nok-san's question. Kang Nok-san didn't miss the opening and continued.
"The reason you chose the young man Yoo Kang-hyun as your successor is ultimately because you intend to pass National One to Miss Jung Su-a, isn't it?"
".....Continue."
"Miss Jung Su-a already hates you. That's why you can't hand National One directly to her. But if the man she loves becomes the owner of National One, the story changes. She will use all her abilities for him. Moreover, if that young man Yoo Kang-hyun is the same kind of person as you... no, as Na Yu-ran, myself, and you, then National One will certainly grow stronger... and Miss Jung Su-a will be able to become its owner. Safely. But... will it really go as smoothly as you think?"
"Yes. That's what I thought. But seeing you now, I realize that thought was wrong."
"You're correct."
"...For the first time in my life, I feel regret. To think I failed to properly recognize someone like you."
"...Because I hid it thoroughly. It's already been forty years since I first met you, Chairman... May I ask a question as well?"
"Go ahead."
"When did you realize that I was the same kind of person as you?"
"From the very beginning."
"...As expected... You noticed."
"You should know this too. We can never fail to recognize others of our kind. Na Yu-ran, my son-in-law Yoo Kang-hyun, and you, Executive Director Kang Nok-san. However, because you existed, National One was able to grow this large. I knew you were a beast like me, but for that reason alone... you were too competent to eliminate. I needed you, for National One... no, for myself. And my choice was right. Thanks to you, National One could be completed like this."
"It wasn't for you, Chairman. It was for myself."
"I knew that. People like us are that way. We live only for ourselves."
"No. You have changed, Chairman."
"...So you knew."
"Honestly, seeing you was the greatest shock. To think that even someone like you could change."
"...Su-a and... her mother changed me."
"...She was certainly an extraordinary woman. If I had possessed power back then... I wouldn't have handed the lady over to you, Chairman."
"...Hah, you're so honest that I don't even feel like getting angry."
Jung Dae-woon listened to Kang Nok-san's words with an amused expression. But the next words stirred his temper.
"I will now take everything that belongs to you, Chairman. Not only National One, but Miss Jung Su-a as well. I will take everything you have built."
When Su-a's name followed National One, Jung Dae-woon twitched his eyebrows for the first time. Though he didn't show it outwardly, Kang Nok-san knew that Jung Dae-woon had felt genuine anger toward him in that moment. Yet Kang Nok-san calmly met his gaze, and after a long silence, Jung Dae-woon spoke.
"National One, I can understand. But... you think you can defile my daughter and still walk out of here alive?"
"I do."
".....You certainly have confidence."
"The fact that you allowed me in here means you had no intention of killing me."
"......"
"The moment it becomes known to the outside world that you're in this condition, National One... no, Korea itself will become a target for external enemies. That's why you've kept it strictly secret and rushed Yoo Kang-hyun's successor training, isn't it?"
"I never told anyone... How did you know?"
"I merely inferred it. Considering the current situation and circumstances. If you hadn't entrusted the aftermath to Na Yu-ran... this would be the best method."
"...I acknowledge your ability without question. But Na Yu-ran... that woman is more dangerous than you think. I cannot entrust National One to her."
"Don't worry. I won't hand National One over to Na Yu-ran."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"I will hand National One over to Na Yu-ran."
"...What did you just say?"
"Exactly as I said."
"Did you not hear me?"
"Chairman. You're mistaken about one thing. My goal is not National One."
"Then what is your goal?"
"Ruler."
Kang Nok-san recounted the conversation he had with Na Yu-ran, and Jung Dae-woon quietly listened.
"National One is merely a means. I will go further."
"......"
"But... I promise you one thing. National One will not become merely one of the world's leading corporations. I will turn it into an organization that rules the world. So... you may now close your eyes in peace."
"I misjudged you. To think I failed to recognize someone with even greater ambition than Na Yu-ran... that woman."
"I'll take my leave now. You've worked hard all this time."
"Do as you please. I know my seat is no longer mine. I won't help you. But I won't interfere either."
After finishing his brief, blunt conversation with Jung Dae-woon, Kang Nok-san retraced his steps and left. Once he was gone, Jung Dae-woon's butler entered the room and spoke to him.
"Give the order and I'll kill him."
Jung Dae-woon looked into the butler's eyes, which radiated firm resolve and killing intent, then spoke calmly. The butler showed confusion.
"Leave him be."
"...Chairman, he is a dangerous man. More than anything, he will bring harm to Young Master Yoo Kang-hyun and Miss Jung Su-a."
"I know."
"Then why leave him alone? If it were me..."
"I'm not doubting your ability."
"...Then why?"
"Let me ask you. Until now, we... no, we have faced many enemies and trials. Among them, there have been many far more dangerous than Executive Director Kang Nok-san. Isn't that so?"
"Yes."
"Those fellows were the same. If Yoo Kang-hyun... that boy fails to detect the threat that is Kang Nok-san... then it's over. It proves he lacks both the qualifications and the ability to lead National One."
"...But even if that's true for Young Master Yoo Kang-hyun, Miss Su-a is..."
"If Executive Director Kang Nok-san succeeds... that child will be happy."
"...Chairman."
"Leave it. This is my final order... no, my request."
"......"
"If Su-a and Yoo Kang-hyun cannot overcome the danger that is Kang Nok-san... they will eventually be swallowed by other dangers that will come later. Let them overcome it themselves."
"...If they fail to overcome it... may I intervene?"
"Do as you wish. But... you won't be able to kill him. Just as I didn't kill Yoo Kang-hyun... Kang Nok-san is the same. If you try to kill him, you'll surely be the one who suffers. Even if you succeed, the damage we would have to endure would be too great."
".....Understood. I will follow your orders."
"Thank you. I want to be alone. Would you leave now?"
"Yes, please rest well."
After the butler left, Jung Dae-woon lay back on the bed with his weary body and mind, quietly thinking.
'While I'm still alive... this is the final trial they must overcome. Even after I'm gone, it will be a trial that will come someday. Yoo Kang-hyun... what do you intend to do...?'