Cheonho Pharmaceutical Company (3): Parachute Agent's Big Break
Kim Byung-wook, section chief at Cheonho Pharmaceuticals, had just turned 43 this year, and he was in a foul mood.
"Ugh... the company's a total mess. And my damn stocks are in the shitter too."
His smartphone on the desk showed a blue chart relentlessly plunging to the basement. Irritation bubbling up, he ruffled his hair roughly. His already thin, sparse locks slipped through his fingers.
Byung-wook's stress stemmed from last week's incident. His boss, Director Gong Ho-seung, had called him in right at quitting time. Then told him to create a position for a new hire.
'Pardon? Starting as a deputy manager? Director, even so, we have company regulations, and the other employees' morale...' Byung-wook had tried to advise caution, considering the office atmosphere. But Gong's face flushed red as he bellowed,
'You want me to follow regulations and promote you to senior manager too?'
'H-ha, I'll get it done.'
Recalling that moment, Byung-wook grumbled to himself. "Aish... the one shitting doesn't go bald, but the one cleaning up does."
When had the company turned into this dumpster fire? Cheonho Pharma surely had its glory days once. Phase 2 success for a blood cancer drug. Called the miracle of a mid-sized firm, leading to a tech-special listing.
But those days were now a dream, and reality was ice-cold.
"Would it have been different if the president were still around?"
Byung-wook thought of Cheonho Pharma's president, Kang Cheon-ho, currently in a coma from an unfortunate accident.
"Chief! Chief!"
"Hey, Deputy Shin, what's with the racket first thing in the morning? This is a company."
"S-sorry. But that's not the important part right now..."
Byung-wook glared at the chubby man who'd barged into his office. His bad mood made his voice sharp.
"Then what is? Who screwed up again? How many times have I said GMP has to be airtight..."
"No! That's... you're right a hundred, a thousand times."
Deputy Shin unwittingly raised his voice. Under Byung-wook's glare, he immediately tucked tail like a whipped dog. Cautiously, he placed a sheet of paper on the desk.
"Please take a look at this first."
"What is it? Just one sheet? What could be so... what the hell?"
Byung-wook's bored eyes widened as he scanned the paper. It held data from an AI analyzing and optimizing pharmaceutical processes. He zeroed in on the final line.
'Efficiency projected to improve by 15 percent.'
"According to the data, we need to order a few more raw materials, and if I calculate..."
"I'm the section chief of Cheonho Pharma! You think I don't know that?!"
Cheonho produced 14 drugs. Only 6 had real commercial potential.
'Even conservatively, that's 4 billion won extra per year per item. Six items? At least 24 billion annually.'
"Who the hell... who did this? Section Chief Jung? Or that baldy Kim from planning?"
"...Is Manager Kim bald?"
"It's all a wig. Heard he spent enough for a car on it. ...So who did it?!"
BAM! Byung-wook slammed the desk. The deputy flinched and whispered carefully.
"The new deputy manager... you know, B2."
"B2? What kinda name... oh, that guy?"
...The parachute hire? Byung-wook double-checked the report.
"Uh... that... B2 deputy?"
"Does the chief know something?"
"Director Gong said... it's his connection's kid, so just leave it be."
Instead of explaining the company's dire straits, Byung-wook dodged. He stood, peering out of his office. Quick-witted Deputy Shin gestured toward the new deputy.
A sturdy-built young man with sharp features caught his eye. Byung-wook tidied the papers and told Shin,
"What're you waiting for? Fetch Director Ma and book a conference room."
"...What about B2 deputy?"
"Tell him to hang tight for now. Coffee if he's thirsty, feed him if he's hungry."
"Pardon? Uh, then should I—"
"Take this and handle it yourself!"
Byung-wook shoved the corporate card at him and strode out. A smile played on his lips, thin hair fluttering.
'Bonus incoming? Then these tanked stocks this week...'
Thus, at noon—lunchtime—Cheonho Pharma went into emergency session.
"Why... are people heading to the conference room during lunch?"
"Pl-please sit, Deputy B2. You must be hungry, right? Wait here with a sandwich."
Something's off. Deputy Shin, who vanished earlier, is beaming. Everyone's flocking to the conference room, leaving the office dead quiet.
...Do they all eat lunch in there? I bit into the ham-packed sandwich without a second thought. Tasty, but my ears are killing me.
The cool, composed Blackie was now wailing like a kid. At this rate, blood's gonna pour from my ears.
"I told you, she won't kill you."
"That scared of getting chewed out by Conel?"
I knew that already... but saying so would just double the noise.
"Still, isn't it kinda good?"
"Getting attention means easier access to info, right?"
He kept yapping, so I had no choice but to slap my employee ID on the desk.
After 3 PM. Clang! The conference room door burst open noisily. People filed out, a few heading my way.
A white-haired old man in glasses stood before me.
"Deputy B2! Heard a lot about you from Director Gong."
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
"Haha, you don't know me. I'm Director Ma Yong-taek. Remember that."
Some stranger name-dropping another stranger. I played along.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Good face, solid voice—I like it. Come with me a sec?"
Director Ma, as he called himself, led me to the directors' office. He picked up a sheet from the desk.
"This report you made. Excellent work."
"You stay quiet..."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Ah, thank you for the praise."
Blackie was so loud, my thought slipped out. Director Ma eyed me and continued.
"I've been watching. Director Gong brought in a real talent."
"Th-thank you."
Everyone I'd met today was overly chummy. He clapped my shoulder.
"Keep pushing for Cheonho Pharma."
"Yes, I will."
"Then it's settled."
"Pardon?"
Soon, under Deputy Shin's guidance, I was led deep into the company. There... was the data room granting access to Cheonho's secrets.
'You'll oversee the full company processes starting today.' The director's words echoed.
As I spaced out, Blackie's voice chimed in.
"Hm?"
I learned Blackie's specialty. I'd figured showing results would get me access in days...
"Something... like that."
I dragged a chair close to the iron server tray. Blackie sounded intrigued.
"Who knows...?"
I knew zilch about pharma, so vague answer. Drowsiness hit as Blackie spoke.
"Mm... that's it?"
Suddenly wondered if I was even needed. Why not just have Blackie hack solo?
"..."
A twinge of guilt hit. Blackie kept griping. I cut him off before it dragged.
"...Download done?"
I'd figured three-plus days too. Anyway. Nailed Conel's job in one day flat!
"...So what now?"
"Ah! Just checking if Conel gave extra orders."
Close call. Chatting with Blackie made me think I could ask anything. Reminded myself I'm an agent, stayed cool.
"No extra missions. Heading back then."
Blackie replied indifferently. I... felt great. Wrapped it too easy. Chasefield X at home it is.
Killed time in the server room, quitting time neared. Timing my stealth exit...
"To welcome our new Deputy B2, we're doing drinks! Menu's hanwoo beef tonight!"
"Hanwoo?"
Hanwoo? Can't resist that. ...Reasons aside, bailing as the star felt wrong, so I joined.
No corporate experience. No clue what came after drinks.
"C-come in, Chief!"
"Yeah, see ya later, Deputy B2."
"Taxi's ready! Manager!"
"Ah, screw it, I'm sleeping."
"Get in quick. Home address..."
...This is drinks? The "star" got a one-minute welcome, then became taxi shuttle.
Stuffing drunk colleagues into unmanned cabs one by one drained me.
"Deputy B2, a word."
"Yes... sure."
Last was Director Ma grabbing me. He was hammered, staggering badly.
"Ugh... so drunk..."
Looked ready to topple. Stuck by him like security.
"Expectations high, Deputy B2. You're Cheonho's hope."
"Th-thanks."
"L-let's go that way. My place is close. One more drink?"
How do office folks turn this down? Panicking, I walked the dark alley with him.
"Aish... high hopes, Deputy!"
"Careful. You'll fall."
People passed by just then. Despite my warning, Director Ma lurched hard, bumping a guy's shoulder.
"Oops, s-sorry, I'm drunk..."
He didn't finish. The guy punched him square in the face.
Thwack!
"Argh! What the—"
"Apologize first if you screw up!"
The man went to kick the rolling director. I lightly shoved his thigh to block.
"You little shit?"
"...Sorry about that. We'll apologize. Let's call it."
Yangachi...? Something off with these folks. Not the sunglasses at night or floral shirt. Unless he's a fishmonger, that sashimi knife at his waist screamed bad intent.
"What? Apologize? You mocking me?!"
The guy snarled ugly. Like a signal, people crowded the alley. Four ahead. Three behind, blocking escape.
The leader dusted off casually.
"That's an apology? Chosun folk don't know how to do it right?"
"Hm..."
Wrong crowd. Blackie scanned.
"Haa..."
Figures things went too smooth.