A Shadow in the Rearview Mirror
The sun was sinking low in the sky.
Kang In-hyuk stepped into the private Korean restaurant ‘Hoam’ in Cheongdam-dong and sat down across from Jang Hyung-chul, who had arrived first.
The table between them was already laden with a lavish spread of dishes that had been ordered in advance.
“The returns this time were quite substantial. Both on the Taeshin side and with AMK Partners.”
Jang Hyung-chul was currently growing his assets by entrusting funds to both sides through In-hyuk. And with unexpected profits rolling in every month, his mood could only be good.
“It’s all thanks to you trusting me and leaving it in my hands.”
“You mentioned you get investment information from AMK Partners as well, right?”
“That’s correct.”
At In-hyuk’s answer, Jang Hyung-chul nodded.
“The profits really came from places I never expected. Their hit-and-run trading skills are incredible… If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you could see the future.”
His stock maneuvers had been that astonishing.
In-hyuk felt a slight pang of guilt.
“It’s because their information is outstanding.”
“Just how did you even find out about a place like that?”
“Thanks to a small connection I had.”
“Hahaha—! So Taeshin failed to recognize a man like you and left you to rot in a place like that.”
It was a jab at Chairman Tae Geon-seung.
“The place I’m working now isn’t bad either. It’s not too busy, so I can leave right on time.”
“For someone who looks so serious, you sure know how to talk like a slacker.”
“A person can’t live with their nose constantly to the grindstone.”
Soon, Jang Hyung-chul’s expression grew heavy.
“…So, what’s the real reason you wanted to meet today? It seems like you set this up because you have a favor to ask.”
In-hyuk also hardened his face and poured liquor into the older man’s glass.
“It’s not a favor. It’s something I must earnestly ask of you.”
“…Ask? What exactly?”
In-hyuk, who had been silent for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
“Soon, the Busan Prosecutors’ Office will conduct a raid on a company called Cheol-san Capital. And your name, sir—the true owner—will be included as well.”
The moment he heard those words, Jang Hyung-chul’s face stiffened. He poured himself another drink and downed it.
“…You knew from the beginning that it was my company?”
Because officially, the owner of Cheol-san Capital was someone else.
“Not from the very beginning. I learned about it by chance while gathering information from the prosecution and the National Tax Service.”
The Busan Prosecutors’ Office investigation into Cheol-san Capital had originally happened in the future as well.
However, since Jang Hyung-chul—who had originally cut ties with Taeshin Asset Management—had now begun doing business with him, In-hyuk had wondered if the incident might change along with the Riseburn drug case he had already altered.
But judging from Tae Ju-ha’s accident, it seemed major events were still unfolding as before.
That meant there was a high chance Jang Hyung-chul’s situation wouldn’t change either.
“Hmm… I didn’t realize your reach extended even to the prosecution. Still, I’ve contributed quite a bit to that region myself, so I’m not completely in the dark about their movements. Is what you just said… certain?”
He had once been called the loan shark king of the southern provinces. Naturally, having moved that much money, it would have been difficult not to have connections in both the prosecution and the police.
Of course, In-hyuk knew that fact well.
“The people who used to bring me information have turned their backs. The Busan Prosecutors’ Office is moving with their testimony, fully intent on taking you down, sir.”
“…Do you know who they are to be speaking like this?”
“I don’t. But I do know why they’re doing it.”
“And that is?”
In-hyuk let out a small sigh before continuing.
“The charges are tax evasion and bribery. In the past, you helped the Busan customs office for the sake of a deal, correct?”
“…All that over something so minor?”
In truth, even In-hyuk didn’t know the full details. Back when he had been a Taeshin Group security guard, it was merely one of the reasons whispered about the incident in secret.
“They’re using it as an opening. After the Riseburn incident at the Central Prosecutors’ Office turned the prosecution, police, and courts upside down, an unexpected reshuffling is scheduled.”
“So the Busan office is using me as a stepping stone to get promoted to the capital?”
Jang Hyung-chul understood the situation without difficulty.
“They probably see it as an opportunity. After all, to climb up from the Busan office, they have to get past you first, sir.”
“If it’s really true… then Prosecutor General Park Du-seok is likely leading the charge.”
At the same time, In-hyuk recalled that name as well.
It was because Park Du-seok, the chief prosecutor of the Busan office at the time, along with several prosecutors in charge of the case, had tied Jang Hyung-chul to charges of tax evasion, bribery, and embezzlement before rising to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
Jang Hyung-chul continued with a question.
“How much time do you think I have?”
If he truly needed to pull his feet out, knowing when the prosecution would move was critical.
“You should resolve it within two weeks at the latest.”
“That’s rather tight… Do you happen to know a smooth and quick way to handle this?”
It was exactly the question In-hyuk had been waiting for.
“The first priority is to plug the holes in the capital firm’s funds. You’ve generated surplus from this recent profit, so inject that first. Then, adjust the extension periods on large corporate bonds. That should clear most of the charges.”
“…And?”
“Next would be the scope of the tax evasion charges. The problems will most likely surface from real estate and other assets recovered by the corporation instead of cash.”
All of it was information the prosecution had used to charge Jang Hyung-chul and Cheol-san Capital in the original future.
“Hmm…”
Jang Hyung-chul pondered for a moment, then called in his secretary waiting outside and relayed the relevant instructions.
Once the door to the private room closed again, Jang Hyung-chul spoke once more.
“Why are you still staying at Taeshin?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“With an information network and ability like yours, you wouldn’t need to stay at Taeshin. You could just start a company on the same level. That’s what I’m asking.”
In-hyuk gave a small smile.
“What power could I possibly have?”
This time, a hollow laugh escaped Jang Hyung-chul’s lips.
“To think the Taeshin family has such blind eyes. They’re holding a treasure in their arms and letting it rot.”
“It’s not that they couldn’t see it. I simply made sure I wasn’t seen.”
“You hid on purpose?”
The original Kang In-hyuk had lived quietly as someone sponsored by the Taeshin Education Foundation. Even if someone dug into that past, they wouldn’t find anything strange.
He had used that fact to create an explanation for his changed behavior now.
“Let’s just say that’s the case.”
“Why?”
“Until now, I simply hadn’t found anything worth moving for.”
“Does that mean you have now?”
In-hyuk lifted the water glass in front of him and drank it down.
“It was getting boring just sitting still.”
“Haha—! What a ridiculous reason.”
“Anyway, I’ll trust that you’ll handle the Cheol-san Capital matter cleanly. Your safety must be secured if the work ahead is to go smoothly.”
“I’m the one who should be asking for your continued help. By the way, I noticed it before as well—do you really not drink at all?”
From earlier, In-hyuk had only occasionally clinked glasses. He never brought the drink to his lips, simply setting the glass back on the table.
“When there are important matters at hand, I tend not to touch alcohol.”
“You mean the Cheol-san Capital situation?”
“That, and there are many other things as well. I’ll share a drink with you after everything is settled.”
This was the period when the original Kang In-hyuk had not had long left before his death.
A traffic accident with unclear causes. It could easily be no different from what had happened while he was with Tae Ju-ha.
If so, the probability that someone’s intent was behind it was high. He needed to be cautious about everything.
With that, In-hyuk gave a polite reply and brought the meeting to a close.
The situation that In-hyuk had wondered might change unfolded exactly as he remembered. The Riseburn incident grew into a massive wave that shook the entire world.
Uuung— Uuung—
From the morning, after checking the articles, In-hyuk received a message from Jang Hyung-chul.
Although the Busan Prosecutors’ Office had caught the tail, Jang Hyung-chul had already learned of the fact in advance through In-hyuk and was able to respond sufficiently.
If things continue like this, the Haeundae loan shark boss will become an excellent investor.
In-hyuk picked up his jacket, sent a reply, and headed outside.
Tae Ju-ha must have left early in the morning; the house was quiet. He went down to the parking lot, got in his car, and drove out.
…This, a tail has been attached.
He had felt eyes on him ever since arriving at the underground parking lot. Checking through the rearview and side mirrors, he saw a sedan and a van quietly following him.
He deliberately didn’t even mutter to himself and simply thought.
There are no visible signs of anyone tampering with the car yet, but just in case…
Someone might have planted a listening device or camera. At least nothing had been attached in any spot his hands could reach while driving.
Were these the ones who originally killed Kang In-hyuk?
It was a suspicious coincidence that they had appeared at exactly this timing.
He drove normally and entered the underground parking lot of the Taeshin Asset Management building. However, the cars that had been tailing him did not follow inside and simply drove past.
After getting out of the car, In-hyuk noticed the atmosphere had grown quieter than before. He stood still for a moment before calling Go Mi-ah.
[Ugh… What is it?]
Her voice sounded half-asleep, as if the call had woken her.
“A couple of guys were following me until just now, right up to the Taeshin Asset Management parking lot. Find out who they are.”
Go Mi-ah’s startled voice burst out.
[You were being tailed?! Where?]
“I don’t know yet. Just look up the owners for now.”
[Wait a second. You said just now? What about the car models and license plates? Did you get them?]
The sound of a computer powering on could be heard through the receiver.
“Black △△ Motors Lavant, 241우 8573. There’s also a black △△ Motors Renomatters, but I only caught up to 343버 22. You should be able to see the rest through nearby CCTV. How long will it take?”
[At this hour… Were you on your way to work?]
“It’s the underground parking lot.”
[It’ll take about ten minutes. I’ll send it by message.]
“I’m counting on you.”
After ending the call, In-hyuk let out a sigh through his nose and headed upstairs.
Even after arriving at the office, he did not let his guard down. There was a chance that someone connected to the tailers was inside the company as well.
There haven’t been any recent changes in personnel, so it’s possible an insider was recruited.
Of course, he had never done anything particularly suspicious inside the office. Moreover, he hadn’t felt any gazes watching him.
Uuung— Uuung—
At that moment, a message arrived from Go Mi-ah.
Along with the message, a file containing the personal information of the registered owners she had investigated was attached.
In-hyuk called her while entering the conference room.
“So they’re not legitimate operators, huh?”
[Don’t you have any guesses?]
For now, the first person who came to mind was Pyo Jun-woo, who had targeted Tae Ju-ha and belonged to the KQ Group security team. In-hyuk had dealt with him, along with Kim Seong-tae from the Taeshin security team and the others, on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
In-hyuk also thought of the organization they belonged to while being followed. But since he had left no traces that could reveal their identities, the possibility seemed slim.
“There are a few places, but none that would attach a tail like this at this point.”
[Then what do we do? Aren’t these dangerous people?]
“Their faces aren’t visible on the CCTV, right?”
[The window tinting is too dark to see inside.]
“Got it. I’ll handle it from here. You reverse-track the vehicles’ movement path as far as possible. If you manage to catch their faces, I’ll ask you to run an identity check as well.”
[Haa—! Guess I’ll have to stare until my eyes fall out.]
“I’m counting on you.”
After ending the conversation, In-hyuk returned to the office. He sat in his chair, thought for a moment, then sent an email from his phone.