Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Black and White
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It was a thirty-minute drive from Magpie Village to Frontier Development's headquarters.
Those thirty minutes felt like time travel. From a world of weathered tiled roofs and alleys thick with the scent of earth, instantly teleporting into a forest of glass and steel skyscrapers.
What is justice, and what is evil? Such philosophical musings are for well-fed heroes with full bellies.
The only thing that matters to me is one thing. How can I escape this damn mayor position and flee with the slush funds?
My justice is my peace, my well-being.
I passed through the revolving door of all-glass. Marble floors, obsidian walls, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
This is a company lobby? Even fancy hotels couldn't compete.
As expected of a den of evil. A building built on the blood and sweat of citizens stands out from the start.
Good, perfect. This is the kind of place that makes delivering righteous justice satisfying.
I'll make them all sacrifices for my impeachment project.
"Mayor, this way, please."
Escorted by the guide, I boarded the ultra-high-speed elevator.
Ding.
The cheerful chime accompanied the doors opening.
The top-floor conference room. Frontier Development's executives were lined up.
From the graying CEO, to the sharp-faced legal team head, to the promotion team head with a gentle smile.
"Mayor, we're honored that you've come in person despite your busy schedule."
I flopped arrogantly onto the sofa and replied.
"When complaints come in, it's a public servant's duty to check it out, isn't it? The Magpie Village residents were in an uproar, so I came to hear both sides."
Come on, then. Start with your excuses. Show me your villainy.
What I want is simple. For them to show the typical face of a corrupt corporation.
I'll play the role of the righteous mayor standing against them, then at some point turn around, collude with them, and become the betrayer.
"Mayor, we're the ones dying of injustice here. We've offered the best compensation package in line with the law and principles. 250% of the surrounding market rate! Yet the residents are stubbornly holding out unreasonably."
Frontier Development's CEO, Jeong Jaehyuk, spoke up. A handsome middle-aged man, but with graying temples.
"Injustice, huh. Seems like the hottest buzzword in Neo Incheon these days. Everyone's screaming it wherever you go."
The conference room air froze at my sarcasm. But I didn't care.
"The Magpie Village residents say Frontier Construction is a corrupt company. Coming at night to cause trouble, hiring people to stage protests, framing innocents. Sounds almost like a villain organization, doesn't it?"
"That's absurd!"
This time, the legal team head jumped in indignantly.
"Mayor, you mustn't fall for their emotional manipulation. We've followed every procedure by the law and principles. Building permits, environmental impact assessments, resident briefings—all of them."
"What? Resident briefings? The Magpie Village folks say there was never any."
"We held them. Three times total. Official notices sent, posters on local boards. But not a single one showed up."
Shuffle.
The legal team head spread a stack of documents on the table.
"That's not all."
This time, the promotion team head stepped forward. She turned on her tablet PC with a gentle smile.
"Magpie Village head Park Chunbae. Native of South Chungcheong Province, moved to Neo Incheon 5 years and 2 months ago. Claims his family has lived there for generations, but he's no native. More likely a professional protester."
"Moreover, most residents are committing serious illegal acts. 38 cases of unauthorized extensions, 19 cases of illegal occupation in greenbelt zones, long-term local tax arrears totaling 270 million won. Clear lawbreakers."
"That's not all. Some residents already own apartments in Songdo but pretend to be low-rent tenants paying 100,000 won a month in Magpie Village. A vile scheme to double-dip on compensation."
What? Apartments in Songdo? Those grubby old ladies?
Reading my expression, the promotion team head handed over the tablet PC.
"Mayor, take a look at this too."
The screen showed unbelievable photos in a slideshow.
The grandma who had sobbed in front of me earlier, hoe caked in dirt in hand, was beaming in a department store luxury boutique, arms laden with shopping bags.
Village head Park Chunbae, who had wiped tears claiming he buried the family dog under the persimmon tree, was swinging a club at a luxury golf course. Shiny foreign cars gleamed in the background.
"This... this is..."
"All photos taken by investigators we hired. The media always sides with the weak, doesn't it? So we've ended up as the villains."
The promotion team head sighed and continued, handing over the tablet PC with a face on the verge of tears.
"The media isn't reporting our side at all, just slandering us one-sidedly. Online, our employees are facing doxxing attacks. This is a post on my daughter's school community: 'Your mom is a demon making people shed bloody tears...'!"
The screen showed a young girl's photo amid horrific malicious comments.
My head spun for a moment.
Magpie Village's tears versus Frontier Development's documents.
Tearful pleas versus data-backed facts. Emotion versus logic. Which side do I believe?
No, why am I even agonizing over this?
I was just supposed to pick the worse of the two, crush them, take all the backlash on the chin, and get impeached. But now even I can't tell who's worse.
This is like 'Mommy or Daddy?' Of course, my answer is set. Whichever has more money. Whose name is on the apartment deed?
That was when it happened. Nero, who had been quietly devouring the deluxe snack set on my lap throughout the meeting, slowly rose.
With elegant poise, he leaped onto the conference table.
"Uh... Mayor, that cat...?"
The executives couldn't hide their confusion.
"My bodyguard. Don't mind him."
Absurd, but true.
Nero sauntered across the table like a runway model.
Then he paused before the stack of documents spread by the legal team head.
Sniff sniff. He buried his nose in the papers, inhaling deeply.
And then, brazenly, plopped right in the middle and started loafing.
"Ah, no!"
The legal team head screamed involuntarily.
"Th-those documents are, uh, extremely important!"
But Nero paid no heed. Instead, he swished his tail contentedly and began grooming.
[Frontier Development 10-Year Investment Plan]
[Magpie Village Adjacent Area Development Plan. Neo Metro Line 3 Extension. Complex Shopping Mall Construction. Land Pre-purchase Completed. Expected Return Rate 1000%...]
Hold on, Neo Metro Line 3? Was there such a plan?
And what's with that return rate?
Normal real estate development sees 20-30% returns at best, but 1000%?
And "land pre-purchase completed." Meaning they bought up surrounding land before Magpie Village even got demolished?
Pre-buying land before redevelopment is confirmed? That implies insider info.
"Gasp...!"
A groan escaped the CEO's lips. Cold sweat poured down his forehead like rain.
"Th-that's just...! An internal review draft! No real feasibility, just our dreams and hopes for the future... something like that! Haha!"
He hurriedly reached to snatch the plan from under Nero's butt.
Grrrowl!
Nero growled lowly. CEO Jeong yanked his hand back like he'd been shocked.
"G-good kitty...? Y-you like this? Premium hanwoo beef jerky...? Trade for the jerky and papers...?"
Meow~
As CEO Jeong Jaehyuk dangled the jerky with trembling hands, Nero's eyes sparkled.
His liquid-like Neronium body flowed off the documents like melting.
He snatched the premium jerky, munched it down, and returned to my lap.
Oh ho. As expected of my Nero. You're no mere gluttonous pig cat.
A strategic glutton pig cat with insight that pierces truth.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and stood.
"I've heard both sides' grievances loud and clear today. Which is more aggrieved? I'll scrutinize that thoroughly back at city hall."
I leisurely hugged Nero and exited the conference room.
By the time I returned to city hall, my mind was even more tangled than a knotted thread.
Are Magpie Village residents greedy lawbreakers pretending to be pitiful victims?
Is Frontier Development cold-blooded capitalists crushing commoners under the law's banner?
Or both? Or neither?
Good versus evil binaries. Dividing the world in black and white is just lazy self-consolation.
The world is all shades of gray. Filthy gray, pale gray, near-black gray, pretend-white gray.
Both had plausible motives and narratives. Both claimed victimhood.
So what should my criterion be?
Simple. Which one will enrich and ease my daily life more?
Back in the mayor's office, I sank deep into the chair. Neo Incheon's skyline outside felt heavier than usual today.
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped naturally. Not the lonely leader bearing a city's fate... just a NEET wannabe dreading work.
Was being Neo Incheon's mayor always this grueling?
How did original Lee Garam endure this stress?
Ah, he probably didn't think at all. Just did whatever Seria Park ordered.
That's why he ended up manipulated by her and stoned to death.
"Hey, Nero."
I called out to the cat brazenly napping on my desk.
"Who do you think is worse?"
Myaa~
Nero squinted lazily at me, then promptly resumed sleeping.
That furball cares zilch about worldly affairs. Only treats and naps fill his world.
"Yeah, why ask you? You'd vote for whoever gives tastier snacks. Obvious without looking."
This mudslinging mess.
No room for half-baked sympathy or rash judgment.
Dipping into the mud is for amateurs.
Masters watch from afar, pick the winner's pocket when they emerge, then shove 'em back in.
I need a professional.
A cold hunting dog chasing only facts and evidence, unmoved by emotion.
A name came to mind.
The man who toppled the Hero Association's fortress, exposing every dirty secret.
City hall special audit team's ace.
Seria's Erebos plant, but his work ethic is solid regardless.
I picked up the intercom.
"Tell Level 1 Audit Enforcer Kang Hyunwoo, special audit team chief, to come to the mayor's office immediately."
Knock knock.
Moments later, a knock at the office door.
Not too loud, not too soft.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a man slipped in like a shadow.
Perfectly pressed black suit from head to toe. Spotless shoes.
Expressionless face devoid of any emotion.
City hall special audit team's ace, Level 1 Audit Enforcer Kang Hyunwoo.
"You called for me, Mayor?"
I deliberately crossed my legs in an arrogant pose.
"Ah, Kang pro. Called you for a job."
I explained the Magpie Village vs. Frontier Development saga as dramatically as possible.
"One side appeals with tears, the other proves with ink. Tears or ink—which weighs heavier? What's your take?"
To my literary query, he replied without a second's hesitation.
"I'll know after investigating."
"That's why I'm asking!"
Argh, frustrating.
Talking to this guy is like talking to a wall.
No, a wall echoes. This guy doesn't even do that.
"I'm asking for your gut feeling! Sometimes intuition trumps logic!"
"Gut feeling isn't in my job description."
As expected of Kang pro.
Knew he'd say that.
That's why I called him.
But seriously, is this guy even human?
Maybe Seria alchemized him—a gene-edited combat drone for world conquest.
"Fine, to the point. The Magpie Village redevelopment case. Uncover the hidden truth. Residents, company, related officials—even the pebbles on the street. Dig into everything connected. I want the truth. You can do it, right?"
"Understood."
No questions, no objections.
Just a curt acceptance.
That's what I liked. An emotionless task machine is exactly what I need now.
"Request any manpower or budget you need. I've got your back."
"Three days will suffice."
Kang Hyunwoo gave a light bow, then exited as silently as he entered.
Left alone, I grinned in satisfaction.
Magpie Village or Frontier—whoever the villain is, it'll come out soon.
"See that, Nero? That's a professional. Not like you, selling your soul for snacks."
Yaong.
Nero meowed shortly—in agreement or mockery—then drifted back to sleep.