Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Mayor and the Reporter
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Hero Daily's social and political affairs office was always stuffy with air.
The dust piled up overnight, the sour smell of cold coffee, and the dry tobacco smoke from reporters racing deadlines all mixed together to form a unique ecosystem.
Moon Hyeji snorted, her eyes fixed on the persistently blinking cursor.
As always today, an email had arrived from an anonymous sender claiming to be a "conscientious whistleblower."
The same old routine.
Lee Garam is evil.
Lee Garam is incompetent.
Lee Garam is corrupt.
But the so-called evidence they sent was always ridiculously trivial.
[Urgent Exposé! Mayor Lee Garam just plays mobile games all day at work!]
[Shocking Revelation! He's using taxpayer money to provide a luxurious life for his cat (Nero)!]
[Who Holds Real Power in Neo Incheon? Mayor Lee Garam Gets Abused by His Female Secretary Every Day!]
Moon Hyeji burst out laughing despite herself.
"He holds chopsticks in an X shape, likes mint choco... What are they even supposed to do with facts like that?"
Why send this kind of tip to the social and political desk?
It might have gotten decent views if they'd sent it to entertainment.
With a headline like [Exclusive] Mayor Lee Garam Revealed as Shocking Mint-Choco Lover...!
Despite the absurd tip content, Mayor Lee Garam was regarded as the greatest mayor in Neo Incheon's history.
Ever since taking office, he'd handled every incident that arose with godlike responses, saving the city, and his incorruptible integrity had earned him the absolute support of the citizens.
Moon Hyeji herself had felt his extraordinary nature during a few interviews.
So what grudge did this tipster have?
"I posted a photo last week of Mayor Lee Garam riding the gondola, and it hit 500k views. Just a photo of him on the gondola!"
"I only write Nero special features, so my job's easy. I owe my livelihood to that cat."
"Long live Mayor Lee Garam. Thanks to him, I'm number one in performance this month. The section chief's giving out bonuses!"
Her fellow reporters were praising Lee Garam today as well.
But the reason her colleagues liked Lee Garam was a bit different from hers.
They had no interest in things like justice.
Articles about Lee Garam just racked up views like crazy.
His every move was the top interest of Neo Incheon citizens, and media outlets were desperate to milk it.
Views meant money and performance metrics.
No reporter would hate a golden goose that brought exclusives and trends galore.
"Where the hell did they even get photos like these...?"
The photos attached to the email particularly caught her eye.
A photo of Nero baking bread on the sofa in the city hall office. Even rare shots of it giant-sized filling the room or melting into the floor like liquid.
Moon Hyeji unwittingly saved a few to her personal folder. This was just because they're cute. Purely for evidence collection—no personal feelings involved.
"Hey, Reporter Moon! That guy again?"
Senior Kim called out from beyond the partition, leaning back in his chair with his rotund body.
"Yes. He's shared some new facts today too."
"Puhaha! That's pathological attention-seeking, pathological. What'd he say this time?"
Moon Hyeji scrolled down with the mouse wheel and read the new email aloud.
"He says the mayor gets abused by his female secretary every day."
Senior Kim was speechless for a moment, then burst out laughing so hard his desk shook as he clutched his belly.
"Kuhahaha! That's an exclusive! 'Shock! Neo Incheon's Real Power Isn't the Mayor—It's His Beauty Secretary?' Write it up now! Views are gonna explode today!"
"Come on, Senior."
Moon Hyeji clicked her tongue in exasperation. The other colleagues around chuckled and chimed in.
"Reporter Moon, you still haven't blocked that guy? He's just a nutcase."
"Exactly. He should put that effort into researching lotto numbers."
"Just ignore him. You're the only one getting tired."
Her colleagues weren't wrong. The anonymous tipster probably had a personal grudge against Mayor Lee Garam or was just a lonely soul craving attention.
But Moon Hyeji had no intention of doing that. Her reporter's instinct whispered that something was there.
Real scoops often hide in the most ridiculous tips.
It was then.
Ding-
A new email arrived.
The sender was, as expected, that "whistleblower."
"Man, this guy's persistent."
But the content of this email was markedly different from before.
[Mayor Lee Garam, Corporate Entertainment and Bribery Site]
[Date/Time: Today, 7 PM]
[Location: Aqua Vita Waterfront Restaurant VIP Party Room]
[Targets: Executives from mid-tier partners like Daehan Dynamics, Vision Biotech, etc.]
This wasn't trivial gossip.
A clear crime allegation with specific time, place, and targets.
The office noise faded away in an instant. Only the pounding of her own heart rang loudly in Moon Hyeji's ears.
It could be a trap. A sophisticated bait to make a fool of her.
But.
What if it was real?
What if Mayor Lee Garam's squeaky-clean image was all fake, and behind the scenes he was pocketing dirty money just like any other politician?
That wouldn't be mere corruption. It would be a betrayal of all Neo Incheon citizens.
'No way.'
Moon Hyeji shook her head. The Lee Garam she'd seen wasn't that kind of person. But reporters spoke with facts, not faith.
She quickly checked Mayor Lee Garam's official schedule for the day. Nothing after 6 PM.
Her blood ran cold.
Her reporter's instinct screamed.
Go.
Go see for yourself with your own eyes.
"Where you off to, Reporter Moon? Bit early for clocking out."
"Smells like a scoop."
Moon Hyeji grabbed her coat, camera bag, and press pass.
Another failure.
My tearful struggle over the past few days had ended as a hollow echo, utterly meaningless.
The letters of truth I'd painstakingly written, exposing my ugly true self in detail, were probably cooling off somewhere in Hero Daily's spam folder.
Moon Hyeji. She ignored the truth.
Or maybe she didn't even have eyes to recognize truth.
Even she was drunk on the illusion of "Lee Garam" created by the masses, unable to distinguish the facts right in front of her.
This was the tragedy of modern society.
The post-truth era where frames trump truth, narratives override facts.
Meow~
A soft touch tickled my cheek.
Nero had lightly hopped onto the desk and was caressing my grief-stricken face with its fluffy tricolor tail.
"Nero. What the hell did I do wrong?"
Grrr.
A purr instead of an answer. It probably meant it didn't care what I did.
Just give it treats, and that's that.
What a simple, pure worldview. I'm envious.
I rested my chin and stared into space.
What was the problem? What flaw was in my scenario?
All my exposés were based on facts.
I really hate work, eat expensive meals on the corporate card, throw away yogurt lids without licking them like a bourgeois, and can't even hold chopsticks properly—I'm utterly incompetent.
So why?
Why won't the world listen to my honest voice?
...Ah.
I got it.
I smacked my knee.
The problem wasn't the content.
Evidence.
Right. I lacked solid evidence.
Let me recall the emails I sent.
All just text assertions.
The "evidence" was just sloppy lists of my daily failings scribbled on A4 paper or Nero photos attached "because they're cute."
What's the point of shouting that I'm trash with words alone?
Seeing is believing.
One live scene beats a hundred emails.
Kukuku...
Laughter burst out.
Kuhahaha!
Perfect. I could see the path now.
I'd been lost in the fog of public opinion, but now I had a clear signpost.
I just needed to set the stage myself.
A scene of ugly political-business collusion rife with corruption and dirty deals.
Irrefutable evidence that no excuse could deny.
Kindly present it before Moon Hyeji's camera lens.
I immediately turned on the computer and recalled the "Neo Incheon Blacklist" that existed only in my head.
Countless companies in Neo Incheon.
Especially the particularly rotten ones, corruption-heavy, greedy hyenas who couldn't resist bribes.
The top 10 conglomerates were out—too big, I'd lose control if it blew up.
My goal was just a moderate image tarnish and support drop.
Not a fatal blow leading to arrest, but enough to give the public a "Even Lee Garam is just another politician" disappointment. That delicate balance.
The answer was obvious.
Mid-to-small partner firms leeching off the city with tech equipment supply deals.
Handpick the worst ones.
"Perfect! Trash like these would totally bribe me!"
I started calling them one by one.
"Hello? Mr. President of Daehan Dynamics? This is Mayor Lee Garam."
Daehan Dynamics: illegal subcontracting and wage theft as basic quals. In the original story, they got busted diverting hero gear parts and went under.
[Huh? The mayor himself...? Oh my, what an honor!]
A mix of fluster and flattery came through the receiver.
I broached it skillfully, subtly.
"It's about the equipment supply for the new 'Garamland Research Cluster' in Magpie Village. Thought you might be interested."
[Oh, of course, Mayor! We'd love to!]
"But as you know, competition's fierce. You'd need to show some... sincerity."
I emphasized "sincerity," and the guy caught on like a pro.
[Of course! Anything you want, Mayor!]
Good. Hooked.
[I heard there's a great new waterfront restaurant in Neo Incheon. How about we meet there? They have a party room.]
These corruption-stained types read my intent perfectly.
[Thank you for the opportunity, Mayor! As expected, you understand Korean sentiments!]
"Hahaha, of course! I'm overflowing with affection, aren't I?"
I contacted a total of 15 company presidents this way.
Vision Biotech: faked clinical trial data to sell ineffective drugs at premium prices—ethics-free bio scum.
Future Systems: tax evasion masters with fantastical methods. Ledgers read like fantasy novels.
Lake Apparel: demons selling baby hero costumes from atopic-inducing new materials.
Kodong Construction: CEO proudly boasting shoddy work and inspection bribes as industry tradition—insane.
And so on.
The response was explosive.
They all thanked me profusely for the "opportunity," laughing heartily that "the mayor really cares about business."
Now, venue selection.
A classy spot that perfectly fit the sleazy words "bribery" and "entertainment."
"Hmm... Aqua Vita. Yeah, this place."
Floating on water stroked vanity, and the Mediterranean romance in the name classy-packaged their vulgarity.
Plus, the food was delicious last time. Key point.
The VIP party room should fit 15 easily.
All prep done.
Now, polish the details.
Of course, I had zero intention of actually taking bribes.
I'm just a guy aiming to escape Neo Incheon.
No thanks to arrest as a bribery perp and exile to Mysterious Island Ganghwa.
I'll pre-pay the dinner course with my own money.
Ding-
Full payment complete.
And at the meeting, I'll spread out piles of official documents.
Fair review papers for Garamland Research Cluster tenant selection.
Legally airtight.
I'm not taking bribes—I'm "discussing business" with execs while "treating them to dinner."
But from outside?
The mayor and execs secretly huddled in a luxurious waterfront restaurant party room, laughing and chatting.
The spitting image of collusion. Undeniable entertainment scene.
Kuhuhu. Perfect.
Picture-perfect for misunderstanding.
A precise strike on just my support and image.
I should rehearse my line for when reporters barge in.
I shot up from my seat, staring intensely at an imaginary camera with a grave expression.
"I... I didn't know! It was all... all taken by Nero!"
Nya!?
Yeah. Nero. My loyal cat.
If cash envelopes change hands, it's all Nero taking them. I know nothing.
Nero's a juvenile cat, so light punishment anyway.
With my solid support and achievements, one scandal like this would be easily offset.
I sat back down and fitted the final puzzle piece.
The decisive tip email to Reporter Moon Hyeji.
[Mayor Lee Garam, Corporate Entertainment and Bribery Site]
[Date/Time: Today, 7 PM]
[Location: Aqua Vita Waterfront Restaurant VIP Party Room]
[Targets: Executives from mid-tier partners like Daehan Dynamics, Vision Biotech, etc.]
"Perfect this time! Specific evidence! And an undeniable live scene!"
The scenario played vividly in my mind.
Reporter Moon Hyeji sneaks in, snaps a photo of me laughing surrounded by greedy execs.
Click, click, click.
And next morning, Hero Daily's front page: [Shock Exclusive] Incorruptible Icon Mayor Lee Garam Caught in Bribery!
Support plummets to the 40s maybe. Or 30s?
Still high, but way better than this abnormal 60+ percent now.
Kuhahaha!
I spun the mayor's chair, cackling villainously.
The moment my long-held wish came true was approaching.
Time to shed the heavy chains of this city's hero and return to being a normal corrupt mayor.
Myaa-
To my evil laugh, Nero yawned long and pitifully.
"Excited too, right, Nero? Wanna come along?"
Its ears perked up.
But that was it. It looked away from me and stared indifferently out the window.
"Too bad. They say Aqua Vita's fish dishes are to die for. Especially the Imperial Steak—grilled fresh salmon, VVIP exclusive."
Meow!?
Nero's ears shot up. Its tail whipped furiously side to side.
"Well, if you don't wanna go, nothing I can do. Stay home and eat dry kibble."
Nero frantically patted my leg with its front paws.
Grrr- grrr-
Then it started purring and acting cute.
"You little punk. Attitude flips fast, huh? As expected of a corrupt mayor's cat—top-tier survival skills."