Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Bribery
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A pleased smile crept across the lips of Daejin Technomics' President Kim Daejin.
His luxury sedan glided smoothly along the roads of Neo Incheon.
The face reflected in the rearview mirror was the epitome of a successful middle-aged man.
Moderately oily, moderately wrinkled, and above all, exuding that unique leisure only the truly successful possessed.
How many subcontractors had he cycled through? How many competitors had he crushed?
He couldn't remember. No need to.
What mattered wasn't the process, but the result—and the man he was now.
"Today's a special day."
He tapped the briefcase on the passenger seat.
"A one-on-one with Mayor Lee Garam, at last."
The thick sensation in his jacket pocket pressed pleasantly against his heart.
Cash. Classic, but the most reliable conversation starter.
The Garam Land Research Cluster supply contract. This was Daejin Technomics' ticket to the next level.
Lee Garam, the mayor.
At first, he'd dismissed him as a lucky upstart. But look at the miracles he'd wrought: wiping out Zodiac, auditing the Hero Association, crushing the Sea Dragon Church, and turning this place into the Venice of the East.
One flick of his finger birthed multi-billion-won projects overnight. One word from him reshaped the city's landscape.
"In the end, they're all the same humans."
Kim Daejin snorted.
Korean politicians, every one.
Pretending to be clean, upright, caring. Hypocrites who took everything they could behind the scenes.
But Lee Garam's influence was real. One word from him moved Neo Incheon's money.
Tie in tight now, and the rewards would exceed imagination.
"Hey, step on it. We're gonna be late."
At his urging, the driver floored the accelerator.
Neo Incheon's new landmark, the Garam Waterway, flashed by outside the window.
"Why meet at a floating restaurant, anyway? Such a hassle."
Kim Daejin disliked the pretentious venue. A discreet room salon was perfect for business talks.
Arriving at the gondola dock, a cheerful gondolier in a striped shirt greeted him.
"Buon giorno! Signore!"
His name tag read 'Antonio'.
"Ooh, sir! Got an important appointment today, I see?"
Antonio chattered as he rowed.
"Just the other day, I ferried the mayor himself! Oh, what a tall, handsome man in person! That charisma! That dignity! And his kindness, telling me 'Take it slow'! Ooh, his warm heart brought tears to this Antonio's eyes..."
"Shut up."
Kim Daejin snapped in a low voice.
"Just row quietly."
"Ah, yes, yes! Sorry!"
Antonio's smile vanished. Kim Daejin clicked his tongue. Vulgar fool. Didn't even know his place.
Upon reaching the destination, he disembarked without a tip.
He opened the door to Aqua Vita's VIP party room, number 7.
And froze.
At the far end, in the prime seat, sat a man.
Back to the window, the pouring sunset painted him as a black silhouette. His face was shrouded in shadow.
His mere presence dominated the space with overwhelming pressure.
On the man's knee lay a calico cat. He stroked its back with mechanical precision.
Cold sweat trickled down Kim Daejin's spine.
That cat.
Nero, the monster who could send a 15-ton truck flying with a cotton swab punch.
To casually keep such a beast as a pet on his lap. No ordinary man.
Lee Garam looked up. His voice rumbled low from the shadows.
"President Kim Daejin."
Low and heavy.
"You've arrived."
His voice moved Kim Daejin's body against his will.
"Hello, Mayor!"
His waist bent 90 degrees.
Embarrassment flooded him at bowing so deferentially to someone much younger.
'Why am I doing this? Overwhelmed by the atmosphere?'
"Haha, no need to be so formal. Sit comfortably."
Lee Garam gestured from the shadows. Surprisingly kind tone.
Kim Daejin relaxed slightly and sat opposite.
But then.
Bang—
The door opened again.
"Aigoo, Mayor! I was a bit late..."
Vision Biotech's Executive Director Park. He stopped upon seeing Kim Daejin.
"Oh? President Kim's here too?"
Kim Daejin's brow furrowed faintly. Wasn't this a one-on-one?
Five minutes later.
Bang—
Future Systems' Director Choi burst in, sweating profusely.
"Huff, huff, Mayor! Apologies! The gondola was jammed, so..."
Choi's eyes widened at the two already seated.
Every ten minutes after, as if by appointment, Neo Incheon's top mid-sized company presidents arrived one after another.
Lake Apparel.
Godong Construction.
And more, more, more.
The lavish party room soon brimmed with fifteen oily executives.
A bustling marketplace like the mayor's street stall. All exchanged baffled glances.
"President Kim's here too?"
"Why's Executive Director Park here...?"
"Was this... a group meeting?"
Competitors who'd schemed to steal each other's supply contracts were gathered together.
What was this?
Calling them one by one to pit them against each other, awarding to the highest bidder? A classic politician's ploy.
Fine for one or two. But fifteen companies?
Gathering fifteen at once? Too blatant. The stage was too big.
Something was off. Very off.
Knock, knock.
With polite knocks, the door opened, and waiters in white uniforms wheeled in food carts.
"Appetizers are served."
Gorgeous dishes covered the table.
Blini topped with caviar, foie gras terrine, smoked salmon salad with dill sauce.
"Heh heh, what a fine gathering. All of Neo Incheon's industrial pioneers assembled. Come, everyone. Eat while we talk."
The presidents reluctantly picked up forks and knives.
But none tasted the food. Only the clinking of cutlery filled the awkward space.
"Heh heh, Mayor. Thanks for this precious occasion. Put the bill on me."
"Nonsense, Executive Director Park! As the elder, it's only right I..."
"No, no! President Kim! Let me!"
They vied to pull out wallets.
Paying here wasn't just the meal. It was initiative, face, and the start of 'sincerity' to the mayor.
But the waiter politely shook his head.
"No, sir. The mayor has already covered everything."
"...What?"
"You're all busy people. I can't call you here and make you pay for dinner."
Executive Director Park's hand froze mid-air.
All eyes widened.
'What?'
'The mayor... treating us?'
Lee Garam footing the bill for what should be the bribe-givers' treat?
Confusion turned eyes back to him.
'What's he thinking?'
Kim Daejin's mind raced. Preemptive strike?
'I don't move for your pocket change'—a silent boast?
Or demanding something bigger?
Moments later, the main course arrived.
Thick grilled salmon steak. Crispy outside, moist medium-rare inside. Creamy dill sauce and asparagus on the side.
That instant.
Nyaawr~
Nero, dozing on Lee Garam's lap, yawned sleepily and stretched.
And then, a sight that beggared belief.
Streeetch—
Nero's body elongated like rubber, like liquid, impossibly long.
It stretched toward the salmon steak at the table's center.
Then snatched the thickest piece with a snap.
Neroshot—
Its body snapped back instantly.
Nero chewed and swallowed the salmon nonchalantly.
"Nero loves salmon, you see."
"......"
A fork clattered to the floor.
Someone gulped.
The room's air froze.
That was Neo Incheon's mascot.
They'd witnessed Nero's eerie ability firsthand, stealing salmon of all things.
But no one laughed.
Chills ran down spines.
'A warning.'
Kim Daejin sensed it.
'If he wants, he can take anything—from the table's end or your pocket—anytime. An implicit warning.'
A declaration: He was the predator; they, mere prey awaiting disposal.
Blatant power display.
As all stiffened, Lee Garam finally spoke.
His voice remained low and calm.
"Well, shall we get to the point?"
Bodies tensed in unison. Here it comes.
"Could you show me the 'sincerity' you've brought?"
Kim Daejin moved first. He carefully placed a thick envelope from his pocket on the table.
"Mayor, a small token. Think of it as sponsorship for the project's success..."
That was the signal.
"I've prepared too!"
Executive Director Park pulled out a luxury-logo shopping bag. Inside, an envelope and high-end watch box.
"A modest thanks for your hard work!"
President Jeong plunked down a black briefcase. It clicked open, revealing stacks of bills.
"Construction runs on cash. Heh heh."
The rest scrambled, outdoing each other with envelopes and gifts.
Golf memberships, gift certificates, even real estate contracts.
The table overflowed with 'sincerity,' like an altar feast.
"My, your sincerity is impressive."
Lee Garam marveled. Relief washed over faces.
'Satisfied, huh.'
'Politicians are all the same.'
'Takes it anyway after the show...'
That instant.
Bang!
The party room door burst open.
"Hero Daily reporter Moon Hyeji! Mayor! What is this gathering?!"
A camera-wielding reporter stormed in.
Click! Click! Click!
Mad flashes.
Target: Piles of money envelopes and gifts on the table, the fifteen presidents around it, and Lee Garam at center.
"Could this be... your plan to root out corrupt companies all at once?!"
The room froze at her words.
'Pla... plan?'
Faces blanched. Their cherished 'sincerity' turned ticking bombs.
"N-No! This is!"
"Misunderstanding! Just dinner..."
"Money? What money? I know nothing!"
Panic erupted.
Presidents shrieked excuses, frantically hiding envelopes.
Stuffing into pants, dunking in soup bowls, one even bounced an envelope off the window trying to toss it out.
Chaos reigned.
Fifteen tycoons flailed, clueless.
But Lee Garam stayed calm, steadfastly petting his cat amid the storm.
Calm in chaos.
The eye of the typhoon.
Kim Daejin finally realized. Pieces clicked.
'Wait... no way...'
Why the floating restaurant? No escape.
Why all competitors? To handle at once.
Why the reporter now? Staged from the start.
Chills erupted across his skin.
This was a trap.
A cunning, cruel snare to gather the alligators and skin them together.
Brand them corrupt businessmen, bury them socially, and reign as the 'incorruptible mayor who purged rot' atop the corpses.
He gazed at Lee Garam with trembling eyes.
The shadowed face. A faint smirk?
'Terrifying... Schemer Lee Garam... What are you...!'
Gooseflesh. Incorruptible sage? Naive idealist?
All lies.
This man, Lee Garam, ruled the city in ways they couldn't imagine.
Good. Very good.
Everything's going according to my script.
Look at those greedy faces huddled together.
Corporate presidents eyeing each other awkwardly, like college freshmen at orientation.
Comradeship of 'Oh, you too' mixed with betrayal of 'You were invited?'.
Pitiful fish who swam to this isolated-island restaurant, lured by my sweet bait: the Garam Land Research Cluster supply contract.
Kukuku.
Perfect setup.
Isolated space. Suspicious meeting. Secret deals.
Collusion between politics and business. Corruption central. Ugly rendezvous of vile mayor and greedy moguls.
'Why are they shaking like that?'
Especially Daejin Technomics' President Kim. He's been mopping sweat like rain with his handkerchief.
Weak constitution? At that age, health trumps money. Pity.
That's why I always push work-life balance and early quits.
Slack off work, live long and healthy! True life wisdom!
Though Seria always shoots it down.
Nyaang—
Nero curled contentedly on my lap. I mechanically stroked his soft back, savoring the chaotic air filling the party room.
"Mayor, what is this?!"
"Why call us all?!"
Murmurs rose.
Eyes mixed panic and suspicion.
Fair enough. Dirty deals are usually one-on-one. Dim hostess bars or golf club VIP rooms.
But I'm Lee Garam. I reject ordinary villainy.
If you're taking bribes—or pretending to—why not gather them all for efficiency?
Saves time, energy. One swing, fifteen birds.
Modern admin's creative efficiency. One-stop bribery service!
Plus.
Piled high, it looks far more nefarious.
Like a crime boss collecting tribute from underlings.
One-on-one is corrupt pol. Fifteen at once, raking envelopes? Mafia don.
Scale of evil differs. Class differs. Think photo impact.
[Breaking] Mayor Lee Garam Takes Bribes from 15 Firms at Once!
[Shock] Black Banquet at Floating Restaurant!
[Exclusive] Neo Incheon Mega Corruption Scene!
'Of course, can't actually take them. Pretend, reject ambiguously. Act accepting while leaving an escape artfully.'
I reviewed bribery law elements mentally.
Quid pro quo. Job-related. The act itself.
I'll say, envelope in sight:
'Aigoo, President Kim, what's this? You'll get me in trouble.'
Standard so far. But the key:
Pretend to push away, 'Oops, dropped it,' and don't pick up. Artful acting.
I reject the bribe. Nero took the money. Or rather, Nero fetched the dropped envelope.
Nero's a cat. Cats can't be prosecuted legally.
Even if, light warning at worst.
I'm innocent. Nero guilty (maybe). Clean finish.
"Well, shall we get to the point?"
I grinned as evilly as possible.
"Could you show me the 'sincerity' you've brought?"
Who'd step up first? Who'd open wallet first?
Presidents glanced, slyly producing envelopes and gifts.
Right then.
Bang!
The door nearly splintered.
"Hero Daily reporter Moon Hyeji! Mayor! What is this gathering?!"
Here she is.
Today's partner. Moon Hyeji. My downfall's finale performer.
Click! Click! Click!
Flashes exploded before me.
Yes, snap away! More! Capture this vile mayor and corrupt execs' ugly meet fully!
Tomorrow's headlines danced in my mind.
[Shock Exclusive] Integrity Icon Lee Garam Caught Red-Handed in Bribery!
Approval plummets to 30%. Impeachment surges. Perfect scenario.
I prepared to feign shock, tragic resignation, rising from my seat.
Pathetic excuses per rehearsal, then reluctant admission.
But.
Moon Hyeji's reaction was weird.
"How did you conceive this?! Surely, this is your grand plan to expose corrupt companies all at once!"
...Huh?
My brain short-circuited.
Grand... plan?
I couldn't comprehend. Talking about me?
Moon Hyeji pointed excitedly at the presidents.
"Daehan Dynamics! Infamous for illegal subcontracting and wage theft! Vision Biotech! Caused countless victims via clinical trial fraud! Future Systems, Lake Apparel, Godong Construction! Every one here is Neo Incheon's pus-filled boils!"
How does she know their crimes so well?
No, that's not the point.
"Wait, there's a misunderstanding..."
I tried to correct.
This wasn't a sting—just plain bribery.
But she ignored me.
"Luring these crocs with the Garam Land Research Cluster bait, gathering them, then stripping their hides at their most unguarded to expose their ugliness publicly...! What a bold, meticulous operation! Mayor!"
No.
It's not.
Frustration boiled. I desperately pointed at President Kim's hidden envelope.
"Look at that! Money envelopes! Bribes they brought for me!"
I nearly wailed. Believe me. I'm not the great guy you think. Just an ordinary scum mayor!
But Moon Hyeji didn't waver.
"Magnificent, Mayor. Even inducing key evidence for arrests. Perfect sting. Truly... truly admirable!"