Chapter 68: 07. Push Your Luck and You're Dead
The next morning, I was already deep into drafting plans from the crack of dawn. And what kind of plans? Investment strategies.
After dumping Real Production, I'd pocketed 2.8 trillion won in cash. Sure, about a trillion of that would go to taxes down the line, but that was a problem for future me. For now, I needed to put this money to work and generate returns.
Should I just set up an investment firm?
I'd have to check the laws and regulations, but if I played it smart—headquarters in a specific zone, hiring a certain number of employees—I could snag some serious tax breaks. That said, relocating the entire Goryeo Entertainment operation would be nonsense. Incheon's holy land for the entertainment industry was still Ganghwa, where most celebrities and industry folks had scooped up homes nearby. The broadcasting stations were clustered here too, so moving Goryeo Entertainment for benefits meant sacrificing all kinds of efficiencies. Even if the company wasn't purely profit-driven, no need to sit back and watch it bleed money.
And honestly, I kinda want a company with my name on it.
Goryeo Entertainment was founded under Grandpa Go Yeong-man's orders, so rebranding wasn't straightforward. Legally, it was 100% mine with zero ties to Goryeo Group, but optics mattered. A new venture, though? No need to stick to the Goryeo naming convention. Hell, slapping "Goryeo" on everything willy-nilly was frowned upon anyway.
Mu-yeol Finance? Something like that.
Desperately lame naming sense. But it oddly appealed to me. Probably because it had my name in it.
...I've started thinking of Gomuyeol as my real name at some point.
The thought hit me as my mind wandered. Back when I first possessed this body, I'd tried distinguishing between me and Gomuyeol. Now, that line was blurring.
Whatever. Does it matter? It's not like my parents named me.
If it had been a name from Mom or Dad, loaded with memories and nostalgia, I might've hesitated to sync up with Gomuyeol. But my original name? Just some random designation slapped on by a faceless institute director three heads up. No warmth, no sentiment. The only fondness tied to it was college girls on volunteer duty pinching my chubby cheeks as a kid—and even that stopped once I got older. No regrets there.
Yeah. I'm Gomuyeol.
The eldest grandson of Goryeo Group. Of this country. Gomuyeol. That's me.
"Sua."
"Yes, Master."
I handed her the draft plan.
"Let's spin up a subsidiary. How long will it take?"
"A corporation, sir? What's the purpose?"
"Investments. You know that profit we made? Gotta invest it again."
"Well... let me see... Since Goryeo Entertainment is 100% yours, no decision process needed. Just prep the docs and file at the registry office... about two weeks."
"Two weeks?"
"Yes. But for financial services, we'd need separate approvals... that takes longer. All in, around two months."
"What."
Two months?
"Financial regs are tight. Can't just set one up on a whim."
"..."
"Oh, and the initial capital gets locked until then, so figure on at least two months without access."
"...Then set the initial capital low and capitalize later."
"Understood. What about the corp name?"
"Mu-yeol Finance."
"Pardon? You serious?"
Sua looked shocked.
"Why."
"I mean... really that name...?"
"Yeah."
"..."
She stared at me like I was an idiot. What. Why.
"At least go with something like 'Mu-yeol Investments'... Mu-yeol Finance is a bit much."
"Same difference."
"...Yes, sir... And we need to pick a headquarters location."
"Use my Songdo place as temporary. We can change it later."
"Initial capital at 100 billion? Need some scale for financial authority review."
"Sure."
"Got it... One sec."
Sua jotted notes.
"I'll prep the docs as discussed and send for approval."
"Yeah. And... you finished the correctional ops plan?"
"Ah, yes. Here."
She pulled a thick stack from her ever-present briefcase.
"Since it's a women-only prison, all staff hires will be female. Job's physical, so we're targeting young applicants only."
"Mm. Good."
"Details on page four."
I skimmed it. No issues.
"Run with this. Now draft land acquisition and prison construction plans. Land assumes Aunt's artificial island. Prison for 500 inmates, like I said."
"Yes, sir. I'll outline it."
"Prep materials to convince her too. Why I'm building a prison, why the island's needed. Bundle that up."
"Yes, Master."
Sua's hands flew busily. Ex-police team leader turned full-time fuckhouse-cum-secretary—she was living a packed life. Pure work hours probably hit 16 a day. And if I got horny in the night and barged in? That pushed it to 24/7 on-call.
Once Mu-yeol Finance is up, give her 0.1% equity.
Two months from now, say. No clue on interim returns, but with 2.8 trillion now, inject 2 trillion cash—that's straight net assets. Valuation at least 2 trillion. 0.1%? Twenty billion. Chuseok bonuses were 500 mil for her, 500 mil for the team—if she'd taken it solo, a billion. This might feel light short-term. But with my investments set to crush it, that 20 bil face value could balloon to trillions in real terms. Massive.
But gotta handle those drugs I planned for her carefully. Or dump 'em.
Originally slated for prison distribution, but post-Chuseok, I was rethinking. Grandpa and direct family's aversion to drugs was stronger than expected. They rejoiced over me quitting one—then I build a prison that sells them? They'd suspect relapse.
Issue's the volume... Too much to unload at once.
This new drug stash? Beyond personal scale. Might need a cartel kingpin to bite, and even then...
Nah. It's different. New drug. Cheat-level. One demo and they'll lose their minds. Sales no problem.
Then... Ah, right. Police chief. Incheon Autonomous Police Chief Jang Kyung-su. Frontman for justice, backdoor drug factory boss. Ultimate corrupt cop. He'd have assets to buy it out.
"Sua."
"Yes."
"Contact Prestige... Tell 'em to offload all my drugs."
"Pardon???"
"Police Chief Jang Kyung-su. Your top dog's running a drug plant. Location..."
Ganghwa island somewhere...
"Don't remember exactly, but he's supplying most of Incheon's dope. Approach right, easy sale."
"Uh... the chief... drugs?"
"Yeah. Hard to believe?"
"No, not that... How do you even know?"
"Ways. Who do you think I am? Eldest grandson of this country."
"..."
"At my level, intel just flows into my ear."
"R-right..."
"Prestige can handle it discreetly, no names."
"Yes. I'll relay."
"Good."
+++
A hectic morning commute. Incheon High Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor Kwon Tae-su rode in his bulletproof luxury limo, getting briefed.
Could wait till the office, but any lapse in focus brought back the humiliation in his chief prosecutor's office.
...That scene, to my subordinates!
Even now. A momentary glance away, and the dogejza to Gomuyeol flashed—his forehead scar throbbed.
"Hoo... Damn it, why's traffic this bad?!"
"All jammed? That make sense?!"
The AI explained the jams. Shockingly, multiple crashes in close proximity, almost simultaneous. Too coincidental.
"Ha. What the hell."
He vented at the innocent AI. Then, suddenly—
> Target vehicle under attack.
> Weapon: Terminator detected.
"What?"
Sudden attack? With a Terminator??
Stunned, he peered out the window. And then—swish.
Eye contact with a helmeted biker zipping past.
"Wha—"
The Terminator's barrel glowed, primed to fire. Mode: Terminator. Total annihilation setting.
Thwoong—!
A massive boom, a destructive line etched straight ahead. The reinforced limo pierced clean through, Kwon Tae-su's body shredded.
Blast rippled on, wrecking every vehicle in line.
"Kyaa, kyaak!!!"
Screams and explosions everywhere. The perp leisurely motored away.