The Super 갑
What a top dog. The real deal.
But was I ever this much of a top dog?
My own position surprises me.
In exchange for sweet-talking a few local sports bureaucrats, I get the highest-value sponsorship contract in H Group's history?
If you just look at the terms, it's way too generous to me.
It's not like the old foxes who've been in this game for decades are pushovers.
In negotiations like this, when the other side comes out generous without even asking questions, it means they're the ones who are desperate.
The needy dig the well, as they say.
'So why are you so desperate?'
I kept my thoughts spinning fast while keeping a smile on my lips.
Then I casually tossed out a piece of bait.
"But Chairman Park. A company as established as H Construction really needs my influence? Seems like you could win the bid just by doing what you usually do — easy as pie."
Chairman Park's relaxed expression stiffened subtly for a moment, but true to his seasoned fox nature, he quickly burst into hearty laughter and covered it up.
"Hoho, well now. Our Chairman Han. Has the position made you this sharp?"
He swirled the whiskey in his glass, took a sip, and continued in a more bitter tone.
"The truth is, J Construction put together a big consortium for this bid. And word is their chairman was high school classmates with the provincial governor. The administrative line is already half tilted their way."
Aha.
If it's J Construction, that changes things.
In the business rankings, they're neck and neck with H Construction, hell, maybe even a hair ahead.
If the government line is already leaning toward J Construction, then there's only one variable left in this new stadium project:
Local public opinion and connections within the sports community.
And the master key that can control that public opinion is the title sitting right in front of me — KFA Chairman.
"So to sum it up..."
I paused for effect, then continued.
"You want me to use the local chairmen's influence to flip the governor's line that J Construction has locked down."
Chairman Park slapped his knee and laughed heartily.
"Exactly! See, this is what I like about young blood — we understand each other perfectly."
Just then, Chairman Choi of K Group, who had been silently swirling his whiskey and listening, chimed in.
"Ah, I think you should know this clearly, Chairman Han. The smart control system and IT infrastructure for this sports complex project — we at K Group are handling that exclusively."
Chairman Choi's snake-like eyes narrowed as he continued.
"So this isn't just H Construction's deal. It's a consortium, solidly tied between the two of us."
Oh ho.
I was wondering why Chairman Choi was grinning and hanging around someone else's turf war, but it turns out he wasn't just there out of friendship.
He was a stakeholder with a big chunk of the pie.
The two foxes sitting across from me were both smiling benevolently at me.
With things turning out this way, the scale of the conversation changes completely.
It means the entire consortium of two major Korean business groups is now waiting for one answer from my mouth.
I could practically hear my value skyrocketing from this short conversation.
I cheered inwardly but didn't show it, keeping a relaxed smile.
No way I was going to slobber and bite the bait when the old men in front of me were so desperate for my answer.
When would I ever get to see eyes like that again?
"I've heard well how you two gentlemen have set up the board."
I rested my intertwined hands on the table and spoke in a low voice.
"But, sirs. Even if I'm inexperienced, I can't just say 'okay' right here on the spot. As you know, the position of KFA Chairman isn't as light as a feather."
Chairman Park and Chairman Choi's eyes wavered almost imperceptibly.
"If I move carelessly, it's not just my own face at stake — it's the entire association's credibility that's been calling for reform. Fortunately, there's still some time before the joint meeting with the local chairmen. Send me the draft of that supposedly generous sponsorship contract first. I'll review it seriously from all angles."
A master of tightrope walking — neither rejecting them coldly nor wagging my tail in acceptance.
I surprised myself.
Guess you can't hide the chaebol DNA, huh?
Do they think South Korea's conglomerates are just nouveau riche?
That sharp, quick-thinking mind. That instinct for rolling and sweeping money in Korea — that gene doesn't just disappear.
To the audacious deal of checking the goods before moving, both chairmen's smiles deepened.
Suddenly, a question crossed my mind.
'Wait, but why isn't J Construction showing their face today?'
They're not the type to be pushed down — if anything, they'd sit at the head of the table over H Construction.
Was it a scheduling conflict important enough to skip Cheongunhoe?
Come to think of it, I'd vaguely overheard that J Construction had a Middle East plant contract or some overseas business trip, so they'd skip this weekend's social gathering and only show up at the next one.
'Hmm…'
Then the pieces clicked into place.
Why they specifically called me today, of all days.
Before J Construction could even approach me — the KFA Chairman — the rivals seized the opportunity while the competitor was away and made their move first.
They wanted to shackle me with a record-breaking sponsorship before J Construction could even rub up against me.
'How much scheming do you have to do to get one thing done?'
On the surface, they're laughing like kindly neighborhood grandpas, but underneath, they've got the flight schedules of their rivals fully tracked and are timing their moves perfectly.
Anyway, in the behind-the-scenes battles of chaebol families, you can't underestimate the power that comes from information.
And that brings up something even more surprising.
Right now!
In this suffocating game of wits, the one holding the winning flower card — the ultimate top dog — is none other than me.
Monday morning. The KFA Chairman's office.
The moment I arrived, I groaned at the mountain of paperwork piled on my desk.
"Ah, shit… my head's about to explode, seriously."
The position of KFA Chairman.
Honestly, I knew it wouldn't be easy.
I knew the association eats shit it doesn't deserve because of the public's ignorant perception — a classic case of getting bullied for no reason.
After all, I was the one who used that to steer public opinion.
Even so, I thought that once I sat in the chairman's seat, I could just purge the disobedient elements, handpick a competent coach, and be done with it.
Isn't that how football works?
Win convincingly, the people cheer, and I soak up the spotlight while enjoying the honey.
But when I actually opened it up, it turned out I'd need to become some kind of master of comprehensive administration.
Nationwide infrastructure development, local government cooperation projects, youth system reform, and the tangled web of turf wars.
Endless documents and political decisions pour in every single day.
And I'm working this hard.
'How the hell did the previous chairman handle all this?'
He was always getting shit from the public, treated like an incompetent whose brain was full of noodle soup, but the fact that he sustained the administration of this vast organization is impressive.
Maybe I should have badmouthed him less.
I almost wish I could inherit the administrative know-how of the former chairman I roasted so thoroughly.
Anyway, seeing how the organization runs makes me shake my head in awe.
It's been two months since I took office as chairman.
I'm wearing the titles of 'young blood' and 'icon of reform,' absorbing everything like a mad sponge and pushing through… but honestly, it's fucking tough.
Ugh.
"Chairman, you don't look well. Should I brew you a fatigue recovery drink?" my secretary asked with concern.
"Yeah, make one. I went along with the power play at Cheongunhoe over the weekend, and it drained my energy."
I leaned back into the sofa and spilled the whole story from the weekend's gathering at the state guesthouse to my secretary.
She listened quietly, then spoke.
"So they want you to sway the local KFA chairmen's votes toward H Construction… and in return, they'll offer the main sponsorship at a record-breaking price. The terms themselves are extraordinary."
"Right? I almost fell for it too. But if I bite the bait without thinking, I'll end up as their puppet. I'm Han Yideun. Playing marionette on someone else's board doesn't suit me. How do I cook this so that word gets around that I squeezed them dry cleanly?"
I'm the top dog.
How should I use this?