I Want to Crush Kim Mincheol
“Who? No way, Kim Dongsu?”
“Yes.”
Kim Dongsu, a fellow Royal Road member like Shin Jaewoo. He hadn't expected that name to come up here.
Kim Dongsu, huh...
Shin Jaewoo had only met the man once before. At that infamous party. Even then, Kim Dongsu had given off a seriously shady vibe.
I didn't want to get chummy with him.
He never imagined the guy would end up tangled with him like this, as enemies.
Still, he needed to hear the full story.
“Um... the majority shareholder of Nemo Entertainment is none other than big bro Kim Dongsu.”
As he spoke, Han Taeho kept stealing glances at Shin Jaewoo's reaction.
He seems to have bad blood with Nemo Enter and Kim Mincheol...
That's what Han Taeho sensed. It put him in a tough spot. Sure, he was hanging with Shin Jaewoo now, but until recently, he'd been Kim Dongsu's lackey. And that hadn't really changed. If Kim Dongsu called, he had to go.
“I hate that bastard Kim Mincheol too, so I'd love to put him in his place, but... I've got my own situation...”
He could end up as collateral damage in a fight between whales.
Seeing Han Taeho's feeble stance, Shin Jaewoo nodded. If there was a giant backing the other side, he couldn't play the Han Taeho card.
Of course, there was one way.
Make Kim Dongsu back off.
That would make things easier. First rule of war: Know your enemy. Recon was priority.
“Hmm. So, what's Kim Dongsu's exact connection? Just a major shareholder?”
“Well... simply put, Kim Mincheol and Kim Dongsu are relatives.”
“Tch.”
Shin Jaewoo clicked his tongue at Han Taeho's answer.
This complicates things.
He had no intention of backing down because of Kim Minseo. Kim Dongsu was probably in a similar boat. Family ties—blood was thicker than water, whether you liked it or not.
Then it hit him.
“...Who's the CEO of Nemo Enter?”
“Oh. Nemo's CEO Kim is from the same family too. Probably Kim Dongsu's cousin or something.”
The family tree clicked into place. Nemo Enter's CEO was Kim Mincheol's uncle. And Kim Dongsu was that CEO's cousin.
“All of Nemo Enter's capital came from Kim Dongsu.”
That was new information. Shin Jaewoo nodded slowly as he absorbed it.
“This won't be as easy as with my aunt.”
But now he had a question burning in his mind.
“So... what does this Kim Dongsu guy even do?”
“He does... loan sharking.”
“Loan sharking?”
“Yes. That's the gist of it.”
Something Shin Jaewoo had never even considered came out of his mouth. Money lending. The so-called private loans. Kim Dongsu ran a loan shark business.
“That's why he's got a ton of cash. He owns several clubs and nightlife spots in places like Gangnam and Hongdae.”
Clubs and adult entertainment. And suddenly, another curiosity struck.
“He doesn't... actually do the real gangster stuff, right?”
“Gangster... yeah, hyungnim, he does.”
“For real?”
This was truly unexpected. He'd assumed a Panta Bank VIP would be doing something at least semi-legit. But thinking about it, it wasn't that weird.
Hell, I just deposited money and they came calling.
No matter how he made it, if it was a 'legitimate' business and the amount was enough to tempt Panta Bank, they'd roll out the Royal Road carpet.
Of course, his known assets were just the tip of the iceberg.
“Big bro's got about 300 billion in liquid cash... but his hidden money's probably way more.”
Here, cash meant personal funds. 300 billion wasn't pocket change.
“The companies he owns are worth hundreds of billions too, and... he probably has black money on top of that. I'd figure he's sitting on trillions total.”
Shin Jaewoo's expression turned peculiar as he listened to the estimate. Up until a moment ago, Kim Dongsu had seemed impressive. But trillions? That threat barely registered anymore.
Hmm. Might be doable after all?
Trillions? That sounded downright pitiful now. Personal fortune: 7 trillion won. Foundation assets: 12 trillion. And untraceable funds: even more.
At some point, his world had shifted. Trillionaires no longer loomed large.
“...Let's put it on hold for now.”
He wasn't rushing into a fight. He didn't even know how to approach someone like that.
If Kim Dongsu was the opponent, he'd need to prepare.
At least wait till Chief Secretary gets back and we can plan together.
Plus, Han Taeho was still tied to Kim Dongsu. No need to bare his fangs in front of him—it could tip his hand too soon.
“But hyungnim, why Kim Mincheol...?”
“I heard something once. You don't need to worry about it.”
Even after Shin Jaewoo's words, Han Taeho felt uneasy.
Something tells me Kim Dongsu and hyungnim are gonna throw down for real...
Whose side would he pick? Sure, Shin Jaewoo had won him over. Kim Dongsu just saw him as a clown to drag around.
But Shin Jaewoo was different.
Still...
There was a reason he couldn't fully commit. His dad's business. Kim Dongsu's money was in it. That's why he couldn't shake free.
But he'd chosen his path.
No. Family's family. If hyungnim fights Kim Dongsu, I'm team hyungnim.
Kim Dongsu was just a thug. No comparison to Shin Jaewoo.
“I'm on your side anytime, hyungnim.”
He said it with firm resolve. Shin Jaewoo just smiled.
“Then just play dumb. I'll think it over more and figure out how to handle it.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
To Han Taeho, it rang differently.
I won't make you do anything tricky. He's looking out for me—a real bro.
***
Lee Sooyoung was anxious. The Shin Jaewoo she managed—she'd barely been called by him lately. Her plan to stay at his place had gone up in smoke.
And... it feels like he's got a separate office now.
There was another office. The problem? She didn't even know where it was.
Besides her, Shin Jaewoo had other hands moving for him now. Her sense of closeness had crumbled.
I...
Truth be told, most Panta Bank VIP division staff went through this. Get close to a client at first, then drift apart. The reason was usually the same: They were the bank's people, not the client's.
“Hoo.”
The exceptions? When things turned romantic. But that was a double-edged sword. Break up, and it was worse than strangers.
So I never even hoped for dating...
The closer she got to Shin Jaewoo, the better for her career. She wanted success. That's why she'd approached him, slept with him a couple times.
But now this growing distance, even from that.
Guess it's hopeless.
Maybe she'd been complacent.
“Hello, Jaewoo.”
She had a reason to see him today. Didn't strictly need to, but she'd come in person.
“...Yeah.”
Shin Jaewoo startled a bit at the sight of her. Her outfit. Not overly revealing, but the tight shirt accentuated her curves.
Still, this was business.
“Did you check the portfolio I sent last time?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“We completed acquisitions on Hanshin Tower and Seyoung Building from it. Hanshin for 380 billion won, Seyoung for 25 billion.”
After the building via Han Taeho's mom, these were his second and third properties.
Big price gap between them.
Shin Jaewoo chuckled. Satisfied, though.
Lee Sooyoung handed over the property deeds. 'Shin Jaewoo' was listed as owner.
“You're a real landlord now. Monthly rent alone will net you billions.”
She smiled with her eyes, a subtle charm offensive. Having slept with her before, Shin Jaewoo felt a shiver at that look.
Sooyoung seems extra forward today...
The mood heated up naturally.
Knock knock.
A knock from outside cut it perfectly.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Perfect timing. And in came Lee Jinshil. A bit older, but not by much from Shin Jaewoo. She carried a tray with tea, cups, and a teapot.
“Talk over some tea.”
She poured right there. Soon, the aroma of Shin Jaewoo's favorite black tea filled the room.
“Thanks.”
“It's my job. And, Director.”
“...?”
“The chief secretary's here.”
Shin Jaewoo's eyes lit up. Lee Jinmyeong, the chief secretary. The man he'd been waiting for.
Was that why?
“Sooyoung.”
“Yes?”
“Is that all for today?”
“Yes, pretty much, but...”
As she fumbled, Shin Jaewoo stood.
“Thanks for coming all this way. Could've just called...”
***
“A lady was here... You could've seen me later.”
Shin Jaewoo smiled at Lee Jinmyeong's words.
“Sorry if you're tired.”
“No. You gave me time to rest, Director. Jet lag's all sorted.”
Lee Jinmyeong had returned yesterday. He'd insisted on coming right away, but Shin Jaewoo told him to rest first.
“Slept the whole flight anyway.”
Whether sincere or not, it eased his mind.
Shin Jaewoo got to the point.
“I want to crush Kim Mincheol.”