Kim Dong-su's Crisis
Lee Jinmyeong had made one specific request for this operation.
"It would be best if you didn't use any of your own money for this matter, Director."
At first, it had seemed straightforward: just outspend the opponent. But now Lee Jinmyeong was telling him not to spend a dime. It was contradictory, yet Shin Jaewoo understood exactly what he meant.
"...You're talking about using the anonymous accounts, right?"
"Yes, exactly. That's what the money was prepared for in the first place."
A new piece of information came to light. And Shin Jaewoo never imagined he'd find himself agreeing with Lee Jinmyeong's words.
Expenditures you want to keep hidden from others...
Paper companies created for that purpose. Anonymous accounts. They weren't just for dodging taxes.
Shin Jaewoo nodded as he listened.
"...Let's do it your way, Secretary Lee."
He had no real grasp of how much money was in those accounts anyway. Even if it all vanished, he doubted he'd feel the loss.
Fighting that guy with his own dirty money? No loss for me there.
Protecting his own fortune while toppling the enemy—it wasn't a bad deal from Shin Jaewoo's perspective.
Lee Jinmyeong's eyes gleamed at the response.
"Everything will proceed according to your wishes, Director."
Even so, neither of them knew. That very night, a silent war had erupted on the streets of Seoul.
Kim Dong-su's face twisted in fury.
That old bastard Hwang In-su...!
Hwang In-su was a heavyweight in the underworld that even Kim Dong-su couldn't ignore. He might be an aging lion with worn teeth now, but a lion was still a lion. When provoked, his claws were sharp.
"...So how bad was the hit?"
"Two of our managed establishments were targeted."
These "attacks" weren't the dramatic brawls from movies or novels—no smashing furniture or gangs swinging steel pipes. Korea had changed. Pull that kind of stunt nowadays, and you'd face not just police but a media firestorm. With SNS, containing the rumors was nearly impossible.
So the attacks were more mundane, the kind anyone could pull off.
"Who's the owner here? Get the boss out!" Bang! Drunken troublemakers. They'd douse themselves in booze to sell the act—though they did drink some for real.
"You bastards!"
Then they'd scream and cause what amounted to "business disruption." Do it in a group, and customers would flee in fear that day.
"What're you staring at, you punks? Got something worth watching? Huh?"
They'd pick fights with the patrons on purpose. Raise their fists to intimidate, but never actually touch another customer. Bang. Kicking tables or toppling chairs, though—that was fair game.
"Kyaaak!"
At that level, it could be written off as "damages." Civil compensation was no hurdle when your faction footed the bill, like Hwang In-su's crew.
And Kim Dong-su was getting the reports in real time.
"...So what's our damage?"
"Two chairs, a mirror, and a glass wall at that spot."
"And at OO-dong OO Pub, three chairs and a table..."
"Those fucking...!"
Kim Dong-su seethed at Hwang In-su's moves. This was new—why was the old man acting up now?
If he was gonna do it, he should've done it ages ago. Does he think I'm still the old Kim Dong-su?
Until recently, Kim Dong-su had been below Hwang In-su in power and funds. But not anymore. He couldn't pinpoint exactly when the shift happened, but he was convinced he held the edge now.
He exhaled sharply.
"Why's this geezer suddenly flipping out on us?"
"Not entirely sure. But..."
"But what?"
"It seems like someone might be backing Hwang In-su."
Kim Dong-su's face contorted again. He'd suspected as much. Otherwise, Hwang wouldn't dare get this aggressive. The real problem was what came next.
Who's propping up that old fart Hwang In-su?
Hwang In-su—a sly old fox who'd held turf like Myeongdong for decades. He wouldn't attack on a whim; someone big had to be pulling strings. That made the hidden backer far scarier to Kim Dong-su.
Ignorance bred greater fear.
Who's gunning for me?
The attacks had begun. More were surely coming without pause.
"Hoo. Hey, secure the ledgers and docs tight. Send all critical files to the safehouse."
"Huh?"
"What 'huh'? Move it, you slow-ass worm, or do I have to repeat myself?!"
Foul curses flew from Kim Dong-su's mouth. He was on edge, no room for leisure with an unknown enemy striking.
I can handle Hwang In-su alone. But if someone's behind him...
The next blow was inevitable—likely via public authorities: NTS, prosecutors, police. A second wave with official muscle.
He barked orders.
"And that photo from last time? Me shaking hands with the newly elected president in front of our office?"
"Yes."
"Print it huge and plaster it on the door."
Before, the guy was just opposition leader—not president yet—so he'd held off to avoid riling the ruling party. No need now.
The pinnacle of state power. Show he'd shaken hands with the president, hint at deeper ties even if there were none.
"Hoo. Get the police chief on the line—tell him I'm coming in person. Our shops got hit; a legit small business owner protesting ain't wrong, right?"
"Y-yes, sir."
"Then hustle, you idiots!"
If the enemy moved, he had to thrash and squirm too.
"Pull the list of ruling party lawmakers on our payroll."
"Yes!"
"No—text them instead. If a raid hits our office, those ledgers showing cash to them go down too. Tell 'em to block it."
Kim Dong-su had politicians and leverage now. Still, unease gnawed.
Why does it feel like I'm missing something?
He gnawed his nails, racking his brain. Solid defenses in place. Once he ID'd the backer, counterattack was next. Hwang In-su first—time for a reckoning.
But...
His gut, which had guided him this far, whispered it wasn't enough.
"Hey, Seong-tae."
"Yes, boss."
He called out, and a burly man entered—190cm of solid muscle, built like an athlete.
"Can't risk it. Head to the safehouse yourself and take control."
"...Got it."
"You know you're the only one I trust, right?"
"Yes, boss."
"Hoo. Good thing I got you. Can't trust the rest of these clowns."
The man called Seong-tae—Seo Seong-tae—stood silently, absorbing the praise.
Kim Dong-su left. In that instant, Seo Seong-tae's expression shifted.
"...So it's really come to this."
He was effectively number two in Kim Dong-su's crew. Precisely, someone else held that spot before—but Seo Seong-tae had snitched on him to Kim Dong-su and taken his place.
For the record, that former number two was Seo Seong-tae's own brother.
In other words, he'd betrayed blood for power. That's why Kim Dong-su trusted him.
But a guy who sold out his own brother? No reason to stay loyal to you.
His lips curled.
The crew's most vital assets. Not cash or guns.
"Boss's orders. Load all the IOUs into my car. I'll take 'em to the safehouse."
He swallowed a rising laugh.
Grab the safehouse cash too while I'm at it.
Kim Dong-su was done. He might not be totally crippled, but targeted investigations had begun.
How did Seo Seong-tae know? A contact—a supposed police insider.
'Special tip just for you, bro. Kim Dong-su got too big. Brass hates it.'
'Then...?'
'The IOUs and ledgers are the issue. But if those vanish from his hands... what happens to Kim Dong-su?'
Files tangled with powerful figures' dirt. Ledgers. IOUs from big shots. Kim Dong-su's real power.
Seo Seong-tae could seize it all—especially now.
'Snag those, and we'll handle Kim Dong-su clean. You keep the cash too.'
That was the deal.
"My bro got too cocky anyway."
He muttered, heading to his car. The trunk was packed with boxes from his men—all IOUs and the ledgers.
"I'll hide these. Tell the boss that when he gets back."
"Yes!"
"Good work. Full muster tonight—just in case. Stay on alert."
"Yes!"
Seo Seong-tae's car slipped smoothly onto the road.
And eyes watched him go.
"...Target B is moving. Initiating pursuit."