Expansion (11)
I instructed the operation team to head up to the welfare center. Midway, I got off and contacted Sevenstar to wrap up the situation in Busan. Number 3, who had been in hiding after the attack, sounded like he had been given a second chance at life when he heard from me.
"Thank you so much, boss." —Sevenstar(46.0)
Still, there was something that had been bothering me since last time. Why was Sevenstar's temperature so high? I was running a fairly large operation in this country myself, yet mine only sat at 38.2.
"There's something I'm curious about." —GB(38.2)
"Please, ask me anything. I'll tell you everything I know." —Sevenstar(46.0)
He was being overly deferential. "How do I raise that temperature?" —GB(38.2)
"I'm sorry, but this temperature has been the same since I took over." —Sevenstar(46.0)
That checked out. Even at 46, it felt a little low. The organization clearly took pride in its history and tradition.
"For now, I'll provide the funding. Take Busan. And push the Japanese side out while you're at it." —GB(38.2)
"Once everything is normalized, I'll contact you." —GB(38.2)
"Yes." —Sevenstar(46.0)
I didn't fully trust him to handle a fight of this scale on his own, but since it was local territory, I couldn't step in personally. I would have to use him as my proxy, just like last time, with Yeoni and our organization maintaining control. And why had Yeoni been captured in the first place? The kid wasn't even in good health.
While moving separately, I kept checking on the Busan situation and the organization's status, feeding information to the executives at the welfare center. I also told the security team to take good care of the prisoners and extract whatever information they could.
I stayed in Busan for about three days, receiving reports as Number 3 took over the businesses and got them running. For some reason, he sent detailed updates. I had been watching out for the supervisory authorities, the police, and the prosecutors, but being here made me think again about the organization's history. Every police station—Busanjin, Nambu, Seobu—had people on the inside. Everything was well greased. When I used to watch the news and hear about political-business collusion or corruption, it never really registered. Now that I was benefiting from it, those words lost all meaning. This was why people cultivated connections and sent gifts during the holidays.
"GB, are you involved with the Busan businesses?" —Nakamura(39.4)
Just as I was finishing up in Busan, a message came from Nakamura. It had been a while since the old man had asked something so direct. I considered telling the truth or playing dumb, but I figured his information network already knew everything, so I decided to share.
"How have you been?" —GB(38.2)
I stalled a little so I wouldn't look too eager. His reply came back sharp. Still, it made sense—he was from the neighborhood, after all, not some outsider.
"Haha, if you know anything, I would appreciate it if you told me." —Nakamura(39.4)
So he already knew it was me.
"Are they the same group?" —GB(38.2)
I asked just in case. If they were connected, things would get very complicated for me.
"They are not. However, I contacted you because I believe this could be beneficial for both of us." —Nakamura(39.4)
That was a relief. He went on to explain the situation in Japan. Multiple organizations existed there, but if divided by region, his group was Tokyo-based while the ones that had operated in Busan were from Osaka. They fought over interests but maintained basic communication. His side had learned that we were dealing with the Korean side and had been gathering information. The moment they heard the details, they realized it was me.
Nakamura's proposal was that he would mediate in the middle and take a commission. I would only need to collect the compensation for the damages. In exchange, we would forget this incident ever happened.
"Is that possible? You've suffered a lot. I imagine your feelings aren't exactly warm." —GB(38.2)
"That's how this world works. If you hold on to grudges like that, you won't last long." —Nakamura(39.4)
"What are the conditions?" —GB(38.2)
Honestly, I had no real grudge against the Japanese side and wanted to settle things cleanly.
"Prisoner repatriation, a peace agreement, and reparations." —Nakamura(39.4)
"Good. I don't want to escalate this either. Please mediate." —GB(38.2)
From what I had seen while Number 3 was cleaning things up in Busan, there were plenty of scraps left to pick up. I decided to let a third party handle the final negotiations. When I informed Number 3, he replied that he had been worried about the Japanese side and was grateful it was being resolved.
While updating the organization internally in real time and finishing the cleanup, winter had already passed. The talk of scaling back after expanding too much felt hollow—our organization had grown even larger. As soon as I received the report the following month that Yeoni had recovered, she stepped forward and demanded compensation. Not only from existing clients, but also from Number 1's territory and even the tribute payments from the businesses the Seven Star Gang had been running. Yeoni must have had a lot pent up. She squeezed them dry. Sevenstar, on the other hand, just kept replying "yes, yes." The Japanese executives and bodyguards we had taken prisoner were nursed back to health and sent over to Number 3 to finish things. When they asked for a ransom of around 100 million won, I gave it to Nakamura as a token of appreciation for his trouble. 100 million won had become pocket change now.
The guy who had lynched Yeoni at the seafood supply store was apparently still alive. When I asked how long they planned to keep him that way, the answer was chilling.
"Until the day his name is written in the King of Hell's ledger."
So they intended to torment him for as long as he lived. Number 1 and that guy Sangpil were handed over to Number 3. He could try to turn them or dispose of them however he saw fit. Just in case, I mentioned it to Yeoni. She said she would keep a close watch.
After settling the Busan side, I returned to the welfare center and held an executive meeting. There was Yeoni's matter to discuss, and it seemed we needed to adjust our supply lines to Busan as well. I told Executive Ha that if Yeoni was going to continue handling that side, we would need to reassign personnel on the manufacturing lines. The Haman Factory was currently idle due to site preparation, but once the Cheonan line and Haman were sorted out, Park Mincheol's team wouldn't be able to cover everything.
"Understood. I'll take care of it."
I also asked about assigning security personnel. There had to be a reason Yeoni had been captured. Director Jo started cursing furiously the moment he heard.
"That bitch has no sense of fear. Why the hell would she go there?"
Executive Ha gave a bitter smile.
"Boss, I'm sorry, but we can't prevent every personal lapse in judgment."
Ah. So she had gone looking for a place to die. Still, since the topic had come up, I asked if we should improve security for our executives. They told me not to worry, that they were already handling it well. I also instructed them to increase the security team if possible. After clashing with other organizations, it was clear our current numbers weren't enough. We didn't have mercenaries to call on either.
"The deputy team leader already has quite a bit of influence. I'll have him select and bring in more people."
After discussing the aftermath and beginning the debrief, I realized what I wanted most wasn't the money—it was the human network that had helped us during the incident. A hotline that could resolve any problem that might arise in this country with just three phone calls. I said I wanted that too. They nodded.
"You're right. Tradition can't be ignored."
"We're working on it as well, but their infrastructure is something we can't easily replicate. It's built on decades of relationships."
When I asked for more explanation, they continued. They recruited with money and built connections, but the other side was bound by blood ties and regional ties. Those bonds had been forged over thirty or forty years. It was different from what we had. Still, I asked them to keep trying and ended the meeting. I needed to bring some beef up the mountain.
As I climbed the mountain path, my senses sharpened. I looked around and spotted someone in the distance, perched in a tree, aiming a rifle at me. My body reacted instantly. I rolled behind a tree beside the path. Executive Ha and Director Jo stared at me like I was crazy.
"I almost got sniped!"
We exchanged awkward looks for about ten seconds before someone came running from afar, apologizing. They had been in the middle of training. I let out a sigh of relief and straightened my clothes. A few more people approached. It was the team that had operated with me in Busan.
"Still not enough."
It had been terrifying! I couldn't understand why the deputy team leader looked so dissatisfied. I finally calmed down, handed over the beef I had brought, and relayed the meeting's contents. When I asked if they could recruit more personnel, they said it should be possible, so I gave them full authority to discuss it with Executive Ha. I asked the team leader how he was doing. Executive Ha smiled beside me.
"He's like a fish in water."
Seemed like he was doing well.
"He's working hard overseas. Please look after him."
After sorting through the spoils and finishing the debrief, I returned as Eunsu.