Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Royal Family
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Seo Ji-hyeok and Park Dae-hwi checked into the Macau Grand Hotel four hours after leaving Seoul.
"Whoa, the facilities here are insane. Hyung, check this out. The view is killer."
Park Dae-hwi tossed his bag aside and headed straight to the massive window.
He let out a gasp of admiration at the Macau nightlife sprawling before him in an instant.
Ji-hyeok followed him to the window and took in the sight.
"Nice."
"This is what a city that never sleeps really looks like. Seoul's night view doesn't even compare."
"It's a city built for a different purpose."
"True. So what now? Just crash?"
"Not tired? It's three in the morning."
"I am. But I can't just sleep like this. Hyung, spot me some cash."
"Sure. I was heading down anyway. Let's go."
"Heh heh heh."
"That happy, huh?"
"Yeah. How many years has it been since I held one of these cards?"
"Remember what I said back then? This trip's the exception. Touch a card after this, and I'll really chop your wrist off. No joke."
"Got it. Don't worry. That's why I'm so thrilled right now—I'm keeping that promise."
The Grand Hotel Casino spanned the basement levels one and two.
Before leaving the room, Ji-hyeok made a quick call. By the time he reached basement one, a man in a suit was there to greet him.
"Hello. I'm Kim Taek-ju, your dedicated manager. I'll ensure you have a seamless experience."
"From Lucky Travel Agency, right?"
"Yes, but we're officially registered here as an agency, so no issues with your enjoyment."
"You got my requests?"
"Yes, perfect timing—I was just about to contact you. Everything's set, and he's here now. This way, please."
Kim Taek-ju strode ahead through the casino, its red carpet stretching out.
Sensing something, Park Dae-hwi stuck close behind Ji-hyeok, whispering in his ear.
"What's going on? Huh? Hyung, you're making me nervous. This isn't just a vacation, is it? Spill it."
"I'll make sure you have a blast, so relax."
Ji-hyeok's reassurance didn't ease Park Dae-hwi's suspicions; he tilted his head and trailed along.
They followed Kim Taek-ju to the basement two poker tables.
"I'll chill over there, so go play."
"For real? No strings attached?"
"Yeah. Have fun."
With that, Ji-hyeok headed to the cocktail bar.
Park Dae-hwi sat at the poker table hesitantly, but his eyes widened when Kim Taek-ju stacked chips in front of him. He shot a look at Ji-hyeok.
Thirty billion won.
All exchanged into chips piled before him.
But Ji-hyeok ignored him, sipping his cocktail without a glance.
What do I do?
Then, in that moment.
- Ding!
The dealer rang the call bell signaling the game's start, a clear chime echoing out.
Park Dae-hwi glanced around: only him and one man two seats away at the table.
Just the two of us?
No time to ponder—the dealer began dealing cards with graceful hands.
An hour exactly after the game began, Park Dae-hwi shuffled over to Ji-hyeok, shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Hyuuung... I... I must be crazy."
"What?"
"I lost it all. Thirty billion... every last won. What now?"
Park Dae-hwi's face was on the verge of tears.
But Ji-hyeok just smiled faintly at him.
"It's fine. You had your fun, right? Let's head up, shower, and rest."
"Hyung..."
"I said it's fine. Come on."
Uncharacteristically lost, Park Dae-hwi followed as Ji-hyeok patted his shoulder and led the way to the room.
Ji-hyeok shoved him into the bathroom first, then sank onto the sofa.
- Ding-dong!
The bell rang right then.
Ji-hyeok rose without asking who it was and opened the door.
Kim Taek-ju stood there.
"The item you requested."
"Thanks for your trouble."
"No problem. Pleasure doing clean business with you. The hotel room's yours for up to a week."
"Got it."
"Call anytime if you need anything."
After sending Kim Taek-ju off and closing the door, Ji-hyeok locked eyes with Park Dae-hwi, who had cracked the bathroom door, eavesdropping.
"Hyung, what was that? What deal? What'd you do?"
"Creepy. Shower first, then I'll tell you."
"See? Something was up!"
"You gonna keep dangling there naked? Hurry up and wash."
"Damn... fine."
Sounds of frantic splashing came from the bathroom.
Moments later, Park Dae-hwi emerged in a bathrobe, clearly half-assed, rushing to Ji-hyeok.
"What is it? Tell me quick."
"Sit first."
While Park Dae-hwi showered, Ji-hyeok had opened his laptop, staring at the screen.
As Park Dae-hwi plopped onto the sofa, Ji-hyeok looked up slowly.
"A month ago, fund manager Kim Jeong-ho at Taesung Asset Management quit and vanished. The products he managed were Taesung Premium Securities Investment Trusts 17, 18, and 19—totaling 300 billion won."
"Returns?"
"Projected at 5.3%."
"Solid."
"But something forced a department head to bolt abroad."
"100% scandal."
"Yeah. The guy you played poker with? Kim Jeong-ho."
"What?"
Park Dae-hwi yelped in shock, but Ji-hyeok turned back to the laptop.
Detailed records explained why Kim Jeong-ho had fled Korea in haste.
Park Dae-hwi racked his brain staring at Ji-hyeok, then scooted closer.
"So this is that data?"
"Yep. Internal fund operation report. Taesung Asset Management is desperate for it, but I beat them to it. Paid Kim Jeong-ho 20 billion for it just now."
"Twenty billion? I lost thirty!"
"Casino and broker took ten."
Park Dae-hwi tilted his head.
Then, incredulous, he spoke up.
"Wait, what if I'd won?"
"You couldn't. Dealer was a ringer."
"What? Those bastards! No wonder my strong hands got crushed every time!"
"Lesson learned, I hope. Gambling's unbeatable. Got it?"
"Argh!"
Park Dae-hwi clawed at his hair in outrage.
After his meltdown, he sprawled on the sofa, dazed.
But he snapped to, sitting up.
"Casinos do this kinda thing?"
"Why not? Poker isn't house-banked; they just facilitate player games and take rake. As long as they get paid, and both sides are happy, no issue."
Park Dae-hwi nodded in agreement.
But his face wasn't clear.
"How'd you find Kim Jeong-ho?"
"Simple. Contacted his family, laid out my terms. He has no plans to return—figures Taesung Asset Management will scapegoat him. Took my deal. Probably bringing family abroad now."
"Why involve the casino? Just pay him thirty billion direct?"
"No way to bring that cash here, and he demanded it. Didn't trust me fully, so Triad as middleman."
"Triad?"
"Yeah. The ones who brought us here. They pocketed the ten billion fee."
"Risky? What if they kept copies?"
"If it's coverable, it'd be a time bomb, but we're blowing it open anyway. Plus, they know I'm from Taesung HQ. With Taesung involved, they'll want it clean too."
Park Dae-hwi's face, having heard it all, looked like he'd watched a movie.
Astounding and bizarre...
Unable to believe it happened to him.
Makes sense.
Until recently, he'd been a regular accountant at a firm.
Now, in days: kidnappings, Triads...
Of course, he'd known from the start Ji-hyeok wasn't ordinary.
But hadn't pried since.
No gain either way.
Now, though, he was genuinely curious about Ji-hyeok's true nature.
Ji-hyeok smiled at him, pocketed the USB from the laptop, and stood.
"Nap time. Lots to do."
"Work? Thought it was vacation?"
"Losing thirty billion in an hour counts. What more fun? Gotta analyze this. Sleep three hours, then up. Got it?"
"Rigged, you said?"
"Think you'd have won otherwise? Kim Jeong-ho's semi-pro. I figured at least three hours. One? Tch."
"Ugh... my heart..."
"Cut the drama and sleep. Analyzing this'll take three days glued here."
Park Dae-hwi slumped in defeat and rose.
Shuffling zombie-like to his room, his final rebellion was slamming the door a bit loud.
Ji-hyeok and Park Dae-hwi arrived at Gimpo Airport on the fourth day since leaving for Macau.
Park Dae-hwi's face told the tale of their trip.
Haggard...
Worse than after the Taesung Card audit sleepover in the conference room.
"No... more... trips... with you... hyung."
Ji-hyeok patted his shoulder instead of replying.
Shoved the limp Park Dae-hwi into a taxi.
"City Hall."
"Nooooo!"
Park Dae-hwi wailed at the destination, but the taxi peeled out toward City Hall.
Stepping from the taxi, Ji-hyeok paused on the street, gazing up at the Taesung Life building.
Hub of Taesung Finance, home to Vice Chairman Kang Heon.
Kang Wook Chairman ruled Gangnam; Kang Heon held Gangbuk.
'Built their castle, ignore my arrival? Time to show where that arrogance ends.'
Grabbing the slouched Park Dae-hwi's collar, he dragged him inside.
Taesung Asset Management occupied floors 12 through 17 of the main Taesung Life building.
As they entered the first-floor lobby, three men rushed over, bowing.
"Seo Ji-hyeok from HQ, right? Hello. I'm Lee Hong-geun, Finance Team Leader at Asset Management."
"Seo Ji-hyeok. No need to come out like this."
"Nonsense. Audit from HQ demands full cooperation."
Word had spread through affiliates; despite Park Dae-hwi's manager title, eyes fixed on Ji-hyeok.
Ji-hyeok took it as given.
Not ignoring Park Dae-hwi—protecting him.
Not here to gift; here to crush.
Better he take the hate, not Park Dae-hwi.
Park Dae-hwi knew, staying silent despite potential rudeness.
"All audit materials ready in the large conference room. This way."
"No, sorry, but I'd like to see the president."
"That's..."
"Failing that, someone who can definitively answer on Taesung Premium Securities Investment Trusts 17, 18, and 19."
Lee Hong-geun's mouth and eyes gaped wide.
Words that shouldn't escape had.
His shock showed he hadn't anticipated.
How does he know? Exactly that expression.
'Hidden deep in the books. Why they welcomed the audit so boldly.'
But Ji-hyeok drove it home.
"I have the data. The stuff from Kim Jeong-ho you've hunted for a month."
"Uh... that... hold on..."
Lee Hong-geun, once composed, panicked visibly.
Face flushing, he stepped away, phone in hand, calling someone.
After a long, deferential call, sweating, he returned.
"V-Vice Chairman's coming up."
"Taesung Life's Kang Heon Vice Chairman?"
"Yes."
"I'm here to audit Asset Management, though?"
"Well... come up first?"
"Sure. Lead on."
Lee Hong-geun sighed hugely, relieved Ji-hyeok wouldn't refuse, and turned.
Ji-hyeok smirked at Park Dae-hwi's now sparkling eyes and followed.
Taesung Life President's office was on the 25th floor.
Vice Chairman Kang Heon's was one higher, 26th.
Seemingly trivial, but in Korean corporate culture, hugely symbolic.
Highest spot for the highest man.
'Pathetic, quibbling honor over a concrete floor.'
On 26, two awaited: one man, one woman.
Ji-hyeok and Park Dae-hwi exited the elevator; Lee Hong-geun bowed to the man and descended.
"This way. Allow me."
"Sure."
The corridor was eerily silent.
Thick carpet muffled shoes to a soft rustle.
They reached the secretary's office.
The man turned to Ji-hyeok.
"Just Seo Ji-hyeok, sir."
Ji-hyeok glanced back; Park Dae-hwi's face brimmed with regret.
Curious about the talk, now barred.
But knew pushing wouldn't help, just stared.
Then, surprise.
"If he can't come, we're leaving."
"Seo Ji-hyeok."
"Yes?"
"This is the Vice Chairman's office."
"I know. Who's playing Vice Chairman? Why so many guards?"
Only then did Park Dae-hwi look around.
Since exiting the elevator, an oppressive aura had cowed him.
Taesung Group's Kang Wook Chairman's own brother.
Enough to shrink anyone; the subtle, opulent decor amplified it.
Like a museum...
Unbidden caution in steps.
Park Dae-hwi had fixated on Ji-hyeok's back.
Now scanning, he saw: besides seated staff, over ten men lined against the walls.
"We know Seo Ji-hyeok has a violent streak. Precautionary staff. Explanation enough?"
"Ah, the Taesung Card president thing? Kinda unfair. I just did as President Kang Jun-woo said. 'Beat Joseon bastards. Beat the guilty.' So I did."
"Still, you enter alone."
Ji-hyeok glanced at Park Dae-hwi amid the man's firmness.
"You're hostage now. What to do?"
"Damn, bruising my pride. I was an ace at my firm, but here I'm total chump. Whatever, go in alone, hyung."
Patting Park Dae-hwi's shoulder, Ji-hyeok turned.
Approached the massive, heavy door.
- Knock! Knock!
So thick, would the sound even carry?
The man stepped ahead, knocked, gripped the handle, eased it open.
Gestured Ji-hyeok inside.
Ji-hyeok entered smoothly.
Amusing: plenty more inside the office too.
First impression: vast.
At least 50 pyeong; two walls floor-to-ceiling glass overlooked City Hall entirely.
Made him want to return evenings for the view.
Crowded too.
Kang Heon sat on the brown sofa before the desk.
Four execs each side, eight total; ten men stood behind their sofas.
Clearly not office types.
Ji-hyeok ignored, approached, bowed.
"Hello. Seo Ji-hyeok."
Kang Heon was 86, but looked early 70s from top supplements.
He eyed Ji-hyeok arrogantly from the sofa.
"You the one who hit my son?"
Pfft...
Ji-hyeok's face flashed disbelief.
First question that.
Meant it mattered most to him now.
Not embezzlement, not beating execs routinely.
Just his son got hit.
How does such a man hold that seat?
Ji-hyeok now resolved he couldn't tolerate them.
"Yes. Want the reason?"
"No need. No reason in the world justifies hitting my son."
As Kang Heon finished, the ten men stepped forward.
Ji-hyeok smirked, but then—
"Gah! Argh! You fucking bastards!"
Deliberate, for him to hear.
The massive door ajar; Park Dae-hwi's screams and curses leaked through.
Then—
"Resist and it hurts more. So take it quietly. Got it?"
Ji-hyeok's expression shifted at Kang Heon's voice.
But no one there knew yet.
What switch they'd flipped.
Ji-hyeok turned from the door to Kang Heon.
All shivered at his face.
How can a face show zero emotion?
Yet Ji-hyeok's move: pulled phone from pocket.
"Recording now."
Dry, parched voice.
As he raised the camera, security charged.
- Whoosh!
Dodged a right hook to the cheek, stepped back lightly.
Two more from sides, kicks and punches flying.
Then—
Ji-hyeok leaped gravity-defying, knee smashing one's face.
"Grab him!"
Left-side shout, but Ji-hyeok faster.
"Gurk! Hack!"
Landing, his right fist flicked out, crushing two throats lightly.
Guts-wrenching screams, but Ji-hyeok spun opposite.
- Crack!
Seemingly mighty kick.
Result: devastating.
Face-hit man flew back, crashed down.
All recoiled at the power; Ji-hyeok didn't stop.
- Crunch!
Grabbed a lunging arm, tripped the leg, twisted.
Bone-shattering roar, scream erupted.
"Arrrgh!"
Eyeblink: five down already.
Five left.
Still outnumbered, but they hesitated.
Kang Heon's rage bellowed.
"What are you waiting for?"
The yell spurred them—and Ji-hyeok.
"What! Hey! Grab him!"
But Ji-hyeok didn't charge them.
Exploded toward the heavy office door, kicked it.
- Boom!
Unbreakable-seeming door's top hinge popped on impact, dangling.
Burst out like rag, charged the clustered men outside.
"Huh!"
Three turned at the shattering.
Tried to face him, but Ji-hyeok swifter.
- Crack! Thwack! Thud!
Fists and feet lashed mercilessly.
Three punches, then grabbed the falling man's nape, hurled him.
- Crash!
Eyes-rolled man flew into secretaries' area, toppling desks and chairs amid their terrified stares.
"Kyaaah!"
Secretaries shrieked at the incoming body.
But it fueled Ji-hyeok's rage.
Spotting Park Dae-hwi curled shrimp-like on the floor, he vaulted a desk, snatched a dropped telescoping baton.
Jang Woo would've paled seeing Ji-hyeok wield a weapon.
Knew what it meant.
Ignorant foes leaped over Park Dae-hwi toward him.
Five more from office joined: dire moment.
Ji-hyeok raised his hand slowly, face blanker.
- Whoosh!
Baton swung from his hand; screams began in earnest.
All secretaries huddled in a corner.
Thus, Ji-hyeok stood alone in the vast secretary office center.
Park Dae-hwi sat on the floor, dazed, looking up.
"Hyuuung..."
"You okay?"
"I haven't done anything wrong lately, right?"
"Joking around? Means you're fine."
"Nah, hurts like hell actually. Damn, bruises from last time still linger..."
"Let's go."
Ji-hyeok, phone in one hand, extended the other to haul Park Dae-hwi up.
Park Dae-hwi groaned upright, but quit whining seeing Ji-hyeok's face.
"Eyes sharp, shoulders back. Don't look weak before them."
"Yeah, got it."
Ji-hyeok dusted Park Dae-hwi's clothes, turned.
Slowly approached the creaking office door.
Entered; execs who'd sneered from sofas now shielded Kang Heon.
As if: step over me first.
Faces grimly resolute.
"Curiosity satisfied. Wondered if Kang Jun-woo and Manager Kang Young-min were bad upbringing or bloodline. Seeing you, Vice Chairman—it's blood. But this how you converse? Hiding behind people unbecoming for Taesung Group Vice Chairman."
"Hmph..."
Kang Heon's groan leaked past, laced with displeasure, discomfort, shame.
"Everyone out."
"Vice Chairman, we don't know what that thug might do. We'll stay."
"Out, I said!"
"Vice Chairman..."
Execs gazed loyally, patriotically.
To Ji-hyeok: pure sycophancy.
He watched silently.
Under Kang Heon's glare, they glared back at Ji-hyeok, retreated.
All gone, Ji-hyeok flopped onto the sofa right of Kang Heon.
"Dong-hwi, sorry, but sit over there. In my sight."
"Okay."
Park Dae-hwi, entering, mischief gone.
Politely sat at a conference chair distant from the sofa.
Facing Kang Heon, Ji-hyeok scoffed derisively.
Kang Heon's forehead vein bulged naturally.
Audit round two began.