Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: News of My Death
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It felt like I’d been struck by lightning.
The shock of my own death was one thing, but this meant history was being twisted far too much.
To put it bluntly, what movie keeps going after the main character dies?
Forget the butterfly effect or any of that crap. In a situation like this, the whole game is over.
No, wait. Come to think of it, maybe the real protagonist of this story isn't the dead Kim Jun, but me, in Hyun-seung's body.
“Even so, why…”
“You seem to be in shock. First, have a glass of water.”
By the time I came to my senses, the man was holding out a glass filled with ice water.
After downing it in one gulp, I looked at him, and he discreetly offered me a handkerchief from his pocket.
“Here you go…”
“I’m sorry. But when exactly did my friend die?”
“According to the records, he passed away on January 5th of this year. It says he was in an unfortunate accident while driving with a woman he was living with, named ‘Kate.’”
“Kate?”
I’d never heard that name before.
And to think I was living with someone.
For a man like me, who’d sworn off women after a failed first romance, this was an unimaginable turn of events.
“Then what happened to this Kate woman?”
“Fortunately, I understand she wasn't seriously injured.”
“Hmm…”
It was a relief that someone hadn't died alongside me.
But January 5th… that was the exact day I regressed to this era.
A thought I couldn't shake lingered in my mind: what if my arrival had somehow influenced the death of this era's Kim Jun?
Could that be it?
Some kind of cosmic law that two beings with the same soul cannot exist in the same era. Something like that.
“This is the location of the cemetery. You can use this if you plan on visiting.”
“Thank you.”
I took it, but I probably wouldn't be visiting anytime soon.
The thought of me standing before my own grave was something I couldn't even begin to imagine.
Of course, it was a reality I’d have to face someday, but it didn't have to be right now.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
I stood up, trying to keep my expression as composed as possible.
When I extended my hand, the man presented me with an itemized bill for the expenses incurred.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you better news.”
“It’s hardly your fault, Director. By the way, I’ve prepared your fee in a cashier’s check. I hope that’s all right.”
It had been a difficult request, and the price was steep.
Excluding the down payment, it was roughly thirty million won.
Considering the process must have involved tracking my movements all over the United States, I honestly couldn't say the amount was that expensive.
“That’s fine. Please feel free to use our services again in the future.”
“I will.”
I walked out the door, feeling drained.
As if to reflect my mood, the air outside was heavy and stifling, and the sun seemed to be blazing with unusual intensity today.
“Damn it, I’m in a situation where I have to feel sorry for myself…”
***
The aftershock of hearing about my own death lasted for quite a while.
I was plagued by nightmares for nearly two weeks.
It was hard enough on me, but it was also exhausting trying to stop Hee-won, who was determined to fly to the US immediately.
“Just give me some vacation time, will you?”
“We’ll have to move the grave to Korea anyway. I’ll send people to handle the arrangements, so just wait until then.”
“Damn it…”
Hee-won agreed, his face crestfallen.
Why wouldn't he be sad over the death of one of the few friends he could open up to?
He probably wouldn't be in his right mind for a while, either.
It took another week before I finally managed to pull myself together.
I had already gone about seven months without knowing about his death.
Thinking back on how I had lived just fine during that time, I realized there was no reason to keep digging myself into a hole.
“You look much better today, Chief. I take it you’ve managed to put the matter with your friend behind you, at least a little?”
“I can’t stay hung up on it forever. In that spirit, Secretary Kim, you don’t have to walk on eggshells around me anymore.”
“Well, I appreciate that. Oh, and a call came in inviting you to a luncheon for business leaders hosted by the Prime Minister the day after tomorrow.”
I took a moment to wonder why I would be invited to an event hosted by the Prime Minister.
I couldn't come up with an answer, and as I tilted my head in confusion, she promptly handed me a file.
“Yesterday, the US Department of Defense made the final payment for the new armor-piercing rounds. And it was all in US dollars.”
Then I understood the reason for the invitation.
The economy was still suffering from a dollar shortage.
In such a climate, the sudden influx of a massive sum exceeding one billion dollars would naturally excite government ministries.
“I understand. Please cancel the research institute meeting scheduled for the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir. By the way, do you have something suitable to wear?”
Right, that was an issue.
Most of the suits hanging in my closet cost at least ten million won each.
In these difficult times, wearing such an expensive outfit to a government-hosted meeting could easily stir up controversy.
“It seems I’ll have to stop by a department store later.”
“Then I’ll accompany you after work. I’ll help you pick something that’s as understated and practical as possible.”
Secretary Kim left the room with a bright smile.
If she insisted, I had no reason to object.
Wait, if the US military made the payment, what about my royalties?
‘Oh!’
Checking the documents just in case, I found a statement detailing the amount deposited to me.
That was Secretary Kim for you.
She was clearly a person with great sense, taking care of things in advance even when I hadn't asked.
‘Exactly 56 billion won.’
The institute's operating costs, which had been a concern, were already covered by the technology licensing fee from Samjung.
The problem was that this money would be sitting idle for the time being.
No matter how high the interest rates were, simply leaving this much money in a bank would be foolish.
‘Real estate.’
The first investment that came to mind was the rock-bottom real estate market.
The blue-chip stocks I was certain would be profitable wouldn't see much movement within the next five years.
Real estate, on the other hand, I knew for a fact would rise.
Considering that the foundation of investment is to eliminate uncertainty as much as possible, there was no better means for me to grow my wealth than real estate.
‘Now is the perfect time to buy.’
After the IMF crisis, the value of real estate, especially large buildings, had plummeted like autumn leaves.
The impact was even greater for companies accustomed to debt-financed management, and their only path to survival was to liquidate their real estate holdings. But they weren't the only ones in that situation.
As a result, some properties had seen their market prices fall by more than 40 percent.
But the recovery was just as swift.
No, it wasn't just a recovery; prices skyrocketed.
For example, a 60-billion-won building at Bang Bang Intersection had dropped to the 30-billion range due to the crisis, but in just four years, it soared back up to 150 billion won.
The saying that Gangnam never fails probably started around that time.
‘With 56 billion won at this time, I should be able to acquire a decent mid-to-large-sized building… If I hold onto it for a few years and then sell it, I should have enough funds to increase my stake in Thales by at least 4 percent.’
“Excuse me, Chief…”
Just as I was busy indulging in my happy fantasies, Secretary Kim suddenly opened the door and entered.
Wondering what it was this time, I looked up as she shook the handbag she was holding and smiled.
“Since it’s almost closing time anyway, wouldn't it be better to head out now? If we get caught in rush hour, the department store might close.”
“…”
***
“Welcome.”
We arrived at the Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong, owned by the Jaewoo Group.
Fortunately, there were nearly two hours until closing, so we had some time to spare.
Despite that, Secretary Kim practically ran through the doors as soon as she got out of the car, as if in a great hurry.
“What do you think of this one?”
Once we reached the menswear section on the second floor, Secretary Kim gestured toward several suits on display.
The first thing I checked was, of course, the price.
Thankfully, most of them were under a million won, so it wouldn't be a burden.
“Could you try this one on first?”
The one she ultimately chose was a charcoal gray suit, the most conventional of the bunch.
Humans are so fickle.
After wearing nothing but clothes costing over ten million won, trying on something less than a tenth of that price made me find fault with every little detail.
“You have a great build for clothes.”
It didn't sound like mere flattery.
Even to my own eyes, the reflection in the mirror looked quite good.
No, honestly, with features this well-defined and a lean physique, I might not be movie-star handsome, but I certainly wouldn't be called ugly.
Damn it, here I am again, feeling how unfair the world is.
“You don’t like the suit?”
“No, that’s not it. My eye has been twitching a bit from fatigue lately. Let’s go with the one you picked.”
After that, she dragged me all over the place.
Until my hands were full with five shirts, a belt, socks, and a tie.
“Could you ring this up, please?”
By the time a satisfied expression finally appeared on her face, I was nearly dead on my feet.
So this is why they say shopping with a woman is hell.
“Chief. There’s a place in the food court here that makes great naengmyeon. Would you like to eat before we go?”
“Naengmyeon?”
For a moment, my heart sank.
As it happened, my very last meal before I regressed was naengmyeon.
In fact, the secret known only to me and the heavens was that when I died, I coughed up cold noodle broth, not blood.
“Let’s go.”
The words escaped my lips against my will.
It was partly because of the pleading look in her eyes, but I also felt a desire to overcome my trauma.
What the hell.
This time, I'd eat it and see if I coughed up blood.
“Oh, and we should call Secretary Yang, too.”
I couldn't leave Secretary Yang waiting alone, so I had him join us.
Come to think of it, was this the first time the three of us were having a meal together?
I felt a pang of guilt for not having arranged a proper team dinner until now, using being busy as an excuse.
“You don't have to get naengmyeon, so order whatever you want.”
“Then I’ll have the bulgogi hot pot.”
As expected, Secretary Yang showed off an appetite that matched his large frame.
He single-handedly devoured a bulgogi hot pot meant for four.
Just watching him was enough to make me feel full, but for some reason, he kept looking at me while holding the empty pot.
“I’m sorry, but would it be okay if I had a few hamburgers, too?”
“Of course. Here’s my card, order as much as you like.”
He returned with no fewer than five hamburgers in his hands.
He couldn't be unaware that closing time was approaching.
He was probably planning a solo hamburger party at home, but I wondered if he'd even be able to fit in the driver's seat if he gained any more weight.
“If you’re all done, let’s get going.”
We went back up to the first floor and headed straight for the parking garage.
Was it a coincidence?
As we were passing the men's accessories section, a woman who looked to be in her late thirties caught my eye. She was frantically rummaging through her bag, looking flustered.
“I’m so sorry. This… this can’t be right… Where did my wallet go?”