The Birth of 'Our Shelter'
Viktor Volk Choi was the second-in-command, reporting directly to the Branch Manager (Начальник). As an executive overseeing black market dealings and money laundering, he was also the most formidable enforcer in the Busan branch.
"He wouldn't even dream that a traitor is standing right beside him right now."
Simply revealing that fact would be enough to earn Viktor Volk Choi's trust. Of course, one shouldn't just blurt it out the moment they meet. The effect would be maximized only when the timing and atmosphere were just right.
"...Let's think about it slowly. Even if I wanted to see him, I wouldn't be able to until after this summer anyway."
At the latest, shelter construction would be underway by June. This meant that most legal issues, including permits and licenses, would have been resolved by then. Whether he met him through Lee Dong-cheol or went directly to Choryang-dong in Busan, where the Volcano Group branch was located, it wouldn't matter if Lee Dong-cheol got scared and went into hiding by that point. Of course, Jun-ho believed that the Lee Dong-cheol he knew would never do such a thing. If anything, he would likely consider them to be in the same boat and try to cling even tighter.
"He might even think he's got leverage on me..."
With fate slightly twisted, Lee Dong-cheol currently viewed Jun-ho as an acquaintance and proxy for the third-generation chaebol, Kang Baek-ho. He wouldn't dare act rashly.
"I have the methods, and I have the time. Whether it's Viktor or Lee Dong-cheol, there's no need to rush."
Muttering to himself, Jun-ho closed his notebook and tucked it deep into his desk drawer. Getting Baek Ha-il and Yun Yeong-su on board with the shelter plan was already half the battle won. Now, all that remained was the actual construction of the shelter.
After a few busy days, Friday finally arrived, and Lee Dong-cheol, with whom he had been communicating via text and phone, finally came to Seoul. The reason they were meeting in Seoul was that Jun-ho had once again set the meeting place at the KH Hotel.
Lee Dong-cheol was undeniably competent. Using the connections he had built during his time as a prosecutor, he had already spoken directly with the officials at the Namyangju City Hall's Property Management and Urban Regeneration departments and had largely sorted things out.
"Since the land was transferred from the Namyangju Office of Education to the city in 2018, the procedures have become much simpler."
"You can consider the bidding competition virtually non-existent. It's a planned management area with such poor road access that general investors have no interest. A few speculators are hovering around, but... the city hall will take care of cutting them off."
"The team leaders of both the Property Management and Urban Regeneration departments are positive. It's idle public property that needs maintenance anyway, so they were welcoming of the idea of a high-end pension or villa. Either way, it solves a headache for them and even increases tax revenue. So, they won't even be filing for conditional priority purchase."
"Still, you should try to adhere to the building-to-land ratio and floor area ratio limits as much as possible. I discussed that with President Baek Ha-il, and he said there's no problem with the design or construction."
"The appraised value is 1.27 billion won. As I mentioned before, there are no competing bidders other than a few speculators trying to lowball the price. Given the current state of the world, there's no one else looking to set up a pension or campsite there. If you push it to around 1.3 billion won, you'll have a 99 percent chance of winning the bid."
"In summary, it's 100 percent city-owned legally, and its past usage is clear, so there's no problem with repurposing it. The administrative side is 90 percent settled, and I can handle the rest as soon as you win the bid. The relevant officials will be cooperative."
As expected of a former prosecutor from that region. Jun-ho thought he had made a great choice in hiring Lee Dong-cheol and said to him,
"The bidding date is Monday, right? Is there anything I need to prepare separately for that day?"
"Since I'll be bidding as your proxy, there's no need for you to go personally. However, we need to register the business, so you'll need to decide on a name."
"Ah, the business name. 'Our Shelter'."
"Yes, you need to decide on the business name for 'Our Shelter'."
"No, I'm saying the business name will be 'Our Shelter'. Because we're the ones who will be using it anyway."
"Ah... 'Our Shelter'... I understand."
At Jun-ho's words, Lee Dong-cheol nodded with a meaningful smile, as if he understood everything. He seemed to think that the 'Our' Jun-ho referred to included the top-tier VIPs like himself and Kang Baek-ho.
'That's why I chose that name on purpose.'
Jun-ho chuckled inwardly. The name didn't really matter, but the deeper Lee Dong-cheol's misunderstanding went, the better it was for him, which was why he had named it that way.
"Then I'll register it as a lodging business with the tax accountant I know under the name 'Our Shelter'. That can be done immediately."
"That's good."
"You don't need to worry about sales or tax issues either. My friend is an expert in that field, so he can easily dress it up so it doesn't look like it's running a deficit. However, it might be a bit awkward to call it a substitute, but..."
"I'll make sure to send some work your way every year. Tell him not to worry."
"Thank you. I will be sure to pass that on to him."
Lee Dong-cheol bowed his head with a look of profound gratitude. This was Lee Dong-cheol's strength and his terrifying side. If he perceived the other party as 'superior' to him, he knew how to act thoroughly obedient and grateful. And if this situation continued, the 'superior' would eventually let their guard down. They would underestimate Lee Dong-cheol, the 'inferior', as a pushover.
If Jun-ho hadn't known Lee Dong-cheol well, he might have thought he was quite useful and efficient, and might have even become closer to him than he was now. But Jun-ho knew Lee Dong-cheol. There was no need for him to act friendly first. Rather, by branding himself as a top-tier client who provided clean support but maintained clear boundaries, Lee Dong-cheol would value him even more. Therefore, Jun-ho deliberately maintained a calm expression as he dealt with him.
"Then what about the rest?"
"Yes. Since the bid deposit is 10 percent of the appraised value, we need about 130 million won. In cash."
"Ah, the deposit."
Having already been aware of that information, Jun-ho handed over the hard-case briefcase he had prepared as soon as Lee Dong-cheol finished speaking.
"I put in 150 million won. Use the 20 million for greasing the palms of officials, or for your own gas money or meals, whatever you see fit. You must have had a hard time coming all the way up here. Oh, and when you're greasing palms with money, I recommend using crypto. It's cleaner that way, isn't it?"
"Thank you. I will use it cleanly and effectively without leaving any traces."
Accepting it immediately with a bow, without any pretense of refusal, was just like Lee Dong-cheol. He would likely keep half for himself and use the other half for various 'greasing' purposes. As a capable hunting dog who survived even in the apocalypse, he never hogged everything for himself once he obtained something.
"But, sir."
"Yes."
Lee Dong-cheol hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"About... Dow Computing. I feel the estimate is a bit excessive. Even if it's for automation, I wonder if it makes sense for it to cost over 2 billion won..."
"It does."
"...Excuse me?"
"Just allow everything. And don't raise any objections even if something is added later. Oh, if they suggest that adding something else would be good, ask them this one thing."
"Yes..."
"Ask if the R&D team leader, Yun Yeong-su, personally confirmed it. If they say no, you can report it to me and reject it. But if they say the R&D team leader personally decided it, then whatever it is, it's a go."
Jun-ho deliberately acted firmly, as if to set boundaries.
"I understand."
He still didn't quite understand, but because Jun-ho was a full-retention client who casually tossed him 20 million won in extra fees on top of his retainer, Lee Dong-cheol quickly took the hint, nodded, and bowed.
Once things were roughly settled, Jun-ho stood up from his chair in the hotel lounge's private room.
"Then, lawyer, I'm counting on you for the auction next week. If any issues arise regarding officials, local complaints, or politicians, let me know anytime. Whether it's while the pension is under construction or after it's completed... I absolutely hate dealing with annoying matters. I'm counting on you."
This time, he spoke politely. Lee Dong-cheol's expression brightened instantly.
"Counting on me? That's my job. Don't worry about a thing. I will take responsibility and handle it perfectly."
A clean, well-mannered client who was very young but clearly of the highest class. It was rare to meet such a customer. Moreover, since it was clear that more extra fees would fall from this first-class customer, Lee Dong-cheol's mouth curved into a wide, satisfied arc.
Monday finally arrived. Just as Lee Dong-cheol had guaranteed, Jun-ho successfully won the bid for the Sky Forest Campsite site for 1.3 billion won. No, from now on, he would have to call it 'Our Shelter'. In any case, the trade name 'Our Shelter' was officially registered with Namyangju City and the tax office as a tourist pension business under industry code 551004.
And thanks to Lee Dong-cheol's proper 'greasing' of palms, he was able to hear other good news.
- They said to just go ahead and build whatever, whether it's a cryogenic freezer or whatever. They said as long as the sewage treatment facilities are properly equipped, they don't care what I do on the site! Ha! I've lived a long time, but that's the first time I've seen a public official be that kind.
At Baek Ha-il's voice, full of admiration, Jun-ho replied with a laugh.
"That's great. It looks like Lawyer Lee Dong-cheol really put in the effort."
- That's what I'm saying. That guy is good. Anyway, I'm going up with the Urim office this week to look at the site. They have high expectations too.
"Did you explain the purpose well? There's no problem with the construction preparations, right?"
- Don't worry. I've picked out the sturdiest and longest-lasting materials and equipment, without worrying about the price. I told Urim it's like a secret villa for some wealthy people. I warned them strictly not to ask any questions until you bring it up first, so you don't have to worry about anything. They're just so grateful to have landed a construction job in this recession.
"Yes. Then I'll leave that matter to you, brother."
- Got it. Oh, right. By the way, when should I sell that coin? My heart races every time I look at it...
"It will probably hit 100,000 won once next month. You can sell it then, so don't worry. I'll let you know, so just don't forget to sell it immediately."
- Let's do that. Alright, Juno, see you when I get up there.
"Yes, brother. Take care."
Jun-ho hung up the phone and chuckled. It seemed that even a veteran hardware store owner and apocalypse survivor, who feared nothing in the world, was intimidated by the daily fluctuations of tens of millions or hundreds of millions of won.
"This brother is going to go crazy when he makes billions with Nvidia in 2024."
Of course, Baek Ha-il had already decided how he would use that money. He had vaguely brushed it off to Jun-ho, but given his personality, he would never use it for anything frivolous.
"Stocking up on expensive machinery or materials, or perhaps..."
Because there was a part he could guess, Jun-ho smiled without realizing it. If his guess was correct, Jun-ho intended to actively agree and cooperate. Because his shelter was a place where one could do 'everything', just as Han Yeong-jung had dreamed.
Time flowed quickly. Jun-ho was finally able to visit the site of 'Our Shelter', no longer the Sky Forest Campsite, which had become perfectly his own. It had been about five months since his regression, or nearly a year if he counted the time before that—a place he was seeing again after so long. He was finally going to build a shelter here, right in this place, where one could do anything even in a ruined world.