Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Wolfgang Lavsky
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Wolfgang Lavsky.
A monster of a man from Russia's elite Spetsnaz special forces, who took pleasure in massacring prisoners.
He was a perfect psychopath who got his kicks from mutilating the faces and bodies of the corpses he killed.
But when his superiors and colleagues discovered his twisted little hobby, Wolfgang slaughtered them all and slipped into Korea.
In just five years, he had become one of the most notorious killers in the country.
A master of Russia's combat arts Systema and Sambo, not to mention every knife-fighting technique under the sun, he would eliminate any target perfectly as long as the money was right.
Gangsters, politicians, prosecutors, celebrities—you name it.
No matter who the target was, he left no evidence or witnesses behind.
Why?
Because he killed everyone involved and burned the bodies to ash.
*He's one crazy bastard, alright.*
If he took the job, Wolfgang could eliminate Lee Dae-hyuk without a trace.
"I've got a commission for you after all this time."
- *I'm intrigued. Who is it?*
The voice was distorted through a voice modulator, twisted in an eerie way.
At the word "commission," Wolfgang's interest piqued.
A sly grin crept across Park Jung-ki's face.
"The son of a chaebol. What do you think?"
- *Sounds fun.*
***
Kim Jae-woon's officetel.
"Young Master!!"
"Whoa... it's straight out of a movie. President, you're so cool."
After hearing Lee Dae-hyuk's story, Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon had wildly different reactions.
"Why do you keep stirring up trouble!! How many enemies have you made this time anyway!!"
Kim Mi-jin stomped her feet in anxiety.
Kim Jae-woon, on the other hand, was clapping and cheering.
"Whoa!!! You're like the protagonist in a noir film. So cool... As expected from a third-generation chaebol heir—nothing ordinary about you."
A former secretary, a local gangster boss, and the president of Seojin Construction.
Toying with all three at once...
How could anyone not be impressed?
Lee Dae-hyuk seemed pleased with Kim Jae-woon's reaction, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"It's not because I'm a third-generation chaebol. It's because it's me."
He wasn't your average chaebol heir.
He was a third-generation chaebol with psychometry powers, regressed from fifteen years in the future.
"...You've been so much brighter lately. It's great, but with all these incidents piling up, it makes my heart feel heavy too."
Kim Mi-jin wore a conflicted expression after hearing his response.
She was thrilled that Lee Dae-hyuk had become a completely different person.
But as a subordinate—no, as an older sister figure—this habit of making enemies left her worried.
Lee Dae-hyuk understood her feelings.
"Don't worry too much. It's just a simple test on my way to taking over Daehan Group."
"A test?"
Kim Mi-jin looked puzzled.
He'd gone out of his way to create these terrifying enemies and now called it a test?
"Uh...."
Even Kim Jae-woon was stunned.
Lee Dae-hyuk gazed at them calmly and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Yes. An easy one."
To seize Daehan Group—and eventually Seojin Group too—he'd have to face far greater obstacles.
He might even have to battle the pinnacle of power in this country.
If he couldn't handle a mere gangster, a construction company president, and a washed-up ex-secretary, how could he stand against them?
"And to pass that test, there's something I need from both of you."
To secure 100 billion won, Lee Dae-hyuk decided to sprinkle in a bit of spice.
The spice called "rumors."
"Mi-jin noona, you have friends who are newspaper reporters, right?"
"Yes, a few."
"Meet them and spread the rumor that former Secretary Kim Jin-taek is the key figure in this Jaesong-dong Gate scandal."
"Okay. But what if it blows up? We could lose all 90 billion."
Kim Mi-jin understood his intent.
It was about publicizing the issue through the media to pressure Kim Jin-taek and Seojin Construction President Min Seung-su.
But if prosecutors launched a proper investigation, the entire Jaesong-dong redevelopment could be scrapped.
And that would mean Lee Dae-hyuk losing his 90 billion.
But.
"It doesn't matter."
Lee Dae-hyuk said lightly.
*It's not my money anyway...*
Plus, holding onto the land would naturally drive up its value.
Meanwhile, those guys would lose out on thousands of billions—or even trillions—in future profits just for that 100 billion bribe.
*They're greasing palms not just for Jaesong-dong but the entire Busan redevelopment projects. If it all goes up in smoke... do you think Yu Jae-man will sit still?*
He knew Yu Jae-man well.
The man forgave the disloyal but always disposed of the incompetent.
Anyone who knew Yu Jae-man that well would pull back first and bring the money with them.
Having listened to the conversation, Kim Jae-woon cautiously spoke up.
"Then... what about me?"
Lee Dae-hyuk pointed at the monitor with his hand.
"Post on a real estate forum. Just three lines. Korea's still all about real estate over stocks. Look at Jaesong-dong. Total chaos."
"That's all?"
"Anything more would be risky."
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded at Kim Jae-woon's question.
Specifying anyone could lead to defamation countersuits.
This was the safe line.
"Even if it's just filler news that doesn't make waves, doesn't matter. Once it hits, these three lines on the forums will go viral. Game over."
News and internet forums.
Lee Dae-hyuk anticipated the synergy they would create.
"Alright, let's eat first. Dinner's on me at a nice place."
"Better than gukbap, right?"
"I'm done with gukbap."
Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon, who had always eaten nothing but gukbap due to Lee Dae-hyuk's tastes, glared at him.
"......"
Lee Dae-hyuk paused at their reactions and spoke bitterly.
"Hanwoo beef sound good?"
Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon nodded without complaint at his chosen menu.
***
Daeguk Ilbo reporter Sung Yoon-su nearly spat out the coffee she was sipping upon hearing her friend's story.
"Seojin Construction and a gangster outfit. And a former Blue House chief of staff? All colluding to devour Busan?"
"Finish your coffee first. It's dripping. Annie?"
At Kim Mi-jin's scolding, Sung Yoon-su wiped her mouth with a tissue and continued.
"They're insane. Completely insane."
"Jackpot, right?"
"Huge jackpot. But...."
Sung Yoon-su trailed off.
She knew Kim Mi-jin wasn't one to spout nonsense.
But if it was true, this was massive illegal gate-level corruption.
With a former secretary involved, it had to connect to current power players.
"This isn't something that ends in Busan."
"Yeah. Could reach the Blue House. Scared?"
Sung Yoon-su gulped down her coffee at Kim Mi-jin's retort.
"...Not hot?"
Thud!!
Instead of answering, she slammed the cup on the table and said,
"It's cooled off now. Wow, this is explosive."
"Want to break the scoop?"
As Kim Mi-jin tempted her, Sung Yoon-su bit her right index fingernail—a habit when something big was up.
"Still biting your nails. Ugh, a grown woman embarrassing herself...."
"Evidence?"
Kim Mi-jin handed over her notebook at Sung Yoon-su's question.
"Read it."
Snatch!!
Sung Yoon-su practically yanked it away and took a deep breath.
Her reporter's instinct screamed.
*Treasure's in here.*
Gulp!
She swallowed dryly and opened the notebook.
It was filled with names and numbers.
"Most are Land Corporation officials. Flip to the back—you'll recognize some."
Sung Yoon-su's eyes widened as she turned the pages.
The later pages listed congressmen, the current chief of staff, Busan mayor—names she knew.
"The numbers are obviously the bribes they took."
"They're stuffed, huh?"
"How'd you get this?"
Sung Yoon-su was suspicious.
She knew it was treasure, but...
Selling treasure properly was another matter.
To get full value, you had to prove it was real first.
"Picky girl."
Kim Mi-jin shot her a glance and continued.
"Someone saw it and wrote it down. But everything's real."
Lee Dae-hyuk had written the names and amounts in the notebook.
He'd copied a portion of Kim Jin-taek's ledger exactly as seen through psychometry.
But Lee Dae-hyuk hadn't told Kim Mi-jin or anyone about his psychometry ability.
So even Kim Mi-jin wasn't fully certain about the notebook he'd given her.
Sung Yoon-su felt the same.
"No evidence, no story."
It was life-or-death for a reporter.
To write about these figures properly, she needed 100—no, 150 percent solid proof.
Kim Mi-jin stared at her friend Sung Yoon-su.
Gone was the slightly naive, gap-filled girl from moments ago; now she had the unshakable gaze of a pro.
Right then.
Step-
"!!"
Sung Yoon-su's gaze wavered.
A man had appeared beside Kim Mi-jin without a sound.
Tall and well-built, his shirt hinted at toned muscles underneath.
A handsome face with deep eyes, wearing a subtle smile.
"N-No, I mean, President, you're here?"
"President? You're slacking off. You got a job?"
"Yeah. This is my company president."
Kim Mi-jin's voice brimmed with excitement.
It was the first time introducing Lee Dae-hyuk to someone from her personal circle.
Her chest swelled inexplicably.
To proudly call this depression patient—who'd attempted suicide countless times—her president.
"......"
Lee Dae-hyuk let out a small sigh as Kim Mi-jin faltered.
*She's getting immersed again.*
Stepping in for the emotional Kim Mi-jin, whose eyes were reddening, Lee Dae-hyuk introduced himself.
"Hello. Reporter Sung. I'm Lee Dae-hyuk, working with Kim Mi-jin."
"No way?"
Sung Yoon-su's eyes went wide.
As a newspaper reporter, she knew all about him.
The youngest son of Daehan Group.
The depression patient and suicide addict.
The rumored illegitimate son—and there he stood before her.
Reflexively, Sung Yoon-su scanned him up and down.
*Not like the rumors...*
Creak! Thud!!
"He's not what the rumors say."
Lee Dae-hyuk sat before her with a bright smile.
"Ah, sorry."
Sung Yoon-su bowed her head in apology.
It was mere curiosity, but rude from his perspective.
"It's an occupational hazard, observing people. If it bothered you, I apologize again."
"No need. Everyone has occupational hazards."
Didn't Kim Mi-jin have her own, worrying about him constantly?
And Yoon Tae-ho took it to extremes, fitting for her husband.
Even now, Yoon Tae-ho's security vehicle was parked outside the coffee shop.
*Bodyguards just for coffee...*
Lee Dae-hyuk shivered slightly at Yoon Tae-ho's overprotectiveness, then grew serious.
"We're not here for chit-chat, so let's get to it. That notebook—I wrote it, but it's not fake."
"Whether the contents are real or fake isn't the point. It's whether the story's worth reporting."
Sophistry.
Sung Yoon-su could tell the contents were real.
No reason for Kim Mi-jin or a chaebol heir to scam her.
But it was too dangerous.
*One wrong move, the paper folds, my career's done.*
The players involved wielded immense power.
Instead.
"Take it to some other hotshot reporter."
"Scared, Sung Yoon-su?"
Lee Dae-hyuk's question made her flinch.
She felt ashamed for a split second.
"Was my face that obvious?"
He smiled faintly at her question.
"It's something anyone would fear."
You could lose everything.
A normal person would hesitate, want to run.
"Then, let me remove that fear for you."
"How?"
Remove the fear? What comic-book nonsense.
Yet Sung Yoon-su didn't leave her seat.
She was certain whatever came from Lee Dae-hyuk's mouth next would change her life.
And Lee Dae-hyuk dropped a bombshell even Kim Mi-jin hadn't expected.
"If you run this story, I'll acquire your newspaper."