Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Ransomware(2)
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Incheon Airport in February, thick with hazy fine dust.
Even though it was daytime, Han Seo-hu stepped out from the immigration checkpoint wearing pitch-black sunglasses.
Oblivious to the fine dust, he spread his arms wide, flaring his nostrils like a human air purifier without a second thought.
“Ku-heu… This is killer. Fucking killer. This the real taste of freedom?”
And watching him disapprovingly was his older brother, Han Seo-ho.
“Seo-hu, quit flaring your nostrils. You look so low-class.”
“Ugh, shut it with the nagging. Back in Korea and acting like the big young master again?”
“That’s not it! Grandma called us back, so let’s keep a serious profile and stay in line for a while.”
Dressed in what he considered the best suit from his worn-out collection—clearly comfortable in it—Han Seo-ho straightened his posture, striking a pose.
With a pretentious look on his face, he seemed eager to play the role of the responsible big brother, despite how ill-suited he was.
“Dad’s coming out soon too, right? Let’s watch our words and actions so we don’t piss anyone off at a time like this.”
“Goddamn, he’s full of shit. Total shit.”
“Seo-hu, you little…!”
Inside the airport, at baggage claim.
Seemingly accustomed now even to the shoddy economy-class service, Han Seo-hu spotted his cheap carry-on and grabbed the handle himself.
Pushing up the sunglasses sliding down his nose bridge with a finger, he gave his brother a bored reply.
“Ah, why’d that old hag call us back? Total bullshit. Why isn’t your thick skull turning, bro?”
“What’d you say? Seo-hu, you really…!”
Han Seo-ho chased after his brother—who didn’t even glance back—with short, hurried steps.
The nagging echoing sharply from behind must have grated on his nerves, because at the taxi stand in front of the airport, Han Seo-hu stopped his carry-on and snapped at his brother.
“Ah, straight up, it’s the truth. The Ice Empress Dowager Seo Taehu. With her, family ties only go as far as…”
Whoosh—the sudden gust of rough wind. A dusty breeze swept a pathetic black trash bag past his feet.
Just like Han Seo-hu’s own situation right now.
“Right up to our dad, fresh out on parole. Below that? Not even a dog gets a sniff.”
“Th-then… what about Han Seo-jun? Didn’t she treat that guy warmer than even Dad?”
“Ah, that mongrel Han Seo-jun didn’t get treated like a person at first either. Straight talk—he’s sly as hell, and he worked that thick skull of his to the max.”
Click, flick. A cheap plastic lighter that wouldn’t light properly.
The pathetic sight felt like looking in a mirror, so Han Seo-hu chucked the cigarette still in his mouth—and the lighter—into a trash can as he spoke.
“So, it’s either Han Seo-jun who called us, or that octopus-headed Kim Won-cheol. Logically, that’s gotta be it, right?”
“Why would Han Seo-jun that bastard…?”
“Ah, how should I know? What am I, some interest-reading Gung Ye or whatever? But one thing’s for sure.”
Had he tempered his spirit during those four years in the Nigerian jungle?
A bit more mature now than his old reckless fuckup self, Han Seo-hu continued with a serious expression.
“Looking at Dad’s parole, something’s gone to shit inside Ammunition Group right now—whatever it is. And if we play it right…”
Gulp. Overwhelmed a bit by his changed brother, Han Seo-ho swallowed unconsciously.
Staring at his diminished older brother, Han Seo-hu flagged down an approaching taxi with a confident face and opened his mouth.
“Maybe… this could be our chance to flip this prisoner-rags situation.”
* * * *
VIP special room at Ammunition Medical Center.
In the lounge-like space attached outside the hospital room, with a clear view of the outer hallway.
<Cocoa>, which independently handled Ammunition Group’s securities-related divisions. To its CEO, my cousin Han Seo-hee sitting across from me, I offered words of concern mixed with a request.
“Might be a burden, but I’m counting on you, sis.”
“No problem. It’s fine.”
The request.
Han Seo-hee, biological sister to Han Seo-ho and Han Seo-hu, the sons of Uncle.
I planned to use the two brothers—just back from Nigeria—as ransomware, and in doing so, I realized one thing firsthand.
Management. I needed a central control unit to handle these two brothers who didn’t even know they were ransomware and could bolt anywhere.
And the most suitable person for that role… was none other than Han Seo-hee.
“They never even saw me as real Han family to begin with. Anyway, I’m an outsider by marriage in the end.”
“Hmm…”
“And Dad was the same.”
Han Seo-hee had always been slighted by Uncle’s side of the family.
Was that why?
Uncle and the Seo-ho, Seo-hu brothers might treat Han Seo-hee—who’d sided with me for survival—as a coward clinging on, but not quite a family betrayer.
Not friendly by any means, but enough that dangling a bigger carrot would make them think she’d flip to their side anytime.
“So, I’ll manage them. Anyway, I look easier to handle than you, Seo-jun.”
“Yeah, then keep an eye on them for me, sis. Alright… so here’s the plan.”
A laptop placed on the angular table.
I turned on the screen and pointed one by one at the Ammunition Group’s overall org chart branching out like tree limbs, highlighting the separate entity stretching far to the right.
“First, personnel placement for Seo-ho hyung… nah, calling him ‘hyung’ feels off. Han Seo-ho.”
The company that appeared separate from Ammunition Group on the surface but was in reality a key affiliate.
“<Cocoa>. Especially put him in an audit role where he can secretly peek at Ammunition Group’s accounting ledgers.”
Han Seo-ho.
The suit-wearing type who royally fucked up Ammunition Securities four years ago.
With that trauma, and his self-proclaimed expertise in finance, it’d surely be an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Han Seo-ho as <Cocoa> auditor… Then what about Seo-hu oppa?”
“Him, I’ll slot as an executive handling Chinese funding at <Cocoa>. Let him run wild outside as much as he wants.”
For guys just released from exile, these were surprisingly high positions.
Arms crossed, mulling over the lineup, Han Seo-hee looked at me with a hint of worry.
“You really confident…? Isn’t the bait a bit too big?”
“Doesn’t matter. This much is fine.”
Yeah. This level’s no issue.
They’re opponents I’ve beaten once before, so I know their immature tendencies.
And… that immaturity will definitely leave tracks in the snow.
Follow the footprints, step by step on their tail, and I’ll uncover the beast’s den—the real core, Uncle’s schemes—right before my eyes.
“If I can just figure out when and how the sharks coming next will bare their teeth at Ammunition Group, this bait’s nothing.”
And the moment Uncle—who’d lurked in the shadows waiting for a chance—finally shows his fangs.
I’ll stand atop the Ammunition Group ship without hesitation and hurl sharp spears.
Leaving not a shred of mercy this time.
“Chairman, it’s the promised time.”
Right on cue, Yoo Se-na aide whispered in my ear from behind.
Looking out the window, the sunset was already stretching long beyond the western mountains. Time for Han Seo-ho and Han Seo-hu to arrive.
“Oh, right. And Grandma?”
“She’s awake now. Consciousness is stable, thankfully.”
Grandma, ultimately hospitalized and clinging to life extension treatments.
Her frame wasting away day by day from intensifying pain… man, it’s heartbreaking just to watch.
Though her spirit still held firm.
“Let’s see… the small fry should be showing up any minute.”
Wall clock read five p.m. already. As my gaze returned from the hands, through the small hallway window, I spotted two figures.
Brothers through and through, matching strides and vibes. After four years, they were back before me.
“Let’s get a read on their faces from afar before they come in.”
The ones striding closer step by step—soon to be my ransomware.
My eyes went first to the slim, silver-framed glasses guy, the eldest, Han Seo-ho.
“Pretentious smartass hasn’t changed much… Hmm?”
And right on his brother’s tail, asserting presence with a bulkier build, the second son, Han Seo-hu.
Truth be told, he’d probably suffered more. After all… surviving four years in the heart of the Nigerian jungle, teetering between life and death, beats prison any day.
“The prodigal son returns? That fuckup’s eyes got some fire now. Kinda tense.”
And with that, a knock echoed in my ears.
Feeling the prelude to the storm with my whole body, I responded to their little declaration of war.
“Come on in. I’ve been waiting.”
* * * *
“Prisoner number 1404. Han Hwa-gi.”
March 1, 2012, 5 a.m.
Anyang Prison’s dawn was always dreary, but today felt a touch different.
“March 1. You’re paroled effective today. Come on out.”
“Let’s go.”
Han Hwa-gi, eyes bloodshot like he’d been waiting, followed the guard down to the first floor.
After signing a few papers, the guard hesitantly began explaining to him.
“Parole doesn’t mean your sentence is fully served. You’ll be under probation supervision in society for the remainder…”
“Enough.”
“Ah, but… it’s procedure, I have to say it…”
“Shut that mouth already? I don’t have time for dog barking right now. Bring my clothes quick!”
The guard flinched at Han Hwa-gi’s irritable shout.
Not wanting to cross a powerful figure like this, he flung open the door and rushed to grab the bundled clothes from the basket.
Just as he crossed the threshold to leave.
“Oh, right. Hey, guard!”
Han Hwa-gi suddenly called back the poor guard.
He pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket, folded it in half, handed it over, and ordered curtly.
“Deliver this to the room of those 3rd-floor left-wing heads.”
“You mean Jo Seok-gu and Joo Gwae-yul’s cell? What should I say when I hand it over…?”
At the guard’s offhand addition, Han Hwa-gi pondered unusually.
As the ticking clock hands shifted from dawn to morning, he finished thinking and spoke.
“Contract deposit. Yeah, ‘contract deposit’ fits perfect.”
“Yes…?”
Han Hwa-gi smirked meaningfully.
Now out of prison garb and into a black suit, he tied his red tie and growled low.
“Gotta give the welcoming gift for those guys to serve as my limbs from here on.”