Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Coronation Ceremony (3)
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Ammunition Group headquarters, small conference room.
The number of board members was so small that even using this twenty-pyeong space posed no issue.
Grandmother seated in the Director's chair, Vice President Yang Taek-su, Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min.
And... Uncle, the Finance Headquarters Director, plus me—totaling five key executives of the group.
Even after all attendees were seated, a heavy silence, like a fog of brooding thoughts, filled the conference room for a long while.
"Hoo, now that everyone's gathered, let's begin. As you all know, the agenda for this board meeting is—"
Grandmother adjusted her metal-rimmed glasses with her fingers, her face set as if she'd made a firm decision.
A cautious demeanor, walking on thin ice until the very end. Finally, the bamboo curtain was lifted, revealing Seo Taehu seated behind the jade throne.
"The election of the Ammunition Group Chairman position, currently vacant. And for that role—"
The golden chair seemed within arm's reach if she stretched out.
In the hands of Seo Taehu, who had just declared the end of her regency, was a colorful crown.
A crown symbolizing dominion over the vast kingdom that was Ammunition Group, the highest seat from which one could wield power.
"—I deem it appropriate for current Strategy Director Han Seo-jun. If anyone has honest opinions to share without reservation, speak them now."
The frozen air shattered with a roar, the tension enveloping the room crumbling like ice with an exhaled breath.
As eyes met eyes, gauging each other's intentions, one person raised their hand first, wearing a bright smile.
It was Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min.
"Uh... First off, the Clan Association side expresses its support."
"Hmm..."
Han Hyeong-min, the Clan Association Chairman who had fully taken on the role of my father's puppet.
As if proving he was unworthy of this seat, he tacked on a few more words, like he'd forgotten something.
"Ah, right! That's it! Just to clarify, our agreement is premised on spinning off the financial affiliates."
Nodding proudly, like a child who'd finished their homework.
A pitiful sight unfit for the position, but advantageous for me.
A foolish wooden puppet spills the necessary information on its own, without any interrogation.
"Thank you for your support. However... with the group being split apart, I didn't expect the Clan Association to vote in favor?"
"...W-Well! Our stakes won't be diluted, right? There's even a forecast that the stock price will rise from the spinoffs."
Han Hyeong-min's face flushed red as he blurted out whatever came to mind.
His clumsy excuses, like a bungling clown on strings, were irrelevant.
What mattered was the flustered reaction. The aggressive gestures denying suspicion. All of it handed me clues he didn't even realize.
"I didn't realize the Clan Association had considered it from so many angles. In any case, thank you again for your support."
"Ahem, what... it's nothing."
As the puppet's awkward bravado ended, Vice President Yang Taek-su raised his hand next.
True to form as the one who'd handed over my father's slush fund account ID, he voiced strong support for me here.
"This old man also approves. I only hope the new Chairman will lead the group well."
"You're too kind. I look forward to your continued assistance."
"Haha... Anything I can do, just say the word. You'll do splendidly, no doubt. With your bloodline and capabilities..."
The atmosphere warmed like spring breeze, as if it had never been frozen.
With Grandmother, Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min, and now Vice President Yang Taek-su all approving the Chairman appointment, it was all but confirmed.
In this atmosphere of unanimous consent, a sharp voice suddenly pierced my ears.
"Sufficient bloodline, huh. Unbelievable."
"What did you say? What was that just now!"
Even as Seo Taehu barked, Uncle muttered to himself quietly, as if sneering.
His eyes—mixing contempt and disgust, fear and hatred—turned toward me.
"Well, it's not just the bloodline that's insufficient. Capabilities too, I suppose."
"Hey, Finance Headquarters Director! We already agreed on this beforehand, didn't we? You're not thinking of backing out now!"
One carelessly tossed stone cracked the riverside thin ice in an instant, shattering the mood.
In the taut tension, ready to snap at any moment.
Uncle growled back, as if holding back boiling rage.
"As if. I merely... as a 'legitimate heir' of the Han family, wish for Ammunition Group's eternal prosperity. Even if it's temporarily torn apart."
"You bastard!"
"With the right resolve, it can always be stitched back together. Of course, it won't be scattered too far."
Uncle shot up from his seat, his gaze fixed on me.
A stare brimming with fury, contempt, disgust. It landed on the red tie around my neck—Father's tie.
"...The son of a concubine, how laughable."
He glared as if he'd seen something he shouldn't have.
Shoving his chair back roughly, he leaned over the table toward me, still standing.
As if, though not now, he'd tear me limb from limb and devour me the moment the chance arose.
"I'll vote in favor. Do your utmost to run the group with that half-blood of yours. New Chairman Han Seo-jun, heir to the ancestors' legacy."
"Ahem... W-Well then, I'll be going too. Ah, Headquarters Director. Let's go together."
Uncle stormed out. Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min trailed after him like a lapdog.
Aggressive.
And... different from usual.
Uncle's reaction just now... half genuine, half performance.
The displeasure at some upstart kid he'd never expected actually claiming the throne—genuine.
The performative part: showing aggression to hide something.
That something was surely the ties between Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul, the true power behind the Clan Association, and [Shanghai Capital].
"It's worked out well. I'm grateful he's shown his hand like this."
"......!"
If so, I couldn't just sit idly after this declaration of war.
My words, tossed out without even turning around, from my seated position.
Uncle's hand paused on the conference room door handle.
"I'll overlook ruining the coronation rehearsal. But there won't be a next time. Please, restrain yourself."
The low warning filled the room with a chill that didn't sound like it came from my throat.
I know everything you're thinking, everything you plan to do.
The end of that bottomless desire racing toward doom... will surely be ruin.
"...You talk big. Daring to threaten me, you whelp?"
His lips pressed tight, resolve hardened.
His grip slowly engulfed the brass door handle's curved ornament at its center.
Watching his trembling shoulders from behind, I threw one final word.
"Whatever you're scheming, don't act rashly. Lest your uncontrolled desires consume you."
* * * *
Hotel Florence, top floor.
With Ammunition Group's new Chairman elected, the Clan Association was on high alert.
The gathered Han family members debated the final appointment to be decided at the upcoming shareholders' meeting.
"So, what do you think, brother? Han Seo-jun seems decent enough—proper lineage, capable too. Young, but he did well."
"Well... Director Seo Myung-hee must've chosen wisely. And the Clan Association's voting rights are with Hyeong-min anyway. Or rather, Uncle Deok-sul."
"There are rumors he's a bastard son, but that seems like nonsense."
Amid the blooming chatter and bustling crowd, at the deepest end of the corridor stood a heavy door.
Severed completely from the outside, ensuring their discussions wouldn't leak—an iron gate for them alone.
"You pathetic fool! So you just fled following Han Hwa-gi? Do you think you're still a child!"
"No, Father. Do you know how terrifying it was? The situation was so dire I nearly pissed myself. Ugh, you made me Clan Association Chairman for no reason..."
Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min waved his hands wildly, as if fed up.
The board meeting he'd attended for the first time just days ago.
For someone who lived without much thought, that brutal, blood-splattered atmosphere was impossible to adapt to.
"Seo Taehu, Han Seo-jun... Damn, why are the main family folks all such dogs?"
"You little shit...!"
"Ah, whatever. Don't put me up as your puppet in that hellhole anymore. I thought that vicious dog was gonna rip my limbs off."
A hopelessly pathetic only son.
All the schemes Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul was orchestrating were for his sake, yet here he was, cowering like a pheasant burying its head at the sound of a blank shot. A sigh escaped naturally.
"You fool... This is why I can't close my eyes leaving you behind."
Frustrated, the old man thumped his chest a few times with his fist like a hammer.
If things continued like this, his thoughtless only son was surely headed down the slippery slide of lost status.
And on that slide wouldn't be just the worthless son, but his grandson, barely starting elementary school.
Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul steeled his resolve.
Sweeping back his white hair, he muttered a vow to himself.
"Yes. That's why... this time, we must succeed."
"Ah, right. And Han Hwa-gi asked when those Shanghai money men can move."
Clan Association Chairman Han Hyeong-min spoke up, voice a bit subdued.
The promised date from [Shanghai Capital] was nearly here. Checking the calendar-marked schedule, Honorary Advisor Han Deok-sul pulled out his cellphone from his suit inner pocket.
"...Perfect timing. It's about time to contact them."
The call tone rang in his ear.
The wait wasn't long. No secretary intermediary—a low voice connected directly.
Proficient in Korean, perhaps?
Unlike the underlings, he spoke without interpreters.
"You called at just the right moment."
"Ah... Is this Director James Wang?"
"It's a crucial matter, so I'm handling it personally. I was about to reach out myself, so let's get straight to the point."
A conversation utterly devoid of fluff, purely businesslike.
The dry, desert-sand voice from the phone paused briefly, then resumed in the old man's ear.
"The funding is secured, but there's an urgent matter we need to discuss separately. Regarding that content..."