Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Greatest Show (2)
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Yongsan Defense Ministry building, main conference room.
As the bidding for the Defense Ministry's new weapons development project approached, the interested parties began gathering one by one.
“Sir! You've been through so much these past months, sir.”
“What do you mean 'through so much'? Toward the end, even I just sat back. It's a game where the winner's already decided—what's the point?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that...?”
The personnel handling the practical affairs of this project.
A two-star Army general, with the insignia on his shoulder, gave a listless response to the colonel sitting beside him.
As if the meager authority granted to him was utterly meaningless.
“They've got heavy hitters breathing down our necks on this. Don't go blabbing about it at some bar—keep your trap shut.”
“What? Even on a critical matter like new weapons, they're sticking their spoons in? Not like it's that bed scandal or anything? Who the hell are these bastards...!”
“Hey! I said keep it down? There are plenty of reporters in here with recorders ready to click on.”
The general pressed his index finger to his lips, making a shushing sound.
Only after shaking his head and glancing around did he speak, accompanied by a deep sigh rising from within.
“Sigh... Defense Minister Ham Pung-deok, and National Security Office Director Yoon Hak-gil.”
“Ahh, so that's why the rumors were flying around the building.”
“Listen, kid—if you don't want to get stripped of your uniform and kicked out, play dumb and ignorant. Right on cue... here they come.”
-Creak
The sound of old iron hinges creaking as the doors opened.
Two large doors, one at the front and one at the back of the conference room.
Like something out of a movie, both doors swung open simultaneously, and two different beams of light poured into the room from the gaps.
“The big shots. Or should I say, the bastards at the top.”
“Ham Pung-deok... Yoon Hak-gil...”
“Take a good look. No matter if it's some general with stars on his shoulders or bureaucrats with neck braces from the civil service exams, there's a wall of corruption we can't climb. Of course...”
The general gazed bitterly at the VIPs taking their seats.
As the room filled up, including the spots for the acquiring parties—Ammunition Group and SA-Cheolhwa Techwin—he slowly closed his eyes.
Adding a single word that seemed impossible to achieve with his own power.
“Well... if one of them pulls off a miracle, who knows.”
* * * *
Clack, clack—the sharp echo of footsteps resounding with each stride.
Defense Minister Ham Pung-deok and National Security Office Director Yoon Hak-gil entered through the doors at either end.
Different thoughts, different positions, different interests.
Like mirror images with left and right reversed, they faced each other.
Amid the flashing camera lights, their hands clasped in the air.
“Nothing's happened in the meantime to change our agreement, I trust, Minister?”
National Security Office Director Yoon Hak-gil extended his bony hand, blue veins bulging on the back, thin as a withered branch.
His eyes gleamed with greed.
Through this deal, SA-Cheolhwa Techwin—no, perhaps the entire Cheolhwa Group via the puppet Seo Yun-ji—would become his political organization's piggy bank.
Thus, his grip was filled with surprising strength despite the frail appearance.
Defense Minister Ham Pung-deok grasped that thin hand with his plump ones and replied.
“Heavens, no. We'll proceed exactly as discussed before. Not a single deviation. The same for you, Director Yoon?”
Ham Pung-deok concealed a sharp implication beneath a soft smile.
The upcoming by-election loomed.
Having stuck his spoon in this deal, it was a silent pressure to honor the promise on his nomination for National Assembly.
Envisioning his late-life political roadmap, he vowed inwardly.
‘Once I get the nomination, I launch my own politics right away. First, gather military veterans... which means I need to squeeze cash from those bed industry bastards quick.’
His lifelong barren mudflat, devoid of even a drop of water, now flooded by the high tide of power.
He had to grab the oars from the boat quickly, for this once-in-a-lifetime swell.
“So, let's both keep the promises we've made to each other.”
“Looks like you've become a full-fledged politician yourself, Minister.”
“One can't stay trapped in the military forever. Now, shall we take our seats... Huh?”
Suddenly, a vibration buzzed from inside his suit jacket pocket.
Thinking it might be urgent, he pulled out his cellphone immediately. On the screen was a single photo.
-Ahh, cut it out already, you old fart! I'm seriously never coming home!
A text message in a voice so vivid it seemed audible, accompanied by the photo. In it, Ham Chae-eun was flipping him off with her middle finger extended.
“This shameless brat... still hasn't come to her senses...!”
“Minister Ham?”
Ham Pung-deok rubbed his temples.
For a brief, very brief moment, he decided to forget about his troublesome daughter.
Utterly unaware that the message she'd just sent was actually for his benefit.
“Ah, no—it's nothing. Let's head to our seats.”
* * * *
Ham Pung-deok and Yoon Hak-gil.
Seo Yun-ji watched them both, one leg crossed, her ankle twitching.
Up until now... her two chess pieces were moving exactly as she willed.
Gazing at the old chess pieces inching along from their high perches, she muttered to herself.
“Crystal clear. Though it's probably meant to be shown off from the start.”
Chess pieces that would escape her control once the game ended.
She didn't care about some black knight with a sword slung at an angle, but the white bishop in its mitre was a concern.
“No doubt, the moment this is over, they'll shove an unbearable bill my way. Win or lose, doesn't matter.”
Which was exactly why... she had to win this chess game.
Her hand tightened habitually on the gold pendant, her face flushing as her heartbeat quickened.
“I'll win for sure. And devour the entire Cheolhwa Group. No matter how massive the bill they throw at me, I won't blink. To do that.”
Through the cracked pendant gleamed the images of father and son, now gone from this world.
Ruminating on all the trials she'd endured as the illegitimate child, unable to inherit the family, her gaze turned toward one man.
The one she'd envied so bitterly, yet could never surpass.
“...I have to crush that bastard first and climb over him. No matter what it takes!”
Drops of sweat mingled with blood fell from her clenched fist, filled with anxiety.
Seo Yun-ji now stood at the edge of an inescapable cliff.
The survival of SA-Cheolhwa Techwin, inheriting the ownerless Cheolhwa Group, and... the risk of the Gwangju semiconductor factory, now hollowed out with lies and shoddiness, its shell all that remained.
Backed against the abyss, she staked everything on her final gamble.
Her eyes fixed solely on one person: the head of Ammunition Group, striding through the door.
* * * *
The interior of the Yongsan Defense Ministry building was stark.
The typical bureaucratic feel, overlaid with the military's distinct hue.
Yet the moment one stepped through the door of the main conference room, where a lavish show was about to unfold today, that drabness vanished in an instant. Or more precisely...
“It feels like all the color's frozen solid.”
All eyes turned toward me. In this chilling air, I took in the faces of everyone involved.
Defense Minister Ham Pung-deok, National Security Office Director Yoon Hak-gil, and... SA-Cheolhwa Techwin CEO Seo Yun-ji.
The lineup of those I had to surpass here today.
“Tell me about it. Looks like their eyes are shooting freezer beams. Stare too long, and you'll freeze solid right in your seat.”
Kim Won-cheol, looking like he'd turn into frozen squid from the cold.
The image I briefly imagined was a bit funny, but out of loyalty, I swallowed the chuckle threatening to escape.
“Joking around already? Seems like you're not tense at all today.”
“Me? Tense? Why would I be?”
Kim Won-cheol plopped down in the VIP seat, thumping his chest.
Curious about the source of this oddly unfounded confidence, a clear answer followed.
“I saw the system our Chairman demonstrated himself last time with my own eyes—what's there to be tense about? Heh heh heh.”
“It was flawless, indeed. If we demonstrate that system again here... the moment we do.”
I turned toward the three who'd frozen the very colors of the room.
No fear whatsoever for those who'd arrayed like a hunting pack, trying to encase me in that icy chill and freeze me to death.
Just one point of my finger—just once—and like a sculptor shattering ice into fragments with emotion, I could smash them to pieces.
My right hand gripped the end of the chair's armrest like a mouse.
As the slightest pressure entered my index finger, a word filled with certainty left my lips.
“They... will shatter completely. To the point where we can't even gauge what they looked like before.”
“Damn, that's scary talk. I never back you up that viciously.”
“And yet your mouth's grinning for no reason? Right on time... it's starting. Vice Minister Kim Cheol-geun's taking the lead himself.”
-Thud, thud, whirrrrr!
A dull mechanical hum from the freshly connected microphone.
After a few coughs, a familiar voice rang out. Defense Vice Minister Kim Cheol-geun's greeting began.
“Ahem, I extend my heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests attending the Defense Ministry new weapons introduction project bidding.”
Camera flashes erupted immediately. As this project would lay the foundation for South Korea's future defense capabilities, public interest was exceptionally high.
“To ensure utmost fairness, all bidding processes will be conducted openly and broadcast live, as announced.”
After speaking, Defense Vice Minister Kim Cheol-geun glanced my way.
Open bidding... and live broadcast.
My sole request to him: enlarge the stage itself without any direct interference.
So that, before the eyes of all watching, no one could deny whatever outcome arose.
I nodded silently. Taking it as a signal, Kim Cheol-geun cleared his throat again and addressed the audience.
“We will now commence the Defense Ministry new weapons development project bidding. First up... a presentation from SA-Cheolhwa Techwin.”
Seo Yun-ji rose from her seat.
The click of her high heels as she left the VIP section and headed to the podium below.
Her jet-black bob hair framing a face armed with cold arrogance, she opened her mouth.
“Trash belongs in the dump. It's time to dispose of all the outdated legacies of the past.”