Overwhelm
Blue House. Under Min-ho's command, Beom-seong continued his aggressive campaign day after day, touring Seoul for events and volunteer work. This was splashed across the front pages of the nation's top two newspapers, The Times and Semin Shinmun. The framing of him as a politician unlike the rest was taking hold, and the results were a resounding success. In polls of Seoul citizens, he dominated the top spot by a landslide.
Appointing Kang Beom-seong as Seoul mayor would be like handing fish to a cat. To Chief of Staff Cha Jeong-su, it felt like a nightmare.
He'd pulled out all the stops to avert this, but beating Min-ho seemed impossible.
"Damn it!"
Cha hurled The Times with all his might. His shoulders heaved with ragged breaths, but calming down wasn't easy.
"This can't be... How the hell is this even possible?"
When he'd first heard about Beom-seong from Min-ho, he'd dismissed it as nonsense. The man had no real political experience or standout credentials. But Min-ho had boasted confidently, and it hadn't taken long for it to become reality. With no other options left on the cliff's edge, Cha downed some cold water to steady his nerves and headed straight to the president's office with his report.
The door opened to reveal President Kim Dong-il, uncharacteristically grim-faced with arms crossed. He spoke softly to the bowing Cha.
"You were thinking the same as me, right?"
"I figured it was absurd."
"Let's talk details sitting down."
"Yes, sir."
The president nodded and moved to the central sofa, continuing the conversation.
"Doesn't he seem like a seasoned negotiator? Moments like this make him feel like a grizzled group secretary-general who's seen it all."
"You mean Representative Kang Min-ho?"
"I brushed off the political funds handoff—and leaving evidence—as coincidence... But sometimes he seems even more venomous than a viper."
"I knew he wasn't ordinary, but I didn't expect this level of precision."
"Now I get why Chairman Kang backs him so fiercely..."
This wasn't the time for reminiscing. Cha's mind raced with urgency over deciding the Seoul mayor appointment. Once the president finished, he asked cautiously,
"Sorry to bring it up, sir... but have you made a decision?"
"A decision... Since when do I hold the appointment power for Seoul mayor?"
"Pardon? What do you mean? It's stipulated in the constitution..."
Interrupting, the president replied,
"In this case, neither I nor Chairman Kang holds it—it's that kid Kang Min-ho who has it."
"Sir, even so, I don't think that's right."
"Don't deny it. Sometimes you have to face reality head-on."
"So you've decided not to play that card?"
Instead of answering, President Kim handed over the newspaper on the table.
"Im Su-jong, Bong Gwan-i, Su-in-i, Jae-jin-i—even looking at this, don't you feel it?"
The moment they were floated as candidates, Min-ho had unsheathed his blade without mercy, exposing their corruption to the public. Powerless politicians scattered like leaves in the wind.
"He's immediately taking out anyone mentioned as a candidate."
"It was about 25 years ago. Short on election funds, I walked into loan shark Kang Jin-gwang's Myeong-dong office myself."
"Yes, sir."
"That moment's still vivid. His eyes burned with spirit, and he judged without hesitation..."
Cha listened silently to the president's tale.
"I wondered if I'd ever meet someone like that again... But just when I thought I'd escaped the fox, a tiger appeared right in front of me."
"So you've made your decision?"
"Do you think there's another play?"
"There are still plenty of candidates..."
"Leave 'em be and they're fine, but poke one and they chase you like hornets till you drop."
Min-ho's talents had seemed like luck at first, after one or two encounters. Total misjudgment. All Cha could do was admire the shrewd, bold plans money couldn't buy. It wasn't enough to turn the tide. He'd toyed with a reversal card, but knew it'd only invite bigger disaster. Nodding as if conceding defeat,
"Even the guys sniffing around for a shot at mayor are steering clear now. They sense their careers end the moment they're named."
"I take full blame for this. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. It looked like we'd win... but it was a lost fight from the start."
"I'll coordinate the announcement timing and report back."
"No need. Fire the current mayor and appoint that kid Kang Beom-seong three days later. Got it?"
Min-ho held the leash but hadn't rattled it unnecessarily, as promised. Instead, the president flailed to loosen it. This butterfly effect had led to the current mess.
"That kid Kang Min-ho, at least he doesn't double-talk like other businessmen. One thing for you to do."
"Yes, sir."
"Go explain in detail and get his promise to keep quiet about those last documents."
"Understood."
"And don't forget the clause: immediate dismissal if Seoul channels its powers to JK Group."
"Yes, sir. I'll handle it."
***
Athena. While handling work in his office, Min-ho inexplicably took the stairs down to the 14th floor, home to The Times. The core of this strategy was media play. Without these packed reporters, it would've been impossible.
The youngest reporter spotted Min-ho smiling warmly at them and reacted first.
"Huh? Whoa? That's... him..."
"Why so surprised? Am I not allowed here?"
"No, sir. It's just... your first time here."
Reporters paused their furious typing one by one at his voice, gathering to witness the odd sight.
"-Want me to grab you a coffee, sir?"
"-First time seeing you here."
The 14th floor, buzzing moments ago, fell pin-drop silent at Min-ho's sudden visit—he'd never come down before. Soon, everyone turned to stare.
"Weird seeing me?"
"-Yes! Come more often, sir."
"I was gonna pass it through Editor Jo, but since you're all here..."
Tense at the surprise visit and announcement, the reporters listened intently.
"Good news. Relax. Everyone knows about President Kang Beom-seong, right?"
"-Yes!"
"If Kang Beom-seong gets appointed Seoul mayor, 200% bonus for everyone. And more..."
Before he finished, cheers erupted.
"-Kang Min-ho! Sir!"
"-Sir! Kang Min-ho!"
No better news. They high-fived, chanting his name.
"Hold up—one more thing. Company dinner too. Menu's beef, of course."
"-Uh... will you join us this time, sir?"
"Yes, if you'll have me."
"Keep pushing till the appointment's locked. Not long now."
"-Yes, sir!"
"-Kang Min-ho! Sir! Dinner!"
"-Dinner! Sir! Kang Min-ho!"
As he stepped into the hallway amid the cheers, panting Lawyer Choi came running.
"You'll get hurt. You're not kids—why sprint like that? Fire?"
"Young master... word is Chief of Staff Cha Jeong-su's arrived at the park by the building."
"Gift arrived sooner than expected."
"Blue House decided?"
"One or the other. Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
They headed out to the park. Cha sat on a quiet bench, face stern. Spotting Min-ho, he stood, bowed politely.
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced."
"I was waiting. No need to go far—talk here?"
"If it's not inconvenient."
Min-ho sat and glanced around. Black-suited guards encircled them.
"Chair's comfy, situation not so much."
Cha nodded; the guards retreated far back. Lawyer Choi, behind, matched the distance.
"Better now."
"To the point: Kang Beom-seong's Seoul mayor appointment announced this week."
"Faster than I figured."
Stern-faced, Cha replied,
"When the current mayor's scandal broke, heavyweights from both parties drooled."
"Seoul's perks aren't just one or two. Makes sense. I get it."
"Now no one dares thanks to you, Representative Kang. That mayor seat they craved? It's poison chalice now."
If it was just delivery of the appointment fact, Cha wouldn't have come personally. Reading it perfectly, Min-ho spoke.
"Coming yourself means you want firm assurance from me."
"Yes. Those documents from last time..."
"Burned them in front of Secretary Cha. No worries. His Excellency knows I'm not your typical Yeouido politician."
Min-ho sealed victory, claiming spoils. Cha conceded defeat, gates flung wide.
Heavy as a concession speech, he opened,
"His Excellency added one more request."
"Go on. I expected it."
"Seoul holds massive power. If it funnels perks to JK Group or Athena, immediate dismissal."
Min-ho's goal was clear: seize all Seoul perks. The president knew it, hence the clause—but Min-ho had anticipated.
"No problem. I promise."
Thinking it tough, Cha was surprised at easy agreement. He double-checked.
"You'll really keep that promise?"
"Yes. Just don't give Seoul's projects to JK Group or Athena, right?"
"Exactly."
"Easy. Won't harm the Blue House."
"Appreciate the cooperation."
Min-ho had one assurance to extract.
"My turn for a question. Bottled water business rights?"
"Wrapping up this week. Jeju factory groundbreaking permit approved."
Nothing more to say. Min-ho rose naturally.
"Don't draw first, and I won't rattle the leash, as promised. Flail to loosen it, and you'll snare yourself like this."
"A warning?"
"Advice to recognize it. See you."
Stunned by the chill warning, Cha watched Min-ho's back.
'Total defeat this time, but think it's over and you're mistaken...'
He boarded his car, heading quietly to the Blue House. Rushing Choi bombarded with questions. Min-ho calmly relayed the talk.
Shocked, Choi asked,
"But the goal was Seoul perks, right? That promise wastes all our effort."
Unlike baffled Choi, Min-ho beamed—next plan already set.
"Think I didn't plan for that?"
"You have a trick?"
Nodding,
"Said no to JK Group and Athena. Means give to others."
"Right. You don't say..."
"Yep. Acquire SMEs generously, funnel perks there. Work circles back to JK Group and our Athena."
"Using a loophole?"
"Never said no tricks. Dinner with Grandpa tonight—lots to tell him."
"Then to HQ first."
As they headed to JK Group Headquarters, at the same time, Butler Moon chatted with former Chief Prosecutor Yu Jae-yong on a goshiwon rooftop.