Min-ho the Lucky Underdog's Next Impossible Score
Min-ho the underdog lucky charm's exploits were a massive boon for Section Chief Seo as well. With non-performing loan collections boosting performance and earning even greater trust from President Kang, Section Chief Seo couldn't ask for more.
His face brighter than ever, he clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up. I've got something to say to all of you."
Everyone set down their work and turned toward him.
"I've got some great news. For Deputy Oh and Employee Lee here, the incentive was set at 1.5 million won."
Section Chief Seo barely suppressed his leaking smile as he continued. "But I personally suggested to the president that the two of you get double that—3 million won. Let's give it up for them!"
-Whoa, that's half a year's salary!
-Deputy Oh, you owe us a round!
-The newbie's making more than me...
But Section Chief Seo's bombshell didn't end there. "And Min-ho, we'll put you on field duty for the time being. You can learn internal work later, so everyone keep that in mind."
Manager Hwang, who had been listening with a sour expression even without clapping, spoke up, looking thoroughly displeased. "Section Chief, if the newbie's only on field duty, we could have gaps in internal operations."
"I know. It's a bit of a gamble, but it's the president's orders too."
"The president's directly?"
"He wants maximum efficiency. I agreed. Got anything else to say?"
"No, sir."
Buoyed by President Kang, Section Chief Seo flashed a satisfied smile at Min-ho. "Expectations for you are sky-high, Employee Lee. But no pressure—just let me know if there's any debt you think you can handle, and we'll send you out anytime."
"Understood. Thank you, Section Chief."
"Thanks? You earned it. Thanks to you, I saved face in front of the president."
Section Chief Seo had attached a clear condition: anytime. Before the words even finished, Min-ho held up a single sheet of paper.
"Section Chief, I've got one collection job."
Min-ho's face, clutching the next target, was full of smiles. When Min-ho smiled, it meant something big.
Deputy Oh jumped in surprise and took the document to check it. Despair was mandatory; the sigh of desperation optional.
"This one... no way. I swear on every god out there."
"I only suggest ones that are possible."
"This is different. It's not like they embezzled the money..."
Intrigued, Section Chief Seo checked the file himself. As Deputy Oh said, it was an impossible collection.
Section Chief Seo shook his head too. "Even if we seize everything, Employee Lee, the total debt is 300 million won. You really think this is doable?"
"Yes, sir."
"No joke, I assume..."
He shook his head in denial of reality, but nothing changed. Ignoring Min-ho's input would mean defying President Kang Myeong-seon's orders. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Section Chief Seo double-checked. "You can really pull this off?"
"Yes, Section Chief. I don't call the impossible possible. I only say it's possible because I can do it."
Min-ho, who could swear a winter persimmon was sweet. No one could fathom how this innocent-faced newbie planned to collect 300 million won.
"Employee Lee Min-ho, if you bring back even a single 10,000-won bill from this guy, I'll treat you to beef."
"I'm a man too—I'll take that bet."
"Newbie buying meat feels off. How about a round of bean coffee for the whole team?"
"Sounds good."
"I don't know what's in your head, but give it a shot."
There was a reason Section Chief Seo approved despite knowing it was impossible. He wanted to pave his own silk road to executive ranks. If Min-ho pulled off another miracle, what would happen to Section Chief Seo? No need to spell it out. It would scatter flowers beautifully along the path to promotion.
Sending Min-ho out was no loss for him—more like scratching a high-odds lottery ticket.
Section Chief Seo, eager for that step up, clapped loudly and issued orders in a booming voice. "Everyone stop what you're doing! Pull all files on Hwang Ki-cheon in Bongcheon-dong—now!"
-Pardon? Section Chief, Hwang Ki-cheon?
-300 million. Impossible.
-Debtor in a Bongcheon slum—odds of collection are zilch.
"Since when has our job ever made sense? No backtalk—get it ready! Meeting in 20 minutes, then they're off. Move!"
-Yes, sir.
-Got it, Section Chief.
The newbie tagging along was shaking the whole body—Section Chief Seo himself. The collections team sprang into action on Min-ho's decision.
Unable to defy the boss, they swallowed their pouts and prepared the files. Min-ho, meanwhile, eyed even higher ground. To catch his father Kang Du-seong's eye, he'd picked the toughest debt.
What was Min-ho thinking? Unlike the team, a faint smile played on his face.
***
How many would take Min-ho's claim of collecting 300 million won from a slum debtor at face value? The entire collections team shook their heads—it was about as likely as fetching a moon rabbit.
Section Chief Seo hinted at the difficulty, but his inner thoughts differed. A slim chance, but if Min-ho settled 300 million in one go like last time? He'd prove his chops as team head by cracking an unsolvable debt. In plain terms, a flower-strewn path to executive glory.
No big hit to operations sending the newbie out. And if he struck gold? Pure profit for the section chief.
Section Chief Seo, keeping that sliver of possibility in mind, mobilized the whole team to back Min-ho.
But leaning one way meant grumbling from the other. His choice drew plenty of resentment from the rest.
Anyone could see it: assisting a newbie on field duty. Some pulled dusty files from cabinets with faces like they'd chewed raw mugwort, muttering.
-He's all "yes sir" now, but this is too much.
-Quiet, he'll hear.
-300 million from a slum dweller? You buying that?
"Alright, files are good. Conference room—now."
The meeting kicked off naturally as they sat. Section Chief Seo at the head opened. "No time to waste. Hwang Ki-cheon—who's met him recently?"
Manager Hwang Jeong-min, barely managing his expression, answered reluctantly. "Me, Section Chief."
"How long ago? Memory's fuzzy."
"Last time was two years ago. Residence check."
"Perfect timing. Newbies need to learn the ropes before fieldwork—walk us through it."
"Understood."
Already swamped, now digging old files and presenting? No joy for a salaryman with piling work. Manager Hwang, unable to refuse, shuffled to the whiteboard like a cow to slaughter and began.
"Hwang Ki-cheon, 47, resides in Bongcheon-dong. Total debt: 300 million won. Recovery chance: extremely low."
Pre-fieldwork briefings demanded detail. Manager Hwang's talk fragmented like chaff in the wind. Hiding displeasure, he vented indirectly through every angle.
Min-ho watched closely. Stiff face fiddling with papers, right hand rubbing his neck nonstop.
A normal newbie would squirm seeing the boss upset over them. But Min-ho, seasoned through hell and high water, wasn't fazed. He started saucing the chopped radish.
"Question: You visited his residence—nothing to seize?"
"Three spoons. That's it."
"Next slide: Details say he ran a big bearing factory in Seongsu-dong. Any idea why the massive debt?"
Like a nagging sister-in-law worse than a beating mother-in-law. Manager Hwang sighed, glaring at Min-ho with resentment.
Min-ho wasn't grilling him to feed him—he was just verifying his memory. Manager Hwang thought otherwise.
That punk kid scores once and rides the section chief's coattails...
Unable to accept reporting to a newbie, he slammed down the file with a heavy sigh. To Section Chief Seo, as calmly as possible: "Section Chief, honestly, trusting the newbie's word on this is nonsense. 300 million buys eight houses in our neighborhood."
"Why nonsense?"
"Hwang's got nothing. Siblings bled him dry. Impossible for a rookie to collect."
Not wrong, even with the emotion. Section Chief Seo turned to Min-ho. "I'm curious too, but you always seem to have something up your sleeve. While we're at it—"
"No plan right now."
"No plan, but you can collect?"
"Yes."
Baseless confidence left Manager Hwang speechless, just staring blankly.
"What's your basis?"
"I'll confirm on-site and report back. But it'll take time."
"If you pull it off, time doesn't matter. Last question: You really think you can?"
"Yes, Section Chief. No doubt."
If this was acting, it'd win an Academy Award for lead actor. Min-ho had it all planned. No basis, no countermeasures. From the outside, it was infuriating.
Manager Hwang, who'd held back, involuntarily looked skyward, face red, sighing deeply. It irked Section Chief Seo.
"Hey, Manager Hwang."
"Sorry."
"This is official business. No personal feelings."
"Yes, I'll watch it."
Truth was, Section Chief Seo had no choice. He'd promised to send Min-ho out on President Kang Myeong-seon's orders.
To Min-ho: "Solve this, and it's a huge win for the team—you know that?"
"Yes."
"No idea what you're thinking, but go for it. Report by phone."
"Got it."
"No more talk. You two, head out."
Min-ho and Deputy Oh stood. Section Chief Seo added motherly advice. "Those folks have nowhere left to go. Be careful—extra careful."
"Understood."
"Last time was luck. This time, really watch it. Bail if needed, call the cops."
"Yes, Section Chief. We're off."
Min-ho took a taxi to his next target: Bongcheon-dong.