Chapter 20
Translator - Zofu
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Hannam-dong, Seoul.
In this place where night's darkness had covered the city center, all traces of the once-magnificent mansion had vanished. All that remained were collapsed bricks, shattered glass fragments, and massive boulders tangled among them.
And around the collapsed mansion, police lines encircled the area like a spiderweb, with officers moving busily within.
"Please don't come any closer. Step back."
Residents who lived nearby emerged one by one, watching beyond the police line with eyes full of curiosity.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Surely this won't affect property values?"
"Why this bolt from the blue?"
Middle-aged women draped in luxury brands chattered in voices laced with worry and anxiety.
Where their gazes fell, the wreckage of a building that had stood proudly just hours before now lay scattered. And scattered across it were monstrous chunks of rock.
Before long, journalists who'd caught wind of the incident swarmed in, clicking camera shutters incessantly and attempting to interview residents.
Among them, a man appeared and quietly took out his phone.
"Mission accomplished."
After delivering a brief report in a low voice, the man vanished without a trace among the crowd.
***
3 AM, deep in the mountains.
Cheongseong members and I headed into the darkened mountains.
And we arrived at a place with eight massive boulders. The members stood at their positions and waited. At the same time, members and executives from the Heukgumpa, Geumganghoe, and Useongpa who'd followed us here approached me.
The oldest among the three men spoke with a face full of dissatisfaction.
"Didn't you say we'd be assassinating the chairmen tonight? Why have you dragged us out to some empty mountain?"
An executive from another organization agreed, also looking uncomfortable.
I answered roughly.
"You'll understand why if you wait. Stay quiet and wait."
He huffed, apparently offended by my tone.
"If there's no result after all this waiting, you'll pay the price."
I let the man's words go in one ear and out the other. And ignoring the guy, I approached the boulder. Choi Il-soo had already reported to me that the target was resting at home.
And in the quiet mountain air, I heaved the massive boulder up with all my strength. Carefully positioning myself, I aimed at the target according to the specified angle.
And once again, I questioned the middle-aged man standing beside me.
"Is this angle correct?"
The short man, nervous to the point of sweating bullets, muttered in a small voice.
"...Exactly 144 kilometers... wind speed, angle... yes... that's correct..."
The man added, watching my movements with anxious eyes.
"Calculations show that if you throw at this angle, the rock will pierce air resistance and strike the target precisely."
I listened to his words lightly and threw the boulder without hesitation.
-Thud!
The sound of the rock slicing through the air echoed through the quiet mountains. I picked up another boulder and threw it again. Only after throwing eight boulders in succession did I finish the job, dusting off my dirt-covered hands.
When I turned around, members of Seoul's Geumganghoe and Heukgumpa, and Incheon's Useongpa were all watching me. Their eyes were a mix of terror and awe.
I met their gazes. This was a warning not just to Cheongseong, but also to traitors who'd been swayed to our side. A warning that said: "My abilities are at this level—if you want to betray me, go ahead and try."
I raised one corner of my mouth in a smile toward them and leaned back on the folding chair Park Wan-yong had brought. And waited for the results.
This entire plan was to assassinate the chairmen of Korea's three largest organizations. The two organizations ruling Seoul, and the one controlling Incheon.
I'd racked my brains over how to handle this quietly, without a trace. Korea's dense CCTV network is notorious. Especially in wealthy neighborhoods, the security is even tighter.
With my physical abilities, I could assassinate them and get away safely, but there was still a risk of being caught. And being wealthy areas, cleanup would be a hassle. I could do it if I had to, but the probability of getting caught was high.
While pondering how to eliminate them without a trace, the idea of throwing rocks suddenly came to me. It was a thought that pierced my mind while watching hammer throw athletes at the Olympics.
At first I doubted whether this method was really possible, but the test results were astonishing. And I realized I shouldn't underestimate my own strength.
The problem was hitting the target accurately, but this country had plenty of people far smarter than me.
I sought out talented individuals in financial straits or urgently needing money. When offered substantial sums, they accepted without hesitation. They managed to calculate the angle, direction, speed, and distance of the rocks to strike the targets with pinpoint accuracy.
As expected, there's nothing in this world money can't accomplish.
After a while, Park Wan-yong approached and reported cautiously.
"Chairman, all targets have been confirmed dead."
I nodded quietly. With just eight throws, I'd sent three nationwide organization bosses straight to hell.
It would draw national attention and become the talk of the town, but that would fade before long. What mattered was that the media and public focus on this incident. That way, when I devoured Seoul and Incheon, no one would pay attention.
"Then let's proceed according to plan."
"Yes."
Nodding at Park Wan-yong's response, I gestured to the three anxious men. Unlike before, they approached me groveling.
One was filled with tension and anxiety, while the other two forced smiles and spewed flattery.
"Haha... You called for us?"
"Chairman, congratulations on your success!"
"I never imagined such a plan existed. I, Kim Musik, am truly impressed."
Each man displayed different reactions as they approached.
I looked them over slowly with a cold smile. How terrified they were—their groveling postures told me everything. Here and now, they were fates that would swing between heaven and hell with a single word from me.
"We have much to discuss, don't we?"
They were surrounded by Cheongseong members along with their own, feeling threatened.
"Chairman! I pledge my loyalty!"
"Me too! I'll devote my life to serving you loyally!"
"I'll be loyal until three generations go bald!"
Each displayed different reactions as they fell to their knees. And pledged their loyalty.
"Loyalty, you say..."
I muttered softly, continuing.
"Good. But I don't want loyalty that's just words. So bring me results."
"Yes! We'll do our best!"
"Understood! We'll bring you the best results."
"Please trust us!!"
They wiped the cold sweat from their faces, appealing to me.
***
On the morning news, the Hannam-dong incident was already the top story. The anchor reported on the incident with a serious expression, repeatedly showing the collapsed mansion and the massive rocks that had crashed onto it.
"At 3 AM... Police are currently expanding their investigation, and a nationwide emergency alert has been issued."
The scene shown on screen was even more horrific. The wreckage from the massive rocks crashing into the building looked as devastating as a bombing.
"And not just the Hannam-dong mansion..."
The anchor's words were cut off as the screen went dark.
A room shrouded in deep darkness. At the center sat a massive oval table. Organization executives surrounded the table with grave faces.
Men of various ages, from middle-aged to elderly, sat around the table. At a glance, it was clear these were no ordinary men.
The executives seated around him wordlessly eyed each other. Silence dominated the room, but within that silence flowed countless unspoken words.
Vice Chairman Kim of Heukgumpa slowly raised his hand to focus the assembly. Finally, he spoke.
"Thank you all for gathering here."
It was short and concise. The atmosphere in the room grew even heavier. The executives studied each other's expressions, watching for the direction the conversation would take.
"The chairman passed away this morning. I assume you're all aware."
Speaking in a powerful tone, he paused to catch his breath, looking around at the faces gathered in the conference room.
"The cause of death is reported as crushing from rocks falling from the sky. Absurd, isn't it? I was stunned when I first heard it. Given the circumstances, I believe we must fill the empty chairman seat quickly. So, as vice chairman, I intend to lead the organization from now on. Are there any objections?"
The conference room fell silent as if doused in cold water. Most directors couldn't hide their bewilderment, but a few wore prepared expressions. Vice Chairman Kim, observing all this, rose from his seat with a subtle smile on his lips.
"Hold on. You may hold the title of vice chairman, but that's merely a formality. The chairman seat is another matter entirely. And the other directors here are more than capable of leading this organization."
"Director Park isn't wrong. But is there anyone here who can lead this organization better than I? You all dismiss the vice chairman position as formal, but I've been handling all the actual organizational operations."
At that moment, another director stepped forward.
"That's not something you know until you try it. I also agree with Director Park. You may hold the vice chairman title, but the other directors here are fully capable of sitting in that seat!"
In the conference room, eyes met and crossed, followed by a moment of heavy silence.
"I also agree with Director Jang. Starting with trying to claim the chairman seat as if announcing it, every director here has dedicated themselves to this organization longer than you have. If we're taking the chairman position, it should be one of us. You're not ready yet."
With those words from one director, the conference room fell into another moment of heavy silence as eyes met and crossed.
And other organizations that had lost their bosses were likely experiencing similar scenes.