212. An Excellent Choice.
"Then, I declare that the motion to dismiss Vice Chairman Tae Su-cheol has passed unanimously by the full board."
It was a board meeting without the man in question present. Even with factions that had supported the vice chairman, it passed without a ripple of disturbance. The board moved on to other agenda items.
"The next item is the separation of the Iron Will Guild affiliate."
Though everyone had known it was coming, a murmur rippled through the board members.
They had clung to the guild even when its forces were in shambles, only to cut it loose now that it boasted an S-rank.
Without a decree from Emperor-like Chairman Tae Jin-seong, there would have been outright rebellion within the group.
No one was oblivious enough not to connect this motion to the vice chairman's dismissal.
Joo Se-ah, the guild master, had wanted independence from the group, so this was likely the price for the vice chairman's fall.
"Those in favor of separating the guild affiliate, please raise your hands."
The result was as expected.
"This motion also passes unanimously for separation."
This board meeting would spawn endless rumors. The downfall of Taeseong Group's crown prince was especially shocking.
Some whispered that Chairman Tae Jin-seong had his eye on Joo Se-ah as the group's heir.
But with Iron Will Guild breaking away from Taeseong Group, those rumors died quickly.
Besides, Joo Se-ah was now Korea's one and only S-rank hunter.
The public wouldn't tolerate the nation's top hunter sitting in an office instead of fighting gates. It served no national interest.
She had become too big a fish for Taeseong to keep.
Aside from a handful of the chairman's closest aides, few knew the full story, so rumors were inevitable.
Three floors above the massive conference room where the board met was the group chairman's office.
Another major decision was being made there.
"Chairman... no, Father. Did it have to come to this?"
"Don't talk like you didn't try to kill your own father. Be grateful you're not rotting in prison."
"That's a misunderstanding. I only wanted to ease your health a little..."
"Don't try to minimize your crimes. It's pathetic."
Tae Su-cheol fell silent at Tae Jin-seong's firm words. He knew he was finished. As long as his father lived, returning to the group was a pipe dream.
He took solace that Joo Se-ah hadn't been named heir. The assassination attempt he'd commissioned through Baekho Guild had damaged his father's health badly. Hospital prognosis said he wouldn't last long.
With the succession unclear—and not Joo Se-ah—his other siblings posed no real threat; he'd beaten them before.
He plotted to sue for shares after his father's death. It was common in chaebol families, with successful precedents.
But Tae Jin-seong dashed his eldest son's calculations.
"I've changed the will. You get nothing. You probably saw that coming. So I added more: if you pursue legal action for inheritance, evidence of your collusion with Baekho Guild goes public immediately."
"Th-that's..."
"Attempted parricide. You'll lose all inheritance rights. That 'poor son pushed out of succession' image? It'll turn you into the world's worst scum. Consider this a warning: take what you have and live quietly."
Tae Su-cheol couldn't lift his head. Not from regret over his actions—just fear of his father's gaze. He was chased from the office.
In the secretary's office outside, Tae Su-cheol ran into an unexpected figure.
"Raid Leader Kang Moo-hyuk..."
"Vice Chairman Tae Su-cheol. Oh? Just Tae Su-cheol now, right?"
Rage boiled in Tae Su-cheol at the man's ambiguous smirk.
"I know it was you."
"What do you mean?"
"You hit Baekho Guild, stole their data, and handed it to Father. How long? Planning to stab me in the back from the start?"
"Baekho Guild tripped over their own crimes—I didn't lay a hand on them. Cliché, but good triumphs over evil. And your downfall?"
Kang Moo-hyuk, facing him two steps apart, suddenly closed the gap. Standing toe-to-toe, he whispered low in Tae Su-cheol's ear.
"Cliché again, but you broke tianlun. Blood or not, family protects family. Trying to kill your father? Be glad you're not eating prison slop."
"Urgh..."
Kang Moo-hyuk patted the red-faced, furious Tae Su-cheol's shoulder and headed for the office.
"One silver lining: you're healthy like Father. You'll live long. Long enough to regret every wall you shit on. No money, no position—tough break."
The office door opened, and Kang Moo-hyuk vanished inside.
The chairman's secretaries eyed Tae Su-cheol like he was an unwelcome guest. Yesterday's group pinnacle was today's humiliated wreck.
Tae Su-cheol dragged his heavy feet from headquarters.
"Sit. Tea?"
"No. I won't be long."
Kang Moo-hyuk sat on the sofa without fanfare, his movements large and rough—bordering on rude to an outsider. Bold, considering the man ruled Korea's business world.
But Tae Jin-seong didn't mind.
"You're quiet."
"Nothing to say. You kept your word; the guild's independent thanks to you."
"Not that. My idiot eldest. You handed over solid evidence, yet I stopped at dismissal, not jail."
"Outsiders don't meddle in family affairs."
"You could egg on Se-ah."
"Venting on Tae Su-cheol gains nothing—he's got nothing left. He'll relive today in agony every moment. And prosecuting parricide? Bad for the group. Stocks tank, employees panic. You chose as a CEO first, father second. No room for me to interfere."
Tae Jin-seong's face soured at Kang Moo-hyuk's words. Frowning, he said,
"Handy at first—no explanations needed. Now your sharpness grates."
"You saw me as a tool then, enemy now. No more clashes needed. With the group guild gone, how about partnership?"
"Wondered why you'd meet after wrapping up. Business, after all."
"We're both businessmen. Think ahead."
Tae Jin-seong got it.
Taeseong Group ran top gate equipment manufacturers.
For conglomerates with gate stakes, in-house guilds were essential.
Not just for power—running one brought perks.
Affiliate guilds smoothed raw material supply from gates. They tested new gear, acted as fixers, boosted brand image.
Iron Will standing as monster-slaying vanguard, not company dogs, was the exception.
Can't cut ties completely, even independent. Monster hunting ties to money. Need cash for gear, potions.
Not every hunter was like Kang Moo-hyuk or Joo Se-ah; passion doesn't pay bills. Top talent demands top pay.
"Speaking of, your feet must be burning. Business aside, spinning off means scraping for investment funds."
"Right, that too. Group's Iron Will shares—Guild Master Joo Se-ah buys them out. Some loans convert to equity."
"Se-ah herself? She got the cash?"
"Buy shares without money? Tough, but full independence needs solid structure. No external meddling for her vision."
Tae Jin-seong stared, stunned.
He'd known Kang Moo-hyuk wanted to dilute group shares. Separation didn't erase them all—fair trade laws allowed a minimum hold.
But total buyout? Unthinkable.
Normally I'd refuse. But our deal binds me. Could stonewall, but unwise.
He suspected Kang Moo-hyuk sourced Joo Se-ah's funds.
"Joo Se-ah's S-rank now. Money's secondary—it's her caliber."
"Seems so. Trillions overnight. Waste—she could've led the group. Show her face, investors flock."
"Greed runs in your family? Don't eye uneatable rice cakes."
"That mouth—still no filter. Yesterday you groveled like you'd kiss boots."
"Kneel when needed. But she never will. Drop it; be business partners."
Tae Jin-seong sighed, nodding. In this spot, Kang Moo-hyuk's offer was most practical.
"I'll send execs soon. Link with old guild ops for new ties."
"A wise choice from a respectable CEO."
"Flattery won't work anymore."
Brap-brap-brap. Brap-brap-brap-brap.
Kang Moo-hyuk's phone buzzed as he pulled out of Taeseong HQ.
Unable to check while driving, he hit the hands-free.
"Yes, Kang Moo-hyuk."
-Me.
No name needed; the curt grunt gave it away.
"Father calling? What's up?"
-Come by.
"Meds aren't due yet."
-Not meds. Clue on your illness.
"Progress?"
-Not research. Hit from that paper at the conference.
"Paper?"
-Email months ago. Guy interested in my work.
"Why mention now?"
-Needed verification. Can't chase ghosts. Took time digging via overseas contacts.
"Contacting now means it's legit. How big?"
-Decades unseen case.
"Once-in-a-lifetime. Where?"
-US. LA.
"......"
-Why quiet?
"Just... tangled in something there. Can't ignore this."
Kang Moo-hyuk sighed, picturing Aila.