Chaprer 30
Chaprer 30
Wearing a flashy watch that draws attention, driving a luxury car, living in a lavish house—people envied that life. But honestly, it didn’t appeal to him.
Ah, well, at least they live in an expensive house. Even small houses are beyond what ordinary people could dream of.
As soon as he got home, he sent a message to Chairman Go Yun-seok.
This is Hyoyeon Construction. We’re starting an apartment project in Seoul. Please sell one unit at a reasonable price to the CEO as proof of responsible construction. Let him live in it and evaluate it himself.
The reply came immediately.
Ah, this is for your friend, Park Kyung-tae, right?
Chairman Go Yun-seok’s intuition was uncanny, like he could read Jung Jin-woo’s mind.
Yes, that’s right.
Then there’s no new land, so it’ll have to be redevelopment. That will cost around 2–3 trillion. Is that okay?
Yes, that’s fine.
After all, they had already spent about 1 trillion acquiring Hyoyeon Construction. Another 2–3 trillion wasn’t a big deal, especially since it was all recoverable through business.
Also… you should visit JW Dive-In once. Director Oh Gong-tae has developed something that can be serviced, and they want you to check it.
Already? Why not contact Gong-tae directly instead of going through the vice chairman…
Because they’re in the same building.
JW Dive-In occupied a floor of JW Corporation. The servers and supercomputers were elsewhere, with only Oh Gong-tae and Jeon Gwang-jin using the spacious workspace.
Understood. I’ll go tomorrow.
Please use the access card I gave you. If you come right after finishing, it’ll be fine. I’ll stay here until you arrive.
Alright. But you can leave after that.
Can I really? This is your first visit to the company…
Ironically, even though JW Corporation belonged to Jung Jin-woo, he had never visited. In the collective management system, even JW’s employees didn’t know he was the chairman.
The only public face was Vice Chairman Go Yun-seok. Go Yun-seok managed everything by confirming and approving decisions made by presidents and executives. Usually, there was no major issue, and their decisions were reliable. Jung Jin-woo had always thought he should visit JW at some point, and now was a good chance.
Nothing unusual happened during working hours.
Jijeong worked on sketches using the virtual jewelry museum preview received from SG Global’s Choi Ji-eun. She drew perspectives and printed digital photos to assemble them.
“This is so fun. It feels like playing with dolls as a kid.”
Her excitement seemed heightened by the doubled salary. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, tiaras—all displayed, allowing visitors to virtually try them on in front of full-length mirrors. The idea of a digital jewelry museum was excellent.
“I’m leaving first.”
Jung Jin-woo left Jijeong, who was happily engrossed, and headed to JW Corporation. The 25-story building stood prominently in the heart of Gangnam. Many companies occupied it, but most were unknown, ranging from obscure finance firms to MLMs and unfamiliar IT companies. He understood why his father, Jung In-seok, chose this location—it gave credibility while remaining inconspicuous.
JW Corporation was already renowned across multiple industries: JW Entertainment, JW Metal, JW Heavy Industries, JW Media. Its reputation was rising too quickly to stay hidden.
“How did you get here?”
A security guard stopped him at the entrance.
“JW Dive-In.”
He showed his access card.
“Oh! 24th floor.”
Efficient and polite.
Inside, six elevators operated—odd and even floors only reached up to the 20th. Two executive elevators went up to the 25th.
‘Executive floors, so they’re restricted… he’s the chairman.’
Using the executive elevator, Jung Jin-woo saw three people inside. Their eyes widened as he entered. Floors 21–23 were for executives, so that fit. He pressed 24, shrinking into the corner.
“Who are you? Haven’t seen your face before.”
A man in his 50s glared at him.
“Ah, I have business on the 24th floor.”
“24th? Ah, JW Dive-In? Why go there?”
“I have someone to meet.”
“This is an executive elevator. You can’t just ride it.”
“Anyone?!” A vein throbbed on his forehead.
“Director Hwang, what’s the matter?”
“Nowadays, putting a strange subsidiary on the 24th floor stops the elevator at the first floor. Busy executives waste time….”
“10 or 20 seconds isn’t much.”
“Not much? Why put a company here? So inconvenient…”
He wanted to make them walk to the 21st floor out of frustration.
“Where are you looking? Aren’t you a JW employee?”
Trying to provoke him further.
“Even if it’s a subsidiary, greet the directors properly.”
“Oh, hello.”
He bowed reflexively. Old men deserved respect.
“Your clothes… tsk tsk… can’t you wear a proper suit?”
That crossed the line. At IT companies, casual dress was common. Jeans, suit jacket, loafers—neat enough.
He looked at Director Hwang.
“Look properly…”
“Director Hwang, ignore him.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t insist your opinion is always right.”
“You brat…”
[Beep!]
At that moment, the elevator stopped at the 10th floor.
“Hello, Vice Chairman.”
“Hello.”
“Ah, Vice Chairman.”
Three executives bowed deeply.
Go Yun-seok entered briskly. Jung Jin-woo had blocked the view.
“Won’t you greet the vice chairman?”
Hwang’s comment made Go Yun-seok turn and see him.
“Oh… welcome. When did you get here?”
Go Yun-seok bowed in surprise.
“Hello.”
“You should’ve told me you arrived. I’ve been waiting.”
“We can meet on the 24th.”
“But still… I should’ve greeted you personally.”
“That’s fine. No need to trouble yourself.”
The executives were stunned. Vice Chairman Go Yun-seok, usually commanding, bowed like a subordinate to Jung Jin-woo, who replied tersely.
“Vice Chairman?”
“Yes… speak.”
“It’s awkward sharing the elevator with executives and Dive-In staff. Maybe use separate elevators?”
“No problem. Our company doesn’t have that issue.”
“The dress codes differ. These people seemed uncomfortable. Maybe one elevator for executives, one for vice chairman and Dive-In staff?”
“Yes, understood. So that’s what happened?”
“Yes… but…”
Director Hwang tried to explain.
“Director Hwang, it’s you again. Please drop that old-school mentality.”
The elevator stopped at the 21st floor. The three executives carefully exited, bowing like walking on a minefield.
“Director Hwang, see me later.”
“Yes!”
Hwang’s face flushed red.
“Sorry, Chairman. I’ll educate him properly.”
“Yes. Don’t push too hard.”
“The previous chairman built JW Group with blood and sweat in life-and-death situations. But some desk-bound folks think they’re great and get arrogant. Pathetic. Maybe send them to a remote gold mine occasionally so they understand their place.”
“That extreme?”
“Currently only a few guerrillas, snakes, crocodiles, and malaria mosquitoes—safe. Back then, government and rebel corpses… brutal. Employees must know the working conditions to avoid arrogance.”
Safe with malaria mosquitoes? The mortality rate is 10%! But Go Yun-seok’s reasoning left no room for objection. Jung Jin-woo felt a twinge of guilt; he’d never visited a gold mine, oil field, or rare-earth mine either.
Entering JW Dive-In, Go Yun-seok’s lecture paused.
“Security is important. Your card can open this door.”
Two glass security doors needed to be passed.
“Hello? Oh!”
A large man froze seeing Go Yun-seok—Jeon Gwang-jin and Oh Gong-tae, recruited from Kiseong IT.
“Hello.”
“Team Leader Jung! What brings you here?”
“I have some business with Director Oh Gong-tae. You’re here too?”
“Yes… but why with the vice chairman?”
“Ah, I recommended Director Oh Gong-tae to the vice chairman. He’s my relative.”
“Oh.”
Frequent lying had made it easier to fabricate explanations. Jung Jin-woo couldn’t reveal he was chairman either. Go Yun-seok looked on, impressed.
“Oh, you’re here? Director Jeon… take care of what we discussed this morning.”
“Yes, understood.”
Oh Gong-tae appeared and assigned Jeon Gwang-jin. He left promptly after bowing.
“This is inconvenient… how long must we keep up the charade?”
Oh Gong-tae didn’t know Jung Jin-woo’s true identity either.
“Say he’s your relative; that’s why he’s here.”
“Good idea. Come in, Vice Chairman.”
They entered another secure area. Monitors and two VR simulators awaited, with foot platforms and wires to suspend users.
“Better to experience than explain, use the HMD. Vice Chairman too.”
“Me?”
“Yes, try it.”
Jung Jin-woo put on the HMD and stood on the simulator.
Normally, gloves, shoes, and a suit are required, but today, just check visuals.
Ready? Let’s go.
Suddenly, darkness, then blinding light.
BOOM BOOM BANG… pew pew… BOOM BANG!
“Wow…”
He gaped. Before him, a space battle like in Star Wars unfolded. Small fighters swarmed between massive ships.
Insane.
Even Go Yun-seok muttered without realizing it.