Do You Think I Wouldn't Know?

"I apologize for the inconvenience, having to drag you into this because of me."

It was a clear display of condescension. However, the prosecutor didn't feel offended in the slightest; instead, he bowed his head low.

"Not at all. The Director of the ANSP gave us strict instructions to treat you with the utmost respect. I only regret that we cannot host you outside due to the many eyes watching us."

The beef was sizzling nicely on the Blue Star. The Blue Star, a common term for the portable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gas burners of the 80s, was working hard, grilling the meat to perfection.

"Well then, I'll enjoy the meal."

Choi Ki-hyun picked up a piece of beef, brought it to his mouth, and began to chew. A moment later, he paused.

"Is it... to your liking?"

Choi Ki-hyun didn't answer immediately. He deliberately took his time, wearing a cryptic expression.

"Why, is something wrong?"

Choi Ki-hyun tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled. "Is there something uncomfortable?"

The prosecutor, who belonged to the JSD's faction, had been determined to make a good impression on him no matter what. But now, the expression of the most important guest, Choi Ki-hyun, was far from favorable. The prosecutor was on pins and needles, repeatedly asking if there was anything uncomfortable.

"No, the taste is fine, but the meat is a bit..."

"The meat is a bit...? Is there a problem?"

"It's tough."

The complaint finally came out. The prosecutor stood up with a stiff face.

"Please, wait a moment."

The prosecutor walked out of the interrogation room, his shoes clicking against the floor. Feeling as if he could hear the shouting from outside, Choi Ki-hyun set down his chopsticks with a satisfied expression.

"New meat will be here shortly. Please, just a moment. Would you like some alcohol?"

Choi Ki-hyun shook his head.

"I can't drink here."

Choi Ki-hyun had deliberately complained that the meat was tough. It was because showing too much humility was never a good thing. Choi Ki-hyun was someone who knew how to handle himself according to the situation better than anyone else. That was why he would pretend to be humble at gatherings of Chaebol families to get the minor conglomerates to reach out to him, but in places like this, he sometimes deliberately took a crooked path. It was harder to read someone who was unpredictable than someone who was just kind. Thus, Choi Ki-hyun spent his time in the prosecutor's office, which was like a 'vacation,' by keeping the prosecutor on edge.

"Come to think of it, how is the National Tax Service doing these days?"

Choi Ki-hyun asked the prosecutor while eating the beef.

"Ah, that is..."

Seeing the prosecutor falter, Choi Ki-hyun guessed what he was about to say.

"I suppose we have to accept a certain amount regarding Samwoo Group."

Choi Ki-hyun nodded.

"That can't be helped. What I'm asking is whether the National Tax Service is still poking around YK Group."

Thinking he had misheard, the prosecutor bowed his head.

"Ah, I apologize. I misunderstood. It is true that the National Tax Service is still poking around... but please, do not worry. From what we have gathered, there is no room for them to 'dare' to touch YK Group. If they happen to touch any small fry, we will take responsibility and dismiss the charges, so you don't need to worry."

It was already common knowledge that Choi Ki-hyun was pulling the strings behind YK Group. Therefore, the prosecutor was treating him not as the chairman of a top-100 group, but as one of the top-5.

"Then I can trust you. Honestly, I'm not worried about Samwoo, but I have been concerned about YK in many ways."

Choi Ki-hyun, knowing the prosecutor's psychology, laid down a smokescreen appropriately.

"If you stay just a few more days, you will be able to leave here without any discord."

"Then, shall I take a few more days of vacation?"

As Choi Ki-hyun stretched, the prosecutor opened his mouth with a servile smile.

"Um... Chairman. Have you had any discomfort while staying here?"

"Discomfort? How could I? You have served me with such sincerity."

Upon hearing this, the prosecutor's expression showed a mix of relief and the struggle of someone wanting to say something but unable to. Seeing this, Choi Ki-hyun chuckled and nodded.

"Don't worry. I will tell the Chief of the Presidential Security Service that I was very satisfied. Your name is... Hwang Seok-pil, right?"

A look of deep emotion appeared on the prosecutor's face.

"Yes, that's right! Thank you!"

"Let's see each other often from now on."

"Yes, yes! Of course!"

Hwang Seok-pil, who had been bowing repeatedly, saw his expression distort as the door suddenly slammed open. The atmosphere had been quite good, and he was worried that this noise might displease Choi Ki-hyun.

"Prosecutor! We have a big problem!"

"I told you not to report here!"

"This is not the time for that!"

A prosecution official approached Hwang Seok-pil almost forcibly and began whispering in his ear. Soon, Hwang Seok-pil's face turned beet red.

"Just... get out for now."

"B-but..."

"I said get out!"

At Hwang Seok-pil's roar, the official hurriedly left the room, and Hwang Seok-pil bowed to Choi Ki-hyun.

"I apologize. It seems I have to step away for a moment. Would that be alright? Or perhaps you would like to rest?"

"You are a busy man. I suppose I have no choice."

"I will definitely apologize for today's incident separately."

Watching Hwang Seok-pil leave with hurried steps, Choi Ki-hyun recalled the only word he had caught from their whispering.

'The Director of the ANSP, huh...'

***

Finally, the National Tax Service had touched the JSD's reverse scale.

Originally, Jung Taeryong should have been in prison after being tried for abetting murder. However, the chairman of Daehan Group and JSD had agreed to end it with Jung Taeryong alone. Since then, Jung Taeryong had been unable to engage in any economic activity. This was a kind of Pandora's Box that was completely unknown to the general public. A terrifying truth that only the Chaebols knew among themselves. But now, it had been revealed to the public.

"Heo Cheong-won, you son of a bitch! How dare you target me directly? Do you think I'm that much of a joke? Just because I've been assisting under His Excellency all this time, do you think I'm just a subordinate to be bossed around?!"

The news that calmed JSD, who was rampaging in his office unable to suppress his anger, was brought by his secretary who opened the door.

"Chief, it's a call from His Excellency."

"His Excellency? ...Alright, get out."

JSD, who had been throwing a fit with a red face just a moment ago, began to desperately steady his breathing and look into the mirror. Once he confirmed that his complexion was back to normal, he headed to the presidential office, feigning as much composure as possible.

"Your Excellency, did you call for me?"

"Yes, I saw the newspaper today, and I thought you might be worried about various things."

For a moment, JSD almost asked JD to resolve this matter. In the past, this would have been unthinkable. He wouldn't have even considered it, thinking that disturbing JD's peace of mind should never happen. But JSD was gradually changing without even realizing it. Though he himself was unaware of it.

"I apologize for causing you concern. I will resolve it somehow."

JSD's words were aimed at ensuring he didn't disturb JD's peace of mind, just like before. However, JD's attitude after hearing him made JSD feel a bit slighted.

"Yes, I feel relieved to hear that. It seems Heo Cheong-won is pushing things a bit too far, but how frustrated must he be to do that? Once this is settled, I'll arrange a meeting later so you can resolve your grievances, so just hold on for now."

If the conversation had ended there, JSD wouldn't have thought much of it. But the problem was what JD said after JSD replied, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"Yes, I understand."

"I'm very relieved that you're so accepting. I've become certain that you have no interest in the presidency."

JSD felt slighted. Very slighted. Had JSD ever challenged JD's authority even once? No. Not even once. On the contrary, he had taken all the infamy upon himself to purge those who challenged JD's authority. Of course, JSD himself had committed countless atrocities, but it was true that he had taken on additional infamy that JD should have carried. Therefore, JSD asked a question he wouldn't have asked in his usual state.

"Your Excellency. There is one thing that worries me."

"What is it?"

"Chairman Choi Ki-hyun has shown considerable friendliness toward you. But the current Commissioner of the National Tax Service seems to be pressuring Chairman Choi excessively. If Chairman Choi were to harbor resentment because of this..."

"Puhaha."

JD cut off JSD's words with a laugh and continued immediately.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"So what if Chairman Choi harbors resentment? Is he going to rebel against me? Merchants should act like merchants and grovel before powerful people like us. Is he going to cancel the mini-department store contract or stop his donations because he's unhappy with me?"

"But, someone like Chairman Choi who offers loyalty on his own..."

"That's enough. That's not for you to worry about. Or, are you unhappy because I'm taking care of Heo Cheong-won?"

JSD hurriedly shook his head.

"Absolutely not."

"Then, just stay out of this. Understand?"

"I understand..."

"Then, get out."

"Yes."

JSD, who had answered, distorted his face as he left the office. There were three reasons why JSD was disappointed in JD just now. One was the attitude of placing him below Heo Cheong-won, despite having worked like a dog for him. Another was treating someone who offered loyalty as a consumable. And the last was doubting his loyalty. Although the main current had not changed, a tributary was forming in the river of history that had previously had none.

***

It had already been fifteen days since the National Tax Service shook YK Group. But Yoon-gi was still not moving. He was just sitting on the sofa, enjoying the Super Genesis. It was a game console that hadn't been released yet, but because only the release date had been postponed, Yoon-gi could enjoy the Super Genesis before anyone else in the world.

"No way."

Yoon-gi turned off the TV and the game console with a smile. He stood up from the single-person sofa and stretched.

"I just needed to wait for a moment. I told you before, didn't I? I said I would watch the opponent's actions and then respond."

"Wow, so you were working on your own?"

"You seem to use that phrase quite often lately, don't. It gives me goosebumps."

At Choi Deok-bae's playful expression, Yoon-gi nodded.

"Yes, very much so. I almost pulled out a jujube for a second."

"Yes. You have to move. I wanted it to be clearly revealed who is leading the National Tax Service."

"No, the person leading the practical work."

Choi Deok-bae was conveying the facts, but Yoon-gi shook his head.

"What kind of crazy person would reveal themselves while taking down the Director of the ANSP?"