Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Perfect Diversion
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Numerous conglomerates had knelt before Han Sang-cheol of Geumyang Group.
Compared to the major corporate titans Han Sang-cheol had brought to their knees, the man standing before him now—a mere operator of a single gambling den—was little more than small fry.
In the end, after much deliberation, the conclusion was glaringly obvious, if you thought about it.
"How dare I inconvenience you. I sincerely apologize. Even though it's too late, I'll offer my apologies now."
Come to think of it, demanding a body search was ridiculous in the first place. Just as Han Sang-cheol had said, 5 billion won was pocket change to him.
'Why would the chairman of Geumyang Group stoop to scamming over loose change like this?'
A heavyweight like Han Sang-cheol didn't come to casinos to make money—he came to spend it.
"Good. I'm grateful for your consideration."
Han Sang-cheol reached out, patted the junket room manager on the shoulder, and smiled magnanimously.
"Since you're running a junket room at Playchip Hotel's casino, you must have plenty of know-how and expertise in the field. You know Geumyang Group has a hotel brand under it, right?"
At Han Sang-cheol's words, the manager's eyes widened as he stared, then he bowed his head sharply.
"Of course I know."
How could he not? It was true that Playchip Hotel was the world's finest. But that didn't diminish the value of Geumyang Group's hotel brand.
Playchip was one hotel. Geumyang Group owned an entire brand.
"Our hotels run casinos too. Naturally, we lease out junket rooms."
Even from that alone, the manager could guess what Han Sang-cheol was getting at. A chip labeled 'happiness' lit up wildly in his frontal lobe.
"If you're interested in our hotel's junket rooms, give us a call. Hand over a business card if you have one."
Opportunities to give a business card to Geumyang Group's chairman were virtually nonexistent—a miracle bordering on impossibility. The manager quickly pulled out his card, bowed deeply, and offered it with both hands.
It looked just like presenting tribute to a king.
"Alright, let's head in now. Lead the way."
"Yes, right this way!"
The terror of an enemy too powerful to resist, mingled with the intense, exhilarating joy of that same powerhouse seemingly taking a liking to him.
Now, the junket room operator wouldn't defy Han Sang-cheol unless he was holding a live grenade.
More precisely, he no longer had any intention of doing so. Han Sang-cheol was escorted via elevator to the junket room reserved exclusively for Playchip Casino's VIPs.
Inside the junket room sat a baccarat table, and two other men were already there. They shot to their feet the moment Han Sang-cheol entered.
"Chairman, it's been too long."
"Ha In-seop, first time seeing you in a place like this, isn't it?"
Ha In-seop was the CEO of Blue Wrench Scrap Dealers. As Han Sang-cheol shrugged off his coat, Ha In-seop swiftly took it and hung it on the rack.
Ha In-seop, CEO of Blue Wrench, was treated like royalty in most situations, but in front of Han Sang-cheol, he was just another run-of-the-mill corporate exec.
"Yes. To serve you in such a private setting is an immense honor."
"Cut the crap. We're here to gamble, not for you to wait on me. Just think of it as pocket money for the day."
Ha In-seop chuckled at Han Sang-cheol's words.
"On the contrary, won't I be the one getting fleeced? Your luck with money is legendary, Chairman."
"Then take some of that luck with you."
Chatting like that, Han Sang-cheol and Ha In-seop sat at the table. The game began. Baccarat moved money fast.
There were two quickest ways to melt money in this world: baccarat and cryptocurrency. At least crypto had a chance of multiplying your cash.
Baccarat was pure loss in a system rigged that way, making it arguably more vicious than crypto.
But neither Han Sang-cheol nor Ha In-seop cared if a few cards turned their money into ice cream dripping on a hot grill.
"Ha, you're good."
"Thank you."
In just 30 minutes, countless hands flew by. That was how long it took for 1 billion won of Han Sang-cheol's seed money to vanish.
Han Sang-cheol kept playing as if it were nothing, then spoke up.
"I'm getting royally cleaned out. Let's take a break. You too, miss dealer—go rest."
At his words, the dealer glanced at Ha In-seop. He gave a slight nod, and she bowed before leaving the junket room.
After she left and Han Sang-cheol took a sip of his drink, he turned to Ha In-seop.
"Any guess why I'm suddenly gambling—especially with you—when I never do this?"
"Well... tired of League lately?"
Ha In-seop joked with a laugh, but Han Sang-cheol didn't react, just stared.
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. I just wasn't in the mood for jokes. Answer my question properly."
Ha In-seop fully grasped that another joke like that wouldn't fly. The atmosphere wasn't right.
The reason Han Sang-cheol was playing baccarat in this junket room with Blue Wrench's CEO.
He knew.
"Where'd you hear the rumors?"
"Oh, now you're interrogating me?"
"No! I-I'm sorry. That's not—"
Han Sang-cheol inwardly sighed at Ha In-seop's immediate apology. The guy had no clue what really mattered.
It wasn't about displeasing Han Sang-cheol. The first question was key: how did he find out? Smuggling thrived on secrecy.
If rumors leaked, the source had to be plugged. But Ha In-seop was just reacting to the fear in front of him.
"Looking for something specific?"
Han Sang-cheol pointed to the coat on the rack.
"Something sturdy to wear when it gets cold would be nice."
He meant armor. Ha In-seop nodded, understanding.
"I'll check inventory and show you some suitable items. If I may be so bold, any price range in mind?"
"Price isn't the issue. Performance is. It's a dangerous world."
Han Sang-cheol had chosen clothing armor for a reason. Most practical gear had pockets. Sure, pocketless options existed, but those were for galas.
Hunter equipment was utilitarian—and that meant pockets. Just count the ones on military fatigues.
Ha In-seop nodded along, then made a call on his phone.
"I can show you three pieces. Prices are steep, but performance is guaranteed."
"If you're that confident, I'll look forward to it."
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
Soon, the bathroom door opened, and three men in suits entered slowly, each carrying a box.
"Let's start with number one. A coat with barrier generation and emergency hemostasis."
Barrier generation, but nothing like pro hunter gear.
If hunter gear was plate armor, this was thick padding. Still, far beyond what civilians could access.
Next came a shirt with magic resistance and shock absorption, then gloves limited to three uses but capable of treating serious wounds. All presented to Han Sang-cheol.
He examined them closely, then spoke.
"And get me a drink."
"What would you like? Our selection includes..."
As Ha In-seop reached for the menu, Han Sang-cheol waved it off with a smirk.
"I don't drink off-the-shelf stuff. Tell my secretary for whiskey, and it'll come from the car."
Han Sang-cheol's whiskey was custom-blended to his taste: malt variety, cask type and size, aging period and location, still shape, peat—everything.
Technically, since it wasn't bottled in Scotland per regulations, it wasn't Scotch. But who cared about the UK Whisky Association's rules these days?
"Ah, understood. I'll contact them right away."
And this wasn't really about the drink. It was a signal to Yoo Chan-seok. Ordering from the casino meant booze from inside—no signal possible.
But fetching from Han Sang-cheol's car?
The secretary pulling liquor from the parked car was the signal itself.
Yoo Chan-seok, waiting near the car, would spot it, get the go-ahead, and proceed.
"Let's take a look while the drink comes. Mind if I try one on? Style matters too, right?"
"Of course, Chairman."
Han Sang-cheol grinned playfully.
"You won't make me buy it just for touching, will you?"
"Never."
Han Sang-cheol leisurely lifted the coat, inspecting it from all angles. After a while, he slowly slipped it on.
"How's it look?"
Standing there in the coat, he asked Ha In-seop, casually slipping a hand into the pocket.
One of the suited men carrying the items watched intently.
"Yes?"
The man addressed Han Sang-cheol.
"Something to say? Speak freely. I'm in a good mood."
The man's hesitant gaze fixed on Han Sang-cheol's hand in the pocket.
'He's a hunter.'
He'd sensed something off. Civilians might miss it, but fooling a hunter's instincts was near impossible. That was why hunters were banned from casinos.
'Knew this might happen.'
Selling hunter gear invited hunters. Standard precaution for black market deals.
"Sorry, but..."
"No need to apologize. Out with it."
As the hunter approached cautiously to speak, a massive explosion rocked the hotel. Sirens blared wildly.
"Wh-what?!"
An announcement followed immediately.
[An unidentified explosion has occurred in the casino building. Guests, please evacuate promptly under staff guidance. Repeating.]
Another blast echoed. How would Ha In-seop, who'd brought black market goods, react?
"Hey, grab the gear! Hurry! Chairman Han, sorry. We'll resume the deal later. I'll show you the items again then."
Predictable as ever.
'When you foresee events, prepare accordingly.'
Han Sang-cheol had measured the distance from junket room to parking lot. Estimated time for a casino worker to relay to his secretary, then for her to fetch the drink.
Stalled just enough before donning the coat, then slipped in the tracker chip while asking how it looked—right on cue.
Even if off by a minute or two, he could improvise.
Han Sang-cheol wasn't one to leave things to luck or prayer. If he were, Geumyang Group never would've grown this far.