Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Do You Think It’s Just Recklessness?

Shin-woo was out on external business during his work hours and visited Mansoo Electric in Cheonggyecheon.

“Were you tailed?”

“There was, but I shook them off.”

“Was it the 666th Unit?” Sёarᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“If it was, do you think I would have let them go? It was a security team from MH Group. Probably Myung In-chul’s men.”

Although MH Group’s security team was highly skilled in tracking and surveillance, they were no match for Shin-woo, who had survived numerous near-death experiences and refined his abilities in the process.

“You seem to be under significant scrutiny. Based on your public records, they should know there’s nothing particularly special about you. Could they have found the UAD records?”

“Hard to say. But before I was discharged, I heard all UAD operation records were destroyed. Those records must never surface under any circumstances.”

“Given the nature of the operations, it’s understandable.”

Even Jang Man-soo only knew that Shin-woo was once part of UAD. He had never heard the specifics of what missions he carried out. But from what he saw of the missions Shin-woo undertook while in Triad Eye, he could imagine the type of operations they must have been.

“Let’s drop that. Did you come up with an investment list?”

“I’ve got it. It’s on the desk over there.”

At his words, Shin-woo picked up the thick file and began reviewing it.

“It’s not just stocks.”

“I included real estate as well. I picked out locations where new city development projects are likely to happen long-term.”

“Not bad, but I need something that will show immediate results.”

“For that, stocks are your best bet. Turn to page 14.”

As he turned to the page Jang Man-soo mentioned, Shin-woo’s head naturally nodded as he scanned the list.

【Plate Bio】 【Soonmyung High-tech】 【Oceayang Industries】 【Hae-nam Distribution】 … “The reasoning behind the predicted stock rise is quite solid.”

“Well, this is what I did day and night at the National Intelligence Service. I almost developed PTSD while compiling that list.”

Jang Man-soo clenched his fists and trembled.

“You must have had a hard time. Thanks.”

“Just grow your assets quickly. Let’s resolve this mess and get some proper rest.”

Jang Man-soo, looking exhausted, cracked his neck from side to side.

“You know better than anyone how those 666th Unit bastards are worse than cockroaches.”

“I know better than anyone. But once we find the other guys, we’ll move immediately?”

“We’ll have to take out the most important targets first, one by one. How’s the communication network? Any progress?”

“It’s tough, really tough.”

“Wouldn’t the emergency email addresses I set up for them still be intact if they’ve also come back?”

“I thought so too and tried, but they’re all inactive accounts. Do you think they’d even remember those addresses? Honestly, I was the one who created those accounts for them, and they never used them outside of my network.”

The other members of Triad Eye were even more obsessed with combat than Shin-woo, so they were even less knowledgeable about systems and technology. Jang Man-soo handled everything related to the technical aspects.

“True. You’ve got a point.”

“I’ll try to set something up as quickly as possible. But if it’s them, I’m sure they’ll remember the network codes.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Shin-woo glanced down at the tattoo of the Triad Eye’s pupil inked on the inside of his left wrist.

. . .

Song Tae-hoon, the deputy general manager of the Strategic Investment Headquarters, entered Im Hee-yeon’s office holding a stack of approval documents. He handed over the folder, and she began reviewing the papers immediately.

“The requested budget… 1 billion won. And stock investment, no less…”

“If you look at the contents, the investment rationale is quite reasonable. However, there’s some risk as the odds aren’t entirely in our Favor.”

“Well, it’s hard to expect a high probability with stock investments unless you’re an insider, right? You know that better than anyone, Mr. Song.”

Song Tae-Hoon had been instrumental in building the Strategic Investment Headquarters alongside the department head, Im Hee-yeon. Naturally, though he wasn’t on par with her, he had sufficient experience in managing investment projects.

“The immediate concern is that this project isn’t being prepared by the Strategic Investment Operations Office but by Director Baek Shin-woo alone.”

“I hear the situation there isn’t ideal.”

Employees of MH Group were at least graduates from prestigious universities, or, in the case of those from local universities, had proven themselves through ability. To them, Shin-woo was nothing but a parachute dropped into the company by virtue of his ties to the owner’s family. Naturally, he was met with discomfort, leading to friction.

“It will be difficult for him to handle this alone… Doesn’t he need some support?”

Song Tae-hoon asked, knowing how much she cared about Baek Shin-woo.

“No. Leave him be.”

“If he fails…”

“That might actually work in our Favor. Then I can handle things as I see fit. Plus, the amount is something I can manage on my own.”

“I understand what you’re implying.”

Im Hee-yeon nodded at his response and continued reviewing Shin-woo’s investment proposal.

“By the way, do you really think Shin-woo prepared all of this by himself?”

The report was remarkably detailed. It included several documents that effectively supported the investment rationale, making the proposal easy to understand.

“It’s hard to believe someone who only served as a non-commissioned officer could write this. This level of insight suggests not only academic knowledge of the stock market but also hands-on experience. But projecting over 300% in returns… Even with professional backing, that’s overly optimistic.”

Unless one was involved in stock manipulation, such a return was virtually impossible. Naturally, neither of them believed Baek Shin-woo possessed that level of insider information.

“I agree. The projected return is a pipe dream. However, if Shin-woo didn’t come up with this information himself, it means someone around him has this knowledge.”

“Shall we investigate further? Although President Myung In-chul is also keeping a close eye on Director Baek Shin-woo, we should be cautious.”

Im Hee-yeon shook her head.

“They won’t make a move unless there’s trouble. Just keep an eye on things for now.”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

***

Meanwhile, Myung In-chul was receiving a report from Park Sang-kyu. In his hands was a budget allocation document from the finance team, detailing the 1 billion won that had been granted to the Strategic Investment Operations Office. Myung In-chul’s face lit up with satisfaction.

“Ho ho, 1 billion won, approved through the finance department? It seemed cold at first, but I guess Deputy General Manager Im Hee-yeon put in some effort for her son after all.”

At his comment, Park Sang-kyu spoke cautiously.

“She requested approval for the budget under her authority as head of the Strategic Investment Headquarters.”

“Is it overprotectiveness? Or just foolishness…”

“It could be both. After all, he’s the son she found after 23 years.”

“That’s true… That could be it.”

Nodding his head in understanding, Myung In-chul gestured for him to continue the report.

“It appears Director Baek Shin-woo has been acting suspiciously.”

“Suspicious? How so?”

“He shook off our tail. We were keeping a loose watch to avoid detection, but his evasion was professional.”

At this, Myung In-chul’s brow furrowed slightly.

“He got away from you? Just what kind of background is this guy hiding… And the fact that he acted first means he has something to hide. What else?”

“His phone was also turned off simultaneously while shaking off the subordinates. Of course, tracking through the cell tower makes pinpointing the exact location difficult, but he seems to have been thoroughly prepared.”

“A hard-to-read fellow. But it seems like he’ll stumble right from the start…”

He was referring to the 1 billion won Baek Shin-woo received as the budget for strategic investment operations.

“You seem to consider it a meaningless show of bravado.”

“He must have something in mind. But things rarely go that smoothly, do they?”

“Still, should we look into what Baek Shin-woo is doing, just in case?”

He had already been listening to the information from someone he had planted among the staff in the strategic investment operations office.

“Haven’t they all turned their backs on Baek Shin-woo because of his reckless actions? Moving unnecessarily might give him an opening. Just keep an eye on him for now.”

“I’ll do as you instruct.”

Beep―

At that moment, the office phone rang, and the voice of the secretary sitting at the entrance echoed.

[Sir, Deputy Manager Myung Un-seok from the Strategic Investment Planning Office is here to see you.]

“Let him in.”

Shortly after, the door opened, and Myung Un-seok entered with an irritated expression.

“Father! Did you know that a project budget was approved for Baek Shin-woo?”

As he approached Myung In-chul, the security chief Park Sang-kyu, who was standing next to him, bowed and exited the room.

After confirming that the door had closed, Myung In-chul stared intently at the visibly upset Myung Un-seok.

“How could I not know?”

“That guy is just the head of the Strategic Investment Operations Office. He shouldn’t be able to do anything without me assigning him a project! Why was such a budget approved for him?”

“Your boss is not me, but Director Im Hee-yeon. Why are you asking me?”

“I spoke with Director Im Hee-yeon too. But she said it was within her authority as director to approve it! Isn’t this an excessive breach of group protocol?”

Myung Un-seok’s words were not wrong.

But since it was within Im Hee-yeon’s rights as the director, it was difficult for Myung In-chul to intervene.

“Just as she said, don’t concern yourself with it. Focus on your own work.”

“How can I not care? This is different! Even within the Strategic Investment Planning Office, there’s a lot of talk because of this.”

It appeared that Baek Shin-woo, the head of the Strategic Investment Operations Office, had bypassed the usual procedures of collaborating with the planning office, causing unrest among the staff.

Moreover, as the eldest grandson of Chairman Myung Joong-hwan, Myung Un-seok naturally felt sidelined, especially since the illegitimate son Baek Shin-woo seemed to be receiving more support.

“Everyone sees his actions as reckless. There’s no need to get worked up over someone who’s bound to collapse on his own.”

“I understand that. But our standing within the company is also important. The employees…”

“Un-seok.”

With a calm yet heavy voice, Myung In-chul interrupted, and Myung Un-seok quickly fell silent.

A tense silence hung between them before Myung Un-seok realized he had overreacted and began to calm down.

Seeing this, Myung In-chul continued speaking slowly.

“You are the one who will inherit and lead MH Group after me. Of course, it’s natural to worry about Chairman Myung Joong-hwan’s intentions, but that’s not important for either of us. We just have to trust and wait.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Forget about Baek Shin-woo. As I told you last time, focus on your own work. Learn what you can from Director Im Hee-yeon.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

At that response, Myung In-chul let out a long sigh.

“Whew― Anyway, is the Strategic Investment Planning Office working on any projects?”

“We are currently compiling a list of companies using information lines previously utilized by the Future Strategy Office.”

“Focus on stable options rather than high-risk ones. You don’t want to get greedy and have things fall apart. Though I trust you’ll handle it well, I’m just saying.”

Sensing his father’s slight concern, Myung Un-seok lowered his head.

“Don’t worry. I’ve emphasized that point clearly to the staff as well.”

“And how big is the project’s scale?”

“We’re looking at starting with around 20 billion won over a three-month period, with a projected profit margin of 135%.”

“So, you’re expecting a profit of around 7 billion won. Not bad. Just follow through as planned.”

Myung Un-seok’s face brightened with pride.

“Thank you.”

“Yes. Chairman Myung Joong-hwan is looking to develop the Strategic Investment Headquarters into an independent fund subsidiary, and if you become the central figure in that, it will greatly benefit your future.”

“I understand that well. But what about Director Im Hee-yeon?”

“When the time comes, I’ll take care of her. Chairman Myung Joong-hwan left her alone for his own reasons, but you don’t need to worry. Of course, if things go awry, we’ll have to deal with it differently…”

At that moment, Myung In-chul’s eyes turned cold.

He hadn’t come to his current position as President of MH Electronics easily. He had crushed various factions within the group, including those who sought to challenge the Myung family’s dominance, to secure his place.

MH Electronics and MH Construction were also part of his achievements. Many of his methods, however, were far from just.

Although Myung Un-seok didn’t fully grasp the extent of those actions, he felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the ominous atmosphere.

—