How Many Are Left?
Vrrrr—
Van Hester, who entered the parking lot, walked up to stand next to In-hyuk and Hong Yu-geon, who were facing off as if glaring at each other.
"Have you relayed the situation?"
"For the most part."
Hong Yu-geon responded and relayed what In-hyuk had said, while In-hyuk silently observed the two as they discussed.
Soon, Van Hester slowly nodded and asked again.
"So now, do we just have to decide what we'll do?"
"For now, yeah. What do you want to do?"
"Double hazard pay. And once the job is done, all equipnt used in the operation gets handed over to us."
When Van Hester blandly stated his conditions, Hong Yu-geon was shocked.
"You want to call it even and keep going for that? We could get ourselves into serious danger! Actually, we'll be the first ones in danger!"
Charybdis was in charge of tracking and gathering intelligence.
Naturally, if discovered by the enemy, they'd be the first to get exposed and would have to risk their lives.
"It's not like we didn't know that from the start. Besides, it'd be good for us to prepare any gear we need during this opportunity."
Hong Yu-geon's expression turned wry.
"And what you're worried about isn't us, but the boss, isn't it?"
"N-no! That's not...!"
"You can be honest at tis like these. You're worried sothing'll happen because you like the boss."
As those words flew, In-hyuk let out a small, involuntary snort.
"I didn't know you thought so much of ."
"No, that's not it?!"
"So, what do you want to do? Based on Van's conditions earlier, I can accept them. And if there's anything else you need, I can include that too."
Funds continued to increase with In-hyuk's experience and through the operation of AMK Partners.
It wouldn't be a burden, no matter how much he invested in Charybdis.
Of course, Van Hester didn't know this, so he fell silent with Hong Yu-geon for a mont, then spoke first.
"I'm in."
In-hyuk cast his gaze at Hong Yu-geon.
"... Tch. What do you expect to say in this situation?"
"I'll take that as your acceptance. And from now on, our jobs are going to get a bit more difficult and risky. So, under any circumstance, don't get greedy. Make sure you absolutely don't get your identities exposed—that needs to be your top priority."
At In-hyuk's explanation, Van Hester cocked his head.
"If they're that dangerous, shouldn't we approach more aggressively?"
"We haven't figured out how big their group is yet. Once we know, we'll move to the next phase."
"Can you handle that alone?"
This ti, it was Hong Yu-geon who asked.
"There are plenty of people who'll move as I intend. No need to worry about that."
Both n's eyes widened.
The In-hyuk they knew was Taeshin Group's son-in-law, but soone with little standing within the group.
To be honest, it was already strange that he was backing them with these much funds now.
So, it was hard to believe what In-hyuk just said.
"... There are really people like that?"
"You'll learn soon enough. For now, take the rest of the day off and do sothing else for ."
"Not continuing to watch Baek Si-hwan?"
In-hyuk shook his head with a calm sigh.
"Even if we turned aside during the tail, if they went so far as to use cleaners, they must have moved carefully. Which ans there's a high chance they've already noticed."
"Even when we worked with rc squads, Van's tails were never caught."
"I didn't even know they existed until I found their traces. If they're that thorough, they would have anticipated being pursued."
At that, Hong Yu-geon t Van Hester's gaze and nodded.
"So... who do you want us to trail now?"
"I'll give you a list. Just follow them for the set period and record photos and videos."
"How many?"
"Around twenty for now."
Both n's faces stiffened.
"That many? Who are these people?"
"They're who I need for what's coming."
...
...
At the sa ti.
A dusty, pitch-dark warehouse.
Baek Si-hwan was staring with intensity at the brazier where flas were rising.
Just then, a man cautiously approached him.
"We've lost track of the guy who was tailing us. The license plate was fake, so we think tracking will be difficult."
"Nothing else?"
"Nothing."
Baek Si-hwan's expression grew even more serious at the reply.
"How many are left?"
"Two left. It will be finished in about two and a half hours."
What was burning in the brazier were the bodies of Lee Daemyung and his subordinates, disposed of by Daemyung Detective Agency.
Watching the scene, Baek Si-hwan made a call.
[Is the cleanup done?]
The voice on the other end belonged to WISE&WIRE Group Chairman, Baek Ji-woong.
"There's a bit left. But I have sothing to report. After cleaning up Daemyung Detective Agency, we had a tail."
Baek Ji-woong's voice grew heavy.
[... Who was it? That sa guy from last ti?]
He was referring to the uninvited guest Baek Si-hwan had failed to handle at the outskirt warehouse in Gyeonggi Province.
Moreover, they had lost Pyo Jun-woo of KQ Group and other assets because of that.
"We noticed we were being tailed and tried to lure him in, but it seems they also judged it was too risky and withdrew. We kept up the pursuit until just now...but didn't find any more traces."
A quiet sigh ca from the other end.
[... So that's why the Andong job failed? ... We missed a golden opportunity.]
"I apologize."
[But you're certain Daemyung was tailed?]
Baek Ji-woong doubted the overall situation as he listened.
"There were suspicious circumstances, and Daemyung was the only one whose tail could be discovered. However, since the one tailing could have seen or the operators at the scene, caution is needed."
It was a rather cold judgnt.
After another brief sigh, Baek Ji-woong spoke again.
[So you're saying if you stay at Taeshin, your tail will just get thicker. If I'd known, I would have sent soone else, even if it took longer.]
"... I apologize."
[No. It's my fault for moving people without foreseeing this. Still, the Organization will be annoyed if they find out, so tidy up as quickly as you can.]
"Then after cleaning up, I'll try to reverse-track the license plate until the next mission location is given."
Unless it was made directly, the plate would have a distribution trail.
By using that, it might be possible to trace the person who tailed them.
[No need. They might be waiting for just that, so stop here.]
Baek Si-hwan agreed easily and nodded.
[By the way, how's Taeshin lately? Has there been anything unusual with CEO Tae Seok-hyun?]
With a shift to questions, Baek Si-hwan stopped pursuing the previous thread.
"He's still struggling for power with Executive Director Tae Seok-ho. But three days ago, executive director Hwang Won-jun t Tae Seok-ho in secret."
Hwang Won-jun was an executive director at Taeshin Electronics and an executive under Tae Seok-hyun.
The fact he partnered with Tae Seok-ho, not Seok-hyun, could beco a major variable.
[If it's Hwang Won-jun, he's one of Chairman Tae Gun-seung's people... What did they talk about?]
"It was about panel material for Taeshin Electronics. In the RG Display Philippines plant deal, executive director Hwang seems to be receiving a kickback on materials, which Executive Director Tae is helping to arrange."
[How much?]
"About 30 billion won, he said. But considering Hwang Won-jun's tendencies, I suspect it's even more."
Baek Ji-woong's quiet, knowing chuckle was heard.
It was quite a sum for a personal kickback.
[Haha. They're planning to use this as ammunition to secure shares.]
"I suspect Hwang Won-jun will be contacting H&T Fund in New York, seeing that he's scheduled a business trip soon."
[If that's true... they're planning to shake up Taeshin Group soon enough.]
Baek Ji-woong was aware that Tae Seok-ho's ultimate goal was Taeshin Group.
But the current chairman, Tae Gun-seung, refused to step down even after getting older, so Seok-ho was about to make a bold move.
Of course, Baek Si-hwan, who had gotten these details from inside Taeshin, couldn't know every part of the process.
"I apologize for dropping out of this case. But there are enough people left, so I'll pass on instructions to be alert."
[No helping it. Oh, and there's sothing I need you to do separately. As it happens, the timing is good.]
"Please instruct ."
[I can't discuss it over the phone, so finish up and co here.]
"Understood."
As the two finished their call, the last two corpses were dropped into the raging brazier.
Baek Si-hwan lowered his phone and stared straight at the burning scene.
* * *
In-hyuk was, as usual, in his office when a call ca from Norman McGrath.
[TN SOFT accepted the investnt under the equity conditions!]
"Is that so? That's great news. How were the terms adjusted?"
[Investnt amount stayed at twenty million dollars. We got 20% equity.]
Normally, a company wouldn't give up that much equity for around 2.8 billion won.
However, tN SOFT's CEO, Luke Harrison, was so stretched developing the TCL Code that he was forced to raise such capital.
"But wasn't it supposed to be around 15% originally?"
They'd secured 5% more than the terms In-hyuk initially offered. It was a great result, but the unexpected change was puzzling.
[I put in a little more elbow grease. While auditing for the investnt, I found a major hole in their fund managent.]
"Did you use that as blackmail?"
Laughter rang through the receiver.
[Haha! I wouldn't call it blackmail—a bit of advice, rather. Still, up until recently they kept saying it was impossible, so I'm not sure what made them suddenly change their mind. Don't tell ... did the CEO pressure them behind my back?]
A very aningful tone.
"If I had that much pull, I wouldn't have bothered you, sir."
[I figured I'd joke, since what I was worried about got sorted.]
"... In any case, it looks like they judged there aren't many other gaps for getting funding. I'll leave the rest to you, then."
[Understood. If you need anything else, contact anyti.]
After finishing the call, In-hyuk stared at his phone's screen.
【Ghost Link】
An app with a very suspicious-sounding na had a badge showing the number '1'.
It was a threatening ssenger app Go Mi-ah had made for him before.
Entering the icon and entering his password, a single ssage awaited, written in English.
【Luke Harrison: I've accepted your deal as you said. Now tell the code that can optimize the TCL Code for lighter weight.】
It was a ssage from TN SOFT's CEO, Luke Harrison, whom In-hyuk and Norman McGrath had just discussed.
【HERMIT: The company holding the rights to that code exists—you can contract with them for usage.】
In-hyuk sent the ssage, using the nickna 'HERMIT'. Shortly after, a reply ca.
Bzzz—
【Luke Harrison: You want us to pay to use it, after we just signed an investnt deal that loses us money?】
【HERMIT: I'm not the one with a fire under my feet—it's you. Even if your funding is settled, without the optimized code you'll just be pouring water into a bottomless pot, right?】
This ti, there was a pause before the next bzzz.
【Luke Harrison: Terms?】
At least he wanted to hear them out.
【HERMIT: 12% of total monthly sales after comrcial release.】
【Luke Harrison: That's absurd. Impossible.】
If TCL Code reaches comrcialization, its impact would be massive.
If it sold 100 million dollars, 12%, or 13 million dollars, would go straight to In-hyuk without any interdiary cuts—178 million won at current exchange rates.
Of course, in his previous life, he had earned tens of tis that amount.
Luke Harrison too would have realized this, so he was stunned by the terms.
But In-hyuk wasn't in the least bothered.
【HERMIT: Then the deal's off. But I'll give you five seconds to decide. After that, no deal, ever.】
Another ssage was sent.
This ti, there was a ti limit, so if the other party missed the chance to reply, the link would break. At around three seconds, a simple answer arrived.
【Luke Harrison: Okay.】
A small smile ca to In-hyuk's lips. He wrote and sent the necessary terms for Luke Harrison.
After that, the screen reverted to the ssage list.
In there were countless nas, including TN SOFT's Luke Harrison, with whom he'd just spoken.
These were the people In-hyuk would need for his tasks going forward.
At the sa ti, they were the culprits behind low and dirty deeds, whom In-hyuk had identified before he beca Bluewall's top dog in his previous life.
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