"I haven't seen you before, who are you?"
That was Lee Sa-seong's first sentence as he entered the lawyer's meeting room. Lee Sang-geun stood up from his seat and greeted him.
"I'm here because Boss Park Dong-soo sent me. I am Lawyer Lee Sang-geun. Please have a seat first."
Lee Sa-seong stared at Lee Sang-geun closely and sat down with a wary look. Seeing Lee Sa-seong sit down, Lee Sang-geun shot a glance to the prison guard. Catching that look, the prison guard nodded, opened the door, and left.
"Dong-soo sent you?"
"Yes."
Sitting across from Lee Sa-seong, Lee Sang-geun offered a cigarette. Then, as Lee Sa-seong took one out and put it in his mouth, Lee Sang-geun lit the cigarette for him and continued talking.
"Recently, Boss Park Dong-soo was attacked. By Heo Ki-hun, Byeon Seong-ho, and other Busan family members. You know this, right?"
"What are you talking about? Dong-soo was attacked? Goodness."
Lee Sa-seong acted as if this was the first time he was hearing about it. But his eyes were trembling.
"It looks like Dong-soo isn't managing his boys well. Getting attacked by his own subordinates, I mean."
Lee Sang-geun read his wavering eyes.
"The attack was completely blocked without any damage. During the process, Boss Park Dong-soo suffered no harm at all. Right now, Heo Ki-hun had his legs crippled, and Byeon Seong-ho... committed suicide in the detention center."
He flinched at the word suicide. Lee Sang-geun paid no attention to his reaction.
"According to them, they received orders from you, Mr. Lee Sa-seong..."
As he trailed off and observed his expression, Lee Sa-seong suddenly flew into a rage.
"What kind of bullshit is that! These sons of bitches, who are they dragging into this? Dong-soo believes that? Is that why he sent you?"
"Yes. I don't know the exact details. I don't care either. In the end, the important thing is that you turned a blind eye to it."
Lee Sang-geun didn't even blink an eye. He continued speaking with an expressionless face, and Lee Sa-seong's face gradually turned pale.
"And because someone who shouldn't have been hurt got hurt there, things became very difficult for us. Byeon Seong-ho was also taken care of directly by them. Boss Park Dong-soo couldn't even step in."
"These fucking bastards! Hey! Who are you? Dong-soo wouldn't do this to me. Who sent you? Which bastard is it? Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and Dong-soo? You bastards. My relationship with Dong-soo isn't something that can be torn apart over something like this."
At those words, Lee Sang-geun smiled.
"I will pass on Boss Park Dong-soo's exact words to you."
"......"
"Elder Brother Sa-seong. Just let it go. If you do, I will look after sister-in-law and the family so they can keep living. Don't make the problem complicated and just go. If you refuse, things will get complicated. Then I won't be able to accommodate your situation anymore either."
Lee Sa-seong dropped the cigarette he was holding onto the floor.
"...Did Dong-soo really say that?"
"Yes. He said it exactly like that without missing a single word. To add to that... it would be best for you to accept it. It is the absolute best that Boss Park Dong-soo can do for you."
Looking at Lee Sa-seong who couldn't answer, Lee Sang-geun lit another cigarette and handed it to him again.
"You're saying Dong-soo really did that. Our Dong-soo..."
It was hard to tell whether he was asking a question or just talking to himself. After confirming he had smoked the whole cigarette, Lee Sang-geun stood up from his seat.
"Think about it carefully. If I don't hear any news within a week, I will take it as a refusal. Please do not reject the boss's goodwill."
"...Give me just one more cigarette."
Lee Sang-geun, who was about to turn around, took out a cigarette and offered it to him at those words.
"Just stay until I finish smoking this. Do you work with Dong-soo?"
"Yes. I ended up working with him this time."
Regret could be felt from Lee Sa-seong's face as he quietly smoked his cigarette. He didn't even complain anymore. After smoking the cigarette in silence, Lee Sa-seong stood up from his seat and looked at Lee Sang-geun.
"Tell Dong-soo that his older brother is sorry. Tell him not to worry because I will take care of it, and to please look after my family."
"Yes."
A few days later, Lee Sa-seong was found dead, hanging by the neck from the iron bars. It was the bitter death of a man who once controlled the darkness of Busan.
Under slightly dim lighting. I was in grandfather's study. Grandfather, who had been sitting in front of the desk thinking about something, suddenly raised his head and looked at me.
"I hear the atmosphere in the government is strange. Mu-hyeok, did you expect this?"
"What are you referring to?"
"High-ranking government officials related to the economy have suddenly vanished. Some have taken long-term leave, and some claim to be on business trips overseas. But not a single person has actually gone overseas. That means they are doing something in secret right now. Something that even the senior secretary for economic affairs doesn't know about. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
The top ten domestic conglomerates and several financial companies had already noticed the suspicious atmosphere. Even if they prepared everything in secret, it would be stranger not to notice anything in a situation where those people just vanished. I maintained a calm expression and nodded.
"It's probably the real-name financial system. Back during the Fifth Republic, wasn't there an announcement for the real-name financial system once after the Jang Yeong-ja promissory note scandal? They faced strong pushback from the establishment, and since the president himself wasn't free from political funds, they eventually folded it. Watching that, the current president would have had no choice but to proceed in secret."
Grandfather sighed as if he expected it.
"It looks like they will announce it with the New Year's address next year at the earliest. What do you think, Mu-hyeok?"
I didn't answer right away, hesitating for a moment to pretend to think before I spoke.
"Considering the current president's nature... I think there's a high chance he will do it before August 15th. Since the disclosure of properties of high-ranking public officials is already finished, dragging out the time will only mean the secret can't be kept in the end."
"Huh... isn't that too fast?"
"It is fast. Because it's fast, they will think it's the exact right time. Announcing it suddenly when no one expects it is what they want."
Grandfather seemed to think for a moment, but soon shook his head.
"It's too early. It was definitely in the campaign promises. But even if they break through the interference of the establishment and announce it, getting it passed in the National Assembly will be hard. Would the president bear such a political burden? They will probably implement it next year after enough discussion. Am I wrong?"
Right now, all other conglomerates and politicians were probably thinking the same thing. And if the real-name financial system is implemented by a presidential decree on August 12th like this, everyone will be engulfed in shock. It seemed hard to persuade him any further.
"Still, you had to clear up the accounts just in case."
"Hahaha, yes. I listened to you and prepared, so I've cleaned them up to some extent."
"Leaving it in the accounts is fine, but... personally withdrawing and storing it is also a method."
"That much money? In cash? Impossible. Absolutely."
At grandfather's firm words, I had no choice but to nod.
"Yes."
"Still, I sent those 400 billion won to America. I got the account details from Manager Ha, washed it clean, and sent it over. Let's see you manage it properly."
"Thank you, grandfather."
I said it with a smile on my face. At that, a faint smile hung on grandfather's lips as well. Coming out of the study, Manager Ha was waiting.
"Are you done talking?"
"Yes. Could we talk for a moment?"
I went up to my room with Manager Ha. I closed the door, sat on the edge of the bed, and spoke to Manager Ha.
"Please sit comfortably."
"It's fine."
In the end, I spoke towards Manager Ha, who was standing upright in the middle of the room.
"About that... American account. I will send someone to America at the end of this year. You can hand everything over to that person."
"Do you mean all of that money?"
"Yes."
"...Is it someone you can trust?"
My lips twisted involuntarily at his question.
"I don't trust people. I trust money. Because I will compensate him sufficiently. After establishing an investment company and putting everything in there, I will hold most of the shares."
Manager Ha, who seemed to think about it for a bit, nodded.
"Understood. If you give the order, I will start the process of transferring it over to them right away."
"Thank you. And I'd like to have a general meeting with the Myeon District bosses... Can you coordinate the time?"
Perhaps my words were unexpected, Manager Ha asked back.
"The Myeon District bosses?"
I nodded.
"We have to firmly distinguish whose side they are on. Dragging things out will only make it more complicated."
"...Understood for now. If you have a desired date, please tell me."
The week after the real-name financial system exploded seemed appropriate. That way I could move them in the direction I wanted.
"Late August or early September would be good."
"Yes, understood."
The conversation paused.
"If you don't have anything else to say, I will take my leave."
I stopped Manager Ha as he bowed and was about to leave.
"...Manager."
"Yes."
Manager Ha waited patiently for me, who hesitated a little after calling him.
"...What is your identity?"
"Excuse me?"
"No matter how much I think about it, starting from the way Hammer was handled, to the fact that grandfather trusts you completely, I have many questions. I am curious about your identity. Can you tell me?"
My question must have been quite unexpected, as Manager Ha just stood there unable to answer. I was studying his expression.
"I know now that the loan shark business is a dirtier and harder job than being a gangster. The fact that grandfather doesn't associate with any violent organizations, I figured it might be because Manager Ha's power is enough to suppress all of them."
Manager Ha's face hardened. I got the feeling from his eyes that he was probing me. He had a face that said he needed to know why I was asking such a question.
His mind must be complicated. In the past, after grandfather died, Manager Ha remained as my secretary until the end, but he never gave me any help. He only handled the tasks I assigned without any problems out of his duty as a secretary, but I didn't know anything about the power he possessed.
From the beginning, it was strange that Manager Ha died from a mere traffic accident. Grandfather and Manager Ha too, the two people I knew in the past and the two people I was seeing right now were completely different. Manager Ha stared at my face for a long time with a stiffened expression before finally opening his mouth.
"Is that important?"
"Very. Can I even trust you, Manager Ha? A person who harbors a secret they cannot tell me."
"I care about the Young Master just as much as Chairman Cheon does."
"Does that mean if grandfather turns his back on me, you will turn your back on me as well?"
"Yes."
I was momentarily left speechless by Manager Ha's firm answer, as if there was nothing to even think about. His loyalty to grandfather was higher than I thought.
"Wow, aren't you being too firm?"
"I am the Chairman's man. That will never change. If you, Young Master, act against the Chairman, I will move according to the Chairman's will. All the goodwill I show you, Young Master, is the Chairman's will."
I became even more curious about his past.
"So you're saying you can't tell me?"
"If the Chairman tells me to speak, I can tell you. But... I don't think the Chairman will allow that either."
"Hmm..."
"I am sorry."
I stared intently at Manager Ha, but his expression was so firm it looked like not a single drop of blood would come out even if he were stabbed. I had no choice but to give up.
"Anyway, it means you will never betray grandfather, so I understand."
"Thank you."
Manager Ha bowing in greeting made him seem even more reliable.
"Uhm... let me ask for one more favor."
"Please speak."
"Could you introduce me to someone trustworthy, someone who can do whatever I ask just like you, Manager Ha?"
"......"
"I guess I have to get grandfather's permission for this too, right?"
"Yes."
"Can I take that to mean there is such a person?"
"......"
Ah!
What a frustrating person.
"Please leave. I will ask grandfather."
"Yes, I am sorry."
Manager Ha left, and I lay alone on the bed staring at the ceiling as I thought. If someone like that was my person...
"Hahahaha!"
The study was filled with Chairman Cheon's laughter. Manager Ha stood in front of him with his hands gathered together.
"Myeong-hun, you must have been quite flustered?"
"...No, sir."
"So, what do you think? If I hand you over to Mu-hyeok, will you pledge your loyalty to him?"
"I will follow if you order me to, Chairman."
Chairman Cheon shook his head while laughing, as if that was out of the question.
"No, you are definitely not that kind of person. You wouldn't follow him from the bottom of your heart. Do I not know you?"
"......"
"Do you have a smart kid to introduce to Mu-hyeok?"
"Yes."
"Then introduce them. Winning that kid's heart will be Mu-hyeok's own ability."
"Understood."
"Still, that brat Mu-hyeok must have been a bit flustered, no? You as well. I should have seen those faces. Hahahaha!"
As Chairman Cheon burst into laughter once more, a faint smile could be seen on Manager Ha's face as well.
< What is your identity? > The End