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43.16% Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King / Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Would You Like to Bet?

Kapitel 322: Chapter 322: Would You Like to Bet?

You just barged in out of nowhere.

I put down my wine glass and silently stared at Kim Woong-rae.

"I've heard a lot about Cheon Tae-san's Chairman, the kin usury who tightly controls the loan shark market in Myeong-dong. I've also heard about the man who succeeded him. But to be here, you shouldn't be too curious about too many things. I let half of what I heard slip right through my ears. Even if just half of what I heard is true, it would turn Korea upside down."

"What kind of answer do you want?"

"The truth."

"I've heard you're close with Chairman Yoon Chang-ho."

Kim Woong-rae frowned.

"I've known him for quite a while. But why is this coming up now?"

"Haven't you said anything about me?"

"Not at all. I've only met him once since he left the Prosecutors' Office. It's not good for politicians to get tangled up with the prosecutors. I respect him, but I didn't seek him out on purpose."

His stance contrasted sharply with the public perception of him as one of Chairman Yoon's people.

Whether it was acting or genuine, I couldn't tell.

"I understand you were promoted to head of the Serious Crimes Unit thanks to Chairman Yoon. Are you trying to draw a line with him now?"

"What?"

"Chief. Mu-hyeok."

As the atmosphere grew tense, Oh Hyeon-woo stepped in, looking flustered.

But there was no reason to back down.

"Hyeon-woo, could you step aside for a moment?"

"Huh?"

"I'll talk privately with the Chief. Thank you."

Oh Hyeon-woo stared at my face for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh and standing up.

"Chief, I'm just going out for a smoke."

Oh Hyeon-woo bowed his head to Kim Woong-rae and opened the door to leave. Kim Woong-rae nodded in acknowledgment without a word.

"Chief, Hyeon-woo has gone out of his way for you, so let's not beat around the bush. Let's speak plainly."

Our gazes met, and I felt the weight of Kim Woong-rae's focus on me.

I sensed he was not someone to take lightly from the moment we first met.

"Are you one of Yoon Chang-ho's people? Or did you follow him but have since changed your mind?"

There was no immediate answer.

"If there's been no word about me, it means the Chairman doesn't consider you one of his own. It's only natural that there's no report about me in the Prosecutors' Office; he destroyed all records during his tenure."

I trailed off, feeling his sharp gaze on me.

"So you must have heard my story from some other source…"

It couldn't be from the Blue House, could it?

I chose to remain silent and simply smiled faintly.

"I don't know what you've heard, but it's likely closer to the truth than you think."

The power of the President comes from the investigation agencies.

The Prosecutors' Office, the Police, the National Tax Service.

These four are the muscles and weapons that facilitate the President's actions.

Among them, the most powerful is the Prosecutors' Office.

With the head of the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office, the head of the National Security Division, and the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Justice, they make up the big four of the Prosecutors' Office.

It's nearly impossible to sit another person in that position without political compromise.

This means Kim Woong-rae, no matter how he was once tied to Yoon Chang-ho, must now be at odds with him.

"It's not that Chairman Yoon has stopped trying to reach out to you since getting into politics, right?"

"…"

"You've decided to grab hold of another lifeline, haven't you?"

Kim Woong-rae's inability to answer right away disappointed me slightly.

Investigating the nearby President's closest associates is a task that risks his entire career as a prosecutor.

I expected him to have a strong resolve, but it seemed he was just another political prosecutor like the rest.

"I don't know what you know, but what you know is probably closer to the truth."

At that, Kim Woong-rae tightened his grip on the wine glass.

"Is that true?"

"Calling it a hidden agenda might be a bit much. However, it is true that the Cheongpung Group was eliminated, and Korea has been set straight."

"You're saying you put Korea back on track? You didn't shape Korea to your liking, did you?"

"Maybe. But I'm different from the Cheongpung Group."

"That's something no one can guarantee. It could happen at any moment. If everything I heard is true, I could have you arrested instantly."

Kim Woong-rae's attitude was strange; I couldn't tell whether he was fishing or playing it cool.

"What's quicker, me getting arrested, or you being ousted from your position?"

"…"

Kim Woong-rae knows he can't bite me. He probably understands that better than anyone.

This isn't a threat.

So then…

"Shall we place a bet?"

"With your determination, the head of the Serious Crimes Division can even catch the President. I could string you along without much trouble."

"How could the President's dog catch the President?"

"What did you say?"

"Oh, were you saying you're the Prosecutor General's dog now? Are you investigating the close associates of the President under the direction of the Prosecutor General? Does that count as a proper investigation?"

"…"

"If I make an effort, your position will be in danger before sunrise tomorrow. You might say it would be hard, but it's really not that difficult."

I lifted the pitcher and poured my drink into my glass.

Kim Woong-rae's hand, gripping the glass across the table, had gone pale.

"Testing the opponent is something you do when you have an advantage. Don't do it; it's pointless."

"…"

"You showing up here means you want to grasp my lifeline, right? I don't know if I've hit the mark with my guesses."

Bang!

I slammed my finished wine glass onto the table.

The porcelain cup shattered cleanly in half.

It made quite a loud noise, but outside, there was no sign of disturbance. I could see the tension in Kim Woong-rae's jaw.

"I understand. Chairman Yoon's resignation must have weighed heavily on you. But now that you've become the head of the Serious Crimes Division,, can't you shake things up? Yet betrayal is unthinkable for you, Chief."

"Betrayal?"

I got a sense of the atmosphere of the Moderate Party through Myeong-su, but no one seemed to know anything about this matter.

This meant that Kim Woong-rae hadn't given Chairman Yoon any hints.

The Prosecutor General, Kim Hak-gwon's hunting dog, had ordered him to conduct an investigation—it was the only explanation.

"You haven't betrayed him? This isn't an investigation to stir things up, but rather to cover things up. But you haven't reported it to the Chairman. What should I interpret that as if not betrayal?"

According to those at the Blue House, the secretary and Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, the primary figures involved in this case, were already fully briefed on the ongoing situation.

It was clear what orders the Prosecutor General had given to Kim Woong-rae.

It implied that Kim Woong-rae had allied himself with the Prosecutor General and the Blue House.

"I'm not one to dance around my words, Chief. If you want something, just ask. I hate it when people try to provoke me to test me."

"…"

Kim Woong-rae remained silent for a while. A few minutes passed before he finally spoke up.

"What can you do for me?"

"What's your goal?"

"Can you make me like Chairman Yoon Chang-ho?"

He pretended not to know while being fully aware.

"Well, I've built a long-standing trust with Chairman Yoon. That's why I aimed to help him become President. It's our first meeting today, so I can't just place that kind of trust in you right away."

"…What do you expect me to do?"

Though I said trust, it boiled down to loyalty to me.

"For now, you can remain with the Prosecutors' Office. Trust is built on small gestures and efforts first. I'll ensure you remain in the Serious Crimes Division for as long as possible."

"And what about me?"

"When I ask, consider it. Provide me with the information I seek and conduct investigations as I request. If you do anything for me, I'll do the same in return. If you're willing to follow my instructions even against Chairman Yoon or the President, then I can make it happen."

Kim Woong-rae seemed to be deep in thought.

It seemed he had made a decision, but perhaps was more cautious than I had anticipated.

"I made Chairman Yoon. What he has achieved, the power he holds, and even his image as a righteous politician—are all things I've constructed. Making you like Chairman Yoon is no issue at all. You don't need to prove your abilities; I believe you are capable."

I had already created an electoral candidate in Yoon Chang-ho. The first one is difficult, the second won't be.

"…I'll trust you this time."

"Good thinking."

"I apologize; I needed some assurance to trust you. I know of you, but I don't truly understand you. Just like you said."

Instead of responding, I extended the pitcher.

"Have a drink."

Kim Woong-rae, who had been gazing at my shattered glass, extended his own glass.

I tilted the pitcher, allowing the liquor to overflow and spill onto the table. Even as the liquor soaked my hand and dripped down, Kim Woong-rae didn't move his glass away.

"Anything in excess tends to overflow."

Only after I removed the pitcher did Kim Woong-rae finally bring the full glass to his lips.

"Thanks for the advice."

He emptied the glass of liquor instead of the broken glass. Then, wordlessly, Kim Woong-rae poured liquor into the empty glass I had set before him.

This time, I was holding the glass with one hand, unlike before.

Yet, no one in this room found it odd.

On the table lay the porcelain wine glass, split cleanly in half.

Our glasses clinked in a toast across the table.

"Now we are allies. Betrayal will not be tolerated. Being backstabbed by someone you trusted is hardly a pleasant experience, is it?"

"I understand. Don't worry."

After emptying his glass, he said softly.

"Please let Hyeon-woo know he can come back in. And give him a business card, will you?"

Manager Ma, who had been waiting outside, entered silently, handed a single business card to Kim Woong-rae, and left again.

"Whenever you want to reach me, you can connect directly. If there's anything you need, feel free to contact me without feeling burdened. I'll do my utmost to help if it's within my abilities."

Kim Woong-rae kept staring at the plain business card that merely had my phone number on it for a long time before pocketing it.

I didn't ask him for his contact information, just as he didn't feel the need to give me his.

It's obvious we both understood this without needing to say it.

After a moment, Oh Hyeon-woo opened the door and stepped back in.

"Did you manage to talk things through?"

"Yeah, sorry. Was it cold out there?"

"Nah, I was in the next room. I just took a quick call with Min-gyeong while having a smoke."

Oh Hyeon-woo sat back down beside me. He must have seen the shattered glass but said nothing.

"Now Chief Kim Woong-rae has decided to join me. You give him your full support."

"Really?"

Oh Hyeon-woo looked at Kim Woong-rae's face in surprise and smiled warmly.

"Chief, I look forward to working with you."

"Yeah, Oh Pro. Likewise."

"It seems hard to eat here; let's move next door."

I stood up and laughed.

Those who understood nodded and rose from their seats. It was as smooth as a well-rehearsed play.


Kapitel 323: Chapter 323: Listen To Me From Now On

After having dinner with Kim Woong-rae at a restaurant, we went to a room salon operated by Geuksung Group in Gangnam for drinks and had a long chat.

"Well then, Senpai. I'll see you next time."

"Yeah, yeah. See you again, Junior."

Kim Woong-rae, tipsy and flushed, laughed heartily.

As the car he got into pulled away, I turned to Oh Hyeon-woo sitting next to me.

"Let's walk for a bit and talk while clearing our heads from the alcohol."

"Sounds good."

We passed through the noisy nightlife of Gangnam, filled with loud voices of drunken revelers, and finally reached a quieter street.

As the cold winter wind brushed against my face, I felt the warmth from the alcohol slightly fade away.

"Hyeon-woo, keep an eye on Manager Kim Woong-rae. He can't be fully trusted, you know."

"Got it."

Without further comment, Oh Hyeon-woo nodded. His lack of questions puzzled me even more.

"Aren't you going to ask anything?"

"Ask what? About Manager Kim Woong-rae? Forget it. You must have your reasons."

"You've heard a lot of stories here and there, right?"

"About you?"

I nodded, and Oh Hyeon-woo chuckled lightly.

"I've heard a few things. But what difference does it make? You're still my friend. Looks like Myeong-su's brainwashing worked on you."

Though Oh Hyeon-woo answered playfully, I knew he had been giving it serious thought.

As someone from a family that had walked the path of law for three generations, I was aware he was trying to understand me, someone attempting to manipulate Korea from behind the scenes.

"I can't promise about anything else, but I will promise one thing: I will never do anything against the national interest."

"You do what you want. I have no interest in it. I'm just going to bury myself in the Prosecutors' Office. So don't ask me to get involved in politics. I won't do it, even if you die trying."

"What about Min-kyung? She might think differently."

In my past life, Han Min-kyung had stepped into politics, but I wasn't sure what she might be thinking now.

When I asked lightly, Oh Hyeon-woo shrugged.

"That might be true. Min-kyung is Min-kyung, and I'm me. Even if we got married, we must recognize our differences. But if Min-kyung wants to pursue politics, I'll support her. But I'm not interested. I seriously have no plans to get involved in politics, so don't think about pushing me into it."

Oh Hyeon-woo genuinely seemed to hate politics. I nodded along silently at his disgusted expression.

"I have no intention of making you do things you hate either. But Hyeon-woo, why do you hate politics so much?"

"I've seen too many corrupt politicians during my time in the major crimes unit. And I can't even investigate with a peaceful mind. You don't know how demeaning it feels every time a case file gets filed away in the cabinet. You start to question if this is why I became a prosecutor. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about it."

In fact, I hadn't had any deep conversations with Oh Hyeon-woo.

Though I knew he was flourishing in the Prosecutors' Office thanks to his grandfather's influence, I didn't know anything else beyond that.

"I see. You've been going through a lot too, Hyeon-woo."

"It can't be helped. To rise up, you have to become a political prosecutor. I know that, yet I still turn a blind eye. If I didn't have my grandfather's influence, would I be able to gain experience in the major crimes unit with this personality of mine? Probably, I would have just been stuck in the periphery and retired without making a mark."

Hearing his deep lament, I stopped walking and spoke.

"Want to have another drink, just us two?"

"I'm really fine. I'm just venting to a friend while drunk. I don't even say these things to anyone else, not even family. Keep this secret."

"Isn't it normal to talk about anything over drinks? Let's go to my place and have another drink. I'll treat you."

"Come to think of it, I've never been to your house. Should I check it out?"

Nodding and waving my hand, Manager Ma, who had been keeping a distance, approached us.

"Please contact the mistress and have her prepare a meal for us."

"Yes, understood."

"And also, please find someone to drive. Hyeon-woo, hand over your car keys. We need someone else to drive us home. You can ride with me."

Oh Hyeon-woo nodded and took his keys out of his pocket, handing them to me. I passed them to Manager Ma.

I set off to Pyeongchang-dong with Oh Hyeon-woo in the same car. As soon as we got in, he pulled out his phone.

"Let me call Min-kyung."

I nodded lightly, and he sheepishly laughed as he dialed.

"Oh, Min-kyung. I'm having another drink at Mu-hyeok's place and I'll stay there tonight to head to work right away tomorrow."

I couldn't hear Han Min-kyung's voice, but I gathered the context from Oh Hyeon-woo's replies.

It brought a smile to my face without me realizing it. It felt good.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I'll drink in moderation. When have you seen me drink until I black out? Oh, I got it. See you tomorrow evening."

As he hung up, Oh Hyeon-woo showed an embarrassed expression.

"Ah… I'm already being tied down."

"That's how it is. But I haven't heard much about your relationship. When did you two get together?"

"Oh, you don't know, huh?"

From there, Oh Hyeon-woo happily shared how he had started dating Han Min-kyung.

The stories that had begun from the moment we set off continued until we reached Pyeongchang-dong.

As I quietly listened, I poked him in the side when we could see the entrance to my house in Pyeongchang-dong.

"We're here. I got it, so stop talking. My stomach hurts. Some people can't even brag about dating, but your level of bragging is top-notch."

"You asked first!"

"I just didn't expect it to go on for this long."

"We haven't even gotten halfway through yet."

I shook my head while chuckling at Oh Hyeon-woo's blatant bragging as we entered the house.

"Boss, welcome back."

"Madam, I'm sorry. I'm so late, aren't I?"

"It's alright."

"Hurry in and get some sleep. I'll just eat a little and then sleep."

Despite saying it was fine, Madam's gaze was filled with concern as if she wanted to prepare something more for us.

"Is there anything else you need? I can wait to make it…"

"I'm just being polite. Sleep comfortably. Please prepare hangover soup in the morning."

"Yes, Boss. Then if you need anything, just call me."

After seeing Madam off, I gave a signal to Manager Ma, who was standing nearby.

"Manager, if I need anything, I'll call you. So go in and rest."

"I won't."

"I just want to eat comfortably with my friend."

"Understood. I'll be on standby."

Finally, Manager Ma bowed his head and returned to his room.

"I've been thinking every time I see Manager Ma, but is he not a bit too earnest? Like a bear. I don't think I've ever seen him smile."

"Stop talking nonsense and sit down quickly."

The living room table was set with snacks and alcohol.

We sat facing each other with the seats reserved for the honors empty. I opened the whiskey bottle placed on the table and passed it to Oh Hyeon-woo.

"Have a drink."

"Thanks."

Oh Hyeon-woo took the glass with ice and accepted the drink I poured.

After pouring him a drink, I filled my own cup and raised it.

With a toast, our glasses clinked lightly before we finished our drinks in one go.

"Oh, this is good."

"Good, right? It's expensive stuff."

"Really? It's nice."

"I'll let you take one when you leave."

"No thanks. Even if you're a friend, it'll cause trouble down the line. Just pour me another drink instead."

In response to my half-joking, half-serious remark, he nodded lightly and poured the drink again.

"By the way, Manager Kim Woong-rae is indeed a political prosecutor. Hmph… I heard he was investigating the President's inner circle for corruption, and I wondered if it was the case."

"It can't be helped. If you want to rise to the position of the head of major crimes, you need a keen sense of politics."

Oh Hyeon-woo turned the drink slowly in his cup, smiling bitterly.

"Can our prosecutors ever escape the blame of being the regime's dogs? Back in Yoon Chang-ho's day, the only image our prosecutor general had from the outside was being opposed to the regime. But if you look deeper, it was all a power struggle laden with political calculations, wasn't it?"

I simply listened to Oh Hyeon-woo's thoughts without answering.

"I don't know. In my heart, I sometimes think of quitting being a prosecutor and starting a law office instead."

"Then you'd probably get beaten up by the Chief Justice, right?"

"Oh, that's true."

"It's the path you chose. Just grit your teeth and endure it. And when you become the prosecutor general, then change the system."

Oh Hyeon-woo looked at me without answering. I smiled gently back at him.

"I know it's funny for me to say this, but you chose this path. You gave up the predetermined path of a judge for the road of a prosecutor. And it's true that you're taking a more convenient route thanks to your grandfather's influence."

"No matter what I do, I always end up hearing that it's because of my grandfather. I won't deny it. I really got a lot of help from him. But every time I hear that, I can't help but feel this sense of self-loathing."

I understood the core of Oh Hyeon-woo's hidden insecurity.

After all, I too was just a being who had nothing but my grandfather's name in my past life. And it was because of that I had to die.

"I'm the same. You think I got here without my grandfather's influence?"

"Honestly, your ability has surpassed that of Chairman Cheon. How many people do you think would associate you with Chairman Cheon now?"

"But I haven't started from the same line as the others. If my grandfather hadn't had the money, it would have taken a long time to reach this point."

"That sounds like you're saying you could have achieved this without Chairman Cheon's wealth. I envy your confidence."

Though he said it jokingly, there was a hint of self-deprecation in his words. I paused, pondering while shaking my glass.

'Should I tell Oh Hyeon-woo about my plans?'

The only ones who knew my plans were Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong, who had grown up with me since childhood.

Perhaps I was just trying to exploit Oh Hyeon-woo and the others.

Sensing this undercurrent, Oh Hyeon-woo spoke first.

"Speaking of which, I feel like it's the first time you and I are drinking together like this."

"Isn't it?"

"You know what? Unlike Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong, you're strangely hard to approach, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I know."

"For some reason, you're the kind of guy that feels distant. Even back in college and now as well."

I raised my glass toward Oh Hyeon-woo. The cheerful clinking sound of our glasses echoed in the living room.

Unlike Oh Hyeon-woo, who was drinking, I simply held my glass and stared at him.

"I must have made you think like that."

"I get it. I've known Myeong-su and Hyeon-seong since we were kids, but we met in college. But sometimes, it feels a little disappointing. You were the one who suggested starting this group. Yet you hardly attend, and you've never shared with us about what you're planning, right?"

"..."

"You're talking a lot today. Don't hold anything back. I'm tipsy and in a good mood, that's why I'm saying all this."

Having a distant friend. I decided to share my thoughts with Oh Hyeon-woo, who awkwardly laughed.

I set down my drink on the table and spoke.

"Hyeon-woo."

"Yeah?"

When I called him, Oh Hyeon-woo stopped mid-drink and looked at me.

"From now on, you need to listen carefully. If you hear this story, you must be someone who's willing to follow me to the end. Can you promise me that?"

As I spoke with a serious tone, Oh Hyeon-woo set down his glass.

He looked straight into my eyes as if to question when he ever smiled.

"I've thought since we formed this group that we were meant to stick together to the end. Am I wrong?"

That point was indeed correct. I had gathered those I needed and who needed me to form this group.

Nodding in agreement, I added.

"Right. But this is an entirely different issue. If my plans come to light, it could shake Korea to its core."

"Hmm…"

Oh Hyeon-woo groaned and fell into thought.

I waited quietly for him to respond.

"Okay. I promise."

As I awaited an answer, I raised my glass and downed the drink in one go to moisten my dried lips.

I then took my time explaining the plans I had been contemplating and preparing.

Occasionally, Oh Hyeon-woo asked questions, and I provided answers to ease his curiosity while thoroughly explaining the future I envisioned.

"I'll tell Min-kyung and Jae-ha separately, so until I do, promise me not to mention a word to anyone, not even Min-kyung, who promises the future with you."

"Understood."

"Then you can go in and rest."

I guided Oh Hyeon-woo to the room I used to stay in as a child, then closed the door.

With him behind me, it was a night filled with deep thoughts.

The next day.

Oh Hyeon-woo, who had a bowl of hangover soup prepared by Madam early in the morning, left Pyeongchang-dong.

"Manager."

"Yes, Boss."

"Increase the surveillance on Oh Hyeon-woo to the highest level and get daily reports."

"Understood."

As I ordered while looking outside the study window at Oh Hyeon-woo's car leaving my house,

as the car vanished into a dot in my sight, I finally turned my body.


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