章 310: Chapter 310: Time to Stretch My Body Again
The man's expression twisted in discontent at the broad smile that appeared on my face.
However, he didn't rush in; instead, he narrowed his gaze at me.
"What's your position?"
"I'm the head of security, Im Hwa-soo," he replied.
"Mr. Im Hwa-soo, all I've done is express my desire to meet Chairman Yoo Sung-jin multiple times. Yet, that man named Dae-ri has threatened me and called security, who then attempted to harm me. Was my behavior inappropriate? This seems like self-defense to me."
Of course, I had riled the men up a bit, but there was no lie in what I said.
Seeing the two members of his organization lying on the ground, Im Hwa-soo shook his head disapprovingly.
"This hardly qualifies as self-defense. You seem to know where you are…"
The hint of danger behind Im Hwa-soo's words was palpable.
"You'll end up dead if this continues. If you leave now, we won't pursue further action for today."
"Hyung!"
The man explaining the situation called out to Im Hwa-soo urgently, discontent etched on his face.
"Shut your mouth. Get those bastards to the hospital, quickly!"
"But…"
"I said shut it!"
Im Hwa-soo spoke calmly but with a dangerous glint in his eye as he faced the man.
"You should assess your opponent before making a move. It's clear this isn't a fair fight. If they called us in time, we wouldn't be in this mess. What have they done to deserve this?"
"…I'm sorry."
"That's enough. Hurry and get them medical attention."
"Yes!"
Finishing his words, Im Hwa-soo turned his attention back to me.
His gaze remained sharp, but his words and the smile he wore were surprisingly polite.
"If you truly know the chairman, please arrange a meeting next time you come."
Ignoring Im Hwa-soo, I pointed towards the man trying to help the fallen.
"But who said you could take them?"
"What?"
"You should apologize first before taking them away. This isn't proper etiquette, is it?"
"You bastard…"
Im Hwa-soo's voice cracked like dry timber.
"What are you trying to achieve?"
"I need to receive an apology."
"Huh… This is a real headache."
Im Hwa-soo rubbed his face and sighed, shaking his head in frustration.
When he lowered his hands, the smile he'd been wearing had vanished, replaced by a chilling glare.
"Hey, you. What gives you the right to act like this? Do you think you have multiple lives or something? Or maybe your father is the Prosecutor General? You need to shut your mouth, crazy bastard."
"…"
The Prosecutor General, huh? Probably even higher up.
I kept a smile on my lips but remained silent.
"Have you lost your voice, or what? Are you relying on that big guy behind you to act tough? Can't you see the numbers here? This isn't a movie, so why don't you just get lost? I don't want to see blood today."
Im Hwa-soo continued, clicking his tongue.
"You back there, why not take this opportunity to get your boss out? Before it really turns ugly."
Im Hwa-soo growled at Manager Ma, but Manager Ma was someone who listened to no one except me.
As Manager Ma silently glared at Im Hwa-soo, the latter's expression soured further.
"Wow, seriously. I've never seen such a filthy situation before. Get everyone out of here! Don't kill them, just make sure they disappear from sight."
In an instant, dozens of men closed in around us.
Even I felt a little tense in this situation.
"Manager!"
However, Manager Ma remained unperturbed.
"You can trust me to handle the back. No worries there."
"…"
I lightly patted Manager Ma's shoulder and stood back to back with him.
"Well, this is just some long-awaited exercise for me. You do remember how rarely you've beaten me in sparring, right?"
"I let you win because you're the boss."
"Let's say that's the case. We won't have time to talk after this."
It wouldn't take long for Manager Ma's men to arrive.
At most, three minutes. If I could just hold on for that short time, we'd be fine.
Surely I wouldn't die today, right?
The tension ignited a slight sweat in my palms, yet it felt refreshing.
I hadn't felt this on edge even when Kim Jong-il had aimed a gun at me.
When was the last time I even fought like this? A few years back, when Dong-soo's office had been raided, I think.
A smile slipped onto my face without me realizing it.
"Hyung, this guy is smiling!"
"Must be nuts."
But the anticipated fight never occurred.
"What's going on?"
Someone shouted from the direction of the elevator and rushed towards us.
The thugs advancing toward us halted in their tracks as Im Hwa-soo hurried toward the newcomer.
"Director, it's nothing. Just a crazy bastard causing a scene in the lobby…"
"What scene? Who is he?"
"I don't know. He keeps insisting on meeting the chairman and wants to take care of him personally."
"Who do you think you are? You think my brother is just some local flunky? Let me see his face. Get out of the way."
Im Hwa-soo raised his head and gestured for his men to clear the way.
The thugs blocking the director stepped aside, and he locked eyes with me.
In that moment, the director's eyes widened dramatically. A brief silence followed, and he started stuttering.
"…You maniacs. Everyone get back, fuck! Get out of the way!"
"Huh? Director, what are you…"
"Everyone move! Do these bastards think they've lost their minds? Move already!"
The man rushed toward me.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok! What brings you hee without telling us? If you'd just given a call, I would have come out to greet you!"
"Oh, were you Director Kang Jun-woo?"
"Yes, that's right, it's Kang Jun-woo. What in the world is going on? What if someone gets hurt?"
I released my clenched fist, flashing him a bright smile.
"I'm fine. I don't think I'll be getting hurt here."
"Really?"
"By the way, it's getting noisy outside. Shouldn't you handle that? Looks like my bodyguards are here."
Sure enough, the commotion escalated outside.
"Are you okay with a bloodbath right in the middle of Seocho-dong? I don't mind, but…"
"Hey! Manager Im!"
"Yes? Yes, you called?"
Im Hwa-soo looked bewildered, still trying to grasp the situation.
"Go outside and tell our men to retreat and bring everyone in here!"
"Huh?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
"I… I got it!"
Im Hwa-soo hurried toward the front door to relay my orders.
"Phew… Chairman, why are you doing this? Did we do something wrong?"
"Mistakes? I'd actually like to commend you, just so you know."
"Huh?"
"I appreciated how you tried to remain polite to the civilians. Even though I purposely provoked you, you made an effort to hold back."
Director Kang Jun-woo's expression turned subtly confused. It makes sense; a person who usually causes trouble would suddenly be praised.
"Just keep doing what you're doing. I'll have to commend Chairman Yoo Sung-jin when I meet him next."
Honestly, their reactions surprised me a bit.
I had expected Yoo Sung-jin, being so hotheaded, to act domineering even toward civilians, but the company atmosphere felt just like any normal corporation.
After all, even a gangster-run company wouldn't have all its employees as thugs.
"Anyway, it's almost time for Chairman Yoo to arrive…"
He wasn't any saint either.
Im Hwa-soo drenched in sweat came in along with Yoo Sung-jin and our bodyguards.
"Manager, have the bodyguards wait outside."
"Understood, Boss."
After bowing slightly, Manager Ma turned to approach the bodyguards following Yoo Sung-jin, who also inclined his head slightly to him.
"Everyone head back outside, and wait until I give the signal."
"Yes, understood!"
After witnessing the bodyguards exit in an orderly fashion, Manager Ma rotated back, positioning himself back beside me.
"Chairman, what's going on here?"
"I merely wished to meet the chairman, and things escalated this far. I may have been a bit too mischievous. I'm really sorry."
Smiling awkwardly, Yoo Sung-jin shook his head.
"No need! Did any of my people wrong you? Is there anywhere you were hurt?"
It was a bit amusing to be treated like an ordinary citizen while he checked for my well-being.
"I'm unhurt. With so many eyes on me, let's tidy things up and leave. We'll take everyone with me except for Director Kang Jun-woo and Im Hwa-soo; just bring these two along."
"Let's do that."
Yoo Sung-jin turned to his thugs.
"Everyone else should head inside and get things sorted out."
"Yes, Chairman!"
I sighed at the sight of them bending down willingly.
"You openly admit you're a thug?" I frowned slightly. To say that in front of someone made me shake my head. But then Yoo Sung-jin stammered back.
"They're like that, and I couldn't change it if I tried. It's just how they are."
"Let's head upstairs. We've got some really good Pu-erh tea in. It's exceptional."
"Oh really? How do you know I like Pu-erh? Can I expect any surprises?"
"Haha, you should look forward to something special."
It was surreal—the lobby of the Heavenly Group's office, which had just moments ago felt like a battlefield, now exuded a warm atmosphere.
Before stepping in, I caught a glimpse of Seo Eun-sam, who bowed her head at the reception desk.
I should resolve this before heading up.
"Oh, Chairman! Just a moment!"
I turned around, smiling as I pointed at Seo Eun-sam.
"You see that employee?"
"Are you talking about the reception staff?"
"Please give her a generous severance package and let her leave. She probably won't have a good time working here again."
"What? That's…"
Perhaps thinking I meant for her to be fired, Seo Eun-sam rushed over, bowing deeply.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know you were acquainted with the chairman. I was just following protocol and the guidelines. Please don't fire me!"
I was momentarily taken aback by her reaction.
But it didn't take long for me to understand why she reacted that way.
Laughing heartily, I waved my hand and told her to raise her head.
"There could certainly have been a misunderstanding. I'm not firing you but suggesting a move to a better company. No need to work under someone like that. How about Jungwoo, Hyunhwa, or even Daehyeon? Tell me, Seo Eun-sam."
"Huh?"
"Or do you have another big corporation you'd like to join?"
"What are you saying…"
Seeing her confused expression, Yoo Sung-jin stepped in.
"I don't know why the chairman is fond of Eun-sam, but it's a blessing for her. He means what he says; if you have a preferred company name, don't hesitate to mention it now."
At that, Seo Eun-sam's eyes widened in disbelief. After hesitating for a long moment, I continued.
"No? Then it's fine to stay here. And you, Ji-soo?"
"Yes. Yes."
"You should kneel here before me."
Ji-soo knelt at my feet. Upon seeing him, Yoo Sung-jin asked me quietly.
"Did that employee do something wrong?"
"They groped that female staff member in a public area. That's what we could see. Who knows what kind of crimes might be happening out of sight? Is she one of those kinds of people?"
"No, she's just a regular employee."
As Yoo Sung-jin heard me, he threw a scornful look at Ji-soo.
Even gangsters had a modicum of decency, after all.
It was inhumane to harm someone simply because they were less experienced or lower ranked.
"We'll handle this ourselves."
"Can I trust you?"
"Im Hwa-soo here has a talent for fixing people, right?"
"Yes, Boss."
At Yoo Sung-jin's question, Im Hwa-soo nodded solemnly. To Ji-soo, Im Hwa-soo posed a more terrifying presence than Yoo Sung-jin.
Ji-soo trembled, wringing his hands in desperation.
"Please forgive me! I messed up. I only intended to rub her shoulders, fearing she might be tired. I swear!"
"Is that your excuse? Can someone like you be fixed?"
Yoo Sung-jin smiled brightly. The kind of smile that felt so warm.
"That's a human's aspect of growth."
Nodding in satisfaction with his response, I turned to Ji-soo, who was still kneeling.
"Consider this your last chance. Take note, you never get another one."
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