novelraw Chapter 22
Chapter 22
This One, tailed
As the sun was setting,
In-hyuk entered the Korean table d'hôte restaurant called 'Hoam' in Cheongdam neighborhood and sat across from Jang Hyung-cheol, who had arrived first.
All kinds of food that had been ordered in advance were laid out on the table between the two.
"This time's profits were quite substantial. Both from Taeshin and AMK Partners."
Currently, Jang Hyung-cheol was growing his assets by depositing funds with both sides through In-hyuk.
And since he was getting unexpected returns every month, of course, he was in a good mood.
"It's thanks to you trusting and entrusting both sides to me."
"You said you also get investment information from AMK Partners, right?"
"That's right."
At In-hyuk's answer, Jang Hyung-cheol nodded.
"Really, who would have thought you'd get such profits from those places? The skill of hitting and running is so impressive... Anyone would think you know the future."
He was showing such a remarkable run in stocks.
At this, In-hyuk felt a little uneasy.
"The information from that side is amazing."
"How on earth did you know about such places?"
"It's just thanks to a small connection I had."
"Hahaha―! So Taeshin failed to recognize a person like you, and you're being wasted somewhere else."
It was a sarcastic remark about Chairman Tae Gun-seung.
"The place I'm working now isn't bad either. I'm not too busy, so I can even leave work on time."
"Despite your serious demeanor, you're capable of sounding like an idler."
"A person can't live too pent-up, after all."
Jang Hyung-cheol's expression soon grew serious.
"... So, what's the reason you wanted to meet today? It seems you arranged this because you have a favor to ask."
In-hyuk also hardened his expression and poured a drink for him.
"It's not a favor, but something I must earnestly ask of you."
"... A request? What is it?"
After a brief silence, In-hyuk slowly began to speak.
"Soon, a company called Chulsan Capital will be raided and searched by the Busan District Prosecutors' Office. The actual owner, you, will be included."
At those words, Jang Hyung-cheol immediately stiffened and poured himself another drink.
"... Did you know it was my company from the start?"
Officially, chulsan Capital's owner was someone else.
"Not from the beginning. I happened to discover it while picking up information from the prosecution and the tax office."
The Busan prosecutors' investigation of Chulsan Capital was something that had happened in the original future.
However, since Jang Hyung-cheol had started dealing with In-hyuk after severing ties with Taeshin Asset Management in the original timeline, In-hyuk thought this event might change along with the Rizeburn drug case that he had altered.
But from what happened with Tae Ju-ha's accident, it seemed that a major incident would still occur regardless.
So there was a high probability that Jang Hyung-cheol's situation wouldn't change either.
"Hm... I didn't expect you to have connections in the prosecution. But since I've contributed so much to that area, I'm not entirely out of the loop. What you just said... Are you sure?"
He used to be called Mr. Jang, the king of private loans in the southern region.
He'd moved so much money that it was difficult not to have contacts with the prosecution and police.
Of course, In-hyuk knew this well.
"The people who used to bring you the news have turned their backs. The Busan prosecutors, along with their informants, are determined to take you down."
"... Do you know who they are?"
"I don't. But I do know the reason."
"And what's that?"
In-hyuk sighed for a moment and continued.
"The charges are tax evasion and bribery. You once lent a hand to the Busan customs office for a transaction back in the day, right?"
"... Just for something like that?"
Honestly, In-hyuk didn't know the details either.
When he'd been a security guard for the Taeshin Group, it was just something rumored discreetly.
"They'll use that as an opening. Didn't the Central District Prosecutors' Office recently get turned upside down over the Rizeburn case, along with the police and the courts? That's led to an unexpected shake-up."
"So you're saying, the Busan prosecutors are using me as a springboard for a promotion to the metro area?"
Jang Hyung-cheol could easily grasp the situation.
"They'd see this as an opportunity. To move up in the Busan office, they'd have to go after you once."
"If that's really the case... then there's a high chance Chief Prosecutor Park Du-seok is leading it."
At the same time, In-hyuk also recalled that name.
Back then, chief Prosecutor Park Du-seok of the Busan office and several prosecutors who handled the case rode the investigation of Chulsan Capital for tax evasion, bribery, embezzlement, and so on, up to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Jang Hyung-cheol continued, questioning.
"How much time do you think I have?"
If he really needed to pull out, the timing of the prosecution's move was crucial.
"You have to take care of it within two weeks at the latest."
"That's tough... Do you know a quick and smooth way to handle it?"
It was exactly the question In-hyuk had been waiting for.
"First, plugging the holes in the capital corporation's funds is your top priority. Since you just made a surplus from recent profits, put that in, and if you reschedule the maturity on large corporate bonds, you can shake some of the suspicion."
"... And then?"
"Next will be controlling the scope of the tax evasion charges. They'll likely find issues with the real estate and other assets the corporation received as payment instead of cash."
These were exactly the points where prosecutors had uncovered the charges against Jang Hyung-cheol and Chulsan Capital in the original timeline.
"Hm..."
Jang Hyung-cheol mulled it over for a moment, then called in his secretary from outside to relay instructions.
With the temporary crack of the private room door closed again, Jang Hyung-cheol resumed the conversation.
"Why are you staying at Taeshin?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"With your information network and skills, wouldn't it be possible for you to run your own company instead of just staying at Taeshin?"
In-hyuk smiled a little.
"What power do I have?"
This time, a laugh escaped from Jang Hyung-cheol's lips.
"To think the Taeshin Group folks are so blind. It's like having a treasure and just letting it rot."
"It's not that they can't see it—it's that I deliberately stayed out of sight."
"Are you saying you hid yourself on purpose?"
The original Kang In-hyuk had led a quiet life as someone sponsored by the Taeshin Educational Foundation.
Even if someone investigated his past, nothing strange would be found.
He used this to create intentions for his changed self.
"... Let's just say that's the reason."
"And why?"
"Up until now, I never found anything worth acting for."
"So, that means things have changed now?"
In-hyuk picked up his glass of water.
"I just got tired of sitting still."
"Hoho―! That's a ridiculous reason."
"In any case, I trust you'll take care of things with Chulsan Capital. As long as your safety isn't at risk, what I have to do in the future will go smoothly as well."
"I should be the one asking you for favors. But as I've seen before, do you just not drink at all?"
Since earlier, In-hyuk had only occasionally clinked his glass, never bringing it to his lips but setting it back on the table.
"When it comes to important matters, I prefer not to drink at all."
"Are you referring to the Chulsan Capital matter?"
"That, and many other things. I'll drink with you once it's all over."
This was the time when the real Kang In-hyuk was close to dying in the original timeline.
The cause was an unexplained traffic accident. It could easily be no different from what happened when he was with Tae Ju-ha.
If so, the cause was likely someone's intention, so caution was warranted.
Thus, In-hyuk ended the meeting with a polite reply.
* * *
【Rizeburn drug route is via Busan Port; the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, currently investigating solo, is tracking vessel movements suspected as part of the distribution route along with the Busan Port customs...】
【Busan District Prosecutors' Office raids C Capital! Charges include tax evasion, embezzlement, and bribery, with suspected collusion among high-ranking officials in the southern region...】
【Who is the real owner of Busan's well-known finance company C Capital? It's said that C Capital has over hundreds of billions of won in cash reserves from corporate lending, private loans, and bond management, and there are many suspicions about its opaque capital structure and management system...】
.
.
The situation, which In-hyuk thought might change, played out just as he expected.
The Rizeburn incident grew into a massive wave shaking the world.
Bzzz― Bzzz―
Checking the news articles early in the morning, In-hyuk received a message from Jang Hyung-cheol.
【It will be dealt with without issue.】
The Busan prosecutors had indeed bit the tail, but because Jang Hyung-cheol knew about it in advance through In-hyuk, he could respond accordingly.
'At this rate, Mr. Jang of Haeundae will become an excellent investor.'
With that, In-hyuk put on his jacket, sent a reply, and headed out.
The house was quiet; Tae Ju-ha must have left early. He went down to the parking lot and got in his car.
'... I've been tailed.'
He'd felt eyes on him from the moment he arrived at the underground parking lot.
Checking the rear and side mirrors, he saw a sedan and a van quietly following.
Deliberately, he didn't even mutter to himself but just thought quietly.
'There are no signs that anyone has tampered with my car, but you never know...'
Someone might have installed a bug or a camera. At least, nothing turned up in places reachable while driving.
'Were those guys originally the ones who killed Kang In-hyuk?'
It was suspiciously perfect timing for their appearance.
Driving as usual, In-hyuk entered the underground parking lot of the Taeshin Asset Management building.
But the cars that had been following did not come inside—they passed by.
Getting out of the car, In-hyuk confirmed that things had quieted down. Then, standing for a moment, he called Go Mi-ah.
[Mmm... What's up?]
She sounded dazed, probably just woken by the call.
"There were guys following me all the way to the front of Taeshin Asset Management's parking lot. Can you check out who they are?"
Go Mi-ah's startled voice burst out.
[You mean you were tailed?! From where?]
"I don't know yet. Just look up the owner information for now."
[Hold on. Just now, right? Did you get the car make and license plates?]
He heard the computer booting up over the receiver.
"△△ Motors Lavante, black, 241Woo 8573; another △△ Motors Renault Maters, black, but I only saw 343Beo 22. The rest you'll see on nearby CCTV. How long will it take?"
[At this hour... On your way to work?]
"Underground parking lot."
[It'll take about 10 minutes. I'll message you.]
"Thanks."
After hanging up, In-hyuk exhaled through his nose and headed upstairs.
He didn't let his guard down at the office, either. Someone related to the tail might be inside the company.
'There haven't been any new faces recently, so maybe someone inside was turned.'
But at the office, there'd been nothing out of the ordinary. He didn't feel anyone watching, either.
Bzzz― Bzzz―
Just then, a message from Go Mi-ah arrived.
【Looks like both are burner cars. The registered owners haven't shown any activity for over three years. At minimum, they're probably vagrants—worse, maybe even missing persons.】
She attached a file with the owner profiles she'd dug up.
In-hyuk called as he entered the conference room.
"So, they're not exactly legal, huh?"
[No idea who they might be?]
The first to come to mind was Pyo Jun-woo, who'd been with the KQ Group's security team and had targeted Tae Ju-ha.
In-hyuk had dealt with him, Kim Seong-tae, and others from Taeshin's security at the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
As he was being tailed, In-hyuk thought of the organizations they belonged to.
But since they hadn't left any identifying clues, the likelihood was low.
"There are a few possibilities, but none that would start tailing me now."
[So what are you going to do? Aren't they dangerous?]
"You can't see their faces on CCTV, right?"
[The tint's way too dark—nothing shows.]
"Got it. I'll take it from here. You just track the vehicles as far as you can in reverse. If you catch their faces, please check their IDs."
[Haaa—my eyes are going to pop out from staring.]
"Please. I owe you."
Ending the call, In-hyuk returned to his office, sat in his chair, mulled it over, then sent an email from his phone.
【To: [email protected]】