novelraw Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
After finishing my pleasant little chat with the reporters and stepping outside the building, what waited for me was a single car and a few men in suits.
“Are you Hunter Yoo Chan-seok?”
At those words, I glanced once at the building behind me before answering.
“Other than me and Hunter Han Sang-ah, who else would be walking out of there right now?”
I guess I made my confirmation a bit long-winded.
“This car was sent by the chairman of Geumyang Group. We’ll escort you to Seoul.”
At that, I turned to look at Han Sang-ah.
“Your grandfather really moves fast huh.”
I hadn’t expected him to send a car the moment we arrived in Donghae. At this speed, it wasn’t so much sending a car as it was having it wait until I showed up.
“That’s why he’s good at business.”
Her short reply made me tackle one more question.
“And his character?”
“Dirty.”
The faces of the suited men stiffened immediately at Han Sang-ah’s blunt assessment.
“Miss Han Sang-ah.”
“Well, would you look at that? They called you ‘miss.’”
I gave her a look of disbelief. Only now did the image of her as a chaebol’s granddaughter really sink in. I turned my gaze back to the men in suits.
“So, did he tell you to escort me politely, or to break a few bones and drag me along?”
“He said to escort you politely.”
Then there was no reason not to get in. Han Sang-ah and I climbed into the car the chairman of Geumyang Group had sent and headed toward Seoul.
The head of Geumyang Group, a giant in his own right, was calling for me.
In Siberia, it takes days to cross from one border to the other. Korea isn’t like that. From Donghae to Seoul, a few hours were plenty.
“He’s waiting for you.”
The place we arrived at was Artois Seoul, one of Geumyang Group’s subsidiaries. Owned outright by Geumyang. In simple terms, it was a flashy, luxurious, massive hotel.
“Go on in.”
Han Sang-ah and I headed to the basement.
“The basement, huh.”
I knew there was a club down there. Passing the dance floor with loud music and people moving their bodies to the beat, we arrived at a large room.
“Welcome. I’ve heard much about you. I am Han Sang-cheol, chairman of Geumyang Group.”
Han Sang-cheol’s body wasn’t big. If anything, he looked frail. Leaning against his cane, he seemed like someone whose legs needed support just to walk.
Even if you put a blade in his hand, it was doubtful whether that old body could kill a single person. But that cane was enchanted with something called money, and if he swung it properly once, a few countries would crumble.
And, what an amusing scene this was. The first thing that caught my eye was the young man and woman in their late twenties sitting on large sofas to either side of Han Sang-cheol.
Next was the group of more than ten women in thin dresses, the kind often called “bar uniforms.” And here I was, along with Han Sang-ah, the chairman’s granddaughter.
So then, why this setup that resembled a hostess bar?
“You might as well have stripped them naked to wait here. Not much difference from what they’re wearing now, is there?”
That was the first thing I said to the old man before me, Han Sang-cheol.
“Anyway, my name is Yoo Chan-seok.”
Han Sang-cheol’s eyes fixed sharply on me.
Sorry, old man, but I’ve dealt with so-called big shots before… I’ve seen it all.
A knight commander with 57 victories in 57 battles. An emperor who silenced every noble mouth by raising the imperial authority in rivers of blood.
A duke who shattered the limits of a common birth to seize a nation in his hands and shake it.
A queen who toyed with twenty-five nobles and royals alike, devouring them one by one, extracting their wealth and power to the marrow until she ruled alone.
“So, am I supposed to sit down and tell one of these girls to pour a drink for me? Actually, I like that woman over there. I’ll sit next to her.”
Trying to catch me off guard with an unexpected setting and atmosphere, was that it?
“Pour me a drink.”
Once seated, I held my glass out to the side. Wine filled the crystal glass. Without a word, I looked at Han Sang-cheol as I drained it.
Placing the empty glass back on the table, Han Sang-cheol stared at me for a long moment before muttering under his breath.
“Son of a bitch’s got balls I see.”
He tapped his cane on the floor once.
“Get rid of the ornaments.”
The women who hadn’t understood him right away finally caught on and got up to leave.
“Let me redo the introduction. This is my grandson, Han Hoon. Over there is my granddaughter, Han Soo-hee.”
So the grandson and granddaughter were scrambling to win the old man’s favor for the inheritance. Curious. Where had their actual parents gone, that the grandchildren were fighting over succession?
And what about the other grandchildren not present? I had too many questions for one family.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Han Hoon.”
“I’m Han Soo-hee. And you really are as handsome as the rumors say.”
Han Soo-hee looked at me as if attaching a price tag, while Han Hoon’s gaze was the kind that looked down on people. It didn’t matter. They weren’t the ones I had to deal with anyway.
“I hear the rumors about you are remarkable. Hunter Yoo, they say your achievements came faster than anyone else in your field.”
“Sometimes luck lines up with talent. That’s all.”
At my words, Han Sang-cheol stroked his chin.
“Ah, let’s eat first.”
Ramen with rice cake and tuna gimbap were on the day’s menu. Interesting.
“Whatever we eat just turns into shit anyway.”
“But people work hard to make sure it’s expensive shit.”
My comment made Han Sang-cheol laugh and nod.
“True that. Well have this expensive shit.”
“At least serve some kimchi please.”
He nodded, and kimchi was added to our table. Han Hoon and Han Soo-hee were clearly struggling to keep straight faces, displeased with the humble fare, but also desperate not to fall out of favor with their grandfather.
As the chopsticks clicked against plates, Han Sang-cheol spoke.
“By the way, Sang-ah, I hear you worked hard this time.”
“Yes, I did work hard.”
Her answer wasn’t to win approval. She had worked hard, so she simply said so.
“She’s always like that.”
The meal went on. For most, it would have been an uncomfortably tense dinner. No conversation, only the sound of chopsticks clinking against plates.
I slurped up a bite of noodles, then glanced at Han Sang-cheol in disbelief. Wait, this old man eats Jin ramen mild? After seeing that, I felt like getting along with him would be hard.
“Well, I’ll give you all time to finish the meal. I’ll step out for a bit.”
Whatever he was planning, Han Sang-cheol rose and left the room. Han Hoon immediately spoke.
“Sang-ah.”
“Yeah?”
She answered while winding noodles with her chopsticks.
“Why do you keep catching my eye? Didn’t you say you weren’t interested?”
“Do you believe everything that comes out of someone’s mouth? Really, oppa.”
Then Han Soo-hee chimed in.
“She said she’d be a Hunter, and she is one.”
“Then what about this guy? Why did Grandpa, the chairman, call him here?”
I raised my glass of water and answered.
“This guy is a damn famous Hunter who just got back to Korea after busting his ass.”
Han Hoon’s gaze snapped to me. I took a sip of water while making eye contact.
“So what? You’re just a stray dog that’ll rummage through every mountain and river as long as someone pays you…”
I slammed the glass down on the table. With a sharp crack, it shattered in my hand. Shards couldn’t hurt me, so only water dripped down my fingers.
Shaking off the water, I stood up and smiled at Han Hoon.
“Ever been bitten by a dog?”
“You bastard, you think you’re somebody just because the chairman called you?”
With a flick, I sent my chopsticks flying. They brushed past his ear and stuck into the wall.
“You’ve got it backward. I’ve always been somebody, and that’s why Chairman Han called me.”
“Getting cocky over a flash of fame? You’ll regret it. We’re not people you can take lightly.”
Watching the situation unfold, Han Soo-hee looked exasperated and spoke. After hearing her, I glanced at Hang Sang-ah and asked her.
“Han Sang-ah, did you hog all the good genes from the Han family?”
“What kind of question is that? Don’t twist your words. I don’t understand things like that.”
Han Sang-ah munched on her gimbap, clearly uninterested.
“Are you planning to go against Geumyang Group?”
At Han Hoon’s words, I scratched my nose.
“What are you talking about? Since when were you in charge of Geumyang Group? Who’s the chairman again?”
“Geumyang Group belongs to Grandpa.”
Han Sang-ah, with a casual tone, added, “That’s right,” before tossing a piece of gimbap into her mouth and sipping her noodle soup.
Meanwhile, Han Soo-hee told Han Hoon, “Grandpa’s not here. Let’s not disgrace ourselves, Executive Director Han.”
His gaze shot to her.
“You think you’ll get the chance?”
Han Soo-hee lifted a strand of noodles with her chopsticks, grimaced, and tossed it back into the bowl.
“I think I might. That’s why I’m forcing down this garbage into my stomach right now.”
Then she turned to Han Sang-ah.
“While you were in England, the government reached out. It was about a contract for housing supply through 3D printing.”
At that, I rubbed my temple. She continued.
“They said your presence there, along with… what was it, Yoo Han-seok? The Hunter, had a big influence.”
It’s Yoo Chan-seok, idiot. With memories like that, no wonder you can’t run a hotel properly.
“So you’re saying Sang-ah stuffed money into the chairman’s pocket.”
At my words, Han Soo-hee gave a playful little gasp and laughed.
“You catch on quick. Honestly, the chairman didn’t think Sang-ah being a Hunter would benefit Geumyang Group much. But look at this.”
She spread both hands with a flourish.
“Crossing Siberia to deliver relief supplies, guarding the shield generator in Dover, and even resolving the uproar there... All of it.”
So it ended up influencing the housing contract.
“The British beggars never liked the Geumyang Group much. The government had been dragging its feet on further contracts. But thanks to Sang-ah, without meaning to, that issue was cleared. The British government couldn’t avoid signing more contracts, and with the softened atmosphere, the deal was sealed.”
She leaned back smugly.
“So, how do you think we feel? Happy or unhappy?”
“Happy, obviously. Congratulations on lining the chairman’s pockets.”
I said, and she snorted.
“Men like you behave once they’ve been gagged, tied up, and whipped.”
“Women like you behave once they’re treated the same way.”
Tie anyone up and beat them, they’ll behave. After my words, Han Soo-hee turned her gaze to Han Sang-ah.
“Sang-ah, if you’re not interested in him, why not hand him over to me?”
“Unni, I’d rather not have my bones broken.”
Anyway, I understood enough now. Han Sang-ah had stepped away from the succession fight to work as a Hunter, but by chance had brought money into Geumyang Group’s coffers.
That made Chairman Han Sang-cheol, who’d only vaguely sensed the scent of money from her work, certain of its value. Which in turn made these two start eyeing her warily again.
“What a joke. Am I supposed to do my job while worrying about your family drama too?”
“I’d prefer you did. Because this family isn’t just any family. It’s the Geumyang Group.”
At Han Hoon’s words, I scowled, downed the rest of my water, and answered.
“Go shove a taffy in your mouth.”
I already had enough on my plate. Why should I bother minding the childish squabbles of a chaebol family?