Chapter 89
Hesitation Only Breeds Regret
Kang Cheon-gyu's face grew even darker as he recognized the bugging device in In-hyuk's hand.
"Why is that...?"
"It's either a sansevieria or a stucky plant. They don't need frequent watering, so in the past, intelligence agencies often used them to plant bugging devices."
As In-hyuk spoke, he walked elsewhere and fumbled around.
Tik-tik— Tik— Tik-tik—
To under the sofa, at the outlet, in the wall clock, etc... about five more bugging devices were torn out and thrown onto the dining table.
"Heoh..."
"Instead of just being surprised, shouldn't you assemble all the security personnel in charge of this place?"
"Assemble?"
He still seemed not to understand.
"Doesn't the security team regularly inspect for bugging devices or cameras?"
"Th-that's true."
This was the residence of a major conglomerate's chairman.
No matter how thorough the security, no one knew what could happen while the house was unoccupied.
Especially because, apart from the domestic staff necessary for chores, no one could enter the residence, so it required extra caution.
"If something like this still turned up, doesn't it suggest that there's someone inside who doesn't belong to the chairman's group?"
Kang Cheon-gyu, regaining his composure, took out his phone and called Nam Hyo-chang, the chief of security.
"Excluding the security team, come in right now with Executive Director Noh and the security guards!"
The security and security teams stayed in an outbuilding.
As soon as the order was given, Noh Geun-cheol and Nam Hyo-chang led the waiting security guards into the living room.
"Is everyone here?"
"Except for five on the night shift or off-duty, everyone is present. But those are..."
Nam Hyo-chang, puzzled by the sudden summons, stiffened upon seeing the items on the table.
"Correct. Those are bugging devices. We just found them in the living room. So you can guess why I called you all."
The security guards also became serious.
The fact that bugs were found despite regular checks implied there was an infiltrator among them.
Thinking deeply, Nam Hyo-chang cautiously spoke.
"Where were they found?"
"In that flowerpot, the sofa, the outlet, the wall clock, and behind the TV."
Nam Hyo-chang looked around at the guards.
"Who was in charge of the recent inspection?"
One security guard, glancing around, looked toward Oh Won-ho, who stood at the very end.
He promptly explained.
"I did the check with Choi Young-in, who's off-duty today."
At the mention of the name, In-hyuk, who was standing further back, had his eyes flash for an instant.
"Do you have nothing to say after seeing that?"
"I-I don't know anything!"
Oh Won-ho stuttered with panic under Nam Hyo-chang's questioning.
"The domestic staff are inspected along with their luggage before entering. Among security guards, except for me, only the inspection team can enter on inspection days. So, is it me? Or is it you guys?"
Nam Hyo-chang emanated a chilling aura.
"I really don't know!"
Tension hit its peak.
As silence washed over them, In-hyuk interjected.
"By any chance, did you wear gloves during the bug inspection?"
"... No, we didn't."
"Then let's start with fingerprint analysis. And the bugging devices are GTE423 models, originally used by Russian intelligence agencies. The battery is small; it lasts at most a week, can't record but transmits using a repeater. Even with amplification, the maximum range is 120 meters. Since there are no other facilities within 100 meters of the house, there has to be a repeater somewhere."
Everyone listened to In-hyuk's explanation with dazed expressions.
"You really know a lot."
"I've been interested in this kind of thing before. Ah, these days, with technological improvements, people sometimes modify cell phones to use as repeaters."
Surveying the guards' expressions, In-hyuk went on.
"But the transmission range becomes extremely short, so it doesn't use the UHF bands often used in security, but home-used FRS instead. That means, if left running, it also shows up on a detector."
Kang Cheon-gyu, sitting on the sofa, understood what he was getting at.
"Just in case, why don't you go bring a detector yourself? Sorry, but leave your phone here before you go."
Without hesitation, Nam Hyo-chang placed his phone down and left.
Meanwhile, the assembled security guards waited in silence.
Shortly after, Nam Hyo-chang returned with a detector, his face filled with menace—as if daring someone to get caught.
"Everyone, come up one by one and put your phones on the table."
He wanted to be sure whose phone belonged to whom.
The security guards complied, albeit nervously.
Nam Hyo-chang checked his own phone first, showing it was clearly powered on and unresponsive, then moved to the next.
As each passed the test, their owners began to relax.
Pow—
At that moment, one security guard bolted for the front door. It was Oh Won-ho, who had been standing at the end.
Nam Hyo-chang and the other guards rushed after him in surprise.
In-hyuk darted out as if he'd been waiting for this.
"Damn—!"
Oh Won-ho, face twisted in panic, threw a punch at In-hyuk.
But In-hyuk easily dodged, struck Oh's chin from below, grabbed his elbow and twisted it, slamming him to the floor.
Kuung— Wooddeudeuk!
"Aaagh—!"
With the sound of his elbow twisting backward, oh Won-ho screamed.
On top of him, holding him down, In-hyuk let out a cold smile.
"As I suspected—you used your phone as a repeater."
"Kgh! M-move!"
"If you keep struggling, I'll twist your shoulder too..."
Woodeudeudeuk—
"Aaagh—!"
"Oops, did I use too much strength? Twisted it by mistake."
Stunned by this sudden turn, Nam Hyo-chang and the others quickly regained their senses.
"We'll restrain Oh Won-ho now."
At that, In-hyuk released his grip, checked something, and stood up.
"... I'll leave it to you."
The guards helped the writhing Oh Won-ho to his feet.
Watching, Kang Cheon-gyu picked up the detector Nam Hyo-chang had dropped and checked Oh Won-ho's phone.
Beeeeep— Beep—
Just as In-hyuk said, a bugging frequency was detected.
"So it was true. By the way, didn't you break Pyo Jun-woo's arm last time too? Is that your specialty?"
"I'm not that skilled, so I prefer to end things on the first try if I can."
"Can you really twist someone's arm like that so easily?"
The question was directed at both In-hyuk and Nam Hyo-chang.
Nam Hyo-chang shook his head—it was not possible for ordinary people.
Still, In-hyuk kept his shameless tone.
"The guy's arm muscles must be weak."
"Heoh... But this is troublesome. If we turn him over to the police, it'll cause unnecessary commotion, but any other action could cause problems too."
Last time, after transferring Pyo Jun-woo, he was snatched and later found dead.
Something seemed to occur to Kang Cheon-gyu, and he spoke again.
"... Don't tell me, was this the guy who leaked information last time?"
Very few people knew about Pyo Jun-woo's transfer, and now the puzzle clicked together—even Nam Hyo-chang nodded.
"I think so. We didn't even know we had someone like this inside... My apologies."
"These people deliberately infiltrated our side. I just don't know how much was leaked yet..."
"What should we do with him?"
The issue was how to deal with Oh Won-ho.
As everyone hesitated, In-hyuk offered matter-of-factly.
"Just hand him over to the police."
"You want to make this bigger?"
"It's better than handling it poorly and facing more trouble, like last time."
Kang Cheon-gyu didn't hesitate long.
"We'll do as you say. Department Manager Nam, file a report and turn the situation over to the police. The bugging devices and phone too, as evidence."
"Understood."
"Wait a moment, please."
In-hyuk approached Oh Won-ho, grabbed his shoulder, and stomped on his knee.
Crack—
"Aaaagh—!"
Startled, Kang Cheon-gyu shouted.
"What are you doing!"
"This way, even if someone tries to rescue him, it won't be easy."
"..."
"Just say those injuries happened in the struggle to stop him from escaping. I don't want unnecessary trouble."
"..."
Everyone was speechless at In-hyuk's brazen request.
Nam Hyo-chang bowed to Kang Cheon-gyu and, with the other guards, dragged Oh Won-ho out.
A brief silence passed. Then Noh Geun-cheol approached Kang Cheon-gyu, worried.
"Chairman, are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. Really. More importantly, you owe me an explanation—starting from how you found those bugs."
It was also puzzling how In-hyuk subdued Oh Won-ho in an instant.
In-hyuk let out a shallow sigh.
"I happened to spot something sticking out between the plant leaves. When I checked, it turned out to be a bug, so I looked for more after identifying the model. The rest is just as I explained."
Actually, even In-hyuk was half-doubting himself.
The reason was that the bugging technology, though originating from Russian intelligence, had been slightly modified by UID.
This situation might make Oh Won-ho's backers suspect In-hyuk's true identity, so he gave detailed explanations, knowing anyone familiar with Russian bugging tech would follow his logic.
'For now, it seems there's no one else from Kooou other than Oh Won-ho.'
He had confirmed this while subduing Oh Won-ho; when the other guards lifted him, their palms were facing outward so he could check.
But it wasn't yet a safe situation. Even if not from Kooou, Jeon Hae-in might have separately poached other security guards.
While In-hyuk was pondering, Kang Cheon-gyu recalled the scene of Oh Won-ho's limbs being twisted without a hint of hesitation.
"... What a wild situation. Including what you just showed us. I'd heard about how you subdued Pyo Jun-woo in the hospital, but seeing it myself—it's terrifying."
In-hyuk shrugged.
"Hesitation only breeds regret."
"Bit of a brutal example for a proverb, don't you think?"
"It was an unavoidable situation. Anyway, things here seem wrapped up, so I'll be heading out first."
"Already?"
Perhaps because he still hadn't persuaded In-hyuk, Kang Cheon-gyu looked bitter.
"What you asked about earlier—I'm not interested. But if today's incident is resolved properly, I'll at least consider it."
"Really?"
At present, Kang Cheon-gyu hadn't even grasped so much as a sliver about Kooou.
Naturally, it was nearly impossible for such a thing to be sorted out.
"I promise. Also, if the police want a statement about Oh Won-ho's injuries, you can give them my contact."
"... I will."
Leaving the two behind, In-hyuk exited the house.
Meanwhile, Noh Geun-cheol cautiously asked Kang Cheon-gyu.
"Do you seriously intend to hand over KQ Group to Division Director Kang In-hyuk?"
"He was proven to be my son by a DNA test, and his abilities are outstanding. There's no better option."
"But..."
Kang Cheon-gyu's earlier chilling memory of In-hyuk's actions lingered in his mind.
"There was no other choice, was there? Plus, we have our hands full too. Someone intentionally infiltrated our security team—same for Pyo Jun-woo. We still haven't figured out their objective."
"I'm sorry about that."
They'd investigated everything from the late Pyo Jun-woo's birth to his recruitment to KQ Group's security team, and found nothing suspicious.
It seemed Oh Won-ho might be no different.
"We'll just have to hope the police come up with something. Also, arrange a discreet meeting with Attorney Kim somewhere private—make sure that woman doesn't find out."
He meant Kim Myung-jun, the attorney in charge of the will.
"I'll arrange it carefully."
Thus instructed, Noh Geun-cheol also left the living room.