Chapter 100
A Raccoon-like Man
Several days had passed.
Im Deok-chang, the third deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, received a report from the subordinate to whom he had given instructions earlier.
"There's really that much of Taeshin's shares involved with those companies?"
Along with Monex LLC in Geneva, Switzerland, there was also a company called Luxanta Exchange in Monaco, which Kang In-hyuk and Tae Ju-ha had recently visited, so he had ordered a closer look.
Now that the results were in, it turned out those companies held a significant number of shares in Taeshin Group.
"To be precise, the company employees hold the shares in a distributed manner. Summed up, the two companies own 8.2% of Mulsan and 2.5% of Electronics."
In current value, all together, it reached about 2 trillion won in shares.
"How did such a large chunk of shares end up with them?"
"It appears the shares were gradually acquired over a period difficult to verify. Taeshin Group must have put in considerable effort."
At the same time, Im Deok-chang could guess whose scheme it was.
But, with his subordinate present, he didn't bring up the name.
"I'll check the rest myself, so leave the documents and you may go."
"Understood."
Left alone in the office, Im Deok-chang brought over the documents and began to read.
"Chairman Tae Gun-seung... so this is how he was preparing the succession for Taeshin Group? And not Tae Seok-hyun or Taeseok-ho, but his granddaughter, Tae Ju-ha? And even to an illegitimate child?"
Along with his muttering, Im Deok-chang faintly raised the corners of his mouth rather than becoming serious.
"So, it means Chairman Tae intends to exclude Tae Seok-hyun and Tae Seok-ho from the line of succession."
After thinking it over, he picked up his phone.
[Have you decided?]
It was the voice of Baek Ji-woong, chairman of WISE&WIRE Group, on the other end of the line.
Not long ago, he had agreed to the deal Im Deok-chang proposed, but Im Deok-chang had temporarily held off accepting due to Kang In-hyuk and Tae Ju-ha's suspicious activities.
"I'll go along with your proposal, chairman Baek. But the purchase price should be at 70%, not 50%."
[You expect that much after everything I'm giving up?]
A full 20% increase. In terms of funds, that would be at least 100 billion won more.
Baek Ji-woong couldn't help but be taken aback.
"You didn't think I'd know Kang In-hyuk had refused Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu's succession offer, did you?"
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Information he'd thought was fully contained had leaked out.
[Even if you know, does it change anything? Chairman Kang will do whatever it takes to bring Kang In-hyuk into KQ Group.]
"But he has no interest, does he? And if I'm to poach Kang In-hyuk, I'll need the capital for it."
[Didn't you think our side's purchase point was already pretty high?]
"Well, that's..."
To begin with, the Taeshin Group's stock price crash was Im Deok-chang's doing.
He'd paid a heavy price when Baek Ji-woong swooped in and took the lead.
[So what is it going to be?]
"I'll settle for just 10% more. No higher."
That was 60% of the original purchase price.
Not exactly cheap, but Im Deok-chang's shares were necessary to maneuver Taeshin Group.
[57%. If that's not enough, let's end our deal here.]
The decisiveness in his voice was clear.
Im Deok-chang, holding his phone, began tapping the desk with the fingers of his other hand.
Tap— tap—
"Fine. 57%. How are you going to transfer the shares?"
[We'll draw up a share transfer contract with Mirage International, which holds the shares.]
"You're doing this quite legally."
[This way, I don't have to see you face-to-face, right?]
Hearing that, something occurred to Im Deok-chang.
"When the deal is over, you'll pull back all your people from Kang In-hyuk's side, right?"
[Don't ask what's obvious. And you need to step back as well.]
He was referring to Baek Si-hwan and Reina Blackwood, who each had their eye on the target.
Thus, the call ended.
At the same time, Im Deok-chang wore a sly smile.
The hastily devised plan, based on a chance bit of information, had worked on Baek Ji-woong.
Of course, he couldn't be careless until the actual transfer contract was inked...
···
Meanwhile, after the call, Baek Ji-woong of W&W Group wore a subtle expression.
"Is something wrong?"
Do Jung-geol, observing from beside him, asked.
"He's stubborn, as expected... but something feels off."
"Do you think he's plotting something?"
"To be honest, I thought Hyottoko wouldn't give up his shares. Especially after putting Reina in place the moment Lee Jae-jun was dealt with by Tae Seok-ho's side."
Originally, Lee Jae-jun was Tae Seok-ho's secretary and watchdog—and Baek Ji-woong's man.
With his death and Reina Blackwood taking his place, the confrontation had truly begun.
Of course, it wasn't Hyottoko (Im Deok-chang)'s side that killed Lee Jae-jun.
This was certain, so Baek Ji-woong couldn't make Im Deok-chang's interference a public issue within his organization and could only watch.
"But with Hyottoko failing to secure the shares, won't that become a problem on his end?"
"That's not wrong, but he's such a raccoon-like fellow..."
To earlier, he'd felt an odd, nagging sensation.
"Can't you check through the wire you planted in the National Intelligence Service?"
"They've already been cut. I'm guessing they purged them during the current Taeshin business."
Baek Ji-woong himself had already let some members of the security division go, finding Im Deok-chang's involvement in the game suspicious.
An eye for an eye.
Knowing each other's tendencies so well, what they gave and took hardly differed.
"So what about the deal? If we stall, hyottoko might sense something."
"Let's drag it out, saying we need time to arrange funds. Given the amount, he won't think it strange. Meanwhile, I'll check if he's got any agents moving in secret near him."
"Understood. I'll delay it as much as possible."
* * *
In-hyuk passed through Geneva, Switzerland and Monaco with Tae Ju-ha for five days and four nights, then arrived in Hong Kong.
This time, instead of a company, they went straight to the hotel.
"I know it's important, but tonight, I'm resting no matter what. No interruptions, okay?"
"..."
He gave no answer. He hadn't said anything to her, either.
He'd only managed to grab some sleep in transit hotels and on planes as they moved through Switzerland and Monaco.
Of course, they'd only ridden first class, so it wasn't uncomfortable, but with the ongoing matters of Taeshin Group succession, both she and her secretary, Heo Yu-rim, showed clear signs of exhaustion.
"Understood?"
When In-hyuk just stood silently, she asked again, as if for confirmation.
"Understood. Just let me know when you wake up."
"I'll eat with Secretary Heo here and call you after."
"That's fine, too. Oh, and just in case, if anything happens, don't leave your room under any circumstances. Lock the door, and call either me or these two right away."
Tae Ju-ha asked, slightly tense.
"Wait... Are you saying something might happen?"
"I didn't mention it earlier, but we've been followed since Switzerland. By the way the tail changes with each leg, they're not ordinary guys."
At this, both Tae Ju-ha and Heo Yu-rim looked at In-hyuk in shock.
"Why are you only telling us now?"
"I judged it wasn't immediately dangerous. We hadn't left the airport or stayed anywhere too long. But tonight is different, so you need to be careful."
"Are you sure we're safe?"
"If they meant us harm, they would've tried already. Anyway, that's why I picked a hotel with decent security. Please relax."
With In-hyuk's calm explanation, Tae Ju-ha scowled.
"How am I supposed to relax after hearing that?!"
"It's not like we can't do it, either."
"Haaa... Fine, I get it."
"I'll get a room close to yours, but don't think about coming out—just call on the phone."
"And if you don't answer?"
"Then these two will be in real trouble."
He referred to Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester.
With that, they wrapped up the talk and headed for the lobby.
"2個套房. 請分別給我2個, 3個房間. 還有儘量2個房間近一點的. (Two suites. Each with two and three bedrooms. And please make sure the two rooms are as close together as possible.)"
With fluent Cantonese, the hotel staff completed check-in and got the keys ready.
Watching the process, Tae Ju-ha let out another long sigh of surprise.
"So it's not just English, but also French, spanish... and Cantonese? Did you just pick those up in your spare time?"
"You're perceptive. But do you know Cantonese?"
"I worked with someone from New York who spoke it, so I can at least tell it apart."
Soon after, with keys in hand, the group headed upstairs.
The women took the suite with two rooms; it was a precaution, just in case.
In-hyuk and the others entered the other room.
Hong Yu-geon, looking exhausted, sank heavily onto the couch.
"Those guys are really persistent. Still no sign of the boss?"
"No. But I think I have a hunch now."
At his reply, Van Hester and Hong Yu-geon, who had been heading to the fridge, turned to look.
"Really? Where?"
"I think it's the National Intelligence Service. Someone put their people on us."
In-hyuk went to the fridge with Van Hester, grabbed a bottle of water, checked it by rubbing it with his thumb and palm out of habit, then took a drink.
Once his thirst had eased, he walked over to the balcony and glanced around.
"How do you know?"
Hong Yu-geon's curiosity grew.
"The guy who approached us near the elevator earlier was tailing us. But the radio equipment he was using was standard issue there."
"And you recognized it?"
It was from the time when he belonged to UID in his previous life.
He'd encountered NIS agents during overseas operations before as well.
As UID was a secret special forces unit under the Ministry of Defense, he'd never revealed himself to them.
"Just happened that way."
"How do you know this stuff? And what does the NIS want by following us?"
"Probably related to those guys."
At that, Hong Yu-geon's face hardened.
"... You mean Kooou? You think they have connections in the National Intelligence Service, too?"
"Given the circumstances, it's the most likely explanation."
Several incidents had already proved that Kooou had influence with the police and prosecutors.
Even UID, under the Ministry of Defense where In-hyuk once belonged, had brushed up against them.
There was no reason to think the National Intelligence Service wouldn't be included.
"Who the heck are those guys?"
"Anyway, for now it seems they're just watching for their own reasons. Still, you should be on alert while I'm out."
Saying that, In-hyuk made his way toward the door, prompting Hong Yu-geon to stand up.
"Where are you going?"
"I have an important matter to take care of. It's something I need to do alone, so you two stand guard for the others and take turns resting."
"What if something happens to you out there?"
After the gun attack in America, he was understandably worried.
"They already announced who I am. I won't be in immediate danger."
"I can't tell if that's confidence or carelessness... but if the boss says so, there's nothing I can do."
In-hyuk put on sunglasses and headed out.
When he got to the first floor and hailed a taxi at the hotel's front gate, he confirmed that the NIS tail had resumed.
"請去旺角. (Please take me to Mong Kok.)"
It was the busiest district in Hong Kong.
In-hyuk pulled out his phone and called someone. As the line connected, a female voice spoke in French.
[Je pensais que c'était un no―show. Tu l'as appelé? (Thought it was a no-show, but you called?)]
"I didn't take this job out of boredom."
In-hyuk responded in fluent French.
[So just do as I was hired, right?]
"We'll proceed at the designated place in twenty minutes."
[Okay.]
"Don't get caught—absolutely no funny business."
[Of course.]
Not long after, In-hyuk arrived at Mong Kok. The NIS agents were still following him.
He slipped into one of the crowded alleys and continued walking.
After glancing around, he went into an electronics market to dodge the agents' line of sight.
They scoured the area, searching anxiously.
About five minutes later, In-hyuk, looking just as before, reappeared in their line of sight.