n

n

n“A long, long time ago, there was a poor developer.”

nChoi Gichul and Jung Jinsup’s eyes widened at Woosung’s words.

n“One day, that developer took his chances and left his job for a new opportunity.”

nChoi Gichul interrupted him.

n“Sir, everyone knows the story of how you started. It’s a famous story.”

nWoosung ignored him and continued, “He then got into the cryptocurrency business. He worked night and day. It was hard, but he could endure all the hardships because of his hope and goal to become successful.”

nWoosung took a sip of his drink.

nJung Jinsup asked anxiously, “P, president Kang, what are you talking about?”

n“I’m talking about the past.”

n“Past? Whose past?”

nChoi Gichul signaled Jung Jinsup to be quiet. He wanted to hear this.

nHowever, Jung Jinsup ignored him and continued.

n“I am innocent. Choi Gichul made me do it. You know me, Woosung. I am very loyal to you.”

nChoi Gichul frowned. “You bastard! What are you talking about?”

n“I am really innocent. I only followed your instructions, Woosung.”

nChoi Gichul’s expression turned ugly at Jung Jinsup’s confession.

n“Y, you…”

nChoi Gichul turned to Woosung who was drinking silently.

nWoosung continued, “Where was I? Oh, yes. That developer worked very hard for his goal. Then one day, he realized the company he worked for had a problem. This was the beginning of the tragedy. He wondered if he should ignore it or report it.”

nChoi Gichul asked, “President, is Jung Jinsup telling the truth?”

nWoosung again ignored it and continued, “When asked, his bosses told him to let it go. The developer felt anxious, nervous, and angry. He was anxious he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his goal. He was angry that he has worked so hard for nothing.”

nChoi Gichul screamed, “President! I am asking you if you really ordered Jung Jinsup to do those things!”

nWoosung took another sip and murmured, “Great whiskey.”

n“I won’t let you get away with it.”

nAt Choi Gichul’s threat, Woosung grinned.

nHe continued, “There was nothing the developer could do. One night, he attended a company party. The first part was at the steak restaurant.”

nThis sounded very similar to the night they were having. Choi Gichul stood up in anger.

n“Sit down.”

nAt Woosung’s quiet order, Choi Gichul had no choice but to sit. He knew who was in charge.

n“After the restaurant, the party continued at a bar. The developer drank so much there. Do you know what happened after?’

nObviously, they didn’t know. They just stared at Woosung silently. Woosung took another sip and replied.

n“Haha, of course, you wouldn’t know. It makes sense. It would be strange if you knew.”

nJung Jinsup asked anxiously, “President Kang, what are you talking about…”

nWas Kang Woosung going crazy?

nWoosung continued, “It’s just a story about a long time ago. Just listen.”

nJung Jinsup quieted. Choi Gichul just looked at Woosung without a word.

n“The developer promised to let it go. All he asked was for his bosses to fix the situation. The developer wanted any embezzled money to be returned as if nothing happened. At the end of the night, it was finally time for the developer to go back home. However, the problem starts here. What would be the right thing for these bosses to do? Think carefully before you answer. It’s a multiple-choice question.”

nWoosung raised his finger.

n“Number one. Kill the developer since he knows the company secret. Number Two. Do as the developer asked. Now, you answer.”

nJung Jinsup said quickly, “O, of course, the answer is number two.”

n“How about you, President Choi?”

nChoi Gichul answered carefully, “Shouldn’t it be number two?”

nWoosung raised his voice, “You’re wrong! Come on, guys!”

nSeveral men came in and started to hook up Choi Gichul and Jung Jinsup to wires. Afterward, Woosung asked, “Is your name Choi Gichul?”

n“Yes.”

nTRUE.

nThe word appeared on the screen in front of them.

n“Do you belong to Daeyang?”

n“Yes.”

nTRUE.

n“What did you do at Bit Trading?”

n“Operations.”

nTRUE.

nWoosung finally asked the same question again.

n“Now, what would you do to that developer who knows the company secret?”

n“Number two.”

nBEEP!

nFALSE.

nWoosung laughed. “The machine says you’re lying. What do you think?’

n“The machine is lying.”

n“You called me recently and told me that one of the men from Daeyang security team lied to you.”

nWhen Woosung ordered, a man was dragged into the room. Choi Gichul’s eyes widened.

n“P, please save me. I just followed orders.”

nThe man was begging. Choi Gichul glared at him.

n“Daeyang’s, or perhaps your personal, cleanup member, right?”

nWoosung ordered again and another man walked in.

n“And this is the leader of the Daeyang security team. I knew him from the past.”

nIt was the man. The man who was supposed to drive Woosung home, but didn’t.

nWoosung continued, “Such a loyal employee who would kill for you! I can’t believe you doubted him!”

nChoi Gichul stammered, “K, kill! What are you talking about?”

n“Choi Gunwon and Choi Gitae! I have clear proofs. Do you still deny it?”

nChoi Gichul stood up quickly.”

n“That is… I…”

n“You will be found guilty of at least a second-degree murder or an accomplice to a murder.”

nChoi Gichul lowered his voice and asked, “What do you want? Why are you doing this to me?”

n“What I want…”

nWoosung stared at Choi Gichul.

nRevenge.

nWas this enough? Woosung asked himself.

nHe asked Choi Gichul, “What I want is an honest answer. If you answer honestly, it might help your situation.”

n“What do you want to know?”

n“Do you really think that developer must have died?”

nChoi Gichul nodded.

nWoosung asked, “Why?”

n“Because he knew the boss’s weakness.”

n“But was it really necessary? Daeyang was so powerful. One developer wouldn’t have been able to do much damage against such a huge corporation.” Woosung shook his head.

nChoi Gichul murmured, “Ironically, Daeyang lost everything now.”

n“True.”

n“Will you let me go now?”

n“It’s a different world now. Everyone is on my side. I will let you go today, but the prosecutors will be visiting you soon.”

nChoi Gichul closed his eyes. Woosung turned to Jung Jinsup.

n“As for you, you will have to deal with the loan sharks.”

n“B, but President Kang!”

n“You broke our promise.”

nJung Jinsup became red as he yelled, “I won’t let you get away with this!”

nWoosung’s bodyguards frowned.

nWoosung continued, “You do whatever you want. It will only make things worse for you.”

nWoosung threw an envelope at Jung Jinsup. Inside were photos of Jung Jinsup with various women.

n“T, these are…”

nWoosung said to him coldly.

n“I have much more on you so think carefully before you do anything stupid.”

nThen he left.

n***

nWoosung couldn’t sleep. He watched the sunset.

n“Am I almost there?”

nHe was the CEO of a giant business empire. Choi Gichul was being investigated while Jung Jinsup was in trouble with the loan sharks.

nEverything happened all in four years.

nWoosung was so tired. He felt weak.

n“Phew.”

nHe sighed deeply. He felt relieved. When he tried to get some sleep, there was a loud noise outside the door.

n“Hey, open the door! This is the Vice president.”

n“Nope.”

n“Hey, Woosung! Woosung! Why won’t you answer my calls? Open the door! What happened?”

nIt was Jang Gwangchul. It had been already a week since he met with Choi Gichul and Jung Jinsup that night. Woosung hadn’t left his house since then. He needed time to think.

nWoosung raised his hand and got his bodyguard to open the door. Jang Gwangchul burst in.

n“Hey! Why won’t you answer my calls? I thought something bad happened!”

nWoosung smiled. “I just needed time to think.”

n“About what?”

n“This and that. Didn’t you say to take time off from time to time?”

n“But you need to answer my calls!”

n“Haha, I’m fine. It’s all good.”

nJang Gwangchul sighed, “This isn’t the time to be lazy. The government accepted your proposal. The top 30 companies in the country will be audited.”

n“Alright. Let’s go. We begin again.”

nWoosung stood up. Jang Gwangchul and the bodyguards followed him.

nIt looked like the march of a King.

n