Choi Seohyeon sat in his office, biting his fingernails while waiting for contact.
For several days now, he had been unable to reach Baltiche’s intelligence team at all.
The intelligence team, which had always contacted him first, had suddenly gone completely silent, leaving him unable to decide what to do next.
“Candidate.”
His chief secretary entered after opening the door.
“You need to leave now.”
“I know. Wait.”
“......You mustn't be late.”
“I said I know! I'll get ready and come out, so wait.”
“Yes......”
At his sensitive reaction, the chief secretary bowed without another word and left the office.
Choi Seohyeon played with the burner phone the intelligence team had given him, then put it away in the drawer and stood up.
Several hours later, after completing all his scheduled engagements and returning, he took out the burner phone again.
A text message had arrived.
[Tomorrow, 10 a.m., Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province....... Come alone.]
Choi Seohyeon's expression brightened when he read the message.
Putting the burner phone into his pocket, he summoned his chief secretary.
“What does tomorrow morning look like?”
“You have a meeting scheduled with the Federation of Korean Industries.”
“Move it.”
“Pardon?”
“I said move it. To the afternoon.”
The chief secretary hesitated before speaking carefully.
“......The chairmen of the groups are people who have difficulty finding time. If we postpone it unilaterally, there will be backlash.”
“If I say postpone it, then postpone it. Why are you talking so much? I have something more important.”
“But......”
“Apologize personally and move it to the afternoon.”
“I'll contact them first. But you have another schedule in the afternoon. What should I do?”
“......Then arrange it for a day that's free in a few days. Ask for their understanding.”
“I'll do my best.”
After the chief secretary left, Choi Seohyeon sent a message.
The next day.
To arrive on time, Choi Seohyeon personally got behind the wheel.
“You've come?”
Upon arriving at the meeting place, the man who always met with him came out to greet him.
“It's been a while. But you don't look well.”
“There was a small accident during training. Let's go inside first.”
As they walked, Choi Seohyeon looked around.
Despite meeting them countless times, he had never come to this place before.
“Is this your headquarters?”
“No. This place is......”
At that moment, a man emerged from the building.
“Welcome, Candidate Choi.”
“You are......”
The man who came out was Choi Taeuk.
“I won't waste time. I was the one funding the intelligence team.”
Choi Seohyeon's eyes widened.
He shot a glance at the agent beside him.
“That's correct. Representative Choi Taeuk is our employer.”
“Mmm......”
“Haha. Come inside first, Candidate.”
Choi Seohyeon went inside with Choi Taeuk.
“Everyone out.”
At Choi Taeuk's command, everyone inside stepped out.
Only Choi Taeuk and Choi Seohyeon remained in the living room.
“The reason I revealed myself directly to you is because the time has come. It's time to cut off Kim Muhyuk's leash once and for all.”
Without even exchanging pleasantries, Choi Taeuk got straight to the point.
Though surprised, Choi Seohyeon hid his thoughts like a seasoned politician.
“That won't be easy. Kim Muhyuk's shadow stretches across every corner of South Korea. We need thorough preparations before we begin.”
“Things aren't going well in Europe, so they're in a hurry. Weren't you also taking orders from them when you attacked Kim Muhyuk?”
“......What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Lord Xavier wants us to push harder.”
Swallowing dryly, Choi Seohyeon did not answer immediately.
“......Representative Choi, it sounds like you're leading me.”
“Leading you?”
“It feels like you're trying to coax a specific answer out of me.”
Suspicion filled Choi Seohyeon's eyes.
Choi Taeuk coughed lightly, looking offended.
“Why would I do that? What would I gain?”
“Hmmm......”
“You don't trust me. I revealed that I funded them, and the agent who always spoke with you personally guided you here. And you still doubt me?”
Choi Seohyeon slowly rubbed his chin, still unconvinced.
Leaning against the sofa, he carefully observed Choi Taeuk's expression.
Choi Taeuk maintained a smile while desperately calming his racing heart.
“So you don't trust me. Then look at this first.”
He picked up a briefcase from the floor and placed a stack of documents before Choi Seohyeon.
“Once you see this, your doubts should disappear.”
The papers contained records of Kim Muhyuk's suspicious financial flows.
Without saying a word, Choi Seohyeon read through the documents carefully before putting them down.
“Where did these come from?”
“We've been investigating Kim Muhyuk for quite a while. This is only the beginning. More evidence will continue to be provided.”
“Hmmm......”
Tapping the papers, Choi Seohyeon said,
“You're only giving me this now, which means you want something from me.”
“Correct. Lord Xavier wants you to make sure Kim Muhyuk is finished.”
If the documents were real, they could reveal how Kim Muhyuk had provided political funds to politicians.
“Can these documents be trusted?”
“Have you forgotten what kind of company I run? We're one of the country's leading information technology companies. There are countless experts in our company who can hack anything.”
“So this was obtained illegally?”
“Does that matter?”
Choi Seohyeon sighed quietly.
Ignoring him, Choi Taeuk continued.
“We're not trying to legally bind Kim Muhyuk. We're trying to eliminate his influence. Politicians will abandon him the moment they fear for themselves. They'll do it to survive.”
“Well, that's true.”
Still, Choi Seohyeon remained doubtful.
“This isn't enough. Kim Muhyuk's name isn't mentioned even once.”
“The truth isn't important. Suspicion breeds even greater suspicion. In the end, people will believe your claims.”
“But......”
When Choi Seohyeon still hesitated, Choi Taeuk pressed harder.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Stronger and more definitive evidence is already prepared.”
“Then why aren't you releasing it?”
“We're waiting for the right moment. The more Kim Muhyuk tries to deny things, the deeper he'll sink. Right now, he's busy fighting Wall Street in America. He doesn't have the time to worry about Korea.”
Choi Seohyeon thought for a moment.
“Fine. I understand. So tell me, Representative Choi, what do you gain?”
“Kim Muhyuk has to fall for me to grow further. Our country's IT industry runs on money related to Kim Muhyuk. Without his investment, nobody can grow anymore. That's unhealthy. A troublemaker destroying competitiveness needs to be removed.”
“You're not trying to turn me into a puppet so you can take Kim Muhyuk's place?”
“I have no interest in politics. I've never even met politicians. Investigate me a little and you'll see. If things weren't so urgent, I wouldn't have met you personally.”
Only after hearing that he was acting for personal gain did Choi Seohyeon finally nod.
Choi Taeuk carefully observed his reaction.
It was better this way.
Had he spoken nonsense about serving the nation or saving the economy, Choi Seohyeon would have become even more suspicious.
“So what does Baltiche want?”
At last, the name Baltiche came out of Choi Seohyeon's mouth.
Under the table, Choi Taeuk clenched his fist tightly.
“Kim Muhyuk's downfall. That's all they want. They don't care about Korean politics or economics. You've met them yourself. Has Lord Xavier ever asked anything from you?”
“The fact that they want nothing is what's suspicious. Do you really think someone would help me without expecting anything in return?”
“Kim Muhyuk's downfall is Baltiche's greatest benefit. If you don't believe me, contact them directly.”
Instead of answering, Choi Seohyeon silently tapped the stack of documents.
‘Can I really swallow this bait?’
After Cheon Jisoo exposed the flaws in Cheon Jiwon's revelations, he had been cornered.
Even at yesterday's supreme council meeting, more voices demanded that he withdraw from the race.
“Do you have any information concerning Cheon Sooman's death?”
“We weren't able to uncover that much.”
“That's unfortunate. It would've been the perfect weapon. We've been investigating independently, but it isn't easy.”
“We'll look into it too.”
“Good. Fine. Let's do this. It's time I took a gamble.”
Choi Seohyeon nodded and gathered the documents.
“But I have conditions.”
“Conditions? Please tell me, Candidate.”
“First, all information must be shared transparently.”
“Of course. We'll provide information based on Kim Muhyuk's responses.”
“Second, if things become dangerous, I'll sell you out.”
Choi Taeuk was speechless at the bold declaration.
“I have to survive for you to survive. Do you agree?”
“That......”
“If you don't like it, we can't work together. Tell Xavier too. My own safety comes first.”
“......Very well. Do as you please.”
“Third, provide campaign funds.”
“Campaign funds?”
Choi Seohyeon nodded confidently.
“Yes. Ever since we became enemies with Kim Muhyuk, no companies have approached us. Campaign funds have dried up. Campaign season is about to begin, and at this rate we'll just sit there sucking our fingers.”
“......How much?”
“Thirty billion won.”
Choi Taeuk nearly jumped at the outrageous amount.
“That's too much.”
“I'm not asking you. I'm asking the people behind you. Can they do it?”
“I'll try.”
“Then contact me again. I'll move when that happens.”
Standing up, Choi Seohyeon tapped the stack of papers.
“I'll take these.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Then I'll be waiting for good news.”
In the end, Choi Seohyeon never trusted Choi Taeuk.
Had he trusted him, he would've spoken more casually.
After placing the briefcase containing the documents on the passenger seat, Choi Seohyeon headed for the driver's seat.
Choi Taeuk followed and held out his hand.
“One moment. May I have your car keys, Candidate?”
“My keys?”
“Yes. Apples are especially sweet these days. They reminded me of you, so I prepared some. Your wife will love them.”
“They're organic apples. You can eat them immediately without worrying.”
“Hmmm......”
Without answering, Choi Seohyeon handed over the keys.
Choi Taeuk opened the trunk.
It was empty.
He signaled to the intelligence agent who had guided Choi Seohyeon earlier.
Soon, ten boxes of apples filled the trunk.
Watching this, a small smile formed on Choi Seohyeon's lips.
Roughly one hundred million won fit inside a single apple box.
Ten boxes meant around one billion won.
“I'll prepare more next time and contact you.”
“Good. I'll be waiting.”
Receiving the keys back, Choi Seohyeon climbed into the driver's seat.
“Then I'll wait for your call, Representative Choi. Next time, let's become closer.”
Instead of answering, Choi Taeuk simply bowed.
After Choi Seohyeon's car disappeared from sight, Choi Taeuk straightened up.
At that moment, people poured out from a warehouse outside the building.
“You worked hard, Representative Choi Taeuk.”
“I-I thought my heart was going to burst.”
“You acted pretty well for someone saying that.”
They were support personnel from Black Bear's intelligence team.
“The entire conversation between the two of you has been recorded.”
“Whew...... But how are we supposed to prepare thirty billion won?”
“We'll report it to the higher-ups first. Just wait. Ah, can you contact Baltiche?”
“I have an emergency line, but I've never initiated contact myself.”
“Hmmm. Understood. Please wait for further instructions. Good work today.”
The intelligence agent smiled warmly.
* * *
“Boss, Choi Seohyeon accepted.”
“Really?”
Closing my laptop, I looked at Manager Ma.
“He didn't suspect anything?”
“They said he was suspicious at first. Apparently Choi Taeuk acted convincingly enough to fool him.”
“Looks like he's a better actor than I expected. That's fortunate.”
“However, he requested thirty billion won in campaign funds.”
“Thirty billion?”
I couldn't help but admire his nerve.
This old man really had guts.
Thirty billion won from a single company?
No matter how wealthy a chaebol was, the amount they could support a presidential candidate with was usually only several billion won. The unspoken rule was to divide the burden among multiple companies.
But asking for thirty billion all at once?
That was ridiculous.
“So he's asking Baltiche.”
“That's what Choi Taeuk says too.”
“Can Choi Taeuk contact Baltiche directly?”
“He has an emergency line, but he's never initiated contact before.”
Acting differently from usual might arouse suspicion.
Regretfully, we'd leave that matter buried for now.
“Hmmm. If we use this well, we can bind him completely...... We have thirty billion ready, don't we?”
“Yes. Cash is prepared in the underground warehouse at Pyeongchang-dong.”
I nodded slightly at Manager Ma's answer.
“Tell Choi Taeuk to ask Baltiche for thirty billion. Tell them he acquired information that can destroy me and that Choi Seohyeon requested thirty billion won in campaign funds.”
“And if Baltiche refuses?”
“Well, then we'll give it ourselves. If thirty billion can bring down a presidential candidate, that's a cheap price.”
