Chapter 158 ·Red Witch

Red ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Witch

After leaving Taeshin Trading, In-hyuk went straight back to Taeshin Asset Management.

He then visited the CEO's office to bring up the reason for his visit to Tae Ju-ha.

"What did you call me to Mulsan for?"

"CEO Jung Min-seop said a few things, but nothing important."

At this rather dismissive explanation, Tae Ju-ha let out a shallow sigh through her nose.

"Then, what's the reason you wanted to see me?"

This time, In-hyuk thought for a moment before speaking.

"I'm planning to quit Taeshin Asset Management."

"What? What do you mean...!"

"Just as I said. I'm going to finish up only the matters I have to handle in the MP Division, then I will organize my departure."

Tae Ju-ha still had a puzzled expression.

"So, why are you quitting?"

"I don't think there's anything left for me to do here. So I'm thinking of pursuing something I've wanted to do on my own."

"No matter what, isn't this a bit too sudden, especially without any prior notice?"

At this, In-hyuk scratched his cheek.

"It would have been sudden, no matter when I told you."

Perhaps because he spoke so nonchalantly, Tae Ju-ha's brow narrowed.

"So, after quitting here, what are you planning to do? Are you going to KQ Group...?"

She thought the same as Tae Gun-seung and Jung Min-seop.

"I'm planning to start a company. I've already made all the necessary plans."

"What about funding?"

Although In-hyuk was the son-in-law of a chaebol family and division director of Taeshin Asset Management, he had not actually received much money from the company.

"The initial funding isn't much, so it's fine."

"I suppose you have no intention of changing your mind."

"If I did, I wouldn't have brought it up at all."

Tae Ju-ha let out a long sigh.

"How long do you plan to stay?"

"Two weeks."

Her face became even more complicated after hearing there wasn't much time left.

"Will the ongoing projects be concluded by then?"

"They're almost finished. After that, the internal team can handle things."

If the work was incomplete, she might have tried to hold onto him a bit more.

But In-hyuk gave her no opening at all.

"It can't be helped. Actually, with CEO Jung Min-seop taking office, Mulsan and each affiliate are doing a personnel reshuffling. We'll just assign new staff to match."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine."

Tae Ju-ha had also proved her competence, building herself up from the bottom.

After working at the New York branch and becoming CEO of Taeshin Asset Management, her management skills had really begun to stand out.

Even compared to other third-generation chaebols, In-hyuk readily admitted her skills were not lacking.

"Anyway, once you leave, Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu won't just sit quietly. Won't he pressure you even harder than before?"

"It's already been a mess. But I have no intention of joining them."

"Excuse me for saying so, but in your stubbornness, you really resemble him."

"Are you criticizing me for quitting?"

In response, Tae Ju-ha couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"You can joke like that?"

"I'm not joking. In any case, just bear in mind what I've told you."

Having wrapped up the conversation, In-hyuk went downstairs to his office.

Baek Si-hwan, who was sitting at his desk, followed in and handed over some result sheets.

"These are the results of AMK Partners's second welfare project investment review. I've marked the places that were negative about the deep site and on-site due diligence."

In-hyuk made several marks in red pen on the result sheets, then handed them back.

"Please put together a team to conduct due diligence on the locations I marked. I want the results in three days."

"I'll prepare right away."

"Oh, and there's an upcoming personnel reshuffle. If you have a preferred division, let me know. Like when you first came, you can apply to move to another affiliate as well."

At this, Baek Si-hwan looked a bit confused.

"Are you suggesting I move to a different division?"

"In two weeks, I'm leaving this place."

Simultaneously, Baek Si-hwan was taken aback.

"What? You mean, you're resigning as division director?"

"That's right. I just informed the CEO as well."

Baek Si-hwan's eyes darted back and forth in thought.

With the recent temporary shareholders' meeting, the Association's Taeshin Group project had failed.

And yet, Baek Si-hwan's job wasn't over. He was supposed to stay by Kang In-hyuk's side, gaining his trust, and probing the relationship and communications with AMK Partners.

But with this sudden resignation notice, it was only natural that he felt thrown into disarray.

"Are you moving to another company?"

In-hyuk purposely gave an exasperated expression.

"A lot of people have been asking me that today."

"Uh... sorry."

"As I said before, I'm quitting. I have no reason to explain what happens after that to you, Manager Baek. So go finish what you were working on."

Chastened by In-hyuk's words, Baek Si-hwan couldn't say more. He bowed his head slightly and left.

As the door closed, Hong Yu-geon raised an eyebrow and spoke.

"He seemed to be working hard at your side all this time. Isn't this a bit harsh?"

"Enough that he wasn't able to do anything so far. Now that I'm leaving, there's no need to keep an eye on him."

This was exactly why In-hyuk had kept Baek Si-hwan close—to feign trust and make him continue to act favorably toward himself.

Because it was impossible to predict what tricks Baek Si-hwan might pull while nearby, In-hyuk made sure he bound himself up tightly.

"But that guy, and the organization behind him... they're really something."

At Hong Yu-geon's admiration, Van Hester nodded as well.

From the beginning until now, Baek Si-hwan's actions had been thorough. He'd even grown close to many people within the MP Division.

If they'd gone back in time not knowing he was a traitor, they might have trusted him again.

"I've laid out the groundwork, so it's time I moved."

"Is your resignation letter the first step?"

"I've had this place under my control for some time, anyway."

The majority of Taeshin Trading, the Taeshin Group holding company, was owned by AMK Partners.

As a countermeasure, they had placed Executive Director Jung Min-seop as CEO, but rumors were swirling that a foreign company had taken over a domestic one.

"Are you sure it's okay for you to leave?"

Hong Yu-geon was aware of all this, which is why he was concerned.

"I wouldn't have been able to do much more from here anyway. It's actually easier to handle things from outside."

"Oh... so you're really aiming to become the true boss now?"

"Quiet."

In-hyuk turned his eyes back to his monitor, focusing again.

* * *

Chairman Baek Ji-woong of WISE&WIRE Group was on the phone with Baek Si-hwan.

"What? Kang In-hyuk is leaving Taeshin Asset Management? Is he going to the head office?"

This was Baek Ji-woong's misunderstanding.

Baek Si-hwan corrected him.

[No, he's leaving entirely. He apparently just informed CEO Tae Ju-ha.]

At the same time, a low sound escaped Baek Ji-woong's lips.

Initially, the reason Baek Si-hwan had been placed with Kang In-hyuk was because of a request from Tae Seok-ho.

As the connection between Kang In-hyuk and AMK Partners had become more prominent, they had kept watch, hoping to gain trust and see if there was more to the relationship.

However, once the complex ties with Tae Seok-ho became apparent, In-hyuk didn't give them many openings to dig deeper. In the end, none of the information they'd obtained thus far was useful.

"Judging by his actions, it doesn't look like he'll go to KQ Group... Could he be moving to AMK Partners?"

It was the most plausible option.

[I asked him myself, but he didn't answer.]

"Leaving at this timing... really an unexpected move. With Taeshin Group's management and board reshuffled, the head office would definitely try to retain Kang In-hyuk, you know. There have been internal calls for it, too."

There were still quite a few of their people remaining within Taeshin Group, so they could stay on top of the news.

[Due to this, Kang In-hyuk recommended I transfer somewhere new after he leaves. What do you want me to do?]

Baek Ji-woong sighed.

After a recent failure, his elder authority had been restricted. Now, with the possibility that Kang In-hyuk had close ties to AMK Partners, it was difficult to keep Baek Si-hwan near him.

Also, according to what he'd heard from Im Deok-chang, the National Intelligence Service had, using the Notex incident, traced connections to Hwain Techon.

No clear evidence had surfaced yet, but at the current pace, it could become public anytime.

"The Taeshin project is as good as failed... so tie that up cleanly and join the Gordon Grimes tracking effort."

Baek Si-hwan sounded surprised at this order.

[Is there a team already in place?]

"Tengu is preparing it directly."

[Weren't they working on Yulmyung?]

With Shojo, formerly Supreme Prosecutors' Office deputy chief prosecutor Jung Yoon-ju, now dead, there was a big hole in the legal team.

Because of that, Tengu had suggested a new route by working with the law firm Yulmyung.

"I think they want to tighten internal discipline this time."

[But will Hakushikijou really just sit by?]

Anyone inside the Association knew Hakushikijou and Tengu were in a rivalry.

"That's what's odd. I doubt he actually wants them to fail, but there's something hands-off about it. If things go wrong, it'll affect the Association anyway."

The latest atmosphere inside the Association had been relayed by his wife, Kwon So-jeong.

Even then, Hakushikijou hadn't strongly opposed Tengu's plans.

[Should I join that team, then, and monitor the situation?]

Baek Ji-woong smiled at his question.

"You're quick on the uptake. They said they needed you, since you'd already been watching Kang In-hyuk, who was linked to AMK Partners. There won't be a problem."

[Understood. I'll transfer as soon as I wrap up matters here.]

The call ended.

Baek Ji-woong pondered quietly for a moment, then summoned his secretary, Do Jung-geol.

"Kang In-hyuk is leaving Taeshin Group. Find out through internal channels if there's any other news about that."

"I'll get on it right away."

"And has there been any further word from the National Intelligence Service? About the Notex case?"

Do Jung-geol handed over a tablet.

"I was just organizing a report on that. Apparently, Director Jin Jong-man and Deputy General Manager Choo Jae-min are investigating a shell company related to Hwain Techon."

"They must not trust Im Deok-chang, whom they put in charge."

"That seems likely."

The tablet showed a detailed record of the National Intelligence Service agents' movements under the orders of the two men mentioned.

As Baek Ji-woong recalled this odd situation, he drummed his fingers on the desk.

"Have you found out how they managed to get that close?"

Im Deok-chang had also reported that he couldn't track the traces.

But Baek Ji-woong hadn't stopped there—and was investigating other leads.

"Even the agents assigned by Hyottoko couldn't spot anyone meeting with them."

"And communication logs?"

"Also nothing unusual."

"No way they figured it out themselves... How did Skull pass on the information?"

They had already determined the source of the leak was Skull.

The only possible party targeting their Association was that one.

While deep in thought, Do Jung-geol spoke up cautiously.

"If I consider various angles... maybe they have a form of contact we can't track."

"Like what?"

"The most obvious would be something untraceable or a technology that leaves no evidence."

"That sort of thing is possible now?"

Do Jung-geol hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"There is a hacker that Hyottoko once tried to recruit."

"A hacker?"

"A hacker who operated on the dark web under the name 'Red Witch'."

Baek Ji-woong's eyes gleamed.

RelatedRelatedRelated