Chapter 159 ·Just Leave Them Alone?

Just ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Leave Them Alone?

The atmosphere in the W&W Group chairman's office had subtly sunk. Baek Ji-woong, who had been listening to Do Jung-geol's story, asked languidly.

"Do you have any information on that hacker known as the Red Witch?"

"No personal details are known, but starting from at least 2022 until early last year, a data trading site on the dark web called 'The Red Witch's Store' was operated. Hyottoko tracked it using the National Intelligence Service's network, and just as he was about to catch her with bait, he lost her."

Baek Ji-woong cocked his head in curiosity.

"Are you saying that hacker has skills Skull would want to use?"

"Even though we managed to access the site, we couldn't find the location of either the operator or the server. That's why, at the time, we used a massive transaction as bait."

"So, what's the current status?"

At that, Do Jung-geol hesitated before replying.

"That 'The Red Witch's Store' dark web site I mentioned earlier was shut down as soon as she disappeared. And since then, there hasn't been any trace of activity."

"You said that was early last year, right?"

"That's correct."

Baek Ji-woong fell into thought, shrouded by the room's peculiar mood.

"What if, starting then, the Red Witch began working with Skull? What if she started targeting us from that point on, leaving no trace?"

Nothing was certain. But for now, if there was even the slightest possibility, it had to be checked. Sensing this, Do Jung-geol cautiously spoke up again.

"As I just mentioned, the Red Witch is at a level where, unless she surfaces again, she's impossible to find."

"Was the Red Witch famous in the dark web?"

"She was well-known in that circle as a first-class wizard-level elite."

"Then, isn't there bound to be at least one guy among current dark web operatives who used to know the Red Witch?"

Do Jung-geol easily understood what he meant.

"I'll try to reach out to everyone related and see if I can find anything."

"Don't make too much noise while you do it."

"I'll be careful."

With that response, Do Jung-geol immediately left the room.

* * *

A few days later.

In-hyuk grabbed his jacket and left the office with Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester. Baek Si-hwan, who had been sitting at his desk, stood up.

"Heading out somewhere?"

"I'm just going to meet someone. I'll be back within the hour."

Thus, In-hyuk stepped out of the company and arrived at a café not far from Taeshin Asset Management.

There, he spotted Norman McGrath and Marc Laurent from Sandrix. Since Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester knew them as well, they exchanged brief nods.

Meanwhile, Marc Laurent pulled a device from his pocket and turned it on.

"You can talk openly now."

It was a bug-blocking device. As they heard him, Norman McGrath spoke first.

"It really isn't easy to quietly take the initiative in these matters."

He was remarking on In-hyuk's activities under a concealed identity.

"That's why I made you that proposal, branch manager."

"Huh... I seem to remember things rather differently. Back then, it felt more like a threat than a proposal."

When they first met, In-hyuk had threatened him by revealing everything he'd done as a lobbyist—projects where he'd pocketed kickbacks in FOURGMA, as well as information about how far deals with competitors had gone regarding SolarView.

"Well—! At the time, I needed you, branch manager, so it was unavoidable. Still, aren't you satisfied with where you are now?"

Since joining AMK Partners, Norman McGrath had been soaring. Of course, whenever sums in the hundreds of billions or even trillion-won scale began flowing in unexpected directions, he felt a bit nervous, but each time that led to unrealized profits, he felt a thrill.

"I can't deny that."

"I was a little worried you might still hold a grudge about that."

"Hahaha! I didn't expect the division director to think that way. By the way, there's a rumor going around Taeshin Asset Management that you're stepping down. What are your plans?"

"That word got around already?"

Not even a week had passed since he'd told Tae Ju-ha he intended to resign. The news spread faster than expected.

"Your position in this field isn't a light one. And besides, the public connection with our firm can't easily be ignored, right?"

Indeed, his greater value was not so much his competence, but the connection to AMK Partners.

"No wonder I've had relentless calls from headhunting firms lately. That must be the reason."

"Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu is probably raising the biggest fuss."

A wry smile appeared on In-hyuk's face. Somehow, after hearing word of his resignation, Chairman Kang Cheon-gyu had been phoning constantly since the next day.

Bzzz— bzzz—

At that moment, In-hyuk's phone, sitting atop the table, vibrated. After glancing at the screen, In-hyuk could only sigh.

"He's calling now too."

"Persistent, isn't he?"

In-hyuk pressed the reject call button at once.

"He's a troublesome fellow."

"He must really be worried about KQ Group. Can't be helped—when the successor is a complete mess. In a way, it's a pitiful burden."

He knew all about Kang Do-young's incompetence and KQ Group's complicated internal situation.

"Well, sorry for dragging you out for something troublesome."

"Not at all. For someone in your position, these kinds of visible meetings are sometimes necessary."

The main reason In-hyuk suggested meeting was to stage a scene of contact with AMK Partners. Of course, there were surely people watching based on Baek Si-hwan's information by now. Marc Laurent, having spotted a few, quietly signaled Norman McGrath.

"Two just came into the cafe, and there's a car out front with people surveilling."

In-hyuk had noticed their presence even before Marc Laurent had.

"Just as expected. How far ahead are you seeing things?"

"It's just too obvious not to."

At that, Norman McGrath smiled.

"What are your plans? If you're coming to AMK Partners, I'm all for it."

"If I joined, this meeting would be too much of a cliché."

"Then are you off to another firm?"

In-hyuk shook his head.

"I plan to found my own firm focusing on investments and management consulting."

This answer caught Norman McGrath off guard.

"A company?"

"I need justification to work independently without interference."

His expression did not change.

"So, you'll use that company to move more freely."

"That's right. Though outwardly, I'll try not to attract too much attention."

"Given your status, many people will take notice anyway."

Since his relationship with AMK Partners could not be overlooked.

"Still, at least I get to choose my own projects."

"Then could we request an investment too? Say, with a short-term target return of 300%?"

It was joking, mixed with some seriousness. Seeing how much more relaxed Norman McGrath had become, In-hyuk grinned.

"That's a return rate that would require bankrupting a company to achieve."

"I doubt that's impossible for you."

AMK Partners currently commanded an astronomical sum. If they moved with intent, even big conglomerates wouldn't just be shaken—they could be toppled.

"First, I'll need a suitable office space in Seoul. That's partly why I wanted to meet you."

"In that case, how about a building owned by AMK Partners? After acquiring shares in Taeshin Trading, we're moving into a different building, so there's plenty of space."

Not a bad offer, so In-hyuk nodded.

"In that case, BlueForce will likely handle security, so safety should be solid."

"As it happens, we're engaging a company with an excellent security system for the new building."

"Oh? Which company?"

Norman McGrath's face brightened with pride.

"It's called Plusystems. Recently, it's become well-known in New York and Silicon Valley, and their security systems are more capable than you'd think. Oh! And they're also collaborating with TN SOFT, one of our investments."

Hearing that name for the first time in a while, In-hyuk couldn't help but acknowledge Norman McGrath's abilities.

"You've done your research well. Coincidentally, I had them in mind as well."

"Really?"

"They're a company managed by us at AMK Partners."

"Ah, I see... Wait, what?"

Norman McGrath had nodded naturally, but then looked shocked.

"Unofficially, Plusystems is a subsidiary of AMK Partners."

"Is that for real?!"

Plusystems, which had been amassing huge funds through the sale of security systems and software, was directly tied to AMK Partners. It was no wonder he was so surprised.

"It was established and managed by us even before you joined. The headquarters runs it through funding and shell companies, which is why you didn't know."

"Man... how far ahead have you been thinking?"

"I just got lucky, that's all."

"If you get lucky one more time, you'll conquer the world."

It was only a joke said out of amazement, and yet, for In-hyuk, it wasn't exactly impossible now. With the experiences and intelligence from his past life, he'd risen to this unprecedented dominance.

"You flatter me."

"Hahaha—! Anyway, as I said, I'll make the preparations. And may I match the office furnishings for you?"

"I'll handle that. I need to show myself moving around a bit, for appearances' sake."

"I hadn't thought of that."

Having wrapped up matters smoothly, the group stood up. Norman McGrath headed to the parking lot, accompanied by Marc Laurent and their security guards. In the meantime, In-hyuk, Hong Yu-geon, and Van Hester started heading back to the company.

"Those guys are still following us."

Like Marc Laurent had earlier, Hong Yu-geon had also noticed the surveillance.

"That's because they want to see what we do after meeting Norman."

"Should we just leave them?"

"They're only here to keep an eye on us. As soon as they realize we've noticed, they'll pull out."

There was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble on a busy street.

"But what are you going to do about the DRC (Dominican Republic of the Congo)? Now that you've nailed down the food supply routes, shouldn't you make a move?"

He was talking about the Kooou camp. According to their current investigation, there were at least thirty people staying there. Still, compared to the scale of the camp confirmed by Naya in Mongolia, that was about half.

'Did they split their forces, or did they get rid of the ones they found useless?'

He was reminded of the guys he'd dealt with in Silicon Valley. No matter how much they intended to kill civilians, he doubted they'd send such incompetent agents.

Besides, there'd been someone who handled the finishing shots from a distance. Turning these thoughts over, In-hyuk entered the company building.

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