Chapter 160 ·Damn Director

Damn ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Director

As In-hyuk returned to the office, a knock sounded from behind him.

Knock, knock, knock—

"Division director. May I have a word with you?"

It was Noh Dongjun, who used to be an entry-level colleague and was now the team leader of PEF Team 2 in the MP Division.

"Come in."

With a glance, the others—Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester—exited the room. In the meantime, Noh Dongjun entered cautiously and sat down on the sofa with In-hyuk.

"Aren't you busy with what your team is working on these days?"

"It's mostly wrapped up. But there's something I've been hearing... is it true?"

Originally, In-hyuk had planned to tell the division staff all at once next week. Yet, as rumors began to spread and people got restless, Noh Dongjun came by, unable to contain his curiosity.

"If you're asking whether I'm quitting here... it's true. I'll be working until next week, then I'm leaving."

Noh Dongjun was startled.

"It's real?! Why are you leaving?"

"You're not asking because you actually don't know, right?"

"Ah..."

He immediately recalled that In-hyuk was the illegitimate child of KQ Group's chairman, Kang Cheon-gyu.

"No matter what I do here, it'll be hard to earn good looks from people. And it'll only get heavier to climb higher from my position."

"If you leave, what will you do then? Are you even thinking about joining KQ Group?"

It was already the third time he'd been asked the same question. In-hyuk was tired of explaining and scratched his head.

"... I can't tell you that much."

"You just made that 'I can't be bothered to explain' face, didn't you?"

"Well, sort of."

"Whew. When the story broke out of nowhere, I wondered if you'd bolt right away. So it ends up like this after all."

"What can I do?"

"Has your replacement been decided?"

"The CEO will take care of it."

"There's going to be a war among department managers and up. Executives too, I bet."

Currently, the Taeshin Asset Management MP Division had substantial investments connected to AMK Partners. Naturally, whoever replaced In-hyuk would inherit all that, making it a gold mine compared to other departments.

"It doesn't matter to me, since I'm the one leaving."

"Don't you feel regret for all the business you started here?"

Anyway, those projects were only the groundwork for In-hyuk to build his voice within Taeshin Group. Of course, others had no way of knowing that...

"It's not like I made money from those projects."

"I guess so?"

"If your curiosity's settled, then go get back to work. I have a lot to finish before I go."

In-hyuk made a point of switching to formal speech, to which Noh Dongjun clicked his tongue.

"Tch—! I came here to check on you out of concern, you know."

"Worry about what's left of your own company life."

"Let's grab a drink before you go. That much is okay, right?"

"A drink?"

"Even better if you're fine with it doubling as an MP Division dinner-slash-farewell party."

Noh Dongjun always talked about having dinner whenever a project succeeded. But each time, In-hyuk would ask CEO Tae Ju-ha to provide the company card and send everyone off without him.

"I don't like stuffy events. Let's just grab a simple drink later."

"Ok—!"

As Noh Dongjun left, Hong Yu-geon and Van Hester re-entered as if handing off a baton.

"Were you here because the division director is leaving?"

"There's all sorts of talk going around."

"He's a pretty blunt guy. You said you joined together, right?"

"That's right."

After In-hyuk replied, Hong Yu-geon nodded and asked something else.

"By the way, what are you going to do about the National Intelligence Service? With the ledger we got for you before the business trip, shouldn't we be wrapping up Im Deok-chang too?"

He was referring to the documentary evidence that the $1.4 billion found in Notex had come from Hwain Techon. In-hyuk had traced that lead with shell companies and asked them to keep the documents safe.

"The NIS director already revealed the Notex and Hwain Techon info to Im Deok-chang and ordered an investigation. From his side, he's already trying his hardest to cover any tracks."

"But we have the ledger, don't we?"

Just as Hong Yu-geon said, once the ledger was handed over, Im Deok-chang would be fully isolated.

At the same time, the various cases he had intervened and manipulated would inevitably re-surface.

However, there was one thing that bothered In-hyuk.

"The problem is how much influence Im Deok-chang has within the NIS."

"You're saying the NIS director could get taken down instead."

"Their ability to infiltrate is stronger than we thought."

They had even operated NIS agents overseas. Furthermore, they had infiltrated multiple companies, including Taeshin Group. Such an operation would have been impossible without considerable funds and organizational strength.

"Do you have a separate plan in mind?"

At that, In-hyuk accessed Ghost Link via his computer and entered a secure server. All materials collected from Kooou agents were compiled there.

He opened the data folder extracted from Jung Yoon-ju's phone and reviewed its contents. Of course, any encrypted content had already been fully decoded by Mi-ah.

"Just from the orders issued by Jung Yoon-ju, you can tell she was pretty high up. And judging by Im Deok-chang's current external position, he wouldn't be below her."

If things went sideways, the entire NIS could fall into Im Deok-chang's hands.

Naturally, the government wouldn't sit still, but given his grip on power, a surefire way to corner him was needed.

"So then?"

At Hong Yu-geon's follow-up, In-hyuk muttered again.

"If the NIS director would just show some reaction, things would be clearer..."

So far, In-hyuk had sent two messages with information to Director Jin Jong-man of the NIS. He had never once received a reply.

That alone told In-hyuk how cautious Jin Jong-man was. But with no exchange, sharing information was hard, and coming up with a way to bring down Im Deok-chang was difficult as well.

Bzzz— bzzz—

Just then, as In-hyuk focused on the monitor, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

"This guy's no different from the rest."

Checking the contents, In-hyuk smiled despite himself.

*

Late at night.

NIS third deputy director Im Deok-chang had been summoned by Director Jin Jong-man.

"So, you're saying the domestic shell company officials tied to Notex had already fled?"

He was now reporting on the investigation he had been assigned previously.

But Jin Jong-man's expression was clearly displeased.

Meanwhile, Im Deok-chang watched his reaction carefully—to check if the missing ledger had ended up with Jin.

"So far, yes."

"And Seunghwa Foundation and Seunghwa Trading?"

Im Deok-chang handed over another set of result sheets.

As Jin Jong-man read through them, his gaze grew sharper.

"Nothing of note so far."

The sheets contained the transaction history and trade details of the two previously mentioned companies. According to Im Deok-chang's report, there was nothing clearly problematic.

"Hm..."

Jin Jong-man let out a low hum.

After watching him for a moment, Im Deok-chang carefully spoke up.

"About the source of that information you mentioned before—are you sure about it?"

He was referring to the tip about the links between Hwain Techon and Notex.

Jin Jong-man looked up from the sheets and stared at him.

"What if I'm not sure?"

"From what we've investigated, it's hard to find a connection. In fact, I'm concerned the info may have been planted just to confuse the NIS investigation."

Im Deok-chang was determined to shift the NIS's focus away from Hwain Techon, intending to smother the case as evidence-inconclusive with tracks as clean as possible.

"Just wrap the case up on your side, Deputy Director Im."

"... Should I really conclude it that way?"

He made sure to double-check, just in case.

"I'll check with my informant for any additional info. Then we'll decide for sure."

For a moment, Im Deok-chang's eyes flickered.

"May I ask where that tip came from?"

"Why? Do you think I'd get info from somewhere ridiculous?"

At the sharply raised voice, Im Deok-chang could only swallow his curiosity.

"N-no, sir."

"Just do as I said and get it wrapped up. If there's nothing further, you may go."

"Understood, excuse me."

With that, Im Deok-chang returned to his office.

As if waiting, Choi Dong-hoon came in right after.

"Did the report go well?"

"I think I managed to sever the connection to Hwain Techon, for now."

"For now...?"

At his question, Im Deok-chang explained further.

"It's not dismissed, just on hold. Even with the evidence erased, the damn director still doesn't believe it."

He could only see it as an intention to dig in endlessly.

"He must have received info through a channel he trusts."

"If not, there's no reason for him to be this persistent."

"Isn't it time to make a decision, then?"

He meant to take care of Director Jin Jong-man.

But just replacing the position wouldn't guarantee a solution to this mess.

Of course, if Im Deok-chang took over, it could be possible.

However, if any consequences of the case blew up abroad before he took office, it'd be impossible to avoid responsibility. Instead, Im Deok-chang could end up shouldering it all.

"This is becoming a real headache. Oh, you've still got people tailing Director Jin, right?"

"I've got three teams moving discreetly. No unusual activity reported yet."

"He'll probably contact the informant soon, so keep on him. If you have to, it's fine to kill the director, but make sure the informant survives—no matter what. You can rough them up, just don't kill them."

Once the order was given, Choi Dong-hoon stepped out again.

...

...

Same time.

NIS Director Jin Jong-man gazed at the office door that Im Deok-chang had just exited, then let out a long sigh. He furtively checked the phone in his hand.

【NIS00: I don't know who you are, but I need more solid information.】

【HERMIT: The true culprit behind the Notex and Hwain Techon case. Related to Im Deok-chang. If you want to catch him, just hint that you'll meet the whistleblower.】

It was a brief exchange from earlier in the day. A file was attached with the reply.

It contained the ledger tracking fund flows within domestic shell companies Im Deok-chang had been instructed to investigate.

Along with it, Jin learned that the money originated from Hwain Techon.

There were too many suspicious parts for Im Deok-chang not to notice if he had looked even a little more carefully.

"So this is how they stab you in the back, huh?"

Back when he faced Im Deok-chang earlier, Jin Jong-man had barely suppressed an outburst of anger.

For him to have orchestrated things so meticulously, Jin realized he wouldn't be able to snare Im Deok-chang just by demanding answers on the spot.

After a moment, he typed a reply behind the last message.

【NIS00: I did as you said.】

Bzzz—bzzz—

This time, rather than a reply, a call came in.

Jin Jong-man hesitated briefly, then pressed the answer button.

"You've... called."

[That's my first time hearing your voice, Director Jin.]

It was a mechanically altered voice.

"What's your plan from here?"

[Can you act as bait, Director?]

The abrupt question made Jin Jong-man's brow furrow deeply.

The nuance he had been wary of from the start was now confirmed.

"If I pretend to meet with you, are you saying Im Deok-chang may try to kill me?"

[Im Deok-chang won't act directly, especially after what happened with Jung Yoon-ju.]

When he heard Jung Yoon-ju's name, a chill went over Jin Jong-man's face.

"... Were those two in it together?"

[I determined and confirmed it. When the NIS tried to play games with the prosecution, didn't Im Deok-chang hesitate?]

At that counter-question, Jin Jong-man recalled the time.

After Jung Yoon-ju's death, Im Deok-chang had abruptly shifted gears and started pushing much harder.

After a long silence, Jin Jong-man let out a heavy sigh.

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