Chapter 140: Mastermind (8)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Jae-ha's Sensing confirmed that Lee Chan-jin, Bureau Director of CBC's Current Affairs Department, was a follower of the 'New Light Truth Church'. The driver's seat of the black SUV, which had been dyed red, returned to normal. Kang Jae-ha didn't bother following Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin's car as it drove away.

"I've confirmed it, so there's no need to bother following him."

For now, all he needed to do was confirm whether Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin was a follower of the 'New Light Truth Church'. He already knew Lee Chan-jin's name and other information about him, so he could track him down whenever he wanted.

-Swoosh.

Soon, Jae-ha got the stopped car moving again. Now that he'd finished confirming it, he planned to return to Leon. Even as he drove, a faint smile spread across Jae-ha's face.

"A 'New Light Truth Church' follower planted inside a terrestrial broadcasting station, huh-"

He'd expected as much, but followers of the 'New Light Truth Church' really were active everywhere. Of course, he still didn't know how deeply CBC Current Affairs Department Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin was involved with the 'New Light Truth Church', or where Lee Chan-jin operated within the 'New Light Truth Church', which was divided into a headquarters and branches.

He might have joined recently, or he might have been involved for quite a long time.

'There's also a chance Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin doesn't even know the Vice-Commander's face. Well, I can dig all that up little by little.'

Muttering inwardly, Kang Jae-ha recalled the Vice-Commander's face, the man he'd messed with not long ago.

'More than 100,000 followers. Yeah, you sure do have a lot of people following you.'

Even if it was a cult, it was still a group or organization several times larger than the Mercenary Corps. He'd returned as the Chairman of a cult like that, complete with an 'Ability', so how much fun must he have been having? On top of that, if even a broadcasting station Bureau Director was planted inside it, the followers of the 'New Light Truth Church' were probably quite diverse, ranging from politicians to famous businessmen and more.

'A few years from now, he really might set his sights beyond entire cities and even go after a country.'

Its size and influence would only grow as time passed. Of course, that was assuming Kang Jae-ha wasn't around. Jae-ha's very existence was a disastrous setback for the 'New Light Truth Church'. No, for the Vice-Commander. For example, Kang Jae-ha could find even tightly hidden followers of the 'New Light Truth Church' in just a few seconds.

That alone would deal a considerable blow to the 'New Light Truth Church'.

In any case, Kang Jae-ha shifted his thoughts back to Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin.

'Then that settles it. Lee Chan-jin really did deliberately block the 'New Light Truth Church' episode of 'Trace File X'.'

Whether he'd been ordered to do it or acted of his own accord, Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin had suppressed public exposure of the 'New Light Truth Church'. Helping the 'New Light Truth Church', which routinely did things like flood the market with drugs and rip out other people's organs, meant one thing.

'He's the same kind of bastard.'

Even if he had nothing to do with those acts directly, Jae-ha could still consider him an asshole. As Jae-ha racked his brain over how to make use of Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin, his phone rang. It was Lee Chan-hoo. When Kang Jae-ha pressed the call button, Lee Chan-hoo's voice filled the entire car.

"How'd it go, sir?"

Turning the steering wheel, Jae-ha answered casually.

"Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin really is a follower of the 'New Light Truth Church'."

"Thought so."

"Gather the guys tonight."

"Understood, sir."

Kang Jae-ha met Lee Chan-hoo and the rest of his subordinates again that same night. At the newly relocated 'MEG' office, Jae-ha listened to his subordinates' report on Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin. His personality and tendencies, the process by which he'd risen to the position of Bureau Director of the Current Affairs Department, and so on and so forth, all the things Jae-ha had ordered them to investigate earlier.

After thoroughly learning everything there was to know about Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin, Kang Jae-ha finally asked Ryu Hyuk.

"What are Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin's weaknesses?"

Ryu Hyuk soon rattled off his weaknesses, and Kang Jae-ha slowly nodded before smiling. Just the weaknesses he'd heard about Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin, combined with the fact that he was a follower of the 'New Light Truth Church', were enough.

"Not bad for using him as a double agent."

They were more than enough to control Bureau Director Lee Chan-jin.

The next morning, over the weekend.

Kang Jae-ha, Go Chun-seok, and the rest of his subordinates gathered in Choi Ri-na's studio. Jae-ha and the others were watching Choi Ri-na inside the booth. With her purple hair tied back and headphones on, she was taking deep breaths in front of the microphone.

"Huuup- Haaah."

After steadying her breathing, Choi Ri-na smiled with her eyes at the Commander and her comrades outside the booth.

"Then I'll start!! Even if I sound totally weird, make sure you praise me!"

Kang Jae-ha gave a faint chuckle and nodded, and the subordinates around him reacted much the same. Soon, music began playing throughout the studio.

-♬♪

Choi Ri-na laid her vocals over it. Kang Jae-ha and his subordinates quickly became immersed in Choi Ri-na's song, in her vocals. Several minutes passed in an instant, and Choi Ri-na sang another song. Then the next one, and another after that. Choi Ri-na performed several songs back-to-back, and Kang Jae-ha, sitting with his legs crossed, wore a satisfied smile.

'More than enough. Whether domestic or overseas, she'll melt the public's ears.'

Lee Chan-hoo then let out an exclamation without even realizing it.

"Damn- This is killer, isn't it?? It's way better than back in the Mercenary Corps??"

Go Chun-seok silently gave her two thumbs-up. Ha Yeon-ji, Cha Chung-hyeon, and the others voiced their heartfelt admiration. Choi Ri-na's vocals were that impressive. Naturally, every song she'd just performed had been made by Choi Ri-na herself. The composition, lyrics, recording, everything was Choi Ri-na's work.

In other words, the songs for the Singer-Songwriter career Kang Jae-ha had mentioned were ready.

About 10 minutes later, Choi Ri-na came out of the booth. The moment she stepped out, she asked Commander Kang Jae-ha.

"H-how was it?"

With a smile on his face, Kang Jae-ha answered in a calm but certain tone.

"It easily goes beyond merely being a treat for the ears."

"Wow!!"

As Choi Ri-na bounced up and down in delight, Lee Chan-hoo, Ha Yeon-ji, and the other subordinates showered her with praise. Jae-ha watched them for a moment before calling Choi Ri-na over.

"Make sure you're well prepared. Of course, there's no need to rush. Your songs are already eating the domestic Music Charts alive, and there's still plenty more to be released."

"Yes!!"

It wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say the songs Choi Ri-na had made were dominating the Music Charts. On top of that, 'Condensation: Euphoria', 'Moonless Village', and 'Kisera' were all still waiting to be released. In the case of 'Moonless Village', Choi Ri-na had even handled everything from composing the song to singing it herself.

"When the time comes, you'll make your move not as a composer or Music Director, but as the Singer-Songwriter 'Rina'."

"Ugh, thinking about that scares me a little."

As though reassuring Choi Ri-na that there was nothing to worry about, Kang Jae-ha added.

"It hasn't been decided yet, but depending on the situation, you might debut without revealing your face. We can make sure the tiny handful of people who know what you look like keep their mouths shut."

Part of that was to reduce the danger related to the Vice-Commander and the 'New Light Truth Church', but Kang Jae-ha also had another strategy behind hiding Choi Ri-na's face.

"'Rina', who's become a hot composer and Music Director, debuts as a Singer-Songwriter. At first, you don't reveal your face. Then, when the public's curiosity reaches its peak, you reveal your face and make your entrance. What do you think will happen?"

At that, every subordinate turned toward Choi Ri-na, whose eyes had gone wide. She had looks that could effortlessly put most Girl Groups to shame. Among the subordinates, the answer came from Ha Yeon-ji, who adored Choi Ri-na.

"You'd even put Girl Group Visual Centers to shame, so who wouldn't fall for you?"

Everyone who had seen Choi Ri-na, including heavyweight Director Baek Jeong-ha, had been captivated by her beauty. Ha Yeon-ji's words were hardly speculation. They were practically a certainty.

"Just looking at you would drive people crazy."

Choi Ri-na, not knowing what to do with herself, stammered.

"Huh?? I-it's not that much."

Ha Yeon-ji, who was quite a beauty herself, emphatically acknowledged Choi Ri-na's looks.

"What do you mean, it's not? Ri-na, I'm a journalist, okay? I've seen tons of Girl Groups, actresses, and all that, and even they can't hold a candle to you. Ri-na, you're fucking gorgeous."

"Wow......unnie, I'll buy you something delicious."

While the two women talked, Lee Chan-hoo looked at Choi Ri-na's profile and chimed in.

"If you go out there without revealing your face, all kinds of theories will pour out, saying you're probably ugly and whatever else- Then Choi Ri-na makes her entrance right at that moment! People are guaranteed to go, what the fuck, she's gorgeous??"

As though Lee Chan-hoo's prediction of how the public would react in the future was exactly right, Kang Jae-ha smiled.

"After you reveal your face, the attention pouring onto you will increase dozens of times over."

Choi Ri-na stared intently at Commander Kang Jae-ha and gulped.

"I-I'm scared, but I'm excited too."

Monday, March 15, after the weekend.

Morning. Several familiar faces could be seen in the large conference room at 'HG ENM', which was currently busy running 'K:FESTA'. CEO Seok Ji-yeon, her hair reaching slightly past her shoulders and neatly tied back, and three Directors. Among the Directors was one who resembled a gorilla. For reference, his name was Lee Dong-hak.

CEO Seok Ji-yeon and the Directors seated in the large conference room were waiting for someone.

Soon, CEO Seok Ji-yeon thought of the party they were waiting for.

'So we're finally going to meet 'MEG'.'

A running mate or Main Investor that would work on 'K:FESTA' with them. It had taken a little time, but 'MEG' was the Investment Firm that had expressed interest in pouring money into 'K:FESTA'. Though CEO Seok Ji-yeon didn't say it aloud, she seemed to be looking forward to it quite a bit. On the other hand, the gorilla-like Director Lee Dong-hak still looked distrustful of 'MEG'.

No, more precisely.

'Why the hell is 'MEG' suddenly showing up out of nowhere?'

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say he disliked the idea of CEO Seok Ji-yeon's crisis being resolved? At that moment, one of the Directors spoke.

"It's a Director from 'MEG' who's coming, rather than their CEO?"

CEO Seok Ji-yeon nodded and answered.

"That's right, I heard he's the person who handles all of 'MEG's major deals."

"Hmm. Even so, I can't help thinking their CEO should have come personally."

The pride of the 'HG ENM' Directors had been slightly bruised by the fact that someone at the Director level was coming rather than the CEO, and while CEO Seok Ji-yeon felt somewhat similarly, she accepted it calmly enough.

'We're the ones in a hurry, and this isn't the time to be worrying about our pride.'

That didn't mean she intended to grovel in front of 'MEG'. CEO Seok Ji-yeon intended to conduct the meeting with 'MEG' on equal footing, while Director Lee Dong-hak let out a quiet sigh.

"This is already looking strange from the start. I'm worried this new Investment Firm might be looking down on us for no reason."

CEO Seok Ji-yeon shook her head.

"I don't think so, this isn't a market where anyone with that kind of attitude can survive."

"Hmm- I wonder about that."

Soon, the rather handsome secretary assisting Seok Ji-yeon entered the large conference room and announced.

"The people from 'MEG' have arrived."

Not long afterward, a man with cold eyes entered the large conference room. He wasn't alone. A hulking beast of a man accompanied him. Director Kim Ha-jae, carrying a coat in one hand. No, Kang Jae-ha, accompanied by Go Chun-seok as his bodyguard. CEO Seok Ji-yeon, Director Lee Dong-hak, and the others rose from their seats and were first startled by the monstrous Go Chun-seok.

"...!!"

Next came Director Kim Ha-jae with his cold impression.

'H-he's younger than I expected?? And that air around him- There's something unusual about it. Should I call it detached, or cold?'

The disguised Kang Jae-ha met CEO Seok Ji-yeon's eyes and greeted her plainly.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kim Ha-jae."

CEO Seok Ji-yeon took the hand Jae-ha offered and gave a brief bow as well.

"I'm Seok Ji-yeon."

Business cards were exchanged afterward, and Kang Jae-ha sat across from CEO Seok Ji-yeon and the Directors. His expression was utterly relaxed. At that moment, the gorilla-like Director Lee Dong-hak glanced at Go Chun-seok standing behind Jae-ha, then immediately jerked his gaze away. He'd made eye contact with Go Chun-seok and gotten scared.

'W-what the hell is that monster? A bodyguard? Why does a Director from an Investment Firm even travel around with a bodyguard??'

Perhaps noticing this, Kang Jae-ha gave him a faint smile before speaking to CEO Seok Ji-yeon.

"'K:FESTA', as I understand it, isn't in a very good situation."

He went straight for the point without beating around the bush.

"But I like 'K:FESTA'. Our 'MEG' will become HG ENM's running mate. What do you think?"

"......Pardon?"

Perhaps because he'd come at her so abruptly, CEO Seok Ji-yeon blanked for a moment. Director Lee Dong-hak and the other Directors also looked similarly flustered. Just then, a woman's voice suddenly seeped into Kang Jae-ha's ears.

【Hello, Kang Jae-ha-nim.】

【We are paying you your March Pension of 700 million won.】

His Pension of 700 million won, paid right on schedule on March 15. And then.

【Kang Jae-ha-nim, you have successfully maintained the activated 'Reality Adaptation Project' and 'Pension Program' for one full year without issue.】

【As a reward for maintaining them for more than one year, Kang Jae-ha-nim will receive an 'Additional Perk'.】

An 'Additional Perk' appeared as his first-anniversary reward. It hadn't been long since Kang Jae-ha had received 'Interference (Ability)', and he smiled inwardly.

'This soon? Fucking sweet.'

The woman's voice continued.

【Please select the 'Additional Perk' you wish to receive.】

【1. Additional Pension of 50 billion won】

【2. Insight (Ability)】

*****

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