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Chapter 40: Do You Think I’m Easy?
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Shin-woo was on his way home after spending time at Mansoo Electric following work.
“Ah… I still couldn’t find the secret room today. Where on earth is it hidden?”
He had searched for it in between discussing additional movements of TSF Investment and the situation with Telecom, all without being caught, but it was futile.
“Should I wait for the next move during the relocation…?”
He mumbled as he turned into an alley near his home. However, the atmosphere around his house was different from usual.
‘Have Myung In-chul’s men, who had been stationed here, withdrawn? They didn’t seem like the type to give up so easily.’
The sharp stares that had been pricking at him were no longer there.
Finding the situation suspicious, Shin-woo sharpened his senses as he entered the building. Then, climbing out through the second-floor window, he grabbed the gas pipe and quickly made his way to the rooftop.
‘…Of course, they wouldn’t give up so easily.’
Quietly hanging onto the gas pipe, he peeked just enough to scan the rooftop.
Five men in black suits were standing there.
‘But… they don’t seem like the Special Security Team.’
The intense hostility emanating from their eyes and movements felt strikingly similar to the men he had dealt with recently.
‘They’re likely from Unit 666.’
Although he wasn’t 100% sure, he reached into his pocket and held three coloured dice in his hand.
At that moment, one of the men on the rooftop spoke.
“How long has it been since Baek Shin-woo entered the building?”
As Shin-woo suspected, these men were from Unit 666, under the command of TSF Korean branch manager Kwak Chi-young.
Among them stood a clean-cut man exuding a heavy atmosphere.
This man, Oh Han-seong, was the one in charge of this mission.
Acting as Kwak Chi-young’s secretary, he had brought his men to make contact with Baek Shin-woo.
One of his subordinates checked his watch and replied.
“It’s been two minutes.”
“He must be inside by now. Let’s head down to meet him.”
Shin-woo, who had been quietly listening, sent a text message with his phone before stepping onto the rooftop ledge.
“What business do you have with me?”
Startled, Oh Han-seong and his subordinates turned their heads and pulled out batons from their coats.
They hadn’t detected a single trace of Shin-woo’s presence until he spoke.
If Shin-woo had approached with intent to kill, what might have happened? Oh Han-seong felt a chill run down his spine at the thought.
Meanwhile, observing their reactions, Shin-woo deduced another detail.
‘They’re men who’ve fired guns. That makes it even more likely.’
When the men reached into their coats, their hands naturally fell into positions to quickly draw firearms—fingers hovering over triggers and grips.
“Good evening, Mr. Baek Shin-woo. I am Oh Han-seong, representing TSF Investment.”
As Oh Han-seong formally introduced himself and his affiliation, Shin-woo raised his tone accordingly.
“And so?”
“Our branch manager wishes to meet you.”
“TSF, huh… It’s a rather famous investment company. Why would someone from there want to meet me?”
“I’m not privy to that information. The branch manager will explain directly.”
Shin-woo observed them for a moment before Oh Han-seong asked a question.
“Your infiltration skills are remarkable. Did you know we were here from the start?”
“My scalp was feeling particularly itchy. And those men who had been loitering around for ages were suddenly gone. I assumed it was something arranged by President Myung In-chul.”
The timing had been too perfect.
Hearing this, Oh Han-seong gave a faint smile.
“No, those security personnel were asked to step aside temporarily.”
“If they were part of Myung In-chul’s Special Security Team, they wouldn’t have left quietly. You must have some personal connection with them?”
“Connections in this field are so tangled that they’re practically underfoot.”
His response was deliberately vague.
Neither a confirmation nor a denial, but Shin-woo understood its implications.
“If you wanted to meet me, you could have reached out through my workplace. Or are you hiding something, which is why you’re doing it this way?”
Even as Shin-woo hit the mark with his question, Oh Han-seong didn’t waver.
“This is an important matter that the branch manager wishes to discuss discreetly.”
“So, when does he want to meet?”
“If you’re available now, please come with us. We have vehicles ready.”
Hearing this, Shin-woo walked to the edge of the rooftop facing the street and looked down. Two luxury black sedans, engines running, were neatly parked below as if waiting for him.
“This doesn’t feel like an invitation to a meeting—it’s giving off a kidnapping vibe. If I refuse, will you leave quietly?”
“Kidnapping? We wouldn’t treat a member of the MH Group’s owner family that way.”
“Given some unpleasant experiences I’ve had recently, I’m not inclined to go alone. Is it okay if I call my team?”
He cautiously displayed his phone.
Seeing this, Oh Han-seong let out a small sigh and spoke.
“Apologies, but our branch manager prefers a quiet conversation.”
“Well, I’m sorry too. I wasn’t exactly asking for permission. Within five minutes, the KITE Security Team on standby at headquarters will arrive here.”
For a moment, Oh Han-seong’s expression hardened.
“…You’re very thorough.”
“I tend to be cautious.”
“Is there no chance you’ll meet quietly on your own?”
“With this setup, who knows what you’ve prepared? Why would I go alone?”
Based on the current circumstances, the real identities of Oh Han-seong and his men leaned heavily toward being from Unit 666.
Shin-woo wasn’t reckless enough to go alone to a place likely crawling with such individuals.
“Please wait a moment.”
After saying this, Oh Han-seong walked to a corner of the rooftop and made a call to his superior, Kwak Chi-young. Returning after the call, he spoke.
“The branch manager is agreeable to that. Shall we leave together when your security team arrives?”
“Sure.”
Not long after, two luxury sedans arrived.
As they stepped out, Oh Han-seong’s subordinates, who had arrived earlier, exited their vehicles and confronted them.
The atmosphere grew tense, as if the two groups recognized something about each other.
In response, Shin-woo and Oh Han-seong led their respective groups down to the first floor.
Upon arrival, Team Leader Kim Gun-ho of the headquarters’ resident security approached Shin-woo upon seeing him.
“CEO! What’s going on here?”
“The highest-ranking person from their side requested a discreet meeting. However, it seemed dangerous to go alone, so I need you to accompany me.”
Kim Gun-ho, an experienced security team leader at KITE, glanced at Oh Han-seong and the men who had come down with him.
Compared to the group confronting them earlier, the newcomers carried an even more menacing aura.
“Understood. From this point forward, we will handle your security.”
After making eye contact with Oh Han-seong, Shin-woo got into the car.
The convoy, led by the TSF vehicles, drove through the dark roads.
Along the way, Shin-woo noticed familiar faces in the driver’s and passenger seats.
“Go Jun-sun, Lee Young-hoon. You’re part of this team now?”
These two men had been injured while guarding Yoo Ha-yeon, the beloved actress and national goddess, in the past.
Although Shin-woo knew they had been reassigned to the headquarters’ resident security team to recover, he hadn’t expected to meet them today.
“…Yes, Sir.”
“Have your injuries fully healed?”
Their transfer to the resident security team had been a gesture to allow them to recover after being discharged from the hospital.
“They’re mostly healed.”
As they exchanged words, Team Leader Kim Gun-ho glanced at Shin-woo and asked,
“What exactly is going on sir?”
“The director of TSF Investment’s Korean branch wants to meet me. That’s why I’m on my way now. Do you know anything about them?”
“I’m not familiar with the company itself, but I’ve heard their security team includes many from dangerous foreign mercenary units.”
Listening to this, Shin-woo followed the TSF vehicles.
After about an hour, they arrived at a shooting range in the southern part of Gyeonggi Province.
Shin-woo and Oh Han-seong, surrounded by their respective security teams, entered the building.
Inside, other guards dressed similarly to Oh Han-seong were stationed at intervals.
‘They’re fully prepared and waiting.’
Walking through the ominous, oppressive atmosphere, they proceeded down the hallway until they reached a clay shooting range filled with gunfire.
Inside, Kwak Chi-young, the director of TSF Investment’s Korean branch, was holding a shotgun, shooting targets thrown into the air.
Bang― Bang―
Each target shattered cleanly, and Kwak Chi-young removed his headphones, which had been covering his ears.
“You must have had a hard time coming such a long way.”
Two chairs were placed face-to-face in the centre of the shooting range.
Kwak Chi-young sat down first, gesturing for Shin-woo to take the other seat.
Naturally, the security personnel formed a wall behind him like a screen.
Shin-woo pulled out his dice, rolling them in his hand as he sat down with a relaxed posture.
Click― Click―
“So, what’s the reason you wanted to see me?”
“Skipping pleasantries and going straight to the point, I see.”
Including the guards stationed throughout the building, Kwak Chi-young had over 20 personnel on-site.
In contrast, Shin-woo’s group, including Kim Gun-ho, consisted of only six people.
Despite the disparity, Shin-woo calmly met Kwak Chi-young’s gaze without flinching.
“Formal introductions aren’t necessary, are they?”
“You seem to have inherited your grandfather, Chairman Myung Joong-hwan’s bold personality.”
“Not particularly. And I don’t appreciate when people beat around the bush.”
Kwak Chi-young smirked, his lips curling upward in amusement.
“My purpose is simple. But before that, may I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Heh. How far do you intend to climb, CEO Baek Shin-woo?”
“And why would that matter to you?”
“I’m curious about the extent of your ambition. Of course, my purpose for inviting you here may change depending on your answer.”
The question was clearly an attempt to gauge his intentions.
At the same time, Shin-woo began to understand the reason for this meeting.
“It sounds like you want to propose some kind of alliance… am I right?”
“If you’re someone we need, yes.”
“I don’t see much reason to need anything from your side.”
Shin-woo had already secured Livio Soft, thanks to Myung In-chul’s efforts, and was advancing his next plan with Jang Man-soo and Lillian.
He lacked nothing financially, so there was no reason to collaborate with TSF.
Especially since TSF, with its Unit 666, was a group he preferred to avoid.
Of course, pretending to accept their offer to infiltrate TSF was an option.
“You seem very confident. And I acknowledge your skills, given what you’ve accomplished so far. However…”
Kwak Chi-young paused, glancing around before continuing.
“From this point on, how about we speak one-on-one? Candidly.”
“Is that necessary?”
“The resident security team from your headquarters accompanied you here. The company already knows you came here, so what could we possibly do?”
It was a valid point.
Shin-woo made eye contact with Kim Gun-ho.
“I’ll be fine. Please step outside for a moment.”
“There could be risks.”
“As the director mentioned, they wouldn’t dare do anything.”
“…Understood.”
Kim Gun-ho and the other guards left the room, along with the TSF personnel, leaving only Shin-woo and Kwak Chi-young.
Once the door shut completely, silence settled for a moment.
“Let’s resume our conversation. First… Your standing within MH Group isn’t high enough to surpass the rest of your family, is it?”
“Do you think I want to claim the chairman’s seat at MH Group?”
“Considering President Myung In-chul’s position, wouldn’t it be necessary for you and your mother to ensure your safety?”
Within the MH Group’s owner family, Shin-woo and Im Hee-yeon would be the first to be excluded if Myung In-chul succeeded as chairman.
Shin-woo fully understood the implications behind Kwak Chi-young’s words.
“What does TSF stand to gain by helping me?”
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