Chapter 4
—
At the pinnacle of Lee Do Group.
An old man was furious.
“So, what’s the first thing you’re going to do!?”
His face had turned bright red as he shouted, glaring at everyone around him. But everyone was busy avoiding his gaze.
The old man’s patience finally snapped at their weak responses.
“I!”
Bang!
“Asked you―!”
Bang―!
The symbol of Korean industry.
Logistics, retail, electronics, construction, telecommunications, semiconductors, automobiles…
Lee Do Group was unmatched across all sectors, reigning as the undisputed number one conglomerate in South Korea.
The old man’s identity was none other than Lee Sang-byuk, chairman of Lee Do Group.
“Hey, are you deaf? Do you not have a mouth? Why won’t you answer me!? Are you trying to kill this old man by raising my blood pressure? Hey, logistics, is that what you’re trying to do?”
“I’m sorry!”
“You, distribution!”
“I’m sorry!!”
“Stop apologizing and start talking! Talking!!”
Boom―!!
Number one in everything.
It was a mantra that embodied Chairman Lee Sang-byuk’s obsession with being the best.
Everything had to be the best; if it wasn’t the best, it was worthless garbage.
Number one in the industry, number one in revenue, number one in value.
Even the employees’ salaries were the highest. If another company offered even one won more? Salaries would be raised immediately.
Once, Lee Do Group’s cafeteria was ranked second on a TV variety show. That wouldn’t have been a problem—except that Chairman Lee Sang-byuk happened to see it.
He threw his spoon on the spot and ordered the cafeteria to be overhauled that very day. The manager in charge was demoted, of course.
That’s how obsessive Chairman Lee Sang-byuk was about being number one—it bordered on madness.
And now, he couldn’t accept losing the bid for mana stone processing to second place.
“This is Korea. My territory, Lee Do’s domain! And yet we lost to those Kirin bastards and came in second? Are you trying to give me a stroke and hospitalize me? Otherwise, this doesn’t make sense.”
““We’re sorry!!””
“Sorry! Sorry!! Anyone who says sorry again will lose their head!!”
“……”
“Huff… Vice Chairman, you speak. Explain this situation to me.”
At his words, Vice Chairman Lee Young-bin, Lee Sang-byuk’s eldest son, raised his head. Knowing his father’s disdain for excuses and apologies, he skipped straight to the point.
“It’s because of the mana stones.”
“Mana stones?”
“Our lack of contribution to mana stone supply was the main issue.”
Mana stones, being a vital energy resource for the nation, were legally monopolized by the government. The gathered mana stones were distributed to corporations through a bidding process.
Currently—
“Kirin Group operates Korea’s largest guild. From the government’s perspective, which needs a massive supply of mana stones annually, they have no choice but to cater to Kirin, their largest supplier.”
“Additionally, Kirin Group has established a close partnership with the current administration. They are being openly favoured in areas like mana stone allocation, monster subjugation, securing research materials, and gate raids.”
“To be blunt, siding with Kirin is more beneficial for the government than siding with us.”
The government sided with whoever brought them the most benefits.
On the surface, it seemed like a simple and rational decision.
But that’s only if you were unaware of the hidden circumstances.
Boom!!
“What nonsense! You’re telling me we lost for such a ridiculous reason? Are you joking!?”
In this country called South Korea, Lee Do Group was overwhelming.
Why else would people openly refer to it as the Lee Do Republic? Even the government found them burdensome.
How do you stop a behemoth like that?
Lee Sang-byuk, despite his immense power, chose to share it.
Rather than flaunting his pride and superiority, he wanted to maintain and grow his number one position for the long term.
This required a stable market, and stability demanded competition.
That’s why Lee Sang-byuk reluctantly gave up on acquiring a guild—a decision that cost him dearly. In exchange, the government promised exclusive rights like the mana stone processing bid.
Given these behind-the-scenes dealings, how could Lee Sang-byuk not feel betrayed?
It felt like being sucker-punched.
He, Lee Sang-byuk!!
“Last year’s presidential election was a key factor.”
“I knew it! That bastard Choi Tae-han!!”
“Although the president vehemently denies it, it’s common knowledge that Choi Tae-han and Kirin Group are deeply connected.”
Despite the long-winded explanations, it all boiled down to corruption.
A classic case of political-business collusion: companies providing support and politicians offering favours.
“The old saying holds true. ‘Kindness repeated becomes entitlement.’ Choi Tae-han and those Kirin bastards think they can go toe-to-toe with me, Lee Sang-byuk?”
“……”
“Huff… fine.”
Lee Sang-byuk’s voice suddenly dropped.
The room froze—this was a signal that he was truly angry.
“Everyone, get out.”
He didn’t want to see their faces.
At his command, everyone retreated backward, leaving the room.
Lee Sang-byuk lit a cigarette as he picked up his phone.
“Call Cheol-ong in.”
This name belonged to Yoo Cheol-ong, Chairman Lee Sang-byuk’s most trusted secretary—the only person addressed by name rather than title.
The white-haired man entered with a polite bow, silently lighting the chairman’s cigarette.
“Cheol-ong, you heard, right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Good… It seems we’ll need to move up our plans.”
The old man raised his head as he spoke.
His distinctive sharp gaze burned with intensity.
“Preparations are already complete. Just give the order, and our team will take action.”
“Good, distribute the hush money generously. Make sure there are no loose ends.”
“We’ve already sent people to the lower-level government employees. Even the local assembly members will side with us under the pretext of resolving the inequality between the capital and regional areas through municipal support.”
“Handle Yeouido that way. What about the guilds?”
Tl/n: Yeouido is a river island in Seoul, South Korea, that’s home to the country’s main finance, media, and investment banking district. It’s also known as the “Manhattan” of Korea.
“We’ve already reached an agreement with the high-ranking officials at the Central Awakener Management Bureau. They’ve promised to turn a blind eye. The selections have already been made—would you like to review them?”
“No need. I know Cheol-ong’s work is thorough.”
Hoo~
Pale smoke swirled upward.
“Those fools outside think they’ve shackled me, Lee Sang-byuk, just because they blocked me from having a guild. Do you think the same, Cheol-ong?”
“Ridiculous. Everything is as you will it, Chairman.”
“Exactly. Lee Do Group gave up on having a guild because I sought peace, and Kirin’s guild became the best because I permitted it.”
But they repaid my goodwill with deceit.
There’s no reason to remain bound by these absurd chains any longer.
Lee Sang-byuk, venting his mounting fury, made a declaration.
“As of today, Lee Do Group will own a guild.”
This single statement would send shockwaves through not only South Korea but the global guild industry as well. Yoo Cheol-ong knew the man he served had the power to make it happen.
“Understood. I will proceed as planned and deploy personnel to the regions. And regarding your grandchildren…”
“There’s nothing to discuss. Stick to the plan. If they’ve inherited my blood, managing a guild should be nothing to them.”
“Understood. But Chairman…”
Yoo Cheol-ong cautiously broached another topic.
“What about Young Master Lee Shin?”
At the mention of Lee Shin, the furrows on Lee Sang-byuk’s brow deepened.
“Don’t bring up that scoundrel’s name in front of me!”
For Lee Sang-byuk, the name Lee Shin evoked a kind of anger distinct from the frustration of losing the mana stone processing bid. In pure terms of fury, Lee Shin infuriated him more than the bid ever could.
The bid was something he could control through his influence. But this wayward grandson constantly defied his authority.
Grind!
That scoundrel!
How many chances had he given him simply because he was the eldest grandson?
To Lee Sang-byuk, Lee Shin was the first and only grandchild he had ever held in his arms. As a child, he bore a striking resemblance to Lee Sang-byuk himself, so he had been particularly fond of him.
He had been given everything—every luxury, every opportunity to have whatever he desired.
Yet, in the end, he turned to drugs, women, and violence…
Ultimately, he disappointed Lee Sang-byuk beyond redemption.
How much more could he endure?
By not taking away what he had already given, Lee Sang-byuk felt he had exercised extraordinary patience.
As Lee Sang-byuk ground his teeth, stewing in his anger, Yoo Cheol-ong carefully spoke again.
“Even so, wouldn’t it be fair to give him an equal chance?”
“I said no! Why are you so insistent on siding with him?”
“Well… because you care about him, don’t you?”
“!!”
Care.
Hearing his innermost thoughts voiced aloud, Lee Sang-byuk faltered, then gazed at Yoo Cheol-ong with a slightly calmer expression.
“You know me too well.”
“My apologies.”
“Enough. Let’s drop this topic. How can I entrust company matters to that scoundrel?”
Suddenly recalling something, Lee Sang-byuk asked.
“He’s still under confinement, right?”
“Yes, as per your orders, the Vice Chairman has ensured that Young Master Lee Shin cannot leave the house.”
“Good. Make sure he doesn’t catch even a whisper of this. When a lion hunts a rabbit, it must give its all. Leave no room for mistakes. Do you understand me?”
“Understood, sir.”
“You may leave now.”
Yoo Cheol-ong bowed and exited the room.
Once the door shut and silence fell over the chairman’s office, Lee Sang-byuk exhaled a long sigh, hiding it behind the remnants of his anger.
“Huff… Foolish boy…”
In his reflection on the window, Lee Sang-byuk seemed to search for someone.
* * *
In the heart of a city lined with towering skyscrapers.
The bustling crowd stopped and turned their gazes in one direction.
“…Wow, look at that guy.”
“Pfft, what’s with that outfit?”
“He’s walking around like that? Bold, isn’t he?”
Barefoot sandals that revealed his toes.
Bright blue sweatpants.
A wrinkled shirt rolled up to his elbows.
Unkempt, dishevelled hair.
He looked like he had dived into a laundry basket and pulled out whatever was on top without a second thought.
But as their gazes shifted from his outfit to his face, everyone let out a collective gasp.
“Ah…!”
“Gasp!!”
“No… way…”
Whoever said, “Fashion is completed by the face,” was proven right.
Slippers? Sweats? A wrinkled shirt?
Who cares?
That face was divine! His charm was overwhelming!
Among the crowd, some sharp-eyed individuals began to squint, tilting their heads as they studied the man.
“Wait, he looks familiar.”
“Doesn’t he remind you of someone? Is he a celebrity?”
The murmurs grew louder as people threw out guesses, brainstorming together until someone shouted the answer.
“Isn’t that Lee Shin?”
“Huh? Oh my gosh, it is him!!”
It was. Lee Shin.
People were used to seeing him in suits worth as much as a house, so his simple, casual appearance caught them off guard.
Maybe it was the incongruence of his rural-looking outfit.
Regardless, Lee Shin paid no attention to the buzz around him. Like a country bumpkin, he marveled at his surroundings.
“Whoa…!!”
The corporate signs, which should have started with “H” or “L,” were instead replaced with names from the GM game. How could he not find this fascinating?
The streets were familiar yet foreign, filling Lee Shin with excitement.
And now, as he stood still, his gaze fell upon the name he had been searching for.
“There it is! Lee Do Group.”
The tallest building in this concrete jungle, closest to the sky.
Lee Do Group.
It was Lee Shin’s destination.
—
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