Chapter 281: So Many Pursuers

The conversation had shifted to soccer, and two hours had already flown by. Roman rambled on about the future of the soccer club he dreamed of.

“For the time being, I’m passing the Russian business to my son and focusing solely on growing the soccer club.”

“Is it really that great?”

“Absolutely. This has been my dream since I started my business. Becoming the owner of a prestigious club and creating the team I desire to build the best club possible has been a vision I’ve always had.”

It seemed that the speed of Roman’s acquisition of the soccer club had increased because of me, compared to before his regression.

“Putin’s approval came through sooner than expected. He said we need someone with global influence, not just in Russia. He also mentioned showing the strength of Russia.”

“Really?”

“Haha, yes. That’s why I’m currently negotiating with several clubs here in London. Of course, my mind is set on acquiring Chelsea.”

Roman spoke joyfully, laughing continuously. Nodding along, I asked about Berezovsky’s recent developments.

But I noticed the smile faded slightly from his face.

“What happened to Berezovsky and his crew?”

“Berezovsky has been sentenced to life in prison. He’s currently housed in a high-security facility in Russia known as Black Dolphin Prison.”

Roman answered hesitantly.

After all, considering that he had betrayed even Putin for Berezovsky, it made sense that he would be cautious about bringing him up.

“Black Dolphin Prison, you say?”

“Yes. It’s a place for the most brutal criminals, such as serial killers and terrorists. All inmates there have received life sentences or the death penalty.”

No matter how much Berezovsky was disliked, sending him to a place full of heinous criminals was harsh.

It looked like Putin was plotting to kill Berezovsky without lifting a finger.

“That place doesn’t even allow for suicide. Ironically, it’s also a place you can only leave after you’re dead.”

“I didn’t expect his later years would turn out like this, either.”

Roman could very well have ended up in the same situation. Knowing that made his expression harden.

Had I not given him the chance, he would likely have been sent there before Berezovsky.

After a long silence of fiddling with his hands, Roman shook his head and spoke.

“I don’t want to talk about Berezovsky anymore.”

“Understood.”

Most of Russia’s first-generation oligarchs had collapsed, and a new era of oligarchs had begun. Ironically, the one who had become their leader was Roman.

With Roman at the helm, the second-generation oligarchs could stand as a dominant force alongside the rising Siloviki, supporting Putin.

This was a history different from what I remembered.

“So, Charlie, do you plan to just leave the watchers alone?”

“I’m still debating what to do about that.”

“Allowing them to surveil so openly is practically an insult to Charlie. I believe we need to send a clear warning.”

Roman’s point might have been valid.

Could it be that their general disdain for Asians led to this result?

Sighing softly, I looked at him and asked.

“So, we definitely need to warn them, right?”

“Yes, at least that’s what I think. If you were an American or Russian businessman, they wouldn’t dare behave like this. It’s because Charlie is Korean that they’re acting this way.”

There was a subtle undertone in Roman’s words that hinted at a dismissive attitude towards Asians and Korea.

It was a generic thought that white people universally held, and I was well aware of this.

Instead of arguing, I let Roman continue talking.

“If they knew who you were, Charlie, they wouldn’t dare act like this. We definitely need to deliver a proper warning.”

“Thanks to you, I’ve managed to think things through clearly. I appreciate it.”

“Haha, I’m always on Charlie’s side.”

“Let’s get up now. The sun’s setting. It was nice to meet you like this, Roman.”

I stood up first, forcing a smile. Roman followed suit.

“I’ll pass the contact details of the current owner of Leeds United through my secretary. Their situation isn’t great either, so negotiate before someone else sweeps them up.”

“Will do.”

After shaking hands, I opened the dessert shop’s door.

As I stepped outside, I noticed the people tailing me maintained a safe distance, confirming that Roman’s words were legitimate.

‘These bastards…’

They must already know that this place was affiliated with the Russian intelligence agency, which is why they were keeping their distance.

I walked slowly, speaking softly enough only Manager Ma could hear.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet and issue a warning. If they’re caught surveilling me again, they’ll receive a delightful gift.”

“Understood.”

Manager Ma took a step back, spoke to the bodyguards, and quickly returned to guide me down a secluded street.

The dimly lit back alleys of London reminded me of Harlem in New York.

“This should do. Take them down and bring them here.”

The streetlights cast a faint glow in the back alleys of London.

As I sat on a round concrete pipe scattered across the wide plaza, I instructed Manager Ma.

“Yes, Boss.”

Manager Ma inclined his head, sending a glance to the Black Bear’s British branch bodyguards, who soon splintered into teams to pursue those tailing us.

“What the hell!”

“L-Leave me alone!”

The quiet alley soon erupted into shouts, but just as quickly returned to an uneasy silence.

The scattered bodyguards regrouped in the plaza. It seemed the subduing was rather rough; the appearance of those being dragged was disheveled.

‘So many pursuers.’

The eyes of those dragged in front of me brimming with humiliation.

I relaxed, crossing my legs and asked.

“Shall I take a look at the faces of these brave folks? I’m begging you to drop a hint here. If you’re going to follow me so openly, will it make me feel good, or bad?”

“…”

Those brought in all kept their mouths shut, not reacting at all to my words.

I raised an eyebrow and turned to the Black Bear mercenaries behind me.

“Is there anyone you recognize here?”

One of them stepped forward and pointed at someone.

“That guy used to be my junior.”

“A junior, huh?”

“Yeah. He’s someone I trained in my previous workplace.”

“Hmm…”

I rubbed my chin slowly. For a junior of a capable guy, this was disappointing.

“Does that company train you to follow people like this?”

“No, the basics are to follow and monitor without the target noticing. This is my first experience with something like this.”

I turned my gaze to the man pointed out by the bodyguard.

“They say following without being noticed is the foundation, right? So why did you follow me so brazenly?”

“…”

“This is starting to annoy me. Don’t you have any training that tells you not to speak?”

Before I could finish, the bodyguard next to me immediately answered, looking rather distressed.

“That’s the most basic of basics. Boss, can I step in?”

Nodding, the bodyguard slowly approached and knelt in front of the man.

“Hey, Tommy. What on earth were you thinking?”

The gaze of the man named Tommy was filled with disdain as he raised his head.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you hate working under an Asian? I told you once before. Let go of your racist thoughts; that attitude will lead you to your doom. The fact that you were assigned to monitor me implies that the boss I serve is a VIP getting attention from the company. But did you act like this just because I’m Asian? Wake up and read the room. You’re handling something critical but acting based on personal feelings… You’ll soon be discarded.”

“Alex!”

As soon as I spoke coldly, Tommy shouted. Yet the bodyguard, called Alex, continued speaking nonchalantly.

“Go back and tell the director. If I, Alex, show disrespect towards my master, you’ll witness the old me. If you want to monitor me, you better not get caught. Tsk, the company has fallen this far.”

Tommy glared fiercely at Alex, ready to kill him with his eyes.

“Loosen up your glare. If you don’t want to die.”

“Do you really think you can kill me, Alex? Do you still see me as the old Tommy! You are now…”

“I’ll kill anyone if it’s a boss’s order. That was the case when I worked at the company, and it holds true now. Want to test me?”

Alex turned to me and asked, contrasting sharply with the way he addressed Tommy with utmost respect.

“I think it’s acceptable to kill one as an example. I can handle the cleanup.”

A smile crept onto my face at his aggressive demeanor. It looked good but I didn’t need a dogfight today.

“Let’s wrap this up as a warning for today.”

“Understood.”

With my command, Alex turned back to Tommy, speaking in an icy tone.

“Consider yourself lucky.”

As Alex stood up, he kicked Tommy’s face with his foot.

Covered in the dirty dust of the plaza, Tommy rolled away.

A colleague of Tommy shouted at Alex.

“Alex!”

“Same for you. Be grateful today that the boss was merciful.”

Turning back, Alex walked towards me and bowed. He then took his position right behind me.

Thanks to Alex, a different atmosphere filled the plaza.

“One side is MI6, and where’s the other?”

“…”

“Huh… Am I that easy to deal with, Manager?”

At my call, Manager Ma stepped forward. Soon, ruthless beatings ensued.

Killing foreign intelligence officers could potentially create significant issues, but enduring such treatment was common for those working in intelligence. As long as they didn’t die, a certain level of brutality was tolerated.

The relentless assault from Manager Ma showed no signs of stopping. It was a one-sided assault, plain and simple.

Eventually, one of his colleagues couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“We’re part of France. Stop this.”

Only then did Manager Ma finally cease his hands. I turned to the woman who had revealed that they were affiliated with France.

“France? Why were you keeping an eye on me?”

“I have no idea. We were only instructed to monitor a man named Kim Mu-hyeok and report his actiities.”

“Are you part of the Directorate-General for External Security? DGSE?”

“…”

“Silence when it’s inconvenient, huh?”

I glanced away and asked.

“What about you guys?”

“…We’re from Israel.”

What a chaotic situation. Now Israel from the Middle East had appeared.

“Israel? What do they want?”

“…”

With Israel being the homeland of the Jews, I wondered if I had any entanglements with them.

Suddenly, the Rothschild family crossed my mind. I smirked, raising one corner of my mouth.

“Oh, so you’re the dogs of the Rothschilds.”

Upon my words, the man jerked his head up, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

“This may end as a warning today, but deliver this message to your superiors. You can spy or do whatever you want, but freedom comes with responsibility.”

I stood up and brushed off the dust. I spoke calmly but felt a growing annoyance within me.

“Next time won’t just be a warning. I also take offense to racism. Now, go away.”

I dusted off my hands and sent the kneeling men away.

“Let’s track them down in return.”

“Understood, Boss.”

An eye for an eye. If they hit me, I’d hit back.

I left the dark alley and stepped onto the main road again. I hopped into the prepared car and left London behind.

“Why are you so late?”

At his house on the outskirts of London, Han Gyeong-yeong greeted me.

“Various matters came up. How were the negotiations going for you?”

Han Gyeong-yeong shook his head. His expression was rather grim.

“They’re testing the waters with another place.”

“Really? Tell me more.”

He summarized what had happened during today’s negotiations.

“Normally, we would coordinate the acquisition amount mainly in advance. So I walked into the negotiation room with a certain understanding…”

He spoke excitedly for a while, but grew quiet with a deep sigh.

I patted his shoulder and asked.

“How much stock have you secured?”

“Around 27% total.”

“That won’t be enough to secure management rights, will it?”

“Without the founders’ shares, that’s doubtful. And your goal is to acquire them and completely turn them into a private company, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

Now was the time when ARM’s value was at its lowest. The PC age still prevailed, but in just ten more years, it would be the smartphone era.

And among the early contenders rising in the mobile market would be ARM.

“Where are you specifically targeting?”

“Masayoshi Son? I heard he’s Korea-Japanese.”

“Chairman Masayoshi?”

“Yeah, that guy.”

Perhaps realizing we had taken over all the IT companies that were caught eyeing us from China, he jumped into the ARM acquisition battle without any prior planning.

“If that guy enters the fray, he won’t fall behind you in name value. In the end, it’s likely to boil down to a financial battle.”

“Exactly. And also, we’ll need approval from the British government, but…”

“I’ll take care of that, so you keep pushing the negotiations forward.”

Masayoshi Son was challenging me gain, this time after China.

This time, I’d make sure he regretted it. A cold smile crept across my lips.