Chapter 709: No Matter What, I Will Protect You

For Hiroyuki’s work, I decided to stay in Japan for the time being.

Yamamoto wanted me to remain at the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters, but the very next day, I left for Kyoto.

That was where the Japanese branch of Heaven Church was located.

I intended to oversee everything from Kyoto until the end.

“It’s because there’s too much about Yamamoto that I can’t trust completely.”

I turned my head slightly and asked Kim Sun-kyung, who was sitting next to me and staring straight ahead.

“Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

Kim Sun-kyung, sitting beside me, clearly looked tense.

“I don’t know much about your past, but I pride myself on my ability to read people. That’s why I asked Yamamoto for you. Is that uncomfortable for you?”

“…”

Treating someone like an object could definitely sting one’s pride.

Yet, she didn’t respond right away.

Well, she’s not someone who would easily trust others after being in that environment.

“I don’t expect anything from you. You’re capable, so I believe you’ll figure out what you want to do soon enough. Or do you have something in mind already?”

“Just tell me what to do.”

Her mechanical response made me shake my head.

“I prefer people who take initiative. Sure, completing the tasks I give you is important, but think about what you actually want to do first.”

I had hastily taken her from the Yakuza because I found it a waste for such talent to rot there, but I hadn’t thought about what to assign her yet.

That’s why I hoped she would find something she genuinely wanted to pursue.

“I heard you went to Tokyo University.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you want to go back?”

At my question, Kim Sun-kyung shook her head with a bitter smile.

“What I learned at school didn’t help at all. I don’t want to go back.”

It was entirely understandable for a college student who excelled to suddenly fall into a den of Yakuza.

Like others, she had worked hard to get into a good university, yet she ended up sold to the Yakuza because of her parents’ gambling debts.

Having gotten into Japan’s top university, she must have attended classes of extraordinary quality, but that didn’t necessarily help her navigate reality.

Watching her bite her lip in bitterness made me lost in thought.

If it were me, I wouldn’t have made her merely a servant at the headquarters.

The businesses the Yakuza run weren’t all illegal; there were definitely places that needed skilled individuals.

“What was your major?”

“Art.”

Ah, definitely a major that’s a bit tricky for the Yakuza to utilize.

Now I understood why Yamamoto had kept Kim Sun-kyung, who spoke five languages, at the headquarters as a translator.

And why she said she was of no help.

“Is your focus Eastern art or Western?”

“My major was Eastern, but I had an interest in Western art, so I studied both. But I suppose it doesn’t matter now.”

As she said that, I noticed a fleeting look of nostalgia on her face.

Seeing that expression, it was clear she still wanted to study and learn about art.

“Then would you like to study art further?”

Kim Sun-kyung, who had been staring straight ahead, finally looked at me.

I didn’t shy away from her gaze and smiled gently.

“…What do you want from me?”

Her eyes were filled with suspicion.

“What I want… how much do you know about me?”

“Yamamoto only told me you’re an important person. I just have to make sure to keep the Boss and his attendants well. He said if you have a request, you should voice it.”

A request, which must have encompassed everything she could offer.

“And then you just told me to follow the Boss today. But what do you really want from me?”

I sighed inwardly. I was treating her like a tool.

If I was going to send someone I’d been using at the headquarters away, I should at least explain things properly.

“Kim Sun-kyung. I’m a businessman, deeply involved in many ventures. My body is only one; I can’t do everything alone. So, I seek out competent people to take on various roles. And when I saw you, Kim Sun-kyung, you seemed very capable. That’s why I asked Yamamoto to send you to me.”

Despite my calm explanation, Kim Sun-kyung’s expression did not soften.

I maintained eye contact with her and smiled gently.

“The moment you came to me, any debts to the Yakuza disappeared. So now, you’re free.”

“The creditor changed, but nothing has changed.”

Kim Sun-kyung spoke in a disheartened voice. She was definitely misunderstanding me.

“No. I don’t plan on tying you down with debt. If you don’t want to work with me, feel free to leave right now.”

“…Is that really true?”

A glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. I nodded firmly.

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Oh, and if you work with me, you can’t leave without my permission once you start. So, think carefully. Coming to me is voluntary, but leaving won’t be so easy. But let’s make a pact.”

“A pact?”

“If you help me with my work, you’ll gain unimaginable wealth. You’ll possess such riches that no one will be able to ignore you. Even Yamamoto, whom you served until recently, will have to bow his head before you.”

Mentioning Yamamoto made her gasp slightly, a hint of fear evident in her eyes.

“Working for me means stepping into my domain. While fully integrating into my world depends on your own ability, you might not realize it yet, but I have a stronger and sturdier fence than anyone else. Those in my care will be protected no matter what. I can guarantee you wealth, as well as safety.”

Once I finished my statement, Kim Sun-kyung merely twitched her lips, saying nothing.

I was curious about what choice she would make; both of us were in a state of mutual distrust.

How long had we known each other to develop such trust?

Perhaps I was meddling because I wanted to take in someone I had unknowingly overlooked in a past life.

At that moment, after pondering for a while, Kim Sun-kyung cautiously asked.

“You just met me a while ago. So why are you going this far for me?”

It was a completely valid question.

But how should I respond? It was tough to give a clear answer.

“Think freely about it. Your thoughts will be the answer.”

“Please tell me. I want to know.”

“Well… there’s not a particularly special reason. It’s mainly because I found it interesting that someone mismatched with that world turned out to be a Korean resident. Your actions and speech suggest you have awareness, and I believe you could do good work. Since the people in my household are older, I thought I might teach you something useful. But once I learned you attended Tokyo University, I hesitated to continue with that thought.”

“…Did I look pitiful to you?”

Her innocent question caught me off guard, and I let out a hearty laugh.

“Seon-kyung, let me say this: I don’t patronize anyone. I only see a person’s abilities. I have no interest in their life stories unless you’re working with me. Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate your background, family, and any hidden conflicts. I’m sorry, but that’s unavoidable.”

If Kim Sun-kyung were to work with me, I intended to dig up every detail of her past.

Nobody knew if a serendipitous encounter would be the butterfly effect that ignited a storm.

“I don’t have much of a life anyway. I lived happily in a privileged home and then suddenly fell to rock bottom. There’s hardly anything worth mentioning regarding hidden conflicts…”

Kim Sun-kyung’s words trailed off. I picked up where she left off.

“I heard a summary from Yamamoto. Your parents amassed a lot of gambling debts, right? Gambling can send a person’s life spiraling down in an instant.”

At my words, Kim Sun-kyung bit her lips tightly.

She bit down hard enough that blood trickled down.

As she chewed her lip, a spark of fury welled up in her eyes. It was the first time I had seen such an expression since we met.

“Looks like someone harbors some intense hatred.”

Sometimes, resentment toward someone could serve as motivation for living.

That’s why I appreciated such people.

As long as they were granted the power to retaliate, they would be more loyal to me than anyone else.

As our conversation continued, the scenery outside the car window began to change. It seemed we were entering Kyoto.

“Boss Kim Mu-hyeok.”

I turned to look at Kim Sun-kyung, who quietly called my name.

“You promised to call me earlier. So, can you grant me the power to take revenge on the person who caused this?”

“Is there a need to take a complicated route? This is an issue I can help resolve.”

To test her, I spoke about providing revenge. Immediately, she shook her head firmly.

“No. I want to take my revenge with my own hands.”

I admired her determination. The more we talked, the more I liked her.

Yes, revenge was something one should take into their own hands. I raised one corner of my mouth and nodded.

“Alright. Then I’ll help you achieve your revenge. But that’s as far as I’ll go. I will assist you in maximizing your talents, but you’ll have to take it from there. Are you capable of that?”

“Yes! I can do it. Just tell me what to do!”

“Seon-kyung, would you like to work with me?”

“Yes, Boss. I’ll gladly follow you.”

“Don’t forget what I said earlier? Once you decide, there’s no turning back. You should think this through.”

Even while giving her a warning, Kim Sun-kyung didn’t back down.

She stared directly into my eyes and replied with determination.

“I’ve already made my decision. If it means I can take my revenge, I’d even sacrifice my life for a devil. Besides, you promised me. The fact that Yamamoto sent me over without hesitation means he thinks of you as a person whom he cannot afford to offend. If I train under someone like that, I’m sure I’ll be able to take my revenge.”

Her ambition and fierceness were all passing marks. I nodded in satisfaction and continued speaking.

“I look forward to working with you from now on. Can we be more casual in our conversations?”

“Please do, Boss. What should I do now?”

“Well, you are too valuable just to manage a household. Do you have any specific desires? Or what are you really good at?”

“…”

It seemed difficult for her to respond, as Kim Sun-kyung remained silent.

Given that she fell into the Yakuza after college suddenly, it was likely she hadn’t even realized her own talents yet.

“For now, follow me around in Japan and see what I do. If you find something you want to pursue in the meantime, let me know. Personally, I’m thinking of giving you something related to art.”

“You run an art business?”

“Not exactly an art business. If I were to work in the art field, I’d need you to manage the art pieces and antiques I have in my collection. But to do that, there’s a lot you need to learn.”

“Are you suggesting I go back to college?”

I shook my head. There was a massive gap between what one learned in school and practical application.

“It’s not something you can learn in college.”

Especially in the auction of art pieces, school knowledge wouldn’t be directly applicable.

It was much quicker to learn through hands-on experience.

“Send you to auction houses. Learn the trade there.”

“Auction houses?”

“Do you think you can survive at Sotheby’s?”

Her eyes widened, and Kim Sun-kyung smiled brightly before answering immediately.

“Yes! I’ll learn everything I can! If you just send me there, I’ll learn it all!”

Now she looked more her age, unlike when she had been wearing a kimono and walking hurriedly.

I chuckled softly and spoke.

“Do you need to clear anything up in Japan?”

“No, nothing. ”

“Okay then, as soon as we finish our work in Japan, we’ll head to Korea together.”

“Yes.”

Nodding, I turned to Manager Ma, who had been quietly listening to our conversation from the passenger seat.

“Contact Sotheby’s and request training for one person. They probably won’t refuse.”

“Yes, Boss. I’ll take care of it.”

“Also, find a studio apartment for Seon-kyung. And contact Black Bear to investigate everything about her. Go there and report back to me in Korea.”

“Yes, Boss.”

After giving orders to Manager Ma, I turned back to Kim Sun-kyung.

“Watch closely how I operate while in Japan. I don’t let anyone think lightly of me. If you’re stepping into my yard, your mouth must stay shut. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes. That’s my forte.”

Seeing her respond decisively made me smile.

As soon as we arrived in Kyoto, I gathered everyone needed for this job.

A week passed, and I realized an unexpected variable had emerged.