Chapter 189: A Fleeting Respite and a Lavish Departure

“You’re exactly right. It’s about managing a hundred billion won that isn’t urgently needed, and securing overseas accounts that will become reliable leverage someday. There’s no need for lengthy consideration. Holding onto it is the right move.”

“That’ll be useful as leverage?”

“Yes. My uncle mentioned that the old account gets deleted the moment the funds are withdrawn or transferred. We need to keep it active for when we need it.”

“Just the account itself won’t be much use as leverage, will it?”

“I’ve taken care of that. I’ll tell you later.”

Oh Se-hyun’s eyes were filled with regret.

He mentioned interest rates, but his mind was calculating the immense profits that a hundred billion won could generate on the stock market.

“Uncle, a colossal opportunity is coming soon—one that will make a hundred billion won seem like pocket change.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I’ll tell you when the time is right. So, don’t fret about keeping a hundred billion won tied up. Haha.”

Oh Se-hyun, who had experienced such things more than once or twice, didn’t press further.

“Alright. I’ll wait for that colossal opportunity. By the way, what time is your flight tomorrow?”

“We can go anytime. I chartered a plane.”

“What?”

“Why so surprised? Isn’t that the equivalent of taxi fare for me? Since we’re going to relax, there’s no need to be stingy.”

* * *

Even the Soonyang Security staff, who were usually quiet and stood silently by my side, seemed excited about the famous overseas resort and the private jet.

They tried hard not to show it, but their eyes kept smiling, and the corners of their mouths held a constant grin.

The Incheon International Airport was still limited to its first and second runways, passenger terminal, and cargo terminal, but the spacious and clean building welcomed travelers in a way Gimpo Airport couldn’t compare.

An airline employee, already informed of our arrival, took care of all our luggage and led us to the private jet customer gate, but I insisted on using the regular gate.

“I have some business to take care of, so don’t worry about it. I’ll call you when I’m done. Come then.”

Not checking out the business location after coming all this way would be a dereliction of duty.

I sent the flustered airline employee back and slowly headed toward the departure hall.

The security team’s faces showed a flicker of disappointment at not getting to experience the privileges of a VVIP right away, but they quietly followed behind me, scanning their surroundings.

Damn it, I feel a little embarrassed.

I regretted not specifying the security team’s attire beforehand. I should have told them to dress like tourists….

I was the only one in jeans and a t-shirt, surrounded by six men in black suits, drawing everyone’s attention in the airport.

After finishing the departure procedures, I gathered them.

“If you’re like this, I can’t take care of my business. Spread out a bit.”

“I apologize, but in case of….”

“We’ve already cleared departure. The national agency inspected our belongings and checked for any metal on our bodies. Nothing will happen, so do as I say.”

Officers from the International Airport Police, with their guns pointed downwards, patrolled the area. Seeing them, the security team cleared their throats and stepped back.

“Alright, spread out and do some shopping. There are duty-free shops everywhere here. I’ll cover everything, so swipe your cards freely. Buy whatever you want, be it luxury watches or handbags.”

“Ah, no, sir. There’s no need for that.”

I knew their salaries were several times higher than ordinary Soonyang Group employees. But I also knew they’d be hesitant to swipe their cards for luxury goods costing hundreds.

“Think of it as a special bonus. It’s alright.”

Having dismissed the security team, I quickly moved my feet.

The place I headed to was Soonyang Duty-Free, operated by Soonyang Department Stores.

There was no need to look for the expensive luxury boutiques.

Those glamorous and luxurious stores are intimidating to even step into without a hefty credit limit or bank balance. Therefore, customers browsing luxury boutiques are always ready to swipe their cards.

Moreover, these places sell handbags that cost maybe ten thousand won to make, for hundreds of thousands, even millions of won, so naturally, they’re incredibly polite.

The real value can be found in the general merchandise stores where one can enjoy shopping with a small amount of money, perhaps tens or hundreds of thousands of won.

I looked around, asked about prices, and even tried on some items, searching for something to point out, but nothing dramatic happened.

Everyone was polite and offered detailed explanations, almost to an uncomfortable extent. It seemed the timing wasn’t right for a surprise inspection.

It had only been three months since the new airport opened—the so-called ‘military discipline’ phase, right? The only flaw? Excessive politeness. That was about it.

When I came out of the duty-free shop, two security guards were waiting outside.

“I told you to go shopping. Why are you watching me?”

“We can take turns shopping. We can’t leave you alone, Chief.”

“Then I’ll be in the airport lounge. You two go enjoy your shopping and come back when you’re done. Let’s depart when everyone’s here.”

“Understood. Just a moment.”

The airline employee, who rushed over due to the security guard’s urgent call, guided me to the first-class lounge.

“We apologize, but we haven’t prepared a separate lounge for private jet customers.”

“It’s fine. People who charter private jets usually don’t spend time at the airport anyway.”

“Ah, yes. That’s exactly right. Usually, they board right after going through departure, so there’s no need for a lounge. Anyway, thank you for understanding.”

While flipping through magazines in the airline lounge, I felt several pairs of eyes on me.

Since Chairman Joo Young-il’s funeral, my face has been in the news, so more people seem to recognize me.

My father mentioned that quite a few magazine companies had requested interviews. Apparently, I’m a hot commodity with everything going for me.

It got to the point where the son of a film company president was subtly mentioning Jin Do-jun when trying to cast top actresses.

I heard it was quite effective in stimulating curiosity and anticipation.

Fortunately, the security team’s awareness was exceptional. They appeared with several shopping bags in just over ten minutes, ensuring I didn’t have to wait long.

We boarded a limousine together and arrived at the runway, where a 28-seater Global Express XRS was waiting for us.

Along with the Gulfstream G550, it’s one of the most popular private jet models.

When individuals order them, it’s common to customize them with 15 seats or fewer and various amenities, but this aircraft was purely for business use, lacking any particularly noteworthy features.

Should I buy a private jet? Should I not? I pondered this and imagined how I would decorate the interior if I did.

The security team members weren’t much different from me.

They kept arguing about whether they could play billiards if a pool table was installed on the private jet. Meanwhile, the chartered plane rapidly flew towards Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu International Airport was a military airfield built by the Japanese army during World War II. It was heavily damaged by Allied bombing raids towards the end of the war, but civilian airlines took it over and it rose to become Malaysia’s second airport in 1957.

But even then, it was just a small airport with a 3.7 km runway.

Resort staff, already informed of our arrival, were waiting at the airport with limousines ready.

As a premium customer who had booked three private villas with a nightly rate of over $8,000, this level of service was expected.

The security team, who had been relaxed and chatty on the plane, changed their demeanor as soon as the plane landed, reverting to their usual taciturn selves.

“You can relax a bit here. Aren’t we here to rest? And our accommodations are in a safe location on the outskirts with security. Think of this week as an opportunity to loosen your ties and unwind.”

“This is already us being very relaxed. Please don’t worry too much, Chief.”

The agent who always occupied the passenger seat in my car, Team Leader Moon Sung-hoon, wasn’t it? He, the leader of my security team, said with a smile.

“I don’t think you understand….”

“Yes?”

“I don’t have days off or vacations. Haven’t you experienced it already? Since you took charge of my security team, have you had any days off? Wasn’t it just alternating single days off?”

“It’s alright. It’s to be expected.”

“You might not get a vacation for several years to come. Especially Team Leader Moon, right?”

……

Others could at least rotate shifts, but as the leader, Moon couldn’t.

“Consider this week at the resort your last vacation and relax. It’s okay to drink…no, you have to drink until you’re completely drunk and pass out. Haha.”

Sensing the sincerity in my words, they subtly leaned back against the limousine seats, their previously stiff postures softening.

The emerald sea viewed from the resort with its private beach was a breathtaking spectacle.

The security team members also continuously exclaimed in admiration as we drove along the winding coastal road to the private villa, enjoying themselves like children on a picnic.

* * *

“Team Leader Moon, tell me about yourself. What did you do before joining Soonyang?”

By the private poolside, hotel staff were diligently grilling meat, and we were drinking beer and chatting.

Having had a drink, I casually asked about their past, something I’d always been curious about, but they just exchanged glances and hesitated.

“Chief, it’s a bit awkward….”

“Why? Because your subordinates are listening?”

“No, sir. We know each other well. Of course, there are stories these guys haven’t shared either.”

“Hey, Team Leader. We haven’t hidden anything.”

A young security guard vigorously shook his hand.

“You’ve told what’s on record, right? Hehe.”

Moon cleared his throat after taking a swig of beer.

“Chief, these guys are all athletes. They were talented in sports or dreamed of being national athletes, but for various reasons, they gave up and aimed for careers as professional soldiers or special police recruits.”

“So, you learned security work at….”

“We learned it at Soonyang Security. We train for about two years.”

“Team Leader Moon was also an athlete…?”

“Yes, sir. I was on the national team’s reserve list. The second string. I quit because I couldn’t get a chance to move up to the first team.”

I had always wondered if these guys were from organized crime, but it was different from what I had imagined.

“Then, was Executive Director Woo Byung-joon on the same path?”

“No, sir.”

Moon shook his head with a smile.

“Actually, we don’t know what our Executive Director did before. It’s all just rumors.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“Rumors that he’s from the National Security Planning Agency, that he spent a long time as a mercenary overseas…. There were even rumors that he was from the US FBI, but I don’t think so. His English pronunciation is just Konglish. Haha.”

They were sharing stories about their past while drinking beer at the resort. Under what circumstances would Executive Director Woo Byung-joon reveal his own story?

“Wow, that’s really something!”

“Huh?”

“That boat over there. The yacht.”

“Fishing from a boat like that would be awesome….”

“Hey! Is that a fishing boat? It’s a luxury yacht. You have parties on those things.”

“You can have parties and go fishing, why not?”

On the darkened sea, a yacht shone like a chandelier’s light.

“That’s a mega yacht.”

“Sir?”

Their gazes turned to me.

“Large yachts with an overall length of over 24 meters are called mega yachts.”

“Do you perhaps own a yacht? You seem to know a lot about them.”

“No. Italy is strong in the yacht industry, and I’ve invested there. I learned about it from reports. The number of super-rich is increasing, so the demand for yachts is also growing. It’s a promising business sector.”

Some of them looked disappointed. Did they think a third-generation chaebol would own a yacht?

“Shall we rent that tomorrow? Since we’re here to have fun, let’s go fishing and have a party. Sound good?”

Regardless of their age, the six men were speechless.