Chapter 95: Me?

“Me?”

“That’s right. Candidate Go Kyung-yeol didn’t want to meet, and has no reason to meet in the future either.”

Kim Kwan-hyeok’s lips curled slightly, his gaze sharpening as he looked at me.

“You’re saying that submitting petitions through you is enough? For a foreign investment firm, you’re quite knowledgeable about how Korean politicians operate. The key is to not meet the person in charge directly for favors.”

Someone who effortlessly conveys requests to those in power. That’s how influential figures are born.

Influential figures take requests and resolve them. Of course, only those with power have the ability to resolve these requests, but those in power listen to the influential figures.

The one on the throne and his trusted right-hand man. The line between who truly holds power becomes blurred.

“You’re mistaken. I have no reason to petition Candidate Go Kyung-yeol.”

“A businessman with no petitions to submit… so why would you need to meet me? Or are you being careful with your words because I was too direct?”

“No. As I mentioned before, my purpose is to meet with Director Kim.”

Kim Kwan-hyeok resisted the urge for a drink and picked up his water glass instead.

“Let’s hear this purpose of yours. For this expensive meal, I can at least do that much.”

“Thank you, Director. Since I’m still lacking in experience, may I ask a question? Have there been any cases where the second-in-command succeeded the first-in-command?”

His eyebrow twitched again. He knew the second-in-command was referring to him.

“The second-in-command usually ends their days as just that. Of course, Chun Doo-hwan’s friend Roh Tae-woo became president, but Chun Doo-hwan didn’t make it happen. The direct election system forced them into a muddy fight, and I believe the division of the Two Kims made his victory possible.”

“So?”

His tone became slightly rougher. I was prepared for a barrage of insults anyway.

“The right-hand man of a powerful figure gradually descends, eventually becoming the tail. And the tail’s fate is to be severed from the body of the powerful figure.”

“Keep going.”

Kim Kwan-hyeok’s expression turned even more menacing.

“Where do you think these terms, ‘second-in-command’ and ‘right-hand man,’ originated? The public didn’t create them to elevate such figures. It’s the top leader, the main body, who creates them to control their subordinates like limbs and extract loyalty. It’s just rhetoric to elevate them and then exploit them thoroughly without fear of resentment when they’re discarded.”

I tried not to get emotionally involved.

“You’re the only one I trust,” “Let’s go together,” “We’re in this together”…

How sweet it all sounds?

Intoxicated by such sweetness, they willingly became servants, accepting blame for crimes they didn’t commit as a part of their loyalty, a natural consequence.

Kim Kwan-hyeok, sitting stiffly in front of me, was clearly trapped in the same delusion. All I had to do was make him realize it.

Awakening someone isn’t done with words alone, but words are needed to start the engine.

“The truth is, you hold Candidate Go Kyung-yeol’s political life in your hands. His future political career hinges on your actions, doesn’t it?”

“You’re a devious young man, just as the person who arranged this meeting described.”

He started speaking informally. Since this wasn’t a meeting to represent Go Kyung-yeol, he felt no need to maintain formalities for him.

“Stop beating around the bush. If I’m your objective, just state your conclusion. I have that much sense.”

“I want to buy the rest of Director Kim Kwan-hyeok’s life.”

“What did you say?”

“The right-hand man of someone with a slim chance of becoming the Mayor of Seoul and an even slimmer chance of entering the Blue House. Of course, even becoming the Mayor of Seoul is uncertain, and the path to the Blue House is even more treacherous. Moreover, for you to inherit that position… in my opinion, the possibility approaches zero. Rather than aiming for improbable power, how about selling your future to me for a very high price?”

“This… this bastard!”

His expression was unreadable, a mix of bewilderment and feeling insulted.

“Ah, and I’ll take responsibility for your children as well. I’ll spare no support to ensure your children can do whatever they desire. If they wish for a life of leisure, I’ll even take responsibility for that.”

Aren’t our parents endlessly vulnerable when it comes to their children? The fact that Kim Kwan-hyeok hadn’t stormed out yet was a success in itself.

“Please, don’t misunderstand. I’m not asking for anything grand. Just one word is enough.”

“And that one word will lead me to part ways with Candidate Go Kyung-yeol?”

“That’s right. However, if Candidate Go truly considers you his right-hand man, he wouldn’t discard you over a single slip of the tongue. Perhaps this is an opportunity to test whether you are a true right-hand man or merely a servant.”

If the seeds of doubt and distrust were already hidden in a corner of his mind, they would bloom. If not, the seeds would start to sprout now.

“Just let slip one word that could make Go Kyung-yeol lose the mayoral election, make it sound like a mistake. In return, I’ll give you 20 billion won. The money will be laundered cleanly and deposited wherever you wish. Switzerland is fine, and so is the British Virgin Islands.”

I didn’t stop my offer before Kim Kwan-hyeok could speak.

“Furthermore, I’ll bring you on board as an executive at our Miracle company. If you wish to live abroad, just name the country. I’ll establish a branch office there for you. Of course, you’ll fully enjoy the benefits of an executive.”

With any deal, the price is always the issue.

You need to offer an unexpectedly high amount to make them waver.

I heard the easiest way to get in good with a powerful family is to give 100 million won in condolence money for their family events. Jin Young-jun was the one who said that.

He said that to return the money or to express gratitude, they would inevitably meet.

20 billion won to betray the man he served, Go Kyung-yeol.

With that much money, you could pay tens of billions in special party membership fees to either the ruling or opposition party and aim for a proportional representation seat in the National Assembly.

It’s an opportunity to go from being someone’s right-hand man to making someone your own right-hand man.

I didn’t miss Kim Kwan-hyeok’s wavering eyes.

I didn’t expect an answer at this meeting anyway. He needed time to consider.

“I don’t know who arranged this meeting, but trust them. I’m not spouting nonsense, and whatever you say won’t leak out.”

I slowly rose from my seat.

“I’ll give you ample time to consider. If I don’t hear from you by this time tomorrow, I’ll look for someone else. Someone will eventually expose Candidate Go Kyung-yeol’s weaknesses anyway. In an era where people are taking out gold trinkets hidden deep in their drawers to participate in the gold collection drive, there are plenty who would sell their souls for 20 billion won.”

Whether it was because of shock or contemplation, Kim Kwan-hyeok didn’t get up.

I bowed to him and left the Japanese restaurant.

* * *

“By the way, who introduced Kim Kwan-hyeok? It didn’t seem like he was introduced by Grandpa.”

“Kim Kwan-hyeok…?”

Grandfather didn’t know either.

“How would I know who that fellow is? I just told someone I know to send Go Kyung-yeol’s closest aide. I told them not to reveal my name. That way, he wouldn’t misunderstand.”

It was a way to avoid being mistaken for a special envoy of the Soonyang Group Chairman.

Thanks to that, he probably didn’t connect me to Jin Ga or Soonyang.

“Yes, what did you talk about after meeting? Did you hint that he could switch sides? Did you offer campaign support as bait?”

“No. I told him to betray the Go Kyung-yeol he serves. I suggested that if he did, I would back him and drastically change his life path.”

I explained in detail to Grandfather the conversation I had with Kim Kwan-hyeok yesterday.

How would he evaluate it?

After the story was over, he studied me intently for a while before letting out a sigh.

“Hoo— I still thought of you as just my grandson. I never once imagined you would surpass my expectations. I thought you would meet Go Kyung-yeol directly through that Kim fellow… Instead, you offered him a bet…”

“A servant’s betrayal is terrifying. When a close aide turns their back, they can truly crumble.”

“You could have just manipulated Go Kyung-yeol directly, why stir up his subordinates?”

It seemed like he wasn’t questioning the right or wrong of my choice anymore, but rather curious about my reasoning.

“Go Kyung-yeol is a person who belongs to Grandfather’s generation. Even if he accepted my offer and joined hands with me, even if I provided campaign funds, he wouldn’t be grateful to me. He’d think he was doing me a favor by pushing the DMC project forward. The power dynamic is different.”

A relationship where the one receiving money looks down from above is a no-go.

“But people like Uncle and Kim Kwan-hyeok will work with the thought of repaying the favor I’ve bestowed, no matter what they do. People who move at the sound of Grandfather’s phone call… Don’t they bow before you?”

“This rascal. Are you trying to discriminate against the older generation when buying people over? Heh heh.”

Grandfather, who burst into laughter, seemed very satisfied.

“What do you predict? Will Kim Kwan-hyeok accept my offer today? Or will he simply be content as a right-hand man and ignore it?”

“Hard to say. The bait of 20 billion won you threw is too tempting, so he’ll be agonizing over it until the very last moment. He might even do something else to steady his wavering resolve.”

“Something else?”

Grandfather avoided my question with a gentle smile.

What could it mean?

* * *

It was hard to concentrate today. Even though I was in a position to preside over the campaign headquarters meeting, I skimmed through it absentmindedly.

“Let’s stop here. My condition isn’t great today. Keep a close eye on media trends and run another public opinion poll. Which is more negative, the chaebol son-in-law or the draft dodger?”

Kim Kwan-hyeok, the campaign manager, realized that he couldn’t do anything in his current state. The only person who could steady his wavering heart was him.

“By the way, where is the candidate right now?”

“He’s finishing up a meeting with the floor leader and is on his way here.”

“Let me know as soon as he arrives. I have something to report.”

Alone in the conference room, Kim Kwan-hyeok leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

All of this was because of the young punk who shook him up yesterday. No, to be honest, it was because of the punk’s offer.

In short, it was an offer to restart his life with 20 billion won, and the temptation of a guaranteed executive position at an investment firm even if his political career was ruined.

This temptation was definitely not nonsense. The former minister wouldn’t introduce someone who spouts nonsense.

“Director, the candidate has arrived.”

Kim Kwan-hyeok shook off his distracting thoughts and left the conference room. He lightly knocked on Candidate Go’s office door and entered.

“Did your business go well?”

“Damn it, they call me in when they need me, and now they’re trying to tame me with stupid tricks.”

Go Kyung-yeol angrily threw his jacket onto the sofa.

“What did the floor leader say?”

“The assembly members in the Seoul districts need money to run their grassroots organizations, so they ‘notified’ me that they’ll take some of the campaign funds. Unforgivable bastards.”

Just by looking at his expression and tone, I could tell how angry he was.

I thought it wasn’t the right time to add fuel to the fire, but I changed my mind.

This is the time to add fuel to the fire.

That’s when true feelings and true colors come out.

“Excuse me, Candidate.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“I’m hesitant to bring this up… but I think I need to take about a week off. It’s a family matter….”

“What are you talking about? Don’t you know how critical this time is? No way! If it’s a family matter, postpone it.”

Go Kyung-yeol frowned deeply and yelled in an irritated voice.