Chapter 40: It Would Be Best for You to Step Back

The night after the operation began, I visited Yang Sobo’s office.

“Mr. Yang, I think President Dan Tae-geon is pushing things too far.”

“Too far? What do you mean by that?”

“He’s selling off much faster and more aggressively than what we originally planned.”

“Hmm……”

The clear sound of tea filling a cup echoed softly.

Yang Sobo set down the teapot and stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment.

“At this rate, the market might collapse before we even secure the amount we had expected to sell. If that happens, the profits we can gain will naturally drop sharply.”

“Why do you think President Dan is acting like that, Mr. Baek? What’s your take on it?”

“Perhaps…… it’s a reaction to Deputy Director Jeong Tae-soo’s interest in me. It seems he wants to prove that he’s more capable and indispensable than I am.”

At my words, Yang Sobo raised an eyebrow. He had already seen how Dan Tae-geon bristled at me during our first meeting, yet he spoke with a calm tone.

“Hmm. So there was some sort of clash, I take it.”

“There was a light dispute, but we resolved it amicably.”

“President Dan’s always been that way—impatient, competitive, and unwilling to lose to anyone. He must be getting restless.”

He clicked his tongue as if to scold him, but his face remained as indifferent as ever.

I, too, was well aware of Dan Tae-geon’s temperament.

But right now, that very temperament was threatening the entire operation.

“So, what do you plan to do? If this continues, it might be difficult to achieve the profit target you aimed for…”

“I’ve tried to stop him several times, but he refuses to listen. To rein him in, either you’ll have to step in personally, or Deputy Director Jeong Tae-soo will.”

“But wouldn’t it look bad if I personally intervened?”

Yang Sobo looked at me intently. A faint glimmer of interest flickered in his otherwise expressionless face.

“You’re right. Deputy Director Jeong specifically asked that you only provide funding, saying he’d handle this matter himself. He might tolerate my involvement in the operation, but if you step in directly, he’ll be quite displeased.”

“Go on.”

“And personally… I think it would be best for you to take a step back. If something goes wrong later, all the responsibility could end up falling on you.”

Apparently satisfied with my answer, Yang Sobo nodded.

“Good. Then I’ll leave this matter entirely in your hands. Just make sure to keep me informed of the situation as you have now.”

“Yes, understood, sir.”

With that, the discussion about Dan Tae-geon came to an end.

Lifting his teacup, Yang Sobo took a small sip of the fragrant tea before turning to me again.

“Do you know how Deputy Director Jeong has been moving lately?”

“He hasn’t shown up at the operations office even once. So, I haven’t been able to grasp his precise movements. To be honest, it’s still difficult for me to track someone of Jeong Tae-soo’s caliber in real time.”

It was beyond my current reach to keep track of every secret move of the KCIA Deputy Director.

Yang Sobo surely knew that as well. If he was still bringing it up, there must be a reason.

“Then I’ll have Li Qinghao share the necessary information with you. I have Deputy Director Jeong’s movements completely within my grasp.”

“Thank you, sir. That would be a great help.”

As I expected, Yang Sobo seemed to have detailed knowledge of Jeong Tae-soo’s actions.

If I could share that information, it would be like gaining an army of ten thousand men.

Setting his teacup down, Yang Sobo spoke in a casual tone.

“Deputy Director Jeong will probably act to block any internal factions within the KCIA, or possible external interference, during this operation.”

“You mean he’ll expose himself directly? Him?”

The question slipped out before I realized it. It was unexpected. The Jeong Tae-soo I knew was not the type to take risks by stepping into the open.

He was a cautious manipulator who always achieved his goals through surrogates who moved at his command.

“I heard he’s going to negotiate directly with Director Kang Byung-woo. By now, they might already be meeting.”

His words were shocking. This was completely different from the future I knew.

In the past, Jeong Tae-soo had never once confronted Director Kang directly. He always weakened him through indirect means—until the man eventually collapsed on his own.

‘Is this the butterfly effect I created, or was there another truth I never knew?’

My thoughts grew tangled. As I tried to untangle the threads in my mind, something occurred to me.

“If that’s true, then…”

“Yes. Everything will depend on whose side the Chairman decides to take.”

Both Kang Byung-woo and Jeong Tae-soo were merely extensions of the Chairman, the ultimate power holder.

His final decision would determine the outcome of this grim power struggle.

“Sir… who do you think will win this fight?”

A faint smile appeared on Yang Sobo’s lips—one laced with meaning.

“Director Kang has made too many enemies. He’s been arrogant and reckless, relying solely on the Chairman’s favor. A tree that stands too tall breaks easily in a strong wind.”

“But the Chairman won’t completely abandon him. Director Kang’s ability and loyalty have been proven time and again.”

At least, in the timeline I knew, Director Kang had survived several crises and remained close to the Chairman until the end.

“That’s what makes watching it all the more entertaining, doesn’t it? To see what choice the Chairman will make.”

It seemed Yang Sobo found this precarious balance of power quite amusing.

But the Chairman I remembered was not one to easily take sides. He was a cold-blooded strategist who used both parties to maximize his own power.

“When I hear more, I’ll let you know.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll continue to move as planned.”

After bowing to Yang Sobo, I left his office.

My head was still spinning. I looked up at the full moon hanging in the sky, gathering my thoughts.

Late at night, at a secluded safehouse.

It was directly managed by the KCIA, and there, a secret meeting was taking place.

The sharp, sour scent of rice wine filled the quiet room.

“Director Kang, how’s everything going lately?”

Chairman Han Gi-jun asked in a low tone as he poured from a kettle. Bowing slightly, Kang Byung-woo opened his mouth.

“It’s proceeding smoothly according to plan, Your Excellency.”

At that, Chairman Han lifted his bowl of makgeolli to his lips, shooting Director Kang a pointed look.

“Heh, that’s quite different from what I’ve been hearing.”

“Your Excellency, may I ask what you mean?”

“I heard the Korea Securities Exchange is about to collapse. And you call that proceeding smoothly?”

“That’s…”

Beads of sweat formed on Kang Byung-woo’s forehead. When he hesitated too long, Chairman Han’s brow furrowed.

“You personally came to me for approval on this matter. But now you’ve stirred up such chaos—what do you expect that makes me look like?”

Han Gi-jun slammed the rice wine bowl he had been holding hard onto the table.

The rice wine sloshed over his hand.

“I gave you full authority to do as you pleased, and this is the result?”

Director Kang broke out in a cold sweat, hastily defending himself.

“I haven’t yet received a full report, so I don’t know every detail, but from what I’ve heard, the Bank of Korea is hesitating to provide financial support, Your Excellency.”

“And why would the Bank of Korea hesitate? Wasn’t this an overly reckless operation from the start? I knew it would turn out like this. Tsk.”

Director Kang couldn’t understand why Chairman Han’s demeanor had suddenly turned so cold. Thinking desperately, he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Your Excellency, has something gone wrong? If I’ve made any mistakes, I’ll correct them immediately.”

“I heard you’ve already secured plenty of funds—party establishment money, election funds, and the like.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. We’ve been gathering funds through various means, but…”

Chairman Han cut him off with a nod.

“So, are you saying it won’t be enough?”

“To be honest, yes. We’re still short.”

An election meant money. They might have maintained power with guns for now, but to win over public sentiment and ensure stable governance, massive funds were essential.

Thus, beyond legal means, the more secret funds they could accumulate, the better.

“Wrap up the operation here.”

Chairman Han’s tone was firm. Startled, Director Kang stammered without realizing it.

“B-but, Your Excellency! If we withdraw now, the market will collapse uncontrollably. How do you plan to handle that chaos…?”

“That, Director Kang, has nothing to do with you. That’s for the Korea Securities Exchange and that fellow Shin Man-cheol to deal with.”

Director Kang’s eyes widened.

The Chairman’s words were practically a declaration of abandoning the exchange altogether.

“Your Excellency! Are you saying you’re giving up on the Korea Securities Exchange? That’s impossible! It’s true we’ve used it to raise significant slush funds, but we can’t just let the nation’s financial foundation collapse!”

“Tsk.” Chairman Han clicked his tongue, waving his hand dismissively.

“Who doesn’t know that? You’re just stating the obvious.”

“I’ll make sure to resolve this properly, Your Excellency! Please trust me!”

Director Kang pleaded earnestly. He couldn’t let things end like this. Even if they had to stop the operation, it needed to be done in a way that minimized the market shock.

Watching him, Chairman Han raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

Just then, a KCIA agent’s quiet voice came from outside the door.

“Deputy Director Jeong Tae-soo has arrived, Your Excellency.”

At the mention of that name, Director Kang’s brow furrowed.

“Deputy Director Jeong? What brings him here…?”

“I called him. Let him in.”

At the Chairman’s permission, the door opened, and Jeong Tae-soo entered with his usual impassive face.

He bowed deeply.

“Your Excellency, you called for me?”

“Deputy Director Jeong, come in. Have a seat.”

Jeong Tae-soo sat down beside Kang Byung-woo without hesitation. Chairman Han picked up the kettle and filled Jeong’s empty bowl with rice wine.

“Have a drink, Deputy Director. You must be thirsty after the trip.”

Jeong received it politely with both hands, then turned and drained the bowl in one motion.

As he set the cup down, Chairman Han spoke again.

“I heard you had a lot to say about the KCIA’s current operation.”

At those words, Kang Byung-woo’s sharp gaze turned toward Jeong Tae-soo.

“Senior, just how much do you know about this operation?”

His tone was edged with open hostility and irritation.

“I know enough, Director Kang.”

“Isn’t your primary duty maintaining public order? Why interfere in another department’s work…?”

“Do you even understand how much chaos your so-called ‘operation’ has thrown the entire nation into, Director Kang?”

Though Kang raised his voice, Jeong cut him off coldly. A chilling air hung in his voice.

“Why do you think I came directly to His Excellency to appeal about this situation?”

Chairman Han simply sipped his rice wine, watching the two men as though he were enjoying a spectacle— like a spectator watching dogs tear into each other in a pit fight.

“Senior, this is blatant overreach!”

“The one overstepping boundaries right now is you, Director Kang.”

“Senior!”

“Lower your voice, Director. You’re before His Excellency.”

Jeong warned quietly.

Director Kang, struggling to contain his anger, glanced toward Chairman Han. But the Chairman merely smiled faintly.

“Don’t mind me. Speak freely, both of you.”

Director Kang bit his lip tightly. He sensed there was no longer any room to retreat.

“...So, what are you suggesting, Senior?”

“It’s simple. Step back from this operation, Director Kang. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Senior, what exactly are you planning to do…?”

At that moment, the urgent report he had received that morning flashed through Kang’s mind.

Several mid-sized securities firms had simultaneously unleashed massive sell orders of Daegung stock.

“Don’t tell me… those firms dumping Daegung stock—was that your doing?”

Jeong didn’t answer. Instead, a faint, knowing smile curved on his lips—an answer far clearer than words.

Director Kang’s eyes widened in shock.

“Senior, have you lost your mind? That’ll collapse the entire market!”

“The one who threw the market into chaos was you, Director Kang. I’m merely restoring order.”

Of course, the enormous profits arising from that “restoration” would end up in someone’s pocket. He didn’t say it aloud, but Kang seemed to suspect as much—his brow tightened.

“...Senior, I can’t allow this. I’ll stop you, no matter what it takes.”

Then, the long-silent Chairman Han finally spoke.

“Leave Deputy Director Jeong to his work.”

“But, Your Excellency…”

“If you want to continue with your own plans, go ahead. But in the end, this will produce a winner and a loser. And when that happens, the loser will bear all the blame.”

Chairman Han rose from his seat. The amusement that had lingered on his face all along vanished into blank indifference.

“I’ll be going now.”

Both Kang Byung-woo and Jeong Tae-soo quickly stood. Jeong moved to the coat rack, took the Chairman’s jacket, and respectfully handed it to him.

With a small nod, Chairman Han let Jeong place the coat over his shoulders.

“Whether you two reach an understanding or continue as you please, I won’t interfere any further.”

Leaving those final words, Chairman Han exited the room.

The heavy door closed.

In the silence that followed, only Jeong Tae-soo and Kang Byung-woo remained—

locked in a cold stare, neither willing to yield.

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