A few days later.
Grandfather stormed into the house, fuming with anger.
The moment he saw me waiting in the living room, he started venting.
"Those bastards are rotten to the core. Do you know what they said when I brought up passing the moneylending law? They asked why we would block foreign capital during a financial crisis. Instead of regulating it, they think we should be encouraging it!"
"Did they say that knowing full well the money was coming from Japan?"
"They claimed we can't block foreign capital just because it's Japanese. It's a global era, after all."
Technically, they weren't wrong.
Money was money. There was no logical reason to accept U.S. capital while rejecting Japanese capital.
But this was different. This wasn't just foreign investment—it was predatory Japanese loan money flowing into Korea with malicious intent.
"What did the Blue House decide?"
"The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is pushing back so hard that even the Blue House can't intervene. You know the FSS is the most powerful government body right now."
The FSS had been established to stabilize financial institutions, ensure fair market practices, and protect consumers in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
Simply put, they were Korea's financial watchdog.
And at this moment, they held immense power over the country.
"But isn't it obvious why Japanese moneylenders are trying to enter the Korean market?"
"I even warned them—it could be like the colonial era all over again, with Japanese loan companies stripping people of their wealth and even taking over Korean businesses. But they wouldn't listen."
"They either don't understand the severity of the situation or they're choosing to ignore it."
"At the very least, I've managed to push for a cap on interest rates. It won't be ideal, but it's something."
Soon, Japanese loan sharks would officially enter the Korean market.
TV and other media outlets would be flooded with 24/7 loan ads, making it easier than ever for people to borrow money.
And before they knew it, they'd be drowning in crippling debt.
"The legal maximum interest rate must be set below 50%. Honestly, even 50% is too high. Ideally, it should be under 20%."
"I'll do what I can, but it won't be easy. I didn't realize you had such a strong sense of patriotism."
"This isn't about patriotism—it's about protecting Taewoo Group. If Japanese loan companies suck the money out of our potential customers, it'll hurt our business."
"Hah! Well, as long as you're on the right path, the reason doesn't matter."
It wasn't patriotism—it was business.
Of course, it would be a disaster if the press caught wind of that sentiment.
But Grandpa seemed pleased with my answer.
***
A few days later
Thanks to Grandfather's efforts, the legal maximum interest rate was set by presidential decree.
But the cap was still a staggering 66%—three times higher than Japan's.
It was more than enough incentive for Japanese loan companies to flood the Korean market.
I needed to act fast before they arrived in full force.
Just then, Captain Kang called with good news.
[We found the doctor hiding in the Philippines. He's being brought to the office as we speak.]
"That was faster than I expected."
[At the end of the day, he's still Korean. And Koreans can't go too long without Korean food. We focused our search around Korean restaurants and caught him there.]
Koreans were notorious for bringing gochujang and seaweed in their suitcases when traveling abroad.
Even a fugitive doctor couldn't resist the pull of Korean cuisine.
And that was how Captain Kang's men tracked him down.
"Did you interrogate him on the way here?"
It was clear now—Chairman Lee's death wasn't natural.
It was an assassination.
Whoever was behind this wanted to take control of Myeong-dong, and they weren't afraid to kill for it.
***
"His mouth is glued shut. He hasn't said a word,"
"If we handed him over to specialists, he'd talk. But cleanup would be a hassle, so we held back for now." Captain Kang scoffed.
Most of Kang's men were former military personnel.
Back in the dictatorship era, torture techniques weren't just known to military officers—they were part of their training.
"Good. We don't need torture to make him talk."
"He's here."
"Make sure his eyes stay covered. Bring him in."
The doctor who pronounced Chairman Lee dead was escorted into the office.
I immediately pulled up his background information.
One thing stood out.
[Notable Detail: Being threatened by the Ohseong Clan/Gang.]
Even though I wasn't well-versed in gang activity, I knew about Ohseong.
They controlled the Busan underworld, and rumors suggested they had ties to the Yakuza.
"Was Ohseong that scary? Don't bother lying—we already know everything."
"A-Are you from the government?"
"You don't need to know that. Just tell us—how much did you get paid for faking Chairman Lee's death certificate?"
"…I didn't take a single won. I fled to the Philippines because I was afraid of Ohseong."
The doctor had just admitted to forging the death certificate.
Blinded and dragged across borders, he had fallen right into my trap question.
"What was Chairman Lee's actual cause of death?"
"Cyanide gas inhalation. It triggered a fatal heart attack. It's a poison often used to stage deaths as natural."
"Did Ohseong assassinate him with cyanide?"
"I don't know that much."
So it was confirmed—Chairman Lee didn't die naturally.
Someone murdered him.
Someone who wanted Myeong-dong for themselves.
"Who in Ohseong threatened you? And why did they target you in the first place?"
The doctor hesitated before speaking.
"…Gambling. I got tricked into a rigged Go-Stop game and ended up in debt. Ohseong used it to blackmail me. The man who threatened me was Park Gwang-do. He's one of their action captains."
I glanced at Captain Kang.
He immediately moved to pull Park Gwang-do's records.
"There is a Park Gwang-do in Ohseong's ranks. He's their enforcer. Seven previous convictions. He was in prison until two years ago for ordering a hit."
Captain Kang had tapped into his police connections for the data.
The file even included a photograph.
Using my ability, I checked his detailed profile.
His affiliation? Ohseong.
His rank? Action Captain.
And under Notable Details?
[Ordered the assassination of Chairman Lee.]
"Investigate Park Gwang-do thoroughly. He orchestrated Chairman Lee's murder."
"We'll put him under 24-hour surveillance starting today."
"As for this doctor, hide him somewhere safe. And protect anyone else who might be involved."
"We'll keep them secure until this is over."
The pieces were coming together.
Someone inside Ohseong had ordered Chairman Lee's assassination.
But was Park Gwang-do acting alone?
Or was someone above him pulling the strings?
* * *
Three days later, Captain Kang contacted me again.
When I arrived at my office, he laid out a few photos and a video.
What I saw shocked me.
"This face looks familiar… Wait, isn't that Executive Director Lee from the Taewoo Motors Changwon factory?"
"You're right. That's Executive Director Lee Joon-soo, Chairman Lee's cousin."
"I heard he left Taewoo Motors and moved on to something else."
"Chairman Lee actually assigned him to manage the Busan plant. But the moment Chairman Lee passed away, he resigned and came to Seoul."
Changwon and Busan were close in distance.
It made sense that the Gwanghwamun Bear would entrust his own cousin with the Busan factory.
"Why is a factory manager hanging out with Ohseong's Park Gwang-do?"
"We're still gathering intel, but we suspect he built a relationship with Park Gwang-do while in Busan. There's one more thing you should see."
Captain Kang handed me a purchase record.
It was a chemical procurement list from the factory Lee Joon-soo had been managing.
"Factories buy chemicals all the time. Wait… don't tell me—"
"These chemicals are used to manufacture cyanide gas."
"…So Lee Joon-soo was behind the assassination."
"It's highly likely."
I didn't need further confirmation.
But just to be sure, I pulled up his detailed profile.
[Notable Details: Cyanide gas manufacturing, personally administered cyanide gas to Lee Sun-il.]
I had suspected it, but now it was confirmed.
The one who killed the Gwanghwamun Bear was his own cousin.
So, Executive Director Lee killed Chairman Lee.
His own cousin.
For what? Because he was demoted? Because he lost the power and prestige he once had?
Greed always had a way of turning family into enemies.
"His own flesh and blood… after everything Chairman Lee did for him."
"Humans are fickle creatures. He was treated like a king at the Changwon plant. But after being sent to a smaller operation, he must have harbored resentment."
"That just leaves one last puzzle piece. Which faction is he aligned with?"
"None yet. He's playing both sides—between Lee Young-han and Team Leader Park—waiting to see who gives him the better offer."
So, Lee Joon-soo was auctioning himself off.
Trying to raise his own value by playing both factions.
"Then we need to ensure that whichever side rejects him ends up controlling Myeong-dong."
"I'll plant someone close to him."
"Oh, and… fair competition is important, isn't it?"
"Meaning?"
"Leak subtle hints to both factions that Lee Joon-soo might be linked to Chairman Lee's death."
"If we do that, Team Leader Park will want him dead. That would force Lee Joon-soo to side with Lee Young-han."
"Exactly."
I didn't like Lee Young-han.
He was too much like a snake.
So I decided to nudge things slightly to ensure Team Leader Park became the next ruler of Myeong-dong.
* * *
A few days later
Team Leader Park contacted me.
I had told him not to reach out until he found concrete evidence of Chairman Lee's murder.
For him to call now meant he had something.
We arranged a meeting in Myeong-dong.
At the Gwanghwamun Bear's old office.
Now, it was Park's headquarters.
When I arrived, I scanned the cold, bare room.
"This place feels lifeless. Next time, I'll bring you a plant."
"Loan shark offices aren't meant to be cozy."
"Fair point. Anyway, I assume you called me because you found proof?"
Team Leader Park nodded.
His face was grim as he pulled out a set of documents.
"It was Lee Young-han. I'm sure of it."
"Lee Young-han? You mean the only person who could freely enter the mansion?"
"Exactly. He was the only one with access. Plus, he recently fought with Chairman Lee over inheritance matters."
"Over what? I heard Chairman Lee had over 10 billion won in assets."
So, Park Team Leader made his move.
He was aligning himself with Executive Director Lee Joon-soo.
The very man who killed Chairman Lee.
* * *
As I left the office, I moved fast.
To an outsider, it might have looked like I was escaping a bad smell.
And in a way, I was.
Because greed had a way of rotting people from the inside out.
I had spread the rumor that Executive Director Lee was tied to Chairman Lee's murder.
So why was Team Leader Park suddenly pointing the finger at Lee Young-han?
The answer was clear.
Park had joined hands with Executive Director Lee.
It was written right there in his updated profile.
[New Notable Detail: Aligned with Executive Director Lee Joon-soo.]
Team Leader Park was no different.
Just another hungry beast, clawing for power.
And in the process, he was willing to stand beside a murderer.
This changed everything.
I couldn't let Team Leader Park take Myeong-dong.
If he was backing Lee Joon-soo, that meant Lee Young-han had to be the lesser evil.
I didn't like snakes.
But I disliked traitors more.
It was time to shift the game.