The Former Mercenary is a Chaebol Heir

Chapter 9: If You Give, You Have to Take

Shin-woo was exercising on a pull-up bar installed in the corner of his one-room apartment.

With his shirt off, his right arm, holding the bar, repeatedly bent and straightened quickly.

“83, 84, 85… 96, 97, 98…”

Sweat dripped down his body and began to pool on the floor.

Meanwhile, Shin-woo’s biceps, shoulders, and chest muscles, which seemed to be tearing apart, were deeply delineated.

Ding-dong— Ding-dong—

“Dammit— who’s there?”

Amidst the sweat dripping down to the floor, he answered the intercom, and a voice was heard.

[…It’s me.]

The face reflected on the intercom screen was that of Im Hee-yeon.

Shin-woo then roughly wiped the sweat off his body and the floor with a towel, put on the shirt he had taken off, and opened the door.

“…What brings you here at this hour?”

“Are you not curious about how I found this place?”

“Even if you don’t tell me who posted the flyer with my address, people manage to find their way here just fine.”

This was a reference to the time Park Sang-kyu had visited. Since Im Hee-yeon had learned about it later, she didn’t bother responding.

“…Can I come in?”

“Please do.”

Im Hee-yeon, along with Song Tae-hoon, who was standing behind her, entered.

She then noticed Shin-woo’s sweat-soaked t-shirt.

“Looks like you were exercising.”

“I’ve been so busy lately that I took a break from exercising, and now my body feels stiff. But what’s the matter?”

“…I heard you met the chairman.”

“Oh, you’re talking about the discussion about your family’s lineage, which has nothing to do with me.”

The meeting with the chairman was a very tiresome experience for Shin-woo. And even now, it wasn’t something he particularly cared about.

Seeing this, Im Hee-yeon slightly bit her lip.

“I heard the chairman even suggested that you join the company.”

“Yes.”

“Did you accept the offer?”

“I asked for a high position if they were going to give me a job.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement. However, how they interpreted it might differ…

To Im Hee-yeon, it was a shocking answer.

“Today, the chairman officially announced your existence to the Myung family.”

“But I’m not a member of that family.”

“That’s true, but you’re not unrelated to the chairman’s bloodline either. Besides, weren’t you supposed to go abroad? You said you’d never return!”

This was something Shin-woo had mentioned before he recovered his memory at the café.

Indeed, he had genuinely considered leaving Korea until then.

“I have something to do.”

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“What is it?”

“Why should I tell you about that?”

“If it’s about money, I can help you with any amount.”

The issue of the succession rights within the conglomerate was not just a matter of political conflict. It could also pose a risk to Shin-woo’s life, as seen in the recent café incident. Concerned about that, Im Hee-yeon tried to find any means to send him abroad.

“There’s no problem.”

“Then what exactly is the issue? You saw what happened to me last time. You could end up in the same situation!”

“I’ll handle my own affairs.”

“So, you’re really going to join MH Group?”

“As someone who is currently unemployed and job hunting, there’s no reason not to.”

“Shin-woo!”

Seeing Im Hee-yeon’s heightened agitation, Song Tae-hoon stepped forward to block her.

“We don’t know what Baek Shin-woo is thinking, but working in the company is not easy. Moreover, if it’s a parachute appointment, it will be even more difficult. The director is worried about that.”

“As I said earlier, that’s my problem.”

The conversation kept going in circles.

Im Hee-yeon sighed deeply.

“Alright. Do as you wish. I’ll make sure to give you a suitable position. I don’t know how long you’ll be able to last there, though…”

“Thank you for that.”

“When can you start working? Or, are you thinking of moving somewhere else? I can help you find a safer place, as buying a property is also possible.”

Im Hee-yeon’s gaze swept over the cramped one-room apartment. Moreover, Shin-woo’s apartment was located in the middle of the Seun Commercial Complex street near Cheonggyecheon.

She was worried because, like last time, people from Myung In-chul might do something dangerous.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“…Got it. Still, if you need anything, just let me know anytime.”

After finishing the conversation, Im Hee-yeon and Song Tae-hoon exited the one-room apartment.

*

【MH Group Chairman Myung Joong-hwan’s Illegitimate Child Revealed? Myung Joong-hwan had a relationship with a woman for several months after his wife’s death. Then they broke up due to personality differences, and the woman was pregnant with Myung Joong-hwan’s child at the time…】

The Chairman’s Story of Paternal Love! After his wife passed away, he found out that a woman he had met gave birth to a daughter. Later, the woman died of an incurable disease, and Chairman Myung Joong-hwan took in the child without any questions. He tried to formally adopt her immediately, but the illegitimate daughter, feeling burdened, refused…

Myung Joong-hwan’s illegitimate child, Im Hee-yeon, has worked as an employee of MH Group until now, starting from the bottom and succeeding in various projects. Currently, she holds the position of Head of the Strategic Investment Department at the group’s headquarters…

The Head of the Strategic Investment Department, Im ○○, is Myung Joong-hwan’s illegitimate daughter and a single mother with a son…

News articles poured out based on MH Group’s official announcement.

The public’s reaction was overwhelming. At the same time, MH Group’s stock prices fluctuated, but due to the honest statement, there was also a sympathy trend.

As morning arrived, Shin-woo, dressed in a black suit without a tie, arrived at the MH Group headquarters on the first floor in Yeouido.

Clink—Clink—

He rolled two dice that Jang Man-soo had made for him.

Inside the headquarters, the newly established Strategic Planning and Operations Department created a lot of noise.

Meanwhile, Shin-woo’s phone in his pocket rang.

Beep—Beep—

It was a call from Jang Man-soo.

“What’s up this early in the morning?”

[I was curious.]

“What’s so curious?”

[You’re entering a major corporation like MH Group as a parachute. Are you really okay? You’ve never worked in a company before.]

Jang Man-soo knew Baek Shin-woo’s past, which began and ended in combat. Naturally, it was hard to picture him working at a desk.

“They need to reveal themselves again, so they need to threaten Myung In-chul.”

[So, you’re becoming bait?]

The 666th Unit had left only speculative clues about Myung In-chul and then disappeared.

In that situation, the presence of Im Hee-yeon and Shin-woo was a means to provoke Myung In-chul.

If Shin-woo could build recognition within MH Group to the point of becoming a threat, traces of Myung In-chul and the 666th Unit might reappear.

Although it meant becoming bait…

“For now, this is all I’ve got. In my current state, I could easily tear them apart.”

[Sigh… Hang in there. Contact me if you need help. But don’t be too obvious in tearing them apart. This is not a battlefield, but South Korea. You could end up in handcuffs.]

“Be quiet. How is the contact network setup going?”

Jang Man-soo was reestablishing the system to find the other members of Triad Eye.

[Basic structures are almost complete; only important parts are left. It will take more time because some parts need to be custom-made. There are some developed parts at MH Tech, but can you check them out? It might be an industrial secret.]

“Do you want to get caught by the National Intelligence Service before dealing with this? Isn’t there any other way? Will they come after us?”

[Even if they know we are Korean… finding Mr. Kim in the middle of Seoul is..]

“Alright. Keep up the good work.”

After ending the call, Shin-woo rolled the dice and approached the reception desk on the first floor lobby.

A female employee greeted him with a smile.

“Do you have business with us?”

“I’m here to see Head of the Strategic Investment Department, Im Hee-yeon.”

Recently, news about the newly established Strategic Investment Department had been circulating, and the fact that Im Hee-yeon was a member of the owner’s family had been announced.

“…Did you have an appointment?”

“Yes, I did.”

“I will check with the Strategic Planning Department. What is your company and name?”

“I don’t have a company, and my name is Baek Shin-woo.”

“Ah, I see. Please wait a moment.”

The employee’s call didn’t take long.

“Confirmed. Someone from the Strategic Investment Department will come down to meet you. Please wait a moment.”

“Okay.”

After a while, Song Tae-hoon, Im Hee-yeon’s secretary, came down via the elevator.

“Welcome. Please go up right away.”

With his guidance, the entrance next to the desk opened with a security card, allowing them to pass through.

“After starting work, you will need to install security software developed by MH Electronics on your mobile phone. Inside the company, personal mobile phones will be restricted from storing and transmitting internal company data based on GPS coordinates. Camera functionality will also be disabled.”

“…Thorough measures.”

“That’s how MH Group operates. Other large corporations manage things similarly.”

Shin-woo nodded and followed Song Tae-hoon.

Clink― Clink―

Then Song Tae-hoon’s gaze shifted to Shin-woo’s hand, which was rolling a dice.

Seeing their eyes meet, Shin-woo raised his hand to show him.

“It’s a habit. I don’t like idle hands. It also serves as acupressure.”

“I see.”

Following Song Tae-hoon, they arrived at the 32nd floor, which housed the newly established Strategic Investment Department.

As they walked down the corridor, Song Tae-hoon spoke in a calm voice.

“To put it briefly… Originally, MH Trading operated independently in Incheon, and now the 32nd floor is being used by our Strategic Investment Department.”

“It’s quite large for a newly established department.”

“Officially, it’s a new department. In reality, it’s just the department that was secretly operating within the group coming to the surface.”

“Is it really okay?”

“It had to come to light eventually.”

During their conversation, they reached the department head’s office.

Knock, knock―

“Department Head, Baek Shin-woo has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Upon entering, Im Hee-yeon was working in a burgundy business suit.

“So you’ve finally arrived.”

“I was unemployed anyway. If you’re offering a job, it’s only natural I’d come.”

As Shin-woo sat on the sofa beside her, Im Hee-yeon stared at him with sharp eyes and said,

“I’ve said this before, but the work won’t be easy. And if you don’t demonstrate the ability suited to your position, you can be disciplined or dismissed according to company regulations. And I won’t show any leniency.”

“Of course. If I’m being parachuted in, I shouldn’t be doing things half-heartedly.”

Im Hee-yeon frowned at Shin-woo’s nonchalant reply.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

“I’m just trying to get employed. And also looking to benefit a bit from a life of over twenty years of being alone.”

“…I really don’t understand.”

“So, what position and role will I have in the company? I hope it’s not just a desk in the corridor.”

Having nothing more to say, Shin-woo asked with genuine curiosity.

Im Hee-yeon sighed and looked at him.

“Haa… If you make the final decision, you’ll be assigned as the Director of Strategic Investment Operations. The public notice will go up immediately.”

“Director is not a low position.”

“…Can I take that as a decision?”

“Is there any need for further consideration? Let’s proceed with that.”

“It’s decided then. Mr. Song.”

Upon Shin-woo’s response, Song Tae-hoon handed over the employment contract.

As Shin-woo began to read it, Im Hee-yeon added,

“Your rank is Deputy General Manager, and your position is Director, but since you don’t have any previous experience, your salary is set at 50 million won. Other than that, it’s the same as a standard employment contract.”

“Not bad.”

During his time as a mercenary, he received bonuses of at least a hundred million won at once. Thus, a salary of 50 million won didn’t particularly impress him.

“Your duties will involve investment-related work. You will handle the tasks planned by the Strategic Investment Planning Department, so just follow the handed-over instructions.”

It was a reminder not to cause unnecessary issues in the company.

Shin-woo calmly inquired,

“May I add one more condition?”