Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 159

161

After about an hour in the reception room, Gloria returned to the president’s office after finishing the emergency meeting. As soon as she heard from her secretaries that Beomseok’s group had arrived, she was delighted and hurried to the reception room.

“Beomseok, everyone.”

Gloria greeted them with a bright expression, but Beomseok, Lexter, and Natalie met her with worried faces.

“Hello, Gloria.”

“President Gloria, stay strong. We’re here for you.”

Gloria patted Natalie’s shoulder in response to her comforting words and sat on the sofa, looking weary. Her pregnancy was quite advanced, as her due date was not far off.

“Thank you all for your concern. But don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”

Seeing her confident demeanor, Beomseok’s somewhat stiff expression relaxed. If she were truly struggling, Gloria wouldn’t have such a relaxed look on her face.

“Are you really alright?”

“Of course. Our Rainbow Group isn’t such an easy company to take down. As I’ve repeatedly mentioned, our financial structure is strong, so we can overcome this difficulty.”

Beomseok and his group were puzzled by her unexpected reaction.

“But I heard you have 23 billion Krang [fictional currency] in debt?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“How much cash do you have on hand?”

“We have approximately 2.2 billion Krang in cash assets.”

2.2 billion Krang was less than one-tenth of the debt. Beomseok thought she might be mistaken and asked again.

“But you’re saying you’re alright? Could you explain why in detail?”

“It’s very simple.”

Gloria began to explain Rainbow’s situation.

The biggest problem now was the 23 billion Krang debt, as Beomseok had mentioned. Fortunately, they didn’t have to repay all of this debt immediately. Rainbow currently held bonds with 8% due in one year, 69% due in three years, and 23% due in five years. Each of these had a set legal maturity date, and the company only needed to pay on those dates. Roughly 680 million Krang was coming into Rainbow Group each month, and the interest on the 23 billion Krang was about 80 million Krang per month, so Rainbow Group had to pay 760 million Krang per month.

“I see. But with your current funds, you can’t last even three months, can you?”

“Yes, that’s what the simple calculation shows.”

A three-month limit. But this was just a mirage. Currently, LHN affiliates held 17% of Rainbow Group’s bonds, Wilkins affiliates held 12%, Unique Bank held 32%, local first-tier financial institutions held 27%, and 11% were circulating in the market. Unique Bank, their main transactional bank, knew that Rainbow Group’s financial condition was sound, as they had recently recommended purchasing the Onetz Building. Moreover, they had built up a lot of credit through previous transactions, so they could sufficiently extend the maturity.

Considering their relationship with Rainbow Group, the local first-tier financial institutions would likely agree if they explained their financial structure well and sought understanding. The worrying parts were the 9.2 billion Krang debt from LHN affiliates, the culprits of the incident, Wilkins affiliates, whose intentions were unknown, and the bonds circulating in the market.

“So, the maximum cost we have to pay per month is about 350 million Krang.”

Beomseok nodded in agreement.

“Hmm. So, Rainbow Group can last at least half a year.”

“No, longer than that.”

“Why is that?”

“Our group’s total annual sales are 3 billion Krang. Even after deducting labor and operating costs, we have a monthly profit of about 150 million Krang left over. Considering this, we can last for at least nine months even in the worst-case scenario. If we sell the recently purchased Onetz Building during that time, this fight will be over. We can repay most of the bonds that are causing our group’s instability.”

Lexter stood up abruptly, expressing his anger. After hearing the situation, he realized that there was no real estate company with such a sound financial structure as Rainbow Group. He was furious at LHN for making such malicious evaluations of such a company.

“Why on earth did LHN do such an absurd thing?”

“We don’t know either. We can only assume there was some mistake somewhere.”

“So, is it completely resolved now?”

Gloria’s face darkened for a moment.

“But there’s one thing I’m very worried about.”

“What is it?”

“Our Rainbow Group’s main business is lodging and rental business.”

“Yes, I know. But what does that have to do with it?”

She explained her concerns in a quiet voice.

The rental business involved renting out offices or residential spaces and receiving a certain fee, and tenants were required to pay a security deposit. The total amount of security deposits held by Rainbow Group was 7.3 billion Krang. If the situation spiraled out of control and tenants, feeling 불안감 [unease], withdrew all their money to protect their assets, the company would be severely impacted.

“Since rental contracts are usually for one year, if all the tenants leave at once, the additional cost per month would be over 600 million Krang. Moreover, if they leave, there will be problems with sales, causing additional significant damage.”

“Is there a solution?”

Gloria shook her head.

“For now, we have no choice but to return the security deposits to the tenants and keep them here so that there are no problems with sales. If we return the security deposits, there’s no reason for them to leave.”

After a moment of silence, Beomseok opened his mouth with a stiff expression.

“So, it’s all about the image 싸움 [fight/battle].”

“Yes. This crisis is dangerous if the market expresses concern, but if not, it will pass without incident, as if nothing happened.”

He looked at Natalie, who was next to him. She was the CEO of the rapidly growing LKS Broadcasting. Since she had built up considerable recognition with Karen’s program, he thought it would be very helpful to inform the public in detail about Rainbow Group’s internal affairs through LKS Broadcasting.

“Natalie, I need you to step up. Create a special program to inform viewers of LHN Financial Group’s absurd actions and widely publicize Rainbow Group’s financial soundness.”

Natalie, with a flushed face, clenched her fist. She felt proud that she could be of great help to Gloria.

“Don’t worry. I’ll put all my efforts into producing something that will touch the viewers’ hearts.”

“Okay. There’s no time, so do it as soon as possible.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll draw up a plan as soon as I get back and start filming right away.”

Beomseok nodded and looked at Lexter.

“경감님 [Detective], I think we need to concretize our 모임 [gathering/group].”

“Concretize? Why?”

“It would be more appealing to viewers if a mysterious organization with a third-party perspective, rather than just a few close friends helping out, trusted Rainbow Group’s soundness and provided financial support. In other words, let’s create a group name to put forward on our behalf.”

Lexter looked at Natalie and said.

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s definitely better to have a third-party feel. It can give viewers confidence.”

He nodded in agreement and looked back at Beomseok.

“Then let’s do it. What should we call it?”

“Well, I just came up with the idea suddenly, so I don’t have a name in mind.”

Gloria, who had been listening quietly, asked Beomseok a question, as if she had a 궁금한 점 [question/curiosity].

“Financial support? What does that mean?”

“Hehe. It’s exactly what it sounds like. We can’t just stand by during Gloria’s crisis, so we’ve decided to raise funds. It’s about 1.1 billion Krang, so it will be quite helpful.”

The shadows on her face quickly turned into a bright light. The key to Rainbow Group’s survival in this crisis was whether it could last until the Onetz Building was sold. If 1.1 billion Krang were added to the current funds, the total amount would be 3.3 billion Krang. Even if a large number of tenants requested the return of their security deposits, they could last for a considerable period.

“R, really?”

“Yes, of course. And Natalie says she can provide substantial funds next month as well. About several hundred million Krang. She’s become a 떼부자 [nouveau riche] recently with Karen’s program.”

Gloria grabbed Natalie’s hand with 촉촉한 [moist/tearful] eyes. She was embarrassed, but she thought she would gratefully accept it because the situation was urgent. She could repay this debt when the company was normalized in the future.

“Thank you, Natalie, and everyone. With the funds you’re supporting, I can definitely overcome this crisis. I’ll be sure to repay you later.”

Beomseok and his group were beaming, as if they were proud. They were worried that 230 billion Krang of Rainbow Group’s debt, less than 1/20th of the amount, would be of great help, but it turned out to be a decisive fund. They couldn’t help but feel good as helpers.

Lexter, 흥에 겨운 [excited], clapped his hands and said to everyone.

“Hahaha. Okay, then what should we name our group? Everyone, please suggest your opinions.”

Natalie raised her hand and said.

“I’d like to use a name that gives the feeling that everyone is becoming one.”

“Becoming one? That’s a pretty good atmosphere… Beomseok, what do you think?”

Beomseok nodded in agreement because he had the same thought.

“Not bad. Very good.”

As the opinions roughly gathered, Lexter took out a 거창한 [grandiose] name.

“How about Iljinhoe? It means to move forward as one? How is it, 괜찮지 [okay/good], right?”

Beomseok, 당혹한 [embarrassed/taken aback], reached out and stopped him. They didn’t know, but as someone living in the real world, he didn’t like the name at all. He didn’t want to adopt the name of a 치기 어린 청소년 양아치 [immature juvenile delinquent] organization that admired 쪽빠리 매국노 [Jap traitors] for his organization. Iljinhoe was the name of a pro-Japanese organization that actively responded to Japan’s annexation policy of Korea at the end of the Korean Empire.

“That name is absolutely not allowed!”

Natalie looked at him with an expression that she didn’t know the 영문 [reason/circumstances]. In her opinion, it felt pretty good.

“Why? It sounds like a good name.”

“Still, no. You may not know it, but Iljinhoe is the name of a 매국노 [traitor] and 얘들 양아치 [gangster kids] organization. We can’t put such a 지저분한 [dirty/filthy] name on our 모임 [gathering/group] name.”

Natalie tilted her head. She had never heard of such a thing.

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Sure.”

With Beomseok 단호하게 [firmly/resolutely] rejecting the opinion, Iljinhoe was 일단 탈락 [first eliminated] from the 후보 [candidates]. He was the 중추 [center/core] of this 모임 [gathering/group] and had a lot of 입김 [influence], and he was 찝찝 [uncomfortable/uneasy] to bring the names of such 요상스러운 [strange/weird] people to his organization’s name.

So, Natalie took out another name.

“Then, as the meaning 그대로 [as it is], how about Hanahoe?”

Beomseok grabbed his forehead and sighed 크게 [deeply]. This is because a name at almost the same level as Iljinhoe is being 거론 [mentioned/discussed]. He immediately 손사래 [waved his hands] and said.

“휴~ [Sigh] That name is also not allowed.”

“Why? It’s a good name.”

“Anyway, if it’s not allowed, it’s not allowed. Anything is fine except those two, so decide on another name.”

Natalie, 입을 삐쭉 내민 [pouting], gave Lexter a 눈길 [glance]. It was a meaning to stop Beomseok’s 억지 [stubbornness/unreasonableness]. But he shrugged his shoulders and 시선을 피했다 [avoided eye contact]. He knew that Beomseok was difficult to 설득 [persuade] once he 부리면 고집 [insisted stubbornly]. It was better to find another good name to avoid wasting time.

While 잠시 곰곰이 [momentarily pondering] looking for a new name, the reception room door opened 세차게 [violently] and a man rushed in. It was a man named Jade who had guided Beomseok’s group here. He looked at Gloria with a 다급한 모습 [urgent look] and shouted 목청껏 [at the top of his lungs].

“회장님 [President]! Something terrible has happened!”

Gloria 힘겹게 돌아다 [turned around with difficulty] and said 타박하듯 [reproachfully].

“제이드부장 [Director Jade]. What 경망 [rashness/frivolity] is this in front of the guests? Keep 채신 [decency/dignity].”

“회장님 [President]. That’s not the problem. I just heard from the reporters that Unique Bank has just announced a 전면적인 채무반환요구 [full debt recall] for our Rainbow Group.”

Gloria, with a 새파랗게 질린 얼굴 [pale blue face], 벌떡 일어섰다 [jumped up] at the words. Unique Bank was the 주거래은행 [main transactional bank] holding 32% of Rainbow Group’s bonds. If they turned their backs on them, it was 자명 [obvious] that all the banks in the 에이번드 [Avend] region would 불신 [distrust] and 외면 [turn away] them. Then, a 연쇄적인 [chain reaction] market 패닉 [panic] would occur, and not only would most of the bonds 쏟아져 들어오게 [pour in] to the company, but also the 보증금 반환요청 [security deposit return requests] of the tenants whose contracts had expired would 거세질 [become fierce].

The funds to be entered at this time are up to 1.3 billion Krang per month. Since this situation would 벌어질 [occur] every month, the funds currently gathered could not last even 3 months. Of course, if the Onetz Building was sold in the meantime, it could 다소 숨통이 트일 [somewhat ease the burden], but a building close to 8 billion Krang could not be the same as a general detached house. It was almost impossible to sell it within that short period, and in the end, Rainbow Group could not help but 무너질 [collapse].

“I, is that really true?”

“I just heard it, so it’s not accurate. But since the local media reporters are telling the 채무반환요구선언 [debt recall declaration] of Unique Bank with one voice, it seems almost certain.”

Gloria, 이마를 부여잡은 [clutching her forehead], 휘청거렸다 [staggered] her body. The 배신 [betrayal] of Unique Bank was that 충격적인 [shocking].

Beomseok 다급히 부축하며 [hurriedly supporting] her and said.

“글로리아님 [Gloria]. Are you okay?”

Gloria, 정신없이 [mindlessly] shaking her head, 바라보며 [looking at] him and his group and said.

“Ah, I think I should go to Unique Bank. I’m sorry, but would you please go back now? And I don’t think I can accept your 호의 [kindness/favor]. I’m sorry for this too.”

Gloria, who only said what she had to say, 빠져나갔다 [hurried out of] the reception room with 급한 걸음 [hasty steps]. Beomseok, 지은 a 심각한 표정 [serious expression], followed 뒤를 [behind] with Lexter. There was a 부탁 [request] to just go back, but he was 걱정스러워 [worried] and could not 모른 척 [pretend not to know] like this.

============================ 작품 후기 ============================

이제 가을의 끝에 와있습니다. 집 앞에 은행나무가 있는데, 노랗던 잎들 조차 다떨어지고 어지고 앙상항 가지만 남았더군요. 아마도 곧 날씨가 쌀쌀해지고 겨울에 문턱에 들어설 것 같습니다.

그럼 얼마 안남은 늦가을 하루 보람차게 보내시고요. 전 내일 또 찾아뵙겠습니다.