Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 164

“Good. Let’s say a bank must keep its credit. Then why are you ignoring your credit with Rainbow Group? You value your industry reputation so much, yet why do you treat your customers like trash?”

Wilkins didn’t seem to have anything to say, simply staring at Beom-seok for a moment. The fact that Wilkins Financial Holdings held 12% of Rainbow Group’s bonds implied a tacit agreement to support each other. From that perspective, his words weren’t wrong.

“Hmm. I suppose that’s true. You’re not wrong. We also have a relationship of trust with Rainbow Group.”

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Beom-seok pressed forward aggressively.

“Then please help Rainbow Group.”

“No. I can’t do that.”

“Why not! Didn’t you just say that you have a relationship of trust with Rainbow Group?”

Wilkins slowly shook his head.

“But, I also have to keep my promise to the bondholders. In other words, I have to choose between two relationships of trust. So, let me ask you one thing. If you were me, what choice would you make? Would you side with LHN, the world’s largest financial corporation? Or would you side with Rainbow Group, which is… expendable?”

Beom-seok wore a disappointed expression. That meant Wilkins would rather side with LHN, which had a strong global presence, than help the local Rainbow Group.

“So, you’re saying you’ll side with LHN?”

“Isn’t that obvious? There is a power dynamic in the world, and going against it often leads to significant losses. If I have to choose, LHN is the better option.”

“So, in the end, Wilkins Financial Holdings will become our enemy.”

At those words, Wilkins chuckled and said,

“Me, your enemy? Why would you think that? I only said I would target Rainbow Group, but I have no intention of harming you. In other words, there’s no reason for you and me to fight.”

“Yes, there is a reason. Gloria, the chairwoman of Rainbow Group, is a member of our group. Attacking her is the same as attacking all of us.”

“Oh. You’re willing to become my enemy, Wilkins, for the sake of Rainbow Group?”

Beom-seok looked at him with a determined face.

“Of course.”

“Hahaha. Interesting. Very interesting. I don’t know what kind of great group it is, but if you oppose me, there will be a price to pay. Are you prepared for that?”

“I am fully prepared.”

Wilkins looked at Lexter, who was sitting next to him.

“Are you also willing to fight me?”

Lexter sighed deeply and glared at Beom-seok with resentful eyes. If his request for help was going to be rejected, he should have left immediately, instead of needlessly making an enemy of a big shot like Wilkins.

However, he couldn’t back down now, for appearances’ sake.

“Hmph. I don’t like it, but I’ll do it. But, you better be prepared. I’m not someone to be trifled with either.”

Wilkins smiled broadly and looked at them alternately. In a cutthroat world where trust is often sacrificed for profit, he was impressed that they would stand against him to help Rainbow Group. He thought it might be beneficial to help these guys out. If he did them a favor now, they would definitely repay him in the future.

Wilkins was currently engaged in a quiet power struggle with LHN. His pride was wounded by being stuck in second place in the industry, and he was trying to expand his influence by merging with TNB Bank during the recent economic crisis. Since they would inevitably clash someday, it wouldn’t be bad to use this situation as a catalyst. If this incident became public, LHN would suffer a major blow to their reputation.

However, a key question was whether they had the ability to weather the storm. If not, he shouldn’t force the issue. He needed to test them.

“Hmm. If that’s what you really want, I might consider changing my mind. I don’t want to make you my enemies.”

At Wilkins’ sudden change of attitude, Beom-seok jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“Really!”

“But. There is one condition.”

“What is it? Just tell me, and I will definitely do it.”

Wilkins paused for a moment, then replied.

“Bring me money from Chairman Valbar’s wallet. I don’t care if you borrow it or scam it.”

Beom-seok’s eyes widened as he said,

“Chairman Valbar? Are you talking about the chairman of LHN?”

“That’s right. But, it’ll be quite difficult. Even I have never been able to get anything out of that friend’s wallet; he’s such a tightwad.”

Beom-seok wore a confident expression. Despite Wilkins’ warning, he thought this was surprisingly easy. Meeting Chairman Valbar could be easily arranged by asking the Black Society [a powerful, possibly criminal organization], and there were plenty of ways to extract money from his wallet, no matter how stingy he was.

Moreover, judging from the conversation with Wilkins, he could tell that this situation wasn’t Chairman Valbar’s personal agenda. If he could persuade him effectively, he might be able to get LHN to withdraw its attack on Rainbow Group through this meeting. He even suspected that Wilkins’ mission was a clue to resolving the Rainbow Group situation.

“Thank you for your advice. I will definitely persuade Chairman Valbar.”

Wilkins, with a puzzled expression, tilted his head.

“Advice? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you suggesting I meet Chairman Valbar and stop the pressure on Rainbow Group?”

Wilkins narrowed his eyes. He realized that Beom-seok was jumping to conclusions.

“You seem to be mistaken. I’m not one to beat around the bush. If you bring me money from that guy’s wallet, I’ll help you; otherwise, it’s off. Don’t overthink it; just figure out how to get Valbar’s money.”

“But, if I meet and persuade Chairman Valbar, won’t this situation be resolved?”

“Well, yes, it would. But how are you going to meet that guy? Valbar is currently claiming to be sick and has confined himself to the LHN headquarters building, refusing to come out. Unless it’s something extraordinary, he doesn’t leave, so it’ll be quite difficult to meet him.”

“It’s okay. If I ask the Black Society for help, they can easily arrange it.”

At those words, Wilkins immediately burst into laughter.

“Hahaha. The Black Society will help you? Do you really think so?”

“Of course.”

“You don’t seem to know much yet. Do you even know who’s behind this Rainbow Group situation?”

Beom-seok immediately replied as if it were obvious.

“Isn’t it LHN?”

“No. LHN is just the force on the front lines. In fact, there’s another force secretly manipulating them.”

At the unexpected information, Beom-seok’s eyes widened. Until now, he had firmly believed that LHN was the sole culprit.

“W, who is it?”

“One is a guy named Julian from the Youth United Business Association under the Economic Organizations Association [influential business groups], who is instigating this situation by influencing Aula, the successor of the LHN Group and a classmate. Executive Director [redacted], who is meeting with the Rainbow Group bondholders and working on them, is Aula’s closest aide.”

Beom-seok trembled and wore an angry expression. Julian was definitely capable of that. However, Lucas, the chairman of the Black Society whom he had met before, had completely denied this.

“I, is that true? The Black Society said they didn’t detect any movement from him.”

“Of course they would say that. The second person involved is the Black Society. The key figure at Unique Bank, which is putting pressure on Rainbow Group, is a guy named Vice President Hobbs, who is practically an underling of the Black Society. In other words, this situation is a joint effort by the Economic Organizations Association and the Black Society.”

Shocked, his mind went blank as he stared blankly at Wilkins.

“A, are you sure?”

“I’m not sure, but that’s the way things appear. If you’re still suspicious, you can continue to rely on the Black Society. I won’t stop you.”

Beom-seok closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. It was to suppress the anger that was rising to the top of his head. Since it wasn’t confirmed, he couldn’t definitively accuse the Black Society of involvement. They were also human, so he didn’t want to believe they would betray him like this.

‘Chairman Wilkins must be mistaken. I’ve done so much for those guys….’

However, upon closer reflection, there were definitely suspicious points. The Black Society’s passive response to his request for help, for example.

He tapped Lexter on the shoulder and pointed to the door with his thumb. It was a signal to leave. Enough time had passed, and he had concluded his business with Wilkins.

“Then, Chairman Wilkins, we’ll be going now.”

“Hmm. Do so. I hope you bring me the desired results.”

“Yes. Then I’ll see you again soon.”

Beom-seok turned around abruptly and stormed out the door. He had tried his best to maintain his composure, but the moment he realized that the Black Society might have betrayed him, it was impossible. As he walked out into the hallway, he punched the wall hard with his fist.

Bang.

Seeing the concrete dust that crumbled slightly from the impact, Lexter quickly approached and grabbed his collar.

“Beom-seok. Calm down. Chairman Wilkins said it wasn’t confirmed.”

Beom-seok, who was moving towards the elevator, replied without even looking.

“I know. That’s why I’m holding back.”

“Why is a guy who’s holding back punching the wall for no reason?”

Beom-seok pressed the elevator button and said,

“I don’t think it’s likely, but there are some suspicious aspects.”

“What’s suspicious?”

“Think about it. Honestly, for LHN to do such malicious things to Rainbow Group, there must be a reason, right? It’s highly likely that the Economic Organizations Association is involved, but Chairman Lucas denied it before. But, if Julian is involved, there’s no way the Black Society wouldn’t know. He’s a person of interest, so the Black Society’s informants are always following him.”

“Even so, the facts haven’t been revealed yet. It’s not too late to investigate further. I’ll ask my contacts to find out, so just hold on until then.”

Beom-seok, who had boarded the elevator that had arrived, shook his head.

“No. There’s a way to find out right away.”

“What is it?”

“Just ask the person involved.”

Lexter scoffed and said,

“Hmph. As if the Black Society would tell you the truth.”

“No. Not the Black Society. There’s one very stupid and foolish guy. He’ll probably spill everything as soon as I call him.”

“What kind of crazy bastard would brag about what he did?”

“That guy is more than capable of it. But I have to contact him directly.”

When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, Beom-seok took out the electronic notebook from his pocket. Then, after selecting the phone book list, he found a person’s contact information and immediately pressed the call button. After a brief ringing tone, a man with brown hair appeared on the screen. It was Julian, who had a conflict with Beom-seok.

– Yo. Who is this? It’s been a long time.

“Yeah. It’s been a while.”

– But what are you calling me for? We’re not on good enough terms to contact each other.

“Yeah. That’s right. But I’m furious about Rainbow Group. You really made a mess this time. I’m so surprised that my stomach is churning.”

At those words, Julian wore a strange smile on his lips.

– Oh. Really? It seems like it was worth the effort. To get this kind of reaction from you. I think I chose well.

“Yeah. Anyway, you’re quite something. You’re even thinking of using Aula, a classmate, to attack my acquaintances.”

– Well, it’s basic. How about it? If you come running and kneel and beg, I might teach you a thing or two? Are you interested?

“No, I’m not interested. Oh. And thank you. It was very helpful. Goodbye.”

After saying those words, Beom-seok clenched his fist tightly and smashed the electronic notebook in his hand. With this, it was confirmed that Chairman Wilkins was right. Julian was definitely involved in this incident, and there was no way the Black Society, which was always monitoring him, wouldn’t know.

Beom-seok glared at Lexter with a fierce look in his eyes.

“Detective. Find out about the relationship between the Black Society and Vice President Hobbs of Unique Bank. And how much Vice President Hobbs is involved in this situation.”

He immediately nodded. Since he had been working in the investigation department until recently, he could find out enough information through his former colleagues. But, right now, it was more important to calm Beom-seok. He was currently very angry, and his body was trembling as if he was having a seizure.

“A, I got it. I got it. So calm down.”

“Calm down? Do you think I can calm down right now? The fact that this Julian is involved in this situation means that the Black Society has betrayed me!”

Lexter grabbed his shoulder with a desperate expression. If Beom-seok confronted the Black Society and caused a scene, they would be making enemies on both sides. It was better to pretend not to know for now.

He looked at the lounge in the distance and led Beom-seok there.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

Then everyone, have a nice day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.