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└They joined hands with the Japanese branch?
└No way, lol.
└They devoured it right up~
└Seriously, how did they devour an international association branch??
└IDK, but as soon as an internal whistleblower emerged, the branch manager immediately delegated authority and ran away?
└God Junwoo… did he foresee several moves ahead…….
└Seriously, when they were fiercely criticizing him as a pro-Japanese company, what’s with this sudden change of attitude now? ;;
└OMG, it’s disgusting, lol.
└But the National Assembly pushed it first ;;;;
└But wasn’t it a bit much for the Mimin Party to hold a hearing as if they had been waiting for it as soon as the article broke? Am I the only one smelling something fishy?
└Yeah ;;; It seems like they were determined to manipulate public opinion and try to keep him in check ;;;;
└They must have been anxious because his approval rating was higher than theirs, lol.
Head of Division Ha Sung-il let out a soft sigh as he checked the comments.
As soon as the article broke that CEO Kim Junwoo had been delegated the authority of the Japanese branch, public opinion shifted in an instant.
It was truly a fortunate event.
Thanks to that, the hearing also fizzled out.
The hearing was meant to check the exclusive rights to subjugation, using the connection with the Japanese branch as an excuse, but since they devoured the Japanese branch, there was no longer any justification to dwell on it.
“I wonder what on earth he’s doing over there…….”
Just then, Head of Division Lee Ah-young, who was checking the article with him, murmured nonchalantly.
“Who knows? How can we know what CEO is thinking?”
Head of Division Ha Sung-il shrugged his shoulders and replied.
“In the first place, he didn’t even withdraw from the International Association, but he was delegated the authority? Is this really okay? I think there will be problems later.”
“Well, there are no formal problems. When you think about it, he’s not the branch manager, he’s just exercising the authority of the acting branch manager. Of course, the International Association won’t like it, but… I’m sure CEO will handle it well.”
“…….”
Head of Division Lee Ah-young still had an uneasy expression.
She was lost in thought for a moment.
“……I can’t stand being anxious.”
She immediately jumped up from her seat.
“I’ll have to help him finish it. I’ll also check what he’s been up to.”
“……Yes?”
“I’m going to Japan. Right now.”
Head of Division Ha Sung-il wore a bewildered expression.
Was she always such an active person?
How on earth has CEO been using such a person all this time?
He was lost in thought for a moment.
Well, what can he do if she wants to do it?
“……I understand. Be careful on your trip.”
“What are you talking about? Head of Division Ha, you have to come with me.”
“……?”
***
“Is this… really okay?”
Japanese branch, branch manager’s office.
Han Yoobin asked worriedly in the office that had changed owners just a few hours ago.
“Are you anxious?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s not a complete takeover. Even if you’ve been delegated the authority, the International Association won’t let CEO become the branch manager…….”
“Of course, they can’t stand to see that.”
When he answered calmly, Han Yoobin narrowed her eyes.
“Then isn’t it meaningless?”
“Well, it might not be. We’re going to announce that we’re deeply aware of our responsibility for this situation and will withdraw from the International Association.”
“……Will the International Association accept the withdrawal?”
“I told you, they’ll let go without hesitation if the Japanese branch loses its value. And more than anything…….”
He pointed at Han Yoobin and continued.
“Didn’t you say that either? The International Association won’t let me become the branch manager.”
“Ah…….”
“If this continues, I will officially have the authority of a branch manager belonging to the International Association. Of course, the headquarters won’t want me to invade their territory.”
“So they’ll have no choice but to accept the request to withdraw…?”
“That’s the only way. Of course, one way or another, they can’t stop the Japanese branch from coming to me… but it’s better to just give me an independent association than to take their branch.”
“Hmm…….”
Only then did Han Yoobin nod her head.
“Then will CEO continue to manage the Japanese branch in the future?”
“Where do I have time for that? Of course, I’m going to put someone else in charge.”
“Who?”
“Well, that’s…….”
I shifted my gaze to the corner of the office.
I looked straight at Haramura, who was still hesitating there, and said.
“Mr. Haramura will have to take over.”
“……Huh?”
Haramura Ryuhei was greatly taken aback by the unexpected story.
“A-Are you serious?! You’re going to entrust me with the position of person in charge?!”
“Do you think I’m the kind of person who would joke about this?”
“Ah, no, it’s not that. When you think about it, aren’t I the cause of this? Why would you give me such an undeserved position…….”
“Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Haramura.”
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
“This position is not a gift. From now on, Japan will vehemently criticize the branch that went to Korea, and the International Association will put all sorts of pressure on them to somehow regain the branch that was taken away.”
“…….”
“In other words, what I’m trying to entrust to Mr. Haramura is the position of having to endure all of that. Not the flashy position of a powerful person.”
A slight shadow fell on his face.
But that was only for a moment, and soon he took a humble attitude.
“Well, I’ll think of it as the price for lying all this time. I understand.”
“I’m glad you said that.”
I stretched after hearing the answer I wanted.
That’s about it for the wrap-up.
All responsibility for distributing low-quality weapons was placed on Branch Manager Shoichi.
In addition, the results of the pilot test quickly spread among the hunters belonging to the branch, and it became an established fact that the weapons made by the real Haramura had special powers as rumored.
As lies were added to lies, the rumors of the Haramura family finally became the truth.
Their influence will continue to be maintained in the future.
‘Now that I’ve got the Japanese branch in my hands…….’
Nothing could be better.
A smile spread across my face without me realizing it.
“By the way… it’s a bit of a shame.”
Han Yoobin opened her mouth again in a rather subdued voice.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Branch Manager Shoichi. No matter how much we put the blame on him with lies… he’s going to live well for the rest of his life with our money.”
“Ah, are you talking about the contract fee and the foundation?”
“Yes. Well, it couldn’t be helped to kick that human out, but still, it’s a bit unpleasant.”
“If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry too much. It’s all an empty shell.”
“……Yes?”
Who would really give that bastard that huge amount of money for their own good?
The contract fee initially offered to Branch Manager Shoichi was $100 million.
That was about 110 billion won [South Korean currency] in our currency.
But the actual amount he was given was 100 million bolivars [Venezuelan currency].
The amount paid in Venezuelan currency is currently about… 126 won [South Korean currency] at the current exchange rate.
I should have checked properly, no matter how urgent it was.
From the beginning, I pushed him so hard that he couldn’t check in detail.
“How well can you live on money that can’t even buy a piece of candy?”
“…….”
That’s the look of someone wondering what they just heard.
“Then what about the youth hunter training foundation? That’s what we were really trying to promote.”
“Huh, didn’t you hear? That’s been called off.”
“Yes, yes? Why?!”
Ah…… Head of Division Lee Ah-young was in charge of promoting the project, so it seems like it didn’t reach her ears.
“To promote the project, we needed a youth hunter training center, and we happened to have bought land to build it near Gyeongju.”
“And then?”
“Guess what, a historical site was discovered on that site.”
“…….”
“Well, thanks to that, we couldn’t promote it properly and we’re only in debt for billions of won. There will be a levy soon. Well, we’re grateful that Branch Manager Shoichi accepted it without even knowing it.”
126 won plus billions of won in debt.
Well, no matter how you look at it, he’s not going to have a comfortable retirement.
“CEO.”
At that moment, when I was wearing a subtle smile, Secretary Hina entered the office.
“There are people who have come to see CEO in front of the branch right now, is there any schedule?”
“Hmm? No. There’s no meeting scheduled.”
I told them not to let anyone in until we made our announcement.
If the International Association guys come, things will get twisted.
But honestly, I didn’t think they would come to see me in person…….
Who on earth is it?
“We’re blocking their entry for now. But they’re not giving up easily.”
“Did you identify them?”
“Yes. They say they’re the support headquarters manager of Karma Corporation. Should we use force to send them back?”
“…….”
No, damn it, if they’re in the same organization as me, you have to let them in, why are you blocking them?!’
‘Seriously, they have no flexibility…!’
I immediately ran out of the office and headed to the first floor.
And as expected.
“H-Hey, let go of me?! I’m in the same organization as CEO! How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?!”
“Uh-huh, but it’s still not allowed!”
“This woman, what kind of power does she have…!”
“Hey! Just pick her up and throw her outside!”
She was struggling with the yakuza [Japanese organized crime members] hired as temporary security guards.
Behind her, Head of Division Ha Sung-il was sweating profusely and trying to persuade them somehow.
‘……This is a mess.’
The moment I dropped my head and sighed.
“Hey! What are you guys doing!”
Han Yoobin shouted.
Lee Ah-young and the yakuza’s gazes simultaneously turned to her.
“Yoobin?! What on earth is going on?! And what are these gangsters…!”
“Hello, Sister!”
“Hello!”
“……?”
The yakuza all stopped moving and bowed 90 degrees to Han Yoobin.
Lee Ah-young’s pupils widened greatly at the sight.
“I told you not to let suspicious people in, who told you to block my colleagues!”
“…Ah! W-Were you a colleague?”
“S-Sorry! I didn’t know……!”
“We have committed a mortal sin, Sister!!”
Soon, they bow to Lee Ah-young.
What the hell is that all about?
“I’m sorry. They’re not bad kids. They’re just… a little short-sighted…….”
“…….”
Lee Ah-young still had a dumbfounded expression.
Then, after looking at Han Yoobin and me alternately, she opened her mouth.
“What on earth have you been doing here…?”
***
Somewhere in Tokyo, a deserted alleyway.
A man belonging to the Balance Team who had kidnapped Haramura Ryuhei on the instructions of Branch Manager Shoichi.
Hwang Dong-hui, the head of the Japanese part of the newly reorganized Balance Team, took out his cell phone.
He was barely excluded from the large-scale reshuffle simply because he was the closest to Kim Junwoo and had been with him the longest.
It was lucky enough to be saved, and then to be put back into the field.
He was determined to carry out the work without making any mistakes this time.
‘What the hell is this…….’
The Japanese branch was disintegrated exactly one month after he was assigned to it.
Again by Kim Junwoo.
Judging that he couldn’t stand still, he immediately called Noah, the leader of the Balance Team.
“Yes, Team Leader. Right now, the Japanese branch is…….”
「I know. The headquarters is in an uproar because of that right now.」
“What should we do? From what I can see, he seems quite preoccupied with wrapping up this matter, so should we try to work on him…….”
「No.」
Team Leader Noah answered firmly.
「Leave him alone.」
“W-What do you mean? We lost the branch right before our eyes…!”
「What does that have to do with you? Don’t presumptuously interfere in headquarters matters and just do what you’re told.」
“…….”
「I’m warning you, I clearly told you to leave him alone. If you touch a single hair on Kim Junwoo’s head, you’re dead to me.」
Click, the phone was cut off unilaterally.
“What…….”
That doesn’t make sense.
Is the Balance Team Leader just going to leave this alone?
Does he have other ideas?
Or…….
Is there something between them…?