Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 4

4. The Meaning of 100,000 Won (3)

Kang Han-soo had been making a name for himself.

‘That young punk shining shoes in the market is running around with a bunch of kids, acting like a fixer? I hear he’s pretty capable and resourceful.’

Even so, the gap between him and Song Jin-gu, a successful loan shark, was still vast.

But guys like Kang Han-soo usually had a predictable future.

Back alley thugs, or loan sharks.

That’s why Song Jin-gu had been keeping an eye on Kang Han-soo, trying to recruit him.

And now there was another skilled guy hanging out with Kang Han-soo.

He didn’t even know his real identity.

Thwack!

“Hoo.”

Tae-soo, exhausted from the beating, finally straightened his back.

Tae-soo dusted off the clothes that Oh Chun-shik had been clinging to.

“Now you get it? You clean up your own mess. Why are you dragging our father into this? You son of a bitch, I should drown you in this filth.”

As he straightened up, he kicked him again.

Even as he turned his back and walked away, he seemed to get angrier, turning back to kick him a few more times.

And he was picking spots that didn’t look too bad on the surface but were excruciatingly painful when hit.

‘That guy’s really ruthless.’

‘More persistent than most loan sharks.’

Eventually, Oh Chun-shik lay limp like a poisoned frog, shuddering.

Watching this, Song Jin-gu nodded.

“He’s definitely not ordinary. Tae-soo, was it?”

Tae-soo approached Song Jin-gu with the bat.

“Return.”

To hand the bat back to its owner.

It was absurd.

Was this politeness, or was he just crazy?

“What are you?”

“I told you, a creditor. Why do you keep asking the same thing?”

That promissory note, popping out like a frog’s tongue whenever needed.

This time, he shoved it right in front of Song Jin-gu’s nose.

Before he could even read it properly, he pointed to the very bottom.

“Debtor Oh Chun-shik, did you verify the fingerprint?”

This time, the promissory note disappeared in an instant.

“Debtor Oh Chun-shik. His fingerprint is definitely valid, right?”

Again, the promissory note vanished in a flash.

“Let me see it properly, you little punk.”

“Isn’t it a valuable item? You should take good care of it.”

Song Jin-gu frowned.

“Listen, kid. You…”

“Since you’ve verified the promissory note, let’s start the repayment.”

Tae-soo cut off Song Jin-gu.

Then, he gestured to Kang Han-soo, who was standing in the corner, quietly watching the situation.

“Take Father and go first.”

“What are you going to do alone?”

“I have to settle the debt issue before I leave, don’t I? Right?”

Tae-soo took out the promissory note from his pocket, waved it around, and then put it back.

“Let’s get what we need quickly and finish this.”

“That’s good. But we have to follow the order. Don’t you think?”

“First come, first served. What nonsense are you talking about? It’s not like you’re new to this.”

“Huh, you’re quite bold.”

“Let’s not waste time, we all know the game.”

“The game?”

After being harassed by loan sharks for five years, you naturally become well-versed.

Of course, the loan sharks who tormented Tae-soo and his family back then weren’t these guys.

They probably sold the promissory note to other loan sharks when they saw no way to get the money.

But loan sharks all do similar things.

“I’m Song Jin-gu, the hyena of Myeongdong [a bustling shopping district in Seoul]. Where did you come from? Yeongdeungpo [district in Seoul]? Mapo [district in Seoul]? Jongno [district in Seoul]?”

“Let’s say Yeongdeungpo.”

His house was about to be demolished anyway, so he didn’t know where he’d be moving.

Tae-soo walked past Song Jin-gu, scanning the house.

“Let’s see.”

“Huh, you’re appraising in front of me?”

“Let’s take a look. It’s not like looking will wear it out.”

Tae-soo ignored him and continued to look around the house.

‘This is really a rich house.’

The furniture and appliances were quite well-equipped.

In the 1970s, they had a radio, a telephone, and even a television.

Looking around the house with its modern sofa, dining table, and even a piano, Tae-soo’s stomach churned.

‘Living this well, and they tried to cheat us out of just 100,000 won.’

To them, 100,000 won wouldn’t even be the price of a television.

But to Tae-soo’s family, 100,000 won was the compensation they exchanged for their house.

‘Ah, the more I look, the more annoyed I get.’

Tae-soo took a deep breath.

‘Let’s pick something that smells like money.’

I should use my good ability at times like this.

As Tae-soo made up his mind, fragrant scents began to waft from all directions.

He felt good for a moment, smelling money after a long time.

‘Damn it, the smell of money is coming from everywhere.’

Indeed, a rich house.

But there are levels to the smell of money.

He decided to pick the biggest catch if possible.

‘This smell is… cheap. This is also cheap. This too, this too, this too is cheap…’

Not a money smell that would attract interest.

“We’ve already marked the ones with red tags.”

Two of Song Jin-gu’s men rushed over.

And they started sticking red tags on the appliances.

Tae-soo passed them indifferently.

“I’m not interested in those.”

“What?”

Song Jin-gu’s expression became strange.

Tae-soo went straight into the main room.

“Oh.”

He smelled money.

It was strong.

Incredibly strong.

He suddenly found documents set aside on the desk.

Song Jin-gu, exhaling cigarette smoke, growled.

“Don’t touch the land deeds or house deeds. You’ll see blood the moment you touch them.”

“Let’s take a look. It’s not like looking will wear them out… Geez, you’re being so fussy.”

Tae-soo grabbed the land deeds and house deeds as he could, roughly examined them, and handed them one by one to Song Jin-gu’s subordinate.

“Huh? Uh oh?”

Song Jin-gu’s subordinate, who had inadvertently received the land deeds one after another, looked back and forth between the land deeds he was forced to hold and Tae-soo.

He openly showed on his face that he thought, ‘Is that bastard crazy?’

But Tae-soo didn’t even glance at him.

‘The land deeds are definitely tempting. But there’s something even more appealing somewhere here.’

Looking at Tae-soo, Song Jin-gu kept contorting his already fierce face into a more hideous one.

“I warned you. I said we’re taking those.”

“Suit yourself.”

“You’re just giving up the land deeds and house deeds?”

“I told you, I’m not interested. How many times do I have to say it?”

“Huh-”

Then something caught his eye.

‘Found it.’

As soon as he recognized it, the smell of money intensified.

The sweet and intoxicating scent almost made him lose his mind.

This is it.

“I’ll take this.”

Song Jin-gu burst out laughing.

“Puhuhu! And here I was wondering what it was.”

What Tae-soo was holding was a mining rights certificate.

“That’s worthless. It’s an abandoned mine that closed down during the Japanese colonial era [1910-1945]. They mined everything and ran away. There’s nothing left.”

“An abandoned mine?”

His heart began to pound.

Tae-soo’s eyes trembled with excitement.

‘Could it be that molybdenum mine where Oh Chun-shik made a fortune?’

The corners of Tae-soo’s lips turned up on their own.

Oh Chun-shik makes a fortune with the molybdenum mine.

With that money, he starts acquiring several mining companies and rises to become the best mining company in Korea within 10 years.

‘Of course, I went into the Cheongil Group and ruined him.’

But that was after both of his parents had passed away.

The memory of crying bitterly with his younger brother Han-soo in front of their parents’ graves, saying they had avenged Oh Chun-shik, was still vivid.

“I never thought I’d see a Japanese colonial era abandoned mine like this?”

“Huh… I’m sure you heard that it’s worthless.”

“Of course, I heard.”

Tae-soo nodded, looking very satisfied.

“I’ll take this.”

Song Jin-gu frowned.

“Are you saying you don’t believe me?”

“I believe you, right?”

Tae-soo smiled.

“So, I’ll take this.”

“I can’t reason with you. Hey, One-Ear.”

“Yes, boss. Did you call me?”

A man with a mangled ear replied loudly.

“How much was this abandoned mine?”

“Are you talking about the amount that guy was scammed for?”

“Not that. The actual price.”

“Ah, it’s not worth much. About 100,000 won?”

100,000 won.

Even considering the price level, it was absurdly cheap for a mine.

‘100,000 won, even the price is perfect.’

The amount stated on the promissory note was also 100,000 won.

Nothing could be better.

“One-Ear, are you sure about the appraised value?”

“Of course. It’s been rolling around in gambling dens for over 15 years because it’s so worthless.”

“Did you hear that?”

Tae-soo gave a thumbs up.

“Kind explanation, good. You have a talent for teaching at eye level. But I’ll take this.”

Then he quickly grabbed the mining rights certificate.

Song Jin-gu and One-Ear looked sullen.

“You’re still choosing that even after all this?”

“How many times have you asked since a while ago?”

“Listen, kid. I’m not scamming you right now. Really.”

“I know, right? I’ll take this. End.”

“Huh… this crazy bastard, really.”

Song Jin-gu and One-Ear closed their eyes.

Kang Han-soo couldn’t stand it and shouted.

“What they’re saying is true! So put that down and pick something that’s worth some money!”

“So I’ll take this.”

“Why can’t you understand what I’m saying! Are you stupid?”

The father, with a fierce look, slapped Han-soo on the back.

“You impudent brat, how dare you call your own brother stupid?”

Song Jin-gu chuckled.

“You’re Kang Han-soo’s brother?”

“Yes, I am.”

“The useless older brother who’s not even half as good as his younger brother? A freeloader, a nuisance, a waste of life, a gigolo?”

“……”

He was probably called those names back then.

It was because he lived recklessly back then.

“Even though your smart brother is trying to stop you, you’re really going to take that?”

“How many times do I have to say it? Ah, it’s taking so long to repay a mere 100,000 won.”

Song Jin-gu suddenly cleaned his ear.

“How much?”

“100,000 won.”

“100,000 won?”

“100,000 won.”

“Judging by what you’re doing, I thought you borrowed about 10 million won, but it’s really 100,000 won?”

“Are you going to keep asking the same thing?”

“……”

“Let’s just coolly deduct the interest. Since it’s a direct deal.”

“……”

This time, the promissory note appeared in an instant and stuck to Song Jin-gu’s nose.

Only showing the amount and then disappearing again.

100,000 won was clearly written there.

“Did you confirm the amount?”

Song Jin-gu was dumbfounded.

“Let me see that promissory note in detail.”

“Can’t do that.”

“Why? You said looking won’t wear it out, right?”

“To put it bluntly, isn’t it a cash cow? Can you give the promissory note to another loan shark?”

He couldn’t give it. He wouldn’t give it.

Song Jin-gu closed his mouth.

“I’ll take this and be done with it. Okay?”

The mining rights certificate followed the promissory note into Tae-soo’s pocket.

The loan sharks frowned at the same time.

‘He’s crazy.’

‘A completely crazy bastard.’

‘His stubbornness is unbelievable. You can’t reason with him.’

Song Jin-gu chuckled.

“Fine, do as you please, it’s just that.”

‘Got it!’

Tae-soo cheered inwardly.

Song Jin-gu waved his hand, telling him to get lost quickly.

“Father, did you hear? Let’s go. Let’s get out of here.”

At Tae-soo’s gesture, Kang Han-soo grabbed his father’s arm and headed for the front door.

“Chun-shik…”

The father glanced at his friend with a pitiful expression.

And then, Oh Chun-shik, who had been blankly laughing to himself, suddenly snapped to his senses at the mention of the mining rights certificate.

“No! Not the mine. That’s mine. I absolutely can’t give it to you!”

With a commotion, Oh Chun-shik rushed at Tae-soo.

“Give it back!”

“Hey, grab that bastard.”

But he was immediately restrained by the loan sharks.

Oh Chun-shik struggled and wailed.

“How dare you try to snatch my mine? You’re going to take it all for just 100,000 won?”

Tae-soo shrugged.

“As you can see, that’s how it turned out. Let’s get the stamp, shall we?”

“Who said so?”

Song Jin-gu answered instead.

“Well, it’s up to the creditor. So who told you to use private loans? Who told you to borrow money? Who told you to not pay it back?”

Song Jin-gu shouted loudly to his men.

“Guys, hurry up and get the stamp and finish this.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Let me go!”

Oh Chun-shik stubbornly refused, but the loan sharks forced him to put his fingerprint on the document.

Oh Chun-shik cried out desperately.

“Not the mine! I spent my entire fortune to buy it!”

Tae-soo glanced at his father, who was anxiously pacing at the front door.

“What our father paid is much greater than what you paid.”

100,000 won.

For some, it’s a month’s salary.

But for us, it’s the compensation we exchanged for our house.

The amount of 40 years of friendship that our father handed to someone he believed was a friend, but received back as a terrible promissory note.

The value of our father’s life, who died entangled in a joint guarantee.

“Let’s end your relationship with our father with this.”

He tore the promissory note in front of his eyes as if to show off.

Tear. Tear. Tear.

Into small pieces, very small pieces.

So that no one would even dare to try to put it back together.

Swoosh.

Tae-soo scattered the pieces of the promissory note into the air.

Watching the pieces of the promissory note falling like snow, Oh Chun-shik mumbled blankly.

“My mine…”

The dream he had with his entire fortune was shattered into pieces and scattered into the air.

‘I received the 100,000 won mine well.’

Tae-soo turned around and left the house.

He finally obtained the mining rights certificate that smelled of money.

‘Now that I’ve handled it cleanly, I won’t have to meet loan sharks again.’

He had a hard time hiding it, fearing that the loan sharks would find fault with him.

Since he tore the promissory note into pieces so that no one could recognize it,

‘The joint guarantee is also freed with this.’

Oh, I feel so relieved now!