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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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On the way to the Vice President’s office.
Normally, his expression would be grim, but today, a bright smile played on Kim Dong-joon’s lips.
It was only natural, as Ko Tae-hyun had summoned him personally, despite having issued a disciplinary suspension.
He couldn’t hide his initial bewilderment, as he couldn’t understand the reason.
But after racking his brains, he finally figured it out.
‘Myung Ye Group, my father must have made a move.’
Despite his lack of exceptional abilities, he was able to rise to the position of Director solely through connections.
Among them, the most powerful was his blood ties, his father, Kim Seok-hoon.
In other words, his father, Kim Seok-hoon, wielded enough power to influence even Go Tae-hyun, the Vice President, the true power within the Association.
‘After giving up his company shares in the past, I thought he had completely abandoned me, so I naturally assumed he’d ignore this suspension…’
But as one of his few blood relatives, his own son, he must not have been able to completely cast him aside.
This meant there was no reason to fear his meeting with Go Tae-hyun, unlike usual.
Creak-!
Therefore, even as he entered the Vice President’s office, Kim Dong-joon’s demeanor was full of composure.
“I heard you called for me.”
However, Kim Dong-joon’s composure didn’t last long.
He saw the cold look in Vice President Ko Tae-hyun’s eyes as he sat on the sofa.
“Since we can’t say we have a good relationship, I won’t beat around the bush.”
Kim Dong-joon’s gaze naturally began to waver.
Of course, if it were just a look, he wouldn’t have shown such bewilderment.
In fact, he had received similar looks in the past, when he first took the Director’s position.
But it was clearly different this time.
It wasn’t just displeasure from being forced to act due to external pressure.
Although he couldn’t fully grasp the situation yet, there was a deep anger in Ko Tae-hyun’s words.
Tension filled the air, and Kim Dong-joon swallowed nervously.
“…”
“Kim Ki-yeol confessed. He said Hwanseong requested the assassination of Returnee Lee Seong-joon.”
In an instant, the conversations he had had at Hwanseong Guild flashed through his mind.
The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
‘That stupid villain, what was he thinking…!’
Curses spilled out inwardly, but now wasn’t the time to express his resentment towards the villain.
It was time to suppress his emotions, hide his expression, and continue speaking as if nothing was wrong.
“I-Is that so?”
“Are you going to pretend you didn’t know?”
“I’m not, I really, truly didn’t know. My second oldest brother is the Guild Master of Hwanseong, but as you know, I’ve left the family. I have nothing to do with Hwanseong.”
He pleaded his innocence with the most aggrieved tone and gestures he could muster, but unfortunately, Ko Tae-hyun’s anger didn’t subside.
“You have nothing to do with them… Can you take responsibility for those words?”
“O-Of course!”
The moment Ko Tae-hyun nodded,
Secretary Kim Min-hyuk, who had been standing silently, handed Kim Dong-joon an envelope as if waiting for this moment.
“What’s this…?”
“Open it.”
Kim Dong-joon’s face turned pale as he cautiously opened the envelope.
It was only natural, as what was inside the envelope were photos, photos of him visiting Hwanseong’s headquarters recently.
“Th-This is just me visiting my family for a conversation.”
As Kim Dong-joon made excuses, Kim Min-hyuk handed him a second envelope.
The photos inside not only showed him frequenting bars with Hwanseong’s HR team, but also captured him accepting bribes.
“Even from your perspective, this can’t be seen as just a simple conversation, can it?”
With all the evidence secured, he could no longer make excuses.
In the end, Kim Dong-joon bit his lower lip and bowed his head.
“I-I’m sorry. I’ll accept any punishment.”
It was frustrating, but for now, bowing his head and escaping this situation was the best course of action.
However, this judgment was a clear mistake on Kim Dong-joon’s part, and a trap laid by Ko Tae-hyun.
“As acting Association President, I hereby pronounce your dismissal, Director Kim Dong-joon.”
“T-That’s too harsh!”
“Do you really think it’s too harsh?”
He had committed serious crimes, such as bribery and leaking Hunters’ personal information, but that wasn’t even the end of it.
There were countless other offenses, such as workplace bullying, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty, reported by his subordinates.
It wouldn’t have been strange if he had been dismissed earlier; in fact, it was a miracle he had been able to maintain his position as Director until now.
But Kim Dong-joon’s eyes didn’t waver.
He even asked a question boldly.
“If my father hears about this, Myung Ye Group will take action. Are you sure you can handle that?”
“Director Kim, no, Kim Dong-joon, you’re a truly foolish friend. I wouldn’t have started this if I wasn’t confident I could handle it.”
A relaxed smile played on Go Tae-hyun’s lips, but his eyes narrowed.
“By the way… you’ve become quite bold while I wasn’t looking, threatening me directly like this.”
Killing intent emanated from Ko Tae-hyun and targeted Kim Dong-joon.
There was no way Kim Dong-joon, who had secured the Director’s position through nepotism without any real ability, could withstand Ko Tae-hyun’s killing intent.
Kim Dong-joon’s face paled instantly.
“Let me give you a piece of advice as your former superior. Don’t utter words you can’t back up, not just now, but ever.”
“…”
There was no reply.
But the effect was clear.
Kim Dong-joon, stepping back in fear, hurriedly left.
“Y-You’ll regret this!”
Immediately after Kim Dong-joon, who had shown a despicable attitude until the very end, disappeared, Ko Tae-hyun took an envelope out of the drawer under his desk.
‘I never thought I’d use this like this.’
The Association hadn’t just been sitting idly by.
They had been collecting evidence of corruption against Chairman Kim Seok-hoon of Myung Ye Group, Kim Dong-joon’s father.
Since this was the Association’s last resort, their final blow, if they revealed this, he wouldn’t be able to make a move for a while.
This meant they could deal with Kim Dong-joon definitively.
But it wasn’t over yet.
“…Hwanseong.”
Since they had requested the assassination, he couldn’t leave them be.
However, as one of the Five Great Guilds, and with Kim Dong-hyun as its Master, it wasn’t an easy target either.
But he wouldn’t have started this if he wasn’t confident he could firmly ensnare them.
A cold smile spread across Ko Tae-hyun’s lips.
“I’ll make them pay dearly for trying to touch Returnee Lee Seong-joon, the treasure of our Association.”
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Hwanseong Guild Headquarters.
An uninvited guest, the Hunter Association’s Enforcement Division, barged in.
A sudden situation, but Hwanseong wasn’t one of the Five Great Guilds representing South Korea for nothing.
In an instant, the building’s security team, including Hwanseong’s Hunters, gathered at the entrance, blocking those who tried to force their way in.
“What brings you here?”
In response to the question from Park Kyung-joon, an S-rank Hunter belonging to Hwanseong, Seo Jae-moon, the head of Enforcement Team 1, presented a piece of paper.
“We’re here on official business.”
Park Kyung-joon’s brow furrowed at the content of the warrant, stamped by the Seoul Northern District Prosecutor’s Office.
“Since everyone seems to be gathered, I’ll make an announcement. If you obstruct us, you can all be arrested for obstruction of justice. Please keep that in mind.”
Seo Jae-moon smirked and nodded, and the officers waiting behind him tried to enter Hwanseong’s building as if on cue.
However, they couldn’t take more than a few steps before they were forced to stop.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Hwanseong’s Master, Kim Dong-hyun, and his guards, who had rushed in after hearing the news, blocked their path.
“How dare you! Do you know where you are?! Get out!”
Seo Jae-moon stepped forward towards Kim Dong-hyun and his guards, who were blocking the officers’ entry while emitting a menacing aura, and presented the warrant once again.
“This is a warrant officially issued by the court based on testimonies that Hwanseong committed tax evasion and requested the assassination of Returnee Lee Seong-joon from the A-rank villains, the Shadow Brothers. Step aside.”
“…Assassination request? Who in the world spouted such nonsense?”
“Kim Ki-yeol, one of the Shadow Brothers, confessed himself.”
Despite the presence of a clear witness, Kim Dong-hyun’s expression didn’t waver in the slightest.
“So you’re acting based on the nonsense of a villain? Think carefully. This is Hwanseong. One of the Five Great Guilds of South Korea. Can you handle the consequences?”
A strong killing intent emanated from Kim Dong-hyun.
However, Seo Jae-moon was also an S-rank Hunter, and one of the top-ranked at that.
There was no way he would back down from such a threat.
“I’m just following orders from above. I’ll take responsibility for everything that happens here. Everyone, begin the seizure.”
At Seo Jae-moon’s command, the officers who had been stopped began to move at once.
However, Kim Dong-hyun’s expression showed no sign of panic.
He hadn’t expected to send Seo Jae-moon away with just empty threats in the first place.
With cold eyes, Kim Dong-hyun walked towards the nearby emergency exit stairs leading to the underground parking lot.
Immediately after, passing the parked cars lined up, Kim Dong-hyun got into his car and took out his smartphone from his inner pocket.
Naturally, he hadn’t just made empty boasts and avoided the situation.
Everything was an action to resolve the current situation.
‘…If I contact the Prosecutor General directly and have the warrant canceled, Seo Jae-moon will have no choice but to retreat.’
Having built Hwanseong into one of the Five Great Guilds, he had established connections with numerous prosecutors general, vice ministers, and members of the National Assembly.
And among them, he also had a connection with the Prosecutor General, the final authority who had issued this warrant.
Overturning such a warrant would be a piece of cake.
However, contrary to his confidence, he couldn’t reach the Prosecutor General.
-The subscriber you are calling is unavailable..
The message that he was being connected to voicemail kept repeating.
‘Damn it… What are they doing at a time like this?’
Repeated calls, time continued to tick by.
The thought that Hwanseong’s headquarters was being turned upside down in real time made him furious.
‘Damn it.’
Just as Kim Dong-hyun was quickly typing a text message urging the Prosecutor General to contact him back,
Di-Ri-Ring.
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