Against the Clock: The Team Leader's Pursuit of Glory-Chapter 212 - Excellent Choice

"Now, I declare that all members of the board of directors have unanimously passed the motion to dismiss Vice Chairman Tae Sucheol."

The board meeting continued without the dismissed party present. Despite some lingering support for the vice chairman, the notion passed without incidents. The board then moved on to the next item on the agenda.

"This next agenda concerns the separation of the Iron Will Guild."

Though it was already known, it still caused a stir among the board members.

Even when the guild's power was weak, they clung to it. But now, with an S-rank hunter in their midst, they were letting it go. If it weren't for Chairman Tae Jinsung, who ruled the group like an emperor, there would likely have been significant opposition. While the details weren't fully understood, everyone suspected this was related to the ViceCchairman's dismissal. Many assumed it was a countermeasure to the Vice Chairman's dismissal, as Ju Se-ah, the Guild Master, had long expressed a desire for independence.

"Those in favour of separating the guild's affiliates, please raise your hand."

The result was as predicted.

"This agenda item has also been approved unanimously for separation."

This board meeting left many stories in its wake. The downfall of Taesung Group's "crown prince" was especially shocking. There were even rumours that Chairman Tae Jinsung was considering naming Ju Se-ah as the group's successor. Adding that Ju Se-ah was now South Korea's only S-rank hunter, such rumours were expected to fade once the Iron Will Guild formally separated from the Taesung Group.

Keeping the nation's strongest hunter in an office rather than at the gates was unacceptable to public sentiment and detrimental to national interests. The guild had grown too influential for Taesung Group to restrict them. While only a select few, who were close to the Chairman, knew the entire story, speculation and rumours were bound to circulate wildly.

The Chairman's office, located three floors above the conference room for board meetings, was the site of another critical decision.

"Chairman---no, Father. Was it really necessary to handle things this way?"

"Those words should not come from the mouth of someone who tried to kill his father. You should be grateful you're not going to prison."

"That was a misunderstanding. I only wanted to..."

"Stop trying to justify yourself. It's disgusting."

Tae Sucheol fell silent under his father's stern words. He knew he was done for. As long as his father lived, he could never hope to return to the group. He took some comfort in the fact that Ju Se-ah wasn't officially named as the successor. His father's health had been severely impacted by the White Tiger Guild attack he had orchestrated. The doctors had made it clear: Tae Jinsung didn't have long to live.

If the succession plan remained unclear, as long as Ju Se-ah's out of the picture, he already had won against his other siblings, so they wouldn't be a huge threat. Tae Sucheol figured he could fight for his share after his father's death, even if it meant going to court. It was a common battle in chaebol families, and there had been successful cases. But his father shattered his plan with a single statement.

"I've revised my will. You won't receive a single penny. Of course, I expected you to anticipate this. That's why I added a clause: if you pursue legal action to claim your inheritance, I will release evidence of your collusion with the White Tiger Guild."

"That... that's..."

"Attempted murder. You'd lose your right to inherit entirely. Your image as a wronged heir would be replaced by one of a heartless villain. Take what you already have and live quietly. That's my final warning."

Tae Sucheol lowered his head, not out of regret for his actions but out of fear of his father's unrelenting gaze. Moments later, he was kicked out of the office. Outside the chairman's office, Tae Sucheol ran into an unexpected face:

"Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk...."

"Vice Chairman Tae Sucheol... Oh, wait. You're just Mr. Tae Sucheol now, aren't you?" Kang Mu-hyuk greeted him with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"I know this is your doing," Tae Sucheol snapped.

"What exactly are you accusing me of?"

"You attacked the White Tiger Guild and leaked the information to my father. Was this your plan all along?"

"I didn't destroy the White Tiger Guild---they were undone by their own actions. As they say, good triumphs over evil. And now, here we are."

Kang Mu-hyuk, who had been speaking calmly from a distance of two steps, suddenly closed the gap between them. Standing so close that their toes almost touched, he lowered his voice and whispered in Tae Sucheol's ear.

"This might sound cliché, but it's because you abandoned your own blood. Whether you're rich or poor, family should protect each other. Trying to kill your own father? Be thankful you're not eating rice and beans in prison."

"Y-you...!"

Kang Mu-hyuk lightly patted Tae Sucheol's shoulder, which was trembling with rage, and turned toward the chairman's office.

"But there's one thing for you to be grateful for. You're healthy, just like the chairman. You'll live a long life---long enough to turn senile. Though, without money and nowhere to settle, it'll be hard for you to manage."

As the door to the chairman's office opened, Kang Mu-hyuk disappeared inside. The secretaries nearby stared at Tae Sucheol, their expressions wordlessly urging him to leave already. He was once at the top of the group, yet today he was utterly humiliated.

With heavy steps, Tae Sucheol finally left the headquarters.

***

"Sit down. Would you like some tea?"

"No, I won't be staying long."

Kang Mu-hyuk plopped down on the sofa with disinterest despite Tae Jinsung's consideration for him to personally offer him a seat. His movements were nonchalant and unrefined. To an outsider, his behaviour might have seemed almost disrespectful, given that he was speaking to the head of one of South Korea's most powerful conglomerates. But Tae Jinsung didn't appear to mind.

"I don't know what to say."

"There's not much to say. You kept your promise, and thanks to that, the guild is now independent."

"That's not what I was talking about. I meant my idiot of an eldest son. Even with the evidence you handed over, I only managed to get him dismissed instead of imprisoned."

"A stranger has no place meddling in with my family matters."

"If you push Se-ah, there's nothing she can't do."

"Even if you try to vent out your anger on Tae Sucheol now, it wouldn't be worth it. He has already lost everything and been kicked out. He'll spend the rest of his life haunted by today's events, suffering in his memories. Besides, charging him with attempted murder wouldn't be good for the group. The stock would plummet, and Taesung's employees would feel unsettled. As a company executive first and a father second, you made the practical choice. I respect that, and I won't interfere further."

Tae Jinsung's face twisted in displeasure as he listened. With a frown, he replied, his voice laced with irritation.

"At first, I found your straightforwardness convenient. But now, your wit is becoming a thorn."

"At first, you saw me as just a worker. But now you see me as a potential rival. Still, there's no reason for us to be at odds anymore. With the guild no longer tied to your group, why not consider continuing our partnership?"

"So that's why you wanted this meeting--- to pitch a business deal?"

"We're both businessmen, Mr. Chairman. It's only natural to think about what's next."

Tae Jinsung's expression shifted as he processed Kang Mu-hyuk's words. Taesung Group was a leading manufacturer of gate equipment. For a corporation with interests in the gate industry, having an affiliated guild was invaluable. Even if the guild's combat abilities weren't top-tier, the benefits of running one were numerous.

Corporate guilds often played a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for the parent company. They also served as testing grounds for new equipment, problem solvers for sensitive issues, and powerful tools for improving the public image of the conglomerate.

It was unusual for Iron Will to lead monster-hunting efforts rather than act as a servant to its parent company.

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'Even if we become independent, we can't fully sever ties with corporations. Monster hunting runs hand in hand with money. You need money for equipment, potions...'

Not every hunter was like Kang Mu-hyuk or Ju Se-ah. You couldn't slay monsters on passion alone; competent hunters needed proper rewards.

"Come to think of it, you must be in a tough spot too. Business is business, but securing the capital you lost from being an affiliate won't be easy."

"That's true. We'll need to address that. The group's stake in Iron Will will be acquired by Guild Leader Ju Se-ah personally. Some loans will also be converted into capital."

"Ju Se-ah herself? Does she even have the money for that?"

"Would you expect her to acquire shares without money? It's challenging, but to become fully independent, we need a solid share structure. Running the guild as we see fit requires eliminating external interference."

Tae Jinsung looked at Kang Mu-hyuk, clearly surprised.

From the start, he knew Kang Mu-hyuk wanted to reduce the group's stake. Typically, even with a separation as an affiliate, a portion of the group's stake would remain, as long as it didn't exceed the percentage allowed under the Fair Trade Act. But Kang Mu-hyuk had proposed acquiring all the shares outright.

"It's an offer I wouldn't normally consider..."

The promise with Kang Mu-hyuk was holding him back. Their prior agreement left Tae Jinsung with little choice but to allow independence on the terms he wanted. He could have resisted, but pushing back too hard over more than a certain percentage of shares wasn't wise in this scenario. He also suspected that Ju Se-ah's ability to fund the purchase stemmed from Kang Mu-hyuk's resourcefulness.

"Guild Leader Ju Se-ah is now an S-rank hunter. This isn't about money; it's about capability."

"That's true. Raising funds in the tens of millions so quickly---it's impressive. Honestly, she could have taken over the entire group. With her reputation, securing investments would've been a breeze."

"Greed must run in your family. Don't try to grab what you can't eat."

"You've got quite the mouth. Not long ago, you were practically licking my boots."

"Bowing when necessary is part of my job. But there's no reason for the guild leader to lower his head. Let's drop the foolish ideas and focus on becoming business partners."

With a sigh, Tae Jinsung nodded. He recognized Kang Mu-hyuk's proposal as the most practical path forward.

"I'll send over some group staff soon. Let's plan a new cooperative relationship tied to the work we've done with the guild before."

"An excellent choice from a respectable company executive."

"Stop flattering me--- it won't work anymore."

***

Zzz...Zzzz...

As soon as Kang Mu-hyuk left the Taesung Group headquarters, his smartphone buzzed with an incoming call. Without looking, he pressed the button to connect it to the hands-free system in his car.

"Yes, this is Kang Mu-hyuk."

"It's me..."

Even without a name, the curt tone gave away who it was.

"What made you call, Father?"

"Listen to me for once."

"It's not time for my meds to wear off yet."

"This isn't about the meds. I've found a clue about your illness."

"Really? Has the research progressed?"

"It's not research. It's from a paper I presented at a conference."

"A paper?"

"Yes. I got an email a few months ago from someone deeply interested in it."

"Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"I needed time to verify the information. I didn't want to waste your time without confirming its credibility. I've been using my overseas connections to learn more about the sender."

"Since you're telling me now, it must be legitimate. How significant is this email?"

"It's groundbreaking--- something undiscovered for decades."

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, then. Where is it? Overseas?"

"America. LA."

"... ..."

"Why are you suddenly quiet?"

"There's something I've been trying to avoid. But I don't think I can ignore this anymore."

Kang Mu-hyuk sighed, thinking of Aila's face.