I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 505

— Monday, November 23, 2077. In the end, the government drew its blade. Despite the final ultimatum, they summarily dismissed Jung Mina, Mayor of Incheon, and stripped her of all authority. In addition—

— The government has deployed military and police forces into Incheon. Citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution, and residents near the affected areas are instructed to evacuate immediately—

— Former Incheon Mayor Jung Mina has issued a statement. Calling the government’s unjust, coercive summons a violation of human rights that reveals the true nature of the current regime, she declared she will respond firmly to injustice.

— Yes, citizens, it’s not a good morning. The government, having decided on the summary dismissal of Mayor Jung Mina of Incheon, sent cooperation directives to Incheon’s agencies; we have shocking news that all replies have been refusals.

Explosive headlines hitting almost every channel at once, and disaster alerts buzzing nonstop and packing the phone inbox.

All of them were noisy with talk of the home government’s military mobilization and the response by Mayor Jung Mina.

“Mayor Jung Mina’s once-overwhelming approval has plunged. Analysts say she lost points for refusing to accept the government’s dismissal and instead mobilizing police and military force.”

“Yeah... figures.”

It had begun.

The curtain-raiser to a full-blown war for independence.

If we go by the scenario the Blue House floated, there would be several bloody incidents amid this tight standoff, and then a horrific massacre in Incheon.

And that would be the trigger for Jung Mina to declare independence.

When that time comes, maybe Incheon independence will see some support—but honestly, it’s iffy.

Will it really go that far?

When a single statement can crater approval this hard, even if we’re running something akin to a dictatorship, if public sentiment boils over too much, it becomes a nuisance in a dozen ways.

“What do you think? Is the scenario enough?”

“Judging by the script alone, I’d say it’s insufficient... but if the Group leans in, you’ll get the result you want in the end.”

“Sure, that part’s true.”

But I’m the sort who prefers something more certain.

“Ah—how’s Hyejeong these days?”

“Doing well. She’s been active since she returned.”

“Good... she’d better. Our Hyejeong.”

Seunghee brought up a screen and briefed me on the recent status of Park Hyejeong—no, Heo Ye-won.

Our “Ye-won,” who is revealing her real face under the cover story of having suffered a serious accident and undergoing massive surgery that rebuilt her body, was working more passionately than ever.

She rounded up and crushed the few spies left, and dumped everything she knew about key intel at the NIS and Abyss.

Her defection is so astonishing that Kang So-eun, the bodyguard I assigned to her, reportedly despises her.

But what can you do? It’s a second chance wrestled from the brink—a second life. Of course she should act like it.

I’m living my second life like hell on wheels too, aren’t I?

“If we drive Ye-won a little harder, couldn’t she make things even more certain?”

“...”

Seunghee gave me a peculiar look.

True to her quick calculus, she seemed to grasp immediately what I was thinking.

“...The Blue House has already bowed its head. Do you really need to go that far?”

“There’s no need not to.”

“...”

I stood up and walked to the window; Seunghee trailed me.

“New wine goes in new skins. This administration won’t last. They know it too.”

If we play the script straight, this administration becomes the one that failed to protect a mega-city of an official thirty million and then let it go independent.

Naturally, the moment they achieve that “task,” their political lives end.

“They’re people who’ll leave with a bucket of filth dumped over their heads; pouring on a little more won’t even show.”

“That is...”

“When the garbage truck comes, you toss it all at once. That’s how you keep the house clean. Right?”

“If you put it that way... Even so, shouldn’t we at least inform them? The Vice Chair... or the Chair.”

“Tsks. Fine—that’s something you tell the person nearest at hand. Anyway, it’s been a while; have Ye-won come in after today’s work. I want to see her face.”

“Understood.”

I waved Seunghee away and called for Kang Hye-young.

Officially she’s here on “vacation” and staying as our guest, but she comes to pay respects every morning and evening and helps with various consultations—playing a lightly instructional role.

We’d shared a quick breakfast earlier with a few cordial words.

“You called, young master.”

Even on leave, she couldn’t hide the poise. She bowed.

“May I see Min-young?”

“The Vice Chair said that if you wished it, she would make time even by straining herself, but at present she is not in a condition to do so.”

“...”

That doesn’t track. What could keep someone who would “strain herself” from making time?

“Then will you listen in her stead?”

“Yes.”

“Incheon will separate this time, right? I saw the script, and it doesn’t feel solid.”

“That portion will be handled clearly by the Group.”

“How about this?”

“...?”

At her small question mark, I laid out my stratagem as if announcing a plan.

“Abyss was completely wrecked, right? Everything on the continent wiped too.”

“Yes. It turned out that way—by coincidence.”

“Right. Coincidence. But... Abyss is under the NIS, isn’t it? And the NIS is...?”

“...Directly under the President.”

Clack.

“Exactly. That’s the seam. I don’t know why we left it be this long, but—”

“...”

“Time to sweep it clean and seize control in a complete and direct way.”

Kang Hye-young thought in silence, then opened her mouth.

“You want Abyss’s existence exposed to the public and the current administration to leave with that weight on their heads?”

“That’s how Incheon’s pretext stands stronger.”

“I will convey your intent to the Vice Chair.”

“...All right.”

It was a rather bland response.

Privately I’d expected a back-and-forth—“This fails for that reason; that fails for this”—but it ended with her simply saying she would carry my intent.

“No, but I’m curious—”

“Yes.”

“Why did we keep Abyss alive all this time? They rampaged everywhere like it was their own house.”

“There was no special meaning.”

“...Really?”

“Yes. They weren’t worth the attention.”

“Hm... fine. Understood.”

If that’s what she says, what can I do. No point pressing; she isn’t the type to change her line under pressure.

“When Min-young’s available, have her call me.”

“Yes, young master.”

+++

A massive door opened without a sound.

Beyond it: the same scene as always.

A young man fiddling with go-stones, staring holes through the board.

“No one comes in.”

“Yes, Vice Chair.”

Leaving Chief Jung, who bowed politely, behind her, Go Min-young walked inside.

She felt the weight of the door closing behind her.

“What the hell do you even do, that you gad about so slippery all day?”

Preparing for Round 37 of the Korea Go League, Go Youngman was not fond of this uninvited guest who had been dropping by often of late.

He didn’t so much as glance at Go Min-young as she came right up to him. He hesitated, placed a black stone on the board, and scratched his head.

He looked pained.

“Father, your daughter is here—at least lift your face when you speak.”

“Enough. What’s the point, looking at a face I already know?”

“Charming as ever, old man. Isn’t the go board the very thing that’s the same every day? I get bored after seeing it twice.”

“Go is infinite. There’s no end to the study—like this go itself.”

“Is that so?”

At her dry, sardonic line, Go Youngman pointed a finger at her.

His eyes still didn’t leave the board.

“I haven’t once been glad to see your face lately, girl. Say that kind of thing when you bring good news!”

“Good news?”

Go Min-young drew a breath—siiip—and after a beat, lifted what she was holding.

“If I say it’s a present for Father, will you consider it good news?”

“Pre-sent?”

Only then did he drop the stone into the bowl and look up at her.

But the dull expression didn’t leave his face.

“Your daughter prepared it especially with you in mind. It hurt my heart, doing it.”

“Hah... I’m sure it did.”

Go Min-young brushed the go board aside with the back of her hand and set what she’d brought on the desk.

A neat, square box wrapped in fine cloth.

It was quite large—big enough that with a touch of exaggeration, it could be a person’s upper torso. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

As Go Youngman stared, she untied the wrapping and opened the box outfitted with various mechanisms.

With a hiss, the box shifted shape; its faces unfolded outward and revealed what had been cradled within.

“...!”

A transparent glass case. Living biological tissue squirming inside—

A brain.

“I was going to kill it, but at the end I changed my mind. Your face came to me.”

“...”

There was no elaboration, but Go Youngman simply stared at the living brain without a word.

“You told me not to spread nonsense to anyone, remember? That includes you, Father. You know that, right?”

“...”

Go Youngman quietly closed the lid of the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) stone bowl.

Then he managed to speak.

“...Do you take me for the kind of father who mouths stale lines?”

“As if. You’re the great Go Youngman.”

Watching him unable to take his eyes off it, Go Min-young stepped out of the room.

“Chief Jung.”

“Yes, Vice Chair.”

“Let Father be alone for a while.”

“Understood.”