Chapter 1762 – 1762. Vampire Detective
“I need canned kimchi. As much as possible.”
“……”
Secretary Kim was silent for a moment. Even she, who had worked by my side for over a hundred years, was taken aback by my unexpected words.
“Are you referring to the canned kimchi that recently started production in Gangwon-do?”
“Yes. I need as much as possible.”
“I will contact the relevant parties. Please wait a moment.”
Secretary Kim spoke after three minutes. Strangely, there was a sense of urgency in her voice.
“Chairman! I can’t reach the president of Daechun Foods! The other executives in the food division are also unreachable!”
This was not good news.
Suddenly unreachable? This world was more technologically advanced than reality. Communication problems were out of the question. In this world, communication devices rarely malfunctioned. And for all the executives’ devices to be down? That was impossible unless the telecommunications company had gone insane.
There was only one possible answer.
These bastards were deliberately avoiding my calls.
“…The food division, huh? What exactly is going on?”
The food division held a significant position in the Daechun Group. One of the three basic human needs was eating, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that people all over the world consumed Daechun Group’s food.
“The information is still insufficient, so I cannot say exactly what is happening.”
“What is Secretary Kim’s prediction?”
“…It’s a rebellion. It seems the food division companies have moved in unison to oust you, Chairman.”
“That’s the worst. What about the other divisions?”
“For now, there are no problems with the chemical and electronics divisions. I’ve just confirmed. The textile and distribution divisions are down. It seems they are linked to the food division. The US and China are being uncooperative. The automotive division has requested support. Suddenly, the workers have launched large-scale strikes and protests.”
Secretary Kim continued to speak. There was no good news. In Southeast Asia, issues of worker discrimination had erupted. In Australia, animal rights groups were causing a ruckus. The Middle East was even worse. A terrorist group had attacked the company.
“It’s all happening simultaneously. As if they’ve been waiting for today.”
It was just my luck. Of all days, it had to happen today. But I wasn’t flustered. It happened occasionally.
“What about the canned kimchi? Don’t we have any canned kimchi in the Big Sky Tower?”
“No, we don’t. Recently, Daechun canned kimchi has become a global trend, so we’ve been prioritizing supplies to the US and Europe. The only canned kimchi in the country is at the factory.”
“Tsk. The food division has rebelled… So I can’t get my hands on it right away. But who is the ringleader of this rebellion?”
“Vice Chairman Sung Soo-woon is in charge of the food, textile, distribution, and overseas branches.”
“……”
I closed my mouth for a moment and pondered. Daechun Group was such a large corporation that there were five vice chairmen. And Secretary Kim had more power than all five of them. Above Secretary Kim, of course, was me, the group’s chairman.
Sung Soo-woon.
Even after repeating the name, I couldn’t quite remember who he was.
“He is your 2,225th son, Chairman. The child you had with Nimalaya, the top Hollywood star, 70 years ago.”
“Nimalaya…. I remember that woman. She had an elegant appearance but a rather rough mouth. I had a child with her?”
“…You personally appointed him as vice chairman 30 years ago, Chairman. Don’t you remember?”
“Well, I think I remember. But is that important now? What’s important is that that bastard dared to rebel against me. Where is that bastard now?”
“He went on a business trip to the US three months ago, and we confirmed he met with the US president three weeks ago. His whereabouts after that are still unknown. He is presumed to be in the US. Oh, Chairman. We just received a video call request from Vice Chairman Sung Soo-woon.”
“That bastard contacted me first? I’m curious what he has to say. Connect it.”
Zzzzzzzing!
The latest TV rose from the floor. It was 108 inches with a thickness of only 1.8 centimeters.
Click.
The screen turned on. What appeared on the latest TV screen was an old man with wrinkles all over his face. White hair and age spots all over his face. The face filled the large screen, making me want to throw up for a moment.
“What the hell. That’s a face that makes me want to curse.”
The old man’s eyes turned cold.
“Is that what you say to your son after a long time? You haven’t changed after all these years, Father. You don’t deserve that position. Millions, no, billions have died because of you. And yet, you don’t feel any guilt?”
“What the hell are you talking about? Call me Chairman, not Father. You rebel bastard.”
“…So you don’t acknowledge me as your son. Very well. Chairman. I have never thought of you as my father either.”
“You unfilial bastard. You were able to sit in the position of vice chairman of Daechun Group all thanks to me! Have you forgotten that?! You ungrateful bastard!”
“Ha. Yes, thanks to you, I’ve gained a lot. Money and power. They rolled in even if I did nothing. But none of it was truly mine. It all belonged to you, Father.”
“So you want to become chairman?”
“Daechun Group is too big. And it has too many enemies. The time has come for Daechun Group to meet its end.”
New small screens appeared one after another on the TV. Most of them were old people. White old men, black old men, Asian old men. The other vice chairmen were also visible. I could recognize them because they were once daughters I had adored.
“…The other four vice chairmen and the leaders of various countries.”
Secretary Kim’s voice came from the speaker. Her voice was trembling. That meant the situation was that bad.
“You managed to prepare all this by today.”
“Did you think we wouldn’t know that you have no interest in running the group, Father? If we blocked the eyes and ears of your Secretary Kim, the Great Mother, no information would leak to you. You have always run the group through the Great Mother.”
“But you still haven’t managed to take over the entire company.”
“…I wanted to, but there was no way to interfere with the electronics, automotive, machinery, and audit divisions, which are directly under the Great Mother. She is indeed the Great Mother. You should be grateful to her, Father. If it weren’t for her, Daechun Group would have collapsed long ago.”
It was true, so I couldn’t argue.
I turned my gaze. I glared at the President of South Korea, who was sitting calmly.
“President Kang. I didn’t expect to see you there. Didn’t you say you would follow me for life just recently?”
“As president, I have made a decision for the sake of South Korea. There is no need for transnational corporations in this world. A country ruled by a corporation… That’s unacceptable, and it shouldn’t exist.”
The president’s voice was firm. He had already drawn his sword. I clicked my tongue. At this rate, the only option was to replace the president.
I looked at the blonde US president.
“President Gain Cage. I’ll give you a chance. Capture that damn traitor and bring him to me. Then I’ll show mercy to the US.”
“Oh, Jesus. Haven’t you grasped the situation yet? Hey, Sung Yu-jin. Your reign is over. Even Daechun can’t handle all of us. Give up and step down. Then we’ll let you live out the rest of your life in peace. Understand?”
“You damn Yankee…!”
As I clenched my fist, they began to speak as if they had been waiting for this moment.
“Your era is over, Father.”
“Don’t you understand yet? Daechun Group will be torn apart.”
“Did you think Japan wouldn’t know that you were behind the Tokyo Tower terror attack?”
“Chinese people are not working machines!”
“We will make you pay dearly for plundering Mother Russia’s resources.”
“America will be great again!!”
KWAANG!
A loud explosion rang out, and the Big Sky Tower shook.
I regained my balance and avoided falling, but the tower continued to shake with the explosion. Secretary Kim spoke urgently.
“Chairman! It’s the South Korean military! The military’s tanks and fighter jets are attacking us!”
“They’re really going all out. Send the mercenaries to counter them!”
Sung Soo-woon in the screen chuckled.
“Heh heh. Father. Have you seen the news? Every country has designated you as a criminal. War crimes, terrorist, fraud, murder, rape, tax evasion… The charges are endless. And the moment you respond to the military, public opinion will turn against you. You should have just surrendered quietly.”
“I told you not to call me Father.”
“Our vice chairman does not acknowledge you as chairman. How can I call you Chairman? Now you are just a father.”
“Why are you doing this, you old bastard? You don’t have much time left to live, why can’t you just stay quiet? I gave you money and power too.”
“…Do you really not know why I’m doing this? You killed my son! You threw my son to the alligators in Cheonggyecheon!!”
“I did?”
“I admit that he was wrong to flirt with Secretary Kim, the Great Mother! But he didn’t know about her! It was just a momentary mistake, was it necessary to do that?!”
“He flirted with my woman? He deserved to die.”
“You bastard!! You are not worthy of being called Father!”
Sung Soo-woon exploded in anger.
I was also annoyed. I just came to this world to get some canned kimchi, what the hell was all this?
“Chairman! A fighter jet is flying towards the top floor!”
As soon as Secretary Kim finished speaking, I saw a fighter jet flying towards us through the window. It didn’t fire a missile but passed by the top floor of the tower. The impact shook the windows violently, and my ears hurt.
“They’re not firing missiles… Aha. They’re not trying to kill me. Why?”
“It seems they’re after your secret assets, Chairman!”
“I see. Secretary Kim, where are you now?”
“I’m in the elevator! I’m going up to the top floor!”
“Okay. Come quickly.”
I grabbed the sword hanging on the wall. A super blade made with the latest technology of this world. Sparks flew from my body as I held the sword.
Just then, the fighter jet that had circled in the distance flew towards us. The super blade absorbed electricity. The small core inside absorbed electricity and generated a laser blade. The blade instantly extended to over 30 meters.
[Using the Moment (刹那). Remaining stacks: 6]
I timed it and swung the sword. The laser blade cut through the cockpit of the fighter jet. The fighter jet lost its balance, spun around, and crashed into the ground, exploding against the Lotte Tower.
Silence.
All the representatives of the various countries who had been criticizing me closed their mouths in shock.
“President Seo. I’m warning you. Send the military back.”
“I, I can’t do that!”
“Fine. I’ll kill you. President Gain of the US. I’ll give you one last chance. Sort out the situation and bring that traitor to me.”
“Oh, God! Haven’t you grasped the situation yet?! There’s nothing you can do alone…”
“Contagion.”
They stared at me at the sudden word.
“If you don’t want to die from a pandemic, you’d better listen to me. I can spread a pandemic across the world at any time. It’s my trump card. Did you really think I wouldn’t have anticipated this?”
“……”
