CH454 | Heir

Three projects were underway at the Financial Tower.

As February began, the results of the projects gradually started to appear.

Particularly, Taewoo Securities had invested in all three ventures, and one vice chairman was tasked with overseeing all the projects.

“The returns vary drastically between projects. Crude oil, in particular, has the lowest returns. After the OPEC production cut agreement at the end of last year, oil prices rose slightly, but since then, they’ve remained steady at around $55 per barrel,” he reported.

“Even though a production cut was agreed upon, there’s still a huge backlog of inventory. So, through the first half of the year, oil prices are expected to remain steady or even decline slightly,” another executive added.

“I expect the same. Libya and Nigeria, which were excluded from the OPEC cuts, are increasing production, so oversupply is likely,” he continued.

Oil prices were currently experiencing minimal fluctuations.

While prices had risen from around $30 to over $50 per barrel, there hadn’t been significant movement since then, leaving little opportunity for profit.

“The effects of the production cuts probably won’t show until the second half of the year. Once the second half begins, won’t we see at least a 20% increase?”

“Exactly. That’s why we’re planning to increase our investments in oil starting in March.”

“In 2018, prices could even surpass $80, so preparing in advance isn’t a bad idea. How are the other projects performing?”

The vice chairman’s expression suddenly brightened.

While oil hadn’t generated much profit, the other projects seemed to be doing exceptionally well.

“The Bitcoin lending business was a huge hit from the start. Customers are flocking from Korea, the U.S., Japan—everyone wants to borrow Bitcoin to invest with high leverage.”

“Given that Bitcoin prices are rising, it’s worth paying the high interest rates to take out loans.”

The surge in Bitcoin prices was also good news for financial institutions.

To start the lending business, they naturally had to hold a large amount of Bitcoin.

As Bitcoin’s price rose, the value of their assets increased accordingly, creating a structure in which the financial firm could earn money in two ways simultaneously.

“Bitcoin prices are surging past 25 million won. It’s expected that, at the latest, they could reach 30 million won by the end of the year.”

“There’s a massive bubble. Just like the IT bubble, it will burst once before rising again. So make sure to liquidate all Bitcoin holdings before the end of this year.”

“I’ve already scheduled Bitcoin loan repayments before the year’s end. I’ve repeatedly instructed that all Bitcoin should be converted to cash just before the year closes.”

Bitcoin was highly volatile.

Once regulations started, the price of 25 million won could easily be halved within days.

And even more volatile than Bitcoin were altcoins.

“How’s the altcoin investment performing?”

“It’s an absolute jackpot! Financial institutions bought Etherion around the $10 mark, and in just a few days, it has already surpassed $20.”

“Since the news that financial institutions are buying Etherion is spreading, the price will climb even more steeply.”

“Financial institutions are making additional purchases of Etherion, and general investors are rushing in as well, causing trading volumes to skyrocket.”

The altcoin had already doubled in value.

But this was just the beginning. By the end of the year, returns of more than twentyfold could be expected.

“Financial firms that didn’t invest in altcoins must be feeling quite envious.”

“The reaction isn’t that significant. The amount that can be invested in altcoins is limited, so while the returns are high in percentage terms, the actual profits aren’t that large.”

All coins had a limited supply.

So even if someone wanted to invest, the quantity restrictions meant there was a cap on how much they could put in.

“Still, a few financial firms can eat well,” one remarked.

“There seems to be more interest in the Bitcoin lending business than in chasing high returns with altcoins. You can raise interest rates at will, and the turnover is excellent, so even conservative financial firms are paying attention.”

Although three projects were underway,

in reality, this project was more like a series of individual skirmishes.

It was an investment meant to kill time before the U.S.-China trade conflict fully erupted.

“Consider this year a resting period. Real investments will start next year, so you need to conserve your energy,” one advised.

“It seems the Financial Tower shares that view. Aside from the three investments we suggested, they’re also looking for other opportunities on their own,” another added.

We couldn’t support everything from start to finish.

Of course, if it were a large-scale project, everyone could share in the profits.

But the financial industry was fundamentally a survival-of-the-fittest sector. Only those who fended for themselves could endure.

“The Financial Tower seems to be running smoothly,” someone observed.

“Taewoo Semiconductor is in absolute chaos. Both CEOs have competitively jumped into remodeling the old factories, and they’re calling in all of Taewoo Group’s top talent,” another reported.

“Let them do as they please. It’s Taewoo Group’s top cash cow. Supporting that much is only natural.”

“Taewoo Construction, Taewoo Trading, Taewoo Motors, even the AI Center—they seem determined to use every available technology and talent. And it looks like they plan to spend over ten times the usual cost of remodeling an old factory.”

How exciting must that be?

Unlimited human resources and capital.

And the psychological security of knowing it’s okay to run at a loss.

The Taewoo Semiconductor CEOs were treating it not as work, but as play, as they remodeled the old factories.

***

The first week of February had passed.

During that time, Captain Kang had completed all preparations.

I visited his office to give him final instructions before his departure to Malaysia.

“Again, the most important thing is the safety of you and your team. If anything goes wrong, don’t look back—just retreat.”

“You don’t need to worry. My ten team members and I have been training every day to prepare for today. Our physical condition is top-notch—we could enter a martial arts competition in this shape,” he assured.

“Then use that fine condition to run if you have to.”

Captain Kang’s physique was undeniably impressive.

Even under his clothes, his muscular build was evident, and his sharp gaze had returned, as piercing as when I first met him.

“Most of our special training involved sprinting at full speed. Don’t worry!”

“The medical staff from Taewoo Hospital have already moved to Malaysia and begun providing support. A base camp has been set up not far from the airport, so make sure you know its location,” I reminded him.

“I’ve already memorized it. And just in case, I’ve also brought atropine antidote injections that we used in the military,” he replied.

Anything more I said would have been mere nagging.

Finally, I patted Captain Kang on the shoulder and gave him a trusting smile.

“Have a safe trip.”

“I’ll create the variables properly and return!”

Captain Kang left the office and, along with the ten waiting team members, shared a ride to the airport.

***

February 13 – Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.

As the airport was located in the capital, a considerable number of people came and went.

Being a common layover point, travelers of various nationalities passed through, and it wasn’t unusual to spot Koreans among them.

“Sir! Your golf skills have improved! Your shots were flying like clotheslines,” one remarked.

“You must have been eating and playing golf non-stop. I thought your golf club was going to bend,” another teased.

Five Koreans, all wearing Hawaiian shirts, moved together.

A few men, seemingly part of their party, followed at a short distance.

Shorts, shirts, and sunglasses—all indicators of obvious tourists. This was Captain Kang’s group.

“I’ll book the plane tickets,” one said.

“Let’s go together. How could you book ten tickets all by yourself?”

Captain Kang’s group headed toward the kiosks.

Though they didn’t glance sideways even once, the second-in-command (No. 2) had somehow appeared beside them.

He was also using a kiosk to check in, naturally positioning himself next to Captain Kang’s group.

“Ah!”

At that moment, two women approached No. 2.

They moved as if asking for directions, one grabbing No. 2’s body while the other tried to rub his face with her palm.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

Thwack!

One staff member kicked the woman holding No. 2’s body, while another pushed away the woman with her hands extended.

With all ten members of Captain Kang’s team protecting No. 2, the two women fled without even looking back.

“My… my body won’t move properly.”

“Are you alright?”

No. 2 staggered.

Captain Kang immediately checked on him personally.

Although conscious, he could feel No. 2’s muscles gradually contracting.

“Atropine!”

Thwack!

One staff member pulled an atropine injection from the pouch on his belt and plunged it into No. 2’s body.

“Move him quickly!”

The atropine injection alone wasn’t enough.

No. 2 had to receive treatment immediately if they wanted to save him.

One staff member lifted No. 2 onto his back, and following a predetermined route, they rushed to the Taewoo Hospital medical team’s base camp.

“Emergency patient! Poisoned by VX-class chemical weapons!”

The base camp was only five minutes from the airport.

Ignoring all traffic signals, they sped there, arriving in just three minutes, and immediately informed the medical team of the situation.

“VX? Clear the way! Begin treatment immediately!”

The medical staff surged toward No. 2 simultaneously.

The Taewoo Hospital base camp was equipped with medical devices that normal field medical stations didn’t have.

Thanks to this, treatment proceeded smoothly.

About an hour later, No. 2 regained consciousness.

“Are you coming to?”

“Ugh… uh…”

“You must be exhausted. Rest for now. The detoxification is complete, so there’s no need to worry.”

No. 2 quickly fell asleep.

The medical staff, having finished treatment, exhaled heavily and approached Captain Kang’s team.

“What happened?”

“We saved him from being assassinated at the airport.”

“But how did you know VX was used?”

“W-well…”

“The bottle the assassin was using was labeled VX!”

Captain Kang stammered under the medical team’s questioning.

A seasoned staff member quickly offered a suitable excuse on his behalf.

“We were extremely lucky. This medical volunteer program happened to include a VX detoxification module.”

“Did the hospital director have foresight? I’ve participated in many medical volunteer missions, but this is the first time I’ve seen a VX detoxification program included,” one of the medical staff remarked.

The medical team truly had no idea what had happened.

They were simply following the program as instructed.

They genuinely believed it was a miracle that a VX-poisoned patient had arrived at the base camp.

“We should be going now,” one of Captain Kang’s team said.

“Shouldn’t you at least accept our thanks?”

“Our flight schedule is more urgent,” another replied.

Captain Kang’s team returned to their vehicle and headed back to the airport.

They boarded the plane and flew back to Korea.

Having achieved their objective of creating variables, there was no reason for them to remain in Malaysia.