boyutpedia Chapter 351: Clue (2)
Chapter 351: Clue (2)
Chapter 351: Clue (2)
Kim Dong-Soo created the X-FILE with the help of his secret intel team, using it to manipulate key figures in the entertainment industry.
The X-FILE contained numerous scandals, including drug and gambling issues, and even implicated politicians and conglomerates.
It would become a terrifying weapon if someone truly powerful were to get their hands on it.
Hence, I had been trying to track down Kim Dong-Soo's intel team ever since I traveled back in time as I was aware of the dangers posed by the X-FILE. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to find any traces of them.
However, now that Kim Dong-Soo had been suspended from the company, clues were finally resurfacing. Kim Dong-Soo's hidden power was revealing itself.
I calmed my excitement and spoke to Lee Soo-Chan. "Soo-Chan. From now on, it's okay to miss a few details. Just keep your distance from Kim Dong-Soo and watch. If you get too close, they might come after you."
-Do you know who it is?
"It's just a guess, but I'm almost certain."
Our opponents were people handling information.
Unlike me, Lee Soo-Chan had many vulnerabilities, and if he dug too deep, he could be targeted.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Lee Soo-Chan agreed.
-Understood. Oh, and I took a photo.
"A photo?"
-Yes, I'll send it via KkTalk. I took it yesterday.
Lee Soo-Chan sent a picture of someone who might be part of the intel team.
The photo showed a man in his late forties wearing a baseball cap pulled down low, making it difficult to see his face clearly.
Nonetheless, this was already a step in the right direction, given that I hadn't even seen the intel team's faces before in my past life.
-Then I'll see you at Eun-Gi's trial next Thursday.
"Yeah, see you then. And... thank you as always."
-You don't have to thank me. Not between us.
After hanging up, I fell into deep thought.
I couldn't chase after them myself since it was a potentially endless task and dangerous situations could arise.
I needed someone capable—someone who could handle things if a problem arose during the process.
At that moment, one person came to mind.
***
I arrived at Choi Eun-Tae's mansion in Myeongdong.
After I greeted him, Choi Eun-Tae anxiously inquired about Eun-Gi's situation. "The trial is next Thursday, but has Eun-Gi said anything about wanting to see me?"
"Resentment built up over twenty years won't disappear overnight. Please trust me and be patient," I replied.
According to Lee Soo-Chan, Kang Eun-Gi had been asking about Choi Eun-Tae frequently these days, suggesting that his closed heart was starting to open a little. It seemed like I would be able to bring good news soon.
President Choi Yung-Ho of Daeheung Savings Bank chimed in to support me. "Sir, as he said, don't be hasty and wait patiently. At least now you know where your son is, don't you?"
Choi Eun-Tae grumbled with a sullen expression. "Yung-Ho, whose side are you on?"
Choi Yung-Ho smiled softly. "You know I'm always on your side, Mr. Choi."
"Then why are you saying Team Lead Jung is right?"
Even as Choi Eun-Tae protested, Choi Yung-Ho continued to smile.
Despite his grumbling, Choi Eun-Tae soon changed the subject. "Anyway, what brings you here today?"
I showed Choi Eun-Tae the photo I had received from Lee Soo-Chan.
"This guy is feeding information to Chief Kim. Could you please look into him?"
Choi Eun-Tae looked at the man in the photo and tilted his head in thought. "Yung-Ho, isn't this the guy?"
Choi Yung-Ho glanced at the photo and frowned. "Yes, that's him. How could I ever forget his face?"
At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine.
The identity of Kim Dong-Soo's secret intel team, which he had hidden so well in my past life, was about to be revealed.
"Who is he?" I asked.
Choi Eun-Tae explained the man's identity to me.
***
The man was known as Colonel Baek.
Being a former black agent from the National Intelligence Service, he operated along the China-North Korea border and conducted countless covert missions.
He was discharged after being implicated in a corruption scandal in China, and then went on to form his own intel team which specialized in high-stakes information, such as political scandals.
However, no one knew if Baek was his real surname or if he had ever actually held the rank of colonel. It was just how he introduced himself.
I initially thought the person in the photo was simply a member of the intel team. However, he turned out to be the team leader—Colonel Baek.
"How did you come across Colonel Baek?" I asked.
Choi Eun-Tae explained, "I hired someone to dig up dirt on a political figure who was opposing me. And the next day, a stranger showed up at my house and told me that I should hire the best of the best if I wanted the job done right. The guy I originally hired just quit without giving any reason."
At that time, the man had introduced himself as Colonel Baek.
"Still, Colonel Baek's services wouldn't come cheap. Kim Dong-Soo can't possibly afford him, can he? Maybe Man-Sik is funding him?"
"I'm not sure. But I've received reports that Kim Dong-Soo has been meeting with President Jiang Wei of Hwayeon Media Inc."
Choi Eun-Tae's eyes sharpened. "So it seems Kim is trying to secure a new backer outside of Man-Sik, huh?"
"Yes. It's 500 million won per person, so 1 billion covers two."
"Why is it so expensive?"
"You wanted information strong enough to control celebrities permanently, didn't you? If you want information at a private investigator's level, you're free to leave. Or you can choose four lower-tier celebrities instead."
The cost of information varied depending on the target.
After some hesitation, Kim Dong-Soo decided to go with S-class celebrities.
"Alright, then dig up dirt on two S-class celebrities. I don't care who they are as long as they're people I can recruit by the end of this year."
Colonel Baek smirked. "I'll find the most suitable candidates and compile a file. You'll be satisfied, I assure you."
Colonel Baek's confident demeanor made Kim Dong-Soo hopeful.
At that moment, Colonel Baek suddenly asked, "To make it easier to communicate, why don't we give that file a name?"
Kim Dong-Soo responded as if he had been waiting for this. "X-FILE."
"X-FILE, huh... Classic and easy to remember. Alright, let's call it that."
A broad smile spread across Kim Dong-Soo's face.
Just then, his phone rang.
[Caller ID: Jung Yoon-Ho]
"Why is this guy calling at a time like this?"
It was as if Jung Yoon-Ho had been waiting for Kim Dong-Soo to meet with Colonel Baek.
That's when Colonel Baek's expression suddenly twisted.
"You haven't told anyone about our meeting, have you?"
The moment Colonel Baek reached into his coat, Kim Dong-Soo quickly shook his head. "N-no! Absolutely not."
Colonel Baek looked at him suspiciously. "Answer it on speakerphone."
"Okay."
Swallowing nervously, Kim Dong-Soo answered the call. "Yeah? What is it?"
-Mr. Kim, it's Team Lead Jung. I'd like to see you right now.
"Why the hell would I want to see you?"
I have something important to discuss. I'm in Myeong-dong right now. Where are you?
Colonel Baek gestured with his hand, signaling Kim Dong-Soo to hang up.
"Forget it. I'm not interested in seeing you right now!"
Click.
As soon as Kim Dong-Soo hung up, Colonel Baek glared at him. "You really didn't tell Team Lead Jung about our meeting, did you?"
"I didn't! I swear!"
Colonel Baek looked around cautiously as he glanced toward the kitchen. "Then call him back and bring him here right now."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I'll slip away, so I need you to keep him occupied."
Colonel Baek quickly stood and rushed toward the kitchen.
Following his instructions, Kim Dong-Soo called Jung Yoon-Ho back. "Actually, I do have something to say. I'm at Taesung Jjambbong in Myeong-dong. I'll send you the location. Come alone and let's talk over a drink."
-I'll be there soon.
***
I arrived at the entrance to the alley leading to Taesung Jjambbong in Myeong-dong. It had taken me less than five minutes to get there from Choi Eun-Tae's house.
As I got out of the car, six more vans pulled up behind mine.
Screech.
Choi Yung-Ho and thirty of his men all sporting buzz cuts and dressed in black suits poured out from the vans.
At that moment, Lee Soo-Chan who had been guarding the alley entrance ran up to me. "You're here."
"What's the situation?"
"No one has come out yet."
Because Taesung Jjambbong's building had multiple exits, Lee Soo-Chan couldn't be sure. However, he explained no one had left while they were watching.
I pat him on his back. "Good job, Soo-Chan. Mr. Choi's people will take over from here on."
"Yes, hyung-nim."
That's when Choi Yung-Ho began instructing his thirty men as if they were on a rabbit hunt. "Search every alley and block all the exits!"
"Yes, sir."
The men in black suits ran down the alleys connected to Taesung Jjambbong.
I turned to Choi Yung-Ho and said, "Colonel Baek might still be inside with Kim Dong-Soo."
"We'll search the surrounding area. You go inside and update us on the situation."
I had a tracking device and a bug hidden on me just in case.
"Understood."
Taking a deep breath, I began walking toward Taesung Jjambbong.