Chapter 60: < Protect – Episode 59 – Asia Tour [1] >
Whether it was nature or nurture, those who survive the information world were liars. Ahn Soo Ho only half believed what Murakami said. Yamas.h.i.ta’s Treasure? What crazy agent would use the agency’s resources to chase after an urban legend? In that sense, Kosino was more objective than Alexa.
“I don’t know about the urban legend, but it’s true that j.a.pan has a lot of interest in Southeast Asia.”
“Is it because of resources?”
“Superficially, yes. However, what they’re thinking is different. j.a.pan surprisingly sent a lot of immigrants. I feel like that Yamas.h.i.ta or whatever it’s called is an excuse, and they’re actually after something else. It’s also possible that the evidence picture he showed you was just a picture from World War II.”
That wasn’t true, but he couldn’t tell him the truth.
“Look into it.”
“Aren’t you retired?”
“He’s not the type who can hold back curiosity.”
It was Alexa who answered Kosino’s question.
“Soo Ho can’t stand to see someone else do well.”
“That’s true. Ones who hit only like to hit.”
“You’ve got some nerve to talk smack about someone right in front of them.”
They didn’t care if he was listening and continued their conversation as they disappeared. Logan smirked.
“They’re happy to be working again because they were bored this whole time.”
“Then why did they retire with me? We all know they’re not the type.”
“Because they like you.”
“Reflect.”
He showed both of his palms and said,
“reflect”.
“Should I contact the president of the Philippines?”
“Yeah. While you’re at it, bring Seol Hyun and take a picture of them. We should give him the full fan service.”
“Are you selling off your significant other?”
“It’s just business.”
Hosoo Entertainment had a lot to do in the Philippines. The most profitable countries were probably China and j.a.pan, but the governments were very restrictive in those countries. If he used his influence, he could probably do most things by himself, but the Philippines was much easier to deal with.
‘There are also many uninhabited islands which could be good for training camps.’
It was difficult to do firearms training in Korea. Even retired mercenaries had to practice at least a few times a year to keep their touch. There were tons of uninhabited islands between Luzon Islands and Mindanao Islands. Cebu and Boracay were also just a few of the gatherings of islands, after all.
The Comma Project set in a cruise ship all dispersed. Some went sightseeing, some went to volunteer, and others enjoyed the services available on the ship. All the celebrities and employees were more than satisfied with their circ.u.mstances.
“You’ll record another outstanding deficit today.”
“Everything costs money.”
Oh Joo Kyung looked suspicious as if this was all normal.
“Shouldn’t we be worrying about making money?”
“I’m not sure. They’ll probably earn money regardless.”
He continued to talk about deficits, but they weren’t all useless expenses. He merged two top entertainment companies and received a big building called Star Tower for free. Until this point, he received Kim Dae Chan’s unilateral help. And since the planes and helicopters were taken from the white people abroad, half were free.
“If I think about it, it’s not a big deficit.”
It was true that the ones who had eaten meat before ate well, and the ones who had spent money before were good at spending money.
“It’s hard to explain. But make sure to differentiate investment from waste.”
“So we need to make thoughtful deficits? That’s a hard request, CEO Ahn.”
“It’s your company too.”
There was no need to stress ownership. Since Oh Joo Kyung kicked Daesan Group to the curb, she was more determined than anyone.
“How’s Ms. Seo Joo Kyung?”
“She has the greed and capability.”
“You’re not just going easy on her because she’s a woman, are you?”
“I can’t say I’m not. It’s probably what you’re thinking. Right now, I need someone from the board of directors on my side. In contrast to Director Kim, Director Shim has been uncooperative.”
“Think about his age, Director Oh. He has no choice but to hate you. It’s instinct.”
She wanted to ask if skills were all that mattered, but it was actually far from it.
“Shim Il Kwon is a sly man. He could have screwed over Kim Woo Jung for stabbing him in the back, but he’s being quiet. It’s a skill to realize that you’re in an unfavorable situation.”
“Despite his position, he was quite motivated.”
“A scared dog tends to bark a lot more.”
He was the one who made FNB grew. Ahn Soo Ho and Oh Joo.Kyung didn’t stand a chance when it came to connections in the entertainment industry.
“Putting the employees and related persons on your back is also an impressive strategy.”
“You’re saying I’m at a disadvantage.”
“Look at the big picture. Who’s your superior?”
“Hm. Oh!”
She frowned and then let out an exclamation.
“You?”
“That’s right. Your strategic superior is me.”
As long as Ahn Soo Ho was there, Shim Il Kwon couldn’t do anything to Oh Joo Kyung, Seo Joo Kyung, or Kim Woo Jung.
“But don’t put me in the frontlines. I don’t want a grown man coming to me crying.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Oh Joo Kyung laughed quietly and then left the room.
“I don’t understand Korean, but she’s a solid young woman.”
“That’s why I picked her.”
She pushed the curtain aside and came in wearing a flight attendant uniform.
“Sorren, I mean, Masquesa. Did you come here to die?”
“Whoa! I’m not here to fight. I just dropped by because I heard you were in the Philippines.”
“Just?”
“You don’t believe me? Hm. I do have a reason.”
Sorren might be a woman’s name, but the person in front of him was a transgender. The reason why she did it was because it was more comfortable to be a female a.s.sa.s.sin than a male a.s.sa.s.sin.
“I’m aware that you’re being chased, but here you are in the Philippines.”
“It’s not like they’re the CIA. I won’t get caught.”
“It was Vietnam who screwed over the States.”
“Yes, yes.”
Sorren answered in an insincere way. His habit as a male remained with the way he sat with his legs spread open.
“I want to retire too, but the ones above me won’t let go of me.”
“Get to the point.”
“Your temper is still the same. Okay, fine.”
As soon as Ahn Soo Ho glared, Sorren rushed to the point.
“If J-Law comes to find you, please send him back.”
“Why?”
“It’s embarra.s.sing, but there was an internal conflict in Angola.”
“I saw this coming ever since they talked s.h.i.t about an alliance. They’re crazy.”
“Come on. Don’t be like that, Soo Ho. They’re just trying not to end up like Kadeshi.”
“They must have struck rich when I said I was retiring.”
“That’s right.”
“So they’re going to run out into a sunny spot?”
J-Law probably joined the opposition. He had a belief about a.s.sa.s.sinations, so he had opinions about how an a.s.sa.s.sin should act as an a.s.sa.s.sin just like how a.s.sholes should act like a.s.sholes.
“Whether it’s a freelance mercenary or us, we all get paid to murder. The only difference is whether we kill them openly or secretly.”
“That sounds weird.”
Mercenaries might be the worst but they didn’t kidnap or torture anyone.
“Of course, there are some with perverted tendencies. But isn’t that the same with mercenaries? Even Alexa is a les… Ugh!”
Sorren fell over backwards. Her skirt went up exposing her underwear. Ahn Soo Ho looked down at the choking person and looked at her coldly.
“Be careful with what you say.”
“I…I’m sorry.”
“I don’t give second chances.”
There wasn’t a single mercenary or a.s.sa.s.sin who didn’t know that Ahn Soo Ho gives people at least one more chance.
“If you tell us about J-Law, the executive committee will compensate you accordingly.”
“That’s what I heard. J..”
“Huh?”
Sorren, who put his hand into his pocket, got a hole blown through his head and fell over. The first guy came out of the curtains and the second guy came out from under the bed. They sure did a good job hiding.
“What happened?”
“Issac betrayed me.”
“They said you betrayed them first.”
“Hm, maybe. We both betrayed each other.”
Betrayal wasn’t unexpected between people who tried to swallow each other whole.
“He failed to fulfill his duty of being devoted in the dark.”
“Why? Did he sell a client out?”
J-Law clenched his jaw in response to Ahn Soo Ho’s lighthearted question. The joke like question made him go quiet, he blinked multiple times.
“Have you heard about Chen Mao, Soo Ho?”
“Oh. Did Issac do that?”
“He planned it with Masquesa.”
It was questionable that a top a.s.sa.s.sin like Masquesa would expose a client, but if the executive committee of Angola was involved, it made a little more sense.
“They have to pay a large penalty fee if they expose a client.”
“That’s when the client is still alive.”
“True.”
No matter how great Chen Mao of w.a.n.gtang Group might be, once rumors about an a.s.sa.s.sination went around, he was bound to be in a tight position.
“This all happened after you got involved. Don’t you feel responsible?”
“Not at all.”
He was busy enough living his own life, so he didn’t have a duty to take responsibility for other lives too.
“Soo Ho. One day, you’ll realize the value of justice that longs for the light from the darkness.”
Justice? J-Law said a lot of nonsense and then disappeared. Ahn Soo Ho looked at the body on the ground and frowned.
“This son of a b.i.t.c.h! Who’s going to clean this up?”
He should have worn a sailor uniform!
“Soo Ho? You don’t look so good.”
“Oh, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
He couldn’t tell her that it was because of a dead body.
“Did you meet the president?”
“Yeah. We took a picture together too.”
“Good.”
Ahn Soo Ho walked along the beach in Boracay together. The filming crew and the manager didn’t tag along. The good thing about being the president was that no one could tell him what to do. The way they were wearing big hats and sungla.s.ses while walking on the beach made them look like they were on their Honeymoon. If one didn’t look carefully, it was hard to recognize that it was Seol Hyun.
It was comfortable to rent a transportation tricycle or even a motorcycle to travel past the shops, restaurants, and ma.s.sage parlors.
They decided on a tricycle.
They were worried about a typhoon, but the weather in the Philippines was pretty peaceful for the last few days. Famous tourist destinations were booming with people no matter what. He expected a lot of Koreans to be there, but there were actually a lot of white people.
“You’ve been to Boracay many times, right?”
“For a few shoots, yeah.”
“Is there anywhere you haven’t been?”
“Hm.”
Jang Seol Hyun fell deep into thought.
“I haven’t been to India or Africa. Oh! South America as well.”
“It’s better that you don’t go there. It’s dangerous.”
“I want to go to Africa though. I know a lot of people who went there to volunteer.”
“For volunteering, you go as a group, so it doesn’t matter. Just don’t go alone.”
What was foolish about Koreans was that they didn’t take the dangers of being abroad seriously. If they bravely embarked on a solo trip after going on a group tour, they were bound to get into some trouble. The tricycle stopped where the white beach ended.
“Should we eat something?”
Ahn Soo Ho was thinking of going into any restaurant, but Jang Seol Hyun grabbed his arm and led the way. He saw a sign that indicated a seafood restaurant. Did women think they wouldn’t gain weight if they eat seafood?
“Let’s eat chili crabs!”
“This must be a Singaporean restaurant.”
“The chili crabs here are delicious.”
When he saw the menu, that wasn’t the case. Didn’t it seem weird that they also had hamburgers, seafood ramen, and udon? Since seafood ramen had seafood in it, that one could pa.s.s, but how could someone make burgers and udon into seafood? He didn’t understand their standards.
‘Are they like crab burgers?’
Jang Seol Hyun ordered like a regular customer.
“But is it okay that I’m skipping out of work?”
“Why? Do you want to work?”
“No…but I feel bad for the others.”
“It’s not like they’re doing more than filming themselves have fun. There’s no filming easier than that.”
Making money sure was easy.
“You’re right. That’s why they all like you.”
“Do they like that I’m a pushover?”
“No way! You’re not a pushover.”
“People in this field all call me a pushover.”
The evil head of an empire was the evil pushover!
After Hosoo Entertainment appeared, the FA market was a mess, and the salary system and welfare system went down. There were tons of employees who were waiting to enter Hosoo Entertainment. The increase in personnel expenses aggravated their financial situation, and the smaller companies couldn’t handle the pressure and went down. However, that was because they kept cutting down on their experienced personnel to cover their losses.
“I don’t know much about the entertainment world, but I know this much. Neglecting people in a business that sells people is a stupid thing to do.”
Same went for the mercenary world. Those who delayed payments had to pay with their lives.
“Pushover? Upstart? Flaunting money? They can curse all they want.”
Normal people would have feared even one failure, but Ahn Soo Ho felt confident. The good thing about the entertainment world was that there were no regulations about monopoly. Culture and art weren’t industrial products, after all.
“I’ll just buy their big mouths.”
‘Let’s see if they can keep flapping their traps then.’
< Protect – Episode 59 – Asia Tour [1] > The end.