Chapter 40: The Gathering of Giants

Munch, munch, munch.

“These are truly delicious,” Chairman Han Seung-ho of Sekyung Group said with a satisfied smile.

A mountain of blue fruit was piled on the table in front of him.

“What are you eating, dear?”

At that moment, Chairman Han Seung-ho flinched. He looked like a child caught doing something wrong.

“I—I was going to share them with you!”

“…”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra’s eyes narrowed instantly.

“Didn’t I tell you to quit drinking? For the sake of your health!”

“It’s—it’s not alcohol.”

“Let me see!”

“Oh.”

Chairman Han Seung-ho reflexively backed away. The scene on the table was revealed.

“…Green tea and blueberries?”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra gaped at the unfamiliar sight.

“I mean, you never even touched fruit in your life, let alone tea. What is all this?”

“Ahem. What did I tell you? I told you I wasn’t eating anything harmful.”

“Then why did you react like that?”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra tilted her head in confusion before picking up one blueberry.

“Let me see…”

The blue fruit soon disappeared into her mouth. Simultaneously—

“!!!”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra’s eyes widened.

“Goodness gracious!”

An exclamation she habitually used when surprised escaped her lips.

“Wh—what is this flavor? I’ve never tasted a blueberry like this before.”

“Hoho…”

“…Wait. Were you that startled because you were trying to eat something this delicious all by yourself?”

“Yu—Yujin sent them as a gift for me to eat!”

“…”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra fell silent.

“Cheapskate.”

“…”

“How petty, acting like that over food.”

“…”

“I don’t know why men get more trivial as they age.”

Slowly, Chairman Han Seung-ho’s head drooped.

“Anyway, you know you have to attend the political and business circle gathering this time, right?”

“…Why would I go there? I’m old.”

“It’s practically your retirement ceremony! Even if you’re stepping down, you should say your goodbyes before you go. There’s a reason people say a person’s departure should be clean.”

“It’s a hassle…”

“While you’re at it, go and give some support to your precious granddaughter!”

“Hmm.”

Only then did interest spark in Chairman Han Seung-ho’s eyes.

“I heard sales have been trending upward again recently. If you go and praise her in front of others at a time like this, wouldn’t she be happy?”

“Hmm. You have a point.”

Chairman Han Seung-ho nodded repeatedly.

“This is why a man needs to meet the right woman.”

“Now you say that?”

“Would you like some more?”

Mrs. Hong Hee-ra smirked.

“It’s too late for that, old man.”

***

A remote mountain village in Gangwon Province.
The film set for *The Time the Moon Sets*.

Clank, clank.

A massive crane slowly descended. Naturally, the lens focused directly on the lead actor’s face.

“Lower the lighting a bit. This is the moment the moon is just about to set. The shadows need to be longer.”

“Yes, sir!”

Cold light poured down from above. Artificial mist mixed with the blue moonlight, making the texture of the night feel more vivid. At the moment the cool white light mimicking the moon gradually dimmed and long shadows stretched across the edges of the set—

“Action!”

The street was shrouded in an eerie silence. The camera slowly panned, zooming in on the lead actress lying bloodied in the ashes. Clutching her thigh, she barely managed to pull herself up.

“Ugh… Ha, ha!”

White breath puffed out over her blood-stained face.

*Screeech!*

Just then, the male lead staggered out, pushing aside a crumbling iron gate. He held one worn revolver in his hand. His muzzle trembled, and his eyes wavered as if he already sensed his death.

“…The moon will set soon.”

His voice was cracked.

“He’ll be here shortly. This might be the end.”

Right on cue, a *thud* sound effect echoed in the distance. The staff cranked the smoke machine harder. Thanks to that, the fog filled the alley, adding to the somber atmosphere.

“Run. I’ll buy as much time as I can.”

“…No.”

The actress smiled with her bloodied face.

“Don’t act cool, junior. If someone stays behind to buy time, it should be me.”

“…Ayeon.”

“You should call me ‘Senior.’ How dare you be so insolent.”

*Screeeech! Thump-thump-thump!*

At that moment, mysterious, eerie sounds were heard from somewhere. The sound of metal scraping and dozens of footsteps approaching all at once overlapped. Simultaneously, the camera captured a close-up of the male lead’s face. His pupils dilated as his gun fixed on the direction of the sound.

“Fine. If we live, we live together… and if we die, we die together.”

*Click.*

With the sound of the gun being cocked, the moonlight grew dimmer, and the entire screen was covered in darkness.

“Cut! That was excellent!”

“Whooooooo!”

The surroundings immediately brightened, and the staff couldn’t hold back their admiration.

“The acting is incredible…!”

“The immersion is amazing. We could even aim for an invitation to the Cannes Film Market at this rate.”

“The competition for domestic film festivals this year is already over.”

The producer, who was checking the monitor, also wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He instinctively felt that the success or failure of the movie had been decided by that one scene alone. Everyone’s expectations were high. Even the staff members’ faces showed exhilaration instead of fatigue.

‘The Time the Moon Sets will surely be a success.’

However, they say a crisis always arises from an unexpected place.

*Ding!*

“…?”

“Hey, who’s the guy who didn’t turn off his phone during filming!”

“Let’s take a break for a moment.”

But soon, all the staff members fell silent. The ‘guy who didn’t turn off his phone’ was none other than the director.

[Director! This is an emergency! Shinhwa Group says they will withdraw all investment for the movie!]

“…”

No, it wasn’t just the director. Whether it was someone’s scheme, related articles had already begun to line up in the entertainment news section, and the staff quickly found out the details.

“What is this…?”

“Shinhwa Group is withdrawing investment from Prop Entertainment…?”

“This is about our movie, right? This?”

“Th—then what about the staff’s salaries? There are at least several months left to finish filming…”

The atmosphere, which had been swelling with anticipation, plummeted to the bottom in an instant.

***

Bang Ki-cheol buried himself deep into the sofa for the first time in a long while.

“Young-jun. This is why a person needs to use their head.”

A professional employee must always be the boss’s lackey.

“I admire you, CEO.”

“Learn how to handle work like this properly. A ban on contacting celebrities? So what? You just have to make them come looking for you.”

A sinister smile curled on Bang Ki-cheol’s lips.

“Oh, President Shin, what a pity. That project you were so excited about is likely to be scrapped entirely.”

“With President Shin’s personality, she’ll probably…”

“Heh heh heh. Exactly. With that personality, she’ll probably try to hand the entire movie over to me.”

Bang Ki-cheol felt as if a long-standing weight had been lifted from his chest.

“Let her suffer for a bit, and then contact President Shin at the right time. Though there’s a high chance she’ll come looking for you on her own before then.”

“Yes, CEO.”

***

The top-floor banquet hall of the Bayatt Hotel in Busan.

“…Confirmed.”

When I presented the invitation, the usher immediately signaled someone.

*Sliiide.*

At the same time, the thick, soundproof doors began to open smoothly.

“I can’t believe a gathering like this actually exists…”

My partner for today, Shin Hye-seo, muttered blankly. It was a sight that could surprise even a top star. The interior was truly a scene one would only see on TV. Staff in white gloves were constantly carrying wine and champagne. Bodyguards standing in every corner were busy adjusting their radios. The nameplates on each round table were filled with familiar names. At first glance, it looked like a simple dinner party, but I knew better. This was, in fact, an unofficial negotiation site.

“Once the Financial Services Commission’s deregulation agenda passes, we plan to start investing immediately.”

“The president of my main bank will arrive shortly. Let’s have a serious conversation then.”

The conversations happening everywhere were secretive, but their weight was by no means light. On the surface, it was a social gathering. However, in reality, it was a place where politics and capital intersected.

‘This is why I wanted to come here.’

As I was taking in my surroundings—

“Huh?”

A surprised voice came from right next to me.

“Isn’t that Shin Hye-seo?”

“…!? I think you’re right.”

“I don’t recognize the person next to her. Who invited them?”

“How should I know?”

Of course, their interest cooled quickly, as if they were used to such situations.

“Is—is it really okay for me to be here?”

“We already got permission.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, it just feels like a different world…”

“And I’m someone who’s supposed to be in a place like this?”

Only then did Shin Hye-seo gaze into my eyes.

“…I’m glad. I’m glad you’re with me, Prosecutor. And I’m truly grateful that you brought me to a place like this.”

“Save the thanks for when we find an investor.”

“Prosecutor!”

At that moment, President Han Yujin, wearing a pure white dress, approached us. Beside her was a handsome elderly gentleman.

‘Wait…’

This old man. I’ve definitely seen him somewhere before.

‘Is that Chairman Han Seung-ho of Sekyung Group?’

I had run into a giant as soon as I arrived.

“You really did come with Actress Shin Hye-seo!”

“H—hello.”

Shin Hye-seo bowed with her hand over her chest. Simultaneously, President Han Yujin gave a meaningful smile.

“Are you two, perhaps…?”

“It’s not like that.”

I spoke firmly and immediately looked at Chairman Han Seung-ho.

“Hello, Chairman.”

“Hmm? You know me?”

“In South Korea, wouldn’t someone who doesn’t recognize Chairman Han Seung-ho be a spy?”

As if he wasn’t displeased that I recognized him, Chairman Han Seung-ho burst into a hearty laugh.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Your family’s blueberries were quite delicious.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Chairman.”

Then, with a smirk, Chairman Han Seung-ho stepped right up to me. A voice smaller than an ant reached my ears.

“The honor is mine, Prosecutor Baek Seo-jun.”

“!”

Naturally, my body flinched.

“Please understand. She’s my only granddaughter, and it wouldn’t be good for my reputation if some swindler-like fellow latched onto her, would it?”

“…Yes, I understand.”

*Thump.*

After patting my shoulder once, Chairman Han Seung-ho finally stepped back.

“The only way to win a tedious chicken game is to wait for the opponent to fall first. Isn’t that right?”

“!”

Truly meaningful words. I could tell instinctively.

‘Perhaps… my plan will go more smoothly than I expected.’

“I think we’ll have a lot to talk about today. Don’t you think so?”

“…Yes.”

“Follow me. Since we’re going to talk, I’ll introduce you to a few people myself.”