Chapter 84: What’s Going On Here?

I couldn’t take my eyes off the news broadcast.

No matter how much I rubbed my eyes and looked again, nothing changed.

That only made it harder to believe.

“What’s going on here?”

Startled, I ended up muttering to myself like a fool.

Except for the different casualty figures, the framework of the accident was almost identical to the Taeseong Chemical fire from the past—it sent chills running down my spine.

‘Guardian Spirit, I’m asking you—what’s going on here?’

[…….]

‘The Taeseong Chemical fire accident. Didn’t we prevent that from happening?’

The Grim Reaper didn’t answer.

‘We did, didn’t we? The countdowns over people’s heads and the orange arrows all disappeared.’

[…….]

‘There were no problems at the Taeseong Chemical plant either. When I negotiated the acquisition with President Shim, I repeatedly urged him not to skip the safety inspections.’

The Taeseong Chemical fire accident—23 dead, 166 injured—had now become the Ugwang Chemical fire accident with 52 dead and 137 injured.

‘So we tried to stop it, but in the end, was it something we couldn’t prevent?’

[That’s beyond your concern.]

It stung a bit, knowing I couldn’t stop an accident that killed and injured so many.

I really did do my best.

[Wasn’t your goal to save Taeseong’s family anyway?]

Well, yes.

[Did the Taeseong family you wanted to save die? Or did you intentionally lead innocent people to their deaths?]

Neither of those happened.

[Think about why the King calculated your merits in real time.]

Suddenly, the words the Grim Reaper had said came to mind.

-You decided to save lives even at a loss to yourself. That, too, is a merit.

-Thanks to you, the scheduled deaths of 23 and the pain of 166 people were averted. The King is very pleased by this.

-I can’t say what it means in this world, but in the afterlife, human life is valued above all. That’s why the King insisted on calculating your merit in real time, an exceptional privilege.

So I was puzzled.

‘If that’s the case, was I recognized for saving the lives of people who are still alive and well?’

[You saved “those fated for death and suffering.” That, too, counts as merit. You experienced that in the afterlife, didn’t you?]

Ah, come to think of it, I was once told my past-life sins would be absolved because I saved the souls of fifteen children destined to die.

Of course, that so-called “past-life sin” turned out to be a false accusation, anyway.

[Their deaths have nothing to do with you. Both you and I know you did your best—and so do Heaven and Earth.]

The Grim Reaper gave a wry smile.

It was so brief I wondered if I’d seen it wrong.

[Just as one can build merit through good intentions, others bear karma filled with malice and ill intent. That’s their burden.]

It was almost a whisper, more to himself than to me.

So quiet I wondered if I’d misheard.

‘What do you mean by that?’

[That much is a heavenly secret.]

He says it’s a heavenly secret—how am I supposed to argue with that?

And here I was, thinking about the trouble he took for my request… Ah!

‘About that trouble. You weren’t really reprimanded this time, were you?’

[Why?]

And you never said you’d never do it again, either.

Aha, I get it now!

‘So using trouble doesn’t really cause a problem for you, does it?’

[……!]

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of even Earth Spirits or ghosts being punished for causing trouble.’

[……Oh!]

The Grim Reaper rolled his eyes and started feigning ignorance.

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit.’

[I don’t know anything about it. This officer can’t even remember how to cause trouble.]

‘No, I’m asking about the Taeseong Chemical—no, Ugwang Chemical fire accident. You’ve got somewhere to be.’

[Ahhh, lalalalala. I didn’t hear that. Oh! It’s time for my soap opera!]

The Grim Reaper suddenly turned away.

On the TV, the news had ended, replaced by ads for the next daily drama.

[Shh! I’ll miss my soap opera at this rate. Don’t bother me. A missed episode never comes back!]

Is that so?

Judging by how he didn’t outright deny it again, it sounds like he’ll cause trouble again if needed next time.

Or am I just imagining things?

Ring ring!

“Hello?”

-Is that Junghyuk? It’s Grandpa. If Sungjun’s home, let me talk to him.

“Dad? He’s not home yet. Didn’t you say he’s got a ton of projects these days? He’s been so busy he works late every night.”

I hadn’t seen my father’s face in over ten days.

He was deep into the Line 2 subway construction, plus the Gangnam Seoul Express Bus Terminal road expansion was in full swing—he barely had time to breathe.

The last meal we shared was tteokguk at Grandpa’s on New Year’s Day.

-Is that so? I see. If your dad comes home…

Just then, the front door opened and Dad walked in.

He’d been coming home late every night; it had been ten days since I’d last seen him.

“Oh, Grandpa! Hold on, Dad just got home!”

Still holding the phone to my ear, I grinned.

“Dad, you’re back?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s Grandpa. He wants to talk to you—he seemed in a hurry.”

“Really?”

Dad strode over and took the phone from me.

I figured it wasn’t proper for me to eavesdrop on the adults, so I moved aside—but Dad pulled me into a hug with one arm, grinning wide.

“Whoa!”

Lifted up by surprise, I clung tightly to his neck to keep from falling.

Mixed with his heavy, luxurious cologne was Dad’s own familiar scent.

He turned his head and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek.

Surprised, I blinked wide-eyed, and he just smiled softly.

“A kiss.”

He tapped his cheek with his fingers, moving his lips without a sound.

Still holding the phone between his ear and shoulder.

When I pressed my lips to his cheek, only then did he smile broadly.

“Good boy.”

Through the phone, Grandpa’s voice came through.

-You’ve heard about the chemical plant fire, right?

That’s why Grandpa had called Dad so urgently.

-Come to the Taeseong Group HQ conference room immediately. I’ve summoned an emergency meeting of all affiliate presidents.

“Yes, sir.”

-Sorry to rush you when you just got home, but this isn’t the time to rest.

“I haven’t even eaten dinner yet.”

-Chairman Kim of Ugwang was called straight to the Blue House. That’s how serious this is.

“I’ll leave right away.”

Dad set down the phone with a small sigh.

His face looked exhausted, weighed down by fatigue.

‘Dad, there’s no need to worry. From Taeseong’s standpoint, this probably isn’t bad news at all.’

Taeseong Chemical had already been sold to Ugwang.

There was nothing for Dad to be blamed for, and no reason for him to be held responsible for the accident.

‘If anything, this could make things much easier. The Blue House summoned Ugwang’s Chairman Kim.’

In the past, when the Taeseong Chemical fire accident killed 23 and injured 166, the Blue House was so enraged it summoned Grandpa, Taeseong Group’s head.

‘Back then, Grandpa had to apologize to the nation, donate 3 billion won of his own money to found the Taeseong Foundation, and even step down as group chairman.’

Will Ugwang now go through what Taeseong once did?

‘If Chairman Kim of Ugwang temporarily steps down to “reflect,” donates 3 billion won to found the Ugwang Foundation, what happens to Taeseong Chemical?’

Back then, Taeseong Construction broke off to become independent, and Taeseong Chemical was absorbed by Ugwang.

Ugwang got 50% of Taeseong’s shares without paying a penny.

That was all engineered by Taeseong Construction’s CEO and the group chairman’s younger brother, Cha Yunseong. The deposed Grandpa could do nothing to stop it.

If Ugwang could do it, why not Taeseong?

‘Hm, it does feel like I’m gaining an opportunity thanks to someone else’s misfortune.’

I’d been planning how to get Taeseong Chemical back, preparing to renegotiate the reacquisition.

Instead of making risky, underhanded plays, I planned to use the oil shock as a historical opportunity.

I even deliberately targeted Ugwang Securities to lay a trap—but now, because of the Ugwang Chemical fire, the timeline had just been cut drastically short.

‘It really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. And it’s not like I’ve done anything wrong—there’s no reason to refuse a windfall, is there?’

Besides, we already have the contract for the merger and acquisition.

‘If things go well, not only could I get Taeseong Chemical back, but also Ugwang Securities and even claim 15 billion won in promissory notes?’

My mind started working at full throttle.

‘In order to do that…’

The tasks to be done fit together in my mind like puzzle pieces.

Just then, Dad rubbed his bristly, stubbly cheek against mine.

“I came home early today to buy you something delicious, Junghyuk. What should we do now?”

I know how hard he’s been working lately—he barely has time to sleep.

“I’ll have to buy you jjajangmyeon another time.”

Jjajangmyeon? Why did he suddenly bring that up—oh!

‘When Uncle took out his wallet and asked if I liked jjajangmyeon, I’d carelessly said yes.’

All that fuss over a bowl of noodles.

‘This is all for survival, anyway. Grandpa’s too much—he should at least let Dad eat before putting him to work!’

So Dad left again without so much as a bite.

‘Why did I bother cleaning anchovy guts?’

I’d meant to make knife-cut noodles because it’s his favorite.

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit. Follow him.’

Now I was really curious why Taeseong was in such a rush.

[I haven’t finished my soap opera yet…!]

‘If this goes well, we might end up with a few big companies, just like that.’

[I’ll be right back.]

The Grim Reaper vanished like smoke.

***

At Taeseong Group headquarters, the conference room was filled with the presidents of all affiliates for an emergency board meeting.

Everyone looked grave.

At the head of the table, Grandpa sat.

“You all heard, didn’t you? Because of the fire at Ugwang Chemical—formerly Taeseong Chemical—Chairman Kim of Ugwang was summoned by the Blue House. That’s why I called this meeting.”

My uncle, second uncle, my father, and aunt were all present.

Uncle asked,

“Why is Taeseong in a panic over an accident at Ugwang?”

“Before you ask that, read the news briefing about this Ugwang Chemical fire.”

The presidents were busy poring over the materials on the table.

Grandpa asked,

“Secretary Kim, what’s the casualty count from the chemical plant fire?”

“Currently, 56 dead and 142 seriously or moderately injured.”

The casualty count had gone up since the newsflash.

“They say it’s been hard to identify the workers killed in the Ugwang Chemical plant, right?”

“The full extent of Ugwang’s losses isn’t clear yet, but the fire spread in Plant 6, so it’s estimated the damages, both in lives and property, are substantial.”

“How much property damage?”

“At least a billion won, conservatively.”

Grandpa furrowed his brow.

“How did the plant catch fire in the first place? What caused it?”

“Well… According to the Blue House, it was an accident due to safety issues.”

That was much like what happened in the past.

Even Taeseong Group’s reports treated the incident as a single line, nothing special.

But that fire became a turning point—a major scar—in Taeseong’s history.

The group’s report recorded it like this:

Somehow, though, it seems this time it’s not Taeseong, but Ugwang, that’s set to walk that dark path.