Side Story 19: The Next Day - Na Jeon-Il and Park Choong-Sik

Park Woo-Cheol and the president of Jeonil Bank moved to the guest room. The muffled voices of the father and son came in from the outside, and it was loud if he paid attention. Park Woo-Cheol actually wanted to plug his ears. Instead, he chose to speak.

“Thanks to you, I was able to introduce myself. I will never forget today.”

“He even remembered your father. It was worthwhile to come and say hi.”

Park Woo-Cheol could hardly contain his emotions. His ears turned red from his heated feelings. He thanked the president of the bank several times and then distanced himself from the door as much as possible.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He could see the landscape near Apgujeong[1] and even the famous mountains of Seoul in the distance through the window. Below was a forest of apartments. It seemed that nothing had changed, but he knew well that all eyes worldwide were focused here. Everyone with power wanted to visit here, but it was a place no one could enter without His approval, no matter what they possessed.

Park Woo-Cheol had been allowed to enter such a place. On top of that, He even mentioned his father’s name. He was sure that this would be a day he would never forget in his lifetime.

His father had had a day like today before. It was the day that had raised him to the presidency and promoted Park Woo-Cheol from a mere prosecutor to the head of the prosecution organization.

However, reflecting on that day only made him feel like he was ridiculing himself. His father had been right, and he had been wrong. Thanks to his father’s decision, the opportunity for him to enjoy this glorious experience was granted.

“You are risking the achievement and reputation you have made over your lifetime. What do you want me to do? Should I continue pretending I do not know anything? Should I congratulate you for making money by flattering those Westerners?”

“If you act that arrogant one more time, I will not tolerate it.”

“...I am sorry. But you are not alone, Father. You never taught us that way, did you? I am raising my children the same way.”

“Open your eyes, Prosecutor Park. Power has shifted.”

“Yes, it has changed quite a lot.”

“No, that guy is just a pitiful man who won’t be able to exercise any power even though he got elected.”

“Then who else is there?”

“There is one.”

“Who is it?”

“Dollar.”

And now, the holder of power had changed once again with unprecedented authority.

***

The tension-filled time had passed, and Park Woo-Cheol could hear footsteps. Just as the sound approached the door where he was in, Park Woo-Cheol was ready to kneel again. If it were towards Him, he would be willing to kneel until his knees wore out. It was something that not just anyone could do.

However, the person making the noise was not Him, but his Father.

“Sorry for making you wait this long. I had a lengthy conversation with my son.”

Park Woo-Cheol and the bank president were not Awakened with superhuman senses, but they could immediately feel the changed atmosphere in the house. The door to the inner room where He used to be was open. His mother was preparing fruit in the kitchen, and a sense of regret emanated from her back.

“It was a long war, wasn’t it? Not just our son, but all Awakened need rest.”

What could anyone say about what He was doing? Park Woo-Cheol just swallowed his words. If something were to go wrong during the visit, the biggest issue would be if he had made Him uncomfortable. Fortunately, that did not happen, but it was no time to completely let down his guard.

Park Woo-Cheol reminded himself that new power lay before him. He fixed his posture, straightened his back and neatly placed both hands on his thighs.

Just then, the bank president stood up, and the conversation between him and Park Woo-Cheol began.

However…

…He is only talking about my father.

Park Woo-Cheol realized that things were not going as he and his father had hoped. In fact, Park Choong-Sik had risked sending his son here to transfer his power to the next generation.

However, what Na Jeon-Il actually mentioned was about Park Choong-Sik’s achievements. It was about how he had expanded Jeonil Investment into Jeonil Group, and how he had shown loyalty to the group.

“I had directly served him before, so I know better than anyone else. There is no one like him. How is your father’s health? His age is now…”

Park Woo-Cheol was certain he was at a crossroads.

Even so…

He could not mess things up because of his own desires. He could not lie to His father as this was a golden opportunity.

Park Woo-Cheol recalled his father’s consistent teachings. He had to prioritize the glory of the family over personal happiness.

It is not my time yet. Congratulations. It is still your era, Father.

Park Woo-Cheol replied after concluding his inner thoughts.

“He is seventy but is still as energetic as a young man. He is my father, but he is so healthy. It is admirable.”

Meanwhile, Na Jeon-Il had no difficulty or awkwardness in accepting the respectful tone of Park Woo-Cheol toward him. He had to become accustomed to this for the life and rest his son desired. He had no other choice.

Na Jeon-Il put his hand into the pocket.

“Then…”

There was a white envelope inside. No one could see the content as it was hidden by the envelope. However, knowing what it was, Na Jeon-Il’s voice carried a careful tone as he pulled out the envelope.

“Would you please deliver this to Him?”

The age did not matter. The current President of the United States was over seventy, and the people being talked about as the next U.S. presidential candidates were also over seventy. What was important was experience and passion and the foundation of a healthy mind and body.

Even if the passion had faded, Na Jeon-Il was confident that the document inside the envelope would reignite one’s enthusiasm. If that was anyone who had ever held power, regardless of age…

“Please deliver it to him right away. He will need to prepare as soon as possible.”

“This is…”

Na Jeon-Il answered Park Woo-Cheol’s question.

“Your father will know. It is something that he would definitely know. Yes. He will certainly know about this.”

***

Park Choong-Sik was waiting for Park Woo-Cheol’s call. He had never felt so anxious and impatient in his entire life. When dollars were considered a new form of power in the old days, an invitation was sent out first. However, that was not the case now.

All he could do was wait. Whatever people called it, there was something that had to accompany the act of passing on his legacy to his son and grandson. Whether they called it a tacit approval or pardon…

Park Choong-Sik felt regret throughout the wait. He should have taken matters into his own hands rather than leaving it to his son.

Old sayings were never wrong. His son may have been highly successful, standing at the top of the prosecutorial organization, but he was still a cause of concern from his father, Park Choong-Sik’s point of view. Park Choong-Sik paced in front of the entrance for a long time.

Much later, he saw his tired-looking son crossing the garden. He could not wait any longer and ran towards him.

“You will get hurt if you run like that.”

“So, it went well?”

“His father highly appreciates your accomplishments.”

“Did His father say that? Directly to you?”

Honestly, Park Choong-Sik was puzzled. Na Jeon-Il, who was His father, had a strong pro-government inclination. During his tenure, he had covertly enacted many policies that eased the government’s troubles while representing the interests of the Jeonil Group. It was a rare case to see from a guy who had been in the Jeonil Group from the moment they were founded.

From the group’s perspective, His father could be considered a maverick, but his ability to complete his career as an executive was not just due to trust from the chairman’s office. His policies never crossed unacceptable lines. It was probably because he had no ambition for politics despite his pro-government stance.

Therefore, thinking how His father must have viewed him, Park Choong-Sik thought it would be best to avoid him. That was why he sent his son instead of him going for himself.

“He gave me that impression in many ways.”

Though Park Choong-Sik could not understand the reason, his son’s answer was firm. Park Choong-Sik tightened his grip without realizing it.

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“At least He looks upon us favorably… We made it! We did it!”

Park Choong-Sik smiled big, then hardened his face suddenly. His son’s smile didn’t look normal. He definitely knew something was up as he spent more than half of his life with his son. Although his son was the Chief Prosecutor, he had always wanted to step out from his father’s shadow.

Park Choong-Sik looked at the envelope his son was holding out.

“He told me to give it to you.”

The envelope was sealed.

“It seems you should postpone your retirement. You are still healthy.”

“What is this?”

“He only told me it is something you would know.”

Could this be a fast-track ticket to the chairman’s office?

Park Choong-Sik had such expectations.

The recent activities of the female chairman had been focused more on the foreign corporation in France rather than on domestic business. His father might have intended to segregate the domestic and overseas business of Jeonil Group this time.

If so, it could go as far as dyeing the domestic business with this country’s capital in the end. Whatever was inside, it was clear that it would be the first business that His father would initiate in His son’s name.

Park Choong-Sik felt freshly awakened.

He gave such an opportunity to no one else but me.

Especially when he had been contemplating a stable retirement.

Still, he would have preferred this chance to go to his son, but there was no denying how happy he was to be recognized like this.

What on earth did he send?

Park Choong-Sik opened the envelope, and a folded postcard came out. Nothing was written on the envelope. When he flipped the card, he realized it was an invitation to a gathering. The date of the gathering was set for tomorrow, but what really made Park Choong-Sik’s eyes widen were the details below.

First, location.

「Location: Building B. World Awakened Association Headquarters. Korea.」

The Building B of the World Awakened Association Headquarters was known as a lodging place for visiting Awakened. However, that was in the past. It was currently a place where the world’s elites gathered, presumed members of the Bilderberg Club.

Next…

Second, the host of the meeting.

Upon seeing that, Park Choong-Sik let out an exclamation.

Ah!

「Host: Jeonil Club」

H…how…

Park Choong-Sik’s mind went blank for a moment. He did not hear his son’s worried words and only saw moving lips. However, that soon disappeared into the blank world. Only things that already existed under the name Jeonil continued to spin around.

Ah…

Starting from His father, he walked through the memories of the organization where he had bet his life. In the end, there was a group of super-elites that secretly ruled the world.

How could this happen…

That shock was only temporary as Park Choong-Sik realized where he had been invited. The story his son told was correct. It was neither an age to entrust to anyone nor certainly not when retiring.

He stood upright, shaking off his son’s hands, trying to help. Then, he looked at the invitation with newly cleared eyes.

It was a world where he must have ignited a passion greater than any he had so far. It was a world where dazzling glory was guaranteed to the family of Park Choong-Sik.

No matter how many times he looked at the invitation card, he was certain. The world was beckoning to him now!

Barrrrr-

Park Choong-Sik was overwhelmed by an intense shiver.

1. A district in Seoul. 👈