Into The Thrill

His desire surged like a rough current, but Woojin had to forcefully suppress and smother it. He couldn’t afford to lose his target by approaching too hastily.
"What did it mean?"
Woojin took the phone from Haewon’s hand and changed the saved contact name. ‘Take 5’ was promptly renamed to ‘Moon Haewon’.

"It didn’t mean anything. It’s just easy to remember."
"Number five? That doesn’t feel good at all. I’m not even number one? I’m number five?"
Haewon, who knew nothing, widened his eyes in genuine disappointment, as if he really felt hurt.

"Then who’s number one?"
"They’re in prison."
"…Then what about number two?"

"Still tracking that one."
"Three?"
"You’ll get hurt if you ask."

"Four?"
"Died while serving a sentence."
"Five is… you wanted to send me to prison too?"

It wasn’t that the numbers meant anything like that, but considering one was dead, another in jail, one being hunted, and now Haewon as number five—it did leave him visibly unsettled. His eyes blinked slowly, staring intently at Woojin. Woojin smiled faintly.
"It’s just a habit—I number people when they’re important. It’s not something I do often, so take pride in it. You’re the first since number four, and that was three years ago."
"I don’t know if I should be happy or mad."

"Getting a number means you’re important to me."
"Then I guess that’s a good thing."
"Could be."
Woojin’s fifth target wrapped his arms around his neck and whispered into his ear.

"Then I’ll make you my twenty-first."
"What? Twenty-one?"
"Yeah, twenty-one."

"Haewon."
"Yeah."
Even as Woojin’s expression hardened in immediate irritation, eyes narrowing sharply, Haewon just looked at him with a blankly innocent face—like, “What? Why?” And in that moment, Woojin realized—Haewon was using irony.

"Now I get why numbering people feels like shit."
"Feels bad, huh? Should I make you my number five, Hyun Woojin? Wanna be my five?"
"I’m the one who’s been inconsiderate, right?"

"You're just realizing that now? Anyone would feel bad."
Haewon was upset that Woojin had treated him like just another number. As Woojin stood there with a face that looked like he’d come to some grand epiphany, Haewon looked up at him.
"Why do you look so serious? Of course you’re my number one."

Haewon whispered that as he hugged him—and covered his lips with a kiss.
∞ ∞ ∞
Eventually, a clash erupted between the HanKyung Group and Park Hyung-soo.

Kim Jung-geun had no idea just how much influence the seemingly insignificant Park Hyung-soo wielded within the prosecution.
The signs first appeared when Park Hyung-soo, who was expected to be appointed Director of the Ministry of Justice’s Inspection Department in the latest personnel reshuffle, got pushed aside. But he didn’t stay quiet. Not long after, reports began surfacing in the media that the funding for HanKyung Group’s overseas investment fund had originated from slush funds.
The position of Director of the Inspection Department, which Park Hyung-soo lost, went to someone in the Prosecutor General’s faction—someone who had passed through Central District’s Investigation Division and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office’s Violent Crimes Division. With that, the key Ministry of Justice oversight line, along with the Chief Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, was now filled with people loyal to the Prosecutor General.

In Woojin’s list, the unidentified “Take 2” was narrowed down to three candidates. When the Minister of Justice officially directed the investigation and the Prosecutor General ordered a full-scale probe into the transfer path of HanKyung Group stock, Woojin was able to eliminate the Prosecutor General from suspicion.
HanKyung’s counterattack against the prosecution had officially begun.
It started when the scandal involving Park Hyung-soo, which Woojin had handed to Kim Jung-geun, broke wide open. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office began targeting the HanKyung overseas investment fund, while the investigation into Park Hyung-soo was handed off to Central District’s Special Investigations.

Just as Woojin had intended, a power struggle between the prosecution and Kim Jung-geun had ignited.
Kim Jung-geun’s house was quiet. It was only a matter of time before it came to light that the overseas investment fund that had purchased a massive number of shares in HanKyung Fire & Marine Insurance—the entity controlling HanKyung Group—was actually set up to evade inheritance taxes.
The only options now were to cover up the incident or pressure the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. The investigation into Park Hyung-soo was being led by Senior Prosecutor Kim Han-se under the supervision of the division head. Woojin was watching for the right moment—planning to take down Park Hyung-soo along with “Take 2” and “Take 3” in one sweeping blow.

From behind the curtain, Woojin gazed through the study window of Kim Jung-geun’s house. The security guards were patrolling the garden more thoroughly than usual, inspecting even the darkest corners.
Kim Jung-geun, sunken deep into his water buffalo leather sofa, puffed on his usual cigar. His personal attorney, HanKyung’s legal team head, the planning director, and a few executives from the business strategy task force were gathered with grim expressions.
"All this shit just because we messed with Park Hyung-soo."

Park Hyung-soo was not the kind of man to go ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) down alone. That was precisely why Woojin had chosen him—because of his explosive nature and the sway he held inside the prosecution, having embodied the doctrine of prosecutorial unity his entire career.
Even if he died, he could leave claw marks on Kim Jung-geun’s face. And Woojin intended to infect those scratches and let them fester.
When Kim Jung-geun sighed in frustration, the legal team head finally opened his mouth.

"Turns out, Senior Prosecutor Park Hyung-soo is a year behind the Prosecutor General at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. They’re also from the same hometown. His ties with the upper echelons of the prosecution are stronger than we thought. Even the Minister of Justice is now backing a call for a special investigation."
"This is a goddamn mess. We could’ve stopped this with a shovel, but now we need a bulldozer."
They’d underestimated him—thought he was just some mid-level prosecutor. The fallout came just days after Woojin had passed the material to Park Hyung-soo using the magnetic device. It was moving even faster than he’d anticipated.

"Should we reach out to the Blue House?"
Kim Jung-geun’s personal lawyer suggested. Woojin turned from the window. The lawyer connected a call and handed the phone to Kim Jung-geun.
"Ah, hello, hyung-nim. It’s me. No, it’s nothing serious. Just… there’s a case the Prosecutor General is personally directing. Yes, that one. I really need you to stop that. Honestly, it’s mine. That money’s mine. I was trying to sort it out before the chairman passed, and I guess I moved too fast. I meant to tell you. But with you out of the country with the President, how was I supposed to contact you? Have I ever lied to you?"

Who was it that accompanied the President on the overseas trip? Woojin quickly searched the news on his phone. It was the Chief of Staff. His eyes sharpened in the dark as he identified “Take 2.”
"I’ll give you a better source. If you want me to show up, I’ll show up. But please shut that investigation down. I’ll offer something else. I won’t let this get in your way. Of course HanKyung has to invest in national projects. Yes, please—I’m asking you. Haha, you’re too kind. Yes, goodbye."
Could the Chief of Staff overrule the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General?

In the end, the VIP would be moved. He’d talk about how much HanKyung had contributed to the country, how imprisoning a businessman would hurt the economy. If HanKyung pledged multi-trillion won infrastructure investments, the indictment would vanish. No matter how much political funding the next administration needed, Kim Jung-geun wouldn’t want the real fund owner exposed.
"Investigate where the leak came from. Thoroughly. No one outside this room knows! Who the hell is it!"
Unable to contain himself anymore, Kim Jung-geun sprang to his feet and hurled a coffee cup at the floor. The crash was loud—glass shards scattered to Woojin’s feet. The aides bowed their heads in tension.

"Find someone to sacrifice. Someone we can cut off as a tail."
"To what extent?"
The planning director asked.

"Pick an executive. Tell him to do three years and walk. We’ll compensate him generously."
He nodded in response. At the gesture for them to leave, the aides filed out, and Woojin stepped forward.
"This is a goddamn bolt from the blue. I should’ve listened to you, Woojin."

Kim Jung-geun was genuinely regretting it. If he’d listened, none of this would’ve happened. He chastised himself for acting on pride. His resolve was wavering. And Woojin, knowing nothing was certain now, decided to push even harder—while the cracks were still spreading.
"The Prosecutor General isn’t the only one—now the Minister of Justice is pushing the investigation as well."
"Then I should be ready for prison."

"At the very least, you should prepare yourself mentally."
"……"
He didn’t spout empty optimism like the executives, nor did he speak doom like the lawyers. Woojin always judged the situation objectively and spoke only what was objective. It was a clear hint that there was a real possibility of arrest. A heavy shadow of discouragement settled across Kim Jung-geun’s face, who trusted Woojin absolutely. Having lived his whole life receiving deference and never having suffered hardship, the idea of being subjected to a custodial investigation was a punishment he couldn't even endure for a single day. He was genuinely afraid of the approaching prosecution. Woojin dug into that weakness.

"This is insane. Assemble a legal team. Ten, twenty, I don’t care—bring in old veterans who can tear those prosecutors to shreds."
"I’ll coordinate with Team Leader Song."
"The temporary shareholder meeting for the merger contract is the problem. There’s no way this is over before then."

"If that’s your concern, it might be wise to assign your father’s voting rights in advance, like during the Chairman’s time."
"That soon?"
"We don’t know when the investigation will end. If an arrest warrant is issued, someone needs to be able to act quickly on the outside. I heard the interim shareholder meeting is only two months away."

"That’s exactly why I’m losing my mind. Of all times, why now? I feel like a sucker set up in some rigged game of Go-Stop."
He muttered bitterly and looked for something to drink. Spotting the shattered glass he’d thrown earlier, he called his secretary.
"Bring me some iced water."

The secretary who came in saw the broken glass on the floor and turned back. A short while later, he returned with a glass of iced water and placed it on the table. Kneeling down, he began clearing away the shards quickly.
"So if I used the overseas fund to buy it under my wife’s name—no, that’s too obvious. It’ll scream that it’s mine. Can’t be Soyoung either…"
"Just leave the assets acquired through the fund. Touching them might just make things worse."

"Then what about mine?"
Woojin nodded.
"Articles will be out soon, and your father might even have to appear at the photo line. Stock prices will drop. That’s when you have your mother or Soyoung buy some back under their names, and assign yours to the legal team leader as proxy with comprehensive authority."

"Secretary Kim, call the legal team leader back in."
The secretary, still cleaning the floor, gathered the glass shards and hurried out. The legal team leader knocked and entered shortly after.
"Prosecutor Hyun says I should grant comprehensive proxy over my shares. What do you think?"

"I was just about to suggest that myself. The Prosecutor General and Justice Minister show no signs of backing down, and with the interim shareholder meeting approaching, it’s better to take precautions now. This merger needs to be handled quietly and smoothly."
"Then appoint the legal team leader as proxy and proceed with the comprehensive delegation."
"I might be investigated as well."

The legal team leader shook his head. He wasn’t a viable option.
"Then who?"
"Every executive and aide will be questioned as witnesses. Some are preparing for detention. Family members can’t be used either—they're part of the investigation."

"Then who the hell do we use? Just pick some random stranger off the street?"
Frustrated, Kim Jung-geun scowled and snapped. The legal team leader licked his drying lips, then glanced at Woojin. Their eyes met.
"Prosecutor Hyun… Delegate it to him. He’s practically family, and there’ll be no issue if it’s him."

"To Woojin?"
Kim Jung-geun looked at him. Woojin turned his head toward the legal team leader. Why would he suggest that? It was an impossible burden for someone within the prosecution. Woojin immediately objected.
"I can’t. The Special Investigations Unit is already looking into Prosecutor Park Hyung-soo, and because of my relationship with you, I’ve already been removed from the investigation line. If they find out I also hold your share voting rights, the Prosecutor General won’t spare me."

"That bastard’s done for anyway, isn’t he? My life’s on the line, and you want me to worry about Park Hyung-soo? You’re like a son to me. It’ll be confidential—unless one of us three blabs, the prosecution won’t know."
"Sir…"
Woojin pleaded again, saying it was too much, that he couldn’t accept the order. But Kim Jung-geun had already made up his mind. He didn’t care if Woojin’s standing within the prosecution became compromised—he was only focused on saving himself. Woojin knew this side of him all too well: irrational and self-serving.

"Legal team leader, prepare the paperwork and delegate all my voting rights to Woojin. Quietly. Make sure no one finds out."
"Sir…"
Woojin tried one more time to stop him.

"Prosecutor Hyun, this is when you need to help me. I’ll make sure you don’t get into trouble. Team Leader Song, move fast."
Kim Jung-geun urged the legal team leader.
"Understood. I’ll take care of it immediately."

With that, Kim Jung-geun exhaled in relief, having extinguished the most pressing fire. He drank all the remaining iced water. Woojin stood silently, lips sealed.
Kim Jung-geun, saying he was tired, took a cigar and dismissed them. Woojin bowed and left the study. He joined the waiting legal team leader and headed for the parking lot. As each unlocked their car, the headlights flicked on. The legal team leader spoke in a low voice.
"I did just as you instructed."

"You did well."
Woojin had in his possession the records of the legal team leader’s embezzlement from Kim Jung-geun. The man was entirely in Woojin’s grasp. He was perceptive—he could quickly read Woojin’s intentions without much explanation. That made him a convenient ally, but also someone who needed strict surveillance.
"If the prosecution finds out, it’ll be a huge problem for you, Prosecutor Hyun."

He said it as though he’d welcome such an outcome.
"If that happens, I guess I’ll just have to resign."
Woojin responded lightly, started the car, and drove off. As he merged onto the main road, he called the tracker planted on Haewon.

"Still not done?"
—Just wrapped up.
"You finish your review?"

—I mean, what do I know about music? It was a kids’ concert, kind of noisy. They clapped after every movement, and Mr. Moon Haewon laughed a bit. Not in a mocking way—he probably thought they were cute.
"You got photos?"
—I’ll send them right away.

As requested, the report included everything: how many breaths he took, how many times he blinked, whether he bit or licked his lips—every single movement was documented. Photos were also sent.
Driving toward the venue, Woojin reviewed the photos and messages.
It wasn’t far from Kim Jung-geun’s home—he arrived in about twenty minutes. As soon as he got out of the car, he called Haewon.

—What.
His voice sounded irritated.
"Where are you?"

—None of your business. Stay out of mine, I’ll stay out of yours.
"I was in a meeting. What was I supposed to do—drop everything to answer your call?"
He’d been in Kim Jung-geun’s study when Haewon’s call came through. Woojin had rejected the call and sent a message saying he was in a meeting.

—Who said I wanted to chat? I called because I had something to say.
"What was it?"
—Forget it. Doesn’t matter now. Just… hang up.

Haewon hung up before saying whatever he’d meant to say. Woojin walked into the lobby where most of the audience had already left. He spotted Haewon standing near the congratulatory wreaths, taking pictures for some uniformed students.
Just as the tracker had reported. Someone had asked for an autograph, and Haewon, a bit flustered, had signed. Kids clung to him for photos—oddly, it seemed the boys liked him more than the girls did.
At that moment, a tall male student was nervously placing a hand on Haewon’s shoulder and taking a selfie. He slightly tilted his eyes toward the camera.

"Mr. Moon Haewon."
Woojin walked up. The boy holding Haewon’s shoulder met Woojin’s eyes, quickly thanked Haewon, and stepped away.
Haewon’s eyes widened the moment he saw Woojin.

"What are you doing here?"
Woojin didn’t answer. He stared instead at the boy still lingering nearby. A friend jabbed the boy in the side with an elbow and dragged him away.