Chaebol

Germany, Stuttgart Airport.

"A perfect day for some fresh air."

Jo Soo-deok first sought out a car rental agency.

"I need three cars."

"Didn't you come alone?"

"I did, but I need three cars. One each for Schultz, B&W, and Gaudi."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's for a complex business matter."

You can't drive a Gaudi to Schultz's headquarters, right? And vice versa.

So, he had no choice but to reserve three cars.

"Please make them small hatchbacks, manual models."

"Sorry, but Schultz and Gaudi don't have small models available."

"Then a compact one, at least…"

"We'll prepare the Schultz car first and reserve the B&W and Gaudi cars. Is that okay?"

He nodded.

While the staff prepared the car, Jo Soo-deok approached the phone.

The first company to visit was Schultz.

'Hmmm.'

He had weathered many storms.

A romantic notion that a phone call could solve the problem?

He had never had such illusions.

Think about it.

A Korean professor suddenly contacts you about Dürer's final work… would the world's leading entrepreneurs even pay attention?

'Not a chance in hell.'

The world runs on connections!

He quickly searched his notebook for phone numbers.

There were Korean professors working at the University of Cologne and the University of Bielefeld.

Though a bit removed, there was also a professor he knew at the Free University of Berlin.

'Yes, it's far better to be introduced through local connections than to reach out directly.'

Jo Soo-deok had been feeling uneasy about coming to Germany, but once he had a strategy in place…

'What the heck, let's give it a try.'

His eyes began to shine with vigor.

The typical challenge spirit of a businessman(?)!

He wouldn't want to admit it, but…

Perhaps Jo Soo-deok had found his second calling.

To prove that point, his strategy quickly bore fruit.

Schultz contacted him first.

They expressed willingness to meet if the piece was confirmed genuine.

'Of course, I'm in!'

Having rented a C-Class, Jo Soo-deok headed to Schultz's headquarters at full speed.

He was just a professor from Korea.

Yet, Jo Soo-deok received a rather courteous reception as he made his way to the CEO's office.

Thanks to the weight of the name 'Dürer.'

While walking down the long corridor, Jo Soo-deok silently recalled the CEO's profile.

A Turkish-German, Berg Demir.

A researcher skilled in automotive engineering, focusing on enhancing existing technologies rather than pursuing rapid changes.

Berg's office was simple.

It felt more like an engineer's lab than a businessman's office.

There were no photos of completed cars, only hard-to-identify blueprints scattered everywhere.

Berg was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents.

His silver hair and slender glasses gave him a sharp appearance.

It wouldn't be easy, Jo Soo-deok thought.

But he stepped forward confidently.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jo Soo-deok from Korea."

Berg nodded slightly without taking his eyes off the documents.

"As you may have heard, I have discovered Albrecht Dürer's final work. I came to invite your participation in the upcoming New York auction."

"If it's a good piece, it will surely sell at the auction."

Berg spoke without making eye contact.

"But if you came all the way to our group… does that mean you lack confidence in the piece? Like it's just a drawing that won't fetch much money…"

Berg trailed off, twitching his lips.

A look of someone holding a significantly advantageous position.

But Jo Soo-deok was not easily swayed.

"Although I'm not comparable to Dürer… let me speak as an artist."

Nod, nod.

"A final work is… literally the last piece. If the artist passed away while creating it, it's natural only the drawing remains."

"I understand the defense of the painting. Still, it seems you came to us because of money."

"It's not just about the money."

A faint smile appeared on Berg's face, as if he found the remark absurd.

"I'm curious what kind of feeble excuse this is."

"Whatever you think, I just want to tell the truth."

"Let's hear this supposedly great truth."

Anyway, he had obtained the chance to speak.

Whew.

Recalling the words he had filled his notebook with, Jo Soo-deok began as calmly as possible.

"I can't deny that I aim to exchange money for the artwork. However, I also want to transfer it to a worthy place. That too is a genuine desire."

"Transfer it to a worthy place?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm an artist before a businessman."

"So, as an artist, you want to hand over the work to someone who appreciates its value?"

"Exactly."

Berg shook his head.

"Then you've come to the wrong place."

"...?"

"If that's your goal, wouldn't the Städel Museum be a better choice? As you know, we're a car company, not an art collector."

As if he hadn't finished, Berg added.

"You know that well yet still came to us. The reason is obvious. A museum's budget can't compare to a company's assets. Isn't that right?"

It seemed like he was telling him to leave.

His voice had a firmness that made it clear.

But Jo Soo-deok hadn't yet fully utilized the script prepared by Park Ji-hoon.

Determined not to back down, he spoke with resolve.

"The era of museums owning artworks is over. Now individuals and companies are competing at auctions."

"Not us, though."

"That's why I came to propose something. I want to give Schultz a story."

"A story?"

"People often say German art began with Dürer. Was there no art in Germany before him? Of course, there was. But."

"...?"

"German art stood out on the global stage starting with Dürer. That's why everyone calls Dürer the father of German art."

If German art began with Dürer, then German automobiles began with Schultz.

The common point between Dürer and Schultz.

A selling point Park Ji-hoon had emphasized.

"Unfortunately, nowadays young rich people in New York drive B&W cars. It seems like they want to resist the established order and create a new wave. But they overlook something."

Mentioning the rival group made Berg's eyes light up.

Sensing the change, Jo Soo-deok continued sensitively.

"It was Schultz that created the new wave. Schultz's emergence made Germany the home of fine cars. Just as Dürer became an icon announcing the birth of German art, Schultz needs to emphasize that position. The epitome of newness, updated classic."

After emphasizing the prepared phrases.

"That's the image Schultz should have."

"It feels like I'm receiving brand consulting."

"Consulting? Absolutely not. I'm just explaining the symbolism of Dürer and Schultz as an artist."

Having said that, Jo Soo-deok.

Whew.

Let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

He had delivered over 90% of Park's script.

The die was cast, and now all that remained was to await the other's decision.

Berg, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke almost to himself.

"A final work, of all things."

"...?"

"Even if it's the last work."

What is he trying to say?

"The beginning of German art, Dürer's last work… using that as a baton… Schultz continues the new race… There's definitely a point to appeal."

After muttering to himself for a few minutes.

"Do we really need to put it up for auction?"

"Pardon?"

"Why auction it when the rightful owner is obvious?"

"...."

"How much do you want?"

Berg's voice had changed significantly.

Jo Soo-deok clenched his fists in triumph.

***

The next afternoon.

Boston, Northeastern University lab.

Art appraisal was an extremely static process.

Peering through a microscope at the piece continuously.

To an outsider, it might look like the appraisal was long over and they were just dragging it out to inflate travel expenses(?).

'Well, I'm sure they're doing a thorough job.'

The professor peers into the microscope, while the students flip through thick books to verify something repeatedly.

To do this for two weeks?

Apparently, it takes at least two weeks for an oil painting and a minimum of a week for a drawing.

Given that hundreds of billions are at stake… thorough inspection is understandable.

'By the way.'

I wonder how Jo Soo-deok is doing.

It's his second day.

If he's been diligent… he might be nearly done by now?

Just then.

Riiing!

As if to prove my thoughts, the phone rang loudly.

I picked up the receiver.

(Boss! It's me.)

A familiar voice enthusiastically greeted me.

"I was just thinking about you, professor."

(I can't be idle.)

Haha.

"How did it go?"

(Who is Jo Soo-deok? A man who handles tasks impeccably…)

"Did it go well?"

(Of course. All three companies were very excited. As you said, I emphasized Schultz's authenticity…)

For B&W, known for its sporty driving, he highlighted the freedom symbolized by art.

For Gaudi, focusing on design, he emphasized Dürer's creativity.

(I conveyed your ideas exactly as you told me. I was practically a human tape recorder!)

"What was the reaction?"

(All three companies said not to put it up for auction. They want direct deals.)

"What did you say?"

(It's obvious. I followed your instructions. 'Thank you for your offer, but how about participating in the auction as planned?' I declined as politely as possible.)

The hidden meaning in the refusal was clear.

We'll circle back to the German Big Three!

A giant corporation would surely understand the implication.

I guessed that within a few days, they would be flooding Jo Soo-deok with calls.

A mini-auction among the German Big Three.

(Boss, Schultz and B&W even specified prices.)

"That's faster than expected."

(Oh, I must have played my role perfectly. They got impatient immediately.)

"So, how much did they offer?"

(B&W offered 15 billion won.)

Hmm.

(Schultz offered 18 billion won.)

Hmm.

(Gaudi's bid is yet to come, so the price could go higher. There's room for negotiation.)

"Then you'll need to stay a few more days to communicate."

(…What?)

"You need to stay in Germany to negotiate."

(Ah, that… it's not that… Since you're in the U.S., I wanted to see you. Haha.)

Oh, come on.

Handling negotiations involving hundreds of billions is daunting, huh?

Maybe that's why.

Jo Soo-deok carefully asked.

(Boss, it might be a late question, but…)

"...?"

(Dürer's work… it's definitely genuine, right?)

"Of course. They're appraising it diligently. We'll have the answer within five days."

As the topic came up, I glanced at the appraisal team.

But what's this?

Unlike the calm German team, the British team looked serious as if there was an issue.

Then I heard their conversation clearly.

"Is there any point in continuing?"

"Right. It seems definitely not."

It was a conversation between Oxford and the British Academy.

TL/n - 

You can read up to chapter 48 in advance at [email protected]/inkbound