The Regressed Vault Keeper Took It All

Chapter 27: Was An Enemy Of My Enemy A Comrade?

When I stepped into Yang Sobo’s office, there was a teacup giving off a faint steam — not yet cold.

As if someone had been here only a short while ago.

Yang Sobo stood by the window and silently watched the garden where darkness was settling.

There was a heavier air about him than usual.

I said nothing and waited for him to turn.

After a moment, Yang Sobo slowly turned and abruptly asked,

“Baek. Did you meet Jeong Tae-soo earlier?”

“I didn’t catch the name, but I met a man.”

I answered calmly.

Yang Sobo, who had been looking at me expressionlessly, gave a slight raise of his eyebrow.

“You didn’t know his name… You who knew No Gi-tae’s name didn’t know Jeong Tae-soo?”

“I’d heard the name Jeong Tae-soo before, but I didn’t realize the man I ran into a moment ago was that Jeong Tae-soo.”

Rage boiled under my skin.

But on the outside I didn’t show even the tiniest flicker of agitation.

It was not the time yet.

I couldn’t reveal my feelings rashly when I wasn’t certain exactly what the relationship between Jeong Tae-soo and Yang Sobo was.

“Right. What did he say?”

“Not much. He just asked briefly who I was and why I was staying at your place. And… he spoke as if I’d interfered with his affairs.”

“Probably he was talking about what you were up to in the shantytown.”

“Yes. That’s what it seemed like. Of course I feigned ignorance.”

I answered as composedly as I could.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but it still wasn’t the time.

“I see.”

Yang Sobo didn’t press further.

But his eyes continued to probe me.

“By the way, you don’t look well. Did Deputy Manager Jeong threaten you or something?”

“No. Maybe because he’s at the center of power, he gave off a considerable intimidation, so I must’ve tensed up without realizing it.”

I shrugged and brushed it off lightly.

Inside, I had to restrain the urge to tear Jeong Tae-soo’s face to pieces.

“Ha ha ha. You saw him properly. He’s a venomous snake that harbors several serpents inside. That’s why, even though he collaborated with the previous regime, he could slip into a key position the moment the regime changed. Sit down, Baek.”

Yang Sobo sat and invited me to sit as well.

I sat in the very seat Jeong Tae-soo had just used.

A chill ran down my spine, as if his lingering presence remained, but I kept my expression hidden to the end.

Yang Sobo shifted the subject, without further mention of Jeong Tae-soo.

“So. You came to report results, I suppose?”

“Yes, sir. As of today, we successfully sold all the physical certificates of Daegung stock that we held.”

At my report, which came as if I’d been expected, an intrigued glint replaced the chill in Yang Sobo’s eyes.

“Oh… faster than I thought. How did it turn out?”

“The total transaction amount was 712,304,331 hwan. After deducting a 0.5% commission, we finally secured 708,742,000 hwan.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yang Sobo’s mouth at my report.

In just over two months, with initial capital of 10,000 hwan, I had produced more than seven hundred million hwan.

“Remarkable.

Truly remarkable.”

Yang Sobo murmured in a low voice.

“A mere twenty-year-old brat, a kid who’d been rolling around in a beggars’ quarter, put together such an enormous scheme and made it work. I’ve seen many people over decades, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

There was sincerity in his praise.

Beyond simple admiration, I felt a reassessment and recognition of my existence.

“That’s because you trusted and entrusted me, sir.”

“Ha. Nice to hear even if it’s flattery.”

Yang Sobo chuckled.

The pleasant smile on his face soon gave way to a cold remark.

“Thanks to you, we not only covered the losses caused by that Kim Jin-ho, but we actually made a huge profit. How can I ever repay that favor?”

“Favor? I merely kept my promise.”

“A promise… yes, a promise is a promise.”

Yang Sobo paused as if in thought, then spoke as though decided.

“You kept your promise, so I’ll keep mine. I’ll take responsibility and arrange for your younger sibling to go to the United States.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I clenched my fist inside.

I had finally secured it.

An opportunity to send Min-soo somewhere safe.

“Is that everything that needs doing now?”

“Yes. I don’t intend to get involved further. Now that we’ve sold all the Daegung stock to the securities houses, it’ll be only a matter of time before my story reaches Park Jeong-ho’s ears.”

“Why hand everything to the securities houses even knowing it would be exposed? If you’d given it to Park Jeong-ho, you wouldn’t have to worry like this.”

“If I traded with Park Jeong-ho, it could cause trouble later.”

When I stated it matter-of-factly, Yang Sobo narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

“You seem sure Park Jeong-ho and his gang will fail. Why?”

“This paid-in capital increase is bound to fail. The scale is so absurd that once the blinders come off, even a three-year-old would see it. And if the paid-in capital increase fails, no one will be able to handle the fallout.”

Yang Sobo lightly motioned for me to continue, as if encouraging me.

“The moment I make even a single deal with Park Jeong-ho, the person who would have to take responsibility would be me, not Park Jeong-ho or Kim Jin-ho.”

My ability to read how the game would unfold and ride the current was the most important thing right now.

And Yang Sobo recognized my ability; the satisfied smile resurfacing at his mouth was the proof.

“It’ll already have reached Park Jeong-ho’s ears. Rumors in Myeong-dong travel faster than you think, Baek.”

“I expected as much.”

“Do you need my help?”

“No. This is something I must handle. If you step in, it’ll look like you planned this whole thing.”

For some reason amused, Yang Sobo suddenly burst into derisive laughter.

“Even if you insisted you did it, would those fools really understand?”

“Whether they understand or not doesn’t matter. There’s no evidence. Not stopping Kim Jin-ho and leaving him be is sufficient excuse.”

Yang Sobo’s connections and wealth were firmer than I’d imagined.

As long as the crime wasn’t clear, no matter the military regime, it wouldn’t be easy to bring him down.

If he were arrested, the Chinese-Korean business community would collapse, and the military regime wanted to slowly take his power away rather than make a sudden arrest.

“Then is everything done now?”

“Yes. Once the deal with Old man Han is finished, my tasks will be over for a while. Now it’s time to watch.”

“All right. Then start helping me in a few days. I won’t let those who tried to stab me in the back go unpunished.”

At his words I looked down at the now-cold teacup.

It must be the matter he planned to pursue with Jeong Tae-soo.

I ground my teeth inwardly and asked,

“…What is it?”

“I’ll tell you the details next time. Now go back and rest.”

It was a clear dismissal.

I nearly asked more, but stopped.

It was information I would learn in time anyway.

“Understood. Call me if you need me.”

I rose, bowed my head, and left the office.

Until the door shut, I clenched my fist hard thinking of Jeong Tae-soo’s face.

The sudden encounter with Jeong Tae-soo tormented me all night long.

I tossed and turned, haunted by the ghosts of the past, unable to sleep.

I had always known that one day I would have to face him, but I had never imagined it would happen like this.

‘In the past I remember, Jeong Tae-soo slowly encroached on Yang Sobo’s influence and, in the end, carried out all sorts of schemes to take his position for himself.’

One of the reasons Yang Sobo had to leave Korea in sorrow was that he had confirmed the death of his granddaughter, Yang Yeong — but it was also because Jeong Tae-soo had stripped him of his power and base, one by one.

And the empty space left behind was filled, without fail, by Jeong Tae-soo and the faction that followed him.

But to think that those two had met privately at the mansion last night.

‘There’s something I don’t know.

Even if I hadn’t told Yang Sobo about Kim Jin-ho’s betrayal, that shrewd old fox couldn’t have failed to notice.

Maybe there was some kind of deal between the two from the very beginning?’

What Yang Sobo wanted was revenge on Kim Jin-ho, who had betrayed him, and on the forces behind him.

What Jeong Tae-soo wanted was to remove his rival, Director Kang Byung-woo, and to secure a massive political fund.

Their goals were different, but their target — the Park Jeong-ho faction — coincided in a strangely perfect way.

‘How did I not think of this? They say the enemy of my enemy is my ally.’

I had been so focused on the fact that Jeong Tae-soo had stolen Yang Sobo’s power that I’d overlooked the possibility that the two could have joined hands temporarily for a shared purpose.

Perhaps my memories of the past had blinded my vision instead.

‘There are definitely things happening that I don’t know — things deep, hidden, and secret.’

I decided to return everything to square one and review my plan again.

The overall flow of the future I knew wouldn’t change.

But unseen events beneath the surface — those I didn’t know — could become enormous variables.

I needed to move even more cautiously and meticulously.

“Hyung! You’re awake?”

Just then, Min-soo’s bright voice from outside the door pulled me out of my deep thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m up. Come in.”

Min-soo carefully opened the door and stepped inside.

His face had regained a bit of color over the past few days.

I straightened the bedding and forced a smile.

“What’s up this early in the morning?”

“I thought you came in really late last night… so I wondered if something happened.”

“No, nothing like that. I just had a lot to do. So, my little brother was worried about me?”

I patted Min-soo’s head playfully, seeing the worry in his expression.

He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed my hand as if he had made up his mind.

“Hyung, I’m fine now. I’ve learned a lot of letters, and I can help you now. So…”

My kind, innocent brother still knew nothing.

He had no idea what kind of dangerous road I was walking, nor what storm of blood was soon to come.

That was why I couldn’t keep him here any longer.

I took his hand in mine and spoke as gently but firmly as I could.

“Min-soo. You’re going to America.”

“America? Hyung, why all of a sudden… America?”

“They said you’ll get much better treatment there than here. The doctor said it would be best, and Mr. Yang also agreed to help. You’ll get proper treatment, study, and…”

“No!”

Before I could even finish, Min-soo yanked his hand away and shouted.

“I’m not going! How can I go and leave you here alone! No! Are you sick of me now? Is that why you’re trying to get rid of me? I can help you now, so—”

“Min-soo.”

“No! I said no! I’m staying with you, hyung!”

His fierce resistance tore at my heart.

But I couldn’t back down.

I never wanted to see him reduced to a handful of ashes again.

“Baek Min-soo.”

I gripped his shoulders firmly and looked straight into his eyes.

“This isn’t a request. It’s an order. Go to America. Listen to me.”

There wasn’t the slightest tremor in my gaze.

Seeing such a cold expression from me for the first time, Min-soo’s face turned pale.

His wide eyes brimmed with shock — and deep hurt.

“…Min-soo. You said you wanted to help me, right?”

I softened my tone slightly, though I stayed resolute.

“Going to America — that’s how you can help me most right now. Get completely well there, study whatever you want… See and experience a wider world. Grow up healthy and strong, and then come back. That’s all I want from you. Then you can help me.”

Min-soo said nothing.

He only looked up at me with eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and resentment.

His small shoulders trembled.

After a moment, he violently shook off my hands that were holding him.

Then, like a wounded animal, he cried out sharply and turned away.

“No! I said no! I hate you! I don’t care about you anymore!”

Min-soo burst into tears and ran out of the room.

The door slammed shut with a heavy thud that echoed through the empty space.

I couldn’t bring myself to stop him.

I just stood there blankly, staring at the door he had disappeared through.

Yesterday’s encounter with Jeong Tae-soo had only strengthened my resolve.

I didn’t regret it.

‘Yeah. He just needs time to think. It’s not like he’s leaving immediately anyway…’

My heart felt heavy, but I forced it aside.

I tossed off my casual clothes and changed into a neat suit.

As I walked down the hall, I ran into Yang Yeong.

Her face was full of concern.

“Oppa, why is Min-soo crying so hard? Did something happen? Did you two fight?”

“Ah… no, it’s not that. We didn’t fight. There was just… a misunderstanding. Can you go comfort him a bit?”

“A misunderstanding? What kind?”

Yang Yeong stepped closer, probing.

She seemed genuinely worried about the tearful Min-soo.

“You’ll hear it from him later. It’s hard to explain right now.”

“Min-soo’s been studying so hard to help you, you know! He practices writing every day…”

“I know. I do. That’s why I’m doing this.”

I cut her off gently.

Of everyone, I knew best how hard Min-soo had been trying.

That was precisely why I wanted to protect him all the more.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got somewhere I need to go urgently. Let’s talk later.”

Yang Yeong hesitated, then stepped aside.

“…He’ll need some time to think. Stay by his side and support him.”

Yang Yeong nodded silently.

Worry and confusion still lingered in her eyes, but she didn’t press further.

“See you later.”

I gave her a brief nod and left the mansion.

Without hesitation, I headed for a quiet back alley in Myeong-dong.

My destination was an old, signless two-story building tucked away in a corner.

The first floor was tightly closed, and I climbed the narrow, dark stairs along the side of the building.

Halfway up, as expected, a thick iron door blocked my way.

I took a breath, then lightly knocked and spoke softly.

“Sir. I’ve come to keep my promise.”