Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 178: Half a Year Later (3)

For Han Seungjo, the situation was unexpectedly perplexing.

Just moments ago.

He received a call from the audit office.

[We just completed the investigation, and the teacher accepted the charges and agreed to take the punishment. Judging by how there was never any room for negotiation, it seems someone in Daesan has already guaranteed their future.]

This was not the outcome he had anticipated.

Half a year ago.

When Golden Circle wielded its power, the Daesan cartel collapsed instantly. Myungjin Construction scrambled to explain itself, and Cheonil’s Oh Daehwan and Kim Youngcheol were displayed as examples. Han Seungjo thought that putting pressure from above would make the provincial pushovers surrender quickly, but now he was blocked right at the start by a mere teacher.

This wasn’t the only problem.

They had stirred the school and contacted the police, but the officer in charge responded furiously.

[This is outrageous. Do you know what the police chief said? He doesn’t care about Golden Circle or anything else, and he’d rather be fired than cooperate with an unjust cause. He even threatened to use this call to accuse me. Damn, what kind of place is Daesan? Any power figure in Korea usually bows their head when Golden Circle’s name comes up, but these guys seem oblivious and have no intention of yielding. What should we do? Should we just wipe them out?]

It was a headache.

He wanted to handle it quietly.

Even though Golden Circle operated publicly, it still preferred to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

To mobilize higher authorities involved many interests, and that would directly impact Han Seungjo’s reputation. Yoon Hyeon-min would not be pleased with the current situation. But with Kim Hyunsung as their opponent, Han Seungjo knew that producing a “definitive result,” even if excessive, was the only way to secure his survival.

Kang Taegoo, Jung Chansu, Park Hyungjun.

These brokers of Golden Circle had been ground down because of one person, Kim Hyunsung.

Han Seungjo had no intention of following in their footsteps.

Han Seungjo said.

“Handle it. If they won’t cooperate, whether it’s the homeroom teacher, the police chief, or anyone in Daesan—take them down one by one. Eventually, even those Daesan scum will accept reality and surrender.”

He drew his sword.

Now that a decision had been made.

Daesan would be swept away in one move.

“Just like half a year ago.”

* * *

Daesan Science High School.

Just yesterday, it had been a peaceful place. But overnight, it transformed into a tense environment.

A teacher spoke.

“…That’s how it is. I’ll be taking over for your previous homeroom teacher for now, so if there’s anything you need, come to me. Everyone, get ready for class.”

The homeroom teacher had been replaced.

Rumors suggested that even the principal had faced issues, indicating that something significant had happened at the school.

The students were not oblivious.

The publicly whispered existence of Golden Circle had reached their ears, and they knew the incident with Jang In-ho had been a trigger. Naturally, all eyes turned to Kim Hyun-jin. It was no secret that Jang In-ho’s transfer to Daesan Science High School and the replacements of the homeroom teacher and principal revolved around Kim Hyun-jin, Kim Hyunsung’s younger brother.

It was a transition period.

A phenomenon that would have surfaced much later came early because of Kim Hyunsung.

Kim Hyun-jin’s friend asked.

“…Hyun-jin, is this really okay? It’s exactly like you said it would be.”

This situation.

He had foreseen it.

Kim Hyun-jin had confidently told his friends that such events would unfold if a certain kind of transfer student appeared.

It was as predicted.

The series of events that followed Jang In-ho’s arrival left his friends deeply confused. High school students, still young, found it hard to accept the harshness of society. Kim Hyun-jin felt the same, but knowing that his brother’s safety depended on it, he had to remain composed.

Kim Hyun-jin said.

“Even if it’s not okay, what can we do? There’s nothing I can change. Just remember this situation.”

The wide classroom.

It felt unfamiliar today.

The school had lost its original purpose.

Teaching authority had fallen, and the school had become a microcosm of a society driven by profit.

“Someday, we’ll have to testify about this moment.”

He swallowed his disgust.

Thinking that his brother had endured similar times, Kim Hyun-jin resolved to withstand this moment.

* * *

While chaos erupted.

What was Myungjin Construction doing?

They had no energy left to move their influence.

Golden Circle had reorganized internally over the past half-year, but it attacked Myungjin Construction so fiercely that it left them in tatters.

[Go Chang-beom’s violence—Is that the whole story?]

[Exposing the corruption of Myungjin Construction.]

[Myungjin Construction is just like any other company.]

Negative reports flooded in.

Though partly true, the media outlets influenced by Golden Circle published the articles in the most provocative manner possible.

The most-viewed article was this:

[The concrete-pouring accident. Proof of Myungjin’s downfall, not its integrity.]

[Two years ago, during the real estate boom, Myungjin Construction’s concrete-pouring accident was handled swiftly by Executive Go Chang-beom, catapulting Myungjin into the limelight. People said the company stood out for admitting mistakes and taking responsibility, unlike other construction firms, proving Myungjin’s integrity. But that’s a misconception. The accident occurred due to tight deadlines, and Myungjin chose to restart construction only to prevent media exposure.]

They dug up the past.

What had built Myungjin’s image as a responsible company was turned into an embarrassing revelation.

[An industry insider said this about the accident: “Do you know how long Executive Go Chang-beom has been in this field? Only two years. The period from when the accident happened until now is his entire career. That response wasn’t planned—it was a fluke. Think about it. Does a rookie in construction have the right to talk about homes for people or anything like that? The concrete accident was clearly Myungjin’s disgrace, and Executive Go was just lucky.” This opinion reflects the dominant sentiment in the industry that Myungjin’s image is somewhat inflated.]

They undermined Myungjin Construction.

They smeared Go Chang-beom.

Even by sprinkling in some truth, they could easily implant a negative image.

This was a phenomenon that had continued for half a year.

People who knew nothing but read the constant barrage of articles attacking Myungjin said:

– Isn’t Myungjin Construction going to go bankrupt at this rate?

Half a year after Kim Hyunsung’s disappearance.

Myungjin Construction was cornered.

* * *

In Myungjin Construction’s now-familiar office, Go Chang-beom was inundated with calls.

“Yes, yes. I understand. Thank you. Of course, Myungjin and I will fulfill our promise.”

Click.

He hung up.

Those on the line just now.

All were members of the Daesan cartel, targeted by Golden Circle’s attacks.

The homeroom teacher of Daesan Science High School, the principal, even the police chief.

Facing potential job loss, they had contacted Go Chang-beom, who reassured them that the promise made half a year ago would be honored. The sense of local unity was thankfully holding strong. Despite the overpowering force of Golden Circle, no one betrayed the Daesan cartel.

‘Probably because this is their hometown.’

Betrayal.

It’s not a simple matter.

The moment someone betrays the cartel for personal gain, they will never be able to live in Daesan again.

Think about it.

If your parents, siblings, friends, and every connection you’ve made live in Daesan, how could you live there after betraying them? It’s not a problem you solve by simply moving away. You’d have to abandon everything you’ve built your life on, and for locals who feel homesick after just a year in a new place, betrayal wasn’t an option. They knew facing Golden Circle was reckless, but they went along with the plan of their peers, swept up in collective action.

‘For someone rooted in Daesan like me, this is actually an advantage. But blindly relying on local unity could be dangerous. These calls aren’t proof of solidarity; they’re an attempt to quell their anxiety because we’re all only human.’

Myungjin Construction.

It had promised them a future.

Those who suffered for the Daesan cartel were assured that Myungjin would take care of their future.

That promise allowed family men to accept dismissal with a smile.

But if.

If Myungjin fell, what would happen?

The people of Daesan would lose their focal point.

Just as everyone fell silent when Cheonil was swept away half a year ago, the same result would repeat. Therefore, they needed to show resilience. Until now, the people of Daesan had pledged to follow them, but as Myungjin’s standing wavered, discontent began to surface.

He turned on his phone.

On the main portal site, negative articles about Myungjin Construction were always trending.

“Bastards.”

Articles attacking Myungjin.

Not everything they said was false.

He did have a violent past, and he was indeed a rookie in the industry.

All of it was true.

But the malice in those articles was blatant.

No matter why Myungjin had decided to restart construction, it was a move no other company would make. The financial loss alone was astronomical. Even considering the outcome, Myungjin deserved praise for its actions, but the reporters’ scribbles devalued it in an instant.

“I won’t collapse like this. Especially not to scum like you.”

Sadly enough.

Go Chang-beom realized he was becoming an adult.

Knowing that Myungjin’s future rested on his shoulders, he studied construction and management daily, tasks he had never done as a kid. Sometimes, when he lay exhausted, the idea of passing it all on to Chang-seok and living an easy life seemed tempting.

But.

The die was cast.

People called him ignorant and reckless, but at least he was a man who took responsibility for his actions.

‘Not much longer. Before Hyunsung’s plan begins, I need to restructure Myungjin’s foundation one last time. So that when the plan is set in motion, Myungjin can lend its strength.’

It was a game of chicken.

Either Golden Circle would fall, or Kim Hyunsung and he would.

One side had to die for it to end.

Go Chang-beom called his secretary.

“Prepare the car. I’m heading out.”

* * *

Daesan Gymnasium.

Capable of holding thousands, the place was crowded with reporters, as if a special event was about to take place.

Finally.

A car arrived at the front entrance.

When the door opened and a tall man in a crisp suit stepped out, camera flashes erupted in unison.

Flash, flash.

Flash, flash, flash.

It was Go Chang-beom.

Go Chang-beom was now a nationwide figure beyond Daesan.

Whether positively or negatively.

He calmly accepted the gazes fixed on him and walked forward, guided by a lead.

‘Today’s presentation. It won’t go smoothly.’

As it had been until now.

Reporters fed by Golden Circle who had published negative articles before would attempt to ruin the presentation this time as well. This large-scale project, crucial for Myungjin Construction’s fate, involved building 5,000 units with support from Daesan City. If it fell apart from the start, Myungjin Construction would lose the capacity to endure.

That couldn’t happen.

He had selected the site, planned the design, and settled all financial matters.

It had been a busy few months.

Today was the turning point.

Go Chang-beom was determined to create a new order.

Tap, tap.

There was no reason to hesitate.

He walked confidently.

Finally, as Go Chang-beom stepped into the gymnasium.

“Executive Go Chang-beom of Myungjin Construction has arrived.”

Whether out of favor.

Malice.

Or curiosity.

All eyes, filled with mixed emotions, focused on him.