Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 193: The Price of a Life Lived (3)

The conversation didn’t reach a conclusion.

As Park Junghak stared at the spot where Kim Hyunsung had been moments ago, he replayed the last words Kim had spoken.

“I’ll give you exactly three days. After that, remember—whatever choice you make will be irreversible.”

The situation was surreal.

A corporate executive of his stature, being manipulated so thoroughly by someone barely reaching adulthood. His emotions boiled. The unfamiliar sense of helplessness made him want to flip the table over countless times, but his instincts screamed that such an act would be a grave mistake.

Kim Hyunsung.

He was no ordinary figure.

After all, wasn’t this the same high schooler who had orchestrated the crisis now known as the Golden Gate? Considering everything Kim had done so far, it was clear that his words weren’t mere threats.

“Betray Yoon Hyeon-min.”

Park bit his lip nervously.

Betrayal wasn’t easy.

Yoon’s merciless nature, made evident by his decision to push Assemblyman Lee Kyung-chul off a metaphorical cliff, made it clear that any traitor would face brutal retribution. Even now, Yoon was methodically working to bury Im Cheol-hyung, emphasizing that betrayal would always come with a steep price in the Golden Circle.

It was suffocating.

Obedience becomes second nature over time.

While he had initially compromised begrudgingly when placed under Yoon’s control, Park now found himself paralyzed with fear of Yoon’s presence.

“How did it come to this?”

Years ago, the real problem had started when he joined the Golden Circle.

Back then, it seemed harmless—a group where most of the nation’s influential figures participated, conducting activities that appeared no different from routine conventions. His complacency had blinded him. He had prioritized his child’s education above all, greedily thinking that leveraging his child’s success might bring him even more power. And so, he had willingly handed over the leash to his own neck.

Unable to make a decision alone, Park gulped down a bottle of water and made a call.

“This is Park Junghak.”

The golden line members.

He needed to meet them again.

—

The same venue.

The same members.

An unwelcome gathering.

For a group bound by secrecy, meeting again so soon was a deeply uncomfortable development.

And yet—

“What are we supposed to do?”

This meeting was necessary.

To increase their odds of survival, those present needed to act in unison.

In response to Park’s question, National Assemblyman Hong Dong-young spoke.

“We can’t dismiss Kim Hyunsung’s proposal. As you all know, that kid knows how to manipulate people. He didn’t just expose the Golden Gate; look at the people he’s brought into his fold: Go Chang-beom from Myungjin Construction, Choi Seung-pil from the School Violence Prevention Committee, Bang Hyuntae from Jeongan Ilbo, Kim Panho from the Prosperity Party, Kang Dongchul from the Central Prosecutor’s Office, and now even CEO Im Cheol-hyung. Do you think these individuals accepted the high schooler’s proposal without serious consideration? Whatever’s happening behind the scenes must be incredibly powerful.”

“So, are you suggesting we seriously consider his proposal? Don’t forget, our opponent is Yoon Hyeon-min, the heir to Taeyang Group.”

“I understand. But what choice do we have? If it’s between two options, we must place our bets on the one that offers a greater chance of survival.”

Hong’s gaze swept across the room.

Including Park and Jeon Sang-cheol, there were six of them present.

It was an assembly of immense power.

Yet even these influential figures trembled at the mention of Kim Hyunsung, proving he was no ordinary opponent.

Hong Dong-young continued to steer the conversation.

“To be honest, I still can’t get over the death of Assemblyman Lee Kyung-chul. I’ve been in politics for over a decade, and Lee was a core member of the ruling party during his prime. If Yoon could drive someone like him to suicide, there’s no guarantee I won’t be next.

“And Kim Hyunsung’s argument is persuasive. Why do we protect Yoon Hyeon-min? It’s because he’s the lynchpin of the Golden Circle, and his downfall would mean ours as well. But if the insider documents now threaten all of us, that rationale becomes meaningless.”

“You’re agreeing with the idea of choosing the ‘lesser evil’?”

“Yes. Im Cheol-hyung has already flipped. While his evidence is largely circumstantial, the fact remains that we now have a traitor within. Who knows what might happen next? If Yoon had shown a willingness to suffer some losses to protect the Golden Circle, I wouldn’t even be entertaining betrayal. No matter how dire things became, the power would have remained intact.

“But Lee Kyung-chul’s death was a signal—a signal that anyone could be sacrificed at any time.”

Indeed, the Golden Circle’s way of solving problems often involved throwing others under the bus to protect its leaders.

“Now, Yoon is focused solely on safeguarding himself. He may claim it’s for the Golden Circle’s sake, but if any of us are exposed as golden line members, we’ll be sacrificed just like the others. I can’t accept that. Whether it’s the looming threat or the discomfort of this master-slave dynamic, things cannot continue as they are. Yoon Hyeon-min is no longer the guarantor of our power.”

“Hmm.”

Grave expressions filled the room.

No one made a rash decision.

It was too irreversible a choice, and the discussion dragged on for hours.

But through it all, the same sentiment kept resurfacing:

‘We can no longer trust Yoon Hyeon-min.’

That was the crux of the matter.

If they risked being abandoned by Yoon and destroyed, there was no reason to stake their lives on protecting him.

In the end—

“Contact Kim Hyunsung. Let’s hear the details of his plan.”

Park Junghak’s statement became the group’s consensus.

—

Taeyang Group, ranked third in the South Korean business world.

With its rapid growth, many believed it was only a matter of time before it claimed the top spot.

But now, Taeyang Group was on shaky ground.

A string of crises had unsettled even its uppermost echelons.

“I apologize, Chairman.”

Yoon Hyeon-min bowed his head.

The man sitting before him had his chair turned toward the window, gazing outside.

This was Yoon Byeong-ho, his father and the chairman of Taeyang Group.

Yoon Byeong-ho turned to face his son.

“Indeed, you should apologize. Your mistakes have been so grave that they’ve undone all the achievements you’ve accumulated. You should be groveling on your knees, begging for forgiveness.”

“I have no excuses.”

“Hyun-min, this father of yours was well aware of the things you were doing under the banner of Taeyang Group,” Yoon Byeong-ho said. “At first, I found it fascinating. How could a high schooler come up with such outrageous ideas and execute them so boldly? The Golden Circle is a dangerous organization, but I chose to turn a blind eye because it was your first independent project. And because, until now, you’ve never disappointed me.”

The air inside and outside Taeyang Group was turbulent.

Even though sacrificing Lee Kyung-chul had temporarily shifted public scrutiny, the company’s reputation continued to decline under Yoon Hyeon-min’s shadow.

Recently, board meetings had even entertained the idea of Yoon’s resignation.

“You’re my son. That’s why, no matter the current situation, your position isn’t in jeopardy. But as both your father and the chairman of Taeyang Group, I can’t promise you unlimited chances. Taeyang Group has risen to its current status because of me, Yoon Byeong-ho. If my only son threatens to ruin my achievements, I will have to make decisions that benefit the company. Do you know what your biggest mistake was?”

“…Creating the Golden Circle and endangering the company.”

“That’s partially correct. I’m not holding you accountable for the moral failures of the Golden Circle. In fact, it’s brought benefits to the company, and that credit belongs to you. The problem is that the atrocities of the Golden Circle have come to light, damaging the company in the process. Remember that.”

“I understand.”

Turning away, Yoon Byeong-ho no longer wanted to look at his son.

“Take some time to reflect and find a way to atone for your mistakes.”

—

*Thud.*

As the office door closed, the remorseful expression Yoon Hyeon-min wore in front of his father crumbled into one of pure rage. (TL Note: Ahhh, satisfaction. It’s good to be alive…)

*Grinding teeth.*

“…If it weren’t for that bastard, Kim Hyunsung.”

Just as his father had said, the Golden Circle was a monumental achievement for Yoon Hyeon-min, a legacy that could one day solidify his position as chairman. But a single high schooler had ruined it all. With the insider documents exposed, even if he managed to stabilize the situation, he could no longer guarantee the Golden Circle’s continued operation as before.

His anger boiled over.

Even for someone as composed as Yoon, the recent emotional turmoil was difficult to control.

This incident served as a stark reminder that he wasn’t the chairman yet.

Despite being the sole heir with outstanding abilities, widely regarded by the media as the inevitable successor to the Taeyang Group, his father’s words had made it clear:

Opportunities weren’t infinite.

If he made another mistake like this, even Yoon Hyeon-min’s position could be at risk.

*Exhaling deeply,* Yoon adjusted his tie.

‘No matter what, I’ll restore everything—both the Golden Circle and my reputation.’

He began walking briskly, ready to tackle the tasks at hand.

But then—

As the elevator doors opened, Yoon froze in disbelief.

“…Kim Hyunsung!?”

It was unmistakable.

The very person who had become the target of his fury was now standing in the uppermost levels of Taeyang Group.

—

*A short while earlier.*

Yoon Byeong-ho received an unexpected call from his secretary.

[We’ve received a message through CEO Im Cheol-hyung’s contacts. ‘Kim Hyunsung’ has requested a direct meeting with you. What should we do?]

The request was surprising.

No, it was absurd.

That the boy who had cornered his son would dare walk into the lion’s den was beyond reason.

Amusing, even.

While Yoon could acknowledge the boy’s talent for orchestrating the Golden Gate crisis, Taeyang Group wasn’t so weak as to be swayed by a mere high schooler. Whatever Kim’s intentions, his audacity was laughable.

“Bring him to my office,” Yoon ordered through his secretary.

And then he deliberately created a gap—ensuring that Kim and Yoon Hyeon-min would cross paths.

It was a calculated move, part of his approach to teaching his son a lesson.

As expected, when Kim arrived, Yoon Hyeon-min appeared immediately afterward.

“Father, what is the meaning of this…?”

“Leave us.”

“But…”

“Now!”

Yoon’s voice thundered.

Seeing his father’s fierce expression, Yoon Hyeon-min’s frustration was clear, but he had no choice but to retreat. The reverence and influence that elevated him as Taeyang’s heir were all thanks to his father. Gritting his teeth, Yoon finally relented.

“…Understood.”

*Thud.*

The door closed once more.

Turning his gaze to Kim Hyunsung, Yoon Byeong-ho prepared himself. He had delivered his message to his son; now it was time to confront the brash upstart who dared to challenge him.

“So, what brings you here?”

Their eyes met.

It was unexpected.

Despite facing the chairman of one of Korea’s largest conglomerates—a man most ordinary people would never meet in their lifetime—Kim Hyunsung’s gaze was unwavering.

Kim stepped forward and, without waiting for an invitation, took a seat across from Yoon.

“This conversation might take some time, so you should come closer,” Kim said confidently.

Yoon didn’t move.

He didn’t care about such antics.

Kim’s defiance only mattered insofar as the boy possessed the leverage to back it up.

Kim smiled faintly.

“I’m here to talk about you and your son, Chairman.”