Chapter 33: Tempo (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The protagonist of the 'Deja Vu' Kang Jae-ha saw was the cinematographer.

『A gukbap restaurant bustling with customers, clearly a popular spot. At a four-person table near the entrance sat the Key Staff members who had worked on 'Condensation', the cinematographer included. They seemed to be gathered for lunch, making small talk as they waited for their ordered gukbap.

That was when the voice of a news anchor from the TV mounted on the wall caught their attention.

"The semiconductor cluster that was set to house domestic and international semiconductor companies centered around MK Electronics has been officially confirmed today, May 1st, for the Baegam-myeon area of Yongin, Gyeonggi Province."

The Key Staff members muttered in response to the anchor's words.

"Damn, if someone bought land there, it'd double in price."

"Double? If they just held onto it, it'd go up several times over."

As they talked, the anchor on the news continued.

"The confirmed Yongin semiconductor cluster will span over approximately one million pyeong, with investment expected to exceed 110 trillion won. In addition, it will generate over 50,000 new jobs, and......"』 (TL: 1 pyeong is roughly 3.3 square meters.)

While the anchor was in the middle of speaking, Jae-ha's vision wavered again, and his sight gradually returned to reality. The moment the 'Deja Vu' ended, Kang Jae-ha's mind raced and latched onto the essentials.

He had to buy land.

Today was April 10th. The confirmation that the semiconductor cluster would go to Yongin was set for May 1st. Roughly three weeks away.

'Right now there are probably a few candidates for the semiconductor cluster besides Yongin, and land prices in those areas are probably already creeping up.'

Over a million pyeong in scale and 110 trillion won in investment. A domestic mega-conglomerate involved, plus 50,000-plus jobs created. If he dug around, there'd be plenty more to it. Even just this much was a staggering game.

So even just being in the running was enough to slowly push land prices up on speculation alone.

'I just happen to know where it's going to land.'

The Baegam-myeon area of Yongin. Kang Jae-ha ran the numbers on buying up land as fast as possible. His funds were close to 2 billion won. On top of that, in a few days his third Pension of 700 million would come in. That put him at around 2.7 billion.

'Take out a bit for immediate operating costs and throw in the rest.'

Kang Jae-ha planned to invest most of the 2.7 billion. No matter how much the price jumped, it would be a guaranteed profit, and once land values shot up, he'd sell fast and get out. Hit when it was hottest and bail.

'Also, I can't keep money tied up indefinitely.'

He mapped out the land purchase for the moment the third Pension of 700 million hit, and while Kang Jae-ha's head was spinning with calculations, the 'Condensation' team was, meanwhile.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Busy celebrating the end of shooting.

"Great work, everyone!!"

"Hahaha, thank you for your hard work, Director-nim!"

"No quick Wrap Party? Come on, Wrap Party!"

The applause rolled on endlessly. As if it were cheering on Kang Jae-ha, who had caught the scent of money.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Almost like a picture of celebration.

Afterwards.

After wrapping filming, the key figures of the 'Condensation' team, Director Kwon Sung-min, Lee Chan-hoo, CEO Jeong Tae-woo and others, gathered for a closing meeting. The discussion centered mostly on the 'Busan International Film Festival', and starting Monday two days later, Director Kwon Sung-min set foot into the editing room for post-production.

'Not just for a visit, I'm actually here for Editing.'

Maybe because it was a scene and a place he'd only imagined before, Director Kwon Sung-min wore a deeply moved expression. CEO Jeong Tae-woo asked him.

"Director-nim, shall we get right to it?"

Pushing up his glasses, Director Kwon Sung-min nodded with a firm look.

"Yes, let's start right away."

A few days after 'Condensation' entered full Editing, around the 15th, word about 'Condensation' started circulating quietly through Leon Entertainment, nothing too loud.

"I heard that short film had its Crank-up."

"Short film?"

"You know, the one Yoon Da-yeon was shooting."

"Oh, that? They actually made it??"

Everyone seemed to have heard about it before, forgotten, and now been reminded.

"It's kind of wild, that Yoon Da-yeon actually pulled off a Short Film."

"General Manager Kim Dae-yong probably begged for it behind the scenes."

"So where's the short film headed?"

"Who knows? Seoul Short Film Festival? Or Mise-en-scène?"

"Come on, that's a bit ambitious. It'll probably go to some minor indie festival or something."

"Ugh, Yoon Da-yeon is really at the end of the line, huh?"

"Same with Team 4."

"And that guy who just got transferred to Team 4, Kang Jae-ha? Poor guy."

"Well, he was sent to Team 4 to get shaken off in the first place, wasn't he?"

Say what they would, Kang Jae-ha was unfazed. No, actually, he was smiling. And for good reason.

【Hello, Kang Jae-ha-nim.】

【Your third-month Pension of 700 million won will be disbursed.】

-[Deposit/ 700,000,000 won]

His third paycheck slash Pension had come in. Right after that, Kang Jae-ha moved to buy land. This was one of the good things about Team 4.

'No one's paying attention, so no one comes poking around.'

If he wasn't at his desk, they'd just assume he was out on a field assignment. It was about a week later that Kang Jae-ha got his hands on land in the Baegam-myeon area of Yongin.

'2.5 billion won, 5,000 pyeong.'

At 500,000 won per pyeong, with 'MEG' operating costs and acquisition taxes set aside, he poured in 2.5 billion. That yielded 5,000 pyeong. Now all that was left was to wait for the land prices to surge. 2.5 billion had instantly turned into land, but Kang Jae-ha wasn't particularly nervous.

"Investing when you already know how it ends, man, the dopamine hits every time."

There were other taxes and such to handle, but that was next year's problem. For now, Jae-ha was focused on multiplying his money.

Meanwhile.

Inside a luxury sedan cruising down the road, a familiar figure was receiving a report. CEO Han Tae-sung of Leon Entertainment. Today he carried the same magazine-model presence as always, and his executive secretary delivered the report with considerable gravity.

"All three short films from the New Business Team have entered post-production."

The quiet CEO Han Tae-sung opened his mouth.

"Grease the wheels a little at the 'Busan International Film Festival' organizing committee. Nothing too heavy. They'll pay attention to at least a short film."

The tone suggested that while an award might be a stretch, selection as an invited work was doable. The secretary soon nodded.

"Yes, understood. However, CEO-nim, do you intend to keep leaving Director Kim Chul-joong alone? He's been quiet lately for whatever reason, but he's been at this for a while, so there's a high chance he'll reestablish his financial channels."

CEO Han Tae-sung smiled faintly.

"Leave him for now. More importantly, how's the 'Condensation' side?"

"I've confirmed they've already entered Editing. It's been a little over a week."

"Do we know where it's headed after Editing?"

"No. It seems the 'Condensation' side hasn't made a decision yet."

"Hmm."

After a low hum, CEO Han Tae-sung brought up Kang Jae-ha.

"And Kang Jae-ha?"

"Aside from Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee, there hasn't been any notable movement."

"I figured he'd be stretching his hands in all directions beyond those two. Either he's catching his breath, or scouting out the next target."

Intrigued, CEO Han Tae-sung was asked by the secretary.

"What should we do about the invitation from the 'Busan International Film Festival'?"

CEO Han Tae-sung's answer came quickly.

"Tell them I'm going."

Late morning, April 24th.

Holed up in the editing room, Director Kwon Sung-min was practically sleeping there too. If CEO Jeong Tae-woo didn't keep an eye on him, he wouldn't even stand up to stretch.

'Almost there. I can see the end.'

Before he knew it, 'Condensation' had been in Editing for over two weeks, and there were less than five days left until it wrapped up. That was Director Kwon Sung-min's estimate, of course, but from the way the edit was flowing, it was practically set in stone.

CEO Jeong Tae-woo of 'Moonbak Film' carefully asked the entranced Director Kwon Sung-min.

"Director-nim, when are you expecting to submit to the 'Busan International Film Festival'?"

Eyes still glued to the multiple monitors, Director Kwon Sung-min answered quietly.

"Once editing wraps in a few days, after about two days of final review, we submit right away. Should be faster than expected. We can definitely get it in by May 1st."

For reference, submissions for the short film category of the 'Busan International Film Festival' had already opened. Plenty of shorts that had been waiting for the chance were probably being flung in. Soon CEO Jeong Tae-woo, handing Director Kwon Sung-min a coffee, murmured.

"Understood. I'll have the submission form filled out in advance, then."

Around this time, Oh Jong-man, who had settled on his new direction, was living a day that wasn't all that different, surprisingly. He'd abandoned the actor's path for the writer's, but he was still loading and unloading packages.

Well, a change in direction doesn't flip your life on its head overnight.

Still, Oh Jong-man's head was.

"Hmm, that's a pretty good idea."

That was when it happened.

'Oh, a call.'

A long vibration rang from Oh Jong-man's phone while he was in the middle of taking notes. An incoming call from an unknown number. Wiping sweat from his head, Oh Jong-man pressed the phone to his ear.

"Yes, hello?"

From the other end came a man's voice.

"Writer Oh Jong-man?"

"......Pardon?"

Oh Jong-man, thrown off by the unfamiliar title of "Writer".

"Ah, yes, this is Oh Jong-man."

"M, me??"

"Yes. I'd like to discuss a contract."

In that instant, Kang Jae-ha flashed across Oh Jong-man's mind, and his eyes flew wide.

'A contract??!! Is, is this actually happening??!!'

A few hours later, in the afternoon.

The venue was one of the halls in a certain five-star hotel. The spacious hall was filled with people in suits and dresses. A rough count put it well over a hundred. Piano melodies echoed through the space, upscale food was set out here and there, hotel staff moved briskly about.

At a glance, clearly some kind of party or event.

The men and women in suits and dresses each held a glass of champagne in one hand, gathered in threes and fours in conversation. Clusters like that were scattered throughout.

The interesting part was.

-Swish.

The face of the woman who had just entered the party was a familiar one.

"......"

Silently sweeping her large eyes across the entire hall was Ha Yeon-ji, who had recently been brought on as one of Kang Jae-ha's subordinates. Unlike her usual casual attire, she was now in a suit with her brown hair let down. The look of someone who'd made an effort.

Picking up a champagne flute from a nearby table, she muttered internally.

'On the surface it just looks like a party, but no, the party's a smokescreen. The real thing is a cult gathering.'

Ha Yeon-ji was not here to drink champagne at a party. She was on an undercover investigation into a cult she'd been watching for some time. She'd come because she'd gotten a tip that the cult she'd been interested in was throwing a party. Nothing too deep yet, of course, just taking in the internal lay of the land slowly.

It wasn't like Ha Yeon-ji had suddenly started digging into cults.

It was because the cult had its fingers in multiple industries. Naturally, that included the entertainment industry. Sipping her champagne, Ha Yeon-ji let her eyes roam. Scanning the hundred or so people.

'All of them could be cultists, or about half mixed in. Could be proselytizing, too.'

The name of the cult she was digging into was 'New Light Truth Church'. From what Ha Yeon-ji had investigated, its followers numbered in the hundreds of thousands. And even that was an estimate.

'With the fringe members counted in, probably more.'

Among those followers were plenty of celebrities from various industries, according to her intel. And in fact, this hall had a number of famous people mixed in. From entertainers to production company CEOs and others. Nothing solid yet, of course. Everyone knew the name 'New Light Truth Church', but actual information on them was almost nonexistent.

But one thing was certain was that they existed.

'By my calculations, 'New Light Truth Church' was founded over several decades ago.'

Ha Yeon-ji ran her own simulations in her head. 'New Light Truth Church' was sizable. Naturally, its followers would be networked, and they'd be quietly wielding influence across all layers of society. Under the smokescreen, they could be committing crimes and illegal acts. Even exposing the tip of that iceberg to the world would be a guaranteed scoop.

But throwing jabs halfway would be meaningless.

Above all, 'New Light Truth Church' was bound to be fortress-like. Otherwise, how could they have swelled to this size to begin with?

Who was the head? Who ran 'New Light Truth Church'? What was their goal? Who were the officers?

With countless question marks rising in her mind, Ha Yeon-ji fiddled with the phone in her pocket. She was itching to take photos but held back. She'd already snapped some before entering the hall, and inside this hall, what was happening looked like nothing more than a normal party.

With 'New Light Truth Church' filling her head, she cautiously stepped forward.

-Swish.

She surveyed the groups of twos and threes. Which one to slip into? Since it was a party, there were probably other journalists besides her, and there would definitely be journalists belonging to 'New Light Truth Church' as well.

Which was why.

'Can't stand out. Blend in naturally, go with the flow.'

Ha Yeon-ji kept conspicuous behavior to an absolute minimum. Infiltration and reconnaissance were her specialty. She'd spent over a decade in the Scout Unit in the other world too.

Then it happened.

"Huh?"

Calmly moving her feet through a room where everyone looked like they could be a member of 'New Light Truth Church', Ha Yeon-ji froze. Because ahead, among the largest-looking group, a figure clearly stood out.

'That person... is that CEO Han Tae-sung?'

It was CEO Han Tae-sung of Leon.