How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

After experiencing the incredible effects of the herbal sedative medicine firsthand, I became convinced that mastering English would be just as easy. But reality had other ideas. As they say, dreaming costs nothing. Understanding spoken English and translating it with the help of artificial intelligence turned out not to be particularly difficult. But organizing my thoughts logically and then expressing them smoothly was much harder than I had expected. I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing, so I stopped working deliveries and devoted myself entirely to studying the language.

After a week of relentless struggle, I finally reached the point where I could speak freely and naturally. Only then did I have some spare time. I resumed working deliveries on my motorcycle and also began training diligently at the gym to improve my physical condition.

“Enjoy your meal.”

Bzzzt!

As soon as I handed the order to the customer and turned around, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I quickly stepped aside and looked at the screen. It was Yun Sola. Since she often checked on me anyway, I answered without concern.

“Intern Yun Sola, good afternoon. Did something happen?”

“You need to arrive at Gimpo Airport by nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“So the date for the trip to America has finally been decided?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I see. But why are we leaving from Gimpo instead of Incheon?”

“It has been decided that we’ll be traveling to America on Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun’s private jet.”

At that moment, a wave of unease washed over me. Out of everyone on this business trip, I was the smallest cog in the machine, just an ordinary intern. I would have to spend hours in a confined space with the company’s top executives. How was I supposed to relax? But throwing a tantrum and demanding to fly alone on a regular passenger plane wasn’t an option either.

“I see...”

“Judging by your voice, it sounds like the thought of flying on the Vice Chairman’s private jet scares you?”

As if you aren’t scared yourself, I thought.

“Well, I won’t deny it. By the way, where exactly are we headed in America?”

“Endivia’s headquarters are in San Francisco.”

“I understand. Then I’ll see you tomorrow morning at Gimpo Airport.”

Click.

After hanging up, I put my phone back in my pocket and continued walking.

“All right. I’ll somehow manage.”

After returning home, I took a shower. Just then, my younger sister, Cha Hyeonji, appeared in the doorway. Seeing me, she raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Brother, why are you home this early?”

“I’m leaving for America tomorrow morning. I need a good night’s sleep.”

“Can’t you just sleep on the plane?”

“Well, the thing is... We’re flying on Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun’s private jet.”

“A private jet?!” Cha Hyeonji interrupted me rudely, her eyes widening in astonishment.

“Yeah. That’s how things turned out.”

“Wow, brother, you’ve really made it! You know how to act so you can get into the Vice Chairman’s good graces, right?”

Actually, I have absolutely no desire to suck up to anyone.

“Do you really take me for an idiot?”

“Oops, sorry. By the way, how’s your English? Have you improved?”

“I’m at the point where I can communicate freely with native speakers.”

“No way. You’re lying.”

“If you don’t believe me, test me.”

“Wait a bit! I’ll change and come out!”

Cha Hyeonji rushed off to her room like a whirlwind. A minute later, she returned, sat down opposite me, and immediately asked in English,

“How do you feel about your trip to America?”

“At first I was nervous and worried, but now...” I answered just as easily in fluent English.

Cha Hyeonji froze.

She knew better than anyone that her brother was clever, but he had never been a genius. Even she, a recognized top student, had spent countless hours mastering spoken English. Yet her brother, while continuing his exhausting delivery work, had somehow achieved near-perfect fluency in just two weeks.

What shocked her most was his pronunciation. It was practically flawless.

“B-Brother... How did you do it?” Her voice trembled from shock.

Even though she was my own blood, I couldn’t tell her about the miraculous effects of the herbal sedative medicine. With her meticulous and stubborn personality, an honest answer would only lead to endless questioning.

“Whenever your brother decides to do something, he always sees it through.”

“I know that, but changing this much in such a short time...”

“A short time? If only you knew how hard I worked until I was sweating blood.”

“Well... You do have a point.”

Bzzz.

Fortunately, the phone on the table vibrated at that exact moment. Happy for the chance to change the subject, I looked at the screen. It was a message from Lee Ujin.

Lee Ujin: Where are you?

Cha Jiham: Home.

Bzzzt!

Not even five seconds later, he called. Apparently, he was shocked that I was actually home at this hour. Showing the screen to my sister, I went into my room and sat on the edge of the bed.

“What do you want?”

“What do I want? I should be asking you that!”

“I’m flying to America tomorrow morning, so I finished deliveries early today.”

“Whoa! Seriously? Then I absolutely have to see you off!”

I saw right through Lee Ujin. He was simply looking for any excuse to drag me to a bar.

“I’d like a drink too, but not today.”

“Why not?”

“I’m flying in the same plane as the company’s top executives. You expect me to show up reeking of alcohol?”

“Come on, we’re not planning to drink ourselves unconscious.”

“I still have to pack. I’m busy. So forget it.”

“All right then. Have a safe trip!”

Hmm. Strange. He gave up too easily. Something feels off...

After hanging up, I pulled out my suitcase from the corner and started packing my clothes.

Ding-dong.

Just as I finished and was about to lie down, the doorbell rang. I stepped into the hallway and saw Cha Hyeonji already opening the door.

For a second, I was stunned.

Standing there late at night, holding huge plastic bags in both hands, was none other than Lee Ujin.

“How did you find out where I live?”

“Hyeonji was kind enough to give me the address,” my friend answered calmly, walking in and placing the bags on the kitchen table.

“Hyeonji, I brought drinks and snacks. Can you set the table?”

“Of course! I’ll do it right away!”

Lee Ujin turned to me and ignored the murderous glare I was giving him.

“You’re flying to America tomorrow, so go to your room and sleep. Hyeonji and I will have some drinks.”

“You idiot! Do you even hear yourself?!”

“Then sit down already.”

I hurriedly sat down and stared heavily at my friend.

“Let’s make one thing clear. I have absolutely no intention of making you my brother-in-law. Don’t even dream about it.”

“You idiot, Cha Jiham! Hyeonji is only in her fourth year of university.”

“There’s only a four-year age gap between you two, so don’t act like a saint.”

“Stop talking nonsense and pour me a drink.”

Time flew by with conversation and alcohol. At one point, Lee Ujin casually remarked,

“You’re lucky, going to America...”

“What’s with the sigh?”

“Heh-heh.”

He smiled mysteriously and turned to Cha Hyeonji.

“You already passed the Certified Public Accountant exam, right?”

“Yes, last year. Why?”

“If you have trouble finding a job, I can put in a good word with my uncle. He’ll hire you.”

Cha Hyeonji looked at me in confusion, unable to tell whether he was joking. I immediately understood what she was thinking and explained,

“His uncle owns the largest accounting firm in the country.”

“Really?! Ujin, then I’m counting on you!”

“You want to work for my uncle?”

“Of course!”

“Haha, deal. I’ll do my best to help,” Lee Ujin promised confidently.

***

The next day.

It took at least an hour to get from Jongno District, where I lived, to Gimpo Airport. Since I had to be there by nine, I needed to leave no later than half past seven.

After waking up early, I said a warm goodbye to my sister and stepped outside.

As I was walking toward the bus stop, I heard a brief horn behind me.

Turning around, I saw a luxurious executive sedan, from which Chief Secretary Kang Inhan hurriedly emerged.

Surprised by the unexpected encounter, I walked over to him.

“Secretary Kang Inhan, what brings you here?”

“Chairman Park Yeongil personally instructed me to bring you comfortably to Gimpo Airport.”

“Goodness... Chairman Park is too kind to me. Who am I, really?”

After putting my suitcase into the trunk, I headed toward the car and immediately found myself in an awkward situation.

I knew proper etiquette well. The rear right seat was considered the seat of honor, so I naturally reached for the rear left door behind the driver.

However, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan firmly indicated the most prestigious seat.

I protested repeatedly, but he ignored my objections and simply opened the right-side door for me.

I had no choice but to sit in the seat of honor.

The car smoothly headed toward Gimpo.

“Intern Cha Jiham, remember this. Age does not determine a person’s status.”

“But I’m just an ordinary intern at Hangang Group.”

“Perhaps within Hangang Group. But in Chairman Park’s personal organization, you are number two.”

“...What?!”

Number two?!

The shocking declaration nearly made my jaw drop.

“Once you become a permanent employee, you’ll understand everything and learn the details of Chairman Park’s business.”

“I still have to survive an extremely difficult selection process before I can become permanent...”

“If you continue working the way you are now, becoming permanent will be a mere formality.”

“Then I’ll do everything possible to live up to Chairman Park’s trust.”

“That’s exactly what I hope. Now, let’s change the subject and discuss another important matter.”

“What is it?”

“The traffic accident in which your sister, Cha Hyeonji, was hit by a car and the driver fled.”

“You found the culprit?”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan’s expression darkened, and he shook his head.

“Unfortunately, not yet.”

“If the criminal hasn’t been caught, then what are we talking about?”

“Two key witnesses to the accident suddenly emigrated exactly seven months ago—as if on someone’s orders. One went to Canada, the other to New Zealand. I found that highly suspicious and sent our people to investigate. But two months ago, both witnesses vanished without a trace. We received reports that they had disappeared.”

“Could it be...”

Reading my thoughts perfectly, Kang Inhan confirmed them coldly.

“That’s right. Most likely, the culprit approached the witnesses personally and helped them leave the country. Judging by the lavish lifestyles they enjoyed abroad, an enormous amount was paid for their silence.”

“You mean the criminal first guaranteed them comfortable lives to keep them quiet, then simply eliminated them?”

“That is the theory I find most plausible.”

New questions immediately surfaced in my mind.

“Secretary Kang Inhan, why would the culprit go to such lengths and kill people just to cover up an ordinary traffic accident? What reason could there be?”

“It appears that bastard is no ordinary man. His status is too high to risk his reputation.”

“Hm... That explains a lot. But tell me, do we have a chance of catching him?”

“I have mobilized all the resources of our organization. Sooner or later, we’ll catch him.”

“I’ll believe in that.”

“And because of that, I must warn you. For your sister’s safety, I have placed round-the-clock covert protection around Cha Hyeonji.”

“If Hyeonji finds out, it could frighten her and complicate things.”

“My people work flawlessly. She won’t notice a thing, so don’t trouble yourself.”

Only now did I begin to grasp the true scale of Chairman Park Yeongil’s operations.

Clearly, he commanded an extremely powerful, elite security organization. And the fierce Kang Inhan, who resembled a tiger, occupied one of the most important positions within that shadow organization.

“Then I’ll leave everything in your hands.”

“I’ll do everything possible to justify your trust. And one more thing—take this.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, took out a black plastic card, and handed it to me.

“What is this?”

“As you can see, an unlimited credit card. If unexpected expenses arise during your trip, use it without hesitation.”

Chairman Park Yeongil had already helped me in countless ways, both openly and secretly. If a person possessed even a shred of conscience, how could he calmly accept unlimited access to someone else’s money?

“Secretary Kang Inhan, I sincerely appreciate the Chairman’s consideration, but I cannot accept this card.”

“My duty is to carry out the orders of my superiors without question. Please don’t make my job difficult.”

If I insisted hard enough, I could certainly refuse. But then Kang Inhan would surely receive a severe reprimand from Chairman Park for failing his assignment.

In the end, I can just keep it and never actually use it.

Having reached that conclusion, I accepted the card.

“Please tell Chairman Park that I’ll use it wisely.”

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

Kang Inhan let out a visible sigh of relief, and for the first time that morning, something resembling a smile flickered across his stern face.