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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Finding Talent
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A three-story commercial building on the outskirts of Seoul that could generate about 10 million won in monthly rent.
If sold, it would fetch around 1 billion won after taxes.
On top of that, 300 million in cash and 2,000 shares of Daehan Group stock.
'At 600,000 won per share, that's about 1.2 billion. Add it all up, and I've got around 2.5 billion.'
It was enough money to live luxuriously for life without overspending. A substantial sum, no doubt.
But Lee Dae-hyuk hadn't been given this new life just to live in comfort.
'I need to grow it.'
He possessed knowledge of the future.
Knowing what would happen over the next 15 years at least, multiplying his money wouldn't be hard.
But there were complications.
Simply investing and earning profits wouldn't end it.
First, taxes.
Second, Lee Myung-guk's children and legal wife.
'They'll be wary of me too.'
To take over Daehan Group, he'd have to confront them anyway.
So.
'No need to alert them early.'
He had to work behind the scenes, unseen.
Lee Dae-hyuk stroked his chin.
He needed a reliable person to manage his money.
'Is there anyone suitable?'
A money expert he could blindly trust and support, despite knowing nothing...
'There is.'
The corner of Lee Dae-hyuk's mouth curved up.
He'd thought of the perfect person to handle his funds.
'Not the time to dawdle. I need to hurry.'
In ten days, he had to start at Daehan Construction.
After that, there'd be no time to scout that talent.
'Still at that PC bang... Ah!'
Recalling the spot where the legendary figure who shook Korea's stock market hung out, Lee Dae-hyuk scratched his head.
His mind was already a battlefield.
Not just the talent for managing his money—countless other era-defining powerhouses came to mind.
'Powerhouses'...
A bit old-fashioned, but the perfect word for those who'd rise in this era.
While working with Yoo Jae-man, Lee Dae-hyuk had met many.
Elites who'd shine in economics, politics, and law; legendary brawlers who ruled the underworld with their fists...
From now on, he had to steal those talents from Yoo Jae-man.
For perfect revenge.
Thud!
Reviewing plans in his head, Lee Dae-hyuk flopped onto the bed.
He wanted to start revenge right away, but exhaustion won out—heavy eyelids.
Physical fatigue aside, the mental toll of everything was immense.
Betrayed and killed, then waking in another's body, against time's flow.
And that body belonged to the illegitimate son of a chaebol with a special ability called 'psychometry.'
Plus, performing the act of a lifetime meeting the father—small wonder his mind and body were drained.
Anyone but Lee Dae-hyuk might've collapsed already.
'Feels... like a dream.'
Everything today defied explanation but 'dream.'
But this dream was just beginning.
'Yeah. Time to give them nightmares too.'
Even as sleep overtook him, Lee Dae-hyuk pictured the faces of those who killed his past self, Kim Gun-woo, one by one.
The root of it all, Yoo Jae-man.
Yoo Dae-sik, who finished him off.
The traitor, Oh Tae-gyu.
He'd make them dream too.
Endless nightmares where they'd beg to die, please, just kill them.
***
The next morning.
Waking hungry, Lee Dae-hyuk stared blankly at the ceiling.
Grope, grope!
He reached for the phone by his bed and checked the time.
9 a.m.
'A day's gone by.'
The dark window outside was now bright.
Exactly twelve hours of sleep.
'Haven't slept this deep in ages.'
Lee Dae-hyuk gave a wry smile.
As Kim Gun-woo, he'd always lived on edge.
Never knowing when a rival gang might strike, nerves sharp as a blade.
Yet here, reborn, he slept soundly. Ironic, really.
But he couldn't lounge forever.
Rustle!
He got up for breakfast and left the bedroom.
.
.
.
"Cereal and ramen... At least there's something. Lucky.'
Looking at the cereals and ramen lined up in the cupboard, Lee Dae-hyuk glimpsed how the original owner had lived.
No attachment to life, no desires.
'Probably no thoughts at all.'
But he was different.
For survival, for revenge, he needed strength.
'Eat whatever.'
Start with food.
Grabbing a cereal box from the cupboard, Lee Dae-hyuk headed to the table.
.
.
.
After a simple meal of cereal with milk, Lee Dae-hyuk showered and donned a gray suit.
'...Not much clothing either.'
Like the empty fridge, the closet was bare.
He picked the least shabby suit, scratched his chin.
'So much to buy.'
Groceries, clothes—plenty to stock.
And.
'Two weeks till work? No, just two now?'
In two weeks, find someone to grow his money.
Luckily, as Kim Gun-woo, he'd once seen news and articles about that talent.
Info on the man who could've been Korea's top stock billionaire with enough capital.
Lee Dae-hyuk planned to meet him now.
But trouble started the moment he stepped out.
A hulking man in a black suit blocked his path.
"Did you... have just cereal for breakfast again, Young Master?"
Regret tinged the giant's voice.
"...It was expiring today."
Recalling the name of the giant before him—Yoon Tae-ho, head of security—Lee Dae-hyuk forced an awkward smile.
Strange sensation.
Memories flashed like lightning.
But unfamiliar with this body, it took a moment for the original Lee Dae-hyuk's memories to surface.
Like 'buffering'?
Passing that odd, awkward instant, Lee Dae-hyuk smiled at the giant.
"You didn't go home last night either?"
"Protecting you 24/7 is my job, Young Master."
His burly frame belied a voice thick with moisture beyond mere pity.
"..."
Did those emotions hit home?
His chest stirred.
This man had been one small reason the original Lee Dae-hyuk kept going before possession.
Judo 5th dan, hapkido 3rd dan, ex-special forces bodyguard—flashy resume. Yet Yoon Tae-ho's warm heart contrasted his rugged look.
He pitied the isolated young man, sometimes acting like a brother.
Checking meals, hospital visits, gaming together—even leisure time shared.
And his overzealous loyalty had a reason.
A favor from Lee Dae-hyuk.
Back then, Yoon guarded him more from sympathy than duty. One day, his daughter landed in ICU with a brain tumor.
No money left after buying an apartment, he despaired over surgery costs.
The despairing Yoon got 50 million won from Lee Dae-hyuk, who had no will to live: "Use it for your daughter's treatment."
To a suicidal Lee Dae-hyuk, just a useless check. To Yoon, a lifesaver for his child.
After, Yoon truly opened his heart.
Problem was, he opened it too much—clinging like an obsession.
Thus, the original Lee Dae-hyuk felt burdened despite inner fondness.
Recalling this, Lee Dae-hyuk smiled slyly.
"You're doing great, Manager. So now..."
"...?"
"...pay some attention to your wife and home too."
Using the original owner's memories to calm him, Lee Dae-hyuk felt a surge of awkwardness.
Calling someone he'd never seen 'sister-in-law' felt off.
The sister-in-law was Kim Mi-jin, a Daehan Group secretarial team member who helped with housework here.
As Lee Dae-hyuk recalled the past, Yoon Tae-ho blushed and asked cautiously.
"Huh? D-Did Mi-jin say something to you again? I'll give her an earful, so don't worry, Young Master."
"You know your wife brings me side dishes, right?"
"Y-Yes? Oh, yeah..."
"So don't complain. If she stops, I'm stuck with cereal forever."
"Ah! Yeah, that's how it goes. Ha, haha..."
"..."
Watching Yoon Tae-ho flustered, Lee Dae-hyuk's brow arched oddly.
Joking familiarly with a near-stranger?
Unfathomable for Kim Gun-woo in Lee Dae-hyuk's body.
Probably.
'...Emotions the original owner felt for this man.'
Amid it, Yoon, blushing at the joke, waved his hands.
"Got it! So, Young Master, you need proper meals from now on!"
"Yeah, let's do that. But Manager."
"Yes."
"You keep saying 'Young Master'... We filming a historical drama? I told you to call me 'Dae-hyuk' when alone."
"I told you, if I do that, you'll already be..."
Yoon trailed off.
He'd heard the request to drop formalities many times.
Yoon granted most favors but stuck firm on the title.
Now, with Kim Gun-woo's maturity, Lee Dae-hyuk understood why.
"I get it. It's about my dignity, right?"
"..."
"Thanks... for that consideration."
"...Young Master."
Thrilled his sincerity was seen?
Yoon's voice quavered faintly.
Lee Dae-hyuk gazed at him a moment.
'...'
Silently raised his right hand.
"Dust on your suit."
With gentle words, he brushed Yoon's collar.
Simultaneously, his fingers grazed under Yoon's chin.
Flash!
Another sharp gleam, and Yoon's info and memories flooded in.
As expected.
Overly loyal, pure Yoon's past matched what he knew.
Stellar soldier, top bodyguard, caring dad...
But Lee Dae-hyuk held suspicion.
Betrayed by blood-brother and loyal boss, killed.
How trust lightly?
'He might hide ulterior motives beneath the facade.'
Peering into Yoon's thoughts amid doubt, Lee Dae-hyuk's eyes widened.