NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 46
46.
The National Intelligence Service is the shield that protects South Korea, taking on the role of a fixer for all sorts of trivial matters.
They are an institution responsible not for the development of the nation, but for its maintenance.
If it’s an enemy of the state, they must bite down no matter what. That’s their instinct.
But then they think of their opponent.
Gangcheon.
A being with power beyond the nation.
“Not someone to mess with.”
Moreover, considering the various political relationships, it’s enough to leave a nasty scar.
“I’m going crazy.”
Kang Jin-young let out a sigh that seemed to reach the sky.
In the next cutscene, she gets crushed to death. This isn’t a heroic novel or a movie. It’s a harsh reality.
A certain death if you mess with it. Living on thin ice that melts with the coming of spring teaches you many things.
One of them is “eyes.”
You can see whether you’ll fall through and die or stay solid and survive. Over there, it’s a 100% chance of falling through and dying. No, maybe 98%?
“Nothing, there’s nothing.”
She pulls out her phone.
No new messages.
The last text was about meeting with members of the National Assembly a month ago. Since then, they’ve treated her like a dead person. As always.
“Why, even though there’s no hint yet?!”
Is that brat moving?
Why is the Crown Princess leading the Great Empire moving?!
“Is she moving?”
She stares at the tablet. It was equipment borrowed from an association employee.
‘No.’
Without knowing the opponent’s purpose, she can’t move.
That would be the worst.
A self-inflicted wound.
There’s a saying, “Be cautious, not hasty.” If you’re hasty, you’ll end up with a big nosebleed.
By now, something always comes. A chronic illness, you could say.
“Ugh, my head.”
She brought one hand to her temple. Her pupils dilated, and her sweat glands opened.
A headache.
A headache like being stabbed multiple times with a knife came rushing in.
Even renowned doctors couldn’t figure out the cause of this deep headache. What, what kind of illness is making me suffer like this?
She placed her hand on the desk and pulled it down like sharpening a cat’s claws.
Thud thud thud-
Wooden splinters came out one after another, creating a rough dissonance.
Several association employees rushed over. Medical staff were mixed in.
Supervisors often see this kind of situation.
Awakened Ones naturally feel repulsed by artificially created environments.
“It’s starting again. Don’t worry. She’ll be fine again.”
“But her condition doesn’t look good.”
“She recovers quickly. She’ll be fine. Besides, Awakening illness can’t even be treated. Leaving her alone is the best help. Just keep the reporters away.”
“R-really?”
Kang Mi-young said with her hands behind her back.
“……”
That damn human is looking at her arrogantly again. Aren’t they supposed to be collaborators? Kang Jin-young’s lips twitched ominously.
No. At least she’s her sister. Shouldn’t family show the slightest concern?! Crazy family, crazy household.
The only sane person is herself.
“Section Chief!”
It was Lee Ok-bun, who came over and patted her back.
Cold sweat poured out, making her skin semi-transparent. She’s dying. Where, where did the medicine go? She pulled out the medication from her pocket.
Antidepressants, sedatives, and a large amount of others.
Tap tap.
She hurriedly poured them into her mouth.
White, brown, orange, various colors filled her mouth. Very astringent. Bitter. The nauseating smell filled her mouth, making her want to spit it out.
She crushed the bottle. Her hand turned red. She trembled as if having a seizure.
“Are you okay…?!”
“No. Get lost.”
She glared at Lee Ok-bun.
Eyes full of venom.
Lee Ok-bun’s face turned pale. She ran away. It always ended badly when it got like this.
“Phew.”
The medicine finally seemed to take effect, and the pain and excitement subsided.
Even this isn’t perfect. She doesn’t know the exact reason.
Kang Jin-young confirmed that her surroundings had quieted down, then held her forehead with one hand and downed the coffee—mocha frappuccino—in one shot.
True to its extreme prescription, the headache returned. Now her stomach was upset from the coffee.
“Head, head. Ugh.”
Kang Jin-young’s head continued to burn.
Even with the high caffeine, there was no sudden clarity like before.
Had she become dull like a drug addict? The realm of thought didn’t expand at all.
“Are you okay?”
Kang Mi-young approached.
Kang Jin-young reacted fiercely, like a raging cat.
“Don’t touch me.”
Thud.
She slapped her hand away.
“What would mother say?”
“Why? That woman isn’t someone to call mother. She’s just someone who sucks the life out of you and throws you away when you’re useless. Do you think she has any affection? Huh?”
“If nothing has come, we might be able to move. I think I know what Kang Seo-jin is aiming for.”
“What is it?”
“Clearly, it’s Lee Seong-han.”
“……”
Gangcheon.
A top conglomerate in South Korea.
In reality, it’s a hotbed of all sorts of corruption.
It’s a closed-off kingdom. An empire.
Even though she’s part of the bloodline, it’s true that it’s unpleasant.
Kang Jin-young is a public figure, after all.
She was educated that way from birth.
She rebelled a few times, but due to South Korea’s deep-rooted collusion between politics and business, Gangcheon slipped away like an eel despite investigations.
“Just because of that one man?”
“Yes.”
Kang Mi-young quietly approached.
“There are many ears here.”
She grabbed Kang Jin-young and forcibly dragged her to a nearby waiting room. The waiting room was where supervisors rested during practical exams.
Kang Jin-young looked tired for a moment, then flicked her hand to cast a soundproofing spell.
No eavesdropping devices. Perfect for a secret conversation.
The waiting room had long sofas facing each other. In the center was a rectangular table. On it were cheap snacks.
The sisters calmly sat on their respective sofas.
They maintained a long silence for a while. Kang Jin-young broke it first. She couldn’t understand.
Her younger sister knows nothing about this field. Where did it go wrong?
“Why? Why would she move? That brat Kang Seo-jin.”
“Isn’t asking why too one-dimensional?”
“Of course. Why is that brat, who should be gradually taking over, hanging around here? Even with a fake identity.”
“You also failed to notice.”
“Even if I knew, I couldn’t do anything. You know that.”
Kang Jin-young felt the headache coming back.
The Empress. The third princess who will inherit the vast empire of Gangcheon is suddenly targeting an irregular named Lee Seong-han.
A warrior who should walk the path of righteousness is suddenly using underhanded tactics. It’s inevitable that there will be backlash.
‘That eccentric old man.’
Kang Jin-young’s eyes turned bloodshot.
Her birth mother, Chairwoman Kang Cheo-kyung, treated her like a burden several times. She was told every day that being born was a sin. Like a pawn to be used.
Her father died, and her stepfather took over, pushing their authority outward.
In the end, it’s exile.
It’s fortunate that the princess’s rebellion didn’t happen. The first princess, Kang Mi-young, and the second princess, Kang Jin-young, both lost their authority, so it naturally falls to the youngest.
“Sister, aren’t you going to move?”
“No. Not yet.”
“If she’s targeting Lee Seong-han, we should strike first.”
Kang Jin-young bitterly clicked her tongue.
“If we stay like this……”
That kid’s personality isn’t what it used to be.
Kang Seo-jin. That Crown Princess, the heir to the throne, what is she doing?
She won’t give it up easily.
“Sigh.”
She let out a sigh. It felt like the sky was falling.
As if trying to hide her anxious feelings, she scratched the wooden table with her nails.
Deep marks were left.
Ah, here we go again. She held her forehead. A habit. They say habits from three years old last until eighty. It was true.
Kang Jin-young felt her condition worsening.
She was born frail. She couldn’t receive energy. She lost her succession rights because of a shaman’s words.
Corporate leaders tend to believe in superstitions.
They boldly attribute what they can’t control to the gods. It’s selfish, but certain.
No wonder NASA employees are more devout than the Pope.
Thanks to fate, she survived.
When she first met Lee Seong-han on the front lines. That incident.
‘……Huh, huh huh.’
Kang Jin-young’s breathing became heavy.
When did her condition worsen?
Right after parting with Lee Seong-han. After being led to the situation room by Lee Ok-bun.
There’s something about that man. Kang Jin-young could feel it. It was an intuitive judgment.
“Let’s stop.”
“What.”
“This is our business. You know? As supervisors.”
Kang Jin-young shoved cheap snacks into her mouth.
Crunch- they broke in her mouth, and she chewed them noisily.
Kang Seo-jin. Since childhood, she’s been eccentric, standing out in odd ways. Due to circumstances, she’s ruined many relationships.
This is official duty.
Not as Kang Jin-young, exiled from the family, but as a member of the National Intelligence Service, she can’t be swayed. Moreover, there’s been no notification from the family yet. So what is this? It’s highly likely that it’s Kang Seo-jin’s independent action.
“Let’s go first.”
What kind of harmful fish stirs the water and even takes others’ things?
[Self-justification]
[Extreme possessiveness]
Clang!
Kang Jin-young adjusted her tie and rushed out the door.
Kang Mi-young followed with stiff steps.
Her younger sister felt jealous, but at least she didn’t want to lose to a corrupt hotbed like Gangcheon.