NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 176

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 176. Fantasy Building

 

“Finally finished. Good work.”

 

 

 

Even after the New Year holidays, whenever their schedules were free, Yeon-woo and Han Hae-woon coordinated their time to make contact with all six people on the list in order.

 

 

 

– Still, we managed to recruit three of them.

 

 

 

Two special agents who had connections with Yeon-woo in the past, and one special forces soldier who was a colleague of Han Hae-woon in his previous life.

 

 

 

A total of three people accepted the proposal, while the other three refused before even hearing the details, saying they wanted to live ordinary lives like regular people.

 

 

 

“Three is enough. Too many would be difficult to control.”

 

– That’s true, since both you and I have our main jobs, Team Leader.

 

 

 

Not only Yeon-woo but also Han Hae-woon was busy with his work as a prosecutor, so most agents would need to be given long-term missions and operate independently.

 

 

 

And the agents who accepted were talented individuals who could fully handle those roles.

 

 

 

“Kim Su-hyeok, Lee Kyu-jin, Park Jung-hyeon. All of them have specs that wouldn’t fall behind any active personnel.”

 

– That’s right.

 

“For now, give them initial orders to warm up and stand by. We need time to prepare money laundering and organize things before moving in earnest.”

 

– Yes. Understood.

 

 

 

Soon the profits from “White Blood” would be distributed.

 

 

 

The expected revenue from “White Blood,” which had a total production cost of around 30 billion won, approached 600 million dollars.

 

600 million dollars is an amount exceeding 700 billion won in Korean currency.

 

 

 

With a profit rate of over 20 times the investment amount, there had never been such a jackpot.

 

 

 

It was an unprecedented amount even considering the entire domestic movie and drama market combined.

 

Serving 190 countries worldwide and achieving global first place while maintaining it to this day, it was a natural figure in some ways.

 

 

 

There were even reports suggesting that 600 million dollars was too conservative an estimate.

 

 

 

‘Of course, not all of that is ours…’

 

 

 

Of course, 700 billion was the expected future revenue, and the first settlement amount would be less than half of that.

 

 

 

Fortunately, since CEO Kim Ju-seong didn’t receive external investment and LN Enter fully owned the IP rights when contracting with Netflix, the commission fees weren’t as large as other works.

 

 

 

The guarantee distributed to Yeon-woo would probably easily exceed 10 billion.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo recalled the time when he made the contract.

 

Actually, he hadn’t expected such large sales revenue when he signed the running guarantee contract.

 

 

 

‘I just wanted to lower production costs by delaying even my appearance fee payment.’

 

 

 

If Yeon-woo, the lead actor, contracted with a running guarantee and didn’t receive an appearance fee, the production cost would decrease by that amount, lowering the break-even point.

 

 

 

At the time of production, it was such an experimental genre with uncertain success prospects that he chose to reduce production burden.

 

 

 

“As a result, we’ve secured sufficient war funds to deal with Baeksol.”

 

 

 

Modern espionage operations fundamentally depend on equipment.

 

Even excluding taxes from the revenue, this amount provided sufficient financial power.

 

 

 

“The time for shopping will come soon.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo chuckled, thinking that Han Hae-woon would probably be more excited than himself.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

That timing came sooner than expected.

 

 

 

A few days later, the profit distributed to Yeon-woo reached 15 billion even after excluding taxes.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo transferred most of that profit to Han Hae-woon and ordered money laundering.

 

 

 

The funds laundered primarily through Han Hae-woon were entrusted to Baek No-ya and laundered secondarily through various channels before being deposited into an account under the corporate name of Teren Williams.

 

 

 

Teren Williams was the Canadian cover identity that Yeon-woo had given to Han Hae-woon.

 

CEO of a corporation headquartered in the Virgin Islands and Barbados.

 

 

 

Of course, it was a paper company that existed only on documents for tax avoidance.

 

 

 

“How does it feel to own over 10 billion?”

 

– It’s the largest operational fund I’ve ever handled. But you’re the real owner anyway, Team Leader.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo smiled upon hearing Han Hae-woon’s words.

 

 

 

“First, we need to buy a building with that amount. You’ve prepared perfectly for the fund source investigation, right?”

 

– Yes. Actually, having a foreigner proceed through overseas banks is advantageous for fund procurement plan verification. When operating overseas, even with everything prepared, it was harder than domestic operations…

 

“In the current situation, it’s fortunate for us.”

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon on the screen Yeon-woo was watching was driving in disguise to meet a real estate agent.

 

 

 

“Your skin must be getting irritated from disguising so often lately?”

 

– I’m grateful that at least you acknowledge it, Team Leader.

 

 

 

Frequent disguising causes the skin to turn red and eventually peel off.

 

How could he not know? He had lived his entire life that way.

 

 

 

– Is the broker I’m going to meet now competent?

 

“Mm, their work handling was clean.”

 

 

 

Yeon-woo had given Han Hae-woon the contact information of the luxury property specialist broker who handled the process when Yeon-woo bought his house.

 

 

 

– I’ve arrived at the meeting place. I’ll keep words to a minimum once I get out.

 

“Got it.”

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon soon got out of the car and had a conversation with the real estate agent he had seen before.

 

 

 

Then he immediately got into the agent’s car and began moving to check the prepared properties.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo’s voice reached Han Hae-woon’s ears.

 

 

 

– The most important thing we need to look at first is the structure. We need to be able to easily grasp the movements around us, and there shouldn’t be any points nearby where sniping or surveillance is possible. And a building that allows for easy counterattack and evasion in case of emergency.

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon tapped the microphone connected to his necktie twice to indicate he understood.

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon got out of the agent’s car when they arrived in front of a building.

 

 

 

As he looked up at the building, the agent immediately came up beside him and began explaining.

 

 

 

“This building has a total floor area of 257 square meters and a gross floor area of 1,320 square meters. It’s 7 floors above ground with 2 basement levels. The vacancy rate is also low, so the return on investment is quite good in this area. The property price is 14.3 billion won.”

 

 

 

After hearing the agent’s words, Han Hae-woon adjusted his sunglasses while looking around the building.

 

 

 

Things like return on investment weren’t important.

 

 

 

What was important was whether surveillance or sniping could be conducted from the surrounding buildings, and what the escape routes looked like – these were the main observation targets.

 

 

 

– This building won’t work. The surrounding visibility isn’t secured, and the rooftop of the front building provides sniping points for all floors.

 

 

 

After hearing Yeon-woo’s voice, Han Hae-woon nodded.

 

 

 

“Hmm, I don’t like this building. Let’s move on to another property.”

 

“Yes. Please get in, sir.”

 

Since he was someone who only handled luxury properties, he didn’t add unnecessary words when a client expressed dissatisfaction.

 

 

 

Getting into the car, Han Hae-woon told the agent his conditions again.

 

 

 

“Do you have any properties where the surrounding view is more open? Vacancy rates and profit margins aren’t important.”

 

 

 

Not considering vacancy rates and profit margins when purchasing a building.

 

Not considering vacancy rates and yield when purchasing a building.

 

It would have been reasonable to think it strange, but actually it wasn’t.

 

These days, most wealthy people who buy buildings on Seoul land are purchasing them to profit from capital gains, and in such cases, they often use the properties directly themselves.

 

“Office use would be closer.”

 

“Hmm, are you thinking of running something like a cafe in the building yourself? Or are you planning to use it as an office…?”

 

“The office would be closer.”

 

But each had some shortcomings.

 

 

 

If it were just a matter of purchasing a building, the agent’s recommendations were excellent.

 

 

 

However, since it was intended for special use and he couldn’t reveal the details, it was difficult to find a property that fit perfectly.

 

 

 

Then the agent, who had been pondering, looked at Han Hae-woon as if something had occurred to him.

 

 

 

“CEO Teren. I have one property that comes to mind, which meets all the conditions you mentioned, but I had forgotten about it because it has some problems.”

 

“I think it would be better for you to go see it first and then make a judgment.”

 

 

 

At the agent’s words, Han Hae-woon nodded.

 

 

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

Han Woon nodded at the broker’s words.

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

“Yes. I understand. Manager Kim, let’s go to the Mokwha Building.”

 

The real estate agent’s car drove down the main road toward Gwanak-gu.

 

After running for a long time, the building they arrived at was completely vacant except for a small bakery on the first floor.

 

Although it wasn’t on a main street, there didn’t seem to be any reason for it to be completely vacant like this.

 

 

 

“Well, this building went to auction after being caught operating an illegal gambling house, and when no one came forward to acquire it, I purchased it at a low price.”

 

 

 

Then Yeon-woo’s voice reached Han Hae-woon’s ears.

 

 

 

– When we were heading here earlier, did they say the building name was Mokwha Building?

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon asked the agent.

 

 

 

“Is this building’s name Mokwha Building?”

 

– Earlier when we were heading here, you said the building name was Cotton Building, right?

 

Han Hae-un asked the broker.

 

“Is this building called the Cotton Building?”

 

“Yes. That’s correct.”

 

The broker who had answered picked up his phone to check his notes, then continued speaking.

 

“The land is a total of 303 square meters, and the total floor area is 716 square meters. It has 5 floors above ground and 1 basement level for parking.”

 

Yeonwoo’s voice, having heard the broker’s words, reached Han Haeun’s ears.

 

– 716 in 303?

 

***

 

Yeonwoo, who had been researching the building while looking at the screen, found information by searching the internet and told Han Haeun about it.

 

“Leave your stuff and go up to the 5th floor by yourself.”

 

Then Han Hae-woon on the screen, who had tapped his necktie twice, opened his mouth.

 

 

 

– This building. From the outside, it’s quite appealing. Since it’s vacant anyway, I’d like to go up to the top floor and take a look around.

 

– Yes. I’ll guide you right away. Let’s go.

 

 

 

Then Han Hae-woon shook his head.

 

 

 

– No. I’d like to look around quietly by myself.

 

– Ah, yes. Then I’ll wait on the 1st floor. If you need any explanations, please contact me. I’ll come up right away, CEO.

 

 

 

Han Hae-woon nodded and entered the building, took the elevator, and went up to the 5th floor.

 

 

 

– Team Leader, I’ve come up. The interior is narrower than expected, but the surrounding buildings and view are decent. However, the entrance is narrow and there’s only one, so the entry and exit routes don’t look very good.

 

 

 

Hearing Han Hae-woon’s voice, Yeon-woo looked at the monitor.

 

The monitor displayed the blueprint of the building where Han Hae-woon was currently located and an aerial view from a portal site map.

 

 

 

“Hae-woon. Go to the end of the building’s left wall.”

 

– The end of the left wall? Understood.

 

 

 

As Han Hae-woon went and stood at the end of the left wall as instructed, Yeon-woo continued speaking.

 

 

 

“Knock on the wall.”

 

 

 

Thump thump─.

 

 

 

– Huh? The sound is···.

 

 

 

A hollow sound came through that was clearly noticeable even through the speaker.

 

 

 

“Try knocking on the other wall surfaces too.”

 

– Yes. Understood.

 

 

 

Tap tap─.

 

 

 

It was definitely a different sound from the wall surface at the left end.

 

A solid sound from inside. If it was a normal building’s exterior wall, this kind of sound would be correct.

 

 

 

– If this isn’t shoddy construction···.

 

“Right. I just compared this building’s blueprint with the aerial view, and this building has been tampered with.”

 

– I definitely thought the floor area ratio was lower than it appeared from the outside.

 

 

 

Yeon-woo looked at the monitor and said with a smile.

 

 

 

“Looking at the records now, the original building owner used it continuously since its completion in ’96, and it’s the first time it’s been put on the market. And not once have the 4th and 5th floors ever been rented out.”

 

– The more I hear, the more suspicious it sounds.

 

“Earlier you said he was arrested for running an illegal gambling house, right? Doesn’t something come to mind?”

 

– It reeks heavily of those Teheran Gamblers.

 

 

 

Floors that had never been rented out even once since the building was constructed.

 

A history of being used as an illegal gambling house.

 

Interior space calculated smaller compared to the land area measured by aerial view.

 

One wall surface that made a hollow sound.

 

 

 

While it might be a troublesome headache for someone else, it was perfect conditions for Yeon-woo and Han Hae-woon.

 

 

 

“Purchase this building.”

 

 

 

He had seen countless buildings like this in his previous life when stationed overseas with Han Hae-woon.

 

 

 

Buildings constructed for the purpose of setting up gambling houses always had this structure.

 

 

 

It was precisely the Gamblers’ secret escape route.

 

 

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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