"The election results were a little disappointing."

"Tell me about it. If that surprise hadn't blown up at the last minute, we'd have won at least ten more seats."

"Ana is... a real headache."

"The Society Master told us never to let them in as members. Remarkable foresight."

A traditional house with an old tiled roof.

One of the old hostess restaurants in Samcheong-dong, in business since the Japanese colonial era.

In a VIP room whose open window framed handsome pines and green woods, three men had been drinking since broad daylight.

The table was so crowded with dishes of every kind that even that big table looked small.

"Floor Leader, you worked very hard all the same."

"Not at all. It was all thanks to your support, Director Son."

"Thanks to Chairman Ban Jong-hyeon too."

"It's all for the Society."

Son Dae-gyun, a director at Lee & Jang; Jeon Un-taek, floor leader of the Hanguk Freedom Party; and Ban Jong-hyeon, chairman of the Joguk Ilbo, had gathered.

All three were top-tier members of the Ilsong Society.

Their families had been tightly bound together since their ancestors' time.

These were the core figures, and with the election over, they were drinking.

From the presidency down to the National Assembly election, the job was done.

They'd taken back the power they'd lost for the past ten years.

It was the rebirth of their tight-knit web: pushing each other up, licking each other's boots, covering for each other.

"Director Son, did you say we should cut Ana loose?"

Jeon Un-taek asked as he raised his glass.

"I got the Society Master's approval. The conclusion was that keeping Ana on board would cost us more than it's worth."

Son Dae-gyun nodded.

"It's a shame. Ana spread money around so nicely..."

Chairman Ban Jong-hyeon of the Joguk Ilbo smacked his lips.

Through no fault of its own, the Ilsong Society had taken hits over the past ten years, and its money supply had run pretty dry.

To keep the Society secret, they'd screened members thoroughly.

The members served as leaders in every corner of…