Coming into the study, Do-beom saw the room thick with smoke, opened the window to let it clear, and came over to where Tak-hyeon sat.

"Chairman. What did Head Kim have to say?"

"He said not to give money to either one."

"Not support either side?"

Do-beom wore a puzzled look, as if it were unexpected.

Seeing the expression on his face, Tak-hyeon curled the corner of his mouth up. "And do you know what else that fellow said?"

"What did he say?"

"That the money's given to secure help — but since both sides will end up coming to ask us for help in the end, there's no need to give them money at all."

"What does that…?"

Do-beom wore a look of disbelief.

Seeing his face again, Tak-hyeon smiled. "Right. I made just about the same face you're making now."

Having said it, Tak-hyeon rose from his seat. He put a cigarette to his lips and walked toward the window Do-beom had opened. Warm sunlight and a cool breeze came in through the open window, driving out the smell of smoke and bringing a refreshing feeling into the study.

Looking out at the yard, alive with fully bloomed green leaves, Tak-hyeon asked Do-beom, still facing the window, "What's the state of our country's economy right now?"

Receiving reports from the secretariat every week, Tak-hyeon could hardly not know. Do-beom realized the question was asking for his own subjective view, and walked closer to Tak-hyeon as he answered.

"The turmoil stemming from the Dubo Group and Bumi Group seems to have been contained to some degree by now, so on the surface it looks all right, but…"

"Hoo… you mean underneath, it's not?"

Tak-hyeon blew smoke out the window and turned his head to look at Do-beom.

Bowing his head slightly, Do-beom spoke in a somewhat troubled voice. "Nothing is certain."

"You know I'm not asking you for certainty. Just tell me. How does it look to you?"

At Tak-hyeon's words, Do-beom lifted his lowered head and spoke carefully. "I don't think Korea will come to harm from internal…