After the funeral, Si Mok, now living under the guise of Lee Jin-ho, felt a rush of determination. With the evidence secured and allies in place, it was time to solidify his position. He needed a vehicle to move through the city discreetly, so he headed to a local car dealership.
The showroom gleamed with polished surfaces and the scent of new leather filled the air. Si Mok approached a dealer, a middle-aged man with an affable demeanor.
"I'm looking for something that fits within a specific budget," Si Mok stated, gauging the dealer's reaction.
The dealer raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised at the modesty of Si Mok's budget considering the flashy cars around them. "Well, let me show you a few options," he replied, leading Si Mok to the back lot.
After some negotiation, Si Mok settled on a practical but sleek sedan that would serve him well without drawing too much attention. With the keys in hand, he drove toward the heart of the city, where the underbelly of the assemblyman's operations thrived.
As he approached the gang's hideout, an unmarked building tucked away in a dilapidated area, Si Mok felt a mix of nostalgia and unease. He entered to find the atmosphere thick with tension; injured members sprawled across the floor, their faces etched with pain from recent skirmishes.
"Si Mok!" called out Han Park, his loyal ally, who stood with Ji-chang in a corner, both looking battered but determined. "We were beginning to think you wouldn't show."
"I'm not done yet," Si Mok replied, scanning the room. He knew they were in a precarious position, and their numbers had dwindled. The leader of this gang was a powerful figure, one who had the assemblyman's ear.
Si Mok approached their leader, a burly man with a hard face and a skeptical gaze. "I need a recommendation to the assemblyman," Si Mok stated plainly.
The leader scoffed, his expression unreadable. "And why would I help you, Jin-ho? You're just a ghost returning from the dead."
In response, Si Mok pulled out a file he had obtained earlier, the contents carefully curated evidence that he had preserved. He slid it across the table. The leader picked it up, flipping through the pages. As he read, his eyes widened in disbelief. "These… these crimes… I thought they'd never see the light of day," he murmured, realization dawning on him.
After a moment of contemplation, the leader sighed, defeat seeping into his tone. "Fine. I'll recommend you, but this better not backfire on us."
With the leader's backing secured, Si Mok and Han Park headed to the assemblyman's farmhouse, a sprawling estate that belied his public persona. The opulence surrounding the farmhouse didn't surprise Si Mok; he knew well the corruption and misdeeds that had allowed the assemblyman to amass such wealth.
Upon entering, they were greeted by an array of luxurious furnishings, but Si Mok focused on the task at hand. The gangster who had brought him here introduced Si Mok to the assemblyman, explaining that he was a professional manager capable of handling complex operations.
"Welcome, Jin-ho," the assemblyman said, extending a hand, his expression a mix of curiosity and condescension. "I hear you've had an impressive career."
"Let's just say I'm here to help," Si Mok replied, maintaining his composure.
"Good to hear," the assemblyman continued, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I have just the role for you. We've acquired a detective agency, and you'll have everything you need at your disposal to assist with… various matters."
Si Mok nodded, feeling the weight of the situation. This was his chance to infiltrate the very heart of the assemblyman's operations. He would gather intelligence, observe the inner workings, and position himself to strike when the moment was right.
As the assemblyman elaborated on the agency's capabilities, Si Mok glanced around the room, mentally plotting his next moves. The pieces were beginning to align, and he was ready to turn the tables on those who had wronged him. But he needed to tread carefully; the stakes were high, and one misstep could spell disaster.
With determination fueling his every thought, Si Mok prepared for the challenges ahead. He was no longer just a prosecutor seeking justice; he was a man on a mission, determined to reclaim his life and dismantle the corruption that had nearly destroyed him. The game was afoot, and he intended to play it to win.