Chapter 61: The Hunt for Goliath Begins
“I’ll go to the meeting with you.”
“………..”
An awkward silence fell in the conference room.
I could feel the stares, as if they were looking at a madman, but I held my head high.
After all, I had finally unraveled it—
the golden light that had unexpectedly flowed out of Song Si-ho.
The atmosphere, frozen like Arctic ice, showed no signs of thawing.
And it was understandable.
Here I was, a mere intern, dropping a bombshell in front of the entire staff at such a solemn gathering.
No wonder even my fellow interns sitting beside me were staring at me like I had lost my mind.
‘Alfredo, at least you—please don’t look at me like that.’
Surprisingly, CEO Lee Jong-hoon quickly regained his composure and asked in a calm tone.
“Can you explain? Why do you think we can take down Osung if Dylan-ssi goes with us?”
“Regardless of the Ministry of SMEs’ stance, isn’t Norooq Partners the key player here?”
“That’s correct. While we can’t know what internal lobbying took place, the most critical factor is Norooq Partners’ decision. They hold all the power as the ultimate client.”
“I have a connection with Noorook Partners’ Sulayman.”
Murmurs erupted once again at my statement.
“Wasn’t Dylan-ssi said to be a current college student?”
“That’s what I heard too…”
“How could an ordinary university student have ties to a high-ranking Arab figure?”
“There’s… no way, right?”
CEO Lee Jong-hoon calmly pressed on.
“If you’re calling a brief introduction a ‘connection’, that won’t do. They strictly separate business and personal matters.”
“I received a message from him just a few days ago.”
“Norooq Partners… their vice president?”
It was true.
I had received a notification from Stargram, and when I checked, it was a direct message from Sulayman.
He mentioned that he would be visiting Korea soon and asked if I’d like to have a meal together if I had the time.
For some reason, Sulayman had taken an unusual liking to me.
Of course, I had no reason to refuse a meal paid for by a rich Hyung, so I had responded positively.
“Well… this is surprising. Dylan-ssi has a connection with Norooq Partners…”
Norooq Partners was no ordinary entity.
It was the largest venture capital firm in the Middle East, managing markets across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Egypt.
They had invested in approximately 90 startups across 11 countries, and the post-investment valuation increase of these startups had reached nearly 3 trillion won, showcasing their immense financial power.
There was even a saying that a failing startup could be forcibly resuscitated just by receiving an infusion of funds from Noorook Partners.
“Earlier, CEO-nim mentioned finding a way to take down Osung, the ‘Goliath’. How did David defeat Goliath? He struck the unsuspecting giant right between the eyes with a stone, bringing him down. I’m offering to be that stone. I can’t guarantee it will work, but in a situation where there are no other alternatives, isn’t it better to try than not?”
CEO Lee Jong-hoon, deep in thought, rested his chin on his hand and tapped the table with his fingers.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but think,
‘He really is Chairman Lee Seung-hwan’s son.’
The way he carried himself was exactly the same.
All eyes in the room were fixed on CEO Lee Jong-hoon as he began to speak.
Most of the employees seemed to be brimming with curiosity.
Tak.
Lee Jong-hoon lightly tapped the table with his palm before giving a firm nod.
“Very well. Actually… While the meeting is typically restricted to pre-registered attendees… I’ll see what I can do to arrange something at my discretion.”
‘Wow. As expected of a man of capability. It’s not just his good looks that stand out.’
“Dylan-ssi will attend the meeting with me. With that, we’ll conclude this discussion. I know everyone has their hands full, so I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to be here. And I owe you all an apology. To be honest, as CEO, this is something I should have handled on my own. But due to my own shortcomings, I had to ask for your help.”
The atmosphere turned solemn at his unexpected apology.
“I suppose I let my impatience get the better of me, thinking this could be a stepping stone for Buksan Ventures to move to the next level. And Dylan-ssi, even though you’re an intern, you stepped up with courage. I appreciate that. That’s all for today. You may all return to work.”
As the meeting was declared over, the employees began to file out like a receding tide.
I was pulled along by my fellow interns and found myself heading up to the rooftop of the building.
“Dylan-ssi? Are you really going to be okay?”
At Rose’s concerned words, I flashed a faint smile.
“Of course not. Ugh. Why did I say all that? I must be crazy. I’ve lost my damn mind.”
clenched my fist and lightly knocked myself on the head.
My two fellow interns blinked at me in surprise.
‘Such pure-hearted people. Makes teasing them even more fun.’
“Still, I have to give it a shot. If I do nothing, it’s a guaranteed zero. But if I try, there’s at least a 0.1% chance, right? I mean… I’ve gone this far already. If it doesn’t work out, it is what it is. It’s not like our CEO-nim would refuse to pay me just because things didn’t go as planned.”
Even though I had meant it as a joke, neither of them responded.
That’s when I noticed the shift in Rose’s expression.
“Honestly… I was jealous of you, Dylan-ssi.”
“…Huh?”
“The way you contributed to Studio SH’s investment deal… We’re both interns, but I kept wondering—why can’t I do something like that? It made me feel so… inadequate.”
Her sudden confession caught me completely off guard.
But Rose continued, undeterred.
“There’s been a lot of pressure. The pressure of having to secure a full-time position here, no matter what. I don’t want to go back to job hunting, endlessly stacking up qualifications again. And more than anything… I really love this company. There are so many people here I respect. After spending time here, I started to want something more—to be a real part of this place, not just an intern. I realized that studying for certifications was nothing compared to how much I enjoy learning about this field.”
She spoke as if she were confessing at a church altar, her voice laced with sincerity.
I listened in silence.
“But now, I’ve changed my mindset. Watching you two give your best in everything you do… it made me want to do the same. So, from now on, I’m going to give it my all in the ways that I can. And… I just wanted to say thank you. I’m grateful that you two are my fellow interns.”
Her heartfelt words left me scratching my head, at a loss for how to respond.
At the same time, a strange warmth tickled at my chest—like someone was lightly tapping a feather against it.
Thinking back, whether it was transferring universities or landing this internship…
I really had the best luck when it came to the people around me.
“I had no idea you felt that way, Rose. Sigh… If anything, I feel the opposite.”
“Huh?”
Rose adjusted her glasses, eyes widening in surprise.
“I don’t know how you two see me, but honestly, I’ve learned a lot just by watching you both. I’m not exactly cut out for corporate life. I tend to act on impulse, so I never know which way I’ll end up going. But working with you guys, I’ve learned how to handle office life, how to act in ways that managers appreciate… and of course, how to actually do my job.”
I looked at them with a fiery gaze, filled with conviction.
“Now listen up and take this seriously. I’ve been pretty much a pro at reading situations since I was young. If you keep going the way you are now, you’ll definitely secure full-time positions. So, let’s not lose sight of our initial intentions and keep moving forward. And if one of us stumbles along the way? Well, that’s what teammates are for—we pick each other up. Isn’t that the best part of having good colleagues?”
“Dylan-ssi…”
Alfredo and Rose looked at me with teary eyes.
‘Alfredo… Those puppy-dog eyes don’t suit your build.’
“But let’s make one promise. If anything ever gets tough at work, let’s be honest with each other and talk it out. What do you say?”
Both of them nodded enthusiastically at my suggestion.
“Sounds great!”
“I’m in, too.”
Just then, Alfredo scratched his chin with an arm as thick as a telephone pole.
“Uh… but Dylan, there’s something I’ve been wondering about.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“Norooq Partners is an Arab company, so why is “Noru” (노루) 1(The name “Noru” (노루) in Hangul actually refers to a roe deer or muntjac in Korean) in the name? Is it like how cows are sacred in Hinduism? Wait… are there even “Noru” in the Middle East?”
“…….”
I take back what I said earlier.
There might not be anything to learn from Alfredo after all…
National Assembly Knowledge Economy Committee Meeting Room, Yeouido
[UAE-KOREA BUSINESS FORUM]
A large banner hung prominently at the front.
Around the long, oval-shaped table sat a lineup of distinguished men in suits, their ages suggesting decades of experience.
The lineup of attendees was nothing short of impressive.
Centered around the Minister of SMEs and Startups were the Chairman of the Knowledge Economy Committee, the Director of the Startup and Venture Bureau, the Industrial Economy Policy Director, and the Executive Director of the Young Entrepreneurs Foundation, alongside key representatives of South Korea’s leading venture capital firms.
Seated at the very edge was CEO Lee Jong-hoon.
And even further down the table, all alone, was me.
A young man like me sitting conspicuously among a sea of seasoned elders was bound to draw attention.
Choi Myung-goo, CEO of Osung Ventures, who sat beside Lee Jong-hoon, glanced at me before letting out a chuckle.
“Tsk. You went through all that trouble just to bring along a low-level employee? Seeing how determined you were, I almost thought you’d be bringing Chairman Lee himself.”
Though his tone was polite, there was an unmistakable hint of mockery.
“The Chairman is an exceptionally busy man. But don’t worry, CEO Choi. I’ll be sure to pass along your regards.”
“Ahem… Well, no need to go that far.”
No matter how successful Osung Ventures was, it paled in comparison to the towering presence of Chairman Lee Seung-hwan, a giant in the business world.
“But how did this young man end up attending this meeting?”
“He’s a talent the Chairman has taken a special interest in. I thought it would be a good experience for him, so I brought him along. I hope you understand…”
“The Chairman, you say?”
At the mention of Lee Seung-hwan’s name, Choi Myung-goo’s gaze shifted slightly.
Gone was the look of ‘Who’s this nobody?’—now replaced with a more calculating, ‘Is he someone worth keeping an eye on?’
After a moment of silence, Choi Myung-goo leaned in slightly and lowered his voice as he spoke to Lee Jong-hoon.
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but the economic envoy delegation has already been unofficially assigned to Osung Ventures.”
“Is that so? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“The Minister hinted at it. He mentioned it would’ve looked even better if Buksan Ventures had joined us, but, well… what a shame, huh? Hahaha.”
Such an insincere laugh.
This man was clearly better suited for politics than business.
But our CEO Lee Jong-hoon wasn’t the type to be rattled by cheap provocations.
“We’ll see soon enough. If I remember correctly, you also assured me that you’d win the election for Chairman of the Korea Venture Capital Association last time… But as I recall… hmm…”
A brutal counterattack.
Choi Myung-goo’s ears turned red in an instant.
He quickly turned away and started a conversation with someone else on the opposite side of the table.
Grinning, I discreetly gave Lee Jong-hoon a thumbs-up.
He responded with a knowing wink.
This man… truly lethal.
A moment later, a man who appeared to be an aide approached and whispered something to the Minister of SMEs and Startups.
The minister then adjusted his microphone and spoke.
“We have just received word that Vice President Sulayman of Norooq Partners has arrived. Please join me in giving him a warm round of applause. He is a distinguished guest who has traveled far to be with us today.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted outside the door, which then swung open abruptly.
“Vice President Sulayman of Norooq Partners is entering the room!”
With that announcement, a familiar-looking middle-aged Arab man, dressed in a pristine white “kandura” 2(A kandura (also spelled “kandoora” or “dishdasha”) is a traditional long robe worn by men in the Arabian Peninsula, especially in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. It’s usually white (though it can come in other colors) and made of light, breathable fabric to suit the hot climate) entered the room.
His presence alone was enough to weigh down the air in the room.
Every step he took carried an undeniable authority.
Sulayman, who had entered with a stoic expression, spotted me tucked away in the corner and broke into the brightest smile.
It was a truly dramatic transformation.
“أوه! أخ كم ثمن هذا؟”
(Assalamu alaykum, Oh, Ahu-nim 3(Brother)! How long has it been?)
“كيف حالك أخي؟”
(Waalaykum assalam. How are you, Sulayman hyung-nim?)
Sulayman rushed forward and pulled me into a tight embrace.
Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Choi Myung-goo’s jaw dropping in utter shock.
And so, the hunt for Goliath had officially begun.
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