The last days of January 2015.
A major piece of news erupted from the Saudi royal family.
"Chairman! King Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has passed away."
"At last, the time has come."
The death of the Saudi King.
That meant Crown Prince Salman would now ascend the throne.
It also meant that the day was near when we could finally release the massive collection of corruption records we had gathered.
"Due to the King's death, oil prices have started to rise sharply."
"How are the short-sellers reacting?"
"As oil prices climb, they're dumping even more shares. And since many experts believe this price increase will be temporary, Hess's stock isn't rising at all."
One variable alone wasn't enough.
Multiple factors needed to converge in order to turn the tide.
"It's time for us to move as well. Buy up all the shares the short-sellers are throwing into the market. Acquire so much Hess stock that none remains available for trading."
"I've been itching to act for so long I thought I'd die from it. Defense doesn't suit me at all."
"You endured well. Now it's time to go on the offensive without restraint—so let loose."
"I'll sweep up the shares all at once. Thanks to the rising oil prices, we've already seen considerable profit. I'll mobilize all those funds too, and swallow up every share the short-sellers dump!"
"As you know, raise the heat gradually. We don't want the frog leaping out of the pot in surprise."
If we suddenly poured in massive capital, they would be startled and retreat.
Instead, we had to create the impression that we were barely holding the line while quietly buying up shares bit by bit.
That way, the short-sellers would try harder to crush us by dumping even more.
But those dumped shares would eventually have to be bought back.
After all, short-selling meant borrowing shares from financial firms, selling them, and then repurchasing them at a cheaper price to make a profit.
But what if the stock price soared too high?
They would face forced liquidation or be forced to endure crushing interest costs just to hold their position.
The moment the stock price rose, the short-sellers became debtors—and unless I released my shares back into the market, they would be trapped in irrecoverable ruin.
"Gradually acquire all of Hess's shares by May. As for me, I must leave for Saudi Arabia immediately."
"I'll contact Saudi officials and prepare the private jet at once."
President Han rushed to the planning office to make the arrangements.
I quickly packed a light bag and headed for the airport.
After boarding the private jet, I arrived in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
With the King's death and the new monarch's impending ascension, the entire country was enveloped in tension.
Unlike usual, I had to undergo strict immigration procedures before finally stepping outside the airport, where a car arranged by Bin Salman awaited to take me to his residence.
"Chairman Kim, you've arrived."
"My condolences."
Bin Salman's mansion was filled with many guests.
Since there were eyes watching, our greeting was stiff and formal, unlike our usual exchanges.
Once the introductions were over, Bin Salman personally guided me to a private room. The moment we stepped inside, away from others, he treated me with his usual warmth.
"Thank you for coming. The events you once spoke of are finally beginning to unfold."
"You must not show any weakness. You must act with the awareness that your status is now entirely different from before."
"Don't worry. Thanks to both you and my father, who constantly urged me to harden my resolve, I've already prepared myself."
Indeed, Bin Salman's demeanor had changed.
When I had seen him before, there had been a mischievous glint in his eyes, but now he carried an aura of dignity.
"His Majesty will now be consumed with the responsibilities of running the nation. That means you must be the one to prepare and execute everything."
"My father has already said he intends to appoint me Minister of Defense in the near future."
In Saudi Arabia, the true second-in-command of the government was the Minister of Defense.
According to royal protocol, the Crown Prince was supposed to be Prince Nayef, Bin Salman's cousin.
But by appointing his own son, Bin Salman, as Minister of Defense, the new King was openly declaring who the real second-in-command would be.
"The position of Minister of Defense is perfect for wielding the sword."
"First, I'll settle the issue in Yemen. After that, I plan to carry out the purges slowly."
"Use Yemen to draw attention, then begin by striking down the royals with the clearest and largest corruption cases. No citizen will ever oppose a war on corruption."
For now, Bin Salman couldn't ascend to the position of Crown Prince.
He lacked both the justification and the achievements required.
But if he could carry out the purge and reclaim the royals' ill-gotten wealth for the national treasury, he would gain both legitimacy and a track record of accomplishment.
"My father intends to fully consolidate power before we act. At the latest, by May, I think the purge can begin."
"Then there's nothing more I can do to help. With King Salman on the throne, it will be much easier for you to obtain information on the royal family."
"Even so, most of my external intelligence still comes through you. Please, just keep supplying me with information until the purge is complete."
Bin Salman had always looked somewhat chubby, even harmlessly round and cute.
But today, he was different.
In his eyes burned the greed and ambition seen only in those who had stepped into the very center of power.
"I've secured information not only from Wall Street in the U.S., but also from China and Russia. You don't need to worry about external intelligence."
"But what about you, brother? I heard American oil companies are under attack from short-sellers. If you need it, I can mobilize the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to support you."
"And how would that look? Saudi Arabia is already locked in a power struggle with the U.S. If the Saudi sovereign wealth fund steps in to aid an American company, what do you think people will say?"
I was grateful for Bin Salman's concern.
But if he recklessly moved the sovereign wealth fund, it would endanger his future. I couldn't accept that.
"Of course, the sovereign wealth fund can't be used directly. But I could provide discreet support through various overseas companies."
"There's no need for Saudi's sovereign wealth fund to help me fight short-sellers. If one day I end up facing even greater powers, then I'll ask for your help."
"I've heard that the so-called 'King of Short-Selling' himself is leading this attack. Are you really going to be all right?"
Bin Salman's worry for me was genuine.
He didn't realize that I was actually toying with the short-sellers, which was why he fretted.
"Just watch how I handle the short-sellers. It'll be entertaining."
"So you already have a plan."
"Exactly. It's as if the short-sellers have stumbled right into the net we cast. Everything is unfolding according to our design, so there's no need for concern."
"So you've been playing with the short-sellers all along."
"This is the perfect opportunity to make an example of what happens when someone dares to strike at Taewoo Group. If you keep your power hidden, people mistake you for being weak. That's why you have to unleash it once in a while—to remind them."
Choosing the target of such an example was crucial.
If it was someone insignificant, the impact would be negligible.
But the so-called King of Short-Selling was more than worthy—a perfect opponent to demonstrate the full extent of our strength.
"I'll remember that. 'Power only has meaning when it is used, not when it is saved.' I'll exert every bit of my strength to prove my position as well."
"The purge must be carried out boldly. If you try to be too gentle, some royals might grow arrogant enough to challenge you head-on."
Bin Salman nodded.
The look in his eyes was gradually transforming into that of a beast.
Even without my urging, I could see he would carry out the purge with ruthlessness and ferocity.
"Ah! And about oil production—my father may have consolidated power, but increasing output isn't something that can be done recklessly. It seems production will remain as it is for at least several more years."
"Don't concern yourself with me. Just do as you always have. Whatever decisions Saudi makes, I'll find my own way to survive."
"Still, I'll keep sending you related information."
"A small hint now and then is more than enough."
"When I ascend to the position of Crown Prince, I'll make sure to repay you."
"There's no need for repayment between us. Just continue to get along as you do now—that alone is enough."
Repayment was only ever temporary.
But as long as I could maintain a good relationship, Taewoo Group would gain a powerful ally in Saudi Arabia—an advantage that promised far greater long-term benefits.
"Of course, I'd like to keep getting along with you as we do now. My father has also told me many times to treat you like a true brother."
"If it's His Majesty's command, I'll gladly follow it. And from now on, whatever happens—no matter how small—make sure you tell me. I'll help however I can."
"You need only say the word as well. Ah! And soon we'll be launching a massive civil engineering project. If Taewoo Construction wants it, I can grant them the exclusive contract."
But greed for small gains often led to losing greater things.
I hadn't come this far and endured all this effort just to win a construction contract.
"I'd rather avoid any unnecessary trouble. We'll participate through competitive bidding, so make sure Taewoo Construction isn't given any special treatment."
"I want to look after you, but if you keep refusing, I really don't know what to do."
"What need is there for such things between brothers? Just being together is more than enough."
What meaning could a civil engineering contract possibly hold?
I was securing a bond with the future King of Saudi Arabia—that was what truly mattered.
"I've handed over all the information I have, so I'll be taking my leave now."
"You're not going to greet my father before you go?"
"For now, it's better to offer my respects through you. Once things have settled down, I'll return to greet him in person."
Some might think it excessive to fly all the way to Saudi Arabia just to pass along information.
But if one considered it as strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia's future ruler, it was no loss at all.
And so, after handing over the information, I returned straight back to Korea.
***
Guyana, a small country in South America.
A quiet nation with a population of barely 800,000.
But the waters off Guyana's coast were anything but quiet.
ExxonMobil, Hess, and many others—
various oil exploration companies were pouring in massive capital in search of oil fields.
Among them, Logan, who led ExxonMobil's exploration team, was working with unmatched passion.
"Ever since Hess joined, our pace has increased several times over."
"The amount of capital being invested has more than doubled as well. Before, we were constantly struggling to cut costs, but now we can finally conduct exploration boldly."
"With this much support, we owe them results… yet this damned oil field refuses to show itself."
For more than ten years, Guyana's oil reserves had remained hidden.
Some of the exploration staff had already grown so disheartened that they worked like machines, going through the motions without hope.
But Logan was different. Armed with long experience and extensive data, he still believed that a massive oil field lay beneath Guyana's waters.
And this, he thought, was his last chance.
Even with oil prices falling, the project was receiving extraordinary backing.
But if they failed despite such support, no company would ever again take interest in Guyana's reserves.
That was why Logan pushed himself to the limit, throwing his entire body and willpower into the exploration.
Several days passed.
While surveying the Stabroek Block off Guyana's coast—
"Team leader! You'd better come see this. We're getting completely different results this time!"
"What is it?"
Logan rushed into the analysis room.
What he saw on the report was so incredible that he could hardly believe his eyes.
"It's here! We found it! At least five billion barrels, minimum!"
"R-really?"
"Wooooo! At long last, we've discovered a giant oil field!"
Ten years of effort.
At last, it had borne fruit for Logan and his team.
Of course, the ones who stood to benefit the most were ExxonMobil and Hess.
And for Hess in particular, under assault from short-sellers, this was the golden opportunity to turn the tables.