"Very well. If you can promise that, I will gladly contribute military funds to the independence army."
"Thank you, Comrade Steel. Our country and our people will surely remember your determination today."
"But I can't just hand it over."
"What do you mean?"
At my words, Oh Deok-su frowned.
"Take it and go. Don't I have to live too?"
Oh Deok-su stared at me with a meaningful gaze.
"Please understand my situation as well."
"I understand… what are you suggesting?"
"I will report it to the military police immediately after being robbed."
"…That makes sense."
And so, from that moment on, something irreversible began.
I became a man who secretly supported the independence movement.
My own form of resistance had started.
Of course, it wasn't born from pure patriotism.
It began as a shallow, desperate trick to prepare for the future.
"I will send the funds to the Provisional Government through my second older brother. We already import raccoon pelts and hides from Manchukuo, so preparations won't be suspicious."
If I was going to do something this dangerous, I had to do it thoroughly.
My brother's name would appear on the surface.
My own name would remain completely hidden.
"You're telling me to pretend to be a Manchukuo merchant?"
"Yes."
"I'll do it. But didn't you say I had to rob you first?"
"That will still happen. And I have one request."
"What is it?"
"No one must know I'm involved."
At my words, Oh Deok-su looked at me intently.
"Are you prepared to walk a dangerous tightrope?"
"Isn't that the kind of world we're living in?"
"Do you truly wish for the liberation of our country?"
His eyes searched my face.
"I…"
I couldn't answer immediately.
To be honest, for my own comfort, I had once thought that perhaps liberation coming too soon might not be good for me.
Anyway.
From that day on, I became acquainted with a leader of a secret organization within the Korean Liberation Army.
To be precise, it was a relationship built on suspicion and mutual verification.
How can I use them?
I couldn't help thinking that way.
If I was giving them money, there had to be something in return.
From then on, I sent military funds regularly.
The only person I trusted was my second older brother.
I sent everything through him—because he was honest.
If we were caught, prison or death awaited us.
"The independence movement will ruin the family…"
I remembered what my second brother once said.
No—everyone in this era said the same thing.
They claimed three generations would starve if you joined the independence movement.
Is there anyone else who has regressed like me?
Everyone seemed to know the future too well.
"Hyung, it's Kang Cheol. I'll take responsibility."
"…Alright. I trust you. You're smart."
I chose my second brother because he was loyal.
Even though I was the youngest, when I told everyone to come to Gyeongseong after I succeeded, he was the only one who followed me without hesitation.
My eldest brother hesitated.
My third brother complained endlessly.
But my second brother simply listened—and followed.
Now all my brothers live in Gyeongseong.
My eldest brother works as a deliveryman at the rice store.
My third brother runs errands at an auto repair shop.
He has always had a fiery temper, and he caused me plenty of trouble.
Yet strangely, he turned out to be the most filial among us.
"Take care on your journey! The manager has prepared your travel permit."
President Nakamura was deeply involved in trade.
Much of it involved importing furs from Manchuria.
Some of those profits quietly became funds for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.
"If we get caught…"
My second brother's pale face came to mind.
"If something happens, say I ordered you. I'll take responsibility."
"No. If something happens, who will take care of our parents? I'll take the blame. You deny everything."
In the end, blood is the only thing you can trust.
Of course, President Nakamura knew nothing about this.
This was the first time I had ever deceived him.
If we get caught…
Regardless of my abilities, I would be hunted down.
Tortured.
Drafted.
Sent to the battlefield.
Later, I might be remembered as an independence activist in name only—dying quietly, clutching a meaningless medal.
Even that would be lucky…
But reality is rarely kind.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Samsoon's voice pulled me back to the present.
"I was wondering why you asked that earlier."
"…About that…"
"You must never go to the labor corps."
"Why?"
"It would be a betrayal."
"A betrayal of what?"
"If you leave Miss Rie for money or status, you could never repay the kindness she's shown you. She loves you deeply, Samsoon."
"…That's true."
"Master Nakamura plans to marry you off soon. Leaving without repaying that care would be wrong."
In truth, I had already thought of Samsoon as my eldest brother's future wife.
She was kind, innocent, and filial.
Perfect for our family.
"Still…"
"Do you need money? What's going on?"
She hesitated.
"You've helped me so much already… but my mother is very sick."
I expected as much.
"How much do you need?"
"Fifty won… maybe more. The doctor said it's curable—with money…"
Tears welled up in her eyes.
I knew that pain.
Illness, hunger, poverty.
I'd lived it all in my past life.
That's why I decided, the moment I was reborn, to become a chaebol.
"I'll lend it to you tomorrow."
The greatest profit in business is people.
I had more than enough saved.
"Yes? Chief Kang…?"
She looked shocked.
"On one condition."
"…Yes?"
"Please keep me informed about what happens in this house. Master Nakamura hasn't looked well lately."
This place was my base.
Information mattered.
"Yes, I will."
"By the way… how is our eldest brother?"
"Mr. Kangsu?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"I hope you become my sister-in-law."
I already knew my eldest brother liked her.
Maybe Samsoon liked me.
I was capable.
Successful.
But reality matters.
"D-do you dislike him?"
"N-no… it's not that…"
I laughed.
"Then it's settled. Hahaha."
Sometimes, you have to push.
And it seemed her heart had already chosen the chicken over the pheasant.
And I'm the pheasant.
"…Yes."
She answered softly.
Approval granted.
Samsoon was now my future sister-in-law.
"Oh—there's one more thing…"
She glanced around and carefully handed me a letter.
"What is this?"
"It's from Miss Rie…"
A letter.