Clatter, clank.
As lunch ended and the afternoon began, a guard inserted a key attached to his key ring and unlocked the door.
“2133, you’re being transferred,” he ordered.
The inmates looked at Kang Chul-Gyu with bewilderment. A prisoner would only be transferred during a trial when they had other cases that required them to be tried in another court.
The younger inmates spent the next five minutes helping him pack his things. Afterward, they said their farewells to Kang Chul-Gyu with rueful looks. Ever since he had quieted their troublesome cellmate down, they had been living in comfort.
“Take care of yourself, sir.”
Kang Chul-Gyu picked up his pack, left his cell, and walked down the hall. The guards handcuffed him before guiding him onto a bus.
He knew there had to be a reason he was being transferred, but he didn’t even wonder where he was going. Right now, he just wanted to hear about Kang Chan.
Upon reaching their destination, Kang Chul-Gyu turned down the halls and passed by two sets of bars.
“Sunbae-nim!”“Director Kang!”
Nam Il-Gyu, Yang Dong-Sik, and Oh Gwang-Taek greeted him.
Kang Chul-Gyu thought they were letting them see each other since they were accomplices. The men all wondered what was going on.
Clunk.
The iron bars connected to the main gate opened, and Kim Hyung-Jung approached the prison warden.
Oh Gwang-Taek was about to greet him awkwardly when he saw Kim Hyung-Jung’s stiff expression.
“Let’s go.”
Kim Hyung-Jung’s face remained tense.
As seasoned veterans in reading the ins and outs of signals and motions, they all quickly understood that Kim Hyung-Jung didn’t want them to say anything.
‘Could it be…?’
Kang Chul-Gyu tried to shake off his hopeful anticipation and looked up at the sky.
He had definitely seen a bright light in Kim Hyung-Jung’s eyes and face. If Kim Hyung-Jung had come to pick them up, wouldn’t it be safe to assume that Kang Chul-Gyu’s hope had come true?
Kang Chul-Gyu had eaten three square meals every day to ensure Kang Chan couldn’t call him stupid.
The men trudged on. The mere fifty meters to the main gate felt like fifty kilometers.
Upon reaching the main entrance at the end of the small passageway, Kim Hyung-Jung signed one last set of paperwork before heading out with the four men. He then turned his head toward the civil petitioner’s waiting room.
Three vans stopped in front of them, and agents stepped out of the car to surround them.
Creak.
“Please get inside.”
This was the kind of place that made people worry about being told to stay. Hence, they all quickly climbed in, and the cars pulled away.
As they drove by the prison wall and turned into a parking lot, Kim Hyung-Jung began to speak with an unreadable expression.
“The assistant director made a special request. You’ll be attacking a fully armed island of Bermuda. The President and the Director of the National Intelligence Service have given their assurances about your standing. After this operation, you will be imprisoned again.”
Kang Chul-Gyu awkwardly turned to the window to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Oh Gwang-Taek leaned toward Kim Hyung-Jung as if demanding an explanation. “The assistant director?”
“Yes. Assistant Director Kang Chan.”
Nam Il-Gyu, Yang Dong-Sik, and Oh Gwang-Taek all looked between Kim Hyung-Jung and Kang Chul-Gyu.
“What…? Are you saying he’s alive? That mother—! I mean, Kang Chan? Fucking hell! Is he actually alive?”
“Yes, sir,” Kim Hyung-Jung answered.
Kang Chul-Gyu’s eyes turned toward the van’s window, and the prison wall’s sentry post came into view.
He was glad to have forced himself to eat now. Otherwise, Kang Chan would have called him a stupid old man.
***
“You son of a bitch!”
Park Chul-Su normally didn’t swear this badly. However, he was now screaming into the phone so hard that his wounds had begun throbbing.
“You two bastards! I’m never going to forget this!”
- I apologize, sir.
Soon, in front of his nervously watching deputy, Park Chul-Su started laughing like he was completely out of his mind.
“As you damn well should be. When are you leaving?”
- As soon as we choose the men who’ll be going on this mission.
“Have you made your decision yet?”
-Yes, sir.
“You motherfuckers! Haha! Fucking bastards! Hahahaha!”
To the deputy’s eyes, Park Chul-Su looked like he was in bad condition.
“Have you gotten permission?”
- The director said he would ask the president for authorization himself. It looks like this will be another NIS dispatch.
“You little—no, that’s good! Haha! You motherfuckers! Hahahaha!”
The deputy gulped. Park Chul-Su still couldn’t regain control of his wild temperament.
“Tell me the roster.”
Park Chul-Su made a gesture of writing something on the desk, and his deputy quickly grabbed him a notepad and a pen.
“Yoon Sang-Ki! Lee Chung-Do! Punks! Just say their fucking names without their ranks!”
Even while taking notes, Park Chul-Su still couldn’t calm down his excitement.
***
The ways of the world were harsh. As if the sun had finally risen long after the grim news, the seemingly neverending requests for interviews about Kang Chan’s death instantly stopped.
“Assistant Director Kang, how…?” Moon Jae-Hyun trailed off in disbelief. He sat down before the green grass in the Blue House’s backyard.
“How are you?” he asked the person on the other end of the call.
Moon Jae-Hyun looked at Go Gun-Woo with bloodshot eyes. He seemed relieved.
“I see. I called because I felt like I had to hear your voice before approving the operation. I will discuss the specifics with the director, so you only bother yourself with returning safely.”
After ending the call, Moon Jae-Hyun calmly handed the phone back to Go Gun-Woo.
“He had spoken to Saudi’s Crown Prince Uzman himself. I have also confirmed that Agent Seok Kang-Ho and his men are on their way back to South Korea,” Go Gun-Woo reported.
Moon Jae-Hyun looked like he was trying to control his laughter and emotions.
“Deceiving the president like this… I think we should give the assistant director a pay cut.”
Go Gun-Woo burst out laughing but quickly fixed his expression.
“There will be no more mention of Abibu and Jibril’s deaths. However, we were asked to dismiss the International Hotel bombing and Director Hwang and Director Song’s assassinations.”
“What does the assistant director think?”
“I’m not sure yet. We were scheduled to speak after discussing it with you, sir. However, Uzman has suggested a public apology on his visit, and since we’ve removed the two men involved in this incident, I believe we should take this opportunity to improve relations with Saudi Arabia.”
Moon Jae-Hyun nodded.
“Let’s do that. Be sure to talk to the assistant director and ask if there’s anything else we need to know.”
“Understood.”
Moon Jae-Hyun raised his gaze as if something had occurred to him. “I was worried that many are jealous of us, but the assistant director neatly cleared up that matter as well.”
“I haven’t thought of that.”
Standing up from his seat, Moon Jae-Hyun slowly looked around the backyard.
“People are the only resource we have. I think that’s why the great powers are so wary of our talent. For some reason, world-class people always seem to come to us.”
Moon Jae-Hyun looked at Go Gun-Woo, then turned his attention back to the backyard.
“The sun is really nice today.”
The warm sun stretched across the green grass.
“It would have been nice to have Director Hwang and Director Song with us. Our failure to protect them fills me with regret.”
Moon Jae-Hyun looked up at the sky.
“I’m sure they protected us. The other spirits who sacrificed themselves for our country must have helped too.”
At a time like this, what else could he say?
With some newfound ease, Go Gun-Woo shifted his gaze to the grass.
***
Creak. Creak. Creak. Creak.
One after another, the four people in the ambulance were loaded onto stretchers and wheeled into the hospital.
Kim Hyung-Jung, who had traveled with them from the airport after escorting Kang Chul-Gyu and the others, ran next to Seok Kang-Ho. Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho, who had been waiting at the hospital, rushed to Choi Jong-Il.
Their eyes, nose, cheeks, and lips were all so swollen that they just looked like big watermelons.
Yoo Hun-Woo and the medical staff worked on the men with shocked faces while mobile x-rays and IV drips came in one after another.
“Out of the way, please! Now!”
Swish! Swish!
The medical staff pushed Kim Hyung-Jung, Cha Dong-Gyun, and Kwak Cheol-Ho out of the way, while the others pulled the curtains around their four new patients.
How can they torture men to such an extent?
Kim Hyung-Jung swallowed his emotions and walked out into the yard. Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho followed right behind him.
The Bangji Hospital was once again filled with armed, suited agents, making the atmosphere quite fearsome.
“Would you like some coffee?” Cha Dong-Gyun asked.
Kim Hyung-Jung narrowed his eyes at him.
“We had no other choice. The assistant director gave us his orders, and we were stuck in the office too.”
Cha Dong-Gyun signaled with his eyes, and Kwak Cheol-Ho quickly headed inside.
They could never resent each other even if they tried.
Kim Hyung-Jung chuckled as he took the cigarette that Cha Dong-Gyun was offering him.
“Here, here! Coffee.”
The three all took a cup and cigarette each.
“This won’t do. Let’s go over there.”
This was a hospital. There was a lot of attention from people walking by. Hence, the three moved between the buildings and walls.
“You two! I’m going to have a talk with General Park Chul-Su to make sure you’re punished!”
“Hey! You took the coffee and cigarette, so you can’t say that anymore. Like I said, we were also tied up.”
“At gunpoint?”
Cha Dong-Gyun burst out laughing at Kim Hyung-Jung’s quirky response. Kim Hyung-Jung laughed along.
After wiping away his laughter, Kim Hyung-Jung turned his attention to the hospital building.
“Whew! I hope they’re all okay…” Kim Hyung-Jung said.
“They will be,” Cha Dong-Gyun assured him.
“You’re right.”
Kim Hyung-Jung flicked away the ash from his cigarette and gulped down his coffee.
“Have you chosen who’ll be coming with you?”
“Yes. I’ve already given the list to the general.”
Kim Hyung-Jung nodded. “I can’t be here in the evening. The Saudi royal family is making a joint statement with the president, so all hands are needed on deck.”
“Don’t worry Half of the men will be here by the end of the day.”
“You have no idea how much that puts my mind at ease.”
Kim Hyung-Jung looked at Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho with reassurance.
“There’s going to be a lot of eyes on this operation,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.
“That won’t change anything.”
Cha Dong-Gyun looked no different from a moment ago, but Kim Hyung-Jung could see the glinting determination in his eyes now. At that moment, Kim Hyung-Jung realized that Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho had changed more than he thought.
Was this what world-class special forces team commanders looked like? When did they grow up so much?
Now that he stood face-to-face with them like this, feeling the intimidation they exuded, he learned that not even rumors and reports could do them justice.
“Why are you looking at us like that, sir?”
“Because I hate your guts!”
Kim Hyung-Jung was their senior, and they saw each other frequently since the NIS supported their operations. They also shared the pain of losing Choi Seong-Geon.
“Oh! I’m having a third child.”
“What?”
Cha Dong-Gyun grinned. “It’ll probably be another boy. We have even already chosen his name. Cha Seong-Chan! He’s going to have General Choi Seong-Geon’s ‘Seong’ and Assistant Director Kang Chan’s ‘Chan.’”
“It hasn’t even been that long since you came back, though.”
“Testers these days work wonders.”
Kim Hyung-Jung congratulated Cha Dong-Gyun with a handshake.
This wasn’t the time for laughter. After all, Seok Kang-Ho and their three other agents had just returned in a mess. However, Kim Hyung-Jung couldn’t treat Cha Dong-Gyun and Kwak Cheol-Ho stiffly when they would be faced with a deadly battle soon.
“I should leave now. Make sure Mr. Seok and… Never mind.”
He didn’t need to nag these two.
As Kim Hyung-Jung was about to leave, four men entered the hospital.
Now, this hospital would be safe from the special forces team of any country.
Kang Chul-Gyu, Nam Il-Gyu, Yang Dong-Sik, and Oh Gwang-Taek exchanged pleasantries with Kim Hyung-Jung, who soon left.
“Hello, sirs.”
“You juniors must have your work cut out for you. What’s it like inside the hospital?”
“They’re being treated, so we’re just waiting right now.”
Yang Dong-sik, who was on his way back from Yang So-Mi’s urn, patted Cha Dong-Gyun on the arm.
***
Kang Chan sat down on the single-seater couch with a freshly-changed bandage.
He had just finished a late meal with Gérard and the white-headed carp. Hence, he found himself craving coffee and cigarettes.
The hotel was provided by the DGSE and had a first-class security perimeter, which provided Kang Chan some relief.
“Come here.”
The white-headed carp quickly sat down in front of Kang Chan.
He looked very frightened and scared of Kang Chan, who had beaten and killed Xairo, but he didn’t seem to have any understanding of his own actions.
“Where should I send you?”
“Pardon?”
“Do you want to stay under the surveillance of the DGSE? Or do you want to go to Korea?”
“What will happen to me after all this?”
Why was this bastard worrying about the future?
As Gérard raised his cigarette to his mouth, he looked at the bastard as if he had never seen anyone so stupid before.
“You don’t seem to realize what you’ve done, but a lot of people have been killed because of you. You’ll have to take responsibility for that.”
“I only gave plans and orders.”
Ha!
Kang Chan almost twisted the bastard’s neck.
When his eyes flashed, the white-headed carp jumped in surprise and blinked.
“Those plans of yours killed those people. Hence, you and Ziegfeld will die the same way you killed others. Consider yourself warned.”
Seeing the dubious look on Parthal’s face, Kang Chan sighed.
“When you’re killing other people, don’t forget you’re also putting your own head on the line. Also—”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll decide what to do with you after I get rid of Ziegfeld. Until then, come up with a reason why I should keep you alive. Otherwise…”
Some people might suggest letting Parthal off because he was so foolish, but Kang Chan found that absurd. The moment one showed their back to assholes like these, they would pull the trigger without any guilt.
These motherfuckers only cared about themselves.
You bastards can keep fighting. I’ll watch from a safe distance. It would be great if things were to go according to my plan, but I could just come up with a different plan if I were to fail.
That was the kind of mindset these punks had.
‘At this rate, I’ll probably end up twisting that bastard’s neck.’
Kang Chan shook his head and turned to Gérard.
“Tell the agents outside to hold onto him. It’s fine to shoot him if he resists, but if they do, I’ll have to confirm his identity before they get rid of the body.”
“Oui.”
Gérard stood up and went to the door. Parthal just kept flinching. He seemed to have something he wanted to say, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
“Um…”
Just before the carp could voice his thoughts, two DGSE agents followed Gérard inside.
“Take him away.”
One of the two agents responded affirmatively, and Parthal obediently pulled himself to his feet.
What the hell is with this guy? How can he be the next leader of the Star of David?
Kang Chan glared thoughtfully at Parthal’s back as he left the room.
“He’s gay, isn’t he?” Gérard asked out of nowhere. “ He’s gotta be.”
“What?” Kang Chan replied.
“The ecstatic look on his face when he was injected with the syringe, the way he walks, and the way he looks at you…”
“You punk…”
Chills ran down Kang Chan’s back, and his brows furrowed.
“Why don’t you test it then?” Kang Chan asked.
“What?”
“You’re the one who said he’s gay. Why don’t you try seducing him?”
“That son of a bitch! The moment he looks at me weird, I’ll gouge out his eyes.”
“You little shit.”
It had been a long day.
“Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep! We’ve only got one enemy left now.”
“Alright.”
Kang Chan and Gérard from the sofa and went to bed.
He took off his shirt and pants, hung them up, and lay down on the crisp bed. It was a fantastic feeling.
‘Huh?’
However, unexplainable discomfort began to creep up Kang Chan’s back like someone had splashed water on the bed.
Pft.
Kang Chan didn’t expect Ziegfeld to be as meek as the white-headed carp, so he was probably scheming something.
Whatever it was, Kang Chan would still get some sleep when he could.
He fell into a deep sleep as if sinking into the depths of the ocean.
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