Chapter 85.1: Prelude (2)

The doctor that had stitched up Kang Chan’s waist and shoulder came by to treat them. The son hid his wounds, and the father hid the identity of his illness to appear healthy. However, neither did so with bad intentions.

Just as Kang Chan was thinking about calling Kim Hyung-Jung, the latter called him instead just at the right time.

- Mr. Kang Chan, how’s your father doing?

“I’m at the hospital, and he’s a lot better, thanks to you.”

- Do you have some time to spare in the afternoon?

“I’m not sure. I’m in my father’s room right now.”

Kang Dae-Kyung, who was in front of Kang Chan, gestured that he should go.

“Yes! I think we can meet up.”

- Then please give me a call when you’re leaving the hospital.

“Will do.”

When Kang Chan ended the call, Kang Dae-Kyung looked at Kang Chan as if he was curious about the phone call.

“It’s manager Kim. He wants to see me today,” Kang Chan told Kang Dae-Kyung.

“You should go. No matter how important of a role you took on, you shouldn’t disrespect adults.”

“Alright.”

It felt good that his father was worried about these things for him.

“Did you know that your mom has become dramatically popular among graduates nowadays?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.

“Mom’s popular?”

“Yeah. People found out what you did for us at the hotel, and how you gave the daughter of her friend a chance to appear in a drama. They also heard that you got admitted to a university in France and a university in Seoul. Your mom’s been feeling as if she’s walking on clouds lately.”

Kang Chan smiled slightly, and Kang Dae-Kyung smiled in turn after thanking him.

While they were talking about random topics, Kang Chan suddenly remembered Yoo Hun-Woo’s advice.

“Father, can you really move on already despite having gone through something like this? You’re not curious about how I found out?” Kang Chan asked.

“Honestly, I’m curious, but I think it would be best for you if I forget what happened that day. If I ended up discovering what you do, I feel like I’d stop you or interfere. Knowing you and I are safe is enough for me. Still, don’t try to manage everything by yourself. If serving the country proves difficult, then you can complain to me sometimes.”

“Alright.”

“Come here. I probably won’t get to do this anymore when you get older.”

Kang Chan awkwardly went in-between Kang Dae-Kyung’s arms when the latter opened them.

Pat. Pat. Pat.

Kang Dae-Kyung patted his back while only their shoulders were touching.

“The look in your eyes on that day is still vivid in my mind. I’m honestly scared, but I’m enduring it, so don’t ever think you’re alone. Open up to me whenever you’re tired or if things become difficult, okay?” Kang Dae-Kyung said.

“Okay.”

“Don’t get hurt.”

Rattle

.

Even before Kang Dae-Kyung could finish talking, the door opened.

“Why did you come here so early?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked Yoo Hye-Sook.

“I was worried that Channy would find this difficult.” Yoo Hye-Sook smiled pleasantly at them. “Phew, our Channy has been consoling his dad. Give me a hug as well.”

Kang Chan hugged Yoo Hye-Sook, who had wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you, Channy. I love you so much,” Yoo Hye-Sook said.

Kang Chan couldn’t even respond. He had never thought that this kind of happiness existed in this world and that it would become his.

Yoo Hye-Sook peeled some fruits with the knife she brought, and they all ate together for the first time in a long while. For lunch, they had the bossam that Kang Chan ordered.

“Honey, I’m going to be discharged tomorrow,” Kang Dae-Kyung told Yoo Hye-Sook afterward.

“But the doctor said you should rest for about a week, honey!”

“I don’t have to—I already feel great after a good night’s sleep yesterday. This room is a bit uncomfortable as well. I’ll tell the director tomorrow about my wishes, and I’ll get discharged if he says that it’s okay. I’ll rest for a day or two more at home, so don’t worry.”

Yoo Hye-Sook glared at Kang Dae-Kyung with suspicion, then nodded after adding the proviso “we’ll decide after hearing what the director has to say.”

“You do know you have to go to the Foundation office next week, right?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked Yoo Hye-Sook.

“Why should I? You take care of it.”

“Why shouldn’t you? Drop by for even just a moment since it’s an officetel that’s beside our office. There should be a female employee there.”

Kang Chan listened and watched them talk about the Kang-Yoo foundation until almost 3 pm.

“I’ll be leaving now. I’m thinking about meeting the manager,” Kang Chan told his parents.

“Okay, be quick. I’m going to be discharged tomorrow, so make sure to go home swiftly, okay?” Kang Dae-Kyung asked.

“I’ll call you after seeing how things go.”

“Be careful out there, Channy,” Yoo Hye-Sook said.

Kang Chan left the room.

***

Kim Hyung-Jung unexpectedly said that he wished to see Kang Chan at the office in Samseong-dong. Kang Chan could just take a taxi to that place, though, so he didn’t find it that troublesome.

Kang Chan arrived at the building in fifteen minutes. He went up to the fifth floor, and, the moment Kang Chan stood in front of the door, the door opened with a

clank

.

“Please come in.” Kim Hyung-Jung was inside.

“Did I miss a CCTV while I was coming up here?” Kang Chan asked.

“But isn’t this a special office without one?”

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Kim Hyung-Jung led Kang Chan to his room, which was located further into the office.

“Didn’t you say that you submitted a letter of resignation?” Kang Chan asked again.

“Let’s talk over tea. Would you like coffee? Or a cold drink?”

“I’d like both.”

“That’s a wise choice.”

Kim Hyung-Jung smiled and left, then returned with two coffees and two drinks on a tray. “I got some cigarettes as well.”

A cigarette pack was on the table. It was missing three to four cigarettes.

“I didn’t smoke a lot since I thought that I also have to take care of my mental health,” Kim Hyung-Jung explained.

Kang Chan smiled lightly in response. They both took out cigarettes.

Chk chk

.

“Whoo, cigarettes are amazing,” Kim Hyung-Jung commented.

Kang Chan didn’t know what he was talking about, but it looked like Kim Hyung-Jung needed time. In moments like this, just watching him and giving him that was the best thing to do.

“We found circumstantial evidence that thirty people that are a part of the North Korean special forces have gone over to China,” Kim Hyung-Jung started to explain.

“Did they come over to South Korea through Japan again?”

“They seemed to have initially expected to eliminate Lanok and execute the rest of the terrorist attacks with only the people they sent into the country last time. They’re probably in a hurry as well, though, since those people all got KIA’d, including their surviving members, thanks to you.”

Kang Chan waited for Kim Hyung-Jung to continue after taking a sip of the coffee, thinking the latter hadn’t said his main point yet.

“Seven of our agents in Berlin laid down their lives to obtain this information.”

Kang Chan exhaled softly. The number of lives sacrificed here was not unlike what would have happened in a local war.

“We also caught the movement of China’s Intelligence Bureau while we were chasing Cha Yang-Woon, who came into the country from China. Thanks to that, we’ve ascertained where the North Korean special forces soldiers went,” Kim Hyung-Jung added as he extinguished his cigarette on the ashtray. He then looked at Kang Chan. “The President has approved of launching a preemptive attack on the North Korean special forces soldiers that are in Mongolia.”

Kang Chan sat blankly. He never would have expected this.

“This issue can cause a war, so we should also move on from this after completely getting rid of our identities. I returned to the National Intelligence Service to do that. My fingerprint, pictures, and every record about me right now have been changed or deleted. Regardless of where I’m caught or who’s searching for me, they won’t be able to find me.”

Why is Kim Hyung-Jung telling me this?

“The President said he’s not going to just watch the enemies commit merciless terrorist attacks on our territory and that neglecting you while you’re making sacrifices for the country doesn’t sit right with him either. He wanted me to pass on his sincerest apology about what happened with your father.”

“How many people are going to Mongolia?” Kang Chan asked.

“Mr. Kang Chan, everything that happens from here on out will proceed in absolute secrecy. In about a week, my successor will contact you. This is the best thing that this country’s commander-in-chief and I can do for you.”

Kim Hyung-Jung’s calm smile looked very cool.

“Can I ask you for information about Yang Jin-Woo?” Kang Chan asked.

When Kang Chan said that, Kim Hyung-Jung brought over a USB from his desk and handed it to him. “I thought you’d ask, so I wrote down everything about him—from his surroundings to suspicious circumstantial evidence related to him, his movement paths, security, and his funds—and stored them in here. I personally collected all of the intel in it.”

Kim Hyung-Jung was already prepared for death. He was thinking that this was the best he could do and felt that he had no choice but to die at the end of it. Kang Chan cocked his head.

“Mr. Manager, why are you so sure of your death?” Kang Chan asked.

“Do I look like I am?”

“Please don’t dodge the question.”

Kim Hyung-Jung inhaled deeply as if he was strengthening his resolve, then said, “We weren’t able to secure a retreat route.”

What kind of stupid plan is that?

“The target location is close to the boundaries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. We can get to it, but we have no means of returning after the war.”

Kang Chan smirked, then commented, “That also means we’ll ultimately have to fight Mongolian soldiers as well if a war breaks out after you enter Mongolia.”

“The border guards are near the target spot.”

“What about entering Mongolia?”

“That’s going to be done normally. Quite a lot of agents are coming with me.”

Kang Chan thought he understood what was going on. They’d pay someone to get them into Mongolia, but that meant there would be no way to help Kim Hyung-Jung once a war had broken out. If so, then they’d be left with death as their only option.

“Why are you going this far?” Kang Chan asked.

“This will serve as a strong warning to the force that’s trying to stop the ‘Unicorn.’ It’ll show the people that ordered others to kill your father our intention not to sit back and just watch anymore.”

Kang Chan only watched Kim Hyung-Jung because he was dumbfounded.

“Mr. Kang Chan, please look after the ‘Unicorn’.”

“You said it’ll take about a week, right?” Kang Chan asked.

“I can’t disclose any more information.”

“Does President Kim also know about this?”

“I’ve arranged this meeting with you because there’s the promise that I’ve made to you. I can’t force you, but I hope you’ll make sure only the two of us know about this. This is for the members and agents that have prepared to die with me.”

Kang Chan nodded, then asked, “Can I join?”

“No, you can’t.”

Contrary to Kang Chan’s expectations, it was a flat refusal.

“If by any chance something happens to you, then the reason why I intervened in this in the first place would disappear. Mr. Kang Chan, please look after the ‘Unicorn’.’ That would be enough for me,” Kim Hyung-Jung explained.

The look in his eyes showed that he was prepared to die. It was the gaze of a soldier with a strong sense of duty.

1. In South Korea, officetel refers to a multi-purpose building with residential and community units. It’s a studio apartment or flat designed to be a self-contained building that allows its residents to live and work in it