Chapter 315: It Had Already Begun! (2)

Choi Jong-Il, who was about to enter the room, stopped by the door, noticing Kang Chan’s eyes were fiercely glinting.

Kang Chan had heard what he needed to hear. He now knew what was going on.

Other countries seemed to think that South Korea had too much now. Hence, they wanted to take everything away from them even if it meant they’d have to beat them up and kill them.

Should we just give in and back off? Would that really be better than starting a war?

This fucking hurts. So many of our soldiers and agents sacrificed themselves to get to where we are now! How dare they demand South Korea to just bow down and let them beat us up and steal what we have?

If we listen to them, what will happen to us after? Do they expect us to just move on?

Kang Chan had repeated this multiple times already, but if they bowed to the bastards once, they would be forced to keep obeying them from that moment on.

Choi Jong-Il approached Kang Chan and stood next to him, wondering what was going on.

“Do we have coffee?” Kang Chan asked.

“What kind are you craving for?”

“Instant.”

Looking like he expected him to say that, Choi Jong-Il immediately made two cups of coffee. When he got back, Kang Chan was still looking out the window.

The two went to the table and sat down.

Choi Jong-Il examined Kang Chan’s expression and the look in his eyes.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Kang Chan couldn’t tell him about the war yet. He first had to determine whether the soldiers and agents under his command could carry the weight of a war in South Korea.

Turning to Choi Jong-Il, he said, “I’m just angry that people are kicking up a fuss just because we’re trying to build a power plant for the new energy.”

“That’s probably exactly what they hate.” Choi Jong-Il smiled bitterly. “Before you came along, South Korea survived by maintaining good relations with China, Russia, Japan, and the United States. Now that we’re standing at the center stage, they feel the need to take things away from us and detest us for no reason.”

Choi Jong-Il seemed to be having similar thoughts as Kang Chan.

“We used to have one or two remarkable people in the past. As far as I know, they now live in the United States. I heard our government’s the one that recommended they move there.”

Looking at his paper cup, he continued, “Nearby powerful nations would pressure us if we have world-famous people, so our government probably wasn’t sure if they could properly take care of those talents. I believe that’s the reason our government gave them to the United States in exchange for small compensations.”

Kang Chan held up his paper cup and drank his coffee.

Choi Jong-Il added, “Unlike our government, you never back down or surrender. That’s why the soldiers and agents are drawn to you even though we know sacrifices would follow.”

Kang Chan smirked, to which Choi Jong-Il responded with an awkward smile.

Choi Jong-Il’s message was clear—he was asking Kang Chan not to step down.

The time had come for him to prepare everything he would need.

What he was about to do was selfish, so he didn’t tell Gérard anything.

Right now, he needed people he could trust—people who wouldn’t betray him the way Romain betrayed Lanok.

Kang Chan held up his phone and called the DGSE.

- It’s Hugo.

“I want Gérard de Mermier—the soldier currently in South Korea—to be discharged. How long will that take to be approved?”

Hugo briefly hesitated.

- He’s a commander of the Foreign Legion’s special forces. It may be possible to give him a promotion, but it’ll be difficult for him to leave the Foreign Legion right now.

Hugo sounded confused, but Kang Chan thought it didn’t matter.

“Hugo, I’m not asking for your opinion right now. I want to know how long it’ll take for it to be approved. Who’s got the final say on this matter anyway?”

- For the DGSE to issue this order, the Director-General will have to give his approval first.

“If I apply for approval right now, how long will it take to get the results?”

- Twenty-four hours, sir.

“I’ll wait.”

After hanging up, Kang Chan looked outside the window again. He then called Kim Hyung-Jung.

- Kim Hyung-Jung speaking.

“Manager Kim, I’d like to see you as soon as you’re available.”

Kim Hyung-Jung paused for a moment, likely checking his schedule and his watch.

- If it’s important, then I can go see you now.

“That would be great. Please meet me at my office.”

- I’m on my way.

Kang Chan hung up, then scrolled through his contact list. He still had to make one more phone call.

***

Another helicopter landed at the base in Mongolia. Soon, ten soldiers in plain clothing then hopped out of it. Cha Dong-Gyun and Yoon Sang-Ki were among them.

“Welcome,” Kim Tae-Jin and Oh Gwang-Taek greeted.

At the same time, Kang Chul-Gyu, Nam Il-Gyu, and Yang Dong-Sik came out of the barracks.

Both groups were happy to see each other again. They patted each other’s shoulders, then told each other that they went through a lot to come all the way to Mongolia.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Kim Tae-Jin’s phone rang. He walked away from the crowd before answering the call.

“Hello?

Ah

! How are you? That’s right! Everyone here is doing well. We were just welcoming our juniors. They’ve just arrived for their vacation.”

He glanced at Kang Chul-Gyu.

“One moment.”

Kim Tae-Jin walked toward him.

“Sunbae-nim,” Kim Tae-Jin said. He then gestured to his phone with a glance, indirectly telling him that he couldn’t say who was on the call.

Kang Chul-Gyu accepted the phone and then walked to one side of the barracks.

“Hello?”

- We’re both busy, so I’ll get straight to the point.

Kang Chan sounded graver than usual.

- This might sound absurd, but I have a bad feeling about all this.

“Don’t worry. I feel the same way. It’s like we’re missing something about all this.” Kang Chul-Gyu glanced toward where the soldiers had gathered. “There’s probably a variable we haven’t factored into consideration.”

Kang Chan didn’t respond.

“Assistant Director.”

- I’m listening.

“We’re going to stop at nothing to protect this place. Please focus on reinforcing the security around you.”

An awkward silence followed.

- Think about what you want to eat next time.

Kang Chul-Gyu smirked and laughed. Kang Chan did as well.

Their call soon ended.

Kang Chul-Gyu walked toward the soldiers and handed the phone back to Kim Tae-Jin.

When the soldiers from Jeungpyeong went to the barracks, their surroundings quieted down again.

“It seems defending against the incoming attack will be a lot harder than we think,” Kang Chul-Gyu said.

Kim Tae-Jin simply listened.

“I’ll head out with Il-Gyu and Dong-Sik, but we’ll be back before dinner. I want you to strengthen our security while we’re gone.”

“Yes, sir,” Kim Tae-Jin answered.

The conversation that they used to have before entering the DMZ seemed to have transcended time and happened again.

***

Kim Hyung-Jung reached the office so quickly that it made Kang Chan wonder if he had flown over.

“I apologize for making you come all the way here,” Kang Chan said.

“Don’t worry about it. I should leave my office from time to time anyway.”

Kang Chan led Kim Hyung-Jung to the table.

Noticing the paper cups, Kim Hyung-Jung said that he wanted instant coffee as well. Hence, Choi Jong-Il made one for him.

After taking a sip of it, Kim Hyung-Jung gauged Kang Chan’s mood.

“Did something happen?” he asked.

Kang Chan began by telling him about the Star of David and that it had been actively trying to stop South Korea from building a power plant for next-gen energy. He then revealed that their enemies were willing, capable, and powerful enough to go to war just to accomplish their goals.

“Do you think the Star of David is also behind North Korea’s recent actions?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked.

“I’m not completely sure about that, but they’re definitely related.”

Kim Hyung-Jung sighed as if he was in pain.

They were talking about war—something that could turn everything into ashes in an instant. He felt as if the Star of David was approaching them and revealing their true colors one step at a time.

“Manager Kim,” Kang Chan softly called. “I need my own organization.”

Perplexed, Kim Hyung-Jung raised his gaze to Kang Chan.

“My organization must not be reported on or need approvals. It will also need heavy support from the National Intelligence Service.”

Kim Hyung-Jung sighed heavily. “

Haaa

.”

His reaction evidenced how burdensome Kang Chan’s conditions were.

Kang Chan himself was aware of how unreasonable his request was and that it had a high chance of being rejected. However, right now, it was exactly what they needed.

“Can’t you at least tell me what kind of work will your organization be doing?” Kim Hyung-Jung asked. He would need to at least give some kind of a report to his higher-ups before he could establish an organization.

“Manager Kim, we’re facing a group that’s trying to start a war in South Korea. That same group is also about to launch an attack on our base in Mongolia,” Kang Chan responded with a determined expression. “Our first task will be assassination.”

Kim Hyung-Jung looked as if a member of his family had just lost all of their money because they had underwritten somebody’s debt.

“The second will be no different.”

After swallowing dryly, Kim Hyung-Jung took a sip of his coffee.

“This is...” he trailed off, then shook his head.

Kang Chan continued, “My organization will be like France’s DGSE. Instead of constantly waiting around for our enemies to hit us so we can finally respond, I’m planning to eliminate the person behind all of the attacks instead.”

Kim Hyung-Jung downed the rest of his coffee and held out a pack of cigarettes. After Kang Chan accepted the offer, the two lit up a cigarette each.

“Moving forward, I’m also going to need more special forces soldiers. Do we have any other team that’s as skilled as the Jeungpyeong special forces team?” Kang Chan asked.

“The 606’s Special Operations Unit would be your best bet. Most of the soldiers in Jeungpyeong were chosen from that battalion. Their training and skills aren’t that different, and the only problem with them is their lack of actual combat experience,” Kim Hyung-Jung answered.

Soon after, he shook his head, seemingly remembering something.

“The National Defense Committee is investigating us as we speak for sending our troops overseas without the National Assembly’s approval. If we do the same with the Special Operations Unit, we’ll be faced with grave consequences.”

Kang Chan smirked. “Where do you think the members of the National Assembly and the National Defense Committee will be when a war breaks out, Manager Kim? Will they protect our citizens? Will they charge toward our enemies with a gun in hand?”

“

Haa

. I get what you mean, but if I say something like that, I would be fired on the spot.”

Even though Kim Hyung-Jung was likely serious, Kang Chan couldn’t help but laugh feebly, finding the way he spoke funny.

“I’ll report what you told me to the Director. Since we’re going to have to earn the President’s approval for this, I’ll leave out your plan to assassinate our enemies,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.

“Feel free to do whatever you think is best. However, please make it clear to them that we’re running out of time.”

After extinguishing his cigarette, Kim Hyung-Jung glanced at the window. He seemed to be wondering if he could report to Hwang Ki-Hyun right now.

“I’ll get going. I’ll contact you as soon as I get results,” Kim Hyung-Jung said.

“Please do.”

Kang Chan walked Kim Hyung-Jung to the elevator and saw him off.

***

Early that morning, an ambulance and five black vans drove off from the base in Loriam.

Sitting in the ambulance, Romain looked at the man lying on the bed with a terribly subdued look in his eyes.

“Where are we going?” Sharlan asked, his voice weak.

He was so skinny that his skin seemed to be wrapping around his bones, making him look like a talking skeleton.

Instead of answering, Romain asked, “Can you explain what happened in South Korea?”

Sharlan gazed at Romain. His gaze was poisonous.

Romain added, “I want to know why the God of Blackfield injured you and how Lanok found out about the perfect plan that Josh and I made.”

Sharlan’s lips twisted into a smile. “You’re not going to believe me.”

“I’ll be the judge of that, Sharlan.”

Romain’s expression didn’t change. “Sharlan, this is your last chance. I applaud you for keeping your silence while Lanok had you locked up, but you’re already useless. Don’t act like you’re all that.”

“

Hmm.

”

As the ambulance exited Loriam and merged into the national road, Sharlan began to confess everything that had happened in South Korea.

Romaine sighed deeply. “I’m going to go crazy.”

Sharply glaring at Sharlan, he tried to make sense of the situation. “The God of Blackfield speaks fluent French even though he has never studied it, and he’s absurdly competent in executing operations and commanding soldiers. Even Gérard respects him. All things considered, your story makes sense, but...”

“Kang Chan executed an operation?” Sharlan asked.

“He has done feats that can’t be described in words.”

Spite emanated from Sharlan’s eyes. “Can’t the DGSE kill Kang Chan?”

When Romain didn’t answer, he continued, “I know his Achilles heel. Please let me kill him.”

Instead of replying, Romain simply sneered at him.

“I don’t care if you give me 99% pure cocaine,” Sharlan pleaded. “I’ll do anything for as long as I get to decapitate that bastard with my own hands.”

“What makes you think the DGSE can’t do that themselves?”

“I’m going to kill him in a way that’s far too dirty for the DGSE. I’ll even destroy everyone around him. Just give me a chance, and I promise you’ll see Kang Chan go berserk.”

For the first time throughout their entire conversation, Romain showed interest.

***

Late in the afternoon, Lanok greeted his two visitors.

“How about we have tea before dinner?” Lanok asked.

“

Hmph

. You’ve been serving us that bitter black tea for over than ten years,” Vasili grumbled.

Yang Bum, looking at Vasili, burst into laughter.

“How’s our main character doing?” Vasili asked.

While pouring black tea, Lanok answered, “He’s probably thinking about what he should do right now.”

Vasili clearly didn’t like that.

“We can’t afford to wait for him until he’s done thinking, Lanok. I didn’t kill Josh because the nuclear warhead is on the line. Otherwise, I would have already shot him in the head.”

Lanok lit up a cigar. He then looked at the Russian. “We have to figure out how the Star of David got their hands on the nuclear warhead first, Vasili.”

Click.

Vasili roughly put down his tea cup. “Sergey knew that we were watching him. That was why we couldn’t get rid of the nuclear warhead.”

Yang Bum just listened to the conversation with unusually sharp eyes.

“Based on everything we’ve learned so far, the Star of David probably went to Gabriel and ordered him to smuggle the nuclear warhead from us under the condition that they’ll bring the Mermier family to prosperity again.”

“That must be why Gabriel got surgery to look like Gérard, came to South Korea, and smuggled Sharlan in,” Lanok commented.

“You can say that.”

Vasili looked at Yang Bum.

As if on cue, Yang Bum began, “We have thoroughly investigated the organization that was related to Sharlan when he was in South Korea. Everyone involved in that incident had already died.”

“I can’t believe they chose to die just to run away from the consequences,” Vasili said. He then smirked and burst into laughter.

Unbothered by his reaction, Yang Bum continued, “We have also discovered a huge army heading to Mongolia. They’re scattered, so it’ll be hard to catch all of them. However, if need be, we can at least kill some of them.”

“We’ll leave that for Monsieur Kang to handle. Let’s focus on finding the nuclear warhead. Use any means necessary,” Vasili suggested, then immediately shook his head. “

Huhuhu

! Those idiots! I can’t believe they’re actually heading to the DMZ King’s doorstep. Worse, they want to launch a surprise attack on him!

Hmph

! If they tried to launch a night raid, there’d be nothing more I could wish for!”

“Is the DMZ King really that skilled?” Yang Bum asked.

“The Spetsnaz used to tell our recruits two things,” Vasili answered. He then sighed loudly, seemingly remembering all the humiliation he had endured. “The first was that if they were at the DMZ, once night fell, the god of death would come for them.”

Vasili looked displeased by his own words. Yang Bum just stared at him, silently asking him to continue.

“The second was that if they ran into him alone, they should try their best to shoot him,” Vasili said.

Yang Bum cocked his head.

Isn’t that the natural course of action for the Spetsnaz if they run into any enemy?

“The problem is that none of the soldiers who had run into him alone managed to pull the trigger.”

What?

Surprised, Yang Bum turned his head toward Vasili again.

“If you’re so curious, you should visit the DMZ King at night,” Vasili grumbled.

***

Vroom! Rattle! Rattle!

As the jeep drove across the rough terrain, the winds picked up the clouds of dust its wheels were creating. They then sent them back into the wilderness, making it look as if a clay-colored fog was forming.

Vroom!

Kang Chul-Gyu raised his hand and pointed to the low hill ahead of them.

Screech!

The jeep roughly pulled to a stop, causing everyone to lurch forward. Nam Il-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik followed Kang Chul-Gyu out of the jeep.

“

Huh

? What?”

Once they were out, the jeep started to reverse on its own.

“Hey, you fu—!”

Nam Il-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik quickly ran to the jeep. Yang Dong-Sik, who was on the side of the driver's seat, was a little bit quicker.

Screech

.

Yang Dong-Sik got in and stepped on the brakes. He pressed down on the parking brake, which was next to the clutch, as hard as he could.

Nam Il-Gyu glanced at Kang Chul-Gyu, then growled at Yang Dong-Sik. “Get your act together!”

“You fu—! You think I did that on purpose? I mentioned this before, but the car that we used last time automatically engaged the parking brake whenever we parked!”

While arguing Yang Dong-Sik also kept glancing at Kang Chul-Gyu, who just kept sharply examining the wilderness that led to the low hill and the base.

Nam Il-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik walked over to Kang Chul-Gyu. For a while, the three remained silent.

“Sunbae-nim, do you have a bad feeling about this?” Nam-Il-Gyu asked.

Kang Chul-Gyu glanced at him, then silently nodded.

“Do you really think the fight this time is going to be tough?” Yang Dong-Sik asked.

Smirking, Kang Chul-Gyu nodded again.

“About what happened in the past...”

At that moment, Kang Chul-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik turned to Nam Il-Gyu.

“I mean the time you rescued Dong-Sik.”

“Why are you bringing that up?” Kang Chul-Gyu asked. “That’s already water under the bridge.”

“After leaving the military, I thought about it a lot. It made me realize that I didn't thank you for it.”

Yang Dong-Sik shifted his gaze between Kang Chul-Gyu and Nam Il-Gyu, examining the two.

“Thank you, sunbae-nim,” Nam Il-Gyu said.

Kang Chul-Gyu simply smiled in response.

“I won’t ever forget that you’re the reason I get to wear the Taegeukgi on my left arm again and join battles like this under our nation’s orders.”

Kang Chul-Gyu looked away from Nam Il-Gyu. Yang Dong-Sik, who was next to him, looked touched.