Chapter 322: Don't Make Him Your Enemy (1)

Kang Chan felt as if he was sitting in the middle of a typhoon. The media relentlessly reported on the bombings, and the political sphere was abuzz.

In the meantime, four severely injured people from Mongolia had been admitted to the Bangji Hospital, and the agents from the four countries had settled into Kang Chan's office. Time passed as he silently handled what needed to be done. It was only after two days that Kang Chan could visit the hospital.

"You bastard," Oh Gwang-Taek said. He sounded like he had a hole in his throat, not his lungs.

How could his first word be a curse?

"They’re trying to crucify you on TV...." After grimacing and gasping, he added, "Go and beat them all up."

Kang Chan smirked. Oh Gwang-Taek did as well.

"Back in the days...."

"Don’t overdo it," Kang Chan reminded, noticing that he seemed to be struggling to speak for long periods.

Nevertheless, Oh Gwang-Taek just looked sharply at him and continued, "I’ve always hated people like you."

Kang Chan chuckled, causing him to smile slightly.

"Stubborn, tenacious, and impossible to shake off."

Oh Gwang-Taek kept his gaze fixed on him.

"I don’t know who the bastards on the other side are," Oh Gwang-Taek seemed to strain himself as he spoke, "but they probably feel exactly the same way. You have Director Kang, President Kim Tae-Jin, Dong-Sik, and Kang-Ho on your side."

Unfortunately, Kang Chan knew that the bastard wouldn’t shut up just because he was told to.

Still seemingly having a difficult time, Oh Gwang-Taek swallowed his dry saliva.

"Next time, show up with some real fucking fire in your eyes. The Kang Chan who took care of Park Gi-Beom by himself in the parking lot and then casually asked for a cigarette? That's the Kang Chan I know,” he finished with a venomous look in his eyes.

A brief silence followed.

"I’m going. Take care of yourself," Kang Chan said.

Oh Gwang-Taek nodded. Kang Chan left the room and headed toward the elevator.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

These past few days, his phone had been ringing non-stop. It was an unknown number.

"Hello?"

- This is Kim Gwan-Sik.

"How can I help you, sir?"

Although he had already noticed that he had been getting quite a lot of unexpected calls lately, he still never would have expected to get this one.

- I know you’re busy, but could you spare some time?

"Where are you right now?"

- I’m at the Fuel Resources Office. It doesn’t have to be right now, just sometime today would be fine.

"No, it’s fine. I’ll come over right now."

After Kang Chan hung up, Choi Jong-Il immediately drove to the Fuel Resources Office. Given the recent bombing, he and the other agents had grim expressions. After about twenty minutes on the road, they entered the underground parking lot of the Fuel Resources Office building. They then took the elevator up.

Much to their surprise, an employee with a somber expression guided them to Director Song Chang-Wook’s office. As Kang Chan entered, Kim Gwan-Sik, leaning over the desk and looking at documents, quickly motioned to the sofa.

"Sit down."

After gesturing Kang Chan to a seat, Kim Gwan-Sik moved to the opposite side, leaving the main seat empty. Once had both sat down, a female employee brought in tea that smelled of herbal medicine.

Without even offering Kang Chan to have a drink, Kim Gwan-Sik opened the drawer of the side table and took out a square paper box. The box was thin, wide, and had the usual brownish-yellow of an ordinary paper bag. It appeared to contain documents.

"Director Song had asked me to handle this.” Kim Gwan-Sik pushed the box toward Kang Chan. His expression seemed to suggest that he should open it.

Kang Chan silently lifted the lid of the box. Inside was a Taegukgi. Its red and blue yin-yang emblem had lost its original vivid colors and faded to a yellowed hue over the years.

He slowly looked up at Kim Gwan-Sik.

"I stepped down as Chairman of the Eurasian Rail Committee today, so let me talk to you as Kim Mi-Young's father, who knows you quite well."

With a solemn expression, Kim Gwan-Sik continued, "I trembled while I was watching our soldiers’ operation in Afghanistan on TV. I also felt my heart race. Even though I was watching the battle from afar, I still found it terrifying.”

Kang Chan listened intently.

"If I were put in such a situation, I probably couldn't have taken a single step."

Perhaps it was because he was a former judge, but he never once took his eyes off Kang Chan.

"However, that doesn’t mean I’m afraid of dying because of what I do. Director Song shared the same sentiments."

Kim Gwan-Sik momentarily glanced at the box in front of Kang Chan before adding, "I plan to take over the Fuel Resources Office starting tomorrow."

So that's how it is.

Kang Chan mentally nodded.

"Seeing that Taegukgi flying at the next-generation energy facility was Director Song's fervent wish."

Kang Chan looked at the Taegukgi.

What exactly is the significance of this faded flag?

"If something were to happen to him, he wanted me to make sure this Taegukgi was passed on to you. He wanted you to wave it once the next-generation power facility is completed." Kim Gwan-Sik's voice had softened, perhaps due to emotions rising. "He said it half-jokingly....”

Struggling, he tightly pursed his lips and looked at Kang Chan.

After a deep breath, he continued, "I won’t place the burden of Director Song’s wishes solely on you. I’m also committed to this task enough to put my life on the line for it. Please make sure to complete the next-generation power facility."

Kang Chan looked at the Taegukgi.

Why are they all behaving this way?

People like Moon Jae-Hyun, Jeon Dae-Geuk, Kim Hyung-Jung, the soldiers from Jeungpyeong, the DMZ team, and many others he knew kept staking their lives on this flag. Meanwhile, right next door, some were too busy filling their own bellies.

Running down this road, determined to protect those precious to him, had placed a tremendous burden on Kang Chan. There was just one reason behind it all—to honor this Taegukgi.

Kang Chan raised his head and looked back at Kim Gwan-Sik. "It would be easier if you asked me to avenge Director Song. I don’t quite understand the value this Taegukgi holds."

It seemed so wrong to just go along with it. He would feel as if he was deceiving the late Song Chang-Wook and Kim Gwan-Sik, who created this moment.

"While some are thriving with money and power, those who are willing to die fighting for this Taegukgi get a meager pension. Even Director Song will likely be forgotten. I’ll fight, but I can’t say it’s for the Taegukgi."

For the first time since they met, Kim Gwan-Sik smiled.

Isn’t this supposed to be an unpleasant topic?

Kim Gwan-Sik seemed to have read Kang Chan’s mind.

"It’s not about flaunting faded patriotism in times like these,” Kim Gwan-Sik replied, his tone and expression that of a father addressing his son.

"The ground your beloved ones walk on... that’s what the Taegukgi represents. If you lose it, you lose words, soul, and everything else. Let's not ignore the truly precious ones just because of the few who are drowning in wealth."

His words sounded as if it was taken straight out of a textbook, so it wasn't particularly moving.

"Shall we have some tea?"

Feeling perhaps that the tea had gotten cold, Kim Gwan-Sik finally offered it. Reluctantly, Kang Chan picked up his cup and took a sip.

"Why haven’t you been in touch with Mi-Young lately? Have you decided not to see her?"

Choking on the tea, Kang Chan spat it out in a nasty cough. "

Keugh

!"

Kim Gwan-Sik pulled a tissue from the side table.

"Did you two fight?"

"No, sir."

"Why then are you turning someone's precious daughter into a giraffe[1]?"

With a mischievous smirk, he added, "I told her not to bother you because you're busy, but that doesn’t mean you should just throw her to the side."

"Yes, sir."

"You haven’t done anything terrible, have you?"

Kang Chan almost coughed again.

"Didn’t you two promise each other a future?"

"

Huh

?" Kang Chan responded as if dazed.

"I heard that once she has become a diplomat, she would claim she got ahead because of her husband."

"

Ah

, yes, sir!"

"

Hmm

! The world has changed, so I can forgive kissing before marriage, but nothing beyond that!"

His warning left no room for response.

"Take a break sometimes. It’s not good for anyone to keep running endlessly."

“Yes, sir,” Kang Chan promptly replied. The awkward silence that followed was soon broken by his phone’s ringtone.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—.

"It's okay. Go ahead," Kim Gwan-Sik offered.

Given the circumstances, Kang Chan pressed the answer button.

"Hello?"

- Are you free this evening?

Huh? What’s this about?

Kang Chan checked the caller ID again. It was definitely a Korean mobile number.

- I’d like to meet with you and the ambassador at the embassy.

It was Romain. Romain was in Korea.

"What time should I come?"

Kim Gwan-Sik curiously watched Kang Chan speaking French.

- Six? Seven? Whenever is convenient for you.

"I’ll be there by seven."

Romain immediately hung up.

That crafty bastard!

He was probably suggesting a meeting at the embassy to avoid assassination.

"You seem busy. You may go now."

"Thank you, sir."

After closing the paper box, Kang Chan picked it up and stood up.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll start treating you as the assistant director again."

"I'd rather you didn't. It makes me uncomfortable."

"Maybe when we’re alone, but it’s better that way when others are around."

Kim Gwan-Sik extended his hand, and Kang Chan shook it before leaving the office.

***

Ambassador Lanok’s office, French Embassy.

Romain relaxedly set the phone down on the table. "He said he’ll be here by seven."

Lanok’s lips curved into a sly smile.

"You’ll be recalled to France next week,” Romain said. He seemed to hate the smile on Lanok's face. "We’re renovating the basement of Loriam. If there’s anything you need, think about it now and let me know."

"Will there be cigars, at least?"

"Of course. "I’ve already heard all about Monsieur Kang’s secrets from Sharlan, yet you still plan to enter Loriam for Monsieur Kang?"

Lanok seemed to have no intention to answer.

"Didn’t you say it was for the glory of France?"

"That hasn’t changed."

"Then shouldn’t you focus on positioning France at the center of your plans?"

With a mask-like expression, Lanok raised his teacup. As he sipped his tea, Romain waited, refusing to take his eyes off him.

Click.

Lanok set down the teacup, his eyes void of emotion as he met Romain’s gaze. "Do you really think following Josh’s plan serves the glory of France?"

"Josh is not yet a match for the DGSE."

Click

.

While lighting a cigar, Lanok advised, "I don’t know how the Star of David is structured, but don’t take your eyes off him. If a nuclear warhead falls on Paris, you and your family will live in disgrace for as long as the world exists."

"The DGSE knows the position of the flèche[2] better than anyone."

"I trust you, then.”

Romain’s expression filled with displeasure.

"I’m willing to enter Loriam on the condition that you stop all the operations against Monsieur Kang. You are never to provoke him again either."

"Don’t you think that warning puts him in even greater danger?"

"Romain," Lanok called as he extended his arm to shake off the ash from his cigar. "You’d be wrong to assume I’m entering Loriam quietly because I’m afraid of you and the DGSE."

As they locked gazes, Lanok smirked. "My greatest fear is not you or Monsieur Kang. It’s that he starts seeing France as an enemy. If I start a fight with the DGSE, I’ll be doing just that.”

You’re well aware of the power of the DGSE, aren’t you? Even now, if you side with France and give just one command, Monsieur Kang would be as good as dead, Mr. Ambassador."

Despite Romain's temptations, Lanok kept his expressions masked.

"Didn't Vasili, Yang Bum, and Ludwig already think of that?"

"That's because you, Mr. Ambassador, have kept them centered."

Lanok softly exhaled.

"They move for their own country's interest, not as an organization that has sworn loyalty to me. What they feared the most when planning to eliminate Monsieur Kang was not me, but the possibility of their plan failing."

"But he's still Korean."

"You're saying the exact same thing that someone once told me."

As if suddenly thirsty, Romain sipped his tea.

"Since you're now aware of Monsieur Kang's secrets, then I’m sure you already know this. Then tell me, what's the secret to his survival in Afghanistan and Africa?"

"That’s...." Romain trailed off. Hesitant to answer, he quieted down.

"What about when he wiped out the British and Russian special forces teams trying to destroy our particle accelerator?"

Romain still didn't answer even though he did not seem to agree with him.

"Did you properly examine the abilities he displayed in the Foreign Legion's special forces team?"

"I did."

"It was a coincidence of three things."

Romain slightly tilted his head.

"Sharlan planned to divert the Blackhead, we launched the particle accelerator to Africa, and lastly, Sharlan himself took the shot at him."

"Look at that. He dies just like anyone else when shot."

Lanok shook his head. "What if we hadn’t activated the particle accelerator? Are you so sure he would have died then?"

Romain clearly struggled to accept his reasoning.

"Don't rashly provoke him into seeing France as an enemy. By the time I have to step in to clean up your mess, you'll be already dead."

Romain clenched his jaw as he glared at Lanok.

***

Every time the guards changed, the prisoners' expressions visibly shifted... all because of Yang Dong-Sik.

Apart from hanging two guys upside down on the first day, he didn’t do much else. However, specifically, whenever he rotated in for guard duty, the prisoners' faces changed color. Now that the special forces soldiers and the injured had left the base, a desolate feeling settled with the dust every time the wind blew.

Yang Dong-Sik, on guard duty, looked down at his rifle and stared at the materials laid out in front of the base. They were to be used to construct a factory.

He had also received news that construction workers would be arriving in two days.

We did it.

He had protected the base in the clay-colored plains of Mongolia, and now, the materials for the factory had been delivered.

Overwhelmed, Yang Dong-Sik exclaimed, “Let’s fucking go!”

Scabs had formed where his face was scratched. He had also already had his forearm bandaged.

"Hey!" Nam Il-Gyu called as he walked over, a large cup in hand.

"Why did you make coffee and just leave? Don’t you know how precious instant coffee is here?"

Yang Dong-Sik sheepishly smiled as he took the mug.

"Do you like the prisoners that much?"

"Damn it...." Yang Dong-Sik roughly retorted. He then drank his coffee.

He didn’t like the damn parasites one bit. However, they needed to keep them in tight lockdown.

After drinking, he exclaimed, "

Caha

!"

The prisoners flinched and looked over at him to read his mood.

"Where's Kang sunbae-nim?"

"He seemed to be on a call from Seoul,” Nam Il-Gyu answered as he glanced back inside the barracks.

"We have to clear them out before construction starts. That’s what worries me."

"That's true."

Yang Dong-Sik glared at the prisoners with a profound expression.

"It seems like Seoul is in chaos."

"Seoul? Why?"

"I heard there was a bombing, and it seems the assistant director got into quite a bit of trouble because of it. The news broadcasts have been attacking him on TV. Because of that, Kang sunbae-nim—"

"What the fuck?!" Yang Dong-Sik cursed, cutting off Nam Il-Gyu.

"Those motherfuckers! What the hell are they saying about the assistant director? Even in Libya, he kept running around on the field for the nation! Who else fucking does that but him?!"

Despite having already cursed vehemently, Yang Dong-Sik still looked furious.

"Don't make it impossible for Kang sunbae-nim to talk. Just because you’ve been informed about the situation doesn't mean you should fuss about it in front of him. He seems to be stressed enough about it already."

"Really?"

"Yeah, dude. Now, finish your coffee already."

"Alright."

Yang Dong-Sik gulped down his coffee as if it were cold water.

1. Kim Gwan-Sik might be calling Kim Mi-Young a giraffe because she’s waiting so desperately for Kang Chan that it seems like her neck has stretched out like a giraffe's. ☜

2. flèche means arrow in French ☜