Chapter 348: Sorry, Mother (1)

Sherman, who had looked away for support from the others, looked back at Kang Chan. “Monsieur Kang, your terms include eliminating Romain and rescuing Lanok. Wouldn’t it be fair to take that into account?”

“Sherman.”

Sherman’s eyes showed his displeasure.

“The UIS has twelve hundred men,” Kang Chan rebutted. “It’s hard to take them on with just special forces teams. If you’re uncomfortable with my terms, send fighter jets from the US.”

“

Hmm

.”

Sherman looked at the doorway, seemingly calculating his profit and loss.

Meanwhile, Kang Chan addressed another issue.

“Mr. Yang Bum, I’m thinking of deploying the troops from the base in Mongolia as well. Can I ask you to guard the base during this operation?”

“As long as the Russian side is taken care of, consider it done,” Yang Bum replied. Kang Chan looked at Vasili.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“I’ll take care of it,” Vasili said with a pointed look.

Now, only Sherman was left. The four naturally all turned to him.

“Very well, we’ll go through China. I’ll handle the UN and Afghanistan’s neighbors,” Sherman answered decisively, bringing an end to their crucial negotiation.

“How will you get Romain to move?” Kang Chan asked.

“We’ll say the FBI is investigating the IMF head, who is from France, for alleged sex trafficking. Even if it’s just to negotiate, Romain will have no choice but to make a move.”

Scary bastards!

Kang Chan couldn’t believe the savagery of these people, who had been in this business for so long.

“How will you rescue the ambassador?” he queried.

Sherman turned to Ludwig.

In turn, Ludwig explained, “We’ll be sending a GSG-9 team to Africa and have them support the rebel forces in Congo, Monsieur Kang.”

He then turned to Vasili as he spoke.

“Our weapons will be entering the Central African Republic. Not officially, of course, but through an arms deal. I’m sure the DGSE will have enough intel to understand why this is happening.”

Germany and Russia could do it, but what about China?

Kang Chan gazed at Yang Bum.

“Once Josh is out of the picture, China will divert all economic cooperation with France to the UK,” Yang Bum stated. “This would completely block the purchase of the raw materials needed to power the collider, not to mention the TGV, their high-speed railroad that spans across China.”

“One more thing, Monsieur Kang,” Ludwig said afterward. “All of France’s intelligence funds deposited in Switzerland will be exposed and seized. In doing so, the French regime itself might even change.”

Kang Chan laughed in disbelief. Curious, he asked, “If you have these methods, why did you just watch the ambassador get imprisoned in Loriam?”

“Like I said, we wanted to make the Star of David take action,” Vasili explained. “Unfortunately, Lanok chose you to be his successor. We are only following his wishes. Don’t forget that whatever happens after this will fall on your and Korea’s shoulders.”

This asshole had a nice way with words.

Kang Chan didn’t expect Vasili to speak kindly. However, did he really have to say that Lanok choosing Kang Chan as his successor was unfortunate?

He looked around the room, then picked up a cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

Click.

The room remained silent as he lit the cigarette and set down the lighter.

“Vasili.”

Vasili gave him a questioning look, seemingly asking, “What did I do?”

However, Kang Chan didn’t see any reason to argue with him. After all, Vasili was simply staying true to his nature.

“Although I don’t know the laws of intelligence bureaus, let me make one thing clear. While I’m following the ambassador’s footsteps and leading this meeting...”

The four patiently waited for him to continue.

“If anyone here is ever in danger, that becomes our most important and urgent matter.”

“That’s a bit sentimental for our hero to say.”

“Maybe,” Kang Chan responded curtly, “but if we succeed in building a next-generation energy facility in South Korea, aren’t you thinking of building one in Russia, China, Germany, and Switzerland afterward?”

Sherman quickly looked up as if greed had gotten the better of him. No one spared him a glance, though.

“If this is going to set the course of the world economy for the next hundreds of years, and if we’re destined to stay on this path for a long time...” Kang Chan blew out a puff of smoke. “We should have this much trust in each other. Hence, after we’re done building a next-generation energy facility in South Korea, I’ll cooperate in the construction of similar facilities in each of your countries.

“How touching,” Vasili retorted, breaking the heartwarming moment.

Son of a bitch.

Vasili raised his teacup, and Yang Bum and Ludwig raised their cigarettes and cigars.

“Will you be in charge of this operation, Monsieur Kang?”

“Yes.”

“How risky. I won’t be able to watch what’s going on because I’m so scared,” Vasili grumbled as he set his cup down.

“I will put Andrei and thirty Spetsnaz members under your command. Consider it a sign of respect and admiration for your country standing up to a terrorist organization like the UIS. Once this operation is over, the Russian government will announce everything I just said now.”

“On that note, do you remember Jiang Kanglin?” Yang Bum asked.

Kang Chan nodded. How could he forget one of the people who had trained alongside him in France?

“I will send him and thirty Snow Wolves over.”

Kang Chan grinned.

“Leon and thirty GSG-9 members will be joining you too,” Ludwig added.

That was more than what Kang Chan anticipated.

Sherman seemed more flustered than Kang Chan.

“That’s not what we agreed on.”

Before Sherman could further protest, Vasili cut him off. “The US will have a higher chance of getting the achievement you so desire with South Korea’s special forces, the Spetsnaz, White Wolves, and GSG-9 working together. What’s the issue?”

He continued, “If we pull this off, the Star of David won’t be able to just freely swing its tail around anymore. That’s why this operation must succeed. In the meantime, as Monsieur Kang requested, we will get rid of Josh and Romain and bring Lanok out.”

Time passed as they discussed other details. At one point, Sherman tried to interject about the next-generation energy facilities, but Vasili brutally cut him off.

***

The NIS agents who had been dispatched to Islamic countries were busy risking their lives to find out why the UIS had amassed nearly a thousand two hundred combatants in Afghanistan, where their leader was located.

NIS Egyptian branch office.

The Egyptian branch manager shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”

All the previous agents had been shot to obtain the satellite coordinates last time. The only ones left unscathed were two new recruits.

“Sir, if we just keep monitoring the informant and he gets taken out because of our nonaction, we’ll lose the tail. Aren’t we being ordered to figure out how they got the coordinates because they need the intel? I’ll head out with the new guys.”

The branch manager shook his head again. How could he send two rookies with Um Ji-Hwan, whose right forearm and shin were injured? It was too risky a plan, even if it meant they could find a vital informant.

“That guy isn’t just some random informant. He’s an A-lister. He has a direct line to Greek military intelligence.”

“Um Ji-Hwan, you still haven’t gotten the hang of this place yet. Even if I allow you to go, our two rookies aren’t familiar with the terrain. Don’t you know the situation we’re in? With everyone else injured, we don’t have anyone who can help you.”

The branch manager was not only Um Ji-Hwan’s senior. He was also a veteran in Egypt-related fieldwork. Everything he had said made sense.

Um Ji-Hwan looked down in frustration.

An informant had asked for their help. This could be their last chance to find out how they got the satellite coordinates and where the clues came from.

The branch manager was well aware of that, but right now, they were too short-handed. They could call for reinforcements, but doing so out of the blue was easier said than done.

“How well do you speak Egyptian?” the branch manager suddenly asked the new recruits.

“I can understand most of the expletives.”

“And your background?”

“I used to be part of the 606, then the counter-terrorism team for two years.”

The branch manager turned to the other recruit this time

“I’m confident in my English, and I can order in Egyptian. I was a member of the Third Airborne Forces and the 606.”

“Go make me some coffee.”

Anyone listening to their conversation would have thought that the Third Airborne Forces and the 606 were barista training schools.

As ordered, the two recruits walked to the corner and poured instant coffee and hot water into paper cups. The aroma of instant coffee wafted through the office.

A few moments later, they came back with a cup in each hand, putting them down in front of the branch manager and Um Ji-Hwan.

“Has there been any other contact?” the branch manager asked.

“Jung sunbae is following the informant as we speak. We can capture him as soon as you give the order,” Um Ji-Hwan replied.

The branch manager sighed.

The Jung sunbae that Um Ji-Hwan had mentioned had been shot in the chest and could barely walk. Nevertheless, he was still relentlessly following the informant.

“It could be the opposite. This could be a trap to get us there. If we find ourselves in a dangerous situation, you, the two rookies, and I...”

The branch manager was unable to finish. While holding the cup of coffee, he looked around

“Permission to speak, sir,” one of the new recruits said.

“Go ahead. What is it?”

“I lost one of my colleagues in the terrorist attack on the International Building. If I can do anything to prevent more sacrifices, even though I’m unfamiliar with this place, I hope you reconsider whether my safety is really more important than the wellbeing of our nation,” the recruit who was confident in his Egyptian said.

“You punk.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Give me a cigarette.”

The branch manager took the cigarette pack and lighter that the rookie handed over. He then glared at the three.

“You all smoke, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

The branch manager handed them all a cigarette.

Click

.

He then flicked the lighter on and held it out.

As a soldier and an agent of the NIS, it was an honor to have a senior light their cigarettes for them.

Um Ji-Hwan and the two agents politely moved closer.

“

Hoo

. Think about it this way. It’s not just about risking your lives. Don’t forget that you’re also important assets to the country.”

“Yes, sir,” the two recruits answered cautiously.

The branch manager sighed deeply, blowing out cigarette smoke at the same time. He, too, had a bloody gauze on his nape and a thick bandage wrapped around his back.

“So, are we going to get the informant?” Um Ji-Hwan asked.

The branch manager glanced at Um Ji-Hwan. While making calculations, he bit his lower lip.

His eyes showed the many storms that he had weathered.

After taking another drag on his cigarette, he exhaled. “

Hoo

.”

This would be a gamble. Helping the informant, who had come to them for help, wasn’t safe.

However, finding out how he had gotten the satellite coordinates and why the UIS had assembled an army was worth putting their lives on the line for.

Requesting for backup?

The branch manager shook his head.

Every NIS branch in Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East was undermanned right now. They had never been this active before.

The most they had ever done before was look for spies. Whenever there was a conflict, armed or otherwise, they would always retreat.

He was grateful and proud of the battle in Libya.

It was a sign of how important their home country, South Korea, considered the agents they had dispatched all around the world.

“

Hoo

.”

The branch manager stubbed his cigarette out in a paper cup.

***

After seeing off Vasili and the others at the Seongnam Airfield, Kang Chan headed straight to the Samseong-Dong office. He wanted to meet Kim Hyung-Jung, who was probably eagerly awaiting the details of the meeting.

He thought about asking for a meeting with Moon Jae-Hyun and Go Gun-Woo first, but he didn’t want to seem disrespectful to Kim Hyung-Jung.

The situation was clear. All that was left was figuring out why the UIS had gathered such a large army. Unfortunately, neither Vasili, Yang Bum, Sherman, nor Ludwig had a clear answer.

As an organization grew larger, so did its members’ vested interests and greed.

Arriving at Samseong-Dong, Kang Chan immediately went up to the fifth floor.

“Thank you for coming.”

Kang Chan entered the office and told Kim Hyung-Jung, who had been waiting, everything that had happened over lunch.

With all their time together, Kang Chan thought Kim Hyung-Jung would’ve gotten used to it by now, yet his eyes still widened at him.

“Are you really planning to send in fighter jets?”

“Given the enemy’s numbers, bombing is a must.”

“That’s true.”

It was difficult to accept, but Kim Hyung-Jung had no other choice. His answer reflected his feelings.

“I’ll head back to my office now.”

“Okay. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done.”

“Please do.”

After parting ways with Kim Hyung-Jung, Kang Chan drove back to his office.

“How was it?” Seok Kang-Ho curiously greeted. “Would you like some coffee?”

“After I wash up,” Kang Chan replied.

He hung up his jacket, then went to the restroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

“

Whew

!”

He looked at his glinting eyes in the mirror. He had gotten used to seeing this face.

The water dripped and soaked the front of his shirt, but he didn’t care.

‘Are you confident?’

he asked his reflection.

They were up against twelve hundred hostiles, and the battlefield would be set in Afghanistan.

Russia, China, and Germany would be sending special forces teams. Meanwhile, the United States would be hanging on their tails.

This massive operation even required fighter jets.

Kang Chan had fought countless battles, and after being reborn, he had been in operations that made Kim Hyung-Jung shudder. The last time he had been in Afghanistan, he had gone against six hundred Quds.

Yet this battle was still on an entirely different level.

It was one thing to fight six hundred Quds charging straight at them and another to face one thousand two hundred UIS members in an area they had complete control over.

Moreover, commanding a large-scale operation was easier said than done. Just because one could drive a 2.5-ton truck nicely didn’t mean they could suddenly pull a 25-ton dump and trailer at will.

Kang Chan knew better than anyone that, in combat, a commander’s mistakes could cost the lives of their men.

Things were escalating. Just as he had decided to eliminate the leadership, the enemies gathered in Afghanistan.

It felt like a strange, uncomfortable weight had settled on his shoulders and refused to fall off.

Kang Chan grabbed a towel from the rack and wiped his face.

Pft

.

He wouldn’t quit now, though. If someone else had told him about this issue, he would’ve said immediately that they should attack the enemies and show them what their country could do.

Kang Chan’s gaze on his reflection turned into a glare.

‘I’ll send every last one of them to the God of Death. They will never get to aim their guns my way.’

He smirked.

When he came out of the restroom, he noticed that Seok Kang-Ho had set two mugs on the table.

“Did the meeting not go well?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.

“No, why?”

“You didn’t look too happy.”

Kang Chan sat down at the table and looked out the window. “I was just worried about the enemies’ numbers. I’ve never gone against an army that large.”

Seok Kang-Ho grinned and lifted his mug.

“Gérard said you seem worried about the soldiers having to sacrifice themselves. Is that right?”

Kang Chan glanced at Seok Kang-Ho.

This guy had exchanged a conversation that complicated with Gérard? How?

Kang Chan’s question was quickly answered. He saw a man in formal attire coming out of the office with Gerard.

It seemed the interpreter, who had lost two fingers, had visited them.

Seeing him bow in greeting, Kang Chan grinned.

“The NIS hired him.”

“When?”

“Well, he just got here this morning. Didn’t Manager Kim tell you? When I complained about how uncomfortable it is to not be able to talk to each other due to the language barrier, they decided to hire him to interpret for us and the agents assigned to the satellites.”

Kim Hyung-Jung was so busy that he must have forgotten.

The interpreter had come at the best time. Kang Chan liked most that he could trust him since they had already fought together.

“Gérard, did you get anything from the satellites?”

“We’ve been scanning the suspicious areas, but we haven’t found anything concrete.”

The interpreter relayed Kang Chan and Gérard’s conversation to Seok Kang-Ho.

This was nice.

“Keep at it.”

“I told them as much. I’ll keep monitoring them too.”

Kang Chan nodded.

Once Kim Hyung-Jung was done with his meeting with Go Gun-Woo, they would begin the operation.

Kang Chan looked at the sky.

Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook’s faces suddenly came to mind. He wondered how they were doing.

He missed them terribly.

Kang Chan could only hope that Yoo Hye-Sook wasn’t crying...

Just then, he was shaken from his thoughts at the sound of the office door opening.

Already?

Much to his surprise, it was Kim Hyung-Jung.