Chapter 363: Just Press the Button (2)

Sherman sat across from Lanok, who looked relaxed, and Vasili, who was coldly looking away from him.

To hide his emotions, Sherman took a sip of his black tea, then put down the teacup.

Click.

“It’s time for you to decide,” Vasili said in a very off-putting way.

Looking at Lanok, Sherman smacked his lips. Even though they were in the world of Intelligence, they were working where people lived. Moreover, they were just human like everyone else.

Did Lanok really plan out everything that had happened or did things just work out on their own?

Sherman looked at Lanok through his thick glasses. “Are you sure you can take down the Star of David?”

Vasili glared at Sherman, his expression seemingly asking, “Why is he saying nonsense now? We’ve already come all this way.”

Sherman continued, “Do you really believe that Mr. Kang can maintain world order?”

“Monsieur Kang made a dramatic entrance right after the Star of David had finished preparing their plan for the new currency. He also turned the next-generation energy facility into a reality,” Lanok calmly answered.

After a brief pause, he added, “He also stopped every attempt they made to start a world war. Those feats alone should be enough proof that he can fight the Star of David.”

Sherman now looked overpowered by Lanok, who still wore a mask-like expression.

“If the United States had learned about how valuable Monsieur Kang was first, they would’ve taken him to America even if they had to force South Korea to give him up. That being said, I’ve made my intentions clear,” Lanok concluded.

“We have to respect our President’s will.”

“No country reflects the views of the ones in charge as much as yours do, Sherman. Stop making excuses and tell us what you truly think.”

Sherman felt as though Lanok had become much more adamant than before. He looked down at his black tea in hesitation.

Vasili pursed his lips. “Tell us why the United States accepted the new gold system, the true identity of the Star of David, and why the United States decided to go down a different path.”

Amid Sherman’s lack of response, he continued, “The United States couldn’t have made this plan without knowing the identity of the Star of David, could they? Either way, I suggest you decide quickly. This meeting will be meaningless if the missile Alex is carrying gets launched from the North Pacific.”

“That responsibility falls on Russia,” Sherman said.

“Not really, no,” Vasili immediately retorted. “You were the ones who targeted South Korea with that missile. It’s just heading toward the United States right now because Monsieur Kang and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stopped the attempt. You can’t get out of this with nonsensical statements, Sherman.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that Russia’s nuclear warhead will be launched from a Russian submarine, Vasili.”

Vasili blatantly shook his head. Firmly, he responded, “The fact that the nuclear warhead will fall on the United States won’t change either. Don’t forget that in the event of a nuclear war, the United States won’t be able to handle the nuclear missiles that Russia, France, and China have.”

Sherman stayed silent for a moment, then raised his head as if he had made a decision.

“My conditions are that there won’t be retribution because of this matter and that no one will request additional compensation,” Sherman said.

Vasili snorted. At the same time, Lanok smirked.

“We can’t just retaliate against the United States, but there at least needs to be some compensation, especially for South Korea. They’re making a lot of sacrifices to solve this matter.”

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

“If so, then—“

“We don’t have much time, Sherman,” Lanok urged.

Sherman exhaled loudly.

“The Star of David already controls the majority of the United States. That’s why they decided to control the global economy. We agreed to control Asia—China, to be more specific.”

Examining their reactions, Sherman realized that they had already guessed as much.

“The Star of David is the United States’...” Sherman trailed off. He had said enough for the two to know what he was about to say.

After observing their reactions again, he continued with difficulty, “The Star of David acts based on the Economic Intelligence Bureau, which is created by the Federal Reserve Bank[1]. Apart from that, we can only guess what they do.”

Vasili smirked in response.

“Don’t misunderstand—the EIB is an independent organization. It’s completely out of our control,” Sherman added, seemingly making excuses for himself. “We’ve also been looking for ways to deal with them, but they’re secretly in complete control of the United States’ economy and politics. They can also monitor the CIA and DIA’s activities, so there’s really nothing we can do.”

Now that he had said all of that, Sherman actually seemed relieved.

“If a war occurs, the Star of David will make profits from the supplies and construction. I can’t even imagine the interest that’ll occur through the exchange derivatives in Wall Street,” Sherman added.

“What’s the United States’ stance on this matter?” Lanok asked.

“If we can just take care of the Star of David, we’ll do our best to cooperate with the intelligence bureaus of Europe,” Sherman immediately answered.

Vasili smiled strangely at Lanok.

“Vasili, shut down Alex,” Lanok said.

Sherman quickly looked up in surprise.

“Russia is different from the United States; we have devices in every nuclear-powered submarine that allow us to shut them down. If we get rid of Alex, you will naturally provide compensation, won’t you?” Vasili asked.

“Of course, Vasili!” Sherman looked touched.

“Next on our agenda is the problem with the Rothschilds,” Lanok said, changing the topic. “The DGSE will kill thirteen of their key members tomorrow.”

Sherman looked like he didn’t understand what Lanok was saying. It was simply too unexpected and shocking.

Lanok continued, “Have the American intelligence bureau announce that they sank a nuclear-powered submarine from a third-party country. Arrest the rest of the Rothschilds for planning to start a nuclear war in the United States.”

“Lanok, killing and arresting the Rothschilds won’t make the Star of David disappear.”

“We’re going to seize the money that they have deposited in Switzerland along with those that they have invested in France, Russia, Germany, and other European countries under the pretext that they’re using those funds to start World War III.”

Sherman looked at Lanok blankly.

Has Lanok always been so fearsome?

“We’ll cooperate with the United States under the condition that they don’t protest against these measures and that the US courts and the International Court of Justice will deny restitution. I want the countries involved to be given thirty percent of the seized funds. The other thirty percent will be returned to the United States, and the remaining forty percent will...”

Lanok was talking about massive amounts of funds that not even Sherman could imagine it.

He swallowed dryly as he stared at Lanok.

Lanok added, “The remaining forty percent of the seized funds will be disbursed to South Korea.”

“That’s—!”

“You should at least give that much compensation. Monsieur Kang and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service are the ones who stopped this nuclear war from happening.”

“What will happen to the Star of David?”

Vasili shook his head.

“We plan to arrest all of the people involved, no matter what country they’re in, at the same time the Rothchild’s wealth is seized. They’re all going to be sentenced to life imprisonment, and their families will be put under special management. Don’t you even speak nonsense about their human rights or some other bullshit. Otherwise, this is where this conversation ends,” Vasili warned.

Sherman looked stunned.

A moment of silence passed. In the meantime, Vasili brought over a vodka glass, and Lanok lit up his cigar.

“The Star of David uses their funds—their strongest weapon—to threaten the United States, don’t they? Your people should be able to handle their threats with the thirty percent of the Rothschild’s wealth that the United States will take, no?”

“What will happen to the EIB?” Sherman asked.

“The United States will have to handle that on their own, but you can use the agent who hid from Monsieur Kang and escaped Libya as an excuse. Have the President give a formal apology for your country’s involvement in the civil war in Libya and for launching terrorist attacks in South Korea. I suggest killing everyone who was behind those two matters as well.”

Is there even anything Vasili and Lanok don’t know about?

Still, Sherman needed confirmation.

“Doing all of that would be shocking to the Star of David, but that won’t be enough to finish them. You two probably already know that, though, don’t you?”

“The moment we try to suppress them, they will naturally start an all-out war instead of dying a slow death. That’s when the real battle will begin. Consider the forty percent of the funds that’ll be disbursed to South Korea as the war chest that Monseiur Kang will use to fight the Star of David,” Vasili answered.

Sherman shook his head in defeat.

“What did you promise Alman bin Jibril?” Lanok asked as the cigar smoke wafted toward Sherman. “Nothing good will come out of hiding that. If the United States changes its stance again amid all this, then we’ll make sure that the Star of David and the United States will have to fight to the death. Afterward, we’ll just join the side that wins. More importantly, don’t forget that the Star of David’s greed is what caused these results that are difficult to reverse.”

Sherman nodded. “Saudi Arabia is constructing a next-generation energy facility. They were planning on starting an earthquake using the information they obtained from the UK’s intelligence bureau, then officially join the Star of David with the next-generation energy facility.”

“What will the United States earn from that?”

“Control over Asia and a stake in Saudi Arabia’s next-generation energy facility.”

Lanok nodded in understanding. “Those are logical reasons to cooperate with Saudi Arabia. Last question.”

“I’m not hiding anything anymore.”

“Tell us why the UIS gathered in Afghanistan.”

Sherman stared at Lanok.

“I want you to tell us what the UIS is hiding behind the justification that they’ll rebuild a war-torn country and why they made South Korea’s special forces team head there.”

“You guys probably know the answer. Do you really need me to confirm your suspicions?” Sherman asked.

“Don’t you know that trust between intelligence bureaus stems from confessing the truth?”

“The first reason is to kill Mr. Kang Chan,” Sherman started to answer, looking miserable.

Vasili blatantly smirked, then burst into laughter.

Sherman continued, “The second is to create a justification to start an all-out war with South Korea.”

Lanok was still wearing his cold, mask-like expression.

“After establishing a country, the UIS has designated South Korea as the target of their holy war. They believe that revealing the operations that Mr. Kang Chan had done so far would give them enough reason to attack South Korea,” Sherman said.

“The Star of David and Alman bin Jibril gave the UIS the funds for that, didn’t they?”

“That’s correct.”

“Is that why the American special forces team can’t move in to kill the leadership of the UIS themselves? Even if Monsieur Kang succeeded in the operation, America would still need the head of the UIS for the next Presidential election. Unfortunately, the secret agreement is making it difficult for you to interfere and kill him. Did I get it all right?” Vasili asked Sherman with a sardonic smile.

Sherman nodded.

“Sherman,” Lanok called

Sherman simply looked at him in response.

“We agree that the United States is a powerful nation. However, don’t ignore Europe’s vast experience and Russia’s actual power. There’s also China, a newly emerged lion. We are all looking forward to the new order that Monsieur Kang will create in the world of intelligence.”

Sherman quickly glanced at Vasili to examine his mood.

Meanwhile, Lanok continued, “No one has dominated the battlefield like Monsieur Kang has. No one has given us as much trust in the world of intelligence either. He’s...” He put his cigar in the ashtray. “Unlike us, Monsieur Kang is just. I hope that the United States will also follow our wishes.”

Afterward, Vasili filled up a glass with vodka. He then filled two more glasses and held out a pistol from his chest pocket and placed it on the table.

Click.

The message was clear—Sherman either had to follow their lead or choose war and death.

Sherman felt as though the dark muzzle of the pistol was glaring at him.

“Sherman?” Vasili pressed.

“You’re forcing me to make a cruel choice. Isn’t there a gentler way of doing this?” Sherman asked, then held up the vodka glass. “I’ll follow the orders of the European intelligence bureaus and Mr. Kang—”

“It’s Monsieur Kang!” Vasili quickly interjected.

Sherman corrected himself. “I’ll follow Monsieur Kang’s orders.”

Gulp.

Sherman downed his glass of vodka, deciding not to wait for Lanok and Vasili to do the same.

***

Kang Chan and his men couldn’t see the sun yet, but their surroundings were becoming brighter.

Fortunately, the mountain had quite a dense forest that allowed them to look down at Rukha.

The soldiers scanned their surroundings and then stood guard where protection was needed.

From a distance, they observed their enemies’ base, which looked like a mock city.

At least a thousand enemies were inside that base, and South Korea’s special forces might have to kill them all.

“Kang Myung-Gu. Have the men eat and rest in turns. We’ll proceed at zero-eight-hundred,” Kang Chan ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Kang Myung-Gu responded. He then quickly executed his command.

Meanwhile, Kang Chan found a comfortable place to sit.

“Let’s eat,” Seok Kang-Ho suggested as he approached holding C-rations.

Choi Jong-Il, Gerard, Woo Hee-Seung, and Lee Doo-Hee walked over with him.

There were a few different kinds of Korean C-rations. The ones they were eating now had rice balls like last time.

As everyone ate, Lee Doo-Hee poured water into their misugaru, shook it, then placed one next to Kang Chan.

“This powder is really amazing. It almost seems magical,” Gérard commented.

Of them all, Gérard enjoyed that misugaru the most. It was fascinating.

Well, I guess someone with a sweet tooth would naturally like it. Misugaru does have a lot of vitamins and a bunch of sugar.

Watching Gerard drinking the misugaru, Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.

I can’t believe I’m with a Caucasian man who has rice next to his mouth!

Kang Chan reached out and removed the grain of rice that was stuck near Gérard’s mouth. It made him feel as if he was raising a child.

Five minutes later, they were done eating.

“You guys sleep first. Let’s rotate hourly,” Kang Chan said.

“Alright,” Seok Kang-Ho answered.

Seok Kang-Ho, Gerard, Choi Jong-Il, and Woo Hee-Seung immediately laid down near where they ate.

With his rifle slung over his shoulder, Kang Chan looked down the mountain. He had put one of his feet on a rock.

Afterward, he looked around, finding his men lying on the ground.

These men risked sleeping in the middle of enemy territory just for their sense of duty and the Taegukgi on their left arm.

Kang Chan felt completely different emotions now compared to when he was a mercenary fighting for permanent residency, money, and an escape from his depressing environment.

The sun peeked out above the mountain in the distance. It began to shine radiantly, seemingly unaware of the horrible battle that the soldiers had ahead of them.

Rustle. Clunk.

Kang Myung-Gu carefully approached Kang Chan.

“Why aren’t you resting?” Kang Chan asked.

“I made the men sleep first.”

“Have a seat.”

Kang Myung-Gu sat next to Kang Chan in a similar position.

“I wish I could have a cup of coffee,” Kang Chan muttered as if he was talking to himself.

Kang Myung-Gu searched for something, then took out a black plastic bag from his pocket and offered it to Kang Chan.

“What’s that?” Kang Chan asked.

“Coffee. I heard you like coffee, so I brought one.”

Kang Chan blankly looked at the beverage.

Kang Myung-Gu’s expression said, “I made the right call, Didn’t I?”

It seemed this was his way of expressing his sincerity. Taking the coffee and enjoying it was the best thing Kang Chan could do right now.

Hence, rather than asking Kang Myung-Gu why he brought something like this all the way here and commenting that he didn’t need to do this, Kang Chan accepted the coffee and ripped one end of the plastic bag instead. He then had a sip of the coffee with a pleased expression.

“This is good,” Kang Chan commented. He then offered it to Kang Myung-Gu. “Coffee tastes even better when it’s shared.”

Kang Myung-Gu quickly accepted the coffee and had a sip, making sure his mouth didn’t touch the bag. He handed the coffee back to Kang Chan again.

“It feels like I’m dreaming,” Kang Myung-Gu commented.

Kang Chan glanced over, finding Kang Myung-Gu looking at enemy territory.

“Ever since the incident with Wui Min-Gook, the Directors’ deaths, and the terrorist attack on the International Building, I have been desperately hoping to attack an enemy military base like this.”

Softly, Kang Myung-Gu added, “I would gladly turn into a nameless star a hundred times over for as long as it means we’ll succeed in this operation. After all, this will give South Korea the confidence to face terrorist attacks.”

“Have you thought about the family you’ll leave behind?”

Kang Myung-Gu nodded. “I have, but making South Korea stronger is more important.”

Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.

Why do I keep meeting people like Kang Chul-Gyu and Kang Myung-Gu?

Kang Chan felt ashamed that he even thought such brave men cared about being mistreated.

The two continued sharing the coffee as they looked at the enemy base.

After some time, a soldier quickly approached them.

Clank. Clank.

“We’ve just been informed that the DMZ team and the 606 are on their way here from behind our position,” the soldier relayed.

Kang Chan stood up and walked to the back of the mountain.

Clank. Clank. Rustle. Rustle.

From below, he could see the DMZ team with their bayonets on their shoulders and the fully armed soldiers from the 606 coming up the mountain.

At the same time, Kang Chan’s men quickly woke up upon hearing people approaching and sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere.

The DMZ team and the 606 eventually reached them.

Kang Chan looked at Kang Chul-Gyu.

Kang Chan had numerous cuts on his face that had now scabbed, and Kang Chul-Gyu had fresh wounds on his.

‘How did you get so beat up?’

the two wondered as they stared at each other with similar expressions.

The rest of the soldiers also came up. Everyone exchanged greetings with mere glances and nods.

For some reason, they felt as if their enemy territory looked smaller than before.

“You all must have gone through a lot.”

“I sent Il-Gyu and Dong-Sik ahead to scout the enemy base. It won’t hurt to get a good layout of it while our enemies are still asleep,” Kang Chul-Gyu responded. “We also brought some gifts.”

He then looked behind him. At the same time, the DMZ team placed about ten RPGs in front of Kang Chan.

Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.

“Once those two return, we’ll start planning based on what they find. For now, eat and get some rest,” Kang Chan said.

Kang Chul-Gyu nodded. The soldiers settled to where they were comfortable.

The sun had now risen above the mountain.

1. A Federal Reserve Bank is a regional bank of the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States. ☜