Huff. Huff.

Fully prepared for combat, Kang Chan sharply scanned his surroundings. He then pulled the trigger, making the muzzle of the MP5S flash. The enemy’s forehead burst open right after.

Click! Swish! Thud!

Fucking bastards! I don’t mind fighting to the death in the DMZ due to differing ideologies and situations. But to kill fellow Koreans in a foreign land just for some Western money? Stupid fucking assholes!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Gunshots and flashes could be heard and seen in the distance. Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, Cha Dong-Gyun, Kwak Cheol-Ho, and Choi Jong-Il were closing in, tightening the encirclement.

“Assistant Director! There are C4s everywhere!” the blood-soaked Nam Il-Gyu urgently shouted. “They’ve strapped explosives to themselves and plan to detonate it as soon as you and the juniors approach!”

With a nod, Kang Chan signaled Nam Il-Gyu to get behind him. Perhaps it was because of his fierce gaze, but Nam Il-Gyu quickly obeyed.

Huff. Huff. Did these little shits seriously impale Yang Dong-Sik's chest with spikes?

Swish! Swish!

Kang Chan slowly swept the soil with his boot as he moved forward.

Smirk!

I know where you fuckers are! I watched you bitches fight Kang Chul-Gyu, Nam Il-Gyu, and Yang Dong-Sik from the rooftop! C4? Go ahead, detonate it!

Do you think we’re stupid enough to stick our heads out and get ourselves killed? Fuck your explosives!

As Nam Il-Gyu searched for enemies from behind, Kang Chan took out two grenades with his left hand and pulled the safety pins with his mouth.

Still don’t feel like moving? Then die!

Kang Chan threw the grenades.

In response, Nam Il-Gyu dropped to the ground out of reflex, not fear. There was no reason to let grenades injure him. Unlike him, Kang Chan squatted and took aim.

What the hell is this man doing…?

Boom! Boooooom!

The grenades exploded on loose soil, sending dirt twenty meters into the air and blowing dust over fifty meters up.

Rustle. Rustle.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

As dirt fell like black rain from the sky, Kang Chan opened fire on the enemies whom the grenades had forced to move.

Swoosh!

In front of the dazed Nam Il-Gyu, Kang Chan lowered his rifle, grabbed the bayonet strapped to his ankle, and charged forward.

Flop!

Though surprised, Nam Il-Gyu was no idiot. He was still the creator of the “Show them Seoul” trend among the DMZ team. He quickly got up, grabbed his knife, and followed Kang Chan.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Slice!

To ensure that the enemy was dead, Kang Chan plunged the knife deep into the soil. Chills ran down Nam Il-Gyu’s spine as he bore witness to Kang Chan’s precise and brutal knife strikes. Eventually, however, gunfire and grenade explosions from the front of the building broke the silence.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Before Nam Il-Gyu realized it, Kang Chan was already firing away. Meanwhile, Kang Chul-Gyu used Kang Chan's continuous rifle fire as his guide toward them.

The scene made him feel chills for the third time.

How could he use his guns, grenades, and knives like that in such a chaotic moment? Is this all to create an escape path for Kang sunbae?

“Hurry!” urged Kang Chan.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Click! Clack!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Carrying Yang Dong-Sik over his shoulder, Kang Chul-Gyu ran toward them with a fearsome expression. Without looking, Kang Chan reloaded and fired relentlessly around Kang Chul-Gyu.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

“Faster!”

Even though Kang Chul-Gyu was only ten meters away now, Kang Chan kept firing at the ground and shouting.

Crunch! Crunch!

Kang Chul-Gyu’s footsteps were normally silent, but at that moment, they echoed loudly and clearly.

As they tried to make their escape, a blinding light burst out and swirled with the darkness. Right after, ear-splitting explosions threw Kang Chan, Kang Chul-Gyu, and Nam Il-Gyu into the air.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

Damn it! It’s always like this! Those damned bombs always make people stupid. I feel like a ghost has grabbed my ankle and is pulling me underwater. Everything is blurry, and I can’t even hear properly anymore.

Kang Chan shook his head and moved toward Kang Chul-Gyu.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Stomp. Stomp.

Old man! Do you think I’ll just let you die? All you’ve done so far is buy some clothes, eat bulgogi once, and spend an awkward night at a pension house! You can’t die with just those memories! That’s not what you want either, is it?

Honestly, I find this unfair! I didn’t even know you were the King of DMZ or that you carried scars all your life!

Thump!

Kang Chan slipped his hand under the shoulder of the fallen Kang Chul-Gyu, finding his back completely soaked in blood.

“

Ugh

!”

Moving a body carelessly could push shrapnel deeper. Hence, Kang Chan instead sat down with his legs stretched out in front of him and carefully turned Kang Chul-Gyu on his leg. Kang Chul-Gyu was pale, showing the years etched deeply in his features.

“Stay with me!”

Kang Chan gently shook Kang Chul-Gyu.

“I haven’t even called you ‘Father’ yet! Don’t make me feel guilty and open your eyes!”

Behind him, Nam Il-Gyu was struggling to sit up, and soldiers were running from the building with clanking rifles.

“Wake the fuck up! I won’t forgive you if you go like this!” shouted Kang Chan.

Kang Chul-Gyu looked so pale that the blood from his nose, ears, and eyes stood out even in the darkness.

“Please! Just this once! Listen to me and open your eyes!”

He would have bitten his palm and given him blood just as he had done for Gérard, but he knew it wouldn't help. On the contrary, it could end up blocking his airway.

As Nam Il-Gyu picked up Yang Dong-Sik, soldiers rushed toward Kang Chan.

"We'll take care of him, sir!"

Kang Chan nodded.

Flop! Flop!

The soldiers began carrying Kang Chul-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik to the building. Behind them were Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, Cha Dong-Gyun, Yoon Sang-Ki, Choi Jong-Il, and Lee Doo-Hee, their faces barely visible under layers of dirt.

"The special forces team has five injured. The building’s windows and front door have been completely destroyed as well, sir."

Kang Chan reached out to Seok Kang-Ho. "Help me up!"

As ordered, Seok Kang-Ho grabbed Kang Chan's hand and pulled him up.

Thud! Rustle.

The dust that had settled on Kang Chan fell off.

"Cha Dong-Gyun! The bodies of the people we killed are over there. Gather everything you can find and bring it in front of the building."

"Yes, sir."

Gritting his teeth, Kang Chan took one step after another toward the building. His eyes were so intense that not even Choi Jong-Il dared ask about his condition.

Is this what you wanted? Talking about negotiation while stabbing us in the back? A fight where whoever kills first wins?

Joke’s on you, then. This is our specialty.

Through the completely broken door and window frames, the white light of fluorescent lamps and the red light of incandescent lamps shone out.

"Phone!"

Woo Hee-Seung quickly fetched Kang Chan's phone. The latter then quickly called a number.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

"Cigarette!"

Seok Kang-Ho pulled out a cigarette, placed it in Kang Chan's mouth, and lit it.

- This is Hugo.

This bastard is also incredibly busy tonight.

"Hugo! I don’t know the extent of my authority, but send the Foreign Legion’s special forces team and all available troops to Cuba!"

- The special forces team and two Foreign Legion regiments are ready for deployment.

Good enough!

Kang Chan puffed out smoke. "Deploy them right now!"

- Assistant Director.

"What is it?"

- Director Romain’s number is in Rico’s contacts.

Kang Chan smirked. Whenever things ended chaotically, it certainly always turned out like this.

These bastards always bark, but you learn the hard way that they bite when you expect them to meow.

"I’ll handle that myself."

- If Director Romain dies, your authority as acting director will be nullified.

"Hugo."

- Yes, Assistant Director!

Hugo's tone became firmer, perhaps sensing the change in Kang Chan's voice.

This bastard is definitely easier to deal with over the phone.

"I’ll handle it myself."

- As you wish, sir.

"One last thing. I want Sherman killed."

Kang Chan heard Hugo gulp.

"Is that an impossible order?" he asked.

- No, sir! We will carry out your command for the glory of France.

I’m actually not doing this for France. This is just who I am.

However, Kang Chan thought there was no need to clarify this. He ended the call, searched for another number, and pressed the call button. With his cigarette burned out, he then threw the butt on the ground and stomped on it.

"

Phew

!"

Carpet? Hotel-grade interiors? I couldn’t care less about any of that. Everyone involved in this mess will lose their heads, just like how Vasili taught us in his special lecture.

The dial tone stopped, and the call connected.

- Kim Hyung-Jung speaking.

"This is Kang Chan. We need support from our Fighter Wing, the 35th Brigade, and the counter-terrorism team. Seek cooperation from China and Russia as well. Please get the President's approval, and if he disagrees, let me know immediately."

A brief but strong silence passed.

- Can you specify the target for the attack?

"Bermuda. A confrontation with the United States is possible."

As if Kim Hyung-Jung had stopped breathing, complete silence fell on the other end of the line once more.

"Manager Kim! North Korea’s 8th Special Forces Brigade was waiting to ambush us here. I'll provide exact casualty details as soon as we have them, but we can't just let this matter slide quietly."

Still no response. It seemed Kim Hyung-Jung still couldn't breathe.

"Please give me a decision within thirty minutes. I need to request aerial refueling support from China and Russia," Kang Chan said.

- Ah! Understood! I'll check immediately and call you back!

"Manager Kim!"

- Yes, Assistant Director!

"Declare a military emergency. Two of the Foreign Legion’s regiments and their special forces team are already on their way here, and I’ll also be requesting a state of emergency from Russia and China. They’ve just thrown a punch at us, sir. It won’t sit right with me if we stay quiet in response.”

- I'll report that as well.

Kang Chan ended the call and then looked around.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

Kwak Cheol-Ho walked over to him.

"Yang Dong-Sik sunbae-nim is gone, sir. Kang sunbae-nim is severely wounded, but thanks to Yang Dong-Sik sunbae-nim, he managed to avoid injuries to his head, neck, and heart. We’ll have to see how it turns out."

Kang Chan nodded. "Is a blood transfusion possible?"

"Yes, sir."

Kang Chan’s mood lightened a bit.

Despite not being given any orders, Cha Dong-Gyun was already positioning soldiers at each window. Moreover, although they had heard Kang Chan’s instructions to Kim Hyung-Jung, none of the soldiers were shocked. On the contrary, their eyes gleamed with determination, making Kang Chan chuckle.

With these men, there's nothing we can't do.

Setting up the tables and chairs that had been knocked over, Kang Chan sat down and picked up the phone again. He pressed the call button, and just as the dial tone started, the call connected.

- This is Vasili.

"Vasili, North Korea’s 8th Special Forces Brigade was lying in wait for us."

Vasili responded with a low growl.

-

Hmm

.

"I've ordered the DGSE to assassinate Sherman and send two of the Foreign Legion's regiments and its special forces team to Cuba. I've also requested the help of our Fighter Wing and two other teams from South Korea."

- What do you need me to do?

"The Spetsnaz, support for the Fighter Wing, and aerial refueling."

- One of my problems is getting solved neatly.

Unsure of what he meant, Kang Chan just kept quiet.

- I was considering putting another man in as President, but this situation leaves me no choice but to take the forefront. You’re planning to hit Bermuda, aren’t you? You do realize that the US will likely stand in your way, don’t you?

"If they want a fight, we'll give them one!"

-

Hahaha

!

Hahaha

!

Has Vasili ever laughed so heartily before?

- Yes! The main character should have this kind of boldness! Don't forget to calculate rationally, though. The US might be looking to start a world war.

“Got it. Is Yang Bum next to you?” Kang Chan asked.

Yang Bum immediately joined the conversation.

- I'm here, Mr. Kang Chan.

“As you’ve heard, we request the same level of support from China.”

Though Kang Chan was concerned that Yang Bum hadn’t regained his authority in China’s intelligence bureau, he thought that not speaking up in such times would be even more humiliating for Yang Bum.

- Understood. Let us know the departure time, and we’ll take the necessary measures.

The man’s response was surprisingly straightforward.

“Thank you. I’ll contact you as soon as we’ve set the time.

Kang Chan hung up and immediately dialed another number. This time, the call just kept ringing.

Is he avoiding the call?

As the sweet smell of instant coffee wafted in from the inside, where Seok Kang-Ho was making some, a polite voice answered the call.

- Monsieur Kang.

"Uzman, this is Kang Chan. I have a request."

- I can't imagine what you need,

‘Upwind.’

What is it?

"I'm thinking of invading Israel."

Like Kim Hyung-Jung, Uzman abruptly stopped breathing. A moment of silence followed.

- As one ages, they tend to begin calculating the repercussions of their actions. Hence, I must ask, have you foreseen the consequences of this proposal?

“Uzman.”

- I'd like to hear your opinion, Monsieur Kang.

Uzman sounded so calm that it almost seemed as if he were soothing Kang Chan.

“No sane person desires war, but when one threatens another, they have to be met with retaliation. Only then will they stop committing such acts in the future.”

- Have you considered our relationship with Palestine?

“I am well aware of how the Star of David operates.”

- A

‘fierce wind’

indeed. We have our regulations, Monsieur Kang. Can you give us some time? It won't take long.

“Of course.”

Kang Chan ended the call just as Seok Kang-Ho brought over the instant coffee. Due to the broken windows, dust had landed on the beverage. However, not even that could affect its taste.

After taking the coffee, he headed to the inner room on the first floor. He planned to give a blood transfusion to Kang Chul-Gyu.

Creak.

Seemingly having taken damage, the door screeched as it opened. Kang Chan entered and stopped, taking a deep breath. Kang Chul-Gyu was looking at him with a pale face.

Kang Chan walked slowly and sat down by the bed, unable to think of what to say. Had Kang Chul-Gyu heard what Kang Chan had shouted while he had been unconscious?

As they both smiled awkwardly, Seok Kang-Ho walked in briskly.

"Phone call."

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Damn it!

Kang Chan answered the call.

- Mr. Kang.

"Speak."

- Mr. Kang! I think there's been a misunderstanding. You don’t have to mobilize the Foreign Legion.

Crazy bastard!

Kang Chan chuckled.

"Sherman! I'm really disappointed."

-

What do you mean...?

“If you really don’t know what’s happening here right now, then you’ve just disappointed me even more.”

Perhaps because he was shocked or speechless, Sherman didn’t respond.

“Let's see who dies first, Sherman. That's something I really enjoy!”

Kang Chan laughed, then dropped the call.