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Monday.
After Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook went to work, Kang Chan sat in the living room and suddenly felt a sense of being detached from the rest of the world.
“I should get some work done.”
Kang Chan had just decided to take care of Yang Jin-Woo when he received a call from Kim Hyung-Jung.
“Hello?”
-Mr. Kang Chan, if it’s all right with you, can we meet in my office?
“Sure. I’m on my way.”
Their conversation ended without the typical formalities.
Assuming Kim Hyung-Jung had something important to say, Kang Chan immediately changed clothes. He then left the apartment complex, got into the back of a taxi, and watched the passing view outside.
The streets were peaceful.
Project Unicorn, terrorist attacks, the underwater tunnel, earthquakes, and tsunamis—the monotony of daily life swallowed these significant events discussed on the news, creating a blissful ignorance.
Special agents suffered wretched deaths in Mongolia to create and protect the country’s peace. However, Huh Ha-Soo betrayed his nation, and bastards like Yang Jin-Woo killed the powerless while enjoying wealthy and lavish lifestyles.
Was he born again to protect the common citizens from those sons of bitches?
Kang Chan smirked.
“How grand,” he said without realizing it.
“Pardon?” the driver asked.
“I was just talking to myself about the nice weather.”
“Sure is. I can smell autumn in the mornings and evenings now.”
The elderly driver glanced at Kang Chan through the rearview mirror.
“Suits like that must be expensive, huh?”
“This?”
Kang Chan couldn’t reply right away. This attire, which he had bought with Michelle, definitely wasn’t cheap even according to his standards.
“My son was recently employed. I want to get him a suit, but it’s not easy. He’s short and chubby like me. The least I can do is dress him up well, but goodness, it’s hard with my paycheck.”
The driver’s expression was filled with pride, yet it was also filled with regret for not being able to give his son an expensive outfit.
“Your son must have gotten a nice job.”
“Samjeong,” the driver replied and peeked back.
Kang Chan wasn’t aware of how nice a job like that was, but it was harder to pretend not to notice the driver’s expectant eyes.
“That’s amazing.”
“Everyone says that, but we’ll have to see. Huhuhu.”
He looked happy.
The driver praised his son a few times more before they arrived at Samseong-Dong.
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
“You too, sir.”
Kang Chan paid the fare, thinking the driver was ten million times better than Yang Jin-Woo as a father.
Sure enough, the door opened the moment he stepped on the fifth floor.
“Welcome, Mr. Kang Chan.”
“I’m sure you’re not waiting around to see when I arrive, so how do you open the door for me every time?”
“We have an employee whose job is to monitor the building,” Kim Hyung-Jung replied as he led Kang Chan in.
That made sense.
After closing the door, Kim Hyung-Jung brought over coffee and sat across from Kang Chan.
“Let’s smoke first.”
They lit the tips of their cigarettes.
“To be honest, I was planning to submit a letter of resignation. I would rather quit and take care of Yang Jin-Woo myself than lose you,” he said with intense resolve in his eyes. Kang Chan didn’t know if the man was obstinate or just simple-minded.
Kim Hyung-Jung reciprocated Kang Chan’s light smile.
“I already told the Director of the National Intelligence Service. I used your name and said ‘that’s what Mr. Kang Chan wanted me to deliver,’ so you have to explain this properly.”
“Why are you beating around the bush?”
“There’s this thing called the Grand Circle.”
“Grand Circle?”
“It’s an organization of chaebols and politicians that collude with each other. Depending on their motives, they would even use methods like marriage to establish relationships with each other.”
What bullshit. Did they think they were living in the Middle Ages?
“For those with endless greed for power and wealth, entering the Grand Circle means getting to enjoy generational wealth.”
“Whew! Don’t chaebols and politicians already live in comfort? I don’t understand why they still have to do such a thing.”
“Probably to protect their riches. I presume they wish to eternally benefit from their fortune amid new political powers and citizens becoming more conscious.”
“So that’s why the opposition party objected to the Eurasian Rail so profusely.”
Frowning, Kang Chan took a sip of his coffee.
“Yang Jin-Woo stands at the top of the Grand Circle. His recently deceased daughters-in-law and son-in-law were children from the top chaebol families, and one was the daughter of the former prime minister.
Kang Chan felt apologetic to the dead, but that was fucked up.
“That’s part of why eliminating Yang Jin-Woo can’t be done rashly. If something goes wrong, you may have to fight against everyone with vested interests. Currently, it would be difficult to handle them if they temporarily move their businesses and fortunes overseas and pose political challenges as well.”
“Can businesses be moved in that manner?”
“Yes, and they can even sell the vendor companies that are essential for our everyday life abroad.”
Kang Chan couldn’t quite understand what Kim Hyung-Jung was saying.
“If they sell the companies that are necessary for our daily lives overseas, costs will inflate.”
“Is that possible?”
“The private companies that purchased patents from the government during past political eras can do that because they have a monopoly. Gas, for example.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“They’ll collaborate to set up a company abroad and attempt to control things from overseas. Meanwhile, within Korea, they’ll find a reason to impeach the president.”
“Whew!”
Kang Chan lifted his cigarette, finding the topic frustrating to listen to.
“What I’m about to tell you is something that neither the President nor the Prime Minister knows. It’s an independent action on the Director’s part.” Kim Hyung-Jung took a deep breath, then continued with a rigid expression. “He has decided to form a special team that’s positioned above the law to eliminate people who support terrorist attacks within the Grand Circle, like Yang Jin-Woo, and politicians who sell our military’s secrets like Huh Ha-Soo.”
Not even the cigarette could make Kim Hyung-Jung’s expression relax.
“I will take responsibility. If any scandals arise as a result of this decision, it will be due to my independent judgment. The Director agreed to take responsibility as well. We three are the only ones who know about this.”
Kang Chan let out a low sigh.
“If things go awry, you’ll be wrongly framed as a murderer and might still be criticized even after death.”
“I recall you being just as determined when you said you’d kill Yang Jin-Woo and leave for France.”
Society and the taxi driver who drove Kang Chan here wouldn’t know that people like them existed.
“Your strength is undoubtedly required for this task. Will you assist us?”
Kang Chan smiled wryly, and Kim Hyung-Jung smiled similarly in response.
“The thought of being able to create the country that I dream about excites me. I despise how the citizens suffer over expensive electricity bills while businesses rake in trillions of won. I resent how a select few fill their wallets by controlling services that should be run by the government. If it means our citizens get to live in a country where the bare necessities of medical care are guaranteed and no one takes their life because it’s too taxing, I’ll willingly walk the path to hell now.”
It was a fine aspiration, but it all sounded too grand to Kang Chan.
“I will definitely connect the Eurasian Rail to create a South Korea where citizens are happy and grateful to be born.”
The tension on Kim Hyung-Jung’s face didn’t ease up.
“Surely you’ll help me?”
He wanted to hear Kang Chan’s answer and gain certainty.
“I just wanted to kill Yang Jin-Woo, so how did it get blown out of proportion like this?”
“Even if we kill him, others will spring up like mushrooms and clash with you.”
This matter wouldn’t end so easily. It would require getting their hands dirty with blood again and again. Moreover, initiating it meant Kang Chan would have to say goodbye to his dream of living a normal life.
He didn’t know what he was going to do with his future, but at the very least, he wanted to become the pillar of his own family, just like Kang Dae-Kyung.
Would Kang Dae-Kyung, Yoo Hye-Sook, and Kim Mi-Young understand and accept this decision? It could mean making them live with fingers pointed at them for the rest of their lives. What if he lost the battle against those with vested interests?
Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook would face a more miserable death than the sisters Yang Jin-Woo killed.
Kang Chan looked at Kim Hyung-Jung.
Could he ignore the determination of a man with eyes like that? With Kim Hyung-Jung now having brought a solution to the table, could Kang Chan still back out after he had condemned the man for acting like a coward a few days ago in this exact office?
If this was his fate, and this was the reason why some of the people he had met died in battle
 then the answer was yes. He would confidently stand against them.
“Can you include Seok Kang-Ho?”
“I’m the person in charge, aren’t I? I didn’t report this to the Director either.”
“Starting today, that bastard Yang Jin-Woo will be having a hard time sleeping.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kang Chan.”
Kim Hyung-Jung held out his hand.
Although it made Kang Chan feel awkward, he still grabbed it and shook hands with him. It wasn’t like he could refuse.
After that, they discussed their strategy.
Their immediate financial necessities would be covered by the ten billion won allocated for the Unicorn Project, and Kim Hyung-Jung would procure the necessary weapons and tools through unofficial channels.
Kim Hyung-Jung informed Kang Chan of a few other matters before spreading out pictures and documents from a yellow folder.
“The French Information Bureau provided these materials. This one is the data on the ten guards that Yang Jin-Woo has around him.”
Kang Chan flipped through the documents.
The guards received commissioned education in Russia, and a few of them had been dispatched as agents to the Arabian Peninsula before, among other locations.
“It won’t be easy.”
“I was surprised as well when I saw their experience. Right, also, Yang Jin-Woo’s remaining three sons all have divorce suits going.”
What was this now?
As he watched Kang Chan down the rest of his coffee, Kim Hyung-Jung explained the situation.
“They probably realized something was wrong, considering chaebols all have their own sources of information as well. They’re probably trying to show that this is irrelevant to them. It’s along the lines of ‘we’ll cut off ties, so don’t touch us.’”
Those motherfuckers.
Kang Chan smiled dryly.
***
Yang Jin-Woo was looking out the window with puffed-out cheeks reminiscent of a pouting toad.
Beep!
The intercom in his office rang.
Click.
He pressed a button.
-Assemblyman Huh Sang-Soo, Chairperson Huh Ha-Soo, and their assistant Kwak Do-Young aren’t picking up. The only thing the assemblyman’s office told me is that he’s absent.
The short report was delivered in a careful tone.
Yang Jin-Woo lifted his hand from the intercom without bothering to reply.
“Do they think the underwater tunnel isn’t going to cut it?”
His hands and feet were being tied up.
Even if he had a lobbying fund of ten trillion won at his disposal, it was only useful if someone was willing to take it. On top of that, his children’s spouses had them in court for divorce.
“I can’t believe I have to suffer this humiliation because of Moon Jae-Hyun, that lowly punk. Ha, hahaha.”
In contrast with the sound of his laughter, Yang Jin-Woo’s eyes glinted sharply.
Click. He pressed the intercom button again.
-Yes, Chairman Yang.
“Assemble a meeting with the directors. Every single one.”
-Yes, sir.
Releasing the button, Yang Jin-Woo palmed his forehead and looked in front of the door.
“Tell Mr. Kanemaru to proceed as planned.”
“Hai![1]” Kotaro replied with a bow.
Yang Jin-Woo continued, “Now that things have come to this point, eliminate that boy and his parents immediately. I trust you can do it?”
“He’s only a high-schooler, sir.”
“The security detail around him isn’t ordinary. Never let your guard down.”
“I’ll show you what an elite agent is capable of.”
Yang Jin-Woo nodded.
***
Seok Kang-Ho stepped into the coffee shop at the intersection, then nodded and headed straight for the counter. The terrace was teeming because it was already evening, making it difficult to speak of critical matters.
“We won’t get to talk properly here. It’s too noisy,” Seok Kang-Ho grumbled, bringing over iced coffee.
He wasn’t exaggerating. They could hear the words being spoken at the table next to them quite clearly.
“It’s fine. Let’s just wait for now and grab dinner when he arrives.”
“Sounds good.”
Seok Kang-Ho glanced at Kang Chan.
“Captain, do you have about a billion won?”
Why was this punk talking about money?
“I’ve given up on the land we tried to buy, but I want to buy a nice little building.”
“A building?”
“Let’s spend the money we have right now to buy a building together. It will eliminate the need for us to travel around to coffee shops like this, and we can also use the rent we get as pocket money.”
It was an enticing suggestion.
“No need to use your money then. I still have mine.”
“What do you think, though? We can put together a gym, and if we set up an office, we’ll also be able to take care of everything there without having to go around places.”
“Are there any you’ve been looking at?”
“I’ll look into it.”
“Don’t rush and lose the money like last time.”
“Hey! Please forget about that.”
Seok Kang-Ho sipped his iced coffee looking abashed. Soon after, Smithen entered, attracting the attention of everyone inside.
“Captain!”
“Sit.”
“Let me just get some coffee first.”
His Korean pronunciation was awkward, but he could now clearly deliver what he was trying to say.
A while later, Smithen sat down with a cup of coffee.
“There’s no news about Yang Jin-Woo coming.”
“He’s probably not in the mood right now.”
“I heard he still comes once or twice a year.”
Seok Kang-Ho looked surprised at Smithen’s response.
“Your Korean has improved a ton.”
“I’m smarter than you,” Smithen replied smugly.
“What did you just say, you son of a bitch?”
“I said cursing is bad.”
“Enough.” Kang Chan cut them off.
A Caucasian man and a sturdy-looking Korean man exchanging profanities definitely caught the eyes of the people around.
“You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”
“I certainly have not.”
Smithen’s reply was a little strange, but he got the point across.
“Let’s go eat. What do you want?”
“Pork galbi.”
What has this bastard been going around doing? As Kang Chan looked at him curiously, Smithen stood up.
They headed to a restaurant that had a selection of pork galbi, Smithen’s choice.
The blonde, blue-eyed American wrapped pieces of meat in lettuce and stuffed them in his mouth, then washed them down with Bomb shots.
“Ajumma, some spicy peppers and gochujang please.”
People looked at him again as he raised his hand to order.
“Your Korean’s great.”
“Thank you, pretty ajumma.”
“You talk so kindly too. Do you need anything else?”
“Will you give us soybean paste soup later, ma’am?”
Smithen continued chattering. Kang Chan deeply sighed as he looked at him.
“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere. Are you a celebrity?”
“I must resemble someone. Another beer, please.”
Kang Chan put in another order to divert the waitress’ attention elsewhere.
“Smithen.”
“Yes, Mr. Captain,” Smithen responded with yet another weird phrase after stuffing more meat into his mouth.
“You don’t have to associate with Yang Jin-Woo’s women anymore.”
Smithen swallowed his food with a troubled face.
“Captain, I would like to spend two months or so cutting them off slowly rather than doing it instantly. I hope that would be alright”
“You take care of it.”
“My, that is a relief, sir.”
His speech sounded somewhat feminine, likely due to having learned from a woman.
“Daye, my glass is empty.”
Seok Kang-Ho scowled, then carefully observed Kang Chan’s mood while pouring him some alcohol.
“Captain, please, I would like to know.”
“What?”
“Please, what do you plan to do now?”
That rough voice speaking in such a feminine manner started to get on Kang Chan’s nerves.
“I’m thinking of calling it off,” he said.
“Call it off?”
“I’m quitting,” Kang Chan clarified.
“I see
”
Seok Kang-Ho seemed surprised, and Smithen seemed to doubt Kang Chan.
“Let’s take things easy. All this is bothersome.”
He was feeling full and wanted to leave the restaurant, but Smithen stood up only after scarfing down some rice mixed with soybean paste soup.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah. Take it easy and tie loose ends properly.”
To read the uncut version, go to pawread dot com.
“I will, sir.”
Smithen left with a regretful expression. Meanwhile, Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho headed back to the coffee shop. It was a lot quieter than before.
“You’re not really thinking of taking your hands off Yang Jin-Woo, are you?”
Seok Kang-Ho brought two drinks over and slid closer to Kang Chan.
“I just said that because Smithen was around. Actually
”
Kang Chan told him what he had discussed with Kim Hyung-Jung.
“That's a total elite squad. Mr. Kim has guts I wasn’t aware of.”
“The plan is to eliminate Yang Jin-Woo as soon as we find a way to do it. I have also been getting a bad feeling, so be careful for the time being.”
“Gotcha.” Seok Kang-Ho grinned in satisfaction.
“Daye.”
“Yes.”
Seok Kang-Ho’s smile instantly disappeared at Kang Chan’s low voice.
“I have a bad feeling. Stay alert and be wary of your surroundings.”
“That bad?”
“I’ve been feeling it since this afternoon. Something’s off.”
“I’ll be careful, so don’t worry. Let’s finish him off quickly.”
“Definitely.”
Seok Kang-Ho glanced around.
1. ‘Yes!’ in Japanese ☜