Kwon Taekjoo,took a deep breath in front of the director's office door.
Repotting to the superiors was the final step in completing the operation. Although he almost always failed, would he have to write another report this time?
Foreseeing the obvious outcome, he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Director Kwak's voice was no different than usual. Even so, Kwon let out a long sigh. After clearing his throat, he opened the door and stepped inside.
Director Kwak set aside the documents he was reviewing and looked at him. It was hard to guess his thoughts just from his expression.
If the previous boss, Mr. Lim, was a sly fox, Director Kwak was more like a mole. He would reflect silently and respond sensitively. As a superior, he was more difficult type to deal with.
Kwon bowed and stood in front of his desk.
"Did you call me?"
"Yes. Did you rest well?"
"Yes, thanks to your consideration."
"Did you get hurt anywhere?"
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine."
"You don't know how to complain, do you?"
"I wouldn't change anything, even if I could. I learned that while working at the national Intelligence Agency."
"Don't you think that's why you take on more work than others?"
"What can a public servant do? If the higher-ups order it, it must be done."
Director Kwak laughed and praised Kwon Taekjoo's accomplishments.
"Anyway, you've worked hard. Even though we considered the possibility of American intervention, we didn't expect them to be so stubborn. We almost lost a valuable talent. It seems they have some sense of shame, as they haven't filed any complaints regarding this incident."
"What basis would they have to complain? I merely responded to a preemptive attack to protect my right to survive."
"Yes, discussing justifications is endless. The United States is denying that the commotion that night was planned. They claim it was the action of a PMC acting outside government control, solely for its own interests. In Cuba, they are also trying to frame the attack as a deviation by international mercenaries.
It doesn't suit them for it to be Known that the target of the attack wasn't just innocent civilians. If 'electric hammer' comes to light, they will only face criticism. They also don't want a full-scale war with the United States."
The sacrifice of an individual in the name of national interests was always easily concealed. This time was no different. As a result, both the Cuban hackers and the American mercenaries were used and then discarded.
Perhaps Kwon Taekjoo's fate wouldn't be different.
"Regardless, thanks to your covert operations, we were able to recover the data safely. The damage from the leak wasn't too severe, and all the institutions and companies that were hacked have stopped receiving ransom demands from the crackers.
Of course, the young hackers also survived, so it's possible that attacks from Cuba will resume once things calm down."
"But we've reinforced national security systems, so it won't be as easy as before."
"…'Young' hackers?"
"Ah, you didn't have time to hear the details. The hackers of 'Electric hammer'
We're all their children. From the eldest, who was believed to be dead, to the second who was reported missing, and the youngest, who suffers from a congenital lung disease."
"All three?"
"Yes. Isn't it surprising? How such ordinary parents had such genius children one after another. I don't know how the Cuban government discovered their usefulness, but it seems they've kept the two brothers locked in a basement, exploiting the profits they made from their hacking.
They deceived them with promises to cure the younger one's illness of constantly pressured them with soldiers as guards."
Kwon Taekjoo remember the younger hacker he had found in the basement and the girl with the nasal tubes. He assumed the girl was not involved in any crimes. Therefore, when he dispersed the sleeping gas he made sure to avoid the nasal tubes, fearing it could endanger her.
Was it an unnecessary act? Now that he thought about it, an innocent girl shouldn't have to know about the existence of that underground room
The enemies Kwon Taekjoo encountered in the field often exceeded his expectations. It was not uncommon for the target to be a woman, an elderly person, or, as in this case, in minor.
In those moments, he always prioritized his mission and duty. For the good of the country and to prevent greater harm, he had to rationalize it that way to maintain his composure.
Was this time any different? No, it wasn't. Still, Kwon Taekjoo displayed unnecessary compassion. Of course, the objective of this operation was to recover the leak data safely. Although an encounter with the hackers was unavoidable during the process, it wasn't necessary to eliminate them.
In fact, the brothers Kwon Taekjoo saved from certain death were not dangerous terrorist and did not offer fierce resistance. Keeping them alive poses no significant threat to national security.
So why did he still feel uncomfortable? Kwon Taekjoo question himself repeatedly, trying to understand the source of his unease.
"In the data you recovered this time, we found some rather interesting information."
Director Kwak changed the subject.
"It seems that 'electric hammer' has been more active than we thought. Not just in out country, but also in Thailand, Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan.
When we decrypted the secured data from the field, we found high-level information, even state secrets.
We even detected unusual movements in North Korea that not even the national Intelligence Agency had identified."
Kwon Taekjoo looked at the tablet Director Kwak was showing him. The screen was filled with the photo of a middle-age man.
Was he Korean? Or someone from the North Korean side? He glanced back at Director Kwak, seeking an explanation.
"Park Jung-Ho, a North Korean biologist. He has spent his entire life researching the ecology and microorganisms of mount baekdu. It is said that he will travel to Vladivostok at the end of this month as a visiting researcher."
"That's just a cover. What's the real purpose?"
"Well, we're not entirely sure yet. We can only speculate. It seems that when Park Jung-Ho arrives in Vladivostok, he will hold secret meetings with 'Rostec,' Russia's largest defense company, and 'Pharmzashita,' a state-owned pharmaceutical company.
'Rostec' is dedicated the research and development of military technology, and 'pharmzashita' operates under the Russia Agency of Medical Biology. Doesn't that sound suspicious?
It's said that agents from North Korea's State Security Ministry will accompany Park Jung-Ho at all times, particularly this man."
Director Kwak swiped the tablet screen. A photo appeared of a man in North Korean military uniform. From the insignias on his cap and the medals covering his chest, he seemed to be a high-ranking officer.
"Who is he?"
"Shim Young-il. Head of operations for North Korea's General staff. So, what do you think? Starting to see the bigger picture."
A North Korean biologist secretly meeting with a state-owned Russian pharmaceutical company. The company in question, 'Pharmzashita,' has recently garnered international attention for purchasing large quantities of potassium iodide, which helps reduce the body's absorption of radiation.
This suggests possible Russian nuclear tests. Like most State-owned enterprise 'Pharmzashita' follows government orders, so the meeting between them and the North Korean biologist can be seen as a move by the kremlin.
Moreover, 'Rostec,' which develops Russian military technology, and a High-ranking North Korean military officer will also be present. Given that both countries have long been military allies, this is not a good sign.
It seemed this was the reason Director Kwak had summoned Kwon Taekjoo. Taekjoo got straight to the point to confirm his suspicions.
"So, you want me to go to Vladivostok and find out what they're discussing?"
Director Kwak smiled without answering. It was a knowing smile.
"Before that there's something we need to clarify. The Russian ambassador to South Korea, Yevgeny Vissarionovich Bogdanov."
The unexpected name from Director Kwak's mouth made Kwon Taekjoo tense, though he tried to maintain his composure.
"Yes, go on."
"As you know, the Bogdanov family is one of the most influential in Russia. It's no exaggeration to say they are involved in everting Russia does. The Russian ambassador's brother,
Bazim Vissarionovich Bogdanov, who is one of the president's closest advisers, is also an advisor to 'Rostec.' Additionally, the hotel where the North Korean officials will be staying during their visit to Russia is operated by his family."
Kwon Taekjoo kept his mouth shut. There wasn't much to argue about when it came to that family.
His only concern was whether Zhenya knew anything about the secret meeting or if he was somehow involved.
"They say the Russian ambassador also showed up during the operation in Cuba, didn't he?"
Director Kwak asked suddenly. Although his tone was mild, it was still a reprimand. The involvement of a foreign diplomat in a secret operation conducted by the National Intelligence Agency was always a potential problem.
In fact, Zhenya had gotten involved more than once, and it seemed he had been under observation for some time.
" I don't under why he keeps helping you. I find it hard to accept your previous explanation that he does it purely out of personal friendship or goodwill. Although his involvement has aligned with our interests so far, I'm honestly not pleased at all. If things escalate, they could spiral out of control, especially in diplomatic matters. Moreover, this case cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. He's a direct participant. Do you understand."
Kwon Taekjoo had never shared work-related information with Zhenya. It was always Zhenya who found out and meddle on his own.
Still, it wasn't something Taekjoo could simply resent. After all, it was true that he had benefited from Zhenya's help, and
not long ago, he had felt relieved to see
Zhenya come to his rescue.Kwon Taekjoo had grown used Zhenya suddenly showing up during his missions.
No, he had become dependent on him, even though Zhenya wasn't his partner. He had let his guard down, relying on him, despite knowing that if he were accused of conspiring with Russia a diplomat and leaking national secrets, there would be no way out.
Not just for him, but for Zhenya as well— they would both be in danger.
Kwon Taekjoo let out a long sigh and clenched his fist.
"I understand what you're saying. I'll make sure he doesn't interfere in official matters again. Don't worry."
"Can I trust that?"
"Yes."
"I'm sure you'll handle it well, make sure to always act within limits we can manage. The operation in Cuba was quite dangerous."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. You can go for today. I'll call you again when we have more details about the operation."
"Alright, then."
Kwon Taekjoo bowed and left. He kept a poker face the entire time, but as soon as he closed the director's office door, he let out a deep sigh.
His chest felt unbearably tight.
.
.
.
.
End of chapter.