Russian Embassy in the Republic of Korea.
The deafening roar of an engine echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second.
The employees, engrossed in their usual task, paused and looked up, puzzled.
They exchanged bewildered glances before collectively heading toward the windows. A few of those seated near the windows stood up for a better view.
Moments later, a Bugatti appeared, crossing the main gate.
"What's all the commotion."
Pavel Menshikov, who had just finished a virtual meeting, scolded the murmuring crowd.
One of the staff members, still peering outside, was quick to respond.
"The ambassador is here."
"What? The ambassador?"
Pavel Menshikov's eyes widened.
He hadn't even begged Zhenya to show up this time— what could have prompted him to come on his own?
Struggling to process this, Pavel hurried
out of his office, with the rest of the staff instinctively following behind.
Waiting impatiently for the elevator, Pavel Menshikov tapped his foot on the floor before abandoning the idea entirely and heading for the stairs.
The others scrambled to follow him.
Their frantic rush made them look like people fleeing from a serial killer. By the time they reached the lobby, Zhenya was already stepping into the elevator.
Pavel Menshikov and the rest of the staff dashed toward him.
"Mr. Ambassador, what in the world brings you-…?"
Pavel Menshikov quickly swallowed his words, bowing respectfully.
"I see you've arrived. Had you informed us you were coming, we would have sent an official car to escort you."
"For what?"
Zhenya's face was filled with irritation, making the situation even more confusing.
Despite holding the title of ambassador, Zhenya rarely showed up at work, not even for important everts.
He only came reluctantly after ignoring Pavel's request or when his absence threatened to reach the Kremlin's ears.
But even then, his presence was cold and suffocating, turning the embassy into a space filled with tension, or he would shut himself away in the office like a dark, stormy cloud.
Pavel couldn't help but be surprised that someone like Zhenya had shown up at the embassy when there wasn't even an event, and especially without anyone pleading for his appearance.
Nervously, he glanced at Zhenya, anxious that something serious might be happening, or worse, that Zhenya could stir up trouble.
Though Zhenya had occasionally arrived unannounced before, each time brought with it an overwhelming hostility, cold as the Siberian winter.
He would ignore any of Pavel's attempts to engage in conversation and disregard documents needing his approval, opting instead to sit in silence, staring at the wall as if lost in the aftermath of some great argument.
But today, he didn't seem quite as hostile… in fact, he appeared to be in a good mood. Pavel couldn't wrap his head around it.
Zhenya tilted his head at Pavel's persistent gaze.
"Are you getting on the elevator?"
No matter how it sounded, it was clearly a warning not to.
Pavel and the rest of the staff let out awkward chuckles and took a step back.
"N-No, it's fine. Please, go ahead sir."
Zhenya closed the elevator door without hesitation, disappearing from their view
Pavel and the staff exchanged confused looks, unsure what to make of the situation.
After entering his office, Zhenya sat down in his chair. A large pile of documents awaited him on the desk.
"Hmm…"
Lately, Pavel hadn't pressured Zhenya to come to work, so it was unlikely that any of the documents were particularly urgent.
Still, Zhenya picked one up and carefully skimmed through it's contents. Just as he suspected, it was a proposal and budget plan for some insignificant event.
He glanced at another document, only to find more of the more of the same.
The Russian Embassy had long been notorious for its sluggish work, a reputation that only worsened with Zhenya's appointment as ambassador.
However, Zhenya couldn't have cared less. The truth was, throughout his entire life, public opinion and reception had never been a concern of his.
That's why he found it difficult to understand Kwon Taekjoo's perspective.
So what if he neglected some governmental duties and matters of bar interest?
"…"
Zhenya flipped through a few more documents, signing them with a bored expression.
Suddenly, he pulled out his phone. Once unlocked with his fingerprint, he opened a secret app.
A map appeared on the screen.
Kwon Taekjoo had explicitly asked him not to follow him, but he hadn't said anything about spying, so there wasn't technically a problem.
Without a second thought, Zhenya tapped the location icon.
A message popped up: "Tracking target."
Kwon Taekjoo always wondered how Zhenya managed to pinpoint his location, suspecting that he was being monitored.
He wasn't entirely wrong, but it was too complicated to track him using phone taps when he was constantly on the move.
If Zhenya wanted to catch him, he needed a more detailed and immediate source of information.
As a result, Zhenya had implanted a subcutaneous microchip into Kwon Taekjoo's skin while tending to his injuries, after Taekjoo had been wounded and lost consciousness.
The chip was tiny and blended in with the normal tissue, remaining undetectable in most physical inspections.
It tracked Taekjoo's location in real time and transmitted the data to Zhenya's
phone.
The search was quickly completed, and Kwon Taekjoo's location appeared on the screen.
Zhenya glanced at the name of the place and raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"… Vladivostok?"
Who would have guessed Kwon Taekjoo had gone to Russia?
While it was always difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of his missions, this was completely unexpected.
It was the first time Taekjoo had traveled to Russia on an official mission since they had started dating.
Zhenya leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
What had caused South Korea and Russia to cross paths?
Given the circumstances, it was highly likely that North Korea was involved.
What's more, Kwon Taekjoo's last visit to Russia had been to verify information about North Korea's involvement in the development of "Anastasia."
Was there a new issue prompting cooperation between Russia and North Korea?
For now, Zhenya had no information on the matter and couldn't form any concrete theories.
"Umm…"
He rifled through his thoughts. Before heading out on his mission, Kwon Taekjoo had beenunusually gentle and affectionate, accepting everything Zhenya did with remarkable grace.
At the time, Zhenya had chalked it up to Taekjoo being indulgent because he had to leave for work so close to Zhenya's birthday.
But maybe that wasn't it.
"Do you want something from me?"
"Besides wanting you to stay put? Not really."
"All your efforts to keep me at bay only make me more curious. What are you up to now?"
It had been the same back then.
"Don't twist my words. What I'm saying is that you shouldn't put yourself in danger because of me."
"Put myself in danger? Me?"
And then, again.
Kwon Taekjoo wasn't simply expressing frustration at Zhenya's constant interference in his missions, as usual.
While concerned for Zhenya's safety, it seemed there was more to it. Zhenya had found it odd that Taekjoo had suddenly brought up family relations.
Was Taekjoo planning to stir up conflict in Russia?
He must have been agonizing over it, unable to confront his partner directly about his potential involvement.
Curiously, despite Zhenya's many reassurances that he wouldn't interfere, Taekjoo had resorted to using a sedative on him, worried that Zhenya might go back on his word.
It seemed Taekjoo was determined to keep him away from the current situation.
Was he that afraid of becoming his enemy again?
"Oh, Taekjoo. You really do treasure me, don't you?"
Zhenya sighed, a soft chuckle escaping
his lips. Taekjoo was behaving so adorably.
A strange sense of happiness washed over Zhenya as he thought about how Taekjoo was concerned about the possibility of them clashing during the
mission.
Here was a man who prioritized his job over his own mother, yet now he was torn between his work and Zhenya.
Zhenya's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Shortly after, someone knocked on the door. Zhenya's expression instantly changed from one of sweet satisfaction to a tense, stern look.
His gaze turned cold as he fixed his eyes on the closed door.
When there was no immediate response, a voice from outside asked,
"Sir?"
It seemed Pavel Menshikov had come to speak with him.
"If you're busy, I can come back later."
Pavel's tone was cautious, full of anxiety and hesitation. It was clear he was worried about angering Zhenya.
"Come in."
"Thank you! Excuse me."
Pavel Menshikov paused politely for a moment before opening the door.
He entered, carrying another large pile of documents in his arms.
"We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a look at these, given your timely visit."
Pavel had likely gathered all the documents that needed Zhenya's approval, unsure of when he might be available again.
But as soon as he saw Zhenya's intense gaze, his optimism faded.
Zhenya's icy blue eyes bore into him with a piercing intensity, as though trying to drill a hole through his skull.
Pavel's entire body trembled, as though someone were pointing a gun at him.
He didn't dare take another step forward.
"Did I... disturb you by any chance?"
Pavel Menshikov barely managed to speak when, suddenly, Zhenya curled his long, pale finger, motioning for him to come closer.
Startled, Pavel swallowed nervously and, reluctantly, lifted his feet from where they were glued to the floor.
Thoughts raced through his mind, including the premature deaths of those who had crossed paths with Zhenya in the past.
The intense and silent gaze felt like a sharp nail being driven into his head.
"You're being painfully slow."
"I'm sorry!"
Pavel hurried to stand in front of Zhenya's desk.
Zhenya regarded him with a disapproving look before speaking.
The movement seemed to happen in a second, but Pavel felt it as if it
were unfolding in agonizing slow motion, each second stretching out unbearably.
"What's the current situation in Russia?"
"...Excuse me?"
Pavel's expression turned to one of confusion, as if he had just heard something absurd.
One would expect that as a diplomat representing a country, an ambassador like Zhenya would be well-informed about the affairs of both his own nation and the one he was in.
But the question seemed utterly strange coming from Zhenya, who wouldn't bat an eye if Russia disappeared off the face of the earth.
He clearly hadn't misheard, because Zhenya added,
"The last time I was there, I had personal
matters to attend to, so I couldn't catch up on the entire situation. But, thinking back, the Kremlin seemed unusually busy. They're up to something, aren't they?"
"I... I don't know, I..."
"You don't know?"
Zhenya interrupted, tilting his head.
His pale eyes sharpened, as if they were coated in ice. Pavel bit his lip and held his breath.
He fought to suppress the trembling that welled up from within, tensing his muscles.
Zhenya could snap his neck with a single motion, and if he did, the Kremlin would likely pretend nothing happened, just as they always had.
The Kremlin's blatant disregard for Zhenya's actions—and their indifference to them—was yet another factor reaffirming Psikh Bogdanov's power.
"I'll ask you once more. Do you really know nothing?"
Zhenya's question forced Pavel to choose: between honesty or certain death. Pavel shifted nervously, gazing anxiously into Zhenya's piercing blue eyes.
He wasn't sure if the information he had was what Zhenya was looking for.
"I'm not entirely sure since I haven't been to Russia in a while, but it seems there was significant restructuring in Vladivostok last month."
"Vladivostok?"
A look of amusement spread across Zhenya's face. Pavel quickly nodded in confirmation.
"Yes. From what I've heard, North Korea is sending researchers to Pharmzaschita as part of an expedition. We've had many technological collaborations with North Korea in the past, so I thought it was just for another project."
"Really... restructuring the whole city just to accommodate a few researchers?"
"Well, a high-ranking North Korean official is accompanying them as well."
"What? Are they trying to hold another summit?"
"I don't think so. If it were national leaders visiting, we would have received a briefing. Also, the embassies and intelligence agencies wouldn't be this quiet."
"That makes it even stranger. Suddenly, we have visitors sightseeing in Pharmzaschita, and they're treating such a minor event with national-level security."
"North Korea is a very secretive nation, so they may be uncomfortable drawing international attention. Russia could simply be setting up protocols to prevent that."
"Even so, the Kremlin wouldn't go into high alert just to host a foreign delegation. Maybe we don't know exactly what's going on, but I'd bet that North Korean official came bearing quite
an impressive gift, don't you think?"
"I can't say for sure. I don't know all the details..."
"Vladivostok, huh?"
Zhenya murmured to himself, lost in thought. His previously emotionless face now displayed a faint, amused smile.
"All right, you can go."
"Of course, sir."
Pavel dropped off the documents he'd brought and hurried out of the office, nearly stumbling as his leg buckled under him on his way out.
A loud commotion erupted on the other side of the door. The other staff members seemed anxious to check if Pavel was okay.
Zhenya paid no attention to them, silently piecing the situation together.
His long fingers drummed lightly on the desk.
It was now clear why Kwon Taekjoo had gone to Vladivostok and why he had made every effort to keep Zhenya out of it.
Russia and North Korea were clearly up to something, and it was likely that both the Kremlin and the Bogdanov family were heavily involved in this event.
"What are you hiding from me, Taekjoo?"
"I'm not hiding anything."
"No, something must've happened to you, right?"
"I told you, nothing happened. I've been thinking this for a while now, but I never said it out loud. I've been too comfortable for too long, but now I feel like I'm regaining my senses."
"Ha... Taekjoo. Do you really think I wouldn't notice if you were hiding someth-...?"
"Don't start making excuses to come find me. Don't try to figure out what I'm doing when I'm not around. That's how it's supposed to be."
Kwon Taekjoo had always shown concern over Zhenya's relationship with his family.
No matter how many times Zhenya insisted they were insignificant to him, it made no difference.
Because of his job, Kwon Taekjoo was forced to prioritize South Korea's national interests above all else, which often put Zhenya at odds with his own family.
Zhenya, for his part, didn't think it was a big deal.
"All I need from you is to be a loving partner, you bastard."
That grumpy remark from Kwon Taekjoo may have reflected his true feelings.
He wanted Zhenya by his side, not as an enemy, not even as an ally committed to danger... just as his partner.
"Taekjoo..."
Zhenya chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair, his quiet laughter mixing with his breath.
The chair rocked back and forth for a long while.