"I might be a few days late getting back to New York." Back in the box, Jack's sudden decision caused the other FBI agents to raise their eyebrows.
"Just helping Officer Ma with a small case, as a token of his previous assistance," he said, his tone light and casual, the excuse he had just agreed upon with Ma Xidao.
Jubal frowned. "Without official authorization, you have no law enforcement authority here."
"I know. I'll follow the rules. Besides, this is still Officer Ma's case. It's just that because it involves foreigners, my presence here can help him avoid unnecessary trouble."
Jack waved his hand with a smile. "I'll participate in this case as a consultant to ensure that the credit doesn't go to anyone else. Officer Ma helped us so much before, and we at the FBI always have to show our appreciation for things like this."
The others pressed him a few more times, but when they heard it was just a minor street drug case, their interest faded.
After all, the drug trafficking cases they'd dealt with previously involved quantities of at least 100 kilograms. The one they'd worked with the NYPD resulted in a seizure of nearly three tons, a feat worthy of recent drug raids. Furthermore,
South Korea's security situation was well-known; compared to the United States, it was practically a paradise. This was evident in the local police equipment: ordinary patrol officers rarely carried guns, and not even Tasers were available to everyone.
Jubal and Clay were the only ones who remained somewhat concerned. After all, they had a rough idea of the main sources of drugs on the Korean market, and they couldn't help but worry that Jack had accidentally stirred up a hornet's nest.
But upon learning that the drugs were coming from neighboring Neon, their concerns were reassured.
One boasted the world's largest overseas US military base, earning it the nickname "Military Paradise," while the other boasted the largest number of US military bases. As long as Jack didn't mess with his own military, his "homeland" would always be his strongest support.
Hannah, however, pouted unhappily, clearly sensing that Jack had been having fun without her, but there was nothing she could do about it.
This was a business trip, and everyone was returning together after the case was concluded. If one person stayed behind, it meant something important, but if two stayed, would it be a honeymoon or something else?
So Jack's flight was temporarily refunded, and the Korean house he'd rented was renewed for another week. Officially, he was staying to assist the South Korean authorities with the extradition of Lee Gun-woo and finalize the case.
To be on the safe side, Jack also called Rossi, and later, an official application would be submitted to Prosecutor Kim Jun-ho.
If Ma Seok-do could even remotely connect the case to a foreigner, Jack's temporary FBI consultant status would be confirmed.
"Okay, tell me what you're going to do?" With everything settled, the FBI team headed back to their quarters for a rest. Standing outside the hot pot restaurant, Jack and Ma Seok-do saw he was still dazed and hadn't recovered, so they patted his shoulder with amusement.
"Although, but, Asiba, this country is really infuriating," Ma Seok-do rubbed his head in annoyance. He knew Jack was helping him, but the entire process was so smooth that it didn't make him happy at all.
While most South Koreans comfort themselves by claiming the Americans are their paid bodyguards, protecting them from the threat of their brother to the north, anyone with a grain of salt knows that this country remains a semi-colonial, semi-feudal monstrosity from the beginning, simply replacing the feudal lords with chaebols.
The rise and fall of the chaebols has nothing to do with the ordinary people; it's the United States, the emeritus, who manipulates everything behind the scenes, preventing any threat to its effective rule over the country.
For example, the Samsung Group, often described as inseparable from birth and death by Koreans, isn't a single entity. While the Lee family appears to control the group through cross-shareholdings, they actually hold only 2% of the total equity in its major companies, while over 80% is held by Wall Street.
"Of course, we'll start with that 'Orange Club,'" Ma Xidao said, startling Jack. It took him a while to realize it was the "Orange Club" he'd found on the deceased's hand, referring to the nightclub stamp.
Fine, orange, orange; it's the same word, after all. But Jack frowned at his outfit. "Are you planning on going to a nightclub dressed like this?"
"What's wrong?" Ma Xidao looked at his baggy blue and white striped tracksuit, then at Jack, who was also poorly dressed, with a puzzled look.
Out for hot pot, formal attire was out of the question, fearing the smell. Jack simply threw on a T-shirt and even tucked his gun into an ankle holster. He pointed at his face and said, "I'm fine with this look, but you definitely can't get in."
"Ashiba, I'm popular with girls, right?" Ma Xidao muttered in dissatisfaction, his face twitching with discontent, but he ultimately relented.
"Okay, okay, I'll go back and change. Here's the address. We'll meet at the door." He tore off a piece of paper and handed it to Jack, then drove home to get dressed.
An hour later, in Gangnam, Jack, dressed in a casual suit, appeared at the bustling Orange Club.
This nightclub was clearly quite well-known, with a long line at the entrance and several burly security guards standing guard like gate gods.
The rules at Korean nightclubs are similar to those in the United States. Admission is entirely determined by security, ostensibly to control the number of people allowed in, but in reality, it all depends on the customer's appearance and attire.
The more attractive young ladies with sexy figures and cool clothes, the better. Young, handsome, and stylishly dressed men are also popular.
Most of the time, the security guards only look at the guests' appearance and makeup. Even eccentric clothing is fine; gothic styles and the Shibuya style popular in neighboring Japan are acceptable, but the slippers and striped sweatshirts and pants that Koreans love to wear on the streets are a complete no-no.
There are also age requirements. Minors and men and women over 35 can enter, but they must reserve a VIP booth or a private room upstairs.
At this point, financial resources are crucial; booths have a minimum charge, and private rooms are naturally more expensive.
Many young women with less attractive looks were stopped at the entrance and lined up outside, hoping that if it wasn't crowded today, the security guard would be kind enough to let them in so they could post a photo and show off.
By comparison, the place someone had taken Jack to for drinks could only be described as a cheap karaoke bar.
Jack spotted Ma Xidao, who was looking around in the group, and straightened his coat before walking up to him amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.
(End of this chapter)