Chapter 112: Chapter 112: You Can’t Trust Politicians
I never trust politicians.
I backed Kim Hak-gwon's candidacy to block the Cheongpung Group's influence on the presidential election. It wasn't because I trusted him.
"They say they're handing the case over to the National Intelligence Service. NIS is sending people to bring us in soon."
As soon as the Kim Hak-gwon administration took over, they made their move, appointing a new intelligence chief.
Even if the NIS had lost face abroad for its political moves, its intelligence gathering capabilities within Korea were still top-notch.
"You think Lee Chan-jong will behave himself?"
"He may not know the exact size of the boss's fortune, but he has a rough idea. That's why it was easy to reel him in."
"We should prepare a nice spot for him."
The intel the NIS collected on me was processed and passed on by Director Lee Chan-jong himself.
"You can't trust politicians."
I shook my head with a smile.
"Stick to the plan. We need to send a message to the Kim Hak-gwon administration."
Manager Ma made a few calls.
Oliver's team, who were nearby, relaxed with their eyes closed.
"Oliver."
"Yes, boss?"
"Good work."
"It's just a job, and I get paid for it."
"Thanks to you, it went smoothly. Are you heading to Kosovo after you return to the U.S.?"
"I think we'll be replaced by another team in Kosovo. If we make it back safely, that is."
"Eric will handle it."
Sure enough, before the NIS agents arrived, someone from the U.S. Embassy showed up.
After exchanging a few words with Oliver, the embassy staff left to make a phone call.
"Don't worry about me. Just get back to the U.S. safely. We'll meet again."
Oliver nodded without hesitation.
The Korean government wouldn't dare punish them and risk straining relations with the U.S.
Under normal circumstances, maybe. But right now, without IMF and U.S. support, Korea could collapse.
They probably think as long as they get rid of me, sending Oliver's team back to the U.S. will solve their problem.
While I was deep in thought, a group of people entered the room.
'NIS, huh?'
I watched them with interest.
The man who seemed to be in charge went through some formalities before taking custody of us from the police.
His voice was as flat as a robot's.
"Everyone, stand up. There's a bus waiting outside."
I stood up and dusted off my clothes.
Just then, the embassy staff burst back in.
"You can't take them."
"Who are you?"
A nearby officer whispered something to the NIS agent.
The agent listened quietly before shaking his head.
"I don't see how this concerns the U.S. Embassy. We've been ordered to take everyone to headquarters, and that's exactly what we're doing."
"If you take them, it'll cause trouble for both sides."
Watching the embassy staff and the NIS agent argue made me chuckle.
Both of them turned their eyes on me.
"What's so funny? You think this is a joke?"
I shrugged, and the NIS agent's face hardened.
I decided to poke the bear.
"When are we leaving? Let's hurry up. Leave the Americans behind."
"Everyone is coming."
Stubborn guy.
With a sigh, I sat back down, watching the agent stick to the rules like a textbook.
After glaring at me, the agent turned back to the embassy staff with his emotionless voice.
"This is Korean soil. Possessing or using firearms is illegal here, and these Americans aren't military personnel."
"Just wait a moment. We'll hear from higher-ups soon."
The agent checked his watch before replying.
"I'll wait ten minutes."
Manager Ma leaned in and whispered to me.
"I like this guy."
"Let's wait and see."
Manager Ma seemed pleased with the agent's rigid attitude.
I couldn't help but smile.
'Chief Ha is in emergency surgery, and Park Dong-su…'
The first thing I checked when I arrived here was the condition of Chief Ha and Park Dong-su.
Chief Ha had been rushed to Korea University Hospital and was now undergoing emergency surgery.
Fortunately, the bullet hadn't hit a vital spot, but we wouldn't know for sure until the surgery was over.
Park Dong-su had been evacuated after the police arrived, but he died in the ambulance.
A bitter smile crept across my lips.
'We had quite a long history together.'
If I hadn't planned to use him when we first met on the hospital roof, he might have lived longer, even if it meant rotting in prison.
I remembered how he'd followed me even after I walked away from him at my graduation, calling out, 'Hey, little bro!'
And the pained look on his face when he had to kill Lee Sa-seong with his own hands.
And the tears he shed over the death of Yang Suhyeong, his childhood friend.
He was the first person I brought into my fold after I returned.
A man with too much heart for a gangster.
At first, I just wanted to use him, but his warmth drew me in, and I found myself smiling more around him.
"Manager, hold Park Dong-su's funeral at the same temple where we sent Yang Suhyeong off. Contact Executive Lee and make sure every member of the organization attends."
"I've already made the arrangements."
I nodded slightly.
The sound of his weak voice echoed in my mind, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Let's go."
The NIS agent's call brought me back to reality.
"Only Kim Mu-hyeok and Ma Seok-dae wil be taken to NIS headquarters. The rest of you will be questioned here."
It seemed like orders from higher up had come through, and the rest of Manager Ma's men were to be handed over to the police.
The NIS agents surrounded us as Manager Ma and I walked out of the station and got into a black car parked in the lot.
By the time we arrived at NIS headquarters, the morning sun was rising.
"Let's head in."
"What's your name?"
I asked, but the agent didn't even look at me.
Smirking to myself, I followed him inside.
* * *
The next day, the Pyeongchang-dong incident dominated the front page of every newspaper.
[Gunshots in the Dead of Night. Cheongpung Group's Last Stand?]
[Gunfire Echoes Through Seoul, Korea's Capital]
But no articles mentioned the incidents at Lee Yong-hyun's mansion or Watanabe's hideout.
― Dear citizens, I imagine many of you lost sleep over the unfortunate events that unfolded last night. As your president, I deeply apologize for failing to prevent this.
President Kim Hak-gwon addressed the nation through a televised statement, his expression grim as he stared into the camera.
― This shooting incident is suspected to be a terror attack by the Cheongpung Group. In response to the people's cries, the rebels have answered with violence. We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation to bring all those involved to justice.
His five-minute speech was essentially a declaration of war against the Cheongpung Group.
"How did I do? Was it convincing?"
"Yes, Mr. President. You looked reliable."
President Kim Hak-gwon sighed as he returned to his office after the address.
Chief Secretary Park Won-seop followed him and took a seat.
"What's with the Americans?"
"They claim Lee Yong-hyun's men fired first, and they had no choice but to retaliate."
"Ha! Carrying a gun is illegal here. And now they're saying, 'Don't worry, we'll handle this ourselves,' like they think this is the U.S.?"
Frustrated by the absurdity, President Kim Hak-gwon's tone turned sharp, and the Chief Secretary could only bow his head.
"What if we refuse the U.S.'s request?"
"It would put a significant strain on diplomatic relations. They'll probably threaten to withdraw U.S. troops from Korea, something they've done before."
Hearing this caution, President Kim Hak-gwon let out a deep sigh.
"How long do we have to keep being dragged around by the U.S.?"
"As long as North Korea exists. That's why you've begun secret talks with them, haven't you? If peace comes to the peninsula, we won't need to be so dependent on the U.S."
He had already begun making preparations.
Even so, Kim Hak-gwon's expression remained troubled.
"Do you think we'll ever break free from America's shadow before I die?"
"We may not escape completely, but you'll be able to speak louder. International diplomacy is always shifting, and with the IMF managing us, we have no choice but to watch our step now."
"True enough."
After much deliberation, President Kim Hak-gwon decided to expel all U.S. citizens from Korea.
"Have them questioned briefly with the U.S. Embassy present, then get them out of the country by the end of the week."
"Understood, Mr. President."
"Enough of this headache… So, Kim Mu-hyeok and his secretary wre taken to NIS, right? They should be being questioned as we speak."
"Yes, I was informed they arrived at NIS this morning. Director Lee Chan-jong is personally handling the matter. The fewer people who know about this, the better."
"Exactly. The fewer people who know, the better."
Satisfied with Director Lee Chan-jong's approach, President Kim Hak-gwon's stern expression softened into a smile.
"Make sure they dig up any dirt they can."
"Of course. The NIS may not be like the Central Intelligence Agency or the old Security Planning Bureau, but they still get the job done."
At the mention of the old days, President Kim Hak-gwon's face darkened, as if recalling his time at the mercy of the CIA in Namsan.
"That place was hell."
"That's why you reformed it, didn't you? Director Lee Chan-jong is following your lead in reforming the NIS. Those days won't return."
"It's a shame. Being in this position, I see now how convenient it was to have an organization like the old NIS. But reform was necessary."
"You made the right call."
President Kim Hak-gwon nodded heavily.
"Let's hope Kim Mu-hyeok cooperates. Han Gyeng-yeong is too full of himself."
Thinking about Han Gyeong-yeong's stiff expression, President Kim Hak-gwon clicked his tongue.
But once they had Kim Mu-hyeok under their thumb, hey wouldn't have to worry about seeing Han Gyeong-yeong's face again.
"Let me know as soon as the interrogation ends."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"I need some rest. Keep an eye on public opinion and report back to me."
"Rest well. Ah, you have a scheduled call with Bill Gates today."
At the mention of Bill Gates, President Kim Hak-gwon's face brightened.
"Chairman Bill Gates?"
"Yes, it's a great opportunity for a productive conversation."
"When is it?"
"We've scheduled the call for an hour from now."
"Hahaha. I hope he gives me some good advice. Bill Gates, huh…."
President Kim Hak-gwon seemed more excited about his call with Bill Gates than anything involving Han Gyeong-yeong or Kim Mu-hyeok.
But that was the reality of Korea.
* * *
After entering NIS headquarters, I parted ways with Manager Ma.
The next day, around lunchtime, an agent came to wake me.
I followed him to another room.
It was a closed-off space with no windows, and a familiar face was waiting for me.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Chan-jong, Director of the NIS. You must be Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Yes, that's me."
"You can leave now. Make sure no one comes near."
"Yes, Director."
The agent bowed and left, closing the door behind him.
"Have a seat. I think we'll have a long conversation."
I sat down across from Lee Chan-jong.
"The more I learn about you, Kim Mu-hyeok, the more fascinatig you become. Even with Cheon Tae-san's money, your succen the U.S. is remarkable. No one else knows about this, not even here."
"You flatter me."
I wondered if all NIS agents were this stoic, but then Lee Chan-jong gave a faint smile.
"After a lot of thought, I've decided to follow your lead. Right now, what our country needs isn't more politicians—it's dollars."
It seemed like he had a better grasp of the situation than Kim Hak-gwon.
"Politicians and businessmen don't understand. They're too ensnared by pride to see that what happened once can happen again."
I smiled as he shook his head.
"May I make a phone call?"
Since entering NIS, all my belongings had been confiscated.
Without hesitation, Lee Chan-jong pulled out my phone from his jacket and handed it to me.
"This place is bug-free. Call as you like."
I hadn't expected to get my phone back this easily.
First, I called Han Gyeong-yeong.
"Brother, start."
― Right now?
"Yes."
― Got it.
Next, I called Eva.
"Eva, start."
"Okay, boss."
After ending the call, I looked at Lee Chan-jong and smiled.
"Let's see what President Kim Hak-gwon decides
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