God of Blackfield

"The person in the video isn't me," Gérard stated.

Kang Chan locked eyes with him. Gérard's eyes often glinted like Daye’s. However, there were moments when they seemed sorrowful, mirroring the young Gérard's eyes in the photograph.

When Kang Chan chuckled, Gérard swiftly joined him, his scarred cheek twitching.

"Gérard," Kang Chan called.

"Oui."

"When I got Michelle's call, I realized that even if you were the person in the video, abandoning you wasn’t an option for me."

Gérard couldn’t help but smile. "You truly are undeterred."

Smirking, Kang Chan proceeded to open the emergency exit door.

It didn’t matter if he was being misled. Until he was sure of it, Gérard would always be the Gérard he knew.

Kang Chan resolutely reflected on his debts to Gérard from their times in Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Africa. He headed back to the hallway and went to Room 1522. As he did, he caught a glimpse of Gérard turning the corner toward the elevator.

Kang Chan rang the doorbell. Soon after, Kim Hyung-Jung greeted him.

"Welcome."

Kang Chan couldn’t help but smile when he saw him.

"You look like you’ve been having a good day," observed Kim Hyung-Jung.

"I’m just glad to see you, manager," Kang Chan responded.

Kim Hyung-Jung guided him inside with a warm smile. They then sat down across each other at the table that had simple pastries and beverages on it.

"Is there any chance of our conversation here being overheard outside?" Kang Chan inquired.

"No. The agents’ rooms are equipped with surveillance countermeasures."

With his eyes, Kim Hyung-Jung gestured to a device that was flashing red and blue. It was about the size of a computer tower.

"How's the DMZ team doing?"

"They’re already going through the approval process. The weapons, vehicles, and radios Kang Chul-Gyu sunbae requested have already been distributed, and their IDs will be issued by lunch tomorrow,” Kim Hyung-Jung said. He then handed over Gérard's passport. “On another note, Gérard's entry has been processed."

"Thank you."

Kim Hyung-Jung opened a bottle of water and put it in front of Kang Chan.

"I heard a Saudi Arabian named Abibu is planning to visit in about ten days. Is that true?" Kang Chan asked.

"Yes, he will be coming under the pretense of an invitation from the opposition.”

"He intends to meet with Energy Resources Commission Director Song Chang-Wook and has also requested that I join them,” Kang Chan quickly replied, his tone suggesting curiosity and concern about why and how.

Unfortunately, Kim Hyung-Jung looked like this was news to him as well.

Kang Chan said, "Abibu was one of the people behind the incident in Libya. I’ve received intel that he wants to meetto keepin Korea and target our base in Mongolia."

Kim Hyung-Jung regarded Kang Chan with a look of obvious astonishment.

Kang Chan added, "We have to keep this matter confidential. If Abibu learns we're on to him, he may adopt a different strategy."

"What's your plan?" inquired Kim Hyung-Jung.

"I want to send the DMZ team to Mongolia."

"What about you, Mr. Kang Chan?"

"I will stay and meet with Abibu."

Kim Hyung-Jung took a deep breath.

"Then will the DMZ team becthe counter-terrorism team under my charge?" Kim Hyung-Jung asked.

"That's correct," Kang Chan confirmed. "I’ll head to Jeungpyeong tomorrow to coordinate with the special forces team there. In two or three days, we'll dispatch them to Mongolia. We have to remain the only ones who know about this operation."

"It's one thing to dispatch the counter-terrorism team and another to deploy the Jeungpyeong special forces team, Mr. Kang Chan.”

"We'll send them on vacation."

"Vacation?"

Surprise enveloped Kim Hyung-Jung’s expression.

"All the standard weapons are already at the base in Mongolia. We don't know how many our opponent will send, but I doubt the DMZ team alone will be enough. I'd like about ten people to enter Mongolia individually under the guise of a vacation," Kang Chan said.

Kim Hyung-Jung was momentarily rendered speechless.

After a short while, he asked, "Are you tellingnot to report this to the director?"

"I'll leave that to your judgment. All I’m saying is that if word about this gets out, it will inevitably lead to the death of our people."

A brief silence followed.

"Please set my schedule accordingly. I don’t want media exposure, but I want it to be public enough to let everyone know I haven’t left Korea,” Kang Chan requested.

"A meeting with Director Song Chang-Wook or an interview with Chairman Kim Gwan-Sik of the preparation committee should be enough to accomplish that."

Kang Chan was puzzled. He knew Song Chang-Wook, the descendant of an independence activist, but wasn’t Kim Gwan-Sik Kim Mi-Young’s...?

He sighed softly.

"How about you meet the director in person, Mr. Kang Chan?"

"If that's our best option, I don’t see why not,” Kang Chan answered. “Please make sure that the counter-terrorism team can go to Jeungpyeong tomorrow to coordinate."

"Got it."

"Director Kang Chul-Gyu will spearhead the Mongolian operation."

"Does he know?"

"I'll talk to him myself."

"Please do."

Afterward, Kim Hyung-Jung proceeded to tell him about the recent events in great detail. Listening to him, Kang Chan realized that he had to meet with Hwang Ki-Hyun at least once.

"We're planning to the next-generation energy facility in Goseong of Gangwon-do. Since it will also serve as the starting point for the Eurasian Rail, we've started building a new highway that would go through Mishi-ryeong."

While lives were being taken and risked overseas, such projects were advancing. Preparing for these matters and dealing with the aftermath of Kang Chan and the special forces team's actions was certainly no small feat.

"Why are you looking atlike that?"

"I was just thinking about all the hard work you've been doing behind the scenes while I was out there causing trouble."

Kim Hyung-Jung shook his head. "Every tI remember our fallen agents and soldiers, I always feel as if I haven’t done enough. I’d be too ashamed to face them right now."

He let out a short sigh, seemingly trying to shake off his emotions.

"I'll organize your schedule and send it to you by tomorrow. Choi Jong-Il’s team will also be deployed by then. Oh, have you gone hyet?"

"My parents don't even know I'm here. I plan to visit them tonight, if possible," Kang Chan said.

"You should get srest, even if just a little," Kim Hyung-Jung said.

"I'm fine."

They both smiled bitterly. If there was ever a tto push themselves to the brink of exhaustion, it would be now. As Lanok had said, they could lose everything they had worked so hard for if they weren't careful.

After their meeting, Kang Chan headed to Kang Chul-Gyu's room.

"Who is it?"

Kang Chul-Gyu opened the door.

"Got a moment?"

Kang Chul-Gyu glanced around Kang Chan and then stepped aside to let him in. They sat down together at a table. Aside from the trash bin filled with paper cups and bottles, the room was still tidy.

Kang Chan began by telling him about Abibu's visit and the situation in Mongolia.

"I'm heading to Jeungpyeong tomorrow to coordinate with the special forces team. I'd like you to go to Mongolia in a day or two."

"Got it," Kang Chul-Gyu responded without hesitation.

"Sorry.”

"For always relying on you when I'm in a pinch. I know none of this is easy."

Kang Chul-Gyu smiled in a way that was different from the way he had before.

"Assistant director."

Kang Chan quizzically looked at Kang Chul-Gyu. Following Kang Chul-Gyu's gaze and nod, he saw the clothes and sneakers that he had given him.

Kang Chul-Gyu slowly raised his head. "Don't worry. Not a single enemy who's set foot inside the Mongolian base has cout alive."

Kang Chan briefly nodded. Their message of trust couldn’t be conveyed any clearer than this.

"I'll get going," he said, standing up.

Kang Chul-Gyu accompanied him to the door.

The sound of the door closing echoed. Kang Chan let out a short sigh, releasing his emotions, then headed to the room where Gérard and Michelle were waiting.

As he opened the door, both Gérard and Michelle stood up from the table.

"Are you done packing?" Kang Chan asked.

“Yes,” Gérard answered. It seemed his luggage only consisted of a shopping bag full of newly bought clothes and the bag that he had brought with him.

"Let's go."

Kang Chan took Gérard's shopping bag and left the room with him and Michelle, heading toward the elevator through the corridor. Gérard seemed pleased about leaving the hotel and getting to go to Kang Chan's place.

They informed the agents at the entrance that they were going to a barbecue restaurant in Samseong-dong, then went to Michelle's car. Kang Chan sat in the back.

The car was so cramped that the backseat was incredibly uncomfortable.

They visited the restaurant that Kang Chan had been to with Seok Kang-Ho and enjoyed sirloin with a fair amount of soju and beer. Grilling sirloin was no different from a barbecue.

Gérard couldn’t help but be impressed by the side dishes. He hadn't adapted to kimchi yet, but he enjoyed everything else quite a lot.

Kang Chan felt as if he had thrown off a heavy yoke from his shoulders. Toward the end of the meal, he asked for three portions of sirloin and three portions of ribs for takeout.

"Should we have a cup of coffee?"

After getting their packed order, they went to the coffee shop next door.

Although the sun had already set, it wasn't too cold.

They found a table on the veranda and had hot Americanos.

"Are you going straight home?" Michelle asked.

"No. I need to stop by the hospital to see someone,” Kang Chan answered.

"Is the takeout for your parents?"

"No, it’s for the one I’m visiting at the hospital."

The conversation made Gérard grin.

"What’s your plan tomorrow?"

"I might have to go to the provinces."

"With Gerry?"

"Yes. It would be boring for him to stay alone in Seoul, wouldn’t it?"

"It’s settled, then. I was worried you might have something forto do today, so I brought it up."

"If I end up not being able to take him, I'll let you know."

Michelle nodded. "Alright, Channy.”

"Get a driver. We'll go after."

Michelle took out her phone and called her designated driver.

"Thanks and sorry for today. The incident earlier must have been quite shocking," Gérard said.

"No, it’s okay. I was partly at fault for not properly keeping an eye on you," Michelle said.

While drinking the rest of their coffee, the driver arrived at the coffee shop. After a French-style farewell, Michelle departed.

Kang Chan told the agents to pick them up through the radio.

"Are you visiting Daye?"

"Yeah. He's alone at the hospital."

A car soon pulled up. He quickly got into the back seat and headed to the hospital.

Thinking about the possibility that Seok Kang-Ho had called his family over, Kang Chan decided to call him.

- Yes, it's me.

"Have you eaten?"

- Yeah, just did. Where are you?

"I'm heading to the hospital. Is your family there?"

"Got it. I’ll be there soon."

Hearing Seok Kang-Ho’s cheerful voice made Kang Chan laugh for no reason.

Fortunately, Bang Ji Hospital wasn't that far. When they arrived, Kang Chan immediately headed to Seok Kang-Ho’s room and slid the door open. Inside, he found Seok Kang-Ho sitting on the bed, the upper part of which had been raised as high as possible.

"Cin! Hey, Gérard!" Seok Kang-Ho greeted.

He could move a lot more now. Moreover, with all the swelling gone, he finally looked human again.

"Takeout. It’s the smenu I had with Gérard. Seems like we’re a bit late, though."

Seok Kang-Ho frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Didn’t you already eat dinner?"

"Well, hospital food is hardly satisfying, you know? I was actually considering ordering spig's feet before bedtime."

Dragging his patient slippers, Seok Kang-Ho walked to the table. "You two should eat smore too.”

"I'm full."

Seok Kang-Ho set the meat and side dishes on the table. The aroma of fragrant coffee filled the air. Turning his head, he saw Gérard making instant coffee.

"What did you have for dinner anyway?"

Kang Chan relayed Seok Kang-Ho's questions and Gérard's answers. The initially busy atmosphere soon lightened, and the three started chuckling together. Kang Chan never imagined a day like this would come.

To think that after escaping the terrible battles in Africa, they would be laughing together so joyously in the heart of Seoul. Seok Kang-Ho, displaying a voracious appetite, ended up consuming all six portions of meat.

"Gérard!" He called, then mimed bringing a drink to his mouth.

Without complaint, Gérard prepared another cup of instant coffee and brought it to Seok Kang-Ho.

"Got a cigarette?" asked Seok Kang-Ho.

"You're recovering, don't smoke."

"Don't makefeel left out!"

Seok Kang-Ho genuinely looked upset. Kang Chan got up and opened a window. The three then lit cigarettes.

"The DMZ team will get their IDs tomorrow, and…." Kang Chan informed Seok Kang-Ho about Abibu's visit and the danger that the Mongolian base was in.

"Those bastards! What sin have we committed to deserve their endless madness?"

Kang Chan smirked.

"Are you going, Cap?"

"I've asked Director Kang Chul-Gyu to handle it."

Noticing Seok Kang-Ho's expression, Gérard turned his attention to Kang Chan. Hence, Kang Chan explained the situation to Gérard as well. Gérard had hung his jacket over the back of a chair. Dressed in a white shirt, his brown hair and deep-set eyes looked especially striking today.

Kang Chan just stayed silent. There was no need to tell him that he looked like a gangster.

Since they were already here, Kang Chan also informed Seok Kang-Ho about everything else, including the updates on the CCTV footage and today's events. However, he left out the information about Gérard’s family matters.

Gérard seemed to be attempting to guess what was being discussed.

"Do you trust this guy?"

"I told him that even if he was a member of the Star of David, I wouldn't abandon him."

Seok Kang-Ho nodded.

"Gérard," he called.

"I understand if there’s something you can’t tell me. We gathered in Africa with that in mind in the first place."

Gérard glanced at Kang Chan, who was interpreting for them, then turned back to Seok Kang-Ho.

"Still, don't go dying in srandom place alone."

Kang Chan relayed Seok Kang-Ho's words in French.

"If you do, the captain will definitely do something terrible.”

Kang Chan blankly stared at Seok Kang-Ho. There was no reason to say such a thing. It was also too embarrassing to interpret.

Gérard gave Kang Chan a serious look. "What did Daye say, Cap?"

"If you die alone somewhere, he says I'll do something terrible."

Gérard smiled, causing his scarred cheek to stretch. "Daye."

"Mind your own business."

Kang Chan ended up laughing so hard he was on the verge of tears.

"What did he say?"

"He said mind your own business."

After a brief silence, Seok Kang-Ho’s unique laughter filled the room.

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