Chapter 404: I Did Something Worth Dying For

I Did Something Worth Dying For

Inside a vast dark room.

Choi Seon-man bit his lip hard while glaring at the map of Korea hanging on the wall in the darkness.

His face had turned dark with anger.

“Your Excellency may I come in?”

“Yes come in.”

Upon Choi Seon-man’s permission Jang Min-hyuk opened the door and entered.

“Did you find out?”

“Yes. Daigo Tadashige’s death has been confirmed. He died along with the Yakuza bosses.”

“What? Is that really true?”

“While it hasn’t made the news yet this information comes from a reliable source.”

“…What in the world is going on.”

It was exactly as Kim Mu-hyeok had said. Choi Seon-man muttered in despair.

“What’s really going on here… Was it really Kim Mu-hyeok who did this?”

“That’s not certain. The public believes they all died during a conflict between drug organizations. But the operation was too clean for that to be the case.”

After hearing Jang Min-hyuk’s words Choi Seon-man let out a deep sigh.

Jang Min-hyuk kept his head bowed as he continued speaking.

“…They say everyone died instantly without even putting up a proper fight. The attack was over in one swift strike using snipers and grenades. They escaped before the police and Self-Defense Forces could arrive. The whole thing took less than ten minutes.”

“Hyuk-ah isn’t the Japanese media being too quiet about Daigo Tadashige’s death? He had close ties with political business and media circles.”

Jang Min-hyuk’s expression darkened at Choi Seon-man’s notably weakened voice.

Choi Seon-man had never shown such vulnerability in front of others before.

Even when he received a death sentence he had remained dignified but now he seemed incredibly small.

Pushing aside the thoughts that surfaced in his mind Jang Min-hyuk spoke again.

“Your Excellency what follows is my speculation.”

“Speculation? Go on.”

“If Kim Mu-hyeok was involved there’s a high chance he received support from Russian special forces.”

“…So the rumors about him being Putin’s friend were true?”

Unlike Choi Seon-man who still showed traces of doubt Jang Min-hyuk nodded firmly.

“Their relationship seems even closer than what’s publicly known.”

“I see Putin helped him despite the diplomatic risks?”

“Yes. They completed the operation swiftly and left immediately. This would be impossible without proper training. Otherwise they might have hired mercenaries.”

“So either Russian special forces or mercenaries you say. Hah… well well.”

Choi Seon-man clicked his tongue. What a mysterious man.

The more they dug into Kim Mu-hyeok’s background the more it felt like entering a labyrinth.

“There are rumors that Kim Mu-hyeok is the real owner of Black Bear. Black Secret the Korean branch of Black Bear is essentially Kim Mu-hyeok’s private security company. They handle security for all his associates. Lee Chan-jong the former Director of the National Intelligence Service is their representative.”

“What? Lee Chan-jong that bastard is their representative?”

“Yes that’s correct. They’re recruiting all former NIS agents and Korean special forces personnel offering attractive compensation.”

Jang Min-hyuk felt similarly to Choi Seon-man.

The deeper they investigated Kim Mu-hyeok the more mysterious he became instilling a sense of fear.

“Your Excellency I believe we should back down this time.”

“…What if we mobilize the military?”

Choi Seon-man still couldn’t let go of his obsession.

He wanted to see Kim Mu-hyeok’s mocking face contort in pain.

“He must have everything prepared already. Otherwise he wouldn’t have revealed everything to Your Excellency. We should at least keep our military connections for any future opportunities.”

“…”

“Your Excellency you must think of your family.”

Choi Seon-man couldn’t bring himself to respond.

Just then Jang Min-hyuk’s phone vibrated in his pocket.

He checked the number on the screen and reported.

“It’s Lieutenant Colonel Kim.”

“Is that so? Answer it.”

“Yes Your Excellency.”

Jang Min-hyuk bowed his head and answered the phone.

– Senior Jang! Something terrible has happened.

An urgent voice came through the phone.

“Lieutenant Colonel Kim speak slowly. What happened?”

– Senior everyone’s been dismissed from their positions. All of our seniors. The Minister of Defense issued the order directly despite it not being personnel season.

Jang Min-hyuk asked in disbelief.

“What? Is that true?”

– Yes. Everyone from the Defense Security Commander to the generals has been dismissed.

“…Why so suddenly? Are you alright?”

– I’m not sure what will happen to me either. I called to inform you of this emergency. I need to go now.

With those words Lieutenant Colonel Kim quickly hung up.

Jang Min-hyuk stood dazed holding his phone after the call ended.

Choi Seon-man urged the stunned Jang Min-hyuk.

“What is it? What happened?”

Jang Min-hyuk looked at Choi Seon-man with a bewildered expression. Choi Seon-man could sense anxiety in his face.

“…Your Excellency. It’s all over now.”

As Jang Min-hyuk spoke these words Choi Seon-man’s expression changed moment by moment.

* * *

The new CIA Director Alan W. VanZeeberg was reading a report brought by Deputy Director David.

As he read through the thick report Alan’s brow furrowed.

After reviewing the entire report he tossed the binder onto his desk and asked.

“Is all this true?”

“Yes Director it’s all true.”

Alan sighed and stood up from his seat saying.

“Let’s head to the conference room. Call all the deputy directors. This seems like a major issue so I’m calling a full meeting.”

Alan walked toward the conference room inside his office.

But David didn’t move. Alan stopped walking and asked in a puzzled voice.

“Why aren’t you responding?”

David who had been standing rooted to the spot finally spoke.

“Director very few people know everything about Kim Mu-hyeok. Besides me only the East Asia branch director knows.”

Alan frowned at these unexpected words.

“What do you mean by that?”

“…”

The CIA director position had long become the property of politicians.

Alan too wasn’t someone who had risen through CIA ranks but an outsider appointed by the White House.

As a result the director didn’t properly understand CIA internal affairs.

Alan’s face turned irritated as he walked toward the sofa.

“Sit down for now. I want to hear the details.”

David followed and sat down. After confirming David was seated Alan gestured with his chin.

“Now tell me. What exactly do you mean?”

“It started with Clinton’s orders. Destroy all official records about Kim Mu-hyeok. That’s when I began handling Kim Mu-hyeok exclusively.”

“What? Why?”

Alan couldn’t understand at all.

If the report’s contents were true Kim Mu-hyeok was a dangerous individual.

It made no sense to manage him with just a handful of people when the CIA should be going all out to keep him in check.

“Does President Bush know about this?”

“Yes he was briefed right after taking office.”

“And there were no other instructions?”

“None. I report Kim Mu-hyeok’s movements directly to him once a month.”

“…You a deputy director report directly to the President bypassing the Director?”

Alan glared at David with displeasure.

“Why are you given such special treatment?”

“I’ve served here for over thirty years. I’ve been offered the director position several times. But you know don’t you? It’s a position where your head could roll at any moment.”

Though displeased David’s words were true.

Alan himself had been appointed after the previous CIA Director was dismissed.

He already knew that his predecessor had been forced to step down taking responsibility for an operation failure in Iraq.

“I want to work here for my country until I die. I have no interest in the director position so you don’t need to be wary of me.”

Alan cleared his throat feeling his intentions had been exposed.

Seeing this David smiled slightly and bowed his head.

“That’s why I opposed calling a meeting. I apologize.”

“No it’s fine. We must follow the President’s orders. But still… no matter how I think about it this guy is too dangerous. What’s your opinion?”

Alan waved Kim Mu-hyeok’s photo from the file as he spoke.

“He’s more dangerous than any individual we’re monitoring.”

“Then why is he still alive? Shouldn’t we launch an operation immediately?”

“Keeping him alive aligns with U.S. interests.”

Alan slowly shook his head. He thought the man was too dangerous to keep alive just for the sake of interests.

“Even if it aligns with our interests he’s too dangerous. Are you saying this even after seeing what happened in Japan?”

“Those are the President’s orders. We’re just to watch him no operations are permitted.”

“…”

“Besides he’s never acted against U.S. interests. No he’s actually brought us more benefits. In my judgment there’s no reason to eliminate someone just because they’re dangerous.”

Of course David planned to kill Kim Mu-hyeok if he deemed him dangerous even if the President opposed.

If that was the path that would benefit America.

But from what he’d observed Kim Mu-hyeok wasn’t the type to attack first if lines weren’t crossed.

There was no need to complicate things by provoking him unnecessarily.

“Kim Mu-hyeok doesn’t attack unless someone picks a fight first.”

“…Weren’t the Dae Dong-hui people under our headquarters’ management? He killed them. How will others view us if we don’t take any revenge?”

A cold smile appeared on David’s face.

“They did something worth dying for. I heard they were planning to illegally occupy Dokdo using the Self-Defense Forces.”

“What? Is that true?”

Alan asked startled.

“Yes Prime Minister Koizumi noticed this sought out Kim Mu-hyeok and they struck a deal right there. This incident was the result. All connections between Dae Dong-hui and us have been severed. You won’t be held responsible Director.”

“…”

“I’ll compile everything and report soon.”

“Alright I understand. I need to organize my thoughts so you can leave now.”

Alan dismissed him and David left the CIA Director’s office without a word.

As soon as David left Alan made a call somewhere.

Having left the director’s office and reached the end of the long corridor David’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the firmly closed director’s office door in the distance.

* * *

Several days had passed since visiting the Blue House.

“Everyone made it out safely.”

Igor’s Russian mercenaries had safely escaped Japan through predetermined routes.

Fortunately they were able to leave Japan without any casualties.

It would have been difficult without Russia’s help.

“Still haven’t found Araki’s whereabouts?”

While Daigo Tadashige was dead his successor Araki’s whereabouts remained unknown.

“No Boss. No body was found and he hasn’t shown himself yet. Koizumi is searching frantically for him.”

“Koizumi’s going to have quite a headache if they can’t catch him.”

I’d already achieved my goal so there was no reason to help further.

“Let’s leave it for now. Keep watching and let me know if anything unusual comes up.”

I interlocked my fingers and stretched. My joints made quite a loud cracking sound.

I felt tired after spending the past few days working without proper sleep.

“Ah and Yamamoto called. He wants to speak with you Boss.”

“Yamamoto? Why would he want to talk to me?”

“I think it’s about the recent incident.”

I had ordered him to be kept alive. I planned to use him to stir up chaos among the Yakuza.

But being the sole survivor would inevitably raise suspicion from other organizations.

I caressed my teacup while contemplating.

‘What should I do? Is he useful? Or should I dispose of him.’

I organized my thoughts. No matter how much I thought about it the scales wouldn’t tip to either side.

Letting out a small sigh I waved my hand dismissively.

“I’m too tired today. Tell him I’ll contact him tomorrow.”

“Understood Boss.”

Seeing Manager Ma nod I stood up from my seat.

“Manager you should rest today too. You’ve been pushing yourself these past few days.”

I moved to leave the study.

At that moment suddenly both my phone and Manager Ma’s phone started ringing simultaneously.