Chapter 412: How Long Have You Been Waiting?

“Director.”

At the sound of his title Kang Tae-jun Director of the International Crime Center at the National Intelligence Service looked up from his monitor.

“Oh yes. What is it?”

Without a word the subordinate handed Kang Tae-jun a binder.

Taking it Kang Tae-jun shot him a questioning look.

“What’s this?”

“Take a look sir.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Tae-jun opened the binder. His brow furrowed as he read the report inside.

“What’s this? Is all this true?”

“Yes sir. We’ve confirmed they entered through Incheon Airport yesterday.”

“What could these bastards possibly want in Korea to pull this kind of stunt?”

Kang Tae-jun threw the binder down hard.

The photos held by paper clips scattered from the impact but no one paid them any mind.

Shifting his gaze to the person in the topmost scattered photo Kang Tae-jun muttered.

“What could figures of this caliber be planning by gathering in Korea?”

After a long silence of just tapping his finger on the desk Kang Tae-jun spoke.

“Did you put surveillance on them?”

“Yes but we received orders from above to withdraw…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The order came down from the Planning and Coordination Director.”

“What? For fuck’s sake what kind of bullshit is this now?”

A curse finally escaped Kang Tae-jun’s lips. The subordinate continued speaking unfazed.

“If it came from Planning and Coordination it’s likely a political matter. But these are the worst of the worst among international crime syndicates. They deal in drugs human trafficking and contract killings. Can we really just let them roam free in Korea like this?”

“This won’t do. I need to meet with the Planning Director personally. Don’t withdraw surveillance yet. Wait for my orders.”

Though Kang Tae-jun spoke firmly the subordinate hesitated.

“But orders from above…”

“It’s fine. I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happens from now on. So maintain intensive surveillance. Watch their every move who they meet everything. Submit hourly reports.”

“Yes sir understood Director!”

“Tell our people to observe from a safe distance. Avoid any confrontations. You know what I mean? Now go handle it.”

After the subordinate left Kang Tae-jun pressed the intercom.

“This is Director Kang. Is the Planning Director in?”

– Yes he actually asked to send you up immediately if you called.

What fresh hell is this now? Kang Tae-jun cursed inwardly before responding gruffly.

“Alright. I’ll head up now so let him know.”

Kang Tae-jun hung up and rose from his seat. After adjusting his clothes he left his office.

His mind raced with questions as he headed up to the Planning and Coordination Office.

“Director the Director Kang Tae-jun has arrived.”

Entering through the door the secretary opened Kang Tae-jun bowed in greeting.

As Kang Tae-jun greeted him the man tending to an orchid turned his head.

“Oh yes. Director Kang it’s been a while hasn’t it?”

“Yes Director.”

“Yes yes.”

The director smiled warmly and gestured to a seat.

“Let’s sit first. And lighten up that expression would you?”

Kang Tae-jun clenched his teeth at the Planning Director’s casual demeanor.

Even the NIS Director handled the Planning Director with care.

But he’d never halted an operation like this not even once.

“Can’t you hear me Director Kang? Have a seat.”

Only after the Planning Director who sat first prompted him again did Kang Tae-jun finally take a seat.

“Why come to me with such a grim face? Should I offer you some coffee?”

“You know exactly why yet you act like this? Did you have the authority to stop the operation? This has never happened before Director Yang Du-seong.”

Despite Kang Tae-jun’s complaints Yang Du-seong maintained his relaxed smile.

“Look Director Kang if I didn’t have the authority you could just ignore me right? Isn’t the fact that you’re here proof that I do have that authority?”

“…”

“And instead of blaming me for stopping the operation shouldn’t you be curious about why I ordered it stopped? Am I wrong?”

“Senior why have you changed so much?”

Yang Du-seong merely raised an eyebrow with interest at Kang Tae-jun’s sigh.

“It’s been a while since I heard you call me Senior. Listen Kang Tae-jun what you need right now is to ease up. You’re too passionate. What’s the point of unnecessary actions when these guys haven’t done anything in Korea yet?”

“They’re the highest risk individuals among international crime organizations. Not just one but two key figures entered simultaneously. It’s unprecedented to not even monitor them. Senior please withdraw your order.”

Yang Du-seong cleared his throat uncomfortably as he watched Kang Tae-jun bow his head.

Just then the door opened and the secretary entered with coffee.

After placing coffee before Yang Du-seong and Kang Tae-jun the secretary bowed and left.

After a moment of silence Yang Du-seong picked up his coffee cup first.

“Withdraw the order… That’s not such a simple matter Tae-jun. This isn’t as simple as you think.”

“Senior! What’s there to think about when it comes to watching these thugs?”

Kang Tae-jun’s voice finally rose. Yang Du-seong’s eyes grew cold as he sipped his coffee.

“I’ll say it again this isn’t as simple as you think. What if they start shooting in the middle of Seoul? What if civilians die? Sure you’ll say you’ll take responsibility but that won’t be enough.”

“Will they really not shoot just because we leave them alone?”

“That’s right. They won’t. They have no reason to shoot in Korea so leave them be.”

When Yang Du-seong spoke firmly confusion crossed Kang Tae-jun’s face.

“What? What’s really going on here? Tell me. How can you be so confident?”

“You don’t need to know more just watch. No wiretapping either. They’ll only stay a few days then leave. Understand?”

“Does the Deputy Director know about this?”

“Deputy Director Lee? How could he not know? I’ve already informed him.”

“Then if I ask the Deputy Director…”

Yang Du-seong cut off Kang Tae-jun’s words coldly.

“Tae-jun. Kang Tae-jun. Why can’t you take a hint? Just ignore it and pretend you don’t know anything okay? You’ll only get burned if you stick your nose in. Do you really want to lose your position?”

“Senior I’m an NIS employee tasked with protecting national and public safety. Regardless of any political pressure I’ll do my job. That’s why I’m here and that’s why our organization exists.”

“…”

“Those were your words Senior.”

Yang Du-seong clicked his tongue softly before speaking slowly.

“You know about the war between crime organizations happening in Japan right now?”

“Yes that’s why I’m curious why they came to Korea. The same bastards who caused that mess in Japan could do the same here.”

“Calm down. They’re meeting in Korea to resolve that situation. The head of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi is also in Korea.”

“What? Yamamoto Ken is in Korea?”

“Yes. The Heavenly Group is protecting him.”

Kang Tae-jun who had been listening with a dumbfounded expression closed his mouth.

After organizing his thoughts for a while he spoke again.

“Why is the Heavenly Group involved in this? What’s really going on? Please explain clearly.”

“Why do you think the Black Society and Russian Mafia stopped drug sales in Korea? Have there been any drug-related issues lately? No right?”

“That’s…”

“Why do you think that is? It’s all through agreements between criminal organizations. The Heavenly Group gathered them this time to resolve the Japan situation and they’ll hold talks soon. Should we interfere with that? Now do you understand Tae-jun? So stay still. Don’t do anything. That’s what’s best for the country.”

Though he looked displeased Yang Du-seong explained everything calmly.

Even after hearing everything Kang Tae-jun couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling.

“But…”

“Hey you bastard! I said don’t! You’re still being difficult after I explained? Are you looking down on me?”

“N-no sir.”

“Listen while I’m still being nice before I get the Inspection Director to audit your entire 4th Division. You understand me?”

“…”

“No answer?”

“Yes I understand.”

Yang Du-seong frowned as he roughly messed up his hair in frustration.

“You can go now. Handle your staff as you see fit. If you get caught doing something unnecessary not only you but me and the NIS Director will all lose our heads. So stay put.”

Yang Du-seong threatened once more and waved his hand.

Kang Tae-jun rose and bowed his head. He was biting his lip hard from what seemed like anger.

Seeing this Yang Du-seong let out a deep sigh.

“Tae-jun I’m saying all this for your own good. Please just stay still.”

Kang Tae-jun didn’t answer and simply turned around.

Yang Du-seong watched his departure with disapproving eyes then pulled out his phone to make a call once the door closed.

* * *

The car carrying me was heading down to Busan.

In the quiet car the only sound was Manager Ma’s voice on his phone.

After finishing his call Manager Ma turned and reported.

“Boss Director Yang called.”

“That person? What did he say?”

“He says Director Kang is giving him trouble and asks for understanding. He’s had the surveillance teams withdrawn.”

“Director Kang… Who’s that?”

“He’s in charge of international crime. He’d already put surveillance on those who entered Korea but Director Yang had them withdraw.”

Quite quick on the uptake aside from interfering with our work that Director Kang.

“Director Yang must be working hard. We agreed to give him a position at Black Secret after retirement right?”

“Yes I heard he’ll be brought in as an advisor.”

“So that’s why he’s being so submissive. Well when the administration changes he won’t be able to fight properly for his position anyway. In any case tell them to handle it on their end.”

“Understood. I’ll relay that.”

“So there shouldn’t be any more problems right?”

Problems always seem to crop up when I’m away. Resting my chin on my hand I asked and Manager Ma answered calmly.

“They’ve withdrawn for now but they say Director Kang is quite stubborn. We’ll have to keep watching how he moves.”

“Hmm… I rather like that.”

“I hear he’s an expert in international crime what should we do?”

“Set up a meeting when we get to Seoul. I’ll decide after meeting him.”

Some might find his stubbornness frustrating but I rather welcomed a capable hardliner.

I checked my watch after lowering my head. About an hour remained until arrival.

I was eager to see Grandma yet also afraid.

We talked yesterday but Grandma didn’t say much.

That made me more worried. Suddenly Myeong-su’s words came to mind making me more anxious.

– Elderly people’s health can suddenly deteriorate. Don’t regret it later take good care of her.

Though I saved Grandma right after returning I still felt guilty.

No matter how much I cared for her now why did I keep thinking of what I couldn’t do in my past life? Maybe because Grandma was my only remaining blood relative.

We arrived at Grandma’s house right on schedule. Though she had no way of knowing when I’d arrive Grandma was already waiting in front of the door.

Grandma beamed as soon as she saw me getting out of the car.

“Is that Mu-hyeok? Oh my you must be tired from coming down here. Let me see my baby’s face.”

“Why are you already outside? How long have you been waiting?”

“I just came out. Oh my your face is half gone. Let’s hurry inside.”

Grandma examined me while I examined her.

As Myeong-su said time had left more traces on Grandma since I last saw her.

But the warmth from her wrinkled hands firmly holding mine remained the same.

That was actually reassuring so I couldn’t say anything.

“What are you doing? Let’s hurry inside.”

“Huh? Oh yeah let’s go in.”

Led by Grandma’s hand I entered the house. As soon as she took off her shoes Grandma headed straight for the kitchen saying.

“Quickly wash up and come out. I’ll make food.”

“It’s way past mealtime though?”

“Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Then we must eat. Quickly wash up and come out. I just need to heat up the stew. Hurry!”

She was still the same always anxious to feed me. I nodded with a small smile and headed to the bathroom.

When I came out after a quick wash I saw the food laid out on the table.

In that short time Grandma had prepared a feast on the table.

“What’s this? Why did you make so much?”

“This isn’t much. Just eat this for now and I’ll make a proper dinner later.”

The amount was clearly enormous even at first glance.

I suddenly remembered my doctor who always complained about gaining weight whenever I visited Grandma’s house.

“What are you doing? Not eating?”

“Oh oh yeah I’m eating.”

At Grandma’s urging I found myself sitting down and picking up my spoon.

Grandma’s soybean paste stew was as delicious as ever.

“Grandma’s soybean paste stew really is the best.”

“Stop flattering and just eat quickly.”

I smiled seeing Grandma’s smile as she sat across from me.

After finally getting through a relentless series of tasks this was the first moment of peace I’d felt in a while.