Perfect Mission Chapter 37 - The Man Who Dies But Lives (1)

Chapter 37. The Man Who Dies But Lives (1)

 

The day before at the NIS.

“So, the kid stabbed a bully in the gut?”

First Deputy Director Jeon Dongshik, who had heard the news just a day after Hyesun, now Seo Hae-rin, was assigned to her school, had a colorful expression on his face.

Director Kim Cheolsoo of the Industrial Security Department, who was in charge of Seo Hae-rin, felt like a reluctant nanny as he gave his report with a sour face.

“The wound isn’t deep, about 2cm. It damaged the muscle but missed the organs, so it’s not a major incident.”

“2cm?”

“She said she couldn’t control her strength, so she put her bag against his stomach before stabbing him. Her palm was completely cut up in the process, but our agents said she didn’t even flinch.”

“Why did she stab him?”

“The kid’s pretty, isn’t she? He tried to make a move on her and got what he deserved.”

First Deputy Director Jeon Dongshik grinned.

“So, you’re telling me that a mere eighteen-year-old girl has the guts and audacity to stab someone, the quick thinking and judgment to use a bag to control the force of the blow, and the pain tolerance not to even flinch when her hand is torn to shreds? Are you kidding me?”

“She’s only eighteen. Aren’t you a little too excited about this?”

“Hey, I’m excited because she’s eighteen. If she were twenty-eight… well, even twenty-eight would be good. If a thirty-eight-year-old did that, would I be excited? That’s just what’s expected of them.”
He had a point, but Director Kim still didn’t understand why the First Deputy Director was so interested in such a young girl.

“It’s going to be a problem. The other kid’s family is not to be trifled with.”

“Who are they?”

“He’s the illegitimate son of Chairman Jeong Hyungi of Sangil Group. Rumor has it that even though he’s not on the family register, the chairman cherishes him.”

“Sangil Group? What’s that? Isn’t it just a successful construction company in the provinces?”

“Yes, but… they’ve hired the law firm Gangnam. This is going to get messy.”

First Deputy Director Jeon Dongshik tilted his head and asked,

“Wasn’t there an intelligence analyst named Oh Sangshik who was dispatched from the prosecution two years ago? Didn’t he go to the law firm Gangnam?”

“Come to think of it, I believe so.”

“Hmm… Alright, send some agents over.”

“Are you saying we should provide direct support?”

“What else? Just leave her be? Isn’t she going to be your junior?”

Director Kim Cheolsoo bit back the urge to ask when the First Deputy Director had ever cared so much about his juniors. But as if he had read his mind, the First Deputy Director scoffed.

“What? You’re wondering why I’m taking care of her when I don’t even treat you guys like juniors?”

“No, I mean… it’s just…”

“Then do better. If you were that good at eighteen, I would have packed your lunch and taken care of you. Remember that time a year after you joined, when you were supposed to catch an industrial spy and got arrested by the police in Malaysia? The then-Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and I had to go and beg for your release…”

Director Kim Cheolsoo’s face turned red.

“Sir, that was so long ago…”

“Exactly. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re starting out. But she’s as good as you at that age. Then we have to take care of her. Why? For my own benefit? No. Talent like that is a national asset. And we’re lucky to have found her so young. …Do you understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Go and handle it without any problems. Don’t let her get so disappointed in us that she decides to become some stuffy prosecutor or judge. Got it?”

“Understood.”

***

Director Kim Cheolsoo, sipping tea while facing the principal, Hyeonuk’s parents, and their lawyers, frowned as he recalled his conversation with the First Deputy Director. He was here on orders, but he was in a bad mood, having to clean up after a kid.

‘And that Malaysia incident was really… it was the other guy’s fault…’

This was why chemistry and having a good team were so important.

“So, what is your relationship to Haerin?”

Director Kim Cheolsoo snapped out of his thoughts at the principal’s question.

“I am her legal guardian.”

“Then what is your relationship?”

“I don’t think I need to answer that. I’m just doing my job. I understand that you’re angry because your son was stabbed, but we have a recording of the incident. It shows that your son was attempting to sexually assault our Hae-rin.”

The opposing lawyer raised his voice.

“Don’t distort the situation! It was not a sexual assault!”

“Then what was it? Why would he call her to the rooftop after school? And we have a recording of your son assaulting our Hae-rin first.”

“That doesn’t prove it was sexual assault. And it certainly doesn’t justify the use of a weapon. It doesn’t meet the requirements for self-defense. Hyeonuk had no intention of sexually assaulting her, and in fact, his life was threatened by the assailant’s attack.”

Director Kim Cheolsoo shrugged.

“I don’t know about that. Hae-rin was clearly threatened and did her best to defend herself. And her life was threatened? I understand that Haerin put her bag against his stomach before stabbing him to avoid causing a serious injury.”

“What are you talking about? And isn’t carrying a knife to school a sign that she was prepared to stab someone at any time?”

“It’s for self-defense.”

“Who in the world carries a military knife for self-defense?”

“If you listen to the recording, you’ll hear that the Cold Steel SRK is mainly used for survival and rescue. A quick YouTube search will show you that it’s mostly used for camping and mountain survival.”

“But it’s also used as a military knife. And her father taught her how to use it? What does her father do?”

“I don’t think that question is worth answering. In any case, I understand your position. But Hae-rin was acting in self-defense, and we will explain this in court. Do you have anything else to say?”

By saying that he would explain it in court, Director Kim Cheolsoo was making it clear that he had no intention of settling. Hyeonuk’s mother, Jihyun, was flustered. She was the one who should have been threatening to go to court, and the other party should have been begging for forgiveness. But they were the ones who were being aggressive. It was frustrating.

“You! What gives you the right to be so confident? My son was stabbed. He’s just a high school student. Do you think that Seo Hae-rin girl will be okay if we go to court? I won’t let that happen. I’ll make sure she can’t show her face in public for the rest of her life.”

“If you can do that, then go ahead. If you have nothing else to say, we’ll be leaving.”

Just then, one of her lawyers asked, “Can I have your business card?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have one. And from now on, please refrain from causing a disturbance at Hae-rin’s school. She’s still young and easily frightened.”

The idea of someone who had just stabbed a bully being ‘easily frightened’ was absurd, but legally, it was a valid defense, so they had no choice but to listen.

If Hyeonuk’s mother had come alone, it would have been more difficult for Director Kim Cheolsoo to handle. If she had attacked Hae-rin, the hot-tempered girl might have fought back, which would have made things even more complicated. But the fact that she had brought a team of lawyers to pressure the principal, the teachers, and Hae-rin actually made it easier for Director Kim Cheolsoo. He knew that while the rich and powerful were strong, they were even weaker than the weak when faced with a stronger force.

As Director Kim Cheolsoo stood up and buttoned his jacket, one of the lawyers asked again,  “Have we… met before?”

Director Kim Cheolsoo looked at his face and smirked.

“I believe so.”

Oh Sangshik, a lawyer from the law firm Gangnam, asked, flustered,

“Why are you Seo Hae-rin’s legal guardian? Is it a personal connection? Or…”

“That’s a question I can’t answer.”

‘A question I can’t answer’ was code for ‘It’s classified and an NIS matter.’ Oh Sangshik realized that Seo Haerin was not an ordinary person.

“Ah… I see.”

“I hope we don’t have to see each other again, unless it’s in court. Then…”

As Director Kim Cheolsoo left the principal’s office, the principal, who had been watching the scene unfold, was at a loss. He thought of the money Hyeonuk’s mother had donated to the school to smooth over the previous incident, and his mind went blank.

“Uh, ma’am…”

Hyeonuk’s mother ignored the principal and turned to Oh Sangshik.

“You know him?”

“Yes.”

Oh Sangshik replied, his eyes filled with thought.

“Who is he?”

“I… I’m not at liberty to say.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“He’s someone I knew from my previous job. If I reveal his identity, I could face legal repercussions.”

A lawyer revealing the identity of an NIS agent? That would be the end of his legal career in Korea.

“Hey! Do you know how much I’m paying you?”

“I apologize. This is a matter beyond my control. All I can say is… this Seo Hae-rin case might not be easy.”

“Are you saying it’ll be difficult even if my husband gets involved?”

“It’s… they’re in a very unique position… It’ll be difficult for a businessman to deal with them.”

Hyeonuk’s mother, looking at the bowing Oh Sangshik, could only clutch her chest in frustration.

***

A banquet hall at a five-star hotel in Seoul.

A man who seemed slightly out of place was sitting among the political and business elites. His neatly combed hair, well-tailored suit, and elegant way of eating were similar to the others, but one thing was different.

“Ah, Chairman Sung Manshik, you’re here.”

Bong Jinwoo, a ruling party lawmaker, approached him with a wide smile and greeted him with both hands. The man stood up and shook his hands, smiling back.

“I’m no chairman.”

“If you’re the chairman of the support committee, you’re a chairman, aren’t you? Hahaha!”

“Hahaha! No, no. The real chairmen are here.”

Bong Jinwoo leaned in and whispered, “These chairmen are of no help to me.”

“Hahaha! Is that so?”

“I have to go now. Let’s get together soon.”

“Let’s.”

After Bong Jinwoo left, the man sat down again. Just then, another man quietly sat across from him. It was Michael Hwang, formerly codenamed Evil Ghost, with his neat hairstyle, impeccable attire, and thick eyebrows.

The man glanced at Michael Hwang, then looked down at his plate and said, “What’s a man from China doing here? Are you trying to make things difficult for me?”

“I have a question.”

“I don’t have any questions for you.”

Michael Hwang stroked the white tablecloth, pursed his lips, and said, “The information you gave us about Gorilla. Was it real?”

The man looked up. He was plump and had a gentle appearance, but Michael Hwang knew how dangerous he was.

“I don’t joke about things like that.”

“Really? Because I almost got killed a few days ago.”

“Oh?”

“By a Gorilla.”

The man’s eyes glinted, and he wiped his mouth with a white napkin. A triangular mantis tattoo on the back of his right hand was clearly visible to Michael Hwang.