The Perfect Vol. 4 Chapter 2

[I don’t know the method. Only the head of the TP department knows. Han Jemyung might know too.]

But he won’t come out until he achieves his revenge.

“We need to understand the situation inside first. I’ll be there in 15 minutes. Lawyer, have the people who arrived first received any contact?”

There was no answer. Lawyer, Jinwook called again, and finally, his voice was heard.

[The connection with the ant nest is cut off. However, the CCTV footage from there is being transmitted through an emergency line. See for yourself.]

Jinwook needed to arrive as soon as possible, but he stopped the car and watched the video for a few minutes. The screen was dark, but he could roughly see people’s movements, and the sound vividly conveyed the situation. Three minutes later, Jinwook started the car again and asked the head of the Restoration Office.

“Is there really no way to get in?”

[No. By the way, if they are the leader’s group, they seem to have become Heartless…]

“Or maybe it’s because of the drug. The drug they believed to be a cure might have created a completely different kind of Heartless. Lawyer, can you see Mr. Han Jemyung on the CCTV? Lawyer?”

The lawyer’s voice was heard after a long pause.

[We haven’t checked everything yet, so we haven’t found him, but it’s certain that one of the leader’s subordinates was shot and killed. It could have been the Special Agents, but if Mr. Han Jemyung fights that well…]

[It’s not just about fighting well. If no one else could kill them, but they are dead, it’s Mr. Han Jemyung’s doing.]

The head of the Restoration Office interjected. Jinwook remembered what he had said before. Han Jemyung had something special. That’s why he was brought to the TP department as a child. He wanted to ask if he had some kind of superpower, but the lawyer’s rebuttal was heard.

[It could be someone else.]

[Look at the CCTV properly. Those guys aren’t the Heartless we know. They don’t even flinch when hit by bullets. There’s no one in the Special Agents who can handle such monsters.]

[Not in the Special Agents, but in 4K.]

“Lawyer, what do you mean?”

A low sigh was heard beyond the speaker.

[Actually, the first reason I called you was different. The company that handles my office security contacted me. They said someone seemed to have broken into my office a few days ago.]

“You said it didn’t matter who broke in since there was nothing to take.”

[I thought so too.]

The lawyer’s voice lowered.

[Until the L&Y guys took something from my office.]

L&Y?

“What did they take?”

[I don’t know.]

Lawyer. Jinwook called in frustration, and the lawyer emphasized again.

[I really don’t know. What they took wasn’t the documents I had placed.]

“If not you, then who?”

[The state guy.]

Jinwook almost had an accident as he couldn’t see ahead properly. He barely managed to steer the car back on track and asked.

“That guy placed something in your office? Why? What exactly?”

[That’s the question. But the state guy must have known L&Y would search my office and placed something there beforehand. What if… We thought we had tricked the state guy by separating him from Han Jemyung, but what if…]

The lawyer repeated the word “if” and asked in a low voice.

[What if that guy tricked us?]

‘I have an interest now.’

‘What interest?’

‘Killing the mutant drug supplier.’

Director Kook said this and looked at Jinwook and the lawyer’s expressions, confirming his suspicion. Ah, these people were deceiving me.

‘You should be happy. You both wanted the supplier dead, didn’t you?’

The two didn’t rejoice. It didn’t matter. He would find out their hidden schemes and return the favor for deceiving him. Everyone who knew Director Kook watched his every move. They worried if Director Kook had sensed something they were hiding, and in their instinctive efforts to hinder him, they missed other important things.

Director Kook could also hide his emotions and deceive someone. But he did it very well. Everyone thought he couldn’t control his anger and only sought revenge, but to be good at revenge, you have to suppress your anger well. He could suppress his emotions better than anyone and show only what the other person needed to see.

So, as soon as he left the lawyer’s office, he ran to CEO Na’s villa and searched his house. Just as CEO Na boasted about knowing him well, Director Kook also knew his cousin well. He figured out the password for the laptop in a few tries. The password for the file sent by the lawyer was even easier. The lawyer’s password was always related to his deceased son. And he obtained the identity they were trying to keep secret.

‘TP Department Report: Iguala Desert Operation’

Iguala. He smirked at the familiar place name and quickly skimmed the report, stopping at the end.

‘One survivor of the battle. All other department members were annihilated. Location unknown. Information can be obtained from TP department members who did not participate in the desert battle.

Former TP Department Information Management Deputy Team Leader: Current Population Management Office Manager Yoo. Former TP Department General Manager: Long-term treatment at XX Rehabilitation Hospital.’

Director Kook marked the hospital where the department head was and left CEO Na’s house. He got into the hidden car and drove to the villa, where he met CEO Na, who was waiting. CEO Na, who had just searched his house, grabbed him and demanded a promise.

‘One week. Keep your mouth shut for one week.’

If he asked so earnestly. It was convenient not to have to open his mouth about what Director Kook felt was strange and what he was investigating. A few days later, he went to the Special Department purely because of a feeling. He wanted to know why he felt so bad the day Han Jemyung visited the Special Department. He was curious why he went there again. Sneaking into the Special Department wasn’t difficult.

Few people knew his face because he rarely took on Special Department work, and even if they did, they wouldn’t recognize him if he changed his attitude a bit. After Han Jemyung left the office, he boldly went in to search his place. When he smiled and greeted the fat man who met his eyes, the man acted as if he would give his liver to a friendly guest.

‘By any chance, Mr. Han Jemyung…’

Director Kook trailed off after mentioning the name. The other person handed over an unexpected gain without any suspicion.

‘Ah, the documents Mr. Han Jemyung left. Here they are.’

Documents Han Jemyung requested. Director Kook skimmed through the documents and found content unrelated to the report. The pieces that didn’t fit started to fall into place. So, Han Jemyung was secretly working with L&Y to call the mutant drug supplier?

He didn’t need to know why. If Han Jemyung wanted this, he had no choice but to actively help. But the content written by Han Jemyung alone couldn’t call the leader to Korea. He wrote a postscript that would make the leader move.

‘P.S.: To call the leader, you must include the following words.

Congratulations on another poor harvest this year.’

After that, Director Kook met CEO Ryu to ensure Han Jemyung’s wish was fulfilled. CEO Ryu, sensitive to Director Kook’s actions, accepted Han Jemyung’s message as fact. He needed evidence to take to the Special Agents, so he deliberately placed TP-related reports in the lawyer’s office.

And on the day of the showdown, Director Kook, who had sneaked into the ant nest and waited leisurely, finally understood what Han Jemyung was trying to do. He was taking revenge. Director Kook’s heart raced as he heard the sound of the ant nest closing and the collapse alarm. His heart pounded, and he couldn’t stop laughing. Yes, this is what revenge should be. He was thrilled to know that the person he was infatuated with was taking proper revenge.

“What on earth are you so happy about?”

CEO Ryu asked with a horrified face.

“This place is going to collapse soon. There’s no way out. Do you know an escape route? Is there a secret passage? Right?”

“That’s right.”

Director Kook answered and smirked again.

“But it closed after I came in. There’s no hole to escape from the ant nest now.”

“It closed after you came in? Then when did you come in? Have you been hiding here all along?”

“Yes. It’s a great place to watch from.”

Director Kook pointed to a secret wall behind No. 2’s desk. There was a screen showing the internal situation. The internal CCTV continued to operate and record with emergency power.

“You saw that… and you’re laughing? You’re crazy. What’s so enjoyable?”

“Strong Heartless, suffocating killing intent, the collapsing ant nest. It’s all enjoyable. I’m lucky to be alive to meet such strong ones. Damn, I’m really lucky.”

“You’re going to die at their hands. Do you know how monstrous they are…”

“Damn, you have to be on the verge of death to fight with all your might. This feeling of heightened senses in the face of death is truly exhilarating.”

Director Kook clenched his fists and bared his teeth. His eyes gleamed with excitement and joy. CEO Ryu, completely terrified, stepped back. This was a different kind of fear from the cruel Heartless that tore flesh. This guy is insane. Completely insane. Watching him leave the room with an axe in one hand and a gun in the other, CEO Ryu finally exhaled the breath he had been holding. And then he thought, maybe, just maybe.

[Maybe Director Kook is inside.]

The lawyer cautiously speculated. Then the head of the Restoration Office asked.

[Are you sure? We need at least one more ally inside. If it’s Director Kook, it will help reduce the damage.]

“No. Even if Director Kook is inside, it won’t reduce the damage.”

[Are you saying he won’t fight?]

“He will fight. He definitely will. But.”

Jinwook’s car finally began to see the ant nest building in the distance. Gunshots were echoing loudly enough to be heard from afar. Jinwook increased the speed of the car. ‘But what?’ came the question through the speaker. Jinwook stopped the car in front of the barricaded perimeter guarded by numerous troops.

“If the enemy is that strong, he won’t jump in right away.”

[Why? Is Director Kook a coward?]

It would be better if he were a coward. Jinwook shook his head.

“No. He’ll be so excited to see a strong enemy that it will take him time to compose himself. He’ll be struggling to close his mouth from the joy. It doesn’t matter to him if the Special Agents are slaughtered. And if the ant nest is about to collapse, adding that situation, by now… he’ll be going completely berserk.”

Special Agent 2, who had seen Han Jemyung at the chairman’s house, was barely alive, his body in tatters. He still held a gun in his hand, but he had no strength to lift his arm. Around him, the bodies of his comrades, torn apart by the monsters, lay scattered. It was a miracle he was alive. A savior, who could only be described as a miracle, suddenly fell from the sky.

The savior, too, was bleeding from his forehead and arm, and one shoulder seemed uncomfortable. But he was entirely different from himself or the Special Agent members. He was incredibly fast, persistent, and clever. And he didn’t miss a moment. When the Heartless hesitated for some reason, he struck and took them down. The leader’s subordinate didn’t stop moving until his head was completely smashed.

Bang!

The one who took him down fired a shot at the corpse with a shattered head, as if to confirm the kill. Only after confirming the subordinate was completely dead did he turn his eyes. And he met the gaze of the still-alive Special Agent 2. Special Agent 2 called his name.

“Han Jemyung.”

The timid, low-ranking employee of the Special Department. Apart from his connection to Director Kook, there was nothing special about him, and he was as ordinary as could be. Now he stood before him as a savior. Laughter came out. Am I seeing things because I’m dying? How could Han Jemyung become such a god of battle? Why does he look at the leader’s subordinate with such eyes? Endless questions followed, but the words that came out of his mouth were entirely different.

“This place is going to collapse soon.”

“I know.”

Han Jemyung tore the clothes of the dead to bandage his bleeding arm. It was a skill familiar to someone who crossed the line of death daily. It didn’t suit a clerk who sat at a desk scribbling documents. He had mocked him for not knowing real combat. His mouth tasted bitter.

“If it collapses soon, the monsters will all die. But is there a reason to kill them so desperately?”

Han Jemyung turned his eyes again.

“Even if I die right now, I have to do my job.”

“What job?”

“Cutting off those bastards’ heads.”

Then you’ll die first. Han Jemyung was bleeding too much.

“Why? Is there a reason you must kill them?”

“Do you need a reason to kill Heartless?”

True. Special Agent 2 smirked and closed his eyes. He felt drained.

“The leader over there hasn’t moved a finger yet. We were all taken down by his five subordinates. You killed one, so now there are five left.”

“Four.”

With those words, Han Jemyung left. Special Agent 2 watched him disappear and laughed, but only rough breaths came from his powerless mouth.

“To think there’s someone who can kill such monsters. You’re as crazy as that guy.”

There was a guy he thought might be able to face them. The guy who swung an axe like a human. Maybe, just maybe, that guy could face them. He closed his eyes, thinking of him. Tap, tap, someone kicked him, and he opened his eyes to see him standing right in front of him.

He thought it might be a dream again. How could Director Kook be standing in front of him, covered in blood, holding an axe? But Director Kook’s eyes were different from what he usually knew. They shone like a beast’s eyes in the middle of the night. It was a joy mixed with murderous intent. His eyes were filled with ecstasy. Another madman had appeared.

“I must be seeing things because I’m dying.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Just tell me where Han Jemyung went.”

Special Agent 2 barely moved his finger to point to the path Han Jemyung had disappeared down. Director Kook got the answer but continued looking down at him.

“Over there… that’s right.”

“I know.”

Then why are you still looking at me? Are you planning to kill me too? But what came out was a question.

“Do you know why your Special Agents ended up like this?”

“Because of the leader… the mutant Heartless, right?”

“No. It’s because you were punished.”

Director Kook raised his chin and looked down arrogantly.

“I knew things would go downhill ever since you dirtied the T-shirt my grandma gave me.”

Special Agent 2 had been quietly waiting for death just a moment ago. But something changed the moment he heard Director Kook’s words. He found the strength to move. It was anger. What a crazy bastard.

“You… you call that talking…”

“Yes, it is. Does going bald lower comprehension?”

Special Agent 2, who seemed like he couldn’t move, raised his arm to pick up his gun.

“I’ll kill you and then… ugh!”

Director Kook kicked his hand hard, removing the weak resistance. The gun flew away. Special Agent 2 closed his eyes in pain. He heard Director Kook’s mocking voice above his head.

“Trying to fight back after you were just waiting to die.”

With a sneer, he disappeared, stepping over the corpses. Anger rose. It was infuriating because he was right. Special Agent 2 struggled to get up. He stumbled several times but finally stood up, thinking of Director Kook. Even if the ant nest collapsed, they would all die anyway. But still, he had to do his job. Just like Han Jemyung had said. He began moving to find his living comrades.

In the center of the ant nest was a plaza. Since there had been a large-scale battle with the Special Agents here, more than half of the corpses filled the place. Now, the leader and one subordinate were confronting a single enemy. But Han Jemyung, with one arm soaked in blood, seemed ready to collapse at any moment. The leader kept repeating the same question to him.

[How did you know about the poor harvest?]

Han Jemyung, having clashed several times, was barely standing.

“I don’t know what you’re babbling about, but one thing’s for sure. This is your grave.”

[Did you do something to the seed?]

“Not a single ant will escape from here.”

[Did you know the seed was faulty?]

The leader noticed the anger in Han Jemyung’s voice and face but kept repeating his question like a robot.

[Tell me what you know about the seed.]

Han Jemyung finally looked directly at him.

“Seed? What the hell are you talking about?”

“He’s had a poor harvest this year too.”

The answer came from behind. It was a voice that shouldn’t be here. Han Jemyung turned his incredulous eyes back. But walking out from among the corpses was undoubtedly Director Kook. He walked in with his eyes glinting and fired his gun immediately. Bang, bang, bang!

Outside the ant nest, there were only two enemies attacking. But while those two remained unscathed, the casualties on their side kept increasing. They needed to get inside as soon as possible, yet they couldn’t even take down two Heartless. Jinwook joined the fight late, firing his gun. Next to him, the head of the Restoration Office joined the commander.

The three of them frowned at the CCTV screen showing the internal situation. Han Jemyung, who was confronting the subordinate in the underground plaza, didn’t look well. Fortunately, the leader kept Han Jemyung alive, hoping for answers, but who knew when he might change his mind. The bigger issue was the place collapsing. Suddenly, the CCTV turned off with the sound of gunfire.

“Damn Director Kook.”

A curse came from the head of the Restoration Office.

“Shooting the CCTV everywhere he goes. What is he thinking?”

“He doesn’t want to be a spectacle, I guess. But the leader kept asking about the seed. Did Mr. Han Jemyung say anything about it?”

“No. Han Jemyung probably doesn’t even know the leader took the seed. He didn’t mention anything about it. But if the leader keeps talking about the seed and the poor harvest, someone must have mentioned the seed. There must be a problem with it. What about your side? Do you know anything?”

This time, Jinwook fell silent. The head of the Restoration Office was about to press him when gunshots and shouts rang out, drawing his attention. One of the enemies had fallen! Riding that momentum, the gunfight resumed. The surface was becoming more chaotic. What was the situation underground? Jinwook envied Director Kook, who was down there, and felt a pang of bitterness.

Han Jemyung stared intently at his opponent with a hardened expression. He was right. Director Kook approached him and spoke.

“Go wash up.”

Han Jemyung’s eyes filled with disbelief. He suddenly appeared and told him to wash up?

“Director Kook, you don’t look much better.”

“I’m better off than you. At least it’s not my blood.”

[Speak in English.]

The leader shouted, and Director Kook pointed a finger at him.

[You wait.]

After rebuking the leader, Director Kook warned Han Jemyung.

“Kissing someone who smells like blood might be a unique experience, but I don’t want to kiss someone who’s about to collapse from excessive bleeding.”

“Is that all you have to say to me right now?”

“Are you tempting me to wash you up?”

“What?”

“Yes.”

Yes, what?! Han Jemyung, forgetting the situation, reverted to his Special Department self. He just stood there, mouth agape in shock, while Director Kook nodded.

“Alright. I’ll wash you up.”

“Who are you going to wash? Do you think this is a hot spring or something?”

“How did you know?”

What?! Director Kook looked seriously at the floor, while Han Jemyung was in disbelief.

“There’s an underground water vein flowing.”

Inside Han Jemyung, a vein of anger was flowing.

“Director Kook, why are you here? If it’s because of me, don’t interfere. I’m in the middle of revenge.”

[Chef. Was it you? Did you talk about the poor harvest?]

[Hey, I said wait. You’re second.]

Director Kook pointed at the leader again and asked Han Jemyung.

“Do you think I’m here to help you with your revenge?”

“Then why are you here? This place is about to collapse. You’ll die.”

“People said the same thing in the past. You’ll die if you go there. You’ll die if you jump into that fight alone. That leader over there said the same thing. But I’m still alive. I always knew I would survive. And I won’t die this time either. You asked why I’m here?”

He smirked. Director Kook took a step closer. Han Jemyung instinctively raised his knife. Director Kook praised him.

“Good instincts. You figured out what I’m trying to do.”

“Are you trying to kill me? Are you on their side?”

“Of course not. I’m trying to keep my toys from being reduced.”

“Toys?”

“I’ve only killed two so far.”

“If that’s the reason, I can’t yield either.”

Han Jemyung’s expression turned cold. Director Kook put his axe down on the floor. He cracked his neck from side to side and approached with bare hands. But the leader’s voice stopped them.

[Chef, I don’t care if you kill Han, but if you kill someone who knows about the seed, I won’t forgive you.]

Director Kook smirked and asked Han Jemyung.

“Do you know anything about the seed?”

“Seed? What the hell is that?”

“When we lured the leader to Korea, there was talk about the seed. CEO Ryu and the Special Agents sent the exact content you provided, and thanks to that, the leader came to Korea.”

What is he talking about? How does he know I gave information to CEO Ryu? Han Jemyung frowned, his face tense with the readiness to fight.

“What seed? There was no such thing in the content I provided.”

“No, there is. I added it.”

Han Jemyung paused, stopping his foot from moving sideways.

“Is it the seed that’s the raw material for the mutant drug? Is that why the leader came to Korea?”

“Do you think he came to take revenge on you? He spread the drug in Korea out of resentment, but he wouldn’t think you’re important enough to expose himself and come to Korea.”

“……”

“To that bastard, you’re nothing. But don’t be disappointed. To me, you’re as important as nothing.”

Han Jemyung would rather be nothing than be as important as Director Kook’s nothing. He held back a curse and asked.

“Are they looking for the seed?”

“You really don’t know anything.”

Han Jemyung’s eyes flashed fiercely. A smile spread across Director Kook’s face.

“Your eyes are amazing. Is there a secret in those eyes? I’ve always wondered why the senile chairman didn’t attack you.”

“Find out for yourself.”

As soon as Han Jemyung finished speaking, Director Kook’s body leaped.

‘Time remaining until facility collapse: 5 minutes. Time remaining until facility collapse: 5 minutes. Facility…’

The kind announcement informed them of the time. CEO Ryu was still hiding in No. 2’s office, staring blankly into space. It felt like days had passed since he sent Director Kook and sat there. In reality, it had only been about 10 minutes, but waiting for death in fear felt like an eternity.

In 10 minutes, his face had darkened as if he had aged 10 years. Simply waiting for death wouldn’t have been this terrifying or slow. The words “maybe, perhaps” held onto hope after seeing Director Kook. Maybe I can survive? But time kept passing. The announcement of the collapse was mercilessly clear.

“Damn it, shit, sob.”

CEO Ryu lowered his head, cursing and crying. He didn’t want to die like this. He didn’t want to be buried in the ant nest, held back by No. 2, as Director Kook had said. But now there was no time. As Director Kook said, there was no way out. In 5 minutes, I will really die…

“Stop crying and move.”

Startled, CEO Ryu jumped up. A man with a cane was limping out of the archive room inside No. 2’s office. Who is he? Why is he coming out of there?

“Who, who are you…”

CEO Ryu squinted at the man walking into the light. What’s wrong with his face?

“Move. You’re blocking the door.”

The man in his late fifties swung his cane.

[Why didn’t you kill him?]

The leader asked, seeing the fight end in an instant. Director Kook, who had climbed on top of Han Jemyung and choked him unconscious, slowly stood up and answered.

[Why should I kill him?]

[You were trying to kill him.]

[That’s your problem. You think you know everything by just looking at the surface. Right? Just like you only think about why the seed is faulty.]

Director Kook returned to his original spot and picked up the axe and gun he had placed on the floor.

[Are you saying it’s not the seed’s fault?]

[A poor harvest isn’t always the seed’s fault. But your real problem is that the result you got from the poor harvest is entirely different from what you wanted.]

[So what’s the reason? Stop babbling and tell me properly!]

As soon as the leader shouted, Director Kook jumped at the remaining subordinate. The subordinate’s body quickly disappeared. But Director Kook was already moving his hand as he jumped. The axe lodged between the subordinate’s neck and shoulder. The subordinate slowly grabbed the axe handle and pulled it out.

If it were an ordinary Heartless, the neck would have been severed instantly, but the skin split enough for blood to flow. The subordinate threw the pulled-out axe at Director Kook. But Director Kook easily dodged the axe and jumped again. Soon, the subordinate and Director Kook’s bodies tangled. After a while, several gunshots rang out.

The subordinate’s body fell, and Director Kook fell on top of it. Bang! Bang! The subordinate’s body, which had been twitching, went limp. The gun barrel, lodged between the split skin from the axe, was pulled out. Director Kook threw the empty gun aside and walked over to pick up the axe.

[That old lady really talked a lot.]

Director Kook grumbled as he faced the leader. But his face and eyes were filled with uncontrollable excitement. The thrill of killing a strong opponent made his manhood stand erect.

[She talked so much that if I asked one question, she’d talk for 10 minutes.]

[Now I have to get rid of you, who only spouts nonsense.]

[But I had to endure it to get the map of the desert from that old lady.]

The leader’s eyebrows twitched at the word “desert.” Director Kook faced him, holding an axe.

[There was something interesting in the old lady’s story. Somewhere in the desert, there’s a devil’s land. Even ordinary crops turn into devils there.]

[Land?]

[Yes, land. Do you get it now? No matter how much you plant the seeds you stole, you’ll never get what grew in the devil’s land. Of course, now that place has become a land of death, just as you mocked three years ago.]

The leader, who had wanted to know the reason for three years, stood still like a doll. Director Kook twisted his lips.

[How do you feel?]

[You knew everything when you handed me the canteen three years ago.]

[Yes. I laughed at you inwardly, who only wanted the seeds. And now, three years later, I know your drug supply is running out. I knew you’d come running at the word ‘poor harvest’ because you were desperate, so I laughed at you again.]

[Didn’t you tell me three years ago because you wanted to drive me to my death? But I warned you. I told you you’d die if you went in.]

[What do you take me for? Do you think I kept my mouth shut three years ago for such a trivial reason? No way. I handed you the canteen without saying anything because of your tongue.]

The leader raised the gun in his hand.

[You didn’t like my tongue?]

[Your pronunciation is terrible. My name is Guk, not Cook, you bastard.]

Bang! A gunshot rang out. But before that, Director Kook leaped and threw the axe. However, the leader easily twisted his body to avoid the axe. The leader smirked and slowly walked toward Director Kook.

[Just for that reason…]

Bang!!!

A loud gunshot, different from an ordinary gun, rang out. The leader stopped walking. He looked at his side in surprise. A bullet was lodged there. It wasn’t deep, so it wasn’t a significant injury. Still, it was the first time a bullet had penetrated his skin, so he looked curiously at the direction the bullet had come from. Someone was standing there. A person he had never seen before, holding a gun. Then Director Kook’s amused voice followed.

[It’s a Punisher. An innovative development from the xm25 used by your U.S. military. It’s a recent model. 3, 2, 1.]

As Director Kook counted, the bullet lodged in the leader’s side exploded. The leader staggered sideways. A chunk of his side, the size of a human head, was blown off. As the leader looked at his body in disbelief, another strong gunshot rang out.

Bang!!!

One Heartless was killed, allowing them to approach the entrance, but the door to the ant nest remained firmly closed. Jinwook pressed the head of the Restoration Office.

“There are only a few minutes left. Is there really no way to get in? Then how did Director Kook get in?”

The head of the Restoration Office clamped his mouth shut at this question.

“There’s no time. Tell me everything you know quickly.”

“I’ve told you everything. But the answer might be in there.”

The head of the Restoration Office glanced at Jinwook. He believed Jinwook, being quick-witted, would understand his meaning. After a moment, Jinwook asked.

“You said the people who know the secrets of the ant nest are Mr. Han Jemyung and the head of the TP department. So there’s only one person Director Kook could have heard the secret from. The head of the department. But he’s said to be in long-term hospitalization at a hospital, right?”

“I contacted the hospital, and they said he disappeared.”

“Disappeared? So he really met Director Kook?”

“Even if they met, the head of the department I know would never reveal the secret passage.”

The head of the Restoration Office nodded confidently.

“Yes, he’s not that kind of person.”

“Then how did Director Kook get in there? You said only the head of the department knows.”

“The head of the department would never reveal the information. But.”

“But what?”

“If he moved himself, it would be different. Director Kook might have turned off the CCTV for this reason.”

The head of the Restoration Office closed his eyes tightly and muttered.

“The head of the department must be in there.”

A loud noise filled his ears. The sound woke Han Jemyung’s consciousness. His first thought was ‘That’s unfair.’ Director Kook had attacked him while closing his eyes. So he attacked without looking into Han Jemyung’s eyes and succeeded. That’s why secrets are useless once revealed.

Han Jemyung realized there was something special about his eyes when he was 14. The first time he encountered a Heartless, it attacked his grandmother. He recklessly grabbed and clung to the Heartless. Unbearable anger welled up inside him, forming a knot in his chest and bursting, making his fingertips tingle.

At that moment, the Heartless looked into Han Jemyung’s eyes and froze for a moment. He still doesn’t know what it is about his eyes. The thing that stops the opponent is when anger or fear reaches its peak and bursts from within, and it happens when his life is in danger. When the opponent looks into his eyes and stops as if hypnotized, he always survives.

It was the same when Director Kook tried to subdue him. He felt a strong killing intent from Director Kook and thought he would die if he didn’t stop him. But Director Kook attacked him with his eyes closed. What a dirty trick. He recalled it again and realized he was still in the underground of the ant nest. But he couldn’t fully get up.

“If you’re awake, why aren’t you getting up?”

A man with a cane and a rifle in the other hand scolded him. Half of his face was disfigured as if burned. When Han Jemyung didn’t move, the department head clicked his tongue and turned his head.

“Hey, how much time is left?”

“About a minute.”

As soon as Director Kook finished answering, a warning sounded from the speaker.

‘Time remaining until facility collapse: 1 minute. Time remaining until facility collapse: 1 minute. Facility…’

The department head looked at Han Jemyung again.

“You have the switch to stop this… stop crying.”

Han Jemyung wiped his tears with the back of his hand and stood up.

“Stop the collapse setting. I don’t want to die here with you.”

“Do you think anyone wants to?”

Han Jemyung retorted and fumbled with his clothes. Tears kept flowing, making it hard to see. His hands trembled, and he couldn’t find the control device properly. The department head clicked his tongue again.

“How old are you, and you’re still trembling like a coward?”

“They said you were dead, so why, why did you show up like this?”

Han Jemyung’s face was now covered in tears. He gritted his teeth after looking at the department head’s face, but he couldn’t stop his heaving chest and trembling hands. As he wiped his face with the back of his hand again, Director Kook approached and took a small device from his pocket.

“Is this it?”

Han Jemyung nodded.

“Then press it.”

Director Kook placed it in Han Jemyung’s hand and stepped back. When Han Jemyung looked up, he urged him.

“Press it. Save us quickly.”

Han Jemyung lowered his head. Tears flowed uncontrollably as if his body was broken. Click. He pressed the button. Soon after, an announcement informed them that the collapse operation had been canceled.

***

I was hospitalized for a week. My condition must have been quite serious. After a simple surgery, I mostly slept for a few days. During that time, many people visited my hospital room. The incident at the ant nest became top secret, and I was treated as if I had never been there.

“I strongly insisted. Mr. Han Jemyung wants to hide his abilities and live an ordinary life. We should at least do this for him! I said it firmly. But you wouldn’t believe how stubborn and loud those people who just sit and sign documents are. They said Mr. Han Jemyung should be reinstated and given a big award, that he should be rewarded globally for his contributions, but I blocked it all. Don’t worry. You can continue living as the insignificant low-ranking employee of the Special Department.”

The lawyer proudly boasted of his achievements. It didn’t matter that he was speaking informally the first time we met. I felt like my wounds would burst from the tension in my body.

“There was talk of a reward?”

“They wanted to give you more pension than an Olympic gold medalist. Hmph, no way. That’s the opposite of what Mr. Han Jemyung, who wants an ordinary life, desires. Right?”

No, absolutely not. Damn, a pension. As a professional lottery player who buys a pension lottery ticket every week, my blood pressure soared. If they gave me a pension, I’d be willing to reveal my past and appear on TV.

“If they insist on giving me a pension…”

“I told them that several times, but I firmly blocked it every time. No one will mention the ant nest or the pension to you. Everyone who knows will pretend not to know and treat you like the insignificant Mr. Han Jemyung. All your worries are solved now.”

You’re my biggest worry. I tried to grab the lawyer by the collar, but my injured arm and shoulder ached, so I lay back down. The lawyer looked at my grimacing face and raised his chin.

“You owe me big time, so make sure to repay me when I need it.”

I wanted to repay him with a punch right then and there, but he suddenly got a phone call. As soon as he saw the number, he beamed and pointed at the phone.

“Do you know what this call is about?”

“No.”

“Haha, you don’t even know that?”

The saying “You can’t spit on a smiling face” exists for a reason. It’s possible, hence the proverb. While I was busy gathering spit, the lawyer, feeling good, answered the call.

“It’s a call saying all my debts are cleared, haha—Hello. Yes, as of today, all my debts are… What? The money didn’t come in? That can’t be. Mr. Kim promised to send the money by today… What?! He ran away?!”

It seemed someone had run off without paying. The lawyer wasn’t someone to mess with; if caught, the person might lose their head. Without even saying goodbye, the lawyer dashed out of the hospital room, shouting.

“How dare he run off with money owed to me and the state guy!”

Not just hair, but heads might roll. I was amazed at the audacity of someone who could run off with money owed to the lawyer and Yangsimless. Thanks to that, I momentarily forgot about my pension, but a few days later, someone kindly reminded me. The second visitor was the head of the Restoration Office. Seeing him for the first time in years, he comforted me.

“Don’t worry. Even though the TP-related matters have come to light, you’ll never be exposed. Manager Yoo from the Population Management Office has stepped in to wrap things up.”

“What do you mean by wrapping things up?”

“The achievements of the TP department are being re-evaluated, so he’s being called everywhere.”

“…And he’s getting a pension too?”

“Yes. Manager Yoo has taken on a big task, but he smiled and said it’s okay.”

“…He smiled?”

“Yes. When you meet him, thank him. It’s such a tear-jerking camaraderie that he’s willing to step up for you.”

My heart bled tears.

“Tell Manager Yoo I’ll visit him every day I receive my pension.”

“Are you that grateful? Haha, you’ve matured.”

I was bewildered, thinking he was mocking me.

“I thought you must have come to your senses after hearing you trembled and cried in front of the department head.”

He was mocking me. But I was more curious about something else.

“Why did you tell me the department head was dead? And why is his face like that? He was injured and in critical condition, but he didn’t look like that.”

“There was a Heartless among the hospital patients. That patient went on a rampage, causing a big fire. The department head got injured while evacuating people and was the last to come out. You were in bad shape then, so he told us to just say he was dead.”

“Thinking of others even when he’s injured.”

“That’s not new for him. But now that his body isn’t what it used to be, he won’t be stepping up anymore.”

“You never know. His shooting skills seemed as good as ever.”

I muttered, recalling when I woke up in the underground. It was definitely the department head holding the gun. And later, I heard him talking to Yangsimless.

‘Thanks to you, I avenged my family. Thank you.’

“Anyway, the department head received a big award this time, so he’ll live more comfortably now.”

“The department head got an award too? And a pension?”

“He’s getting a minister-level pension. It’s a relief that the TP department members are being treated well.”

What about me? Me? Me! The words didn’t come out. The head of the Restoration Office, saying he had urgent matters, left empty-handed as he came. The next visitors were the 4K members. They didn’t know I had gone to the ant nest. I expected it to be noisy with all three of them coming at once, but their expressions were as bad as mine, probably because they all failed their first meeting.

“Mr. Han Jemyung has terrible luck. Meeting a Heartless on the way to a meeting and ending up like this.”

Muscly Man clicked his tongue, shaking his head. Yes, I had become the unfortunate person who met a Heartless on the way to a meeting and got hospitalized. Of course, not getting a pension already made me quite unfortunate.

“Some people just can’t catch a break, no matter what they do.”

Clicker added, and Drunkard concluded.

“Destined to live alone.”

I trembled with my aching arm and jotted down ideas for my next novel on a notepad. The story of a half-brother who, while exercising, gets a cramp in his leg, steps back, and falls over a dumbbell, ending up bedridden; the story of a shopaholic protagonist’s friend who gets buried under a pile of delivery boxes and also ends up bedridden; and finally, an extra who, while drinking, gets dumped by a lover 20 years older.

While I was pouring my heart into my creative activities, CEO Na arrived. He stood in front of me, silently looking down. I knew. I knew he had seen my performance on CCTV. But according to the lawyer, everyone would pretend not to know since everything was to be covered up, so he couldn’t easily speak. Instead, I spoke first.

“It’s alright. If you have anything to say to me, go ahead.”

“Yes. I should.”

CEO Na nodded and handed me something. What’s this? I looked, and it was a bill.

“Mr. Han Jemyung, there’s a fine because you didn’t attend the first meeting.”

Damn. I quickly checked the amount. It was my week’s food expenses.

“This is, no, how can the amount be this… No, is the fine usually this big?”

I stammered in shock, but embarrassment didn’t matter. CEO Na answered with a sympathetic face.

“I believe the fine increases with the event cost.”

No! This must be a dream! A fine on top of losing my pension! As I despaired, his consolation came.

“Money doesn’t matter. It’s fortunate you weren’t more seriously injured.”

Money mattered more to me. But was he implying he would pay the fine…

“You might still have trouble moving, so ask me to pay the fine. I’ll go to the bank for you.”

I just wanted him to leave my room. Yet the tactless CEO Na stood there silently again.

“I’ll pay the fine myself, so you don’t have to worry.”

I spoke to CEO Na with a deflated voice, and then he said something strange.

“I don’t believe in fate.”

“You don’t trust the bank?”

“No. Fate.”

Fate out of nowhere.

“What about you, Mr. Han Jemyung? Do you believe in fate?”

“Well, I believe in coincidences, but I’m not sure about fate.”

He smiled at me as if satisfied with my answer.

“Do you remember Director Kook saying he risked his life three years ago to meet someone? The other person died, and he only brought back that person’s belongings, which included a novel. Three years ago, Director Kook went to a place called Iguala in Mexico. Ah, of course, you know.”

“…”

“He encountered a group of U.S. military leaders at the entrance of the desert and was warned. If you go in, you’ll die. But Director Kook didn’t die. He didn’t just bring back belongings either. He saved a person.”

I was momentarily stunned. He patiently waited for my reaction.

“Saved a person…?”

“Yes. The person was wearing protective clothing and was near the bag he picked up.”

“…”

“I think maybe Director Kook saved the person he wanted to meet. But that’s just my guess.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

I thanked him in a daze. But his smile disappeared.

“It’s not something to be thankful for. I mentioned it first out of selfish concern. If you heard it from Director Kook, I worried it might lead to something I didn’t want, thinking about the word ‘fate.'”

“What is it that you don’t want, CEO Na?”

“Who knows.”

He left the room with a slight smile and ambiguous words.

“Something that might make you resent fate.”

What is he talking about? Trying to interpret CEO Na’s words gave me a headache with all the other concerns. Chief among them was undoubtedly the pension and the fine. I felt sick. Maybe sensing my distress, a nurse entered the room. She carried a large basket.

“Mr. Han Jemyung.”

She placed the basket on the table beside me and spoke professionally.

“Please ensure such gifts do not come to the hospital. Especially items like these moldy potatoes. It’s best not to eat them.”

I looked at the so-called moldy potatoes in the basket. They were truffles.

“They’re mushrooms.”