The Perfect

“Since the drug has only been found in the U.S. and Korea, everyone assumes so. At first, I suspected the supplier might be Korean, but it doesn’t seem like it. The U.S. seems to have identified the supplier, and if they were Korean, they would have asked for our cooperation. But instead, they are not only unresponsive but also desperate to hide it as if it never happened. This means the culprit is someone they know well, someone who shares a very dirty secret with them.”“…….”“Aren’t you curious about what that dirty secret is?”“No.”He chuckled at my answer.“I think Director Kook knows that dirty secret. Three years ago, when Heartless turned the whole world into a battlefield, Director Kook traveled everywhere that could make money. Then he was investigated by the U.S. intelligence service for a while after visiting somewhere. He must have learned something then. Director Kook has an uncanny sense for these things.”“CEO Ryu, whatever you’re trying to say, I’m not interested in hearing more.”“I know. Han Jemyung, you don’t want to get involved in serious matters, so you don’t want to hear highly confidential information that anyone would be curious about.”That was what I had said to the Special Agent at the anthill. He must have really been watching from behind the glass.“If you don’t want to hear it, cover your ears. I’m going to keep talking.”“I really don’t know anything about Director Kook.”“Did you hear? The dutiful daughter who set up a lab in a bunker to save her father was acquitted.”I frowned. She was released? Why? She had imprisoned Heartless and conducted experiments, causing the deaths of both researchers and guards. This time, I couldn’t tell him to stop.“She provided important information. It was a way to contact the supplier. But if you rashly contact him and he notices and ignores you, it’s over. So, you have to be very careful when contacting him. You need to leak information that he can’t ignore. For example, finding and informing the supplier of a Korean he has a grudge against would be good.”“A grudge?”Yes, he nodded vigorously.“There’s no other reason to deliberately spread the drug in Korea. Of course, I don’t think Director Kook is the target. If he were, Director Kook would have already done something. But I believe Director Kook knows who the target is. I want to know who that is.”“You said the supplier is already coming to Korea. Won’t Director Kook handle it?”“If that information were true, there would have been rumors within the Special Agent. Also, I’ve never seen Director Kook waste time when he’s doing something. If he had planned to lure the supplier to Korea and kill him, we would have heard the news after the supplier was already dead.”In my opinion, CEO Ryu was a perfect fit for the position of president of Director Kook’s fan club.“Whatever the reason for leaking that information, it’s clear that Director Kook isn’t involved.”By ‘that side,’ he probably meant Director Kook’s lawyer. It was definitely political maneuvering. I wanted no part in it.“Then there’s nothing more I can do. I can’t uncover secrets known only to Director Kook.”“You might be able to. There must be a reason Director Kook still keeps you at 4K. He probably feels very close to you.”I held my breath to avoid showing any reaction. Could the keen eyes of a hardcore fan have figured it out?“He’s developed a bond through years of revenge. It’s called ‘hate affection’.”It sounded plausible enough to almost convince me. Was it really hate affection?“Still, affection is affection. Without you even realizing, you’ve become closer to Director Kook than anyone else.”“No matter what, I can’t extract information.”“You don’t need to. Just keep your ears open and let me know if you hear something important.”“I really don’t want to. I don’t see why I should.”While refusing, I was secretly hoping for an offer of a cash-stuffed apple box.“Let’s just say it’s for the country.”He was remarkably oblivious.“You wouldn’t want a repeat of the situation three years ago, would you? You probably heard rumors back then too. There’s a drug that turns people into Heartless. Heartless suddenly increased because of that drug. Doesn’t it sound similar to the sudden appearance of mutant drugs now?”“……Well. Back then, there were all kinds of drugs. There should be only a few drugs that actually treat Heartless. I even know someone who’s been taking a weird preventive drug for years. And Heartless has been almost conclusively proven to be a disease caused by genetic mutations. I don’t see the connection between the rumors from three years ago and now.”“There is a connection. Three years ago, it might not have been just a rumor. The U.S. government mentioned that rumor when they requested help from Korea. Aren’t you curious about that?”No, I’m not. I know the truth. It was me who boarded the plane at the request of the U.S.* * *The private jet carrying the secret department known as TP took off from the Air Force runway at dawn. Because they hadn’t slept for weeks, hunting Heartless, snoring filled the cabin as soon as the plane leveled off. However, some couldn’t easily close their eyes due to the cramped seats and the hum of the plane.“Han, why do you look so worried already?”Someone called him by his last name as if it were his first name. Since he first arrived, everyone had called him by his last name instead of his first. When he joined TP at the young age of 14, he was pricklier than a hedgehog. Just calling his name would emit cold air, so everyone used his last name. Now, they could hardly remember his first name.“Team Leader, isn’t it strange? Why are they deploying our entire department? We haven’t even put out the urgent fires domestically, and now we’re all being sent away.”“Because we need to put out a bigger fire.”“Honestly, I don’t believe it. A drug that makes Heartless? So, all the Heartless worldwide are part of someone’s conspiracy?”“Seems like it.”The team leader nonchalantly responded. Han was the only one taking the mission seriously. Annoyed that he seemed to be the only one finding the situation odd, he coldly retorted.“Then putting us on a dawn flight far away must also be a conspiracy.”This time, there was a reaction. Laughter erupted from several places.“Oh, our youngest finally figured that out?”“Haha- He acts so smart and only now gets it?”They all mocked him. Han’s face was full of irritation. He had heard the nickname “youngest” for over ten years, and it never failed to annoy him. Although younger agents had come in and temporarily relieved him of the title, they all died. Just a week ago, he became the youngest again, making him dislike the nickname even more.“Damn it, I told you not to call me the youngest.”Puhaha—Even those who were sleeping woke up and laughed. It was always like this. No matter how much he cursed or said harsh words, they still treated Han like a 14-year-old kid. Especially the eight team members he belonged to, who never flinched at his words.“He’s going through puberty.”The usually quiet deputy team leader concluded briefly, and everyone agreed, trying to sleep. Han, accustomed to their reactions, continued with another question that would earn him teasing.“Who would conspire against us?”“Who else? The higher-ups.”“If it was about missing the VIP, wasn’t the department head taking responsibility? Because of that, our whole department was put through the wringer for weeks, and more than half the people died.”Han recalled the events of a few weeks ago, his eyes fierce. In this department, VIPs were the most dangerous class of Heartless. Weeks ago, they were ordered to capture a VIP, and there they met a real VIP. He wasn’t Heartless. He was a human rights lawyer opposing the president.The department’s principle was not to get involved in politics, but the department head made a political decision for the first time. He disobeyed orders and saved them. The fallout from that event led to rumors of the department’s dissolution.However, no one blamed the department head. No matter how high the orders came from, their loyalty lay with the department head. If he said not to do something, it was the right thing to obey. Perhaps that was why they boarded the plane in a rush without complaints. But Han was different.“Someone should stay and protect the department head.”“He’ll handle it. The Restoration Department will be watching, and Deputy Chief Yoo from the neighboring team is still here.”“Deputy Chief Yoo is in the hospital. The Restoration Department won’t step in. They try hard not to reveal any connections to us. If caught, they’ll claim they only taught comedy. What comedy? That’s nonsense.”A few non-sleepers glanced at him. Their eyes shared the same concern. No matter what, Han was the best at utilizing the Restoration Department’s unfunny jokes.“The problem is the Restoration Department.”Someone shook their head. In the now quiet plane, the team leader looked at the still-awake Han. He was more sensitive than usual. Lately, he hadn’t slept and was killing Heartless more fiercely than anyone. Covered in blood every day, he would be the first to rush out, shooting and wielding a knife without even time to wash.The team leader knew why he did that. He hated seeing his team members die. No, he was scared. The boy was cowardly. The death of comrades was something they were always mentally prepared for. They received such training. Han received the same training but couldn’t accept the deaths easily, perhaps because he joined too young.The family-like care had become poison for him. Recently, with other team members dying one after another, and witnessing the youngest of the team being torn apart alive by Heartless, his murderous intent had peaked. He acted like a blade with edges all over his body.It seemed the team felt uneasy about everyone going to an unfamiliar land. Perhaps their fear had reached its peak. That coward. The team leader shook his head. A coward and the youngest, trying to save everyone by running headlong.“It’s not the first time our department has faced a crisis. As always, we just need to achieve our goal properly.”“When have we ever not achieved our goal properly? Damn it, who do you think killed all the Heartless?”“Don’t talk nonsense. Killing Heartless is a given; our goal is something else.”“What is it?”“Survival.”“……”“Don’t die like an idiot by getting distracted. Survive until the end this time too. Soldiers win by surviving. If they try to destroy our department, let them. We’ve survived, and we’ve won, so it doesn’t matter.”“……”“So get some sleep. How long do we have to take care of you?”Han almost retorted but then crossed his arms and leaned back. With his eyes closed, he asked quietly.“Why did the Americans, who boast about everything, ask for our help? And isn’t this classified?”“Because it’s classified, they needed a completely different team. Now, stop complaining and sleep, will you?”“How can I grow any more when I’m already grown?”“Damn Restoration Department.”The team leader cursed softly and shut his eyes tightly. A moment later, he peeked and saw Han scribbling in a small notebook. It was the notebook Han used to calm his mind. Probably a childish novel. He thought no one knew he wrote such things, but everyone in the department knew.They all kept quiet, waiting for the right moment to reveal it. Sometimes they teased him by asking what he was writing, and he would bare his teeth and growl. Cute kid. Fine, if you’re not going to sleep, write in that. The team leader tried to sleep again.Hours later, while everyone else was asleep, Han still clutched his notebook. But his pen hadn’t moved for a long time. He had tried to sleep as the team leader suggested, but it only made him more alert. Surviving. That’s what he had to do. Everyone had to live. He wouldn’t let anyone die. He piled on these resolutions throughout the long flight.After getting off the plane and traveling by car for over a day, they finally reached their destination. It was a closed-off city in Mexico. As they were let through, the American soldiers glanced curiously at the Easterners speaking an unfamiliar language. The city bordered the desert, and their car stopped at a base camp deep inside the desert. There were no other soldiers from different countries. Only the U.S. soldiers and them.“Did they really only call us?”While the team leaders went to talk to the American officer, someone asked Han’s deputy team leader. Even the calm and composed deputy team leader found this odd. He had seen people who looked like hunters while passing through the city.When the U.S. requested help, they had cited a shortage of people to eliminate Heartless and the importance of friendly relations to maintain secrecy. But hunters? The use of hunters in military operations suggested a severe shortage of hands.However, hunters weren’t typically individuals who maintained secret-friendly relations. The more he thought about it, the stranger this mission seemed. It felt like more than just a collaboration between higher-ups who saw TP as a thorn in their side and those targeting the anthill, hoping they’d fail. It felt like there was something more.In a battlefield where life and death were decided in less than a second, developing a sense for such things and trusting it implicitly was perhaps natural. He didn’t like this desert. Looking around at the uneasy team members, he saw Han cleaning his gun in the corner. Han looked ready to fight at any moment.Since sensing something off when they entered the desert, he had said nothing. This team had fewer casualties than others. The reason was Han. Every team member had benefitted from his special ability. Han knew this and always wanted to be at the forefront.The deputy team leader planned to remove Han from the team after this mission if anything went wrong. They had used him for over ten years. Despite being the most cowardly, he fought fiercely to protect his teammates. Before he went insane, they would kick him out. TP seemed destined to dissolve anyway. After a while, the team leader returned and gathered the team.“This city is occupied by a drug cartel. They developed a new drug that supposedly causes Heartless.”The team murmured. So, Heartless suddenly increasing was because of the drug? Such a drug exists?“The American side isn’t giving more details. The important thing is to find the drug and destroy it all. As you know, the desert is vast. We’ll support the American soldiers from the back to let them focus on the task.”“By support, you mean killing the drug cartel?”“Yes. Kill them even if they’re not Heartless.”Then the deputy team leader asked,“I saw hunters in the city. Are they here for the same purpose?”“No. They came to catch real Heartless. Their goal is to find and eliminate those who turned into Heartless after taking the drug.”Everyone silently watched each other. Our task is to handle those who aren’t Heartless?“Don’t get unsettled. They say everyone in the gangs and the desert is addicted to the drug. Even if they haven’t shown symptoms yet, they’ll soon turn into Heartless. We have to ensure no one in the desert escapes. That’s our mission.”Smoke rose daily from the mountains connected to the desert. They found and burned the fields growing drugs, dousing the ground with strong chemicals to make it infertile. Han’s team killed hidden individuals in the desert outskirts designated by the American soldiers. It wasn’t difficult.Even though they were drug cartel members, they couldn’t stand a chance against TP agents who fought Heartless. It was far easier than dealing with Heartless. However, the team’s dissatisfaction grew daily. The American soldiers treated the Easterners from a faraway country like their lackeys.They weren’t clearly informed of the operations or objectives. All they received were instructions: search this area, kill this person. It didn’t make sense. Why call us for this task? Someone raised this question.“Is it because we don’t understand their language? We know basic English, but none of us speak Spanish. We can’t understand what the drug cartel members are saying.”“What could they say other than ‘please spare me’? Oh right, they talk about El Niño and worry about the environment.”It means child, referring to baby Jesus too. Someone added, trying to show off their knowledge.“Niño means child or baby, and el means the. But there must be other words. When I point a gun at them, they kneel and say something long, always shaking their heads as if they don’t know. But without a dictionary or internet access here, and without proper phone connections, how can we understand?”He was right. They couldn’t contact the outside world here. All communication devices except short-range radios were confiscated upon entering. External contact had to be done using the American soldiers’ equipment.“I get that their homeland is in chaos and they’re short on people, so they called for outsiders. But there are hunters outside the desert too. So why specifically involve us? We must have a condition they need.”“Language?”“Exactly. Whatever the cartel members say, we can’t understand.”Han’s team looked at the team leader. What do you think, leader? He remained silent, deep in thought. The deputy team leader spoke first.“Medicina.”What’s that? Some looked puzzled, while others understood.“They often said that, shaking their heads while saying ‘medicina something.’ Deputy leader, do you know what it means?”“No, but if it’s similar to English, one guess would be ‘medicine.'”That made sense. The Americans were looking for a drug that caused Heartless. The problem was another word.“What about ‘cure’? They always said it together with ‘medicina’.”The one who first raised the question nodded. Yes, that word always came up together.“Does ‘cure’ mean drug?”“No, cure.”The team leader spoke for the first time. They all frowned at him.“Cure means to heal. How do you know that?”“I heard the American medics use it. They laughed, imitating Spanish while looking at the Mexican drugs.”Silence fell again. It was strange. The cartel supposedly had the drug causing Heartless. So why did they use a word meaning cure? Why call us when we don’t even speak the language?“Shouldn’t we inform the other teams?”The deputy team leader asked, but the leader shook his head.“Nothing is confirmed yet. Rumors only spread anxiety.”“Then we can warn them about non-rumors?”Han’s voice was heard. Everyone looked at him cleaning his weapon in the corner. What do you mean? they asked. He pointed at the American barracks with his chin.“A truckload of goods arrived a while ago. Curious, I snuck a peek and saw spacesuit-like hazmat suits. They had a lot, but only for themselves.”Again, all eyes turned to the team leader. He frowned. The deputy leader spoke up.“We all know they’re well-prepared.”“Yes, meaning they’re ready to use them anytime. We have no preparation, so if they use biochemical weapons, we’re done for. No one wants to become a giant joke.”Curses for the Restoration Department erupted again, lightening the mood. The team leader stepped forward, dividing them into groups and giving instructions.“From now on, don’t just kill the drug cartel members on sight. Listen carefully to what they say and write it down. If they seem to know anything about ‘medicina,’ don’t tell the Americans. Inform me first. It wouldn’t hurt to confirm whether they’re really looking for the drug that causes Heartless or something else.”Even with thorough searches, the desert was vast, and some cartel members managed to escape to the barricaded borders. Han and his partner chased them, eventually splitting up. Han pursued the youngest one to a road leading to the city and finally caught him.However, there were people in the city who came to help him. Those who got off the truck started shooting wildly. Han quickly found cover and reloaded. He took a deep breath. Fear surged through him. It always did. He had never faced Heartless without fear.But the fear of causing harm to his team due to his mistakes was greater than the fear of dying. I have to do my part. Embracing his fear, he started shooting. His shots missed the people but successfully immobilized the truck.A while later, Han had a knife to the neck of the young cartel member he had been chasing. The bodies of those who had fallen to Han’s attacks lay around them. The cartel member’s eyes were filled with terror. To him, the young Eastern man who had slaughtered his comrades seemed like the Grim Reaper. The young cartel member mumbled something, trembling with his hands clasped. Han said two words to him.“Curar medicina.”The cartel member understood and started drawing something in the dirt with his finger. He mumbled more words, but Han could only make out “curar medicina.” Han closely examined the map he drew. It was simple and messy like a child’s drawing, but Han recognized it at a glance.It was the entrance to the mountains. Suddenly, applause came from afar. Startled, Han turned to see someone leaning out of a car stopped beyond the barricade, whistling. A man with a hunter’s mark, who had apparently been watching Han’s fight from a distance, cheered in English, giving a thumbs-up.In the moment Han was distracted, the cartel member tried to escape. Han’s hand moved instinctively. The knife flew and pierced the cartel member’s neck. Applause rang out again. Han glared at the man with narrowed eyes and turned away. He knew where the map led.After wandering the desert for the past ten days, he could recognize it instantly. Han erased the map in the dirt with his foot and returned to the team. That night, after discussing something important with the team, Han was called by the Americans. Inside the barracks were the second-highest-ranking lieutenant in the American team and the team leader from another team who acted as an interpreter due to his good English.“Hey, Han.”The lieutenant, whom Han had met a few times, called his name familiarly. Then a long speech followed. The interpreter translated briefly.“He says you’re impressive.”The lieutenant complained about the short translation, so the interpreter added reluctantly.“He says there’s no one like you even among the American soldiers.”“Is that an insult or a compliment?”“The lieutenant means it as a compliment, and I mean it as an insult.”Han made an American insult with his fingers. The interpreter chuckled and resumed talking with the lieutenant. They seemed quite friendly.“The guy you chased and killed today had outside support? He wants to know more details.”“I’ve already reported everything.”“Didn’t he say anything strange? Point somewhere with his hand?”“Where?”“Did he point?”“No.”The interpreter muttered, “Is that so,” and continued talking with the lieutenant. The lieutenant shook his head, seemingly not believing Han’s story. Han couldn’t understand everything, but he realized the person he killed today held a high position within the cartel.“Did he really not tell you anything? Didn’t give you anything?”“Even if he did, I wouldn’t understand. And even if I did, I wouldn’t know what it meant.”The interpreter smiled and nodded, but his words contradicted his expression.“You found out something. We’ll call you separately. You can go now.”Han left, glancing back. The interpreter and lieutenant were talking seriously in low voices. Han met the interpreter again a few evenings later. Han had already informed the team leader about his discovery, but they found nothing at the mountain entrance.They had to search the areas assigned by the Americans daily, leaving little time for secret investigations. The interpreter solved this problem. Han received a message to come secretly and entered a barrack, stopping in his tracks. His team leader, deputy leader, and the interpreter were there. But there was someone who shouldn’t be there—the American lieutenant.“What’s he doing here?”Han openly showed his displeasure, and the deputy leader signaled him to sit quietly. The interpreter spoke first.“First, what we’re about to discuss is classified, so don’t tell anyone else in the department yet.”Han held back his question and waited. The interpreter looked each person in the eye as if seeking a promise before getting to the point.“A while ago, the lieutenant asked for my help. The original purpose of coming here was to find research evidence and then clean everything up. However, the evidence wasn’t what we thought. This is something only a few people here know, but the drug they’re looking for isn’t the one that creates Heartless, but…”“A cure, right?”The interpreter paused and glanced at the team leader, who had spoken.“How did you know?”“Judging by how things are going. So, they’re looking for a cure, but why tell everyone the opposite?”“They can’t let people know it’s a drug. And they’re not even sure it works. In that state, the cartel claimed they discovered an entirely new herb that was the cure. They made a ridiculous demand—to release their comrades from American prisons and pay them a huge sum. The Americans decided to eliminate them and used a misinformation strategy.”“That’s not our concern. What help do they need from us?”“Didn’t you find anything strange while eliminating the cartels?”“What do you mean?”“There are no Heartless.”Han’s team exchanged glances and asked the interpreter,“Does that mean the drug really works?”“We don’t know. But it’s certain no one here shows Heartless symptoms. The problem is, we’re not the only ones noticing. The lieutenant was sent from another department to oversee this mission, but the major manages the entire base. Technically, the lieutenant is an outsider here. The major’s unit specializes in missions related to Heartless, so they have strong bonds and loyalty. They’ll follow the major’s orders without question, even if they’re wrong.”“What wrong orders?”“The American government ordered them to find an herb that’s one of the drug’s ingredients. It’s unreported in academia, so if the drug is a cure, the herb must play a crucial role. Finding it could save the world. Conversely, they could watch the world die and sell it to a few for a huge profit.”“The major plans to keep the herb for himself?”The interpreter spoke to the lieutenant again. The lieutenant’s expression was grim.“The reports to the higher-ups are increasingly filled with lies. They claim the drug has no effect and there are Heartless here. The hunters outside are now a double-layer defense against escaping cartels but are growing curious about the situation inside. There’s also a rumor about a notorious hunter with an axe nearby. The major seems to be in a hurry. They found a large amount of drugs a few days ago, which the cartel members had taken. Probably the cure. But they hid this from the lieutenant. If they find the herb too, something big could happen. We, the witnesses, might be eliminated first.”“Why tell us this? Why not ask the great American government for help?”“The lieutenant is being watched. He believes only we can help.”“Trusting us is fine, but fighting all the American soldiers will get us all killed. What can we do alone?”The interpreter hesitated, glancing at the lieutenant. The two whispered. The deputy team leader demanded sharply.“If you want help, you must be transparent with us first.”“They have an operation called ‘Clear.’ It’s a top-secret mission created to handle widespread Heartless among armed soldiers. The lieutenant, being an outsider, was sent to this team to oversee and execute ‘Clear’ if necessary.”“Execute ‘Clear’ now then.”The interpreter shook his head.“‘Clear’ means total annihilation. The headquarters will drop bombs to obliterate this place. We won’t have time to escape. It’s a last resort. We need to act first.”The deputy team leader frowned in displeasure, and Han seemed about to curse but was silenced by the team leader’s words.“Understood. What do you want us to do?”“Your team has been searching somewhere these past few days, right? Han heard something from the cartel member?”“Correct.”“Tell us where. If the herb the major seeks is there, we must act first.”“Agreed. We will handle it.”The team leader looked the lieutenant straight in the eyes.“But we’ll find and confirm it first. You wait.”After leaving the place, the team leader remained silent for a while. It was only at dawn that he sat the two down and discussed his plan, adding,“I trust the interpreter, but I can’t trust the lieutenant yet. He might have deceived the interpreter. We need to be prepared for all scenarios. Han, you said you found the entrance?”Han nodded. He hadn’t told the interpreter, but they had found an underground entrance at the mountain’s base.“It doesn’t seem like there are any people. It’s a natural underground cave, not man-made. It looks like it was used as a storage or shelter. The paths inside are like a maze, so we couldn’t explore it all.”“Be careful. Tomorrow, go in with the deputy team leader and follow my instructions.”The team leader’s orders were clear. But Han couldn’t follow them the next day. The American major called for him. There was no interpreter. Instead, an Asian man was waiting on a military laptop monitor. He seemed to be the one controlling the only communication link to the outside.“I will interpret the major’s words.”The man on the laptop, who appeared to be a civilian, seemed tense and stiff. He listened intently to the major’s words and translated them.“Recently, there have been strange movements within the base. There’s a lieutenant who joined from outside, and his role is to report the situation to the higher-ups, but it seems he’s making false reports.”“False reports?”“The major says… the reports claim that Heartless are frequently seen in the area, but the drug has no effect. However, that’s incorrect.”The major repeated what the lieutenant had said just yesterday. Han stared at the major and asked,“If it’s a false report, why not contact the higher-ups directly?”“I did. But I was ignored. The lieutenant has allies among the higher-ups, blocking my communication.”The interpreter conveyed the major’s words. Han looked back at the major. The interpreter continued,“The lieutenant has significant authority. It’s an emergency-only authority, but if he has truly betrayed us, he might find what he wants and execute that operation. If that happens… um…”The interpreter stammered, flustered.“Everyone will be annihilated.”“Then capture the lieutenant and torture him before that happens.”The major shook his head at Han’s suggestion. He looked Han straight in the eyes and spoke seriously.“It’s not just about the lieutenant. To root out the corruption in the military command, he must be kept alive. We need to know what he’s planning and what he’s obtained. This is also about your lives. We knew from the start that ‘Clear’ would be executed if things went wrong. The people we’ve killed here under the guise of punishing the cartel—do you think they were all cartel members? No, many were innocent civilians. Women, children, the elderly—we killed them all. Do you think the American government wants the world to know they killed countless people and stole their drugs more ruthlessly than the cartel? That’s why only the military was here. Then you suddenly arrived. Did you know that the order to kill you all after this mission was given from above?”Han couldn’t respond. The major lowered his voice, looking at Han intently.“If you want to live, help us. I want to save my subordinates too. We’ve committed crimes under wrong orders, but I want to catch those who seek to profit from the drug and set things right. I want these loyal soldiers who follow me to live honorably.”Even if Han couldn’t understand his words, he could sense the sincerity.“I know he’s close to you. Especially with the team leaders. You’re a special member of your department, so you must have heard something. Tell me what was said and what his intentions are.”Han shook his head after hearing the interpreter’s words.“I don’t know anything.”“Hmm… If you trust the lieutenant, he says he can show proof of his betrayal tomorrow night. Decide whether to help after that.”“Proof?”“They’ve set a trap. They’ll announce they’ve found the herb’s location. The lieutenant will likely act suspiciously. Watch his actions closely. And don’t tell anyone about this conversation. The lieutenant has already recruited key members of your team.”Han ended the conversation with the major. That day, he couldn’t carry out the team leader’s orders. Han realized someone had been following him for a while. He couldn’t move easily. The next night, the interpreter approached him in the dark and whispered,“Han, there’s trouble. The major’s side seems to have found a clue. We need to act on the cave you found before they do. There’s no time. We need to go there now.”The lieutenant’s truck stopped at the mountain entrance where Han had found the cave. The lieutenant got out and asked urgently,“Is this it? The underground cave, did you find the entrance?”Frustrated that Han didn’t understand, he gestured to hurry, but Han waited for the interpreter. The interpreter arrived late, checking if anyone was following.“We can’t stay long. They’ll notice we’re gone and start searching soon.”“It’s this way.”Han led the way, pointing towards the entrance. He moved the camouflaged obstacles, revealing a narrow entrance, and the lieutenant went in first, followed by Han and the interpreter. After bending over for a bit, they could stand upright as the space widened.“It’s like Ali Baba’s secret cave,” the lieutenant muttered, then turned to Han.“How far did you explore? Did you find anything?”The interpreter relayed the question, but Han shook his head.“I don’t know what you’re looking for. Even if I found something, I wouldn’t know if it’s what you seek.”“Just tell me what you saw.”“Promise me first.”“Promise what?”“That you won’t activate ‘Clear’ now.”The interpreter frowned and asked Han,“What are you talking about? Why would he activate it now? ‘Clear’ involves contacting headquarters to drop bombs on this area. He can’t even contact them from here.”“If ‘Clear’ means dropping bombs, why does he have hazmat suits hidden in his truck?”“What?”The interpreter hadn’t relayed anything yet, but the lieutenant seemed to sense something and stepped back, drawing his gun.“Lead me to where you found the herb.”The interpreter flinched and stepped back, but Han calmly showed what he was holding—a detonator capable of setting off a bomb.“The team leader has already planted bombs here. If you activate ‘Clear’ and sacrifice our team, you won’t get anything. I’ll kill you. Hand over your gun.”After a moment, the lieutenant gritted his teeth and handed over the gun. Han passed the detonator to the interpreter, urging,“I need to get back quickly. My disappearance puts the teams in danger.”“What the hell is going on? Did the lieutenant lie to us? What’s the danger to the team?”Han didn’t have time to explain in detail. He just pointed at the lieutenant and said,“He lied. But he also told the truth.”Han had never cared about the truth. He didn’t care who lied or who told the truth. He only wanted his team and department members to leave this place alive. So he trusted neither the major nor the lieutenant. Everyone lies. So he assumed both were lying.That was the truth. As he drove quickly towards the camp, the sound of gunfire grew louder. The fight had already begun. His team leader shared his view. Both were lying, so to survive, they had to subdue both.As Han left the camp, his team decided to strike the American soldiers first. They were used to fighting. But fighting trained soldiers with guns wasn’t easy. They had started, expecting significant casualties. Better to save as many as possible than be annihilated by one side.Han pressed the accelerator. He had to get there quickly. He had to help… Then, a loud explosion was heard. The gunfire stopped. Han, startled, pressed the accelerator harder. Damn, what was that? There was no fire or explosion shockwave, just the sound. What had exploded…Puzzled, Han suddenly braked hard. Thanks to the bright moonlight, he could see the white smoke covering the camp. Someone in a hazmat suit, holding a gun, walked out. The suit was covered in blood. It was clear—they were American soldiers.One of them pointed at Han’s car and turned towards the smoke. Soon, more soldiers in hazmat suits, holding guns, ran out. Even as their guns aimed at him, Han didn’t move the car. He only stared at the camp shrouded in smoke.Two things were certain. The ‘Clear’ the lieutenant planned to use wasn’t a biochemical weapon. The major was using biochemical weapons. The lieutenant had hidden the hazmat suits in the truck out of cowardice, hoping to survive alone. Misunderstanding that had led to complacency. And the TP members trapped in the smoke were likely all dead.Bang, bang!Bullets hit Han’s car. He didn’t duck but calmly shifted gears and reversed. Bullets pierced the windshield and lodged in the passenger seat. But the gunfire seemed irrelevant to Han, whose face remained expressionless.As he slowly reversed, several cars emerged from the camp. Han sped up, leading them away. Guessing his destination, the pursuing cars stopped shooting. Han, with the soldiers in tow, stopped at the cave entrance. He deliberately crawled into the cave, inviting pursuit.But as he straightened up in the wide space, he paused. There was a smell of blood. Han, without turning on a light, moved towards the scent. He heard cars stopping outside. The soldiers would soon storm in. But Han felt no urgency. He followed the scent, hand on the wall, through several winding paths until he saw a small light.“Don’t move.”The lieutenant’s warning echoed. He was sitting against the wall, bleeding from his chest, holding a detonator. Across from him, the interpreter sat in a similar state, but his head was bleeding. He was aiming a gun at the lieutenant.“I let my guard down. That bastard fought like hell to keep the cave from collapsing.”“Speak in English!”The lieutenant shouted, but the interpreter sneered and continued.“The ‘Clear’ operation is triggered by his biometric response. If his biometric response stops and no confirmation signal is sent within 30 minutes, bombs will rain down here. But he claims he lost the device that can send the confirmation signal. He says he realized it only after coming here. Can you believe that? He’s threatening that if he dies, everyone dies, but who knows what’s true.”The interpreter paused, struggling to speak, then asked,“What about the team members?”Han didn’t answer and turned his head. Footsteps echoed as several people entered the cave.“Hold on for just 10 minutes.”“Can’t you make it 5?”The interpreter weakly smiled and asked back, blood trickling down his forehead. Han nodded and silently moved his hand. A small knife embedded itself in the lieutenant’s neck. He didn’t even realize his death, his face still tense.“I’ll be back in 5 minutes.”With those words, Han disappeared. Five minutes later, Han returned, covered in blood, but the interpreter had stopped breathing. Han looked at him briefly, then took the detonator from the lieutenant’s hand. As he exited the cave, a loud explosion echoed behind him.Twenty minutes later, a military vehicle entered the camp, still shrouded in smoke. A figure in a hazmat suit emerged. The remaining American soldiers, thinking he was a comrade, approached, only to be taken down by a sudden attack.Thirty minutes later, Han, having killed everyone, went to the TP department members’ barracks. The lieutenant had been dead for a while, so the American government would soon bomb the place. Han didn’t care that there was no time to escape. He didn’t care that the American major was missing.Before him lay the team leader, limbs twisted, neck half-severed. The deputy team leader, riddled with bullets, lay on the ground. All the team members who called him the youngest were dead in horrific ways.A moment later, Han blocked the entrance to the bunker with a large military truck. He drained the truck’s fuel and crawled into the pit beneath it. Hugging his military backpack to his chest, he curled up like a child inside the hazmat suit, holding his breath. I have to live. The team leader’s voice echoed like a hallucination. Living is winning.Jinwook frowned at the Restoration Department manager’s explanation.“So our government deliberately sent TP agents to their deaths? Even though the Americans said they would kill them to maintain secrecy?”“Yes.”“And the drug? Was it really a cure?”“I don’t think so.”The Restoration Department manager shook his head.“This incident revealed that the drug’s ingredients didn’t cure but eliminated Heartless’s weaknesses. The cartel mistook it for a cure. So did the American soldiers who stole it.”“And the major…”Jinwook frowned.“The major is the supplier of the mutant drug, isn’t he? Does he hate Korea because most of his unit was wiped out?”“They say he had a special affection for his subordinates. Now, let me ask. How does Director Kook know the major?”“Director Kook…”Jinwook paused, recalling.“I understand he was working nearby for a large sum. Then he heard something and went into a desert to meet someone. I think that’s when they met. If the place mentioned is in Mexico…”Jinwook suddenly stopped, eyes widening in realization.“Dongil City. It was a city in Mexico.”CEO Ryu explained to the expressionless Han Jemyung, as if asking if he still didn’t understand.“Three years ago, Director Kook was at the place where the rumors were. There’s a rumor that Director Kook entered an area controlled by the American military. He must have met the supplier of the mutant drug there, in Mexico.”“Where in Mexico?”Han Jemyung’s eyes turned cold, but CEO Ryu didn’t notice. He smiled as he recalled the city’s name.“Iguala. It means ‘equal’ in English.”Jinwook clicked his tongue at the incredible coincidence. Director Kook and Han Jemyung had been connected since three years ago, and they had met the same person who was now threatening Korea. Jinwook’s expression hardened.“The major must never find out that Han Jemyung is alive. It would be too dangerous.”“Who would be in danger?”“Who else? Han Jemyung.”The Restoration Department manager’s lips slowly twisted.“Hey, were you even listening to me? Han Jemyung is not the one in danger. It’s the major who will be in danger if Han Jemyung learns the truth and returns to his past.”“So…”Han Jemyung spoke slowly, confirming,“The person who took the drug from Iguala three years ago is the one supplying the mutant drug to Korea now.”“That’s my guess.”A faint smile appeared on Han Jemyung’s face.“I really want to meet that bastard.”* * *Love, Purity, Passion, The Name is Burning White Rose – Episode 17 AM. As always, the alarm clock rang. Wi Siwoo had to get up because of a part-time job he was starting today, but he couldn’t easily get up, having stayed up late watching shooting stars.“I don’t want to get up.”Wi Siwoo mumbled, pulling the luxurious silk blanket, only used in the suite rooms of a 7-star hotel in Arabia, over his head. It was a gift from the boss when he went for a job interview and smiled.‘After a good sleep with this blanket, make sure to come to work tomorrow.’The boss’s charming voice echoed in his ears, but Wi Siwoo’s eyes wouldn’t open easily. As the youngest of nine siblings, he was bright and cheerful, having grown up receiving all the family’s love, but he couldn’t wake up alone in the morning. His brothers, knowing this habit well, opened the door and woke him up.“Come on, little puppy, time to get up?”With a soft voice, his brother’s hand stroked his head. As Wi Siwoo barely opened his eyes, he saw his brothers surrounding him, smiling.“What a sleepyhead.”“That’s harsh, brother. Where else in the world is such a beautiful sleepyhead?”“Sleeping Beauty.”All the brothers nodded at the eldest brother’s reply. Right, Siwoo must have been Sleeping Beauty in a past life. Siwoo blushed at the compliments he heard in the morning. His family always cherished him. They were always happy and healthy. Siwoo was grateful for another happy morning.* * *Reality was much different from fiction. The painful past of a protagonist hiding his skills in a novel was just decoration to explain his present. The pain was often summed up in a few lines. In reality, stories heard in someone else’s voice came without explanations of pain. But they were shocking and chilling. Jinwook still couldn’t believe that the Han Jemyung he knew was the same person the Restoration Department manager described.“Are you saying Han Jemyung will seek revenge?”“Wouldn’t you?”Jinwook’s expression hardened. He didn’t like the Restoration Department manager’s joking tone in this situation. But the manager was the type who could joke at any moment and didn’t mind being criticized.“Of course, he will seek revenge. Who wouldn’t if given the chance? Besides, this time, his enemy also holds a grudge against Han Jemyung, making a confrontation inevitable.”“Even if it’s not about revenge, the major must be dealt with. Shouldn’t we strike first?”“How do you plan to find the major when even the Americans can’t? There’s a way to lure him to Korea, but I don’t want to use it.”“A way? Do you mean spreading the rumor that a TP department agent is alive? That would reach Han Jemyung’s ears.”“Exactly. That’s why I don’t plan to do it.”But Jinwook shook his head.“No, it could be a good method if handled well. If 4K and the government support Han Jemyung’s revenge…”“If you don’t know Han Jemyung, stay out of it.”Jinwook was slightly offended by his words.“I asked about his past because I didn’t know, but I do know Han Jemyung now.”“Do you? Do you know he writes novels?”“Love, Purity, Passion, The Name is Burning White Rose.”The lawyer, who had been listening to the title, was silently astonished. Between the lawyer’s open mouth, Jinwook and the Restoration Department manager exchanged sharp looks.“Memorizing the title is impressive.”“Memorizing isn’t difficult. Saying it is.”“If it’s that hard, why not read it?”Jinwook retorted, not wanting to lose.“I know it’s a novel about many romantic relationships.”“You’re wrong. It involves many attractions between men, but no actual romantic relationships. Even after over 100 episodes, the protagonist never falls in love. Those he tries to love either die, disappear, or fall ill. He never forms a loving relationship. He never finds happiness.”“Did he project himself into the novel?”“Do you know the first thing he said after returning to Korea and remaining silent? ‘Only I should have boarded the plane.'”The Restoration Department manager smiled bitterly again.“Isn’t it interesting? Not ‘none of us should have boarded,’ but ‘only I should have boarded.’ He considers himself guilty for being the sole survivor. If he can atone for his sins, he’ll move. This time, he’ll carry everything alone, without involving anyone else.”