Chapter 29
Chapter 29
"You're going to release monsters in Hanseong? And you want us to procure the monsters for that plan?"
The moment he heard Kim Chang-un's scheme through the communicator, Bune-tal's voice dripped with sarcasm from the other end.
"What an utterly brilliant plan you've come up with. The media and those Sedao bastards are already calling us terrorists, so you're thinking of becoming real ones? Why not? While we're at it, why don't you go out on the streets and start shooting up the place?"
Along with Bune-tal's sharp tone, new voices popped up on Imae-tal's visual interface. Hwae operatives active in various regions. This was a secure channel linking those with the most notable masks.
"Not that you need to mock it that hard. I like it, personally. Seems like a pretty solid operation."
"Solid? You think unleashing monsters right in the heart of Hanseong is solid?"
"Think about it. Right in the heart of Hanseong—that's the key."
Hearing the flippant voice, Bune-tal's tone grew even harsher. But the owner of that voice, Gaksi-tal, pressed on with his usual sly drawl, undeterred.
"According to the intel Imae-tal brought, the lab's about the size of a single high-rise. Factoring in the restraints and equipment, there can't be more than fifty monsters inside at most."
Bune-tal's signal flickered as if to object.
"Even so, monsters...!"
"And like you said."
Not giving him a chance to argue, Gaksi-tal barreled ahead.
"...like you said, this is the heart of Hanseong. Home to the Royal Training Office headquarters, guarded by thousands of Forbidden Army troops. Even if dozens of monsters break loose, they'll be put down in under five minutes."
Bune-tal fell silent, at a loss for a retort.
"Drive the monsters berserk, let them trash the Pungyang Jo Clan research lab, then leave the cleanup to the Forbidden Army. Maximum impact with limited manpower, and we stay in the shadows. What could be better?"
"I oppose it."
Speaking up in Bune-tal's stead was Seonbi-tal, his piercing gaze implied even through voice alone. Unlike Gaksi-tal's light tone, a grave baritone flowed through the interface.
"We've run ops together and scored results, that's true. But that boy hasn't joined Hwae. He's still operating as one of the noble class. We can't trust him blindly."
"Wasn't it because he's one of those nobles that our last op succeeded? Without that, we wouldn't even be sitting here chatting so casually."
"I'm merely stating principle."
"Oh, really? Then why'd a guy who clings to principles like you—back in that infiltration op three years ago...!"
"Enough."
Just as the debate over Chang-un's plan teetered on the edge of a shouting match, an aged voice intervened, silencing the two masks on the verge of clashing.
Eight masks arranged in a circle. The voice came from the one at the top: Yangban-tal.
"Imae."
"Yes, sir."
She responded politely to the quiet summons. Hwae's leader, Yangban-tal. After a pause, he asked her in a kindly tone.
"What do you want to do?"
Plain words, impossible to read for hidden emotions.
"I'm in favor of trying it."
Imae-tal spoke after a moment's thought.
"Ever since the infiltration op failed three years ago, Hwae still hasn't recovered from the damage."
"......"
No verbal reply, but the signals from the gathered masks flickered.
That infiltration op three years back. Hwae's largest-scale battle—and its most devastating.
"The spots left by our fallen comrades remain empty. Weapons are broken and rusted. The Royal Inspectorate's tightening the noose day by day."
Again, no reply, but the masks flickered in agreement.
Reading the mood, Imae-tal's voice gained strength.
"But in our last op, we finally landed a real blow on the nobles. By saving the Iron Tiger Commander and the king's bloodline, we've created a chance to overturn Joseon."
Without his plan, she might not even be here now. It had been that perilous, and Chang-un's role had been pivotal.
Finishing her thoughts, Imae-tal addressed her comrades on the channel.
"The boy Kim Chang-un wants to transform Joseon. If someone like that seeks our aid, we should support him fully."
"......"
Yangban-tal fell silent for a long stretch, no doubt weighing the potential blow to the Sedao clans.
How much time passed?
"Drive the monsters berserk to destroy the lab, then let the Forbidden Army handle the suppression."
When Yangban-tal finally spoke, a faint amusement colored his voice.
"That means the boy Chang-un has plans beyond that."
"......Pardon?"
What did he mean? Intentions?
Before Imae-tal could puzzle it out,
"Listen well, all of you."
Yangban-tal reverted to his usual tone, addressing the operatives.
"Seonbi, head to the coordinates I sent. An acquaintance there will procure what you need."
"Understood."
"Bune and Gaksi, prepare the vehicles. Pungyang Jo transport vehicles—we should have blueprints. Forge the ID signals for camouflage."
"As you command, sir. Hey, Bune, where's the rendezvous?"
"I'll mark the coordinates. Head there. I'm going ahead."
One by one, the executives logged off after Yangban-tal's orders.
Soon, all but Imae-tal had departed.
"Imae, relay the message to the boy Chang-un. Hwae will support his plan."
"Understood."
"And one more thing."
Calling her back, Yangban-tal spoke slowly.
"When it's all over, send the boy those coordinates I gave you."
"Coordinates, sir?"
No sooner had he finished than location data appeared on Imae-tal's interface.
"Sir, this is...!"
Her eyes widened at the sight. A secret site unknown even to the other executives.
"To our drowning puppet troupe, he's a rare guest after all."
Startled, Imae-tal listened as Yangban-tal replied leisurely.
"Whether he truly has the will to change Joseon... and the ability..."
"......"
"We'll have to meet him in person to find out."
"Young master!"
"Huh? Oh?"
Had I dozed off? I stretched my stiff body, feeling the seat's faint sway.
"We there yet?"
"We just entered the city limits."
"Talk about Sedao luck. Fifty minutes from Hanseong to Busan."
Yawning, I shook off the drowsiness. We were in a luxury taxi bound for Busan. Moo-young, riding along, looked worried as he spoke.
"You were sweating coldly in your sleep the whole time. You don't seem well—maybe rest today..."
"The staff's already waiting. Canceling last-minute would just make enemies."
His expression was priceless. The ones we were meeting were Sedao scum trafficking humans. Who cared if they took a dislike to us?
But what could we do? Right now, we were one of the bad guys too.
Beep—
Lost in thought, our taxi pulled up to the rendezvous. A group lined up at the entrance—Pungyang Trade employees in badges and suits.
"Welcome—!"
The moment we passed the main gate, voices rang out. Peering out the window, I saw the staff bowing deeply toward our car.
"What're you staring at?"
"I heard this trading company supports Pungyang Jo's human trafficking and experiments. But..."
Moo-young eyed the staff outside, then muttered awkwardly.
"No armed guards, no combat cybernetics. This doesn't look like an illicit operation so much as..."
"Just ordinary office workers."
Moo-young looked utterly baffled, and understandably so. I'd expected Dokgo-seong's replacements to be the usual gangster types, but here were crisp-suited salarymen.
"That's exactly what they are."
"Pardon?"
His gaze turned to me at my words.
"Exactly what I said. Ordinary office workers."
Watching the staff bow politely, I continued.
"Most of them don't even know what they're shipping. They get paid by a Sedao-run company, worry about putting food on the table—that's it."
No one risks digging into their bosses' dirt at work, and even if they did, the Sedao surveillance net wouldn't let a rat like that scurry free.
"They either don't know or pretend not to, desperately. That's your average worker. When the tail gets stepped on, they pin it on one unlucky employee—clean and simple."
"......"
Moo-young stared at the dock workers, face pale.
"To the Sedao, the trafficked and the shippers are both disposable tools."
"......"
"How 'bout that—our Joseon, huh?"
I chuckled mischievously for a moment.
"You've arrived, Young Master Kim Chang-un. We've been waiting."
As the car door opened, a middle-aged man in a neat suit over a durumagi coat greeted me.
Ugh, cringey. The precision screamed practice.
Waving him off with a grimace, I said,
"Skip this next time. I don't like bothering the staff."
Spotting my distaste for the pomp, the lead executive nodded, and the employees dispersed with quick bows.
"I'm Gu Jeong-hyeok. I manage logistics for Young Master Jo Seong-hwan's ventures, humbly."
"Kim Chang-un. New hire."
The guy was well over fifty, but I spoke casually, no deference. A fifteen-year-old punk talking down might piss off anyone, but Gu Jeong-hyeok didn't bat an eye.
Of course not. Technically, I was yangban; they were sangmin.
Gu Jeong-hyeok, though... Never heard that name in my past life?
A new face. But his clothes and demeanor told me plenty.
Flashing my trademark business smile, I said to him,
"Looks like you're from the main house. Here to fill Dokgo-seong's spot?"
"Oho."
Impressed I'd clocked his origins? He let out a short exclamation.
"How did you know?"
"Your footsteps."
I glanced at his shoes.
"Only main house retainers tread that lightly."
"Well played. Sharp eyes indeed. As expected..."
Probing disguised as chit-chat. Sensing it, Gu Jeong-hyeok's vibe shifted slightly.
"Truly a son of the Andong Kim Clan."
"...Yeah?"
Look at this guy. I smirked at his pointed tone, dropping "Andong Kim" after hearing my name. Translation: I know you're Andong Kim, and I've heard why you're here.
Which meant...
Gu Jeong-hyeok's a plant from Jo Seong-hwan to watch me.
Whether I'd turn traitor, prove loyal. A judge of sorts.
So, mind your step around me.
"Not much for welcomes, but we've prepared light refreshments. That said..."
Finishing the pleasantries, he led me to the office. But he trailed off, eyes landing somewhere.
On the taxi I'd just left. My bodyguard Moo-young had vanished without a trace.
"Didn't expect you'd come all this way without an escort. Could be dangerous..."
"Dangerous, my ass."
Empty car interior. Grinning at his puzzled mutter, I said,
"With Pungyang Jo's finest watching my back, why bring a bodyguard? Right?"
"Haha, indeed."
In other words: If something happens to me, it's on you.
He got it, a thick smile spreading.
"We'll have to be extra vigilant. Do our utmost for your comfort."
Swallowing a laugh at his face, I thought of my real ace in Busan: Moo-young.
He'd slipped the car by now, heading deeper into the city.
And since they hadn't noticed...
This game of wits was mine from the start.