Chapter 140
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: As If Something That Shouldn't Have Happened, Happened
When Kanghyeok came up to the first floor, William was looking out the window with his hands in his pockets.
“You're here.”
At Kanghyeok's greeting, William turned his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
“You're late.”
“I was in the shooting range.”
“Getting some practice in?”
“It's the quietest place.”
“Something on your mind?”
“I won't deny it.”
William watched Kanghyeok for a moment before walking to the center of the living room.
It was a spacious living room where the wallpaper and windows had been redone.
The smell of paste and silicone hung heavy in the air, and the dusty floor was covered in a chaotic mess of workers' footprints.
Still, new furniture, including chairs, had been brought in, so there was no issue with sitting down to talk.
*Thump.*
William, sitting on a temporary sofa still wrapped in plastic, pulled the table toward him.
“This is depressing.”
“What is?”
Kanghyeok asked as he sat down opposite him, and William, pulling a cigar case and lighter from his coat pocket, spoke with a somber expression.
“I prepared this place to give you a clean, safe space, but now... I wonder how this is any different from that old apartment.”
Kanghyeok raised the corners of his mouth and gestured over his shoulder toward the elevator.
“If you want a clean place, there's the basement.”
“I don't feel like going to a place like the basement today.”
William looked at the moon and the night sky visible through the window as he took a Cuban cigar from his case.
Then, he continued speaking as he clipped both ends of the cigar with a special cutter.
“You did well. As always, you exceeded my expectations.”
It could have been a formal pleasantry.
But the atmosphere, and the way William's hands moved to prepare the cigar as if he were somehow embarrassed, showed it wasn't.
“It was just business as usual. Though the safe house being attacked was unexpected.”
“That's why I'm saying you did well. Leila, could you get me a cup of coffee?”
“Of course. Which beans would you like?”
“Anything. As long as it's hot.”
*Click.*
Leila operated the espresso machine to make coffee, and the rich aroma of coffee beans filled the living room.
Amidst the aroma, William lit his cigar first, and Kanghyeok, as if in sync, put a cigarette to his lips and lit it with a lighter.
*Hooo.*
William blew smoke toward the safe house ceiling.
“The fight wasn't just here. There was a war of nerves among the politicians at the company, too.”
Kanghyeok glanced at Leila making coffee, then back at William, but William didn't seem to care at all.
*Is Leila someone he can trust?*
Well, if she wasn't, he wouldn't have brought her along when he came to find me during my seclusion.
Perhaps William trusts Leila as much as he trusts his secretary, Olga.
“Those bastards had an interesting reaction. As if something that shouldn't have happened, happened.”
“Could you be more specific?”
“To me, it looked like they wanted you to fail. And yet, they seemed flustered every time the attackers made a move.”
William threw a question at Kanghyeok with his eyes.
*Isn't that strange to you, too?*
*Fwoosh!*
Kanghyeok exhaled smoke and nodded.
“Are you suggesting some of the executives are connected to the attackers?”
“Probably. But I think that's the correct assessment.”
Leila, seen from the corner of his eye, was clearly flustered.
But she didn't interrupt the conversation, carefully pouring the extracted coffee into a cup.
“If that's the case, one thing doesn't add up.”
Knowing what it was, Kanghyeok silently fiddled with the filter of his cigarette.
“It seems it happened suddenly.”
The fact that the executives were flustered is the sticking point.
It sounded as though they knew this city would be attacked, but not the exact time or method.
“There might not have been any prior consultation.”
“I agree, but do you have any idea why?”
*Clink.*
Leila placed two coffee cups on the table.
A heavy conversation was underway.
Amidst it all, the presence of freshly brewed hot coffee eased the tension and brought a sense of calm.
Kanghyeok conveyed his thanks to Leila with just a look and brought the cup to his lips.
“Hah! I wish it were internal strife, but that's too optimistic. I'd say it was a simple communication problem for some reason.”
William picked up his coffee cup, one corner of his mouth turning up.
“Still, seeing them flustered was quite enjoyable.”
Kanghyeok also took a sip of coffee and nodded.
He remembered something Gabriel had told him a while ago.
That their leader seemed to have been replaced recently.
*Has Iron Mask been replaced by a second generation...?*
If an unscheduled change of leadership had occurred, they might not have had time to coordinate beforehand.
Thinking about it now sent a chill down his spine.
What if Iron Mask and the company had joined forces to destroy this safe house and kill him?
The damage could have been far greater than it was.
He might not even be sitting here drinking coffee right now.
*Clink.*
William put down his cup and pointed his index finger at Kanghyeok.
“Everything was possible because of you. Defending this place, you being safe, and even landing a blow on the opposition.”
Kanghyeok looked at William before bringing his coffee to his lips.
“I just did what had to be done.”
As if the answer was less than he'd expected, William let out a deflated chuckle.
“What a boring response.”
“This isn't a topic to joke about.”
“You have to enjoy it. If you don't, this line of work becomes unbearable.”
But William's expression quickly hardened.
That was the situation.
He had Kanghyeok, the most reliable agent of all.
Vice President Cohen was on his side, and some directors shared his views.
But nothing had been resolved yet.
The executives were holding onto their positions and hadn't changed their stance.
And amidst all this, Gary Chang had recently taken leave.
Things were about to keep happening.
It felt as if something reeking of danger was watching him from beneath the surface with eerie eyes.
William didn't say a word until he had lifted his cup and drunk half the coffee.
Then, he suddenly opened his mouth and asked a question.
“What would you do?”
From Kanghyeok's perspective, it didn't seem like a question asked in search of an answer.
It seemed more like a plea for help in this bleak situation.
It was understandable.
William didn't know much about Kanghyeok.
*Click.*
Kanghyeok flicked open his lighter and looked down at his own fingers.
The back of a young man's hand, with thick veins standing out.
But originally, this hand had been riddled with scars, calluses, and the marks of time.
This was something only Kanghyeok knew.
From his regression, to his recovery ability, and the fact that he had far more experience than his age suggested.
*Flick! Sizzle.*
Lighting a new cigarette, Kanghyeok took a drag while watching William bring the cigar to his lips.
“If it were me, I'd try to pull in the grey faction.”
William's gaze shifted to Kanghyeok, his brow furrowing.
“The grey faction?”
“They must feel threatened, so they'll try to expand their power. They'll pull in those in the middle who aren't on either side.”
It wasn't hard to figure out.
William had pulled Kanghyeok in.
And Kanghyeok had taken his hand.
He was also aligned with the Errant Priests.
*Sizzle.*
William took a deep draw from his cigar and rested his forehead on his clenched fist.
Lost in thought, he pushed smoke through his pursed lips. Leila, who had been watching, met Kanghyeok's gaze and nodded.
It seemed like a signal, as if to say, *That was well said.*
“Hmm.”
After a long moment of thought, William removed his hand from his face.
The look in his eyes, now revealed, was different from before.
“That makes sense.”
“They'll try to make contact with the Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders.”
“Why?”
“That's what I would do. There aren't many people in those positions who belong to a faction.”
William took a long drag from his cigar and blew the smoke down between his knees.
“You're right about that.”
The Deputy Team Leaders and Team Leaders were the active, core personnel.
Ranks with the most operational capacity, yet unaffiliated with any faction.
They were the most efficient group to win over.
“Thank you. That was helpful.”
The way William looked at Kanghyeok was something he had never seen before.
It wasn't the look one gives to an agent who simply performs their duties well.
It was closer to the gaze one reserves for an equal.
“To be honest, when I first came to this city, I never expected a situation like this.”
William had personally selected and observed countless agents.
Yet, there had never been anyone like Kanghyeok, and he was certain there never would be again.
“I wasn't sure. Whether you'd even join the company, and if you did, how well you'd do.”
“So, do you regret it?”
As if he knew it was a joke, William replied with a smile.
“Not at all. In fact, I thank God.”
He didn't believe in God.
But if there was a God, and if he was walking the right path, he felt that God must have guided Kanghyeok to him.
William glanced at his watch.
“Do you have to go?”
“It's been a while since we met. I'll stay a bit longer.”
Then he sank deeper into his chair.
His schedule was packed, and financially significant matters were planned, but none of it mattered.
*Let's just consider this a rather expensive cup of coffee.*
William sipped his coffee, making small talk with Kanghyeok.
*Tsk! Tsk! Flick!*
The flame from Gary Chang's cigarette briefly illuminated the surroundings before vanishing. Gary Chang took a drag from the filter and scanned the area.
A dark night.
The smell of water rising from the nearby river.
The cold air, the rich night view of the city across the river.
And the vibrations and noise of cars from the overpass directly above.
*Sizzle.*
Cupping the lit end with his fingers, Gary Chang took a deep drag from the filter.
He didn't like being stuck under an overpass on the outskirts of the city like a sewer rat.
But a place like this was perfect.
For avoiding surveillance and conducting business without being seen.
*Thud, thud.*
Hearing footsteps from a distance, Gary Chang checked his watch and removed the fingers shielding his cigarette.
Since it was dark, the glowing tip would have been clearly visible to the approaching person.
*Flash, flash.*
A reply came in the form of a light, probably a lighter flame, flashing twice.
It was followed by the urgent sound of running.
Gary Chang fixed his gaze on the man rushing fiercely toward him.
There was no sign of fear or tension.
“You're too damn late.”
Gary Chang muttered and spat on the ground.
The man running toward him was the person he was supposed to meet, someone far below him in rank.
“I'm sorry. Have you been waiting long?”
A Caucasian man, a head taller than Gary Chang, bowed his head and spoke politely.
*Hmph.*
Gary Chang extinguished his cigarette in a portable ashtray and stared at the man's face.
The Deputy Team Leader who had been dispatched to support Kanghyeok.
The man who had worked with Santiago stood tense, waiting for Gary Chang to speak.