Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Are You Planning to Start a War? (1)
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Thud, thud.
An image flashed through Kanghyeok's mind as he descended the stairs. It was of William, making a call the moment their conversation ended.
Thanks to him contacting the border patrol, Kanghyeok had crossed the border like a VIP. Even the gunsmith watching him from the top of the stairs seemed to have been expecting his visit.
William was helping Kanghyeok now.
Why?
For what reason?
Kanghyeok’s lips thinned as he was lost in thought.
But no matter what conclusion he drew, he couldn't be certain.
Kanghyeok exhaled slowly, placed his hand on the doorknob at the bottom of the stairs, and twisted it, entering the basement where The Master waited.
“It's good to see you so often.”
The Master spoke as if they had met only a few minutes ago.
Kanghyeok gave a bitter smile at the large bags placed before him and stood in front of The Master.
“It's been a while.”
“You seem to have been quite busy. You look like you need some rest.”
“Not now.”
The Master smiled, his lips curling upwards, then unbuckled a bag and carefully opened the lid as if revealing a jewel.
“This should help you finish your work.”
Kanghyeok's gaze fell from The Master's face to the bag.
“Feel it for yourself.”
Kanghyeok lifted out the rifle, nestled in jet-black foam inside the bag.
It was heavy and cool.
And familiar.
This rifle, a near-twin to the one Kanghyeok used to carry, had an identical grip and weight distribution.
Click.
After holding the rifle in various stances, Kanghyeok looked at The Master, demanding an explanation.
“It's an item I made at the Company's request.”
“The Company?”
“It was about half a year ago. They asked if I could replicate your custom firearm. They probably planned to mass-produce it for the agents.”
“But it's here.”
“The higher-ups canceled it, I was told. I don't know the details, but there was a conflict of opinion. The opposition apparently argued that your uniqueness should be respected.”
Kanghyeok nodded grimly.
Honestly, it was a rather unpleasant story.
The idea of someone else using a copy of his gun.
A former employee had no right to complain about it.
Still, the feeling was unsettling, but in any case, the project had been canceled, and the copy was now in Kanghyeok's hands.
Click, clack!
He cocked the rifle, confirming it was ready for immediate combat, and placed it back in the bag.
Then, he shifted his gaze to the other bag beside it.
“This is…?”
Just as he had done before, The Master opened the bag to reveal its contents.
“A prototype automatic shotgun. It's hefty and intricate.”
Kanghyeok looked from the object, which hardly resembled a shotgun, back to The Master.
“May I take it out?”
“Be my guest.”
Kanghyeok lifted the item from the bag as if it were a delicate masterpiece from a renowned artist.
“There's a button next to the grip.”
When Kanghyeok pressed the button, there was a click, and the gun unfolded into three sections under the force of gravity.
“This is…”
“It takes a 20-round drum magazine. A flashlight comes standard, and you can customize it via the rails. But its most significant feature is…”
Kanghyeok ran his hand over the shotgun's jointed sections and spoke.
“It's foldable.”
A faint smile spread across The Master's lips.
“Correct. It doesn't just fold; it can also be used for corner shots. The downsides are that it's a bit heavy and front-heavy, but I trust that won't be a problem for you.”
*Because you are more than capable of handling it.*
The Master's expression seemed to say.
Before him, Kanghyeok could only nod slightly, his eyes fixed on the shotgun.
This thing is insane.
It was a monster that could be described in no other way. This shotgun.
“Is there anything you'd like me to attach to the rails?”
Kanghyeok drew in his lips, thought for a moment, and placed the shotgun on top of the bag.
“A grenade launcher would be nice.”
“Are you planning to start a war?”
“If necessary, I will.”
His voice was calm.
But had any of Kanghyeok's enemies heard it, their blood would have run cold.
The Master chuckled and reached for the display case behind him. He spoke as he searched for a grenade launcher.
“Will you be using your current pistol?”
“Yes.”
“I'd like to hear your thoughts on it, however brief.”
“The best of the best.”
At the answer, given without a hint of hesitation, The Master's face crinkled into a smile.
“I hope you'll be pleased with these items as well.”
“I will be.”
Kanghyeok ran his tongue over his teeth, looking down at the two firearms.
The thought of facing himself armed with these guns was suffocating.
Anyone would feel the same.
Rattle.
“I say this because it's not a mission, but I must admit, I'm curious.”
The Master said as he took out the grenade launcher. Kanghyeok, who had turned, met his gaze and nodded.
“I understand.”
“Could you tell this old man what's going on?”
Kanghyeok smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“I'm sorry. I can't say.”
“No, no. It was merely curiosity.”
Kanghyeok clenched his fists under the table.
Unconsciously, he squeezed harder than necessary, feeling his nails dig into his palms.
It was agonizing at times like these.
The sudden thought that he was doing something no one could ever understand.
Clank.
The Master spoke as he attached the grenade launcher to the rail.
“Anything else you need?”
The Master's face suggested he thought this was enough.
But there were still things he needed.
“Magazines, ammunition, and a military hip pack would be good.”
“Color?”
“Black, of course.”
As he went to gather the items Kanghyeok ordered, The Master rubbed his forehead in front of a box of magazines.
“My apologies. It occurs to me I only ever gave you the pistol.”
No one ever requested bullets or magazines from The Master.
There was no need to.
The organizations and people who did business with him were not short on money.
The Master's guns were hard to come by even with money, while magazines and bullets, easily obtainable with money, didn't need to be acquired from him.
“I took care of that problem locally.”
“As an apology, I'll give you plenty.”
The Master packed all the items Kanghyeok ordered into a duffel bag.
Now Kanghyeok had everything he needed.
Enough firepower to wage a war.
“The price…”
“Already been paid.”
Kanghyeok arched an eyebrow. The Master looked at him, his eyes a mix of various emotions.
“William has already settled the bill. You may go.”
Kanghyeok's lips parted.
A question he wanted to ask echoed in his mouth.
He knew William had made a call.
But he didn't know he had paid for it all.
This wasn't a Company-related matter; it was personal. Therefore, it couldn't be covered by expenses.
So then?
It meant William had paid out of his own pocket. That he had willingly paid a fortune for Kanghyeok's sake.
“I know you're in a hurry. You should go.”
The Master said, his eyes still filled with a mix of emotions.
Gladness, worry, and concern.
It was like the look of a grandfather seeing a grandson he hadn't seen in a long time, and also like the look of someone who understood just how dangerous a task Kanghyeok was heading into.
With a gun bag in each hand and the duffel bag slung over his shoulder, Kanghyeok bowed his head to express his gratitude.
Then, without a word, he turned toward the stairs.
“Return safely.”
The Master's voice from behind stopped Kanghyeok in his tracks.
Kanghyeok turned his head and nodded with a look that promised he would do just that, then resumed his steps and returned to his car.
Clunk.
The gear was in the passenger seat, and Kanghyeok was in the driver's, but the car didn't start right away.
Shk, shk.
He needed to prepare.
He filled the military hip pack with magazines and placed the prepared gear on the passenger seat.
And Kanghyeok prepared himself.
By changing his clothes.
He shed the clothes soaked in sweat and blood and put on the suit that had been provided with the car.
He put on a dress shirt, a tie, and trousers, then socks, then his dress shoes.
After putting on the jacket, he reached for his cufflinks but quickly withdrew his hand.
Wearing the cufflinks that signified his status would make it feel like he was on Company business.
Dressed perfectly in his suit, minus only the cufflinks, Kanghyeok released the handbrake and sharply turned the steering wheel.
And he sped toward the U.S. border.
To stop Iron Mask's plan for tonight.
Screech!
The U.S. border patrol recognized Kanghyeok's car approaching from a distance and immediately threw open the border gate.
Their brows were furrowed, their faces a harmonious blend of alarm and bewilderment.
“He's not slowing down.”
“Just wait.”
The border patrol supervisor crossed his arms and glared at the approaching car kicking up sand and dust.
He knew not to stop the man.
Still, he thought anyone with a modicum of decency and common sense would at least get out of the car, or at the very least slow down for an identity check.
But even as the car got close enough to read the license plate, its speed didn't decrease, and in the blink of an eye, it was even closer.
“Move!”
The border patrol officers hastily scrambled to either side.
Bang!
The car shoved aside the slightly ajar gate and crossed the border into Mexico.
The officers, who had been staring blankly at the receding car, snapped to their senses and shouted at each other.
“Anyone see his face?”
Two men raised their hands.
“Was it him?”
“Yes, sir!”
“But there was something unusual.”
“Dammit, what is it!”
The officer who had spoken, his face contorted with bewilderment, answered.
“His clothes were different.”
“That's it?”
The tense supervisor's expression relaxed, and the subordinate reporting to him grew even more flustered as he continued.
“N-No, sir. There were guns in the car.”
“What…”
Even with orders from above, the news that a civilian had crossed the border with firearms made everyone present turn pale.
“Are you sure? You didn't see wrong?”
To his boss's desperate question, the subordinate licked his lips and replied.
“I only got a glimpse, so I'm not certain, but there were at least two.”
“Goddammit! What models?”
“I don't know.”
They had seen plenty of firearms during their time as border patrol, but they swore they had never seen the models in the passenger seat before.
“What do we do?”
Everyone held their breath and focused on the highest-ranking officer.
After a not-so-short moment passed, he spoke as if groaning, feeling a splitting headache.
“Report to the higher-ups. Tell them we followed orders.”
“No further action necessary?”
He shook his head and answered in a weak voice.
“We have to follow orders.”
“But…”
“We can only hope nothing comes of it.”
That was all they could do.
Hope that everything would blow over without incident and that they wouldn't get caught in the fallout.
As they lit their cigarettes, their faces asking what the hell was going on, praying for no trouble, Kanghyeok glanced at his watch to check the time.
Time's going to be a little tight.
Vroooom!
His car shot forward with terrifying speed.
Rattle, rattle.
The guns in the passenger seat shook, and the cufflinks he had placed in the cup holder between the seats rattled about.
The sun, sinking in the west, announced that night was coming, and the wind blowing from behind seemed to urge him to hurry.