DW | Chapter 1.2

Typically, when one thinks of a Black, they imagine assassins crossing borders. That’s usually the image portrayed in the media. But the reality of intelligence agencies is a bit different.

Most Blacks from each country are dispatched overseas to gather agents, known as informants. They then manage and control this human intelligence network to collect intelligence necessary for national interests.

Secret missions where lives are truly at risk are usually carried out by a very small number of systematically trained agents, often with military backgrounds. Cha Jaeha was the only agent within the organization who simultaneously performed both intelligence gathering and secret missions in all operations.

His news would occasionally turn the headquarters upside down. Since Black’s operations were kept under wraps even internally, unverified heroics and ghost stories would spring up like mushrooms.

Cha Jaeha was famous for his impeccable operation history, his rare appearance, and his obsessive self-righteousness. But more frequently, there were talks about him.

‘Emotionally crippled…’

It was said he wouldn’t even blink if a person’s head exploded right in front of him, an extreme level of composure.

Internally, he was seen as a god or a Korean psycho.

As Haedeun glanced at his back, he lowered his voice so passersby wouldn’t hear and tried to ask him a question.

He was certainly going to do so.

“Uh, Team Leader?”

“I’ll be the only one asking questions. Shall we go?”

Tap.

He lightly patted his shoulder as if to encourage him and walked away without waiting for an answer. He didn’t seem to have any intention of giving him time to think. Haedeun’s already pale face lost its color.

“Yes, understood.”

Having no choice, he moved without thinking.

His tone was polite. But in the end, all his words were orders wrapped in a friendly manner. Of course, considering it was an urgent field, it was typical for work to proceed top-down.

It’s just.

‘He doesn’t seem to see me as a human…’

It felt like he had become a piece of paper.

Was he holding a prejudice based on inflated rumors?

Tilting his head, Haedeun hurriedly followed Cha Jaeha.

✮⋆˙

Airports are always bustling. Moreover, Cha Jaeha stood out excessively. Fortunately, Bardiff Airport had its peculiarities. It was a sort of regional airport, and since the city itself was like a giant slum, it had fewer users compared to major airports. Additionally, due to the overall characteristics of this country, the facilities weren’t clean, nor was the service friendly. On the contrary, it was generally chaotic.

Walking alongside Haedeun, Cha Jaeha calmly explained, “Listen carefully. The domestic distribution broker for Wicked is coming to this airport. The operative who was supposed to be here is currently tailing the broker. The police are already waiting at Incheon Airport, and he’ll be arrested as soon as he exits the gate.”

“And what’s our mission?”

“Our mission is to ensure this broker boards the plane safely and arrives in Korea.”

The role of the National Intelligence Service is to gather all information centered around the nation. However, their investigative powers are very limited. In cases of international crime, especially drug investigations involving imports into Korea, they oversee everything from intelligence gathering to just before the arrest. But the final act of handcuffing is always done by the police or prosecutors.

This operation was no different. Cha Jaeha’s team had secured evidence of the broker’s domestic smuggling transactions and pursued him until he boarded the flight to Korea, but the thrill and glory of the arrest would be monopolized by the police.

In other words, they were people who worked thoroughly in the shadows.

“So, we just quietly watch to make sure he boards the plane safely?”

He looked at him with a blank expression as if he’d heard something utterly foolish.

Quickly grasping the situation, Haedeun continued, “May I ask about the specific situation?”

“There are people at the airport who will try to obstruct the broker’s departure.”

“Who would obstruct it?”

“Other brokers trying to establish a distribution network in Korea. They might be trying to sabotage this deal and take over the transaction themselves. This situation itself is a variable, so it’s not certain.”

Cha Jaeha explained the situation quite clearly. There was another group tracking the target they were pursuing, and their task was to stop that group. If the person who was supposed to be arrested in Korea didn’t board the plane on time, all the efforts of the National Intelligence Service, as well as the customs and police operation, would go up in smoke.

With a determined expression, Haedeun asked seriously, “Yes, I understand roughly. What should I do?”

“Shall we have some tea?”

They were on the brink of a very important operation. It didn’t make sense.

“Tea?”

“What do you like? Coffee?”

“Thank you, but I’ll pass. If you have some, I’ll keep an eye on things.”

At that moment, Cha Jaeha’s gaze, which had become more intense, swept over Haedeun.

“I’m not asking you.”

“Carb…”

“Carbonated drink?”

“I’ll have a carbonated drink. Sparkling water is fine too.”

“Let’s go with coffee.”

It seemed his answer didn’t really matter from the start. Without further questions, he headed straight to the coffee shop opposite the check-in counter and ordered two Americanos.

Even hot ones.

‘Why did he even ask?’

It seemed he meant to say just go with that no matter what. Before coming here, Haedeun had been advised to consider all of Cha Jaeha’s words as orders, regardless of the tone. It was exactly that. If it was an order, it seemed best to settle down. Haedeun moved to the ‘ㄴ’ shaped bar table next to the condiment bar.

Not long after, Cha Jaeha returned, glanced at the check-in counter, and suddenly hugged him tightly.

He was genuinely startled.

“Uh, Team Leader, what are you doing?”

The embrace was so tight that his breath was caught at the base of his throat. His throat and chest felt constricted.

Barely managing to lift his arms behind Cha Jaeha’s back, Haedeun tried to pull down his jacket. He attempted to pull his upper body away, but Cha Jaeha didn’t budge. As a second option, he brought his hands back and pushed against his shoulders and abdomen with his palms. Instead of moving away, he was only met with firm muscles beyond the fabric, leaving him bewildered.

This was the first time he’d encountered such strength.

To make matters worse, Cha Jaeha pulled his head back, placing his chin on his broad shoulder.

“Zone D, two Asian men with silver carry-on luggage. They just looked at 1265. Don’t look too obviously, just naturally.”

He meant for him to check it out himself.

Haedeun’s attempt to push away suddenly stopped.

Unconsciously, he clutched Cha Jaeha’s jacket.

Exactly as he described, two men stood by the check-in counter. They seemed to be in their mid to late 30s at most. Perhaps conscious of being fellow Asians, they were watching him closely, but upon seeing him appear familiar with someone, they put their heads together again. It seemed necessary to divert their attention.

Understanding the situation, Haedeun instinctively began interpreting the visual information.

A plausible hypothesis quickly emerged.

“Team Leader, are those people Korean expatriates?”

“What’s your basis for that judgment?”

“I’m a former analyst. The hats and glasses those men are wearing were trendy here last year. The carry-ons are for cabin use, and judging by the way they handle them, they don’t seem heavy. Bardiff now only has a few business visitors and domestic tourists. It’s odd they’re standing at the counter without holding passports, and judging by their appearance, they seem to be Korean nationals.”

Cha Jaeha, who had slowly released his hold on Haedeun’s upper body, glanced at his face.

His voice, subtly questioning, carried a hint of surprise.

“Do you know Bardiff well?”

“I’ve been here quite a while. Among the Grade 5 or lower agents at the consulate, I’ve been here the longest.”

“Isn’t it a city everyone wants to escape from? There are hardly any applicants. Why stay?”

“Because it’s a city where I have work to do.”

He briefly pondered what the correct answer would be to the question of what work he had to do.

But there was no need for that.

Cha Jaeha, who let out a low sigh, ultimately asked nothing more. He seemed uninterested in him. No, from the short time he had experienced, he didn’t seem like someone who could be interested in others. He casually touched the bar table with one hand and nodded towards them, explaining.

“The one with glasses is indeed a South Korean national. The one with the hat is a third-generation immigrant who naturalized. If you ask which one to be more cautious of, it’s the one with glasses. He’s an Interpol red notice fugitive.”

“A red notice fugitive appearing at an airport? No matter how lax Bardiff Airport is, isn’t that underestimating it too much?”

“They probably don’t intend to board the plane. That’s why they don’t have passports in hand.”

Thinking that way, it made sense why they hadn’t checked in and why their carry-ons seemed light.

They seemed to be waiting near the gate for the broker to arrive and then make a move.

Just as he was about to ask if his thoughts were correct, the coffee came out, causing the two to separate.

Soon, Cha Jaeha returned with two cups of hot coffee and placed them on the table.

Watching him intently, Haedeun’s expression gradually became peculiar.

‘Wow.’

From head to toe, he was literally well put together. Even seeing him again, he couldn’t help but be impressed.

Cha Jaeha was a famous figure within the organization, to the point where it was amazing he was standing so close.

He was the youngest army captain from the combat arms, specially recruited by the then-director of the National Intelligence Service after three attempts. His work was so shrouded in mystery that he carried all sorts of sensational rumors for years.

He was notorious for his unilateral way of handling tasks and his self-righteous attitude. On the other hand, he was always followed by overwhelming praise for successfully completing all difficult operations. Every director, even those from the predecessor agency, the Agency for National Security Planning, parroted the praise that he was the most capable agent.

It was said that dozens of support officers had been worn out due to his uncompromising perfectionism. There were many names to describe him, but very few truly knew him.

“Team Leader. What exactly should I do?”

“I’ll give you 30 more seconds, so familiarize yourself with their faces first.”

In a hurry, Haedeun took a sip of coffee as naturally as possible. Pretending to converse with Cha Jaeha, he scrutinized the men’s faces. Although the distance made it unclear, focusing allowed him to memorize them well enough to recognize them in passing.

A red notice fugitive. What serious crime had he committed?

“What exactly is that person wanted for?”

“Murder.”